Search Results

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

Innovation Stage - ai:NOW Conference in Munich : XcelerateIQ < Back Innovation Stage - ai:NOW Conference in Munich 14 Oct 2024 The October 2024 ai:NOW Conference in Munich was a major success, drawing decision-makers from leading organisations across the Europe. The two-day event delivered on its promise of actionable outcomes through: Outcome-Focused Sessions built around delivering real-world, implementable ideas on topics like: Ethical implications of AI Advancements in technology Staying compliant Increased Networking Opportunities including curated roundtables and interactive breakout sessions, offering more chances for attendees to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential collaborators. A Collaborative Environment with spaces for informal collaboration and spontaneous conversations. A highlight of the conference was the Innovation Stage, where XcelerateIQ CEO Rosanne Werner hosted an engaging start-up showcase featuring three cutting-edge AI companies. The interactive session highlighted diverse approaches to industry-specific challenges, culminating in an audience vote for the most innovative solution. Rosanne brought her expertise in cognitive psychology and organisational behaviour to the session highlighting the importance of both technical innovation and human factors in successful AI implementation. The showcase exemplified ai:NOW's commitment to bridging the gap between AI innovation and practical implementation. The full post-event report is available here , or find out about future ai:NOW conferences at ai:NOW Conference DACH - CXO Portals . Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI journey? CONTACT US NOW

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.

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

Eden Smith AI Horizons Podcast : XcelerateIQ < Back Eden Smith AI Horizons Podcast 10 Feb 2025 AI Horizons is a podcast where innovation meets transformation. Hosted by Jonathan Blaber , a leader in AI and Data recruitment at Eden Smith, this series brings together some of the brightest minds in artificial intelligence to discuss the strategies, challenges, and opportunities shaping the AI-driven future of work. This episode features Rosanne Werner, CEO of XcelerateIQ, where she shared insights on keeping the human element at the heart of AI-driven transformation. Along with Jonathon, they explored: What’s the REAL problem we’re solving? Why clearly defining objectives is critical for AI success. Is our data ready? Assessing the foundation for effective AI integration. Are our people ready? Preparing teams to embrace and work alongside AI. Leadership Advice : Practical tips for ensuring humans remain central to decision-making processes. Future Skills : Insights on where the market is heading and the capabilities leaders need to prioritise. This episode offers a thoughtful blend of strategy and practical advice for leaders navigating the balance between technological innovation and human value. You can listen to the full episode at https://rss.com/podcasts/eden-smith-ai-horizons/1869238/ Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? Contact Us 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

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 https://video.wixstatic.com/video/e08512_d77d1fd9a24c433c94ba1183c016ef09/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 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.

Data Leaders Executive Lounge : XcelerateIQ < Back Data Leaders Executive Lounge 17 Jan 2025 The first Data Leaders Executive Lounge of 2025 was held this week and CEO Rosanne Werner joined over 55 Data Leaders to explore the complexities of data strategy execution and cultural transformation. The event opened with Christian Johansen from Nemi Teas highlighting how data drives social impact through their refugee integration programmes and sustainable business practices. Rosanne engaged the Data Leaders on an interactive experience on "The Human Element of Data and AI Mindset and Culture": Greatest challenge for CDOs relating to changing organisational behaviour, attitudes and culture The need to move beyond theoretical data literacy programmes and embed practical, habit-based approaches to activate data fluency. Behavioural principles to activate social learning and collaboration for sustainable impact. Mike Leverington from ITV also shared valuable insights: Maintaining agility in data strategy Stakeholder engagement techniques for data leaders. Knowing when to pivot versus persist in data initiatives The importance of combining quick wins with long-term objectives. The success of this virtual session, hosted by Eden Smith Group and sponsored by Cloudaeon, sets a positive tone for the year ahead in data leadership development, connecting professionals across time zones for meaningful exchange and learning. You can read more about the event here Find out about future events at Data Leaders Exec Lounge - Eden Smith Group Ltd Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI journey? CONTACT US NOW

Partnership Announcement : Rosanne Werner < Back Partnership Announcement 12 Nov 2024 Strategic Partnership to Champion People-First Approach in Data and AI Transformation Research shows that many companies have made significant investments in data infrastructure and AI technologies. They are now facing challenges such as lack of data enablement and a critical skills gap. This leads to poor adoption and utilisation, resulting in unrealised return on investment and missed opportunities to create business value. To address these pressing challenges, Eden Smith and XcelerateIQ have formed a strategic partnership. This partnership is focused on building sustainable Data and AI capabilities that integrate technical advancement with human skills development. Collaboration and Impact By merging Eden Smith’s extensive expertise in Talent Development with XcelerateIQ’s innovative focus on Data Culture and Mindset, this partnership uniquely combines Data and AI capabilities with “power” skills, empowering teams to deliver tangible business results. This partnership will help our clients: Attract, nurture, and retain essential data and digital capabilities to equip your organisation for tomorrow. Foster a culture and mindset that goes beyond technical skills embedding data-first thinking across the organisation. Build habits and behaviours that adapt to ongoing technological changes ensuring continuous innovation and growth. About Eden Smith Group Eden Smith Group stands at the forefront of data and sustainability solutions, empowering businesses with insights that drive smart, impactful, and sustainable decisions. We specialise in a comprehensive range of services, including staffing, education, and consulting. Designed to equip companies with the talent, knowledge, and strategies they need to thrive in today’s complex and rapidly evolving marketplace. Moreover, our team is committed to supporting clients as they tackle data-driven challenges, optimise resources, and foster innovation. At Eden Smith, we’re not just helping clients navigate today’s competitive landscape. We’re empowering them to lead with confidence and sustainable impact. Building a Future-Ready Data and AI Workforce This People-First approach puts humans at the heart of data and digital transformation, focusing on those who use and are impacted by technology. This strategy builds adaptable teams, drives creative innovation and delivers lasting value. Find out more on Eden Smith: www.edensmith.group Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? CONTACT US NOW

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: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

Rosanne features on the Empowered Teams Podcast : XcelerateIQ < Back Rosanne features on the Empowered Teams Podcast 25 Oct 2024 Our CEO, Rosanne, was a special guest on the Empowered Teams podcast, presented by The Future Learning Group . In the episode, host Toby Coop was joined by Rosanne and other guests - Daniel Eppling and Phil Yeoman to tackle one of the biggest challenges in today’s business world: the gap between leadership training and real-world results. They explore how leaders can create a culture of trust and collaboration to thrive in today’s rapidly changing environment. From psychological safety to using data effectively, this discussion is a must-listen for any team looking to level up. Ready to empower your people on the Data and AI Journey? CONTACT US NOW