Skating to the Future: Leadership & Digital Transformation with Brent Taylor

Digital transformation is essential for B2B leadership, enabling companies to anticipate and adapt to rapidly changing market dynamics—much like Wayne Gretzky’s famous approach:
"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been."

In this episode, Brent Taylor, VP of Strategic Sales & New Business Development at Ricoh Graphic Communications and Founder & CEO of the Doctor Leadership Podcast, joins host Gavin Finn to explore the intersection of leadership and technology in driving transformative business success.

Key topics include:

• Leading multigenerational teams through tech-driven change
• How personal and organizational transformations shape future leadership
• The role of AI, IoT, and augmented/virtual reality in reshaping industries, enhancing efficiencies, and reducing costs
• Supporting customer transformation by prioritizing engagement strategies that foster deeper connections and long-term value

Discover how Kaon helps B2B companies drive innovation and engagement: Visit kaon.com

Leadership, Safety, and Agility: Insights from Jan Hegewald of Dräger

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn chats with Jan Hegewald, Head of Sales and Service for Safety Technology at Dräger. With 17 years at this family-driven company, Jan highlights the power of a people-centered culture in driving success.

Key topics include:

• How Dräger’s Vision Zero initiative aims to eliminate workplace accidents
• The role of innovation and flexibility in leadership and management
• Strategies for fostering a diverse, motivated team
• Navigating unpredictable external forces while maintaining agility
• Balancing long-term business goals with the need for adaptability
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Tune in for valuable lessons on leadership, risk-taking, and organizational resilience.

Learn how Kaon helps B2B companies engage, educate, and inspire: Visit kaon.com

Innovation, Collaboration & Career Growth with Tola Olorunnisola

In this episode, Gavin Finn is joined by Tola Olorunnisola, Senior VP and GM of Advanced Lab Services at Avantor. Tola shares her inspiring career journey—from an electrical engineer at GE Healthcare to a leadership role in the life sciences industry—highlighting the power of coopetition in addressing customer needs.

Key topics include:

• Navigating career transitions and embracing continuous learning
• The role of M&A integration and innovation in business growth
• How listening to understand drives problem-solving and leadership success
• Becoming a trusted advisor in a rapidly evolving industry
• The transformative impact of collaboration and coopetition

Tune in for insights on strategic leadership, career development, and the future of life sciences.

Discover how Kaon helps B2B companies engage and inspire: Visit kaon.com

From Farm to CMO: Leadership & Storytelling with JoDee George

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn speaks with JoDee George, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for U.S. and Canada Imaging at GE Healthcare. JoDee shares her inspiring journey—from growing up on a Wisconsin farm to leading in a global healthcare company—highlighting lessons of grit, determination, and business fundamentals.

Key topics include:

• The critical synergy between marketing, communications, and sales in driving success
• The power of storytelling and understanding audience needs
• How authentic leadership fosters trust and innovation
• The role of culture and training in organizational growth
• Why confidence, humility, and self-awareness are essential leadership traits

Tune in for a conversation on strategic marketing, leadership, and personal growth.

Explore how Kaon helps B2B companies tell their value story effectively: Visit kaon.com

M&A, Culture & Strategy: Insights from Balu Challagundla of GF Piping Systems

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn sits down with Balu Challagundla, Head of Strategy and M&A at GF Piping Systems. Balu shares his unique career path, from IT to leading strategic mergers and acquisitions, highlighting the intersection of technology, management, and culture.

Key topics include:

• How company culture impacts innovation, growth, and transformation
• The strategic importance of aligning culture with M&A execution
• Managing unconscious bias in global business environments
• Understanding cultural nuances in multinational organizations
• The role of corporate values in driving strategic success

Tune in for valuable insights on M&A strategy, leadership, and cultural integration.

Learn how Kaon helps B2B companies drive innovation and engagement: Visit kaon.com

Customer-Driven Innovation & Engineering Leadership with Mark Czaja

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn is joined by Mark Czaja, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Parker Hannifin. Mark shares his career journey—from design engineer to CTO—and the critical role of customer-driven innovation in technology-driven markets.

Key topics include:

• The shift from traditional engineering silos to an integrated systems approach
• How collaborating with customers leads to tailored, high-value solutions
• The impact of cross-industry expertise on innovation and market leadership
• Strategies for simplifying complex technologies to enhance customer experience
• How Parker Hannifin stays ahead in an evolving industrial landscape

Tune in for expert insights on engineering, innovation, and customer-centric leadership.

Discover how Kaon helps B2B companies drive innovation and engagement: Visit kaon.com

Customer-Centric Marketing & the Future of Diagnostics with Bhargab Barua

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn is joined by Bhargab Barua, Vice President of Global Marketing for Integrated Clinical Solutions at bioMérieux. Bhargab shares his career journey—from product manager in India to a global marketing leader in the life sciences industry—highlighting the power of customer-centric strategies in driving market growth.

Key topics include:

• How customer-driven marketing fuels business success in life sciences
• The impact of COVID-19 on the diagnostics industry and market evolution
• The changing role of marketing in healthcare and life sciences
• The need for integrated solutions that address multiple stakeholders
• How diagnostics innovations are improving patient outcomes

Tune in for valuable insights on marketing, strategy, and healthcare innovation.

Learn how Kaon helps B2B companies engage and inspire: Visit kaon.com

Building High-Impact Ecosystems with Meredith Stowell of IBM

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn dives into the world of ecosystem strategies with Meredith Stowell, VP of Ecosystem at IBM. Meredith shares how IBM builds and leverages a diverse partner ecosystem—including ISPs, academic institutions, and skills training programs—to drive industry growth and innovation.

Key topics include:

• The role of ecosystems in driving business success and transformation
• How sales and marketing integration enhances customer outcomes
• Strategies for fostering collaboration and innovation through partnerships
• The impact of ecosystems on talent acquisition and workforce development
• Why creativity, patience, and a growth mindset are essential in ecosystem building

Tune in for expert insights on strategic partnerships, business innovation, and ecosystem growth.

Discover how Kaon helps B2B companies tell their value story effectively: Visit kaon.com

Scaling for Hypergrowth: Insights from Francis Chow of Red Hat

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, we explore scaling for hypergrowth with Francis Chow, VP and GM at Red Hat. Francis shares his career journey—from engineering to leading billion-dollar businesses—and provides key insights on innovation, agility, and digital transformation.

Key topics include:

• How agile and scalable solutions enable sustainable growth
• Breaking down organizational silos to accelerate innovation
• The role of AI and data in driving efficiency and decision-making
• Strategies for scaling technologies across diverse industries
• Navigating the complexities of digital transformation in today's business landscape

Tune in for expert strategies on hypergrowth, technology scaling, and digital innovation.

Discover how Kaon helps B2B companies engage, educate, and inspire: Visit kaon.com

Transforming B2B Marketing: Insights from Rebecca Smith, CMO at Ciena

In this episode of The B2B Engagement Podcast, Gavin Finn dives into the evolving world of B2B marketing transformation with Rebecca Smith, CMO at Ciena. Rebecca shares her career journey—from consumer goods to high-tech B2B marketing—offering invaluable insights into the strategic evolution of marketing.

Key topics include:

• How B2B marketing is shifting from a tactical function to a strategic sales partner
• Practical strategies for nurturing customer relationships and driving engagement
• The power of compelling storytelling in B2B marketing
• Fostering collaboration between marketing and sales for revenue growth
• The key skills and mindset shifts needed to succeed in modern B2B marketing

Tune in for expert insights on marketing strategy, customer engagement, and sales alignment.

Learn how Kaon helps B2B companies tell their value story effectively: Visit kaon.com