In this episode, Barry interviews Latif Hamlani, a seasoned tech industry professional and CEO SAAS Consultants. Latif shares his career journey, emphasizing the dynamics of employee loyalty in large corporations and the importance of customer-centricity. He discusses his transition from a technical role to leadership and introduces SAAS Consultants, which focuses on partnerships and channel management. Latif also highlights his development of a virtual assistant bot designed to streamline communication and task management for managers. The episode offers valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and the evolving nature of work in the tech sector.
In this episode, Barry interviews Latif Hamlani, a seasoned tech industry professional and CEO SAAS Consultants. Latif shares his career journey, emphasizing the dynamics of employee loyalty in large corporations and the importance of customer-centricity. He discusses his transition from a technical role to leadership and introduces SAAS Consultants, which focuses on partnerships and channel management. Latif also highlights his development of a virtual assistant bot designed to streamline communication and task management for managers. The episode offers valuable insights into leadership, innovation, and the evolving nature of work in the tech sector.
Lessons from a Corporate Career (00:00:20)
Latif reflects on his corporate journey and shares significant lessons learned over three decades.
Loyalty Dynamics in Tech (00:01:03)
Discussion on the disparity of loyalty between employees and large tech companies.
Career Advice for Newcomers (00:03:22)
Latif advises young professionals to assess the balance of what they give and receive in their jobs.
Differences in Employee Loyalty Across Industries (00:03:42)
Barry questions if loyalty issues are exclusive to tech compared to other fields like nursing.
Gold Rush Mentality in Tech (00:06:05)
Latif discusses the startup culture and the high demand for jobs in the tech industry.
Responsibilities as CEO of SAS Consultants (00:07:01)
Latif describes his responsibilities and how he prioritizes customer value in his new venture.
Customer-Centric Approach (00:08:04)
Latif emphasizes the importance of focusing on customer needs to drive company success.
Childhood Aspirations (00:08:30)
Latif shares his childhood interests and how they shaped his career path.
Educational Background (00:09:42)
Latif discusses his degrees from UT Austin and Cornell, focusing on computer science.
Transitioning to Leadership (00:11:00)
Latif reflects on his shift from technical roles to a leadership mindset.
Introduction to SAS Consultants (00:13:01)
Latif introduces his consulting company, SAS Consultants, and its focus on partnerships.
Building a Virtual Assistant Bot (00:15:21)
Latif reveals his project to create a bot that assists channel partnership managers.
Bot Capabilities and Features (00:16:14)
Discussion on how the bot will streamline communication and task management.
Proactive Functionality of the Bot (00:19:34)
Latif explains how the bot will suggest actions based on company needs and customer interactions.
Next Steps for the Bot Development (00:20:04)
Latif outlines his plan to prototype the bot and seek feedback from industry contacts.
Development in Tech (00:21:18)
Discussion on the universal application of tech solutions across various positions and industries.
The Role of Technology in Delegation (00:22:01)
Challenges of delegation in leadership and the potential of tech bots to assist with task management.
Feasibility of Tech Solutions (00:23:39)
Latif discusses the feasibility of developing a tech bot prototype by summer.
Key Skills for Future Employees (00:24:53)
Importance of diverse skills for employees to succeed in evolving business environments.
Podcast on AI and Humans (00:25:23)
Latif introduces his podcast on the coexistence of humans and AI in the workplace.
Future of Organizations (00:26:21)
Discussion on how AI will change organizational structures and the need for fewer employees.
Preparing for Leadership Roles (00:27:14)
Advice for young professionals to diversify their knowledge beyond specialization.
Continuous Learning (00:29:05)
Latif shares his approach to broadening knowledge through diverse reading and experiences.
Decision-Making Process (00:30:33)
Latif outlines his priority of customer value in decision-making and the importance of authenticity.
Advice from Lateef's Father (00:35:51)
Latif reflects on life lessons from his late father emphasizing honesty and kindness.
Advice for Young Professionals (00:38:07)
Encouragement for graduates to follow their passion rather than pursuing money-driven careers.