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Think Like a CTO
An effective Chief Technology Officer shapes almost every aspect of a modern business. This book shares the experience and advice of veteran CTOs and industry experts for handling IT crises, leading tech teams, and creating an inspiring vision for your company.
In Think Like a CTO you will
Becoming a CTO is an incredible accomplishment. It’s also one of the hardest transitions a technologist can make. This high-power and high-pressure role demands skills that are rarely developed as a software engineer. Think Like a CTO shines a light on all the areas an aspiring CTO needs to master to succeed. You’ll learn how to build incredible working relationships with the rest of the C-suite, transform a company with private equity, and recruit and manage your development team. With this book as your guide, you’ll quickly become a trusted leader figure with an inspiring vision for your company.
Foreword by Ankit Mathur.
Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.
About the technology
The Chief Technology Officer balances business needs with the constantly evolving world of technology. Think Like a CTO helps you develop the skills and mindset you need to take on this critical role and emerge as a successful leader. Packed with insights from industry experts and veteran CTOs, this book shares practical strategies for navigating the high-stakes world of technology leadership.
About the book
Think Like a CTO shares hard-won lessons on how to thrive in the fast-paced role of Chief Technology Officer. Inside, you’ll learn to establish successful technology platforms and teams, with practical frameworks for software selection and implementation, bias-free interviews and performance reviews, and earning your place at the table with other senior leaders. You’ll appreciate the no-nonsense advice, insights, and war stories from CTO mentor Alan Williamson.
What's inside
About the reader
For technology leaders working in or aspiring towards a CTO role.
About the author
Alan Williamson has advised numerous CTOs who were catapulted into the big leagues by private equity investment, acquisition, and rapid growth.
Table of Contents
1 The Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
2 Managing up
3 Visionary planning
4 Building a team
5 Interviewing, choosing, and onboarding
6 Team management
7 Annual reviews
8 Technology decisions
9 Development
10 Contract management
11 Documentation
12 Security
13 Housekeeping
14 Company growth
15 You, Inc.
In Think Like a CTO you will
Becoming a CTO is an incredible accomplishment. It’s also one of the hardest transitions a technologist can make. This high-power and high-pressure role demands skills that are rarely developed as a software engineer. Think Like a CTO shines a light on all the areas an aspiring CTO needs to master to succeed. You’ll learn how to build incredible working relationships with the rest of the C-suite, transform a company with private equity, and recruit and manage your development team. With this book as your guide, you’ll quickly become a trusted leader figure with an inspiring vision for your company.
Foreword by Ankit Mathur.
Purchase of the print book includes a free eBook in PDF, Kindle, and ePub formats from Manning Publications.
About the technology
The Chief Technology Officer balances business needs with the constantly evolving world of technology. Think Like a CTO helps you develop the skills and mindset you need to take on this critical role and emerge as a successful leader. Packed with insights from industry experts and veteran CTOs, this book shares practical strategies for navigating the high-stakes world of technology leadership.
About the book
Think Like a CTO shares hard-won lessons on how to thrive in the fast-paced role of Chief Technology Officer. Inside, you’ll learn to establish successful technology platforms and teams, with practical frameworks for software selection and implementation, bias-free interviews and performance reviews, and earning your place at the table with other senior leaders. You’ll appreciate the no-nonsense advice, insights, and war stories from CTO mentor Alan Williamson.
What's inside
About the reader
For technology leaders working in or aspiring towards a CTO role.
About the author
Alan Williamson has advised numerous CTOs who were catapulted into the big leagues by private equity investment, acquisition, and rapid growth.
Table of Contents
1 The Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
2 Managing up
3 Visionary planning
4 Building a team
5 Interviewing, choosing, and onboarding
6 Team management
7 Annual reviews
8 Technology decisions
9 Development
10 Contract management
11 Documentation
12 Security
13 Housekeeping
14 Company growth
15 You, Inc.
320 pages, Paperback
Published April 11, 2023
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 31, 2023
The CTO role is not standard among companies and can differ from a person directly involving in the technical implementations (the tactics) or a more strategic and high-level.
This book is about the second, and I think this is OK. And the strategic role had not a proper book. This is it. There were books about engineering manager or about technical leading, but a CTO has to be involved in more tasks, a lot of them are really strategic decisions than can change the route and can decide the success or failure of the entire organization.
This book review all this important decisions and roles and I think is a needed lecture for anyone that want this role in the future and also for anyone that wanna understand "what is the job of my CTO"
This book is about the second, and I think this is OK. And the strategic role had not a proper book. This is it. There were books about engineering manager or about technical leading, but a CTO has to be involved in more tasks, a lot of them are really strategic decisions than can change the route and can decide the success or failure of the entire organization.
This book review all this important decisions and roles and I think is a needed lecture for anyone that want this role in the future and also for anyone that wanna understand "what is the job of my CTO"
March 20, 2024
This is one of those those that makes you go "Oh this could have been a blog post". To be fair, the fact that the author attempted to take on this very vast subject is commendable. The book itself is not bad - it could act like a good refresher to memory about everything a CTO (or a senior technologist) needs to know and do. However, there is no fixed definition for a CTO - it depends on the size of the company, the type of business, the stability of the company, and a dozen different factors.
I don't think one can learn to "think like a CTO", there are no particular tricks or courses. It only about how one can apply what they have learnt to their new role as a CTO. Sometimes it leads to success, sometimes not so much.
I don't think one can learn to "think like a CTO", there are no particular tricks or courses. It only about how one can apply what they have learnt to their new role as a CTO. Sometimes it leads to success, sometimes not so much.
October 1, 2023
This book is a treasure trove of insights, strategies, and practical advice that will empower you to navigate the complex landscape of technology leadership with confidence and clarity. Whether you're a seasoned CTO or just starting on your journey, "Think Like a CTO" is your roadmap to success. 🗺️
If you're serious about taking your leadership skills to the next level and making a significant impact in the tech world, I highly recommend grabbing your own copy of "Think Like a CTO" today. 🚀
If you're serious about taking your leadership skills to the next level and making a significant impact in the tech world, I highly recommend grabbing your own copy of "Think Like a CTO" today. 🚀
May 9, 2023
This book is a highly insightful and practical guide that delves into the crucial role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in today's business landscape. One of the book's key strengths lies in its comprehensive coverage of various aspects of the CTO role. From building, managing, reviewing a team to visionary planning and making decisions.
May 18, 2024
This book not only helps those aspiring to be a CTO but those aspiring to be a CEO of a Tech Company. It is pretty comprehensive in terms of the key points involved in running the operations for a tech company or an IT department of any company.
The author hints at many subjects that can be further researched from other material but its a really good lay of the land.
The author hints at many subjects that can be further researched from other material but its a really good lay of the land.
March 28, 2024
Personally found this very informative, as someone considering taking the steps to towards becoming CTO at my company I had a lot of questions that I did not know I had, this book helped me a lot with that.
The early chapters give nice details on what the general description of the role is and while not all of it would be directly applicable to me, the information itself was more than valuable enough for me to make what I feel is an informed decision, I was able to very confidently speak to my leader about taking the necessary steps and could confidently state I would be good at it.
The early chapters give nice details on what the general description of the role is and while not all of it would be directly applicable to me, the information itself was more than valuable enough for me to make what I feel is an informed decision, I was able to very confidently speak to my leader about taking the necessary steps and could confidently state I would be good at it.
January 25, 2023
Useful guidance
May 4, 2023
Best book on this topic so far. Hits all the key challenges a CTO could face, especially in a startup
November 25, 2023
Interesting book for people in tech management positions. Not only for CTOs, but VPs, Directors, etc.
Offers a lot of practical advice, based on real life experience.
Offers a lot of practical advice, based on real life experience.
January 14, 2024
Contains a lot of what a CTO faces every day. A good read indeed
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews