In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we have the pleasure of hosting Mohammad Bahareth, an award-winning business consultant and entrepreneur from Saudi Arabia. Mohammad shares his personal journey, including his challenges with dyslexia and ADHD, and how they shaped his path to becoming a successful entrepreneur. His story is one of resilience, passion, and continuous learning, with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs across the MENA region and beyond.

Mohammad discusses his early work experiences, starting in the hospitality industry, before venturing into various fields, including public relations and eventually entrepreneurship. His diverse career path has helped him accumulate a wealth of knowledge, which he now uses to advise and support other entrepreneurs. A key theme throughout the episode is Mohammad’s belief in lifelong learning and the importance of adapting to new opportunities, even in the face of obstacles.

Mohammad talks about the value of structure in setting and achieving goals, highlighting his own framework, the “Goal Model Canvas,” which helps individuals break down their annual, monthly, and weekly goals to stay on track. He emphasizes the importance of curiosity, passion, and problem-solving in entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for anyone looking to carve out a successful path in business.

The episode also explores Mohammad’s views on technology and innovation, particularly his insights on e-learning and the future of education in the MENA region. He expresses the need for more tailored approaches to innovation in education technology, and his frustration with the “copy-paste” syndrome, where successful models from other markets are simply replicated without adapting them to the region’s unique needs.

Mohammad closes the conversation by encouraging entrepreneurs to focus on passion rather than money, advising them to solve real problems, do thorough research, and build strong teams.

More about Mohammad:

Mohammad Bahareth was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, he encountered a significant

challenge early on – dyslexia. Despite facing skepticism from teachers and doctors who

doubted my potential, he embarked on a remarkable journey of overcoming adversity. His

childhood was marked by a determination to prove that miracles could happen, starting at the

age of 11 when he defied expectations, excelling in school and earning a memorable reward – a

trip to NASA. This experience ignited the spark for my uncharted odyssey.

Bahareth’s passion extends to authoring over 50 books in two languages, including the globally

acclaimed Sherlock Holmes 2012 series. Through his literary pursuits and articles in Inc. Arabia,

he delves into entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation, bridging the gap between theory

and practice.

As a fervent advocate for dyslexia awareness, he shares his personal journey to inspire and

educate, championing neurodiversity as a catalyst for innovation. His efforts have been

recognized by Forbes Middle East, the Wagensberg Award, the Jeddah Award, and the Prestige

Awards, affirming my impact in both business and literary fields.

Media Presence and Publicity:

Websites: MohammadBahareth.com

Social Handles:

twitter.com/mbahareth

facebook.com/mbahareth

instagram.com/mbahareth

tiktook.com/@mbahareth

snapchat.com/add/mbahareth

https://www.youtube.com/@mbahareth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammadbahareth/

https://t.me/mohammadbahareth

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Tammy Klotz, a cybersecurity veteran and CISO with over 30 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity. Tammy shares her journey, starting in infrastructure roles and moving into cybersecurity leadership, currently holding her third CISO role in the manufacturing industry. She emphasizes the importance of translating cybersecurity risks into business risks and how this communication is vital for effective leadership.

Tammy discusses the high-pressure nature of cybersecurity, reflecting on a recent global incident involving CrowdStrike. She outlines her leadership techniques for managing stressful situations, such as organizing teams into structured workstreams and maintaining clarity of roles. Tammy also highlights the critical role of empathy in leadership, particularly during crisis situations, and how maintaining a calm, composed, and inclusive environment allows teams to perform at their best.

The conversation touches on how Tammy integrates empathy and grace into her leadership style, focusing on active listening, creating inclusive discussions, and ensuring that every team member’s input is valued. She stresses the importance of trust and respect in building high-performing teams and how these values help in retaining top talent. Additionally, Tammy reflects on her approach to hiring in cybersecurity, noting that while technical skills are important, passion and a willingness to learn often outweigh strict qualifications.

Tammy also discusses the evolving cybersecurity landscape, especially in the AI era, and how CISOs must stay updated on the latest trends while balancing innovation with security. She explains the importance of not being the ‘office of no,’ but instead fostering a partnership with business leaders to implement secure solutions that drive productivity.

Finally, Tammy shares her thoughts on work-life balance in the cybersecurity industry, especially for those in leadership positions. She highlights the need for self-awareness and setting boundaries to maintain personal well-being while managing the demands of a cybersecurity role. Tammy wraps up by inviting listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her book, Leading with Empathy and Grace, available on Amazon.

About Tammy:

Tammy Klotz is a highly accomplished cybersecurity executive leader with over 30 years of experience in the field. Here are a few highlights about her:

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Awarded the 2022 "Covanta Leadership Award" and named a Top 100 CISO by Cyber Defense Magazine in 2023

Author of the book "Leading with Empathy & Grace"

Expertise in building high-performing teams, embracing empathy and grace in the corporate world, and developing resilience as a single mother, daughter, and partner.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyklotz

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:13 Tammy Klotz's Professional Journey

03:00 Why Cybersecurity?

08:00 Handling High-Stress Situations

13:16 Empathy and Leadership

17:19 Hiring and Retaining Talent

22:39 Balancing Innovation and Security

27:55 Privacy, Regulations, and Ethical Considerations

35:36 Work-Life Balance in Cybersecurity

40:11 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive deep into the future of e-commerce with Dan Brownsher, CEO of Channel Key. Dan brings over a decade of experience in building and scaling e-commerce businesses, particularly on the Amazon platform. He shares his journey from founding a private label business to leading an Amazon-focused agency that manages over half a billion dollars in retail revenue annually.

Dan offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of e-commerce, emphasizing the growing importance of AI in optimizing various business processes. He discusses how AI tools are revolutionizing tasks like content creation, graphic design, and personalization, helping brands stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. Dan also highlights Amazon’s Demand-Side Platform (DSP), explaining how it allows sellers and advertisers to leverage Amazon’s vast data to target specific audiences, improving ad effectiveness and scaling brands.

The conversation also covers the challenges of building a brand exclusively on Amazon, the importance of owning intellectual property, and how businesses need to think beyond Amazon by developing a strong multi-channel presence. Dan stresses the value of advertising, brand-building, and customer acquisition strategies for long-term success. He also touches on the benefits of managing a fully remote workforce, sharing his approach to fostering culture and productivity through transparent communication and regular team engagement.

For aspiring e-commerce entrepreneurs, Dan offers practical advice on navigating the complexities of starting a business on Amazon, managing cash flow, and scaling sustainably. He concludes by sharing his thoughts on the future of e-commerce and how businesses can prepare for emerging trends like AI-driven search and personalized shopping experiences.

More about Dan:

Dan Brownsher is a national thought leader in Amazon retail strategy and emerging e-commerce trends. He is a commentator on Amazon practices, policies, and technologies as well as a sought-after opinion source for media, quoted by Bloomberg, Forbes, MSN.com, LA Times, Reuters and key specialist trade and business media outlets across the country.

Brownsher has spoken on panels, at tradeshows, conferences and industry think tanks and is President, CEO and Co-Founder of Channel Key, advising everyone from multi-million-dollar corporations to fast-paced entrepreneurial start-ups on how to navigate the complex landscape of Amazon retail, and the broader world of e-commerce in general.

https://channelkey.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-brownsher/

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:05 Dan Brownsher's Background and Business Overview

03:34 Evolution of Amazon Business

06:59 Challenges and Strategies in Amazon Selling

16:22 Importance of Advertising on Amazon

17:24 Amazon DSP Explained

23:31 The Importance of Starting Your Business

25:13 Challenges of Selling on Amazon

27:11 Scaling Your Business Effectively

29:02 Managing Remote Teams

37:07 The Role of AI in E-commerce

41:33 Final Thoughts and Contact Information