Travelogue 5: Embracing the Canadian Winter in Vancouver

The week of December 16th to 23rd took me on a journey to Vancouver, Canada. To be honest, I wasn’t looking forward to it. A 20-hour travel marathon, a daunting 12-hour time difference, and the wet, cold winters had me dreading the trip. To top it off, I missed my connection at Seattle. As I sat waiting for the next flight, I couldn’t help but reflect on how travel has evolved for me over the years. Early in my career, the idea of traveling was exhilarating, a chance to explore new places and meet new people. But over time, especially with intercontinental travel, the glamour has faded. I’m sure many of you will relate to this. Yet, one thing remains unchanged: the irreplaceable value of meeting clients, prospects, and colleagues face-to-face. There’s simply no substitute for that.

This trip was part of our mission to build a mindful Credit Union business in Canada. I spent considerable time understanding the vision and ethos of Canadian Credit Unions. I was pleasantly surprised by their deep-rooted affinity with their members and the critical role they play in their communities. During my visit, I had the privilege of meeting existing customers, many prospective Credit Unions, and a cross-section of leadership at C1, a technology provider specializing in digital banking and payments. I was also fortunate to have Dave Revell join us, and our conversations were not only engaging but also a rich learning experience for me personally.

However, the 12-hour time difference was brutal. My colleague, Syed, had scheduled back-to-back meetings—starting with breakfast and stretching all the way to dinner. While exhausting, it was also incredibly productive.

For Intellect and for me personally, working with Credit Unions is a unique space. Historically, our clients have been relatively large banks, so immersing ourselves in this domain has been both refreshing and enlightening. This trip solidified my belief that we at Intellect have the potential to help these Credit Unions leapfrog into achieving their ambitious missions.

As I wrap up this travelogue, I can’t help but feel excited about the journey ahead. Building a mindful, large-scale business in this space is not just a professional goal but a deeply personal one. Vancouver, with its winter chill and warm conversations, has left an indelible mark on this journey. Here’s to many more milestones ahead!