Networking In IT

The Telecom Industry in Transformation: Reflecting on three key challenges: Digitalisation and evolving consumer needs are transforming many sectors, with the telecom industry being no exception. In response to this dynamic landscape, I would like to share three technology challenges the telco industry must engage with over the coming years:   1) EMBRACING THE CLOUD: The development of cloud-native services for telecom functions such as voice and data is a huge challenge. This involves refactoring our traditional network hardware and monolithic telephony systems, moving everything into the cloud, and changing to devops working models. The payoff? Flexibility, faster service updates, resiliance, and the facilitation of personalised interaction options for our clients. Yet, we must overcome many transformation hurdles. The implementation of virtualisation and automation technologies requires a complete update of our network architecture, new product versions from our vendors, as well as a lot of skill and competency changes for our employees.   2) NAVIGATING THE AI WAVE The advent of #GenAI provides the telecom industry with an array of tools and services. AI can enhance efficiency across numerous areas from chatbots, AI-assisted call center agents, hyper-personalized marketing strategies, to optimized network maintenance. However, beyond efficiency, AI also holds the potential to introduce innovative services benefiting the end customer. Trust, privacy, and transparent handling of customer data are key to the acceptance of these new features.   3) ENSURING TRUST AND SECURITY The potentially most significant challenge ahead is maintaining robust security and customer trust. With hundredthousands of cyber attacks per month on our own Swisscom infrastructure and projected global damage from cyberattacks reaching USD 10 trillion per annum by 2025, security is paramount. In the future, trust-based innovation will be the competitive edge for telecoms and IT service providers. Earning trust is an ongoing, hard-pressed task that cannot be simply bought or created through marketing campaigns.   Achieving these challenges will require one crucial element - our employees. Developing the right skill set and a supportive corporate culture is key to handling such transformative pressures.   What challenges do you see for the telecom industry? How are these mirrored in your field? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Swisscom #TelecomIndustry #Transformation #CloudTechnology #CyberSecurity #InnovatorsOfTrust 

Rumors are swirling that Deutsche Telekom (DT) is considering a full combination with T-Mobile US. While DT already holds a controlling majority of approximately 53%, this move could create a unified, corporate powerhouse, potentially the world’s largest telecom group beating China Mobile Limited. Here is what the "Mega-Merger" may mean: 1️⃣ Currently, the two entities operate with separate listings and complex cross- structures. A full combination would likely involve a new holding company making a stock bid for both. This isn't just about size; DT shares trade at well below the earning-multiple of T-Mobile (T-mobile contributes the bulk of its profits). 2️⃣ Reports suggest the combined entity might seek a primary listing in the US alongside a major European exchange. But as we have seen, these deals involve a lot of negotiations, regulatory hurdles and need political support. 3️⃣ If completed, this would be the largest-ever public M&A transaction in the sector. Is it a bet that in a world of AI-driven networks and global data needs, being a "regional" player is no longer enough? The companies are collaborating on future technologies, including a joint 6G Innovation Hub focused on AI-native networks. What do you think? 🥊 Does a "Full Combination" make sense for DT to finally capture the full value of the US market, or does the political and regulatory hurdle make this a bridge too far?

What’s the hidden cost of “waiting until next quarter” to fix your telco’s data stack? For telcos, the delay is rarely just technical. It’s strategic. Every month spent wrestling with siloed systems, fragmented governance, and architectural debt compounds your risk — and drains opportunity. Learn more about it here – https://lnkd.in/d8PyHj-2 That’s the central theme of Witboost’s latest whitepaper on Digital Transformation in Telecommunications, which I had a chance to review this week. It unpacks the 7 persistent challenges that telecom operators face — and why the status quo isn’t just inefficient, it’s unsustainable: - Network downtime costing $1.2M/hour - Redundant data initiatives increasing OpEx - Misaligned IT, data, and business teams stalling execution - Inability to use even 10% of the data they generate But what makes this paper powerful isn’t just the diagnosis — it’s the playbook for action. Here are three ideas that stood out to me: 1️⃣ From Centralized Governance to Computational Governance Legacy governance assumes a central authority can review everything. But that doesn’t scale. Computational governance applies policies at runtime, creating real-time compliance and freeing up teams to move faster. 2️⃣ Decentralization with Accountability Telcos must move toward domain-based decentralization. That doesn’t mean chaos — it means data product teams owning quality, access, and policy. This creates natural boundaries with clear responsibility. 3️⃣ Transformation via Use Case Pathways The report argues that “big bang” transformations rarely succeed. Instead, telcos should start with high-impact use cases (like churn reduction, AI-driven NOC analytics, or API monetization) and build maturity over 18+ months. The best part? It provides a maturity model and a realistic 3-phase roadmap—from laying the foundation to scaling and optimizing. This is essential reading for: CDOs and Chief Transformation Officers Heads of Architecture, AI, or Data Engineering Anyone leading platform modernization or customer experience in telecom 📘 Link to download the report: https://lnkd.in/d8PyHj-2 I’d love to hear: What’s one roadblock your org keeps running into when it comes to scaling data use in telco?

If you run a small business, networking isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s an investment. Over the past year, I’ve attended events from an Amazon Web Services (AWS) soccer game to an American Express panel, and even a LinkedIn for Marketing launch party in NYC. One thing became clear: the connections you make and how you nurture them, can shape your business in ways you don’t see immediately. Here are 5 strategies that have made a real difference for Brkaway: Invest in conversations, not contacts. Showing up isn’t enough. At the AWS soccer game, I spent halftime asking people about their businesses and challenges instead of pitching Brkaway. That curiosity opened doors, sparked insights, and reinforced a simple truth: networking is about investing in others first. One warm introduction can change everything. Referrals and intros have outsized impact. A single connection might lead to a client, partner, or advice that saves months of trial and error. Showing up in the right rooms consistently keeps your business top of mind with the people who matter. Listen more than you pitch. At events like the AMEX panel, listening carefully was more powerful than rehearsing my elevator pitch. When you focus on understanding what others need, you build trust and credibility. People remember how you made them feel, not your elevator pitch. The best connections happen in between. At the NYC launch party, some of the most valuable conversations happened casually.. waiting for elevators, grabbing a drink, walking between spaces. Casual, unscripted moments often lead to more authentic relationships than formal networking. Follow up or it didn’t happen. Meeting someone is just the start. The real investment comes afterward: connecting on LinkedIn, tracking conversations, setting reminders, and engaging with people’s content. That’s how relationships grow into opportunities. Remember, networking isn’t a checkbox. It’s equity in your business. 

Most specialist firms chase direct government contracts. We chose a different path. At Mayfair IT we work primarily through strategic partnerships with major systems integrators delivering government programmes. This isn't the obvious business model. Direct government relationships feel more prestigious. Why be the subcontractor when you could be the prime? Because complex transformation requires both scale and specialism. And trying to be both rarely works. Strategic suppliers bring programme governance, stakeholder management across departments, and infrastructure at national scale. But they can't be deep specialists in every technical domain. That's where we fit. When a prime needed to build the data backbone for a critical government programme in just three months, we delivered. When a major corporate secured a multi-year departmental transformation, we led the data and digital layer that enabled the programme to succeed. This model works because: → We mobilise specialist squads rapidly without the overhead of prime contractor bureaucracy → We integrate into existing programme structures rather than creating parallel governance → We transfer knowledge systematically so capability stays with the client after delivery Our successful deliveries shows this pattern repeatedly. A major corporate won the programme. We delivered the complex data workstream that made the whole thing succeed. The programmes that work best are the ones that combine corporate scale with specialist depth. What's your experience with prime sub models on large programmes? #GovTech #Partnership #DataTransformation

Most people “network” only when they need something. Leaders, on the other hand, nurture networks long before they need them. Here’s how to build genuine, lasting connections 👇 🔠 Acronym: N.E.T.W.O.R.K. N – Notice before you approach Observe who’s in the room. Notice energy, conversations, and who’s connecting with whom. Awareness builds alignment. E – Engage with curiosity Ask thoughtful questions instead of rehearsed elevator pitches. Curiosity makes you memorable; self-promotion doesn’t. T – Tailor your tone Match your tone and pace to the listener. The best communicators adjust, not dominate. W – Warm introductions win If you’re new, find mutual connections. A warm referral opens doors faster than a cold message ever will. O – Offer before you ask Give first — a resource, advice, or simply appreciation. Reciprocity is the silent law of influence. R – Remember and reconnect Follow up after the event — a short message, a shared article, or a compliment. Relationships die in silence. K – Keep it authentic You can’t fake interest for long. People feel energy — be real, not rehearsed. 💡 Quick Tricks: ✅ 1. Arrive early — easier to talk before the crowd builds. ✅ 2. Carry a story, not a CV. ✅ 3. Smile with your eyes, not just your lips. ✅ 4. Remember one unique detail about each person. ✅ 5. Always exit conversations gracefully: “It was great speaking with you — I’d love to stay in touch.” Networking is not about collecting cards. It’s about collecting connections that turn into collaborations. #Networking #Leadership #ExecutivePresence #CommunicationSkills #SoftSkills #Influence #PersonalBranding #ImageCoachShivani

One of the most underused strategies in business development is bringing people together around a theme. Think about it. Everyone is busy. Everyone gets invited to another reception or cocktail party. Most people say no because they know the value will be surface level. But when you create something intentional, something smaller and more thoughtful, people notice. They make time. A dinner for women GCs in private equity. A roundtable of next generation dealmakers. A conversation between founders and investors who have successfully scaled. These kinds of gatherings give people the chance to connect with peers who understand their challenges. They create space for conversations that don’t happen in a big room. And here’s the part many professionals miss — when you’re the one convening, you’re not just building your own network. You’re helping others expand theirs. You become known as someone who creates opportunities. That’s memorable. It makes people want to stay close to you and your organization because being connected to you means access to something bigger. But it doesn’t end with the event. The real business development happens in what you do afterward. ✔️ If two people hit it off, follow up and connect them directly. ✔️ Share a quick recap of themes from the evening to keep the conversation alive. ✔️ Create touchpoints — an article, a coffee, an invite to the next dinner. ✔️ Build continuity with a series so people look forward to the next one. ✔️ Share high level highlights on LinkedIn to reinforce your role as the connector. Bringing people together in the right way isn’t just about networking. It’s about creating community. And the professionals who do this well strengthen relationships, build influence and grow their business in ways that feel natural. Let me know when you think of this tip and if you will try it! #BusinessDevelopment #ClientDevelopment #Networking #LegalMarketing

After securing partnerships with over 90 companies and building a portfolio of over $4 billion worth of investment deals in my career, I’ve learned that strategic partnerships are not just beneficial—they’re pivotal.    Here are three secrets to forging million-dollar partnerships that can help you achieve a similar feat:    1. Understand Your Unique Value Proposition: Before approaching potential partners, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of what unique value your business brings to the table. This will help you articulate why a partnership with you is beneficial, making it easier to attract high-value partners.    2.Align Goals and Values: Successful partnerships are built on shared goals and values. Ensure that your potential partner’s vision aligns with yours. This alignment fosters trust and collaboration, leading to long-term success.    3. Leverage Mutual Strengths: The best partnerships are those where both parties bring complementary strengths to the table. Identify areas where your partner excels and see how these can augment your business capabilities.    Partnerships have been the cornerstone of my growth strategy, helping me unlock new markets and drive significant growth.    Don't wait until you feel 'ready'—start building those relationships now.    #BusinessStrategy #Partnerships #Growth #BrandBuilding #ThePathRedefined

Most people think networking is how you get ahead - NO. Strategic Project Leaders create value and leaders seek them out; hence, their network grows— that is why they rise. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬, 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬. Executives and decision-makers are not impressed by flattery or forced small talk. They are moved by : ✔️clarity, ✔️ relevance, ✔️your ability to help them think differently or move faster toward a goal. This is where most professionals get it wrong: They network to be seen, instead of networking to be of service. When you shift your mindset from “How can this help me?” to “How can I create strategic value for this person or organisation?”—everything changes. 🪀Doors open. 🪀Conversations go deeper. 🪀Opportunities multiply. Strategic networking is not about volume—it is about intention. It is not only about visibility—it is about value to others. That is how I built relationships with leaders I once thought were out of reach. That is how you position yourself as someone worth aligning with. 👉Not just a professional. 👉Not just a contact. 👉A catalyst. Want to learn how to create value that builds networks like a Strategic Project Leader? Let’s talk. I will show you how I do it—and how you can too. #FolaElevates #StrategicLeadership #Networking #ProjectLeadership #StrategicElites #CareerAcceleration #ProjectIntelligence ----------------------- Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist, also notes that successful networking is not about climbing the social ladder but creating meaningful, reciprocal relationships. This aligns with research from the Journal of Management Studies, which found that leaders with diverse networks are better positioned to identify and leverage new opportunities.

Designing Microsoft Azure networks isn’t about creating address spaces—it’s about building deterministic, scalable connectivity foundations. At the core, an Azure Virtual Network should follow intent-driven segmentation, not legacy VLAN thinking. Avoid “flat VNets.” Instead, design subnets based on function and policy boundaries: * Workload subnets (VMs, AKS nodes) * Platform subnets (Azure Firewall, Application Gateway, Bastion) * Private Endpoint subnets (isolate PaaS ingress) Subnet sizing is often underestimated. Plan for growth + IP consumption by platform services (e.g., Azure Kubernetes Service, Private Endpoints). A /24 per critical tier is a practical baseline in enterprise environments. Routing strategy is critical. Use User Defined Routes (UDRs) to enforce traffic inspection via Azure Firewall or NVA. Combine this with forced tunneling patterns when regulatory control is required. For name resolution, never rely on default Azure DNS alone. Introduce centralized DNS (Azure Private DNS + custom resolvers) to support hybrid and multi-cloud scenarios. This becomes essential when integrating Private Link. Speaking of Private Link: treat Azure Private Endpoint as the default for PaaS access. Disable public endpoints wherever possible and enforce access via private IP space. Security boundaries = NSGs + ASGs, but don’t stop there. Use: * Layered NSGs (subnet + NIC) * Application Security Groups for dynamic workloads * Deny-by-default policies For scale, separate concerns using hub-and-spoke or Virtual WAN architectures. Never mix shared services and workloads in the same subnet or VNet unless there’s a very explicit reason. Finally: IP addressing strategy must be global. Overlapping CIDRs will kill hybrid/multi-cloud designs later. Bottom line: VNets are not just containers—they are your network control plane. Design them like you would design a datacenter fabric. #Azure #MicrosoftAzure #CloudArchitecture #CloudNetworking #AzureNetworking #VirtualNetwork #SubnetDesign #CloudSecurity #ZeroTrust #PrivateLink #AzureFirewall #HubAndSpoke #NetworkDesign #CloudInfrastructure #EnterpriseIT #CloudStrategy #HybridCloud #MultiCloud #InfrastructureAsCode #AzureArchitecture #CloudBestPractices