The monthly member spotlight is an opportunity to learn more about a leader at one of our member companies and showcase the work they are doing. This month we spotlight Josh Bode, Corporate Solutions Specialist at Start.ca. Learn more about Start.ca in our Member Directory.
Name: Josh Bode
Title: Corporate Solutions Specialist
Company: Start.ca
We are a London-based Internet Service Provider with over 150 employees. We offer residential fibre, cable and DSL internet, VoIP phone service, and will have a TV service available in 2018. We also provide fibre and DSL internet, server and web hosting, and soon a business phone service for commercial clients as well.
What is your role and what is the favourite part of your job?
I’m a Corporate Solutions Specialist, and my focus is on providing Business and Enterprise class internet, phone and co-location services to local business.
My favourite part of the job, without question, is getting to meet and work with so many incredible people here in London. There is so much diversity, and many businesses fly under the media radar, but enjoy international success.
If you could have a coffee with any business leader or industry expert who would you choose and why?
I think given the current state the telecommunications industry is in, an adult beverage (I don’t drink coffee) with Jean-Pierre Blais, previous Chairperson for the CRTC, would be the expert I’d like to chat with. He was eager to challenge the incumbent providers, and stand up for Canadians and their rights to a competitive marketplace. My hope now is that we continue to progress along the same path, even without him at the helm.
What is the number one business book or blog you would recommend?
Honestly, I’ve found I regularly spend a lot of time reading the various posts shared or liked by my network on LinkedIn. I’ve tried to shift my social media time there instead of a site like Facebook. There are constantly new ideas being brought forward that challenge the status quo, plus insights on new products and business solutions that do, or could, help all of us. The world we live in now changes at ludicrous speed, and there’s a serious depth of knowledge available there if you spend a little extra time to dive in. On top of that, there are great opportunities to engage with other professionals, and you can grow and build better relationships with your existing network at the same time.
Looking at your companies future what are you most enthusiastic about?
I am really excited about 2 big things: Start TV launching and our new, state-of-the-art data centre opening. TV brings a new product to market for us, and one that we think customers are really going to enjoy (and not pay a crazy amount for). The data centre is the ultra cool part for me, as I love tech and how we do things differently as a company. I won’t get into the details since there are a LOT, but I’m really excited to talk to businesses about it.
What excites you most about the local tech community?
We’re eager to help one another! Whether it’s a business-to-business relationship, a niche need being met through a product or service, or simply talking about challenges in our daily operations and how to overcome them, the tech community is close-nit and supportive in all aspects. I’m definitely proud to be involved in the growth of the tech sector in London.
What causes or community activities is your company involved in?
We have involvement with major groups and events across the board. From the London Knights and Rock the Park, to supporting organisations like the United Way and the Sunshine foundation, we are heavily focused on giving back to the community, which is one of our six primary core values.
