The Collaborative Canvas Podcast

Most organizations believe they're transforming customer experience. In reality, they're often just measuring it. In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, I sit down with Raja Bunet, former COO at Ipsos and a customer experience & operational excellence consultant, to explore one of the most misunderstood topics in business today—the difference between CX measurement and CX transfo...

AI is transforming every industry. But when it comes to understanding consumers, making business decisions, and predicting behavior, can artificial intelligence truly replace human intelligence? In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, Ankesh Saxena sits down with Chandan Mukherjee, former Global Head of Insights at Nestlé and former leader at Unilever, to explore the future of consume...

Every company talks about workplace safety. Very few truly understand what it takes to create it. In this powerful episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, we sit down with Leeza Dutta to discuss one of the most important workplace conversations in modern organizations — the POSH Act (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act). This conversation goes far beyond legal compliance. We expl...

Gen Z is changing the way brands are built. Luxury alone doesn’t impress them anymore. Big names don’t guarantee loyalty. And “premium” without relatability gets ignored in one scroll. In this episode of Collaborative Canvas, we sit down with Gaurav Birmani, founder of GoWhipped & Grass Skincare, to decode how Gen Z consumers actually think, buy, and connect with brands in India today. From sk...

What happens when a new generation enters the workforce with completely different rules? In this episode, we explore how Gen Z is redefining work, ownership, product thinking, and professional identity in the age of AI, data, and rapid change. From moonlighting and multi-career ambitions to building credibility without titles, this conversation goes beyond stereotypes and dives into how young prof...

We’ve become faster. More efficient. More data-driven. But here’s the real question— are we still truly understanding people? This episode explores the evolution of qualitative research— from instinct, patience, and deep listening to speed, validation, and AI-driven insights. What has changed? And more importantly… what hasn’t? Because while tools evolve, the core of understanding human behavior r...

AI is everywhere — but are we really understanding how it works? In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas, we go beyond the hype and explore the real mechanics behind AI systems. From hallucinations and cultural bias to synthetic data and machine personality, this conversation breaks down what’s actually happening behind the scenes of modern AI. If you rely on tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Cop...

What does it take to build a brand that goes beyond products and creates real impact? In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, we sit down with Priya Tyagi, Founder of Tied Ribbons — a globally recognized home décor brand that believes relationships are priceless. From starting her entrepreneurial journey at a young age to scaling an international brand, Priya shares how she turned ide...

What does it really take to build a personal brand from scratch — especially when you come from a Tier-3 city with limited exposure and strong societal expectations? In this episode, we sit down with two inspiring women who are redefining what success looks like. From dealing with self-doubt and traditional mindsets to building confidence, skills, and income online — this conversation is about rea...

AI is everywhere — from data analysis to research automation. But the real question is no longer “Should we use AI?” The real question is: If everyone has access to the same AI tools, why do only a few researchers actually stand out? In this conversation, we explore how AI is transforming qualitative research — not as a replacement for human thinking, but as a multiplier of judgment, culture, and...

Everyone is panicking about AI. But here’s the truth: The same headlines were written in the 1860s about the telegraph. The same fear happened in the 1990s about the internet. AI isn’t new. It’s just more accessible. In this episode of Collaborative Canvas, Dave — with 40+ years in advertising, marketing, and research — breaks down: • Why most market research is unnecessary • Why “Generation X, Y,...

Thinking of studying or expanding your business abroad? Before choosing a new country or course, questions naturally arise—about recognition, visas, affordability, cultural fit, and future opportunities. In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, host Ankesh Saxena sits down with Diana Moraru, Founder & CEO of IndoMold Connect, to explore Moldova as an emerging destination for Indian...

What happens when a personal health struggle turns into a purpose-driven startup? In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, I sit down with Sara Sharma — #founder of Ease, a menstrual health platform built from her own journey with PCOS. Sara opens up about living with irregular cycles, frustration with one-size-fits-all solutions, and the moment she decided to turn her lived experience...

Leadership isn’t built in big moments. It’s built in the small, invisible choices we repeat every day. In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, host Ankesh Saxena sits down with Ashutosh Sharma (EO at SYWIL | Advisory Specialist) to explore the Marginal Gains Theory — a powerful framework that transformed elite sports and is now reshaping how leaders, executives, and organizations grow...

We have spoken about the Silver Generation. We have decoded Gen Z. In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, we turn our lens to the most influential and misunderstood consumer group in India - THE INDIAN MIDDLE CLASS I am joined by Soumya Mohanty, Managing Director and Chief Client Officer at Kantar, to unpack insights from Kantar's latest whitepaper "Marketing to the Middle Class" . W...

In this powerful episode of  The Collaborative Canvas Podcast , we sit down with  Anika Gandhi , a 22-year-old communication design graduate and author of  “Between the Lines”  — a book that gives voice to the silent struggles of Gen Z kids navigating anxiety in a world that often misunderstands them. ✨  Why is it so hard to talk to parents about anxiety? ✨  What does a modern emotional persona...

In this episode of the Collaborative Canvas Podcast, we sit down with Sanskriti, the visionary founder of STAAD — India’s first equestrian-inspired luxury brand created by a woman entrepreneur. This conversation goes far beyond fashion. It is about heritage, culture, horses, storytelling, craftsmanship, colour psychology, sensory design, and identity. From growing up around classical music and Kat...

In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas, we sit down with Ruchi Batra, Founder of Chipmunk Digital, to explore how to build a personal brand that goes beyond visibility — one that creates real connection. From transitioning after 11 years in corporate life to becoming a digital strategist and freelancer, Ruchi shares her journey of aligning passion with purpose. We discuss: The power of clarit...

What makes someone an outlier in business and life? In this inspiring episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, host Ankesh Saxena sits down with marketing maverick Praveen Shekar — a parallel entrepreneur, storyteller, and outlier thinker. From building a healthcare research powerhouse to empowering people with disabilities, Praveen opens up about his failures, mindset, and how empathy and cur...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dipti Sharma and Rajeshwari Jha, the dynamic co-founders of Founder X, a LinkedIn personal branding agency that helps entrepreneurs and CEOs turn their stories into powerful brands. From small-town beginnings in Bihar to building a thriving agency, they share their journey of resilience, storytelling, and growth. Learn how they: Transformed unpaid intern...

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, four inspiring leaders — Smriti Singh Bhatia, Dixit Chanana, Preeti Reddy, and Sharmila Das — come together to discuss Allyship, Gender Equality, and Inclusivity in today’s corporate world. From challenging unconscious bias to redefining leadership and empowerment, this powerful discussion explores how organizations can foster an environment where both me...

Are you planning to take your business global? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Pratik, a business leader with over 24 years of international experience, who shares practical insights on global expansion, leadership, and cross-cultural success. What you’ll learn in this episode: 1. The biggest challenges of moving from India to Germany and building a business abroad 2. How to overco...

What if consumer centricity wasn’t just a buzzword, but the backbone of every business decision? In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas Podcast, we sit down with Manish Makhijani— CEO at RCL Group, former Global CMI Director at Unilever, next President of ESOMAR, and author of the Amazon bestseller Insightful. With more than 30 years of experience leading consumer insights, marketing, and str...

What if the key to hyper-personalized marketing lies in the stars? In this episode of The Collaborative Canvas, host Ankesh Saxena sits down with Smriti Singh Bhatia, Chief Visionary Officer at Incognito Insights, to explore how astrology and consumer behavior intersect. From impulsive Aries to analytical Virgos, discover how zodiac traits can influence buying patterns, brand loyalty, and decision...

In this insightful episode of The Collaborative Canvas by Ankesh Saxena , we dive deep into the crucial legal challenges and solutions every Indian entrepreneur needs to know. Joining us is Seemantani Sharma , a globally recognized legal expert specializing in intellectual property and transactional law, with a rich background working with entrepreneurs from India, the US, Australia, and Singapore...