The views and opinions expressed in the interviews published on Made in CA are those of the interviewees and do not reflect the official policy or position of Made in CA.

The information provided through these interviews is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any products, services, or individuals featured. We strongly encourage readers to consult with appropriate professionals or authorities in the relevant fields for accurate information and advice.

Michael Willoughby

WINstorm is a digital engagement SaaS company. The software platform is a multi-use online communication tool for marketing, sales, public relations, and training.

Hallmarks of WINstorm include:

  • Ease-of-use
  • Versatility
  • Nimbleness
  • Affordability

Detailed behavioural analytics by individual email addresses & social channels

It lowers communication technology costs and eliminates the need to learn multiple tools. As a solution company, we provide our platform, training and services to enhance client success.

“WINstorm is your Engagement Vehicle. How it looks, what you put in it, and where you send it is what our customers do with WINstorm. The detailed analytics are your GPS”.

Tell us about yourself?

After completing a science degree with a minor in business, I received a scholarship to study Electronic & Film Media at the Banff School of Fine Arts. From there, I put my entrepreneurial passion into working as the CSO/COO at a marketing/production agency, helping lead it to become a multi-million dollar enterprise. As an international award-winning director, I created advertising and marketing campaigns, presentations and web content for travel, tourism, technology, communications, manufacturing, and business consulting clients. My “win” coaching work for Accenture opened my eyes to a whole different adrenaline-chasing world that inspired me to launch my own company in 2002.

WINstorm has evolved into a cloud-based digital engagement software platform used for a broad range of marketing outreach and virtual event communications.

WINstorm clients now include federal, provincial, state, and municipal governments, Fortune 500 companies, associations and entrepreneurs, for which we use our technology and know-how to help them accelerate success and grow business.

If you could go back in time a year or two, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

Pay attention. Stay curious. Keep looking over the horizon for the next opportunity to help organizations.

What problem does your business solve?

In today’s world, digital communication is 24/7. How do you cut through the noise? By turning communications into conversations. To do this, you need to use knowledge (analytics) to build and tell better stories on key communication channels (email & social media). WINstorm helps businesses be more productive and meaningful using our detailed analytics as the compass.

What is the inspiration behind your business?

Having been a leader at a marketing agency, I saw a disconnect between marketing and sales. From losing corporate knowledge and assets when people left, to repurposing marketing content into better selling tools, the WINstorm platform has always focused on turning marketing into sales tools. The problem WINstorm solves for our clients is helping clients tell better stories through digital engagement. Our solution provides for more efficient, effective and measurable digital engagement.

What is your magic sauce?

From careers as creative communicators, our team has created a single, easy-to-use digital engagement platform that displaces the cost and time spent learning and using multiple tools that don’t talk to each other. WINstorm’s nimble product, product development strategy, and approach allow us to pivot quickly to add meaningful functionality. Stir in our passion for customer service, and our happy clients and WINstorm team stay with us. This short video explains the platform.

What is the plan for the next 5 years? What do you want to achieve?

With a focus on small and medium-sized businesses, we will continue to seek out relationships with partners and value-added resellers (VARs) who have complementary offerings. “I want every organization who needs to do more with less to have WINstorm.”

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

Like most companies, the Pandemic caused us to pivot. For us, we were able to pivot in a good way. It enabled us to expand our offering to include live and virtual events. During those tough times, we rapidly added new features and significantly grew our business. Digital engagement is forever changed by the recent pandemic, and the new collaboration technology has rapidly evolved communication efficiency and effectiveness. WINstorm is a future-focused communication platform.

How can people get involved?

We are actively looking for partner opportunities whereby we complement other business offerings. We are also looking for SMBs who are starting up or are fed up with bloated communication platforms that cost too much, are inefficient and hard to use. If that’s you, let’s have a conversation. You can reach us at 1-877-464-9467 or 902-464-9467 and sales@winstorm.ca or visit us www.winstorm.ca