The Story of Software

Tim Duckett, CPTO at Flagship Founders, talks about his experience in building software startups and what it takes to get your venture off the ground.

The Guest – Tim Duckett, CPTO at Flagship Founders:

Tim Duckett is the CPTO at Flagship Founders, a Berlin-based company builder that partners with ambitious founding teams to build agile and scalable solutions for the global maritime market. Tim helps turn product teams’ dreams into engineering reality through years of hands-on experience across the full agile software development lifecycle. He has deep expertise with a diverse range of tech stacks from front-end mobile to backend systems, and 20 years of experience in building, scaling and shaping teams and companies.

Sailing Through Software Startup Success: Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Innovation:

Embarking on the journey of building a software startup is akin to setting sail on uncharted waters, where every wave presents both challenges and opportunities. In this episode, we delve into the dynamic world of software entrepreneurship, exploring the essential elements required to navigate the turbulent seas of innovation and bring your venture to fruition. 

Some of the highlights in this episode include:

• How Flagship Founders, is revolutionising the Maritime Industry
• The Thrill of Building software systems from scratch.
• Scaling Strategies for Company Expansion
• AI's Role in Software Engineering

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

Éric Värnild, VP of Engineering & AI at Paretos,  talks about the importance of trust in software development, both internally and externally. 

The Guest – Éric Värnild, VP of Engineering & AI at Paretos
Éric Värnild is the VP of Engineering & AI at Paretos, a company providing the leading forecasting and optimization technology for controlling complex supply chain processes. Éric  has 30+ years of experience in the software engineering industry and worked in many startups and global companies. He graduated in AI, UX and advanced programming in 1992, before it was hype. 

The Backbone of Collaboration: Trust in Tech Companies

In the intricate ecosystem of tech companies, trust permeates every facet of operation, from the relationships between colleagues to the bond between consumers and products. It's the invisible thread that weaves together teams, fosters innovation, and underpins the very essence of a company's identity. While, trust between colleagues cultivates an environment of transparency and empowerment, trust within a company's culture drives organisational resilience, and ultimately shaping the trajectory of success in the competitive landscape of the tech industry. 

Some of the highlights in this episode include:

• Way to create trust in the workplace
• How trust impacts the capacity and performance of a team
• The future of software development in the AI-powered world

Listen to the Story of Software on:

Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Deezer, & any other podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

Leeanna Pitt, CPO at Gener8, talks about her experiences in scaling product management from early stage companies through to growth, exit and beyond.

The Guest - Leeanna Pitt, CPO at Gener8:

Leeanna Pitt is the CPO at Gener8, a London-based company that empowers users to understand, control and be rewarded for their data. Previously she led the product department and successfully scaled and exited “We Got Pop” backed by Octopus Ventures, and following the acquisition of WeGotPOP by Entertainment Partners, Leeanna moved into the role of SVP International Product, where she led product globalisation to further territories and acquisitions. 

Scaling Product Management: Strategies and Challenges:

Product Management today is a critical aspect of tech companies, that bridges the gap between business strategies and customer needs, but what does it take to start your product management journey on the right foot?

First of all, it is important to start with a deep understanding of the business goals and align the product strategy accordingly. One of the critical challenges in scaling is ensuring that product management does not devolve into a mere delivery function but remains a strategic collaborator within the organisation. The misconception that product management is just about churning out features can inhibit its true potential to drive the business strategy through an effective product roadmap and meet both business goals & user needs.

If utilised and empowered correctly, product management can function as the strategic engine of a business, capable of translating market needs, technical feasibility, and user requirements into a coherent strategy that aligns with the organisation's objectives.

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This episode is a treasure trove for anyone involved in or interested in the intricacies of product management. Her journey illustrates the significance of strategic thinking, the challenges of scaling, and the future potential of AI in shaping product strategies across industries. For further insights and inspiration, tune into this compelling episode of Story of Software.

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

Aine Buckley, Director of Engineering, ERP, at the Access Group talks about Mergers & Acquisitions, having been part of an acquired business and now being on the acquiring side.

The Guest: Aine Buckley, The Access Group:

Aine Buckley is the Director of Engineering for ERP at the Access Group, one of the largest providers of business management software to small and mid-sized organisations in the UK, Ireland, the US and APAC. Aine is leading a global team of over 280 engineers across a wide technology stack and is responsible for over 20 products. 

Aine is here today to talk about the M&A process and managing the transition within teams. Having been part of an acquired business and now on the acquiring side, it’s fair to say that she’s gained invaluable experiences along the way.

Navigating the Mergers and Acquisitions Landscape:

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) are a key strategy for businesses to expand their reach, resources, and market share. But what exactly are mergers and acquisitions, and are they a guaranteed path to success? Aine Buckley helped us explore the different types of deals, the potential benefits and drawbacks, as well as the factors companies consider before taking the plunge. 

Some of the highlights in this episode include:

• The experience and process of being acquired
• How to adapt your leadership styles to different company sizes and situations
• The influence of company culture
• Integration processes and employee impact in M&A

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

Allan Noer, CTO at Agreena, talks about the mission that drives his work at Agreena, and the lessons learned during the company's growth trajectory. 

The Guest – Allan Noer, CTO at Agreena:

Allan Noer, is the CTO at Agreena, a Copenhagen-based company providing a platform that supports farmers in their transition to regenerative agriculture by issuing third-party verified carbon certificates. Allan is a technology leader with wide knowledge and expertise in innovation, scalability, fintech, development processes, and developer experience.

The Intersection of Technology, Business, and Purpose:

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, the intersection of technology and purpose has become a pivotal point of discussion. This convergence not only shapes how companies operate, but also influences their impact on society and the planet. In fact, a clear sense of purpose not only attracts talent but also serves as the guiding force in decision-making, particularly in the tech sector where rapid advancements often outpace ethical considerations.

Some of the highlights in this episode include:

• How to foster a culture of innovation to drive progress and stay ahead in the tech industry
• The need for tech companies to prioritise societal impact and responsibility alongside financial success
• The development and adoption of sustainable technologies to address environmental challenges
• Use of technology as a tool for promoting equality and empowerment

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

Nick Verkroost, CEO at Canopy, talks about the current state of the procurement software industry and his predictions for what’s next in this space


The Guest – Nick Verkroost, CEO at Canopy:

Nick Verkroost is the CEO at Canopy, an innovative supplier relationship management platform that gives procurement teams complete visibility of their supplier data and eliminates manual administration. With over 10 years of experience setting up and growing B2B technology companies, Nick has worked with organisations of all sizes to assess blind spots in their operational execution and organisational growth. 

The Strategic Significance of Procurement Tech in Modern Business:

In the modern business landscape, technology procurement plays a pivotal role in enabling organisations to effectively acquire the necessary tools and resources to support their operations. While the market was once dominated by a handful of major players, the landscape has shifted dramatically over the last decade, giving rise to the rise of a new industry - Procurement Tech. These emerging entities are dedicated to addressing specific challenges within procurement processes, such as supplier relationship management and administrative automation.

The spotlight on Procurement Tech is intensifying, with a growing emphasis on data-driven solutions and the transformative potential of AI. This paradigm shift heralds a new era in procurement, where advanced analytics and AI algorithms promise to revolutionise operational efficiency and decision-making processes.

Some of the highlights in this episode include:

• Common challenges faced in procurement
• The evolving landscape of Procurement Tech
• Why companies need procurement software 
• The use of AI in the Procurement Tech 

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

 Laura Tacho, CTO at DX, talks about successful cross functionality between engineering and product teams, including roadmapping and identifying value for your business. 
 

The Guest - Laura Tacho, CTO at DX:

Laura Tacho is the CTO at DX, a developer insights platform built specifically for leaders of internal developer productivity and/or platform teams. Laura is also an engineering leadership coach, partnering with software engineering leaders to level up their leadership skills.

Understanding Software Teams to Achieve Smooth Collaboration:

Integrating engineering and product roadmaps is crucial to avoid misalignment and competition between engineering priorities and business objectives. A unified approach ensures that both engineering issues and business priorities are evaluated by the same criteria, facilitating decision-making that benefits the overall business.

A big part of this equation is developer productivity, but measuring it effectively is a  challenging task. Traditional productivity metrics are no longer cutting it, and it is important for companies to prioritise developers' voices and experiences, moving beyond conventional metrics like lines of code, or number of commits, which can be misleading. By involving developers in the structuring of metrics, companies can enable Improved workforce happiness, retention, and a culture of self-improvement. 

Some of the highlights in this episode include:

• The intersection of engineering and product teams 
• The importance of developer productivity
• Strategies and metrics for assessing developer productivity

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

István Kovács, CTO at Recart, talks about the role of AI in text marketing, and how companies change their marketing strategies in the lead up to Black Friday.

The Guest - István Kovács, CTO at Recart:
István Kovács is the CTO at Recart, a Budapest-based text marketing company that manages your SMS marketing through the use of AI. István has over 15 years of experience working in software development and leading teams in various domains, including e-commerce, banking, insurance, and airlines. 

AI SMS Marketing and More:

Imagine you're walking through the bustling streets of Budapest, your phone pings with a perfectly timed, personalised text message about a sale on those sneakers you've been eyeing. This isn't just a coincidence; it's the result of sophisticated AI-driven text marketing, a rapidly evolving field that's changing the way businesses connect with customers.

From the humble beginnings of simple email tools to the cutting-edge use of SMS and AI, István's insights offer a rare glimpse into the future of e-commerce marketing. Tune in as we explore how personalised messaging is not just about selling products, but creating meaningful connections in our digital age.

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• Industries that leverage SMS marketing the most
• Customer targeting and benchmarking for outreach
• The power of personalisation in SMS marketing
• How AI can enhance SMS marketing technologies

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

 Brit Myers, VP of Engineering at System Initiative, talks about her experiences in improving business outcomes through DevOps practices.

The Guest - Brit Myers, VP of Engineering, System Initiative:

Brit Myers is the VP of Engineering at System Initiative, a collaborative power tool designed to remove the paper cuts from DevOps work. Brit is a technology leader with over a decade of experience leading and scaling global engineering teams, and is passionate about implementing powerful DevOps strategies to improve software teams and business outcomes.

How DevOps Can Make or Break Your Team:

Implementing a successful DevOps strategy can unlock the true potential of a software team and help companies adapt to agile ways of working. However, many companies, regardless of their size or status, fall into common traps when it comes to incorporating DevOps principles into daily practices. These include, but are not limited to, slow feedback loops, difficulties in collaboration due to abstractions and handoffs, and the struggle to balance automation with necessary control. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to understand risk tolerances within an organisation to facilitate change and to take a more experimental and iterative approach in adopting DevOps principles.

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• Strategies and best practices for adopting DevOps
• Challenges in DevOps practices across different organisation sizes.
• System Initiative's innovative approach to improving DevOps.
• The potential impact of AI on software teams

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]

David Lush, an experienced CTO with 19 years of experience, talks about two pivotal areas in scaling teams: attracting and retaining tech talent.  

The Guest - David Lush, CTO:

David Lush has held leadership roles in the software space for over 19 years, and he specialises in scaling software teams. Having worked with international market giants such as Visa, as well as technology startups, David has experience enabling teams of all sizes to thrive and grow.

How To Attract and Retain Engineering Talent:

In the ever-evolving world of technology, the challenge of attracting and retaining top talent is more critical than ever. Companies are not just competing for skills; they're vying for individuals who can drive innovation and adapt to rapidly changing environments.

So, today, attracting the right talent goes beyond offering competitive salaries. It's about understanding what motivates individuals, their career aspirations, and their fit within the company culture. Similarly, retention is as much about the environment as it is about the role. It's crucial to create a workplace that offers growth, challenges, and a sense of purpose. For tech professionals, opportunities to work on interesting projects, continuous learning, and a flexible work environment can be more appealing than traditional incentives.

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• The current state of the tech labour market
• Strategies for hiring at different stages of a business
• Key factors for employee retention
• Enabling career growth for your employees

Listen to the Story of Software on any podcast platform of your choice. The Story of Software Podcast is produced by Zartis, a software services company. We hope you enjoy listening to this tech podcast and feel free to share any feedback with us: [email protected]