What size of company should you work for?
Brad is an industry veteran with 8 years working in big tech on the mainframe analytics and AI strategy. Furthermore, he’s done extensive self-study in the latest cloud computing and AI technologies and how to execute these inside novel businesses.
You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.
Listen to the Podcast Here, or Find it Wherever You Get Your Podcasts:
Here are Five Things We Cover
- Understand the Different Investment Stages: Precede seed and stage A investments may be too early for new investors, while series B and series C investments are typically stable for new investors to get involved in. The amount of leverage an investor has depends on the amount of money they have to allocate.
- Embrace Automation: Automation in software engineering can lead to higher leverage and quicker job completion. However, be mindful of over-automation, ensuring the tasks still provide value and do not take away from the overall goal.
- Leverage Ideas and Licensing: Brad’s company operates on an AI licensing model, emphasizing the importance of leveraging ideas and introducing products into the marketplace for maximum impact. IP licensing is crucial when merging code to avoid potential trouble.
- Address Business Misalignments: It is essential to address any misalignments within a business, including competitive advantages, accounting, marketing, sales, and branding. Authenticity and aligning actions with the right reasons are key to sustainable success.
- Create a Portfolio of Projects: To make a significant impact on society and address significant issues like climate change, creating a portfolio of projects is crucial. This approach allows for effective execution and a sense of urgency in completing important tasks in a short period for survival.
Here are Three Key Takeaways From This Episode
1. Leverage and Timing: Choose the Right Investment Stage
According to Brad Messer, when it comes to investing in startups, understanding the right stage of investment is crucial. Series B and Series C investments are typically more stable and suitable for new investors. Pre-seed and Series A investments might be riskier as the quality of work is not as high. To maximize your leverage, assess the amount of money you have to allocate and make informed decisions based on the funding stage that aligns with your financial goals.
Actionable Advice: Research different investment stages and learn about the risks and potential returns associated with each stage. Seek advice from experienced investors or financial advisors to help you make informed investment decisions.
2. Embrace Automation and Leverage Technology
Brad Messer emphasized the importance of automation and leveraging technology to enhance productivity and efficiency. As a software engineer, constantly improving and automating your job can lead to higher leverage and quicker job completion. However, it’s essential to find a balance and avoid over-automation, which can potentially undermine the value of certain tasks.
Actionable Advice: Identify repetitive or time-consuming tasks in your work and explore automation tools and techniques that can streamline those processes. Continuously update your skills and stay informed about emerging technologies that can boost your productivity.
3. Align Action with Authenticity and Impact
Brad Messer highlighted the significance of authenticity and aligning actions with the right reasons in business endeavors. Building a strong brand and fostering a sense of spirituality in your business can positively impact marketing, sales, and overall success. Additionally, leveraging ideas and giving back to society can make a genuine impact and contribute to personal and professional growth.
Actionable Advice: Define your values and align your actions with them. Build an authentic brand that resonates with your target audience. Consider the social and environmental impact of your business and find ways to give back to society. Regularly assess and address any misalignments in your business to foster personal growth and make a positive impact.