What has been your business/work highlight of 2024 so far?

Who is your business hero and why?

Melanie Perkins, the CEO of Canva, is someone I really look up to. She had this vision of making graphic design easy and accessible to everyone, and despite facing a lot of early rejections, she didn’t give up. Now, Canva is a tool that millions of people use every day to bring their ideas to life, whether they’re professional designers or complete beginners. What I love about Melanie’s story is how she stayed persistent and kept pushing forward, even when the road wasn’t easy. She’s a great example of how sticking to your vision can lead to something really big.

What’s the biggest business mistake you’ve made and what did you learn from it?

One of the biggest business mistakes I made was getting too caught up in tech jargon when communicating with clients and stakeholders. Early in my career, I was so excited about the possibilities of VR and immersive technologies that I often found myself diving into the technical details with everyone. What I quickly learned was that not everyone shares the same level of technical enthusiasm, and it might get confusing. The lesson? Always bring it back to the value the technology provides. People don’t always need to know how it works under the hood, they need to know how it’s going to make a difference for them.

What’s the most inspirational book you’ve ever read and why?

It has to be “Human Frontiers: The Future of Big Ideas in an Age of Small Thinking” by Michael Bhaskar. He talks about how big ideas drive the world forward, especially through technology and innovation. The book is a powerful reminder that if we want to make a real impact, we need to embrace bold, ambitious ideas that have the potential to truly change the game. Playing it safe doesn’t get you anywhere exciting!

What’s the biggest challenge you face in your role in 2024?

Getting past the stigma and scepticism that still surround VR, especially in education. Even with all the progress we’ve made, a lot of people still see VR as just a gimmick or something that’s only relevant for gaming, not as a serious tool that can transform how we learn and work. To tackle this, I’ve launched a “Myths vs. Facts” series to directly address the misconceptions. It’s definitely a challenge to change these ingrained perceptions, but it’s also a great opportunity. I’m focused on helping people see VR for what it truly is – a POWRFUL, game-changing technology.

What technology will have the greatest impact on your business this year and why?

Without a doubt, AI-enhanced VR. The combination of AI’s adaptability and VR’s immersive capabilities is a game-changer for immersive learning. It’s enabling us to create personalized, interactive learning experiences that are not only engaging but also incredibly effective.