{"id":151911,"date":"2020-04-17T06:00:29","date_gmt":"2020-04-17T11:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=151911"},"modified":"2020-04-22T09:20:41","modified_gmt":"2020-04-22T14:20:41","slug":"100-episodes-in-5-learnt-producing-ict-pulse-podcast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2020\/04\/100-episodes-in-5-learnt-producing-ict-pulse-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"100 episodes in, here are 5 things I have learnt from producing the ICT Pulse Podcast"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>The ICT Pulse Podcast recently celebrated its 100th episode. Over the nearly two years of producing the Podcast, there have been several takeaways. Here are the top five.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, 8 April, the 100th episode of the ICT Pulse Podcast was released. Over the course of nearly two years, over 75 interviews and 23 group discussions have been held on a broad range of telecoms and ICT-related issues that are pertinent to the Caribbean region.<\/p>\n<p>With the 100th episode in the bag, it is an opportune time for self-reflection: to look back at the journey so far, and\u00a0 to identify key takeaways, along with topics or issues that could be examined in upcoming episodes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>1.\u00a0 There is still considerable scope for discussion<\/h3>\n<p>Each of the now 101 episodes we have released is different. Although in some instances there is a consistent theme, such as on innovation, cybersecurity, our \u2018Know Your Neighbours\u2019 series, or our focus this year on the future of work, new and different dimensions are continually being explored. Further, each of our guests is sharing his\/her expertise and perspective, all of which contributes to the rich conversation that are occurring.<\/p>\n<p>Further, new topics for discussion are continually emerging \u2013 some of which might be ripped from the headlines. Also, even if a particular topic or issue has not yet occurred in the region, it may still be relevant, and more so to discuss it from a Caribbean perspective.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, and for many years in the Caribbean tech space, we have been focussed externally: on the news, developments and personalities in developed countries for example, but we have not yet fully explored our own backyards. The truth of the matter is that here in the Caribbean, we live in, and have to overcome, all kinds of adversities, and through that we also have stories to tell. As techies, we can be retiring, and want to stand in the shadows, but it is important that we also tell our stories, share our experiences and perspectives.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"100%\" height=\"600\" scrolling=\"auto\" allowtransparency=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/ictpulse.survey.fm\/what-topic-s-or-issue-s-we-should-be-discussing-more-on-ict-pulse?iframe=1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ictpulse.survey.fm\/what-topic-s-or-issue-s-we-should-be-discussing-more-on-ict-pulse\">View Survey<\/a><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>2.\u00a0 Our entrepreneurs are doing amazing things<\/h3>\n<p>As I mentioned in my interview with Nerissa Golden to commemorate the 100th podcast episode, my interviews with Caribbean entrepreneurs are among the most memorable. Many have come from humble beginnings, and have been able to accomplish wonderful things, \u00a0through a combination of grit, hard work and courage. They also readily admit to making lots mistakes, but also learning a lot along the way.<\/p>\n<p>Further, their products or services have been making an impact \u2013 either locally or regionally.\u00a0 For some of the locally-focussed offerings, they have the potential to transcend those borders to find wider application regionally, or even in other developing countries worldwide. However, what might be missing is the support (financial, mentoring, networking, etc.). in order for those innovations to really become the force in the world, beyond where they started.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>3.\u00a0 We are not as connected as we could be<\/h3>\n<p>In this the start of the third decade of the 21st century, we, in the Caribbean, are still operating in isolation to each other. Although we have been talking about the CARICOM Single Market and Economy for about 30 years, and the free movement of persons, there is a sense that we are still not as connected as we should be.<\/p>\n<p>Also, and to some degree, it is also still difficult to find out what is going on in the region, especially in the ICT\/tech space. In the 100th episode interview, I lamented have difficult it was to find Caribbean entrepreneurs doing great things, in and for the region, to feature on the podcast. I know they exist, but unless someone points you to them directly, you are unlikely to find them otherwise.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, and although individual countries have they own voice and have a place at the regional or global table, more often than not, our position is strengthened considerably if we speak as a region. However, in order to do so requires that we adequately ventilate the issues, and determine the areas of consensus. Although policymakers and technocrats might represent us at regional and global fora, stakeholder participation is critical, and podcasts, webinars, articles, etc., are excellent ways for us to have the needed conversation, thus fostering greater participation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>4.\u00a0 Our telecoms infrastructure can still be improved<\/h3>\n<p>One of the hallmarks of a good podcast is it having good quality audio recordings. When interviews or discussions are being held in person, it may be easier to control the environment and consequently, the quality of the audio recorded. However, when recording remotely via the Internet, it becomes readily evident that the transmission speeds we might be satisfied with to stream movies, or to participate in a webinar, or even to make WhatsApp calls, can be quite poor for the purposes of a podcast.<\/p>\n<p>One of the biggest challenges tends to be with regard to the upload speed. Typically, we tend to focus on download speed \u2013 the speed as which content from the Internet reaches our devices. To their credit, many of our Internet carriers have been doing a good job focussing on and improving their download speeds, but not the same can be said for upload speeds. Typically, the upload speed experienced can be in the order of 10% to 25% (if you are lucky!) of the download speed enjoyed in practice.<\/p>\n<p>One of the arguments made for the considerably lower upload speeds is the fact we, in the Caribbean region, are almost exclusively consuming content from the Internet \u2013 hence the emphasis on providing us with a bigger pipe in that direction. However, it means that content creators based in the region can be plagued with poor quality and erratic connectivity, which in turn can affect the quality of the final product.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>4.\u00a0 Be organised, but expect the unexpected<\/h3>\n<p>Finally, and with regard to the practicalities of producing a podcast, editing and finalising an episode for release might be the easiest parts of the process. Matters related to determining suitable topics, identifying and confirming guests, along with scheduling and recording the episodes can be riddled with challenges. Things do not always go to plan: confirmed guests are no longer available; your own schedule is no longer tenable; one of the parties does not have electricity (a still not uncommon occurrence here in the Caribbean!), are just a few of the things that can happen that can leave you scrambling for content.<\/p>\n<p>It thus always beneficial to try to keep a few steps ahead, in terms having already recorded episodes that require editing, as opposed to adopting a \u2018just-in-time\u2019 approach as one\u2019s modus operandi. Just-in-time recordings are useful when trying to join a conversation on topical issues, but it is important to have a back plan \u2013 just in case those best laid plans go awry.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Image credit:\u00a0 Circe Denyer (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.publicdomainpictures.net\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public Domain Pictures.net<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The ICT Pulse Podcast recently celebrated its 100th episode. Over the nearly two years of producing the Podcast, there have been several takeaways. Here are the top five. &nbsp; On [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":132801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[71,205,48,204,34,323],"class_list":["post-151911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ict-tech","tag-businesses","tag-entrepreneurship-2","tag-infrastructure","tag-innovation-2","tag-lists-2","tag-podcasting","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/podcast-microphone-definition-Circe-Denyer-Public-Domain-Pictures.net_.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-Dwb","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151911"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152088,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151911\/revisions\/152088"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}