Mastering Tech Growth (Mike Sirius)

Join Mike in this episode as he interviews Michele Alessandrini, CTO of Atex Media Group, for a fascinating deep dive into how AI is transforming the publishing industry. Michele shares invaluable insights on leveraging AI to boost efficiency, personalise content, and navigate ethical challenges. Listen in to discover how publishers can harness the power of AI while maintaining trust and quality.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• AI helps publishers focus on their core job of writing high-quality articles by automating tasks like title generation, SEO optimisation, social media publishing, and translations.
• Fine-tuning AI models allows publishers to customise output to their specific style, tone, and language preferences, ensuring brand consistency.
• Transparency is key in maintaining reader trust when using AI-generated content, with publishers explicitly stating how AI was involved in the article creation process.
• Fact-checking AI-generated content is crucial to mitigate the risk of misinformation, requiring a combination of automated verification and human oversight.
• Serverless cloud infrastructure enables scalability and cost-efficiency for AI solutions in publishing, allowing dynamic resource allocation based on usage.
• Publishers should foster a culture of learning and innovation, empowering employees to stay curious and adapt to rapidly evolving AI technologies.
• AI enables journalists to process and derive insights from the vast amounts of data available today, enhancing their ability to create comprehensive, well-informed articles.
• While AI can significantly aid content creation, human gatekeepers remain essential for ensuring quality, accuracy, and ethical standards in publishing.

BEST MOMENTS

"They’re definitely the industry that can benefit the most from artificial intelligence today." [00:03:29] (Michele on the publishing industry's potential to leverage AI)

"Can you expect the output fully or is there a human-driven sanity check that will still take place in the publishing side?." [00:22:58] (Mike on whether AI is currently a full solution)

"The more we are progressing, the more modern will advance, the maturity of the companies will advance, maturity of the readers will advance, maturity of the human species towards AI will advance." [00:35:31] (Michele on the future of AI in publishing)

"In the next five years, what I see is an industry completely embracing it, which means from their perspective, being able to focus on the only one thing they want to focus on today, which is writing the best quality article." [00:40:35]  (Michele on the future impact of AI on publishing)

"Publishing on social media, newsletter, translating an article into another language…those are all activities that are not strictly related with the quality of the output and this is an immediate benefit, immediate gain a publisher can get from embracing AI." [00:51:19]  (Michele on the immediate benefits AI can present to the publishing industry)

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike is joined by Ruben J Garcia, a cloud Architect and AWS Trainer with over 8 years of experience. Having worked in large corporate companies and start-ups to help migrate and create applications in the AWS cloud Ruben shares his journey from consultant to AWS expert, revealing insider secrets to optimising cloud infrastructure. Discover the power of AWS Control Tower, best practices for seamless integration, and how to navigate the complexities of multi-environment setups

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• AWS Control Tower provides a solid foundation for cloud infrastructure, with built-in guardrails and compliance features, making it easier to manage and scale AWS accounts.
• When choosing a cloud provider, consider your team's expertise and stick with one to develop deep knowledge rather than spreading yourself thin across multiple clouds.
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is crucial for managing AWS infrastructure at scale, enabling version control, reproducibility, and easier collaboration among team members.
• AWS CDK (Cloud Development Kit) is a powerful framework for IaC, allowing developers to define infrastructure using familiar programming languages and integrate with other AWS services seamlessly.
• Proper role management and using temporary credentials through AWS Identity Centre can significantly enhance security by limiting the blast radius of potential compromises.
• AWS X-Ray is an invaluable tool for debugging and optimising performance in complex microservices architectures built on AWS Lambda, API Gateway, and other services.
• When designing a tech stack for a startup, carefully consider foundational choices like databases and API architectures, as changing these later can be costly and time-consuming.
• AWS offers a wide range of services and integrations with third-party tools, making it possible to build and deploy applications entirely within the AWS ecosystem.

BEST MOMENTS

"The more time you have this without fix, the more expensive it's going to be to fix in the future." (16:49) Mike emphasises the importance of addressing technical debt sooner rather than later

"Control Tower with security half and guard duty is the way to do that. When you put control tower is going to be by default activated for you. So you're going to have a lot of control that already are there, but you can create your own control if you need." (22:44) Ruben discusses the importance of AWS Control Tower for regulated industries.

"In a modern application, in a modern company, I won't use this kind of thing because you can do the same things with CodePipeline and with the build script." (58:45) While discussing the use of AWS CodePipeline for CI/CD, Ruben expresses his preference for native AWS tools over third-party solutions like Jenkins.

"You need to move fast, and you need to use the right tool for your application. I think you need to choose wisely when you are creating your application because if you have a problem in the design at the very beginning, it's going to be with you a long time." (1:03:39) Ruben shares his advice for startups when it comes to balancing speed and careful consideration in technology choices.

"If you have a problem in your architecture in the very beginning, it's going to be very hard for you to reverse all your work." (01:04:36) Ruben stresses the importance of making the right architectural decisions early on.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Ruben Garcia

Cloud Architect and AWS Trainer with over 8 years of experience. Worked in large corporate companies and start-ups to help migrate and create applications in the AWS cloud.

GUEST SOCIAL MEDIA

https://www.youtube.com/@RubenJGarcia

https://rubenjgarcia.cloud  

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubenjgarciab/

https://awsboilerplate.com/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Mike talks about B2B, B2C, and B2B2C business models with Benjy Meyer, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Commonplace. Benjy shares his knwoledge on the complexities of different business models, the challenges of transitioning between them, and the unique role of a CPTO. With a mix of personal experiences and industry observations, Mike and Benjy share knowledge for anyone navigating the tech growth landscape.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• B2B and B2C models require different skillsets and approaches, with B2B focusing more on stakeholder management and B2C on data-driven decision-making.
• Transitioning from B2C to B2B can be a strategic move to increase revenue and customer loyalty, as seen in examples like Naked Wine and Design My Night.
• B2B2C models face unique challenges in balancing opposing forces from different sides of the marketplace and aligning motivations.
• Feature flags and customisation in B2B products require careful management to avoid technical debt and maintain scalability.
• The role of a CPTO combines strategic product vision with technical execution, requiring trust from the CEO and board, and the ability to think critically across both domains.
• Organic search and social media, particularly Facebook/Meta, can be powerful channels for building and engaging audiences in B2B2C platforms.
• When starting a tech venture, prioritising an entrepreneurial mindset in early engineers over perfect infrastructure can accelerate growth and learning.
• Building anticipation through waitlists and leveraging personal networks can help gather valuable early feedback and create a foundation for product development.

BEST MOMENTS

"I would rather fail in a B2C where I've got a lot more data that teaches me, gives me learnings about why I failed, um, so that I can apply those to the next iteration, if that makes sense." 27:22  Discussing the difference between B2B and B2C

"We want built environment professionals, real estate developers, local government to come and use the platform to talk to communities so that they can get their planning applications through faster, build better places that are better designed, but they don't really want to talk to communities. We're kind of their enemy." 43:37 Explaining the challenges of B2B2C platforms

"You really have to understand in detail the user problems And motivations on both sides of that marketplace to come up with the right OKRs So that you don't like build this spurious motivation for your teams that imbalances"  45:05 Explaining the importance of understanding user problems in B2B2C

"What matters most at that level is the structure that's underneath. Those leaders and like in theory, let's say I'm working in a company of 300 people or something. I don't need to be that deep, right? I've got a team of 20, 30, 50 people working in products and technology. I need them to be amazing." 54:43 Discussing the role of a CPTO

"When you're kicking off entrepreneurial doesn't really care about the infrastructure doesn't know much about the infrastructure is just hungry for more data to help them make decisions and help you have good conversations together about what to build next" 01:00:48 Describing the importance of the first engineer in a tech venture

ABOUT THE GUEST

Benjy Meyer

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode of Mastering Tech Growth, Mike interviews Armagan Amcalar, a seasoned professional in the tech industry. Armagan shares his extensive experience and valuable insights on the role of fractional CTOs, sustainable business practices, and the future of work in the tech sector. He discusses the importance of strong company culture, effective remote leadership, and the potential impact of AI on productivity. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Fractional CTOs offer a cost-effective solution for startups, providing experienced leadership without the full-time commitment.
• Establishing a shared culture and aligning values are crucial for successful remote work and seamless collaboration.
• Sustainability and regenerative energy practices are key to long-term success in the tech industry.
• AI will revolutionise the future of work by automating mundane tasks and allowing humans to focus on creativity and passion.
• Decentralisation and autonomous units within a company can lead to increased productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Measuring the success of a fractional CTO should be based on tangible business outcomes and ROI.
• Effective leadership involves empowering employees, fostering autonomy, and drawing inspiration from real-life examples.
• Apple serves as a prime example of sustainable growth through smart investments and long-term vision.

BEST MOMENTS

"I found myself here one day at home. I was out of books to read. And the last book I could find to read was the instructions manual for Commodore 64. I was at the age of six." (00:45) Armagan shares how he first got into programming at a young age 

"A fractional CTO should be there to make sure you're not losing energy and if possible, you're creating energy with your practices. You have the right team in place, right process in place. You're building the right thing that your users need that will keep your business growing." (18:16) Armagan explains the role of a fractional CTO in ensuring sustainable business practices and growth

"You have to be able to convince people to buy your product and your service or whatever your offering is, without actually having that offering. And if this sounds unreasonable to you, just stop working right now. You're not going to make it." (22:17) Armagan advises startup founders to validate their ideas and secure funding before hiring a CTO

"The biggest problem that I have with start-up founders are like first time founders or second time founders who are bringing on their egos too much to the game." (34:16) Armagan points out that the biggest issue he faces is working with first or second-time founders who let their egos interfere with the success of their startup.

"You need to challenge your fractional CTO to create sustainable systems. Within the company, you have to create a culture that's going to survive even after you leave, even after you change a CTO" (38:47) Armagan stresses the importance of challenging fractional CTOs to create sustainable systems and a strong company culture that can outlast their tenure.

"Apple is doing great. I think in this aspect of growing sustainably, whereas every major company in the U.S. is talking about laying off thousands and thousands of people." (01:15:06) Armagan praises Apple as an example of a company that has mastered sustainable growth

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike interviews Kossi Selom Banybah, CTO of Gebeya, a Pan-African tech leadership company. Kossi shares invaluable insights on building SaaS platforms, utilising microservices effectively, and Gebeya's groundbreaking partnership with Microsoft to empower young African talent. Tune in to discover how Gebeya is revolutionising the tech landscape and gain expert advice on navigating the world of microservices and SaaS.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Gebeya's SaaS platform enables entrepreneurs and companies to have their own talent cloud for searching, upskilling, and managing talent efficiently.
• When transitioning to a SaaS model, the biggest challenge is ensuring proper multi-tenancy and data segregation between tenants.
• Start small with microservices, finding a balance between monolithic and fully microservice-based approaches to avoid overwhelming complexity.
• Choose the right technology stack that solves your problem from the beginning, as changing it later can be very difficult.
• Implement monitoring, distributed tracing, and logging tools to improve visibility and troubleshoot issues effectively in microservice architectures.
• Be technology agnostic and select solutions based on the problem at hand, rather than religious adherence to specific technologies.
• SaaS is here to stay due to its accessibility, easy management, and the ability to forecast revenue more accurately.
• Embrace collaboration, seek diverse perspectives, and maintain a balanced approach in both technology and life for long-term success.

BEST MOMENTS

"So basically our SaaS platform allows you as an entrepreneur or as a company to have your own talent cloud where you can search for people or upscale your people, right?"  [3:51] (Kossi explaining the core functionality of Gebeya's SaaS platform)

"So if I understand this correctly, I am a company and if I use Gebeya, I can build my talent cloud from a candidate's use guy source, or do I need to source it myself?" - Mike and Kossi discussing the launch of the Microsoft Talent Cloud and how companies can use Gebeya to build their talent pools [4:32] (Exploring the benefits of Gebeya's platform for companies)

"It's like a talent selection SaaS platform" [5:07] Mike summarising Gebeya

"If you want more, I would say to have more probability of succeeding, um, and focusing on your business instead of building the platform and at the same time in the business. I would say, oh, SaaS is the best solution for you." [22:34] (Kossi discussing the benefits of using Gebeya's SaaS platform compared to building an in-house solution)

 "We started straight from microservice, but like I said it's really in the middle because we had the same big services not that big, but not also small. So we did not start with a monolith. We start right away with microservice, but in a safer way because if you don't, if you jump right into microservice, we don't have the right knowledge, you make work much more difficult for yourself, right?" [33:27] (Kossi explaining Gebeya's approach to microservices)

"I think a lot of problems will be solved in this world if you can have the right person, the right position to do a job."  [59:39] (Kossi discusses how Gebeya's platform can revolutionise the way organisations find and manage skilled individuals for specific projects)

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://gebeya.com

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distill practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode of Mastering Tech Growth, host Mike interviews Peter Dakin, a behavioural assessment expert. They talk about the world of psychometrics, discussing how understanding human behaviour can revolutionise team dynamics and personal growth. From the origins of Promana People to the future of AI, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, entrepreneurship, and the importance of self-awareness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Promana People offers a digital platform with psychometric assessments to help individuals, coaches, and organisations understand and improve human behaviour.
• The "catalyst" or "disturber" behaviour is crucial for tech startups, as it drives innovation and disruption in the market.
• Understanding observable behaviour is more effective and authentic than personality-based assessments for improving team dynamics and individual performance.
• The concept of "endurance" may be more positive and goal-oriented than "resilience" when discussing stress management and personal growth.
• AI's ability to reason at human levels presents both opportunities and challenges for the future of work and decision-making processes.
• Effective leadership involves understanding and managing different behavioural preferences within a team, including time management and communication styles.
• The "action process" in organisational behaviour includes assessing cost-benefit and controlling behaviours, which is crucial for project management and resource allocation.
• Psychometric assessments can help identify and develop various coaching, mentoring, and advisory styles, leading to more effective knowledge transfer and personal development.

BEST MOMENTS

09:38 "We don't really define even, even the word coach is necessary, not necessarily appropriate. That's why we call our, the middle tier of what, who we provide a service to people in the behaviour change business rather than coaches." (Context: Peter Dakin discusses the broad applicability of their services beyond traditional coaching)

19:25 "Stress in itself isn't a negative thing. It's when you reach overwhelm, that's when it becomes a problem." (Context: Peter Dakin explaining the importance of stress management in entrepreneurship)

56:22 "We're sort of literally on the event horizon now of going into either a black hole or a wormhole. And I don't think anybody really knows whether it's a black hole or a wormhole yet." (Context: Peter Dakin discussing the uncertain future of AI and its impact on society)

1:25:01 "I always enjoy listening to what people are having as a challenge, you know, as a struggle, as some type of definition of a problem space and put myself into that and go like, you know what, that's what I would do." (Context: Mike Reflecting on his natural inclination towards advising rather than coaching)

1:33:44 "Words do matter and we don't really want to fall into patterns of using buzzwords. We want to get across the idea that is underneath that." (Context: Peter Dakin discussing the importance of precise language in behavioural assessments)

ABOUT THE GUEST

Pete Dakin: Co-founder, Promana People

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdakin/
Pete Dakin is the founder of Promana People, a New Zealand-based digital platform providing individuals, coaches, "people persons" and organisations with a suite of online tools, including a comprehensive suite of behavioural assessment tools that deliver insights for understanding and fostering personal, professional and organisational growth and development. Pete's path has long been intertwined with the interactions of people and technology - including work in early stage behavioural advertising, behaviour change in education, and now, to the mission of helping people to thrive in a complicated and ever-changing world.

https://promanapeople.com
https://youtube.com/@promanapeople

https://promanapeople.com/
https://promanapeople.com/explore/assessments
https://promanapeople.com/pro/upgrade

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

For this episode, Mike´s guest is Pleo CTO, Meri Williams. They take an in-depth look at building high-performing, fully diverse, and inclusive teams, discuss how to attract and retain people from widely different backgrounds and create an environment in which they uncover and develop the innovative solutions that are so often missed by less diverse teams.

Meri has led both small and large teams for 17 different organisations. Including, P&G, Monza, MOO, M&S and several startups. So, the recruitment, training and retention strategies Meri shares here are highly practical.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• True inclusion is missing from most companies. People are rarely asked for their opinions, and they don´t feel they can be their true selves.
• If you only pay lip service to inclusivity people from diverse backgrounds just won´t apply.
• Hire people from different backgrounds whose life experience means they genuinely see things from a different angle.
• Go where people from diverse backgrounds train to find more candidates.
• Have a robust and effective onboarding process to improve retainment.
• Engineering managers need to want to and be capable of developing others.
• Tech leads need to be prepared to do the glue work e.g. refining processes
• Provide people you promote internally with leadership training and explain why they need to lead in a certain way.

BEST MOMENTS

06:50 "The first thing I do is go meet every team and I ask them, what are they proud of? What are they worried about? And if I had a magic wand, what should I do with it?" (How Mari decides which challenges to tackle first when starting a new leadership role)

35:43 "I think actual diversity, where people are from different backgrounds, different demographics, different life experiences is much more likely to lead to true diversity and true different thinking."

37:23 "Making it an environment where lots of different people can be themselves and still succeed is the litmus test for whether you've got the right to go and get those people who are different in the first place." 

51:03 "As you get bigger, it becomes easier to attract people who are different, because there's now more chance that they're not the only one who's different." 

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meriwilliams

https://leaddev.com/events

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike speaks to Michael Orant who is an entrepreneur, fractional CTO and racing driver. Today, they discuss fundraising, covering when to raise funds and how to talk to VCs, what to expect from them and spending the money strategically.

To do this, Michael shares several real-world examples. Over the years, he has played a significant role in helping several startups to raise money.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Even when investors are more risk-averse, you can still raise funds.
• Think about your exit and the exit for the investors and make that as attractive as possible.
• Accelerator events are a great way to find funders.
• Get a warm invite. Michael explains how to do that.
• Practice articulating the opportunities to different types of investors in a range of settings. Practice on friends and family, if they understand investors will too.,
• Be honest and realistic about what your business is worth and the potential of your idea.
• Model out the future, in particular, consider what future rounds of fundraising will look like. Do everything you can to avoid having to raise further funds.
• Remember you are inviting the investors into your business and will be working with them for the long term.
• Fundraising takes a long time, so plan ahead to avoid running out of cash before the funding arrives.
• Sometimes the VC will want to change the board and management team.
• Engage with the investors and set expectations.
• You will have to hire a lot of people fast, prepare early and empower people to recruit for their teams.

BEST MOMENTS

12:57 "You need people that will ground you or at least challenge your thinking so you can check your facts and numbers are right." 

24:31 "Be transparent with everything. Let the skeletons out of the closet early." 

34:35  "Think about cash conversion. And actually, what can we do to mitigate having to go for further investment rounds." 

36:42 "You are inviting someone into your business, to be part of that business, do your due diligence on them." 

54:33 "If you're looking for highly skilled roles, then there is an advantage of using niche recruiters." 

42:45 – “You have to make sure that they're (VCs)  buying into that plan that you've put forward, or you accept that you're going into their plan.”

57.11 – Don´t underestimate how exhausting fundraising can be.”

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this very first episode of Mastering Tech Growth, Mike interviews Saranjit Soor, otherwise known as Bobby, who has worked many different tech roles across different sectors. Bobby discusses his insights on the challenges and strategies involved in scaling up a tech startup. In particular, he notes the importance of having a strong team structure, incorporating security measures from the beginning, and leveraging cloud services for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The distinction between startups and scale-ups lies in their growth trajectory. Startups focus on launching a product and acquiring customers, while scale-ups have proven revenue streams.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach to startup success.
• Whether through formal programs or leveraging personal networks, having oversight and mentorship can significantly impact a startup's growth trajectory.
• Leveraging cloud services like AWS, Azure, or GCP can offer cost-effective solutions for startups to build and scale their products.

BEST MOMENTS

"Building with security in mind from day one isn't just best practice; it's the only practice if you want to stand the test of time and threat."

"As we navigate the journey from startup to scale-up, it's crucial to remember that not every feature that a flagship client requests is a golden ticket to widespread market appeal. The art lies in discerning what's bespoke and what's broadly beneficial." 

"Understanding the problem is the linchpin of technological growth. It's not about building a product; it's about constructing a solution—whether it's a garden shed you need now or a cathedral for the future, the blueprint starts with clarity and understanding."

"In the startup world, bootstrapping isn't just a funding strategy; it's a philosophy. It embodies the spirit of resourcefulness and resilience that is fundamental to entrepreneurial success. It's not about how much you have; it's about how much you can do with what you have."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST

Bobby is a seasoned technology leader with a diverse background spanning various sectors. With early career stints at Dell and consultancy roles across different industries including Betfair, Rank, and Tesco Bank, Bobby has accrued extensive expertise. 

His recent projects focus on driving innovation through cloud transformation, implementing new contact center solutions, and navigating mergers and acquisitions within the fintech landscape.

Beyond technology, Bobby finds joy in extensive reading and the occasional round of golf, despite claiming proficiency at the latter. 

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/saranjitsoor

ABOUT THE HOST
Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW
Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Correy Voo approaches the topics of venture capital, and the impact of AI on enterprises. As an experienced professional in the tech industry, Correy shares insights on his career journey, his passion for technology, and his current focus on venture capital and startups. Mike and Correy discuss the concept of artificial intelligence, distinguishing between different forms of AI and its potential to reshape industries. They also touch upon the challenges of communication in distributed teams and offer advice on leveraging AI for small businesses.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Diversification in venture capital space and experimenting with new technologies in the tech space.

• Utilizing AI for commodity services in small businesses to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

• Challenges of managing communication in distributed teams with different time zones.

• Impact of market conditions on tech funding, with the current market being challenging for startups to raise money.

BEST MOMENTS

"To make technology successful, you've got to be able to explain it easily and well."

"AI doesn't eliminate jobs; it eliminates the monotony of repetitive tasks and allows humans to focus on creativity and strategic thinking. It's not about machines replacing us, but about machines complementing our work."

"When it comes to seeking investment, it's not just about the passion but the plan. You need to answer the 'how' as clearly as the 'why' to ensure you're not just burning with passion, but also lighting the way forward with practicality."

"Offshore development is not just about cost-saving; it's about tapping into a global talent pool. Diversity in your development team can lead to innovation that surpasses geographic boundaries."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST

Correy Voo is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of international experience across various domains, and has held executive roles in renowned corporations like British Telecommunications Plc, Credit Suisse, Bank of America, and UBS AG. 
Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance productivity and enrich lives, he has transitioned into entrepreneurship as the founder of a specialist consulting firm catering to SMEs and Start-Ups. 

Correy also serves as a General Partner at 01 Ventures, a European Deep Tech Venture Capital firm, driving advancements in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. Beyond his ventures, Correy actively contributes to tech discussions on LinkedIn and Twitter, while mentoring innovative businesses like Public.io and Temporall.com.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike speaks to Robbie Clutton a fractional CTO, who does pretty much anything engineering-related. Today, they discuss transitioning from being an individual contributor to taking on a leadership role. Looking at how to decide if this is right for you and what you can expect that new role to look like.

Robbie also shares some really practical tips to help you to coach, manage and develop your first team. He covers giving feedback, managing one-to-ones, building relationships, effectively managing up and much more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Becoming a fractional CTO genuinely gives you control over how and when you work.
• To cover any lean times, have some cash behind you, reduce your spending and develop several income streams, e.g. coaching and advising.
• Not everyone can lead so try before you buy by taking on temporary leadership roles.
• Be wary of roles that require you to code but spend a lot of time managing people. You won´t be able to get into the necessary flow state to code well.
• Correct poor behaviour quickly.
• Creating a culture in which people can thrive is a leader´s No. 1 priority.
• Don´t protect your team from everything. They need to understand why things are needed in a certain way, if they don´t the hows they come up with may not work well.
• When asking for resources be clear about what you need and ask early.
• Consider using an external mentor. There is no bias in that relationship.
• The smartest people always ask for help.

BEST MOMENTS

04:21 "During school holidays, it's very easy for me to dial down the work."

14:07 "Before you take on any formal responsibility start looking for the informal ownership of things." (Robbie explaining how to work out if a leadership role is a good fit for you)

42:00 "There´s no way you´re gonna be good at leading people if you´re not able to have a courageous conversation and give course-correcting feedback." 

54:19 "For managing out make sure what you´re asking for is clear and ask it kind of early." 

RESOURCES

https://ctocraft.com/

Micheal Bungay Stainer - https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B002QK41GQ

Non-violent Communication - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Guides/dp/189200528X

The Leadership Pipeline - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leadership-Pipeline-3rd-Developing-Leaders/dp/B0CYJ6NJZY

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike interviews Aycan Gulez, the CTO of Faraday, to explore the world of carbon emissions management and energy optimisation. Aycan shares invaluable insights on leveraging AI, navigating hardware challenges, and driving sustainability in the tech industry. Listen to this episode to discover how Faraday is revolutionising the way businesses measure and reduce their environmental impact, and learn practical strategies for scaling tech ventures while prioritising sustainability.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Measuring carbon emissions is crucial for companies to comply with upcoming regulations and avoid potential carbon taxes
• Faraday provides a platform for companies to calculate carbon emissions and manage energy consumption using IoT devices and AI algorithms
• Outdated practices and hardware-centric mindsets in the energy management industry pose challenges for innovation and flexibility
• Scalability issues with relational databases can be addressed using techniques like vertical scaling, ARM processors, and the ZFS file system
• Prioritising simplicity in tech stack choices, such as using Vue.js over React, can improve developer experience and reduce complexity
• Working closely with customers to understand pain points and develop solutions is key to successful product innovation
• Ensuring security through encryption, simplifying tech stacks, and following best practices is essential when handling large amounts of sensitive data
• Achieving product-market fit is the most critical factor for the growth and success of any tech venture

BEST MOMENTS

"You can't reduce something you don't measure. And also, there are initiatives about a so-called carbon tax, some companies will be expected to pay a carbon tax for damaging the environment and making the entire world a really bad place for our children to live in." (03:05) Aycan emphasises the importance of measuring carbon emissions.

"I prefer to have as few dependencies as possible because statistically speaking the more dependencies you have, the more chances of something going wrong. So, I think it makes sense to build a monolith first." (28:06)  Aycan discusses his approach to managing complexity in software architecture.

"Soon this I hope will be normal. I mean, asking your partners what their emissions are. Right now, I mean, no one cares. But there is an increasing awareness and the upcoming regulations that make it mandatory to check all these data from your suppliers." (40:59)  Aycan predicts the future of carbon emissions reporting in business partnerships.

"I hate pointless government regulations as much as everyone. But I think self-regulation is an oxymoron. In a free market, all economic actors are supposed to act in their own self-interest. That's the agreement, right?" (41:47) Aycan shares his blunt opinion on the necessity of government regulations for carbon emissions.

"I mean, tech is only part of the equation. I believe that business developments, marketing, product-market fit, things like this, soft things are actually more important than the tech stack, because if you, if no one knows that you have a great product, then I mean, it doesn't really matter" (52:33)  Aycan stresses the importance of product-market fit over technology.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike is joined in this episode by David Santoro, the CTO and co-founder of CarWow. David shares his fascinating journey in the tech industry, offering invaluable insights on building a resilient business, fostering a positive company culture, and navigating the challenges of acquisitions. With 13 years of experience at CarWow, David's wisdom is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their tech venture.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Building business resilience requires a long-term perspective, diversifying revenue streams, and adapting to market changes.
• Fostering a positive company culture is crucial for employee retention and overall success, with a focus on collaboration, humility, and personal growth.
• Acquisitions can be a strategic move for growth but require careful consideration of cultural integration and resource allocation.
• Maintaining a high-quality codebase and keeping technologies up to date is essential for attracting and retaining top engineering talent.
• Scope control and prioritisation are key to maintaining speed and efficiency in project development.
• Customer feedback and data-informed decisions should guide product development, but not to the point of paralysis.
• Navigating regulations and legal requirements is a balancing act between compliance and customer-centric decision-making.
• Extreme focus and targeted growth strategies can demonstrate business value and attract investment.

BEST MOMENTS

"Failure was the default in a sense. So, when later in business, we encountered our first dips through the market and so forth and so forth. I think as founders, we were like, this is fine, this is normal, we can cope with that." [3:23] (David discusses how the early challenges and lack of funding at CarWow helped build resilience in the founders)

“You have to be resilient, it’s impossible to grow on and on without challenges” [4:46] (David talking about the importance of resilience in business and why there will always be hurdles when working in any business for a long time)

"I think there were, before COVID, the nuclear market, there were a few other critical events that happened. One was the diesel scandal. Another one was WFPT, where the CEO of a new company thought, wait a second, we have a lots of traffic. We are not monetising really well." [08:00] (David explains how critical events in the automotive industry prompted CarWow's CEO to diversify revenue streams and improve monetisation)

"I'm very happy with the culture. The key differentiator for us is we are highly co-collaborative and we don't just say it, we like helping each other and whenever new people come from other companies, they always mention it" [26:48] (David expresses his satisfaction with CarWow's highly collaborative culture and how it stands out to new employees)

"We are trying to organise the organisation in a way that, hey, If you're helping the department and we help the whole organisation, you thrive." [27:37] (David explains how CarWow's organisational structure encourages collaboration and mutual success)

“You have to compete or you fall behind, simple as that” [33:23] (David talks about how to manage changes and scale, including long term to remain competitive in the market)

"That’s important in a start-up, you need to find people that enjoy technology as a tool to achieve." [40:46] (David on why finding coders and other tech-based employees that share a company’s vision is essential for the companies success)

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this second episode with Rob Wade, host Mike delves deep into the world of QA and its crucial role in tech growth. Rob shares his wealth of experience and unique insights on measuring quality, the importance of dialogue, and the challenges of remote work. Filled with thought-provoking discussions and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to master the art of tech growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• QAs can act as blueprinters, shaping projects before development begins, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
• Bouncing back and forth between states in a workflow indicates a breakdown in interpretation and process.
• The worst and most expensive place to find a bug is in production, as it leads to context switching and delays.
• Documenting time spent in each status can help identify bottlenecks and improve throughput.
• Hybrid work models offer flexibility but require discipline to maintain productivity and avoid burnout.
• Communication is the most important factor for tech venture growth, as it drives action and alignment.
• Constructive conflict is necessary for decision-making and avoiding hidden issues that can hinder progress.
• As projects progress, discussions about changes should become increasingly trivial, with major decisions made early on.

BEST MOMENTS

"The best compliment you can pay me is that I'm a pedant. Because that is why I'm here." (02:29) Rob discussing the importance of QA's role in finding problems and being meticulous in their work.

"If you get buy-in for that mindset in a team, that production's a bad place to find it, then you have an easier life because they don't want it to happen that way." (03:31) Rob emphasises the importance of catching bugs before production and getting the team to understand that mindset.

"If you've got people who work on a kind of standard day in their territory, you lose the kind of point - you have to a minimal point of synchronisation where they can actually touch base and compare notes." (10:57) Rob discusses the challenges of working with distributed teams across different time zones and the need for synchronisation.

"I think the opportunity of being able to kind of shape stuff before you start building it is the bit that, you know, QAs can act as kind of blueprinters to help everybody get on the same page in terms of what we're trying to achieve." (08:07) Rob highlights the value QA can bring by being involved early in the process and helping to define the project's goals.

"Businesses talk about productivity in terms of we're paying you for your time. We expect you to work for us during your time, not an unreasonable position. Employees are thinking about productivity in the sense of what can I get done in a day." (21:48) Rob discusses the different ways businesses and employees define productivity, particularly in the context of remote work.

"You should always have everybody in the team moving towards the same goal for the business, which is continued growth and success. But you need everybody to kind of be aligned on what that looks like, what the definition of that is." (46:21) Rob stresses the importance of having the entire team aligned and working towards the same business goals for growth and success.

"I want the discussions around what needs to change to become increasingly trivial as you get closer to the end. So the big, you know, significant shifts in functionality and look and feel in kind of overall working are decided earlier and at the end, it's about do we make that button red or yellow?" (51:36) Rob explains his philosophy on project management, where major decisions should be made early on, and discussions should become more trivial as the project nears completion.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Join Mike as he discusses the business implications of AI and data with Steven Harrison, co-founder of Infratech Digital. Steven Harrison shares his visionary insights on the future of AI, the value of data, and how businesses can stay ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. From comparing data to oil fields to predicting the rise of company-specific AIs, this episode will reshape your understanding of technology's role in business growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Data is becoming a new pillar of economic value, alongside labour, resources, and capital, with unique properties that make it infinitely replicable and potentially more valuable over time.
• AI is evolving from understanding and learning to creating, which opens up new possibilities for problem-solving and innovation beyond just automation.
• Companies that develop their own specialised AIs may gain a significant competitive advantage, potentially outperforming those with only top human talent.
• The adoption curve for AI technology is likely to be nearly vertical, with widespread integration expected within five years across various industries.
• Security is crucial for protecting valuable data and AI assets, and businesses should consider partnering with specialised security providers rather than relying solely on in-house expertise.
• The value created by IT investments needs to be carefully measured and justified, as many companies have shifted expenses to technology without necessarily increasing profitability.
• Businesses should use AI to eliminate waste and free up employee time for strategic thinking about transforming their operations and services.
• Education in digital infrastructure and data management is becoming as essential as basic literacy for navigating the modern world and avoiding exploitation

BEST MOMENTS

"We don't teach how to build the things that make digital possible. We teach how to consume digital when it's already been built. So it begs the question of, well, who's going to build the next generation?" 02:19 (Harrison discussing the lack of education in digital infrastructure)

"The organisations that do that work best today, I think they're going to be positioned for an incredibly lucrative hundred years because as data becomes more controlled, more constrained, the value of the people that do have the data is just going to go up exponentially." 31:29 (Explaining the long-term value of data ownership)

"Once you realise that sort of step one, step two, step three process that have created an AI with the ability to think, I've now given it the ability to learn and have now given it the ability to create. If we look at that AI as we would a little human. It's kind of how we raise children, isn't it?"  36:33 (Harrison comparing AI development to raising children)

"We're going to see countries and organisations that previously would have struggled to compete, suddenly be extremely competitive. Because they've invested wisely in AI technology." 45:29 (Discussing how AI could level the playing field in global competition)

"If you wait until the wave is crashing down on top of you, there's going to be so much competitive pressure. There's going to be so much more pressure for the talent that you can now hire and train and develop today." 1:05:54 (Advising businesses to start AI transformation early)

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

Mike speaks to Joe Pulizzi, who is a content marketing guru who is the founder of multiple startups including The Tilt, Content Expo Events, the author of 7 books, and the host of several podcasts. He also runs The Orange Effect Foundation which provides children with consistent speech therapy.

Joe explains how he went down the content marketing rabbit hole and how any business can leverage it. He and Mike discuss, which platforms you should use, software, automation, knowing your audience, email list building, leveraging AI and much more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• If you want to grow significantly you need to build a strong relationship with your customers. Content marketing enables you to do this.
• People come to know, like and trust you, over time. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
• Don´t just go create content. Know who your audience is and be clear about what your marketing goal is.
• To find your sweet spot, ask what my audience’s pain spots are, what am I qualified to talk and tell stories about, and what differentiates us from our competitors.
• Don´t publish on every channel. Joe explains how to choose which ones.
• Initially you will need to set up listening posts so you can better understand what your audience wants. But don´t forget to talk to your customers.
• Use your content to build your list. You need to get people´s email addresses to gain one-on-one access that will enable you to better serve them.
• Once you have people´s email you can use that to look at their buying behaviour.
• Use your data to the full. So many businesses don´t.
• Before investing in software, get the most out of free tools like Google Analytics.
• Create a long-form piece of content e.g. a podcast, then pull your short content out of that.
• Make sure you post to a platform you own e.g. your website. The socials constantly change the algorithms, so you can never 100% rely on it.
• Leaning too heavily on AI stifles your creativity and makes you sound the same as everyone else.
• AI does however make a great assistant for example doing research.
• It takes a long time to build a business, years, which is why patience is essential.

BEST MOMENTS

05:52 "It (content marketing) takes a lot of time, but it is the absolute best form of marketing on the planet." 

13:45  “Create content that differentiates you and rises above all the other content clutter out there?" 

25:48 "At some point you have to think like a marketing strategist and say I need to have the data." 

27:20 "Build a program to get people back to your website and sign up for something." 

40:17 "We don't have the time or resources to really figure out all these channels and do what we need to do. So just choose one." 

48:33 "I think you´re in trouble if you´re getting your content from an AI tool." 

55:57  “Don't spend frivolously. Don't be on every platform. Be strategic." 

ABOUT THE GUEST

https://www.thetilt.com/tilt-author/joe-pulizzi

https://cex.events/speaker/joe-pulizzi-2/

https://theorangeeffect.org/about/

https://www.joepulizzi.com/signup/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepulizzi/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Remote leader Charlie Perrins joins Mike to talk about how he navigates remote work in a global tech team. Charlie shares his experiences transitioning from an office mindset to successfully managing distributed teams across North America, Latin America, and India. Packed with practical wisdom and thought-provoking anecdotes, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to thrive in the world of remote tech leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Shifting from an office mindset to remote work requires adapting communication and collaboration strategies while maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality work.
• Aligning teams across different time zones is crucial, with the client's time zone serving as the anchor point for all team members.
• Cultural differences among global teams are less significant than individual roles and skill sets when it comes to effective collaboration.
• Respect and acknowledge team members' locations and time zones through small gestures like greeting everyone according to their local time.
• Remote work has opened up opportunities for more flexible schedules and improved work-life balance.
• Leading people effectively is the most critical factor in achieving tech venture growth, as people are the driving force behind all achievements.
• Spontaneous conversations and innovation can still occur in remote settings through the use of video calls and collaboration tools.
• The software development lifecycle remains largely unchanged in remote work, with improvements in tools and cloud services enhancing efficiency.

BEST MOMENTS

"You do good work when someone from the client's team is acting in some capacity as a product owner. When you're in a fortunate position on both sides of the equation to be able to do that then I think the best work will come out of it" (08:17) Charlie emphasises the importance of having a product owner from the client's team to ensure the best work is delivered.

"I think that my biggest misconception was that it wouldn't work. I worried that it would be difficult. I worried that I would be less useful to the rest of my team if I was not there. (24:57) Charlie reflects on his initial misconception about remote work and his concerns about being less useful to his team when not physically present.

"It feels more the same than different in terms of the shape of the SDLC, it's just that some of the tools have got better, the access to cloud services has increased, you know, lets us maybe do certain things faster than we used to do." (52:04) Charlie shares his thoughts on how the software development lifecycle has remained largely unchanged in remote work, with improvements in tools and cloud services enhancing efficiency.

"If you're not careful, team members can get lost and not everybody can sort of be carried along that journey. And that's, I think, where risks and errors creep in because somebody's doing a task, not deliberately doing it badly or certainly not doing it maliciously, but they don't quite think they're meant to be doing the same thing that somebody else thinks they're meant to be doing." (1:02:16) Charlie discusses the risks of team members getting lost in the process and how misaligned expectations can lead to errors and mistakes.

"To the extent we lose that on the days where we're not working in the office, we gain it from being able to chat to colleagues, or at least in the, in the kind of company I'm in now, where there's lots of us all over the world, we gain it from the freedom of being able to have a call with anybody. Wherever they might be if a call with that person is what you need to get to a good idea or to get to a breakthrough." (1:07:24)  Charlie explains how remote work settings can still foster spontaneous conversations and innovation through the use of video calls and the ability to connect with colleagues worldwide.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Charlie Perrins is a MarTech & AdTech specialist who has led engineering teams around the globe. He has lived in the UK and the USA, with over 15 years of digital agency experience working in software engineering, team lead and executive roles. Charlie has three children with his wife Lucy, and plays guitar for bands in North Yorkshire & Massachusetts when he’s not working or being a dad.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieperrins/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Today, James Kirk, a seasoned product designer working in tech, shares his extensive experience in product design, service design, and entrepreneurship. James highlights the importance of validation in tech ventures, and delves into his entrepreneurial journey, discussing the emotional highs and lows, and the significance of building the right team. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The importance of validating the problem and ensuring that someone is willing to pay for the solution is crucial for any tech venture growth.

• Finding a balance between meeting the needs of the business and the users is essential for product development success.

• When considering accelerators, it's important to choose one that aligns with your stage, background, and comfort level with the equity and funding model.

• Accelerator programs can be intense and require full commitment to get the most value out of the workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

• Ideas are worth nothing until they are executed upon. The value lies in what you do with the idea and how you turn it into a viable business.

BEST MOMENTS

"I wasn't really that interested in selling people stuff they didn't really need for the rest of my life."

"I've always used side projects as a way to, to not only sort of motivate myself, but also explore potential business ideas."

"I think I wasted time and energy in projects which, looking back on it, weren't going to go anywhere or didn't have the right set up to be successful."

ABOUT THE GUEST

James Kirk is an entrepreneurial force, driving innovation and community impact through his various projects. His latest projects include Tribul, a digital auction house designed around selling physical artworks through the use of NFTs, and Blackbullion, a new money management app for students. 

https://www.tribul.org/

https://www.blackbullion.com/

https://www.theotherjameskirk.com/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike interviews Chris, a data science expert, about the latest trends and developments in AI. From neural networks to generative AI, they dive deep into the technology behind the AI revolution. Chris shares his experiences working at a fast-growing startup and his current venture Speedsheet, which converts Excel models into web apps. Listen in for thought-provoking insights on the future of AI and its impact on businesses and jobs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Neural networks, modelled after the human brain, are the basis of deep learning and have enabled breakthroughs like AlphaGo beating the world champion at Go.
• AI is currently in a bubble similar to the dot-com era, with high valuations and over-promising, but the technology is here to stay and will transform industries.
• Specialised AI models that focus on specific tasks can provide immense value to businesses at a lower cost than general-purpose models.
• AI will automate much intellectual grunt work, but jobs requiring creativity, problem-solving and human interaction are safer in the short term.
• The falling cost of computing power and the potential of quantum computing could lead to exponential advances in AI capabilities.
• Microsoft's acquisition of GitHub may have been a strategic move to gain access to a vast code repository for training AI models.
• The most important factor for success in a tech startup is the ability to iterate quickly based on a deep understanding of users' needs.
• Verification and synthetic data generation are key areas of research for ensuring AI models perform reliably and as intended.

BEST MOMENTS

Whenever you hear the word deep learning, basically it means machine learning with neural networks." (Chris, 11:35) Chris provides a simple definition of deep learning and its relationship to neural networks.

"What I find really interesting, and I think the comparison is fair between dot-com and AI, is that yes, the dot-com bubble was a real thing and then a lot of companies went bust, but the internet stayed." (Chris, 46:57) Chris compares the current AI bubble to the dot-com era, noting that while many companies may fail, the underlying technology will persist and transform industries.

"I wouldn't be too worried, honestly. I mean, I think the job of an engineer or a data scientist, it's not, it's not just programming." (Chris, 01:03:48) When asked about the potential for AI to replace jobs, Chris suggests that roles requiring creativity and problem-solving will be safer in the short term.

"It's so hard to say one, right? You need, you need lots of things, but if you, if you really pin me down and you have to tell me what, what's like the, the one thing, yeah, it's being able to fit like your product to the user." (Chris, 1:08:58) Chris emphasises the importance of deeply understanding users' needs and quickly iterating based on their feedback as the key to success for tech startups.

"Still very open area of research, but could be promising as a way to kind of, I guess qualitatively measure the performance of, of your, of your specific AI model." (Chris, 1:22:12) Chris discusses the potential of synthetic data generation for testing and validating the performance of AI models.

"I love Excel. I've done like internships in finance. So sort of really comfortable with Excel. I like maths and everything. And I think it's, it's honestly, I think it's probably the most transformative, software in the last 30 years." (Chris, 1:16:53) Context: Chris expresses his admiration for Microsoft Excel and its impact on businesses over the past few decades.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike sits down with Vasileios Fasoulas to explore the key elements of building and leading high-performing engineering teams. Vasileios shares valuable insights on navigating the challenges of talent acquisition, retention, and career progression in the fast-paced world of tech. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for unlocking your engineering team's full potential and mastering tech growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Unlock the power of clear communication to navigate project challenges and changes like a boss.
• Embrace diversity in your engineering teams to supercharge problem-solving and innovation.
• Master the art of mentorship to help your team members soar to new heights.
• Crack the code on balancing senior and junior engineers to achieve your team's mission.
• Adapt to the new normal of remote work to attract and retain top engineering talent.
• Fuel your engineers' passion with continuous learning opportunities that keep them on the cutting edge.
• Discover the secret to retaining top talent by understanding their motivations and creating a growth-focused environment.
• Learn to make bold decisions and communicate effectively to conquer legacy technology challenges.

BEST MOMENTS

"It all starts and ends with people...people are the most important thing because ultimately this is what you compete with, you know, resources and capital." (00:46:06) Vasileios discussing the most critical factor for tech ventures' growth.

"I strongly suspect that hard figures will show that if not now...we'll have another year or two, this will grind to unmanageable levels." (01:23:26) Vasileios tackling legacy technology challenges head-on.

"So if there are people who have that aspiration and you feel that they have, this capability or growing towards that capability, say how could you, how you can support them. And that brings us back to mentoring." (01:13:07) Vasileios championing internal promotion and growth through mentorship.

"I think put a CTO hat on for this one. It's a bold decision and communication to CEO to the board and say, look, we understand we invested in this platform. It served its role right now."  (01:23:00) Vasileios stepping up as a CTO to address legacy technology issues.

"Don't do it. Now. The decision will be made for you again maybe a year, two years from you when you literally have no people to support and then You've been a really tough In a really tough place commercially as well." (01:24:26) Mike emphasising the importance of proactive decision-making.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike speaks with Adelina Chalmers the founder of Geek Whisperers. She helps CTOs, Heads of Engineering, and others to improve team performance. In her 20s, Adelina stopped working in human rights organisations when she realised, she could help people far more by working in tech.

Her mission is to transform engineers and their leaders. To do that they both need to know how to give and take feedback. Something that we are socially and biologically engineered to struggle with. Adelina explains how to unpick that and use feedback to transform our performance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Those who work in tech have an incredibly powerful impact on people´s lives. The projects we work on really move the needle.
• Feedback is critical. Without it, nobody knows if they are doing a great job or not.
• Feedback is not a personal attack. Often, for biological and social reasons we see it that way, Adelina explains why and how to get past that feeling.
• Lean into feedback. Regardless of how you feel respond by saying “Tell me more” 
• Think of feedback on your performance as being like the feedback you get from customers when developing products.
• Remote feedback is more difficult. Adelina explains how to get around this.
• For feedback to work well, the two people need to trust each other and have a proper connection. Remote teams need some face-to-face time.
• Tell people in advance why you need to speak to them. Don´t blindside them.
• Coach first if that does not work give feedback. Remember constant negative feedback wears people down.

BEST MOMENTS

02:11 "Giving feedback and receiving feedback is effectively how we all grow." 

03:43 "When people ask for feedback, most people mean, please don´t hurt me, give me good feedback." 

29:03 "If you think about growing, by default, you have to make mistakes, learn from 

32:19 "My key tip would be to build a relationship of trust with this person." 

50:06 "Coach them every time they make a mistake. And if the coaching doesn't work, then you can move a gear up to feedback." 

1.00:00 "The business strategy tells you what you need to do with your tech strategy.”

ABOUT THE GUEST

https://www.geekwhisperer.co.uk/adelina-chalmers

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/alternative-st-sandwich-time-writing-adelina-chalmers

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Martynas Kveksas, a Senior Software Engineer, discusses various topics related to web development, remote work, and the future of technology. He shares his experience in solving web problems and highlights the challenges of outgrowing initial database designs. Martynas also discusses the impact of remote work on team dynamics and productivity, as well as the potential advancements in AI and VR technology. The episode provides insights into team structures, development processes, and the integration of AI in the workplace. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The team structure at the company is relatively small, with a focus on development, QA, and support.
• The team uses Agile methodologies, with two-week sprints and regular stand-up meetings to track progress and address any issues.
• The team is currently working on reducing dependencies and ensuring there are no single points of failure within the team.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think the healthiest thing would be 50% of development time that we spend would be addressing technical debt."

"You start out small and you create your database schemas for that project, and it works perfectly fine. Then a few years later, the project keeps growing... and eventually, that your design of the database hits a bottleneck."

"Addressing technical debt might not be that high [a priority]... But if you have an older product with lots of clients... perhaps you allow the clients to request new features... that's where technical debt is a lot worse."

"I really believe in the potential of AI to change the landscape of many industries, but it has to be done with a conscientious approach to its societal impact. The advancements we make today could define the opportunities we have tomorrow."

"Transitioning our structure after being acquired was about finding a balance between integrating into a larger organization and preserving the agile, nimble spirit of a smaller team. It's about keeping the core that made us successful while embracing change."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST
Martynas Kveksas has been tinkering with computers since his early teens, immersing himself in the early internet since around 2000. Having witnessed significant transformations in computing, Martynas acknowledges both the positive, like enhanced security and accessibility, and the negative, such as increased commercialization and aggressive user tracking.

His journey with PHP began in 2012 under mentorship at Ultra Knowledge, leading to his current role at Access Group. Specializing in back-end development, he also engages in front-end React projects, yet his passion lies in PHP, Linux, and databases.

ABOUT THE HOST
Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW
Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike talks with David Lush about the intriguing world of imposter syndrome in tech leadership. Dave shares his personal journey from experiencing intense imposter syndrome to feeling surprisingly confident in his new role. The conversation explores psychological safety, authenticity, and the delicate balance between humility and assertiveness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Imposter syndrome can be a sign of growth and stepping out of your comfort zone, indicating you're challenging yourself in new roles.
• Developing a personal playbook for entering new roles can help mitigate imposter syndrome and increase confidence in adding value quickly.
• Active listening and asking questions before sharing opinions can help maintain humility while leveraging experience in leadership positions.
• Creating psychological safety in teams is crucial for open communication and addressing mental health concerns in the tech industry.
• Authenticity and being yourself at work can lead to trust-building and improved psychological safety within teams.
• Balancing humility with confidence is key for effective leadership, especially when transitioning from individual contributor to management roles.
• Influence in the workplace can be gained through a combination of experience, data-driven arguments, and effective storytelling techniques.
• The tech industry is gradually shifting towards a healthier work-life balance, with younger generations prioritising clear boundaries and fair exchanges in their careers.

BEST MOMENTS

"I've never really been able to keep my mouth shut and therefore I've ended up down the sort of management and leadership IC." 01:30: Dave explains how he transitioned into leadership roles due to his tendency to speak up and share ideas.

"A case of getting out and meeting people in the company doing the, you know, the information firehose thing, like, let me gather context, let me understand how your business works, build a mental model of it." 08:19: Dave is describing his strategy for quickly understanding a new company and role.

"I think I'm probably quite in the middle, you know, I'm very happy in my own company, but I also like a bit of other people's company for a period of time." 03:11: Dave is reflecting on his introverted and extroverted tendencies in relation to leadership roles.

"I feel like a bit of imposter syndrome is good. You know, the fact that I don't have any imposter syndrome coming into this role is probably a sign that I've not, you know, challenged myself enough with the role that I've moved into" 38:37: Dave believes that the lack of imposter syndrome in his current role might indicate a need for more challenges.

ABOUT THE GUEST

David Lush is the Chief Technology Officer at MindGym, with a distinguished career in technology leadership, including key roles as Head of Engineering at Onzo and Visa. With over 20 years of experience, David excels in building and scaling high-performing teams, aligning strategy with company vision, and fostering a culture of innovation and psychological safety. Known for his strategic mindset and commitment to continuous learning, David integrates his expertise in engineering and data to drive success and growth.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike speaks to Steve Spittle, the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder at GlobalTrust Ltd about the fascinating world of satellite data and its role in sustainability. Steve shares his journey from environmental science to space technology, explains how Global Trust leverages satellite imagery for environmental monitoring and discusses the ethical implications and future of the industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and the power of space-based observations to drive positive change on Earth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Global Trust uses satellite data to monitor environmental impacts, helping businesses make sustainable decisions and comply with regulations.
• Satellite imagery can provide valuable insights into various environmental factors, including deforestation, atmospheric emissions, and biodiversity.
• The satellite data industry is evolving rapidly, shifting towards smaller, more cost-effective satellites and increased data accessibility.
• AI and machine learning play crucial roles in analysing satellite data, but it's essential to use these technologies judiciously and transparently.
• The future of satellite data analysis will likely involve more integrated, user-friendly tools that become part of everyday business operations.
• Ethical considerations around satellite data usage include privacy concerns and the need for transparent, traceable analysis processes.
• Sustainability is becoming increasingly important for businesses, driven by regulations, investor pressure, and public awareness.
• Networking and participating in industry events are crucial for CTOs and businesses looking to stay informed about sustainability trends and technologies.

BEST MOMENTS

22:56 "So effectively the pricing module is on the frequency of data on a quality of data and then there's a historical data sets you can buy into that." (Mike summarising Steve's explanation of satellite data pricing models)

25:58 "From space, we are actually able to map out exactly where the dust goes from the activities. And we can also look at some of the high level composition of that dust by looking at its individual spectral footprint." (Steve Spittle discussing how satellite data can be used to monitor industrial dust pollution)

28:08 "We've gone from a place of having a separate sustainability report and a separate business model to now having what they call a sustainable business model. And they've combined the two." (Steve Spittle explaining how businesses are integrating sustainability into their core operations)

51:18 "I think 10 years in the future, we won't be so obsessed, I hope, with using terms such as AI, and it's going to be part of the kind of fabric of what we do on a day to day and it just gets wrapped into this term of analysis." (Steve Spittle predicting the future of AI and satellite data analysis)

01:01:18 "The premise of sustainability is that part of that idea of inclusion and actually bringing all these thoughts together and recognising that if we're going to have any chance of making any real impact, we need to have this kind of multidisciplinary approach." (Steve Spittle discussing the importance of collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges)

ABOUT THE GUEST

Steve Spittle

Steve Spittle previously worked as the Global Extractives Industries Technical Lead at the Satellite Applications Catapult. Within this role Steve engaged with stakeholders across the mining sector from large multinational commercial companies, governments and investors, creating satellite-based solutions. Prior to this role Steve held two additional roles at the Catapult, alongside these roles at the Catapult, Steve spent three years as a technical and business mentor for satellite start-up companies across Europe, as part of the Copernicus Accelerator programme. Finally, Steve is a non-executive director of Lux Aerobot, an exciting Canadian high-altitude platform start-up. He is one of the 100 Geospatial Rising Stars 2024.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrustgrp

https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-spittle/

https://globaltrustgrp.com/solutions/globalguard/

https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/449780/steve-spittle-%E2%80%93-emerging-technology-lead-digital-intelligence

https://sa.catapult.org.uk/podcasts/ep-5-mining-for-sustainable-energy/

Spacewatch: https://spacewatch.global/2024/04/esa-funds-globaltrust-and-ecogains-space2climb-project/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Today, Mike speaks to Andy Skipper, the founder of CTO Craft, and a senior technology leader, delves into the challenges faced by CTOs in the current market. With a community of 16,000 members, CTO Craft offers mentoring, coaching, and e-learning opportunities for technology leaders. Mike and Andy cover topics such as the impact of the pandemic on hiring practices, the importance of commercial understanding for CTOs, and the skills needed to navigate the role successfully. Andy shares insights on building relationships, managing burnout, and the significance of prioritization in a CTO's journey. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leverage local communities, events, and online platforms to connect with other technology leaders and expand your professional network.

• Develop skills in understanding business objectives, budgeting, and forecasting to align technology strategies with overall company goals.

• Cultivate strong relationships with team members, peers, and leadership to foster collaboration and effective communication within the organization.

• Identify key objectives and focus on tasks that have the most significant impact on achieving your goals, while letting go of less critical activities to avoid burnout.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think anybody, who has any kind of relevant experience can become a mentor and a coach as well."

"Navigating the current job market is like sailing in a storm; the key is to be adaptable and multi-skilled—to become the Swiss Army Knife of technology talent."

"As a CTO, you're not just an engineer. You're a bridge builder, connecting the nuts and bolts of technology with the bricks and mortar of business strategy."

"Leadership in technology is less about mastering the code and more about mastering the art of communication; translating complex ideas into visions that inspire teams and align with business goals."

"The resilience of a company's technology strategy during downturns is a testament to the CTO's foresight—balancing innovation with practicality, and technical debt with market demands."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST
Andy Skipper is a seasoned technology leader with a wealth of experience in steering startup engineering teams to success. Currently, he leads CTO Craft, a mentoring community for global CTOs and tech leaders. Andy oversees 15,000+ professionals, offering personalized mentorship and strategic guidance. 
He also curates the Tech Manager Weekly newsletter, a vital resource for technology leaders seeking insights and best practices in the tech landscape. 

Sign up here for Andy's Tech Manager Weekly newsletter: https://www.techmanagerweekly.com/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Charlie De Rusett, a three-time founder and chief innovation officer at Wazoku, discusses the importance of innovation in tech companies' growth. He emphasizes the need for a diverse and complementary team with the right skills and knowledge. Charlie shares his insights on the different types of innovation, such as continuous improvement, and disruptive innovation, and the value they bring to businesses. He also delves into the challenges of measuring innovation and the importance of having clear KPIs. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Strategy should come first when it comes to innovation. It helps define the problem or opportunity and guides the innovation process.
• Innovation can be defined broadly as doing something better or doing something new and delivering value from it.
• The success of a tech company's growth relies on the collective intelligence and complementary skills of its team members.

BEST MOMENTS

"Innovation is not just about the big 'aha!' moments. It’s about consistently adding value, whether it’s through incremental improvements or disruptive technologies. It’s the relentless pursuit of betterment."

"Different gamification techniques work totally differently in different organizations." 

"The Blockbuster-Netflix saga serves as a cautionary tale. It reminds us that no matter how big or established you are, failing to innovate or recognize the potential of new ideas can lead to obsolescence."

"A well-structured innovation process is akin to agile development—it brings a level of predictability and allows for measuring outcomes, which is crucial for any organization looking to forge ahead."

"Our challenge-driven framework is like casting a wide net into a sea of possibilities. It’s about broadcasting your biggest problems to a diverse audience and harnessing the collective intelligence to fish out viable solutions."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST
Charlie de Rusett commenced his business journey at RAB Capital, delving into the intricacies of business dynamics while serving as an analyst on their Special Situations Fund. His aspirations to create value for stakeholders led him to helm Vine Publishing, transforming it into a premier local lifestyle publisher within a year.

Concurrently, he founded Yellowball, a digital marketing agency catering to Vine's clientele. Charlie's interest in SaaS led to the inception of Idea Drop, addressing the challenge of idea management across organizations.

As CEO of Idea Drop, he facilitated a successful exit to Wazoku in early 2023, assuming the role of Chief Innovation Officer.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Ramez Hanna shares his journey of transitioning from an individual contributor to a people manager in the tech industry. Evolving from a sysadmin to a manager, Ramez emphasizes the importance of fostering a growth mindset and creating a supportive team environment. He discusses the challenges of aligning personal career goals with business priorities, the significance of inclusivity in diverse teams, and the essential role of feedback in leadership development. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Focus on fostering a growth mindset within the team by encouraging learning, openness to failure, and embracing vulnerability.
• Lead by example as a manager by showing humility, vulnerability, and a willingness to learn from others.
• Create a culture of inclusivity by valuing diversity, listening to different perspectives, and building trust within the team.
• Prioritize people management over technical tasks when transitioning into a management role, emphasizing the importance of team growth and success.
• Seek feedback from various sources, including team members and peers, to continuously improve as a manager and leader.

BEST MOMENTS

"Lead by example. Show that you are open to learning, that you don't know things and have a curious mind."

"Growth requires learning and having an open mind. The number one thing to foster is the ability for people to say, 'I don't know,' to fail without fear."

"Building a plan to get the culture fixed requires really understanding what's going on. Let's start with the obvious things. Lead by example."

"The more diverse opinions you can source, as in the sense of feedback for any challenge you're trying to tackle, it's just going to be a good data point to think about."

"It's not about what you can do. It's about how you get from the team and what they can do."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Ramez Hanna is a Tech Leader and a Leadership Coach. With over 20 years in tech he has developed an interest in people and helping them grow. He is a certified coach working with aspiring leaders to help them achieve their goals. 
Ramez offers coaching discovery sessions for those who wish to explore. 

https://circleofgrowth.net/ 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramezhanna/ 

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals in the dynamic tech landscape.

As the host of "Mastering Tech Growth," Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. His passion lies in empowering listeners with the tools and expertise needed to navigate the ever-evolving tech industry and achieve sustainable growth.

With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. His expertise in bridging the gap between theory and practical implementation makes each episode a valuable resource for anyone looking to excel in the world of tech-driven growth.

Join Mike on "Mastering Tech Growth" to delve into insightful conversations and gain a roadmap to success in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Mike interviews Craig Mellon, an experienced CTO who shares his journey from a passionate developer to a technology leader. Craig discusses the importance of hands-on experience, the challenges of transitioning into leadership roles, and the key skills needed to succeed as a CTO. He also highlights the significance of fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning within technology teams.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Hands-on experience as a developer is invaluable for CTOs, providing a deep understanding of technology and its impact on business decisions.
• Transitioning from an individual contributor to a leadership role requires letting go of control and trusting your team to grow and innovate.
• Passion for continuous learning and staying up to date with the latest tech trends is crucial for driving innovation and making informed decisions.
• Business acumen is essential for CTOs to effectively communicate with stakeholders and align technology initiatives with business goals.
• A CTO's role varies depending on the size and nature of the company, ranging from hands-on involvement in startups to more strategic roles in larger enterprises.
• Encouraging experimentation and providing opportunities for team members to explore new technologies fosters a culture of innovation.
• Formal education alone may not be sufficient for a CTO role; practical experience and tailored learning resources are equally valuable.
• Clear communication and presenting technology initiatives in terms of business benefits are key to gaining support from executives and stakeholders.

BEST MOMENTS

"I kind of got obsessed with computers and programming then, which really drove me career in that direction." (01:34) - Craig shares how his early passion for technology shaped his career path.

"I've always found that most, most companies I've worked at, Kind of kind of always fall into that leadership role I tend to always end up leading a project or lead in a team" (9:44) - Craig discusses his natural tendency to take on leadership roles throughout his career.

"You've got to, you've got to, you've got to realize to step back as well, to see bigger picture." (12:43) - Craig emphasises the importance of stepping back and seeing the bigger picture as a leader.

"I think from a, from a CTO point of view, if you, during your communication with your team, if you're telling them about how this is going to affect the business. How it's going to help grow the business. And we're going to choose this solution because it'll help scale and it'll be cheaper to scale than this one." (20:02) - Craig explains how CTOs can help their teams understand the business impact of technology decisions.

"I'd rather you come out and ask rather than sit there worrying, trying to sort something out." (29:46) - Craig encourages a culture of open communication and asking for help when needed.

"You've got to give the business confidence in your decisions and what you're proposing. And so I think that really helps with those kind of decisions." (01:01:09) - Craig emphasises the importance of communicating effectively with business stakeholders.

"I think you've got to find a good, fit for your business." (01:14:18) - Craig highlights that the CTO role varies depending on the company's size and requirements.

"If you show people they can have that time and foster that innovation, I think that's a great way to progress with it." (01:11:11) - Craig discusses the importance of providing time and resources for innovation.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Join Mike as he interviews Salavat Magazov, a product development engineer with a passion for biotech automation. Salavat shares his fascinating journey of building a complex cell culture automation machine with a team of dedicated individuals, all while navigating the challenges of managing a remote, unpaid team. Discover the key motivators that keep the team engaged and learn valuable insights into balancing chaos and order in the creative process.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Salavat and his team are developing a complex cell culture automation machine to alleviate the manual labour of biologists, allowing them to focus on creative work and advance science.
• The team, consisting of remote and unpaid members, remains highly motivated due to the presence of purpose, mastery, and autonomy in the project.
• AI plays a significant role in the project, with 80% of the code written by AI and 20% by humans, demonstrating the potential for AI to revolutionise software development.
• Balancing chaos and order is crucial for creative endeavours; Salavat maintains this balance by setting physical boundaries between the two in his workspace.
• Product-market fit is essential for sustainable business growth, as even strong marketing and sales cannot compensate for a product that poorly fits customer needs.
• Effective communication between commercial and engineering teams is vital to maintain a sense of purpose and motivation within the team.
• AI struggles with spatial reasoning and global thinking but excels in constrained spaces and can significantly boost productivity in areas like code generation and comprehension of complex subjects.
• Removing financial anxiety allows people to focus on personal growth and contributing to society, which are key drivers of happiness and satisfaction.

BEST MOMENTS

"We don't know if there is actual commercial need we think there is we have very little actual validation, because, well, primarily because we're not seeking validation right now. It's for us, a fun project to do and it stretches our skills to, quite often to the limit." (13:09) - Salavat on the team's motivation and focus on challenging themselves.

"It turns out that this phenomenon about people not being motivated by money has been known to mainstream science for about 40 years, about 20 years ago, I had a friend who was doing a PhD and the topic of the PhD was non-financial incentives to workers." (42:12) - Salavat on the research behind non-financial motivators for workers.

"I think AI made our current level of software progress possible. If we had to just type all of that extra 80 percent of code would be a lot of work, a lot of manual work, and then debugging all of that and, you know, creating test cases." (1:02:35) - Salavat discusses the impact of AI on their software development process.

"Chaos is my nature. It's how I work, but I'm also trying to be orderly because it's necessity." (1:12:50) - Salavat discussing his struggle to balance chaos and order in his work.

"I think product market is probably, if I had to pick one, it would be this, everything else can be solved, by getting new people, trying new avenues of approaching the market, getting a new CFO, if something doesn't work. But if your product is a poor fit to the customer needs, yeah, it is. It's like, it's no brainer, right? Just build something people want. That's your market for business." (1:16:16) - Salavat emphasises the importance of product-market fit for business success.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Mike interviews Peter Sorgenfrei, a coach for CTOs and business leaders. They talk about the often-overlooked realm of work-life integration, challenging the hustle culture mentality. Peter shares his thoughts on time management, prioritisation, and the importance of "me time" for leaders. Mike and Peter’s conversation will make you rethink your approach to work and life, offering practical tips to boost productivity while maintaining balance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Work-life integration is more achievable than work-life balance, focusing on organising professional and personal life around peak performance times.
• Delegating tasks and prioritising ruthlessly can significantly reduce overwhelm and increase productivity for leaders at all levels.
• Regular "me time" without screens, preferably in nature, is crucial for recharging and maintaining clarity of mind.
• Challenging the need for meetings and questioning the importance of tasks can free up significant time and mental space.
• Building in public and ensuring at least five new people know about your business daily is crucial for startup growth.
• Napping for 20-25 minutes after lunch can provide a significant energy boost for the rest of the day.
• Engaging with a professional coach or mentor can accelerate career growth and provide valuable perspectives.
• Selling and making people aware of your product or service is more important than perfecting features when starting a business.

BEST MOMENTS

"I talk a lot about work life integration, which is to, instead of trying to find balance, which within something which is essentially out of balance because of our devices always being with us because of most of us being, you know, digital workers in some way, knowledge workers, it's about finding that integration." 06:48: Peter discussing the concept of work-life integration

"Sell every day. Selling. Sales saves everything." 56:15 Peter answering what is the most important thing for any tech venture growth)

"The number one piece of advice that I give anybody is make sure that five new people know that you exist and what you do every single day, seven days a week." 56:38 Peter emphasising the importance of building awareness for your business

"You can have the best product, but if you haven't exposed it to the market, if you haven't exposed it to customers and actually modified it in a way that they will buy it. You don't have a business." 58:51 Peter sharing the story about Mercedes-Benz introducing the C-Class to the US market

"I personally was person who was unwilling to pay for coaches and mentors until I slowly started doing it. And now I got a mentor and a coach for many things in life and the acceleration and the value exchange is just, it's just not comparable." 01:04:59 Mike discussing the value of professional coaching

ABOUT THE GUEST

Peter Sorgenfrei - CEO & Founder Coach

Website: https://www.petersorgenfrei.com/#1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sorgenfrei/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sorgenfrei_co

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@peter_sorgenfrei

Newsletter: https://astounding-speaker-2032.ck.page

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In today's episode, Sarah Kerrigan delves into the world of social media marketing. From the challenges of balancing work and family life to exploring the nuances of different social media platforms like Meta, LinkedIn, and Instagram, Sarah shares her experiences and expertise in the field. She offers valuable advice on targeting specific audiences, optimizing ad campaigns, and the importance of balancing brand marketing with direct response strategies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Prioritizing self-care and well-being is essential for personal and professional success.

• Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are powerful tools for marketing and generating leads.

• Different platforms have different targeting capabilities, and it's important to understand the strengths and limitations of each.

• High production value content may not always be the most effective in driving conversions, and low production value content can often resonate better with audiences.

BEST MOMENTS

"The beauty of digital marketing lies in the power to measure everything. But remember, it's not just about clicks; it's about understanding the full journey your customer takes and optimizing for a healthy return on ad spend."

"In the world of social media ads, diving into LinkedIn or meta is like choosing between precision and reach. Each platform has its merit, but the secret sauce is knowing where your audience lives and how they engage."

"While it's easy to get caught up in activation campaigns for that quick sale, never underestimate the slow burn effect of brand marketing. It's like planting seeds; you may not see the fruits of your labor immediately, but give it time, and they can grow into something substantial."

"Balancing brand marketing and activation marketing is like walking a tightrope; you need the immediate sales to keep the lights on, but you also need that long-term brand value that resonates with customers for years to come."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST

Meet Sarah, a powerhouse in Meta & LinkedIn advertising, dedicated to optimising social strategies for businesses worldwide. With over a decade of hands-on experience in paid social, Sarah has honed her expertise both on the client and agency sides of the industry.
As a former Trainer at Jellyfish and Course Facilitator for Google’s Data Driven Marketing Labs, Sarah has empowered professionals ranging from CMOs and senior marketers at Fortune 500 companies to SMEs and small business owners. 
Now, as the founder of That Social Media Girl and Training Course Director at CIM, Sarah continues to empower others to excel in digital through education and training.

ABOUT THE HOST
Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW
Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Join Mike in the first part of his conversation with Rob Wade, Head of Group IT at Kuflink, for a deep dive into the dynamics of start-ups versus enterprises. They explore the challenges of managing people, ensuring quality, and navigating the world of hybrid work. Rob shares his insights from his unique journey, offering valuable lessons for anyone in the tech industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Authenticity and open communication are crucial for effective leadership, especially when managing teams across different settings.
• Documenting processes and sharing knowledge helps mitigate the risk of single points of failure and ensures smooth operations.
• Balancing the demands of various stakeholders requires clear prioritisation, transparent dialogue, and managing expectations.
• Quality assurance goes beyond testing; QAs can add value by shaping requirements, improving user experience, and guiding the development process.
• Automation is essential for efficiency, but manual testing and human insight remain invaluable for ensuring product quality and usability.
• Navigating the trade-offs between speed and quality requires open discussions, clear priorities, and a commitment to addressing technical debt.
• Effective communication and alignment among developers, QAs, and product owners are key to building the right product efficiently.
• Embracing new challenges and continuous learning are essential for personal growth and career advancement in the tech industry.

BEST MOMENTS

"When you want the business to succeed because the people inside it are people you've, you kind of attach value to, you kind of resonate emotionally with that, that can be very kind of powerful as a motivator to kind of take you forwards." (8:56) Rob discusses how caring about the people you work with and wanting the business to succeed can be a strong motivator to push through challenges.

"I've always been quite happy to acknowledge where I don't know stuff." (12:21) Rob discusses the importance of being authentic and admitting when you don't have all the answers.

"The fun will come, but it's just that you have to kind of ride that period of chaos. You have to kind of go through that pain to then get to a point where you can kind of turn it into something fun” (24:29) Mike and Rob discuss the importance of persevering through the initial challenges and chaos when learning a new skill or taking on a new project, as it eventually leads to a sense of accomplishment and enjoyment.

"You're doing them a disservice in the long run to kind of placate them in the short term." (34:33) Rob explains why it's important to have difficult conversations and provide honest feedback for the long-term benefit of team members.

"QAs have underserved potential to add value even before the code is written by making sure that you think about all the scenarios you want to run through, putting yourself in the frame of mind of a user." (01:04:56) Rob highlights the valuable role QAs can play in shaping requirements and improving the user experience.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech start-ups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Vaclav Vincalek, a computer expert with over 30 years of experience in the field, shares insights on topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). He challenges the hype surrounding AI, emphasizing the importance of evaluating technology critically. Vaclav also discusses the dangers of overhyping AI, such as data poisoning and the gap between smart and naive users. He advocates for transparency in AI systems and encourages critical thinking when utilizing tools like ChatGPT and MidJourney.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• We should avoid using the term "AI" as a catch-all phrase without understanding its true meaning and limitations.

• Technology should be evaluated based on its merits, not just on hype or marketing.

• AI should be seen as a tool, not a replacement for humans. It can assist in certain tasks but cannot fully replicate human intelligence.

• Data poisoning is a real concern, as it can manipulate AI systems to provide false or biased information.

• Critical thinking is essential when it comes to AI, and it is important to ask questions about its potential benefits and risks.

BEST MOMENTS

"AI is not going to replace humans. AI is a tool. It will start doing jobs or be used for jobs which we didn't do before."

"The challenge is, it's like with every other cybersecurity endeavor you see out there, every single time somebody comes up with a system how to protect against known attacks, immediately somebody comes with a new way how to subvert that."

"The advantage which humans have over technology, they can adapt to things much better than the technology."

ABOUT THE GUEST

Vaclav Vincalek is a fractional CTO and CTO advisor with 30 years of experience in building successful tech companies. Vaclav's specialty is in aligning strategy and technology to enable the overall vision for startups and fast-growing companies.
With a background in custom software development, information technology and cybersecurity, Vaclav spends his time as a speaker at technology industry conferences, and contributes to commentary for technology reporters. 

He is even named as an inventor on a patent for product customization on the internet. This means that anytime you customize a product on the internet, Vaclav's work from 2008 is being implemented. 

Currently, Vaclav is working on HISWAI, a research workspace and collection system. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincalek/

https://555vcto.com/ 

https://hiswai.com/

https://recruitnrefer.ca/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/recruitnrefer/

Contact: vaclav@555vCTO.com

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.