David Sandstrom has a really interesting way of thinking about brand. In terms of driving awareness and growth, he's clear about what he thinks brand can do—and what it can't do. In his talk with Jesse, David discusses how finding friction and identifying an enemy can help teams differentiate and deliver value in a space with lots of companies, but with very few true brands; why it's important to find creative ways to message your product so you don't bore your audience and add to the noise; why it's important, but sometimes really hard for marketing leaders to be customer driven, rather than CEO or boss driven; and the importance of discovering and acting on truth in marketing.Guest BioDavid Sandstrom currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Klarna and is a member of the executive management team. Sandstrom joined Klarna in 2017 where he led the fintech company to an extensive brand transformation, from one of many financial institutions to a rethinking lifestyle brand. During his time at Klarna, he has overseen several pioneering marketing campaigns that have attracted great attention internationally, working with high profile celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Snoop Dogg. Sandstrom was behind Klarna's 2021 Super Bowl Advertisement starring Maya Rudolph that was an immediate hit with the public and garnered over 13 million views on YouTube. Prior to joining Klarna, Sandstrom was the CEO of one of Sweden's foremost advertising agencies. Helpful Linksklarna.comDavid believes: ‘Virtual shopping’ can take over retailDavid on The CMO PodcastDavid on LinkedIn and Twitter 

Whether you’re an early adopter or a skeptic of the metaverse and the technology enabling people to experience it—chances are it’s on your mind. And if you’re curious about where the metaverse is heading, there’s no better person to hear from than Brian Irving.In his conversation with Jesse, Brian discusses how his distinctive combination of curiosity and a desire to do well by others led him down a marketing career path; why he thinks it's important for marketing leaders to have an appreciation of both craft and collaboration; how he balances an innate curiosity with the need to drive focus and pragmatism; the foundations of trust and respect that he believes the team at Reality Labs is built upon; the use cases he thinks will typify the early stage metaverse; and the role of marketing in telling a persuasive story about the possibilities for the future.(2:13) Building curiosity and finding opportunity in Flint, Michigan(7:02) Learning the tenets and importance of marketing craft at Apple(9:02) Brokering healthy relationships between marketing and communications teams (12:55) Why Brian joined Reality Labs, and thoughts on the metaverse’s early applications and long-term possibilities  (21:03) How Brian’s team is addressing the challenges of marketing the metaverse(24:22) Targeting big outcomes, but celebrating small milestones(26:17) The importance of saying yes to things that scare you Guest BioBrian is the VP of Global Marketing for Meta's Reality Labs, where he leads the team responsible for marketing the company's AR/VR hardware and software products including Meta Quest, Meta Portal, Ray-Ban Stories, and Meta Horizon. Prior to joining Meta in 2020, Brian was the Chief Marketing Officer at Eventbrite. Over the past two decades, he has led iPhone and iPod Marketing Communications at Apple, Global Marketing for the Google Play brand, and the launch of Airbnb’s repositioning from homes to trips as Global Marketing Director. Brian is no stranger to shepherding iconic brands, having spent the early part of his career at Levi Strauss & Co, GE and General Motors.Helpful LinksMeta.comHave VR gear? Check out Beat Saber (Brian recommends)AdAge: Meet the Meta Reality Labs Marketer Branding the MetaverseBrian on LinkedIn

Jacob Jaber describes Philz Coffee, the company he co-founded with his father, as a ‘people company serving coffee, not a coffee company serving people.’ This distinctively human approach is not just the engine driving the company’s remarkable growth; it’s also deeply reflected in Jacob’s perspectives on leadership, product experience, and brand strategy. In his talk with Jesse, Jacob reflects on formative years with his father and describes how their efforts to build community through hospitality came to define the Philz experience for customers and employees. He breaks down the tenets of his own personal growth, including what he learned about leadership while serving as CEO during Philz’ expansion. Throughout, he lays out a blueprint for any leader looking to create and scale a more human business.(2:18) Jacob describes the early days of working with his father (5:41) On character, competence, and the mountains we choose to climb(11:55) The makings of an authentic and energizing experience (18:40) Why ‘good hospitality is often inconvenient to the giver’(20:19) Leading humbly, but with a fresh outlook(23:40) Bringing the Philz mantra of hustle and hospitality to new marketsGuest BioJacob Jaber is Co-Founder and Chairman at Philz Coffee. Jacob and his father, Phil, built the business together. Jacob was most recently CEO of Philz successfully growing the business from one store and two employees to over 70 stores and 1,500 employees before transitioning to Chairman. Jacob is passionate about consumer experiences, community, people, product and business. In addition to Philz, Jacob is a renowned investor, advisor, and was listed on the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2016.Helpful LinksPhilzcoffee.com Peninsula Press: The Origin Story of PhilzLaunching a partnership to feature local student artistsJacob on LinkedIn  and Twitter

Liz Jarvis-Shean grew up with an engrained love for public service—a devotion that was realized in her work for Candidate and President Barack Obama. When she eventually moved to the private sector, the motivation was less about what she was leaving behind, and more about what she was able to bring with her—her mission to effect change at scale through story.  In her talk with Jesse, Liz describes the importance of her family and their examples of public service early in her life; the formative impact of the time she spent in post-apartheid South Africa; the way she brought together facts, circumstance, vision, and persuasion to connect with citizen audiences on President Obama's team and Candidate Obama's team; the important parallels that she sees between the emotional connections we seek from people and the excitement we want from products; how she made the decision to move into the private sector and into tech; and her reflections on driving impact at scale at Tesla, Airbnb, and DoorDash.(6:17) How time spent at Berkeley and studying abroad in South Africa drew Liz to storytelling(10:08) Life as an opposition researcher on an historic presidential campaign trail (14:26) Telling stories of ‘promises kept’ to make emotional connections with citizens (20:28) Finding an opportunity to affect massive change in the private sector at Tesla(23:32) Blending the inspirational, the aspirational, and the practical to make a compelling narrative(27:19) Airbnb’s impact at scale, in her own words(30:04) How DoorDash achieves its mission to empower local economies by being customer-obsessed, not competitor-focused(35:46) Advice for organizations: ‘Don’t just tell your story better. Have a better story to tell.’Guest BioElizabeth Jarvis-Shean is Vice President of Communications and Policy at DoorDash, leading the company’s policy, government relations, social impact, public affairs, and global communications initiatives. Liz sits on DoorDash’s Executive Management Team. Previously, she oversaw Airbnb's global public affairs and corporate communications teams, and has managed strategic communications at pioneering companies, including Tesla Motors, healthcare technology startup Nuna, and data science firm, Civis Analytics. Liz helped shape and drive research, rapid response and messaging for both of Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns and his White House, and held leadership positions at CNBC and political research consultancy IMS, Inc. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and valedictorian in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.Helpful LinksLiz describes DoorDash’s partnerships with food banksLearn more about the WeDash programLiz on Newcomer’s Dead Cat podcastLiz on LinkedIn and Twitter

Rob Markey is the co-creator of the now-ubiquitous Net Promoter System—borrowing from Churchill, he refers to it as “the worst customer loyalty metric, except for all the others that have been tried.” But because of his accountability to clients and colleagues, Rob has higher expectations than many: Through 30+ years at Bain he’s passionately championed the sometimes-unfulfilled mission behind the system—to put the customer at the center of business decisions and operations, at scale.In his conversation with Jesse, you'll hear about how Rob found his way to consulting; what he thinks makes him an effective client advisor and leader; how he helps senior executives find their voices and have those voices heard; how he gets leadership teams to make and stick to tough decisions; the structural barriers that keep companies from achieving true customer centricity; and the innovations in technology and operating models that are helping bring down those barriers. Along the way, he tells the “in the room where it happened” origin story of NPS, and presents his hypothesis on why NPS has had such staying power over the past two decades. (2:31) Rob’s first impressions of consulting, and the circumstances and realizations that brought him into the field(6:48) Rob describes his strengths and his approach to helping executives embrace customer centricity(10:28) How staying focused on a larger mission has guided his long tenure at Bain(14:15) The barriers to being customer-focused at scale, and how to overcome them (20:20) Co-creating NPS, the “acid test of loyalty” (23:50) What really makes someone a promoter, passive, or detractor?(29:24) Why NPS is still at the center of CX efforts today(35:42) Lightning Round: most memorable marathon and a brand that’s delighted him without failGuest BioRob Markey is a Senior Partner at Bain & Company, where he has helped lead dozens of successful customer-centric transformations at large global companies over 30+ years at the firm. Rob leads the NPS Loyalty Forum, a group of approximately 35 senior executives from loyalty-leading companies around the world, such as The Vanguard Group, American Express, JetBlue, Telstra, TD Bank, LEGO, Progressive Insurance, PwC and Intuit. Additionally, Rob is the creator of Bain’s approach to customer-centricity, the co-inventor of the Net Promoter System, and co-author of The Ultimate Question 2.0: How Net Promoter Companies Thrive in a Customer-Driven World, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller.  Helpful LinksThe Ultimate Question 2.0 Rob’s Net Promoter System PodcastRob writes for HBR: Are You Undervaluing Your Customers? Qualtrics Blog: Your Ultimate Guide to Net Promoter ScoreRob on LinkedIn and Twitter

How do you turn a genuine desire for improving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion into actions that actually change systems, processes, and cultures for the better? In our episode with Kamala Avila-Salmon, the first Head of Inclusive Content at Lionsgate Motion Picture Group—you’ll find practical guidance from a luminary who’s helped to orchestrate change at scale and across industries.In her talk with Jesse, Kamala describes the influence of black characters on TV early in her life; how she got curious, creative and scrappy to find jobs and create meaningful roles early in her career at spots like RCA and Bad Boy Entertainment; her practical and brave perspective on professional networking; how she pushed the music and television industries to adopt a more inclusive posture as the era of digital transformation took hold; the impact she had on both customer and employee experiences by widening representation in marketing at Google and Facebook; what she sees as the tenants of inclusive marketing; and where the entertainment industry needs to go from here on representation, inclusion, and equity. (3:00) Kamala’s early years: drawing inspiration from representation(06:45) Breaking through without direct connections in a ‘who you know’ industry(11:47) Reflections from a disruptive time in the music business(15:48) Back to business school & back to her first love: television(17:16) Experiencing the intrapreneurial, energizing culture of Google(21:17) Discovering her tenets of inclusive marketing(25:38) Accepting the role of a lifetime with Lionsgate(28:41) How transforming the workforce makes inclusion possible across systems, processes, and policies Guest BioKamala Avila-Salmon is the first-ever Head of Inclusive Content for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, where she develops and implements diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies to reflect a globally diverse audience in the studio’s film slate. After pursuing her BA and MBA from Harvard, she has worked across music, movies, TV, tech, and streaming entertainment, leading marketing campaigns for Janelle Monae, The Voice, and Red Table Talk, to name a few. She is an outspoken voice on issues of race, racism, and anti-Blackness, working to diversify the powerful images and messages disseminated by Hollywood. She has penned several Medium articles on DEI in the workplace, and in the entertainment industry specifically; and she hosts the podcast, “From Woke to Work: The Anti-Racist Journey”, geared at helping people go from "woke" feelings to clear, effective action to advance racial justice.Helpful LinksThe Anti-Racism FunnelFrom Woke to Work podcastReferenced in episode: Work Rules by Laszlo BockListen to Janelle MonaeKamala on LinkedIn

Jenny Wood, an operations executive at Google, leads the Own Your Career program and is crafting a forthcoming book on professional growth. She offers invaluable insights drawn from her 15-year journey at Google, emphasizing the importance of personal initiative and resilience. Jenny discusses her F-L-I-P method for knowing when to change roles and provides strategies for effective networking and mentorship. She also shares tips on thriving during workplace reorganizations and fostering new career opportunities, making her advice relevant for anyone looking to elevate their professional path.

While practicing as an orthopedic surgeon, Justin Barad asked himself: With 1.1 million surgeons around the world, doing 310 million procedures a year—what if every single one of them was able to improve their performance by 200 or 300%? In his talk with Jesse, Justin describes how his love of video games and his medical expertise led him to develop Osso VR, which combines virtual reality technology and training to give surgeons a faster, more accessible route to mastering some of the world’s most complex procedures. You’ll hear about the transformative impact that Osso VR is having on the world of medicine today. Justin also shares his thoughts on how art can and should influence science, why we need to rethink how we educate doctors in order to address a growing skills gap, and, for lighter fare—he reveals his favorite slice of pizza in the US. (4:01) How Justin got hooked on video gaming(7:23) Discovering that not all physicians take a single-minded approach to their work(12:32) How Justin’s pathways into medicine and tech converged with the development of Osso VR(20:28) Measuring the impact and improving the experience of Osso VR technology and training(27:49) Why we might see more MBA + MDs in the near future(30:59) How to pursue what you’re passionate about (32:04) Exploring life journeys, and the search for the perfect pizza slice Guest BioJustin is a board-eligible orthopedic surgeon with a Bioengineering degree from UC Berkeley, and an MD from UCLA. Originally interning to become a game developer at Activision-Blizzard, he co-founded Osso VR with a mission to improve patient safety and democratize access to modern surgical techniques.Justin has spoken at multiple conferences including TEDMED, CES, Exponential Medicine, and Health 2.0. He also currently serves as a member of the Consumer Technology Association’s Health Technology Division Board of Directors. He currently resides in sunny Northern California with his two Great Danes. In his free time, you can find him enthusiastically singing karaoke and searching for the perfect slice of pizza.Helpful LinksOssovr.comThe Slice podcastJustin’s TED appearanceRead about The Hospital for Sick Kids, where Justin received some life-changing adviceJustin’s favorite pizza spot: Rosie’sJustin on LinkedIn and Twitter

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

Varun Parmar has spent decades as a product leader, helping to define successive waves of category and product innovation at companies like Adobe, Doculus, EMC, Box, and now, Miro. He’s gone from executive to entrepreneur and back again. During his journey, he has observed that “over time, every product either becomes better or worse. It never remains the same.”  It’s an important reminder to build with intention, even when you’re building fast and beating your head against the wall. And it’s one of the many subjects he discusses with Jesse in this episode of Breakthrough Builders. You’ll hear how he helped guide product strategy during Adobe’s successful transition to the cloud, how he developed his own guidelines for making headway in sectors with dominant players, the value he places on staying close to one’s craft, and why he’s confident that Miro will reach its ambitious goal to have 500 million users working together inclusively and seamlessly around the globe. (2:42) Reflections from helping to lead the SaaS transition at Adobe(7:06) The role of customer empathy in product design(13:40) How to determine the right frequency for updates and releases(15:33) Thriving in a hypercompetitive market: 3 learnings from ‘taking on’ Microsoft (21:58) On the opportunity to join Miro and the ambition to forge a path toward effective, distributed work for all(31:33) Advice for builders: Bet on people. Never let go of the craft. Declare the destination.Guest BioVarun is the Chief Product Officer at Miro, the visual collaboration platform with 35M+ users. He has worked in leadership roles at companies with high-growth, category-defining and innovative products such as Adobe (#1 in the world for creative and digital publishing software), Box (#1 in the world for cloud content mgmt. software) and EMC (#1 in the world for storage software and systems). In addition he has deep domain expertise in the collaboration market, enterprise content management and business process & workflow management markets; having spent 20+ years building businesses, including managing cross-functional teams spanning product management, design, engineering, marketing, sales, corporate strategy and business development.Helpful LinksMiro.comComputer World: Miro looks to move beyond the whiteboardRecent appearance: Lessons from uncharted growth territory Varun on LinkedIn and Twitter