1 00:00:02,674 --> 00:00:06,394 Welcome to Innovate, presents Entrepreneurs in Tech. 2 00:00:06,593 --> 00:00:11,494 Today, we are delighted to have our guest, Therese Baptiste. 3 00:00:11,494 --> 00:00:13,734 Therese, thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:13,734 --> 00:00:18,234 As we delve into the world of tech innovations, could you start with 5 00:00:18,234 --> 00:00:22,654 introducing yourself and providing insights into your tech background and 6 00:00:22,654 --> 00:00:23,234 expertise? 7 00:00:23,234 --> 00:00:27,194 But not too much because we're gonna dive into it later on in the interview. 8 00:00:27,194 --> 00:00:28,390 Absolutely. 9 00:00:29,213 --> 00:00:35,953 contrary to popular belief, I've been in this area for let's say 35 years, right? 10 00:00:35,953 --> 00:00:39,733 Okay, so because my first degree actually, even longer, my God, if I go back to when 11 00:00:39,733 --> 00:00:44,433 I got started studying, my first degree is in mathematics and computer science. 12 00:00:44,433 --> 00:00:47,053 And then I went on to do business degree. 13 00:00:47,053 --> 00:00:51,713 And then I got involved in a lot of other areas and consulted, but always 14 00:00:51,713 --> 00:00:55,321 recognizing that technology was like the foundation to everything I did. 15 00:00:55,321 --> 00:00:57,809 which I could explain later on. 16 00:00:58,290 --> 00:00:59,660 How many years of education? 17 00:00:59,660 --> 00:01:04,730 I'm always impressed with people like yourself who have so many accolades and so 18 00:01:04,730 --> 00:01:09,710 many, how should I say, years of studying, graduating. 19 00:01:09,710 --> 00:01:10,869 How many, how many? 20 00:01:10,869 --> 00:01:15,209 you think, because I believe in continuous learning, I would never cut off number of 21 00:01:15,209 --> 00:01:20,469 years of experience in learning because my mother is a retired teacher right now. 22 00:01:20,469 --> 00:01:24,769 So she's always grounding to us that you must continuously learn. 23 00:01:24,769 --> 00:01:27,689 I believe I will stop learning when I die. 24 00:01:27,698 --> 00:01:28,858 Wow, amazing. 25 00:01:28,858 --> 00:01:29,398 Well said. 26 00:01:29,398 --> 00:01:33,258 You know, it's all comes in, starts from the home when you're growing up. 27 00:01:33,258 --> 00:01:35,138 It's being implemented in you. 28 00:01:35,138 --> 00:01:35,858 I like that. 29 00:01:35,858 --> 00:01:40,518 That's a great message for our listeners and viewers and for a lot of the young, 30 00:01:40,518 --> 00:01:45,438 how should I say, inspired entrepreneurs, young women and young men who really 31 00:01:45,438 --> 00:01:48,478 aspire to be like you, always continue to learn. 32 00:01:48,478 --> 00:01:49,838 You never stop learning. 33 00:01:49,838 --> 00:01:50,488 Amazing. 34 00:01:50,488 --> 00:01:51,718 Really amazing. 35 00:01:51,718 --> 00:01:53,066 Please carry on. 36 00:01:53,465 --> 00:01:59,085 You know, so, I mean, my career has seen me go through being in the private sector, 37 00:01:59,085 --> 00:02:03,905 being in the public sector, being a consultant, being a politician, being a 38 00:02:03,905 --> 00:02:05,865 diplomat, being an academic. 39 00:02:05,865 --> 00:02:10,185 So I've said I've traversed throughout all, but everything I have taken as an 40 00:02:10,185 --> 00:02:12,485 experience, I have no regrets. 41 00:02:12,485 --> 00:02:13,555 They've all been experiences. 42 00:02:13,555 --> 00:02:17,905 I've all learned from them because I don't see anything as a problem. 43 00:02:17,905 --> 00:02:21,545 I see it more as an opportunity to progress. 44 00:02:21,805 --> 00:02:22,449 So. 45 00:02:23,270 --> 00:02:27,804 a politician, how long how many years and where were you a politician? 46 00:02:28,045 --> 00:02:32,985 well, politician, I was a politician back home in Trinidad and Tobago. 47 00:02:32,985 --> 00:02:37,725 I was actually the minister of health prior to being that I was like a change 48 00:02:37,725 --> 00:02:38,745 management consultant. 49 00:02:38,745 --> 00:02:43,865 And I was fortunate enough that one of my past students was elected as the prime 50 00:02:43,865 --> 00:02:44,685 minister. 51 00:02:44,685 --> 00:02:49,345 And I guess she saw that she needed some level of change management reorganization 52 00:02:49,345 --> 00:02:50,525 in the ministry of health. 53 00:02:50,525 --> 00:02:51,705 She appointed me there. 54 00:02:51,705 --> 00:02:53,325 We came up with strategies. 55 00:02:53,325 --> 00:02:56,729 I'm not a good politician because I. 56 00:02:56,729 --> 00:03:02,489 For the people only the people and no one else not the finances no one else So soon 57 00:03:02,489 --> 00:03:07,729 I was moved from being a politician and sent into Geneva to be a UN ambassador 58 00:03:07,729 --> 00:03:11,429 Which honestly is just politics on a higher level. 59 00:03:11,429 --> 00:03:15,449 So it's not my you know, they call it diplomacy It's just politics on a higher 60 00:03:15,449 --> 00:03:16,019 level. 61 00:03:16,019 --> 00:03:21,586 So I'm not that I think I think I'm too honest to be in either one 62 00:03:21,586 --> 00:03:26,141 And how was the experience working for the UN? 63 00:03:26,141 --> 00:03:29,841 well, the UN was actually interesting because, to be honest, I remember my first 64 00:03:29,841 --> 00:03:35,161 meeting there as a permanent rep for WTO because my country is small, 1 .3 million 65 00:03:35,161 --> 00:03:35,901 at that time. 66 00:03:35,901 --> 00:03:37,101 So you did everything. 67 00:03:37,101 --> 00:03:40,821 So I was also the permanent rep to World Trade Organization. 68 00:03:40,821 --> 00:03:44,861 And at my first meeting, you go in there and I think a lot of people don't realize 69 00:03:44,861 --> 00:03:50,461 that at WTO, for something to be passed, it has to be unanimous. 70 00:03:50,461 --> 00:03:53,689 And we went in there and at the beginning, a country said, 71 00:03:53,689 --> 00:03:54,729 We don't agree. 72 00:03:54,729 --> 00:03:57,709 And I turned to the one next to me and I said, so can we leave? 73 00:03:57,709 --> 00:04:00,459 Because if one person doesn't agree, it's not going to be unanimous. 74 00:04:00,459 --> 00:04:01,609 no, no, no, you must stay. 75 00:04:01,609 --> 00:04:05,489 And this went on every single country reading in their input into this 76 00:04:05,489 --> 00:04:09,629 particular policy until it finally came to my turn. 77 00:04:09,668 --> 00:04:11,329 And I stood up. 78 00:04:11,329 --> 00:04:14,369 And that is when I showed I was not a diplomat. 79 00:04:14,369 --> 00:04:16,179 I actually said thank you. 80 00:04:16,179 --> 00:04:20,889 I turned and I put everyone's attention onto the clock, which was after 11 p We 81 00:04:20,889 --> 00:04:22,649 started at 9 a by the way. 82 00:04:22,649 --> 00:04:27,669 And I pointed out to the fact that my country did support the other country that 83 00:04:27,669 --> 00:04:31,149 had put forward its proposition, but it was very late. 84 00:04:31,149 --> 00:04:33,389 So all I would say is go country. 85 00:04:33,389 --> 00:04:35,159 And everyone looked in shock and stuff. 86 00:04:35,159 --> 00:04:40,529 And then the next day I was invited by the secretary general to join his committees 87 00:04:40,529 --> 00:04:43,738 because he said, you are not a diplomat. 88 00:04:43,738 --> 00:04:50,878 You know, what drove you to become an entrepreneur in this dynamic field and 89 00:04:50,878 --> 00:04:52,418 competitive field? 90 00:04:52,498 --> 00:05:00,838 Was it, would you kind of, should I say, you credited to your mom by pushing you 91 00:05:00,838 --> 00:05:03,101 into education and always learning, learning? 92 00:05:03,101 --> 00:05:04,101 say for entrepreneurship. 93 00:05:04,101 --> 00:05:07,881 I would not credit it to my mom because my mom believes in stability and 94 00:05:07,881 --> 00:05:09,781 entrepreneurship is anything but stability. 95 00:05:09,781 --> 00:05:13,361 It's a lot of unknowns that you're going into. 96 00:05:13,361 --> 00:05:16,901 And so therefore, when I was working for a financial organization and I left, my 97 00:05:16,901 --> 00:05:18,621 husband and I started our own company. 98 00:05:18,621 --> 00:05:21,341 So we encountered of a new startup. 99 00:05:21,341 --> 00:05:26,131 He was a foreigner in my country, starting up our own business, trying to market it, 100 00:05:26,131 --> 00:05:29,337 facing the hurdles of the bigger businesses, trying to keep you down. 101 00:05:29,337 --> 00:05:34,667 And when I got into academia as a lecturer, I decided to study that field. 102 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:39,097 And in fact, I was doing my PhD in entrepreneurship when I was made a 103 00:05:39,097 --> 00:05:42,437 minister of health and I had to stop doing my PhD in entrepreneurship. 104 00:05:42,437 --> 00:05:46,917 And I'm very proud that some of my teaching assistant continued what I 105 00:05:46,917 --> 00:05:47,147 started. 106 00:05:47,147 --> 00:05:51,657 And she's actually now a professor in entrepreneurship in England. 107 00:05:51,657 --> 00:05:56,457 But it's that quest that to understand and to realize and to look at family 108 00:05:56,457 --> 00:05:57,465 entrepreneurship. 109 00:05:57,465 --> 00:06:01,685 and many families don't survive the till generation because getting people to be 110 00:06:01,685 --> 00:06:06,765 interested in what you're doing waking up and that unknown of not knowing for sure 111 00:06:06,765 --> 00:06:08,405 where the next dollar is coming in. 112 00:06:08,405 --> 00:06:12,505 A lot of people like safety just get it a feedback. 113 00:06:12,505 --> 00:06:13,265 So yeah. 114 00:06:13,418 --> 00:06:17,798 You know, with your accolades and knowledge and experience in education, I 115 00:06:17,798 --> 00:06:19,098 want to ask so many questions. 116 00:06:19,098 --> 00:06:20,038 I really do. 117 00:06:20,038 --> 00:06:22,138 Like questions popping up in my head. 118 00:06:22,138 --> 00:06:26,298 But, you know, I would need probably all, it'll be the longest interview I've done. 119 00:06:26,298 --> 00:06:27,578 But you know what? 120 00:06:27,578 --> 00:06:29,008 Let's pick subjectively. 121 00:06:29,008 --> 00:06:30,678 Let's pick technology. 122 00:06:31,058 --> 00:06:33,598 And tech is the biggest thing right now in the world. 123 00:06:33,598 --> 00:06:39,178 And that's what driving, the main driving force right now of everything. 124 00:06:39,178 --> 00:06:40,690 Any industry, 125 00:06:40,690 --> 00:06:44,930 You know, as my background in the music business, it's pretty much the driving and 126 00:06:44,930 --> 00:06:46,430 the leading force in the vehicle. 127 00:06:46,430 --> 00:06:54,370 Without it, there's no music industry, healthcare, travel, education, not yet, 128 00:06:54,370 --> 00:06:55,750 but definitely technology. 129 00:06:55,750 --> 00:06:57,640 You need to get involved in technology big time. 130 00:06:57,640 --> 00:06:59,210 We'll talk about all of that. 131 00:06:59,210 --> 00:07:01,890 So let's talk about tech in general. 132 00:07:01,890 --> 00:07:03,490 What do you think? 133 00:07:03,490 --> 00:07:06,730 And let's talk also about AI. 134 00:07:06,810 --> 00:07:09,190 You know, everybody say artificial intelligence. 135 00:07:09,190 --> 00:07:09,714 Is it? 136 00:07:09,714 --> 00:07:11,754 The word is very trendy, obviously. 137 00:07:11,754 --> 00:07:16,314 Everybody likes to use trendy words, but is it being used correctly? 138 00:07:16,314 --> 00:07:18,794 Is it ML instead of AI? 139 00:07:18,794 --> 00:07:21,944 Is it really just straight up ML, machine learning? 140 00:07:21,944 --> 00:07:23,314 That's what we're dealing with. 141 00:07:23,314 --> 00:07:25,734 And people prefer the word AI. 142 00:07:25,734 --> 00:07:26,534 Please correct me. 143 00:07:26,534 --> 00:07:28,074 I'm not a scientist. 144 00:07:28,074 --> 00:07:30,796 And for me and for our viewers. 145 00:07:30,809 --> 00:07:35,229 Yeah, the thing is, I was recently contacted by a company that said they were 146 00:07:35,229 --> 00:07:39,029 into AI and they were looking for a management consultant to come on board to 147 00:07:39,029 --> 00:07:42,039 help promote their AI adventure and be that bridge. 148 00:07:42,039 --> 00:07:44,949 Because that's where I actually got into business. 149 00:07:44,949 --> 00:07:49,549 Because I wasn't I wasn't technology and I was designing systems. 150 00:07:49,549 --> 00:07:53,469 But then I found the management I was talking to can understand me because I 151 00:07:53,469 --> 00:07:54,809 didn't speak tech. 152 00:07:54,869 --> 00:07:55,189 Right. 153 00:07:55,189 --> 00:07:59,229 I mean, I spoke tech, but I didn't speak their vision of what was tech because they 154 00:07:59,229 --> 00:08:00,249 had a business. 155 00:08:00,249 --> 00:08:01,369 understanding of it. 156 00:08:01,369 --> 00:08:06,509 And that led me to do my MBA and I did my MBA in IT marketing and strategy so that I 157 00:08:06,509 --> 00:08:07,069 could do that. 158 00:08:07,069 --> 00:08:11,789 And while I was doing that, we did what they said was an AI course, but looking 159 00:08:11,789 --> 00:08:16,849 now at really with AI being predictive and generative, what we did was expert 160 00:08:16,849 --> 00:08:20,149 systems, you know, put an insert in if, when, then. 161 00:08:20,149 --> 00:08:22,669 So a lot of machine, SQL, everything. 162 00:08:22,669 --> 00:08:26,609 And that is what people are bringing out now and saying it's AI. 163 00:08:26,609 --> 00:08:29,145 And that is really disturbing to me. 164 00:08:29,145 --> 00:08:33,725 because the true AI needs to learn from the experience, from the encounter. 165 00:08:34,065 --> 00:08:36,985 And yeah, you have chat bots and chat bots are what is it? 166 00:08:36,985 --> 00:08:40,985 You ask a question, they answer based on keywords, but it's not learning. 167 00:08:41,005 --> 00:08:46,065 And what happens is if you get investors into that and then they realize it's not 168 00:08:46,065 --> 00:08:50,245 giving them what they want, it may discolor what AI really is. 169 00:08:50,245 --> 00:08:55,685 And AI has so much opportunity for us if people understand that AI has different 170 00:08:55,685 --> 00:08:56,729 categories. 171 00:08:56,729 --> 00:08:58,839 It's literally artificial intelligence. 172 00:08:58,839 --> 00:09:03,469 In other words, you're not speaking to a human, punto, but not all are going to be 173 00:09:03,469 --> 00:09:04,149 generative. 174 00:09:04,149 --> 00:09:08,789 And if we understand that, then we'll understand how much, what we want to dwell 175 00:09:08,789 --> 00:09:14,269 into and realize it can never, for the time being, replace a human being 176 00:09:14,269 --> 00:09:17,069 according to what field you want it into. 177 00:09:17,069 --> 00:09:19,979 Because for AI to feel emotion, it's difficult. 178 00:09:19,979 --> 00:09:24,857 I mean, I always end my conversations with my mother saying, I love you. 179 00:09:24,857 --> 00:09:29,497 And it really gets on my nerves each time that my Google says, well, I can't 180 00:09:29,497 --> 00:09:31,917 experience what love is, but thank you so much. 181 00:09:31,917 --> 00:09:34,137 I'm not even speaking to you. 182 00:09:34,137 --> 00:09:36,914 But yeah, it goes on. 183 00:09:36,914 --> 00:09:41,494 So your message to our viewers and everybody out there, don't be afraid of 184 00:09:41,494 --> 00:09:42,364 technology. 185 00:09:42,364 --> 00:09:47,094 Don't be afraid of the current AI or machine learning system that it's being 186 00:09:47,094 --> 00:09:51,254 presented out there because it's not something could replace humanity. 187 00:09:51,254 --> 00:09:54,474 Humanity have something called emotions, not yet. 188 00:09:54,474 --> 00:09:59,534 Emotions and experience and feelings, which is AI doesn't have yet. 189 00:09:59,534 --> 00:10:03,574 Now, maybe it is out there, but it's not being exposed to the general public or 190 00:10:03,574 --> 00:10:04,234 being used. 191 00:10:04,234 --> 00:10:06,194 The technology is not out there yet. 192 00:10:06,194 --> 00:10:09,874 for us to use, but maybe it is, but not exposed. 193 00:10:09,874 --> 00:10:11,134 Got it. 194 00:10:11,134 --> 00:10:13,834 Very interesting, very interesting point. 195 00:10:13,834 --> 00:10:18,974 You know, what was the big moment, I should say, in your early days of 196 00:10:18,974 --> 00:10:22,242 international management and how did it shape your career? 197 00:10:23,033 --> 00:10:28,873 So again, I go back to that big project I was working on and I was actually there 198 00:10:28,873 --> 00:10:33,833 trying to, the CEO asked me to develop something for him. 199 00:10:33,833 --> 00:10:34,553 I did. 200 00:10:34,553 --> 00:10:36,283 I followed all the requests. 201 00:10:36,283 --> 00:10:42,093 I gave him what he wanted, but he still wasn't getting the benefit from it. 202 00:10:42,093 --> 00:10:45,653 And I realized he didn't understand what he needed and I didn't understand how to 203 00:10:45,653 --> 00:10:46,425 express it. 204 00:10:46,425 --> 00:10:51,225 And that really was what prompted me to go to UBC to do my business degree. 205 00:10:51,225 --> 00:10:56,465 And from there I started and consulted and it was being able to speak the tech and 206 00:10:56,465 --> 00:11:02,285 show them how technology is there as a foundation to enable you to work faster. 207 00:11:02,285 --> 00:11:06,225 I mean, I loved it even when I was doing, I started off at the bottom, as you know, 208 00:11:06,225 --> 00:11:10,825 and I had to be doing training of people with systems and showing them, like, you 209 00:11:10,825 --> 00:11:12,569 know, you're getting people afraid. 210 00:11:12,569 --> 00:11:16,089 55 years old and you're telling them to use a computer and they're like, no, I 211 00:11:16,089 --> 00:11:18,249 don't even want to use a typewriter. 212 00:11:18,249 --> 00:11:21,719 And I got people to, when you understand the human part of it. 213 00:11:21,719 --> 00:11:25,629 So I said, listen, you can be typing a letter for your boss and on the other 214 00:11:25,629 --> 00:11:29,589 screen, you can still switch screens and type a note to your friend. 215 00:11:29,589 --> 00:11:33,049 And when your boss come, you switch back and they were like, my God. 216 00:11:33,049 --> 00:11:36,429 I mean, if the CEOs know that's what I was training them, but then they were 217 00:11:36,429 --> 00:11:38,309 interested in using those things. 218 00:11:38,309 --> 00:11:42,769 So the key I realized in management consulting, listening to your audience, 219 00:11:42,769 --> 00:11:48,009 seeing exactly what they want and making them comfortable, making them understand 220 00:11:48,009 --> 00:11:50,801 that you're there to help them, not to control them. 221 00:11:50,962 --> 00:11:51,962 Amazing. 222 00:11:51,962 --> 00:11:59,342 You know, ESG, empowering social growth. 223 00:11:59,342 --> 00:12:05,402 What is most interesting thing you found about how ASG factors in social impact, 224 00:12:05,402 --> 00:12:10,902 you know, and connected to recent book, and that's the title of your book, 225 00:12:10,902 --> 00:12:11,957 actually, ESG. 226 00:12:11,957 --> 00:12:17,377 it's ESG, but I always tell people ESG should really stand for empowering social 227 00:12:17,377 --> 00:12:18,337 growth. 228 00:12:18,477 --> 00:12:18,777 Okay. 229 00:12:18,777 --> 00:12:23,537 And one of the most fascinating discoveries I found was when I was looking 230 00:12:23,537 --> 00:12:27,576 at the intricate and profound interplay between them. 231 00:12:27,576 --> 00:12:31,597 Throughout the book, my book, which came out last weekend, I dwelled into how the 232 00:12:31,597 --> 00:12:35,957 environmental, social and governance initiatives do not merely comply with 233 00:12:35,957 --> 00:12:40,185 ethical standards, but they actively try to drive positive. 234 00:12:40,185 --> 00:12:41,625 societal change. 235 00:12:41,625 --> 00:12:45,605 Okay, for instance, if we look at environmental sustainability, if we get a 236 00:12:45,605 --> 00:12:47,865 cleaner environment, it's better for everyone's health. 237 00:12:47,865 --> 00:12:50,965 It reduces pollution, improve air and water quality. 238 00:12:50,965 --> 00:12:54,785 Again, if you look at the governance, it talks about transparency and 239 00:12:54,785 --> 00:12:55,825 accountability. 240 00:12:55,825 --> 00:12:59,285 And this synergy amplifies the role of social capital. 241 00:12:59,285 --> 00:13:04,985 And my whole thing in looking at ESG, we keep seeing ESG, but they try to make the 242 00:13:04,985 --> 00:13:06,465 S like minute. 243 00:13:06,465 --> 00:13:09,874 And you notice in my book, my S is my standing point. 244 00:13:09,874 --> 00:13:10,573 Yes. 245 00:13:10,573 --> 00:13:14,773 believe that the S is the glue, the interconnectedness that underscores the 246 00:13:14,773 --> 00:13:19,793 power and the responsibility of businesses if we really want to create a more 247 00:13:19,793 --> 00:13:20,713 equitable world. 248 00:13:20,713 --> 00:13:22,973 It's not to drive away poverty. 249 00:13:22,973 --> 00:13:26,513 We say we're going to drive away poverty, but are we just trying to exclude the poor 250 00:13:26,513 --> 00:13:27,593 man from everything? 251 00:13:27,593 --> 00:13:31,983 Because we are creating situations where they will not be able to survive. 252 00:13:31,983 --> 00:13:37,497 So we need to find a smooth transition that allows everyone to benefit. 253 00:13:37,497 --> 00:13:39,057 from all the changes we are doing. 254 00:13:39,057 --> 00:13:40,687 Because this Earth is for all of us. 255 00:13:40,687 --> 00:13:42,459 It's not just for select few. 256 00:13:42,642 --> 00:13:50,086 and how technology and AI could help in empowering social growth. 257 00:13:50,489 --> 00:13:54,689 Well, the thing is, if you look at the AI and if we leverage the AI driven 258 00:13:54,689 --> 00:13:57,249 analytics, it can go back even to COVID. 259 00:13:57,249 --> 00:14:01,249 COVID, you saw them were able to do predictive analysis of how it was going to 260 00:14:01,249 --> 00:14:02,199 spread, right? 261 00:14:02,199 --> 00:14:07,689 The capability will allow us to detect what we say potential outbreaks, to see 262 00:14:07,689 --> 00:14:08,539 where patterns are. 263 00:14:08,539 --> 00:14:11,469 AI can do that drilled on very quickly. 264 00:14:11,469 --> 00:14:13,689 Yes, it is learning what is going on. 265 00:14:13,689 --> 00:14:16,389 It's learning people's patterns, people's reactions. 266 00:14:16,389 --> 00:14:20,025 If you look at service delivery efficiency, AI chatbots. 267 00:14:20,025 --> 00:14:25,585 have really helped public service because public service normally is officially nine 268 00:14:25,585 --> 00:14:26,625 to four. 269 00:14:26,625 --> 00:14:31,905 In actuality, it's 10 to 12, big break for lunch, and then they come back and people 270 00:14:31,905 --> 00:14:33,005 need answers. 271 00:14:33,005 --> 00:14:38,545 So yes, like I said, we have, we've had in my time frequently asked questions, right? 272 00:14:38,545 --> 00:14:40,345 But nobody wants to go through that. 273 00:14:40,345 --> 00:14:41,805 I mean, the questions are there. 274 00:14:41,805 --> 00:14:45,345 One of the things that I found Bob, when I was a consultant, it was actually funny 275 00:14:45,345 --> 00:14:47,153 when I was a technology consultant. 276 00:14:47,153 --> 00:14:47,997 Mm -hmm. 277 00:14:47,997 --> 00:14:49,307 commented to a friend. 278 00:14:49,307 --> 00:14:55,157 I said, I'm getting paid to literally read the help book to the client because we 279 00:14:55,157 --> 00:14:58,757 were supporting an accounting system and the client would call me, how do you do so 280 00:14:58,757 --> 00:14:59,067 and so? 281 00:14:59,067 --> 00:15:00,607 And I was like, you want to do so and so. 282 00:15:00,607 --> 00:15:05,057 And I'm just like turning to depart in the book that says how to do it. 283 00:15:05,057 --> 00:15:06,657 But no one wants to take the time. 284 00:15:06,657 --> 00:15:13,157 They want someone to tell them and AI can make public operations go faster and let 285 00:15:13,157 --> 00:15:14,105 those people. 286 00:15:14,105 --> 00:15:18,525 spend more time in doing the things that need the people to interact. 287 00:15:18,525 --> 00:15:21,005 Because not everyone can just deal with a machine. 288 00:15:21,005 --> 00:15:25,345 But there are some of us, like myself, I consider myself to be an extroverted 289 00:15:25,345 --> 00:15:26,105 introvert. 290 00:15:26,105 --> 00:15:29,205 If I could do it out with people, I would. 291 00:15:29,205 --> 00:15:31,495 So I appreciate that aspect of it. 292 00:15:31,495 --> 00:15:33,565 But there are some people who like to go in. 293 00:15:33,565 --> 00:15:36,165 There are people who still go into a bank to get their money. 294 00:15:36,165 --> 00:15:38,025 They will never use an ATM. 295 00:15:38,025 --> 00:15:39,341 They exist. 296 00:15:40,150 --> 00:15:52,190 Being part of AKFI industry, Concertium, how do you think digital changes and ESG 297 00:15:52,190 --> 00:15:53,950 principles mix? 298 00:15:53,950 --> 00:15:57,054 And what does it mean for different industries? 299 00:15:57,177 --> 00:16:00,837 Yeah, well, yeah, because I'm on the advisory board and it's led by Manuel 300 00:16:00,837 --> 00:16:01,537 Wexler. 301 00:16:01,537 --> 00:16:06,637 And I think in the realm of environmental sustainability, digital tools can optimize 302 00:16:06,637 --> 00:16:09,377 resource use and energy consumption. 303 00:16:09,377 --> 00:16:13,837 Technologies such as IoT sensors can monitor emissions in real time. 304 00:16:13,837 --> 00:16:18,097 And we see that digital technology therefore plays a pivotal role in 305 00:16:18,097 --> 00:16:21,577 enhancing the capacity of industries to implement ESG. 306 00:16:21,577 --> 00:16:25,305 And at AKFI, we say from a social perspective, 307 00:16:25,305 --> 00:16:30,605 digital technologies facilitate more inclusive stakeholder engagements, okay? 308 00:16:30,605 --> 00:16:36,185 They're by enhancing social governance and it can also drive economic inclusion by 309 00:16:36,185 --> 00:16:39,755 enabling access to financial services and as you mentioned at the beginning, 310 00:16:39,755 --> 00:16:41,025 education. 311 00:16:41,325 --> 00:16:45,145 And for different industries, that means embracing digital transformation. 312 00:16:45,145 --> 00:16:50,085 You cannot implement ESG without some kind of digital transformation occurring. 313 00:16:50,085 --> 00:16:54,457 So that's one of the things that we were founded upon to look at it. 314 00:16:54,457 --> 00:16:58,777 If you look at FinTech innovations are reshaping investments and banking 315 00:16:58,777 --> 00:17:03,317 services, manufacturing digital and technologies to achieve that circular 316 00:17:03,317 --> 00:17:04,217 economy. 317 00:17:04,217 --> 00:17:09,597 Ultimately, we see the conversion of digital changes and ESG principles with 318 00:17:09,597 --> 00:17:11,187 this transformative opportunity. 319 00:17:11,187 --> 00:17:15,617 And that is something AKFI is trying to do to make sure we all are on the same level 320 00:17:15,617 --> 00:17:17,778 playing field. 321 00:17:17,778 --> 00:17:19,318 Amazing. 322 00:17:19,318 --> 00:17:25,678 What problems that you or the main problem that you find how and you know in ASG and 323 00:17:25,678 --> 00:17:27,530 how people should deal with them. 324 00:17:28,281 --> 00:17:33,581 Okay, well, in the integration of ESG, right, we see the principles, a lot of 325 00:17:33,581 --> 00:17:34,761 significant challenges. 326 00:17:34,761 --> 00:17:38,681 I mean, if you look at Europe with the Green Deal and ESG, the postponement of 327 00:17:38,681 --> 00:17:40,281 when it has to be implemented. 328 00:17:40,281 --> 00:17:46,521 One of the primary challenges is the complexity of quantifying and reporting 329 00:17:46,521 --> 00:17:47,401 ESG metrics. 330 00:17:47,401 --> 00:17:49,881 And if you talk about S, there's nothing. 331 00:17:49,881 --> 00:17:52,361 In my book, I talk about it being like an alphabet soup. 332 00:17:52,361 --> 00:17:57,465 You don't know which one to use for which country because the problem with social... 333 00:17:57,465 --> 00:18:01,825 Social includes DEI, and DEI itself gets confusing, because I know some people 334 00:18:01,825 --> 00:18:03,465 said, it can be simple. 335 00:18:03,465 --> 00:18:08,425 You just say you must have X percentage of someone of another race in your company. 336 00:18:08,425 --> 00:18:10,245 That's not that simple. 337 00:18:10,245 --> 00:18:14,165 You know, some people say, like in Brussels, in Belgium, someone would say, 338 00:18:14,165 --> 00:18:18,425 at least 10 % of a company should be people who are Black, if we want to be 339 00:18:18,425 --> 00:18:18,825 fair. 340 00:18:18,825 --> 00:18:24,385 And I asked that person who was Black, I said, OK, you come from a country in the 341 00:18:24,385 --> 00:18:25,497 African continent. 342 00:18:25,497 --> 00:18:29,197 What if your country said that followed that rule with 10 %? 343 00:18:29,197 --> 00:18:31,977 Can you find 10 % white people to work in your company? 344 00:18:31,977 --> 00:18:34,067 And he looked, it doesn't apply to that. 345 00:18:34,067 --> 00:18:36,887 It only applies to companies that have the white. 346 00:18:36,887 --> 00:18:40,797 You don't do it to the companies that have, and we can't do that kind of level. 347 00:18:40,797 --> 00:18:44,357 You know, companies are struggling with collecting consistent data. 348 00:18:44,357 --> 00:18:49,557 Additionally, I think there's a challenge of aligning ESG initiatives with existing 349 00:18:49,557 --> 00:18:50,937 business goals. 350 00:18:50,937 --> 00:18:53,145 On the flip side, the integration. 351 00:18:53,145 --> 00:18:54,125 gives opportunities. 352 00:18:54,125 --> 00:18:56,605 There's a lot of opportunities for consultants. 353 00:18:56,685 --> 00:19:01,605 Unfortunately, these days, when everyone looks for an ESG consultant, they just 354 00:19:01,605 --> 00:19:04,465 focus on the environmental consultant. 355 00:19:04,465 --> 00:19:07,425 They're not a lot of money is being spent on the S and the G. 356 00:19:07,425 --> 00:19:11,265 And if they do, they give it to one person, their legal person, handle this 357 00:19:11,265 --> 00:19:15,905 ESG, or to the accountant, handle this ESG, like if it's only finance and legal. 358 00:19:15,905 --> 00:19:19,265 Businesses that are successfully incorporated can enhance their brand 359 00:19:19,265 --> 00:19:20,377 reputation. 360 00:19:20,377 --> 00:19:24,277 For those who want a deeper dive, you can go into my book and I go a lot and I give 361 00:19:24,277 --> 00:19:28,465 examples of companies that are using it and are benefiting from it. 362 00:19:28,850 --> 00:19:36,370 So you're saying that really ESG and the growth of technology or the advancement, I 363 00:19:36,370 --> 00:19:41,690 should say, of technology and AI should definitely be both integrated together. 364 00:19:41,690 --> 00:19:42,260 Definitely. 365 00:19:42,260 --> 00:19:46,070 That will help advancing humanity. 366 00:19:46,329 --> 00:19:49,149 Well, everything is in what I do find. 367 00:19:49,149 --> 00:19:53,609 If you look at the average person in companies long ago, at least we didn't 368 00:19:53,609 --> 00:19:56,549 have all this confusion because remember, we were the ones who apparently who 369 00:19:56,549 --> 00:19:57,559 polluted the world, right? 370 00:19:57,559 --> 00:19:59,349 My generation. 371 00:19:59,649 --> 00:20:04,309 But a lot of companies would spend money upgrading their equipment, but they never 372 00:20:04,309 --> 00:20:05,469 upgraded their staff. 373 00:20:05,469 --> 00:20:09,309 The level of training that they would give people was never really there. 374 00:20:09,309 --> 00:20:12,749 You got someone in and you won't invest in in their mind and they're continuous 375 00:20:12,749 --> 00:20:13,433 growing. 376 00:20:13,433 --> 00:20:16,903 ESG is telling you to let people be included in your decisions. 377 00:20:16,903 --> 00:20:19,953 Talk to your staff and see what it is they want to do. 378 00:20:19,953 --> 00:20:23,633 I see a lot of companies saying we do DEI or we are good. 379 00:20:23,633 --> 00:20:24,673 I'm a DEI leader. 380 00:20:24,673 --> 00:20:26,073 I'm a diss, I'm a dat. 381 00:20:26,073 --> 00:20:30,413 And I mean, I worked at a company once and I was like, okay, I guess I am the token 382 00:20:30,413 --> 00:20:35,653 black person because I didn't realize that I wasn't part of the decisions. 383 00:20:35,653 --> 00:20:41,193 But anytime anyone from outside was coming to visit, I was requested to be there as 384 00:20:41,193 --> 00:20:43,289 the face to be present. 385 00:20:43,289 --> 00:20:47,769 And I think it's important that people need to work together to make this world a 386 00:20:47,769 --> 00:20:48,729 better place. 387 00:20:48,729 --> 00:20:53,369 And to facilitate this kind of collaboration, I tend to focus on building 388 00:20:53,369 --> 00:20:56,189 bridges between the different parties. 389 00:20:56,189 --> 00:21:00,189 And I'm saying this involves mediating discussions, fostering mutual 390 00:21:00,189 --> 00:21:03,969 understanding and helping groups articulate shared objectives. 391 00:21:03,969 --> 00:21:08,869 I tell people all these in business, there are a lot of new terminologies that come 392 00:21:08,869 --> 00:21:12,921 along, but what they actually are doing is similar to what we did in the past. 393 00:21:12,921 --> 00:21:15,021 except we now have words for them. 394 00:21:15,021 --> 00:21:16,491 Recently a friend contacted me. 395 00:21:16,491 --> 00:21:17,611 She was re - she read my book. 396 00:21:17,611 --> 00:21:22,221 She was my first ebook reader and she's like, what are ERG's, Employee Resource 397 00:21:22,221 --> 00:21:22,861 Groups? 398 00:21:22,861 --> 00:21:25,831 And when I explained it to her, she's like, all right, well, we do that. 399 00:21:25,831 --> 00:21:29,661 I said, yeah, well, we came up with this new terminology, you know, we got to make 400 00:21:29,661 --> 00:21:30,601 it sound good. 401 00:21:30,601 --> 00:21:32,681 You know, ESG promotes ERG. 402 00:21:32,681 --> 00:21:37,341 And she's like, please, you know, and it's true and it can get confusing, but the 403 00:21:37,341 --> 00:21:38,577 whole thing is. 404 00:21:38,617 --> 00:21:42,097 And that's what I try to do when I do workshops and training sessions, is I help 405 00:21:42,097 --> 00:21:46,517 stakeholders integrate their efforts and build lasting partnerships. 406 00:21:46,517 --> 00:21:50,627 When your staff realize that you care for them, then all these changes you're doing, 407 00:21:50,627 --> 00:21:54,625 they will understand why, and they will want to be part of those changes. 408 00:21:54,674 --> 00:21:59,234 You know, I like what you said in the beginning of this conversation. 409 00:21:59,234 --> 00:22:04,754 You said, you know, a lot of company invest in buying new equipment, but they 410 00:22:04,754 --> 00:22:05,694 don't invest in staff. 411 00:22:05,694 --> 00:22:10,184 So they invest in the infrastructure to really fancy a building, a better place, 412 00:22:10,184 --> 00:22:15,694 more modern equipment, but they're not investing in the actual staff that's been 413 00:22:15,694 --> 00:22:17,294 with them from the get go. 414 00:22:17,294 --> 00:22:22,154 Meaning re -educating the staff, re -investing in them, you know, better 415 00:22:22,154 --> 00:22:23,140 training. 416 00:22:23,186 --> 00:22:28,926 And I think I'm sure you read it, the article recently in Singapore that I think 417 00:22:28,926 --> 00:22:34,296 the government itself said a lot of the companies right now, and everybody must, 418 00:22:34,296 --> 00:22:37,736 anybody above 40, 40 and above to go back. 419 00:22:37,736 --> 00:22:41,106 Well, obviously, I don't know if they're going to give them free education that 420 00:22:41,106 --> 00:22:46,906 because of AI and technology and how fast technology is really advancing right now 421 00:22:46,906 --> 00:22:49,610 in a speed that we haven't seen before. 422 00:22:50,430 --> 00:22:55,650 to go back and learn so everybody doesn't lose their job nobody has the fear of 423 00:22:55,650 --> 00:23:00,990 technology because there is a fear and i think the only way to how do you how do 424 00:23:00,990 --> 00:23:06,770 you take the fear out of somebody you know of the unknown by teaching them about it 425 00:23:06,770 --> 00:23:10,890 it becomes known to them so that's how you embrace it when somebody doesn't know 426 00:23:10,890 --> 00:23:16,070 something it's the unknown to them and naturally they're going to be afraid of it 427 00:23:16,070 --> 00:23:19,050 but once they learn about it understand it 428 00:23:19,090 --> 00:23:21,750 then say, it's okay. 429 00:23:21,750 --> 00:23:23,240 They're gonna embrace it. 430 00:23:23,240 --> 00:23:29,330 And that's how you have a society that actually growing. 431 00:23:29,330 --> 00:23:31,964 And that's where ASG comes in, growth. 432 00:23:32,185 --> 00:23:33,245 Yeah, it's good. 433 00:23:33,245 --> 00:23:36,685 And Bob, I like when you said that to take away that fear. 434 00:23:36,685 --> 00:23:40,545 One of my first jobs was a maths teacher and everyone hates maths, right? 435 00:23:40,545 --> 00:23:44,025 And I remember walking into the classroom of these students and they looked at me 436 00:23:44,025 --> 00:23:47,425 and they were like, one was like filing their nails and I was like, really? 437 00:23:47,425 --> 00:23:50,045 You know, and she's like, we don't like maths. 438 00:23:50,045 --> 00:23:51,985 And I said, neither do I. 439 00:23:51,985 --> 00:23:55,245 And they looked at me in shock because, hey, you're a maths teacher. 440 00:23:55,245 --> 00:23:57,345 And I said, but we have to have a class, right? 441 00:23:57,345 --> 00:23:58,625 The Bolly, yeah. 442 00:23:58,625 --> 00:24:00,605 The nuns say we have to because it was a convent. 443 00:24:00,605 --> 00:24:01,369 I said, 444 00:24:01,369 --> 00:24:05,909 Okay, so let's forget about maths and they looked at me like in shock like my god, 445 00:24:05,909 --> 00:24:07,419 this is a cool teacher. 446 00:24:07,419 --> 00:24:08,989 She's gonna forget all about maths. 447 00:24:08,989 --> 00:24:11,849 I said you all are gonna graduate regardless, right? 448 00:24:11,849 --> 00:24:15,849 So let's plan a graduation party and they looked at me like yeah because these were 449 00:24:15,849 --> 00:24:17,648 the hip girls who didn't like maths. 450 00:24:17,648 --> 00:24:21,419 So we started to plan a party and I said okay so what space we need? 451 00:24:21,419 --> 00:24:22,309 How many people are coming? 452 00:24:22,309 --> 00:24:23,385 So they said... 453 00:24:23,385 --> 00:24:26,445 how much people each person is going to bring so they worked out that and I said 454 00:24:26,445 --> 00:24:29,405 what area we should get so I said okay how do you do that I said okay let's work out 455 00:24:29,405 --> 00:24:33,305 this and you look at this and then we'll look at area and what's it cost can we get 456 00:24:33,305 --> 00:24:36,345 it cheaper they said we could get a discount how much would that save us they 457 00:24:36,345 --> 00:24:41,362 learned maths and they never knew they were learning maths and they liked it 458 00:24:41,362 --> 00:24:44,022 Interesting. 459 00:24:44,022 --> 00:24:49,302 So the ESG book, your book, is it available everywhere or how do people if 460 00:24:49,302 --> 00:24:50,642 they want to buy it? 461 00:24:50,642 --> 00:24:51,737 Amazon or? 462 00:24:51,737 --> 00:24:52,777 everywhere on Amazon. 463 00:24:52,777 --> 00:24:53,597 It's on Amazon. 464 00:24:53,597 --> 00:24:55,487 It hasn't gone like in bookstores yet. 465 00:24:55,487 --> 00:24:57,757 It's now because they only came out this weekend. 466 00:24:57,757 --> 00:24:58,897 It's on Amazon. 467 00:24:58,897 --> 00:24:59,917 It's on Kindle. 468 00:24:59,917 --> 00:25:04,697 And if people have Kindle unlimited because I signed up for that package, they 469 00:25:04,697 --> 00:25:06,357 get it free from Kindle. 470 00:25:06,357 --> 00:25:07,957 So good for them. 471 00:25:07,957 --> 00:25:08,457 Right. 472 00:25:08,457 --> 00:25:10,347 But it's available there. 473 00:25:10,347 --> 00:25:14,877 And I really encourage people to read it because it's designed for Bodysee Suite, 474 00:25:14,877 --> 00:25:16,313 the managers and they. 475 00:25:16,313 --> 00:25:19,753 For each chapter, what I've done, I guess you can't take the academic out of me, 476 00:25:19,753 --> 00:25:23,933 I've put like reflection questions and just tree references. 477 00:25:23,933 --> 00:25:26,783 This is not a book with a whole set of references. 478 00:25:26,783 --> 00:25:30,053 It's not meant to be a textbook to live on and die by. 479 00:25:30,053 --> 00:25:34,937 It's meant to stimulate understanding and make you hungry for more information. 480 00:25:34,994 --> 00:25:40,254 Yes, hungry for more information hungry to learn never too old or too young to learn 481 00:25:40,254 --> 00:25:47,654 never, you know, There's in every industry out there there's always a misconception 482 00:25:47,654 --> 00:25:52,074 if you're not in it and What is the common misconception? 483 00:25:52,074 --> 00:25:57,154 People hold about the tech industry and how do you believe these misconceptions 484 00:25:57,154 --> 00:26:03,694 impact innovation and entrepreneurship within the field because definitely it's 485 00:26:03,694 --> 00:26:04,946 important because 486 00:26:04,946 --> 00:26:11,586 when you misinterpret something is definitely going to impact your innovation 487 00:26:11,586 --> 00:26:13,186 and entrepreneurship in it. 488 00:26:13,186 --> 00:26:14,026 Please. 489 00:26:14,521 --> 00:26:18,601 The first one I would say is people believe tech is only for the young. 490 00:26:18,601 --> 00:26:22,251 The second one, they say tech requires a formal education in STEM. 491 00:26:22,251 --> 00:26:23,261 It doesn't. 492 00:26:23,261 --> 00:26:26,241 They believe tech is only about coding and software development. 493 00:26:26,241 --> 00:26:27,301 It isn't. 494 00:26:27,301 --> 00:26:30,951 They believe startups are the primary drivers of innovation. 495 00:26:30,951 --> 00:26:32,021 They aren't. 496 00:26:32,021 --> 00:26:34,221 It believes there's a quick success or failure. 497 00:26:34,221 --> 00:26:35,161 Not true. 498 00:26:35,161 --> 00:26:37,741 If you want, I could get into that more. 499 00:26:37,901 --> 00:26:40,089 It's up to you with the time in, but again. 500 00:26:40,089 --> 00:26:44,529 Common misconception the main one is that a tech industry is exclusively for young 501 00:26:44,529 --> 00:26:50,949 people and that is so so wrong Okay, and many times older professionals are saying 502 00:26:50,949 --> 00:26:51,459 my god. 503 00:26:51,459 --> 00:26:55,849 This is coming in I can't do this I can't do this and you just need someone who 504 00:26:55,849 --> 00:27:00,209 understands and to be there with them and again I go back to when I started I had a 505 00:27:00,209 --> 00:27:04,349 neighbor and she was a receptionist She's the answer the phones at a major bank and 506 00:27:04,349 --> 00:27:08,509 one day she came home and she said can you help me write a resignation letter and I 507 00:27:08,509 --> 00:27:08,921 was like 508 00:27:08,921 --> 00:27:09,551 Why? 509 00:27:09,551 --> 00:27:12,591 They're gonna put in technology for me to answer phones and stuff. 510 00:27:12,591 --> 00:27:13,711 There's no way I'm gonna do this. 511 00:27:13,711 --> 00:27:14,901 There's no way. 512 00:27:15,181 --> 00:27:18,741 But you, she said, I can talk to people, not to a computer. 513 00:27:18,741 --> 00:27:21,661 Type these things, you know, and how did I get her to do it? 514 00:27:21,661 --> 00:27:22,801 I said, okay, okay, okay. 515 00:27:22,801 --> 00:27:24,621 Give yourself a month to decide. 516 00:27:24,621 --> 00:27:26,301 Let me teach you technology. 517 00:27:26,301 --> 00:27:30,361 Let me show you how to get online and see what's going on on Young and Restless. 518 00:27:30,361 --> 00:27:32,581 And she was interested. 519 00:27:32,581 --> 00:27:34,341 yeah, and she was there with the keyboards. 520 00:27:34,341 --> 00:27:35,961 She could type, right? 521 00:27:35,961 --> 00:27:37,873 She was there and she's reading up. 522 00:27:38,105 --> 00:27:39,565 It wasn't a problem. 523 00:27:39,565 --> 00:27:40,715 But she had this fear. 524 00:27:40,715 --> 00:27:44,505 She saw this computer as something not for her age group. 525 00:27:44,505 --> 00:27:48,505 But then when she saw that this computer opened up a whole new world that she was 526 00:27:48,505 --> 00:27:51,785 interested in, it was no longer a tool of oppression. 527 00:27:51,785 --> 00:27:54,325 It was a tool that would free up her life. 528 00:27:54,465 --> 00:27:58,825 If we talk about the formal education, many believe you have to have a background 529 00:27:58,825 --> 00:27:59,705 in science. 530 00:27:59,705 --> 00:28:00,795 Yeah, that's great. 531 00:28:00,795 --> 00:28:01,505 Or mathematics. 532 00:28:01,505 --> 00:28:02,345 I did. 533 00:28:02,345 --> 00:28:02,785 Right. 534 00:28:02,785 --> 00:28:03,955 But it's beneficial. 535 00:28:03,955 --> 00:28:07,673 But many times it can exclude talented individuals. 536 00:28:07,673 --> 00:28:11,633 who can understand and I say if I look at my spouse when something goes wrong on our 537 00:28:11,633 --> 00:28:16,493 computer it's my spouse who goes first I have a master's in IT but I'm telling you 538 00:28:16,493 --> 00:28:22,293 he gets in there because he has really gathered that aspect and when startups are 539 00:28:22,293 --> 00:28:27,313 important that's a misconception because if you're looking at companies who have 540 00:28:27,313 --> 00:28:32,513 that R &D budget they can do a lot of stuff so they can also make a lot ahead 541 00:28:32,513 --> 00:28:37,273 way that startups can't because money is easier for them to get into and 542 00:28:37,273 --> 00:28:41,953 This myth that tech ventures either quickly succeed or fail spectacularly, 543 00:28:41,953 --> 00:28:44,353 this overlooks the reality that sustained effort. 544 00:28:44,353 --> 00:28:47,573 I mean, even Amazon, sustained effort is what keeps you. 545 00:28:47,573 --> 00:28:51,353 You and I were wrong when Amazon started and everybody's like, who's gonna buy a 546 00:28:51,353 --> 00:28:52,103 book online? 547 00:28:52,103 --> 00:28:54,073 No way, we need our bookstores. 548 00:28:54,073 --> 00:28:56,493 And only four bookstores are help, help. 549 00:28:56,493 --> 00:28:57,457 So yeah. 550 00:28:58,034 --> 00:28:59,404 Yes, same thing with the music. 551 00:28:59,404 --> 00:29:03,994 Everybody was buying CDs and records and vinyls from record stores and record store 552 00:29:03,994 --> 00:29:05,014 were everywhere. 553 00:29:05,014 --> 00:29:07,114 Now they vanished, they disappeared. 554 00:29:07,114 --> 00:29:10,974 Everything is done online, digital, not even download streaming. 555 00:29:10,974 --> 00:29:14,253 Everybody streams and that's about to end soon. 556 00:29:14,253 --> 00:29:16,657 Probably there's I don't know what the new technology is. 557 00:29:16,657 --> 00:29:22,317 sad about because I think what has happened, at least to me within music, I 558 00:29:22,317 --> 00:29:26,417 find that the musicians of the past, I was much more impressed with them because they 559 00:29:26,417 --> 00:29:28,357 were true musicians. 560 00:29:28,357 --> 00:29:32,237 Now I see some of these people now are true, have good tech support teams, that's 561 00:29:32,237 --> 00:29:36,097 what I call it, who can help them sound really good, but they themselves are 562 00:29:36,097 --> 00:29:36,617 really... 563 00:29:36,617 --> 00:29:38,986 They don't even write their songs, they don't put... 564 00:29:38,986 --> 00:29:42,873 acoustic bands with their equipment a guitar a drums 565 00:29:42,873 --> 00:29:44,063 but does it? 566 00:29:44,063 --> 00:29:45,673 I don't like that either. 567 00:29:45,673 --> 00:29:46,363 So it's weird. 568 00:29:46,363 --> 00:29:49,213 It's just that I appreciate truth. 569 00:29:49,233 --> 00:29:50,332 You know, I want truth. 570 00:29:50,332 --> 00:29:55,573 If I'm listening to your voice, I want to listen to your voice, not a computer 571 00:29:55,573 --> 00:29:58,532 generated enhancement of how you should sound. 572 00:29:58,532 --> 00:30:00,853 You know, that part I can't handle. 573 00:30:01,013 --> 00:30:03,543 And so just to me, it destroys everything. 574 00:30:03,543 --> 00:30:06,473 And suddenly everyone's a musician now. 575 00:30:06,473 --> 00:30:10,273 And then we go to the other side with because you talk about streaming, it comes 576 00:30:10,273 --> 00:30:11,978 into the whole copyright aspect. 577 00:30:11,978 --> 00:30:12,470 yeah. 578 00:30:12,470 --> 00:30:16,450 on and that because I think because everything is starting to be so 579 00:30:16,450 --> 00:30:20,730 copyrighted that if you just take one second or make sure you pay for it the 580 00:30:20,730 --> 00:30:25,830 exposure that came out so naturally for some of these artists are not there unless 581 00:30:25,830 --> 00:30:30,310 they can get on a radio unless they can get on a streaming platform it can be 582 00:30:30,310 --> 00:30:30,798 difficult. 583 00:30:30,798 --> 00:30:31,318 disappearing. 584 00:30:31,318 --> 00:30:33,368 It's everything is streaming platform now. 585 00:30:33,368 --> 00:30:34,750 Everything is clear. 586 00:30:34,849 --> 00:30:39,609 mean, in my country, I saw now they need a license to have a radio in like, it's like 587 00:30:39,609 --> 00:30:41,589 a maxi taxi with multiple people. 588 00:30:41,589 --> 00:30:44,269 So you can't have a radio without a license. 589 00:30:44,269 --> 00:30:47,709 And therefore the radios don't want to pay this so they don't play the songs. 590 00:30:47,709 --> 00:30:49,989 And then the exposure is not there again. 591 00:30:49,989 --> 00:30:54,369 So it's that balance that we have to get that empowering social growth without 592 00:30:54,369 --> 00:30:56,209 destroying other people. 593 00:30:56,209 --> 00:30:56,913 Yeah. 594 00:30:58,242 --> 00:31:04,962 Anything you're working on besides the book you just released ESG that you would 595 00:31:04,962 --> 00:31:09,262 like to mention to our listeners and viewers so they look for a new activity, 596 00:31:09,262 --> 00:31:12,121 you're going to speak in somewhere, new engagement, please. 597 00:31:12,121 --> 00:31:14,071 Well, I'm planning to do some webinars. 598 00:31:14,071 --> 00:31:15,091 I'm working on that. 599 00:31:15,091 --> 00:31:19,401 I still have to focus on marketing this book because I was more obsessed with 600 00:31:19,401 --> 00:31:21,121 writing the book and putting out the book. 601 00:31:21,121 --> 00:31:22,411 You know, I was like marketing. 602 00:31:22,411 --> 00:31:24,091 I do have a master's in marketing. 603 00:31:24,091 --> 00:31:24,961 Do I have to market it? 604 00:31:24,961 --> 00:31:25,621 OK, yeah. 605 00:31:25,621 --> 00:31:25,991 Right. 606 00:31:25,991 --> 00:31:29,081 So but webinars and workshops. 607 00:31:29,081 --> 00:31:32,841 And I've been asked to start back my podcast because actually it was a podcast 608 00:31:32,841 --> 00:31:35,041 I was doing on ESG .com to this. 609 00:31:35,041 --> 00:31:39,681 I was doing a podcast and I would be sending my podcast to my brother and 610 00:31:39,681 --> 00:31:40,857 saying, hey, listen to this. 611 00:31:40,857 --> 00:31:41,637 Hey, listen to it. 612 00:31:41,637 --> 00:31:44,557 And he said to me, could you just put all this in a book for me? 613 00:31:44,557 --> 00:31:47,897 You know, like you keep sending me these every week, a different podcast, put it in 614 00:31:47,897 --> 00:31:48,137 a book. 615 00:31:48,137 --> 00:31:51,667 I'll read it, you know, and he actually did it forward for my book. 616 00:31:51,667 --> 00:31:52,257 He did. 617 00:31:52,257 --> 00:31:53,067 He wrote it forward. 618 00:31:53,067 --> 00:31:57,817 He's the president of a major bank and financial and he wrote it forward for my 619 00:31:57,817 --> 00:31:58,037 book. 620 00:31:58,037 --> 00:32:02,057 So he says, yeah, because again, he wants to be able to flip to a particular part at 621 00:32:02,057 --> 00:32:06,417 that point to find to remember which podcast she said X, Y, and Z. 622 00:32:06,417 --> 00:32:08,497 So, but I'm going back into my podcast. 623 00:32:08,497 --> 00:32:09,187 It was fun. 624 00:32:09,187 --> 00:32:10,117 I love it. 625 00:32:10,117 --> 00:32:11,115 Doing my. 626 00:32:11,130 --> 00:32:11,890 Amazing. 627 00:32:11,890 --> 00:32:18,370 Well, you know, for listeners and viewers that who are going to be inspired by this 628 00:32:18,370 --> 00:32:25,830 interview and listen to you talk and how far you came and how much accolades and 629 00:32:25,830 --> 00:32:30,830 how much education you compiled and you're still learning and you're still open to 630 00:32:30,830 --> 00:32:31,610 learn more. 631 00:32:31,610 --> 00:32:37,270 What advice you would give anyone who gets inspired by your story and by your 632 00:32:37,270 --> 00:32:39,082 accomplishment, achievements in life? 633 00:32:39,705 --> 00:32:40,015 Okay. 634 00:32:40,015 --> 00:32:41,365 I have some rules. 635 00:32:41,365 --> 00:32:44,235 I say you must always embrace lifelong learning. 636 00:32:44,235 --> 00:32:47,465 As I said in the beginning, I don't believe we should ever stop learning. 637 00:32:47,465 --> 00:32:49,905 The tech industry is evolving rapidly. 638 00:32:49,905 --> 00:32:52,305 So continuous learning is going to be essential. 639 00:32:52,305 --> 00:32:57,045 I myself have to upgrade my skills always continuously develop what I consider a 640 00:32:57,045 --> 00:32:58,445 diverse skill set. 641 00:32:58,445 --> 00:33:02,285 This is no longer the time where you can just be a specialist in one area. 642 00:33:02,305 --> 00:33:04,335 You cannot be a specialist in one area. 643 00:33:04,335 --> 00:33:08,425 Technical skills are important, but you need to compliment them with 644 00:33:08,425 --> 00:33:09,657 communication. 645 00:33:09,657 --> 00:33:13,117 Teamwork problem -solving make you more adaptable. 646 00:33:13,117 --> 00:33:18,877 I also say you should learn to Specialize but stay flexible. 647 00:33:18,877 --> 00:33:23,377 Okay specializing in a niche area Like I said, I'm doing in s but I haven't stopped 648 00:33:23,377 --> 00:33:29,957 doing my strategy on my change management, but maintain Yes maintain flexibility to 649 00:33:29,957 --> 00:33:34,997 adapt to new technologies that open up more opportunities for you Network 650 00:33:34,997 --> 00:33:35,717 effectively. 651 00:33:35,717 --> 00:33:38,525 I said I was a extraverted introvert. 652 00:33:38,525 --> 00:33:38,841 I 653 00:33:38,841 --> 00:33:43,321 It really means you have to do, you have to build a strong professional network to 654 00:33:43,321 --> 00:33:44,521 make you indispensable. 655 00:33:44,521 --> 00:33:48,381 When I was lecturing, I told my students, you need to start building another network 656 00:33:48,381 --> 00:33:51,001 from the time you enter university on LinkedIn. 657 00:33:51,001 --> 00:33:55,181 Build it, get people who may be able to get you those positions, open up your eyes 658 00:33:55,181 --> 00:33:58,061 and of course showcase your projects. 659 00:33:58,061 --> 00:33:58,721 Okay. 660 00:33:58,721 --> 00:34:03,181 Whether through a professional portfolio or personal projects, demonstrate to 661 00:34:03,181 --> 00:34:04,581 people your practical skills. 662 00:34:04,581 --> 00:34:05,529 Again, Bob. 663 00:34:05,529 --> 00:34:09,429 did this book because when I left academia and I came out now back to go fully 664 00:34:09,429 --> 00:34:10,589 consultant. 665 00:34:10,669 --> 00:34:13,649 People in Belgium don't know who Therese Batiste is. 666 00:34:13,649 --> 00:34:16,229 People perhaps my students know who I am. 667 00:34:16,229 --> 00:34:19,289 Somebody consultants back home and people who I worked back home. 668 00:34:19,289 --> 00:34:21,489 But in Europe I was a pretty unknown. 669 00:34:21,489 --> 00:34:26,229 So my logic is this was like a method of saying hey this is me I know what I'm 670 00:34:26,229 --> 00:34:28,569 talking about hello right. 671 00:34:28,569 --> 00:34:30,789 We talk about focus on problem solving. 672 00:34:30,789 --> 00:34:35,065 Companies will value individuals who can solve complex problems. 673 00:34:35,065 --> 00:34:41,265 I tell, I say on my website, therazbetease .com, that I can turn that mess into a 674 00:34:41,265 --> 00:34:41,905 message. 675 00:34:41,905 --> 00:34:42,315 Okay. 676 00:34:42,315 --> 00:34:46,885 I am there to help you get rid of these complexities, showcase your ability to use 677 00:34:46,885 --> 00:34:49,435 technology, to find innovative solutions. 678 00:34:49,435 --> 00:34:51,425 I mean, have fun with it. 679 00:34:51,425 --> 00:34:53,455 You don't have to think everything so seriously. 680 00:34:53,455 --> 00:34:57,525 I mean, I'm on TikTok and I go on TikTok not for work. 681 00:34:57,525 --> 00:35:02,325 I just go on TikTok to just get off some steam, make a joke, read a joke, laugh at 682 00:35:02,325 --> 00:35:03,085 a joke. 683 00:35:03,085 --> 00:35:03,577 Okay. 684 00:35:03,577 --> 00:35:07,737 By adopting different strategies, you can enhance your profile, adapt to industry 685 00:35:07,737 --> 00:35:12,917 shifts, and carve that success for you in the dynamic field of technology. 686 00:35:12,917 --> 00:35:16,077 We, technology, can no longer stay what we used to be long ago. 687 00:35:16,077 --> 00:35:17,277 I used to be called a nerd. 688 00:35:17,277 --> 00:35:19,727 We nerds have to come out and say, hey, look us. 689 00:35:19,727 --> 00:35:21,426 We know what we're talking about. 690 00:35:21,426 --> 00:35:22,406 Amazing. 691 00:35:22,406 --> 00:35:25,136 Well, you know, all great things has to come to an end. 692 00:35:25,136 --> 00:35:29,206 I definitely enjoyed this interview and many, it's very insightful and many 693 00:35:29,206 --> 00:35:32,226 takeaways for myself and for our viewers and listeners. 694 00:35:32,226 --> 00:35:37,846 So thank you for joining us today on Innovate Presents Entrepreneurs in Tech. 695 00:35:37,846 --> 00:35:42,486 Be sure to connect with us on social media, stay informed about our upcoming 696 00:35:42,486 --> 00:35:44,756 episodes and exclusive content. 697 00:35:44,756 --> 00:35:46,606 For sure, it is exclusive. 698 00:35:46,606 --> 00:35:50,322 Until next time, keep innovating, stay curious. 699 00:35:50,322 --> 00:35:54,322 and we'll see you on the cutting edge of technology. 700 00:35:54,322 --> 00:35:58,930 Thank you and take care.