The SeqTek Podcast

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Nov 2024

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The SeqTek Podcast is the ultimate destination for anyone wanting to stay up to date on new IT advancements and developments. SeqTek not only keeps you informed, but it also brings unique perspectives and insight into the world of Tech. The podcast allows you to hear from experts in their fields, such as entrepreneurs, executives, and venture capitalists, giving insight into technologies, business models, and so much more. SeqTek's podcast is the perfect tool for staying at the top of your game when it comes to powering through the fast-paced world of IT. SeqTek (918) 493-7200 seqtek.com

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31 recent

November 7, 2024Episode 3227 min

Leadership, Growth, & 25th Years of SEQTEK

In this episode, hosts Kenn Williamson and Matt Lemke reflect on their personal growth and transformations while celebrating the 25th anniversary of SEQTEK. Kenn shares his experiences in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of empathy, communication, and integrity in business. Join them for insights on leadership, building trust, and the values that contribute to success. Matt and Kenn discuss various topics including their personal growth and transformation, the 25th anniversary of their company SeqTek, and Ken's experience in entrepreneurship. They also highlight the importance of empathy, communication, and integrity in the business world. Takeaways Personal growth and transformation are important for professional development. Building trust and maintaining integrity are crucial in business relationships. Good Christian leadership in business can be successful. Empathy and effective communication are essential skills for leaders. Entrepreneurship requires hard work and perseverance. Sound Bites "Life is just like it keeps going." "Leadership is about grabbing people by the heart." "You have to practice soft skills because people need to know that you care about them." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Background 03:13 Celebrating 25 Years of SeqTek 06:53 The Importance of Personal Growth and Transformation 09:48 The Evolution of Ken's Leadership Style 14:13 Ken's Experience in Entrepreneurship 21:20 Gratitude for SeqTek's Faith-Based Approach 25:09 The Role of Integrity in SecTech's Success 27:03 Ken's Journey in Entrepreneurship 29:49 Conclusion and Future Plans

November 7, 2024Episode 3338 min

Effective Project Management with Anne Hamilton

Join host Kenn Williamson as he chats with project management expert Anne Hamilton about the essential factors that drive project success. Anne shares insights on the difference between project and product management, the importance of a clear vision, stakeholder alignment, and how agile and waterfall can work together. With decades of experience, Anne explains the discovery process, planning essentials, and the value of continuous improvement. In this episode of the Sec Tech podcast, Kenn Williamson engages with project management expert Anne Hamilton, discussing the nuances between project and product management, the significance of having a clear vision and strategy, and the common pitfalls that lead to project failures. Anne shares her extensive experience in managing projects across various industries, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder management, discovery, and planning in ensuring project success. The conversation also touches on the complementary nature of agile and waterfall methodologies in project execution. Takeaways Project management is distinct from product management, focusing on achieving specific goals. A clear vision and strategy are essential for guiding projects effectively. Stakeholder management is critical; understanding their needs can mitigate project risks. Discovery processes help clarify project goals and requirements before execution. Politics often complicates project success; shared vision can help align stakeholders. Planning is crucial; rushing into projects without a plan can lead to failure. Technology should not drive project decisions; understanding the problem is key. Agile and waterfall methodologies can be used together for effective project management. Continuous improvement should be integrated into project management practices. Successful projects require collaboration and communication among all team members. Sound Bites “Everybody wants Anne on their projects.” “Projects are incredibly time-consuming to set up.” “You have to do discovery on everything.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Project Management 07:48 Understanding Product vs. Project Management 13:32 The Importance of Vision and Strategy 27:21 Why Projects Fail and How to Succeed

October 28, 2024Episode 3150 min

Mentorship and Success in Software Development with Floyd May

In this conversation, Matt and Ken are joined by Floyd May, a software engineer with over 20 years of experience. They discuss Floyd's journey in software development, the challenges faced by new developers, and the importance of empathy and communication in software engineering. Floyd also shares his insights on setting up software engineers for success and the benefits of continuous deployment and mentorship. In this conversation, the host and guest discuss the importance of mentorship in software development and the benefits of a one-on-one mentorship model. They also explore the value of continuous learning, the role of communication skills in software engineering, and the significance of automated testing. The guest shares his criteria for finding apprentices and emphasizes the need for developers to pace themselves and prioritize learning. He recommends three books for software engineers: 'Refactoring' by Martin Fowler, 'Domain Driven Design' by Eric Evans, and 'The Software Architect Elevator' by Gregor Hopa. Takeaways: New developers often lack core skills like source control, design patterns, and unit testing, which can be addressed through mentorship and hands-on experience. Closing the gap between software engineers and end users requires frequent communication and continuous deployment. Understanding the problem and empathizing with the users is crucial for successful software development. The project-oriented mindset is becoming less effective, and a design-oriented approach with continuous feedback and involvement of stakeholders is more beneficial. Junior developers can benefit from a mentorship model, where they are given the opportunity to learn and grow while being supported by experienced engineers. One-on-one mentorship is highly effective in software development, allowing for personalized guidance and knowledge transfer. Continuous learning is crucial for software engineers to stay updated and improve their skills. Communication skills are essential for senior-level developers, including mentoring others and effectively communicating with clients. Automated testing is important for insulating software from bugs and reducing the need for manual testing. Developers should pace themselves and prioritize learning, building small consistent habits over time. Recommended books for software engineers: 'Refactoring' by Martin Fowler, 'Domain Driven Design' by Eric Evans, and 'The Software Architect Elevator' by Gregor Hopa. Sound Bites: "I get the most rewarding experience out of actually getting to talk to people that use the stuff that I build and interacting with them." "The only thing that I've ever seen actually be effective in closing that gap is direct one-on-one mentorship." "Continuous deployment makes it a whole lot easier to have a meaningful conversation with a user because that conversation now gets to be in the context of here's the software, you can touch it, you can interact with it, you can play with it." "I think that in general, most people learn the best when they're dealing with someone that already knows what they're doing." "I was the most successful personally when I took the time to read books, read blog articles, read documentation instead of just reaching for the code editor first thing." "You're winning if you're learning. I'll figure out how to make it profitable." Chapters: 00:00The Journey in Software Development 07:01Challenges Faced by New Developers 13:13The Importance of Empathy and Communication 17:31Setting Up Software Engineers for Success 21:41The Benefits of Continuous Deployment 24:29The Mentorship Model for Junior Developers 26:26The Importance of Continuous Learning 29:06The Significance of Automated Testing 31:28Pacing and Prioritizing Learning 43:01Recommended Books for Software Engineers

October 22, 2024Episode 3041 min

Software Engineering: Skills, Challenges, and Gamification

In this episode, hosts Kenn Williamson and Matt Lemke dive into the challenges faced by software engineers. They play engaging games like "That's True, That's Not True, and That's Ridiculous," discussing the future of agile methodology and the need for diverse skills. They also tackle "Half Baked Ideas," where they brainstorm creative yet impractical solutions for common industry problems. Join the conversation about continuous learning, efficient meetings, and the potential of gamifying the development process. Takeaways: Software engineers need to continuously learn and acquire multiple skills to stay relevant in the industry. Efficient meetings with clear agendas and time limits can help save time and increase productivity. Gamifying the development process can incentivize engineers to work on multiple projects and increase their output. The traditional college degree may become less relevant in the software engineering field, with more emphasis on practical skills and experience. Sound Bites: "Software engineers need to learn a lot of different frameworks, and languages. They need to have DevOps skills. They need to have soft skills." "Computer science degrees will be obsolete, and it's part of a larger trend moving away from college degrees in general." "One of the things that frustrates me about consulting work is slack time. So my half-baked idea is to gamify the development process." Chapters: 00:00Introduction 04:27Game: That's True, That's Not True, and That's Ridiculous 11:37Game: Half Baked Ideas

July 30, 2024Episode 2934 min

Elevating UX with Object-Oriented Design featuring Elena Haskins

Join hosts Kenn Williamson and Matt Lemke as they speak with Elena Haskins, a UX and product designer, certified OOUX strategist, and founder of Anele. Elena discusses the significance of object-oriented UX in crafting intuitive digital products, emphasizing the importance of understanding relationships between components and prioritizing functionality over aesthetics. Discover how user research and testing are crucial to creating user-centric experiences. ------ In this conversation, Elena Haskins, a UX designer, discusses the importance of object-oriented UX (OOUX) in creating intuitive and user-friendly digital products. OOUX involves thinking about the different components or entities in a system and how they relate to each other. By breaking down these relationships and mapping out the data points and actions associated with each object, designers can create a more cohesive and user-centric experience. Elena emphasizes the need for user research and testing throughout the design process to ensure that the product meets the needs and expectations of the users. She also highlights the importance of setting expectations and prioritizing functionality over aesthetics in design discussions. Takeaways; Object-oriented UX (OOUX) involves thinking about the different components or entities in a system and how they relate to each other. User research and testing are crucial in creating intuitive and user-friendly digital products. Setting expectations and prioritizing functionality over aesthetics can lead to better design outcomes. Designers should collaborate with developers throughout the design process to ensure a cohesive and efficient implementation. Sound Bites: "Object-oriented UX is like an extra spice. It's like an extra thing I add to my process to make sure that we are really thinking about how are the developers thinking about this so we can make the database at the same time." "You always have to set expectation. When you are presenting something, and this isn't just when you're doing user testing. Even if I'm talking to my own team, I'm showing anything. I'm telling you the goal of the conversation." "Research is usually the first to go. Like I've worked on so many products where I'm like, 'Do you have any research we can share or can I access your users?' And they're like, 'We just don't have time or money.' And that is gonna cause a huge hole in your wallet if you skip that." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup 06:01 Discussion on UX and Object-Oriented UX (OOUX) 10:17 Difference Between UI and UX 17:22 The UX Design Process and Object-Oriented UX (OOUX) 26:08 Shifting from Process Flow to Object Relationships 29:20 Dealing with Design Feedback and Minutiae 35:00 Conclusion and Contact Information

July 9, 2024Episode 2841 min

From Lighting to Software Development with Erich Keil

Join hosts Kenn Williamson and Matt Lemke as they chat with Erich Keil, a former live events expert turned software developer at Clever. Erich shares insights on transitioning careers, the importance of communication and collaboration in software projects, and his favorite tech stacks like Laravel and Rust. Dive into discussions about the evolving tech landscape, the trade-offs of different programming languages, and the future of Rust. Erich Keil, a former lighting and production expert in live events, discusses his transition to software development and his work at Clever, a custom software shop. He emphasizes the importance of communication and collaborative processes in software projects, as well as spending time in the problem space before jumping to solutions. Erich also talks about his favorite technology stack, which includes Laravel for web development and Rust for personal projects. He addresses the perception that PHP is on the way out and discusses the benefits of other technologies like Node and Express. The conversation covers various topics including the evolution of technology ecosystems, the trade-offs between different programming languages and frameworks, the use of dependencies in software development, and the adoption and future of the Rust programming language. The guests discuss their preferences for lightweight and customizable solutions, the benefits and challenges of interpreted and compiled languages, and the importance of memory management and type safety. They also touch on the use of TypeScript, the virtual DOM vs. direct DOM updates, and the learning curve and potential of Rust in enterprise applications. Takeaways Effective communication and collaboration are crucial in software development projects. Spending time in the problem space before jumping to solutions is important for successful project outcomes. Laravel is a preferred technology stack for web development at Clever, while Rust is Erich's choice for personal projects. PHP is still a viable option for web development, despite the perception that it is on the way out. Other technologies like Node and Express offer similar capabilities and a wide range of plugins for web development. Technology ecosystems have ebbs and flows, and while some languages and frameworks may become less popular over time, they still have their own trade-offs and advantages. The choice between interpreted and compiled languages depends on the specific use case and requirements of the project. The use of dependencies in software development should be carefully considered, weighing the benefits and costs, and prioritizing lightweight and well-maintained solutions. Rust is a powerful language that prioritizes language solidity and memory safety, making it suitable for performance-critical and memory-intensive applications. The learning curve of Rust can be steep, but it offers strong type safety and concurrency features that contribute to the development of robust and reliable software. Sound Bites "Transitioning from live events to software successfully" "Emphasizing communication and spending time in the problem space" "Favorite technology stack: Laravel and Rust" "There's always ebbs and flows of technology." "Rust is the nicest [compiled language] I've ever used." "JavaScript is supposed to be light, but you end up adding like 40-plus packages and dependencies." Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 08:33Transitioning from Live Events to Software Development 13:06The Importance of Communication and Collaboration in Software Projects 20:57Dispelling the Perception of PHP's Decline 29:26Interpreted vs. Compiled Languages: Trade-offs and Use Cases 36:29The Power and Potential of Rust 41:00The Learning Curve and Benefits of Rust

June 21, 2024Episode 2734 min

Enhancing Development with AI

Join hosts Kenn Williamson and Matt Lemke as they delve into the role of AI in development. They explore how AI automates tasks, boosts developer efficiency, and emphasizes the necessity of human discernment in problem-solving. Discover their insights on AI's impact on the job market, the rising demand for senior developers, and the importance of integrating AI as a tool for continuous learning and improvement. In this conversation, the hosts discuss the use of AI in development. They acknowledge that AI can automate mechanical tasks and make developers more efficient, but they also emphasize the importance of human discernment and critical thinking in problem-solving. They believe that AI will not replace human developers, but rather enhance their skills and push them to continuously learn and improve. The hosts also discuss the potential impact of AI on the job market, with senior developers who can effectively utilize AI being in higher demand. They highlight the need for developers to learn how to integrate AI into their projects and use it as a tool to drive insight generation. Takeaways AI can automate mechanical tasks and make developers more efficient. Human discernment and critical thinking are essential in problem-solving and cannot be replaced by AI. Senior developers who can effectively utilize AI will be in higher demand. Developers need to learn how to integrate AI into their projects and use it as a tool to drive insight generation. Sound Bites "AI is not going to replace a human being developer" "AI is going to make developers have to grow, have to get better" "AI is going to be a resource for developers to get better" Chapters 00:00Introduction and New Dad Life 03:26Using AI in Development: Automation and Efficiency 13:19The Impact of AI on the Job Market: Demand for Senior Developers 25:31Integrating AI into Development: Tools and Insight Generation 32:15The Future of AI in Development 34:04Wrap-up and Call for Feedback

June 19, 2024Episode 2640 min

Emotional Intelligence in Tech with Kristy Boone

Join hosts Kenn Williamson and Matt Lemke as they chat with Kristy Boone about business operations, software engineering, and emotional intelligence. Discover insights on trust-building, the importance of lateral communication, bottom-up feedback, and the human connection in tech. The conversation covers topics related to business operations, software engineering, emotional intelligence, and artificial intelligence. It delves into the challenges of communication, collaboration, and change management within organizations. The guest, Kristy Boone, shares insights on building trust, effective communication, and the impact of emotional intelligence on project success. The conversation also highlights the importance of lateral communication, bottom-up feedback, and the value of human connection in the tech world. Takeaways Effective communication and collaboration are essential for successful project management and change management within organizations. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in building trust, improving communication, and fostering a positive work environment. Lateral communication and bottom-up feedback are crucial for ensuring that all stakeholders are heard and valued within an organization. The value of human connection and community building in the tech world cannot be understated, and it contributes to improved efficiency and productivity. Integrating AI tools and technology can streamline processes and enhance the overall customer experience, but it requires careful consideration and effective communication with all stakeholders. Sound Bites "Talent's relative, you know, in a lot of ways when you have a great project, right? When you have a great outline, when you're able to execute, but emotional intelligence plays a huge part in that." "More often than not, it comes down to the people side, you know, more than anything." "You don't feel heard and you don't feel seen. You don't feel valued." Chapters 00:00Introduction and Summer Maintenance Challenges 03:32The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Business Operations 12:00The Impact of Effective Communication on Project Success Want to connect with Kristy Boone or book her services? Find her here: Website: Premium Impact LinkedIn: KristyKBoone Facebook: KristyKBoone The Tabb Agency: Kristy K Boone

June 7, 2024Episode 2527 min

Navigating Data Compliance to Protect What Matters

Seqtek discusses various topics related to technology services. The conversation covers data compliance, data architecture, data management, legacy code integration, agile development, data analysis, error remediation, working with internal dev teams, and the importance of a product owner. Keywords technology services, data compliance, data architecture, data management, legacy code integration, agile development, data analysis, error remediation, internal dev teams, product owner Takeaways Data compliance is a challenging issue for businesses, and it's important to find technology partners with expertise in this area. Understanding data architecture and management is crucial for utilizing AI, ML, and other data analytics processes. Legacy code integration can be done with modern software development practices to update applications while maintaining core functionality. Agile development with regular product demos helps show progress and involve stakeholders in the process. Data analysis can provide valuable insights for businesses, and error remediation can be automated to reduce human mistakes. Working with internal dev teams and having a product owner are essential for successful software projects. Sound Bites Does your business have a lot of data that's unstructured and normalized? Contact us, SeqTek. Tailor your data strategy to fit your business. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Copy Reading Struggles 06:10Integrating Legacy Code with Modern Practices 12:04Analyzing Data for Valuable Insights

May 23, 2024Episode 2438 min

The Scrum Master Journey with Jason Knight

In this episode of the SEQTEK podcast, host Ken Williamson interviews Jason Knight, an IT project manager and former Scrum Master. They discuss Jason's IT journey, the role of a Scrum Master, the value proposition of having a dedicated Scrum Master, and the challenges of transitioning from a developer to a Scrum Master. They also touch on the current debate about the effectiveness of Agile and Scrum, and the shift from project to product management. Takeaways The role of a Scrum Master is to protect the focus of the development team and ensure they can deliver high-quality work Having a dedicated Scrum Master is valuable because they have the knowledge and experience to guide the team in following the Scrum framework The transition from a developer to a Scrum Master can be challenging, as it requires a shift in focus and responsibilities The effectiveness of Agile and Scrum is often questioned due to poor implementation and over-reliance on form rather than outcomes The shift from project to product management involves focusing on outcomes and placing bets to achieve desired results Balancing the demand and supply of work in product development requires portfolio management and a coherent method for prioritizing and allocating resources Sound Bites "You need a Scrum Master for the same reason you would need a sheepdog." "Transitioning from a role defined by attention to one kind of defined by intention." "The need for rapid learning cycles and iterative development of products is only increasing." Chapters 00:00Introduction and IT Journey 07:11The Role of a Scrum Master 24:45The Debate on Agile and Scrum 32:12The Shift from Project to Product Management 35:10Balancing Demand and Supply in Product Development 38:13Closing Remarks