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Lucas Birdsall is known for his vast history of leadership roles in different economic fields. He obtained his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business, specializing in finance and operations management. His experience with risk assessment, analysis and research has led Birdsall to work in a variety of industries in executive roles.
Over the course of his career, Birdsall has held positions as the CEO and Director at BMBG Capital Corp and Castlebar Capital Corp, as well as an Account Executive at Veritaaq IT Consulting. He has worked with Damara Gold Group, Quebec Rare Earth Elements Corp, Northbridge Financial Corp, and Van Gogh Designs Ltd. Now a Venture Capitalist with Parabellum Capital Strategies Ltd, Birdsall manages a variety of investments in the natural resources, technology, and biotech world.
Q: What leadership qualities do you believe contributed to your success across all of the industries that you’ve excelled in? What advice can you give other aspiring leaders?
Lucas Birdsall: I believe that the qualities needed for leadership can transfer to any industry. Really what it comes down to for me is clear and open communication with my team. This kind of communication is vital to for leaders to understand what areas of the business that we can improve. It also creates a safe and welcoming environment where your employees can thrive. In my current role at Parabellum Capital Strategies, the team that I work with is constantly striving to ensure our communication is clear and consistent. This allows us to work together effectively as a team, and to provide better service to our clients. As for advice, I would say make sure you are open to feedback and being able to adapt. It is your responsibility to create positive change when something isn’t working for your team.
Q: Going off of that, what are some common mistakes that a leader makes, and how can they be avoided?
Lucas Birdsall: I think the most common thing I see with new leaders is that they think they need to have all the answers. What makes a good leader is not necessarily having the most knowledge in the room or the best ideas. It’s knowing to recognize a good idea when you hear it, and knowing the best way to implement it. In the world of finance, it is important to keep a level head. There are a couple of times I have seen people panic during a shift in the market, and this typically leads them to make brash and unwise decisions that often don’t serve them long term. It’s okay to make mistakes. It’s how you learn from those mistakes that will make or break you as a leader.
Q: Can you share an example of a successful problem-solving story from your experience with finance and operations management?
Lucas Birdsall: Sure! Recently I had a client that was having issues with cash flow and declining profitability. After conducting a thorough analysis, I realized that the company had unnecessary expenditures and lacked a strong financial forecasting system. Without any structure they were wading in the deep end so to speak. I had to think about where they could cut costs. We ended up renegotiating contracts with their suppliers and implementing plans to streamline their operations. Within six months we had stabilized their cash flow, and even saw a 20% increase in profitability. The answer to their problem wasn’t evident right away. I took my time to really evaluate every aspect of their operations and structure. I wanted to ensure we got it right the first time.
Q: How do you involve social responsibility into your business practices and investment strategies?
Lucas Birdsall: When you are in a position to create change, I believe that it is our responsibility to do as much as we can to make the world a more accepting and equal place. I pick who I work with very carefully. I want to ensure that we have similar values and goals. I also believe that by making social responsibility a priority in my work, it helps keep me grounded and focused on why I started in this field to begin with. Creating sustainable and healthy systems allows for everyone to flourish. I think that by making your values central, you can account for them for efficiently when making decisions in your daily work.
Q: Lastly, what motivated you to support medical research for Childhood Cancer Canada, and how do you believe businesses can contribute to such causes?
Lucas Birdsall: Childhood Cancer Canada is an amazing Nonprofit organization. They stand by their mission which is, “To create victories for Canadian children with cancer.” I have a deep, personal belief in the importance of giving back to the community, especially to families undergoing stress from illnesses. The impact that cancer has on children and their families is devastating. I wanted to contribute to research that could lead to better treatments and cures. One of the most powerful tools that a business can exercise when it comes to giving back is the power of partnership. Partnering with charities and Nonprofits allows them to not only reach their financial goals, but can bring awareness to their cause. A business can give them an elevated platform to reach new supporters for their cause.
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