In this episode, Scott Smith hosts Akhil Agrawal, who brings over 20 years of experience in data analytics, business transformation, and customer success. Currently leading North American Business and Customer Success at Infocepts, Akhil has built a reputation as a trusted advisor to executives and business leaders across the globe. In their conversation, Akhil reflects on his career journey, shares insights into his unique leadership style, and discusses the evolving role of AI and data in solving real-world business problems.

Akhil’s path to data and analytics started earlier than most, growing up in a business family where he was introduced to the world of numbers and manual ledgers. He shares how those early experiences laid the groundwork for his career, and how his interest evolved through college and his first professional projects. The episode dives deep into the lessons he has learned from navigating different roles, including the challenges of transitioning from a technical background to leading customer success initiatives.

Tune in as Akhil reveals his approach to leadership, emphasizing the "player-coach" model where he stays hands-on with his teams while setting the direction. He explains how adapting his leadership style to different situations has helped him drive growth and innovation. The conversation also explores the importance of consistency in customer relationships, fostering a culture of trust, and the value of listening over telling.

Scott and Akhil further discuss the rapid advancements in AI and data technology over the past two decades. Akhil provides his perspective on the industry's evolution, from the days of data warehousing to the present, where real-time intelligence and AI-driven solutions are becoming the norm. He emphasizes the need for ethical AI practices, explainability, and responsible adoption to ensure these technologies bring real business value.

For young professionals entering the fields of data or customer success, Akhil offers actionable advice on building expertise, focusing on customer outcomes, and developing a growth mindset. He also reflects on the concept of compounding, encouraging listeners to invest early in their health, habits, and professional networks to maximize long-term benefits.

Key Takeaways:

• The Journey to Data: Akhil shares how his early exposure to business tasks at home sparked his interest in data analytics and shaped his career path.
• Adapting Leadership Styles: Discover the benefits of a "player-coach" model and how Akhil adjusts his leadership style to meet various team and business needs.
• The Transition to Customer Success: Akhil discusses the challenges of moving from technical roles to customer-facing positions and the importance of delivering consistent value.
• The Evolution of Data and AI: Insights into the significant changes in data technology over the past two decades, including real-time intelligence, AI advancements, and the rise of ethical AI practices.
• Strategies for Customer Relationships: Learn why consistency builds credibility, and how listening and understanding customer needs are crucial for long-term success.
• Internal Innovation and Change Management: Akhil recounts a major internal project that drove organizational change, illustrating the power of cross-functional collaboration.
• Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Tips on investing in personal growth, the value of compounding in life and career, and how young professionals can navigate the evolving landscape of data and customer success.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Consistency brings credibility, and credibility brings trust." – On building strong customer relationships.
• "Take pride in your ignorance, not your knowledge. When you do that, you will start asking rather than telling." – On the importance of listening in customer success.
• "Diversity is the

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Pell, the visionary inventor behind PDF and Acrobat at Adobe, who has over 20 patents to his name. Currently leading Microsoft’s Global Innovation Program in New York City, Mike shares his journey of transforming design and technology with cutting-edge projects. He’s also the author of “Visualizing Business”, “The Age of Smart Information”, and “Envisioning Holograms”, and has spoken at TEDx events about innovation and clarity.

We dive into:

• The untold story of how PDF and Acrobat were born, challenging all traditional business wisdom.
• Mike’s creative process, including how he taps into innovation under tight deadlines.
• His thoughts on failure, mentoring, and staying agile in a world where technology and design intersect.
• The power of cross-disciplinary collaboration and how it drives breakthroughs at Microsoft.
• Insights from The Microsoft Global Hackathon, the world’s largest hackathon that sparks creativity across teams.

Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, innovator, or just curious about how groundbreaking tools are built, this episode is packed with incredible insights and stories from one of the most creative minds in the industry.

🕒 Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 02:10 - How PDF and Acrobat Were Invented
• 07:20 - Mike’s Approach to Creativity and Innovation
• 14:30 - The Role of Failure and Mentorship in Mike’s Journey
• 20:45 - The Microsoft Global Hackathon and Collaborative Creativity
• 28:50 - Balancing Creativity and Technology in Business
• 35:40 - Writing and the Future of Communication
• 45:00 - Mike’s TEDx Talk on the Moment of Clarity

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more interviews with top innovators!

#MikePell #Microsoft #PDFInventor #Innovation #TechPodcast #MicrosoftGarage #GlobalHackathon #Design #Creativity #FutureOfTech

Get ready for an engaging episode featuring Sachin Lad, the dynamic Chief Technology Officer at Zight. Sachin’s career spans over 15 years, with leadership roles at renowned companies like Citrix, Bank of America, and Sonos. Now, as CTO at Zight, Sachin is driving innovation in AI and remote work technology, while also balancing his passions for beach volleyball, cricket, and family life in Santa Barbara.

In this episode, Sachin reveals his unique approach to leadership, focusing on team empowerment, open communication, and agility in a fast-paced environment. He also dives deep into the future of AI, the challenges of building scalable tech, and the impact of emerging trends in the industry. Sachin shares personal anecdotes, including how his passion for technology began as a child in India and how he keeps a balance between work and his active personal life.

What You’ll Learn:

•Sachin’s leadership style: How empowering teams and fostering communication drive innovation 💼🗣️

•Agile product development: Balancing long-term vision with short-term needs in tech projects ⚙️📊

•AI’s transformative power: How AI is reshaping the future of technology and business 🤖📈

•Challenges in tech leadership: Key lessons from scaling products and managing large teams under pressure 🔧💡

•Work-life balance: Sachin’s approach to balancing a high-profile career with family and hobbies 🌊🏐

•The future of AI and tech: Predictions on how AI will continue to evolve and disrupt industries 📉✨

Don’t miss this insightful conversation where Sachin shares his thoughts on leadership, innovation, and the future of AI. Tune in, subscribe, and learn how technology and thoughtful leadership can shape the future.

#AI #Leadership #SachinLad #Zight #TechFuture #Innovation #Agility #WorkLifeBalance #Scalability #Technology

Get ready for an insightful episode featuring Thomas Bouldin, the visionary Staff Tech Lead at Google and Firebase.

Thomas’s career spans tech giants like Microsoft, Facebook, and now Google, where he leads the development of scalable cloud infrastructure and groundbreaking products like Firebase App Hosting and Cloud Functions for Firebase. Beyond his impressive technical achievements, Thomas is also a passionate scuba diving instructor, finding balance between his high-profile career and his love for teaching others.

In this episode, Thomas shares his unique leadership approach, emphasizing the importance of documentation, delegation, and fostering growth within his teams. He dives into the future of cloud infrastructure, the challenges of scaling massive systems, and how AI and edge computing are transforming the tech landscape. Thomas also offers a glimpse into how his personal experiences, including his passion for scuba diving, have influenced his approach to leadership and problem-solving.

What You’ll Learn:

•Thomas’s leadership style: Growing people to grow products and the art of delegation 💼🗣️

•Building scalable infrastructure: Insights on managing cloud systems with petabytes of data ☁️📊

•AI’s evolving role: How AI and edge computing are shaping the future of tech 🤖📈

•Overcoming challenges: Key lessons from building Parse and Firebase under immense pressure 🔧💡

•Work-life balance: How scuba diving helps Thomas stay grounded and energized 🌊🤿

•The future of cloud & AI: Thomas’s predictions on how AI and cloud will transform businesses 📉✨

•Personal philosophy: Never stop learning and finding meaning in both work and life 🧠🌟

Don’t miss this compelling conversation where Thomas shares valuable insights into the future of cloud infrastructure, AI, and the importance of balancing passion with profession. Tune in, subscribe, and learn how leadership and technology can drive meaningful impact.

#AI #CloudInfrastructure #Leadership #ThomasBouldin #Google #TechFuture #Innovation #Scalability #WorkLifeBalance #ScubaDiving

Get ready for an insightful episode featuring Talin Wadsworth, the visionary Principal Designer at Adobe. Talin’s career spans over a decade of designing innovative tools that have reshaped the creative process for users worldwide. As the co-creator of Adobe XD and a leading voice in design innovation, Talin has been at the forefront of pushing boundaries in digital design. Before joining Adobe, Talin worked as a senior designer at Volume Inc. and played a pivotal role in shaping design education at the California College of the Arts.

In this episode, Talin shares his leadership approach, emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and a craftsman’s mindset. He discusses how design tools have evolved, the role of AI in shaping the future of design, and how real-world user feedback is essential to refining creative workflows. Talin also offers insights into how his personal experiences, including his journey from architecture to design, have influenced his approach to problem-solving and creative innovation.

What You’ll Learn:

•Talin’s leadership style: The power of collaboration and user-centered design 💼🎨

•Evolving design tools: Insights on designing tools like Adobe XD for creative professionals 🛠️✨

•AI in design: How AI and generative tools are transforming the creative process 🤖🖌️

•Overcoming challenges: Lessons learned from scaling projects at Adobe and Volume Inc. 📊🔧

•Personal journey: How Talin’s shift from architecture to design shaped his career path 🏛️➡️🎨

•The future of design: Talin’s vision for how emerging technologies will reshape the creative industry 🌐🚀

•Craftsmanship mindset: The importance of continuous improvement and refining creative processes 🧠🛠️

Don’t miss this engaging conversation where Talin shares his deep insights into leadership, design innovation, and the future of creative tools. Tune in, subscribe, and discover how collaboration and craftsmanship drive meaningful design solutions.

#DesignInnovation #TalinWadsworth #AdobeXD #Leadership #Creativity #AI #DigitalDesign #TechFuture #Craftsmanship #CreativeTools

Get ready for an inspiring episode featuring Derek Andersen, the dynamic co-founder and CEO of Bevy, a platform transforming community-building and events. With a career that spans over 15 years, Derek has played key roles at companies like Salesforce and Google, and he co-founded Startup Grind, a global entrepreneurial network with over 600 chapters worldwide. Derek’s journey is one of resilience and innovation, driven by his passion for creating community-driven growth.

In this episode, Derek opens up about his entrepreneurial path, sharing how his early ventures shaped his approach to leadership and community building. He dives into the challenges of scaling businesses, the evolving role of AI in managing communities, and why listening to customers is at the core of his success. Derek also provides a glimpse into the future of community management, where AI plays an essential role in enhancing events and fostering meaningful connections.

What You’ll Learn:

•Derek’s leadership philosophy: Why customer feedback is the ultimate guide to success 📈🗣️

•Building global communities: How Derek scaled Startup Grind into a worldwide movement 🌍🚀

•The role of AI in events: How Bevy is leveraging AI to streamline community management 🤖💡

•Overcoming challenges: Lessons from Derek’s early ventures and the path to building Bevy 💪🔥

•Future of community-building: Predictions on how AI will continue to shape the future of events 🧠✨

•Entrepreneurial advice: Derek’s thoughts on creativity, hard work, and embracing the grind 🏋️‍♂️💼

Don’t miss this engaging conversation filled with Derek’s practical insights into entrepreneurship, community building, and the future of AI in events. Tune in, subscribe, and discover how Derek is shaping the future of global communities through innovation and perseverance.

#Entrepreneurship #DerekAndersen #Bevy #Leadership #AI #CommunityBuilding #Innovation #TechFuture #StartupGrind

Get ready for a thought-provoking episode featuring Erika Anderson, the visionary Chief Customer Officer at StoryTell.ai. Erika’s career has blended her passions for writing, technology, and ethical communication. From teaching writing at NYU to being published in The New York Times and Vanity Fair, she has now become a leading force behind StoryTell’s Clean Communication framework, which focuses on fostering genuine feedback and connection in the digital workplace. Outside of StoryTell, Erika also leads the Humane Tech Meetup in Silicon Valley, where she helps entrepreneurs and industry leaders rethink how technology can better serve humanity.

In this episode, Erika shares her unique leadership style, rooted in empathy and storytelling, and explains how she empowers her teams through authentic dialogue. She’ll offer insights on how AI is transforming human interaction in a world that’s increasingly remote and digital, along with the ethical challenges of AI and data security in today’s enterprise landscape. Erika also discusses her forward-looking vision of how AI and storytelling can create more meaningful and personal business interactions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Erika’s leadership philosophy: blending empathy with strategic execution 📖💼
• How Clean Communication fosters open dialogue and empowered teams 🗣️🧑‍🤝‍🧑
• The role of AI in making remote work more connected and humane 🌍🤖
• Key challenges in AI adoption and how to maintain trust with enterprise clients 🔒
• The growing trend of personalized AI-driven communication 💬✨
• How AI can help businesses uncover and operationalize the stories within their data 📊📚
• Predictions for the future of AI in storytelling and fostering human connection 🛠️🤝
• Why Erika believes that meaningful work is the key to a meaningful life 🌟

Don’t miss this insightful conversation filled with Erika’s forward-thinking approach to AI, leadership, and the future of communication. Tune in, subscribe, and discover how technology and storytelling can transform how we work and connect.

#AI #ErikaAnderson #StoryTell #Leadership #CleanCommunication #Innovation #TechFuture #Storytelling

Get ready for an insightful episode featuring David Faugno, the dynamic President and COO of 1Password, a leader in the digital security space. With a career that spans finance, tech, and leadership roles at companies like Barracuda Networks and Qualtrics, David has become a key figure in the cybersecurity industry. Beyond his professional expertise, David is also a mentor, a father of four, and a venture partner at Accel, bringing a broad-based perspective to his leadership style and approach to innovation.

In this episode, David shares his leadership philosophy of "embracing the grind" and discusses how he navigates the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. From the role of AI in improving identity and access management to the launch of 1Password’s Extended Access Management platform, David provides a deep dive into how 1Password is staying ahead in a competitive market. He also touches on his personal philosophy of mentorship and how he’s committed to paying forward the guidance he’s received throughout his career.

What You’ll Learn:

• David’s leadership style: embracing the grind and enjoying the process 🏋️‍♂️
• Insights into how 1Password is leveraging AI to enhance digital security 🔒🤖
• The challenges and trends in password management and identity access 🌐
• How 1Password stays competitive against tech giants like Google and Apple 📊
• A look into 1Password’s Extended Access Management platform and its impact on hybrid work models 💻🏠
• David’s personal journey from finance to cybersecurity leadership, and what motivates him 📈🧑‍💼
• The importance of mentorship and David’s commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders 🤝🌱

Don’t miss this engaging conversation filled with David’s sharp insights into the future of cybersecurity, leadership principles, and his passion for creating a better digital world. Tune in, subscribe, and discover how 1Password is safeguarding both personal and professional identities in the digital age.

#Cybersecurity #DavidFaugno #1Password #Leadership #Innovation #AI #DigitalSecurity #TechFuture