DevReady Podcast

Tech Meets Logistics: The Secrets Behind Cutting-Edge Warehouse Management | Ep 156|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Karl Friesenbichler, the dynamic CEO & Managing Director APAC of Ferag AG. Karl dives into the innovations transforming warehouse management across the Asia Pacific, from integrating cutting-edge tech to optimizing operations. Discover how Karl’s journey from startup to global player is reshaping the industry.
 
Karl shares his expertise in overseeing warehouse management systems across the Asia Pacific and delves into Ferag's unified control system. This system integrates both software and hardware to optimize warehouse operations, utilizing innovative space management and gravity-driven systems to enhance efficiency. He describes the often-overlooked importance of warehousing in the supply chain and likens his work to managing high-tech toys.
 
Karl highlights how innovation drives efficiency in warehouse management, especially across diverse markets like Asia and Australia. He contrasts major players like Amazon, who focus on quantity, with companies like Maya in Melbourne, which use more customized, high-tech solutions. Karl underscores the challenge and excitement of tailoring solutions to meet specific customer needs and the dynamic nature of the warehousing industry. He points out that smart software is crucial for keeping repetitive tasks engaging and efficient.
 
The discussion also covers the transformative impact of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) on warehouse management. Karl explains how machine learning and image recognition technologies are used to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance inventory accuracy. He provides examples of AI streamlining goods processing, reducing manual labor, and minimizing errors. Karl emphasizes the benefits of shared information and advanced technologies in driving industry-wide improvements.
 
Karl explores the future of warehouse management, focusing on data transfer and machine learning. He envisions a system where seamless information sharing reduces manual data gathering and boosts efficiency. Integrating data analytics and AI is expected to improve product quality and streamline processes, even allowing for issue tracing. This evolution also impacts job roles, requiring a blend of software developers, business analysts, and designers to support the new approach.
 
Finally, Karl discusses the evolution of his company from its startup phase to its recent acquisition. Despite the scaling up and global expansion, the company's core mission and values have remained consistent. Karl emphasizes the importance of aligning values with partners and investors and the power of saying "no" to misaligned deals. He advises on embracing failure as a learning opportunity and pursuing roles that align with personal passion rather than societal expectations.

Impact Over Vanity: Arjun Agarwal’s Blueprint for Startup Success | Ep 155 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis engages in an insightful conversation with Arjun Agarwal, an entrepreneurial powerhouse and the Founder and CEO of inaam. Arjun, who also wears the hats of KPMG High Growth Ventures Portfolio Manager at KPMG Australia brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation. If that were not enough, he also hosts the The Arj Speaks Podcast. From pioneering blockchain funds at a young age to revolutionizing fintech and impact investing, Arjun’s journey is a testament to resilience and innovation. Tune in as he shares his unique perspective on navigating the startup landscape, staying true to your mission, and leveraging technology for real-world impact.
 
Arjun Agarwal opens up about his journey, starting with his early venture into blockchain funds at the age of 18 and progressing through roles in investment banking and tech innovation. He highlights his “learn by doing” philosophy, which has shaped his career from setting up custom Bloomberg terminals to creating inaam, a fintech aimed at democratizing impact investing. Arjun’s background reflects his deep commitment to making a meaningful difference, driven by his childhood experiences in South Africa during the end of apartheid.
 
The discussion delves into Arjun’s approach to technology and innovation. He emphasizes the importance of viewing technology as a tool for advancement and personal growth rather than just a showcase of capabilities. Arjun reflects on his early interest in AI and stresses the need to understand foundational concepts to drive meaningful innovation. He advocates for focusing on solving real problems with technology rather than merely replicating existing successful models.
 
Arjun and Anthony further explore the challenges faced by tech startups, particularly the pitfalls of jumping into tech solutions without a clear understanding of the problem. Arjun advises that technology should address specific problems rather than being a solution in search of a problem. He underscores the importance of effective communication with stakeholders and development teams and highlights the value of the fail-fast methodology, especially in regulated industries like fintech and medtech.
 
In concluding the episode, Arjun shares his thoughts on the entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the significance of staying true to one’s vision even through pivots and challenges. He reflects on his experience of shifting focus from niche fractional investments to global stock portfolios and underscores the importance of having a committed team aligned with the mission. Arjun also discusses the value of obtaining honest feedback from a wide audience to continually refine and improve offerings, ensuring that every change is beneficial for the customer.

Fashion’s Future: Katerina Ali’s Vision for a Tech-Driven Luxe Experience | Ep 154 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis talks to Katerina Ali, Founder & CEO of Immersifi. Katerina shares her journey of merging technology with luxury fashion to transform the retail experience. With her extensive background in marketing and sales, she discusses how Immersifi is tackling traditional biases in luxury memberships, enhancing customer interactions, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to create a more personalized and immersive shopping experience. Tune in to hear about the challenges, solutions, and exciting developments shaping the future of luxury retail.
Katerina explores how her company is revolutionizing luxury retail by blending fashion and technology. With over 25 years of experience in marketing and sales, Katerina sought to address biases in traditional luxury memberships by creating a platform that democratizes luxury fashion. Immersifi leverages advanced technology to offer personalized, immersive experiences, aiming to transform both in-store and online shopping by providing deep consumer insights and empowering sales associates.
Katerina explains how Immersifi is tackling the challenges faced by luxury retailers, such as high staff turnover and impersonal service. The platform provides stores with alerts about customer preferences before they arrive, integrates body scans for precise sizing, and offers personalized change rooms. This approach enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty by ensuring a more tailored shopping experience, both online and offline. Immersifi’s dynamic membership benefits are designed to address the need for a more consumer-centric model in the fashion industry.
The discussion also covers how Immersifi confronts outdated attitudes in luxury retail, where some stores still maintain a dismissive approach toward customers. By offering personalized services and memberships, Immersifi aims to improve customer interactions and engagement. Katerina highlights the importance of incorporating consumer feedback and fostering community involvement to drive fashion trends and reduce waste, emphasizing a shift from impersonal service to meaningful customer relationships.
Katerina further elaborates on Immersifi’s strategy to combat issues associated with fast fashion and outdated retail practices. By incorporating blockchain technology and NFTs, the platform helps luxury brands better understand their customers and create personalized experiences, reducing the likelihood of post-purchase price drops and enhancing brand loyalty. She underscores the importance of focusing on quality and leveraging technology to gain valuable consumer insights, which ultimately benefit both the brand and the consumer.
Finally, Katerina discusses the current status of Immersifi, noting that the company is in the MVP phase and actively seeking beta testers. She reveals that the platform is offering free memberships to attract brands and individual testers, showing their commitment to adapting based on user feedback. Katerina reflects on the challenges and pivots encountered during development, including simplifying initial plans and refining her pitch deck through numerous revisions. She emphasizes the need for tailored communications and selecting investors who provide more than just financial support, aligning with the company's long-term vision and goals.
#DevReady #DevReadyPodcast #AerionTechnologies #AndrewRomeo #AnthonySapountzis #luxurybrands #highfashion #TechInFashion

Building Startups:Megan Luttrell on Hiring, Branding, & Thriving in Tech | Ep 153 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Andrew Romeo sits down with Megan Luttrell, a dynamic entrepreneur and Founder of Kairos Recruitment, Mployd, and the Aussie Founders Club. Megan shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to building multiple successful ventures, offering valuable insights into hiring strategies, community building, and the evolving job market. Dive into this engaging conversation to explore the challenges and opportunities in the startup ecosystem and discover how Megan’s passion for fostering supportive networks drives her success.
Megan details her transition from corporate recruitment to entrepreneurship, focusing on her passion for community building and hiring strategies for startups. She recounts her motivations for establishing Kairos and the Aussie Founders Club, underscoring the significance of fostering supportive and engaging communities within the startup ecosystem. Megan also reflects on the impact of her events and the compelling stories she seeks to share through her initiatives.
Megan addresses the challenges startups encounter in hiring and scaling their teams, stressing the importance of a strong employer brand and the need to present a compelling mission to attract talent. She advocates for startups to utilize microsites and storytelling as tools to stand out in a crowded job market, emphasizing a dynamic and personalized approach to recruitment beyond mere salary offers. Megan's insights include leveraging unique growth opportunities to differentiate a company and attract top talent effectively.
Discussing the complexities of startup recruitment, Megan highlights the value of crafting a compelling employer brand and utilizing innovative methods like microsites to attract candidates. She recommends working with specialized recruiters or fractional talent advisors to navigate resource constraints effectively. Megan also points out the importance of candidate experience and the benefits of investing in expert recruitment to ensure high-quality hires, stressing that effective communication of a company’s mission and values is crucial.
In light of economic uncertainty and tech layoffs, Megan explores the current job market for startups, noting the increased availability of talent amid a sluggish and competitive landscape. She advises job seekers to adapt their CVs and personal branding, moving away from traditional methods to create a compelling narrative that stands out. Megan introduces her platform, Mployd, which provides personalized resume writing, career coaching, and a self-guided job search course to help job seekers navigate today's challenging market.
Megan and Andrew discuss the evolving nature of job security and startup culture. Andrew shares his experiences of starting and growing a business through various challenges, while Megan emphasizes the importance of aligning team values to avoid conflicts and drive success. Both agree that job security is becoming increasingly elusive, with startups positioned to thrive in a dynamic environment. Megan envisions a future where innovative startups, rather than large corporations, lead technological advancement and foster collaboration. She passionately highlights the enriching and supportive nature of the startup community compared to traditional corporate settings, valuing the deeper connections and shared problem-solving that define the startup experience.

Joel Vermaas on How Vibrant Insights is Redefining Market Research | Ep 152 | DevReady Podcast

In this insightful episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Joel Vermaas, Founder & Director of Vibrant Insights to explore the transformative role of market research in the business landscape. Joel, a seasoned expert in market research and strategy, shares his wealth of knowledge on how businesses can leverage research to bridge the gap between customer needs and effective solutions. From discussing the nuances of qualitative and quantitative data to unveiling modern research techniques and the impact of AI tools, Joel provides a comprehensive guide for startups and established businesses alike. Whether you're looking to validate your next big idea or optimize your marketing strategies, this episode is packed with practical advice and actionable insights to help you navigate the complexities of market research.
 
Joel explains the crucial role of market research for startups and businesses. Joel underscores that market research is far more than just conducting focus groups and surveys; it acts as a bridge between customers and businesses, offering essential insights into market potential and customer pain points. He stresses the importance of investing in even small-scale research early in the process to gather actionable insights and validate business ideas before delving into branding elements like logos and names.
 
Joel also delves into the challenges of analyzing market research data, explaining that while qualitative research provides deep insights from small groups, quantitative surveys are essential for validating these findings and gaining a broader perspective. He advises that while larger data sets can enhance reliability, it's crucial to avoid overly large samples that might introduce misleading variations. Typically, a few hundred responses are sufficient for making informed decisions and refining business strategies, such as a pitch deck.
 
Modern approaches to market research are highlighted as Joel discusses the shift from traditional methods to more dynamic and cost-effective techniques. He explores how hypotheses can be tested using both qualitative methods, such as focus groups and in-depth interviews, and quantitative methods like online surveys. Joel also introduces advanced strategies like analyzing e-commerce trends and A/B testing on ads, showcasing how modern tools enable extensive experimentation and optimization, from broad concepts to specific ad elements like colors and copy.
 
Joel shares his journey from corporate work to founding Vibrant Insights, driven by a desire to make a difference and blend community-focused initiatives with commercial success. He emphasizes the importance of running a lean operation to offer affordable research services to smaller clients and highlights his agency’s commitment to charitable contributions and pro-bono work. Joel advocates for an iterative, agile approach to navigating business challenges rather than relying on large-scale, costly initiatives.
 
In discussing the launch of new products or services, Joel stresses the importance of defining the problem, understanding the target audience, and assessing costs. He recommends creating a business plan, iterating based on feedback and hypotheses, and using AI tools like ChatGPT and synthetic users to generate ideas and analyze data. However, Joel emphasizes that while AI can streamline processes and provide initial insights, human interaction remains vital for truly understanding customer needs and making meaningful business decisions.

Pivots, Partners, and AIMMe: Inside Stealth AI’s Journey | Ep 151 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Mykhaylo Shaforostov, Co-Founder and CEO of Stealth AI. Mykhaylo shares his remarkable journey from Ukraine to Canada and across the globe, culminating in his current venture in Australia. With a rich background in companies like Nortel Networks, AppDynamics, and New Relic, Mykhaylo brings a wealth of experience to the table. In this episode, he delves into the evolution of his startup, Stealth AI, and their groundbreaking AI application, AIMMe. Designed to provide businesses with quick and insightful AI readiness evaluations, AIMMe is set to revolutionize how companies integrate AI into their operations. Join us as Mykhaylo discusses the challenges, pivots, and successes of his entrepreneurial journey and the exciting future of Stealth AI.
 
Having been born in Ukraine, educated in Canada, and worked across the US, Singapore, and Australia, Myk recounts his career journey, starting at Nortel Networks and moving through various roles in pre-sales and engineering management at companies like AppDynamics and New Relic. Driven by a desire to embrace new challenges, Mykhaylo left a secure director position to venture into the AI sector, aiming to avoid future regrets and make a mark in the evolving technology landscape.
 
Mykhaylo discusses the importance of structure and process in both large enterprises and startups. He reflects on his experience at AppDynamics, where the initial lack of a defined sales process led to inconsistent results until strong leadership introduced structured methodologies. Mykhaylo emphasizes that while startups need the flexibility to experiment and adapt, having a vision of the necessary processes for scaling is crucial. He highlights the need for a balance between being nimble in the early stages and establishing consistent processes for growth.
 
Mykhaylo shares his journey through multiple pivots in his startup, Stealth AI, and reflects on the differences between corporate and startup environments. He talks about the initial challenges and humility he faced despite his extensive corporate experience and network, realizing that these alone do not guarantee success. Mykhaylo also discusses the lessons learned from the dotcom and crypto bubbles, emphasizing the importance of the right mindset and execution plan. He highlights the excitement and drive behind his current venture, acknowledging the contrasting benefits of the corporate world's structure and the startup's dynamic nature.
 
Anthony and Mykhaylo delve into the complexities of finding the right co-founder for a startup. Mykhaylo emphasizes that finding a suitable co-founder is often more challenging than generating a business idea, stressing the need for complementary skills and mutual reliability. Anthony adds that unlike corporate hiring, co-founders need to manage tasks independently and align on strategic decisions. Mykhaylo reflects on his own experiences with previous co-founders, recognizing their value in different stages of the company's growth, and highlights the importance of overlap in skills and vision for a successful partnership. Both agree that the right co-founder relationship can significantly enhance a startup's ability to pivot and grow.
 
Mykhaylo shares the journey of his startup's numerous pivots before finding success with their current AI application, AIMMe. AIMMe is designed as an AI maturity model assessment chatbot that helps businesses quickly gauge their AI readiness. By addressing market needs with a unique competitive advantage, AIMMe offers insightful evaluations and solutions that visualize and control AI interactions in real time. Mykhaylo discusses the challenges they faced in understanding AIMMe’s operations and how they developed strategies to make AI more accessible and understandable for non-technical business owners. This approach aims to simplify the complexities of AI integration and foster a more intuitive understanding of AI's impact.
 
The conversation then shifts to the rapid integration of AI, particularly chatbots, into businesses. Mykhaylo highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of this trend, emphasizing the importance of understanding and accurately measuring AI's impact. He introduces the concept of cognitive load as a more intuitive metric for assessing AI performance. Mykhaylo also shares the progress of Stealth AI in developing user-friendly, transparent AI solutions and expresses a keen interest in collaborating with potential customers and investors to refine and scale their offerings.
 
Useful Links
Mykhaylo Shaforostov | LinkedIn
Stealth AI | LinkedIn
AIMMe | App

The DevReady Story | Ep 150 | DevReady Podcast

In this special 150th episode of the DevReady Podcast, hosts Andrew Romeo and Anthony Sapountzis celebrate their remarkable journey from startup beginnings to tech innovation. They reflect on their evolution, the lessons learned, and the transformative impact of their AI-driven tool, DevReady.Ai, all while sharing insights into their mission to help startups and non-tech users navigate the complex world of tech product development.
 
Andrew and Anthony celebrate their journey together, reflecting on the early days of founding Aerion Technologies in 2008. Straight out of university, they started with a small team, initially focusing on games before shifting to business tools and applications. They acknowledge the significant contributions of their team members and the challenges they faced in the early stages of their startup. The conversation highlights the evolution of their business and their ventures into AI, showcasing their growth and adaptability over the years.
 
Andrew and Anthony delve into the lessons learned from their initial projects, discussing how their technical proficiency evolved. They highlight a pivotal moment when they realised the importance of delivering true value to customers. Emphasising the need for proper planning and understanding client needs, they discuss the necessity of dividing roles within the team to avoid overlap. They compare their process to that of a building company, stressing the importance of thorough planning and feasibility studies to ensure successful outcomes.
 
The hosts continue by discussing the importance of vision and planning in product development. They explain the need to consider both short-term and long-term goals, likening the process to building a house where the foundation must support future growth. They emphasise creating detailed briefs and validating ideas with stakeholders to ensure alignment and feasibility. The conversation also covers the significance of gathering continuous feedback and conducting thorough research to incorporate best practices and avoid costly mistakes.
 
Andrew and Anthony underline the value of agile design while maintaining a structured roadmap to achieve successful outcomes. They highlight the importance of starting with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to increase the chances of success and reduce risks. The hosts discuss the challenges of large projects and the benefits of breaking them down into smaller, manageable sprints. They stress the need for continuous feedback and using tools like Figma for creating wireframes to ensure alignment between stakeholders and developers, emphasizing the combination of structured planning with agile flexibility for better project outcomes.
 
The discussion then shifts to the evolution of their documentation and development processes over the years. Andrew and Anthony share their initial struggles with slow, cumbersome documents and their transition to more efficient tools like Confluence and Figma. They recount their journey from using traditional data science methods to exploring AI for content generation, highlighting the excitement and impact of discovering OpenAI's capabilities, which led to the creation of DevReady.Ai. They discuss the launch of the beta version of DevReady.Ai, explaining how the AI-driven tool has revolutionized their workflow, significantly speeding up project planning.
 
Andrew and Anthony highlight how DevReady.Ai can now generate a comprehensive DevReady Brief in as little as 10-15 minutes, a process that previously took days and multiple workshops. They share a backstory about the initial motivation for creating the Brief, which was to clarify project proposals for a client in Italy. The AI's ability to answer questions in seconds has drastically sped up their processes, supporting non-tech users in planning and structuring their projects efficiently. They emphasise the tool's potential to minimize assumptions and increase the chances of project success while reducing costs for clients.
 
Finally, Andrew and Anthony celebrate their 150th episode by reflecting on the purpose behind the DevReady Podcast. They discuss how the podcast aims to help non-technical people gain clarity on their product development and share stories from startups facing challenges in the tech industry. Recounting the origins of the podcast, they highlight key moments and learnings from interviews with industry experts and startup founders. The hosts emphasise the importance of getting the right advice early to reduce risks and improve the chances of success for tech startups. They also invite listeners to check out DevReady.Ai and participate in their Alpha program, underscoring their commitment to supporting the tech community.

Wholesum Impact: Dr. Tanvir Uddin on Investing with Purpose and Profit | Ep 149 | DevReady Podcast

In this compelling episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Andrew Romeo as he dives into the world of sustainable finance with Dr. Tanvir Uddin, Founder & CEO of Wholesum. Discover Dr. Uddin's journey to pioneering sustainable investments that bridge profitability with positive global impact. Explore the innovative strategies and impactful projects driving Wholesum's mission to empower small to medium enterprises while fostering environmental sustainability. Gain insights into the evolving landscape of responsible investing and the transformative power of aligning financial goals with social good.
 
Dr. Uddin shares his journey from working at McKinsey to engaging in various international projects within finance, technology, and sustainability, including working with small farmers in Indonesia and solar financing in the Middle East. His diverse experiences led to the founding of Wholesum; a company focused on supporting sustainability investments by bridging the funding gap for small to medium businesses. Dr. Uddin emphasizes these businesses' crucial global role and discusses innovative financial solutions to support their growth.
 
Andrew and Dr. Uddin delve into the challenges and opportunities in supporting underserved markets through innovative financial solutions. Dr. Uddin highlights the importance of combining capital with technology to drive growth and shares his journey of working with angel investors and family to test and validate his investment thesis. He emphasizes the need for transparency and robust communication with stakeholders, as well as the value of content strategy in building brand equity. Dr. Uddin also reflects on the lessons learned from his extensive experience in finance, technology, and sustainability, which have shaped his approach to founding and growing Wholesum.
 
Dr. Uddin discusses Wholesum's approach to responsible investing, which involves filtering out harmful industries and directing capital toward impactful projects. He highlights their investments in Indonesia's small-medium enterprises and a vertically integrated agribusiness in Peru, aiming to support sustainable community growth and environmental conservation. Dr. Uddin emphasizes the importance of aligning capital with purpose and shares Wholesum's efforts to bring investment stories to life through crowdfunding campaigns and case studies.
 
Further, Dr. Uddin elaborates on the collaboration between Wholesum and the Diverse Perspectives program, which supports social enterprises through a crowdfunding campaign. He highlights the strengthening ecosystem of sustainable investing in Australia, emphasizing the integration of investors, accelerators, support networks, and technology. Dr. Uddin notes the increasing activity in private markets, with significant investments from entities like Grok Ventures and other social enterprises. He underscores the importance of government support and mentorship in building a more integrated and mission-aligned economy.
 
Finally, Dr. Uddin discusses the balance between achieving social and environmental impact and delivering competitive returns for investors. While some initiatives must be purely philanthropic, Wholesum targets small and medium enterprises in local markets that can offer competitive returns, aiming for a net return of 8% or more. Dr. Uddin emphasizes the importance of innovative investment approaches that blend profitability with social good. He also shares his passion for working with clients who strive to make a difference in the world through responsible investing, highlighting the importance of building relationships with diverse clients seeking financial success and positive social impact.

Scaling Smarter: How VirtualDOO Transforms Small Business Operations | Ep 148 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis engages in a compelling conversation with Lloyd Thompson, Founder of VirtualDOO, to explore the transformative power of fractional leadership and remote work strategies. Discover how Lloyd's expertise helps businesses streamline operations and prepare for sustainable growth in today's competitive landscape. Tune in for invaluable insights on accountability, team dynamics, and operational excellence.
 
Lloyd’s journey from a decade-long career in programming to founding VirtualDOO was fueled by his experiences managing global teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. His shift into entrepreneurship was motivated by a desire for a flexible, remote work lifestyle, ultimately leading him to specialize in fractional leadership services for businesses seeking operational efficiency.
VirtualDOO primarily supports businesses with 10 to 30 employees through fractional Director of Operations services. Lloyd and his team step in to streamline day-to-day operations, establish effective team rhythms, and implement performance dashboards. This interim leadership not only reduces the workload on business owners but also optimizes business processes, positioning them for sustainable growth and seamless transitions, including preparing for potential exits.
 
Throughout the episode, Lloyd addresses common challenges faced by small businesses, particularly those in early stages with fewer than ten employees. He emphasizes the importance of effective time management, delegation strategies, and the establishment of clear company culture and values. Lloyd underscores the critical role of hiring team members who align with these values and the implementation of consistent operational feedback loops to foster organizational growth and efficiency.
 
Anthony and Lloyd also delve into the complexities of identifying and rectifying operational shortcomings within businesses. Lloyd advocates for external audits to uncover hidden issues and validate performance concerns that internal teams may overlook. They discuss the strategic advantage of leveraging external consultants like VirtualDOO to address operational gaps and facilitate scalable growth while maintaining cultural integrity.
 
The conversation concludes with a deep dive into the vital aspect of accountability in business operations. Lloyd stresses the necessity of assigning singular accountable owners to each pivotal process, whether managing distributed teams or virtual assistants. Clear delineation of roles and responsibilities on organizational charts, combined with transparent accountability frameworks, emerges as pivotal strategies to foster cohesive operations and uphold team morale.
 
Throughout their exchange, Anthony and Lloyd offer practical insights and actionable strategies for business owners looking to enhance operational efficiency, navigate growth challenges, and foster a resilient organizational culture. Lloyd’s expertise in fractional leadership and operational management serves as a guiding light for entrepreneurs aiming to optimize their business practices and achieve sustainable success in dynamic market environments.

From Cannes to Netflix: Tom Haramis Unravels the Art of Storytelling | Ep 147 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis speaks to Tom Haramis, Founder & Producer of Mad Hatter Collective. He is also an award-winning producer at the Cannes World Film Festival, an executive video producer, and a visual storytelling strategist. Explore how Tom's passion for storytelling intersects with strategic business insights, offering invaluable lessons on creativity, authenticity, and scaling your entrepreneurial endeavors. Join us for an engaging conversation that bridges the gap between cinematic artistry and effective brand communication.
 
Tom shares his extensive journey in the film industry, detailing his work running a creative agency and independent micro studio, as well as his passion for storytelling through films and documentaries. He highlights the success of his feature documentary "Fight to Live," which garnered accolades at Cannes and will soon be available on major streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. Throughout his career, Tom has faced numerous challenges but emphasizes the importance of staying true to creative passions rather than merely chasing financial gain.
 
Anthony and Tom delve into the art of storytelling in video production for businesses. Tom asserts that storytelling is both an art and a science, crucial for creating compelling brand narratives. He discusses the importance of understanding the target audience and the objectives behind a story to ensure it resonates effectively. He also addresses the common challenge businesses face in balancing budget constraints with the need for high-quality storytelling, advising companies to engage creatives early in the process for better strategic content creation.
 
Tom also explores the difficulties businesses encounter when integrating video storytelling into their marketing strategies. He notes that businesses often delay video production until they face issues like low sales or high staff turnover, which could be mitigated with early video marketing efforts. Emphasizing the need for clear objectives and audience understanding, Tom reflects on how storytelling in filmmaking has evolved and the necessity for businesses to create engaging narratives to capture and retain audience attention amidst the social media noise.
 
Moreover, Anthony and Tom discuss the significance of aligning business objectives with the right content creators. Tom highlights that businesses frequently prioritize immediate financial gains at the expense of meaningful storytelling. He explains that successful content creation is a partnership where both parties benefit from the content's success. He stresses the need for businesses to collaborate with experienced creators who understand the business landscape and can produce content that resonates with the target audience rather than opting for quick, superficial solutions.
 
Lastly, Tom underscores the importance of consistency and authenticity in content creation. He advises startups to focus on gradually building an audience and leveraging free online tools to start with basic content creation strategies. Sharing his own experiences, Tom emphasizes the value of hands-on involvement and self-education to maintain business continuity, especially in the face of creative turnover. He advocates for a long-term approach to content creation, akin to the training regimens of top athletes, to achieve sustained success and reliability in business endeavors.