Customer Obsessed

About Nicole McNamara Nicole is a strategist, speaker, and executive advisor with a track record of making big bets and delivering on them. As Founder & CEO of Catalyst Innovation, she works with senior leaders navigating high-stakes change, helping them unlock growth, lead through complexity, and build businesses that work in the real world. Before founding Catalyst, Nicole led the global innovat...

Most companies experimenting with AI run into the same roadblocks: messy data, stalled pilots, and unclear next steps. Brian Gannuscio has spent over a decade helping organizations move past those barriers by focusing on the architecture that makes AI possible. In this episode, he explains why waiting for perfect data is a mistake, how tools like Snowflake and Salesforce Data Cloud work together,...

In this episode, Chris Needles, Chief Development Officer of Wounded Warrior Project, reveals how technology is revolutionizing support for veterans and transforming fundraising efforts for nonprofits. Discover their groundbreaking strategies, the unexpected challenges they face, and the transformative power of connection and listening. This episode is all about work that matters and making a real...

Melanie Husk, Chief Consumer Officer at Baptist Health, shares transformative strategies in healthcare through digital innovation and a patient-first approach. 00:00:44 - Healthcare hurdles & navigating insurance systems 00:05:05 - Meet Melanie Husk, championing patient-centric care at Baptist Health 00:07:01 - Industry shift: from doctor-driven to patient-empowered healthcare 00:09:44 - Tackling...

Inside the Episode Innovative Beginnings: Dive into the origins of Coastal Cloud and the vision that propelled Sara Hale to redefine service delivery in the public sector. Purpose-Driven Technology: Explore how Coastal Cloud's work with government agencies is creating a seismic shift in how public services are administered and delivered. A Blueprint for Change: Learn about the unique challenges an...

Inside the Episode: [00:00:00]: Introduction to Customer Obsessed [00:00:27]: Eric's new role at Coastal Cloud [00:04:08]: Introduction to Grant Riewe, CTO of Vibrant Emotional Health [00:06:22]: Evolution and purpose of the 988 crisis lifeline [00:10:08]: The role of technology in offering critical support [00:12:46]: The mission-critical nature of the contact center [00:17:31]: Partnership with...

We might not have a crystal ball to predict the future of Salesforce, but we do have the next best thing: Mike Witherspoon. Mike and his company CodeScience are closer to Salesforce’s developments than most (because they help build solutions for them), so he has a unique perspective on what’s next in the ecosystem. Tune in as Erin, Eric, and Mike talk about creative solutioning in Salesforce’s ear...

About the Episode Learn how to navigate workplace dynamics in our conversation with Neelu Kaur, an executive coach and author of Be Your Own Cheerleader. We delve into the art of self-promotion, managing anxiety, and the intersection of physical and mental well-being at work. We also explore the impact of AI like ChatGPT on creative tasks and discuss how to disrupt cultural biases for a more inclu...

About the Episode Dive headfirst into a high-energy discussion with Paulo Kaiser, Plative's CEO, as we dissect the landscape of tech, AI, and innovation. Is the industry stalled or on the brink of the next game-changer? From Gen Z's digital habits and the imminent experimental phase of AI, to its profound impact on privacy, user experience, and industry disruption, this episode leaves no stone unt...

About Andy Andy is a technology consultant, builder, and investor with 17 years of experience in the software industry. He has spent the last two years in the NFT ecosystem and 17 years in the Salesforce ecosystem consulting and providing solutions for a wide variety of customers ranging from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies. He is passionate about promoting amazing experiences and helping to cr...

What can the past tell us about the future? Randy Rodriguez, one of Salesforce's first enterprise customers, dives into the ecosystem's storied past as a way to look forward. Hear how his experiences inform the present and shape the future of the technology industry. Plus, Eric, Erin, and Randy explore mental health and books that matter. About Randy Rodriguez Randy represents Volante Tech, the le...

Tom Quinn is a gig CIO, leading companies into the tech future one role at a time. Hear about his experiences at media giant News Corp, how he got into the world of higher education - and what needs to change in that industry - and why storytelling and tech innovation are actually perfect partners. About Tom Tom is a highly accomplished executive with extensive experience driving successful busine...

Sylvia Acevedo is a rocket scientist, technologist, innovator, author, the former CEO of Girl Scouts, and continues to make an impact as a board director at Qualcomm. She has always found a way to chart her own path, never taking no for an answer.  What were her career-defining moments? What’s next for CEOs with a global mindset? How do aspiring changemakers harness the power of self-determination...

Ready to hear from Salesforce’s first developer? Tune in to our interview with Lou Fox, a technologist and innovator who has seen the evolution of Salesforce from its earliest days into a global powerhouse. During our conversation, Lou shares his origin story and unconventional path into the world of Salesforce and cloud technology. He reveals a game-changing moment in Salesforce development as we...

Beena Ammanath leads the global Deloitte AI Institute and is a self-proclaimed AI optimist. As automation and the metaverse are becoming prominent parts of our reality, Beena joins hosts Eric Berridge and Erin Acevedo to discuss her industry insight on the current and future roles of AI and other advancing technologies. Listen in to this episode that explores both the benefits and dangers of progr...

In this episode, we’re talking to Corinne Sklar, a brilliant creative mind in the world of business and marketing who is the Chief Marketing Officer for IBM iX. During our interview, Corinne busts a few persistent marketing myths that are holding businesses back when it comes to connecting with customers. She also shares how her background in art has influenced her approach to innovation and colla...

In this episode, we’re talking to Gianna Scorsone, the GM of North America at Aircall. During our interview, Gianna shares how she built trust and accountability with her new team remotely during the pandemic, why shifting from strict, traditional sales metrics to a supportive, collaborative approach is necessary for any company that wants to be customer-obsessed, and how she’s helping shake up di...

In this episode, we’re talking to Evan Meyers, an educator and the founder of the charter school, School in the Square. Evan shares his journey from a career in finance to a calling in education. His unique approaches to learning, collaboration, and student empowerment are as applicable in the business world as in schools. From building community and navigating power dynamics to fostering engageme...

Early last year, the pandemic threw our world into crisis, and we still haven't reached the other side. The upheaval of “normal” working conditions has led to rapid, high-pressure innovation and transformation across all industries, all while dealing with new risks to peoples’ health and safety. We spoke to Erin Horvath, Chief Transformation Officer at AmerisourceBergen, and got a firsthand look i...

In this episode, we’re talking to Mike Begg, co-founder of the fast-growing startup AMZ Advisers. At AMZ Advisers, Mike and his team help companies translate customer obsession into e-commerce success on the Amazon platform. Mike shares his insight into the current opportunities and risks of selling on Amazon and how companies can use innovations like AR to bring their brand experience to life. We...

In this episode, we’re talking to Amy Radin, an award-winning author, innovator, and corporate strategist. She was the Chief Innovation Officer for Citibank and E-Trade and was responsible for their early digital transformation. In our interview, we talk about how to innovate successfully, whether you’re at a startup or Fortune 500 company. Amy shares the connection between successful innovation a...

In this episode, we’re talking to Mark Makepeace, founder of the stock market index company FTSE Russell and current CEO of Wilshire. In our conversation, Mark shares the history of FTSE and how it changed how we invest in the stock market, the give-and-take relationship between private and public companies, and how and why companies around the world are beginning to invest more deeply in sustaina...

Sustainability must become more than a buzzword. Jolene Chan, Chief Impact Officer at Traction on Demand, shares how she is using her new role to promote and scale sustainability efforts inside and outside the company. She also shares how she and her team are creating new opportunities to participate in the growing knowledge economy to increase diversity and create more inclusive communities. If y...

In this episode, we’re talking to Susie Zachman. She is the founder of the nonprofit Better Beginnings, which focuses on early childhood nutrition to help parents and kids establish lifelong healthy eating habits. During our interview, Susie shares her unexpected journey from corporate law and finance to the world of nutrition and nonprofits, and shows how pursuing your passion and deviating from...

In this episode, we’re talking to Vaibhav Nalwaya, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Wave Crest Growth partners, a private equity firm in the B2B tech market. During our interview, Vaibhav shares his unexpected journey from engineering to finance and how he and his team at Wavecrest are helping the next generation of tech entrepreneurs achieve success. We also dive deep into how to translate your...