Zoom, a company synonymous with remote work, is encouraging a return to the physical office - is the tech we rely upon preventing us from reconnecting?
‘Connecting with purpose’ is central to how we should be reunited with the physical world of work, and we learn how to most seamlessly transition into the office from VP of Employee Experience & Enablement, Ramona Botha!
Join us to examine what’s shaping the move towards physical work, how technology supports this return, and simultaneously enables a world beyond the office as we know it…
In this episode:
The evolving nature of workplace technology and hybrid work models, balancing remote and in-office collaboration
Human connection and purposeful interaction in a digital-first work environment
Technology's role in facilitating workplace connections
The future of workplace design, with virtual reality meetings, and technology that supports employee well-being
Colt Technology Services
As cyberattacks grow in sophistication and scale, can AI promise to detect, respond and even predict malicious activity?
While AI waits in the wings for its chance to shine, Chief AI Architect Frank Miller and AI Governance & Compliance Lead James Winters are your guides to the future, and whether cybersecurity has a bright future ahead…
Join us for the conclusion to our special two-part episode of Tech & Soul, as we explore what AI truly means for the future of our work, and whether we’ll ever be safe from digital evils.
In this episode:
AI augmentation of human capability, rather than replacement of human input
Ethical governance and accountability for future tools
AI's role in improving digital security, and how AI can detect unusual patterns to help prevent cyber threats
The role of critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills in the future workplace
Current AI constraints around power consumption and the challenge of creating truly cognitive systems
Frank Miller
https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmiller/
James Winters
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-winters-ai-governance/
Colt Technology Services
High-profile cyberattacks on major organisations are a stark reminder: the digital world is under constant threat.
For every vulnerability fixed, a dozen more are found, so can the cybersecurity industry evolve to face these threats, or is it fighting a losing battle?
Zscaler’s Christian Bailey joins the conversation to unpack the weak points to prioritise, who’s REALLY at fault for breaches, and what it truly means to
defend against an invisible enemy…
Don’t miss this discussion, which sets the critical context for how AI might become our most formidable ally, a topic we’ll explore in the follow-up to this special two-parter.
In this episode, we cover:
The shift from traditional network security to a zero trust model
Continuous employee education and training on cybersecurity risks, particularly with emerging AI technologies
The growing complexity of securing interconnected systems
Data prioritisation and automation in cybersecurity
Christian Bailey
https://www.linkedin.com/in/baileyce/
Colt Technology Services
Women have been behind some of the most groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics - so why aren’t there more in STEM fields today?
It’s a huge question with answers delving into workplace culture, inspiring future generations, and allyship.
To break down the steps to creating a more equitable STEM sector, we sit down with Global Head of DEI Rachel Collins, and COO Buddy Bayer, to explore historical biases, the challenges women face today, and how we break though those barriers.
In this episode:
Long-standing stereotypes and systemic challenges that have prevented women from entering and advancing in STEM fields
The critical role of allyship in driving meaningful change
How emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and startup ecosystems are creating new opportunities for women to excel in STEM careers
Inclusive leadership, how leaders can create career paths that celebrate individual talents regardless of gender
Rachel Collins
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-collins-66962a11
Buddy Bayer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/buddybayer/
Colt Technology Services
The future of work is being shaped by cutting-edge technology, but how are the traditional models in the telecom industry shifting, and what does that actually mean for us here at Colt?
In this episode of Tech & Soul, Blanca welcomes Colt’s VP of Infrastructure and Connectivity Solutions, Peter Coppens to dive deep into one of 2025’s biggest tech trends - Network as a Service (NaaS).
We look at how self-service models are shaping the future, who’ll benefit most from NaaS, and whether it spells the end of assisted service models…
In this episode:
Simple analogies to help us understand Network as a Service (NaaS)
Differentiating the types of customers who’ll benefit from new networking products
Whether self-service and assisted service models will coexist in the future of the telecom industry
How NaaS will impact the day-to-day of customers benefiting from agility, cost savings, and competitive advantages
Peter Coppens
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-coppens-99360b/
Colt Technology Services
https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/
https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/
Humans are creatures of habit, latching onto brands that we can’t seem to part with - but what drives this emotional pull toward brands, the product, or its purpose?
This episode of Tech & Soul hones in on the relationship between brand loyalty and the influence of technology companies, and who better to shed light on the power of brand than Colt’s Chief Marketing & Comms Officer, Mark Beeden!
Join us to get behind the brands front-of-mind this festive season, and figure out just why we’re so attached to them…
In this episode:
The influence of technology companies on customers’ brand loyalty
Nostalgia and tribalism swaying our attachment to brands
Creating value beyond your products
The value of heritage and authenticity
AI’s growing use in all aspects of marketing
Mark Beeden
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-beeden-a7263343/
Colt Technology Services
From environmental sustainability, to ethical business practices, CSR impacts society in many ways, but who truly holds the power to make a difference?
Tech & Soul this week explores where we should find the igniting spark that changes the world, speaking with two such Colt catalysts - Sustainability Champion Sally Lands, and Sustainability Specialist Marta Trzaska!
Join us as we dive into how CSR expectations intersect with recruitment, and whether involvement should be mandated…
In this episode:
Defining CSR in simple terms and the broader context of ESG
The power of employee-driven CSR initiatives
How companies can foster engagement with CSR
CSR programs’ impact on employee motivation, loyalty, and sense of purpose
Mandatory vs. voluntary CSR, and the dangers of a prescriptive approach
Marta Trzaska: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martatrzaska/
Sally Lands: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-lands1/
Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/
Tech & Soul is back! Are you ready to join us for another series tackling the big questions?
What better way to kick off the series than with one of the biggest guests of all - our very own Keri Gilder is here to answer once and for all, are CEOs born, or are they made?
We dive into genomes, psychopathy, sports psychology, neurodivergence, confidence, and all the other wonderful attributes that make a leader…
In this episode:
The presence of a genome common among leaders
Continual problem-solving
Next generation attitudes to social media, and how that impacts leadership traits
Awareness of neurodivergence in the modern workplace
Keri Gilder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerigilder/
Matt Partridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-partridge-8403a224/
Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/
Across 10 fabulous episodes, we’ve explored the very heart of society’s technological advancements, and how they’ve changed humanity at its core.
Now, at the end of Series 1, it’s time for Matt Partridge and Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez to take centre stage, share their interpretation on the series’ biggest revelations, and take us through the very best that Tech & Soul has had to offer.
In this episode:
The most profound moments featured throughout the series
What’s made each guest such a valuable addition to the podcast
Learnings on human nature and humanity
Insights around where technology is likely to take us in the future
Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanca-perezordoyo/
Matt Partridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-partridge-8403a224/
Colt Bike Ride 2024: https://www.colt.net/go/coltbikeride2024/
Colt Sustainability Report: https://www.colt.net/why-colt/esg/
Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/
We’re now taking in more information daily than a 15th century child would see in a lifetime - have our brains caught up yet?
Learning is a lifelong journey, so when it comes to using technology to teach ourselves new skills, we need to be mindful of how it’s used, something that John Ambrose considers a complex area.
John is our Talent and Learning Director at Colt, and joins Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez to explore the pros and cons of tech on cognitive development, and how to maximise your learning potential!
In this episode:
The impact of technology on cognitive functions and attention span
How technology has democratised information, but not fully
Techniques to maximise your learning potential and productivity
Traditional learning methods vs modern, tech-enabled learning
Colt Technology Services
https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/
https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/
John Ambrose
In a world of societal pressures and cultural expectations, there’s no more important time in history than now to be your true self…
With June being Pride Month, a celebration of embracing ourselves for who we are, it’s a perfect time to explore how we can make it easier in the tech space to present our authentic character every day.
Joining Matt Partridge to deep dive into this big question are Susanne Hogan, Global Lead of Disability Accessibility Network, and Lee Israel, Global Lead for Pride Matters at Colt.
In this episode:
Authenticity and self-expression in the workplace
Creating inclusive networks for all
The role of comms platforms in building community & connection
AI's potential role in enhancing education and providing alternative perspectives
Susanne and Lee’s advice on embracing one's true self
Lee Israel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-israel-9611a319/
Susanne Hogan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-hogan-9693291ab/
Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/
In daily life, resilience is useful, but in business… it’s essential.
Any business navigates challenges and setbacks, which is why Joshua Adams’ expertise as Colt’s Resilience Specialist makes him the perfect guest on this week’s Tech & Soul!
Tune in to hear Joshua join host Blanca Pérez-Ordoyo Fernández to break down the secret sauce to navigating disruptions, crises and risk events, whether in your own life or in a trailblazing business.
In this episode:
Where resilience plays a role across our personal and professional lives alike
How businesses maintain robust resilience strategies
Best practice for managing a crisis
Remote resilience - how to maintain resilience with hybrid/remote teams
Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanca-perezordoyo/
Joshua Adams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaadams22/
Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/
Impostor syndrome in the tech-driven, social media age is rife, but it needn’t be such a burden upon us.
It’s a sometimes overpowering challenge for many of us, but when flipped on its head, it can open doors and unlock opportunities…
Joining Matthew Partridge this week on Tech & Soul, Life Coach and Mums in Marketing Founder Claire Ferreira and Colt’s very own Werner Kladnik break down the rise of impostor syndrome, and how to overcome it in the modern working world.
In this episode:
Claire Ferreira: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-ferreira-mumsinmarketing/
Werner Kladnik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werner-kladnik-23166b28/
Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/
Technology has the power to make sweeping cultural change, but can it make a tangible impact on gender equality in the tech industry and beyond?
International Women’s Day marks a perfect time to look at resolving shocking figures, like only 5% of tech leadership positions being held by women. Join us as we dive into this BIG question with host Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez, and guests Abby Taylor & Simone Whitfield.
In this episode:
The current state of gender equality in the tech industry
Challenges that women face in technology
The role of tech in making an impact on gender equality
Removing inherent bias from AI systems
Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez
https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanca-perezordoyo/
Abby Taylor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-taylor-604845115/
Simone Whitfield
https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonewhitfield/
Colt Technology Services
https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/
https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/
Care and connection are at the heart of the customer experience, and around this Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to question companies on matters of the heart - namely, do they care about customers?
Joining Tech & Soul host Alex Hartig to discuss the imperative value of customer care, and how it might look in an AI-enabled future, is Colt’s Global Director of Customer Experience Optimisation, Noah Roychowdhury.
In this episode:
What customer care means in action
How we can learn from great and bad examples of customer care
Whether companies are improving on a global scale, or if standards are slipping
The human cost of automating and digitising customer relationships
‘New Year, New Me’ - an often touted phrase, but does a new year’s resolution actually bring the best out of you, and how does tech flip that equation on its head?
It’s a delight to host Colt’s Kirk Hastings (Network Architect) and Elena Friedrich (Global Early Careers Advisor), as they speak with Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez (Customer Program Manager) about the virtues of goal-setting and how tech can help us achieve them.
In this episode:
Do resolutions actually work, or are they more pressure than productivity?
Mindset tricks to help you achieve your goals
How Elena and Kirk use technology to fulfil their annual aspirations
With climate change and the environment a seemingly colossal challenge, is technology more a part of the problem, or the solution?
Sustainability in the technology sector is a hot topic, and staying atop the ESG strategy embedded within Colt is our VP of ESG, Kelsey Hopkinson.
Her background gives her a fascinating, unique perspective on how tech finds its place in a green future, as we delve into the big questions with Kelsey on this week’s Tech & Soul…
In this episode:
Experiences in the social housing sector that demonstrated the early impact of ESG
Backing up environmental claims with evidence to eradicate greenwashing
Is standardisation essential to creating more global change?
Tech as both the problem and the solution
The overreliance on technology to solve climate change
The Covid pandemic was a uniquely shared experience for so many of us, but has it made the world a more introverted place?
Mulling over the changing business dynamic in the wake of 2020, and how it’ll impact our ways of working in years to come, we tackle this on episode 2 of Tech & Soul.
Join us as we speak with the fantastic Deanne Raseta and Megha Kohli, with some insightful additions from some of our wonderful Colties.
In this episode:
Common problems with overlooking employees’ input in the remote work conversation
The pandemic’s differing effect on social behaviours
Networking post-pandemic, and the balance of in-person vs remote events
The need to re-learn work-life balance
Welcome to the series premiere of Tech & Soul, kickstarting a podcast exploring the exhilarating possibilities when technology meets humanity.
There are a great number of misconceptions and surface-level conversations about AI, but today we want to go deeper. Our host, Matt Partridge is joined by the perfect man for the job - VP Innovation at Colt, Mirko Voltolini.
Join us as we dive into whether we should consider AI a friend or foe, the infrastructure that’s holding it back, and the growing challenges with data and security.
In this episode, we cover:
Challenging the definition and capability of AI
The dangers of placing inherent trust in artificial intelligence
Innovating the network beneath essential, live-saving AI systems
Low latency data movement for critical processes
The growing emphasis on data security
Hello and welcome to the Tech & Soul podcast, where we explore the intricate relationship between technology and humanity. This is for the Colties, the soul searchers and those who want to geek out, learn from others and take in new perspectives. We explore themes like sustainability, human behaviour, accessibility and resilience. We skip over the boring questions and get straight to the juicy bits; Should we really fear AI? Can technology ever really be green? Think of this as your virtual hangout with our curious Colties. A space to ponder, future gaze and share ideas.
