Humanizing Software

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“I don't look at automation as displacing human jobs as much as enabling humans to do better stuff and spend more time together.” - Joe Gleinser

There are a lot of opportunities for automation and integration of artificial intelligence in the area of software development. By leveraging technology to take care of the mundane, developers are free to focus on higher-level work that is creative and meaningful. That’s where we create the most value and where artificial intelligence is unlikely to become competitive with humans within our lifetime.

Today, I’m exceptionally excited to be joined by someone I’ve known for almost 15 years, Joe Gleinser, Co-Founder of Trustgrid. Joe is a seasoned technology executive with over 20 years of experience growing technology product and service organizations around enterprise data centers, cloud, and security technologies. He is currently the CEO at Trustgrid, an edge computing platform that enables application providers to deploy in and connect to customer environments. He has previously been CEO at GCS Technologies, Inc. and is currently Chairman of the Board.

In this conversation, Joe and I discuss the impact of social media on information distribution, why we need to teach our children critical thinking, how Joe’s family influenced his career, the evolution of education due to technology, why human relationships and collaboration are crucial even in a remote environment, and more. Enjoy the episode!

Highlights

Joe’s early exposure to programming and his career in technology and business

How Joe’s family has influenced his perspective on business and his professional life

My experience joining an internet startup right before the dot-com bubble burst

The role of technology in education and how it has evolved over the past 25 years

How the education of our youth changed as a result of the pandemic

Trustgrid’s perspective on in-person interactions as a fully remote company

Concerns surrounding TikTok and its influence on our youth

Positive and negative impacts of social media and the need for emphasizing critical thinking skills

The challenges of maintaining the human side of technology

How automation can enhance human capabilities

Navigating the trade-offs between convenience and privacy/security

Exploring the current state of artificial intelligence, the marketing hype, and its limitations

What people-driven tech means to Joe

Connect with Joe Gleinser

Joe Gleinser on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/joegleinser/

Trustgrid Website https://trustgrid.io/

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Humans are great at exploring thinly sliced pieces of life. AI enables us to solve problems at the level of a complex system, taking us from an era of data and information into an age of knowledge.

We can’t think about the advancement of technology without considering who makes it, who uses it, and who’s leveraging it. Humans are the central piece of the puzzle, creating inventions and making discoveries that translate into everything that has become ubiquitous in our modern world. It’s impossible to separate people from technology and the influence of the human condition on the software we interact with daily.

To explore this topic further, I’m joined by multi-dimensional thought leader Jaleh Daie today. Jaleh is a Partner at Aurora Equity and someone I’ve just recently had the opportunity to meet. She’s a trailblazer and pioneer many times over, having served as the first woman in several leadership roles.

In this conversation, Jaleh and I discuss how her upbringing and immigrant experience influenced her career, her transition from academia to venture capital, the relationship between science and technology, AI's benefits and potential dangers, the importance of human involvement in decision-making, and more.

Highlights

Jaleh’s upbringing in Iran and the challenges she faced as a graduate student in the US during the Iran hostage crisis

Jaleh’s dynamic career journey from academia to serving the President and eventually joining the world of venture capital

The importance of developing different skills and mental models to adapt to changing circumstances

How growing up in a big family taught Jaleh the value of focus and cooperation in achieving her goals

The motivation behind Jaleh’s decision to leave academia and pursue a career at the Packard Foundation

Exploring the interconnectedness of science and technology

How AI has enabled the shift from the era of information to the era of knowledge

The benefits of AI in understanding complex systems

Why humans are an essential part of the equation, despite the advancement of AI

Why Jaleh made the move from San Francisco to Austin

What people-driven tech means to Jaleh

The impact of technology on the immigration process

Connect with Jaleh Daie

Jaleh Daie on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalehdaie/

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“Great relationships still need to happen, and technology should support that.” - Rob Kaczmarek

When you look at the community banking market and what they do well, it’s centered around their human connection with their clients. This connection is at the heart of relationships that last a lifetime, often from generation to generation. As we build the technology to improve our banking experience, it’s critical that that piece is supported and the human relationship remains at the center.

Today, I’m incredibly pleased to be joined by Rob Kaczmarek, who I’ve known and respected for several years. Rob is a serial entrepreneur who has founded several successful SaaS companies, including inbanx, which we're talking about quite a bit today.

In this conversation, Rob and I discuss his dynamic entrepreneurial journey, the influence of his family on his mindset, his approach to understanding user needs, the need to adapt and innovate while maintaining a human connection, and more.

Highlights

Rob’s family background and entrepreneurial journey

How Rob’s family influenced his approach to business and problem-solving

The importance of dedication, commitment, and sacrifice

Why it’s crucial to be able to ignore distractions and stay focused on your goals, especially in a noisy and competitive industry

The evolution of software and its adaptability to different situations

Understanding context and building an enterprise-grade solution from scratch

Technology development and adapting to a changing environment

Flexibility and adaptability in entrepreneurship

The positive and negative effects of AI and learning to leverage it as a tool

What people-driven tech means to Rob

Why technology needs to support and facilitate genuine human relationships

Connect with Rob Kaczmarek

inbanx Website https://www.inbanx.com/

Rob Kaczmarek on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robkaczmarek/

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Like a baby learning to walk, failure is a crucial part of learning.

Many companies have a culture deeply rooted in a fear of failure. That fear leads to risk aversion that can often result in companies staying stagnant and rejecting growth opportunities simply to avoid the difficulties of pushing the needle. Calculated risk is vital in business and with teams, especially when developing software that can make or break a company's bottom line.

Today, I'm exceptionally pleased to be joined by Adrian Williams, a highly experienced senior technology leader and Vice President of Engineering at aboutGOLF. I've had the opportunity to know Adrian for the last five or six years, not only as an individual and colleague but also as a very good friend. With over 30 years of experience in the software development space, Adrian has spent a lifetime as both an engineer and a leader, failing and succeeding, learning and teaching people, teams, and companies how to be wildly successful.

In this conversation, Adrian and I discuss how he naturally developed a high risk profile, how it shapes his approach as a leader, the concept of "failing fast," the impact of work environments on success, the challenges of remote communication, the limitations of technology, and more.

Highlights

Adrian’s diverse background, interests, and experiences and how they have shaped his risk profile

Fear of failure and embracing the “fail fast” mentality

Challenges of failing fast and the need for a supportive environment that allows for quick iterations and corrections

Success story - how failing fast and being agile led to a successful solution during the COVID-19 pandemic

Why trust and transparency in leadership is essential in creating a culture of fearlessness and innovation

The art of listening and effective leadership

The role of software in improving efficiency and reducing waste

Challenges of remote work and the need for tools that facilitate human connection and communication

The excessive use of tools in education and the negative impact on kinesthetic learners

The limitations of technology in replicating rich human interactions

Why visual cues are crucial in communication

What people-driven tech means to Adrian

Connect with Adrian Williams

aboutGolf Website https://www.aboutgolf.com/

Adrian Williams on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-williams-austin-tx/

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“You and I can exchange value as long as we have an internet connection. We don't necessarily need an intermediary like we did before, and that’s exciting.” - John Ainsworth

From data to money to the ledger, traditionally, everything related to currency exchanges has been centralized. With the decentralization of finance, millions of people who could not access traditional banking have access to technology that can transform their lives and the way they exchange currency.

Today, I’m extremely excited to be joined by John Ainsworth, President and CEO of Bonifii. I've had the chance to get to know him personally over the last several years, and I respect him as a technology leader and a visionary in many different areas. After starting his career at SunTrust, he continued to Visa and Mastercard as a senior leader, driving strategy and change and implementing key policies and procedures.

In this conversation, John and I discuss the evolution of payment and authentication, how trust in the financial industry has changed over the years, what the humanization of money transfers looks like, the importance of trust, the role of technology in banking, potential risks and benefits associated with AI, and more.

Highlights

John’s background and career experience in the world of Fortune 50 companies

John’s journey from Visa and Mastercard into the startup world

The evolution of standard payment methods

How technology has revolutionized payment experiences

The transformation of currency exchange

The shift from centralized payments to peer-to-peer transactions and the use of various form factors for payments

Leveraging technology for the humanization of financial services

Recognizing the level of trust and confidence in financial systems that’s needed for a transaction to occur

Insights from the rising trust placed in cryptocurrency

Consequences of errors and the need for controls and balances

The changing acceptability of AI and the associated benefits and dangers

What people-driven tech means to John

Interconnectivity and the value of genuine connections, trust, and respect in the context of technology

Connect with John Ainsworth

John Ainsworth on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnainsworthjr/

Bonifii Website https://bonifii.com/

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“In a time-constrained environment, technology has to be as intuitive as possible.” - Damian McKeon

There’s a big problem that first responders face. When you arrive on the scene of an emergency, and it’s somewhere you’ve never been before, you waste a lot of time figuring out where to go. Mission-critical teams typically have 300 seconds or less to solve problems where the consequence of failure is death or catastrophic loss.

Today, I have the pleasure of hosting two extraordinary guests, Ashley Hamilton and Damian McKeon, the co-founders of Aiki. Ashley and Damian recognized this problem and are now revolutionizing the world of emergency response with intuitive, symbol-based indoor mapping. Damian brings over 29 years of experience in the fire service and 27 years as an EMT paramedic in Texas. A seasoned professional, Damian has served in the United States Army as a Green Beret and the 19th Special Forces. He has traveled the world sharing his expertise, tactics, and tactical medicine. With 15 years of firefighting experience, including six years in the Special Operations Battalion, Ashley excels in solving complex problems in hazardous and restrictive environments. She serves as an Emergency Planning Specialist for the Austin Fire Department. She has pioneered programs that require and enable first responders and command staff to make rapid, secure, and efficient decisions using symbols instead of written language.

In this conversation, Damian, Ashley, and I discuss the need to leverage technology for emergency response, their mission to empower children in crises, the need for more effective responses to active shooter incidents, the power of real-time communication and instant notification systems in schools, the future of Aiki, and more.

Highlights

Ashley’s journey from financial advisor to firefighter

Damian’s unique background in the fire service, Special Forces, and as a medic

Leveraging data and technology to help first responders save lives

The process of digitizing paper plans and maps to turn unstructured data into structured data

Recognizing the need and opportunity to empower children in emergencies

The horrific statistics on mass shootings and the need for faster response times

How real-time, intuitive, visual data can transform the way first responders and individuals respond to a crisis situation

Empowering students and teachers during a school shooting

The individual use cases for Aiki for end users and first responders

Creating an interface for real-time communication during emergencies

Using visual references and symbols for efficient information transmission

The future of Aiki

What people-driven tech means to Damian and Ashley

Connect with Damian McKeon and Ashley Hamilton

Aiki Website https://www.aikiplans.com/

Ashley Hamilton on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/whatahamiam/

Damian McKeon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-mckeon-955428223/

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“I always envisioned building a company that focuses on quality software. Not just software that works, but software that endures.” - Denzil Fillis

When developing software, it’s easy to hyper-focus on functionality, but the truth is, getting your code to work well is just one part of the equation. Code doesn’t have to be impersonal. When the zeros and ones are combined with the intent to do something significant and create positive change, you are helping humanity.

Today I’m quite pleased to be joined by someone who embodies this philosophy and built it into the foundations of his company, Denzil Fillis, CEO of MpiloTech. Denzil's journey from software developer to entrepreneur is truly inspiring. After reading "The Alchemist," he took a leap of faith to follow his passion and start a software company. Since then, he’s built an organization that embraces teamwork and authentic relationships, making a significant impact in South Africa and the African continent.

In this conversation, Denzil and I discuss why he decided to take the leap to pursue entrepreneurship, his vision for building a company that prioritizes quality software, the challenges of working with cross-border institutions, why people development has to be a central focus, how Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) is used at MpiloTech, the negative impact of ego in software development organizations, and more.

Highlights

Denzil’s background and drive to start his own software business

Taking the leap from corporate to entrepreneurship

Denzil’s vision of building a company that prioritizes quality software

Challenges of working with different cross-border financial institutions and the importance of a simplified and secure customer experience

MpiloTech’s perspective on people development

The massive impact on humanity of providing good quality software with a higher intent and purpose behind it

Capability Maturity Model Integrated (CMMI) and how it’s used at MpiloTech

Why Denzil is passionate about creating job opportunities for individuals with potential

Driving awareness and connection between the South African and North American tech ecosystems

Opportunities for collaboration between African and US companies in creating software solutions

Creating unique bonds and forging authentic relationships

What people-driven tech means to Denzil

Managing developer egos and why teamwork is crucial in software development

Connect with Denzil Fillis

MpiloTech Website https://mpilotech.co.za/

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“There's no better time in history to be a musician than right now.” - John Zozzaro

For the first time in history, we’re starting to see independent artists taking control over their destinies through the tools and technology that are now available at our fingertips. As technology continues to integrate seamlessly across different types of infrastructures, artists have more data and more useful information that - when properly utilized - can allow them to engage their audience and get to a sustainable place easier than ever before.

Today I’m very excited to be joined by John Zozzaro, founder and President of MediaTech Ventures. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area suburbs, John Zozzaro started his entrepreneurial journey in his early twenties playing music and touring all over the U.S. During this time, his passion and obsession with the convergence of media and technology began to blossom. In mid-2013, he decided to break away from the stage and forge a new path, launching two different marketing agencies leveraging his music industry experience to create more opportunities for bands and brands. In October of 2016, he met his now business partner Paul O'Brien and launched MediaTech Ventures as the solution to help educate public, private, and corporate capital how to invest in Media-Technology, while providing innovators access to networks, education, tools, and capital, necessary for their success.

In this conversation, John and I discuss his journey from professional musician to entrepreneur, the overlap between the music and technology industries, how technology has empowered independent artists, the financial struggles artists face in an already revenue-deficient industry, the democratization of ownership, and more.

Highlights

John’s path from professional musician to marketer and entrepreneur

How John’s father’s entrepreneurial journey influenced his career path

The tie-ins between music and technology

Challenges faced by musicians in the past and how technology has empowered independent artists to take control of their careers

Opportunities for artists in the ever-changing digital economy

How technology has revolutionized the music industry

Indiegogo as an example of a resource that was ahead of its time

The financial struggles faced by artists in an already revenue-deficient industry

The problem with how music industry technology was initially designed to support the industry itself rather than the artists

Creating technology that empowers artists by supporting the democratization of ownership

The complexities of ownership in the digital world

Understanding the concept of NFTs as digital receipts and their potential for creating transparency in ownership and authenticity

Why the collaboration between artists and technologists often leads to innovation

The importance of encouraging creativity in software development

The role of mentorship and resources in reducing startup failure rates

Connect with John Zozzaro

John Zozzaro on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnzozzaro/

MediaTech Ventures Website https://mediatech.ventures/

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Back in the day, it was hard to turn the TV off, knowing there might be something interesting waiting on the next channel. Now, with personalized recommendations and algorithmically-curated feeds, much of the technology we interact with is optimized for so much more than core functionality.

While it can sound scary, this type of ubiquitous code isn’t all bad. The software evolution has produced highly effective educational tools, significant advances in medical technology, and much more. It's up to us to ensure that technology serves us rather than the other way around.

Today I’m excited to be joined by someone I've known and respected since I moved to Austin, Bill Leake. As the CEO of Apogee Results, Bill draws on deep expertise in both business and marketing to help increase revenues for a wide range of clients. He has been driving provable revenues through Internet marketing techniques since the early 1990s when, as part of the management team at Power Computing, he built the first company to sell $1 million of product over the Internet. As founder of Apogee Results, he has guided the company from inception to its current position as the largest search engine marketing company in Texas, one of the 20 largest independents in North America, and one of the fastest-growing companies on the Inc. 500 / 5000 list.

In this conversation, Bill and I discuss where Austin is going as a city, the evolution of digital marketing over the last three decades, good versus bad technology, what ChatGPT and advancements in AI mean for humanizing software, and more.

Highlights

How Bill ended up in Austin and his experience founding and growing companies here

Austin’s growth and evolution into a tech hub

The impactful OGs of the Austin tech industry

Bill’s accidental entry into digital marketing through his work at Power Computing

The early days of the internet and lesser-known Austin success stories

Challenges of humanizing software

Differentiating between cute and ubiquitous from a user experience perspective

The changing expectations for digital marketing

Positive examples of technology being used for the greater good

The negative impact of social media, which rewards conflict instead of censoring it

Tremendous opportunities in the internet space

What people-driven tech means to Bill

The trade-off between privacy and convenience

Bill’s perspective on the pros and cons of ChatGPT

Connect with Bill Leake

Bill Leake on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/leake/

Apogee Results https://www.apogeeresults.com/

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Back in the 90s, the best code was the one that maximized the limited computing power available. Human interaction was an afterthought. Fast forward to today, user experience is at the heart of the software development process.

The current user-first approach to software has totally shifted the development process and the types of software being built. Users expect every interaction to be intuitive and seamless and with minimal friction. That’s where people-driven tech comes in, making people's lives better.

For this episode, I was pleased to talk to Kaj Gronholm, CEO of Woodridge Software. Kaj is a 20-year software industry veteran who has built and led three companies, helping them grow from original idea to successful exit and ongoing operations. He founded and sold a leading Network Access Control company, Roving Planet, to HP. Kaj understands what it takes to build a company and develop new products. He is skilled in leading teams of people, honing strategy, and focused execution. He is also an expert in cyber security and enterprise data. Kaj has an ability to understand customers’ points of view, goals and needs and helps guide projects to exceed expectations.

In this conversation, Kaj and I discuss his nomadic childhood, the detours his career took before joining the financial services industry, how software can help make the world a little better, the accelerated pace of change with technology, the key to hiring amazing developers, and more.

Highlights

Kaj’s background growing up in an airline family and his early interest in programming

How Kaj’s love for mountain biking led him to discover his people skills and selling abilities

The great adventure of a three-month bike trip across the US without much technology

How Woodridge helps make the world a little better by making software better

The shift towards user-focused software and how it’s become a major aspect of software development

Transformative changes to how software is built and the way we interact with applications

How Woodridge and Kaj think about the accelerated pace of change with technology

The role of technology as a potential source of discord and what we can do about it

The importance of people-driven technology in the banking industry

Hiring developers who are smart, good at solving problems logically, and humble

Connect with Kaj Gronholm

Kaj Gronholm on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaj-gronholm-820b61/

Woodridge Software https://woodridgesoftware.com/

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“If a tool doesn’t make the human experience easier, it’s a badly designed tool.” - Bose Chan

From target demographics to government regulations and societal values, there are so many influences on what goes into building software. The profound impact of these factors becomes clear when we look at the differences in how technology has developed in different regions of the world.

Today I'm exceptionally pleased to be joined by someone I've come to know and respect not only with their business acumen but also as a good friend, Bose Chan. Bose is the Head of Strategic Partnerships at MX, where he heads up product partnerships and devex, driving MX’s strategic approach toward build vs. buy vs. partner decisions. He is also responsible for building up the platforms and journeys that clients and their developers leverage to onboard, implement and build their apps. Before joining MX, Bose managed the Open Banking function at Citi as part of its FinTech and Consumer Digital business. He led the development, integrations, and operations of financial data APIs that power thousands of FIs and fintech apps, providing connectivity to millions of US consumers.

In this conversation, Bose and I discuss his perspective on the differences between FinTech in the US and Asia, how his early life experiences impacted his views on financial management, what it means to design software with the human experience in mind, the fallacy of breakthroughs in technology in FinTech, privacy versus safety and security, and more.

Highlights

Bose’s journey to his role as Head of Strategic Partnerships at MX and his origin story in the financial industry

Growing up in Singapore and how Bose’s experience with the financial crisis influenced his career in finance

The impact of early life experiences on financial decision-making

The lack of financial education in schools and the importance of understanding basic financial management

Designing software with the human experience in mind

The importance of focusing on purpose and intent in the building of software

Understanding screen scraping and the issues it presents

Examining the economic value chain and the challenges of fair distribution of resources across stakeholders

The fallacy of breakthroughs in technology in FinTech

Differentiating between online and mobile banking

How target demographics influence investment and technological development

The government’s role as a technology and identity provider in certain Asian countries

How regulatory policy and societal values influence the ways technology is built

Privacy versus safety and security

Why defining ownership of data is so complicated

Appreciating the differences between technology and freedoms in the US and Asia

Connect with Bose Chan

Bose Chan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/bosechan

MX Technologies Website https://www.mx.com/

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"Keep doing the basics correctly, then add the bells and whistles where possible."

We’ve gotten to a point with technology where it can seem like we should intuitively know what our users need or simply let the machine determine our direction. Ultimately, the humanization of software means letting the users be the ones who ultimately make the call of where technology needs to be.

Today I’m very pleased to be joined by Henrik Markarian, Vice President, Digital Channels at Logix Federal Credit Union. Henrik is an established technology executive with years of experience managing teams in fast-paced environments and bringing innovative products to market across web, mobile, cloud, and dedicated systems. He started his career as a software engineer in the burgeoning video game industry. He climbed through the ranks to oversee production teams across software, marketing technology, and, most recently, digital banking. He has a passion for optimized experiences on digital, values simplicity in design, and believes getting the details right is a difference maker.

In this conversation, Henrik and I discuss his background and career journey in technology, the relationship between humans and software, how he approaches software development with a focus on user-friendliness and personalization, Logix's mission to help members thrive, critical considerations for data collection, and more.

Highlights

Henrik’s career journey in technology, including his experience in the video game industry and marketing technology

How family impacted Henrik’s life and choices from an early age

Going from video game creation to marketing technology to digital banking

The importance of engagement in software development and how it has been a consistent theme throughout Henrik’s career

Focusing on getting the basics right before thinking about bells and whistles

Balancing different users’ needs in product design

Gamification in banking apps and how it can make the experience more pleasant.

Constant notifications and the potential for information overload

Why Henrik prefers to let users have more control over their experiences

The platforms and applications that Henrik likes the most

Logix Federal Credit Union’s mission statement and how it guides their strategic decision-making when it comes to data stewardship

Compliance and regulatory challenges of big data

The shift from waterfall methodology to agile development in software development

Why it’s critical that people are driving the evolution of technology

Connect with Henrik Markarian

Logix Federal Credit Union https://www.logixbanking.com/

Henrik Markarian on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrik-markarian/

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Humanizing Software: Recent Episodes

Andrew Tull