At the start of the year, there was a lot of buzz around vibe-coding and the idea that non-developers would soon build real-world software products with AI.
We are ending the year with a different vibe (pun intended!) that feels more realistic: AI-assisted coding by professional developers is on the rise, and the promise is better software products powered by AI-savvy software engineering teams.
John and I discussed the challenges of AI adoption, the importance of building user trust, and how SaaS companies serving SMBs have evolved over the past decade. Despite the AI hype, John remains confident: “I do not in any way, shape, or form believe that SaaS is dead.”
BONUS CONTENT
John shared one of the toughest decisions he made as CEO of a property management SaaS company: standing by his 80 engineers in Ukraine when the war broke out.
What initially felt like a difficult decision became one of his best. The team’s resilience kept the business moving forward, and he later learned that their work provided a welcome distraction from the war.
“It was a very special thing to see that happen on both sides.”
Security is an Afterthought with AI Adoption, But you CAN Innovate Quickly with Guardrails
Aleksandr and I discussed why cybersecurity is struggling to keep pace with AI adoption, how attackers are embracing AI faster than defenders, and why security doesn't have to slow innovation. We also explored global cyber inequity and the challenges CISOs face, including an average tenure of less than two years.
BONUS CONTENT
Aleksandr shared several lessons from building SecurityScorecard, including the value of quick experimentation over big ideas.
Two decisions stood out: promoting talent from within rather than relying on external executive hires, and expanding internationally despite advisors urging the company to focus on the U.S. Both paid off. Today, international markets account for roughly 40–45% of SecurityScorecard's revenue.
His takeaway? You don't always know which decisions will succeed until you try them.
Books Behind the Leaders: Recommendations from our Guests
I always ask our guests to recommend a book, or perhaps a blog or podcast, that has been helpful in their lives—professionally or personally. Check out what our recent guests have recommended.
.png?width=1120&upscale=true&name=SaaS%20Scaled%20Newsletter%20Images%20(2).png)
