Tech for Non-Techies

Humans invent technology and then technology changes humans. It was ever thus. The biggest technological trend today is artificial intelligence. if you want to be an insightful leader in the Digital Age, you do need to understand what AI is doing to us, so you can reap the benefits and minimise the costs. In this episode you will learn from Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, author of I, Human: AI, Automation, and the Quest to Reclaim What Makes Us Unique. You will learn: How AI is making us more predictable and dull What to do to use AI to be creative instead How to make generative AI tools like ChatGPT work for you instead of against you ----- Join the Tech for Non-Techies membership and lead in the Digital Age.  Tech for Non-Techies clients  Reach senior leadership positions in Big Tech firms Lead digital transformation in established businesses Create tech businesses as non-technical founders Pivot into careers in venture capital We love hearing from our readers and listeners. So if you have questions about the content or working with us, just get in touch on info@techfornontechies.co   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn & Instagram. Following us on YouTube, Facebook and TikTok will make you smarter. 

The biggest gains and innovations will come from digital technologies in healthcare in 2023. Big Tech firms have already entered healthcare, with Amazon buying One Medical and launching Amazon Clinic in 2022. But, healthcare tech innovation is happening across the board: from start-ups to hospital systems. Learning notes from this episode: As Big Tech firms' valuations have fallen, they have become less attractive places for people to work. This means that working at a promising health tech start-up is now a much more tempting option for talented managers and engineers at Meta and Alphabet. All things being equal, most smart experienced people would rather contribute to saving lives rather than driving attention on a social media feed. The gap between innovation and adaption is narrowing in healthcare. Many startups with innovative technologies that have been around for years are seeing an increase in demand, as hospital systems go digital and and more doctors use digital tech tools. How to benefit from this trend for Digital Leaders If you already work in a Big Tech firm, start working on a healthcare project. Even if that particular project does not work out, it will be an important area of growth for the company and a useful experience.  If you are an investor, but have no experience in healthcare, this is an area to explore but don't throw money at it if you don't have context. Good deals come from a good network, so build your network among innovators and investors in the space first, as a foundation to investing. If you have nothing to do with healthcare in your career, you can learn about design and innovation as a Beta tester for a new product. Giving feedback as a Beta tester to designers and product managers is a great way to see how products get invented from the inside. It is also a free and low effort way to learn.  ----- If you like learning about how tech products and profits get made, you'll like our newsletter. It's funny too. Sign up here. -----   Tech for Non-Techies clients  Reach senior leadership positions in Big Tech firms Lead digital transformation in established businesses Create tech businesses as non-technical founders Pivot into careers in venture capital If you want to have a great career in the Digital Age, then APPLY FOR A CONSULTATION CALL.   What happens when you apply for a consultation call: Sophia and her team will look through your application. If they genuinely think Sophia could help you, you will get a link to her calendar.. You will have a 20 – 30 minute call to discuss your goals and see if you are a good fit for each other.  If we establish that Tech for Non-Techies courses + coaching could help you and believe we would enjoy working together, we will discuss a relevant approach to suit you. The aim of the call is not to sell you on anything that is not right for you. We both win if you get results, but we both lose if you don’t. We love hearing from our readers and listeners. So if you have questions about the content or working with us, just get in touch on info@techfornontechies.co   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter. 

If you’re feeling guilty about switching on yet another streaming series, here are three shows you can watch to learn about tech in your downtime: General Magic - tells the tale of how a great vision and an epic failure changed the lives of billions. It is a documentary about the people and the technologies that led to the creation of the iPhone. Silicon Valley by HBO – comedy series about a start-up called Pied Piper and its founding team. Painfully close to the chaotic reality of running a start-up. Fun and useful for those who want to start a tech venture or invest in one. How will businesses use the metaverse? YouTube documentary by The Economist. The documentary is one of the very few things that both question the hype around the metaverse, while also showing its promise. The documentary features interviews with Matthew Ball, author of the excellent The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything. ----- If you like learning about how tech products and profits get made, you'll like our newsletter. It's funny too. Sign up here. -----   Tech for Non-Techies clients  Reach senior leadership positions in Big Tech firms Lead digital transformation in established businesses Create tech businesses as non-technical founders Pivot into careers in venture capital If you want to have a great career in the Digital Age, then APPLY FOR A CONSULTATION CALL.   What happens when you apply for a consultation call: Sophia and her team will look through your application. If they genuinely think Sophia could help you, you will get a link to her calendar.. You will have a 20 – 30 minute call to discuss your goals and see if you are a good fit for each other.  If we establish that Tech for Non-Techies courses + coaching could help you and believe we would enjoy working together, we will discuss a relevant approach to suit you. The aim of the call is not to sell you on anything that is not right for you. We both win if you get results, but we both lose if you don’t. We love hearing from our readers and listeners. So if you have questions about the content or working with us, just get in touch on info@techfornontechies.co   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter. 

If you think product development comes after business strategy, you're leaving money on the table and falling behind your competitors. Don’t do that. In this episode, you'll learn why smart business leaders are using prototypes as a strategic weapon - so you can do it too. You'll learn: - Why your 50-page strategy doc is worth less than a tested napkin sketch - How your "small" idea might actually be a golden goose in disguise - The real reason PowerPoint presentations don't get funding (spoiler: they're boring) - Why waiting for the perfect strategy is like waiting to get in shape before going to the gym 🤷‍♀️ Perfect for corporate innovators who are tired of death by PowerPoint and non-technical founders who think they need to write War and Peace before building anything. Warning: This episode contains dangerous levels of common sense and might cause sudden urges to actually build something.   Timestamps  00:00 Introduction 01:07 Prototyping as a Strategic Weapon 02:47 Importance of User Feedback 06:08 Investment Risk and Prototyping 09:03 Prototypes in Marketing and Team Building   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/228-why-smart-leaders-prototype-first-strategise-later   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

If you have an idea for an app or a tech business, you can now make a test product in just 15 minutes using AI tools. But, you have to know how to use them wisely, so you don’t make pretty products that nobody wants. Listen to this episode to learn: - The sweet spot for using AI in product development (from drafting specs to analysing user feedback) - Which AI tools to use for prototyping right now - A step-by-step process to validate your ideas faster using AI - Common pitfalls to avoid (because AI won't save a half-baked idea!)   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  03:13 AI in Product Management 06:05 Creating Prototypes with AI 08:55 Testing Prototypes 12:08 Strategic Thinking Before Using AI 15:03 Practical Homework and Implementation   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/227-how-to-use-ai-in-product-development-a-non-techies-guide   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Have you ever wondered about how to work with developers effectively without becoming one yourself? It all starts with five simple, non-technical questions. In this episode, you'll learn what you need to bring to the table for your developers to build a great tech stack.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  03:12 Understanding the Tech Stack 06:05 Bringing Value as a Non-Technical Person 08:50 Key Questions for Developers 10:45 Importance of Innovation in Tech   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/226-tech-stacks-made-simple-what-non-technical-innovators-should-and-shouldn-t-do   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

You can get your dream job, your dream client or your ideal investor at a tech event. But, going to a tech conference can also be a spectacular waste of money. So how do you get the former and avoid the latter? Listen to this episode to find out.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:00 Why you should go to conference events 02:59 Conferences are a serious investment  04:18 Conference ROI rules 08:15 What to do at the conference  13:18 Conclusion   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/225-how-to-get-roi-from-a-tech-conference   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

How do you make something completely new? And does the process differ if you’re in a tiny start-up or a tech giant like Google? Listen to this episode to find out. You will learn from Maria Fernandez Guajardo, Senior Director of Product Management for Gmail at Google.  You'll learn the framework behind what makes a good Minimum Viable Product, the process Big Tech companies use to bring new ideas to life and the differences between start-up and corporate innovation. Maria's book, Sail to Scale: Steer Your Startup Clear of Mistakes from Launch to Exit, is available now.   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/mvps-milkshakes-innovating-at-google   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:52 Understanding Jobs to Be Done 06:00 Psychological Aspect of Product Design 08:56 MVP Features 12:10 Generative AI in Product Development 14:54 Corporate Innovation 18:02 Building Momentum 20:50 Similarities Between Startups and Corporations 24:10 Becoming a Corporate Innovator 27:00 Experience in Entrepreneurship 29:52 Writing a Book for Entrepreneurs   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

If you want to understand how tech companies work from the inside, you need to know what product managers do. People who master this skillset go on to be successful entrepreneurs, run tech companies and become leading venture capitalists. Microsoft CEO Satay Nadella used to be a product manager, as did Ben Horowitz, the co-founder of A16S, the VC firm behind Facebook, Airbnb and Pinterest. In this episode, you will learn from Andrew Plato, serial entrepreneur and author of The Founder's User Manual: Practical Strategies for the Startup Leader.   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/223-product-management-from-start-up-to-grown-up   Timestamps   00:00 Understanding Product Management 02:46 The Role of Founders in Product Management 05:50 Navigating Team Dynamics 09:11 The CEO vs. Founder Dilemma 13:52 Founder Vision 18:03 Lessons for Early Stage Entrepreneurs 22:13 Sales Skills 24:55 Learning from Failure  29:59 Practical Strategies for Startup Success   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

If you want to make a successful product, or have a great career, what do you need to focus on today? Listen to this episode to find out.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  02:06 Product vs. Marketing Problems 03:00 Job Interview Example 05:11 Experience v Networking 06:41 Retention Metrics 08:30 Prioritizing Product over Marketing 10:13 Marketing for Success   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/222-product-vs-marketing-problems   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Do you want to know how one of the world’s largest fintech companies stays on top? Paypal’s innovation strategy is actually simpler and cheaper than you probably think. Listen to this episode to learn how this $78 billion dollar business keeps coming up with new ideas, so you can steal their strategies for yourself. You will learn from Mike Todasco, who led global innovation at Paypal and is now a visiting fellow studying AI at the Sand Diego State University.   Timestamps: 00:00 Innovation on a Budget 02:55 Constraints in Innovation 05:47 Creative Resource Management 08:56 Building a Culture of Innovation 12:14  Measurement of Innovation 15:08 Levels of Innovation 17:49 Defining a Culture of Innovation 20:52 Success Metrics in Innovation 24:01 Current Trends in Innovation 26:50 Resources for Aspiring Innovators   For the transcript, go to - https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/221-how-paypal-innovates   FREE GUIDE: The Pragmatist’s Guide To Innovation (in business & in life) by Sophia Matveeva, supported by researchers from The University of Chicago Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. 

Have you ever wondered why some people find smart innovative solutions to problems, and others stay stuck? In this episode, you'll learn you a simple technique that innovators use to make new products and solve business challenges. And you can also use this methodology for any area of your life, so listen up! You'll learn about the 5 whys process, hear two case studies for how to use it, and get guidelines for how to get started.   Timestamps   00:00 Introduction  02:46 Five Whys Methodology 06:05 Applying the Five Whys: Bakery Example 08:51 Applying the Five Whys: App Development Example 12:01 Effective Use of the Five Whys 13:53 Conclusion   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/220-how-5-simple-questions-can-solve-your-toughest-problems   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

How can you tell which innovations will last and what’s just hype? Are we in a generative AI bubble? There is a methodology called the Hype Cycle that venture capitalists use to answer these questions. But is this methodology foolproof? Find out in today’s episode.   Timestamps 00:00:00: Introduction 00:01:34: Innovative tech education. 00:02:34: Distinguishing between innovation and trends 00:03:35: Time as a valuable asset 00:04:39: The Hype Cycle 00:09:42: Five phases of the Hype Cycle 00:13:15: Hype Cycle’s accuracy 00:15:41: Evaluating technology beyond the hype 00:18:47: Conclusion    For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/the-hype-cycle-vcs-use-it-but-should-they   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.  

Every time you see Login with Facebook or Pay with Paypal on an app, you’re seeing a tech tool called an API. This tool allows companies to make millions of dollars, reach billions of people, and collect valuable data, if you use it strategically. Listen to this episode to learn what APIs are and how smart business strategists use them. This is a re-run of episode 37 of this podcast.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Review 04:19 APIs: The Interwoven Web of Software 08:38 Connecting Products and Services 09:36 Leveraging Code Snippets 12:02 The Importance of APIs   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/why-uber-uses-google-maps-introduction-to-api   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.  

If we know that ChatGPT makes things up, when should we avoid Large Language Models?  Is generative AI really safe to use when it matters? Listen to this interview with Dr Heidy Khlaaf to find out. Dr Khlaaf is the Principal Research Scientist at the AI Now Institute focusing on the assessment and safety of AI within autonomous weapons systems. She previously worked at OpenAI and Microsoft, amongst others.    Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 06:32 The Problem-First Approach to AI 14:20 Limitations of Large Language Models 20:49 Augmenting Human Knowledge with AI  23:37 AI Systems Gone Wrong 28:22 AI in Safety Critical Systems 33:47 Questioning Technological Determinism 38:19 AI in Defense   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/217-when-not-to-use-ai-in-business-and-warfare   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.    

Burberry was the first luxury brand to get on Facebook.   By pivoting their image from fusty old raincoat maker to social media star, the brand appealed to millennials.   The share price rose 4x and the CEO became the highest paid chief executive on the London Stock Exchange!   Listen to this episode to learn when being seen as innovative is just as important as being innovative.   Timestamps 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:26 - The power of perception 00:02:32 - Burberry's radical transformation 00:03:32 - Burberry's digital innovation 00:05:42 - Aligning brand perception with strategic innovation. 00:07:35 - Branding and Public perception 00:09:30 - Innovation strategies 00:10:29 - Public innovation as a strategic business tool 00:12:21 - Conclusion   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/public-vs-private-innovation   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora Do you want to succeed in the Digital Age? Check out the Digital Leadership Coaching Program Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter

If you want to be an innovator in the Digital Age, you must learn from those who came before you. Here are Sophia Matveeva's top 3 recommendations for what to listen to to get the best innovators lessons.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction  02:04 Behaviors of Famous Innovators 04:21 Product Management Strategies 06:06 Emphasize Customer Focus  07:04 Final Thoughts   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/3-ways-to-learn-from-innovators   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora Do you want to succeed in the Digital Age? Check out the Digital Leadership Coaching Program Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter

10,000 flight cancellations, disruptions in the UK National Health Service, and the banking sector cast into turmoil. The CrowdStrike outage sent the entire world into disarray. In this episode of the Tech For Non-Techies podcast, host Sophia Matveeva imparts crucial knowledge on how to prevent IT crises and emphasizes the importance of understanding tech for business leaders.   Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:21 Severity of the CrowdStrike outage 00:03:22 Overview of the CrowdStrike Incident 00:04:23 Implications of Software Malfunctions 00:06:30 Importance of IT Risk Management 00:08:34 Software Testing and Quality Assurance 00:11:27 Aligning Engineering and Business Objectives 00:13:23 Relationship-Building between Tech and Business Teams   To learn about the Post Office disaster,  https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/lessons-from-the-post-office-scandal   For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/business-leaders-lessons-from-the-global-it-outage   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora Do you want to succeed in the Digital Age? Check out the Digital Leadership Coaching Program Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter

What happens when an acquirer asks to buy a start-up?  The journey between the offer letter and money in the bank is long, arduous, and can sometimes lead to less money in the bank than the founders expected. In this episode, you'll hear from serial entrepreneur Sam Oliver, about the hard lessons he learned when selling his last company. If you're a founder, a corporate innovator, or a start-up investor, this episode is for you. Timestamps: 00:01:25 - Misconceptions Surrounding Startup Exits 00:02:58 - Creation and Growth of Property Technology Limited 00:04:35 - Challenges of Product-Market Fit 00:07:29 - Importance of Aligning Product with Revenue Generation for Customers 00:08:30 - Adversity Faced During the COVID-19 Pandemic 00:11:11 - Unexpected Boom in the Property Market Post-COVID 00:14:31 - Complex Nature of the Sale Process 00:17:26 - Challenges Encountered During the Earnout Period 00:22:32 - Importance of Thorough Contract Review and Negotiation 00:27:10 - Advice for Founders and Innovators on Approaching Potential Exits   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   Do you want to succeed in the Digital Age? Check out the Digital Leadership Coaching Program   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/how-to-do-your-mid-year-review  

"The success strategies for individuals and companies are remarkably similar," Reid Hoffman. You can apply product innovation and start-up principles to your own career.  This will help you assess where you are, and make a plan for what to do and what to learn next. If you want 2024 to be your best year yet professionally, listen to this episode. Timestamps: 00:01:20 - The Paths to Wealth for Employees and Entrepreneurs: Steve Balmer just surpassed Bill Gates in wealth. 00:03:28 - Applying Startup Lessons to Your Career 00:04:20 - Actions for Career Transitioning 00:05:10 - Real Action vs. Busy Work 00:06:00 - Prototyping and Market Testing  00:07:43 - Avoiding Analysis Paralysis 00:08:41 - Planning for the Next Six Months 00:09:31 - Analysing Personal Skill Sets 00:11:15 - Improving Market Position and Visibility   For more career & tech lessons, subscribe to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora   Do you want to succeed in the Digital Age? Check out the Digital Leadership Coaching Program   Say hi to Sophia on Twitter and follow her on LinkedIn. Following us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will make you smarter For the transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/how-to-do-your-mid-year-review