Drowning In The Tech Talent Pool SBR2TH

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light talks with Hirbod Bigvan, a serial entrepreneur in the tech space, about the challenges and excitement of entrepreneurship, the balance between passion and discipline, and the innovative use of technology in personal development. Hirbod shares his journey from arriving in the U.S. with nothing to building successful startups. The conversation covers resilience in entrepreneurship, the impact of AI on the job market, and Hirbod's current venture, Cassius, which offers one-on-one dating coaching to men to improve their confidence and happiness. They also discuss the broader implications of technology in facilitating human connections and the importance of giving back to the community.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
02:10 The Challenges and Rewards of Entrepreneurship
05:04 The Importance of Discipline and Focus
07:03 The Role of Technology in Entrepreneurship
07:53 Introducing Cassius: A Dating Coaching Platform
08:57 The Impact of Confidence and Expectations
19:13 The Role of AI in Cassius
20:22 The Art of Interviewing and Self-Improvement
22:40 The Impact of AI and Technology Trends
24:17 The Influence of Tech Giants and Elon Musk
25:01 The Risks and Rewards of AI in Customer Service
26:25 The Role of AI in Dating and Building Communities
27:35 The Power of Real-Life Interactions and Community Building
28:31 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Startups
29:32 The Impact of Social Media on Real-Life Interactions
31:17 The Importance of Treating Others Right
32:30 The American Dream and the Role of Politics
35:10 The Power of Sacrifice and Giving Back
36:19 The Role of Politics in Local Communities
37:15 The Importance of Honesty and Vision in Politics
37:53 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

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Learn More About Hirbod Bigvand

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool', host John Light chats with Oli Journey, the CEO of True North Dynamics. Ole shares his journey from a computer science student to becoming a prominent figure in the tech service industry. He discusses the inception of his company, its name's origin, and the decision to split his business to better cater to the needs of its clients. Ole highlights the impact of AI and machine learning on business applications and the consulting industry's future, emphasizing the importance of adapting to technological advancements and adopting a client-centered approach to service delivery. The conversation also delves into the evolving tech talent landscape, the shift towards a remote working model, and the intrinsic value of human connection in a digital age. Ole and John also explore the challenge of maintaining a blend of technical and interpersonal skills in the workforce and the significance of continuous learning and adaptation in personal and professional growth.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
01:43 Journey into the Tech Industry
02:24 Challenges and Lessons from Mergers
03:19 Adapting to Remote Work and Company Rebranding
06:29 The Future of Technology in Business
08:07 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Business
12:26 The Shift from Creator to Innovator Economy
19:04 The Importance of Talent Acquisition in a Changing Market
22:42 Understanding Your Organization and Its Culture
23:05 The Importance of Context in Talent Acquisition
25:04 The Philosophy of Finding the Right People
27:03 The Transition to a Remote Work Environment
28:01 The Challenges of Virtual Collaboration and Innovation
29:04 The Future of Technology and Its Impact on Business
30:43 The Evolution of Service Delivery Models
36:13 The Personal Journey of an Introverted Leader
39:41 The Passion for Continuous Learning and Embracing Change

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Learn More About Ole Gjerde

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light interviews Julian Guthrie, the co-founder and CEO of Alphy, about their AI application Reflect AI. Julian discusses her journey from a word-obsessed child and a 20-year journalist at the San Francisco Chronicle to founding a tech startup aimed at improving communication. Reflect AI is designed to help mitigate the risk of harmful communications by prompting users to reflect before they hit send, focusing on reducing toxic, discriminatory, and potentially litigious language in professional settings. Guthrie also delves into broader themes of ethical communication, the transformative power of listening, and the importance of empathy, respect, and confidence in effective communication. The conversation touches on the significant costs associated with toxic communication in the corporate world and the role of AI in fostering better human interactions.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
01:08 Julian Guthrie's Journey to Alphy and Reflect AI
01:35 The Power of Language and Communication
06:23 The Role of AI in Enhancing Communication
09:39 The Impact of Communication on Relationships and Business
13:20 The Importance of Ethical Communication
17:18 The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Tech Startup
20:58 The Future of AI and Communication
34:56 The Intersection of Personal and Professional Life
37:44 Conclusion: The Ingredients of Life, Communication, and Soup

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Learn More About Julian Guthrie

In this episode of 'Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool,' host John Light interviews Justin Helmig, CEO of Implan, a SaaS company specializing in economic analytics. They discuss Implan's focus on analyzing economic changes and their impacts, growth opportunities, and the critical role of talent in successful execution. With a background in growing, creating, and exiting companies in the SaaS space, Helmig shares insights into Implan's operations, including their support for 546 industries and ability to analyze down to ZIP codes. They delve into the complexities of modern work environments, touching on remote work, talent acquisition, and the importance of company culture. Helmig’s personal drive for business growth, rooted in early career experiences, highlights the overarching theme of learning from failure and embracing growth challenges.


00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:55 Understanding Implant and its Role in the Market
02:47 The Importance of Talent in Business
08:50 The Impact of Remote Work on Business Culture
12:18 The Future of Work and Business Relationships
16:19 The Challenges and Opportunities in Growing a Business
20:18 The Role of Failure in Personal and Business Growth
33:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Learn More About Justin Helmig

On this episode of the Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool podcast, John Light interviews Matthew Godley, the founder and CEO of Get Spendly. Matthew shares his insights on understanding market trends and leveraging technology to address financial pressures. He highlights how Get Spendly automates finding better service offers, potentially saving up to $2500 per employee annually. Matthew also discusses the significance of a skilled team and partnerships with industry leaders like Acrisure and JPMorgan Chase, emphasizing the importance of delivering value and balancing savings with quality.

Timestamps:
[00:03:35] Automated platform saves businesses money.
[00:06:06] Spendly helps businesses save on expenses.
[00:09:18] Tech challenges: backend, frontend, UX design.
[00:12:01] Identifying data points, scaling challenges ahead.
[00:15:37] Growing property casualty insurer, focusing on quality.
[00:19:19] Six kids, circus, attitude and effort.
[00:22:31] Passionate about financial freedom and efficiency.
[00:25:41] Passion drives success, burn the boats.
[00:28:38] Building a successful tech company together.

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Learn More About Matthew Godley

Tune in to this exciting episode of Drowning in the Tech Talent Pool, where John Light interviews Mark Abbott, the brilliant mind behind ninety.io. Explore the fascinating world of technology and humanity as Mark discusses the evolution of useful information and its impact on human connection and productivity. Discover the secrets to creating fulfilling work environments, building high-trust relationships, and achieving self-actualization through meaningful work. Mark's platform, ninety.io, is revolutionizing the way businesses operate by focusing on leadership, company culture, and aligning products with customer needs. Learn how to drive trust and accountability within organizations and empower employees globally through small and mid-sized businesses.

Timestamps:
[00:03:08] Fascination with people, systems, and evolution.
[00:06:26] Book recommendation: Road to Serfdom.
[00:10:11] Improve self-esteem and love what you do.
[00:14:43] Cloud-based system for productive, humane workplaces.
[00:18:14] Drive productivity, accountability, and value impact.
[00:20:42] Agreements create accountability and alignment.
[00:24:49] Strong talent acquisition key to success.
[00:28:47] Passion for helping people thrive.
[00:32:32] Helping small and mid-sized businesses thrive.

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Learn More About Mark Abbott