DevReady Podcast

The Future of Leadership with Diana Minnée:AI, Strategy, & Scaling Startups|Ep 166|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Diana Minnée, Co-Founder & CEO of Astronort. With a rich background in technology and leadership roles, Diana shares her expertise on navigating the complexities of startup growth and strategic decision-making. She delves into how AI can enhance business operations, the benefits of fractional leadership, and practical advice for startups facing common challenges. Join us as Diana provides valuable insights on leveraging technology and strategic support to drive success in a dynamic business environment.
Diana brings a wealth of experience in technology and startups, having held various leadership roles, including that of a factional COO. She introduces Astronort, a venture dedicated to helping executives and boards make strategic decisions in a data-rich, fast-paced world. Diana outlines the challenges executives face, such as relying on gut feelings or being overly cautious due to information overload, and emphasises the role of technology, particularly AI, in enhancing decision-making.
Diana elaborates on how AI can serve as a valuable support tool for business operations rather than a replacement for human judgment. Astronort utilises foundational AI models to manage up to 70% of common business tasks, which frees up human resources to focus on strategic and competitive elements. She discusses the need for adaptive strategies in a rapidly changing environment, highlighting how Astronort's AI differentiates itself with deep, specific models that incorporate executive insights and advanced algorithms, providing a more intelligent system compared to generic tools.
The conversation delves into the practical applications of AI and data-driven tools in improving business decision-making. Diana and Anthony explore how AI can identify critical areas needing attention before traditional BI dashboards become obsolete. They stress the importance of focusing on core metrics like revenue and costs and discuss how AI can integrate diverse data sources to offer actionable insights. Diana also touches on the evolving role of executives, emphasising the need for them to focus more on strategic thinking and less on daily operations.
Diana shares her insights from her role as a factional COO, especially during crucial growth phases from seed to Series A. She discusses the challenges that startups face as they transition from a small, agile team to a more structured organisation. Diana highlights the need for systematisation and repeatable processes to support scaling effectively, even in a chaotic startup environment. She underscores the importance of having robust policies and systems to manage growth.
Finally, Diana addresses the advantages of fractional leadership roles for startups, such as factional COOs. She explains how these roles offer affordable, strategic support during critical phases of growth, providing valuable experience and broad skill sets that startups may lack. Diana emphasises the importance of situational awareness and data integration in decision-making, noting that fractional leaders can offer fresh perspectives and clarity to help organizations navigate challenges and optimise their strategies.

Mastering the Battlefield: Michael Masterson’s Strategy for Scaling Success |Ep 165|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Michael Masterson, Principal at Intrinsika for an enlightening discussion on the art of business growth and scaling. Michael shares his remarkable journey from launching a company that expanded to 8,000 employees to his current role in transforming struggling businesses. Through insightful anecdotes and practical advice, Michael delves into the importance of understanding and leveraging intrinsic assets, and how real-world experience often trumps theoretical knowledge in achieving business success.
‌Michael talks about his extensive experience in building and scaling businesses. Michael recounts his journey from inadvertently creating a company that expanded to 8,000 employees and became part of the Omnicom Group to his role in turning around struggling businesses. He stresses the significance of understanding and leveraging intrinsic assets for sustainable growth, a principle he applies at Intrinsika. Michael elaborates on how Intrinsika aids businesses by identifying, de-risking, growing, and monetising their core value.
Michael reflects on his diverse background and the importance of having a team with real-world experience. He shares insights into his upbringing and the challenges he faced, emphasising that theoretical advice often falls short in practical scenarios. Michael also discusses how the right team can make a difference, highlighting the balance between growth, risk management, and understanding a business's intrinsic value. He likens the business growth process to both the trials of new parenthood and the stress of battle, sharing a case study of a company that struggled until it recognised its intrinsic assets' value.
In the conversation, Michael introduces the framework of the three C's—Capital, Capability, and Capacity—which he believes are crucial for sustainable growth. He compares these elements to the legs of a stool that must be balanced to stabilize the business. Michael also underscores the importance of protecting intrinsic assets and clearly articulating a company's unique value to customers and investors. He uses examples like Apple's branding evolution and Afterpay's trademark issues to illustrate the importance of safeguarding key assets.
Michael also addresses the challenges of transforming innovative ideas into market successes, emphasising the crucial role of expertise and guidance. He shares a story about helping an entrepreneur secure funding, which eventually led to a $16 billion exit, showcasing the importance of the right support. The discussion highlights that while valuable ideas are important, effective communication and protection of these ideas are essential for success. Michael concludes by discussing ten intrinsic asset categories, such as brand and trade secrets, and the need for a diverse skill set at the board level to drive tangible results and problem-solving capabilities.

From Pharmacy to Tech: Katerina's Journey to Stradegio.ai | Ep 164 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Katerina Karanikolopoulos, Founder of Stradegio.ai. Katerina shares her unique transition from a career in pharmacy to leading a tech startup, highlighting her innovative AI platform designed to enhance meeting efficiency and strategic execution. She offers valuable insights into balancing user feedback with long-term goals and navigating the competitive landscape with low-code/no-code tools.
Katerina talks about her unconventional journey from a pharmacy career to leading a tech startup. Her path included roles in mergers and acquisitions, strategy consulting for companies, and even considering a career in music. Despite lacking a technical background, Katerina took on the challenge of building her AI-driven platform, http://Stradegio.ai , which aims to reduce meeting overload and enhance strategic execution by leveraging low-code tools and her newfound coding skills.
Katerina discusses how her diverse career experiences have taught her the value of passion and determination in learning new skills, even those as complex as software development. She emphasises the importance of problem-solving in tech, highlighting how http://Stradegio.ai optimises meeting efficiency by providing structured analysis and actionable insights. The platform helps organisations make better decisions and save time by guiding team leaders toward clear goals, offering recommendations on the necessity of meetings, and suggesting ways to achieve desired outcomes more efficiently.
The conversation also explores http://Stradegio.ai ’s focus on improving meeting outcomes through tools that promote thoughtful preparation and better decision-making. The app encourages inclusive discussions by allowing anonymous input, which minimises groupthink and fosters diverse perspectives. Katerina shares her entrepreneurial journey, stressing the importance of early customer feedback. She advises entrepreneurs to get prototypes into customers' hands quickly to gather real-world data, iteratively improve the product, and balance immediate market needs with long-term strategic goals.
Finally, Katerina addresses the strategic positioning of http://Stradegio.ai in a crowded market, emphasising its unique focus on providing strategic guidance for meetings. She contrasts this with competitors who primarily reduce or eliminate meetings or focus on administrative tasks. Katerina also discusses the impact of Low-Code/No-Code tools on the competitive landscape, noting that while these tools democratize app development, success depends on effective distribution and customer engagement. She outlines her strategy for scaling http://Stradegio.ai , which includes refining the product, identifying the ideal customer profile, raising capital, and seeking co-founders to drive growth.

Graham Robinson on Turning the Sales Game Around | Ep 163 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Andrew Romeo chats with Graham Robinson, the Principal Consultant and Founder of DCE Sales Management Consulting. With over 40 years in sales, Graham shares how the industry has evolved from traditional selling to a modern, empowerment-driven approach. He offers insights on building trust, strategic communication, and the importance of genuine relationships in today’s sales landscape.
Graham shares insights from his extensive sales career, which began in 1983. His journey, from selling consumables for cash registers to dealing with Apple products, highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in sales. He emphasies that success in sales is rooted in building trust with clients, as people are more likely to buy from those they know, like, and trust.
Graham critiques the outdated practice of feature-benefit selling, which he describes as a "dinosaur." Instead, he advocates for empowerment selling, where the focus is on helping customers build a business case for change. He stresses the importance of genuine relationships, integrity, and active listening in modern sales. A notable anecdote shared by Graham involves taking responsibility during a government sales pitch, which left a lasting positive impression on his clients.
Further into the discussion, Graham explains the concept of empowerment selling, highlighting the need for a deep understanding of the customer before any outreach. He discusses the importance of creating an ideal customer profile, identifying key factors such as the problem to be solved and the company's growth stage. He also underscores the value of speaking to the right decision-makers and building a strong business case that addresses critical drivers like revenue, profit, risk, and compliance, all while being mindful of how global events impact businesses.
Graham also emphasises the significance of strategic communication in sales. He explains that salespeople have very limited time to make an impression—7 seconds on a phone call or 18 words in an email. He warns against jumping straight into product demos without first establishing a relationship or understanding the buyer’s needs. Graham advises that demos should be used as proof points only after confirming that the product can solve the client's problem. Effective selling, he asserts, involves standing out from the noise and building trust before presenting solutions.
Lastly, Graham touches on the importance of adding value through content and becoming a key influencer in the market. He advocates for genuine relationships and authenticity, noting that real impact comes from building honest, human connections, rather than just focusing on profit. Graham shares emotional stories about helping clients in Western Australia, such as the Department of Child Protection, where his team successfully addressed trust issues rather than just technical specifications. These stories highlight the importance of solving real problems and creating value, which are the true hallmarks of successful sales efforts.

Creating & Scaling Ideas at Aurecon:Understanding the Innovation Blueprint | Ep 162|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast host Andrew Romeo talks to Andres Rivera Gonzalez, Innovation Portfolio Manager at Aurecon. Andres shares his fascinating journey from pioneering robotics fabrication and 3D printing in architecture to his current role in managing innovation portfolios. With a wealth of experience spanning both physical and digital domains, Andres provides valuable insights into fostering innovation within large organisations, the importance of aligning new ideas with client needs, and the transformative impact of generative AI. Tune in to discover how Andres navigates the ever-evolving landscape of innovation and technology at Aurecon.
Andres, with a background in architecture and design, recounts his journey from researching materials and pioneering robotics fabrication to integrating 3D printing in architecture. He describes his transition from academic research to practical applications, emphasising his role in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and its commercial implementation. Currently, Andres manages innovation portfolios at Aurecon, applying his experience across both physical and digital domains.
Andres delves into the challenges and benefits of fostering innovation within a large organisation. He notes two main advantages: the strong emphasis on innovation in company communications and the inherent creativity of engineers. However, he also discusses the challenge of recognising and capturing innovative work that often feels like routine. Andres underscores the importance of internal ideation platforms and dedicated teams to identify and leverage these innovations, while also highlighting the necessity of tailoring solutions to their novelty and context.
The structure of innovation processes at Aurecon is another key topic. Andres explains the need for a balance between flexibility and structure in innovation management. He outlines their three main stages: ideating, creating, and scaling, emphasising the importance of defining clear criteria and deliverables while allowing for flexible execution. Andres highlights the role of digital tools and canvasses in supporting this process, adapting to various types of innovations, including digital products, new designs, and business processes.
Aligning innovation with real customer needs is a crucial aspect of Andres’s approach. He stresses the need to connect new ideas to clear problems or opportunities that add value to clients and ensure commercial viability. Andres highlights the role of the innovation team in focusing on client needs and determining the value of new ideas for both clients and the business. He also discusses how market trends and client demands can significantly impact innovation success, citing examples where initially unpromising ideas, like sustainability and AI, have become central to Aurecon’s strategy.
Finally, Andres reflects on managing innovation across diverse technologies and disciplines. He shares how his role involves connecting ideas and people, even when his technical expertise might be less than that of field specialists. Andres values understanding overarching connections within the business and leveraging collaboration between different teams and geographies. He emphasises that diversity in thought and experience is crucial for driving successful innovation. Additionally, Andres discusses Aurecon's forward-looking approach, highlighting their use of generative AI to enhance productivity, develop client solutions, and integrate new technologies to stay ahead in the industry.

Investor Insider: Alex Samson's Guide to Crushing the VC Game | Ep 161 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Alex Samson, a distinguished tech entrepreneur and seasoned venture capitalist. With over two decades of experience and a track record of multiple successful exits, Alex brings invaluable insights into the venture capital landscape. From his journey transitioning from a software entrepreneur to a VC mentor at 500 Global and Founder Institute, Alex shares his expertise in navigating the complexities of fundraising, strategic investing, and the evolving startup ecosystem. Join us as Alex offers practical advice and profound observations on succeeding in the competitive world of venture capital.
Alex shares his transition from a successful software entrepreneur to a venture capitalist, discussing the hurdles he faced in starting a VC firm, such as securing substantial initial capital and the challenges of fundraising as a newcomer. He emphasizes that a proven track record in investing, rather than merely entrepreneurship, is crucial for succeeding in the VC world and highlights the value of diverse experiences in shaping the dynamics of different VC firms.
Alex delves into the complexities of moving from angel investing to managing a venture capital fund, noting the difficulties in raising funds from family offices and institutions. He explores strategic decisions in global investing, such as choosing geographical focuses and industry sectors like AI. While AI remains a popular investment area, Alex stresses the importance of carving out a specific niche within AI to stand out. He draws parallels to startups needing to find their product-market fit, underlining the importance of a well-defined strategy to attract investors and achieve returns.
Alex's extensive background in engineering and consultancy informs his approach to venture capital, viewing fund management as a complex product that requires careful consideration of investor acquisition costs, deal flow, and team capacity. He discusses the importance of a clear investment thesis, especially when targeting emerging markets and new technologies like biotech. Alex also addresses the challenges of raising initial fund capital and navigating the competitive landscape, emphasizing that successful investing often involves a long-term commitment.
The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing long-term investments with the need for periodic returns. Alex contrasts early-stage investments with late-stage opportunities and discusses the potential for secondary market exits as a liquidity strategy. He highlights the significance of understanding revenue growth metrics and valuation, noting that successful exits often require rapid growth and market penetration while pointing out the immature secondary market culture that complicates the investment process.
Finally, Alex offers advice for both technical and non-technical founders navigating the startup landscape. He suggests that engineers should leverage their problem-solving skills for business challenges and stresses the importance of having a strong team. Despite a tougher fundraising environment, Alex believes there are still opportunities to secure funds by validating business ideas with potential clients. He underscores the importance of understanding market needs, overcoming competition, and using market crises as opportunities to introduce innovative solutions.

AI Adaptive's Leisa Hart on Balancing Innovation and Workplace Culture | Ep 160 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis chats with Leisa Hart, Partner at AI Adaptive, to unravel the intricate dynamics of integrating AI into the modern workplace. Leisa highlights the importance of integrating AI thoughtfully to support human capabilities and manage expectations. They discuss practical strategies for leveraging AI to improve efficiency while maintaining a positive organizational culture. Tune in for insights on aligning AI with your company’s goals and ensuring successful technology adoption.
Leisa discusses how AI Adaptive helps businesses enhance performance by blending AI with human capabilities to foster cultural evolution and high-performing teams. She emphasizes that AI should be used to support rather than replace human efforts, and addresses the common unrealistic expectations surrounding AI's practical applications.
The conversation shifts to the evolving landscape of AI, with Leisa highlighting the transition from traditional AI techniques to advanced models like ChatGPT. She addresses misconceptions about AI and emphasizes the need for AI fluency. Leisa encourages leaders to pivot roles within their teams rather than resorting to replacements, stressing the value of human insights and experience in adapting to new technologies.
Leisa and Anthony then delve into AI's implications for business efficiency and workforce management. Leisa advocates for a respectful approach to workforce reductions, using AI to scale operations rather than simply cutting resources. She underscores the importance of addressing organizational bottlenecks, maintaining a supportive work culture, and implementing proactive change management strategies.
Leisa also touches on how technology can amplify existing organizational issues, such as silos and misalignment. Effective leadership, from the CEO and board level, is crucial for aligning strategy with company culture. She stresses the need for proactive and respectful management of cultural and structural issues as AI is integrated and highlights the importance of supporting employees in developing essential skills like data literacy.
Finally, Leisa outlines the significance of thoughtful planning and AI fluency to avoid negative impacts on company culture and efficiency. She advocates for the "go slow to go fast" approach, which involves taking time to align technology integration with organizational needs and clearly defining roles and expectations. Leisa provides listeners with ways to connect with AI Adaptive through their website and LinkedIn, offering resources such as research papers, books, and their podcast, "Humans & AI in the Workplace," for further learning.

Inspiring Business: Steve Sandor’s Blueprint for Transformative Leadership | Ep 159|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis engages with Steve Sandor, CEO & Principal Consultant of Inspiring Business. Steve shares his rich career journey, offering valuable lessons on leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. From navigating generational differences to balancing control and delegation, Steve provides practical advice for business owners and leaders seeking to enhance their management strategies and prepare for the future.
Steve shares his extensive career journey and the valuable lessons he's learned. Steve’s path began as an electrician and evolved through financial services and business consulting, offering insights into the importance of resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-reflection. His story highlights how confronting significant professional challenges can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and improve leadership capabilities.
Steve delves into the significance of humility and empathy in leadership. He reflects on early career mistakes where his immaturity led him to blame others instead of learning from experiences. Emphasizing the value of transparency and open communication, Steve underscores that effective management involves understanding and addressing underlying issues rather than reacting defensively. He advocates for approaching difficult conversations with empathy and context to foster stronger relationships and better outcomes.
Expanding on the theme of personal growth, Steve discusses the impact of exposure to different cultures and perspectives. Drawing from his experiences in Papua New Guinea, he illustrates how confronting new environments can enhance empathy and communication skills. Steve also explores generational differences, noting that learning from younger generations can provide valuable insights and challenge existing viewpoints, ultimately broadening one’s belief systems.
Steve further explores the balance between control and delegation in business management. He advocates for using tools like dashboards to retain overall control while allowing flexibility and autonomy within set boundaries. Steve encourages managers to coach their teams rather than micromanage, emphasizing the importance of guiding staff through critical thinking. He also advises small business owners to focus on organisational design, acknowledge progress, and find a balance between preparation and flexibility. Lastly, Steve discusses retirement strategy, urging business owners to detach emotionally from their businesses and seek help for weaknesses to ensure a smooth transition and future success.

From TV to AI: Tom Finnigan’s Journey through Innovation | Ep 158 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Tom Finnigan, the visionary Co-Founder of MurFin Group and Founder & CEO of Talking Brands.ai. Tom, a seasoned expert in cybersecurity and generative AI, offers a deep dive into his career journey and the transformative impact of AI on business and job markets. From the nuances of AI-driven content creation to the critical importance of human creativity and rigorous testing, Tom’s insights provide valuable guidance for navigating today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape. Join us as Tom shares his experiences, challenges, and strategies for leveraging AI to drive innovation and success.
Tom reflects on his diverse career, from Channel Ten TV to cybersecurity and generative AI. He delves into his work in building cybersecurity communities, supporting startups in crafting their narratives, and the evolving landscape of AI, particularly through his tool Talking Brands.ai. This tool combines AI and human expertise to produce high-quality content, emphasizing the critical role of advanced AI skills for career development.
Tom and Anthony discuss how AI is transforming business operations and job roles. Tom explains how tools like Talking Brands.ai are enhancing productivity by automating content creation but stresses that human creativity remains crucial in high-value interactions. The conversation highlights the significant impact of generative AI, suggesting it is a shift even more profound than previous technological advances such as Google. Tom underscores the need for proper setup and security, using a New York City AI bot mishap as an example of potential pitfalls.
The episode also explores the challenges of integrating AI into business processes. Tom discusses the efficiency gains from AI but warns against poorly implemented solutions, like untested chatbots that could harm a brand's reputation. He shares his personal journey of overcoming chronic pain through resilience and mental fortitude, advocating for continuous learning and understanding the limitations of shortcuts in innovation. Tom emphasizes that successful innovation comes from thoughtful problem-solving rather than quick fixes.
Tom provides valuable insights into leveraging industry expertise and tools to enhance business efficiency. He advises learning from successful entrepreneurs and avoiding the need to reinvent the wheel. Tom discusses his approach to UX and UI design, stressing the importance of understanding user experience and using cost-effective solutions such as Fiverr and international teams. Continuous learning from both successes and failures is highlighted as crucial for long-term success.
Lastly, Tom addresses the importance of rigorous testing and customer understanding in product development. He recounts a missed opportunity where a startup sought significant funding without validating their idea through MVP or beta testing. Tom emphasizes that achieving product-market fit is an ongoing process of experimentation and refinement. He shares insights on effectively selling by understanding customer pain points and tailoring solutions, including the significance of engaging initial interactions through quizzes and information sessions.

Speak Up, Stand Out: Adrienne McLean’s Guide to Amplifying Business Success |Ep 157|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis is joined by Adrienne McLean, Founder of The Speakers Practice and Principal of Amplify Results. Adrienne shares her expertise in navigating the business development landscape, particularly for service professionals and experts looking to enhance their visibility and effectiveness. With a focus on the intersection of marketing, public speaking, and personal branding, Adrienne provides actionable insights on how to build trust, communicate effectively, and develop a strong public presence. Join us as we explore the strategies and programs designed to help professionals elevate their business game and achieve sustained growth.
Adrienne offers valuable insights into the business development process for service professionals and experts. Adrienne emphasizes that achieving success involves more than just effective sales and marketing; it requires a holistic approach that includes understanding client needs, building a strong brand, and maintaining consistent communication to build trust. She underscores the significance of credibility and content marketing in keeping your business top-of-mind for potential clients and touches on how pricing and sales conversations play a crucial role in closing deals.
Adrienne also addresses the challenges professionals face when transitioning from technical roles to entrepreneurship. She highlights the need for understanding marketing and sales—areas often separate from technical expertise. Adrienne stresses the importance of defining your ideal client and mastering communication skills to effectively market and sell services. Drawing from her experience and her book, "Think Bigger, Grow and Succeed," she discusses overcoming discomfort and achieving business growth through public speaking and confidence-building.
Further into the discussion, Adrienne introduces her upcoming programs, Expert Speak and Expert Accelerate, aimed at assisting professionals in creating impactful presentations and navigating the business development landscape. She notes that many business owners struggle with public speaking and content creation, often preferring to remain behind the scenes. Her work focuses on helping these individuals become more visible and credible, which is essential for effective business leadership.
Adrienne concludes by discussing the critical role of video content and personal branding in business success. She explains that while not every business owner needs to be the public face of their company, developing skills in video and public speaking is highly beneficial. Adrienne advises that creating valuable and consistent content should be seen as a long-term strategy, akin to dating rather than expecting immediate results. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of using content to filter out non-ideal clients and attract those who genuinely resonate with your message and work style.