NZ Tech Insight

Alex , Ben and CO
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Welcome to Tech Insight, the podcast where we explore the stories, strategies, and lessons from top professionals in the IT industry in New Zealand. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, we bring you conversations with architects, data scientists, engineers and other tech leaders who have navigated the fast-changing landscape of technology. https://techinsightnz.wordpress.com/

  1. 4D AGO

    EP17 Breaking Into Business Analysis: Sophie Chen on Career Transitions, Community, and AI

    Sophie Chen https://www.linkedin.com/in/xichen618/ https://www.meetup.com/ba-career-meetup-group/Sophie shares her inspiring journey from technical sales in the electronics industry to becoming a senior BA in banking, highlighting the challenges of career transition, on-the-job learning, and growing into senior-level responsibilities without constant mentorship. The conversation dives deep into: Transitioning into IT and business analysis from another industryThe real differences between intermediate and senior BA rolesBuilding domain knowledge and confidence in unfamiliar environmentsUpskilling through certifications, community involvement, and volunteeringWhy soft skills, ownership, and strategic thinking define senior BAsHow networking and “value exchange” really work in practicePractical advice for breaking into business analysis in a tough job marketHow AI is changing the BA role — and why context still matters more than toolsThis episode is packed with practical advice for students, career switchers, aspiring BAs, and experienced professionals navigating change in an AI‑driven world. 🎧 If you’re looking to enter business analysis, grow into a senior role, or understand how AI is reshaping the profession, this is a must‑listen. We’d love more tech professionals to be a guest on the podcast! Get in touch via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/⁠ ⁠ If you’re a student, we’re seeking volunteers to assist in co-hosting, promoting, and editing the podcast. Get in touch via LinkedIn!

    30 min

  2. JAN 2

    EP16 From Forklift Driver to CIO: Leadership, Curiosity, and AI with Steve James

    Steve James https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevejamesnz/ We’d love more tech professionals to be a guest on the podcast! Get in touch via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/⁠ ⁠ If you’re a student, we’re seeking volunteers to assist in co-hosting, promoting, and editing the podcast. Get in touch via LinkedIn!

    35 min

  3. 12/28/2025

    EP15 Breaking Down Silos: Anthony Marter on Building Truly Customer-Centric Organizations

    Anthony https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymarter/ Mavis https://www.linkedin.com/in/beibeima/ We’d love more tech professionals to be a guest on the podcast! Get in touch via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/⁠ ⁠ If you’re a student, we’re seeking volunteers to assist in co-hosting, promoting, and editing the podcast. Get in touch via LinkedIn!

    27 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    EP14 From BA to AI Advocate: The Career Journey of Sandra Mukundu

    You can reach out to Sandra Mukundu : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-mukundu-76012b39/We’d love more tech professionals to be a guest on the podcast! Get in touch via LinkedIn! ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/⁠If you’re a student, we’re seeking volunteers to assist in co-hosting, promoting, and editing the podcast. Get in touch via LinkedIn!

    31 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Breaking Barriers in Tech Chenna Krishna’s Journey from Struggle to Principal Engineer

    You can reach out to Chenna https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenna-krishna-pala/ We’d love more tech professionals to be a guest on the podcast! Get in touch via LinkedIn! https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/If you’re a student, we’re seeking volunteers to assist in co-hosting, promoting, and editing the podcast. Get in touch via LinkedIn!

    32 min

  6. 11/02/2025

    Networking, Mentorship & More: Secrets to Your First Job

    Want to be mentored by Ben Yu? 🌟 Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybbest/Secrets to Your First Job ✅ Start Early👩‍🎓 Find a Mentor💼 Gain Industry Experience🤝 Network Smartly🌐 Build Your Brand📩 Follow Up 🎓 How to Land Your First Job in Tech 🚀 Just wrapped up an insightful conversation on Tech Insight 🎙️ about breaking into the tech industry. Here are my top 3 rules for students and grads looking to launch their careers: 1️⃣ Start Early – Don’t wait until graduation. Begin networking, polishing your CV, and applying for internships in your first or second year.2️⃣ Find a Mentor – Someone who’s walked the path can guide you through the maze. Mentorship is a game-changer.3️⃣ Get Industry Experience – Whether through internships, research papers, or volunteering, real-world exposure beats grades. 💡 Bonus tip: Build your personal brand on LinkedIn and GitHub. Don’t just say you’re a fast learner—show it through learning posts and open-source contributions. 🙌 You can’t control the job market, but you can control how much you grow. Stop complaining. Start building. Your future self will thank you. #TechCareers #GraduateJobs #MentorshipMatters #NetworkingTips #PersonalBranding #GitHub #LinkedInTips #CareerGrowth #InternshipOpportunities #SolutionArchitectShow #BenYu #TechInsight #JobSearchJourney #NZTechInsight

    24 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    From Game Developer to Tech Leader: Kyle’s Journey of Passion and Purpose

    Guest: ⁠Kyle Muir⁠ Ben Yu⁠ and Fay Qian⁠ We had the pleasure of chatting with Kyle Muir, a respected senior people leader in NZ’s IT industry, about his inspiring career journey—from writing games as a teen to leading teams and shaping strategy at scale. 💡 Key Takeaways: Started in tech by breaking (and fixing!) family computers 🖥️Built and sold a game in PHP/MySQL as a teenager 🎮Got his first job through a grad programme at Intergen 👨‍🎓Transitioned from technical roles to people leadership 👥Uses AI daily for reporting, insights, and decision-making 🤖Emphasizes the importance of understanding business strategy 📊Shares advice for aspiring leaders: be curious, proactive, and visible 🙌🎯 “Anyone can become a solution architect or a leader—it’s all about mindset, problem-solving, and communication.” 🔥 Whether you're a student, developer, or future leader, this episode is packed with insights on career growth, leadership, and the evolving role of AI in tech. 🎧 Listen in, get inspired, and if you’re keen to share your own story, reach out! #TechLeadership #CareerJourney #AIInTech #PeopleLeadership #Podcast #NZTech #WomenInTech #GraduateTips #SolutionArchitecture #LinkedInLearning #LeadershipDevelopment #ImposterSyndrome #CareerGrowth #FutureOfWork #BenYuPodcasts

    37 min

  8. 10/03/2025

    EP10 From Chef to Engineering Director: A Journey of Adaptability, Resilience & Vision

    Guest: ⁠Dennis Hui⁠, Director of Software Development Host: ⁠Yufei Qian⁠ Master's student in AI at the University of Auckland Dennis began his career in hospitality before transitioning to IT.Studied commerce, then computer science at the University of Auckland.Progressed from developer → senior developer → team lead → manager → director.His life experience and people skills gave him an edge in leadership roles.Focused on identifying team gaps and driving process/technical improvements.Expanded technical scope beyond mobile to backend and DevOps.Learned to make strategic decisions and communicate effectively with global stakeholders (US, Singapore, Southeast Asia).Developed adaptability to navigate cultural differences and shifting business needs.Emotional Management – Stay composed under pressure and handle interpersonal challenges with resilience.Let Go of Perfectionism – Leadership involves trade-offs and compromises.Resilience – Stand firm in decisions despite conflicting demands.Soft Skills & Influence – Especially for introverted developers, communication and influence are essential. Future roles will focus more on persuading others to accept your solution than building it yourself.AI reduces the need for deep technical memorization.Developers should shift focus to:✅ High-level solution design✅ Business understanding✅ Communication and influenceAI will handle execution; humans will lead strategy.Leaders must be highly adaptable as AI accelerates change in tech stacks, consumer needs, and global dynamics.Networking is key: Attend meetups, build connections—even indirect ones can help get your CV to the right hands.Showcase soft skills: Interviews now focus more on cultural fit and communication than technical depth.Understand the company/team: Tailor your interview responses to show alignment with their values and work style.Leverage referrals: Collaborate on projects to demonstrate your skills and earn endorsements.📬 Connect with DennisFind him on LinkedIn: Dennis HuiHe’s open to offline meetups and passionate about giving back to the community that supported his journey. 🧑‍🍳 From Chef to Tech Leader🧭 Leadership Journey & Challenges💡 Key Leadership Insights🤖 AI’s Impact on Software Development🎓 Advice for Job Seekers

    24 min
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About

Welcome to Tech Insight, the podcast where we explore the stories, strategies, and lessons from top professionals in the IT industry in New Zealand. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, we bring you conversations with architects, data scientists, engineers and other tech leaders who have navigated the fast-changing landscape of technology. https://techinsightnz.wordpress.com/

Information

  • Creator
    Alex , Ben and CO
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alex , Ben and CO
  • Show Website
    NZ Tech Insight