Digital Pond

In this episode of the Digital Pond, we're speaking to the Founder & CEO of CovertSwarm, Anders Reeves. CovertSwarm specialises in an offensive approach to cyber security – using cutting-edge technology and techniques to conduct rigorous security tests on organisations' digital products and infrastructures. During our conversation, we explore how the recent conflict in Ukraine could spell danger for businesses operating online, the value of (ethically) hacking your website, and how organisations can improve their own security culture. You can follow CovertSwarm on LinkedIn and Twitter. And remember to follow Cyber-Duck on LinkedIn and Twitter.

In this episode of the Digital Pond we're speaking to our very own Diversity & Accessibility Lead, Yahye Siyad. Yahye's story is fascinating. He was born in Somalia but spent most of his youth in the Middle East and the UK, facing many challenges as well as building a wealth of experience in different cultures. Born Blind, Yahye has dedicated himself to tackling inequalities, advocating for digital inclusion and improving organisations' and digital practitioners' awareness and knowledge of web accessibility. During the podcast, we discuss how his upbringing shaped his entrepreneurship, the types of everyday accessibility challenges that he (and other disabled people) face, and how organisations can improve their approach to digital inclusion.

In our first episode of the Digital Pond for 2022, we are joined by 1000 Black Voices and Moxie Global Founder, Dr Elizabeth Shaw. Elizabeth is a brilliant advocate and changemaker for diversity and inclusion. Her work with 1000 Black Voices has supported many black Founders and CEOs with industry-leading product, business, design and technology mentoring and provides a catalyst to funding and tech support. During the podcast, we explore the barriers that black entrepreneurs often face, why representation and recognition matters, and how organisations can be more proactive in improving diversity and inclusion within their workforce. You can follow 1000 Black Voices on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. You can follow Moxie on LinkedIn and Twitter. And remember to follow Cyber-Duck on LinkedIn and Twitter.

In this episode of the Digital Pond, we're joined by digital entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Perkbox, Saurav Chopra. Founded in 2015, Perkbox empowers businesses to recognise and reward the success of their employees. They provide an all-in-one platform combining industry-leading products and expertise. Through the platform, businesses and employees have access to hundreds of perks and discounts, as well as health, fitness and counselling services. During our chat with Saurav, we discuss how working with his father at a young age shaped his professional mindset, his work with Silicon Valley start-ups, the role of persistence in digital entrepreneurship, and the importance of businesses nurturing young talent. You can follow Perkbox on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. And remember to follow Cyber-Duck on LinkedIn and Twitter.

In this week's episode of the Digital Pond, we're joined by CEO and Founder of Unleashed Company, Anouk Agussol. Unleashed works with start-ups to build and execute on great People Strategy, Operations, Infrastructure and Culture. Through their work they are able to help businesses build their culture, improve recruitment and make sure that teams are super productive, highly engaged and performing to the best of their abilities. Listen now to discover more on how businesses are shifting towards a remote-first style working, why a toxic culture is bad for everyone and why bosses need to show consideration towards their staff's personal life and how it impacts their professional life. You can follow Unleashed.Company on LinkedIn. And remember to follow Cyber-Duck on LinkedIn and Twitter.

We have a very special guest joining us for episode 4 of the Digital Pond, dot.com entrepreneur and founder of PinkNews Benjamin Cohen. Benjamin has had an incredible career and professional journey, from creating a Jewish-based social network as a teenager, through to legal disputes with Apple, working as a technology corresponded for Channel 4 News, and finally founding the massively popular LGBT publication PinkNews. During our chat with Benjamin, we discussed his journey as an entrepreneur, how serendipity has shaped his career and why digital publishers are still at the mercy of tech giants. During our conversation on the various challenges he's faced during his career, Benjamin touched upon living with multiple sclerosis. Following his diagnoses, Benjamin has become a leading voice in raising awareness of MS and advocating for improved disability rights - he's also a member of the board of directors for Humanity and Inclusion. This podcast was recorded during MS Awareness Week 2021. For more information please visit mssociety.org.uk Enjoy the pod!

In episode three of the Digital Pond, Danny is joined by the Founder and CEO of Just After Midnight (also known as JAM), Sam Booth. Alongside their many services, Just After Midnight provides around the clock monitoring and both application and cloud support for websites and web applications - and as a partner of Cyber-Duck, they've made sure that our own developers can always get a good night's sleep. During our conversation we explore how the pandemic has enabled businesses to start afresh and adopt a digital mindset, how Just After Midnight has been evolving over the last 12 months, and what Sam looks for in new talent.

In the second episode of the Digital Pond we speak to Harpal Singh, an AI Product Management Consultant and Interim Executive working with organisations to build digital products using emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Computer Vision. Listen to our pod and discover where Harpal sees the AI space developing towards, why every UX and product design project starts with the customer, and his journey to creating his book: The Elusive Art And Science Of Finding Product/Market Fit.

Episode 1 in a new series of podcasts from Cyber-Duck. In this first episode of Digital Pond, Danny is joined by Elena Sinel. Elena is the founder of Teens in AI, a fantastic organisation that is inspiring a new generation of youngsters to embrace artificial intelligence and make a positive impact on the world through technology.