CTO

Transitioning From Vice President of Engineering to CTO

When the pandemic hit, the author had to take on the role of CTO remotely. To make the transition successful, they reached out to mentors and peers for advice, and took the time to understand the role internally and externally. They also built feedback loops and used video chats to make up for lost time with team members. In the end, they were able to prove themselves and build trust with their peers.

Unlocking the Power of Product Management for Startup CTOs

This article explores the art of product management and how CTOs can use it to drive innovation and success. It covers core components, the importance of a strong CTO-product manager alliance, strategies for aligning engineering and product strategies with business objectives, and tips for implementing product management within an organisation. Agile methodologies and building high-trust empowered product teams are also discussed. By mastering these concepts, CTOs can unlock the power of product management to drive innovation and success.

Hiring Senior Leadership When Scaling Massively

As CTO of a company that grew from 140 to 800 engineers in two years, the author had to anticipate the size of the team and assess the existing leadership potential. It took nine months to hire six VPs and restructure the organization, and two years later the plan worked out. The author learned that it is important to anticipate growth and hire people in advance, rather than waiting until they are needed.

Scaling Engineering @ Trustly

Trustly has seen significant growth in Europe and North America over the past year, with North America now representing close to half of total group revenue. In response, the Engineering team has doubled in size, expanding to 109 full-time employees across Brazil, Portugal, and the US. The team has evolved their road mapping and planning processes, and formalized the idea of a Technology Tribe to dedicate Engineering resources for Scalability, Reliability, Security, and Resiliency. The team looks forward to continued growth and evolution in 2022.

Hiring En Masse

When hiring a large number of people, it is beneficial to look for existing teams that are looking for a new opportunity, such as those from companies that are going out of business or pivoting to a different sector. Keeping an eye on these opportunities, acting fast, and having an informal meeting with the whole group can help to build relationships and create a unified team. Communication and honest feedback are key to success, and it is important to remember that hiring a group of technically gifted people does not automatically make a good team.

Knowing Why You Want to Grow in Your Career

This article discusses the importance of career pathing and how to determine the next step to take on your career path. It emphasizes the importance of knowing what you want from career pathing, understanding that people are different and have different needs, and giving yourself permission to do what you want to do. It also encourages self-awareness and understanding of your emotional needs, and knowing that a position doesn't have to be forever, just right for the moment.