Podcasts about atif rafiq

The 2024 Provocateurs series featured nine inspiring thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and business authors who challenged us to re-think conventional approaches to leadership and management. Neri Karra Sillaman shared her remarkable story from refugee to building a multi-million-dollar sustainable fashion brand; Marcus Collins explored the hidden power of cultural influence in consumer behaviour; Lisa McKnight revealed how she transformed Barbie into a cultural phenomenon and billion-dollar success; and Andrew Winston redefined the role of business to create a thriving “net positive world”. One of the key highlights of the 2024 series was recording live at New York Climate Week with Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever, who delivered an emotional and unequivocal call to action to address the “moral vacuum” in global leadership. We must cultivate leaders, he says, who are equipped to embrace restorative, reparative, and regenerative practices and lead with purpose.We also learnt leadership lessons from Amy Chang on becoming an AI entrepreneur; Jeff Wetzler on leveraging the wisdom of the people around you; Dane Jensen on harnessing the positive power of pressure; and Atif Rafiq on driving innovation and digital transformation in traditional, legacy companies.In this episode, Steve Goldbach, Geoff Tuff, and Kulleni Gebreyes of Deloitte, join Stuart Crainer and Des Dearlove of Thinkers50, to reflect on their key takeaways and thought-provoking insights from Provocateurs 2024.This podcast is part of an ongoing series of interviews with executives. The executives' participation in this podcast are solely for educational purposes based on their knowledge of the subject and the views expressed by them are solely their own. This podcast should not be deemed or construed to be for the purpose of soliciting business for any of the companies mentioned, nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse the services or products provided by these companies.

Global Product Management Talk is pleased to bring you the next episode of... Product Mastery Now with host Chad McAllister, PhD. The podcast is all about helping people involved in innovation and managing products become more successful, grow their careers, and STANDOUT from their peers. About the Episode:  In this episode, I speak with Atif Rafiq about how senior product leaders approach strategy development and execution. Atif brings valuable insights from a recent PDMA executive workshop where leaders discussed their real-world challenges with strategic decision making and innovation strategy. Key topics from our discussion: Main challenges product leaders face when developing strategyA practical framework for exploring product opportunitiesHow AI tools can help with strategic decision makingThe importance of early-stage product workWays to improve alignment across organizationsReal-world example using a subscription service concept

Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Atif Raqiq's book "Decision Sprint:" ChainOfLearning.com/29Do you ever feel like you're stuck between chaos and bureaucracy, unable to break free from the status quo?You are probably facing a common challenge that other leaders and change practitioners experience: how to navigate uncertainty while trying to drive innovation and agility in your organization.In this episode, Atif Rafiq, seasoned C-suite executive and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Decision Sprint” shares what he's learned about leading through ambiguity to drive digital and cultural transformations at global companies like Amazon, McDonald's, and MGM Resorts.Atif breaks down the Decision Sprint framework to help you bring clarity into the unknown by moving problem-solving upstream, enabling you and your teams to make faster, smarter decisions that drive meaningful change and innovation.Uncertainty IS what most organizations are facing today. Relying on outdated leadership models and approaches to problem-solving keeps you trapped facing the same issues year after year without real progress. Tune into this episode and gain insights how you can break free from this cycle and embrace new approaches to navigate ambiguity and empower you to innovate and lead by making decisions faster, smarter, and better.YOU'LL LEARN:The difference between boring problems vs. creative problems and how to bring authentic interest to solving the “boring problems” in your organizationThe risk in relying solely on “known” solutions instead of exploring innovative ways to solve problemsWhy organizations need to start thinking more upstream rather than focusing on what's in front of themWhat the Decision Sprint Model is and how you can use it to get ahead of problems and move problem-solving upstreamThe difference between bureaucracy and chaos and how to avoid being stuck between the twoABOUT MY GUEST:Atif Rafiq has reshaped industries and generated billions in revenue for some of the world's leading companies. He's CEO of Ritual and has held leadership roles in tech companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL and has held C-suite roles at multinational corporations including McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He is also the Wall Street bestselling author of "Decision Sprint: The new way to Innovate into the Unknown and move from Strategy into Action." Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future.  He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, board member, and CEO advisor.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/29Connect with Atif Rafiq: www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ Order your copy of “Decision Sprint” by Atif Rafiq: www.decisionsprint.com/book  Check out my website: KBJAnderson.com/Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: [2:24] Atif's massive career shift and the challenge of changing the culture of a large established organization[5:51] The risk of staying in a safe zone rather than navigating through ambiguity[7:52] Boring problems versus creative problems and an example of the importance of taking interest in a “boring” problem[14:14] The Decision Sprint Model and how it helps move thinking and problem solving upstream[16:21] The role of experimentation in problem solving and the benefits of collaboration to gain insights[20:10] Concept of alignment and how it connects exploration and decision making[25:57] Difference between bureaucracy and chaos [29:11] Upstream and downstream work and creating different systems for managing both  Enter for a chance to win a signed copy of Atif Raqiq's book "Decision Sprint:" ChainOfLearning.com/29

The workplace landscape is undergoing a radical shift. Companies are recognizing the need for continuous problem-solving and innovation. Enter AI - the game-changer in knowledge creation. About the Guest Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!,

Summary In this episode, Andy talks with one of the gurus of governance, Ross Garland, co-author of the Project, Program, and Portfolio Governance Guide. They discuss the importance of governance in project management and how it differs from technical aspects like scope and risk management. Ross explains Cobb's paradox and why projects still fail despite knowing how to prevent their failure. They also delve into the principles of governance, such as treating change differently from business as usual and ensuring a single point of accountability for each project or program. The guide provides practical tools and templates for implementing effective governance. Sound Bites "Cobbs Paradox: We know why projects fail. We know how to prevent their failure. So why do they still fail?" "Most projects muddle through, they get through one way or another, they produce an output, they produce assets. And particularly if they're government projects, ministers tend to be very happy because they get to cut the ribbon." "One of the loneliest positions in the world you can have is to be a project manager who needs to get decisions made, and when they look up in the governance structure, all they see is blue sky." "Some organizations still have the concept that the experts in project management should be the people leading projects. Now, if you do that, what you end up with is lovely assets, but not business outcomes." "There tends to be in some organizations a very unfortunate tendency to think that accountability is about who to blame when things go wrong. And that is not the case. It's about empowerment." "A single point of accountability is essential for the success of a project or program." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:09 Start Of Interview 02:20 What Is Cobb's Paradox And Why Does It Persist? 05:05 How Do You Describe Governance, And What Is It Not? 07:02 How Do You Differentiate Projects, Programs, And Portfolios? 10:05 How Does Your Guide Compare To PMI's Practice Guide On Governance? 13:25 What Is The Importance Of Treating Change Differently From Business As Usual? 15:32 Can You Explain The Single Point Of Accountability Principle? 20:32 Real-World Example: Replacing A Payroll System 25:41 What Feedback Have You Received From People Using The Guide? 27:46 Where To Find The Guide 28:46 End Of Interview 29:07 Andy's Comments After The Interview 33:30 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Ross and his guide at P3gqa.com/. If you'd like more on this subject, check out: Episode 387, with Atif Rafiq about his book on delivering projects Prepare to Pass Your Project Management Certification Exam We regularly help people just like you prepare and pass their PMP and CAPM certification exams. If you or someone you know is thinking about pursuing project management certification, contact us! We'd love to help you earn your credential. Learn more and enroll at i-leadonline.com/PMSeries. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Ways of Working Topics: governance, project management, program management, portfolio management, decision-making, accountability, project sponsor   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Tranceverse by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Atif Rafiq was Melissa Perri's guest In this episode of the Product Thinking podcast. Atif is a multi-talented CEO at Ritual, as well as a Board Member at multiple companies. On top of that, he is the best-selling author of Decision Sprint. Tune in to discover how Atif's software, Ritual, combines workflow and AI to facilitate decision-making and hear his thoughts on balancing long-term goals with short-term objectives. Don't miss out on this inspiring discussion about the future of technology and problem-solving within organizations.

Atif Rafiq: Digital DisruptorProvocateur of the C-Suite, Atif Rafiq has been disrupting companies for more than 25 years in Silicon Valley, the Fortune 500, and through a variety of his own startups. Having begun his career in digital native companies including AOL, Yahoo, and Amazon, Atif was named the first chief digital officer in the history of the Fortune 500 when he took on that role for McDonald's in 2013. He has overseen thousands of employees as a global P&L transformation and innovation leader in multiple companies and industries.Today, over a half million people follow Atif's ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter, Re:Wire, has attracted over 100,000 subscribers. Atif's 2023 book, Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, is a Wall Street Journal bestseller. In this podcast, Atif talks with Geoff Tuff of Deloitte and Des Dearlove of Thinkers50 about the accidental metamorphoses along his career path and his latest venture and software tool, Ritual. He also discusses how to bring digital transformation to a traditional bricks-and-mortar business, and his methodical approach to innovation, which involves giving teams space for exploration, multiple input meetings before output, and the leader as calibrator rather than controller.This podcast is part of an ongoing series of interviews with executives. The executives' participation in this podcast are solely for educational purposes based on their knowledge of the subject and the views expressed by them are solely their own. This podcast should not be deemed or construed to be for the purpose of soliciting business for any of the companies mentioned, nor does Deloitte advocate or endorse the services or products provided by these companies.

Atif is the author of Decision Sprint The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He currently sits on the Boards of Flutter / Fanduel ($25bn public company); Clearcover (a fintech provider, ranked on the Fast 500); and KINS Capital ($300mm SPAC). Previously, he's served on the client council for Snapchat (SNAP), as advisor to Slack (acquired by Salesforce for $20bn) and national board member of Defy Ventures (non-profit serving the formerly incarcerated). While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Rewire has over 100,000 subscribers. He's advised and invested in over 30 startups including Headspace, SpaceX, 23&me, Callisto Media, Bullet Proof Nutrition, CONBODY, Byte Mobile and Salad & Go. He is an active speaker at conferences including MIT Artificial Intelligence Summit, Fortune Reinvent, Cannes Lion, SXSW, CES, Google I/O, Twitter Flight, Web Summit, and more. His work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Mashable, Forbes, CNET, Tech Crunch, and Fast Company. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.

In this episode of Shift with Elena Agar, I chat with Atif Rafiq - President | Ex-Amazon, C Suite in Fortune 500, startup CEO | Board Director. Atif has managed over 10,000 people over his C Suite career and knows a thing or two about knowledge work. As a tech innovator for over 25 years, he spotted the game changing potential of AI and workflow to drive knowledge work in early 2021, when he started Ritual. After 15+ years in Silicon Valley / tech companies like Amazon, Atif rose through the ranks of various Fortune 500 companies. He was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500. His pioneering work at McDonald's lead to work billions of dollars of new revenue, and he lead massive transformations as Global CIO and CDO at Volvo and then as President at MGM Resorts. Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over 500,000 people follow his ideas on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers. In this episode, Atif shared his experiences transitioning from a high-flying corporate career to launching his startup, Ritual, aiming to blend human creativity with AI efficiency. He highlighted the necessity of up-skilling in an AI-driven era and the importance of psychological safety in leadership. Remember, embracing challenges and pushing beyond comfort zones are key to success in this rapidly evolving business landscape. Connect with Atif on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ Website - Ritual: https://www.ritual.work/ Time stamps: 00:00 Pioneered company innovation, led thousands, ready for change. 05:20 Choosing between expected path and true passion. 07:37 Entrepreneurship requires hard work, self-reliance, perseverance. 12:18 Maintain energy reserves for preventing burnout. 15:33 AI's impact on job market and education. 19:48 Companies need proactive future-focused teams for success. 20:41 CEO's need to focus on innovation and efficiency. 26:23 Generational and educational diversity impact employment outlook. 30:23 Seeing others succeed is gratifying for me. 33:29 Filter out noise, focus on true regrets Follow Elena: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaagaragimova/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elenaagaragimova/ Listen on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-with-elena-agar/id1530850914 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5UKh6dWcuQwJlmAOqD8wij --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/elenaagar/support

Atif is the author of Decision Sprint The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He currently sits on the Boards of Flutter / Fanduel ($25bn public company); Clearcover (a fintech provider, ranked on the Fast 500); and KINS Capital ($300mm SPAC). Previously, he's served on the client council for Snapchat (SNAP), as advisor to Slack (acquired by Salesforce for $20bn) and national board member of Defy Ventures (non-profit serving the formerly incarcerated). While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Rewire has over 100,000 subscribers. He's advised and invested in over 30 startups including Headspace, SpaceX, 23&me, Callisto Media, Bullet Proof Nutrition, CONBODY, Byte Mobile and Salad & Go. He is an active speaker at conferences including MIT Artificial Intelligence Summit, Fortune Reinvent, Cannes Lion, SXSW, CES, Google I/O, Twitter Flight, Web Summit, and more. His work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Mashable, Forbes, CNET, Tech Crunch, and Fast Company. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.

If you are leading a team, you probably spend a lot of your time solving problems with or for the team. And, perhaps you spend more time than you like persuading others, especially senior most leaders, that those solutions are good or that change is necessary. Is there a better way to solve problems – one that encourages innovation and that fosters transformation? That is the focus on this episode.

Atif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the President level in the Fortune 300. While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over 500,000 people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers. Atif has also been nominated Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor. Listen and learnWhat's broken about the decision-making process in large companiesWhat is the decision sprint process How will team formation/team structure change as a result of AI?How do we measure the quality of the output of a decision sprint?What are the smartest ways to engage generative AI in the decision sprint process?How do you reasonably deal with the fear of AI replacing your job?Much moreResources— Buy the book — https://www.decisionsprint.com/— Ritual — https://www.ritual.work/—  Listen to a related episode — https://www.buzzsprout.com/520474/14158168-bruce-feiler-best-selling-author-ted-celebrity-tv-personality-and-new-york-times-columnist-discusses-navigating-life-transitions

Atif Rafiq is the cofounder and CEO of Ritual, a software app to speed up innovation and move ideas to action. He has held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He was previously the cofounder/CEO of Covigna, which is a content management software provider. He's the author of the book Decision Sprint, which was featured on the Wall Street Journal's bestseller list. (00:08) Defining the Future of Work(02:06) Skills for an AI-First Workplace(05:46) Evolution of Education Systems(08:24) Impact of AI on Skilled Professionals(10:30) Remote Work Effectiveness(12:47) Equipping Teams with AI Knowledge(15:46) Career Pivots towards AI(17:49) Practical Steps for Problem Solving(20:12) Value of AI Certifications(21:27) Introduction to Ritual(23:18) Surprising Discoveries with Ritual(26:17) The Future Workplace(29:09) Rapid Fire Round Atif's favorite book: Thinking, Fast and Slow (Author: Daniel Kahneman)--------Where to find Prateek Joshi: Newsletter: https://prateekjoshi.substack.com Website: https://prateekj.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-joshi-91047b19 Twitter: https://twitter.com/prateekvjoshi 

With busy days and the fast pace of work, it's understandable why so many teams jump from idea to basic plan (maybe!) to action. In our desire to move quickly, we forget that when we do so, we risk making bad decisions, resulting in wasted resources and, ultimately, not achieving what we set out to do. This is where upstream work plays a crucial role in getting alignment and clarity, readying us for successful execution.Today's guest is Atif Rafiq. Atif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon and Yahoo!, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He rose to the President level in the Fortune 500 and has led thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader.Atif and I talk about his approach for upstream work, which he calls decision sprints, that help teams and organizations prepare for effective execution. He explains the difference between upstream and downstream activities, the three phases of upstream work, the importance of psychological safety in organizations, and more.Join the conversation now!Get FREE mini-sketchnotes with the big idea from the week's episode delivered to your inbox when you subscribe to my weekly email.Conversation Topics(00:00) Intro(02:04) What is a decision sprint?(03:50) Significance of psychological safety in upstream work(07:58) The role of questions in innovation, strategy, and growth(10:08) Examples of how and when to ask  questions(13:46) Why alignment matters for execution(16:30) What do meetings look like when you are trying to come to an alignment?(20:55) Decision meetings as work accelerators (23:19) How to make better decisions at a team level(26:37) A great manager Atif has worked for(28:34) Keep up with Atif(30:24) [Extended Episode Only] How to integrate decision sprint workflows into your team or organization(35:18) [Extended Episode Only] Ways to determine what questions don't need answering(36:53) [Extended Episode Only] Big lessons from McDonald'sAdditional Resources:- Get the extended episode by Joining The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community for just $15 per month- Read the full transcript here- Follow me on Instagram here - Visit my website for more hereKeep up with Atif Rafiq:- Follow Atif on LinkedIn here- Subscribe to his newsletter here- Visit Decision Sprint for more information here50% Discount on Decision Sprint WorkshopsMembers get a 50% discount on Decision Sprint workshops. These are 1-2 day workshops, virtual or in person, where your team or organization will get to experience the decision sprint workflows directly, enabling you to accomplish work together during the training as well as prepare to integrate the method going forward.Get these guest bonuses and many other member benefits when you join The Modern Manager Podcast+ Community.---------------------The Modern Manager is a leadership podcast for rockstar managers who want to create a working environment where people thrive, and great work gets done.Follow The Modern Manager on your favorite podcast platform so you won't miss an episode!

What happens when a successful Silicon Valley executive leaves the tech startup world and joins a Fortune 500 company?  Listen to this episode to find out what happened when Atif Rafiq made that move – and learn what he discovered by working in both of those environments. On today's call, Atif shares his insights as a business leader and the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500.  He is regarded as one of today's top management thinkers and is regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Forbes, and TechCrunch. Today, Atif is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ritual, which transforms team-based problem solving through workflow and artificial intelligence.  Atif talks about how Ritual was created and how his previous experiences in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 impacted the formation and operation of Ritual. I know you will enjoy learning about Atif's unique business experiences.  And, I'm certain you will get some new ideas for your own business – just like I did! “Purposeful exploration is more than just prototypes. It's about defining the problem well.” – Atif Rafiq Today on the Tech Leader Talk podcast: - The core components of good problem-solving - Empowering teams to think and act differently - Leadership lessons learned from both Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 - The future of knowledge management - Applying Fortune 500 techniques to tech startups Book: Decision Sprint by Atif Rafiq – https://www.decisionsprint.com/ Connect with Atif Rafiq: LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ Re:Wire newsletter:  https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/re-wire-6765332215867031552/ Ritual website:  https://www.ritual.work/ Thanks for listening! Be sure to get your free copy of Steve's latest book, Cracking the Patent Code, and discover his proven system for identifying and protecting your most valuable inventions. Get the book at https://stevesponseller.com/book.

Agencies are under more pressure than ever to be innovative. While it used to be easier to solve your clients' problems and wow them with a great solution, these days, it's much harder to do that with the bar constantly moving. This is why it's essential to develop an innovation strategy.   Wouldn't it be nice to bring a lofty, innovative idea to a client and have them be over the moon and excited to be a part of the process? With the right innovation strategy, that dream can be a reality. An innovation strategy can help your team jumpstart the creative and problem-solving process while leaving room for co-creation and collaboration with your clients. This streamlines the creative process and takes the pressure off you and your team to have all the answers while you search for the solutions to their problems. Tune in to learn how your agency can become problem-solving and innovation experts by asking the right questions, enacting decisive decision-making, and building out a creative workflow. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The hardest part of innovation Collaboration is key for driving innovation Boiling down the “how” of problem-solving and innovation Creating an upstream methodology — the question-asking stage Getting a client to buy into an innovative idea The importance of collaboration and outside input for an innovation strategy The landmines to be aware of in the upstream production stages Workshopping ideas to produce quicker outcomes

Meet Silicon Valley trailblazer Atif Rafiq, who shares his extensive background and insights gleaned from a comprehensive and pioneering experience at Amazon, Volvo, and McDonald, the distinction of being the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500. We're together to discuss his new book, Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action.   About AtifAtif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over 500,000 people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers.Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.o Big ideas meet big execution o Tech innovator who's reached the President level in the Fortune 300.o Product & business savvyo P&L ownership as a General Manager for many years; including most senior commercial leader for a Fortune 300o Founder and CEO of venture backed firm, raising $10mm+ in the content mgmt sector (2000-2005)o Active public speaker across 25+ tech events (Google I/O, Cannes, Fortune, SXSW, CES). Quoted in WSJ, Fast Company, Fortune Magazine, TechCrunch, Forbes, Mashable, & ABC News.o Advisor and investor to 25+ startups (Headspace, SpaceX, 23&Me, Liquid Death, etc.)Boards include public companies: Flutter / Fanduel [PDYPF], KINS [KINZU] and fast growing $1bn private companies: ClearCover, betMGMAbout MichaelMichael is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc. and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada and the Bank of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, Today's Shopping Choice and Pandora Jewellery.   Michael has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. He has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions with C-level executives and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels. ReThink Retail has added Michael to their prestigious Top Global Retail Influencers list for 2023 for the third year in a row.Michael is also the president of Maven Media, producing a network of leading trade podcasts, including Canada's top retail industry podcast_,_ The Voice of Retail. He produces and co-hosts Remarkable Retail with best-selling author Steve Dennis, now ranked one of the top retail podcasts in the world. Based in San Francisco, Global eCommerce Leaders podcast explores global cross-border issues and opportunities for eCommerce brands and retailers. Last but not least, Michael is the producer and host of the "Last Request Barbeque" channel on YouTube, where he cooks meals to die for - and collaborates with top brands as a food and product influencer across North America.

Welcome to an interview with the author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq. In this book, Atif shares the breakthrough methods to put your company on the path to innovation, creativity, and growth. Atif has written Decision Sprint to pull the curtain back on the hidden management systems within your organization that impact how people think, collaborate, and make decisions. Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader.  Atif was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over 500,000 people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor. Get Atif's book here: https://rb.gy/kvxed Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Growth and new ideas come with questions and unknowns. Does your team rush to judgment or just start working? Atif Rafiq joins Kevin to discuss the importance of dealing with unknowns in a productive way. He introduces the concept of decision sprints, a methodology to move from idea to recommendation and decision points. He also emphasizes the significance of workflows in defining company culture and offers advice on implementing decision sprints at the team level. Meet Atif Name: Atif Rafiq  Atif's Story: Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He currently sits on the Boards of Flutter / Fanduel ($25bn public company); Clearcover (a fintech provider, ranked on the Fast 500); and KINS Capital ($300mm SPAC). Previously, he's served on the client council for Snapchat (SNAP), as advisor to Slack (acquired by Salesforce for $20bn), and national board member of Defy Ventures (non-profit serving the formerly incarcerated). https://kevineikenberry.com/organizational-leadership/meetings-are-a-window-to-your-culture/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ https://twitter.com/atifatif http://www.decisionsprint.com/ This episode is brought to you by... The Long-Distance Team. Remote leadership experts, Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, help leaders navigate the new world of remote and hybrid teams to design the culture they desire for their teams and organizations in their new book! Book Recommendations Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action by Atif Rafiq  Happy at Any Cost: The Revolutionary Vision and Fatal Quest of Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh by Kirsten Grind, Katherine Sayre  Related Episodes Making Better Decisions with Mike Whitaker Navigating Ambiguity with Andrea Small Leave a Review If you liked this conversation, we'd be thrilled if you'd let others know by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. Here's a quick guide for posting a review. Review on Apple: https://remarkablepodcast.com/itunes    Join Our Community If you want to view our live podcast episodes, hear about new releases, or chat with others who enjoy this podcast join one of our communities below. Join the Facebook Group Join the LinkedIn Group   Podcast Better! Sign up with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free! Use promo code: RLP  

Global Product Management Talk is pleased to bring you the next episode of... Product Mastery Now with host Chad McAllister, PhD. The podcast is all about helping people involved in innovation and managing products become more successful, grow their careers, and STANDOUT from their peers. About the Episode:  Today we are talking about faster problem-solving to speed innovation by using a three-part framework including Exploration, Alignment, and Decision-Making. Our guest is Atif Rafiq. He invented a system for problem-solving based on his 25-year career spanning Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500. His ideas proved so impactful as a competitive advantage that they sped his rise at Amazon and later to C-suite positions he held at companies, including McDonald's as their first Chief Digital Officer, and at Volvo and MGM Resorts. He has written DECISION SPRINT: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action. He joins us to share how it works.

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 375, an interview with the author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq. In this book, Atif shares the breakthrough methods to put your company on the path to innovation, creativity, and growth. Atif has written Decision Sprint to pull the curtain back on the hidden management systems within your organization that impact how people think, collaborate, and make decisions. Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader.  Atif was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over 500,000 people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor. Get Atif's book here: https://rb.gy/kvxed Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

Progress Despite Uncertainty One of our recurring themes on the podcast is decision-making. The reality is you are likely facing some decisions you need to make right now. But one of our biggest challenges when facing forks in the road is how to decide when there are so many unknowns--so much uncertainty. Well, I have personally benefited from a new book that I wanted to introduce you to. The title is Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action. This Wall Street Journal best-seller is packed with insights that have benefits for CEOs and senior leaders, for sure. But it's also applicable to all of us who are responsible for leading teams and delivering projects. Learn more about Atif and the Decision Sprint process at DecisionSprint.com/Book. AI for Project Managers and Leaders With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed our e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work. This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity. Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Ways of Working   The following music was used for this episode: Music: Fromage by Steven OBrien Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10409-fromage License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Laughing Children [Full version] by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10498-laughing-children-full-version License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

#businesstransformation #digitaltransformation #innovation Business leader, Atif Rafiq, author of 'Decision Sprint,' and former President of MGM Resorts International explores business transformation on CXOTalk episode 790.Atif explains how to manage business transformation and innovation in the face of uncertainty. The book emphasizes the importance of "upstream work" - a structured initial phase that addresses unknowns in innovation projects - and outlines a three-step approach comprising Exploration, Alignment, and Decision-making. Rafiq's methodology distinguishes itself by emphasizing purposefulness and inclusiveness.The conversation includes these topics:► About Atif Rafiq's book, Decision Sprint► Upstream work: Challenges of business transformation► Reframing approaches to risk management► Complex business problems require inclusive thinking► How to cultivate “input obsession” to develop robust ideas► Use collective intelligence to hack the corporate culture for innovation► Practical examples: Amazon and Volvo► The innovation pipeline: Breaking down silos and unifying goals in digital transformation► Create clear and simple goals to align the organization► Start with questions and an open mind► Focus on inputs from across the organization► Demonstrate quick wins to gain the confidence of senior leadership► Advice to Chief Information Officers► Advice to CEOs on leading the challenge of upstream workRead the full transcript: www.cxotalk.com/episode/business-transformation-how-to-tame-the-unknownsSubscribe: www.cxotalk.comhttps://www.cxotalk.com/subscribeAtif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Re:wire has over 100,000 subscribers. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, board member, and CEO advisor.

Today's VIP guest on Speak Up with Laura Camacho is the hyper-successful Atif Rafiq. Atif worked as the global CDO of McDonald's and Volvo before becoming president of MGM Resorts Intl. Now he advises on the board of Clearcover and Flutter Entertainment. He is author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action. With the rapidly changing working environment due to AI and a plethora of other factors, we must master innovation strategy and perfect the decision-making process. In this episode, Atif gives you the secret know-how he learned to implement a decision-making process that works and strategies that will nurture innovation as much as possible. Here are some of the mind-blowing takeaways you can expect from these 45 minutes: - Fallacies that surround the decision-making process - The importance of an ‘exploration phase' to come to a high quality decision - What you need to tackle new spaces even when there is a lot of ambiguity - The importance of being inclusive when it comes to getting input about company decisions - How to encourage innovation from all members of an organization - Why asking questions is a form of contribution and brings meeting value - How to come to a decision without the drama and make decision points painless - What workflow is and how it expresses culture - Advice for those who are knocking on the door of the senior leadership suite - How AI is going to affect and is already changing the decision-making process

Atif is the author of Decision Sprint The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He currently sits on the Boards of Flutter / Fanduel ($25bn public company); Clearcover (a fintech provider, ranked on the Fast 500); and KINS Capital ($300mm SPAC). Previously, he's served on the client council for Snapchat (SNAP), as advisor to Slack (acquired by Salesforce for $20bn) and national board member of Defy Ventures (non-profit serving the formerly incarcerated). While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Rewire has over 100,000 subscribers. He's advised and invested in over 30 startups including Headspace, SpaceX, 23&me, Callisto Media, Bullet Proof Nutrition, CONBODY, Byte Mobile and Salad & Go. He is an active speaker at conferences including MIT Artificial Intelligence Summit, Fortune Reinvent, Cannes Lion, SXSW, CES, Google I/O, Twitter Flight, Web Summit, and more. His work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Mashable, Forbes, CNET, Tech Crunch, and Fast Company. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.

Atif is the author of Decision Sprint The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He currently sits on the Boards of Flutter / Fanduel ($25bn public company); Clearcover (a fintech provider, ranked on the Fast 500); and KINS Capital ($300mm SPAC). Previously, he's served on the client council for Snapchat (SNAP), as advisor to Slack (acquired by Salesforce for $20bn) and national board member of Defy Ventures (non-profit serving the formerly incarcerated). While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Rewire has over 100,000 subscribers. He's advised and invested in over 30 startups including Headspace, SpaceX, 23&me, Callisto Media, Bullet Proof Nutrition, CONBODY, Byte Mobile and Salad & Go. He is an active speaker at conferences including MIT Artificial Intelligence Summit, Fortune Reinvent, Cannes Lion, SXSW, CES, Google I/O, Twitter Flight, Web Summit, and more. His work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Mashable, Forbes, CNET, Tech Crunch, and Fast Company. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.

Atif is the author of Decision Sprint The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global P&L, transformation, and innovation leader. Rafiq was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He currently sits on the Boards of Flutter / Fanduel ($25bn public company); Clearcover (a fintech provider, ranked on the Fast 500); and KINS Capital ($300mm SPAC). Previously, he's served on the client council for Snapchat (SNAP), as advisor to Slack (acquired by Salesforce for $20bn) and national board member of Defy Ventures (non-profit serving the formerly incarcerated). While leading business units, teams, and growth for companies, Atif has built a large following as one of today's top management thinkers. Over half a million people follow his ideas about management and leadership on LinkedIn, where he is a Top Voice, and his newsletter Rewire has over 100,000 subscribers. He's advised and invested in over 30 startups including Headspace, SpaceX, 23&me, Callisto Media, Bullet Proof Nutrition, CONBODY, Byte Mobile and Salad & Go. He is an active speaker at conferences including MIT Artificial Intelligence Summit, Fortune Reinvent, Cannes Lion, SXSW, CES, Google I/O, Twitter Flight, Web Summit, and more. His work has been profiled in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Mashable, Forbes, CNET, Tech Crunch, and Fast Company. Atif is passionate about helping companies push boldly into the future. He accomplishes this through Ritual, a software app revolutionizing how teams innovate and problem-solve, and through his work as keynote speaker, Board member, and CEO advisor.

Atif Rafiq discusses his book “Decision Sprint” and new ways to innovate. Atif has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, Atif held C-suite roles at Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonalds. Listen for action items you can use today. Host, Kevin Craine Do you want to be a guest?

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.    This week on the What's Next! Podcast, we're talking to Atif Rafiq, the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500.   Atif has worked in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over the past 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like Amazon, Yahoo, and AOL. Atif held C-suite roles at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. He oversaw thousands of employees as a global PNL owner, transformation, and innovation leader. Atif was the first Chief Digital Officer at McDonald's.    He has recently released a book titled Decision Sprint.    THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… leaders who want to learn how to make business decisions strategically and confidently.    TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… many problem-solving strategies are outdated and, frankly, ineffective for our modern world. Atif looks at how teams can collaborate and use an upstream approach to lead innovation with powerful solutions.    WHAT  I  LOVE  MOST… the decision tables are set way in advance of the decision point. Setting up the right structure and creating alignment across your teams and organization will help set the stage for drama-free decisions. Running Time: 30:43 Subscribe on iTunes Find Tiffani on Social: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Find Atif Online: Twitter LinkedIn Atif's Book: Decision Sprint

Accomplished C-Suite leader and author Atif Rafiq reflects on starting a bank in elementary school (spoiler, it didn't quite work), and the impressive path that led him to becoming the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500.Hear Atif's full interview in Episode 426 of The Action Catalyst.

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 426, with accomplished C-Suite leader, and the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, Atif Rafiq.

Accomplished C-Suite leader Atif Rafiq reflects on starting a bank in elementary school (spoiler, it didn't quite work), the power in the neutrality of raw curiosity, coming aboard AOL at the start of the internet boom, becoming the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, digitizing fast food, the creativity-killing hazard of "alignment before exploration", lessons learned from the CEOs of McDonalds, Volvo, and Amazon, and enjoying the luxury of focus.

Are you tired of endless meetings, indecision, and lack of progress? Do you want to learn a powerful problem-solving technique that will help you transform your digital business? If so, you won't want to miss this exciting podcast episode! Join Dave Prior as he interviews Atif Rafiq, a change leader who has worked with some of the biggest companies in the world, including McDonald's, Volvo, and Amazon. Atif's new book, "Decision Sprint," reveals a breakthrough problem-solving technique that enables leaders to tap into the power of upstream work and collaborative teamwork to generate the questions needed to make crucial decisions. In this podcast, Atif shares his insights into how to make the most of upstream work and collaborative teamwork to develop successful products and transform your digital business. You'll discover how to solve complex problems quickly and effectively, and how to keep your team aligned and moving forward, even in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the world's top change leaders! Tune in to this podcast episode now and discover how to unlock the power of upstream work and collaborative teamwork to take your business to the next level. The Book Decision Sprint: https://bit.ly/41kNptK Contacting Atif Web: https://www.decisionsprint.com/ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/42C6dWt

EPISODE 1483: In this KEEN ON show, Andrew talks to the author of DECISION SPRINT, Atif Rafiq, about the new way to innovate into the unknown, and move from strategy to action Over a 25 year career spanning Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500, Atif Rafiq invented a new system for problem-solving. His ideas proved so impactful as a competitive advantage that they sped his rise at digital native companies like Amazon and later to C-suite positions he held at companies including McDonald's, Volvo and MGM Resorts. In DECISION SPRINT: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action (April 25, 2023; McGraw-Hill), Atif shares this proven, scalable system so that any team can problem-solve, innovate and grow. Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former CXO at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts and author of DECISION SPRINT: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action.

Is your team making optimal decisions? In this episode of the podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Atif Rafiq, a seasoned leader with extensive experience in executive roles at billion-dollar business units such as McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. Notably, he was the first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, a pioneering role he held at McDonald's, and he rose to the president level in the Fortune 300. He is also the author of “Decision Sprint,” where he shares insights on his design process and lessons learned. In this Podcast, we delve into Atif's insights on decision-making: - Understanding the two components of the process: upstream and downstream, involving exploration, alignment, and detailed decisions. - Shifting focus from “what” to “how” in his latest approach, prioritizing collaboration and teamwork over product or service-centric thinking. - Emphasizing the value of exploration before alignment, empowering teams to reach their own conclusions and work towards a shared goal. #digitaltransformation #teamalignment #decisionmaking #strategicplanning #leadershipdevelopment ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Executive and entrepreneur Atif Rafiq suggests that, in his career, he's often been at companies “too early.” For example, his foray into mobile applications actually pre-dated the iPhone. But is being ahead of your time ever really a bad thing? Atif certainly doesn't think so—especially when it comes to rewriting the rules of leadership. In his talk with Jesse, Atif reflects on his early roles as an executive at Audible (Amazon), as an entrepreneur at Covigna, and as the Chief Digital Officer at McDonald's, a first-of-its-kind position for a Fortune 500 company. He describes the challenges of finding a balance between safety and profitability at MGM Resorts during the pandemic. And throughout the conversation, he reveals the most important things he's learned about leadership (and the notions he's left behind). (4:23) How roles at Audible and Covigna taught Atif to ‘keep pivoting' in new markets(8:40) Focusing on the speed of learning at Amazon (10:57) Helping McDonald's reconnect with its heritage through new service models(15:40) Why the role of the executive in problem solving is calibration(19:09) Stewarding MGM Resorts through the pandemic(20:53) It's not just the decision: how you get there matters(23:27) Authoring Re:Wire on LinkedIn to accelerate changes in how we leadGuest BioAtif Rafiq is an executive, board member, social media influencer, and author. Atif has been part of the executive committee of 3 large cap global companies working directly for their CEOs and interacting with their boards on transformation and strategy. His C-suite roles at some of the world's most recognized brands (McDonald's, Volvo and MGM Resorts) followed a 15+ year career in Silicon Valley. Helpful LinksThe Re:Wire Newsletter, subscribed to by over 100,000Future Forum Exec Spotlight: Moving away from command and controlOne of Atif's innovations: McDonald's Rolls Out Table Service (from Business Insider)Atif on LinkedIn and Twitter

Finding Your Passion | Dane Mathews, Vice President of Precision Marketing at Conagra Brands, joins host Gregg Garrett for a discussion on transforming organizations and brands. Of course, Dane shares his Top Three who include his wife and children who have been core to establishing a professional shift in his approach, a former Amazon executive who taught him how to work backward, a former boss who helped him change his perspective to accomplish goals, and a former podcast guest who helped him humanize leadership. And you have to hear what he has to say about the democratization of leadership. About Dane Mathews Dane Mathews is Vice President of Precision Marketing at Conagra Brands. He leads Conagra's marketing transformation leveraging enterprise agility, personalization, technological enablement, and advanced analytics. With a focus on the digital consumer experience, Dane is responsible for enterprise consumer marketing efforts including brand design, media & advertising, eCommerce, CRM, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategy. Dane has 15 years of marketing experience and has led the development and scale of transformative consumer experiences at some of the most well-known brands including, Caesars Entertainment, Target, and McDonald's. Dane received his BS in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and his MBA from The University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. Dane resides in Oak Park, IL with his wife Marlene, their 3 sons, Dane, Miles, and Jaden, and their Goldendoodle Frida. Show Highlights During this episode: The only thing constant is change. [1:06] Operationalizing transformation [2:53] Welcoming our guest, Dane Matthews [5:20] Discovering passion – simplifying the complex and making it relatable [12:24] The “Top Three” Marlene Aponte-Mathews and their children: make change management fun and remember that development is best done in public [17:17] Developing in public and bringing others in [23:23] Atif Rafiq: start with the end and work backward [29:56] Lisa Roath: getting help – “who can help me do this?” [36:20] DeLu Jackson: humanizing leadership and change management [42:25] “Nudging the positives” [46:50] You have to hear this… Democratization of leadership [51:10] Stay in touch with Dane via LinkedIn  [54:27] Additional Information Contact Dane Mathews: Dane's LinkedIn Conagra Website Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg's LinkedIn Gregg's Twitter Gregg's Bio Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

In this interview, we discuss what drew Shaleen to Schneider, ways Schneider has disrupted itself over the years, why Schneider considers itself the Moneyball of trucking, and how the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of frictionless experience platforms at Schneider. We also discuss the importance of using familiar language when discussing digital transformation, the importance of embracing business agility, and getting used to the unknown, Atif and Shaleen's take on the state of autonomous vehicles, among a variety of other topics.

In this interview, we discuss what drew Shaleen to Schneider, ways Schneider has disrupted itself over the years, why Schneider considers itself the Moneyball of trucking, and how the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of frictionless experience platforms at Schneider. We also discuss the importance of using familiar language when discussing digital transformation, the importance of embracing business agility, and getting used to the unknown, Atif and Shaleen's take on the state of autonomous vehicles, among a variety of other topics.

In this interview, we discuss Atif's purview in his role, MGM's expansion into digital services, and Viva La Office, an offering the company has developed to encourage people to work and live from Las Vegas during the pandemic. We also discuss the company's response to COVID-19, including the digital and contactless experiences the company has swiftly put in, how the customer conveniences created by COVID are sticky and will remain long term, and the company's Seven-Point Safety Plan aimed to keep customers and employees safe during the pandemic. We also discuss how COVID has resulted in far more agility inside companies, CONBODY, a digital fitness started by a formerly incarcerated person with formerly incarcerated instructors, among a variety of other topics.

The travel and leisure industry has been devastated in 2020. I invited my friend, colleague and digital thought leader, Atif Rafiq President at MGM Resorts International on the Reboot Chronicles to explore how he is helping to reboot Vegas and the global hospitality industry. Over the years, Atif has worn a variety of hats as an exec. at Amazon, McDonald's, and Volvo. Now, at the $14 billion dollar Fortune 300 company, Atif has a full plate overseeing marketing, sales, revenue management, direct marketing, digital products, IT, and business and corporate development. Additional key components include rebooting MGM's growth strategies including business models, customer experiences and commercial approaches. Bringing a diversity of experience, Afit describes his career pivot as “an art as much as it is a science”, with an evolving toolkit of tips you can use when rebooting your organization --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rebootchronicles/message

Pull up a chair & join the conversation with Atif Rafiq & Jithin Manoharan, co-founders at Qafila who told us the tale of how the two University batchmates are bringing logistics & technology together ... at last. **Credits** This episode was hosted by Chirag Desai, produced by Gaya & our intern is Abhishek Subramanian. Original music by [Reiner Erlings](https://reinererlings.com).

Julie Verghage, Bloomberg News Stocks Reporter, and Stephen Gandel, Bloomberg Gadfly Equity Markets Columnist, discuss Bitcoin surging past $11,000 despite bubble warnings. Matt DeSalvo, Head of U.S. Equities at Mizuho Securities, talks growth of Asian ownership in U.S. equities. Atif Rafiq, Chief Digital Officer at Volvo, explains what their new subscription service is all about. Joe Eberhardt, President/ CEO of Jaguar Land Rover NA, introduces of JLR's first plug-in hybrid models from the L.A. Auto Show. And Carol and Cory hit today's Movers and Shakers on Wall Street and Bloomberg Stocks Editor Dave Wilson has both his “Chart and Stock of the Day.”    Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory  In this "Lessons" episode, Atif Rafiq, an executive leader, keynote speaker, and author, shares a transformative approach to decision-making that fosters innovation and collaboration. Explore the principles of exploration, alignment, and informed action, and learn how to break down organizational silos to drive impactful results.Exploration, Alignment, and Decision-Making Framework: Atif introduces a step-by-step process that begins with asking the right questions, creating space for discovery, and reaching alignment before taking decisive action. This framework enhances clarity and ensures well-informed outcomes.Overcoming Silos Through Collaboration: By assembling teams around shared challenges, Atif reveals how organizations can naturally break down silos. This method fosters collaboration across functions, leading to more holistic and effective problem-solving.System 1 vs. System 2 Thinking: Atif highlights the difference between instinctive, fast decisions and deliberate, reflective thinking. He emphasizes the importance of using deeper, strategic thought processes to navigate complex organizational challenges.➡️ Show Linkshttps://successstorypodcast.com  YouTube: https://youtu.be/lY5R3AI6ISo Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/atif-rafiq-executive-leader-ceo-advisor-keynote-speaker/id1484783544?i=1000618998734 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Y01CxqQg5NL2g7upi7oP9?si=0e10cf60d8294711 ➡️ Watch the Podcast On Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory➡️ Join Our Free Slack Community To Up-Skill Yourself: https://bit.ly/3IY8kwK  ➡️ About The Guest⁣Atif Rafiq is a seasoned executive and thought leader with a remarkable career in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500. With notable roles at companies like Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL, he rose to the C-suite at McDonald's, Volvo, and MGM Resorts. Atif's expertise spans P&L ownership, digital transformation, and innovation leadership. He is a top management thinker with over 500,000 LinkedIn followers and a Re:wire newsletter with 100,000 subscribers. As the founder of Ritual, a groundbreaking software app, and an advisor to startups like SpaceX and Headspace, Atif is passionate about driving companies into the future. He serves on boards of public companies Flutter/Fanduel and KINS, as well as private companies ClearCover and betMGM.Atif Rafiq is a tech innovator who has achieved the president level in the Fortune 300. With a strong product and business savvy, he has a proven track record in P&L ownership and has raised over $10 million as the founder and CEO of a venture-backed firm. Atif is a sought-after public speaker and has been quoted in notable publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Forbes. With his extensive experience and diverse portfolio, Atif shapes the industry as a board member and CEO advisor, helping companies navigate and excel in the rapidly changing business landscape.➡️ Show Linkshttps://twitter.com/atifatif/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/       ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHUBSPOT - https://hubspot.com/  NORDLOCKER - https://nordlocker.com/creators (Promo Code: Scott)BABBEL - https://babbel.com/ (Promo Code: Success Story)THE KELLY ROACH SHOW - https://www.youtube.com/@KellyRoach SHOPIFY — https://shopify.com/successstory/ NETSUITE — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ ➡️ Talking Points00:00 - Intro 02:48 - Origin Story: Atif Rafiq's Journey to Success 03:51 - Navigating Digital Disruption: Changing Landscapes and Timeless Principles 10:15 - Measuring Future Success for a Company: KPIs and Outcomes 14:47 - Unleashing Superpowers: The Core of Transformational Thinking 19:09 - Strategic Decision-Making: Prioritizing Critical Questions for Organizations 29:45 - Success Strategies: A Roadmap for Achieving Excellence 35:23 - Hidden Superpowers: Unveiling the Unexpected Keys to Success 48:25 - Mastering Multiple Industries: Atif Rafiq's Effective Approach 51:55 - Connecting with Atif Rafiq: Building Bridges to Inspiration 52:23 - Defining Success: Atif Rafiq's Perspective on Achieving GreatnessAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy