The New Competitive Field: Digitizing Business Ecosystems with Henrik Hvid Jensen

Henrik Hvid Jensen

Podcast – Episode 97:
How enabling modernization helps businesses set themselves up for long-term success, and be more resilient

How digitization of circular economies pave the way for the future

Some leaders are great at enabling change and providing a platform for others to grow, and of course, there are those that can see change, anticipate it, and help others integrate and adapt. Henrik Hvid Jensen belongs in this latter group. As the CTO of DXC Technology, he’s leading teams that provide services for companies, mainly modernizing them in ways that help them prepare for the future, but also retain what has worked for them best. Henrik believes that a global shared digital backbone for the circular economy ecosystem is a prerequisite for an efficient global circular economy and therefore for reaching the climate goals on time. For more info about his journey, invaluable leadership advice, his thoughts on new technologies such as blockchain, all you have to do is click play. 

Preparing for the future is the one way which combines two very important aspects of business – adaptability, and attraction. The better prepared you are, the more adaptable you are, and more attractive in your business ecosystem.

From his start, all the way to where he is now, Henrik’s journey is one filled with his unique perception on change and transformation, all infused with his insatiable drive, powered by the potential of tech to enable change and progress. 

Key Takeaways from the podcast: 

  • How making your business highly integratable with the business ecosystem can set you up for long term success 
  • Why blockchain might not be the future as some claim 
  • How digitization of circular economies pave the way for the future

TLDR: Straight to the point
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We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Podcast: Progress Through Open Source and Merging Data with Brian Leonard

Brian Leonard

CEO at Grouparoo

Podcast – Episode 96:
Progress Through Open Source and Merging Data

How syncing data can help in disentangling processes, and make business simpler

Tech leaders are life-long learners, and as such, they have their fair share of experience accrued through good, but also many bad experiences. In the crazy world of tech, burning out is not uncommon, but more often than not, it can be a lesson – which once learned, can help you become a real driving force, a leader. One such leader is Brian Leonard, CEO at Grouparoo, who sat down with us to share his journey in the tech world, what he does now, and spill some advice on leadership and teams that will definitely be worth its weight in gold. 

The transition from techie to leader is all about getting out of your comfort zone and being ready to learn new skills and prepare for new challenges. That’s it.

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • Why creating teams is like creating a functioning marriage between strategy, vision, and direction 
  • The reverse ETL – how collecting data and using it to create concepts can help growth 
  • How focus on I/we/it is important, and while the ‘it’ seems the more important, the I and we actually define it 

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Podcast: Proper Animal Care Through Tech Innovation with Matt Bull

Matt Bull

Chief Technology Officer at Elanco

Podcast – Episode 95:
Proper Animal Care Through Tech Innovation

How technology and proper leadership help people take better care for animals, and with that, the world

We usually see techies turn into tech leaders by first earning their badges, and then moving on to create something of their own, but not many separate from the mothership as a company and take that giant leap into leading. But for Matt Bull, CTO at Elanco, did it and not only did he succeeded, he managed to grow the company, and all of that in the space of two years! From having a clear vision on what needs to be done, all the way to ensuring teams are aligned, Matt’s story with Elanco is one we’re sure will captivate you.

“You can only be at your very best when being a part of a diverse community, otherwise you’re just going to get stuck in a routine which has no place in the world of technology.

From his first steps, all the way to where he is now, Matt Bull is a techie with a story that is just as exciting, as it is inspiring.

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • How to set your business for success while digitally transforming
  • Why divesting/acquisition can be a blessing in disguise in terms of technology and organization
  • How start-up culture helps businesses grow and deliver by energizing everyone in a company

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Podcast: Agility and Innovation in the Travel Industry with Amy Burr

Amy Burr 

Podcast – Episode 94:
Agility and Innovation in the Travel Industry

Taking the next step in modernizing travel as a concept

One would think that innovation in traveling is all about speed, right? Just getting to your destination faster. But the truth is, there is much more in terms of technology of what’s going on in this industry, and we have the bright mind of Amy Burr, President at JetBlue Technology Ventures, to shine some light on what it means to work in this industry, what her journey has been like, and some kick-ass leadership advice on what works and what doesn’t. 

You don’t always have to have the qualifications to do a job. Sometimes you just need to be capable of learning what you need to know.

With Amy, we talked about many things, but the one thing that will surely stand out is her journeyfrom her beginnings, all the way to where she is now. 

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • The mindset of the leader – how it infuses into the organization, and can be crucial for success 
  • Always provide a suggestion to a problem when you’re going to someone 
  • Women leaders have it harder, and they need to keep pushing with questions and requests as they do, as the landscape is already changing 

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Teching up the Financial World, One Algorithm at a Time with Chris Goddard

Chris Goddard

CTO & Partner at G-Research

Podcast – Episode 93:
Teching up the Financial World, One Algorithm at a Time

How software enables us to peek deeper into the depths of the global financial markets

One might think that the world of finance is no place for techies and tech leaders, but let’s be honest here – tech mavericks have a way of developing tech that can take almost any industry to the next level. And here, we have Chris Goddard, CTO & Partner at G-Research, who’ll dive deep into the comings and goings in the world of algorithmic trading, and how tech can help take it to the next level. From his beginnings, all the way to where he is now, Chris’ story is one we’re sure will captivate you through and through. 

No position or job will be tailored to you; you’ll need to adapt. But look for one that is closer to who you are as a person, as this will help you be more flexible, and learn more.

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • Why keeping your ear to the ground will help you in following all the changes in the market, and anticipate new trends 
  • That technology is hard, and ever changing – to learn to accept that and be happy to learn from your past mis-steps
  • How internal trade shows help spread knowledge and educate teams about what others are doing in a growing company

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Podcast: Reinventing ad placement, one medium at a time with Dan Goldin

Dan Goldin 

VP of Engineering at TripleLift

Podcast – Episode 92:
Reinventing ad placement, one medium at a time 

The tech leadership behind the advertising innovation

At IT Labs, we like to see under the covers of industries outside the one we’re in. In this episode, we have a real eye-opener – a glimpse into an industry we are all faced with (literally) but rarely know the technological shenanigans and magic that goes on in the background. 

Questioning yourself on whether you made the right decision is normal – but don’t forget that decisions made on gut feeling and experience are not always right, but they rarely result in something that’s not in your advantage.

Dan Goldin, the Chief Architect at TripleLift, shares his leadership wisdom and the challenges that TripleLift is helping solve in the world of marketing. Starting out as a math-wizz, he switched to IT, and hasn’t looked back since. He’s moved into leading, and has become an exemplary leader, driving teams that help companies get the most out of their ads! 

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • The marketing space is bursting with innovation.  
  • Getting a handle on the imposter syndrome.  
  • The crucial difference between being techy and tech leadership, and how to stay on course when transitioning from the former to the latter.

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Using Tech to Anticipate Disruptions in Industries with Philippe Ensarguet

Philippe Ensarguet

Podcast – Episode 91:
Using Tech to Anticipate Disruptions in Industries

How keeping up with trends can help in achieving successful transformation

The ways technology can be used are many, and most of the solutions help in the here and now, and make our lives simpler, and basically giving us the world in our hand. But can tech be used for prediction? Can we anticipate disruptions in markets? We have Philippe Ensarguet, Group CTO at Orange Business Services, who sat down with us to share his journey so far, what he’s doing right now, and lay out his wisdom on leading teams! 

Be curious, be passionate, and don’t take anything for granted – otherwise you’re risking staying behind in this crazy-fast everchanging world.

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • You can’t buy a revolution, but you can buy the evolutionary changes that come with it 
  • How to achieve transparency by neutralizing information 
  • How meshing between teams and specialists in companies can life the company to the next level 

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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The Art Of Procurement with Andrew Wood

Andrew Wood 

Vice President - IT Sourcing at Proxima

Podcast – Episode 90:
The Art Of Procurement

How to find opportunities to grow through assessment and set your business up for long-term success

In the tech world, we all know that there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all solutions in terms of software, as every business and tech company has different needs, different MOs, and different goals. And technology procurement specialists – like Andrew Wood, Vice President – IT Sourcing at Proxima – come into the fore, with their expertise making lives of companies a million times easier. 

Taking the time to assess opportunities and situations is something that’s rarely done, but also something that can set you up for long term success and give you a better grasp on what needs to be done.

TC Gill sat down with Andrew, and they went deep into his journey so far, what he does right now, and how he goes about transforming complex projects that help drive businesses forward. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • How successful procurement delivers long-term success 
  • How agility applies to the procurement world 
  • How being approachable can help you lead with a light touch 

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Catalyzing Innovation Through Understanding with Andrew Vorster

Andrew Vorster

Founder at Innovation Catalyst

Podcast – Episode 89:
Catalyzing Innovation Through Understanding

Spurring processes with the help of personal relationships and troublemaking

Tech leaders are people who know how to inspire and drive others forward, shake things up, and change our perspective. In simpler terms? They are just troublemakers. Well, we got one such troublemaker – Andrew Vorster, Founder at Innovation Catalyst – who also happens to be an amazing storyteller. Mix that up with his vast experience in the tech world, and you know this is going to be an episode you will enjoy through and through.

Understanding people and their motivation is a special type of superpower that can help you not just build a better relationship with them, but also help you guide them more efficiently.

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • How to start fires through storytelling 
  • Why working hard at creating collaborative systems can help a lot 
  • How building trust and relationships creates the magic in a business 

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

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Podcast: Leading tech in one of Britain's busiest airports with Nick Batchelor

Nick Batchelor 

Director of IT at Gatwick Airport

Podcast – Episode 88:
Leading tech in one of Britain’s busiest airports

How to keep a busy place ticking with the usage of tech, and stable for the tough times

Leading tech in one of Britain’s busiest airports (London Gatwick) – Servicing a million- and one-use cases every day, all-day. There are some complicated businesses out there, all with their demanding tech demands. Our guest on this episode of the CTO Confessions has a pretty challenging job on his and his team’s hands. Nick Batchelor, Director of Information Technology at Gatwick Airport, imparts the wisdom of his years of experience leading in a high-octane operation. 

As tech leaders, our most prized asset is the ability to translate business needs into technology that changes lives, and vice-versa – bridge the gap between the technical and business sides that make the world of IT go round.

We sat down with Nick to learn more about how does one maintain one of the busiest airports in Europe ticking, while deploying an MO which ensures continuous development! 

Key takeaways from the podcast: 

  • The tech challenges that the 2nd busiest UK airport faces. 
  • Trying to create technology that supports ever-changing millions of dynamic use cases  
  • Creating stability at the core of an operation that can easily go wrong 

TLDR: Straight to the point
(Quick Links)

We all live busy lives, and sometimes a long podcast is too much of a time-footprint for our busy schedules. So, to help you get to the bit you’re more interested in, use our table of contents below. Quick links to help you get straight to the point.

Transform your technology organization with IT Labs teams.
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