Is this the right tool for the job? | Kurt Dusek, Tech Advisor at Gitlab & Appdome | Episode 28

Kurt Dusek is a technology advisor, tech startup entrepreneur,
and systems architect with over 20 years of experience in tech
leadership roles at prominent tech companies including GitLab and
Appdome.


 In this episode, Matt and Kurt discuss:


Choosing the right tool for a job based on (1) your company's
specific needs and (2) the overarching impact of technological
change on your business

Building vendor partnerships that extend beyond sales rooted
in constant engagement to create a shared vision for success

The necessity for companies to treat data with importance,
including appointing a responsible leader for data architecture

Anticipating 'good enough' thresholds in tech to stay
prepared for transitions and ensure sustainable growth

Constructing a robust technological architecture that
addresses customer-focused metrics while catering  to
internal operational metrics



Chapters:


(0:00) Introduction to technologist Kurt Dusek


(0:57) Data technology in company scaling


(2:23) Discussing vintage vehicles and restoration


(5:28) Universal constants in the mercurial  technology
landscape


(5:45) Choosing the right tool for effective technology adoption


(7:53) Preventing technology stack bloat in fast-growing
companies


(10:25) Strategic procurement for early-stage startups


(12:05) Differentiating between vendors and partners in business
growth


(15:20) Leveraging quarterly calls for product development
insights


(17:05) Scaling costs of email service providers


(18:56) Challenges and strategies of replacing core business
technologies


(19:58) Technology leadership for future business challenges


(22:25) Strategic technology planning for scalable growth


(24:56) Strategic growth planning and the importance of
deliberateness


(27:02) Business growth in strategic technology integration


(30:59) Distinguishing the multifaceted roles in technology teams


(34:03) Leadership and systems thinking in large-scale operations


(36:20) Optimizing team roles for efficient cloud platform
management


(38:51) Specialists versus generalists in early stage companies


(41:14) Navigating startup challenges with expertise and networks


(42:29) Strategic integration of data-driven tools for startup
growth


(47:54) The complexity of trusting corporate data


(51:08) Valuing data as a fundamental business asset


(55:38) Comparing corporate data hygiene and personal health
habits


(56:33) Strategies for effective data management and utilization


(1:01:22) Growth data and interconnected data platforms


(1:01:27) Conclusion and closing remarks


Link to Transcript