Most companies rush into cloud, AI, and compliance tooling, without a clear goal. Christian Scholz believes that’s backwards.

In this episode of the TEQ Shift Podcast, the VP of Cloud Business at Arvato Systems—and lead architect behind Google Wallet—shares what 30+ years in the field have taught him: IT should follow business, not the buzz.

Christian explains why tech doesn’t need to move faster—it needs to move with purpose. And how business-aligned strategy, not just modern stacks, is what actually scales.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Avoid “cloud-first” traps that never deliver value
✅ Measure real risk—in budget, not buzzwords
✅ Structure a vision teams can believe in (and rally behind)
✅ Use proof-of-concepts to validate strategy, not chase trends
✅ Lead transformation with transparency, honesty, and people
✅ Focus on direction over noise in a hype-saturated market

Want more?
Find everything from this episode at www.createq.com/en/podcast – insights, links, and expert takeaways.

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Most companies treat IT like plumbing, until it breaks. But Markus Sontheimer has spent decades proving that when tech leads the strategy, it drives the business.

In this episode of the TEQ Shift Podcast, Markus shares the playbook behind real digital transformation: the 8-Spoke IT Transformation Wheel. From his time as CIO at Mercedes-Benz, DB Schenker, Deutsche Bank, and most recently Group CIDO at ISS, Markus has led IT in four industries and turned it into a competitive weapon.

We talk about what actually works when modernising legacy landscapes, aligning global teams, and making tech visible where it matters most: the boardroom.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Move from decentralised chaos to a scalable tech strategy
✅ Reframe IT from “cost centre” to growth engine
✅ Build internal capability without over-relying on consultants
✅ Align business and tech through cross-functional ownership
✅ Kill the myth of business vs. IT
✅ Apply the 8 transformation dimensions—from architecture to culture

Want more?
Find everything from this episode at https://www.createq.com/en/insights/from-theory-to-impact-a-practical-data-framework-for-tech-leaders – insights, links, and expert takeaways.

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Leaders in regulated, high-stakes industries are under pressure to modernise fast, without compromising on quality, compliance, or ROI. In this episode, Ralf Klädtke, Managing Director at Gestalt Automation, shares how hyperspectral imaging and AI are transforming industrial quality assurance, and what it really takes to implement scalable, ROI-driven innovation.

From navigating complexity in global organisations to building AI systems that deliver tangible results, Ralf brings hard-earned insights from aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing—all grounded in execution, not hype.

You’ll learn how to…
– Spot hidden flaws (literally) using hyperspectral imaging and AI
– Avoid the most expensive mistake in AI: poor data
– Drive transformation without losing team passion or focus
– Build trust in AI systems through calibration and compliance
– Align strategy from the boardroom to the production line
– Focus your innovation efforts where they actually deliver ROI

Want more? Find everything from this episode at www.createq.com/en/podcast – insights, links, and expert takeaways.
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Legacy systems don’t crash companies—misaligned people do. In this episode, Marc Gasser talks with Füsun Wehrmann, ex Group CTO at InPost and former tech leader at Microsoft and Wayfair, about how culture, not architecture, is often the bottleneck in transformation.

She reveals how to untangle perceptions, build real change teams, and lead through ambiguity, especially with GenAI flooding the industry with both hype and fear.

You’ll learn how to:
✅ Identify root causes behind transformation stalls
✅ Avoid hero traps and create shared ownership
✅ Tackle GenAI resistance with psychological safety
✅ Reframe change as experimentation, not perfection
✅ Communicate differently across stakeholder groups

Whether you’re scaling legacy systems or introducing AI agents to a distributed team, this episode offers a human-first lens on tech change.

Want more?
Find everything from this episode at https://www.createq.com/en/insights/6-hard-truths-about-tech-leaders-driving-transformation – insights, links, and expert takeaways.
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Legacy data chaos can ruin your AI project before it even begins. Boris Bialek, Global Field CTO at MongoDB, reveals how leading businesses achieve real results with AI by first mastering data clean-up, real-time capabilities, and practical strategies to align technology with business goals.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why your AI project must start from business problems, not technology

✅ How to tackle data chaos efficiently

✅ Real-world frameworks (MAAP) that ensure AI delivers business value

✅ The importance of real-time response for AI solutions

✅ Why thinking big and starting small saves millions.

Want more? Find everything from this episode at https://www.createq.com/en/insights/ai-use-case-in-regulated-industries-healtcare-insurance– insights, links, and expert takeaways.

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Remote and hybrid teams are here to stay—but how do you lead them well?

CREATEQ CEO Philipp Ringgenberg shares what it takes to enable distributed teams to thrive. From empathy to rhythm, structure to upskilling—this episode is a leadership guide for a digitally connected world.

Takeaways:

✅ Trust and alignment as non-negotiables✅ The power of autonomy and simplicity
✅ Why empathy isn’t a ‘soft’ skill
✅ Celebrate progress and remove blockers
✅ Structure rhythms that sustain momentum

Discover why people—not tools—build high-performance cultures, wherever they are.

Want more? Find everything from this episode at www.createq.com/en/podcast – insights, links, and expert takeaways.
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Compliance is no longer a checkbox—it's a code-level commitment.
In high-stakes industries like crypto, fintech, and aviation, a single line of code can trigger a regulatory crisis. As systems scale and speed becomes essential, compliance, auditability, and security must be baked into every sprint.

In this episode, Marc Gasser sits down with Erwin Veldhuis—ex-CTO in the crypto world and now Head of Growth at CREATEQ—to uncover how compliance-driven development keeps companies secure, agile, and scalable.

How are tech leaders building software that can:

✅ Pass audits with immutable logs and real-time traceability.
✅ Scale across multiple EU jurisdictions without rewriting infrastructure.
✅ Operate 24/7 in hostile environments where downtime = disaster.
✅ Stay secure with CI/CD pipelines, four-eye principles, and live vulnerability scanning.
✅ Win regulators’ trust while accelerating product delivery.

Plus, insights from the crypto frontlines, practical tooling tips, and the mindset shift dev teams need to thrive in regulated markets.

Takeaways

• Compliance must be embedded from day one.
• Crypto systems run 24/7—downtime is a dealbreaker.
• Cybersecurity isn't a feature—it's your foundation.
• Cross-border scaling demands country-specific compliance logic.
• Train dev teams to think like regulators and hackers.

Want more? Find everything from this episode on our blog – insights, tools, and real-world takeaways.

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Finding top tech talent can be tough, but it doesn't have to feel impossible. At CREATEQ, we've learned a few things about what actually works, and we're ready to share these insights to help you attract the best.

In this episode of the TEQ Shift podcast, Marc Gasser hosts Ana Dedeic and Sonja Tomic to discuss the challenges and strategies in talent acquisition within the tech industry.

The conversation emphasizes the need for a positive candidate experience and the significance of building relationships in hiring.

Takeaways:

• The talent pool is shrinking, making recruitment challenging.
• Candidates often feel like numbers in the hiring process.
• Poor hiring practices can lead to significant costs.
• Personalization in recruitment can reduce ghosting by 80%.

• Building relationships with candidates is essential for effective hiring.

Plus, we summarised the 5 hacks in our new article with the help of our recruiters Ana and Sonja, check it out: https://www.createq.com/en/insights/5-steps-to-attract-top-tech-talent

Want more? Find everything from this episode at www.createq.com/en/podcast – insights, links, and expert takeaways.

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