In this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta sits down with Mohan Sivaloganathan, founder of Harmonious Leadership, to discuss a revolutionary approach to leadership that unites well-being with performance. Together, they explore why outdated leadership models fall short and how joy-centered, sustainable practices can boost engagement, collaboration, and innovation. With frameworks like “Unity of Purpose” and strategies to build lasting culture change, Mohan shares powerful insights to help leaders drive meaningful transformation in uncertain times.

Mohan Sivaloganathan is the founder of Harmonious Leadership, helping organizations reimagine leadership by aligning performance with well-being. A former CEO and strategic advisor with 20+ years of experience, Mohan guides transformative change across sectors. His work blends identity, strategy, and storytelling to build cultures where leaders and bold ideas thrive. A TED speaker, recognized changemaker, and hip-hop artist by night, Mohan brings authenticity, creativity, and vision to every engagement, challenging outdated norms and activating the next era of inclusive, people-first leadership.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Mohan introduces the “Unity of Purpose” concept, showing how it breaks down silos, boosts cross-functional collaboration, and connects teams to shared goals. At Our Turn, this approach helped achieve a 100% employee Net Promoter Score and drove impactful policy change through enhanced alignment and teamwork.
👉 Mohan outlines a three-step framework for sustainable leadership transformation: shift mindsets, introduce new leadership characteristics, and embed changes through performance systems. This method helped Our Turn foster innovation and deep employee engagement even under pressure.
👉 Mohan reframes joy as a strategic leadership tool; not a luxury. He explains how intentionally cultivating joy builds resilience, fuels innovation, and supports sustained high performance, especially in uncertain times, as demonstrated during resource-constrained periods at Our Turn.
👉 Mohan advocates integrating creativity, like music, storytelling, and film, into leadership development. He explains how this approach helps leaders embody new mindsets and unlock emotional intelligence, especially among technical teams, enriching team culture and development efforts.

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And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Mohan Sivaloganathan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/msivaloganathan/
Harmonious Leadership Website - https://www.harmoniousleaders.com/ 

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Steve Bigari, the EVP, AI for Restaurants at Soundhound. Join them as they discuss how technology, particularly AI, can enhance the restaurant experience, the mindset needed to be a disruptor in the industry, and the importance of removing friction from the customer's life. Steve also shares insight and experience from his forty years in the restaurant industry.

Steve Bigari has over forty years in the restaurant industry and has founded several businesses, including Mr. Biggs in 2005 and SYNQ3 Restaurant Solutions; he was the CEO of SYNQ3, a provider of restaurant solutions with a focus on technology and customer experience, for over sixteen years. Steve is currently the EVP, AI for Restaurants at SoundHound, and co-hosts Techuisine, a restaurant technology podcast exploring the latest trends and innovations in restaurant technology.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Looking forward, Steve anticipates three trends that will reshape the future of the restaurant industry: staffing, training, and costs. He suggests that serious staffing shortages are affecting the industry, causing some establishments to be unable to open. Steve adds that laws being passed may exacerbate this problem. Secondly, while AI can never fully replace a human, Steve says that it can supplement certain processes. Lastly, he recommends adapting to different languages and cultures for those organizations that want to expand globally. He says that “everything is moving so quickly right now. I've never seen anything like it in all my years.”
👉 Steve offers clients a set of seven key questions to ask whenever someone tries to sell them a product or solution. The first is, “Can you give me a demo right now?” A quick way to gauge how ready and real the product is. The second question digs deeper: “Can we try it in a live environment, like an actual restaurant that’s operating today?” This helps determine whether the solution holds up under real-world conditions. Next, he asks, “Are humans used anywhere in the process?” a critical question, especially for AI tools that often rely on human input to fill in gaps, where the technology isn’t quite there yet. The fourth question is about timing: “How long until I see the results you're promising today?” The fifth gets into scalability: “What’s your process for rolling this out in restaurants?” The sixth asks whether the product is backed by a patent, which speaks to how defensible or unique the technology is. Finally, Steve asks, “Do you own the tech stack you’re selling?” because if the vendor doesn’t own what they’re offering, it could lead to serious problems down the line.
👉 Ultimately, Steve is enthusiastic about the rapid developments in the restaurant industry. Despite being a self-professed “old restaurant guy”, he loves meeting clients who are cutting-edge thinkers. He is particularly excited by advancements in drive-through technology, suggesting that it could “appear in every aspect of your life in retail, hotels, hospitality, travel”.

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And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Steve Bigari on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bigari-b827ab5
Soundhound website: https://www.soundhound.com

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta sits down with Joseph Lapin, founder of Campbell Learn, to explore how storytelling, especially the hero’s journey, can transform higher education marketing. Lapin reveals why 95% of decisions are made subconsciously and how tapping into emotional narratives can boost enrollment, engagement, and brand recall. From avoiding common storytelling mistakes to blending performance marketing with immersive tech like VR/AR, Lapin shares practical strategies for connecting with prospective students. Whether you’re in education or another sector, this episode will show you how to create narratives that sell not just products, but transformation.

Joseph Lapin is the founder of Campbell Learn, where he helps higher education institutions and edtech organizations drive scalable growth through strategic marketing, storytelling, and enrollment journey design. A seasoned marketing leader, he previously served as head of marketing at Bisk and co-founded Circa Interactive, leading both to industry recognition and acquisition. With deep expertise in enrollment growth, content strategy, and digital innovation, Joseph partners with universities to create transformative student experiences that drive engagement, differentiation, and long-term success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Joseph explains the three pillars of effective storytelling: clear individual desires, customer-centric narratives, and measurable outcomes. For Northwestern Law, this approach shifted focus from lawyers to STEM professionals needing legal skills, boosting engagement and lowering acquisition costs, by aligning messaging with real career goals.
👉 Joseph breaks down how conflict in storytelling doesn’t require “slaying dragons.” Instead, it’s about showing real people overcoming everyday challenges. He shares the story of a mother driven into education policy by her child’s struggles, highlighting how relatable tension drives deeper audience connection.
👉 Joseph reveals why emotional connection matters more than what audiences say they want. He cites Henry Ford and Apple as examples, explaining how tapping into subconscious motivations through testing and emotion-first messaging leads to more compelling, high-converting campaigns.
👉 Joseph shows how a San Diego brewery stood out in a crowded IPA market by highlighting the founders’ shipbuilding roots. Instead of focusing on product specs, they leaned into brand heritage, proving that authentic founder stories linked to universal themes can powerfully differentiate in saturated markets.

Listen Now!
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Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
RSS -  https://bit.ly/3AFrUs6

And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Joseph Lapin on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-lapin/
Campbell Learn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/campbell-learn/ 

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

On this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta talks with Jeff Harmon, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, about the transformation of higher education marketing. Jeff unpacks how universities can effectively use platforms like TikTok, apply data-driven messaging, and integrate both traditional and digital strategies to reach Gen Z. He shares frameworks for authentic storytelling, building enrollment pipelines, and engaging local communities. Listeners will gain actionable insights into balancing innovation with institutional integrity, crafting relatable narratives, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving academic landscape. A must-listen for anyone in education marketing today.

Jeff Harmon is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, elevating brands, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. With experience spanning higher education, health and wellness, software, and web development, Jeff excels in strategic marketing, brand management, and data-driven decision-making. His expertise includes crisis communications, content strategy, and integrated media planning. Known for leading high-energy, creative teams, Jeff leverages analytics, customer insights, and digital tools to deliver impactful, measurable results across diverse industries and platforms.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Jeff shares how TikTok has reshaped higher ed marketing by requiring fast, authentic content that connects with Gen Z. By empowering student workers to co-create and critique content, Southern Illinois University boosts engagement and builds brand awareness through organic storytelling tailored to the platform’s unique culture.
👉 Jeff outlines a strategic geographic targeting framework that focuses digital advertising and outreach within 13–14 nearby states. By concentrating resources and partnering with local high schools and community colleges, this approach reversed a decade-long enrollment decline and fueled consistent student growth.
👉 Jeff explains how community focus groups revealed surprising brand perceptions, leading to the "Discover Your Unexpected" campaign. Testing taglines via digital ads helped refine messaging, ensuring emotional resonance with prospective students while creating a distinct identity that stands out from larger competitors.
👉 Jeff emphasizes the value of a student-centered feedback loop by employing 25+ student workers across departments. These students provide ongoing input on messaging and creative, helping ensure relevance and resonance, especially on rapidly evolving platforms like social media.

Listen Now!
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Apple - https://apple.co/3gsuA31
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
RSS -  https://bit.ly/3AFrUs6

And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Jeff Harmon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harmon-abb4422/
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Website - https://siu.edu/ 

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Heath Tredell, the Managing Director of Bablake House Limited. Join them as they discuss formative Aha! Moments, retiring early, and prioritizing experiences over possessions.

Heath Tredell is the Managing Director of Bablake House Limited, a family-owned residential home that offers holistic well-being, a homely environment and exceptional care. He also holds an Economics and Marketing degree from Warwick Business School and a teaching qualification. Heath is currently attempting to sail around the world with his wife.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Heath realized the importance of balancing three facets of life: time, money, and health. He realized that the choices people make with their money can greatly impact their life experiences. This realization inspired him to prioritize experiences over material possessions and set a goal to retire early and travel the world. Heath emphasizes that people have a lot less time than they think, so they should plan accordingly.
👉 In his second year of university, Heath met two old ladies with similar socio-economic backgrounds. He observed that one had chosen a path that had given her wonderful memories she could look back on, but the other hadn’t. He realized that he never wanted to be the old person in a care home who has no stories to tell and no life experiences to look back on. Heath admits that, although this might lead to some regrets, it would also lead to joy.
👉 Despite having no prior sailing experience, Heath and his wife are aiming to spend the next decade sailing around the world to explore different cultures and beautiful locations. They have already sailed through France, Monaco, Italy, Sicily, Greece, Albania, and are currently in Montenegro. They plan to sail westwards and eventually circumnavigate the globe. Heath emphasizes that their goal is not just to see beaches but to experience diverse cultures and immerse themselves in different countries. They believe in making the most of life.

Listen Now!
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Apple - https://apple.co/3gsuA31
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
RSS -  https://bit.ly/3AFrUs6

And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Sawasdeekat YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Sawasdeekat
Bablake House website: https://www.bablakehouse.co.uk

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

On this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta speaks with Don Polite, Chief Marketing Officer at SKYGEN USA, about the power of customer insights, data, and collaboration in shaping successful marketing strategies. With over 20 years of experience across healthcare, entertainment, and corporate sectors, Don shares how to build effective voice-of-customer programs, drive cross-functional alignment, and turn marketing into a profit center. He introduces his “60-40 Framework” for balancing data with human insight and discusses how to combat survey fatigue, leverage AI responsibly, and secure buy-in from finance and leadership.

Don Polite is a seasoned marketing executive with a track record at companies like Johnson Controls, Abbott, Disney, and Nestlé. He has led multimillion-dollar campaigns, managed high-profile partnerships, and driven strategic transformations. A Northwestern and Kellogg alum, Don is also a board member and guest lecturer, committed to building strong teams and impactful brand experiences.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Don shares how marketing becomes a strategic growth driver when deeply integrated with finance, product, and sales teams. By establishing regular cross-functional touchpoints, marketers align insights with business goals, enabling better product development and making it easier to secure investment from leadership.
👉 Don outlines his approach to building Voice of Customer programs by starting with subject matter experts. He explains how combining annual deep-dive surveys with real-time touchpoint feedback and always closing the loop with customers ensures trust, participation, and actionable insights across the organization.
👉 Don introduces the “60-40 Approach” to customer insights, balancing 60% quantitative data with 40% qualitative input. He explains that open-ended questions and follow-up conversations reveal critical context, especially in complex B2B environments, leading to more precise product and service improvements.
👉 Don emphasizes the need for diverse, team-oriented marketers who bring curiosity and cross-industry experience. He shares how collaborative mindsets and a “team-first” culture drive innovation, challenge assumptions, and enable continuous improvement across marketing functions.
👉 Don explains how marketers must evolve into organizational evangelists, connecting customer needs with enterprise-wide solutions. This means moving beyond siloed tactics to influence business strategy, unify departments, and demonstrate how marketing insights fuel performance across the full customer journey.

Listen Now!
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Apple - https://apple.co/3gsuA31
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
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And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Don Polite on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldpolite/
SKYGEN USA Website - https://www.skygenusa.com/ 

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Dustin Elliott, the Senior Brand Manager at The Vitamin Shoppe. Join them as they explore misconceptions about performance enhancement, the impact of gut health on overall wellbeing, emerging trends in the supplements industry, and the future of nutrition and healthcare.

Dustin Elliott is the Senior Brand Manager at The Vitamin Shoppe and has over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. At The Vitamin Shoppe, he is responsible for branding strategy, product development, business management, and customer and market analysis. He holds a Bachelor's in Exercise Physiology from Florida International University.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Dustin discusses the misconceptions people have about nutrition and performance enhancement, including the association of performance enhancement with detriment to health and the negative perception of pharmaceuticals in this space. He explains that he wants to expand the definition of ‘performance enhancement’ to relate more to self-improvement, whether for elite athletes or for everyday individuals striving to be the best at what they do. Due to negative press, the public often takes a negative view of performance enhancement, but Dustin says it can increase longevity and have long-term health benefits if people practice restraint.
👉 Dustin’s experience with lymphoma changed his outlook on health and well-being. He began to understand the significance of gut health after chemotherapy led to acid reflux and other digestive issues. Dustin says that one of the big things that has changed for him is how the gut impacts not only performance, where you have a lot of researchers who are looking at the gut biomes of athletes, but also how it impacts human health in general. This has led to Dustin placing a higher value on things like fiber intake to support the gut biome. Never forget about the gut-brain connection!
👉 Dustin notes the growing trend for functional foods and the potential for healthier alternatives to processed snacks to improve overall health and combat obesity, expressing concerns about the impact of artificial sweeteners and processed ingredients on gut health. He also explores the challenges of changing people's choices and preferences when it comes to food, acknowledging that processed foods are still prevalent. However, Dustin still expresses hope that functional food options will become more readily available and affordable, leading to healthier choices for everyday individuals.

Listen Now!
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Apple - https://apple.co/3gsuA31
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
RSS -  https://bit.ly/3AFrUs6

And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch website - https://iresearch.com
Dustin Elliot on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/duelliott
The Vitamin Shoppe website: https://www.vitaminshoppe.com

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

On this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta sits down with Ken Kring, a seasoned business leader with rich experience at Walmart, Walgreens, and Sears, to explore the transformative power of integrated thinking. Ken reveals how businesses can break down silos, align around a shared vision, and drive success through cohesive strategies. From customer experience flows to decision-making frameworks, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders eager to create nimble, connected organizations that thrive in today’s complex business landscape.

Ken Kring is a seasoned business leader and strategic marketing expert, known for his innovative approach to integrated thinking and business strategy. With extensive experience at major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, and Sears Holding Corporation, Ken has developed expertise in designing and executing initiatives that overcome barriers, shift perceptions, and drive profitable behaviors. He previously worked with Rooted Wealth Advisors and Cancer Treatment Centers of America, where he honed his methodology for understanding business flows and customer experience.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Ken introduces the “Puzzle Box Lid” principle as a metaphor for integrated thinking. He explains that departments operate in isolation without a shared vision of the bigger picture. By aligning teams around this unifying framework, companies like Walmart become agile and responsive, while those like Sears suffer from siloed inefficiency.
👉 Ken outlines his Six-Step Brand Positioning Framework, a fill-in-the-blank system that helps businesses shift customer behavior. By identifying current and desired perceptions, and the barriers in between, this approach aligns marketing and operations, turning strategic intent into measurable outcomes across large, complex organizations.
👉 Ken shares the “Head-to-Heart” customer journey model to illustrate how customers move from awareness to loyalty. By diagnosing where customers are stuck, whether in cognition (“head”) or emotion/experience (“heart”), teams can tailor solutions precisely, turning stalled initiatives into actionable strategies that enhance retention and engagement.
👉 Ken discusses the three fundamental elements of successful business flow: customer experience, operational efficiency, and decision impact. He explains how businesses that internalize these flows can move with agility, like “100 pounds of piranhas,” instead of lumbering like “one 100-pound shark”—a metaphor for responsiveness and coordination.
👉 Ken emphasizes that integrated thinking isn't just strategy; it’s a mindset shift. He shows how even the most effective frameworks fail without organizational buy-in and highlights the need for visualizing relationships between data points, rather than focusing on isolated metrics, to drive smarter, faster, and more connected decisions.

Listen Now!
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Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
RSS -  https://bit.ly/3AFrUs6

And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Ken Kring on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenkring/

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

In this Greatest Hits episode of Getting to Aha!, Darshan Mehta is joined by Matt Swieca, Executive Producer/Program Director at The Martin Agency. They discuss the importance of customer insights, storytelling, and adapting to the evolving landscape of digital marketing and advertising. Matt shares valuable insights into the industry and the strategies employed by the Martin Agency to drive success for their clients.

Matt Swieca is Executive Producer/Program Director at The Martin Agency, a creative advertising agency with capabilities in advertising, strategic planning, direct response, digital, data analytics, design, and branded content. The agency has a wide range of clients, including UPS (Global), Google, Axe, Terminix, Hanes, Buffalo Wild Wings, LegalShield, and SnapChat (Global), for which Matt oversees all digital, social, and performance accounts.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Matt highlights the shift in audience consumption from polished videos to quicker, more natural content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. He says that these platforms add a layer of authenticity that isn’t available elsewhere, and that the quick, unpolished videos end up going viral, rather than something that is more slick and well-produced. The important thing here is the storytelling: by focusing on storytelling over the delivery of that story, the content remains natural, and the audience responds well to that.
👉 Matt explains that the Martin Agency focuses on partnering with clients and guiding them in utilizing social media effectively. He mentions the rise of influencer and content creator marketing and the shift in media spending from traditional digital ads to these new forms of advertising. He believes that social media offers precision targeting and engagement opportunities that conventional advertising cannot.
👉 Darshan and Matt discuss the Martin Agency's success and what sets it apart. Matt attributes their success to how they tailor their campaigns based on data and target specific demographics to create buzz through earned media. They also emphasize the importance of building a brand over time and partnering with clients to achieve their goals. Matt explains that while digital marketing can provide tangible ROI, building a brand takes time and requires a combination of creative storytelling and media strategies.

Listen Now!
Fame Host - https://bit.ly/3ACsRBz
Apple - https://apple.co/3gsuA31
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/48t2yi5
YouTube - https://bit.ly/3KYAHtd
RSS -  https://bit.ly/3AFrUs6

And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch website - https://iresearch.com
Matt Swieca on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-swieca
Martin Agency website: https://www.martinagency.com/

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form

In this episode of Getting to Aha!, host Darshan Mehta interviews e-commerce expert Neil Twa, CEO of Voltage Holdings. Neil shares his journey from corporate life at IBM to building Amazon FBA brands, generating over $100 million in sales. He discusses the power of product innovation over invention, how to find high-margin opportunities, and why premium pricing is essential for long-term success. Listeners will gain actionable insights into building scalable e-commerce brands and navigating Amazon’s competitive marketplace.

Neil Twa is the CEO of Voltage Holdings, a company that launches, operates, and acquires e-commerce brands focusing on Amazon FBA. With over a decade of experience and $ 100 M+ in sales, Neil helps aspiring entrepreneurs build “almost automated” income streams through his proven 5:5 Game Plan. His unique "pay as you profit" model offers hands-on mentoring, brand-building strategies, and done-for-you services that empower sellers to scale profitably and exit successfully, all with minimal weekly time commitment.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
👉 Neil introduces the “Green Light Process,” a data-driven framework for product selection using four key metrics, including search volume, pricing, and margin to validate ideas. This approach eliminates guesswork and reduces risk, enabling more consistent and successful product launches.
👉 Neil emphasizes the power of premium packaging, advocating for “iPhone-style” presentation to elevate brand perception. By leading with design and quality, sellers can command higher prices and differentiate from commodity competitors early on.
👉 Treating Amazon as a serious business, not a side hustle, is critical, Neil explains. He recommends investing $100K+ in the first year to capture just 1% of large markets with a 3–5 year exit strategy rooted in sustained brand building.
👉 Neil outlines three core drivers of success on Amazon: adequate capitalization, expert mentorship, and long-term thinking. Without these, most sellers either burn out or fail due to unrealistic expectations and poor decision-making.
👉 Neil shares how AI is transforming product research. His team uses AI tools to predict product viability with 80% accuracy, leveraging vast data sets to confidently make smarter, faster, and more cost-effective product decisions.

Listen Now!
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And connect with the host and guests here:
Darshan Mehta on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darshan--mehta
iResearch Website - https://iresearch.com
Neil Twa on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa/
Voltage Holdings LLC - https://asinspectorpro.kartra.com/page/inK75

Getting to Aha! with Darshan Mehta is hand crafted by our friends over at: fame.so
Previous guests include: Luca Popovac, Senior Executive, Abhilasha Sinha of Open Secret, Laura Beavin-Yates, Stephen Griffiths of Level 2, Kristin Luck or ScaleHouse, Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business, Nicolas Zeisler of We’re Doing CX Wrong and How To Get It Right, Pricilla McKinney of Little Bird Marketing, Brooke Sellas of B Squared Marketing and Joseph Michelli of The Michelli Experience.

Check out the 3 most downloaded episodes: 

• Changing the Direction of Customer Experience with Luka Popovac, a Senior Customer Experience Executive
• Innovation, Curiosity, and Being Human with Abhilasha Sinha, Chief Growth Officer at Open Secret
• [Greatest Hits ] Emotions & Consumer Behavior with Laura Beavin-Yates
  
  

If you are interested in joining Getting to Aha! as a guest, please complete this form