Our fifth and final episode recorded at SXSW in Austin, Texas that we produced in partnership with Remote, the Global HR Platform.
Featuring:
1/ Ian Beacraft, CEO, Signal And Cipher
2/ Khalil Vinson, Founder & CEO, Tech Fest Live
3/ Pat Wadors, Chief People Officer, UKG
4/ Melvin Wilson, Founder, Solve Innovation Group
5/ Cam Lawrence, CEO, Newlab
6/ Karl Skoog, CMO, Amuse
Graham (right) with Ian Beacraft
Ian Beacraft the CEO of Signal and Cipher presented his views on the future of work in the context of AI-powered workflows. He began by critiquing the prevailing approach of companies focusing solely on replacing human labour with automation to achieve efficiencies and appease stock markets. Ian argued that this strategy leads to a race to the bottom, where companies compete by cutting costs, ultimately resulting in diminished value. Instead, Ian advocated for a shift towards developing AI-native workflows that fundamentally re-engineer processes rather than merely applying AI as an add-on.
Ian emphasised the importance of identifying tasks that AI can uniquely perform to gain a competitive edge. He discussed how his company reimagines workflows from scratch, integrating AI from the outset to achieve exponential efficiency gains, sometimes reaching 100 to 1000 times greater efficiency compared to traditional methods. Regarding the pervasiveness of AI in the workplace, Ian observed that its adoption is rapidly spreading through society, driven by the ease of technology diffusion. He estimated that within a few years, a substantial portion of the population could be using AI regularly. Ian then delved into the transformative impact of AI on teams, culture, and workplaces. He highlighted the need for a forward-thinking approach, where organisations embrace AI to reimagine work rather than merely enhance productivity. Ian described a future where bots and AI systems function as colleagues, changing the dynamics of collaboration and task execution.
Discussing AI’s role in creativity, Ian acknowledged concerns about the potential for mass replication and mediocrity but also foresaw AI empowering individuals with diverse skill sets, enabling solopreneurs and small teams to have significant impact. Regarding talent recruitment, Ian envisioned AI playing a substantial role, from sourcing candidates to conducting interviews and facilitating onboarding. He even speculated about the possibility of using AI avatars to represent individuals during the hiring process. Ian concluded the conversation by reiterating the transformative potential of AI in reshaping HR functions and business operations as a whole.
Russ with Khalil Vinson
Khalil Vinson, the founder of Tech Fest Live, conversed about his organisation’s mission and growth. Khalil described Tech Fest Live as a nonprofit ad tech organisation focused on hosting an annual technology expo for underrepresented middle and high school students. He stressed the importance of involving underrepresented youth in various technology verticals, such as agriculture, aviation, healthcare and sports, not just coding and engineering.
The conversation shifted to Tech Fest Live’s presence at the Korean Pavilion, where Khalil explained the organisation’s initiatives, including “for the youth,” a program using smart golf technology to introduce students to the game virtually. Reflecting on Tech Fest Live’s development, Khalil noted its growth despite challenges posed by the pandemic. He highlighted the organisation’s increasing impact, with the number of participants rising from 400 in 2022 to an expected 2,500 at the upcoming event. Regarding partnerships, Khalil mentioned collaborations with companies like Microsoft, Comcast, and JPMorgan, with plans to expand partnerships with companies like Meta and Exxon.
When asked about his event experience, Khalil shared his background in organising events like the Weekend of Welcome Festival at Texas State University, which inspired him to merge his passion for events with technology education through Tech Fest Live. Looking to the future, Khalil expressed his ambition for Tech Fest Live to become a global organisation, spreading technology education and innovation worldwide.
with Pat Wadors of UKG
Pat Waders, the Chief People Officer of UKG, engaged in a discussion about leadership and creating positive employee experiences. Pat provided an overview of UKG, a company formed through the merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos, specialising in workforce management, payroll and human capital management software.
Regarding leadership, Pat emphasised the importance of leaders caring for every individual within the organisation, not just direct reports. She highlighted qualities such as compassion, listening, and accountability to foster a healthy and engaged workforce. When discussing talent acquisition, Pat stressed the significance of defining the employee value proposition, which includes factors like fair compensation, respect, and opportunities for career development. This proposition serves as the foundation for attracting candidates who align with the company’s values and culture.
Transitioning to the challenges of hybrid and remote work, Pat acknowledged the complexity of finding the right balance. While recognising the benefits of in-person interactions for building connections, she emphasised the need for flexibility and experimentation to accommodate diverse preferences and work styles.
In terms of creating a positive employee experience, Pat underlined the importance of onboarding processes that support new employees’ integration into the company culture. She highlighted the role of managers in providing guidance, support and connections to facilitate a smooth transition. Pat also discussed her upcoming book, “Unlock Your Leadership Story,” which reflects on her leadership journey and aims to offer insights and advice for navigating career and life challenges with grace and authenticity.
with Melvin Wilson
Melvin engaged in a conversation regarding remote working, tech talent, and company culture. Melvin started by sharing his insights on how remote work has enabled businesses to access tech talent globally. He accentuated that platforms like Zoom have facilitated interactions with remote talent, particularly in creative industries. Moreover, many tech professionals, including those from Latin America, are educated in the US and then return to their home countries, providing a diverse pool of talent for US companies.
The discussion focused on Latin America due to its growing prominence in the tech industry. Melvin highlighted the advantages of working with talent from this region, such as time zone compatibility and cultural familiarity. Additionally, he noted the positive impact on local communities, where companies contribute to skill-building and employment opportunities. Regarding tech equity and diversity, Melvin underlined the cultural affinity Latin American professionals have with aspects of US culture, such as sports and entertainment. This shared cultural understanding enhances collaboration and creativity, benefiting companies seeking to market to diverse audiences.
When discussing company culture in remote settings, Melvin suggested leveraging perks like team retreats to foster connections among remote workers. He shared that cultural element between regions like Los Angeles and Mexico City, facilitate smoother collaboration. Transitioning to Solve Innovation Group, Melvin described the company’s focus on bridging tech expertise with financial resources for startups and established brands. The group tackles diverse projects ranging from healthcare to sports betting, leveraging a consistent infrastructure to deliver value to clients.
recording with Cam Lawrence
Cam Lawrence, the CEO of Newlab, said Newlab serves as a venture platform supporting early-stage deep tech and climate tech founders. The company facilitates the development of innovative products by providing founders with community support, access to workshops, commercial partners, and capital. Their goal is to amplify the outcomes of startups and contribute to addressing climate change on a global scale.
Cam highlighted the calibre of industry partners Newlab collaborates with, including Verizon, Mercado Libre and New York’s Department of Transportation. By leveraging these partnerships, Newlab offers startups opportunities to demonstrate commercialisation and scale, a unique advantage in the startup ecosystem. Discussing his participation in the Frontiers of Innovation panel, Cam shared insights into Newlab’s expansion strategy and the importance of fostering communities for startup success. He emphasized the significance of bringing together founders in supportive environments to alleviate the challenges of the startup journey.
Regarding Newlab’s locations in Detroit, Brooklyn, and Montevideo, Cam discussed the unique characteristics of each region and their focus areas. Detroit, with its legacy in mobility, aims to drive innovation in the automotive industry. In Uruguay, partnerships with the government and industry players facilitate pilots to demonstrate commercialisation. Meanwhile, Brooklyn, Newlab’s first home, fosters innovation across various sectors, including clean energy and mobility.
Cam highlighted the use of technology like Zoom to connect Newlab’s global team and stressed the importance of physical gatherings for solving complex business problems. In terms of hiring, Cam expressed gratitude for attracting top talent driven by Newlab’s mission. Empathy for the startup journey is a crucial trait among team members, given the challenges startups face.
chatting to Karl Skoog
Karl Skoog, the CMO of Amuse, discussed the company’s mission and its role in supporting independent artists within the music industry. Amuse functions as a music company that funds artists and provides music distribution services for the independent community, aiming to support DIY and independent artists from their beginnings in the bedroom to potential stardom. Karl highlighted the longstanding issues within the music industry, where only a few big corporate companies traditionally dominated, leaving little room for independent expression. However, he emphasised that the movement towards independence is still in its infancy, presenting a significant opportunity for change.
To address these challenges, Karl proposed a three-part solution. Firstly, questioning old roles and models within the industry, from funding to marketing. Secondly, creating powerful alternatives to the traditional pathways to success. Lastly, being flexible and adaptable to the needs of artists in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Despite being rooted in Stockholm, Sweden, Amuse has expanded its brand internationally. Karl attributed this success to the creation of a powerful alternative within a cluttered market and accentuated the importance of being a flexible partner to artists, meeting their various needs, whether financial, marketing, or legal.
Karl also discussed Amuse’s upcoming content series, “Dream Factory,” which features artists sharing their career journeys and the stories behind their music-making process. This initiative aims to showcase Amuse’s role in helping artists manifest their dreams, expanding the brand beyond just being a distribution platform. The series is launched in collaboration with The Face magazine, leveraging their editorial presence to amplify its reach.
