In an exclusive conversation with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Chris Ford, a seasoned technology strategist and business leader, shares his journey from engineering to transforming financial services organizations. With a career spanning decades, Chris reflects on his foundational role in building Canada’s first telephone banking and call center infrastructure for RBC, alongside his contributions to ATMs, financial switching software, online banking systems, and more.
Chris delves into how his early hands-on experience in $100MM+ programs has shaped his expertise as a consultant and strategist. His insights highlight the intersection of technology and financial innovation, offering valuable lessons for businesses looking to navigate the complexities of today’s digital landscape while driving operational excellence and customer-centric solutions.
Chris Ford’s background is engineering and technology which has been a great foundation for him as a business leader and trusted advisor to financial services organizations. Chris started working for Canadian banks in the late 1990’s where he helped to build the first telephone banking and call center infrastructure for RBC. Since then, he’s written financial switching software, programmed ATMs, designed and implemented online banking systems, and built or managed the delivery of a variety of financial services solutions (payments, cheque, back-office operations, workflow, Cards amongst others). Chris spent the first 10 years of his career on a sequence of $100MM plus programs in implementation roles of increasing seniority from developer to program manager. This practical experience informs him as a strategist and a consultant.
With Electric Mind’s recent rebrand from Intelliware, what was the strategic vision behind this shift, and how does it better position the company to support its clients?
The rebranding from Intelliware to Electric Mind was driven by a strategic vision to expand our capabilities beyond traditional software development. This transformation allows us to offer a more holistic approach that leverages strategy, design, and engineering to provide comprehensive business solutions. By shifting our focus to include the strategic phase of innovation, we position ourselves as a partner that not only implements solutions but also crafts the strategies that drive them. In a world where technology is intrinsic to the business, our new identity enables us to deliver integrated solutions that align technology with broader business objectives, empowering us to address complex challenges more effectively.
How has your background in engineering and technology shaped your approach to solving complex business challenges for financial services and other industries?
My background in engineering and technology has instilled a strong foundation in problem-solving and innovation, which drives our approach at Electric Mind. For industries like financial services, this translates into a structured, analytical method that breaks down complex challenges, identifies risks, and iterates toward resilient solutions.
Electric Mind’s engineering roots empower us to go beyond traditional software development. We offer an integrated approach—combining engineering, design, and strategy—to deliver digital solutions that are not only robust and scalable but also strategically aligned with our clients’ business objectives. This comprehensive methodology positions our clients to thrive in a rapidly evolving, competitive landscape.
How has your background in engineering and technology shaped your approach to solving complex business challenges for financial services and other industries?
My background in engineering and technology has instilled a strong foundation in problem-solving and innovation, which drives our approach at Electric Mind. For industries like financial services, this translates into a structured, analytical method that breaks down complex challenges, identifies risks, and iterates toward resilient solutions.
Electric Mind’s engineering roots empower us to go beyond traditional software development. We offer an integrated approach—combining engineering, design, and strategy—to deliver digital solutions that are not only robust and scalable but also strategically aligned with our clients’ business objectives. This comprehensive methodology positions our clients to thrive in a rapidly evolving, competitive landscape.
My engineering and technology background provides a solid foundation for understanding the intricacies of complex business challenges, particularly in domains like financial services where precision and reliability are paramount. This technical expertise allows me to approach problems with a logical and structured mindset, ensuring that solutions are not only innovative but also practical and implementable. By applying engineering principles to business strategy, I help bridge the gap between technology and business objectives, ensuring that the solutions we deliver are robust, scalable, and aligned with our clients’ strategic goals.
Innovation is key to staying competitive today. What advice do you have for business leaders who want to foster innovation within their organizations?
To foster innovation, business leaders should cultivate a culture that encourages creativity and risk-taking while remaining focused on strategic objectives. This involves empowering teams to explore new ideas and approaches, investing in continuous learning, and maintaining an environment where experimentation is not just accepted but celebrated. Leaders should also prioritize cross-functional collaboration, allowing diverse perspectives to drive innovation. Finally, aligning innovation initiatives with clear business goals ensures that efforts are purposeful and contribute to long-term success, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.
What expanded services or capabilities can clients expect from Electric Mind, and how do these align with today’s evolving market needs?
Clients can expect Electric Mind to deliver a suite of expanded services that integrate strategic insight, design innovation, and engineering execution. Our approach is tailored to address the dynamic needs of modern markets, including services in digital transformation, AI integration, and data-driven decision-making. By aligning our offerings with emerging trends, such as real-time decision-making and responsible AI, we help clients navigate technological advancements and leverage them for competitive advantage. This integrated approach ensures that our clients are not only keeping pace with market changes, but are also positioned to lead in their respective industries.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for Electric Mind, and how do you plan to continue driving growth and innovation in the consulting space?
Our goals for Electric Mind are rooted in becoming a leader in providing holistic, innovation-focused solutions that integrate strategy, design, and engineering. We aim to expand our client base across various industries and geographies, continually adapting to the latest technological trends. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and cross-industry expertise, we plan to drive growth through innovative solutions that address increasingly complex challenges. Our commitment to blending diverse perspectives with cutting-edge technology will enable us to deliver transformative outcomes for our clients, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the consulting space.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee, Chris Ford, and do not necessarily reflect the official position of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. This interview is intended for informational purposes only, and readers are encouraged to seek specific advice tailored to their own business needs.
