Hi, everyone! I'm a recent-transitioned CTO, and I feel I lack a lot of business background when discussing with others C-Level. Is there a way (books, courses or even College material) to help improving this gap?
Thanks!
Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
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Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#2Paul Graham has some great essays on business / startups:
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#3This site is teeming with book recommendations.
Here is the all-time top of the Business category: https://hacker-recommended-books.vercel.app/category/7/all-t...
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#4You could (should?) ask others in your company at the C-Level to give you a high level briefing on what they work on, and how they think about their work. They may also have favored books, materials etc.
Coming from a technical background where you've likely had to understand and work on complex structures, I think you're well positioned to understand the structures in your organization.
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#5Crossing the Chasm is a must read. The Challenger Sale too. Among the other references in sibling comments
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#6I think getting basics of accounts/finance will go a long way. Being able to read a balance sheet/profit & loss statement/cashflow statements will help you understand the health of business.
Next I would say, reading up on basic marketing/consumer psychology will help develop/acquire product and sell it.
Since you mentioned being CTO, I am assume you have development/programming background. This series [1] is good read targetted to developers who want learn a bit of accounting and finance.
[1] https://www.moderntreasury.com/journal/accounting-for-develo...
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#7This book is an easy-to-read and short reference for all of the financial jargon / skills you'll need to know: https://financialintelligencebook.com/. Worth it to read and to be able to reference quickly. (Covers cashflow, balance sheet, working capital, etc)
Agree with others here that working with someone else at the C-level to help you come up with your own small curriculum would be great, even if they don't need to teach you themselves.
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#8Hi! Could you give an example or be a bit more specific? What kind of things are you struggling with?
Is it certain topics or business lingo?
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#9CFA offers a free foundations certification. That should cover basic finance.
On a side note, your company/HR should have an executive education plan. They should be able to recommend the materials or courses to help you learn what they want you to. If not, they probably should start something like that.
Re: Ask HN: How to learn business being a software engineer?
#10Ray Dalio — How the economic machine works, Principles, etc.
Jim Collins — Good to great