Scotiabank

Supports and coordinates the project management execution and the end-to-end implementation of Global Risk Management initiatives on behalf of SVP & Head, Retail Credit Risk, by globally ensuring business strategies, plans and initiatives are supported in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies and procedures.

Sr. Project Manager, Strategy & Transformation, Retail Credit Risk - Global Risk Management

Senior Product Manager, Retail Savings

Newcomers ON FIRE!

Welcome to The Newcomers ON FIRE! Show with your host Miguel Abascal

Listen to people like you sharing their journeys, struggles and their breakthroughs

Be ready to be inspired to take control of your time, career, finances and future.

Fulfil your potential, become the person you are meant to be and make your dreams a reality.

www.OnFire.show

Founder & Host

Thrive Faster

Helping overqualified Newcomers earn more and live happier.

Join us in making the Canadian Dream a reality for newcomer families!

Founder

UnstoppableMe.rocks

Have you ever looked in the mirror and said to yourself: – “I thought I would be farther ahead already”

If you have. You are not alone.

Miguel Abascal was an executive of a famous coffee distribution and franchises company in Mexico. He had certifications, a Master’s degree, and significant experience as a leader of a large team leading large projects.

Nonetheless, he couldn’t find a job in his profession and for his first 5 yrs in Canada he worked in survival jobs while crashing his confidence. He refers to these years as the years of nightmares and constantly losing his sleep not knowing if he would make ends meet.

Thanks to great mentors and coaches he found his way and now he is living his Canadian Dream. Since then he has been helping hundreds of people to find their ideal job faster.

He discovered his passion for helping people at a networking event after talking with a few newcomers who told him “I have learned more in this 20 min than in my last 2 yrs. in Canada”.

We obsess with providing value and sharing key insights with our members. To get a better job you need to master these 3 M’s:

    Your Mindset
    Your Marketing
    Your Momentum

Join us and learn how to find your ideal job faster

It’s time to retire your survival job and start living your Canadian Dream.

Product Manager, Wealth Savings

Senior Product Analyst, Retail & Wealth Savings

Project Manager

Project Analyst II

Financial Services Representative

Customer Service Representative

RenderLife.com

3D marketplace for graphic designers and studios. Led requirements gathering, vendor research and project charter preparation for the selection and implementation of financial and time management systems.

Achievements:
•	Conducted project kickoff and achieved definition of scope, plan, resources, vendor alternatives and requirement traceability matrix in 3 months.
•	Finished the project with a 20% reduction in budget due to negotiation techniques.

Primerica Life Insurance Co of Canada

Largest Independent Financial Services Marketing firm in North America.

Achievements:
•	Got promoted to District leader in 18 months primarily by identifying needs and requirements from key stakeholders and following up until completion.  
•	Designed and delivered five community-based financial seminars to more than 100 people on how to increase income, reduce debt burden and achieve financial independence.

Financial Advisor

Bankruptcy Specialist

Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

•	Organized and coordinated annual fundraising event: Canadian Hispanic Business Awards 2010
•	Developed comprehensive database which captured specific demographics and statistics of ongoing members.

Special Projects Coordinator

Comercializadora Fernandez Rivero, S.A. de C.V. - La Parroquia de Veracruz

Manufacturer and distributor of specialty coffee, vertically integrated from the coffee farms to the retail distribution for key clients such as Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Managed operational projects focused on cost reduction, quality assurance and technical improvement. Supported executive decision-making by identifying, evaluating and recommending key improvement initiatives.

Achievements:
•	Increased revenue by 200% and profit margins by 10% in 3 years by improving operation processes and customer service, reducing waste and establishing quality management.
•	Designed, developed and implemented the Quality Management System based on ISO 9001:2008 in 18 months getting the certification before planned.
•	Led development of financial system linking marketing, production, QA, procurement and key performance indicators to provide real-time information and reduce excess of inventory by 50%
•	Analyzed and forecasted trends, issues and opportunities for all the different client segments, assisting in the development of their marketing campaigns.
•	Developed activity-based cost analysis and supervised performance and operation margin for large international accounts, including Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
•	Analyzed and modeled success drivers for new retail store openings, saving $10,000 over 2 weeks for each of 25 locations.

Sr. Product Manager & Program Director

Helping Newcomers Thrive Faster! 🚀 

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered why you're not farther ahead in your career? 
If you have, you're not alone. 

I am here on a mission to empower individuals like you, to achieve professional success and fast-track your Canadian dream. 

As a passionate mentor and coach, my sole focus is on empowering overqualified and underemployed Canadian newcomers. Together, we'll reignite your confidence, secure your ideal job, and embark on a fulfilling Canadian journey. Learn more about my impactful work at www.ThriveFaster.ca.

But why am I so dedicated to this cause? 

Let me share my story. As a former executive of a prestigious coffee distribution company in Mexico, I arrived in Canada filled with qualifications, a master’s degree, and years of leadership experience. However, my job search proved to be an overwhelming challenge, leading to five years of survival jobs and a shattered confidence. 

I've walked in your shoes, experiencing the same challenges and hardships you are facing right now. 
My breakthrough came when I connected with exceptional mentors and coaches who guided me on the path to success. Today, I am living my own Canadian dream, and it fills me with immense joy to pay it forward by assisting hundreds of individuals in finding their ideal jobs faster.

People I've worked with have told me, "In just 20 minutes, I have gained more valuable insights than I have in my last two years in Canada!"

Join me on this transformative journey, and together, we'll retire your survival job and unleash your full potential. It's time to turn your Canadian dream into reality!

#NewcomerJourney #ProfessionalSuccess #ThriveFaster #UnlockYourPotential

Miguel Abascal

I help Immigrant Professionals Thrive Faster 🚀 through Community, Mentoring & Networking. My mission is to make Canada Under-Employment Free. Check out my podcast 🎙️ Newcomers ON FIRE! 🔥

I help CSM/Sales people get Customer Success Jobs WITHOUT networking with my F.I.R.E career coaching framework 🔥 $5.7M in client Salaries • 71 successful clients 🎉 Proof👇

Dear Applicant,

We regret to inform you...
We appreciate your time...
Thank you for your interest...
You have not been selected...
We'll keep your details on file...
We've already filled this position...
There were a large number of candidates...
We're moving forward with other applicants...
We selected a candidate with more experience...
We're delighted to offer you a full-time position with us.

You can be rejected hundreds of times & still land a job.

Rejection is part of the process. 

Not the end of your story.

Keep going.

STAY HARD!

-----
If you're looking for the BEST Job Board in Tech: I got you covered here: https://lnkd.in/dUYXuMYG

I’m happy to share that I’ve obtained a new certification: Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner from Prosci!

I waited for 3 years for the stars to align and finally, it happened. I'm doing the PROSCI Change Management certification end of month. I can't sleep, that tells you how excited I am. 

As a Project Manager with over a decade of experience managing all kinds of projects, I can tell you two things:

1) Agile is the new normal
2) Everything is about change management

If curious about this, check this:

prosci.com • 5 min read

Prosci Methodology

To all the hardworking parents in my network. I salute you!

I finally understood my parent's sacrifice when I became a dad.

I grew up mostly with my grandparents because both of my parents worked Mexican hours (before the boss arrived and after the boss left)

That is why I'm used to long hours because very early in the morning before the sun woke up. My dad would drive me for over an 1hr to a private school so I could learn english and better my chances for the future.

My parents will pick us up from my grandparents at night to bring us home just to repeat the same cycle next morning. We were a vampire family. Never seen together during daylight.

Weekends were a coin toss, some great and some a disaster. My parents would try to parent me and my sister and I remember resisting. I would say things like "You are my mom #2, my real mom is my grandma" (I'm sure I broke their hearts more than once).

For years I was mad. Growing up with great loving absent parents had unintended consequences. (Self-doubt, low confidence, feeling like an outsider, feeling unworthy or not enough, being bullied, feeling alone, hard to make friends, not knowing what to say to the girls, just to mention some)

Today I respect and honour my parents sacrifice. That is why I'm the man, the father, the husband that I'm am. 

I haven't figured it out yet but it seems that working hard to improve our kids chances for the future is a key ingredient for parenthood. 

Based on my experience, parenthood is critically important and MUST be balanced, that is why I'm trying the following:

- Being 'presently present' and ready to play
- Being patient specially when feeling utterly exhausted
- Keep reminding myself I don't 'HAVE' to do this, I 'GET' to do it, it is a momentarily privilege that could be taken away. (What if this is the last hug from my son?, or what if this is the last time he says Daddy to me?)

Any parenthood secrets to enrich this conversation?

If you know any parents out there, high five them for me and please tell them 'You are awesome and doing a great job"

💡 NEW PODCAST EPISODE ALERT! 💡
In celebration of #NationalVolunteerWeek (April 14-20, 2024), I'm thrilled to share an insightful episode featuring volunteering powerhouse Jessica Pang-Parks MES, CVA on Newcomers ON FIRE!

As a renowned expert in volunteer engagement, Jessica drops major knowledge bombs on:

✨ Why volunteering is a MUST for newcomers in Canada
✨ How to find the RIGHT volunteer roles for your goals
✨ Maximizing volunteer experiences for career growth
✨ Navigating the volunteering landscape as a newcomer

Her practical strategies are GAME-CHANGING for anyone looking to unlock new opportunities and accelerate their professional journey through the power of volunteering.

During this #NVW2024, let's recognize the immense impact of volunteers across communities. As Jessica says: "You are valuable" - your unique talents can make a difference!

Here is the link 🔗 https://lnkd.in/g2fc-NQX

There's also a FREE workbook to help you implement Jessica's insights.

Let's appreciate all volunteers and keep paying it forward! #EveryMomentMatters

Great Mentors are dealers of Help and Hope.



Are You a Giver or a Taker? 

Ever feel like you're constantly getting ghosted after requesting coffee meetings? 🤔 It might be time for a mindset shift.

Here's the deal: 

When you're constantly asking others for:

- Advice
- Insights
- Connections
- Favours

But not offering anything in return,
it's like asking for charity. 

Time is VERY valuable!

Make sure you're providing value in return.

I've been there, trust me. 
But when I started approaching meetings 
with a give-and-take mindset, everything changed. 

Instead of just asking for advice, 
I started offering ideas, resources, and introductions. 

And you know what? 

It made all the difference.

So next time you're setting up a coffee chat, 
think about what you can bring to the table. 

Let's make every meeting a win-win. 

I often see highly educated and experienced immigrant professionals struggle to articulate and communicate their awesomeness.

I totally get it. 

In fact, one of my best managers told me:

-"Miguel under the hood, you are a Lamborghini, but everyone sees a Toyota Corolla"

That was when I took his advice to heart and everything changed. (My last 6 job promotions happened over coffee meetings)

To honour my former manager and mentor I will pay it forward by helping six people prepare a Unique, Memorable, and Impactful elevator pitch that you can use at coffee meetings, job interviews, networking events, etc.

Interested?

Send me a DM or let me know in the comments below. 

Have an incredible weekend!


Feeling Stuck in your job search? 🇨🇦☕️

Unlock the hidden power of your network! 

Join Luki Danukarjanto and Miguel Abascal on this #LinkedInLIVE event: "Coffee Chats to Job Offers" ⬇️ 

Learn to turn casual chats into concrete opportunities. 

#Networking #JobSearchCanada

Nnadozie HopeOnyekwere, Hiraal Agravat and 56 other attendees

Coffee Chats to Job Offers: How to Unlock Your Hidden Job Search Advantage 

Leaving your home country can feel like a profound loss - of family, language, traditions, social status and more.  
 
For many immigrants, this triggers an intense grieving process as core parts of your identity are challenged. 
 
The grief is natural, but it doesn't mean you're losing yourself.  
 
You're simply evolving into a more multifaceted version by integrating new elements of your adopted culture. 
 
To move through this transition: 
 
1) Allow yourself to fully feel and process the grief, rather than suppressing it. 
 
2) Build community with fellow immigrants who understand what you're going through. 
 
3) Maintain ties to your home culture's food, music, community organizations. 
 
4) Be patient with yourself as you adapt to new customs and language. 
 
5) Celebrate your unique perspective that blends the richness of multiple cultures. 
 
The grief won't last forever.  
 
By honoring the process, you'll emerge with a resilient, expansive identity that contains the best of all your worlds. 
 
------------ 
Did you like this post? 
Repost it ♻️♻️♻️to help others in your network. 
 
Let's continue the conversation in the comments.

Monday Mindset. Three of my favourite quotes to motivate you to keep moving forward:

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.
~Albert Einstein

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.
~Zig Ziglar

Today is your opportunity to build the tomorrow you want.
~Ken Poirot

If you are feeling that you don't have VALUE or anything to OFFER. 

I'm here to tell you that you're mistaken. 

I get it, I have felt the same way. (Many times!) 

Your mind is playing tricks with you.

You have A LOT to offer:

- Your Unique Experiences and Stories
- Your Hunger for 'The Opportunity'
- Your Drive to Succeed
- Your Perspective
- Your Feedback
- Your Advice
- Your Time

Life became a gift when I realized that it was not about me. 

But that it is 10,000% about the person in front of me. 

When you shift your focus from: 'Me, Me, Me' to: 'I wonder how can I help this person?' 

That is when the magic happens. 

Zig Ziglar said it: You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.

Let's continue this conversation. There are a lot of people that need to hear this.

I have a new family! My new last name is now 'PROSCI'.

Open article: Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner was issued by Prosci to Miguel Abascal. by credly.com • 1 min read

Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner was issued by Prosci to Miguel Abascal.

The Painful Truth About Failure (and How I Learned to Embrace It)

Yesterday, I participated in a game called 'The Failure Toy' and it changed my perception of failure. 

I learned more about failure in 1 hour than in my entire life. Thank you Twenty One Toys!

Also thank you, Town of Innisfil not only for being the greatest city to live in but for investing and supporting entrepreneurs. You make us feel like superheroes. 

Key Takeaways:

- Failure is Personal: It's not just about the project or venture. We can internalize it and develop a negative self-image.

- Context Matters: Not all failures are created equal. Some are minor learning experiences, while others have bigger consequences.

- Embrace the Journey: Failure is an inevitable part of the learning process. We need to allow ourselves to process it and learn from it.

My biggest AHA moment: 

During the game, my team kept winning, but I couldn't shake the feeling we could do better. 

Each round we did better than the previous but my focus remained on beating the "world champion." 

That's when it hit me. Failure is based on comparison.

We need to normalize this and talk more about it. How is your relationship with Failure? 

My mantra these days:

Good, better, best. Never Let it Rest. 
'Til you good is better and your better best!

- St. Jerome. 

My life changed once I learned how to Network properly.

Here is a great opportunity for you to get real-time feedback.

Networking Gym is here to help you practice and upgrade your Networking skills in a safe environment. Check it out! 

Register to get the zoom link. Limited spots are available. 

This Intercultural Skills Lab  program was pivotal in realizing my Canadian Dream. 

I honestly measure my Canadian journey by life before and after this program.

If you have any questions or want to learn more, feel free to reach out. 

I strongly recommend attending the info session to discover how it can transform your Canadian experience as it did  mine.

*May 2024 event* Register for information sessions to learn more about upcoming program intakes: https://bit.ly/3WwsSAv

Programs include:
- #BusinessEdge - Change Management and Finance
- #CareerShift – Supply Chain Management and Tech Sales

#OnlineSession #InformationSession #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerSkills #2024Goals

Universal Truth -> Change, Death and Taxes are the only certainties in life. 

We can't do much about the last two, but we can master the first one. 

Day 2: Lets make Change a certainty that people enjoy!

Are you Networking the Canadian Way?

It took me a long time to decipher all the unwritten rules. Here is a great opportunity for you to get it right the first time and get real-time feedback. 

No more trial an error.

Networking Gym is here to help you practice and upgrade your Networking skills in a safe environment.

Register to get the zoom link. Limited spots are available.

Luki Danukarjanto, Sima Taherian and 11 other attendees

View event: Virtual Networking GYM [Register to get the zoom link]

Virtual Networking GYM [Register to get the zoom link]

Taplio

Miguel Abascal's Linkedin Analytics

Miguel Abascal

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Miguel Abascal's Best Posts (last 30 days)

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Miguel Abascal

What is Miguel talking about?

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Miguel Abascal's Linkedin Analytics

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