The NOT Spotify Model - The Trap of Technology Cargo Cults

This isn’t a talk about Spotify - it’s a workshop about why copying what looks successful so often fails.

In tech, we regularly adopt visible practices from high-performing organisations — new team structures, frameworks, roles, rituals, “AI-first” strategies - hoping results will follow. But without understanding the context that made them work, we risk building modern cargo cults.

Led by Ash Anderson of Simplyhealth, this session will combine a short framing overview with facilitated discussion and interactive exercises. Together, we’ll explore real examples of imitation traps, unpack where context gets lost, and examine how to distinguish principles from practices.

Expect small-group reflection, shared experiences, and practical takeaways you can apply in your own organisation to avoid the next bandwagon.

Agenda outline

• Introductions – approx. 5 mins
• Overview and workshop activity
• Networking with pizza and refreshments
• Wrap-up – approx. 5 mins

Venue: Simplyhealth, Anton House, Chantry Street, Andover, SP10 1DE