Today, Frank and Andy are joined by David Hirschfeld, CEO and founder of Tekyz Corporation, a firm specializing in helping startups and saving troubled projects with his unique "Launch First" methodology.

David brings us into his world of startups, where, believe it or not, he advocates for getting customers before you even build the product! He explains how Launch First combines high-fidelity prototypes, niche targeting, and a lean, marketing-first approach to de-risk software launches and prove real demand.

Whether you’re an engineer turned entrepreneur, or just curious about the art and science of startups, buckle up for an enlightening episode with insights on maximizing impact and proving product-market fit with speed and precision. Let’s dive in!

00:00 Launch First: Get customers before building product.

06:00 Market first, then build software; analyze niche.

07:04 Create marketing stack, offer lifetime license, guarantee refund.

10:30 Offer lifetime licenses for upfront subscription payments.

16:39 Identify top niche problems and assess impact.

19:29 Paying customers prove genuine interest and commitment.

23:34 Accidentally created first Windows software for industry.

25:52 Failed to monetize social media product, Klooj.

30:28 Red Hat's AI boosts chatbot data efficiency.

33:05 Exceptional teams produce highly detailed, compliant documentation.

34:52 Responsibility depends on knowledge and access.

40:29 Track time daily, categorize by client, invoice monthly.

42:37 Handoff documentation to Google; received positive feedback.

45:59 Impressed, thought price was reasonable, despite expectations.

48:11 Combining disciplines multiplies value exponentially.

51:56 David Hirschfeld discusses startup success strategies.

Today, we have a special treat for you as we welcome Candice Gillhooley, a dynamic force known for blending technical prowess with marketing brilliance. In this episode, we'll explore Candice's groundbreaking approach to "sentient marketing," dive into the interplay between AI and targeted audience communication, and discuss the importance of understanding behavioral data to craft unforgettable marketing experiences. So, sit back, relax, and get ready for an episode that's sure to spark new ideas and inspire innovation.

• Buy the book on Amazon: https://qrcodes.at/SentientMarketingBook
• https://sentientmarketingbook.com/
• Candace's LinkedIn Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/candacegillhoolley/

00:00 Podcast explores data science, AI, engineering trends.

05:05 Ancient harvest tradition, winter preparation, birthdays coinciding.

06:46 Target audience insights through effective data utilization.

13:17 Enjoys startup vibes, marketing tech innovations.

15:36 Data-driven marketing is essential for organizational success.

20:27 Martha Stewart's over-the-top American Express commercial.

22:22 Impressed by her reinvention despite past challenges.

26:31 Glimmers evoke deep, happy memories and connections.

29:37 Advertising targets varied generations differently nowadays.

32:32 Tech changes: fascinating generational shifts, CD nostalgia.

36:11 SQL Server generations discussed at SQL Saturday.

39:47 Marketing tech evolves rapidly; cloud frenzy over.

41:52 Hybrid cloud trend emerged after market saturation.

44:33 Enjoying feedback from Andy about my work.

49:28 Personality divergence; traditionalism conflicts with change.

50:48 Neurodiverse individuals face job dissatisfaction challenges.

54:55 Discussed AI-driven marketing with Candice Gillhooley.

Andy Leonard and Frank La Vigne are joined by experts Baruch Lev and Feng Gu to uncover the complexities and pitfalls of mergers and acquisitions. We'll discuss the controversial "killer acquisitions" in the pharmaceutical industry, which regulators fear stifle innovation and harm public health.

Our guests will share insights from their upcoming book, "The M&A Failure Trap," which critiques current acquisition strategies and introduces a unique 10-factor scorecard for assessing potential success. From data analysis on 40,000 mergers over 40 years to the challenges and market trends affecting merger outcomes, we’ll explore why up to 75% of mergers fail and how decision-makers often benefit at the expense of employees and shareholders.

Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to navigate M&As or a data enthusiast curious about the numbers behind these strategic moves, this episode offers a data-driven look at the forces shaping mergers and their real-world impacts.

The M&A Trap Book Link (no affiliate) https://www.amazon.com/Failure-Trap-Mergers-Acquisitions-Succeed/dp/1394204760

00:00 Exploring data science, AI, mergers with experts.

04:43 Extensive data-driven analysis of mergers' failures.

09:22 Investment bankers pressure companies to finalize acquisitions.

11:15 Managers get bonuses for concluding acquisition deals.

14:26 Global economy affected; star performers leave.

17:32 Mergers often lead to employee departures, layoffs.

20:24 Managed data engineering team during Unisys acquisition.

26:28 Analogies highlight misapplication of causal thinking.

28:58 Complex model reveals hidden variable impact.

31:01 Correlation can mislead; avoid single-focus traps.

37:14 Comprehensive analysis of acquisitions and their impacts.

38:39 Analyzed LinkedIn data on employee turnover trends.

41:50 Creative metric developed for private acquisition premium.

46:01 Acquisitions are widespread, impacting various industries significantly.

52:11 Unique 10-factor acquisition scorecard predicts success.

55:45 Deep dive into mergers and acquisitions data.

Baruch Lev is a professor emeritus at NYU Stern School of Business, where he has taught and conducted research on mergers and acquisitions for decades. He worked formerly at UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago. His work has been widely cited in academic and professional circles (over 63,000 Google Scholar citations), and he is a leading authority on corporate finance and valuation.

Feng Gu is a professor of accounting at the University at Buffalo and has extensive experience in analyzing the financial aspects of corporate acquisitions. His research focuses on the economic consequences of corporate decisions and has been published in top-tier academic journals.

Andy Leonard, and Frank La Vigne are joined by the innovative Artem Rodichof, CEO of Xhuman. Today's discussion delves into the transformative world of empathetic AI and its potential to reshape our interactions with technology and each other. Artem shares insights from his groundbreaking platform, which creates custom AI personalities that can turn various media forms into interactive, human-like experiences.

We'll explore the intersection of gaming and AI, discuss the ethical implications of deep emotional connections with chatbots, and consider how AI-driven interactions might alleviate loneliness and enhance human communication. Balancing technical details with ethical considerations, this episode underscores the dynamic role of AI in our digital future. So, stay tuned as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI-integrated worlds and the profound impact of empathetic technologies.

03:24 Introducing Artem Rodichoff, CEO of Xhuman.

07:49 Eugenia trained chatbot on deceased friend's personality.

10:21 AI bots mimic empathetic, encouraging coworker interactions.

13:35 User feedback improves conversation quality over time.

19:12 Characters as community managers, NPCs powered by AI.

22:08 Gen AI raised technology interactivity expectations significantly.

25:45 Future device interactions through natural language.

27:49 Devices now resemble Star Trek's interactive computers.

33:36 Do chatbot conversations increase Gen Z loneliness?

34:46 Chatbots improve communication skills and social interactions.

41:07 Banned romantic chats impact lonely users deeply.

41:57 AI relationship changes can impact mental health.

47:20 Applaud effort; solving black swans is tough.

50:48 Social media amplifies our worst traits.

51:58 Addressing loneliness is crucial for well-being.

56:17 Exploring empathetic AI's future with Artem Rodichorff.

• Artem's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-rodichev/
• Ex-Human's Website https://exh.ai

In this episode, Doug shares his preference for composition over inheritance in object-oriented programming and his strategic use of design patterns in Visual Basic consulting. He challenges commonly held beliefs about language performance and productivity, arguing that faster languages do not always yield faster results. The conversation also explores the offline benefits of large and small language models (LLMs and SLMs) and highlights Doug's innovative use of PowerShell to create autonomous agents.

Doug shares fascinating insights on prompt engineering, the evolution of AI models, and the potential of personal AI as the next technological inflection point. Despite facing resistance from critics and the tech community, Doug remains a staunch advocate for leveraging cutting-edge tools and maintaining an unscripted, adaptive approach to technology.

07:32 Discovering GPT chat and its incredible capabilities.

14:25 Expect announcement at OpenAI Day in November.

19:41 Initial confusion, but eventually realized cross-platform potential.

25:31 Colleague makes fun of me, but impressed.

30:07 Experience of being a non-traditional engineer.

35:10 Prefer using PowerShell over Python for coding.

40:36 Discussing hallucination problem and algorithms in AI.

43:19 Using AI to generate better function names.

47:46 "Creating forms quickly with impressive results."

54:58 Recall story of new guy at whiskey distillery.

01:01:06 Microsoft focuses on smaller, efficient language models.

01:08:12 Data-driven podcast explores PowerShell and AI's fusion.

• PSAI (PowerShell AI module): https://github.com/dfinke/PSAI
• PSWeave (PowerShell module bringing OpenAI's GPT): https://github.com/dfinke/PSWeave
• ImportExcel (PowerShell module to import/export Excel spreadsheets): https://github.com/dfinke/ImportExcel
• New York PowerShell Meetup: Meetup https://www.meetup.com/nycpowershellmeetup/

In this episode, we delve into Frank’s new role at Red Hat, where he’s pioneering advancements with Rel AI, an innovative tool for training large language models. Andy shares his latest adventures in Microsoft Fabric training, reflecting on the rapid pace of tech evolution.

Along with tech talk, they touch on personal milestones, such as parenting and life’s significant changes. So, grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join us for an insightful conversation filled with tech trends, personal stories, and a touch of nostalgia. It's an episode you won't want to miss!

04:08 Limited college course options, but important financially.

09:16 Fabric data factory training, following SSIS, Azure.

10:08 Teams doing diverse work to improve services.

13:14 Adoption drama resulted in life-changing impact.

16:50 Functionality in Office 365 for family use.

21:56 Data-driven podcast episode ends with call-to-action.

Today, we're shifting gears as Frank La Vigne returns from his adventures in the Smoky Mountains.

From paternity leave to tackling poor internet connectivity, Frank sheds light on the precarious nature of our reliance on cloud services. Join us as we explore the challenges of staying connected in remote areas, ponder the implications for the future of AI, and reflect on the importance of data resilience.

Buckle up for an episode that's as much about life's unexpected detours as it is about the data revolution. Let's get data driven!

03:47 Balcony had best signal, but still slow.

08:44 Moving to technical marketing; Red Hat Summit.

09:40 Influence of living in DC on perception.

13:23 Limited internet access creates absurd and inefficient situations.

16:37 The world faces significant danger in cyberspace.

21:39 Concerns about building systems dependent on OpenAI.

24:18 Grateful for internet, signing off, podcast-ready

In this episode, we explore real-world cases that showcase the susceptibility of AI chatbots to manipulation, as illustrated by a shocking incident where an AI was manipulated to sell a Chevy truck for just $1. Kevin Latchford sheds light on the dual-use knowledge risks and the potential for unauthorized leaks and malicious backdoors within AI plugins.

Frank and Kevin dive into the implications of quick technological adoption, drawing parallels to the early web era. We discuss the impact of network setups, access controls, data supply chain integrity, and the ongoing investigations into the security implications of these burgeoning technologies. This episode is packed with expert insights and practical advice on navigating the complex world of AI security.

05:04 Public space tech meant to have safeguards.

09:39 Security issue in enterprise AI adoption concern.

12:53 Understanding security implications is crucial for mitigation.

16:40 Chatbot manipulated to sell Chevy truck for $1.

17:57 Found something during cybersecurity exercise, not sharing.

21:11 Uncertainty about security in remote interfacing.

24:00 Utilize specialized LLM to analyze prompts precisely.

29:15 Understanding cybersecurity first is key to AI.

32:32 Implement outbound stateful connection to prevent automatic calls.

34:31 IT field is interesting with its vulnerabilities.

37:15 Data-driven podcast highlights AI security vulnerabilities. Stay vigilant.

Kevin Latchford is an esteemed expert in the cybersecurity realm, renowned for his comprehensive understanding and proficiency in both offensive and defensive strategies. Drawing from concepts rooted in military practice, Kevin adeptly navigates the intricate dynamics of red teaming and blue teaming. As an advocate for offensive cybersecurity, red teaming, also known as opposing force operations, he challenges the vulnerabilities within systems to enhance their integrity. Conversely, his expertise in blue teaming, the defensive counterpart, focuses on shielding and fortifying friendlies. Through his dedicated efforts, Kevin ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of computer networks and systems, whether they are natively hosted or web-based, culminating in fortified cyber defenses and resilient information security.

Mentioned in this episode:

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