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Alpha Trials

Technology Podcasts

Welcome to the Alpha Trials Podcast, the go-to resource for new tech managers who want to evolve and become more effective leaders. Our host, Alex Kuzmuk, is a seasoned Senior Technical Program Manager at one of the biggest tech companies in the world. This podcast is all about sharing efficient techniques, best practices, and stories from other successful tech managers. We believe that everyone can learn something new and valuable from the experiences of others, no matter where they are in their management journey. If you're a new tech manager, you'll find plenty of useful insights and practical tips to help you navigate your new role with confidence. We know that the transition from engineer to tech manager can be challenging, so we're here to support you every step of the way. And if you're a seasoned manager, you'll still find plenty of value in our podcast. Also, you can contribute to the podcast joining as a guest. So, whether you're looking to level up your management skills, learn from others' experiences, or just stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices, the Alpha Trials Podcast has something for everyone. Tune in now and join the conversation!

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Location:

United States

Description:

Welcome to the Alpha Trials Podcast, the go-to resource for new tech managers who want to evolve and become more effective leaders. Our host, Alex Kuzmuk, is a seasoned Senior Technical Program Manager at one of the biggest tech companies in the world. This podcast is all about sharing efficient techniques, best practices, and stories from other successful tech managers. We believe that everyone can learn something new and valuable from the experiences of others, no matter where they are in their management journey. If you're a new tech manager, you'll find plenty of useful insights and practical tips to help you navigate your new role with confidence. We know that the transition from engineer to tech manager can be challenging, so we're here to support you every step of the way. And if you're a seasoned manager, you'll still find plenty of value in our podcast. Also, you can contribute to the podcast joining as a guest. So, whether you're looking to level up your management skills, learn from others' experiences, or just stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices, the Alpha Trials Podcast has something for everyone. Tune in now and join the conversation!

Language:

English

Episodes

Kreslav Babanin: How to deliver results and protect own team at the same time

5/30/2023
Finding the balance between urgent business needs and mental health in the team is not a trivial task. It takes a while before the new manager calibrates. And during this process you might make multiple typical mistakes. In this episode you will learn how to avoid mistakes and find the balance fast. To talk about these topics I’ve invited Kreslav Babanin, Software Development Manager at Amazon. Kreslav comes from a mixed educational background, combining technical and managerial formal education, holding a Masters Science degree in Computer Science and an MBA in Managerial Communications. My guest has over than 10 years of experience working in software engineering as an agile leader, full stack web developer and recently became people manager. At this podcast, Kreslav will join me to share insights into his journey as a new manager, the mistakes he made and lessons he learned. Tune in now and join the conversation! If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to email them to address alphatrials@kuzmuk.com.

Duration:00:36:44

The superpower of working backwards approach

5/22/2023
In this episode you will learn what it means to work backwards. This is a very powerful technique which can streamline your projects, improve efficiency and superpower you as a tech manager. You will understand key benefits and limitations of this approach. There are many cases where you can use this tool, but also there are some cases where this tool won’t work. Also, we will review multiple examples to see how to use this approach in the real world. In this episode we will discover the nature of working backwards. This approach is famous as one of the key success factors of Amazon. Colin Bryar and Bill Carr even wrote a book about it. Tune in now and join the conversation! If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to email them to address alphatrials@kuzmuk.com.

Duration:00:14:38

How to build alignment with your teams

5/15/2023
In this Episode you will learn about alignment, how to identify misalignment, and how to build alignment with your teams. Also you will learn how to maintain alignment later on. What is misalignment? And what is alignment? And how can we build alignment? You will find answers in these questions in this Episode. Alignment is when everyone understands the final goal of a program and their role in achieving it. To build alignment, it is essential to eliminate ambiguity, define responsibilities, set deadlines, identify risks, allocate resources, prioritize tasks, and manage expectations. Misalignment occurs due to changes in the program, lack of communication, and personnel changes. The best checkpoints to ensure alignment are joining a program and approaching major milestones. Communication and documentation are key to achieving alignment. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to email them to address alphatrials@kuzmuk.com.

Duration:00:13:02