d.MBA

d.MBA
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Design

Business confidence for designers.

  1. 23 Jul

    The Framework Deel's Design Director Uses to Decode Any Company

    Avi Ashkenazi, Senior Director of Product Design at Deel (Shopify and iwoca before that), walks through the Shredder: the framework he built for reverse-engineering any company's strategy from the outside, using nothing but public information. It's the skill that moves designers from executing the brief to shaping it. We get into: Why studying competitors through their screens is the most superficial read there is The tree metaphor: products are the fruit, strategy is the hidden trunk, and everything around it talks How to read org charts, careers pages, investors and partners as leading indicators of a company's next move Why companies ship their org chart, and how to spot the seams in the product How AI has changed the way Avi runs the framework since he built it at iwoca Using the Shredder on your own company, to find out what your strategy actually is

  2. 09/08/2024

    107- GoPro - Business Design Teardown

    Ever thought about the ingenious business and design strategies that turned an everyday gadget into an adventurer's (and content creator's) best friend? Our latest Business Design Teardown dives into the thrilling business and design strategies behind the iconic action camera brand GoPro, revealing the creative and strategic decisions that shaped GoPro's journey to becoming a market leader.  Join Alen, Franz, and Tom as they explore the trails and navigate the rapids of GoPro's fascinating journey. They'll zoom in on... How a founder's passion for surfing and desire to capture his adventures identified a gap in the market for him to exploreThe role of prototyping and rapid iteration that led to GoPro's innovation breakthroughsWhy user-generated content was a critical marketing flywheel driving GoPro's early successesHow arrogance and a focus on iteration over innovation may have stifled GoPro's journey to the top of the action camera mountain...Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a design lover, or someone who loves a good adventure tale, this episode has twists and turns that will elevate your perspective on GoPro's fascinating story.

    107- GoPro - Business Design Teardown

  3. 04/06/2024

    106- Wikipedia - Business Design Teardown

    When you want to learn about the intersection of business and design, you can turn to d.MBA Business Design Teardowns. But for everything else? It has to be Wikipedia.   In this podcast episode, we're tearing down one of the most significant sources of knowledge on the internet and uncovering how it isn't just a website—it's a worldwide wonder. We'll delve into why Wikipedia is a fascinating case study for designers, discovering the clever design and organizational strategies that make it user-friendly, universally engaging, and completely ubiquitous. Join Alen, Franz, and Tom as they explore… The critical shift from scholar-led to community-led content creation that revolutionized Wikipedia's output and productivityWhy a commitment to form over function has led to a design language which prioritises readability, accessibility, and performanceThe thousands of stakeholders - and novel-length conversations! - that Wikipedia's design team has to manage when shipping updatesHow Wikipedia manages to stay informative and reliable without resorting to paid advertisingSo tune in to hear how design and strategy converge to keep this information titan thriving.  You'll never look at Wikipedia the same way again…

    106- Wikipedia - Business Design Teardown

  4. 16/04/2024

    105- Patagonia - Business Design Teardown

    Ready for a business adventure? For our latest Teardown, we're exploring the terrain of a brand that has revolutionized business and ethical standards. Yes, we're unearthing the tale of Patagonia, a brand that's more than just outdoor apparel. It's a testament to sustainability, innovation, and an unwavering love for the great outdoors. Patagonia is an icon of ethical business and thoughtful design. It's a brand that has masterfully woven the threads of environmental activism with cutting-edge business strategies. In this episode, Alen, Franz, and Tom will unravel how Patagonia has managed to design not just clothes but also a culture of sustainability and product innovation that other brands are dying to replicate. Join us as we explore... The relatable conflicts of Patagonia's founder, a craftsperson at heart who remains reluctant to call himself a businessmanWhy Yvon Chouinard committed early business self-sabotage in the interests of the environment he loved… and set the standard for the business's future decision-making.How Patagonia weaves philosophy into its culture, always prioritizing its most important stakeholder: our planetThe role of activism in its brand ethos and the marketing side-effects that this fostersSo, lace up your hiking boots, and let's hit the trail together in this latest Business Design Teardown. It will be one wild ride through Patagonia's business peaks and design valleys.

    105- Patagonia - Business Design Teardown

  5. 19/03/2024

    104- Pantone - Business Design Teardown

    Prepare to immerse yourself in a tale of innovation and color that revolutionized design and branding. Our latest Business Design Teardown paints the vibrant journey of Pantone, the brand that turned the art of color consistency into a global industry. Join us as we explore the canvas of challenges and innovations Pantone navigated to become the global authority on color. We'll brush up on how Pantone didn't just stop at solving a problem; they became trendsetters, influencing design and fashion and setting tones that reflect cultural moods and movements. It's a story of strategic brilliance as much as it is about the beauty of color. So tune in as Alen, Franz, and Tom uncover... How faded camera film boxes brought to light the critical need for color consistencyWhy Pantone's strategic decision to sell early in the value chain to ink manufacturers set the stage for a color revolution.Pantone's journey from standardization to 'Colour of The Year' trend-settingThe reasons Pantone's Colour Matching System has dominated for decades, and the threats to its future...So, enjoy the spectrum of strategic stories about Pantone, the brand that painted its way into our lives and lexicons. From standardizing hues to dictating trends, this episode promises to add a splash of color to your day!

    104- Pantone - Business Design Teardown

  6. 20/02/2024

    103- Liquid Death - Business Design Teardown

    Get ready to crack open a can of intrigue with our latest Business Design Teardown, where we're diving headfirst into the chilling waters of Liquid Death's business and creativity genius. We're peeling back the heavy-metal label to reveal the secrets behind their killer branding that's taken the beverage industry by storm. From the mountainous origins of their water to the razor-sharp humor of their marketing campaigns, we'll explore how Liquid Death has managed to make hydration feel like an act of defiance. Join Alen, Franz, and Tom as they explore how this brand turned the simple act of drinking water into a rebellious statement as we explore... How sneaky energy drink marketing at festivals first planted the seed of an idea for Liquid Death's founderWhy using a fake advert to measure demand was a breakthrough move designers can learn fromThe playbook that Liquid Death used to shake up a stale product category with edgy branding and marketingWhy Liquid Death's 'Murder Your Thirst' tagline means more than hydration; it's an environmental call to actionSo, if you're thirsting for a business story that's as refreshing as a cold drink on a hot day, tune in. This episode promises to murder your boredom and resurrect your love for innovative branding and design. Stay hydrated. It's going to be a killer episode.

    103- Liquid Death - Business Design Teardown

  7. 31/01/2024

    102- ON - Business Design Teardown

    Tap, tap... is this thing ON? Great, because we've got an exciting new Teardown episode for you! In this latest podcast installment we're taking you behind the scenes of ON, the Swiss brand racing to the forefront of the athletic footwear industry. With its unique CloudTec technology and striking sneaker silhouettes, ON is a brand taking on the big players using design as a critical differentiator. From its humble beginnings to its rise as a global contender, we'll explore how this innovative brand has made significant strides in a competitive market.  So tune in as Alen, Franz, and Tom discuss… ON's technology and design breakthroughs, from the humble garden hose to innovative footwear.How a founder's dedication to continuous innovation through experimentation keeps ON moving forward.The David vs. Goliath battle ON faces in the fiercely competitive athletic footwear arena.ON's enormous potential for expansion into new market categories. So, get set and join us as we race through the story of ON - a business running on innovation, savvy leadership, and unique design.

    102- ON - Business Design Teardown

  8. 17/01/2024

    101- LEGO - Business Design Teardown

    Prepare to embark on an exciting journey about the magic of building – both in terms of creative design and prosperous business strategy. We're about to unravel the colorful story of LEGO, where imagination and innovation interlock seamlessly to create an empire that's been stacking up success, one brick at a time! It's a brand where business philosophy and product design are as interconnected as the bricks it's so famous for. So join Alen, Franz, and Tom as they explore how this iconic brand has masterfully constructed its path to global acclaim, including... How a pivot from wood to plastic (and from traditional toys to bricks) transformed the direction of a small Danish toy brandWhy a chance encounter on a business boat trip would lead to a critical strategic decision in Lego's historyLego's 1990s slump and how it turned things around through franchising, IP, and the mature play marketThe surprising margins Lego maintains in the declining toy marketWhether you're a lifelong LEGO enthusiast or intrigued by the story of turning creativity into commerce, this episode shows how every great idea starts with a solid foundation and a few strategic building blocks!

    101- LEGO - Business Design Teardown
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Business confidence for designers.

Information

  • Creator
    d.MBA
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    108
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 d.MBA
  • Show Website
    d.MBA

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