Tech Careers and Money Talk By cover art

Tech Careers and Money Talk

By: Christopher Nelson
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to Tech Careers and Money Talk! https://www.techcareersandmoneytalk.com/ is where you could hang out with experienced tech industry executives, ask them about career growth, equity compensation, money, investing, financial strategies, and more; then take an insight or two to guide your own career and lifestyle?

    That’s what we do each week on Tech Careers and Money Talk. Hosted by Christopher Nelson –– author, tech exec, and Principal and Co-Founder of Wealthward Capital –– every episode is an in-depth look at how to navigate tech careers in hyper-growth companies, select the right companies to work for, earn equity, and build a passive income portfolio.

    The goal is to give you the information you need to grow your career, build wealth, and make an impact!
    2022
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Episodes
  • 052: Critical Money Lessons for Tech Employees with Landon Loveall

    052: Critical Money Lessons for Tech Employees with Landon Loveall
    Apr 30 2024
    Episode 52:Critical Money Lessons for Tech Employees with Landon LoveallReady to explore the latest in tech careers and financial insights? Click here now for an eye-opening journey at https://www.techcareersandmoneynews.com/In this episode of Tech Careers and Money Talk, host Christopher Nelson speaks with certified financial planner Landon Loveall about managing equity compensation for technology employees.Landon Loveall is a certified financial planner and dedicated advocate for tech professionals to increase their wealth through financial, tax and stock option planning. He is a partner of KB Financial Advisors which has been specializing in maximizing stock options for tech employees since 2014. Landon regularly shares his thought leadership on the KB Financial Advisors blog about the unique scenarios presented by employee stock options. When he's not assisting clients, Landon enjoys kayaking down the Duck River with his wife Melissa and their three children in Columbia, TN.Connect with Landon Loveallhttps://kbfinancialadvisors.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/landonloveall/Traditionally, employees have been taught to focus on their paycheck as the primary source of income. However, with the rise of equity compensation in the tech industry, it is essential to understand that owning equity in a company is a form of ownership and an opportunity to build wealth. Instead of solely relying on a paycheck, tech employees should view their equity compensation as a valuable asset that contributes to their overall financial health.By shifting from paycheck to balance sheet mindset, tech employees can take a more holistic approach to managing their finances. They can focus on growing and nurturing their balance sheet by making strategic decisions about their equity compensation, investments, and financial goals. This shift in perspective allows employees to see the bigger picture of their financial situation and make informed decisions that align with their long-term financial objectives.In this episode, we talk about:Shift from Paycheck to Balance Sheet: Landon emphasized the importance of moving beyond the bi-weekly paycheck and focusing on building and managing a comprehensive balance sheet. This mindset shift is crucial for tech employees who often receive significant equity compensation.Treat Your Career Like an NFL Contract: Understanding the value of your career and treating it like a professional athlete would handle a sports contract can lead to more strategic financial and career decisions. This involves knowing when to push for more and when to transition.Professional Financial Guidance: As tech professionals advance in their careers, the complexity of financial management increases. Landon advises against a purely DIY approach to financial planning, highlighting the benefits of engaging with professional advisors to avoid costly mistakes and optimize financial growth.Don’t Overprioritize Taxes: While taxes are important, Landon warns against letting them dictate major financial decisions. The focus should first be on the stock price and the number of shares, with taxes coming into consideration afterward.Prepare for Catastrophic Loss: Understanding the impact of significant market drops on personal wealth is crucial. Setting target sell prices for stocks and having a clear action plan can mitigate the risk of emotional decision-making during market downturns.Episode Timeline:00:00:00 - Introduction to Financial Management for Tech Employees00:01:23 - Expert Insights with Landon Loveall00:02:07 - Landon's Experience and Client Demographics00:02:39 - Five Critical Money Lessons00:03:08 - Lesson One: Rethinking Financial Priorities00:04:36 - The Impact of Financial Awareness00:06:25 - Managing Wealth Beyond Income00:08:17 - Lesson Two: Career Valuation Like NFL Contracts00:12:17 - Lesson Three: Professional Financial Guidance00:14:46 - Integrating Financial and Tax Planning00:17:36 - Building Trust with Financial Advisors00:19:13 - Comprehensive Service Approach00:23:50 - Lesson Four: Rational Approach to Taxes00:26:12 - Lesson Five: Avoiding Catastrophic Loss00:30:40 - Setting Financial Goals and Targets00:34:25 - Fire Round: Quick Insights and Advice00:38:10 - Closing and Additional Resources
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    39 mins
  • 051: 5 Remote Work Insights for 2024 from Founder and Venture Capitalist

    051: 5 Remote Work Insights for 2024 from Founder and Venture Capitalist
    Apr 23 2024

    5 Remote Work Insights for 2024 from Founder and Venture Capitalist

    In this episode of Tech Careers and Money Talk, host Christopher Nelson introduces Brett Martin, a multi-talented executive involved in Kumo Space and Charge Ventures. Martin discussed the current state of the remote work market and how companies are adapting to the new normal of hybrid work environments.

    Brett Martin is the Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Charge Ventures, an NY-based venture fund (70+ portfolio companies), as well as the President & Co-Founder of Kumospace (24M+ from Lightspeed), the leading business communication tool for remote teams. He’s also an Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, where he teaches data analytics and technology strategy.

    Connect with Brett Martin:

    https://www.kumospace.com/

    https://www.kumospace.com/podcast

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

    https://twitter.com/brett1211

    Remote work is here to stay, and companies that embrace this new way of working will be better positioned to thrive in the future. As technology continues to advance and remote work tools become more sophisticated, the possibilities for remote and hybrid work arrangements are endless. It is an exciting time for companies and employees alike as we navigate this new era of work.

    One of the key challenges for companies transitioning to remote work is finding the right tools and technologies to support collaboration and communication among remote teams. This is where companies like Kumo Space come in, providing virtual spaces for remote and hybrid teams to connect and collaborate effectively.

    In this episode, we talk about:

    • Market Insights: We discussed the current venture market in 2024, the impact of AI, and the challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in the current environment.
    • Remote Work Trends: Explored the evolving landscape of remote work and hybrid companies, especially in the post-pandemic era.
    • Investing in AI: Insights on VC investing in the age of AI, navigating valuation challenges, and making informed decisions in the AI space.
    • Multimodal Executive Life: Delved into the world of being a multimodal executive, balancing roles at Kumo Space and Charge Ventures, and the rewards and challenges of wearing multiple hats.
    • Rest and Unplugging: How do you find time to rest and unplug in a busy schedule? Brett shared his approach to rejuvenation through skiing and mountain climbing.


    Episode Timeline:

    • 00:00:00 - Venture Market Analysis
    • 00:00:37 - Introduction to Tech Careers and Money Talk
    • 00:01:09 - Introducing Brett Martin
    • 00:02:05 - The State of Remote Work
    • 00:03:40 - Customer Demographics for KumoSpace
    • 00:04:03 - Success Factors for Remote Work Companies
    • 00:05:51 - Traits of Successful Remote Employees
    • 00:06:09 - Unstructured Conversations in Remote Work
    • 00:07:48 - Remote Work Equity and Visibility
    • 00:08:06 - Engaging as a Remote Employee
    • 00:09:07 - The Importance of Physical Interaction
    • 00:11:02 - The Second Half: VC Investing in AI
    • 00:12:57 - Raising Capital in High Interest Rate Environment
    • 00:14:42 - Multimodal Executive Lifestyle
    • 00:17:29 - The Benefits of Remote Work
    • 00:19:01 - The Second Half Continues: AI and VC
    • 00:21:30 - Current VC Environment and AI Investments
    • 00:24:56 - Filtering AI Companies for Investment
    • 00:27:14 - Investment Criteria in Today's Market
    • 00:30:42 - Managing Financing Risk in Early-Stage Investing
    • 00:32:47 - Being a Multimodal Executive
    • 00:37:56 - The Joys and Challenges of Multimodal Work
    • 00:41:04 - Legacy and Impact Work
    • 00:41:56 - Resting and Unplugging Strategies
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    48 mins
  • 050: From Ambition to Action: Career Planning Insights with Mark Herschberg

    050: From Ambition to Action: Career Planning Insights with Mark Herschberg
    Apr 16 2024

    When it comes to career planning, it is important to prioritize skills over titles. Titles may seem like the ultimate destination in a career, but they are merely labels that do not necessarily reflect the true capabilities and expertise of an individual. Focusing solely on titles can limit one's growth and potential, as it may lead to a narrow perspective on what success looks like.

    On the other hand, skills are the building blocks that enable individuals to achieve their career goals and navigate the challenges that come their way. Skills are tangible and measurable, and they can be developed and honed over time through experience, training, and continuous learning. By focusing on acquiring and improving skills, individuals can adapt to changing circumstances, seize new opportunities, and progress in their careers regardless of the specific titles they hold.

    In this episode of Tech Careers and Money Talk, host introduces Mark Herschberg, a serial startup and public company CTO and CPO, also known for his book "The Career Toolkit." Mark shares insights on influential leadership and navigating challenges in tech careers.

    Tune in for valuable strategies and tactics to grow your career and build wealth as a technology professional!


    In this episode, we talk about:

    • Influential Leadership: Mark emphasized that true leadership is not about authority but about influencing others to share in your vision, much like Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi did.
    • Career Planning: He compared career planning to project planning, suggesting that we should have short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals, with regular check-ins to adjust our plans as needed. Mark also provided a practical tip: set a recurring calendar event every six months to review and adjust your career plan.
    • Titles vs. Skills: Mark discussed the difference between chasing titles and developing skills. He pointed out that the same title can mean different responsibilities in different contexts, and it's more important to focus on the type of work and responsibilities you want.
    • Soft Skills: He argued that investing in soft skills can provide a better return on investment than focusing solely on technical skills, as they amplify your overall capabilities.
    • Leadership at Any Level: Mark debunked the myth that leadership is reserved for those in high positions, asserting that anyone at any level can exhibit leadership qualities.
    • Ethics in Tech: Mark highlighted the importance of being prepared for ethical dilemmas in tech. He likened ethical preparation to fire drills, where practicing ahead of time can help you make the right decisions under pressure.
    • Career Toolkit: The episode also delved into Mark's book, "The Career Toolkit," which outlines ten essential skills for tech employees, including career planning, leadership, management, communication, networking, negotiation, and ethics.


    Episode Timeline:

    00:00:00 - Influential Leadership

    00:00:28 - Introduction to Tech Careers and Financial Planning

    00:00:49 - Mark Herschberg's Introduction

    00:01:11 - The Career Toolkit Book

    00:02:12 - Creating a Career Plan

    00:04:49 - Titles vs. Skills in Career Planning

    00:07:00 - Skill Development in Career Plans

    00:09:49 - Common Mistakes in Career Planning

    00:13:09 - Reflecting on Career Progress

    00:15:22 - Feedback and Career Progress

    00:19:09 - Peer Networking and Career Advancement

    00:20:20 - Transitioning to Leadership

    00:23:28 - The Career Toolkit Overview.

    00:26:02 - Leadership Skills Development

    00:29:29 - Transitioning from Individual Contributor to Manager

    00:33:08 - Ethics in the Career Toolkit


    Connect with Mark Herschberg:

    https://www.thecareertoolkitbook.com

    https://www.instagram.com/thecareertoolkit/

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey/
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    51 mins
Economics Personal Finance
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