Humans Optimized: People + Technology

The relationship someone has with technology plays a critical role in their ability to use and adopt it. For some, that relationship is positive and for others, it’s non-existent or even negative. Without considering this relationship, we are missing a critical element for learning new technologies.

In this episode, I speak with Hazel Ortega, a leading expert in vocational counseling and training for injured workers and number one best selling author of “From Bounced Checks to Private Jets” about the role our mindset plays in taking on new challenges, including technology adoption.

Let's delve into what's possible when we look for long term solutions.

Companies focus on their business strategies and the technology that will be needed to support these goals. However, the people development strategy is often neglected and needs to be just as robust to drive the intended results. What’s needed to take today’s technology experts and develop them into leaders who will effectively prepare us for tomorrow’s trends? To explore this topic, I talk with Ebony Smith, founder of Ebenum Equation. Ebony utilizes her extensive experience and straightforward, authentic approach to leadership development to enable leaders to lead more effectively and inclusively. Specifically, she helps tech leaders shift from serving as Subject Matter Experts to becoming highly-influential, relationship-oriented leaders within their companies. Her ability to scan the horizon and anticipate what’s coming allows her to help clients create concrete plans of action to mitigate risks and capture opportunities. Reach out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to keep the conversation going.

What would it take for organizations to truly orient around their people and unlock this massive, untapped potential? Neil Bedwell joins me in this discussion about the critical role of engaging employees to drive change adoption. As founding partner of LOCAL, a change marketing partner to some of the world’s best brands, Neil is a passionate advocate for People First leadership and a future that brings greater humanity and meaning to how people work. Together, we discuss the value of really getting to know your people and leveraging Change Marketing to drive sustainable change, including technology adoption. Let's keep the conversation going by contacting Suzanne at Humans Optimized. 

How much time do you spend in your job actually doing what you LOVE? What if you got to spend most of your time doing the work that’s exciting and energizing to you while also achieving your desired results? In this episode, I talk with Tejas Kulkarni from Zestl whose flagship platform, Zvolv, unleashes team's creativity and puts enterprise productivity on steroids. I’m thrilled to have Tejas join me from Pune, India to talk about how his company brings ready-to-use Artificial Intelligence into the hands of business users. Contact Suzanne at Humans Optimized to keep the conversation going. 

Federally identified Urban Fresh Food Deserts and the lack of access to fresh produce for underserved communities is creating a significant need to new solutions. What if you could grow fresh produce year-round just miles from your home without using herbicides or pesticides because they are grown completely indoors? Joining me today are Jason Green and Michael Cardenas from Heilux, the creator of Lumafilm and Growfilm. Their breakthrough technology grows plants of all types indoors for local food production. Learn more about the solution and what it will take to drive adoption in the food production industry. Reach out to Suzanne York at Humans Optimized to keep the conversation going. 

Humans Optimized believes in the power of people who are powered by technology. As the future of work becomes today’s reality, advances in technology coupled with elevated human skills are required to take advantage of the immense opportunities. Listen to the Season 2 trailer to learn more about upcoming episodes. Together with my guests, we’ll wrestle with problems, explore possibilities, and offer solutions to help move us forward. Let’s achieve new results by cultivating human-to-human and human-to-technology collaboration. Visit www.humansoptimized.com for more information and contact [email protected] to join the conversation. 

Unexpected unemployment is affecting so many people and their families. In past episodes, I’ve talked with leaders who have had to make the difficult decision to layoff employees, recruiters who shared advice on how to navigate a career change during this time and now in this episode, I talk with AmandaGrace Herring about her experience with losing employment as a result of COVID-19. Contact us to share your story from the coronavirus pandemic by reaching out to [email protected]

Teamwork can be both exhilarating and challenging. Now, during the global pandemic, teams are faced with new challenges that they need to solve together while having to work apart. Well before COVID-19 was on anyone’s radar, author and keynote speaker Mike Robbins set-out to capture the elements that create high performing teams in his latest book that is so perfectly titled for this time: "We’re All In This Together: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust and Belonging". In this episode, we explore the 4 pillars of his book and how they relate to this moment in time. 

Mike is the author of five books and is a sought-after speaker and consultant who delivers keynotes and seminars for some of the top organizations in the world. His clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Genentech, eBay, Harvard University, Gap, LinkedIn, the Oakland A’s, and many others.   He and his work have been featured in the New York Times and the Harvard Business Review, as well as on NPR and ABC News.  He’s a regular contributor to Forbes, hosts a weekly podcast, and his books have been translated into 15 different languages. Find out more about Mike Robbins on:

LinkedIn:             https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/

Twitter:               https://twitter.com/mikedrobbins

Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/mikedrobbins/

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/mikerobbinspage/

Reach out to [email protected] to keep the conversation going.

In recent years, the pace of change has continued to increase at a seemingly astounding rate. Advances in technology, increased consumer expectations, and the rise of the social enterprise are trends that leaders must address to stay relevant. Now, with COVID-19 creating the ultimate disruption, every aspect of the way we live and work is experiencing some form of change. Theresa Moulton, Editor-in-Chief of the Change Management Review and a thought leader in the field of organizational change management, joins me in a discussion about navigating change, ambiguity, and the extended "neutral zone". Contact [email protected] to share your stories of this unprecedented time. 

Business, charities, churches and families are all feeling the impacts of COVID-19. Paul Herring, CEO of 101 Solutions and the chair of multiple charities, shares his experiences as an entrepreneur, strategist and non-profit leader during the pandemic. We explore how he has helped his clients make the immediate transition to remote work, the challenge of balancing capital preservation for the near term with the need to invest in the future, and the importance of using this time to upskill our capabilities. Reach out to [email protected] with your story and let's keep the conversation going.