Takeaways

• The more plugins you use, the higher the cybersecurity risk.
• WordPress remains a dominant CMS but has its challenges.
• Webflow is emerging as a leading web experience platform.
• Open source CMS can lead to maintenance overhead.
• Site builders are suitable for small businesses but may not scale well.
• Headless CMS is ideal for complex, multi-platform content delivery.
• Enterprise CMS offers governance and workflow benefits but at a high cost.
• The editor experience is critical for content management success.

Chapters

• 01:51 Understanding CMS Platforms and Categories
• 05:57 What to Look for in a CMS
• 11:42 Evaluating Traditional CMS Options
• 16:26 The Rise of Webflow and Migration from Drupal
• 20:01 Debating the Pros and Cons of Drupal
• 21:32 Visual Development Platforms: Framer and Webflow
• 26:58 Headless CMS: The Future of Content Management
• 28:27 Enterprise CMS and Digital Experience Platforms (DXP)

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• Explore different types of CMS: traditional, headless, and enterprise.
• Understand the pros and cons of each CMS type.
• Learn what to look for and avoid in a CMS.
• Discover the scalability of different CMS platforms.
• Gain insights into CMS suitability for various business needs.
• Symon Oliver shares his expertise on CMS.
• Marcello Gortana discusses CMS categories.
• The importance of choosing the right CMS for your business.
• Common misunderstandings about CMSs.
• Why open source CMS might not always be the best choice.

Title Options

• Navigating the CMS Landscape
• Understanding CMS Types
• Choosing the Right CMS for Your Business
• The Pros and Cons of CMS Platforms
• Scalability in CMS: What You Need to Know
• Insights from Symon Oliver and Marcello Gortana
• Avoiding Common CMS Pitfalls
• The Future of Content Management Systems
• Why Your CMS Choice Matters
• Exploring Headless and Enterprise CMS

Chapters

• 00:01:05 Introduction to CMS Types
• 00:01:17 What to Look for in a CMS
• 00:01:29 Categories of CMSs
• 00:02:18 Headless and Enterprise CMSs
• 00:03:00 Scalability and Suitability
• 00:04:11 Specialty CMS Platforms
• 00:05:27 Risks and Considerations
• 00:08:46 Fun with Headless CMSs

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• Clients often feel restricted by rigid website layouts.
• Content management can become a frustrating experience.
• A lack of flexibility in design can lead to client disengagement.
• Mental barriers can prevent clients from updating their sites.
• User experience is heavily influenced by website design.
• Clients may lock themselves into systems that don't meet their needs.
• The process of uploading content can be time-consuming and discouraging.
• Effective website design should prioritize user flexibility.
• Understanding client frustrations is key to improving design.
• Open communication can help alleviate client concerns.

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• Complexity arises from various factors including technology, people, and governance.
• The more people involved in a project, the more complex it can become due to internal politics.
• Discovery is crucial for understanding project scope and requirements.
• Budget and time constraints are key considerations in project feasibility.
• Clarity in project goals and deliverables is essential for success.
• Engaging stakeholders early can mitigate complexity and decision fatigue.
• A structured approach is necessary for managing complex projects effectively.
• Discovery should be treated as a standalone phase to ensure thorough planning.
• Understanding the audience and their needs is vital for project success.
• Communication is key to aligning expectations and understanding project complexity.

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding Project Complexity
• 06:56 The Impact of Complexity on Projects
• 11:08 Navigating Complex Projects: Discovery and Strategy
• 16:54 The Importance of Structure in Complex Projects

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• Bad support is a primary reason for vendor switching.
• Good support should be proactive and value-driven.
• Traditional support models often prioritize agency profit over client needs.
• A shift in mindset is needed from support to partnership.
• Value-driven retainers focus on measurable improvements, not just maintenance.
• Knowledge transfer is essential for client self-sufficiency.
• Red flags include lack of documentation and predatory retainer models.
• Clients should conduct a cost-benefit analysis for support needs.
• Finding a good vendor is challenging and requires due diligence.
• Partnerships should align with client goals for success.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Importance of Vendor Support
• 03:02 Defining Good vs. Bad Support
• 05:52 The Pitfalls of Traditional Support Models
• 08:46 Shifting Mindsets: From Support to Partnership
• 11:45 Value-Driven Retainers and Their Benefits
• 14:43 Red Flags in Vendor Relationships
• 17:43 Navigating the Support Landscape
• 20:38 Finding the Right Vendor Partner

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• User experience (UX) design is often misunderstood and conflated with web design.
• Web design focuses on aesthetics and marketing, while UX design emphasizes functionality and user engagement.
• The evolution of design roles has led to a complex landscape where UX, UI, and web design intersect.
• Websites should be treated as products to ensure long-term engagement and optimization.
• Continuous improvement is essential for maintaining effective websites.
• Aesthetic design alone does not solve business problems; UX-driven design is necessary.
• The ideal designer possesses skills in UX, UI, and web aesthetics, often referred to as a 'unicorn.'
• Organizations need to understand the value of UX to avoid poor design decisions.
• The conversation highlights the importance of bridging marketing, business, and technology in design.
• Defining clear roles and expectations in design teams can lead to better outcomes.

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding UX and Web Design
• 12:47 Defining User Experience and Web Design
• 23:52 The Role of UX Designers in Web Development
• 29:34 Wrapping Up: UX vs Web Design

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• Start with problems, not solutions.
• Define the objectives and outcomes clearly.
• Setting a realistic budget early is crucial.
• Involve decision makers early in the process.
• A strong brief is the cheapest way to de-risk a project.
• Vague features can lead to project failure.
• Understand your commitment during project phases.
• Budget transparency helps everyone self-qualify.
• Frame the problems, not the solutions.
• Manage decision makers and involve them early.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Lunch Conversations
• 02:18 Project Management and Vendor Sourcing
• 05:27 Scoping and Briefing for Digital Projects
• 08:12 The Importance of Clear Objectives
• 11:11 Understanding Audience Priorities
• 14:07 Budgeting for Digital Projects
• 17:03 Defining Features and Requirements
• 20:08 Stakeholder Involvement in Projects
• 22:54 Recap and Key Takeaways

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Takeaways

• Nvidia's deal with OpenAI signifies a major investment in AI technology.
• The race to AGI is leading companies to make risky bets without guaranteed returns.
• Different thinkers in AI include pioneers, pragmatists, and purists, each with unique perspectives.
• The design community is grappling with the implications of AI on their work.
• The 'Seven Deadly AI Sins' highlight critical issues in UX design.
• Speculative design encourages thinking about future possibilities and ethical implications.
• AI's impact on productivity is changing expectations within roles.
• Historical design practices can inform current approaches to technology and design.
• The conversation around AI is evolving, with a shift towards critical engagement.
• Reviving discussions on Xeno design can provide valuable insights into future design practices.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Updates on the Race
• 00:05 AI Developments and Industry Insights
• 04:43 Types of Thinkers in Design and AI
• 09:47 The Seven Deadly AI Sins for UX Professionals
• 11:39 Wasted Time in Production
• 12:12 Lost Details and Fidelity Traps
• 14:02 Isolated Ideation vs. Inclusion
• 14:58 Naive Trust and Skepticism
• 15:25 Bland Taste in AI Content
• 16:18 Defensive Outlook on Experimentation
• 17:02 Speculative Design and Future Thinking
• 17:54 Zeno Design and Its Relevance
• 21:45 Empathy in Design: Becoming a Self-Driving Car
• 23:18 Critical Design and Work-Life Balance

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Topics & Timestamps:

(00:00) Post-vacation chaos & travel with kids

(01:32) Toronto's ultra-walking trend and "suffer-fest" culture

(04:02) Why 95% of enterprise AI projects fail (and why that stat is flawed)

(05:02) OpenAI's Forward Deployed Engineer: new name, old consulting playbook

(10:42) How design thinking lost its strategic seat — from systems to pixel pushing

(14:10) Grassroots vs. enterprise AI: where real impact happens

(21:18) Side quests: car UX, sensors, and Italian road drama

Resources Mentioned:

• MIT's enterprise AI failure stat (context & critique)

• OpenAI's Forward Deployed Engineer job description

• IDEO's legacy of design thinking

• Toronto Reddit ultra-walking stories

Key Quotes:

"Design thinking didn't die — it got downgraded to pixel pushing."

"If it's turnkey, it's repeatable. And if it's repeatable, AI can do it."

"These FDE roles feel like consulting 2.0 — but still too engineering-led."

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter

Topics & Timestamps:

(00:00) Back from Italy: airports, toddlers, and the upside down world

(02:27) Travel with kids vs solo travel: why lounges aren’t built for families

(04:54) AI fatigue? Posting, conferences, and marketing workflows

(07:30) CMA events, data science, and educating on automation/AI

(09:35) RGD stat: AI may cut 30% of agency margins (and why positioning matters)

(13:41) When AI builds websites: friend’s gym startup and UX blind spots

(15:41) Generalists vs specialists: why flexibility wins in the AI era

(18:50) WCAG 3.0: from A/AA/AAA to Bronze/Silver/Gold, expanding to apps, VR, AR, and AI

(23:27) Accessibility meets emerging tech—and Apple’s thin iPhone speculation

(27:14) Italian design hits: porcini mushrooms, gelato, and espresso culture

(31:20) Olivetti: typewriters, modernist posters, and design-led workplaces

(35:19) Apple, Braun, and the design lineage from Olivetti showrooms to Cupertino

(36:36) Corporate culture pioneers: housing, libraries, daycare in 1908

(37:02) Wrapping with design as strategy, not just decoration

Resources Mentioned:

WCAG 3.0 Draft Guidelines – expanding accessibility standards

CMA (Canadian Marketing Association) – councils & committees

RGD (Association of Registered Graphic Designers) – event on AI + agencies

Olivetti – typewriter manufacturer, design-led culture, MoMA collection

Key Quotes:

“Travel is a young man’s, no-children game.”

“AI stands to remove about 30% margin from agency work.”

“If it’s turnkey, it’s repeatable. And if it’s repeatable, AI can do it.”

“Accessibility isn’t just websites anymore—it’s VR, AR, AI, and apps.”

“Design was not decoration. It was the strategy. It was the culture.”

Links

You can learn more about Tennis at our website. Be sure to follow us at LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter