Podcasts about lean startups

SummaryIn this conversation, David J Bland and Dan Olsen discuss the evolution of product management, the impact of vibe coding, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration. They explore the challenges of prototyping, user research, and the role of AI in product development. The discussion emphasizes the need for strong product management fundamentals and the future of product management in a rapidly changing landscape.TakeawaysThe awareness of product management has significantly increased over the years.Vibe coding allows for rapid prototyping and testing without heavy technical resources.Cross-functional collaboration is essential for successful product development.User research is becoming more valued in product management.Prototyping should focus on learning rather than just building.AI can assist in generating ideas but lacks judgment in prioritization.The pace of innovation in product tools is accelerating rapidly.Understanding customer problems is crucial for product success.Rushing to high fidelity prototypes can lead to missed opportunities in the problem space.Product management fundamentals will be key in differentiating successful products.Guest LinksWebsite: https://dan-olsen.com/LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danolsen98/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/danolsenLean Product Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/lean-product/ Vibe Coding Product Brief: https://dan-olsen.com/vibe-coding/Vibe Coding Spectrum: https://dan-olsen.com/vibe-coding/The Lean Product Playbook: https://amzn.to/1EYCUdP Struggling to decide which bets deserve more time, money, and people?Join my AI-Assisted Decision Workshop and learn how to use AI to surface assumptions, map risk, and reach a Commit, Correct, or Cut decision in just 3 hours.

Today we are talking about creating a Lean Startup for a building an empire. Starting a business for $100 in my opinion is a Solopreneur thing to do, but today we are talking about starting your empire with as little as possible. gigstrategic.com seancastrina.com

Founders often delay leadership coaching until a major crisis hits, leading to significant costs in productivity, team churn, and poor decisions. In this episode, James Birchler (Technical Advisor & Executive Leadership Coach) argues that early coaching is a game-changer for a startup's success. We explore the hidden costs of waiting and the benefits of intentionally installing leadership and communication systems before you scale. James shares specific self-awareness mechanisms, like advisory groups and feedback loops, to help founders design their day and create accountability. You'll also learn practical strategies like the "5-Minute Alignment Loop" for spotting communication breakdowns & for reinforcing clarity. Plus insights on how to "install your leadership OS" so it can scale with your company. ABOUT JAMES BIRCHLERJames Birchler is an executive leadership coach and technical advisor who specializes in helping engineering leaders and founders develop greater self-awareness and build high-performing teams. He combines deep technical expertise with practical leadership development, making him particularly valuable for technical leaders scaling their organizations.As both a founder and engineering leader, James has more than 20 years of experience leading teams at companies ranging from early-stage startups to Amazon, where his current role is Technical Advisor to the VP of Amazon Delivery Routing and Planning. Most recently, he founded NICER, a premium natural personal care company, and Actuate Partners, his executive coaching and technical advisory practice. He also held VP of Engineering roles at companies including Caffeine (backed by Greylock and Andreessen Horowitz), SmugMug (where his team acquired Flickr), and IMVU.At IMVU, James implemented the Lean Startup methodologies alongside Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup and creator of the methodology, literally the first company to apply these principles. His team helped pioneer the DevOps movement by building infrastructure to ship code to production 50 times per day and coining the term "continuous deployment." This experience in systematic experimentation and continuous improvement now informs his coaching approach through frameworks like CAMS (Coaching, Advising, Mentoring, Supporting) and the Think-Do-Learn Loop.James completed his executive coaching certification at UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Executive Coaching Institute. His coaching practice focuses on self-awareness, integrity, accountability, and fostering growth mindsets that support continuous learning and high performance. He writes the Continuous Growth newsletter and offers both individual executive coaching and peer learning circles for technical leaders.Through his advisory work with growth-stage startups in the US and Europe, James helps leaders navigate common scaling challenges including hiring and interviewing, implementing development methodologies, establishing operational cadences, and developing other leaders. His approach treats leadership development like product development—with systematic feedback loops, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement.You can find James at jamesbirchler.com, LinkedIn, and Substack. This episode is brought to you by Retool!What happens when your team can't keep up with internal tool requests? Teams start building their own, Shadow IT spreads across the org, and six months later you're untangling the mess…Retool gives teams a better way: governed, secure, and no cleanup required.Retool is the leading enterprise AppGen platform, powering how the world's most innovative companies build the tools that run their business. Over 10,000 organizations including Amazon, Stripe, Adobe, Brex, and Orangetheory Fitness use the platform to safely harness AI and their enterprise data to create governed, production-ready apps.Learn more at Retool.com/elc SHOW NOTES:Why founders should seek coaching earlier rather than waiting for a crisis to occur (2:45)The high stakes of ignoring this critical advice & how this leads to communication & scaling problems (4:50)The importance of effective communication channels & leadership mechanisms before pressure increases (6:12)How investing a small amount in coaching early on can prevent hundreds of thousands of dollars in future costs (8:07)Frameworks for cultivating self-awareness / leadership blind spots (11:06)James's practice of "designing your day" around a desired identity, not just a list of tasks (12:30)Why designing your day is about intentionality (15:13)How this practice leads to better relationships & opportunities to reflect (17:44)Reflective listening & its impact on customer relationships (19:32)Strategies for improving self-awareness / uncovering blind spots (22:05)An example of how awareness can lead to better results  (26:03)Day-to-day rituals for improving self-awareness (28:14)Signals that your communication methods are effective & getting through (30:37)Reflect on & define the desired outcome you want to generate (33:26)The five-minute alignment loop for creating clarity & confirming ownership as a leader (35:21)Why creating clarity & finding alignment is key as a founder (37:02)How the same communication & leadership patterns recur as your org scales, from small startup to large enterprise (39:46)The increasing importance of human skills like emotional intelligence and reflective listening in an age of AI (42:03)Rapid fire questions (44:38)This episode wouldn't have been possible without the help of our incredible production team:Patrick Gallagher - Producer & Co-HostJerry Li - Co-HostNoah Olberding - Associate Producer, Audio & Video Editor https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-olberding/Dan Overheim - Audio Engineer, Dan's also an avid 3D printer - https://www.bnd3d.com/Ellie Coggins Angus - Copywriter, Check out her other work at https://elliecoggins.com/about/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Antoine Bordas, entrepreneur, expert en Lean Management et Lean Tech.Quand on pense au Lean, on imagine souvent une version froide et brutale de l'optimisation : des process qui écrasent, des KPI, des chaînes de production huilées jusqu'à l'inhumain. Moi aussi, je pensais ça. Franchement, l'idée même de Lean m'évoquait l'inverse du care. Et c'est précisément là que commence cette conversation.Parce qu'Antoine est venu me dire : tu fais fausse route. Et il m'a expliqué, avec patience, avec passion, avec précision, que le Lean, le vrai, c'est tout sauf ça.C'est une stratégie radicale de respect. C'est une obsession du réel. C'est une école de pensée pour réapprendre à apprendre, ensemble. Et surtout : c'est un projet profondément humaniste, pensé pour durer.Dans cet épisode, nous parlons d'histoire — celle de Toyota, du Japon d'après-guerre, de Taichi Ono. Nous parlons de présent — d'IA, d'hôpital, de startups, de lignes de code et de collaborateurs désengagés. Et nous parlons d'avenir — de ce que pourrait être une entreprise robuste, résiliente, joyeuse même, si elle réapprenait à voir les problèmes non pas comme un échec, mais comme une opportunité collective d'évoluer.J'ai questionné Antoine sur tout : le mythe de la productivité, la réalité du travail dans les usines Lean, la différence entre performance et flicage, la place des émotions, le rôle du manager, le fantasme de l'IA qui remplace l'humain, et même la possibilité d'un football Lean (oui, on parle aussi de foot).On a parlé d'outils, bien sûr. De dojos, de Gemba, de management visuel, de Handon. Mais surtout, on a parlé de culture. De regard. D'intention. Parce qu'au fond, ce que défend Antoine, c'est une autre manière de voir les organisations. Non pas comme des machines à produire, mais comme des systèmes vivants, où chaque personne a le droit — et le devoir — d'apprendre, de grandir, et de contribuer à quelque chose de plus grand qu'elle.Un épisode qui m'a profondément nourri. Et qui, je l'espère, viendra bousculer quelques certitudes.Citations marquantes« Le Lean, c'est apprendre ensemble à résoudre des problèmes réels. »« Si tu n'as pas de problème, c'est que tu n'as plus rien à apprendre. »« On développe des personnes avant de développer des produits. »« L'IA ne remplacera jamais quelqu'un qui sait apprendre à apprendre. »« Une vraie boîte Lean, c'est une entreprise faite pour durer 100 ans. »Idées centrales discutées (Big Ideas)Le Lean, une stratégie humaniste mal comprise (≈01:22)Souvent perçu comme productiviste, le Lean repose au contraire sur le respect, la formation et l'amélioration continue.→ Important pour repenser la manière dont on envisage la performance.Résolution de problèmes : la compétence clé (≈17:41)Le cœur du Lean, c'est la capacité à voir les problèmes et à les résoudre ensemble, chaque jour.→ Utile pour recréer une culture de responsabilité partagée.Moins de pression, plus d'autonomie (≈18:21)Avec les bons outils (comme le système Andon), les employés ne subissent pas la pression : ils sont soutenus.→ Remet en cause le mythe du Lean oppressif.L'apprentissage au centre du travail (≈08:08)Chaque personne doit savoir ce qu'elle est en train d'apprendre. Sinon, elle est mal positionnée.→ Clé pour réengager les collaborateurs et construire la robustesse.L'IA peut détruire… ou renforcer l'humain (≈34:35)Antoine alerte sur l'IA qui dépossède les humains de leur pensée. Le Lean peut devenir un rempart.→ Nécessaire pour une intégration éthique et durable de l'IA.Questions posées dans l'interviewPourquoi le Lean fait-il si peur en France ?Quelle est la différence entre Lean Management et Lean Startup ?En quoi le Lean peut-il être une stratégie de care ?Comment le Lean transforme-t-il les relations au travail ?Quelle est la place réelle de la productivité dans le Lean ?Comment Toyota forme-t-elle ses collaborateurs différemment ?Peut-on faire du Lean dans un hôpital ou une startup ?L'IA peut-elle s'intégrer dans une culture Lean ?Quelles sont les erreurs les plus fréquentes quand on applique mal le Lean ?Par où commencer pour transformer une entreprise avec le Lean ?Références citées dans l'épisodeEntreprises & exemples :Toyota – modèle historique du Lean (≈01:58)Conto – analyse client hebdomadaire (≈08:48)Hôpital Sainte-Anne – Lean en milieu hospitalier (≈20:34)Aramis Auto – exemple industriel français (≈23:12)Veolia Eau France – transformation Lean à grande échelle (≈45:41)Kipik, Théus, FC Versailles – autres cas évoquésPersonnalités :Taichi Ono – inventeur du Toyota Production System (≈02:12)Michael Ballé & Freddy Ballé – sensei français du Lean (≈25:15)Aymeric Augustin – CTO chez Conto (≈30:19)Alexandre Mulliez – FC Versailles, vision Lean du football (≈35:17)Ouvrages / Concepts :L'Hôpital apprenant, Aline Sattler (≈21:35)Kaizen – amélioration continue (≈14:57)Sensei – coach Lean (≈25:00)Gemba – présence terrain des dirigeants (≈30:19)System Andon – alerte collaborative sur problème (≈18:21)Timestamps clés 00:00 Introduction et malentendus sur le Lean03:00 Origine du Lean chez Toyota après la guerre06:00 Pourquoi le Lean est tout sauf bureaucratique08:00 Comment une entreprise Lean se construit10:30 L'apprentissage comme moteur de performance14:30 Exemple Toyota : former, déplacer, innover17:00 Le vrai rapport à la pression dans le Lean20:30 Le cas de l'hôpital Sainte-Anne23:00 Ce qui change concrètement dans une usine Lean25:00 Les figures du Lean en France30:00 Être dirigeant dans une culture Lean34:00 L'impact de l'IA vu par le prisme Lean37:00 Pourquoi les compétences humaines restent clés41:00 Apprendre à résoudre des problèmes45:00 Comment lancer une stratégie Lean dans une boîte48:30 Le temps long comme condition de succès51:00 Le lien entre Lean et réindustrialisation53:00 Les pièges d'un Lean mal appliqué55:00 La culture du feedback et de l'humilitéHébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In this episode, Colby Horton and Frank Humada are joined by Elizabeth Engel and Jamie Notter for a conversation about what the Lean Startup methodology really means for associations. Together, they explore the origins of Lean Startup, popularized by Eric Ries, and unpack common misconceptions that often lead associations to dismiss the approach too quickly. Elizabeth highlights the importance of empathy and Design Thinking as essential foundations for innovation, while Jamie focuses on how learning, experimentation, and iteration—rather than perfection—drive meaningful progress. Throughout the conversation, they discuss how associations can test ideas, learn faster, and create value without requiring every experiment to deliver immediate financial returns. The episode also examines cultural barriers that can slow innovation and offers practical, low-risk ways leaders can begin applying Lean Startup principles within their organizations.   Show notes Download the whitepaper here: https://bit.ly/LeanAt10

Send us a textSome businesses thrive no matter the market — Ksenia Votinova-Arnaud knows why. As a global tech entrepreneur, co-founder of a SaaS company, and creator of the Weatherproof Business Formula, she has built companies that grow, adapt, and scale.In this episode of Starter Girlz, Jennifer Loehding sits down with Ksenia to hear about her journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to coaching over a thousand executives and creating resilient business strategies that help entrepreneurs succeed.This conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, the evolving definition of success, and the lessons Ksenia has learned about resilience, adaptability, and building systems that enable businesses to thrive. You'll hear discussion-based insights on vision, strategy, leveraging technology and AI, starting lean, niching effectively, and maintaining balance as you build a thriving business.⭐ What You'll Learn in This Episode✅ How resilience and vision shape business success✅ Lessons from scaling a global SaaS company✅ Patterns in business that can form repeatable systems✅ Insights gained from mentoring  on strategy, mindset, and frameworks✅ Leveraging technology, AI, and no-code tools to support growth✅ Starting lean and validating ideas before scaling✅ Niching down to focus on the right customer segment✅ Balancing work and life to prevent burnout✅ Using systems and technology to work smarter, not harder

In the Sunday Book Review, Tom Fox considers books that would interest compliance professionals, business executives, or anyone curious. It could be books about business, compliance, history, leadership, current events, or anything else that might interest Tom. In this episode, we look at some of the top books on innovation, both those already published and those scheduled for 2026. Twin Transformation: A Gripping Tale of How AI and Sustainability Converge, and the Race to Get It Right by Michael Wade & Konstantinos Trantopoulos  The Innovation Approach: Overcoming the Limitations of Design Thinking and the Lean Startup by David C. Roach The Shortest History of AI: The Six Essential Ideas That Animate It by Toby Walsh The Coming Wave: AI, Power, and Our Future by Mustafa Suleyman & Michael Bhaskar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EP152 — [IA] — ¿La era de la Hormiga de Negocio?La IA está cambiando las reglas del juego. ¿Está empoderando a las áreas de Negocio mientras desplaza al tecnólogo? ¿Cómo impacta esto en la Ingeniería de Software tal como la conocemos?En este especial del ciclo de IA de Hormigas Agilistas, abrimos el debate sobre la transformación organizacional impulsada por algoritmos. Analizamos si la IA representa una crisis para el mindset Agile o, por el contrario, su evolución definitiva. Además, este debate sirve como preámbulo perfecto para nuestro próximo encuentro sobre “Gobernanza de la IA”.¿Qué te puedes llevar de este episodio?:Lean Startup recargado: El “nuevo aire” que la IA le da a la validación de negocios.Una Nueva Ingeniería de Software: El impacto, rediseño y futuro de la profesión.Empoderamiento estratégico: El nuevo rol de las personas de negocio (Hormigas de Negocio) frente a la tecnología.¿Agile en crisis?: ¿Estamos ante el fin de la agilidad o ante su mayor aliado?Visión Sistémica: ¿Están las organizaciones aplicando un pensamiento de segundo orden al adoptar IA, incluso conociendo y aceptando el impacto de la IA en los recursos humanos y ecológicos del planeta, o solo siguen la moda?En este episodio participan las hormigas: Arturo Robles Maloof, Antonio Gallardo Burgos, Jorge Abad y Rodrigo Burgos.#IA #Agilidad #LeanStarup #IngenieriaSW #Producto #Negocio #HormigasAgilistasSi deseas conocer más sobre este episodio y todos los demás, visita el sitio: HormigasAgilistas.CLo en https://medium.com/hormigas-agilistas/¡Gracias por ser parte del Universo de Hormigas Agilistas!IMPORTANTE: Siempre es bueno recordar que en Hormigas Agilistas Podcasts no somos buscadores de la verdad, el objetivo acá no es indicar los que se debe hacer; más bien, abrimos el micrófono para que las personas puedan contar sus experiencias, sus ‘heridas de guerra', y así los oyentes puedan tomar lo que más le haga sentido en sus organizaciones y avanzar en la mejora continua.

Doing more, faster, better with less has become the permanent setting in modern business. Post-pandemic, with tighter budgets, higher customer expectations, and AI speeding up competitors, leaders can't rely on "the boss with the whiteboard marker" to magically produce genius ideas on demand. You need a repeatable innovation system that draws out creativity from the whole organisation—especially the people closest to customers. Below is a practical nine-step innovation process leaders can run again and again, so innovation becomes a habit—not a lucky accident.  How do leaders define "success" before trying to innovate? Innovation gets messy fast unless everyone is crystal clear on what "good" looks like. Step One is Visualisation: define the goal, the "should be" case, and what success looks like in concrete terms—customer outcomes, cost, quality, time, risk, or growth. In practice, this is where executives at firms like Toyota or Unilever would translate strategy into a shared target: "Reduce onboarding time from 14 days to 3," or "Increase repeat purchase by 10% in APAC by Q4." Compare that with many SMEs where the goal is vague ("be more innovative") and the team sprints hard in random directions. Do now (mini-summary): Write a one-sentence "should be" target and 3 measurable success indicators (KPI, timeline, customer impact). Align the team before you chase ideas. What's the fastest way to gather the right facts without killing creativity? Great ideas come from great inputs, and Step Two is Fact Finding—collect data before opinions. Leaders should separate "facts" from "feelings" by digging into who/what/when/where/why/how. This is where many organisations discover their measurement systems are weak—or worse, wrong. In the US, you might lean on product analytics, A/B testing, and voice-of-customer tools. In Japan, you'll often combine frontline observation (genba thinking) with structured reporting—useful, but sometimes filtered by hierarchy. Either way, don't judge yet. Just get the evidence: customer complaints, churn reasons, sales cycle delays, defect rates, staff turnover, and time wasted in approvals. Do now (mini-summary): Collect 10 hard facts (numbers, patterns, examples) and 10 "customer voice" quotes. No solutions yet—just reality. How do you frame the real problem so you don't solve the wrong thing? The way you state the problem determines the quality of the ideas you'll get. Step Three is Problem (or Opportunity) Finding: clarify what's actually holding you back, where resources leak, and what success constraints exist. This is harder than it sounds. Ask five people the main problem and you'll get eight opinions—especially in matrixed multinationals or fast-moving startups. Use smart problem framing techniques: "How might we…?", "What's the bottleneck?", "If we fixed one thing this quarter, what would move the needle?" Compare Japan vs the US here: US teams may jump to action quickly; Japan teams may seek consensus early. Both can miss the root cause if the framing is sloppy. Do now (mini-summary): Rewrite your problem three ways: customer-impact, process-bottleneck, and cost-leakage. Pick the clearest, most actionable version. How do you run ideation so the loud people don't crush the good ideas? Step Four is Idea Finding, and the golden rule is: no judgement, chase volume, and do it in silence. This is where most leaders accidentally sabotage innovation—someone blurts an idea, the "bolshie" confident voices start critiquing, and the timid thinkers shut down. Silent idea generation (think brainwriting rather than brainstorming) helps deeper thinkers contribute and reduces status bias—critical in hierarchical cultures and in teams where junior staff defer to seniority. If you want better ideas, ask the people closest to the coal face: new hires, customer support, frontline sales, and the group that best matches your buyers' profile. Often they see problems the C-suite never touches. Do now (mini-summary): Run 10 minutes of silent brainwriting: each person writes 10 ideas. No talking. Then collect and cluster ideas by theme. How do leaders choose the best ideas without politics or "rank wins"? Step Five is Solution Finding—now you're allowed to judge, but you must judge fairly. The risk here is predictable: seniority dominates, juniors defer, and the "easy consensus" becomes a polite rubber stamp. Use a structured selection method: score ideas against agreed criteria (impact, effort, speed, risk, customer value). Borrow from frameworks like Stage-Gate, Lean Startup (testable hypotheses), and even RICE scoring (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort). Compare sectors: in B2B, feasibility and implementation risk often weigh more; in consumer markets, speed and customer delight can dominate. The point is to remove the "who said it" factor. Do now (mini-summary): Build a simple 4-criteria scorecard and rank the top 10 ideas. Make scoring anonymous if hierarchy is distorting decisions. How do you get buy-in and actually execute innovation in the real world? Ideas don't win—execution wins, and Steps Six to Nine turn creativity into results. Step Six is Acceptance Finding: sell the idea internally for time, money, and people. Step Seven is Implementation: define who does what by when, with budget and resources. Step Eight is Follow Up: check progress early so you don't discover the team is zigging when you needed zagging. Step Nine is Evaluation: did it work, was it worth it, and what did we learn? In 2025-era organisations, this is also where AI can help: drafting business cases, mapping risks, creating implementation plans, and summarising learnings—without replacing leadership accountability. Startups might run faster experiments; conglomerates might need governance and change management. Either way, the process keeps you moving. Do now (mini-summary): Assign an owner, set a 30-day milestone, and define the success metric. Review weekly. Capture learnings as you go. Final wrap-up A surprising number of companies still have no shared system for generating ideas—so innovation depends on mood, meetings, or the loudest voice in the room. A repeatable nine-step process creates better ideation, stronger decision-making, and cleaner execution. Run it consistently, and innovation becomes part of your organisational DNA—not a once-a-year workshop. Quick next steps for leaders Pick one business pain point and run Steps 1–4 in a 60-minute session this week. Use silent idea generation to protect the deeper thinkers. Score ideas with a simple rubric to avoid politics. Pilot one idea in 30 days, then evaluate and repeat. FAQs Is brainstorming or brainwriting better for innovation? Brainwriting usually beats brainstorming because it reduces groupthink and status bias. Silent idea generation produces more ideas and more diverse ideas in most teams. How long does the nine-step innovation process take? You can run Steps 1–5 in a half-day and Steps 6–9 over 30–90 days. The timeline depends on complexity, risk, and resources. What if leadership won't support the idea? Treat Step Six like a sales process—build a business case and show trade-offs. If you can't win resources, scale the idea down into a testable pilot.   Author credentials Dr. Greg Story, Ph.D. in Japanese Decision-Making, is President of Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training and Adjunct Professor at Griffith University. He is a two-time winner of the Dale Carnegie "One Carnegie Award" (2018, 2021) and recipient of the Griffith University Business School Outstanding Alumnus Award (2012). As a Dale Carnegie Master Trainer, Greg is certified to deliver globally across all leadership, communication, sales, and presentation programs, including Leadership Training for Results. He has written several books, including three best-sellers — Japan Business Mastery, Japan Sales Mastery, and Japan Presentations Mastery — along with Japan Leadership Mastery and How to Stop Wasting Money on Training. His works have been translated into Japanese, including Za Eigyō (ザ営業), Purezen no Tatsujin (プレゼンの達人), Torēningu de Okane o Muda ni Suru no wa Yamemashō (トレーニングでお金を無駄にするのはやめましょう), and Gendaiban "Hito o Ugokasu" Rīdā (現代版「人を動かす」リーダー). Greg also publishes daily business insights on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter, and hosts six weekly podcasts. On YouTube, he produces The Cutting Edge Japan Business Show, Japan Business Mastery, and Japan's Top Business Interviews, which are widely followed by executives seeking success strategies in Japan. 

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast, host Troy Trewin interviews Ryan Rottman, Co-Founder of Athlete Agent, shares how he built a scalable sports tech platform by identifying market gaps and making smart pivots. He explains the power of data-driven decisions, focus, and customer feedback in driving sustainable growth. Ryan also discusses leadership lessons, managing teams, and adapting quickly in competitive industries. This conversation highlights how resilience and clarity turn ideas into profitable ventures. A practical story of building long-term success in business. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here. Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice. And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Ryan Rottman, the hardest thing in growing a small business is knowing when to pivot. He emphasizes listening closely to customers, recognizing early signs that something isn't working, and having the courage to change direction before wasting too much time, money, and energy on the wrong path. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Ryan Rottman's favorite business book that's helped him the most is "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries — he often says its principles of rapid testing, validated learning, and iterative growth were game-changers in how he approached building and scaling Athlete Agent. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Ryan Rottman recommends learning from practical, founder-led resources, especially podcasts like How I Built This, Masters of Scale, and The Tim Ferriss Show for real stories on growth, resilience, and decision-making, along with hands-on platforms like Y Combinator Startup School and HubSpot Academy for actionable lessons that help small businesses scale smarter. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Ryan Rottman often points to project management and customer engagement tools as must-haves for small business growth. One he recommends is Notion — it's great for organizing ideas, goals, workflows, and team collaboration all in one place. For customer growth and marketing, he also suggests HubSpot CRM, which helps track leads, manage contacts, and automate marketing without a huge budget. Both tools are practical, scalable, and especially helpful when you're building structure and consistency in your business. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? According to Ryan Rottman, his advice to himself on day one would be to focus intently on what customers actually need, not on your own initial vision. He would stress communicating with concise clarity to earn quicker and more meaningful responses. He recommends building a firm but fair management style by setting clear expectations from the beginning. Additionally, he advises pivoting decisively when the data shows a need, rather than delaying out of pride. Finally, he emphasizes developing a resilient mindset to withstand rejection and persevere through challenges. Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.   Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: A small win in a small business feels like a huge win — Ryan Rottman Humor and self-deprecation can be the most powerful forms of marketing — Ryan Rottman Success is not just selling the business, it's waking up every day loving what you do — Ryan Rottman  

As a creative director, when you're working on a client project, there's this a bit of a built-in safety net. You've got their goals, their guardrails, their brand voice to guide you as you solve their problem.But what about when the idea, the brand, the product is yours? When you're the client? Now that's a whole different story.The vision, the execution, the timeline, the risk—it's all on your shoulders. It's equal parts exciting and absolutely terrifying.On this episode we speak with Entrepreneur, Creative Lead and Marketing Consultant, Alejandro Quillici about that moment when you stop thinking about the thing and start doing the thing.We're talking about what it takes to actually bring your idea to life—with no safety net and no one to blame but yourself if it fails. We'll get into why inspiration energy is not the same as execution energy, how to build momentum with tiny, no-pressure moves, and why treating your idea like a client project can weirdly help you to actually finish it. For a deeper dive into some of the books and ideas mentioned on the show, check out these links: - The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: https://theleanstartup.com/- The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Act-Way-Being/dp/0593652886- What are KPIs and Metrics? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZlTixh6BsMore on Alejandro: Website: https://www.alejandroquilici.com/- Instagram: @_allezalex- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/allez-alex

BONUS: Breaking Through The Organizational Immune System - Why Software-Native Organizations Are Still Rare With Vasco Duarte In this BONUS episode, we explore the organizational barriers that prevent companies from becoming truly software-native. Despite having proof that agile, iterative approaches work at scale—from Spotify to Amazon to Etsy—most organizations still struggle to adopt these practices. We reveal the root cause behind this resistance and expose four critical barriers that form what we call "The Organizational Immune System." This isn't about resistance to change; it's about embedded structures, incentives, and mental models that actively reject beneficial transformation. The Root Cause: Project Management as an Incompatible Mindset "Project management as a mental model is fundamentally incompatible with software development. And will continue to be, because 'project management' as an art needs to support industries that are not software-native." The fundamental problem isn't about tools or practices—it's about how we think about work itself. Project management operates on assumptions that simply don't hold true for software development. It assumes you can know the scope upfront, plan everything in advance, and execute according to that plan. But software is fundamentally different. A significant portion of the work only becomes visible once you start building. You discover that the "simple" feature requires refactoring three other systems. You learn that users actually need something different than what they asked for. This isn't poor planning—it's the nature of software. Project management treats discovery as failure ("we missed requirements"), while software-native thinking treats discovery as progress ("we learned something critical"). As Vasco points out in his NoEstimates work, what project management calls "scope creep" should really be labeled "value discovery" in software—because we're discovering more value to add. Discovery vs. Execution: Why Software Needs Different Success Metrics "Software hypotheses need to be tested in hours or days, not weeks, and certainly not months. You can't wait until the end of a 12-month project to find out your core assumption was wrong." The timing mismatch between project management and software development creates fundamental problems. Project management optimizes for plan execution with feedback loops that are months or years long, with clear distinctions between teams doing requirements, design, building, and testing. But software needs to probe and validate assumptions in hours or days. Questions like "Will users actually use this feature?" or "Does this architecture handle the load?" can't wait for the end of a 12-month project. When we finally discover our core assumption was wrong, we need to fully replan—not just "change the plan." Software-native organizations optimize for learning speed, while project management optimizes for plan adherence. These are opposing and mutually exclusive definitions of success. The Language Gap: Why Software Needs Its Own Vocabulary "When you force software into project management language, you lose the ability to manage what actually matters. You end up tracking task completion while missing that you're building the wrong thing." The vocabulary we use shapes how we think about problems and solutions. Project management talks about tasks, milestones, percent complete, resource allocation, and critical path. Software needs to talk about user value, technical debt, architectural runway, learning velocity, deployment frequency, and lead time. These aren't just different words—they represent fundamentally different ways of thinking about work. When organizations force software teams to speak in project management terms, they lose the ability to discuss and manage what actually creates value in software development. The Scholarship Crisis: An Industry-Wide Knowledge Gap "Agile software development represents the first worldwide trend in scholarship around software delivery. But most organizational investment still goes into project management scholarship and training." There's extensive scholarship in IT, but almost none about delivery processes until recently. The agile movement represents the first major wave of people studying what actually works for building software, rather than adapting thinking from manufacturing or construction. Yet most organizational investment continues to flow into project management certifications like PMI and Prince2, and traditional MBA programs—all teaching an approach with fundamental problems when applied to software. This creates an industry-wide challenge: when CFOs, executives, and business partners all think in project management terms, they literally cannot understand why software needs to work differently. The mental model mismatch isn't just a team problem—it's affecting everyone in the organization and the broader industry. Budget Cycles: The Project Funding Trap "You commit to a scope at the start, when you know the least about what you need to build. The budget runs out exactly when you're starting to understand what users actually need." Project thinking drives project funding: organizations approve a fixed budget (say $2M over 9 months) to deliver specific features. This seems rational and gives finance predictability, but it's completely misaligned with how software creates value. Teams commit to scope when they know the least about what needs building. The budget expires just when they're starting to understand what users actually need. When the "project" ends, the team disbands, taking all their accumulated knowledge with them. Next year, the cycle starts over with a new project, new team, and zero retained context. Meanwhile, the software itself needs continuous evolution, but the funding structure treats it as a series of temporary initiatives with hard stops. The Alternative: Incremental Funding and Real-Time Signals "Instead of approving $2M for 9 months, approve smaller increments—maybe $200K for 6 weeks. Then decide whether to continue based on what you've learned." Software-native organizations fund teams working on products, not projects. This means incremental funding decisions based on learning rather than upfront commitments. Instead of detailed estimates that pretend to predict the future, they use lightweight signals from the NoEstimates approach to detect problems early: Are we delivering value regularly? Are we learning? Are users responding positively? These signals provide more useful information than any Gantt chart. Portfolio managers shift from being "task police" asking "are you on schedule?" to investment curators asking "are we seeing the value we expected? Should we invest more, pivot, or stop?" This mirrors how venture capital works—and software is inherently more like VC than construction. Amazon exemplifies this approach, giving teams continuous funding as long as they're delivering value and learning, with no arbitrary end date to the investment. The Business/IT Separation: A Structural Disaster "'The business' doesn't understand software—and often doesn't want to. They think in terms of features and deadlines, not capabilities and evolution." Project thinking reinforces organizational separation: "the business" defines requirements, "IT" implements them, and project managers coordinate the handoff. This seems logical with clear specialization and defined responsibilities. But it creates a disaster. The business writes requirements documents without understanding what's technically possible or what users actually need. IT receives them, estimates, and builds—but the requirements are usually wrong. By the time IT delivers, the business need has changed, or the software works but doesn't solve the real problem. Sometimes worst of all, it works exactly as specified but nobody wants it. This isn't a communication problem—it's a structural problem created by project thinking. Product Thinking: Starting with Behavior Change "Instead of 'build a new reporting dashboard,' the goal is 'reduce time finance team spends preparing monthly reports from 40 hours to 4 hours.'" Software-native organizations eliminate the business/IT separation by creating product teams focused on outcomes. Using approaches like Impact Mapping, they start with behavior change instead of features. The goal becomes a measurable change in business behavior or performance, not a list of requirements. Teams measure business outcomes, not task completion—tracking whether finance actually spends less time on reports. If the first version doesn't achieve that outcome, they iterate. The "requirement" isn't sacred; the outcome is. "Business" and "IT" collaborate on goals rather than handing off requirements. They're on the same team, working toward the same measurable outcome with no walls to throw things over. Spotify's squad model popularized this approach, with each squad including product managers, designers, and engineers all focused on the same part of the product, all owning the outcome together. Risk Management Theater: The Appearance of Control "Here's the real risk in software: delivering software that nobody wants, and having to maintain it forever." Project thinking creates elaborate risk management processes—steering committees, gate reviews, sign-offs, extensive documentation, and governance frameworks. These create the appearance of managing risk and make everyone feel professional and in control. But paradoxically, the very practices meant to manage risk end up increasing the risk of catastrophic failure. This mirrors Chesterton's Fence paradox. The real risk in software isn't about following the plan—it's delivering software nobody wants and having to maintain it forever. Every line of code becomes a maintenance burden. If it's not delivering value, you're paying the cost forever or paying additional cost to remove it later. Traditional risk management theater doesn't protect against this at all. Gates and approvals just slow you down without validating whether users will actually use what you're building or whether the software creates business value. Agile as Risk Management: Fast Learning Loops "Software-native organizations don't see 'governance' and 'agility' as a tradeoff. Agility IS governance. Fast learning loops ARE how you manage risk." Software-native organizations recognize that agile and product thinking ARE risk management. The fastest way to reduce risk is delivering quickly—getting software in front of real users in production with real data solving real problems, not in demos or staging environments. Teams validate expected value by measuring whether software achieves intended outcomes. Did finance really reduce their reporting time? Did users actually engage with the feature? When something isn't working, teams change it quickly. When it is working, they double down. Either way, they're managing risk through rapid learning. Eric Ries's Lean Startup methodology isn't just for startups—it's fundamentally a software-native management practice. Build-Measure-Learn isn't a nice-to-have; it's how you avoid the catastrophic risk of building the wrong thing. The Risk Management Contrast: Theater vs. Reality "Which approach actually manages risk? The second one validates assumptions quickly and cheaply. The first one maximizes your exposure to building the wrong thing." The contrast between approaches is stark. Risk management theater involves six months of requirements gathering and design, multiple approval gates that claim to prevent risk but actually accumulate it, comprehensive test plans, and a big-bang launch after 12 months. Teams then discover users don't want it—and now they're maintaining unwanted software forever. The agile risk management approach takes two weeks to build a minimal viable feature, ships to a subset of users, measures actual behavior, learns it's not quite right, iterates in another two weeks, validates value before scaling, and only maintains software that's proven valuable. The second approach validates assumptions quickly and cheaply. The first maximizes exposure to building the wrong thing. The Immune System in Action: How Barriers Reinforce Each Other "When you try to 'implement agile' without addressing these structural barriers, the organization's immune system rejects it. Teams might adopt standups and sprints, but nothing fundamental changes." These barriers work together as an immune system defending the status quo. It starts with the project management mindset—the fundamental belief that software is like construction, that we can plan it all upfront, that "done" is a meaningful state. That mindset creates funding models that allocate budgets to temporary projects instead of continuous products, organizational structures that separate "business" from "IT" and treat software as a cost center, and risk management theater that optimizes for appearing in control rather than actually learning. Each barrier reinforces the others. The funding model makes it hard to keep stable product teams. The business/IT separation makes it hard to validate value quickly. The risk theater slows down learning loops. The whole system resists change—even beneficial change—because each part depends on the others. This is why so many "agile transformations" fail: they treat the symptoms (team practices) without addressing the disease (organizational structures built on project thinking). Breaking Free: Seeing the System Clearly "Once you see the system clearly, you can transform it. You now know the root cause, how it manifests, and what the alternatives look like." Understanding these barriers is empowering. It's not that people are stupid or resistant to change—organizations have structural barriers built on a fundamental mental model mismatch. But once you see the system clearly, transformation becomes possible. You now understand the root cause (project management mindset), how it manifests in your organization (funding models, business/IT separation, risk theater), and what the alternatives look like through real examples from companies successfully operating as software-native organizations. The path forward requires addressing the disease, not just the symptoms—transforming the fundamental structures and mental models that shape how your organization approaches software. Recommended Further Reading Vasco's article on 5 examples of software disasters that show we are in the middle of another software crisis NoEstimates movement: Vasco Duarte's work and book Impact Mapping: Gojko Adzic's framework Lean Startup: Eric Ries, "The Lean Startup" Outcome-based funding model Spotify squad model: Henrik Kniberg's materials Chesterton's fence paradox About Vasco Duarte Vasco Duarte is a thought leader in the Agile space, co-founder of Agile Finland, and host of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, which has over 10 million downloads. Author of NoEstimates: How To Measure Project Progress Without Estimating, Vasco is a sought-after speaker and consultant helping organizations embrace Agile practices to achieve business success. You can link with Vasco Duarte on LinkedIn.

Is 'Move Fast & Break Things' just permission to be reckless?Join Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Consultant Om Patel as they examine Mark Zuckerberg's (in)famous mantra and reveal how it may have metastasized from breaking code to breaking laws, teams, and even contributing to real human harm.Watch or listen as we explore the critical dimensions of this philosophy, including:BREAKING SOFTWARE: How the original meaning of 'break things' (emphasizing first-mover advantage) evolved from rapid iteration of code to justifying regulatory evasion and monopolistic behavior.BREAKING TEAMS: Using Harvard research that shows 'always-on' cultures decrease productivity by 20% and spike turnover to discuss how intensity without recovery is just exploitation (and what to do instead).BREAKING PEOPLE: Discussing the human costs of unchecked speed, from Facebook's alleged role in the Myanmar genocide to Uber's systemic harassment culture to Theranos's fraud.LEARNING OVER SPEED: We discuss Eric Ries's seminal work: The Lean Startup and how it went out of it's way to emphasize learning velocity over shipping velocity. WRONG (we guess)!PUSHING BACK (WITHOUT GETTING FIRED): We brainstorm for frameworks to use for challenging speed-obsessed leadership, including trade-off and discuss real-world experiences.Whether you're running a business, a product manager, or a team member just trying to keep up, this episode arms you with arguments and frameworks to advocate for ethical innovation.What's your take on 'move fast' culture? Have you seen it more of a positive or negative?#ProductManagement #TechEthics #AgileLeadershipREFERENCESMove Fast and Break Things by Jonathan Taplin (2017), Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power Greed and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn Williams, The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (2011), The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson (2018), Susan Fowler's blog 'Reflecting on One Very Very Strange Year at Uber' (February 2017), UN Human Rights Council 2018 report on Facebook and Myanmar, Harvard Business School research on always-on cultures (2009), Agile Podcast E22 - Interview with a Scrum Trainer: Fred Mastropasqua (August 2021), Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink, The Social Network (film, 2010)LINKSYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@arguingagileSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Website: https://arguingagile.com/

Andrew Ackerman has launched 2 startups and invested in over 70 startups over the past 2 decades, first as an angel and then in an accelerator/VC context. He has created a number of unique investing and innovation platforms for funds like Dreamit Ventures and Second Century Ventures where he currently runs REACH Labs. He's literally written the book on what it takes to build a great startup. Published in May, "The Entrepreneur's Odyssey," has been described as Lean Startup meets The Alchemist. Andrew also consults on corporate innovation strategies such as CVC, accelerators, venture studios, etc. and is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship. For more information, visit andrewbackerman.com. His book can be purchased on Amazon.com.

SummaryIn this episode we interview David Sauers. He's the founder of Royal Restrooms, a company that's redefining what a portable restroom can be. What started with a frustrating moment at a festival turned into David challenging a fundamental assumption: How can we elevate one of the most overlooked parts of any event?He walks us through why weddings became their breakthrough customer segment and how adapting designs for different event types unlocked growth.This isn't just about restrooms,  it's about challenging stigma, listening closely to customer signals, and innovating in overlooked spaces. David explains how they are testing their way into showers, beverage trailers, and beyond.Guest LinksLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers/Royal Restrooms: https://royalrestroomsca.com/Personal Website: https://www.davidsauers.com/ Is your team guessing which experiments to run? Discover proven ways to test your ideas before you invest. With the Precoil Experiment Library, you'll find the right experiment for every assumption.

“Instead of asking yourself, 'How will this replace me,' ask yourself, 'How can this help me?”Willem Gous Top Five Tips To Stay Ahead In The Age of AI Disruption 1. Shift from Fear to Curiosity2. Act Small, Act Fast3. Focus on Adaptability, Not Certainty4. Think Like an Entrepreneur5. Take the Next Small, Doable Step TIME STAMP SUMMARY01:50 Using AI as a thinking partner to enhance one's own capabilities.07:20 Taking small, fast actions with AI and automation to see how they can help achieve goals.11:40 Adopting an entrepreneurial mindset17:00 Becoming a chameleon and adapting to new situations  Where to find WillemWebsite                              https://willem-gous.com  LinkedIn                             http://za.linkedin.com/in/willemgous    Willem Gous Bio Willem Gous is a global expert in entrepreneurial thinking and human adaptability, the skills that keep people and organisations ahead when the world changes fast. He works with companies to build teams that stay calm in disruption, think clearly under pressure, and take confident action to create innovative solutions. His practical approach makes adaptability and innovation part of everyday work, not just a one-off event.With over 25 years of experience in business and entrepreneurship, Willem delivers practical frameworks that shift how people think and work. His signature model, the Indivineur Thinking Compass, activates five core principles that unlock adaptability, resourcefulness and internal locus of control in organisations. Willem holds a Master's degree from the University of Liverpool, U.K.,was named Startup Mentor of the Year 2023, and ranks as a Top 50 Global Thought Leader with Thinkers360 in Lean Startup and Careers. Offstage, he is a single father and certified firewalking instructor, proving that the right mindset and preparation make anything possible.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher kicks off our Big Ideas & Trends Series with a candid conversation about what it really takes for associations to innovate.Colleen is joined by Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting; Jamie Notter, Culture Scientist; and Chrissy Bagby, CAE, PMP, Chief Strategy Officer, American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).They unpack the new white paper and share how Lean Startup thinking, paired with culture change, can help associations test ideas, reduce risk, and stop “we've always done it this way” from running the show.Key HighlightsIt's Not the Method, It's the Culture: Why associations don't have an idea problem—they have a culture and psychological safety problem.AAVSB's Story: How Chrissy's team moved from big, risky builds to structured experiments, shared understanding, and the role of the “cooperative skeptic.”Build–Measure–Learn in Real Life: What to measure early on, why behavior beats opinions, and how to use data without getting paralyzed by it.Boards, Staff, and Decision Clarity: Practical ways to define roles, set guardrails, and bring volunteer leaders along without slowing everything down.

Steve Blank: Blind to Disruption Steve Blank is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford and co-founder of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. Credited with launching the Lean Startup movement and the curriculums for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps and Hacking for Defense and Diplomacy, he's changed how startups are built, how entrepreneurship is taught, how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate. Steve is the author of The Four Steps to the Epiphany and The Startup Owner's Manual and is the author of his recent article at steveblank.com: Blind to Disruption: The CEOs Who Missed the Future. Leaders may see the future coming, but we aren't always incentivized to act on it. In this conversation, Steve and I discuss what we can learn from the common patterns of disruption so we don't miss what's next. Key Points In the 1890s, there were approximately 4,000 carriage and wagon makers in the United States. Only one company made the transition to automobiles. In each of the three companies that survived, it was the founders, not hired CEOs, that drove the transition. Studebaker recognized that it wasn't in the business of carriages; it was in the business of mobility. Clayton Christensen taught us that disruption begins with inferior products that incumbents don't take seriously. The real problem isn't that companies can't see the future. It's that they are structurally disincentivized to act on it. Parsing innovation theatre vs. innovation means paying attention to what's actually shipping. If nothing is and you want to innovate, look elsewhere. Bubbles in the market are normal. Timing may be off, but that doesn't mean disruption isn't happening. Resources Mentioned Blind to Disruption: The CEOs Who Missed the Future by Steve Blank Related Episodes How to Start Seeing Around Corners, with Rita McGrath (episode 430) How to Build an Invincible Company, with Alex Osterwalder (episode 470) How to Pivot Quickly, with Steve Blank (episode 476) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

SummaryIn this episode we interview Aurora Winter. She's the founder of Same Page Publishing, an innovative publishing company that helps you launch as a thought leader.Aurora shares her journey from the film industry to becoming a successful author and publisher. We discuss her early assumptions with helping authors through her 'Spoken Author Method' and her testing of new formats like video books. The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in business, problem-solving, and the value of micro-testing.Guest LinksLinkedIn Profile: https://linkedin.com/in/AuroraWinterSame Page Publishing: https://samepagepublishing.com/Turn Words Into Wealth: https://turnwordsintowealth.com/ Is your team guessing which experiments to run? Discover proven ways to test your ideas before you invest. With the Precoil Experiment Library, you'll find the right experiment for every assumption.

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!!Business Conversations With Pi – How to Add and Grow Business ValueTodays discussion covers how to define and measure value in business, strategies for growing a company, and the best ways to find top talent. The episode also features expert book recommendations to help listeners deepen their understanding of value creation and business growth00:00 – Introduction Meet host KU and AI co-host Pi. Discover how AI can help entrepreneurs and business owners succeed.00:29 – Who Should Listen Perfect for aspiring founders, small business owners, and anyone seeking business growth strategies.00:51 – What You'll Learn Get expert advice on business planning, marketing, and value creation.01:37 – Getting Started Jesse and Lawrence (Pi) set the stage for a value-packed episode.01:52 – What Is Value in Business? Jesse asks: What does “adding value” mean for entrepreneurs?02:07 – How to Measure Value Lawrence shares five key indicators:Positive feedback (02:07)Repeat business (02:18)Referrals (02:27)Sales growth (02:35)Market share (02:43)02:52 – Growing Your Company's Value Top strategies for business growth:Customer retention (02:57)Customer acquisition (03:12)Innovation (03:21)Efficiency (03:30)Branding (03:39)03:49 – How to Find Top Talent Best places to recruit:Referrals (03:57)Job boards (04:06)Recruitment agencies (04:14)Universities/colleges (04:23)Social media (04:34)04:42 – Book Recommendations for Entrepreneurs Boost your business knowledge with these top books:Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne (04:50): Learn to create unique value and uncontested market space.The Lean Startup by Eric Ries (05:10): Build startups with continuous innovation and customer value.Good to Great by Jim Collins (05:23): Discover what makes companies excel and create lasting value.Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter (05:36): Master industry analysis and competitive advantage.Zero to One by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters (05:47): Find new ways to innovate and build valuable businesses.05:51 – Final Takeaways Lawrence encourages listeners to focus on vaStan.store/skoob for your black Friday coaching deal right now!! Thank you for being a Skoobeliever!! If you have questions about the show or you want to be a guest please contact me at one of these social mediasTwitter......... ..@djskoob2021 Facebook.........Facebook.com/skoobamiInstagram..... instagram.com/uepodcast2021tiktok....... @djskoob2021Email............... Uepodcast2021@gmail.com Skoob at Gettin' Basted Facebook PageAcross The Start Line Facebook Community Find out what one of the four hurdles of stop is affecting you the most!!Black Friday coaching Sale now!! 65% off original price! go to stan.store/skoob to book your appointment and take advantage of this limited time offer! On Twitter @doittodaycoachdoingittodaycoaching@gmailcom

In episode 136 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton, Elizabeth Engel, and Jamie Notter talk about their new white paper Lean at 10: Culture Eats Methodology for Lunch. Ten years after Engel first explored Lean Startup principles in the nonprofit and association world, she and Notter revisit what's changed—and what hasn't. Carol, Elizabeth and Jamie discuss: Why the tools of innovation are accessible, yet the real challenge in adoption lies in organizational culture.  how competing commitments, fear of failure, and rigid silos can quietly sabotage innovation efforts what leaders can do instead to nurture learning, empathy, and experimentation. For nonprofit and association leaders navigating rapid change, this conversation offers a candid look at how to build cultures that support innovation—not resist it.   Episode highlights: [00:06:00] Revisiting Lean Startup, 10 Years Later [00:010:50] Defining Lean Startup and Design Thinking [00:011:50] Culture: The Invisible Barrier [00:014:40] When Culture Undermines Innovation [00:19:00] Insight Over Perfection [00:22:00] People Don't Resist Change—They Resist Being Changed [00:24:40] Low Fences, Not No Silos [00:27:00] Listening Beyond the Boardroom [00:30:40] Volunteer Culture Matters Too [00:31:00] The Role of Healthy Conflict [00:37:35] What a Culture Supportive of Innovation Looks Like [00:41:20] From Reactive to Proactive Transparency [00:44:35] The Questions Nonprofit Leaders Should Ask   Guest Bios: Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, is Chief Strategist at Spark Consulting. For more than 25 years, Elizabeth has helped associations grow in membership, marketing, communications, public presence, and especially revenue, which is what Spark is all about. She speaks and writes frequently on a variety of topics in association management. When she's not helping associations grow, Elizabeth loves to dance, listen to live music, cook, and garden. Jamie Notter is a speaker, author, consultant, and culture scientist. His career spans 30 years, with more than a decade of research and practice in the culture field, as well as deep experience in areas like conflict resolution and generations. He desperately wants to make work suck less for everyone, and has written four popular business books, including the award-winning Non-Obvious Guide to Employee Engagement, and his latest release, Culture Change Made Easy. He holds a Master's in conflict resolution from George Mason and a certificate in Organization Development from Georgetown, where he served as adjunct faculty. Important Links and Resources: Elizabeth Weaver Engel https://www.getmespark.com/ https://www.getmespark.com/blog/ Jamie Notter https://jamienotter.com/ https://jamienotter.com/research-books/   Be in Touch: ✉️ Subscribe to Carol's newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them

Caring for someone you love when they're going through a significant is one of the greatest privileges of a lifetime - and also one of the hardest seasons you will ever walk. In this episode, I sit down with award winning health journalist and author, Casey Beros. Casey’s latest book, Next of Kin - What to Expect When You’re Expecting to Care for Someone You Love, was born from her deeply personal experience caring for her beloved dad through a terminal diagnosis of mesothelioma. Our conversation is raw, honest, practical and full of heart. We talk about what really happens behind the scenes when someone you love becomes seriously ill, and how to keep showing up with love without completely burning yourself out. Here are just a few of the beautiful takeaways waiting for you: Why there is no “person with the clipboard” - and how to step into your role as an advocate in the medical, legal and emotional side of care, even if you feel totally unprepared. Simple ways to care for yourself when you have “no time” - including Casey’s brilliant micro habits approach that takes just one minute at a time. How to talk about death, grief and the “after” in a healthier way, including what Casey learned from death walker and educator Zenith Virago. A powerful reminder not to wait for “one day” to live your dream life, book the trip and enjoy the people you love while they are still here. Whether you are currently a carer, you love someone who is, or you simply want to be better prepared for life’s inevitable seasons, this episode will hold your hand and gently nudge you into action. Press play, and if you are ready for more support in designing a life you love - even in tough seasons - explore our Dream Life Coaching here: https://www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com/course As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonated most with you - so please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Have a wonderful weekend …and remember, it all starts with a dream

In this episode, host Justin Burniske (Meta-Dao), sits down with Elizabeth Engel (Spark Consulting), Jamie Notter (Culture Scientist), and Adam Savino (ASIS International) to explore how the Lean Startup methodology can help associations innovate smarter, faster, and with greater impact.The group discusses how associations can apply Lean principles—like rapid experimentation, the build–measure–learn cycle, and data-driven decision-making—to test new ideas and develop non-dues revenue streams without wasting limited resources. They also dive into the cultural side of innovation: how to create space for change, embrace learning from failure, and move beyond the “loudest voice in the room.”From overcoming internal resistance to exploring how AI can accelerate learning, this conversation offers practical advice and real-world examples for any association ready to adapt and grow.

What You'll Learn:Patrick Adams discusses his experience on the "Blox" show, a live startup competition. He was motivated by the opportunity to learn and apply new skills to his business, Lean Solutions. The show, which features 100-150 businesses, is hosted by Wes Bergman and involves daily classroom sessions and challenges. Patrick emphasizes the importance of simplifying business explanations and making them accessible to non-lean practitioners. He highlights the value of networking, the competitive yet supportive environment, and the exhaustion from the intense week-long filming. The show is available on the Blocks app, Facebook, and their website.

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week... Today, we explore the wisdom of Alexander the Great and his timeless reminder: ‘There is nothing impossible to him who will try.’ - Alexander the Great Three key takeaways: How simply trying - even imperfectly - can turn your “impossible” dreams into achievable ones. Why 'realistic goals' can hold you back from the extraordinary life you deserve. How to shift your mindset and build momentum toward the big, bold dreams you’ve been afraid to chase. Listen in and discover how to make progress toward your dream life by taking small, courageous steps that bring you closer to what truly matters most. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonated most with you - so please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Have a wonderful week …and remember, it all starts with a dream

Welcome back to Your Dream Life Podcast! I’m genuinely so happy you’re here because the fact that you are tells me something powerful - that deep down, you know you’re meant for more. You’re not content to drift through life on autopilot. You want to live by design - your design. And that means you are in the right place

I've always thought of myself as a practitioner. In the startups I was part of, the only “strategy” were my marketing tactics on how to make the VP of Sales the richest person in the company. After I retired, I created Customer Development and co-created the Lean Startup as a simple methodology which codified founders best practices – in a language and process that was easy to understand and implement. All from a practitioner's point of view.

Welcome to another short and empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week... Today, we explore the timeless C.S. Lewis reminder that it’s never too late to start again - and what that means for anyone ready to set a new goal or dream a new dream: ‘You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.’ - C.S. Lewis Three key takeaways you can expect: A powerful reframe that dissolves the myth of being “too late” - so you can begin again with confidence. A simple, three-step practice (permission, reflection, one inspired action) to move from wishing to doing. Why mindset matters most - and how to cultivate the beliefs that will carry you into your next exciting chapter. Take this opportunity to learn how to transform past experiences into wisdom that fuels your future. Listen in and leave with a realistic, courage-first plan to take one small step today - a step that brings you closer to living your dream life, whatever that means to you. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Have a wonderful week …and remember, it all starts with a dream

Have you ever heard the saying, “Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.” It’s a favourite quote of today's podcast guest - the inspiring Rochelle Moffitt - whose real life story of dreaming big and taking a BIG BOLD LEAP is helping her turn her dreams into reality. Rochelle’s story is deeply relatable, and such a powerful reminder that dreams don’t happen by chance - they happen by choice. In our chat, she shares the real, messy and familiar behind-the-scenes moments: the fears, the doubts, the messy middle - and how she kept showing up anyway. By putting herself “on the dance floor,” life met her halfway, with the most incredible opportunities. If you’ve ever needed a little nudge to take action on something that’s been tugging at your heart - this episode is your sign.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at:⁠ OLDPodcast.com⁠. Episode 1853: Laura shares actionable advice for maintaining full or part-time employment while launching a business, offering a smart path to reduce financial stress and gain valuable experience. Her guidance empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to build with intention, stability, and long-term success in mind. Read along with the original article(s) here:⁠ https://womenwhomoney.com/work-full-or-part-time-while-building-business/⁠ Quotes to ponder: "Working a day job can also give you the confidence to make better business decisions because you aren't operating from a place of financial desperation." "Your paycheck provides money to pay your bills, cover healthcare costs, and contribute to your retirement account while you build your business." "You may need to give up some social time, TV, or other hobbies to free up hours to work on your business." Episode references: The Lean Startup:⁠ https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week... Today, we explore Theodore Roosevelt’s mantra on self-belief and momentum: ‘Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.’ Three key takeaways you can expect from this episode: How to catch and gently reframe your inner voice - from “I can’t” to “I’m learning/I’m becoming someone who can.” Why tiny actions compound into confidence - and how to use “progress, not perfection.” How surrounding yourself with possibility elevates your mindset and energy. Take this opportunity to learn how to strengthen your belief muscle with three small, practical moves you can implement today. Listen in and set your mindset for your next chapter so you can take the very next step toward your unique dream life. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Dream Big

Can you believe 2026 is just around the corner? Today I’m diving into the one thing that changes everything: mindset. From building my dream life through all the highs and lows - even the reinventions - one truth keeps showing up: the life you’re living 12 months from now will mirror the thoughts you choose and the beliefs you practice daily. You’re in the driver’s seat. No permission slips required. In this bite-sized, practical episode, I share three simple shifts you can start today: Begin with gratitude: write three things you’re grateful for each morning to open your heart to abundance. Catch your self-talk: when you hear “I can’t” or “I’m not ready,” pause and reframe - “I’m learning. I’m proud I showed up. Progress over perfection.” Visualise your best self: it’s December 2026… you’ve honoured your goals, upgraded habits, and you feel proud, aligned and joyful. Borrow that version’s beliefs today. If you’d love guidance and a likeminded community, join me inside Dream Life Coaching - we’re running a special Mindset Workshop in November to set you up for an incredible 2026, then December is for dreaming big and January for planning it all out. Come join us here: https://www.yourdreamlifestartshere.com/course Pop your earbuds in, and let’s set your mind for your best year yet. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Dream Big

Did you like the episode? Send me a text and let me know!! Business Conversations With Pi: Entrepreneurship – Validate, Market, Iterate, Succeed[00:00] – IntroductionHost KU welcomes listeners to the show, introducing co-host PI, an AI assistant trained on business knowledge. The episode focuses on answering burning questions for new entrepreneurs.[00:29] – Who Should ListenWhether you're just starting or already building your business, this episode is packed with actionable advice on business plans, marketing, and more.[01:37] – Meet the HostsJesse and Lawrence (PI) greet the audience and set the stage for an investigative journey into entrepreneurship.[01:54] – Validating Your Business IdeaJesse asks: “Are our ideas solving a real problem people will pay for?”Lawrence (PI) shares steps to validate your idea:Market research (surveys, interviews)Competitive analysisBuilding a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)Considering your revenue model[03:01] – Finding Potential CustomersJesse asks where to find people to test products/services.PI suggests:Online forums and communitiesNetworking events and trade showsCrowdfunding platforms (Kickstarter, Indiegogo)Referrals and word-of-mouthTargeted ads (Google, Facebook)[03:58] – Discovering Events for ResearchJesse asks about finding events for market research.PI recommends:EventbriteMeetupLinkedIn EventsLocal Chamber of CommerceTrade associations[04:52] – Book Recommendations for EntrepreneursJesse asks for book suggestions to help with marketing.PI recommends:"Hooked" by Nir Eyal (29:59) – Creating habit-forming products"Crossing the Chasm" by Geoffrey A. Moore (29:59) – Marketing new tech products"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries (29:59) – Building startups through iteration"The Ultimate Sales Machine" by Chet Holmes (29:59) – Systematic sales and marketing"The Innovator's Dilemma" by Clayton M. Christensen (29:59) – Navigating disruptive innovationesbootcamp.wearejonesinfor.com Thank you for being a Skoobeliever!! If you have questions about the show or you want to be a guest please contact me at one of these social mediasTwitter......... ..@djskoob2021 Facebook.........Facebook.com/skoobamiInstagram..... instagram.com/uepodcast2021tiktok....... @djskoob2021Email............... Uepodcast2021@gmail.com Skoob at Gettin' Basted Facebook PageAcross The Start Line Facebook Community Find out what one of the four hurdles of stop is affecting you the most!!If you would like to be coached on your entrepreneurial adventure please email me at for a 2 hour free discovery call! This is a $700 free gift to my Skoobelievers!! Contact me Now!! On Twitter @doittodaycoachdoingittodaycoaching@gmailcom

Welcome to another short but empowering episode of Monday Motivation, giving you a dose of inspiration as you head into your week... Today, we explore the empowering reminder from philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson that “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” This episode is all about the transformative power of decision - and how one small moment of clarity can completely shift your destiny. Three key takeaways you can expect: Why deciding who you want to be is more powerful than focusing on what you want to do. How one small aligned action can move you toward your dream life. The importance of surrounding yourself with people who uplift your mindset and fuel your growth. Take this opportunity to learn how to shape your future by choosing courageously and intentionally - one decision at a time. As always, I’d LOVE to hear what resonates with you from this episode and what you plan to implement after listening in. So please share and let’s keep the conversation going in the Dream Life Podcast Facebook Group here. Dream Big

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to a truly inspiring woman - Jacinta Duffy, founder of Life Shared. After two decades across nursing, healthcare and aged care - and supporting her own parents - Jacinta saw the human cost of loneliness and the pressure on families. So she set out to reimagine care and connection through intergenerational home-share. In our conversation we explore the sliding-door moments that shape a dream life - redundancies, pivots, and the courage to “shine your light” even when media or public speaking feels uncomfortable. We also talk about the power of doing the work - daily rituals, weekly reflections, and stacking quarters of progress - something our Dream Life Coaching community knows well. Three takeaways you’ll love: Mindset shift: Why setbacks can be setups for comebacks - and how to keep walking through hard seasons. Rituals that work: The simple planning + reflection cadence (daily/weekly/quarterly) that fuels momentum. Start before you’re ready: The gentle nudge to share your message, say yes to media, and connect with the right people. Pop in your earbuds and enjoy this heart-opening, practical episode. It might just spark the match you’ve been waiting for

Building products for yourself sounds like the perfect PM training ground!At first glance, you get instant feedback, prioritize ruthlessly, and have no bureaucracy to whom you answer... but does it actually prepare you for professional product management, or does it create dangerous blind spots?In this episode, Product Manager Brian Orlando and Enterprise Business Agility Consultant Om Patel explore several critical dimensions:Learning velocity and skill developmentUser empathy paradoxesResource management realitiesTechnical vs. strategic balanceFailure toleranceCareer advancementBusiness model understandingOur findings? Set artificial constraints, validate with real users, document your learnings, and use self-building as a supplement to professional experience, not a replacement.Whether you're considering a side project or wondering if your solo work translates professionally, this episode offers practical frameworks for balancing the best of both worlds.#ProductManagement #MVP #Solopreneur #ProductStrategy #CareerDevelopmentLINKSYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@arguingagileSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/362QvYORmtZRKAeTAE57v3Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/agile-podcast/id1568557596Website: http://arguingagile.comINTRO MUSICToronto Is My BeatBy Whitewolf (Source: https://ccmixter.org/files/whitewolf225/60181)CC BY 4.0 DEED (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)

AI Assisted Coding: Agile Meets AI—How to Code Fast Without Breaking Things, With Llewellyn Falco In this BONUS episode we explore the practice of coding with AI—not just the buzzwords, but the real-world experience. Our guest, Llewellyn Falco, has been learning by doing, exploring the space of AI-assisted coding from the experimental and intuitive—what some call vibecoding—to the more structured world of professional, world-class software engineering. This is a conversation for practitioners who want to understand what's actually happening on the ground when we code with AI. Understanding Vibecoding "You can now program without looking at code. When you're in that space, vibecoding is the word we're using to say, we are programming in a way that does not relate to programming last year." The software development landscape shifted dramatically in early 2025. Vibecoding represents a fundamental change in how we create software—programming without constantly looking at the code itself. This approach removes many traditional limitations around technology, language, and device constraints, allowing developers to move seamlessly between different contexts. However, this power comes with responsibility, as developers can now move so fast that traditional safety practices become even more critical. From Concept to Working App in 15 Minutes "We wrote just a markdown page of ‘here's what we want this to look like'. And then we fed that to Claude Code. And 15 minutes later we had a working app on the phone." At the Agile 2025 conference in Denver, Llewellyn participated in a hackathon focused on helping psychologists prevent child abuse. Working with customer Amanda, a psychologist, and data scientist Rachel, the team identified a critical problem: clinicians weren't using the most effective parenting intervention technique because recording 60 micro-interactions in 5 minutes was too difficult and time-consuming. The team's approach embodied lean startup principles turned up to eleven. After understanding the customer's needs through exposition and conversation, they created a simple markdown specification and used Claude Code to generate a working mobile app in just 15 minutes. When Amanda tested it, she was moved to tears—after 20 years of trying to make progress on this problem, she finally had hope. Over three days, the team released 61 iterations, constantly getting feedback and refining the solution. Iterative Development Still Matters When Coding With AI "We need to see things working to know what to deliver next. That's never going to change. Unless you're building something that's already there." The team's success wasn't about writing a complete requirements document upfront. Instead, they delivered a minimal viable product quickly, tested it with real users, and iterated based on feedback. This agile approach proved essential even—or especially—when working with AI. One breakthrough came when Amanda used the number keypad instead of looking at her phone screen. With her full attention on the training video she'd watched hundreds of times, she noticed an interaction she had missed before. At that moment, the team knew they had created real value, regardless of what additional features they might build. Good Engineering Practices Without Looking at Code "We asked it to do good engineering practices, even though we didn't really understand what it was doing. We just sort of say, okay, yeah, that seems sensible." A critical moment came when the code had grown large and complex. Rather than diving into the code themselves, Llewellyn and his partner Lotta asked the AI to refactor the code to make a panel easy to switch before actually making the change. They verified functionality worked through manual testing but never looked at how the refactoring was implemented. This demonstrates that developers can maintain good practices like refactoring and clean architecture even when working at a higher level of abstraction. Key practices for AI-assisted development include: Don't accept AI's default settings—they're based on popularity, not best practices Prime the AI with the practices you want it to use through configuration files Tell AI to be honest and help you avoid mistakes, not just be agreeable Ask for explanations of architecture and evaluate whether approaches make sense Keep important decisions documented in markdown files that can be referenced later “The documentation is now executable. I can turn it into code” "The documentation is now executable. I can turn it into code. If I had to choose between losing my documentation or losing my code, I would keep the docs. I think I could regenerate the code pretty easily." In this new paradigm, documentation takes on new importance—it becomes the specification from which code can be regenerated. The team created and continuously updated markdown files for project context, architecture, and individual features. This practice allowed them to reset AI context when needed while maintaining continuity of their work. The workflow was bidirectional: sometimes they'd write documentation first and have AI generate code; other times they'd build features iteratively and have AI update the documentation. This approach using tools like Super Whisper for voice-to-text made creating and maintaining documentation effortless. Remove Deterministic Tasks from AI "AI is sloppy. It's inconsistent. Everything that can be deterministic—take it out. AI can write that code. But don't make AI do repetitive tasks." A crucial principle emerged: anything that needs to be consistently and repeatedly correct should be automated with traditional code, not left to AI. The team wrote shell scripts for tasks like auto-incrementing version numbers and created git hooks to ensure these scripts ran automatically. They also automated file creation with dates at the top, removing the need for AI to track temporal information. This principle works both ways—deterministic logic should be removed from underneath AI (via scripts and hooks) and from above AI (via orchestration scripts that call AI in loops with verification steps in between). Anti-Patterns to Avoid "The biggest anti-pattern is you're not committing frequently. I really want the ability to drop my context and revert my changes at a moment's notice." The primary anti-pattern when coding with AI is failing to commit frequently to version control. The ability to quickly drop context, revert changes, and start fresh becomes essential when working at this pace. Getting important decisions into documentation files and code into version control enables rapid experimentation without fear of losing work. Other challenges include knowing when to focus on the right risks. The team had to navigate competing priorities—customers wanted certain UX features, but the team identified data collection and storage as the critical unknown risk that needed solving first. This required diplomatic firmness in prioritizing work based on technical risk assessment rather than just user requests. Essential Tools for AI-Assisted Development "If you are using AI by going to a website, that is not what we are talking about here." To work effectively with AI, developers need agentic tools that can interact with files and run programs, not just chat interfaces. Recommended tools include: Claude Code (CLI for file interaction) Windsurf (VS Code-like interface) Cursor (code editor with AI integration) RooCode (alternative option) Super Whisper (voice-to-text transcription for Mac) Most developers working at this level have disabled safety guards, allowing AI to run programs without asking permission each time. While this carries risks, committing frequently to version control provides the safety net needed for rapid experimentation. The Power of Voice Interaction "Most of the time coding now looks like I'm talking. It's almost like Star Trek—you're talking to the computer and then code shows up." Using voice transcription tools like Super Whisper transformed the development experience. Speaking instead of typing not only increased speed but also changed the nature of communication with AI. When speaking, developers naturally provide more context and explanation than when typing, leading to better results from AI systems. This proved especially valuable in a crowded conference room where Super Whisper could filter out background noise and accurately transcribe the speakers' voices. The tool enabled natural, conversational interaction with development tools. Balancing Speed with Safety Over three days, the team released 61 times without comprehensive automated testing, focusing instead on validating user value through manual testing with the actual customer. However, after the hackathon, Llewellyn added automated testing by creating a test plan document through voice dictation, having AI clean it up and expand it, then generating Puppeteer tests and shell scripts to run them—all in about 40 minutes. This demonstrates a pragmatic approach: when exploring and validating with users, manual testing may suffice; but for ongoing maintenance and confidence, automated tests remain valuable and can be generated efficiently with AI assistance. The Future of Software Development "If you want to make something, there could not be a better time than now." The skills required for effective software development are shifting. Understanding how to assess risk, knowing when to commit code, maintaining good engineering practices, and finding creative solutions within system constraints remain critical. What's changing is that these skills are now applied at a higher level of abstraction, with AI handling much of the detailed implementation. The space is evolving rapidly—practices that work today may need adjustment in months. Developers need to continuously experiment, stay current with new tools and models, and develop instincts for working effectively with AI systems. The fundamentals of agile development—rapid iteration, customer feedback, risk assessment, and incremental delivery—matter more than ever. About Llewellyn Falco Llewellyn is an Agile and XP (Extreme Programming) expert with over two decades of experience in Java, OO design, and technical practices like TDD, refactoring, and continuous delivery. He specializes in coaching, teaching, and transforming legacy code through clean code, pair programming, and mob programming. You can link with Llewellyn Falco on LinkedIn.

The Pentagon is one of the hardest customers in the world to win over. For startups, the barriers are steep: complex rules, unfamiliar offices, and a culture that doesn't work like Silicon Valley. But the stakes couldn't be higher—cracking the Department of Defense can mean scaling breakthrough technologies that shape national security.In this episode of The Burn Bag, A'ndre Gonawela speaks with two of the most influential voices in defense innovation: Steve Blank, the father of the Lean Startup movement and co-founder of Hacking for Defense, and Pete Newell, CEO of BMNT and former leader of the Army's Rapid Equipping Force. Together, they've helped release the 2025 PEO Directory—a first-of-its-kind playbook that maps who buys what inside the Pentagon and how startups can navigate the system.We break down why so many companies fail when they try to sell to the military, what's changing in the Pentagon's acquisition culture, and how new reforms could give startups and investors a real shot at competing with defense giants. Steve and Pete also walk through the different paths a startup can take—whether building patiently through government programs or charging directly to the field—and share how founders can take advantage of the PEO Directory.If you've ever wondered how innovation actually gets into the hands of warfighters—or why it so often doesn't—this conversation is your guide to understanding and changing the system.Download the 2025 PEO Directory here.Read Steve Blank's blog post on the Directory here.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1826: Chalene Johnson reveals how to choose a business model that aligns with your lifestyle and strengths, helping you avoid burnout while building sustainable success. She also shares essential strategies for creating and marketing an online course, from validating your idea to structuring content in a way that truly serves your audience. Together, her insights give you the tools to build a business that feels authentic and impactful. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.chalenejohnson.com/business-model/ AND https://www.chalenejohnson.com/succeed-in-online-course/ Quotes to ponder: “Your business model should reflect the kind of life you want to live.” “Before you spend months creating a course, make sure people actually want it.” “Don't try to include everything you know; give people what they need to get a result.” Episode references: Pat Flynn – Smart Passive Income: https://www.smartpassiveincome.com Kajabi: https://kajabi.com Thinkific: https://www.thinkific.com Teachable: https://teachable.com The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1825: Kalen Bruce highlights how entrepreneurs can sharpen their skills by embracing continuous learning, surrounding themselves with mentors, and staying adaptable in changing markets. His insights show that growth as a business owner isn't just about strategy but also about cultivating habits that drive resilience, focus, and long-term success. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://moneyminiblog.com/business/entrepreneur-skill-development/ Quotes to ponder: "Entrepreneurship is a skill that must be developed, learned, and practiced." "You'll never ‘arrive' at a point where you no longer need to learn or grow." "Always keep learning, always keep growing, and never get too comfortable." Episode references: Think and Grow Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 Rich Dad Poor Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/0743269519 The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Grow A Small Business Podcast host Troy Trewin interviews Rosy McEvedy, founder of Ivy League Drips, shares her journey of turning a $5K savings into a fast-growing health business with over 200 licenses across Australia. She reveals how her passion for health, combined with grit and discipline, fueled 125% growth in just three years. Rosy discusses the challenges of hiring the right team, managing taxes, and learning the financial side of business while staying true to her vision. She also emphasizes the importance of consumer understanding, nurturing workplace culture, and trusting intuition. Her story is a powerful example of building success from scratch with resilience and purpose. Why would you wait any longer to start living the lifestyle you signed up for? Balance your health, wealth, relationships and business growth. And focus your time and energy and make the most of this year. Let's get into it by clicking here.   Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.   And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions: What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? Rosy McEvedy shares that the hardest thing in growing a small business is maintaining consistency while wearing multiple hats—balancing sales, marketing, finances, and customer service all at once. It's challenging to stay focused on growth while handling daily operational fires. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most? Rosy McEvedy shares that her favorite business book is The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, as it reshaped her mindset about testing ideas quickly, learning from failures, and scaling sustainably without wasting resources. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Rosy McEvedy shares that some great podcasts and online learning resources she recommends are How I Built This with Guy Raz, The Smart Passive Income Podcast by Pat Flynn, and online platforms like Coursera and HubSpot Academy, which provide practical, actionable knowledge for entrepreneurs. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Rosy McEvedy shares that the tool she'd recommend to grow a small business is Trello (or Asana) for managing tasks and team collaboration, along with Canva for easy, professional-looking marketing content. Both help small businesses stay organized and build a professional presence without huge costs. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Rosy McEvedy shares that if she could give herself advice on day one of starting out in business, it would be: “Focus on building relationships and delivering value first, don't chase perfection, and remember that consistency will beat speed in the long run.” Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights! Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey.     Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: Consistency, not speed, is what truly builds a strong business foundation – Rosy McEvedy Every failure is simply a faster way to learn what actually works – Rosy McEvedy Relationships and value come before profits and perfection – Rosy McEvedy      

Try Revolut Business free for 6 months: http://links.madeitpodcast.it/3Il6icD (#ad)  In this episode we sit down with Eric Ries, author of The Lean Startup, to explore the method that transformed how founders build companies. From the origins of the Lean Startup methodology to its global impact, Eric explains why the minimum viable product (MVP), validated learning, and the build–measure–learn cycle are essential for every entrepreneur. We talk about what it really means to create an MVP, how to define quality through your customer feedback, and why progress in a startup is measured not by code or funding, but by learning. Eric also dives into the tough decision every founder faces: when to pivot or persevere. Whether you're just exploring startup ideas, chasing product–market fit, or scaling your company, this conversation offers practical startup advice, lessons on resilience, and insights on avoiding the most common startup mistakes. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, or innovator, this is your playbook for building smarter, faster, and more sustainably. NEWSLETTER Iscriviti a Il Digestivo la nostra newsletter mensile sul mondo startup italiano:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ildigestivo.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Se ti piace il podcast, il modo migliore per dircelo o per darci un feedback è semplicemente lasciare una recensione a 5 stelle o un commento su Spotify o l'app di Apple Podcast. E se ci vuoi aiutare a crescere condividi il podcast con i tuoi amici, colleghi o parenti

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1810: Nir Eyal explains why focusing on a single "hacker metric" can dramatically improve performance and motivation. By measuring what truly matters and avoiding vanity metrics, we gain clarity, maintain momentum, and channel our energy into meaningful progress. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/never-take-your-eyes-off-this-hacker-metric/ Quotes to ponder: "Knowing what to measure is the key to knowing what to do." "Too many metrics are as bad as none at all." "Focusing on the one number that matters most keeps us from getting lost in a sea of data." Episode references: The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Lean Analytics: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Analytics-Better-Startup-Faster/dp/1449335675 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1810: Nir Eyal explains why focusing on a single "hacker metric" can dramatically improve performance and motivation. By measuring what truly matters and avoiding vanity metrics, we gain clarity, maintain momentum, and channel our energy into meaningful progress. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/never-take-your-eyes-off-this-hacker-metric/ Quotes to ponder: "Knowing what to measure is the key to knowing what to do." "Too many metrics are as bad as none at all." "Focusing on the one number that matters most keeps us from getting lost in a sea of data." Episode references: The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Lean Analytics: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Analytics-Better-Startup-Faster/dp/1449335675 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1802: Christine Comaford explains how to attract influential advisors who can accelerate business growth by offering expertise, connections, and credibility. She outlines six practical steps to build a high-impact advisory board that strengthens decision-making and opens doors to new opportunities. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smarttribesinstitute.com/get-powerful-people-to-boost-your-business-6-steps-to-a-stellar-advisory-board/ Quotes to ponder: "An Advisory Board can help you increase your credibility, make key connections, and provide invaluable guidance." "The key is to focus on advisors who are powerful, influential, and respected in your field." "Remember, the goal is to create a mutually beneficial relationship where both parties feel valued." Episode references: Think and Grow Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331 The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Good to Great: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, we build a machine to help you actually run customer interviews.We'll use AI to tackle the big blockers—accountability, CRM setup, outreach, transcription, and even how to pick your first customer. You'll hear the idea Brian is testing with the interview machine, and we'll walk through exactly how AI can make the process faster, more uncomfortable (in the right way), and a lot more effective. Plus, a bit on creativity and being human.Tacklebox Customer Interview Workshop (starts 9/15)ClaudeCalendlyGranola00:00 Intro00:30 Avoiding Criticism04:08 The Job of Customer Interviews09:12 Smooth Jazz09:30 Whisper Ideas11:35 The Idea:15:35 The AI Interview Machine17:34 Accountability19:13 Top of Funnel Outreach21:18 Interview Execution22:39 Synthesis23:43 The End

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1797: Mike Smerklo explains how entrepreneurs can strengthen their decision-making by adopting a venture capitalist's perspective. By focusing on risk assessment, portfolio thinking, and long-term value creation, founders can make more strategic choices that increase resilience and growth potential. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.mikesmerklo.com/how-entrepreneurs-can-think-like-venture-capitalists/ Quotes to ponder: "VCs have to be able to assess risk and reward with incomplete information, and make bets accordingly." "Think of your entrepreneurial career as a portfolio, some bets will pay off, others won't." "The key is to keep playing, keep learning, and keep making smart, calculated bets." Episode references: The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Zero to One: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future/dp/0804139296 Venture Deals: https://www.amazon.com/Venture-Deals-Smarter-Lawyer-Capitalist/dp/1119594820 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1797: Mike Smerklo explains how entrepreneurs can strengthen their decision-making by adopting a venture capitalist's perspective. By focusing on risk assessment, portfolio thinking, and long-term value creation, founders can make more strategic choices that increase resilience and growth potential. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.mikesmerklo.com/how-entrepreneurs-can-think-like-venture-capitalists/ Quotes to ponder: "VCs have to be able to assess risk and reward with incomplete information, and make bets accordingly." "Think of your entrepreneurial career as a portfolio, some bets will pay off, others won't." "The key is to keep playing, keep learning, and keep making smart, calculated bets." Episode references: The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Zero to One: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-One-Notes-Startups-Future/dp/0804139296 Venture Deals: https://www.amazon.com/Venture-Deals-Smarter-Lawyer-Capitalist/dp/1119594820 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1784: Michael Mehlberg reveals how reframing anxiety can transform it into a powerful asset for building meaningful business connections, while aligning personal ideals with strategic product development. Through practical mindset shifts and deliberate planning, he shows how to turn uncertainty into creative momentum, deepen professional relationships, and create solutions that stay true to your core values. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2017/3/22/how-to-turn-anxiety-into-opportunity-with-business-networking AND https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2015/3/8/the-intersection-of-ideals-with-a-product-development-strategy Quotes to ponder: "Anxiety is a sign you care deeply about the outcome." "Your ideals must guide your product strategy if you want your work to feel fulfilling." "When you stop fighting your fear and start listening to it, you can turn it into a tool for connection." Episode references: How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034 The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices