Author: Bal Bansal

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Week in Review

Week in Review

I remember I used to do these Sunday Tech Reviews a year ago – was a bit much and decided to halt – but it’s back! After a few folk kept asking me, I thought why not… let’s bring it back!

So my Top Two Tech Stories from the week gone…

Elon Vs Halli

So, as you know – Elon Musk owns Twitter. And went on a bit of a rampage firing lots of Twitter employees, because he thought – there was too many for what was needed at Twitter (we’ll discuss if he was right or wrong another day). But this week, Halli Thorleifsson – a Twitter employee, asked Elon – directly, on Twitter, if he was still employed by the company or not – because he didn’t know!

There was a Twitter exchange between the two – at one point, Elon tweeting…

Only for Halli, to share a series of tweets to explain a number of things such as his health, his money that he made, his business, etc..

Between all the exchanges and information that Halli shared – Elon must have done and done some research because, he then replied: “Based on your comment, I just did a video call with Halli to figure out what’s real vs what I was told. It’s a long story. Better to talk to people than communicate via tweet.” and he said sorry to Halli.

If you get a chance, go to Twitter and have a read of the tweets that were exchanged.

Ok, up next..

Lineker Vs BBC

My tech news won’t always be one person another or a competition – but it just so happens, this week – there was another Versus/battle! – This time, with Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker tweeting.. (this is kind of tech – as it’s social media related). So what did Gary tweet…

Now, the problem was – many folks in the Government didn’t like this. The chairman of the BBC is connected to the Conservative party – through donations he made to the political party. And not saying there’s a correlation but… Gary stepped down from presenting the show. His co-presenters – Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also stepped down in solidatory.

Alot of presenters, reporters, etc… also stepped down – even with players and managers not wanting to do interviews with Match of the Day.

Now – the problem isn’t so much about Gary tweeting – but it’s moreso about guidelines. There’s been many presenters who have tweeted in the past – and nothing was done. So why Gary, now?

You can go ahead – again, looks like you’ll spend a little time on twitter, and read about Gary’s tweet and other tweets that show other comments made by other presenters – and the BBC response.

With that… they are my Top Two Tech Stories – and I think the key thing is… Twitter can be quite powerful.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

This week has been a tough one.

Last Sunday, I was at the local Sikh Temple. I saw a close family friend who I hadn’t seen for a while. We laughed, joked and he asked how my parents were. I said they’re good.

Sunday night, I rang my parents. Told them who I saw, and that he was asking about them. Dad told me, how he remembers when he came to England from India, the support Dad and others provided for him and how he always shows a lot of love to the family.

Monday I was busy working. Challenges at work. But aren’t there always.

Tuesday at work. Come home. Had football in the evening. Super cold! – but good. Came home – and I had a message to call my Dad.

I called Dad. He said, I’ve some bad news. Earlier in the day, he was out shopping, and he had a phone call that someone had passed away and they needed my Dad’s support to help with some religious items. I asked Dad, who was it… he said, it was who I was laughing and joking with on Sunday.

Totally shocked! Only a few days earlier, we were laughing and joking – and now, he’s no more.

So my Friday Thought… value those around you, hug those close to you and appreciate those that are there for you.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Today’s Friday Thought.. is about your three greatest treasures.

I’ve often spoken about simplicity – with my lean and six sigma background. I’ve often spoken about compassion, and some of the charity work I’m involved with.

Patience. If there was one place I could improve – is patience. On reflection – is it because we have so much data and information around us? Is it these 2 minute clips on Tik Tok that show us how to make a 20 minute meal, make us impatient? (Or do they inspire us?)

Either way, patience is important. And there are methods to help increase patience. I’ll let you find what works for you – & I’ll let you know how my journey goes.

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Bal’s Friday Thought..

“Life is a journey, and if you fall in love with the journey, you will be in love forever.” – Peter Hagerty.

This quote reminds us that life is not just about reaching our destination or achieving our goals, but it’s about enjoying the journey itself. It encourages us to appreciate the present moment and find joy in the process of living, rather than just focusing on the end result. It’s a reminder to live mindfully, with intention, and to find gratitude in each step of our journey.


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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

How long have you been doing what you’re doing?

Making a lot of progress?

You see, when you’re comfortable, slow and steady… you can make it. But it’s when you are outside you’re comfort zone, you are more alert, switched on, aware and more focused. And that’s where, honestly, all the progress is made.

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Disney’s Magic Spell…

Disney has been a household name for decades, with a reputation for creating magical and memorable experiences for people of all ages. However, recent trends and a report on the BBC News website suggest that the company’s magic spell may be wearing off. While Disney’s theme parks continue to attract millions of visitors each year, their other divisions, such as television and film, have been struggling to keep up with the competition. In this blog post, I will explore some reasons why Disney’s magic spell is wearing off and how the company can improve using technology.

Firstly, one reason why Disney’s magic spell is wearing off is because of the rise of streaming services. In recent years, companies like Netflix and Amazon have entered the entertainment industry, offering viewers a wide range of content at a lower price point. This has made it difficult for traditional cable and broadcast networks to compete, including Disney’s own television networks such as ABC and Freeform. In order to remain competitive, Disney launched its own streaming service, Disney+, in 2019. However, while the service has been successful, it still lags behind its competitors in terms of original content and technological innovation.

Secondly, Disney has been criticized for its lack of diversity and representation in its content. While the company has made some efforts to address this issue, many viewers are still calling for more representation and inclusivity in their films and television shows. In order to stay relevant and appeal to a wider audience, Disney must take more decisive action to address these concerns.

So, how can Disney improve using technology? One way is by incorporating more immersive and interactive experiences into their theme parks. For example, Disney has already introduced the use of wearable technology, such as MagicBands, which allow visitors to access their hotel rooms, park tickets, and even purchase food and souvenirs with a simple tap of their wrist. Disney could take this technology further by incorporating augmented and virtual reality experiences into their parks, such as allowing visitors to interact with their favorite characters in new and exciting ways.

Another way Disney can improve using technology is by utilizing data and analytics to better understand their customers. I’ve spoken about data and analytics and how it could really improve companies fortunes before. But with Disney, by collecting and analyzing data on visitor behavior, Disney could tailor their experiences to better suit the needs and preferences of their guests. For example, they could use data to determine which rides are most popular, and then adjust wait times and other factors to optimize the visitor experience. They could also use data to personalize the visitor experience, such as by recommending specific rides, shows, or dining options based on the visitor’s preferences.

On top of that – if you’re not a Magic World or any of their theme park visitor – they could still use data to understand their customers more. Who’s watching what on Disney+, and if they’re not watching certain programmes or films, why not? – Then you could focus on those who don’t have a subscription – deep dive into why not. I remember when working for GSK – it was always Pharma companies against each other – because the patents on medicines mattered so much. But then there was a CEO who openly said, for some medicines it’s worth collaborating, even with competitors, just so we can help millions, quickly. What a forward way of thinking! Imagine Disney collaborating or connecting with another streaming service to bring more content, under one monthly subscription. Whilst some of these joint subscription services are around – wouldn’t it be better if the actual companies started doing it?

So there you go… while Disney’s magic spell may be wearing off in some areas, the company still has the potential to innovate and improve using technology. By incorporating more immersive experiences into their theme parks and utilizing data and analytics to better understand their customers, Disney can continue to create magical and memorable experiences for people of all ages. With the right strategy and investment in technology, Disney can remain a beloved brand for generations to come.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

Most of you may know, that I’m a Lean Six Sigma BlackBelt. This is why, everything, and I mean everything… that I’m involved in… needs to have a process.

There’s got to be steps. Nothing too complicated. Just a simple, documented, process. That shows what needs to happen. When. How. Etc.. Bonus if there’s a stakeholder map and RACI. But just the basics work.

That’s why, many who have engaged conversation with me or worked with me – I’ll try to explain things in a process-orientated manner. And if I’m seeking information… tell me step… by step.

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Why (& how) Technology has made shopping easier…

Technology has revolutionized the way we shop. From online stores to virtual assistants, technology has made shopping easier and more convenient than ever before.

Online stores have made it possible to shop from the comfort of your own home. You can browse through thousands of products, compare prices, and make purchases without ever leaving your house. Online stores also offer a variety of payment options, making it easy to pay for your purchases.

Virtual assistants are another way technology has changed the way we shop. Virtual assistants can help you find the best deals, compare prices, and even make recommendations based on your preferences. They can also help you manage your shopping list and keep track of your purchases. They can come in many forms – even Smart Home devices such as the Amazon Echo can act as a virtual assitant… by putting items in your shopping basket for you to review later.

Technology has also made it easier to find the perfect gift. With online stores, you can search for the perfect gift for any occasion. You can also use virtual assistants to help you find the perfect gift for someone special.

Finally, technology has made it easier to stay informed about the latest trends in shopping. You can follow your favorite stores on social media to stay up to date on the latest products and promotions. You can also use apps to get notifications when new products are released or when sales are happening.

Technology has made shopping easier and more convenient than ever before. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or just want to stay informed about the latest trends, technology has you covered.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

When was the last time you wanted something and you went for it?

When was the last time you asked for something, and got it?

In life, we have so many opportunities missed. Don’t miss them. Ask the question, go after what you want, do what you want – move forward… life is short. Enjoy it.

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2023 Technology Trends

Happy New Year!

So… what’s big for 2023?

Well… technically, there’s nothing ‘big’ for 2023 – but alot of progress and enhancements of what is already out there.

I thought I’d share my Top Five Big Things for 2023!

  1. Artifical Intelligence (AI) Everywhere
    • Spoken about AI before but in 2023, it’s going to take a major leap. Why is that? – because it will become real in organizations. No-code AI, with its easy drag-and-drop interfaces, will enable any business to leverage its power to create more intelligent products and services.
    • AI will also augment nearly every job in every business process across industries. More retailers will use AI to manage and automate the complex inventory management processes that happen behind the scenes, so convenience trends like buy-online-pickup-at-curbside (BOPAC), buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), and buy-online-return-in-store (BORIS), will become standard.
    • AI will also be the engine behind the newest autonomous delivery initiatives that retailers are piloting and rolling out, and more and more retail workers will need to get used to working alongside machines to do their jobs.
  2. Digital and Physical Worlds coming closer
    • We’re already seeing an emerging bridge between the digital and physical worlds, and this trend will continue in 2023. There are two components of this merger: digital twin technology and 3D printing.
    • Digital twins are virtual simulations of real-world processes, operations, or products that can be used to test new ideas in a safe digital environment. Designers and engineers are using digital twins to recreate physical objects inside virtual worlds, so they can test under every conceivable condition without the high costs of real-life experiments. In 2023, we’ll see even more digital twins, from factories to machinery to cars to precision healthcare.
    • After testing in the virtual world, engineers can tweak and edit components, then create them in the real world using 3D printing technology.
    • For example, Formula 1 teams currently collect data transmitted from sensors during races, as well as race track temperatures and weather conditions, to see how cars change during races. Then they stream the data from the sensors to digital twins of the engines and car components and run scenarios to make design changes on the fly. The teams then 3D print car parts based on the results of their testing.
  3. Green Technology
    • One of the biggest challenges the world is facing right now is putting the brakes on our carbon emissions so we can tackle the climate crisis.
    • In 2023, look for continued progress around green hydrogen, a new clean-burning source of energy that produces close to zero greenhouse gas emissions. Shell and RWE, two major European energy companies, are creating the first major green pipeline from wind plants in the North Sea.
  4. Robots more Human-like
    • In 2023, robots will become even more like humans — in appearance and capability. These types of robots will be used in the real world as event greeters, bartenders, concierges, and companions for older adults. They’ll also perform complex tasks in warehouses and factories as they work alongside humans in manufacturing and logistics.
    • One company is working hard to create a human-like robot that will work in our homes. At Tesla AI Day in September 2022, Elon Musk revealed two Optimus humanoid robot prototypes, and said the company would be ready to take orders within the next 3 to 5 years. The robot can perform simple tasks like lifting items and watering plants — so perhaps soon we’ll be able to have “robot butlers” that help around in the house.
  5. Sustainable Technology
    • Finally, we’ll see a push toward more sustainable technology in 2023. Many (if not most) of us are addicted to technology like our smartphones, tablets, and computers — but where are the components coming from to manufacture our favorite gadgets? People will be thinking more about where rare earth components for things like computer chips originate and how we’re consuming them.
    • And moreso, where can we use/upgrade/renew technology to further it’s life. Even the Head of Sustainability at BMW said we should look at using older cars – and have a mechanism in place to update and renew parts quickly and cost effectively.

So there you go – my Top Five.

Any things you’re thinking that in 2023 will hit us from a Technology perspective?

Off course… I left out some obvious items, such as what Elon is doing over at Twitter and a few other items because they’re more specific and all depends how much some of these billionaires throw at their projects.

For me – Point 5, sustainability is key. That’s the most important one. And in one of my up and coming blogs – I’ll talk about repair cafe’s that are popping up, and ways to be more concious about the environment when it comes to tech.