Digital First Magazine – October 2023 – Must-Watch Innovators to Follow in 2023

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GLOBAL EDITION

Digital, Technology and Business Insights

FEATURING INSIDE MOST INSPIRING

BUSINESS LEADER 2023

Zack Oates Founder & CEO, Ovation MUST-WATCH

INNOVATOR

TO FOLLOW IN 2023

Marco Imperiale Founder and Managing Director, Better Ipsum MOST INSPIRING

TECH LEADER 2023

Michael Seidl CEO, au2mator MOST SUCCESSFUL

BUSINESS WOMAN 2023

Claire Cummings Founder and Co-owner, Cummings Pepperdine MOST INNOVATIVE

COMPANY IN 2023

Salesation & Partner

Danielle Crop Former Chief Data Officer, Albertsons & American Express Devshree Golecha Vice President of Data Engineering, Architecture & Analytics, TDECU Eva Schönleitner Senior Executive, Advisor & Board Member Hamid Azarak Co-founder & CEO, Neoki Zara Zamani Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Neoki, Chief Solutions Officer, ChromaWay Xoliswa Mahlangu Head of Digital Learning and Technology, Sifiso Learning Group

ASH YOUNG

CO - FOUNDER & CEO, CACHENGO INC OCTOBER 2023

DRIVING INNOVATION & MAKING A LASTING IMPACT 1 Digital First Magazine October 2023

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Digital First Magazine October 2023

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October 2023

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam Consultant Editors Dr. John Andrews Naomi Wilson Emma James Stanly Lui Andrew Scott Steve Hope Sabrina Samson Keith Alexander Creative Consultants Charlie Jameson Louis Bernard Shirley David Branding & Marketing Partnerships Jennifer Anderson Monica Davis Jessica Edword Rachel Roy Anna Elza Stephen Donnell Cathy Chen Enquiry admin@digitalfirstmagazine.com

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Digital First Magazine October 2023

Vol - 4 Issue - 11

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Embracing the Technological Wave:

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

The Significance of Innovative Leaders

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n a world that’s increasingly defined by technological advancements and everevolving landscapes, staying ahead of the curve has become the mantra for successful organizations. As we delve into the latest trends in technology, one truth emerges with utmost clarity – innovative leaders are the guiding lights steering companies towards unprecedented success.

In this issue of Digital First Magazine, we take you on an illuminating journey through the realm of innovation. Our mission? To shed light on the pioneers, the game-changers, and the visionaries who are shaping the future of technology and business. These are the individuals who, against all odds, defy conventional wisdom, and catalyze revolutions.

Our flagship titles in this issue showcase remarkable individuals and entities that stand at the forefront of innovation. From the “Most Inspiring Tech Leader - 2023” to the “Most Innovative Company in 2023,” our pages are brimming with stories of triumph and transformation. We introduce you to the “Must-Watch Innovators to Follow in 2023” and share insights into what makes them trailblazers.

On the cover, we bring you the incredible journey of Ash Young, a visionary with over three decades of experience in the storage industry.

Ash, the Co-Founder & CEO at Cachengo Inc., is redefining the norm by pioneering Edge Computing once more. His story is a testament to the boundless potential of innovation in a world where change is the only constant.

Digital First Magazine isn’t just about showcasing success; it’s about providing a compass for business leaders around the world. In an age where technology permeates every facet of our lives, understanding the intricate nuances of the tech landscape is vital. It’s about recognizing that innovation isn’t a choice but a necessity.

Our aim is to empower leaders with insights and inspiration. We bridge the gap between the known and the unknown, helping leaders understand the ever-evolving technology landscape and the dynamic styles of leadership required to navigate it. Through our articles, features, and interviews, we aim to connect you with the wisdom and experiences of those who’ve been there, done that.

Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam Digital First Magazine October 2023

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ASH YOUNG CO - F O U ND E R & C E O, CAC H E NG O I NC

DRIVING INNOVATION & MAKING A LASTING IMPACT

10 COVER

STORY

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M U S T- W A T C H

Marco Imperiale Founder and Managing Director, Better Ipsum A Legal Innovation Trailblazer

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Digital First Magazine October 2023

I N N O VATO R TO FOLLOW IN

2023

MOST

SUCCESSFUL

BUSINESS

WOMAN

2023

Claire Cummings Founder and Managing Partner, Cummings Pepperdine Navigating the Crypto Seas and Empowering Diversity in Finance

Michael Seidl

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MOST INNOVATIVE

COMPANY IN

2023

CEO of au2mator Pioneering Automation for a More Efficient Tomorrow

Salesation & Partner Redefining Business Excellence in the Digital Age

Zack Oates

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Founder & CEO, Ovation Crafting the Perfect Recipe for a Restaurant’s Success

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MOST INSPIRING

TECH LEADER

2023

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MOST INSPIRING

BUSINESS

LEADER

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IN MY VIEW

Fostering a Culture of Data Excellence

Empowering Leaders to Make Data-Based Decisions

Danielle Crop, Former Chief Data Officer, Albertsons & American Express

Devshree Golecha, Vice President of Data Engineering, Architecture & Analytics, TDECU

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

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EXPERT OPINION

Transforming the Design Landscape Through Passion, Purpose, & Vision Hamid Azarak, Co-founder & CEO, Neoki and Zara Zamani, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Neoki & Chief Solutions Officer, ChromaWay

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How to Adopt your Digital Transformation Strategy Successfully – Finally!

Eva Schönleitner, Senior Executive, Advisor & Board Member

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Unleashing the Digital Generation: The Power of K-12 Computer Science Education in the Global Tech Race Xoliswa Mahlangu, Head of Digital Learning and Technology, Sifiso Learning Group

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COVER STORY COVER STORY

ASH YOUNG CO - F OU N D E R & C EO, CAC HENG O I NC

DRIVING INNOVATION & MAKING A LASTING IMPACT

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A

sh Young is an innovator and trailblazer with over three decades of experience in the storage industry.

Throughout his career, he has always been driven by a passion for innovation and a desire to make a meaningful impact in the world of technology. As a strong advocate

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for open-source software, he created the first open-source, open-hardware Network Attached Storage (NAS) appliance, the first unified block/ file storage stack for Linux, and the first storage management software, innovating many times.

As the Co-Founder & CEO at Cachengo Inc., Ash is going against the trends and

pioneering in Edge Computing again. His fundamental belief that it is now more economical to move computing to where the data resides is highly solicited, as it unlocks tremendous new opportunities with artificial intelligence. As an entrepreneur and a passionate programmer who still writes his own codes, Ash is committed

HEADQUARTERED IN HUNTINGDON, TENNESSEE, CACHENGO IS THE INDUSTRY LEADER IN INCORPORATING MACHINE LEARNING (ML) CAPABILITIES INTO SMART APPLIANCES TO NOT ONLY ENABLE DYNAMIC POLICIES AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BUT ALSO TO DRAMATICALLY CUT POWER CONSUMPTION

to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, driving innovation, and making a lasting impact.

A Journey of Innovation and Impact Ash has been a part of the storage industry for most of his life since he was in high school. He has worked on pretty much every facet of storage.

Ash shares, “When I came up with the idea for Bento and Pizza, I was simply working to change the status quo 2U24 (2U, 24-drive) storage server from Supermicro that has become rather ubiquitous in the industry.” When he finally built up Cachengo’s first prototype of 24 smart drives in a single enclosure, he was excited to show people what this new design could do. Mobile World Congress 2018 was coming up in a few months, and his idea of mining unstructured files to summarize the data there was less than inspiring.

Tom Tofigh of AT&T suggested a demonstration.

Ash followed Tom’s idea and demonstrated the new design by doing facial recognition locally on the drive, which became a hit. It literally put Cachengo on the map with every telco wanting to do a PoC with Ash and his team.

Fast-forwarding to the current scenario, companies generate massive amounts of information that become their intellectual property as long as the employees never retire or leave. However, Cachengo has set out to change this narrative with its new El Roi AI, teaching companies the knowledge they have amassed over decades.

Cachengo®: Pushing Analytics to the Edge Headquartered in Huntingdon, Tennessee, Cachengo is the industry leader in incorporating

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CACHENGO PROVIDES AN EDGE AI SYSTEM DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DATA OUTSIDE THE DATA CENTER TO DELIVER IMPROVED OPERATIONS, DEEPER INSIGHTS, AND A MORE RESPONSIVE CAPABILITY

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machine learning (ML) capabilities into smart appliances to not only enable dynamic policies and artificial intelligence but also to dramatically cut power consumption. With an emphasis on 100% open source and reference hardware designs, Cachengo is changing the landscape for how we envision servers and storage at the Cloud Edge and for 5G. Cachengo’s mission is to bring high-tech manufacturing, software engineering, and other similarly outsourced jobs back to America and to the South.

How Cachengo’s Use of Symbiotes Can Change Edge Computing & IT Industry in the Era of Cloud Computing Cachengo provides an end-to-end turnkey system that is based on its use of Symbiotes®.

Symbiotes are solid state drives that function as high-performance servers. Sun Microsystems popularized the idea that the network is the computer. The premise behind this is that it is the network that connects applications and users. However, Cachengo realized that the real connection point is the data. Data is what computing is all about. Without it, there isn’t much to compute. Data has to be captured and stored; and this is typically performed on some of type of drive. While the rest of the world is busy migrating data from these storage devices to larger systems that can provide the computational capabilities, Ash thought about the growing complexity and size of data. Moving vast amounts of data is simply not practical any longer. He envisioned infusing computing capabilities directly onto the drives so that data could be processed where it is originally captured. This reduction in data movement could then drive further

reductions in network bandwidth, latency, and even power consumption.

To further simplify this idea, Ash also considered the idea of making these Symbiotes easier to deploy applications and AI. While Cloud Computing and Big Data have created an industry out of writing massive amounts of code to interact with proprietary protocol stacks and libraries, Cachengo envisioned something more elegant. Inspired by the simplicity of Apple’s iPod and iTunes rollout of 2001, Ash and his team created something that would not require coding by its users, but could instead be deployed with a single click.

Tackling Challenges Head-on For Ash, funding was the biggest challenge in his entrepreneurial journey. However, he acknowledges and bestows credit upon his incredibly supportive and encouraging investors. He states that if it weren’t for them, pioneering new solutions and setting a benchmark in the storage industry wouldn’t have been possible for him.

Principles behind True Leadership Success As an effective leader, Ash has always focused on lifting people up. He moved to a remote part of the US to manufacture and keep up with China and Taiwan. Rather than just importing people there, he decided to train the people who were already there. A bold move that paid off. This remote area had farmers, English majors, musicians, construction folks, etc. to whom Ash and his team taught coding.

Moreover, Cachengo provides accommodation, especially to its university graduate team

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CACHENGO IS LOOKING FORWARD TO LAUNCHING ITS 2ND GENERATION MODEL, WHICH WILL OPERATE AROUND 60W WHILE INCREASING THE COMPUTING FROM AROUND 4TOPS TO 60TOPS PER NODE OR 480TOPS PER BENTO, MEMORY TO 128GB, AND STORAGE TO A MAXIMUM OF 160TB PER BENTO

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members and offers healthcare benefits covering full family to its employees.

In addition, the company has designed a training and development program for its employees to improve their skills, enhance their productivity, and improve company culture. Likewise, Ash has created his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy to teach Cachengo’s employees the importance of failure in growth. Ash highlights, “Failure is an essential part of the learning process, and those who are willing to embrace failure are more likely to develop a growth mindset and succeed in life. Hence, we need to get back to encouraging people to fail more quickly so that we might learn from the mistakes.”

Cachengo also encourages employees to train their co-workers, which provides them an excellent opportunity to learn and grow and to demonstrate their leadership skills. In addition, Ash’s daughter Aurora BeaulieuYoung, who heads up HR along with her team, has created a blueprint for helping employees succeed and get to the next level.

This progressive manual allows Cachengo to scale its culture across the new employees.

Fostering a Collaborative Environment within the Team Ash expects everyone at Cachengo to lead, make decisions, and make mistakes. He only faults those who do nothing. They’re covering themselves and ensuring there’s never any blowback on them for a decision gone wrong. These are the ones weeded out. If they can’t change, they’re gone.

“I would rather have a company of people who make a lot of mistakes than

have a company of perfectionists who cannot do anything that challenges them or us. So, at the end of the day, it’s our people who come up with new things. My job is to provide the capabilities for them to inspire the rest of us,” asserts Ash. Moving Forward Ash is excited about putting an AI in every home that is truly individualized and serves

its owner. He hopes to see his customers interact with their data via their voice or chat. The AI will learn what its owner wants and how he or she talks, done onpremise and not on the cloud. Moreover, he is inspired by the limitless possibilities that are out there and is looking forward to creating a future where technology serves as an enabler rather than a driver of change.

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M U S T- W A T C H

I N N O VATO R TO FOLLOW IN

2023

Marco Imperiale Founder and Managing Director, Better Ipsum

A Legal Innovation Trailblazer

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arco Imperiale is the founder and managing director of Better Ipsum, a consultancy focused on legal design, legal innovation, and legal wellbeing. He has extensive experience in legal design, legal tech, and sustainability, and he enjoys exploring new global trends in law and leveraging new technologies to deliver highvalue services to clients. In addition to this role, he is a member of multiple associations, a distinguished lecturer, and a frequent public speaker. Recently, he co-authored the first Italian book on legal design alongside

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Barbara de Muro, which was published by Giuffré Francis Lefebvre.

Impressive Academic Background Marco considers himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from prestigious institutions such as Bologna University and Harvard Law School. Despite his belief in the “learning by doing” theory, his immersive experiences at these educational institutions have been unmatched. Bologna, the oldest university in the world, instilled in him a love for the law and provided a strong foundation in philosophy, legal history,

Marco Imperiale,

Founder and Managing Director, Better Ipsum

Digital First Magazine October 2023

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and economics. On the other hand, Harvard, the world-renowned Ivy League institution in the United States, played a pivotal role in shaping his character and accelerating his professional growth.

Drawing from his personal journey, Marco shares, “I still firmly believe that investing in education is the wisest choice in our complex world. If you have any doubts about pursuing a master’s degree, I encourage you to go for it. My motto is that money spent on concerts, travels, and education is always well invested!”. Marco came back to Harvard in 2022 as a visiting researcher, and had the

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opportunity to lecture the course on Legal Design at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

Starting in the music world Marco’s career started in the copyright and entertainment field. Because of his interest in the music world (Marco is also a songwriter and a musician), he saw the opportunity to utilize his law degree in a field he was truly passionate about, enabling him to be productive and provide added value to his clients. Reflecting on those early days, he shares, “It was exhilarating to be a first-year trainee working with stadium artists, collecting

Our idea is pretty simple, yet disruptive. The legal field lacks a humancentric approach to problems, people, and challenges. Whether we are talking about legal design, legal innovation, or sustainability, there is a general agreement regarding the need of intervening, but a lack of effort and focus on the implementation of the various initiatives

societies, and production companies involved in Hollywood movies. I had the chance to gain a comprehensive understanding of this incredible world known as show business.”

However, juggling multiple roles and working full-time proved to be challenging for Marco. The initial years were demanding as he simultaneously worked for a label, a booking agency, and an organizer of TV events.

Nonetheless, with an optimistic perspective, Marco considered these experiences valuable as they provided him with profound insights into the music industry. It was during this period that he recognized the parallels between

the challenges of the music business in 1999 - when Napster emerged and disrupted the industry paradigm - and the legal landscape.

He explains, “When the value of services changes, you must find new revenue streams, much like a surfer recognizing a massive wave approaching. At that moment, I had two options: ride the wave or be carried away by it. You can probably guess my decision!”

Marco reveals. Despite his current focus on innovation, Marco is still a teaching fellow for the CopyrightX course, offered by Harvard Law School in conjunction with the Berkman Center for Internet and Society.

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One positive development is that individuals now have the ability to effectively calculate the costs and benefits of mental wellbeing, which is a first in history. Conducting a thorough economic analysis will shift the conversation from theoretical to practical

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From the music world to the innovation After several years in the music business, Marco made a pivot-change in his career, becoming one of the first European Head of Innovation for law firms, and leading the digital transformation at LCA, one of the major Italian firms. In this role, he shaped and developed several initiatives regarding sustainability, tech, and artificial intelligence.

He managed a Digital Innovation Hub for the realization of an a.i. based platform for search engines, coordinated two social reports, and worked tirelessly on legal design projects. Marco looks back at his LCA years with gratitude. “I have been very lucky doing something I loved, collaborating with amazing professionals, with the main focus of providing great advice to the clients and having a relevant impact both inside and outside the firm. We were able to represent a model not only to our clients, but to Italian and foreign law firms as well. Moreover, we were speaking about innovation, legal design, and sustainability before it was cool”.

From law firms to entrepreneurship His commitment to innovation and sustainability lead him to start – with a group of renowned

professionals – Better Ipsum, a consultancy focused on legal design, legal innovation, and legal wellbeing. “Our idea is pretty simple, yet disruptive. The legal field lacks a humancentric approach to problems, people, and challenges.

Whether we are talking about legal design, legal innovation, or sustainability, there is a general agreement regarding the need of intervening, but a lack of effort and focus on the implementation of the various initiatives. For example, most of the corporations and law firms in my network want to use legal design approach in their contracts and policies, or start/improve a digital transformation strategy. They want to deliver annual social reports, strengthen collaboration among professionals, or address better Gen Zs requests. Unfortunately, despite the need, they don’t know how to do it, and when they are

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searching for external professionals, there are no players who are able to provide those services. We are the ones addressing this need. Our track record with multinational companies, relevant institutions, and law firms put us in the perfect spot to understand their requests, whether explicit or implicit, and help them deliver value both internally and externally”.

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Marco started the consultancy with a group of lawyers, psychologists, designers, and sustainability experts. “We are already earning significant traction on continental Europe, and we are planning to start several business units in US, UK, Asia, and middleEast in a 3-year timeframe. The Copernican revolution affecting the legal business doesn’t have barriers, and while there are differences

Even in the legal world, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can navigate unforeseen challenges and adapt to the future. For this reason, embracing change and cultivating flexibility will be essential prerequisites for success

regarding specific countries, most of the needs are pretty much the same”.

The Evolution of Legal Design Landscape Overall, Marco’s dedication and contributions to the legal design field have not only helped shape its growth but have also positioned him as a leading figure in the movement toward more user-centric and innovative legal practices. In

discussing his latest book, written with Barbara de Muro, Marco introduces the concept of legal design as a discipline focused on creating user-centric legal documents and processes. He highlights its exponential growth and how the landscape has transformed over the years. “What was once a small group of players and companies interested in legal design has now expanded into a thriving field. Today, numerous institutions are actively prototyping contracts and policies, and corporations are dedicating specific budgets to legal design. Universities are also offering legal design courses, leading to increased student involvement. Notably, major events like the Legal Design Summit have gained significant popularity, with tickets selling out within days”.

The Next Big Thing According to Marco, mental well-being is poised to become the next significant trend to watch in the future of legal and business world. He believes that stress management, talent retention, and performance anxiety have become prevalent in our daily lives, painting a somewhat gloomy picture. However, he notes that businesses and legal departments are starting to take this matter seriously, driven by the requests and challenges faced by Gen Z and the aftermath of the pandemic.

“One positive development is that individuals now have the ability to effectively calculate the costs and benefits of mental wellbeing, which is a first in history. Conducting a thorough economic analysis will shift the conversation from theoretical to practical.

And the impact of mental well-being will help companies and firms redefine their policies to create better and more inclusive workplaces”

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Roadmap to the Future Looking ahead, Marco acknowledges that there will be both tough challenges and exciting opportunities on a global scale. He recognizes the need for smart and savvy professionals who can tackle these challenges and explore the possibilities that arise.

“Even in the legal world, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can navigate unforeseen challenges and adapt to the future. For this reason, embracing change and cultivating flexibility will be essential prerequisites for success. As the landscape continues to evolve rapidly, individuals and

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organizations must be open to new ideas, technologies, and ways of doing things. By embracing change and remaining flexible, professionals can position themselves to capitalize on the opportunities that emerge and effectively address the challenges they encounter”.

Marco’s outlook reflects the dynamic nature of the business world and the importance of continuous learning and adaptability. By recognizing and embracing the need for change, professionals can position themselves to thrive in an everevolving global landscape.

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Digital First Magazine istockphoto.com/DanielBendjy October 2023

IN MY VIEW

Fostering a Culture of Data Excellence Danielle Crop, Former Chief Data Officer, Albertsons & American Express

Do you think that data science is perceived to be more important than ever before?

And what has been the impact of AI on data science?

Absolutely, the advent of the Cloud has brought data science to the fore like never before. The purpose of the Cloud is to bring data together in near real-time across different experiences to create cohesive and contextual decision-making. Remove data

science, and this would be impossible. The speed, scale, and interconnections of the data enable entirely new algorithmic approaches.

To achieve these goals, data scientists need to be provided with new tools and techniques, meaning a whole new industry of sophisticated processes and tools arise to foster the creation and deployment of data science models (AI/ ML Ops). And like before the Cloud, delays or incorrect decisions occur when the data is not

Business leaders need to understand the importance of accurate and usable data and support investment in foundations, such as data management and governance

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Danielle Crop is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Data Officer of American Express and Albertsons Companies. In these roles, Danielle was responsible for realizing the potential of large, complex data assets to drive revenue and create the world’s best customer experiences. Throughout her career, she has held a series of multimarket roles within the areas of fraud risk management, merchant and cardmember demographics, payment and network data, and global digital products for new cardmember acquisition. She has a strong background in analytics, data management, modeling, digital experimentation, as well as scaled agile digital transformation and product management.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Danielle shared her insights on the importance of data science in today’s digital era, personal career trajectory, significant career milestones, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

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accessible, appropriately formatted, labeled, and understood.

What can organizational leaders do to promote a data driven decision-making culture in organizations?

First, they need to understand the importance of accurate and usable data and support investment in foundations, such as data management and governance. Data engineering is not sufficient, it’s main function is to move data from one place to another, not to ensure data is usable or accurate. Second, they need to invest in tools and training to enable data literacy for the organization, such as cataloging, lineage, usable business insights, etc.… Simply making data available is not enough. If it’s not accurate or understandable, individuals will simply make poor decision with inadequate data.

There is no short cut to empowering proper data driven decision making.

Danielle, please tell us about your background path to your current role.

I have an unusual path to the Chief Data Officer role. I began my path by getting an undergraduate degree in Forestry, specifically Quantitative Terrestrial Ecology. I wanted to make smarter and more balanced decisions about the environment through data. In order to further that ambition, I went to graduate school to get a Masters in Statistics. When I finished, I was married, and needed to stay put to support my spouse in finishing his degree in Computer Science. I found a job at a small subprime credit card company. In this job, I realized how much the business could be advanced through the massive data assets. It was empowering. Once my husband finished his degree, I sought out a role at the best credit card company, American Express. I spent nearly 20 years at American Express, doing everything from consulting with our partner banks, to fraud risk management,

Culture and respect for different skill sets and collaboration in driving business goals is key to the data team’s success

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to data science, and digital and data product management across all 23 markets. I ended my tenure at American Express in the Chief Data Officer role, where I rebuilt that function from the ground up. After achieving that, I looked for opportunities to learn and grow outside of financial services, and I began my Chief Data Officer role at Albertsons Companies.

In this role, I built the data function from scratch and in less than 2 years the team is driving over 600M in annual revenue through improvements in Supply Chain, Marketing, Merchandising, and Digital User Experience and that’s just the beginning.

Are there still hurdles chief data officers have to overcome in their roles or are CDOs now accepted in parts of the organizational hierarchy?

There are definitely still big hurdles. The cross functional (i.e horizontal) nature of the Chief Data Officer role is still not well understood.

The role of a CDO is to foster a culture of data excellence for the organization, as well as to enable and drive business outcomes in partnerships with the P&L owners. Traditional P&L owners often want to own (or to be perceived as owning) all of the functions that help drive their business. The role of technologies has had over thirty years to mature and it is now taken for granted how essential tech teams are to driving P&Ls, yet the role of the data team is a hybrid function (both business and technological in nature).

It can be difficult for traditional CFOs, CEOs, and P&L owners, etc. to understand how data functions directly relate to business outcomes, making it hard for organizations to give proper credit to how much business upside is driven

by these teams. On the flip side, sometimes the C-suite wants to micromanage what data teams are doing, which given the cross functional and technical nature of the function, is nearly impossible. The C-Suite understanding how to manage sophisticated data and technical professionals by giving them high level goals and then setting them loose to collaboratively work with business partners is the key. If the leadership does not understand this, they will simply get left behind by those companies that do understand it. Additionally, while the costs of a data team are black and white, the business outcomes are cross functionally owned. If the C-suite doesn’t understand this reality, then data teams appear like a large cost and not a revenue driver for the organization.

Culture and respect for different skill sets and collaboration in driving business goals is key to the data team’s success.

Apart from your leadership roles, you are also a Board Member of Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona (HFHCAZ).

What inspired you to become a part of this nonprofit organization?

I have been very blessed in my life and career and it is important to me to give back to my community. When the opportunity to join Habitat’s board came up, I jumped at it. Habitat for Humanity Central AZ is the biggest Habitat affiliate in the country and through the Board I am able to help facilitate their mission to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Affordable housing is such an important issue today and I’m very happy to be a part of an organization helping to achieve “A world where everyone has a decent place to live”.

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What has been your most career-defining moment that you are proud of?

There have been many small moments that have defined my career and I think the key is accepting a challenge when it presents itself. If I had let being the only woman in the room intimidate me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. If I had said “No” when I was scared, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s about having confidence that I could learn and grow from challenging experiences, and that I could do valuable and meaningful work everyday.

Poor data and improper analytics will lead to bad business decisions.

The data supply chain is very complicated and it is easy for data to get lost i n translation

What is the top data issue that kept you awake at night as a CDO? That poor data and improper analytics will lead to bad business decisions. The data supply chain is very complicated and it is easy for data to get lost in translation. When incorrect analyses occur it can affect a businesses negatively without them even realizing. There is also confirmation bias, where data is often used to prop up existing theories or agendas, and this can also lead to incorrect decision making.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I live in the moment and take challenges and opportunities as they come. I feel that if you set out personal goals that are not flexible, you can be closed to something amazing that you would never have expected. I never expected to be a Chief Data Officer, yet here I am and enjoying it. I focus on doing great work wherever I am, to bloom where I am planted, keep my eyes open, and new and exciting things will come.

What advice would you give to aspiring data scientists?

Learn about quantum computing, it’s where the next exciting phase of data science will occur.

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MOST

SUCCESSFUL

BUSINESS

WOMAN

2023

Claire Cummings Founder and Managing Partner, Cummings Pepperdine

Navigating the Crypto Seas and Empowering Diversity in Finance

I

n 2012, Claire Cummings was in New York City, chatting with clients who were about to set up a business in the UK. Little did she know that this meeting would set her on an incredible journey into the world of digital money and blockchain. As the conversation flowed, they started talking about Bitcoin, which was a bit of a mystery to most folks then. Claire was immediately hooked. She recalls, “It’s one of those strange series of events that I think everyone has in their life. It’s luck, serendipity, good fortune, and so on just coming together.”

She was suddenly hit with a wave of curiosity that made her want to explore this new and exciting world. Reading books, doing research, and

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thinking about different intriguing concepts got her more and more interested. She remembers, “I was gripped by the thinking behind Bitcoin and started reading and learning and thinking more.” One book that really clicked with her was “The History of Money” by Jack Weatherford. Claire loved it so much that she recommended it to everyone who wanted to understand digital money. With every page she turned, her fascination with crypto grew.

Fast forward a few years, and Claire got a call from someone who was just as curious as she was. They shared a big dream: to create the first Bitcoin fund in the UK. It was a bold move, as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK was reluctant to accept the idea. However, Claire was

Claire Cummings,

Founder and Managing Partner, Cummings Pepperdine

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not discouraged by the challenges. She recalls, “It’s one of those times when various strands of your life come together, and I found a new area that fascinated me.”

They had discussions, learned a lot, and came up with some groundbreaking ideas. Along the way, Claire realized that her past experiences studying trading and working in finance were helping her in this new adventure. She adds, “I

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started to see similarities with what I’d learned years earlier studying for the exams needed to trade futures and options and working for a CTA.” The Power of Support and the Team Behind Success It’s amazing how life can take unexpected turns and how the people around us can make all the difference. Claire is grateful for the unexpected

events and unwavering support that led her to specialize in crypto and blockchain law. She says, “I was incredibly lucky that I found an area of work which really fascinated me and at exactly the same time that I was yearning for new challenges.”

This stroke of good fortune was further amplified by the support of her clients and contacts who believed in her vision. Claire shares, “They supported me when I tried out my ideas on them and gave me time, which was incredibly generous.

I owe them a huge debt. They gave me work, made introductions, and many gave me their friendship.”

With this support, Claire embarked on the remarkable journey of setting up her own firm.

However, as any entrepreneur knows, running a business while also serving clients can be a formidable challenge. Claire found a simple yet incredible solution. She shares, “The greatest challenge has always been running a business while also doing client work. But the answer to that has been quite simple – build a team of the right people.”

Indeed, it’s the people who make the difference.

Claire recognizes that with the right team, the possibilities are boundless. She adds, “Without the right people, you can’t do anything, but with the right people, then the sky’s the limit.” Claire has built Cummings Pepperdine into a unique

offering for alternative investment managers and positioned the firm at the forefront of the crypto and blockchain revolution.

Regulatory Clarity and Meeting Investor Needs Claire’s work includes advising on FCA, AIFMD, MiFID II and EMIR issues, advising on cryptocurrencies, token issues/ICOs, setting up funds and drafting fund documentation, acting for brokers, negotiating derivative documentation, setting up fund managers and drafting shareholder and limited liability partnership agreements. “The first thing I say to clients is that their customer is always right. Find out what the investors want and try to give it to them,” shares Claire.

Claire believes that it’s crucial to listen to your audience, comprehend their requirements, and customize your approach to meet those demands. Her philosophy is based on customercentricity, which she applies not just to her clients but also to the complex realm of cryptocurrency investments. This principle is also applicable to the selection of jurisdiction, which is a crucial decision in the crypto landscape. Claire advises, “It is essential to consider which jurisdictions might be best for your strategy and to find an efficient one that will accept it.”

Claire’s work includes advising on FCA, AIFMD, MiFID II and EMIR issues, advising on cryptocurrencies, token issues/ICOs, setting up funds and drafting fund documentation, acting for brokers, negotiating derivative documentation, setting up fund managers and drafting shareholder and limited liability partnership agreements

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In the evolving crypto terrain, where regulatory nuances can make or break an endeavor, Claire’s insight is crystal clear. She states, “My main insight would be to spend time with your potential investors working out what they want while at the same time talking to a lawyer about how it will work in practice.”

Claire underscores the enduring appeal of established hedge fund jurisdictions. She explains, “The hedge fund jurisdictions of Cayman and BVI, to a lesser extent, are very busy using the regulations they’ve built over the decades for hedge funds for crypto funds, and Cayman remains the choice for most funds.”

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Insights from the Digital Asset Frontier Claire is on the advisory boards of a crypto exchange and a strategic communications firm specializing in digital assets, blockchain, Web3 and AI and the main board of an NFT firm. Such deep involvement with client firms offers her a unique vantage point into the daily challenges faced by businesses in the vast and ever-evolving world of digital assets.

“Being involved in client firms really helps me understand the issues faced on a day-today basis by crypto businesses in different areas of this wide digital asset world,” shares Claire.

Claire is on the advisory boards of a crypto exchange and a strategic communications firm specializing in digital assets, blockchain, Web3 and AI and the main board of an NFT firm

In this dynamic environment, exposure to challenges naturally leads to the discovery of innovative solutions. Claire emphasizes that her role allows her to witness the birth of groundbreaking ideas firsthand. She says, “To be in meetings with people who build new products and the teams around them, and to be just one person in the room and listening to people who are really at the top of their game, brimming with ideas, discuss their plans and explore ideas for the future is eye-opening in the extreme.”

Claire marvels at the brilliance and creativity of these individuals, who possess the foresight to envision possibilities far

ahead of their time. Claire admits, “I mean, these people are so clever and so creative and can see possibilities so far in advance I’m in awe of them. I do a lot more listening than talking, I can tell you.” The insights gained from these interactions become invaluable assets in Claire’s advisory work for her clients. She elaborates, “And then, of course, that means I can bring that understanding to my work advising clients. The insights I gain in those meetings bring all kinds of ideas for finding solutions for clients and setting their businesses in a much wider context.”

It’s this dynamic industry, where innovation knows no bounds and possibilities are limitless, that fuels Claire’s passion. Her eagerness to engage with, learn from, and contribute to this vibrant ecosystem is palpable. She states, “It’s a captivating industry, and to be able to see, work on, feedback on, and double up on experience and solution-finding gets me out of bed with a bounce every morning.”

Educating the Complexities of Crypto Regulations As a leading expert in crypto, Claire is a sought-after speaker and has published multiple articles on the legal and regulatory issues surrounding cryptocurrencies and the crypto ecosystem. She is also the founder of the Centre for Digital Assets and Democracy.

With her extensive experience and legal acumen, she shines a light on the pressing need for regulatory clarity in the ever-evolving landscape of digital assets and financial markets. She opines, “There is a screaming need for regulatory certainty, and most of the time, I’m asked to consider and comment on regulation and the legislative underpinning.”

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In a world where the rules of the game are continually being shaped, Claire acknowledges the challenges that come with navigating the regulatory terrain. She notes the 2023 Financial Services and Markets Act as a significant development but highlights that uncertainty still lingers in some areas, anticipating a wave of consultations that will shed light on regulators’ perspectives.

Claire’s key insights are a guiding compass for her clients. She emphasizes the importance of starting with existing regulation, recognizing the different regulatory silos that may apply to a business. Her advice is clear: “Never skip the regulatory starting point, as this is where you will build the foundations of your business.”

Furthermore, she dispels the notion that the term “regulation” should lead to tunnel vision, reminding us that the law applies universally to all businesses. Claire underscores the gravity of legal compliance, highlighting that laws such as those governing fraud, theft, bribery, trafficking, and tax evasion are applicable regardless of the industry. Claire’s unique perspective, informed by her legal background, encourages questioning and curiosity, traits inherent in lawyers. She understands that this approach, although potentially challenging in personal relationships, is a valuable asset when it comes to building solutions for complex regulatory issues.

A Vision for Inclusivity Claire was named a Top Influencer in London for hedge funds (2&20) in 2022 and 2023, and in 2022 was included in the CityWealth Crypto Top 100.

Claire is a CityWealth Woman of the Year 2023, and the Cummings Pepperdine Crypto Questions Podcast is a winner of the CityWealth Podcast

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of the Year 2023. These are not just personal achievements but recognition of her dedication and contributions to the legal and financial sectors.

She says, “Personally, I was very surprised, but I did really like the idea that someone’s noticed me and what I’ve been doing. But really, it’s like I said earlier. It’s all about the team and not me alone.” This humble acknowledgment underscores Claire’s commitment to collaboration and teamwork, emphasizing that her accomplishments are a collective effort rather than a solitary pursuit.

When it comes to the advancement of women in these sectors, Claire acknowledges the existing disparities but also highlights a broader perspective. She explains, “On the advancement of women, that’s trick some. There’s no doubt that there are more men than women in these areas and that more men rise to the top. There’s also no doubt that men get to share things that I’ve found myself excluded from.”

However, Claire’s approach is not centered solely on gender but extends to inclusivity in all its forms. She recognizes that various individuals, including those with physical or mental health challenges and neurologically untypical people who may be shy or introverted, can benefit from support and opportunities for advancement.

Claire’s personal philosophy is one of action and empathy rather than complaint. She shares, “For my small part, I try to listen and watch and take my time to see where people can play to their strengths and fit best in a team and see if I can help with introductions.”

Her approach to helping others echoes her gratitude for the support she received earlier in her career. “I said earlier that I have a huge debt to those who helped me when I set up when I was younger. I guess I try to repay that by doing my small part now,” concludes Claire.

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EXPERT’S OPINION

How to Adopt your Digital Transformation Strategy Successfully – Finally!

Eva Schönleitner, Senior Executive, Advisor & Board Member

M

ost companies have started working on digital initiatives, but it still seems difficult to execute them successfully.

In 2019, 70% of companies failed in their digital transformation efforts1, one would think that 4 years later we have greatly improved…. but no. Latest research shows that these initiatives still fail at roughly the same rate!

Gartner assesses the risk of failure at 65%, KPMG at 73%, and one wonders why we have not learned from our previous experiences.

If digitalization initiatives are so prone to failure, why try? The reason is simple. Digital transformation can deliver superior productivity and an amazing competitive advantage.

The financial results companies achieved include: ● 8x higher earnings growth. ● 2x growth in enterprise value. ● Up to 2x EBITDA. ● And up to 10x in employee productivity 2.

Digital transformation initiatives typically come in three categories: 1. Modernization of existing systems and processes.

2. Enterprise-wide transformation across: Functions, Systems, and Processes.

3. The creation of new business offerings and service models.

Initiatives either focus on cost optimization or new revenue generation. Many companies start

Don’t jump from one technology to another without creating a cost/ benefit list for each technology, be aware of the technical debt (aka historic older systems) but do not be a slave to it

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Eva Schönleitner is a Senior Executive focused on applying leading edge technologies to enable breakthrough innovations in companies. Her expertise lies in the areas of commercialization, international expansion, and digitalization with focus on SAAS, cloud, and AI technologies. Throughout her 20-year career, Eva has held executive business roles at global IT and OT companies, her last role was CEO of a technology scale-up for real-time analytics and AI applications.

Her hands-on experience in North America and Europe allows her to provide a unique view on cultural and operational differences. Eva now collaborates with VC and growth equity firms to advise technology and industrial companies, operates as interim CXO, and serves on boards as non-executive director. She splits her time between Seattle, US and Zurich, Switzerland.

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Digital transformation initiatives require top executive commitment up to the board level

with internal modernization, as it seems to be easiest, and then focus on new revenue streams.

However, this is not always the case. A smaller number of companies create new digital offerings first, and then merge with the traditional business as part of an enterprise-wide transformation.

To steer your digital initiatives towards success, ask yourself the following questions:

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1. Are you being lured by new technologies?

New and exciting technologies are being launched at an ever-increasing rate; augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital twins; business in the metaverse; blockchain in finance and contracting; drones and autonomous guided vehicles in logistics; 3D printers in construction and manufacturing; and finally,

the latest buzz, artificial intelligence creating hyper-accelerated analytical capabilities.

Opportunities seem limitless when you even combine one or two.

A few suggestions to keep in mind when looking at new technologies so as not to get captivated by the promise of the new: ● Don’t jump from one technology to another without creating a cost/benefit list for each technology, be aware of the technical debt (aka historic older systems) but do not be a slave to it. ● Accept that the new “shiny toy” might not be the right one for your business, more importantly your organization may not be ready for it yet. ● Run many smaller pilot projects, compare them to a standard list of KPI’s. Be brutally honest with what doesn’t work or achieve the expected goals. Scale the “winners”, celebrate the successes even if they might be incremental, and repeat.

2. Is there an over-arching digital strategy?

Are you following it?

The point of digital transformation is to utilize new technologies to enhance your business model and offerings. So having a strategy that the organization can lean on during the transition is critical. It will guide the leadership teams towards the long-term goals and allow for the objective prioritization of projects to maximize the desired benefits. Be cognizant that those key criteria might not just be financial ones but also of an operational nature such as difficulty and time to implement.

3. Are the CEO and the Board committed?

Digital transformation initiatives require top executive commitment up to the board level. They cannot be “skunk projects” if they’re supposed to gain global traction and innovate either

internal processes or build new revenue streams.

Executives provide overall guidance, review progress, highlight successes, but also keep the overall desired outcomes in view.

Executives also must be prepared to steer the course; not give up midway when an initiative gets tough, runs into timeline or budget issues, struggles with integration or interoperability issues, or requires enhancements as the transformation evolves. Backing the teams, educating, and navigating board expectations are key responsibilities that leadership including the CEO must perform to see a to successful digital transformation through.

4. How to start?

Many digital initiatives start in the R&D or IT organizations to test new technologies, but digital transformation initiatives affect everyone. A broader set of stakeholders including functional experts, business units, vendors, and possibly customers need to be engaged. Including all main stakeholders from the beginning is a key success factor for the transformation.

Leading practice is to designate a small, centralized team comprised of technology and businesspeople. Assign top performers from your organizations, hire missing skillsets externally, and form a core team. It can try out the desired technologies, evaluate the viability for the business, and act as incubation experts to work with the rest of functions and businesses on the digital projects.

5. Will the initiative scale?

Digital transformation will change companies in operations and on the sales side long-term; additional projects will continue to be identified

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as new technologies become available and the company identifies further digitalization opportunities. A solid and highly scalable, but also agile technical foundation is key to allow for future use cases that aren’t even known today.

A unified data platform with clear data governance is the technical backbone of enabling the multitude of use cases. Pitfalls on the technical side included ending up with siloed data, localized applications, and a lack of scalability. All of

Digital transformation will change companies in operations and on the sales side long-term; additional projects will continue to be identified as new technologies become available and the company identifies further digitalization opportunities

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those are very painful – both for the users of the applications and the IT organization to maintain and grow. Starting out with a scalable but also flexible data platform is a must-do for long-term success of a digitalization initiative.

6. Are you leaving people behind?

The core team has been created; how do you get the initiatives adopted across the company? This step is one where many companies stumble. Buyin and involvement of the business units and functions throughout the project life is critical to successfully implementing a digital initiative.

There are a several ways to create this environment including digital v-teams in each business, or the business/functional teams leading the initiatives and the small core team providing expert support.

7. Have you considered the business processes?

The process side is the third cornerstone to consider throughout the implementation of digital initiatives and ongoing as they get adopted. ● Strong processes are needed throughout the implementation to lean on – especially as projects get tough. Part of the process is to have clearly defined targeted outcomes and related metrics for those outcomes. Be sure to define metrics that can be measured in your organization. Once defined: measure, measure, and measure more! ● Instill an agile governance model; one that can adjust over time, will fit multiple businesses, geographies, and functions. Like a siloed technology approach, a rigid governance model will stifle adoption and create resistance as it appears to be a blocker versus an enabler. ● As new digital initiatives get implemented, the business processes themselves will change.

They need to get adjusted, stakeholder roles

adjusted, and people trained in new approaches.

Take the example of applying generative AI to a customer journey. Today your sales team might address all prospective customers as a first touch.

Once implemented, a smart chatbot will be the first point of contact for certain customer inquiries, while your sales team can focus on higher qualified leads, enter at a later stage of the sales process, or focus on key target customer only.

8. Is the team “digitalization experts” from Day 1?

One last thing to consider on your path to success is to start out “easy”.

Digital transformation is a new skillset for many companies; remember the consistent low success rates over the years. New skills need to be practiced before they become engrained as the “new normal”. An iterative approach, showing early successes, learning across projects and teams, and then accelerating what works in your organization is a pragmatic approach that will get you to the desired goals. Implement the “crawl – walk – run” principle, as it sets appropriate expectations with the stakeholders.

All those aspects might seem overwhelming at first, but implementing a digitalization effort successfully comes down to 3 key components: 1. Creating an integrated strategy with clear transformation goals.

2. Focusing on all three areas: technologies, people, and processes.

3. Measure the progress and results of the initiatives.

Considering those components will increase the success rates on digital transformation initiatives significantly, giving companies the expected long-term results and inspiring us with innovative use cases.

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MOST INSPIRING

TECH LEADER

2023

Michael Seidl CEO of au2mator

Pioneering Automation for a More Efficient Tomorrow

A

utomation has become the cornerstone of efficiency and productivity in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape. Meet Michael Seidl, the visionary CEO of au2mator, a game-changing platform that simplifies and elevates automation in the Microsoft ecosystem. His journey into automation began over 12 years ago, and today, he has dedicated his career to helping organizations achieve more with less effort.

Seidl discovered the vast potential of automation through his experience working with Microsoft clients. It became apparent that optimizing processes and eliminating repetitive tasks was crucial in unlocking this potential. “I

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always worked with customers, striving to be worth their investment,” Seidl shares. “Automation was the key to achieving this, and I decided to dive deeper into this field.”

Seidl’s journey took a pivotal turn when he realized that there was something missing in the world of automation - a user-friendly frontend to trigger automated workflows. This realization led to the inception of the au2mator Self-Service Portal, initially designed as a frontend for System Center Orchestrator. “We wanted to empower organizations to delegate automation tasks to others and relieve their IT departments,” says Seidl. “But the market lacked a solution, so we decided to create our own.”

Michael Seidl, CEO of au2mator

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As the IT landscape evolved, so did au2mator.

Over the years, Seidl and his team expanded the platform’s capabilities to support not just System Center Orchestrator but also PowerShell and Azure Automation. The beauty of au2mator lies in its versatility - customers can now choose their preferred automation engine while benefiting from a unified Self-Service Portal.

With the au2mator Self-Service Portal, customers can seamlessly connect to their chosen automation engine. There’s no need for complex onboarding or adjustments. Seidl emphasizes, “We’ve ensured that our platform provides a standard connection to the customer’s existing environment, making automation adoption effortless.”

What sets au2mator apart is not just the technology but also the expertise it offers. Seidl and his team are ready to go the extra mile by helping customers define their processes and implement automation effectively. “We understand that automation is not just about the tools; it’s about optimizing processes,” Seidl explains. “Our consultants work closely with clients to ensure they get the most out of au2mator.”

Pioneering Automation for IT Efficiency and Productivity In IT automation, the impact of au2mator is felt far and wide. Its ability to streamline daily and recurring tasks has been nothing short of transformational for IT departments, allowing them to focus on strategic growth and evolution.

One of the most common and crucial processes automated by au2mator is the complete User Lifecycle Management. In many organizations, IT departments are often informed last when a new employee joins the company. However, IT plays a

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The beauty of au2mator lies in its versatility customers can now choose their preferred automation engine while benefiting from a unified SelfService Portal

pivotal role in ensuring the seamless onboarding of new team members. Seidl explains, “Automated User On/Off-Boarding and Change Management is the cornerstone of our automation efforts. It’s both basic and challenging, but it can potentially revolutionize IT work.”

With au2mator, this process becomes a welloiled machine. It ensures that new employees have all the necessary access and resources from day one, without IT staff having to scramble to make it happen. Furthermore, by automating these tasks, IT can delegate them to the HR department, where they belong. This shift not only enhances efficiency but also aligns responsibilities accurately.

Seidl emphasizes, “Our team comprises experts who have worked in IT Process Automation across various domains and companies. This diversity of experience propels au2mator’s growth and allows us to cater to the unique needs of our customers.” Au2mator empowers IT departments to streamline an array of tasks, ranging from User On/Off-Boarding to smaller, routine activities like managing permissions or assigning licenses.

This automation not only enhances the quality and security of IT processes but also significantly reduces the workload on IT staff.

“With au2mator, users have access to a SelfService Portal, which means they can address their needs directly and receive immediate responses,” says Seidl. This improves the IT department’s relationship with users and eliminates the need for users to write tickets and wait for days for assistance. Moreover, the au2mator leaves no room for ambiguity. Every action taken through the platform is meticulously documented, always making it audit-ready. This ensures compliance and peace of mind for IT departments, especially in the face of regulatory requirements.

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In IT automation, the impact of au2mator is felt far and wide.

Its ability to streamline daily and recurring tasks has been nothing short of transformational for IT departments, allowing them to focus on strategic growth and evolution

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Core Values and Guiding Principles At the heart of au2mator’s success story lies a set of core values and guiding principles that drive the company forward. Led by Seidl, the au2mator team operates not as external consultants but as trusted partners, delivering managed services for automation with an unwavering commitment to quality and expertise. “When it comes to our consulting, we act like a partner, not just an external consultant,” Seidl emphasizes. The team integrates seamlessly with the organizations they serve, working as if they were part of the company itself. This approach fosters a sense of trust and collaboration that goes beyond contractual obligations.

In fact, au2mator is not just about delivering solutions; it’s about building strong and enduring relationships with its customers. “We aim to satisfy our customers not just through the quality of our work but by the expertise we bring to the table every day,” says Seidl. The focus is on creating value for customers that becomes evident week after week, cultivating relationships that transcend the terms of a contract. au2mator’s mission aligns seamlessly with the broader trends and needs of the IT industry.

While automation is often touted as a trend, Seidl sees it as a key component of success in the future. “We believe that automation is not just a trend; it’s a fundamental requirement for future success,” he asserts. au2mator’s SelfService Portal is tailor-made for the evolving IT landscape, whether it’s OnPrem, Hybrid, or Cloud-only environments. It’s designed to address the challenges many organizations face as they navigate the complexities of modern

infrastructure.

Furthermore, au2mator’s support for standard Microsoft Automation Engines puts the company on track with AI, a transformative technology becoming increasingly essential in IT operations.

Charting a Future of Customer-Centric Innovation Since its inception in 2015, au2mator has achieved remarkable milestones. In 2019, the company celebrated a significant achievement - having customers on every continent around the globe. This milestone marked a meaningful step for the small but visionary company. “Providing a software product in a sector that customers know has potential but often postpone due to a lack of immediate need is our forte,” Seidl reflects. The journey from idea to global recognition underscores au2mator’s commitment to making a lasting impact on the world of automation.

As au2mator continues to make waves in the world of automation under the leadership of Seidl, the future holds exciting promises of growth, innovation, and a firm commitment to its customers. What lies ahead is a journey driven by the evolving needs of their valued partners – the customers. “Our success has been built on the relationships we share with our customers. We listen to their needs and evolve with them,” Seidl explains. While growth is on the horizon, the commitment to this customer-centric approach remains unshaken.

At au2mator, the customer is not just a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle. Seidl affirms, “Customers give us their trust and resources, and we deeply respect and appreciate that. In return, they receive nothing less than our best.”

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au2mator’s support for standard Microsoft Automation Engines puts the company on track with AI, a transformative technology becoming increasingly essential in IT operations

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The team at au2mator is constantly dedicated to raising the bar to provide customers with an ever-improving experience.

Looking ahead, au2mator is poised to innovate further, driven by the genuine needs of its customers. While the commitment to the customer remains persistent, the company also seeks to leverage its growth to meet those needs better. “Our future involves growing with our customers and providing precisely what they require, not what we think they need,” Seidl notes.

In IT automation, au2mator is not just a solution provider; it’s a trusted partner guided by values and committed to a future where efficiency and innovation go hand in hand.

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

Empowering Leaders to Make Data-Based Decisions Devshree Golecha, Vice President of Data Engineering, Architecture & Analytics, TDECU

How has the tech industry changed for women since you started in tech?

Over the past decade, the technology and data analytics industries have made progress towards increasing gender diversity and inclusion. Women are more visible and represented in leadership roles, and there are more opportunities for women to enter and advance in these industries.

One of the biggest changes has been the increasing number of women in technology and data analytics roles. According to a report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), the number of women

in computing and mathematical occupations increased from 26% in 2010 to 27% in 2019.

There has also been an increase in the number of women-led startups and women in leadership positions in tech companies. Women are now more visible in the tech industry, and their contributions are being recognized and celebrated.

There have also been efforts to address gender bias and create a more inclusive workplace culture. Many companies have implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives, unconscious bias training, and mentoring programs for women. At TDECU, we have

Women still face barriers to entry and advancement, such as gender bias in recruitment and promotion, and a lack of female role models and mentors

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Ms. Devshree Golecha is a seasoned Technology Leader with 15 years of experience leading enterprise-wide Analytics, Automation, and Optimization projects. Currently, she serves as Vice President of Data at TDECU. She served as an Adjunct Professor of Quality Improvement and Statistics at the University of Houston. She has been the Keynote Speaker at several world conferences. She is the Global CDO Ambassador and Chair for the State of Texas representing the International Society of Chief Data Officers and CDOIQ MIT. She is an Ambassador at WiDS, Stanford University.

Ms. Golecha has been recognized as 40 under 40 by Houston Business Journal and CDO Magazine. She has also been named as one of the Leading Academic Data Leaders in 2022 and also one of the Global Data Power Women 2021and 2022 by the Chief Data Officer Magazine. She is also featured in P.O.W.E.R, the international magazine for women.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, Ms. Golecha shared her insights on the changes that have occurred in the tech industry, her career trajectory, plan of action to increase women in leadership roles, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

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Women benefit from having mentors and sponsors who can provide guidance and support in their careers

women dedicate ERG. We all went through unconscious bias training. There is an immense emphasis on DEI effort and initiatives.

However, there is still work to be done to achieve gender parity in these industries. Women still face barriers to entry and advancement, such

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as gender bias in recruitment and promotion, and a lack of female role models and mentors.

Additionally, women of color and those from other underrepresented groups face even greater challenges.

Overall, while there has been progress, the technology and data analytics industries must continue to prioritize diversity and inclusion to create a more equitable and innovative industry.

Devshree, can you tell us about your professional background and areas of interest?

I started my career in sales in the banking industry in India. After moving to the US, I started preparing for my Six Sigma Green Belt certification and switched my career from sales to process engineering and business optimization. That’s when my interest in analytics and statistics got intense and later, I did my Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Black Belt. At that point, I decided that I will continue to pursue my career in the field of data and analytics as problem solving became very interesting to me. Currently, I am leading cloud migration, master data hub platform and enterprise data catalog development efforts so these are some of the transformational areas that are of interest to me at this point.

In your opinion, what should be done to increase the number of women in leadership roles?

1. Address unconscious bias: Unconscious bias can lead to a lack of diversity in leadership positions. Companies can provide unconscious bias training to help people become more aware of their biases and work to overcome them.

2. Provide mentorship and sponsorship: Women benefit from having mentors and sponsors who can provide guidance and support in their careers. Organizations can create mentorship and sponsorship programs to connect women with experienced leaders.

3. Implement fair hiring practices: Companies can review their hiring practices to ensure that they are fair and objective. They can also consider using diverse interview panels to reduce the impact of unconscious bias in the hiring process.

4. Offer flexible work arrangements: Women often face challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities. Companies can offer flexible work arrangements, such as remote work or flexible hours, to help women manage their work-life balance.

5. Create a culture of inclusion: Companies should create a culture of inclusion where all employees feel valued and included. This can be achieved through diversity and inclusion training, regular communication and feedback, and inclusive policies and practices.

By taking these actions, companies can increase the number of women in leadership roles and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace. I would also encourage fellow women leaders across different industries to mentor, empower and support women to develop and grow in their careers.

Women aren’t the only underrepresented group in tech – what can be done to make tech more diverse across race, class, and gender?

1. Implement inclusive recruitment practices: Companies can implement inclusive recruitment

practices by using diverse job descriptions, reaching out to underrepresented groups, and removing bias from the hiring process.

2. Provide training and development opportunities: Companies can provide training and development opportunities to help employees from diverse backgrounds acquire the skills and knowledge needed for success in the technology industry.

3. Establish diversity and inclusion metrics: Companies can establish diversity and inclusion metrics to track progress and hold themselves accountable for creating a more diverse workplace.

4. Increase representation in leadership: Companies can increase representation of underrepresented groups in leadership positions to provide role models and support for employees from diverse backgrounds.

5. Create a culture of inclusion: Companies can create a culture of inclusion where everyone feels valued and respected. This can be achieved through regular communication and feedback, inclusive policies and practices, and diversity and inclusion training. At TDECU, we recently did DEI survey to capture such sentiments and feedback.

6. Collaborate with diverse communities: Companies can collaborate with diverse communities to build relationships, identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration, and increase awareness of careers in the technology industry.

I believe by taking these actions, companies can create a more diverse and inclusive technology industry that reflects the diversity of society and provides opportunities for all people to succeed.

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What first sparked your interest in working in the fintech industry?

When I began my career, I didn’t specifically plan to be in a certain industry, it happened by chance that I found a sales job in a bank in India and that kick-started my career. It gave me a huge opportunity to learn about banking industry. I believe fintech is a great area due to 1. Rapid growth: The Fintech industry is rapidly growing, driven by the increasing demand for digital financial services and the adoption of new technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. This growth creates opportunities for career advancement and the chance to work in a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.

2. Innovation: Fintech companies are known for their innovation and disruption of traditional financial services. They are constantly developing new products and services that leverage technology to make financial services more accessible, convenient, and affordable.

Working in Fintech offers the opportunity to be at the forefront of this innovation and contribute to the development of new financial products and services.

3. Potential for impact: Fintech has the potential to make a real impact on people’s lives by creating new financial products and services that are more accessible, convenient, and affordable. This can help to address issues such as financial exclusion and inequality and improve financial literacy and education.

4. High salaries: Fintech firms often offer competitive salaries and benefits packages to attract top talent. This is especially true for roles that require specialized skills

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such as data science, software engineering, and cybersecurity.

5. Work-life balance: Many Fintech companies offer flexible work arrangements such as remote work, flexible hours, and unlimited vacation time. This can help to create a better work-life balance and improve employee satisfaction.

As the Vice President of Data Engineering, Architecture & Analytics at TDECU, what’s the most exciting thing about your job?

The fact that I can see data travel through its entire journey. The end-to-end data value chain, right from generating and gathering data to raw data going through the transformation process and ready to be used for reporting and analytics and finally translating into actionable insights that are utilized by the business to make data driven decisions. That’s the power of data, that entire data journey excites me.

What is it that motivates and inspires you in your everyday life?

The fact that life has an expiry date, and it is not endless, so I treat every single day as the last day and try to make the best out of it. I love to express gratitude for everything in my life including myself. I like to put my health first so love waking up at 5am, get my workouts, meditation done and eat homemade healthy meals. I love to read, and I believe there is so much we learn just through books that it would take more than a lifetime to gain such wisdom that we can gain through books. My favorite book is The Bhagavat Gita. I am a big believer of self love so as much as I appreciate, recognize,

Companies can collaborate with diverse communities to build relationships, identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration, and increase awareness of careers in the technology industry

and empower others, I do the same for myself.

I never end a day without telling myself – “You are a Queen” Are there any women in tech that have particularly inspired you?

In all honesty, all women around me inspire me.

We all have our unique skillsets and experience and I believe as a woman balancing work and personal life is a huge deal. Kudos to all the women and their journeys.

What are you particularly proud of in your career?

That I am doing a job where I can empower people to make fact-based decisions that can help them grow their business and measure their success.

But other than that, I am most proud of the fact that I am using my knowledge and skillsets to teach and sharing it at the conferences and CDO forums to bring more awareness around the power of data.

Fun fact about you?

I am trained Indian classical dancer in Kathak.

I am also Taekwondo Blue stripe belt and, on my journey, to be a black belt. I love hiking and I want to hike all the national parks in the US. I have a lot of passion for organic and natural skincare, so I have a small organic botanical skin care business.

What advice would you give to women who want to enter the tech industry?

1.Build your skills: Develop your technical skills by taking courses, attending boot camps, or earning a degree in computer science or a related field. There are also many free online resources available to help you learn coding and other technical skills.

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Seek out successful women in the technology industry who can provide guidance, advice, and support. Mentors can help you navigate the industry, provide career advice, and help you build your professional network

2. Find mentors: Seek out successful women in the technology industry who can provide guidance, advice, and support.

Mentors can help you navigate the industry, provide career advice, and help you build your professional network.

3. Network: Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other women in the technology industry.

Building a strong network can help you find job opportunities, gain exposure to new ideas and trends, and build relationships that can support your career growth.

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4. Be confident: Believe in yourself and your abilities. Don’t be afraid to speak up, share your ideas, and take on new challenges. Confidence is key to success in any career or industry.

5. Advocate for yourself: Negotiate your salary, ask for promotions, and seek out opportunities to advance your career. Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and your career goals.

6. Embrace diversity: Embrace diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Seek out companies that value diversity and offer opportunities for women to succeed in the technology industry.

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MOST INNOVATIVE

COMPANY IN

2023

Salesation & Partner Redefining Business Excellence in the Digital Age

S

honela Grabowski is the Founder & CEO of Salesation & Partner, a dynamic Business Consulting and Services firm based in Germany.

Shonela’s entrepreneurial journey began at a remarkably young age when she was still a student, selling websites to local restaurants.

Her innate business acumen was evident even then, laying the foundation for what would become an extraordinary career.

Her foray into the world of real estate sales marked a significant turning point. Leading a team of 30 to consistently achieve seven figures per month, Shonela’s remarkable success attracted the attention of consulting

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firms eager to tap into her expertise. It was during an independent project focused on optimizing sales for a franchise that Shonela crossed paths with her future business partners.

Shonela recalls, “We quickly realized our shared vision: redefining sales.” This pivotal moment set the stage for a collaborative journey that would redefine the business landscape. Together, they embarked on various projects, recognizing an increasing demand for international business consulting with a laser focus on sales excellence. The culmination of this shared vision led to the birth of Salesation & Partner on January 17th, 2022.

Shonela Grabowski, Founder & CEO

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Changing the Perception of Sales At the heart of Salesation & Partner’s mission is the desire to transform the way people perceive sales. Shonela firmly believes that while sales may sometimes carry a negative connotation, they are, in fact, a vital cornerstone of any successful venture. She emphasizes, “Even the finest product holds little value without effective sales strategies.”

Salesation & Partner brings together a formidable alliance of individual entrepreneurs at the C-level. This alliance, nurtured by

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their shared vision, has grown organically, solidifying their commitment to redefining sales strategies. Today, Salesation & Partner’s primary focus revolves around collaborating with franchises, multi-location businesses, corporations, and conglomerates.

Simultaneously, they are equally dedicated to empowering companies with substantial growth potential. Guided by their unwavering belief that “the sky is just the beginning,” they are committed to helping businesses thrive and reach new heights.

At the heart of Salesation & Partner’s mission is the desire to transform the way people perceive sales

A Blueprint for Efficiency: The Salesation Bootcamp Salesation & Partner distinguishes itself in the competitive business consulting landscape with its unique blend of agency services and pure consulting. The merging of these two core aspects stems from a profound understanding of a common challenge faced by clients: time constraints.

Shonela sheds light on their innovative approach, stating, “This is exactly what we tackle with the SALESATION BOOTCAMP. We are 60 times more efficient than a 6-month agency solution.”

At the core of this efficiency is a meticulously crafted process. Salesation & Partner’s entire C-level team, comprising experts in areas such as Finance, Sales, and Marketing, collaborates seamlessly with their partner agency, JC Production. Clients spend a condensed 2 or 3 days immersed in this intensive experience, during which they achieve everything from conceptualization to execution.

Whether it’s the development of a cuttingedge digital lead generation strategy, the crafting of a compelling investor pitch, or the

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implementation of a comprehensive digital employee onboarding process, Salesation & Partner ensures that it all transpires within a maximum of 3 days. Following this intensive boot camp, a 30-day consulting phase ensues,

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providing the necessary support to ensure a seamless transition and sustained success. This innovative approach allows companies to wrap up a project within a month and refocus their energies on other strategic areas.

But it’s not just about efficiency; it’s about creating an unparalleled experience.

Shonela explains, “It’s a game-changer for entrepreneurs. Plus, the inspiring backdrop adds to the experience. We host the entire event at 5-star resorts with all-inclusive services, blending relaxation with undivided focus.”

This distinctive combination of work and leisure fosters an environment where creativity flourishes and objectives are met with precision.

A Culture of Excellence and Collaboration Salesation & Partner’s unwavering commitment to a solution-focused mindset sets them apart. They adhere to the principles of Extreme Ownership and maintain a constant thirst for knowledge, learning from the best in the business. Instead of viewing market changes as challenges, they see them as opportunities for growth.

Moreover, Salesation & Partner champions collaboration. By partnering with other businesses, they leverage the strengths of two entities to create synergistic solutions. One such example is their collaboration with JC Productions, a leading video agency. This approach not only enriches their expertise but also infuses fresh perspectives into their projects.

Shonela states proudly, “We’re simply different, and that’s incredibly appealing to high-performers. We make things happen where others might say it’s impossible.” This commitment to excellence extends to their own team, with offerings like a dedicated gym for employees and access to a personal combat trainer for those interested in martial arts. Additionally, the team embarks on

extended trips abroad every few months, whether for boot camps, workations, or mindset training. These experiences keep the Salesation & Partner team balanced, creative, and consistently exposed to new ideas, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of innovation.

In a competitive market, Salesation & Partner’s visionary approach, efficiency, and commitment to excellence position them as catalysts for transformative change, turning the impossible into the achievable.

Embracing Digitalization: Staying Ahead in the 21st Century In an era where digitalization has become synonymous with progress, Salesation & Partner stands as a shining example of adaptation to the ever-evolving landscape of the 21st century. Shonela emphasizes the crucial role digitalization plays in their strategy, stating, “Digitalization works in our favor because that’s exactly what we do.”

A critical observation emerges as companies with a strong offline presence but a less robust online footprint increasingly seek Salesation & Partner’s guidance. Shonela aptly points out, “They realize that if they don’t catch up now, a business crisis is looming.” The parallels between their situation and the fate of dinosaurs that failed to adapt to changing environments are hard to ignore.

A Holistic Approach to Business Excellence Salesation & Partner’s primary focus revolves around elevating efficiency in business consulting and further expanding their revolutionary Bootcamp. Shonela sheds light on their

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distinctive approach, “Neither agency support, nor consulting, nor mastermind groups cover 100% of what entrepreneurs truly need. That’s why we’re introducing an entirely new approach with the boot camp, and we’re continuously building on it.”

With their target audience primarily consisting of businesses that have already achieved a significant scale, Salesation & Partner is committed to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. As part of this heartfelt initiative, they have pledged to provide invaluable support. This includes offering one spot at each boot camp free of charge and planning a charity run in 2025. These initiatives aim not only to provide financial support but also to impart essential knowledge to budding entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools needed to thrive in the competitive business landscape.

Salesation & Partner’s primary focus revolves around elevating efficiency in business consulting and further expanding their revolutionary Bootcamp

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The Power of Persistence and Vision In Shonela’s view, knowledge is indeed power, but practical application is the true source of potency. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs who strive to make the world a better place each day, daring to break away from conventional norms. Drawing from her own experiences, Shonela recounts, “I myself was once dismissed in my youth, but now everyone recognizes my achievements. It’s a regular part of the process.”

This philosophy underscores Salesation & Partner’s commitment to nurturing not just businesses but also the spirit of entrepreneurship itself. It’s a testament to their unwavering dedication to empowering individuals who possess the courage to envision a brighter future and the persistence to see it through.

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

Transforming the Design Landscape Through Passion, Purpose, & Vision Hamid Azarak, Co-founder & CEO, Neoki and Zara Zamani, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Neoki & Chief Solutions Officer, ChromaWay

What are your predictions for the development of VR/AR technologies?

What should business leaders expect in the future if they invest in such solutions today?

The development of VR/AR technologies is expected to continue its upward trajectory with increasing adoption across industries.

Advancements in hardware, including headsets and controllers, will enhance the immersive user experience. VR/AR will expand beyond gaming and entertainment,

finding applications in healthcare, education, architecture, manufacturing, retail, and training. Integration with AI and IoT will create smarter and more interactive experiences, while social and collaborative features will enable virtual interactions and shared workspaces. Content quality and diversity will improve, offering immersive storytelling, educational experiences, and practical applications. Mobile and wireless solutions will enhance accessibility and convenience.

Staying informed about the latest industry

VR/AR can provide immersive virtual showrooms, allowing designers to present their collections in a dynamic and interactive way, transcending physical limitations

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Hamid Azarak

Zara Zamani

Hamid Azarak is the Co-founder & CEO at Neoki. He is an exceptional entrepreneur whose journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and impact. From a young age, he demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit, working alongside his schooling to lay the foundation for his future endeavors. His unwavering passion for growth and international influence fuels his unwavering commitment to shaping a better future.

Zara Zamani is the Chief Solutions Officer (CSO) of the leading Nordic blockchain company, ChromaWay and Co-Founder of Neoki MultiMetaverse. She has both practical and theoretical knowledge as she is also a Ph.D. researcher and lecturer in blockchain adoption at the University of Halmstad, Sweden. She was featured as one of the 21 women in the blockchain you should know in 2021 by Fintech Review and the 10 most influential women in technology in 2021 by Analytics Insights as well as 10 most inspiring women leaders in 2022 by SuccessPitcher and 10 most visionary leaders to watch in 2023 by CIO Look magazine.

Recently, in an exclusive interview with Digital First Magazine, the co-founders of Neoki shared their insights on the development of VR/AR technologies, the inspiration behind establishing Neoki, their vision for the company, and much more. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.

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Hamid Azarak

trends is crucial to understanding the evolving landscape of VR/AR technologies. In addition, the development of VR/AR technologies has the potential to significantly impact the world of design, including fields like fashion.

These technologies can revolutionize the way designers create, showcase, and sell their products. VR/AR can provide immersive virtual

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showrooms, allowing designers to present their collections in a dynamic and interactive way, transcending physical limitations. It offers customers the opportunity to virtually try on clothes, accessories or even customize designs to their preferences, enhancing the shopping experience and reducing the need for physical inventory. VR/AR can also facilitate

the prototyping and design process, enabling designers to visualize and refine their creations in virtual 3D environments. This technology opens up new avenues for creativity, collaboration, and personalization in the fashion industry, ultimately adding value by pushing the boundaries of design, enhancing customer engagement, and streamlining the production and retail processes.

By investing in VR/AR solutions today, business leaders can anticipate gaining a competitive advantage, enhancing customer engagement, improving product development processes, revolutionizing training and education, streamlining operations, accessing new markets, and fostering a culture of technological innovation. Early adoption of VR/AR technology enables companies to differentiate themselves, captivate customers with immersive experiences, iterate designs more efficiently, train employees effectively, optimize operations, expand global reach, and position themselves as leaders in leveraging emerging technologies. These investments can lead to increased customer satisfaction, higher sales conversions, cost savings, improved operational performance, and opportunities for growth and innovation.

What does ‘Metaverse’ mean to you?

And why are more and more companies exploring the commercial potential of Metaverse?

To me, the term “Metaverse” represents a concept of a fully immersive and interconnected virtual universe that goes beyond our current understanding of virtual reality. The Metaverse is a digital realm where individuals can interact with each other, virtual environments, and digital objects in real-time. It is a shared space that merges the physical and digital worlds, creating a seamless and immersive experience that transcends the limitations of traditional online platforms. In the Metaverse, people can explore, create, trade, and socialize in virtual environments, blurring the boundaries between reality and virtuality. It is envisioned as a complex ecosystem where various technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things converge to create a dynamic and interactive digital universe with limitless possibilities for communication, collaboration, and personal expression. Additionally, the concept of the Metaverse goes beyond merely building new virtual experiences. It involves expanding our physical lives into virtual

The Metaverse aims to create a bridge between the digital and physical realms, allowing individuals to enhance their real-world experiences through virtual interactions, while also bringing the benefits and learnings from the virtual world back into their physical lives

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reality and seamlessly traveling back and forth between the expanded virtual experience and the physical world. The Metaverse aims to create a bridge between the digital and physical realms, allowing individuals to enhance their realworld experiences through virtual interactions, while also bringing the benefits and learnings from the virtual world back into their physical lives. It envisions a future where the boundaries between our physical and digital existence are blurred, enabling us to navigate and engage with both worlds in a more interconnected and immersive manner.

Companies are increasingly exploring the commercial potential of the Metaverse due to several compelling reasons. First, the Metaverse offers a new frontier for customer engagement and interaction. It presents opportunities for businesses to create immersive and personalized experiences that can captivate and retain customers in a highly competitive landscape.

By establishing a presence in the Metaverse,

companies can forge deeper connections with their target audiences, enhance brand recognition, and drive customer loyalty.

Second, the Metaverse provides avenues for innovative business models and revenue streams. Companies can monetize virtual goods, digital assets, and virtual experiences within the Metaverse. This includes selling virtual products, offering virtual services, and even creating virtual economies. The Metaverse opens up possibilities for new markets, collaborations, and partnerships that can generate substantial economic value.

Furthermore, the Metaverse offers unique opportunities for collaboration and productivity.

It enables remote teams to work together in shared virtual spaces, fostering creativity, communication, and efficiency. Virtual meeting rooms, collaborative design environments, and virtual workspaces can facilitate crossfunctional collaboration and break down geographical barriers.

Neoki seeks to promote a sustainable and transparent design industry that embraces creativity and supports the aspirations of designers, ultimately transforming the way design is approached and experienced

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Additionally, companies are attracted to the Metaverse because it allows them to collect valuable data and insights on user behavior, preferences, and interactions. This data can be leveraged for targeted marketing, product development, and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Lastly, the Metaverse represents a longterm investment in future technology trends.

Companies that embrace the Metaverse position themselves at the forefront of emerging technologies, showcasing their innovation and adaptability. By actively exploring and experimenting with Metaverse technologies, businesses can gain a deeper understanding of evolving consumer behaviors and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Let’s keep in mind, the commercial potential of the Metaverse lies in its ability to offer unique, immersive experiences, new revenue streams, enhanced collaboration, valuable data insights, and a competitive edge in a digital-first world.

Hamid & Zara, can you tell us about your professional backgrounds and areas of interests?

Zara: I have a diverse background in blockchain technology and its applications across various industries. As the Chief Solutions Officer (CSO) of ChromaWay, a prominent Nordic blockchain company, and Co-Founder of Neoki MultiMetaverse, I have been at the forefront of developing groundbreaking blockchain solutions. I have dedicated years to educating and building innovative blockchain applications in industries such as tourism, healthcare, logistics, food chain, energy, gaming, DeFi, DAOs, and now metaverse and fashion industries.

My area of expertise extends beyond technical implementation, as I have also been instrumental in shaping investment models in crypto space. I am an advocate for women in tech and blockchain, actively working to empower and support them through education, mentorship, and investment. Furthermore, my academic pursuits complement my hands-on experience, providing me with a well-rounded understanding of blockchain technology and its potential applications. My visionary leadership and fearless drive for change have garnered attention from various outlets, positioning me as a respected and influential figure in the industry. Likewise, my expertise, combined with passion for innovation, has propelled me to the forefront of blockchain technology, shaping its adoption and impact across multiple sectors.

Hamid: My professional background is rooted in entrepreneurship, starting from a young age.

After graduating as a civil engineer, I initially worked in a consulting firm but soon realized my passion for making a bigger impact by starting my own business. I founded a construction company specializing in sea structures and heavy civil projects, rapidly growing it to include 580 staff members and an international presence. Driven by entrepreneurial spirit, I expanded my portfolio by investing in other businesses, including international trading and technology. This led me to meet Zara, and together we co-founded our first business—a traveltech/Fintech company. As time went on, I sought to combine my diverse experience and expertise, leading me to found Hemstad, a virtual shopping mall for interior design featuring over 500 global brands.

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Privacy and security concerns, interoperability issues, and the need for ongoing education and industry collaboration are additional barriers that need to be addressed for wider adoption and implementation of VR/AR technologies

However, my ambitions didn’t stop there.

Driven by a passion for business growth and international influence, I co-founded an open world metaverse alongside Zara. This venture represents the platform through which I aim to make a significant impact on the world.

Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I have embraced the challenges and triumphs, valuing every experience that has shaped my path. With

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Zara Zamani

a steadfast determination and gratitude for my journey, I look forward to the future and the opportunities it holds.

What was the inspiration behind establishing Neoki. What sets it apart from other market competitors?

The inspiration behind founding Neoki stems from the increasing virtual presence of users and creators, which has brought forth a range of challenges in the design sector.

Neoki identified key issues such as the authenticity of design, proof of ownership, fear of imitation, limited focus on small designers, and inadequate opportunities for them to connect with creators within the current centralized virtual solutions prevalent in the design world.

Among the significant obstacles faced by artists are the presence of costly intermediaries, geopolitical constraints, and the lack of direct access to the appropriate audience in Web 2.0 and centralized systems. Neoki aims to address these challenges by bridging market gaps. These gaps encompass the need for enhanced collaboration and social interactions between users and designers, reducing the dominance of specific creators and brands, combating the fear of imitation and counterfeiting, expanding revenue channels for designers, overcoming creative limitations and visibility issues, improving talent accessibility for brands, addressing sustainability concerns, and introducing greater transparency in the design industry.

Driven by the recognition of these challenges, Neoki’s mission is to establish a platform that fosters authenticity, collaboration, transparency, and equal opportunities for designers, brands, and consumers. The goal is to empower designers by enabling them to showcase their work, connect with their target audience, and generate revenue. By doing so, Neoki seeks to promote a sustainable and transparent design industry that embraces creativity and supports the aspirations of designers, ultimately transforming the way design is approached and experienced.

Neoki stands out from its competitors due to several unique aspects that set it apart: 1.Nikonomy: Neoki introduces a multilayer economy called Nikonomy, providing brands with financial freedom to build their own branded economies within their communities. This innovative approach allows brands to have greater control over their financial operations and fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration between brands and their communities.

2.Multimetaverse: Neoki offers users the opportunity to build their own verse within the metaverse. This multimetaverse aspect allows for customization and personalization, empowering users to create unique virtual spaces that reflect their individuality and interests.

By enabling users to shape their own metaverse experiences, Neoki enhances engagement and offers a more immersive and tailored virtual environment.

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3.Twin: Neoki’s Twin aspect bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds.

It involves creating NFT twins of digital assets, which users can showcase alongside their physical counterparts or even order the physical version through Neoki’s contracted partners. This integration of physical and digital assets adds a tangible dimension to the virtual experience and provides users with options to engage in both realms.

4.DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization): Neoki embraces the concept of a DAO, a decentralized autonomous organization. This aspect gives a voice to the entire Neoki community, allowing participants to actively participate in the development and decision-making processes of the platform. By involving the community in shaping the project’s direction, Neoki fosters a sense of inclusivity, transparency, and collective ownership.

These unique aspects of Neoki, including Nikonomy, multimetaverse, Twin, and the DAO approach, distinguish it from competitors and offer users and brands a comprehensive and dynamic platform that empowers creativity, financial independence, seamless integration of physical and digital assets, and community involvement.

What are some of the common barriers to adoption and implementation of VR/AR technologies among your customers?

The adoption and implementation of VR/AR technologies face several common barriers.

Firstly, cost can be a significant hurdle, as the development, acquisition, and maintenance of

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VR/AR systems can be expensive. Technical challenges, such as system compatibility and performance optimization, also pose obstacles. User experience and comfort issues, like motion sickness and prolonged headset use, can deter adoption. Furthermore, limited content availability and quality, coupled with a lack of awareness and understanding of the technology’s potential, can hinder adoption rates. Privacy and security concerns, interoperability issues, and the need for ongoing education and industry collaboration are additional barriers that need to be addressed for wider adoption and implementation of VR/ AR technologies What is the best part of being the tech entrepreneurs in today’s digital era?

The best part of being tech entrepreneurs in today’s digital era, besides being constantly in panic mode (joking heheh) is the immense potential for innovation and impact. The rapid advancements in technology, the widespread availability of digital tools and platforms, and the interconnectedness of the global digital ecosystem offer unprecedented opportunities to create and scale transformative solutions. As tech entrepreneurs, we have the ability to address real-world challenges, disrupt traditional industries, and improve the lives of people around the world through our innovative products and services.

The digital era allows us to reach a global audience, connect with diverse talent and resources, and leverage data-driven insights to drive business growth. Moreover, being

make a difference in this dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape is truly exhilarating and rewarding for tech entrepreneurs in today’s digital era.

We firmly believe that Neoki will emerge as the world’s dominating platform, reshaping the landscape of design through its commitment to democratization

tech entrepreneurs enables us to be at the forefront of shaping the future, contributing to the digital transformation of industries, and creating a positive and lasting impact on society. The ability to create, innovate, and

Apart from VR/AR technologies, which other technology are you both fascinated by and why?

We are constantly fascinated by the potential of blockchain and AI technology, and we strongly believe that the combination of these two transformative forces will reshape the world in remarkable ways. Blockchain technology provides a decentralized and transparent infrastructure that enhances security, trust, and immutability in various sectors, from finance and supply chain to healthcare and governance.

Its ability to enable secure transactions, streamline processes, and eliminate intermediaries is already revolutionizing industries. On the other hand, AI technology empowers machines to learn, reason, and make intelligent decisions, unlocking unprecedented levels of automation, efficiency, and innovation. By integrating AI with blockchain, we envision a future where decentralized systems can leverage AI algorithms to analyze vast amounts of data, extract valuable insights, and make intelligent predictions.

This fusion has the potential to optimize decision-making, enhance productivity, and create new opportunities across sectors. From smart contracts and decentralized finance to personalized healthcare and autonomous vehicles, the combination of blockchain and AI will undoubtedly drive profound changes, enabling a more secure, efficient, and inclusive world. We are passionate about exploring the limitless possibilities of this convergence and

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By embracing decentralization, Neoki is revolutionizing the way design is conceptualized, produced, and consumed

contributing to the transformative impact it will have on society.

What’s the best advice you have received in your respective careers?

Zara: Step by step and celebrate small victories to keep going.

Hamid: Consistency is the key.

As Co-founders, where do you see Neoki in the next 5 years?

We firmly believe that Neoki will emerge as the world’s dominating platform, reshaping the landscape of design through its commitment to democratization. By removing barriers and promoting inclusivity, Neoki has unlocked a vast new arena of opportunities for designers, brands, and users in the creative industries. As a decentralized platform, Neoki ensures that power and decision-making are distributed

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among its community, giving everyone a voice and fostering a sense of ownership. This decentralized approach not only promotes transparency and trust but also empowers individuals to contribute their unique talents and perspectives to the platform. We envision Neoki as the first-choice platform for every designer, brand, and user in the creative industries, providing a vibrant and interconnected community where collaboration and creativity thrive. By embracing decentralization, Neoki is revolutionizing the way design is conceptualized, produced, and consumed. We are proud to lead this movement and create a global platform that puts the power back into the hands of the creative community, shaping the future of design in a truly democratic and inclusive manner.

What advice would you offer to aspiring tech entrepreneurs?

If you see your next step, take it, that’s enough.

You do not need to see the whole journey.

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Higher Education Digest July 2020

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MOST INSPIRING

BUSINESS

LEADER

2023

Zack Oates Founder & CEO, Ovation

Crafting the Perfect Recipe for a Restaurant’s Success

Z

ack Oates is a multi-faceted individual, wearing hats as an author, a dedicated husband and father of four, a seasoned entrepreneur, and an aficionado of hot tubs (although not necessarily in that order). His journey from growing up in the restaurant industry to becoming a prominent figure in the startup world is a fascinating tale of dedication and passion.

Zack’s early years were spent in the vibrant atmosphere of restaurants. As he fondly recalls, “My first job was crafting milkshakes and sundaes while manning the cash register at Friendly’s.

During these formative years, I grasped the paramount significance of the guest experience. I saw the smiles on people’s faces as they enjoyed

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their meals, and I understood the magic that restaurants could create.”

Later in life, Zack embarked on an extraordinary journey, embarking on over a thousand dates before finding his life partner. This unique experience provided him with profound insights into the art of connecting with people.

Zack says, “Going on so many dates taught me the hows and whys of connecting with people.

It’s about creating a genuine connection, a spark, and I carried this knowledge with me into my entrepreneurial ventures.”

As someone who shared a profound love for dining out (having married a fellow food enthusiast), Zack couldn’t ignore the glaring issue

Zack Oates,

Founder & CEO, Ovation

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Ovation surveys address this limitation by being accessible and easy to complete, ensuring that a more comprehensive range of guests provide feedback. This diverse dataset equips restaurant owners with richer, more nuanced insights

plaguing the restaurant industry. There was, and still is, a strong desire on both sides - restaurants yearned to forge meaningful connections with their patrons, and diners were eager to engage with their favorite establishments. Yet, the existing methods were far from efficient. Zack passionately points out, “No one wants to take a long survey, and online reviews give too little too late. That’s when the idea for Ovation was born—a 2-question survey with real-time communication and comprehensive analytics. It was the missing link the industry needed.”

The spark that ignited Zack’s passion for Ovation stemmed from a profound realization. He recognized that, at its core, the restaurant industry revolves around delivering exceptional guest

experiences. As he passionately asserts, “At the end of the day, the entire reason restaurants exist is to deliver a great guest experience. It’s about the feelings you get when eating somewhere you love with the people you love. It’s why restaurant owners are so passionate about what they do. But with anything in life, to improve at something, you have to be able to measure it.”

Zack, a two-time recipient of the Top 100 Entrepreneurs accolade, who rang the NASDAQ bell, a globetrotter who has explored 50 countries, and the founder of three companies, including an international NGO dedicated to assisting domestic violence victims in Eastern Europe, embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship and philanthropy.

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His remarkable journey, which included over a thousand dates and the authorship of “Dating Never Works...Until it Does,” inspires all.

Currently, at the helm of Ovation, the leading restaurant feedback platform in America, Zack continues to make waves. His recognition as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Leaders by Nation’s Restaurant News and his role as the host of the illustrious “Give an Ovation: A Podcast for Restaurants” with over 250 episodes testify to his enduring commitment to enhancing the restaurant industry. “I’ve secured over $7 million in funding for Ovation! But I have to admit. Nothing brings me more joy than being a parent to my four amazing kids and having an incredible wife as a partner. They light up my world and have taught me so much about life. I’m grateful to have them in my life and it’s made me a better person. I’m also so lucky to be part of such a wonderful team, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner. Family truly is forever, and I feel blessed to have such a supportive network around me,” shares Zack.

Ovation has not only streamlined the feedback collection process but also made it adaptable to changing guest preferences, thereby contributing to an enhanced user experience and increased revenue for restaurants

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Ovation’s Innovative Feedback Approach In the realm of restaurant feedback, Zack and his team at Ovation have revolutionized the game, ushering in a new era of guest engagement that transcends traditional methods. Let’s explore how Ovation’s approach differs from the conventional feedback methods used by restaurants, which include table touches, online reviews, and lengthy surveys.

1. Table Touches: A Well-Intentioned But Flawed Tradition Zack starts by shedding light on the ageold “table touch” practice, where a manager or server approaches your table, inquiring,

“How was everything?” This gesture is wellintentioned, but it faces two inherent challenges.

Zack says, “People aren’t always honest in these situations. Whether the meal was delightful or disappointing, the usual response tends to be ‘It was good!’ – I’ve done it myself.”

The second issue lies in the scalability of the information gathered through table touches.

While servers may relay a guest’s complaint to management, recording and acting upon this scattered feedback often becomes challenging.

Enter Ovation, where guests are invited to take a concise 2-question survey that kicks off with the fundamental query, “How was your experience?”

This digital platform fosters an environment of openness, encouraging guests to express themselves freely. Zack explains, “We’ve found that people tend to be much more honest when providing feedback digitally. Our platform then synthesizes this valuable input, enabling restaurant owners and franchisors to put it to practical use. This is precisely why we’ve coined our core product the Digital Table Touch™.”

2. Online Reviews: A Limited Spectrum of Feedback While online reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp can be valuable, they tend to attract only the most polarized opinions. Zack points out, “Typically, the individuals motivated to leave online reviews are those who had exceptionally good or bad experiences. The majority of guests fall somewhere in between.”

Ovation surveys address this limitation by being accessible and easy to complete, ensuring that a more comprehensive range of guests provide feedback. This diverse dataset equips restaurant owners with richer, more nuanced insights.

3. The 50-Question Receipt Survey: A Dismal Experience Zack humorously refers to the dreaded 50-question receipt survey that many have encountered. The process involves typing a lengthy code from the receipt into a website with a convoluted URL, followed by a monotonous procession through 50 nearly identical questions in exchange for a meager reward. Zack aptly summarizes this ordeal, saying, “It’s terrible! Very few people bother with these surveys (when was the last time you did?), and the data collected relies on a tiny percentage of guests willing to endure such a lengthy questionnaire.”

In stark contrast, Ovation keeps its surveys concise, consisting of just two questions. The first question seeks open-ended feedback that gets to the core of the guest’s experience. Zack elaborates, “Guests don’t need to navigate irrelevant questions about napkin quality. They can provide meaningful feedback in seconds.”

Moreover, Ovation introduced the Custom Questions tool for those seeking more granularity, allowing restaurants to follow up with tailored inquiries the next day.

4. Ease of Use and Team Dedication According to Zack, Ovation’s success can be attributed to a dedicated team and a stellar product.

The team comprises individuals deeply passionate about the restaurant industry, many of whom have firsthand experience in restaurant ownership. Zack emphasizes, “Our product resonates with restaurant owners and guests alike because it simplifies the feedback process. It’s easy for guests to initiate through QR codes or text integrations, ensuring a snappy experience that takes less than a minute to complete. Management’s responses are textbased, aligning with consumers’ communication

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In line with its mission to provide actionable insights, Ovation is working to make it even more transparent for restaurant owners about what steps they should take based on the feedback they receive

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preferences in 2023. On average, restaurants using Ovation receive 18 times more feedback than with traditional receipt surveys.”

Empowering Restaurants with Real-Time Feedback Responses One of Ovation’s most potent features is its ability to facilitate real-time communication between guests and restaurant managers. When guests leave feedback through Ovation, restaurant managers can instantly access and respond to it using either the desktop interface or the mobile app. Zack underscores this aspect, stating, “We’ve invested significant effort in simplifying and expediting the response process for managers. With AI-generated responses, templates, and the option to include redeemable offers, managers can address guest concerns with just a few clicks.”

This real-time dialogue between guests and management leads to extraordinary and memorable moments for patrons. In an age where consumers often anticipate indifference when providing feedback, Ovation’s swift and attentive responses shatter these expectations. Zack highlights the impact, saying, “It’s not uncommon to find the word ‘wow’ repeatedly appearing in our data from guests after they receive a response through Ovation. This kind of engagement breeds loyalty.”

One of Zack’s favorite success stories revolves around Shawn Walchef, the proprietor of Cali BBQ. In the barbecue world, where taste preferences can be as nuanced as choosing between lean or fatty brisket, Shawn made a remarkable discovery through Ovation. For over a year, his online ordering platform had inadvertently neglected to offer

guests the choice between these two brisket variations. This seemingly minor oversight went unnoticed through traditional channels, as it wasn’t significant enough to trigger complaints via online reviews or emails.

However, Ovation provided a simple and accessible avenue for guests to voice their preferences. As a result, Shawn swiftly became aware of the issue and promptly introduced the necessary modifications, allowing guests to select their preferred brisket style. This small but impactful change showcased Shawn’s commitment to delivering a guest-centric experience and exemplified how Ovation empowers restaurants to make data-driven improvements based on real-time feedback.

Elevating Online Ratings with Ovation The Ovation feedback system is designed to capture valuable guest insights and empower restaurants to improve their online reputation.

The journey begins with a simple but pivotal question on the Ovation survey: “How was your experience?” Guests respond on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1-4 prompts the second question, providing an opportunity to share feedback privately with the restaurant.

Zack elucidates this process: “When guests rate their experience as a 5, we invite them to consider leaving an online review. We provide convenient links to the review platforms chosen by the restaurant. It’s important to clarify that we don’t obstruct anyone from posting negative reviews online or provide incentives for positive reviews—both practices violate Google’s terms of service.”

This approach yields remarkable results, notably an increase in positive reviews—often

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2 to 10 times more on average. The cumulative effect of this surge in positive reviews significantly enhances a restaurant’s overall online rating. This increase in rating is a vital factor that drives new foot traffic to restaurants.

Zack exemplifies this success with a testimonial from one of Ovation’s own Google reviews: “I have been using Ovation for almost a year now. I went from 4.0 and 26 reviews on Google to 4.7 and over 150 reviews.” This transformation underscores how Ovation can be a game-changer in boosting a restaurant’s digital presence and reputation.

Beyond amassing positive reviews, Ovation goes the extra mile by providing restaurants with powerful intelligence tools. These tools synthesize Ovation feedback and online review data into actionable insights, which are indispensable for restaurant operators. Zack elucidates, “At a glance, operators gain visibility into how each location performs across more than 35 critical categories, ranging from food freshness to the speed of service. We offer insights into overall strengths and weaknesses, satisfaction trends by dayparts, survey source data, review analytics, and more.”

Seamless Integrations: Where the Magic Happens Zack underscores the pivotal role of integrations in Ovation’s success, stating, “We see a lot of success with all of our methods, but integrations are really where the magic happens.” Over the years, Ovation has forged connections with over 50 of the most popular restaurant technologies, and the list continues to grow. These integrations encompass various facets of restaurant operations, including online ordering, point-of-sale systems, loyalty programs, and more.

The true beauty of these integrations lies in their ability to gather feedback from guests effortlessly.

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Zack explains, “When we integrate with these systems, the guest automatically receives a text with the survey link approximately 30 minutes after their meal. This seamless process results in a significant increase in survey participation. To provide context, traditional receipt surveys typically have a meager 0.1% take rate, while our integration-based surveys achieve an impressive over 20% take rate.”

Driving Revenue through Multiple Avenues Ovation empowers restaurants to boost revenue in several ways. First and foremost, it elevates their online review scores, a crucial component of restaurant marketing. Restaurants that achieve top positions in search engine rankings naturally attract more foot traffic, and Ovation plays a pivotal role in helping them achieve this coveted status.

Moreover, Ovation enhances customer retention by enabling managers to address guest concerns in real-time, potentially saving customers who might have never returned.

The platform’s text marketing solution is potent for enticing guests with limitedtime offers and special occasions, further contributing to revenue growth. Additionally, Ovation provides operational insights to restaurants, equipping them with valuable data to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.

For instance, a well-known household-name client deployed Ovation in half of their stores and withheld it in the other half, with all other variables held constant. After just four months, the stores with Ovation witnessed an astounding 9% increase in revenue growth compared to those without it. This empirical evidence underscores the effectiveness of Ovation in driving substantial revenue growth for restaurants.

Ovation enhances customer retention by enabling managers to address guest concerns in realtime, potentially saving customers who might have never returned

Adapting to Changing Guest Behavior Zack emphasizes the evolving importance of collecting feedback from guests, regardless of their location or order method. The pandemic accelerated the need for such adaptability. For in-house dining, Ovation provides QR codes strategically placed within the restaurant, whether as table stickers, table tents, or preferred by the establishment.

For takeout or delivery orders, restaurants include cards with QR codes in the packaging, ensuring that feedback collection remains seamless. The most popular and effortless option, whether on-premises or off-premises, remains the integration with other restaurant technologies. In

these instances, guests automatically receive a survey link via text approximately 30 minutes after their meal, provided they have previously shared their contact information with the restaurant.

Ovation has not only streamlined the feedback collection process but also made it adaptable to changing guest preferences, thereby contributing to an enhanced user experience and increased revenue for restaurants.

Growing Role in Restaurant-Guest Communications One of Zack’s key principles is a commitment to focus on solving one problem exceptionally well. Before the pandemic, Ovation offered a

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broader range of solutions, spanning feedback, loyalty programs, marketing, and more, catering to various industries such as healthcare and retail.

However, the events of 2020 prompted a strategic pivot towards specialization. Ovation honed in on perfecting one particular area: guest feedback for restaurants. This shift in focus proved pivotal, leading to significant growth and success.

Ovation’s commitment to improving the guest experience is evident in its ongoing efforts to add more channels for guest feedback. The goal is to make it as convenient as possible for guests to communicate with restaurants, regardless of their preferred method. This inclusivity ensures that valuable feedback can be collected from a wide range of sources, enabling restaurants to gain deeper insights into their performance.

In line with its mission to provide actionable insights, Ovation is working to make it even more transparent for restaurant owners about what steps they should take based on the feedback they receive. This strategic approach aims

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to empower restaurant owners with precise guidance on enhancing their operations and satisfying their guests.

Zack envisions Ovation’s role evolving in the realm of communications between restaurants and guests. An example of this innovation is the introduction of “Call-to-Text,” a customizable phone tree that instantly texts callers with requested information while seamlessly collecting feedback and integrating with Ovation. This feature has already proven a significant success and presents exciting opportunities for further development in improving restaurant-guest interactions.

Today, Zack’s guiding principles of focused problem-solving, a supportive working environment, and constant innovation drive Ovation’s growth and evolution. As it continues to refine its solutions and expand its role in the restaurant industry, Ovation remains dedicated to enhancing the guest experience and helping restaurants thrive in a dynamic and competitive landscape.

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EXPERT’S OPINION

Unleashing the Digital Generation: The Power of K-12 Computer Science Education in the Global Tech Race Xoliswa Mahlangu, Head of Digital Learning and Technology, Sifiso Learning Group

I

n today’s rapidly evolving digital era, the race for technological dominance has reached new heights, with countries worldwide striving to secure their positions as leaders in technology and innovation. Introducing K-12 computer science education has emerged as a crucial determinant of success in this competitive landscape.

Known by various names such as Information Technology, Computing, Informatics, and Digital Technologies, K-12 computer science curricula encompass a wide range of topics, including algorithms, programming, computational thinking, problem-solving, computer hardware and software, networking, cybersecurity, and the ethics and social implications of technology. The adoption of such curricula has gained momentum globally as nations

recognize the need to equip their citizens with the necessary skills and knowledge for the digital age.

However, implementing K-12 computer science education comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. This article explores the significance of K-12 computer science education, its benefits, the challenges faced in its implementation, and the strategies countries employ to overcome them.

It also briefly discusses how AI can be used to supercharge the curriculum’s implementation and the different stakeholders’ roles.

Imagine this it’s your first year at University.

You are only finding out about Computer science and Informatics as valid study options, and by some stroke of luck, you manage to enrol in computer science in your second year of study. It’s the first day

Known by various names such as Information Technology, Computing, Informatics, and Digital Technologies, K-12 computer science curricula encompass a wide range of topics, including algorithms, programming, computational thinking, problem-solving, computer hardware and software, networking, cybersecurity, and the ethics and social implications of technology First Magazine 96 Digital October 2023

Xoliswa Mahlangu, a seasoned software engineer and ‘The Tech Fairy’, is at the forefront of digital learning and technology for the Sifiso Learning Group. Committed to making coding and robotics accessible, she utilizes her extensive expertise to empower learners of all ages. As a much soughtafter speaker at youth and women in tech events, a mentor for emerging talents, and an EdTech curriculum developer for grades one through eleven, she continues to influence and shape young minds. Xoliswa spearheads cutting-edge EdTech implementation and conducts comprehensive teacher training in coding and robotics education.

Holding a Master of Engineering with a specialisation in Software Engineering, her mission is to ignite passion and equip future tech enthusiasts with the necessary tools for success.

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The introduction of K-12 Computer Science has had multiple benefits for the countries, like increasing the number of software developers, equipping the workforce with the necessary 21st-century skills, and encouraging entrepreneurship and start-ups

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in class, and the exercise is to write a Python program that prints out “Hello world” You are totally stuck. Still, your classmates from private schools are so ahead of you that they are already asking how the syntax for Python for for-loops differs from that of Java when you have never written a line of code in your life. You continue to watch them accelerate as you continue to drown because they got access to Information technology from grade 10 to 12 and learned the crucial skills of troubleshooting and using online tutorials and code repositories. Not only are your classmates more advanced than you, but a good portion of them have already started working at internships and gaining work experience that will one day put them ahead of the line again as you begin the job search.

I don’t have to imagine it because it’s a lived reality from almost 15 years ago. It has fuelled my passion for raising awareness of tech-related careers and actively researching best practices, teaching k-12 computer science, and even shaping the future of the subject by training teachers to do the same at other schools.

The introduction of different forms of k-12 computer science dates back to earlier than 1994 when China started introducing some courses to their high school students along with countries like Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Brazil, and Japan during the early 2000s. As more and more countries started implementing these high school courses, it was discovered that students need earlier exposure to computer science concepts. The United States took the lead in launching K-12 computer science initiatives and establishing coding clubs and competitions.

In 2014-2015 countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel introduced computer science into their curriculum, focusing on integrating coding and computational thinking. China, Canada, and Germany intensified their computer science education into K-12 education through dedicated courses, collaborations, and initiatives to promote digital literacy 2017. Sweden, New Zealand, and the Netherlands adopted computer science education by integrating coding and computational thinking across subjects 2018.

In 2019 South Africa started developing Digital Technologies and Coding and Robotics curriculums, which are currently being piloted.

Japan and India launched K-12 computer science education through coding courses and partnerships with technology companies in 2020. With all the developments in technology, the curriculums have had multiple revisions to keep -up. The best curriculums are putting more emphasis on coding in the foundational years with the introduction of scratch and some basic Python. They have also integrated computer science with mathematics, focusing on algorithmic thinking. The content is introduced via project-based learning with robotics and artificial intelligence integration.

The introduction of K-12 Computer Science has had multiple benefits for the countries, like increasing the number of software developers, equipping the workforce with the necessary 21st-century skills, and encouraging entrepreneurship and start-ups. It also grows the tech industry and promotes research and development, creating more technology innovation and developing the economy.

Countries embracing K-12 computer science education gain a competitive edge by equipping

their citizens with the necessary skills for the digital age. In addition, by nurturing a tech-savvy workforce early, these nations foster a culture of innovation and creativity, ensuring a pool of skilled professionals ready to contribute to the rapidly evolving technology sector. This enables them to attract foreign investment, create highpaying jobs, and drive economic growth. This could address issues of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry and encourage more students from these groups to pursue careers in technology.

Countries neglecting to introduce K-12 computer science education risk falling behind in the tech race. Without a technologically literate workforce, they struggle to keep up with the digital economy’s demands. These nations may face brain drain as talented individuals seek opportunities in more tech-forward countries. Consequently, they become increasingly dependent on importing technological expertise, limiting their innovation and economic advancement capacity.

K-12 computer science education promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, nurturing future tech leaders. Students exposed to coding, programming, and computational thinking develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and creativity. This foundation empowers them to tackle complex challenges and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Countries embracing this educational shift witness a surge in tech startups, disruptive technologies, and ground-breaking research, positioning themselves as leaders in the global tech landscape. Nations failing to incorporate computer science into their K-12 curriculum miss out on cultivating a generation of innovators. This omission stifles creativity, limits opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures, and inhibits the emergence of disruptive technologies.

Such countries risk becoming followers instead

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of trailblazers, reliant on importing innovative products and services from other nations.

Ultimately, their economic growth may stagnate, and their ability to adapt to emerging technologies will be severely hampered.

Introducing K-12 computer science education enables countries to bridge the digital divide by providing equal access to technological knowledge and resources. By making computer science a core component of the curriculum, nations can ensure that students from all backgrounds have an opportunity to develop essential digital skills. This inclusivity fosters social mobility and empowers

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marginalized communities to participate in the tech industry, narrowing socioeconomic gaps and enabling a more equitable society. Unfortunately, this also stops students from more affluent backgrounds from having better access than students from poorer backgrounds, which was a reality that I sadly had to live through. Nations that neglect K-12 computer science education risk widening the digital divide, leaving disadvantaged communities further behind. Without access to technology education, students from low-income backgrounds may struggle to compete in the job market, perpetuating inequality. This digital

K-12 computer science education promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, nurturing future tech leaders

divide exacerbates socioeconomic disparities and hampers social progress.

Success stories of countries like Estonia and South Korea encourage the introduction of coding through gamification to witness a rise in digital entrepreneurship and tech talent and drive economic growth. The integration of computational thinking across the curriculum has also seen improved academic performances and increased interest in STEM fields among students. Initiatives like the CSforAll have also made significant progress in increasing computer science course offerings and diversifying participation, inspiring other countries to replicate its success. By partnering with global organizations and technology companies, Rwanda has made significant strides in integrating computer science into its curriculum. The initiative has helped nurture a tech-savvy workforce and attract investment in the country’s emerging tech sector.

With all these benefits, you would swear that national education departments would rush to implement a version of K-12 computer science education. Still, there are several fears

and concerns that they have to deal with in their implementation strategy. One of the main concerns is the availability of qualified teachers who can effectively teach computer science concepts to students. Many schools may need help finding teachers with sufficient knowledge and expertise in the subject matter. Additionally, limited resources and infrastructure, such as computers, software, and reliable internet access, pose obstacles, especially for schools in low-income areas or with budgetary constraints. This potential inequality and lack of access could widen the digital divide between privileged and disadvantaged students.

Furthermore, developing an age-appropriate, engaging, and standardized computer science curriculum is complex. Careful planning and investment are required to create comprehensive curriculum frameworks that cater to students at different grade levels. Additionally, there is a need to address the gender and diversity gap in the tech industry, ensuring that computer science education provides equal opportunities for all students, regardless of gender or background.

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Teacher training and professional development programs must equip educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to overcome these challenges. Attention must also be given to prevent curriculum overload, as the introduction of computer science education could reduce instructional time for other subjects. Moreover, the rapid evolution of technology necessitates ongoing efforts to keep the curriculum up-todate and relevant. Another crucial consideration is designing appropriate assessment methods that capture practical aspects and problemsolving abilities unique to computer science.

To overcome resource challenges in K-12 computer science education, countries have implemented strategies in two key areas: physical resources and human resources.

Regarding physical resources, countries have utilized public-private partnerships to gain access to computers, software, and hardware through collaborations with technology companies and private organizations. Government funding has also played a vital role in allocating school resources such as computers, laptops, tablets, and coding tools. Additionally, mobile and online learning adoption has reduced dependence on physical resources by allowing students to learn and practice computer science skills using their personal devices and online platforms.

In addressing human resource challenges, countries have focused on teacher training programs to equip educators with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach computer science effectively.

Collaborations with universities and industry experts have provided specialized training for teachers, ensuring they stay updated with the latest developments in computer science education. In addition, countries have implemented recruitment and incentive programs to attract professionals with

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computer science backgrounds into the teaching profession, including higher salaries, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs. Online resources and communities have also been established to facilitate collaboration, sharing of best practices, and access to a wide range of resources. Moreover, involving technology professionals and industry experts as volunteers in classrooms, conducting workshops, and mentoring students have further strengthened the pool of human resources.

Finding the perfect K-12 computer science teacher may be as challenging as finding a unicorn because they need to have a deep understanding of computer science concepts and strong technical skills. In addition, they need to effectively communicate complex topics, adapt to different learning styles, and maintain a wellorganized classroom environment. These teachers are passionate about teaching and continuously seek professional growth, incorporating creativity and adaptability in their lessons. They provide individualized instruction, collaborate with colleagues, and engage in networking opportunities within the computer science education community. Additionally, exceptional teachers prioritize student-centred learning, promote equity and inclusion, and use continuous assessment and feedback to support student growth and development. These characteristics enable them to inspire students, foster a love for computer science, and equip them with the skills required in the digital age.

Most of the teachers who are committed to excellence can be trained to be efficient K-12 computer science teachers through a combination of self-study and personalized learning; they can work on projects and coding challenges to gain hands-on coding practice. Dedicated people can opt to further their studies by enrolling in

computer science courses to better understand the concepts. They can also attend workshops and conferences, participate in competitions and collaborate with other teachers in professional learning communities. They can also seek mentorship from more experienced teachers and industry professionals. They need to constantly

To overcome resource challenges in K-12 computer science education, countries have implemented strategies in two key areas: physical resources and human resources

reflect and adapt. They need to embrace lifelong learning and not fear students knowing more than them on certain topics.

Luckily the advancement of AI can give teachers and students a sidekick that can enhance the teaching and learning of k-12 Computer Science. It can provide personalized learning experiences by analysing individual student data and adjusting the curriculum accordingly. AI tutors offer immediate feedback and guidance, helping students navigate programming challenges. Students can immediately get an opportunity to troubleshoot with their AI tutor before the next class. They can get help from the AI tutor as they write the code at home.

Automated grading saves teachers time, while AI-generated content enhances lesson plans and provides relevant examples. This dramatically reduces the administrative burden on teachers.

AI also enables data analysis to identify insights and inform instructional decisions. It can help teachers and students to identify the key concepts that must be addressed to facilitate understanding.

Additionally, AI facilitates virtual mentorship and peer collaboration, connecting students with industry professionals and encouraging collaborative learning. AI and, AR, VR can also enable students to use simulations to understand abstract concepts and “use” expensive robotics kits without acquiring the actual kits. However, it’s crucial to remember that AI should complement teachers rather than replace them, as teachers play a vital role in providing guidance, support, and a human connection to students.

The successful implementation of an excellent K-12 computer science curriculum also requires collaboration among parents, the industry, and the government. Parents play a critical role by advocating for computer science

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education, actively participating in their children’s learning, promoting awareness and support, and establishing partnerships with schools and industry professionals. A few tips that parents can use to encourage their children’s interest include exposing them to technology early, participating in tech activities with them and positive role modelling, encouraging critical thinking, providing resources, and supporting creative projects.

The industry contributes to the curriculum by providing insights into industry trends, sharing resources and tools, facilitating work-based learning experiences, and offering professional development opportunities for teachers.

Additionally, the government’s role involves policy development, funding and resource allocation, teacher training and professional development, fostering partnerships, and monitoring and evaluating the curriculum’s implementation. Together, these stakeholders ensure that the curriculum is relevant, wellsupported, aligned with industry needs, and effectively delivered to equip students with essential computer science skills.

Conclusion Introducing K-12 computer science education has proven to be a game-changer in the global tech race. Nations embracing this educational shift are reaping numerous benefits, including an increased number of software developers, a workforce equipped with 21st-century skills, a thriving tech industry, and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Conversely, countries neglecting to incorporate K-12 computer science education risk falling behind, facing brain drain, and becoming dependent on importing technological expertise. They risk stifling creativity, limiting opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures, and

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hampering their own economic growth and technological adaptation.

While implementing K-12 computer science education presents challenges, such as the availability of qualified teachers, limited resources and infrastructure, curriculum development, and the gender and diversity gap, countries have proactively addressed these issues. Public-private partnerships, government funding, mobile and online learning, and teacher training programs have played instrumental roles in overcoming resource challenges. Integrating AI and other technological advancements has also enhanced the teaching and learning experience, providing personalized learning, immediate feedback, automated grading, and virtual mentorship. To ensure the successful implementation of K-12 computer science education, collaboration among parents, the industry, and the government is vital. Parents play a crucial role in advocating for computer science education, while the sector contributes through insights, resources, workbased learning experiences, and professional development opportunities. The government’s involvement in policy development, funding, teacher training, and monitoring ensures the curriculum’s relevance and effectiveness.

In conclusion, the K-12 computer science education holds tremendous potential in shaping the future of nations in the digital age. Countries can position themselves at the forefront of technological advancements by equipping students with essential digital skills, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, bridging the digital divide, and promoting social mobility. As the world continues to advance technologically, integrating K-12 computer science education is not just an option; it has become necessary for countries aspiring to thrive in the global tech race.

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