Shows
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Srinjoy Das (#018)In this episode of the Super CMO Show, Srinjoy Das, a marketing leader with experience at digital-first companies like Krafton, Tencent, and Airtel, reveals the future of marketing. From his civil engineering background at NIT Trichy to his finance-heavy education at IIM Calcutta, Srinjoy brings a unique analytical perspective to modern marketing. He discusses why marketers must become fluent in finance to gain credibility with CEOs and CFOs, shares the science behind viral content creation, and explains how to authentically engage Gen Z audiences. The conversation covers everything from building content-first campaigns to understanding the metrics that matter...2025-07-291h 17
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Burzeen Bhathena (#017)Why Universities Need To Be Marketable BrandsBurzeen Bhathena reveals how universities market themselves like top consumer brands, balancing competition, regional awareness, and multi-stakeholder needs. He explains why even well-known institutions must invest heavily in digital, print, and outreach campaigns to attract quality students and faculty. From parents and students to corporates and influencers, every audience requires a unique message.5-Point Summary✅ Education is Big Business – Universities now market like FMCG brands to stay competitive.🎯 Different Audiences, Different Messages – Parents, students & corporates all need tailored campaigns.💻 Digital First, But Not Digital Only – Smart media mixes still include print...2025-07-161h 11
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Nitin Seth (#016)Consent, Compliance, and Conversational AI: Marketing's New RealityIn this episode, Nitin Seth, CEO of SMS Magic & Conversive, reveals how strict privacy regulations like GDPR and TCPA are forcing marketers to completely rebuild their customer engagement infrastructure around sophisticated consent management and AI-powered channel orchestration. Most provocatively, Nitin argues that traditional mass-market branding is dead—replaced by direct customer experience and real-time engagement that requires marketers to master database marketing, social media management, and AI-driven personalization to survive in this privacy-first future.About Nitin Seth: Nitin Seth is the CEO & Co-Founder of...2025-06-161h 07
The ContraMinds PodcastHaving A Job Vs Building A Career | Be Extraordinary | Episode #02Job vs Career: The Mindset Shift That Changes EverythingIn this episode, Swami and Aswin explore the fundamental difference between approaching professional life through a "job lens" versus a "career lens." While a job focuses on immediate tasks and short-term objectives for monetary compensation, a career requires having a larger vision, imagination, and aspiration for where you want to be in 15-30 years. The discussion reveals how extraordinary professionals distinguish themselves through three key elements: they develop a portfolio of skills beyond their current role requirements, maintain a lifelong learning mindset with heroes and mentors to emulate, and...2025-05-3042 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#060 Steven Puri on Doing Deep Work In A Distracted WorldFormer Hollywood executive and tech entrepreneur Steven Puri shares how his journey from coding to filmmaking inspired Sukha, a platform recreating the "coffee shop effect" for remote workers. Drawing from film industry cycles and startup failures, Puri reveals why tenacity outweighs talent, how distractions require 22 minutes to recover from, and why human connection drives both successful blockbusters and productivity tools. His practical insights offer a refreshing approach to finding focus and fulfillment in our distracted digital world.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.5 Key Insights:1. Productivity increases when working alongside others without direct interaction, inspiring Sukha's design to recreate...2025-05-131h 04
The ContraMinds PodcastTake the Leap From Being Average to Extraordinary | Be Extraordinary | Pilot EpisodeTake the Next Step in Your Professional JourneyDiscover if your purpose, mindset, and practice are aligned.Visit https://contraminds.com/tools/mytrue-compass/ now to take the My TRUE Compass exploration. This exploration will provide you with valuable insights into your professional priorities, strengths, and areas for development. The personalized report will help you chart your path from average to extraordinary by identifying gaps between your purpose and current practices. Don't leave your career success to chance—take the My TRUE Compass test today and begin your journey toward extraordinary achievement!Take The Leap from being Average to ExtraordinaryBecoming Extraordinary: Aligning Pu...2025-04-2332 min
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Akhil Almeida (#015)Marketing Must Make People Believe, Not Just BuyThe Journey from Content to ConversionAkhil Almeida shares his remarkable journey from Virgin Records to becoming CMO at Bandhan Life Insurance. With over two decades of experience across music, market research, and financial services, Akhil reveals his core marketing philosophy: "Marketing isn't about selling. It's about making people believe." Tracing his pioneering work in predictive content intelligence at Kantar and e-commerce research panels tracking 60,000 online shoppers, Akhil demonstrates how understanding consumer behavior at a deep level is the foundation for building brands people genuinely care about.Beyond Data: Creating Meaningful Marketing StrategiesAkhil...2025-03-281h 24
The ContraMinds Podcast#059 Prof. Rohit Srivastava on Why India Needs 10x Innovation to Beat ChinaProfessor Rohit Srivastava shares his vision of transforming India through a 10X innovation mindset, prioritizing patents over papers, and building product-focused ecosystems that turn academic research into market solutions.5-point Episode SummaryThe 10X Impact Framework: Prof. Srivastava's approach to creating 10 times more value through patents, startups, and reaching more patients than conventional academic labs.Patents Over Papers: How filing 250+ patents and co-founding 15 startups is transforming academic research into market solutions for India.Building Innovation Ecosystems: Creating bio-clusters across India to connect universities and accelerate product development through interdisciplinary collaboration.Product-First Thinking: Training students to identify market needs and develop...2025-03-0655 min
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Ep014 - Prof. Prasad NaikMarketing science pioneer and UC DavisProfessor Prasad Naik reveals the power of cross-media orchestration, why mathematical models are transforming modern marketing, and why investing in your weakest media channels could be your smartest strategy.Cross Media Orchestration for Creative Excellence🎯 Five Point ContraMinds Summary Why math models are reshaping marketing: and how they amplify creative thinking rather than replace it Media channels reinforce each other: the surprising reason you should invest more in your weakest media channels Beyond awareness: Why sales and margins are the only metrics that truly matter to the C-suite Breaking silos: How to structure mar...2025-02-201h 32
The ContraMinds Podcast#058 Sai Gaddam on How Micro Schools Can Transform EducationTransforming the Indian Classroom In a groundbreaking conversation, neuroscientist and educator Sai Gaddam discusses how traditional education systems are becoming increasingly disconnected from real-world demands. Through his micro-school initiative, Comini Learning, Gaddam demonstrates how personalized learning environments, supported by AI technology, can nurture individual growth paths. His approach challenges the conventional assessment-driven model, advocating instead for a system that values problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and creative thinking. About Sai Gaddam Sai Gaddam, Co-Founder of Comini Learning, brings a unique blend of neuroscience, technology, and education to his work in transforming early learning. After graduating from IIT Madras, inspired by V.S...2025-01-181h 20
The ContraMinds PodcastContraMinds Recap 2024 - #Ultralearning, #Innovation, #Resilience, #Addiction, #Communication, #AIBest of 2024 - Full episode links CM-Ep048 - Anton Howes - A historian studying how innovation spreads through society, particularly focusing on Britain's transformation during the Industrial Revolution. He examines how improvements and inventions actually developed through incremental changes rather than dramatic breakthroughs. CM-Ep049 - Khyati Bhatt - A body language expert trained by ex-FBI agent Joe Navarro, who helps professionals understand and leverage non-verbal communication. She emphasizes how body language reflects emotional comfort levels and impacts professional interactions. CM-Ep050 - Vasant Dhar - An AI researcher and professor at NYU who pioneered machine learning applications in finance and examines...2024-12-2739 min
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Legends of Advertising - R Sridhar(#013)In this candid conversation, advertising legend R. Sridhar takes us through his remarkable journey through fascinating anecdotes involving industry giants like David Ogilvy, Mani Ayer, and Drayton Bird. Sridhar reveals how authentic leadership and deep consumer understanding shaped his approach to building brands and teams. About the Guest R. Sridhar enjoyed a remarkable 25-year tenure at the prestigious Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency in India, serving as a Director on the company's board. Over the course of his storied career, Sridhar had the privilege of being mentored by some of the industry's luminaries, including the legendary David Ogilvy, Drayton Bird, and...2024-11-291h 29
The ContraMinds Podcast#057 Elena Aniere on The Slow Food RevolutionTransforming Global Food Systems Through Local Action Elena Aniere, a 20-year veteran at Slow Food, shares profound insights into how the movement is revolutionizing food systems worldwide. From their successful transformation of 1,000 gardens into 10,000 across Africa, to preserving 6,000+ endangered food products through their Ark of Taste initiative, Slow Food is championing "good, clean, and fair" food practices globally. Aniere explains how the movement connects local farmers with consumers, chefs, and communities, building sustainable alternatives to industrial food systems while preserving cultural food heritage and biodiversity. About Elena Aniere As Network Coordinator for Slow Food International, Elena Aniere leads the transformation...2024-10-241h 12
The ContraMinds Podcast#056 Dr. Nigel Paine on Agile Learning for Today's OrganisationsRevolutionizing Organizational Learning Dr. Nigel Paine, a leading expert in organizational learning, advocates for a shift from individual-focused to collective learning approaches. He emphasizes the importance of systems thinking and understanding the interconnectedness within organizations to drive meaningful change. Dr. Paine argues that by focusing on "knowing" rather than just "knowledge," organizations can create more dynamic, responsive learning environments that better address complex challenges. Transforming Adult Learning in the Workplace Dr. Paine shares innovative strategies for adult learning, highlighting the need for experiential, context-rich learning experiences. He provides compelling examples from his work at the BBC, demonstrating how immersive, scenario-based...2024-09-121h 11
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Amita Mehra (#012)Amita Mehra on Mastering Data-Driven Marketing with Google Google's AI Revolution in Digital Marketing: Insights from Amita Mehra In this exclusive episode of The Super CMO Show, we dive deep into the cutting-edge world of AI-powered digital marketing with Amita Mehra, Head of Agency Business at Google. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Amita shares invaluable insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the marketing landscape and empowering brands to achieve unprecedented success. Transforming Campaigns with Data-Driven Strategies and First-Party Data Discover how Google's advanced AI tools are revolutionizing campaign optimization and learn the importance of...2024-08-2058 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#055 Rajendran Dandapani on Skills Over Scores: The Zoho Schools ApproachZoho's Revolutionary Approach: Skills-Based Learning for Tech Industry Success Rajendran Dandapani, a tech leader at Zoho Corp, shares insights on reimagining education and career development. He emphasizes the importance of practical, hands-on learning over traditional academic metrics, as exemplified by Zoho Schools of Learning. This innovative program focuses on cultivating real-world skills, fostering a product mindset, and preparing students for the dynamic tech industry. Dandapani advocates for a shift from time-driven to event-driven learning, encouraging students to pursue their interests actively rather than passively receiving information. Leadership and Lifelong Learning in Tech: Insights from Zoho's Rajendran Dandapani The conversation...2024-08-021h 10
The ContraMinds Podcast#054 Prof. David Nutt on Alcohol Addiction and Beating DepressionProfessor David Nutt, a renowned Neuropsychopharmacologist, specializes in researching the effects of drugs on the brain, particularly in relation to conditions like addiction, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. As the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of the non-profit DrugScience and the head of the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London, Professor Nutt is a leading advocate for evidence-based drug policies and innovative approaches to mental health treatment.In the episode, Professor Nutt explains his role as a neuropsychopharmacologist, emphasizing the study of how drugs affect brain function and mental health. He shares his extensive experience in prescribing medications...2024-06-221h 00
The ContraMinds Podcast#053 Brandon Hendrickson on Making Education EngagingMaking Education Engaging: A Journey of Discovery Brandon Hendrickson credits Kieran Egan as a significant influence on his educational philosophy. Diagnosed with ADHD, Brandon found traditional schooling uninspiring until he encountered Egan’s work, which revolutionized his approach to teaching and learning. Egan’s perspective on education, emphasizing the importance of making learning emotionally engaging and relevant, resonated deeply with Brandon. This new outlook led him to prioritize understanding and curiosity over mere academic performance, fostering a love for learning in both himself and his students. Watch the video episode on YouTube. About Brandon Brandon Hendrickson is the founder of Scie...2024-05-311h 48
The ContraMinds Podcast#052 Scott H. Young on How to Build Mastery in AnythingBuild Mastery Through Deliberate Practice and Varied Experiences To build true mastery in any skill or profession, it's crucial to engage in deliberate practice focused on continual improvement, not just mindless repetition that leads to automaticity. Expose yourself to varied practice scenarios and different contexts to develop deeper flexibility and understanding. Early in your career, prioritize breadth over narrow specialization by seeking out diverse, challenging experiences across multiple domains. This varied background better equips you to adapt as industries and opportunities evolve over time. Cultivate a Mastery Mindset with Lifelong Learning Approaching any endeavor with a "mastery mindset" centered...2024-05-151h 03
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Ricky Afrianto (#011)Ricky Afrianto is a Global Marketing Head/Director - Mayora Group. Previously he was Marketing Director and managed 21 brands across 5 categories: Biscuit, Candy, Wafer, Chocolate & Instant Food. Before joined Mayora, Ricky was Regional Marketing/Category Manager – Adult Category for Asia & Middle East Region of Fonterra Brands Singapore. For Show Notes, visit https://contraminds.comConnect with Ricky on LinkedIN Connect with Swami on LinkedIN 15 key takeaways from this conversation: 1. Mayora is an Indonesian food and beverage company with a wide range of products available in over 100 countries, with almost equal business split between domestic and international markets. 2. Lo...2024-04-1250 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#051 Dr. Vignesh Devraj on Ayurveda’s Holistic Approach for Modern LivingHolistic Living in this Stressful Modern World Modern living has wired us to overeat when we’re stressed. Nature on one hand has designed our body to live in scarcity, but on the other hand, we are also wired to be fat. Modern living exposes us to heavy, rich and sugary foods in abundance, so we have to fight that genetic gravity to live healthy. Therefore, a holistic approach to modern living comes with lot of self discipline and that self discipline comes with emotional wellbeing. Ayurveda aids emotional wellbeing. Balanced Diet, Balanced Life Success without fulfilment is worse th...2024-03-261h 06
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Mahek Shah (#010)The AirAsia Media Playbook: Integrating Travel Experiences About The Guest: Mahek Shah is the Global Head of Media at Airasia (AirAsia Media & Airasia Ads). Mahek is an integrated marketing and communications professional with rich digital marketing and product development experience. She started her career in advertising with successful stints at Ogilvy, IPG Mediabrands, Lion & Lion and Wavemaker before AirAsia. Timestamps: 00:00 - 03:40 Cold Opening, Sponsor Message, Guest Intro 03:41 - 05:51 The Evolution of Marketing: A Marketer's Journey from Traditional to Digital 05.52 - 07:32 Shifting Skills for Modern Marketers: From Fragmented to Integrated Experts 07:33 - 09:52 A Two-Pronged Approach to Strategic Planning and Inventory M...2024-03-1553 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#050 Prof. Vasant Dhar on The Evolving Role of Humans in the Age of AIProf. Vasant Dhar is an AI researcher who pioneered machine learning applications in finance. His research examines how innovations like AI impact society, focusing on issues of trust, ethics, and the future of work. Dhar is host of the podcast "Brave New World" exploring technology's transformation of humanity. Prof. Dhar is a professor at the Stern School of Business and the Center for Data Science at New York University, former editor-in-chief of the journal Big Data and the founder of SCT Capital, one of the first machine-learning-based hedge funds in New York City in the 1990s. Connect with Prof Dhar...2024-02-211h 07
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Moses Gorrepati (#009)From Disability to Ability: How Enable India Unlocks Potential About The Guest: Moses Gorrepati has over 15 years of experience championing inclusion and empowerment for people with disabilities. As a leader at Enable India, he heads programs transforming lives through digital literacy, livelihoods, and social platforms. A catalyst for change, his mission is to build an ecosystem that unlocks the potential of people with disabilities as active citizens and nation builders. About Enable India: Enable India is a non-profit organisation that empowers people with disabilities as active citizens and nation builders through dignified livelihoods. Their vision is a world where...2024-02-091h 09
The ContraMinds Podcast#049 Khyati Bhatt on Understanding Body Language, Decoding Non-Verbal CuesKhyati Bhatt is the Founder, Senior Coach, and Head Consultant at Simply Body Talk specializing in nonverbal communication, helping business heads sharpen leadership and communication skills. Trained under former FBI Agent, Author and Public Speaker Joe Navarro and guided by scientifically crafted models, Khyati has collaborated with elite military forces and top-tier global corporations like Google, Deloitte, Discovery, Adani, Capgemini, Wipro and Panasonic. In this engaging conversation, Swami and Khyati discuss the importance of body language, the power of observation, visual cues and strategies to make connections, how to read a room in a few seconds, simple and effective tips...2024-01-261h 13
The ContraMinds Podcast#048 Anton Howes on Lessons from History on Innovation and InventionAnton Howes (www.antonhowes.com) is the Head of Innovation Research at the UK-based think-tank, The Entrepreneurs Network. Anton also serves as the Historian in Residence at the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. In this engaging conversation, Swami and Anton explore the fascinating role the Royal Society of Arts played in fostering innovation and invention during the late 17th and 18th centuries. Delving into the roots of the industrial revolution, they discuss the historical spread of innovation and the pivotal shift from Britain to the US in the early 19th century. Anton shares valuable insights into the significance...2024-01-091h 28
The ContraMinds PodcastBest of 2023 | ContraMinds PodcastWelcome to a very special year-end episode of the Contra Minds Podcast. In 2023, we had a phenomenal line-up of guests who were achievers in their own profession. They all stood for the ContraMinds philosophy of having the conviction in what they were doing irrespective of what the world around them wanted them to do or believed in. This episode is a curation of their thoughts, ideas, and insights.Rajesh Jain shared the idea of ProfiCorn and how profits need to be at the core of any business. Pooja Jauhari spoke about the leadership lessons that...2023-12-2231 min
The ContraMinds PodcastBest of 2023 | ContraMinds PodcastWelcome to a very special year-end episode of the Contra Minds Podcast. In 2023, we had a phenomenal line-up of guests who were achievers in their own profession. They all stood for the ContraMinds philosophy of having the conviction in what they were doing irrespective of what the world around them wanted them to do or believed in. This episode is a curation of their thoughts, ideas, and insights. Rajesh Jain shared the idea of ProfiCorn and how profits need to be at the core of any business. Pooja Jauhari spoke about the leadership lessons that she learnt while building a...2023-12-2231 min
The ContraMinds PodcastBest of 2023 | The Super CMO ShowWe launched The Super CMO Show in January this year and it has been a truly rewarding journey so far. This episode is a curation of the top marketing moments we’ve had with our esteemed guests on the show... moments from our conversations with Unilever veteran Marc de Swaan talking about Humanized Growth and the Da Vinci CMO Model, to Prof Tanvi Gupta of IIM Jaipur on Visual Semiotics in marketing. From prolific author and Prof, Peter Fader on the Customer Base Audit to marketing leader Sukumar Muthya on the need for technology-driven marketers. Amit Tiwari of TCS’s Glob...2023-12-2021 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#047 Bharath MS and Madhura Shanthini on Navigating India’s Evolving Data Privacy EcosystemBharath MS is an accomplished IP litigator and strategist, slated to become the INTA Board of Director for 2024-2026. With over two decades of legal experience and 12 years leading a regional office, he founded KRIA Law in March 2021. Bharath is recognized for his expertise in IP litigation, advising clients across diverse industries, and mediating complex conflicts. His notable achievements include securing the protection of the Tirupati Laddu GI and registering national and international GIs in India, such as Tequila and Scotch. Madhura Shanthini is a Senior Associate at KRIA Law. Madhura talks about technology laws, intellectual property and commercial contracts...2023-11-231h 11
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Srikanth Ramachandran (#008)Building Digital Out-Of-Home Experiences using Data, Automation and Algorithms Srikanth Ramachandran is the Founder of Moving Walls, a world-renowned AdTech company that specializes in innovative out of home (OOH) media solutions. With 2000 campaigns Moving Walls helps businesses launch audience-based OOH plans, programmatic DOOH campaigns, and generate billboard reports. Their ecosystem spans over 120,000 digital, static, indoor, and outdoor media sites across the globe. In conversation with Swami, Srikanth discusses: - His foray into the media business - How Moving Walls is transforming the fragmented OOH media industry - How billboards influence the sub-conscious mind - Building the customer j...2023-11-071h 11
The ContraMinds Podcast#046 James Bellerjeau on The Career Success Playbook: How to Balance Personal and Professional AmbitionJames Bellerjeau is a researcher, lecturer and he is the ACC docket career path columnist. In this episode, @jamesbellerjeau talks to @sivaramanswaminathan4406 about what he believes is career success and how career success is about having internal benchmarks and being satisfied with what you want to do rather than what the world wants you to do. He talks about how to achieve excellence in small incremental steps, the fact that you need to look at contemplative questions about how to balance your personal values and beliefs with company philosophy and the importance of having personal benchmarks and being satisfied with doin...2023-10-271h 35
The ContraMinds Podcast#045 Matt Abrahams on Thinking Faster, Talking SmarterMatt Abrahams is a Larsen Lam Family Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at the renowned Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. As an expert in the field of organizational behavior, he has become a sought-after figure, offering his insights and wisdom to Fortune 100 companies as both a keynote speaker and a communication consultant. In his new book “Think Faster, Talk Smarter" Matt distills his wealth of knowledge and experience into a comprehensive guide that helps readers sharpen their communication skills and excel in both their personal and professional lives. Matt also hosts a widely admired podcast called Think Fast, Talk Sm...2023-10-1734 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#045 Matt Abrahams on Thinking Faster, Talking SmarterMatt Abrahams is a Larsen Lam Family Lecturer in Organizational Behavior at the renowned Stanford University's Graduate School of Business. As an expert in the field of organizational behavior, he has become a sought-after figure, offering his insights and wisdom to Fortune 100 companies as both a keynote speaker and a communication consultant.In his new book “Think Faster, Talk Smarter" Matt distills his wealth of knowledge and experience into a comprehensive guide that helps readers sharpen their communication skills and excel in both their personal and professional lives. Matt also hosts a widely admired po...2023-10-1734 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#044 Rajesh Jain on “Unicorns vs. 'Proficorns' : The Pragmatic Path to building Private, Bootstrapped, Profitable and Valuable BusinessesRajesh Jain is a technology entrepreneur based out of Mumbai, India. Rajesh was a pioneer in Asia's dot-com revolution, creating India's first internet portals in the late 1990s. Today, he's the founder of Netcore Cloud, a bootstrap, SaaS company that helps B2C brands and marketers create AI-powered new age customer experiences at every touch point of a customer's journey. Netcore Cloud is a very successful global marketing technology company and what they offer is an AI-powered marketing automation and analytics solutions for customers globally. Watch the full video episode on YouTube For show notes and earlier guest...2023-09-221h 40
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - David Fradin (#007)Building a Toolkit for Product Success Management David Fradin is the president of Spice Catalyst. He's a product management and product marketing consultant. David is a mentor, professor, and one of the world's foremost authorities on product management. He is an author of two incredibly great books - Successful Product Design & Management Toolkit and Building Insanely Great Products. David has trained thousands of people on product management. He talks on product management, product strategy, product success management, and his belief is product managers need to be called product success managers. He also believes that the product managers of today need...2023-08-291h 29
The ContraMinds Podcast#043: Roger Forsgren on Professional Skills To Rewire the Engineer’s MindsetRoger Forsgren is a retired Chief Knowledge Officer of NASA. He was a director of Academy of Program, Project and Engineering Leadership at NASA. Roger is also an undergraduate with a liberal arts degree, a mechanical engineering degree and a masters in industrial engineering. Roger is also the author of two books and the most recent being “When Graduation is Over, Learning Begins - Lessons for STEM Students and Professionals”. In this episode, Swami & Roger discuss the importance of having a liberal arts background for an engineer, foundational skills needed for successful engineers, how communication skills, decision-making skills, and work...2023-07-281h 14
The ContraMinds Podcast#043: Roger Forsgren on Professional Skills To Rewire the Engineer’s MindsetRoger Forsgren is a retired Chief Knowledge Officer of NASA. He was a director of Academy of Program, Project and Engineering Leadership at NASA. Roger is also an undergraduate with a liberal arts degree, a mechanical engineering degree and a masters in industrial engineering. Roger is also the author of two books and the most recent being “When Graduation is Over, Learning Begins - Lessons for STEM Students and Professionals”. In this episode, Swami & Roger discuss the importance of having a liberal arts background for an engineer, foundational skills needed for successful engineers, how comm...2023-07-281h 14
The ContraMinds Podcast#042 Sridhar Ramasamy on How Digital Factories are Transforming the Future of ManufacturingSridhar Ramasamy is an industry veteran with interdisciplinary knowledge across the pharmaceutical and manufacturing domains. Sridhar leads digital transformation, engineering, automation and data analytics. In this episode, Swami and Sridhar delve deep into -The Importance of an Engineer Understanding a Business Problem - Asking Stupid Questions - How to Handle Ambiguity - Having an Open Mind and Looking at Data - Doing Your Boss’s Job - Mindset For Digital Transformation - Industry Economy to Knowledge Economy Factories - Mixing Pragmatism with Innovative Thinking & Business Reality for Digital Transformation - Mixing Engineering Skills and Business Strategy - Key to Bu...2023-07-061h 58
The ContraMinds Podcast#041 Rajat Kumar Agarwal on Transforming Medical Outcomes With Knowledge Centric IT PlatformsRajat Kumar Agarwal is the Chief Executive Officer of Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms - a tech startup creating knowledge management centric intelligent IT systems for healthcare using a business platform approach resulting in improved patient outcomes and scientific publications. Jagriti InnoHealth products: BMTPLUS - the world's first dedicated software platform for complete management of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation THALCARE - the world’s first web based application for comprehensive Thalassemia Management and THE BLOOD BANK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - an affordable yet comprehensive and scalable system built for modern blood banks In this episode, Rajat, Swami and Vignesh discuss: - The Genesis of...2023-06-151h 26
The ContraMinds Podcast#041 Rajat Kumar Agarwal on Transforming Medical Outcomes With Knowledge Centric IT PlatformsRajat Kumar Agarwal is the Chief Executive Officer of Jagriti InnoHealth Platforms - a tech startup creating knowledge management centric intelligent IT systems for healthcare using a business platform approach resulting in improved patient outcomes and scientific publications.Jagriti InnoHealth products:BMTPLUS - the world's first dedicated software platform for complete management of Hematopoietic Stem Cell TransplantationTHALCARE - the world’s first web based application for comprehensive Thalassemia ManagementandTHE BLOOD BANK MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - an affordable yet comprehensive and scalable system built for modern blood banks...2023-06-151h 26
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Prof. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar (#006)Marketing Accountability: Elevating the role of the CMO and Value of Marketing in an Enterprise Prof. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar is a Ford Chair Professor, a RETHINK Retail Top Influencer, and an Advisory Council Chair at the Marketing Accountability Standards Board. With vast experience in retail, Prof. Shankar is a professor at the Texas A & M University and has over 27,000 citations (Marketing, Strategy, Retailing, Innovation and AI) on Google Scholar. In this episode, Prof Shankar and Swami discuss: - What inspired Prof. Venky into the Marketing Field - Prof. Venky’s Early Years - Mentors and Guides - Bui...2023-05-241h 06
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Prof. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar (#006)Marketing Accountability: Elevating the role of the CMO and Value of Marketing in an EnterpriseProf. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar is a Ford Chair Professor, a RETHINK Retail Top Influencer, and an Advisory Council Chair at the Marketing Accountability Standards Board.With vast experience in retail, Prof. Shankar is a professor at the Texas A & M University and has over 27,000 citations (Marketing, Strategy, Retailing, Innovation and AI) on Google Scholar.In this episode, Prof Shankar and Swami discuss:- What inspired Prof. Venky into the Marketing Field2023-05-241h 06
The ContraMinds Podcast#040 Ravishankar Iyer on Storytelling: The Catalyst to Influence People and Business GrowthRavishankar Iyer is a Story Coach and Founder of Story Rules (storyrules.in), a startup that offers training and coaching services on how to apply storytelling techniques at work.A Chartered Accountant with an MBA from IIMA, Ravi a.k.a. “The Storytelling Guy”, believes From boardroom reviews to big family gatherings, from TED Talks to teachers in classrooms, from magical monuments to mythology epics, from job interviews to jungle safaris, from CEOs writing shareholder letters to cricketers making superb videos, from Presidents making inauguration speeches to political experts cutting the clutter…In this episode...2023-05-051h 30
The ContraMinds Podcast#040 Ravishankar Iyer on Storytelling: The Catalyst to Influence People and Business GrowthRavishankar Iyer is a Story Coach and Founder of Story Rules (storyrules.in), a startup that offers training and coaching services on how to apply storytelling techniques at work. A Chartered Accountant with an MBA from IIMA, Ravi a.k.a. “The Storytelling Guy”, believes From boardroom reviews to big family gatherings, from TED Talks to teachers in classrooms, from magical monuments to mythology epics, from job interviews to jungle safaris, from CEOs writing shareholder letters to cricketers making superb videos, from Presidents making inauguration speeches to political experts cutting the clutter… In this episode, Ravi and Swami chat about: - How R...2023-05-051h 30
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Sukumar Muthya (#005)Inside the Mind of a Technology-Driven MarketerSukumar Muthya is a seasoned marketing technology executive with over 27 years of marketing experience across a variety of industries - from manufacturing to technology.Sukumar is currently the Executive Vice President at Ansira Global - an independent global marketing technology and services firm with clients from automotive, technology, finance & insurance and restaurant businesses, helping in media, ad technology, CRM and loyalty.In this episode Sukumar and Swami discuss:How marketing has transformed over the years2023-04-131h 27
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Sukumar Muthya (#005)Inside the Mind of a Technology-Driven Marketer Sukumar Muthya is a seasoned marketing technology executive with over 27 years of marketing experience across a variety of industries - from manufacturing to technology. Sukumar is currently the Executive Vice President at Ansira Global - an independent global marketing technology and services firm with clients from automotive, technology, finance & insurance and restaurant businesses, helping in media, ad technology, CRM and loyalty. In this episode Sukumar and Swami discuss: How marketing has transformed over the years Muthya’s Journey from Tech to Marketing Balancing Marketing Functions as a CMO The Chief Ma...2023-04-131h 27
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Amit Tiwari (#004)Amit Tiwari is a Martech Leader with a new-age marketing approach for new marketing technology enablement. His experience includes a crucial role in the modernization and transformation of marketing technologies. Amit has vast knowledge in managing all aspects of the product lifecycle from concept development to launch in both B2B and B2C platforms. He is currently the Global Head of the Marketing Demand Centre at Tata Consultancy Services. Earlier Amit held leadership positions in Philips - where his eight year tenure saw him grow from Country Manager to Director of Marketing for the Indian Subcontinent and subsequently at Ha...2023-03-311h 32
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Prof. Tanvi Gupta (#003)Dr. Tanvi Gupta is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU) and a practicing semiotician. Her academic research focuses on brand language and consumer culture—and her research has been published in Journal of Consumer Research—one of the top marketing journals in the world. Tanvi co-leads the Consumer Culture Lab at IIM Udaipur, a platform to foster research on consumer culture in India. She is also a member of the Editorial Review Board at the Journal of Retailing. Before doing a Ph.D. in Marketing from IIM Bangalore, Tanvi has worked as a mark...2023-03-201h 24
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Prof. Tanvi Gupta (#003)Dr. Tanvi Gupta is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU) and a practicing semiotician. Her academic research focuses on brand language and consumer culture—and her research has been published in Journal of Consumer Research—one of the top marketing journals in the world. Tanvi co-leads the Consumer Culture Lab at IIM Udaipur, a platform to foster research on consumer culture in India. She is also a member of the Editorial Review Board at the Journal of Retailing.Before doing a Ph.D. in Marketing from IIM Bangalore, Tanvi has work...2023-03-201h 24
The ContraMinds Podcast#039 Pooja Jauhari on Leadership Lessons in Building a Disruptive and Value Driven Marketing FirmPooja Jauhari is the former Group CEO of VMLY&R India, and former CEO of The Glitch. Over her two-decade-long career, Pooja has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country and the world, and introduced powerful campaigns to society.Pooja has worked with some brilliant people and has held important responsibilities over the past 20 years. She is the Founder of Seat At The Table, an unbiased investment and advisory initiative to invest in companies and people that are built on a purpose.Prior to her appointment in the VMLY&R network, Pooja...2023-03-021h 06
The ContraMinds Podcast#039 Pooja Jauhari on Leadership Lessons in Building a Disruptive and Value Driven Marketing FirmPooja Jauhari is the former Group CEO of VMLY&R India, and former CEO of The Glitch. Over her two-decade-long career, Pooja has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country and the world, and introduced powerful campaigns to society. Pooja has worked with some brilliant people and has held important responsibilities over the past 20 years. She is the Founder of Seat At The Table, an unbiased investment and advisory initiative to invest in companies and people that are built on a purpose. Prior to her appointment in the VMLY&R network, Pooja was the CEO of The...2023-03-021h 06
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Prof. Peter Fader (#002)Prof. Peter Fader is the Frances and Pei-Yuan Chia Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His expertise centres on the analysis of behavioural data to understand and forecast customer shopping/purchasing activities. He works with firms from a wide range of industries, such as telecommunications, financial services, gaming/entertainment, retailing, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to his various roles and responsibilities at Wharton, Fader co-founded a predictive analytics firm (Zodiac) in 2015, which was sold to Nike in 2018. He then cofounded (and continues to run) Theta to commercialise his more recent work on “customer-based corporate valuation.” Fade...2023-02-231h 00
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Prof. Peter Fader (#002)Prof. Peter Fader is the Frances and Pei-Yuan Chia Professor of Marketing at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His expertise centres on the analysis of behavioural data to understand and forecast customer shopping/purchasing activities.He works with firms from a wide range of industries, such as telecommunications, financial services, gaming/entertainment, retailing, and pharmaceuticals.In addition to his various roles and responsibilities at Wharton, Fader co-founded a predictive analytics firm (Zodiac) in 2015, which was sold to Nike in 2018. He then cofounded (and continues to run) Theta to commercialise his more recent...2023-02-231h 00
The ContraMinds Podcast#038: Dr. Aniruddha Malpani on The State of Indian Education - Outdated Systems, Flawed Teaching Methods and Myopic ParentingDr. Aniruddha Malpani is a pioneering IVF Specialist, Angel Investor and Social Impact Entrepreneur. Through his firm Malpani Ventures, Dr. Malpani has contributed immensely in promoting India's startup ecosystem. A strong believer in the power of entrepreneurship, Dr. Malpani funds frugal innovation in India, and is also among the leading voices seeking a transformative change that India's outdated education system needs.In this enlightening conversation with Swaminathan & Vignesh, Dr. Malpani deep dives into:- Social impact investing and compassionate capitalism- The transformative power of reading books- Why parents, teachers...2023-02-131h 45
The ContraMinds Podcast#038: Dr. Aniruddha Malpani on The State of Indian Education - Outdated Systems, Flawed Teaching Methods and Myopic ParentingDr. Aniruddha Malpani is a pioneering IVF Specialist, Angel Investor and Social Impact Entrepreneur. Through his firm Malpani Ventures, Dr. Malpani has contributed immensely in promoting India's startup ecosystem. A strong believer in the power of entrepreneurship, Dr. Malpani funds frugal innovation in India, and is also among the leading voices seeking a transformative change that India's outdated education system needs. In this enlightening conversation with Swaminathan & Vignesh, Dr. Malpani deep dives into: - Social impact investing and compassionate capitalism - The transformative power of reading books - Why parents, teachers and students need to speak up against archaic structures...2023-02-131h 45
The ContraMinds Podcast#037: Prem Kumar Gokuladasan on How Technology Can Transform India’s Rural EducationPrem Kumar is the founder of Kalvi40, a mobile educational technology app that is transforming the way education is imparted to over 750 Government schools across 26 districts in Tamil Nadu. A seasoned IT delivery Manager with a career that spanned 19 years across companies like HCL and TCS, Prem Kumar took a leap of faith in creating Kalvi40 when he observed gaps in the way education was reaching school children in Tamil Nadu’s Hinterland. With a global collaborative volunteer network which helps Kalvi40 create content for the kids, Prem Kumar today has managed to reach over 750 Government schools across 26 districts in Ta...2023-02-021h 42
The ContraMinds Podcast#037: Prem Kumar Gokuladasan on How Technology Can Transform India’s Rural EducationPrem Kumar is the founder of Kalvi40, a mobile educational technology app that is transforming the way education is imparted to over 750 Government schools across 26 districts in Tamil Nadu.A seasoned IT delivery Manager with a career that spanned 19 years across companies like HCL and TCS, Prem Kumar took a leap of faith in creating Kalvi40 when he observed gaps in the way education was reaching school children in Tamil Nadu’s Hinterland.With a global collaborative volunteer network which helps Kalvi40 create content for the kids, Prem Kumar today has managed to reach over 750 Go...2023-02-021h 42
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Marc de Swaan Arons (#001)HUMANIZED GROWTH: A NEW BLUEPRINT FOR MARKETINGMark de Swaan Arons is a thought leader in global marketing leadership. An experienced marketing hand, Marc had a successful 14-year career with Unilever working in The Netherlands and New York offices and is now the Founder of the Institute for Real Growth (IRG) - a not-for-profit organization that helps CMOs and other growth leaders drive humanized growth.Earlier Marc co-founded EffectiveBrands (2001), a global marketing leadership consultancy which later became a part of the the WPP group.Marc has learned from and collaborated with many of the world’s...2023-01-131h 22
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Super CMO Show - Marc de Swaan Arons (#001)HUMANIZED GROWTH: A NEW BLUEPRINT FOR MARKETING Mark de Swaan Arons is a thought leader in global marketing leadership. An experienced marketing hand, Marc had a successful 14-year career with Unilever working in The Netherlands and New York offices and is now the Founder of the Institute for Real Growth (IRG) - a not-for-profit organization that helps CMOs and other growth leaders drive humanized growth. Earlier Marc co-founded EffectiveBrands (2001), a global marketing leadership consultancy which later became a part of the the WPP group.Marc has learned from and collaborated with many of the world’s most prominent Chief Marketing Of...2023-01-131h 22
The ContraMinds PodcastThe Best Advice Our Guests Ever Received | 2022 RecapIs it Your life is your responsibility or Just keep going. No matter what or pay yourself first. It does not matter how good the advice is if you have benefited from it! As Prof Annapurni says, Whatever the situation you are in be it a disadvantageous situation but identify the advantage of it and make use of it. As Sunder Madakshira says, Winning the battle in one's mind before winning it in the marketplace is very important. As Chris Yeh says, Quantity has a Quality of its own, You should keep doing and trying, Keep trying and work hard! Find out t...2022-12-2416 min
The ContraMinds PodcastWhat advice would you give to an 18-Year Old at University? | 2022 RecapWhat advice would you give to an 18-year-old in university? Is it Getting out of the bubble of your Majors? Developing communication skills or simply sticking to the basics? As Prof Annapurni says, work hard, be passionate, and find something that challenges you. If you feel comfortable and capable, you are no longer challenged. As Neil Hoyne says, in the future, you must learn subjects outside your core discipline and gain real-world experience! As Chris Yeh says, Try and experience new things because there will be an easier time to try new things or meet remarkable people as all things are be...2022-12-1526 min
The ContraMinds PodcastWhat Does Success Mean To You? | 2022 RecapWhat Does Success Mean To You? Is it about how much money you make for yourself, or is it in being able to give back to society? Is it a measure of happiness or in constantly striving to achieve your goals? As Prof Annapurni says, the definition of success changes in every stage of career and life. When we start our career, we are hungry, we are curious. We want to learn, we want to create and we want to be recognised. A few years later, it is about how much money we make, the kind of lifestyle we want, an...2022-12-0509 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#036: Rupal Patel on Identity-Driven Leadership: Lessons Learnt from the CIA, to being a CEORupal Patel is an ex-CIA agent turned entrepreneur, international speaker and business consultant. She helps founders and executives unlock their potential through a powerful new toolkit that reveals how techniques of the CIA can help anyone find their voice and thrive without conforming to stale stereotypes or dated “best practices”. Rupal is the author of the bestselling book “From CIA to CEO”. In this episode, Rupal talks to Swaminathan Sivaraman on the fundamental values that shaped her life, as the child of immigrant parents in Americathe importance of curiosity in career-buildingunderstanding your personal mission and corporate missionhow it was working at the C...2022-11-091h 12
The ContraMinds Podcast#035: The Chris Yeh Experience: On Design, Leadership and BlitzscalingA writer, investor, and entrepreneur, Chris Yeh has had a ringside seat in the world of startups and scale-ups since 1995. His books help founders, venture capitalists, corporate leaders, policymakers, and everyday people better understand how the internet has changed the way we work together to build amazing organizations. Chris Yeh is the co-author, along with Reid Hoffman, of Blitzscaling, the book that explains how to build world-changing companies like Amazon, Alibaba, and Airbnb in record time. In this episode with Swami & Vignesh, Chris talks about His work at D E Shaw when the internet was an emergent technologyThe importance of d...2022-10-171h 39
The ContraMinds Podcast#034: Thales Teixeira on Digital Disruption Through DecouplingProf. Thales Teixeira is the co-founder of digital disruption consultancy Decoupling.co. Previously, he was the Lumry Family Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, where he taught MBA, doctoral and executive-level courses in Marketing Models, Digital Marketing and Ecommerce for 10 years. His two primary domains of research constitute Digital Disruption and The Economics of Attention. He is the author of dozens of articles published in trade press outlets such as The Harvard Business Review, The McKinsey Quarterly, Think with Google, and in academic journals such as Marketing Science, JMR, JM, and JAR. His research and opinions have been routinely featured...2022-09-211h 33
The ContraMinds Podcast#033: B Joseph Pine II on Want to Win Customers? Sell Them Experiences.B. Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management advisor to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial start-ups alike. He is the cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP, a thinking studio dedicated to helping businesses conceive and design new ways of adding value to their economic offerings. Pine consults with numerous companies around the world, helping them embrace the ideas and frameworks he writes about, develop concepts for creating more economic value, and see those concepts become reality. His books (author / co-author) include Mass Customization, The Experience Economy, Infinite Possibility and Authenticity. In this episode with Swami & Vignesh, Joe talks...2022-09-0859 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#032: Prasad Mangipudi on Building a World-Class Sports Ecosystem in IndiaPrasad Mangipudi is one of the top sports development and marketing minds in India. Prasad is the Managing Director of Sportzlive - a company primarily focused on investing and creating Sports IPRs in the Indian sub-continent market, and is a Mentor Director with the Hyderabad Hydras, a premier esports & lifestyle organisation. Prasad is one of the brains behind the Premier Badminton League, making India's official badminton league the world's #1 badminton league in just 5 years. After 26 years of rich experience of across sectors - advertising, hospitality, marketing, tourism, sports events, and healthcare - with organisations like Lowe Lintas, Sterling Holiday Resorts...2022-08-2651 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#031: Paul Zak on Applying Neuroscience in Engagement, Immersion and Brand InteractionsIntro Paul Zak is an American neuroeconomist. He is the co-founder of Immersion Neuroscience, which creates technologies that enable human flourishing. His specialities include neuroeconomics, neuromarketing and neuromanagement. Paul is also a professor at Claremont Graduate University (for over 27 years), where he currently is the Director at the Centre of Neuroeconomics Studies. In this episode with Swami and Vignesh, Paul discusses the role of Oxytocin and Dopamine, how the human brain responds to trust, the risk of AI in interpreting human emotion, the concepts of neuroeconomics and neuromanagement, hybrid experience as the future of brand interactions and gives us a...2022-08-161h 11
The ContraMinds Podcast#030: Connor Joyce on How Behavioral Science is shaping the core of Product DevelopmentConnor Joyce is a behavioral science evangelist who writes extensively about the future of work, helping establish the field of behavioral science. In this episode on The ContraMinds Podcast, Connor speaks to Swami and Vignesh about the importance of behavioral science and its four pillars of Choice Architecture, Biases & Heuristics, Habit Formation and Social Norms. A deep-dive discussion into the world of human-centred research, Connor gives specific examples with Tesla, Uber, Lyft and Snap. He also talks about the Apple Watch and how the idea of Libertarian Paternalism is driving the Apple Watch’s features for better user outcomes.2022-07-231h 26
The ContraMinds Podcast#030: Connor Joyce on How Behavioral Science is shaping the core of Product DevelopmentConnor Joyce is a behavioral science evangelist who writes extensively about the future of work, helping establish the field of behavioral science.In this episode on The ContraMinds Podcast, Connor speaks to Swami and Vignesh about the importance of behavioral science and its four pillars of Choice Architecture, Biases & Heuristics, Habit Formation and Social Norms. A deep-dive discussion into the world of human-centred research, Connor gives specific examples with Tesla, Uber, Lyft and Snap. He also talks about the Apple Watch and how the idea of Libertarian Paternalism is driving the Apple Watch’s features for better us...2022-07-231h 26
The ContraMinds Podcast#029: Shyam Sekhar on The Founder's Guide to FinanceShyam Sekhar is the Ideator and Founder of ithought Financial Consulting LLP. He is an active and renowned value investor with over 30 years of experience in financial markets. His focus as an investor has been on identifying investment opportunities in emerging companies through a sound research driven process. In this episode, Shyam talks to us about his investment process, managing finances as an entrepreneur, and thinking about capital and funding from first principles.2022-07-0558 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#028: Sunder Madakshira on The Power of Connecting Data, Brands, and StrategySunder Madakshira currently serves as the CEO of Rezolve in India. He has held leadership roles for over 26 years in Sales and Marketing with companies such as Adobe, Hindustan Unilever, VISA, SAP, WIPRO and Infosys. He is considered a pioneer in Data Driven Operating Models (DDOM) in B2B Marketing in India. In this episode, Swami and Vignesh speak to Sunder about the changing landscape in Marketing, his ideal Marketing curriculum, and how his interest in music influenced his life.2022-05-311h 38
The ContraMinds Podcast#027: Adrian Gropper on The Intersection of Data, Technology, and Individual RightsAdrian Gropper, MD, is the CTO of Patient Privacy Rights, an organisation representing 10.3 million patients and is among the foremost open data advocates in the United States. Adrian’s work focuses on solving critical problems of patient matching, cybersecurity, transparency, access, and delegation to family caregivers. We had a wide-ranging conversation with Adrian where he spoke to us about Patient Privacy, Data Platforms, and the chasm between Science and the Law.2022-05-021h 22
The ContraMinds Podcast#026: Prof. Y. Narahari on Seeking Wisdom in the Theory of GamesProf. Yadati Narahari's research work focuses on game theory, mechanism design, and artificial intelligence techniques to research problems at the intersection of computer science and economics. From 2014 to 2021, he served as Dean of the Division of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Sciences (EECS) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. At IISc, he teaches two courses: Game Theory and Artificial Intelligence for Social Good. We had a wide ranging discussion with Prof. Narahari. We spoke about the work and influence of John von Neumann, the convergence of AI, Economics, and Game Theory, and the Principles that form the foundation of a...2022-04-071h 34
The ContraMinds Podcast#025: Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam on Reaching for the Stars with Grace and HumilityDr. Annapurni Subramaniam serves as the Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore. Her research work focuses on Star Clusters, Stellar Evolution and Population in Galaxies and Magellanic Clouds. In this episode, Dr. Annapurni speaks to us about her childhood fascination with the night sky, her thoughts on a long-term vision for Scientific Research in India, and balancing leadership and contributor roles in projects with grace and humility.2022-03-211h 07
The ContraMinds Podcast#024: Neil Hoyne on Managing Relationships in the Age of DataNeil Hoyne serves as the Chief Measurement Strategist at Google and is a Senior Fellow at The Wharton School. He is most recently the author of Converted: The Data-driven Way to Win Customers’ Hearts. The book focuses on how companies can build trust at the most fundamental level in the the age of Big Data, Analytics, and Machine Learning. In this episode, Neil speaks to Swami and Vignesh about: Why a Wealth of Data creates a Poverty of Real Human RelationshipsThe Use and Abuse of Metrics in CorporationsWhat it takes to be a Well-Rounded Individual in the 21st century2022-02-211h 38
The ContraMinds Podcast#023: Roger Forsgren on Knowledge Management Lessons from NASARoger Forsgren served as the Chief Knowledge Office (CKO) of NASA from 2013 to 2021. As CKO, he led NASA’s Knowledge Management efforts, ensuring that the agency’s workforce had access to the critical knowledge needed for mission success. He also served as Director of the NASA Academy of Program/Project & Engineering Leadership, internally known as APPEL, the agency’s education and training program in the fields of Project Management, Systems Engineering, Engineering, and Leadership Development. Roger most recently is the author of the book, “Lean Knowledge Management: How NASA Implemented a Practical KM Program” where he lays out the principles, tactics, and...2022-01-191h 39
The ContraMinds Podcast#022 : Amit Ranjan on The Source Code for Building World-Class ProductsAmit Ranjan is best known as the co-founder of Slideshare, the world's largest community for sharing professional content including presentations, infographics, documents, and videos. In 2012, Slideshare was acquired by LinkedIn and as of 2020, it has been acquired by Scribd. Amit is also an Angel Investor and Advisor to several early stage startups in India, Singapore and the United States such as Open, Tracxn and Khatabook, among many others. Amit is currently the Architect of two projects under the Digital India Mission at the National eGov Division, Ministry of Information Technology. These are: Digital Locker: A national ecosystem for paperless governance...2022-01-101h 34
The ContraMinds Podcast#021: Col. Vijay Chadda on Leadership Lessons from a Life of ServiceCol. Vijay Chadda served in the Indian Armed Forces for more than two decades, following which, in 1992, he transitioned to the Private Sector. After holding leadership positions in various large multinationals in the logistics, travel and tourism space, he became the CEO of the Bharti Foundation in 2008. Today, he serves as the CEO of the Air Pollution Action Group, a Foundation set up to assist the Central and State Governments in India’s fight against Air Pollution. In this episode, Col. Chadda speaks to Swami and Vignesh about his time at the National Defence Academy, how Leadership Principles do not chang...2021-12-131h 08
The ContraMinds Podcast#020: Allison Hartsoe on Transforming Businesses by Understanding CustomersAllison Hartsoe is a three-time entrepreneur and is currently the CEO of Ambition Data. She is, most recently, the author of the book, "The Age of Customer Equity: Data-driven Strategies to Build a Sustainable Company". In this episode, Allison speaks to Swami and Vignesh about Data-driven Marketing, the difference between Brand Value and Customer Value, and her Favourite Books. Click here to buy a copy of Allison's latest book: https://amzn.to/3FKVD432021-11-251h 00
The ContraMinds Podcast#019: Radhika Dutt on Leading Change through Radical Product ThinkingRadhika Dutt is an Entrepreneur and Product Leader, who is most recently the author of "Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter". She is currently Advisor on Product Thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore’s financial regulator and central bank. In this episode, Radhika speaks to Vignesh and Swami about setting the right Product Vision, the similarities between Vision Statements and APIs, and how to think about Ethics in the realm of Product Management. Quick Connect Radhika Dutt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/ Vignesh S.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vigneshs1994/ S. Swaminathan: https://ww...2021-11-111h 07
The ContraMinds Podcast#018: Bipindra N.C. on Exploring the Defence Tech LandscapeBipindra N.C. is the Founder and Editor of Defence.Capital, a publication which tracks the business and politics of India’s growing defence, homeland security, aerospace and maritime trade and market. In this episode, Bipin speaks to Swami and Vignesh about the role of startups and entrepreneurship in Defence Tech, the structure of India’s Defence ecosystem, and the Knowledge and Skills Veterans bring to the Private Sector.2021-10-191h 09
The ContraMinds Podcast#017: Suresh Shankar on A Founder-CEO's Guide to Company BuildingSuresh is the Co-Founder and CEO of Crayon Data, a Big Data and Artificial Intelligence company with a vision to simplify the world’s choices. In this episode, Suresh speaks to Swami about spotting trends, limitations in being only a left-brained or a right-brained company, and the three types of personalities you need to have when building a company.2021-10-051h 04
The ContraMinds Podcast#016: Narayan Parasuram on Building a Business on the Power of StoriesNarayan Parasuram is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of the Karadi Tales Company. In this episode, Narayan speaks to Swami and Vignesh about his journey and the lessons learnt in setting up Karadi Tales, the challenges he has faced as an Independent Movie Producer, and why we need to rethink the value of Traditional Institutions in India.2021-09-162h 13
The ContraMinds Podcast#015: Thomas Kolster on The Unmarketing Code for Meaningful BrandsThomas Kolster is the Founder and Creative Director of Goodvertising Agency, one of the pioneers in turning environmental, societal and health risks into market opportunities where growing the bottom line goes hand in hand with creating better communities and a better planet. In this episode, Thomas speaks to Swami about the new Unmarketing Movement, why Sustainability has a Storytelling Problem, and his latest book, "The Hero Trap".2021-08-241h 29
The ContraMinds Podcast#014: Kumar Vembu on Building a Culture of Happiness and Zero Follow-UpsKumar is the Founder and CEO of GoFrugal, one of India’s leading Point-of-Sale solutions for Retail, Restaurant and Distribution businesses. He is also a Co-Founder of Zoho Corporation, one of the world’s leading companies in the domain of Online Productivity Tools and SaaS Applications. In this episode, Kumar speaks to Swami about what it takes to build a great Company Culture, the Importance of an Ownership Mindset, and what it means to be a 'Happiness-first' Company.2021-08-051h 07
The ContraMinds Podcast#013: Prof. Manish Jain on How to Enhance Learning Through CreativityProf. Manish Jain is an Associate Teaching Professor at Center for Creative Learning (CCL), a lab in IIT Gandhinagar, whose goal is to create and foster makers who can take innovation to the next level. In this episode, Prof. Jain speaks to Swami about how the education system robs children of their sense of wonder, the role of the CCL in training teachers and helping students rekindle their joy of learning science, and his Khichidi Theory of Education.2021-07-231h 26
The ContraMinds Podcast#012: Karthik Srinivasan on Using Your Personal Brand to Escape the Rat RaceKarthik Srinivasan is one India’s leading Communications Strategy Consultants and an Expert in the field of Personal Branding. In this episode, Karthik speaks to Swami about how he discovered and fell in love with Advertising, his views on Best Practices related to building Personal Brands, and his latest book, “Be Social: Building Brand YOU Online”.2021-07-131h 05
The ContraMinds Podcast#011: Dr. Ashwin Mahalingam on Bringing Interdisciplinary Thinking to Project ManagementDr. Ashwin Mahalingam is a Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at IIT Madras. He is also a co-founder of Okapi Advisory Services and serves as a Director on the Board. He is the Editor of the Engineering Project Organization Journal (EPOJ) and has served on many National Committees. In this episode, Ashwin speaks to Swami about Megaprojects, the multi-dimensional nature of Project Management, and Entrepreneurship at IIT Madras, among many other things.2021-07-011h 07
The ContraMinds Podcast#010: Prof. Vidita Vaidya on a Neuroscientist's Guide to Managing Stress, Depression, and EmotionsProf. Vidita Vaidya is the Head and Principal Investigator of the Vaidya Lab at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai. In this episode, Prof. Vaidya speaks to Swami about the Architecture of Stress, the impact of Life Experiences on the Neurocircuitry of the Brain, and how Psychological Stressors affect the growth of individuals from their childhood.2021-06-211h 11
The ContraMinds Podcast#009: Karthik Sundaram on Approaching Life as a Collection of JourneysKarthik Sundaram is an Entrepreneur, Investor, and Advisor. He is the President and CEO of Purplepatch Services, a leading B2B Digital Marketing firm based in Silicon Valley. In this episode, Karthik speaks to Swami about stepping sideways to move ahead, connecting with people to learn from them as opposed to networking, and being comfortable with discomfort.2021-06-081h 04
The ContraMinds Podcast#008: Srikant Sastri on Entrepreneurship and Building World-Class Products in IndiaThis episode features an in-depth conversation with Srikant Sastri. Srikant is one of India's leading Founder-CEOs and Advisors. He is a co-author of the book, The Ventilator Project: How the IIT Kanpur Consortium Built a World-class Product during India’s Covid-19 Lockdown, along with Dr. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay. In this episode, Srikant speaks to Swami about his Entrepreneurial Journey, Innovation during a time of Crisis, and setting up Institutions to nurture High Growth Companies in India.2021-05-271h 05
The ContraMinds Podcast#007: Malaksingh Gill on Meta-Discipline and Sustainable ArchitectureThis episode features and in-depth conversation with Malaksingh Gill. Malaksingh is a Mumbai-based architect practicing architecture inspired by local, alternative building materials, construction techniques, and crafts. In this episode, Malaksingh speaks to Swami about Learning and Unlearning Architecture under Laurie Baker, Understanding Architecture as a Meta-Discipline, and the Importance of Environment and Culture-Responsive Design.2021-05-1757 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#006: Ashwin Damera on The Art and Pursuit of Disciplined EntrepreneurshipThis episode features an in-depth conversation with Ashwin Damera. Ashwin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eruditus, a worldwide leader in the $280 billion global professional education market. In this episode, Ashwin speaks to Swami about building Eruditus, achieving Product Market Fit, pursuing the Art of Disciplined Entrepreneurship, and democratizing education for all.2021-05-0551 min
The ContraMinds Podcast#005: Samit Malkani on Brand Marketing Lessons from Google and the DNA of Creative TeamsThis episode features a long-form conversation with Samit Malkani. Samit is the Head of Brand Marketing, South East Asia and India, at Google. In this episode, Samit talks to Swami about the art and craft of Brand Marketing at Google, what he believes will be the make up of the Creative Team of the Future, and the shift in perspective needed when moving from an Agency-side role to a Client-side role.2021-04-1945 minThe ContraMinds Podcast#004: Alex Lange on Leaders as HumansThis episode features a long form conversation with Alex Lange. Alex is an Executive Coach and Facilitator with GoInnovation- a global consulting and leadership development organization providing executive and life coaching, team building, organizational development, and society-building. In this episode, Alex talks to Swami about the importance of being human in an increasingly techno-centric world. He emphasises the need for "Work-Life Harmony", managing conflicting emotions, and how it's these things that ultimately makes us human.2021-04-061h 14The ContraMinds Podcast#003: Badri Seshadri on his journey from a small-town in Tamil Nadu to IIT Chennai, Cornell, and CricinfoAbout this Episode: This episode features a long-form conversation with Dr. Badri Seshadri. Badri is a co-founder of Cricinfo (now ESPNcricinfo) and New Horizon Media. In this episode, Badri talks about his journey growing up in Kumbakonam and Nagapattinam, discovering and entering the world of IIT Chennai, pursuing a PhD at Cornell University and setting up Cricinfo and New Horizon Media. He talks about reading as a foundational pillar to his practice of lifelong learning, how ambiguity and volatility are part and parcel of any startup journey, and how fundamentally rethinking business, upskilling, and education will transform the nation. Links: Co...2021-03-071h 59
The ContraMinds PodcastMediocrity EpidemicIn this episode, we explore how mediocrity is one of the greatest epidemic facing people and organizations. It explores how a mediocrity mindset sets-in, what differentiates people who strive for excellence versus people who want to be mediocre and what needs to be done to quarantine ourselves or organizations from mediocrity. 2019-11-2419 min
The ContraMinds PodcastDifference between a professional and an employee mindsetIn this episode, we explore how a professional's mindset is very different from that of an employee mindset. It delves deep into professionals as people, their thinking, their discipline and rigor and what makes them successful. It provides markers for employees to develop a professional's mindset and work on them to enhance their career and expertise.2019-10-2419 min