In this episode of “The CTO Show with Mehmet,” we are joined by Arnaud Lucas, the CTO of Wanderu, a small startup focused on e-commerce solutions for ground transportation in North America. Arnaud, originally from France, shares his extensive experience in the tech industry, having worked with both startups and large companies like Iron Mountain, TripAdvisor, and Wayfair before returning to the startup world.

Arnaud discusses his career journey and the factors that led him to become a CTO. He emphasizes the importance of solving customer problems and how his passion for travel has influenced his career choices. Arnaud highlights the significance of aligning technology with business objectives and shares his approach to promoting ownership and transparency within his team. He mentions the book “Extreme Ownership” and how its principles have helped him foster a culture of accountability and cross-functional collaboration.

Throughout the conversation, Arnaud delves into the role of data-driven decision-making in startups. He explains how collecting both qualitative and quantitative data is crucial for validating business ideas and ensuring that the team is on the right track. Arnaud also shares his insights on balancing innovation and risk-taking while maintaining a stable and reliable technology infrastructure. He stresses the importance of taking calculated risks and revisiting projects to optimize and refine them after initial implementation.

As the conversation progresses, Arnaud discusses the importance of team dynamics and hiring strategies. He advises against both overstaffing and understaffing, emphasizing the need to strike the right balance to empower team members effectively. He also talks about the value of diversity in the workplace and how it leads to better ideas and outcomes.

Towards the end of the episode, Arnaud shares his approach to staying up-to-date with the latest tech trends. He mentions subscribing to newsletters, reading industry articles, and leveraging insights from his team. He highlights the importance of experimenting with new technologies and using frameworks like a tech radar to evaluate and adopt them effectively.

Finally, Arnaud offers words of wisdom for aspiring tech leaders, emphasizing the importance of being data-driven, fostering a supportive and inclusive culture, and empowering team members to take ownership of their work. He encourages leaders to align their teams with the company’s overall vision and mission while providing the necessary support and resources.

More about Arnaud:

“As the Chief Technology Officer at Wanderu, I oversee the technology vision, strategy and execution for the leading ground transportation search platform in North America and beyond. Just like me, Wanderu is a company that values and promotes diversity, founded by first generation immigrants

With over two decades of experience harnessing technology to drive business outcomes, I am a seasoned leader with expertise in spearheading large-scale transformations and steering organizational turnarounds across diverse industries, from startups to established enterprises.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasarn

https://www.wanderu.com/

01:06 Arnaud's Background and Career Journey

01:56 Passion for Travel and Customer Focus

02:58 Path to Becoming a CTO

05:46 Aligning Technology with Business Objectives

06:35 Promoting Ownership and Transparency

15:57 Balancing Innovation and Stability

20:54 Challenges in the Ground Transportation Market

24:20 Startup Challenges and Advice

33:19 Staying Updated with Tech Trends

37:23 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

43:43 Conclusion and Farewell