Welcome to another thrilling episode of Chance Conversations! I'm Carey Lening, joined by my co-host Conor Hogan, and we had the pleasure of diving deep into the world of data protection training, careers, and film with none other than the DPO Daily himself, Tim Turner. Tim, is the founder of 2040 Training, and is known for his theatrical, hilarious, and oftentimes blunt takes on data protection and FOI training. Needless to say, he brought a refreshing mix of wit, humor, realism, movie trivia, and valuable insights to our discussion.
Yojimbo’s Journey: Going Where Life Takes You
Tim’s entry into data protection wasn’t part of some grand master plan, he told us — it was more akin to the ronin character in Akira Kurosawa’s legendary Yojimbo, who decided on a path almost at chance. After graduating with an always practical English degree, Tim admitted to juggling various roles before landing in the data protection field almost by serendipity. Like a modern-day samurai wandering without a master, Tim embraced the randomness of his journey, bringing his unique flair to an industry often seen as dry and uninspired. If you’ve read his LinkedIn posts, you know that Tim is anything but dry …
Data Protection As a Luxury Good
Tim was candid throughout, but Conor and I particularly enjoyed his blunt and honest assessment about how data protection (training and institutional buy-in) is more of a "luxury good" than a business necessity. He shed light on how resource constraints in many organizations mean that unless there’s strong buy-in from the top, most companies won’t have data protection on their budget line-items, or adopt a culture of data protection, no matter how many fundamental rights are at stake. As consultants, trainers, and advisors, we should take his words to heart.
Humor & Perspective in Data Protection
Anyone who follows Tim (or his alter ego DPO Daily) on LinkedIn knows that Tim is renowned for his sometimes theatrical and humorous approach to data protection training – and his snarky rebukes of regulators and self-professed experts in our field. He doesn’t shy away from calling out what he sees as "snake oil salespeople" in the industry, aiming instead to demystify complex regulations and make them accessible. This approach not only eases the compliance journey for his clients but also injects a much-needed dose of humor into the often grim landscape of data governance.
How the Transition from Vaudeville to the Big Screen Mirrors the Move from Face-to-Face to Online
Throughout our chat, Tim frequently evoked references to film and his love affair with the big screen, but it was when we talked about his struggles with the change of training face-to-face to online, where his film focus really resonated with us. We dug into how cinema’s evolution from silent films to talkies was a metaphor for our own industry’s shift in communication modes. Just as actors had to adapt to new mediums in order to succeed, Tim discussed how professionals must navigate today’s digital landscape. His love for classic cinema influences his approach, always pushing him to find novel ways to engage and educate his audience. Still, he mourns the change all the same.
Wrapping up our conversation, it was clear that Tim’s perspectives, coupled with his distinctive humor and candor, continue to inspire and educate in equal measure. We were thoroughly entertained and enlightened by his frank insights and left with a renewed appreciation for all the unique characters who ensure the field of data protection and privacy remain as engaging as it is essential.
Come back next week, where we’ll be featuring the Data Diva, Debbie Reynolds!
Transcript
00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:55 Explaining the Rules of the Game
03:17 Random Number Selection and Dice Anecdote
04:27 Creating a Culture of Data Protection
06:02 The Luxury of Data Protection Training
07:40 The Reality of Data Protection and FOI Training
10:26 Tim’s Career Journey and Motivations
15:28 How Tim Gets In His Own Way
20:07 No Guilty Pleasures
22:09 Hobbies & Travel
23:04 Musical Theater Adventures
24:16 Career Reflections and Aspirations
26:52 Travel Dreams and Destinations
32:40 The Impact of AI on Data Protection
34:26 Adapting to the New Normal - A Metaphor to the Silent Screen
43:27 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell
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