CXO Magazine – August 2023 – Inspiring CXO of the Year – 2023

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FROM HIERARCHIES TO NETWORKS: THE EVOLUTION OF LEADERSHIP IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Gone are the days when leadership was solely defined by hierarchical structures and top-down decision-making. The advent of AI and Web3 has ushered in an era of interconnectedness and decentralization, where leaders must navigate through complex networks of information and relationships. In this context, the skills that define successful leadership have taken a transformative turn.

At the forefront of this evolution is the demand for a profound understanding of technology and its implications. A modern leader is expected to not only comprehend the intricacies of AI and Web3 but also envision how these technologies can be harnessed to drive innovation and growth. The ability to decode data-driven insights and convert them into strategic actions has become an indispensable trait.

However, technical acumen alone is not sufficient. The new wave of leadership places immense emphasis on adaptability and agility. The pace at which AI and Web3 are evolving necessitates leaders who can swiftly pivot their strategies and embrace change as an opportunity rather than a disruption. Flexibility, open-mindedness, and the willingness to experiment are qualities that distinguish the leaders of today.

The fusion of AI and Web3 technologies is giving rise to a new era of leadership that defies conventional norms. This breed of leaders stands on the foundation of technological prowess, adaptability, and the ability to forge meaningful connections. We feature one such visionary leader on our cover, Andrea Iorio, Leading Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host & MBA Professor. He is one of the most requested keynote speakers about Digital Transformation, Leadership, Customer-centricity, and Web3 globally, and he shares his thoughts and ideas at the intersection of business, technology, philosophy, and neuroscience in his more than 200 keynotes per year to companies such as Abbott, Bayer, Cargill, Dow, IBM, Roche, Syngenta, Tetrapak and more.

In addition to our cover story, this edition features interviews and insightful articles that delve into various aspects of effective business leadership. We hope this edition of our magazine leaves you feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to embark on your own journey toward success. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

ANDREA IORIO

META-LEADERSHIP: UNLOCKING THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE AGE OF AI AND WEB3

Leading Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host & MBA Professor

30

Helping People Discover Their Unique

Promoting Better Understanding of Climate Change, Equitable

42

Dr. Tania Peitzker, Author, Educator & Technologist

Tech, & Democratic Cultures

Annemarie Cross, Personal Branding & Podcast Strategist and Business Coach

Inner Brilliance

16 Marianne Brits-Strodl, Group COO at BI: PROCSI and CEO at Dataru The Transformative Power of AI, Predictive Analytics, and ML in Modern Business Processes

24 Don Sevcik, Founder, Math Celebrity Transform Customer Experience Using 3 Timeless Principles

50 Ema Castellari, Data Governance & Management, Hiberus Govern Data or People who Work with Data?

56 Evette Rose, Author, Life Coach & Founder, Metaphysical Anatomy

Understanding the Neuroscience of Anxiety and Effective Strategies for Combatting it

Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business?

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

ANDREA IORIO

META-LEADERSHIP: UNLOCKING THE NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE AGE OF AI AND WEB3

Andrea Iorio is one of the most requested keynote speakers about Digital Transformation, Leadership, Customer-centricity and Web3 globally, and he shares his thoughts and ideas at the intersection of business, technology, philosophy, and neuroscience in his more than 200 keynotes per year to companies such as Abbott, Bayer, Cargill, Dow, IBM, Roche, Syngenta, Tetrapak and more. Andrea is a columnist at the MIT Technology Review Brazil, the official host of NVIDIA’s podcast in Brazil. He holds more than 10 years of experience in multinational and tech companies: he was the Head of Tinder across Latin America for 5 years, and Chief Digital Officer at L’Oréal Brazil. He is an economist with a Degree from Bocconi University (Milan, Italy), and a MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins’ SAIS (Washington, DC), and is now an MBA professor at Fundação Dom Cabral. He is the author of 3 books in Portuguese: “6 Competências para Surfar na Transformação Digital”, “O futuro não é mais como antigamente”, and “Metanoia Lab: lições sobre competências humanas na era digital”: the first one reached the no. 1 position on Amazon in the People Management and Leadership sections in Brazil.

Leading Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author, Podcast Host & MBA Professor

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, leadership is facing an unprecedented transformation. As the digital age propels us into uncharted territories marked by AI and Web3 technologies, a new breed of leadership is emerging—one that requires a distinct set of skills and a bold vision. As I recently stated in my book “Meta-leadership: the new leader’s skill set in the world of AI and Web3”, the rise of Web3 concepts and technologies, encompassing blockchain, tokens, DAOs, and metaverses, is fast, and, at the same time, the adoption of AI

AI, the driving force behind automation and data analysis, is reshaping industries, redefining efficiencies, and challenging traditional business paradigms

is projected to soar by approximately 40% per year over the next decade. While apprehensions about technology rendering leadership roles and businesses obsolete loom large, I for once dispel this notion. For me, as a leader, hesitating to adapt and integrate these transformative technologies will only expedite a business's decline.

Here's why:

AI, the driving force behind automation and data analysis, is reshaping industries, redefining efficiencies, and challenging traditional business paradigms. Web3, on the other hand, is ushering in a decentralized internet era, where blockchain, smart contracts, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are the building blocks of innovation.

It's highly probable that your organization is presently leveraging artificial intelligence: In fact, you might already have comprehensive integration of a minimum of three distinct AI applications. According to a recent study published by Deloitte, almost every business leader recognizes AI's pivotal role in shaping business triumph within the upcoming half-decade.

This potentially means that, with the pervasive influence of AI and automation in our workplaces, a similar crossroads emerges. We stand at the precipice of choosing between a "race to the bottom" approach, employing AI solely to cut costs and eliminate jobs, or embracing the opportunity to invigorate, motivate, and redefine our work environments. This could potentially spark a renaissance of human creativity and productivity that holds immense, yet untapped, potential.

In this dynamic landscape, the conventional notions of leadership are undergoing a seismic shift. The meta-leader, an architect of change,

is rising to the fore. The leader that is required for today's fast changing world is not confined to a singular domain but embodies a multifaceted skill set.

I am not saying we should at any time take for granted the technology that we use today: to be truthful AI outperforms human leaders in executing repetitive tasks flawlessly, devoid of fatigue or errors. This efficiency liberates valuable time for human leaders, enabling them to channel their

efforts into intricate or innovative undertakings. In other words, AI may be better than us in many tasks, but not everything is at their reach.

The Meta-Leader

These proficiencies of AI, which intersect with the skillset of leaders yet demonstrate superior effectiveness, necessitate a paradigm shift in leadership. This transition births a fresh repertoire of skills for leaders, crafting what I term the

"meta-leader." This evolution empowers leaders to transcend conventional leadership paradigms, recognizing AI as an ally rather than a threat. Therefore, allow me to elucidate the new attributes characterizing the "meta-leader." These attributes arise organically from Generative AI's capacity to outshine us in tasks we traditionally used to perform better.

Skills for the Future

Reperception: A meta-leader must possess the ability to perceive beyond the surface, understanding complex implications and connections, and to let go of past beliefs. It's about seeing patterns where others see chaos.

Data Sensemaking: In a data-driven world, the meta-leader extracts meaningful insights from a deluge of information. Decisions are informed by data, and the ability to interpret and translate it into actionable strategies is paramount.

Cognitive Flexibility: Adapting swiftly to change and complexity is a hallmark of the meta-leader. Cognitive flexibility enables one to pivot, innovate, and thrive amidst uncertainty.

Antifragility: Resilience alone is no longer enough. Antifragility, the ability to grow stronger in the face of adversity, is key. Meta-leaders embrace challenges, leveraging them to catalyze growth.

Autonomous Management: Empowered by technology, the meta-leader defies traditional hierarchies. Autonomous management involves decentralized decision-making, fostering innovation at all levels.

Becoming a meta-leader requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to continuous learning. It's an evolution, not a destination. Embracing this new paradigm empowers leaders to harness AI and Web3 technologies as tools for progress, rather than threats to their domain.

Leaders have to understand that the age of AI and Web3 is not a challenge to leadership; it's an invitation to redefine it. The metaleader stands at the intersection of innovation, adaptation, and foresight. Unlocking leadership in this transformative era ensures organizations not only survive but thrive in the uncharted waters of the digital frontier.

Becoming a meta-leader requires a shift in mindset and a commitment to continuous learning. It's an evolution, not a destination

The Transformative Power of AI, Predictive Analytics, and ML in Modern Business Processes

Marianne Brits-Strodl is the Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BIPROCSI, a technology consultancy specialising in data solutions, and her understanding of cutting-edge technologies is further exemplified by her role as CEO of a sister company, Dataru, leading the way in developing a groundbreaking SaaS platform driven by ML and AI. Marianne is recognised for her operational expertise, excelling in cost reduction, enhancing flexibility, and delivering outstanding value in demanding environments. She implements agile strategies and fosters a culture of adaptability, enabling organisations to swiftly respond to shifting market demands and dynamic business landscapes. With an unwavering commitment to operational excellence, Marianne empowers teams and cultivates a positive culture that unlocks the full potential of individuals.

Marianne Brits-Strodl

Group COO at BI: PROCSI and CEO at Dataru

The growing awareness surrounding AI has caused organisations to fear its potential impact on their future. However, it is imperative for the C-suite to acknowledge that AI should not be regarded with trepidation only but instead as a transformative force capable of propelling organisations to unprecedented success. Companies that embrace AI and incorporate it into their strategies will gain a competitive advantage, while those that resist its adoption risk being left behind.

As the Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) of BIPROCSI, a technology consultancy specialising in data solutions, and CEO of Dataru, a pioneering SaaS platform driven by ML and AI, I am privileged to lead the way in utilising cutting-edge technologies to enhance business processes. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative effects of these technologies on operational efficiency, cost reduction, and overall business success.

But exactly how can AI and ML benefit modern-day businesses?

Data is the lifeblood of any organisation, and the volume of data being generated today is unprecedented. AI, predictive analytics, and ML (*machine learning) enable us to extract meaningful insights from this data, empowering us to make informed decisions and drive business success. By leveraging these technologies, we can efficiently collect, process, and analyse vast amounts of data, transforming it into actionable intelligence.

With AI and ML algorithms, businesses can uncover patterns, trends, and correlations

that would be difficult or impossible to identify manually. This allows for more accurate predictions, better understanding of customer behavior, and improved decisionmaking. Companies can use AI-powered tools to perform sentiment analysis, customer segmentation, demand forecasting, and market trend analysis, among many other applications. The ability to harness the power of data through AI and ML is a game-changer in the modern business landscape. To explain further, I'll share some advantageous and specific business use cases within some of the biggest industries.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency

One of the key advantages of AI and ML is their ability to automate repetitive and timeconsuming tasks. We can streamline business processes, reduce manual errors, and enhance operational efficiency by implementing intelligent systems. From automating customer support through chatbots to optimising supply chain management and inventory forecasting, AI-driven solutions enable us to allocate resources effectively, maximise productivity, and focus on strategic initiatives. AI-powered automation can revolutionise various aspects of business operations.

Use Case:

Enhancing

Operational Efficiency in the E-commerce Industry with AI-Driven Automation and Analytics Industry: E-commerce

● Problem Statement: Company XYZ is an e-commerce business and is grappling with manual and time-consuming processes, resulting in operational inefficiencies and challenges in scaling their business. The company aims to

enhance operational efficiency by leveraging AI and ML technologies to automate tasks, optimise processes, and gain valuable insights for data-driven decision-making.

● Solution: Personalised Customer Experience. The organisation developed a recommendation engine that can analyse

customer behaviour, purchase history, and browsing patterns to provide personalised product recommendations. This improved the customer experience, increased conversion rates, and enhanced operational efficiency by reducing manual product searches.

● Inventory Management and Order Fulfilment: The company used ML algorithms to forecast demand and optimise inventory levels. By automating the replenishment process and ensuring the availability of popular products, the company reduced stockouts and overstocking, which led to improved customer satisfaction and cost savings.

● Automated Order Processing: Company X implemented AI-powered processes and tools to automate order processing, from order verification to shipping label generation. This eliminates the need for manual intervention, reduces errors, and speeds up the order fulfillment process.

● Customer Support and Chatbots: Company X utilised AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to automate customer support processes. Chatbots can handle routine customer inquiries, provide order updates, and assist with basic troubleshooting. This reduced the workload on customer support teams, improved response times, and ensured consistent and efficient customer service.

Results

By implementing AI-driven automation and analytics solutions, the e-commerce company achieved significant improvements in operational efficiency and scalability. They experienced a 30% reduction in manual effort, a 20% increase in order fulfillment speed, and

With AI and ML algorithms, businesses can uncover patterns, trends, and correlations that would be difficult or impossible to identify manually

From automating customer support through chatbots to optimising supply chain management and inventory forecasting, AI-driven solutions enable us to allocate resources effectively, maximise productivity, and focus on strategic initiatives

a 15% decrease in customer complaints. The enhanced operational efficiency enabled the company to scale its business and achieve sustainable growth.

Performance Monitoring and Analytics

AI analytics tools collect and analyse data from various operational processes, identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Real-time dashboards and reports provide actionable insights to management, enabling them to make datadriven decisions and continuously optimise operations. By monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) in real-time, businesses can identify areas of improvement, track progress, and ensure that they are on the path to achieving their goals.

Increased operational visibility and data-driven decision-making, enabling continuous process improvement.

AI and ML have significantly enhanced operational visibility and data-driven decisionmaking, leading to continuous process improvement in various industries. It empowers organisations with enhanced operational visibility, enabling data-driven decisionmaking and continuous process improvement. These technologies provide valuable insights, facilitate automation, optimise resource allocation, and drive efficiencies across various operational domains, ultimately leading to improved business outcomes. It has significantly enhanced operational visibility and data-driven decision-making, leading to continuous process improvement in various industries.

Company Use Case: Transforming Decision-Making in the Gaming and Betting Industry with AI

and ML Company: XYZ Gaming and Betting

● Problem Statement: As a leading player in the dynamic and competitive gaming and betting industry, XYZ Gaming and Betting understand the importance of making informed decisions to maximise revenue and stay ahead of the competition. However, traditional data analysis and decision-making approaches have proven inadequate in meeting the industry's evolving demands. To address this challenge, XYZ Gaming and Betting sought a solution that leveraged AI and ML to provide datadriven insights, enabling the company to make strategic choices, assess risks, optimise processes, and adapt to changing market dynamics.

● Solution (Real-time Data Analysis): XYZ Gaming and Betting implemented algorithms to analyse real-time data from multiple sources, including player behavior, game performance, and market trends. By processing and interpreting this vast amount of data, the company gained valuable insights into player preferences, emerging trends, and other crucial factors.

● Predictive Modeling: To enhance its decision-making capabilities, XYZ Gaming and Betting developed sophisticated predictive models using ML techniques. By analysing historical data and incorporating external factors like sports events or market conditions, the company was able to forecast player behavior, game performance, and revenue outcomes. This enabled them to anticipate player demand, optimise game schedules, and adjust betting odds for maximum profitability.

AI and ML have significantly enhanced operational visibility and data-driven decisionmaking, leading to continuous process improvement in various industries

● Risk Assessment and Fraud Detection: XYZ Gaming and Betting employed AI algorithms to assess risks and detect fraudulent activities within the industry. ML models were trained to analyse patterns, transaction data, and player behaviour, enabling the company to identify potential fraudulent activities or irregularities. This proactive approach helped minimise financial losses, ensured fair play, and maintained the integrity of the company's operations, building trust among players and safeguarding its reputation.

● Personalisation and Player Engagement: By leveraging AI and ML, XYZ Gaming and Betting personalised player experiences and enhanced player engagement. Through the analysis of player data, such as preferences, playing patterns, and demographics, the company tailored game recommendations, promotions, and loyalty rewards to individual players. This level of personalisation significantly improved player satisfaction, increased retention rates, and ultimately drove revenue growth.

● Process Optimisation: XYZ Gaming and Betting harnessed the power of AI and ML to optimise its operational processes. By analysing data from various operational aspects, including customer support, payment processing, and game

performance, the company identified bottlenecks, streamlined processes, and improved overall operational efficiency. This resulted in faster response times, enhanced customer experiences, and cost savings for the organisation.

Conclusion

In a world driven by data, AI, predictive analytics, and ML hold the key to unlocking unlimited opportunities for businesses. Embracing these transformative technologies is no longer a choice but a necessity for companies that aspire to thrive in the modern landscape.

By harnessing the power of data, enhancing operational efficiency, and making data-driven decisions, organisations can gain a competitive edge and secure a brighter future. The time for hesitation and resistance has passed. It's time to embrace the AI revolution and unleash its potential in your business. Those who dare to innovate, automate, and optimise with AI will rise above the competition, while those who remain stagnant risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving world.

Remember, the power of AI is not just a buzzword—it's a game-changer. Are you ready to play?

Transform Customer Experience Using 3 Timeless Principles

Don Sevcik is the Creator of the fastest math tutor on the planet, MathCelebrity. He’s a best-selling author of 5 books and also consults on SEO and mental models.

Founder, Math Celebrity

Don Sevcik

When it comes to business mistakes, chasing shiny objects ranks near the top. Why is this a problem? Because trend chasing drains time and money by blurring your focus. But don’t take my word for it. Take it from the man who built Amazon:

“I very frequently get the question: 'What's going to change in the next 10 years?' And that is a very interesting question; it's a very common one. I almost never get the question: 'What's not going to change in the next 10 years?” - Jeff Bezos

Timeless never goes out of style. When it comes to Customer Experience, we can use 3 timeless principles to build our businesses.

Timeless Principle 1: Speed

According to a study by Microsoft in 2015, the average human attention span has dropped from 12 seconds in the year 2000 to just 8.25 seconds. To put that in perspective, this is less time than it takes for the fastest runners to complete the 100-yard dash.

Speed influences customer experience in 2 ways:

First, you must get to the point fast. Websites must load quickly. And when a potential customer arrives, you have a tiny window of time to capture their interest before they vanish forever. Suppose your website loads in 6 seconds. You only have 2.25 seconds left to capture the customer’s attention.

Ask yourself this: If a random lead arrived on your company website, could they find what to do and how to do it within 8.25 seconds? If not, you’ve identified a leak in your acquisition funnel. And just like a leaky pipe, leaky funnels cost money.

When customers in an industry ask for new features and products, the first company to move gets an advantage

Second, you must jump on the first mover advantage. When customers in an industry ask for new features and products, the first company to move gets an advantage. They get into their customer’s minds first. Think of the quest for customers like war. The first army to move and take position has the advantage. We call this first mover advantage. Whoever gets to the customer first has an automatic brand advantage.

Timeless Principle 2: The Power of Data

Have you ever wondered how companies seem to know what you want before you even ask for it? It's all thanks to the power of data! CXOs use data to make smart decisions and provide amazing experiences.

Want to know how Google knows the correct spelling when you misspell a word? They aren’t looking into a dictionary. They’re capturing and analyzing mountains of data for the next correct search. They assign a score to each of the possible correct words and choose the winner as the word you really meant to type. How did they find the winner? By collecting the next possible search people Googled after the misspell.

Data gives you an unfair advantage for your next move with customers. For example, if 80% of customers buy a certain type of toy, a CXO might decide to make more of that toy. This way, customers are happy because they get what they want, and the business is successful too. Data helps you cut what doesn’t work and add more of what does.

Timeless Principle 3: Reduce Friction

For our third principle, we turn to science for deep insights. We define friction as the resistance

CXOs want to make sure that whether you're shopping online, using a mobile app, or visiting a physical store, your experience is seamless

when 2 objects cross paths. Take your hand and rub it across a piece of sandpaper. Now take the same hand and rub it across a spoon filled with coconut oil.

The sandpaper gives out large amounts of friction. The coconut oil on the other hand takes no effort to glide your fingers across. When it comes to customer experience, we want more coconut oil and less sandpaper.

Have you ever bought something online and then picked it up from a store? Or maybe you've chatted with a customer service bot on a company's website. These everywhere experiences are called "omnichannel." It's all about making things easy for customers, no matter how they interact with a business.

CXOs want to make sure that whether you're shopping online, using a mobile app, or visiting a physical store, your experience is seamless. They use fancy tools like customer relationship management systems

and chatbots to make sure everything works smoothly.

Let's say you start shopping on a company's website but then change your mind and decide to visit the store. With the right software and tracking systems, the store employees will already know what you were looking at online. They can show you similar items or offer personalized recommendations.

Conclusion

As you plan your business strategy, remember these 3 timeless principles:

1. Speed. Money follows speed. Just like war, you must be first to the battlefield.

2. Data. Those with the most intelligence can make the best decisions. Collect any data you can and review it periodically.

3. Reduce friction. Simplify and streamline with a relentless focus. Your customers will reward you.

Helping People Discover Their Unique Inner Brilliance

Dubbed ‘The Podcasting Queen,’ Annemarie Cross is an awardwinning podcast host - recognized as a pioneer in the podcasting space having started her first co-hosted podcast in 2008. Her podcasts have been syndicated on National and International Radio and listed among top podcasts for Entrepreneurs and small business worldwide. Recognized as one of the Top 20 Business Coaches in Melbourne - Australia, Annemarie works with coaches helping them create distinguishable, uncopiable and irresistible brands so they're seen not just as A choice – but THE choice with their dream clients.

Annemarie Cross

Personal Branding & Podcast Strategist and Business Coach

Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Magazine, Ms. Cross shared her insights on the three podcasting trends to watch out for in the next 5 years, top tips for businesses who are looking to start a podcast, success mantra, career milestones, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

● In your opinion, what are the top three podcasting trends to watch out for in the next 5 years?

Since 2008, when I started my first co-hosted podcast, we have seen a steady increase in podcast listeners, which I believe will continue as people become far more discerning in what and whom they listen to.

This provides a wonderful opportunity for businesses to create a podcast that becomes a must-listen, go-to platform for their prospective clients, collaboration partners, and other industry stakeholders.

With that said, here are three tips for businesses who want to start a podcast to tap into this expanding podcast audience so they

can build their visibility, build an audience of their ideal clients, and begin to nurture listeners into leads:

1. Focus on building a niched audience vs a large audience. Businesses often get fixated on downloads and subscribers. However, it’s important to focus on building a highly niched audience who are engaging and responding to the content and the community you’re building, rather than having tens of thousands of downloads by an audience who does nothing.

Hone your message to a specific niched audience and speak to that niche. When you speak into the challenges that he/she faces, as well as sharing invaluable insights on how they can begin to achieve their goals, you create a binge-worthy podcast that will fast become a go-to resource.

It’s important to focus on building a highly niched audience who are engaging and responding to the content and the community you’re building, rather than having tens of thousands of downloads by an audience who does nothing

It starts with one, clear, highly niched message that speaks to a highly niched audience.

2. Don’t compare podcasting to mainstream radio. When it comes to a business-related podcast, a podcast listener is unlike mainstream radio listeners who are there for entertainment vs education and/or empowerment. Because a podcast listener is interested in that specific topic, they have chosen to listen, so with business-focused podcasts, a listener will often be seeking to learn and be empowered.

There’s a saying I have which is, ‘People come for the topic and will return for the host – YOU.’ This can happen when you create a unique listener experience that resonates with your audience, enabling you to begin building a highly targeted, highly engaged audience of your ideal clients, which you can continue to nurture into leads.

3. Leverage Video & Livestreaming. When I began podcasting, we only had the capability of producing audio content; however, fifteen years on, we now have video and livestreaming as well. All three offer an incredible opportunity to build and deepen the connection with your audience, so I would encourage any business who is looking to launch a podcast to leverage all three.

The audio and video micro-content you can create and share across your social platforms will enable you to gain exposure for your podcast, while also building visibility and your reputation as an influential Trusted Authority.

● Ms. Cross, can you tell us about your professional background and areas of interest?

I began my career in a corporate setting involved in bookkeeping/accounting and office

The audio and video micro-content you can create and share across your social platforms will enable you to gain exposure for your podcast, while also building visibility and your reputation as an influential Trusted Authority

administration for various SMEs; however, I left the workforce in my early 20’s to start a family.

While raising a young family, I continued my education in the area of counselling – specializing in the area of careers and workplace relations and soon after began a career consulting business from home.

Further studies also included a Diploma in Business - Human Resources & Industrial Relations and numerous career coaching, resume development, and personal branding certifications, which enabled me to support my clients (who were graduates right through the C-Suite executives) with their career development and career marketing strategies.

Constantly looking to expand my skills, I added new coaching modalities and marketing strategies to my tool kit, and after 10 years, I expanded my career coaching practice to support consultants with their marketing and business building strategies, helping them go from invisible to influential trusted authorities in their industries, which is what I continue to do today.

● What do you love about podcasting? And what do you think is the most important aspect of creating a successful podcast?

In all my years in business, I’ve tried many marketing strategies, and while I like writing (and am the author of two books and have contributed chapters and content to over a dozen books), speaking and interviewing guests on my podcast is, by far, my preferred method of building visibility and connections.

I’m an introvert at heart, so attending networking events is something I try to avoid. However, get me in front of a microphone

where I’m able to spend quality time with a person, and therefore, ask deeper questions and develop a deeper relationship with them by discovering who they are, along with the valuable insights we can learn through the lessons they’ve learned – that is what I love.

As to the most important aspect, along with the three points I shared in the first question, here are two more tips for businesses who are looking to start a podcast:

1. Start with the end in mind. The objectives of your business and what you hope to achieve from your podcast will determine the best strategy for your podcast, including the topics and stories you share, along with how and where you’ll continue to share it.

● Is your main objective to build visibility, awareness, and a relationship with a cold audience? If so, you’ll need to spend time validating your expertise, along with why you and why now.

● Or perhaps you’ll be using a podcast to strengthen your relationship with existing clients by showcasing case studies and the value of additional services, therefore increasing client retention and minimizing the likelihood of your client being poached by a competitor.

Will you publish an ongoing podcast?

If so, with what frequency? Or, perhaps an ‘evergreen’ series that your marketing department can continue to leverage into micro-content best suits your goals. These are just a few of the things you’ll want to consider ensuring the best strategy and outcome for your podcast.

2. Create a unique and uncopiable listener experience.

One of the most important things I share with a client when they ask: “How can I make sure my podcast stands out from the millions of other podcasts so my ideal client can find it?” is this: “Create a unique and uncopiable listener experience that your dream client resonates with.”

Don’t be discouraged by what other people are doing with their podcasts and the audience they are building. And don't be tempted to copy their style, their mannerisms, or anything else for that matter.

Rather, focus on getting totally clear on what makes YOU unique, including your style, your approach, your mannerisms, along with your quirky characteristics. Then bring that forward consistently in EVERY episode. When you do, that's what's going to elevate your podcasts from other podcasts sharing a similar topic and will enable you to capture the attention of your ideal client, who will resonate not only with your message but the way you deliver your message. That’s your unique and uncopyable listener experience.

● What inspired you to start ‘The Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast Network’? What makes it unique?

Prior to starting ‘The Ambitious Entrepreneur Podcast Network,’ I hired a mentor, and as part of their mentorship program, my podcast was hosted on their podcast platform. This podcast network had diverse topics ranging from education to health and education to UFOs, so the majority of the audience of the podcast network were not my ideal clients,

The objectives of your business and what you hope to achieve from your podcast will determine the best strategy for your podcast, including the topics and stories you share, along with how and where you’ll continue to share it

nor were they interested in learning more about leadership and business development.

After leaving that podcast network, I saw the value of creating a highly niched platform for businesses – ambitious entrepreneurs who wanted to learn more about leadership, business development, and how they could grow a successful business. There wasn’t anything around at that time – so I built my own.

● Tell us about ‘Podcasting with Purpose’. What is its mission and vision?

To me, purpose means intention: A cause. A reason. A mission.

The name also perfectly encapsulates our overall company’s mission, which is ‘to impact the world ONE message at a time, ONE podcast at a time.’

A podcast provides a wonderful way to further your cause and impact the world with your message, which is something I know is the desired outcome of many of my ideal clients. It is both an honor and privilege being able to do that through Podcasting with Purpose.

● You are also the Founder of ‘The Influence Alliance’. How is this platform helping changemakers to inspire real change with their message, while building a sustainable and scalable business?

The Influence Alliance is a membership program for coaches and consultants who want to build a successful business, while they launch and grow their podcast so they can make a much bigger impact in the world with their message.

I founded the Alliance after seeing many coaches and consultants making the same mistakes I did when trying to grow my business. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They love coaching and working with clients; however, marketing and creating a compelling message that’s unique and uncopiable to attract new clients is something they struggle with. They try various ways to market their business, adopting new technologies or tactics, which they’re told is the next best thing to grow their business, but sadly it has little impact in growing their business. So, they end up exhausted and frustrated and unable to build the momentum they need to grow a successful business.

That’s where The Influence Alliance comes in, with the training and support they need from building their core business foundations, creating a succinct and compelling message

that positions them as an influential trusted authority, THE choice vs just A choice for their dream client, right through to launching a must-listen-to, binge-worthy podcast, right through to lead generation and how to continue nurturing listeners into leads from their very first episode.

● What has been the driving force to get you where you are today?

I've often said your driving force (or what I like to call your ‘stand for’ and what some people refer to as your ‘purpose’) and what fires you up to stand up and speak up sits between what you are passionate about and what peeves you off.

For me, my passion is helping people discover their unique inner brilliance so they can bring that out into the world in the work they do. What peeves me off is when I see bullies trying to bring people down, either through their fear mongering, threats, or trying to cause self-doubt so people remain oppressed and stuck.

It's one of the reasons I started Career Success Radio in 2008 following the global financial crisis and the doom and gloom on every MSM channel. My co-host at the time and I wanted to be the voice of hope and inspiration amongst the fear-mongering doom and gloom. We had no idea where to begin, but we did it anyway because it was that driving force that got us into action. And it’s been that same driving force that has led me down the path to where I am today.

Sadly, MSM hasn't changed much even today, which means we ALL have an opportunity to share our message to inspire, to bring hope, to bring truth to our communities, which is the opposite of what people are constantly being bombarded with through every news channel.

Don’t be discouraged by what other people are doing with their podcasts and the audience they are building. And don't be tempted to copy their style, their mannerisms, or anything else for that matter

I’ll finish my response to this question with a question I asked my newsletter subscribers: I wonder… what will it take for you to stand up and speak out and be an inspirational voice in your community? What will fire you up to get you to share your message of hope against the doom and gloom?

● What are some of your proudest achievements in your career to date? What makes them special?

My proudest moments are the successes my clients and community have achieved, knowing in some small way, I’ve been able to positively impact their lives.

For example, someone who stumbled across one of my podcast episodes, becoming an avid listener, and later a client, and then being able to take his struggling business to now being recognized as a thought leader in their industry and securing lucrative corporate client contracts that previously seemed like an impossible dream.

Or another one of my amazing clients who went from hustling 80% of her working hours with marketing and putting out lots content and getting exhausted, leaving only 20% for everything else. However, now she is hustling 10% of the time and is spending 90% creating value and serving clients. She’s been able to secure higher level, longer-term projects and opportunities now because she no longer feels depleted and exhausted trying to get clients.

Why are these moments so special? Because it aligns with our mission and vision, and our mission and vision will continue on in the lives of our clients because I know these incredible coaches are going to continue to impact their clients with their message, their podcast, and expertise. There's no better feeling than that.

● What is something that you believe now that has never occurred to you previously?

I’m a firm believer there is a silver lining in every dark cloud if you’re willing to find it. Over the last 3 years, during our on-again/ off-again lockdowns here in Melbourne, Australia, I began watercolor painting and drawing in charcoal. I had no idea how much I would enjoy it or that I could even draw, The biggest surprise was when someone asked if I would consider selling my artwork. I was gob smacked!

My biggest learning from this is: you are never too old (or too young) to learn a new skill if you put your mind to it. If you’ve been thinking about learning something –make time to do it today! Don’t wait, and like me, you may just surprise yourself with how enjoyable it is.

● What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own podcast?

The #1 question I’m often asked by coaches looking to start a podcast is: “Where do I start?” Followed by “What equipment do I need?”

My response often surprises them because it has NOTHING to do with technology and EVERYTHING to do with their business goalsthe END in MIND.

Also, if they’re looking to start a podcast because their current marketing isn’t working and they’ve heard a podcast can help them amplify their message – their podcast will only amplify a message that’s not working, to more people. Focus first on creating a unique and uncopiable message that your dream customer is looking for and will want to listen to and that

continues to position your thought leadership. Then launch your podcast with a message you know will work.

Additionally, here are some questions I often get clients to consider:

● When it comes to building your reach - who is the audience you want to attract? A niched audience who are your dream client and who are more likely to engage with you is much better than a large audience that isn’t niched and who do nothing.

● When it comes to building your reputation, who and what do you want to become known for? Is your message unique and uncopiable? Are the topics and what you share bringing a unique angle to the conversation, or

will it sound the same as many other businesses in your industry who have started a podcast?

● And, when it comes to building relationships and nurturing listeners into leads, what strategy will you have in place to get people off your podcast and onto your list so you can continue to nurture your lead along the customer journey? Do you have an irresistible call to action and a client nurturing funnel in place to help you?

It matters - especially if you want your podcast to help you begin to nurture listeners into leads while building your reputation as an influential trusted authority - THE choice vs just a choice when your ideal client is ready to move forward.

My proudest moments are the successes my clients and community have achieved, knowing in some small way, I’ve been able to positively impact their lives

Promoting Better Understanding of Climate Change, Equitable Tech, & Democratic Cultures

Dr. Peitzker is a “German intellectual” by training and nature. She grew up in Australia and recently relocated to Switzerland. Tania still has a base in rural Kent where she indulges many of her passions, including an experimental Immersive Tech museum called MRAM. In her spare time, Dr Peitzker is creating a series of festivals on the subjects of Emerging Technologies, AI, Literature & the Arts and Green Tech / sustainability products and services for the everyday consumer. She hopes to promote better understanding of climate change, equitable tech and democratic cultures through these events and her writing.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with CXO Magazine, Dr. Peitzker shared her insights on the global mixed reality market, her professional journey, career milestones, future plans, pearls of wisdom, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

Author, Educator & Technologist

Dr. Tania Peitzker

In what ways is the mixed reality market taking over the world?

Mixed Reality innovations have culminated in Immersive Technologies in 2023. With the rapid rate of change in jargon and hype cycles, we have seen MR-based installations rebranded as Immersive Tech experiences. Mixed Reality has a strong market demand with the anticipated release of the new Apple headset which emphasises Augmented Reality and “spatial computing” over MR terminology. Such hardware and cloud services have been repositioned in the light of Generative AI as well.

What does ‘Metaverse’ mean to you? And why are more and more companies exploring the commercial potential of the Metaverse?

The hype bubble of “The Metaverse” from 2020 to the end of 2022 has burst. It's going to be stuck in a trough for the next few years most probably, but the billions of dollars of investment that have already been poured into what I call “proto-metaverses” is not going to be wasted.

Sure, the American tech giants have cut back on staffing of this experiment to further develop virtual 3D worlds since the establishment of the platform Second Life years ago by Linden Labs. Some of the bigger investors like Meta and Disney have reduced the number of employees working on metaverse building by the tens of thousands. I think they underestimated the computing power required to create “wow factor” metaverses, distinguishable from existing gaming platforms.

But the meaning of the metaverse to me is the ability to engage with each other easily in an improved, more 3D experience. Better than a “traditional” video conference call or chatting in a VR-based video game.

When the Digital Art and Animation layers are gradually – or rapidly in the longer view of internet history – improved to facilitate better user communication, then the business case will be established for all industries and verticals. Companies will rush to use these new tools, just like they have with the incumbents Zoom, Webex and MS Teams, to name a few market leaders of the legacy telco tech.

When the Digital Art and Animation layers are gradually – or rapidly in the longer view of internet history – improved to facilitate better user communication, then the business case will be established for all industries and verticals

Dr. Peitzker, can you tell us about your professional background and areas of interest.

You’ve probably guessed by now –communications! My first degree was in Law, Journalism, Cultural Studies and English. I dropped out of Law School in Australia several times as the profession back in the 90s was just too conservative, though I did have a strong interest in “innovative” Arbitration and Mediation as an emerging area of International Law.

In fact, whilst living in the UK I became a registered Qualified Paralegal for Intellectual Property and Commercial Law to make use of my old legal studies and everyday experience writing contracts for my own companies and clients. I used to be registered with CiARB [Chartered Institute of Arbitrators - see the YouTube interviews I did for CiARB at a Legal Geek conference in London]. I always put mediation clauses in my agreements because I fundamentally dislike avoidable conflict. I don’t think people should be greedy, stubborn or bear grudges, especially in business.

My key professional interest is Digital Transformation. I sort of “fell into” Artificial Intelligence by working on a proprietary algorithm VAIP for the past decade. We’re selling that IP now to developers to push it into the LLM league and convert its Natural Language Processing into a Gen AI engine. That is my connection to metaverses and video games – I am intrigued about adding autonomous agents to these platforms to assist the humans in their use of them. I see that as the “missing link”, apart from quantum computing!

I did some computer programming way back in school in the late 80s and have been

involved with the evolution of the net since I was one of the first permitted users of the web at my university in Australia in the early 1990s. After that, I got immersed in Emerging Technologies in Berlin where I lived for nearly two decades, becoming a German Citizen and a UK Permanent Resident as I have lived on our family farm in North Kent on the Greater London Border for the past decade.

I am now going back into academic research and writing more books on AI from my new base in southern Switzerland, Ticino, on the Italian border near Milano. I am already connected with like-minded friends and colleagues in the region who are doing amazing work on Immersive Tech and applied AI.

What formative experiences have been most important in making you an effective leader?

I believe in equity and social justice and have done so from quite an early age. I think I was born somehow with an antenna for seeing what’s wrong with the world and a belief that we each have the power to fix it. Even if it is in some small way. I like encouraging people to feel empowered to change not only the aspects of society that are oppressive of humans, animals and the poor defenceless environment, but also themselves to make their own lives more powerful and contented.

Tell us about your roles and responsibilities as the Adjunct Professor of Metaverses & Cognitive Interfaces at University of Silicon Valley.

I was headhunted for this role over 12 months ago and it has been a professionally gratifying

experience. Creating and designing a course from scratch was quite a learning curve but my boss and colleagues were supportive and encouraging. I used to be Head Trainer - for cross-cultural comms workshops using state of the art "Blended Learning" - at a German corporate university in Berlin, so I feel like I have come full circle!

The students I’ve had have gone on to do great things – my cohorts have been commissioned to build a cutting-edge Immersive Tech interface using Conversational AI. Part of the course I teach has that challenge as an End of Term Project for the “mock” client which is a famous museum in California!

USV endeavours to be completely focussed on practice wherever possible. This means the courses I teach are essentially "hands on labs” from week to week, culminating in Assignments and practical challenges over the 15-week trimester.

Which disruptive technology are you fascinated by and why?

Like the part of the world that loves rather than fears innovation, I am blown away by the “magic” of the recent releases of OpenAI and Google, among other challenger Generative AI engines like character.ai and YouCha - all are American companies by the way. I teach a number of these Gen AI tools in my class which at USV is an interdisciplinary mix of game engineers, game designers, Digital Art and Animation students and business, not just the Computers Science Department where I am based.

The many faceted applications of tools like ChatGPT are truly innovative and I've been delighted by the Natural Language Processing

developments that have taken decades to get to this point. The NLP Conversational AI engines like the one I worked on for so long have been paving the way for Large Language Models. Artificial Intelligence has "been in development" for something like over 30 years – from when I first logged into the university’s World Wide Web 1.0 in 1993, to using OpenAI 4.0 to write my contracts in any language for any jurisdiction in 2023.

Applied AI will become everyday and regulated, that’s inevitable. I think the current hype cycle – sad that we must look at life these days in terms of hyped content versus more staid evaluations (that don’t get clicks or likes) – means that many commentators want to drum up fear, anxieties and over-excitement.

The good aspects of new advances in AI will be very good e.g. creating new pharmaceuticals in a fraction of the time and with far less expense so that medications can cure humans, animals and - hopefully with these new Gen AI tools - they can detox our climate and reverse environmental pollution.

I am fascinated by how Gen AI could help turbocharge action to solve climate change by producing ever more irrefutable statistics and more useful data that the denialists and obstructionists can no longer debate and ignore. This is a powerful “weapon” against apathy and resignation about the end of the world due to global warming.

We can even use it to fight wars. For instance, I would love to see Russia put back in its box after the humanitarian crimes it has perpetrated on the Ukrainian people and others.

I like encouraging people to feel empowered to change not only the aspects of society that are oppressive of humans, animals and the poor defenceless environment, but also themselves to make their own lives more powerful and contented

Brief us about your upcoming book. What kind of research did you do, and how long did you spend researching before beginning this book?

It is based on the MOOC courses I have done and am doing for the SpringerNature platform in Berlin, iversity. I can’t disclose the title and content as yet – don’t want copycats before it is published.

I have been researching the topics for many years now. I published part of the original manuscript as a series of Kindle ebooks on Amazon in 2022. It is very much a work in progress because soon after, Gen AI was unleashed upon the world! And I need to incorporate all the new studies and research about that.

What does literary success look like to you?

The Long Tail. If you look at all my creative work that I have self-published on Amazon Books, you can see that I have been writing for quite a while. I had work published and performed in my early 20s but I decided to keep honing my craft until now when I will take it mainstream, so increase my public profile as an author.

The Long Tail means that all the microfiction I have published keeps getting read, sold and shared. I don't have a lot of reviews – I have deliberately avoided marketing it. The reasons are that I am scaling up some of these novellas and shorter works into full length fiction in the coming years so I intend to promote those novels instead

I guess I took an entrepreneur’s approach and wanted to show traction with actual data about readers courtesy of Amazon so that my future literary agent and publishers could see the potential of my writing and its audiences. For instance, my biggest fan base is in Japan, followed by Brazil. I wouldn’t have known that without the Long Tail trail of data.

By the way, the term "The Long Tail" means that sales are not about immediate "big" volumes e.g. a bestseller with thousands or millions of copies sold, rather it is about measuring long term impact. In other words, it is a more telling metric for the constant, small number of sales over years and decades, no matter what niche you have created work in.

What are the aims and ideals that guide you as an individual and a professional? Honesty and frankness. I personally believe relationships are not worth nurturing unless you agree on a level of openness to create trust. Thus, I keep my circle of friends and work colleagues to a relatively small, curated number that I can easily manage to invest enough time in.

What has been your most career-defining moment that you are proud of and why? Getting my course at the University of Silicon Valley up and running as it services a need for students who are grateful to me for it. And my first MOOC course on the amazing iversity platform – they just commissioned from me another 3 MOOCs on Gen AI and Immersive Tech so stay tuned!

Earlier in my career as an academic, it was definitely getting my grade of magna cum

Like the part of the world that loves rather than fears innovation, I am blown away by the “magic” of the recent releases of OpenAI and Google, among other challenger Generative AI engines like character.ai and YouCha - all are American companies by the way

laude for my 4 year doctorate in Anglistik (English), Philosophy Faculty, at the University of Potsdam in Golm which now boasts a technology park, incubators and not just a Max Planck Institute when I was there in the late 1990s.

I missed the ultimate "summa cum laude" by just a few points because my "Oral Defence" of the thesis was a particularly difficult one given the subject of Cultural Studies. I was examined by UP Professors from Ancient History to Contemporary Sociology and was expected to be knowledgeable on just about everything, not just my dissertation. So yes, that was a big sense of achievement when I got my diploma for that.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I am going to be cruising around Lake Como in northern Italy and Lake Lugano in Switzerland. I used to do a lot of yacht racing in Germany and Australia, though that involves too much adrenaline-charged energy in my 50s! I am working from that region as of autumn 2023, so I plan to establish a home there with my family.

I would like to do a quarterly "commute" to California if the carbon footprint of that is justifiable, from Milan Airport directly to San Jose because I get a lot of inspiration and good energy from Silicon Valley. And I am going to be writing more books, creative and nonfiction, which is why I am finally signing up with a literary agent to handle all that.

What advice would you give to women who want to pursue a career in tech?

I was sent an article just this week with horrid statistics: the cost-of-living crisis in the USA

and globally has seen women being sacked from tech jobs in huge numbers. The piece named the Tech Bros Culture as the culprits: women make up only 33% of the global tech workforce, yet are nearly half, 44%, of those being sacked since 2022*. This is obviously a huge setback for feminism, women’s rights at work and basically just any woman who wants a career in any tech-related field.

What can I advise? When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Don’t be ashamed of toughening yourself up and fighting for that job. Stereotypical femininity of being “shy”, reserved or “not demanding” – so a “non-threatening”, passive type of rival to a guy who wants the same gig – won’t get you anywhere when the job market tightens like this and is unashamedly discriminating on gender grounds (no doubt racial bias will be on the rise again given the hard economic climes).

There’s no shame in putting yourself forward just as assertively and confidently as your male counterparts. Remember they are the competition, and you need to prove yourself on your merits and wiles just as much as they do.

Tech Bros Culture is defined as men who choose other men like themselves for jobs and positions of power; women are then automatically disqualified. So get tough and be extra confident in promoting your capabilities to land the work you desire and aspire to. You have every right to go for that dream job – I’ve said these words to many young people I’ve mentored and often they landed a position they never thought they could get. Mind over matter!

Govern Data or People who Work with Data?

Ema Castellari works in Data Governance & Management área in Hiberus the fastest growing technology consultancy in Spain. She holds a degree in System Analyst from UTN, and has completed several postgraduate courses in BI and Data Governance. Her last certification was CDMP Practitioner Certified (Dama). She has worked in BI for over 15 years in several industries such as retail, public administration, bank, etc, and started to work in Data Governance approximately 4 years ago supporting organizations to define their Data Strategy through global Data Governance programs, managing them as strategic assets, promoting the democratization of information, in an end-to-end vision that includes the development of data in the complete life cycle, reducing costs and increasing their profits, ensuring optimal decisions, with quality, available, safe, and accurate data. She considers herself as a true data lover!

Ema Castellari

Data Governance & Management, Hiberus

CID is predicting that the Global Data Sphere, the sum of all data created, captured, or replicated in central, perimeter, and terminal locations, will grow from 33 ZB in 2018 to 175 ZB by 2025, this certainly generates a point of attention on how we treat data in organizations, otherwise, the information will grow steadily, therefore, decisions will be biased and in many cases inaccurate, leading to the failure of business strategies, causing economic losses, unmotivated workers, high turnover rate, and even damage to the company's reputation.

Said that, it is necessary to reconsider the approach : Data Governance is, in a very short definition, the execution of the authority over the data (DAMA), but... we don’t do it over the data in concrete, the data is not governed itself, the metadata is not defined itself, the quality rules and the policies either, we have to involve people who manage, define and implement these tasks.

So we can define that the behavior of people over data is the most important aspect to be governed to achieve this foundational change in the culture of the organization.

Thus, we could open the concept of "DATA" Governance to "PEOPLE" Governance, this definition focuses on formalizing behaviors, integrating and making responsible, involving people in the process at every moment, generating a Superior Data Culture, aligned with the organizational objectives, where proper data management is natural in the whole organization.

How do we involve people in this process?

● Data governance shouldn't be invasive, and something very important to keep in mind is that it mustn't be "imposed", this can generate a lot of resistance and lack of participation and commitment, for the initiatives to work in the medium to long term we have to work with the members of the organization " to convince them" of the benefits of having a Data Governance strategy, and how it will improve their daily work.

● People may resist change, especially if it involves changes in processes or in the way things are done, there is an installed philosophy: "What works isn´t to be touched".

People may resist change, especially if it involves changes in processes or in the way things are done, there is an installed philosophy: "What works isn´t to be touched"

It is necessary for every member to understand the "why and what things are done for" and the consequence of not doing them correctly, developing a Change Management Plan that communicates, integrates, and trains the organization from the beginning of the Data Governance initiatives, to achieve this, it is essential that all employees who create, transform, and/or consume data have full knowledge of the goals and objectives of each data product, if they’re not properly defined or are not aligned with the priorities and strategy of the company, it may be hard to get the support and adoption necessary for Data Governance Program to be successful.

● The active leadership that supports the strategy defined to implement data governance is highly important, the support and commitment of each of the participants bring value and achieve collaboration, the leader, through constant listening, is able to identify and effectively address conflicts and help to quickly overcome challenges by taking preventive and corrective actions in a timely manner. In turn, program participants should be honest and open about the limitations, challenges, and other effects of data governance decision-making, so that nobody will feel left out or discouraged in their work.

● It is a serious mistake to suppose that Data Governance initiatives are only the responsibility of the IT area. It is important to involve all areas by setting up a Committee or a Data Office with members from each department to analyze together the usual problems and needs, establishing work standards and problem-solving shared by the entire organization, this will generate speed and a better dynamic in the day-to-day work of all the people who deal with data.

● Another important aspect is to ensure that the organization has the appropriate technology to be able to apply Data Governance, by developing the necessary skills and expertise within the organization to effectively take advantage of digital technologies, otherwise, technical developments for tasks such as profiling and cataloging can be complex and take a long time to develop and may not have the expected result, and this may cause demotivation and a lack of commitment.

As a result, working with this approach will provide the following organizational benefits:

The full trust of the data: Trusted data is the foundation for decisions to be made, when business users participate in data initiatives, trust the data, and are willing to share information and knowledge, technical, operational, and strategic decisions will be the best.

Achieving maximum value: The analyses and interpretation of data allow us to identify opportunities and emergent trends in the market, producing positive insights, by quickly discovering patterns, correlations and relationships not previously evident. This helps to detect new business opportunities, adapt to market trends and stay ahead of the competition.

Improved process fluidity: The maximum value of data also translates into improvements in operational efficiency and productivity. By using data effectively, organizations can identify areas for improvement, optimize processes, reduce costs and increase overall efficiency. This is achieved by identifying bottlenecks, automating tasks,

optimizing resources and deploying more efficient practices.

Information democratization: When the team has available, easily accesses and manages autonomously the largest amount of data about its sector, its customers and the market, it sets the basis for better individual and group performance and is able, at any time, to make decisions based on an accurate comprehension of what is going on around them.

Decrease of internal conflicts and frictions: If people are aware of Data Governance initiatives and participate in them, elaborating development, control and problemasolving strategies with respect to data, conflicts will inevitably decrease and there will be a better climate in the organization's teams.

Risk reduction: Data analytics can help organizations to identify and mitigate potential risks, with the right data, organizations are able to identify risk patterns, detect fraud, predict unusual behavior and take preventive measures, facilitate compliance with applicable regulations and standards, and avoid penalties and legal risks.

In summary, in order to involve people in effective Data Governance initiatives, it is necessary to establish a communication and training plan, define roles, responsibilities and clear ownership structure so that the procedures are effective and provide the necessary technological support, people are the fundamental asset of the organization, those who really give value to the information, so it is necessary to involve the teams that work with data to maximize its value.

Trusted data is the foundation for decisions to be made, when business users participate in data initiatives, trust the data, and are willing to share information and knowledge, technical, operational, and strategic decisions will be the best

Understanding the Neuroscience of Anxiety and Effective Strategies for Combatting it

As an Author, Life Coach, Trauma Release Practitioner, and Personal Development Teacher, Evette Rose strives to support people in their healing journeys. She is the founder of the Metaphysical Anatomy Healing Technique. She is best known for her work in helping people to resolve trauma from their past and freeing them to live successful and fulfilling lives. Evette’s work is drawn from personal experience moving from a difficult past into a well-balanced life and career. She has traveled around the world twice and taught personal development seminars in more than 43 countries, and helped thousands of people worldwide. She is highly gifted and well-equipped to help and support her students and clients throughout their healing journeys in ways that bring permanent and satisfying results.

Evette Rose

Author, Life Coach & Founder, Metaphysical Anatomy

Are you or a loved one affected by anxiety? Anxiety is a prevalent and often debilitating mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide and it’s something that has deeply affected me as well. While it can feel overwhelming, it is important to understand that anxiety is rooted in the complex workings of the brain. By delving into the neuroscience behind anxiety and implementing effective strategies, we can begin to combat its impact on our lives. This article explores the intricate relationship between neuroscience and anxiety while providing actionable techniques to manage and alleviate its symptoms.

Let’s start by defining what anxiety is as this is a widespread topic often with many misconceptions. Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by excessive worry, fear, and apprehension. It is a normal and adaptive response to perceived threats or stressors, helping individuals prepare for potential danger. However, when anxiety becomes chronic, intense, and interferes with daily life, it may indicate an anxiety disorder.

The neurological causes of anxiety are complex and involve various brain regions, neural networks, and neurotransmitters. We have what I would call the Amygdala. The amygdala, an almond-shaped structure located deep within the brain's temporal lobe, plays a significant role in anxiety. It processes emotional stimuli and initiates the body's stress response. When the amygdala perceives a threat, it triggers the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, preparing the body for a fight-or-flight response.

Then we have neurotransmitters that also play a role in anxiety. Imbalances in neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain, can contribute to anxiety. Serotonin, which regulates mood and emotions, is often associated with anxiety disorders. Low levels of serotonin may lead to heightened anxiety. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, helps regulate anxiety by reducing neural activity. Reduced GABA levels or impaired GABA functioning may contribute to anxiety disorders.

The HPA Axis (hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal) is also a key player in the body's stress response. When the brain perceives a threat, the hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which triggers the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol, a stress hormone. Chronic activation of the HPA axis and elevated cortisol levels are associated with anxiety disorders.

Anxiety and the Prefrontal Cortex carries more weight and influence than what we might realize. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), located in the frontal lobe of the brain, is involved in executive functions, decision-making, and emotion regulation. In individuals with anxiety disorders, the PFC may exhibit reduced activity and connectivity with other brain regions involved in emotional processing, leading to difficulties in regulating anxiety. You know that moment you feel anxious, and you don’t understand why? The PFC is in a state of confusion as often older traumatic explicit memories could be triggered by your environment; however, your conscious mind is

not aware of which memories. This ‘misfire’ in information processing can have a big impact in the onset of anxiety. The body and mind feel stressed, it does not know why and therefore it can exasperate feelings such as feeling unsafe in that moment.

Neuroplasticity plays a big role a well. The brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself, known as neuroplasticity, is also relevant to anxiety. Chronic anxiety can lead to changes in brain structure and function, potentially perpetuating the anxiety response. Conversely, engaging in activities that promote neuroplasticity, such as mindfulness and therapy, can reshape neural connections and alleviate anxiety symptoms.

It's important to note that anxiety is a multifaceted condition influenced by both biological and environmental factors. While neurological processes contribute to anxiety, psychosocial factors, life experiences, genetics,

and individual temperament also play significant roles in the development and manifestation of anxiety disorders. Understanding the neuroscience behind anxiety provides valuable insights into its mechanisms, but a comprehensive approach that addresses both neurological and psychological factors is necessary for effective treatment and management.

As you can see, anxiety involves a complex interplay of neural networks, neurotransmitters, and brain structures. The amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, plays a central role in anxiety. When faced with a perceived threat, the amygdala triggers a cascade of physiological and psychological responses, including increased heart rate, heightened alertness, and a sense of fear or unease. Additionally, imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) can contribute to anxiety symptoms.

By focusing on the present moment, mindfulness helps regulate the activity of the amygdala and activates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions and emotional regulation

I have made many adjustments to my life that supported me in overcoming anxiety. Practicing mindfulness and deep breathing was a big step in my healing journey. Something as simple as taking a deep breath in your mouth, hold it as long as you can and then exhale our nose can bring almost immediate relief!

Mindfulness-based techniques can effectively counteract anxiety also by redirecting attention away from distressing thoughts. By focusing on the present moment, mindfulness helps regulate the activity of the amygdala and activates the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive functions and emotional regulation. Deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, help activate the body's relaxation response, counteracting the physiological symptoms of anxiety.

I challenged negative Thoughts! Anxiety often stems from distorted or irrational thinking patterns. By identifying and challenging these negative thoughts, you can gain a more realistic perspective on your fears. Employ techniques like cognitive restructuring, where you reframe negative thoughts into more positive or neutral alternatives. This practice helps rewire neural pathways, promoting healthier thinking patterns and reducing anxiety triggers.

Engaging in regular physical exercise has a profound impact on anxiety management and it did for me as well. Exercise releases endorphins, the brain's "feel-good" chemicals, which help improve mood and reduce stress. Physical activity also promotes neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself, enhancing resilience against anxiety. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity

exercise, such as brisk walking, jogging, or yoga, several times a week.

Sleep deprivation can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and impair the brain's ability to regulate emotions. Prioritize good sleep hygiene by establishing a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing pre-bedtime routine, and maintaining a comfortable sleep environment. Limit exposure to screens before bedtime and consider relaxation techniques like meditation or reading to promote better sleep quality.

For individuals with severe or chronic anxiety, seeking professional help is vital. Mental health professionals, such as therapists or psychiatrists, can offer evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific needs. These interventions target the underlying neural processes associated with anxiety, helping you regain control over your life.

By incorporating mindfulness, challenging negative thoughts, exercising regularly, prioritizing sleep, seeking social support, and considering professional help when needed, it is possible to alleviate anxiety symptoms and cultivate a sense of well-being. Remember, managing anxiety is a journey, and with patience, perseverance, and appropriate strategies, you can regain control over your mental and emotional well-being.

In the face of anxiety, remember that you possess incredible resilience and strength within you. Each step you take to confront and manage your anxiety is a testament to your courage and determination. Embrace selfcompassion, knowing that it's okay to have moments of struggle. Believe in your ability to overcome challenges and cultivate a life filled with peace and joy.