The Lucent Perspective

In this bonus episode of the Lucent Perspective, we are sharing a recent LinkedIn Live Webinar, joined by Andrew Bardsley, Founder of JackHR.  Andrew Bardsley and Rebecca Hastings discuss how to build retention into hiring and how to empower managers so they can retain top talent. We cover issues such as how Gen Z are approaching things differently, how managers can spot burnout and how you can ha...

In this episode, host Rebecca Hastings has an enlightening discussion with serial entrepreneur and business advisor Russell Dalgleish. Russell shares his wisdom on entrepreneurship, networking, international business, purpose-driven leadership, and more. Episode Highlights: [0:41] - The mindset required for startup success [1:42] - Staying focused on your purpose and mission [3:41] - Clarifying yo...

In this episode, host Rebecca Hastings conducts an insightful interview with returning guest Gary Crawford, Chief Innovation Officer at Waracle. They dive deeper into a timely issue: how the rise of AI is transforming software development teams and processes.  Gary, who previously joined us in Episode 5 on how enterprise companies can leverage AI, provides an insider's view on the latest deve...

In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, host Rebecca Hastings interviews John Cushing, an award-winning founder and CEO with extensive experience in building and scaling data-driven digital companies. John shares his insights on understanding the context of company performance, the importance of diversity and inclusion, and his passion for supporting female entrepreneurship. With a track record...

In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, I was joined by Kate McMillan, the head of service technology at Fortinet. Kate shares her experiences in building a community platform for Fortinet users and the impact it has had on their business. With different support options scattered across various platforms, Kate explains how the need for a centralized hub became apparent. As Fortinet grew through...

In this episode of The Lucent Perspective, Rachel Curtis, the CEO of Inicio, shares her insights on AI, FinTech startups, and the challenges of leading a fast-growing business and raising investment. She discusses her journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship and how it was a more accidental path for her.    Episode Highlights:   [00:02:01] Conversational AI in banking.  [00:04:21] Corp...

In this episode, I was joined by Vincent Cano, Chief People Officer at Agicap, a fast-growing fintech company based in Paris. We discussed lessons learned from failed attempts at rolling out global HR policies, balancing consistency with local needs when expanding internationally, determining critical roles to add during rapid growth, and more.  Episode Highlights:   2:22 - Need to customize polic...

In this episode, we're joined by Jess Igoe, Chief People Officer at Amici. Jess shares her expertise in building highly effective engineering teams, hiring salespeople, developing career ladders, getting the culture right, and more. 0:41 - The importance of hiring self-motivated engineers 3:15 - Sales recruiting requires more planning and consistency 5:17 - Using psychometric assessments in t...

In this episode, I am very fortunate to have Neil Bruce to discuss the growth marketing and key trends impacting the success of marketing in tech companies. Neil, who has experience in both in-house and agency roles, shares valuable insights on the in-house agency dynamic.  Episode Highlights: [00:02:10] Growth marketing strategies.  [00:05:37] The creation of growth teams.  [00:08:07] Retention a...

In the ever-evolving world of business and leadership, one thing stands out as the ultimate game-changer: culture. If you've ever wondered what sets successful companies apart from the rest, our latest podcast episode dives deep into the transformative power of culture and its role in scaling up and thriving in today's competitive landscape. Our guest speaker makes it clear – it's a...

The convergence of technologies like AI, Blockchain, VR, and Metaverse will reshape society and the future of work. How are you preparing your business and your workforce to adapt and leverage AI to your advantage? Episode Outline and Highlights [01:28] Exploring AI's Impact on Society and the Future of Work. [04:32] Equipping the Workforce for AI Adaptation. [09:11] Theo's Vision of the...

Climate change is a global crisis that affects everyone, regardless of location or industry. In this episode, you will hear how Snugg, a fintech based in the UK is playing a significant role in contributing to net-zero initiatives. My special guest is Robin Peters, Snugg’s Co-Founder and CEO. Robin revealed the idea behind their astonishing platform and how they make it easy for both consumers and...

I am thrilled to be joined by the brilliant tech entrepreneur and visionary, Shirish Nadkarni! With a career spanning decades, Shirish has left an indelible mark on the tech industry, contributing to the success of iconic products like MSN, Blackberry, and Rosetta Stone.   Shirish co-founded Livemocha, a language-learning platform that rapidly garnered 15 million users across 200 countries. His we...

The trend of community-based business models in the tech sector is driven by the recognition that empowered and engaged users can propel a business to new heights. As technology continues to evolve, these models will likely become even more integral to business strategies, shaping how tech products and services are developed, marketed, and embraced by users. My special guest, Taavi Kotka, shares h...

Not all tech companies may find it easy to transition to a fully remote work setup. Challenges regarding infrastructure, security, collaboration, and technology can stop some business leaders from adopting a remote-first culture. On the other hand, many tech companies have successfully embraced remote work and reaped its benefits, such as access to a broader talent pool, reduced office costs, and...

“If you want to be a great place to work and you want people to come to work with you… Then really being able to demonstrate that you care about social value as a strategy in your DNA. That really matters to people.” Our special guest in this episode, Amabel Grant, shared her insights on how to become a great place to work by delivering on social value goals. I am really excited to share this epis...

As a tech company founder or CEO, how many resources would you invest in the learning and development of your existing talents? Successful companies understand that investing in their teams' learning and development can lead to increased productivity, employee satisfaction, talent retention, and, ultimately, long-term business success. I am delighted to share this episode with my special gues...

Regardless of your industry, having a talented and motivated sales force can greatly impact the overall success and growth of a company. A good sales team is vital for revenue generation, customer acquisition and retention, market insights, and competitive advantage.   In this episode, I am delighted to have Dr. Yekemi Otaru, an award-winning entrepreneur and co-founder at Doqaru. Yekemi is a publ...

Darren is an accomplished CMO that has worked with Fintech and Gaming. Companies he has worked with include Yahoo, Sony Playstation, 4Finance, and most recently LendingCrowd. He has worked with both B2B and B2C sectors and has helped drive record growth for those businesses.  We discuss: How do you get the best out of your marketing team for startups and scale-ups? The key lessons he learned from...

Are you looking at scaling your business through acquisitions? My special guest, Richard Quinn, is here to share strong insights about this subject. Richard has worked on seven acquisitions with a combined transaction value of $400m in a 3-year period.  Some critical topics that Richard and I covered in this episode are: When scaling through acquisition is the best option Challenges and focus area...

In this episode, I am delighted to be joined by Csilla Zsigri. You will enjoy hearing Csilla's insights on the evolving landscape of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain, as well as her role as the Chief Strategy Officer with BTP, a company that helps other companies solve challenges with digital provenance.   Csillia and I discussed the importance of digital provenance and gave...

Starting and scaling your tech business in the current market environment can be complicated, but having the right leaders to advise and guide you can make scaling up less challenging. In this episode, I am delighted to be joined by Martin Threakall, an experienced CEO, COO, investor, board advisor, and founder. I have had the pleasure of working with Martin several times, and I am excited to shar...

Artificial Intelligence has become a buzzword in today's business world, offering enterprise companies opportunities to transform their operations and redefine success. However, integrating AI into existing products, services, and operating models is challenging. In this episode, we will hear insights from my special guest, Gary Crawford, Chief Innovation Officer of Waracle, on how enterprise...

What does it take to build an effective marketing and product team? Sophie Moule from Pi Datametrics, shares her experience and insights on bringing together these departments to work seamlessly together and drive success. Before heading the Product and Marketing Team of Pi, Sophie had a solid core foundation in marketing. Hear how this strength played out in developing products with the customer...

Making the Leap: How to Transition from Corporate to Start-up, with Stuart Bell My special guest, Stuart Bell, CTO of Bloom Procurement Services, shares his own experience on overcoming that challenge. Stuart's career highlights include successfully shifting from working in big corporate tech and financial entities to becoming self-employed and working in the start-up world. He recognizes tha...