1163: ALL the secrets of a tech stack (and tech STRATEGY!) that can help you GROW and SCALE w/ Azunna Anyanwu
In this episode, we’re diving into the mind of a three-time CIO and CTO who’s taken his decades of experience leading top 100 firms and brought it straight to small business owners like you. Azunna Anyanwu is the founder of The Agile CIO, where he helps entrepreneurs strategically and tactically harness tech to scale smarter—not just faster.
Azunna doesn’t just understand tech—he understands how to align it with business growth. From streamlining operations to embracing AI with intention, this episode is a masterclass in thinking big while staying lean. Whether you’re tech-savvy or tech-averse, Azunna will change how you view your systems, workflows, and scalability.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🔌 The difference between a CTO and CIO—and why it matters for your business
- 🛠️ How to map your tech stack and identify overlapping tools that are wasting time and money
- 🧩 Why every small business should conduct a systems + workflow audit
- 🤖 How to approach AI with a “fast follower” mindset (and avoid bleeding-edge distractions)
- 🧱 The power of aligning technology decisions with long-term business goals
- 💼 How Azunna built his own business tech stack using the same framework he uses for clients
- ⏳ Why “just-in-time planning” is the agile secret weapon for sustainable growth
📝 About the Guest
Azunna Anyanwu is the Founder of The Agile CIO and an award-winning technology executive with over 20 years of experience in IT operations, cybersecurity, and technology strategy. A trusted advisor and servant leader, he helps organizations strengthen their tech operations and close critical cybersecurity and IT gaps.
Azunna has held CIO and CTO roles at three Top 100 accounting firms and previously served as Director of IT for a federal government contractor. He began his career in Big 4 consulting, delivering solutions for state and federal agencies.
His broad expertise spans business process reengineering, strategic planning, and technical leadership across both public and private sectors.
Azunna holds degrees in Computer Science from Harvard University and The Johns Hopkins University, along with an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.
🎯 Guest’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“Embrace the journey. The ups and downs will grow you, and you’ll discover strengths you didn’t know you had.”
💡 Key takeaways from Azunna's advice:
- ✅ Entrepreneurship isn’t linear—success comes from staying committed through the highs and lows
- ✅ You don’t need all the answers to start—just a willingness to learn and iterate
- ✅ If you’re solving a real business problem, there’s always someone who needs your help
📢 Memorable Quotes
“Technology is just a means to an end. It has to make sense for your business goals.” – Azunna Anyanwu
“Don’t fall for the shiny object—start with the problem and build your tech around that.” – Azunna Anyanwu
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Conduct a tech + systems audit to identify inefficiencies and overlaps
✅ Create a roadmap before chasing new tools—prioritize what actually moves the needle
✅ Define your “just-in-time” systems list: what you’ll need next quarter, not next year
✅ Approach AI with purpose—identify a business challenge first, then see if AI solves it
🔗 Links & Resources
