DevReady Podcast

TALY Talk: Peter Treloar On Reimagining Leadership, AI & Entrepreneurship| Ep 171 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast host Andrew Romeo sits with Peter Treloar, Founder of Taly Australia, to explore the journey of a non-technical founder breaking into the world of tech entrepreneurship. Peter shares his experience navigating the complexities of product development, leadership, and the challenges non-technical founders often face when building a tech company. Drawing from his background in market research and consumer behavior, Peter highlights the importance of solving real-world problems, validating ideas through genuine consumer insights, and adapting continuously to meet customer needs.
Peter delves into the unique challenges non-technical founders face, emphasising the importance of understanding human behavior in product development. He discusses how his market research background helped him transition into entrepreneurship, focusing on addressing real-world problems rather than pursuing profit alone. Peter underscores the value of validating product ideas based on consumer needs and cautions against relying on biased feedback from family and friends, which can lead to misguided investments. He stresses the importance of gathering genuine insights and considering the customer’s needs when developing tech products.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Peter recounts his initial foray into business with The Meadow Southbank, where he learned valuable lessons in finance, operations, and staff management. These experiences later influenced his tech endeavors, including his startup, TALY. Peter highlights the ongoing challenges of entrepreneurship, noting that growth requires constant adaptation and that failure is a part of the process. His insights into running a startup and eventually leading it to be acquired by a U.S. firm offer a glimpse into the complexities of scaling a business.
Peter also shares his experience with outsourcing development early on and the critical lesson he learned about staying close to the product and customer feedback. While outsourcing can be effective for tasks like DevOps, Peter emphasises that having an in-house team passionate about the core product is crucial. He discusses the difficulties of working with developers due to differing mindsets and goals and the importance of networking and learning from experienced mentors, even if their feedback is brutally honest.
Concluding the episode, Peter discusses the vision for TALY Australia, which began as a personality profiling tool aimed at helping businesses quickly understand their employees. Over time, the company recognised a growing need for leaders to better empathise with their teams, especially in a post-COVID world characterized by burnout and limited time. TALY aims to address this by integrating AI to deliver personalised insights directly to leaders at critical moments, such as before feedback sessions. This approach focuses on providing point-in-time guidance to enhance engagement and leadership effectiveness, setting TALY apart in addressing evolving workplace challenges.

Yielding Success: How Agarea is Shaping the Future of Farm Insurance | Ep 170 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis speaks with Mark Callanan, Co-Founder and Director of Agarea, to discuss how data-driven innovations are transforming risk management in the farming industry. Mark shares insights on Agarea's modern crop insurance and seasonal finance products, which leverage advanced farming technologies and granular data to protect against climate-related risks like drought and frost. The conversation explores the shift towards parametric insurance, personalised coverage models, and the role of agricultural technology in optimising yield while mitigating risks. Mark also reflects on his journey into agtech and the challenges of building a startup in the evolving agricultural landscape.
Mark explains how Agarea leverages granular data to offer modern crop insurance and seasonal finance products, protecting farms from climate-related challenges like drought and frost. A key innovation discussed is parametric insurance, which triggers payouts based on predefined data-driven criteria, moving away from the traditional model of loss assessments. Mark also touches on how Agarea’s solutions address additional risks such as pest infestations, with tailored offerings based on a farm's unique yield history, facilitated by data collection from advanced farming technologies.
Mark further elaborates on how Agarea utilises data from farm equipment and IoT sensors to create personalised insurance products that align with each farm’s specific risk profile. This approach contrasts with the traditional "one size fits all" model, allowing for more targeted and effective coverage. The company's goal is not only to provide financial protection but also to incentivize farmers to maximise their crop yields. By using data from modern technologies, Agarea enables farmers to mitigate risks beyond their control, such as unpredictable climate changes and yield variability.
Mark’s journey to co-founding Agarea began with his work in banking and his later involvement in an agricultural investment fund. Through managing agricultural assets, he gained firsthand experience with the challenges of farming, particularly those caused by drought. This exposure motivated him to explore innovative ways to manage agricultural risks, leading him to the emerging field of agtech. Leveraging tools like satellite imagery and drones, as well as machine data from equipment like John Deere tractors, Mark and his team developed Agarea's data-driven solutions to revolutionize farming risk management.
Throughout the episode, Mark highlights the importance of having the right technical expertise within a startup. He shares his experience participating in the Antler Accelerator program, where he found a co-founder with the necessary technical and agricultural background. Mark emphasises the value of having in-house technical leadership rather than outsourcing to external agencies, especially when developing solutions in such a complex field. The conversation also delves into the challenges of launching a startup and the misconception that success comes quickly, reinforcing the realities of hard work and perseverance in the tech and agriculture industries.

Crafting Success: Josephine Dayco Talks Branding, Tech, & Female Empowerment|Ep 169|DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Josephine Dayco, Brand & Operations Manager at Undeclared Variable and Co-Founder of Kalicoo. Josephine brings a wealth of experience in strategic communication and creative technology, sharing her journey from engineering to leading a platform that empowers Australian women in web3, metaverse, and AI. Tune in as they discuss the intersection of creativity and emerging tech, the challenges women face in male-dominated industries, and the importance of clear, impactful communication in marketing.
Josephine recounts her career transition from engineering to creative roles after moving to Australia in 2009. Initially involved in a global marketing rebrand, she later took time to reassess her career, rediscovering her passion for writing and communication. Her experience underscores the importance of asking the right questions and creating clear, effective messaging, which has been a consistent theme throughout her career.
The discussion also touches on the misconception that content creation and marketing are straightforward. Anthony shares his journey from struggling with writing to mastering it through practice, while Josephine emphasises that writing, like product development, requires continuous improvement. Both agree that translating complex technical language into accessible, customer-friendly messaging is essential, focusing on the value rather than the technical details.
Anthony and Josephine explore the significance of understanding both a brand's identity and its audience in marketing strategies. Josephine shares her experience of recognising her unique value as a woman in a male-dominated team, stressing how diversity brings fresh perspectives. Anthony adds the importance of encouraging diverse voices, especially in settings where team members might be hesitant to contribute.
Finally, they discuss the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated fields like tech and gaming. Josephine highlights the necessity of personal connections in explaining technical concepts and compares developing a brand or project to crafting a recipe, emphasising the role of execution over mere ideas.
SXSW Sydney 2024
This October, join Josephine and her team for the "Tech & Tonics" panel at SXSW Sydney 2024.
Leading industry voices from Kalicoo will be sharing valuable insights and lessons learned, plus highlighting opportunities in the web3, blockchain, and AI space.
Link to the session here: SXSW Sydney 2024 Schedule
To discover more Kalicoo events, visit: Events | Kalicoo | 100 Women

From Fintech to Founders: Nathan Spiteri’s Journey to Impact-Driven Success|Ep 168 |DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast host Andrew Romeo sits down with Nathan Spiteri, Co-Founder, Shopfront, to explore his remarkable journey from Australia's shores to the fast-paced fintech landscape of the UK. Nathan shares insights into his role in growing a successful startup, his return to Australia, and the exciting challenges of launching his own business. Tune in to hear about the importance of impact-driven innovation, the complexities of startup life, and the future of automated online selling.
Nathan shares his fascinating journey from Australia to the UK, where he delved into the fintech industry. Despite the challenges of securing a job as an expat during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nathan eventually joined Plend, a fintech startup, where he played a pivotal role in its growth. Over four years, Nathan helped Plend raise over £40 million and achieve B Corp certification, positioning the company as a key player in providing ethical, lower-interest loans to individuals in the subprime market.
Nathan's experience at Plend underscores his commitment to impact-driven lending, a departure from the traditional profit-first approach in fintech. This focus on ethical practices not only attracted the right partners but also established trust with customers. However, the high cost of living and the difficulty of achieving financial goals in London prompted Nathan to return to Australia, where he joined the Antler program. This decision was fueled by his desire to maintain the fast-paced excitement he experienced in London while avoiding a return to a corporate environment.
During his time with Antler, Nathan faced the challenges of starting a business, particularly the process of finding the right co-founder. He likens this experience to dating, emphasising the importance of complementary skills and a shared vision. Nathan's proactive approach in reaching out to potential technical co-founders before the program started helped him quickly form a successful partnership with Drew Flaherty, with whom he shared a passion for impact-driven projects. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on finding a co-founder who is willing to grow together rather than seeking perfection.
Nathan also discusses the intricacies of launching Shopfront, a platform designed to automate product listings across multiple online marketplaces. He highlights the inefficiency of manual listings and how Shopfront's solution boosts product visibility through algorithmic relisting. The importance of omnichannel selling is emphasised, as relying on a single marketplace can be risky due to potential account suspensions. Nathan further shares the lessons learned from the initial focus on the product rather than solving specific problems, which led to a pivot and the development of a loyal early adopter base. With a planned beta launch on the horizon, Nathan outlines Shopfront's vision to become the go-to platform for selling items across various marketplaces.

Finding Joy: How Friyay Can Transform Your Workday | Ep 167 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, Anthony Sapountzis interviews, Gareth Rydon, Co-Founder of Friyay.ai, to delve into the transformative impact of AI on small businesses. Gareth shares the story behind http://Friyay.ai ’s inception, offering insights into how their innovative AI solutions are designed to enhance productivity and restore joy to work. The conversation explores the challenges faced by larger corporations in adopting AI, the benefits of viewing AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, and the importance of experimentation and positive engagement with new technologies. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on how AI can revolutionise business processes and foster a more human-centered approach to work.
Gareth shares insights into Friyay's mission and journey. He explains how http://Friyay.ai was created to assist small businesses in implementing AI solutions that free up time and reinvigorate work. The idea emerged from Gareth and his co-founders’ experiences at an innovation hub, where they recognised the transformative potential of generative AI. Their commitment to this vision was so strong that they invested their personal finances to bring it to fruition.
Gareth and Anthony discuss the hurdles larger corporations face when adopting AI, particularly the challenges posed by entrenched structures and slow decision-making processes. While some individuals within these organizations recognise AI's potential, the overall corporate machinery often hinders innovation. In contrast, smaller businesses are better positioned to implement AI effectively due to their agility and ability to pivot quickly. This segment highlights the frustration with bureaucratic red tape and the critical role of agility in embracing new technologies.
The conversation also touches on the concept of skeuomorphism and encourages small businesses to leverage AI in innovative ways beyond merely improving operational efficiency. Gareth urges businesses to view AI as an assistant that requires ongoing interaction and feedback rather than expecting instant solutions. Both Gareth and Anthony emphasise the importance of experimenting with AI tools to understand their capabilities. Gareth suggests that experimenting with AI in personal contexts can help users learn how to apply it effectively in professional settings.
Additionally, Gareth and Anthony explore the use of AI personas for more contextually accurate responses. Gareth shares a technique where AI is assigned specific personas, such as Warren Buffett, to provide specialised insights and critiques. This approach helps tailor AI responses to be more relevant and useful. The discussion also covers the intricacies of AI model training, highlighting how models like ChatGPT generate responses based on probability and the importance of understanding these mechanisms for effective AI use.
Finally, Gareth discusses the evolving role of AI in business processes, noting a shift from traditional CRM systems to AI-driven assistants that handle unstructured data and enhance client interactions. He argues that advanced AI tools can integrate seamlessly with workflows, providing a more human-centered experience and potentially replacing outdated systems. Gareth and Anthony conclude by emphasising that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment human work rather than replace it, advocating for a positive mindset that focuses on how AI can enhance efficiency and bring joy back to work.
Resources & Next Steps
If you’re looking to take the next step in your AI journey, Gareth recommends reading “Ten Questions to Ask About Your Business to Assess Your AI Readiness” on the http://Friyay.ai blog. This article offers valuable insights to help you evaluate your business's AI preparedness.
👉 Read the full article here.

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.