Algonquin College launches The Future of Work Speaker Series
January 23, 2020
The lesson proved to be one of many memorable takeaways from Konval Matin, Shopify’s Chief of Staff to the Chief Product Officer, at the launch of Algonquin College’s new speaker series The Future of Work.
Matin was the keynote speaker at the Thursday event, held at Algonquin College’s new corporate Learning Centre at 700 Sussex Drive.
“Curiosity is key to thriving in ambiguity,” Matin said in her remarks, which focused on Shopify’s experience in developing and managing a dynamic, fluid workforce culture.
“Culture is the sum of everyone’s beliefs and behaviours,” she said, noting that a workplace’s beliefs and behaviours are shaped by their current employee team, who they hire, what they reward and what they teach.
Her key message: the best workplaces are not static – their environment, values and behaviours are constantly changing, adapting and improving.
Matin also discussed Shopify’s current employee values, which include “be impactful, thrive on change, be a constant learner” and “build for the long term.”
Originally an Ottawa start-up, Shopify’s e-commerce platform now serves 1 million businesses worldwide with a net economic activity of $183 billion.
The speaker series launch was held as the College’s new Learning Centre, which is gearing up for its grand opening on the evening of Tuesday, January 28.
“Space matters, places matter,” said President Claude Brulé, noting the facility’s new strategic location in “the heart of the nation’s capital.”
The College's “commitment to lifelong learning" is reflected in the Learning Centre, Brulé said.
“We are able to help business leaders and companies create opportunities for their employees … to grow… to re-skill or move in a different direction [in their organization].”
Doug Wotherspoon, Algonquin’s Executive Director of Business Development, introduced the new Future of Work Series as a space to explore the “continuously changing landscape of work.”
The inaugural event attracted an audience of more than 80, including business and community leaders, as well as members of the Algonquin College Leadership Team and Board of Governors. Calian was the title sponsor.
“It really spoke to me when she talked about culture and change and how environment effects (workplace) culture,” said Trish Caron, Talent Management Advisor for the Ottawa Police and one of the attendees.
For more on the grand opening of Algonquin College’s Learning Centre, visit here.
The Future of Work Speaker Series is designed to help leaders in organizations of all kinds understand the shifting landscape and optimize their workplaces for the dynamic world of tomorrow’s work.