The subject, “Build a Tech Stack That Can Survive the Chaos,” couldn’t be more relevant in a world where technology shifts faster than we can update our apps.
The session, moderated with energy and wit, brought together four brilliant minds from across the tech and start-up landscape: Áine Rogers from Cisco, Andy Wilson from Dropbox, Brian from Dell Technologies, and Besnik Vrellaku of salesflow.io. What followed was an insightful, sometimes sobering, often inspiring exploration of how small businesses can make technology work for them, not the other way around.
Start simple, think big
Áine kicked things off by underlining a deceptively simple truth: scale matters, but so does simplicity. Her advice was to invest in technology that is flexible and scalable but not needlessly complex. Her mantra? Security first. Implementing a zero-trust policy isn’t optional; it’s essential. “Your tech stack is meaningless if a breach brings your whole business down,” she warned.
Andy echoed that sentiment, but brought it closer to the screen, literally. In today’s remote-first world, he said, we must start with how we work and build backwards. Are your teams working on screens? Then choose tools that give them the best possible experience on those screens. From automation to simple transcription services, he championed thoughtful implementation over shiny distractions.
Lessons from the front lines
Besnik, founder of the fast-growing salesflow.io, offered the kind of gritty, real-world perspective that only a bootstrapped entrepreneur can. With a lean global team of 30 and year-on-year growth at 50%, he’s living proof that the right tech stack can be a growth engine. His team uses custom APIs, AWS, Segment, and Zapier to integrate data seamlessly across every function. “A single source of truth” was his golden rule.
And yes, CRM (Customer Relationship Management) systems matter. Besnik explained how CRMs aren’t just sales tools; they’re the beating heart of customer understanding, feedback loops, and product improvement.
The allure and danger of disruption
Should SMEs stick with legacy giants or take a risk on disruptive newcomers? Besnik argued passionately for the latter. New tech can be a competitive edge. “You could be doing something better than your competitors, at half the cost, with the same margins,” he enthused. But, as Áine cautioned, only if those tools are secure, integrable, and not setting you up for a painful “rip and replace” scenario later.
Security isn’t optional. It’s fundamental.
The panel returned again and again to one non-negotiable: security. Andy made it plain. Small businesses are targets, precisely because they often assume they’re not. Simple steps like multi-factor authentication, password policies, and knowing who has access to what content can save a business from disaster. Content access governance, especially when using contractors and freelancers, was called out as a vital but often neglected layer.
Áine told a chilling story of an interior design business nearly collapsing due to a cyber attack. “Your brand is everything,” she said. A breach isn’t just technical; it’s emotional, reputational, and existential.
Top tools for SMEs
When asked for their favourite tools, the panel’s answers ranged from practical to personal. Otter AI, for transcription, got high praise. So did Reclaim.AI for calendar management and Dropbox Dash for intelligent content search. Besnik championed SmartSuite for productivity and reiterated his team’s universal adoption of ChatGPT “for literally everything,” from proofreading to data analysis.
Cutting through the noise
As a founder from Lightning Leadership pointed out, it’s easy to be paralysed by choice. With thousands of AI tools emerging, how do you know what’s worth the investment? Brian from Dell gave a reality check: no one has all the answers. Focus on the problem you’re trying to solve, not the hype. And if you’re a micro-business with limited time and money, don’t go it alone. Tap into managed service providers, resellers, and communities that can do the heavy lifting with future-proof solutions.
The final word
As the panel wrapped up and the applause echoed, one thing became crystal clear: building a resilient tech stack isn’t about chasing the latest trend. It’s about clarity, simplicity, security, and alignment with your unique business goals. Done right, your tech stack doesn’t just survive the chaos. It thrives in it.
