45 min
Awakening the BB-8: How Paul Berberian Helped Sphero Grow Up to Launch the #1 Toy in the World Mavens of Change
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- Business
Sphero- one of the first companies to consumerize robotics- was still hunting for the right business model when the Walt Disney Company came knocking with a life-changing proposition. Sphero was offered the opportunity to build the BB-8, which would become the #1 toy in the world- in partnership with Disney. In this episode, Paul Berberian- the former CEO of Sphero- breaks down how he helped shepherd the company through this transformative opportunity and towards a new vision, mission and 10x revenues. We learn: Why consensus-building is a core skill needed for a manager, How traction is sometimes a strong substitute for culture, and Why saying no to opportunity is sometimes better in the long run for a business. Management readings: Team of Rivals (Dorris Goodwin).
Sphero- one of the first companies to consumerize robotics- was still hunting for the right business model when the Walt Disney Company came knocking with a life-changing proposition. Sphero was offered the opportunity to build the BB-8, which would become the #1 toy in the world- in partnership with Disney. In this episode, Paul Berberian- the former CEO of Sphero- breaks down how he helped shepherd the company through this transformative opportunity and towards a new vision, mission and 10x revenues. We learn: Why consensus-building is a core skill needed for a manager, How traction is sometimes a strong substitute for culture, and Why saying no to opportunity is sometimes better in the long run for a business. Management readings: Team of Rivals (Dorris Goodwin).
45 min