The Spotlight Series - Don’t just survive, thrive!

Nicola Steel
  • 5.0 (8)
  • CAREERS
  • UPDATED BI-MONTHLY

Welcome to "The Spotlight Series – Don’t Just Survive, Thrive”. Season 1 was launched to help people through the pandemic by talking to a variety of experts about topics such as psychology, finance and health. Season 2 focused on more work related issues including HR, marketing and leadership. Now it is time for Season 3! Season 3 is centred on the IT industry, specifically tech startups. There are also Career Spotlights from senior IT people revealing the secrets to their impressive career trajectories.Your host is Nicola Steel, founder of JJP Talent Solutions, an Australian IT recruitment company. For over 20 years, she has helped tech startups and innovative SMEs to attract, recruit and retain technical talent.

  1. Insights from Ladies Leading Tech: Dr Joan Palmiter Bajorek on Conversational AI, Career Resilience and Human-Centred Tech

    25 MAR

    Insights from Ladies Leading Tech: Dr Joan Palmiter Bajorek on Conversational AI, Career Resilience and Human-Centred Tech

    In this episode of AI for Good, Nicola Steel speaks with Dr Joan Palmiter Bajorek, Innovation Evangelist, Founder of Clarity AI, and author of Your AI Roadmap. Joan brings her deep expertise in conversational AI, career development, and personalised data-driven tech to this human-focused conversation. Joan shares how her love for languages and linguistics sparked her passion for conversational AI and led her to roles in academia, tech, and entrepreneurship. Together, Nicola and Joan explore the power of AI to enhance - not replace - human connection, particularly in the job search and mental health spaces. Joan and Nicola discuss: 🧠 How conversational AI is evolving and why simplicity in design matters 💼 Career advice for breaking into AI, from networking to personal branding 📚 Joan’s book Your AI Roadmap and her mission to make AI careers accessible 🌱 The importance of career resilience and mental health tools like Wobot and Career Flow 🌐 Clarity AI’s real-world impact through custom data and AI solutions, including preventative healthcare innovations using smart IoT devices This episode blends practical career advice, thought leadership, and real-world examples of how AI can improve lives - while keeping the human at the centre. A must-listen for job seekers, tech professionals, and anyone passionate about ethical AI and career empowerment. Here are the resources discussed in the episode: Free Personalized Roadmap Quiz: YourAIRoadmap.com/me Your AI Roadmap Book: YourAIRoadmap.com Joan's Podcast: YourAIRoadmap.com/podcast

    32 min
  2. Scaling SaaS with AI: Stijn Hendrikse on Leadership, Marketing, and the Future of Software

    11 FEB

    Scaling SaaS with AI: Stijn Hendrikse on Leadership, Marketing, and the Future of Software

    Welcome to the first podcast episode of Season 7 which is all about AI for Good! In this season, we’re exploring how AI is shaping industries, driving innovation, and making a positive impact on the world. To kick things off, Nicola Steel speaks with Stijn Hendrikse, a seasoned SaaS entrepreneur, investor, and author, about the transformative power of AI in the software industry and how startups can leverage AI for growth. Stijn shares insights from his extensive career, from his early days as a developer to leading global marketing for Microsoft’s SMB segment, writing T2D3, and coaching go-to-market leaders. He also reveals details about his upcoming book, Level Up, which focuses on how AI can enhance strategic decision-making in SaaS companies. Nicola and Stijn explore how AI is revolutionising marketing and go-to-market strategies, emphasising the importance of understanding the fundamentals - positioning, personas, and messaging - before using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude AI. Stijn highlights how AI can free up time for high-value work but stresses the importance of accountability, validation, and thoughtful leadership when managing AI-generated content. They also discuss the future of AI in SaaS, including its potential to lower barriers to entry, empower entrepreneurs and younger generations, and drive innovation in software development. Stijn encourages SaaS leaders to embrace AI, not fear it, and to see it as a tool that enhances efficiency, leadership, and strategic growth. This episode sets the stage for an exciting season of AI for Good, packed with practical insights for SaaS founders, AI innovators and tech professionals looking to scale in the age of AI.

    42 min
  3. Driving Digital Strategy: Mark Nicholls on Cybersecurity, AI, and Leadership

    10/12/2024

    Driving Digital Strategy: Mark Nicholls on Cybersecurity, AI, and Leadership

    In this episode, Nicola Steel speaks with Mark D. Nicholls, CEO of Information Professionals Group and a seasoned expert in digital transformation and cybersecurity with over 30 years of experience. Mark has been instrumental in helping organisations grow through technology, and he shares his journey and insights on navigating today’s complex tech landscape. Nicola and Mark discuss how businesses can align digital transformation with their overarching strategy to address real challenges, rather than adopting technology for its own sake. They explore the integration of cybersecurity as a critical business risk, the opportunities and risks of AI in enhancing efficiency, and the importance of strong data management to ensure privacy and mitigate misuse. Mark also delves into emerging technologies such as quantum computing and containerisation, highlighting their potential impact on encryption, data security, and organisational change. He stresses the vital role of leadership in making strategic decisions, balancing priorities, and navigating the inevitable pivots and challenges on the path to success. This engaging conversation offers valuable insights and forward-thinking perspectives for business leaders, technology enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of innovation and growth through technology.

    41 min
  4. Insights from Ladies Leading Tech - Empowering women, breaking barriers and scaling businesses with Shamila Gopalan

    26/11/2024

    Insights from Ladies Leading Tech - Empowering women, breaking barriers and scaling businesses with Shamila Gopalan

    In this episode of Insights from Ladies Leading Tech, Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching, speaks with Shamila Gopalan, a passionate advocate for empowering women and a dynamic leader with over 25 years experience across three continents. Shamila is the founder of HerWit, a platform dedicated to helping female entrepreneurs scale their businesses, and the Chief Commercial Officer at SisterWorks, a not-for-profit organisation that supports migrant and refugee women in achieving economic independence. Shamila shares her inspiring journey of creating HerWit to address the challenges female entrepreneurs face, emphasising the importance of focusing on revenue growth and customer understanding before seeking investment. She also discusses her impactful role at SisterWorks, where she helps women overcome barriers to employment and entrepreneurship, fostering economic empowerment through tailored support and skills training. Nicola and Shamila explore the critical role of mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusive leadership in supporting women entrepreneurs. Shamila highlights the funding gap faced by female founders and shares strategies for balancing a passion for social impact with the commercial skills needed for sustainable success. This empowering episode celebrates resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of women supporting women. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

    50 min
  5. Unlocking Potential: How Denver Naidoo’s Zeligate AI Workforce is Transforming Business

    12/11/2024

    Unlocking Potential: How Denver Naidoo’s Zeligate AI Workforce is Transforming Business

    Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching, speaks with Denver Naidoo, CTO and Founder of Zeligate, an AI workforce provider with a mission to empower teams through AI. Denver shares his inspiring journey in tech, from the early days of computing to pioneering Zeligate, which offers AI-powered assistants to handle routine tasks like phone calls, video interviews, and customer interactions, freeing employees to focus on more meaningful work. Nicola and Denver discuss how Zeligate is making AI accessible to small and medium-sized businesses with an affordable pricing model, allowing them to leverage AI-driven tools previously available only to larger enterprises. Denver describes the company’s vision for Zeli, their AI assistant, to boost productivity and efficiency while integrating smoothly into daily business operations. The conversation also explores the importance of ethical AI practices, the challenges of scaling a tech company, and the exciting future of AI in the workplace. Denver envisions a world where AI assistants like Zeli become invaluable in helping individuals and companies streamline their work, paving the way for AI’s role in education and lifelong learning. This episode is packed with insights into the future of AI, the scalability of tech solutions, and the transformative power of making advanced AI tools accessible to all businesses.

    34 min
  6. Insights from Ladies Leading Tech: Susan Toft’s Journey from Solo Startup Founder to Founder of the Year

    29/10/2024

    Insights from Ladies Leading Tech: Susan Toft’s Journey from Solo Startup Founder to Founder of the Year

    Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching, talks to Susan Toft, Founder of The Laundry Lady and winner of Founder of the Year at the Women in Digital Awards 2024. In this episode of Ladies Leading Tech, Susan shares her incredible journey of starting The Laundry Lady after her corporate role was made redundant in 2012. What started as a solo business has now scaled into a thriving operation with over 300 contractors across Australia and New Zealand. Nicola and Susan discuss the importance of leveraging technology to scale, with Susan recounting how a digital grant in 2016 helped integrate an online booking platform that transformed her business. They also explore the benefits of developing proprietary software like Time Boss, which allowed The Laundry Lady to scale even further, and Susan’s experience of being featured on Shark Tank. This episode highlights Susan’s resilience and determination, along with her passion for providing business opportunities to women.  She also delves into her exciting future plans for international expansion into Canada, the US, the UK, and Japan. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation filled with insights into entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, entrepreneur, or just curious about the world of business, this episode is packed with valuable lessons and motivation for anyone looking to scale their own ventures.

    41 min
  7. Insights from Ladies Leading Tech: Shailvi Wakhlu's Journey from Data Science to Building High-Performing Teams

    16/10/2024

    Insights from Ladies Leading Tech: Shailvi Wakhlu's Journey from Data Science to Building High-Performing Teams

    In the latest episode of "The Spotlight Series - Don't Just Survive, Thrive" in the "Ladies Leading Tech" segment, Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions, speaks with Shailvi Wakhlu, a dynamic and experienced tech leader known for her expertise in data science and analytics. With a career spanning influential roles at companies like Salesforce, Shailvi shares her fascinating journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role in tech. She talks about how she intentionally navigated her way into leadership positions by consulting with others, reverse-engineering her career path, and developing a deep passion for analytics. Shailvi provides valuable insights into the importance of "thoughtful analytics" in today’s data-driven world, explaining how businesses need to have a clear purpose and quality data before diving into generative AI. She emphasises the risks of poorly thought-out analytics leading to inaccurate or even harmful outcomes, particularly as AI becomes a more integral part of business operations. As a woman and migrant in tech leadership, Shailvi faced challenges along the way, including gender imbalance and lack of representation. She candidly discusses her experiences, from working in teams where she was often the only woman to her approach to overcoming imposter syndrome. She also shares how she has actively created more balanced, inclusive environments by focusing on hiring diverse talent, including those from non-traditional paths, like coding bootcamps. In this episode, Shailvi offers practical advice for women aspiring to leadership in the tech industry. She explains why it’s crucial to be proactive in seeking out opportunities and not waiting for recognition, the importance of finding trusted mentors, and how to build a support network both within and outside your organisation. She also delves into her leadership philosophy, balancing innovation with thoughtful decision-making, and shares key traits that are essential for building high-performing, cohesive teams based on trust and clarity.

    34 min
  8. Insights from Ladies Leading Tech - Revolutionising HR with Artificial Intelligence with Ceri Jury, Founder of Advancer.ai

    01/10/2024

    Insights from Ladies Leading Tech - Revolutionising HR with Artificial Intelligence with Ceri Jury, Founder of Advancer.ai

    In this episode, Nicola Steel, Founding Director of JJP Talent Solutions, talks to Ceri Jury, Founder of Advancer and a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience in workforce development and leadership transformation. Ceri takes us through her career journey, starting from pivotal HR roles in government and Queensland Health to her bold leap into the world of AI-driven innovation with Advancer.ai - Australia’s first AI-powered HR platform. Ceri shares the vision behind Advancer, which has been providing affordable and cutting-edge HR solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises for nearly nine years. Advancer’s AI co-pilot helps HR teams streamline tasks, improve compliance, and deliver fast, culturally relevant HR advice - all while enabling HR professionals to shift focus toward strategic leadership initiatives. We explore the early challenges of transitioning from a structured corporate environment to the fast-paced tech startup space, from finding the right technical partners to building a capable team to develop AI solutions. Ceri highlights the unique struggles faced by women founders and the importance of supportive networks, mentorship and accelerator programs in fostering collaboration and innovation. The conversation also covers how Advancer ensures its AI-powered tools are ethically developed, adhering to the highest standards of trust and data security. Ceri talks about the company’s future plans, including customising AI solutions for specific organisational needs, expanding to international markets, and forging strategic partnerships with other apps. As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Ceri shares effective strategies for fostering diverse teams, empowering employees with flexible working arrangements, and encouraging creative problem-solving. Finally, Ceri discusses the transformative potential of AI in HR over the coming years, envisioning a future where AI automates repetitive tasks, freeing HR leaders to focus on higher-level strategic thinking and innovation; without replacing the essential human element. Listen now to discover what’s next for Advancer and to access an exclusive 50% discount on their AI package using the code "podcast."

    30 min
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About

Welcome to "The Spotlight Series – Don’t Just Survive, Thrive”. Season 1 was launched to help people through the pandemic by talking to a variety of experts about topics such as psychology, finance and health. Season 2 focused on more work related issues including HR, marketing and leadership. Now it is time for Season 3! Season 3 is centred on the IT industry, specifically tech startups. There are also Career Spotlights from senior IT people revealing the secrets to their impressive career trajectories.Your host is Nicola Steel, founder of JJP Talent Solutions, an Australian IT recruitment company. For over 20 years, she has helped tech startups and innovative SMEs to attract, recruit and retain technical talent.

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