Tech and Soul by Colt

Zoom, a company synonymous with remote work, is encouraging a return to the physical office - is the tech we rely upon preventing us from reconnecting?‘Connecting with purpose’ is central to how we should be reunited with the physical world of work, and we learn how to most seamlessly transition into the office from VP of Employee Experience & Enablement, Ramona Botha!Join us to examine what’s shaping the move towards physical work, how technology supports this return, and simultaneously enables a world beyond the office as we know it…In this episode:The evolving nature of workplace technology and hybrid work models, balancing remote and in-office collaborationHuman connection and purposeful interaction in a digital-first work environmentTechnology's role in facilitating workplace connectionsThe future of workplace design, with virtual reality meetings, and technology that supports employee well-beingColt Technology Serviceshttps://www.colt.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

As cyberattacks grow in sophistication and scale, can AI promise to detect, respond and even predict malicious activity?While AI waits in the wings for its chance to shine, Chief AI Architect Frank Miller and AI Governance & Compliance Lead James Winters are your guides to the future, and whether cybersecurity has a bright future ahead…Join us for the conclusion to our special two-part episode of Tech & Soul, as we explore what AI truly means for the future of our work, and whether we’ll ever be safe from digital evils.In this episode:AI augmentation of human capability, rather than replacement of human inputEthical governance and accountability for future toolsAI's role in improving digital security, and how AI can detect unusual patterns to help prevent cyber threatsThe role of critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills in the future workplaceCurrent AI constraints around power consumption and the challenge of creating truly cognitive systemsFrank Millerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmiller/James Wintershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/james-winters-ai-governance/Colt Technology Serviceshttps://www.colt.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

High-profile cyberattacks on major organisations are a stark reminder: the digital world is under constant threat.For every vulnerability fixed, a dozen more are found, so can the cybersecurity industry evolve to face these threats, or is it fighting a losing battle?Zscaler’s Christian Bailey joins the conversation to unpack the weak points to prioritise, who’s REALLY at fault for breaches, and what it truly means todefend against an invisible enemy…Don’t miss this discussion, which sets the critical context for how AI might become our most formidable ally, a topic we’ll explore in the follow-up to this special two-parter.In this episode, we cover:The shift from traditional network security to a zero trust modelContinuous employee education and training on cybersecurity risks, particularly with emerging AI technologies The growing complexity of securing interconnected systemsData prioritisation and automation in cybersecurityChristian Baileyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/baileyce/Colt Technology Serviceshttps://www.colt.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

Women have been behind some of the most groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics - so why aren’t there more in STEM fields today?It’s a huge question with answers delving into workplace culture, inspiring future generations, and allyship. To break down the steps to creating a more equitable STEM sector, we sit down with Global Head of DEI Rachel Collins, and COO Buddy Bayer, to explore historical biases, the challenges women face today, and how we break though those barriers.In this episode:Long-standing stereotypes and systemic challenges that have prevented women from entering and advancing in STEM fieldsThe critical role of allyship in driving meaningful changeHow emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and startup ecosystems are creating new opportunities for women to excel in STEM careersInclusive leadership, how leaders can create career paths that celebrate individual talents regardless of genderRachel Collinshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-collins-66962a11Buddy Bayerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/buddybayer/Colt Technology Serviceshttps://www.colt.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

The future of work is being shaped by cutting-edge technology, but how are the traditional models in the telecom industry shifting, and what does that actually mean for us here at Colt?In this episode of Tech & Soul, Blanca welcomes Colt’s VP of Infrastructure and Connectivity Solutions, Peter Coppens to dive deep into one of 2025’s biggest tech trends - Network as a Service (NaaS).We look at how self-service models are shaping the future, who’ll benefit most from NaaS, and whether it spells the end of assisted service models…In this episode:Simple analogies to help us understand Network as a Service (NaaS)Differentiating the types of customers who’ll benefit from new networking productsWhether self-service and assisted service models will coexist in the future of the telecom industryHow NaaS will impact the day-to-day of customers benefiting from agility, cost savings, and competitive advantagesPeter Coppenshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-coppens-99360b/Colt Technology Serviceshttps://www.colt.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

Humans are creatures of habit, latching onto brands that we can’t seem to part with - but what drives this emotional pull toward brands, the product, or its purpose?This episode of Tech & Soul hones in on the relationship between brand loyalty and the influence of technology companies, and who better to shed light on the power of brand than Colt’s Chief Marketing & Comms Officer, Mark Beeden!Join us to get behind the brands front-of-mind this festive season, and figure out just why we’re so attached to them…In this episode: The influence of technology companies on customers’ brand loyalty Nostalgia and tribalism swaying our attachment to brands Creating value beyond your products The value of heritage and authenticity AI’s growing use in all aspects of marketingMark Beedenhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-beeden-a7263343/Colt Technology Serviceshttps://www.colt.net/

From environmental sustainability, to ethical business practices, CSR impacts society in many ways, but who truly holds the power to make a difference? Tech & Soul this week explores where we should find the igniting spark that changes the world, speaking with two such Colt catalysts - Sustainability Champion Sally Lands, and Sustainability Specialist Marta Trzaska!Join us as we dive into how CSR expectations intersect with recruitment, and whether involvement should be mandated…In this episode: Defining CSR in simple terms and the broader context of ESG  The power of employee-driven CSR initiatives  How companies can foster engagement with CSR CSR programs’ impact on employee motivation, loyalty, and sense of purpose Mandatory vs. voluntary CSR, and the dangers of a prescriptive approachMarta Trzaska: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martatrzaska/Sally Lands: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-lands1/Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

Tech & Soul is back! Are you ready to join us for another series tackling the big questions? What better way to kick off the series than with one of the biggest guests of all - our very own Keri Gilder is here to answer once and for all, are CEOs born, or are they made? We dive into genomes, psychopathy, sports psychology, neurodivergence, confidence, and all the other wonderful attributes that make a leader… In this episode: The presence of a genome common among leaders Continual problem-solving Next generation attitudes to social media, and how that impacts leadership traits Awareness of neurodivergence in the modern workplace Keri Gilder: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerigilder/ Matt Partridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-partridge-8403a224/ Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/ https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

Across 10 fabulous episodes, we’ve explored the very heart of society’s technological advancements, and how they’ve changed humanity at its core. Now, at the end of Series 1, it’s time for Matt Partridge and Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez to take centre stage, share their interpretation on the series’ biggest revelations, and take us through the very best that Tech & Soul has had to offer. In this episode: The most profound moments featured throughout the series What’s made each guest such a valuable addition to the podcast Learnings on human nature and humanity Insights around where technology is likely to take us in the future Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanca-perezordoyo/ Matt Partridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-partridge-8403a224/ Colt Bike Ride 2024: https://www.colt.net/go/coltbikeride2024/ Colt Sustainability Report: https://www.colt.net/why-colt/esg/ Colt Technology Services: https://www.colt.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/ https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/

We’re now taking in more information daily than a 15th century child would see in a lifetime - have our brains caught up yet? Learning is a lifelong journey, so when it comes to using technology to teach ourselves new skills, we need to be mindful of how it’s used, something that John Ambrose considers a complex area. John is our Talent and Learning Director at Colt, and joins Blanca Perez-Ordoyo Fernandez to explore the pros and cons of tech on cognitive development, and how to maximise your learning potential! In this episode: The impact of technology on cognitive functions and attention span How technology has democratised information, but not fully Techniques to maximise your learning potential and productivity Traditional learning methods vs modern, tech-enabled learning Colt Technology Services https://www.colt.net/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/colt-technology-services/ https://www.instagram.com/colttechnologyservices/ John Ambrose https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwambrose/