Our fourth episode recorded at SXSW in Austin, Texas that we produced in partnership with Remote, the Global HR Platform.
Featuring:
1/Sandy Carter, COO at Unstoppable Domains
2/Sabrina Sullivan, Foresight Fellow at Ford Motor Company
3/Janice Omedake, exited CEO and author of “Mentorship Unlocked”
4/Dan Cullen-Shute, CEO and Founder of Creature
5/Jeffrey Edell, CEO and chairman at MeWe
Sandy Carter with interview host Graham
Sandy Carter, COO at Unstoppable Domains
In the first interview of episode 4 at South by Southwest, Sandy Carter, the COO of Unstoppable Domains, delves into the insights from her session on the post-AI world of work.
Sandy reflects on the success of her sold-out session, where she encouraged attendees to adopt an AI-first mindset, envisioning a future where AI seamlessly integrates into daily life. She paints a picture of a world where humanoid robots deliver pizzas, jackets with mood sensors enhance workplace productivity, and digital identities revolutionise trust verification.
The discussion delves into the profound implications of AI on various industries, from manufacturing to digital identity management. Sandy highlights the potential of AI to drive business disruption through multimodal learning models, blockchain integration, and spatial computing, urging businesses to embrace innovation and experimentation.
Sandy explores the ethical and societal challenges posed by AI, from privacy concerns to gender bias in data collection. She underscores the importance of responsible AI practices and emphasises the need for transparency and accountability in AI development.
Regarding Unstoppable Domains, Sandy reveals exciting innovations in digital identity technology, including AI avatars and trust verification features. She announces the launch of Dot Austin, a digital identity initiative aimed at fostering trust and community engagement in Austin, Texas.
Sabrina being interviewed on the booth
Sabrina Sullivan, Foresight Fellow at Ford Motor Company
In an engaging discussion at South by Southwest, Sabrina Sullivan, the Foresight Fellow at Ford Motor Company, explores the intricacies of predicting future trends and the evolving landscape of leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Sabrina provides valuable insights into the process of predicting the future, emphasising the importance of modelling multiple scenarios and grounding strategic planning in strategic priorities. Drawing from her expertise in foresight, she underscores the need for continuous horizon scanning and scenario development to navigate uncertainty effectively.
The conversation delves into Sabrina’s recent session on the future of leadership, which garnered significant attention and sparked thought-provoking discussions. She challenges conventional leadership paradigms, asserting that leadership as we know it is evolving in response to the complexities of the modern world.
Exploring the intersection of leadership and generational dynamics, Sabrina highlights the disconnect between traditional leadership models and the expectations of younger generations, such as Gen Z. She stresses the importance of understanding and adapting to the diverse values and preferences of emerging leaders.
The discussion also touches on the structural dynamics of the workplace, including the rise of remote work and its implications for leadership and organizational culture. Sabrina advocates for embracing flexibility and experimentation to leverage the opportunities presented by remote work.
Closing the interview, Sabrina shares insights into leading with innovation and vision, highlighting the importance of setting transformative visions and challenging orthodoxies to drive innovation and adaptation.
Janice after her interview with host Russ
Janice Omedake, exited CEO and author of “Mentorship Unlocked”
Janice Omedake, an exited CEO and the author of “Mentorship Unlocked,” a book poised to transform careers through the power of mentorship. Janice’s passion for mentorship shines through as she delves into its profound impact on career evolution and organisational culture.
Janice’s journey into mentorship stems from her tech startup, the Mentor Method, which sought to cultivate fulfilling careers through strategic mentorship. With “Mentorship Unlocked,” Janice aims to empower readers to unlock their full potential by fostering one-on-one mentorship relationships.
Russ delves into the intricacies of finding the right mentor, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and alignment of goals. Janice emphasises the need for authenticity and intentionality in mentorship relationships, steering away from a superficial “spray and pray” approach.
The conversation broadens to encompass the role of mentorship in shaping company culture and values. Janice underscores the transformative potential of mentorship in driving knowledge transfer, bridging generational gaps, and fostering a culture of collaboration and respect within organisations.
Addressing the challenge of fostering mentorship in companies that lack structured programs, Janice offers practical advice for employees to advocate for mentorship opportunities. She highlights the accessibility of mentorship and encourages individuals to leverage resources like “Mentorship Unlocked” to help with their career development.
Exploring the impact of remote work on mentorship dynamics, Janice highlights the opportunities presented by virtual connectivity to transcend geographical boundaries and foster global mentorship networks. She shares her personal experiences of connecting with mentors from diverse backgrounds.
Dan from Creature London
Dan Cullen-Shute, CEO and Founder of Creature
Dan Cullen-Shute, the CEO and founder of Creature, delves into the crucial topic of fair compensation within companies. Dan’s insights shed light on the transformative power of ensuring that employees are paid properly and the broader implications for organisational culture and societal impact.
Dan’s talk, titled “Peace, Love and Positive Coercion: Making Companies Happy to Pay People Properly,” explores the concept of positive coercion for fostering fair compensation practices within companies. Drawing from his experience in the advertising industry, Dan shares how Creature’s mission to “leave the industry better than we found it” has pushed them to champion fair wages as a core value.
Dan’s passion for fair compensation stems from an awareness of privilege and a commitment to leveraging his platform for positive change. He reflects on the disparities he witnessed growing up in Wales and the pivotal moment when Creature recognised the need to address systemic issues in compensation practices.
The conversation delves into the distinction between a “real living wage” and the government-coined term “living wage,” underscoring the importance of ensuring that employees earn enough to sustain themselves. Dan highlights the critical role of accreditation bodies like the Living Wage Foundation in holding companies accountable and driving meaningful change.
Dan leaves listeners with a reminder of the importance of using platforms to effect positive change. With a commitment to making a difference, Dan exemplifies the transformative potential of aligning business success with social impact.
Jeffrey Edell being interviewed by Graham
Jeffrey Edell, CEO and chairman at MeWe
The final interview of the episodes recorded at South by South West, featured Jeffrey Edell, CEO and chairman of MeWe, a social media platform aiming to redefine the industry’s norms. Jeffrey introduces MeWe as a privacy-focused alternative to mainstream platforms like Facebook, prioritising user data protection and authenticity. With over 20 million users and 700,000 groups, MeWe has steady organic growth and a commitment to blockchain integration for enhanced privacy control.
Discussing MeWe’s philosophy, Jeffrey emphasises the platform’s mission to rejuvenate social media with a refreshing ethos: “Don’t give up on social media. Hit refresh.” MeWe offers a familiar social experience while championing privacy and data ownership, attracting users seeking a more ethical online environment.
The conversation turns to MeWe’s recent nomination for the South by Southwest Innovation Awards, reflecting the platform’s pioneering efforts in the social media landscape. Despite stiff competition, MeWe stands out for its innovative approach to user privacy and blockchain integration.
Delving into MeWe’s blockchain migration, Jeffrey elucidates how this transition empowers users to reclaim control of their data. Through blockchain verification and decentralised social graphs, MeWe pioneers a shift towards user sovereignty and data monetisation opportunities, setting a precedent for ethical social media practices.
Jeffrey talks on MeWe’s talent acquisition strategy, drawing industry experts from renowned companies like Disney and Apple. MeWe’s commitment to social impact and ethical technology resonates with professionals seeking purpose-driven projects, creating a passionate team culture.
Looking ahead, Jeffrey outlines MeWe’s expansion plans, including the introduction of NFTs for group monetisation and a rewards-based system for content creators. By tokenizing the platform and gamifying social interactions, MeWe aims to revolutionise the digital landscape while prioritising user empowerment and ethical engagement.
