Podcasts about Clayton Christensen

Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://theultimatepartner.com/ebook-subscribe/Check Out UPX:https://theultimatepartner.com/experience/ The Shift from Attention to Trust In this compelling episode, Ashleigh Vogstad, CEO of Transcends, joins Vince Menzione to discuss the tectonic shifts occurring in the global partner ecosystem. Ashleigh shares her firsthand experiences studying AI at Oxford, the rise of the “Trust Economy,” and the controversial Amazon vs. Perplexity lawsuit. They dive deep into the practicalities of becoming a “Frontier Firm,” the importance of building proprietary AI agents, and the ways Gen Z and AI-driven marketplaces are revolutionizing the buyer journey. Whether you are looking to win Microsoft Partner of the Year or navigate the demise of traditional SaaS, this conversation provides a strategic roadmap for leading through the AI revolution. Key Takeaways The economy is shifting from a focus on human attention to a foundation of verified trust. Future commerce will involve “selling to machines” as AI agents begin making purchasing decisions on behalf of humans. Microsoft is prioritizing “Frontier Firms” that integrate AI into every customer interaction and internal process. Gen Z buyers are prioritizing product value and “dupes” over traditional brand names, with 75% of buyers expected to be Gen Z by 2030. To win Partner of the Year, organizations must publicly celebrate “better together” stories with validated customer wins. Modern leaders should transition from a “growth mindset” to a “frontier mindset” to keep pace with rapid technological change. https://youtu.be/xJmd43NvfnI If you're ready to lead through change, elevate your business, and achieve extraordinary outcomes through the power of partnership—this is your community. At Ultimate Partner® we want leaders like you to join us in the Ultimate Partner Experience – where transformation begins. Key Tags Trust Economy, Selling to Machines, Amazon vs Perplexity Lawsuit, Frontier Firm, AI Agents, Copilot Studio, Anthropic Claude, Microsoft Partner of the Year, B2B Marketplaces, Gen Z Buyer Behavior, Digital Freedom, AI Therapy, Ray Kurzweil Singularity, Substack Growth, Co-selling Partnerships, MCI Funding, Azure Accelerate, Agentic AI, Transcending Tech, Ashleigh Vogstad. Transcript Asleigh Vogstad Audio Podcast [00:00:00] Ashleigh Vogstad: The attention economy is about selling to human beings. Now, if you look at something like the Amazon versus Perplexity lawsuit, the whole underlying premise is around the shift of no longer selling to humans directly, but of selling to machines. [00:00:19] Vince Menzione: We just finished Ultimate Partners Winter Retreat here in beautiful Boca to a sold out crowd. Today I’m joined by Ashley Waad. The CEO of transcends for this compelling discussion. Ash, welcome back to the podcasts. [00:00:34] Ashleigh Vogstad: It’s so good to be here, Vince. Thank you. Uh, [00:00:37] Vince Menzione: so well, we’re back in Boca again and we were just here yesterday for the Ultimate Partner Executive Winter Retreat in person. [00:00:44] Vince Menzione: What a great event we had together. [00:00:46] Ashleigh Vogstad: It was phenomenal. Thank you so much for having us there and on stage and, and genuinely the community is like a family, so seeing so many familiar faces and spending some quality time was just great. [00:00:57] Vince Menzione: It has really, truly become like family. It really, I’m, I’m, I’m having so much fun with this and getting to watch. [00:01:04] Vince Menzione: Not just our business grow and our community grow, but to see all of our friends and, uh, organizations like Transcends that have been with us since the beginning, since the very first ultimate partner acting even before the first ultimate partner. And, uh. We were just talking about. I’d love to catch up with what you’ve been doing. [00:01:22] Vince Menzione: Like you just came, you’ve been on a whirlwind. I mean, you’re always, every time like it’s, where’s Ash? She’s, uh, she’s on a plane again, or she’s on, she’s on the slopes. But tell us where you were just this week. [00:01:34] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. The week started in a snowstorm, actually transporting myself from Whistler. I didn’t know if I would make it to the airport, but then down to Silicon Valley and [00:01:45] Vince Menzione: Nice. [00:01:46] Ashleigh Vogstad: Wow, that place is just inspiring and eyeopening. I mean, seeing the Nvidia campus, a MD, it’s really just other worldly and it had me reflecting on, it’s [00:02:00] Vince Menzione: not Whistler. Yeah, it’s [00:02:02] Ashleigh Vogstad: definitely not Whistler. Definitely not Whistler [00:02:05] Vince Menzione: about, [00:02:06] Ashleigh Vogstad: um, yeah, it just had me reflecting on being down there. I used to spend a lot of time in the Valley around 2017 and. [00:02:13] Ashleigh Vogstad: In this theme of AI and kind of what’s really coming, I was, I was thinking about, I had met this woman, Julia Moss Bridge, who’s a neuroscientist studying ai. She had a project called Loving Ai, and I was down there when they had borrowed Sophia, this humanoid robot from S and Robotics. [00:02:32] Vince Menzione: Oh yes. Yes. [00:02:33] Ashleigh Vogstad: Really interesting. [00:02:34] Ashleigh Vogstad: Sophia’s actually a citizen of Saudi. Mm-hmm. First, first robot to actually be made citizen of a country. So they had Sophia set up and the part that was just mind boggling at the time was that Sophia was hosting in real life therapy sessions with actual human beings sitting across the table. And what really struck me as. [00:02:59] Ashleigh Vogstad: Kind of just, you know, that was only eight, nine years ago. And that was esoteric. Wacky and [00:03:05] Vince Menzione: eerie. [00:03:05] Ashleigh Vogstad: Weird. [00:03:05] Vince Menzione: Eerie at the time. [00:03:06] Ashleigh Vogstad: Incredibly eerie. Yeah. I mean, a, a human getting, uh, you know, therapy sessions from a robot sitting across the table. Yeah. And it just had me thinking how far we’ve come today. In 2025, Harvard Business Review said that therapy is actually the number one use case for ai. [00:03:26] Vince Menzione: I’ve heard that. That is striking. I go back to COVID. We were having this conversation last night at at the dinner for the Ultimate Partner event, and I think that COVID allowed us to transcend, [00:03:42] Ashleigh Vogstad: mm-hmm. [00:03:42] Vince Menzione: No pun intended there, but actually accelerate where we are today, that the acceptance of AI and the acceleration, or the ability to accept change so quickly. [00:03:56] Vince Menzione: Started with COVID because we were so, so we were forced on whatever it was, March 10th I think, here in the United States to shut down everything and move to this remote life. [00:04:08] Ashleigh Vogstad: Mm-hmm. [00:04:09] Vince Menzione: And I think we’ve been shocked by that. I think our systems have all been shocked by that. And then here comes chat GBT in November of 2022 and we’re like. [00:04:20] Vince Menzione: Shocked in some respects, but like really everyone has embraced it in such a strong way, and now we’re getting. It’s almost daily update. You know, we’re gonna talk, I know we’re gonna talk about Anthropic and some of the things that’s been happening just in this last month that are striking and changing that have a lot of organizations trying to navigate, which is what, you know, you, you help organizations do. [00:04:43] Vince Menzione: But it feels like this is happening so fast and will continue to happen so fast. And as I said yesterday, I don’t know what this world’s gonna look like by 2030. [00:04:53] Ashleigh Vogstad: You know, and I think the thing is, is that nobody knows what the world is gonna look like in 2030. I’ve been reading Ray Kurz Well’s, the Singularity is nearer, so the original book, the Singularity is near and he’s known to be a very accurate predictionist on the future. [00:05:11] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. But even with someone like that, you know, there, there nobody really knows what the world is gonna look like. And when you talk about COVID. At transcends, we have a value of digital freedom. So I founded the business in 2018, which was pre COVID. I as a fully remote organization, and at the time that was, you know, more groundbreaking, but then very quickly with CI that, that became the so-called new normal. [00:05:37] Ashleigh Vogstad: But we’re always thinking about. You know, remote first doesn’t mean remote only, and I think in this tide of what you’ve talked about, technological change being more acceptable and the pace of change. One of the interesting things that we see as a go-to-market agency is that in-person events are increasing. [00:05:56] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:05:57] Ashleigh Vogstad: People want and crave the face-to-face. Just like with the ultimate partner series. [00:06:02] Vince Menzione: I felt it. So it was striking yesterday. It, it seems like it’s, again, this was event number nine for us, but to see the, um, uh, receptiveness isn’t the right term, but it was this, uh, people, the, the embracing. Of seeing each other and hugging each other and being in the same room with each other. [00:06:22] Vince Menzione: And even people that didn’t know each other, like by the, the, as the day evolved, this, uh, connection that they all seemed to have with one another during the sessions and participating, everyone actively participated in the sessions. And, um, I said this in the beginning, we’re not a Slack channel and we’re not like some post on LinkedIn. [00:06:43] Vince Menzione: Uh, we’re there, there’s no playbook that’s set today around partnerships or even go to markets and marketing that we could espouse and say, this is the playbook for the next year. Right. It’s, it’s changing so rapidly. [00:06:55] Ashleigh Vogstad: So rapidly, [00:06:57] Vince Menzione: and you’ve embraced it. And I, and what we’re gonna talk about right now, I mean, I, I, you know, you’ve embraced AI in such a strong way. [00:07:04] Vince Menzione: Um, personally and with your business, I want to, I wanna dive in here a little bit. First of all, a couple things For those of those who are listening who don’t know you, I think maybe just a moment about transcends and your role, and then I wanna dive in on how you’re thinking about ai because I know you’re doing some things personally. [00:07:22] Vince Menzione: I want you to share that with, with our listeners and viewers today. [00:07:25] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, great. And I just wanna comment that it was a cool moment yesterday being up on stage with yourself and Mark Monday from ServiceNow and having the audience so engaged and active and Nina Harding from Microsoft stepping up and entering the conversation. [00:07:40] Vince Menzione: So cool. [00:07:41] Ashleigh Vogstad: It just made for such a collaborative experience, which was a cool moment, but yeah. Um, so. I founded this business, transcends a go-to-market agency after being at Microsoft myself. And really our differentiation is deep strategic partnerships with hyperscalers, whether that’s AWS, Google, Microsoft, and you know, that. [00:08:03] Ashleigh Vogstad: It comes with a challenge to be on the leading edge of technology. [00:08:08] Vince Menzione: Yes, [00:08:09] Ashleigh Vogstad: it, it’s really an imperative for our business and we are an AI first firm. Microsoft talks a lot about Frontier Firm, and I’ll take a, a different kind of angle on it. You know, when I think about Frontier. I now think about it as instead of the growth mindset, I now think about a frontier mindset. [00:08:28] Vince Menzione: Frontier mindset. You have to change my principles. [00:08:32] Ashleigh Vogstad: You know, maybe, like you said, the world is changing so rapidly. Yeah, it’s [00:08:36] Vince Menzione: changing rapidly. [00:08:36] Ashleigh Vogstad: And what a frontier mindset means is that as we’re approaching work for our clients, we are thinking about AI innovation in every single customer. Interaction, customer innovation. [00:08:49] Ashleigh Vogstad: So today we’re building AI agents into much of the work that we’re delivering for clients. And as a business owner and leader, I’ve been challenged to also think critically around how I’m choosing to run the company. And right now we’re going through a huge overhaul of where we have data sitting in silos and different applications. [00:09:09] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yep. And getting that into one place with one view so we can start layering on more insight. AI innovation. [00:09:17] Vince Menzione: Yeah. And data’s such an critical part, part of this, as we, we talked about yesterday. But you know, even the, what you said, which is, would, would’ve been striking a year ago to say, we’re an AI first, uh, agency isn’t as striking anymore. [00:09:32] Vince Menzione: Uh, we heard Nina when we were having this conversation on stage yesterday, say that it’s an imperative at Microsoft that the agencies that they choose to work with, the third party vendors that they work with have to be an AI first organization. I have to be a frontier firm, and so I’m a, I am sensitive to the word frontier firm. [00:09:53] Vince Menzione: I understand why Microsoft uses it and I understand the value of what we used to call, you know, customer zero or back in the day we used to say eating your own dog food, but essentially being an organization that has leaned in, in a way, and with ai. Even more so, so important to do it. So tell us, I know you’ve done some things personally as well, but tell, tell us what you’ve done with the organization. [00:10:18] Vince Menzione: Uh, you talked about data and making data available and having, having a true data state as opposed to silos of data, but then you also made some personal investments and sacrifices. I would say. [00:10:30] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. [00:10:30] Vince Menzione: Yeah. In terms of what you’re doing around ai, [00:10:32] Ashleigh Vogstad: so I mean, let’s start on the personal side. I’m the CEO of my organization, and you can read in books or news articles that it is critical for AI transformation to start at the C-suite and specifically in the CEO seat. [00:10:46] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:10:46] Ashleigh Vogstad: And that really. Landed for me and so I’m personally leading in About two weeks ago, I built an agent, just end-to-end on my own, got into copilot studio. Wow. Got comfortable with the interface. You know, I was clunky moving around in there at first, chose my model. You know, I went with one of the anthropic Claude models for this particular project and built up an agent that can deliver executive communications like. [00:11:14] Ashleigh Vogstad: Thought leadership blogs, uh, LinkedIn posts, but in a particular human being’s voice by ingesting things like their social profiles, their SharePoint sites, where they live and work. And it has been so surprising doing an ab test between just what a chat GBT or a copilot could produce. [00:11:32] Yeah. [00:11:33] Ashleigh Vogstad: In comparison with the authenticity of the voice coming from the agent. [00:11:37] Ashleigh Vogstad: Uh, it was just a really cool experience to roll up the sleeves and get in there. But also I think the, the investment that you’re referring to is, I made a big decision to return to school and uh, got accepted to go to Oxford. [00:11:52] Vince Menzione: Wow. [00:11:52] Ashleigh Vogstad: And I’m studying artificial intelligence there. [00:11:54] Vince Menzione: That is incredible. That is incredible. [00:11:57] Vince Menzione: Oxford, uh, we’ve heard of that school before here in the United States. [00:12:03] Ashleigh Vogstad: You know, it’s been a really great experience. It’s in person, so I’m traveling there about every 60 to 90 days and living on campus. I mean, really, Oxford isn’t. Formally a campus, it’s sort of a, a city and a university all, all ruled into one and the experience has been really powerful. [00:12:21] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yes. One of the things I wanted to get outta the program was a more global perspective, and it’s been fascinating to me that about half the faculty so far, or or professors, guest lecturers that have been coming into the program have been from China or very direct experience working in the Chinese market. [00:12:38] Vince Menzione: That is fascinating. [00:12:39] Ashleigh Vogstad: It’s been a completely different view. Or for example, you know, really digging into some of the legal cases that are driving precedence for how AI is interacting with corporations. [00:12:51] Vince Menzione: Mm. [00:12:51] Ashleigh Vogstad: One of the big ones for me has been looking at Amazon versus p perplexity. This is still a live case that’s happening right now. [00:12:58] Ashleigh Vogstad: And you know, I think it was Forbes magazine that the headline was the End of Commerce for this case because it’s really about. How human beings are being replaced with machines and hearing some of the world’s leading thinkers, leading AI researchers on these topics has just been really expansive. [00:13:19] Vince Menzione: It’s fascinating. [00:13:20] Vince Menzione: I mean, it’s, this started a couple years ago with, uh, Hollywood, in fact. Suing the industry or suing the technology companies with regards to, uh, employment, right? Mm-hmm. About the, the, uh, copyright infringement and what’s gonna happen in the entertainment industry. And I think that was just a one very small example. [00:13:40] Ashleigh Vogstad: You know, voice people think about DeepFakes. Yeah. And they think about video, but actually voice is a big issue. And you look at the, um, you know, the what happened between Scarlett Johansson and her voice in her, and then open AI rolling out a voice that sounded identical. Sounds like her. [00:13:59] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:13:59] Ashleigh Vogstad: To Scarlett Johansen and, and where that went. [00:14:01] Ashleigh Vogstad: It’s, it, this is a new ground for, for everybody that we’re going through right now. [00:14:07] Vince Menzione: It is. We can dive and go in so many different directions, but let’s talk about marketing and advertising since that’s kind of. Transcends core, and a lot of the people that watch and listen to us are in the partnership world. [00:14:22] Vince Menzione: They’re leading organizations, they own organizations, the the chief executives or CVPs of organizations. Let’s talk about advertising and where that’s going. [00:14:32] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, great. [00:14:33] Vince Menzione: Yeah, [00:14:33] Ashleigh Vogstad: I mean, uh, I love Marshall McCluen. He’s a Canadian theor, uh, media theorist, and in 1964, he very famously said, the medium is the message. [00:14:43] Ashleigh Vogstad: And what that really means when you peel back the layers is that every type of communication medium has these inherent biases. And I think what we’re experiencing right now is this new medium of artificial intelligence, and I’m really interested in exploring what that means for the media world. So. If I gonna take you back to 1997, there’s this really famous, the Innovator’s Dilemma. [00:15:10] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yes. Kind of a classic business 1 0 1 type book by Clayton Christensen. Yes. And he talks about this theory of disruption where new technologies, emerging technologies start at the low end of the market. They gain this momentum and they eventually displace incumbents. And you know, sometimes seemingly out of nowhere. [00:15:28] Vince Menzione: Yeah. And Microsoft was a good example of this at that time. [00:15:32] Ashleigh Vogstad: Def, [00:15:32] Vince Menzione: yeah. [00:15:33] Ashleigh Vogstad: All the big players. All the big players. I mean, Google go for search as well, right? So that’s one of the classic examples. And so. If we look at storytelling technology, you have things like chat, GBT and Sora entering the scene. And in the beginning, you know, they’re producing a shitty first draft. [00:15:51] Ashleigh Vogstad: Uh, you know, it’s things like post-apocalyptic dogs with five finger human beings. Yeah. Things like this. But, you know, and they really lacked emotional resonance. But as we all know. That’s not the case anymore. No, it’s [00:16:05] Vince Menzione: not. [00:16:06] Ashleigh Vogstad: AI is increasingly producing content that is very powerful and is starting to resonate with people. [00:16:13] Ashleigh Vogstad: You know, I’m definitely not a neuroscientist, but if we, we look into the neuroscience, it’s your cortical sal circuit that. Kind of is responsible for pattern recognition and it compares what you’re seeing in the real world with what you expect to see. So when you take this into a space of advertising, you know, if there’s an ad that is AI generated, that is just weird and kind of. [00:16:38] Ashleigh Vogstad: Tweaking for you. [00:16:39] Vince Menzione: Like that robot we were talking about earlier, [00:16:41] Ashleigh Vogstad: like the robot we were Exactly, yeah. Like Sophia, you enter what psychologists call the uncanny valley, so it’s like what you’re looking at isn’t exactly what you’re expecting to see and the Spidey sense is, is tweaking. You know, that’s a low place of emotional resonance. [00:16:58] Ashleigh Vogstad: This world is changing really, really quickly and we’re seeing AI generated media make huge impacts in the market Now, tools like Luma Dream Machine, I mean, it’s incredible what they can achieve today. [00:17:11] Vince Menzione: It’s fascinating. We see it in, you know, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. That’s sort of the world of our business community, and you can very easily detect when someone is doing a post. [00:17:22] Vince Menzione: Or they’re writing an art, whatever they’re doing. Right. Some type of draft of something. Uh, and you can tell when it’s ai, I mean, it’s so easy to tell, and even people are generating reports and claiming that their research papers or studies or whatever they call them, uh, and it’s AI generated and it’s just the authenticity isn’t there. [00:17:39] Vince Menzione: The, the sense that this is real. That it can be trusted is not there. And I think trust is what we’re talking about here too, as well. [00:17:47] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. I mean, let’s go to authenticity ’cause that’s super important. Yeah. And I know a lot of your listeners, you come from the hyperscaler world of partnerships. You need to have that differentiated, better together story. [00:17:59] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. It’s really important to have an authentic voice in market. And I think about that also in terms of platforms and channels. We’re seeing a decrease in certain major social media platforms, and yet Substack spiked 48% in monthly active users last month. [00:18:15] Vince Menzione: That’s [00:18:16] fascinating. [00:18:16] Ashleigh Vogstad: Um, you know, and I think that one of the reasons is it’s viewed as a more authentic channel where you’re getting thought leadership from people that you’re, you know, genuinely interested in hearing their, their points of view. [00:18:28] Ashleigh Vogstad: And I think that’s really an important piece in here. [00:18:31] Vince Menzione: Yeah, you mentioned this yesterday and you had me thinking about it as well because we have used LinkedIn for everything internally, our newsletter, which has been around for six or seven years now. But that Substack is really, and I go to Substack too, to, if I really wanna dig in on a topic. [00:18:47] Ashleigh Vogstad: Mm. [00:18:47] Vince Menzione: And there’s a particular author that I like their point of view, I’ll follow, I’ll follow them on Substack. [00:18:53] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. I mean, and this comes, maybe brings us around to who is the buyer and who is the audience, and who do we need to be thinking about when we’re designing sales and marketing programs. And really we’re, we’re shifting into the place of the Gen Z buyer by 20 30, 70 5% of buyers are gonna be Gen Z. [00:19:12] Ashleigh Vogstad: They’re gonna control 12 trillion in. Spend [00:19:16] Vince Menzione: by 2030. ’cause we, we’ve been, we’ve been saying that the millennial is the new buyer the last three years. I think Jay said it right here at this stage. [00:19:23] Ashleigh Vogstad: Mm. [00:19:24] Vince Menzione: Um, so now it’s Gen Z. [00:19:27] Ashleigh Vogstad: And they’re buying online. Yeah, they’re buying in marketplaces. Yeah. So a stat recently was that roughly half of them made purchases on the social platforms of YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok in the last month. [00:19:39] Ashleigh Vogstad: I mean, that buyer behavior of being inside. Social type application and directly making a purchase. And I think in the B2B world, we need to take lessons from here and start thinking more front and center than we even have been around marketplaces. I mean, part of my reason for being in Silicon Valley this week was to celebrate a $12 million transaction that happened via Marketplace and two years ago that would’ve been a huge deal. [00:20:06] Ashleigh Vogstad: Huge, [00:20:07] Vince Menzione: huge. [00:20:07] Ashleigh Vogstad: And, and it still is a really big deal, but these things are becoming. More and more common experiences. Very much so. We need to be there and in that conversation. [00:20:16] Vince Menzione: So how are you thinking about it? How are you directing your clients to behave or act around it? What are you, what are you doing exactly that we could take to this community perhaps and share with them. [00:20:28] Ashleigh Vogstad: I’ll bring it back to the authenticity piece because you need to have a product that delivers value first and foremost. There is, there is no substitution for that. Yeah, and what I would say is. One of my professors at Oxford, Eric Zow, he has this theory that I’m really digging into and finding very fascinating, which is that for the last several decades we’ve been in the attention economy, and that’s shifting to the trust economy. [00:20:55] Ashleigh Vogstad: Now the attention economy is about selling to human beings. Yeah. It’s about the, the business model is essentially that you need human being eyeballs on lists of recommendation links. Yeah. Whether that’s from Google or from, you know, searching, shopping on Amazon, you get this list of recommendation links and the economic engine that drives that business model is advertising. [00:21:19] Ashleigh Vogstad: Now, if you look at something like the Amazon versus Perplexity lawsuit, the whole underlying premise is around the shift of no longer selling to humans directly, but of selling to machines, or in other words, agents who are making purchases, s on behalf on your behalf. And an agent isn’t going to be razzle dazzled by some inauthentic story. [00:21:44] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:21:44] Ashleigh Vogstad: They’re gonna be looking for third party validation on Exactly. You know, they need to be sure that they’re making the right decision. [00:21:51] Vince Menzione: They’re gonna look at surveys, they’re gonna look at customer comments. Like if I went through my Amazon site and I was looking to see what people said about the purchase or the product and specifically Exactly. [00:22:01] Vince Menzione: The agent’s gonna do this on my behalf, is what you’re saying. [00:22:04] Ashleigh Vogstad: This is what I’m saying. Yeah. And, and. I believe that to layer on top of, you know, Eric Z’s philosophy, I’ve been thinking about this in terms of the hyperscaler world, and I think that this is the time to lean into co-selling partnerships. [00:22:18] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, because being third party validated by somebody like AWS Microsoft and having all that co-sell data, what are your recent wins? Yes, that’s really high integrity, trusted data source for an agent to make a purchasing decision, and marketplaces are a key part of that. [00:22:35] Vince Menzione: So we’ll move from AI will take a, a more active role in the marketplace. [00:22:40] Ashleigh Vogstad: I definitely believe so. [00:22:42] Vince Menzione: Which makes total sense. I, you know, we’ve been doing this for nine or 10 years now, and when I was at Microsoft, we started co-selling. In fact, it was, uh, Aaron Feiger was up on stage yesterday talking about it. Right? January of 2016, co-selling began. [00:22:55] Ashleigh Vogstad: Mm. [00:22:56] Vince Menzione: And there were only a few companies doing it. [00:22:59] Vince Menzione: Right. So she worked with one of the very first ones that were doing it. Uh, the challenge we have today is there are tens of thousands of partner organizations in the marketplace that are all trying to get the attention of the Microsoft sellers. Hmm. As, or the Google sellers or the AWS sellers and tell their story. [00:23:19] Vince Menzione: And a seller only has so many minutes in a day, they have a quota that they have to hit. These quotas are tens, if not hundreds of millions of dollars of annual quota of cloud consumption. And I wanna sell my $50,000 widget, whatever it is. Yeah. Right. And I, I don’t understand why I’m not getting a callback. [00:23:38] Vince Menzione: And this, this is the dilemma we’ve faced because of, because of this, uh, scarcity of time and this over overwhelming of tech, you know. Tech, tech buyers trying to make this all happen, so now the AI can come in and help me solve for it as a seller, right? [00:23:55] Ashleigh Vogstad: The AI is definitely acting as an interface to make recommendations to field sellers in different organizations and. [00:24:04] Ashleigh Vogstad: To, to kind of take this on a, a tangent. Dupes. So a dupe. I know people of my generation, we’d think about this like a knockoff Right. You know, a knockoff handbag. [00:24:15] Vince Menzione: Yep. [00:24:15] Ashleigh Vogstad: Dupes have exploded. [00:24:16] Vince Menzione: Fake. Fake Rolexes. [00:24:18] Ashleigh Vogstad: Exactly. The fake Rolex for sure. And I think it was in December, P WC rolled out a survey. 81% of Gen Z were planning to purchase a dupe this holiday season. [00:24:29] Vince Menzione: That’s wild. [00:24:30] Ashleigh Vogstad: Dupes can be, you know, we gave luxury, good examples, but Louis [00:24:34] Vince Menzione: Vuitton and yeah. So, [00:24:35] Ashleigh Vogstad: but furniture, these sorts of things. And the important takeaway here for tech is the same principle will land, is that people are looking for value out of a product, not necessarily a name brand. AI is accelerating this whole process, and agents are gonna be looking at the same thing. [00:24:56] Ashleigh Vogstad: They’re looking for that authenticity in terms of the actual product value. So, you know, beware there’s lots of disruption happening in the market right now with this dupe mentality, which is actually a cultural shift talking about I appreciate value over a superficial. Brand name. In some cases, there’s also a, a small contrary trend where certain luxury goods are rising because yes, things are never that simple. [00:25:22] Vince Menzione: So you work with a lot of these tech companies, a lot of SaaS companies, is we, we call them ISVs, we also call them, uh, software development companies. Now we keep changing these acronyms around. Uh, there’s been a lot of, uh, consternation in that segment, I would say, around ai. Right, because a lot of them are getting told that they’ll be outta business in a few years. [00:25:43] Vince Menzione: Mm-hmm. I think Satya Nadella famously said this last year that SAS will go away. Right? He’s predicting the demise. How do you help some of these organizations to differentiate? And there’s some of these are huge value organizations. We have have them in the room with us, ServiceNow and Veeam and Adobe. [00:26:01] Vince Menzione: Um, how do you help them achieve their results? ’cause that’s what you, you know, your organization is really helping these organizations to achieve their pinnacle as a partner. What do you, what do you say to them now and how do you help them through this time? [00:26:16] Ashleigh Vogstad: I’m on the side of the fence that I really can’t see an organization ripping out something like Salesforce, Adobe, ServiceNow. [00:26:24] Vince Menzione: Agreed. [00:26:24] Ashleigh Vogstad: I mean that the amount of change management and. The extent to which these, these platforms are embedded, actually running and operating organizations. I personally, if, if we’re calling those companies, SaaS companies, I don’t agree that that layer is gonna go away. I mean, we’re seeing these organizations lean into AI in a huge way to borrow Microsofts. [00:26:50] Ashleigh Vogstad: Term, you know, they’re all becoming frontier firms. [00:26:54] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:26:54] Ashleigh Vogstad: So where I would go to, to answer that question, we do work with many, you know, organizations on that caliber, on things like their marketplace strategy on how to light up the fields of different hyperscalers. It really does come down to things like having a strong drumbeat with the Microsoft field, celebrating your win stories. [00:27:15] Ashleigh Vogstad: Maybe that’s where I’ll land as Please do the marketer, because it sounds so simple, and I don’t know why we kind of continue to come back to this, but we’re talking about that third party validation and really, um, in order to have that, like what the hyperscalers want is you jointly celebrating success. [00:27:36] Ashleigh Vogstad: Here’s the kicker. Publicly. [00:27:38] Vince Menzione: Publicly, [00:27:39] Ashleigh Vogstad: you know, you need a customer story on your website, a press release that contains a quote from your customer. Ideally, also a quote from an executive at one of the hyperscalers. Like, actually lean in to live the value of your better together story. And when you do that, when you, when it comes around to partner of the year time, and we talk to you about, okay, what client stories are we gonna feature? [00:28:03] Ashleigh Vogstad: We’re even gonna know because when we Google you, we can see the public press of the joint wins that you’ve been celebrating. And I can tell you that that is a huge indicator on whether or not you’re well-placed to be in the 4% of partners who actually win Partner of the Year award’s. [00:28:20] Vince Menzione: Fascinating to me. [00:28:21] Vince Menzione: ’cause to me it would feel like table stakes maybe ’cause where we sit is ultimate partner and where this room sits with all the top partners that I just assume that everybody follows that. That, that guidance. [00:28:34] Ashleigh Vogstad: Mm. [00:28:34] Vince Menzione: And so this is really impactful and I want to get here because I know you spent a lot of time here and we’ve talked about it before, but I think the partner of the year awards, when we first met many years ago, that was a you, you’ve expanded the business, but that’s still a core mission and and value that you bring to the community and to the partner ecosystem is helping them through this process. [00:28:55] Vince Menzione: So I know that that’s gonna be coming up soon, so I thought maybe we’d spend a couple moments on that. [00:29:00] Ashleigh Vogstad: Partner of the Year awards, regardless of which partner, I mean, Salesforce has their own awards there. There’s more and more award programs coming out, and they’re a great way to celebrate the incredible work that your organization has done. [00:29:13] Ashleigh Vogstad: Jay McBain is brilliant on this. He’ll talk a lot about the increase in valuation. Yeah. The, the increase in stock valuation or the likelihood that if you’re looking to be acquired, that you’re acquired within 12 months of a partner of the year win it. It’s really impressive. There is strong business value there. [00:29:33] Vince Menzione: He like, he likes, he likes to tell the story of that when the award is handed to them and they go back into the audience, that the private equity people are all over them right then and there and making offers. I mean, that’s the visual that you get [00:29:47] Ashleigh Vogstad: and it’s very powerful. Yeah. Very powerful. It’s very powerful and it, it can make it worthwhile to invest in the process, but don’t invest in the process if you haven’t been investing in the process for the 12 months. [00:29:57] Ashleigh Vogstad: Prior, [00:29:58] Vince Menzione: exactly. [00:29:58] Ashleigh Vogstad: The Microsoft field or you we’re talking about Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards. They need to know about your win that that needs to be top of mind for them. Yeah. How much Azure revenue is it driving? Was it a huge marketplace? Build sales and. You know, one of the questions I get asked a ton, everybody wants to know how do we get money out of the hyperscalers? [00:30:20] Ashleigh Vogstad: How do I get access to marketing development funds or all these different programs? Yeah. You know, at Microsoft, some of these programs are like EI and customer investment funds or Azure Accelerate, you know, and there’s millions and millions and millions of dollars in these, these buckets of funds, but. [00:30:36] Ashleigh Vogstad: An interesting point of view is that it’s actually a scorecard metric for many people at Microsoft who have partnership roles for you to be drawing down those funds. [00:30:45] Vince Menzione: Yes. [00:30:45] Ashleigh Vogstad: You know, your interests are actually aligned here, and so again, when it comes to Partner of the Year awards, how much money have you pulled down? [00:30:54] Ashleigh Vogstad: How much have you been an activating partner of key Microsoft programs that they’re pushing? What are you doing with marketplace rewards? How are you resing? Those into your business. These are the types of things that you really wanna be thinking about. Sitting it. You know, this time of year we probably will get the awards were likely be due in July. [00:31:13] Ashleigh Vogstad: They haven’t officially announced timelines, but you’ve got a few months to start moving these pieces into place. [00:31:18] Vince Menzione: And there are quite a few of them. And to your point, Nina, when she was up on stage here yesterday, there were at least 10 or 12 award. Uh. Funding categories that were on her, that were on her slide. [00:31:31] Vince Menzione: Her partner, her partner slide. So, [00:31:33] Ashleigh Vogstad: and what great looks like for a partner is that you understand your end-to-end funnel as it is mapped to Microsoft’s SEM model, the Microsoft customer Engagement model. Mm-hmm. The first stage there, inspire and design. That’s really the marketing space of lead generation. [00:31:50] Ashleigh Vogstad: So how are you generating leads with webinars, in-person, event activations, digital campaigns, and then at the very end, in the fifth column, you have the Microsoft outcomes that you’re driving. Yes. Whether that’s Azure consumed revenue, marketplace build sales, co-pilot, monthly active usage, these sorts of things. [00:32:10] Ashleigh Vogstad: And in each of those SEM swim lanes. There’s Microsoft funding associated to it. And that’s one of the things that Nina Harding was showing yesterday. When and where does it make sense to make requests for EA funds versus Azure accelerate the MCI funding? There’s different workshop proof of concept funding, and those all fall at specific stages in that EM model. [00:32:33] Vince Menzione: And what you’re also pointing out in this conversation is that the co the partners need to understand that mm, they need to understand MM. We talked about it years ago. I’ve had, haven’t had anybody on stage recently talk about m You could probably take us through that if we wanted to devote some time here, uh, and then understand all of those categories and how to access those funds. [00:32:52] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, it’s critical and. The number one place we point partners, if you want a quick overview of what that looks like is to Microsoft’s FY 26 solution playbooks. Nice. They’re available on the web for download. There’s, well, there used to be three, but they’ve added a few agen being, being one. So, so there’s a handful of, they had [00:33:11] Vince Menzione: simplified it, now they’re, now they’re expanding it back again. [00:33:14] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, exactly. I think there’s now a breakout for security as well. Yes. So take a look at those playbooks. It will map programs and incentives very specifically to each solution area and to each sales play that are gonna be available to you. And then we’re always happy to guide people through the details [00:33:32] Vince Menzione: as well. [00:33:32] Vince Menzione: I love that. I love that. And reach out to the. Ashley is just amazing at this process. I’ve, I’ve watched her for years now, work with some of the top, what have become the pinnacle partners of Microsoft and with the award season coming up. So we wanna make sure we have a plug there. But I also wanna talk about like, podcasts with you. [00:33:50] Vince Menzione: Um, you’ve been on this podcast multiple times, been in the studio before doing this, and I understand you have your own podcast now. So tell us about that. [00:33:58] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, Vince, I just wanna say. As a friend and a mentor. You’ve been so inspiring. Thank you. And I think from years ago when we met, there was this seed in my brain of, you know, I, I should really get out there. [00:34:13] Ashleigh Vogstad: And you talk a lot about growth mindset and fear setting is, is one of Tim Ferriss’s terms? Yes. And models. [00:34:21] Vince Menzione: I love Tim Ferris. I’ve been, been a fan of his for 10 years now. So that’s settled. We all got started with this. Sorry. Sorry, I [00:34:26] Ashleigh Vogstad: interrupt. No, no, not at all. [00:34:27] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:34:28] Ashleigh Vogstad: And. I think it’s just been, it’s been back there. [00:34:31] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. That I’m really passionate around having voice is how I think about it. And as a marketing agency, we’re really amplifying the voice, um, or helping companies to find their voice, particularly in hyperscaler partnerships. And what better way to assist, you know, authentically the amazing people in our network, in our community and our clients than with our own channel where we can celebrate their stories and success? [00:35:00] Vince Menzione: Very cool. [00:35:01] Ashleigh Vogstad: So the podcast is called Transcending Tech. It’s about [00:35:06] Vince Menzione: very cool transcending tech. Just so you don’t [00:35:08] Ashleigh Vogstad: transcending tech. [00:35:08] Vince Menzione: It’s out there now. [00:35:10] Ashleigh Vogstad: It, we just released our first episode. Okay. I think two days ago. [00:35:13] Vince Menzione: So by the time we’re live, yes. We’ll, we’ll be able to access it. Good. [00:35:17] Ashleigh Vogstad: You will be able to access it. [00:35:18] Ashleigh Vogstad: The first episode is with Alyssa Fit. Patrick from Elastic. [00:35:21] Vince Menzione: Oh my goodness. [00:35:22] Ashleigh Vogstad: And the concept of the podcast, it’s long form and it’s really about getting to the people behind the platforms. [00:35:29] Vince Menzione: Very cool. [00:35:29] Ashleigh Vogstad: And to the stories that transcend technology. So we’re here to get to know the human beings behind. Agents. [00:35:38] Vince Menzione: Yeah. [00:35:38] Ashleigh Vogstad: And taking the time to, to go in deep and really explore that. [00:35:43] Vince Menzione: So I am excited to see all the developments here with the, with the podcast. And you’re gonna be joining us again. You were just here, you in Boca. But you’ll be joining us again in Bellevue. Not too far a little bit. Closer ride or travel, uh, for you to come to Bellevue. [00:35:57] Vince Menzione: We’re gonna be hosting the first ultimate partner live, which is our larger events in this beautiful facility, this new Intercontinental hotel, which is fabulous. And, uh, you’re gonna be taking a more active role. Your leadership around AI is. Palpable and we’re gonna love to have you on stage and talking through some of the changes. [00:36:17] Vince Menzione: I, I suspect by the time we get to Bellevue we’ll have a lot more to talk about. That hasn’t even happened yet. [00:36:23] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah, I’m really excited. I’ll have been through my next cohort at at Oxford, kind of coming out hot from there back to the Pacific Northwest, and really excited to just share the learnings and Awesome. [00:36:35] Ashleigh Vogstad: Genuinely. It’s also helping me in my own research, really formulate particularly around the role of ag agentic AI in hyperscaler partnerships. [00:36:43] Vince Menzione: That’s so cool. And then what I’ll say is this, and I don’t know, we on the space perspective, and I’ll, the team will probably hang me for this because we haven’t done it yet, but if you wanna bring the podcast along with you, there might be, we’ll see if we can find an extra room for you to set up. [00:36:58] Vince Menzione: If you wanna do some interviews while you’re. In, at the event. So [00:37:02] Ashleigh Vogstad: you’re so generous, Vince. [00:37:03] Vince Menzione: That’s [00:37:04] Ashleigh Vogstad: amazing. [00:37:04] Vince Menzione: Thank you. Again, I can’t say for certainty yet, but, uh, let’s see, let’s see what happens with that. So, uh, let, let’s, uh, you know, I always, we, we have known each other for years and I just assume everybody knows this amazing Ashley sda. [00:37:19] Vince Menzione: But, um, we always, I like to ask this question because it helps us kind of dig in a little bit about you personally. And it’s my favorite question. I ask all my guests this question now, and it’s, um, you’re hosting a dinner party, Ashley, you are, pick a pace, place, you wanna have this dinner. We could talk about parts of the world. [00:37:36] Vince Menzione: You’ve traveled all extensively. Uh, and you can invite any three people, guests from the present. Or the past to this amazing dinner party you’re throwing. Whom would you invite and why? [00:37:52] Ashleigh Vogstad: It’s a beautiful question, Vince and. Instantly I go to a place in terms of the location, since you asked that part, which was surprising. [00:38:01] Ashleigh Vogstad: I, I like that is my home. I, I love where I live up in Whistler, Canada and [00:38:08] Vince Menzione: I hear it’s beautiful. I haven’t been yet, [00:38:10] Ashleigh Vogstad: it’s so gorgeous and it’s, it’s my own sanctuary. You know, I live on a plane 75% of the time and coming back to that place is really grounding for me. Yes. So, so I would love to have it at, at my home and to invite. [00:38:24] Ashleigh Vogstad: Pippa Malrin would be one. She, Pippa [00:38:26] Vince Menzione: Malrin. [00:38:27] Ashleigh Vogstad: Yeah. She’s sure. I get an advisor to the White House for many administrations. Okay. She’s an economist and she just has really interesting perspective on geopolitics. Uh, I follow her on Substack ’cause she’s a big substack. Okay, now [00:38:41] Vince Menzione: I need to look. This is awesome. [00:38:42] Vince Menzione: The [00:38:43] Ashleigh Vogstad: mal, she’s fantastic. I would say Dr. Lisa Sue, the CEO, Dr. Lisa of a md. [00:38:49] Vince Menzione: Okay. Yes, yes. I know a little bit about her. [00:38:51] Ashleigh Vogstad: So she was one of Time Mag, I think she was the only woman in Time Magazine’s, group of people of the year, which was basically this AI cohort in including, you know, the Elon Musks of the world. [00:39:03] Ashleigh Vogstad: Uh, it’s just so impressive what she’s doing with leadership in a MD. I don’t think it’s as public as. Anybody else who is on the cover of that magazine, but it’s incredibly powerful. [00:39:14] Vince Menzione: Yeah, they’ve made a com uh, turnaround’s probably not the right word, but it seems like they’ve made a tremendous, uh, gains turnaround probably in the last few years. [00:39:23] Ashleigh Vogstad: I would say that many would say turnaround. And then lastly is Dr. Fefe Lee, who. For those in the AI space, particularly AI research space. I mean, she’s arguably number one. Um, she’s leading at Stanford currently. [00:39:37] Vince Menzione: Wow. This is gonna be a heady conversation, but you know, I love conversations. So if you don’t mind, maybe I’ll bring dessert and come, come in for a few moments, maybe do some podcast interviews there. [00:39:48] Vince Menzione: How’s that? [00:39:49] Ashleigh Vogstad: That sounds absolutely perfect, Vince, [00:39:50] Vince Menzione: so, so good. So good to have you here today. So great. Good to have you in the studio again, and, uh, excited for transcends and all the great work you’re doing. Um. This time with ai. I think you, uh, we talked about this a little bit last night. I think you’ve made some really wise, personal and professional decisions about how to lead and how to take this forward and not kind of rest on your laurels, which you see so many organizations do People fear change [00:40:17] Ashleigh Vogstad: Hmm. [00:40:18] Vince Menzione: And you embrace it, which is just, it’s astounding to me that you do that and, um. I look forward to working with you in the future and for years and years to come. So I will ask you one more question though, because we are still at the precipice of these tectonic shifts and we’re still early in 2026. And so for our listeners and our viewers today, what would be the one thing you would tell them that they need to go do now that possibly they haven’t done yet as they prepare for 2026 and beyond? [00:40:52] Ashleigh Vogstad: The generic phrase would be, be curious, but if we want an action, it would be go build an agent. [00:40:59] Vince Menzione: Go build an agent [00:41:00] Ashleigh Vogstad: if, if you haven’t already. Yeah. And, and I’m, yeah. Speaking hopefully to like a business audience, you know, to, to anyone. Yeah. Really, um, find something that is interesting that you’re passionate about. [00:41:12] Ashleigh Vogstad: A, a use case that it doesn’t have to be some big thing. It could be quite mundane, but just something that’s gonna help you in your role. It’s, you know, what is creativity is an interesting question, and I can tell you that sitting down and hands-on keys and actually creating something is, is a beautiful, powerful experience. [00:41:32] Vince Menzione: Yeah. Awesome. All right. We’re all gonna go create agents this weekend, so thank you for listening. Thank you for viewing the Ultimate Guide to partnering on our YouTube channel, ultimate Partner, and on each end of your platforms at the Ultimate Guide to partnering. Thank you for being with us and supporting us all these years. [00:41:50] Vince Menzione: Thank you. Don’t forget, ultimate Partner Live is coming soon, May 11th through the 13th in beautiful Bellevue, Washington. I hope to see you there.

Career regret is more common than most professionals admit. In Bill Gurley's survey, 7 out of 10 people said they would restart their careers if given the chance, revealing widespread dissatisfaction with their chosen paths. After decades of working alongside successful founders, Bill distilled what actually leads to meaningful, energizing work into his book  Running Down a Dream, offering a clear path to designing a career you don't want to escape from. Now on Spotify video! In this episode, Bill reveals how to build your dream job and shares what top professionals do differently to create careers that bring both success and fulfillment. In this episode, Hala and Bill will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:17) The Career Regret Crisis (06:57) Designing Your Own Career Path (12:53) How Curiosity Over Passion Drives Success (22:10) Bill's Journey From Engineering to Venture Capital (28:45) Mastering Career Fundamentals for Growth (41:34) The Power of Mentors and Peers in Career Development (52:10) Dot-Com Crash Lessons and the AI Wave (54:20) Unit Economics and Business Fundamentals (1:06:39) Smart ROI Decisions for Entrepreneurs (1:16:47) Making Tough Calls in Leadership (1:21:34) Traits of Extraordinary Founders Bill Gurley is a renowned Silicon Valley venture capitalist and general partner at Benchmark, known for early, pivotal investments in companies like Uber, Zillow, and Grubhub. With over 20 years at Benchmark, he is recognized as a top tech investor and the author of the influential blog Above the Crowd. In his new book, Running Down a Dream, Bill breaks down the components of balancing joy with success and identifies the key principles of career fulfillment. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at⁠ Indeed.com/profiting⁠ Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at⁠ Shopify.com/profiting⁠. Spectrum Business - Keep your business connected seamlessly. Visit ⁠https://spectrum.com/Business⁠ to learn more. Northwest Registered Agent - Build your brand and get your complete business identity at⁠ northwestregisteredagent.com/paidyap⁠ Framer - Publish beautiful and production-ready websites. Go to⁠ Framer.com/profiting⁠ and get 30% off their Framer Pro annual plan. Quo - Run your business communications the smart way. Try Quo for free, plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to⁠ quo.com/profiting⁠ Working Genius - Discover your natural gifts and thrive at work. Go to⁠ workinggenius.com⁠ and get 20% off with code PROFITING Experian - Manage and cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reduce your bills. See ⁠experian.com⁠ for details. Huel -  Get all the daily nutrients you need with Huel. Grab Huel today and get 15% OFF with my code PROFITING at⁠ huel.com/PROFITING⁠.  Resources Mentioned: Bill's Book, Running Down A Dream: ⁠bit.ly/BGDream⁠  Bill's X (Twitter): ⁠x.com/bgurley⁠  Bill's Website: ⁠abovethecrowd.com⁠  Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett: ⁠bit.ly/BB-DYL⁠  One Up On Wall Street by Peter Lynch: ⁠bit.ly/PL-OUOWS⁠  Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen: ⁠bit.ly/CC-ID⁠  Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey: ⁠bit.ly/MM-GL⁠  Active Deals -⁠ youngandprofiting.com/deals⁠  Key YAP Links Reviews -⁠ ratethispodcast.com/yap⁠ YouTube -⁠ youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting⁠ Newsletter - ⁠youngandprofiting.co/newsletter⁠  LinkedIn -⁠ linkedin.com/in/htaha/⁠ Instagram -⁠ instagram.com/yapwithhala/⁠ Social + Podcast Services:⁠ yapmedia.com⁠ Transcripts -⁠ youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new⁠  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Marketing, Negotiation, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Growth Mindset, Business Ideas, Growth Hacks, Workplace, Career Podcast

Why is iterating hardware so difficult and what would we do if it came time to start a business.In Episode #515 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: Clayton Christensen's 'The Innovator's Dilemma' book, why incumbents like IBM and Blockbuster struggled with disruptive shifts, how spin-outs can help large firms explore new markets, whether today's tech giants (NVIDIA, Amazon, Alphabet) are genuinely pivoting faster than past eras, the trap of single‑thesis bets (e.g., x402 via Coinbase/Circle), the difference between wealth and money via Paul Graham's classic essay, my slow‑ship shift toward building something around livestreaming/value-for-value/OpenClaw-style agents, Juan's practical plan to buy and streamline existing local service businesses and the enduring challenge of measuring value in a world awash with AI-generated content. No boostagrams but we do appreciate the streaming!Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortalsTimeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:36) The Innovator's Dilemma book(00:05:20) From hardware to software: DiSASSter(00:10:58) CapEx arms race: Nvidia up, Apple lagging(00:15:04) Incumbents can't buy their way out every time(00:19:13) Is AI truly disruptive? Capital, energy, and hype checks(00:24:50) Business cycles repeat: pivots, exits, and getting left behind(00:29:34) Investing today: concentration, tech dominance, and copper(00:34:05) Investing is prediction: outcomes vs decisions(00:38:02) Finding exposure: beware tiny bets inside behemoths(00:41:01) Boostagram Lounge and supporter shout-outs(00:42:04) Micropayments, value, and streaming money(00:45:19) Why Lightning may not fit continuous payments(00:49:53) Two paths: analogue community vs full-tilt AI grind(00:53:41) A niche edge: 'human-made' as a selling point(01:03:31) A creator's plan: livestreaming with OpenClaw automation(01:08:02) Work futures: lifestyle businesses and human uniqueness(01:14:58) Zero-to-one vs sustainment: knowing your role(01:20:04) Juan's near-term play: buy, streamline, and bundle SMBs(01:23:40) Wrap-up and sign-off Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

In today's episode, I dive into why competitive alternatives—not problems or future visions—are the right place to start a positioning exercise. I explain how different teams inside a company misunderstand competition in predictable ways, and why positioning must focus only on who shows up on customer shortlists right now. I also share how my thinking on this step has evolved since the first edition of my book, Obviously Awesome, and why getting this step wrong makes every other positioning decision harder.You will learn: (03:26) How competitive alternatives are broader than direct competitors but narrower than imagined threats.(05:05) Why starting with “the problem” often leads to vague or misleading positioning inputs.(09:21) How jobs-to-be-done thinking reshaped April's positioning methodology.(12:19) What the milkshake story teaches about customer comparison frameworks.(14:46) Why sales teams are the most reliable source for identifying real competitive alternatives.(17:52) How product, marketing, and founders each skew the competitive picture in different ways.(24:49) Why AI tools like ChatGPT cannot accurately tell you who your real competitors are.—Connect with April Dunford and learn about practical positioning that accelerates marketing and sales: Work with April: https://www.aprildunford.com/contact April's newsletter: https://aprildunford.substack.com/ April's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/ April's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aprildunford/ April's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/aprildunford April's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@positioningshow—Mentioned in this episode: * Obviously Awesome, Second Edition (forthcoming), by April Dunford. * Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen.* Bob Moesta, researcher at JobsToBeDone.org.—Get April Dunford's books and audiobooks: “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It.”“Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win.”Amazon US: https://amzn.to/49l0ZRY Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4ac9hgt Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vosDzQApple Books: https://apple.co/3xihSzCGoogle Play: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=%22April%20Dunford%22&c=books Barnes & Noble: https://www.bn.com/s/%22April%20Dunford%22 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/contributors/april-dunford —The Positioning with April Dunford podcast: Want to make your product stand out in a crowded market? It all starts with great positioning. Using April's battle-tested methodology, she'll teach you the nitty-gritty of positioning so that you can unlock better marketing and sales performance.Podcast website: https://www.positioning.show/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PFHcWx Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02XBrnPJ7NVGPUgHC7xstU Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@positioningshow —This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/

Most organizations are built to do exactly what they do…and that's the problem. When a core business starts to decay due to disruption, automation, or shifting customer demand, the instinct is to double down on efficiency, cost cutting, and short-term fixes. But that focus often crowds out the harder, riskier work of building what comes next. Nearly a decade ago, Dual Transformation offered a clear and compelling framework for this dilemma, yet nobody seems to be actually doing it. In this episode, Rodney Evans and Sam Spurlin unpack why dual transformations are so rare, why it's even harder than it sounds, and why it matters more than ever in an AI-shaped economy. They dig into the tensions between “business A” (the core) and “business B” (the future), the funding and operating system traps that kill new growth, and practical moves leaders and internal change agents can make to actually pull of two transformations at once instead of just talking about it. -------------------------------- Ready to change your organization? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's talk.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -------------------------------- Mentioned references: Type One vs Type Two fun Enneagram 7: AWWTR Ep. 33 with Liz Orr Ulysses (book) Dual Transformation (book) Clayton Christensen and disruptive innovation taxi and uber disruption Eisenhower matrix "Squirrel" Sam's manifesto 00:00 Intro + Check-In: What's some type two fun you've had recently? 04:29 What is Dual Transformation and why now? 13:27 Sounds simple, yet deceptively hard 21:05 The 3 crisis points of a dual transformation 27:12 Recognizing when you're in a dying business 30:57 Engineering a dual transformation from the inside out 37:24 Navigating the emotions of the dying business 39:14 Idea 1: Weekly feedback routines with customers 43:07 Idea 2: Import as little as possible from the old company 45:59 Idea 3: Write the manifesto for both businesses 47:29 Bonus Idea: Read Dual Transformation! 48:26 Wrap up Sound engineering and design by Taylor Marvin of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coupe Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good speaks with Karen Dillon, former editor of Harvard Business Review and co-author of 'How Will You Measure Your Life?'They explore the intersection of business theory and personal fulfillment, discussing how rigorous decision-making and understanding intrinsic motivation can lead to a more satisfying life. Dillon shares insights from her collaboration with Clayton Christensen, emphasizing the importance of applying business theories to personal decisions, the high achiever paradox, and the significance of relationships in achieving long-term happiness.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Karen Dillon's Journey02:19 The Impact of Clay Christensen's Teachings04:47 Understanding Business Theory and Life Decisions07:17 Herzberg's Two Factor Theory Explained09:29 The Importance of Intrinsic Motivators11:11 Self-Check for Long-Term Fulfillment12:04 Deliberate vs. Emergent Strategy in Business14:30 Testing Assumptions in Decision Making16:33 Financial Constraints Leading to Innovation18:53 The High Achiever Paradox22:22 Jobs to Be Done Theory in Relationships27:25 Understanding Emotional Needs in Relationships29:09 Outsourcing Responsibilities: Lessons from Dell32:06 Key Insights and Takeaways

In this episode of The Builder's Bookshelf, we unpack Clayton Christensen's The Innovator's Dilemma and explore why even the best-run construction companies can get blindsided by prefab, modular, drones, and AI. You'll learn how to spot disruptive shifts early, run experiments without wrecking your core business, and become the builder that drives the change instead of getting run over by it.Enjoy Episode 4 and #BeNEXT

Scott D. Anthony is a globally recognized expert on navigating disruptive change and a passionate optimist about humanity's capacity to adapt in a constantly evolving world. He is a Clinical Professor of Strategy at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, where he teaches courses on leading disruptive change, horizon scanning, and AI-enabled decision-making.Scott's work builds on more than two decades of field research and close mentorship under Clayton Christensen, spent over 20 years at Innosight, and is the author of several influential books, including his latest, Epic Disruptions.In this second part of our conversation, we talk about:The three clear patterns of disruptionWhat Shiseido's transformation reveals about balancing heritage and reinventionModels of social generativityRelationship between change and discomfortThe invisible “ghosts” that haunt organizationsCompeting against non-consumption and why “something is better than nothing” drives disruptionThe systemic dimension of innovationThe three shadows of innovationWhat past disruptions can teach us about governing AI responsiblyWhat disruptive innovation might look like in religious and spiritual communitiesTo learn more about Scott's work, you can find him at: https://www.innosight.com/ Books and resources mentioned:Epic Disruptions (by Scott D. Anthony)The Innovator's Dilemma (by Clayton M. Christensen)The First Mile (by Scott D. Anthony)This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust.Support the show

In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with Dave Checketts, the youngest president in NBA history and former CEO of Madison Square Garden. From saving bankrupt franchises to leading iconic sports organizations, Dave shares the defining moments that shaped his career and his character.This conversation goes far beyond headlines and trophies. Dave opens up about faith, injustice, loss, and the unseen preparation behind opportunity. He reflects on how early rejection fueled resilience, how mentorship changed the trajectory of his life, and why building “championship culture” matters more than talent or capital alone.Now operating in private equity after decades in the global sports spotlight, Dave explains why influence without attention has become more fulfilling than power with a platform. This is a rare masterclass on leadership, readiness, and building a life of meaning long after the applause fades.⏱️ Episode Chapters00:00 | Admiration, Sports, and a Life in Leadership03:35 | Growing Up in Bountiful & Learning to Hustle Early08:34 | Rejection, Injustice, and Missing High School Basketball12:20 | Turning Setbacks into Fuel for Growth15:25 | Making the BYU Basketball Team Against the Odds20:14 | Faith, Obedience, and a Defining Spiritual Promise24:19 | Why That One Year of College Basketball Mattered28:19 | Ambition at 70 and Never Being Finished30:48 | Business School, Bain, and Early Career Acceleration35:27 | Clayton Christensen, Mentorship, and Consulting41:31 | Helping Danny Ainge and Entering Pro Sports47:26 | Walking into the NBA Office Unannounced52:58 | Sparring with David Stern—and Earning His Trust57:09 | Why the Celtics Deal Fell Apart59:17 | Being Chosen to Save the Utah Jazz at 2701:02:42 | Championship Culture vs. Winning Culture01:09:14 | Painful Partnerships and Hard Lessons01:16:21 | Tragedy, Loss, and Perspective01:20:04 | Faith, Gratitude, and the Experiences You Wouldn't Choose01:22:14 | Raising Capital to Save the Jazz01:27:00 | Legacy Beyond Sports and the Spotlight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott D. Anthony is a globally recognized expert on navigating disruptive change and a passionate optimist about humanity's capacity to adapt in a constantly evolving world. He is a Clinical Professor of Strategy at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business, where he teaches courses on leading disruptive change, horizon scanning, and AI-enabled decision-making.Scott's work builds on more than two decades of field research and close mentorship under Clayton Christensen, spent over 20 years at Innosight, and is the author of several influential books, including his latest, Epic Disruptions.In this first part of our conversation, we discuss:The meaning of innovation: something different that creates valueHow the meaning of “innovation” shifted from something dangerous to something sacredScott's first encounter with Clayton ChristensenClay Christensen's regret over how the term “disruption” has been misusedThe four big questions Scott poses about innovationWhat Gutenberg's printing press reveals about collective creativity and unintended consequencesThe predictable and unpredictable nature of innovationLessons from a failed medical tourism venture on testing real demandTo learn more about Scott's work, you can find him at: https://tuck.dartmouth.edu/faculty/faculty-directory/scott-d-anthonyhttps://www.innosight.com/ Books and resources mentioned:Epic Disruptions (by Scott D. Anthony)The Innovator's Dilemma (by Clayton M. Christensen)The First Mile (by Scott D. Anthony)This season of the podcast is sponsored by Templeton Religion Trust.Support the show

I denne episode fortsætter vi vores bud på portefølje 2026 med fokus på De trendy og De vilde. Vi taler om comeback til rum-aktier, Trump og Grønland igen, tanker om Clayton Christensens Innovator's Dilemma, samt runder markedsnyheder og meget mere. Denne episode er sponsoreret af Vippresidences.com. Bliv medejer af unikke boliger rundt omkring i verdenen. Læs mere på Vippresidences.com. Denne episode er sponsoreret af Finobo. Få et gratis økonomitjek hos specialisterne i låneoptimering ved at bruge linket:finobo.dk/gratis-oekonomitjek-aktieuniverset/Prøv den nye omlægningsberegner på Finobo.dk/beregner-omlaegningsberegner/?utm_source=aktieuniverset Denne episode er sponsoreret af investeringsfonden NewDeal Invest. NewDeal Invest er blevet børsnoteret, så der nu ikke er nogen minimumsinvestering for at komme med i fonden. Find den på din danske handelsplatform under PMINDI eller NewDeal Invest (nu også på Nordnet og eToro). Hvis du er en virksomhed, kan du også investere i hovedfonden gennem virksomhedsskatteordningen (VSO).NewDeal Invest: ⁠newdealinvest.dk⁠ Tjek os ud på:FB gruppe: ⁠facebook.com/groups/1023197861808843⁠X: ⁠x.com/aktieuniverset⁠IG: ⁠instagram.com/aktieuniversetpodcast⁠  DISCLAIMER:Aktieuniverset indeholder markedsføring af investeringsforeningen Portfoliomanager NewDeal Invest, kl n (PMINDI), som Mads Christiansen er investeringsrådgiver for. Podcasten kan ligeledes referere til andre fonde.Indholdet i podcasten udtrykker alene værternes og gæsters egne holdninger, refleksioner og analyser, og skal ikke opfattes som en personlig anbefaling af bestemte værdipapirer eller strategier. Podcasten skal ikke anses som investeringsrådgivning, da den enkelte lytters finansielle situation, nuværende aktiver eller passiver, investeringskendskab og -erfaring, investeringsformål, investeringshorisont, risikoprofil eller præferencer ikke kan inddrages. Det afhænger af den enkelte investors personlige forhold og målsætning, om en bestemt investering eller investeringsstrategi er hensigtsmæssig, og vi anbefaler, at man rådfører sig med sin investeringsrådgiver, inden en eventuel beslutning om investering tages.PMINDI kan findes via Nordnet (https://www.nordnet.dk/markedet/investeringsforeninger-liste/18148998-portfolio-manager-new-deal-invest), Saxo Bank (https://www.saxoinvestor.dk/investor/page/product/Fund/38109485) eller ved at søge på ”DK0062499810” i din egen netbank.PMINDI er kun egnet for investorer med høj risikovillighed og en investeringshorisont på mindst 5 år. Alt investering medfører risiko, herunder potentielt tab af kapital. Historisk afkast er ikke en indikator for fremtidigt afkast, der kan afvige meget eller være negativt.Læs PRIIP KID for PMINDI for fulde risikoscenarier: https://fundmarket.dk/newdeal-invest-kl-n/. Overvej risici og fordele nøje før investering.Læs mere om risici her: https://newdealinvest.dk/risici/ og generelt om investeringsforeningen på www.newdealinvest.dk.Vil du have en månedlig oversigt over alle positionerne i PMINDI? Så skriv dig op til nyhedsbrevet her:https://newdealinvest.dk/nyhedsbrev/. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BONUS: The Operating System for Software-Native Organizations - The Five Core Principles In this BONUS episode, the final installment of our Special Xmas 2025 reflection on Software-native businesses, we explore the five fundamental principles that form the operating system for software-native organizations. Building on the previous four episodes, this conversation provides the blueprint for building organizations that can adapt at the speed of modern business demands, where the average company lifespan on the S&P 500 has dropped from 33 years in the 1960s to a projected 12 years by 2027. The Challenge of Adaptation "What we're observing in Ukraine is adaptation happening at a speed that would have been unthinkable in traditional military contexts - new drone capabilities emerge, countermeasures appear within days, and those get countered within weeks." The opening draws a powerful parallel between the rapid adaptation we're witnessing in drone warfare and the existential threats facing modern businesses. While our businesses aren't facing literal warfare, they are confronting dramatic disruption. Clayton Christensen documented this in "The Innovator's Dilemma," but what he observed in the 1970s and 80s is happening exponentially faster now, with software as the accelerant. If we can improve businesses' chances of survival even by 10-15%, we're talking about thousands of companies that could thrive instead of fail, millions of jobs preserved, and enormous value created. The central question becomes: how do you build an organization that can adapt at this speed? Principle 1: Constant Experimentation with Tight Feedback Loops "Everything becomes an experiment. Not in the sense of being reckless or uncommitted, but in being clear about what we're testing and what we expect to learn. I call this: work like a scientist: learning is the goal." Software developers have practiced this for decades through Test-Driven Development, but now this TDD mindset is becoming the ruling metaphor for managing products and entire businesses. The practice involves framing every initiative with three clear elements: the goal (what are we trying to achieve?), the action (what specific thing will we do?), and the learning (what will we measure to know if it worked?). When a client says "we need to improve our retrospectives," software-native organizations don't just implement a new format. Instead, they connect it to business value - improving the NPS score for users of a specific feature by running focused retrospectives that explicitly target user pain points and tracking both the improvements implemented and the actual NPS impact. After two weeks, you know whether it worked. The experiment mindset means you're always learning, never stuck. This is TDD applied to organizational change, and it's powerful because every process change connects directly to customer outcomes. Principle 2: Clear Connection to Business Value "Software-native organizations don't measure success by tasks completed, story points delivered, or features shipped. Or even cycle time or throughput. They measure success by business outcomes achieved." While this seems obvious, most organizations still optimize for output, not outcomes. The practice uses Impact Mapping or similar outcome-focused frameworks where every initiative answers three questions: What business behavior are we trying to change? How will we measure that change? What's the minimum software needed to create that change? A financial services client wanted to "modernize their reporting system" - a 12-month initiative with dozens of features in project terms. Reframed through a business value lens, the goal became reducing time analysts spend preparing monthly reports from 80 hours to 20 hours, measured by tracking actual analyst time, starting with automating just the three most time-consuming report components. The first delivery reduced time to 50 hours - not perfect, but 30 hours saved, with clear learning about which parts of reporting actually mattered. The organization wasn't trying to fulfill requirements; they were laser focused on the business value that actually mattered. When you're connected to business value, you can adapt. When you're committed to a feature list, you're stuck. Principle 3: Software as Value Amplifier "Software isn't just 'something we do' or a support function. Software is an amplifier of your business model. If your business model generates $X of value per customer through manual processes, software should help you generate $10X or more." Before investing in software, ask whether this can amplify your business model by 10x or more - not 10% improvement, but 10x. That's the threshold where software's unique properties (zero marginal cost, infinite scale, instant distribution) actually matter, and where the cost/value curve starts to invert. Remember: software is still the slowest and most expensive way to check if a feature would deliver value, so you better have a 10x or more expectation of return. Stripe exemplifies this principle perfectly. Before Stripe, accepting payments online required a merchant account (weeks to set up), integration with payment gateways (months of development), and PCI compliance (expensive and complex). Stripe reduced that to adding seven lines of code - not 10% easier, but 100x easier. This enabled an entire generation of internet businesses that couldn't have existed otherwise: subscription services, marketplaces, on-demand platforms. That's software as amplifier. It didn't optimize the old model; it made new models possible. If your software initiatives are about 5-10% improvements, ask yourself: is software the right medium for this problem, or should you focus where software can create genuine amplification? Principle 4: Software as Strategic Advantage "Software-native organizations use software for strategic advantage and competitive differentiation, not just optimization, automation, or cost reduction. This means treating software development as part of your very strategy, not a way to implement a strategy that is separate from the software." This concept, discussed with Tom Gilb and Simon Holzapfel on the podcast as "continuous strategy," means that instead of creating a strategy every few years and deploying it like a project, strategy and execution are continuously intertwined when it comes to software delivery. The practice involves organizing around competitive capabilities that software uniquely enables by asking: How can software 10x the value we generate right now? What can we do with software that competitors can't easily replicate? Where does software create a defensible advantage? How does our software create compounding value over time? Amazon Web Services didn't start as a product strategy but emerged from Amazon building internal capabilities to run their e-commerce platform at scale. They realized they'd built infrastructure that was extremely hard to replicate and asked: "What if we offered it to others?" AWS became Amazon's most profitable business - not because they optimized their existing retail business, but because they turned an internal capability into a strategic platform. The software wasn't supporting the strategy - the software became the strategy. Compare this to companies that use software just for cost reduction or process optimization - they're playing defense. Software-native companies use software to play offense, creating capabilities that change the competitive landscape. Continuous strategy means your software capabilities and your business strategy evolve together, in real-time, not in annual planning cycles. Principle 5: Real-Time Observability and Adaptive Systems "Software-native organizations use telemetry and real-time analytics not just to understand their software, but to understand their entire business and adapt dynamically. Observability practices from DevOps are actually ways of managing software delivery itself. We're bootstrapping our own operating system for software businesses." This principle connects back to Principle 1 but takes it to the organizational level. The practice involves building systems that constantly sense what's happening and can adapt in real-time: deploy with feature flags so you can turn capabilities on/off instantly, use A/B testing not just for UI tweaks but for business model experiments, instrument everything so you know how users actually behave, and build feedback loops that let the system respond automatically. Social media companies and algorithmic trading firms already operate this way. Instagram doesn't deploy a new feed algorithm and wait six months to see if it works - they're constantly testing variations, measuring engagement in real-time, adapting the algorithm continuously. The system is sensing and responding every second. High-frequency trading firms make thousands of micro-adjustments per day based on market signals. Imagine applying this to all businesses: a retail company that adjusts pricing, inventory, and promotions in real-time based on demand signals; a healthcare system that dynamically reallocates resources based on patient flow patterns; a logistics company whose routing algorithms adapt to traffic, weather, and delivery success rates continuously. This is the future of software-native organizations - not just fast decision-making, but systems that sense and adapt at software speed, with humans setting goals and constraints but software executing continuous optimization. We're moving from "make a decision, deploy it, wait to see results" to "deploy multiple variants, measure continuously, let the system learn." This closes the loop back to Principle 1 - everything is an experiment, but now the experiments run automatically at scale with near real-time signal collection and decision making. It's Experiments All The Way Down "We established that software has become societal infrastructure. That software is different - it's not a construction project with a fixed endpoint; it's a living capability that evolves with the business." This five-episode series has built a complete picture: Episode 1 established that software is societal infrastructure and fundamentally different from traditional construction. Episode 2 diagnosed the problem - project management thinking treats software like building a bridge, creating cascade failures throughout organizations. Episode 3 showed that solutions already exist, with organizations like Spotify, Amazon, and Etsy practicing software-native development successfully. Episode 4 exposed the organizational immune system - the four barriers preventing transformation: the project mindset, funding models, business/IT separation, and risk management theater. Today's episode provides the blueprint - the five principles forming the operating system for software-native organizations. This isn't theory. This is how software-native organizations already operate. The question isn't whether this works - we know it does. The question is: how do you get started? The Next Step In Building A Software-Native Organization "This is how transformation starts - not with grand pronouncements or massive reorganizations, but with conversations and small experiments that compound over time. Software is too important to society to keep managing it wrong." Start this week by doing two things.  First, start a conversation: pick one of these five principles - whichever resonates most with your current challenges - and share it with your team or leadership. Don't present it as "here's what we should do" but as "here's an interesting idea - what would this mean for us?" That conversation will reveal where you are, what's blocking you, and what might be possible.  Second, run one small experiment: take something you're currently doing and frame it as an experiment with a clear goal, action, and learning measure. Make it small, make it fast - one week maximum, 24 hours if you can - then stop and learn. You now have the blueprint. You understand the barriers. You've seen the alternatives. The transformation is possible, and it starts with you. Recommended Further Reading Tom Gilb and Simon Holzapfel episodes on continuous strategy  The book by Christensen, Clayton: "The Innovator's Dilemma"  The book by Gojko Adzic: Impact Mapping  Ukraine drone warfare Company lifespan statistics: Innosight research on S&P 500 turnover  Stripe's impact on internet businesses Amazon AWS origin story DevOps observability practices About Vasco Duarte Vasco Duarte is a thought leader in the Agile space, co-founder of Agile Finland, and host of the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast, which has over 10 million downloads. Author of NoEstimates: How To Measure Project Progress Without Estimating, Vasco is a sought-after speaker and consultant helping organizations embrace Agile practices to achieve business success. You can link with Vasco Duarte on LinkedIn.

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey explore Disrupt Yourself with the author herself, Whitney Johnson, to discuss the powerful framework for understanding personal growth, career evolution, and why progress often feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding. Drawing on Clayton Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation, Whitney applies the same principles used to explain market shifts to individual lives, revealing how meaningful growth requires intentional disruption.Stephen reflects on why this episode is especially timely, inviting listeners to use moments of pause, like the holiday season, to reflect on where they are in their careers and lives. Through Whitney's explanation of the S-curve of learning, the conversation unpacks why starting something new feels slow and discouraging, why momentum eventually accelerates, and why mastery can quietly become a trap. Growth, they explain, is not linear, it is cyclical.The episode also dives into the seven accelerants that move people up the S-curve, including taking the right risks, embracing constraints, stepping back to grow, and reframing failure as a tool rather than a verdict. Whitney shares deeply personal stories from her time on Wall Street and her decision to disrupt her own career, offering a model for navigating change with courage and clarity.This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck, restless, or ready for their next chapter, and for leaders seeking to better understand how growth unfolds in themselves and others.What We Discuss[00:00] Introduction[00:36] Holiday Reflection[01:33] Disrupt Yourself by Whitney Johnson[03:17] The S-Curve of Learning[08:15] Applying the S-Curve to Personal Growth[12:34] Seven Variables for Growth[16:08] Embracing Failure as a Tool for GrowthNotable Quotes[05:34] “Disruption isn't just about products, it's about people.” – Whitney Johnson[05:38] “If I'm going to accomplish what I feel I need to in life, I may need to disrupt myself.”– Whitney Johnson[09:13] “Every time I start something new, I am at the base of the S-curve, and growth is happening but it's not yet apparent.”– Whitney Johnson[10:56] “ When you know where you are, you increase your capacity to grow. You orient yourself and so that can impact you, and it can help you grow the people around you. So the S-curve is basically telling you where you are on the mountain..” – Whitney Johnson[16:46] “ Failure and mistakes are not actually the problem.It's the shame that we associate with the mistakes.” – Whitney JohnsonResourcesParadigm Shifting BooksPodcastInstagram YouTube BookDisrupt Yourself by Whitney JohnsonWhitney JohnsonWebsiteInstagramLinkedInBritain CoveyLinkedIn InstagramStephen H. CoveyLinkedIn

Deutschland ist Weltklasse in Mechanik – aber wenn's um digitale Produkte geht, wirkt vieles wie ein gut geschmierter Motor mit Windows-95-Interface. Genau darüber spricht Christoph Keese bei Moove. Als Investor im New-Space-Sektor und langjähriger Journalist (u.a. Financial Times Deutschland, Welt) erklärt er, warum echte Digitalisierung keine Prozess-Kosmetik ist, sondern radikales Neudesign. Wir reden über Disruptionen, die als „Spielzeug“ starten und als Monopol enden – DJI lässt grüßen. Keese zeigt, wie man solche Kipp-Momente erkennt, warum Kernfusion erst bei massiven Kostenvorteilen wirklich disruptiv wird und weshalb Starlink + Starship gerade die größte Umwälzung in der Telekommunikation seit Erfindung des Mobilfunks lostreten. Und natürlich der Blick auf Autos: Autonomie, KI aus der Cloud bzw. aus dem Orbit, neue Mobilitäts-Geschäftsmodelle – und warum klassische Hersteller trotzdem Chancen haben, wenn sie die Reise mitgehen, statt am Bahnsteig zu winken. Plus: Keese als Tesla-Fahrer über die Grenzen von Vision-Only und warum Lidar wahrscheinlich kein Luxus, sondern Pflicht wird. Reinhören, mitdenken, gerne kommentieren – und nicht zu früh „Spielzeug“ sagen.

Deutschland ist Weltklasse in Mechanik – aber wenn's um digitale Produkte geht, wirkt vieles wie ein gut geschmierter Motor mit Windows-95-Interface. Genau darüber spricht Christoph Keese bei Moove. Als Investor im New-Space-Sektor und langjähriger Journalist (u.a. Financial Times Deutschland, Welt) erklärt er, warum echte Digitalisierung keine Prozess-Kosmetik ist, sondern radikales Neudesign. Wir reden über Disruptionen, die als „Spielzeug“ starten und als Monopol enden – DJI lässt grüßen. Keese zeigt, wie man solche Kipp-Momente erkennt, warum Kernfusion erst bei massiven Kostenvorteilen wirklich disruptiv wird und weshalb Starlink + Starship gerade die größte Umwälzung in der Telekommunikation seit Erfindung des Mobilfunks lostreten. Und natürlich der Blick auf Autos: Autonomie, KI aus der Cloud bzw. aus dem Orbit, neue Mobilitäts-Geschäftsmodelle – und warum klassische Hersteller trotzdem Chancen haben, wenn sie die Reise mitgehen, statt am Bahnsteig zu winken. Plus: Keese als Tesla-Fahrer über die Grenzen von Vision-Only und warum Lidar wahrscheinlich kein Luxus, sondern Pflicht wird. Reinhören, mitdenken, gerne kommentieren – und nicht zu früh „Spielzeug“ sagen.

Why do massive companies like Nokia or Blockbuster get crushed by newcomers, even when they seemed to be doing everything right? How does innovation sneak up and change the game before the big players even notice? This episode unpacks one of the most important business books of all time.Omar breaks down The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen and highlights the real reasons industry giants fall behind while scrappier startups take over. You'll hear why listening to today's customer isn't always the answer, how disruptive competitors often look “worse” at first, and why business model innovation, not just technology, creates category leaders. Omar also shares practical exercises to help you spot untapped opportunities in your own space, plus lessons from building his own software company.If you want to avoid getting left behind and build a business that is future-proofed, hit play now! This lesson will steer you towards building what's next in your industry.Discover all our must-read book reviews at https://100mba.net/bookreviews.Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://lm.fm/GgRPPHiSUBSCRIBEYouTube | Apple Podcast | Spotify | Podcast Feed Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Steve Blank: Blind to Disruption Steve Blank is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford and co-founder of the Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. Credited with launching the Lean Startup movement and the curriculums for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps and Hacking for Defense and Diplomacy, he's changed how startups are built, how entrepreneurship is taught, how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate. Steve is the author of The Four Steps to the Epiphany and The Startup Owner's Manual and is the author of his recent article at steveblank.com: Blind to Disruption: The CEOs Who Missed the Future. Leaders may see the future coming, but we aren't always incentivized to act on it. In this conversation, Steve and I discuss what we can learn from the common patterns of disruption so we don't miss what's next. Key Points In the 1890s, there were approximately 4,000 carriage and wagon makers in the United States. Only one company made the transition to automobiles. In each of the three companies that survived, it was the founders, not hired CEOs, that drove the transition. Studebaker recognized that it wasn't in the business of carriages; it was in the business of mobility. Clayton Christensen taught us that disruption begins with inferior products that incumbents don't take seriously. The real problem isn't that companies can't see the future. It's that they are structurally disincentivized to act on it. Parsing innovation theatre vs. innovation means paying attention to what's actually shipping. If nothing is and you want to innovate, look elsewhere. Bubbles in the market are normal. Timing may be off, but that doesn't mean disruption isn't happening. Resources Mentioned Blind to Disruption: The CEOs Who Missed the Future by Steve Blank Related Episodes How to Start Seeing Around Corners, with Rita McGrath (episode 430) How to Build an Invincible Company, with Alex Osterwalder (episode 470) How to Pivot Quickly, with Steve Blank (episode 476) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

"Inovação não tem um corpo de conhecimento codificado. Cada profissional chega por uma porta diferente: design, marketing, tecnologia. Mas inovação é muito mais que usar a última IA da moda" No décimo quarto episódio do Hipsters.Talks, PAULO SILVEIRA, CVO do Grupo Alun, conversa com DENIS BALAGUER, diretor de inovação da EY, sobre o que realmente significa inovar em grandes corporações e por que a maioria das pessoas entende errado. Uma conversa sobre inovação corporativa, destruição criativa e por que empresas precisam se transformar radicalmente.  Prepare-se para um episódio cheio de conhecimento e inspiração!

In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer welcomes Scott Anthony, author of Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations that Shaped Our Modern World. Together, they explore the fascinating concept of disruption, diving into how seemingly ordinary innovations have radically transformed our lives and industries. Scott shares insights from his extensive experience in the field of innovation, including his work with the late Clayton Christensen. They discuss the patterns of disruptive change, the importance of understanding consumer behavior, and how historical examples can inform future strategies. Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the often-overlooked stories behind major innovations, from Julia Child's influence on cooking to the evolution of everyday products like diapers and fast food. As you listen, consider what familiar processes in your life or business might benefit from a fresh perspective. This episode serves as a reminder of the potential for transformation that lies in the unexpected. In this episode: Discover the true meaning of disruption and its implications for businesses today. Learn about the historical innovations that have shaped our modern world. Explore the human elements behind major breakthroughs and how they relate to consumer behavior. Understand the patterns of successful disruption and how to identify opportunities. Gain insights into reframing familiar processes for greater impact. Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/545. Looking to explore applications of behavioral economics further? Learn With Us on our website. Subscribe to Melina's Newsletter Brainy Bites. Let's connect: Send Us a Message Follow Melina on LinkedIn The Brainy Business on Youtube The Brainy Business on Instagram

Welcome to episode #1006 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Disruption isn't always loud. It's often quiet, slow and deeply human. That's one of the lessons Scott Anthony has spent his career unpacking. As a leading voice on innovation and the managing partner emeritus at Innosight (the consultancy founded by the late Clayton Christensen), Scott has helped global companies navigate the uncertainty that comes with change. He si currently a Clinical Professor of Strategy at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. His latest book, Epic Disruptions – 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World, reframes how we think about progress through stories that stretch from gunpowder to generative AI, showing that real innovation rarely arrives overnight (he's also written eight other books). It compounds through persistence, vision and luck. In this conversation, we explore what disruption really looks like inside organizations: the emotional toll of change, why mergers and acquisitions often fail, and how the next generation of intrapreneurs can learn from past innovators rather than repeat their mistakes. We also talk about the future of business education and how AI is rewriting the way we learn, teach, and measure knowledge (and why the classic case study model still has a role to play if it evolves with the times). Scott's perspective is grounded in humility and curiosity, shaped by years of studying leaders who dared to think differently and systems that resisted transformation. Whether you're navigating the next big pivot, building within a legacy organization, or simply trying to understand how the forces of innovation ripple through industries, this conversation offers a rare mix of strategy and soul. It's not about predicting the next big thing, it's about learning to see the patterns in change itself. Enjoy the conversation… Running time: 54:55. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Thinking With Mitch Joel. Feel free to connect to me directly on LinkedIn. Check out ThinkersOne. Here is my conversation with Scott Anthony. Disruptions – 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World. Scott's other books on innovation and strategy. Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business. Follow Scott on LinkedIn. Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to Disruptive Change. (05:03) - Navigating the Use of AI in Learning. (09:32) - The Language of Collaboration with Technology. (10:32) - Reflections on Clayton Christensen's Influence. (14:19) - The Role of Case Studies in Business Education. (18:21) - Understanding Failure in Business Contexts. (20:44) - The Complexities of Mergers and Acquisitions. (23:02) - The Challenges of Change Management. (25:21) - The Future of Work and Collaboration. (27:16) - Defining Disruption and Collaboration. (28:04) - Epic Disruptions: The Selection Process. (29:24) - The Stories Behind Disruptions. (31:01) - Lessons from Julia Child and Disruption. (34:05) - Understanding Stasis in Business. (38:37) - Why Great Companies Fail. (41:20) - The Role of Incumbents in Innovation. (43:18) - The Emergence of Intrapreneurs. (45:12) - Navigating the Great Unfreezing. (47:36) - The Long Game of Technology Adoption. (49:04) - The Four Questions of Disruption.

My guest today is Scott Anthony. Scott is a clinical professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where his research and teaching focuses on the adaptive challenges of disruptive change. He previously spent more than 20 years at Innosight, a growth strategy consultancy founded by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen. The topic is his book Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World. In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss: Evolution and meaning of disruption in business Technology companies adapting to disruption (Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Apple) McDonald's business model and Ray Kroc's entrepreneurial mindset Impact of education, AI, and universities on future disruption Jump in! --- I'm MICHAEL COVEL, the host of TREND FOLLOWING RADIO, and I'm proud to have delivered 10+ million podcast listens since 2012. Investments, economics, psychology, politics, decision-making, human behavior, entrepreneurship and trend following are all passionately explored and debated on my show. To start? I'd like to give you a great piece of advice you can use in your life and trading journey… cut your losses! You will find much more about that philosophy here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/trend/ You can watch a free video here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/video/ Can't get enough of this episode? You can choose from my thousand plus episodes here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/podcast My social media platforms: Twitter: @covel Facebook: @trendfollowing LinkedIn: @covel Instagram: @mikecovel Hope you enjoy my never-ending podcast conversation!

My guest today is Scott Anthony. Scott is a clinical professor at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, where his research and teaching focuses on the adaptive challenges of disruptive change. He previously spent more than 20 years at Innosight, a growth strategy consultancy founded by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen. The topic is his book Epic Disruptions: 11 Innovations That Shaped Our Modern World. In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss: Evolution and meaning of disruption in business Technology companies adapting to disruption (Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Apple) McDonald's business model and Ray Kroc's entrepreneurial mindset Impact of education, AI, and universities on future disruption Jump in! --- I'm MICHAEL COVEL, the host of TREND FOLLOWING RADIO, and I'm proud to have delivered 10+ million podcast listens since 2012. Investments, economics, psychology, politics, decision-making, human behavior, entrepreneurship and trend following are all passionately explored and debated on my show. To start? I'd like to give you a great piece of advice you can use in your life and trading journey… cut your losses! You will find much more about that philosophy here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/trend/ You can watch a free video here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/video/ Can't get enough of this episode? You can choose from my thousand plus episodes here: https://www.trendfollowing.com/podcast My social media platforms: Twitter: @covel Facebook: @trendfollowing LinkedIn: @covel Instagram: @mikecovel Hope you enjoy my never-ending podcast conversation!

BONUS: Nesrine Changuel shares how to create product delight through emotional connection! In this BONUS episode we explore the book by Nesrine Changuel: 'Product Delight - How to make your product stand out with emotional connection.' In this conversation, we explore Nesrine's journey from research to product management, share lessons from her experiences at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft, and unpack the key strategies for building emotionally resonant products that connect with users beyond mere functionality. The Genesis of Product Delight "I quickly realized that there is something that is quite intense while building Skype... it's not just that communication tool, but it was iconic, with its blue, with ringtones, with emojis. So it was clear that it's not just for making calls, but also to make you feel connected, relaxed, and part of it." Nesrine's journey into product delight began during her transition from research to product management at Skype. Working on products at major companies like Skype, Spotify, and Google Meet, she discovered that successful products don't just function well—they create emotional connections. Her role as "Delight PM" at Google Meet during the pandemic crystallized her understanding that products must address both functional and emotional user needs to truly stand out in the market. Understanding Customer Delight in Practice "The delight is about creating two dimensions and combining these two dimensions altogether, it's about creating products that function well, but also that help with the emotional connection." Customer delight manifests when products exceed expectations and anticipate user needs. Nesrine explains that delight combines surprise and joy—creating positive surprises that go beyond basic functionality. She illustrates this with Microsoft Edge's coupon feature, which proactively suggests discounts during online shopping without users requesting it. This anticipation of needs creates memorable peak moments that strengthen emotional connections with products. Segmenting Users by Motivators "We can discover that users are using your product for different reasons. I mean, we tend to think that users are using the product for the same reason." Traditional user segmentation focuses on demographics (who users are) or behavior (what they do). Nesrine advocates for motivational segmentation—understanding why users engage with products. Using Spotify as an example, she demonstrates how users might seek music for specific songs, inspiration, nostalgia, or emotional regulation. This approach reveals both functional motivators (practical needs) and emotional motivators (feelings users want to experience), enabling teams to build features aligned with user desires rather than assumptions. In this segment, we refer to Spotify Wrapped.  The Distinction from Jobs To Be Done "There's no contrast. I mean to be honest, it's quite aligned, and I'm a big fan of the job to be done framework." While aligned with Clayton Christensen's Jobs To Be Done framework, Nesrine's approach extends beyond identifying triggers to practical implementation. She acknowledges that Jobs To Be Done provides the foundational theory, distinguishing between personal emotional motivators (how users want to feel) and social emotional motivators (how they want others to perceive them). However, many teams struggle to translate these insights into actual product features—a gap her Product Delight framework addresses through actionable methodologies. Navigating the Line Between Delight and Addiction "Building for delight is about creating products that are aligned with users' values. It's about aligning with what people really want themselves to feel. They want to feel themselves, to feel a better version of themselves." The critical distinction between delight and addiction lies in value alignment. Delightful products help users become better versions of themselves and align with their personal values. Nesrine contrasts this with addictive design that creates dependencies contrary to user wellbeing. Using Spotify Wrapped as an example, she explains how reflecting positive achievements (skills learned, personal growth) creates healthy engagement, while raw usage data (hours spent) might trigger negative self-reflection and potential addictive patterns. Getting Started with Product Delight "If you only focus on the functional motivators, you will create products that function, but they will not create that emotional connection. If you take into consideration the emotional motivators in addition to the functional motivators, you create perfect products that connect with users emotionally." Teams beginning their delight journey should start by identifying both functional and emotional user motivators through direct user conversations. The first step involves listing what users want to accomplish (functional) alongside how they want to feel (emotional). This dual understanding enables feature development that serves practical needs while creating positive emotional experiences, leading to products that users remember and recommend. Product Delight and Human-Centered Design "Making products feel as if it was done by a human being... how can you make your product feel as close as possible to a human version of the product." Nesrine positions product delight within the broader human-centered design movement, but focuses specifically on humanization at the product feature level rather than just visual design. She shares examples from Google Meet, where the team compared remote meetings to in-person experiences, and Dyson, which benchmarks vacuum cleaners against human cleaning services. This approach identifies missing human elements and guides feature development toward more natural, intuitive interactions. In this segment we refer to the books Emotional Design by Don Norman, and Design for Emotion by Aarron Walter..  AI's Role in Future Product Delight "AI is a tool, and as every tool we're using, it can be used in a good way, or could be used in a bad way. And it is extremely possible to use AI in a very good way to make your product feel more human and more empathetic and more emotionally engaging." AI presents opportunities to enhance emotional connections through empathetic interactions and personalized experiences. Nesrine cites ChatGPT's conversational style—including apologies and collaborative language—as creating companionship feelings during work. The key lies in using AI to identify and honor emotional motivators rather than exploit them, focusing on making users feel supported and understood rather than manipulated or dependent. Developer Experience as Product Delight "If the user of your products are human beings... whether business consumer engineers, they deserve their emotions to be honored, so I usually don't distinguish between B2B or B2C... I say like B2H, which is business to human." Developer experience exemplifies product delight in B2B contexts. Companies like GitHub have created metrics specifically measuring developer delight, recognizing that technical users also have emotional needs. Tools like Jira, Miro, and GitHub succeed by making users feel more competent and productive. Nesrine advocates for "B2H" (business to human) thinking, emphasizing that any product used by humans should consider emotional impact alongside functional requirements. About Nesrine Changuel Nesrine is a product coach, trainer, and author with experience at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Holding a PhD from Bell Labs and UCLA, she blends research and practice to guide teams in building emotionally resonant products. Based in Paris, she teaches and speaks globally on human-centered design. You can connect with Nesrine Changuel on LinkedIn.

In this episode, Michael Raynor — author of The Strategy Paradox and co-author with Clayton Christensen of The Innovator's Solution — joins Aidan McCullen to explore why most strategies fail and how leaders can fix them. From the RAP (Resource Allocation Process) model to the real-world case of BCE's diversification journey, Raynor unpacks how strategy is shaped by resource allocation, risk, and CEO intervention. Learn how top leaders can navigate uncertainty, overcome divisional barriers, and unlock strategic synergies.

Scott D. Anthony is a clinical professor at Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business where he researches and teaches about disruption. Scott previously spent more than 20 years at Innosight, a consultancy founded by Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen, serving as Innosight's elected managing partner. Scott has lived in the UK and Singapore, held board roles at public and private companies, given keynote addresses on six continents, and worked with CEOs at numerous global organizations. Thinkers50 named Scott one of the world's most influential and innovative thinkers. And Scott recently published his 9th book, called Epic Disruptions. In this episode we discuss the following: Scott's key insight that every innovation has heroes, plural. While Julia Child is one of the most well-known chefs, her first cookbook had two additional coauthors. Even Scott's book has multiple heroes, as it was his publisher that suggested the topic. Scott's insight on the shadow of innovation. Questioning the status quo and innovating can create winners and losers. Scott's advice that if we want to get better at innovation, we need to find ways to get to intersections. Attend trade shows in different industries, read magazines from different fields, and meet with people from all over the world. 

Industrial Talk is talking to Jim Vinoski, Founder and Host of the Manufacturing Talks Web Show and Podcast about "Passion voice, powerful advocate, manufacturing success". Scott Mackenzie interviews Jim Vanoski on the Industrial Talk Podcast, discussing the importance of amplifying industrial voices and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Jim shares his extensive manufacturing background, including 16 years with General Mills, and his transition to writing for Forbes and podcasting. They discuss the challenges in the food industry, including cost-cutting and the rise of private labels, and the need for innovation and skilled labor. Jim emphasizes the importance of responsible investment in manufacturing and the role of culture and policy in shaping the industry's future. Action Items [ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Reach out to Jim to continue the conversation and explore opportunities to collaborate. [ ] Connect with Jim on LinkedIn to share information on responsible investment firms in manufacturing. Outline Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast Scott Mackenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations. Scott highlights the importance of amplifying industrial voices and inspiring the next generation of industrial leaders. The podcast aims to celebrate industry professionals and provide resources for listeners. Scott introduces Jim Vanoski, a manufacturing expert, and sets the stage for their conversation. Jim Vanoski's Background and Career Jim Vanoski shares his extensive career in manufacturing, starting with chemicals, paints, coatings, and food ingredients. He worked for 16 years with General Mills, progressing from engineering to plant management. Jim emphasizes his close connection with the factory floor and his writing for Forbes on manufacturing. He discusses his transition to podcasting and the launch of his own show, Manufacturing Talks. Challenges in the Food Industry Scott and Jim discuss the challenges faced by the food industry, including the rise of private labels and store brands. Jim explains how cost-cutting measures by big brands have led to a decline in quality and innovation. They discuss the impact of price pressures and the loss of value for consumers. Jim mentions a marketing guru, Peter McDonald, who highlighted the importance of creating value for consumers. The Role of Innovation and Disruption Scott and Jim discuss the concept of innovation and disruption, using Kodak as an example. Jim explains the challenges of staying innovative while maintaining profitability. They talk about the importance of continuous improvement and the role of new technologies in manufacturing. Jim shares his experience with Clayton Christensen's book, "The Innovator's Dilemma," and its relevance to modern manufacturing. Journey into Podcasting Jim shares his journey into podcasting, inspired by seeing others in the industry doing it. He describes his initial setup with a webcam and microphone from Best Buy. Scott and Jim discuss the challenges and rewards of podcasting, including overcoming self-doubt and technical hurdles. Jim emphasizes the importance of having street cred and relevant experience in manufacturing. Impact of Manufacturing on Society Scott and Jim discuss the broader impact of manufacturing on society, including job creation and economic growth. They talk about the need to...

I have always found it amusing that the canonical story of technology disruption had nothing to do with silicon, PCs, SaaS, or AI. It involved steel. The late great Clayton Christensen mentioned the minimills in his 1997 book, the Innovator's Dilemma. He wrote that minimill steelmaking was a disruptive technology, one that emerged like the Mongols to take down a complacent empire. Was that what really happened? The whole thing has always fascinated me. In today's video, the conquest of the minimills. A story of pure disruption.

I have always found it amusing that the canonical story of technology disruption had nothing to do with silicon, PCs, SaaS, or AI. It involved steel. The late great Clayton Christensen mentioned the minimills in his 1997 book, the Innovator's Dilemma. He wrote that minimill steelmaking was a disruptive technology, one that emerged like the Mongols to take down a complacent empire. Was that what really happened? The whole thing has always fascinated me. In today's video, the conquest of the minimills. A story of pure disruption.

What if your next career move wasn't about climbing the ladder—but making real progress toward a life of purpose? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Michael Horn—author, speaker, and co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation —to explore how thought leadership can transform education, careers, and the way we make big life decisions. Michael has spent decades applying the "Jobs to Be Done" framework—originally developed by Clayton Christensen—to help individuals and organizations rethink their goals. He's worked alongside entrepreneurs, university presidents, and innovators who are reshaping the future of learning and work. His latest book, "Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career", takes this powerful research and makes it personal—helping people make smarter, more fulfilling choices. We dig into how ideas evolve beyond their original intent. Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation started with disk drives, yet found its way into steel mills, education, and now career design. Michael shares how “Jobs to Be Done” is following a similar path, expanding from product design into deeply human territory—helping people identify the real motivations driving their decisions. We also tackle the big shifts in higher education. From universities facing demographic cliffs to the innovators thriving in the post-COVID landscape, Michael offers an unflinching look at what it takes for institutions to adapt—or be left behind. His insights bridge the gap between theory and practice, showing how thought leadership can both diagnose challenges and drive measurable change. This conversation is a masterclass in taking a proven idea, reimagining its applications, and building influence by serving a market that's ready for transformation. Whether you're leading an organization, shaping public policy, or charting your own next move, Michael's approach offers a blueprint for progress. Three Key Takeaways: • Decades of consulting experience can be distilled into a compelling book that captures proven strategies, lessons learned, and actionable insights for a targeted audience. • Translating expertise into thought leadership requires transforming complex, insider knowledge into clear, engaging narratives that resonate beyond your immediate industry. • A well-crafted book serves as a strategic asset, building credibility, expanding reach, and opening doors to new opportunities and revenue streams. If you enjoyed hearing Michael Horn unpack how big ideas like Jobs to Be Done can move from theory into real-world impact, you'll want to keep the momentum going with Liz Wiseman's episode, Taking Thought Leadership from Page to Practice. Both conversations dive into the art of translating deep expertise into actionable strategies that resonate beyond your immediate circle. Michael explored how to adapt proven frameworks to education, careers, and personal decisions. Liz builds on that by showing how to make your thought leadership stick—turning insights into tangible change within organizations. By listening to both episodes, you'll gain a powerful one-two punch: Michael's perspective on expanding the reach of great ideas, and Liz's blueprint for ensuring those ideas drive real, measurable results. Together, they'll give you fresh tools to move your own thought leadership from inspiration to implementation.

This week, Reid and Aria discuss the much-anticipated launch of GPT-5, Figma's blockbuster IPO, Perplexity's bid to acquire Google Chrome, and the end of AOL's dial-up internet service. Plus, Reid offers his take on why some companies find explosive growth and others fade just as fast.  For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/  Select mentions:  For the Hamilton v.s. Satoshi Bitcoin Rap Battle: https://reid.medium.com/bitcoin-rap-battle-hamilton-vs-satoshi-de3058b3dff0   The innovator's dilemma by Clayton Christensen

What happens to our ability to think critically when we start outsourcing it to AI? Professor Scott Anthony is one of the world’s leading experts on innovation and disruption and he believes the way we use AI today will shape the future of our judgment, creativity, and even our careers. Scott is a professor at the Tuck School of Business, the former managing partner at Innosight (the firm co-founded by the late Clayton Christensen) and author of several books, including his latest, Epic Disruptions. In this conversation, Scott shares how AI is transforming the way he teaches, consults, and thinks - and why he draws a firm line on where he will never let AI do the work. You’ll learn exactly how to leverage AI as a teammate without letting it hollow out your critical thinking skills, and why protecting your judgment is more important than ever. If you’ve ever wondered, Am I thinking less deeply than I used to?—this episode might just change the way you work. Check out Scott’s new book Epic Disruptions. *** My new book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials:Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber)Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au Credits:Host: Amantha ImberEpisode Producer: Sam Blacker at the Podcast ButlerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Elliott Parker on Breaking The Illusion of Innovation and Why Large Organizations Struggle to Innovate In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the paradox of modern corporate innovation with Elliott Parker, CEO of Alloy Partners. Elliott shares his insights on why well-managed organizations often struggle with innovation, the critical difference between execution and learning challenges, and how venture studios can bridge the gap between corporate resources and startup agility. In this episode, we explore Elliott's book The Illusion of Innovation.  The Golden Gate Bridge Paradox "It took 7 years to add a safety net to a bridge that took 3 years to build." Elliott opens with a striking example that illustrates the central thesis of his work. Large organizations today are paradoxically less capable of handling opportunities and challenges despite being better managed than ever before. The irony lies in their very efficiency—modern corporations have become so optimized for capital efficiency and short-term profits that they've inadvertently sacrificed their capacity for future innovation. This focus on Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) creates organizations that excel at managing existing assets but struggle with the uncertainty required for breakthrough innovation. The Corporate Innovation Anti-Pattern "The more the innovation team borrows from the business, the more the innovation team starts to look like the original organization." Elliott reflects on a belief he once held and now completely disagrees with—that corporate innovation teams could successfully drive disruptive innovation from within. Having worked in corporate innovation focused on IP licensing and later in venture capital, he discovered that these internal teams, while excellent at expanding existing business models, inevitably become constrained by the very organization they're meant to transform. The solution he advocates is funding startups outside larger organizations, where there's nothing to preserve or perpetuate, allowing for true disruptive thinking. In this segment, we talk about Clayton Christensen's Disruption Theory which he explored in the now famous book: The Innovator's Dilemma. Execution vs. Learning Challenges "Moving slow is a feature of corporations, not a bug." One of Elliott's key frameworks distinguishes between execution challenges and learning challenges. Corporations are brilliantly designed for execution—when the problem and solution are known, they excel. However, learning problems, where the problem is clear but the solution unknown, require a fundamentally different approach. Elliott suggests marrying the best of both worlds: leveraging the funding and market research capabilities of large organizations with the disruptive ideas and solution-seeking agility of startups. He provocatively suggests treating communication around innovation as something to be avoided until solutions are proven, advocating for working in silos until innovation actually works. The Controlled Burn Philosophy "The only way to get data about the future is to collect data by running experiments." Elliott introduces the concept of "controlled burn" using forest fire management as a metaphor for corporate innovation. Just as western US forests have become dangerously dense from aggressive fire suppression, corporations have become fragile by avoiding all risk and experimentation. We can't predict the future, and there's no existing data about what's coming—the only way to generate future insights is through deliberate experimentation. However, managers are typically incentivized to avoid experiments and minimize risk, creating the organizational equivalent of dense forests prone to devastating fires when disruption eventually arrives. Creating Safe-to-Fail Environments "In corporates we focus on frequency of correctness. In startups we focus on magnitude of correctness." After initially believing he could change organizations from within, Elliott learned that creating truly safe-to-fail environments within established companies is nearly impossible. This realization led him to focus on creating startups as the perfect vehicle for business model experimentation. The fundamental difference in mindset is crucial: corporations optimize for being right most of the time, while startups optimize for the size of their wins when they are right, embracing a venture capital-like approach to innovation where occasional big wins compensate for frequent small failures. Shifting from Wealth to Knowledge Generation "Civilizations fail because they don't innovate fast enough." Drawing on insights from David Deutsch's work on learning and innovation, Elliott argues that long-term resilience comes from learning, not just wealth generation. He advocates for shifting corporate conversations from immediate wealth generation to knowledge and learning, positioning companies as explorers of innovation and business models. This requires different funding mechanisms—moving away from operational budgets managed through traditional Excel-based metrics toward "patient capital" that can sustain the uncertainty inherent in true innovation. Traditional management approaches lack the passion needed for breakthrough innovation. In this segment, we refer to David Deutsch's book The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations that Transform The World. About Elliott Parker Elliott Parker is CEO of Alloy Partners, where he helps corporations and universities launch startups through a venture studio model. A former Innosight consultant and entrepreneur, he's passionate about bridging big companies with startup ecosystems to unlock real innovation and long-term growth in an increasingly distributed world. You can link with Elliott Parker on LinkedIn.

¿Por qué las empresas más exitosas son las que tienen mayor probabilidad de fracasar?¿Por qué hacer todo "bien" —escuchar a tus clientes, mejorar tu producto, buscar mayores márgenes— puede ser tu sentencia de muerte empresarial?En este episodio analizamos El Dilema de los Innovadores (The Innovator's Dilemma, 1997) de Clayton Christensen, uno de los libros de negocios más influyentes de todos los tiempos, que revela por qué gigantes como Kodak, Blockbuster y Nokia cayeron precisamente por hacer lo que cualquier MBA recomendaría.A través de casos fascinantes y frameworks prácticos, exploramos:

¿Por qué las empresas más exitosas son las que tienen mayor probabilidad de fracasar?¿Por qué hacer todo "bien" —escuchar a tus clientes, mejorar tu producto, buscar mayores márgenes— puede ser tu sentencia de muerte empresarial?En este episodio analizamos El Dilema de los Innovadores (The Innovator's Dilemma, 1997) de Clayton Christensen, uno de los libros de negocios más influyentes de todos los tiempos, que revela por qué gigantes como Kodak, Blockbuster y Nokia cayeron precisamente por hacer lo que cualquier MBA recomendaría.A través de casos fascinantes y frameworks prácticos, exploramos:

Daniel Mahncke and Shawn O'Malley break down Amazon (ticker: AMZN), one of the most transformative companies of the modern era — a business that started as an online bookstore and ended up reshaping global commerce, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure. From innovating retail logistics to building the backbone of the internet through AWS, Amazon has changed the way the world shops and interacts with technology — and it's not slowing down.  In this episode, you'll learn how Amazon evolved from a retail disruptor into a multi-engine platform business, how AWS and advertising became its primary profit drivers, how the company is navigating massive AI investments and expanding into satellite internet with Project Kuiper, and whether the current valuation reflects the next leg of growth — plus plenty more along the way. Prefer to watch? Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to watch this episode on YouTube. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN 00:00 - Intro 03:20 - How Bezos built Amazon and its Culture 13:32 - How Amazon's Flywheel works 18:46 - How Amazon built one of the largest Advertising businesses in the world 27:19 - What AWS is and what role it plays for Amazon 39:09 - The Dynamics of the e-commerce business and competition 43:44 - Whether Amazon Devices can turn into a success story after all 51:01 - What position Amazon is taking in AI 58:20 - What impact Kuiper could have on Amazon's business 1:08:46 - How Amazon performed in times of tariffs and immense capex spend 1:27:56 - Whether Amazon is attractively valued at its current levels 1:29:29 - Whether Shawn & Daniel add AMZN to The Intrinsic Value Portfolio *Disclaimer: Slight timestamp discrepancies may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Sign Up for The Intrinsic Value Community. The Investor's Podcast on Amazon's Story. Quartr's Overview of Amazon. The Shareholder Letters of Jeff Bezos. Clayton Christensen's The Innovator's Dilemma. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy Interview at the Harvard Business Review. Check out our previous Intrinsic Value breakdowns: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nintendo⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AutoZone⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alphabet⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ulta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠John Deere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Square Garden Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the books mentioned in the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try Shawn's favorite tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: • CFI Education • Airbnb Connect with Shawn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Daniel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rating and review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Shawn O'Malley and Daniel Mahncke break down Shopify (ticker: SHOP), a leading e-commerce platform company enabling e-commerce merchants across the world to seamlessly manage nearly every part of their business in one place. Shopify has been locked in a power struggle with Amazon, as the two present distinct visions for the future of e-commerce: Amazon tries to pull merchants to its marketplace and to conform with its standardized shopping experience, while Shopify empowers merchants to manage their own websites that go direct-to-consumer. In this episode, you'll learn how Shopify started humbly as a snowboard website, what makes Shopify such a killer app, how Shopify and Amazon compete but also have found ways to strategically co-exist, why Shopify may have multiple moats working to its advantage, and whether Shopify is attractively valued given its compelling growth prospects, plus so much more! Prefer to watch? Click ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠ to watch this episode on YouTube. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN 00:00 - Intro 05:30 - Why the enterprise software market was ripe for disruption. 10:50 - Shopify's origin story as a simple snowboard website in Canada. 14:47 - How Shopify's value proposition differs from Amazon. 36:42 - Why Shopify abandoned its logistics business just one year after making a major acquisition. 42:42 - How Shopify has responded to Amazon encroaching on its turf. 01:01:38 - What to make of Shopify's share split and ownership structure. 01:12:28 - Why Shopify's growth story may only be just beginning. 01:16:32 - Whether Shawn & Daniel add SHOP to The Intrinsic Value Portfolio. And much, much more! *Disclaimer: Slight timestamp discrepancies may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠. Business Breakdowns podcast on Shopify. Quartr's overview of Shopify. Clayton Christensen's The Innovator's Dilemma. Check out our previous Intrinsic Value breakdowns: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Nintendo⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Airbnb⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠AutoZone⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Alphabet⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ulta⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠John Deere⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Square Garden Sports⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out the books mentioned in the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try Shawn's favorite tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠sponsors⁠: CFI Education Airbnb Connect with Shawn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Daniel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email⁠⁠⁠⁠ HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a ⁠⁠⁠⁠rating and review⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

Clayton Christensen teaches about the dangers of success through the historic pattern of disruptive innovations that caused successful companies to stumble. Click here to view the full speech.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Small choices make big ripples." "What would your future self say about that choice?" "Just this once" leads to convenience. "No matter what" leads to conviction. Conviction leads to character. “It's easier to hold to your principles 100% of the time than it is to hold to them 98%.” — Clayton Christensen

Trump's war on woke universities just escalated. With federal funding pulled from Columbia and Harvard over antisemitism and racial discrimination, the era of taxpayer-subsidized liberal indoctrination is coming to a crashing end. In this episode, I talk about the economic collapse of higher education, the cultural revolt against academia, and why Trump's crackdown could signal the beginning of the end for the Ivy League elite.--Try High Flavanol Cocoa (Stem Cells & Nitric Oxide): (40% OFF PROMO FOR 48HR) https://blackforestsupplements.com/TURLEY*The content presented by sponsors may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, Turley Talks may receive a small commission.*Go Beyond the Video—Get Exclusive Show Notes Delivered Straight to Your Inbox https://turley.pub/turleyrecapHighlights:“Do you want to take a guess at the size of Columbia University's endowment? It's nearly $15 billion. Why are they laying off anyone? And for that matter, why are they getting half a billion dollars in our tax monies in the first place?”“One study found that 60% of the faculty identified as either far-left or liberal compared to just 12% being conservative or far-right.”“Harvard Business professor Clayton Christensen is predicting that upwards of 50% of all colleges and universities will close or go bankrupt in the next decade.”“Only 36% of Americans say they have confidence in our nation's universities..” Timestamps: [00:21] Columbia and Harvard defunded over antisemitism and DEI policies [02:12] Disruptive protests in universities, faculty ideological bias, and overt racial segregation on campuses [07:25] Growing student dropouts and a rise in college closures across the country[09:19] Economic unsustainability and plummeting public trust in higher education--Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and/or leave a review.FOLLOW me on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrTurleyTalksSign up for the 'New Conservative Age Rising' Email Alerts to get lots of articles on conservative trends: https://turleytalks.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter**The use of any copyrighted material in this podcast is done so for educational and informational purposes only including parody, commentary, and criticism. See Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015). It is believed that this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

From Clayton Christensen to Steve Wozniak to Mookie Wilson, we cover a lot of ground with Seth Adler who is the head of IMI Media at Informa and a driving force behind All Things Insights and All Things Innovation. Seth has spent his career bringing people together through dynamic content, including events, podcasts, and written works. He's also played a pivotal role in shaping conversations at industry-leading events like FEI: Front End of Innovation, where he facilitates impactful discussions on topics such as AI trends, business transformation, and consumer insights. Today we talk about FEI 2025 which focused on the intersection of business strategy and innovation with its theme of “Harvesting Innovation: Sowing the Seeds of Future Growth."

What do candy bars, couches, and car dealerships have in common? For Andrew Glaser, they're all opportunities to understand how real people make decisions — and why most product teams get those decisions wrong.   In this episode, Andrew shares his journey from hedge fund manager to product strategist, and now founder of Swizzle, an AI product built around Jobs to Be Done (JTBD) thinking. He opens up about how false positives, feature bloat, and over-reliance on personas lead teams down the wrong path — and what it really takes to make something customers will hire. We get into the guts of JTBD, from how to know when you've hit causality in an interview, to why understanding tradeoffs is more useful than knowing demographics. Andrew shares practical frameworks and surprising stories — including what Snickers can teach you about product-market fit, why most sofas don't sell, and how Intercom 15x'ed revenue just by reframing how they talked about their product.  Whether you're building software or selling furniture, this conversation will challenge how you think about customer insight — and give you tools to sharpen your product bets. Inside the episode… Why false positives in customer research can wreck a strategy How JTBD helped turn around a billion-dollar furniture retailer The 4 real jobs behind buying a sofa  Snickers vs. Milky Way: A JTBD breakdown of context and tradeoffs What most people get wrong about customer interviews Why personas don't drive decisions — and what actually does How Intercom used JTBD to grow from $5M to $75M Using AI to support high-consideration decisions How to know what your product is allowed to suck at Why survey data without context leads to bad bets     Mentioned in this episode Andrew's Startup Swizzl -  https://swizzl.ai/ Andrew's cofounder Bob Moesta - https://therewiredgroup.com/about/bob-moesta/ Clay Christensen's HBR article: “Know Your Customers' Jobs to Be Done” - https://hbr.org/2016/09/know-your-customers-jobs-to-be-done “Demand-Side Sales” by Bob Moesta - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1544509987/?bestFormat=true&k=demand%20side%20sales%20101&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_12&crid=8C2BLR9H1HF6&sprefix=demand%20side%20 “Competing Against Luck” by Clayton Christensen - https://www.amazon.com/Clayton-Christensen-Competing-Against-%E3%80%902018%E3%80%91/dp/B07KPWQQY3/ref=sr_1_2 Unlock the full potential of your product team with Integral's player coaches, experts in lean, human-centered design. Visit integral.io/convergence for a free Product Success Lab workshop to gain clarity and confidence in tackling any product design or engineering challenge. Subscribe to the Convergence podcast wherever you get podcasts including video episodes to get updated on the other crucial conversations that we'll post on YouTube at youtube.com/@convergencefmpodcast Learn something? Give us a 5 star review and like the podcast on YouTube. It's how we grow.   Follow the Pod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/convergence-podcast/ X: https://twitter.com/podconvergence Instagram: @podconvergence

What if the future of education isn't bigger—but smaller, more personal, and radically student-driven?In this episode of Case Studies, Casey Baugh sits down with Matt Clayton, founder of Slope School, to explore how traditional schools are being disrupted by a new, human-centered model. From working at Goldman Sachs to studying under Clayton Christensen, Matt shares how autonomy, real-world learning, and community are transforming how kids learn.You'll hear why Slope School focuses on mastery over credentials, how AI is accelerating student growth, and why building identity is the most important part of education. This episode is packed with insights for parents, educators, and entrepreneurs who care about the next generation.Chapters:00:00 – 02:30 | Why This Conversation Matters•Casey on Slope's personal impact on his family•Introducing Matt Clayton and the mission of Slope School02:30 – 06:11 | Childhood & Foundational Lessons•Growing up abroad and learning independence early•Matt's parents' influence: trust, faith, and adventure06:11 – 10:24 | Teaching Through “Competence +1”•How small, consistent challenges build student confidence•A core philosophy used at Slope and in Matt's own life10:24 – 15:20 | From Art to Wall Street•Matt's unique journey from music to finance•Why two years at Goldman taught more than five years of college15:20 – 20:58 | The Power of Excellence in Your 20s•Why mastering hard things early creates leverage for life•How intensity in early work shapes long-term success20:58 – 24:18 | Rethinking Teacher Credentials•How Slope hires based on performance, not paper•Why parents care more about outcomes than degrees24:18 – 30:45 | Learning from Clayton Christensen•Disruptive innovation in education explained•How the pandemic proved Christensen's theory30:45 – 36:28 | Small Schools, Big Outcomes•Why small schools can now outperform large ones•Real stories of Slope students pursuing passions in sports and business36:28 – 43:25 | AI in the Classroom•Why AI should be embraced, not banned•How students use AI to accelerate—not shortcut—learning43:25 – 48:17 | Real-World Projects & Human Connection•Blending digital tools with in-person community•Why meaningful relationships matter more than ever48:17 – 52:49 | Breaking Bureaucracy with Innovation•Why small schools can adapt faster and serve better•The scalability challenge large institutions can't solve52:49 – 58:47 | A Vision for the Future•Matt's goal: 5 world-class schools in Utah•Why we're in the midst of a historic shift in how we learn58:47 – 01:04:21 | Identity, Faith & the Hero's Journey•How helping kids see themselves as heroes changes everything•Why identity-building is central to education at Slope01:04:21 – 01:12:31 | Building Inclusive Communities•Real-world interfaith collaboration at Slope•Creating sacred spaces of learning across backgrounds01:12:31 – 01:20:48 | From Banker to Builder•How a personal diagnosis sparked Matt's leap into education•Why purpose—not profit—drives his vision01:20:48 – End | Scaling the Mission•Hiring Slope's first graduate as a team member•What's next for Slope and the kids leading the future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!Innovation is a skill in which a lot of company's strive to excel. Ever wonder why some are really good at it, and some (no matter how hard they try) just can't get it to stick? This is true for tech, for products, and for the people side of business. If you find innovation remotely interesting, you're in the right spot!We've got Robyn Bolton on the program. Don't know Robyn? Stick around! She's awesome!Robyn is the Founder and Chief Navigator at Mile Zero, a consultancy that helps companies to hone their innovation chops. Robyn has worked with Clayton Christensen, so her innovation credentials are legit! She also helped develop and launch really cool products like Swiffer and Swiffer WetJet. She's been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, and she's the author of, Unlocking Innovation: A Leader's Guide to Turning Bold Ideas Into Tangible Results."This was a fantastic conversation, it was a blast to have Robyn back on the show, and I think you're gonna dig it!This was an amazing conversation, and I think you're gonna dig it!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 7:04 is your spot!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:15 - Titles1:43 - Kickoff 3:36 - Focus Conversation3:57 - Magic Mind7:04 - Robyn Bolton Interview56:57 - Wrap & CloseWebsite: https://www.milezero.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton/Magic Mind: https://magicmind.com/ericandlori20Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

The legal industry is facing its “Netflix vs. Blockbuster” moment. AI, automation, and alternative legal service providers (ALSPs) are rapidly reshaping how legal services are delivered, and the biggest question is: Who will adapt—and who will be left behind? Roger Pilc leads a $600M+ division at Epiq, bringing experience from McKinsey, Booz Allen, CA Technologies, and Pitney Bowes. With insights from Satya Nadella's vision on AI, Clayton Christensen's The Innovator's Dilemma, and leadership lessons from Peter Drucker, Adam Grant(Author of Think Again), and Daniel Pink(Author of Drive), Roger explains how ALSPs are positioned to disrupt legal in ways law firms and Big Four consultancies cannot. In this episode, we explore how Legal Service Management mirrors IT's digital transformation, why Zach Posner at TLTF is betting on AI-driven legal platforms, and how Nicole Giantonio and the team at Epiq are investing in tech that's changing legal service delivery. Key Takeaways You Can Use Today: Legal is facing a “Simultaneous Equation Problem.” GCs must manage rising litigation, regulatory complexity, and shrinking budgets—but traditional models no longer work. AI & ALSPs Are Changing Everything. Like Netflix disrupting Blockbuster, AI-powered legal service models are creating massive efficiencies for corporate legal teams. The 30% Rule: Leadership is Talent Spotting. Echoing Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Jack Welch, Roger spends 30% of his time recruiting and developing top talent—a critical strategy for legal leaders.

I'm so excited to share this special short episode recap with a powerful message. I'm publishing this curation to help you make the most of your time. The episode features segments from the episode 095 featuring and interview with Whitney Johnson on her second appearance on the show! https://richie.libsyn.com/whitney-johnson-smart-growth-book-exclusive-insights ====== On this day Whitney Johnson informs Richie before the podcast begins that Bob Proctor passed. Whitney speaks to his memory, impact and experiences with him. Richie and Whitney also speak to the memory of Clayton Christensen and lessons Clayton shared with Whitney in their work together around disruptive innovation. Whitney discusses her new book Smart Growth and how the S Curve model helps individuals and organizations create positive transformations. In Smart Growth and on this podcast, "Whitney Johnson dives more deeply than ever into the S curve of growth and learning...The growth and learning journey comes in three phases: the Launch Point, the Sweet Spot, and the High End." This is a unique and special episode. Whitney Johnson is the CEO of Disruption Advisors, a tech-enabled talent development company, and an expert on smart growth leadership: growing your people to grow your company. Thinkers50 ranked her among the top ten management thinkers in the world in 2021, and in 2020 she was a Top Voice on LinkedIn, where she has 1.8 million followers. Johnson is an award-winning author, world-class keynote speaker, frequent lecturer for Harvard Business Publishing's Corporate Learning division, and an award-winning executive coach and adviser to CEOs. She is the author of several bestselling books, including Disrupt Yourself and Build an A-Team, and hosts the weekly Disrupt Yourself podcast. Go to https://whitneyjohnson.com/ to learn more. To create your own "on-mission" experience in life, leadership, coaching, entrepreneurship and small business, go to: www.richienorton.com/76daychallenge Want to continue the conversation? Join us! RICHIE NORTON SHOW COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/richiepodcast RICHIE NORTON SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES: http://www.richienorton.com/ RICHIE NORTON SOCIAL: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/richie_norton LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com/in/richardnorton FB: https://www.facebook.com/richienorton TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/richienorton

The world glorifies the grind of entrepreneurship, but nobody talks about the toll it takes on your well-being. Stress, self-doubt, and a constant need to prove yourself can leave even the most driven entrepreneurs feeling stuck. Without addressing the root cause, you risk burnout and a loss of purpose. Self-discovery is the game-changer most entrepreneurs overlook. In this Happiness Squad Podcast episode, Ashish Kothari and Alex Raymond, Founder of AMplify, Board at Kapta, and Host of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast, explore how self-discovery empowers entrepreneurs to face their toughest challenges, find clarity, and sustain long-term success in their ventures. Things you will learn in this episode:• Overcoming imposter syndrome in entrepreneurship • The importance of self-discovery for resilience• Reframing success as a journey, not a destination• How to operate in your zone of genius• Preventing burnout through alignment and relationshipsIf you want proven, actionable tips to address the most pressing challenges in entrepreneurship, this is an episode you wouldn't want to miss.Resources: ✅• The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast by Alex Raymond: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-entrepreneur/id1708478000• The Conscious Entrepreneur Summit by Alex Raymond: https://consciousentrepreneur.us/ • The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI): https://www.mindgarden.com/117-maslach-burnout-inventory-mbi • Well-being in the Workplace by McKinsey & Co.: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/well-being-in-the-workplace • Related Episode with Dr. Srikumar Rao: https://podcast.happinesssquad.com/episode/living-in-pure-awareness-with-professor-srikumar-rao Books: ✅• "10X Is Easier Than 2X" by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy: https://a.co/d/2OCtzHs • "How Will You Measure Your Life?" by Clayton Christensen: https://a.co/d/eZaR7pn• "Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse: "Finite and Infinite Games" by James Carse • Hardwired for Happiness book by Ashish Kothari: https://www.amazon.com/Hardwired-Happiness-Proven-Practices-Overcome/dp/1544534655

Welcome to episode #969 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Michael B. Horn is one of those rare people who seamlessly bridges the worlds of education, innovation, and career development. As the co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute and a teacher at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Michael has dedicated his career to reimagining how we learn and work. He's the author of several transformative books, including Disrupting Class, From Reopen To Reinvent, and his latest, Job Moves - 9 Steps For Making Progress In Your Career. In this conversation, Michael shares his thoughtful approach to helping individuals and organizations adapt to a world where education and careers are anything but linear. We discussed how his latest book applies the “Jobs to Be Done” theory to career moves, offering a framework that helps people align their work with their lives in a more meaningful way. Michael's passion for unlocking potential shines through as we explore the challenges minimum wage workers face, the evolving role of AI in the workplace, and the need for more experiential learning in education. He also reflects on the legacy of his mentor, Clayton Christensen, and how his ideas continue to shape modern business and learning. What struck me most was Michael's grounded optimism - he's not just thinking about the future of work... he's actively working to make it more accessible, human, and fulfilling. If you're grappling with a career change, wondering how education needs to evolve, or just curious about how to thrive in an unpredictable world, this episode is full of insight and inspiration. Enjoy the conversation... Running time: 1:03:06. Hello from beautiful Montreal. Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts. Listen and subscribe over at Spotify. Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation. Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook. Check out ThinkersOne. or you can connect on LinkedIn. ...or on Twitter. Here is my conversation with Michael B. Horn. Job Moves - 9 Steps For Making Progress In Your Career. From Reopen To Reinvent. Disrupting Class. Clayton Christensen Institute. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Follow Michael on X. Follow Michael on LinkedIn. This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'. Chapters: (00:00) - Navigating Career Choices in a Fluid Landscape. (02:58) - The Evolution of Education and Work. (06:06) - Understanding Learning Differences and Accommodations. (08:51) - The Impact of Traditional Education on Career Paths. (12:10) - The Value of Trades and Alternative Pathways. (14:50) - Rethinking Professional Training in Healthcare. (17:58) - The Role of Entrepreneurship in Modern Careers. (21:09) - The Importance of Self-Discovery in Career Development. (23:55) - Job Mobility and Employee Engagement. (26:54) - The Challenges of Individual Needs in the Workplace. (31:39) - Navigating Individual Needs in Organizations. (35:40) - The Challenges of Minimum Wage and Job Mobility. (41:49) - The Impact of AI on Job Markets. (51:03) - Lessons from Clayton Christensen.

In today's episode, Shawn O'Malley (@Shawn_OMalley_) goes through the best-selling book Zero to One by the prolific investor Peter Thiel, who's best known for co-founding PayPal and Palantir and for being the first outside investor in Facebook. Thiel is a highly contrarian thinker, and the book organizes his notes from his time at Stanford lecturing to the next generation of Silicon Valley's entrepreneurs. You'll learn Peter Thiel's favorite question to ask in interviews, the difference between horizontal and vertical progress, how the Tech Bubble changed Silicon Valley, why Peter Thiel actually likes monopolies, what investors get wrong about competition, how the Pareto Principle applies to the venture capital industry, plus so much more!  Prefer to watch? Click here to watch this episode on YouTube. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN 00:00 - Intro 06:06 - What Peter Thiel's favorite interview question is 09:42 - What the difference is between horizontal and vertical progress 11:41 - Why Thiel thinks that technological progress has stagnated since the 1970s 17:43 - How Thiel took advantage of the Dot-Com Bubble to scale PayPal 19:57 - How the Dot-Com Bubble changed the culture of Silicon Valley and the goals of its founders 23:22 - Why Peter Thiel encourages funders to build a monopoly in specific niches 26:34 - How competition destroys profits 34:50 - Which types of monopolies are good for society  41:10 - What the Pareto Principle means for the venture capital industry And much, much more! *Disclaimer: Slight timestamp discrepancies may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Kyle and the other community members. Peter Thiel's book, Zero to One. Check out the Podcast review of Peter Thiel's Zero to One on We Study Billionaires | YouTube Video. Check out the Executive summary of Zero to One by Preston Pysh and Stig Brodersen. Clayton Christensen's book, The Innovator's Dilemma. Nassim Taleb's book, The Black Swan. Check out the books mentioned in the podcast here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Millennial Investing Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try Kyle's favorite tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Toyota Public Bluehost Airbnb Fundrise NetSuite Connect with Shawn: Twitter | LinkedIn | Email HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In today's episode, Shawn O'Malley (@shawn_OMalley_) discusses why great companies fail, as outlined by Clayton Christensen in his timeless book, The Innovator's Dilemma, which was first published in 1997. The Economist actually named it one of the six most important business books ever written. Christensen was an academic and business consultant who wrote a number of compelling books, but the Innovator's Dilemma is by far his best-known work. Christensen worked at Harvard Business School for a decade before founding a consulting firm in 2000 and a venture capital firm focused on investing in Southeast Asia in 2005.  In this episode, you'll learn how disruptive innovations shift the status quo, the difference between disruptive and sustaining innovations, why companies can seemingly do everything right and still lose out to new competition, how following logical incentives can actually lead management to disregard threats from disruptive technology, why disruptive technologies tend to emerge on the fringes of established customer demographics, and what companies can do to prepare themselves for the inevitable rise of disruptive technologies, plus so much more! Prefer to watch? Click here to watch this episode on YouTube. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN 00:00 - Intro 02:11 - What is a disruptive innovation, and how it differs from sustaining innovations. 02:52 - How the “paradox” of innovation impacts industry leaders. 05:11 - Why even the best of the best companies aren't immune to disruptive innovation. 08:03 - How to think about disruptive technologies from the vantage point of a value investor. 08:55 - How Tesla disrupted the automotive industry. 13:15 - Why the fast-paced hard-drive industry is such a good case study on innovation. 21:10 - How value networks shape biases and outcomes in companies. 31:28 - What industry leaders can do to manage disruptive innovation. 36:20 - How Honda stumbled into disruptive innovation in the U.S. market. *Disclaimer: Slight timestamp discrepancies may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Kyle and the other community members. Sign up for TIP's free newsletter, We Study Markets. The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen. Clayton Christensen's website. Executive Summary of the book. Clayton Christensen's Essential Articles, from the Harvard Business Review. Check out the books mentioned in the podcast here. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our Premium Feed. NEW TO THE SHOW? Follow our official social media accounts: X (Twitter) | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok. Check out our Millennial Investing Starter Packs. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) here. Try Kyle's favorite tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: TIP Finance. Enjoy exclusive perks from our favorite Apps and Services. Stay up-to-date on financial markets and investing strategies through our daily newsletter, We Study Markets. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the best business podcasts. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our sponsors: Toyota Facet Fundrise Public Airbnb Bluehost NetSuite Connect with Shawn: Twitter | LinkedIn | Email HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a rating and review on Spotify! It takes less than 30 seconds and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm