In this episode, Nicola Steel speaks with Mark D. Nicholls, CEO of Information Professionals Group and a seasoned expert in digital transformation and cybersecurity with over 30 years of experience. Mark has been instrumental in helping organisations grow through technology, and he shares his journey and insights on navigating today’s complex tech landscape.

Nicola and Mark discuss how businesses can align digital transformation with their overarching strategy to address real challenges, rather than adopting technology for its own sake. They explore the integration of cybersecurity as a critical business risk, the opportunities and risks of AI in enhancing efficiency, and the importance of strong data management to ensure privacy and mitigate misuse.

Mark also delves into emerging technologies such as quantum computing and containerisation, highlighting their potential impact on encryption, data security, and organisational change. He stresses the vital role of leadership in making strategic decisions, balancing priorities, and navigating the inevitable pivots and challenges on the path to success.

This engaging conversation offers valuable insights and forward-thinking perspectives for business leaders, technology enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of innovation and growth through technology.

In this episode of Insights from Ladies Leading Tech, Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching, speaks with Shamila Gopalan, a passionate advocate for empowering women and a dynamic leader with over 25 years experience across three continents. Shamila is the founder of HerWit, a platform dedicated to helping female entrepreneurs scale their businesses, and the Chief Commercial Officer at SisterWorks, a not-for-profit organisation that supports migrant and refugee women in achieving economic independence.

Shamila shares her inspiring journey of creating HerWit to address the challenges female entrepreneurs face, emphasising the importance of focusing on revenue growth and customer understanding before seeking investment. She also discusses her impactful role at SisterWorks, where she helps women overcome barriers to employment and entrepreneurship, fostering economic empowerment through tailored support and skills training.

Nicola and Shamila explore the critical role of mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusive leadership in supporting women entrepreneurs. Shamila highlights the funding gap faced by female founders and shares strategies for balancing a passion for social impact with the commercial skills needed for sustainable success.

This empowering episode celebrates resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of women supporting women. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or passionate about fostering diversity and inclusion, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching, speaks with Denver Naidoo, CTO and Founder of Zeligate, an AI workforce provider with a mission to empower teams through AI. Denver shares his inspiring journey in tech, from the early days of computing to pioneering Zeligate, which offers AI-powered assistants to handle routine tasks like phone calls, video interviews, and customer interactions, freeing employees to focus on more meaningful work.

Nicola and Denver discuss how Zeligate is making AI accessible to small and medium-sized businesses with an affordable pricing model, allowing them to leverage AI-driven tools previously available only to larger enterprises. Denver describes the company’s vision for Zeli, their AI assistant, to boost productivity and efficiency while integrating smoothly into daily business operations.

The conversation also explores the importance of ethical AI practices, the challenges of scaling a tech company, and the exciting future of AI in the workplace. Denver envisions a world where AI assistants like Zeli become invaluable in helping individuals and companies streamline their work, paving the way for AI’s role in education and lifelong learning.

This episode is packed with insights into the future of AI, the scalability of tech solutions, and the transformative power of making advanced AI tools accessible to all businesses.