234. 2024 Reflections: Are You the CEO Your Career Deserves?
Release Date: 12/25/2024
248. Q&A Episode: How to Keep Tech Teams On Track Without Micromanaging
techfornontechies's podcast
Here are the listener questions Sophia Matveeva answers in this episode: What should I be asking in product meetings if I don’t have a technical background? I’m leading a digital transformation initiative, but my tech team keeps telling me things take longer than expected. Should I push back? How? How do I know if I need a technical co-founder, or if I can build my product with an agency or no-code tools? Resources mentioned in this episode: FREE download: YouTube: Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:29 Navigating Product Meetings Without Technical...
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247. Million-Dollar Misunderstandings: How to Fix Tech-Business Disconnect
techfornontechies's podcast
Companies invest millions in tech projects every day. Some deliver remarkable returns while others crash and burn, wasting fortunes and careers. The deciding factor? Rarely the technology itself—it's the disconnect between technical implementation and business objectives. In this episode, you'll learn a proven system for bridging this expensive gap. You will see how to diagnose misalignment, quantify its impact, and implement frameworks that create genuine understanding between technical and business teams. You'll get lessons you can use at work today. This episode is for you...
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246. 5 Types of Innovation Leaders: From Nonsense to C-Suite
techfornontechies's podcast
Some "Heads of Innovation" are glorified event planners while others transform entire businesses. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify which type of innovation leader you're dealing with and what that means for your career or business. This episode is for you if you: Want to pursue a career in corporate innovation Are a founder pitching to corporate innovation departments Are an executive designing innovation roles for your company Need to collaborate with innovation teams but aren't sure of their actual authority Are an investor evaluating a company's innovation claims You'll learn...
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245. What To Do If Your Start-up Fails
techfornontechies's podcast
Start-up failure is never pleasant, but did you know you can actually make more money and be more successful as a result? In this candid, no-nonsense episode, you'll learn exactly what to do when your venture doesn't make it. This episode is for you if you: Run a company Are thinking of starting one Are thinking of joining one Are in the midst of a startup struggle and considering options Are working at a startup and worried about its trajectory You'll learn why panic is unnecessary, how your startup experience makes you uniquely qualified for lucrative jobs, and why...
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244. The Non-Techie's Path to VC
techfornontechies's podcast
If you're a non-technical founder or corporate innovator, you've likely heard the myth: venture capital is exclusively for bankers or coders. shatters this misconception completely. In this episode, Promise shares how she used her experience as a non-technical founder to become a successful venture capitalist - without writing a single line of code or spending years in investment banking. Listen to learn: Why business acumen and customer understanding are more valuable than technical skills How "product CEOs" often have advantages over purely technical founders Practical paths into...
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243. How to Work with Developers: A Guide for Non-Technical Leaders
techfornontechies's podcast
If you're a non-technical founder or leader, you might find developers frustrating to work with. (They also think the same thing about you) Developers resist quick changes, seem annoyed by status meetings, and always want the most expensive equipment. That's not because they are prima donnas. This episode will explain why developers work so differently from other professionals, and show you how to create communication systems that work for both business and technical teams. Listen to learn: Why a "5-minute change" actually costs 2 hours of developer time The hidden costs of cheap...
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242. Big Tech vs Little Tech: What Non-Technical Leaders Need to Know
techfornontechies's podcast
What’s good for Big Tech isn’t always good for Little Tech, and vice versa. In this episode, we’re breaking down the key differences between these two worlds and what they mean for you. Listen to learn: Which Big Tech lessons don't apply in Little Tech and vice versa. The unique advantages (and pitfalls) of working in Big Tech vs Little Tech. How to position yourself (or your company) for success in either world. What the future holds for Big Tech, Little Tech, and the leaders who bridge the gap. Whether you're planning your next career move, building a business or...
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241. The 8 Types Of People You Need In Your Network
techfornontechies's podcast
Have you noticed how some people seem to know exactly the right person to call when they need something? That's not luck - it's strategic networking. If you're an innovator with ambition, you need to build your network strategically. This episode will help you plan whom you need, why you need them and how to find them. Listen to learn: The 8 categories of professionals you need in your network if you want to build something new The types of developers to have in your network and how to connect with them Why you need both VCs and public market investors for different perspectives -...
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240. What Non-Technical Innovators Need To Do About DeepSeek
techfornontechies's podcast
DeepSeek is a new AI that's 44 times cheaper than ChatGPT and completely open-source. While tech blogs obsess over the technical specs, there's a bigger story for non-technical innovators that no one else is talking about. In this episode, you'll discover the hidden opportunities DeepSeek creates for founders and innovators who don't code. Listen to learn: How to build genuine expertise around DeepSeek while others are still figuring it out (time sensitive) Smart ways to work with developers who are excited about DeepSeek Why DeepSeek's affordability means you can test your ideas without...
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239. Do you really need a co-founder?
techfornontechies's podcast
Do you really need a co-founder? There's intense pressure in the startup world to find co-founders, but the data tells a surprising story. MIT research shows that solo founders are actually more than twice as likely to succeed compared to teams, while Harvard research reveals that 65% of high-potential startups fail due to co-founder conflict. In this episode, you'll learn how to make the right decision about co-founders for your business, based on data rather than pressure. Listen to learn: Why the "you must have a co-founder" narrative persists despite evidence showing solo founders often...
info_outlineDo you think year-end reviews are just about listing what you did?
Think again.
In this episode, you'll learn how to assess your year like a CEO - because whether you're a founder, innovator or investor, you're running the company of YOU.
Most people focus on activities - meetings attended, features shipped, deals analysed. But real leaders focus on impact and power dynamics.
Listen to this episode to learn:
- How to evaluate what you actually transformed in 2024
- Why being busy with innovation initiatives isn't the same as real change
- How to tell if you're hiding in product development instead of facing the market
- How to shift power dynamics in your favour
- Why your team is bigger than you think (even if you work alone)
Part 1 of a special 2-part series on becoming the CEO your career deserves.
Resource mentioned in this episode:
- Tech for Non-Techies: 221. How Paypal innovates
For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/2024-reflections-are-you-the-ceo-your-career-deserves
Timestamps
01:58 Reflecting on the Year as the CEO of Your Life
04:20 Question 1: What Have You Transformed This Year?
06:42 Founders: Did You Focus on Customer Traction or Product Development?
09:09 Question 2: Have You Used AI to Solve Real Problems?
11:30 Question 3: Have You Shifted the Power Dynamic in Your Favour?
13:51 Question 4: Who Was on Your Team This Year?
16:00 Recap of the Four Questions
FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life)
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