In this episode of the Plain Sight Podcast, Stewart Alsop welcomes guest Jessica Waters, Operations Manager at Invisible Technologies. They discuss Jessica's recruitment story and her transition from remote work into the world of AI. Jessica highlights her journey to becoming an AI-enabled worker and shares insights on the transformative role of software in operations. They delve into the organisational communication setup at Invisible Technologies and discuss the potential of AI in revolutionising the workspace. Jessica also shares their experience working with an entirely global team and discusses her philosophy on meeting people where they are and understanding different cultural contexts. The conversation furthers with them discussing the nuances of knowledge and information management, the merits of AI enablement and the promising future they foresee in its adoption.

00:02 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:15 Guest's Journey to Invisible Technologies

02:07 Operations at Invisible Technologies

04:22 Creating Cohesion in a Diverse Team

07:17 The Global Reach of Invisible Technologies

08:49 The Impact of Remote Work

14:55 The Importance of English Proficiency

17:05 The Challenges of Knowledge Management

21:46 The Promise of AI Enablement

27:11 The Future of AI and Invisible Technologies

43:27 Closing Remarks



Key Points

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  COVID-19 and the Shift to Remote Work:

  
  
  • Jessica's life changed in 2020 when she relocated internationally.
  
  
  • She committed to full-time remote work, seeking a job that allowed for complete location independence.
  
  
  
  


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  The Job Hunt and Joining Invisible:

  
  
  • After sifting through numerous undesirable jobs, Jessica began interviewing, first with Marshall, followed by Amy, Cameron, and finally Francis.
  
  
  • She noted the interviews felt less like a traditional job process and more like a cultural fit evaluation.
  
  
  • Jessica was hired in August 2021, specifically to assist with DoorDash's scaling operations.
  
  
  
  


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  Operations at Invisible vs. Entrepreneurship:

  
  
  • Jessica's background as an entrepreneur meant she was accustomed to setting her own pace and making decisions autonomously.
  
  
  • At Invisible, she found the challenge of working within a team dynamic, striving for cohesion among strong-minded individuals.
  
  
  
  


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  Creating Team Cohesion:

  
  
  • She emphasizes the importance of a learning mindset within her team.
  
  
  • Hierarchies are respected, but there's an open exchange of knowledge and experience that facilitates problem-solving.
  
  
  
  


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  Global Team Dynamics:

  
  
  • Jessica leads a global team with members predominantly in Africa and the Philippines.
  
  
  • She discusses the unique opportunities that remote work provides to individuals in less developed countries.
  
  
  
  


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  Remote Work and Its Impact:

  
  
  • Jessica touched upon the transformative power of remote work for people in developing nations.
  
  
  • The opportunity to work remotely and earn a stable income can be life-changing, providing basic needs and elevating the quality of life.
  
  
  
  


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  Cultural Sensitivity and Communication:

  
  
  • Having lived abroad, Jessica understands the nuances of cross-cultural communication.
  
  
  • She emphasizes the importance of slowing down and meeting people where they are, recognizing the diversity of meanings behind the same language.
  
  
  
  


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  AI Enablement at Invisible:

  
  
  • Jessica expresses excitement about AI and its potential to create efficient solutions.
  
  
  • She envisions a future where AI can streamline operations and aid in scaling up projects.