In this captivating episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Anthony Sapountzis as he delves into the power of storytelling in marketing with special guest Luke Buesnel, Founder and Content Director at Story League. Together, they unravel the intricacies of personal branding, discussing its transformative impact on businesses and individuals alike. Get ready to explore the art of authentic storytelling and its profound significance in today's content-driven landscape.

Luke underscores the paramount importance of storytelling in marketing, particularly highlighting the potency of personal narratives. He identifies a notable shift towards personal branding content, foreseeing it as their agency's future mainstay service offering. Luke accentuates the significance of authentic storytelling in a saturated market, where genuine personal narratives serve as a beacon, resonating with audiences seeking authenticity and purpose in their interactions.

Furthermore, Luke delves into the pivotal role of personal branding for small businesses, stressing the need to forge trust and establish connections with the audience through storytelling. He elucidates how personal branding can streamline the sales cycle by fostering upfront trust, a boon for startups and nascent ventures. Luke also illuminates the emerging trend of large corporations exploring personal branding for their up-and-coming managers, recognizing it as a strategic edge in competitive arenas, enabling individuals to negotiate better terms or transition to entrepreneurship with a pre-established audience.

Moreover, Luke discusses the delicate balance between personal and business content on social media for effective branding, advocating for a strategic fusion of personal stories and valuable business-related content to maintain audience engagement. He cautions against solely focusing on personal aspects or veering into influencer territory, instead championing a brand-building approach anchored in mission and purpose. Luke also expounds on the liberating potential of personal branding, empowering individuals to select clients aligned with their values and vision, thereby fostering more enriching and gratifying work experiences.

Lastly, Luke advises early-stage startup founders to prioritize building their personal brand through content creation, advocating for the sharing of personal stories, vision, and values to forge authentic connections with their audience. He underscores the importance of taking action and testing content despite perfectionism, emphasizing the iterative nature of brand refinement over time. Luke confronts the fear of social media exposure head-on, acknowledging the potential for negative feedback while accentuating the greater potential for positive outcomes such as brand elevation and new opportunities.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, our host Andrew Romeo is joined by Bert Verhoeven, Program Director Innovation and Entrepreneurship, University of Newcastle and Founding Director, VES. Listen to the episode to understand the integration of AI into the curriculum, the evolution of critical thinking, and the challenges and opportunities facing academia in the age of technology.

Bert shares his diverse journey from entrepreneurship in Holland to academia and social entrepreneurship in Australia. Bert reflects on his experience founding a social network for international students, highlighting the challenges of competing with platforms like Facebook and ultimately pivoting towards teaching entrepreneurship.

One significant aspect of Bert's career is his passion for skill development, evident in initiatives like training sports teachers for underprivileged youth in Brazil and Africa. This commitment to creating shared value resonates throughout his career, leading to his current role at the University of Newcastle.

Bert discusses the integration of AI education into the curriculum at Flinders University, starting in January 2023. Despite initial skepticism, they embarked on a startup-like endeavor to prepare students for the transformative impact of AI, emphasizing responsible utilization and problem-solving skills. The shift in mindset over time underscores the importance of adapting teaching methodologies to incorporate emerging technologies effectively.

The impact of integrating AI education is evident in improved student outcomes and critical thinking skills, reflected in enhanced proposal pitches and problem analysis. This shift highlights the evolving demands of the 21st-century workforce, emphasizing critical and creative thinking as core competencies across disciplines.

As the role of knowledge workers evolves in the age of AI, Bert emphasizes the importance of co-creation and creative adaptation alongside artificial intelligence. He discusses AI's diverse applications, from research to enhancing writing skills, while cautioning against plagiarism and promoting originality and critical engagement.

Bert underscores universities' challenges in integrating AI into teaching and assessment methodologies, emphasizing the need for authentic, real-world problem-solving approaches. He highlights the urgency for educational institutions to adapt their curriculums and teaching methods to meet future demands, predicting a significant shake-up in the education sector. Finally, Bert draws parallels with historical examples to illustrate the potential for societal perceptions and norms to evolve, emphasizing the role of socialization in shaping collective thinking and fostering positive changes.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis is joined by David Strybosch, Co-Founder, Attivare.com.au. David explores innovative financial strategies for startups and then delves into the Early Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) program, discussing its substantial tax benefits for investors and how Attivare supports this initiative. Tune in to learn about unique investment models that ensure minimal risk while fostering startup growth.

David shares his extensive background in financial services and investments, discussing his innovative methods to help families expedite mortgage payments and his work in the intellectual property sector with IPrenewal.net. He explains how IPrenewal.net offers affordable trademark and patent renewals, which significantly benefit startups. The conversation also covers the Early Stage Innovation Company (ESIC) program, detailing how it offers substantial tax incentives for investors in qualifying startups. David elaborates on how Attivare supports the ESIC initiative by maximizing tax benefits and supporting early-stage ventures.

David provides an in-depth look into the ESIC program and its substantial tax benefits for investors. He describes how investors can receive significant tax offsets and potentially avoid capital gains tax, illustrating the process with a detailed case study. He also addresses the stringent vetting process by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure compliance. David emphasizes how Attivare simplifies the investment process for both startups and investors through its platform, which offers a structured investment model to ensure minimal risk and maximum benefit for all involved.

Further, David explains how the Attivare program enables investors to secure significant tax offsets while supporting innovative startups. He mentions that by investing a minimum of $500,000, investors can obtain up to $200,000 in tax offsets and substantially reduce their capital gains tax. David shares a success story where a client effectively reduced their capital gains tax by over $107,000 through the program. The program's structure also provides a safety net, allowing investors to evaluate the startup's progress over three years before making additional commitments. This approach ensures minimal risk and fosters startup growth.

Lastly, David elaborates on the mechanics of Attivare's investment program that supports startups while protecting investors. The program allows startups to raise funds by securing loans from investors, who benefit from tax offsets and have three years to assess the startup's performance. During this period, the invested capital is managed to generate revenue, mitigating risks for both parties. David highlights a scenario where a startup raised $1.5 million from three investors, ensuring stable funding and operational runway for three years. This innovative approach guarantees startups access to necessary capital while offering investors structured risk management.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, join host Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Lucas Meadowcroft, Co-Founder, CEO & Innovation Consultant of CROFTI. From his humble beginnings in I.T. support to pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence and sports technology, Lucas shares invaluable insights into navigating the ever-evolving landscape of tech innovation.

Lucas explores his 20-year journey in the tech industry. He traces his roots from I.T. support to innovation consulting, culminating in the founding of CROFTI, a company dedicated to enhancing organizational efficiency through streamlined processes. Throughout the past decade, CROFTI has been at the forefront of innovation, particularly delving into artificial intelligence by developing Trippy, an AI platform targeted at MSPs. Despite encountering challenges in finding product-market fit, Lucas has diversified investments into sports applications like Run With and Pivot Sports, catering to various sports communities.

Central to Lucas' approach is the focus on outcomes, emphasizing the significance of automation and efficiency improvements for businesses. He shares insights into recent ventures, including launching sports applications to enhance community connections and player experiences. Lucas also discusses the challenges faced in selling AI products within the MSP industry, highlighting the importance of integrating traditional foundational systems with AI solutions to optimize processes effectively.

Moreover, Lucas delves into the complexities and opportunities of leveraging AI for business transformation. He stresses the need to address the most pressing frustrations or pain points in a business and leverage AI to unlock opportunities for expansion and innovation. Reflecting on his experience of selling a support company, Lucas underscores the newfound freedom from reactive tasks and the potential for growth when AI streamlines operations.

Additionally, Lucas shares insights into the journey of raising capital during the pandemic, emphasizing adaptability and effective communication in pitching tech startups to investors. He reflects on lessons learned from the investor journey, cautioning against blindly following investor advice and highlighting the value of bootstrapping for sustainability in uncertain economic landscapes. Lucas also discusses the dynamics of raising capital in the fintech sector and the challenges of being ahead of the curve in technological advancements, particularly in the AI and MSP industries. Throughout the conversation, he expresses excitement about upcoming launches and the progress of projects, underscoring CROFTI's goals of building and investing in new ventures for scalability and innovation.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, our host Andrew Romeo, sits with Stuart Dalrymple, Commercial Operations Manager at franklin.ai to explore his journey through the tech and startup landscape. From managing project scopes to navigating tender processes, Stuart shares invaluable insights from diverse career experiences. Tune in to uncover his strategies for effectively solving customer problems and competing in the ever-evolving market.

Stuart begins by tracing his journey from a childhood fascination with technology to his current role in the tech and startup landscape. He emphasizes the importance of managing project scope, understanding customer preferences, and recognizing the timing of innovations. Despite encountering challenges such as financial constraints and market misalignment, Stuart's ventures have provided invaluable lessons that have shaped his entrepreneurial approach and management style.

Reflecting on his diverse career experiences, including roles in software companies and the hospitality industry, Stuart discusses strategies for navigating tender processes. He highlights the significance of building relationships and delivering value early on. Stuart also advocates for further education, such as pursuing an MBA, for both knowledge acquisition and networking opportunities. Drawing parallels between business fundamentals and software development, he underscores the importance of creating products that either generate revenue, save costs, or optimize time.

Stuart delves into the complexities of product development and sales, stressing the need to intimately understand customers' businesses to effectively solve their problems. He emphasizes the value of avoiding isolated problem-solving approaches and instead suggests identifying and addressing issues within one's own sphere of knowledge or experience. Stuart also explores the strategy of competing on features with a market research angle, urging companies to consider customer biases and evaluate various criteria that influence purchasing decisions.

Furthermore, Stuart discusses the importance of understanding customer segments and preferences when developing products or solutions. Using the hypothetical example of IKEA competing with Tesla in the electric car market, he underscores the necessity of thorough research to understand why customers choose certain brands. Stuart suggests that companies do not need to excel in every aspect compared to competitors but should focus on key dimensions where they can offer value or differentiate effectively.

Lastly, Stuart shares insights into his current role at Franklin.ai, particularly focusing on the health tech and MedTech space, specifically pathology and AI. He highlights the challenges posed by the shortage of pathologists and the increasing demand for cancer screening post-COVID. Stuart explains how Franklin.ai emerged from witnessing challenges in the local health system in Vietnam and successful ventures like Harrison AI in Australia, leading to partnerships with companies like Sonic Healthcare to efficiently detect cancer.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis is joined by Greg Twemlow, Executive Director of SEVENmile Ltd and Founder of Future Skills Studio, who also serves as an Innovative Educator and Ethical Thought Leader. Greg discusses the transformative impact of AI integration and the importance of ethical leadership in the tech industry.

Greg wears multiple hats, leading initiatives to support local entrepreneurs in Sydney through SEVENmile and spearheading experiential learning programs, particularly aimed at high school students, through Future Skills Studio. His journey with AI began in late 2022 with the introduction of ChatGPT, leading to the integration of AI into various educational endeavors, where he has observed the potential for AI to exacerbate societal inequalities, a topic he actively addresses through articles and discussions.

Greg emphasizes the positive impact of AI on education, particularly in high schools, noting its ability to enhance learning pace and depth when utilized effectively for problem-solving. He underscores the importance of parents considering access to paid AI services for their children to mitigate potential disparities in classroom learning. Additionally, Greg introduces the concept of "breakout autonomy," highlighting AI's potential to empower individuals with newfound autonomy and agency.

The discussion further delves into the evolving landscape of AI tools for content creation. Greg explores various platforms and their strengths and limitations, advocating for using post-processing tools like Grammarly to refine AI-generated content. He then transitions to the transformative potential of AI in business operations, stressing the need for companies to adapt job roles and integrate AI capabilities across research, business planning, and marketing content creation to unlock significant growth opportunities.

Greg also addresses the responsibility of all generations, including grandparents, in promoting technological literacy within families, noting their potential as leaders to foster interest and learning in technology among younger generations. Finally, the conversation touches upon the challenges faced by non-tech entrepreneurs when seeking tech partners, highlighting the importance of reliable and ethical technology partners in navigating the complex landscape of AI integration.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis sits down with Jess Dahlberg, a certified performance coach and startup mentor, to explore the intricacies of building a scalable culture within startup environments. Listen to Jess's invaluable insights and personal journey of reinvention to gain practical guidance on optimizing performance, fostering collaboration, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Jess, drawing from her journey of reinvention after a divorce and her corporate background, identified a need for tailored support for tech founders in managing teams and optimizing performance. This realization led her to develop the Guest Collaborative Program, offering practical guidance to drive startup growth and efficiency.

Throughout the discussion, Jess highlights the unique challenges tech founders face, emphasizing their propensity for continuous learning and adaptability, which are crucial for success in the dynamic tech landscape. She underscores the importance of collaboration between tech and non-tech founders to leverage resources effectively and achieve milestones, navigating the delicate balance between innovation and progress.

Reflecting on her own transformative experiences, Jess emphasizes the role of intuition in guiding life decisions, drawing parallels to the intuitive nature of successful startup leaders. She advocates for creating a supportive startup culture that celebrates achievements and fosters resilience, which is essential for weathering the inevitable challenges of entrepreneurship.

Jess outlines four fundamental principles for startup success: performance, prioritizing founder well-being and productivity; people, cultivating an operational culture based on employee input; potential, aligning individual roles with the overall roadmap for focused direction; and pinnacle, guiding founders in leading their teams through the scale-up journey while maintaining positivity.

Lastly, Jess delves into the distinction between mentoring and coaching, highlighting the value of personalized coaching in empowering individuals to find their unique problem-solving and leadership approaches. She stresses the importance of recognizing individual talents and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, which is essential for sustainable growth in startup environments.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, our host, Anthony Sapountzis, is joined by Youssef Jalloul, a seasoned Tech Entrepreneur, Venture Builder, and a Mentor. Tune in to this episode as Youssef takes us on a captivating journey through his diverse entrepreneurial experiences – from founding hydroponics farms to navigating the complexities of the tech industry. Youssef also shares valuable insights and reflections on the Lebanese financial crisis and unveils his latest venture, "Actively," a groundbreaking approach to air travel and activity planning in the web3 era. Get ready for a narrative filled with innovation, resilience, and a wealth of wisdom for startup founders.

Youssef’s journey unfolds as a dynamic narrative of entrepreneurial ventures and technological innovation. From founding hydroponics farms during university to navigating the challenges of the tech industry, he shares a diverse array of experiences. Youssef's journey encompasses social projects, a tech company in Abu Dhabi, and diverse investments, including medical systems, e-learning, and e-commerce platforms. The interview delves into the complexities of the Lebanese financial crisis, the establishment of an innovative accelerator, and its unfortunate closure due to economic challenges.

The discussion seamlessly transitions to Youssef's relocation to Sydney amid the COVID-19 pandemic, narrating the two-year process to ensure stability for his family. Youssef's focus on self-discovery in the past year and a half culminates in his exploration of new opportunities, particularly in the realm of web3 technology. This exploration leads to the introduction of "Actively," a groundbreaking air travel and activity planner that utilizes AI and QR codes to bridge the gap between traditional and modern practices, emphasizing sustainability and personalized user experiences.

The narrative takes an introspective turn as Youssef reflects on his entry into the tech industry through his parents' development company. The journey involves an award-winning Arabic reading and writing software, its evolution into a web platform, and the impactful effort to address literacy gaps in the Middle East. Youssef's insights for startup founders become a focal point, emphasizing the "build fast, fail faster" mindset, the significance of experiments before substantial investment, and the critical role of a diverse and collaborative team.

The interview concludes with Youssef's current endeavors, including the pursuit of pilots for his innovative projects and the imminent launch of YJ Ventures. This platform aims to combine a venture builder with a scale-up program, showcasing Youssef's passion for guiding founders, navigating the challenges of convincing clients to embrace change, and leveraging the supportive startup ecosystem in Australia.

In this engaging episode of the DevReady Podcast, our hosts, Andrew Romeo and Anthony Sapountzis sit down with Sam Saltis, Founder & CEO of Core dna. Join the conversation as Sam takes us on a captivating journey through his tech evolution, sharing insights into the inception and growth of Core dna, reflections on international experiences, and a visionary outlook on the future of technology and entrepreneurship. Sam's wealth of experiences provides a fascinating backdrop for discussions on building, scaling, and navigating the dynamic landscape of the tech industry.

Sam takes us on a journey through his tech evolution, starting from his teenage experimentation with bulletin boards to becoming the driving force behind a global tech company. The conversation delves into Sam's experiences at ANZ, the pivotal decision to pursue an MBA, and the inception of Core dna, an enterprise cloud platform now recognized globally.

Core dna operates with a distributed team across multiple countries, emphasizing its unique selling points such as affordability, adaptability for various business sizes, and challenges convincing larger enterprises to transition from established platforms. Sam provides insights into diverse client needs, ranging from complex integrations for extensive websites to mid-market enterprises seeking efficient content management.

The episode unfolds Core dna's innovative solution for the challenge of integrating and transferring content across different platforms. Sam shares the entrepreneurial journey of transitioning from the banking sector to founding a tech business, identifying opportunities in connecting shopping centers and retailers to the internet. The evolution from agency to a product-centric business, rewriting systems, and launching the "Expect Factor" platform are discussed in detail.

Sam reflects on his international experiences in India and the United States, emphasizing cultural differences, challenges during the tech boom in India, and diverse business mindsets in the U.S. He critiques the cutthroat mentality in some parts of the U.S. and highlights the collaborative, win-win approach he prefers in business.

The episode concludes with Sam's future plans, including giving back to startups, exploring innovative business models, bringing software development in-house, and global expansion. Sam underscores the importance of recognizing unique strengths in the tech industry, advocating for trust-building through relationships and outcomes over financial competition.

The conversation also touches on the changing dynamics of social interactions, engagement with interesting people, and the transformative role of AI in various industries. Sam's insights offer a comprehensive view of Core dna's growth, the tech industry's challenges, and his forward-looking vision for the future.

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, our hosts, Andrew Romeo and Anthony Sapountzis are joined by Steve Grace, Founder, TNG Media & The Nudge Group and  CEO, Balance The Grind. Steve also hosts a podcast, Give It A Nudge Show, and is the Director at YBF Ventures. Join hosts as they dive into Steve's 28-year adventure in recruitment, unraveling the secrets behind his transformative media strategies and the art of balancing startup success.

Steve delves into his 28-year journey in recruitment, tracing his origins in London, a detour through a government-focused recruitment company, and the subsequent creation of Knowledge, an education-focused recruitment agency tailored for startups. The timing was fortuitous as the company expanded globally, just before the onset of COVID-19, benefitting startups and paving the way for the birth of media platforms.

Steve shares profound insights into the critical decision of choosing the right co-founder for a tech startup, emphasizing the need for non-tech founders to consider acquiring a tech co-founder early in the startup journey. He highlights the rarity of finding a skilled engineer with both technical expertise and business acumen, cautioning against hiring from larger organizations. The discussion extends to the dynamic nature of startup teams, the evolving roles of founders, and the necessity for founders to anticipate shifts in team composition as the startup progresses.

The podcast explores the impact of COVID-19 on the recruitment landscape, with Steve shedding light on the newfound ease of global recruitment and the evolving ability to assess candidates effectively through video interviews. A game-changing strategy is unveiled—using media to recruit for startups. Steve explains how "Give It A Nudge" YouTube channel reversed the traditional recruitment approach, significantly increasing success rates, impact, and candidate retention in startup roles.

Steve passionately expresses his love for the startup world, highlighting the positivity, excitement, and relentless work ethic of individuals within it. He contrasts the startup environment with corporate life, emphasizing the openness, lack of competition paranoia, and the sense of being part of something impactful as key reasons behind his affinity for the startup world. The episode concludes with Steve discussing the accidental evolution of "Balance The Grind" and "Startup Life Unscripted," both becoming impactful media assets.

In summary, the episode provides a comprehensive journey through Steve Grace's entrepreneurial ventures, offering valuable insights into startup dynamics, recruitment strategies, and the transformative power of media in the business landscape.