#196 - Unbundling the Enterprise: the Power of APIs, Optionality, and the Science of Happy Accidents - Stephen Fishman and Matt McLarty
Tech Lead Journal
Optimizing Experimentation through Feedback and Innovation
This chapter explores the significance of feedback loops in successful organizational experiments, illustrated through Marvin Pipkin's discovery of shatterproof light bulbs. It also examines the evolving role of AI and the need for businesses to adapt to technological changes while ensuring a balance between human and AI contributions.
“The OOOps methodology from the science of happy accidents are optionality, opportunism, and optimization.”
Stephen Fishman and Matt McLarty are the authors of “Unbundling the Enterprise: APIs, Optionality, and the Science of Happy Accidents”, a book from IT Revolution. In this episode, we discuss the transformative power of APIs, the importance of optionality in technology and business, and the intriguing science of ‘happy accidents’.
We delve into the “OOOps” of the science of happy accidents, which are optionality through API unbundling, opportunism through value dynamics, and optimization through feedback loops. Stephen and Matt share real-world examples of how companies like Amazon, Google, and Cox Automotive have successfully unbundled their enterprises and leveraged optionality for growth and innovation. Also, hear the story and impact of Jeff Bezos’s legendary API mandate at Amazon, which revolutionized Amazon to become the giant it is now.
Towards the end, we discuss the role of AI in the future of work and how we can use AI along with APIs to embrace more optionality and create more business value.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about how you can apply these concepts to your digital transformation journey and benefit from the power of APIs and optionality.
Listen out for:
- Career Turning Points - [00:01:51]
- “Unbundling the Enterprise” Book - [00:05:21]
- Amazon API Revolution - [00:08:39]
- What Drove Jeff Bezos’s Mandate - [00:14:10]
- Optionality Through API Unbundling - [00:17:36]
- Happy Accidents - [00:23:59]
- Opportunism Through Value Dynamics - [00:26:59]
- Value Dynamics - [00:30:55]
- Optimization Through Feedback Loops - [00:38:03]
- Embracing AI - [00:45:24]
- 4 Tech Lead Wisdom - [00:52:02]
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Stephen Fishman’s Bio
Stephen Fishman (Fish) is the NA Field CTO for Boomi. He is a practicing technologist who brings creativity, rigor, and a human-centric lens to problem-solving. Known as an expert in aligning technology and business strategy, Stephen places a premium on pushing business and technology leaders to embrace iteration and the critical need to collaborate across disciplines. In addition to consulting with large organizations, Stephen is an in-demand speaker and advisor. Stephen has led multidisciplinary teams to deliver amazing results at Salesforce, MuleSoft, Cox Automotive, Sapient, Macy’s, and multiple public sector institutions including the US Federal Reserve and the CDC.
Matt McLarty’s Bio
Matt McLarty is the Chief Technology Officer for Boomi. He works with organizations around the world to help them digitally transform using a composable approach. He is an active member of the global API community, has led global technical teams at Salesforce, IBM, and CA Technologies, and started his career in financial technology. Matt is an internationally known expert on APIs, microservices, and integration. He is co-author of the O’Reilly books Microservice Architecture and Securing Microservice APIs, and co-host of the API Experience podcast.
Follow Stephen:
- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/stephenhfishman
- Email – stephen.fishman@boomi.com
Follow Matt:
- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/mattmclartybc
- Email – matt.mclarty@boomi.com
Book & Podcast:
- 📚 Unbundling the Enterprise – https://itrevolution.com/product/unbundling-the-enterprise/
- The API Experience Podcast - https://boomi.com/boomi-podcast/
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