"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future...
#27 Cecilia Ambros — Design Leadership, Innovation and Creativity at Amazon and Nike
Cecilia Ambros is a trained fine artist who has seamlessly transitioned from painting with colours and digital designs to "painting with data." Leveraging a versatile skill set, Cecilia embraces the challenge of learning new domains, thriving even without initial subject matter expertise. Her remarkable career has led her through unexpected opportunities, including roles at prestigious companies such as banks and Amazon.
DOTS PODCAST ON ALL PLATFORMS
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJhdYWtEVH6R9lX2exP_8ni9YGKNTZ1b8&si=4s69nrKCahy5vQ5O
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2z0Vgy7eNR6XSk3M0uSugp?si=eb5369dea4314099
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dots-podcast-of-paul-syng/id1557392269
Podcasters: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paulsyng
READ PLATONIC BLOG
https://paulsyng.com/blog/
NEED HELP WITH A COMPLEX CHALLENGE?
https://paulsyng.com
SPEAKER LINKS
Host, Paul Syng:
https://x.com/paulsyng
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsyng/
Guest, Cecilia Ambros:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/conceptualthinking/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Small studio grew; pursued MBA for job.
05:36 Missing two MBA classes; career shifts rapidly.
12:18 Differences in design approach: Nike, Amazon, Loblaws.
17:32 Observing brand adaptation, design validation differs greatly.
26:16 Nike tested gear innovations with University of Oregon.
32:21 Man's intellect challenged value of product branding.
36:50 Navigating creative differences between brands and agencies.
42:42 Nike nurtures curiosity, aligning designers across disciplines.
46:43 Understanding athlete rigor enhances design inspiration.
53:02 Nike's coaching philosophy shaped my leadership journey.
58:26 Impressed by leaders’ rapid document understanding skills.
01:03:51 Evolving client relationships through digital transformation.
01:08:33 Nike, Amazon, and Chase share service values.
01:12:28 Shattered ankle, long recovery, first hospital experience.
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1:16:03
#26 Josh Lowman — From copywriter to category design studio
Josh Lowman founded Gold Front, an agency that’s helped major players like Stripe, Uber, and Clari carve out new market categories. Josh and his team focus on business strategy, positioning, and brand design, working with top CEOs, founders, and CMOs who want to be different in their industries.
But that’s not all. Josh is also passionate about sharing his insights for free through his newsletter, LinkedIn, and live workshops. When he’s not shaping the future of tech brands, you can find him hanging out with his daughters or rooting for the Detroit Lions—a test of loyalty if there ever was one!
DOTS PODCAST ON ALL PLATFORMS
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJhdYWtEVH6R9lX2exP_8ni9YGKNTZ1b8&si=4s69nrKCahy5vQ5O
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2z0Vgy7eNR6XSk3M0uSugp?si=eb5369dea4314099
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dots-podcast-of-paul-syng/id1557392269
Anchor: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paulsyng
READ PLATONIC BLOG
https://paulsyng.com/blog/
NEED HELP WITH A COMPLEX CHALLENGE?
https://paulsyng.com
SPEAKER LINKS
Host, Paul Syng:
https://x.com/paulsyng
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsyng/
Guest, Josh Lowman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshlowman/
Gold Front | Apex - Case Study
https://www.goldfront.com/work/real-performance-apex
CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome Josh Lowman
02:38 How Josh created Gold Front (A category design studio)
11:53 Connecting the dots from strategy to execution
22:14 Category vs 'Brand' and why words you use matter
29:55 Positioning in category strategy
36:27 One thing that drives Josh about Gold Front
40:11 Apex case study
44:25 Working with founders and CEOs
50:07 3001 Questions all about me
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53:05
#25 Alex Smith — The No Bullshit Strategy Guy
Alex Smith is a strategist, writer, and advisor to CEOs and founders. He is the founder of Basic Arts, and he helps create brands that stand alone in their markets and bring true value to people. It’s my goal to increase strategic understanding and expertise among founders since it’s not only widely misunderstood but often completely overlooked.
DOTS PODCAST ON ALL PLATFORMS
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJhdYWtEVH6R9lX2exP_8ni9YGKNTZ1b8&si=4s69nrKCahy5vQ5O
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2z0Vgy7eNR6XSk3M0uSugp?si=eb5369dea4314099
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dots-podcast-of-paul-syng/id1557392269
Anchor: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paulsyng
READ PLATONIC BLOG
https://paulsyng.com/blog/
NEED HELP WITH A COMPLEX CHALLENGE?
https://paulsyng.com
SPEAKER LINKS
Host, Paul Syng:
https://x.com/paulsyng
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsyng/
Guest, Alex Smith:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-m-h-smith/
00:00:00 Meet Alex, monetize your quirks
00:03:42 Alex's unconventional path to strategy
00:15:03 An act of mischief
00:28:07 Elephant, monkey and a fish climb a tree
00:35:34 No one is buying strategy
00:43:15 What is 'strategy' and understanding founder motivations
00:55:33 Understand the person and their context first
01:05:17 Positioning and Simon Sinek's 'Why?'
01:14:26 Fame ≠ expertise
01:32:05 How Alex built an audience of 90k on LinkedIn
01:48:47 3001 Questions all about me
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1:53:56
#24 Steve Patti — 4Ps and what tech CMOs miss about brand
Steve Patti is a seasoned marketing strategist specializing in helping B2B companies align their marketing efforts with how their Ideal Customer Profiles (ICPs) really buy. He excels in three core areas:
1. Aligning marketing strategy with genuine buyer behaviour by integrating brand, demand, and customer expansion, while debunking common marketing myths like fake funnels and false intent signals.
2. Centering ICPs in content strategies by involving them as expert guests and contributors, thereby boosting content credibility, distribution, and engagement.
3. Accelerating the development of first-time CMOs, guiding them to quickly and effectively take on leadership roles.
Steve's extensive experience spans across both B2B and B2C sectors, including cloud hosting, SaaS, telecom, banking, and augmented reality. He has held leadership roles as a $20MM Founder/CEO, agency VP, and startup advisor, and serves as an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship & Marketing. Clients praise Steve for his no-nonsense, actionable advice that brings clarity and focus to their marketing strategies.
DOTS PODCAST ON ALL OTHER PLATFORMS
Spotify, Apple, Anchor & more:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paulsyng
READ PLATONIC BLOG
https://paulsyng.com/blog/
NEED HELP WITH A COMPLEX CHALLENGE?
https://paulsyng.com
SPEAKER LINKS
Host, Paul Syng:
https://x.com/paulsyng
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsyng/
Guest, Steve Patti:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepatti/
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Hello, Steve Patti
00:04:27 Getting the fundamentals right (Marketing 101)
00:11:02 Three reasons marketing and sales folks are at odds with each other
00:18:35 Organizing teams and resources around the customer
00:28:56 Everyone must get on customer calls
00:34:04 How to deprogram demand gen cults
00:48:37 Why marketers need to use Elon Musk's playbook
00:53:40 On growth mindset
00:59:16 Summarizing the key points
01:02:03 3001 Questions all about me
01:04:13 Closing remarks
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1:05:23
#23 Paul Hicks — Aligning KPIs, Sales Coaching, and leveraging AI in Business
Paul helps Sales and Service leaders implement SwitchGear Operating Systems.
These systems have had a significant impact.
- Sales Acceleration System: $100M revenue growth
- LEAD System: $34M added to bottom-line
- Trusted Advisor System: Increased customer loyalty
- 750+ leaders graduated from programs
- 14,000+ frontline employees impacted
DOTS PODCAST ON ALL OTHER PLATFORMS
Spotify, Apple, & more:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/paulsyng
READ PLATONIC BLOG
https://paulsyng.com/blog/
NEED HELP WITH A COMPLEX CHALLENGE?
https://paulsyng.com
SPEAKER LINKS
Host, Paul Syng:
https://x.com/paulsyng
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulsyng/
Guest, Paul Hicks:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wphicks/
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Who is Paul Hicks?
00:06:03 Role of feedback and having a mentor
00:13:12 Distinction between mentors and coaches
00:15:42 Memborable coaching moments
00:26:02 Common mistakes sales leaders make
00:54:13 Asking questions as your superpower
01:05:11 Doubling valuation by articulating the problem
01:21:15 Helping front-line workers navigate through the pandemic
01:45:04 Early stages of AI being implemented in sales
02:02:30 How do you navigate and prepare for AI at work?
02:11:22 How to build rapport on a sales call?
02:15:35 What sales leaders need to do right away
02:23:53 What did the CSO say to the CMO?
02:29:22 3001 questions all about me
02:30:20 Final words and closing remarks
"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever." — Steve Jobs