Kirill Smirenko
Entrepreneur and IT consultant.
Business advice
During my career, I transitioned from a full-time software engineer to a full-time entrepreneur, and I help other tech professionals do the same.I consult (aspiring) entrepreneurs on:
💡 Startup idea validation;
🤝 Business negotiations;
🌍 Cross-cultural business communication;
🗂 The basics of SME administration in the Netherlands.
IT consulting
As an experienced software project manager, I specisalise in setting up software development of smaller-scale but high-complexity projects.📋 I help non-technical founders with business analysis and planing the Minimum Viable Product.📊 Then, I work with the founders to stay on top of the process, ensuring the product remains minimal and viable.
Background
🏢 Co-Founder and strategic partner (2019-present) of Betoola, an IT consulting and software development company.
🏨 Co-Founder, CTO (2022) and CEO (2023) of Hotelshousing, a startup in the travel industry.🚀 Amsterdam Centre for Entrepreneurship Incubation Program (Spring 2023 cohort).
💼 MSc Entrepreneurship, University of Amsterdam & Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
💻 BSc Software Engineering, Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics at St. Petersburg State University.
Bookshelf
I am happy to share the business books that I found most helpful for my career.
There are only three, and I do recommend reading them all.
Contact me
Are you a tech founder who could use help on the business side? Or a non-tech founder who needs to cover the technical side? Or just want to chat? Feel free to reach out to me.
Smirenko Consulting
Leiden, Netherlands
KvK 85816639
Kirill's Bookshelf
These are my three favourite business books of all time.
Never Split the Difference
The #1 book on negotiations.I actually believe that negotiations, sales, business idea validation and communication in general are not four different skills, but are almost the same thing. This book will help you master all of the above.This book changed my life and supercharged my business career. I cannot recommend it enough.Authors: Chris Voss with Tahl Raz.
The Mom Test
An extensive guide on how exactly to speak with customers (or anyone, really) about your business idea and product.This was especially helpful to me, because previously, I had been biased by my technical background into taking other people's words at face value. It's not the best approach. What is? Read tihs book to find out.Author: Rob Fitzpatrick.
The Culture Map
An amazing tutorial on communicating in an international business environment.If your life journey spans multiple countries like mine, and if you regularly deal with people from various cultural backgrounds (in the 21st century, you probably do), this book will help you uncover hidden biases and barriers that hinder productive communication, both in the business context and otherwise.Author: Erin Meyer.
