This article is part of the Bright Leaders of Calgary series, which features prominent corporate leaders and their insights on the local business community and vision for the future.
Calgary’s business scene is rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit that fuels innovation and digital transformation.
Spurred by access to cutting-edge technology solutions from companies like TELUS, the city is emerging as a place where businesses experiment with and leverage technology to drive their growth and success.
As the Vice President Sales (Commercial - Western Canada) at TELUS Business Solutions, Greg McCallum connects companies across sectors and of all sizes with business solutions to fast-track their growth and empower them to thrive in our digital world.
We caught up with Greg for his take on how Calgary continues to emerge as a destination for entrepreneurs and global enterprises, a priority in the city’s economic strategy.
How have you seen Calgary businesses embrace digital transformation?
We live in a truly digital world, and Calgary, as a globally connected city, has heavily invested in the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, AI and data analytics for years.
Big players in the energy industry have traditionally led this, but we’re seeing businesses across all sectors – including agriculture, transportation and logistics, financial services, health and life sciences, and more – are adopting new technologies to unlock new opportunities like never before.
Calgarians have always had the grit and determination to get things done. Now, as we welcome a record number of newcomers, local businesses are pairing innovative technology with a diverse talent pool to revolutionize the way we tackle traditional challenges.
What are your insights and observations of Calgary’s talent pool?
Calgary is a vibrant city that rewards those who embrace change, so our workforce is full of natural leaders. I believe this is a circular relationship. We’ve always been a community that welcomes a challenge, because our talent pool is characteristically eager to solve problems, take risks, learn from failure, collaborate and make decisions with fervor.
We also have access to seven world-class post-secondary institutions, which offer a breadth of opportunities to engage in either shorter training, like micro-credentialing, or longer academic pursuits to develop hard skills. The variety and caliber of educational institutions in Calgary fosters a culture of lifelong learning, resulting in a diverse and robust talent pool.
What sets Calgary apart from other business environments?
An entrepreneurial spirit sets Calgary apart from other major cities. Both larger enterprises and small/medium businesses refuse to be satisfied with the status quo, and they strive for innovative new ways of doing things. A great example of this is the momentum we’re seeing in Calgary’s startup and innovation scene. If we make mistakes, we learn from them. And if someone has a dream, the community will galvanize around them, backing them with the right connections and resources.
Together we fail forward. Entrepreneurship is engrained in the DNA of all Calgarians.
How would you describe Calgary’s civil society?
Our city is full of people who care about our community and each other. We have one of the highest rates of giving in Canada – both philanthropically and through
the gift of time via volunteering.
Many businesses regularly support and collaborate with grassroot organizations that are run by volunteers and driven with the mission to make our city a better place.
This includes TELUS, since we believe good business and doing good in our communities go hand in hand. We’ve called Alberta home for over 125 years, and we share in the desire to see this province, its business and our communities thrive. The sense of community here is one of the many reasons why I’m so proud to be Calgarian.
What gives you optimism for Calgary?
In my opinion, there’s no city in the world that compares to Calgary, a place that welcomes people with open arms and encourages them to put down roots, live and thrive here.
There are economic opportunities for everyone in Calgary – those who grew up here and those who now call it home. We have an inclusive community, where we learn from one another, and celebrate diversity of thought and backgrounds. We walk outside to clean air and a city encased in natural beauty. Our art scene is thriving, and our city plays host to global events at the Calgary Stampede, Spruce Meadows, and soon, our new Event Centre.
We have a unique way of looking at the world, and it’s one of inclusion and celebration.
About Team Calgary: The Team Calgary corporate partnership program engages our community’s visionary thought leaders to influence Calgary’s economic growth and create long-term prosperity and opportunities for all Calgarians.
Together, we advance the economic strategy, Calgary in the New Economy, as the path to make Calgary the place where bright minds and big ideas come together with an unmatched spirit to help solve global challenges.
