Latest posts
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AI in the boardroom: Governance, Risk, and the Questions every director should be asking
Artificial intelligence has shifted rapidly from a technical curiosity to a central force reshaping business, industry, and society. While much has been written about AI’s potential to drive innovation and efficiency, far less has been said about its implications for governance, and yet it is at the board level where some of the most consequential…
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The Platform Dilemma: When small services businesses outgrow their own systems
After more than three decades advising and leading technology and product teams across sectors from Telecoms to Healthcare, I’ve seen a familiar story unfold time and again—particularly in smaller services-based businesses. It starts with a team building their own bespoke system, perhaps as a natural extension of their service model or out of necessity. What…
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Bridging the Gap: The Strategic Value of a Technical Product Manager in a Sales-Focused Organisation
In many sales-led product organisations, particularly those that have evolved organically or have prioritised growth through customer acquisition and commercial opportunity, the role of the Technical Product Manager (TPM) can often be underappreciated, if not entirely absent. However, as product portfolios mature, architectures grow more complex, and customer expectations trend ever upward, the need for…
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Lifting the lid on technolgy in a board setting is important, an advisor might be your missing ingredient.
The modern corporate environment is increasingly influenced by technology. From digital transformation initiatives to the adoption of cutting-edge solutions such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, technology forms a cornerstone of strategic growth. A Board Advisor who possesses technical acumen can bridge the gap between complex technical concepts and strategic business decisions. During critical decision-making sessions,…
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The ultimate in poorly defined requirements?
Many software engineers reach a point in their career where they are faced with a choice; continue cutting code or move into management. In many cases, engineers feel pressured by remuneration or peer pressure to move into management but transitioning from a software engineer role to being a successful software engineering manager presents significant challenges,…
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Who Said My Business Was Immature?
Sometimes businesses are surprised, shocked or outraged if they score low in terms of business maturity. This might be a misunderstanding of what business maturity means, and what it might mean for them. Every great company starts with a simple idea — a spark of insight that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit. However, an idea alone…
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A good plan for the future can make or break your Technical Due Diligence
When private equity firms evaluate a company for investment, understanding the company’s future plans is a vital part of the Technical Due Diligence (TDD) process. Investors are not just interested in the present state of the company but regard both the future plans, and the structure that surrounds them, as critical parts of the investment…
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What does a TDD look for in your Team?
The technical team is the backbone of any tech-driven company, responsible for developing, maintaining, and innovating the company’s products and services. Even where a company does not sell a technical product of their own, but uses technology to manage its day-to-day business, the team plays a critical role to ensure business operations run smoothly. When…
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Just what is Technical Debt?
Technical debt refers to the additional work and future costs that arise when a company opts for a quick, easy solution now instead of a more efficient and long-term approach. It’s like taking a shortcut that saves time initially but requires more effort to fix later. Technical debt can accumulate in various forms, such as…
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Security, a gateway to securing funding
When private equity firms consider investing in a company, they need to ensure that every aspect of the business is sound, particularly its security and compliance measures. Whereas other components of a Technical Due Diligence (TDD) can, and do, change valuations, speed up or slow down the transaction, or mean that warranties are defined, security…