Software Without Borders

Software Without Borders

By Andy Hilliard - AcceleranceBusinessTechnologyManagement
Download on the App Store

Software Without Borders episodes

  • #37 How Leaders Can Harness AI Without Breaking Their Business (Video)
    In this episode of Software Without Borders, Andy and Scott sit down with Kristina Crane, transformational executive, fractional COO/CSO, and CEO of The Canyons Group, to unpack what it really takes to lead organizations through AI-driven change. Kristina draws on 25+ years across SaaS, government tech, and operational transformation to explain how companies can embrace AI without losing their people, culture, or strategic focus. From building a “culture of curiosity” to using proven software-industry frameworks for prioritization, Kristina brings a grounded, practical perspective on how leaders can move fast and smart.

     

    Guest Introduction:
    Kristina Crane is a transformational executive and fractional COO/CSO with deep expertise in AI adoption, organizational change, and strategic operations. As CEO of The Canyons Group, she helps government agencies, enterprises, and growth-stage companies navigate complex transitions with a framework centered on “Navigate to Elevate.” Kristina spent 12+ years at STC Health leading a major shift from a dev-shop model to a scaled SaaS organization, driving 10x revenue and 60% efficiency gains through AI.
    Key Takeaways:
    • AI transformation is a people problem first—tech only works when teams understand the “why” and feel empowered. episode-37
    • Companies must balance curiosity with prioritization to avoid shiny-object chaos.
    • The software industry provides proven frameworks (like RICE) that non-tech organizations can use to evaluate AI opportunities.
    • Old-school executive teams need a business-first, tech-translated approach to adopt AI successfully.
    • Strategic planning cycles must speed up—leaders should revisit their business model, ICP, and value proposition every 12–36 months.
    • Consultants accelerate outcomes not because of frameworks, but because of pattern recognition and objective accountability.
      • Chapter Markers:
      0:00 Intro
      1:07 Welcome to Software Without Borders
      1:12 Introducing Guest — Kristina Crane
      1:56 Kristina’s Background in Strategy, SaaS & GovTech
      3:41 Teaching Roots → Consulting → SaaS Incubation
      5:58 Transition to STC Health & Leading SaaS Transformation
      6:34 Difference Between Kale Crane & The Canyons Group
      8:08 AI FOMO, Human Intelligence & Organizational Change
      9:03 Navigating Noise & Extremes Around AI
      10:26 What AI Forces Every Organization to Learn
      12:30 How Old-School Exec Teams Can Embrace AI
      14:14 Culture of Curiosity & Empowering Teams
      15:34 Guardrails, Governance & Safe Experimentation
      16:57 When to Bring in Technologists
      17:12 Prioritization Frameworks (RICE & ICE)
      18:54 Governance Policies & Early-Stage Experimentation
      19:29 Curiosity Champion Groups & Brown-Bag Cycles
      22:22 Training Teams to Think Like Product Organizations
      23:19 Overcoming Fear & Starting Small
      23:46 Strategy vs. Operations — Big Picture Impacts
      24:58 Business Model Iteration in the AI Era
      26:51 The SaaS Business Model Shift as an Analogy
      28:12 Professional Services & White-Collar AI Disruption
      29:37 Innovating Without Breaking the Core Business
      30:01 Leading Large-Scale Change Inside Mature Organizations
      32:21 Why Consultants Matter in AI Transformation
      33:15 Seeing Blind Spots & Reading Culture
      34:10 Accountability, Execution & “Skinned Knees”
      35:13 The Hardest Transformation Leaders Will Face
      End Closing Thoughts
      Keywords:
      Software Without Borders, Andy Hilliard, Scott Pollov, Kristina Crane, The Canyons Group, AI transformation, organizational change, SaaS transformation, leadership, culture of curiosity, AI adoption, operational strategy, RICE prioritization, business model evolution, enterprise AI, government tech
      52 min
    • #37 How Leaders Can Harness AI Without Breaking Their Business (Audio)
      In this episode of Software Without Borders, Andy and Scott sit down with Kristina Crane, transformational executive, fractional COO/CSO, and CEO of The Canyons Group, to unpack what it really takes to lead organizations through AI-driven change. Kristina draws on 25+ years across SaaS, government tech, and operational transformation to explain how companies can embrace AI without losing their people, culture, or strategic focus. From building a “culture of curiosity” to using proven software-industry frameworks for prioritization, Kristina brings a grounded, practical perspective on how leaders can move fast and smart.

       

      Guest Introduction:
      Kristina Crane is a transformational executive and fractional COO/CSO with deep expertise in AI adoption, organizational change, and strategic operations. As CEO of The Canyons Group, she helps government agencies, enterprises, and growth-stage companies navigate complex transitions with a framework centered on “Navigate to Elevate.” Kristina spent 12+ years at STC Health leading a major shift from a dev-shop model to a scaled SaaS organization, driving 10x revenue and 60% efficiency gains through AI.
      Key Takeaways:
      • AI transformation is a people problem first—tech only works when teams understand the “why” and feel empowered. episode-37
      • Companies must balance curiosity with prioritization to avoid shiny-object chaos.
      • The software industry provides proven frameworks (like RICE) that non-tech organizations can use to evaluate AI opportunities.
      • Old-school executive teams need a business-first, tech-translated approach to adopt AI successfully.
      • Strategic planning cycles must speed up—leaders should revisit their business model, ICP, and value proposition every 12–36 months.
      • Consultants accelerate outcomes not because of frameworks, but because of pattern recognition and objective accountability.
        • Chapter Markers:
        0:00 Intro
        1:07 Welcome to Software Without Borders
        1:12 Introducing Guest — Kristina Crane
        1:56 Kristina’s Background in Strategy, SaaS & GovTech
        3:41 Teaching Roots → Consulting → SaaS Incubation
        5:58 Transition to STC Health & Leading SaaS Transformation
        6:34 Difference Between Kale Crane & The Canyons Group
        8:08 AI FOMO, Human Intelligence & Organizational Change
        9:03 Navigating Noise & Extremes Around AI
        10:26 What AI Forces Every Organization to Learn
        12:30 How Old-School Exec Teams Can Embrace AI
        14:14 Culture of Curiosity & Empowering Teams
        15:34 Guardrails, Governance & Safe Experimentation
        16:57 When to Bring in Technologists
        17:12 Prioritization Frameworks (RICE & ICE)
        18:54 Governance Policies & Early-Stage Experimentation
        19:29 Curiosity Champion Groups & Brown-Bag Cycles
        22:22 Training Teams to Think Like Product Organizations
        23:19 Overcoming Fear & Starting Small
        23:46 Strategy vs. Operations — Big Picture Impacts
        24:58 Business Model Iteration in the AI Era
        26:51 The SaaS Business Model Shift as an Analogy
        28:12 Professional Services & White-Collar AI Disruption
        29:37 Innovating Without Breaking the Core Business
        30:01 Leading Large-Scale Change Inside Mature Organizations
        32:21 Why Consultants Matter in AI Transformation
        33:15 Seeing Blind Spots & Reading Culture
        34:10 Accountability, Execution & “Skinned Knees”
        35:13 The Hardest Transformation Leaders Will Face
        End Closing Thoughts
        Keywords:
        Software Without Borders, Andy Hilliard, Scott Pollov, Kristina Crane, The Canyons Group, AI transformation, organizational change, SaaS transformation, leadership, culture of curiosity, AI adoption, operational strategy, RICE prioritization, business model evolution, enterprise AI, government tech
        52 min
      • #36 You Can’t Scale Chaos (VIDEO)
        In this episode of Software Without Borders Podcast, Andy Hilliard sits down with Olivier Poulard, Accelerance’s Head of Global Software Engineering Strategies, to unpack one of the biggest myths in global software delivery: that adding more people solves delivery problems. Olivier shares what really drives predictability—clear alignment across people, process, technology, and data—and why so many organizations unknowingly “scale chaos.” Together, they dive into recurring SDLC pitfalls, hidden costs, and proven frameworks to turn fragmented delivery into a cohesive, measurable system. If you lead distributed teams or manage offshore partners, this conversation delivers a playbook for building sustainable, high-quality software outcomes.

         

        Guest Introduction:
        Olivier Poulard leads Global Software Engineering Strategies at Accelerance, bringing decades of experience on both sides of the delivery equation—as a global client managing teams of over 1,000 engineers and as a strategic partner architecting offshore and nearshore delivery systems. His practical, systems-level insights help clients design efficient, scalable, and high-performing software operations built on clarity and alignment rather than chaos.

         

        Key Takeaways:
        • You can’t scale chaos—adding people only multiplies inefficiency without fixing underlying issues.
        • True delivery success requires alignment across people, process, technology, and data.
        • Clear, complete requirements (including transition and information requirements) prevent rework and estimation failures.
        • “Definition of Done” is critical for predictability—teams need shared clarity on what completion means.
        • Leaders must control scope and observe team dynamics to restore stability before scaling again.
        • Context switching, unclear requirements, and unmanaged change requests are among the costliest hidden inefficiencies.

          • Chapter Markers:
          0:00 Intro
          0:09 Guest Introduction: Olivier Poulard
          1:16 Evolution of Accelerance’s Consulting Arm
          3:03 The Myth of “Adding More People”
          5:09 Aligning Clients and Partners for Real Outcomes
          8:18 Why You Can’t Scale Chaos
          10:46 The Two-to-Tango Rule in Global Delivery
          12:28 Top SDLC Bottlenecks: Ambiguous Requirements & Bad Estimation
          18:42 Building Predictable Estimation Models
          21:19 The Power of a Strong Definition of Done
          22:24 Using Checklists to Stabilize Teams
          24:00 The Hidden Costs of Context Switching
          27:13 Controlling Change Before It Controls You
          29:11 Restoring Predictability Without Stalling Delivery
          32:37 Measuring Team Health and Stress Indicators
          34:03 Final Thoughts on Effective Partner Collaboration

           

          Keywords:
          Software Without Borders, Andy Hilliard, Olivier Poulard, Accelerance, software delivery, global engineering, software development lifecycle, SDLC bottlenecks, outsourcing strategy, agile transformation, software estimation, offshore teams, nearshore delivery, global software operations, leadership in tech
          53 min
        • #36 You Can’t Scale Chaos (AUDIO)
          In this episode of Software Without Borders Podcast, Andy Hilliard sits down with Olivier Poulard, Accelerance’s Head of Global Software Engineering Strategies, to unpack one of the biggest myths in global software delivery: that adding more people solves delivery problems. Olivier shares what really drives predictability—clear alignment across people, process, technology, and data—and why so many organizations unknowingly “scale chaos.” Together, they dive into recurring SDLC pitfalls, hidden costs, and proven frameworks to turn fragmented delivery into a cohesive, measurable system. If you lead distributed teams or manage offshore partners, this conversation delivers a playbook for building sustainable, high-quality software outcomes.

          Guest Introduction:
          Olivier Poulard leads Global Software Engineering Strategies at Accelerance, bringing decades of experience on both sides of the delivery equation—as a global client managing teams of over 1,000 engineers and as a strategic partner architecting offshore and nearshore delivery systems. His practical, systems-level insights help clients design efficient, scalable, and high-performing software operations built on clarity and alignment rather than chaos.

           

          Key Takeaways:
          • You can’t scale chaos—adding people only multiplies inefficiency without fixing underlying issues.
          • True delivery success requires alignment across people, process, technology, and data.
          • Clear, complete requirements (including transition and information requirements) prevent rework and estimation failures.
          • “Definition of Done” is critical for predictability—teams need shared clarity on what completion means.
          • Leaders must control scope and observe team dynamics to restore stability before scaling again.
          • Context switching, unclear requirements, and unmanaged change requests are among the costliest hidden inefficiencies.
            • Chapter Markers:
            0:00 Intro
            0:09 Guest Introduction: Olivier Poulard
            1:16 Evolution of Accelerance’s Consulting Arm
            3:03 The Myth of “Adding More People”
            5:09 Aligning Clients and Partners for Real Outcomes
            8:18 Why You Can’t Scale Chaos
            10:46 The Two-to-Tango Rule in Global Delivery
            12:28 Top SDLC Bottlenecks: Ambiguous Requirements & Bad Estimation
            18:42 Building Predictable Estimation Models
            21:19 The Power of a Strong Definition of Done
            22:24 Using Checklists to Stabilize Teams
            24:00 The Hidden Costs of Context Switching
            27:13 Controlling Change Before It Controls You
            29:11 Restoring Predictability Without Stalling Delivery
            32:37 Measuring Team Health and Stress Indicators
            34:03 Final Thoughts on Effective Partner Collaboration

             

            Keywords:
            Software Without Borders, Andy Hilliard, Olivier Poulard, Accelerance, software delivery, global engineering, software development lifecycle, SDLC bottlenecks, outsourcing strategy, agile transformation, software estimation, offshore teams, nearshore delivery, global software operations, leadership in tech
            53 min
          • #35 AI, Talent, and the Future of Product Development with Raja Musunuru (VIDEO)
            On today's episode, we sit down with Raja Musunuru, CPO at Tiffin and a seasoned leader with over 25 years across Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups. Raja shares how AI is transforming the way products are built—shortening cycles from months to days, empowering small but mighty teams, and reshaping the global talent model. From crisis leadership lessons at Gaylord Hotels to redefining donor-advised funds with AI-driven innovation, Raja brings a wealth of insight into what it means to lead in today’s era of rapid disruption.
            If you’re a leader looking to understand how AI impacts product development, talent strategies, and business growth, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

             

            Guest Introduction:
            Raja Musunuru is the Chief Product Officer at Tiffin, with an impressive background spanning 25 years at organizations like Sony, AAA, Amicus, and Gaylord Entertainment. Today, Raja is at the forefront of AI-powered product innovation, blending technical depth with visionary leadership. He’s passionate about building lean teams that deliver with speed, excellence, and purpose—shaping the future of wealth management, investment intelligence, and beyond.
            Key Takeaways:
            • True leadership shines in crisis: Raja’s experience during the 2010 Nashville flood taught him radical prioritization that still guides his approach.
            • AI isn’t just hype—it’s slashing product development cycles from months to days, enabling faster feedback and clarity between product and engineering teams.
            • Small, focused teams deliver better results than bloated headcount—especially when empowered by modern AI tools.
            • Senior engineers who adapt thrive with AI, while new grads must become “AI natives” to succeed in today’s market.
            • Success doesn’t come from selling AI—it comes from solving real problems better than anyone else.
            • The global outsourcing model is shifting from “more people” to “more excellence.”

              •  

              Chapter Markers:
              0:00 Intro
              0:15 Guest Introduction – Raja Musunuru’s career highlights
              3:00 Defining moments in leadership: lessons from the Nashville flood
              7:00 Radical prioritization and the “tour of duty” mindset at Tiffin
              10:00 Building lean product teams and rapid MVP cycles
              12:00 Where AI creates true disruption in product development
              17:30 Aligning stakeholders in a fast-moving AI environment
              19:00 How AI is reshaping engineering talent and global delivery models
              23:00 Senior vs. junior engineers in the age of AI
              26:00 Lowering barriers: from AWS to AI-powered MVPs
              29:00 Redefining donor-advised funds with AI and automation
              31:00 Global teams: from volume outsourcing to excellence-driven delivery
              35:00 What AI means for hiring and talent pipelines
              40:00 Closing thoughts and key advice for leaders
              Keywords:
              Raja Musunuru, Rich Wanden, Tomas Hilliard, It Comes Down To This podcast, AI disruption, product development, lean teams, MVP cycles, global talent model, outsourcing, engineering productivity, donor-advised funds, wealth management innovation, Tiffin, product leadership
              40 min
            • #35 AI, Talent, and the Future of Product Development with Raja Musunuru (AUDIO)
              On today's episode, we sit down with Raja Musunuru, CPO at Tiffin and a seasoned leader with over 25 years across Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups. Raja shares how AI is transforming the way products are built—shortening cycles from months to days, empowering small but mighty teams, and reshaping the global talent model. From crisis leadership lessons at Gaylord Hotels to redefining donor-advised funds with AI-driven innovation, Raja brings a wealth of insight into what it means to lead in today’s era of rapid disruption.
              If you’re a leader looking to understand how AI impacts product development, talent strategies, and business growth, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

               

              Guest Introduction:
              Raja Musunuru is the Chief Product Officer at Tiffin, with an impressive background spanning 25 years at organizations like Sony, AAA, Amicus, and Gaylord Entertainment. Today, Raja is at the forefront of AI-powered product innovation, blending technical depth with visionary leadership. He’s passionate about building lean teams that deliver with speed, excellence, and purpose—shaping the future of wealth management, investment intelligence, and beyond.
              Key Takeaways:
              • True leadership shines in crisis: Raja’s experience during the 2010 Nashville flood taught him radical prioritization that still guides his approach.
              • AI isn’t just hype—it’s slashing product development cycles from months to days, enabling faster feedback and clarity between product and engineering teams.
              • Small, focused teams deliver better results than bloated headcount—especially when empowered by modern AI tools.
              • Senior engineers who adapt thrive with AI, while new grads must become “AI natives” to succeed in today’s market.
              • Success doesn’t come from selling AI—it comes from solving real problems better than anyone else.
              • The global outsourcing model is shifting from “more people” to “more excellence.”

                •  

                Chapter Markers:
                0:00 Intro
                0:15 Guest Introduction – Raja Musunuru’s career highlights
                3:00 Defining moments in leadership: lessons from the Nashville flood
                7:00 Radical prioritization and the “tour of duty” mindset at Tiffin
                10:00 Building lean product teams and rapid MVP cycles
                12:00 Where AI creates true disruption in product development
                17:30 Aligning stakeholders in a fast-moving AI environment
                19:00 How AI is reshaping engineering talent and global delivery models
                23:00 Senior vs. junior engineers in the age of AI
                26:00 Lowering barriers: from AWS to AI-powered MVPs
                29:00 Redefining donor-advised funds with AI and automation
                31:00 Global teams: from volume outsourcing to excellence-driven delivery
                35:00 What AI means for hiring and talent pipelines
                40:00 Closing thoughts and key advice for leaders
                Keywords:
                Raja Musunuru, Rich Wanden, Tomas Hilliard, It Comes Down To This podcast, AI disruption, product development, lean teams, MVP cycles, global talent model, outsourcing, engineering productivity, donor-advised funds, wealth management innovation, Tiffin, product leadership
                40 min
              • #34 (VIDEO) Revolutionizing Hiring: John Collins on AI, Challenges, and Yogan's Vision
                Welcome back to Software Without Borders! I'm Andy Hilliard, and today I'm thrilled to dive into the world of hiring with John Collins, a leader who's shaped talent strategies at Microsoft, Apple, and scale-ups like Snapchat and Flixbus. As the founder of Yogan, John's tackling universal hiring headaches—like one-size-fits-all processes, AI biases, and lengthy interviews—that slow down growth and inflate costs. We explore how hiring has evolved over the last decade, the pitfalls of outsourcing and over-relying on AI, and Yogan's game-changing approach to faster, fairer, more cost-effective talent acquisition. John shares his vision for empowering recruiters, boosting offer acceptance rates, and using AI thoughtfully to transform hiring forever. If you're a business leader navigating global software teams and talent challenges, this episode is packed with actionable insights—subscribe now and join the conversation!

                 

                Guest Introduction:
                I'm excited to have John Collins with us—a proven leader with over two decades at powerhouses like Microsoft and Apple, plus scale-ups such as Snapchat, Vinted, and Flixbus. Now, as founder of Yogan, John's on a mission to overhaul hiring, making it faster, fairer, and more strategic for growth. His global experience brings fresh perspectives on talent acquisition in today's evolving tech landscape.

                 

                Key Takeaways:
                • Hiring challenges are universal—whether at big corps or startups—often stemming from outdated, one-size-fits-all processes that introduce bias and inefficiency.
                • The last decade's shifts, like AI in resumes and interviews, can amplify biases if not handled right; human oversight remains key to fair evaluations.
                • Outsourcing recruitment might cut costs short-term, but it risks disconnects—internal recruiters as strategic partners yield better long-term results.
                • Yogan disrupts by auditing processes for free, quantifying risks like added stages costing $3,000 or dropping acceptance rates, and training interviewers for better experiences.
                • Focus on candidate experience boosts acceptance rates and retention; gamified AI training in Yogan makes interviewers prepared and engaging.
                • Communicating ROI to C-levels is tough but vital—highlight hidden costs in delays, turnover, and lost opportunities to show hiring's business impact.

                  •  

                  Chapter Markers:
                  0:00 Intro
                  0:04 Welcome and Host Introductions
                  0:21 Guest Welcome and Background
                  1:06 Universal Hiring Challenges
                  3:38 Changes in Hiring Over the Decade
                  7:36 Yogan's Disruption and Vision
                  10:02 Risk Assessment in Hiring Processes
                  10:46 Interviewer Training and Preparation
                  15:45 Impact on Candidate Experience
                  19:20 Global Hiring and Cultural Alignment
                  26:28 AI's Role in Yogan
                  41:22 Gamified Training with AI
                  43:10 Communicating ROI to C-Level
                  48:55 Wrapping Up and Final Insights
                  51:43 Closing and Call to Action

                   

                   

                  Keywords:
                  Andy Hilliard, John Collins, Software Without Borders, hiring challenges, AI in hiring, talent acquisition, Yogan startup, global software teams, recruiter empowerment, interview processes, hiring ROI, candidate experience, tech hiring evolution, outsourcing recruitment, bias in AI
                  53 min
                • #34 (AUDIO) Revolutionizing Hiring: John Collins on AI, Challenges, and Yogan's Vision
                  Welcome back to Software Without Borders! I'm Andy Hilliard, and today I'm thrilled to dive into the world of hiring with John Collins, a leader who's shaped talent strategies at Microsoft, Apple, and scale-ups like Snapchat and Flixbus. As the founder of Yogan, John's tackling universal hiring headaches—like one-size-fits-all processes, AI biases, and lengthy interviews—that slow down growth and inflate costs. We explore how hiring has evolved over the last decade, the pitfalls of outsourcing and over-relying on AI, and Yogan's game-changing approach to faster, fairer, more cost-effective talent acquisition. John shares his vision for empowering recruiters, boosting offer acceptance rates, and using AI thoughtfully to transform hiring forever. If you're a business leader navigating global software teams and talent challenges, this episode is packed with actionable insights—subscribe now and join the conversation!

                   

                  Guest Introduction:
                  I'm excited to have John Collins with us—a proven leader with over two decades at powerhouses like Microsoft and Apple, plus scale-ups such as Snapchat, Vinted, and Flixbus. Now, as founder of Yogan, John's on a mission to overhaul hiring, making it faster, fairer, and more strategic for growth. His global experience brings fresh perspectives on talent acquisition in today's evolving tech landscape.

                   

                  Key Takeaways:
                  • Hiring challenges are universal—whether at big corps or startups—often stemming from outdated, one-size-fits-all processes that introduce bias and inefficiency.
                  • The last decade's shifts, like AI in resumes and interviews, can amplify biases if not handled right; human oversight remains key to fair evaluations.
                  • Outsourcing recruitment might cut costs short-term, but it risks disconnects—internal recruiters as strategic partners yield better long-term results.
                  • Yogan disrupts by auditing processes for free, quantifying risks like added stages costing $3,000 or dropping acceptance rates, and training interviewers for better experiences.
                  • Focus on candidate experience boosts acceptance rates and retention; gamified AI training in Yogan makes interviewers prepared and engaging.
                  • Communicating ROI to C-levels is tough but vital—highlight hidden costs in delays, turnover, and lost opportunities to show hiring's business impact.

                    •  

                    Chapter Markers:
                    0:00 Intro
                    0:04 Welcome and Host Introductions
                    0:21 Guest Welcome and Background
                    1:06 Universal Hiring Challenges
                    3:38 Changes in Hiring Over the Decade
                    7:36 Yogan's Disruption and Vision
                    10:02 Risk Assessment in Hiring Processes
                    10:46 Interviewer Training and Preparation
                    15:45 Impact on Candidate Experience
                    19:20 Global Hiring and Cultural Alignment
                    26:28 AI's Role in Yogan
                    41:22 Gamified Training with AI
                    43:10 Communicating ROI to C-Level
                    48:55 Wrapping Up and Final Insights
                    51:43 Closing and Call to Action

                     

                     

                    Keywords:
                    Andy Hilliard, John Collins, Software Without Borders, hiring challenges, AI in hiring, talent acquisition, Yogan startup, global software teams, recruiter empowerment, interview processes, hiring ROI, candidate experience, tech hiring evolution, outsourcing recruitment, bias in AI
                    53 min
                  • #33 (VIDEO) Leading Teams and Transformations with Mike Hostetler
                    Hey folks, Andy Hilliard here with another episode of Software Without Borders! I’m pumped to sit down with Mike Hostetler, an AI/ML guru and software builder who’s reshaping enterprises at ServiceCore. We trace Mike’s journey from coding QBasic games as a kid to pioneering open source like jQuery and now driving AI transformations. He shares game-changing insights on orchestrating AI agents, the rise of the Chief Agent Officer role, and leading high-performing distributed teams. From tools like AMP and Cursor to avoiding intelligence hyperinflation, Mike’s wisdom is a must-hear for tech leaders. If you’re ready to unlock AI’s potential and build global software teams that thrive, hit play and subscribe for more episodes that dive deep into software’s impact worldwide!

                     

                    Guest Introduction:
                    I’m thrilled to welcome Mike Hostetler, a seasoned AI/ML specialist and entrepreneur who’s all about building. From his early days with open source projects like jQuery to leading AI-driven change at ServiceCore, Mike’s got a knack for blending C-suite strategy with hands-on coding. His insights on AI agents and global teams make him the perfect guide for navigating today’s tech landscape.

                     

                    Key Takeaways:
                    • Mike’s story—from QBasic to AI leadership—shows how a builder’s curiosity can spark decades of innovation.
                    • AI in enterprises isn’t just tech; it’s about people, processes, and a new Chief Agent Officer to connect the dots across departments.
                    • Leading remote teams means prioritizing clarity, human connection, and leadership over mere management to unlock their full potential.
                    • Tools like AMP and Cursor are transforming coding, but human skills like taste and long-term planning are still the secret sauce.
                    • To stay ahead, focus on learning velocity—train teams to adapt fast and outpace competitors in the AI era.
                    • Rewriting software isn’t taboo anymore; AI’s cost-cutting power makes upgrading brownfield projects a smart move.

                      •  

                      Chapter Markers:
                      0:00 Intro
                      0:04 Host Welcome and Show Intro
                      0:23 Guest Welcome and Career Kickoff
                      1:44 Mike’s Early Days as a Builder
                      2:48 QBasic, Modems, and the Internet’s Dawn
                      5:32 Diving into AI and Machine Learning
                      9:39 Bots, Agents, and Classical AI Foundations
                      10:39 AI’s Role in Enterprises and the Chief Agent Officer
                      19:20 Tackling Intelligence Hyperinflation
                      26:28 Secrets to Leading Distributed Teams
                      39:23 Measuring Remote Team Success
                      45:00 AI Tools: Capabilities and Limits in Engineering
                      53:28 AI’s Impact on Productivity and Quality
                      57:41 Defining ROI and Value in AI Initiatives
                      1:05:28 Closing Remarks and Thanks

                       

                      Keywords:
                      Andy Hilliard, Mike Hostetler, Software Without Borders, AI transformation, global software development, distributed teams, Chief Agent Officer, AI agents, software innovation, remote work leadership, coding tools, intelligence hyperinflation, open source software, enterprise AI, software engineering
                      1 hr 7 min
                    • #33 (AUDIO) Leading Teams and Transformations with Mike Hostetler
                      Hey folks, Andy Hilliard here with another episode of Software Without Borders! I’m pumped to sit down with Mike Hostetler, an AI/ML guru and software builder who’s reshaping enterprises at ServiceCore. We trace Mike’s journey from coding QBasic games as a kid to pioneering open source like jQuery and now driving AI transformations. He shares game-changing insights on orchestrating AI agents, the rise of the Chief Agent Officer role, and leading high-performing distributed teams. From tools like AMP and Cursor to avoiding intelligence hyperinflation, Mike’s wisdom is a must-hear for tech leaders. If you’re ready to unlock AI’s potential and build global software teams that thrive, hit play and subscribe for more episodes that dive deep into software’s impact worldwide!

                       

                      Guest Introduction:
                      I’m thrilled to welcome Mike Hostetler, a seasoned AI/ML specialist and entrepreneur who’s all about building. From his early days with open source projects like jQuery to leading AI-driven change at ServiceCore, Mike’s got a knack for blending C-suite strategy with hands-on coding. His insights on AI agents and global teams make him the perfect guide for navigating today’s tech landscape.

                       

                      Key Takeaways:
                      • Mike’s story—from QBasic to AI leadership—shows how a builder’s curiosity can spark decades of innovation.
                      • AI in enterprises isn’t just tech; it’s about people, processes, and a new Chief Agent Officer to connect the dots across departments.
                      • Leading remote teams means prioritizing clarity, human connection, and leadership over mere management to unlock their full potential.
                      • Tools like AMP and Cursor are transforming coding, but human skills like taste and long-term planning are still the secret sauce.
                      • To stay ahead, focus on learning velocity—train teams to adapt fast and outpace competitors in the AI era.
                      • Rewriting software isn’t taboo anymore; AI’s cost-cutting power makes upgrading brownfield projects a smart move.

                        •  

                        Chapter Markers:
                        0:00 Intro
                        0:04 Host Welcome and Show Intro
                        0:23 Guest Welcome and Career Kickoff
                        1:44 Mike’s Early Days as a Builder
                        2:48 QBasic, Modems, and the Internet’s Dawn
                        5:32 Diving into AI and Machine Learning
                        9:39 Bots, Agents, and Classical AI Foundations
                        10:39 AI’s Role in Enterprises and the Chief Agent Officer
                        19:20 Tackling Intelligence Hyperinflation
                        26:28 Secrets to Leading Distributed Teams
                        39:23 Measuring Remote Team Success
                        45:00 AI Tools: Capabilities and Limits in Engineering
                        53:28 AI’s Impact on Productivity and Quality
                        57:41 Defining ROI and Value in AI Initiatives
                        1:05:28 Closing Remarks and Thanks

                         

                        Keywords:
                        Andy Hilliard, Mike Hostetler, Software Without Borders, AI transformation, global software development, distributed teams, Chief Agent Officer, AI agents, software innovation, remote work leadership, coding tools, intelligence hyperinflation, open source software, enterprise AI, software engineering
                        1 hr 7 min

                      About Software Without Borders

                      From the publisher's feed

                      Software Without Borders is the essential listen for technology leaders and business owners in the software sector who crave insights from the industry’s top minds. Picture a relaxed, coffee-driven…