

The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu
Mehmet Gonullu
Broadcasting from Dubai, The CTO Show with Mehmet explores the latest trends in technology, startups, and venture funding. Host Mehmet Gonullu leads insightful discussions with thought leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs from diverse industries. From emerging technologies to startup investment strategies, the show provides a balanced view on navigating the evolving landscape of business and tech, helping listeners understand their profound impact on our world.
mehmet@yassiventures.com
mehmet@yassiventures.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 30, 2023 • 1h 4min
#162 Bootstrapping a Consultancy Business in Dubai: A Joint Venture Perspective
Entrepreneur Ufuk Ferik shares his insights on investing in Dubai's business environment. Topics include choosing the right business partners, the optimal period for starting a business, managing financial information, selecting the right domain name, utilizing virtual CISO service, web hosting, and the importance of having an ERP system.

Jun 29, 2023 • 50min
#161 Decoding Amazon's Growth: Risk-Taking, Customer Centricity, and the Future of Leadership with Steve Anderson
Wonder what it takes to grow your business like Amazon? Dive headfirst into the fascinating world of calculated risk-taking with our esteemed guest best-seller author of "The Bezos Letters:14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon", Steve Anderson. With his rich insurance background and a quarter-century of extensive research, Steve offers a treasure trove of insights on the pivotal role of risk-taking in business growth. We navigate through the four key cycles crucial for your business growth - test, build, accelerate, and scale. Steve unpacks the benefits of being open to experimentation and embracing failure, revealing how these elements can set your business on the path to flourishing success.
Switching gears, we plunge into the intriguing realm of customer centricity. Steve enlightens us on Amazon's 'addiction to customers', a philosophy that was outlined in a 1997 letter by Jeff Bezos. We delve into the potential drawbacks of customer obsession, touching on the controversial issue of Amazon's treatment of its employees. Ever heard of a 'flywheel'? Steve elucidates this concept, showing how it can aid companies in finding the delicate balance between customer obsession and employee treatment.
As we approach the end of our enlightening chat, we prognosticate about the future of Amazon's culture and leadership. We ponder on the significant impact of Amazon Web Services (AWS) on the cloud computing industry and the company's strategy of meaningful differentiation. How will the CEO transition from Jeff Bezos to Andy Jassy influence the company's future? Stick with us as we contemplate this and explore the increasing importance of agility and experimentation for innovating and thriving businesses. Want to stay ahead in the risk-taking game? Don't miss out on Steve's book recommendation!
Find More about Steve here:
https://www.thebezosletters.com/
Apology for Audio Quality: Dear listeners, we would like to apologize for a portion of this episode where the audio quality dips and the voice of our guest fade slightly. We did our best in post-production to enhance the clarity. Please bear with us through this short segment. We promise the content is worth it! Thank you for your understanding and support.

Jun 28, 2023 • 56min
#160 Exploring the Uncharted Territory of AI with Garik Tate
Strap in for a profound conversation with AI Futurist,Garik Tate, as we venture deep into the thriving realm of Artificial Intelligence. Imagine a world where AI is able to reason, create, and generate code at a pace far superior to human abilities. Is this the future we're approaching? Garik's insights on these intriguing prospects will leave you pondering long after our chat concludes.
Together, we examine AI's current state, its potential impact on businesses, and the possible future that we may be hurtling towards. We delve into the democratization of AI and the implications of such a radical shift. Are we ready for an AI version of Steve Jobs? Geric's perspective on this conjecture is as enlightening as it is thought-provoking.
In the landscape of AI-generated code, we explore the potential of AI as an augmenter of human abilities rather than a replacement. Highlighting Microsoft's co-pilot tool, we discuss how this technology is able to produce code five times faster than regular developers. This episode is jam-packed with valuable insights into the future of AI, the implications of AI personas, and how you can be a part of this exciting conversation. Join us for this riveting exploration into the world of AI and the future it holds for us all.
Connect with Garik here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/garik-tate/

Jun 27, 2023 • 41min
#159 Mastering Entrepreneurship: Secrets to Business Growth & Leadership with Pete Mohr
What happens when you combine 30 years of experience owning, buying, and building businesses with a passion for mentoring young entrepreneurs? You get Pete Mohr, our incredible guest in this episode, who shares his fascinating journey from radio host to a seasoned business coach. We dive deep into the challenges of managing multiple businesses, the importance of having a strong support system, and the crucial transition from operator to business owner. Pete's insights on digging into your business during its first few years are not to be missed.
Can you strike the perfect balance between working in and working on your business? Pete emphasizes the significance of seeking guidance from experienced mentors and reveals his four A's of accountability that can be integrated into the leadership style of young entrepreneurs. We also explore the importance of frameworks for entrepreneurs, including Pete's 4As - assess, address, align, and assign - that can bring clarity and confidence to both new businesses and fresh entrepreneurs.
If you're juggling multiple business ideas or projects, this episode is especially for you. Pete shares strategies for handling multiple ventures, mastering entrepreneurial leadership, and finding your purpose in business. We even discuss 'Start with Why' as a way of finding your passion and the 10 Laws of Moving from Operator to Owner. Don't miss this insightful episode filled with Pete Mohr's valuable advice and experiences on mastering entrepreneurial leadership and finding your purpose in business.
Find more about Pete:
http://mohr.coach/

Jun 26, 2023 • 38min
#158 Unlocking Success in Software Testing with Jay Aigner: From Employee to CEO
Discover the secrets to building a thriving software testing business and the power of embracing discomfort in our insightful conversation with Jay Aigner, CEO of JDAQA, a software testing agency with around $2M ARR. Get ready to learn valuable advice on de-risking the process of starting a business and how Jay navigated the instability in the Eastern Europe war to diversify his client base. This episode is packed with wisdom from Jay's own experiences in entrepreneurship and how he successfully transitioned from a nine-to-five job to running his own company.
Uncover the misconceptions of the sales industry and the nuances of discovering your role within a company, as we chat with Jay's about his journey into becoming a sales guy for his business. We also explore the current trends in the software testing industry, highlighting the vital role of the human touch in the testing process. Prepare to be inspired by Jay's philosophy of pushing past comfort zones to achieve growth and success.
Finally, gain an insider's look at Jay's secret to success: the 5 for 5 routine. We discuss his early morning productivity habits and how they have evolved over time, impacting both his personal and professional life. Dive into the importance of cultivating a culture of respect in the workplace, valuing ideas, and offering monetary incentives to create a positive environment. Don't miss this incredible episode with Jay as he shares invaluable advice for young entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the world of business.
Connect with Jay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/
Check JDAQA: https://jdaqa.com/

Jun 23, 2023 • 30min
#157 Harnessing the Power of Generative AI in Finance with Charles Meaden
In this episode, we sit down with Charles Meaden, the CEO and Co-Founder of Gembot, to explore the intriguing intersection of artificial intelligence and finance. Gembot, a platform that empowers individual investors through advanced trading tools and financial literacy, is redefining the investment landscape. Charles sheds light on his journey into the AI and Fintech world, the AI perspective of Gembot, and how new plugins like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the AI industry. We also delve into the broader implications of generative AI in finance, its potential in displacing traditional jobs, and the exciting possibilities in autonomous bots. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Charles also shares invaluable advice for aspiring founders. Join us for an insightful conversation that navigates the vast ocean of AI’s possibilities in the financial sector.
Charles' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-meaden-346375116/
GemBot: https://gembot.ai/

Jun 22, 2023 • 40min
#156 Revolutionizing Social TV with David Van Beekum: The Tweva Journey and Beyond
In this engaging episode, we sit down with David Van Beekum, the Co-Founder & Creator of Tweva, the world's first social TV network dedicated to small businesses and influencers. David dives deep into his journey of turning a novel idea into a thriving startup, the power of technology beyond digital marketing, and the significance of self-branding. We also touch upon Tweva's expansion plans, early adopter feedback, and its content structure. Combining his experience in 3D printing, automation, and other advanced tech, David shares insights on building a successful venture and offers invaluable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in to learn about Dave's ambitions for Tweva and how his passion for helping small businesses is transforming the world of digital marketing.
More on Tweva and David:
https://connect.tweva.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-van-beekum/

Jun 21, 2023 • 45min
#155 Bridging the Gap: From Classroom Challenges to NASA with Jason Dietrich
In this riveting episode of "The CTO Show with Mehmet," we journey to the stars with our special guest, Jason Dietrich, a dedicated STEM educator and the current Camp Director for the 2023 Space Adventure Camp at Virginia Space Flight Academy. Through his story of triumph over adversity, Jason shares his unique perspective on the importance of STEM education and the tools needed to succeed in the industry. Tune in as we delve into the intricacies of his work with NASA, explore the unexpected lessons he's learned along the way, and discuss how today's students can prepare themselves to rock and roll in the challenging yet rewarding STEM field. This is a conversation that will inspire everyone, from aspiring scientists to curious space enthusiasts!
You can visit Vafsa site here:
https://www.vasfa.org/

Jun 20, 2023 • 1h 5min
#154 Breaking Codes and Taking Names: The Shashank Tiwari Journey.
In this episode, we welcome Shashank Tiwari, the visionary tech leader behind Uno.ai, a game-changing cybersecurity startup. With a rich history in leading high-growth companies like Nutanix, Elementum, Medallia, and StackRox, Shashank shares invaluable insights about the cybersecurity market, the role of AI in addressing the skills gap, and the nuances of leading teams in startups vs. established companies. He also discusses the lessons he learned from his journey and offers invaluable advice to the younger tech generation. Finally, he provides a profound answer to the ultimate question: "What does success look like for me?" This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for tech enthusiasts, emerging leaders, and anyone with an interest in the dynamic world of cybersecurity.
Find more about Shashank's startup:
https://uno.ai/

Jun 19, 2023 • 38min
#153 Cybersecurity, SMBs, and Mental Health: An In-Depth Discussion with Nate Sheen
In this enlightening episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we're joined by cybersecurity expert and president of Astoria, Nate Sheen. Delve into the challenges Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) face in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape and discover why their worries are justified. Nate shares his unique insights on the top five cybersecurity measures every business should adopt, the latest threats, and how advancements in technology like AI are impacting the sector. But it's not all tech-talk; Nate also shines a light on the often-overlooked intersection of cybersecurity and mental health, highlighting its importance in the field. Whether you're a cybersecurity professional or an aspiring one, don't miss the invaluable advice Nate has to share.
Find about Nate's Company here:
https://trustastoria.com/
And more about Nate:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natesheen/


