The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

Ever wondered how to craft a compelling sales story that can overcome status quo bias? Today, we sit down with Bruce Scheer, a seasoned consultant and best-selling author, who reveals the art of narrating a persuasive story that triggers buyers to take action. With a quarter-century of experience up his sleeve, Bruce shares his wealth of knowledge, dissecting the five key elements of a great story with his unique star model. Our conversation took an interesting turn as we dived into the importance of aligning an organization's narrative with its target customers. Bruce shares an inspiring story from his time with Unisys' Managed Services Unit, demonstrating how a well-crafted story can win not only the target buyers but also the third-party advisors and analysts. Greater still, he illustrates how this strategy led to large-scale outsourcing contracts for Unisys, despite initial resistance from their CEO. As the episode progresses, we navigate the intriguing world of the Northstar Model, exploring how it identifies target buyers and competitive alternatives. We also discuss how to bring a fresh perspective around the problem domain and create an engaging narrative for early-stage dialogues. Bruce further shares his indispensable tips on having effective sales conversations and quantifying the business case. If you're keen on mastering the art of storytelling in sales, you wouldn't want to miss out on this episode. Bruce even has a few tricks up his sleeve for those who can't invest in his services but still want to inspire their buyers. More about Bruce: https://inspireyourbuyers.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bscheer/

Ever wondered how tech entrepreneurs come up with innovative ideas and validate them? Well, join us in an exciting conversation with our guest Ankur Shukla, a passionate tech entrepreneur, who shares his unique journey from basic programming language to advanced AI development. He spills the beans on how he draws inspiration for projects, the process of validation, and the pivotal role of customer feedback. We also explore his distinctive approach to entrepreneurship, which involves focusing on a single idea, testing it in the market, and confirming its viability through customer willingness to pay. The second half of our chat takes us deeper into the world of AI and its impact on product development. We also discuss the rising trend of no-code tools and how non-technical folks are harnessing this to bring their ideas to life. Ankur gives his insights on WordPress, a platform that powers a significant portion of the internet, and why he believes the user experience is a key determinant of a product's success. As we conclude, we dive into Ankur's top tips for aspiring entrepreneurs - from ensuring adequate runway for their startup, hitting the market quickly, and the hidden value of networking. Plus, you won't want to miss Ankur's predictions on the game-changing technologies that will shake the tech world in the coming years. You're in for a riveting and insightful chat, so tune in! More about Ankur here: ankurshukla.com Kreateventures.com

Duri Chitayat, CTO of Safeguard Global, discusses the intersection of AI and HR Tech innovation, highlighting the importance of user-friendly tools, addressing talent and culture gaps, and staying ahead of the competition. He emphasizes the role of AI-enabled tools in enhancing efficiency and the need for constant customer feedback. Duri underlines the importance of employee support by offering freedom, trust, and the ability to choose their own tools and technologies.

Prepare to uncover the secrets of successful sales and marketing strategies for startups with our distinguished guest, Sanjit Singh, a serial startup founder and revenue leader. He is currently the CEO of Boltt, which provides fractional sales leadership to early-stage companies. We promise an enriching journey that will lead you to identify the most fitting customer profiles for your startup, master the art of securing initial customers, and learn the art of asking the right questions. Sanjit's unique focus on the significance of securing a Memo of Understanding will surely captivate your entrepreneurial spirit. Next, we chart our voyage into the realm of sales strategies and revenue models. Get ready to evaluate the perks and pitfalls of partnering with channels to commercialize your startup's offerings. We stress the necessity of forging a repeatable pattern for sales and a comprehensive onboarding process for salespersons. Together, we'll traverse the landscape of unconventional revenue models that are worth considering for your startup. Finally, we embark on a deep dive into the nuances of startup customer value and acquisition costs. We promise an enlightening discussion on the balance between lifetime value and customer acquisition costs, and their impact on your startup's growth and scalability. Sanjit will guide us through the merits of investing in customers and the potential of recurring revenue streams. The journey concludes with a fruitful discourse on the advantages of hiring fractional professionals, the challenges of hiring in the Middle East, and Sanjit's invaluable advice for entrepreneurs aiming for successful exits. Trust us, this is an episode you wouldn't want to miss! More about Sanjit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjitsingh3 https://boltt.io/

Ready to decode the world of startup accounting and finance? Join us as we navigate through this complex landscape with Jeff Rudner, the co-founder of Proseer, a modern accounting firm. His expertise in financial reporting and accounting demystifies the process, making it digestible for all. Jeff focuses on the importance of comprehensible financials that can be shared with investors and lenders, offering advice on crafting a clear financial narrative that paints an accurate picture of your startup. We then shift our focus onto setting a North Star goal, identifying the attributes to power business growth. Jeff further enlightens us on how to interpret balance sheets and profit-loss statements. He underscores the significance of maintaining a high gross profit margin as it forms the backbone of business reinvestment and growth. It's a crash course in financial literacy that every startup founder needs. The episode doesn’t end here. We dive into the transformative role of technology in financial management. Jeff highlights how Proseer leverages cutting-edge tech solutions for efficient financial management. He introduces us to financial technology like QuickBooks Online, Sage Intact and NetSuite, shedding light on how these platforms can serve as the fulcrum of accounting truth. The conversation wraps up with a reflection on the importance of fostering entrepreneurial communities and the creation of successful businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is an absolute must-listen, packed with expert advice and insights from a seasoned professional. Find more about Jeff and his company here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyrudner/ https://proseer.co/ Interested in Automation and AI for your business? Looking to build a low-cost MVP? Contact me to discover how we can drive your growth with cutting-edge technology solutions.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform an idea into a successful startup? Our guest today, Zach Rattner, CTO and co-founder of Yembo, an AI company that excels in computer vision algorithms, is proof that innovative thinking and strategic steps can make your entrepreneurial dreams come true. From developing a flashcard tool for personal use to scaling it to a platform for 3 million users, Zach’s journey is the ultimate example of turning passion into a profession. He’s also the mastermind behind 18 patented inventions, and he's here to share his insights. Zach talks about the power of hypothesis testing and collaboration when building startups. He points out the importance of strong communication skills and the value of a diverse team. His unique approach to de-risking his startup idea is a lesson in strategic thinking. He also emphasizes the necessity of creating a safe space for brainstorming - a crucial component for innovation. The conversation then shifts to the intriguing world of AI, its many applications, and the challenges in perception tasks. Zach shares his thoughts on the difference between perception and generative tasks and the human element in technology. He takes us through his transition journey from being an employee to a founder, and the experience of launching his book, "Grow Up Fast: Lessons from an AI Startup." Get ready to be inspired by Zach’s journey, innovation, and invaluable lessons. Tune in to learn, be inspired, and think differently about the world of startups and AI. More about Zach here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachrattner/ https://growupfastbook.com/ https://yembo.ai/

On this episode of the CTO Show With Mehmet, listen in as I engage in a fascinating discussion with Asha Venkataramani, the CEO founder of a behavior technology company that created a unique mobile application product called Sparkeey. A former investment banker and private equity professional, Asha shares her inspiring journey of transitioning into the world of innovation. We explore the concept behind Sparkeey, a digital calendar designed for the modern age, and discuss how it helps to alleviate some of the pain points experienced during the COVID pandemic. Asha also reveals the importance of building products that center around user behavior, highlighting how Sparkeey isn't just a functional tool but also a fun, social platform that could sit comfortably next to Instagram. In our conversation, we discuss the importance of simplicity in technology and how it can lead to personal joy and well-being. Asha opens up about her experience navigating her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing how sometimes the world of tech can be overwhelming and complex. She shares strategies she employed to grow Sparkeey, such as dealing with intricate financial products and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Asha also provides some valuable insights on how to avoid overcomplicating things and how a simpler approach can lead to a more efficient and enjoyable life. In the final part of our discussion, we explore the potential impact of Sparkeey on both individuals and organizations. Asha shares how the application can increase productivity, efficiency and encourage self-reflection, leading to a heightened awareness of how one's time is spent. She also discusses how their product, designed to reduce stress, contributes to positive wellness. Our guest emphasizes the importance of being responsive to user feedback and how this focus can lead to product success and prevent wastage of resources. Join us as we uncover the strategies, impacts, and the future of this innovative mobile application. Know more about Asha and her Mobile App: https://sparkeey.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/asha-venkataramani-564b176

Picture a world where blockchain technology transcends cryptocurrencies and enables a myriad of real-world applications. This is the vision of our guest, Kyle Sonlin, a forward-thinking entrepreneur with deep roots in the blockchain industry. Together, we unravel how blockchain could revolutionize traditional capital markets, create virtual economies and even mitigate fraud in the fashion industry by tracking ownership. Better yet, Kyle enlightens us on how blockchain could democratize investing by increasing access to real stocks. But the innovation doesn't end there. Ever imagined the intersection of blockchain and AI or how this convergence could solve challenges? Well, Kyle does and he takes us on a stimulating journey through this combination, explaining how blockchain can verify data for dependable AI models and ensure data integrity to combat potential bias. The complexity of adopting these technologies is not sidestepped but addressed head-on, offering listeners a realistic view of this technological frontier. Switching gears, the conversation evolves into the rollercoaster ride that is entrepreneurship. Kyle shares his unique approach to bootstrapping versus raising capital, underscoring the importance of having a clear actionable plan before funding a startup. He weighs in on the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of resilience and leadership in this journey. Furthermore, he shares his perspective on unconventional advertising strategies and the potential impact of social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to validate business ideas faster. A whirlwind of a discussion, this episode with Kyle is a treasure trove of insights on blockchain, AI, and entrepreneurship. Find more about Kyle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesonlin/

Are you ready to challenge the status quo of education? Settle in for a riveting conversation with our remarkable guest, Manisha Snoyer, a seasoned educator and founder of Modulo. Together, we dissect the inherent flaws present in our conventional education system, most notably its steadfast homogeneity and rigidity. The ongoing global pandemic has further underscored the urgent necessity for adaptable and scalable education systems. We draw attention to a latent market of secular homeschoolers, on the hunt for the right tools and resources to tailor education to their children’s unique needs. We journey into the realm of modular learning, an exhilarating alternative to age-old education systems that characterizes itself with personalized learning plans. We ponder over its potential to orchestrate a richly social learning environment and how guardians can monitor the scholastic progress of their young learners. Manisha unveils her ambitious plans for her brainchild, Modulo, which is on a mission to recalibrate schools to adeptly harness technology, pairing traditional learning methodologies with social activities. As we peer into the future of Edtech, we delve into the significance of teaching children vital skills often overlooked in the standard school curriculum. Manisha recounts her enriching experience with the Techstars accelerator and the value of mentorship in the startup universe. We also hypothesize how platforms like LinkedIn can catalyze a global connection amongst learners, resulting in a potent, tailored learning experience. Join us on this enlightening voyage into the future of education and discover how we can reshape it for the generations to come. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about transforming education for a brighter, better future. Don't let this opportunity pass you by, tune in now! Find out about Manisha and Module here: https://www.modulo.app/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/manisha-snoyer-5042298/

Promised to be a captivating discussion centered around the intersection of technology and agriculture, this episode features Alexander Kravchenko , Deputy CPO at EOS Data Analytics. He’ll walk us through how satellite imagery is revolutionizing practices across 20+ verticals, particularly in the fields of agriculture and forestry. Discover the magic behind the crop monitoring platform and how it serves farmers with tailored solutions to manage multiple fields efficiently, reduce costs, and tackle other industry challenges. We'll also delve into the company's contributions towards promoting sustainable business development in the forest sector. In the second part of our conversation with Alex, we explore the vast potential of satellite data analytics and its applications. You'll learn how this technology can be harnessed to address pressing environmental challenges on a global scale. From detecting technological disasters to modeling climate change, satellite data is the secret weapon. Sentinel 2 satellite and EOS's own satellite constellation are key players in this domain, offering higher resolution data and more frequent revisits. We'll also discuss the future of the satellite market, the birth of agriculture-tailored satellites, and the space race's influence on this industry. Stay tuned to hear more about Alex's evolving mission in this rapidly advancing field. Find more about Alex and his company here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-k-47a809134/ https://eos.com/