The Story of Software

Alexander Safonov, CTO at Visualfabriq talks about his experience in scaling the company, and the complex process of revenue forecasting using Artificial Intelligence.

Alexander Safonov is the CTO of Visualfabriq, an innovative company providing revenue forecasting and optimisation software to its customers in the consumer-packaged goods industry. Alexander is an experienced CTO with a proven track record of 20+ years in engineering high-tech solutions within security and fintech domains. He specialises in leading diverse cross-functional teams across product, technology, and innovation fronts. 

Scaling A Company and Maturing an AI Product:

AI is a pivotal tool in software development, offering automation and efficiency at every stage – from idea generation to user communication. Companies that leverage AI successfully, and incorporate AI functionalities into their products and services stand to benefit from increased customer satisfaction and high growth. 

With their innovative approach to revenue forecasting that leverages AI to analyse customer data, sales history, and financial information, Visualfabriq is a great example of such companies. 

Some of the main topics covered in this episode include:

• Lessons learned in scaling a tech company 
• Strategies for scaling a technology product
• The growing role of AI in software engineering 
• Applications of AI in data processing and forecasting

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]

Lisa Schnettler, an experienced CPO with 15+ years of experience, talks about her career in product management, and the lessons learned while leading teams through significant transformations.

The Guest - Lisa Schnettler, Chief Product Officer:

Lisa Schnettler is an experienced Chief Product Officer with over 15 years of experience as a technology product development and management leader. Lisa specialises in building diverse teams, transforming organisations, and driving revenue through effective digital technology solutions. Having worked in organisations ranging in size, locations, and culture, Lisa brings extensive insights in how product management works across different organisations.

The Road to Successful Product Transformation:

The complexities of product management and leading a team through a big transformation requires careful planning, transparency, and ethical considerations in the development process - especially when incorporating emerging technologies like AI in today’s world.

There are many factors that can make or break a transformation journey, but among the most important ones is getting your team’s buy-in. And that involves constant communication and getting their buy-in at different steps of the process, as expectations and reality are rarely a perfect match.

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• Understanding the reasons behind the need for change
• Key requirements for a successful transformation
• The biggest challenges in product development

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]

 Ivar Conradi Østhus, CTO and CPO at Unleash, joins us to talk about his experiences when creating Unleash, and lessons learned on the route to efficient software development.

The Guest - Ivar Conradi Østhus, CTO and CPO at Unleash: 

Ivar Conradi Østhus, is the Chief Technology and Product Officer at Unleash, an open-source feature management software, built with large enterprises in mind. Ivar has 15 years of experience in the software world and has worked in many leading technical roles before creating Unleash.

How to Achieve Efficiency in Software Development:

Efficient software development is a journey still in progress for many organisations. While the transition to DevOps and automation is well underway at a larger market level, many challenges remain, particularly across larger enterprises. A transformation in mindset and processes is essential to achieving efficiency in software development in terms of adopting agile processes. Efficiency in software development revolves around the ability to change and improve software quickly. 

Some of the other topics covered in this episode include:

• How to simplify the SDLC process
• How to accelerate feedback loops and agile cycles
• How to use AI for efficient software development

Resources on Efficient Software Development:

Recommendations by Ivar on valuable resources for those aspiring to enhance their software development knowledge:

• The Phoenix Project: A captivating introduction to DevOps, shedding light on its importance in business success.
• Accelerate: A book that summarises years of DevOps reports, providing insights into metrics and practices for efficient software development.
• Skin in the Game by Nassim Taleb: Emphasising the significance of aligning incentives with outcomes in the software development world.

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]

Meet Ricky Hill, Commercial Director at Zartis, who joins the Story of Software as our new co-host!

Ian Brady, Head of Talent Acquisition for EMEA & APAC at Zoom, talks about global market trends, the impact of AI, and the evolving demand for skilled talent in the tech industry.

The Guest - Ian Brady, Head of Talent Acquisition for EMEA & APAC at Zoom:

Ian Brady is the head of talent acquisition for EMEA & APAC at Zoom, the household name for video conferencing. Ian has extensive experience in remotely leading talent acquisition teams within multinational corporations across the globe. 

The Current and Future State of the Tech Labour Market:

Contrary to what the headlines might suggest, the tech industry has weathered many storms, and it's not just surviving; it's thriving. Despite the so-called recession, when we look at the data, job opportunities are still outpacing available talent by a considerable margin. Especially, when we look at the booming sectors within tech such as AI - the demand for engineers is skyrocketing. So, is the tech industry truly recession-proof? What secrets lie behind its resilience during economic downturns? 

Some of the topics covered include: 

• The effects of global economic conditions on the tech labour market
• How certain sectors and regions experience more growth than others
• The increasing demand for AI-related skills

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]

Radhika Åberg, CTO at Fundler, joins our podcast to talk about her career path, and the challenges she has faced as a technology leader.

Radhika Åberg is the CTO at Fundler, a Stockholm-based company that provides a platform allowing private investors to manage their savings portfolios. Radhika is a leader with over 20 years of IT experience in product development, infrastructure and IT management. She has deep expertise in the Fintech industry, and in building high-performing software departments in close alignment with business goals. 

Establishing Yourself As A Leader:

Entering a new organization as a senior tech leader or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is exciting, yet, it's not without its challenges. The first hurdle often faced is winning over the tech team. These seasoned professionals have likely been working together for some time, and they might be wary of change. To succeed in this role, it's crucial to balance your technical input with effective leadership skills. Showing respect for the team's existing knowledge and expertise, and focusing on creating an environment that encourages collaboration and empowers team members to contribute are key. By building trust, demonstrating your commitment to their growth, and aligning your vision with the company's goals, you can overcome initial skepticism and lead your tech team towards new heights of innovation and success. However, this is only one of the many challenges a leader might face. 

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• Establishing yourself as a leader in a new company
• Changing leadership style over the years
• The challenges of tech leadership
• Being the bridge between business and technology

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]

 Sebastian Stadil, CEO at Scalr, talks about his experience navigating through the undulating tech sector, and the changing fortunes of the cities that have served as the backdrop.

The Guest - Sebastian Stadil, CEO at Scalr:

Sebastian Stadil is the Co-founder and CEO of Scalr, a San Francisco-based cloud computing company specialising in automation and collaboration software for Terraform. Sebastian is also the founder of SVCCG, Silicon Valley's second largest user group, and sits on the cloud advisory boards at Google and Microsoft. He has been developing products and services that leverage AWS and other cloud providers since 2004.

Entrepreneurship, Growth, and Fundraising in Today’s Tech Sector:

What are the unique dynamics of tech entrepreneurship in different regions, particularly comparing experiences in the Bay Area and Europe? Find out the benefits of being in the heart of tech hubs like San Francisco for networking and accessing resources and funding, emphasizing the invaluable role of in-person connections and the mindset of founders. Ultimately, we delve into the complex interplay between location, fundraising, and the growth trajectory of tech companies, offering a nuanced perspective on the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• The current state of the tech industry and the tech hubs that host most companies
• The future of tech hubs, in a remote-first world
• Understanding VCs and getting access to funding 
• Emerging technology trends that will shape the sector

Listen to the Story of Software onany 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]

Ganesh Krishnan, Co-Founder and CEO at Anzenna, talks about all things cybersecurity, including current trends and innovations we can expect to see next.

Ganesh Krishnan is the Co-Founder and CEO at Anzenna, an innovative cybersecurity startup that focuses on empowering an organisation's employees to make them more security aware. Ganesh has over 25 years of experience protecting the digital world from cyber threats, having held top-level security and engineering roles at companies like Yahoo!, LinkedIn, and Atlassian. 

The Future of Cybersecurity:

As we navigate the digital age, new opportunities and challenges emerge at an unprecedented pace, making it crucial for organisations to stay ahead of the curve and stay protected. Find out about the current trends that are shaping the cybersecurity sector, such as the rise of generative AI and machine learning in enhancing simulations and threat detection. So, how can companies scale their cybersecurity capabilities as they grow and expose themselves to more attacks?

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• The emerging cybersecurity trends that companies need to follow
• The rise and sophistication of cyberattacks with the use of AI
• Entrepreneurship and leading a tech company through acquisition and scaling
• The opportunities to enhance cybersecurity as a company grows

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]

Kateryna Gridina, Engineering Manager at Jodel, shares her own career journey in the tech sector, and her insights on career progression towards becoming a tech leader.

The Guest - Kateryna Gridina, Engineering Manager, Jodel:
Kateryna Gridina is an Engineering Manager at Jodel, a Berlin-based company building a platform that is creating a unique way for people to share and connect at a local level. Kateryna joins us to share some context about her own career journey in the technology sector, and we get her insights on career progression towards becoming a tech leader in today’s work environment.

The Route to Tech Leadership:

In today's technology-driven world, the role of a technology leader transcends conventional management; it embodies the essence of guidance, innovation, and strategic direction. A successful tech leader's arsenal should comprise of soft skills such as adaptability, communication, and empathy. However, we see that most of the time, successful tech people are thrust into leadership roles, without being provided the necessary training for utilising their soft skills. So, how should future leaders prepare themselves to take on such roles and excel at them? 

Some of the topics covered include:

• The right motivation and skills needed to become a tech leader
• The role of people management and soft skills in tech leadership
• Training & gaining the skills expected of a strong leader

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]

 Matthias Heicke, CTO & Co-Founder at Sweap, takes us through his experience growing Sweap, and the effect of the recent pandemic on the events industry. 

The Guest:

Matthias Heicke is the CTO & Co-Founder at Sweap, a Berlin-based company on a mission to provide functional and innovative software solutions for organisations who want to make events an essential part of their marketing strategy. Matthias has 15 years of experience in the software industry and has been leading teams for 10+ years.

In-Person Events in the Post-Covid Era:

The events industry has undergone a profound metamorphosis in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with technology emerging as its steadfast ally. As traditional in-person gatherings faced unprecedented challenges, event organizers and attendees swiftly turned to virtual platforms to bridge the gap. Webinars and online events surged to the forefront, providing a lifeline for conferences and workshops that could no longer take place in physical spaces. As the world gets back to a new normal, what does the events landscape look like today, and where does the public stand with online events now?

Some of the topics covered in this episode include:

• The initial industry reaction to Covid-19
• Planning for the future of the business during unprecedented times
• Achieving technological readiness to adapt to the new market
• Business model flexibility and optimisation 

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]