Tech for Non-Techies

Cryptocurrency is becoming a bigger financial and political force in our world, especially after Donald Trump's return to the White House. This is why smart people who want to have an impact in the world need to learn about it. But, learning about crypto is difficult, because the loudest voices are devout crypto evangelists and hardcore libertarians. This episode is different. We do not want you t...

What does it mean to evolve your career in the Digital Age? Meet  Janina Conboye , a Financial Times journalist who added data skills to her storytelling talent. This episode is a masterclass in smart career transitions.   Listen to learn: What data journalism actually is and why top news organisations are investing in it How to think strategically about your career evolution Why the "creative vs...

In a recent interview, Jeff Bezos shared that big leaders must "identify the big ideas, enforce tough execution, and grow the next generation of leaders." In this episode, I'll show you exactly how to apply that CEO-level thinking to your own career in 2025.  You will learn:  The four-step methodology to annual planning that works How simple plans get big results How develop and manage your relati...

Do 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 episo...

Think AI is just about adding chatbots to your business? Think again. In 2024, AI has completely transformed who can build tech companies and how they're funded - but there's also  dangerous hype  that's already landing companies in legal trouble. We're in what economists call 'The Middle Times of AI' - a messy period where massive opportunity meets massive hype. Some founders are building million...

Think Silicon Valley was built by brilliant founders and venture capital? Think again. Governments have been the secret force behind every major tech breakthrough - and understanding this could be crucial for your success, whether you are an innovator or an investor. Economist Mariana Mazzucato 's groundbreaking book " The Entrepreneurial State " shows an often ignored truth: from the iPhone to GP...

Every time a founder with a hardware idea comes to me for advice, I tell them they're choosing one of the toughest paths in tech. But sometimes, that path leads to trillion-dollar success stories. In this episode you'll learn from three stories of hardware innovation: Apple, Tesla and Nvidia. Apple had to spend $175 million to fix an iPhone problem that couldn't be solved with a software update. T...

Why do some companies nail digital transformation while others just waste millions? In this episode you'll learn from two very different case studies: Starbucks and Lego. The founder of Starbucks, the company that pioneered mobile ordering, is now saying they went too far with tech. Meanwhile, LEGO transformed from a wooden toy maker into a digital powerhouse without losing its magic. Why did one...

Listen to learn: How smart innovators test ideas before burning $50,000+ on development. The common tech traps that trip up even experienced leaders. Practical ways to avoid expensive development mistakes. Real stories from innovators who saved thousands by pivoting early.   Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Avoiding Expensive Mistakes 02:53 Lesson 1: The Build Everything Now Trap 06:11 Lesson 2...

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...

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 no...

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 Que...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 g...

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:...

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.   Timestamp...

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, amon...

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 00:0...

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: ht...

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 00:00:0...

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 in...