Mastering Tech Growth

Smart minds. Bold moves. Real talk.

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Episodes

From Output to Outcomes: A New Era in Tech Growth

In this conversation, Mike Sirius and Matt Watson discuss the evolving landscape of tech growth, emphasising the shift from merely closing tickets to owning outcomes. They explore the importance of lead generation, building relationships, and the role of AI in software development. Matt shares insights on empowering engineers to think beyond tasks, fostering a culture of outcome ownership, and the significance of customer feedback. The discussion highlights the need for clarity in communication and the impact of leadership on team dynamics, ultimately advocating for a more holistic approach to software development that priorities customer value and collaboration.

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How to Run a Full-Funnel Playbook for Repeat Revenue

In this conversation, Mike Sirius and Samir Samir ElKamouny discuss the essential strategies for mastering tech growth, focusing on the importance of identifying bottlenecks, understanding ideal customer profiles, and the necessity of a full funnel approach. They emphasise the significance of competitive analysis, effective messaging, and the need for continuous testing and optimisation in marketing channels. The discussion also highlights the importance of customer feedback and the creation of targeted landing pages to enhance conversion rates.

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How to Validate an AI SaaS Idea by Building It in a Weekend — with Richardson Dackam

Richardson Dackam is an AI Automation Engineer who's built a full ecosystem around one goal — helping founders build faster using AI. A YC Startup School alum and former senior engineer at Ticketmaster, FreshBooks, and Aurora Solar, Richardson blends deep technical experience with rapid prototyping systems that empower solo founders to go from idea to validated AI SaaS in a single weekend. Through his podcast, courses, and community, he teaches how to harness agentic AI frameworks, automate product workflows, and launch with speed — without waiting for a team, funding, or perfect plan.

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What Happens When Engineers Think Like CEOs? — with Ryan Debenham

In this conversation, Ryan Debenham shares insights on the importance of crossing lanes in the tech industry, emphasising that software engineers must engage with go-to-market strategies to build products that resonate with customers. He discusses the significance of product market fit, the need for empathy in understanding customer needs, and the evolving role of engineers in shaping successful products. Ryan also highlights the value of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies, particularly AI, as essential for career growth in the tech landscape.

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Strategy First, Tech Second: How CTOs Drive Business Value

In this conversation, Mike Sirius and Andrei Nita discuss the critical role of strategy in technology leadership, emphasising that successful CTOs prioritise business goals over technology itself. They explore the importance of understanding business maturity, the challenges of managing a troubled tech stack, and the need for hiring versatile talent. The discussion also covers the transition from a reactive, firefighting approach to a proactive, strategic leadership style, and the significance of aligning technology with business objectives to drive growth and value.  The speakers delve into the multifaceted role of a CTO, discussing the importance of effective communication, understanding technical debt, and the significance of aligning engineering objectives with business goals. They explore strategies for navigating the first weeks in a new role, the necessity of constant updates to executives, and the challenges of leading change in a resistant company culture. The discussion also...

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AI & Ads in 2025: What Every Growth-Minded Brand Should Know — with Hikari Senju

In this episode, Mike Sirius and Hikari Senju delve into the transformative role of AI in advertising. They explore how AI can streamline ad creation, enhance personalisation, and improve efficiency, while also discussing the importance of understanding growth loops and the impact of customer obsession on business success. Hikari shares insights on the evolution of advertising, the challenges of generating effective ads with AI, and the performance metrics that matter. The discussion highlights the balance between leveraging AI technology and maintaining brand authenticity.

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Mastering Go-to-Market Strategies with Anya Cheng

In this conversation, Anya Cheng, founder and CEO of taelor.style, discusses the importance of establishing a repeatable go-to-market process, the significance of ownership in product launches, and the role of community engagement in validating market hypotheses. She shares insights from her experiences at major tech companies and her journey as an educator, emphasising the need for clear KPIs and effective internal communication during product launches. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of product launches, emphasizing the importance of planning, internal alignment, and feedback mechanisms. They discuss the necessity of buffers and backup plans to mitigate risks, the roles of various team members in the go-to-market strategy, and the unique challenges faced by startups. The dialogue highlights the iterative nature of product development and the significance of internal buy-in for successful external launches.

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Mastering Exit Readiness: A Founder’s Guide with Jordan Calderon

In this conversation, Mike Sirius and Jordan Calderon discuss the critical aspects of preparing a business for sale, emphasising the importance of exit readiness, profitability, and sustainable growth. They explore the M&A process, the significance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the impact of founder dependency on business valuation. Jordan shares personal experiences from his own exits, highlighting the lessons learned and the psychological aspects of selling a business. The discussion also touches on the role of remote talent and the future of business operations in a globalized economy.

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10x Your Chances of Finding Product-Market Fit with Vibe Coding — with Ali Hafizji

Ali Hafizji is the CEO of Wednesday Solutions and the creator of the Vibe Sprints system — an AI-powered approach to product validation that gives early-stage startups up to 10x more chances to achieve product-market fit. A serial founder and technologist, Ali has built and scaled products handling over 1 billion+ requests per hour, authored technical books, and helped dozens of teams go from MVP to market traction.

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We Spent $68M on LinkedIn Ads: What Actually Works for B2B Lead Gen — with Garrett Mehrguth

Garrett Mehrguth is the CEO of Directive and co-founder of Abe — a high-performance LinkedIn ads agency helping companies like Uber, Zoom, Gong, and AWS turn clicks into customers. With over $68 million spent on LinkedIn ads, Garrett brings a level of insight few marketers can match. In this episode, he reveals how to build a LinkedIn marketing engine that books meetings — not just impressions.

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Give a S**t : That´s The Seed All The Good Things Come From with Sphira Tucker

Spriha Tucker is the Field CTO at Buildkite — a developer-first platform powering high-scale CI/CD pipelines. She’s a two-time Y Combinator founder, and previously built dev tools at Google and Microsoft. She also co-founded Aviator, a startup that helped elite teams like Slack and Figma ship faster.At Buildkite, Spriha helps engineering teams navigate scaling challenges, eliminate organisational friction, and build sustainable momentum without burnout. If you're leading a dev team in 2025, this is a must-listen conversation.In our conversation, Spriha shares:→ Why developer productivity isn't about doing more — it's about reducing friction.→ What most tech leaders misunderstand about developer experience→ The hidden costs of pipeline complexity and CI/CD sprawl→ How to measure progress without weaponising metrics→ Why feedback loops beat deadlines every time→ How to align teams with clarity, not chaos→ The future of tooling and workflows in software engineeringWhether you're a CTO, en...

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You Don't Need More Marketing, You Need More Visibility – Leverage LinkedIn to Get It with Ben Buaron

Today, Mike is joined by Ben Buaron, Founder & CEO of Windmill Growth. They help founders turn their LinkedIn into their number one growth channel. No hacks, no influencer playbooks, just real, sustainable visibility that brings in leads, builds credibility and opens doors. Ben’s been a founder himself and now teaches others how to stop hiding behind logos and leverage LinkedIn to build trust.

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How to Stay Visible When AI Decides What Shows Up When People Search with Bruce Clay

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by the father of SEO, Bruce Clay. Since 1996 he's been helping businesses get found online. He has taught 1000s of marketers and written several go-to SEO books. All while creating SEO strategies for brands like Netflix, eBay and Home Depot. Now he's focused on helping teams adapt their content for AI to stay visible as search evolves.

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How to Truly Connect on LinkedIn and Turn Contacts into Clients with Natasha Walstra

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Natasha Walstra, the founder and CEO of Near Point Strategies. She helps founders turn relationships into revenue using Smart Content, Strategic Outreach and the network they already have. Her clients don't chase followers. They get sales calls, replies, and gain real momentum just by showing up with the right message to the right people. She built this approach after leading brand strategy at Carbon and Forbes Books.

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Social Media: What Not To Do If You Want Lasting Growth in 2025 with Tim O’Hearn

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Tim O'Hearn, a software engineer, former Black Hat growth practitioner, and the author of Framed a Villain's Perspective on Social Media. For many years, Tim’s been inside the system, building tools that successfully manipulated feeds, scaled fake social media engagement and exploited attention at a mass scale.

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Flipping the script on how tech startups are built with Amir Barsoum

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Amir Barsoum, who is the founder or co-founder of multiple highly successful businesses including Vezeeta, a leading digital healthcare platform, and In-Vitro Capital. Instead of looking for founders to invest in, Amir starts with a problem, looks for a solution, finds the right experts to solve that problem, and then builds the company. 

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Process Mapping Yourself Away From Organisational Complexity and Chaos with Michael Schank

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Michael Schank, the founder of Process Inventory Advisors and the author of Digital Transformation Success. For over two decades, Michael has helped companies clean up the way they work so they can grow without the chaos. Today, Michael walks us through his process and inventory framework. He breaks down the simple steps most startups skip which lead to small bits of waste within their processes that have a huge impact on their growth.

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What are VCs Really Looking For? with Alexandra Nicoletti

Do you want to know what separates the startups that get funded from the ones that don´t? Today, Mike is joined by Alexandra Nicoletti, a partner at Camber Creek, one of the leading VC firms. Prior to this, Alexandra was in real estate and private equity at Apollo and worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs. 

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How to Scale as a Solopreneur Without a Team by Leveraging AI with Mike Todasco

For today´s episode, Mike is joined by Mike Todasco a visiting fellow at San Diego State University and former director of Innovation at PayPal. Mike holds over 100 patents and has a passion for leveraging AI to get things done fast. If you are a solopreneur who wants to scale quickly without building a team, this episode is very much for you.

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Using LinkedIn to Supercharge Growth with Graham Riley

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Graham Riley, a LinkedIn strategist, speaker, and founder of LinkedIn Enterprises. For 20+ years, Graham has been helping B2B companies generate millions in revenue using LinkedIn. His strategies don´t just get you likes; they drive deals.

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SaaS Conversion Alchemy - Using Copy, UX and Decision-Making Psychology to Gain More Customers with Chris Silvestri

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Chris Silvestri, the founder of Conversion Alchemy. Chris helps B2B SaaS companies break through the noise, reach more would-be customers and show them why they are the obvious choice. Chris’s carefully honed approach uses the alchemy of copy, UX, and decision-making psychology to turn browsers and visitors into loyal, paying customers.

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Supercharge Your Commercial Product By Doing Open Source the Right Way with Lukas Gentele

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Lukas Gentele, CEO and co-founder of Loft Labs, to discuss how to ensure that your open-source project doesn’t end up being one of the 80% that fail. Lukas has successfully launched multiple open-source projects and turned them into profitable businesses. Through this episode, he provides the bones of a framework you can use to do the same.

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How Tech Entrepreneurs Can Turn Clicks into Revenue with Sam Piliero

Today, Mike is joined by Sam Piliero, founder of The Moonlighters, a marketing agency helping brands scale profitably. Sam and his team break down why most brands struggle to scale their ads, and how small fixes in strategy can make the difference between them running ads that are burning cash and ads that enable firms to scale profitably.

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92% of Startups Fail – How To Use PRFAQ To Make Sure Yours Isn't One of Them with Marcelo Calbucci

For today’s episode, Mike is joined by Marcelo Calbucci, the author of PRFAQ Lab. He has been successfully growing startups for 18+ years and is a former Amazon exec. His book PRFAQ Lab breaks down the framework Amazon uses to determine whether an idea is viable and how to develop it. This framework has helped to ensure that in a world where 92% of start-ups fail, most of Amazon´s succeed. As do other start-ups that use the framework.

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Turning Promising Ecom Brands into $10m/Yr+ Profitable Winners with Sabir Semerkant

Today, Mike is joined by Sabir Semerkant, a top E-commerce growth strategist, with 25+ years of experience. Over the years he has helped brands like Coca Cola, Canon and Tommy Hilfiger to achieve massive growth. Sabir has turned that expertise into his 8D Method - a step-by-step framework for unlocking scalable, profitable e-commerce growth. His rapid 2x program has helped brands grow by an average of 108% in just 21 days

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The Art of Recurring Revenue: Lessons From Scaling a 5,500+ Employee Business with Pranav Dalal

Mike speaks to Pranav Dalal founder and CEO of Office Beacon, a leader in remote staffing solutions that has grown the company from just five employees in 2001 to 5,500+, without any VC funding. He and Mike talk about how to identify your competitive advantage, leverage it, and how to automate successfully. They also discuss how to create an irresistible hook to break through the noise and get your conversion rate into double figures.

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Combining SEO and AI to Create Effective Content and Land More Customers with Jade Pruett

For this episode, Mike sits down with Jade Pruett, an award-winning SEO specialist and founder of HelloSEO, with an impressive client list that includes CNN and Business Insider. She uses AI to create authentic and effective content. Doing so in a fast and effective way that was just not possible pre-AI. She shares several in-depth techniques that you can start using immediately.

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Turning Frustration into Inspiration to Create Tech Success with Tanmai Gopal

This episode is all about finding opportunity in frustration and turning it into a platform trusted by 1 million+ users including tech giants like Airbus and Wal Mart. Mike speaks to Tanmai Gopal the CEO and co-founder of Hasura that enables users to easily build, run, govern and evolve high-quality APIs for all types of data. Reliably providing them with accurate real time data that can then be used in numerous ways to serve customers effectively and drive growth.

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Sustainable Speed is Essential to Avoiding Tech Project Failure with Ivan Gekht

Today, Mike is joined by Ivan Gekht a Siberian Aerospace Engineer and CEO of Gehtsoft, a custom software development powerhouse. For the past 20 years, he has delivered complex solutions for numerous industries. Ivan has led transformative projects at both startups and billion-dollar enterprises. He explains why, regardless of the industry you are in, developing and delivering products at speed is essential.

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Master Digital Accessibility to Make Sure Your Tech Venture Grows with Inclusivity with Michael Nicastro

Today, Mike speaks to Michael Nicastro who is the VP group, director of technology and head of accessibility at Digitas. They discuss a very overlooked aspect of scaling tech ventures - digital accessibility which is not just a compliance checkbox. It is actually a growth strategy that unlocks new markets, drives revenue and helps your product reach its full potential. 

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How To Build Your Brand and Take Command of Your Online Reputation with Jason Barnard

In this episode, Mike speaks to Jason Barnard, CEO of Kalicube. Using cutting-edge Brand SEO, he shapes brands on Google to reflect a growth-driven vision. Jason unpacks strategies for controlling your brand story in Google and all of the AI engines so you can take full control of your online reputation, be easily found by potential customers and convert them into clients.

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Scaling Tech Operations Without Compromising Growth with Andrew Parsons

In this episode of Mastering Tech Growth, Mike looks at the challenge of scaling tech operations without compromising growth. To do this he is joined by Andrew Parsons, an industry veteran who, for decades, has been transforming operations for Vive Bank, HSBC, MasterCard, Admiral Group and more. Andrew shares his insights on achieving operational excellence without slowing the pace at which a startup grows and evolves. A critical but often overlooked factor of tech scaling. 

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Sourcing the Right Partners to Scale Your Tech Business with Jinesh Patel

Mike speaks to Jinesh Patel, co-founder and CEO of Uptime Health, to discuss the importance of strategic partnerships in scaling a tech business. Jinesh used 15+ strategic partners to grow from £1 million turnover in 2023 to £10 million in 2024. He explains how they found the right partners and built effective relationships with them to sell an innovative product that those involved in the dental industry had never heard of or thought about using before.

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Digital Identity and Fraud Prevention with Gautam Hazari

For this episode, Mike speaks to Gautam Hazari an influential TED speaker and the visionary CTO of sekura.id. He is at the forefront of developing innovative security solutions that tackle the complex challenges of identity management and fraud prevention.

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Consumer Psychology with Nathan Yeung – Tech Product Marketing Consumers Can`t Resist

Mike speaks to Nathan Yeung, a seasoned fractional CMO with a keen interest in using consumer psychology to drive marketing success in the tech industry. Nathan explains how it should inform your marketing strategy and campaigns. Including creating a network effect, building trust, social proof, case studies, repackaging, anchoring, the impact of AI and why so much unethical marketing still works.

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Getting Ready to Adapt and Ride The AI Wave of Opportunity with Maarten Ectors

Today, Mike talks with Maarten Ectors, an award-winning innovator in AI, Web3, and next-gen tech, known for launching the world’s first blockchain reinsurance solutions. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on society and the future of work. Including what developers, coders, and technical architects can do to position themselves now to take advantage of the wave of AI innovation and new technologies. 

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Leveraging Content Marketing in An AI World with Joe Pulizzi

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

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Feedback is a Gift Embrace It with Adelina Chalmers

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

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Start Up Fundraising Step by Step with Michael Orant

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

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Transitioning into Your First Tech Leadership Role with Robbie Clutton

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

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How To Build a Diverse Team to Unlock True Success

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

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Balancing Product Vision and Technical Execution in Tech Growth with Benjy Meyer

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

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The AI Gold Rush | Steven Harrison on How Data and Automation are Altering Business

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

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Achieving Work-Life Balance: Insights from CTO Coach Peter Sorgenfrei

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

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Steve Spittle | From Space to Sustainability: Harnessing Satellite Data for a Greener Future

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

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From Psychometrics to AI: The Future of Work with Peter Dakin

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

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AWS Expert Ruben J Garcia: Streamlining Infrastructure as Code for Startups and Enterprises

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

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Remote Leadership: How to Manage and Lead a Global Team Remotely with Charlie Perrins

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

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Bridging Tech and Business: Lessons from a CTO's Craig Mellon’s Transformative Career

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

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Unravelling the AI Revolution: From Neural Networks to Generative AI

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

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Defining Productivity in Tech: Insights from Rob Wade Part Two

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

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Navigating the Tech Landscape: Startups vs. Enterprises with Rob Wade - Part One

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

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Fractional CTOs: Driving Sustainable Tech Growth with Armagan Amcalar

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

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Measuring Carbon Footprints: Faraday's AI-Powered Sustainability Solution with Aycan Gulez CTO of Faraday

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

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Revolutionising Africa's Tech Landscape with Kossi Selom Banybah | Mastering SaaS and Microservices

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

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Building a Resilient Tech Business: Insights from CarWow's CTO David Santoro

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

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Building Unstoppable Tech Teams with Vasileios Fasoulas

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

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Unleashing AI's Potential in Publishing: Insights from Atex Media Group's CTO Michele Alessandrini

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

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Biotech Automation Meets AI: The Future of Cell Culture with Salavat Magazov

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

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Navigating the World of Product Design and Entrepreneurship with James Kirk

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

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The Role of AI in Society: Tools for Productivity or Potential Threats?

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

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Balancing Technical Expertise and People Management in Tech Leadership

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

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Understanding Innovation: A Conversation on Frameworks, KPIs, and Success Stories

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

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Building High-Performing Teams: Strategies for CTOs in Tech Startups

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

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Exploring the Future of Remote Work, AI, and VR in the Development Industry

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

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The Journey to Becoming a CTO: Tips for Aspiring Technology Leaders

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

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Mastering The Work-Family Balance: Insights from a Social Media Marketer's Journey

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

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Navigating the Challenges of Distributed Teams and Communication in the Tech Industry

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

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