Ep 19 - Custom vs Canned Software Solutions

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I’ll be guiding you through how to set up and manage a team to build and grow your app. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your app development journey, this episode is for you. We'll look at the basic principles of building an app, discuss why managing a tech team differs, and explore your options for assembling your dream team. With a clear vision and these valuable insights on establishing and running the perfect team, you’ll have everything you need to level up your business and bring your app idea to life.   In this episode: Vital skillsets to look for when hiring Three options for building your perfect team The pros and cons of offshore and onshore hiring Popular frameworks to help you manage your project Why a great team will help ensure your app is a success   Resources Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Book your free 15-minute App Validation Call Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident Podcast, I am joined by Claire Taylor, Digital Marketing Consultant and founder of TU Marketing. TU Marketing is a digital marketing agency specialising in lead generation, customer retention and business growth. With over 16 years of experience, Claire is passionate about keeping her clients needs at the core of everything she does to ensure their businesses thrive. As an entrepreneur, you know it’s vital for your business to be found online, but ranking in the search results isn’t always easy. By deep-diving into search marketing and SEO, Claire and I hope to help you overcome the common challenges many business owners face.   By the end of the episode, you’ll understand exactly what search marketing is and how to confidently follow SEO best practices to ensure your dream customers have no problems finding you online.     In this episode: Blogs and their benefits The SEO basics you need to know Three simple steps to help you rank on Google Top tips to help you get started with SEO right now Why quality content is the key to getting leads on your website   Resources Connect with Claire on Instagram Find out more about TU Marketing on their Website Find out more on the Website Book your free 15-minute App Validation Call Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

This week on the Technically Confident podcast, I am joined by business coach Jessica Fearnley. With a background in project management, business planning and business development, Jessica helps women build seven-figure consulting firms and advocates for earning more by working less. She specialises in the transition from six to seven figures in turnover and is passionate about closing the gender pay gap for women in consulting. Today, Jessica shares her journey from the NHS to the moment of clarity that led her to coaching. She’ll discuss her clients' common challenges when transitioning from six to seven figures and the frameworks she employs to help overcome them.  Wherever you are on your business journey, by the end of the episode, you’ll understand what it takes to serve your clients at your highest level in a business built on your terms.   In this episode: The importance of challenging your inner critic How to build a business around the things you enjoy Why feeling discomfort is a sign that you’re up-leveling How tuning into your feelings and intuition can help your business The benefits of visualising your next-level self and acting with intention   Resources Learn more on Jessica’s Website  Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn Listen to The 7 Figure Consultant Podcast with Jessica Fearnley Access your free The Six Elements of a Seven Figure Business report Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Book your free 15-minute App Validation Call Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I will be joined by Alex Waggoner, the  Founder & CEO of FlōGrowth, a full Client Acquisition software on autopilot. Alex has spent the past 10 years developing herself in a variety of professional arenas. Through what some may consider “roadblocks”, Alex has forged forward and become a problem-solver in the tech space - her mission is to give business owners TRUE freedom (with BOTH finances + time) as they scale their business and LIVE their lives.  She is passionate about seeing people lean into their full capability while maximising tools and efficiencies to move them forward in all areas. Alex helps small business owners master lead generation and optimise their weekly calendars without the extra hassle and hours.  Today, Alex and I will be discussing her journey as an entrepreneur and female founder. She’ll share her background, how she started building her own SaaS platform, and the challenges she has faced along the way and how she overcame them.  By hearing Alex’s insight on what it takes to succeed when you’re just starting out, you’ll understand that there is a better way to work and know what to do to build a business that allows you to live a life you love.   In this episode: The importance of constant learning Building a SaaS platform and how to get started How feeling aligned with what you do will benefit you Why a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy is vital Patience, and why it’s such a valuable skill for an entrepreneur   Resources Find out more on the FlōGrowth Website Connect with Alex on Facebook and Instagram  Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Book your free 15-minute App Validation Call Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I will be sharing some exciting ways that you can leverage AI and supercharge the growth of your business. AI is one of the hottest topics in the world right now, and its recent breakthrough into the mainstream has opened up a world of opportunity for business owners like you. But despite all of this, do you find that you can’t help feeling a little confused by it all? With today's simple, jargon-free explanation of AI, you’ll soon feel confident about what it all means and how to use it to enhance your customer experience, improve efficiency and grow your business.   In this episode: AI as a concept and the elements that form it The benefits of using AI for predictive analytics AI assistants, what they are and what they can do How to use AI for customer insights and personalisation The role of data analytics and why it’s vital for creating good AI   Resources Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Book your free 15-minute App Validation Call Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I am joined by COO and Head of Business Development at Unstoppable Domains, Sandy Carter.  Sandy is a leading voice in technology, social media, Web3 and the metaverse who has been recognised as a Top 10 Most Powerful Woman in Tech by CNN.  In her role, Sandy is responsible for driving growth and developing business strategies in pursuit of the company’s mission to provide user-owned identity for the world. Before Unstoppable, Sandy was a VP at AWS, a General Manager at IBM and a Silicon Valley start-up founder.  Technology is on the cusp of huge change, and Sandy is at the forefront of it. With such great insights, Sandy and I will discuss Web3, digital identity, and the trends that she’s noticed great brands are following. As well as her experience of the corporate world vs the start-up world.  By the end of the episode, you’ll understand the impact that Web3 is having on the digital world and what you, as a business owner, can do to harness it and stay one step ahead of the curve.   In this episode: Three steps to get you started with Web3  Owning your own data and why it’s beneficial Why building connections is the future of marketing Top points  to consider when creating your platforms Digital identity and the benefits of having one built on blockchain    Resources Check out Sandy's Profile Connect with Sandy on Twitter, Linkedin and Instagram Get your Web3 domain at Unstoppable Domains  Learn more about Web3 at Unstoppable Women of Web3 Order Sandy's book The Tiger and The Rabbit  Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I will be talking about custom vs canned applications. As a female leader, you know that making the right choices for your business is pivotal to your success, so when choosing a custom vs an off-the-shelf solution, which one should you choose? The answer to this all comes down to what makes the most sense for your business. This episode will help you easily understand the difference between custom and canned solutions, and by the end, you’ll have everything you need to make a clear and informed decision that suits your business perfectly.    In this episode:  Custom apps, their pros and their cons Canned apps, their pros and their cons  How you can get started with finding your perfect solution  How both solutions can increase your businesses revenue  Why it’s vital to find a solution that fits the needs of your business   Resources Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I am joined by the Growth Architect and founder of The Women’s Code, Beate Chelette.  Beate creates strategies and designs process maps and blueprints for visionaries and leaders who want to maximise their profits and scale their impact.  She is “One of 50 Must-Follow Women Entrepreneurs by HuffPost and the author of the #1 International Award Winning Amazon Bestseller “Happy Woman Happy World – How to Go from Overwhelmed to Awesome”. In today's episode, Beate and I will discuss her experience of hitting rock bottom and how she went from $135,000 in debt as a single parent to selling her highly-successful global business to Bill Gates in a multimillion-dollar deal.  By the end of the episode, you’ll understand why a clear vision is the key to reaching your goals and the steps you can take to help you achieve them.    In this episode: Why it’s essential to have a clear vision How conscious thought impacts your growth  The role of your mindset and the impact it has on you  How to use strategies, systems and processes to achieve your goals Why it’s important to recognise that some things are out of your control   Resources Find out more on Beate's Website Connect with Beate on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Schedule a 15-minute complimentary Uncovery Session Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I’m going to be talking about how to normalise yourself and your situation after a big transition.   If you find change challenging, I want you to know you’re not alone. Transitions of any kind, whether big or small, impact your nervous system and can lead to physical and mental discomfort. So, it’s no wonder you may feel a bit out of balance.   To help you, I’ll share my top tips for ditching unfamiliarity and returning quickly to normality, as the sooner you can remove the fear of change, the sooner you can step into the best version of yourself.    In this episode:  Why unfamiliarity feels uncomfortable How your brain reacts to new situations The benefits of establishing a good routine   Methods to help you restore balance in your life The vagus nerve - what it is, and how it can help you relax     Resources Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide

In this episode of the Technically Confident podcast, I am joined by my good friend and Money Mindset Coach, Laura Ann Moore.  Laura is a Money Mindset Expert, Certified Financial Coach, and Financial Well-being speaker, teaching people about finances in a fun, jargon-free, judgement-free way.  She was nominated by the British Bank Awards for Online Financial Influencer Of The Year 2022 and 2023 and has been featured on popular radio and TV stations, including BBC News. After successfully saving £40,000 by the age of 27, she opened up online and is now on a mission to help people feel good about money, get financially confident, and build wealth.   Whether you’re running a business or striving for that next promotion, as an ambitious woman in tech, money is important to you. Today Laura and I are discussing how your life experiences have shaped your money story, the impact of that on your ability to make and manage money successfully, and what you can do to improve it.  Developing a good relationship with money begins with awareness and knowing how it makes you feel. Once you understand this and start growing your positive money mindset, nothing will stand between you and the wealth and abundance you deserve.     In this episode: Why a positive money mindset is a must The benefits of understanding your money story How your perception of money shapes your reality The link between your self-worth and your finances How to re-frame your negative money beliefs to attract more wealth   Resources Connect with Laura on Instagram,  LinkedIn or TikTok  Connect with Charlotte on Instagram and LinkedIn Find out more on the Website Download the 100 Free Resources To Empower Women In Tech Guide Download the Grow Your Business By Developing Your Own Software Guide