Mastering Tech Growth

Today, Mike speaks to Andy Skipper, the founder of CTO Craft, and a senior technology leader, delves into the challenges faced by CTOs in the current market. With a community of 16,000 members, CTO Craft offers mentoring, coaching, and e-learning opportunities for technology leaders. Mike and Andy cover topics such as the impact of the pandemic on hiring practices, the importance of commercial understanding for CTOs, and the skills needed to navigate the role successfully. Andy shares insights on building relationships, managing burnout, and the significance of prioritization in a CTO's journey. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Leverage local communities, events, and online platforms to connect with other technology leaders and expand your professional network.

• Develop skills in understanding business objectives, budgeting, and forecasting to align technology strategies with overall company goals.

• Cultivate strong relationships with team members, peers, and leadership to foster collaboration and effective communication within the organization.

• Identify key objectives and focus on tasks that have the most significant impact on achieving your goals, while letting go of less critical activities to avoid burnout.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think anybody, who has any kind of relevant experience can become a mentor and a coach as well."

"Navigating the current job market is like sailing in a storm; the key is to be adaptable and multi-skilled—to become the Swiss Army Knife of technology talent."

"As a CTO, you're not just an engineer. You're a bridge builder, connecting the nuts and bolts of technology with the bricks and mortar of business strategy."

"Leadership in technology is less about mastering the code and more about mastering the art of communication; translating complex ideas into visions that inspire teams and align with business goals."

"The resilience of a company's technology strategy during downturns is a testament to the CTO's foresight—balancing innovation with practicality, and technical debt with market demands."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST
Andy Skipper is a seasoned technology leader with a wealth of experience in steering startup engineering teams to success. Currently, he leads CTO Craft, a mentoring community for global CTOs and tech leaders. Andy oversees 15,000+ professionals, offering personalized mentorship and strategic guidance. 
He also curates the Tech Manager Weekly newsletter, a vital resource for technology leaders seeking insights and best practices in the tech landscape. 

Sign up here for Andy's Tech Manager Weekly newsletter: https://www.techmanagerweekly.com/

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In today's episode, Sarah Kerrigan delves into the world of social media marketing. From the challenges of balancing work and family life to exploring the nuances of different social media platforms like Meta, LinkedIn, and Instagram, Sarah shares her experiences and expertise in the field. She offers valuable advice on targeting specific audiences, optimizing ad campaigns, and the importance of balancing brand marketing with direct response strategies.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Prioritizing self-care and well-being is essential for personal and professional success.

• Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are powerful tools for marketing and generating leads.

• Different platforms have different targeting capabilities, and it's important to understand the strengths and limitations of each.

• High production value content may not always be the most effective in driving conversions, and low production value content can often resonate better with audiences.

BEST MOMENTS

"The beauty of digital marketing lies in the power to measure everything. But remember, it's not just about clicks; it's about understanding the full journey your customer takes and optimizing for a healthy return on ad spend."

"In the world of social media ads, diving into LinkedIn or meta is like choosing between precision and reach. Each platform has its merit, but the secret sauce is knowing where your audience lives and how they engage."

"While it's easy to get caught up in activation campaigns for that quick sale, never underestimate the slow burn effect of brand marketing. It's like planting seeds; you may not see the fruits of your labor immediately, but give it time, and they can grow into something substantial."

"Balancing brand marketing and activation marketing is like walking a tightrope; you need the immediate sales to keep the lights on, but you also need that long-term brand value that resonates with customers for years to come."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST

Meet Sarah, a powerhouse in Meta & LinkedIn advertising, dedicated to optimising social strategies for businesses worldwide. With over a decade of hands-on experience in paid social, Sarah has honed her expertise both on the client and agency sides of the industry.
As a former Trainer at Jellyfish and Course Facilitator for Google’s Data Driven Marketing Labs, Sarah has empowered professionals ranging from CMOs and senior marketers at Fortune 500 companies to SMEs and small business owners. 
Now, as the founder of That Social Media Girl and Training Course Director at CIM, Sarah continues to empower others to excel in digital through education and training.

ABOUT THE HOST
Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW
Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Correy Voo approaches the topics of venture capital, and the impact of AI on enterprises. As an experienced professional in the tech industry, Correy shares insights on his career journey, his passion for technology, and his current focus on venture capital and startups. Mike and Correy discuss the concept of artificial intelligence, distinguishing between different forms of AI and its potential to reshape industries. They also touch upon the challenges of communication in distributed teams and offer advice on leveraging AI for small businesses.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Diversification in venture capital space and experimenting with new technologies in the tech space.

• Utilizing AI for commodity services in small businesses to increase efficiency and reduce costs.

• Challenges of managing communication in distributed teams with different time zones.

• Impact of market conditions on tech funding, with the current market being challenging for startups to raise money.

BEST MOMENTS

"To make technology successful, you've got to be able to explain it easily and well."

"AI doesn't eliminate jobs; it eliminates the monotony of repetitive tasks and allows humans to focus on creativity and strategic thinking. It's not about machines replacing us, but about machines complementing our work."

"When it comes to seeking investment, it's not just about the passion but the plan. You need to answer the 'how' as clearly as the 'why' to ensure you're not just burning with passion, but also lighting the way forward with practicality."

"Offshore development is not just about cost-saving; it's about tapping into a global talent pool. Diversity in your development team can lead to innovation that surpasses geographic boundaries."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

FIIT is the UK’s #1 rated interactive hybrid fitness platform on a mission to make fitness a habit for every body: https://fiit.tv/

ABOUT THE GUEST

Correy Voo is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of international experience across various domains, and has held executive roles in renowned corporations like British Telecommunications Plc, Credit Suisse, Bank of America, and UBS AG. 
Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance productivity and enrich lives, he has transitioned into entrepreneurship as the founder of a specialist consulting firm catering to SMEs and Start-Ups. 

Correy also serves as a General Partner at 01 Ventures, a European Deep Tech Venture Capital firm, driving advancements in Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, and other cutting-edge technologies. Beyond his ventures, Correy actively contributes to tech discussions on LinkedIn and Twitter, while mentoring innovative businesses like Public.io and Temporall.com.

ABOUT THE HOST

Meet Mike, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and visionary with over two and a half decades of invaluable experience in founding and scaling successful tech startups. Mike brings a wealth of firsthand knowledge and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and tech professionals.

As a host, Mike is dedicated to sharing actionable insights, strategies, and stories gathered from conversations with industry leaders, innovators, and experts. With a remarkable ability to distil practical wisdom from guests, Mike curates engaging discussions that resonate with both aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals. 

ABOUT THE SHOW

Welcome to Mastering Tech Growth, where we dive deep into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs of scaling tech-driven ventures. Join us as we explore the dynamic world of technology businesses, uncovering the secrets behind successful growth trajectories. Each episode brings you candid conversations with founders and industry experts, sharing invaluable insights, proven tactics, and real-life stories. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, discover the roadmap to navigating the complexities of scaling in the ever-evolving tech landscape.