The Tech Leader's Playbook

Welcome to another episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook. This week, host Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Douglas Squirrel, a technology virtuoso with 40 years of coding experience and 20 years of leading software teams. Douglas's expertise lies in transforming technology organizations through the power of conversations and productive conflict. He is also the co-author of the book "Agile Conversations" and has worked with over 150 organizations to supercharge their performance. Douglas's transition from coder to leader and the key moments in his expansive career. How conversations can be the game-changer in enhancing productivity within tech teams. The concept of "productive conflict" and how it impacts team dynamics. Crucial mistakes Douglas made as a young CTO and how he overcame them through Action Science techniques. Making technology a profit center and not just a cost center. Real-life success stories from Douglas's coaching sessions with executives across industries. The Squirrel Squadron, a vibrant community promoting better conversations. Key takeaways from his book "Agile Conversations." "Conversations are not just about exchanging information; they are the cornerstone of any successful team." "Action Science techniques helped me transition from a CTO who made all the mistakes to one who aligned closely with business goals." Douglas's Website Douglas's LinkedIn Agile Conversations Book Squirrel Squadron Community You can reach out to Douglas on his LinkedIn or through his website. Subscribe to The Tech Leader's Playbook Follow us on Twitter Join our Facebook Group Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Thank you for tuning in! Next week, we continue to bring you insights from leaders who are shaping the world of technology. SEO Keywords: Technology Leadership, Conversations in Tech, Productive Conflict, Agile Conversations, CTO, Douglas Squirrel, Team Productivity, Coding, Software Teams, Action Science, Squirrel Squadron, Tech Leader's Playbook In This Episode, You'll Learn About:Key Quotes:Links and Resources:Contact Information:Connect With Us:

In this week's eye-opening episode, Avetis sits down with the dynamic Adrian Koehler, a revered leadership coach known for his transformational work with founders and high-performance teams. Dive deep into the realms of leadership, personal engagement, and the intricacies of busting common myths that hold leaders back. Key Takeaways: The Essence of Leadership: Adrian sheds light on his approach to coaching and what true leadership means in the hustle of the entrepreneurial world. Busting the Bullsh!t: Uncover the common myths and misconceptions that inhibit founders and how to navigate past them. Stories from the Field: From working with Navy SEALs to brands like NIKE and Herschel Supply Co., Adrian shares invaluable insights and anecdotes. Performance-Driven Leadership: Dive into the core tenets that drive top-tier organizations and understand how to apply them in your own journey. The Path to Fulfillment: Discover the art and science behind personal engagement and how leaders can find genuine fulfillment in their roles. Featured Quotes: "Leadership isn't about titles; it's about engagement, connection, and the impact you make." "The most powerful leaders are those who dare to confront the internal narratives holding them back." Resources & Links: Learn more about Adrian's transformative approach to leadership: Adrian's Website - Take New Ground Connect with Adrian on LinkedIn. About the Guest: Adrian Koehler has cemented his reputation as a force in the leadership space, helping founders and teams dismantle barriers and craft new narratives. His work has spanned Fortune 500 giants, multinationals, startups, and educational institutions. With a passion for human performance, Adrian has partnered with organizations globally, including the likes of the Navy SEALs, Oprah Winfrey Network, and UCLA, to name a few. About the Host: Avetis Antaplyan brings deep insights from the tech industry, engaging in profound conversations with leaders, innovators, and changemakers. The Tech Leader's Playbook is your go-to podcast for invaluable tech and leadership insights. Don't Miss an Episode: Subscribe to The Tech Leader's Playbook for weekly doses of invaluable insights from the tech world. Unlock your leadership potential and chart a path to genuine fulfillment. Join Avetis and Adrian as they delve into what it truly means to lead in today's fast-paced world.

In this enlightening episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, host Avetis Antaplyan sits down with the tech industry's luminary, Dave Sobel. Dive deep into the world of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), unravel the nuances of working with top tech vendors, and get an insider's perspective on the ever-evolving IT landscape. What you'll learn in this episode: The Entrepreneurial Drive: Dave retraces his journey, revealing what sparked his passion for tech and led him to establish his own IT Solution Provider and MSP. Mergers, Acquisitions, and The Big Vendors: Learn about Dave's experiences with leading tech companies and gain insights into the behind-the-scenes strategies of M&A activities in the tech world. The Birth of 'The Business of Tech': Discover the inspiration behind Dave's popular podcast and how he continuously keeps the content fresh and relevant. Recognition and Influence: Dave unpacks the significance of his accolades and discusses his active role in shaping the tech community, particularly with CompTIA. Beyond Tech: Take a step back from the wires and circuits to explore Dave's personal passions, from the thrill of sports to the aroma of barbeque. Anchored Hyperlinks: Connect with Avetis on LinkedIn Dive deeper into Hireclout's offerings Stay updated with The Business of Tech Engage with Dave Sobel on LinkedIn Wrap-up:Dave's extensive experience and unique perspective make this episode a must-listen for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and IT professionals. Whether you're looking to understand the intricacies of vendor relationships or want to get inspired by the journey of a tech expert, this conversation promises invaluable insights.

In this week's episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, our host Avetis Antaplyan sits down with renowned speaker, IT expert, and best-selling author, Jeff Ton. With a wealth of experience spanning 35 years, Jeff occupies a unique intersection of technology and people, inspiring leadership and innovation across the IT industry. The conversation delves into Jeff's philosophy of leadership in IT and his journey from software developer to industry-recognized leader. We discuss the critical role of IT leaders in shaping the vision and strategy of their organizations, thereby amplifying their value. Jeff shares insightful anecdotes from his tenure as CIO at Lauth Property Group and Goodwill Industries of Central Indiana. He also discusses his time as Senior Vice President of Product and Strategic Alliance at InterVision, shedding light on his approach to developing people and driving product strategy. We then explore the concepts and insights from Jeff's books, "Amplify Your Value" and "Amplify Your Job Search - Strategies for Finding Your Dream Job." Listeners in transition or considering a job change will particularly find this segment beneficial. Finally, Jeff forecasts emerging trends in IT and leadership and their implications on the role of IT leaders in the future. Join us for an enlightening conversation packed with practical advice, strategies, and wisdom from one of the IT industry's most respected leaders. Links Check out Jeff Ton on LinkedIn here Discover more about Jeff's work and insights on his website here Get to know more about our host Avetis Antaplyan here Visit Hireclout's website for more resources and episodes. SEO Optimized Keywords: Jeff Ton, IT leadership, technology trends, Amplify Your Value, Amplify Your Job Search, tech leadership podcast, technology and people, IT strategy, CIO insights, job change strategies, Avetis Antaplyan.

In this insightful episode of the Tech Leader's Playbook, co-host Nickolas Natali sits down with our very own Avetis Antaplyan, co-founder of Hireclout. Together, they explore the complexities and opportunities in the world of investment and M&A from the perspective of a tech leader. Avetis provides his unique insights into various forms of investments, ranging from real estate and angel investing to crypto currencies. He opens up about his investment journey, discussing how his approach has evolved as Hireclout scaled. Avetis shares lessons learned from his angel investing endeavors, including the biggest mistakes he's made and what he did to navigate those challenging times. The conversation then transitions into the complex yet fascinating world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Avetis shares key factors that drive successful M&As, discusses his experiences with these strategic moves, and reveals how he evaluates potential M&A opportunities. Delving into the challenges of integrating different tech systems post-M&A, he provides valuable insights for tech leaders who are considering similar strategic moves. Avetis doesn’t shy away from discussing the cultural implications of M&A and offers advice on how to communicate changes effectively to teams, customers, and other stakeholders. Whether you're a tech leader looking to broaden your investment portfolio, or navigating the complexities of M&A, this episode is packed full of invaluable insights that can guide your journey. Anchored Hyperlinks: Connect with Avetis on LinkedIn Learn more about Hireclout Tune into more insightful conversations on The Nickolas Natali Show Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the show. Stay tuned for more episodes of The Tech Leader's Playbook! SEO Keywords: Avetis Antaplyan, Tech Leader's Playbook, Nickolas Natali, Investment strategies, Real estate investing, Angel investing, Crypto currencies, Mergers and acquisitions, Tech leadership, Hireclout, Business growth, Tech team integration, Strategic moves, Tech industry, Stakeholder communication.

Welcome to a special crossover episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook. In this episode, we bring you a unique conversation from The Nickolas Natali Show, where our own Avetis Antaplyan dives into the genesis of Hireclout, shares his distinct hiring philosophy, and discusses his investment strategies. In this episode, you'll discover: The Birth of Hireclout: Avetis takes us back to the beginning, sharing how he and Jeff turned the idea of Hireclout into a reality. Discover the challenges they faced, the successes they celebrated, and the lessons they learned along the way. Avetis's Hiring Philosophy: What does it take to build a successful tech team? Avetis shares his philosophy on hiring, providing valuable insights for tech leaders, recruiters, and candidates alike. Investment Strategies: With an entrepreneurial spirit and a keen sense for business, Avetis sheds light on his approach to investment and how he decides where to put his money. For more about Avetis Antaplyan and his journey with Hireclout, check out his LinkedIn profile here. To learn more about Hireclout and how they are disrupting the tech recruitment space, visit the website here. For more insightful conversations with diverse thought leaders, check out The Nickolas Natali Show here. Stay tuned for more engaging and enlightening conversations on The Tech Leader's Playbook. Keep innovating, keep leading! Keywords: Avetis Antaplyan, Hireclout, Tech Hiring, Investment Strategies, Entrepreneurship, Tech Leadership, The Nickolas Natali Show

Welcome to a special edition of The Tech Leader's Playbook. In this episode, host Avetis Antaplyan curates the top insights shared by our esteemed guests from the past nine episodes, offering a goldmine of information for tech leaders and enthusiasts alike. This episode features: Leadership strategies from an NBA Assistant Coach: Discover unique perspectives on leadership and team-building from the world of professional sports that can be translated into tech leadership. Insights from the CTO of OpenTable: Learn about the future of AI, its impact on tech recruiting, and how tech leaders can stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly changing landscape. Best Practices from Industry Experts: From overcoming burnout to building a strong tech team, we revisit valuable advice shared by our guests, providing practical strategies for success. Tips for Building Successful Startups: Delve into the essentials of working with start-up lawyers, navigating mergers & acquisitions, and the qualities that make a successful tech CEO/CTO. Employee Engagement and its Impact on Profit: Revisit the conversation on the correlation between employee engagement and net profit and how to foster a healthy professional culture. For more about Avetis Antaplyan and his insights on leadership in tech, check out his LinkedIn profile here. For more resources and further episodes, visit our website at Hireclout. Stay tuned for more empowering discussions on the hottest tech topics. Remember, keep innovating, keep leading! Keywords: Tech Leadership, AI in Tech Recruiting, Overcoming Burnout, Building Tech Teams, Startup Success, Employee Engagement, Avetis Antaplyan

Welcome to another informative episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, where our hosts Avetis Antaplyan and Nickolas Natali delve into one of the most effective, yet often overlooked strategies to grow your business - referrals. In this episode, Avetis and Nickolas discuss: The power of referrals in business growth. How leveraging your existing network can lead to exponential business growth and why it often outperforms digital ad campaigns. How to build a robust referral network. Avetis shares his journey in the tech industry, providing valuable tips on networking and building relationships that lead to meaningful referrals. Why digital ad campaigns are not the only answer. In the era of digital dominance, our hosts explain why traditional, relationship-based growth strategies can be more effective than you think. Interested to learn more about Avetis and Nickolas? Visit their LinkedIn profiles Avetis Antaplyan and Nickolas Natali. For more insights and resources, don't forget to visit our website, Hireclout. We're here to empower tech leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools necessary for success in the ever-evolving tech landscape. Join us again next week for more expert discussions on the tech industry's hottest topics. Until then, keep innovating and keep leading! Keywords: Tech Business Growth, Referrals in Business, Networking in Tech Industry, Non-digital Growth Strategies, Avetis Antaplyan, Nickolas Natali

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook. Today, we sit down with Cormac Twomey, a seasoned tech leader with vast experience from giants like eHarmony and OpenTable. In this episode, Cormac shares his captivating journey from being a software engineer to a successful CTO, navigating the complex tech landscape and the numerous challenges he faced along the way. We deep dive into Cormac's tenure as the Senior Director of Engineering at eHarmony, where he was pivotal in revamping the entire Matching technology stack. He shares insights on overcoming vertical-scaling bottlenecks and employing machine learning to enhance match quality. Cormac also sheds light on his experience at OpenTable, discussing the role he played as CTO, and the unique challenges and opportunities he encountered while shaping the company's tech narrative. Here are some topics we discussed: Cormac Twomey's unique journey from software engineer to Chief Technology Officer [00:02:50] Inside Cormac's role in scaling technology at eHarmony [00:15:30] The impact of machine learning on enhancing match quality at eHarmony [00:28:40] Challenges and opportunities faced as the CTO of OpenTable [00:42:10] Links: To learn more about Cormac Twomey, check out his LinkedIn profile. Explore career opportunities and resources at HIRECLOUT. Keywords: Cormac Twomey, Tech Journey, Software Engineer, Chief Technology Officer, eHarmony, OpenTable, Machine Learning, Tech Scaling. Tune in to learn more about Cormac Twomey's exceptional journey and valuable insights into the tech industry. And as always, if you enjoy listening to The Tech Leader's Playbook, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast!

In this enriching episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan is joined by guest Scott Anderson, an executive coach and the founder of DoubleDare. They delve into the crucial topic of burnout — how to recognize it, overcome it, prevent it, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Recognizing Burnout: Scott offers insight into the signs and symptoms of burnout, and how to acknowledge its presence. Overcoming Burnout: Learn strategies for coping with and overcoming burnout, informed by Scott's extensive experience as an executive coach. Preventing Burnout: Scott shares preventative measures and tactics that can help you avoid burnout in the first place. Myths About Burnout: Dispel some common misconceptions about burnout, and gain a deeper understanding of what it truly entails. Work-Life Balance: Explore the concept of work-life balance and its significance in preventing burnout and promoting overall well-being. Links Mentioned: Scott Anderson LinkedIn DoubleDare HIRECLOUT Keywords: Scott Anderson, Burnout, Overcoming Burnout, Preventing Burnout, Myths About Burnout, Work-Life Balance, Executive Coaching, DoubleDare, Mental Health Be sure to share this enlightening episode with your network, and stay tuned for the next episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook. This episode is sponsored by HIRECLOUT, the premier tech recruiting firm that connects exceptional talent with leading tech companies.