James Bergin

I am a Kiwi Catholic geek and hobbyist photographer, working in IT architecture, engineering and strategy in the world of business software and platforms from here in New Zealand. (More about me...) Please note: my thoughts and opinions are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer. Links are not necessarily endorsements.

[jamesbergin]

Technology Evolution at Work

How does emerging technology change our work over time, really?

I captured some of my thoughts on the evolution of technology and our use of it, and how it doesn't always go as we would expect.

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Modelling motivation

A framework for capturing and clarifying often muddled terms in business and in life

At the start of a year, there is a model I keep coming back to - both personally and professionally. It's a framework that helps clarify a bunch of concepts and words that are often used interchangeably. Words like "vision", "strategy", "mission" and "goal". It's called the BMM, and I wrote about it on Substack.

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Dealing with ambiguity

Looking at the role of leadership in managing and, in some cases, removing one of the hallmarks of modern business

I finally wrote down some of my thoughts on ambiguity in the working world, and the need to distinguish between the authentic and the artificial.

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What does the A in AI stand for, really?

Thinking about the relationship between humankind and our super-powered tools

In this post, I try to take a step back and take a different look at artificial intelligence and its potential for positive (even superhuman) impact in enhancing our ability to do good.

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Ikigai and finding purpose in the small things

Looking at your strengths, your work and your development in the context of your life

Ikigai is one of my favourite frameworks, so I thought I'd share some thoughts on finding purpose in your work as the year wraps up.

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EP#212 ~ Highlights from Xerocon 2023 ~ What will be the impact of AI on the Fintech industry and small business?

Small Biz Matters: People, Policy, Purpose ~ Episode #212 Broadcast date: 7th November 2023 Host: Alexi Boyd, Small Business Advocate &

A few months ago, on the very busy Xerocon Sydney exhibition hall floor, I was interviewed by Alexi Boyd on the Small Biz Matters podcast. We had a great chat about emerging tech (including #ai, of course) and the episode has now gone live.

[jamesbergin]

SHAMROCK experimentation

A lightweight framework for encouraging a more structured approach to experimentation with emerging technology in a business context.

After some questions I received on a recent conference panel, I thought I should capture some of my thoughts on experimentation with technology in business.

[jamesbergin]

Bridging Between Worlds?

Capturing my thoughts on what this means, and why write about it, and why now.

On some prompting from a good colleague of mine, I have opened a Substack and will try to write a few things there on my learnings over my career (and life) so far.

[jamesbergin]

Interview: How business REALLY feels about AI - FEAR & GREED | Business News

Right now, everybody’s talking about AI. The conversation ranges from the global challenges over regulation, right through to how businesses

I really enjoyed talking with Jennifer Duke on the Fear & Greed podcast. We spoke about some of the findings from the recent research conducted by Xero where we surveyed small businesses to find out their thoughts (and concerns) relating to #AI.

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How small businesses are navigating AI | Xero Blog

Xero research shows 80% of small businesses globally are concerned about AI development and adoption outpacing regulation.

The hype around artificial intelligence (AI) is making small businesses feel that its development and adoption is moving at lightning speed. In fact, the research we did at Xero shows that 80% of small business owners globally are concerned that the fast pace and nature of AI is leaving regulation in the dust. They told us they want governments to do more, given the potential big impact to industries and the workforce. I write more about it in this post.

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Why small businesses can hold fire on the metaverse (for now)

There’s many things for small and medium businesses to consider in 2023, but moving their business into the metaverse might not be one of th

With all the buzz flying around Apple's Vision Pro announcements, people are starting to talk about the #metaverse again...after all the talk this year being mostly about the explosion of generative AI tools that we have seen.

So does this mean that small businesses need to rush off and hire a Chief Metaverse Officer? Probably not just yet. 😉

As I wrote in Kochie's Business Builders, the deeply immersive and technological version of the metaverse that has been promised is still somewhere on the horizon. But it’s important to know what the metaverse is, what it isn’t and what it could be.

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Joined by Gateway.fm, SafePal, Xero, New York University and Hadean, here we explore how web3 is generating a new wave of fintech innovation.

I spoke with @thefintechtimes on what web3 tech could mean for innovation, and how small businesses can explore its transformative potential - especially by gathering rich and reliable information on financial health and cashflow.

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In this video in the #XeroFutureFocus series, I tackled 5 of the questions we have received relating to cryptocurrencies, NFTs and other related tech.

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This is the second video in our #XeroFutureFocus series.  In this one, I take a look at smart contracts and how the global supply chain can benefit from innovation in this area.

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Well, summer wasn’t super in Auckland. So, here’s hoping for a more awesome autumn. 😂

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This is the first in our #XeroFutureFocus series of videos.  In this one, I explore self-sovereign identity and its potential to really change things for people in small business.

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Introducing Future Focus

Decentralised technologies, cryptocurrencies, AI and responsible data use, the metaverse, cryptocurrency, where financial services are headed... technology i...

I’m pretty excited about this new education series we’re launching at Xero.  I get to explore some of the more emerging technologies with experts from around the world, and try to explain some of the concepts and the potential for people in small business and their advisers. More to come!