Call —
Transcript batch
0:00 Caller: Hello?
0:00 You: Hello?
0:02 Caller: Hey, Jed?
0:02 You: Hey, Jed?
0:04 Caller: Yes.
0:04 You: Yes.
0:05 Caller: Hey Jed, my name is George Wilson.
0:05 You: Hey Jed, my name is George Wilson.
0:08 Caller: I'm calling here from Stott-on-May.
0:08 You: I'm calling here from Stott-on-May.
0:10 Caller: I saw your profile today and thought to reach out to see if you're looking for any new opportunities.
0:10 You: I saw your profile today and thought to reach out to see if you're looking for any new opportunities.
0:14 Caller: Well, I'd love to know what you had in mind.
0:14 You: Well, I'd love to know what you had in mind.
0:17 Caller: Yeah, I've got a research slash data engineering opportunity for a startup here in New York.
0:17 You: Yeah, I've got a research slash data engineering opportunity for a startup here in New York.
0:24 Caller: Okay.
0:24 You: Okay.
0:26 Caller: Are you looking for data engineering roles or?
0:26 You: Are you looking for data engineering roles or?
0:29 Caller: The title is not as relevant as it used to be, so I'm kind of curious what the problem the role was meant to solve is.
0:29 You: The title is not as relevant as it used to be, so I'm kind of curious what the problem the role was meant to solve is.
0:37 Caller: Okay, okay.
0:37 You: Okay, okay.
0:38 Caller: And the first time I'm speaking here is Jed Arden, and you currently work at Roe, right?
0:38 You: And the first time I'm speaking here is Jed Arden, and you currently work at Roe, right?
0:43 Caller: Correct.
0:43 You: Correct.
0:44 Caller: Yeah, nice, nice.
0:44 You: Yeah, nice, nice.
0:46 Caller: So yeah, so what I've actually got, it's a company called AIVC,
0:46 You: So yeah, so what I've actually got, it's a company called AIVC,
0:50 Caller: and they're at the intersection of four pillars in the VC world.
0:50 You: and they're at the intersection of four pillars in the VC world.
0:55 Caller: One of them is on the platform, so you're going to be doing to be,
0:55 You: One of them is on the platform, so you're going to be doing to be,
0:59 Caller: building actually on their platform directly.
0:59 You: building actually on their platform directly.
1:01 Caller: One of them is going to be working directly with enterprise
1:01 You: One of them is going to be working directly with enterprise
1:05 Caller: AI transformation, so a bit more on that sort of consulting element.
1:05 You: AI transformation, so a bit more on that sort of consulting element.
1:08 Caller: And then they have their build side, which is actually a studio that spins
1:08 You: And then they have their build side, which is actually a studio that spins
1:13 Caller: patterns, part of the VC firm.
1:13 You: patterns, part of the VC firm.
1:15 Caller: So you've got the ability to not only work at a company, but you've also got the ability
1:15 You: So you've got the ability to not only work at a company, but you've also got the ability
1:20 Caller: to work with many different startups and see startups go from zero to one and exit
1:20 You: to work with many different startups and see startups go from zero to one and exit
1:25 Caller: with that company.
1:25 You: with that company.
1:26 Caller: And then you get a carry in whatever the company made.
1:26 You: And then you get a carry in whatever the company made.
1:28 Caller: cut the company makes, you'll also get equity, you'll get bonuses and salary paid.
1:28 You: cut the company makes, you'll also get equity, you'll get bonuses and salary paid.
1:33 Caller: How does the carry work?
1:33 You: How does the carry work?
1:36 Caller: Because I thought this was a VC firm, so they don't do carry, unless it's actually a P.
1:36 You: Because I thought this was a VC firm, so they don't do carry, unless it's actually a P.
1:41 Caller: Yeah.
1:41 You: Yeah.
1:42 Caller: Yeah, so it is more of a P.E.
1:42 You: Yeah, so it is more of a P.E.
1:45 Caller: They work with P.E.
1:45 You: They work with P.E.
1:46 Caller: And a lot of the P.E.
1:46 You: And a lot of the P.E.
1:49 Caller: work is literally set in carry.
1:49 You: work is literally set in carry.
1:51 Caller: So I know you might think one of their companies might be successful out of five.
1:51 You: So I know you might think one of their companies might be successful out of five.
1:56 Caller: if that one is, then you would get a proportion of how much they sell it and how much they move on.
1:56 You: if that one is, then you would get a proportion of how much they sell it and how much they move on.
2:03 Caller: So I know it's not, because there's only about 25 employees that work there now,
2:03 You: So I know it's not, because there's only about 25 employees that work there now,
2:07 Caller: it's not like a huge one that you're going to be working for where there's lots and lots of employees.
2:07 You: it's not like a huge one that you're going to be working for where there's lots and lots of employees.
2:14 Caller: Is there a spec or some other documentation you can send over?
2:14 You: Is there a spec or some other documentation you can send over?
2:19 Caller: I mean, you have my number, so you must also have my email.
2:19 You: I mean, you have my number, so you must also have my email.
2:22 Caller: Yeah, weirdly enough, I think we actually connected over.
2:22 You: Yeah, weirdly enough, I think we actually connected over.
2:26 Caller: 18 months ago. The email I had at the time was your first name at GEDarden.com. Is it the same one still?
2:26 You: 18 months ago. The email I had at the time was your first name at GEDarden.com. Is it the same one still?
2:36 Caller: Yes, it is. Excellent. Well, while I'll do now, I'll send you an email. We'd love to understand a bit more about your background. But if you want to look through first, or have you got five minutes now?
2:36 You: Yes, it is. Excellent. Well, while I'll do now, I'll send you an email. We'd love to understand a bit more about your background. But if you want to look through first, or have you got five minutes now?
2:48 Caller: Well, if we spoke 18 months ago, allow me to bring you up to speed. The biggest difference between my background now and 18 months prior,
2:48 You: Well, if we spoke 18 months ago, allow me to bring you up to speed. The biggest difference between my background now and 18 months prior,
2:56 Caller: is I'm at the point now where I'm executing at the scale of two full engineering squads, augmented with LL.
2:56 You: is I'm at the point now where I'm executing at the scale of two full engineering squads, augmented with LL.
3:05 Caller: Right. So a lot of the boilerplate or handwritten code no longer is necessary.
3:05 You: Right. So a lot of the boilerplate or handwritten code no longer is necessary.
3:13 Caller: I spend a lot more time setting the direction, setting the guardrails, and reviewing the feedback back from the systems that I set up.
3:13 You: I spend a lot more time setting the direction, setting the guardrails, and reviewing the feedback back from the systems that I set up.
3:24 Caller: Nice. So you're...
3:24 You: Nice. So you're...
3:26 Caller: Way more advanced than we probably were than 18 months ago.
3:26 You: Way more advanced than we probably were than 18 months ago.
3:29 Caller: I've certainly grown since.
3:29 You: I've certainly grown since.
3:32 Caller: For sure. And what's evolved in your role, then? I know, obviously, if you look at your profile,
3:32 You: For sure. And what's evolved in your role, then? I know, obviously, if you look at your profile,
3:37 Caller: obviously, you're a senior research engineer now. You've beaten there over four years.
3:37 You: obviously, you're a senior research engineer now. You've beaten there over four years.
3:42 Caller: What are the sort of main implementations that you've added to your role? That's changing these 18 months.
3:42 You: What are the sort of main implementations that you've added to your role? That's changing these 18 months.
3:48 Caller: Well, to be clear, the switch from data engineer to research engineer, I think, was a tax benefit to row.
3:48 You: Well, to be clear, the switch from data engineer to research engineer, I think, was a tax benefit to row.
3:55 Caller: Functionally, nothing changed.
3:55 You: Functionally, nothing changed.
3:56 Caller: changed because of the whole having engineering within U.S., conducting what is presumed
3:56 You: changed because of the whole having engineering within U.S., conducting what is presumed
4:03 Caller: to be research counts as something that can be written off business income.
4:03 You: to be research counts as something that can be written off business income.
4:08 Caller: I don't know the specifics, but that's, I believe, what drove the title change.
4:08 You: I don't know the specifics, but that's, I believe, what drove the title change.
4:14 Caller: In practice, what I cover, what I solve, are the different gaps within each leader's operational
4:14 You: In practice, what I cover, what I solve, are the different gaps within each leader's operational
4:21 Caller: area of responsibility.
4:21 You: area of responsibility.
4:24 Caller: and I fill them, usually with some form of automation.
4:24 You: and I fill them, usually with some form of automation.
4:29 Caller: This is the kind of gaps that can benefit from engineering attention, but not so wide that a full engineering squad can be allocated to fill that gap.
4:29 You: This is the kind of gaps that can benefit from engineering attention, but not so wide that a full engineering squad can be allocated to fill that gap.
4:40 Caller: A more recent gap, for example, is within the go-to-market team.
4:40 You: A more recent gap, for example, is within the go-to-market team.
4:44 Caller: A lot of what they're doing day-to-day is enriching data.
4:44 You: A lot of what they're doing day-to-day is enriching data.
4:47 Caller: And I found a series of vendors and providers to more granularly analytics.
4:47 You: And I found a series of vendors and providers to more granularly analytics.
4:54 Caller: and enrich certain signals within certain prospects or within existing clients who are looking to,
4:54 You: and enrich certain signals within certain prospects or within existing clients who are looking to,
5:01 Caller: who may be candidates for our upselling team or cross-selling teams.
5:01 You: who may be candidates for our upselling team or cross-selling teams.
5:05 Caller: And that is now something that has contributed to material expansion in the go-to-market pipeline.
5:05 You: And that is now something that has contributed to material expansion in the go-to-market pipeline.
5:14 Caller: Or on the success side, or I'm sorry, on the compliance side, when someone applies to open a bank account with Roe,
5:14 You: Or on the success side, or I'm sorry, on the compliance side, when someone applies to open a bank account with Roe,
5:21 Caller: there are many different services which are checked, and so I've done what I could automate as many of those
5:21 You: there are many different services which are checked, and so I've done what I could automate as many of those
5:28 Caller: checks as I could. A classic one is the website that the prospective client submits.
5:28 You: checks as I could. A classic one is the website that the prospective client submits.
5:37 Caller: So we'll dispatch an agent now to assess that website and profile it, and then compare the profile of
5:37 You: So we'll dispatch an agent now to assess that website and profile it, and then compare the profile of
5:43 Caller: that website against the submitted brief about the company.
5:43 You: that website against the submitted brief about the company.
5:46 Caller: So if it's an e-commerce company, you would expect an e-commerce website to also have
5:46 You: So if it's an e-commerce company, you would expect an e-commerce website to also have
5:51 Caller: something like a checkout page, right?
5:51 You: something like a checkout page, right?
5:54 Caller: It's those kinds of discrepancies and nuances, which on their own may be not damning,
5:54 You: It's those kinds of discrepancies and nuances, which on their own may be not damning,
6:02 Caller: but when put in the context of everything else, would be worth flagging a compliance officer
6:02 You: but when put in the context of everything else, would be worth flagging a compliance officer
6:06 Caller: to confirm the conclusion.
6:06 You: to confirm the conclusion.
6:09 Caller: So these are the kinds of things that, the kinds of solutions that I implement.
6:09 You: So these are the kinds of things that, the kinds of solutions that I implement.
6:16 Caller: And with that in mind that with your role, do you speak to customers then directly,
6:16 You: And with that in mind that with your role, do you speak to customers then directly,
6:19 Caller: or have you got a team of like deployment engineers?
6:19 You: or have you got a team of like deployment engineers?
6:21 Caller: Is it Roe that do all of that?
6:21 You: Is it Roe that do all of that?
6:23 Caller: I don't speak to customers at all.
6:23 You: I don't speak to customers at all.
6:25 Caller: Or rather, I speak to stakeholders, the people who are speaking to the customers themselves
6:25 You: Or rather, I speak to stakeholders, the people who are speaking to the customers themselves
6:29 Caller: or who have some sort of process.
6:29 You: or who have some sort of process.
6:31 Caller: Of all the services I control, I would say four or five of them are Roe banking customers
6:31 You: Of all the services I control, I would say four or five of them are Roe banking customers
6:38 Caller: user-facing.
6:38 You: user-facing.
6:40 Caller: Everything else is internal coworkers or Roe employees.
6:40 You: Everything else is internal coworkers or Roe employees.
6:44 Caller: Yeah.
6:44 You: Yeah.
6:44 Caller: Yeah, yeah, I get you.
6:44 You: Yeah, yeah, I get you.
6:46 Caller: Oh, nice, nice.
6:46 You: Oh, nice, nice.
6:46 Caller: And in terms of the job market, would you say you're getting a lot of inbound at the minute?
6:46 You: And in terms of the job market, would you say you're getting a lot of inbound at the minute?
6:51 Caller: You've seen lots of different roles thrown your way?
6:51 You: You've seen lots of different roles thrown your way?
6:54 Caller: Something changed in the last week and a half or so.
6:54 You: Something changed in the last week and a half or so.
6:57 Caller: I'm guessing the LinkedIn algorithm re-ranked me because I've been getting much more outreach,
6:57 You: I'm guessing the LinkedIn algorithm re-ranked me because I've been getting much more outreach,
7:02 Caller: which is wonderful.
7:02 You: which is wonderful.
7:04 Caller: Don't get me wrong.
7:04 You: Don't get me wrong.
7:05 Caller: But it also makes me wonder, what opportunities am I missing because I haven't actually been looking?
7:05 You: But it also makes me wonder, what opportunities am I missing because I haven't actually been looking?
7:11 Caller: Yeah, and I would say, look, yeah, this one is a unique one.
7:11 You: Yeah, and I would say, look, yeah, this one is a unique one.
7:15 Caller: Like, I've got, obviously, I actually was reached out to go and support this VC
7:15 You: Like, I've got, obviously, I actually was reached out to go and support this VC
7:20 Caller: and help them in their high.
7:20 You: and help them in their high.
7:21 Caller: And traditionally, I do a lot of work on the software side as well as my colleagues in
7:21 You: And traditionally, I do a lot of work on the software side as well as my colleagues in
7:26 Caller: the research and AI space and really particularly interesting client with lots of information
7:26 You: the research and AI space and really particularly interesting client with lots of information
7:31 Caller: I can share, profiles, LinkedIn, documents.
7:31 You: I can share, profiles, LinkedIn, documents.
7:34 Caller: So I'll do that after this call.
7:34 You: So I'll do that after this call.
7:37 Caller: Just so I know, though, you're living in New York still, aren't you?
7:37 You: Just so I know, though, you're living in New York still, aren't you?
7:40 Caller: And you'd be happy working in a company in the city.
7:40 You: And you'd be happy working in a company in the city.
7:43 Caller: Yes.
7:43 You: Yes.
7:44 Caller: Although I imagine if they have portfolio companies as clients, what is the travel policy or the travel
7:44 You: Although I imagine if they have portfolio companies as clients, what is the travel policy or the travel
7:51 Caller: expectation.
7:51 You: expectation.
7:53 Caller: Expectations right now aren't.
7:53 You: Expectations right now aren't.
7:54 Caller: Like, they have been working more remotely because they have been trying to get a new office
7:54 You: Like, they have been working more remotely because they have been trying to get a new office
8:00 Caller: in the lower Manhattan.
8:00 You: in the lower Manhattan.
8:01 Caller: And obviously due to more employees, they're looking for a bigger office now.
8:01 You: And obviously due to more employees, they're looking for a bigger office now.
8:05 Caller: So they're going to be in New York.
8:05 You: So they're going to be in New York.
8:07 Caller: You're going to be in New York.
8:07 You: You're going to be in New York.
8:09 Caller: And I don't see any travel at the start.
8:09 You: And I don't see any travel at the start.
8:11 Caller: It's building out, lots of building in motion.
8:11 You: It's building out, lots of building in motion.
8:14 Caller: And then over time, maybe there will be travel.
8:14 You: And then over time, maybe there will be travel.
8:16 Caller: But you don't need to, obviously, hold your hands up for that straight away.
8:16 You: But you don't need to, obviously, hold your hands up for that straight away.
8:21 Caller: Understood.
8:21 You: Understood.
8:23 Caller: Okay.
8:23 You: Okay.
8:23 Caller: And then where in New York are you?
8:23 You: And then where in New York are you?
8:25 Caller: Are you living in Manhattan?
8:25 You: Are you living in Manhattan?
8:27 Caller: I'm in Long Island City, so just over the East River.
8:27 You: I'm in Long Island City, so just over the East River.
8:30 Caller: Oh.
8:30 You: Oh.
8:31 Caller: Yeah, just over the water from here.
8:31 You: Yeah, just over the water from here.
8:32 Caller: I'm actually in Greenpoint.
8:32 You: I'm actually in Greenpoint.
8:34 Caller: Okay.
8:34 You: Okay.
8:36 Caller: Nice, nice.
8:36 You: Nice, nice.
8:37 Caller: And as to sort of, why is what would you sort of be targeting?
8:37 You: And as to sort of, why is what would you sort of be targeting?
8:40 Caller: What would be like a base standpoint that you'd be a minimum requirement?
8:40 You: What would be like a base standpoint that you'd be a minimum requirement?
8:45 Caller: Well, you mentioned that the structure of the compensation here is different.
8:45 You: Well, you mentioned that the structure of the compensation here is different.
8:49 Caller: Can you offer a,
8:49 You: Can you offer a,
8:51 Caller: more insight or visibility?
8:51 You: more insight or visibility?
8:53 Caller: Absolutely, yeah.
8:53 You: Absolutely, yeah.
8:54 Caller: So being really honest, base salary will be anything from 200 to 300.
8:54 You: So being really honest, base salary will be anything from 200 to 300.
9:00 Caller: You will get a, it'll be between 10% to 20% bonus first year.
9:00 You: You will get a, it'll be between 10% to 20% bonus first year.
9:07 Caller: Second year, they've already given me 30% to 50% on the bonus scheme.
9:07 You: Second year, they've already given me 30% to 50% on the bonus scheme.
9:12 Caller: And then obviously, equity and the carry will depend on what they offer you at the time.
9:12 You: And then obviously, equity and the carry will depend on what they offer you at the time.
9:16 Caller: Like, that will be a more detailed conversation with them at offer.
9:16 You: Like, that will be a more detailed conversation with them at offer.
9:20 Caller: But,
9:20 You: But,
9:20 Caller: Just for your context, you're going to be probably $250 plus, and then you're going to be
9:20 You: Just for your context, you're going to be probably $250 plus, and then you're going to be
9:26 Caller: near the, let's say, 300 plus in your first year earnings plus all the equity and carry.
9:26 You: near the, let's say, 300 plus in your first year earnings plus all the equity and carry.
9:33 Caller: But if you need to be nearer the 300, that's obviously something I need to submit your profile.
9:33 You: But if you need to be nearer the 300, that's obviously something I need to submit your profile.
9:37 Caller: When you've reviewed everything, you're happy with everything.
9:37 You: When you've reviewed everything, you're happy with everything.
9:44 Caller: Understood.
9:44 You: Understood.
9:44 Caller: Then looking forward to whatever documentation you can send over.
9:44 You: Then looking forward to whatever documentation you can send over.
9:49 Caller: Yep.
9:49 You: Yep.
9:50 Caller: I'm going to send it.
9:50 You: I'm going to send it.
9:50 Caller: it all now. And as for working rights, just a question. You are a US citizen. You have
9:50 You: it all now. And as for working rights, just a question. You are a US citizen. You have
9:54 Caller: poor working rights here. Correct.
9:54 You: poor working rights here. Correct.
9:58 Caller: Excellent, excellent. Nice. Well, great connecting again. I know it's been a long time.
9:58 You: Excellent, excellent. Nice. Well, great connecting again. I know it's been a long time.
10:03 Caller: I'm going to send these over to you. If you're interested and want to have that early discussion
10:03 You: I'm going to send these over to you. If you're interested and want to have that early discussion
10:08 Caller: with the team, all I need from yourself is a resume. I'll send your profile to them and then do
10:08 You: with the team, all I need from yourself is a resume. I'll send your profile to them and then do
10:13 Caller: the intro call, which is a 15 to 20 minute with one of their team. And you're more than happy to
10:13 You: the intro call, which is a 15 to 20 minute with one of their team. And you're more than happy to
10:20 Caller: ask away, questions galore to them. But just for ease of you, I'll send a few different
10:20 You: ask away, questions galore to them. But just for ease of you, I'll send a few different
10:26 Caller: roles that they've got, different specs so you can read over them. Splendid. And a question,
10:26 You: roles that they've got, different specs so you can read over them. Splendid. And a question,
10:32 Caller: do you already happen to know who is currently working there? Because I'm trying to find them
10:32 You: do you already happen to know who is currently working there? Because I'm trying to find them
10:36 Caller: in an apparent being... No, yeah. Yeah, so just to you, Jed, what I can do privately in an email,
10:36 You: in an apparent being... No, yeah. Yeah, so just to you, Jed, what I can do privately in an email,
10:44 Caller: and I appreciate if you cannot share them, I can send you the profiles of the people. Like, some of
10:44 You: and I appreciate if you cannot share them, I can send you the profiles of the people. Like, some of
10:49 Caller: them haven't updated LinkedIn yet. Some of them are, they're on LinkedIn, but they haven't
10:49 You: them haven't updated LinkedIn yet. Some of them are, they're on LinkedIn, but they haven't
10:55 Caller: changed where they're working. So I can share them in an email so you can look at them and their
10:55 You: changed where they're working. So I can share them in an email so you can look at them and their
11:00 Caller: backgrounds, so you get a feel of who's have hired so far, and we can go from there.
11:00 You: backgrounds, so you get a feel of who's have hired so far, and we can go from there.
11:06 Caller: Excellent. And as always, you never sent those to me.
11:06 You: Excellent. And as always, you never sent those to me.
11:11 Caller: No, I will send all this information in one email to your email address right now, and you have
11:11 You: No, I will send all this information in one email to your email address right now, and you have
11:17 Caller: all that information in one place. Any questions, you know?
11:17 You: all that information in one place. Any questions, you know?
11:19 Caller: you've got more than happy to reach out to me on email, drop me a call on this number at any time.
11:19 You: you've got more than happy to reach out to me on email, drop me a call on this number at any time.
11:24 Caller: Perfect. Thank you very much.
11:24 You: Perfect. Thank you very much.
11:27 Caller: Perfect, Jed. No, really appreciate you picking up. I know that not always everyone picks
11:27 You: Perfect, Jed. No, really appreciate you picking up. I know that not always everyone picks
11:31 Caller: these calls up, but thanks for the call. We really appreciate it. Of course.
11:31 You: these calls up, but thanks for the call. We really appreciate it. Of course.
11:35 Caller: All right. Speak soon. Looking forward to it. Take care.
11:35 You: All right. Speak soon. Looking forward to it. Take care.