Alistair Wilson, Author at neuco

Hiring Changes & Challenges in Connectivity

Posted on November 15, 2024October 21, 2024 by Alistair Wilson

Within the connectivity industry, talent shortages and lack of diversity are rife. On Episode 25 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast we spoke with Jennifer Montague, the VP of Growth at Onomondo, about how she is expanding her team. Here are her insights.

How has hiring been in the last 12-18 months, from a high-level perspective?

People are having a lot of trouble trying to find the right role. As a manager, I don’t want to say hiring has been easy, but there’s been a lot of talent to choose from, which can be good and bad. If you go to a restaurant with a 60-page menu, you can’t really decide what to eat. It’s the same with hiring. I’ve had up to 300 applications for roles, which is a lot to choose from.

My advice, particularly when it comes to startups, is to know your numbers. In this environment, the money is just all over the place, and it’s growth at all costs. We’re hiring left, right and centre, but you have to prove the value that you’re bringing in, which is why I say ‘know your numbers’ and make sure you keep track of your hires’ outcomes. Look for people who have had an impact, but also for their ambition and potential.

How has your hiring process changed since you’ve grown as a business?

When you’re a startup, you want generalists who can wear a bunch of different hats. As you get into scale up, you want specialists. You want the people who only do one thing, but they’re damn good at it. That’s always an interesting transition for me. You hire people who start the marketing from nothing, and they’ve done all the hard work and heavy lifting, but suddenly, you reach a point where you don’t need them anymore. That is a really bad feeling for everyone because you want to show appreciation, but you also need specialists in SEO, paid search, or full-stack development and no longer have space for those generalists.

You’re now hiring based on applications rather than headhunting. How has that affected diversity?

It’s definitely brought out the importance of looking for the potential of each individual. Now, when you’re looking for one particular role, and you see all these people can do the job, then you have to assess what else they bring to the table. Frankly speaking, I live in a very homogenous community. Denmark isn’t really known for a lot of diversity. At the moment, my company’s policy is not to hire remote-only positions, so you have to be physically present and able to commute to the office. That reduces the pool of applicants that I can look for.

When it comes to one of the things I have done, I’ve added a blurb to my job posts about not ticking every single box because traditionally, women and people of colour will not apply for a job unless they tick every single box. I always say that if you think you can bring something to the table, please apply. I can’t comment on whether I’ve seen a difference in the applicants, but people have been commenting that they were more comfortable applying, knowing that it’s okay not to tick every box.

The other thing is not looking for a traditional background or education but interviewing for ambitions and motivations, like what you want to do and why you want to do it. That’s helped us take the blinders off. It’s not about whether they fit into this box or not. It’s actually about ‘Do I want to work with this person?’ That helps increase the likelihood of getting non-traditional candidates into a role.

To hear more about hiring in the connectivity sector, tune into Episode 25 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast here.

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Exploring IoT Technology

Posted on September 10, 2024 by Alistair Wilson

IoT technology is a key component of smart living. On Episode 23 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast we were joined by Ed Chung, the SVP of Product & Business Development at Endeavour Technology, to talk about his perspectives on the most exciting developing technologies in the IoT space. Read on for his insights.

“IoT probably means different things to different people. It was probably a term that was invented to capture a whole bunch of things, primarily from a technology point of view. What’s exciting for us at the moment is certain industries have embraced connectivity.

The one that we’re focusing on at the moment is automotive. A lot of industries over the years have promised that bringing in connectivity would enable new areas of opportunity, either in revenue or by improving the way things work. Over time there have been a number of reasons why things have not happened as quickly as many would have hoped – and I include automotive in that as well, but it’s still one of the leading industries. We’ve all heard about the connected car, and those who have been lucky enough to get into a vehicle that’s been produced recently will see the technology and the way that that car communicates with people and with the outside world, and it has changed a lot. I’ve seen it described as a giant smartphone on wheels.

That’s particularly exciting for us because not only is that a new product out there but there’s a lot of innovation. There are also aspects of it that people sort of expect and rely on now, but there are also autonomous driving and entertainment applications, which are becoming ubiquitous features. We’ve come from a time when you buy a car and just expect it to work. Now, connectivity is a part of that, as are all the services that run on top of the main function of the vehicle.

However, we all know it’s not quite like that in the real world, right? Sometimes things just don’t work. That’s applicable not just to automotive but to any industry, but we’re working with a number of partners to try to understand how to improve and solve those challenges, such as poor quality or poor connectivity that’s not fit for purpose.

Beyond automotive, there are a number of other areas that have embraced connectivity as well. We’re starting to see it on planes – Wi-Fi is available on most airlines. That’s been a pretty significant change in recent years. We’re also seeing some really interesting discrete sectors on the transportation side, even things like connected elevators, as businesses evolve and connectivity becomes more useful and applicable. Machines are talking to other machines, and machines are talking to humans. The need for connectivity is ever-increasing.”

To hear more from Ed, tune into Episode 23 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast here.

Developing Next-Generation IoT Applications

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Alistair Wilson

IoT is a growing part of the Connectivity industry. On Episode 21 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast, we were joined by Dave Kjendal, the CTO at Senet, to talk about the latest advancements in the IoT field, as well as its practical applications to daily life. Here’s what he said:

“There are so many that can be talked about in terms of where that technology can be applied. What’s really interesting is that massive-scale IoT is where we see a lot of interest. Utility spaces, such as water utilities, are certainly quite mature in terms of massive-scale IoT adoption. They’ve developed things like metre reading, water quality analysis, and valve controls, done at very large scales using millions of devices that have been instrumented for many years now. That’s been a natural evolution in the space for driving efficiency.

We’re starting to see that the next opportunity in the utility area is looking at the natural gas area, which includes residential gas delivery systems. So metering, valve control, leak detection, things like this, as well as in the production side of it. Everyone is very aware of the sensitivity of methane to climate change, so a lot of focus is being put on that area. Unfortunately, on the residential side, there’s a loss of life and property that happens on a fairly regular basis.

Another area of IoT that has been growing is food safety compliance. Making sure that food is stored and prepared safely is another area where instrumentation can really go very far towards minimising costs while guaranteeing safety to the customer.

Those are maybe not obvious examples for many people who are thinking about the smart thermostat on their wall, but as we see it, it’s that level of instrumentation that really starts to unlock massive-scale value. The next iteration is more focused on smart applications that create heavily instrumented buildings. We saw some of this happen during the COVID period, where occupancy and safety impacted airflow and temperature variations. Things like VOC monitoring and humidity monitoring are the next big steps down that path.

What’s interesting to think about in those three examples is that there are regulations that are either in place or coming into place in the future, that are the precursors to pushing the market down that path. Many times, industries look at regulation as a threat, but for those of us in IoT, regulation is very often an opportunity for us to deliver solutions cost-effectively, creating a win for the consumer in the bill and for the property owner in meeting the regulatory requirements. It is one of the most interesting massive-scale opportunities as we start to improve our view as a society around what should be done, and we have the tools to implement it cost-effectively.

To hear more from Dave, tune into Episode 21 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast here.

Revolutionising Talent Attraction in the Connectivity Sector

Posted on May 31, 2024 by Alistair Wilson

The biggest misconception in the telco sector is that it’s a dying, historic legacy industry. In reality, the integration of AI into telco is making a significant impact on society by enhancing efficiency, improving customer experience, and enabling new techniques and services. This transformation is attracting top talent who are eager to engage in innovative areas like satellite LEO and cloud AI orchestration.

Bridging Talent Gaps: Strategies for Attracting Cross-Industry Expertise

To draw skilled professionals from diverse sectors into telco, we must focus on the key areas of impact: network optimisation, data analysis, customer service, and energy efficiency. These domains are crucial for the evolution of the telco industry and offer exciting opportunities for tech enthusiasts looking to make a tangible impact.

One of the most groundbreaking shifts is happening with Open Networking, which is moving the industry away from monopolies historically dominated by big Original Equipment Manufacturers. This democratization of technology and innovation is creating a fertile ground for new ideas and attracting talent interested in making a mark in a more open and collaborative environment.

Innovative Alliances and the Rise of Private Wireless

Innovations through alliances like the TIP have been particularly exciting. These collaborations are fostering a spirit of innovation and breaking new ground in the industry. One of the most anticipated developments in the coming year is the advent of private wireless networks. Operators are re-evaluating their business models, and the enterprise sector is emerging as a significant revenue stream. Private wireless networks align perfectly with this shift, offering bespoke solutions that cater to the unique needs of businesses.

Advancing Diversity and Inclusion

While the telco sector has seen considerable improvements in diversity over the past 50 years, there is still much work to be done. A critical question often arises: How do we attract talent from other industries into telco? Investing in programs that bring graduates into the sector is vital. Ensuring a steady stream of new talent is crucial for the industry’s continued evolution and relevance.

Companies, both large and small, are placing a stronger emphasis on diversity and inclusion. They are implementing strategies that encourage change and make their workplaces more inclusive, allowing individuals to feel confident and valued. This cultural shift is essential for fostering innovation and attracting a diverse range of talents.

The telco industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by AI and other technological advancements. By focusing on network optimisation, data analysis, customer service, and energy efficiency, and by fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion, the industry can attract top talent from various sectors. The rise of private wireless and the collaborative efforts through initiatives like TIP are just the beginning of a new era in telecommunications. As we move forward, the connectivity sector will continue to evolve, driving societal impact and offering exciting opportunities for tech professionals worldwide.

Improving Gender Diversity in the Telco Industry

Posted on April 5, 2024 by Alistair Wilson

On the Women in Telco miniseries on The Connectivity Matters Podcast we’re shining a spotlight on diversity. In the miniseries’ fifth episode we spoke to Alex Foster, the Managing Director of Division X at BT, about her experiences as a woman in the telco industry and how the sector could improve gender diversity. Read on for her insights.

How do you think the attitudes towards diversity and inclusion have changed throughout your career so far in telco?

We’ve always spent a lot of time looking at diversity and inclusion. We’ve done an awful lot of work in terms of the barefoot computing initiatives. Our volunteers help to make sure that all children feel that they’ve got the ability to really enjoy the STEM world. That then moves up the chain in terms of what we do, both at senior school and university, where we run initiatives around coding for girls. The work that we do, particularly around cybersecurity, really helps make sure that people aren’t frightened about technology. It’s like riding a bike, it can seem frightening before you start. It’s the same thing with STEM; making it accessible means taking all of that fear out of it. And as a consequence of that, we’re seeing many more women coming into technology as well. We’ve got huge levels of representation for women, from apprentices and graduates and up through to our leadership roles within the organisation as well.

BT has a female CEO now. What impact do you think that will have?

It’s an important representation of women in leadership roles. I think that that will encourage more and more women into technology roles, because it just shows you how inclusive telecoms can be, and particularly how inclusive we as an organisation can be, and it shows that we are a very accessible workplace. Nobody should be worried about coming into a STEM role, because you can go from being an apprentice to being a CEO, and everything in between.

What challenges did you – or do you – face as a woman in the telco industry?

Some of the barriers have changed since I joined the industry. My children are on their way to university now, but if I think back to when I had maternity leave, coming back after only three months was quite challenging. Since then, huge amounts have changed. You can get a year’s maternity leave or alternative provisions in terms of how you return to work. At BT, we’re really proud that 87% of people who go on maternity leave come back into our organisation.

The other challenges I had were things that are now mainstays like lactating rooms – those were definitely not common back when I started. 20 years on, the world has changed significantly. We’ve got great maternity policies, great return back to work policies and great facilities for people who want to carry on and bring their babies into the organisation and carry on feeding them at work. All of those provisions are there now.

How do you think organisations can make the workplace more accessible to everyone?

Inclusivity is expansive. One topic close to my heart is dyslexia. I work with Kate Griggs and the Made By Dyslexia organisation. We have a chapter of the organisation here at BT, which helps us look at Dyslexia as a superpower, because dyslexic thinking can be very creative and join the dots in a different way. It’s absolutely about creating an inclusive place for all types of people to come and work with us. So for me, inclusion doesn’t just mean gender inclusivity, it’s all of those facets of identity. Having a space like the Made By Dyslexia chapter in a workplace can really empower people to share what makes them different and recognise their own strengths. We also use technology to solve some of their challenges too, such as using Word’s spell-check or speech to text ability. It all just helps us recognise what skills we can bring to the company.

Do you have any specific recommendations for how companies can be more inclusive?

I think that it’s about making sure that when you’re starting to hire into the organisation, you’ve got diverse lists to start with. If your list isn’t diverse it’s going to be quite hard to create an inclusive environment. It definitely starts with having a look at how you hire and who you hire, and making sure that those that are hiring are starting to think about skills and inclusivity at the same time. Organisations that are on an inclusive journey can lean into external networks, such as Women in Technology, both from a learning and networking point of view, but also as a pipeline for talent. If you’re engaged with these groups, your organisation will start to show up as an organisation for whom inclusivity is important, and candidates will be drawn to you. You’ll then start to find a plethora of candidates who want to work at your organisation because you are seen to be inclusive, and you’re behaving in an inclusive manner.

To hear more from Alex, tune into Episode 17 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast here.

Speaking Up About Impostor Syndrome

Posted on March 15, 2024 by Alistair Wilson

During the Women In Telco miniseries on The Connectivity Matters Podcast we’ve been putting a spotlight on diversity in the industry. That includes covering topics such as impostor syndrome, which we discussed with Richa Daga in the miniseries’ fourth episode. Richa is an Embedded Software Engineer at Cisco, and she is the winner of the 2022 WomenTech Global Conference Speaker of the Year Award. Here are her insights on the impostor syndrome and how to tackle it:

“Impostor syndrome is a topic that is being talked about because people do feel it. That is a reality that occurs. A programme that I took part in at Cisco had a cohort of female leaders from different teams. As we talked about it, we all realised that most of the time it’s only in our head. Imposter syndrome is like wondering “Do we really belong here?” Once you start speaking up and sharing what is going on in your mind, you’ll discover that several other people in the room might also be feeling the same way. We all question “Should I say that thing or not? Is it right or not?”, but we don’t realise that other people wonder the same thing.

If you waste time contemplating whether or not something is the right thing to say, someone else will say it and be recognised for their idea. These things keep happening. You have to have the courage to say what’s in your mind. That can be a difficult process, and it’s hard to get out of that thought process because we fear disagreements and rejection. We don’t want to disagree with what is happening in the room. That is why we don’t want to be our natural selves, because we want to feel accepted.

When we build inclusive and equitable environments, people can share their perspectives at all levels of the business. We need to stop comparing ourselves to people who have 5 times more experience than us and take the opportunities we have in front of us. We also need to focus less on output and more on input, and value what people are contributing. We should be empowering, motivating and encouraging people to speak up, shed their inhibitions and come out of their shells. Courage is what helps us get rid of impostor syndrome. They’re all small changes, but we should try to do our bit to get rid of impostor syndrome.”

To hear more from Richa, tune into Episode 16 of The Connectivity Matters Podcast here.

FYUZ 2023 Summary Blog

Posted on October 20, 2023 by Alistair Wilson

This year, Fyuz returned to Madrid for three days of talks and networking, with a focus on Open RAN technology. Here are the key takeaways, straight from the neuco team:

Day 1:

FYUZ ‘23 kicked off with a bang when Ericsson’s EVP and Head of Networks, Fredrik Jejdling, entered the stage for the first big announcement. He announced that Ericsson has 1 million radios ready for deployment in Open RAN. While Fredrik was hesitant to commit to a timeline, it seems that late 2024 is the earliest we will see the upgrades deployed on the market.

The next significant announcement came from Vodafone’s Andrea Dona. Andrea revealed that Vodafone currently has 16 live sites in the Southwest of the UK, providing connectivity through Open RAN. This is a truly cross-vendor platform that reaches over 100,000 people. They not only expect to increase the number of sites to 24 by the end of October, but also anticipate that these systems will outperform their legacy equipment in all key performance indicators (KPIs).

The big takeaway from Day 1 is that although progress in Open RAN has been slow, it’s no longer just a concept; it’s here. Although there is still a long way to go before Open RAN technology becomes the norm, it’s exciting to see it come to fruition.

Day 2:

The second day of the conference focused on the challenges of Open RAN and multi-vendor engagement. There was a significant discussion about how operators will need to oversee relationships with multiple vendors, and a big question mark hung over the accountability of the vendors in such a scenario.

AI was another central topic. Open RAN and automation are interconnected, but there isn’t a comprehensive understanding across the industry when it comes to automation. Therefore, a substantial effort is needed to attract talent from other areas to meet growing demands from the connectivity industry.

Day 3:

Day three placed a significant focus on the use cases of Open RAN and how it can help expand into other areas of connectivity, such as private wireless and indoor connectivity. The panel rightly pointed out that 80% of device usage occurs indoors or in a vehicle. This means that a substantial portion of the mobile connectivity market isn’t being reached.

While Wi-Fi effectively provides connectivity in these hard-to-reach places, and will therefore remain the dominant connectivity method, questions arose about Open RAN’s place in the connectivity ecosystem. The multi-vendor nature of Open RAN allows operators and vendors to take their equipment indoors. Coupled with the fact that neutral hosting is inherent in Open RAN, this could make the transition between indoor and outdoor connectivity seamless.

Summary:

Overall, this year was a bit slower than anticipated. Vendors are slowly getting on board with the process, and operators are even slower to invest. However, through industry bodies such as the Telecom Infra Project, the wheels are slowly but surely turning. We’ve seen a lot of positivity about the future of the industry, and we all hope it will start to pick up pace in the coming years.