Shows
The TC4RE PodcastTC4RE: What we've achieved in three yearsThis instalment of the TC4RE Podcast sees our almost ever-present host, Alex Best of SoftwareOne, sit down with two members of the TC4RE leadership team, Julie Simpson (ResourceiT) and Belton Flournoy (Protiviti), to discuss what’s been achieved – both as a collective and at their individual organisations – in the three years since TC4RE’s beginnings, sparked by the tragic death of George Floyd.Grab a pen and a notebook, settle in, and get ready to learn more about TC4RE.2023-06-2842 min
The TC4RE PodcastWhat does BAME mean, is it still relevant and how is it significant to me?Join our hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Anushka Davies (Softcat), as they're joined by guests, Lucy Shen (Softcat) and Sandra Kerr (Business in the Community), for a roundtable discussion on the relevance of the term BAME. While the term had gained popularity over the last decade, there is now debate around whether it still accurately represents the diverse communities it seeks to encompass. Tune in as we explore the ideology behind BAME and consider whether there are new initiatives that could better promote equality and inclusion. Despite increasing awareness around the importance of diversity in the workplace, only a low...2023-04-281h 04
The TC4RE PodcastWhat International Women's Day means to Seleeta Watson, Enablement Manager at Computacenter This year we’ve been busy making International Women’s Day more than just a day, extending our celebrations and keeping the conversation rolling throughout the month in an effort to further highlight its importance! With that being said, we thought it only makes sense to invite Seleeta Watson, Enablement Manager at Computacenter, to discuss what it means to her to be a woman in the technology sector, and share some of the good (and bad) experiences she has had throughout her career.2023-03-2731 min
The TC4RE PodcastInternational Women’s Day: Discussing representation of ethnic minority females in the world of work Join us for the latest instalment of the TC4RE podcast as we round off our International Women’s Day celebrations with two special guests, Bernadette Wilson, Account Director from ResourceiT, and Priscilla Lewis, Back Office Manager from SoftwareOne. Listen today to hear more about their journeys into the technology industry as they discuss navigating important life decisions, the beginning of their careers, and share personal experiences of what it's like not only being a woman in the sector but as an ethnic minority too.2023-03-2734 min
The TC4RE PodcastHow can we run an effective work experience programme?Welcome to the latest TC4RE podcast episode, where we deviate from the script and invite you to a unique podcast. Students from Trinity High in Manchester who recently participated in a work experience opportunity with Softcat are joined by hosts Polly Jacob (Softcat) and Alex Best (SoftwareONE). Work experience has long been popular in the UK, but how can the tech sector best utilise it? Polly and Alex talk about the chances they had to take advantage of when they joined the IT industry, how Softcat were able to conduct a successful work experience programme, and how the...2023-01-0944 min
The TC4RE PodcastHow can we build inclusive communities with the use of diversity mentoring?Welcome to Season 2, Episode 4 of the latest TC4RE Podcast. In the 12th Episode, Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Anushka Davies (Softcat) are joined by Lumen's HR Director: Chris Wade and Network Architect Engineer: Kirk Hastings. Chris and Kirk share their experiences of diversity mentoring, and how Lumen are taking the opportunity to build inclusive communities to champion equality. Hosts Alex and Anushka also discuss their company schemes and structures, so grab your pen and a notebook - this pod is one to remember and take action on! 2022-11-1737 min
The TC4RE PodcastCelebrating Black History Month 2022Join us as we celebrate Black History Month in 2022 on a very special episode of the TC4RE Podcast! Michaela McCollin from Microsoft joins Jeramie Sutton from Microsoft and Alex Best from SoftwareONE. The former co-lead of Black @VMWare discusses her personal reflections on what Black History Month means to her and why it is also a time to celebrate one's own history and culture. For anyone interested in having immersive learning opportunities regarding Black History, Michaela highlights the educational tools that are accessible in the UK, and both hosts Jeramie and Alex open up on the significance of...2022-10-2646 min
The TC4RE PodcastUpskilling and how to help underrepresented backgrounds get into techListen to season two, episode two of the TC4RE Podcast with our hosts, Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Anushka Davies (Softcat)! They are joined by this instalment's special guests, Gori Yahaya (Founder & CEO of UpSkill Digital) and Justice Dapaa (Softcat), as they discuss the importance of upskilling and how organisations can help individuals from underrepresented backgrounds get into tech.2022-09-0156 min
The TC4RE PodcastHow can we build strong representative communities within the tech sector and be better allies?This week’s episode of TC4RE is hosted by Alex Best and Jeramie Sutton and they're joined in an empowering discussion with Niall Simpson, founder of BTSN and Pursue Talent. Niall examines how he has built strong representative communities within the tech sector and advises on how you can support these community as both an ally and as a business. We correct some of the misconceptions around tech sales roles, as well as discussing increased opportunities for those wishing to join the tech industry.2022-08-0346 min
The TC4RE PodcastWhat are employee resource groups and how can they be used effectively?The TC4RE Podcast returns for episode 8! Hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Anushka Davies (Softcat) are joined by Beverly Tran (Microsoft) and Faizan Hasan to share their thoughts and ideas around Employee Resource Groups.How can employees band together to provide support for another? To share stories and to help each other grow - particularly of those from an ethnic minority? Both Beverly and Faizan speak of their experiences within an ERG, the steps required to go about starting one up; and how it's made a difference to their personal and career development.2022-05-231h 00
The TC4RE PodcastWhat is allyship and how can I become a better ally?Episode 7 of the TC4RE Podcast explores the fundamental principles of Allyship. Hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Jeramie Sutton are joined by guests Julie Simpson (ResourceiT) and Jeremy Haisman. “Being an ally” is a term coined by many, but are we being an ally in the best way we can to support those from underrepresented backgrounds? How can we be a better ally? What does it take to be an ally? Julie Simpson shares her personal experiences of what it means to be an ally and how learning combined with time, has helped to shape the way that she inte...2022-05-1057 min
The TC4RE PodcastWhat is identity coverage and surface acting?Episode six of the TC4RE podcast is hosted by Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Jeremy Haisman (Protiviti). They are together with Roland Carandang (Protiviti) and Stanley Mensah-Brown (SoftwareONE) to openly discuss their thoughts on identity covering and surface acting within the workplace. Since 2015 identity covering has been a very relevant topic for the workforce, but what can we do as businesses to enable everyone to feel comfortable being their authentic themselves at work? With a range of different roles, all the guests share their own personal experiences of identity covering, their take on its meaning, how it made them...2022-04-2650 min
The TC4RE PodcastWhat is TC4RE? Why is it so important? How can I get involved?Join us for our fifth podcast, where hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Jeramie Sutton (Microsoft) are joined by Hazel Sagar (Boxxe) and James Chadwick (Microsoft) to discuss TC4RE's purpose and their journey towards a racially equal workplace. As TC4RE's latest partner -- Hazel discusses Boxxe's challenges in the past, why they joined TC4RE, and how they’ll be leveraging TC4RE to help build a more racially inclusive workforce. James opens up with his own personal journey with racial equality at Microsoft, their experience with leading activist, poet, author and rapper Akala -- and how our ow...2022-04-1143 min
The TC4RE PodcastRacial concerns in the workplace and how to address them without fear of persecutionOur fourth podcast features hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Anushka Davies (Softcat) discussing how to tackle racial challenges in the workplace. They’re joined by Softcat Internal Recruiter Keisha French, who shares her experience when it comes to encouraging open dialogue about backgrounds and concerns. From amplifying voices that are brave enough to speak up, to diversifying management teams that empower people to come forward, our insightful podcast addresses what can be done to create a safe space for all employees to be heard.2022-03-2855 min
The TC4RE PodcastHow do you prepare for an ethnically under-represented workforce and what impact do culturally aware leaders have? (Part Two) Episode three of our podcast series is hosted by Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Jeramie Sutton (Microsoft), who continue the discussion on how to create a more ethnically diverse workforce. Joined by CTO Colin from Computacentre who brings over 20 year’s IT industry experience, our experts explore just how far we’ve really come. Has there been a major shift in the representation of minorities in senior leadership IT positions? Have we really changed the world in two years? While we may have raised the consciousness of the conversation, our podcast debates how to make a more seismic impact by lear...2022-03-1435 min
The TC4RE PodcastChallenges of ageism in the workplace and what we can do to overcome itWelcome to our second podcast where hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Anushka Davies (Softcat) debate the many challenges of ageism, and how to help drive continuous improvement. Together with guest Andy Coker, Account Executive at Microsoft, our panel of experts discuss key themes such as imposter syndrome when starting out as an intern or young graduate, and the use of surface acting to change the way you’re perceived. Expect guidance on how to create an inclusive culture regardless of age, keep recruitment partial, and diversify what we do on day-to-day basis to help foster a more family-centric environment.2022-03-0247 min
The TC4RE PodcastHow do you prepare for an ethnically under-represented workforce and what impact do culturally aware leaders have? (Part One)In our first podcast episode, hosts Alex Best (SoftwareONE) and Jeramie Sutton (Microsoft) discuss how technology companies can better inspire, support, and celebrate an under-represented workforce. They’re joined by guests Zephaniah Chukwudum and Apay Obang-Oyway from Microsoft, who talk about the value of creating workforce support groups and encouraging people to have self-belief. Tune in and learn about the impact leaders can have when making time for coaching, showing care for every individual, and being the best at representing their community.2022-02-1042 min