Beyond the Blue Badge

Providing unvarnished insights about innovation throughout history In this episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, host Dee Dee Walsh talks with Robert Scoble, a well-known technology evangelist, blogger and author who worked at Microsoft from 2003 to 2006. They discuss his experience of interviewing hundreds of Microsoft employees, from Bill Gates to the janitor, using a small video camera and blogging about it. He also shares some of his insights into the latest trends in technology, such as AI, VR, ML and AR.

Following your passions and curiosity can lead you to the top  In this episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, Peter Proud interviews Nicola Hodson, the chief executive of UK and Ireland for IBM, about her career journey and her passion for STEM. Nicola shares how she was inspired by her father, who worked in the chemical industry, and by the Concorde, the supersonic aircraft that used to fly over her house. She also reveals how she switched from dentistry to chemistry at university after realizing she hated the former. She talks about the importance of following one’s interests and being open to new opportunities. 

Artificial intelligence and the art of the possible If you’re into AI and what’s possible, this latest episode of Beyond the Blue Badge will have you leaning in. Host T.A. McCann talks to Rahul Sood. Rahul is a serial entrepreneur who started the Bing Fund and eventually Microsoft Ventures while at the company. Founded and sold Unikrn, the world-class esports betting and entertainment media company. And now is the co-founder and CEO of Irreverent Labs, which is on the cutting edge of using generative AI, shares what they’re doing and how they plan to disrupt the way we make movies.

In the latest Beyond the Blue Badge, Michael Rawding hosts Rajiv Kaul, who was talking to us from Mumbai, India. Rajiv is currently the executive vice chair and CEO of CMS Infosystems, India’s largest physical payments company and the world’s largest ATM cash management company. Prior to joining CMS, He had a distinguished career at Microsoft India, including as its president from 2001 to 2005. His final stint at Microsoft was in Redmond, as senior director of the Emerging Markets Group. He talks about switching from a global tech company to a local financial industry company, how doing business in India has changed and where the best opportunities lie. 

Julie Larson-Green is no stranger to the Seattle tech scene. She is well known for her work at Microsoft where she led teams of hundreds for Office and Windows. She spent 25 years at the company before making the leap to Qualtrics. Speaking of leaps, she is now CTO at Magic Leap. Host Dee Dee Walsh, developer marketing & business development at Growth Acceleration Partners, sat down with Julie in the latest episode of Beyond the Blue Badge where Julie shares anecdotes from her time at Microsoft and discusses what it’s like to be female executive in tech.

Former executive Soma on how to unlearn your Microsoft ways    Pioneer Square Labs managing director T.A. McCann sat down with former Microsoft executive S. “Soma” Somasegar to discuss his work as a partner at Madrona Venture Group. A 27-year veteran of Microsoft, Soma is a legend, especially amongst Microsoft developers. He became corporate vice president of Microsoft’s developer division and is credited with reigniting Microsoft’s relationship with the developer community. After much reflection on his next chapter, Soma joined Madrona Venture Group based in Seattle. This was not an easy decision. In the latest episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, Soma talks about the decision-making process he went through when leaving Microsoft, the transition from operator to investor, and the essential qualities every entrepreneurial CEO should possess.  

Putting humanity at the heart of every decision Steve Vamos’ impressive 40-year resume includes leadership positions at Apple, IBM, Microsoft and most recently five years as CEO of New Zealand-based Xero — a cloud-based accounting platform for small and medium businesses. In this installment of Beyond the Blue Badge with host Michael Rawding, Steve shares his thoughts and experiences on what it takes to lead a global company during a time of tremendous change. He advises on how leaders can be more empathetic and put their employees at the heart of what they do. He also shares his unique perspective of running a global company from New Zealand.

Lifting others through events, coaching, partnerships   After 25 years at Microsoft, most recently as the Global Learning and Experience Director, Nickie Smith is going it on her own as the founder of not-for-profit People for Change, to expand Be Bold for Change internationally, and help lift others through her executive coaching company, Bold Leadership Practice. Podcast host Peter Proud caught up with the UK native to talk about her starting an organization to meet her needs and those of others, international expansion, the power of coaching and more. 

Investing in world-changing ideas Francis deSouza is CEO of Illumina, a biotech company working to improve health by unlocking the power of the genome. The Microsoft alumnus is well-versed in the startup world and chases innovation. He joined Microsoft when it acquired his startup and then left the company to start another tech company before moving to the biotech industry. In this episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, Francis discusses the three questions he asks himself when he wants to start a new business, why the Illumina mission matters, his advice for fellow entrepreneurs and why he’s excited about the future of innovation in healthcare.

Collaboration and unlocking the power of data Kimberly Mathisen was recently the GM of Microsoft Norway. Today, she’s following her passion as the CEO of HUB Ocean, a nonprofit foundation that is developing a groundbreaking data platform and tools to “change the fate of the ocean by unleashing the power of data, technology and collaboration.” In this episode of Beyond the Blue Badge, she speaks with host Peter Proud about her move to the nonprofit sector, the big audacious problems that our oceans face and how data can help save the seas.