The Tech Blog Writer Podcast - Inspired Tech Startup Stories & Interviews With Tech Leaders, Entrepreneurs And Innovators

In this episode, I take a deep dive into the world of personal finance and explore how Rocket Money, a personal finance app with over 3.4 million members, is empowering consumers to take control of their financial lives. We are joined by Yahya Mokhtarzada, the face behind Rocket Money's television commercials and its co-founder, as he discusses his journey developing Rocket Money, the app's money management features, and shares tips on how consumers can live their best financial lives. Rocket Money, formerly known as Truebill, has made its mark as a leading personal finance app with a mission to help users optimize their spending, manage subscriptions, lower their bills, and effortlessly set aside money to achieve their savings goals. By analyzing members' spending habits, identifying inefficiencies, and offering immediate solutions to improve their financial health, Rocket Money gives its members a valuable advantage on their financial journey. In this episode, Yahya shares the app's unique features, such as

 As brands increasingly turn to loyalty programs to foster lasting customer relationships, NFTs have emerged as a game-changer, providing a new level of exclusivity and engagement. With Boson Protocol's unique approach, businesses can develop decentralized alternatives to traditional eCommerce, offering consumers exclusive experiences, events, and content by purchasing NFTs. Justin Banon, CEO and Founder of Boson Protocol, discusses the power of token-gated commerce and NFTs in driving long-term customer engagement. He shares insights on how brands implement token-gated commerce to forge new customer relationships, the potential for NFTs to deliver enduring consumer benefits, and how the Boson Protocol's latest release, v2 of their dApp, empowers brands to launch their tokenized loyalty programs. In this episode, you'll also learn about how major brands like Starbucks, Disney, and Adidas have embraced NFTs to drive long-term community engagement. We also explore the global customer loyalty management market's

In this insightful and timely podcast episode, we sit down with Kyle Wong, a thought leader in user-generated content (UGC) and influencer marketing, to discuss why a UGC strategy matters more than ever in 2023 and beyond. As social media continues to evolve, businesses must adapt to stay ahead of the curve, and Kyle's expertise offers valuable insights into this rapidly changing landscape. Kyle delves into the importance of UGC in scaling businesses, explaining how brands can leverage the power of social proof to grow and succeed in an increasingly competitive market. He emphasizes the necessity for authenticity and shares his insights on how businesses can create genuine experiences for their customers that resonate on a deeper level. We also explore the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of UGC versus influencer and celebrity campaigns. Finally, Kyle provides real-world examples of brands that have successfully harnessed the power of UGC, demonstrating how this strategy can lead to tangible results and

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, we are thrilled to host Mala Tejwani, the operations lead at DataStax, who shares her inspiring journey from a world champion in Indian classical dance to a leading role in Silicon Valley's tech industry. Mala's unconventional background provides a fresh perspective on how her experiences as a dancer translate to the tech world. Mala reflects on how her dance career taught her the importance of fluidity, agility, passion, precision, and creativity, and how these qualities are crucial for anyone starting a new career in any industry. Mala started her tech career at Google in an entry-level position, but her passion for solving complex problems and creating efficient solutions led her to grow within the organization and eventually take on a leading role at DataStax. During the conversation, Mala shares insights into her experience leading operations at DataStax through significant periods of activity and growth. She also advises professionals looking to pivot into tech from

In this episode, I am joined by Jordan Gal, co-founder of Rally, a company on a mission to empower merchants and app developers by providing them with a headless, fully optimized, one-click checkout solution. Rally is revolutionizing the modern headless e-commerce ecosystem, bridging front- and back-end platforms, and creating seamless customer checkout experiences. Listen in as Jordan shares the origin story of Rally and the problems it aims to solve with technology and how Rally collaborates with Swell, Klarna, and Stripe to help small businesses scale without being tied to Shopify, acting as a 'headless' checkout option. He also shares s use case to help listeners understand how Rally can work in their world Jordan also talks about his experience raising $6M in 2021, along with advice for startup founders looking to follow in his footsteps. In addition, he evem finds time to share a few tips for early-stage founders looking to grow a business in this area, and his passion for ensuring small business owners

Permissioned blockchains have gained popularity as an alternative to open distributed networks, attracting institutional investment by ensuring security through restricted access.  Although permissioned decentralized finance (DeFi) could ease the transition for traditional finance players into the blockchain industry, it is undoubtedly a departure from the core ethos that drives the development of permissionless blockchains like THORChain, a non-custodial decentralized exchange that opens access to native and cross-chain liquidity. Permissioned chains offer the familiarity standards of security, privacy, and control that financial institutions are used to. By that very nature permissioned DeFi is oxymoronic, recreating the restrictions of the traditional financial system that DeFi was designed to bypass.  Such permissioned protocols may attract institutional support but inevitably stray from the open, transparent, and equitable ethos that is championed by permissionless blockchains. Pedro Isaac Lopez, Chief G

At the Adobe Summit, I sat down with Joan Smith, Managing Director and leader of Protiviti Digital, to discuss how leaders and marketers can navigate the uncertainties of today's rapidly changing landscape. As the lines between digital and physical continue to blur, businesses are grappling with challenges such as shifting consumer behavior, data privacy regulations, and supply chain interdependence, all while facing a looming economic downturn. In this enlightening conversation, Joan shares her insights on Meeting customer expectations in an economic downturn by delivering meaningful experiences. We also discuss connecting technology to customer value, focusing on experience rather than process, and orchestrating purposeful interactions for hyper-personalization without being creepy. We also discuss how businesses can embed agility and automation into operating principles to adapt to a world of constant change in an informative chat on thriving in uncertainty, embracing change, and redefining the playbook fo

In this episode of The Tech Talks Podcast, I am thrilled to welcome Jonathan Rosenberg, the CTO and head of AI at Five9. With over 25 years of experience, Jonathan is a true pioneer in the industry, co-inventing SIP and being named one of the 100 most innovative technologists in the world by Technology Review Magazine. Join us as we dive into Jonathan's passion for technology, his pivotal role in SIP's development, and how it transformed the communications landscape by creating new markets and job opportunities. We'll also explore Five9's innovative AI strategy, including their latest product, Agent Assist, designed to enhance customer service agent productivity and efficacy. As the leading provider of cloud customer service technology, Five9 is at the forefront of AI-powered solutions for customer experience. We'll discuss the impact of AI technologies like ChatGPT and GPT-3 on businesses, brand loyalty, and customer experience. Jonathan will share his thoughts on innovation during economic uncertainty, expl

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating findings of a recent study by ClickUp, conducted by Sapio Research, which uncovers the critical factors that differentiate high-productivity businesses from their less productive counterparts. Join me and my special guest, Richard McGuinness, VP of Sales EMEA at ClickUp, who shares his expertise on the essential role of technology, training, and culture in driving productivity. We'll discuss how open communication channels, strong team cohesion, and a focus on employee well-being all contribute to improved organizational productivity and job satisfaction. Together, we'll explore top-performing organizations' most effective productivity measurements techniques, such as tracking task progress and completion and performance against set objectives or deliverables. Additionally, we'll examine the importance of setting employees up for success by providing them with the right technology, resources, and an inclusive culture fostering growth and innovation. During our co

Welcome to this episode of the podcast, where we explore the intersection of sports and technology with Rick Limpert, the No.1 Sports Tech Writer in the U.S. With over a decade of experience in this field, Rick has become a leading voice in the industry, appearing on major news networks and writing for prominent publications. In this episode, Rick shares his insights on the ways in which technology has transformed the world of sports, and how many of the consumer tech devices we use today have their origins in the sports world. We dive into the exciting advancements in sports fan engagement, including the use of technology in arenas and stadiums, and the trends shaping the armchair fan experience. Rick's passion for sports and technology is contagious, and his enthusiasm for the future of this industry is inspiring. Join us as we explore the fascinating world of sports and technology, and discover how these two seemingly disparate fields are converging in ways that are revolutionizing the way we experience sp

In this episode of Tech Talks Daily, we're joined by Dan Sommer, Qlik Senior Director and Global Market Intelligence Lead, as we explore the challenges and opportunities businesses face amidst a perfect storm of economic recession, declining VC funding and conflicting global regulations. Dan, a former Gartner analyst, shares his expertise on markets, trends, competitive landscape evaluations, and go-to-market strategies. I learn more about how Qlik, a US company with a Swedish heart, aims to change the world by making it easier for people to make more insightful, data-driven decisions and act on them. Dan emphasizes the importance of honing the accuracy of decision-making to anticipate unexpected events and achieve connected governance in a world of disparate and siloed datasets. Join us as we discuss the impact of market consolidation, the rise of synthetic data, and the need for AI to move deeper into the pipeline to consolidate and strengthen organizations' data processing. Finally, Dan shares how to navig

This daily tech podcast explores how technology transforms our lives, work, industries, and world. At the recent X4 event by Qualtrics, I sat down with Rob Swain, the Global COO of KFC. Tune in as we dive into how technology and conversational analytics have unlocked actionable insights for KFC.  I learn more about how in each of their 27,000 restaurants, every manager takes on the role of a part-time data analyst. They monitor social media, assess customer feedback, guide employees, and propose enhancements. This empowerment enables the overall brand to prioritize what truly matters to customers by integrating customer and employee feedback. We'll discuss how these tech tools have empowered KFC's team to tune in to what people say about their brand, allowing them to improve everything – from taste and food service to the delivery experience. Rob Swain's insights on the technology will enable every listener to take a peek behind the curtain at the tech behind every KFC experience. After listening to this epis

David Carvalho joins me in a conversation sharing his insights on how the Naoris Protocol is revolutionizing cybersecurity for enterprises and individuals in today's hyper-connected world. In this episode, we'll explore the decentralized cybersecurity mesh architecture (dCSMA) that protects networks and data by turning every connected device into a trusted validator node.  We'll discuss how Naoris Protocol leverages the power of blockchain and swarm AI to record real-time immutable ZK proofs of every device's status, identifying and mitigating threats in milliseconds and ensuring infrastructure security. With the average breach detection time for a large enterprise being 280 days, Naoris Protocol is a game changer for regulators and cybersecurity in general. Our proactive solution helps companies manage cyber risks in real time instead of relying on reactive regulation after the fact. Join us as we dive deep into the world of cybersecurity and discuss how Naoris Protocol is paving the way for a safer and more

Today we explore the future of recruitment and the role of AI in creating a more equitable and efficient job market. In this episode, we are joined by Malcolm Burenstam Linder, the CEO of Alva Labs, a company that is dedicated to using technology to revolutionize the recruitment process. We start by discussing the traditional recruitment methods that are known to promote bias and how technology can help replace them. Malcolm shares his insights on the importance of maintaining a long-term hiring strategy, particularly in a changing market, and how technology can create a more candidate-centric approach to recruitment. We also delve into the role of AI in recruitment and how it can assist in making the process more accurate, diverse, and efficient. Malcolm shares how companies that base their hiring decisions on data rather than personal opinions can recruit with better accuracy and higher diversity while reducing employee churn and improving performance. Join us as we explore the future of recruitment and how

In today's episode of the Tech Talks Daily Podcast, we delve into the world of entrepreneurship and investing with the guidance of Cap Treeger, a serial entrepreneur and investor. Join us as we explore the lessons he's learned from his own successes and failures in building multiple businesses in various industries. As the Wall Street Journal and National best-selling author of Finding the Way, Cap Treeger has invested directly in several dozen early stage ventures and indirectly in hundreds more through his engagement in angel and venture funds. Through his experiences, he's gained invaluable insights into the world of entrepreneurship and investing. In his fictional account of an entrepreneur's journey to the top, Cap Treeger crafts a series of dynamic and well-drawn lessons for anyone who wants to start or build a business venture. Follow the story of Ren, a driven individual with a dream to build his own startup from the ground up, as he navigates the complexities of the business world. With the help of h

In this episode, we're diving into the world of refurbished tech devices, e-waste, and the great digital divide. Our special guest is Biju Nair, EVP & President of the Global Connected Living business unit at Assurant, a leading provider of device protection, support, and logistics solutions for mobile devices, smart homes, and connected devices. Biju's expertise in the wireless industry spans more than 25 years. He oversees the refurbishment and recycling of connected devices for Assurant, which repurposed over 17 million devices last year for companies like AT&T and Vodafone. Biju's entrepreneurial and innovation leadership has driven Assurant's sustainability and environmental responsibility commitment. In this episode, we discuss the impact of automation on sustainability in the e-waste and recycling market. We also explore the benefits of repurposed technology for consumers in developed and emerging markets, such as improved sustainability and connectivity. Join us as we delve into the exciting w

On today's episode of Tech Talks Daily, I am joined by Bianca Peel and Frank Duffy, the founder of Code Division, a non-profit organisation and SQA-certified learning centre in Scotland. They are on a mission to provide free digital education to those who need it most, focusing on individuals who are unemployed, facing barriers to employment, and from underrepresented backgrounds in tech. As automation and technological advancements threaten to displace 75 million jobs, Code Division empowers communities through industry-driven courses in data analysis, cyber resilience, business applications, software development, and more. By offering practical work-based learning and SQA accreditation, they prepare learners for various digital roles and help bridge the digital divide. In this insightful conversation, we'll discuss the importance of digital equality and the positive social impacts of Code Division's latest initiatives. Learn how this inspiring non-profit brings the tech community together to support student

Last week at the X4 Summit, I dived into the world of customer experience with Maggie Butler, Director of Customer Experience at Allianz. With keynotes from inspirational figures like Martha Stewart, Sean White, Tony Hawks, and The Killers, this event is packed with excitement. But my conversation with Maggie takes center stage in this episode. We explore how Allianz, a travel insurance company assisting 25 million customers annually, leverages its partnership with Qualtrics to better understand and serve its customers. Learn how Allianz unifies data from its Voice of the Customer (VoC) program, customer service call monitoring, satisfaction surveys, and social media platforms to identify actionable insights and align its products with customers' actual needs.   About Allianz Partners   Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, automotive, and assistance. Customer-driven, their innovative experts a

Today's guest is Matt Andrew, UK Managing Director and Partner at Ekimetrics. The global data science consultancy helps brands improve their marketing performance, understand customers, and enhance operational excellence through analytics and data science.  Ekimetrics uses econometrics as a basis and employs triangulated methods such as Marketing Mix Optimisation (MMO) to ensure that brands make consistent decisions. Matt Andrew has worked with Google and Meta on solutions like MMO, helping clients make more confident decisions.  I learn more about how The UK team at Ekimetrics grew by 60% last year and has over 400 data scientists worldwide. The ongoing development and expansion of its Data Science Transformation, Customer Centricity, and MMO solutions are helping some major brands with holistic measurement globally at scale. In this episode, we explore the potential of emerging technologies such as the Metaverse, web 3.0, and AI. We also discuss the true potential of digital as an integral part of marketing

Corey Nachreiner, CSO at WatchGuard, joins me in a conversation about the latest cybersecurity predictions for 2023 from WatchGuard's Threat Lab research team. Our guest then shares the story behind the batch of predictions for 2023, offering different takes on potential hacks and attacks in various categories.  We discuss two matchups: "Insurers Going Vertical" and "Targeting Vendors and Partners." Then, moving on, we explore the hype around the metaverse and web3 and question whether we could see a Big Metaverse Hack this year too. One of the standout predictions is the potential surge in MFA-targeted Social Engineering Attacks. Our guest expands on this trend and explains the prediction regarding Hacking AI Robotaxis in a simple and accessible way as if explaining it to a five-year-old. The podcast also explores the prediction regarding Vulnerability Proliferation through AI Coding Tools, discussing how AI tools could empower script kiddies to write malware and write more convincing phishing emails. Sponso