Ep18: Deep Bajaj: Learn to identify and manage Energy Vampires

In this episode, I have invited Deep Bajaj. Deep calls himself an entrepreneur at heart, solving "unaddressed" intimate and menstrual hygiene issues faced by women with award-winning, category-defining products. His objective is to launch high impact products for women and focus on matters that have neglected or not explored. Using PeeBuddy (India's First Female Urination Device), women can stand, and pee/urinate in all dirty, public, unfriendly, and unhygienic toilets. Recommended by best of doctors (for use during pregnancy/arthritis).

At *Sirona*, they stand for hygiene. At the core, Sirona is committed to solving those Intimate & Menstrual Hygiene issues for women, which are *not adequately addressed* in India.

Three solutions are -

1. Toilet Hygiene Range
   * PeeBuddy* by Sirona (Stand & Pee Device | Toilet Seat Covers)

2. Intimate & Menstrual Hygiene *Sirona* (Herbal Pain Patches | Menstrual Cups |Tampons | Natural Wash, Pads, etc.)

3. Family Hygiene Range * BodyGuard* by Sirona (Washable N95 Masks | Sanitizers | Disinfectants | Natural Mosquito repellents)

You can learn more by watching their award-winning videos (fun) introducing three solutions SIRONA Menstrual Cups, PeeBuddy, PeeBuddy PregRx.

Peebuddy

PeeBuddy PregRx

Sirona Menstrual Cup

From Sirona product sales - they also fund pathbreaking 'pay it forward program' AAAN where they work with trafficked sex workers and move them to sustainable menstrual hygiene products at No cost to them.

For their work, they have been covered by best of media (BBC / Yahoo / HT/ Fortune) and have won many awards (National Entrepreneurship award by GOI | Economic Times 40 under 40 | Fortune 40 under 40 | TiE Spirit of Manufacturing Award | Economic Times BCG Innovation award (Inclusion) | ET Startup of the year - Social Enterprise)

You can find more on www.thesirona.com or www.peebuddy.in

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp14: Crisis Management Framework: Summing it up

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

Welcome to the fourth and final part of the Crisis Management framework for businesses during scenarios like Covid-19. In continuation of the last week, this week, I would focus on additional areas to consider during the Crisis. I would highly recommend if you haven't listened to the first three episodes of Crisis Management Framework, then before you hear this episode, please do listen to the three parts.

You can find more details on the BOSS Framework on - https://www.gregoryshepard.com/about-boss

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep17: Angad Singh Gandhi: Your brand and your Product's brand

In this episode, I have invited Angad Singh Gandhi. Angad is currently a Brand Ambassador for Glenfiddich a world-renowned and premium Whiskey and Liquor brand. Angad, who used to be a banker, stumbled into his ambassadorship for Glenfiddich by chance. But when the offer came about, he couldn't refuse. He traveled to the distillery in Dufftown, Scotland, and met with like-minded people who taught him so much; he couldn't believe the dearth of knowledge to be had. But what struck him, in particular, was that Glenfiddich is one of the world's last family distilleries and that alone immersed him even more in the emotive side of the brand.

Angad has an engineering degree and has completed his MBA from IMT Ghaziabad, India.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp13: Crisis Management Framework: Standardization and Kaizen Loop

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

Welcome to the third part of the Crisis Management framework for businesses during scenarios like Covid-19. In continuation of the last week, this week, Greg and I would focus on the Standardization and Kaizen Loop phase post Strategy and Execution phase. I would highly recommend if you haven't listened to the first and second episodes of Crisis Management Framework, then before you hear this episode, please do listen to the two parts.

You can find more details on the BOSS Framework on - https://www.gregoryshepard.com/about-boss

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep16: Deep Thomas: Travel the unchartered paths (Copy) (Copy)

In this episode, I have invited Deep Thomas. Deep is a Global business leader and management professional with over two decades of experience in delivering sustained increasing profitability through business transformation leveraging Global processes, Information capabilities, Digital, and Advanced analytics solutions. At Aditya Birla Group, Deep is responsible to create a group-wide customer database supporting the diversified conglomerate’s products and sales strategy.

Deep led Citigroup’s Global Decision Management Centre of Excellence where his team drove high-performance insights and impactful analytic solutions across 36 countries. He has also held various leadership positions with HSBC and American Express in India and the US to steer global agenda and business transformation leveraging information management and advanced analytic solutions.

Deep is a Computer Science graduate with an MS in Information Systems and an MBA in Marketing from Arizona State and holds numerous patents in Decision Science and Information Management.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp12: Crisis Management Framework: Strategy and Execution

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

Welcome to the second part of the Crisis Management framework for businesses during scenarios like Covid-19. In continuation of the last week, this week, Greg and I would focus on the Strategy and Execution phase post definition of North Star. I would highly recommend if you haven't listened to the first episode of Crisis Management Framework, then before you hear this episode, please do listen to the first part. 

You can find more details on the BOSS Framework on - https://www.gregoryshepard.com/about-boss

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep15: Vikram Singh: Focus and Speed, maintain the balance

In today's episode, I invited Captain Vikram Singh. He has had a glorious career of flying for the national carrier Air India for 17 years. He is currently Captain and certified to fly Boeing 777. In his own words, he is proud to be associated with the national airline and is proud of representing India across various destinations he flies. In the last three months, Vikram has been called on to fly to China to deliver health saving equipment. In addition to flying to China, his services were called upon to participate in the world's most extensive multi-country evacuation plan to bring Indian citizens back to India. The mission touted as Vande Bharat Mission has many of us proud, and I would like to thank Captain Vikram Singh for his services. 

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp11: Crisis Management Framework: Define your North Star

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

I am glad to announce a new special series - Crisis Management framework for businesses during scenarios like Covid-19. The last three months have been roller coaster ride for the entire world. Economies and markets are planning to open up and trying their best to resort to normalcy. However, the last three months have changed how the world, individuals, and businesses have shifted their preferences, habits, needs, and wants. It is imperative that organizations relook at their priorities and how they look to drive their business ahead. Keeping that premise in mind, I have to invite Gregory Shepard to collaborate and see how organizations can think about pivoting or relook at the crisis and build a plan to come out as a winner. Listen to our multi-series over the next few weeks to uncover a framework that can be applied for businesses to be successful. North Star definition in any business is critical, the episode helps you decode with an example on the definition or if you thinking of pivoting how do you treat the North Star for business. 

You can find more details on the BOSS Framework on - https://www.gregoryshepard.com/about-boss

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep14: Vikas Gupta: Decoding the knowledge world

In today's episode, I invited Vikas Gupta. Vikas is a recognized and award-winning thought leader in the publishing and knowledge industry. In a career spanning over 20 years, Vikas has been a forerunner in leading many innovative products and business models in the space of technology-driven learning solutions, research and faculty development, professional certifications, and skill development.

As an award-winning serial entrepreneur, Vikas co-founded and led ventures in the fields of IT, Publishing, and Medical Electronics. He is an ardent promoter of the spirit of entrepreneurship and encourages students as well as professionals to constantly strive towards perseverance coupled with innovative thinking.

He has authored/co-authored 15 books to date, and his books in the field of IT have sold over two million copies worldwide.

At present, he is the Managing Director of Wiley India and is the Former President of the Association of Publishers in India (API). He is also the promoter-member of the Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI).

He is the recipient of ‘Business Excellence and Innovative Best Practices Academia Award-2019’ by Dr. Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister, India for Innovative Strategy in Digital Content, Contribution to Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Exemplary contribution to Academic Knowledge and Building Brand India through Business.

Vikas holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering and an Executive MBA from ISB in association with Kellogg School of Management the Wharton Business School and Fundação Dom Cabral, Brazil. He also holds a PG Diploma in Printing and Publishing from London.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep13: Scott Brinker: The man who defined Martech

In today's episode, I invited Scott Brinker. Scott is currently VP Platform Ecosystem at HubSpot. Before that, Scott was the co-founder and CTO of ion interactive, a SaaS company that pioneered interactive content for global enterprises (Cisco, Dell, DHL, General Mills, Microsoft, etc.) and was acquired in 2017.

Since 2008, Scott is also running the Chief Marketing Technologist blog, chiefmartec.com, with over 50,000 readers, analyzing topics at the intersection of marketing, technology, and management. One of his famous projects on the cheifmartec.com is the Marketing Technology Landscape, mapping the growth of the marketing technology industry from a few hundred vendors to 8,000. In 2014, he launched the MarTech conference, where Scott currently serves as the event's program chair, bringing together a community of thousands of senior marketing operations and technology professionals.

Scott also has written the best-selling book "Hacking Marketing," published by Wiley in 2016, and co-authored the article "The Rise of the Chief Marketing Technologist" published in Harvard Business Review. Scott is also a frequent keynote speaker at conferences around the world on topics of marketing technology and agile marketing.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp10: Digital Transformation Myths (Part 6)

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

The COVID-19 scenario has challenged the government, societies, organizations and all of us on our thinking. Digital Transformation as an agenda which was a long drawn plan for many has now become a reality in the last two months. Many organizations have struggled to embark on the journey due to many misconceptions or myths surrounding Digital Transformation. In this new special series, post my research I would cover

1. Digitization is another name of digital transformation

2. Profitable companies would only be successful in driving digital transformation.

3. The program has a significant component of financial risks

4. Faster delivery would lead to quality issues

The intention is to enable organizations with an adequate proof point to executes to draw and embark on their plans. 

Some of the references which I have leveraged are from Satya Nadella's book 'Hit Refresh', HBR, CIO.com Articles, and many more. 

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep12: Dr. Rohini Srivathsa: The dots connecting back

In today's episode, I invited Dr. Rohini Srivathsa. Rohini currently serves as a National Technology Officer for Microsoft India, Rohini is responsible for helping our customers and partners across industry and the government drives innovation and growth through ‘tech-intensity’ in the age of Industry 4.0. Her 25+ years’ career spans business and technology – with strategy consulting at the Boston Consulting Group and IBM Global Business Services, operations and sales at start-ups, and R&D at AT&T Bell Laboratories.

Rohini is a member of the Wiley Innovation Advisory Council, is on the Advisory Council of the ECE Dept at CMU, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee for NM-ICPS, Dept of Science and Technology, Government of India.

She was recognized among the ‘Top-10 most influential analytics leaders in India in

Rohini holds an MBA from Wharton and earned her PhD in Computer Engineering from UT Austin.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp9: Digital Transformation Myths (Part 5)

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

The COVID-19 scenario has challenged the government, societies, organizations and all of us on our thinking. Digital Transformation as an agenda which was a long drawn plan for many has now become a reality in the last two months. Many organizations have struggled to embark on the journey due to many misconceptions or myths surrounding Digital Transformation. In this new special series, post my research I would cover

1. The program is a one-off and delivered by a SWAT team (I.T. Team largely led)

2. Digital transformation is for B2C companies.

3. You would be able to get short term wins quicker.

4. The program can be driven for large companies only

The intention is to enable organizations with an adequate proof point to executes to draw and embark on their plans. 

Some of the references which I have leveraged are from Satya Nadella's book 'Hit Refresh', HBR, CIO.com Articles, and many more. 

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep11: Shivkumar (Shiv) Misra: A planned Mathematician

In today's episode, I invited Shivanku (Shiv) Misra. Shiv is a senior analytics and insights executive with 12+ years of leadership experience in developing and implementing transformational solutions with quantifiable business impact - across multiple domains including CPG, Hospitality, Financial Services, Gaming, Technology, Retail Sales, and E-commerce. He has proven expertise in starting, and successfully growing data and analytics function ground up, at multiple Fortune 500 companies. Shiv has till date delivered the business impact of more than $2 billion over the last decade, leading high-performance global distributed, and functionally diverse teams

Currently, Shiv leads the marketing and digital analytics at Hilton Worldwide. Prior to this, he started and led the ‘Data Science & Analytics’ function for the US business of Heineken. Worked with PayPal on delivering quantifiable value through real-time decision science. Institutionalized analytics at the world’s largest lottery operator helping achieve record revenue growth for $2.5 BN business, using actionable insights & innovative product design backed by machine learning, and predictive modeling.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp8: Digital Transformation Myths (Part 4)

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

The COVID-19 scenario has challenged the government, societies, organizations and all of us on our thinking. Digital Transformation as an agenda which was a long drawn plan for many has now become a reality in the last two months. Many organizations have struggled to embark on the journey due to many misconceptions or myths surrounding Digital Transformation. In this new special series, post my research I would cover

1. Have a complete understanding of customers.

2. It is department-specific, mostly Marketing and Sales.

3. Digital transformation has an end game.

4. Customers need it, and hence digital transformation is key.

The intention is to enable organizations with an adequate proof point to executes to draw and embark on their plans. 

Some of the references which I have leveraged are from Satya Nadella's book 'Hit Refresh', HBR, CIO.com Articles, and many more. 

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep10: Jaydeep Mukherjee - In the Pursuit of Excellence

My next guest on today's episode is going to make you feel hungry as he takes all of us on a gastronomical and fun trip down the memory lane. I am pleased to have a conversation with Jaydeep Mukherjee, also known as JD, in the food industry. 

An alumnus of IHM Mumbai, Jaydeep started his career as a trainee chef at the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai. It was at the Zodiac Grill – then considered the premium European food restaurant in the country – where he mastered the principles of fine dining cooking. A long and splendid spell on board the iconic luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2 followed a few years later.

In 2002, he took on the mantle of Chef de Cuisine, then that of Executive Chef and finally Corporate Executive Chef of deGustibus Hospitality, the maverick company gave the country the iconic Indigo and rewrote the rules of fine gastronomy in Mumbai. In the 16 years spent with the company, Chef JD was instrumental in opening every new restaurant owned and operated by DHPL. From the iconic Indigo to the super popular Indigo Delicatessens, the limited service and casual D:OHs, to the very traditional Indian restaurants Neel, Tote Bar and Banquets, and also their premium outdoor catering division Moveable Feast, JD designed both outstanding food across cuisines and genres and also stellar hospitality.

While at deGustibus, JD started and headed social outreach programs with the Salaam Baalak Trust, an Indian non-profit that provides support for street children, and SPJ Sadhana School, an academic institute and resource center for training people with autism and special needs. He has mentored many young chefs from both institutions on structured training programs and is very happy to share that a lot of his mentees are professional chefs today – some still at deGustibus, and many with other restaurants of repute.

In August 2018, Chef JD joined Impresario Handmade Restaurants as Brand Head for the decade-old Smoke House Deli and was instrumental in revamping the brand into a fresh new avatar. From refreshing the menu to introducing new techniques and styles of cooking, JD has even kickstarted the Goodness To Go vertical that will focus on healthy, organic food, freshly made for patrons to grab a quick meal.

A man of varied interests, JD is an avid traveler and biker, a talented photographer, and a reasonably skilled musician, but yes, the kitchen remains his first love.

Excellence in hospitality is all about an eye for the little details, and that is what JD holds dear after having spent many fun years in the industry.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp7: Digital Transformation Myths (Part 3)

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

The COVID-19 scenario has challenged the government, societies, organizations and all of us on our thinking. Digital Transformation as an agenda which was a long drawn plan for many has now become a reality in the last two months. Many organizations have struggled to embark on the journey due to many misconceptions or myths surrounding Digital Transformation. In this new special series, post my research I would cover

1. Bringing in a new breed of team members 

2. There is a standard maturity framework to adopt digital transformation  

3. Machines would be able to replace individuals 

4. The company would be new post-digital transformation 

The intention is to enable organizations with an adequate proof point to executes to draw and embark on their plans. 

Some of the references which I have leveraged are from Satya Nadella's book 'Hit Refresh', HBR, CIO.com Articles, and many more. 

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep9: Brandon Rhoten - Champions Adjust

In today's episode, I had the pleasure to invite Brandon  Rhoten. Rhoten is a marketer who loves building iconic brands, often through modernizing for the digital age. Currently a primary change agent for Potbelly, a publicly-traded sandwich shop with nearly 500 locations and ~$450m in revenue that's been in need of a turn-around for a few years.

Formerly  VP in charge of Advertising, Media, Digital, and Social Media at Wendy's. Developed the holistic marketing strategy for Wendy’s, shifting focus from older and deal-driven to younger, equity-driven with an emphasis on social media and digital marketing. Developed digital and social teams from scratch, including brand voice on social platforms, leading to a top brand position in social media. Responsible for all marketing assets, media, and digital marketing.

The  work Rhoten has lead has been lauded by Forbes, Spin, Fast Company, Ad Age, DigiDay, Wall Street Journal, and Ad Week and has won dozens of awards including Cannes Lions, Clio's, Effie's, One Show, Ad Week Watch, US Hispanic Idea Awards, and Facebook Studio  Awards. Featured speaker at SXSW, SocialMedia.org, the Mobile Marketing Association (where he was a board member), SM2, Ad Week, 4A's, ANA, and WOMMA. Named an AdAge Top Digital Marketer.

Rhoten started in advertising at Gyro, a decorated agency based in London with 15 offices worldwide, as a senior PR consultant and account director working with tech and manufacturing clients, and previous to this worked in media relations for Advantech and The Nederlander  Company.

Rhoten is a proud father of three, an avid outdoorsman, active in his church, and is happily married to his amazingly strong, cancer-surviving high school sweetheart, Lauren.

If you would like to donate on the initiatives for Camp Kesem please visit the link - Donate Now

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Sp6: Digital Transformation Myths (Part 2)

SP series are individual episodes where

1. I either get interviewed or

2. Focus on topics which are requested by my listeners or

3. Just have fun covering areas that are interesting to me personally.

The COVID-19 scenario has challenged the government, societies, organizations and all of us on our thinking. Digital Transformation as an agenda which was a long drawn plan for many has now become a reality in the last two months. Many organizations have struggled to embark on the journey due to many misconceptions or myths surrounding Digital Transformation. In this new special series, post my research I would cover

1. Digital transformation requires a radical change in the core value propositions of the organizations, 

2. Investments in new technology 

3. Setting up net new business digital models and sunsetting the old business 

4. Revolutionary adoption of AI 

The intention is to enable organizations with an adequate proof point to executes to draw and embark on their plans. 

Some of the references which I have leveraged are from Satya Nadella's book 'Hit Refresh', HBR, CIO.com Articles, and many more. 

If you like the special series, then do share your feedback and opinions on what else you would like me to cover in the special series.

The Podcast is available on the following platforms

Ep8: Jagdeep Singh Bhatia - From Tin shed to a Global Company

In this episode, I invited my good friend Jagdeep Singh Bhatia (JD) for a conversation to decode his career. JD is currently a founder and managing director for Zener Maritime Solutions. From a humble beginning, JD and his family have built Zener to be a truly global company from offices in India, China, Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States of America. JD, in his initial years, has personally rolled up his sleeves to learn and lead the way for his company to be a global giant. JD's leadership and approach to global business are pretty unique. I would welcome each one of you to listen and get dazzled with his journey. 

The Podcast is available on the following platforms