The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu

Prepare to supercharge your entrepreneurial journey with Christine Michaelis, a marketing and creative startup coach based in Italy. She's got a wealth of knowledge to share, from validating your business ideas, to managing risks, all while keeping that entrepreneurial fire alive. We dive into the rollercoaster ride of establishing a business, focusing on key aspects like setting a trial period, having a safety net, and the significance of a steady income as your venture blossoms. As we move along, Christine gives us a glimpse into the world of solopreneurs, emphasizing on productivity and low-budget marketing. We delve into setting goals, creating habits, and how online apps and social media can impact our productivity. She stresses on the importance of networking effectively and consistent communication of your values to build a rapport with your customers. We wrap up our enlightening chat by looking into the future of marketing and the role of artificial intelligence in personal branding. Christine highlights the need to leverage technology while staying true to oneself. She also shares insights on the relevance of wellbeing and happiness in entrepreneurship, offering advice on setting boundaries, practicing gratitude, and investing in experiences. So join us as Christine and I take you on a thrilling journey of entrepreneurship from Dubai to Italy and beyond. Get ready to learn, be inspired, and remember - it's never wrong to let go of an idea and start something new. More about Christine: https://www.creativestartupacademy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinethecoach/

Can you imagine transitioning from pharmaceuticals to blockchain? That's exactly what our guest, Bruno Calabretta, the Hub Manager and Co-Founder for ICP Hub Indonesia, did. Bruno's journey is one full of surprises and insights. He takes us from his early days in pharmaceuticals to his discovery of blockchain's potential, all the way to sunny Bali, where he spearheads his innovative projects. Ever wondered about the transformative potential of smart contracts and decentralized finance? Bruno breaks it down for us. He sheds light on how these technologies can disrupt traditional borrowing processes, removing bias and ensuring transparency. But it's not all smooth sailing. Bruno underlines the urgent need for regulation in blockchain and cryptocurrency to safeguard trust and security. We delve into the future of decentralized finance and the pivotal role regulation would play in this rapidly evolving landscape. We wrap up our spirited conversation with a deep dive into ICP Hubs and their potential to shake up the world of crypto and blockchain. Bruno presents a compelling case for ICP's fully on-chain system, centralized applications that don't require a wallet or cryptocurrency, and its low energy consumption. We also explore the possible intersections of blockchain with artificial intelligence, the impact of cryptocurrency trading, and the importance of focusing on the technology's utility and value, not just speculation. Tune in and get a glimpse of this brave new world through Bruno's eyes. More About Bruno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruno-calabretta/ https://www.disruptives.io

Join us as we navigate the world of technology and innovation with Joseph Azar, Managing Director at Azar Consulting and CTO of Foresight Helmets. Listen to the thrilling tale of how they mass-produced the first smart motorcycle helmet in the world. We discuss the significance of balancing vision, imagination, and the art of the possible in a startup environment. Joseph generously shares his experience, highlighting the role of customer feedback in product development and the importance of not overpromising on features that cannot be delivered. Our conversation with Joseph also covers his unique perspective as a consultant and his thoughts on leadership. Hear how emotional intelligence and empathy are essential traits for leaders and how striking a balance between business and employee needs can drive success. We also take a closer look at Foresight's business model and how effectively prioritizing customer requests can lead to a more impactful product. In the latter part of our chat, we explore the benefits of fractional C-level roles for startups and scale-ups. Joseph shares his experience in providing co-founder as a service and how it can enable companies to access experienced professionals without committing to a full-time hire. He also gives us a peek into his process of staying updated in the tech industry and how automation can revolutionize a business. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on all things tech and leadership with our esteemed guest, Joseph Azar. More about Joseph: https://www.azarconsulting.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephazar/

Do you ever struggle with striking that elusive balance between technology, product, and business goals? How do you navigate the jungle of entrepreneurship, especially if it’s your first time? If you're nodding, then settle in for a fascinating discussion with software developer and entrepreneur par excellence, Matt Watson. Matt candidly unpacks his 20-year tech journey, painting a clear picture of his evolution from a rookie to a seasoned CTO and startup founder. He shares hard-earned wisdom on managing tech talent and the merits of hybrid teams, stuffed with local, remote, and global talent. Moving on, we explore the world of entrepreneurship, the thrill of starting your own venture, and the challenges that come along. Matt champions the value of a business partner, the power of a diverse skill set, and the significance of a strategic go-to-market plan. He also stresses the vital role of networking and the power of being known for what you do, rather than obsessing over being the best at it. If you're incubating a startup idea, you'll appreciate our chat about MVPs - Matt brings to light the process of creating an MVP that looks complete, sans unnecessary complications. As we round off our enlightening talk, Matt opens up about the potential of AI in tech, the significance of having the right people around, and how to hit a home run with product creation even if you don’t have coding skills. He also invites listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn for further interaction. Our conversation comes full circle as we delve into Matt's podcast, Start-Up Hustle, where he bares the gritty reality of entrepreneurship. So, tune in and get ready to soak up some valuable insights! Get to know more about Matt: https://links.visionarycto.com/

Tech consultant Kamran Rahman discusses the importance of understanding processes in digital transformation. He explores the integration of no-code tools and AI for optimizing business operations. Kamran shares practical applications of AI, such as using it for knowledge bases and chatbots. The conversation also touches on entrepreneurship and startups, emphasizing the value of specialized support.

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.