The Intelligent Workplace

The term first line worker is often confused with front line health professionals battling the covid-19 pandemic. These amazing humans are first line by definition, but the term is not used exclusively for them.

First line workers are often shift-based, mobile-first workers, without a desk to call home. They are the initial point of contact between a customer and your organisation. They include customer service representatives, salespeople, healthcare workers and factory operators.

With less structured work patterns than office employees, communication with them can be challenging. Digital transformation is helping businesses address these challenges, empowering and informing workers.

Stephanie Donohue is the President and Co-Founder of the PAIT Group. She is a Microsoft MVP who advises organisations on digital transformation journeys. In this episode she shares her thoughts and insights on on digital transformation and the need to simplify communications for first line workers.

Episode Links:

https://livetilesglobal.com/products/livetiles-reach/

https://www.paitgroup.com/en/

On this episode of the Intelligent Workplace we look into the future to discuss the idea of succeeding at a job that doesn't yet exist. What will jobs look like? How can the current and future workforce be better prepared to succeed in those roles.

Leading the conversation is is Christopher Bishop, Chief Reinvention Officer at Improvising Careers. He describes himself as a is a nonlinear, multimodal careerist who has had eight careers so far! He is a TEDx speaker, ex-IBMer, former studio musician, future workplace consultant, and a firm believer in the power of focusing on the fringe.

Christopher believes the todays learners will operate in a global borderless workplace. Their careers will be in emerging technologies, such as AI ethics, genomic editing and robotics. In this episode he shares his thoughts on this and much more, including breaking into song!

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, this episode is a lot of fun.

Episode Links

LiveTiles Vibe

improvisingcareers.com

Christopher's LinkedIn Learning course - "Future proofing your data science career"

In early 2020, I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to speak with Microsoft's Chief Storyteller, Steve Clayton. Working in the engine room of one of the most innovative companies in the world, he always has an interesting story to share.

Our first conversation focussed on the importance of connecting with consumers via story telling. The interview was the most streamed IWP episode to date, so when the opportunity for a follow up conversation presented itself, I jumped at it.

We invited Steve to be a keynote speaker at the recent LiveTiles Love Your Work Festival. Steve talked about how he loves his work, and how he shares that love with his staff. He shared some heartwarming stories as he recounted some of the challenges faced by Microsoft and their customers due to Covid-19.

As always, Steve was a great guest, sharing his insights, telling his stories, and leaving this interviewer in awe of the work that he does.

The world of start-ups is a high energy, yet big risk, and if you are lucky, big reward. The lifecycle of a start-up begins with identifying a problem that needs solving. From there, you develop a solution to that problem, and then you take your solution to market. Simple, right? Not quite. At some stage you need money to help you either develop or scale that idea, or bring in people to speed up the process. That's where people like Matt Allen enter the picture.

Matt is a successful entrepreneur, having been part of the journey for start-ups such as Buildkite and Linktree. He has also been on the other side of the equation as a self proclaimed geek trying to get an idea off the ground.

Having co-founded investment firm Pick & Shovel, he was recently named CEO for new fintech venture, Tractor Ventures.

https://www.afr.com/technology/angel-investors-matt-and-aprill-allen-launch-tractor-ventures-20201211-p56mpz

Matt has succeeded, failed, and learned, and he has a lot to share with you, the listener.

https://podcast.livetilesglobal.com/

The modern workplace is changing rapidly thanks to technology, but the recent pandemic has increased the rate of change for many businesses.

Virtual offices have replaced the physical space and with it, a new era of collaboration outside the traditional workplace has begun. But for some, working remotely can often feel like living at work, not working from home.

While technology has changed the way we work, it has also influenced who we work with, the rise of the gig economy and the ease at which a company can engage a specialist for particular tasks means that not only are employees working from disparate locations, the people they work with can also change on a regular basis.

All of these factors, while providing flexibility for both employees and employers, may have long-term effects on the mental health of the modern workforce. Alongside the rise in productivity tools, and the proliferation of virtual office software, is a wave of new thinking in the wellbeing space. A new era of positive psychology that may counterbalance the negative effects of the new working environment.

Kelly Michael, co-founder of Human Link, is an experienced psychology practitioner who specializes in positive psychology and wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode she dives into some of the current health and wellbeing issues facing companies and how to navigate them in the modern workplace.

"When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity."

- John F Kennedy

For some, this quote sums up the situation the global economy finds itself in, due to Covid-19. The need to look for opportunities and soldier on, is a harsh reality in these tough times.

On this episode, Doc Williams, CEO of Brand Factory Inc, shares his insights on personal re-invention in times of crisis. Doc is no stranger to pivoting in his career. He has been a CTO and CIO, worked for ESPN, built a Ninja Warrior gym, and now teaches special needs children.

Never one to sit still, he has used the global pandemic to once again change direction. He is currently teaching people to build online businesses in his weekly "no code" webinars.

As you might expect, there is a lot of ground covered in this interview!

Episode Links

https://livetilesglobal.com/livesmiles/

https://brandfactoryinc.com/

Alastair Lynch knows how it feels to reach the pinnacle in professional sport. He played over 300 games in the AFL, captained the Brisbane Lions, and won 3 premierships. His was an impressive career, but one that was almost derailed due to a debilitating illness in his prime.

Alastair fought an illness that professionals new little about, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. CFS patients suffer from extreme fatigue that can't be explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest. Alastair also suffered from depression that he attributed to the exhausting effects of CFS. Despite the health challenges, and an ageing body, he was able to succeed at the highest level in the game.

Upon his retirement from the AFL, Alastair chose to dedicate the next part of his life to helping others. As a director of the Healthy Business Performance Group, he applies his on-field lessons to help others.

Episode Links

https://livetilesglobal.com/livesmiles/

https://www.hbpg.com.au/

Have you been giving your credit card a bit of a work out with online shopping sprees during Covid? Did you ever stop and think about the complex distribution network that supports your online habit? I must admit that I didn't, until I met Ahmed Javed, Head of Marketing & Communications for EFL, a global supply chain company.

While many global businesses have been reducing operations during Covid, companies such as EFL may have never been busier. EFL may not be a household name (yet), but chances are they have distributed something to your home in the past. They have 60 offices in 25 countries and have been operating for 37 years!

The EFL story is one of complexity made simple by innovation, and it delivers a fascinating insight into an industry that many take for granted.

Episode Links

https://livetilesglobal.com/livesmiles/

http://www.efl.global/

https://livetilesglobal.com/products/livetiles-everywhere/

Nir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity expert. He works with leaders around the globe, teaching them to harness the power of creativity. He believes that everyone can learn to harness what he calls "The Creator Mindset", his formula for codifying creativity.

The benefits include improved profitability, better customer service, and a more meaningful workplace.

Nir's stories from his unique career are fascinating. He has taught undergraduate courses at UCLA, worked with global businesses, such as Microsoft, EA Sports and AT&T, and has been nominated for an Emmy!

In this episode, Nir details why he believes that creativity is essential to business success. He shares examples of companies who have thrived when harnessing creativity, and those who have failed by ignoring it.

An entertaining chat that uncovers some great insights on power of the Creator Mindset.

Episode Links

https://livetilesglobal.com/products/

http://www.nirbashan.com/

http://www.thecreatormindset.com

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOiXZjhjjVQ2jTpI2iukBAg | Youtube

Have you ever been in a room full of people during a crisis? Have you ever been that person that everyone is looking to for answers? My guest on this episode has been in that position many times.

Grant Chisnall is an expert crisis advisor who advises businesses on crisis management. His company, Left of Boom has been working with many companies during the COVID crisis. Grant has supported some of the world's leading organizations through crisis events. He has seen cyber attacks, air crashes, natural disasters and workplace fatalities.

In this episode, Grant shares the insight he has gained from 20 years working in crisis management. He also talks about his experiences from the infamous Sundance Resources plane crash.

Episode links

LiveTiles Reach - A tool for communicating in times of crisis

More Intelligent Workplace podcasts

Sundance Plan crash newspaper article

Left of Boom

Crisis Talks podcast