Open Source CXO: The Tech Leader's Podcast

Open Source CXO

A video podcast designed to enlighten and empower technology leaders across industries. With every episode, we delve into the complexities of tech trends, software development, and digital strategy, offering fresh perspectives and actionable insights to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

  1. Ep. 022: The School of Hard Knocks — From Cubicle to Code Master | w/ Special Guest Alexander Savenok of Rig Technologies

    08/21/2024

    Ep. 022: The School of Hard Knocks — From Cubicle to Code Master | w/ Special Guest Alexander Savenok of Rig Technologies

    In this episode of Open Source CXO, Alex Savenok, CEO and CTO of Rig, joins the conversation to discuss his evolution from an intern at HSBC to leading innovative tech startups. Alex dives deep into his journey, highlighting the challenges and rewards of building and scaling a tech company. He shares his experiences with Vertigo, a social music platform, where he navigated the complex world of music licensing and technology, and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing industry. Alex emphasizes the critical role of fast iteration and the dangers of being too comfortable in one's tech stack. He also discusses the value of hiring individuals who are eager to learn and the pitfalls of rewriting existing software, drawing from his experience with Vertigo’s unique tech challenges. Additionally, Alex reflects on the importance of controlling product scope and the impact of leadership dynamics on a company's success. Tune in to gain insights on managing the delicate balance between innovation and practicality, the necessity of continuous learning, and the lessons Alex learned from both his successes and setbacks in the fast-paced world of tech startups! ————— Open Source CXO is proudly presented by Active Logic - https://activelogic.com/ Check us out online: https://oscxo.com/ Check us out on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oscxopodcast Follow us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/oscxopodcast/?hl=en

    27 min
  2. 08/14/2024

    Ep. 021: The Serious Side of SaaS Start Ups | w/ Special Guest Alex Savenok of Rig Technologies

    Join Alex Savenok, CEO and CTO of Rig, on this week’s episode of Open Source CXO. Dive into the world of SaaS innovation as Alex shares his journey from being a tech leader to spearheading a startup focused on solving inefficiencies in the trucking industry. Rig offers a unique marketplace solution for emergency breakdowns in the trucking space, connecting truck drivers with skilled mechanics in real-time. In this episode, Alex discusses the challenges of transitioning from a tech-focused role to leading a company, the hurdles of marketing to a non-tech-savvy audience, and the strategies that have helped Rig grow amidst a tough economic climate. He also breaks down the potential and limitations of AI in the trucking industry, exploring how the technology can be leveraged for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency, while cautioning against the overhype and challenges that come with integrating AI into real-world applications. Tune in to explore the intersection of technology, marketing and artificial intelligence as Alex reveals the secrets to building a successful marketplace in a highly specialized industry. Gain insights into the importance of adaptability, continuous iteration, and understanding the unique needs of your user base in creating a product that not only meets but anticipates market demands. ————— Open Source CXO is proudly presented by Active Logic - https://activelogic.com/ Check us out online: https://oscxo.com/ Check us out on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oscxopodcast Follow us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/oscxopodcast/?hl=en

    38 min
  3. Ep. 019: What the Holacracy? The Basics & Benefits of Flat Organizations in Development | w/ Special Guest Geoff Vandegrift of Ad Astra

    07/10/2024

    Ep. 019: What the Holacracy? The Basics & Benefits of Flat Organizations in Development | w/ Special Guest Geoff Vandegrift of Ad Astra

    Episode Summary: Join Geoff Vandegrift, Chief Technology Officer at Ad Astra, on this week's episode of Open Source CXO. We’re examining the evolving landscape of technology leadership as Geoff shares his journey and experiences from different companies, culminating in his current role at Ad Astra. With Ad Astra's mission being ‘to graduate more students faster,’ Geoff and his team provide higher education institutions with solutions to offer the right courses in the right format at the right place. Highlighting the transition to a cloud-native, serverless architecture, Geoff acknowledges the benefits and challenges of holacracy. He emphasizes how it allows for greater flexibility and empowerment among team members, fostering a self-managed and collaborative work environment. Tune in to gain valuable insights into managing a self-managed organization, integrating innovative practices like holacracy, and maintaining a mission-driven approach in the fast-paced tech industry. Geoff's story offers a unique perspective on fostering an agile, customer-focused engineering culture while navigating the complexities of the higher education sector. ————— Open Source CXO is proudly presented by Active Logic - https://activelogic.com/ Check us out online: https://oscxo.com/ Check us out on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oscxopodcast Follow us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/oscxopodcast/?hl=en

    29 min
  4. 06/05/2024

    Ep. 018: Metrics That Matter - Data Points for Technology Leaders | w/ Special Guest Sebastian Kline of Nelnet Community Engagement

    Cbass is back for another episode of Open Source CXO, but this time we’re digging into data points and metrics that matter! Sebastian shares his experiences and strategies for effective team management as he follows a very objective, data-based approach. From his journey at Aware3 to his current role at Nelnet, Sebastian provides a deep dive into the metrics that matter, such as deployment frequency, code coverage, and customer-detected bugs. Sebastian elaborates on the evolution of his management style, emphasizing the importance of coaching and the role of metrics in driving performance. He discusses the challenges and rewards of integrating startups into larger corporate structures and maintaining a high-performance team. His insights into the importance of tenure, equitable compensation, and the retention of employees through engagement and purpose are invaluable for any engineering leader. Tune in to gain practical advice on managing technical teams, fostering a no-blame culture, and leveraging networks for personal and professional growth. This episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking discussions on how to excel in engineering leadership. ————— Open Source CXO is proudly presented by Active Logic - https://activelogic.com/ Check us out online: https://oscxo.com/ Check us out on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oscxopodcast Follow us on Instagram! - https://www.instagram.com/oscxopodcast/?hl=en

    34 min

About

A video podcast designed to enlighten and empower technology leaders across industries. With every episode, we delve into the complexities of tech trends, software development, and digital strategy, offering fresh perspectives and actionable insights to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.