Unveiling the "Golden Rule of Agile."

Our special guest was Larry Apke, author of Apke's Golden Rule of Agile: A Focus On Value Delivery.

What is the Apke’s Golden Rule of Agile, you ask? It's a simple yet powerful principle that emphasizes delivering optimal value to customers in the shortest possible time. Drawing inspiration from the universal "Golden Rule," Apke's rule focuses on three crucial elements: the customer, the value, and time. Larry will also elaborate on why he’s become an evangelist for the VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) approach to agility.

During our podcast discussion, Larry discusses:

• The genesis of the Golden Rule of Agile
• How this rule revolutionizes Agile practices
• Practical applications in backlog management and estimation
• The potential impact on Agile teams and their success

A special thanks to Softec, and all of our sponsors for making this episode possible.

Me-To-We: The Shift Every Business Leader Must Make for Lasting Success is available at: https://amzn.to/3TXyt55

Our podcast page is at: https://rss.com/podcasts/techreads and is available on all the major podcast directories. Tech Reads is sponsored by Softec (https://softec.org) and hosted by Brian Schwartz (https://selfpublish.org) and friends.

We are extremely grateful to Michael Gunther (https://www.collaboration-llc.com/) who shared his perspectives on what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur and make the shift from 'Me' to 'We.'

Now available at https://amzn.to/44GLDWE. In this episode of Tech Reads, we discuss Tom Kemp's new book which exposes the consequences of Big Tech's digital surveillance, exploitative use of AI, and monopolistic and anticompetitive practices. Tom offers actionable solutions to these problems and a clear path forward for individuals and policymakers to advocate for change. By containing the excesses of Big Tech, we will ensure our civil rights are respected and preserved, our economy is competitive, and our democracy is protected. Coming from an extensive background building Silicon Valley-based tech startups, Tom Kemp eloquently and precisely weaves together the threats posed by Big Tech:

• the overcollection and weaponization of our most sensitive data

• the problematic ways Big Tech uses AI to process and act upon our data

• the stifling of competition and entrepreneurship due to Big Tech's dominant market position

LINKS:

1. Containing Big Tech: How to Protect Our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy

2. Softec.org

3. Tom Kemp (Guest)

4. Brian Schwartz (Host)

5. Bob Dumouchel (Co-host)

Neil's Book: https://amzn.to/46bzKJe. After one too many failed presentations, Neil Thompson, an engineer, knew he had to improve. He did so, and now he works with technical professionals like himself to improve their communication skills. He hosts the "Teach the Geek" podcast, interviewing technical professionals about their public speaking journeys. He is also the author of "Teach the Geek to Speak: a No-Fluff Public Speaking Guide for STEM Professionals." Connect with Neil at https://teachthegeek.com/ Tech Reads is sponsored by Softec. Learn more at https://softec.org

Dr. Paul G. Stoltz has built an impressive life’s work and career as a multi-national bestselling author, speaker, coach, and corporate trainer. He's the CEO of PEAK Learning, a global firm that teaches individuals and organizations how to engineer resilience and thrive on adversity. Over 40 years ago, Paul discovered that like IQ, each of us has an AQ (Adversity Quotient) number. Now widely referenced, Paul was the first to coin the term 'AQ,' ushering a new word into our lexicon. We can't improve what we can't measure and Paul's mission is to show each of us that we have an AQ number, and once we know it, we can work to improve it. Having a 'growth mindset' (as compared to a limited mindset) is key to reaching our potential and AQ gives us an objective metric to avoid falling into the comparison trap.Improving your AQ is accomplished through his honed AQ Tools and GRIT, the title of a subsequent bestseller for Paul. Rather than recoil and retract, those with grit persevere and overcome - building strength to face greater challenges ahead. Check out GRIT: The New Science of What it Takes to Persevere, Flourish, Succeed and Paul's website. Softec website. Host's website: https://selfpublish.org

The science of effective communication using the agile method. This is a replay of our 'live studio audience' podcast with the authors of 'Agile Conversations: Transform Your Conversations, Transform Your Culture.' Learn about applying the concept of agile practices in an unconventional way: to transform how we communicate with one another. Free book preview at: https://amzn.to/3GxJhPO

Author Bios: Douglas Squirrel​ (UK) has been coding for 40+ years. He's worked in fintech, biotech, music, and everything in between. His co-author, Jeffrey Fredrick (California) is an internationally recognized expert in software development and has over twenty-five years of experience covering both sides of the business/technology divide. He was an early adopter of XP and Agile and is considered a pioneer in the open-source movement.

Learn more about Douglas & Jeffrey at https://agileconversations.com

Visit Softec at https://softec.org

Connect with the Tech Reads host, Brian Schwartz at https://selfpublish.org

Are we heading into dystopia or utopia?

In this episode of Tech Reads, we set out on a near-future adventure with futurist Lee Schneider (Santa Monica, CA) to discuss a future described in his science fiction novel Surrender. We will also chat about his 30-year career in entertainment. Joining us will be a special guest Bill Froehlich who was the director, producer, and showrunner of several big TV hits from the 80s. We'll discuss the impact entertainment has had on our culture and what it means for our future.

About the Author: Lee Schneider is a novelist, screenwriter, podcaster, and father. He has a 30-year career in media, writing and producing for Good Morning America, Dateline NBC, Discovery, History, TLC, and CourtTV, and Travel Channel.