In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan interviews Alfred Miranda, a seasoned CTO with extensive experience across various industries including cannabis, fashion, and technology. They discuss the importance of diverse industry experience, the challenges of adapting leadership styles, and the pitfalls of traditional industries in adopting technology. Alfred shares valuable insights from his time at MedMen, a rapidly growing cannabis company, and emphasizes the need for effective hiring strategies in a high-budget environment. The conversation highlights the significance of planning, execution, and the necessity of showing tangible results in technology investments. In this conversation, Alfred Miranda discusses the challenges faced by MedMen in the cannabis industry, emphasizing the importance of focus and methodical growth. He contrasts leadership with mere experience, highlighting the need for genuine investment in team members. The discussion also covers the balance between attention to detail and execution, the evaluation of technology investments, and the significant costs associated with technology. Miranda shares insights from the book 'Good to Great', stressing the importance of calculated risks and strategic planning in achieving business success.

Takeaways

• Diverse industry experience brings fresh perspectives.
• Proper planning and execution are key to success.
• Flexibility in team members is crucial for innovation.
• Communication and clear objectives are essential in leadership.
• Technology should be viewed as a profit center, not a cost center.
• Short-term wins help build confidence in technology investments.
• Understanding the industry is vital for effective leadership.
• Hiring motivated individuals can lead to high performance.
• Trusting instincts is important in decision-making.
• Adapting leadership styles is necessary for different industries.
• Leadership is about investing in your team, not just experience.
• Attention to detail can lead to analysis paralysis.
• Technology investments must align with business goals to avoid distractions.
• Calculated risks are essential for business success.
• A goal without a plan is just a wish; planning is crucial.
• MedMen serves as a cautionary tale for startups.
• Not all founders are suited to be CEOs; sometimes a seasoned leader is needed.
• AI has the potential to revolutionize industries, but must be implemented thoughtfully.
• Understanding the true costs of technology is vital for strategic planning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alfred Miranda's Journey

02:59 The Importance of Diverse Industry Experience

05:59 Adapting Leadership Styles Across Industries

12:01 Challenges in Traditional Industries and Technology Adoption

17:58 Lessons from High Burn Rate Companies

24:13 Hiring Strategies in a Blank Check Environment

28:20 Navigating Challenges in the Cannabis Industry

36:24 The Essence of Leadership vs. Experience

39:32 Balancing Attention to Detail

43:10 Evaluating Technology Investments

47:25 Understanding the Cost of Technology

51:04 Insights from 'Good to Great'

Alfred Miranda’s Social Media Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredmiranda/