The Bob Johnston Podcast

The intricacies of entrepreneurship and scaling a startup are massive – from hiring talent to raising capital to securing customers, the clock is often the enemy. Today, we dive into the life of launching and running a startup with Eleonore Crespo, CEO of Pigment, a fast-growth company based in Paris. Eleonore and I discuss the rewards of leadership and taking care of your teams (and yourself and family!), aimed at providing valuable insights, whether you sit in the founder's seat at a startup or are scaling a new project within a Fortune 100 company. We cover the following topics:

• Work-Life Balance: Eleonore shares her journey of managing a growing business while balancing family life, emphasizing the non-traditional hours and dedication it requires.
• Motivation and Growth: We discuss how personal motivation, influences, and expectations can be your guideposts as things scale.
• Leadership Philosophy: Eleonore discusses advice she receives from seasoned leaders (she has several top leaders in Silicon Valley on speed dial)
• Team Dynamics: She highlights the significance of creating a supportive environment, where work ethic sets the tone
• Long-Term Vision: We explore the importance of sustainable growth strategies and the patience required for building a successful organization.

I hope you enjoy the insights and experiences from one of my inspiring leaders, Eleonore Crespo!

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About Eleonore:

Eléonore Crespo is a dynamic leader and co-founder of Pigment, a business planning platform designed to empower organizations to make better, faster decisions in an ever-evolving landscape. Built for agility and scale, Pigment connects people, data, and processes in one elegant, feature-rich platform that allows planners in every department to prepare for any eventuality. The company is trusted by industry-leading companies around the world including Unilever, Merck, Klarna, Miro, and Poshmark.

Before launching Pigment, Eléonore was an investor at Index Ventures, where she collaborated closely with entrepreneurs and led investments in innovative companies such as Alan, Spendesk, Swile, and Slite. Her prior experience includes a significant role as a senior analyst at Google, where she reported directly to the EMEA president and CFO, focusing on strategic planning and initiatives.

Eléonore holds a background in quantum physics and engineering, having studied at the prestigious École Normale Supérieure and the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines, two of France's most competitive institutions of higher education. Her unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial insight positions her as a prominent figure in the business planning landscape.

Has your approach to leadership and organizational culture evolved? Navigating these areas can be challenging—especially with the rapid changes in today’s workforce and work environments.

In this episode, I sit down with Wonzie Gardner to explore the complexities of modern leadership and organizational dynamics. Together, we dive into critical areas that are reshaping the work culture landscape, all to benefit you:

• Personal Influence and Values: Wonzie reflects on how his father’s servant leadership shaped his own approach, offering a powerful perspective on leading with purpose. 
• Community and Connection: We discuss the importance of maintaining strong personal connections, even in a hybrid work world where face-to-face interactions are fading.
• HR’s Evolving Role: As remote work and the pandemic continue to reshape the workplace, we delve into how HR can support both employee well-being and organizational goals.
• Transparency and Vulnerability: Wonzie opens up about the value of authentic leadership and shares personal challenges that helped him build a supportive, transparent workplace culture.
• Future of Work: We tackle the delicate balance between physical and virtual workspaces, and the ongoing efforts to create a sustainable and cohesive organizational culture.
  
  Enjoy the wisdom and insights from one of my favorite leaders, Wonzie Gardner!

How's your nutrition discipline and exercise routine going this Summer? If you're anything like me, it's been up and down due to loads of travel and too many restaurant meals. So...in today’s episode, Dr. Joey Mattina and I go down the rabbit hole to cover our current exercise, nutrition and supplement strategies and see where we can get optimized.

Of note, we dive into the following areas and try to demystify and distill all of the noise we hear in the media, particularly social media:

Resistance training: Why it's crucial for maintaining muscle mass and bone density as we age. He emphasizes the importance of challenging your body with heavier weights to trigger essential hormonal responses and maintain overall health.

Data, data, data: Comprehensive blood tests and scans designed for early detection of health issues. Tests Joey and I have done and want to do.

Supplements: Do they matter? How do we know if they're working? 

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We cover a ton of topics for busy people, regardless of whether or not you want to get started from a standstill and little knowledge, are hoping to get back on track, or are pretty optimized and want to level up.

Enjoy!

About Joey

Dr. Joey Mattina, DC earned his doctorate from Southern California University of Health Sciences where he graduated magna cum laude and salutatorian. He has extensive training and experience in myofascial release and osteopathic manipulation of both the soft tissue and skeletal systems. Dr. Mattina aims to improve tissue function through manual techniques that typically involve slow, firm, compressive pressure in very specific anatomical locations and positions. Through this direct pressure he is able to reorganize the skeletal system while simultaneously treating the overlying tissue layers. Treating in this way helps joints move properly, stimulates the secretion of synovial fluid, improves glide and lubrication between tissue layers, and decreases inflammation that has become trapped in taut or damaged tissue.

Dr. Mattina began his professional career as an intern studying under Dr. Dennis Colonello. In that role, he honed his craft at Peak Wellness working side-by-side with Dr. Colonello for 7 years. Dr. Mattina served as the team chiropractor for the Los Angeles Clippers for 4 years and the LA Kings hockey team for 2 years. Known for his keen clinical acumen and deft diagnostic and treatment skills, Dr. Mattina has been entrusted to care for a plethora of important clientele.

Philip Rowley, CFO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, might just win the award for The Most Interesting CFO in the World. 

Aside from having amassed decades of knowledge about his industry and craft, he's also extremely well-read and and has an incredible knack for leadership, based in part, at least, on his breadth of reading (Side note on reading: Mark Twain once said, "The man who does not read had no advantage over the man who cannot read."). 

Philip and I cover a lot of ground, including:

• How he became a company President at age 29
• Navigating the complexities of supply chains in the Music industry
• Leveraging technology and AI as a lens into data standardization and integration

One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of adapting one's leadership style over time – i.e. don't be rigid, be flexible – and emphasizing continuous learning. (Note: Philip's reading list has been widely circulated at his company. See show notes).

He also shares his belief in managing for value rather than short-term metrics, providing contrasting examples from his time at AOL Europe and Sony Pictures. Bill highlights the significance of balancing short-term and long-term goals and describes his approach to leadership as one that fosters intrinsic motivation and trust within teams. Additionally, he touches on the challenges of avoiding overwork and the importance of leveraging coaching to empower employees. And, a lot more!

Enjoy!

About Philip

Philip Rowley is Senior Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). Mr. Rowley is responsible for all of the Company’s financial affairs and oversees SPE’s information technology, facilities, procurement, security, and health and safety divisions. Rowley was at AOL Europe in London from 2001-2007. As CFO, he was instrumental in moving the company into profitability and was in due course named COO, and later CEO. Before AOL, Rowley was at Kingfisher PLC, where he served as Group Finance Director; at Golden Books Family Entertainment as COO and CFO, and was co-founder and Managing Director of Tribeca Technologies in New York, a technology company specializing in ISDN connectivity and sound compression technologies. 

Rowley was based in New York as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of EMI Music Worldwide, where he was responsible for finance, strategic planning, information technology, human resources, and the studio's group (which included Abbey Road). During the six years in that role, he led the acquisition of Virgin Music, Chrysalis Records, and IRS Records. Before that, Rowley served in several senior roles at EMI Music including Finance Director for Europe. He was Vice President for Finance at Thorn EMI Screen Entertainment in Los Angeles; and Vice President for Finance and Planning for Thorn EMI Video in New York. 

Since 2007, Rowley has held several non-executive board seats including Promethean World plc, where he served as Non-Executive Director and then Chairman from 2010-2015; HMV Group plc, where he served as Non-Executive Director and then Chairman from 2007-2013; MISYS Plc and Tradus PLC; and ARM Holdings plc, where he served for over nine years, during which time he successively chaired the audit and remuneration committees.

Rowley is known for his strong leadership skills, strategic mindset, and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. He is highly respected within the industry for his financial acumen, business acumen, and commitment to driving value for shareholders. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Rowley is also actively involved in various industry associations and community initiatives. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from a prestigious university and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). His dedication to excellence and passion for the entertainment

Everybody is talking about longevity nowadays…such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink, supplements such as NAD to Rapamycin, and various blood tests and full body MRI scans. 

How does one sift through the noise and make sense of what’s what? 

Dr. Bill Kapp, CEO of Fountainlife, lays it out for us in layman’s terms. We discuss:

• Fountain Life's plans to make advanced health screening technologies more accessible by partnering with corporations, hotels, residential communities, and golf clubs
• How you can leverage AI and wearables to make health tracking fun
• The potential of new technologies in extending life (he predicts major advancements by 2030)
• Why Peter Diamandis and Tony Robbins decided to create Fountain Life
• Dr. Kapp’s personal health and fitness philosophy

And a whole lot more! Enjoy!

Dr. Kapp's Bio:

Dr. Kapp is a dynamic entrepreneur who has founded several healthcare start-ups, ranging from surgical centers and hospitals to electronic health record systems and medical real estate developments. He is passionate about introducing cutting-edge technology to enhance both the facilities and operations of healthcare organizations. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, former USAF Flight Surgeon, and type-rated jet aircraft pilot, Dr. Kapp has a unique combination of medical expertise and aviation knowledge. Moreover, he is dedicated to advancing the new healthcare paradigm that focuses on the detection and reversal of asymptomatic diseases. Dr. Kapp is deeply committed to this cause and strives to improve patient outcomes by leveraging the latest advancements in medical technology and innovation.

Summary

Have you ever wondered what kind of companies are being created in the Space industry, outside of the one or two that you've heard about such as SpaceX? It's a $500Bn market today (and trillions over the next couple of decades). You're invited to listen and absorb the knowledge of Space Capital's founder, Chad Anderson, as he takes us on the journey and provides a roadmap of what's in store.
 
Chad has real vision and we discuss his career evolution in finance to creating the UK's first Space innovation center to ultimately shifting directly into launching a fund with an exclusive focus on the Space space. We discuss the emerging potential of the industry, navigate the challenges of investments in the sector during the early days, and how it's evolved now that the likes of Musk, Bezos, Branson and others are putting their weight behind the industry.

One of my biggest takeaways is the the importance of recognizing trends, overcoming obstacles, and staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing industry. Through Chad's perspective, our audience gained a deeper understanding of the opportunities and complexities within the space investment landscape, painting a vivid picture of the future possibilities in the space economy.

Enjoy!

About Chad
Chad Anderson is a pioneering figure in the space investment industry, as highlighted by TechCrunch calling him "among the best-positioned people to weigh in on the current and future state of the space startup industry." As the founder and managing partner of Space Capital for over a decade, Chad has been instrumental in driving investments in the Space Economy. He is also the author of "The Space Economy: Capitalize on the Greatest Business Opportunity of our Lifetime," published by Wiley.

With a strong media presence, Chad has been featured in reputable outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and the Financial Times. Apart from his work at Space Capital, Chad serves on the board of the Satellite Applications Catapult, contributing to the growth of the UK's space sector. He is also on the board of the Explorers Club, a nonprofit promoting scientific exploration, and has been a member of the User Advisory Committee for the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory.

Prior to founding Space Capital, Chad had a successful tenure at JPMorgan Chase, managing a $50-billion real estate portfolio during the Great Recession. He holds an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation from the University of Oxford, showcasing his diverse expertise and experience in finance, entrepreneurship, and the space industry.

Summary

CHROs are having a special moment right now – and rightfully earned, given that HR is arguably the most important role in an organization. As such, I'm excited to share my conversation with Michael Fraccaro, who currently serves as Mastercard's Chief People Officer. We discuss Michael's early career, which began as a high school teacher in Sydney as well as where his interest in HR was sparked (in university and beyond).

Michael and I cover the evolving role of the CHRO, particularly the emphasis on adaptability over the past few years. He points out the importance of lifelong learning and how Mastercard's internal talent marketplace facilitates this ethos for employee career growth and development. The platform allows employees to showcase their skills and interests, matching them with relevant projects and mentorship opportunities, ultimately enhancing the employee experience. Michael also underscores the necessity of executive support as a strategic approach to successfully implement such initiatives.

We also discussed implementing new initiatives at a company the size of Mastercard. Michael highlights the need for clear objectives, executive buy-in, and meticulous program management to ensure success. Moreover, he hits on the significance of measuring outcomes and shares metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of initiatives such as the talent marketplace (these include: employee engagement, utilization rates, and career mobility, illustrating the tangible benefits derived from its adoption).

We then jump into organizational culture and Michael underscores its critical role as the essence and DNA of Mastercard. He outlines the company's approach to fostering a strong culture aligned with its purpose and mission, emphasizing values like decency and transparency. Michael elaborates on the Mastercard way, a framework comprising pillars of creating value, growing together, and moving fast, which are embedded into various aspects of the organization, including recruitment and performance management. Additionally, he discusses the development of a culture health index, demonstrating the company's commitment to monitoring and nurturing its culture at all levels, from the frontline to the boardroom.

We also cover key principles guiding his leadership philosophy, emphasizing trust, adaptability, and the importance of letting go, at times, to foster shared accountability. Drawing from his experience as a school teacher and various mentors throughout his career, he highlights the significance of feedback and learning as essential components of effective leadership. Additionally, he touches on the discipline of effective communication, stressing the enduring impact of written language and the importance of clarity and precision in conveying messages.

Shifting the conversation to the role of AI in HR and organizational operations, Michael shares his insights into Mastercard's approach to integrating AI technologies. He discusses the widespread adoption of AI across product development, fraud detection, and customer care, highlighting its role in enhancing efficiency and productivity. We also discuss the importance of responsible AI practices, including human oversight in decision-making processes. Michael also explores the potential of AI in improving workplace satisfaction and well-being, illustrating initiatives such as integrating well-being reminders into daily workflows to promote mental health and work-life balance.

On that point, Michael rightfully feels that the beset way to address mental health and well-being in the workplace is to emphasize the importance of open communication and vulnerability, particularly among executive leadership, to de-stigmatize mental health issues. Through initiatives like the mental health champions program and holistic well-being seminars, Mastercard aims to provide comprehensive support to employees worldwide. Michael also highlights

Summary

One of the most important roles in the C-suite is ownership of company ethics, culture, and policy. Who better to give us insights than someone who spearheads this role at a company that’s navigated these waters for over 123 years?! Enter Beth Rose, Chief Compliance, Ethics, & Integrity Officer at Ford Motor Company. 

Beth and I sit down to discuss the career and personal path – and, importantly, key choices along the way – remember every decision we make is, in fact, a “choice” –  that propelled her into the C-suite at Ford. Beth learned the ropes by tackling multiple in-house Legal responsibilities, gradually moving from general litigation to being a corporate law specialist at Ford.

We discuss how compliance and ethics are viewed at Ford which, despite being a large, family-owned enterprise, stands out for its ethical corporate culture. We also cover the complexities of developing and launching compliance policies, administering integrity training, and running Ford’s “speak up” hotline. Further, we hit on technology and regulatory issues that are a constant in the industry, both in the US and globally. 

Beth also touches on the importance of clear and effective corporate communication, especially in a multinational environment with a diverse workforce. For example, maintaining consistency in company policy and culture across different geographical regions can pose challenges, particularly in a hybrid work setting and during times of corporate shift like we all are experiencing. As such, Beth emphasizes the necessity of strong internal relationships and effective communication to manage through these challenges. Using data and feedback to measure the success of compliance programs is crucial, moving beyond simplistic metrics that may not capture the full context of an issue. 

We wrap up our discussion with Beth’s personal reflections on career development, the value of mentoring, and the significance of vulnerability, all of which lead to growth and provide insights into the human aspects of how you can navigate your own company’s ethics, integrity and compliance program.

Bio

Beth Rose joined Ford Motor Company as an attorney in 1995 after graduating from Wayne State University Law School.  Throughout her career with Ford, she has managed various aspects of the Company’s litigation and compliance program.  

Beth previously served as Assistant General Counsel with responsibility for the Product Litigation Group, comprised of the Product Litigation, Asbestos, and Discovery teams.  In 2019, Beth became Ford’s Chief Compliance, Ethics, and Integrity Officer and Assistant General Counsel, responsible for the Company’s global ethics and compliance program.

In addition to a juris doctorate, Beth holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Beth is also a board member of Vista Maria, a Michigan non-profit that provides residential and support services for girls and young women dealing with trauma.  

Beth is a champion for the development of women, particularly within the legal profession.  She has experience curating and delivering career development programming within Ford and the broader legal community. In 2016, Beth established the Legal Alliance for Women (LAW) at Ford, creating a forum for members of OGC to work together on leadership, service, and networking initiatives.  Beth also led the OGC Diversity Committee for several years, with a focus on developing and fostering a pipeline of diverse talent within the legal profession. She is actively involved in pro bono, community service, and mentoring projects.  

Beth is married and has two daughters.

Summary

In the course of this in-depth conversation, Larry McDonald – author of How to Listen When Markets Speak and CEO of Bear Traps Report – delves deep into the financial insights acquired from his global network, discussing the major economic shifts and their impact on financial markets, as captured in his latest book. His intention is to democratize financial information, moving away from traditional, bank-dominated imprints on markets. This democratization is partly driven by technological advancements that increase access to critical financial data. Our conversation broadens into the implications of recent economic upheavals such as the COVID-19 pandemic, hinting at persistent inflation and the need for strategic financial planning, going forward.

We further explore passive investing's role in current market dynamics, highlighting how long-term disinflationary trends have buoyed such investments, which now face risks from potential normalization of inflation rates. Larry is rightly concerned about heavy investments in financial assets like growth stocks and bonds, favored from 2010 to 2020, that might not perform well under high inflation. Our conversation then transitions into a review of macroeconomic trends, government debt, and the implications of current fiscal and monetary policies. Each topic uncovers deeper concerns about the sustainability of current financial strategies and the potential need for drastic changes in the face of evolving global economic conditions, such as shifts towards multipolarity and its impact on commodity markets.

Finally, we dig into some of Larry's go-to websites and resources for information and news. Enjoy!

Larry's Bio

Larry McDonald, a New York Times bestselling author and a seasoned CNBC contributor, excels as a Political Risk Expert. He founded The Bear Traps Report, an independent weekly Macro Research Platform that delves into global political and systemic risks, providing subscribers with actionable trading insights. Larry is renowned for his ability to intertwine humor with critical analyses on topics such as the Trump Administration, the U.S. Financial Crisis, European Sovereign Debt issues, and the economic challenges facing China.

In 2016, Larry took on a partnership role at ACG Analytics in Washington D.C., leveraging his expertise as one of the foremost political policy risk consultants and strategists. His professional journey includes significant tenure as Managing Director and Head of U.S. Macro Strategy at Société Générale from 2011 to 2016. Furthermore, he founded an investment research firm in 2010 that publishes The Bear Traps Report, focusing on political and systemic risks, complemented by actionable trading strategies. Larry is also a frequent presence on CNBC, where he discusses political and economic risks and opportunities.

Before his current endeavors, Larry McDonald made notable contributions to the finance world as Vice President at Lehman Brothers. There, he successfully led his team in capitalizing on the subprime mortgage crisis, securing over $2 billion in profits for the firm prior to its collapse. This experience formed the basis for his international bestseller, A Colossal Failure of Common Sense: The Inside Story of the Collapse of Lehman Brothers, which has been translated into 12 languages and sold over 400,000 copies. Earlier, Larry co-founded Convertbond.com, an innovative resource for convertible securities, which was later acquired by Morgan Stanley in 1999. His insights are not only sought after in financial circles but have also featured in documentaries such as the Academy Award-winning "Inside Job" and National Geographic’s "The 2000’s." Larry continues to contribute regularly to Bloomberg TV and Radio, Forbes, and Fox Business. His keynote speeches, which now exceed 125 worldwide.

Barak Turovsky is Executive in Residence at Scale Venture Partners, a leading Enterprise venture capital firm. Barak spent 10 years at Google as Head of Product and User Experience for Languages AI and the Google Translate teams, focused on applying cutting edge Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to deliver experiences across Google Search, Assistant, Cloud, Chrome, Ads and other products.

Prior to joining Google in 2011, Barak was Director of Product in Microsoft’s Mobile Advertising team, Head of Mobile Commerce at PayPal and Chief Technical Officer in an Israeli start up. Most recently, Barak served as Chief Product Officer – responsible for product management and engineering at Trax – a leading provider of Computer Vision AI solutions for the Retail and Commerce industries. 

 He lived for more than 10 years in Russia, Israel and the US and speaks three languages fluently. Barak earned a Bachelor’s of Law degree from Tel Aviv University and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.

Barak’s recent work on AI:

• A framework for evaluating Generative AI use cases. 
• Barak's interview with GLG Experts Network about Generative AI
• Keynote at CES 2021 about latest and greatest in Languages AI 
• Talk at CES 2020 about dealing with bias in AI models (super relevant for ChatGBT/Generative AI)
• Google AI work with Google Ads team to improve ads targeting (Semantic Targeting) 
• The Great AI awakening story from New York Times (covering the first-ever productization of deep neural networks with Google Translate), is one of best written stories about ML/AI history and challenges 
• Barak presentation to Indian Prime Minister Modi when he visited Google campus
• For some fun – Google Translate vs. La Bamba (Google Translate team playing with visual, AR-based translation feature)

Cool investment thesis resource:
Y Combinator Investment Thesis Map for AI (Note: once again, “Productivity” hardly a big theme)