49 episodes

This is a podcast that explores thoughts and conversations around the DNA of purposeful minds. It tries to decode what really goes behind the minds of people with a purpose, what are their motivations and inspiration, attempts to understand the why behind what they do and how do they successfully accomplish what they set out do. It helps provide a mental framework, markers and a mind map for each one us to learn and discover from their life purpose, their cultural ecosystem and their experiences. These conversations will hopefully open your mind, help you put some these thoughts to practice both in your life and career.

The ContraMinds Podcast ContraMinds Labs

    • Business

This is a podcast that explores thoughts and conversations around the DNA of purposeful minds. It tries to decode what really goes behind the minds of people with a purpose, what are their motivations and inspiration, attempts to understand the why behind what they do and how do they successfully accomplish what they set out do. It helps provide a mental framework, markers and a mind map for each one us to learn and discover from their life purpose, their cultural ecosystem and their experiences. These conversations will hopefully open your mind, help you put some these thoughts to practice both in your life and career.

    The Super CMO Show - Prof. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar (#006)

    The Super CMO Show - Prof. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar (#006)

    Marketing Accountability: Elevating the role of the CMO and Value of Marketing in an Enterprise



    Prof. Venkatesh (Venky) Shankar is a Ford Chair Professor, a RETHINK Retail Top Influencer, and an Advisory Council Chair at the Marketing Accountability Standards Board.

    With vast experience in retail, Prof. Shankar is a professor at the Texas A & M University and has over 27,000 citations (Marketing, Strategy, Retailing, Innovation and AI) on Google Scholar.

    In this episode, Prof Shankar and Swami discuss:

    - What inspired Prof. Venky into the Marketing Field

    - Prof. Venky’s Early Years - Mentors and Guides 

    - Building Marketing Accountability Standards

    - Marketing CEOs Create More Shareholder Value

    - Why CEOs Need Marketing Experience

    - Hindsight, Insight and Foresight in Retail 

    - Harvesting Big Data in Retail

    - Apple Pay and Paypal Increase Engagement

    - Customer Loyalty Online and Offline

    - Accountability Standards for Marketing Expenses

    - Hardskills and Softskills for Budding CMOs

    - Advice to Marketing Students at University



    Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor | Google Podcasts

    Watch the full video episode on YouTube

    For show notes and earlier guest interviews, please visit www.contraminds.com

    To sign up for our weekly newsletter, please visit https://contraminds.substack.com/

    Connect with Prof. Shankar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkyshankar/

    Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

    Connect with Vignesh: https://twitter.com/hrorq

    Connect with us:

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds

    Website: www.contraminds.com

    • 1 hr 6 min
    #040 Ravishankar Iyer on Storytelling: The Catalyst to Influence People and Business Growth

    #040 Ravishankar Iyer on Storytelling: The Catalyst to Influence People and Business Growth

    Ravishankar Iyer is a Story Coach and Founder of Story Rules (storyrules.in), a startup that offers training and coaching services on how to apply storytelling techniques at work.



    A Chartered Accountant with an MBA from IIMA, Ravi a.k.a. “The Storytelling Guy”, believes From boardroom reviews to big family gatherings, from TED Talks to teachers in classrooms, from magical monuments to mythology epics, from job interviews to jungle safaris, from CEOs writing shareholder letters to cricketers making superb videos, from Presidents making inauguration speeches to political experts cutting the clutter…



    In this episode, Ravi and Swami chat about:



    - How Ravi became “The Storytelling Guy”

    - Cultivating the Reading Habit Early in Life

    - The Impact of Storytelling and Learning

    - Storytelling Techniques for Education

    - Storytelling at the Workplace

    - Honesty and Authenticity in Storytelling

    - Tackling Corporate Crises with Storytelling

    - The 1-3-9 Framework

    - Creating the Design Story for Product Companies

    - Understanding Contemplation and Aesthetics

    - Presentation Skills at the Workplace

    Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor | Google Podcasts

    Watch the full video episode on YouTube



    For show notes and earlier guest interviews, please visit www.contraminds.com

    To sign up for our weekly newsletter, please visit https://contraminds.substack.com/



    Connect with Ravi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravishankar-iyer/

    Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

    Connect with Vignesh: https://twitter.com/hrorq



    Connect with us:

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds

    Website: www.contraminds.com

    #datastory #storytelling #datastorytelling #businessstorytelling #storytellingforbusiness

    • 1 hr 30 min
    The Super CMO Show - Sukumar Muthya (#005)

    The Super CMO Show - Sukumar Muthya (#005)

    Inside the Mind of a Technology-Driven Marketer



    Sukumar Muthya is a seasoned marketing technology executive with over 27 years of marketing experience across a variety of industries - from manufacturing to technology.

    Sukumar is currently the Executive Vice President at Ansira Global - an independent global marketing technology and services firm with clients from automotive, technology, finance & insurance and restaurant businesses, helping in media, ad technology, CRM and loyalty.



    In this episode Sukumar and Swami discuss:



    How marketing has transformed over the years

    Muthya’s Journey from Tech to Marketing

    Balancing Marketing Functions as a CMO

    The Chief Marketing Officer Meets the Chief Marketing Technologist

    Skillsets to orchestrate integrated marketing initiatives

    Reconciling Attribution Across Marketing Channels

    Marketing in a Cookie-less World

    Digital Transformation in Manufacturing

    Best Practices to Build Digital Transformation in Companies

    Integrated Loyalty at Ansira Global

    The Ansira Value Proposition

    Marketing in the Metaverse

    Non-negotiable skillsets for Future Marketers

    Book Recommendations in Tech, Martech and Marketing

    People who Inspired Muthya

    What does Muthya do off-work?



    Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

    Watch the full video episode on YouTube



    For show notes and earlier guest interviews, please visit www.contraminds.com

    To sign up for our weekly newsletter, please visit https://contraminds.substack.com/



    Connect with Sukumar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sukumarmuthya/

    Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

    Connect with Vignesh: https://twitter.com/hrorq



    Connect with us:

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds

    Website: www.contraminds.com



    #DigitalMarketingTechnologies #EnterpriseSoftwareBusiness #ManagementConsulting #DigitalMarketingProcesses #DirectResponse #RelationshipMarketingStrategies #SupplyChain #ProcessImprovement #EnterpriseApplications #StrategicThinking #ProgramManagement #OffShoreDelivery #Adtech #Martech #SukumarMuthya #SivaramanSwaminathan #SwaminathanSivaraman #SuperCMOShow #ContraMindsPodcast

    • 1 hr 27 min
    The Super CMO Show - Amit Tiwari (#004)

    The Super CMO Show - Amit Tiwari (#004)

    Amit Tiwari is a Martech Leader with a new-age marketing approach for new marketing technology enablement. His experience includes a crucial role in the modernization and transformation of marketing technologies. 

    Amit has vast knowledge in managing all aspects of the product lifecycle from concept development to launch in both B2B and B2C platforms. He is currently the Global Head of the Marketing Demand Centre at Tata Consultancy Services. 

    Earlier Amit held leadership positions in Philips - where his eight year tenure saw him grow from Country Manager to Director of Marketing for the Indian Subcontinent and subsequently at Havells where Amit spent four years as the VP of Marketing playing a key role in all the four power brands. - Lloyd, Crabtree, Standard and Reo.

    In his current leadership position at TCS as the Global Head of Marketing Demand Centre, Amit is deeply involved in building a network and influence senior, cross-functional leaders to align technology solutions and business processes to drive marketing transformation, provideing strategic direction for integrating marketing technology products with other technologies & platforms and defining the marketing technology strategy that enables customer engagement and relationship marketing business priorities.



    In this marketing masterclass with Swami, Amit Delves into:



    What Inspired Amit to take up Marketing

    Heading the Global Demand Centre @ TCS

    Why Marketing Needs To Reclaim Its Seat At The Table

    Balancing Act Between Marketing Metrics and Business Metrics

    Running A Business: Being a CMO Versus Being A Business Head

    Strategies To Balance Marketing Functions as a CMO

    How Marketers Can Be Agile - Real Life Examples

    Managing Trade Partners As A Marketer

    Balancing Budgets Across Marketing Initiatives

    Ad Agencies Need To be Integrated Marketing Agencies

    The Marketing Narrative Needs To Change

    Creating A Unified Briefing Format Across Agencies

    Marketers Need To Be Jack Of All Trades & Master Of One

    Working in a Global Role At A Tech Company

    Amit's Career Trajectory

    How a Tech Company Can Adopt Marketing

    Cross Pollinating Marketing Principles & Practices Across Categories

    ... and much more.



    Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music



    Watch the full video episode on YouTube



    For show notes and earlier guest interviews, please visit www.contraminds.com

    To sign up for our weekly newsletter, please visit https://contraminds.substack.com/



    Connect with Amit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-tiwari-marketing-leader/

    Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

    Connect with Vignesh: https://twitter.com/hrorq



    Connect with us:

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds

    Website: www.contraminds.com



    #StrategicPlanning #EnterprisePlatforms #AgileMarketing, #CuratedCustomerExperience #DigitalMarketingTransformation #GoToMarket #MediaPlanning #BrandStrategy #ChannelManagement #ProductDevelopment #NewProductLaunches #BrandArchitecture #MarketingCampaigns #Promotions #MarketIntelligence  #BusinessGrowth #BusinessTransformation #CRM #Leadership #TeamBuilding #marktech #techmarketing #leadershipculture

    • 1 hr 32 min
    The Super CMO Show - Prof. Tanvi Gupta (#003)

    The Super CMO Show - Prof. Tanvi Gupta (#003)

    Dr. Tanvi Gupta is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU) and a practicing semiotician. Her academic research focuses on brand language and consumer culture—and her research has been published in Journal of Consumer Research—one of the top marketing journals in the world. Tanvi co-leads the Consumer Culture Lab at IIM Udaipur, a platform to foster research on consumer culture in India. She is also a member of the Editorial Review Board at the Journal of Retailing.

    Before doing a Ph.D. in Marketing from IIM Bangalore, Tanvi has worked as a marketing research professional with Kantar. During her stint in the MR industry, she has worked on semiotics, brand tracking and advertising research—integrating both quantitative and qualitative methods. Tanvi also holds a communications masters from MICA, India with the director’s award for academic excellence.

    Tanvi also has a flair for creativity and aesthetic sense. Being a trained graphics designer, her passion for visual aesthetics and culture drives her interest towards visual semiotics and brand language.

    In this Super CMO episode with Swami, Dr. Tanvi talk about:

    - Why Prof. Tanvi Chose Marketing & Semiotics

    - What is Semiotics?

    - Anthropology, Sociology & Psychology in Semiotics

    - How Brands Can Use Semiotics

    - How Brands Can Decode Indian Culture

    - Binary Opposites, Plotting and Code Trajectory in Semiotics

    - Residual Vs. Emergent -Lakme Vs L’Oreal - How Brands Can Revive Themselves

    - The New Code Trajectory: Role Reversal in Brand Advertisments

    - Can Tech Companies Apply Semiotics in Design?

    - Culture Hues Embedded Into User Experience

    - The Influence of Typefaces in Brand Building

    - Semiotics and the Diverse Indian Culture

    - The Consumer Culture Lab @ IIM Udaipur

    - Tulsi, the YouTube Village of India

    - How Brands Can Tap Into Emerging Regional Digital Identities

    - Advice to Brands From a Semiotician

    - Advice to a Young Marketer From a Semiotician

    Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

    Watch the full video episode on YouTube

    For show notes and earlier guest interviews, please visit www.contraminds.com

    To sign up for our weekly newsletter, please visit https://contraminds.substack.com/

    Connect with Dr Tanvi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanviguptamr/

    Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

    Connect with Vignesh: https://twitter.com/hrorq

    Connect with us:

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds

    Website: www.contraminds.com

    • 1 hr 24 min
    #039 Pooja Jauhari on Leadership Lessons in Building a Disruptive and Value Driven Marketing Firm

    #039 Pooja Jauhari on Leadership Lessons in Building a Disruptive and Value Driven Marketing Firm

    Pooja Jauhari is the former Group CEO of VMLY&R India, and former CEO of The Glitch. Over her two-decade-long career, Pooja has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country and the world, and introduced powerful campaigns to society.

    Pooja has worked with some brilliant people and has held important responsibilities over the past 20 years. She is the Founder of Seat At The Table, an unbiased investment and advisory initiative to invest in companies and people that are built on a purpose.

    Prior to her appointment in the VMLY&R network, Pooja was the CEO of The Glitch, a high-performance creative company that has worked hard to create a workspace that is gender blind, inclusive and progressive. The Glitch was acquired by WPP, the world’s largest marketing communications company in 2017, and integrated into the VMLY&R network within WPP in 2020.

    Before The Glitch, Pooja worked with Unilever, JWT and Times of India. With two recessions & a pandemic under her belt, her work in leadership has included a variety of business models, people, challenges and marketplaces.

    She has been honoured with the IMPACT 50 Most Influential Award in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

    In conversation with Swami, Pooja talks about:

    - Her formative years and how she built her foundational value systems

    - How youngsters need to structure their career

    - Running a company through recession and volatility

    - What the marketing department of the future may look like

    - Getting comfortable with being silent

    - Skills today’s marketers need to equip themselves with

    -Tactical Vs Strategic Frameworks

    - The Creative Guy and The Data Guy

    - Challenges in scaling a services company in the creative industry

    - Me needs to be the servant of we

    - The learnings from VP to CEO

    - Strategic Thinking as a CEO

    Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anchor | Google Podcasts

    Watch the full video episode on YouTube

    For show notes and earlier guest interviews, please visit www.contraminds.com

    To sign up for our weekly newsletter, please visit https://contraminds.substack.com/

    Connect with Pooja: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pooja-jauhari-4ab38755/

    Connect with Swami: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sivaraman-swaminathan-9856501/

    Connect with Vignesh: https://twitter.com/hrorq

    Connect with us:

    LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/contraminds/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contraminds/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/contraminds

    Website: www.contraminds.com

    • 1 hr 6 min

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