On the lighter side of things, we ask Moreno Carullo, CTO and Co-founder, Nozomi Networks, what makes him tick.
What would you describe as your most memorable achievement?
Contribution to the building of Nozomi Networks is one of my most memorable achievements as its co-founder and CTO. Successful development of a solid software architecture, coupled with the implementation of an agile culture throughout the organisation is another thing I am proud of. This dual accomplishment has allowed us to create a strong, scalable foundation for Nozomi Networks while maintaining rapid time-to-market and high-quality standards.
What first made you think of a career in technology?
My passion for building things started at a young age, playing with Lego bricks like many kids do. It wasn’t until the fourth grade that I got my first computer, and from then on, I fell in love with technology and programming.
As a co-founder and CTO, I have been able to channel this passion into creating innovative solutions with our R&D teams. Whether it’s developing new software or hardware products, I am always excited to be part of the process.
What style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position?
I like to lead by example and follow servant-oriented leadership principles. I believe that transparency, feedback, courage, communication, simplicity and humility are the foundations of technical work. By embracing these principles, we can create a team that is unafraid to disrupt and innovate.
What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry?
It can be AI, optimising cloud costs, or finding organisational ways to improve how quickly quality software can be made. The key is efficiency.
How do you deal with stress and unwind outside of the office?
Confucius said: ‘find a job you like, and you won’t work a single day’. This is not to say I am not stressed at work, but I am able to say that this is my passion and I do it with all the energy I have. Sometimes when things get difficult, and I need to recharge my batteries – I tend to spend time with my family and do activities with my wife and kids.
If you could go back and change one career decision, what would it be?
Our life is the result of a complex system. Thinking that a little change would make all things like we have them each day, but better, is an illusion. Every step we make, good or bad, is part of life and contributes to our growth. Having a positive mindset is fundamental to always being able to look forward.
What are the region-specific challenges when implementing new technologies in Europe?
Region-specific challenges arise from different cultures. Some cultures tend to care a lot about privacy, or data regulations – some about detection capabilities, or easiness of deployment. These different priorities change how you position and sell your products, but also how you grow them over time. As a global company, we tend to evolve our products and accommodate as much as possible to the needs of the markets we serve.
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months?
The biggest change I’d say is the big focus to obtain efficient hypergrowth. Thus, companies need to grow but with the additional constraint to keep efficiencies as high as possible.
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain C-level position in your industry?
Becoming a C-level in any industry requires for sure experience and leadership. Aim to become a good, inspiring leader. Motivate your team and set crazy high goals. Never stop learning, listen to others, be critical.
