Do I need a Tech Leader in my business?

Posted bybusinessgrowthinnovationPosted inUncategorized

TLDR; If you want to build a successful tech firm, you need someone who can fill the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and VP Engineering.

So, what is Difference Between A CTO And A VP Of Engineering?

A VP of Engineering is someone who makes sure things are running smoothly, tasks are getting done and the team is running as efficiently as possible. They make sure that business gets done efficiently. [1]
The CTO, on the other hand, should be dealing with the future. They make critical decisions about where the product is heading and opportunities the company should be poised to take advantage of in the years ahead. [1]

In other words, the VP of engineering works in the business, but the CTO works on the business.

The best kind of Technology Leader is someone who can work effectively as both the CTO and the VP of Engineering.

What should this Technology Leadership role focus on?
We really like this list from the Next Big Idea Club [2]:

  • Platform selection and technical design/strategy (Looking to use ‘standard’ ways of delivering faster that won’t block you later on)
  • Own the development methodology (you need to be sure your strategies can be implemented)
  • Seeing the big picture (and understanding how the detail will impact that)
  • Providing options (including the risk/reward of each and not sandbagging just 1 option)
  • Find the 80/20 (getting 80% of the outcome with 20% of the cost)
  • Growing technical leaders (this is very important if you want your company to grow faster at some point in the future)

As you will see there is a good mix of working ‘in’ the business and working ‘on’ the business.

Here at Business Growth and Innovation, we believe that, especially for start-ups but it’s relevant for bigger companies as well, you NEED to be able to operate as both CTO and VP Engineering, otherwise there will be many things lost in translation between the multiple parties picking up the left over bits.

[1]. Forbes – Here’s When (And How) You Need To Hire A CTO – https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2019/04/29/heres-when-and-how-you-need-to-hire-a-cto
[2]. Next Big Idea Club – What Being a Startup CTO Taught Me About Leadership – https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/ericries-startup-cto-taught-leadership/7469/