Beyond Coding

Latest Episodes:

Knowledge Sharing through Writing with Luca Rossi Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

I know many developers that blog, or have ever thought of blogging. I’m in that group as well.

But the people I know that have turned writing into their full-time gig is a lot smaller.

Luca Rossi belongs to that group and he comes on to share how he started refactoring.club, how he optimised his process and also what challenges he faces: ivory tower writing, solo perspective and being a liability to name a few.

I’m happy to have had such an open and honest conversation with him about his process, learnings and these challenges. I’m sure you’ll love it!

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Luca Rossi:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaronin
https://twitter.com/lucaronin
https://refactoring.club

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/ZkU1TZU0d8s

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:30 - Flexible schedules
00:02:15 - Accountable to deliver
00:03:34 - How Luca started his newsletter
00:05:54 - Newsletters that inspired Luca
00:07:30 - Deciding to write full-time
00:09:20 - How people find Luca's newsletter
00:11:19 - Getting feedback
00:12:42 - Finding your niche
00:16:16 - Connecting with the person
00:17:46 - Editing the podcast episodes
00:18:57 - Tying feedback to your vision
00:20:18 - Advice & feedback that stuck with Luca
00:22:07 - Skills you develop while writing full-time
00:24:36 - Should engineers write?
00:26:39 - Writing to stand the test of time
00:30:03 - Staying away from ivory tower writing
00:32:36 - The challenges of a single perspective
00:35:04 - Luca's optimized writing process
00:38:54 - Increasing quality incrementally
00:40:30 - quality AND consistency
00:42:19 - to push or go easy on yourself
00:43:21 - Conversations can energize you
00:44:49 - long-term planning vs. enjoying the ride
00:46:13 - Treating the newsletter like a product

Ethics, Values, and Layoffs in Big Tech with Dorothea Baur Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Can companies afford ethics in bad times? Looking at the recent mass layoffs in big tech, it looks like they couldn't.

Dorothea Baur shares how she combines ethics and strategy to bring value to organisations. Next to that, we discuss the relationship between ethics, purpose and company values. Through this lens, we discuss the reputational damage of the big tech layoffs.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Dorothea Baur:
https://baurconsulting.ch
https://twitter.com/DorotheaBaur
https://linkedin.com/in/dorotheabaur

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/KxS2THT7rM4

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
0:00:00 - Intro
00:00:25 - The sea of fog in Switzerland
00:03:12 - Dorothea's day to day
00:04:06 - Synthetic media and plagiarism
00:06:24 - The EU AI Act
00:07:52 - Dorothea is an Ethics Strategy Consultant
00:09:07 - Combining Ethics and Strategy
00:10:45 - Company Values and Ethics
00:13:13 - Ethics and Core Business
00:16:02 - Interpretation of Ethics
00:18:08 - What is fair?
00:19:55 - Making money from ethical actions
00:21:57 - Ethics help create a strong culture
00:23:21 - Purpose
00:25:14 - Younger generations care about purpose
00:27:56 - Awareness of world impact
00:29:42 - Patrick lives under a rock
00:30:29 - Ethically sound and integrity
00:33:49 - Incentives and Ethics
00:34:58 - Layoffs in Big Tech
00:37:09 - Using the law to your advantage in firing people
00:39:00 - Can companies afford ethics?
00:41:25 - Reputational damage
00:42:43 - Employee protection & gaps in regulations
00:45:22 - The impact of ChatGPT
00:48:47 - Rounding off

Kubernetes, DevOps and SRE the right way with Nana Janashia Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

What stuck with me from this chat with Nana is that curiosity and hunger for learning & sharing will bring you further than anything else.

In her case, learning Kubernetes and AWS and sharing that knowledge eventually lead to becoming Docker Captain, AWS Hero & CNCF Ambassador.

Those were never goals, but always a result of focussing on efforts.
In doing so she managed to grow a YouTube community of 700k subs.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Nana Janashia:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nana-janashia
https://twitter.com/Njuchi_
https://www.techworld-with-nana.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/techworldwithnana

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/KFZjl1gofXs

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:31 - Who does what on the YouTube channel
00:00:59 - How Nana started on YouTube
00:03:15 - Split responsibilities
00:04:34 - How Nana got into DevOps technologies
00:08:19 - Nana's first Kubernetes experience
00:13:47 - Accommodating for requirements
00:14:30 - Trial and error with Kubernetes early on
00:16:10 - How to make it run & how to make it right
00:20:46 - How Nana stays on top of production level knowledge
00:25:56 - Nana's love for teaching and simplifying
00:29:20 - The difference between DevOps and SRE
00:33:07 - SRE and DevOps engineers in teams
00:36:55 - Cloud Engineers in a seperate team
00:38:44 - Different solutions
00:39:31 - the DevOps is dead controversy
00:42:00 - Docker Captain, AWS hero and CNCF ambassador
00:43:21 - Nana's YouTube channel goals
00:44:56 - Focussing on efforts
00:46:03 - Nana's early in career advice
00:48:04 - You take learnings with you
00:51:29 - Curiosity and learning new things

Q&A #2: First Job Advice & Tips and Skills vs. Degree & More with Patrick Akil Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

We're back with another Q&A episode! 🙌

Had a blast answering your questions 😁
Let me know if I should do more of these 💬

Xebia Essentials: Resource about Software Development Done Right (not for sale):
https://essentials.xebia.com/cards

Books & Resources by Pat Kua:
https://www.patkua.com/blog/book-recommendations-by-engineering-leaders

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/IqcFUeOJ3qE

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Getting ready
00:00:39 - What was your first software development job experience?
00:04:22 - Do you have any tips or advice for new engineers entering the field?
00:07:39 - Is a degree actually required, or are skills enough?
00:09:50 - Drink water advice
00:09:59 - How does a junior developer get their first job?
00:13:39 - What books / resources would you recommend to improve problem solving?
00:17:13 - What resources and practises did you use to improve your problem solving skills?
00:20:42 - What motivates you in your career?
00:24:14 - What is some of the best advice you’ve ever gotten on the podcast?
00:28:38 - What is your new year's resolution for the podcast?
00:30:49 - How do you stay motivated in doing the podcast?
00:32:21 - Do you think you will ever run out of topics for the podcast?
00:34:30 - What is your advice for those that are thinking of starting a podcast?
00:36:19 - Who is your main inspiration in life?
00:38:06 - Mic drop

A Career as Manager with Wim den Besten Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

“If people see you as a leader in a good way, then you’re doing a good job as a manager”

Having been a manager at Oracle for 20+ years, Wim shares his unique experience on leadership, how to inspire and how to add value as a manager.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Wim den Besten:
https://www.wimdenbesten.nl
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wim-den-besten-9635b4
https://twitter.com/wimdenbesten

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/hXvytR0UuiA

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:30 - Investing in people
00:01:35 - Early learnings as manager
00:03:59 - Wim's advice to managers & leaders
00:06:16 - Situational Coaching
00:08:08 - Hiring for diversity
00:13:03 - The next step for someone
00:17:33 - How to inspire people
00:19:44 - Dealing with people
00:22:26 - Wim's drive as manager
00:25:49 - Not being able to add value
00:27:48 - Hard times and pressure
00:29:30 - Transparency and honesty
00:32:47 - Delegating
00:34:35 - Decision making
00:36:54 - Micromanagement
00:39:11 - Getting feedback as manager
00:42:33 - Salary conversations

Rememberable Presentations and Personal Branding with Sabine Wojcieszak Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Sabine shares how to give presentations people will remember. How to leverage storytelling, stay authentic and create your content in a goal-oriented way.
On top of that we discuss the importance of personal branding and being more visible. Both for employees and organisations.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Sabine Wojcieszak:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabineberneckerbendixen
https://twitter.com/SabineBendixen

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/SV6tneTIdSE

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:32 - Personal branding becoming more important
00:04:10 - A company can have multiple faces
00:05:30 - Bad preparation
00:07:49 - 2 perspectives on a presentation
00:09:29 - The presentation is for the audience
00:10:47 - Finding a sparring partner
00:12:28 - How important is the storyline?
00:13:51 - Visuals are what we remember
00:15:51 - 2 usecases for slides
00:17:50 - What people struggle with in public speaking
00:19:45 - Human beings on stage
00:20:49 - Nervousness
00:22:24 - Being authentic on stage
00:24:42 - Looking outside in
00:25:41 - Should everyone be more visible?
00:26:37 - Sabine's love for presentations
00:28:16 - Sabine's first conference talk
00:29:29 - Getting feedback
00:30:55 - What feedback has stuck with Sabine
00:34:06 - Team goals vs. personal goals
00:36:46 - Transparency
00:37:32 - How can organisations facilitate more w.r.t. personal branding?
00:40:58 - Just try it

Job vs. Career, Content Creation & Motivation with James Q Quick Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

James shares how developer advocacy experience and content creation has helped him throughout his career, especially early on. Next to that, we discuss the difference between a job and a career, motivation and passion.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with James Q Quick:
https://www.jamesqquick.com
https://twitter.com/jamesqquick
https://www.learnbuildteach.com
https://www.youtube.com/@JamesQQuick

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/tdvuAbc7P7U

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:25 - Finding your voice
00:01:41 - James's experience as evangelist
00:03:05 - Content strategies
00:04:57 - Consistency vs. Quality
00:07:08 - Listening to feedback
00:10:56 - Feedback that has stuck with James
00:15:44 - James's early in career experience
00:19:29 - Job vs. Career
00:20:42 - Comparing yourself to others
00:26:35 - From evangelist to full-time programming
00:29:51 - Stepping away from the developer role
00:32:07 - Content creators are at the forefront
00:36:56 - Advocating for yourself
00:37:44 - Work ethic
00:40:20 - Work life balance
00:44:10 - Flexibility and overworking
00:48:02 - Advice for early in career in tech
00:50:37 - Changing teams and companies
00:53:40 - Make sure you're happy
00:56:16 - Last thoughts

SexTech Startup with Emilie Wiersma Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Tailoring to a user group which hasn't traditionally been tailored much to, Emilie aims to create the biggest sex-positive marketplace in the world with Konfettie!

Like any other founder, she's had to overcome challenges, but not everyone deals with being slandered and banned from social media. The way she picks back up in the face of adversity is admirable and I'm really happy she's sharing her learnings along the way.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Emilie Wiersma:
https://nl.linkedin.com/in/emiliewiersma
https://twitter.com/sextechsavvy

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/Pz3xe4Y10cA

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:28 - Emilie has 3 mentors
00:03:47 - Emilie's first business
00:05:24 - Not working for a boss
00:06:37 - Creating fantasies for people
00:09:37 - Sex toys are unregulated
00:11:14 - Etsy and censorship
00:14:10 - Cheap materials
00:15:07 - Onboarding sellers on Konfettie
00:16:23 - Issues with products
00:17:46 - How to set up a marketplace
00:18:48 - Failing to deliver
00:19:57 - Everything custom
00:21:17 - People don't know what they want
00:24:15 - Emilie was doing everything
00:26:02 - Getting kicked off of social media
00:28:37 - Sex toy collectors
00:30:41 - Marketing that doesn't scale
00:33:04 - Airbnb was funded with cereal boxes
00:34:07 - Smut Slam
00:36:18 - Finding a co-founder
00:39:14 - Investment rounds
00:42:22 - Different dynamics with a team
00:44:18 - It's just a company
00:45:54 - Listening to customer feedback
00:50:34 - What is the end goal?

Dedicated Teams, Autonomy and Effectiveness with Serge Beaumont Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

“What people want the most is to be useful, be effective and have an impact on the world. The specific responsibilities that come with it, tend not to be as important as that.“

Serge Beaumont shares how to achieve dedicated teams, the importance of autonomy and how to be effective together.

A great listen for those that love effective teams!

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Serge Beaumont:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergebeaumont
https://mobile.twitter.com/sbeaumont

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/bfEA96mGe1A

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:26 - 20 projects
00:01:18 - Unclear priorities
00:04:50 - Teams and common goals
00:06:18 - Sociocracy 3.0 Delegation Canvas
00:07:52 - Delegating power
00:11:21 - Who are we as a team?
00:13:04 - Clarity and responsibilities
00:15:11 - Sanitisation canvas
00:18:54 - Role and Soul
00:23:09 - Responsibility and accountability
00:25:01 - Why does scrum only have 3 roles?
00:29:04 - Shared mental model
00:31:42 - Teams that are big
00:34:44 - Autonomy
00:36:17 - Partitioning a team
00:39:17 - Technical autonomy gone wrong
00:41:27 - Loose coupling
00:43:17 - Falling back to old behaviour
00:45:17 - Agile transformation at bol.com
00:48:30 - Leadership vision
00:50:33 - Keepers of the culture
00:52:22 - Lack of mandate
00:53:53 - Psychological safety
00:54:50 - Fear is the great killer
00:56:29 - How interesting

Open Core, Pricing and AI product development with Dat Tran Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

Dat Tran shares how he co-founded Priceloop, what problem it solves and how he's choosing to open source the core product.

I've seen more and more organisations choose this open core strategy. It removes lots of the hurdles for customer and developer adoption. On top of that, you join forces / create a community to make the product better.

Enjoy! 🎙

Connect with Dat Tran:
https://dat-tran.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dat-tran-a1602320
https://twitter.com/datitran

Full episode on YouTube ▶️
https://youtu.be/5DbJhv7ikIk

New episodes every Wednesday with our host 🎙Patrick Akil!
Big shoutout to Xebia for making this episode possible!

OUTLINE:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:23 - Playing around with ChatGPT
00:02:11 - ChatGPT is a building block
00:03:38 - AI Product Development
00:08:05 - What problems does Priceloop solve
00:14:49 - Different visualisations than spreadsheets
00:20:02 - Building the right thing
00:24:31 - Open sourcing the code
00:31:26 - What parts are still closed source?
00:34:14 - Managing services
00:36:04 - Sticking to your core
00:37:15 - The open core model
00:40:37 - How much time is spent on coding as CTO
00:44:26 - Hiring the first person
00:47:46 - How did Dat grow his network
00:53:47 - Dat wants more tech founders from Europe

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