Best A To Z Academy Podcasts (2025)

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#776: Black Friday Special: Zappi CMO Nataly Kelly on the high-stakes world of holiday advertising 26:19

Play Pause

4h ago26:19

26:19

In a world drowning in data, is the 'big creative idea' for a holiday campaign an endangered species, or is it more critical than ever? Agility requires not just moving fast, but moving with confidence. It's the ability to validate creative instincts with real-world data, ensuring that your biggest bets are also your smartest ones. Today, we're goi…

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Something Special for the Holiday: EAST MEETS WEST SPORTS - Cleveland’s QB Gamble & LA’s Power Play 33:23

15h ago33:23

33:23

Call it a holiday palate cleanser: today’s TP&R feed features a special drop from East Meets West Sports. Be sure to find this new show on all the apps, follow, rate, review... You know the drill. Enjoy! Can Shedeur Sanders prove he's “the one” – or is Cleveland just buying time? Meanwhile, LA sports shake things up from the locker room to the fron…

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Spotlight Twelve: A World Without Choices - Jacob Ward on AI, Agency and The Architecture of Choice 2:19

15m ago2:19

2:19

In this Redefining AI Spotlight, we introduce Jacob Ward and the conversation that Lauren Hawker Zafer had with him on AI, Agency and the Architecture of Choice. Jacob Ward is a journalist and correspondent with two decades of experience uncovering how innovation shapes society — and how it quietly shapes us. Jacob has served as technology correspo…

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#775: ZICO Coconut Water Founder Mark Rampolla on brand integrity and the courage to make tough decisions 28:49

2d ago28:49

28:49

For most entrepreneurs, the exit is the goal, as well as the end of at least that part of their story. But what if the end is actually a new beginning? Agility requires a deep understanding of your brand's core purpose and the conviction to protect it. This often means having the courage to reverse a decision that was once seen as the ultimate succ…

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Dr. Melissa Deckman on America’s Cracks: Trumpism, Gen Z, and the Faith Factor 1:18:18

19m ago1:18:18

1:18:18

What PRRI’s Latest Data Reveals About Our Deepening Divide In the shadow of rising polarization, this episode dives deep into the latest findings from PRRI's American Values Survey, Trump’s Unprecedented Actions Deepen Asymmetric Divides. Corey is joined by Dr. Melissa Deckman to break down the data—and what it tells us about party loyalty, trust i…

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#774: Seel CRO Laura Huddle on seeing customer returns as an opportunity 21:32

3d ago21:32

21:32

What if the most dreaded part of your customer's journey: the return, was actually your biggest untapped opportunity for growth? Agility requires brands to re-examine every part of the customer journey, especially the challenging post-purchase phase, and find hidden opportunities to adapt and strengthen customer relationships. It demands we turn op…

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#773: Building loyalty and trust through focused innovation with Lindsey Kling, Coterie 28:02

4d ago28:02

28:02

How can your brand build genuine loyalty that translates into long-term business value when customer expectations continually evolve? Agility demands a deep understanding of your customer, a willingness to experiment, and the ability to pivot quickly when needed. Today, we're going to talk about building loyalty and trust through focused innovation…

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Episode 265 with Quinten – Trickerion: Dahlgaard's Academy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick-Taking Game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, and The Rogue Prince of Persia 1:42:26

5d ago1:42:26

1:42:26

In our two hundred and sixty-fifth episode, Aaron is joined by Quinten. We talk about Trickerion: Dahlgaard's Academy, Baseball Highlights 2045, and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Trick-Taking Game. Then in our Digital Diversion segment we talk about Pokemon Legends: Z-A and The Rogue Prince of Persia. Then we discuss Our Top 1…

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Redemption Projects: From Wreckage to Repair 40:36

15m ago40:36

40:36

Repairing the damage—in our democracy, in our relationships, and in ourselves. ✨ Episode Summary Let’s talk about redemption—what it really means to repair what’s been broken, whether in our democracy or in our personal lives, and how we can tell the difference between a true apology and just going through the motions. Inspired by a powerful Substa…

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#772: Contentful CMO Elizabeth Maxson on AI-augmented human creativity in marketing 23:53

7d ago23:53

23:53

With increased AI Adoption, is the most valuable skill for a modern marketer empathy with customers, or is it successfully prompting? Contentful, in partnership with Atlantic Insights, The Atlantic’s marketing research division, recently conducted a study of over 425 marketing decision makers including 103 CMOs. This study, “When Machines Make Mark…

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#771: Design Systems as a Digital Transformation Catalyst with Nigel Dennis, The Office of Experience 28:46

8d ago28:46

28:46

What if the very system you invested in to create brand consistency and efficiency is now the biggest thing slowing down your digital transformation and costing you innovation? Agility requires more than just speed; it demands a shared language and a foundational framework that allows teams to build, test, and innovate without being crushed by the …

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#770: Constant Contact CEO Frank Vella on how B2B marketers and SMBs can partner for success 23:04

9d ago23:04

23:04

Is the increasing investment in marketing by SMBs a sign of growth and optimism, or is it masking a deeper struggle with confidence and effectiveness? Agility requires not only adapting to the rapid pace of technological change but also understanding the core challenges faced by your customers, like SMBs struggling to measure marketing ROI. It also…

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Polling, Prop Bets, and Political Truths: Carl Allen Returns 1:25:26

15m ago1:25:26

1:25:26

What do you get when a data scientist with a knack for sports betting and political forecasting returns to the pod? A masterclass in what polling can and can't do, how bad assumptions skew our democracy, and why Carl Allen thinks we need to stop blaming the camera for the race result. In this fascinating, far-ranging convo, Corey and Carl Allen (au…

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#769: Zoom CMO Kim Storin on why growth problems are often brand problems 28:06

11d ago28:06

28:06

In a world obsessed with conversion rates and customer acquisition costs, have we forgotten the one thing that actually makes both of them better? Agility requires more than just the ability to react quickly to market signals. It demands a stable, strategic core—a brand—that provides the necessary context and direction to ensure your pivots are pur…

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Cult Classic Callback - The Blues Brothers with Bruce Voge 1:29:35

13m ago1:29:35

1:29:35

Episode 52 – Bruce Voge Bruce Voge can be found on Twitter @brucecothinks or on his shows The Just Barely Sports Podcast, The Party Game Cast, Board Game the Game Show, On Board Games, and The Spiel. Find us on Twitter @CultClassicPod Find us on Instagram @CultClassicCallbackLinsae Find more episodes at boardsalivepodcast.com/category/cult-classic-…

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Against the Noise: Gratitude as a Form of Protest 24:54

39m ago24:54

24:54

"And now for something completely different..." In a world flooded with outrage and anxiety, taking stock of the good isn’t naive—it’s necessary. Corey shifts the lens from polarization and pessimism to the power of thankfulness. Amid a flood of bad news and anxiety about the state of democracy, Corey invites listeners to pause and consider what’s …

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#768: Infios Chief Innovation Officer Eugene Amigud on use-case driven success with AI 33:39

14d ago33:39

33:39

How can large organizations embrace the speed and adaptability of a startup while navigating the complexities of established processes and legacy systems, especially in the rapidly changing world of AI-driven consumer experiences? Agility requires adopting new technologies while fundamentally shifting how teams operate, experiment, and learn from d…

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#767: Krisp.ai Co-Founder Arto Minasyan on voice AI and the customer experience 21:56

15d ago21:56

21:56

What if your customers could talk directly to your brand, without scaling your your customer service teams to a 1:1 capacity? This episode is brought to you by Krisp.ai, the all-in-one voice AI that makes every conversation sound professional. With industry-leading noise cancellation, real-time accent conversion, accurate transcription, and smart c…

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#766: Square CMO Lindsey Irvine on connecting with customers through community-driven storytelling 29:38

16d ago29:38

29:38

As we’re increasingly inundated with AI-generated content and algorithm-driven ads, what’s more powerful: yet another new technology, or the authentic voice of the small business owner on the corner? Agility requires not just reacting to market shifts, but deeply understanding the very fabric of the communities you serve and having the conviction t…

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Scripture, Satire, and Silicon Salvation: Lisa Rose Ferrara’s CHRISTBOT 1:02:54

13d ago1:02:54

1:02:54

🤖 What happens when an ex-campus minister turned agnostic writes a novel about AI Jesus? You get this wide-ranging and deeply moving conversation between Corey and Lisa Rose Ferrara—writer of the Substack The Dangling Door and author of the novel CHRISTBOT. Lisa doesn’t just reflect on the absurdities of our sociopolitical moment—she rewrites the r…

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Dr. Jack McCallum - Outsourcing Cognition - How AI is Physically Changing Our Minds 25:56

14d ago25:56

25:56

In this Redefining AI episode, host Lauren Hawker Zafer welcomes Dr. Jack McCallum: neurosurgeon, historian, and AI entrepreneur for one of the most fascinating conversations yet. With his rare blend of medical, historical, and technical expertise, Dr. McCallum explores how artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming our tools, but rewiring our…

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#765: Hexagon AB's George Chang on building a unified system of marketing measurement 25:04

19d ago25:04

25:04

When it comes to your digital experience, how often does a ‘great idea’ from a senior leader’s gut feeling get completely dismantled by actual user data? Agility requires the willingness to be wrong and the systems to prove it quickly. It’s about building a culture that values learning over being right and relentlessly iterates based on real human …

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Episode 264 with Scott – Galileo Galilei, Duos, Fruit Fight, and Sword of the Sea 1:12:28

16d ago1:12:28

1:12:28

In our two hundred and sixty-fourth episode, Aaron is joined by Scott. We talk about Galileo Galilei, Duos, and Fruit Fight. Then in our Digital Diversion segment we talk about Sword of the Sea. Then we discuss the Best and Blurst Games of 2015 in Aaron Asks Anything. This episode is sponsored by Board Game Bliss and listeners like you on our Patre…

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From Military Police to Soft Secession: Christopher Armitage on Resisting Authoritarian Drift 1:03:11

17d ago1:03:11

1:03:11

What happens when a former military cop, existentialist philosopher, and Substack firebrand walks into a podcast? You get this riveting conversation between Corey and Christopher Armitage, who pulls no punches when it comes to democracy, resistance, and why “soft secession” might be the only sane response to creeping authoritarianism. Chris is a U.…

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#764: Closing the gap between brand promise and brand experience with Mark Wagner, Horizontal Digital 19:33

22d ago19:33

19:33

What if your brand's voice is drifting off-key in the ears of your customers, and you're the last one to know? Agility requires more than just rapid execution; it demands a real-time, nuanced understanding of customer sentiment and the ability to translate that intelligence directly into action. We are here at Sitecore Symposium in Orlando, Florida…

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#763: Pega CTO Don Schuerman on how AI can pay down tech debt and accelerate digital transformation 28:53

23d ago28:53

28:53

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world’s most influential organizations trust Pega’s technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega’s scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovati…

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#762: Scaling a brand while maintaining local differentiation with Renaud Delaquis, Coastline Academy 27:06

24d ago27:06

27:06

With customer expectations constantly evolving, how can large organizations avoid using obsolete methods and instead embrace agility to thrive and drive meaningful growth? Agility requires both adapting to change and anticipating it in the first place. It demands a willingness to experiment, learn, and iterate quickly, especially when it comes to c…

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5 Boundaries That Signal It’s Time to Walk Away From Toxic Dialogue 31:11

23d ago31:11

31:11

Not every relationship can—or should—be salvaged. In this solo episode, Corey shares a personal story and outlines five unmistakable red flags that tell you it’s time to step back to protect your peace. Sometimes, staying in the conversation means knowing when to step away. In this raw and introspective solo episode, host Corey Nathan opens up abou…

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Spotlight Eleven - Outsourcing Cognition - How AI Is Physically Changing Our Minds with Dr. Jack McCallum (MD PhD) 4:59

25d ago4:59

4:59

In this Redefining AI Spotlight episode, host Lauren Hawker Zafer welcomes Dr. Jack McCallum — neurosurgeon, historian, and AI entrepreneur for one of the most fascinating conversations yet. With his rare blend of medical, historical, and technical expertise, Dr. McCallum explores how artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming our tools, but r…

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#761: Treasure Data CEO Kaz Ohta and CMO Karen Wood on the AI-driven reinvention of marketing 29:03

26d ago29:03

29:03

What if the very foundation of your marketing cloud, the one you've spent years building, is at worst actually giving your AI amnesia, and at best missing key opportunities to connect with your customers? Agility requires more than just reacting quickly; it demands an intelligent foundation that can anticipate customer needs and empower your teams …

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Intuit Mailchimp's Diana Williams on moving from fragmentation to holiday sales success 28:06

26d ago28:06

28:06

During the chaos of the holiday season, is it possible for small retailers to turn their fragmented customer data into a perfectly timed, personalized marketing, or are they destined to just add to the noise? Agility requires not just collecting customer data from every channel, but having the insight and tools to act on it in the moments that matt…

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Cult Classic Callback - The Transformers: The Movie with Eric Summerer 1:22:04

18d ago1:22:04

1:22:04

Episode 51 – Eric Summerer Eric Summerer can be found on Twitter @EricSummerer, on the Right Brain Rollers Podcast, on The Dice Tower, and on his website. Support us on Patreon Find us on Twitter @CultClassicPod Find us on Instagram @CultClassicCallbackLinsae Find more episodes at boardsalivepodcast.com/category/cult-classic-callback Theme song "Gh…

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Is Democracy Backsliding? David A. Graham on Power, Press, and What Comes Next 1:04:18

24d ago1:04:18

1:04:18

From Project 2025 to creeping authoritarianism, Atlantic journalist David A. Graham lays out the threats to democracy — and why he still believes it's worth defending. Glad to have this timely conversation with David A. Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic, author of the Atlantic Daily newsletter, and the mind behind two major works: THE PROJECT: H…

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#760: Nestlé's Daniel Damasio on successful marketing transformation that is both global and local 25:47

29d ago25:47

25:47

When customers continually demand hyper-local relevance, is the concept of a "global brand" an asset or a liability? Agility requires not just the ability to pivot, but the intelligence to know *when* and *how* to pivot based on real-time customer understanding. This means moving beyond global assumptions and empowering local teams with the data to…

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#759: Transcend's Phyllis Fang on personalization utilizing data privacy by design 32:18

30d ago32:18

32:18

With AI making it easier than ever to generate content, and consumers demanding more privacy than ever, is the promise of true 1:1 personalization now an impossible myth? Agility requires both adaptation to new AI-based tools and methods while also navigating the complex and shifting landscape of consumer trust and data privacy. It's about being re…

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#758: Lovesac CEO Shawn D. Nelson on building a resilient brand in an uncertain world 28:19

1M ago28:19

28:19

What if bankruptcy, a global financial crisis, and other hurdles along the way aren’t the end of your brand, but instead a way to help you define what it truly is? Agility requires a willingness to experiment and adapt, not just in your technology stack, but also in your organizational structure and the very culture of your company. It also demands…

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LB Prevette on Weave, Rural Belonging, and Why “You Won’t Hurt Alone.” 1:00:56

27d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

How one rural weaver is helping neighbors feel seen, supported, and connected in Wilkes County, NC — and what we can learn from her example. We are kicking off something special. This episode is the first in a new ongoing series highlighting Weavers — local leaders around the country who are rebuilding trust and community from the ground up through…

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Unlocking Comprehension for a Student on the Autism Spectrum 29:28

1M ago29:28

29:28

April shares her son's journey at the Charlotte Learning Center. Her son is on the autism spectrum and, while he was a strong decoder, reading comprehension remained a challenge. Through Visualizing and Verbalizing instruction, his comprehension scores soared, and he is now making substantial progress in math. Discover how personalized, sensory-cog…

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#757: Funnel CEO Fredrik Skantze on the evolution of marketing measurement 29:47

1M ago29:47

29:47

Marketing is quickly evolving - is your team agile enough to navigate the waters of evolving customer expectations, best practices in marketing measurement, and the rise of AI? Agility requires more than just quick reactions; it demands a proactive understanding of emerging trends and the ability to adapt your strategies, processes, and tech stack …

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Episode 263 with Linsae – Fishing, Hot Streak, Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos, and Octopath Traveler 2 1:20:10

14d ago1:20:10

1:20:10

In our two hundred and sixty-third episode, Aaron is joined by Linsae. We talk about Fishing and Hot Streak. Then in our Digital Diversion segment we talk about Rogue Heroes: Ruins of Tasos and Octopath Traveler 2. Then we discuss Linsae's Most Influential Video Games of all time in Aaron Asks Anything. This episode is sponsored by Board Game Bliss…

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ICYMI: Mike Madrid on Baseball, Family, and the Soul of America 1:22:36

1M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

Where baseball, family, and democracy meet — Mike Madrid reminds us what’s worth fighting for in America. If you didn't catch our most recent conversation with friend of the pod, Mike Madrid, well... where were ya? We recorded this one right around July 4th and it's still on point! What'd ya expect with the brilliant Mike Madrid?!?! So join us in w…

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#756: Eagle Eye CRO Jeff Baskin on maximizing your retail media network strategy 21:02

1M ago21:02

21:02

Are retailers leaving money on the table by treating retail media networks as just another advertising channel, rather than a strategic lever for growth and profitability? Agility requires a willingness to adapt and evolve strategies in response to real-time data and changing consumer behaviors. It also demands a commitment to iterative testing and…

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#755: Sitecore CMO Michelle Boockoff-Bajdek and Microsoft's Talisha Padgett on designed intelligence for marketing 27:13

1M ago27:13

27:13

In the race to adopt AI, how do we avoid creating a sea of sameness and alienating the very customers we're trying to connect with? Today, we're going to talk about the intentional design of our marketing future. We’ll explore how leading brands are moving beyond the hype of AI to build practical, collaborative frameworks between humans and machine…

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#754: Robin Ross on what happens to retail when your best customers are AI agents 30:28

1M ago30:28

30:28

What if your perfectly crafted brand message, your multi-million dollar ad campaign, and your carefully designed user experience are completely ignored by your next customer... because your next customer is a machine? Agility requires not just adapting to changing customer behaviors, but completely rethinking the very definition of a "customer inte…

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Silencing the Press, Politicizing the Military: Col. David Lapan Isn’t Having It 1:25:18

1M ago1:25:18

1:25:18

“The North Star is the truth. Tell it. And if you can’t, explain why.” — Col. David Lapan (Ret.) We had the distinct honor of sitting down with Colonel David Lapan, retired Marine and former spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Secretaries of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In a wide-ranging, timely conversa…

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#753: Wrike CMO Christine Royston on building marketing teams for agility 27:32

1M ago27:32

27:32

Is your marketing organization built for disruption or doomed to be disrupted? Agility requires both rapidly responding to market changes while also anticipating and shaping your products or services to map to evolving customer expectations. This means embracing new technologies and strategies while maintaining a laser focus on delivering value. To…

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Cult Classic Callback - Now and Then 1:03:57

1M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Episode 50 – Now and Then Thanks for listening! Support us on Patreon Find us on Twitter @CultClassicPod Find us on Instagram @CultClassicCallbackLinsae Find more episodes at boardsalivepodcast.com/category/cult-classic-callback Theme song "Ghost Run" by Jean-Marc Giffin @JeanOfmArcBy Cult Classic Callback

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Fighting Division One Conversation at a Time 20:19

1M ago20:19

20:19

Surviving Triangulation in a Polarized World It's time to reckon with one of the toughest questions in our current public discourse: “How can you think that?” Through stories from his personal and professional life, host Corey Nathan unpacks the emotionally draining phenomenon of triangulation—when we’re caught in the middle of opposing viewpoints—…

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#752: Microsoft Azure Core CTO Marcus Fontoura on innovation and the platform mindset 29:20

1M ago29:20

29:20

Is your organization truly agile, or are you still clinging to outdated processes and siloed teams instead of a platform mindset? Agility requires a fundamental shift in mindset, embracing collaboration, rapid iteration, and a willingness to adapt to change. It demands a commitment to not just talking about silos, but meaningfully breaking them dow…

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#751: Traject Data CEO Rochelle Thielen on the role of data in retail 27:28

1M ago27:28

27:28

In today's hyper-competitive retail landscape, is it even possible to build a sustainable brand without a thorough, real-time understanding of your customer and your market? Agility requires more than just fast reactions; it demands proactive insights driven by robust, real-time data. It's about anticipating the next move, not just responding to th…