Month: June 2024

Corporate CPR Episode 127: How Perfectionism Might be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how perfectionism might be killing your company.

Jessica Osborn is passionately committed to building and developing global teams that deliver exceptional business outcomes with a human-first, growth mindset. She has successfully coached over 27 team members into leadership and cross-functional roles aligned with their career goals. Recognized for her contributions to company culture leadership, Jessica has received awards for exceeding net and gross retention with multi-million-dollar SaaS account portfolios across various verticals. An expert in improving customer journeys, lifecycle management processes, and product development through customer feedback and data, Jessica is also a thought leader in Customer Success. She has shared her insights at numerous industry events, including Success Fest Austin (2023) and Success Fest Vegas (2022).

Key Discussion Points:

  • Impact of Perfectionist Leadership: A perfectionist leader can set high standards that may lead to an environment of fear and isolation if mistakes are not tolerated. This can result in anxiety and paralysis within the team, hindering productivity and collaboration.
  • Difference Between Quality and Perfectionism: Quality involves setting and communicating clear standards and expectations. In contrast, perfectionism demands flawlessness, often leading to excessive time spent on tasks and potentially never completing them due to fear of imperfection.
  • Encouraging a Healthy Culture: Successful organizations foster an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity rather than a catastrophe. This involves clear objectives, open communication, reflection on failures, and flexibility to pivot when necessary, creating a more agile and innovative team dynamic.
  • Embrace Vulnerability: Leaders who admit their mistakes foster trust and learning. For instance, GoCardless CEO Heroki’s openness about his failures garnered a positive response from employees.
  • Promote a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset encourages viewing failures as learning opportunities, fostering resilience and creativity. In contrast, a fixed mindset leads to blame and stagnation.
  • Balance Ambition with Empathy: Drive teams towards goals while understanding their challenges. Supportive environments prevent burnout and maintain morale through team-building and celebrating both wins and learning moments.

Top Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Evaluate whether you and your team have a growth or fixed mindset. Identify one action to foster a growth mindset.
  2. Set a tone where it’s okay to fail. Introduce a “wins and oops” segment in meetings to normalize and learn from mistakes.
  3. Share something personal with your team to build trust. Challenge yourself to be open and honest about your own experiences.

How to Connect with Jessica:

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

Tips and Tricks for Staying Motivated While Working from Home During Summer

/ Jana

As the summer sun beckons and the warm breeze whispers of relaxation, staying motivated while working from home can be a challenge. The temptation to ditch your laptop for a day at the beach or a leisurely afternoon in the park is real. But fear not! With a few strategies, you can stay productive and still enjoy the best that summer has to offer. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated and maintain a healthy work-life balance during the sunny season.

1. Create a Summer-Friendly Workspace

Your work environment plays a crucial role in your productivity. During summer, make your workspace more appealing:

  • Natural Light: Position your desk near a window to take advantage of natural light. It can boost your mood and energy levels.
  • Fresh Air: Keep your workspace well-ventilated. If possible, work from a patio or balcony to enjoy the fresh air.
  • Summer Decor: Add a touch of summer with plants, bright colors, or summer-themed decor to make your space more inviting.

2. Set a Flexible Schedule

One of the perks of working from home is flexibility. Take advantage of it by adjusting your schedule to better suit your summer activities:

  • Early Starts: Begin your workday earlier to finish earlier. This way, you can enjoy more daylight hours for leisure.
  • Breaks: Incorporate regular breaks to step outside, stretch, or take a short walk. It helps refresh your mind and keeps you motivated.

3. Prioritize Your Tasks

With distractions aplenty, staying focused can be challenging. Here’s how to stay on top of your tasks:

  • Daily Goals: Set clear, achievable goals for each day. Prioritize tasks based on importance and deadlines.
  • Time Blocking: Allocate specific time blocks for different tasks. This helps you stay organized and ensures you tackle high-priority items first.

4. Stay Connected

Working from home can sometimes feel isolating, especially during the summer when everyone seems to be out and about. Stay connected to maintain motivation:

  • Virtual Meetings: Schedule regular virtual meetings or catch-ups with your team. It keeps you engaged and fosters a sense of camaraderie.
  • Social Interaction: Don’t forget to socialize outside of work. Plan virtual coffee breaks or happy hours with colleagues and friends.

5. Take Advantage of Summer

Embrace the season and incorporate summer activities into your routine to maintain a positive outlook:

  • Outdoor Work: If your tasks allow, take your work outside. A change of scenery can boost creativity and motivation.
  • Exercise: Engage in outdoor activities like walking, running, or cycling. Physical activity is a great way to recharge and stay healthy.
  • Leisure Time: Plan after-work or weekend activities. Whether it’s a beach trip, hiking, or a picnic, having something to look forward to keeps you motivated.

6. Maintain Work-Life Balance

Summer is a time to relax and recharge, so maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial:

  • Set Boundaries: Clearly define your work hours and stick to them. Avoid the temptation to overwork, and ensure you have ample time for relaxation.
  • Unplug: When your workday ends, disconnect from work-related devices and emails. This helps you fully enjoy your leisure time and prevents burnout.

7. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well

Your physical well-being significantly impacts your motivation and productivity:

  • Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and energized.
  • Healthy Snacks: Opt for light, healthy snacks like fruits, nuts, and yogurt to keep your energy levels up.

Staying motivated while working from home during the summer is all about balance. By creating a pleasant work environment, setting a flexible schedule, prioritizing tasks, staying connected, and embracing the season, you can maintain productivity and enjoy the best of summer. Remember, it’s important to take breaks and give yourself time to relax and recharge. With these tips, you’ll find the perfect balance between work and play, making the most of your summer while staying on top of your professional game.

Corporate CPR Episode 126: How Not Understanding AI Might Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how not understanding AI might be killing your company.

Ajay Malik, former Head of Architecture/Engineering for Worldwide Corporate Network at Google, is a technologist, business futurist, and prolific inventor with over 100 patents in AI, Wi-Fi networking, quantum computing, and real-time location. He has founded and sold multiple startups, led a public company exit, and served as a Section 16 officer. Ajay authored several books, including “RTLS for Dummies,” “Augmented Reality for Dummies,” “Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Networking,” and “First God, Then Man, Now AI – Shapes within Time Space.” Currently, he is the CEO of SECO MIND USA LLC, which develops StudioX, a leading enterprise AI platform. Ajay has also held executive roles at Meru Networks, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco, and Motorola, and holds a B.E. in Computer Science & Technology from IIT Roorkee, India.

Key Discussion Points:

  • The primary benefit of AI for organizations is the significant improvement in productivity and efficiency. This is particularly important in the current economic climate where maximizing efficiency is crucial.
  • AI plays a vital role in knowledge management, especially as organizations face workforce turnover. AI can help capture and disseminate knowledge efficiently, aiding in training new employees and preserving institutional knowledge.
  • While AI tools like ChatGPT offer significant benefits, they also pose security risks. Organizations need to be cautious about data privacy and implement strong policies and encryption measures to protect sensitive information when using AI tools.
  • AI is expected to automate many job functions, leading to a significant shift in the job market. Jobs that can be performed remotely and those involving repetitive tasks are at high risk of automation. However, people-oriented jobs and roles requiring complex human interactions are less likely to be replaced by AI in the near future.
  • The future will see a model where AI performs the bulk of the work, with humans providing essential oversight and decision-making. Individuals who can effectively use AI to enhance their productivity will thrive, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the AI-driven workplace.

Top Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Embrace AI for Growth: If you are not thinking about AI or using AI for your personal or business growth, it’s time to start. People or businesses won’t be replaced by AI itself but by those who leverage AI effectively.
  2. Implement and Normalize AI Usage: Make AI usage a policy or initiative within your organization. Use AI with proper controls in place. Adopt a balanced approach where the first 15% of work is done manually, the next 70% with AI assistance, and the final 15% manually again. This method enhances productivity while maintaining critical thinking skills.
  3. Learn from Others and Experiment: Don’t hesitate to ask others about their AI practices and learn from them. Conduct small proof-of-concept projects to explore AI’s potential in your organization or personal life. This experimentation can lead to improved velocity and quality with minimal investment.

How to Connect with Ajay:

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

Website: https://studiox.secomind.ai/

Corporate CPR Episode 125: How Ignoring the Work-From-Home Trends Might Be Killing Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about howignoring the work-from-home trends might be killing your company.

Denis O’Shea is the founder and chairman of Mobile Mentor, a global leader in the endpoint ecosystem. Founded in New Zealand in 2004, the company empowers people to achieve more with their devices. In 2017, O’Shea moved to Nashville to focus on securing the mobile workforce in the US. He has partnered with industry leaders like Nokia, Citrix, and Microsoft, earning the Global Partner of the Year Award for Endpoint Management. A former global executive with Nokia, O’Shea has extensive international business experience. He is passionate about international business, fly-fishing, and playing guitar.

Key Discussion Points:

  • Stagnant Hybrid Work Configuration but Shifting Attitudes: Despite the pandemic subsiding, the configuration of hybrid work has remained unchanged over the last two years. However, employees’ attitudes have significantly shifted, with increased focus on personal well-being, productivity, and privacy, while company culture has become less important.
  • Challenges with Remote Work Onboarding and Security: Remote onboarding continues to be problematic, with employees struggling to set up devices and get necessary support. Younger employees are using unsecured personal devices and practicing lax password management, leading to potential security breaches.
  • Discrepancies in Productivity and Preferences Across Generations: Gen Z employees, who began their careers during the pandemic, prefer office environments for better productivity and support. They exhibit more casual attitudes towards data security, unlike older generations who prioritize company and personal data security more highly.
  • Generational Differences in Data Sharing Attitudes: Younger generations, particularly Millennials, are more willing to share personal data in exchange for convenience and insights. This contrasts with older generations, who tend to be more cautious about data privacy and security.
  • Effective Communication About Data Privacy in Companies: Companies should reframe security messages with a focus on personal privacy to better engage employees. Emphasizing the protection of personal data resonates more with employees than using terms like compliance and risk.

Top Takeaways for the Audience:

  1. Hybrid work is here to stay. Research shows that hybrid work is now a permanent fixture in the workplace. Companies need to invest more in making hybrid work environments secure, productive, and cohesive.
  2. There is still much to do in enabling and empowering hybrid workers with the right technology. It’s an ongoing journey for everyone involved, including organizations like Mobile Mentor, to figure out and optimize hybrid work setups.
  3. The process of improving hybrid work is both challenging and enjoyable. With increasing numbers of clients and partners working in hybrid configurations across various geographies and time zones, it’s crucial to remain passionate and engaged in making hybrid work successful.

How to Connect with Denis:

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

Website: https://www.mobile-mentor.com/

Corporate CPR Episode 124: How Cybersecurity Could Kill Your Company

/ Jana

On today’s episode we are talking about how cybersecurity could kill your company with Richard Hollis.

Richard Hollis is the Chief Executive Officer for Risk Crew Limited a unique London-based information security governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) management consulting firm specializing in providing creative, cost-effective, independent cyber risk management and security awareness training solutions.  Richard possesses over 25 years of “hands on” skills and experience in designing, implementing, managing, testing, and auditing enterprise level information security programs. Over the course of his career, Richard has served as Director of Security for Phillips, in Paris, France and Deputy Director of Security for the US Embassy Moscow Reconstruction Project as well as a variety of sensitive security positions within the US government and military.  In addition to his work with Risk Crew, Richard serves on several security technology company boards and security industry advisory councils.

Key Discussion Points:

Understanding Risk and Breach Capacity: It’s crucial for executives to understand their organization’s risk appetite and breach capacity. This involves knowing the extent of damage the company can handle in the event of a data breach, identifying and prioritizing threats through thorough risk assessments, and planning accordingly to manage potential cybersecurity threats effectively.

People-Centric Cybersecurity: Recognizing that employees can be the weakest link due to vulnerabilities like social engineering and phishing attacks is essential. Making data protection personal for employees by relating it to their own personal data can enhance their understanding of the importance of cybersecurity. Additionally, investing in education and awareness alongside robust security protocols can strengthen the human aspect of cybersecurity.

Proactive and Holistic Security Measures: Adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity by thinking like a hacker, regularly assessing risks, and implementing strong security measures is vital. Companies should balance investments in people, processes, and technology to create an effective defense. A holistic approach that includes ongoing vigilance and readiness can help mitigate risks and address potential breaches before they become catastrophic.

Top 3 Takeaways for the Audience:

  • Cybersecurity is an oxymoron. There’s no such thing as a secure computer, so you need to understand your appetite for breach. Quantify that by conducting a risk assessment and cure what you can cure and take on what you can take on day to day like fire, life, safety.
  • There’s no silver bullet for cybersecurity. The industry doesn’t tell us that because the industry wants to sell us a cybersecurity product, but technically running a business today, you need to understand the impact of a cybersecurity breach on your systems, quantify that and document it so it is a real and talked about issue at the board level.
  • Please, always remember, cybersecurity is not about protecting ones and zeros. This is data that we need to protect because it’s data about people’s lives. If a customer gives you their data, the implied transaction is you’ll protect it according to their understanding of privacy, not yours. We owe it to each other as a society to protect each other’s data.

Listen to the Episode:

https://corporatecpr.buzzsprout.com

How to Connect with Richard:

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

Website: https://www.riskcrew.com/