Gartner Peer Insights AMA

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I was asked by Gartner Peer Insights to do a non-live “ask me anything” for their site. The questions and answers are out now!

In other news, I need to get back to recording my podcast. I hope to record a few episodes together and schedule them for release once a week starting in August. So watch this space for that!

Putting some cred behind things I am already doing!

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Due to the nature of what I do with start-ups and small businesses, I am already using tools from the Business Analysts toolbox. So it made sense for me to do a short online course with RMIT University to put some official credentials behind my skill set!

It was a bit of a challenge as April ended up being a very busy month for Kyco related activities and in May, I became severely ill with a seasonal cold. As a result, I fell behind and had to play catch-up for most of the course. I even had to take the automatic 1-week extension and I was still audibly sick in the final project presentation video, which you can see below.

Medisafe 2FA: RMIT Assignment Presentation

I am happy to complete the credential and fill the holes in my knowledge when it comes to the business analysis process. It’s an ego boost given that I was working on this at the same time I also started a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment through TAFE QLD.

I have a new respect for my mom, who is a secondary teacher, and my trainer from the NEIS program. Because that certificate did my head in! I had to withdraw, which is something I have never had to do in all my years of learning. I fell hopelessly behind and didn’t think I could catch up but it is something I am interested in doing. So hopefully, I’ll be able to restart next term and actually manage to orient my brain around the adult learning and vocational education space!

UQ Innovation Panel: Back by UQIES invite to be a panellist!

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I was back in UQ on Wednesday to be one of four panellists for UQIES Innovation panel. It was fun, especially since I got to stir the pot a bit!

Also, I hadn’t met my fellow panellists before, at least so far as I could recall, and so it was always nice to meet new and interesting people. The other panellists were:

  1. Pauline Fetaui, the current General Manager of River City Labs

  2. Indi Tansey, the chief officer of people, product and planet

  3. Amelia St Bake, the Digital Strategist of St Baker Energy Innovation Fund

Below are the questions that were emailed to me before the event. I think we got through most of them with some variations and some additions from the audience. I am sure you can see where they gave me the opportunity to say some very controversial things!

  1. Your background and the journey you guys have taken to get to where you are now?

  2. What does innovation mean to you and why is it such a critical component of your life?

  3. Touching on successful entrepreneurs for a second do you believe there is a pattern of behaviour they all exhibit that makes them successful? And if so, what are they?

  4. Is consulting or experiences in other “traditional career paths” a requirement in the start-up world or is that a misconception or does that consulting experience add extra value?

  5. What opportunities are available for business students in the fields of start-ups & technology, bearing in mind a lot of us have little to no technical knowledge?

  6. All of you have amazing experiences and projects you’ve worked on. Thinking back to one of those many journeys or projects you’ve worked on or built, firstly what was/is it and what’s something you wish you knew at the start?

  7. What valuable gem of a resource has helped you in the past and that you’d recommend to students?

A good time was had by me, and hopefully by the audience. I had some great conversations with the students over the cheese platter. I have also seen a few people connect with me on LinkedIn. Finally, having nothing in particular to promote, apart from Kyco and The Great Australian Rip-off, I decided to finally go ahead with that podcast I have been thinking of launching for some time now. Episode 1, out now!

Finally attended a Silicon Beach Australia Virtual Pitch Night!

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Silicon Beach is Australia’s largest network of startup communities and it is a community I have wanted to stay connected to for some time. Yesterday, I was finally able to attend one of their pitch nights!

There were some great pitches from people trying to solve some real, pressing problems. The one I related to the most was Wirl App. Just because I often use food to keep myself functioning. Not great for the waist line but beats not being able to get out of bed! Wirl was one of the winners from the night.

The other winners were Diana’s Closet, which is a curated online clothing store. I loved her personality and her style is great too! I can see myself buying from her.

The other big winner was GoMicro which allows you to assess food quality using your mobile. As someone who struggles to judge fresh food lifespan, this is something I would buy if it were to become a consumer item. Although right now GoMicro seems to be focused more on large scale businesses.

Of the other pitchers, I noted MyAxis as someone who appeared to be post-revenue, which is always a strong selling point for a startup. Also, Terran Industries is trying to tackle climate change and currently raising capital. While Coat’d startup is trying to market a long-term disinfectant.

Other pitches were delivered from:

I have definitely missed a few and my apologies to the ones I missed. My notes were not exhaustive. Anyway, a good time was had by all and I look forward to the next pitch!