The Digital Diplomat Podcast - Impact Locally, Build Globally

W.E. Da'Cruz

Welcome to The Digital Diplomat Podcast where you learn how to impact locally and build globally. If you’re on a mission to solve local and global problems affecting your life and the lives of your loved ones. If you’re tired of dealing with the same issues plastered across news channels on your television screen and are ready to take action. If you know your life is bigger than the box you or someone else has put you in, then this podcast is for you. Across all industries, digitalization is offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation as well as challenges. From the workplace to government, business as usual is rapidly evolving and so should the people, policies, and processes that affect each and every one of us. Join W.E. Da’Cruz, an Award-Winning Tech and Food Entrepreneur and highly sought International Consultant on Digitalization and Digital Trade, while she interviews global leaders, organizers, business owners and so much more on topics including technology, digital divide, international trade, job creation, capacity building, eradicating poverty and more. As a Ghanaian-American mother of three, wife, business partner and more, you’ll hear her personal stories and honest experiences woven into conversations with her guests to learn how you can become an active participant in solving local and global problems impacting economic development right where you are. read less
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Corporate Black Girl 101 Founder shares top 3 strategies to navigate workforce for young diaspora professionals
Jan 18 2023
Corporate Black Girl 101 Founder shares top 3 strategies to navigate workforce for young diaspora professionals
Ever found yourself dealing with discrimination or racism in the workplace? How about narcissism? Navigating these biasses happen everywhere. Whether you're working for a local company or organization or for a global company or organization, there are strategies to help you breakthrough situations that will try to bring you down.In this episode, we speak with Rita Obi, founder of Corporate Black Girl 101. She's a versatile, motivated, results driven project manager with 10+ years of experience liaising with executives in nonprofit, federal agencies, and educational institutions to plan, implement, manage, and execute large-scale multimillion dollar public health,She shared her journey as well as the top 3 things you must do to navigate the workforce successfully.Comment to let me know if it was helpful and what else you’d like to learn more about.Important Links to Know:Follow Youtube Channel for visual podcasts -https://www.youtube.com/@thedigitaldiplomat/videosTo learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/. For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To be mentored and coached by me, visit https://www.desk.thedigitaldiplomat.com/ to sit at my Desk and engage in courses and resources to help you impact locally and build locally.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
How I am digitally rebuilding our food company to scale online and 10X sales
Dec 22 2022
How I am digitally rebuilding our food company to scale online and 10X sales
Recently, I got the chance to share on stage at the Global Diversity Export Initiative at the US-Africa Leaders Summit about the work Naomi Jordan Cook and I are doing at The VGC Group to help US and African-based SMEs (especially women) adopt digitalization to scale revenue and exports.The word “digitalization” has become popular hugely as a result of COVID, but for those that are unfamiliar with digital technology, what does digitalization actually look like? I can tell you that it reaches far beyond the ability to use Zoom and Microsoft Teams.Instead of telling you about digitalization, I am going to show you real time with our food company. I am literally in the process of building out the new website and online store for The Mushroom Angel Company, a food manufacturer founded by my husband Dominique DaCruz and I that produces meat alternatives made from mushrooms based in Detroit, MI.We’re moving fast, but I am inviting you behind the scenes to see how I plan to 10X our online sales, increase visibility in the marketplace to increase velocity in stores and restaurants all through digitalization.Are you ready? If “YES”, listen to this audio recording to hear about the MUST HAVE strategies for your digital system.Comment to let me know if it was helpful and what else you’d like to learn more about.Important Links to Know:Follow Youtube Channel for visual podcasts -https://www.youtube.com/@thedigitaldiplomat/videosTo learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/. For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
From UN job rejection letters to teaching UN professionals, here's a lesson on the power of behind the scenes
Dec 22 2022
From UN job rejection letters to teaching UN professionals, here's a lesson on the power of behind the scenes
Most people want to be in front of the camera and visible, but there is power behind the scenes. I couldn't secure a job at the United Nations (or anywhere as a matter of fact) after I graduated from diplomacy school.For seven years behind the scenes, I worked with my cofounder Naomi Jordan Cook at The VGC Group helping companies and organizations adopt digitalization to access new revenue and value-producing opportunities (before Covid-19 accelerated the demand of digital technologies and made it popular) in multiple global markets.Recently, I delivered the first of four modules on a course titled Substantive Online Training on “Digital Technology Skills to Engage with Projects and Clients Remotely” to United Nations professionals as the Senior International Consultant on behalf of VGC. In a full circle moment, the work behind the scenes put me in front of the camera and made me visible to the very same organization that couldn't see me years prior.Don’t give up, give in to the process. The journey may be a bit blurry, but the vision has always been clear. How you start is not how you have to finish. Every seed when planted in good ground will grow and bear even greater fruit in due season. Thank you to all my many mentors and partners along the journey.Important Links to Know:Follow Youtube Channel for visual podcasts -https://www.youtube.com/@thedigitaldiplomat/videosTo learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/. For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
Female Founder of Eny's Treats in Zimbabwe talks how she went from unemployed to employer launching a snack company Pt 2
Nov 12 2022
Female Founder of Eny's Treats in Zimbabwe talks how she went from unemployed to employer launching a snack company Pt 2
In Ep. 8 Pt. 2, I introduce you to Tracy Vongai Mapfumo. She's a 30 year old passion driven entrepreneur, food innovator, crop scientist and the Founder of Eny’s Treats Pvt Ltd. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture-Plant Science at the University of KwaZulu Natal in 2015 in South Africa. She has 5 years of work experience in indigenous plants that have commercial value. She has always had an aspiration to see Zimbabwean food be transformed into competitive products in the global marketplace. Eny’s Treats which was named after Tracy’s late mother who nurtured her entrepreneurial skills.In this episode, she walks us through her journey and shares all the resources she's leveraged to help her go from unemployed to employer. You quickly realize some of the similarities entrepreneurs from around the world are navigating to impact locally and build globally.Important Links to Know:Eny's Treats - http://enystreats.co.zw/Follow Youtube Channel for visual podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6FmPptHxl-RiVHxqfSfow/featuredTo learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/. For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.The music in this podcast is produced by artist and musician Christopher Staton aka Big State. To find his music, visit https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big.... For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
Reasons to do business in this African country Pt. 1
Nov 1 2022
Reasons to do business in this African country Pt. 1
The Digital Diplomat Podcast Ep. 8 - Prelude is taking you on a journey! Can you guess where we're headed to next? Putting my own spin to visual podcasting to help you learn how to impact locally and build globally through digitalization.Turn on your notifications. You're in for a ride. And we're just getting started. You can watch the video recording here on Youtube:Pictures included are from LUANAR-Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Makerere University, World Export Development Forum 2019 workshops hosted by International Trade Centre African Union.This episode is the first ever video recording of my podcast (Find on youtube here https://youtu.be/4Ksa5544FTM). Let me know what you think!Important Links to Know:To learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/. For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.The music in this podcast is produced by artist and musician Christopher Staton aka Big State. To find his music, visit https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big.... For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
Ghanaian woman's chocolate company DecoKraft Ltd. online presence helped save a lost village local
Nov 1 2022
Ghanaian woman's chocolate company DecoKraft Ltd. online presence helped save a lost village local
In Episode 7, you’ll hear my conversation with Akua Donkor from Ghana. Akua is a second year MBA student a Kelley School of Business in Indiana. She has more than 10 years of experience as a business owner of DecoKraft Limited and a demonstrated history as a leader working in the Cocoa and Chocolate Industry of Ghana. She shared with me how she got her start in the industry, the impact technology has made over the years, and her plans to leverage US-Africa policies to expand her local and global impact.This episode is the first ever video recording of my podcast (Find on youtube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOsNJynrabw&t=419s). Let me know what you think!Important Links to Know:To learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/. For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.The music in this podcast is produced by artist and musician Christopher Staton aka Big State. To find his music, visit https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big.... For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
Life and death situation inspires global health career Pt. 1 - 2022 Mandela Fellow Frieda Abilba (Ghana)
Sep 25 2022
Life and death situation inspires global health career Pt. 1 - 2022 Mandela Fellow Frieda Abilba (Ghana)
In Episode 6, you’ll hear my behind the scenes conversation with Frieda Abilba from Ghana. Frieda is 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow who participated in the program with Wayne State University while in Detroit. I was invited to their welcome reception hosted by Global Ties Detroit and later invited Frieda and a few fellows to my house for a private dinner.It was during our time in my home that I got the chance to ask deep-diving questions about their journey and goals for local and global impact. She shared with me a life and death situation that altered her path forever. This episode is a recording of our conversation while in the car driving back to drop fellows back to campus. The volume in the recording is a bit hard to hear at some parts (turn up volume), but the conversation was too powerful not to share.Important Links to Know:To learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/.For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.The music in this podcast is produced by artist and musician Christopher Staton aka Big State. To find his music, visit https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big-state/1508257858.For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
Women-owned Ghanaian-based yogurt company plans to expand globally with this strategy Pt. 1 - product creation
Aug 27 2022
Women-owned Ghanaian-based yogurt company plans to expand globally with this strategy Pt. 1 - product creation
Episode 3 is a snippet of my conversation with Priscilla Asante, CEO of Rosswood a Yoghurt Production Company in Ghana West, Africa. Rosswood is Artisan producer of healthy, low-sugar and sugar-free yoghurt, flavored drinking yoghurt, Greek yoghurt and cream cheese. Popularly known as One Yogo in the Ghanaian marketplace, they produces a low sugar, probiotic yoghurt, in 2 flavors; strawberry & vanilla.I met Priscilla as part of a virtual global exchange as a speaker for Global Ties Detroit during the peak of Covid. We’ve since kept in touch where I’ve been consulting Priscilla on how to prepare her brand and business for the global marketplace. Find out how she plans to leverage policies to expand her business globally.Important Links to Know:To learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/.For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.The music in this podcast is produced by artist and musician Christopher Staton aka Big State. To find his music, visit https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big-state/1508257858.For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz
Shift from consumer to producer
Aug 6 2022
Shift from consumer to producer
In Episode 2, you’ll hear my behind-the-scenes conversation with high schoolers and mentors from the Global Ties Detroit virtual Pan Africa Youth Leadership Program (PAYLP). These high-schoolers and mentors were from the Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea, and Togo. The group was Francophone and so my conversation was held simultaneously through French interpretation in a Zoom exchange.I share with you life lessons I learned along my journey from Unemployed to Employer and how I’ve been able to impact communities around the world as a private sector business owner committed to economic development in developing countries. If you’ve found yourself feeling stuck on your journey in life or need a conscious shift on how to navigate roadblocks personally or professionally, this episode is for you.Important Links to Know:To learn more about the host, W.E. Da'Cruz, visit her personal website at https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/about/.For private tech intensives with W.E. Da'Cruz, visit https://vgcucourses.com/ or contact https://thevgcgroup.com/ for more information about how to build your digital infrastructure.To learn more about her food manufacturing company, visit The Mushroom Angel Co. at https://themushroomangelco.com/ or visit https://cruzburgers.com/ to order plant-based burger patties made from mushrooms directly.The music in this podcast is produced by artist and musician Christopher Staton aka Big State. To find his music, visit https://music.apple.com/us/artist/big-state/1508257858.For speaking or consultancies, visit https://thedigitaldiplomat.com/speaking/.Connect on social here:https://www.linkedin.com/in/wedacruz/https://twitter.com/wedacruz