Secrets to Win Big With Arjun Sen

Hosted by Arjun Sen

BusinessInterviews guestsExplicit

Website RSS feed

Episodes

199

Latest episode

May 2026

Language

About the show

What separates good from great? What turns ordinary businesses into extraordinary brands? And what lessons can we learn from leaders who have already made the journey? On Secrets to Win Big, Arjun Sen sits down with visionary leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry experts to uncover the stories, decisions, challenges, and breakthroughs behind their success. Each episode goes beyond theory to explore leadership, customer experience, branding, culture, growth, innovation, and the human side of business. Through honest conversations and practical wisdom, listeners gain actionable insights they can use to create stronger relationships, build better organizations, and unlock their next big win. If you're looking for inspiration, strategy, and real-world lessons from people who have achieved remarkable results, you're in the right place.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 16, 202625 min

S10E08: Branding is 'Be Bold' with VIP Guest Jeff Pedowitz

What does branding look like in a world driven by AI, real-time search, and changing buyer behavior? In this episode of Secrets to Win Big, Arjun Sen sits down with marketing strategist Jeff Pedowitz to explore how brands can stay relevant, disciplined, and effective as marketing continues to evolve. Jeff shares lessons from restaurants, leadership, and decades of marketing experience, while offering practical guidance on AI-driven content, customer-centric storytelling, brand consistency, and the future of search. The conversation culminates in a powerful challenge for marketers and business leaders alike: Be Bold. The brands that win tomorrow will be the ones willing to rethink old assumptions, focus on customer outcomes, and adapt before the market forces them to. Key Takeaways Why great brands create emotional connection How AI is changing search and content strategy The shift from selling to facilitating Why ROI matters more than attribution Building brand consistency across every channel What “Be Bold” really means for marketers today #SecretsToWinBig #Branding #MarketingStrategy #AI #Leadership #CustomerExperience #BusinessGrowth #BeBold

May 14, 202633 min

S10E07: Branding Is Wholesome with VIP Guest Kevin Lee

In this episode, Arjun Sen and Kevin Lee explore what truly makes brands win in today’s crowded, AI-driven world. They share why branding is the ultimate emotional tiebreaker, why storytelling is essential in an attention-starved marketplace, and how brands must balance short-term performance marketing with long-term brand building. The conversation dives into the power of customer experience, the danger of over-focusing on bottom-funnel tactics, and why winning big means becoming the #1 choice for the right customers, not everyone. This episode is packed with practical insights for founders, marketers, and business leaders looking to build brands that create emotional connection, customer loyalty, and lasting growth.

March 19, 202636 min

S10E06: Brand Truth, Not Brand Spin

In this episode, VIP guest William Espey, the creative visionary behind Chipotle, joins us to talk about why authentic brands win, how values shape culture, and why brand truth always beats brand spin. If you want to build a brand people actually trust, this conversation is a must-listen.

February 12, 202622 min

S10E05: Wow One More: One Person. One Moment. One Reputation.

You are spending obscene amount of money in marketing to acquire one customer at a time. Are you reaching your business potential by maximizing your customer retention? Is your business undervalued by leaking customers? The path to growth is not a mechanical loyalty program but your team going all out to wow one customer and then wow one more. Over last thirty years in the corporate trenches, I have seen over and over, when this mindset becomes a brand’s culture, it maximizes growth. Wow One More: One Person. One Moment. One Reputation. Seven Questions Business Leaders Ask What is the true lifetime value of one customer? If one of your customers left today, would your team feel it? Are you buying just transactions or building loyalty? When was the last time you walked your customer journey end to end? How will your business change if every team member wowed just one more customer a day? What is stopping your team members? Are they empowered to act—or just trained to comply? And most importantly— What would your last 10 customers say about you when you’re not in the room? If even one of these questions gives you pause, perhaps the real opportunity isn’t another strategy PowerPoint deck—but a disciplined commitment to WOW ONE MORE. If you’re ready to examine the value of one customer and build growth that compounds, let’s start that conversation. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode

January 8, 202621 min

S10E04: Yourness: Your Brand Matters

Yourness is the core of your personal brand and the earned credibility that shapes how others perceive you. In the business world, perception becomes reality. Our future opportunities are influenced not only by what we have done, but by what people believe we can do. And that belief is grounded in the impact we have demonstrated over time. Let’s dive deeper into frameworks, stories, and actionable steps to help you take control of your personal brand, communicate your value clearly, and build trust that lasts. If you are ready to understand, articulate, and elevate your personal brand and lead with authenticity and lasting impact—this episode is designed for you. Key takeaways for this episode include: Yourness is something we uncover, invest in, and embrace. Six steps to discovering and living your Yourness. Perfecting your 15 second introduction. Past impact is the strongest indicator of future value. Trust is earned through consistent action.

December 19, 20256 min

S10E03: Branding the Unquit Way

Branding is never a solo act, it is a team journey. But beyond experience, titles, and functional expertise, there is one critical ingredient that often determines whether a brand truly wins: an unquit heart. This episode explores why having at least one person who simply refuses to give up can make the difference between brands that stall and brands that stay in the game long enough to win. Through real-world stories this episode unpacks how unquit DNA shows up in unexpected places and why it is essential to building brands that endure, adapt, and grow. Key takeaways for this episode include: Why branding success depends on who is in the room, not just what roles they hold The concept of the “unquit heart” and why it matters more than experience alone How brands lose momentum when they fail to take the extra step The importance of staying with an idea long enough to make it bigger

November 20, 202510 min

S10E02: The Why and Who of Branding

What does it take for a brand to rise from being “one of many” to becoming “one of one?” Arjun Sen unpacks through powerful personal stories and brand lessons from 30 years in the corporate trenches, why humility, empathy, and curiosity about your customer are the foundation of sustained brand success. From an almost career-changing decision in the beer industry, to insights learned at a bagel chain, to a night spent in a retirement home — every story reveals the same truth: great brands begin with knowing the customer deeply. There is no faking it. This episode dives into how to think like your customer, feel like your customer, and act in ways that create meaningful emotional connection — not just transactions. Key takeaways for this episode include: Three kinds of brands: One of many (forgettable), One of few (considered but ignored), One of one (loved) Start with humility: Admit you are not the customer — but you can learn to know and serve them. Be, Think, Feel, Act like your customer: The mindset for every brand leader who wants to build real connection. Go for the customer’s heart (not the wallet): When you truly know your customer, you can connect with them. See more episodes at https://www.secretstowinbig.com

October 23, 202512 min

S10E01: Branding Reflections

After a journey of nearly 100 brands over 30 years, partnering with numerous leaders around the world; it is time to sit back and reflect on the branding moments and the threads that connect them. Behind every brand success story that resulted in a big win, every failure that gave birth to big learning driving future wins, there are hidden stories of branding do’s and do-not’s. Unlike in other areas of business, in branding, pushing today’s do-not’s often opens the door for future big wins. So here it is, a season marking my reflections into branding nostalgia, blended with conversations with special guests, and ready to find nuggets that will enlighten us in the journey forward. Key takeaways for this season include: Brand differentiation: What makes your brand unique? Brand fulfillment: Living the brand, not just talking about it. Businesses are built by wow one more: Wowing one more customer. Brand strategy and marketing strategy: Using your one-of-one brand positioning. Brand communication: Effectively communicating expectations and perceptions. Brand storytelling: Telling your one-of-one unique brand story that connects to customers. See more episodes at https://www.secretstowinbig.com

March 27, 202526 min

S09E09: Find My Own Path with VIP Guest Vivek Bahl

Vivek Bahl is a social media genius who has been running his own social media marketing agency since 2011. Before this he was Creative Director at Cheil and Dentsu and has also worked in Grey, besides being in the Brand Team at The Times of India and Head of Marketing at PVR Cinemas. He launched India’s first talent based social network in the fields of modeling, fashion photography and Bollywood dancing. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: - Inner voice leads down the right path. - Play for yourself, not just to win every time. - Don’t let external parameters define your accomplishments. - Overthinking is overrated. - Why put out thoughts on a pedestal to judge ourselves? - Do not look back to regret the choices made in the past. - Live life now. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode #unquitforever #unquitter

January 23, 202551 min

S09E08: Now I Want To Talk! with VIP Guest Partha Sinha

Partha Sinha is the President of the Times of India Group, one of the most influential media groups of India. He’s a seasoned leader with proven track record in the brand, media, digital and communication space. Ex Citibanker, ex VP Strategy Ogilvy, ex marketing chief Zee Telefilms, ex head of strategy SE Asia for Publicis, ex Managing Partner BBH, ex MD and Vice Chairman, McCann WordGroup. In 2020, I asked Partha to connect me to a few people for my podcast. He connected me to one of India’s top directors, Shoojit Sircar. The podcast with Shoojit turned into ongoing chat over the next two years. When Shoojit first talked about making a movie on me, I thought this was the biggest prank Partha had played on me. It was the connection from him that set the ball rolling for the movie, I Want To Talk. I was very excited that Partha and his wife Chaitali were the first to see the movie outside of the core group. In this podcast, Partha, a brilliant mind who guided the conversation so effortlessly into the depth of the heart, but never making it too serious. Thank you Partha for being you, always. Here are some key insights from this week’s show: Life is never over till it is over. “I Want to Talk” is a story of crossing one hurdle at a time. You play differently when you know you are going to win the game. The screen Arjun had the advantage of knowing that he will make it in the end. Sometimes bad ideas can trigger amazing ideas. Talking comes with responsibility. Words once spoken, are out there forever. If we give up, we will never know what life can bring for us. Please Subscribe to the Secrets to Win Big® Podcast! #iwanttotalk #podcast #podcasts #success #leader #leaders #new #newepisode #win #secret #thoughtleader #leadership #business #businesspodcast #listen #launch #episode