Tech for Non-Techies

Think Silicon Valley was built by brilliant founders and venture capital? Think again. Governments have been the secret force behind every major tech breakthrough - and understanding this could be crucial for your success, whether you are an innovator or an investor. Economist Mariana Mazzucato 's groundbreaking book "The Entrepreneurial State" shows an often ignored truth: from the iPhone to GPS, the biggest innovations in tech came from government funding, because early stage innovation is too risky for venture capital. Listen to this episode to learn: Why every technology in your iPhone started with government funding What a "regulatory sandbox" is and why it matters for innovation Why the "lone genius founder" myth is dangerous for investors How to spot government support that could give your company an edge Case studies from Silicon Valley, Singapore and Bahrain Whether you're a policymaker, founder, or investor, this episode will change how you think about innovation - and might just change where you choose to build your next venture. For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/232-why-governments-are-tech-s-most-powerful-and-overlooked-innovators Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:20 Government in Tech Innovation 05:40 The iPhone: A Case Study in Government Funding 07:30 Government Laying the Foundation 09:00 Italian Renaissance Case Study 10:26 Government as a Patron of Innovation 17:00 Lessons from Singapore and Bahrain For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Every time a founder with a hardware idea comes to me for advice, I tell them they're choosing one of the toughest paths in tech. But sometimes, that path leads to trillion-dollar success stories. In this episode you'll learn from three stories of hardware innovation: Apple, Tesla and Nvidia. Apple had to spend $175 million to fix an iPhone problem that couldn't be solved with a software update. Tesla had to rip robots out of its automated factory. Meanwhile, Nvidia turned from a gaming company into a $3.3 trillion AI powerhouse. Why do some hardware companies become global giants while others crash and burn? Listen to this episode to find out. You will learn: Why physical problems need physical solutions (and why that's so expensive) How Tesla's 'production hell' reveals the true cost of hardware innovation The real reason VCs are scared of hardware startups (and when they're wrong) Why combining hardware with AI might be worth the risk This episode is essential for anyone building, investing in, or curious about hardware innovation. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Hardware vs. Software 03:05 Apple's Story 06:00 Tesla's Story 09:00 The Value of Successful Hardware Companies 11:30 Why Nvidia is Important 13:49 Lessons for Founders and Investors in Hardware For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/231-why-hardware-is-hard-and-when-it-s-worth-it-lessons-from-apple-tesla-nvidia For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Why do some companies nail digital transformation while others just waste millions? In this episode you'll learn from two very different case studies: Starbucks and Lego. The founder of Starbucks, the company that pioneered mobile ordering, is now saying they went too far with tech. Meanwhile, LEGO transformed from a wooden toy maker into a digital powerhouse without losing its magic. Why did one succeed and the other fail? Listen to this episode to find out. You'll learn: Why having great tech stats doesn't mean you're winning (just ask Starbucks) How LEGO got digital right by being boring first The real reason most transformations fail (spoiler: it's not about the technology) Why "going digital" without a soul is like getting plastic surgery to fix your personality This episode is a must listen for corporate leaders planning their digital strategy, founders building tech companies, and investors who want to spot the next LEGO, not the next digital disaster. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:30 The Digital Transformation Dilemma 03:08 Starbucks: A Case Study in Digital Overreach 05:56 Lego: Embracing Digital to Enhance Core Values 09:47 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Digital Transformation 15:46 Practical Steps for Successful Digital Transformation For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/230-starbucks-vs-lego-a-tale-of-two-digital-transformations Sources used to make this episode: MIT: Transforming the LEGO Group for the Digital Economy McKinsey: Common pitfalls in transformations: A conversation with Jon Garcia GeekWire: As Starbucks slumps, Howard Schultz says coffee giant should 'reinvent' mobile ordering For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Listen to learn: How smart innovators test ideas before burning $50,000+ on development. The common tech traps that trip up even experienced leaders. Practical ways to avoid expensive development mistakes. Real stories from innovators who saved thousands by pivoting early. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Avoiding Expensive Mistakes 02:53 Lesson 1: The Build Everything Now Trap 06:11 Lesson 2: Marketing Before Testing 09:02 Lesson 3: Expensive Website Pitfall 11:53 Lesson 4: Wrong Assumptions Cost For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/229-the-50-000-dollar-mistakes-these-founders-almost-made-and-how-they-avoided-them For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

If you think product development comes after business strategy, you're leaving money on the table and falling behind your competitors. Don't do that. In this episode, you'll learn why smart business leaders are using prototypes as a strategic weapon - so you can do it too. You'll learn: - Why your 50-page strategy doc is worth less than a tested napkin sketch - How your "small" idea might actually be a golden goose in disguise - The real reason PowerPoint presentations don't get funding (spoiler: they're boring) - Why waiting for the perfect strategy is like waiting to get in shape before going to the gym 🤷‍♀️ Perfect for corporate innovators who are tired of death by PowerPoint and non-technical founders who think they need to write War and Peace before building anything. Warning: This episode contains dangerous levels of common sense and might cause sudden urges to actually build something. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Prototyping as a Strategic Weapon 02:47 Importance of User Feedback 06:08 Investment Risk and Prototyping 09:03 Prototypes in Marketing and Team Building For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/228-why-smart-leaders-prototype-first-strategise-later For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

If you have an idea for an app or a tech business, you can now make a test product in just 15 minutes using AI tools. But, you have to know how to use them wisely, so you don't make pretty products that nobody wants. Listen to this episode to learn: - The sweet spot for using AI in product development (from drafting specs to analysing user feedback) - Which AI tools to use for prototyping right now - A step-by-step process to validate your ideas faster using AI - Common pitfalls to avoid (because AI won't save a half-baked idea!) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:13 AI in Product Management 06:05 Creating Prototypes with AI 08:55 Testing Prototypes 12:08 Strategic Thinking Before Using AI 15:03 Practical Homework and Implementation For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/227-how-to-use-ai-in-product-development-a-non-techies-guide For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Have you ever wondered about how to work with developers effectively without becoming one yourself? It all starts with five simple, non-technical questions. In this episode, you'll learn what you need to bring to the table for your developers to build a great tech stack. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:12 Understanding the Tech Stack 06:05 Bringing Value as a Non-Technical Person 08:50 Key Questions for Developers 10:45 Importance of Innovation in Tech For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/226-tech-stacks-made-simple-what-non-technical-innovators-should-and-shouldn-t-do For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

You can get your dream job, your dream client or your ideal investor at a tech event. But, going to a tech conference can also be a spectacular waste of money. So how do you get the former and avoid the latter? Listen to this episode to find out. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Why you should go to conference events 02:59 Conferences are a serious investment 04:18 Conference ROI rules 08:15 What to do at the conference 13:18 Conclusion For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/225-how-to-get-roi-from-a-tech-conference For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

How do you make something completely new? And does the process differ if you're in a tiny start-up or a tech giant like Google? Listen to this episode to find out. You will learn from Maria Fernandez Guajardo, Senior Director of Product Management for Gmail at Google. You'll learn the framework behind what makes a good Minimum Viable Product, the process Big Tech companies use to bring new ideas to life and the differences between start-up and corporate innovation. Maria's book, Sail to Scale: Steer Your Startup Clear of Mistakes from Launch to Exit, is available now. For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/mvps-milkshakes-innovating-at-google Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:52 Understanding Jobs to Be Done 06:00 Psychological Aspect of Product Design 08:56 MVP Features 12:10 Generative AI in Product Development 14:54 Corporate Innovation 18:02 Building Momentum 20:50 Similarities Between Startups and Corporations 24:10 Becoming a Corporate Innovator 27:00 Experience in Entrepreneurship 29:52 Writing a Book for Entrepreneurs FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

If you want to understand how tech companies work from the inside, you need to know what product managers do. People who master this skillset go on to be successful entrepreneurs, run tech companies and become leading venture capitalists. Microsoft CEO Satay Nadella used to be a product manager, as did Ben Horowitz, the co-founder of A16S, the VC firm behind Facebook, Airbnb and Pinterest. In this episode, you will learn from Andrew Plato, serial entrepreneur and author of The Founder's User Manual: Practical Strategies for the Startup Leader. For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/223-product-management-from-start-up-to-grown-up Timestamps 00:00 Understanding Product Management 02:46 The Role of Founders in Product Management 05:50 Navigating Team Dynamics 09:11 The CEO vs. Founder Dilemma 13:52 Founder Vision 18:03 Lessons for Early Stage Entrepreneurs 22:13 Sales Skills 24:55 Learning from Failure 29:59 Practical Strategies for Startup Success FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist's Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.