Summary

In this reflective episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins shares her insights and experiences from the past year as she navigates her role as a leader in a family business. She discusses the evolution of her leadership style, the importance of accessibility and usability in creating an equitable online world, and the challenges of balancing work with family life. As she looks ahead to 2026, Lucy emphasises the need for empathy and understanding in the digital space, aiming to make the web a better place for everyone.

Takeaways

• Reflecting on the past year is essential for growth.
• Leadership styles can evolve over time.
• Family businesses have unique challenges and advantages.
• Accessibility and usability should be integrated in design.
• Empathy is crucial in leadership and user experience.
• Work-life balance is a continuous challenge for working parents.
• Setting boundaries is important for personal well-being.
• Inclusive design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities.
• Technology can bridge the digital divide if used correctly.
• The vision for an equitable online world is ambitious but necessary.

Sound Bites

• "Finding my style of leadership."
• "You know what is best for you."
• "We're ending 2025 on a high."

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Growth

05:41 Evolving Leadership and Business Vision

11:20 Integrating Accessibility and Usability

16:59 Balancing Work and Family Life

Summary

In this minsode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins talks with Simeon Quarrie, CEO of Vivida, about the frustrations of traditional workplace learning and how bite-sized, nano content can make training more engaging. Simeon shares how Vivida is applying these ideas to cybersecurity learning.

Takeaways

• Traditional e-learning feels overwhelming and formulaic
• Learners often “game” courses just to finish
• Bite-sized, nano content sparks curiosity and engagement organisations need to rethink how they draw people into training

Sound Bites

• I was angry because all of a sudden, this whole load of text appeared on the screen.”
• I did what everyone does… click, click, click, go to the question.”
• “We have to recognise the way that people are currently consuming content.”

In this episode of the Web Usability podcast, Lucy Collins speaks with Dr. Bruno Oliveira about the practical applications of AI in business. They discuss how to bridge the gap between theory and practice, the importance of understanding AI's capabilities, and how organisations can assess their readiness for AI integration. Bruno shares insights on identifying repetitive tasks for automation, creating interactive dashboards, and the role of humans in AI workflows. The conversation also touches on the future of AI, its potential for inclusivity, and exciting trends in technology.

takeaways

• AI can transform how businesses operate and how students learn.
• Understanding what AI can do is crucial for effective application.
• Management concepts enhance the use of AI in business contexts.
• Many people find AI intimidating due to its complexity.
• Free AI tools often underperform compared to paid versions.
• Organizations should assess their AI readiness for effective integration.
• Identifying repetitive tasks is key to leveraging AI.
• AI can automate processes, freeing up time for strategic work.
• Inclusivity in AI can enhance accessibility for diverse users.
• The future of AI includes more autonomous agents that can perform tasks.

• "AI is such a great topic."
• "Not all AI is made the same."
• "Everyone is ready for AI."

00:00 Introduction to AI and Usability

01:46 Bridging Theory and Practice in AI

05:40 Understanding AI: Overcoming Intimidation and Frustration

09:11 AI Readiness: Assessing Organizational Preparedness

13:06 Identifying Repetitive Tasks for AI Integration

16:52 Creating Consistent AI Workflows

20:56 Real-World AI Implementations in Business

24:45 AI's Role in Inclusivity and Accessibility

28:19 The Future of AI: Autonomous Agents and Human Roles

32:19 Practical Steps for AI Integration