Tech Beyond the Hype

Is Your Website Speaking to Users, or Just Tracking Clicks?

Today’s online customers expect seamless, intuitive digital experiences. But how well do you really understand what they need—or where they’re experiencing friction? In this episode, I sit down with Scott Voigt, CEO of FullStory, to unpack how behavioral data is redefining what’s possible for businesses aiming to understand customer interactions beyond basic click tracking.  

Scott explains how companies can capture a more complete view of user behavior by listening to signals like "rage clicks" and "dead clicks," allowing them to spot issues, eliminate friction, and personalize interactions in real time.We dive into how these insights help businesses move past assumptions, using real data to improve engagement, conversions, and overall satisfaction.  

Scott also discusses the role of AI in interpreting these complex data patterns and explains why behavioral data is crucial for building digital experiences that are not only effective but also privacy-conscious. 

Scott brings clarity to a complex, challenging area of business and offers actionable insights for any tech leader interested in transforming their digital experience strategy. This episode is essential for anyone looking to harness the power of behavioral data to create websites that do more than track clicks—they actually connect with users. 

 

Links  

 

• FullStory - https://www.fullstory.com/  
• FullStory Blog - https://www.fullstory.com/blog/  
• Follow Scott Voigt - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmvoigt/  

 

Breaking the AI Infrastructure Barrier: A Strategic Roadmap for Success

According to recent ESG research, a whopping 84% of organizations are rethinking how they deploy applications as AI enters the picture. It's becoming clear that for AI to deliver real value, it needs quality data behind it. This is pushing IT leaders to take a fresh look at how they approach infrastructure.

Join me as I sit down with Scott Sinclair, Practice Director at Enterprise Strategy Group, to dive into ESG's latest findings on how organizations are reshaping their infrastructure for AI. We unpack some fascinating trends, including:

• Why companies are starting to question if "cloud-first" makes sense for AI
• The real costs of moving data around for AI (spoiler: it's more complex than you think)
• An unexpected plot twist: highly regulated industries are actually leading the AI charge
• Smart ways to start small but build for growth
• Why your data strategy could make or break your AI success
• Getting the right mix of cloud and on-prem for AI workloads
• Real-world tips for building AI infrastructure that won't break the bank

Scott brings hard data and real-world examples to cut through the hype around AI infrastructure. Whether you're just dipping your toes into AI or scaling up existing projects, you'll walk away with practical insights you can actually use.

 

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The Career Mosaic: Building a Board-Ready Skill Set

In this special summer edition of Tech Beyond the Hype, we explore the crucial mindset shift required for reaching the boardroom. The clip is an exclusive unreleased segment from our interview with CEO of Athena Alliance, Coco Brown, who delves into the transformative thinking needed to navigate the jump from mid-senior level management to board-level positions. 

Coco challenges conventional career progression strategies, introducing listeners to a new perspective that goes beyond linear advancement and job titles. She emphasizes the importance of becoming a "business asset" and developing a holistic understanding of organizational operations. 

In the clip, we unpack: 

• The diverse landscape of corporate boards and why understanding it is crucial 
• How to shift gears from a siloed career approach to a cross-functional, value-driven mindset 
• The parallels between choosing a board position and selecting higher education 
• Strategies for gaining the broad business acumen necessary for board service 

Whether you're a seasoned executive contemplating your next move or a professional earlier in your career, this episode offers invaluable insights that could reshape your career trajectory. Tune in to discover how adopting a strategic, cross-functional perspective can elevate your professional journey and prepare you for board roles. 

The Marketing Balancing Act: Where Creativity Meets Data

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, marketers face the challenge of balancing creative intuition with data-driven decision-making. As technology advances and consumer behaviours shift, the art and science of marketing are increasingly intertwined, requiring professionals to master both realms to achieve success. 

In this episode, I'm joined by Amy Lewis - a seasoned product marketer from GitHub - who shares valuable insights into navigating this delicate balance in the world of tech marketing. She explores how creativity and data analysis come together to shape effective marketing strategies in the digital age. 

We explore the intricacies of managing remote teams while fostering creativity, and discuss how data can inform and enhance creative processes without stifling innovation. Our conversation spans from personalization strategies to the evolution of SEO, all through the lens of balancing art and science in marketing. 

Join us for this enlightening discussion that reveals how successful marketers are blending creativity with data to drive impactful campaigns and build meaningful connections with their audiences. 

We discuss:  

• The intersection of creativity and data in modern marketing strategies 
• Using data to inform and enhance creative processes 
• Balancing personalization with data privacy concerns 
• The role of intuition in data-driven decision making 
• Fostering creativity in remote team environments 
• The evolution of SEO and content marketing in the data age 
• Measuring the impact of creative campaigns with analytics 
• Adapting creative approaches for different generations based on data insights 

 

Follow Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhlewis/  

Decoding AI: Mastering the Art of Informed Decision-Making

"Your AI journey does not start with AI. It starts by understanding how does our organization create value for our constituents and our stakeholders?" In this episode, Bill Schmarzo (Customer AI and Data Innovation Strategist at Dell Technologies) takes us deep into the dynamic world of AI, sharing his insights on the transformative potential that successful AI adoption can for organizations and societies.  

 

With a wealth of experience and unique insights to offer, Bill challenges conventional approaches to decision-making and offers practical strategies to maximize the impact of AI. Join us as we unravel the secrets to successful AI implementation, exploring topics like: 

• Optimizing around aspirations: understand the transformational power of AI 
• Why good decision-making is more important than ever in the era of AI 
• The value of data literacy and inclusion in driving more ethical AI outcomes  
• And more.. 

 

Follow Bill Schmarzo: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schmarzo/  

 

Books cited in the episode: 

• Bill Schmarzo, 'AI & Data Literacy: Empowering Citizens of Data Science' - https://www.amazon.com/AI-Data-Literacy-Empowering-Citizens-ebook/dp/B0C6TZ7MRF?ref_=ast_author_mpb  
• Bill Schmarzo, 'The Economics of Data, Analytics, and Digital Transformation: The theorems, laws, and empowerments to guide your organization's digital transformation' https://www.amazon.com/dp/1800561415/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk  

Corporate Governance in Flux: Diversity, Accountability, & Community Building

Corporate boardrooms and senior executives are facing unprecedented scrutiny. The convergence of complex social issues, technological advancements, and global events is reshaping expectations around transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership. From sustainability standards to cybersecurity threats, leaders must navigate a challenging environment where innovation meets responsibility, shaping the future of leadership. 

In this episode, I'm joined by Coco Brown, the founder and CEO of Athena Alliance. Coco delves into the profound shifts in corporate governance and responsibility that have taken place over the past few decades.  

We explore the increasing visibility and accountability required of corporate boards in today’s interconnected world. Coco provides valuable insights into how boards must now navigate complex social issues, technological advancements, and global events. She also explains how corporate messaging is shifting away from mass marketing towards community-driven strategies that foster genuine engagement and product success.  

Join us for this enlightening conversation that champions diverse impact and strategic governance in an ever-evolving corporate world. 

We discuss: 

- The evolution of corporate governance 

- The critical role of diversity and inclusion in executive leadership 

- Why it's important to gain cross-functional experience within an organization before aiming for board roles 

- How communities are helping organizations define and promote products 

- How to build communities around products to dominate marketing categories 

 

Athena Alliance: https://athenaalliance.com/  

Connect with Coco: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cocobrown/  

Leadership in Times of Turmoil: A Ukrainian Saga

In February 2022, Alexander Radchenko, leading a team of developers based in Ukraine, faced an unimaginable challenge: his team came under physical attack. Despite the chaos, Radchenko managed not only to keep his team intact but also achieved a remarkable feat—maintaining 100% customer retention during this tumultuous period.

In this episode, we delve into the essence of successful leadership amidst extreme conflict. Join us as we sit down with Alexander to uncover the pivotal role of people-centric leadership, transparent communication with clients, and forward-thinking problem-solving strategies that enabled him to navigate through the storm.

While the circumstances of the invasion are unique, the lessons learned are universally applicable. Whether you're leading a team through a crisis or seeking insights into effective leadership, this episode offers invaluable takeaways for senior-level professionals.

Key Takeaways:

• Building Cohesion in a Distributed Team: Learn how to maintain a cohesive and productive team in the absence of a central physical location.
• Essential Leadership Qualities in Crisis: Explore the leadership qualities required to navigate through extreme situations.
• The Psychological Impact of Work Amid Uncertainty: Discover the profound psychological value of work in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
• And more!

 

Is the Quantum Cryptopalypse Coming for Business Data?

Quantum computing will someday render conventional encryption futile. When? No one really knows. That’s because, despite being a relatively nascent area of technology, advancements in quantum computing are moving so fast that it’s impossible to know with any degree of certainty when this inevitability will occur. 

In this episode, I sit down with CEO of Nemertes Research, Johna Till Johnson to take a deep-dive into the world of quantum computing. She explains the differences between quantum and conventional computing, the practical benefits and business applications of quantum, as well as some of the very real risks that this new field poses to modern-day business.  

A master at demystifying complexity, Johna does a fantastic job at simplifying what for many of us feels like an inaccessibly technical area of computing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to get a better understanding of how quantum computing works and how it could impact the future of business.