Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur

We start a new discussion in this episode and look at how Andrew Murdoch teaches us to leverage YouTube for marketing and brand growth. This is a channel for content that can not be ignored. It is too big and too valuable for our pursuit of customers. It is built to draw in like-minded viewers. Therefore, a consistent message and useful content from us can skyrocket our growth. Lessons Learned Abo...

In this special topic episode, we examine how consistency and momentum are foundational attributes for success. Neither of these items is listed at the top of the keys to success. However, we see them pop up time and again in examples and processes to march towards success. Therefore, it is worth exploring how we can get them in place for our project, brand, or company. A One-Two Punch Of Consiste...

We continue our discussion with Ali Abassi and dig into the value of better AI prompts and how they helped him turn a toy into a tool. Chat GPT is something many have experimented with. Ali did the same and used it to help him generate copy for his marketing blurbs. However, it was not much help. He still spent roughly the same amount of time putting his content together. Better AI Prompts Improve...

We look at how commitment and consistency are critical factors in the eventual success of your product, service or brand. It is not uncommon for someone to start on a new endeavor only to bail out before they see any of it pay off. That is the same whether you are embarking on a new diet or a new business. There have been discussions on past episodes that highlight the kind of time and planning th...

This interview has a focus on using AI for work. We chat with the founder of the site, aiforwork.co , Ali Abassi, and cover the latest hot topic. The story begins with how he got the idea for the site. It is a classic story of someone who had an itch they scratched. They then turn that solution into something others can benefit from. The Genesis Of AI For Work The beginnings of his site can be fou...

This episode of the podcast turns to how we approach our customers and whether we are providing an answer or solution. There are important differences between these two. In the first case, we are just providing a starting point. There can be many answers and even correct answers may not be feasible. That means they are not useful to your customer. Are You Providing An Answer Or A Solution A soluti...

We dig deep into customer satisfaction as we continue a discussion with Drake Nightenhelser and look at why we should master fulfillment. When you think about it, that is the step that is most critical.  That is where we deliver on our promise, whether it is a product or a service. The customer will be most attuned to how they feel at that moment or at that time. Master Fulfillment And Find Succes...

Of the many tools we have discussed, one that can not be overlooked is how to use coaching to advance your career. This option is one where we must sometimes embrace how little we know. Likewise, use a coach as a way to find guidance and someone to walk with us through our career journey. They provide a second viewpoint and one that is experienced and critical in the best way. Invest In Coaching T...

We start a conversation with Drake Nightenhelser to offer timeless advice about avatars and best buyers and their role in an ideal business. Every business has a niche of ideal customers and does best when those are the ones it serves. However, we can get side-tracked by a desire to increase revenue without fully considering the consequences. Avatars And Best Buyers There are several names for the...

Every story of success often appears to have a point where overcoming adversity was a key to that eventual success. In this episode, we review lessons learned through past interviews and how we can all become that story of success despite the obstacles. Perspective is critical when we try to compare the challenges faced by ourselves to those seen by others. Overcoming Adversity Is Something We All...

We continue our discussion with fractional CTO Brian Childress and dig into his career journey for tips on ramping up your skills. He did not start out with that goal. However, his journey included several key positions and roles (as well as decisions) that helped him advance. We look at how sometimes that step into the uncomfortable is the one you need to advance to the next level. Quick Paths Fo...

This episode is a look back at some of the best advice for being successful, and we focus on taking your first step. The best plans are still just plans until you execute them. Therefore, every project and goal must move from the planning to the implementation phase. Yes, thinking about your steps can be a step in itself. However, one must ensure that an action is progressing towards the goal, not...

We start a new interview and sit down with Brian Childress to answer the question, what is a fractional CTO? Well, we cover far more than that. However, we start at the beginning and look at what he does as a fractional CTO, why it matters, and the benefit of bringing one aboard Sounds Great! What Is A Fractional CTO? In short, a fractional CTO (or any fractional position) is not much different fr...

We start a new season and format with a look back at the interviews where we discussed your "why" and its importance. That has been a theme in several podcasts and blog articles over the years. However, it is one that we need to keep in mind at the beginning, middle, and end of our pursuits. We need to answer this question about our products, careers, brands, and relationships. Your Why Is Essenti...

The second part of our discussion with Phil Alves takes us into designing an environment where we embrace feedback and use it for growth. Communication is often key to successful teamwork, and feedback is the most important thing we can communicate. That is how we learn that our approach is wrong or can be improved. We can sit back and watch others. However, the active participation of feedback ta...

We start a conversation in this episode with Phil Alves and cover a lot of ground, including why code reviews make better developers. Phil has a unique development approach as a self-made developer who grew a software development company. His experience and personal growth, as well as translating that to a company, provide us with many improvement gems. This is one of those episodes where it is he...

We continue our discussion with Anne Laffin and cover big-picture topics like online communities and marketing. The suggestions and impact often blur into building a brand. However, that is an essential step in getting your message to the correct people. She shares her experience with us so we can reach our ideal customers and those who most need our product or service. The Value Of Online Communi...

This episode is an interview that is also an introduction to market research. Anne Laffin takes us through several recommendations and common misconceptions. We start our discussion with some background and then quickly get into the meat of the conversation. She has an extensive experience with start-ups that is a perfect match for your next venture. An Introduction To Market Research For Non-Mark...

In this episode, the conversation with Evgenihy Kharam continues into more detail, and he offers several security tips. You can often take these actions today, personally, or in your organization. They are easy-to-understand recommendations that will probably sound familiar. That is the frustrating part of cybersecurity. The most effective ways to approach security are well-known and quick to enac...

We start a new conversation with Evgenihy Kharam and look at how to secure your organization. He has spent decades refining his approach to security and counseled countless others in that area. We start with his journey to his current position and then discuss how he has seen security awareness and the related areas change over the years. Use Common Sense To Secure Your Organization There are many...

We continue our discussion with Shaunna Lee and self-care by diving into her morning routine and how it helps her start the day right. Her morning tasks are not surprising when you look at high-performing individuals. However, we explore them and how to embrace them as our own. In particular, we talk about journaling and how to start that daily writing habit. These activities have many benefits, a...

Our interview with Shuanna Lee explores her story and touches on self-care for high performers. However, the self-care tips and suggestions work for anyone. You need not be a high performer to benefit from this discussion. On the other hand, Shaunna's story is an excellent example of how even someone "too busy" can (and should) take time for self-care. Self-Care For High Performers Is Critical It...

We continue our interview with Tanika De Souza of High Octane Teams and discuss how she has created a high-performing culture. Meanwhile, she provides many excellent ideas that have served her well in building out an organization comprised primarily of remote and off-shore workers. Some say culture is impossible in such a situation. However, she proves them wrong and gives us examples we can follo...

Our focus shifts to using offshore teams and resources as we start a new interview with Tanika De Souza of High Octane Teams. The first part of our discussion goes into how one can embrace offshoring. Then, we follow her journey into creating a company that specializes in that. We talk about some of the concerns, and she answers questions often asked about whether offshoring is good for you. Using...

We wrap up our discussion with Jay Aigner with a deep dive into how you can build the life you want. Yes, it is within reach. His schedule is packed with what he wants to pursue and a full-time job. However, the secret to all of this is managing time so the full-time job does not eat up every minute of every day. Thus, there is intention required as well as an understanding of your likes and disli...