# Real Velona

> Velona's Blog


## Posts

- [From Local LLMs to AI Agents](https://realvelona.com/2026/10/06/ai-agents-security-tradeoff/): I experimented with WikiLLM, OpenClaw and Perplexity Computer to build an AI “Second Brain” at home, but the more useful these agents become, the more access they seem to demand. I explain why I’m not yet comfortable trading computer security for convenience.
- [Open-Sourcing Vibe-Coded Projects](https://realvelona.com/2026/10/02/open-sourcing-vibe-coded-projects/): Discover how open-sourcing vibe-coded projects can save tokens, accelerate innovation, and build better AI tools together. Learn why AI agents could manage collaborative codebases and how the open source model applies to AI development.
- [The State of AI, and the beginning of the Unravelling](https://realvelona.com/2026/09/24/the-state-of-ai-and-the-beginning-of-the-unravelling/): AGI races, martial-arts robots, dexterous hands, brain chips; each a different risk, together a dystopian future. Here’s what worries me, and the four guardrails I’d set.
- [A Year Into AI’s Free Lunch: The Start-up Subsidy](https://realvelona.com/2026/09/09/a-year-into-ais-free-lunch-the-start-up-subsidy/): Frontier AI subscriptions are becoming an unofficial product-development subsidy for start-ups. But rather than pushing teams towards consumer-plan workarounds and fragmented accounts, AI labs should offer verified, stage-appropriate programmes that help genuine start-ups build responsibly.
- [How Canva Is Integrating AI, Whether Freemium Is a Dead Horse, and Is Stripe Becoming a Business Bank?](https://realvelona.com/2026/08/20/canva-ai-freemium-stripe-business-bank/): Reflections from Stripe Tour Sydney: Canva’s AI economics may challenge the freemium model, while Stripe’s expanding Treasury, stablecoin, card and capital products make it look increasingly like a business bank for online merchants.
- [Why Vibe Coders Should Rethink Dependencies](https://realvelona.com/2026/07/28/why-vibe-coders-should-rethink-dependencies/): Dependencies made sense when humans were writing every line of code. But coding agents change the tradeoff. For many simple tasks, it is now faster, safer, and easier to let the agent hand-roll the code instead of adding another package with security risk, upgrade churn, and maintenance debt. That is why I think vibe coders should be much more intentional about when they add dependencies, and why a clear prompt for the agent matters.
- [The talent to build is already inside your organisation](https://realvelona.com/2026/05/14/the-talent-to-build-is-already-inside-your-organisation/): Serving as a selector for the most recent Startmate cohort gave me a perspective I did not expect: how little actually separates the world of startups from the corporate innovation work I have spent years facilitating. The mystique around founders is largely just that; the difference between a founder and a skilled corporate innovator is often structural, not one of capability. This is what I learned inside one of Australia's leading accelerators; and why I think the talent to build already exists inside your organisation.
- [Build First: What Heidi Health's Culture Says About Where Software Is Heading](https://realvelona.com/2026/05/07/build-first-what-heidi-healths-culture-says-about-where-software-is-heading/): At Blackbird Sunrise, Heidi Health CEO Dr Tom Kelly made the case for a radical idea: build first culture, where everyone ships to production, regardless of role. It’s a provocative model that AI is making increasingly viable — but borrowing the culture without the discipline underneath it is where most organisations will come unstuck.
- [How Anthropic Structures Their Technology Teams](https://realvelona.com/2026/05/04/how-anthropic-structures-their-technology-teams/): At the Blackbird Sunrise festival in Sydney, Anthropic's Angela Jiang and Katelyn Lesse pulled back the curtain on how one of the world's leading AI labs actually structures and operates its technology teams; and the implications for the rest of us are worth paying attention to.
- [Ten Years Electric, and I'm Going Back to Petrol. Here's Why.](https://realvelona.com/2026/04/08/ten-years-electric-and-im-going-back-to-petrol-heres-why/): A decade of EV road trips, a jammed charge port at Lakes Entrance, and 4% battery in Pakenham. Australia’s charging infrastructure still isn’t ready for long weekends.
- [Why Software Engineers Are Wrong About AI Disrupting Enterprise SaaS](https://realvelona.com/2026/02/10/why-software-engineers-are-wrong-about-ai-disrupting-enterprise-saas/): There's a narrative gaining momentum in engineering circles: AI coding tools are so transformative that the entire SaaS stack is about to get disrupted. Engineers are extrapolating their productivity gains into a future where platforms like Salesforce, ServiceNow, and SAP become obsolete. They're wrong. Enterprise SaaS platforms won't be disrupted by AI; they'll be the primary vehicle through which organisations adopt it in the first wave of transformation.
- [The Niceness Paradox: When Surface Virtue Masks Self-Interest](https://realvelona.com/2025/12/02/the-niceness-paradox-when-surface-virtue-masks-self-interest/): There’s a peculiar pattern that emerges once you’ve spent enough time observing how people and organisations operate. The ones who broadcast their virtue the loudest, who wrap themselves in the language of kindness and care, are often the very ones engaged in the most calculated self-interest beneath that carefully maintained veneer. It’s a paradox that feels almost counterintuitive at first. Surely those who speak most about doing good must be, well, good? But scratch the surface, and you’ll often find something far more concerning: a sophisticated form of exploitation dressed in the clothes of compassion. The Performance of Virtue The key […]
- [I Called It: Jack Dorsey's diVine Proves the AI Slop Problem is Real](https://realvelona.com/2025/11/24/i-called-it-jack-dorseys-divine-proves-the-ai-slop-problem-is-real/): Three months ago, I wrote about how AI-generated content was killing social media, arguing that we needed a radical rethink of how platforms operate. I predicted that “a new breed of platforms” would emerge, designed to exclude the faceless AI accounts poisoning our feeds. Well, that future arrived faster than I expected. Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, has just funded diVine, a short-form video platform that’s essentially a Vine reboot with one crucial difference: it will actively flag and prevent AI-generated content from being posted. This isn’t just another social media launch; it’s a direct acknowledgment from one of the […]
- [The Coming Creator Collapse: Why We're Heading for a Spotify-Style Catastrophe](https://realvelona.com/2025/11/12/the-coming-creator-collapse-why-were-heading-for-a-spotify-style-catastrophe/): The advertising-driven web is collapsing, and whilst there's talk of new business models to save creator economics, I fear we're heading for a Spotify-style catastrophe. The incentives to create quality content are disappearing right now, and the proposed solutions; content scarcity, AI licensing deals, market-based mechanisms; all favour large players whilst condemning smaller creators to subsistence living. We're not redesigning the internet in time; we're watching it collapse.
- [Privacy Concerns and Local LLMs: My Journey to Jan](https://realvelona.com/2025/08/11/local-llms-privacy-jan-ai-chatgpt-alternative/): I've been increasingly concerned about privacy issues with publicly available LLMs. When Sam Altman stated that ChatGPT conversations could be discoverable, and after experiencing targeted advertising following my Llama conversations, I decided to explore local alternatives. Here's my journey to Jan.ai and why running LLMs locally might be the privacy solution we need.
- [The AI Slop Invasion: How Faceless Accounts Killed Social Media](https://realvelona.com/2025/08/06/the-ai-slop-invasion-how-faceless-accounts-killed-social-media/): Social media platforms are drowning in AI-generated content from faceless accounts chasing easy monetisation. From YouTube's annoying voiceovers to Pinterest's AI art invasion, our favourite apps have become barely usable. But there's hope – platforms like Substack prove there's a better way forward.
- [Stop Trying to Mimic Humans with Your AI](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/30/stop-trying-to-mimic-humans-with-your-ai/): I went shopping with my wife recently to buy a new makeup table, and the delivery experience opened my eyes to how AI should really be used in business. Instead of trying to make AI mimic humans, companies should focus on creating entirely new experiences that play to AI's unique strengths. Here's why asynchronous AI beats human-impersonating chatbots every time.
- [Where Are We With AI Adoption, and Is This the End of White-Collar Professions?](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/25/where-are-we-with-ai-adoption-and-is-this-the-end-of-white-collar-professions/): Currently, we're in the "Human-First AI Transformation" phase, with organizations using AI to enhance tasks. However, genuine transformation requires more than adoption; it needs cultural and operational shifts, indicating a gradual evolution rather than immediate disruption.
- [The Erosion of Open Discourse](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/21/the-erosion-of-open-discourse-why-were-self-censoring-in-the-age-of-lockstep-narratives/): The author expresses discomfort with recent US administration cover-ups, perceiving a global decline in transparency and accountability over the past two decades. They compare this to Greece's political awareness, rooted in their experience under dictatorship. The piece questions whether current democratic systems serve citizens effectively and suggests exploring alternative governance methods like demarchy to improve representation and combat corruption.
- [The Great AI Pricing Paradox: What Happens When the Free Lunch Ends?](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/21/the-great-ai-pricing-paradox-what-happens-when-the-free-lunch-ends/): The excitement surrounding AI, particularly LLMs, has led to increased investments, with over $131.5 billion directed to AI startups in 2024 alone. However, reliance on subsidized services raises concerns about future price hikes. Companies must prepare for potential cost increases and consider hybrid strategies to mitigate dependency risks amid evolving pricing models.
- [AI and Job Disruption: A Different Perspective](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/19/ai-and-job-disruption-a-different-perspective/): The author reflects on the impact of AI coding platforms like Replit on job dynamics in app development. They believe such platforms can democratize app creation, enabling more entrepreneurs to build applications that traditional methods would render unfeasible. A new services sector may also arise, optimizing these apps without major overhauls.
- [Testing AWS Kiro: A First Look at Amazon's New AI Coding Agent](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/18/testing-aws-kiro-a-first-look-at-amazons-new-ai-coding-agent/): I discovered AWS's new AI coding tool, Kiro, while seeking to build an app for managing travel expenses and found Kiro more powerful than other platforms, better for professional developers. However, the installation complexity and user experience issues posed challenges, making it less suitable for non-technical users.
- [Another Cool AI Web Builder](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/07/another-cool-ai-web-builder/): Last week, I reached my breaking point with WordPress.com's constant upgrade demands for basic features. After migrating to Hostinger, I discovered their AI web builder, Horizons—and with just one simple prompt, it created a complete landing page for my NextlyGTD app. While the message limits feel unnatural for collaborative AI work, the results were impressive enough that I upgraded to their $10/month plan. For small businesses, this represents a massive shift: professional-quality websites at a fraction of agency costs. I genuinely worry this technology might transform the web development industry as rapidly as it did call centres. Read the full post to see my complete experience and the website I built at nextlygtd.com
- [The Creative Mind in a Corporate World](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/04/the-creative-mind-in-a-corporate-world/): What I've come to realise—and I'm sure this is well-documented—is how difficult it is to inhabit both the analytical and creative parts of our brains simultaneously. The context and mental buildup required to enter the creative zone is so fragile, so easily shattered by the next tactical decision demanding attention. I could remain in analytical mode all day, guiding teams and making decisions, but accessing creative flow felt nearly impossible.
- [The Weight of Words: Authenticity vs. Performance in Executive Leadership](https://realvelona.com/2025/07/02/authenticityvsperformance/): There’s a fundamental tension at the heart of business leadership that few people talk about openly: the collision between authenticity and performance. Every interaction in the corporate world is, to some degree, a performance where everyone plays their role to get what they want. But what happens when you’re someone who values authentic interactions, and you find yourself thrust into a leadership position where every word carries outsised weight? The Authenticity Trap I’ve always tried to be genuine in my interactions with people. There’s something deeply uncomfortable about putting on a facade, about calculating every response for maximum strategic impact. This […]
- [Why Perplexity Could Be the Next Google: An Investor's Perspective](https://realvelona.com/2025/06/25/why-perplexity-could-be-the-next-google-an-investors-perspective/): Why I initially passed on investing in Perplexity due to concerns over competition and brand awareness. However, recent developments including potential Apple integration, shifted my perspective. I now see Perplexity as a strong contender against Google.capabilities for business leaders.
- [Unlocking Replit: The Ultimate Tool for Vibe Coding](https://realvelona.com/2025/06/18/unlocking-replit-the-ultimate-tool-for-prototyping/): Replit is an effective platform for prototyping new applications, allowing teams to create initial versions without relying on third-party vendors. It offers modern architectures at a low cost, making it a valuable tool for startups and businesses considering app rebuilding. However, its scalability for large deployments remains uncertain.
- [Three Months Later: What I Learned from Actually Using My AI-Built GTD App (And the State of AI Development)](https://realvelona.com/2025/06/13/three-months-later-what-i-learned-from-actually-using-my-ai-built-gtd-app-and-the-state-of-ai-development/): In May, I built a customised GTD app using Replit's AI. My experience with AI-powered development revealed both its strengths and limitations, especially in deploying apps. As tools evolve, the potential for personalized software and improved human-AI collaboration in development is becoming clearer.
- [How I Built My Dream GTD App in Hours with Replit’s AI Agent](https://realvelona.com/2025/05/19/how-i-built-my-dream-gtd-app-in-hours-with-replits-ai-agent/): If you are non technical, and have ever wanted to build your own app, you absolutely have to try out Replit(disclaimer:I'm invested).
- [My Journey Through the AICD Board Director Course – Lessons, Challenges](https://realvelona.com/2025/03/19/my-journey-through-the-board-director-course-lessons-challenges/): My journey through a strategic board director course, highlighting essential skills, the significance of a director's mindset, and the challenges faced when transitioning from CEO to board roles.
- [The Importance of 1-1 Meetings in Modern Leadership](https://realvelona.com/2024/12/20/the-importance-of-1-1-meetings-in-modern-leadership/): The article discusses the importance of 1-1 meetings, highlighting their role in fostering relationships and addressing issues. It emphasizes focusing on social, tactical, strategic, and career aspects for effectiveness.
- [Maintaining our Body of Knowledge in the age of LLMs](https://realvelona.com/2024/11/07/maintaining-our-body-of-knowledge-in-the-age-of-llms/): The post discusses concerns about reliance on LLMs affecting knowledge-sharing forums like StackOverflow. It warns of potential degradation of knowledge bases and suggests organizations harmonize internal knowledge with LLM capabilities.
- [The Transparency Paradox: Balancing Openness with Sensitivity in Organisational Disclosure](https://realvelona.com/2024/10/28/the-transparency-paradox-balancing-openness-with-sensitivity-in-organisational-disclosure/): Reflecting on the complexities of transparency versus disclosure in corporate governance, with examples from the Board and HR domains. 
- [Architecting a Self-Managing Organisation](https://realvelona.com/2024/10/25/architecting-a-self-managing-organisation/): The post shares insights on building a resilient company, emphasising the importance of defining purpose, values, inclusive strategy, and establishing cross-departmental institutions for sustained growth and innovation.
- [Amazons use of AI](https://realvelona.com/2024/10/07/amazons-use-of-ai/): My opinion on amazons use of LLM/AI technology and how it will affect the retail landscape. 
- [Building a Strong Foundation: Key Steps for Business Stabilisation](https://realvelona.com/2024/09/12/building-a-strong-foundation-key-steps-for-business-stabilisation/): This fourth post in the "Things I learnt while building my first company" series emphasizes the importance of stabilising your business after the initial start-up phase. Key points include bringing in specialist expertise, focusing on core value stream, making strategic management hires, and establishing a strong brand to ensure long-term success.
- [Navigating the Startup Phase](https://realvelona.com/2024/06/12/navigating-the-startup-phase-a-reflection-on-company-growth/): During the startup phase, Elabor8 prioritised recruiting and building a strong team culture, focusing on delivering exceptional outcomes and client relationships, and investing in community platforms and thought leadership. They learned the importance of low-cost operations and emphasized the commitment to customers and employees. Perseverance and adaptability are key for entrepreneurial success.
- [Things I learnt while building My first Company](https://realvelona.com/2024/06/12/things-i-learnt-while-building-my-first-company/): After nearly 15 years, leaving my company has prompted an outpouring of gratitude from current and former team members for the impact on their personal and professional growth. Reflecting on Elabor8's unique culture, I plan to share valuable insights from my journey through a series of posts, encompassing co-founder collaboration, business planning, and company growth phases.
- [The Three Horizons of Innovation](https://realvelona.com/2024/06/11/the-three-horizons-of-innovation/): In today's business landscape, effective innovation is crucial for adapting to customer needs and seizing new opportunities. Innovation breaks down into three horizons: product improvements, adjacencies, and disruptive innovations. These horizons enable companies to sustain market share, diversify revenue streams, and achieve long-term growth and success. Understanding and leveraging them is vital for staying competitive.
- [The 4 Phases of Company Growth: Reflecting on My Own Journey and the Greiner Growth Model](https://realvelona.com/2024/05/28/the-4-phases-of-company-growth-reflecting-on-my-own-journey-and-the-greiner-growth-model/): As an entrepreneur, I’ve always believed that having a clear plan and a structured approach to business growth is essential for success. In my first year as a founder, I realised that my company would go through various phases as we evolved, and I decided to codify these into a business plan. Little did I know that my homegrown model would bear striking similarities to the well-established Greiner Growth Model. The 4 Phases of My Business Plan My initial plan outlined four distinct phases for my company’s growth: Startup Phase: This phase focused on getting the company off the ground, securing […]
- [Working with Co-Founders: The Power of Three](https://realvelona.com/2024/05/23/working-with-co-founders-the-power-of-three/): In the world of entrepreneurship, co-founders are crucial for startup success. Having three co-founders can bring balance and lead to better decision-making. A founder veto can prevent disagreements, and key factors like communication, shared values, and enjoying each other's company are essential for a successful partnership. Trust, shared vision, diverse skills, and personal growth are also vital for co-founder relationships.
- [Ponderland.AI a tool for workshops & Journalling](https://realvelona.com/2024/05/07/ponderland-ai-a-tool-for-workshops-journalling/): TLDR;Ponderland.AI is an AI tool where users can type or talk to it, and it categorizes the input. It assures privacy by not storing anything, making it useful for business workshops and journalling to organize and synthesize thoughts. The tool showcases new AI capabilities as foundational for solving specific use cases.
- [Crafting a Winning Strategy that Engages](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/29/crafting-a-winning-strategy-a-framework-for-success/): TLDR;Crafting a winning strategy involves utilizing the "Good Strategy/Bad Strategy" core kernel and OKRs framework. This potent combination allows for effective diagnosis, guiding policies, and clear objectives and initiatives. Embracing transparency, collaboration, and a culture of open dialogue is crucial. Strategy should be iteratively refined and effectively cascaded throughout the organization for success.
- [Data Literacy for Modern Digital Leaders](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/18/data-literacy-for-modern-digital-leaders/): This blog explores the critical role of data literacy in modern digital leadership. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and acting upon data, the power of Value Stream Management tools, the selection of relevant metrics, and the integration of data literacy into leadership to make informed decisions and enhance productivity.
- [Embracing Complexity: The Agile Mindset for Modern Leaders](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/17/embracing-complexity-the-agile-mindset-for-modern-leaders/): In today's fast-paced business world, leaders need an agile mindset to thrive in complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity. Agile leadership involves understanding complex adaptive systems, utilizing the OODA loop for rapid adaptation, empowering teams with clear intent, setting boundaries for autonomy, and fostering a culture of safe-to-fail experiments. This approach is crucial for navigating the challenges of the 21st century.
- [Review of Atlassian's Atlas: A Game Changer for Team Collaboration](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/16/review-of-atlassians-atlas-a-game-changer-for-team-collaboration/): Elabor8's CEO has successfully implemented Atlassian's Atlas for the past year, leading to significant benefits and enhanced productivity. The platform's seamless integration of strategy and portfolio management, user-friendly interface, and alignment with organisational goals make it an ideal choice for modern teams. Despite some areas for improvement, Atlas's ease of adoption and integration make it a practical and strategic tool for enhancing portfolio management.
- [The Systems Thinker: Mastering Transformation in Leadership](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/15/the-systems-thinker-mastering-transformation-in-leadership/): In a prior post I explored Contextual Leadership: Four Archetypes of Leadership Every New Leader Must Master. In this post I will deep dive into the Systems Thinker archetype. Identifying the Need for Change Transformation doesn’t start with action; it begins with perception. The Systems Thinker excels in identifying underperforming areas within an organisation. They have a keen eye for aspects that others might overlook—those requiring a fresh perspective or a complete overhaul. Their ability to dissect and diagnose organisational issues allows them to pinpoint exactly where change is needed. Designing the System Once the need for change is established, the Systems Thinker […]
- [Critical Skills for Modern Digital Leaders](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/11/critical-skills-for-modern-digital-leaders/): In today's digital age, modern leaders require a unique blend of technical, strategic, and interpersonal skills to thrive. These include adopting an agile mindset, embracing data literacy, mastering Systems Thinking, adaptive leadership, and fostering innovation at all levels. By doing so, leaders can effectively navigate complex landscapes and ensure their organizations remain competitive and resilient.
- [The Problem Solver / Driver: A Masterclass in Leadership Through Analysis, Precision, Resilience, and Results](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/10/the-problem-solver-driver-a-masterclass-in-leadership-through-analysis-precision-resilience-and-results/): The Problem Solver / Driver archetype in leadership emphasizes analytical thinking, meticulousness, resilience, and an unwavering focus on outcomes. Their strengths include insightful thinking, precision in action, perseverance, and goal orientation. However, their relentless drive for outcomes may overshadow emotional and interpersonal dynamics within a team, necessitating a delicate balance.
- [The Visionary: Shaping the Future with Synthesis and Agency](https://realvelona.com/2024/04/08/the-visionary-shaping-the-future-with-synthesis-and-agency/): In a prior post I explored Contextual Leadership: Four Archetypes of Leadership Every New Leader Must Master. In this post I will deep dive into the Visionary Leader archetype. This is one that I feel particularly strong in. In the dynamic tapestry of modern leadership, Visionary/Innovators stand as architects of change, not only through their ability to foresee and synthesise future trends but also through their inherent high agency and bias towards action. These leaders are the catalysts for transformation, merging deep insights with a relentless drive to execute, turning visionary ideas into tangible outcomes. Amplified Strengths of Visionary/Innovators Synthesis The ability […]
- [The Power of Purpose in Business Success](https://realvelona.com/2021/06/02/the-power-of-purpose-in-business-success/): A successful business requires a clear purpose rooted in core beliefs, fostering connections with customers. Understanding the ‘why’ behind actions drives alignment and enhances performance beyond mere profit.
- [Empower Your Champions (and other Innovation strategies successful companies use)](https://realvelona.com/2020/03/10/empower-your-champions-and-other-innovation-strategies-successful-companies-use/): Innovation is the heart and soul of progress and change is inevitable in business. If you want your business to stay above it all, you have to accept it. And if you want it to thrive, you initiate it. In this article, I go through the approaches industries’ leaders take to enable change. Their methods have created great success, so they’re definitely worth giving a shot. No matter the size of a company, innovation drives success. See how the world’s biggest disruptors change the business world with their actions. There are a handful of innovators that seem to run the show […]
- [How Netflix Built its Culture (5 Things That You Need to Know)](https://realvelona.com/2020/01/06/how-netflix-built-its-culture-5-things-that-you-need-to-know/): Netflix is so much more than a streaming service – it’s a cultural phenomenon. More than anything, the company owes its success to its own culture. Founded more than two decades ago, Netflix is by far the most popular streaming service in not just the United States but the world over. Big competitors have cropped up here and there, but none of them has yet to secure Netflix’s success. Is it because Netflix’s releases are better than those of the competition? Maybe or not may not. That’s not the point. What stands behind Netflix’s success is the document that Sheryl Sandberg […]
- [Contextual Leadership: Four Archetypes of Leadership Every New Leader Must Master.](https://realvelona.com/2019/07/15/contextual-leadership-four-archetypes-of-leadership-every-new-leader-must-master/): Leadership is more art-form than science. It requires you to assume different styles for different contexts. In this article, I explore a few common leadership archetypes for those of you new to leadership need to master or alternatively to supplement within your leadership team to be effective. People are the single most important ingredient in any organisation. Getting the most out of your people can be a tough process. You can’t manage people the same way you do your inventory or expenses.  You’ll deal with different situations, each of which has a context that you need to react to, and that’s […]
- [How Netflix Transformed Boardroom Culture : Watching the Company “In the Wild”](https://realvelona.com/2019/07/11/how-netflix-transformed-boardroom-culture-watching-the-company-in-the-wild/): Over the last year as I delved into Corporate Governance to learn how to set things up for my company I struggled with much of what I found. Everything pointed towards independence between board and management and often in some questionable practices aimed at protecting the board rather than protecting the company and its shareholders. This didn’t sit well with what I knew about modern ways of working and governing by being present rather than through reporting. After doing a bit of research I came across a counterfactual in the form of Netflix who operate in a very different way. In […]
- [Make as Few Decisions as Possible (And Other Leadership Tips from Netflix’s Reed Hastings)](https://realvelona.com/2019/07/08/make-as-few-decisions-as-possible-and-other-leadership-tips-from-netflixs-reed-hastings/): Why is it that founder led companies are performing so well and dominating industries world-wide. In this article I take a short glimpse at Reed Hastings founder of Netflix and some of the things he does differently and has encoded into the Netflix culture. Netflix CEO Reed Hastings’ leadership methods may be unconventional. But judging by the company’s massive success, it’s safe to say that they work. See for yourself what makes Hastings such a powerful leader. What does it take to build a $148.5-billion company that disrupted the film and TV entertainment industry? Just ask Reed Hastings, as this is […]
- [The 7 Questions That Every Modern Leader Needs to Ask Themselves](https://realvelona.com/2019/07/01/the-7-questions-that-every-modern-leader-needs-to-ask-themselves/): We all want to be a better leader, and there is so much leadership development literature out there sometimes you can sometimes get lost in the complexity of it all. There are some time tested and universal tenets to leadership. In this article, I am sharing some of them in a rough guideline to help leaders self-reflect. Business leaders have a lot on their plate. They have to juggle many factors that may contribute to their success and keep finding new ways of staying relevant in the market. For this reason, it’s easy to get caught up in everything that’s happening […]
- [How Netflix Built its Culture](https://realvelona.com/2019/06/24/how-netflix-built-its-culture/): A great culture makes everyone in the company happy to be there and boosts performance and motivation. As people spend a huge part of their life at work, this is crucial to helping them live a fulfilling life. In this article I provide some examples of how a great company goes about things. Netflix is the undisputable king of subscription streaming. Even though it’s far from the only service, it’s easily the most popular. Delivering some of the world’s favourite TV shows and movies, it’s a go-to platform for those looking for entertainment. Obviously, it’s Netflix’s amazing execution of the streaming […]
- [The Four Board Members You Need for Digital Transformation](https://realvelona.com/2019/06/19/the-four-board-members-you-need-for-digital-transformation/): Digital transformation is about much more than technology, it needs to become a key part of your strategy and it needs full commitment from the board. Traditional boards with a lack of digital natives won’t provide that commitment which makes digitisation almost impossible to achieve. In this article, I explore the four types of board members you need on your company’s board to give you a better chance of transforming your organisation into the digital age. The digital era has brought new issues to the boardroom. Companies need the right people on the board to create successful digital transformation. Traditional boards […]
- [The Best Leaders Are Vulnerable (And Here Are Five Reasons Why)](https://realvelona.com/2019/05/13/the-best-leaders-are-vulnerable-and-here-are-five-reasons-why/): Many leaders struggle to show vulnerability, but it is essential for fostering creativity, improving communication, and building stronger connections. Unwillingness to share vulnerability affects mental health and creates barriers to human connection. Vulnerability alleviates tension, fosters creativity, enhances communication, humanizes leaders, and builds trust, ultimately inspiring creativity and engagement.
- [The Five Barriers to Corporate Innovation (And How You Can Overcome Them)](https://realvelona.com/2019/03/26/the-five-barriers-to-corporate-innovation-and-how-you-can-overcome-them/): Businesses need to prioritize innovation to avoid stagnation and obsolescence. However, common barriers hinder this process, such as isolating innovation efforts from the rest of the company, lacking customer empathy, and a focus on efficiency over creativity. Overcoming these barriers is critical for creating a sustainable culture of innovation and remaining competitive.
- [Five ways to build a collaborative culture in your organisation](https://realvelona.com/2019/02/05/five-ways-to-build-a-collaborative-culture-in-your-organisation/): Collaboration is fundamental for business success, yet many fail due to a lack of it. Five key tips for fostering collaboration are: establish higher level intent, set constraints, encourage diversity of thought, ensure psychological safety, and foster transparency. These practices create a culture where individuals and units understand, communicate, and work towards common goals.
- [Tips from startup titans for innovating within your business](https://realvelona.com/2019/01/22/tips-from-startup-titans-for-innovating-within-your-business/): Many believe that businesses fail due to a lack of technological innovation, but examples like Blockbuster and Kodak show it's about more than that. Elon Musk advises embracing change, Reed Hastings emphasizes not fearing to hurt your initial business, and Steve Jobs underscores the importance of innovation driven by consumer needs. These lessons urge businesses to evolve and not become overly reliant on existing models.
- [Amazon’s Shift from Presentation Culture to Memo Culture (And What You Can Learn from It)](https://realvelona.com/2018/11/13/amazons-shift-from-presentation-culture-to-memo-culture-and-what-you-can-learn-from-it/): The way you conduct meetings is changing. Innovators, like Amazon, have switched away from presentations and towards memo culture. Here’s why they’ve done it and why it’s a good idea that you do the same. When you look for innovators in the modern business world, you look to Amazon. The company has made innovation its goal in everything that it does. They have to be because they need to stay ahead of customer demands. As Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos puts it: “Our customers are loyal to us right up until the second somebody offers them a better service. “And I love […]

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- [INVESTING](https://realvelona.com/investing/): I’ve always believed the best way to support the next generation of founders isn’t just cheering from the sidelines — it’s putting skin in the game. Velo Ventures is my co-investing syndicate focused on early-stage startups. It’s built for investors who want access to curated deal flow and the ability to co-invest alongside founders building something worth backing. If you’re a founder looking for early-stage funding, or an investor looking for deal co-investment opportunities, Velo Ventures is the place to start.? veloventures.vc
- [About Me](https://realvelona.com/about-me/): Paul Velonis has over 25 years of professional services experience, specializing in product innovation and digital transformation. He worked with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, IBM, and ThoughtWorks before co-founding Elabor8, a leading Agile Transformation consultancy in Australia. With expertise in strategy, leadership, business architecture, and digital innovation, he continues to make significant contributions in the industry.
- [Posts](https://realvelona.com/posts/)
- [About Real Velona](https://realvelona.com/about/): Real Velona is a digital realm where a Melbourne executive and entrepreneur shares insights on business strategies, innovation, leadership, technology, consumer tech, fitness, and WW2 lessons. It's about fostering connections, conversations, and a community around shared interests, inviting readers to explore and engage in discovering the unknown and challenging the known.

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