Just Good Business Digest: October 2026 Edition

Celebrate Small Business Month with fresh insights from Douglas Porter, Amber Mac and Gad Elharrar. From the economy and AI to the changing needs of entrepreneurs, this month’s conversations look at what’s shaping small business in Canada.

Chapter 1: Economic update with BMO: interest rates, trade, A.I. and what comes next

What does today's economic uncertainty mean for Canadian businesses? Al sits down with Douglas Porter, Chief Economist at BMO, to discuss interest rates, housing, trade, AI and the broader outlook for Canada's economy.

From rising trade tensions and shifting borrowing costs to the growing impact of AI, Porter breaks down the trends shaping the business landscape and shares what Canadian business owners should be watching in the months ahead.

Chapter 2: The Future of Small Business: Adapting to Change with Amber Mac

How are emerging technologies reshaping the small business landscape? Join Al as he chats with tech expert Amber Mac about the impact of A.I. and automation on entrepreneurship.

Discover strategies for leveraging tech in marketing, the importance of adapting to change, and how small businesses can thrive in an ever-changing digital environment.

Chapter 3: Is your business paying a “fragmentation tax”?

For Small Business Month, Al chats with Gad Elharrar from Moneris about how growing up in a family-run business helped shape his perspective on the challenges entrepreneurs face today.

From disconnected tools to competing priorities, Gad explores how human-centred innovation can simplify running a business and give owners more time to focus on growth.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:00:55 - Chapter 1: Economic update with BMO: interest rates, trade, A.I. and what comes next
• 00:15:11 - Chapter 2: The Future of Small Business: Adapting to Change with Amber Mac
• 00:28:59- Chapter 3: Is your business paying a “fragmentation tax”?
• 00:41:01 - Outro

Links of Interest:

• BMO Economics
• AmberMac.com
• The Amber Mac Show
• Moneris.com

Subscribe now!

If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.

Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Just Good Business Digest: September 2026 Edition

In September’s Just Good Business digest, we explore how A.I. is reshaping the way Canadians discover, research and buy products. Featuring insights from experts at Accenture and Hootsuite, this edition looks at how consumer shopping journeys are changing and what businesses can do to stay visible, relevant and competitive in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.

Chapter 1: How comfortable are Canadians with letting AI influence their shopping decisions?

Suzana Colic from Accenture Canada joins Al on the podcast to share revealing consumer insights and predictions for the future of AI-powered shopping. Don’t miss this deep dive into how AI is revolutionizing retail!

Chapter 2: Is your business invisible to AI? Why this matters heading into the holiday shopping season

As more consumers turn to AI-powered tools to discover products, compare options and make purchasing decisions, small businesses need to rethink how they show up online.

In this episode of Just Good Business, Allan sits down with Hootsuite's Cara Buscaglia, SVP of GTM Strategy and Innovation, to explore how AI is changing marketing, social media and customer discovery. They discuss what small business owners need to know before the holiday shopping season, how to improve visibility in an AI-driven world and where to focus your marketing efforts for the biggest impact.

Whether you're wondering how AI affects your social strategy, which marketing trends are worth paying attention to or how to reach more customers online, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can put to work right away.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:01:19 - Chapter 1: How comfortable are Canadians with letting AI influence their shopping decisions?
• 00:09:52 - Chapter 2: Is your business invisible to AI? Why this matters heading into the holiday shopping season
• 00:23:31 - Outro

Links of Interest:

• Moneris.com
• Accenture.com
• Accenture Social Channels: FB | IG | LI | YT
• Hootsuite.com

Subscribe now!

If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.

Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.

Chapter 1: What is agentic commerce? How AI is transforming the future of shopping

AI is changing the way consumers discover, purchase and manage products. In this episode of Just Good Business, Jordan Williamson from Moneris explains agentic commerce and how AI-powered agents can help consumers shop more efficiently by managing shopping lists, comparing options and making purchases securely on their behalf.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What agentic commerce is and why it matters
• How AI shopping agents work
• The potential benefits for consumers and businesses
• Key considerations around trust, security and payments
• What the future of commerce could look like

Whether you're a business owner, retailer or technology enthusiast, this conversation will help you understand one of the most important emerging trends in digital commerce.

Listen now and explore the future of AI-powered commerce.

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Introduction
• 00:00:49 - Chapter 1: Tracey McLennan of Edward Jones on Smart Financial Planning for Small Business Owners
• 00:13:37 - Outro

Links of Interest:

• Moneris.com
• Moneris Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server Press Release
• Moneris Social Channels: FB | IG | LI | TT | YT

Subscribe now!

If you have a payment-related or business question you’d like to submit to one of our experts, you can email us at podcast@moneris.com.

Just Good Business is a Moneris podcast production hosted by Al Grego.