Follow the Rabbit

Your organization has three departments that should be collaborating. Instead, they're locked in a silent battle—one's built a fortress, another's planning a hostile takeover, and the third is caught in the middle. The manager overseeing this chaos spends all day in meetings and has no map of what's actually happening. Sound familiar? Welcome to what our guest Helge Tennø calls "the Mexican standoff"—and it's precisely why systems thinking is making a comeback.In this episode, we're joined by Helge Tennø, a designer-turned-strategist who spent seven years inside a global pharmaceutical company watching organizations fragment into competing silos. When he went back to consulting in 2024 and asked companies what they were buying, the answer was clear: "Not that old stuff." After 15 years of design thinking, customer journeys, and personas, organizations are exhausted. They've wrung out the cloth, and there's no water left. But here's the twist—nobody was asking for systems thinking by name. They just needed something that could help cross-functional teams speak the same language.Here's what we're noticing: Organizations have spent a decade breaking themselves into smaller and smaller pieces, each with their own data, their own language, their own metrics. What was supposed to increase efficiency has created a coordination nightmare. The customer used to be this unifying force at the top of the org chart, but now they've become a divider—every department owns "their" piece of the customer experience and can't talk to anyone else about it. Meanwhile, managers are responsible for orchestrating these warring factions without any map of how things actually connect.The conversation takes us through some unexpected territory:Why systems thinking has a "terrible first impression" but solves problems other tools can't touchHow a simple causal diagram can help teams externalize their tacit knowledgeThe difference between complicated (where systems thinking works) and complex (where it might not)Why 95% of AI pilots are failing—and what that has to do with not having a map of your processesThe real future of AI in organizations: not replacing coordinators, but giving workers direct access to coordination toolsChapter Markers:00:00 - Cold Open: The Corporate Mexican Standoff 01:21 - Introduction & Welcome 04:48 - What Is Systems Thinking? A Simple Definition 10:17 - Why Good Strategy Requires Good Information 14:04 - Why Now? The Comeback of Systems Thinking 19:44 - The Mexican Standoff: When Departments Go to War 23:44 - AI's Role: 95% of Pilots Fail Without a Map 29:21 - Complex vs. Complicated: The Valid Critique 37:46 - The Agency Problem: Maps Without Power to Act 39:47 - The Generalist's Moment 47:03 - Where to Start: Resources & Next Steps 48:46 - OutroLinks:Helge Tennø on LinkedInJohn Sterman's Introduction to System Dynamics (MIT)Russell Ackoff on Systems ThinkingRussell Ackoff - Systems Thinking (Clip 1)Omidyar Group Systems Practice Workbook PDFSimon Wardley on Wardley MappingSimon Wardley - Introduction to Wardley MappingDave Snowden - Cynefin FrameworkDave Snowden explaining CynefinBJ Fogg's Behavior Model---------------You can also watch this episode on Youtube⁠Follow the Rabbit feels like eavesdropping on a fascinating conversation between two well-read friends at a Berlin coffee shop—smart without being pretentious, critical without being cynical, and deeply engaged with contemporary culture while maintaining historical perspective. The podcast occupies a unique space between trend forecasting, cultural criticism, and philosophical inquiry, delivered with warmth, humor, and genuine enthusiasm for understanding how the world works.Follow the Rabbit is hosted by Igor Schwarzmann & Johannes KleskeFind out more about ⁠⁠Igor Schwarzmann⁠⁠ Find out moire about ⁠⁠Johannes Kleske⁠⁠

Explore the phenomenon of La Bubus and how micro-trends reflect deeper societal shifts. Discover the Aspiration Cascade framework, where blocked big dreams reshape desires into small luxuries and dopamine-driven purchases. From €300 pots to €18 coffee beans, the need for significance shapes spending habits. How do brands tap into this landscape? Learn about the visibility tactics that turn mundane items into aspirational treasures, and why unboxing brings joy in a world of diminishing aspirations.

Dancing at dawn blends strategy and community in the quirky world of soft clubbing. Unexpected morning raves transform coffee shops into vibrant dance spaces. The trend isn't just frivolous; it's a smart response to rising costs and digital fatigue. Vinyl revivals and analog listening lounges symbolize a rebellion against algorithmic control. Music piracy resurfaces as a reclaiming of choice, while younger generations prioritize immediate action. It's a cultural experiment born from necessity, turning impossible conditions into joyful gatherings.

Cyril Maury, a Partner at Stripe Partners with 15 years in health behavior research, dives into today’s chaotic health landscape. He explains how trust in traditional medicine is waning, replaced by TikTok trends and personal health trackers. While diagnostic technologies abound, there's a frustrating 'diagnostic-therapy gap'—your devices might highlight problems but won't solve them. Cyril also discusses how wearables can mislead users, emphasizing that true well-being stems from enhancing human experience, not just data.

Explore the fascinating links between the nostalgic Oasis reunion and the rise of AI empires. Discover how the band's signature styles became symbols of identity and belonging, while brands like Aldi and Lidl tapped into this cultural wave. Delve into the implications of the 'Empire of AI' and the ethical dilemmas of generative technology. Unpack storytelling's crucial role in shaping perceptions of AI, urging listeners to consider broader impacts amidst an ever-evolving digital landscape. It's a deep dive into culture and technology.

Join John Willshire, a strategic design expert from the UK, as he delves into the intriguing concept of cognitive debt—the notion that quickly sourcing answers can cloud our understanding and decision-making. He reveals how organizations often prioritize speed over depth, leading to a reliance on opaque AI tools. The discussion dives into the ethical implications of AI and the pressing need for critical thinking in our tech-driven workplaces. Willshire critiques the myths surrounding AI's capabilities and urges listeners to consider the true cost of sacrificing understanding for convenience.

When 14-year-olds design autonomous hearses, barber shops launch radio stations, and Formula 1 calls its drivers "the cast," you're witnessing the emergence of new cultural gathering points in a fragmented world.In this June monthly review, we explore three seemingly unrelated phenomena that reveal the same underlying pattern: the post-pandemic hunger for synchronized cultural experiences is creating new forms of community in unexpected places. From a science camp in Karlsruhe to laundromats in Hong Kong to Netflix's Drive to Survive, we're seeing the emergence of what we call "new campfires"—shared cultural experiences that replace the old mass media model.The episode begins with Johannes reflecting on four days facilitating a futures camp with Generation Alpha (13-15 year olds) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. Far from the stereotypes about teenage attention spans, these digital natives revealed sophisticated thinking about sustainability, seamless integration of AI into their creative process, and remarkable innovation when given permission to think big. The standout project? Two girls who reimagined autonomous vehicles as customizable hearses, complete with assistant robots and personalized final journeys.Igor introduces the concept of "cultural acupuncture"—small interventions that reconnect us to social patterns we didn't realize we'd lost. Through the lens of "The Revenge of the Radio Station," he explores how barbershops, laundromats, and hotels worldwide are launching micro-radio stations that create synchronized cultural experiences and function as "social objects" with shared focus, conversation catalysts, and temporal dimensions that bind communities together.The conversation concludes with an analysis of F1's transformation from sport to content empire. Liberty Media's strategy of treating Formula 1 as "not a sport but a content producer" (with drivers as "the cast") demonstrates how behind-the-scenes storytelling can revitalize entire industries. Netflix's Drive to Survive has generated $290 million for the platform and fundamentally changed how fans engage with racing—they're more interested in what drivers eat for breakfast than braking stability.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction & Generation Alpha Experience02:46 - Science Camp: Futures Thinking with 13-15 Year Olds16:50 - The Revenge of the Radio Station & Cultural Acupuncture30:00 - F1's Content Transformation: "Not a Sport but a Content Producer"44:08 - New Campfires: The Thread That Connects EverythingLinks:Igor's source on micro-radio stations in unexpected places: https://www.thechow.net/p/the-revenge-of-the-radio-stationThe Economist article on F1 The Movie and Liberty Media's content strategy: http://archive.today/E6sobScience Camps (KIT): https://www.zml.kit.edu/science-camps.phpSocial Objects concept by Jyri Engeström: https://www.zengestrom.com/blog/2005/06/speaking-on-object-centered-sociality-at-reboot-updated-with-slides.html---------------You can also watch this episode on Youtube⁠Follow the Rabbit feels like eavesdropping on a fascinating conversation between two well-read friends at a Berlin coffee shop—smart without being pretentious, critical without being cynical, and deeply engaged with contemporary culture while maintaining historical perspective. The podcast occupies a unique space between trend forecasting, cultural criticism, and philosophical inquiry, delivered with warmth, humor, and genuine enthusiasm for understanding how the world works.Follow the Rabbit is hosted by Igor Schwarzmann & Johannes KleskeFind out more about ⁠⁠Igor Schwarzmann⁠⁠ Find out moire about ⁠⁠Johannes Kleske⁠⁠

The discussion focuses on William Gibson's 'Pattern Recognition' and its lasting impact on cultural research. They explore the nuances of 'cool hunting' through Cayce Pollard's adventures, highlighting the ethical dilemmas of trend exploitation. The podcast emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity in a data-driven world and reflects on the relevance of early 2000s digital culture amidst today's 'digital detox.' Personal anecdotes reveal how the book's insights have reshaped their careers and understanding of branding.

Mike Evans, a strategist and former head of global artist strategy at Red Bull Music, joins the hosts to discuss how challenger brands like On are redefining success by focusing on product fundamentals and cultural relevance. He delves into how On’s authentic connection to its community and strategic distribution through specialty stores has enabled it to rival giants like Nike. The conversation highlights the balance between scaling a brand while maintaining authenticity, emphasizing the power of genuine storytelling and community engagement in today's market.

The sale of a hand sanitizer company for $880 million, despite only capturing 5% of the market, exemplifies how modern challengers achieve success by redefining the rules instead of adhering to them.In this episode of Follow the Rabbit, we're joined by Jan Thede, Senior Director of Strategy at Berlin-based design agency A Color Bright, to explore their newly released challenger brand framework. Moving beyond the tired question of how to compete with market leaders, Jan reveals how successful challengers don't just fight for position—they redefine what the fight is about.Through A Color Bright's work with brands from cycling to running to fragrances, Jan has identified a pattern: challenger brands succeed by being unique, relevant, and true. But the breakthrough insight comes from their compass framework, which maps four distinct approaches challengers use to stand out in crowded markets.The conversation weaves through fascinating case studies that reveal these strategies in action:How On running shoes didn't just improve performance technology—they made it visually obvious you were wearing something different.Why Liquid Death succeeded by doing the opposite of what every water brand considered “good.”How Apple in the 1990s changed personal computer competition from specs to style with ads like “Sorry, No Beige”What TouchLand's $880 million exit teaches us about capturing intense loyalty in tiny market segmentsBut the real revelation comes through what Jan calls “the tote bag test”—a simple way to identify whether a brand has become an identity marker. Would you pay money for a logo tote bag from this brand? The question cuts through marketing speak to reveal which companies have transcended mere products to become part of how people express who they are.From Angela Merkel spotted wearing On shoes to the cultural phenomenon of the “MUBI person,” the episode explores how challenger brands navigate the tension between niche authenticity and mainstream appeal. The discussion reveals why being everything to someone beats being something to everyone—and how the most successful challengers create new categories rather than just competing in existing ones.Whether you're building a brand, making strategic decisions, or simply curious about how outsiders reshape markets, this conversation offers practical frameworks for understanding how challengers turn disadvantages into advantages.Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Niches Becoming Mainstream 01:48 - Welcome Jan Thede: A Color Bright's Challenger Brand Work 03:14 - What Makes a Challenger Brand? 05:36 - The Framework: Unique, Relevant, and True 08:11 - The Compass: Four Directions for Standing Out 13:49 - On Running: Innovation vs. Market Disruption 15:54 - The Angela Merkel Moment: When Challengers Go Mainstream 20:28 - TouchLand: $880M Exit from 5% Market Share 27:41 - The Tote Bag Test: Measuring Identity Markers 31:30 - Print Publications and Physical Brand Artifacts 34:08 - From Tech Companies to Tesla: The Evolution of Merch 37:22 - Mubi vs. Netflix: Different Games, Different Categories 44:39 - Sustainability vs. Differentiation: The Trade-offs 47:27 - Closing Thoughts: Understanding Your Own Brand Choices 48:13 - OutroLinks:A Color BrightA Color Bright's Challenger Brand Compass frameworkTouchLand acquisition coverageThe “Mubi person” Reel---------------Follow the Rabbit on ⁠Spotify⁠Follow the Rabbit on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠Follow the Rabbit on ⁠Youtube⁠Follow the Rabbit is a Known Unknowns productionKnown Unknowns on ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Known Unknowns on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Follow the Rabbit is hosted by Igor Schwarzmann & Johannes KleskeFind out more about ⁠⁠Igor Schwarzmann⁠⁠ Find out moire about ⁠⁠Johannes Kleske⁠⁠