Tech Leader Talk

Steve Sponseller
Tech Leader Talk Podcast

The Tech Leader Talk podcast brings together successful technology company leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the technology industry to share successes, challenges, and examples of what’s working now to build strong tech companies. Tune in each week as Steve Sponseller interviews a new leader in the tech world.

  1. JUN 27

    Strengthen your Tech Team Using Design Reviews and Mentoring – Shawn Buckley

    Are you using design reviews and testing to build a strong tech team? Today I am talking with Shawn Buckley.  Shawn is the VP Destinations at Sierra Space where he and his team are developing and implementing the next generation of power and infrastructure for the evolving space economy. Shawn is passionate about space systems, especially inflatable space habitats.  He loves attending design reviews.  He considers it a privilege to participate in design reviews to see people’s work and see their excitement.  During design reviews, Shawn enjoys seeing all of the hard work done by hundreds of team members. Shawn talks about mentors he’s had in his life and the way that he mentors young team members in his current work.  I’m sure you will enjoy this discussion with Shawn and get some valuable insights about working with your design team members. “For our inflatable structures, we have orbital debris protection that’s stronger than steel. This protects against high speed objects.” – Shawn Buckley (Senior Director of Engineering at Sierra Space) Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast: - Designing and burst testing inflatable space habitats - Improving collaboration between remote teams - Protecting against high-speed space debris - Mentoring younger team members - Managing supply chain issues Resources: Burst test video:  https://youtu.be/TcJuz6JA0BU Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday - https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Calling-Fortune-Favors-Brave/dp/0593191676 Connect with Shawn Buckley: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashawn-buckley-5b246328/ Website:  https://www.sierraspace.com/ Thanks for listening! Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    35 min
  2. JUN 13

    Pivotal Strategies for Tech Leaders – Stephen Shapiro

    Would you like to learn how to create stability in your organization while the tech landscape is constantly changing? Today’s guest, Stephen Shapiro, will share his insights and experiences about using “Pivotal Strategies” to strengthen your tech company.  Stephen is a leading keynote speaker, author, and advisor on innovation.  He has two decades of practical innovation experience, including a 15-year tenure at Accenture, where he created and led a 20,000-person innovation practice. Stephen has just released a new book titled “Pivotal: Creating Stability in an Uncertain World.”  Today he will be sharing some insights from his latest book and the motivation behind the book. Stephen talks about the importance of understanding your organization’s unique strengths and leveraging them as differentiators.  He suggests “doubling down” on what sets you apart to create maximum impact and value. During our conversation, Stephen also explains that pivoting is essential, but it’s equally important to ensure a stable foundation.  Excessive pivoting can lead to burnout, confusion, and lack of alignment within your organization. Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast: - Using a basketball metaphor to illustrate the concept of pivoting - Negative impact of excessive change in the workplace - Identifying your differentiators - Pivoting with purpose - How to create stability in an uncertain world "Instead of trying to figure out what's next, what do you do great that you should double down on."  Stephen Shapiro Stephen’s new book: Pivotal: Creating Stability in an Uncertain World - https://www.amazon.com/Pivotal-Creating-Stability-Uncertain-World-ebook/dp/B0CW1C6HKX Connect with Stephen Shapiro: Website:  https://stephenshapiro.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates/ Thanks for listening! Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    37 min
  3. JUN 6

    Building Space Foundries that Enable the Next Industrial Revolution – Joe Pawelski

    Can your company benefit from rapid iteration techniques and simulation to quickly develop successful products? Today I’m talking with Joe Pawelski, who is the Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder of CisLunar Industries. Joe and the team at CisLunar Industries are building and operating space foundries to enable the next industrial revolution.  In particular, he works with in-space metal processing and space debris recycling. Joe has a passion for figuring out things people say are impossible.  Some of the projects he and the CisLunar team are working on include things that might seem impossible, like turning space debris into propellants and other useful materials.  And, doing this in orbit, not on Earth. During our discussion, Joe talks about how to test and simulate these projects on earth during the design process.  He also discusses rapid iteration techniques that can be used when developing these types of systems. Joe shares valuable insights that you can apply in your own tech business. “We believe that abundant resources in space are a good way to sustain humanity.  We think of ourselves as a sustainable company that’s looking out for the earth.” – Joe Pawelski (CTO of CisLunar Industries) Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast: - Creating metal propellants from space debris - How to recycle space debris while in orbit - Rapid iteration techniques to build better products - What is ISRU (In-Situ Resource Utilization) - Designing and building space foundries Connect with Joe Pawelski: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-pawelski/ Website: https://www.cislunarindustries.com/ Thanks for listening! Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    37 min
  4. MAY 16

    Your Company Can Use NASA Inventions – Daniel Lockney

    Did you know that NASA has patented inventions ready for you to license and commercialize? On this episode of the podcast, I am talking with Dan Lockney. I’m excited about this episode because Dan and I talk about a fantastic program from NASA for technology companies. Dan is the Technology Transfer Program Executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC.  He is responsible for managing NASA’s intellectual property and the transfer of NASA technology to promote the commercialization and public availability of NASA’s patented inventions. Dan and I discuss how NASA’s Technology Transfer Program operates and the types of companies that can license the technology.  Here’s a small spoiler:  any size of company can license the technology – from startups to large corporations.  And, you will be surprised at the cost of the license! Dan shares information about the motivation behind the Technology Transfer Program.  He also discusses some of his favorite inventions that have been successfully commercialized. Why is this program exciting to me?  As you may know, as a Patent Strategist I work with tech companies every day regarding patents and inventions.  This Technology Transfer Program is a great opportunity to license patented NASA technology to launch a business or a new product. I encourage you to listen to this episode and see if the Technology Transfer Program is a good option for your business. “Most of the technology in the Technology Transfer Program is outside of the aerospace area. Example technologies include medical devices, public transportation, consumer goods, and safety equipment.” – Daniel Lockney Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast: - How does the NASA Technology Transfer Program work - Program success stories - The motivation behind the Technology Transfer Program - Types of technologies contained in the patented inventions - How a team of NASA engineers designed a new low-cost ventilator in response to the Covid outbreak   Resources: Spinoff publication:  https://spinoff.nasa.gov/ NASA Technology Transfer Program:  https://technology.nasa.gov/ NASA Spinoff temperature-regulating mugs:  https://burnoutmugs.com/ Book:  Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford - https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Class-Soulcraft-Inquiry-Value/dp/0143117467   Connect with Daniel Lockney: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lockney-bb5316a8/ Website:  https://technology.nasa.gov/network Thanks for listening! Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    39 min
  5. APR 25

    Leveraging AI to Improve Business Innovation and Efficiency – Ajay Malik

    Would you like some insights on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve your business innovation and efficiency? That’s one of the topics I’m discussing today with Ajay Malik, who is an Artificial Intelligence expert and the CEO of Secomind.ai.  Ajay is also the author of the book:  Artificial Intelligence for Wireless Networking. During our discussion, Ajay shares his thoughts on how AI will impact business in the future.  He specifically talks about three main areas where AI can be applied in business:  products, processes, and customer support. Ajay explains the best ways for companies to take advantage of AI today to improve innovation and efficiency.  He also discusses his ideas about democratizing AI and business impact. Ajay shares insights about the “Studio X” AI platform developed by the team at Secomind.ai.  He explains his desire to create AI tools to improve personal lives, enhance performance at work, and enable learning and growth. Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast: - How to apply AI in your business - Democratizing AI - How AI is shaping the future of business - Examples of using AI to proactively diagnose and solve problems - Integrating AI into all aspects of business Book Recommendation: Blueprint: How DNA Makes Us Who We Are by Robert Plomin - https://www.amazon.com/Blueprint-How-Makes-afterword-Press/dp/0262537982 Connect with Ajay Malik: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/artofai/ Website:  https://studiox.secomind.ai/ Email Ajay at ajay.malik@secomind.ai to schedule a free 30 minute call. Thanks for listening! Be sure to get your free copy of Steve’s latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

    38 min
4.8
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

The Tech Leader Talk podcast brings together successful technology company leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the technology industry to share successes, challenges, and examples of what’s working now to build strong tech companies. Tune in each week as Steve Sponseller interviews a new leader in the tech world.

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