Cutting Through Tech
40 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 3 years ago -In a world that is run by Silicon Valley, how do we, women entrepreneurs, create businesses that change, inspire, and move this world for the better without being held back by the hurdles and obstacles the tech industry often throws our way. How do we create the impact we want and realise our full potential, by leveraging technology to work for us, not against us.
This show cuts through the status quo and is your guide to exploring technology confidently.
Welcome to Cutting Through Tech.
I’m your host, Maxim Cramer, and I’m on a mission to secure the digital future for us by doubling the number of female-founded tech businesses.
I’m a software engineer, designer, coach and consultant who’s worked on apps that had over a million downloads in a day, and featured in apple retail stores all across the world. I work with female founders, entrepreneurs just like you, to maximise their impact by creating world-class software-based businesses.
I’m a women. I’m in tech. and I’m the CEO of a business that is looking to make a mark.
Stay tuned, because on this show technology becomes as simple as everyday English, removing the barriers so you can think, strategise, and execute like a Female Tech CEO.
Produced by James Worrall.
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Episodes
EP37 — A 5 Step Template To Do Your Very Own Pitch Deck Review
October 07, 2021 12:00 - 19 minutes - 27.2 MBWondering just how to create a concise and impactful pitch deck? In this episode I walk you through a five step template I come back to, every time I review someone's pitch deck. Now it's yours! Let me know how you get on - [email protected] Also, if you're enjoying the show, we would LOVE it if you could leave us a little review 💕. Thanks!
EP36 — Using Creative Solutions To Win with Doone Roisin
October 05, 2021 05:00 - 57 minutes - 78.4 MBThis is a long episode, but worth every minute. Grab a cup of tea or coffee and join me and Doone Roisin as we talk through her remarkable journey. Doone Roisin is the founder and host of the popular podcast show, Female Startup Club, ranking in the Top 50 charts for Entrepreneurship. As a digital marketing expert, Doone has worked for global brands such as Snapchat, IMG and The Iconic – Australia’s largest online retailer. As an entrepreneur, she has launched her own companies, including ...
EP35 — Resilient Startups with Philip Eliot (Investment Impact Series)
September 30, 2021 15:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MBToday I talk with Philip Eliot, Operating Partner at Orchid Black, and someone who has tremendous experience in Venture Capital (20+ years!). I ask what makes startups and founders resilient though economic downturns, and what might be contributing to this abysmal statistic we keep hearing about: how female founded teams receive only 2.3% of venture capital out there. I'd love to hear your thoughts, too! What do you think? Is there a pipeline issue? How have you navigated entering the tec...
EP34 — Cheerleading Female Founders with Mara Larson-Richard
September 28, 2021 11:00 - 38 minutes - 35 MBOn this episode I'm joined by Mara Larson-Richard, co-CEO of Ada's List. We discuss her views on ethics and AI, the definition of a "woman in tech" and why it's often misunderstood, what female founders need more of, and finally, how to cultivate great networks. If you're interested in the Ada's List conference, you can get tickets here: Ada's List Annual Conf 2021 (onlive.events) and become a part of the community here: http://www.adaslist.co Mara Larson-Richard brings experience from p...
EP034 — Cheerleading Female Founders with Mara Larson-Richard
September 28, 2021 10:00 - 38 minutes - 35 MBOn this episode I'm joined by Mara Larson-Richard, co-CEO of Ada's List. We discuss her views on ethics and AI, the definition of a "woman in tech" and why it's often misunderstood, what female founders need more of, and finally, how to cultivate great networks. If you're interested in the Ada's List conference, you can get tickets here: https://adaslist.onlive.events/ (Ada's List Annual Conf 2021 (onlive.events)) and become a part of the community here: http://www.adaslist.co (http://www.ad...
EP32 — 4 Lessons Learnt From Student Startups
September 21, 2021 05:00 - 15 minutes - 28.7 MBToday, I look back at coaching and mentoring students. While they face many a same startup challenge, their outlook on the journey can be inspiring for us all. Join the conversation on: [email protected] https://www.mennenia.com
EP31 — Impact Led Venture Capital with Mustard Seed MAZE's Sofia and Henry (Investment Impact Series)
September 16, 2021 05:00 - 53 minutes - 48.6 MBIf you are in business because you’re looking to make a huge impact in the world, this episode is for you. I’m joined by Sofia Queiroz and Henry Wigan from Mustard Seed MAZE, a VC firm who believe social good and profitable businesses go hand in hand. Among others, their portfolio houses companies such as Olio, where Saasha and Tessa usher in the food sharing revolution and Beulah where founders Lavinia and Natasha empower survivors of human trafficking. We discuss What might be contributi...
EP30 — Essential Leadership Skills with Sehaam Cyrene
September 14, 2021 05:00 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBSehaam is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), founder of Better Conversations, and creator of the online course for leaders, CPD Certified Leaders Who Coach™. A seasoned entrepreneur and business owner, her coaching, consulting and teaching focuses drawing out the human in us to deepen our understanding of one another and strengthen our relationships. Because it’s our ability to reach across the divide and build inviting bridges, emotional connections, that earn us permission to influence...
EP29 — Let's talk about the 2.3% (Investment Impact Series)
September 09, 2021 11:00 - 12 minutes - 22.9 MBHarvard Business Review and Crunchbase have reported that in 2020 only 2.3% of VC capital went to women owned businesses. (see here: Women-Led Startups Received Just 2.3% of VC Funding in 2020 (hbr.org)) This is outrageously low. In this episode I introduce our Investment Impact Series, a long time in the making, where I team up with fantastic people — angel investors, founders, VC firms — people with years of experience in this field to share their thoughts on why this is and what we coul...
EP28 — Be Untouchable In Business with Eleanor Beaton
September 07, 2021 05:00 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBMany women I speak with have considered starting a tech company, when really, their unique value centers around their content. In this case, technology is just an efficient delivery vehicle. A few years ago, Eleanor found herself asking the same question as she continued to expand her growing coaching business. By honing in on what made her 7-figure business untouchable, she was able to set a very clear strategy that has skyrocketed her business even further. Listen as she walks us through i...
EP27 — How To Beat The Startup Odds
October 06, 2020 05:00 - 13 minutes - 31.3 MBYou want to launch a tech business. You’re already familiar with popular methodologies, like The Lean Startup. You’re ready up for the race that is entrepreneurship. But now you encounter barriers, stopping you in your tracks and jeopardising your dream. Let’s look at how to beat those odds. Read the article at www.startupsmagazine.co.uk. Hit us up on Twitter (@mennenia) or email in on [email protected].
EP26 — The Netflix of Beauty; Serial Entrepreneur Marcia Kilgore Talks Tech
September 22, 2020 09:00 - 38 minutes - 87 MBAre you developing a product you’re looking to sell direct to consumer, at the hand of technology? Have you always wondered how to set up a product-based subscription business? Are you looking for serious inspiration from a serial entrepreneur who’s been there before? Today we have Marcia Kilgore on the show, founder of 5 successful global businesses, talking tech. You can use MARCIASENTME to get extra £50 credit at beautypie.com. Hit us up on Twitter (@mennenia) or email in on maxim@cutt...
EP25 — 3 Secrets To The Perfect Pitch
September 15, 2020 05:00 - 14 minutes - 33.4 MBDo you have a pitching event coming up? Have you written and re-written your slides countless times? Are you wondering how the successful founders structure their pitch? Stay tuned, because on this episode I give you 3 tips to tighten and polish up your winning pitch. Hit us up on Twitter (@mennenia) or email in on [email protected].
EP24 — How To Bootstrap Your Way To Success With Caroline Hughes
September 08, 2020 05:00 - 53 minutes - 122 MBAre you convinced that the only next available option to you is to go out and fundraise? Do you find yourself routinely posting on forums and mailing lists, trying to find a CTO? Does the idea of bootstrapping your tech business seem impossible? Today we hear from Caroline Hughes, who successfully bootstrapped her business before raising a quarter million pounds in crowdfunding. Find Caroline on: www.lifetise.com www.twitter.com/caz_lifetise
EP23 — The Epic Games vs Apple Lawsuit and Why This Affects You
September 01, 2020 05:00 - 15 minutes - 36.3 MBAre you working away on an app, investing TONS of cash, forecasting ALL this revenue down the line? Are you aware that Apple and Google can take as much as 30% from that? Epic Games recently filed a lawsuit AGAINST Apple for this exact reason. If you are working on monetising an app, you need to know all about the App Store pricing models. Get in touch through [email protected].
EP10 — Apple’s Announces New Silicon (WWDC Part 2)
June 25, 2020 05:00 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MBAs expected, Apple released their own chips, and of course all that's new in each of their software updates, from iOS, to the iPad, Watch, and Mac. But why is the transition to Apple Silicon so interesting? What does it mean for the direction of Apple and for you, if you're in the business of developing apps? Tune in to find out more. Want to get personalised advice? You can sign up for a free strategy session on mennenia.com or get in touch on [email protected].
EP9 — Apple’s WWDC (Part 1) - WW..What? The History of Dub Dub
June 16, 2020 05:00 - 19 minutes - 26.2 MBToday’s episode is the first in a two part special all about WWDC, Apple’s yearly conference for developers. But what happens at WWDC actually does actually have quite the ripple effect into the rest of the industry, and perhaps your business too. Tune in to find out more about the event, and what to expect when it happens next week. Looking to create an app? Join me at my masterclass all about successful apps. https://successfulapps.mennenia.com/ In one hour, you will learn which busines...
E9 — Apple’s WWDC (Part 1) - WW..What? The History of Dub Dub
June 16, 2020 04:00 - 19 minutes - 26.2 MBToday’s episode is the first in a two part special all about WWDC, Apple’s yearly conference for developers. But what happens at WWDC actually does actually have quite the ripple effect into the rest of the industry, and perhaps your business too. Tune in to find out more about the event, and what to expect when it happens next week. Looking to create an app? Join me at my masterclass all about successful apps. https://successfulapps.mennenia.com/ (https://successfulapps.mennenia.com/) I...
EP8 — How To Successfully Raise Capital For Your Startup With Philippa Sturt
June 09, 2020 05:00 - 45 minutes - 105 MBIn this episode I'm joined by Philippa Sturt, managing partner at Joelson Law and expert in the legal intricacies of startups. We discuss ways of funding your business, the effect of COVID on investment opportunities, and the UK’s Future Fund scheme. Philippa also shares some stories from clients that you will want hear, so you are better prepared when raising capital for your startup. Get in touch with Philippa: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippa-sturt-a5b0402b/ Email: philip...
EP7 — Are You Waiting On Your CTO Like They're Your Knight In Shining Armour?
June 02, 2020 05:00 - 22 minutes - 51.4 MBIn today's episode we talk about finding that important co-founder in your startup. Most founders are desperate for a CTO. Why may that be a bad idea and what to do instead? What does a CTO even do? We look at all that and more. Want to get personalised advice? You can sign up for a free strategy session on mennenia.com or get in touch on [email protected].
EP6 — Eliminate App Failure: The Secrets To A Great Beta Program
May 12, 2020 05:00 - 20 minutes - 47.5 MBIn today's episode we’re talking about testing your app through beta programs. What is a beta program, and should you have one? Tune in to find out all about this and more, like, how to avoid becoming one of the 79% of apps that is abandoned after day one. Eh, not you, of course. Don't forget, you get a free strategy session on mennenia.com or get in touch on [email protected].
EP5 — How To Not Wipe Out All Your Money On The First Try: The MVP Do’s & Don’ts
May 05, 2020 05:00 - 19 minutes - 43.5 MBToday's episode is dedicated to the MVP. And in tech, it stands for Minimum Viable Product. I’ll walk you through what it really means and why it’s so important. We’ll be covering a SIMPLE but POWERFUL exercise you can do to get to the core of your app, because you want to start breaking down the work. An app is a marathon not a sprint, but what does your first 5k run look like? Your first training session? I got you covered. If you are: At the stage that you’re seriously considering wo...
EP4 — How To Design Beautiful And Engaging Experiences For Successful Mobile Apps
April 28, 2020 05:00 - 14 minutes - 33.3 MBToday we talk about the experience of using a successful app, and how design plays a crucial role in that. If you want to AVOID your app becoming one of the 90% that fail on launch, you need tune in. Good design is a make or break thing for a mobile app. And too often people think design is just about things looking nice. And sure pretty things are cool, but they feel optional right? Compared to functionality at least. Weeellll, there's more to it than that. In this episode we’ll be lookin...
EP3 — Decoding Development Decisions And How They Impact Your Business
April 21, 2020 05:00 - 27 minutes - 62.4 MBIf you are a badass business woman, and you are looking to make moves in the mobile market, this is the stuff you need to know. Normally I say, no technical lingo required to listen in on this show, but many founders I’ve spoken to who have been further in the process love this part, because concepts they've been surrounded with for months suddenly start to make sense. In today's episode we’ll be looking at the difference between Android and iOS, common structures and components of apps, an...
EP2 — The Step By Step Process To Successfully Launching An App
April 14, 2020 05:00 - 19 minutes - 44.4 MBYou have done your homework. You are sure you want to make an app, and that is the right platform. You have a good idea who your target customer is. You have a business model in mind. Now what? HOW do you actually make it happen? In today's episode I walk you through the three key phases every successful app goes through, from validation which you may already find yourself in, all through to launching with a bang. If this gets you excited and fired up, join me in my upcoming webinar: How T...
EP1 — How To Evaluate The Potential Of Your App Idea
April 07, 2020 05:00 - 25 minutes - 58.6 MBLet's face it. You have an app idea. I haven't met a person who doesn't. But, now what? Is mobile really the right platform for your idea, and what are the mistakes you want to avoid? In today's episode I walk you through the grand opportunity that is the mobile market. While there are billions in revenue made each year however, there are a few key points to keep in mind. There's nothing worse than an app for an app's sake. Find the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingth...
Season 2 — The Mobile App
March 31, 2020 05:00 - 2 minutes - 4.68 MBYAY! Season Two is coming SOON! Like, next week! I've brought my A-game to provide you with everything you NEED to know if you're considering building an app. This is some of the best content you can get your hands on. Tune in if you've been itching to learn more about: 📱Whether or not your idea should even be an app 📱Where to start 📱Who to get involved and how to build your team 📱What the full lifecycle of developing an app looks like 📱What makes an app successful 📱The techy detail...
EP12 — Tactics To Implement In Trying Times
March 24, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 20.5 MBToday I share my approach to keeping calm and continuing on in trying times. I've had some experience struggling with having to stay home whilst wanting to give into my strong ambitious to make a difference. How do you keep yourself and your business going when life gets tricky? Tune in to this episode. Stay safe and take care. If you'd like to have a chat, as I mention, my virtual door is always open. You can book time here. If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on m...
EP11 — Bonus: How To Leverage Information From Your Multi Online Presence
March 17, 2020 05:00 - 7 minutes - 16.5 MBAmy asks: how do I leverage insights from different platforms that I post on? In today's episode we discuss analytics, funnels, and how to make sense of data. If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] My goal for you is to get a clearer picture of how technology can fit in your business. For our podcast listeners, we offer complimentary strategy sessions, which you are able to book here. They take around 15 to 30 minutes and can help you drea...
EP10 — Bonus: How To Create A Feature-Rich App With Minimal Tech Investment
March 10, 2020 05:00 - 8 minutes - 18.8 MBWhen asked what to look out for when building a learning platform, we take it in a different direction by reconsidering what needs to be a tech feature and what might you just be able to do with... content! If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] My goal for you is to get a clearer picture of how technology can fit in your business. For our podcast listeners, we offer complimentary strategy sessions, which you are able to book here. They t...
EP9 — Bonus: How To Make Sure Your Traffic Converts
March 03, 2020 05:00 - 9 minutes - 20.8 MBEleanor asks: how to not miss out on traffic opportunities. Today we discuss simple tactics to implement and key mistakes to avoid when optimising your website for incoming traffic. If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] My goal for you is to get a clearer picture of how technology can fit in your business. For our podcast listeners, we offer complimentary strategy sessions, which you are able to book here. They take around 15 to 30 minut...
EP8 — When Not To Build From Scratch
February 25, 2020 05:00 - 16 minutes - 13.5 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode8 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] Too often I've spoken with brilliant business owners who find themselves locked out of their own website. Usually this starts all the way back with the question: I need a website. How can I get one built? Throughout this season you may have been wondering whether that is considered a technical asset. And whether o...
EP7 — How To Hire Your Very Own Tech Squad
February 18, 2020 06:00 - 18 minutes - 42.7 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode7 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] Putting together a team is always big undertaking, but sometimes with engineering it can seem even more so. With lots of different skills, from front-end to full-stack, who do you hire? Tune in to hear the breakdown between the various developer roles, but also to find out what other skills would be great addition...
EP6 — The Make Of Break Skill of Iteration
February 11, 2020 05:00 - 14 minutes - 32.6 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode6 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] Moving and learning quickly is a key skill for success of any kind, but it holds especially true in the world of technology. Where any move can be both costly and time intensive, getting into the habit of frequently running experiments is vital. However, sometimes it can be hard to break down a larger goal or stra...
EP5 — The Essentials of Prototyping
February 04, 2020 05:00 - 18 minutes - 43.4 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode5 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] As customers become users — and there is a difference — it's important to consider the common "flows" they complete. A flow is essentially a sequence of steps they must complete to achieve a certain outcome. Tune in to learn what these flows are, which are vital to test, and how you can easily sketch out concepts ...
EP4 — 6 Ways To Build A Solid Foundation For Your Tech Product
January 28, 2020 05:00 - 13 minutes - 31.2 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode4 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] In this episode of Cutting Through Tech we discuss a powerful tool you have at your disposal, and that is choosing to validate your internal assumptions around your new offering. Whilst daunting at first, regular contact with your (would-be) customers is the key difference between a successful project and a failed...
EP1 — The #1 Mistake Entrepreneurs Make
January 21, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 24.7 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode1 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] This episode is the introduction to the Cutting Through Tech podcast series. We discuss the most common mistake entrepreneurs make when looking to develop an app, website, or other technical asset, and what to do instead. We also look into why it helps you, a CEO, to develop technical prowess, without necessarily ...
EP3 — The Core Of Every Successful Product
January 21, 2020 05:00 - 10 minutes - 24.5 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode3 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] In this episode of Cutting Through Tech we talk about the heart of any good product, service, or offering: customers. You want to work towards creating tailored-made products that hit the market place with confidence. Whilst it’s important to know why you’re investing in a project and what you expect to get out of...
EP2 — Key Questions To Ask When Considering Tech In Your Business
January 21, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 29.1 MBFind the full show notes over on our blog at https://www.cuttingthroughtech.com/episode2 If you have any questions at all, you can always email me on [email protected] In this episode of Cutting Through Tech we talk about getting clear on why building certain technical assets are important for your business. Just like any other project, you want to put a new proposal to the test, and get extremely clear on the parameters in which to implement it into your strategy. I also go thr...
Introducing Cutting Through Tech
January 07, 2020 10:00 - 2 minutes - 6.57 MBWelcome to Cutting Through Tech — the podcast all about technical strategy for women leaders today. If words like Agile, APIs, and Artificial Intelligence have always, in equal measure, piqued your interest and put you off, we've got you covered. The show is launching in full on January 21, 2020. In the meantime, you can find us at www.cuttingthroughtech.com, or get in touch via [email protected]. This show is brought to you by MENNENIA. We're a boutique consultancy, working ...