Apply to First Round’s AI/ML Unconference to Learn From Fellow Builders

Apply to First Round’s AI/ML Unconference to learn from fellow builders in the industry. The Unconference is designed to tackle the tactical challenges of everyday building such as cleaning and labeling... ...datasets, fine-tuning models, and monitoring them in production in the fast-paced world of AI and ML. First Round has long-standing partnerships with companies like Labelbox and Verkada, and backs... ...newer startups like Rewind and Together, which are innovating in the AI and ML space. The Unconference format allows attendees to share and learn in dynamic, focused breakout discussions,... ...fostering multi-dimensional conversations among people with different perspectives. The event aims to build the strongest community of technical startup leaders by providing a forum for folks to swap tactics and share learnings. The First Round AI Unconference will take place on Monday, August 28, from 5-8 pm in San Francisco. Attendees will participate in small breakout discussions on the most burning questions for... ...AI and ML leaders, and get a chance to interact with early-stage companies in this space. The content of the Unconference is tailored to cover top-of-mind topics from AI & ML leaders across the org chart in sessions covering areas like selecting... ...between Foundation Model providers, building a moat for generative AI applications, open-source vs closed-source models and devtools, and more. Applications are currently being accepted for leaders or operators in the AI or ML space. The application deadline is Friday, August 25.

#Unconference#leaders#Round

📍 Hands-On Lab Next Week: Learn how to build great ML features and deploy them to production quickly and reliably

The adoption of feature stores and feature platforms in machine learning is projected to double in the next year. A hands-on lab experience is being offered by Tecton on Tuesday, August 22 at 9AM PT. Participants will have the opportunity to use Tecton, which is the only enterprise-grade feature platform. The lab will provide access to a preconfigured Databricks environment for real-time machine learning. Participants will learn how to transform data from various sources into features that can power machine learning models. The lab will demonstrate how feature platforms encourage cross-team collaboration in feature development, testing, and reuse in complex production environments. Participants will explore how Tecton can support the creation, centralization, and on-demand... ...serving of fresh features for both online inference and model training at scale. Registration is required to secure a seat in the hands-on lab.

#feature#machine#learning

Making event-driven development predictable with Discover

Discover Financial Services uses tech in payments and focuses on developer experience and architecture. The company utilizes domain-driven design and event-driven architecture in their tech development. Kafka streams are also employed by Discover to build interesting FinTech products. The organization prioritizes making event-driven development predictable. More details about their technology can be found at Technology at Discover. Discover Financial Services offers job opportunities in working on an event-driven architecture that uses domain-driven design. Paul Manning and Emanuele Pugliese are key tech figures at Discover. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn. The information was sourced from a sponsored episode of a podcast and the Stack Overflow Blog.

#Discover#driven#tech

The 23 Best Cover Letter Examples: What They Got Right

The cover letter is an opportunity to highlight creativity and share stories the resume only outlines. 45% of job seekers don't include a cover letter when applying for a job, which is a mistake. Cover letters can be used to showcase unique skills and experiences. The blog post provides 23 distinct cover letter examples, each catering to different circumstances and job roles. Examples include the standard cover letter, data-driven cover letter, entry-level cover letter,... ...cover letter that explains 'why', and the 'we're meant for each other' cover letter. The blog also provides customizable cover letter examples that can be downloaded and personalized. The effectiveness of a cover letter can be enhanced by personalizing it and using it to show passion for the prospective employer. Cover letters that establish a connection with the company before the interview can be particularly effective. The cover letter can also be used to show alignment with company values, as in the case of the cover letter with H.E.A.R.T for HubSpot. Short and sweet cover letters can also be effective, as seen in the three-sentence cover letter example. The blog also provides links for further reading on specific cover letter tips for different job roles like sales and customer service.

#cover#letter#letters

How to Write a Business Proposal [Examples + Template]

Business proposals are critical for bridging the gap between a business and potential clients.... ...They outline the business's value proposition and persuade companies to do business with them. Business proposals are different from business plans. While business plans assist... ...in finding investors for the business, proposals help in seeking new customers. There are two types of business proposals: unsolicited and solicited. Unsolicited proposals are those where a business... ...approaches a potential customer with a proposal, while solicited proposals are requested by prospective clients. A business proposal should include a statement of the problem the organization is facing, a proposed solution, and pricing information. Understanding the company you're writing the proposal for is crucial. If they've sent... ...a Request for Proposal (RFP), read it carefully to understand what they want. A business proposal usually includes a title page, an executive summary, a statement of... ...the problem, a proposed solution, qualifications, pricing options, and a conclusion. The title page should introduce you and your business, and include your name, your company's name,... ...the date you submitted the proposal, and the name of the client you're submitting the proposal to. The executive summary should detail why you're sending the proposal and why your solution is the best for the prospective client. The proposed solution should be customized to the client's needs and include the deliverables... ...you'll provide, the methods you'll use, and a time frame for your proposed solution. Share your qualifications in the proposal, including case studies, client testimonials, relevant awards, and industry accreditations. Include pricing options that detail a pricing breakdown, how product features align with pricing choices,... ...pricing for different needs and budgets, and how your pricing compares with competitors. The conclusion should summarize the proposal, share your qualifications, and confirm your availability to discuss the next steps. There are several business proposal templates available that can help you create your proposal, including web design proposals, SEO proposals, sales... ...proposals, marketing project proposals, business consulting proposals, social media marketing proposals, and content marketing proposals. When writing a business proposal, start with an outline to help you stay focused, keep it simple,... ...stay on brand, and ensure quality control by checking for consistency, clarity, and accuracy.

#business#proposals#proposal

5 Top Things to Remember When Starting a Company

You must take the time to form the right founding team. Having co-founders that are aligned with your vision and goals is crucial for success. Your initial market research could be off, especially if you lack deep domain expertise... ...in your industry. Invest in understanding your market and getting customer feedback. Plan to take 24 months to develop a Minimum Sellable Product (MSP). Twelve to eighteen... ...months is often not enough in SaaS to create a product that customers will pay for. Being a founder is extremely challenging, with constant pressure and stress to achieve the impossible. Be prepared for this reality. Seek out the best investors, advisors, and mentors. The right help can significantly accelerate your business, while mediocre assistance can waste your time.

#time#right#market

TDD with GitHub Copilot

Thoughtworks embraces Test Driven Development (TDD) and explores the use of generative AI in this process. GitHub Copilot, an AI tool, is used to assist with TDD. Co-pilot is not a standalone tool, but rather a supplemental aid for suggesting ideas during TDD. It's effective in suggesting ideas for the red and green steps of TDD. GitHub Copilot is less useful during the refactoring step of TDD. The tool is not a complete solution but can provide valuable assistance in certain areas of TDD. Even with the use of AI, human input and control remain essential throughout the TDD process.

#tool#process#GitHub

Strategic Directions supporting the people

The importance of a robust digital talent strategy to maintain a competitive edge in the market. The need for businesses to possess the right talent with the right competencies to meet their current and future needs. The strategy aids in meeting business objectives and fostering digital transformation aspirations. Sarah Taraporewalla's article provides insights on creating an integrated business and technology strategy. She addresses questions raised by two strategic directions that support people: culture and internal systems.

#strategy#digital#talent

Strategic directions: minimizing risk and being data driven

The strategic directions discussed by Sarah Taraporewalla focus on cost reduction, minimizing operational risk, and promoting data-driven decision making. These strategies involve a process of investigating and questioning to identify potential risks and areas for improvement. Cost reduction is a key strategic direction which can help to improve profitability and efficiency within a business. Minimizing operational risk is another important strategy; by identifying potential risks,... ...the business can put measures in place to avoid or lessen the impact of these risks. The last strategic direction highlighted is the use of data-driven decision making. This strategy involves... ...using data and analytics to inform business decisions, promoting accuracy and efficiency. Utilizing these strategic directions can help a business to manage resources effectively, mitigate risks, and make informed decisions based on data.

#strategic#data#risks

🧠 Community Wisdom: Having effective 1:1s, preparing for PTO, balancing qualitative and quantitative analysis, creating a resume, and much more

The importance of having effective 1:1s in order to establish open and clear communication channels, nurturing trust, and improving team dynamics. Suggested methods for preparing for PTO include setting up an autoresponder, delegating responsibilities,... ...and ensuring all important tasks have been completed or are in the hands of a competent colleague. The value of balancing qualitative and quantitative analysis is highlighted, as it allows... ...for a more comprehensive understanding of data, enhancing decision-making abilities. Tips for creating an impactful resume include highlighting achievements instead of listing responsibilities,... ...tailoring it to the specific job application, and ensuring it is concise and error-free. The "Community Wisdom" email is a subscriber-only resource that is delivered every Friday... ...and includes the most helpful conversations from the member-only Slack community. The email includes links to more comprehensive resources and discussions on the highlighted topics.

#include#responsibilities#ensuring

Cram Down – A Test of Character for VCs and Founders

Cram downs are a practice used by venture capitalists to provide more cash to struggling startups, but with unfavorable new terms for the founders. This practice was popular after the dotcom crash, and is making a resurgence due to changing economic conditions. Cram downs often involve re-writing stock agreements, forcing existing investors to participate... ...in the new financing or lose out, and can significantly devalue common shares. Venture capitalists justify this practice as their fiduciary responsibility or good business, however, it can be seen as abusive and usurious. Startups that are struggling to find product/market fit, generate sufficient revenue, or lack patient capital are especially vulnerable to cram downs. Founders agree to cram downs out of desperation to keep their company afloat, often compromising their ethical stance in the process. The article suggests that cram downs would not exist without the founder's agreement and encourages founders to consider walking away and starting afresh. The author argues that cram down funding is not a lifeline but a noose, as it often leaves... ...employees with little to show for their work and rarely turns around a failing business. Founders are advised to take time to consider alternatives, seek advice, and visualize what life might be like after their company ends. The article concludes by suggesting that if a founder is prepared to walk away, they might end up with a much better deal.

#downs#cram#practice

Why The Pentagon Can’t Count: It’s Time to Reinvent the Audit

The Pentagon has repeatedly failed its financial audit due to its complex and massive financial management systems. Auditing the Department of Defense (DoD) is a massive task as it involves counting the location... ...and condition of every piece of military equipment, property, inventory, and supplies. The DoD is the largest employer in the country with 2.9 million people and has 643,900 assets... ...ranging from buildings, pipelines, roads, and fences to aircraft and battle force ships. Despite spending close to a billion dollars annually on auditing, the Pentagon has consistently failed to meet audit standards comparable to private companies. The DoD could innovate in auditing by leveraging new technology and approaches, including predictive analytics, fraud detection, and machine learning. The DoD has a history of leading business innovation, such as creating the COBOL programming... ...language in 1959, demonstrating its potential to innovate in the auditing sector. By allocating 10% of the auditing budget to Small Business Innovation Research programs, the DoD could... ...stimulate the creation of new startups in the auditing/data management/finance space each year. The DoD could also work with existing government audit standards bodies to create new machine-driven and semi-automated audit standards. Such investment could lead to the establishment of a defense audit center of excellence, fostering academic research and public-private partnerships. These actions could drastically reduce audit costs, standardize the DoD's financial management environment, and improve budget transparency. Despite these potential benefits, the DoD has not pursued this innovative approach, missing... ...an opportunity to lead in the development of next-generation auditing tools and services. Transformational, contrarian, and disruptive advice is needed to drive change within large organizations like the DoD. The DoD should consider if the high cost of auditing is leading to greater efficiency and better management, or if there might be more effective approaches.

#auditing#audit#management

Lessons on Leadership: Michael Abrashoff on Turning the Worst Ship in the Navy into the Best

Michael Abrashoff transformed the USS Benfold from being one of the worst-performing ships... ...in the navy to the highest-performing within three years without changing the crew. Abrashoff encourages organizations to reward risk-takers and innovators, not those who avoid change and controversy. He believes that the key to leadership is understanding oneself first, which can lead... ...to a transformation in how leaders interact with their team and make decisions. He stresses that leaders need to allow their subordinates to fulfill their talents to the utmost, emphasizing that... ...many limitations are self-imposed by the leader due to their own fears, ego needs, and unproductive habits. Abrashoff argues that command-and-control is not the most efficient way to tap into people's intelligence... ...and skills. Instead, he advocates for creating a culture where employees take ownership. He believes that rules should be questioned and challenged, as many may become obsolete over time. Abrashoff found that people leave organizations mostly due to lack of respect, inability to impact the... ...organization, not being listened to, and not being given more responsibility, rather than low pay. He suggests leaders should see the world through the eyes of their subordinates, which can make it easier to identify and address problems. Abrashoff criticizes systems that reward micromanagement, which he believes disempowers subordinates and removes ownership and accountability. He encourages leaders to constantly seek better ways to do things and to implement processes that people enjoy carrying out. Abrashoff argues against creating extensive rules and policies for every possible contingency, as they become difficult to change and discourage ownership. He believes that giving the right people direction and autonomy increases the odds of success. Instead of rules, Abrashoff suggests organizations should use principles, allow for exceptions... ...and judgement, and train people to think and make decisions on their own. His book, "It's Your Ship," details the techniques he used to win trust, create an environment where people felt accountable, and gain commitment.

#Abrashoff#people#believes

Relentless curiosity, radical accountability, and HubSpot’s winning growth formula | Christopher Miller (VP of Product, Growth and AI)

Christopher Miller serves as the VP of Product for Growth and AI at HubSpot, where he has led... ...the company's early growth strategy, shift to Product-Led Growth (PLG), and investment in AI. Miller believes in the principles of winning teams, careers, and companies, and emphasizes the importance of customer obsession in practice. He suggests that relentless curiosity is a key trait for successful product managers. Miller also shares advice for breaking into product management, including the importance of learning the craft and seeking out mentors. Speaking to customers, former customers, and potential customers is crucial for understanding their needs and enhancing the product. Miller highlights the uniqueness of HubSpot's culture and how it contributes to the company's success. He discusses HubSpot's decision to stay in the mid-market space and how this has benefited the company. Key elements that contributed to HubSpot's early growth include aggressive experimentation within new channels and the implementation of growth loops. Miller warns against some common mistakes when trying to start a PLG motion, such as not being fully committed to the approach. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated growth at HubSpot, demonstrating the company's ability to adapt and thrive in changing circumstances.

#Miller#HubSpot#company

The Looking Glass: Unintuitive, lying truths

The author explores the concept of truth and how self-deception can distort it. The deepest truth is not about facts, but about what individuals believe to be true or false, and why they choose to believe it. The author discusses the lies that builders or creators often tell themselves, usually... ...as a coping mechanism. These lies can hinder progress and lead to mediocrity. The author suggests that honesty is often found in simpler explanations. Building a great product is a difficult process involving numerous small decisions, not just one single feature or change. The author encourages reframing problems and focusing on finding solutions rather than blaming external factors. The author shares seven non-intuitive things about career growth, such as the downsides of emulating admired careers, the importance of accepting flaws, the link between... ...focus and creativity, the value of asking questions, the significance of asking for help, the unexpected nature of mistakes, and the strength in collective effort. The author encourages readers to refer friends to subscribe to The Looking Glass, with incentives for those who do. The additional content in the newsletter is exclusive to subscribers.

#author#truth#believe