All Hands on Tech with Digital Nova Scotia

Join hosts Claire and Ashley as they kick off Season 3 of All Hands on Tech from the brand-new studio of This Is Marketing in downtown Dartmouth. In this episode, they sit down with Neil Stephen, CEO of This Is Marketing, to explore the agency's journey, services, and vision for the future.

Discover how This Is Marketing started and the diverse services they offer, including podcasting, brand management, and digital marketing. Learn how they assist clients in adopting digital-first strategies and overcoming challenges in the rapidly evolving marketing landscape and explore the agency's tech-driven approach, including their use of emerging technologies like AI.

Learn more about This is Marketing at https://www.thisismarketing.ca/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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Kevin D'Aguiar, Principal Consultant/Owner at Matters of Data, joins Ashley and Derek to talk about how to achieve business success with data, the importance of storytelling with your data, the role of AI in the world of data, and much more!

In this episode of All Hands on Tech, hosts Ashley and Derek sit down with QuickFacts co-founder & CRO Jeff Barsalou to explore their game-changing innovation optimizing the insurance industry. From the company's launch to their recent expansion across Canada, QuickFacts has been reshaping how insurance brokers operate, saving valuable time and resources.

Tune in the learn more about how QuickFacts addresses common pain points for insurance brokerages, streamlining underwriting comparisons, optimizing workflows, and simplifying training. Jeff shares insights into the role of Generative AI in the future of underwriting, the company's growth journey, and what's on the horizon for QuickFacts.

Learn more about QuickFacts at https://www.quickfactsinc.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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For this episode of All Hands on Tech, we dive into the cutting-edge world of virtual reality video production with Lydia Sayeau, the co-founder and CEO of BRAEVR Media, a virtual reality video production company based in Pictou County, Nova Scotia.

Discover the transformative power of immersive and interactive video content as Lydia shares insights into BRAEVR's innovative approach to helping clients showcase their brands in bold and exciting ways. From rebranding to Tech Forward Awards recognition, explore the journey of BRAEVR Media and gain valuable perspectives on the future of marketing and brand promotion through virtual reality. Learn how Lydia and her team are not only pushing boundaries but also celebrating the unique advantages of operating a tech-focused business in rural Nova Scotia.

Learn more about BRAEVR Media at https://braevr.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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In this episode of All Hands on Tech, hosts Claire and Ashley welcome a very special guest: Owen Sagness, the new Chief Executive Officer of Digital Nova Scotia.

Owen shares some of his career experiences and highlights in his 20+ year career in the technology industry, and why he decided to make the switch from consulting to leading Digital Nova Scotia. We also talk about what sets Nova Scotia apart in the tech world, Owen's goals for the organization and the province's tech industry and what aspect of his new role excites him the most.

Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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You may have noticed Proposify sporting a fresh new look these days.

After several years in business, the Halifax-based proposal software company decided it was time to undergo a brand refresh.

In this episode, we sit down with Proposify's Director of Brand + Communications, Jennifer Faulkner, as well as Brian Jeffcock, the mastermind behind the transformation from Palais—the design consultancy they enlisted for the refresh. We dive into the world of branding, exploring questions like: When is the perfect moment for a brand facelift? What's the significance of nailing branding right from the start for tech startups? And how can you leverage your brand to shine brightly in the digital realm?"

Learn more about Proposify at https://www.proposify.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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In this episode, we hear from Aptitude Digital, a company that's been a staple in Halifax's tech scene for nearly two decades.

They've made waves recently by adopting a four-day workweek, and nearly a year into this bold change, we sit down with co-founders Bill Doane and Chris Brown to find out how it's going. We also uncover their secrets to success in this competitive landscape, as Aptitude Digital achieved remarkable growth, doubling their revenue this year despite labor shortages in the industry.

Learn more about Aptitude Digital athttps://aptitude.digital/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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In this episode of All Hands on Tech, hosts Ashley and Claire are joined by Amber Froese, VP of Marketing Communications at Rafflebox Technologies.

Learn more about the world of digital fundraising, how Rafflebox is changing the game for organizations big and small by leveraging technology to streamline the fundraising process, and how the SaaS platform integrates with social media for maximum exposure and engagement. We also talk about Rafflebox's enormous impact, especially during local crises like the Nova Scotia wildfires.

Learn more about Rafflebox Technologies athttps://rafflebox.ca/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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In this episode of All Hands on Tech, hosts Claire and Ashley delve into the world of tech law with Kellen Voyer, the founder of Voyer Law, a full-service law firm specializing in technology and video game law.

They explore Kellen's journey to establishing the firm, the unique challenges of tech-related legal matters across Canada and the US, and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its legal implications. The conversation also touches upon staying current with technological advancements, offering advice to tech startups, and uncovering fascinating cases that provide valuable lessons.

Learn more about Voyer Law athttps://voyerlaw.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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On this episode of All Hands on Tech,we explore the transformative power of democratizing digital skills within organizations. 
 
Our guest, Kieran MacLeod from PricewaterhouseCoopers' Digital Enablement Team, talks about that company's journey of upskilling its entire Canadian workforce in data and analytics. We discuss how this initiative not only empowered employees but also revolutionized data-related processes, mitigated talent shortage challenges and enabled PwC to guide clients through their own digital transformations. 

Tune in to gain valuable insights and practical advice for fostering innovation and efficiency through digital education.

Great content is great, but it's not very effective if nobody sees it. In a world full of noise, how do you cut through it to ensure your great content reaches its intended audience and resonates?

Ross Simmonds has spent his career figuring out how to do just that, by testing and honing his marketing skills at the helm of Foundation Marketing. Foundation is a global marketing agency that provides services to organizations all over the world ranging from some of the fastest-growing startups to global SaaS brands. For this episode, we talk effective strategy, rising above the noise to ensure your message resonates and the unique opportunities Nova Scotia afforded Ross as he grew his business here.

Learn more about Foundation Marketing athttps://foundationinc.co/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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For this episode, we sit down with Nathan Thompson from Dialogue, Canada's premier virtual healthcare and wellness platform, providing affordable, on-demand access to quality care.

Dialogue has pioneered the virtual care space since 2016, and their one-stop healthcare hub provides access to services 24 hours per day from the convenience of a smartphone, computer or tablet. We talk about how that works for the patient and healthcare professional, the impact of having healthcare at your fingertips and what the future of e-health could look like.

Learn more about Dialogue athttps://www.dialogue.co/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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For this episode, we're talking digital marketing and analytics for B2B SaaS.

The team at Outshine are experts in this area, working with high-growth companies to unite digital advertising, analytics and attribution models to increase revenue. We sit down with Meagan Michaluk, a senior associate with Outshine and a paid social expert, who knows how to make social platforms work harder for B2B SaaS companies. We discuss everything from where and why you should spend on social, what the future of B2B SaaS marketing holds and, of course, ways in which you can find your stride on social.

Learn more about Outshine athttps://outshine.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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We, like technology, are constantly evolving—and that sums up the theme of this episode of All Hands on Tech.

Join us as we sit down with John Leahy, the founder of immediac, a prominent web development company based in Halifax. With a remarkable 25-year tenure leading the company, John has remained at the forefront of the ever-changing tech landscape. We do take a few trips down memory lane to discuss some of the pivotal moments in tech's evolution, but we also chat about John's personal transformation as a leader. He candidly shares his journey from being an imperfect boss to steering immediac to become one of Atlantic Canada's Best Places to Work.

Learn more about immediac athttps://immediac.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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Every business has a unique story to tell, even in the most niche and technical industries.

Find out how to turn your ideas into influence to build credibility, captivate audiences and ultimately set your business apart from the competition in this episode of All Hands on Tech with Jennifer Ashton and Dennis Mills' from Up Public Relations. The pair share their expertise on how to build buzz for you business—from which social media platforms to use, to the art of storytelling and the power of thought leadership, we cover it all. 

Learn more about Up Public Relations athttps://uppublicrelations.ca/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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Whether companies were prepared for it or not, the remote-work revolution is here, and managing a work-from-home team effectively is no easy feat.

For this episode of All Hands on Tech, we talk effective collaboration strategies with Ignite Technology, a company that has changed the way organizations have connected, collaborated and shared ideas using technology for more than a decade. Ignite has grown from a company of only a few to a team of more than 100, who have been especially busy these past few years helping companies adopt new practices and tools to allow for remote work safely and securely, all while cybersecurity threats are on the rise.

Learn more about Ignite Technology athttps://ignitetechnology.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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ChatGPT, AI, robotics—how do you centre the human in a workforce that is quickly embracing automation?

It's all about striking the right balance between tech and touch, says Placemaking 4G's co-founder and co-CEO Matt Thomson. In this episode, we talk all about socially-conscious recruiting: What it is, how it works and why it's so important today, as an estimated 25% of roles currently within the marketplace will be heavily disrupted by tech.

Learn more about Placemaking 4G athttps://p4g.ca/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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So you've got a great idea that will disrupt the tech industry, but you don't necessarily have the know-how to bring that idea to market. What do you do? Well, that's where Softverse Technology comes in.

Softverse Technology offers custom software development services for startups, entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses. For this episode, we sit down with cofounder Anil Pradhan to learn more about how they specifically help non-tech founders bring their ideas to life by acting as their "extended internal tech team."

Learn more about Softverse Technology athttps://softversetech.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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Digital products have come a long way and seem to be ever-evolving—so what do users expect from their digital experiences in 2023?

We dive into the world of UX design with 20/20 Digital's Jamie Gerrard, someone who has been at the forefront of creating digital products for 20 years. We talk what users expect out of their apps today, must-haves and mistakes and the importance of keeping accessibility top of mind.

Learn more about 20/20 Digital at https://www.2020.digital/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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REDspace is building the future of television, entertainment and learning.

For this episode, we take a deep dive into the ever-changing world of video streaming to learn the tech behind the content we take in every day. We also talk challenges and trends, and even how artificial intelligence can be used to improve the viewer experience.

Learn more about REDspace at https://www.redspace.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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Digital marketing is a fast-paced industry, and it can seem challenging to keep up.

But for Blue Cow Marketing, the key is to streamline and automate your marketing efforts, because doing so will give you your most valuable commodity back: time.

In this episode of All Hands on Tech, we dive into the world of marketing automation to learn more about how it can be used and its benefits to business owners. We also learn more about why Blue Cow Marketing CEO Shaun Whynacht chose to operate his business in beautiful rural Nova Scotia after spending a decade exploring every corner of Canada.

Learn more about the Blue Cow Marketing at https://www.bluecowmarketing.ca/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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Our lives are becoming more digitized every day—from how we communicate, to how we shop to even how we bank.

People today have the convenience of managing their finances from the comfort of their home, and League Data is at the forefront of that change here in Nova Scotia. The company helps credit unions adapt and succeed in a digital-first world and its currently developing what it calls a new era for Atlantic Canadian credit unions. So, what exactly does that look like, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of managing our money online? Listen now to our engaging discussion with League Data's CEO Carrie Forbes on the fascinating world of fintech.

Learn more about League Data at https://leaguedata.ca/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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"Atlantic Canada is where it's at, and if you aren't here, you should be here."

That's according to Kathryn Lockhart, the CEO of Propel, Atlantic Canada's e-accelerator for tech startups. In this episode, we talk about Propel's 20th anniversary this year, East Coast swagger and how Nova Scotia truly is the place to be in tech. We also learn what it takes to go from a founder to a leader and how to build a baby unicorn.

Learn more about Propel at https://www.propelict.com/
Visit Digital Nova Scotia: https://digitalnovascotia.com/

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