The Project Future Podcast

13. Shira Shamban on Winning with What You Have

Here in Episode 13, I speak with cloud security expert, Shira Shamban.

Shira is the founder of Solvo, a software company that automates and shifts left cloud security. She is also a former military officer in the elite intelligence unit 8200 of the Israel Defense Force.

In this conversation, Shira explains:

- why cyber-security is important to everyone
- how her military career prepared her for life in a start-up
- why start-ups like working with ex-military personnel
- how she learned the role of an entrepreneur before starting her own company
- how she raised $3m in capital during the Covid-19 pandemic

Shira’s best advice is to prepare for the worst.

Enjoy!

12. John Martin on How Managing People is Vital to Success

Here in Episode 12, I speak with the founder and CEO of Plutus Consulting Group, John Martin. His focus is delivering value from Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) deals.

John has 30 years’ experience, and his recipe for success is a combination of customer focus, extensive global finance and risk experience, supported by strategic expertise.

In this conversation, John explains how he gained experience and a career to fall back on before starting his own business.

John talks us through how he built his skills and reputation from one project to the next and the nervous excitement that comes when a project is being prepared to Go Live.

Perhaps most pertinently, John explains how he’s learned it’s impossible to succeed alone, and that both teamwork and successful management of people are vital to success.

His best advice is to make sure you have all the facts to hand before making a decision.

Enjoy!

11. Elaine Halligan on Finding Your ‘Why?’

Here in Episode 11, I speak with parenting coach, speaker and author, Elaine Halligan. The episode is in two parts, recorded 12 months apart, in December 2019 and December 2020, with significant changes in between.

Elaine explains her early career and how positive parenting methods made such a huge impact in her own family life. The opportunity then arose to become a partner of The Parent Practice, initially running the London office with her business partner on the other side of the world.

She shares the impact her book, ‘My Child’s Different’, has had on the business, and the opportunities it has created, before explaining what changed in 2020 and her exciting plans for 2021 and beyond.

Elaine’s best advice is to do business with your perfect customer.

Enjoy!

10. Ryan Edwards on Redefining Innovation

Here in Episode 10, I speak with co-founder of Naked Innovations, Ryan Edwards. Ryan has spent most of his career in the agri-food industry and now focuses on creating agri-food ecosystems that realign the planet, business and people - innovating for a healthier planet and people.

In this conversation, Ryan talks us through how he’s set goals but hasn’t been afraid to make big decisions when his goals have changed.

He explains how he’s made use of his network, and how his network has made use of him as he found his niche and developed solutions his clients want.

Ryan goes on to share his view of innovation and redefining how it can best be achieved in the global community we live in.

His best advice is to update your dreams and to make sure you’re chasing the right one.

Enjoy!

9. Tanya Janca on the Power of Community

Here in Episode 9, I speak with Tanya Janca, also known as SheHacksPurple. Tanya is the best-selling author of ‘Alice and Bob Learn Application Security’. She is also the founder of We Hack Purple, an online learning academy, community and weekly podcast that revolves around teaching everyone to create secure software.

In this conversation, Tanya explains how she worked out early on that software developers were her tribe, and how speaking publicly led to further opportunities, first in-house and then as her own boss.

The power of community and generosity of people is a theme that runs throughout this episode, and one that is music to my ears, in the spirit of abundance.

Tanya goes on to explain how there is a long way to go before secure software development gets sufficient recognition and presence academically, and how she is aiming to drive this change.

Her best advice is to make sure there is a market for whatever it is you want to offer.

Enjoy!

8. Project Future - Book Launch Day Special

Here in Episode 8, I tell the story of my first book, Project Future: 6 Steps to Success as Your Own Boss. I explain what the book is about and who it’s for, then why I had a passion to write the book and why it was the right concept for me – even though it wasn’t my first idea.

I go on to state what I’ve learned through the process, and how bringing others into the journey has been key to aiming higher, before talking about what’s next for me, and the postive actions you can take as a result of the book.

Enjoy!

7. Steve Auchettl on Continuing to Narrow a Product Offering

Here in Episode 7, I speak with digital marketer and founder of SMA Digital, Steve Auchettl. In this conversation, Steve talks us through how he started in marketing at a young age and then worked freelance whilst travelling the world.

He shares his career path and how his company came to focus on providing intelligent quizzes.

Steve goes on to explain the exciting plans he has for 2021 and beyond, shaping the business aligned to his own values and interests.

His best advice is that success comes from continuing to narrow a product offering and focusing on the key result a client is looking to achieve.

Enjoy!

6. Glenn Wilson on Investing in Yourself to Stay Ahead

Here in Episode 6, I speak with Glenn Wilson, a DevSecOps consultant and founder of Dynaminet. Glenn is also the author of a recently published book on his subject, titled DevSecOps: A leader’s guide to producing secure software without compromising flow, feedback and continuous improvement.

In this conversation, Glenn shares how he came to focus on his business full time, 15 years after setting it up.

He talks about the value of networking, the opportunities it can provide, and how he’s grown as a result of presenting on stage.

Glenn explains how the mindset of a contractor is completely different from that of an employee, and how recognising this has helped him thrive.

His best advice is to invest the money in the business wisely to open up new opportunities.

Enjoy!

5. Martin Smith on Making it Easy for Customers to Say Yes

Here in Episode 5, I speak with the founder of Remotefixer.co.uk, Martin Smith. I was instantly attracted to Martin’s business by his clear branding and simple proposition which makes it easy for the customer to say yes.

Martin has leveraged social media to build a platform for his business since 2012, resulting in some unexpected and global customers.

Martin has built a business that works for him and his family, but it wasn’t always that way.

His earlier business built on his passion for magic ultimately failed, despite Martin giving it everything, which leads to his best advice – not to get too emotionally attached to your business.

Enjoy!

4. Kulwinder Dhillon on Pivoting Like a Netball Player

In this inspirational episode, I speak with Kulwinder Dhillon. Kulwinder spent her corporate career at IBM and BT before starting her own business earlier in 2020, with a focus on goal mapping and hypnotherapy – but that doesn’t even begin to tell the story.

Kulwinder talks candidly about the personal tragedy and illness she’s been through, and how, remarkably, she’s been able to use these experiences to grow as a person and now uses what she’s discovered to help others.

Her best advice is to really understand why it is you want to start your own business, and once you have clarity on your why, take action.

Enjoy!