🔍 Engineering Visibility: Unlocking Team Performance at Scale with Hacker Pulse

In this intellectually stimulating exploration, Matt Watson and Gleb Braverman (Founder & CEO of Hacker Pulse) delve into the universal challenges that emerge when engineering organizations reach critical mass. From identifying "ghost engineers" to optimizing team composition across time zones, discover why seemingly unique organizational challenges are actually common patterns that can be systematically addressed through data-driven insights.

This thought-provoking discussion examines the evolutionary challenges engineering organizations face as they scale beyond the natural limits of human supervision. Through Hacker Pulse's research with hundreds of engineering leaders, Gleb reveals that despite each organization believing their challenges are unique, most face identical visibility and optimization problems once team sizes cross critical thresholds. The conversation explores how algorithmic team assembly, natural language analytics, and integrated performance metrics can transform engineering leadership from gut feelings to data-driven decisions.

🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/episodes

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://fullscaleteam.com/newsletter

Get our FREE Ebook: https://fullscaleteam.com/productfirstteams

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/



Connect with Gleb Braverman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glebbraverman/

Check out HackerPulse here: https://hackerpulse.io [https://hackerpulse.io/]



Key Discussion Points:

🧠 The critical 70-75 person threshold where visibility problems emerge

💡 Transitioning from technical metrics to people-oriented optimization

🔄 Using AI-powered team assembly to reduce team formation from weeks to minutes

⚡ Detecting workload imbalances and meeting inefficiencies across distributed teams

📊 The "ghost engineer" phenomenon and its impact on high-performing teammates

🌱 Building a culture of customer centricity through strategic hiring practices

🚀 Leveraging natural language queries to transcend static dashboards



Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction to engineering visibility challenges

0:54 - Critical team size thresholds

2:11 - Common engineering leadership pain points

3:49 - Tools limitations in scaling organizations

4:22 - AI-powered team assembly approaches

5:22 - Evaluating engineering metrics frameworks

8:12 - Identifying and addressing people problems

10:20 - Universal engineering management challenges

12:33 - The future of engineering analytics

15:29 - The "ghost engineer" phenomenon

18:05 - Maintaining customer focus at scale

20:10 - Upcoming trends in engineering productivity



Transform your understanding of engineering productivity beyond individual performance metrics to organizational optimization through this intellectual exploration of how data can illuminate the human dynamics of technical teams. Join our journey into the future of engineering leadership, where visibility at scale

Solving the Hidden Challenges of Growing Engineering Teams at Scale with Gleb Braverman from HackerPulse

Full Scale Ventures Launches & The Power of Venture Studios 🚀

In this transformative episode of Product Driven, host Matt Watson introduces his exciting new venture with Craig Ferril—Full Scale Ventures. They dive deep into the concept of venture studios, exploring various models and explaining why they've launched their own. The conversation reveals how their combined expertise in technology, strategy, and operations positions them to create successful startups with significantly lower risk by leveraging global talent and shared resources.

Craig Ferril joins Matt Watson as Chief Strategy Officer for Full Scale Ventures, bringing operational excellence and people-focused leadership to complement Matt's product expertise.

🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/episodes

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwatsonkc/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://fullscaleteam.com/newsletter

Get our FREE Ebook: https://fullscaleteam.com/productfirstteams

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/

GET THE PRODUCT DRIVEN BOOK: https://productdriven.com/book

EngagePath: https://engagepath.com [https://engagepath.com/] (Sign up for beta or waitlist)



Key Discussion Points:

What is a venture studio, and how does it differ from VCs, accelerators, and incubators

The advantages of building products with offshore talent at a fraction of US costs

Why traditional VC models often fail founders despite successful exits

Introduction of their first product: EngagePath—a tool for social selling

How Full Scale's existing resources provide an "unfair advantage" in startup creation



Episode Timestamps:

00:07 - Introduction to Full Scale Ventures

01:39 - Defining the venture studio model

03:31 - Their specific approach to venture building

07:55 - Leveraging Full Scale's existing resources

10:03 - The talent advantage in global teams

13:49 - Problems with traditional VC and PE models

17:23 - The rise of "seed strapping" as an alternative

22:42 - The perfect partnership chemistry

24:19 - Introducing EngagePath, their first product

28:49 - Closing thoughts on their exciting journey



Are you intrigued by the venture studio model? Take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey! Visit EngagePath.com [http://engagepath.com/] to join the waitlist for their first product, or connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn to explore potential collaboration opportunities. 

If you're looking to build your software product with experienced teams at affordable rates, check out FullScale.io [http://fullscale.io/] to see how their global talent model can accelerate your vision into reality. Subscribe to the podcast for upcoming episodes featuring more insights from the venture studio's journey!

How Full Scale Ventures Builds Product-Driven Startups with Craig Ferril

🦸‍♂️ Unlocking CTO Mode: When Technical Leaders Become Innovation Heroes

In this intellectually stimulating conversation, Matt Watson and Ron Timoshenko (CIO of Rimbull Health) unpack the multifaceted nature of the CTO role and explore the critical moments when technical leaders must activate their "beast mode" to drive innovation. Through candid discussion about leadership styles, technical debt, and the balance between creativity and process, discover how effective CTOs navigate between wartime innovation and peacetime stability.



This thought-provoking dialogue examines the evolving nature of technical leadership and the delicate balance between creative innovation and operational discipline. Through personal anecdotes and industry examples, Matt and Ron explore how CTOs must strategically activate their "Power Rangers helmet" moments—times when bureaucracy gets cut, decisions accelerate, and technical leaders leverage their unique position to solve critical challenges that move organizations forward.



🔗 Essential Links (Start Here!):

Full Episodes: https://product-driven.captivate.fm/e... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazBLcUlwc3V4R3dzeW5fTFlLdUgtZ3dFQjBOUXxBQ3Jtc0ttVTA3c3NaN0lHZ1p2N1hLa0tCMFgzcGFaMWFuSVdFS0x6b3k5dnBZaUNLLTV3UG9LZVlNalRjTkZCT1pFTUxFajF2T2NvUG9EbmxBdk9TbnR4VDBoQVlFb1hYcmJ0SlEzRXBPZUdSdjhtTkRUeEtwcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fproduct-driven.captivate.fm%2Fepisodes&v=ktvfmyPzvv4]

Connect with Matt Watson on LinkedIn:   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1gtT3VNUkxWTE9TRkljX0l3d0VjV0hsbG5Fd3xBQ3Jtc0tuTVlBVmd6ZjZPeW41TDk4aXdiQXctR1JZM0tVUzJjazRKWmpUanRRdFlDYzltRU1FRnFKbWowdFFDdkF6OVo3T24xY3pzcE9uTW9NSmw3aFN5N2dQWGdFUlNqbTFfUzVGdmY2Y1BTZTVFSXo5OGdXQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmattwatsonkc%2F&v=ktvfmyPzvv4]

 / mattwatsonkc   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1gtT3VNUkxWTE9TRkljX0l3d0VjV0hsbG5Fd3xBQ3Jtc0tuTVlBVmd6ZjZPeW41TDk4aXdiQXctR1JZM0tVUzJjazRKWmpUanRRdFlDYzltRU1FRnFKbWowdFFDdkF6OVo3T24xY3pzcE9uTW9NSmw3aFN5N2dQWGdFUlNqbTFfUzVGdmY2Y1BTZTVFSXo5OGdXQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmattwatsonkc%2F&v=ktvfmyPzvv4]

Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://fullscaleteam.com/newsletter [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjdPazdQVnlqaVlzRWVjdnc0cXNGbHFEU0g2Z3xBQ3Jtc0ttWFJlRXdFOUhFNGxJaGxtc0h2d2FUU0RUbk1VZlhGX0FqeGtYbjBqNGZIU0M5SERWbm03SnZjMTZral9icDZjNmxDbkJDOWF0WDlPSkQtWTdadXZZV3NXdzVfTmc1S2dZbjIwUy10blpKVnpVLVAwSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffullscaleteam.com%2Fnewsletter&v=ktvfmyPzvv4]

Get our FREE Ebook: https://fullscaleteam.com/productfirs... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0g1TmpKZnhEaldBV2o1LXlQQmV0SjdUTmNaZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuMVh1cnJtZ2RhNzVFcUNGLV9hdk4tcEs2R1VSREVUZ1g0M01Yd3BaUHJOS2xCNDFDUEdaWUtaSnlCd3lRa29Gd0VEUkxHOHBzS0Z0d294RUMyNmdSS2c2eVZRbzV3cVhaR0UzQkd2Z3Rlc29sN2NnYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffullscaleteam.com%2Fproductfirstteams&v=ktvfmyPzvv4]

Powered by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEhaMFdjZEt5dXRFdkxWN2pqUlVFd2FYWG5TZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuRmdaOEpZR3JnNzJKUjRhM0FsYmZOSjVxbmN2NlU1X1kxT2F6MU5KV0lXVGJ1Y1ZXaWpwZ3Z5aEs2Q25YNjRSR1R2MmZlaVhQNEFWd1MyRVJiYXZaM3NEVU45T0ZkTGlfa0VvSWN1em9Hc1VDWWVEWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffullscale.io%2F&v=ktvfmyPzvv4]



GET THE PRODUCT DRIVEN BOOK:

When Great CTOs Go Into Beast Mode with Ron Timoshenko

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Rajiv Nathan, the Startup Hype Man, who shares insights on how to pitch a startup to investors and customers effectively. Rajiv discusses his journey from a marketing background to becoming a pitch expert, emphasizing the importance of understanding the pitch landscape beyond just raising capital. He introduces the K-PASA formula for crafting elevator pitches and highlights common mistakes founders make, such as focusing too much on features rather than the problems they solve. The conversation also covers actionable steps for creating compelling pitches and the pricing structure for Rajiv's services.

Takeaways
Founders often struggle to articulate what their company does.
The best pitches focus on the customer's problem, not just features.
Rajiv's K-PASA formula helps structure effective pitches.
Investors want to see how you communicate with customers.
Common mistakes include being overwhelmed with information and using jargon.
A strong elevator pitch can open doors to further conversations.
Lead with emotion to engage your audience effectively.
Tailor your message to resonate with your target audience.
Your pitch should evolve as your company grows and changes.
Effective messaging can significantly influence investor interest.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Startup Hypeman here:
http://www.startuphypeman.com

Learn more about Rajiv Nathan here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivnathan/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"You need to get this together."
"I accidentally quit my job."
"Investors are not the people who buy your product."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Pitching Strategies
01:04 Rajiv's Journey to Becoming a Pitch Expert
07:24 Understanding the Pitch Landscape
12:47 The Importance of Problem-Focused Pitches
15:15 Common Mistakes in Pitching
16:34 The K-PASA Elevator Pitch Formula
22:57 Crafting the Approach and Solution
31:39 Action Steps in Pitching
35:03 Pricing and Services for Startups

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Best Startup Pitch Framework

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Ben Taylor, founder and CEO of Soft Ledger, about his journey in creating accounting software. They discuss the challenges of building a product in a competitive market, the importance of identifying gaps in existing solutions, and the lessons learned from the startup experience. Ben shares insights on their go-to-market strategy, the role of AI in accounting, and the impact of funding on their growth. The conversation highlights the complexities of product development and the future of accounting software.

Takeaways
Ben Taylor identified a significant gap in the accounting software market.
Soft Ledger was built to address the inefficiencies in financial reporting.
The journey to acquiring the first paying customer took 10 months.
Product readiness is crucial before launching to customers.
Surviving as a startup often means focusing on cash flow management.
SEO has been a key driver for customer acquisition for Soft Ledger.
AI is expected to enhance efficiency in accounting tasks.
Funding allowed Soft Ledger to invest in product development and marketing.
The accounting software market is evolving with new entrants and technologies.
Positioning against competitors like QuickBooks requires a clear strategy.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Softledger here:
https://softledger.com

Learn more about Ben Taylor here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentaylor8/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"I called up my longtime friend, Jeff Ostrega."
"It took about 10 months before we got our first paying customer."
"We thought we had something, but it wasn't ready."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Soft Ledger and Its Founding
03:09 Identifying Market Gaps in Accounting Software
05:56 The Challenges of Selling Accounting Software
08:54 Building a Robust Product: Lessons Learned
11:59 Navigating the Startup Journey: Surviving and Thriving
15:08 Go-to-Market Strategy and Inbound Marketing
17:54 The Role of AI in Accounting Software
21:04 Funding and Growth Strategies for Startups
23:54 Future of Accounting Software and Market Positioning

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Targeting the Midmarket, Growing with SEO

In this episode, Matt Watson and Sean Beckner discuss the journey of entrepreneurship, investment strategies, and the evolution of business growth. Sean shares his experiences transitioning from a startup founder to an investor, highlighting the importance of timing in business exits and the dynamics of customer engagement in the digital age.

They explore the challenges and rewards of acquiring businesses, the balance between equity and cash in exits, and the future of investing through a family office model. The conversation emphasizes the need for purpose and passion in entrepreneurship, as well as the potential for growth in existing businesses.

Takeaways
Entrepreneurship involves phases: founding, acquiring, and investing.
Transitioning from operator to investor can feel boring but offers freedom.
Building businesses profitably allows for better optionality in exits.
Customer engagement strategies have evolved with technology.
Timing the market is crucial for successful business exits.
Acquisitions can provide a win-win for founders and investors.
Balancing equity and cash in exits is a strategic decision.
Investing through a family office allows for more control and flexibility.
Purpose and passion are essential for long-term entrepreneurial success.
Growth in existing businesses can be more manageable than starting anew.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Learn more about Sean Beckner here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-beckner-558a916/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"It's hard. It's hard."
"We all need some sense of purpose, right?"
"You can still get those types of returns."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Investment
02:56 Transitioning from Operator to Investor
06:56 Early Ventures: From Startups to Exits
10:28 The Evolution of Customer Engagement
13:31 Viral Nova: Riding the Wave of Social Media
19:41 Timing the Market: Selling at the Right Moment
25:04 Acquisitions: Finding the Right Fit
31:02 The Balance of Equity and Cash in Exits
36:10 The Future of Investing: Family Office vs. Fund
40:32 Conclusion: The Importance of Purpose in Entrepreneurship

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Starting vs Growing a Business

In this episode, Matt Watson speaks with Joseph Ruscio, a partner at Heavybit, a venture capital firm focused on investing in software development-related companies. They discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the unique value niche VC firms provide, and the impact of AI on software development. Joseph shares insights on the challenges developers face, the importance of finding product-market fit, and how AI can enhance developer productivity. They also explore Heavybit's recent investments in AI startups and the future of software development in an AI-driven world.

Takeaways
AI is not going to replace developers but will enhance their capabilities.
Niche VC firms like Heavybit provide specialized support to early-stage companies.
The pressure to integrate AI into products is significant for developers.
Finding product-market fit is crucial for startup success.
Developers are increasingly seen as the key decision-makers in technology.
The cost of software development varies widely across different markets.
AI tools can help reduce the toil in software development processes.
Investing in specialized AI models is essential for enterprise applications.
The landscape of AI investments is rapidly evolving with new startups emerging.
Understanding the unique challenges of selling to developers is vital for success.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about Heavybit here:
https://www.heavybit.com

Learn more about Joseph Ruscio here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephruscio/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"AI is going to make developers more valuable."
"The pressure to build AI functionality is real."
"Finding product market fit is crucial."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Heavybit and AI in Software Development
03:01 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Specialization
05:58 The Value of Niche VC Firms
09:01 Challenges in Selling to Developers
11:48 AI's Impact on Software Development
14:46 Investments in AI Companies
17:51 The Future of Software Development with AI
20:54 The Role of AI in Developer Productivity
23:53 Investing in Emerging AI Startups
27:08 The Importance of Specialized AI Models
30:12 The Landscape of AI Investments
33:06 The Economics of Software Development
35:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Boutique VCs & The Effect of AI

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.   