travel

I took the Lumix DMC-TS5 on my last trip

In May 2015 our family went to Paris, Spain and Marrakech. We were given by Panasonic Canada a Lumix DMC-TS5 to enable us to capture memories of our trip. I would like to thank them for their generosity and kindness. Panasonic did not pay me nor are they a client of mine at work. NOTE: I am NOT a professional photographer. All of my photos are for my enjoyment and my family’s.

Here are a few photos from our trip. All photos here are courtesy of the Lumix DMC-TS5.

Ferris Wheel at Eiffel Tower | Karim Kanji

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Toronto

#PitchTalks turn One – Episode #13

I don’t know if PitchTalks creator, Kevin Kennedy, know this or not but this monthly event has quickly become the must attend event for sports fans (not just baseball) across the Greater Toronto Area. For me, it’s the highlight of my month.

Alexis Brudnicki and Scott Crawford

Scott Crawford is the Director of Operations for the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Mary’s, Ontario. Alexis Brudnicki is the lead writer for the Canadian Baseball Network and former statistician for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Alexis Brudnicki, Ashley Stephenson and Autumn Mills

Ashley Stephenson (a full-time teacher) has been a member of the Canadian women’s baseball team since 2004 and has already participated in five world championships. Autumn Mills (a full-time policewoman) has been with the team since 2005, primarily as a pitcher.

podcast

Kerry Morrison

Just finished taping episode #4 of Welcome! with @kmore. #podcast #Toronto #GirthRadio #PJH

A photo posted by @karimkanji on

Last week saw Kerry Morrison, of endloop, visit the Welcome! studios at Girth Radio.

Kerry was born in the Yukon, grew up mostly in Edmonton and moved to Vancouver in 1994. Most recently he’s lived in Italy ( Rome & Florence), Mexico and Montreal. Today, Kerry calls Toronto home.

During this episode we chat about:

    • Growing up in the Yukon and Edmonton.
    • His dad buying a Macintosh and then falling in love with technology.
    • The importance of traveling.
    • Why make the move from Vancouver to Toronto?
    • Why Kerry identifies as an Apple fan
    • And why Father John Misty is his favourite musical artist

Girth Radio
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Featuring music by:
The New Pornographers – Moves
Father John Misty – Chateau Lobby #4

social media

#NestWarming: A tour of @TwitterCanada’s new Toronto office

Last night I was invited to visit Twitter Canada’s new Toronto office: #nestwarming. It’s a great space on King Street West just east of trendy Liberty Village. and about a 45 minute walk from my office.

#nestwarming | karim kanji

#nestwarming

 

#nestwarming | karim kanji

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Brendan Canning or alt-rock band Broken Social Scene was spinning the tunes at #nestwarming

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Oh Sara!

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After capsizing last weekend during #PaddleTheDon I’m back on the saddle/paddle/canoe.

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My girlfriend. 🙂

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Me with the Captain.

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#MayTheForceBeWithYou

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This gum ball lasts for 140 chews. Seriously. 🙂

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Toronto

#PaddleTheDon with Kathleen Wynne

This past weekend I was invited to participate in the annual Manulife Paddle The Don event in Toronto.

At the heart of Canada’s largest urban region is the Don River. Once a year, Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) provides a unique opportunity for people to paddle the Don River from Ernest Thompson Seton Park to the mouth at the Keating Channel.

Manulife Paddle the Don is all about having fun, enjoying nature, and celebrating the Don River watershed. The trip also provides a time for reflection on all the benefits we derive from the natural environment – air, water, resources, recreation, and spiritual renewal – that are integral to the health and function of the city and the surrounding region.

It was a beautiful day to celebrate the natural wonder and environment that is the Don River and it’s surrounding parks.

I also had the opportunity to chat with Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne.

Getting ready to #paddlethedon with @parkppl! #Toronto #parkTO #river

A photo posted by @karimkanji on

Toronto

Coffee with Reza Satchu

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to listen in on a conversation with entrepreneur and investor (and co-creator of The Next 36) Reza Satchu. Mr Satchu was invited by the Ismaili youth to a “coffee lounge” conversation with other leaders in the community.

Reza Satchu | The Next 36

The following are some notes and thoughts from the event:

  1. Satchu asked the crowd, “Why do you want to be an entrepreneur?” There were a number of interesting answers. However, Satchu proposed that the main reason why one should want to be an entrepreneur (and a successful one) is to “make an impact.”
  2. Satchu defined entrepreneurship as the “Relentless pursuit of opportunity without regard to resources currently controlled.”
  3. Why don’t most people not start a business? The never ending quest for perfect information.  Paralysis of analysis OR I got an idea but I have no money or experience.
  4. Bezos started Amazon and Dell started computer direct sales. Both in the face of fierce competition and no experience.
  5. Satchu was turned down 150 times before his business got funding.
  6. On the only reason why an MBA at Harvard was valuable: Exposure to leaders shows what is possible.
  7. Goal of Next 36 in Canada is to hurdle cost and scale. To be truly productive is to have far more innovation and productivity.
  8. Canada has a highly educated labour force, Canadians work hard but productivity is 72% of the USA.
  9. We need businesses that are far right tail of businesses. Creating value for entire ecosystem.
  10. Satchu went into business for himself because his father chose the path earlier.
  11. People want to have as much impact as possible.
  12. Secret of success: Seeking positions of discomfort or creating positions of discomfort
  13. Concept of expectations: What do I expect of myself? Have large goals.
  14. Another secret of success: Willing to fail.  We learn through failure
  15. Have mentors and people who will root for you and want to take credit for success
  16. I asked Reza Satchu about the upcoming general election in Canada and what he thought a new government should be doing to foster innovation and success:
    1. Canada should do as much as possible to incentivize the Immigration of talent
    2. Incentives for private capital to invest in Canada
    3. Pick places around the world where Canada can have power and influence
    4. However, should Canada have a national strategy on innovation?
podcast

Welcome! Episode #3: Laurie Dillon Schalk

My latest guest on the Welcome! podcast is Laurie Dillon-Schalk of Evidently.

A lover of digital and coffee.  Asker of good questions.  Sleuth of business problems. Identifier of emerging trends, consumer insights, impacts of digital upon consumer behaviours. Laurie Dillon Schalk is my guest in the Welcome! studio.

In this episode, Laurie and I chat about:

  1. How she earned her MBA.
  2. Her amazing 7 years at IBM
  3. What she did at Great Gulf Homes
  4. How Laurie started Social Wisdom in 2009 during the height of the last great recession
  5. How she landed the job at WestJet as Director of Digital Strategy
  6. Her time at JWT as Director of Digital Strategy
  7. Working with the iconic OREO brand at FCB Global in Toronto
  8. And finally ending up at Evidently where Laurie is currently the Head of Planning
  9. We also chatted about the future of the traditional agency model
  10. Traditional media’s relationship with Facebook
  11. Why Laurie changed her name on Facebook
  12. Her thoughts on gender issues in the workplace
  13.  And, finally, what her FAVOURITE song is!

Enjoy!

Listen below:

Girth Radio
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You can also subscribe to the podcast via RSS Feed if you’re so inclined.

Credits:

Introduction Music by my cousin Afraaz Mulji

social media

Top Ten Things To Know About Twitter

If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know that I am a huge user and fan of Twitter. I compiled a list for friend and former Welcome! guest Mark Farmer. Here is that list:

  1. Twitter is an open and accessible public network. Users can search for content that is meaningful to them and follow users that provide this content. At any time on almost any connected device.
  2. People follow three distinct types of people: those that they know, people they want to know, and people that are in the know.

Click Webheresies for more of this list!

Uncategorized

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, in Hamilton, Ontario  is a Canadian aviation museum and has over 30 military jets, propeller-driven aircraft and helicopters on display. However, it is so much more than a display. With the amazing volunteers, staff, exhibits, and workshops, the Museum is a fascinating place for kids (and adults) of all ages and interest levels.

This past weekend our Cub Scout pack visited the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for a special Night Ops event. Outside of accompanying my son (who is a member of the Cub pack) my real desire was to talk to someone who could shed a little light on the whole Avro Arrow mystery. I have my theories. 😉

It was a wonderful event and I’m glad I went. Here are some photos for all of you to enjoy.