Daily Tech Start

Welcome back to The (Daily) Tech Start where I share my experience working at a tech startup and the lessons I learn along the way. I’m Toni and this is episode 22. I have been asked a few times now both at work and amongst my friends to describe and share my project management best practices. In this episode I won’t be talking specifically about the rules and best practices for PMs as such but rather how you get through your to do lists, that pile of stuff (whatever it may be) that needs tending to or how you juggle multiple projects simultaneously and completing them all on time. I'll also be talking about the benefit of bailing on some things and asking yourself - Do I really need to be involved in this? I hope you found all this useful and if you have any suggestions or questions, please send them in and i’ll be sure to respond. You can find me on Twitter and Instagram (name: Tonicowanbrown)

Welcome back to The (Daily) Tech Start where I share my experience working at a tech startup and the lessons I learn along the way. I’m Toni and this is episode 21. I ended up binge watching The Martin Garrix Show on YouTube this weekend and I couldn't help but see some great traits on Martin that I see in many great tech entrepreneurs. And as ever I took a few notes and decides to share these with you. This guy has built an empire in the last 4 years, he has put on some of the biggest shows I have ever seen, topped many charts and keeps innovating. I really think we have a thing or two (or ten) to learn from him as he (and his team) build his brand like a true entrepreneur. ps: I am sorry Martin, I clearly have no consistency and couldn't stick with the US/Uk or Dutch pronunciation of your name. Clearly my 20 years living in Brussels has stuck with me.

Welcome back to the daily tech start where I share my experience working at a tech startup and the lessons I learn along the way. I’m Toni and this is episode 20. Internal communications is so hard to get right but when you do everything else seems to fall into place. Yet because it's not the sexiest of topic in the startup world it's very often not discussed. I have worked for pan-European institutions, International organisations and tech startups. The hardest thing in all three of these environments and the one thing they all have in common - the pitfalls of internal communication. Let's talk about that magic number 150 and what it means for your company, let's learn from some of the other startups how there and what dis Netflix do that was so draw dropping fantastic.

Welcome back to the daily tech start where I share my experience working at a tech startup and the lessons I learn along the way. I’m Toni and this is episode 19. Having opinions is scary - this statement has stuck with me for the better part of this weekend. Specifically because I recently decided to re-watch the TV series - The Newsroom written by Aaron Sorkin. The main character decides to stop pleasing everyone by not bothering anyone with opinions and to start "doing the news". This stuck with me because I often hide behind facts and facilitation to avoid voicing my opinions. Why does this matter to me know? Tune in to find out what I marched for this Saturday 23rd June.

Welcome back to the daily tech start where I share my experience working at a tech startup and the lessons I learn along the way. I’m Toni and this is episode 18. I just finished Sallie Krawcheck’s book the power of women at work and wanted to share with you some of the great and thought provoking things she shares in her book - The Power of Women at Work. I for one took away a few good reminders and lessons. I will also be breaking down the cost of mansplaning on the US economy. This is my first book review here on the podcast so I hope you enjoy it. Although, if I am honest it's less of a review and more of a debrief.

On this episode and due to popular demand I dive further into the world of these precious stones. I'll explain further the concept and rise of conflict diamonds (or blood diamonds) and how they have been defined, talk to you about the Kimberley process and it's shortcomings. We will then focus on how Silicon Valley is disrupting yet another traditional market (such as it did with the taxi industry and Uber/Lyft and the hotel industry with Airbnb). I'll take the time to explain the benefits of lab grown diamonds in contrast with the negative side of the mining industry. Finally i'll share my experience specifically with Vrai & Oro - one of the innovators in this space.

This episode is a little different as i wanted to share with you what i had been up to (hint; a lot) and how one of the biggest diamond players, De Beers, is finally taking the plunge into the lab grown diamond industry.

My interview w/ EU confidential, Politico is live go check it out. Also let’s talk about Slack’s growth strategy, word of mouth and performance reviews.

There are many articles enumerating all the reasons companies should invest in the US. However, far less written about european expansion and what it takes to be taken seriously in Europe.

Bodega - the startups people love to hate • Remember Cerial cafe? • Shop the catwalk from Amazon and get your items delivered within an hour • Wish me luck

Back to Brussels I go

Facebook fined by Spain's data protection agency • Where do you go for your content?

It's not big data, it's smart data • What if you could buy goods with your data? • Your data has real monetary value

Rethinking work/life balance • Mastering a new skill every 30 days • Document the hell how of your learning • It's the learning process that counts • The lasting change • It's the small wins that count • Progress is addictive & so is switching off

Instagram stories now on the web • Another day, another claim of antitrust bullying against Google says Wired • Off to Paris tomorrow, so off to bed now

Live from Brussels (Belgium) • Remember when Google got fined €2.4 billion • David Runviman's Politics (book) • Politics or technology - which will save us?

Ruthless prioritisation

Don't fake it, till you make it • Dress for the job you want, Not the one you have

Being multi-dimensional • Being multi- dimensional part2

Spillover lessons • Smartcuts by Shane Snow • And what about mentorship?

Don't over-think things • Do it & you'll be pleasantly surprised

Let's talk leadership and shifting the barrier to entry • Leadership continued 2/3 • Last thought on leaders 3/3