Black Code Collective

In today’s tech-driven world, the best engineers do more than just write great code — they understand how their work drives business value. This talk explores why business acumen is becoming a must-have skill for software engineers who want to grow beyond technical excellence.
Drawing from my own journey from software engineering to consulting at McKinsey, I’ll share practical insights on:

• How companies actually make (and lose) money — and where engineers fit in.
• The difference between solving technical problems and solving business problems.
• How understanding strategy, customers, and markets makes you a more impactful engineer.
• Frameworks consultants use to think about impact — and how you can apply them in engineering.

Whether you’re an early-career developer curious about business, a senior engineer aiming for leadership, or someone considering a career pivot, you’ll walk away with new mental models and tools to connect your technical work to real-world outcomes.

#### Takeaways

• A fresh perspective on what makes technical work valuable to a business.
• Actionable ways to “speak the language” of business and influence decisions.
• A better understanding of career paths that bridge tech and strategy.