Contacto

Technology Strategy

Staying Relevant and Identifying Trends

Capítulo 23 de 52 · 6 min de lectura

Experiment with New Technologies

In the following chapters, we will explore whether CTOs should write code or not. To put it succinctly, the answer depends on the size and structure of the company. In some cases, a CTO may contribute directly to the company’s roadmap through coding, while in others, their involvement may be more strategic. Nonetheless, it is important to emphasize that CTOs should never completely abandon coding.

Experimentation and staying abreast of new technologies are essential for any CTO to remain effective and relevant. For instance, when news breaks about a groundbreaking AI development, such as the notable ChatGPT, it is imperative for a CTO to roll up their sleeves and begin experimenting with the APIs.

I understand that this expectation may seem demanding. However, no one ever said that this job was easy. To stay current and informed, CTOs must be proactive in trying out and providing insights on emerging trends before they become mainstream. There simply is no alternative.

Each day, an overwhelming number of new libraries, frameworks, and trends emerge, making it impossible for any one person to keep up with all of them. This is where Tech Radars come into play. Tech Radars, typically released annually, shed light on technologies that are worth considering for investment within the upcoming year. They provide a valuable starting point for CTOs seeking to navigate the ever-evolving technology landscape.

The following Tech Radars may be useful for getting started.

  1. Thoughtworks Tech Radar -https://www.thoughtworks.com/radar
  2. Zalando Tech Radar -https://opensource.zalando.com/tech-radar/

If your financial resources allow it, consider assigning the task of preparing and maintaining your company’s tech radar to senior engineers, such as staff engineers and principal engineers. These engineers are likely to accept this task with enthusiasm and responsibility.

Tech radars typically have statuses such as Adopt, Assess, Hold, and Trial. These statuses help you understand and follow whether a new technology is a major trend. Personally, I try to keep up with all trends in the Adopt status. You can also set your own strategy and proceed accordingly.

However, tech radars are not the only source for following technology trends. Social media, research reports, and buzzwords commonly heard in your team and environment can also provide guidance. It is important not to ignore new technologies. As the leader of the technology team, if a trend is starting to emerge, you must stay up-to-date with it.

Follow Industry Publications and Podcasts

You don’t have to do everything on your own. Some blogs, newsletters, and podcasts can guide executives who are experiencing the same problem as you.

Some of the newsletters that I personally follow are:

Some of the podcasts I follow are as follows::

I know that some of these podcasts and newsletters are related to the startup ecosystem and investment world. If you’re wondering what that has to do with me, let me explain.

The startup and venture capital world also experiences a similar problem of keeping up with the latest trends, maybe even on a larger scale. This world tries to jump on the most current and accurate technology and hype trains, and I personally find it very useful to follow. After all, we use technology to create business value, and the startup and VC ecosystems are some of the places where we can see this benefit most quickly.

The above list may have closed or may no longer be as enjoyable as when you read these lines, so it’s important to create your own updated list.

Attend Technology Conferences and Events

I think this is the trickiest way to keep yourself up-to-date. There are hundreds of tech conferences and events happening around the world every day. I have to admit, I think most of them are useless. It’s a complete waste of time and money. I feel heartbroken when I think about what I could have done with the resources I spent before I discovered this situation.

I think we can roughly categorize the conferences and events you will attend as “networking events” and “training events.”

Networking Events

Networking events can be a great way for CTOs to meet other professionals in their industry and learn from their experiences. Many events in the industry fall into this category, even if they are not explicitly labeled as networking events. Indeed, most technical events are, in fact, networking events in disguise.

So, how can we benefit from attending a networking event and under what conditions should we attend?

Firstly, it’s important to research the event you are considering attending. Find out who the speakers are and what topics they will be covering. Attending an event where you have no idea about the topics being discussed is as ridiculous as it sounds, yet it happens often.

If the topics being covered are at a basic level, then I personally consider that presentation insignificant. It’s not necessary to spend time and money on an event that covers material that can be easily found with a simple Google search.

Another important consideration is the types of participants attending the event. Look at photos from previous years to learn about the profiles of attendees. Determine who you want to talk to, what you want to ask them, what you want to offer them, and what you hope to receive in return.

If you don’t have a clear purpose for attending the event, if you don’t want to learn something, sell or buy something, then it’s unlikely that the event will add much value to you.

The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. Different situations may be right for different people. You may benefit from networking events much more than I do. It’s up to you.

Training Events

I approach training events with caution and a positive attitude, much like how I approach networking events. In a time when information is more accessible than ever before, attending certain training events can be a waste of time and money. These kinds of events typically cover basic topics such as the importance of Technology X or the history of Technology Y. When you can easily access Level 101 information through online courses or search engines, attending a physical event seems unnecessary.

Instead, I look for events that offer real-life examples and experiences. Event series that focus deeply on a single technology can be particularly valuable. For instance, if you’re interested in the Clojure programming language, you should check out the Clojure Events site (https://clojure.org/community/events) and consider attending Clojure/Conj. If you’re interested in Data and AI, you might find something suitable for you at O’Reilly Strata.

In summary, it’s important to thoroughly research events before attending, whether for headhunting, training, networking, or trend tracking. If you find the right event at the right time, it can be a turning point that changes your life. Otherwise, it can be a complete waste of time and money.

Build a Strong Network

CTOs should have strong connections both within and outside of their company. They can have conversations with industry leaders or vendors who come to sell to them about new trends and ask for their perspectives on complex problems. However, in my personal experience, the 1:1s I had with individual contributors in my team (engineers, product people, designers, etc.) gave me the best feedback. The technologies, hype, and buzzwords mentioned in the 1:1s with all your developers are among the most valuable messages that tell you what’s going on in the outside world.

There is a French saying, “L’habit ne fait pas le moine” which can be translated as “the dress does not make the monk”. You never know who or when the most valuable information will come from. Listening is one of the most important traits for a CTO. Even if the person in front of you is a new graduate at the beginning of their career, listen to them attentively. Believe me, one day you will witness these fresh brains teaching you something.

Don’t ignore messages from people in your network. Take notes and don’t hesitate to ask questions about technologies you don’t know about. This will not only please the other person but also give you information about their expertise. If you are facing a new technology that you need to invest in, you will already know what to do.

Índice

Todo lo que recauda el libro se destina a plantar árboles. Árboles y el PDF · Amazon ↗