Data-first, Human-centric With Kalyan Kumar XTech podcast

33:49

"Experience needs to be orchestrated for humans in the loop." AI is shaking up traditional service models and pushing businesses to take a more holistic, value-driven approach. Kalyan Kumar encourages enterprises to focus on orchestrating experiences, unlocking data value, and streamlining processes - rather than chasing every 'shiny new toy' in tech. This approach is key to HCLSoftware's partnership with Ferrari, where mutual values drive transformative digital experiences. Kalyan joins Debbie Forster MBE in this deep dive into how companies are evolving their tech strategies.…

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Taking down dirty money with Eddie Vaughan 29:07

5 weeks ago29:07

29:07

"We detect less than 1% of dirty money. That's a crazy statistic, isn't it?" Dirty money is everywhere. Banks are in a race against time to find it, battling out-of-date systems and bureaucracy. Eddie Vaughan, Vice President of Banking and Financial Services at Chorus Intelligence, is on a mission to fix that, with decades of experience in UK law enforcement and government. He joins Debbie Forster MBE for a fascinating dive into a murky world.…

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Preaching to acquire with Scott Harkey 27:41

11 weeks ago27:41

27:41

"You have to make sure you don't break the things that are actually driving value." Scott Harkey has witnessed the acquisition process from both sides, and knows better than most how to make it work. He joins Debbie Forster MBE to share critical lessons on the topic for both start-ups and enterprises, from the importance of recognising a winning formula to the enduring value of human connection.…

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Planning to disrupt with Dave Hodsdon 34:52

16 weeks ago34:52

34:52

"The customer isn't always right, but the customer gets to choose where they spend their money." Transformation is an often used term these days in tech, but for Dave Hodsdon of Liberty Blume, it's his world. He joins Debbie Forster MBE for a deep dive into the business of tech change. He explains why even disruption needs to be carefully planned and customer-centric, and gives us a helicopter view of the features of our working lives that are ripe for transformation.…

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Leading in a time of chaos with Alexei Miller 32:59

19 weeks ago32:59

32:59

"We're fooling ourselves if we think we know the future. We don't." In 25 years with Data Art, Alexei Miller has learnt a thing or two about leadership - particularly in a tech arena where change is the only constant. He joins Debbie Forster MBE for an enthralling conversation about modern leadership and its challenges. He explains the three very different stages of development for a software business, and shows us why honesty is the most important characteristic for a tech leader.…

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Risky business: why the right gamble pays off with Sanjay Lobo MBE 34:08

24 weeks ago34:08

34:08

"It becomes really interesting to reassess how risk works and what the potential upsides and downsides are." The growth curve for tech companies is fraught with risk. Knowing when to gamble - and not be bound by conventional thinking - can make all the difference. Sanjay Lobo MBE joins Debbie Forster MBE for a fascinating conversation around risk-taking, doing good in business, and much more. From media law to launching the volunteering platform OnHand, he brings some sparkling insights on when not to take the safe option.…

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Bridging the tech/creative divide with Sarah Thomas 27:27

29 weeks ago27:27

27:27

"Don't be frightened to understand what the life of a creative marketer is, because that will help you be a better technology advisor." How do we get different business tribes like tech and creative to learn more from each other? Sarah Thomas, Group CMO of Capgemini, makes it her mission to do just that. In this episode of the XTech podcast she talks with Debbie Forster MBE about why bringing the tech and creative worlds together is so important, and why AI has an increasingly powerful role to play, especially in larger organisations.…

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People, places & perspectives with Sarah Tulip 39:48

33 weeks ago39:48

39:48

"In any circle when somebody doesn't look like you, it's harder to relate to them. You make presumptions, I do it, we all do it." Inclusion - and its opposite - takes many forms. In the tech sector, it can be gender, background, ethnicity, and even where you base your company. Sarah Tulip of Conquer Technology joins Debbie Forster MBE to highlight some of the many things the tech sector needs to improve to become more inclusive, from thinking outside of traditional tech hubs to promoting more women from within.…

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An intelligent approach to automation with Paul Taylor 24:29

46 weeks ago24:29

24:29

"Companies should automate where they can and use people where they should." Intelligent automation offers extraordinary potential for your business - but many are still unsure how to use it. Paul Taylor of SS&C Blue Prism joins Debbie Forster MBE to bring clarity to one of the hottest topics of our age. He explains why there is much work that should always be left to us humans, but some that is ripe for the efficiency and consistency that automation can bring.…

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Scaling your sales outreach with Winnie Palmer 21:34

50 weeks ago21:34

21:34

"I really think we have reached a defining moment with AI that is fundamentally going to change everything." When you're scaling up your sales approach, there's a risk of making the message too broad and impersonal. But our latest XTech podcast guest knows how to stay laser-focused, with confidence in the supporting tech - and the professionals involved. Winnie Palmer of Seismic joins Debbie Forster MBE for an exciting look at her career path, and the challenges she has faced along the way to create effective marketing for so many disparate deal factors.…

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Breaking sound barriers with Natalia Szczepanczyk 35:09

1 year ago35:09

35:09

"We can shape how you want sound to exist in a space... It's really a case of having to unlearn what you thought you knew." Reinventing the loudspeaker is one thing. Testing it out at a U2 gig in The Sphere in Vegas is another. Natalia Szczepanczyk of Holoplot talks with Debbie Forster MBE about how their groundbreaking firm managed to change how we think about sound in large spaces, and what other startups can learn from their meteoric rise and approach to innovation.…

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Art without limits with Anh Nguyen 30:23

1 year ago30:23

30:23

"How do we empower the public to stand behind the arts and back many of the exciting cultural institutions that we have in a much more engaging way?" Connecting museums with patrons is an age-old issue, but what role could technology play in bridging the gap? Anh Nguyen, CEO and Co-Founder of Nimi Collectibles, talks with Debbie Forster MBE about the opportunities in digital art. Learn more about the approach and how it overcomes financial, engagement and diversity challenges to make art accessible to all.…

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Making communications more human with Chris Wade 30:49

1 year ago30:49

30:49

"I think all of us are better if technology can be harnessed to be something which is a force for good...rather than building barriers and creating division." Making communications more human may seem like a straightforward task, but finding the right people in the right place at the right time is the real challenge. Chris Wade, Chief Marketing & Product Officer of Gamma, joins Debbie Forster MBE to discuss the fusion of communications with technology, the breakneck pace of progress, and developing 'comms with a conscience'.…

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A new approach to diverse recruitment with Anna Brailsford 30:22

2 years ago30:22

30:22

"It's up to us, we have the moral responsibility to make sure technology is used correctly and to make sure it's representative." We're in a changing workforce, where skills are becoming ever more specialised. But looking up the ladder can only take companies and employees so far. Anna Brailsford, CEO of Code First Girls, shares new perspectives on employment that broaden horizons and maximise technology potential.…

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The power of efficient workflows with Andy Sturrock 32:06

2 years ago32:06

32:06

"The intuitive solution to a problem is not the right one, and you can prove it mathematically." Chief Technology Officer Andy Sturrock delves into his role at the fast-paced Atom bank and explains how he helped to manage the transition from fintech to bank. Tune into the latest episode of the XTech podcast to hear techniques - designed to minimise siloes and promote efficiency - that you can apply to your own business.…

XTech

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Value-based digital healthcare with Ahmed Abdulla 24:10

2 years ago24:10

24:10

"If we're going to fix healthcare and fix it for good, patients need to be partners and not just end users." A patient-first approach is key to evolving healthcare, and the sector might just be sitting on a goldmine of data that can take operations to the next level. Ahmed Abdulla, the founder and CEO of Digipharm, shares his experience in healthcare technology and unveils his vision that re-imagines how care could be paid for.…

XTech

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The future of telecoms with Jason Elliott 31:53

2 years ago31:53

31:53

"It's increasingly important that we see that fusion between the physical and digital online worlds. And we see that manifesting itself in many, many different ways." An astounding ability to evolve with market needs has established Nokia as a global technology brand and household name. In this episode of the XTech podcast we delve into the history of Nokia with Jason Elliott, Head of Cross Portfolio Solutions and Ecosystem Marketing, and explore what's on the horizon - from the metaverse(s) to augmentation.…

XTech

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On the tech horizon with Beverley Eve and Chelsea Larson-Andrews 29:48

2 years ago29:48

29:48

"I'm excited about the potential of AI…But I do feel I share this concern, the pace at which we're going, and I think with all large tech iterations, we need to go into them with our eyes fully open." Beverley Eve and Chelsea Larson-Andrews are co-founders of TechMode. Having met at the Application Developers Alliance, the two forged a partnership as they hosted events across the US and Europe, working with leading tech brands and talented developers. They spun off these marketing capabilities into their own careers, and TechMode was born. Beverley and Chelsea join Debbie Forster MBE on this episode of the XTech podcast. Among the topics under discussion are 5G acceleration; the potential of Open RAN, and the challenges of regulating artificial intelligence.…

XTech

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A human approach to AI with Dr Djamila Amimer 28:53

2 years ago28:53

28:53

"If you are a business and you operate in a highly compliant sector, for example, financial services or healthcare, you really need to understand what the algorithms are doing." The secret behind AI success is a lot more than 'plug and play'. In fact, the more you put in, the more you get out. Dr Djamila Amimer, CEO and Founder of Mind Senses Global, shares her experience of helping businesses improve their decision making using AI. This podcast explains what companies should be thinking about when implementing these powerful tools, and how to maximise investment.…

XTech

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A new perspective with Karl A L Smith 31:54

2 years ago31:54

31:54

"Did we answer the problems that customers have and that the business has? This is the true metric of success." For some, the digital age has opened up more questions than it answers. Karl A L Smith, President and CIO of Agile World has a long history of guiding global leaders as they navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. When it comes to digital transformations, he's supported brands including Accenture, Tesco Bank and more. Karl now joins the XTech podcast to delve into the latest trends. Tune in to hear his thoughts on everything from big data to the metaverse - where should we prioritise investment?…

XTech

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Transforming mental health care with Yishel Khan 30:05

2 years ago30:05

30:05

"Anyone starting out today in the healthcare realm, you need to think about where the world is headed in the next five years, because technology has changed the landscape forever." Yishel Khan has a wealth of experience in the tech world, with a strong background in software development and a major in Electrical, Electronics and Communications. Yishel now joins the XTech podcast to share how DOT Inc. is embracing the power of technology, data and AI to help diagnose and support patients with mental health conditions. Listen as the Founder and CEO explains the origins of her idea, challenges she's faced along the way and the power of connected care, alongside host Debbie Forster MBE.…

XTech

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Investing in people with Stuart Mills 27:39

2 years ago27:39

27:39

"We need to be truer to our values and our purposes, as organisations and as ecosystems, because the world will not get better if we're not." Stuart Mills is VP of Trailhead & Ecosystems EMEA at Salesforce. With previous experience at companies which were still learning the Salesforce ropes, he made the move across the divide to help other companies embrace the technology. Earlier in his career Stuart was in the Navy as an engineer. Stuart joins Debbie Forster MBE on this episode of the XTech podcast. They discuss people and technology being two sides of the same coin; the big lessons in leadership; and widening the net of knowledge so every student can feel like an innovator.…

XTech

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Versatility in leadership with Rachael Powell 30:28

2 years ago30:28

30:28

"I think that the contemporary leader is really a change agent. To be a change agent, you really need to be ambidextrous. You need to be able to see across the whole of organisations and understand how certain decisions have implications that ripple through the rest of the organisation." Rachael Powell is Chief Customer Officer at Xero, she joined the cloud-based accounting software company as Chief People Officer in 2016. Her previous experience includes 10+ years of experience at IBM and a board position at a University of Technology in Australia. Rachael connects with Debbie Forster MBE on the latest episode of the XTech podcast. They explore the positive impact of energising employees, the benefits of tech when reacting to the COVID pandemic and the importance of using data responsibly.…

XTech

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A guide to big data with Bill Schmarzo 31:22

2 years ago31:22

31:22

"What excites me about big data is that we can develop programmes, policies, prestiges and products that deliver individualised benefits" Bill Schmarzo is Customer Advocate at Dell Technologies, an author, educator and practitioner with over 50 years of experience in tech. As the 'Dean of big data', there's no-one more qualified to talk us through how data got cool. Bill joins Debbie Forster MBE on the latest episode of the XTech podcast to guide us through big data and explore the concept of codifying ethics to prevent the robotic uprising.…

XTech

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FinTech's future with Starling Bank's Jason Maude 32:49

2 years ago32:49

32:49

"We know that serving customers is the important thing, it's why we're here, it's constantly the focus of what we do" Jason Maude, Chief Technology Advocate at Starling Bank, joins Debbie Forster MBE on the XTech podcast to explore the customer focus that has allowed Starling Bank to "make banking better". Jason discusses the concept of accountability and explainability in the world of tech and tells us the next big challenges in FinTech.…

XTech

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The smart use of data with Dr Christine Bailey 27:37

2 years ago27:37

27:37

"Let's use technology to make the best use of somebody's time rather than the machines taking over the world and replacing individuals." Dr Christine Bailey is an author, TEDx speaker and PKYC (Perpetual know your customer) expert. Her experience across marketing technology has earned her an array of awards including MarTech's number one woman in B2B Marketing and a feature in Onalytica's Who's Who in FinTech. Christine joins Debbie Forster MBE on the latest episode of the XTech podcast to discuss personalisation vs privacy, harnessing data for good and the technological potential of using AI to enhance the world of work.…

XTech

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Welcome to the XTech podcast with Debbie Forster MBE 40:05

2 years ago40:05