In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with Greg Stein, Founder and CEO of Shadowbox, to explore how interoperability is shaping the future of healthcare technology and why manual processes in healthcare cost the industry a staggering $300 billion annually. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey, from leading major healthcare initiatives to building a company designed to eliminate inefficiencies in clinical workflows.

The conversation dives into the challenges of securing venture funding in healthcare tech, the impact of COVID-19 on business operations, and the importance of leadership vulnerability and integrity in navigating startup challenges. Greg highlights the $950 billion problem of interoperability in healthcare and how Shadowbox’s API-free integration model is solving it.

Key Takeaways:

• Vulnerability in leadership fosters trust and collaboration, making it easier to navigate complex challenges.
• Shadowbox eliminates inefficiencies in healthcare by improving interoperability without requiring APIs.
• Healthcare faces a $950 billion interoperability problem, with insurance inefficiencies accounting for a significant portion of costs.
• COVID-19 accelerated digital transformation, forcing businesses to adapt and innovate faster than ever before.
• Proving the effectiveness of new technology is crucial for securing venture funding in healthcare.
• Integrity in business decisions leads to long-term success—cutting corners rarely results in sustainable growth.
• Celebrating small wins keeps teams motivated and fosters a culture of shared success.
• Transparency and shared ownership of problems prevent blame culture, creating an empowered and engaged workforce.
• Humility in leadership allows for better decision-making, ensuring teams feel valued and heard.
• Work-life balance is essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout—leaders must prioritize well-being.

Quotes:

"We had to prove that the tech would work." – Greg on earning investor confidence in a complex industry.

"You need to celebrate those wins." – On why recognizing small victories keeps teams engaged and motivated.

"We try and collectively own the challenge." – Emphasizing the importance of transparency in team culture.

"The role of humility in leadership is to empower your team, not dictate their work."

YouTube Chapters:
0:00 - Embracing Vulnerability in Leadership
1:15 - Introducing Shadowbox: A Breakthrough in Interoperability
4:27 - Navigating the Journey to Venture Funding
6:23 - Addressing the $950 Billion Interoperability Challenge
11:20 - Adapting to Change During COVID-19
16:38 - Lessons Learned from Eight Years of Entrepreneurship
20:30 - The Importance of Celebrating Wins
24:41 - Fostering a Transparent and Supportive Culture
31:28 - The Role of Humility in Leadership
37:36 - Balancing Work and Life: The Importance of Team Well-being
44:22 - Final Thoughts: Music and Meaning

Resources:
Learn more about the book Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™ - https://www.collective-genius.com/

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes Unplugged.

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#TechScenes #Shadowbox #HealthcareTech #Interoperability #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #JeffJamesMartin #GregStein #VentureFunding #HealthcareInnovation #AI #BusinessGrowth #SaaS #Automation #DigitalTransformation #TeamCulture #WorkLifeBalance #FounderStories #ScalingStartups #OKRs #HealthcareSolutions #StartupChallenges #BusinessLeadership #PeakOperatingSystem™ #CollectiveGenius™ #TechScenesUnplugged

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, Jeff James Martin sits down with Brett Waikart, Co-founder & CEO of Skillfully, to discuss the future of hiring, the impact of AI on recruitment, and how traditional resumes are failing both companies and job seekers.Brett shares how Skillfully is transforming the hiring process by shifting focus from outdated resumes to dynamic, real-world simulations that showcase candidates’ actual abilities. “The resume has been around for 500 years, but it’s time for change.” Instead of filtering through AI-generated resumes and rehearsed interview responses, employers can now see how candidates perform before making hiring decisions.The conversation also dives into the challenges of scaling a startup in the AI era, how workforce evolution is reshaping hiring methods, and the role of experimentation in business success. Brett shares insights on team alignment, OKRs, and navigating rapid technological change. They also touch on the future of work, the impact of AI on job disruption, and why org charts may become obsolete."We want to see what they can do." – Brett on why real-world simulations are the key to better hiring.

"AI is not a job killer." – Discussing how AI will disrupt tasks, not entire professions.

"OKRs should be used to measure progress and learn from failures." – Brett shares insights on using objectives and key results effectively.From rethinking job applications to leveraging AI for smarter hiring, this episode offers a fascinating look at the changing dynamics of recruitment, business scaling, and leadership in the digital age.Key Takeaways: - The resume has been around for 500 years, but it’s time for change—AI can provide a more accurate and fair assessment of candidates’ abilities. - Skillfully enables job seekers to showcase real skills through simulated job tasks, reducing bias and inefficiency in hiring. - Employers often rely on outdated job descriptions, leading to mismatches in hiring needs and inefficiencies in talent acquisition. - AI is transforming recruitment, reducing screening time by 50%, and helping companies hire more effectively. - Understanding a candidate’s potential is more important than assessing past job titles—companies need to hire for real capabilities, not just credentials. - The evolution of technology is reshaping employment, forcing companies to adapt hiring methods to attract top talent. - Scaling a company in the AI space requires adaptability and foresight—experimenting with new business strategies is crucial. - The future of recruitment lies in assessing real-world skills, not just resumes—Skillfully is leading this charge. - OKRs should be used as learning tools, not just performance metrics—companies must iterate and evolve based on real results. - The org chart may become obsolete in the AI era, as technology reshapes job roles and team structures.Episode Chapters:0:00 - Revolutionizing Recruitment: The Role of AI10:10 - Skillfully: A New Approach to Job Applications19:51 - The Evolution of Hiring Practices29:57 - Building a Company in the Age of AI31:19 - AI's Impact on Jobs and Work Dynamics34:41 - Challenges in Scaling a Startup37:42 - The Importance of Experimentation in Business46:30 - Navigating Rapid Change in Business51:19 - Desert Island Album ChoiceLearn more about the book Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies🔗 https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™🔗 https://www.collective-genius.com/Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes.Music by Andrew Applepie🔗 https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

In this episode of Tech Scenes, Jeff James Martin sits down with Jennifer Henderson, Founder & CEO of Tilt, to discuss the challenges and innovations in leave management, the startup journey, and the role of female founders in venture capital.

Jennifer shares her personal experiences that led to the creation of Tilt, an HR tech platform designed to automate and streamline leave of absence management, making the process easier for both companies and employees. “We are obsessed with the world of leave.” The conversation dives deep into the complexities of leave compliance, the transition from corporate to startup life, and the importance of company culture in a fast-growing business.

They also discuss the unique challenges faced by female founders when raising capital, why more encouragement is needed for aspiring women entrepreneurs, and how guardrails in business help create efficiency and empowerment. Jennifer emphasizes resilience as a key trait for successful founders, while also sharing some fun personal reflections on her love for 80s music.

"You gotta imagine you're going down a road." – Jennifer on why businesses need clear guardrails for efficiency and success.

"Unless you win the manager jackpot." – Discussing the inconsistencies in how companies handle leave management.

"The pain becomes untenable is getting smaller." – On how Tilt is removing the biggest pain points in HR processes.

"We need more points on the board." – Jennifer advocating for more female entrepreneurs in venture-backed startups.

"Def Leppard is my childhood in every single song." – A fun conclusion to a deeply insightful conversation.

From navigating startup challenges to building a strong company culture, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, HR professionals, and anyone passionate about improving employee experiences.

Key Takeaways:

- Guardrails in business help maintain clarity and efficiency, preventing wasted effort.

- Tilt automates leave management, saving organizations time, money, and compliance headaches.

- Personal experiences often drive innovative business solutions, as seen in Tilt’s founding story.

- Leave management is highly complex, varying based on individual circumstances, company policies, and legal compliance.

- Transitioning from corporate to startup requires a different skill set, with steep learning curves for first-time founders.

- Building a strong company culture is essential for long-term startup success.

- Female founders face unique challenges in securing venture capital, requiring persistence and strong networks.

- Encouragement and role models are crucial for inspiring the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

- Resilience is key in the entrepreneurial journey, especially when navigating challenges like funding and scaling.

Chapters:

0:00 - The Importance of Guardrails in Business

2:07 - Understanding Tilt: Revolutionizing Leave Management

5:01 - Personal Experiences Shaping Business Solutions

9:48 - Navigating the Complex Landscape of Leave Management

15:08 - The Journey from Corporate to Startup

19:46 - Building a Strong Company Culture and Team Dynamics

24:51 - Challenges for Female Founders in Venture Capital

29:49 - Encouraging Future Female Entrepreneurs

34:59 - Final Thoughts and Reflections

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated with all our episodes, where we bring you the untold stories of innovation and leadership from the tech world, only on Tech Scenes.

Learn more about the book Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies - https://a.co/d/hp5Jtnu

Visit Collective Genius™ to Build Your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System™ - https://www.collective-genius.com/

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#TechScenes #Tilt #LeaveManagement #HRTech #FutureOfWork #StartupLife #ScalingStartups #Leadership #WomenInTech #Entrepreneurship #FemaleFounders