Digital Transformation Survivors.

Julian Tedstone
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Managing complex web ecosystems—whether it’s multiple websites, diverse user journeys, or varied audiences—comes with unique challenges that differ from those faced by businesses with a single focus. In this podcast, we sit down with industry leaders who navigate these complexities every day. We’ll uncover their strategies for managing teams, technologies, and stakeholder expectations, offering insights that can help you optimize your own web program. Join us as we explore what it takes to turn digital complexity into a competitive advantage.

  1. NOV 19

    Scott Brinker on AI agents, AEO and the new buyer journey

    What happens when your ideal customer never sees your website or your emails—because their AI agent screens everything first? In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, Julian Tedstone sits down with Scott Brinker - former VP, Platform Ecosystem at HubSpot and editor of chiefmartec.com - to explore how AI agents, answer engines, and an ever-expanding Martech landscape are reshaping marketing. Scott shares the story behind his iconic Martech supergraphic (from 150 tools to an “infinite fractal” of logos) and explains why SaaS is far from dead, even as AI gives individuals unprecedented power to spin up their own workflows, dashboards, and micro-tools. Together, Julian and Scott dig into: Why search is giving way to answer engines—and what AEO (Answer Engine Optimisation) really meansHow AI is changing marketing in three layers: behind-the-scenes tools, customer-facing experiences, and now buyer-side agentsWhat it looks like when your inbox is handled by an agent that filters, researches, and negotiates on your behalfHow to think about core platforms vs. plug-in micro-tools, and why orchestration and data still matterThe mindset digital leaders need over the next two years: less panic, more steady experimentationIf you’re responsible for complex web estates, Martech stacks, or digital strategy-and feeling the pace of change - this conversation will help you reset, refocus, and plan what to do next. Send us a text Support the show

    43 min

  2. NOV 5

    From 2,000 Sites to One: Nestlé’s Drupal Journey with Antonella Severo

    How do you consolidate a web estate the size of a small country? In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, host Julian Tedstone talks with Antonella Severo, Product Manager for WebCMS at Nestlé Global Services Spain. Antonella shares how Nestlé reduced more than 2,000 websites to 1,300 while improving governance, security, and speed to market. She walks through the decision to standardise on Drupal, the move to a multi-site model, and the creation of Lightness, Nestlé’s in-house Drupal distribution that drives reuse across brands, categories, and regions. We dig into the shift from WebCMS to WebOps—automation, DevOps, and the operational playbooks behind changes like SSO rollouts and code repository migration. Expect practical detail on “freedom in a box” for markets, how global and local teams collaborate with a single agency model, and why composable architecture and decoupled setups are shaping what comes next. If you’re scaling content, integrations, and security across dozens—or hundreds—of sites, this conversation maps the path. Send us a text Support the show

    35 min

  3. OCT 22

    How Membership Organizations Shape Their Digital Future

    In this episode, Alan Perestrello, Managing Director at HartSquare, joins Digital Transformation Survivors to explore how membership and charity organizations are redefining their digital journeys.  From balancing tradition with innovation to building user-led technology ecosystems, Alan shares how communities rooted in shared purpose can make smarter decisions about their marketing and CRM stacks.  Together, we discuss the unique dynamics of member-driven engagement, the challenges of retention versus acquisition, and how truth, standards, and trust are being reshaped in the age of intelligent agents. Send us a text Support the show

    56 min

  4. OCT 8

    Building the House, Furnishing 43 Markets: Helga Eriksson on Global Web and the AI Shift

    In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, Helga Eriksson, Global Web Leader at Alfa Laval, shares how she orchestrates a decentralized digital presence spanning 43 markets. From upgrading complex CMS systems to building a global web community, Helga explains how structure, governance, and trust turn chaos into collaboration. She also explores how AI is reshaping search behavior and why agility—not just technology—defines the future of digital marketing. Send us a text Support the show

    41 min

  5. SEP 16

    Leading with Empathy: Alessandra Canavesi on Digital Marketing for Global Investors

    Alessandra Canavesi, Head of Digital Marketing & Customer Experience at AXA, sits down with Jules to share her perspective on managing multicultural teams and building authentic connections with sophisticated investors. She explains how her team navigates the tension between global consistency and local nuance, the art of tailoring communications for different levels of expertise, and why listening first is her leadership anchor. The conversation dives into the role of digital infrastructure—from CRM and Eloqua integration to LinkedIn campaigns and personalised client journeys—and how AI is reshaping everything from translation to strategy. Alessandra also reflects on mentoring the next generation, fostering intergenerational collaboration, and keeping a “never stop learning” mindset at the heart of her leadership. Send us a text Support the show

    49 min

  6. AUG 13

    Cutting Through the Noise: Agility, MVPs, and the Methods That Matter

    In this energising and honest episode finale, Jules and Allison dig into the real-world dynamics of agility in practice—beyond the buzzwords. From unpacking the myth of self-organization to naming the creeping dangers of technical debt, they explore what truly drives high-performing teams. Together, they take on: Why self-organising teams aren’t free fallThe difference between agile theater and meaningful agilityHow technical debt quietly erodes momentum and moraleWhen Kanban works, when Scrum matters, and when neither is enoughMVPs, Lean Startup thinking, and the trap of stopping too soonThe rare cases where Waterfall makes more senseIt’s a sharp, no-spin conversation full of grounded insights for leaders, practitioners, and anyone navigating the messy middle of digital delivery. Whether you’re deep in delivery or just trying to cut through the noise, this episode leaves you with clarity, challenge, and a reminder: agility is a discipline, not a trend. Send us a text Support the show

    27 min

  7. JUL 30

    Sheep-Dip Agile and the Cost of Doing It Wrong

    In Part 2 of this thought-provoking conversation, host Julian Tedstone welcomes back Alison from Quantum of Value for a candid exploration of the deeper issues surrounding Agile methodologies in digital transformation. Together, they take on a pressing question: What’s going wrong with Agile? From disillusionment at the boardroom level to ineffective top-down mandates, Alison unpacks the “cargo cult” phenomenon—where organizations go through the motions without understanding the purpose behind Agile practices. She draws on real-world experiences, data from Gartner, and field insights to explain why 70% of digital transformations fail—and how poor adoption, rushed scaling, and a focus on the wrong metrics (like velocity over value) contribute to the problem. Listeners will also hear about:  • The danger of “sheep-dip Agile” training programs  • How scaling too fast can derail even promising starts  • Why story points and velocity are often misused  • The toll of change fatigue on teams and individuals  • The importance of cultural readiness and meaningful leadership engagement Alison also shares how her team uses behavioral data to support Agile teams through Performalise, a platform that helps surface and correct performance issues before they grow. This episode is essential listening for practitioners, leaders, and anyone navigating the realities of digital transformation. It’s honest, accessible, and focused on learning—not just critique. 🎧 Tune in and get ready for Part 3, where Jules and Alison continue to unpack what’s next for Agile and how to reframe success on more meaningful terms. Send us a text Support the show

    25 min

  8. JUL 13

    From Consultant to Catalyst: Rethinking Transformation with Purpose

    In this episode of Digital Transformation Survivors, host Julian Tedstone speaks with Allison Bacher,  co-founder of Quantum of Value, about what it really takes to lead meaningful, measurable change in complex organisations. Allison shares her journey from agile consultant to product innovator, and offers practical insights from years of guiding highly regulated and fast-scaling businesses through the realities of digital transformation. Together, they unpack what it means to manage change that sticks—starting with the business, not the technology-and how to identify and empower true change agents within organizations. Send us a text Support the show

    47 min
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About

Managing complex web ecosystems—whether it’s multiple websites, diverse user journeys, or varied audiences—comes with unique challenges that differ from those faced by businesses with a single focus. In this podcast, we sit down with industry leaders who navigate these complexities every day. We’ll uncover their strategies for managing teams, technologies, and stakeholder expectations, offering insights that can help you optimize your own web program. Join us as we explore what it takes to turn digital complexity into a competitive advantage.

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