100
not 90.
“I've pushed the tried-and-tested plan up 10 days because there is an emotional connection to that number.”
Introduction, p. ix
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Lead as a first-class citizen of the C-suite.
As chief innovator and problem solver, the CTO's value far exceeds technology skills. The CTO must lead as a highly visible, first-class citizen of the C-suite. Still, many technology experts operate in a reactive, support-oriented style, struggling to command respect or assert influence—let alone executive presence.
From the back cover
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“If your goal is to be a world-class CTO, read this. If not, move along. …”
“Etienne is my go-to CTO coach for any SaaS founder and CEO. He is unconventional and brilliant. CTO Excellence in 100 Days is the gateway to his mind and a blueprint for any company's CTO.”
“Etienne truly understands the role of CTO, which is why it doesn't surprise me that he wrote CTO Excellence in 100 Days. Every time we talk, his love for people and his craft shines through. As a fellow geek who has had to navigate the world of leadership, I recommend every technical leader have this book on their bookshelf.”
Praise for the book
04 / 10
Ten days at a time
| Days | Chapter | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | Learn the Business Goals and Objectives · read it | p. 59 |
| Days 11–20 | Learn to Socialize | p. 67 |
| Days 21–30 | Set Goals | p. 79 |
| Days 31–40 | Relate Personal Values to Company Goals | p. 91 |
| Days 41–50 | Understand Company Dynamics | p. 105 |
| Days 51–60 | Use Flowcharts and Documentation | p. 123 |
| Days 61–70 | Learn to Improvise | p. 143 |
| Days 71–80 | Maintain Trusting Relationships | p. 153 |
| Days 81–90 | Create “What If” Scenarios | p. 163 |
| Days 91–100 | Understand What Is Truly Important to Stakeholders | p. 171 |
Part two, 100 Days by the Tens, p. 53
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Before day 1
Part one, Before the Job, Build a Personal Foundation, p. 1
- 1Find Yourself in the RoleKnowing what you want from a CTO role and the value that you bring to the company in that role.
- 2Build Your Business NetworkThe best ways to find CTO opportunities, and the idea that being helpful is the key to growing your network.
- 3Nail the InterviewThe nitty-gritty of the interview process. It can be cumbersome, so be patient and trust the process.
- 4Build a Collaborative PartnershipEase into your role as CTO by resisting the urge to hit the ground sprinting.
After day 100
Part three, Knowing the Ropes and Moving Forward, p. 179
- 16Work with OthersMeetings and cross-functional initiatives that contradict your meticulous planning for technology inside the company.
- 17Consider the Role of FailureA long, hard look at dealing with failure, feedback and conflict.
- 18Make a Great CTOThe book ends with the encouragement to never stop learning.
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Learn the business goals and objectives
Why does the company want to use the technology you've been hired to fix anyway? Understanding the business goals and objectives will answer this question for you.
- 1–10Learn the Business Goals and Objectivesp. 59
- 11–20Learn to Socializep. 67
- 21–30Set Goalsp. 79
- 31–40Relate Personal Values to Company Goalsp. 91
- 41–50Understand Company Dynamicsp. 105
- 51–60Use Flowcharts and Documentationp. 123
- 61–70Learn to Improvisep. 143
- 71–80Maintain Trusting Relationshipsp. 153
- 81–90Create “What If” Scenariosp. 163
- 91–100Understand What Is Truly Important to Stakeholdersp. 171
Chapter 6, Days 1–10, p. 59
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Keep your CTO journal
Every ten days in the book ends with journal exercises. CTO Notebook has them all, knows which day you're on and asks you that day's questions.
- Which subsets of each tool work best for each team?
- Make a list of projects that are currently running, and list ways you could immerse yourself in the work that’s already being done.
- Try the product and look at customer reviews critically. Note your findings.
- Record how the company is organized; who is in charge of what, outside and inside their official titles; and anything you see that needs to be changed.
From chapter 6. Every ten days in the book has its own.
ctonotebook.com · free
08 / 10
Etienne de Bruin
Etienne de Bruin has served in chief technology officer roles for over twenty years. He is the founder of 7CTOs, a peer group community for CTOs with more than three hundred members worldwide. He is the co-creator of Ekklesia360 Content Management System, which was sold to Ministry Brands in 2015. He coaches C-suites of multimillion-dollar tech companies.
More about Etienne
About the Author, p. 229
09 / 10
Start your 100 days
Keep the book's journal in CTO Notebook. It's free, and it knows which day you're on.
10 / 10