In this episode of The OCTOPod, Tim Russell, Chief Technologist at CDW, is joined by Sophia Swain, CTO at Leaders Romans Group, to explore the real-world realities of hybrid working, employee enablement, and what it truly takes to create a productive, inclusive digital workplace.
Forget the buzzwords—this episode cuts through the noise to reveal:
Why choice and flexibility are essential in the modern workplace
How hybrid working is evolving beyond fixed rules and rigid policies
Why technology still isn’t fully meeting the needs of today’s diverse workforce
How AI, collaboration platforms, and smarter tooling are (slowly) closing the equity gap in meetings
Why employee experience and enablement must be part of your retention and recruitment strategy
And how the “first 10 minutes of someone’s day” can set the tone for productivity—or frustration
🎯 Key Takeaway:
Hybrid working isn’t just about location. It’s about experience, empowerment, and giving people the tools—and trust—they need to thrive.
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19:39
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19:39
Outdated to Compliant: Fixing the Final Mile & Embracing Martyn’s Law
In this episode of The OCTOPod, Tim Russell is joined by Ryan Zoehner, CEO of Algo, to unpack two critical and timely topics affecting IT, security, and facilities teams alike:
The Legacy Communications Challenge
Why are so many organisations still struggling to complete their migration from outdated comms infrastructure to modern cloud-based platforms? Tim and Ryan explore:
Why 46% of UK businesses haven’t yet modernised their comms stack
The often-overlooked “final mile” blockers—from door entry systems to public address equipment
How Algo’s smart endpoints (speakers, strobes, intercoms) can extend the value of Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex and more
The importance of stakeholder alignment and breaking down organisational silos between IT, security, and facilities
How inclusive, visual alerting can drive a more equitable and efficient workplace experience
Understanding Martyn’s Law (UK 2025)
The conversation then shifts to Martyn’s Law—new UK legislation mandating clear emergency communication and response plans for any public premises expected to host 200+ people. Tim and Ryan cover:
What the law requires—and what it doesn’t explicitly dictate
Why this is not just a compliance issue—but a chance to enhance safety, experience, and operational efficiency
How existing cloud communication platforms can be extended with smart endpoints to meet the law’s intent
Lessons learned from similar laws abroad (e.g. Alyssa’s Law in the US)
A practical roadmap for getting started with zero re-skilling and minimal budget impact
Let CDW and Algo help you connect the dots—because resilience, communication, and safety aren’t just IT issues anymore.
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18:28
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18:28
Digital Resilience = Business Resilience - Part 3
In the final episode of our three-part Cisco 2025 series, we go straight to the heart of the conversation: digital resilience—why it’s no longer a technology discussion, but a critical business necessity.
You'll hear from:
Rob Sims - Chief Technologist, CDW
Joachim Mason - Managing Director, Partner Sales, Cisco UK & Ireland
Scott Manson - Director of Cyber Security and Resilience
Ged Fitton Leader - Cloud Infrastructure & Software Group (CISG)
Together, the panel explores how:
Digital downtime can now lead to life-threatening scenarios, societal disruption, and brand collapse
Observability is no longer a luxury, but a core component of any resilient IT architecture
Tech debt and outdated infrastructure are quietly sabotaging business resilience
Cisco’s strategic acquisitions (like Splunk, ThousandEyes, AppDynamics, and Isovalent) are reshaping how security, operations, and data insight come together
A true platform approach is needed to fight AI-powered adversaries and deliver machine-speed protection
This is not the Cisco of ten years ago. This is a new, modern Cisco—focused on digital resilience, powered by platforms, and built for the future.
Catch up on Parts 1 & 2 if you missed them—and get ready to lead your organisation into a more resilient, intelligent, and secure tomorrow.
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17:49
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17:49
Digital Resilience = Business Resilience - Part 2
In Part 2 of our Cisco 2025 special, we continue the conversation on digital resilience as business resilience, this time focusing on the hybrid cloud, modern data centres, and preparing for the future of AI-powered workloads.
You'll hear from:
Rob Sims - Chief Technologist, CDW
Joachim Mason - Managing Director, Partner Sales, Cisco UK & Ireland
Scott Manson - Director of Cyber Security and Resilience
Ged Fitton Leader - Cloud Infrastructure & Software Group (CISG)
Together, they break down:
Why the term AI-Ready Data Centre matters – and what “ready” actually means
The resurgence of hybrid cloud and why workload placement still matters in 2025
Why virtual machines aren’t going anywhere—yet—and how containers are changing the game
Cisco’s approach to simplification through silicon, partnerships (NVIDIA, Nutanix, etc.), and validated designs
How Cisco’s own silicon strategy gives customers choice, performance, and control
The importance of observability and security in every data strategy
Why “outcome-led” thinking is critical for building resilient infrastructure—especially when preparing for AI
Don’t miss Part 3, where we unpack digital resilience in detail—from threat response to observability and the future of secure, connected enterprise environments.
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18:21
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18:21
Digital Resilience = Business Resilience - Part1
In this special three-part series, Rob Sims is joined by a powerhouse panel from Cisco to unpack one of the most pressing topics facing every business today: digital resilience as the foundation of business resilience.
In Part 1, we explore the real-world pressures shaping strategy in 2025—from cybersecurity and AI hype, to data centre complexity and decision paralysis. You'll hear from:
Rob Sims - Chief Technologist, CDW
Joachim Mason - Managing Director, Partner Sales, Cisco UK & Ireland
Scott Manson - Director of Cyber Security and Resilience
Ged Fitton Leader - Cloud Infrastructure & Software Group (CISG)
Together, they share unfiltered insights from the field, discussing how geopolitical shocks, shifting workforces, and AI-fuelled transformation are converging to reshape how organisations must think about resilience.
Key talking points include:
Why tech complexity is paralysing decision-making—and how to overcome it
The AI-ready data centre: hype vs. reality
Cisco’s internal transformation and its focus on platform, silicon, and AI
Why partnerships (not paper-based processes) are the key to delivering real outcomes
Top tips to simplify complexity and drive digital progress
This is not a product pitch—it’s a deep dive into strategic alignment, practical advice, and what it really takes to thrive in the face of constant disruption.
Tune in, take notes, and get ready for Part 2, where we dig deeper into the AI-ready data centre and the power of silicon-led transformation.
Welcome to The CDW UK OCTOPOD, your go-to source for the latest technology innovations. In each episode, experts from CDW and our trusted partners explore hot topics like Generative AI, Hybrid Cloud, Cybersecurity, Service Optimisation and Modern Work.
Backed by CDW’s Office of the CTO, we dive deep into trending tech, break down the news you need and provide actionable insights to apply right away. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or simply curious about the digital world, OCTOPOD will help you harness technology to drive growth in today’s fast-evolving landscape.
All thoughts and opinions on this podcast are those of the CDW UK Office of the CTO and provide independent viewpoints.
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