Understanding Key Product Development Roles: Product Owner, Product Manager, Development Manager, Customer Advocate, Project Manager, Programme Manager, and Change Manager

This guide delineates the distinct yet interrelated roles of Product Owner, Product Manager, Development Manager, Customer Advocate, Project Manager, Programme Manager, and Change Manager within the product development ecosystem. It aims to clarify the focus, responsibilities, and objectives of each role, highlighting how they contribute to the successful development and management of products.

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Lester Dent’s Master Plot Formula: A Guide for Structuring Compelling Narratives

This article outlines Lester Dent’s Master Plot Formula, a systematic approach designed to help writers craft engaging and tightly structured stories. Originating from the pulp fiction era, Dent’s formula divides a story into four equal parts, each with specific goals and challenges for the protagonist, culminating in a resolution that ties up the narrative threads. It offers a practical framework for narrative development, emphasizing pacing, character predicaments, and a satisfying conclusion.

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Securing Success: Strategic Questions for Cyber Startups Seeking Growth in the West Midlands and UK

This article outlines critical questions that cyber security startups, particularly those like Cyber Tzar after completing the NCSC’s “NCSC for Startups” Accelerator programme, should consider when seeking support from regional organizations such as the West Midlands Growth Company or Invest West Midlands. It emphasizes prioritising inquiries around funding and marketing to harness regional opportunities for development and expansion.

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The Senate’s Latest Quest for Social Media Accountability

In an era where social media’s sway on public opinion, privacy, and youth well-being has become a burning issue, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee’s latest hearing on Wednesday the 31st of January, 2024, offers a pivotal glimpse into the potential future of digital regulation. This article provides an insightful summary of the discussions, focusing on the balance between innovation and user safety, the complex web of accountability, and the global implications of legislative measures. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the evolving digital governance landscape and its impact on society.

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Navigating the UK Startup Investment Landscape: A Reading List and Comprehensive Guide

You can probably guess what stage Cyber Tzar is at from my most recent reading list. I put together this article exploring the essentials of thriving in the UK’s dynamic startup ecosystem. This guide offers a blend of recommended readings and practical resources, tailored to help entrepreneurs and startups in the UK effectively navigate the investment process, stay attuned to market trends, and engage with local networks for growth and success.

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Guide to Active Listening

This guide outlines the fundamentals of active listening, including paying full attention, showing understanding through feedback, and responding appropriately without judgment. It highlights the importance of empathy, open-mindedness, and engaging fully in conversations to improve communication and build stronger relationships.

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Power and Destruction in Panels: A Comparative Analysis of ‘Miracleman’ and ‘Uber’

I like ‘Miracleman’. I like ‘Uber’. So this article delves into the thematic and narrative parallels between Alan Moore’s “Miracleman” and Kieron Gillen’s “Uber.” Exploring how both comics redefine superhero conventions through their dark, realistic portrayal of superhuman powers, the article highlights the influence of Moore on Gillen’s work and the shared focus on the catastrophic consequences of such powers in society.

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Titans of American Theatre: The Unparalleled Influence of O’Neill, Williams, and Miller

I like O’Neill. One of my lads is doing Lit. This article provides a comprehensive view of the landscape of American playwriting, emphasizing the unique contributions of O’Neill, Williams, and Miller, while also acknowledging the broader context of American theatre history and the significant figures who have contributed to its evolution.

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Secure Your Site: A Comprehensive Guide to WordPress Backup and Restoration

Backing up and restoring a WordPress website is a critical task for website administrators, ensuring that website data is not lost due to unforeseen circumstances such as server crashes, hacking, or accidental deletions. This article will guide you through the processes involved in backing up and restoring your WordPress website, an overview of popular backup and restore plugins, help you to choose the appropriate backup and restore approach, and hopefully help you recover your site quickly and efficiently when needed.

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Comparing SaaS GitHub and Self-Hosted GitLab: An In-Depth Analysis of Pros and Cons with Alternatives

On the penultimate day of the NCSC For Startups programme, there was an ad hoc discussion on code repositories and DevOps tooling. A couple of the cohort were long-time GitHub users, while we use a self-hosted version of GitLab. One of the teams had just moved from the latter to the former, while the final team used Azure DevOps. I thought it would be nice to write up an objective look at the first two options, along with alternatives, as well as summarise our decision. I didn’t want to cover Azure DevOps as I’ve just spent two years using it and I’m grateful to have escaped its clutches. Learn more here.

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Irish Unification and Scottish Independence Compared

Irish unification and Scottish independence, while both concerning the political future of parts of the UK differ significantly in their historical, cultural, and political contexts. This article was inspired by a relatively recent conversation I had comparing the two. While there are some obvious analogies the reality is they are very different. Explore the comparison with me here.

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Irish Unification: Could It Happen In My Lifetime?

Could there really be a free and united Ireland in my lifetime? Or is it just an unrealistic pipedream? Evidence suggests that resistance to the idea itself is breaking down, and with it, a united Ireland comes a little closer every day. Let’s break down the latest research from The Irish Times and their ARINS survey on Irish unification.

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“Mind the Oranges, Marlon!” Connecting Alan Moore’s DR and Quinch and Coppola’s Ominous Citrus Symbolism in ‘The Godfather’ and Beyond

In the violently wacky and vehemently whimsical world of Alan Moore’s characters, DR and Quinch, known for their satirical and bizarre escapades, a stand-out moment is the death of the faux Marlon Brando character. Cleverly bridging the gap between their universe and that of classic Hollywood cinema of the decade before.

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Comprehensive Analysis and Critique: The Myers-Briggs® Personality Types and Their Grievances

In her article, “Here’s Why Each Myers-Briggs® Personality Type is Mad at You”, the author, Susan Storm takes us on a lighthearted tour through the 16 Myers-Briggs personality types, exploring the reasons each might be irked with you. This piece is a creative exploration into personality psychology, but it also opens a window into the broader discussion of how personality types interact in various social contexts, including how they might perceive or misinterpret the behaviours of individuals with neurodiverse conditions like Asperger’s Syndrome.

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Comparative Analysis of Cicero’s Rhetoric and Patrick Winston’s Communication Techniques

The art of rhetoric and public speaking has evolved significantly over centuries, yet the foundational principles established by ancient orators like Cicero resonate even in contemporary discourse. This essay aims to juxtapose the rhetorical techniques of Cicero, a master orator of the Roman era, with the modern communication insights provided by Patrick Winston, a renowned professor and expert in artificial intelligence. By comparing their approaches, we can discern both the timeless nature of effective communication and the nuanced adaptations necessary in the modern era.

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The Rhetorical Mastery of Cicero: Techniques and Tools for Effective Speaking and Persuasion

Marcus Tullius Cicero, an eminent Roman statesman, lawyer, and orator of the first century B.C., left an indelible mark on the art of rhetoric and public speaking. His contributions, encapsulated in works like “De Oratore,” “Brutus,” and “Orator,” not only define the standards of eloquence in his era but continue to influence modern communication. This essay delves into the various techniques and tools Cicero employed and advocated for effective speaking and persuasion.

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