DevReady Podcast

Mastering E-commerce with AI: Lessons from Jack Bear of Norg.ai | Ep 141 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Jack Bear, Managing Director, Norg.ai to explore the transformative journey from web development to AI innovation. Jack shares invaluable insights on leveraging AI to enhance e-commerce solutions, the importance of data-driven results, and navigating the complexities of integrating large language models. Tune in to discover the strategic pivots and future directions of Norg.ai in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
 
Jack shares the story of Norg.ai, a startup that has grown over the past 13-14 months with a team of 14 in Australia and several overseas contractors. Initially evolving from a web development agency, Norg.ai used surplus funds and project work to develop its own AI products, driven by the need to stay competitive and meet client demands. Jack emphasizes the transformative impact of AI on their services, particularly in SEO and content writing.
 
Anthony and Jack discuss Norg.ai’s evolution and its current offerings. Initially focused on chatbots to address e-commerce pain points, they quickly pivoted due to market saturation and negative connotations associated with chatbots. Instead, they now focus on personalized product recommendations and optimizing customer interactions on e-commerce websites. Jack highlights the importance of data-backed results, such as increased sales and support efficiency, drawing parallels to how Amazon’s "people also bought" feature enhances the shopping experience.
 
The conversation shifts to the complexities of integrating large language models (LLMs) into AI products. Jack shares his experiences pitching AI solutions to the Victorian Government and addresses the skepticism around LLMs due to inconsistencies and hallucinations. Norg.ai tackles these challenges by implementing sanity checks to ensure reliability. Jack underscores the importance of personalized, accurate interactions in AI, particularly for enterprise clients, and the need for innovative, in-house solutions to address emerging problems.
 
Jack also shares the challenges of transitioning his team from an agency structure to developing AI solutions at Norg.ai. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining team cohesion and adapting to a less predictable startup environment. Customer feedback and iterative testing are crucial in refining their product, with initial experiments leading to several pivots. Jack discusses the competitive landscape and the strategic advantage of maintaining an agnostic approach to AI integration. He also highlights the prevalence of companies rebranding existing products with AI buzzwords without substantial functionality, cautioning against the "smoke and mirrors" prevalent in the market.
 
Finally, Jack emphasizes the critical importance of stakeholder feedback in the product development process, planning to focus entirely on iterating based on this feedback for the next six to nine months. He shares a retrospective strategy of creating multiple waiting lists for different product concepts to gauge market interest and gather feature preferences. This cost-effective approach helps validate product ideas before full development. Jack also discusses an upcoming feature: leveraging AI to provide highly personalized shopping recommendations and search results based on user behavior and preferences, highlighting AI’s transformative potential when deeply integrated into product functionality.

Innovate Wisely: Pioneering Trust and Momentum in Business Innovation | Ep 140 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Andrew Romeo as he explores the art and science of innovation with  Lee Foster, Founder & CE0, Innovate Wisely, and Joeri (Yuri) Timmermans, Director of Innovate Wisely, delving into their groundbreaking framework and strategies for fostering trust, momentum, and collaboration in organizational innovation.
 
Joeri, with a 20-year engineering background, shares his journey of integrating business strategies with technology and innovation, highlighting how he met Lee at Queensland University of Technology. Lee, with over 30 years of experience in chemical engineering, discusses her passion for environmental sustainability and her research into the missing link between innovation and knowledge. Together, they founded Innovate Wisely to validate and share their innovative framework with other organizations.
 
Lee explains their comprehensive framework for innovation, which supports teams from idea inception to implementation, focusing on continuous improvement and knowledge management. The methodology includes phases for initiation, knowledge creation, solution testing, and customer adoption, culminating in a critique phase similar to a retrospective in Scrum. By emphasizing new knowledge and its application, the framework integrates seamlessly with existing systems like design thinking and Agile, enhancing them with a focus on knowledge and trust.
 
Lee and Joeri discuss the significance of trust and momentum in Innovate Wisely's innovation framework. Trust is essential at all stages of the innovation process, impacting team dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and leadership engagement. They introduce the "Trust 360" model, which identifies key areas where trust is crucial for innovation. They also highlight the importance of measuring trust and momentum as lead indicators to foresee and address potential issues. Additionally, they emphasize using agile frameworks over traditional waterfall approaches to manage the uncertainties inherent in innovation effectively.
 
Andrew, Lee, and Joeri emphasize the critical importance of maintaining continuous momentum and fostering open conversations to build trust, which are essential to preventing innovation efforts from failing. Lee highlights a methodology developed by Innovate Wisely that includes a series of questions to assess trust at various phases of a project, providing valuable insights for making informed decisions. Joeri adds that identifying potential trust issues early can prevent wasted resources and ensure the success of innovation initiatives. They discuss the role of AI in business, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on accelerating innovation, and the necessity of strong drivers for change, using examples like Apple to illustrate how creating a desire for change can propel progress.

Building Trust through Content: Nick Bendel's Proven Tactics for Success | Ep 139 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Nick Bendel, CEO, Hunter & Scribe and Co-Founder, RealPR. Join them as they explore strategies for effective marketing, the impact of AI tools like ChatGPT, and valuable insights for small businesses navigating the digital landscape.
 
Nick founded Hunter & Scribe, a copywriting agency, in 2018 after a career in journalism. The agency specializes in creating a variety of content—such as blogs, social media posts, and newsletters—for clients in the finance and property sectors, including mortgage brokers, real estate agents, and financial advisors. Nick explains that their content improves clients' search engine rankings, maintains a social media presence, and engages audiences through newsletters. He expresses his genuine passion for finance and property, making his work enjoyable and fulfilling.
 
Anthony and Nick discuss the impact of TikTok and short-form videos on content marketing, as well as the influence of ChatGPT and AI tools. Nick highlights the effectiveness of TikTok for businesses with relevant audiences but notes that his clients prefer written content tailored to their industry. While acknowledging the impressive capabilities of ChatGPT, Nick emphasizes that it cannot replace the expertise required for news content and in-depth analysis. His team uses ChatGPT for idea generation but maintains a human touch in content creation to ensure quality and value, impressing both audiences and Google for SEO.
 
The conversation shifts to the challenges and strategies of creating content for similar clients, especially in industries like mortgage broking. Nick explains how Hunter & Scribe differentiates content by focusing on unique audience characteristics and using varied angles to cover similar topics. They discuss the importance of tailoring content to reflect clients' personalities and values, depending on their business goals. Drawing from his journalism background, Nick emphasizes the skill of presenting fresh takes on familiar stories. They also touch on the balance between personal branding and scalable business growth.
 
Nick discusses the importance of aligning marketing content with business goals and the nuances involved in positioning content for growth. He shares his experience transitioning from a one-person operation to a team, emphasizing the use of "we" instead of "I" to reflect this growth. The conversation explores the value of different content types based on business needs and the significance of sourcing credible information, a practice Nick developed from his journalism background. Nick also highlights the role of factual accuracy and integrity in maintaining credibility and meeting client expectations. He advises against using controversy merely to attract attention, advocating instead for maintaining authenticity and gradually building a reputation as a trusted authority through steady and credible content.

Innovation in Healthcare: StrongRoom AI's Quest to Modernize Pharmacy | Ep 138 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis welcomes Max Mito, Co-Founder & CEO of StrongRoom AI, to explore the fascinating journey of revolutionizing healthcare technology. Max shares insights on the company's pivot from facial recognition to medication management, the challenges of modernizing a traditionally paper-heavy industry, and exciting plans for international expansion. Join us for an engaging discussion on innovation, growth, and the future of healthcare technology.
 
Max shares the origin story of StrongRoom AI, which began during his university years with co-founder Christopher Durre. Initially focused on using facial recognition for medical record matching, they soon discovered the healthcare sector's reliance on paper records and outdated systems. This realization led them to pivot toward medication management, officially launching StrongRoom AI in 2017. Max reflects on the surprising technological backwardness in healthcare, highlighting the persistent use of paper and outdated systems like faxes in private hospitals and pharmacies.
 
Max and Anthony then delve into the slow adoption of new technology within the healthcare sector. Despite the clear benefits of technological advancements, many in the industry resist change due to a strong focus on customer care and business operations. Max explains that the risks and complexities involved in implementing new healthcare technology contribute significantly to this resistance, underscoring the critical importance of privacy and security. They share anecdotes about outdated systems, such as the continued use of Windows 95 and 7, illustrating the challenges faced in modernizing healthcare technology.
 
The discussion then shifts to the founding journey of StrongRoom AI. Max talks about his technical co-founder Chris, and the later addition of Kieran Start and industry veteran Mark Feldschuh as co-founders. He highlights his transition from a self-taught coder to focusing on other business aspects, emphasizing the importance of leveraging team strengths and the evolving nature of his role as the company grows. Max also shares valuable lessons learned from his previous job in door-to-door sales for solar panels, which provided insights into sales and Australian culture despite its challenges.
 
Max provides an in-depth look at the origins and evolution of StrongRoom AI. Initially focused on using facial recognition for data management in pharmacies, the company pivoted to specialize in medication management, particularly for controlled substances like opioids. He discusses the development of StrongRoom AI’s two product generations: the first improves workflow tools in healthcare settings, and the second integrates with dispensing software to enhance patient adherence and medication management through data analysis. This platform helps pharmacists make informed decisions, addressing issues like cost barriers and ensuring patients receive appropriate care.
 
Max concludes by sharing the challenges and lessons learned during StrongRoom AI's seven-year journey. He emphasizes the difficulties of rapid growth, particularly in maintaining customer support while onboarding numerous pharmacies. The critical importance of hiring the right people at the right time is highlighted, noting that both exceptional and poor hires significantly impact the company. Max reflects on the necessity of investing in automation early and the efficiency hindered by manual processes initially. He shares insights on humility and learning from mistakes, noting that true growth comes from continuous refinement and listening to team input. Additionally, Max discusses StrongRoom AI’s exciting international expansion plans, with DEA clearance to enter the US market and strategic moves in the UK, focusing on targeted growth in these regions and the unique opportunities presented by different healthcare systems.

Vicenç Garcia's Journey to Paperless Pharma with Docufen | Ep 137 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, join Andrew Romeo in conversation with Vicenç Garcia. Co-Founder & Chief Vision Officer, Docufen, as they explore the journey from corporate to startup entrepreneurship. Vicenç shares his inspiring story of tackling industry challenges with innovative solutions, highlighting the importance of problem reframing and digital transformation in the pharmaceutical sector. Get ready for a deep dive into entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and the future of technology in highly regulated industries.
 
Vicenç Garcia shares his journey from the corporate world to startup entrepreneurship, inspired by childhood stories emphasizing problem reframing. He underscores the need to view problems from various perspectives, citing an anecdote about painting bees to address a challenge, highlighting the importance of understanding problems deeply before proposing solutions.
 
Andrew and Vicenç delve into the significance of comprehensively understanding problems before leaping into solutions, referencing Albert Einstein's wisdom. Vicenç recounts his transition from chemical engineering to pharmaceutical consulting, driven by a passion for technology and a desire to address the pharmaceutical industry's reliance on paper-based processes despite technological advancements.
 
They discuss the hurdles of digitizing processes in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, where paper documentation remains prevalent. Vicenç shares personal experiences with excessive paperwork in validation engineering, reflecting on industry conservatism and resistance to change. They explore the idea of tackling small, specific problems first and iterate towards broader solutions, emphasizing incremental change and addressing pressing issues.
 
Vicenç elaborates on his approach to developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), starting with conversations and PowerPoint slides to validate ideas within the pharmaceutical industry. He stresses focusing on problems rather than solutions initially, iterating based on feedback. Andrew highlights the importance of seeking feedback actively and the value of critically evaluating business ideas daily.
 
Discussing Vicenç's journey in starting a technical startup, they touch upon accelerator programs and finding the right co-founder. Vicenç shares strategies for non-technical founders in building technical companies, stressing networking and aligning values with co-founders. Andrew reflects on teamwork's significance in building successful businesses.
 
Vicenç outlines Docufen's mission to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry by digitizing processes, reducing paper usage, and maintaining integrity and safety standards. He emphasizes staying within one's domain to understand problems deeply and suggests unconventional approaches for innovation. Andrew also underscores the importance of sharing ideas for feedback in the startup world to avoid investing in wrong solutions.

Engage and Convert: Mastering Personal Branding with Kateesha Hembrow | Ep 136 | DevReady Podcast

In this insightful episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Kateesha Hembrow, Founder of BeKnown Academy, a coaching agency specializing in personal branding and sales,  to explore the art of personal branding and effective sales strategies. Join them as they discuss the power of authenticity, converting content into leads, and the importance of aligning values with clients. Get ready for expert insights and practical advice to elevate your brand and sales game!
 
Kateesha shares her journey to founding BeKnown Academy and her passion for helping individuals grow their sales through personal branding. She highlights her extensive experience on LinkedIn, where she's been building her personal brand for four years, noting a significant increase in coaching inquiries after actively promoting the business last year. Kateesha discusses her transition from running a done-for-you-service-based business to coaching, finding fulfillment in coaching compared to the stress of managing services end-to-end.
 
Anthony and Kateesha delve into the concept of the "zone of genius," where Kateesha explains hers lies in growing brands and converting followers into paying clients, especially on LinkedIn. She emphasizes the importance of consistent content reflecting clients' desired message to establish them as experts and maintain top-of-mind presence. They discuss the distinction between personal and business branding, with Kateesha highlighting the human connection in personal branding and its ability to foster engagement and loyalty, using examples like Elon Musk and Tesla.
 
They further explore personal branding nuances, emphasizing consistency and authenticity in content creation to build trust and authenticity with the audience. Anthony reflects on his journey of overcoming discomfort in sharing personal content, realizing its value in building a relatable brand. Seeking advice on converting content into lead generation, Kateesha stresses platform choice, understanding the audience, and creating clear funnels with a call to action, citing her personal experience on LinkedIn leading to new clients.
 
Lastly, Anthony emphasizes the importance of aligning with values when working with clients, and Kateesha advises against taking on misaligned clients due to potential long-term costs. They discuss the pitfalls of offering discounts versus working for free, agreeing that discounts can lead to resentment and opportunity costs.

Scaling Startups: Strategies for Growth with Adam Caines | Ep 135 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Anthony Sapountzis as he delves into the world of startup strategy and product development with Adam Caines, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer of Upplft. From navigating the complexities of contingent workforces to offering invaluable insights into lean product methodologies, Adam shares his wealth of experience and expertise in guiding startups toward success. Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with practical advice and industry wisdom.
 
Adam delves into his multifaceted role, focusing on empowering companies to manage contingent workforces while also providing consulting and advisory services to startups. He emphasizes the importance of a lean approach to product development, advocating for testing and learning quickly in open ecosystems to validate ideas before investing in full-scale development. Adam stresses the significance of solving real customer problems and conducting thorough market research to drive business success.
 
Throughout the discussion, Adam shares invaluable insights drawn from his professional journey, highlighting the evolution of roles like business analysts and product managers in response to changing industry dynamics. He reflects on the challenges of maintaining vision and direction while building his own product, underscoring the importance of staying focused on solving real problems rather than building for the sake of building them. Adam also discusses the dynamics of partnerships in startups, emphasizing the value of leveraging complementary skill sets and experiences within a balanced team.
 
The conversation further explores the trend of startups transitioning from service-based to platform-based models, with Adam shedding light on the strategy of automating service processes to lay the groundwork for scalable platforms. He shares anecdotes illustrating the iterative nature of scaling businesses through automation, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changing needs and technologies. Adam also discusses the contrasts between traditional waterfall project management and agile methodologies, advocating for adaptability and rapid iteration to facilitate quick feedback and improvement cycles.
 
In addition to providing specialized advice to startups in the fintech and payments space, Adam underscores the value of generic advice applicable across various industries, particularly in early-stage startup development. He acknowledges the challenges of autonomy in the startup world and offers practical tips for individuals transitioning from corporate to startup environments. Throughout the conversation, Adam's insights illuminate the complexities and nuances of navigating the startup landscape, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving in driving business success.

Future-Proofing with AI: Insights from Chief AI Officer Simon Kriss | EP 134 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, our host Andrew Romeo interviews Simon Kriss, the Chief AI Officer at simonkriss.ai. They delve into the transformative potential of AI in enhancing customer experience and overcoming organizational challenges. Simon shares his expertise on practical AI implementation, addressing data privacy concerns, and the cultural shifts needed to embrace AI technology fully.
 
Simon shares his insights on providing strategic advisory services to governments and companies, helping them initiate their AI journey amidst prevalent confusion and fear. He identifies "FOMF—Fear of Moving Forward" as a common issue, where companies are overwhelmed by the daunting scope of AI and unsure of the right use cases to pursue. This fear is often exacerbated by conflicting advice from vendors, leading to hesitation and inaction.
 
The conversation delves into the challenges companies face when integrating AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity into their operations. Simon explains that many organisations are unsure how to effectively use AI and often hide their usage due to unclear policies. He advocates for transparency and ethical use, emphasising the need for education on AI’s opportunities and risks. Simon suggests starting with simple, practical applications and involving leadership in hands-on workshops to foster a deeper understanding and acceptance of AI. This approach helps bring AI out of the shadows and promotes a culture of innovation and transparency.
 
Simon also addresses concerns around intellectual property (IP) and data privacy when using AI tools. He advises against disclosing sensitive information in public AI interfaces and recommends sanitising and anonymising data to prevent it from becoming part of the AI’s training data. For organizations using private AI instances, such as Microsoft's Copilot, the risks are lower. However, Simon notes that despite the hype, few companies are fully utilising generative AI, and many who do are not implementing it correctly or securely. He emphasises the importance of internal testing before deploying AI customer-facing to mitigate risks and avoid sensationalized failures.
 
Lastly, Simon discusses the strategic implementation of AI in customer experiences, sharing insights from his book, "The AI Empowered Customer Experience." He highlights the efficiency gains from AI in routine tasks, such as generating reports and summarizing call center interactions, which can significantly enhance workplace satisfaction and productivity. Simon envisions AI transforming business models and improving work-life balance by reducing mundane tasks. He believes that AI can help small and medium-sized businesses compete with larger corporations by automating repetitive tasks and improving client interactions. Encouraging a cultural shift towards transformative changes, Simon underscores the need for sharing knowledge about AI to foster broader understanding and adoption.

Breaking the Marketing Mold: Insights from Christian Georgiadis | Ep 133 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Anthony Sapountzis is joined by Christian Georgiadis, Managing Director, OUREA and Founder & Creative Director, AX Creative Agency to delve into the intricacies of scaling businesses and crafting effective marketing strategies, from the power of collaboration to the nuances of user-generated content, Christian shares invaluable insights drawn from his journey in the marketing industry. Tune in to gain expert advice on navigating the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape and business growth.

From Storytelling to Sales: Luke Buesnel’s Blueprint for Brand Building | Ep 132 | DevReady Podcast

In this captivating episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Anthony Sapountzis as he delves into the power of storytelling in marketing with special guest Luke Buesnel, Founder and Content Director at Story League. Together, they unravel the intricacies of personal branding, discussing its transformative impact on businesses and individuals alike. Get ready to explore the art of authentic storytelling and its profound significance in today's content-driven landscape.
Luke underscores the paramount importance of storytelling in marketing, particularly highlighting the potency of personal narratives. He identifies a notable shift towards personal branding content, foreseeing it as their agency's future mainstay service offering. Luke accentuates the significance of authentic storytelling in a saturated market, where genuine personal narratives serve as a beacon, resonating with audiences seeking authenticity and purpose in their interactions.
Furthermore, Luke delves into the pivotal role of personal branding for small businesses, stressing the need to forge trust and establish connections with the audience through storytelling. He elucidates how personal branding can streamline the sales cycle by fostering upfront trust, a boon for startups and nascent ventures. Luke also illuminates the emerging trend of large corporations exploring personal branding for their up-and-coming managers, recognizing it as a strategic edge in competitive arenas, enabling individuals to negotiate better terms or transition to entrepreneurship with a pre-established audience.
Moreover, Luke discusses the delicate balance between personal and business content on social media for effective branding, advocating for a strategic fusion of personal stories and valuable business-related content to maintain audience engagement. He cautions against solely focusing on personal aspects or veering into influencer territory, instead championing a brand-building approach anchored in mission and purpose. Luke also expounds on the liberating potential of personal branding, empowering individuals to select clients aligned with their values and vision, thereby fostering more enriching and gratifying work experiences.
Lastly, Luke advises early-stage startup founders to prioritize building their personal brand through content creation, advocating for the sharing of personal stories, vision, and values to forge authentic connections with their audience. He underscores the importance of taking action and testing content despite perfectionism, emphasizing the iterative nature of brand refinement over time. Luke confronts the fear of social media exposure head-on, acknowledging the potential for negative feedback while accentuating the greater potential for positive outcomes such as brand elevation and new opportunities.