Get Amplified

In this first episode, we introduce the Get Amplified Team, Sam Routledge our host and former CTO of Softcat, Siaron van Wetten and Vicky Reddington Co Founders of the Amplified Group and why we do what we do.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplified-group/

We’re writing a book! We have the structure and contents – we just need some real-life stories to support each of the chapters to bring the book to life.
And that’s where you come in . . . we’d love you to be part of what we’re doing.

About the book

Title: Finding your TeamXTM - Why leave teamwork to chance when there is a proven process?

If only there was a way to take all the best bits of how we work together as a team and make it sustainable all the time – wouldn’t that be great? Read on...
You’ve just stepped up to lead a team. You’re going to be unstoppable together. You dream of great collaboration, of team members not hesitating to help each other. Your team members can’t imagine working anywhere else. Together you’re a leading light in your organisation.

So where do you start?

When we learn about business we are taught about organisational structure, finance, go-to-market strategy, and sales, but we are not taught the process of building a strong team.

Should it just be down to luck?
We don’t think so. We think this should be taught, which is why we’ve created this book about building great team experience (we call it TeamXTM). We want you to know what we wish we’d known 20 years ago.

Discover a pragmatic operating system that can help any team work more effectively together.

When we enjoy what we do and feel supported, both the people and the business benefit. After all, you are the best asset your business has!

Chapter Contents

If you think you have a story that fits with any of the titles below, good, bad, or ugly, we would love to hear from you!

Part 1 – Purpose

Chapter 1: Find your purpose beyond the numbers

Chapter 2: Take off your functional hat - The importance of having a joint purpose

Chapter 3: Point to your North Star

Part 2 – Trust

Chapter 4: Understand your team dynamics

Chapter 5: Gain psychological safety

Chapter 6: Hire based on values

Part 3 – Clarity

Chapter 7: Build guard rails

Chapter 8: Gain alignment

Chapter 9: Enable accountability

Part 4 – Simplicity

Chapter 10: Order your priorities

Chapter 11: Agree what you are stopping

Chapter 12: Build simplicity as a habit

Book Recommendation

Here’s a link to the Steve Jobs eBook that Vic referenced:

Make Something Wonderful | a book from the Steve Jobs Archive
How to get in touch
Drop us a message: [email protected]

Message us via LinkedIn

We would love you to follow us on LinkedIn!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplified-group/

Discover the ripple effects of interest rates on the tech industry as we sit down with Paul Wiefels from the Chasm Group. Our enlightening conversation traverses the current challenges faced by tech firms, especially in the bustling hub of the San Francisco Bay Area. From the precarious dance of hiring to the tough decisions on layoffs, Paul unpacks the ways companies are striving to adapt to a "normal economy." His insights on the criticality of speed of execution provide valuable lessons for maintaining momentum in the industry, even as headcounts shrink and efficiency becomes the watchword.
Platforms are the buzzword of the day, but what truly makes a platform successful? We crack open the evolving definition, distinguishing between transaction platforms like Airbnb and innovation powerhouses such as AWS. Through candid anecdotes—including one from Splunk's former CEO—we underscore the importance of a customer-centric approach in tech leadership. It's not about the label 'platform' but the utility and customer adoption that truly cements a platform's place in the tech pantheon.
Wrapping up this deep-dive, the discussion shifts to the nuanced dance between vendors and customers. Paul emphasizes the need for tech companies to hone in on the outcomes and benefits that customers genuinely seek, rather than merely pushing the platform label. We dissect how Splunk's journey from a single-application offering to a comprehensive platform exemplifies the organic growth and alignment with customer aspirations that's crucial for success.
So tune in for a fresh angle on platforms and the critical importance of having a customer centric approach in the tech world.
You can view the Business Value Stairway framework that Paul shared with us here:
Business Value Stairway Extract 2023 (amplifiedgroup.co.uk)

We would love you to follow us on LinkedIn!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplified-group/

We're delighted to welcome back AI pioneer, Reddy Mallidi. Reddy has been busy since we last spoke, channelling his knowledge and passion into writing a book, AI Unleashed.
The true power of AI is not in replacing humans, but in creating super humans.
Reddy shares with us how he has numerous conversations that start with ‘We need AI’ to which his immediate response is ‘Yes, but what for? What is the use case?’
We'll hear first-hand accounts from his early days experimenting with neural networks in the 1990s to a standout achievement at Autodesk, where AI helped him tackle the colossal task of screening 50 million accounts. This episode illuminates the immense power of AI and the technological strides in computing power, data availability, and algorithm development that have brought us to this transformative point in history.
We explore how AI is reshaping the landscape of sales and HR, offering strategic benefits that enhance business efficiency. Discover how AI can sift through mountains of unstructured data, providing sales teams with pivotal insights to close high-probability deals and improve forecasting. We also dive into the ethical considerations of AI in HR, with cautionary tales like Amazon's early machine learning tool that inadvertently reinforced gender biases.
As Reddy highlights, when harnessed thoughtfully, AI serves as a powerful tool to augment human capabilities across various sectors, from finance to winemaking, all while ensuring data security and a positive organisational impact.

We would love you to follow us on LinkedIn!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplified-group/

We are super excited to bring you an extra special Get Amplified festive present!​

​Mark Templeton rejoins us to share his wisdom and learnings in this episode, Foundations of Leadership.​
We catch up with Mark, who continues to give back through board service and CEO mentoring. ​As former CEO of Citrix, Mark offers invaluable insights into personal growth, emphasising the importance of gratitude and self-reflection as essential components for enhancing one's role in fast-paced industries.

Mark enlightens us on the concept of strategic renewal, stressing the importance of self-disruption to stay ahead in rapidly changing industries. By sharing stories of Apple's reinvention and Intel's struggles, Mark highlights the challenges of maintaining relevance and navigating innovation. Mark cites "The Innovator's Dilemma" revealing the crucial balance between stability and innovation.
Referring to Patrick Lencioni's Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Mark tell us, "It’s probably the one reading that changed the course of my career more than any other single thing"

​The books Mark covers are:

• The Innovators Dilemma by Clayton Christensen
• Leaders Make the Future by Bob Johansen
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
• The Growth Mindset by Dr Carol Dweck
• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Finally, with inspiration from "The Velveteen Rabbit," we celebrate authenticity as a path to personal freedom and success, advocating for vulnerability and self-awareness as keys to growth.

We would love you to follow us on LinkedIn!
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amplified-group/