We’re welcoming you to The Technology Boardroom again this week, with a brand-new podcast that really examines Advania as a business and as a customer, using our own experiences as a jumping-off point to discuss the challenges that all technology organisations face.
We launched the podcast with our first episode last week, and we’re keeping the momentum going with the second episode: “Customer Zero: Advania as our own best client”.
In this blog, we’ll explore the second episode, which features an engaging conversation with Anna Worthington, our Sustainability Lead, and Robert Smith, our Microsoft Alliances Director, hosted by Eden Pedley, Head of Resource Solutions and Workforce Planning. This week’s conversation explores the intersection of technology, sustainability, and workforce development, offering a rich tapestry of insights and reflections on our journey and exploring Advania as our own first and best customer.
Walking the walk as customer zero
In today’s dynamic business environment, companies face universal challenges, including attracting and developing talent, ensuring the organisation is committed to sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, and integrating advanced technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI). At Advania, we are tackling these issues head on in the same way that many of our clients are.
At the episode’s beginning, Eden Pedley kicks off the discussion by acknowledging these challenges and inviting Anna and Rob to share their perspectives from their roles at Advania.
Who’s in the Boardroom?
- Eden Pedley. Overseeing workforce strategy and resource management within the professional services division, Eden is actively involved in the Early Careers Talent Programme, which ensures that resource capabilities align with the requirements of professional services. The role involves making certain that staff are deployed to clients promptly. Eden’s role is all about ensuring that the appropriate personnel are positioned correctly to meet client needs efficiently.
- Anna Worthington. With a commitment to ESG practices, Anna joined Advania as the sustainability lead at the end of 2023. Her focus on coordinating sustainability goals and ESG reporting underscores Advania’s dedication to making a positive impact in the world around us. She collaborates with the Advania sustainability group in Sweden, leveraging shared expertise to drive forward our ESG journey and goals.
- Robert Smith. Responsible for fostering relationships and engagement with our partner Microsoft, Rob highlights the importance of these long-term partnerships in solving customer challenges. Rob’s role ensures that all moving parts within our partner ecosystem operate seamlessly, delivering unparalleled value to our clients.
Technology and sustainability: a dual focus
One of the central themes of this episode is Advania’s dual focus on technology and sustainability with Anna and Rob sharing how their work intertwines to address these critical areas.
Anna emphasises the significance of embedding ESG principles into the fabric of Advania’s culture. Beyond mere compliance and reporting, the core of ESG is about integrating sustainability into daily operations and decision-making processes. This holistic approach ensures that sustainability is not just a policy but a lived experience within the organisation that underscores our commitment to being environmentally responsible and socially aware.
Rob complements this by discussing how technology can support sustainability efforts. He highlights the Microsoft Partner Pledge, which aligns with Advania’s goals of growing tech talent, enhancing diversity and inclusion, and tackling major challenges such as AI ethics and sustainability. This pledge is not just a commitment but a reflection of our company DNA, propelling us toward meaningful impact.
The importance of early careers talent in developing sustainable resource capabilities
Eden brings attention to Advania’s Early Careers Talent Programme, a cornerstone of Advania’s workforce strategy. This programme aims to nurture young talent and align our resource capabilities with client needs.
Eden shares an interesting anecdote about a simple yet impactful initiative within the program: a pizza ordering app developed by one of the participants to reduce food waste when we order pizza to our offices for lunch. This story encapsulates how even small technological solutions can contribute to sustainability and efficiency.
Women in tech: building the future
Diversity and inclusion are pivotal themes in this episode. Eden, Anna, and Rob discuss the ongoing challenges and opportunities related to increasing women’s representation in tech. Advania has set ambitious targets, including a 70% female participation in our professional services cohort. While we came close and reached 60% this year, it’s a step in the right direction and emphasises the importance of setting and striving for stretch targets. As Eden reflects, “If you hit all your targets first time round, were they really that challenging?”
"By growing that female tech team through the career ladder, that's how we will pay forward over time."
- Anna Worthington
Anna underscores the long-term vision of having 30% C-suite representation by women within the Advania group. This goal aligns with broader industry findings, such as a McKinsey report highlighting the financial benefits of gender-diverse executive teams. As we build a pipeline of female talent through our early careers program, we are laying the foundation for future leadership.
Generative AI and the future of work
The conversation inevitably turns to the hot topic of generative AI and its implications for the future of work. Rob and Eden explore how AI is not just a business-as-usual technology transformation but a seismic shift in how we operate. They discuss the potential of AI to boost creativity, automate mundane tasks and solve complex problems.
"My motto on AI in general is it's not AI that will replace me, it's the person that can use it better than me that will probably replace me. "
- Eden Pedley
However, adopting AI also comes with responsibilities. Rob emphasises the importance of ethical AI, respecting both people and data. Anna adds that while AI can drive sustainability solutions, it also presents challenges such as increased power consumption by data centres. The balance between leveraging AI for good and managing its environmental impact is a recurring theme and a challenge that looks set to dominate for some time.
Hybrid and remote work: embracing change
The pandemic has reshaped our attitudes toward work, with hybrid and remote models becoming the norm. Rob shares his views on the power of remote work, noting the benefits of reduced commuting and increased flexibility. Anna highlights how tools such as Microsoft Teams enable collaboration across multiple locations, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.
Eden adds a nuanced perspective, emphasising the importance of in-person experiences for early career development. While remote work offers many advantages, the learning and development that occur through face-to-face interactions remain invaluable, particularly for those at the start of their careers.
Take a seat in the Technology Boardroom
In this week’s episode, Anna, Rob and Eden provide a wealth of insights that extend much further than we get into in this short recap. From sustainability initiatives and AI ethics to workforce development and diversity, this episode offers a deep dive into the strategic priorities and innovative efforts that we are taking at Advania.
Don’t miss out – subscribe to our podcast to hear more about how Advania is navigating the challenges of today and shaping the future and be part of our journey toward a more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive world.
