How To Pitch An Idea And Get A ‘Yes’

Home • Agenda • How To Pitch An Idea And …

Session Overview

Too many brilliant ideas fail because decision-makers just don’t ‘get it’. Why? Because the presenter didn’t share the key information in the first 60 seconds. This masterclass changes all that.

This masterclass is a game-changer! Too often brilliant technical and scientific minds fail to get their ideas past the decision-makers in their organisation because business leaders don’t understand the benefit. In this session, you will discover the secrets of speaking to the top of any organisation. You will walk away with a model that ensures the business listens when you talk tech.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Understand the mindset of business leaders
  • Know the 4 key elements to include in the first minute of your talk
  • Learn a proven model that ensures the business listens

This session is for you if…you are a  Mid-to-Senior manager seeking approval or funding from decision-makers.

Back to Agenda

Similar Sessions

2:15pm
Workshop

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Career Transformation

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Career Development
  • Leadership
  • Premium Only

For many, feeling like an outsider isn’t an illusion. Do you find yourself consistently experiencing self-doubt, even in areas you typically excel or dealing with constant change? In this workshop we will introduce you to identify the signs to recognise Imposter syndrome, key techniques to overcome and why it is important to conquer this to drive your career aspirations. This will also help to make positive impact in dealing with constant change.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • How to indentify Imposter syndrome
  • Discover techniques to deal with Imposter syndrome
  • How to conquer it and transform your career

This session is for you if…you would like an insight about yourself and want to also thrive in your career.

Find Out More
11:30am
Workshop

How AI & ChatGPT Is Accelerating Front-End Development

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • AI/ML
  • Premium Only
  • Software & Development
  • Technical
  • Teresa Wu

    VP of Software Engineering

    J.P Morgan

Front-end development is always about creating engaging visualised UI that users integrate with. But is a front-end engineer’s career in danger due to the rise of AI and the powerful tool of ChatGPT? Explore what ChatGPT can do and what it can not do for front-end development.

In this workshop you’ll demo the process of making a front-end application using ChatGPT, experiencing how it assists developers in creating code in a more efficient way, and how we can code smarter using AI tools. You’ll question the concerns and drawbacks and explore how front-end engineering should evolve to adapt to new tools and accelerate our day-to-day life.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Demo the process to create a front-end project using ChatGPT
  • Understand how AI can accelerate the project development and release process
  • What are the key areas that AI cannot provide nowadays, and what should developers adapt to use the AI tool in the most effective way

This session is for you if…

  • You are a Front-end Engineer
  • You are a Project Manager
  • You are a Student who is learning AI
  • You are a Software Engineer
Find Out More
11:30am
Workshop

Unlock The Secrets To High-Performing Teams

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • HR/DEI
  • Leadership
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Michelle Howchin

    Senior Director George Technology

    ASDA

Elevate your team’s performance and dive into the three game-changing elements that have propelled the highest-rated colleague team in Asda Technology to unparalleled heights of success. Gain actionable insights that will empower your team to excel in the competitive world of technology.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Master strategies for building high-performing teams amidst complex transformations
  • Boost effective collaboration between business and tech partners
  • Drive enhanced results and efficiency through improved team dynamics
Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

How To Create A Culture Of Belonging In The Workplace

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • HR/DEI
  • Leadership
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Penny Cuthbert

    EMEA Head of Delivery

    Cprime

Creating a sense of belonging in the workplace is crucial for retaining diverse talent. Research shows that it can reduce attrition by up to 50%. As technology teams continue to grow and evolve, it’s more important than ever to foster an inclusive culture that values each team member’s unique perspectives and contributions.

This session will explore how technology and new approaches can increase the impact of cultural changes to create a sense of belonging. You’ll discover what it takes to attract and retain diverse talent, even as teams spread out geographically and the pace of change for tech skills accelerates.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • What can create belonging?
  • Key factors that contribute to a sense of belonging in the workplace, including how new technologies can help
  • Gain insights into practical changes you can make in your organisation to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion

This session is for you if…you lead technology teams, are responsible for D&I or ESG strategy, are facing regretted attrition in key roles and teams, or are starting a career in technology and want to be an agent of change in your organisational culture.

Find Out More
7:30pm
Presentation

Leading Through Crisis: Maintaining Productivity In Stressful Situations

30 mins
  • Track - Software
  • Career Development
  • HR/DEI
  • Leadership
  • Snizhana Chaikina

    Software Development Manager

    Thomas Cook

Many people experience stress in their roles and IT is no exception to the rule. Tough deadlines, projects to be delivered “yesterday”, release rollbacks and unstable environments or the very nature of your role can cause stress. But what if you woke up in a country at war and you need to manage your high performing IT teams so that business continues as usual and the client is still happy?

You’ll hear a personal story of adapting to a war in Ukraine, waking up in Kyiv under the bomb attacks, keeping the teams stable and performing so that our business was able to successfully continue as usual, which was the biggest challenge for everyone.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • How to handle stressful situations at work
  • How to communicate effectively with your team
  • How to build a better level of trust and manage your teams under pressure

This session is for you if… you are an IT manager who wants to learn how to keep the balance and remain a calm leader.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Presentation

How To Stay Relevant In The New Frontier Of Technology

30 mins
  • Track - Software
  • Career Development
  • Leadership
  • Workforce
  • Sarah Robinson

    Engineering Director

    Intel

Discover the new frontier of technology and its impact on business problem-solving. As the tech industry experiences unprecedented growth alongside increasing layoffs, it’s crucial to navigate your career strategically and stay ahead of the curve. Learn how to thrive in this dynamic landscape, harness the power of cutting-edge technologies, and become the linchpin of your organisation, adept at tackling complex business challenges.

Join us as we delve into the exhilarating new frontier of technology, exploring the steps needed to maintain career relevance and growth. Master the techniques and tools necessary to propel your career to new heights, and emerge as a true trailblazer in your field.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • How to keep up and running to stay relevant
  • What you know now will not be what you need in the future
  • Build on the 50% and learn the rest
Find Out More
12:45pm
Presentation

Building A Tech Talent Strategy For The Future

30 mins
  • Track - Plan
  • Career Development
  • HR/DEI
  • Software & Development
  • Anna Brailsford

    CEO & Co-Founder

    Code First Girls

Join this engaging fireside chat as we delve into the evolving tech landscape and the future of hiring tech talent. Drawing from the experiences of industry technology leaders, we’ll explore how to navigate the ever-shifting global talent landscape. Discover how leading companies are responding to and shaping global talent trends, and gain insights into the positive impact of fostering diversity in your tech talent pool.

Our experts will share practical wisdom on attracting, retaining, and nurturing a diverse workforce, while creating an inclusive company culture that fosters innovation and drives business growth.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how leading companies are navigating global talent trends
  • Understand the positive business impact of hiring diverse tech talent
  • Gain insights on attracting and retaining diverse talent, and building an inclusive company culture
Find Out More
2:20pm
Panel Discussion

Panel: Engineering Journeys – From Engineer to Tech Director

60 mins
  • Track - Implement
  • Career Development
  • HR/DEI
  • Non-Technical
  • Tanja Lichtensteiger

    Head of Software Engineering

    BBC

  • Danielle Troy

    Test Manager

    BBC

  • Becky Travis

    Software Engineering Team Lead

    BBC

  • Tanu Sahnan

    Software Engineering Manager

    BBC

This candid conversation is aimed to kindle inspiration and empower you, offering guidance for navigating your own path to technology leadership. 

Join us for enlightening fireside chats with engineering leaders from the BBC, as they share their career trajectories and gain valuable insight from their experience and learnings. Discover the pivotal moments that shaped them and their careers. This candid conversation is aimed to kindle inspiration and empower you, offering guidance for navigating your own path to technology leadership. 

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Diverse Career Pathways: You will discover that there is no one-size-fits-all journey in technology leadership. The panellists’ diverse career paths will highlight that success in technology leadership can be achieved through a variety of routes, showcasing the importance of adaptability and perseverance.
  • Overcoming Challenges: Learning how some have overcome challenges and barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field. From navigating imposter syndrome to managing conflict, you will gain insights into strategies and how to build resilience, when pursuing leadership roles in technology.
  • Preparing for Opportunity: Through continuous learning, building strong networks and relationships and seeking out mentors, learn how to ready yourself to make the most of opportunities that come your way.

This session is for you if…you aspire to thrive in engineering leadership and want to learn from experiences of successful women leaders who are forging their path to the top.

 

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

Become A Chaos Pilot & Bring Meaningful Change

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Career Development
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Monica Norman

    Technical Programme Manager

    bp

  • Filipa Moura

    Principal Software Engineer

    bp

  • Tehsheena Shams

    Founder and CEO

    Dynamo

Bringing transformative change in any business requires a radically different mindset, chaos pilots have that mindset and you can become one too.

Immerse yourself in a hands-on workshop on chaos piloting. Become one yourself and bring meaningful change anywhere – your business, work, and life! Learn from technology start-up founders and engineers at bp who are transforming front-line operations to make them safer and more efficient.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Who are chaos pilots, and why are they essential in any organisation?
  • How can you become a chaos pilot?
  • Discover the pitfalls to avoid

This session is for you if…you are starting your business, or you are looking to start a business, and/or are working on solving big, complex problems that are ambiguous and challenge the status quo.

Find Out More
4:35pm
Presentation

Transitioning Your Career From Traditional Finance To A Web3 Future

30 mins
  • Track - Plan
  • Career Development
  • Data & Analytics
  • Leadership
  • Sendi Young

    Managing Director, UK & Europe, UK Board Director

    Ripple

A 2023 survey from Boston Consulting Group and People of Crypto Lab found that just 13 percent of web3 founding teams include a woman. This is unsurprising when the same survey revealed that the share of women at web3 startups overall is roughly 27 percent, and most of those women are in non-technical roles such as HR, PR and marketing. Women are still underrepresented in the web3 space and this industry is in dire need of improved gender balance.

Leaving the safety of an established industry for a pioneering upstart is exactly what Ripple’s European Managing Director Sendi Young opted to do after years spent building her career in the traditional financial services sector. Sendi will explore the challenges she faced when transitioning her career, opportunities for women to build the future of finance and how she discovered a newfound passion for all things blockchain and web3. Plus, a conversation on transparency, crypto “bro” culture and debunking common industry misconceptions.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Crypto and blockchain are the future of finance – we need more women around the top table, including the brilliant minds of web2, to shape this future.
  • We must create a more diverse workplace, and solving the long-standing issue of diversity in not just the crypto industry, but tech as a whole demands more than just a one-size fits all solution – Sendi will share best practices for a more inclusive industry.
  • Now is the most exciting time to make a career move into web3 – we’re on the brink of mainstream digital asset adoption, and if you join now you’re still early. The opportunities for women are growing everyday and with the right attitude and mindset, imposter syndrome will be a thing of the past.

This session is for you if…

  • You are a woman with a career in finance, technology, fintech, banking, etc.
  • You are a Female tech innovator and entrepreneur
  • You are interested in crypto/web3 as a career
  • You are seeking to make a career transition
Find Out More
3:30pm
Presentation

Building Future Digital Leaders: A Blueprint For Success

30 mins
  • Track - Implement
  • Career Development
  • Leadership
  • Workforce
  • Jo Matkin

    CEO

    Grayce

As leaders, we have an important role to play in nurturing the next generation of digital leadership. But what does tomorrow’s digital leader look like? And with an ever-changing technology landscape, how do we create opportunities for them to build resilience, remain adaptable and thrive?

Drawing on the experience of launching over 2000 digital careers, this session will provide you with the tools to identify capability, support development and set the pathway to success.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Understand the evergreen skills needed for resilient digital leadership
  • Discover a blueprint for applied learning that works for the next generation
  • Learn about the real-world impact of early investment in emerging talent
Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

Revolutionising The Power Of Technology For Finance With GenAI

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Advanced Technology
  • AI/ML
  • Data & Analytics
  • Premium Only
  • Keiko Kimura

    Software Engineering Team Director

    BlackRock

AI is changing the way we live and work! This session will help you prepare to address opportunities and risks given the rapid advancements in generative AI over the past year.

Keiko will walk through a practitioner view of how to integrate GenAI into an enterprise platform – hitting on the governance, technical and strategic.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Learn GenAI adoption
  • Learn potential impacts of GenAI for the financial industry
  • Learn how diverse skill sets contribute to the GenAI adoption

This session is for you if…you want to learn about practical ways to integrate GenAI into your tech platform.

 

Find Out More
11:30am
Workshop

How To Deliver Value From Generative AI Without Causing Chaos

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • AI/ML
  • Digital Transformation
  • Premium Only
  • Amy Challen

    General Manager for Artificial Intelligence

    Shell

Generative AI is one of the hottest topics around, with hours of fun to be had from asking ChatGPT to summarise nuclear fission in the style of Chaucer, or Midjourney to depict a sports stadium inhabited by lemurs in the style of van Gogh. But how can we put it to work to really generate value? And how do we make sure that we can mitigate these technologies’ well-reported issues (information leakage, hallucination, bias, privacy violations…)?

The Why: Attendees of this workshop will get insights/learnings on how to harness the power of Generative AI in their organisations, while ensure that it is used safely.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • How to address the fear caused by new technology advances.
  • How to address the risks to reap the benefits of Generative AI.
  • How Generative AI can be adopted safely across a wide range of use cases.

This session is for you if…you are interested in using Generative AI ethically/safely in your organisation, including business leaders, data scientists and any IT professionals.

Find Out More
12:10pm
Presentation

Cyber Security: Preparing For The Threat Now And In The Future

30 mins
  • Track - Future Impact
  • AI/ML
  • Cybersecurity
  • Non-Technical
  • Felicity Oswald

    Chief Operating Officer

    National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

Cyber security is a growing issue in all organisations, large and small, public and private sector. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is the UK’s Technical Authority for cyber security. In this session Felicity Oswald, the Chief Operating Officer of the NCSC, will take us through the NCSC’s view of the cyber security challenges of 2023 and beyond and how UK organisations can build resilience to cyber threats of the future.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • The biggest cyber threats of today
  • How threats will evolve
  • How diversity in the cyber profession is critical for the future

This session is for you if…you want to learn more about cyber security and why it is relevant to you, or you are a cyber security professional keen to hear from one of the Government’s key cyber agencies.

Find Out More
2:50pm
Presentation

The CFO’s Quantum Leap: From Goalkeeper to Attacking Midfielder

30 mins
  • Track - FinTech
  • Digital Transformation
  • Leadership
  • Non-Technical
  • Sharonee Dutta

    Managing Director

    BCG

Our world is being shaped by global mega trends, from climate change, to rapid urbanisation, to geo-political turbulence, to emerging technology. The traditional foundations upon which businesses were built are also subject to seismic shifts, and back-office operations must come out from the between the goal posts.

The CFO’s office has to become more agile and play an active role in helping the business to outpace quickening competitors, with data at the core of this new tactic. Precious company information is brought together by the CFO’s office, which can be leveraged more effectively to identify key opportunities and risks.

Digital technology is enabling CFOs to carry out this new, offensive role, equipping their organisations to take more strategic, targeted action. The successful CFO office of the future will be seen as a quality controller, and a forward-looking planner seeking to score goals for the business.

This topic is a gateway to understanding the crucial balance between autonomy and centralisation that will characterise the winning businesses of tomorrow. Mastering this concept is the key that will untap immense value locked in the data used by your finance function, and improve it’s effectiveness and efficiency overall.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Finance tends to be the key entry point to large scale transformations, and it must evolve accordingly
  • Finance is critical to creating value, particularly in strategic transactions like IPOs, acquisitions, and divestitures
  • Transformation is not linear; the starting line is different for each company

This session is for you if…you are looking to become more innovative, efficient, competitive and agile by taking your CFO’s office to the next level.

Find Out More
4:00pm
Presentation

Navigating The Stars: The Art Of Hiring For Excellence

30 mins
  • Track - FinTech
  • Leadership
  • Non-Technical
  • Workforce
  • Rose Ahearne

    Director - Analytics Engineering

    Monzo

Hiring is an essential part of technical leadership. Having a strategy to make the right hire efficiently is a key foundation for building a high performing team that delivers results. This talk will help attendees benefit from Rose’s experience and offer insights that they can apply in their own hiring.

In this talk, Rose will unveil the secrets to hiring for high-performance teams, drawing from her experience at tech firms Monzo, Deliveroo and BGL. Join us to discover straightforward strategies that will elevate your hiring process and empower your organisation. Don’t miss this opportunity to chart a course toward excellence in recruitment and set your team on a trajectory towards success!

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Be kind
  • Plan ahead
  • Detail and Document

This sessions is for you if…you’re a developing manager looking to gain valuable insights into building high-performance teams. Whether you’re seeking practical strategies to strengthen your hiring process or aiming to empower your organisation with proven recruitment techniques, this talk is your guide to achieving excellence in hiring the stars.

Find Out More
12:45pm
Presentation

From Backstage (Spotify) To Opening The Curtain For AI

30 mins
  • Track - Software
  • AI/ML
  • Career Development
  • Software & Development
  • Jemma Holmes

    Hybrid Cloud Platform Automation Engineer

    QBE

How has the integration of Coding Co-pilots and conversational AI changed the developer user experience and how has it affected junior developers starting their journey. Are we the developers leading the way in what might be the new way to do software development?

Session Key Takeaways:

  • How do these new technologies affect junior developers learning paths?
  • How large organisations are adopting these new technologies?
  • Even at the beginning of your career, your different perspective is what brings value

This session is for you if…you want to hear about the real experience of starting your career journey in software development and how a global organisation is approaching this new wave of development.

Find Out More
11:30am
Workshop

Disrupting With Data

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Data & Analytics
  • Premium Only
  • Workforce
  • Mairead Masterson

    VP of Analytics & Business Intelligence

    Bloom & Wild

In this session, we will discuss how Bloom & Wild have leveraged data to create significant commercial impact. We will delve into how B&W have effectively harnessed data to make informed decisions that benefit their customers. Throughout this session, we will provide practical insights drawn from the valuable lessons acquired from the initial stages all the way to successfully scaling this function.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding where to begin
  • Balancing startup resource to drive impact
  • Navigating an organisational structure to effect change
  • Scaling capabilities
  • Devising successful hiring strategies to build a great team
  • Understanding and measuring success

This session is for you if…you are keen on shaping business strategy using data, encompassing commercial, marketing, and overall business leaders, alongside analysts embarking on their career journey.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

Inclusive Technical Design

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Data & Analytics
  • HR/DEI
  • Premium Only
  • Product
  • Sarah Persov

    Engineering Team Lead

    Dojo

Dive deep into the world of Inclusive Technical Design in this transformative workshop. As the tech landscape evolves, it’s paramount that our designs and practices embrace and reflect the diverse tapestry of experiences and identities. This session will guide you through actionable strategies to weave inclusivity into every layer of your technical projects and team dynamics.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Foundational Understanding: Grasp the nuances of how diverse experiences and identities shape technical design
  • Practical Strategies: Acquire hands-on techniques to embed inclusivity within your design processes
  • Elevated Team Practices: Learn actionable insights to foster a culture of inclusivity within your team dynamics
  • Real-world Applications: Case studies highlighting successful inclusive technical designs and their impactful outcomes
Find Out More
3:30pm
Workshop

The Power Of Transferable & Human Skills In The World Of AI

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Career Development
  • HR/DEI
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Claire Thomas

    Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer

    Hitachi Vantara

Our industries / careers are changing, and whilst there is increasing opportunity for those working in technology and with technical skills, we must remember the power of human connection to drive sustainable change in our world. Having different experiences and backgrounds in decision making drives better outcomes for companies, customers, and society. Increasing focus on transferable skills increases the likelihood of diverse teams and therefore successful outcomes. For individuals, it opens up a plethora of opportunities outside the traditional ladder career path, so people can find purpose and meaning in their work.

Whilst predictions vary on whether we’ll all be replaced by robots (with Goldman Sachs predicting 300 million jobs lost and Accenture saying 40% of work tasks will be affected by large language models), one common theme across research is that the type of work we do as humans will change. In an ever-changing world, a focus on building strong human skills, such as empathy and vulnerability, and exploring how they can be transferred across careers will be essential to career progression.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Why there’s nothing soft about human skills
  • Why human skills will be critical in future, especially for leaders
  • What you can do to recognise your build transferable skills and build on them

This session is for you if…you want to know more about skills development, career switching, the power of strong human skills and need some tips on where to start.

Find Out More
11:35am
Presentation

How To Prepare Yourself For Big Career Decisions

30 mins
  • Track - Implement
  • Career Development
  • Non-Technical
  • Workforce
  • Ilana Simons

    Sales Director

    Braze

Ilana’s upcoming talk offers valuable insights and practical tools for navigating the challenges of making significant career choices. While predicting the future is beyond our control, Ilana provides attendees with the necessary tools to gather the information they need and make informed decisions.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • The significance of self-awareness when making career decisions: Discover how understanding your strengths, values, and goals can guide your career choices effectively
  • Validating decisions using guiding principles: Learn techniques to evaluate and validate your career decisions
  • Building your own network of board members: Explore the importance of cultivating a supportive network of mentors, advisors, and peers to help you navigate your career journey

This session is for you if…you find yourself struggling with career decisions, contemplating ‘what if’ scenarios, preparing for a promotion, a new role, or considering a career change, this session is designed for you.

Join Ilana Simons as she equips you with the tools and strategies to confidently tackle significant career choices, both now and in the future.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Presentation

Mastering Middle Management: Strategic Skills For Success

30 mins
  • Track - FinTech
  • Career Development
  • Leadership
  • Non-Technical
  • Danielle Battleson-Porterfield

    Executive Director – CX Lead - Banking

    Chase

  • Arpita Bhayani

    Executive Director - Director of Software Engineering

    Chase

  • Mel Good

    Executive Director - Sr Director of Software Engineering

    Chase

More details coming soon...

Find Out More
3:30pm
Presentation

So What Does A Product Manager Do, Exactly?

30 mins
  • Track - Plan
  • Leadership
  • Non-Technical
  • Product
  • Maya Kaczorowski

    Head of Product

    Tailscale

You might have experience working on a product in some capacity, and with a product manager… but what do they do, exactly? The life of a product manager isn’t all glamorous strategy documents and customer meetings. (It’s also spreadsheets… a lot of spreadsheets.)

Discover what the responsibilities of a product manager are, and what the typical day to day looks like. We’ll delve into what a typical product needs to bridge the gap between customer needs and engineering solutions. We’ll talk through real-world anecdotes on what that looks like in practice.

We’ll also talk about how to work well across functions in a traditional engineering organisation, to get product and engineering — but also design, support, research, marketing, and sales — all working together for the same customer goal. Lastly, we’ll discuss how to decide whether a career in product management aligns with your passions and ambitions. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a newcomer, you’ll come away with a better sense of how to work as or with a product manager.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • A product manager’s role is not to ship products, but to unblock customers. You don’t always need to ship a product to meet customers’ needs
  • A product manager is the glue that holds the organization together, and fills the gaps where particular roles might be missing. You need to be flexible and adapt to your organization’s current situation
  • There is no one product manager role, they’re all different! A product management role might be exciting for you if you’re good at understanding, synthesising, and communicating ideas, detail oriented, and enjoy juggling many balls at the same time
Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

How To Diversify Your Talent Pool

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • HR/DEI
  • Leadership
  • Premium Only
  • Workforce
  • Sian Wilson

    Executive Director- Commercial

    The Skills Network

Tired of hearing about the skills gaps and underrepresentation in tech without getting to the solution. We’re putting the spotlight on concrete solutions that businesses can harness. From government-backed gateways to innovative approaches in skill development, let’s chart a path to a brighter, more inclusive tech landscape.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Tapping into Untapped Resources: Understand how government-backed initiatives and programs can serve as invaluable channels to widen and diversify your talent search
  • Innovative Skill Development: Explore cutting-edge methodologies and strategies for nurturing and upskilling talent, ensuring your team is equipped for the tech world’s evolving demands
  • Building an Inclusive Strategy: Learn actionable steps and best practices to create a recruitment and retention strategy that prioritises diversity, fostering a richer, more resilient tech ecosystem
Find Out More
2:15pm
Presentation

Demystifying Generative AI And Machine Learning Models

30 mins
  • Track - InfoTech
  • AI/ML
  • Career Development

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning have become an integral part of our lives. It is also a very fascinating field of study. There’s no better time to learn about these technologies than now! And there’s no better way of learning than some hands-on work. However, given the information overload, it may be overwhelming and confusing to know where to start. This workshop will help you take a few simple steps towards advancing this journey for you. And you will gain information about some excellent yet freely available tools to experiment with the world of AI.

Machine Learning has become one of the hottest fields of study and application in the last decade and is expected to rule the world for a long time. Very recently, the world of technology was blown away with the introduction of ChatGPT! There is no better time than now to delve into the world of AI. I would like to walk through some of the basic concepts around the building of a Machine Learning application from scratch. We will then move on to understand what Generative AI is and what we can build with the ChatGPT APIs. In this workshop, we will build a fun AI application using generative AI APIs. You do not need to be an expert programmer. Knowledge of python is helpful but not necessary as the code is minimal and intuitive.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Demystifying Generative AI and Machine Learning
  • Know about freely available tools for your DiY journey
  • How to code your own AI applications in one hour!

Please note: There are some pre-workshop activities that you must complete prior to attending the workshop to ensure you can participate fully in the session and benefit from the codealong. Please follow this link for further details and ensure you bring your laptop with you to the session.

This session is for you if…

  • You want to know where to start with your Machine Learning & Generative AI journey
  • You want to understand the key concepts of Machine Learning & Generative AI
  • You are not a coder but want to try your hands at building AI applications
Find Out More
11:30am
Workshop

How to Project Confidence Even When You don’t Feel It

660 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Career Development
  • HR/DEI
  • Leadership
  • Emma Wicks

    Head of Editorial and Product Insight & Analytics

    Telegraph Media Group

There’s a big misconception that confidence is a thing you feel, but in reality, confidence is how you act. What counts is if other people THINK you’re confident.

This session will explore how we all often lack feelings of confidence and how to project confidence anyway. Emma Wicks and Tanya Goldhaber, two senior women who have braved every imaginable stressful professional situation and keep being told they’re really confident will cover the difference between perception and reality, how they’ve learned to project gravitas even when they’re dying inside, and how that’s really worked for them professionally. In smaller groups, we’ll share experiences, support each other with individual challenges, discuss techniques we’ve tried and learn how to speak up in a range of situations.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • How to can act confident even if you don’t feel it
  • How to ensure you speak up through preparing in advance
  • How to manage your feelings, if you don’t feel confident and are jealous of people who do, those people probably don’t feel confident either

This session is for you if…you let a lack of confidence stop you in speaking up or going for opportunities.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

Workshop Delivered by Roku

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Premium Only
  • Helen Stokes

    Senior QA Engineer

    Roku

More details coming soon...

Find Out More
11:30am
Workshop

Public Speaking Mastery: From Practice To Presentation

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Workforce

Step up and let your voice be heard! Dive into the essentials of public speaking with our hands-on workshop. Whether it’s about mastering your message or presenting with poise, we’ll guide you through the art of communicating effectively. Remember, it’s all about practice and preparation, not perfection!

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Techniques to craft compelling speeches
  • Strategies for confident and impactful delivery

This session is for you if...you are keen to elevate your public speaking prowess, from novices to seasoned speakers looking for a refresher.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

How To Pitch An Idea And Get A ‘Yes’

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Career Development
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Isabel Walker

    Master Facilitator and Coach

    Inc. PowerSpeaking

Too many brilliant ideas fail because decision-makers just don’t ‘get it’. Why? Because the presenter didn’t share the key information in the first 60 seconds. This masterclass changes all that.

This masterclass is a game-changer! Too often brilliant technical and scientific minds fail to get their ideas past the decision-makers in their organisation because business leaders don’t understand the benefit. In this session, you will discover the secrets of speaking to the top of any organisation. You will walk away with a model that ensures the business listens when you talk tech.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Understand the mindset of business leaders
  • Know the 4 key elements to include in the first minute of your talk
  • Learn a proven model that ensures the business listens

This session is for you if…you are a  Mid-to-Senior manager seeking approval or funding from decision-makers.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Presentation

You Don’t Need To Code To Progress Or Work In The Tech Sector

30 mins
  • Track - Software
  • Career Development
  • Non-Technical
  • Workforce
  • Theodora Costley-White

    Technical Director and Founder

    Women in Tech Coterie

If you are frustrated with hitting a brick wall in getting your foot through the door because you don’t code, I have news for you, Technology is not only about Software development. This talk is for all the women out there that are wanting to get into or progress in the sector but don’t know how. Besides becoming a Software Developer or Engineer there are many alternative pathways to get into technology, holding credible valuable technical certifications, and work across a diverse range of roles at many levels, this talk is about how to get there.

The Why: A recent survey by the ONS has found that women now have two challenges to overcome, not just the fact that still too few women entering tech careers, but the ones who are in them are leaving. It’s clear not enough is being done to address the many problems women face in the sector and I’m on a mission to work with businesses and you, the women with your lived experiences to address this. Your voice matters, but it’s clear it’s still not being heard.

Session Key Takeaways: 

  • You will learn about the many professional and personal development pathways few people explore
  • You will learn that mindset is key, if you think like a technologist you will act as one
  • And most of all you will learn that learning how to code is not the only way to considered technical and credible in your field.

This session is for you if…you are a woman in tech trying to climb the career ladder and facing obstacles, or a woman trying to get into the industry but don’t know where to start.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

Shifting Accessibility To The Left

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • HR/DEI
  • Non-Technical
  • Premium Only
  • Laveena Ramchandani

    Quality Engineering Manager

    EasyJet

How often have you heard that ‘Yes this is important, but we don’t have the capacity right now’ or ‘ sure let’s put it in the backlog’?
This is something we should not brush off or take lightly. Accessibility testing is vital especially when your product is a user facing application.

We need to be socially aware as a team and build quality towards our product with making it more accessible.

At least 1 in 5 people in the UK have a long term illness, impairment or disability. Many more have a temporary disability. A recent study found that 4 in 10 local council homepages failed basic tests for accessibility.

This is quite vital and the sooner we as testers can advocate this into our teams, we make our product more accessible, reduce the risk of bad product reviews, reputation and also be more socially aware. Let’s shift left and make accessibility testing built-in our teams.

The Why:

  • Understand why accessibility testing is important
  • How I adapted accessibility mindset
  • How to coach team and bring accessibility into your teams
  • Demonstrate various tools available to perform accessibility testing (with demo)

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Understand why accessibility testing is important
  • How I adapted accessibility mindset
  • How to coach team and bring accessibility into your teams
  • Demonstrate various tools available to perform accessibility testing (with demo)

This is for you if...you are new to accessibility and want to introduce this into your workplace/team. The session is open to all to learn and take away great knowledge.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

Building A Fulfilling, High Performance Career

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • Career Development
  • Premium Only
  • Workforce
  • Chai Shetty

    Director of Operations

    Deliveroo

This session is for anyone who wants to achieve the best of both worlds: to build an impactful career and to take a meaningful journey towards that goal. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Let’s bust some myths and learn the science & psychology of how to set yourself up for success, regardless of career stage or company.

Many of us work in male-dominated environments, where there aren’t enough role models who look like us or can show us how to be authentic, fulfilled AND successful. This session is for anyone who wants to achieve the best of both worlds: to build an impactful career and to take a meaningful journey towards that goal. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Let’s bust some myths and learn the science & psychology of how to set yourself up for success, regardless of career stage or company.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Why Meaning Matters: What the data tells us
  • The Science & Psychology that links Fulfilment and Performance
  • What actions I can take to supercharge my career

This session is for you if…you are an ambitious or passionate person who wants to have an impact on your company or community and have been feeling a little stuck or uninspired.

Find Out More
2:15pm
Workshop

How to Be The Role Model You Wish You’d Had

60 mins
  • Track - Workshop
  • HR/DEI
  • Premium Only
  • Workforce
  • Emily Hall-Strutt

    Director

    Next Tech Girls

“If you can see it, you can be it.”

Many studies have shown the importance of role models in increasing gender diversity in the tech industry. Discover how to become the role model you wish you’d had when you were younger, to inspire the next generation to follow in your footsteps and help close the gender gap while raising your profile, developing your skills and progressing your career.

We have a huge digital skills gap, which is estimated to cost the UK economy £60 Billion a year. On top of that, we have a gender gap in the industry, with only 26% of tech workers identifying as female. And there’s a pipeline problem: less than 20% of tech students at any level identify as female and only 3% of women say a career in tech would be their first choice.

With the recent boom in AI revealing the many biases in the industry, we need to make it more representative to ensure that the technology that’s designed and built is fit – and safe – for girls and women to use.

Session Key Takeaways:

  • Why you should become a role model
  • How to become a (good) role model
  • How Next Tech Girls can support you on your role model journey

This session is for you if...you work in the tech industry! Your gender and stage of your career don’t matter. Everyone can become a role model to the next generation to ensure that more young people are inspired to develop the technical skills we need in our future workforce. If you’re part of a group that’s underrepresented in the industry, even better.

Find Out More

Secure your place today - prices increase in...

Register Your Interest to Attend

Events in the Women In Technology World Series

Women Of Silicon Valley

2024San Francisco

Women In Tech Texas

2024Houston

European Women In Technology

26-27 June, 2024RAI Amsterdam

Women In Tech Boston

October 2-3, 2023Sheraton Boston Hotel

Women Of Silicon Roundabout

22-23 Nov, 2023ExCeL London

Ascend Global Media is registered company in the UK. VAT Number: GB354281403

©2023 Ascend Global Media. All rights reserved. Web Design