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
Kurt Luidhardt, Co-Founder of the Prosper Group.  “Be Clear” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:36
This week Kurt Luidhardt shares how critical it is that you know who the decision makers are when you are working with a client. Kurt shared an example of when he and his team worked diligently on a pitch assuming that t…
Dave Scopinich of Audacy: Framing Your Pitch for Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:17
This week Dave Scopinich shares how radio reaches almost 90 percent of all Americans (he shared that the source was Nielsen) on a daily basis. That gives his team and clients the opportunity to create and deliver premium…
Yesi Morillo, Senior Vice President at Citibank: Stay Ready! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:01
This week, Yesi Morillo shares the importance of staying ready to take advantage of opportunities so that you are prepared for any moment to be able to discuss what you are working on. “The elevator is one of the most un…
Partnerships and Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:07
This week Christine Ostrowski shares how an almost two hundred year old school is continually adapting to improve the lives of their students and team. By treating employees like clients to understand what they need to g…
Giving Back and Making a Difference [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
In this week’s episode, Retired FDNY Battalion Chief John LaBarbera of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation board shares with Laura the important work that the foundation is doing and the obstacles that they face including wi…
Humor and Executive Presence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:35
This week, Laura discusses the importance of humor and executive presence. Laura shares her tips for adding “fun” to your presentation while keeping it professional and engaging your audience. Here are a few things that…
How to Inspire in Uncertain Times Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:11
This week in the second part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Pro…
How to Inspire in Uncertain Times Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
This week in the first part of a podcast episode discussing how to deal with uncertain times as both the leader who may be delivering a message as well as the person receiving it by Dr. Laura Sicola and Vocal Impact Prod…