When my clients need information, advice or help, I emphasize the importance and methods needed to proactively get the answers to move their goals forward. Yet, too often people hesitate, filling their heads with fear or self doubt, hampering their progress. I usually point out that if they do not make an inquiry or seek more information, then the answer is always NO. Not only is their progress stunted, they feel disappointed in themselves for not following through.

My podcast guest this week, ​Dr. André La Plume​ believes in going beyond the NO to uncover answers to his questions. In our interview, André shares his educational journey, from a French community high school in Winnipeg to earning a PhD in management. His post-PhD career began at Michigan Tech and was followed by his return to Canada as a result of political constraints in the US.

André delves into his interests in strategy, mentorship, and research, leading to the publication of his book on spinout ventures, ​Spinout Ventures: Transitioning from Employees to Entrepreneurs​. It covers the implications of spinout ventures, the academic and real-world perspectives on entrepreneurship, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, André emphasizes the importance of taking risks and continuous learning at any career stage.

Today, as a Full Professor in Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Management, André studies and teaches entrepreneurship and strategy. He is interested in the competitive and institutional barriers preventing potential entrepreneurs from launching new ventures successfully.

André has over a decade of experience working as a business and information technology consultant in corporate Canada. He has performed many roles, including business analyst, systems analyst, project manager, practice leader, and integration architect.

In this week’s ​Work From The Inside Out podcast,​ learn more about Andre’s journey:

• André is a frequent judge at entrepreneurship pitch competitions and an experienced entrepreneur, having launched a startup while in Michigan.
• His research has appeared in top journals like Human Relations, Journal of International Business Studies, and Journal of Business Research, among others.

Learn more and connect with Andre here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-laplume-90639433/

https://spinoutventures.net/