The Tech Trek

By ElevanoTechnology

The Tech Trek episodes

January 14, 2025Mapping Business to Data Strategy
In this episode, Amir sits down with Spencer Lourens, Chief Data Officer at CLA, to discuss the intersection of business strategy and data strategy. Spencer shares his insights on aligning organizational goals with data initiatives, understanding stakeholder priorities, and balancing short-term wins with long-term strategies. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex relationship between business needs and data-driven solutions.
Key Takeaways:
Start with the Business Problem: Effective data strategies begin with understanding the core business problems and goals.

Spend Time with Stakeholders: Building relationships and truly understanding stakeholder pain points are essential for creating impactful data solutions.

Balance Effort and Impact: Prioritize initiatives based on their potential business value versus the effort required to execute them.

Short-Term Wins vs. Long-Term Goals: Ensure that short-term solutions align with broader business strategies to avoid creating unnecessary technical or data debt.

Transparency is Key: Sharing the "why" behind decisions fosters collaboration and alignment across teams.
Highlights:
[00:01:00] Introduction to CLA and Spencer's RoleSpencer describes CLA's multifaceted professional services and his responsibilities as Chief Data Officer.

[00:02:21] Listening for Pain Points and Visionary TriggersHow Spencer identifies key business challenges and stakeholder priorities during meetings.

[00:05:11] Taking the Time to Understand ProblemsWhy building meaningful relationships and thoroughly understanding business issues leads to better solutions.

[00:07:00] The Importance of a Proof-of-Concept PhaseSpencer highlights the value of small, exploratory projects in refining strategies and solutions.

[00:10:00] Balancing Stakeholder ExpectationsStrategies for managing competing priorities and making tough decisions as a data leader.

[00:15:26] Short-Term Wins vs. Long-Term SolutionsThe challenges of delivering quick results while staying aligned with long-term objectives.

[00:20:00] Addressing Data Debt in the Age of AISpencer shares his perspective on tackling data debt and integrating AI into data strategies.
Closing Thoughts:
Spencer Lourens offers a grounded approach to aligning data and business strategies, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, transparency, and thoughtful decision-making. Whether you're a data professional, technology leader, or business strategist, this episode provides actionable insights to help you navigate the challenges of data-driven transformation.
Connect with Spencer: Reach out to Spencer on LinkedIn to continue the conversation or learn more about his work at CLA. https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-lourens-694568b0/
Like, share, and subscribe to "The Tech Trek" for more discussions with industry leaders.
26 min
January 09, 2025The Shift to Platform Engineering
In this podcast episode, Amir Bormand sits down with Jason Luce, CTO of Paperless Parts, to discuss the evolution from DevOps to platform engineering. They dive deep into the reasons behind this shift, the cultural and technical changes required, and how organizations can implement platform engineering to enhance developer experience and business outcomes.
Jason shares insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with adopting platform engineering, drawing from his experience leading the transformation at Paperless Parts. Whether you're leading a DevOps team or considering platform engineering for your organization, this episode is packed with practical advice and thought-provoking takeaways.
Key Takeaways:
Platform Engineering vs. DevOps: Platform engineering builds on DevOps principles but focuses on productizing systems to streamline developer workflows and reduce cognitive load.

The Role of Developer Experience: Improving developer experience is key to increasing productivity and morale while reducing inefficiencies.

Adopting Big Tech Practices: Lessons from companies like Netflix and Spotify can inform smaller organizations, but they must adapt these practices to their own scale and needs.

The Importance of Consistency: Standardized systems and processes are critical for ensuring security, observability, and operational efficiency.

Vision and Communication: Clear goals, a detailed roadmap, and open communication are essential for successful transitions to platform engineering.
Timestamped Highlights:
[00:01:00] Introduction to Jason Luce and Paperless Parts

[00:03:00] What is Platform Engineering, and how does it differ from DevOps?

[00:05:49] The skills gap: Moving from DevOps to platform engineering

[00:07:58] The role of developer experience in platform engineering

[00:10:17] Lessons from large-scale tech companies on platform adoption

[00:14:42] Transitioning from a startup mindset to scalable engineering practices

[00:18:09] What prompted Paperless Parts to embrace platform engineering?

[00:20:47] Best practices and learnings from a year into the transition

[00:23:14] The end goal: Building a scalable, efficient platform for the future
Jason also discusses the importance of balancing short-term sacrifices for long-term gains and why fostering a culture of collaboration and clarity is critical for success. Don't miss this episode if you're looking to understand how platform engineering can transform your organization!
Guest:
Jason Luce has a proven track record as a customer-centric technology executive with over twenty-five years of experience building products that drive business success. He spent the first half of his career as a hands-on engineer and grew into leadership roles as he discovered a love for developing talent. Jason is currently CTO at Paperless Parts.
Jason has driven results through many phases of scale journeys from pre-revenue startups to high-growth VC-backed companies to global public companies. At the core of each of these journeys is his ability to build global teams, develop strong leaders, and lead highly efficient operations that enable the rapid delivery of large-scale SaaS products.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrluce/
26 min
January 08, 2025Navigating Product and Technology Leadership
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Kevin Trilli, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amount Financial, about balancing product and technology leadership. They explore the challenges and benefits of merging product and tech roles, managing technical debt, and aligning product vision with business goals. Kevin shares personal experiences, insights on engineering leadership, and the evolving impact of AI on product management.
Key Takeaways:
Merging Product & Tech Leadership: Combining product and tech roles can streamline decision-making but requires balancing business goals with technical feasibility.

Customer-Focused Development: Aligning engineering and product teams around customer success fosters collaborative problem-solving and better outcomes.

Technical Debt Management: Managing tech debt involves allocating resources strategically, minimizing replatforming, and balancing short-term needs with long-term sustainability.

AI's Role in Product Development: Understanding AI technologies is critical for product managers as AI-driven solutions reshape development processes.
Highlights:
01:25 - Combining Product and Tech Roles: Lessons from Leadership
03:45 - Engineering & Product Alignment for Customer Success
05:30 - Managing Feedback Loops Between Teams
09:10 - Balancing Business Goals and Technical Execution
12:55 - The Impact of AI on Product and Engineering Teams
18:20 - Navigating Technical Debt and Roadmap Trade-offs
24:50 - Making Long-Term Product and Tech Decisions
Tune in for a deep dive into product-tech leadership, engineering strategy, and practical advice on building high-performing tech organizations.

As Chief Product and Technology Officer at Amount, Kevin Trilli shapes the entire product and technology organization, crafting and executing the product vision, product and innovation strategy while overseeing software and technology development. With a history of global product and technology officer roles in venture-based SaaS companies, including fintechs Mambu and Onfido (acquired by Entrust), Kevin is instrumental in helping scaling companies to over $100M ARR.
Trilli, a Sloan Fellow with an MS in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business, also holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois. His expertise extends to multifaceted growth, merging technical proficiency with executive leadership across almost a dozen unique product markets over his career. Kevin also advises and sits on the board for several companies in AI, Cleantech and financial technology.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/trilli/
27 min
January 07, 2025Reimagining Data Teams
In this engaging episode, Amir Bormand interviews Marko Vasiljevic, CTO at Ghost, about the evolving nature of data teams and how businesses can better structure them in a rapidly changing tech landscape. The discussion covers the shift toward more engineering-driven data teams, the influence of AI on team composition, and how businesses can adapt to remain competitive. Marko also highlights the future of self-service data solutions and the decreasing technical barriers for companies of all sizes.
Key Takeaways:
Redefining Data Teams: The need for more engineering-driven data teams as traditional data roles evolve into more technical, systems-oriented functions.

Data as a Product: Viewing data teams as creators of products that support business insights, moving beyond traditional data reporting.

Self-Service Analytics: How businesses can build infrastructure that empowers teams with on-demand data access while reducing reliance on specialized data analysts.

AI-Driven Change: The growing influence of AI in automating technical tasks and shifting the focus toward business-driven problem-solving.

Future of Data Roles: The potential merging of technical and business roles as AI-driven automation reduces the need for deep technical expertise.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00] Introduction – Overview of the episode and guest introduction.

[01:24] Defining Data Teams – How the traditional data team model is evolving.

[03:42] Building Self-Service Data Systems – The path toward more accessible and scalable analytics.

[06:05] DevOps for Data Analytics – Applying DevOps principles to data team operations.

[09:48] Evolving Data Skillsets – Shifting from SQL-heavy roles to full-stack data engineering.

[13:53] AI’s Role in Data Teams – How AI will reshape data and software engineering functions.

[17:29] Business-Driven Data Models – Encouraging product managers to lead tech initiatives.

[21:55] Organizational Impacts – Where technical data roles should report in a modern organization.

[28:33] Competitive Pressures – How automation lowers entry barriers and intensifies market competition.
Don't miss Marko’s valuable insights on building future-proof data teams and staying ahead in an AI-driven world. Like, share, and subscribe for more expert discussions!
Guest:
Marko is a seasoned technologist and CTO who's built and managed engineering, data, product, and design teams at several high-growth startups and unicorns. Marko also founded a few startups and successfully exited one. He's passionate about solving real-world problems with technology, and he is excited about the future of AI.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marmarko/
32 min
January 02, 2025Leveraging Machine Learning for Healthcare Transparency
In this episode, Amir Bormand interviews Urvish Parikh, Co-Founder and CTO of Nirvana, to explore how machine learning is transforming the healthcare insurance landscape. Urvish discusses the challenges of working with legacy standards from the 1980s, how Nirvana addresses cost transparency issues, and the social responsibility of improving healthcare systems. Listeners will gain insights into integrating modern technology with entrenched systems and how Nirvana is making healthcare transactions more accessible and efficient.
Key Takeaways:
Legacy Standards Are a Double-Edged Sword
The healthcare industry relies on outdated 1980s standards for transactions, creating inefficiencies but also providing a foundation to build upon.

The Role of Machine Learning in Healthcare
Nirvana uses machine learning to recompose scattered data, improving cost transparency and operational efficiency for billing teams.

Cost Transparency Is Essential for Access
Lack of transparency in healthcare costs creates financial strain and uncertainty for patients. Nirvana tackles this by increasing visibility into healthcare transactions.

Social Responsibility in Innovation
Urvish emphasizes the need to "tend to the system" by creating solutions that not only meet business needs but also address societal challenges.

Feedback Loops Drive Better Machine Learning
By engaging users in the process, Nirvana collects valuable data to improve and refine its models.

Timestamped Highlights:
00:56 – The Mission of Nirvana: How Nirvana simplifies healthcare transactions to enhance cost transparency.

03:00 – Challenges of Legacy Standards: Why healthcare is still using 1980s-era systems and how Nirvana addresses this issue.

05:00 – Leveraging Machine Learning: How Nirvana uses AI to process and standardize healthcare data for better usability.

08:00 – Operationalizing Complexity: Making the healthcare system simpler for billing teams and patients.

10:00 – Social Responsibility in Healthcare Innovation: The broader mission of tending to a system that serves millions of people.

12:00 – Competing Incentives in Healthcare: Why some legacy organizations are slow to innovate.

15:00 – Adoption Challenges: How Nirvana ensures adoption by focusing on user-friendly workflows and specialization.

18:00 – Change Management and AI: The importance of addressing human factors when introducing new technology.

20:00 – Looking Ahead: Nirvana’s vision for increasing cost transparency and improving healthcare systems.

Memorable Quote:
"Healthcare transactions rely on a 1980s standard, but with machine learning, we can make that old foundation work better for today’s needs." – Urvish Parikh
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, healthcare, and social impact. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share!
Guest:
Urvish Parikh is a Cofounder and CTO of Nirvana, a healthtech company committed to simplifying the healthcare ecosystem by making cost for care more transparent and accessible. With over a decade of experience in software engineering and leadership, Urvish brings deep expertise in systems thinking and strategic innovation, driving meaningful changes that enhance outcomes across complex systems.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/urvish-parikh-1534442a/
23 min
December 27, 2024Building the Future of Advertising and Media
In this episode, Michael Hudes discusses the evolving landscape of advertising and media, focusing on how connected screens are reshaping consumer engagement. He explores how LG Ad Solutions leverages data, personalization, and advanced technologies to redefine advertising on connected TVs and other screens. The conversation covers key innovations in the connected TV ecosystem, privacy considerations, and the future potential of AI-driven advertising.
Key Takeaways:
The New Definition of TV: The term "TV" has evolved into "screens connected to the internet," with viewing habits now revolving around streaming and interactive experiences.

Bespoke Consumer Experiences: LG Ad Solutions creates tailored consumer interactions through its ecosystem of connected screens, from home TVs to in-car displays and hospitality settings.

Data-Driven Personalization: While maintaining strong privacy compliance, LG uses first-party data and machine learning to create more relevant and engaging advertising experiences.

Tech-First Business Model: LG Ad Solutions has evolved into a technology-driven platform business, using AI to optimize its advertising operations and content delivery.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction: Michael Hudes joins the show to talk about the future of media and advertising.
01:00 - Redefining Television: The shift from TV as a playback device to a connected screen for video, content, and more.
03:30 - Connected Screens Beyond TV: Opportunities in connected appliances, hotel rooms, and in-car displays.
07:15 - Privacy and Data Use: How LG balances personalization with strict privacy compliance.
10:50 - Personalized User Experiences: Examples of reducing friction through smart, connected experiences.
15:00 - Future of Advertising: How AI and machine learning will play a critical role in optimizing both consumer-facing and operational processes.
20:45 - Becoming a Platform Business: LG's transformation into a platform-driven company focused on connected experiences.
23:00 - Final Thoughts: Michael Hudes shares insights on industry trends, future growth, and building a responsible, tech-driven business.
Listen Now: Discover how LG Ad Solutions is shaping the future of advertising and consumer engagement through connected screens, cutting-edge tech, and responsible data use.
25 min
December 19, 2024Building Better Products Through Customer-Driven Engineering
Guest: Andrew Bihl, Co-Founder & CTO at Numeric
Overview:
In this episode, Andrew Bihl discusses how engineering teams can better integrate customer feedback into their development processes. He explores the concept of product engineering, the challenges of context switching, and how engineers can stay close to the customer while maintaining productivity. This episode is essential for tech leaders looking to create a culture where engineers are empowered to solve real customer problems.
Key Takeaways:
Customer Proximity Matters:
Engineers should be directly exposed to customers to better understand product requirements and make informed decisions.

Avoiding multiple layers between engineers and customers reduces miscommunication and lost context.

Context Switching is Costly:
Interruptions during deep work can derail productivity.

Effective scheduling and batching of meetings minimize disruptions and maximize focus time for engineers.

Product Engineers Build with Ownership:
Product engineers should be involved from problem definition to implementation.

Empowering engineers with context improves their ability to make real-time product decisions.

Balancing Business Needs with Engineering Focus:
Organizations should facilitate a balance between business engagement and technical execution.

Cross-functional collaboration through structured processes prevents common bottlenecks.

Highlights:
[00:02:26] Defining the Role of a Product Engineer
[00:03:44] How Customer Feedback Typically Reaches Engineers
[00:05:04] Importance of Engineers Talking Directly to Customers
[00:06:54] Breaking the "Engineers Just Want to Code" Stereotype
[00:08:28] Challenges of Context Switching in Engineering
[00:13:24] Translating Engineering Work to Non-Technical Teams
[00:15:55] Effective Collaboration Between Product Managers and Engineers
[00:17:55] Real-World Example: How Numeric Handles Customer Feedback
[00:20:42] Adjusting the Product Roadmap Based on Customer Insights
[00:24:28] Managing Multiple Roles as a CTO
Final Thought:
Empowering engineers with a deep understanding of customer needs leads to better product development and more fulfilling careers. If you’re looking to refine your product development process and improve customer-driven engineering, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Like, share, and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes exploring leadership, product innovation, and engineering excellence.
27 min
December 17, 2024Navigating Global Supply Chains with Data and Machine Learning
In this insightful episode, Amir Bormand speaks with Peter Swartz, Altana's Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder, about using data science and machine learning to revolutionize global supply chain management. Peter discusses his journey from quantitative political science and civil engineering to becoming a leader in AI-driven supply chain solutions. He highlights the importance of domain expertise, data-driven decision-making, and leadership growth in scaling impactful technology.
Key Takeaways:

Cross-Disciplinary Expertise Fuels Innovation:

Peter’s diverse background in civil engineering and political science uniquely positioned him to tackle complex global supply chain challenges with data science and AI.

The Value of Domain-Specific Knowledge:

Understanding the global supply chain domain deeply enhances AI application effectiveness by allowing more accurate data modeling and meaningful insights.

Leadership Through Continuous Learning:

Transitioning from a technical role to a leadership position requires embracing feedback, learning from peers, and being open to evolving skill sets.

Building Data-Powered Systems:

Altana’s mission is to create a global value chain management system that maps billions of data points across supply chains to enable better decision-making at scale.

Balancing Technical and Business Leadership:

Peter shares his experience of balancing technical product development with business leadership responsibilities to drive business success.

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:30] Blending Civil Engineering with Data Science

[00:05:00] Founding Altana: The Why and How

[00:08:00] Applying AI to Real-World Supply Chain Problems

[00:12:00] Developing Scalable Data-Driven Solutions

[00:16:00] Transitioning into Leadership and Management

[00:20:00] Importance of Mentorship and Feedback

[00:24:00] Leadership Lessons for Technical Founders

[00:28:00] How to Stay Passionate and Focused
Connect with Peter Swartz:

Website: Altana.ai

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgswartz
Don't Miss: If you're passionate about AI, data-driven decision-making, and leadership growth, this episode is a must-listen. Share with your network, like, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations on tech and leadership.
35 min
December 12, 2024Excelling in Data Strategy and Governance
In this episode, Greg Hahn, a data strategy and governance leader, shares deep insights on building a robust data strategy, navigating AI readiness, and the growing impact of privacy laws. The discussion covers essential pillars of data management, aligning business objectives with data strategy, and how organizations can future-proof themselves through proactive governance.
Key Takeaways:
Data Strategy & Maturity: Build an enterprise-wide strategy aligned with business goals for long-term success.

Governance Frameworks: Adopt proven frameworks like DMBoK to streamline governance and boost data quality.

AI Readiness: Ensure data integrity, strong infrastructure, and empowered teams before scaling AI initiatives.

Privacy Compliance: Embrace evolving privacy laws as opportunities to strengthen trust and operational transparency.
Highlights:
01:00 Understanding Data Strategy & Maturity Curve

03:00 The Importance of Foundational Data Elements

05:00 Leveraging Frameworks for Quick Data Strategy Assessment

09:00 AI Readiness and Data Management Challenges

13:00 Data Literacy and Workforce Enablement

16:00 Governance, Security & Data Integrity

19:00 Navigating Privacy Laws and Regulatory Compliance

23:00 The Future of Data-Driven Decision-Making

Listen Now: Discover actionable strategies for transforming data into a competitive advantage through enterprise-wide governance, AI readiness, and compliance excellence. Share this episode with data leaders ready to enhance their data strategies.
31 min
December 10, 2024 Navigating Leadership Transitions – Hiring External Tech Leaders
,In this episode, Amir hosts Steve Van Lare, VP of Engineering at Anjuna Security, for an insightful discussion on hiring external technology leaders. They explore when and why companies might look outside their organization for tech leadership, how to manage internal dynamics and strategies for smooth transitions.
Steve shares real-world experiences and actionable advice on assessing leadership fit, fostering team cohesion, and navigating leadership changes. Whether you’re a tech leader, HR professional, or founder, this episode delivers essential insights for building a resilient and adaptable organization.
Episode Highlights:
01:55 When to Hire an Outside Technology Leader
03:39 Internal Implications of Hiring Externally
05:16 Handling Internal Friction
09:15 Leadership Style and Organizational Change
11:26 Evaluating the Need for New Leadership
18:27 Ensuring a Good Fit for New Leaders
22:36 Career Growth and Opportunities
Key Takeaways:
1. When to Hire an Outside Technology Leader
Consider external hires when scaling quickly, transforming, or addressing knowledge gaps.
2. Managing Internal Implications
Be transparent about the decision.
Communicate the value of new leadership to the team.
3. Handling Internal Friction
Acknowledge concerns from internal staff.
Build trust through consistent communication and team alignment.
4. Assessing Leadership Fit
Evaluate leadership style, technical expertise, and cultural alignment.
Focus on both business and technical problem-solving capabilities.
5. Career Growth and Long-Term Opportunities
Help team members see new leadership as a growth opportunity.
Encourage collaboration between new and existing leaders for a seamless transition.
Gain valuable insights on hiring external tech leaders and fostering leadership resilience. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your network! 🚀

27 min

About The Tech Trek

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The Tech Trek is a podcast about how founders, operators, and technology leaders build and scale technology companies.

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The Tech Trek

The Tech Trek episodes

About The Tech Trek