CEO.com | Dispatches from the frontiers of leadership

On this episode, Clint sits down with Perkins Miller, the CEO of Fandom.com, to explore the fascinating world of fan communities and the digital platforms that support them. Perkins shares his journey from working at StubHub and the NFL to leading one of the largest fan-centric platforms on the internet.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:28 - Perkins' journey to becoming CEO of Fandom01:10 - The core of Fandom: 200,000+ wikis and 45 million pages of content02:16 - Acquisitions and business expansion03:35 - Building great communities: Shared values and platforms05:33 - Strengthening community relationships and commerce08:02 - Revenue model and competitors09:06 - Unique insights from Fandom's data platform, Fan DNA11:02 - The impact of AI on Fandom's operations13:52 - Working with studios and potential for a game studio16:51 - Perkins' previous roles at StubHub, NFL, and WWE20:25 - A typical day for Perkins as CEO22:14 - The future of web traffic and search with AI25:31 - Perkins' reading recommendations27:04 - Leadership lessons learned over the years29:38 - Handling macroeconomic and geopolitical issues as a CEO32:35 - The importance of giving and taking chances

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint chats with Catherine Oliver, author of "Working Parents-to-be," and Founder of Bluebell Partnership, about her journey in supporting working parents through parental leave and the transition back to work. Catherine shares her personal experiences, the inspiration behind her book, and insights on the evolving landscape of workplace support for parents, highlighting the differences between the UK and the US. She offers practical advice for leaders on fostering a supportive environment and shares tips for soon-to-be parents on preparing for their new roles. Join us for an enlightening discussion on empathy in leadership and the importance of community during this significant life transition!Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Catherine and Her Book00:22 - Overview of "Working Parents-to-be"01:16 - Cultural Perspectives on Parental Support03:08 - Catherine's Personal Journey05:26 - Transitioning from Corporate to Independent Work06:29 - Supporting Working Parents and Gender Balance07:14 - Response to the Book's Launch08:38 - Advice for Business Leaders11:46 - Guidance for Working Parents14:30 - The Role of AI in Workplace Support15:37 - A Day in Katherine's Life17:04 - Traits of Great Leaders19:41 - Differences in Leadership Between the UK and US22:19 - The Political Landscape of Diversity and Inclusion25:53 - Navigating Political Expectations as a Leader28:48 - Acknowledging Opportunities Given by Others

In this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Sanjit Biswas, the CEO and founder of Samsara, a company revolutionizing the world of physical operations. Sanjit shares his incredible journey from co-founding Meraki, a Wi-Fi technology company acquired by Cisco, to building Samsara into a publicly traded company with over $1.2 billion in recurring revenue.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Sanjit and Samsara00:22 - Overview of Samsara's Mission and Technology01:13 - Growth and Scale of Samsara01:27 - Founding Team and Background02:10 - Transition from Meraki to Samsara02:52 - Clientele and Focus on Field Operations03:33 - Insights Gained from Physical Operations04:21 - Leadership Lessons from Meraki's Sale to Cisco05:58 - Capital Raising Strategies for Meraki and Samsara08:34 - Partnering with Top Venture Capital Firms09:02 - Advice for Entrepreneurs on Securing Funding10:39 - Decision to Go Public and Its Rationale12:49 - Management Changes Post-IPO14:45 - A Day in the Life of Sanjit Biswas15:59 - Reading Recommendations for Leaders17:23 - Reflections on Paul Graham's Founder Mode Essay19:30 - Implementing AI at Samsara21:07 - Long-term Vision for AI Development22:57 - Leadership Lessons Learned Over Time25:00 - Daily Routines and Grounding Activities26:35 - The CEO's Role in Public Discourse28:01 - Acknowledging Those Who Gave Opportunities29:31 - Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sits down with Nadine Vogel, CEO of Springboard Consulting, to explore her remarkable journey from a senior executive in a Fortune 50 company to leading a global firm that champions disability inclusion in 85 countries. Nadine shares personal stories that fueled her passion, insights on leadership, the impact of AI on disability inclusion, and the unique challenges women face in business, including menopause in the workplace. She also discusses her book "Dive In," her involvement in TV programs, and her continuous learning philosophy.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:20 - Nadine's background and career journey00:48 - Founding Springboard Consulting01:56 - Mission and operations of Springboard Consulting02:26 - Personal motivation and experiences03:22 - A typical day for Nadine04:50 - Nadine's reading habits and recommendations05:45 - Topics of Nadine's speeches06:20 - The importance of perspective in leadership07:17 - What makes a great leader08:56 - Thoughts on AI and its impact on disability inclusion10:21 - Women Influence and Power Group (WIPP) and women in business12:58 - Addressing menopause in the workplace14:06 - What Nadine wishes she had known earlier in her career15:11 - Nadine's book "Dive In"16:29 - Nadine's TV programs and educational initiatives18:29 - Thoughts on the politicization of DEI21:02 - The importance of recognizing opportunities and gifts23:32 - Closing remarks

Clint recently had the opportunity to chat with Rob MacNaughton, the CEO of Calibrate, about the groundbreaking approach his company is taking in the weight loss industry by combining powerful GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic with clinician-led lifestyle interventions. Rob shares insights into the advantages and disadvantages of these medications, the impressive results Calibrate has achieved, and the importance of addressing the root causes of obesity. We also delve into Rob's diverse background, the challenges and benefits of leading a fully remote company, and the role of AI in enhancing member experience and operational efficiency.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:09 - Rob's background and the rise of GLP-1 drugs01:03 - Calibrate's unique approach to weight loss02:29 - Impressive results and published data04:00 - Safety and efficacy of GLP-1 drugs05:14 - What a typical week looks like for Calibrate members07:19 - Rob's journey to Calibrate12:36 - The importance of addressing the root cause of obesity14:25 - A day in the life of a remote CEO16:35 - Leadership in a remote environment19:39 - Talent acquisition in a remote setting23:00 - The role of AI in Calibrate's operations26:03 - Long-term planning with AI27:10 - The importance of giving and taking chances

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint sat down with Will Lewis, the CEO of Innsmed, a company dedicated to developing innovative drugs for patients facing serious and rare diseases. Will shares his journey to becoming CEO, the transformative growth of Innsmed, and the intricate process of drug development, including the lengthy timelines and significant financial investments involved. They discuss the importance of patient experience, the ethical considerations in drug development, and the role of artificial intelligence in streamlining processes. Will also offers insights into leadership, mentorship, and the values that drive his team to make a meaningful difference in patients' lives. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Innsmed and CEO Journey00:38 - Overview of Innsmed's Mission01:39 - The Drug Development Process04:04 - The Necessity of the 15-Year Process06:38 - Expedited Drug Development During COVID-1908:12 - Choosing Which Diseases to Target10:51 - The Future of Curing Diseases12:55 - The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Development16:21 - A Day in the Life of the CEO18:05 - Leadership Philosophy and Values20:18 - Reading Recommendations21:22 - Impact of the Macro Economic Environment24:02 - Financing in the Biotech Industry27:03 - Intellectual Property and Competition30:37 - Closing Thoughts on Mentorship and Opportunities

Clint recently sat down with Derek Robson, the CEO of IDEO, a leading design and innovation company known for its human-centered design approach. In this episode, Derek shares his journey from a 36-year career in advertising to leading one of the most creative companies in the world, discussing how IDEO tackles a wide range of challenges, from designing products and services to reimagining government systems. He highlights the importance of creativity, the eclectic mix of talent at IDEO, and how they cultivate a culture of innovation. We also dive into the impact of AI on design, the evolving role of leadership, and the significance of self-care for executives. Plus, hear Derek's thoughts on the creative environments of London and San Francisco and how they influence the work at IDEO.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Derek and IDEO00:20 - IDEO's mission and approach to design03:15 - Choosing clients and tackling complex problems05:57 - Hiring and cultivating diverse talent07:44 - A day in the life of a CEO09:36 - The role of AI in design13:10 - Thoughts on leadership and self-leadership17:14 - The creative environment in London20:32 - Insights on San Francisco's tech scene22:40 - Staying grounded as a CEO25:24 - The macroeconomic environment and corporate responsibility29:38 - Derek's journey and the importance of giving chances

On this episode, Clint chats with Andrew Exner, the Executive Director of the San Jose State University Research Foundation, who shares his unconventional journey to this role and the foundation's mission of supporting research through external funding, intellectual property management, and research agreements. Andrew discusses the similarities between running a nonprofit and a for-profit organization, what a typical day looks like in his dynamic environment, and the impact of AI on fundraising and research management. He also addresses the current political climate on college campuses, the ongoing relevance of higher education, and essential leadership traits that have shaped his career.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Andrew and His Role00:25 - Andrew's Unique Career Path01:53 - Overview of the San Jose State University Research Foundation04:11 - Comparing Nonprofits and For-Profit Companies05:42 - A Day in the Life of Andrew07:55 - The Impact of AI on Research and Fundraising12:20 - Political Climate on College Campuses15:11 - Reading Preferences and Recommendations17:52 - Key Leadership Traits21:33 - Thoughts on the Current Economic and Political Environment26:14 - Opportunities Given by Others29:22 - Conclusion and Closing Remarks

On this episode of the CEO Podcast, Clint chats with Rockwell Shah, the CEO of Ozlo Sleep, about his incredible journey from a remote tech support agent to leading a company focused on innovative sleep solutions. Rockwell shares the story behind the Ozlo Sleep Buds, a revolutionary product designed to enhance sleep quality by blocking out noise and streaming audio. He discusses the success of their crowdfunding campaign, the challenges of hardware manufacturing, and the importance of customer feedback in product development. Additionally, Rockwell reflects on his personal experiences, including the joys of fatherhood and the impact of macroeconomic conditions on consumer products. Join us for an insightful conversation filled with valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike!Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Rockwell and Oswell Sleep00:20 - Rockwell's Journey to CEO01:02 - Transition from B2B to Consumer Apps01:56 - The Bose Sleepbuds Experience02:52 - Acquisition of Bose's IP03:57 - The Importance of Sleep and Snoring Solutions05:02 - Consumer Trends in Sleep Products06:57 - Success of the Relaunched Sleepbuds07:47 - Advantages of Crowdfunding08:12 - Crowdfunding as a Pre-Order Campaign11:52 - Using Both Kickstarter and Indiegogo13:13 - Challenges of Hardware Development15:15 - The Complexity of Manufacturing16:33 - Navigating Supply Chain Issues19:02 - The Iterative Process of Product Development20:29 - The Risks of Hardware Startups21:25 - Customer Usage Patterns24:27 - Daily Life and Work Balance27:02 - The Joys of Fatherhood28:35 - Information Consumption Preferences30:35 - The State of E-Commerce and Consumer Products36:07 - The Importance of Community Support39:32 - Conclusion and Future Outlook

Clint recently sat down with Sanish Mondkar, the CEO of Legion Technologies, to explore the transformative world of workforce management. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise software, Sanish shares his journey from being the Chief Product Officer at SAP to founding Legion, a platform dedicated to enhancing the experiences of frontline workers across various industries such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, and manufacturing.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Legion Technologies00:18 - What Legion Does01:26 - Sanish's Background and Journey03:16 - Experience at SAP03:43 - Recent Funding Round05:24 - Growth Strategies for Legion08:10 - A Day in the Life of a CEO 10:21 - Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence 15:07 - Leadership in the Age of AI 19:40 - Reading Recommendations21:19 - Maintaining Mental Health24:13 - Navigating the Macroeconomic Environment27:15 - The Importance of Giving Chances