RockIT: Recent Episodes
RockIT with Chiief
Join us for the grand finale of our 6-part podcast series with UnlimitIT hosted by John Gilbert.In this captivating episode, Dewald Du Plessis and Chris Visagie unravel the intricate journey of service management evolution, highlighting key milestones and best practices that have emerged over the years. Discover how organizations can learn from past experiences, tackle common challenges, and align their service management practices with the latest industry trends. We'll also explore emerging technologies, sustainability, and the transformative power of Ultra Learning Technology (ULT). Tune in for invaluable insights that will shape the future of service management! #ServiceManagement #ULT #PodcastFinale #ExpertInsights #DigitalTransformation
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Get ready for an enlightening journey in our latest UnlimitIT podcast episode! The 5th episode of our UnlimitIT podcast series is here, and it's a game-changer for manufacturing plants.Discover how service management can supercharge cost efficiency, tackle challenges, and align with business goals. We'll also dive into best practices, measurement techniques, emerging trends, sustainability, tech leverage, customer-centricity, and scalability in the realm of service management.This is a podcast you don't want to miss if you're in the manufacturing game! Tune in now and stay ahead in the world of cost-efficient production. #UnlimititPodcast #ManufacturingEfficiency #ServiceManagement #BusinessGoals #EmergingTrends #CustomerCentric #Sustainability
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Are you ready to take your IT Service Management to the next level? Look no further! In this thrilling video, we've got Dewald Du Plessis and Chris Visagie from UnlimitIT sharing their top five tips on Enterprise Service Management (ESM) and IT Service Management (ITSM). Dive into the world of ESM and ITSM with us as Dewald and Chris spill the beans on their invaluable insights, strategies, and best practices. Whether you're a seasoned IT professional or just getting started in the field, this video is jam-packed with golden nuggets of wisdom that you won't want to miss! UnlimitIT is at the forefront of innovation in the ITSM and ESM industry, and this video is your backstage pass to their wealth of knowledge and experience. Don't miss out on this full exciting podcast series and the opportunity to level up your ESM and ITSM game! See the full series here:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKwZ3ikwsPqGcUjOhnjKw6h-9aoY6WoG#ESM #ITSM #UnlimitIT #TechTips #Innovation #ServiceManagement
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Join us for a fascinating exploration of "The Impact of Generative AI on Service Management" with two industry visionaries, Dean Clayton, Dewald du Plessis and Chris Visagie and our host Dennis Ritter. In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the profound ways AI is reshaping service management practices on a global scale.Discover how organizations can effectively manage change, tackle key challenges, and align their service management strategies with change management goals. Get ready for a deep dive into best practices, emerging trends, and the sustainability of service management practices in the era of generative AI.If you found this episode valuable, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe to our channel for more thought-provoking content, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update!#GenerativeAI #AI #AIInnovation #ServiceManagement #ChangeManagement #Podcast
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Welcome to a special episode in the midst of our podcast series! In this 3 minute video, we're sitting down with Dewald Du Plessis and Chris Visagie from UnlimitIT to dive into the heart of emerging tech trends. From the realms of ESM and ITSM, we explore 5 transformative trends that demand your attention. The spotlight is on AI and automation, poised to revolutionize the tech landscape.
But this is just a taste of what's to come in our upcoming podcasts. We promise, you don't want to miss these insights. Stay ahead of the curve, and don't fall behind in the fast-paced world of technology. These trends are the compass guiding your journey into the digital future.
Join us as we uncover the keys to success, and make sure you're subscribed for our upcoming episodes. Your tech-savvy future self will thank you!
ESM #TopTrends #ITSM #ServiceManagement #DigitalTransformation #BusinessProcessManagement #ITOps #IncidentManagement #ProblemManagement #ChangeManagement #ServiceDesk #ITSupport #ITServiceDesk #CustomerService #ITInfrastructure #ITSMTools #ITBestPractices #ITGovernance #ServiceNow#ServiceManagementPodcast
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Our newest podcast episode has arrived!! Focusing on the transformative world of service management in universities, we dive into discussions with Dennis Ritter, Dewald du Plessis, Chris Visagie and CJ Joubert as they talk about aligning service practices with student needs, leveraging technology, and ensuring sustainability.
UnlimitIT explore the ins and outs of creating a customer-centric and scalable service environment. Watch this episode to discover the strategies that are reshaping the student experience!
ServiceManagementPodcast #EducationInnovation
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Get ready to take your service management strategies to the next level with the second installment of our exhilarating podcast series.
Tune in to our transformative episode: Uncovering the Main Business Drivers Behind ESM.
Join Dennis Ritter, Dewald du Plessis and Chris Visagie as they dive headfirst into the game-changing concepts of personalisation, integration, and automation, and how they drive efficiency and elevate the customer experience.
Are you ready to revolutionize your approach to service management? This podcast episode is just what you need!
Listen as they discuss how personalisation can elevate the customer experience in service management, gain access to proven best practices for implementing automation in service management, maximising the benefits and minimising potential challenges and so much more.
Let's embrace personalization, integration, and automation together, and unleash the full potential of your service management practices!
ESMpodcast #EnterpriseServiceManagement #ITSM #BusinessServiceManagement #DigitalTransformation #ServiceManagement #PodcastLife #BusinessProcesses #InnovationInIT #TechTalks #IndustryInsights #WorkflowOptimization #EnterpriseSolutions #ServiceExcellence
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đď¸ Step into the world of Enterprise Service Management with Podcast 1 of our 6-part series! Explore key trends shaping ESM, where service management takes center stage in enhancing customer experience, optimizing resources, leveraging data insights, and fostering innovation. đ
Join us as we delve into:
The impact of service management on your bottom line
Leveraging technology for improved service management
Overcoming challenges in service management implementation
Emerging trends in service management
The benefits of adopting a service management framework like ITILÂŽ
Ensuring long-term sustainability of service management practices
This enlightening discussion is all about #ESM - Elevating your business to new heights đĽ
Dewald Du Plessis Chris Visagie Dennis Ritter Chiief OpenText- Emerging Markets
EnterpriseServiceManagement #DigitalTransformation #ITSM #ITOps #BusinessTransformation #ServiceManagement #Automation #AIinBusiness #BusinessOptimization #BusinessEfficiency #TechInnovation #ITServiceDelivery #ITStrategy #ITGovernance #ProcessImprovement #CustomerExperience #ServiceExcellence #ITInfrastructure #ITManagement #ITSupport #ITOperations #ITIL #BusinessTechnology #WorkflowAutomation
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This is an exciting technology-driven episode of âPowering Good with Hitachi Vantaraâ. Dalin Oliver and the country manager and sales director at Hitachi Vantara, Dennis Naidoo chat about technological progress and its influence on society throughout the years. Â
This episode forms part of a six-part podcast series, in the past three episodes of âPowering Good with Hitachi Vantaraâ, we discussed some of the megatrends affecting our environment.
This episode focuses on the evolution of technology, we cannot deny that technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, impacting every aspect from communication to healthcare, transportation, education, etc. The importance of technology cannot be overstated, as it has revolutionized the way we live, work, and interact with one another.
The duo looks at how far we've come with technology from personal computers to the first Internet browser, GPS positioning, and many more advances.
We would like to hear your thoughts on this episode, please leave a comment, like and share.
RockIT #Podcast #technology #innovation #HitachiVantara #AI#ChatGPT #GPS #Robotics
Enjoy!
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Continue powering good with Hitachi Vantara
We can only achieve a better future if all of us live sustainably. Some of the major challenges that the world is faced with today would have been delayed or avoided altogether if everyone made it their business to sustain the environment we live in for a better future. Natural resources are essential to human business, activities, and survival. A lack of sustainability can lead to natural resource exhaustion.
Every individual has a responsibility to ensure that future generations find this planet in better shape than it is today.
In the past two episodes of âPowering Good with Hitachi Vantaraâ, we discussed some of the megatrends affecting our environment. In this third episode of the six-part podcast series, we are discussing rapid urbanisation as a megatrend. Dalin Oliver continues this important chat with the country manager and sales director at Hitachi Vantara, Dennis Naidoo.
The duo highlights how rapid urbanisation is impacting the environment as a result of overcrowding. According to Dennis, 63% of people in South Africa live in urban areas and it is predicted that by 2030 it will be around 71% while in 2050, 8 in 10 people will be living in urban areas. Dennis said this will increase demand for basic infrastructure requirements.
As a result, they called upon each one of us as well as both the public and private sectors to get involved.
We would like to hear your thoughts on this episode, please leave a comment, like and share.
RockIT #Podcast #Sustainability #environment #megatrends #rapidurbanization #HitachiVantara #population
Enjoy!
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Powering Good with Hitachi Vantara | Podcast 2 | Sustainability
We all have a role to play in sustaining the planet and making it a better place for everyone and everything that lives in it. As we become more environmentally conscious and find ways to reduce our impact upon the planet and community, our lives are improved, our ecosystems are protected, and natural resources are preserved for future generations. In this second episode of the six-part series: âPowering Good with Hitachi Vantaraâ, Dalin Oliver chats to the country manager and sales director at Hitachi Vantara, Dennis Naidoo about human, social, economic and environmental sustainability and more. Dennis emphasizes the need for behavioural change to improve society and addresses the crisis that we are currently experiencing. The duo discuss how everyone can play a role in fixing the planet.
This episode is filled with some motivation to do better for a better tomorrow. Hitachi Vantaraâs mission is to âcontribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products.â
If you're passionate about sustainability, you won't want to miss this episode. We would like to hear what you think about this episode, please leave a comment, like, share and subscribe. Hope you enjoy it!
sustainability #environment #hitachi
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We have switched things up in this episode of RockIT Podcast with Chiief. It's the festive season after all and anything is possible!!! Â
Daniel Robus is not the one conducting the interview in this special episode but he is being interviewed by the enthusiastic Keri Morrison. Daniel needs no introduction as he has been hosting RockIT Podcast from the day it was launched in February this year. Daniel is the owner of Life Rocks Consulting (Pty) Ltd and RockIT podcast host. He is an avid sportsman, surfer, hiker and traveler an adventurer. He encourages people to travel and see what the world has to offer. Â Â
This episode will give you a glimpse into Daniel's life as well as his experience as the host extraordinaire of RockIT Podcast from Chiief. Daniel has had the opportunity of interviewing game-changers representing various sectors. He shares with Keri his favourite episode. Listening to the duo walk down memory lane is an amazing experience. In addition to being witty, Daniel is energetic, full of life, and possesses a go-getter attitude. Â Â
It is clear from this episode that Daniel is a people's person. Â This episode is packed with information sharing from books to podcasts as well as some interesting life lessons! Â
Enjoy. Â
memories #recap #podcast
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When I was tagged on a FB post introducing the Character Company I was blown away. To see men teaching boys how to be men of depth, with love and understanding really spoke to me.
You see, I was brought up in what is commonly termed a âbroken home.â It was more than that, it was a place where men left and woman held it together. Where the majority of examples of men were heavy drinkers, hard hitters who never cried.
It was not exactly the type of man that I wanted to form me as a man. Then I went to Jacoâs website and Wow. Wow Wow!
The episode does not hold back â challenging men to step up and play a role in saving a generation from its self. The Character Company offers a long term mentorship program to turn young boys into men of character. Why is it so important? "Well, if you want to make a difference and slow down GBV, corruption, racism, drug use, abuse and crime you need to show boys there is another wayâ says Jaco.
This issue of fatherless homes was not created overnight and therefore the solution is not possible overnight. This volunteer program of mentorship involves 3-hrs a week for long term mentorship â and there are 55 men who are all deeply committed and involved today. Wow, 660 hours a month focused on building up boys.
As for men who have grown up fatherless, the Character Company hosts âfireside conversationsâ which is an opportunity for adult men to dive into these issues and work through them without judgement and being brave enough to be vulnerable.
âThe question is not should you get involved, but how,â says Jaco. âWe need mentors but we also need financial support â even R99.00 per month would make a difference in our lives.â
We hope you enjoy this episode.
mentor #makeadifference #men
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Change Maven - Impact Driver - Culture Chemist - Transformation Trooper - Organisation Whisperer - Complexity Slayer - Value Wrangler - Engagement Engineer Â
When I did a stint at the Big Corporate it was easy to feel that I was part of a machine that took people in and spat them out, the endless treadmill looking for every drop of sweat in exchange for great opportunities and a Big Badge of reputation. Then I met this glowing light of positive energy, of change and human-ness. Themba. He showed me that in every organisation â regardless of size â there is a space for Human-ness. So I thought it would be great to interview Themba and re-fill my cup of enthusiasm. Â
Themba did not disappoint. His leadership style is hands-on and he shares his strategies as well as tips on creating an engaged culture. His view is that Human Resources is a critical part of a company and a âdo withâ function, rather than a âdo forâ part of the company. Â Â
Themba drops some good books to read, however he says that rather being plugged in to the environment is far more rewarding and gives value on the day-to-day. Â Â
As to why Themba stays in SA rather than moving north, Themba was quite clear; We can make an impact and do more right here, the opportunities are endless. Â
Enjoy! Â
positivevibes #hr #leadership
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Renier Lombard â MD of Flance Directive Creators
I wrote my thesis on the impact of a persons reputation in the award of a complex IT Sale. The result was a landslide âyes, reputation makes a differenceâŚâ but less than 10% of folk I interviewed were actively working on their reputation or building their personal brand. Ok, that was a long time ago but when I came across Renier's profile I though we should have a chat.
And Renier showed me quickly why this is his space. He is in love with the power of tech. âDonât skimp on technology as it allows you to automate in every areaâ says Renier as he dived into the tools which makes his agency work on a global scale. One that stood out for me was KRISP â a free, noise cancelling software that is amazing!
The discussion then went into how clients are engaging with the Flance team, where there is opportunity to improve and how LinkedIn is the best resource people are not using. âRemember, your first 100 posts will be horrible, but its about creating consistencyâ says Renier on how to unlock the power of a global social platform.
His 3 big tips are:
- Have a good looking profile, which is way more than a CV.
- Connect and engage on the platform to create meaningful connections.
- Move as many of these to off line relationships, either in person or on calls.
This episode is packed with good tips and tools, from books to podcasts, to improve your online impact.
Enjoy.
technology #connect #tips
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Many of us know Mr. Geerdts as âArnie.â Whether its on TV, as an MC or at races as a fellow competitor. In todays episode we took a run down memory lane as well as looked to into the future with this awesome individual.Â
In the interview Arnie talks easily about his career, mistakes made and highlights enjoyed. Â
The central theme is one of constant openness in order to learn and grow.  As a media figure Arnieâs work life has been rewarding but is often uncertain and his advice for young people speaks of hard knocks. His faith shines through and with his positive demeanor its easy to imagine him as a great in person facilitator.   When asked which two individuals he would like to interview, his answer was really interesting. The first guest would have been Madiba and the secondâŚa surprise.Â
As a point of advice for young athletes, Arnie suggests that whilst they are still earning good money they should invest in themselves (public speaking lessons), learn how to transfer knowledge into the workplace and learn to save money early.Â
This interview was a pleasure to do and I hope you enjoy it. As Arnie wrapped it up with a quote from Simon Sinek â âDonât show up to prove, show up to improve.âÂ
running #athlete #inspiration
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Dalin Oliver is joined by Dennis Naidoo, country manager and sales director at Hitachi Vantara.
Dennis Naidoo is passionate about sustainability and making the world a better place by combining data, technology, and people. Dennis is an experienced leader who speaks with so much passion and advocates for behavioural change so that we can change the planet together. Having a positive influence on the environment is his wish for everyone.
It is an insightful episode that covers all aspects of sustainability and megatrends and how they impact societies around the globe. Â Megatrends have been and continue to have an impact on our daily lives.
In summary, this episode focuses on the drive and passion to make a difference.
Please remember to subscribe and leave a comment. All suggestions are welcome. Enjoy!
sustainabiity #megatrends #hitachi
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Richard Mulholland â Meanderings of a Meaningful Nature
He has spoken in over 30 countries on six continents and continues to wow audiences with his style, his unapologetic war against boring presentations and his love of sales.
He coaches speakers, wins pitches and plays at work. Through honing his craft for the past 25 years, Richard has gone on to win awards and write books. The man has cred, style and knows his spaceâŚ..and I got him!
Wow. I have been so excited for this interview that I have been counting the days. As someone who loves being on stage and presenting this is like meeting a rock star. HERE BE DRAGONS IS AMAZING!!!
The discussion goes to many places but at the core is how to be more effective at what we do. Always be solving a High Order Problem is one of Richards mantras.
If you are based in South Africa or have worked here for any length of time you would know about Missing Link, an organisation that focuses on perfecting the pitch or presentation. Richard says that if the level of presentation was equated to swimming, many people would drown. I agree with him totally.
This episode is filled with practical tips on being better, loads of podcasts and books to listen to as well as a fascinating dive into one of the leaders in our industry.
Richard is open about his failures and weaknesses but clearly he has a way to overcome them as his company is not only still going, but expanding internationally at a rate.
This podcast is like downing an energy drink and 3 cups of coffee â LOTS going on. Enjoy.
presentation #tips #growth
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In my real life I spend a significant part of my day talking about Digital Transformation and the impact on the customer journey. At the heart of these big changes are technical solutions which help â or hinder â the process. The driving force behind these projects are often seldom seen resources known as Architects. System, process or application architects are a key ingredient to successful projects. But what makes up a good IT architect? Well, todays episode we spend time with one of these cool people when we interview Peter Robb. Â
Media Innovator, technologist and digital architect. The "geek in a hoodie with a seat at the boardroom table" is how Peterâs website describes him. Â Â
Peter is well spoken, knowledgeable and considerate, speaking to the heart of the challenge facing customers today â how to better manage and mature architects. Â Â
This episode is a great dive into our world from behind the doors of the teach team. Â Â
Please remember to share comments or criticisms on how we can improve. If you have any suggestions on guests you would like us to interview please send them through.Â
#architect #digital #innovation
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As I sat at my desk preparing for this episode I was transported to far away places and tough conditions where I would so rather have been. Todays guest is an adventurer, traveller brand ambassador, speaker and more. Â
Gaven gives you the sense that âanyone can do this, but itâs a choice.â I am not sure I agree that anyone can jump on a bike and ride from Cape Town to Cairo, but it certainly gets the heart beating. Â Â
Todays episode is for the dreamers, the ones who want to find more and meet someone who has done it. Â Â Gaven is not the conventional type of guest, he is easy to speak to, he doesnât use fancy words or theoretical ideas. He is a more practical, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of chap. Â
âEvery day is a perfect dayâ sums up my time with Gaven. Â
Enjoy the episode and donât forget to share, subscribe and add comments. Â
adventure #travel #dream
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When you are interviewing a person who impacts the world, it can go only one way and that is AWESOME! In this episode I was blown away by new thinking on a large scale. Â Â
This episode is for anyone who is considering their place in the world, how they can make changes or why they should invest in their lives right now. Â Â
York Zucchi is a business leader, a dreamer and a doer. He has made a success of many businesses and failed at a few. His lessons come through in his humanity. His ability to execute and get things done is admirable and is showing in the results, with his companies being represented in over 20 countries in Africa⌠Â
Enjoy the conversation. I hope it helps you to move forward in your life. Â
Remember to leave a comment or criticism so we can always improve. Â
entrepreneur #business #leadership
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When I hear âEquality, Diversity and Inclusionâ my immediate reaction is a defensive pose wondering what Iâve done wrong. I was so sick of this defensive reaction that I wanted to start a journey of learning but did not know how to start, so we looked for an expert to help me on my way. Â
In this episode we meet Dominic Gaobepe, MD of Cohesion Collective, (or Coco for short) specialising in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training, Assessment and Advisory. Â
Dominic is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur who specialises in change â in people, in teams and in companies. Â Â
This discussion meanders down many roads, some which made me uncomfortable, but Dominicâs gentle way of guiding me left me feeling energised for where we are and where we can go in our country and world.Â
âHumans are always themselves, even at workâŚâ says Dominic, and we need to embrace that. Â
Enjoy the discussion and remember to leave a comment or suggest other shows you would like to hear. Â
inclusion #diversity #equality
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Being a father of 2 children this topic is close to my heart â Education. Â Â
Education has changed in so many ways but fundamentally itâs the same. We want out children ready to enter the world with the right tools, the right emotional foundation and the right mindset to be positive humans. Â Â
When I read an article about a school challenging the norm I had to get some time with them. Wow! Centennial schools founder and principle Shaun Fuchs did not fail to deliver. Â
How about a school with its core focus on preparing learners to exit their doors ready to join the workforce. Teaching learners how to find information and then apply logic and a rigorous evaluation to triangulate the truth. Exposing learners to facilitators who are enabled to create learning spaces that are dynamic and encouraging creativity whilst focusing on the building blocks of education. Â
With a strong bent towards technology, I was concerned about the basics such as sport, arts and drama. He tackles this head onâŚ. Â
Enjoy the episode and remember to leave a comment on how we can improve. Â Â Â Â Â
learning #school #education
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Season 3 of the RockIT Podcast with Chiief has wrapped up, and what a season it has been! Â
As always, this season we brought you inspiring guests from all walks of life. True thought leaders making a huge impact in various sectors. We spoke about investing, social media presence, and community service. We were inspired and reminded of exactly what it is to be a true leader. Â Â
Leaders, leading from a place of influence and not authority, making a positive impact not only in the business sectors but the world at large. Â
As we enter our 4th Season, we can assure you more exciting conversations and thought-provoking guests sure to entertain and educate. Â
leadership #inspiration #business
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Warrior Ric â Where my Warriors at?Â
Getting ready for this interview I felt that I knew Ric before I met him â a chap who had the world at his feet and then ended up in South Africa. Must have been a first world failure trying to take advantage of his accent in Africa. Â Â
How wrong was I? Wow. This episode is like diving into a deep pool of joy and positivity. A lesson on how to take control of your life and a reminder of the power we all have access to within our own selves. Â Â
âYou have to call it as you want it and we are blessed to be in South Africa because of all the change we can make.â Says Ric â his belief and energy overbounds. Â This episode is for anyone who needs a reminder of their own power. Â
Remember to leave a comment and subscribe to our channel! Â
warriors #motivation #positivity
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I have been watching Kerry grow her career over the past few years. From her posts on LinkedIn she has shown a quick wit and a clear mind on what is important, as well as where she wants to be in the world.
Why is she important as a guest? Well, apart from being a communications honors student, Kerry also has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and was told she would not see past her 5th birthday. Well, at 23 I think we know who won that bet.
This episode is a quick look into a world where many of us are not comfortable to enter. A world where parking is a challenge, holiday destinations are decided because of the access and the realities of a COVID world are more scary than most.
Kerry has an easy way of talking about difficult subjects, and is open to chat. Her access to the working world is made significantly easier by technology such as Dragon Speak, which allows her to keep up with mail through dictation.
When asked how we can make the world better for people with disabilities, Kerryâs Mic Drop Moment was great. âAsk the person and let them speak. Give them the dignity of trying and donât simply do it for them.â
With Kerry's work in corporate as well as her NGO work with Arms of Mercy and Rare Diseases SA, Kerry has a full plate.
Enjoy the discussion and remember to leave your comments.
inspiration #opportunity #change
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Mary Mlambo and Lungelo Youth Development Organisation
What do you get when you have a driven woman who sees a glaring problem and a huge gap not being filled in a meaningful way? Well, thatâs what we are going to find out about today.
This episode takes us to rural Natal, outside of Richards Bay, and we are joined by founder and director of Lungelo Youth Development Organisation, Mary Mlambo.
Mary has a long list of achievements and has become an well known figure in the area.
⢠"2014 Inspirational woman of the yearââ awarded by a Kwa Zulu Natal Based Born Brave Foundation.
⢠2017 Finalist in the social category Regional Business Achievers Awards from Business Woman Association.
⢠2017 Merit Award for âService above selfâ from Rotary Club of Richards Bay
⢠Senior Expert Services Representative South Africa
This episode is encapsulated by love. The LYDO is doing great work and, perhaps, by listening you might find a space to help. Mary says âdonât simply give money to donate, invest in a life.â
There is a real challenge here to corporate folks â come and get involved.
At the time of recording this episode the connectivity was poor âDaniel, we donât have connectivity apart from mobile data and even that is only for a small space.â Enjoy learning about a new place. If you have any comments or questions please reach out and we will get you in touch with Mary and the team.
Remember to let us know any topics you would like to hear on the podcast.
helpingothers #love #youth
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Perhaps DIY Wealth Management is a possibility for us all.
Ross Larter and Sure Trading Â
Todays episode is one which may change lives. Financial independence is achievable however it takes work, dedication and a sound view that it's an investment into the future, not a quick fix. Â
Ross Larter, the founder and head of Sure Trading has a great website which talks of investment trading as if anyone can do it. I loved this discussion as trading has been as scary for me as heights or spiders are scary for some people. Â Â Â
Ross is a teacher, trainer, author and successful business owner. His words are worth listening to. Â
In this episode Ross takes us on a journey from being uninformed to creating a community of active traders all owning their future. âTrading is not a quick fix for wealth creation and you need to take a long term view. 3-5 years before you begin to make money is what I would suggest is the commitment you needâ says Ross. But he speaks of how to do this in a safe, managed way.Â
I learnt so much from this episode and am going to buy his book â âHow to Make Money on the Stock Exchangeâ now! Â
Enjoy and donât forget to leave a comment. Â
trading #investment #learning
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Madelein Hendricks â Many Jobs Make Light Work Â
This episode is packed with information on how to get things done. Â It's sometimes challenging interviewing guests like Madelein as there are people who seem to churn through work, to produce results and leave you feeling breathless from their output. Madelein is one of those guests. Â
She is a recruitment specialist, a headhunter, a brand influencer, a TV Personality, a serial entrepreneur, podcaster, marketing specialist and an MC/Speaker/facilitator. This episode is for anyone who doubts that social media is a tool to use to improve their reputation and set up their next career move. Itâs foundational according to Madelein. Â Â
âLiving life in full colour!â is her motto and she does that. With the challenge of learning one new skill per month, Madelein says that âwhat we lack in knowledge we can gain in skills.â And she makes it sound achievable, if not easy, with her determined path of making things happen. Â
This episode is packed with practical tips on improving your career, life and online presence. Â Enjoy and donât forget to comment. Â Â
socialmedia #challenge #tips
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I love sports, especially when things get hard. I get to see amazing places, meet wonderful people and push myself beyond many folk think is normal. Â Usually I participate in organised events â easier to stay alive and its a lot of fun mingling with other crazy people. Â
Today we meet Sean Sandiford who dreams up ways to get people to do extraordinary things, such as the toughest triathlon in South Africa, or run around the streets of Sandton in the middle of the night. Â Â
This episode, which I thought would be a journey into event organisation, turned into a practical business chat about mistakes made, dreams realised and the power of perseverance. Â
âFind your limit and let someone else push you past it.â â Sean Sandifordâs life motto. Â Â
People are looking for ways to get out and have fun together, Sean makes it possible. Â
Enjoy this episode and donât forget to comment. Â Â Â
event #fun #perseverance
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Sibusiso Walter Mhlango â On returning to SA and other interesting journeys Â
An IT leader who has worked all over South Africa, Africa and the world. Sibusiso may have the biggest smile ever to feature on this show. Â From the foothills of the Drakensberg mountains to the paved roads of Paris, Sibusiso shares his journey of hard work, travel and taking opportunities which leads to the man he is today. Â
His view on Bantu education is one of the hardest evils to break as it has âeducated us to take instruction, not to think and innovateâ as well as his views on potential areas for growth in South Africa and what young people should be focused on is clear. Education plus work is the recipe for success. There is no short cut. Â Â Â
There are funny moments from a world often forgotten but Sibusiso brings it back into focus in a gentle, positive way. The impact of coaches, mentors and a support system are clear. They work and they provide a glimpse of what could be. The rest is up to the personâŚ. Â
I hope you enjoy this episode. Please leave a comment or suggestion for other topics you would like to hear about. Â
proudlysouthafrican #education #hardwork
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Devin Shutte - Why investing is not easy?
Speakers
Devin Shutte, Unapologetic OptimistâŚ.
Portfolio manager and market commentator â Head of Investments for the Robert Group currently and a person with a list of achievements a mile long.
Having Devin as a guest is like drinking from a fountain of positivity. His ability to see through the noise is clear and Devin simplifies complex ideas that we can all understand.
Clearly Devin has a wide range of interests and that is reflected in his inputs from podcasts, Twitter, books and TV. Devon shares easily and his clarity of thought makes it an interesting discussion.
âThe mystery of investing can be hidden behind complex layers however I believe itâs more of a soft skill than a hard science.â
I hope you enjoy this episode. Please leave a comment or suggestion for other topics you would like to hear about.
investing #optimist #opportunity
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The internet is now an integral part of almost every business. Having undisrupted, fast and secure connectivity plays a critical role in the success of a business in today's digital world. Connectivity allows people to do their jobs much quicker and smoother. Good connectivity also improves your company's performance and speeds up the business processes. For a business to thrive, business owners should invest in high performance and reliable connectivity without breaking the bank or compromising on security. Businesses are faced with a lot of challenges daily and worrying about internet connection, security threats and how to protect your customerâs data should not be part of these challenges.
It is every business's dream to be operational 24/7 with little or no downtime. Therefore, it is essential to choose a service provider who is able to deploy and remotely manage your connectivity. In an era where most businesses are migrating to the cloud, imagine having a cloud-based smart WiFi offering real-time alerts for network problems and providing real-time remote troubleshooting and remediation. Research has shown that over 90% of businesses have moved to the cloud, as computing in the cloud continues to be a primary factor in business growth, so having a reliable and high-performing connection is crucial for your business to stay competitive.
Listen to this Logicalis and Cisco Meraki webinar to find out how connectivity can help you drive operational excellence with less downtime at a lower cost. These are some of the questions that are answered:
⢠Whatâs the fastest way to add bandwidth to my business internet and can intensive users be throttled?
⢠What method is used to determine whether an organization needs symmetric or asymmetric speeds?
⢠What is the difference between WAN and SD-WAN?
⢠Is SD-WAN encrypted?
⢠With technology evolving daily, how does a business choose the best and most reliable connectivity to accommodate both short-term needs and long-term goals?
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We would like to announce that season 2 of the RockIT Podcast with Chiief has come to an end. We have had a great season with so many interesting and insightful episodes.
Our promise is that season 3 will be just as exciting, interesting, and knowledge-packed as the first two. Thanks again to all of our loyal subscribers who continue to engage with us.
You can still catch up on our season 2 episodes on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOgDWcnMRsutt-SDoIYsh1Q Â
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JdwjyHyAlARBrJvc6ijIh Â
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rockit/id1606631516 Â
Please do like, share and comment. Â Season 3 will begin soon, so keep an eye out! Â Â Â
We are looking forward to your comments, feedback, and ideas to make this show a success.
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Digital transformation has been an objective in the back of mind for many organisations, but in recent years it has been thrust front and centre in terms of priorities.
The chaos of the past two years has made sure of this and any organisation that is not well on its way to enabling digital transformation or at the very least planning to adopt it shortly, runs a serious risk of being left behind by competitors.
While most organisations are happy with their legacy systems as a result of familiarity, the decision to not investigate up-to-date or next-gen technologies will prove a costly one.
It is why those companies open and willing to embrace open-source technologies stand a better chance of delivering digital transformation objectives than those that are stuck in a state of hesitancy.
Embracing the new to power the performance of your platform was a key topic of discussion during a recent webinar involving executives from Datacentrix, IBM and SUSE.
During the informative session, insights were shared, advice given freely and the best way forward was unpacked. Here is why all three organisations believe enabling digital transformation starts with embracing open-source technologies.
The constant state of flux
The rate of change when it comes to new technologies can prove daunting to many, especially when it comes down to what to spend money on and where to prioritise focus.
This is an issue that Graeme Dendy, Operations and Systems Z brand manager at Datacentrix, is acutely aware of and points out at the beginning of the session.
âOur customers are seeing on a daily basis, from a processes perspective, a lot of work on infrastructure optimisation, implementation projects, as well as some customisation of consolidation on operating systems. This leads to improved management of those platforms,â he explained.
When speaking about the technology layer of an organisation, Dendy also refutes the notion that a piece of tin is simply a piece of tin regardless of what name or brand is on it. The key differentiator in his view between the myriad options out there is the competitive advantage that can be delivered.
âTechnology helps when it comes to speed to market. It gives clients, or rather our clients, a competitive edge when they need it and it also has the capability to bring new routes and ideas to market,â he highlighted.
âThese technology changes quite simply speed up your performance,â emphasised Dendy.
In order to deliver said speed, Datacentrix has deepened its partnership with IBM and leveraged Linux-based and open-source technologies significantly in recent years. It is part of the reason why Quintin Brussow, Solutions Specialist, recently joined the team at Datacentrix.
âMy role within the company is to go to our business partners and find the value for them out of these Linux platforms,â he noted.
âPeople are definitely looking at the technology stacks and outside of a competitive edge, they need their technology to give them results quickly. It is important for them to make decisions as quickly as possible from data that has been analysed. This is the only way to propel business in the way you want it to be propelled,â he asserted.
The power of open-source
The embracing of open-source is said to be growing significantly, according to Magnus Källkvist, Sales director for the SUSE-IBM Alliance, who says that, âOpen-source and IBM are a very good fit.â
âIf I look at the Power machine and your business wants to scale out or have the most powerful server configured for environments like SAP HANA, Linux is a perfect fit for it,â he enthused.
With established and trusted organisations like Datacentrix, IBM and SUSE all acknowledging and leveraging the capabilities of up-to-date technologies like Linux and open-source, the time to embrace is now.
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âIt's harder to take a business from zero to $1million than from $1million to $100million.â Clive Butkow, CEO of Kalon Venture Partners joins us in todays' podcast to discuss how to get your business on the path to super sizing. Â
Iâve always been fascinated by the world of venture capitalists â these investors who scour the market looking for good ideas to make into great companies. Imagine my excitement when Clive agreed to be on the podcast.Â
His open style and depth of experience ensure an engaging discussion which goes from Cliveâs own career learning into practical tips for ensuring your business can stand the test of time. âBe a Type-T entrepreneur,â âStreet smarts is better than school smarts,â and âClimb under the wings of those giants who went before.â are some of the tips that were dropped in this episode. Â
As a business owner myself, todays episode was a deep dive into reminders that, as an entrepreneur, business is always open and customers need to be helped or they will go somewhere else. Â
âFish in a small pond where you can catch 10 fish, not in the ocean where you may catch none.â Â Â
Please remember to like and comment. Â Â
entrepreneur #business #investing
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Race to Rugby World cup⌠and so much more! Â
My dream of playing flank forward for South Africa may have gone but but my love of rugby is still very much there. Anything to do with the game is going to get my heart beating. So imagine my excitement at interviewing Adam Nunn, who is part of a team cycling from Tokyo to Auckland for the opening game of the world cup in Auckland.Â
Then we began to talk and Adam soon elevated the discussion from an epic adventure into a life changing journey. Adam speaks of the pressure of youth, the dangers of conformity and the joy of freedom. He takes us through his decision making toolset which highlights how and where his journey changed and the impact of mental health awareness on getting him out of a life that looked great from the outside, whilst inside he was slowly crumbling. Â
This episode is filled with insight, humor, wisdom and tips.
To follow Adams journey go to:
https://www.racetorugbyworldcup.com/Â
Please remember to like and comment.
rugby #worldcup #race
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Welcome to Avon Middleton â Entrepreneur, marketer, businessman and TopGear South Africa license holder and founder of Clipping Point Media. Â
Anyone who knows me even a little understands that the âNeed for Speedâ and âpetrol headâ are not labels that I hold. I'm more of an âaaahhh slow downâ and a âlet's run in the mountains where there are no vehicles.â Â Â
So today is a real drive down a road seldom traveled for me! Â
Avon, not a newcomer to the world of marketing and agency life is infused with enthusiasm and positivity. Â Â
Avonâs passion for South Africa, youth and transformation comes out in this episode which is packed with tips for starting a business, stories about making mistakes and ideas on where to learn more about this exciting industry. Â
âSmall companies can be bullied by big ones, so manage your cash, be bullish about payment terms and start doing business. Nobody can use you (your service) if they cant use you (your service)â Â
This episode also touches on Avon's best and worst cars to drive! Â
Please remember to like and comment. Â Â
racing #topgear #transformation
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The world is filled with gifted, talented people who simply never achieve their potential. Today's guest has the gift of spotting talent and nurturing it to levels few believed they could reach before. Â Â
Our RockIT guest today is Daphna Horowitz, South African-born global businesswoman. Speaker, coach, author, podcaster and actuary (just to round it off) as well as a wife, mother and dedicated friend. Â Â
Today's episode dived into both her world in many ways. Daphna's journey to success, her opinions on leadership and tips for starting a successful online business. Â Â
When asked what advice would Daphna share with managers she was quick to say âFind your zone of genius and work at that. Know yourself and your core values.â This allows you to know yourself and quickly see if you are in the right place. Â Â Â
This interactive, fun episode was a joy to record. Â
Remember to leave comments and suggestions. Â Â
businesswoman #ceo #coaching
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Technology is evolving at a fast pace and people are always keen to explore and experiment with new technologies. Ten years ago, no one would have thought that one-day people will host meetings online. Even before Covid-19 virtual meetings were not that popular, but they were on-demand when the pandemic hit. Nearly every business now holds virtual meetings. Â Â Â
In today's episode of RockIT podcast with Chiief, hosted by our inquisitive host Daniel Robus, the founder of VENEW Marek Swierad and designer Georg Brennwald talks about all things 3D, virtual spaces and virtual worlds. VENEW is the home of immersive 3D online events. Both Marek and Georg speak with so much knowledge and passion, you do not want to miss this fascinating episode. Â Â
virtualmeetings #technology #metaverse
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Chris Williamson, MD at Vodacom MPESA, Chair at Loowatt, and an alumni of GREAT institutes of learning. Â Â Â
With the rate of middle to senior management leaving Africa's shores it is wonderful for me to meet leaders who have traveled here to lead, learn and live. Â Â Chris is an interesting, passionate individual who gives freely and is knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics. Â Â Â
He has spent the past 8 years building MPESA from an edge company into a force within the Vodacom stable, bringing in 20% of revenue outside of South Africa. Â Â Â
The episode varies between a technology vision discussion to a practical business management âhow toâ guide and a reminder of the amazing opportunities that exist on the African continent. Â Â Â
Chrisâs father said âfind a job you could do for freeâ and it certainly seems like that is where Chris is in his life. This episode is for anyone who wants to learn what business is like in Africa, how to be a servant leader and why chasing your dreams is so important. Â Â
Enjoy. Â
telecom #africa #MPESA
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Today's episode dives into leadership, hard work and long hours. What does it take to dedicate one's self to improving a country. And passion. Passion for SA, passion for cyber security and a passion for doing good. Â Â
Advocate Lufuno Thikalange Khorommbi, a specialist in Data privacy, and Cyber Security Governance, a servant of South Africa and now a member of the Critical Infrastructure Council is a pleasure to have as a guest. Â
Lufuno is on a mission to educate everyone on Cyber Security and IP law so that people are afforded their rights and know what they have before signing it away due to a lack of knowledge. Â Â
From her humble beginnings in Venda to being on one of the most important councils in South Africa, this episode is one of hope, joy and hard work. Lufuno says âchange must start with us, we need to get out of a consumption mode and move into a production one.â Â Â
Enjoy this episode and remember to leave a comment. Â
CyberSecurity #CyberLaw #PoPIA #DataPrivacy #Governance
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JP Lubbe, principal of Heronbridge Preparatory, a Curro school and Ryan Haigh, principal of Crawford Preparatory Sandton.
No one doubts that Education provides an unfair advantage in a connected world. There are studies that show how quality education is a key differentiator in paving the path to success. We are often called to the importance of foundational teaching, being the building blocks of life, we see many programs where people are helping high school learners get ready for their working lives but what happens to the middle years.
South Africa has nearly 26 000 schools of which nearly 2000 are independent schools providing education to a number of learners.
In today's episode, the discussion varies between topics as diverse as what is the role of education today to what it takes to be a teacher and why. Both Ryan and JP touch on the role of technology in the lives of their learners, teachers and the parents, how COVID has impacted learners and the weight of responsibility felt by teachers.
In summary, this episode is for anyone who is interested in getting an inside view of an industry which is exploding with potential.
âWhy get into teaching?â asks JP, âWell, if you want to leave a legacy, make an imprint on thousands of lives and forge new leaders, teaching is for youâŚâ
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Let's change the WorldâŚbecause we can
Traffickers are exploiting 25 million people annually (which is the equivalent of the entire population of Australia). These individuals are being used for the profit of their captors.
As a business, this is thriving. With over $150 Billion in profit a year it is no small wonder people are involved at all levels of society. Greed fuels this fire and the blaze is being seen from the heavens.
The numbers are staggering. The victims seem to come from middle to lower-income brackets, broken homes and people who have suffered abuse and exploitation. Is that correct?
So what is being done about it? Well, lots actually.
In today's emotional episode we meet Liz (whoâs identity is hidden) an operative in South Africa who is actively working to stem the flow of human trafficking and Justin who is one of many sponsors paying to allow Liz to do her work.
Liz is working for Unchain Our Children, an NGO based in South Africa, dedicated to fighting this unseen war. As Justin says âitâs a war going on that no one is talking about.â
The conversation talks about how technology, people and the promise of a brighter future for these vulnerable people. It takes a village to save a child and we are all part of the potential solution.
Please remember to comment, like and share this really important episode.
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Kim Van Kets, BA LLB, mother, wife, lawyer, speaker, consultant, trail runner, adventurer and overall too much energy for one person, person.
In today's episode, we go on a journey of hope, empowerment and the absence of excuses. Kim is a person who challenges thought in a quietly determined way. Her insights are deep and her mantra clear â âHope is a doing word. It is not passive and it means you need to get involved.â
Kim joins us from the Eastern Cape of South Africa and clearly has a passion for her part of the country. Her digital detox comes through exploring an undeveloped countryside as well as reading copious amounts of books â of which she shares some with us.
Her challenge to us as the audience is to be mindful of our own privilege, and do what we can, where we are and with what we have.
There are many powerful challenges in this episode. Enjoy and remember to link up with Kim on her website www.kimvankets.com
Donât forget to subscribe and like our RockIT with Chiief podcast. Any suggestions, comments or complaints are appreciated.
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Getting the right skilled personnel who can adjust to change is every company's end goal. Technology evolves daily and drives transformation in the workplace. Â Digital transformation requires companies to make a digital shift in their HR functions and this changes how businesses conduct their day-to-day business.Â
To stay operational, businesses should rapidly adjust and keep up with the pace by staying abreast of the latest HR trends. The latest example is the shift made by the Coronavirus in workplaces globally. As much as Covid-19 was a global pandemic, African companies also had to make some huge changes in their HR functions.Â
Change is here to stay therefore, organizations should adopt in order to optimize their processes and make the HR function more efficient. In this Executive Forum industry experts representing East and West Africa will give insights into the "Africa Employee Experience". Â
We would be delighted if you would join us for this insightful discussion.
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Bringing HR into focus across Africa as a means for attracting, developing and retaining top talent. With the continent open for business, skilled people could be the differentiator for the winning companies
Africa is a continent filled with possibilities and as Flora Kang'ethe Director - Applications Cloud Business, Kenya says âWhere can you build a road in Europe, they are all builtâ in Africa, there is significant space waiting to be built on.
The discussion on people and how to better your management effectiveness is always a good one to have, but when it is coupled with automation, analytics and brilliant technology the discussion is even better. Ronnie Toerien - HCM Sales Development & Strategy Leader â Africa and Oludare Ogunlade - Regional Sales Director West Africa have many years of experience in this area and are quick to comment on how and where benefits can be expected.
Enjoy getting to know the people behind the Oracle brand and see their opinions on what challenges are being faced by managers across our continent.
Please remember to like and comment.
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Any enterprise can fall victim to cyber-attacks, it is, therefore, essential to consider hypothetical attacks and always have a plan in action. Â
Cyber-attacks are inevitable and can happen from outside or from within the organization. Adopting the Zero Trust approach can save your enterprise from a breach as all users and devices are treated as potential threats until identified and verified.Â
Enterprises can use the PAM security solution as a proactive and a defensive mode towards Zero Trust. PAM minimizes the potential of a breach and also helps limit the scope of breach should it happen. Users and devices are only given the necessary levels of access to perform their duties. When it comes to identification, enterprises often prioritize IAM and overlook PAM which is equally important in that matter.Â
Ethical hackers can also help organizations prevent the exploitation and vulnerabilities of their systemâs data.Â
Sikhululwe Khashane who is an ethical hacker will be the guest speaker, what could be more exciting than having an African ethical hacker share his expertise?Â
Join experts from BeyondTrust and Ethical Hacker Sikhululwe Khashane in this not-to-be-missed African webinar as Security and Technology leaders share their insights & questions.
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As the host of an African based Podcast it's always a pleasure to host people who are passionate about the country, the continent and the future of this land.
GG Alcock is such a guest. His insights are deep, his commentary clear and his enthusiasm infectious. This episode contains so many layers of âPassion Fuelled Optimismâ which all combine to make a wonderful episode.
GG shares his journey in a candid way emphasising that hard work and a little luck go a long way. âLook for where your skills can take people places they can't go and you have an opportunityâŚâ says GG.
With mass urbanisation, Africa is open for business and the scale of this cash economy is always a surprise. Technology, formal business and everyday people have an opportunity to be part of this river of money however it takes deliberate action and thought. Examining our biases is a great place to start and GG shares so much that it's hard not to.
As an avid reader, writer and speaker GG packs so much into this episode. It is not one to miss!
Remember to subscribe to RockIT with Chiief and leave us a commentâŚ.
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Stacey-Lee Bolon, FNB: Commercial & Corporate Pricing & Billing || Wits University: President & Chair of Convocation
This is a proud South African leader, a  Joburg citizen through and through. Stacey-Lee has been educated here, worked here and built a life in the city of gold. At the time of recording this episode, Stacey-Lee was in Cape Town as part of a âwork from everywhereâ trip she has been on, visiting places in South Africa and working remotely.
In summary, this episode is about drive and passion to make an impact. Stacey shares her secrets to being remotely plugged in, what tools she uses to ensure her connectivity. She dives into why we should all consider corporate work and volunteer vocations as a way of growing as well as her productivity hacks to make juggling multiple responsibilities possible.
This is a wonderful episode that explores many great topics. Please remember to subscribe and leave a comment. All suggestions are welcome. Hope you enjoy it.
RockIT #Podcast #Remotework #Technology #MakeanImpact #volunteervocations
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Nick Jordan, lead singer of Rubber Duc, is one of the hardest working bands in the country. But Nick, you are like an iceberg â so much going on under the water.
A Pretoria boys grad with a BA in digital marketing and media management.
Nick has had success in the band and in business, making a discussion with him easy and entertaining. As I am a fan of the band it was an absolute pleasure speaking to him on this episode.
Nick was an upbeat and easy guest, with insight into life, business and the reality of risks owning a business in the arts. His journey has been one of hard knocks and learning, with an emphasis on having a strong team and spending time on self-improvement.
When asked âwhat should I have asked you?â his answer was profound âI wish you asked me what I thought of the schooling system. I think it is broken and we should be teaching how to do our taxes, how to run a business and kids should be learning to code from an early age.â
This is a great episode. Enjoy and donât forget to subscribe and leave a comment or suggestion.
RubberDucMusicBand #Music #Creative #Arts
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Christo Jansen van Rensburg â Entrepreneur, Growing businesses and hacking habitsâŚ.
Having experience across the spectrum, Christo has a wealth of information to share. From being a game ranger to world traveller and then into the realm of corporate South Africa.
Now Christo is on a totally new path of being an entrepreneur, coach and investor.
Christo is focused on constant improvement and increasing knowledge. In 2021 he read 108 books and he shares freely what he has learnt. His top 3 for the year are: âYou Cant Hurt Meâ by David Gogging, (on audio); âThink Againâ by Adam Grant and âMans Search for Meaningâ by Victor Frankle.
Chisto explains that, wherever you are in life, that consistency is key to success. Show up and give 100%. He speaks to the power of a connected network, how to focus on the network and how they can help you if they are made up of diverse individuals who tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
The practical tips for being successful, including a good mobile phone and cloud storage, are very useful for anyone considering improving their world.
Enjoy and remember to leave a comment.
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In today's episode, we are joined by Alan Versteeg, chief revenue officer at Growth Matters and Tony Cross, CEO of Growth Matters.
With a tagline âHelping 1-million people in the profession of salesâ I knew it would be a super-focused episode. And I was not let down. Having listened, learnt and worked with the GrowthMatters team I am familiar with their principles but having access to ask any questions allowed me to go down various interesting avenues.
In this episode Tony shared his top 3 tips for making sales managers more effective, Alan gives advice on making management reporting more meaningful and both have a chance to reminisce on going global. There are references to books and other learning channels which can only help to improve sales.
And there is a good deal of talk about the role of technology in the sales environment.
Enjoy the episode and remember to leave a comment.
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Cloud solutions are all anybody in business can seem to think or talk about. This obsession with the cloud isnât without its reasons though and the last two years have showcased just how important the cloud is.
However, the conversation about cloud solutions has shifted from âWhich platform is bestâ to âHow do we maximise our investmentâ. That question is an important one and it was the subject of a roundtable discussion with First Distribution regarding the Everflex solution from Hitachi Vantara.
One of the main issues with cloud solutions is flexibility, particularly in a cloud environment.
âOver the last two years with the COVID pandemic and even prior to that businesses have been looking at cloud solutions. A lot of businesses, and even end users, have grown worried about ingress and egress data and are asking instead of going to the cloud whether there are other options,â strategic partner executive and Hitachi Brand Executive at First Distribution Malcolm Goodwin says.
Many solutions donât provide the level of flexibility that many local businesses need and that is where First Distribution and Hitachi come into the picture.
The Everflex solution from Hitachi Vantara is billed as X-as-a-service where X signifies storage, data protection and infrastructure. The key here is that Everflex allows a company to scale its services up or down as needed.
One of the highlights of Everflex is the ability to control costs. While cloud has been a big talking point, the cost of these solutions is only now starting to sink in according to Henning Vesterbaek, regional financial solutions manager of commercial operations in the EMEA region for Hitachi Vantara.
âWhen we spoke to customers three years ago there were three important things driving cloud decisions: cost, cost, cost. Very few business considered other important aspects such as whether a move to the cloud makes sense for a company or whether the environment is secure,â says Vesterbaek.
This thinking has changed as companies have realised just how gargantuan the task of moving to the cloud is. According to Vesterbaek, none of the businesses he has seen have executed a complete transition to the cloud. Many businesses manage to get 20 â 30 percent of their data or apps into the cloud and simply give up because the cost and efficiency they were expecting simply isnât there.
Part of the problem comes down to one solution simply not being enough. Businesses need flexibility, while one business could be born in the cloud, solutions for that environment make sense but not every aspect of a business needs to placed into the cloud. This is particularly true when you consider that if a hyperscaler becomes in-accessible and your mission-critical data is stored on its cloud services, that data becomes inaccessible.
âWhat Hitachi has done is they have brought the cloud you can feel into your own data centre where you have control. When we speak to CIOs today the biggest pain is âdo I have control over my dataâ as well as the security aspects of managing data in the cloud,â explains Nazeer Ahmed, brand manager, sales specialist and channel/partner development at First Distribution.
Everflex is built on the idea that consolidating hardware, software and services into one platform allows for a more flexible solution. Businesses only pay for what they use and whether they need on-prem or off-prem solutions, Everflex can be adapted to suit your needs.
What First Distribution and Hitachi Vantara make clear is that there needs to be an earnest conversation between a businessâs decision makers and external partners regarding the needs of the business from a cloud perspective. Only then can a solution that suits your business be designed.
Originally published as promoted content on Hypertext. Click here to read the full article.
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In todayâs episode, we meet Roy Hobson, an entrepreneur with a challenge for the world.
Royâs journey is one of many changes. From a small town in Eastern Cape to the big city of Joburg, back to the small town and then off to Germany.
Roy has worked in corporate IT, been the CIO of a school and is a dreamer, artist and fan of the world.
During our entertaining discussion, Roy quotes Dante, introduces us to the term âSolar Punkâ and forces moments of introspection about the world which could be, rather than the world as it is.
âPerhaps we need to rewrite the story where the Economy is not the leaderâŚâ Says Roy and leans on âDonut Economicsâ by Kate Raworth as an alternative to what we have learnt to live with.
When I asked if the world of work is ready for these discussions Roy is quick to point out that business is made up of people and the more we challenge the conversations the quicker change can happen.
Roy shares learning, reading and many thoughts in this entertaining episode. This is such a wonderful look at the world where love is part of the conversation.
Enjoy it and remember to leave a comment.
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Speakers: Steve Klements, Founder & Director of Braeven Solutions and David Pereira, Director.
Having the creativity to build a product that can solve a business need is one thing, having the ability to convince someone to pay for it is a totally different skill set. Braeven solutions have built a company on bridging the divide between clients and service providers powered by technology. Business development and sales have long been seen as an art, but they are making it as much a scienceâŚ.
Steve, David thank you for joining me to share some of the trials and tribulations of running a business in these exciting times.
This episode is packed with ideas on how to fast track sales using technology. Steve emphasises that trust is fundamental to success and hard to establish over a remote platform.
David is quick to point out that technology is only as good as the data thatâs being collected and acted on. This is the quantum change enabled by technology.
Steve has years of experience and is quick to point out that salespeople are often the most important elements in a team as they are the representatives who have conversations with your clients.
Sales is often underappreciated and David says âsometimes it looks as if they have grown by mistake!â
It's obvious that Braeven Solutions has a lot of wisdom to share and the one piece that stood out for me is, as Steve says âa good salesperson is a great listener, not a great talkerâŚâ
This entertaining episode is well worth the listen for anyone who wants to improve sales or engage with a sales team better.
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Brett Lewis, self-confessed IT Geek and serial entrepreneur built an online store from nothing after a trip to the Okovango Delta! Camera Stuff is now a major player in the Photographic Lighting and accessories market as well as a point for knowledge share amongst photographers all over.
Since the internet was an idea Brett has been fascinated by the possibilities of technology. I have watched as he has unlocked the potential of technology in his businessâs over and over. From simple table updates to complex integrations, seldom has Brett been stumped by a business problem that can not be solved by technology. And all this is in the attempt to improve service, minimise manual repetition and give more time for customer interactions.
Brettâs calm nature comes through as he talks about technology, the importance of knowing the data and how to sift through the noise. Camerastuffâs success is made up of many elements but at the heart is an owner who remains curious and innovative.
âI get loads of emails asking me for sponsorship but never once have I received an email asking me for half an hour of time for business advice.â
This episode is packed with advice for anyone who is thinking of running an online business or a business with an online presence.
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Enjoy.
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Today's episode is packed with awesome information on running an international business and creating a brand.
I get to meet many varied people as the host of a podcast and today is no different. Coach Parry, an online coaching platform created by Lindsey Parry and Brad Brown, is changing lives all over the world.
This conversation is varied and valuable, touching on technology, motivation and how-to guides for starting a business.
There are great references to books and podcasts which could be the key to you unlocking your dreams. âThe playing field is levelled by technology, so anyone can do it.â says Brad.
The secret to their success seems to be a balanced partnership with a âSay Yes!â mantra that ensures the business is always on the edge of innovation.
This is a must-listen episode even if it is simply to enjoy the banter between guests as they enjoy looking back at some of the mistakes they have made.
âShake the fear off because the opportunities are massiveâŚâ Says Lindsey
Enjoy the episode and remember to add a comment and suggest new episodes.
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The world has changed dramatically over the past few years and this change has been accelerated due to a global event â Lockdown. Every aspect of our lives has been affected, many in a negative way, but some in an astoundingly good way. One of these is the way we work and how we view our days.
Today we are joined by Peter Alkema, an IT leader and Guru with a PHD in Engineering, an author, a thought leader, a father and husband and a course creator on Udemy (and other channels) https://peteralkema.com/my-blog/
Peter is easy to speak to and shares his knowledge freely. With over 55 courses on Udemy he has done the hard work and is practising everything that he is preaching. He says that to be successful in an online environment, focus on content that is âTransformation rather than information.â
As the internet is the sum of all the content put out there Peter emphasises the fact that it is our obligation to create good, safe content to improve what is available. His practical guide to getting started is fairly simple, but the execution is rigorous â identify what you enjoy and start. Get going then get good.
There are a number of tips included in this episode such as a list of podcasts to self learn, ideas on content creation and how to balance life, work and creating an online revenue stream. This is a must-listen podcast for anyone who is interested in making a change in their lives using technology.
Links referred to in the podcast:
https://peteralkema.com/
https://peteralkema.com/recommended-books/
https://www.udemy.com/user/philipebiner2/
https://philebiner.com/
https://www.smartpassiveincome.com/podcasts/passive-income-success-story-jacques-hopkins-made-significant-money-online/
https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/podcast/
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Episode 6 brings our CyberRes security awareness series to an end. This episode looks at the data subjects security teams are protecting. Security solutions impact real people. Real users and real customers. Privacy is a real issue. Priyanka Naidoo offers a legal and human perspective as to why there should be attention paid to this important issue. Naidoo is really candid when she says âour data is already everywhere. Your digital footprint is large, but that doesnât mean you cannot expect a reasonable use of your information.â And thatâs where the discussion starts. âThe beautiful thing about POPI is that it gives the data subject rights.â Says Naidoo, going further to explain that privacy extends to companies â South Africa being one of only 2 countries in the world respecting the privacy of companies and treating them as data subjects. The emphasis of security teams is heavily biased on the technology aspect as this keeps the criminals out. This discussion touches on the organizational operational measures which also need to be in place and Naidoo emphasisâs the team effort required to get security right across the board. Security and data privacy are not only requirements to safeguard the assets of the entity but to ensure the reputation of the company is not besmirched by privacy leaks. This discussion is pertinent especially in the midst of Cyber Awareness Month and CyberRes ensures that thinking of the full security spectrum is catered for. Enjoy the discussion and remember to leave comments in the section below.
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Episode 5 in our CyberRes security awareness series turns to Cyber Innovation and Security. This episode looks at how security teams can support companies in their drive to innovate whilst continuing to protect against outside threats. Edison Mazibuko is passionate about cybersecurity, the environment and emerging technologies. He serves as Chairperson on the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee of an NGO which aims to unlock the Green Economy in Southern Africa. This committee is tasked with advising the Board on the disruptive technologies shaping digitalization. As a director of DRS, a Cyber1 company, Mazibuko is exposed to a large base of implementation partners and end customers. His insights into the market come from seeing the good and bad that is happening in South Africa and he seems very positive about the state of innovation. This episode touches on why people donât want to innovate, how it can be done well and where security teams can lessen the anxiety for management when innovation is a matter of survival. As Mazibuko says âOften business wants to move but security is seen as a blocker when in actual fact security teams are often the most innovative teams in the business. There are always skills shortages and more work than most can cope with which means that a âcan doâ attitude is critical.â Mazibuko suggests that business teams would benefit from visiting the security centers to understand how far they have innovated and perhaps take back ideas for the traditional lines of business. When asked what changes he would make to streamline an innovation initiative Mazibuko suggests the following: Leverage partners; Simplify concepts; Experiment. Mazibuko also emphasizes that user awareness is a key part of ensuring security is baked into the culture of the organization, which will pay dividends when done consistently. Enjoy the discussion and remember to leave comments in the section below.
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Podcast hosts get to meet many people in many lines of business but very few have introduced me to a totally new way of looking at the IT industry. Michael Angelo has spent many, many years in the security realm, forging a career in solving problems and keeping ahead of the cyber criminals. His career started before security was cool and has spanned the breadth and depth of the discipline. Having time with a person so invested in CyberRes is a pleasure and his easy, welcoming style could have gone on for a long time. But today's episode focused on securing the Software Supply Chain (SSC). Angelo describes the concept of a SSC and the magnitude of the challenge facing the industry. Think BILLIONSâŚ. He then zones in to practical tips for dealing with the challenge, introduces the idea of Orphan Dependencies and what any team should focus on. The message of âDonât panic.â Comes across very strongly. There are even tips for career seekers who are thinking of getting into the security world and how they can make the most of this ever-growing field. The episode concluded with Angelo providing a view of the future releases from Microfocus and advice for CSIOâs dealing with complex SSC issues. âWhere are we, what is the risk we are facing and how do we fix it.â
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It's not if, but rather when, companies are going to experience a breach. Today we are joined by Andrew Whittaker, Sales and Services Executive from Altron Security to unpack the rapid response required post a breach. It quickly becomes clear that Whittaker is an expert in this field. His past 17 years have been spent in and around security incidents and not much can fluster him â as host I did throw a curveball or two to test resolve which were handled well. Whittakerâs view is that security teams are largely impacted by the culture of the organsiation and therefore will have different responses to intrusions. He is quick to point out that there is no âone size fits allâ approach to security however there are logical steps to manage and contain an incident. These are unpacked in some detail providing a good insight into how people and technology can play a role in minimizing damage. Winding back to foundational layers, Whittaker points to 3 tips for avoiding a breach: Have informed users, establish a culture of well managed systems and ensure that the maintenance team has a good handle on privileged account management. This post breach management has universal application and Whittaker summed it up by saying âSecurity teams need to provide price appropriate capabilities to add business value whilst delivering the right level of security and protection.â
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Tips on measurement best practices and how to keep your cyber security game strong. Interviewing Ramses Gallego can be like harnessing the wind in a storm. He is a CTO with passion, energy and loads of experience. This podcast shares insights, tips and tricks from someone who has studied the field of security in vast depth. The podcast is packed with practical ideas for both customers and security experts with a dollop of humour thrown in. Gallego is grounded in security and his views on the basics are worth re-visiting. Cyber Resilience as a discipline is focused on 4 key areas: Anticipate, Withstand, Recover and Evolve. This, focused on protecting identity, data and applications forms the vanguard of a proactive security platform. In response to a question regarding the âhow to achieve Cyber resilience.â Gallego says âif you want to be original return to the origin.â And he then unpacks that in more detail. This podcast captures the essence of a Micro Focus spirit and makes for an entertaining listen. His biggest bugbear is complacency which he views with contempt and results in his quote âThe opposite of security is not insecurity it is complacency.â Everyone has a part to play in proactive security and we should not believe otherwise. Enjoy the discussion and remember to leave comments
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Everyone needs to be Cyber Savvy. Kris Budnik has worked in the industry for many years and built up a skill set that sets him apart. In his role as Chief Security Officer for FNB he is responsible for ensuring the bank is as secure as it can be. His discussion on Cyber Savvy sets the tone for the Microfocus 6 part series on Cyber Resilience. âThe bigger the company the sooner the breach will occur.â Says Budnik. âItâs how quickly we can identify that it happened and recover which sets the teams apart.â And thatâs why being Cyber Savvy is of such importance to an organization. For Budnik being Cyber Savvy is to be streetwise, practical and calm. We need to know what is happening in the cyber world and not panic at the headlines. A calm, informed demeanour can make the difference between effective management and widescale chaos. And therefore this is a team effort that spans the enterprise. Budnik answers a number of key questions whilst building a cyber resilience foundation and this episode is well worth a listen. He touches on subjects such as âwhat does a Cyber Savvy approach to security look like,â and âwhy donât you stop attacks from happening?â His openness to collective security and sharing information is refreshing. Budnik acknowledges that at the heart of a strong security strategy is technology and a close vendor relationship, highlighted by his willingness to be on a podcast of this nature.
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Episode 1 - âKnow what you donât knowâÂ
Episode 2 - What does a modern Enterprise Security Model look like?Â
Episode 3 - So what is your Security Strategy?Â
Episode 4 - The Value of Identity-based Data Access GovernanceÂ
Episode 5 - Dynamic Data MaskingÂ
Episode 6 - The Consequence of Not Acting
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The 6th and final episode of this âin conversation series withâŚâ sponsored by Micro Focus Channel, Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech is joined by Sikhu khashane, Ethical Hacker, to unpack the consequences of not acting with regards to building an effective security solution.  Answering questions such as who is accountable and so what? How are companies changing to adopt more proactive security solutions in their mainstream business and what are the hidden costs of breaches or successful attacks. It becomes clear that Security should be baked into the core of a company culture. And to achieve this you need to raise the level of awareness for everyone.
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âDynamic Data Masking (DDM) is usually defined as the ability change the data stream so that the person or entity requesting the data does not get access to the personal and sensitive data. Further, the original records in the original production remain unchanged.  In the context of DDM, you should ALWAYS position Structured Data Manager (SDM) and Secure Data Appliance (SDA) together. The organisation needs to know what to mask first (with SDM). Once thatâs understood, they can transform the sensitive data (encrypt, mask, tokenize) as appropriate (with SDA). Knowing what to protect is why discovery and classification of data is so important. That requirement applies to all data types â structured and unstructured.â  In this, the 5th Episode of âIn conversation withâŚ.â Sponsored by Micro Focus Channel, Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech tackles the topic of Dynamic Data Masking.  What is it? Why is it important and who is responsible for this in the enterprise? At first glance this seems a simple concept however with regulatory compliance and reputation management, this small topic could have catastrophic consequences if not managed well. Join us as we unpack this interesting topic.
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In this, the 4th Episode of âIn conversation withâŚ.â Sponsored by Micro Focus Channel, Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech is joined by ethical hacker Sikhu Khashane to discuss the merits of Identity-based Data Access Governance.  The discussion covers many key topics including Authentication vs Authorisation, offensive security as a means for preventative security and modernisation of company policy to deal with the ever changing threat landscape.  âSecurity by Designâ is Chaukeâs motto for life. It comes through again and again that and effective security management team does not simply happen, but is grown through deliberate action.
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In this, the 3rd Episode of âIn conversation withâŚ.â Sponsored by Micro Focus Channel, Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech, unpacks the components that make up a Security Strategy.  âA layered cybersecurity strategy means that if an attack gets past one solution, another will be able to pick up the slack as a failsafe. Defending against bad actors requires various layers of security controls and detection techniques to identify potential threats. To do this, SecOps teams need a variety of tools and techniques to process and correlate the enormous amount of historical and real-time security data that they ingest every day.â âThe protected view' (by Eric Popiel) RiskIQ predicted that, by 2021, cybercrime will cost the world $11.4 million every minute. In this episode Chauke takes the hard questions that we often donât ask ourselves about the strategy to keep the company safe from cyber-attacks. What is the strategy? How do you effectively build this? Can an organisation âover doâ security? And what are the consequences of over securing? Where does Change Management & Incident Management fit in to a Security Model and other tough questions that help to unlock the thinking around an effective, efficient Security Strategy.
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In this, the 2nd Episode of âIn conversation withâŚ.â Sponsored by Micro Focus Channel, Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech, looks at a modern Enterprise Security Model and the components that make it up. It is accepted that modern businesses need to have a robust security architecture framework for protecting their most important information assets. But quite often security is tackled by a number of stakeholders in the business. Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech, discusses the importance of a deliberate approach to creating an enterprise security model and how technology can assist in this.  In the ever-changing world of security it is imperative that companies understand the building blocks discussed in this episode.
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In this, the 1st episode of âIn conversation withâŚ.â Sponsored by Micro Focus Channel, Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech, kicks off the series where we meet Boas Chauke, his company and his view on security as a discipline. ââŚ,you canât have Data Privacy without securityâ. While Data Privacy is all about the lawful collection, control, retention and use of the data, Data Protection will ensure that the data is safeguarded from exposure and the seemingly unavoidable breaches.â   We dive into the detail of what an executive must have, explained by Boas Chauke, CEO of BOATech, the Micro Focus partner. This involves how to conduct an effective inventory of their data, why understanding what they have and where as well as the reason (purpose) they are keeping the sensitive data is important and how to take appropriate actions to safeguard and protect the sensitive content.  This episode is the first in the series, providing context and a foundation for the discussions.
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