This Dot Blog
This Dot provides teams with technical leaders who bring deep knowledge of the web platform. We help teams set new standards, and deliver results predictably.
How to Invest in New Software Engineering Talent with Shashi Lo
"In this Modern Web Podcast episode, Shashi Lo, Senior UX Engineer at Microsoft, shares insights on mentoring junior developers, bridging the gap from boot camps to tech jobs, & the role of mentorship, code reviews, and onboarding in nurturing new talent."...
Sep 5, 2024
2 mins
Challenges of Growing into a Software Leadership Role with Gant Laborde
In this episode, Rob Ocel sits down with Gant Laborde, CIO at Infinite Red, to explore Gant's journey in the tech industry, his transition into leadership, and his role as a Chief Innovation Officer. Gant shares insights into the challenges and rewards of innovation within a company, how to manage upward and downward effectively, and the importance of trust in leadership. They also discuss the evolving landscape of AI, the significance of experimentation, and the courage needed to make bold decisions. Chapters Introduction and Opening Remarks - 00:00 Gant's Background and Journey in Tech - 02:05 Transitioning to Leadership at Infinite Red - 05:08 Defining Innovation at an Agency - 07:28 The Role of AI in React Native - 09:39 Navigating the Hype and Troughs of Technology - 11:35 The Challenges of Middle Management - 15:12 Building Trust and Managing Upwards - 16:25 Empowering Teams and Passing the Torch - 19:40 Developing Courage and Taking Risks - 22:30 Why Leadership is Worth It - 30:28 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up - 31:53 Follow Gant Laborde on Social Media Twitter: https://x.com/GantLaborde Github: https://github.com/GantMan Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gant-laborde/ Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@gantlaborde...
Aug 30, 2024
1 min
"Do What Matters with Who Matters While It Matters" Mark Techson on Leadership
Tracy Lee and Rob Ocel sit down with Mark Thompson, aka "Mark Techson", to explore key themes around personal branding, workplace culture, and leadership. Mark shares his journey of building a strong personal brand, discussing how consistent online...
Aug 20, 2024
2 mins
Translating Developer Needs into Business Objectives with Sam Julien, Director of Developer Relations at Writer
Sam Julien, Director of Developer Relations at Writer, shares insights on understanding developer needs and translating them into business goals, while also discussing the importance of bridging technical and marketing teams effectively....
Jul 31, 2024
2 mins
Systemized Problem Solving in Engineering Leadership Using Data with Ankur Jain
What is it like to transition from technologies to Fractional CTO? How much do systems matter when operating at the C Level? Ankur Jain, Fractional CTO and Founder at Sprout discusses the transition from being a technologist to a fractional CTO, and how to...
Jul 26, 2024
2 mins
The Impact of AI on Testing with Ivan Barajas Vargas, CEO + Co-Founder at MuukTest
Ivan Barajas Vargas, CEO and Co-Founder, at MuukTest discusses his journey from QA expert to engineering leadership, emphasizing the importance of adapting to changes in QA and effectively utilizing resources. Along with Rob Ocel, Ivan highlights the...
Jul 10, 2024
1 min
Cultivating Value Through Developer Communities with Ronald Williams
In this JS Drops presentation, Ronald Williams, Senior Community Programs Manager at Cypress.io, discusses key tips for cultivating and capturing value within a developer community. Ronald emphasized the need to differentiate between creating useful...
Jun 25, 2024
1 min
How to Make the Most of Your Software Documentation with AD Slaton
In this episode hosted by Rob Ocel, and AD Slaton, Senior Director of Software Architecture at Warner Brothers discusses the significance of documentation in agile software development. By examining the critical role of documentation, this discussion underscores its impact on communication, innovation, and project success in agile environments. Clear and comprehensive documentation bridges between technical teams and stakeholders, ensuring that everyone involved in the project has a shared understanding of the goals, requirements, and processes. By providing a common reference point, documentation minimizes misunderstandings and reduces the risk of errors. This clarity enables stakeholders to provide valuable feedback and make informed decisions, ultimately leading to better project outcomes. Effective documentation also helps maintain alignment across various team members and departments, fostering a cohesive approach to project management. Thorough documentation not only facilitates communication but also fosters innovation within development teams. By documenting design decisions, technical specifications, and user journeys, teams can build upon existing knowledge and leverage past experiences. This promotes a culture of learning and continuous improvement, allowing teams to innovate and find creative solutions to challenges. Moreover, involving team members in the documentation process ensures shared understanding and ownership, which enhances collaboration and efficiency within teams. Documentation thus becomes a tool for both preserving institutional knowledge and sparking new ideas. While agile methodologies prioritize flexibility and adaptability, it is essential to strike a balance with solid documentation. Agile teams often face the challenge of maintaining a fast-paced development process while ensuring that critical information is captured and shared. Using tools like Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) and platforms like GitHub, teams can streamline documentation and approval processes. This approach enables them to maintain agility while still having a structured documentation framework, ensuring that important decisions and changes are properly recorded and communicated. Download this episode here....
Jun 20, 2024
2 mins
Psychologically Safe Workplaces with Krystal Smith-Moore
Krystal Smith-Moore, Engineering Manager at Spotify, shares her journey from a non-traditional background to management, and how it informs her empathetic leadership approach. Krystal emphasizes the significance of self-awareness, seeking support, and aligning personal values with management roles. By ensuring our values align with the company's mission and culture, we can create a more fulfilling leadership experience. Krystal stresses the need for self-care, setting boundaries to prevent burnout, and recognizing when it's time to recharge. By prioritizing self-care, leaders can maintain their energy and enthusiasm, leading to better decision-making and a more positive work environment. She also discusses the importance of empathy, continuous learning, and creating psychologically safe workplaces where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns. By aligning personal values with management roles, prioritizing self-care, and fostering a psychologically safe workplace, leaders can create a positive and impactful experience for themselves and their teams. Download this episode here....
Jun 13, 2024
1 min
How to Attract and Retain Engineers in a Distributed Remote Working World with Brandon Tolbert
Brandon Tolbert, Director of OSP Engineering at Circet USA, discussed the diverse engineering roles at Circet and the challenges of finding skilled personnel to fill those specified seats. In the telecom industry, it is essential to have a team of talented individuals who can adapt to new technologies and industry trends. However, identifying such individuals is a challenging task. Brandon emphasized the importance of actively engaging employees in decision-making processes and providing continuous learning opportunities to keep them current with the latest advancements. The conversation also underscored the value of mentorship in the telecom industry. As technology advances, it is crucial for experienced professionals to guide and mentor younger talent. By fostering a culture of mentorship, organizations can ensure that knowledge and expertise are passed down to the next generation, enabling them to tackle industry changes with confidence. This mentorship not only helps in skill development but also in building confidence and preparedness among younger employees to handle industry shifts effectively. Investing in employee development was another key aspect discussed. Both Rob and Brandon emphasized the benefits of providing growth opportunities and promoting from within. By investing in their employees' professional development, organizations not only retain top talent but also create a supportive work environment that encourages innovation and creativity. This approach not only enhances employee satisfaction but also drives the organization's overall growth and competitiveness in the market. Lastly, the conversation touched on the significance of maintaining connections and nurturing talent even after parting ways professionally. In the fast-paced telecom industry, professionals often move between companies, and maintaining a strong network of connections can be invaluable. By staying connected and supporting each other's growth, professionals can continue to collaborate and drive innovation even when they are no longer working together. Download this episode here....
Jun 12, 2024
2 mins
How to be an Effective Technology Leader in an Agile Startup Environment with Daniel Chopson
Daniel Chopson, CTO and co-founder of Cove Tool, discusses key aspects of engineering leadership, team management, and software development in the fast paced startup environment. Cove.Tool, initially a sustainability-focused software company, has evolved to offer AI-driven solutions for architects and engineers. Daniel shared valuable insights on the importance of productive retrospectives, agile planning, and strategic team structuring. Daniel emphasized the significance of conducting productive retrospectives to foster team improvement and effective communication. By celebrating wins and establishing clear action items, teams can identify areas for growth and implement necessary changes. These retrospectives provide a platform for open and honest discussions, enabling teams to learn from their successes and failures. Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement allows engineering leaders to drive innovation and enhance team collaboration. In a startup environment, balancing planning and agility is crucial for success. Cove.Tool prioritizes shorter-term sprint planning to allow for real-time feedback and adaptability. By aligning work towards business objectives while maintaining flexibility in planning, the team can respond quickly to changing market demands. This approach enables Cove.Tool to stay ahead of the curve and deliver high-quality solutions to their clients. The key lies in finding the right balance between long-term strategic planning and the ability to pivot when necessary. Team structuring plays a vital role in engineering leadership. Daniel highlighted the importance of specialized roles like engineering managers and tech leads for effective people development and technical guidance. Engineering managers focus on nurturing the growth and well-being of team members, while tech leads provide technical expertise and mentorship. This division of responsibilities ensures that both the personal and technical aspects of team development are adequately addressed, leading to a more productive and motivated workforce. The conversation underscored the significance of adaptability, feedback-driven decision-making, and strategic team structuring in successful software development endeavors. By embracing change and continuously seeking feedback, engineering leaders can make informed decisions and drive innovation. Strategic team structuring, with specialized roles and clear responsibilities, ensures that the right people are in the right positions to maximize productivity and foster growth. Effective engineering leadership is essential for adapting to changing market demands and building teams equipped to tackle future challenges. Download this episode here....
May 24, 2024
2 mins
Strength in Numbers: How Community Support Drives Open Source with Daniel Roe
In this episode of the Modern Web Podcast, Daniel Roe reminds us of the importance of nurturing our passion and well-being in open-source development. Along with Tracy Lee, Daniel sheds light on the challenges and rewards of maintaining web frameworks, while emphasizing the significance of relationships, self-improvement, and community support. Daniel Roe's dedication to open-source development is fueled by his passion for helping others and his enjoyment in maintaining web frameworks. Despite the frustrations that come with transitioning between software versions and the ever-evolving nature of the field, Daniel remains positive and grateful for the privilege of pursuing his passion. His story serves as a reminder that finding purpose in our work can bring immense fulfillment, even in the face of challenges. One of the key takeaways from the conversation is the importance of feeling valued in our work. Daniel shares his experience of starting his own companies after feeling undervalued in a corporate setting. This highlights the significance of recognizing our worth and seeking environments that appreciate our contributions. Additionally, Daniel advocates for a balanced approach to work hours, emphasizing the need for self-care activities like going to the climbing gym and attending conferences. Taking care of our well-being is crucial for maintaining productivity and enthusiasm in the tech industry. Tracy and Daniel's shared enthusiasm for technology is evident throughout the conversation. They discuss programming languages like TypeScript and React, sharing their experiences and insights from the tech industry. They also emphasize the importance of community support in open-source development. Building relationships and connecting with like-minded individuals not only provides valuable resources and knowledge but also fosters a sense of belonging and motivation....
May 21, 2024
2 mins
Let's innovate together!
We're ready to be your trusted technical partners in your digital innovation journey.
Whether it's modernization or custom software solutions, our team of experts can guide you through best practices and how to build scalable, performant software that lasts.