In this episode, CJ talks with Kingsley Afemikhe, CFO of Shield AI, a company pioneering the future of autonomous jets. Together, they dive deep into the defense tech industry, exploring the critical differences between autonomous vehicles and flight technology, and how innovative private tech companies like Shield AI are driving advancements in the sector. Kingsley provides an insider’s look into Shield AI’s business model, its customer base, and the intricate challenges of managing a hardware/software interface business in such a high-stakes field. He also shares his extensive experience in international deal-making, offering valuable insights into the art of navigating cultural complexities during negotiations and the importance of building a personal board of directors. The discussion wraps up with forward-looking thoughts on how AI could revolutionize careers, bringing a new wave of change to the industry and beyond. Tune in to hear Kingsley’s expert insights on the future of defense technology and its broader impacts.If you're looking for an ERP head to NetSuite: https://netsuite.com/metrics and get a customized KPI checklist.

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TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:39) Sponsor - Mercury | NetSuite(06:00) The Autonomous Vehicle Versus Autonomous Flying Market(08:13) Innovation in the Defense Industry(11:00) Who Is Buying Shield AI Products(13:47) Building a Career in Defense(16:04) How Shield AI Makes Money(17:54) Sponsor - Maxio | Leapfin | Planful(20:59) Putting Together Government Proposals(23:44) Managing Working Capital and Debt(26:25) The OODA Loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act(27:31) Other Key Leaders in the Defense Industry(28:31) Cross-Cultural Deal-Making(34:53) Raising More Money Versus Less(36:22) Selecting a Personal Board of Directors(39:11) Career Building and Volatility(40:29) AI Optimism and AI FOMO(44:09) Long-Ass Lightning Round: Insurance Mistakes(46:55) Finance Software Stack(48:31) Craziest Expense Story

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