Carrie-Anne Mercer on AI, Fractional Leadership & Growth Strategy

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen Bari. In this episode, we explore how small and medium-sized businesses can scale smarter by combining AI, strategy, and fractional executive leadership to build resilience and accelerate growth.We’re joined by Carrie-anne Mercer, Founder of Mercer Marketing & Advisory, a Fractional CMO and executive advisor working with global forums and AI-driven companies like Ethicrithm and Crosure Inc. With two decades of experience across SaaS, cybersecurity, and FinTech, she brings a rare blend of calm leadership, global perspective, and AI-enabled strategy to help businesses operate with clarity and confidence.Key Highlights:AI: Good, Bad, Ugly: How SMEs can benefit from AI while managing risks like data leaks, hallucinations, and bias.Fractional Leadership: Why part-time executive expertise gives SMEs strategic strength without full-time cost.Resilience Mindset: How global crisis leadership shaped Carrie-anne’s approach to calm, smart AI adoption.Tech for Good: How work with The Cambridge Forum guides her focus on ethical, community-centered technology.AI-Driven Growth: Her long-term vision for helping SMEs scale through smarter marketing and client value creation.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/A1 Global College: https://a1globalcollege.ca/ADP Canada: https://www.adp.ca/en.aspxFor more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.