the Executives: A Dialogue with Majid

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Dec 2025

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'The Executives: A Dialogue with Majid'. Dive deep into the intricate realm of executive leadership. Here, we unravel strategies, insights, and personal tales from accomplished professionals influencing the global business. Join Majid, a seasoned Product Leader and author, as he bridges the gap between strategy and story. Subscribe and be part of our journey through the world of executive brilliance.

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December 10, 20251 hr 10 min

Andre Kiwitz: Building Ventura Travel - 23 Years of Redefining Sustainable Tourism in South America

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Andre Kiwitz, a German entrepreneur who founded Viventura in 2001 and grew it into the Ventura Travel empire. From a single trip in Ecuador to becoming the #1 tour operator for group trips in South America within just 2-3 years, Andre shares his journey of making travel more meaningful, locally impactful, and sustainable. 🎯 What You'll Learn: How Andre built Ventura from scratch in Peru after moving from Germany The philosophy behind small-group, authentic travel experiences How Ventura became #1 in South America within 2-3 years The VSocial Foundation's impact: building schools and supporting communities Behind the scenes of managing 100+ employees across multiple countries The difference between mass tourism and responsible travel Why Trip.me connects travelers with local guides differently Future plans: UK expansion, 3 new brand launches, and IPO in 2 years ⏱️ Chapters: 01:25 Introduction to Andre Kiwitz and Ventura Travel 09:24 25 years of Ventura Travels - Going back to the roots 11:10 WiFi vs Luggage - What if Andre lost one of these for a week? 13:24 How is Ventura Travel structured? 16:50 Difference between Fancy Travel Boards and Community-Based Tourism 22:01 Maintaining the quality of the trips across multiple brands 39:00 Buying assets of a business 42:11 Different kinds of business sellers 43:30 What is trip.me (now called Travel Local) 50:43 The Reality of a company going Public 53:40 How is Ventura Trave using AI 56:26 Market Size of Community-Based Tourism (Estimated to reach 2 Trillion by 2032) 59:34 Team is an asset to build an organization 01:02:09 Is Sustainability real or just marketing and greenwashing? 01:07:28 Most Impactful Story of Ventura Travel 01:08:47 Big Plans for Ventura Travel for the next years 01:10:17 Closing Remarks About the Guest Andre Kiwitz, the German entrepreneur who founded ViVentura in 2001 and grew it into the Ventura TRAVEL empire - a collection of niche travel brands that's redefining responsible tourism. From building schools in Peru through his VSocial Foundation to launching trip.me and revolutionizing how travelers connect with local guides, Andre has spent 23+ years making travel more meaningful and locally impactful. 📢 Connect with Andre Kiwitz: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akiwitz/ Ventura Travel: https://www.venturatravel.de/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M: https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

December 3, 20251 hr 1 min

Zaid Munir: From Commodore 64 to Blockchain CTO | Building the Bridge Between Web 2.0 & Web 3.0

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Zaid Munir, CTO of Immersifi and CEO of Scytale Labs, a telecommunications engineer who saw blockchain's potential in 2016 when the world called it hype. Eight years later, he's building solutions for the United Nations and leading the charge in Web3 innovation. 🎯 What You'll Learn: Why curiosity is the defining trait of successful tech leaders From selling his first software at 15 to building blockchain solutions today How he got into Bitcoin during the first hype cycle and never left The reality of automating businesses with AI (without replacing humans) Client retention secrets: Why quality beats quantity every time Managing chaotic deployments across continents and time zones The difference between perceived quality and internal build quality Why blockchain keeps him engaged after 8+ years His philosophy on health, productivity, and staying mentally sharp What's next: AI automation and building better solutions ⏱️ Chapters: 01:12 Introduction to Zaid Munir: Curiosity Personified 08:55 The reality of cryptocurrency in 2025 09:15 Why He Never Left Blockchain After 8 Years 12:00 Pivotal moment when Zaid moved from academia to blockchain consulting 14:23 The Philosophy Behind Scytalelabs 16:40 ICP for Scytalelabs 19:10 Building the best traceability solution for the United Nations 26:34 Friction in payment solutions 38:32 AI Fundraising vs Real AI Innovation 42:05 The Skills Gap Crisis: Not Training the Next Generation 52:00 The Chaotic Deployment Story: Australian Client at Midnight 57:01 Final Question: What's Next for You and Your Ventures? 01:00:29 Closing: Thank You and Where to Find Zaid About the Guest Zaid Munir has been a critical contributor to many blockchain product teams for the last 8+ years. His technical skills and practical communication skills make him a reliable partner, and clients trust him to pull through no matter what the project entails. At Scytale Labs, he works tirelessly to deliver advice and innovative solutions for enabling Web 2.0 businesses to transition into Web 3.0. Scytale Labs is a Blockchain product, service, and consultancy company that delivers quality and compliant solutions to standards such as FIPS, NIST-800-63, FIDO, W3C-VC, and W3C-DID. Currently, Scytale Labs is developing full-scale, full-stack AMM and lending protocols for upcoming POS Blockchains such as CasperLabs and has developed an industry-leading yet intuitive NFT Marketplace that helps customers offer digital collectibles tailored to market segments. 📢 Connect with Zaid Munir: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrzaidmunir/ Scytale Labs: https://scytalelabs.com/ Immersifi: https://immersifi.xyz/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M: https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

November 26, 20251 hr 29 min

Jörg Dietzel: From Audi's Global Creative Head to Teaching Brands How to Win | Branding, Strategy & Ambition

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Jörg Dietzel, former global head of creative at Audi, four-time author, and award-winning brand strategist who has spent over 25 years shaping brands and minds across continents from Berlin to Singapore. Today, he's teaching the next generation how to build brands that matter. 🎯 What You'll Learn: The origin of Jörg's unique personal brand (and his signature cocktail in Seoul) What it really takes to build a brand that stands out How AI is fundamentally changing the branding landscape The difference between authentic brands and fake ones Why personal branding matters more than ever How to pivot when your brand goes off track The unwritten expectations that separate good employees from great ones Why Germany (and the world) needs more ambition right now Jörg's unpopular opinions on branding and authenticity How to measure if your brand is actually working ⏱️ Chapters: 01:17 Who is Jörg Dietzel? 02:18 The Cocktail Question: If Your Brand Were a Drink 03:58 The Story Behind the "Jörg Dietzel" Cocktail in Seoul 05:27 From Advertising to Teaching: Finding His True Calling 15:40 Balancing Introversion with Teaching and Public Speaking 08:52 Then vs Now: Evolution of Creative Tools 13:00 Teaching Gen Z: Struggling with Their Vocabulary? 16:48 Why is it important to build a personal brand? 19:32 Aspiring to Success: Does Surrounding Yourself Work? 21:11 Growing Apart: When Ambition Divides Friendships 23:01 Living Across Continents: How Culture Shapes Storytelling 27:21 Defining Your Target: The First Rule of Personal Branding 32:43 Brand Story vs Ambition: Perception vs Goals 38:32 Beyond Advertising: What Experience Branding Looks Like 47:56 Biggest Misconceptions Business Leaders Have About Branding 58:38 Breaking Down Hierarchy: Why Leaders Need to Be Contradicted 01:01:33 Traditional Advertising vs Everyone Being Their Own Brand Manager 01:08:47 Behind the Scenes: Unusual Moments Giving Brand Advice 01:13:43 The Big Reset 01:19:43 Your Funniest Career Moment 01:27:40 Final Advice: Challenge Yourself and Find Reasons Why It CAN Work About Jörg Dietzel Jörg Dietzel is the former Global Head of Creative at Audi, a four-time published author, and an award-winning brand strategist with over 25 years of experience shaping iconic brands across four continents. From running advertising agencies in London, Berlin, and Beijing to leading Audi Korea's marketing department and teaching at Singapore Management University for 20 years, Jörg has built a career at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and education. Today, he runs his own brand consultancies in Singapore and Germany, mentoring startups and teaching the next generation of brand leaders at top business schools, including Stellenbosch University. 📢 Connect with Jörg Dietzel: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jorgdietzel Website: https://jorgdietzel.com/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

November 19, 20251 hr 16 min

Scott Jones: Building the Future of Identity Verification at Billion-Scale | Vision AI, Fraud Prevention & Digital Sovereignty

In this episode of The Executives, I sit down with Scott Jones, VP of Product at Realeyes, where he's building revolutionary Vision AI technology for human measurement of attention, emotion, and identity. Scott is a patent-holding product leader who built a mid-seven-figure ARR identity solution from zero to one in just 18 months, and he's also a Dream Cymbals artist who's been perfecting his craft as a professional drummer for over 30 years. 🎯 What You'll Learn: How Realeyes built the world's largest ethically-sourced face dataset across 93 countries Why traditional identity verification methods like CAPTCHA are failing The "Better CAPTCHA" approach: validating personhood in seconds for cents How one big tech customer scaled to billions of identity verifications per month The future of digital sovereignty and zero-knowledge-proof biometrics Why most AI face models are biased and how to build fair ones The product management journey from analyst to VP of Product Why creativity and spirituality tie together in unexpected ways ⏱️ Chapters: 01:51 Who is Scott Jones? 07:20 If You Were CEO of Spotify 10:38 What is Realeyes? 14:19 Are Social Media Apps Tracking Your Emotions? 18:25 The Ethics of Consent in Emotion Tracking 24:23 From Economics & Film to Product Management 30:06 The Roller Coaster of a PM Career 31:37 How Realeyes' Vision AI Differs from Competitors 39:53 Scaling to Billions of Transactions Per Month 47:29 Intersection of Privacy Concerns, and Detecting Emotions and Facial Expressions 51:00 The Future of Decentralized Identity 58:23 Zero to Mid-7 Figure ARR in 18 Months 01:03:43 Biggest Misconceptions About AI 01:07:24 The Power of No-Code & AI Tools for PMs 01:12:28 Jazz Musicians vs Fortune 500 CEOs: Who's More Demanding? 01:15:56 Final Remarks & Closing About Scott Jones, Scott Jones is the VP of Product at Realeyes, the pioneering Vision AI company, where he's building revolutionary platform technology for human measurement of attention, emotion, and identity. Scott is a patent-holding product leader who built a mid-seven-figure ARR Identity solutions business from zero to one in just 18 months, and he's also a Dream Cymbals artist who's been perfecting his craft as a professional drummer for over 30 years. 📢 Connect with Scott Jones: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottjeezey/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottjeezey/ 📢 Learn More About Realeyes: Website: https://www.realeyesit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/realeyesit/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realeyesit _ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M: https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow The Executives: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

November 12, 20251 hr 20 min

Richard Abi-Chahla: The Product Expert Who Turns Vision into Execution | Founder at Purple Brains

In this episode of The Executives , I sit down with Richard Abi-Chahla, a four-time founder and the mind behind Purple Brains. With over 18 years of experience across 15 industries, Richard shares how he transforms bold ideas into market-shaping products, minimizes risk for founders, and blends intuition with frameworks to deliver results. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: What Richard learned while building 50+ products globally The mindset and systems behind Purple Brains' success How Lebanese resilience shapes his product leadership Red flags Richard looks for before working with founders The real role of a product manager and the misconceptions Why most startups fail at product-market fit (and how to avoid it) The cultural layer of product validation and localization Why launching to early adopters is key, not everyone ⏱️ Chapters: 00:54 Richard’s background & founding Purple Brains 02:00 Explaining Purple Brains to a 10-year-old 02:58 Red flags Richard watches for before taking on clients 04:42 Blueberry jam and Chicken Shawarma 06:40 Lessons from Lebanon: Internet redundancy & product resilience 11:54 Experience that made Richard think about building a startup to help companies with digital products 22:00 What does Product Market Fit (PMF) look like for founders 26:35 A look at the case of Lovable and Replit 33:20 Finding and Validating Market Gaps for brilliant product ideas 38:12 How does Purple Brains help founders and startups 41:10 What is the unicorn of a customer 44:30 Why product managers manage “nothing” yet carry all responsibility 51:25 Uncommon scenarios as a Product Manager 01:04:40 Ideal Customer Profile for Purple Brains 01:10:30 Funny story with clients 01:18:50 Concluding Remark About Richard Abi Chahla Richard Abi Chahla is a seasoned product manager and 4-time tech founder with over 18 years of experience building and scaling digital products across 15+ industries. As the founder of Purple Brains, he supports startups and enterprises as a fractional CPO, guiding them from idea to launch. Richard has led more than 50 product initiatives worldwide, blending strategy, technology, and execution to help teams deliver real impact. 📢 Connect with Richard: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardabichahla/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/richyabichahla Purple Brains: https://www.purplebrains.com LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/purple.brains.lb Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-brains/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Website: https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow The Executives: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/ #MajidM #TheExecutives #ProductManagement #Startups #PurpleBrains #LebanonTech #FractionalCPO #PMLeadership #ProductMarketFit #TechFounder

September 30, 20251 hr 5 min

Davide Marchisio: From Physics to Product Leadership| Strategy, Startups & Design Thinking in Action

In this episode of the Executives , I sit down with Davide, a physicist-turned-product leader helping founders turn raw ideas into scalable ventures. From design thinking to venture building, Davide breaks down what it really takes to ship products that matter. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: Why Davide shifted from physics to product strategy What makes an idea venture-worthy Common mistakes founders make when launching How frameworks like design thinking impact outcomes A real success story where Davide turned things around What product management actually means Who should hire Davide and when His 60-second elevator pitch to clients ⏱️ Chapters: 01:45 Who is Davide 06:08 Teleportation question: where & why 08:15 Why Davide left physics for product 14:54 Idea to Venture: Common founder mistakes 26:20 Frameworks Davide uses for decision making 35:00 When design thinking helps (and hurts) 43:03 Real client success story 47:50 What a product manager actually does 54:50 Who should hire Davide 59:09 Davide’s 60-second elevator pitch 01:02:20 What's next for Davide? 01:03 45 Concluding Remarks About Davide Davide is a former physicist turned product strategist who helps early-stage ventures turn raw ideas into scalable products. With experience across startups, scale-ups, and consulting, he specializes in frameworks like design thinking to guide product decisions, avoid founder pitfalls, and make sure teams are solving the right problems. His work sits at the intersection of business, design, and tech, with a focus on asking better questions, not just building faster. 📢 Connect with Davide: Website -: www.davidemarchisio.com LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidemarchisio/ Booking a free initial call: https://cal.com/davidemarchisio/discovery-free 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Website: https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow The Executives: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

September 24, 202555 min

Dmitry Kharchenko: From Startup CTO to Tech Advisor | AI, Cybersecurity & Scaling Teams That Win

In this episode of the Executives , I sit down with Dmitry, a multi-time startup CTO and Global Tech Advisor who’s helped companies scale across borders and exit through acquisition. From building distributed teams to shaping the future of AI and cybersecurity, Dmitry brings decades of leadership, technical depth, and mentorship to the table. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: How to scale both product and people across geographies Why leadership evolution matters more than technical skill The difference between being a CTO vs. a CDO The biggest mistakes founders make when scaling tech Future trends in AI, cybersecurity & team collaboration Why celebration matters in high-performance cultures How to transition from builder to advisor without losing your edge ⏱️ Chapters: 00:58 Introduction: The Journey of Dmitry 03:29 Dmitry's leadership style is defined in fast food 05:37 The Story behind Tech Biz Global 08:42 Turnaround time in headhunting 11:24 Evolution of Dmitry's leadership style 15:19 The Operator-to-Advisor Mindset Shift 22:30 Being passionate about work and business 26:36 How does a CTO celebrate Success? 29:01 Challenges when Building Distributed Teams the Right Way 35:20 How to fight with silos being formed in organizations? 38:46 AI, Cybersecurity & The Future of Work 45:20 The Evolving Role of CTOs/CDOs 50:00 Funniest CTO Moment 52:27 Parting Advice for Tech Leaders About Dmitry Kharchenko Dmitry Kharchenko is a serial entrepreneur, tech executive, and venture builder with over 20 years of experience across fintech, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and software innovation. As the Founder & CEO of TechBiz Global and a Top 10 CTO to watch in 2024, he has led technology, data, and business growth strategies at scale. Dmitry is passionate about building and scaling startups, mentoring founders, and transforming businesses through technology and leadership. His career bridges hands-on engineering excellence with strategic leadership across global startup ecosystems 📢 Connect with Dmitry: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmitrykh/ Tech Biz Global: https://techbiz.global/de/ Website: https://dmitrykharchenko.com/ 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Website: https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow The Executives : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

September 17, 202558 min

Dr. Charlotte De Brabandt - Hyper Leadership & Future of Work | Digital Transformation & AI Strategy

In this episode of the Executives, I sit down with Dr. Charlotte De Brabandt, a digital futurist, negotiation expert, and global procurement leader. With a career that spans Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Porsche, and Volkswagen, Charlotte unpacks her philosophy of “Hyper Leadership” and shares how today’s leaders can navigate AI, digital transformation, emotional intelligence, and multi-generational teams.🎯 What You’ll Learn: What is Hyper Leadership, and how does it apply to today’s volatile business world The evolution of leadership in the digital era How to motivate and manage 5 generations in one team The real impact of AI on decision-making, strategy, and emotions Upskilling on a budget Why recognition, flexibility, and purpose build stronger teams ⏱️ Chapters: 00:02 Who is Charlotte De Brabandt? 05:03 Global career & early experiences in procurement 08:30 Defining leadership in the digital era 11:54 What is Hyper Leadership? 16:53 Hyper agility & decision-making 20:26 The role of emotional intelligence in AI-driven environments 27:00 Retaining & motivating multi-generational teams 37:22 Creating purpose-driven workplaces 41:45 Embracing digital innovation without overwhelm 45:35 Must-have negotiation skills for leaders 49:37 Building a personal leadership brand 53:40 Leadership trends shaping the next 10 years 57:15 Final advice for future leaders About Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt Dr. Charlotte de Brabandt is a digital futurist, negotiation expert, and procurement leader, recognized for her insights on leadership, resilience, and the future of work. With over 15 years of experience across industries such as automotive, technology, pharmaceuticals, and IT, she has led global transformation projects for Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Porsche, and Volkswagen. A TEDx speaker, author, and board member, Charlotte is passionate about hyper-leadership, digital transformation, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. 📢 Connect with Dr. Charlotte: Website: https://www.charlottedebrabandt.com 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter): https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads: https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

September 10, 20251 hr 6 min

Scaling Platforms at Nubank, Booking.com & dunnhumby | Yash Piplani, Product Leader at dunnhumby

In this episode of the Executives , I sit down with Yash Piplani, a seasoned product leader whose 14+ year journey spans GE Capital, Ford, Expedia, Booking.com, Nubank, and now dunnhumby. From building customer-centric platforms to leading global teams across continents, Yash shares his playbook for scaling with empathy, product thinking, and strategic clarity. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: What it takes to lead product at scale for 90M+ customers How to design organizational structures for platform success Building cohesion in remote and distributed teams The difference between data-driven and data-informed decisions Leadership insights on autonomy, clarity, and mentorship ⏱️ Chapters: 01:18 Who is Yash Piplani, Global Product Leader? 07:55 Did You Move to Delhi Because of the Food? 09:32 If You Could Rename Monday, What Would You Call It? 12:16 What Does Dunnhumby Do? 14:12 Can You Explain Dunnhumby to a 10-Year-Old? 17:22 What Shaped Your Product Leadership Style? 25:15 How Do You Build Team Cohesion Across Regions? 31:27 What Were the Challenges of Scaling Platforms? 47:41 How Do You Use Data to Make Decisions? 53:03 How Should We Hire Product Managers? 59:47 What’s a Stressful Story You Now Find Funny? 01:04:18 Closing Remark from Yash Piplani About Yash Piplani: Yash Piplani is a seasoned product leader and innovation strategist with over 19 years of experience in driving product development, customer identity platforms, and strategic growth. Currently serving as the Global Director of Product Management at dunnhumby, Yash has previously led product and engineering teams at Nubank, Glovo, Booking.com, and Expedia Group. Known for building high-performing teams and scaling digital products, he is passionate about data-driven decision-making and empowering customer-centric innovations across global markets. 📢 Connect with Yash: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/yashpiplani/ Company : https://www.dunnhumby.com 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter) : https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads : https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/

August 20, 202547 min

Dr. Yarjan Abdus-Samad: Building the Future of Space with 2D Materials

In this episode of The Executives , I sit down with Dr. Yarjan Abdus-Samad, Assistant Professor at Khalifa University and Senior Teaching Fellow at the University of Cambridge. We delve into the world of materials science and explore how 2D materials, such as graphene, are revolutionizing space technology, sustainability, and the future of energy. 🎯 What You’ll Learn: The future of graphene and 2D materials Real-world applications in space, water purification, and thermal management How space research contributes to Earth-based innovation What drives cutting-edge research and the importance of sustainability How to motivate the next generation of scientists ⏱️ Chapters: 00:49 Introduction 02:07 What is a famous food from Balochistan? 03:27 Who is Dr. Yarjan Abdus Samad? 05:06 What sparked your interest in material science and space tech? 10:32 What are some groundbreaking projects you've worked on? 14:08 How has material science revolutionized space tech? 16:31 Have you ever trained as an astronaut? 19:26 Why is graphene called a "wonder material"? 23:38 How does graphene help in water purification? 25:57 What is the future of graphene and 2D materials? 29:59 Can you give an example of applied research being used now? 32:08 How do you ensure your research is sustainable and high-performing? 34:58 How are advanced materials impacting renewable energy? 37:06 Will graphene face a scarcity problem like oil? 38:54 How can you explain research to a non-scientist? 40:53 How do you inspire students to pursue research? 43:12 What advice do you give when research hits dead ends? 46:35 Final thoughts from Dr. Yarjan 📢 Connect with Yarjan Abdus-Samad: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarjan-abdul-samad-9ba8275/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/yarjanm/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/yarjanabdulsamad/ X (Twitter) : https://x.com/iamyarjan 📢 Connect with Majid Mahmood: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/majid-m/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/majidmofficial/ X (Twitter) : https://x.com/majidmofficial Threads : https://www.threads.com/@majidmofficial Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/majidmpage Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@majidm_official Majid M : https://www.majidm.com 📢 Follow the Executives: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/theexecutivespodcast Tiktok : https://www.tiktok.com/@theexecutives_podcast Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theexecutives_podcast LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-executives-a-dialogue-with-majid/