BMO Bank of Montreal and PROFIT Magazine Business Coach Podcast

In this episode, Ian speaks with Doug Porter, Deputy Chief Economist of BMO Capital Markets, about the impact of the Canadian dollar achieving parity with the greenback. They also discuss how the US subprime mortgage market will impact the US economy in 2008.

In this episode, Ian interviews Sean Wise, Managing Partner of Wise Mentor Capital and special advisor on the critically acclaimed CBC Television show the Dragons Den. Sean offers expert advice for entrepreneurs who want to raise capital as well as behind the scene secrets from CBC's business reality show.

The Value of Advisory Boards: In our ninth episode, Ian interviews Toronto entrepreneur and venture capitalist Greig Clark, founder of College Pro Painters: North America's original and most successful student painting company. Greig discusses the benefits of advisory boards and how they can help entrepreneurs make better business decisions.

The Value of Business Partnerships – The "human side" of partnerships: Ian interviews Dr. Marvin Snider, a psychologist and organizational consultant, and the author of "Compatibility Breeds Success: How to Manage your Relationship with your Business Partner." Dr. Snider discusses how to find and build a strong relationship with a business partner, as well as some of the challenges and opportunities partnerships present when running a small business. The Value of Business Partnerships – Shareholder agreements: In our second interview, Steve Westfield, a partner with Miller Thompson LLP, talks to Ian about the value of shareholder agreements as a critical partnership tool for businesses. Steve outlines the key components of shareholder agreements, when and how they should be created, and how they can help business partners overcome disputes to better manage their business.

Running a Family Business – Day-to-day management: In our first interview, Ian talks with Lawrence Barnes, CEO of the Canadian Association of Family Enterprise (CAFÉ), about family business trends and statistics in Canada. Lawrence discusses how the family dynamic can strengthen a business's day-to-day operations, but also looks at some of the pitfalls of running a family business. Running a Family Business – Creating an exit strategy: Our second interview features Martin Guestier, Senior Manager of Structured Succession and Acquisition Financing with BMO Bank of Montreal. Ian and Martin discuss the important financial issues of passing a family business from one generation to the next and how to build a succession plan. Martin also explores the technical and financial aspects of developing a plan.

Investing for Entrepreneurs – The wealth-building fundamentals: Our first interview features Steve Bang, Regional Sales Leader, BMO Term Investments, who discusses the importance of financial planning for entrepreneurs, including an overview of several wealth-building fundamentals. Investing for Entrepreneurs – Specialized retirement vehicles for business owners: In our second interview, Ian speaks to John Fabbro, Associate Partner and leader of the Private Client Advisory Services at KPMG. John provides a primer on developing a retirement strategy through individual pension plans (IPPs) and retirement compensation arrangements (RCAs)

Great Workplaces - Why it pays to offer employees a great place to work: In our first interview, Ian talks with Graham Lowe, a partner of the Great Place to Work Institute Canada, about the changing face of the Canadian workplace. Ian and Graham also discuss the importance of creating a work environment that is inspiring, engaging and productive. Great Workplaces – The age of intellectual and emotional capital: Our second interview features Dr. Steven Stein, CEO of Multi-Health Systems and author of "Make Your Workplace Great: the 7 Keys to an Emotionally Intelligent Organization". He talks to Ian about the critical link between intelligence quotient (IQ) and emotional intelligence (EQ), and its value in the workplace.

Succession Planning – A pressing issue for Canadian small business owners: In our first interview Ian talks with Richard Fahey, Vice-President at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business about the increasing focus on succession planning for small businesses in Canada. Succession Planning – Ensuring a happy ending for your business: Our second interview features Doug McKay, Partner, KPMG. He discusses ways to maximize succession planning and the reviews the dos and don'ts for those just starting to develop a strategy. Succession Planning – The personal implications of exiting a business: In our third interview Ian talks with Sean Foran, Vice-President of Succession Planning, BMO Harris Private Banking about wealth management issues that relate to selling a business to a third party.

Franchising – Opportunities and Challenges for the Aspiring Entrepreneur: In our first interview Ian talks with Ken Pattenden, Chairman of the Canadian Franchising Association and President, Taco Time Canada Inc about the rights of Franchisors' and Franchisees'. Franchising – Finding a Franchise that works for you: Our second interview features John McGavin, Strategic Franchise Advisor with Frannet – The Franchise Network. John explains the importance of finding a franchise that fits with the needs of the entrepreneur.

Secrets of effective business planning: In our first interview Ian talks with Peter Wright, career strategist and President of The Planning Group about business planning strategies. Business Planning - Building a more fruitful relationship with your bank: Our second interview features Derral Moriyama, Senior Vice-President, BMO Bank of Montreal and examines what financial lenders are looking for when they review a business plan.

2007 Economic outlook: In our first segment Ian talks with BMO's chief economist Rick Egleton about the prospects for business in 2007 and some of the core indicators businesses need to pay attention to. Employment Trends: Our second segment features and interview with Lara Dodo, Vice President, Robert Half International. Lara shares her thoughts on some of the key issues revealed in the firm's recent hiring and compensation survey.