Chris Hall of Stacuity: Silencing the Skeptics

Chris Hall of Stacuity: Silencing the Skeptics

Author: Dr. Laura Sicola October 3, 2023 Duration: 31:29

This week,Chris Hall, Chairman and Co-Founder of Stacuity Ltd. describes the
challenges of being a small startup grappling with geographical bias in the tech industry,
and the need to convince others of their credibility in spite of these biases.

In this episode you will learn:

  • How they are trying to change the perception of the industry by offering a better
    and more efficient network specifically designed for IoT.
  • The importance of storytelling and the power of asserting oneself in a
    conversation.

Chris shared his experience of convincing skeptical, traditional telecom engineers about the significance of embracing the internet, which ultimately led to successful implementation and adoption.


24 Hour Challenge:

Chris also challenged the listeners to practice concise communication in their own
presentations, emails, and conversations - whatever you are composing, try to cut it in
half!


About Chris Hall:
Chris has worked in the telecommunications sector since graduating from Cambridge
University in 1984. He has held senior roles for British Telecom and O2 in the UK and
Europe, before moving to the Isle of Man in 1999 to become CEO of Manx Telecom.

In 2000, he led a ground-breaking project to build and launch Europe’s first commercial
3G mobile network. The 3G showcase generated a huge amount of interest from the
industry, media and customers and generated valuable learning and insight for Manx
Telecoms parent company, O2 which was used to shape their 3G rollout plans in the UK
and Europe.

In 2011 he returned to his entrepreneurial roots. He is an active angel investor with a
portfolio of investments in early-stage technology start-ups and is co-founder and
chairman at Stacuity Limited, a new venture providing programmable IoT connectivity.

He is also a Board member/advisor for companies across various sectors and is
Chairman of Hospice Isle of Man.

You can connect with Chris in the following ways:

  • Web: www.stacuity.com
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishallcando/

You can connect with Laura in the following ways:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlaurasicola
  • LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vocal-impact-productions/
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VocalImpactProductions
  • Facebook: Vocal Impact Productions
  • Twitter: @LauraSicola
  • Instagram: @VocalImpactProductions
  • Website: https://speakingtoinfluence.com/podcast/
  • Laura’s Online Course: virtualinfluence.today

Speaking to Influence features conversations about the tangible mechanics of leadership communication, moving beyond theory into practical application. Host Dr. Laura Sicola, an expert in linguistic influence, guides discussions that dissect how language, tone, and presence directly impact credibility and outcomes. Each episode brings a perspective from seasoned executives and industry figures who share their real-world experiences-not just their successes, but the nuanced moments where a single conversation changed a trajectory. The focus here is on the actionable: how to structure a message for a skeptical board, modulate your voice to convey authority without arrogance, and read a room to pivot your approach in real time. This isn't about generic public speaking tips; it's a deep exploration of the strategic choices behind influential speech. Listeners gain access to a toolkit for building confidence, commanding attention, and achieving specific professional results through more intentional communication. The podcast operates at the intersection of business strategy, personal development, and the often-overlooked technical art of persuasion, making it relevant for anyone whose role requires them to lead, sell, or inspire through spoken word. Dr. Sicola's background provides a unique lens, ensuring every conversation yields insights you can use immediately to refine your own impact.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Speaking to Influence
Podcast Episodes
Scott Miller of YESLY Water: Cultivating a ‘We’ Culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:12
Scott Miller is the guest on this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence. The Co-Founder and CEO of YESLY Water speaks to Laura about how he handled pushback and set boundaries to move forward. In this episode you will…
Johann Wrede of Emburse: The Power of Experience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:47
Joining Laura on this week’s episode of ‘Speaking to Influence’ is Johann Wrede, Chief Experience Officer at Emburse. Johann shares how he manages group dynamics among key stakeholders to keep them from hijacking meeting…
Dr. Laura Sicola: The Big Reveal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
Happy New Year! Dr. Laura Sicola is back with Part II: The Big Reveal. In this episode, she unveils her rebranding journey, discussing the issues and challenges her Vocal Impact brand had, and introduces the audience to…
Sneak Peek - What's Even Better than VIP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
Dr. Laura Sicola: Sneak Peek- What’s Even Better than VIP? This week, join Dr. Laura Sicola for Part I of a two part series where she talks about defining and claiming your brand…or more specifically, HER brand! Join us…
Clate Mask of Keap: When It’s Time to Stop Trying to Persuade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:33
On this week’s episode of Speaking to Influence, join Clate Mask, CEO of Keap Small Business Automation, as he tells Laura about when he knew it was time to put his career on the line by giving an ultimatum to his compan…
Anu Muralidharan of Expensify: A Human ‘Swiss-Army Knife’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:44
This week on ‘Speaking to Influence,’ Dr. Laura is joined by COO of Expensify, Anu Muralidharan, where Anu shares how she was able to build momentum in her company by having everyone identify their own unique value, and…