Summary

In this episode, Quality Talks & The QA Hype Show come together for a special collaboration. Host Stu Day & Gary Shannon, welcome Rosie Sherry, CEO and Founder of Ministry of Testing to talk about all things TestBash.

Together they discuss the upcoming TestBash conference in October sharing personal stories about how Test Bash has impacted their careers and lives in different ways.

The conversations touches on the continued evolution of TestBash over more than 10 years emphasising the importance of community, learning, and engagement whilst introducing new initiatives, and the fun, gamified elements that make the event one of a kind.

The hosts end by sharing their reasons to encourage listeners to attend and experience the vibrant atmosphere and valuable connections that Test Bash provides.

Takeaways

1. Test Bash is not just a conference; it's a community.
2. The event fosters personal and professional growth.
3. Engagement and interaction are key components of TestBash.
4. Quality engineering is a central theme of the upcoming conference.
5. The community aspect of TestBash sets it apart from other conferences.
6. Leadership initiatives are being introduced to support industry leaders.
7. Gamification elements will enhance the attendee experience.
8. Networking opportunities abound at Test Bash, making it easy to connect with others.
9. The atmosphere at Test Bash is electric and welcoming.
10. Attendees leave Test Bash feeling inspired and connected.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to TestBash and Community Engagement

02:35 - The Evolution of TestBash: From Concept to Community

05:26 - The Unique Atmosphere of TestBash

08:22 - Building a Year-Round Community

11:12 - Leadership Initiatives and Future Directions

27:57 - Quality Mindset in Product and Engineering

29:31 - Excitement for TestBash

31:29 - Engaging with the Community

33:08 - The Role of Sponsors

35:16 - Innovative Swag and Gamification

37:59 - Creating Lasting Memories

40:08 - Why Attend Test Bash?

44:01 - Closing Statements from Gary, Stu and Rosie

52:00 - We Out!!

Summary

In this episode of Quality Talks, Stu Day discusses the essential tips for new leaders, particularly in the quality space.

He emphasizes the importance of shifting one's mindset when transitioning into leadership, building strong relationships based on trust, collaborating on strategy development, investing in people, and prioritising self-care.

These insights are drawn from his extensive experience in leadership roles and aim to provide guidance for both new and seasoned leaders.

Takeaways

1. Transitioning into leadership requires a mindset shift.
2. Building relationships is crucial for trust and team dynamics.
3. Collaborative strategy development enhances buy-in and effectiveness.
4. Investing in people is the foundation of successful leadership.
5. Self-care is essential for maintaining leadership effectiveness.
6. Understanding individual team members' needs fosters a supportive environment.
7. Creating opportunities for others is a key leadership responsibility.
8. Leadership can be lonely; building alliances is important.
9. Inclusivity in strategy development leads to better outcomes.
10. Reflection and self-awareness are vital for personal growth in leadership.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Context

03:47 - Shifting the Mindset

08:05 - Building Relationships as a Leader

12:23 - Co-create the vision and strategy

18:17 - Investing in People

25:25 - Self-Care for Leaders

32:19 - End

In this episode of Quality Talks, host Stu Day engages with Ayesha Saeed, a senior accessibility specialist and test lead, to discuss the importance of accessibility in software development.

They explore Ayesha's journey into accessibility, the challenges of promoting it within teams, and the significance of empathy in understanding user experiences.

The conversation also covers practical strategies for integrating accessibility into development processes, training teams, and measuring the impact of accessibility initiatives.

Ayesha emphasises the need for incremental changes and community engagement, encouraging listeners to start small and build their knowledge over time.

Links and Learning Resources:

Connect with Ayesha - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-saeed-946821155

Get to know Ayesha - https://www.solirius.com/post/meet-the-team-ayesha-saeed

Article: https://www.solirius.com/post/unlocking-the-web-start-your-journey-into-digital-accessibilityChampions of

Accessibility Network: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12499821

Takeaways

1. Accessibility is a broad topic that impacts everyone.
2. Empathy is crucial in understanding user experiences.
3. Automated testing only catches a fraction of accessibility issues.
4. Training teams on accessibility requires tailored approaches.
5. Building a culture of accessibility is essential for success.
6. Start small and gradually increase your knowledge of accessibility.
7. Community engagement can enhance understanding and advocacy for accessibility.
8. Accessibility should be integrated into all stages of development.
9. Measuring the impact of accessibility training is challenging but necessary.
10. You don't have to be an expert to advocate for accessibility.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Accessibility in Tech

01:48 Ayesha Saeed's Journey in Accessibility

13:01 Understanding Accessibility Beyond Tech

16:25 The Importance of Empathy in Accessibility

18:54 Engaging Teams Early in Accessibility

29:51 Diverse Testing Approaches for Accessibility

32:32 Understanding User Testing and Accessibility

35:18 Common Accessibility Issues in Web Design

40:06 Prioritising Accessibility Issues

44:50 Educating Teams on Accessibility

50:53 Measuring the Impact of Accessibility Training

55:49 Future Trends in Accessibility Testing