Name: Aaron Takeda
Title: Training and Support Specialist
City of Residence: Calgary, Alberta
Start date at Exempt Edge: October, 2018
What is your role at Exempt Edge?
Officially, I am the Training and Support Specialist for Exempt Edge, but I feel our roles are much more diverse then our “titles” describe. We are a small, agile team whose roles and responsibilities are not simply defined. Everyone at Exempt Edge has the same end goal for our clients, to create business efficiencies, and process improvements, while securely managing the client data through our software.
What drew you to Exempt Edge originally? How has the company evolved since?
In the past I have worked with Issuers and Dealers in the Private Markets utilizing client management programs that were manipulated for the private capital market, not built for it. Last year I was working for a Dealership who was an early adopter to the software and I was very excited about the software and its potential future, it was an opportunity I couldn’t walk away from.
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile?
I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with individuals. What I find most rewarding about my job is when a user I am working with has an “ah ha” moment to a complex issue that was previously causing them issues.
What does a normal day in the office look like for you?
A normal day for me starts with a clean and organized “To do” list that promptly gets thrown out the window as soon as I turn my computer on. LOL. Just kidding (kind of) typically I spend my mornings following up with outstanding issues or questions from the day previous, I have a daily meeting with the development team to review any questions they have or plan future development goals, then I will spend the rest of the day focusing on client trainings, support and developing training guide and videos.
What is the most important trend you see today within the Private Capital Markets of Canada?
Businesses leveraging technology to work smarter and more efficiently.
What are your hopes for our industry?
Personally I have worked in the Exempt Space for over 10 years, year after year I constantly hear about “working together” with nobody actually working together. My hope for the Industry is that we actually do start to work together! Sharing best practices and industry knowledge within a community where a safe dialog can be started. Together we will succeed!
What are three career lessons you’ve learned thus far?
Testing
Testing!
Testing!!
You’re happiest when?
I love spending time with my growing family and dog. I have a 2 year old (who doesn’t know the definition of “slow down”) and we are expecting a new addition in April! We love doing any sort of activity that gets us outside!
Three words to best describe you
Committed
Attentive
Dynamic
What is your proudest moment working at Exempt Edge?
I was really nervous about starting the Exempt Edge training series sessions at the end of this year. These quick bi-weekly training webinars are meant to highlight tips and tricks as well as general usability within the system.
So far we have completed three of these sessions with great success! The sessions have been unique for Issuers, Dealers and Advisors reviewing our most commonly asked questions and issues. Our goal is to have targeted bitesize guides focused on specific areas within the system to help develop a deeper understanding of the software.
