On this episode, we explore strategies for building a compelling business case for customer experience (CX) investment — and how to optimize the budget you’ve secured. According to Forrester’s Budget Planning Guide 2025: Customer Experience, while 99% of CX decision-makers list CX improvements as a top priority of senior executives, only 40% antici…

Drew is the Co-Founder and CEO of Connect the Dots, a company that helps map professional relationships in order to find the strongest connections possible. He previously played an important role in the rise of Salesforce, helping them grow from $0 to over $1B in revenue, as employee #36. During that time, he was both the #1 sales manager (globally…

On this episode, we explore the connection between brand and customer experience — and how to maintain positive customer sentiment while undergoing a rebrand. An effective rebranding strategy can serve to reposition a company, product or service to better align with customer expectations. But it’s not a given; to retain existing customers and attra…

Tim J.M. Rohrer is an award-winning sales director with over 25 years of experience in sales and sales management. He dedicates himself to coaching and mentoring salespeople and sales leaders, as well as consulting and providing training to sales organizations. Tim is also the author of the book "Sales Lessons of the World’s Greatest Mentor: Secret…

Note: Since publishing this episode, we’ve rebranded to TELUS Digital. On this episode, we ask big questions about how customer loyalty is formed — and how AI can be leveraged to build stronger connections with customers. According to TechSee, a visual customer experience solutions provider and technology partner of TELUS Digital, more than one in …

Note: Since publishing this episode, we’ve rebranded to TELUS Digital. On this episode, we explore customer-focused leadership — and the steps CX leaders can take to cultivate and champion a customer-centric culture in their organizations. Customer centricity goes beyond providing good customer service, relying on company leadership to consider eve…

Note: Since publishing this episode, we’ve rebranded to TELUS Digital. On this episode, we discuss the importance of reducing customer effort — and the steps brands can take to design and deliver seamless customer experiences. Today, customers demand speed and efficiency. It is up to brands to rise to that challenge. Research from HubSpot indicates…

Roger Martin is the Co-Founder and CEO of RockBox Fitness and beam® Light Sauna, as well as an accomplished entrepreneur with a 30-year career in sales and marketing. Roger also shares insights on wellness and health through his ThriveMore platform and podcast. Roger's latest book, "An Insider's Guide to Business," is a practical roadmap filled wit…

Join us on Strictly Money as we dive into the art of negotiation and its critical role in achieving financial success. In this episode, Saijal Patel welcomes Mark Raffan, CEO of Negotiations Ninja, an award-winning negotiation trainer, speaker, and well-known negotiation expert. Mark has coached executives and teams in some of the largest companies…

Welcome to "Strictly Money: Weekly Insights," the podcast that brings you expert advice and actionable tips to take your financial well-being to the next level. In this episode, I’m diving into the world of employer-sponsored pension plans in Canada. Whether you're just starting your career or approaching retirement, understanding your pension opti…

Mark Raffan is an author, the Founder & CEO of Negotiations Ninja, and the host of the Negotiations Ninja Podcast. Mark brings a wealth of experience to the table and is recognized as a global expert in negotiation, persuasion, and conflict resolution. As the dynamic force behind a globally acclaimed consulting and training agency, he empowers lead…

Note: Since publishing this episode, we’ve rebranded to TELUS Digital. On this episode, we discuss a longstanding focus for customer experience (CX) leaders — loyalty — and the role of CX delivery in creating customer advocates and word of mouth. According to Nielsen, 88% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family over all other for…

In this episode, I discuss the pressing issue of housing in Canada with mortgage broker and thought leader Ron Butler. Despite the constant dialogue around making housing more affordable and increasing supply, progress remains sluggish. Is it all just smoke and mirrors? We explore the complexities behind the scenes, from mortgage indebtedness to th…

Welcome to this week’s episode of Weekly Insights, where we delve into a topic that might make many feel uneasy but is crucial for responsible financial planning – creating a death file. Discussing and planning for death can be uncomfortable, but it's an inevitable reality we all must face. In this episode, I cover why preparing a death file, or an…

Join us on Strictly Money as we tackle the pressing issue of the retirement crisis with expert insights from Jeff Thorsteinson, Vice President of Wealth Distribution at HomeEquity Bank and is a 25 year veteran of the wealth management industry. In this episode, we explore the innovative solution of CHIP Reverse Mortgages, designed to empower senior…

Welcome to this week’s Strictly Money Weekly Insights, where we dive deep into the most pressing financial questions of our time. Have you ever wondered how much money you'll need in retirement? If you guessed that this is the number one question on everyone's mind, you're absolutely right. Join me, Saij, as I unravel the mysteries of retirement sa…

Philip Petursson, Chief Investment Strategist at IG Wealth Management is back with his economic and market outlook. We unravel the S&P500 performance and the "sell in May and go away" investment strategy, uncovering what this means for investors. We also delve into the pressing topic of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and Bank of Canada, and when …

Welcome to my weekly insights segment on Strictly Money, where I distill timeless financial wisdom shared by my esteemed guests. We uncover the essential strategies for saving, investing, and debt management that stand the test of time. This podcast shares some of the best financial advice from legendary experts Joe Canavan, Jason Heath, Alfred Lee…

In this episode, we embark on the poignant journey of navigating aging parents. This evolution requires heartfelt conversations about health, caregiving, and the practicalities of downsizing. Our special guest, Laura Tamblyn Watts, joins us to illuminate these vital discussions. Laura is not only the author of the newly released book "Let’s Talk Ab…

Welcome to Weekly Insights, where I dive into the world of personal finance with a critical eye on the noise that surrounds us. I’ll unravel the complexities of financial chatter that often clouds our judgment and share practical tips and strategies to navigate through market hype, media sensationalism, and societal pressures that can impact our fi…

Juliet Funt is a globally renowned keynote speaker and founder of the efficiency training firm, Juliet Funt Group. She has brought her powerful concepts to renowned companies such as Spotify, National Geographic, Nike, Sephora, and ESPN. Juliet is also the author of the bestselling book A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and D…

Note: Since publishing this episode, we’ve rebranded to TELUS Digital. On this episode, we explore how eco-friendly apparel brand Frank And Oak evolved its business model to adapt to customer expectations — and how data, feedback and technology are used to optimize its CX strategy. Founded in 2012 as an online-only menswear retailer, Frank And Oak …

In this episode, we delve into the surprising reality of Canada's income and wealth gap compared to its U.S. counterpart. Despite common perceptions, recent revelations from the report "Billionaire Blindspot" challenge the accuracy of data collected by Statistics Canada, shedding light on a previously overlooked aspect of economic disparity. Join m…

Why do so many couples avoid talking about money when it’s essential in order to build and protect one’s wealth? Join me as I explore why couples need to discuss their finances and, more importantly, how to navigate these conversations effectively. Research consistently highlights that couples who openly communicate about money are happier and more…

Welcome to this special episode of Strictly Money, where we dissect the aftermath of Canada's federal budget announcement. Jake Fuss of the Fraser Institute joins Saijal Patel as they unravel the implications of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's budget, specifically crafted to resonate with millennials and Gen Z amidst the pressing issue of hous…

In this episode, I’m tackling the commonly used term "financial literacy" and why it might be leading us astray. There are limitations of traditional financial literacy and it’s why so many individuals struggle with managing their finances despite possessing basic financial knowledge. The correct approach is a concept called financial capability—a …

As the tax filing deadline approaches, host Saijal Patel is joined by seasoned tax expert Brian Quinlan to provide last-minute filers and proactive planners alike with essential insights to optimize savings and minimize tax liabilities. From new regulations to timeless strategies, we cover everything you need to know to make the most of your financ…

Tune in to this episode as I uncover the 4 key investing mistakes that could be holding you back from achieving financial freedom. Join me as I discuss why investing is not as risky as you may think and how to approach risk the right way when thinking about your investment strategy. Plus for all you FOMOs, I’ll share why time and patience work for …

Jon Levy is a behavioral scientist and New York Times Bestselling author. His expertise lies in understanding the intricacies of trust, belonging, and influence, and his work has left a lasting impact on Fortune 500 brands like Microsoft, Google, AB-InBev, and Samsung. Jon is renowned for his creation of The Influencers Dinner, a clandestine dining…

In this episode of Strictly Money, host Saijal Patel and Ratehub.ca’s Natasha Macmillan discuss a recent report comparing banking fees in Canada to those in the U.K. and Australia. Discover the startling discrepancies in fees for basic banking services and explore how they impact the everyday consumer. From monthly account fees to non-sufficient fu…

Welcome to the latest Weekly Insight! In this episode, I dig into a crucial but often misunderstood aspect of personal finance: aligning spending habits with individual values. Join me as I unravel the misconceptions surrounding spending habits that are stopping millions of people from reaching their financial goals. I’ve give you research-backed a…

John Barrows is a sales trainer and the founder of JBarrows Sales Training, which provides sales training and consulting services to companies and individuals worldwide. He has been named one of LinkedIn's Top Sales Voices and is a contributor to Forbes, Inc., and Salesforce. John is also the host of the "Make It Happen Mondays" podcast, where he s…

In this episode, we unpack the imminent trillion-dollar wealth transfer unfolding, with women, GenX, and Millennials set to benefit. However, the lack of preparedness looms large. Estate plans are a mess, poor financial literacy means the inheritance will not be managed well, and families are not having important money conversation. This is an epis…

In this Strictly Money: Weekly Insights, we go deep into the psychology behind our financial decisions and why many of us struggle to prioritize our financial health and well-being. I share personal insights and reflections on pivotal conversations I've had with others and myself. From confronting fears and shame to embracing the journey towards fi…

According to Dr. Abbie Maroño, someone judges whether or not they can trust you within 33 milliseconds of meeting you. Once they’ve made their observation, they’ll spend every interaction looking for cues to confirm what they felt (correct or not). So how do you convey trustworthiness? Through nonverbal communication. Dr. Abbie Maroño shares her #1…

Note: Since publishing this episode, we’ve rebranded to TELUS Digital. On this episode, we discuss customer experience trends – and how these trends are impacting CX leaders’ priorities in 2024. Drawing on decades of experience and conversations with CX executives at some of the world’s top brands, our expert guests speak to the challenges and oppo…

Dale Carnegie is a global training organization with 200 operations in 86 countries. Its instructors teach the Dale Carnegie course following the model he developed over 100 years ago. Joe Hart took the course as a young lawyer, and it changed the trajectory of his life. He left law and went into business, and the course helped him see a different …

In this episode, we delve into the pressing issue of the debt crisis gripping Canada. With consumer debt soaring to unprecedented levels, the financial strain on Canadians has become undeniable. Credit card and mortgage delinquencies are up, especially in Ontario and B.C. where home prices are exceptionally high. Rebecca Oakes, Vice-President of Da…

Welcome to another edition of Strictly Money, Weekly Insights. I’m going to share my five essential financial rejuvenation strategies, so you review, reset and refocus your way to prosperity. From budgeting and credit card statement reviews to setting financial planning goals, optimizing investments, and securing your estate plan, I got you covered…

How do you handle stressful conversations? Do you know how you’re likely to react? Do you default to being aggressive or combative? It’s crucial that you understand how you react—i.e. your “style under stress”— in tense situations to change how you show up in the moment. Navigating these conversations is Joseph Grenny’s specialty. He shares where t…

Is there one right way to negotiate? Is one methodology superior to the other? For the last 30+ years, “Getting to Yes” was the book on negotiation. More recently, “Never Split the Difference” has become the book on negotiation. The vast majority of people read the top-selling book(s) in a category and think they’re fully educated. That’s just impo…

In this episode, we tackle the recent upheaval in the world of trusts, as the Canadian government and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) roll out new reporting rules that could significantly impact families and financial professionals across the country. Join me as we discuss the implications of these changes, explore why awareness remains low despite…

Welcome to Strictly Money! In today's Weekly Insights I am diving deep into the crucial topic of financial education for kids. Join me as I uncover common misconceptions about kids and money, explore what every parent gets wrong and why they play the most pivotal role in shaping their children's financial futures. From instilling healthy money habi…

Ryan Staley is the Founder and CEO of Whale Boss, a cutting edge consultancy designed around providing fast results. Ryan helps B2B Sales Leaders & Sales Professionals capitalize on the AI revolution to earn more and work less. Ryan is also the host of The Scale Up Show podcast and he’s one of the top voices in AI. In this episode, Ryan shares how …

Every culture has different foundational beliefs. We may recognize the same brands and use the same products worldwide but we behave far differently. Eliane Karsaklian learned this firsthand from living in different countries. In this throwback episode, she shares how negotiating with different cultures has to start with a mindset shift. The best w…