Traction

Lloyed Lobo
Traction

On the Traction Podcast, we bring you discussions with founders and CXOs of the fastest-growing companies in technology, covering everything from product, marketing, innovation, fundraising and more through proven strategies for rapid growth. Presented by: Boast.AI R&D Tax Credit Software - https://boast.ai Launch - https://www.launchacademy.ca Traction Community - https://tractionconf.io

  1. 5 Lessons From Selling to Millions of Developers

    2 DAYS AGO

    5 Lessons From Selling to Millions of Developers

    Think marketing to developers is all about hoodies and hackathons? Think again. As the developer-led economy is poised to grow to a TRILLION dollars, companies that offer products for developers must refocus to a business-to-developer (B2D) model as developers become not only users of products, but key purchase influencers. In this episode, Nnamdi Iregbulem, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, Joyce Lin, Head of Developer Relations at Viam, and Caroline Lewko, CEO of Revere Communications, reveal actionable insights for building and scaling developer relations programs that drive adoption, loyalty, and growth in a developer-led economy.  Specifically, you’ll learn: How to get developers to adopt and build on your platform – from APIs and SDKs to advanced ML and DevOps tools.What it takes to deliver an exceptional Developer Experience (DX) – aligning marketing and product teams to meet the unique needs of developers.Key ingredients of a winning Developer Relations program – from onboarding to advocacy and retention.How to stand out through community engagement – turning developers into loyal evangelists for your platform. Resources Mentioned: Nnamdi Iregbulem - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nnamdiiregbulem/ Joyce Lin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyce-lin/ Caroline Lewko - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinelewko/ Lightspeed Venture Partners | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/lightspeed-venture-partners/ Lightspeed Venture Partners | Website - https://lsvp.com/ Viam | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/viaminc/ Viam | Website - https://www.viam.com/ Revere Communications - https://www.reverecommunications.com/ Tyler Jewell’s research on developer-led markets - https://tylerjewell.substack.com/p/the-developer-led-landscape-20-08-28 Stack Overflow Developer Survey - https://survey.stackoverflow.com/2024/ GitLab’s “Everyone Can Contribute” philosophy - https://gitlab.com/ “Developer Relations: How to Build and Grow a Successful DevRel Program” by Caroline Lewko and James Parton - https://www.devrel.agency/book This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. “From Grassroots to Greatness” by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com. Each year the US and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI. Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada’s Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch’s programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca. Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com. #DeveloperRelations #BusinessToDeveloper #B2D #Product #Marketing #Innovation #Startup #GenerativeAI #AI

    32 min
  2. The Intersection of AI and Engineering Leadership with Farhan Thawar, Shopify

    JAN 8

    The Intersection of AI and Engineering Leadership with Farhan Thawar, Shopify

    Farhan Thawar, VP and Head of Engineering at Shopify, reflects on the evolution of remote work, hiring strategies and the role of artificial intelligence in engineering. Farhan shares insights drawn from his extensive experience, including founding and scaling startups and contributing to shaping Shopify’s engineering culture. Farhan discusses: - The evolution of remote work and how Shopify integrates in-person connections. - Why structured in-office experiences benefit early talent. - The importance of hiring generalists over specialists in early-stage companies. - How artificial intelligence is transforming pair programming and coding interviews. - Shopify’s unique approach to fostering a hybrid work culture. - Why founders should master tasks before hiring to fill roles. - The significance of building trust in remote and hybrid work environments. - How a systems-thinking approach strengthens engineering and company culture. Resources Mentioned: Farhan Thawar - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fnthawar/ Shopify | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopify/ Shopify careers - https://www.shopify.com/careers This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #RemoteWork #HybridWork #EngineeringLeadership #Product #Marketing #Innovation #Startup #GenerativeAI #AI

    54 min
  3. 7 Proven Practices for Becoming a High Performing CEO with Mark MacLeod, Startup CEO Coach

    12/18/2024

    7 Proven Practices for Becoming a High Performing CEO with Mark MacLeod, Startup CEO Coach

    The biggest outcomes tend to be founder-led, and building anything great is a long and hard journey. In this episode, Mark MacLeod,, Startup CEO Coach and host of the Startup CEO Podcast, shares his framework for generating long term sustainable results without burning out and without sacrificing company performance. Mark has spent over two decades helping high-growth technology companies achieve their potential. As a former CFO for industry leaders like Shopify and FreshBooks, a venture capitalist, and the founder of an investment bank, Mark has navigated everything from failures to driving hundreds of millions in financing and exits. Mark balances his professional achievements with his passions as a yoga instructor, CrossFit enthusiast, and electronic music producer. Specifically, Mark discusses: - How founders can align personal and professional goals for sustained success. - The seven personal practices that foster peak performance for startup CEOs. - Why founders must reinvent themselves to match their company’s growth. - The importance of building intentional boundaries to balance work and life. - How to leverage senior leadership to amplify organizational impact. - Why connecting with peers and advisors is crucial for overcoming isolation. - The role of fun and personal passions in reducing stress and enhancing creativity. - Strategies for maintaining mental and physical health in high-growth environments. Resources Mentioned: ​​Mark MacLeod | Website - https://markmacleod.me/ Mark MacLeod | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/ Ikigai Explained - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker - https://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Sleep-Unlocking-Dreams/dp/1501144324 Five Minute Journal - https://www.intelligentchange.com/products/the-five-minute-journal This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #startupleadership #founderjourney #ceoinsights #product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI

    58 min
  4. Building AI Agents That Understand Humans with Marissa Chacko, Google

    12/04/2024

    Building AI Agents That Understand Humans with Marissa Chacko, Google

    Marissa Chacko, Former Director of Product Management at Google, kicks off the inaugural episode of “The NextWave Podcast by Traction” with a discussion on the evolution of conversational agents and AI technology. With over a decade of experience spanning companies like Google, Lyft and Foursquare, Marissa examines the shift from clunky bots to sophisticated AI agents, shedding light on the opportunities and challenges within this rapidly evolving landscape. Specifically, Marissa discusses: - How conversational agents have evolved from simple bots to AI-driven assistants. - Why memory and personalization are pivotal to advancing AI capabilities. - The balance between leveraging creativity and minimizing hallucination in AI models. - How companies can unlock private data to build tailored AI solutions. - The ethical considerations and societal impact of integrating AI into daily life. - The emerging role of AI-native companies in disrupting traditional markets. - Why collaboration across ecosystems is critical for the next wave of AI innovation. - The potential for AI to bridge gaps in healthcare, global research and societal challenges. Resources Mentioned: Google Assistant - https://assistant.google.com Foursquare - https://foursquare.com This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #ConversationalAI #TechInnovation #HumanComputerInteraction #Product #Marketing #Innovation #Startup #GenerativeAI #AI

    41 min
  5. Rebels and Missionaries: How Breaking Norms Helped Rafael Loureiro Raise $30M To Scale Wealth.com

    11/26/2024

    Rebels and Missionaries: How Breaking Norms Helped Rafael Loureiro Raise $30M To Scale Wealth.com

    In this episode, Rafael Loureiro, Co-Founder and CEO of Wealth.com, shares insights from his journey from CTO at Emailage (acquired for $500m by LexisNexis) to Cofounder and CEO at Wealth.com which recently closed a $30m Series A led by Google Ventures. Under Rafael's leadership, the platform has gained recognition as a leading technology provider in the trust category, serving over 500 wealth management firms and earning awards such as the Advisor Choice Award. Specifically, Rafael discusses: - How to transition from CTO to a CEO. - Key lessons from scaling Emailage to a $500m exit, including the value of hiring the right team and setting a culture of ownership. - Why startups should prioritize progress over perfection and deploy solutions iteratively. - How to identify and recruit “missionary” talent who align with a company’s values. - Strategies for pivoting go-to-market approaches based on customer feedback. - Leveraging AI to enhance products without compromising compliance. - The significance of building user-centric solutions through customer interviews and advisory boards. Resources Mentioned: Rafael Loureiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafaelloureiro/ Wealth.com - https://www.wealth.com/ Emailage - https://www.linkedin.com/company/emailage/ Advisor Choice Award - https://www.wealthmanagement.com/industry-awards/2024-wealth-management-industry-awards-advisor-choice-awards This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #estateplanning #financialadvisors #wealthmanagement #product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI

    52 min
  6. How I Raised My Last Round — Lessons From Starting, Pivoting and Raising $30M

    11/13/2024

    How I Raised My Last Round — Lessons From Starting, Pivoting and Raising $30M

    In this episode, Aydin Mirzaee, CEO and Co-Founder of Fellow.app, shares his journey from founding his first startup to leading a successful meeting productivity platform. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Aydin highlights lessons he learned through building and pivoting startups and his unique strategies for scaling Fellow.app in the competitive SaaS space. Specifically, Aydin discusses: - Lessons learned from early failures and how these shaped his approach to future ventures. - Strategies for building Fellow.app as a “super manager’s” tool, focusing on productivity and effective meeting management. - How bootstrapping and navigating pivotal transitions have impacted the development of Fellow.app’s core offerings. - The value of testing product ideas with potential customers before investing heavily in development. - Methods for turning user feedback into actionable changes, leading to a more refined product. - Approaches to founder-led sales and why early customer engagement is essential. - Insights into the fundraising process, including timing, relationship-building with investors and navigating term sheet negotiations. Resources Mentioned: Aydin Mirzaee - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aydinmirzaee/ Fellow App | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/appfellow/ Fellow.App | Website - https://fellow.app Super Managers Podcast - https://fellow.app/supermanagers/ “High Growth Handbook” by Elad Gil - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=high+growth+handbook&language=en_US&adgrpid=147623364602&hvadid=648027981812&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=20822&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=124458736559167267&hvtargid=kwd-458383828502&hydadcr=21447_13447927&tag=phtxtgostdde-20&ref=pd_sl_1fazbcc4hn_e This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. “From Grassroots To Greatness” by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com. Each year the US and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI. Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca. Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com. #supermanager #meetingproductivity #bootstrappingsuccess #product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI

    1h 14m
  7. Decoding Marketing Attribution in the AI Era with Mada Seghete and Alex Bauer

    10/31/2024

    Decoding Marketing Attribution in the AI Era with Mada Seghete and Alex Bauer

    On this episode, Mada Seghete, Co-Founder, CEO and Marketing at Upside, and Alex Bauer, Co-Founder, Product at Upside, share their journey of rethinking how businesses measure the true impact of their marketing and sales efforts. Drawing on years of experience in the tech industry, they provide insights into how companies can shift their focus from outdated models to more accurate and meaningful ways to track performance. Specifically, Mada and Alex discuss: - How marketing teams can move beyond traditional metrics to uncover hidden drivers of growth. - The importance of understanding the distinction between attribution and credit, and why this matters for long-term success. - Practical strategies for identifying which marketing and sales activities truly influence decision-making. - How businesses can foster collaboration across teams by recognizing the contributions of all stakeholders. - Why accurate attribution data is essential for proving the value of marketing and sales efforts to leadership. Resources Mentioned: Mada Seghete - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madalina/ Alex Bauer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexdbauer/ Upside | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/upsidelabs/ Upside | Website - https://upside.tech/ This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #marketingattribution #businessdataanalytics #salesstrategies #product #marketing #innovation #startup #generativeai #AI

    49 min
  8. Building Engineering Excellence with Bruce Wang, Netflix

    10/16/2024

    Building Engineering Excellence with Bruce Wang, Netflix

    In this episode, Bruce Wang, Director of Engineering at Netflix, shares his journey from founding startups to leading engineering teams at one of the world’s biggest entertainment companies. With a rich background in tech leadership and a founder mindset, Bruce delves into the lessons learned from both his startup ventures and his time at Netflix. Specifically, Bruce discusses: - The importance of adaptability and dealing with change in engineering leadership. - How a reduced sense of fear and a high risk tolerance can drive success. - The value of networking skills in building relationships within a company. - Why psychological safety is key to building trusting and accountable teams. - Bruce’s framework for seeking excellence and driving customer delight in engineering. - Lessons learned from working in both startups and large corporations like Netflix. - The dangers of emulating big company processes in a startup environment. Resources Mentioned: Netflix - https://www.netflix.com/ Plato - https://www.platohq.com GitHub - https://github.com This episode is brought to you by: Leverage community-led growth to skyrocket your business. From Grassroots to Greatness by author Lloyed Lobo will help you master 13 game-changing rules from some of the most iconic brands in the world — like Apple, Atlassian, CrossFit, Harley-Davidson, HubSpot, Red Bull and many more — to attract superfans of your own that will propel you to new heights. Grab your copy today at FromGrassrootsToGreatness.com Each year the U.S. and Canadian governments provide more than $20 billion in R&D tax credits and innovation incentives to fund businesses. But the application process is cumbersome, prone to costly audits, and receiving the money can take as long as 16 months. Boast automates this process, enabling companies to get more money faster without the paperwork and audit risk. We don’t get paid until you do! Find out if you qualify today at https://Boast.AI Launch Academy is one of the top global tech hubs for international entrepreneurs and a designated organization for Canada's Startup Visa. Since 2012, Launch has worked with more than 6,000 entrepreneurs from over 100 countries, of which 300 have grown their startups to seed and Series A stage and raised over $2 billion in funding. To learn more about Launch's programs or the Canadian Startup Visa, visit https://LaunchAcademy.ca Content Allies helps B2B companies build revenue-generating podcasts. We recommend them to any B2B company that is looking to launch or streamline its podcast production. Learn more at https://contentallies.com #SoftwareDevelopment #TechLeadership #PlatformEngineering #Product #Marketing #Innovation #Startup #GenerativeAI #AI

    52 min
5
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

On the Traction Podcast, we bring you discussions with founders and CXOs of the fastest-growing companies in technology, covering everything from product, marketing, innovation, fundraising and more through proven strategies for rapid growth. Presented by: Boast.AI R&D Tax Credit Software - https://boast.ai Launch - https://www.launchacademy.ca Traction Community - https://tractionconf.io

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