Talk Digi To Me

Are you wondering if your organization has missed the AI boat? According to tech leaders Nitin Chopra and Ben Doyle, co-founders of innovative technology company Vativ, the answer is a resounding "no." In this illuminating conversation with Carlie Robinson, they debunk the myth that it's too late to implement artificial intelligence solutions, regardless of your industry or organisation size.

"Humans will more than likely not be replaced by AI, but will be replaced by another human who's using AI," shares Nitin, highlighting the competitive advantage that comes with strategic adoption. The discussion reveals two critical pathways for AI integration: identifying "power users" who champion AI tools for personal productivity and developing "power use cases" that solve specific business challenges. A proficient AI user can save approximately two hours weekly on routine tasks—a significant productivity boost that compounds as skills develop.

For businesses ranging from Caribbean law firms to hospitality chains, the experts outline practical starting points based on organisational maturity and available data. While customer service applications like chatbots receive significant attention, the conversation also explores compelling opportunities in marketing, sales forecasting, and content creation. These use cases demonstrate AI's potential to democratise access to sophisticated business capabilities, allowing even small enterprises and solopreneurs to compete effectively with limited resources.

Ready to explore how AI can transform your business operations? Get in touch directly at 246-266-4847 or email [email protected] to book a free consultation with Vativ's leadership and technical team via www.vativ.ai. Discover the power use cases that could revolutionise your organization's efficiency and competitive advantage today.

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What does it take to walk away from a successful 20-year career and bet on yourself? Kelly Jonnelly, owner of Pivot Productions and co-owner of Bloom Bistro, reveals the strategic, deliberate path she took to entrepreneurship after decades in media.

Kelly's transition wasn't impulsive—she built financial safety nets, created initial projects, and prepared mentally before making the leap. Her first year of entrepreneurship yielded remarkable results: a successful production company, a popular home renovation show, a magazine, and even co-ownership of a restaurant that materialised through a casual conversation. Throughout our conversation, Kelly shares how opportunities emerged from unexpected places, including a pandemic project that evolved into the sponsored Pivot Series and a home renovation that team members convinced her to film, creating another successful content stream.

The most powerful insights come from Kelly's reflections on her entrepreneurial journey. "Start where you are with what you have," she advises, noting that while plans don't always unfold as expected, they provide necessary direction and contingencies. She also observed that "you reap what you sow, but you don't always reap where you sow it"—highlighting how professional relationships cultivated over years provided support in ways she hadn't anticipated.

As we close off International Women's Month, Kelly offers thoughtful perspective on women's advancement, cautioning against assuming all women progress equally and emphasizing the importance of creating space for different communication styles in professional settings. Her journey exemplifies how preparation meets opportunity when you're willing to bet on yourself, even if that means leaving behind the security of a corporate paycheck.

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Kerri Birch's remarkable 20-year journey through the film and TV production industry reveals what true persistence looks like in creative careers. From her early days as a set runner on German films to co-founding award-winning 13 Degrees North Productions, Kerri shares how childhood dreams of storytelling evolved into executive leadership in Caribbean filmmaking.

The conversation takes us behind the scenes of major productions, including how Kerri spent four years persistently pursuing the producers of "Below Deck" before finally bringing the show to Grenada's beautiful waters. Her stories about managing over 100 crew members during COVID-19 for a Royal Caribbean shoot in Dominica showcase both the logistical challenges and creative rewards of production work in paradise.

Kerri demystifies the art of location scouting, explaining it's far more than finding pretty backdrops. She describes evaluating waterfall locations in Dominica's rainforests not just for their beauty but for practical concerns like equipment access, setup space, and filming angles—considerations that make the difference between successful shoots and production nightmares.

As a female executive in a male-dominated field, Kerri speaks candidly about her perspective on the Caribbean film industry's potential, and highlights the need for simultaneously developing local talent through funding while attracting international productions through strategic incentives.

For aspiring filmmakers, especially young women, Kerri's advice resonates with hard-earned wisdom: "Do not let the "nos" deter you. Feel your feelings but don't stay there." Her journey proves that networking, persistence, and self-advocacy create opportunities in an industry where determination matters as much as talent. Listen now and discover how Kerri turned "no" into "yes" through sheer persistence and Caribbean creativity.

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From her early days as a shy intern being pushed to project her voice, to becoming a recognized leader in global sports with the Caribbean Premier League, Dr. Tara Wilkinson-McClean's journey reveals how mentorship and self-belief can transform careers.

The conversation takes us through her academic evolution from communications student to PhD holder, where her research uncovered fascinating insights about male consumer behavior and power dynamics. "Men equate power with what they consume," she reveals, explaining how this knowledge shapes her approach to marketing and audience engagement. This perspective proved invaluable when she transformed a struggling prostate cancer screening event into a wildly successful men's lifestyle experience that exceeded attendance goals by hundreds.

What makes Dr. Tara's story particularly compelling is her rejection of traditional success metrics. She dismisses the concept of work-life balance as unattainable, instead pursuing harmony through community support and intentional presence. "It's not about being that strong, independent woman," she reflects. "That rhetoric doesn't serve you." Her dual passions for communications and interior design converge in her approach to experiential brand storytelling, creating spaces that tell meaningful stories while connecting deeply with audiences.

For women looking to advance their careers, Dr. Tara offers revolutionary advice: recognize the power in your feminine, and focus on work that gets you noticed as a leader. Stop asking for a seat at the table and start setting the table yourself by confidently demonstrating your value. Her story reminds us that with supportive communities and the courage to embrace our unique perspectives, we can all find ways to march forward.

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Ana Young's journey pulses with the consistent heartbeat of service and genuine connection. In this captivating conversation, Ana reveals how her early desire to be of service to others evolved into a successful 20-year career spanning radio announcing, life in an agency, and finally, pivoting to freelancing.

Ana takes us behind the scenes of her bold decision to leave the security of agency life, and the vulnerability of questioning her choice. Her candid story about breaking down in her mother's lap before recommitting to her freelance path resonates with anyone who's ever taken a leap of faith in their career. Seven years later, she confirms the freedom was worth every moment of uncertainty.

What truly sets Ana apart is her masterful approach to maintaining balance. Through vision boards, journaling, and disciplined financial management, she's created a sustainable framework that allows her to pursue passion projects like the Conscious Folk podcast while ensuring financial stability. Her perspective on balancing work that pays versus projects that fulfill offers practical wisdom for entrepreneurs at any stage.

The conversation takes a powerful turn upon Ana's reflection on a missed opportunity to maintain connection with an early mentor delivers a poignant reminder about the relationships we sometimes take for granted.

Ready to reimagine your approach to career development, professional relationships, or work-life balance? Listen now and let Ana's story inspire your next steps forward.

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Meet Carla Bellot, the creative powerhouse behind Barbadianista and Zephyr Creative, who's rewriting the rules of digital storytelling in Barbados. 

Carla's entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly when friends dubbed her the "Barbados encyclopedia" for her extensive knowledge of local attractions and hidden gems. This sparked the creation of Barbadianista in 2018, an Instagram platform showcasing authentic, local perspectives on Barbadian life that has since grown to include branded merchandise. When COVID hit and she lost her job as a videographer at a publishing house, Carla pivoted skillfully, launching Zephyr Creative to offer content creation services that help brands craft compelling digital narratives.

What makes Carla's approach special is her philosophy of "collaboration over competition" and her willingness to break conventional rules in service of creating more impactful content. She views video editing as a creative puzzle, taking raw footage and transforming it through thoughtful transitions, sound effects, and innovative approaches that clients might not have initially envisioned but come to appreciate. Looking ahead, she plans to expand Zephyr Creative into a full-fledged content creation agency, bringing on additional creators to tackle larger projects and further elevate Barbados in the digital space. 

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Jaslyn Hall radiates energy and wisdom from the moment she begins speaking with host Carlie Robinson in this vibrant episode of Talk Digi to Me's March FWD series. With a lifetime of global adventures, Hall has crafted an extraordinary career spanning education, event planning, radio, television, and cultural production across multiple continents.

The conversation flows like a masterclass in fearless living as Hall shares her journey from a child who lined up dolls to teach them, to becoming a sought-after creative strategist who has led multicultural projects for world expos and government events. Her early inspiration came from civil rights activist and author Alice Walker, whose disruptive spirit and connection to ancestry resonated deeply with Hall.

Music emerges as the thread connecting Hall's diverse experiences. As she eloquently puts it, "Music really does unite us." This philosophy guided her work hosting Australia's national World Music Show on Triple J, producing Caribbean-focused radio programs, and even selecting the musical accompaniment for 45 different countries during the Asian Games in Qatar. The highlight of her musical career came during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where she served as artistic consultant and created "Hemispheres" – a three-day festival of global music that brought together her favorite artists from around the world.

Hall's travels have taken her from climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to experiencing the Festival in the Desert in Mali. These experiences illuminate her core belief that we must make efforts to know and understand each other across cultural boundaries.

The conversation shifts to Hall's forthcoming book, "Living in the Gap," which explores the transformative space between where we are and where we want to be. After waking up one morning and spontaneously declaring "I'm letting go," Hall discovered that creating space in her life allowed everything to flow more naturally. This philosophy has become her guide to living with calm purpose even in high-pressure situations.

When asked about challenges women face in their careers, Hall doesn't hesitate: "We're not bold enough. If you're good at something, then say so." Her advice for women resonates with hard-earned wisdom – stand up, speak out, and claim your accomplishments. With her playful life motto "happy, happy, dead," Hall reminds us all that bold living filled with purpose is the only path worth taking.

Ready to create more space in your life and speak your truth? This conversation with Jaslyn Hall will inspire you to let go of what doesn't serve you and step boldly into your potential.

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Welcome to Talk Digi To Me: March Forward – a women-only series in celebration of International Women’s Day. We’re looking at women in the field of marketing and technology, women who make an impact, women who dare to march forward!

Presented by Carlie Robinson from Robinson Creative. 

Today's guest is Christina Hunte, Human-Centred Marketing Specialist at Kreative Edge, coach, speaker, and creative change maker who is passionate about marketing, entrepreneurship, and seeing dreams come true.

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Welcome to Talk Digi To Me: March Forward – a women-only series in celebration of International Women’s Day. We’re talking to women in the field of marketing, media and technology, women who make an impact, women who dare to march forward!

Presented by Carlie Robinson from Robinson Creative. 

Welcome to Talk Digi To Me March FWD today's guest is Gaynelle Marshall, Communications Consultant at the Ministry of Educational Transformation, a radio and tv personality, emcee, copywriter and public speaking and elocution coach.

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I’m Carlie, your host of Talk Digi To Me 101.

Let’s talk about your email marketing. Maybe you are just getting started, and you only have a few contacts in your database. Or perhaps you’ve developed a database with several thousand contacts, but have run out of ideas. 

Today let’s look at growing your email audience by leveraging lead magnets, with interactive digital competitions, and referral programs.

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