Value Drivers Brio360

Can smaller consulting firms ever compete with the giants like BCG and McKinsey? Today, we dig into the unconventional paths and creative approaches that smaller firms leverage to carve out their own space in the consulting world. Join us as we welcome back Mayank Mittal, a tech industry executive and the author of "The Art of Building Great Products," who shares his journey from a large consulting powerhouse to his current role at Consulum, a government advisory firm focusing on digital transformation. Mayank provides candid insights into the contrasting work environments, highlighting the benefits of creative flexibility within smaller firms compared to the structured, process-oriented nature of industry giants.
We also explore the evolving landscape of management consulting amidst the rapid advancements in AI technology. As Mayank discusses, the rise of AI is radically transforming both the consulting industry and its client businesses. Hear about the new roles emerging in this space, such as prompt engineers and Chief AI Officers, and how consulting firms are adapting to guide clients through this AI-driven evolution. Mayank sheds light on the specific challenges and opportunities smaller firms face when integrating AI into their service offerings, stressing the importance of relationship-building and delivering heart-driven work to establish credibility and trust.
Finally, don't miss Mayank's insights on the revolutionary potential of AI in government sectors, especially in regions like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Discover how AI technologies are being woven into public services and regulatory frameworks, from AI regulatory bodies to innovative applications like the Invest AI Bot. For those aspiring to make their mark in consulting, we offer valuable book recommendations and expert career advice on navigating the realms of digital transformation and AI. Tune in to gain actionable insights and practical guidance that will prepare you for the future of consulting.
--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS ---------
(00:00:54) - Government Digital Transformation Consulting Differences
Mayank discusses his transition from BCG to Consulum, focusing on digital transformation strategies for government entities in Saudi Arabia and UAE.
(00:10:54) - Navigating Digital Transformation in Consulting
Smaller consulting firms face challenges in breaking into a market dominated by giants, while AI is transforming the industry and client businesses.
(00:17:10) - The Future of AI in Consulting
Gen AI adoption is reshaping job market, creating new roles and driving revenue for consulting firms.
(00:28:04) - Government Adoption of AI Technologies
AI is being integrated into government entities in the Middle East, with dedicated regulatory bodies and specific applications in education, finance, and tourism.
(00:38:28) - Consulting Career in Digital Transformation
Career advice for consultants, and the importance of networking and LinkedIn.
 
Resources
The Tim Ferriss Show
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tim-ferriss-show/id863897795
The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing: Violate Them at Your Own Risk! by Al Ries and Jack Trout
https://www.amazon.com/22-Immutable-Laws-Marketing-Violate/dp/0887306667
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
https://www.amazon.com/Autobiography-Self-Realization-Fellowship-Paramahansa-Yogananda-ebook/dp/B00JW44IAI
 
 
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Peter Ho
https://linkedin.com/in/peterhocm
 
Please note that information provided in the podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to take any particular action, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or services presented. It is not investment advice. Brio360 does not provide legal or tax advice.

Jordan Wright, CEO of Atomic Financial, provides insights into the company's evolution and strategic focus. Atomic emerged from Wright's previous venture, Unbill, with a mission to revolutionize consumer banking. Central to their business model is a per-transaction fee structure aimed at facilitating seamless account switching for major banks, ensuring they become primary financial providers by automating paycheck and bill transfers. This service, while currently niche, holds significant growth potential, especially as Atomic expands into payment switching and subscription management.
The conversation also underscores the transformative impact of AI in fintech.  AI plays a pivotal role at Atomic, particularly in areas such as user experience enhancement and subscription management. This approach not only streamlines user experiences but also strengthens Atomic's competitive position in the market.  Wright forecasts that within 3-5 years, a majority of US consumers will manage their subscriptions automatically through their bank accounts. Atomic distinguishes itself with proprietary features like "true off," enhancing security and user convenience, which has proven instrumental in securing partnerships with leading financial institutions.
Atomic focused on developing unique authentication solution that allows users to access payroll systems like ADP without sharing their credentials. This approach has led to a significant boost in conversion rates and has been a game-changer in Atomic's sales to large banks. While not all of Atomic's big bets panned out, the successful implementation of this user-permission access technology has given the company a significant competitive edge in the market
Ethics and mission alignment are core to Atomic's operations. Wright emphasizes the importance of hiring individuals who embody their values, ensuring integrity and trustworthiness in every aspect of their business. This commitment extends to fostering a cohesive team environment and maintaining transparency with customers and stakeholders alike.
Wright's entrepreneurial journey reflects resilience and strategic adaptation in navigating the complexities of the fintech landscape. His insights into building a sustainable fintech business underscore the importance of revenue focus and customer-centric innovation. Atomic Financial stands as a testament to leveraging technology ethically to empower consumers and drive industry-wide innovation.
Chapters
(00:00:47) - Atomic Financial: Founder's Journey and Vision
(00:02:44) - Atomic: Helping Banks and Fintechs Acquire Primary Customers
(00:04:57) - Facilitating Seamless Bank Account Switching
(00:07:35) - Subscription Management and Embedded Banking Solutions
(00:11:52) - Escaping Competition: Atomic's Strategic Bets
(00:13:51) - Unlocking Seamless Authentication with Third-Party Integration
(00:16:03) - Lessons Learned from Failed Bets and the Rise of AI in Fintech
(00:20:24) - The Transformative Potential of AI Assistants
(00:22:09) - Instilling AI Capabilities Across the Team
(00:24:58) - Selecting Investors: The Personal Fit Approach
(00:26:36) - Building Strong Partnership with Cofounder Through Forgiveness
(00:29:33) - Key KPIs for Startup Success
(00:31:44) - Scaling a Trustworthy Fintech Startup
(00:35:28) - Building a Strong Product Team
 
Resources
The Lessons of History Paperback by Will Durant and Ariel Durant
https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-History-Will-Durant/dp/143914995X
URL to Atomic Financial
https://atomic.financial/
 
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Please visit Brio360 on other episodes and resources on driving value creation
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Peter Ho
https://linkedin.com/in/peterhocm
 
 
Please note that information provided in the podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to take any particular action, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or services p

 
In this episode, Jeff Thornburg, founder of Portal Space Systems, shares insights on revolutionizing the space industry. From the shift towards commercial space companies like SpaceX to the importance of aligning with customer needs, Thornburg emphasizes the value of strong relationships and operational efficiency. He discusses the need for maneuverable spacecraft in a crowded space environment and delves into the unique propulsion system being developed by Portal Space Systems to address challenges like orbital congestion and debris while supporting military operations in space. Thornburg's discussion on the changing landscape of the space industry, strategic planning, and embracing technology like 3D printing offers a glimpse into the future of aerospace innovation.
The transition from government-dominated space activities to commercial enterprises like SpaceX and Blue Origin has spurred significant innovation and advancements in the industry. Portal Space Systems is at the forefront of this shift. These solutions address challenges such as orbital congestion and debris, enabling longer satellite life and enhanced maneuverability. Technological advancements and private sector investments have played a crucial role in this revolution.
Jeff Thornburg brings an extensive background in the aerospace industry, having worked with organizations such as SpaceX, Amazon, and the Air Force. His career journey, from the Air Force to the founding of Portal Space Systems, provides a unique perspective on the space industry's transformation and the challenges it faces. The interview highlights Thornburg's expertise in developing propulsion systems that enhance spacecraft mobility, catering to the growing needs of both commercial and military sectors.
A key point in the discussion is the increasing congestion in space and the potential for collisions between objects in orbit. Thornburg emphasizes the importance of developing propulsion capabilities that allow for better maneuverability, particularly in light of the growing number of satellites in low Earth orbit. He also discusses the relevance of space mobility in addressing issues such as orbital debris and the protection of commercial interests in space.
Additionally, Thornburg touches on significant changes in the space industry, particularly in the way technology and innovation have disrupted the traditional government-dominated approach. He underscores the importance of aligning with customer needs and adopting a metric-driven, lean management approach to ensure operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Thornburg's insights into the future of the space industry, the impact of technology, and the challenges in managing capital-intensive endeavors provide a thought-provoking perspective on the evolving landscape of space technology.
Chapters
(00:00:51) - The Journey of Jeff Thornburg: From Aerospace to Entrepreneurship
(00:04:18) - From the Air Force to founding Portal Space Systems
(00:08:53) - The transformation of the space industry: From the government sector to commercial companies
(00:11:43) - The future of space technology with logjam of technology adoption and lower satellite costs
(00:14:42) - The growing need in space commerce
(00:17:33) - Space Commerce and Military Protection on Orbit
(00:20:15) - Meeting the Needs of the Space Force: A Path to Successful Economics
(00:25:19) - Capital-intensive space technology: Experiences from SpaceX and Amazon
(00:29:15) - Structuring a democratized organizational model
(00:32:38) - The power of lean approach
(00:34:38) - Scaling problems in startups: The key factors
Books Mentioned
Power and Prediction: The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence by Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans and Avi Goldfarb
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Prediction-Disruptive-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1647824192
 
Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity by Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnso

 
Ayden Syal, CEO of MOGL, discussed his transition from finance to running a startup focusing on influencer marketing for athletes. He explained the impact of NCAA rule changes allowing athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) since July 2021. Athletes can now engage in sponsorships, endorsements, and more to leverage their audience and receive compensation.
The landscape is evolving rapidly, benefiting both well-known and up-and-coming athletes. College athletes are a powerful subset of influencers targeted by brands to reach Gen Z consumers. They have high engagement rates on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.  MOGL acts as a marketplace connecting brands with micro and nano influencers in collegiate athletics for influencer marketing campaigns. Initially focused on revenue-generating sports like football and basketball, now expanding to other sports/longer tail like women's basketball and track&field.  The platform is vertical agnostic and allows brands to run campaigns with athletes from different sports to reach specific markets and demographics. MOGL streamlines the process, including compliance, contract generation, and performance tracking, setting it apart from competitors. The discussion also involved the importance of compliance in athlete sponsorships, where athletes must disclose details to their schools. 
AI is an important tool in matching athletes with brands based on criteria, making the selection process efficient and effective. Aydan also touches on leveraging AI for customer service and business development. They raised significant funding rounds but also faced challenges in different market cycles.  The process was described as grueling but the team has received significant support from advisors and VCs. He stressed the significance of having a strong team and the need to constantly evaluate the return on investment to drive the continued growth of the business.
The conversation also delved into the challenges and strategies involved in scaling a two-sided marketplace. Aydan discussed the importance of managing resources efficiently and optimizing the allocation of human capital to support the company's rapid growth. He emphasized the constant focus on removing friction for brands and athletes in the sponsorship and endorsement process, as well as the need to streamline operations to accelerate and reduce the time for completing campaigns.
 
Chapter Summary
(00:00:51) - MOGL founder journey
(00:03:01) - The Revolution in College Sports: Name, Image and Likenesses
(00:06:53) - Democratizing influencer marketing for college athletes
(00:10:54) - Marketing to Gen Z with athletes in different verticals
(00:15:16) - The importance of AI in the athlete management platform
(00:18:27) - The financing route: successes and challenges
(00:20:48) - The challenges of the venture fundraising market
(00:23:30) - Developing a successful remote team in today's business world
(00:25:11) - The strategy and KPIs for the subscription model
(00:27:46) - Promoting MOGL to Athletes: Marketing Strategies
(00:30:21) - Book recommendations for startup founders and podcasts: A personal perspective
(00:34:41) - Efficient Resource Allocation Strategies for Business Success
 
Resources mentioned in this episode
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898
 
Lenny’s Newsletter
https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/
 
Link to MOGL
https://www.mogl.online/about
 
Stay Updated:
Please visit Brio360 on other episodes and resources on driving value creation
https://brio360.com
 

Follow our host:     
Peter Ho
https://linkedin.com/in/peterhocm
 
 
Please note that information provided in the podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to take any p

In this episode, Sabrina Matucci-Johnson, CEO of Daré Bioscience (Ticker: DARE), shares insights on advancing women's health products in the biotech industry. She discusses the challenges and strategies for successful commercialization, including leveraging partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, utilizing non-dilutive funding like grants, and the unique approach of using a reverse merger for funding. Sabrina highlights the significance of addressing unmet needs, obtaining FDA approval, and ensuring patient access to innovative products. The episode delves into the importance of clear communication with investors and stakeholders in the fast-paced biotech landscape.
Sabrina's journey in the biotech industry has been diverse, encompassing roles ranging from research scientist to the Chief Financial Officer of a publicly traded company. This multifaceted experience has given her a comprehensive understanding of the industry's intricacies and the necessary steps to successfully commercialize products. Her transition to founding Daré Bioscience in 2015 reflects her observation of the unmet needs in women's health and her determination to address these gaps through innovation and strategic partnerships.
A notable aspect of the conversation is the emphasis on the unique challenges and opportunities within the field of women's health. Sabrina discusses the lack of pharmaceutical innovation in indications that disproportionately or differentially affect women, underscoring the critical need for focused development in this area. This highlights the potential for significant impact and commercial success in addressing these unmet needs, which has become a central focus for Daré Bioscience.
The conversation delves into the complexities of product development and FDA approval in the biotech industry, shedding light on the daunting statistics of only 8% of new chemical entities gaining FDA approval. Sabrina's strategic approach to mitigating risk by leveraging known active pharmaceutical ingredients and efficiently running clinical trials underscores the importance of a thoughtful approach to product development.
The discussion on funding strategies, including the decision to pursue a reverse merger to access public markets, offers insights into the financial considerations and strategic planning that underpin the growth and sustainability of a biotech company. Sabrina's emphasis on the importance of grant funding and tax rebates in supporting early-stage programs and reducing financial risk provides a nuanced perspective on financing options in the biotech landscape.
Sabrina's insights into the role of communication and education in the biotech industry are particularly noteworthy. Her focus on destigmatizing women's health issues and ensuring access to credible information reflects a commitment to patient-centric care and public health awareness.
 
Chapter
(00:00:46) - Sabrina Matucci-Johnson: A journey through biotechnology
(00:03:47) - Innovation in Women's Health: Daré's Strategy
(00:08:51) - The importance of an effective partner strategy for new products
(00:12:31) - Biotech Industry Value Creation Strategies
(00:14:55) - Women's health: risk minimization in drug development
(00:18:19) - Choosing the right products for development
(00:20:54) - The importance of FDA approval for pharmaceutical companies
(00:23:45) - The decision to go public: Why going public was the appropriate step
(00:26:50) - Funding in the field of women's medicine
(00:30:09) - Research and development tax credits in Australia
(00:32:22) - The importance of collaboration with external partners and investors
(00:35:42) - Healthcare communications and investments
(00:38:57) - Removing the stigma around women's issues
 
All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Elizabeth Comen
https://www.amazon.com/All-Her-Head-Medicine-Matters/dp/0063293013
 
The Stand by S

 
The conversation sheds light on the journey of Thomas Castner, CEO and co-founder of Flash PCB. The conversation covers Thomas’ background, the company's unique value proposition, its recent funding from SBIR, and the challenges they face in the day-to-day operations.
Thomas, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Carnegie Mellon University, discussed his entrepreneurial journey and the founding of Flash PCB, a company specializing in fast PCB assembly services. Highlighting his extensive experience in designing hardware for startup companies, Thomas emphasized the company's focus on providing fast and reliable PCB assembly services for small and medium-sized businesses, especially those lacking the internal prototyping resources of larger corporations.
The conversation delved into the complexities of the SBIR funding process, providing valuable insights for other entrepreneurs seeking non-dilutive funding. Thomas shared his experiences with the application process, highlighting the meticulous nature of the documentation required and the lengthy timeline from application to fund disbursement. He also touched upon the impact of the funding, which will be used to enhance the company's AI capabilities and scale its operations.
The interview also shed light on the company's business goals and strategies. Key performance indicators, such as board failure rates, manufacturer cycle times, and cost tracking, are crucial to the company's operational success. Thomas emphasized the importance of maintaining a lean and efficient operation while continually striving to improve and deliver on customer expectations.
 
Chapters
(00:00:46) - The founding story of FlashPCB by CEO Thomas Kastner
(00:04:13) - Optimizing PCB Manufacturing Processes at FlashPCB
(00:07:09) - Collaboration and real-time design changes with AI
(00:09:53) - The SBIR FlashPCB Grant: Background and Process
(00:13:31) - The SBIR program and its different phases
(00:15:14) - The NSF application process for Advanced Manufacturing
(00:17:58) - The lengthy process of SBIR funding applications
(00:19:49) - The long journey of applying for funding
(00:22:06) - The process of audit review in working grants
(00:24:33) - Understanding and using the NSF funding program
(00:27:39) - The importance of KPIs in a start-up
(00:30:55) - Tracking and Compliance in Startup Scaling
(00:33:14) - Football in High School vs. College - A Business Shift
(00:35:39) - Engineer as CEO: Book recommendations for business success
(00:37:33) - Challenges and thoughts as an entrepreneur
 
Books Mentioned in this Episode
Predictable Revenue: Turn Your Business Into a Sales Machine with the $100 Million Best Practices of Salesforce.com by Aaron Ross and Marylou Tyler
https://www.amazon.com/Predictable-Revenue-Business-Practices-Salesforce-com/dp/0984380213
The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898
 

Resources:
https://www.flashpcb.com/
 
Stay Updated:
Please visit Brio360 on other episodes and resources on driving value creation
https://brio360.com
 

Follow our host:     
Peter Ho
https://linkedin.com/in/peterhocm
 
 
Please note that information provided in the podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to take any particular action, nor an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or services presented. It is not investment advice. Brio360 does not provide legal or tax advice.