How I Act as a Tech Concierge for Non-tech Founders

I’ve had an eclectic career: from building a career in hospitality for over a decade, to teaching English in Vietnam, to ultimately working as Head of Business Growth for JetRockets .

Although it may look like a chaotic, winding path, there’s actually been a lot of continuity. Many of the lessons that I learned in my previous roles are highly relevant to me today.?

I’ve always been involved in helping and supporting other people. Although my current role is much more technically focused than my previous careers, it is still very much centered around people.?

Recently, I went on the 50 Shades of Hospitality podcast to discuss the intersection of hospitality and technology.

How Hospitality Informs My Current Role

Although the two fields may seem completely different, there is actually a lot of similarity between working in hospitality and my current role in a tech company.

I think of myself as a tech concierge. It is my job to provide an enjoyable and constructive experience for our clients, just as a concierge would do for guests at a hotel.

In both cases, it is necessary to know everything about a customer and their core needs. I have to be able to answer all questions and make clients feel comfortable in their environment.

This is especially important for non-tech founders, who may feel somewhat out of their comfort zone at first. Compare this to traveling to a foreign country- you may feel uncomfortable there at the beginning, but with the right level of hospitality, you will find yourself fitting in.

Of course, there are plenty of differences. My work involves more than just interacting with clients. And building a startup is a different process than going on vacation. But there really is a lot of continuity between my previous roles and my current job.

Plus, there is considerable overlap when it comes to building technology for the hospitality industry. JetRockets has created software for adjacent fields too, such as the itinerary builder Safari Portal.

AI and the Human Touch

It’s no secret that AI is rapidly changing the world around us. While the exact consequences of the current wave of AI are yet to be determined, one thing appears likely: the last jobs to be automated will be those that require a “human touch”.

There are some jobs for which the point is to have a human do them. Even if a robot could theoretically perform the same actions, the meaning would be wrong. These jobs include therapists, nurses, guidance counselors, most people working in hospitality, and yes, even people working in tech.

As I explained above, one of the core functions of my job is to act as a kind of tech concierge for my clients, helping them navigate the world that I live in. This is a sort of hospitality-like role that really does require the human touch.?

Perhaps an advanced chatbot could technically relay the same information, but there is a psychologically crucial difference when an actual human is involved instead. Our clients feel like they can trust us more when we personally help them navigate the early stages of their company.

Serving Non-tech Founders

An important part of my role is in helping non-tech founders. At JetRockets, this encompasses a wide range of activities.

Decoding Tech Jargon. Building a tech startup without a significant tech background can sometimes feel like navigating a foreign country: even the language is different!

Solving Problems. Non-tech founders may have some advantages, but they also face their own set of problems in building a company. Fortunately, we can help fill in the gap through services like Fractional CTO and providing ongoing support.

Evaluating Technical Feasibility. A new founder may have an amazing vision for a new product, but lack an understanding of how possible it is to create it. We help identify possible problem areas and brainstorm solutions.

Developing Product Roadmaps. A product roadmap is important because it helps pin down your plans for developing and eventually launching your product. This is like helping a traveler build an itinerary for seeing all the important stops on their vacation.

Building a Startup is a Journey, Not a Destination

I think the analogy to travel is appropriate to the tech world. Even seasoned veterans of the scene can find themselves getting lost in new technology and in need of direction.

My job as Head of Business Growth includes forming and maintaining strong connections with our clients, and this means helping them on their startup journey. Especially for non-tech founders, this includes offering a high degree of hospitality in making that journey comfortable and productive.

Do you have a vision for your startup journey? We’d love to talk!