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Intoware's Digital Transformation Bytes Podcast : XcelerateIQ < Back Intoware's Digital Transformation Bytes Podcast 2 Apr 2025 Rosanne Werner joined Brad Flook, CRO of Intoware, on the Digital Transformation Bytes podcast to discuss a question many organisations struggle to answer: why do expensive AI and digital transformation initiatives so often fail to deliver? The answer, it turns out, has less to do with the technology itself and far more to do with the people expected to use it. This episode focuses on the simple premise that tools don't transform organisations - people do. Werner and Flook explore what it takes to build real adoption, why data quality begins with frontline behaviour, and how prompt engineering might be the most overlooked skill in modern business. Key topics discussed include: 💡 The gap between technological advancement and organisational adoption 💡 Why data silos remain the biggest obstacle to AI readiness 💡 The importance of data quality and governance at the source 💡 How to build essential habits and behaviours for data fluency 💡 The value of prompt engineering as a critical skill for the future Rosanne shared insights from her experience leading the Global Data and AI Mindset and Culture programme at Coca-Cola, highlighting how companies can use behavioural science principles to create lasting cultural change. Both speakers stressed that while AI tools offer substantial opportunities, success depends on human capabilities, critical thinking, and collaboration. You can find out more about Intoware at https://www.intoware.com/ and see the full podcast episode below: Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? CONTACT US NOW Highlights 00:45 – Why digital transformation is a people problem, not a tech problem 08:12 – The biggest barrier to AI adoption isn't data, It's fear 15:30 – How siloed data mirrors siloed teams 22:45 – Why businesses chase shiny AI tools instead of solving real problems 29:10 – The role of prompt engineering in future-proofing skills 36:20 – Bias in AI models - and why diverse teams matter 42:15 – Human-in-the-loop: when you shouldn't trust the algorithm 48:30 – Advice for individuals and businesses entering the AI space Technology Is Easy. People Are Hard. Werner opened by addressing a reality many organisations overlook: digital transformation is rarely about the technology itself. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Digital transformation is about the technology, about the tools - but the people aspect is often overlooked. Very little gets invested into building those capabilities. Just giving people a tool doesn't mean they're able to use it. If you don't have the people driving the cars, the tools will just sit there." Flook echoed this from his own work deploying digital workflows in manufacturing, oil and gas, and infrastructure. 🎙️ Brad Flook "People are key. We can all work out the return on investment, but if the people don't pick the tool up, it doesn't get the adoption needed. That's one of the biggest hurdles we come across." Werner described it as a tension between Martec's Law - technology accelerating at alarming speed - and organisational capacity to absorb that change. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "There's this rate of technology accelerating, but organisations don't change at that speed. Habits and behaviours don't change overnight. You need thinking time. You need to build skills and confidence, and address the fears - the fear of change, the fear of uncertainty." Leadership alignment, she noted, isn't optional. It's the difference between tools gathering dust and tools transforming work. --- The Barrier Isn't Data, It's Behaviour Flook raised a challenge familiar to anyone working in operations: many businesses still rely on pen, paper, and Excel spreadsheets. They haven't built the data foundations needed for AI to function. Werner agreed - but pointed to something deeper. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Many companies dive into AI initiatives because they want to stay up to date, keep on top of competitors. But you can't adopt everything. You've got to be strategic. Start with: what is the business value? What specific problem are we trying to solve? Is AI the most suitable tool for the job?" She used a sharp analogy: don't use a chopping knife to slice an apple. Sometimes traditional programming or automation is simpler and more cost-effective. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "You've got to ask: what are the high-impact initiatives that drive value? What do we pursue, ignore, or postpone? If the data isn't ready or accessible, you get garbage in, garbage out." Flook pressed further: even when data exists, it's often inconsistent. He gave the example of regional language differences - how a bread roll is described entirely differently across the UK. 🎙️ Brad Flook "If everyone in your team answers it differently, how do you get consistency of data? That's where things like multiple choice questions give you that consistency." Werner confirmed it's a widespread issue - one recently identified by Harvard Business Review as the single biggest hurdle to AI readiness. --- Silos, Chefs, and Missing Ingredients Werner used a vivid analogy to describe the problem of siloed data. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Imagine an AI system as a team of professional chefs. They're brilliant at what they do - but they're locked in separate kitchens. They only have their own ingredients. None of those recipes can be shared. They can't create a cohesive meal." A unified data platform, she explained, is like a central kitchen where everyone has access to the same ingredients, the same tools, the same giant recipe book. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "That's when you can create a symphony of flavours. But siloed data leads to multiple collections of the same data because teams aren't aware it's already been collected elsewhere." She also highlighted a deeper issue: even with the right processes and policies, does the workforce have the data awareness to treat it with care? 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Do they know how to manage data as an asset? Do they have the right habits and behaviours? Do they know the implications down the line if they enter something incorrectly - like putting ABC@hotmail.com instead of the real customer email?" When field sales teams enter incorrect data, marketing campaigns fail. Decisions get made on faulty information. The cost is more than just technical - it's strategic. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "If we can influence the frontline workers who capture that data at source, we spend less time cleaning it. We can focus on what the data tells us, how we interpret it, and how we tell that story to guide decisions that bring value." --- AI Didn't Create the Data Problem - It Exposed It Flook asked whether businesses had simply missed the importance of data governance over the past five years. Werner's answer was direct. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "AI has shown a real spotlight on data. Data's always been there, but AI has highlighted all the holes. If you want AI to perform well, your data needs to be of really good quality - and it needs to be relevant to the problem you're solving." She described AI as forcing a reckoning: organisations must sort their foundations before they can build on top of them. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "AI is getting a lot of attention from leadership. They can see the benefits. But you need a good foundation with that data before you get results. You need to sort your house out before AI comes in." --- Prompt Engineering: The Literacy Skill That is Being Ignored Flook shifted the conversation to something increasingly critical: prompt engineering. 🎙️ Brad Flook "There's a certain way of asking these models to get real value. It isn't just a two-line sentence. What are your thoughts?" Werner called it a skill that's now essential but rarely taught. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Prompt engineering isn't something we've been brought up with at school. It's a skill set that's so necessary these days. The AI can do so much - but it's only as good as how you prompt it." She described common mistakes: people start with a single line and wonder why the output disappoints. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Have you put the role in there? The task? The outputs? I've got a list of 'do not use' words because I don't want ChatGPT telling me something's 'a tapestry of life.'" Flook laughed in agreement, banning phrases like "deep dive" and "take a few lives." Werner also raised a more nuanced point: how do you train a model to reflect a company's values, communication style, and approach? 🗣 Rosanne Werner "How you communicate to supply chain teams could be very different than how you communicate to commercial teams. Training the model to have domain expertise and insights the engine wouldn't normally have - that's where the value is." But she also issued a warning. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "When we're building models based on our own data, we need to be conscious about whether we're feeding our own bias into them. Are we building a supercharged bias model? We need diverse teams, diverse feedback loops, and we need to test the logic." --- AI and the CV Debate: Tool or Cheat? Flook brought up a contentious topic: companies rejecting CVs because applicants used AI to write them. 🎙️ Brad Flook "I'm a big believer that AI doesn't replace humans - but it can automate manual tasks dramatically. So where do you see the cut-off point?" Werner's response was unequivocal. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "AI is a tool. Why would you not use it? A Gallup report says only 13% of the workforce is engaged at work. When you see what AI can do - take on repetitive, mundane tasks - it frees up time for the things that give us fire in the belly. Time to be curious, creative, time to spend with families and friends." She compared it to the arrival of calculators. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "It's a tool to help us do things better and more quickly. Why wouldn't you use it?" She extended the argument to education. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "If we're not teaching AI in education now, the generations coming up will graduate and be asked to use AI at work. Why are we not prepping them with those cognitive capabilities?" Flook agreed, describing AI as a tool that closes knowledge gaps and accelerates learning. 🎙️ Brad Flook "What AI does is close the gap between something you don't understand and someone who does. If you understand the right prompts to ask, you can accelerate that gap very quickly." Werner highlighted a medical example. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Scientific research shows that the more time doctors spend by a patient's side with good bedside manner, the more likely they are to stick to a treatment plan. Why wouldn't we use AI to help doctors take the grunt work of writing reports so they can focus on things that actually save lives?" --- Bias: The Overlooked Aspect in Every Model The conversation turned to one of the most contentious issues in AI: bias. Flook voiced his frustration with models that lean politically, socially, or geographically based on the data they were trained on. 🎙️ Brad Flook "We've gone through such a media-driven world where media is so biased. I thought, this isn't person-driven, this is data-driven - but it still leans one side or the other." Werner ran an experiment around International Women's Day. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "I asked three different models to give me an image of a civil engineer, a mathematician, an actuary. They all came back with men. Men with beards." Flook laughed - then pointed out the implications. 🎙️ Brad Flook "Neither of us are going to do well then" and rubs his chin. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "It's not just identifying the bias in the AI. We need critical thinking skills - not just taking outputs as truth. If you're building models, what data are you putting in? Have you got a diverse team that can provide feedback?" She stressed the importance of human judgement. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "You still need the human in the loop for those really complex grey areas. And we need to be conscious about whether we're feeding our own bias into these models." Flook asked whether bias could ever be truly controlled in large frontier models. Werner returned to education and awareness. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "What we can change now is the education side. How do we fact-check AI outputs? What sources do we use? We need fairness checks, standards. We need to share use cases and say, 'This has come out - are you aware of these biases?'" She also emphasised psychological safety. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "If we've got different perspectives, are we creating a safe space for everyone to voice their opinions and concerns if they're seeing bias? You might not see a bias that I see. Do we have a safe space to talk about it openly?" --- Advice for Individuals and Businesses To close, Werner offered guidance for anyone looking to move into AI or lead digital transformation. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Build a continuously learning habit. Be curious. Build your technical skills - but know that the half-life of skills is between two and a half and five years. Every two and a half years, your technical skills are out of date." She also stressed resilience and adaptability. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "It's AI now - what's the next emerging technology? You're building your adaptability muscles for whatever comes next." But her strongest emphasis was on human skills. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Build the skills AI can't replace. Empathy. Emotional intelligence. Creative problem-solving that connects different dots. Communication. Collaboration. People are craving human connection. These are the things that matter." For businesses, her message was equally clear. 🗣 Rosanne Werner "Technology is changing so quickly. You need to invest in your people. We're in an era where users drive adoption - not the tech giants. Do your people have the capabilities? Do they feel safe to test and learn? Do you have collaborative spaces where people can share best practices?" Flook reinforced the point. 🎙️ Brad Flook "Human-in-the-loop is important. How people approach it, how they put empathy on it, how they use their different skill sets to translate what's happening - that's what makes the difference." Closing Thoughts This conversation doesn't pretend AI transformation is simple. It's messy, human, and requires far more than a subscription to a platform. The tools exist. The models are powerful. But transformation doesn't happen in the cloud - it happens in the habits, confidence, and trust of the people expected to use them. Data quality, adoption, and behaviour change don't happen by accident. They require investment, leadership alignment, psychological safety, and a willingness to address the uncertainty and be adaptable. But when organisations get it right, the return is more than just efficiency - it's engagement, capability, and long-term resilience.

All the latest News from XcelerateIQ. Latest News 16 Feb 2026 Breaking into the AI 1% Over 650+ people joined this session from all corners of the world READ HERE 3 Sept 2025 From AI Hype to Real Business Impact Rosanne speaks with the legendary, Gilbert Eijkelenboom, on his Mindspeak Podcast. READ HERE 29 May 2025 Lets Talk Data Podcast with Emma Crabtree Power Skills: The Human Element of Data Transformation READ HERE 23 May 2025 ai:NOW Conference UK 2025 This is not the future of AI. This is ai:NOW READ HERE 9 May 2025 Bridging the Human-Tech Divide: AI Adoption in Enterprise Rosanne features in Data and AI Magazine's Special Issue: Women Leaders in Data and AI READ HERE 28 Nov 2024 AI for the Rest of Us: November London Meetup Event Rosanne, Keynote Speaker: 'Human-Centric AI Transformation' READ HERE 10 Apr 2025 US Podcast Guest Appearance: Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Shadow AI: The Hidden Risk Driving Workplace Innovation READ HERE 2 Apr 2025 Intoware's Digital Transformation Bytes Podcast Practical insights for organisations tackling the challenges of AI implementation and adoption. READ HERE 26 Mar 2025 NowSkills Insights Live Webinar Digital transformation is about more than just tools, it’s about shifting habits and mindsets. READ HERE 21 Feb 2025 STOIX Podcast: We Create Positive Change Through People AI is transforming finance—but how do you cut through the noise and turn data into real impact? READ HERE 10 Feb 2025 Eden Smith AI Horizons Podcast Keeping Humans in the Loop in AI Transformation READ HERE 17 Jan 2025 Data Leaders Executive Lounge Data Leaders Executive Lounge kick off in 2025: The Complexities of Data Strategy Execution and Cultural Transformation. READ HERE 17 Dec 2024 The Data Mix Podcast Rosanne joins George Beaton & Brian Booden for a special edition of The Data Mix Podcast READ HERE 11 Dec 2024 US Podcast Guest Appearance: Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Harnessing Data for Smarter Decision, A Dive into Effective Data Adoption READ HERE 12 Nov 2024 Partnership Announcement XcelerateIQ strategically partners with Eden Smith Group READ HERE 1 Nov 2024 ai:NOW Conference 2025 Our CEO, Rosanne, announced as Event Chair of ai:NOW Munich Conference in March 2025 READ HERE 28 Oct 2024 AI for the Rest of Us Conference October 2024 Rosanne's session on 'The Human Element of AI Mindset and Culture' READ HERE 25 Oct 2024 Rosanne features on the Empowered Teams Podcast The Empowered Teams Podcast Features Rosanne READ HERE 14 Oct 2024 Innovation Stage - ai:NOW Conference in Munich Rosanne leads the AI-Start Up Showcase on ai:NOW's Innovation Stage READ HERE

Breaking into the AI 1% : XcelerateIQ < Back Breaking into the AI 1% 16 Feb 2026 Rosanne Werner featured on DataCamp 's "Break into the AI 1%" Webinar for a candid conversation about why so many AI programmes stall - and what it takes to get people genuinely using AI, not just paying for it. The episode cuts straight to the heart of the adoption challenge. Technology readiness is rarely the bottleneck. The real barrier is human: uncertainty, habit, fatigue, and the quiet fear of getting it wrong. Rosanne explains how this "human firewall" shows up across organisations and why traditional AI literacy programmes - long e-learning modules and slide-heavy workshops - often produce certificates but not sustainable behaviour change. Key topics covered 💡 Why AI readiness is a people challenge, not a technology problem 💡 Human biology and the science behind how the brain reacts to change 💡 How microlearning, repetition, and small reward loops build lasting capability where most AI literacy courses fall short 💡 The role of social learning in making experimentation feel safer, memorable and more visible 💡 A practical habit framework: define a craving, create a cue, lower friction, and make the reward feel immediate Whether you’re leading an AI initiative, managing a team, or looking to embed AI into your daily work, this webinar offers practical insights and actionable frameworks to turn curiosity into real adoption. Watch the Full Episode HERE to see how to break through the human firewall and make AI usage routine, effective, and impactful. Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? Contact Us Today Summary: Overcoming the “Human Firewall” in AI Adoption Investing in AI is one thing. Getting your teams to actually use it is another. In the recent webinar with DataCamp, Rosanne Werner highlighted why most AI initiatives stall: it’s rarely about technology. The real barrier is human. Uncertainty, habits, fatigue, and fear of failure form a “human firewall” , blocking adoption in predictable ways. Some employees wait for proof, others consume content without acting, while efficiency-driven staff chase shortcuts. Add low engagement and high burnout, and even the best AI roadmap can fail to take hold. Making AI Stick Rosanne emphasised training that works with the brain, not against it : Microlearning : short, repeated sessions that reinforce memory. Real use cases : AI applied to everyday tasks. Small rewards : gamified feedback and recognition to sustain effort. Learning Together Social learning - peer groups, forums, and team challenges - reduces fear, normalises experimentation, and spreads practical skills. Seeing others try and succeed makes AI adoption feel safer and achievable. Habit-Driven AI Adoption The session introduced a simple framework for making AI usage routine: Craving : connect AI to what employees care about—time saved, confidence, reduced stress, recognition. Cue : attach the behaviour to a clear trigger—a time, place, or event. Reward : make the payoff immediate and visible. Lower friction : remove barriers so adoption becomes effortless. Small, repeated behaviours compound into lasting change, transforming AI from a tool people ignore into a habit they rely on. Bottom line: AI success isn’t about platforms, models, or pipelines—it’s about people. Build the right habits, create safe spaces for learning, and adoption follows.

From AI Hype to Real Business Impact : XcelerateIQ < Back From AI Hype to Real Business Impact 3 Sept 2025 Rosanne Werner sat down with Gilbert Eijkelenboom on the MindSpeaking Podcast to tackle a question that sits at the heart of her work: why do so many great data and AI initiatives fail to land with the people who need them most? The conversation goes beyond dashboards and deployment plans. It explores what it really takes to shift behaviour - how leaders can model the change they want to see, why storytelling isn't a "nice-to-have" but the bridge between insight and action, and how to present data in ways that feel relevant and human, not intimidating or abstract. This episode covers: 💡Why habits - not dashboards - drive a data-informed culture 💡How to reduce friction so people actually use data 💡The role of social learning in making AI tools stick 💡And why AI can support soft 'Power' skills - but never replace human connection No jargon. No fluff. Just honest, practical strategies for making data work *for* people, not in spite of them. 🎙️Listen on your favourite channel: 🎧 Spotify 🍏 Apple Podcasts 📲 Other Platforms Give Gilbert Eijkelenboom a follow for more insights especially on Data Storytelling tips. Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? Contact Us Today Highlights: 00:01 – Introduction by Gilbert 00:35 – Biggest leadership mistake in data 00:37 – Lead by example drives adoption 02:24 – Habit loop for AI change 04:39 – Making tools easy to use 05:56 – Resistance: trust and relevance 08:02 – Storytelling to gain buy-in 09:26 – Emotions drive decision-making 11:11 – AI fails from unclear goals 13:28 – Translating numbers into stories 14:46 – Insights profile: blue & yellow 17:50 – Tailoring message to audience 18:57 – Tips for active listening 21:16 – Reading body language in meetings 23:24 – AI as sparring partner 24:50 – Five C’s for future skills 27:54 – AI takes on grunt work 29:05 – Neuroscience for better learning 30:24 – Power of group learning 39:22 – Key takeaway: keep learning Summary In this conversation, Gilbert Eijkelenboom and Rosanne Werner explore how leaders can drive AI and data adoption by leading by example , using data storytelling techniques , and presenting data to stakeholders in ways that feel relevant, human, and actionable. They cover building trust with stakeholders , gaining stakeholder buy-in , managing stakeholder expectations , and connecting with non-technical audiences . You’ll hear practical ways to reduce friction, form habits, and use stories to drive data impact—without drowning people in jargon or excessive detail . Data Storytelling Techniques for Business 🎙️ Gilbert Eijkelenboom Rosanne, welcome to the show. 🗣 Rosanne Werner Hi Gilbert, thank you for having me. 🎙️ Gilbert I’m excited about this follow-up—people, resistance, psychology, and more. You built a global data mindset program at Coca-Cola for over 2,000 people. What’s the number one leadership mistake that kills data adoption? 🗣 Rosanne Not leading by example. When leaders don’t use data to inform choices, they signal that data doesn’t matter. Effective stakeholder communication starts at the top: ask “Do we have the data?”, “What does it tell us?”, “Have we analyzed patterns?”, and challenge assumptions . This sets the tone that presenting data to stakeholders is expected and that business-focused data insights guide decisions. 🎙️ Gilbert Why don’t leaders lead by example? 🗣 Rosanne Habits. People default to what’s comfortable. Pushing outside comfort zones to question the status quo is hard. Building Trust and Managing Stakeholder Expectations 🎙️ Gilbert Talk about habit formation and social learning—especially for AI success and organizational change. 🗣 Rosanne There’s a four-step habit loop : cue → craving → response → reward . For AI and analytics, design cues in team rituals. For example, 15 minutes in every weekly team meeting reviewing the dashboard. Over time, it becomes automatic. This supports confidence-building for analysts and makes data storytelling insights part of daily work. 🎙️ Gilbert How do we reduce friction so employees embrace AI? 🗣 Rosanne Make the “cookie jar” easy to reach. Intuitive UIs, low-friction access, and quick wins create dopamine hits that reinforce the habit—key for gaining stakeholder buy-in and managing stakeholder expectations . 🎙️ Gilbert Resistance is inevitable. How do we overcome it—or should that even be the goal? 🗣 Rosanne Resistance often stems from fear , lack of incentives , or “ I don’t trust the data .” Build transparency : show data lineage and use, invite teams into validation, and highlight success stories. Also, make it personally relevant to their role—how business-focused data insights help decisions, efficiency, and career growth. And co-create : don’t push top-down; involve employees early with feedback loops. That’s how you build trust with stakeholders . Engaging Non-Technical Audiences with Data 🎙️ Gilbert Devil’s advocate: getting buy-in takes months. How do we get it faster? 🗣 Rosanne Storytelling. When people feel heard, they remember more with less effort. Use using stories to drive data impact : make it personal—why it matters, what actions to take—so they recall and act. 🎙️ Gilbert AI programs are often led by technical folks who overestimate rational arguments. Emotions drive decisions, right? 🗣 Rosanne Yes. Research shows decisions start with emotion; logic justifies after. To influence decisions, connect emotionally first—then land the data. That’s the essence of data storytelling techniques and presenting data to stakeholders effectively. 🎙️ Gilbert So emotional impact is central. Is that why many AI initiatives fail—or are there other reasons? 🗣 Rosanne Many fail from unclear objectives . Don’t chase shiny tools or copy competitors. Define the core problem , verify that AI is the right tool (sometimes simple automation suffices), and align with company goals . Otherwise, you get solutions that don’t meet business needs—wasting time, money, and attention. 🎙️ Gilbert I hear “We need AI” a lot—without a goal. Breaking the problem down helps. 🗣 Rosanne Exactly. Tackle capabilities step by step. Avoiding Excessive Detail and Technical Language 🎙️ Gilbert You’re both analytical and creative—and people-oriented. Advantage? 🗣 Rosanne Definitely. My finance/data side digs into numbers; my creative side translates insights into stories that resonate—ideal for connecting with non-technical audiences and avoiding technical language . 🎙️ Gilbert When did you realize you’re both? 🗣 Rosanne An insights-based personality assessment at Coca-Cola showed me as both blue (analytical) and yellow (creative) —opposite ends of the spectrum. It explained why I love bridging data and people to drive data storytelling insights and transformation. 🎙️ Gilbert Ever felt misunderstood? 🗣 Rosanne Not really. I lean on active listening and adapt to my audience—sometimes more analytical, sometimes more creative. It’s understanding stakeholder needs in real time. 🎙️ Gilbert How do you tailor in everyday conversations? 🗣 Rosanne Ask open questions , then follow up (“What do you mean by that?” “Can you give an example?”). It shows people they’re heard and deepens the connection—critical for effective stakeholder communication . 🎙️ Gilbert Tips for being present and a better listener? 🗣 Rosanne Maintain eye contact and read facial cues. Don’t process everything at once— pick one thing you heard and ask a follow-up or share a brief, relevant story. This balance avoids interrogation-mode and supports gaining stakeholder buy-in . 🎙️ Gilbert Right—only asking questions can feel intrusive. Sharing a bit yourself builds connection. 🗣 Rosanne Exactly. Also mirror body language lightly—it helps people feel heard. It’s a “conversation dance.” 🎙️ Gilbert How do you use body language in meetings when presenting data to stakeholders ? 🗣 Rosanne Match posture and space—don’t crowd relaxed people. Observe gestures and cultural context carefully; a crossed arm can mean different things across cultures. Contextual nuance is where humans still excel versus AI. Using Stories to Drive Data Impact (with AI as a Partner) 🎙️ Gilbert Can AI help with buy-in, clarity, or handling executive pushback? 🗣 Rosanne Yes—as a brainstorming partner . Draft talking points and ask AI for structure suggestions. Use voice trainers to reduce filler words and improve clarity. It’s a feedback loop that sharpens effective stakeholder communication and limiting excessive detail in presentations . 🎙️ Gilbert How does this support soft skills? 🗣 Rosanne Think Five Cs : curiosity, creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication. Curiosity: Use AI to explore angles—but you still define the problem. Critical thinking: Audit AI outputs for bias or hallucinations; keep the human voice . Creativity: Spot patterns and new approaches with AI as a sparring partner.These remain human skills—AI augments them. 🎙️ Gilbert Future-of-work reports keep ranking these skills highly—alongside data and AI. 🗣 Rosanne Exactly. As AI handles repetitive tasks and large-scale analysis, humans focus on complex, ambiguous problems —the valuable, enjoyable work where building trust with stakeholders really happens. 🎙️ Gilbert So the future looks promising—if we lean into the opportunities. Understanding Stakeholder Needs Through Neuroscience 🎙️ Gilbert Should everyone study neuroscience? It seems essential for culture change and habit-building. 🗣 Rosanne At least the basics. Understanding how the brain learns helps us learn more with less effort —for example, bite-sized learning that moves into long-term memory. Social learning matters too: in groups, we feel safe and remember more. That’s why workshops —with practice, peer teaching, and Q&A—boost retention and adoption of data storytelling techniques . 🎙️ Gilbert Exactly. Workshops create a very different, active dynamic. 🗣 Rosanne There’s a rule of thumb: we retain far less from reading alone, and far more when we teach others . Explaining forces us to reprocess and adapt our understanding—accelerating business-focused data insights and team capability. Rapid Fire 🎙️ Gilbert Most valuable people skill? 🗣 Rosanne Networking through active listening. I love hearing people’s stories and remembering how I made them feel—core to building trust with stakeholders . 🎙️ Gilbert 2) What should data professionals know about neuroscience? 🗣 Rosanne Use it to shape your data story —structure information so the brain remembers and acts . That’s presenting data to stakeholders with impact. 🎙️ Gilbert 3) One tip to improve collaboration with the business? 🗣 Rosanne Walk in their shoes. Understand workflows, tools, and pain points— understanding stakeholder needs turns insights into outcomes. 🎙️ Gilbert 4) How do you survive being both analytical and creative? 🗣 Rosanne Embrace it. Dial up analysis for analytical audiences, inspiration for creative ones—tailoring boosts gaining stakeholder buy-in . 🎙️ Gilbert 5) Best way to measure data-driven culture success? 🗣 Rosanne Adoption and utilization metrics. If tools aren’t used, decisions are likely gut-based. Track logins, time-in-tool, and—crucially— value created . 🎙️ Gilbert Do organizations measure this consistently? 🗣 Rosanne Some do—usage is trackable. The quality of use needs feedback: are people getting value or just clicking around? Pair quant with qualitative insights. 🎙️ Gilbert 6) Red flag a company isn’t truly data-driven? 🗣 Rosanne Gut-over-data decisions and treating data as an IT problem instead of a strategic business asset . 🎙️ Gilbert 7) How can leaders drive AI adoption in resistant teams? 🗣 Rosanne Make it small and relatable. Example: “Type what’s in your fridge; ask for dinner ideas.” Quick, meaningful wins spark curiosity and lower friction—great for confidence-building for analysts and non-analysts alike. 🎙️ Gilbert 8) One thing AI will never replace in business? 🗣 Rosanne Human connection and contextual awareness —especially across diverse teams. That’s the heart of effective stakeholder communication . From Investment to Impact: Getting Value from Data & AI 🎙️ Gilbert What are you working on now? 🗣 Rosanne I help companies bridge the gap between tool investment and people empowerment —clarifying roles in the data strategy, helping teams make business-focused data insights faster, and ensuring the human element moves in step with technology so value isn’t left on the table. 🎙️ Gilbert Where can people follow your work? 🗣 Rosanne LinkedIn —I share regular insights and welcome discussion. 🎙️ Gilbert Final takeaway? 🗣 Rosanne Technology moves fast—keep learning in small steps. Continuous improvement builds the cognitive skills we need. Share success stories—when you teach others, you learn twice . 🎙️ Gilbert Thank you, Rosanne—loved diving into neuroscience, the human side of data, and how data storytelling techniques help in presenting data to stakeholders and gaining stakeholder buy-in . 🗣 Rosanne Thank you for having me.

The Data Mix Podcast : XcelerateIQ < Back The Data Mix Podcast 17 Dec 2024 Our CEO, Rosanne Werner, joined Brian Booden and George Beaton on The Data Mix Podcast for a dynamic conversation exploring the intersection of data, AI, and the human experience. In a wide ranging conversation, Rosanne shares insights on: Her experience in leading the Global Data and AI Mindset and Culture programme at Coca-Cola. Why companies struggle with adoption and utilisation of data and AI. How neuroscience and behavioural science can improve data fluency, habits and behaviours. Over 6,000 people have already tuned in to this episode — Join them by clicking the link below: Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI journey? CONTACT US NOW

AI for the Rest of Us Conference October 2024 : XcelerateIQ < Back AI for the Rest of Us Conference October 2024 28 Oct 2024 AI learning experience like no other! 2 full days of inspiring and practical talks. No jargon. No hype. No confusing terminology. Day 1 featured: Engaging sessions explaining key AI terminology and concepts. Real-world implementation examples. Day 2 took a hands-on approach Understand AI's impact on specific roles. Identifying essential tools. XcelerateIQ CEO, Rosanne Werner, delivered an engaging session exploring ways to 'Crack the Code: The Human Element of AI Mindset and Culture', using evidence based approaches: Understanding how our brains change and learns, enabling AI acceptance Hacking into the Power of Habit Formation to integrate AI into daily workflows Utilising social dynamics to foster a collective AI-positive mindset You can find out more about future AI for the Rest of Us events by visiting their LinkedIn page: AI for the Rest of Us Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI journey? CONTACT US NOW

US Podcast Guest Appearance: Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ : XcelerateIQ < Back US Podcast Guest Appearance: Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ 10 Apr 2025 CEO, Rosanne Werner, joins a special edition of the Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ podcast, hosted by Tim Keefe and Andreas Wieman of Transform-CX Inc , , who are also co-authors of the Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ book, available on Amazon. This episode of Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ tackles a pressing but often overlooked trend: Shadow AI—when employees use AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, or Perplexity without official approval. Rosanne, Tim and Andreas break down the cultural tension, security risks, and surprising motivations behind this behavior. The takeaway? Shadow AI isn’t rebellion—it’s resourcefulness. Smart leaders won’t ban it… they’ll build frameworks around it. You can listen to the full episode below. Learn more about Transform-CX Inc: https://www.transform-cx.com Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? CONTACT US NOW

ai:NOW Conference UK 2025 : XcelerateIQ < Back ai:NOW Conference UK 2025 23 May 2025 O n 22nd May 2025, our CEO, Rosanne Werner, was the Event Chair at the ai:NOW conference in London, UK. Here are her key insights from the event: The hype phase is over - that was 𝘴𝘰 last year Apply AI with intent - focus on the real problems that matter Don't do AI for the sake of doing AI The rate of change is outpacing many organisation's ability to adapt The Human Element rang through in EVERY topic What stood out? The atmosphere. → Genuine collaboration. → Open insight-sharing and learning. → Strong connections being built on similar values. This was a room full of industry innovators and change makers. THIS is the kind of momentum that will shape responsible, impactful AI adoption. Read the Post Conference Report HERE : For more information on ai:NOW's future events, Click Here Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? Contact Us Today

Bridging the Human-Tech Divide: AI Adoption in Enterprise : XcelerateIQ < Back Bridging the Human-Tech Divide: AI Adoption in Enterprise 9 May 2025 Data and AI Magazine's 10th Issue is specially dedicated to Women Leaders in Data & AI. After publishing over 120 articles, Data and AI Magazine is celebrating this milestone by featuring trailblazer women who are bridging the gap between AI's technical capabilities and real business value. Our CEO, Rosanne Werner, is featured in this issue for her work in breaking down barriers to AI adoption and utilisation. Read her article on "Bridging the Human-Tech Divide: AI Adoption in Enterprise". Rosanne Werner (3) .pdf Download PDF • 1.08MB Click here for the full Data and AI Magazine Special Issue #10 : Women Leaders in Data and AI Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? CONTACT US NOW

XcelerateIQ: XcelerateIQ : Empowering People on the Data and AI Journey. Science-based strategies that drive habits, behaviours, and culture change at scale. Science-based Strategies - Tailored for your team's needs Each organisation is unique in their culture, engagement styles and learning strategies. This is why we believe Data and AI initiatives should be customised for each organisation to ensure the transformation is sustainable for success. Our Approach: Data and AI Learnings for Lasting Impact Neuroscience to Embed Data Values Understanding how the brain absorbs information, we use immersive techniques to integrate data values a core part of your company culture. Our initiatives combine hands-on methods with real-world scenarios to reinforce data responsibility and quality, tailoring them to specific job personas. Through cognitive reinforcement and repetition practices, this approach leads to better retention of data values and cultural principles, encouraging employees to embrace their role in the organisation's Data and AI strategy. Social Learning to Drive Cross-Functional Data Insights Social Learning promotes data practice sharing and success story exchange among cross-functional teams. By using this collaboration process, it strengthens critical thinking, builds connections, and enhances overall data understanding, making learning more effective and engaging. This helps break data silos that often hinder the flow of data and insights across an organisation. Learners come to an awareness of how data travels and is used across the organisation and the impact their data behaviours have on other areas of the business. Transform Learnings into Actions Data and AI Habits Formation The science of habit formation helps employees embed data learnings into desired data behaviours. By introducing practices incrementally, this allows employees to gradually adapt. Consistent exposure through regular initiatives and integration of Data and AI tools into workflow routines is key. Context sensitivity is used to tailor approaches for functions' specific needs. We co-create environmental cues with teams to trigger effective use of Data and AI that is relevant for their roles. Drive Adoption through Grass-Roots, User-Driven Initiatives We advocate for Data Catalysts as change ambassadors in organisations. They can accelerate data engagement and adoption through their peer networks. These catalysts inspire colleagues by sharing their personal data experiences, demystifying complex concepts, and showcasing tangible successes. We like to gamify change to encourage Data and AI engagement. This includes quizzes, hackathons, and storytelling contests. These cross-functional challenges promote healthy competition and boost Data and AI community collaboration. Ready To Change and Realise The Value? We believe in equipping your workforce with the behaviours and mindset they need to truly leverage data and analytics to make better informed decisions that drive growth and achieve your organisational strategic goals. Commercial Teams are empowered with data-driven insights to meet customer needs while maximising profitability. Supply Chain Teams can enhance operational efficiency with analytics-informed optimisation and agile adaptability. Leaders can navigate with confidence, integrating insights-led strategies for value delivery, scalability and business readiness. Informed decisions can optimise resource use, reduce waster and innovate sustainable practices for a greener tomorrow. GET IN TOUCH NOW

Lets Talk Data Podcast with Emma Crabtree : XcelerateIQ < Back Lets Talk Data Podcast with Emma Crabtree 29 May 2025 Rosanne recently appeared on the popular podcast "Let's Talk Data" with host Emma Crabtree to discuss her insights on how putting people at the centre of change is the key to real transformation.. During this "People First, Always" episode, Rosanne explores how “power skills” like empathy, storytelling, and community-building are reshaping the way businesses drive change, and why they are your biggest competitive edge! This episode covers: 💡Why technology alone doesn’t drive transformation, culture and community do 💡How to reframe “soft skills” as “POWER SKILLS” 💡Practical insights on embedding empathy into data and AI strategies 💡The role of storytelling in making digital adoption stick Whether you’re leading change or navigating your career, this episode is packed with energy, purpose, and wisdom! "Let's Talk Data" is sponsored by Mirai . Tune in below: Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eKuAJs_y Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e7Zav8VE Amazon Music: https://lnkd.in/essuV9Vw 'Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey?' Contact Us Today

ai:NOW Conference 2025 : XcelerateIQ < Back ai:NOW Conference 2025 1 Nov 2024 The 2025 ai:NOW conference has launched and is gaining momentum. There are some fantastic sessions planned and the return of the Innovation Stage giving AI Start-up Companies the platform to showcase their solutions. Our CEO, Rosanne Werner, will be leading the ai:NOW Conference as Event Chair. See Announcement from ai:NOW's Co-Founders and Co-CEOs, Charmaine Baker and Glenn Hapgood: Registration for the event in Munich on March 12 & 13, 2025 is open now: ai:NOW Conference DACH - CXO Portals For more about ai:NOW visit: ai by CXO Portals: Accelerating AI Adoption for Growth Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? CONTACT US NOW