The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

In this episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," Sue Mysko, founder of Hire A Fractional and a seasoned fractional CMO, dives deep into the evolving world of fractional executives. Discover how part-time C-suite roles are reshaping business landscapes and enabling companies to adapt, innovate, and grow in today’s dynamic market. What You'll Learn: The definition and role of a fractional executive. The driving forces behind the rise of fractional leadership. Key advantages of hiring fractional CMOs, CFOs, and other C-suite roles. How fractional roles differ from traditional full-time positions and consultants. Legal considerations and best practices for managing fractional executives. Sue’s insights on the future trends in fractional leadership. More about Sue: Sue is the visionary behind Hire A Fractional, a dynamic bootstrapped startup revolutionizing how fractional executives connect with scaling companies. With over 25 years of marketing expertise and strategic partnerships with industry giants like Deloitte and Accenture, Sue brings unparalleled innovation to the table. Her knack for uncovering hidden opportunities and driving transformative marketing initiatives sets her apart as a trailblazer in the field. https://www.linkedin.com/in/b2bfractionalcmo https://hireafractional.com/ Episode Highlights: [00:02:00] Sue explains what a fractional executive is and why the demand for such roles is increasing. [00:10:00] Discussion on the business and economic trends fueling the growth of fractional positions. [00:18:00] How companies are integrating fractional leaders into their teams and the benefits they bring. [00:26:00] Legal and ethical considerations in managing potential conflicts of interest. [00:34:00] Sue shares personal experiences and success stories of fractional executives making a significant impact. Don’t forget to subscribe, share with your peers, and leave a review if you enjoyed the insights shared in today’s episode. Your feedback helps us continue to bring valuable perspectives to the tech and startup community.

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the fascinating intersection of technology and culinary arts with Fisayo Olawadiya, the visionary founder of OKAO Inc. Discover how her passion for food writing and AI led to the creation of Resactly, a game-changing AI and ML platform that personalizes dining experiences like never before. Join us as Fisayo shares her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of tech innovation in the food industry, and a peek into the future of food tech. What You'll Learn: - How AI and ML are transforming restaurant recommendations and menu planning. - The personal journey from tech enthusiast to food tech innovator. - The challenges and triumphs of introducing technology into traditional industries. - Insights into the future of personalized dining experiences. Featured Guest: Fisayo Olawadiya, Founder of OKAO Inc. A leader at the forefront of the food-meets-tech space, she’s the founder of Resactly, the only AI tool that matches foodies and travelers to personalized dining experiences. Fisayo is an accomplished Principal Engineer who’s led teams at Nordstrom and MLB as well as a long-time food blogger, the intersection of Fisayo’s skill and passion was the recipe for the future of food discovery. Resactly pairs users with personalized dining experiences based on their favorite cuisines, dietary restrictions, favorite social media pages, and more. Groups can even link profiles to find recommendations everyone will enjoy. Connect with Fisayo https://www.resactly.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/olufisayooluwadiya Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] - Fisayo introduces herself and her company, OKAO Inc. [00:05:00] - The inception story of Resactly and its mission. [00:10:00] - Deep dive into the technology behind personalized dining recommendations. [00:15:00] - The challenges of validating a new tech product in the food industry. [00:20:00] - Fisayo's vision for the future of food tech and expansion plans. [00:25:00] - Discussion on leveraging blockchain for transparency in the food supply chain. [00:30:00] - The importance of resilience and passion in entrepreneurship. [00:35:00] - Advice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities.

In this episode of the CTO show with host Mehmet, Dean Croshere shares his unique professional journey, underscoring the importance of assertiveness and emotional awareness in leadership and business. From starting his career through a Facebook ad to running a factory in Thailand and eventually pivoting his career towards business and leadership consultancy, Dean's story highlights the significance of asking effective questions, both of oneself and others, to achieve success. The discussion delves into the five core fears that can hinder startups and how entrepreneurs can navigate these challenges, emphasizing product simplicity, testing, and the willingness to ask for help. Dean and Mehmet further explore the concept of leading from desire, the impact of attachment theory in business, and maintaining flexibility in a company's value systems. Dean concludes with advice for entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of understanding one's desires and ambitions. The episode also touches on Dean's current venture in carbon credit validation and his interest in discussing the interplay between emotions, assertiveness, and business theories. More about Dean: Dean Croshere is an established leader having worked predominantly in the start-up and entrepreneurial space with a career that spans various industries. Dean is now the COO for Geocene, a company which recently made a massive pivot to addressing not only the world’s biggest health crisis but also climate change. They want a world where everyone has access to clean and affordable cookstoves. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-croshere http://www.geocene.com 00:00 Welcome to the CTO Show with Special Guest Dean 01:10 Dean's Unique Journey from Business to Assertiveness 04:30 Navigating the Challenges of Startups and Entrepreneurship 05:35 The Five Core Fears in Business and Overcoming Them 14:59 Assertiveness, Communication, and Leading with Desire 24:42 Attachment Theory in Business Relationships 29:00 Maintaining Culture and Values in Startups 32:40 Final Thoughts and Advice for Entrepreneurs 33:59 Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Dean

This episode of the CTO Show With Mehmet features a fascinating discussion with Kirk Penn, CEO and Principal Advisor at Service Management Specialists, from Sydney, Australia. Kirk chronicles his journey and expertise in IT Service Management (ITSM) and IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) practices, detailing how his company helps organizations streamline their IT processes. He shares insights into the challenges and successes of ITSM implementation, highlighting a case study with a commercial real estate company. Furthermore, Kirk explores the significance of operational excellence, the impact of digital transformation on ITSM, and the future role of AI in service management. He also outlines a three-layered innovation platform designed to aid businesses in enhancing their technological capabilities. The episode concludes with advice for IT executives on staying abreast of emerging trends and the importance of aligning IT services with business objectives. More about Kirk: Kirk Penn is a recognized expert in technology and digital transformations, regularly sought after by senior IT leaders across various regions. He has been shortlisted for notable recognitions like "Top 50 Most Admired Tech Companies in APAC 2019" and "Top 10 ITSM Consulting/Service Companies 2020" by APAC CIOoutlook. Despite these accolades, he values most his role in simplifying client complexities. As an ITIL v3 certified expert and the Founder, CEO, and Principal Advisory Consultant at Service Management Specialists, Kirk helps organizations adopt modern service management practices to accelerate their digital initiatives. https://www.servicemanagementspecialists.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkpenn 00:00 Welcome to the CTO Show: Introducing Kirk Penn 01:12 Kirk Penn's Journey in ITSM and Founding Service Management Specialists 03:49 Transforming IT Service Management: A Real-World Success Story 07:06 The Challenges and Solutions in Digital Transformation 09:33 Building a Digital Business: The Three Layers of Capability 16:05 The Importance of Operational Excellence in IT 20:30 Modern Service Management: Adapting to Digital Transformation 23:12 The Future of Service Management in the Age of AI 31:21 Advice for Technology Executives: Staying Ahead in a Fast-Paced World 33:08 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect with Kirk

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet is joined by Michael Becker, a marketing technology expert and entrepreneur based in Dubai as part of the Antler Cohort. Michael shares insights from his decade-long career in content and marketing, his journey into launching a startup in Dubai's Antler Accelerator program, and the upcoming release of his book 'Content Capitalist'. The conversation covers the transition from traditional to content-centric marketing models, the importance of video and immersive technologies in modern marketing, and leveraging AI tools for efficiency while maintaining human touch. Michael also introduces his startup, NeoCore, which aims to revolutionize content personalization through non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, capturing the attention of an evolving tech-minded audience. Additionally, the duo discusses strategies for startup founders, especially those in the tech field, emphasizing the blend of technology with human elements for impactful marketing and the significant potential of content in shaping the future of businesses. More about Michael: Michael is the author of CONTENT CAPITALIST and co-founder at neocore. In his 10-year career, Michael has worked with billion-dollar brands including Teradata Corporation, Publicis and SAP, helping lead to four corporate acquisitions including Emarsys’ $500M sale in 2019 where he was instrumental in building the commercial organization. Michael is a contributing author on Content Marketing Institute, CustomerThink, and others. He’s the creator of New Earth Knowledge™ which he grew to 60k followers before selling in 2023. As fractional CMO, Michael has consulted over 50 solopreneurs, software companies and agencies. He shares insights about the creator economy on Instagram, @officialmbecker. He holds a BA in Journalism from Butler University and is currently entrepreneur-in-residence at Antler Dubai. https://michaelbecker.org https://linkedin.com/in/mjbecker 00:00 Welcome to the CTO Show: A Special Guest from Dubai 01:07 Introducing Michael Becker: A Journey from Marketing to Startup Founder 02:32 Diving Deep into 'Content Capitalist': Revolutionizing Marketing Strategies 02:50 The Evolution of Marketing: From Traditional Techniques to Content Centric Models 05:02 Embracing New Marketing Paradigms: Decentralization and Attraction 08:17 The Role of Outreach in Modern Marketing and Sales Strategies 20:32 Leveraging AI in Marketing: Enhancing Human Connection 28:07 Neuro-Emotional Techniques: The Future of Engaging Content 34:34 Introducing NeoCore: A Startup Revolutionizing Content Consumption 38:46 Final Thoughts: The Convergence of Technology and Content 44:09 Closing Remarks and How to Connect

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet interviews Roman Axelrod, Managing Partner and co-founder of XPANCEO. Roman shares his journey of building and selling technology companies and discusses his latest venture into developing a next-generation computing solution. With a vision to overcome the limitations of current gadgets, Roman and his team at XPANCEO are creating a soft contact lens capable of providing an extended reality (XR) experience, including image rendering, biological parameter measurement, and night vision. The project, backed by top optics labs and research awards, aims for human trials by 2026 with hopes of commercial availability by 2027-2029. The episode delves into the technology behind these revolutionary contact lenses, the challenges of creating atomic-thin materials for electronics, and the potential applications ranging from security to health monitoring. Roman also discusses why Dubai was chosen as XPANCEO's headquarters and shares insights on funding and the importance of purpose in deep tech entrepreneurship. About Roman Axelrod and XPANCEO: - XPANCEO is one of the most well-funded early-stage companies in the Middle East in 2023 - In the Top 5 optics laboratories in the world (by BCG) and Top 10 Research Institutions by Nature Index - 3 exits in the past, $40M raised to back XPANCEO 4th prototype development - Its co-founder is Dr. Valentyn Volkov, an h-index 38; 8000+ citations; partnerships with Nobel laureates - The first to use 2D materials such as graphene to place electronic schemes the size of an atom on lenses as thin as medical ones, aka ultrathin XR glasses. https://www.xpanceo.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanaxelrod 00:00 Welcome to the CTO Show: Introducing Roman Axelrod 01:08 Roman's Vision: The Future of Computing and XPANCEO's Mission 04:45 The Revolutionary Contact Lens: Merging Technology with Vision 06:03 Exploring the Prototype: A Glimpse into the Future 07:19 Addressing Concerns and the Potential of Contact Lens Technology 24:58 The Power of AI and the Future of Interface Technology 30:22 Choosing Dubai: A Strategic Move for XPANCEO 34:59 Funding and the Ecosystem in Dubai for Deep Tech Startups 43:31 The Deep Tech Journey: Challenges, Purpose, and Impact 50:18 Staying Updated: How to Follow XPANCEO's Progress 51:11 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

In this episode of the CTO show, host Mehmet is joined by Habiba, CTO and co-founder of Metric, who shares her rich background in AI and machine learning, transitioning from academia to the tech industry, and her current role at Metric.app. Habiba discusses her commitment to leveraging AI for providing personalized financial management solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. With a vast experience spanning research in dynamic networks, postdoctoral work in historical trade routes, and roles in various countries and sectors including retail and government, Habiba emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in shaping Metric. The conversation touches on the challenges of scaling in different geographic regions, potential of generative AI in FinTech, and Habiba's advice for aspiring tech entrepreneurs and professionals in the AI sphere. More About Habiba: Habiba is an applied machine learning and deep learning engineer with extensive experience across various sectors. Currently, she serves as a Data Scientist at the Department of Education in NSW, focusing on applying Large Language Models in the education space. Previously, she was an AI Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, enhancing customer adoption of machine learning through Azure services. She is also the CTO of Metric, a fintech startup designed to simplify financial management for SMEs and startups through technology-enabled accounting and insights into financial health. https://www.linkedin.com/in/habibah Special Promo Code For Our Audience: Get 50% off on any Metric plan for 3 months Promo code: CTO50 https://metricapp.ai 02:03 Habiba's Journey: From Academia to CTO of Metric 05:40 The Evolution of Metric: Empowering SMEs with AI 10:37 Customer Insights: Shaping Metric's Development 16:51 The Future of FinTech and AI: A Deep Dive with Habiba 21:05 Advice for Aspiring Data Scientists and Tech Entrepreneurs 30:42 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More About Metric

In this episode of 'The CTO Show with Mehmet', Abdul Rahman Janoo, co-founder of Tericsoft, shares his journey from product manager to tech entrepreneur, offering insights into the challenges and victories of startup life. Abdul Rahman recounts his multiple startup experiences, emphasizing the transition from failing ventures to successful ones, particularly highlighting his work in waste management and the pivot towards AI and tech services. He discusses the importance of strategic partnerships, sustainability, and the role of AI in reshaping industries like healthcare and finance. Additionally, Abdul Rahman provides advice for aspiring entrepreneurs on embracing failure, focusing on the process, and the significance of passion, purpose, and perseverance in the entrepreneurial journey. The conversation also delves into the future of AI and its applications, underscoring Abdul Rahman's optimism and caution about its rapid advancement and impact on society. More about Abdul Rahman: As a former Product Manager at Waste Ventures India, he steered the technology and product development teams to monumental successes. His leadership was instrumental in deploying their innovative tech product to over 20,000 households, alongside forging strategic partnerships with industry giants like Google, Infosys, Uber, CA Technologies, Coca-Cola, HUL, and Dr. Reddy's. Transitioning to entrepreneurship, he co-founded Studio Torque, a design and product development startup based in Hyderabad, India. His journey there was filled with challenges and triumphs, contributing significantly to its growth and prominence in the industry. https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulrahmanjanoo https://www.tericsoft.com 01:10 The Genesis of Tericsoft: A CTO Service for Entrepreneurs 02:01 From Product Management to Entrepreneurship: Abdul Rahman's Journey 07:06 The Importance of Strategic Partnerships for Startups 10:07 Building Impactful Solutions: The Tericsoft Approach 18:24 Navigating the Startup Landscape: Insights and Strategies 23:25 The Future of AI: Services, Impact, and Industry Predictions 32:45 Staying Ahead: Learning and Growth Strategies 34:48 Words of Wisdom for Entrepreneurs and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the CTO Show, host Mehmet is joined by Steve Tafaro, who shares his extensive experience in the business world, emphasizing the evolution of selling strategies from hardware and software to Software as a Service (SaaS). With a background in teaching, IBM, Oracle, and founding Associates in 1990, Steve discusses the shift towards value-based selling and the importance of customer-centric cultures in SaaS companies. He highlights the critical role of marketing in generating leads and nurturing customer relationships for sustainable growth. The discussion covers practical strategies for SaaS businesses, including sales processes, customer success teams, and the utilization of AI for competitive advantage. Steve also previews his upcoming book, 'Winning at SaaS', a playbook for CEOs and CROs, aimed at guiding early-stage SaaS companies towards success. About Steve: Steve has amassed over forty-five years of executive management, sales, marketing, and leadership experience in technology and service-related businesses. His career includes executive positions at IBM Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Software Plus, and Cybershift, Inc. In 1990, he founded Tafaro & Associates, which provided business advisory and interim executive management services to small and emerging companies as well as divisions of larger organizations in need of sales growth and/or restructuring to meet revenue and profit objectives, or to prepare the business for sale. During his extensive career, he also served as VP of Bell Atlantic's Systems Integration business, president of Bell Atlantic Software Systems, president of IVAX Industry's Institutional Products Group, president of Fuller Brush Corporation's Institutional Products Group, VP of Sales and Marketing at Xspand, Inc., and SVP of Sales & Marketing at Financial Technologies (Investran) Inc. From 2013 to 2021, he chaired a CEO Peer Advisory Board, in conjunction with Vistage International, focusing on leadership development and organizational performance. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephentafaro 01:16 Steve Tafaro's Journey: From Teaching to Tech Titan 04:44 The Evolution of Business Growth Strategies 11:32 SaaS vs Traditional Software: A Deep Dive 18:38 The Art of Value Selling in the SaaS World 24:21 Leveraging Marketing and Sales for SaaS Success 25:10 Building a Healthy Power Plant for Startups 25:37 The Integral Role of Marketing in Business Success 26:36 The Pre-Sales Organization:Bridging Sales and Marketing 28:08 Emotional Engagement: The Key to Winning Customers 30:13 The Complexities of Sales Processes in SaaS Companies 35:19 The Importance of Customer Success in SaaS Businesses 42:15 Leveraging AI for Competitive Advantage in SaaS 44:06 Announcing a New Resource: Winning at SaaS 47:49 Closing Thoughts and Acknowledgements

In this episode of the CTO Show, Mehmet hosts Dan Balcauski, the founder of Product Tranquility, a consulting firm that assists B2B SaaS CEOs with pricing and packaging strategies. Dan discusses common misconceptions about pricing, emphasizing the importance of focusing more on whom and how you charge rather than on the price itself. He introduces a pricing model comprising four components: Segments, Value, Competition, and Strategy (SVCS), explaining how each plays a crucial role in determining successful pricing strategies. With examples like Apple's approach to maintaining high profits despite a smaller market share, Dan illustrates the necessity of aligning pricing strategy with overall business strategy. He emphasizes the importance of customer value and advises on regularly revisiting pricing to ensure it aligns with company goals and market changes. Dan also highlights the significance of understanding costs, competition, and customer value, suggesting a balanced approach to pricing that includes all these elements. The episode concludes with Dan encouraging businesses to treat pricing as an ongoing process and welcoming further discussions on this critical yet often overlooked topic. More about Dan: Dan Balcauski is the founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, based in Austin, TX. He focuses on helping high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs define pricing and packaging for new products. Over his career, he has worked in both B2C and B2B companies ranging from startups to publicly traded enterprises. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/balcauski Website: https://www.producttranquility.com 00:00 Welcome to the CTO Show: Introducing Dan 01:10 Dan Balkowski: The Man Behind Product Tranquility 01:37 Diving Deep into the World of SaaS Pricing 04:41 Unveiling the SVC&S Model for SaaS Pricing 11:24 The Three C's of Pricing: A Comprehensive Guide 22:37 Navigating the Complexities of Pricing Strategies 32:50 The Importance of Regular Pricing Reviews and Adjustments 41:17 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Insights