The Tech Leader's Playbook

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Kurt Uhlir, seasoned CMO, operator, and advisor to private equity-backed growth companies, for a no-BS breakdown of what modern marketing and real leadership look like at scale.Kurt challenges the mainstream playbook with sharp insight into why most CMOs aren’t actually marketers, how obsession with attribution is damaging businesses, and why the real differentiator is trust, not clicks. From dismantling the myth of PPC-fueled growth to showing how brands win by building long-term category authority, Kurt shares hard-won lessons from the trenches of B2B SaaS and services.You’ll hear how he thinks about short-term vs long-term growth horizons, why servant leadership isn’t soft, and what companies miss when they separate marketing from customer success. This is a masterclass for any founder, CMO, or growth leader who wants to scale responsibly, attract vs. chase customers, and build teams that actually own outcomes.If you’ve ever felt like traditional marketing advice didn’t match the reality of scaling a company, this one’s for you.TakeawaysMost CMOs are actually salespeople afraid of making cold calls, not strategic marketers.Companies lose 70% of deals by not being one of the top 3 trusted brands in the buyer’s mind.Short-term tactics (PPC, partnerships) drive revenue from 2–12 months, but trust drives revenue from 12–36+ months.Modern marketing must focus on contribution to outcomes, not just attribution metrics.Search Everywhere Optimization (not just SEO) is now essential, across YouTube, app stores, LLMs, and social.AI is a force multiplier for small teams, if used correctly to repurpose and amplify valuable content.Great marketing starts by mining product usage data, support tickets, and customer success conversations, not keyword tools.Servant leadership isn’t about being soft, it’s about owning outcomes and developing people.The best leaders are also great followers, especially when serving a strong brand-driven CEO.The cost of authoritative leadership is silent disengagement and missed opportunities for feedback.If every team member can’t explain how their role connects to company outcomes, leadership has failed.The most honest marketing feedback comes from calling customers who canceled, and listening without selling.Chapters00:00 Intro & Kurt’s Opening Shot at Modern Marketing02:00 Attribution vs. Contribution05:00 The 70% Rule: Brand Trust and B2B Decision-Making08:00 Should You Aim to Be a Top 3 Brand?10:00 The Three Horizons of Marketing ROI13:00 Search Everywhere Optimization and the New SEO Reality16:30 AI + Content Workflows: From Reels to Repurposing18:30 Content Strategy Starts with Customer Support Data20:00 Servant Leadership vs. Authoritative Leadership24:00 Following When It Matters: The Power of Deference26:00 Communication at Scale: Berkman Assessments and Team Alignment28:00 The Silent Cost of Authoritative Leadership30:00 Attribution Is Easy, But Contribution Builds Companies34:00 Why Marketing Should Own Customer Success Insights36:30 Managing Expectation Risk in Sales vs. Service38:30 Creating a Single View of the Customer40:00 Amplifying Referrals Without Getting in the Way42:00 The Ground Truth Lives With Canceled Customers43:30 Atomic Habits, Sticker Charts, and Showing Up44:30 The Billboard Test for Great Leadership Kurt Uhlir’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtuhlir/Kurt Uhlir’s Website Link:https://kurtuhlir.com/Resources and Links:⁠https://www.hireclout.com⁠⁠https://www.podcast.hireclout.com⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Marcus East—Tech Executive and Author of Working with Dinosaurs—for a candid and thought-provoking conversation on the realities of digital transformation. With a career spanning leadership roles at Apple, Google, National Geographic, and more, Marcus brings a rare dual perspective from both Big Tech and legacy enterprises.They unpack why most digital transformation efforts fail despite heavy investment, what separates successful tech leaders from those who merely talk innovation, and how culture—not just code—can make or break your future. Marcus shares powerful real-world stories: from National Geographic’s transformation into a digital juggernaut, to the organizational inertia that derails billion-dollar initiatives. He outlines the “three dinosaurs” that stall progress—legacy systems, outdated operating models, and people unwilling to change—and offers sharp insights into why customer obsession beats tech obsession every time.Whether you lead a startup or a Fortune 500, this episode will challenge your assumptions, sharpen your thinking, and equip you with frameworks to lead meaningful change in an AI-driven world.TakeawaysLegacy companies don’t fail because of age—they fail when they refuse to update thinking while technology advances.Successful transformations require both visionary leadership and operational discipline across the org.Billions in digital investment are wasted when the right people aren’t empowered to drive change.Embedding innovation into the core business beats isolating it in innovation labs.Flexible technology is a must—but without true cross-functional collaboration, it's not enough.Only about 5% of AI investments currently show ROI, largely due to legacy systems and poor org alignment.Top-performing organizations operate with tight accountability and a focus on measurable outcomes.Customer experience—not tech stack—should guide transformation priorities.Large “grand projects” that last years often fail to deliver value or ROI.Elite talent gravitates toward environments with high standards, fast iteration, and meaningful impact.Companies that can’t attract top talent must either lead with a compelling mission or lean into strategic partnerships.People are the hardest "dinosaur" to evolve—fixing culture and mindset is harder than replacing tech.Chapters00:00 Intro & Guest Introduction01:30 Why Some Legacy Companies Transform & Others Fail03:45 The Real Problem: People & Culture06:20 The Innovation Lab Trap08:15 The First Domino: Flexible Tech & Cross-Team Collaboration10:25 Build vs. Buy in the Age of Cloud12:30 AI Hype vs. ROI Reality14:20 Leadership’s Role in Driving Transformation17:55 Customer-First Thinking Over Tech Fetishism21:30 The Dangers of Tech-First Transformation23:45 Why Accountability is the Missing Link29:45 Why Elite Tech Talent Clusters (and Leaves)34:00 Rest & Vest vs. Impact-Driven Professionals41:45 What If You Can’t Attract Top Talent?47:00 The Three Dinosaurs: People, Tech, Models53:30 Why Outdated Processes Are More Dangerous Than Tech57:00 Extreme Accountability as a Performance Driver59:15 Books, Billboards & Final ThoughtsMarcus East’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcuseast/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this compilation episode of the Tech Leaders Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan brings together three powerhouse voices from the world of elite sports and leadership: Rex Kalamian, assistant coach in the NBA and head coach of the Armenian National Basketball Team; Dr. Jen Welter, the first female NFL coach and a pioneer in sports psychology; and Dick Vermeil, Super Bowl-winning NFL coach and Hall of Famer.Through their stories and reflections, these leaders offer raw, actionable insights on team building, ego management, mental resilience, and human-centered leadership. Rex shares how he galvanized a culturally fragmented team into national champions. Jen dives into the emotional intelligence required to coach high-performers and handle personal struggles as a leader. Dick gives hard-won lessons on delegation, trust, and building deep team culture through consistency and care.The episode blends sports and business in a way that reveals timeless truths about leadership, identity, and performance under pressure. Whether you're a founder, executive, or aspiring leader, this is a masterclass in cultivating winning teams without losing your humanity. TakeawaysEffective leadership requires upfront emotional investment—build trust before you ever coach performance.Winning cultures start with clarity: build, enhance, then sustain.Ego management is critical. A coach’s first job is to neutralize ego—both theirs and the player’s.Killer instinct can’t be taught; it must be identified early and nurtured over time.Great leaders don’t motivate the unmotivated—they hire self-starters and avoid demotivating them.Being human and apologizing authentically creates deeper relational capital and loyalty.Female leaders face invisible barriers—intentional mentorship and allyship are critical to systemic change.Tough love works when it’s consistent, fair, and rooted in seeing people’s full potential.Delegation is not a weakness—it’s a multiplier. Trust and systems are prerequisites to scale.Great leadership requires learning to listen more than you speak—and never assuming you're the smartest person in the room.Long-term success comes from defining a plan, surrounding yourself with good people, and showing them you care.Chapters00:00 Intro: Mastermind Compilation of Leadership Wisdom00:42 Rex Kalamian: Building Armenia’s National Basketball Team03:54 Uniting Diverse Talent and Building Belief06:15 Leading with Sacrifice and Mission-Driven Mindset07:23 Coaching Superstar Egos with Relationship-First Approach09:07 Can Killer Instinct Be Taught or Is It Innate?12:22 Translating Lessons from Sports into Business13:46 Jen Welter: Performance Dips & Empathetic Leadership15:27 “Do You Need a Minute?” — Spotting the Signs of Mental Strain17:59 Balancing Leadership While Being Human21:50 Lessons for Women Breaking Barriers in Leadership24:55 The Power of Mentorship and Intentional Advocacy25:19 Dick Vermeil: Tough Love and Consistent Standards27:00 When Talent Isn’t Matched by Work Ethic28:26 Bringing People Into Your Home to Build Culture30:35 Delegation, Obsession, and Why He Walked Away in ’8233:14 How to Evaluate Talent Beyond Interviews35:08 Can Leadership Be Taught or Is It Born?36:33 Coach Vermeil’s Playbook: 7 Core Principles of Winning38:52 Final Thoughts and Outro by AvetisResources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Drew Sechrist, an early Salesforce leader who helped scale the company from its earliest days into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise, and the founder of Connect The Dots. Drew brings listeners inside the chaos of Salesforce’s zero-to-one phase, sharing firsthand stories from a time when cloud software was unproven, customer trust was fragile, and evangelism mattered more than polished playbooks.The conversation explores what it really takes to scale a company from nothing, why the jump from zero to one is far harder than later stages, and how leadership decisions around hiring, pace, and conviction shaped Salesforce’s trajectory through the dot-com crash. Drew offers rare insights into working alongside Marc Benioff, including lessons on relentless execution speed, founder conviction, and organizational alignment through frameworks like V2MOM.A major theme of the episode is the enduring power of relationships. Drew explains how warm introductions, internal champions, and relationship capital closed deals worth millions and why, in an AI-saturated world, human networks are becoming the true long-term moat. The episode culminates in the origin story of Connect The Dots and why mapping real relationships is becoming a competitive advantage for modern teams.TakeawaysSalesforce succeeded early by evangelizing an unproven cloud model, not by selling features.Trust and customer success mattered before those functions even had names.Timing was critical; launching in 1999 gave Salesforce a window competitors missed.Distribution, not product, became the primary constraint once product-market fit was proven.Hiring leaders who had “seen the movie before” helped Salesforce scale deliberately.V2MOM created alignment and surfaced bottlenecks before they became existential problems.Marc Benioff’s pace of execution was a competitive weapon in enterprise sales.Slow communication is a leading indicator of poor performance in startups.Warm introductions and internal champions unlocked deals that cold outreach never could.AI is amplifying noise, making trusted relationships more valuable, not less.Relationship capital is emerging as the real moat in an AI-heavy world.Chapters00:00 Introduction and why relationships matter more than ever02:00 Drew’s background and joining Salesforce before it was Salesforce05:00 Evangelizing cloud software in a skeptical market07:30 Why zero-to-one is the hardest phase of growth11:00 Product-market fit, distribution, and the dot-com crash15:30 Leadership changes and Marc Benioff stepping in as CEO18:30 Scaling teams and hiring leaders who’ve done it before20:00 V2MOM and how Salesforce stayed aligned while growing26:00 Pace, conviction, and what Drew learned from Marc Benioff31:30 The power of warm introductions and internal champions36:00 Why AI is increasing noise and weakening cold outreach38:30 The origin story of Connect The Dots44:00 Why LinkedIn fails at representing real relationships50:00 Relationships as the long-term moat in an AI-driven futureDrew Sechrist’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewsechrist/Resources and Links: https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Isabelle Tashima, a growth equity investor at Volition Capital, to cut through the AI hype and unpack what truly drives breakout success in internet and consumer technology companies. Isabelle brings a unique perspective shaped by her experience across Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, KKR, and now Volition, where she focuses on backing capital-efficient founders who have achieved product-market fit with strong fundamentals.The conversation explores Volition’s contrarian investment philosophy, why bootstrapped or lightly funded companies often outperform, and how growth equity differs from venture capital and private equity in both risk and partnership style. Isabelle shares insights on why community, creators, and affiliate-driven distribution have become durable moats in consumer tech, often outperforming traditional paid acquisition channels.They also dive into how AI is reshaping the landscape, not as a replacement for teams, but as a force multiplier for efficiency, unit economics, and speed. From evaluating founder-investor alignment to understanding when to prioritize partnership over valuation, this episode offers a grounded, thoughtful look at scaling modern tech businesses in an increasingly noisy market.TakeawaysCompanies without AI risk being displaced by competitors who use it effectively.Volition prioritizes capital-efficient founders who achieved traction without heavy dilution.Growth equity focuses on protecting downside (1x) while targeting meaningful upside (5x+).Community and brand can serve as powerful, defensible moats.Creator-led and affiliate-driven go-to-market strategies are reshaping distribution.Micro and nano creators often outperform large influencers in engagement and conversion.AI does not need to be customer-facing to add value; backend efficiency matters.Not all fast-growing AI companies have durable, long-term revenue.Founders should align with investors on time horizon, risk tolerance, and definition of success.Choosing the right partner often matters more than achieving the highest valuation.Chapters00:00 Cutting Through the AI Hype02:30 Volition Capital’s Investment Philosophy05:00 Growth Equity vs. VC and Private Equity07:30 Contrarian Investing in Overlooked Markets10:30 The Shift in Go-To-Market Strategies13:30 Micro Creators and Democratized Distribution16:00 Evaluating AI in Non–AI-Native Companies18:30 Common Scaling Mistakes in Consumer Tech21:00 Fast Exits vs. Long-Term Value Creation25:30 Isabelle’s Career Path and Investment Lens29:00 Choosing the Right Capital Partner38:00 Final Advice for FoundersIsabelle Tashima’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-tashima-780065135/Isabelle Tashima’s Website Link:https://www.volitioncapital.com/team/isabelle-tashima/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Vijay Rajendran, investor and venture builder at gAI Ventures, UC Berkeley instructor, and author of the bestselling book The Funding Framework. Vijay brings a deeply grounded perspective on how the next generation of AI companies will actually be built, not through hype or speed alone, but through domain expertise, thoughtful leadership, and disciplined execution.The conversation explores why domain experts now have a growing advantage over pure technologists, how venture studios are evolving in an AI-first world, and what truly separates fundable AI startups from products that will be replaced by the next model release. Vijay shares insights from working with hundreds of founders, including why verticalized AI, workflow integration, and right-sized markets matter more than ever.They also dive into leadership transitions founders must make, common early-stage execution mistakes, and why fundraising is far more about listening than pitching. Drawing from his own journey as a founder and investor, Vijay emphasizes customer empathy, coachability, and falling in love with the problem rather than the solution. This episode is a must-listen for founders, operators, and tech leaders building durable companies in the age of AI.TakeawaysFounders are often poor predictors of which startups will succeed, even within their own cohorts.Exceptional companies start with a “secret” insight about how an industry truly works.Domain expertise is becoming more valuable than pure technical skill as AI commoditizes development.The strongest AI startups are verticalized and embedded directly into existing workflows.Markets should be big enough to matter, but small enough that Big Tech won’t prioritize them.AI creates leverage by removing tedious work and amplifying human judgment and relationships.“Rip and replace” products face long sales cycles; bolt-on tools win faster adoption.Early traction can be misleading. Durable demand matters more than initial excitement.Founders must shift from doing everything to enabling others as the company grows.Fundraising success comes from dialogue and listening, not perfect pitch decks.Coachability and customer empathy are long-term founder advantages.The best founders fall in love with the problem, not their first solution.Chapters00:00 The Future of AI Startups02:00 What Predicts Founder Success04:30 Domain Experts vs. Technologists07:00 Where AI Is Creating Real Value10:30 Using AI to Free Humans13:00 What Makes an AI Idea Defensible17:00 How Modern Venture Studios Operate22:00 Choosing the Right Technical Partner27:30 Founder Mindset Shifts29:30 Common Early-Stage Mistakes33:00 Rethinking Fundraising41:00 Underrated AI Opportunities45:00 One Message for FoundersVijay Rajendran’s Social Media Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijayarajendran/The Funding Framework: Secure Startup Funding With Confidencehttps://a.co/d/jlwaiNvResources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyanIn this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Allison Shapira, a Harvard faculty member, global keynote speaker, former opera singer turned communication expert, and author of AI for the Authentic Leader. Together, they explore what it truly means to lead with authenticity, clarity, and energy in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and constant uncertainty.Allison shares her journey from the world of opera to advising executives, founders, and government leaders under intense pressure. She breaks down why perfection is the enemy of progress, how clarity now matters more than certainty, and why leaders must shift from having all the answers to guiding through uncertainty with confidence.The conversation dives deep into the role AI plays in leadership communication. Rather than replacing authenticity, Allison argues AI can actually strengthen it when used in alignment with personal values. She also issues a powerful warning about the rise of “superhuman persuasion” and why transparency and ethical boundaries are essential.From creating psychological safety in high-stakes environments to navigating vulnerability at the executive level, this episode delivers a masterclass in modern leadership communication. It is an essential listen for tech leaders, founders, and executives navigating the future of work.TakeawaysThe future of leadership will reward clarity over certainty as change accelerates.Perfection blocks connection; authentic imperfection builds trust.Leaders must move beyond rehearsed talking points and speak from genuine belief.Asking “Why you?” unlocks deeper purpose and more powerful communication.Public speaking is any moment with one or more people, not just stages.Psychological safety starts when leaders model vulnerability first.AI can either outsource your voice or amplify your best self depending on how it is used.True authenticity means acting in alignment with your values, not avoiding tools.Sending AI tools into meetings may create a “Big Brother” effect that limits openness.AI is becoming more persuasive than humans, which raises ethical risks.The ACE Model (Authenticity, Clarity, Energy) is the foundation of effective leadership communication.Pausing between meetings and resetting emotional energy is a leadership skill, not a luxury.Chapters00:00 The Future of Leadership, AI, and Authenticity02:00 From Opera Singer to Leadership Communication Expert04:30 Why Perfection Holds Leaders Back06:50 The “Why You” Framework for Powerful Messaging08:30 Communication Breakdowns in High-Pressure Environments10:20 Clarity Over Certainty in Modern Leadership14:10 Creating Psychological Safety at the Top18:30 Career Epiphany and Walking Away from Prestige24:00 Can AI Make Leaders More Authentic?30:00 Should Leaders Send AI to Meetings?35:00 Why AI Won’t Actually Give You More Free Time38:40 The Rise of Superhuman Persuasion44:00 The ACE Model: Authenticity, Clarity, Energy48:00 Energy, Introverts, and Speaking With Intention51:20 Books, Podcasts, and Where to Find Allison’s Work52:40 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks Allison Shapira’s Social Media Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonshapirahttps://www.youtube.com/@AllisonShapiraResources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyan⁠In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Tamara Laine, investigative journalist turned two-time tech founder and the CEO and co-founder of MPWR. Tamara brings a rare blend of storytelling, emotional intelligence, and problem-spotting instincts into the world of AI and financial innovation — and in this conversation, she unpacks how those experiences shape the products she builds today.Tamara shares how her investigative background sharpened her ability to dig into root problems, challenge assumptions, and uncover overlooked patterns — skills she now uses to design user-centric, AI-powered solutions for financial inclusion. She opens up about the realities of being a gig worker, the challenges Gen Z faces in accessing credit, and how the traditional banking world is struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing workforce.The episode dives deep into EQ-driven leadership, ethical AI, community as a modern moat, and the rise of low-code tools that are simultaneously empowering founders while making markets noisier than ever. Tamara’s insights on responsible innovation, founder resilience, and building tech that actually solves human problems make this a powerful, thought-provoking conversation for today’s leaders.TakeawaysInvestigative journalism taught Tamara to identify real problems, ask better questions, and challenge assumptions — essential skills for founders.Curiosity is becoming a competitive advantage in tech, not just a personality trait.Emotional intelligence is now a top leadership skill, especially as AI automates more of our operational workload.Storytelling begins with user journeys — not marketing — and should guide product design from day one.Founders must actively seek blunt feedback and treat it as a gift, not a threat.Market gaps aren’t always opportunities — sometimes human behavior simply won’t change.AI can create incredible value, but without ethical leadership and diverse teams, it can also reinforce harmful biases.Financial systems haven’t evolved fast enough for gig workers and Gen Z borrowers — creating a massive unmet need.Empower was built as an end-to-end solution bridging lenders and borrowers through AI-driven financial fluency and credit modeling.The funding landscape now demands MVPs and traction early, making deep-tech innovation harder but still deeply needed.Chapters00:00 Welcome & Introduction01:20 From Investigative Journalism to Tech03:00 Curiosity as a Founder Superpower05:30 Market Fit, Behavior Change & Category Creation07:40 Storytelling as the Foundation of Product Design10:15 User Journeys, “Falling in Love with the Problem”12:20 The Power of Blunt Feedback in Early-Stage Building15:00 Parenting, Curiosity & Emotional Intelligence17:45 Why EQ Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI20:20 Ethical AI, Bias, and Leadership Responsibility24:00 Financial Access, Gig Workers & the Modern Workforce27:10 How Gen Z Borrows Differently30:00 The Lender Perspective & Market Validation31:55 Fundraising Realities: Money vs. Strategic Money34:20 Noise in the AI Era & The Challenge of Differentiation36:00 Moats, LLMs & Building What Can’t Be Easily Copied37:10 Community as a Strategic Advantage38:40 Founder Fears: Funding Markets & Deep Tech41:30 Biggest Founder Aha Moments42:20 Book Recommendation: Outcomes Over Output43:00 Connect with Tamara & Closing ThoughtsTamara Laine’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamaralaine/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyan⁠In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Melanie Nabar, Vice President at Volition Capital, to uncover what truly makes a company fundable—and what silently kills deals. With a background in growth-stage investing, Melanie brings sharp insight into founder dynamics, product-market fit, and the capital efficiency required to scale in today’s AI-driven market.They dive deep into the evolving expectations of Series A investors, the dangers of inflated valuations, and why product obsession without go-to-market focus can quietly drain a startup’s future. Melanie breaks down how founders should assess investor psychology, decode fund structures, and strategically use secondary offerings to de-risk personal financials without sacrificing long-term upside.This episode is packed with insights on revenue quality, building moats in the AI age, and how bootstrapped founders can shift their mindset to deploy capital more effectively. Whether you're preparing to raise capital or already navigating the growth phase, Melanie delivers actionable advice with clarity and candor.TakeawaysFounders often focus too much on historical data when investors are more interested in future growth and market potential.Series A investors prioritize product-market fit, retention, and scalable go-to-market motion—not just ARR.High valuations without the fundamentals to back them can kill deals and erode trust.Revenue quality (repeatability, margin, and retention) plays a bigger role in valuation than founders often realize.Many founders burn too much capital on product without clear customer validation or ROI.Bootstrapped companies often hesitate to spend even when it’s time to scale; this can stall growth.Churn and gross margin are key indicators for distinguishing real AI products from hype.Companies integrated into user workflows and habits are harder to replace and more defensible.Founders should evaluate VC fund structure, vintage, and portfolio psychology—not just the check size.Taking secondary in a raise can de-risk founders personally and improve long-term decision-making.Pattern recognition and experience on the board matter more than niche industry knowledge post-seed.The best outcomes don’t always require billion-dollar exits; responsible growth can still yield generational wealth.Chapters00:00 – The biggest mistake founders make when fundraising01:15 – What makes a company fundable at Series A04:45 – Why overhyping numbers kills trust and credibility09:15 – Understanding revenue quality and valuation11:30 – How 2021 broke capital efficiency—and what’s changed since16:00 – Deal-killers and how unrealistic expectations derail good companies20:00 – Smart capital deployment: where investors want to see money go24:00 – Why founder secondaries are on the rise—and when they make sense27:45 – How bootstrapped founders can shift from hoarding to strategic investment33:10 – AI moats: what’s truly defensible and what’s hype39:20 – Questions founders must ask before taking VC money45:30 – How fund size and check size impact founder support50:40 – The difference between VC, growth equity, and PE—and why it matters Melanie Nabar’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/melaniejordannabar/Melanie Nabar’s Website Link:https://www.volitioncapital.com/team/melanie-nabar/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright

For more thoughts, clips, and updates, follow Avetis Antaplyan on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/avetisantaplyan⁠In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan welcomes back bestselling author and communication expert Chris Fenning, whose latest book Effective Meetings offers leaders a refreshingly simple framework to cut meeting time by 30% or more. Chris unpacks the hidden cost of poorly-run meetings—billions in wasted dollars, lost morale, and decision fatigue—and explains why the real issue is a lack of training, not bad intentions. Together, Avetis and Chris break down the deceptively powerful TPO method (Topic, Purpose, Output), showing leaders how to transform recurring time drains into high-impact, action-oriented conversations.From the pitfalls of daily stand-ups to the myth of the “must-attend” calendar invite, Chris shares real-world stories, practical examples, and organizational case studies (like Shopify’s Chaos Monkey) that show how eliminating unnecessary meetings isn’t just possible—it’s urgent. Whether you’re a startup founder drowning in back-to-back Zooms or a Fortune 30 exec looking to sharpen your team’s focus, this episode is packed with actionable advice you can apply today.TakeawaysTPO (Topic, Purpose, Output) is the foundational framework for running effective meetings.A meeting invite with no context is like a court summons—rude and unproductive.The #1 reason meetings fail? Lack of a clear purpose—not missing agendas.“No agenda, no attendance" is a viable policy to filter out low-value invites.Recurring meetings often lose relevance over time—reevaluate them regularly.Many meetings should be emails—ask if the meeting requires real-time, multi-person input.Decision-making meetings must include actual decision-makers or become planning sessions.Multitasking in meetings is usually a sign people shouldn’t be there or are disengaged.The “Inverse Time Rule”: if a topic only affects a few people, it should take minimal time.Leaders should experiment: cut one-hour weeklies to bi-weeklies and watch productivity rise.Post-meeting follow-ups are faster and clearer when the output is clearly defined.Clarity is leadership—clear asks beat backstories and long-winded explanations.Chapters00:00 – Intro: The Meeting Problem01:30 – Why Most Meetings Fail03:15 – Topic, Purpose, Output (TPO) Framework06:00 – Writing Better Meeting Invites08:00 – The Power of Saying No to Bad Meetings10:00 – Recurring Meetings: Fix or Kill Them11:45 – When a Meeting Shouldn’t Be a Meeting17:00 – How to Restructure Recurring Meetings21:00 – Real Case Study: Cutting Meetings at Scale25:00 – The Truth About Daily Stand-Ups27:00 – TPO in Action: Before, During, and After31:00 – AI’s Role in Meeting Efficiency33:00 – Why Clarity is the Cornerstone of Leadership35:00 – Helping Others Get to the Point Faster42:00 – Goal, Problem, Solution: The Efficient Ask45:00 – Why Experts Often Over-Explain48:00 – What’s Changed Since Chris’s First Book49:30 – Favorite Book Recommendation: The Culture Map51:00 – Final Thoughts & Call to ActionChris Fenning’s Social Media Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/Chris Fenning’s Website Link:https://chrisfenning.com/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright