Author

Alan Young

Co-Founder, Knowingli Market Research and Puzzle Partner

A seasoned business and technology visionary, Alan is co-founder of Knowingli, the market research division of Puzzle Partner, a leading PR and Marketing firm. He is recognized for his provocative insight into how emerging technology impacts industries and how leaders can better connect with their customers and employees for sustained growth. Alan has held high level executive positions and advisory roles at global companies including Infor, Newtrade Technologies, (acquired by Expedia), Hotel Booking Solutions (acquired by IBS Software) and TrustYou (acquired by Recruit). He sits on several advisory boards and is known for his ability to turn difficult concepts into easy-to-understand ideas that drive meaningful outcomes and actions. He is a respected thought-leader, battle-tested consultant, mentor, and sought-after keynote speaker on the topics of business strategy, growth, transformation and innovation. Alan focuses on increasing business happiness and believes that everything hinges on the power of communication and effective story-telling. Born in Montreal, Alan has lived and worked in Australia, Bermuda, The Bahamas and California but he now calls Toronto his home.

Has COVID-19 Really Brought City Living & Travel to a Grinding Halt?

When you step out of your apartment onto the street, you're hit with a rush of city noise. Somewhere close by, a car honks at an Uber idling in front of a building waiting for its passenger. Excited voices bounce off the walls of buildings in alleyways and spill onto the nearby sidewalks.

Investors Bet Big on Latest Pharma Tech Start-Up ClinTex

In 2014, Brendan Mannion was in Vienna, Austria, for the DIA Forum, watching as his business partner delivered a presentation on the application of data analytics within clinical trials. The annual forum attracts healthcare professionals from around the world, setting the stage for high-level discussions of current issues and the future of patient care.

Opinion15 Dec 2020

Buzzfeed, Amazon & DoorDash: The One Where the Businesses Around the Globe Started to Pivot, Pivot, and Pivot some more

In a Friends episode titled, "The One with the Cop", Ross, Chandler and Rachel struggle to maneuver a couch up the narrow staircase of their apartment building. As the group attempts to turn a corner, Ross repeatedly yells "Pivot!" in an increasingly hysterical tone, setting the stage for a hilarious, now-iconic scene that is frequently referenced across social media.

Opinion22 Oct 2020

UgoVirtual on the Future of Events and How Technology Can Help Us Be Everywhere at Once

Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat." To this effect, the last six months have been a whirlwind of opportunity. The coronavirus pandemic has altered many industries and touchpoints in ways we never saw coming, as global communities continue to adapt to emerging regulations and recommendations.

Opinion13 Oct 2020