The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the future of management with Jack Skeels, CEO of Agency Agile and author of Unmanaged. Jack shares why traditional command-and-control structures are outdated, how hidden dysfunctions cripple organizations, and what it takes to unlock true productivity in the age of AI.We explore why overmanagement is slowing teams down, the warning signs leaders should watch for, and how AI can either reinforce bad habits—or transform organizations when paired with agile, human-centric practices.Key Takeaways • Why most management practices are outdated—and what to do instead • The “plateau of optimism” and “chasm of despair” in projects and transformations • How to spot hidden dysfunctions that derail productivity • Why AI won’t fix bad processes—and how to redesign work for real impact • The power of asking why and questioning the status quoWhat You’ll Learn • How to move from bureaucracy to agility in your organization • Practical techniques to boost productivity and reduce rework • Why unleashing talent beats overmanaging • How AI is reshaping teams, value chains, and leadership rolesAbout Jack SkeelsJack is the founder and CEO of Agency Agile, where he has worked with nearly 200 organizations to help them run faster, better, and happier. With a career spanning programming, project management, consultancy, and research at the RAND Corporation, Jack brings a unique perspective to modern leadership. His award-winning book Unmanaged offers a blueprint for rethinking how teams thrive.https://www.amazon.com/Unmanaged-Master-Creating-Empowered-Organizations/dp/B0CLSJJJ49https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackaskeels/Episode Highlights • [02:00] Jack’s journey from programmer to RAND researcher to Agency Agile founder • [07:00] Why outdated management persists and the role of education in leadership • [12:00] Warning signs of overmanagement and how to measure real productivity • [18:00] Why CEO buy-in is non-negotiable for transformation • [20:00] The “plateau of optimism” and “chasm of despair” in projects • [24:00] How AI changes management—and why undoing structures is key • [31:00] Trust and manipulation in AI decision-making • [37:00] Jack’s book Unmanaged and its core lessons • [40:00] Advice for the new generation of leaders: think different and always ask why

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Angela Thomas shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in East Germany to building award-winning businesses, reinventing her career, and now helping entrepreneurs scale in Dubai.We dive into the misconceptions about scaling, the role of authenticity, why reinvention is critical, and why Dubai has become a global hub for entrepreneurs.Key Takeaways • Why authenticity is a non-negotiable asset when scaling a business • The difference between scalable and non-scalable models (time vs. value detachment) • How value ladders unlock sustainable growth • Why founders must invest in their own development before their businesses can grow • Dubai’s rise as the “Disneyland for entrepreneurs”⸻What You’ll Learn • How to reinvent yourself without abandoning your past achievements • Strategies to avoid stagnation and overcome plateaus • The importance of lead magnets, trust-building, and tiny challenges in client acquisition • Why moving to Dubai offers unique opportunities for global foundersAbout Angela ThomasAngela Thomas is the founder of Angel Success Consulting, a Dubai-based entrepreneurial family office that helps founders, doctors, and service providers scale sustainably and internationally. With nearly 30 years as a serial entrepreneur, Angela has built and sold businesses across industries – from retail and real estate to aviation, healthcare, and luxury.Today, she is known as Europe’s #1 Scaling Expert and the visionary behind high-impact programs like Skillionair, Skillionize, and Dubai Docs Fast Track – a relocation success model for physicians entering the UAE market.https://www.angelsuccess.consulting/https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-thomas8/Episode Highlights • [00:02:00] Angela’s entrepreneurial roots in East Germany • [00:07:00] Reinvention and overcoming the fear of leaving success behind • [00:13:00] Why authenticity matters more than ever in business • [00:16:00] Business doesn’t grow unless the founder does • [00:21:00] Scalable vs. non-scalable business models • [00:26:00] The process Angela uses to help founders find growth • [00:33:00] Why she calls her boutique setup a “Family Office 2.0” • [00:36:00] Dubai as the Disneyland for entrepreneurs

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Rob Matzkin, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and connector who has built and exited multiple companies and now advises startups on scaling, fundraising, and execution.Rob shares the hard truths of entrepreneurship — why execution beats hype every time, what founders get wrong about investor readiness, and how AI is reshaping startup moats. We also dive into founder burnout, the myth of overnight success, and the importance of building authentic relationships.Key Takeaways • Why most founders are not actually investor-ready • How to show traction and de-risk your pitch to investors • The double-edged sword of AI in fundraising and positioning • Why execution > ideas (and how to prove it) • How to avoid burnout and build a sustainable founder journeyWhat You’ll Learn • The stages of fundraising explained clearly (friends & family, pre-seed, seed, Series A) • The signals investors actually look for — beyond hype and storytelling • How startups can think about moats in the age of AI • The role of vulnerability and authenticity in leadershipAbout Rob MatzkinRob has founded and led 16 different companies, with multiple exits across sectors. Today, he consults founders on reaching product–market fit, scaling to millions in ARR, and navigating capital raising. He is also the host of the Purpose-Driven Summit and a recognized global connector across business, sports, and the arts.https://robmatzkin.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-j-matzkin-06027634/Episode Highlights • (00:04:50) Why founders think they’re unique (but they’re not) • (00:09:30) The truth about being “investor-ready” • (00:14:00) Risk vs reward: how investors really decide • (00:22:00) AI hype vs real AI companies — what matters now • (00:30:00) Product–market fit and why most founders misunderstand it • (00:33:30) Burnout, balance, and the myth of working 16-hour days • (00:44:30) Why most public stories about success are PR illusions

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Tomas Navickas, Co-Founder and CTO of myTU, a digital-first financial institution known for running an entire bank on less than €1,000/month in cloud costs. We explore how efficiency, AI, and smart architecture are redefining the future of digital banking and fintech.Tomas shares how myTU built efficiency into its DNA, why fraud prevention requires more than rules, and how APIs and AI are reshaping payments. This conversation is packed with insights for founders, CTOs, and anyone interested in the intersection of technology, regulation, and finance.Key Takeaways • How efficiency became myTU’s moat in a competitive fintech landscape • Lessons from running a bank on €1K/month in cloud costs • The role of AI in fraud prevention — from reactive to real-time decisioning • Why APIs are the future of B2B payments • Cloud-native vs. legacy banking systems: what traditional banks can’t solve • The next wave of digital banking innovation: conversational interfacesWhat You’ll Learn • Practical strategies for scaling efficiently without massive infrastructure spend • How AI is transforming fraud detection and compliance in fintech • The regulatory realities of building a cloud-first bank • Why support can be minimized by design before AI automation • Where fintech is heading in the next decadeAbout Tomas NavickasTomas Navickas is the Co-Founder and CTO of myTU, a European fintech building cloud-native digital banking solutions. With over two decades of experience in software, engineering, and financial systems, Tomas brings deep expertise in building efficient, scalable, and secure platforms.https://www.linkedin.com/in/ntomas/https://www.mytu.co/Connect with The CTO Show • Subscribe to the newsletter: MEA Tech & Startup Digest • Follow Mehmet Gonullu on LinkedIn • Share this episode with founders, CTOs, and investors who care about fintech innovationEpisode Highlights • [00:03:00] Tomas’s journey from coding at age 6 to CTO and fintech founder • [00:05:00] Running a bank on €1K/month — architecture decisions that made it possible • [00:10:00] AI’s role in fraud prevention and customer protection • [00:17:00] Cloud-native vs. legacy banks: why traditional migration fails • [00:29:00] Reinventing B2B payments with APIs • [00:40:00] How AI could automate compliance, support, and even development • [00:46:00] Predicting the next wave of digital banking innovation • [00:50:00] Tomas’s advice for founders and aspiring fintech builders

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Soha Ashrafian, co-founder of Temis and a fearless serial entrepreneur who turned early challenges into a global track record of business building. From launching her first startup at 21 in Iran—against social resistance and financial restrictions—to building ventures across Dubai, Soha’s journey is a powerful lesson in resilience, creativity, and the true drivers of business success.We dive deep into why distribution and execution matter more than ideas, the art of storytelling in marketing, and how entrepreneurs can use MVPs to test and scale quickly without over-engineering. Soha also shares her perspective on empowering women entrepreneurs in the MENA region, embracing creativity in branding, and navigating opportunities in the AI era.Key Takeaways • Why execution beats ideas every time • The importance of MVP testing before investing heavily in product development • How storytelling makes marketing memorable • Lessons on resilience and determination when society doubts your path • The role of distribution and partnerships in sustaining growth • Why fearlessness and boldness are essential traits for entrepreneurs⸻What You’ll Learn • How Soha built her first company with zero money, zero experience, and 1000+ clients • Why focusing on distribution and marketing is more critical than a polished product in the early stages • The mindset shifts entrepreneurs need to push past societal expectations and barriers • How to apply story-selling instead of hard selling to build lasting brands • Where the biggest opportunities lie for marketers and creators in MENAAbout the GuestSoha Ashrafian is a Dubai-based entrepreneur and co-founder of Temis. She has founded and invested in multiple ventures, from digital marketing and beauty to mobile gaming and SaaS platforms. Her passion lies in marketing, distribution, and creating sustainable, profitable businesses. With a background that spans Iran, Italy, and Dubai, Soha brings a global mindset to building and scaling ventures.Connect with Soha:https://www.linkedin.com/in/soha-ashrafiyan/https://www.instagram.com/soha_ashrafian/https://www.temisbranding.com/Episode Highlights⏱️ 00:02 – Growing up in Iran and dreaming beyond limitations⏱️ 00:07 – Launching a business at 21 despite resistance⏱️ 00:16 – Why distribution beats product and brand⏱️ 00:18 – Testing ideas with low-cost MVPs in 48 hours⏱️ 00:24 – Storytelling vs selling in marketing⏱️ 00:28 – Lessons from Apple and Steve Jobs’ branding approach⏱️ 00:39 – Advice to her younger self: Be fearless and bold⏱️ 00:42 – Future opportunities in marketing and AI

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Jon Sabes, Founder & CEO of Longevity FP, serial entrepreneur, and author of Healthy Wealthy Longevity. We explore how the intersection of health, wealth, and technology is reshaping our future. From the basics of extending healthspan to the economic implications of an aging population, Jon shares practical wisdom and groundbreaking insights for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone interested in living longer — and better.📌 Key Takeaways • Why longevity is the missing piece in financial planning. • How healthspan and wealthspan must align for a fulfilling life. • The basics of longevity — movement, nutrition, purpose, and connection. • Journaling as a tool for focus, clarity, and stress reduction. • The rise of the longevity economy and opportunities for entrepreneurs. • How AI and wearables will transform financial services and healthcare.⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • How to prepare financially for a longer life expectancy. • The role of purpose and human connection in aging well. • Practical daily habits to extend both healthspan and wealthspan. • Why entrepreneurs must treat health as the antidote to stress. • The macro-trends driving growth in the global longevity economy.👤 About the GuestJon Sabes is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Longevity Financial Partners (Longevity FP). With a career rooted in financial services and life insurance, Jon has become a leading voice on how longevity science impacts financial planning, retirement, and human well-being. He is also the author of Healthy Wealthy Longevity: The Good Things in Life for as Long as Possible.https://linktr.ee/jsabeshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-sabes-14368257/Episode Highlights (Timestamps)00:02 — How Jon transitioned from financial services into longevity science00:06 — Why retirement planning is broken and the real “magic number” for savings00:10 — Healthspan vs. lifespan: why the difference matters00:14 — The Blue Zones and the fundamentals of longevity00:18 — Stress, entrepreneurship, and why movement is medicine00:22 — Journaling as a tool for clarity and resilience00:29 — The risks of ignoring health and self-care in pursuit of success00:34 — Rethinking wealth and happiness beyond money00:38 — The longevity economy: a massive demographic shift00:42 — AI, wearables, and the future of financial services00:46 — Final thoughts: preparing for a longer, healthier, wealthier life

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, Derrick Girard shares his remarkable journey from financial services advisor to tech founder — despite having no technical background. Derrick opens up about scaling his company without a traditional sales team, surviving multiple lawsuits, and ultimately selling his business. His story is one of grit, resilience, and what he calls the FIO (Figure It Out) mindset — a framework every founder and leader can adopt to overcome obstacles and drive success.🚀 Key Takeaways • Why excuses are never the solution in entrepreneurship • How Derrick scaled without a traditional sales team • The importance of validating an idea in a resistant market • Lessons from navigating three simultaneous lawsuits • Why success is “stairs, not an elevator” — and the reality check founders need • Building a culture of ownership and resilience inside growing teams⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • Practical strategies for validating and scaling a startup in regulated industries • How to compartmentalize challenges and stay focused under extreme pressure • The difference between the victim mindset and the solution mindset • Why documenting agreements — even with family and friends — is critical for founders • How to instill the Figure It Out mindset across teams and organizations👤 About Derrick GirardDerrick Girard is an entrepreneur, author, and speaker who built and exited a tech company in the highly regulated financial services sector. With no formal background in technology, he relied on persistence, problem-solving, and the FIO mindset to navigate challenges that included investor disputes, lawsuits, and industry resistance. Today, Derrick helps founders and leaders embrace resilience, take ownership, and build solutions-driven cultures. He is also the author of Put to the Test: The FIO Mindset.https://derrickgirard.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrickgirard/https://www.amazon.com/dp/1966190581?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_W4Z0S11X2YDG28CRKE17&bestFormat=true&newOGT=1Episode Highlights • (02:30) Derrick’s unlikely path from finance to tech entrepreneurship • (05:00) Scaling without a sales team and replacing it with relationship managers • (07:30) Validating the idea through networks, questions, and conferences • (11:00) Navigating three lawsuits while scaling the company • (18:30) Why “success is stairs, not an elevator” • (23:00) The danger of excuses and the rise of the victim mentality • (27:00) Applying the FIO mindset to teams and organizations • (31:00) Reality checks every founder should do before starting up • (38:00) Redefining entrepreneurship: problem solvers vs. titles • (44:00) Derrick’s mission today and how to connect with him

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Rob Duffy, CTO of HealthEdge, to unpack how healthcare—one of the last industries to modernize—is finally undergoing a deep digital transformation. Rob shares how his journey through companies like Amazon, Kindle, Time Inc., and Expedia prepared him for leading one of the most complex transitions in technology: taking healthcare systems from legacy mainframes to cloud-native platforms.We discuss the hype vs. reality of AI, what true ROI looks like, and why cultural change is the hardest part of transformation. Whether you’re a tech leader, investor, or founder, Rob’s perspective sheds light on how to drive meaningful change in regulated and lagging industries.Key Takeaways • Why healthcare has lagged in digital transformation and how SaaS is shifting the landscape • The real challenges of replacing mainframes and legacy systems in regulated industries • AI in practice: from demos and hype to real ROI and human-hour savings • Building an AI-first culture and making adoption stick inside organizations • APIs, interoperability, and the future of system integration • Career advice for aspiring CTOs: why learning the business matters as much as techWhat You’ll Learn • How to navigate transformation in industries with entrenched legacy systems • The single most important metric for measuring AI impact • Why cultural adoption is the true unlock for enterprise AI • How APIs and interoperability shape the future of healthcare and beyondAbout the GuestRobert Duffy is an accomplished technology leader with an extensive background in product development and engineering. Rob previously served as the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Drizly, an Uber Company, where he played a pivotal role in scaling the company’s product and engineering teams post-acquisition. His leadership at Drizly was instrumental in driving innovation within Uber Eats' grocery delivery services, showcasing his ability to merge technology with user-centric solutions. Prior to his tenure at Drizly, Robert held significant positions at industry giants including Salesforce.com, Amazon, and Time Inc.  At Salesforce, Rob excelled as the Vice President of Software Engineering, leading the team responsible for the Lightning Web Stack, which handles billions of API calls per day. At Time Inc, he served as VP of Engineering for its video and content platform that powered more than 300 content apps for 91 media brands with 139 million unique monthly users. At Amzaon, he was Head of Strategic Initiatives for the Kindle Store Platform, the content experience powering hundreds of millions of e-commerce transactions on the digital stores (books, audio books, video, and mp3) across all of Amazon's devices (fire tablet, kindle, echo, fire TV, and mobile apps).https://www.linkedin.com/in/platformduffy/https://healthedge.com/Episode Highlights • [02:30] Why healthcare is the last major industry to transform • [06:45] Mainframes, legacy systems, and the cost of change • [12:00] AI hype vs. real-world ROI examples • [20:00] Building an AI-first culture and driving adoption • [27:30] Governance, security, and evaluating new AI tools • [33:00] Pilot programs and scaling cultural change • [38:00] AI’s role in cloud optimization and legacy refactoring • [44:00] APIs as the next big unlock for enterprise systems • [46:30] Rob’s advice for aspiring CTOs: learn the business first

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, I sit down with Leandro Cartelli, CEO of Lana Talent, to explore how Latin America is emerging as one of the most strategic regions for global hiring. From Argentina to the world, Lean shares insights from 15+ years in talent acquisition—helping startups and SMBs build cost-effective, high-performing remote teams.We discuss why the “right hire” is evolving in the age of AI, the real cost of bad hiring decisions, and how Latin American talent is powering startups across the US, Canada, Europe, and beyond.Key Takeaways • Why bad hires cost up to 200% of annual salary and how to avoid them • The shift from hard skills to soft skills in defining the “right hire” • How AI is reshaping both the recruiter’s process and the candidate’s journey • Why Latin America offers top talent at 30–50% lower cost without sacrificing quality • The critical role of transparency and trust in hiring and retention⸻What You’ll Learn • How startups can leverage Latin America for affordable, high-quality teams • The future of hiring in the AI-driven job market • The biggest mistakes founders make when recruiting talent • Why candidate experience directly impacts business performance • The importance of development and growth conversations in retentionAbout the GuestLeandro Cartelli is the CEO and Founder of Lana Talent, a staffing and recruiting company specializing in building remote teams in Latin America for global businesses. With over 15 years of leadership in talent acquisition at firms like Accenture and within the pharma and tech sectors, Lean is passionate about connecting startups and SMBs with world-class talent in an affordable, scalable way.https://lanatalent.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leancartelli/Episode Highlights⏱️ [00:03:00] Lean’s journey from Accenture to founding Lana Talent⏱️ [00:07:00] When to use in-house hiring vs. external partners⏱️ [00:13:00] The hidden costs of bad hiring decisions⏱️ [00:15:00] How the definition of the “right hire” has shifted in the AI era⏱️ [00:20:00] The loop of AI recruiters vs. AI applicants⏱️ [00:30:00] Why development and transparency matter more than ever⏱️ [00:38:00] How COVID accelerated remote hiring across Latin America⏱️ [00:43:00] The top three functions LATAM talent fills for startups⏱️ [00:48:00] How Lana Talent bridges global founders with Latin American talent

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the future of education and technology with Greg Banks, a veteran teacher, school administrator, researcher, and author. Greg brings over 20 years of experience in K-12 education and chemistry teaching, along with a deep perspective on how AI is reshaping classrooms.From the early days of clickers and smart boards to today’s AI-powered tools, Greg explains what works, what doesn’t, and what founders building in EdTech must keep in mind. Together, we explore how AI can empower teachers rather than replace them, and why the human connection in classrooms will always matter.🔑 Key Takeaways • Why AI reveals the shortcomings of today’s education system. • The two big questions: What should students learn? vs. How should they learn? • How COVID-era online schooling exposed the limits of tech in classrooms. • Why banning devices isn’t the answer—and how to rethink their role in learning. • The “three pillars” of education: personal exchange, curriculum, and classroom exchange. • How EdTech founders should design products that take work off teachers’ plates. • Why personalization is the real superpower AI brings to education.⸻🎧 What You’ll Learn • The difference between integrating AI for students vs. for teachers. • Where EdTech startups are oversaturated—and where real opportunities still exist. • The long-term impact of AI on classrooms, teaching careers, and learning outcomes. • Why interpersonal skills and human connection will define education in an AI era.👤 About Greg BanksDr. Greg Banks is a veteran educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and edtech thought leader with over 20 years of experience teaching and leading in public, exam, and private K-12 schools. With a PhD in Chemistry and a deep focus on how teacher beliefs shape classroom practice, Greg brings a rare blend of real-world classroom insight and rigorous academic research to the table. He recently led a pilot study with Eddo Learning and the Einstein Project exploring how AI can help teachers adopt new science curricula more effectively. His Substack, Aligned: AI in Education, and his newly released book, Aligned: A Love Letter to Developers on What We Need from AI to Improve Education, aim to bridge the gap between edtech creators and the classroom—because great tools start with deep understanding.https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-banks-ph-d-15733113/https://gregorybanks.authorsites.co/https://gregorybanksphd.substack.com/Episode Highlights • [02:00] Greg’s journey from chemistry teacher to AI and EdTech thought leader • [06:00] The gap between what kids can do with AI and what schools still teach • [09:00] Why Zoom classes failed during COVID—and what it means for EdTech • [13:00] Prohibiting ChatGPT vs. integrating AI into lessons • [17:00] Why teachers are still at the center of the classroom experience • [22:00] The debate on banning phones and laptops in schools • [28:00] Surprising lessons from AI pilot programs with teachers • [31:00] Where EdTech should (and shouldn’t) focus its innovation • [39:00] What AI will never replace in education • [42:00] Why Greg is optimistic about the future of classrooms