A Digital Strategy Podcast

Most projects don't fail because the team couldn't build. They fail because the team tried to build everything at once. In this episode, Symon and Marcello break down why project scope creep and feature bloat are the real killers of product development timelines—and what to do about it. They walk through how to run a fast complexity audit before committing to any digital project, why a discovery p...

What We Cover Why delivery on time and on budget is not the same as project success The 'meeting of the minds' problem: how misaligned expectations sink projects before kickoff Free text fields vs. structured data — and why that distinction matters for every dashboard you want to build Why AI makes strategy more important, not less: if you don't know where you're going, it'll get you there fast Th...

Product teams don't miss deadlines because they're slow. They miss them because no one ever defined what "done" actually means. In this episode, Symon and Marcello dig into the structural and cultural gaps that quietly blow up product timelines — and what you can borrow from the services world to fix it. What we cover: No governance = no finish line. Without a roadmap and defined milestones, scope...

Key topics: The concept of the SaaS apocalypse and its driving factors How AI tools like Claude Code, Claude, ClawdBot and others are enabling bespoke app development The declining economics of SaaS subscription models The impact of AI on employment, stock markets, and investor behavior The importance of UX and integration in product development Strategic shifts for SaaS companies: focusing on cor...

Takeaways Total cost of ownership includes hidden costs like hosting and labor. Organizations often underestimate the costs associated with website redesigns. Hosting costs can vary significantly and are often overlooked. Labor costs related to managing technology can add up quickly. RFPs rarely include detailed descriptions of hosting and management costs. Cultural attitudes towards websites affe...

Takeaways Organizations often lack a structured way to evaluate vendors. A scorecard can help monitor vendor performance over time. Identifying triggers for audits can prevent larger issues. Communication is a critical factor in vendor relationships. Documentation is essential for transparency and accountability. Systemic issues can often be masked by one-off problems. Regular evaluations can help...

Takeaways The importance of a flexible process in project management. Documentation is critical for continuity and clarity. Scope should be viewed as a hypothesis, not a contract. Effective communication is key to navigating project risks. Governance helps promote decision clarity and accountability. Understanding client expectations is crucial for project success. Regularly reviewing and updating...

Takeaways MVPs aren't about shipping fast, they're about learning fast. The term MVP has been misunderstood and often co-opted. Validation should come from real user engagement, not speculation. A good MVP strategy involves identifying risky assumptions and defining success metrics. An MVP can be a scrappy version of a product, but it must still show commitment to the idea.   Chapters 00:00 Introd...

Takeaways The trend of single user apps will continue to grow. Compliance will increasingly involve product and design teams. Dynamic web pages may become a reality this year. Websites should be treated as living systems, not static products. Customer journeys are becoming more complex and non-linear. Sales tech stack integration with websites is essential for success. AI will play a significant r...

Takeaways Design is interpretive and has a rich history. Aesthetics is often mistaken for the entirety of design. Design involves planning and execution, not just visuals. The complexity of a project influences the design approach. Research and problem identification are crucial in design. De-risking the design process helps in decision-making. Accuracy in design outcomes is essential for success....

Takeaways Websites can now serve as growth engines. Defining clear goals is crucial for website success. Sales and marketing teams must collaborate effectively. Data analytics is essential for informed decision-making. A strong content strategy is foundational for growth. Eliminating unnecessary tools can streamline processes. Long-term planning is vital for website design. Understanding lead move...

AEC is facing a perfect storm + digital disruption. Johanna Hoffman (Oomph Group) explains what’s happening, why it won’t revert, and how firms can reposition, align BD/marketing, and turn their website into a growth engine. Find Johanna Hoffman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-hoffmann-b35b251/  Find Oomph Group: www.oomphgroup.com  Find Marcello Gortana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcellog...

Takeaways Associations have unique digital needs due to their member-driven nature. Building in public can lead to valuable feedback. Monolithic systems are tightly coupled and may limit flexibility. Modular systems allow for more customization and scalability. Portals are essential for member engagement and retention. Requirements gathering is crucial for effective technology solutions. Mapping o...

Takeaways Buyers often mistrust vendors due to past negative experiences. A comprehensive brief is essential for effective agency selection. Understanding your needs is crucial before searching for an agency. Evaluating an agency's process can de-risk your investment. Outdated portfolios can indicate a lack of current expertise. Cultural fit is important for a successful partnership. Asking for re...

Takeaways The more plugins you use, the higher the cybersecurity risk. WordPress remains a dominant CMS but has its challenges. Webflow is emerging as a leading web experience platform. Open source CMS can lead to maintenance overhead. Site builders are suitable for small businesses but may not scale well. Headless CMS is ideal for complex, multi-platform content delivery. Enterprise CMS offers go...

Takeaways Explore different types of CMS: traditional, headless, and enterprise. Understand the pros and cons of each CMS type. Learn what to look for and avoid in a CMS. Discover the scalability of different CMS platforms. Gain insights into CMS suitability for various business needs. Symon Oliver shares his expertise on CMS. Marcello Gortana discusses CMS categories. The importance of choosing t...

Takeaways Clients often feel restricted by rigid website layouts. Content management can become a frustrating experience. A lack of flexibility in design can lead to client disengagement. Mental barriers can prevent clients from updating their sites. User experience is heavily influenced by website design. Clients may lock themselves into systems that don't meet their needs. The process of uploadi...

Takeaways Complexity arises from various factors including technology, people, and governance. The more people involved in a project, the more complex it can become due to internal politics. Discovery is crucial for understanding project scope and requirements. Budget and time constraints are key considerations in project feasibility. Clarity in project goals and deliverables is essential for succ...

Takeaways Bad support is a primary reason for vendor switching. Good support should be proactive and value-driven. Traditional support models often prioritize agency profit over client needs. A shift in mindset is needed from support to partnership. Value-driven retainers focus on measurable improvements, not just maintenance. Knowledge transfer is essential for client self-sufficiency. Red flags...

Takeaways User experience (UX) design is often misunderstood and conflated with web design. Web design focuses on aesthetics and marketing, while UX design emphasizes functionality and user engagement. The evolution of design roles has led to a complex landscape where UX, UI, and web design intersect. Websites should be treated as products to ensure long-term engagement and optimization. Continuou...

Takeaways Start with problems, not solutions. Define the objectives and outcomes clearly. Setting a realistic budget early is crucial. Involve decision makers early in the process. A strong brief is the cheapest way to de-risk a project. Vague features can lead to project failure. Understand your commitment during project phases. Budget transparency helps everyone self-qualify. Frame the problems,...

Takeaways Nvidia's deal with OpenAI signifies a major investment in AI technology. The race to AGI is leading companies to make risky bets without guaranteed returns. Different thinkers in AI include pioneers, pragmatists, and purists, each with unique perspectives. The design community is grappling with the implications of AI on their work. The 'Seven Deadly AI Sins' highlight critical issues in...

Topics & Timestamps: (00:00) Post-vacation chaos & travel with kids (01:32) Toronto's ultra-walking trend and "suffer-fest" culture (04:02) Why 95% of enterprise AI projects fail (and why that stat is flawed) (05:02) OpenAI's Forward Deployed Engineer: new name, old consulting playbook (10:42) How design thinking lost its strategic seat — from systems to pixel pushing (14:10) Grassroots vs. enterp...

Topics & Timestamps: (00:00) Back from Italy: airports, toddlers, and the upside down world (02:27) Travel with kids vs solo travel: why lounges aren’t built for families (04:54) AI fatigue? Posting, conferences, and marketing workflows (07:30) CMA events, data science, and educating on automation/AI (09:35) RGD stat: AI may cut 30% of agency margins (and why positioning matters) (13:41) When AI b...

Topics & Timestamps: (00:00) Intro music review - Suno AI generated tennis yacht rock (01:10) AI music revolution: The million-dollar AI musician deal and why music is dead (03:23) Google Zero: Financial Times on the race to zero organic traffic (06:51) Ethereum's 2026 UX roadmap: 19 minutes → 15 seconds transaction time (09:34) MIT Study: 95% failure rate for enterprise AI (it's not what you thin...