What's Next! with Tiffani Bova

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I'm reflecting on a conversation I had with Daniel Marcos. Daniel is a Co-Founder and the CEO of Gazelles Growth Institute, an online executive education company for C-level executives at fast-growing firms. Daniel is also the Co-Founder of Inflection (Gazelles Mexico division), a keynote speaker, and CEO-Coach. Across all these efforts, his goal is to help 1 million entrepreneurs scale their companies faster and with "less drama." Daniel is also an ambassador for Singularity University in Austin, TX and he co-authored the book Start-Up to Scale-Up.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… entrepreneurs interested in starting a company and small and mid-size businesses looking to grow and scale successfully.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… growth is not easy. It does not come without sacrifice. It's important to make the decision to grow after careful consideration. More companies have died from excessive opportunities than the lack thereof, so it behooves leaders and organizations to set their objectives thoughtfully, be disciplined, and scale their mindset adequately. Daniel breaks down the 4 main stages of growth and the biggest challenges to be found in each.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… speaking with anyone who is maniacally focused on growth and can get us thinking critically and intentionally about growth, scaling, and continued success.

Running time: 34:47

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Daniel's Book:

Start-Up to Scale-Up

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the honor and pleasure of welcoming Christoph Senn to the show today.

Christoph is an adjunct professor of marketing at INSEAD, one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools. He's joining us today from Switzerland - it's always great to have the international flavor to the show. He is Codirector of INSEAD Marketing & Sales Excellence Initiative, amongst many other things, and an advisor to some of the largest companies in the world. He has a book out that joined the great ones that I enjoyed reading at the end of 2024 called Triple Fit Strategy.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone looking to build stronger customer relationships and drive growth through a more strategic approach to sales.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… traditional sales approaches focus on pitching products, but real growth comes from understanding and aligning with your customer's strategy. Christoph introduces the "Triple Fit Strategy," a framework that moves beyond transactional selling to create long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Building strong customer relationships requires aligning with their strategy, not just selling a product.

• Shifting from transactional selling to strategic collaboration drives long-term business growth.

• Understanding what truly matters to your customer creates more meaningful and effective engagements.

• A broader perspective on value can make negotiations less about price and more about partnership.

• Sales teams that focus on customer success are more likely to drive sustainable results.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Christoph's perspective on treating customers as if you were part of the same company. When you align with their priorities and think beyond your own product, you open the door to real partnership and long-term success.

Running Time: 24:59

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Christoph's Book: Triple Fit Strategy: How to Build Lasting Customer Relationships and Boost Growth

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the honor and pleasure of welcoming Topaz Adizes to the show today.

He is an Emmy Award-winning writer, director, and experience design architect. He is an Edmund Hillary fellow and Sundance/Skoll Stories of Change fellow. His works have been selected to Cannes, Sundance, IDFA, and SXSW; featured in New Yorker magazine, Vanity Fair, and so much else. He has garnered an Emmy for new approaches to documentary and two World Press Photo awards for immersive storytelling. But what I'm here today to talk to him about is his new book called 12 Questions for Love.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone looking to build stronger relationships—at work or in life—through the power of better questions.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…we often focus on having the right answers, but real connection comes from asking the right questions. Topaz Adizes has spent over a decade studying human connection, guiding more than 1,200 pairs of people through transformative conversations. In this episode, he shares how the way we ask questions can strengthen workplace culture, improve team dynamics, and create more meaningful personal relationships. By shifting our approach—from looking for the "right" answer to fostering authentic dialogue—we unlock deeper understanding, trust, and collaboration.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

• The best conversations start with thoughtful, well-constructed questions.

• Shifting from binary to open-ended questions leads to richer, more meaningful responses.

• A strong workplace culture starts with intentional communication and connection.

• Small shifts in how we structure meetings can make them more productive and engaging.

• Great leaders aren't just problem-solvers—they're great guides who know how to ask the right questions.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Topaz's insight on the power of well-constructed questions. His technique to ask open-ended, connective, and intentional questions creates space for deeper conversations, whether at work or in personal relationships.

Running Time: 31:43

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Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I'm eager to replay a conversation with Bill Wooditch. Bill is the founder and CEO of Wooditch Enterprises. He works with Fortune 500 companies like AIG, Old Republic, Zurich, and Bank of America to improve their sales and leadership. He appeared regularly on Steve Harvey's "Act Like a Success" show and has also appeared on CNBC, Fox, and CBS. He has written for Inc., New York Daily News, and the American Management Association.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to succeed and learn how to use their indispensable failures to get there faster!

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…..it's the serious student of success that treats failure as the indispensable teacher. Unless you're able to first move through the pains of rejection and the fear of the attempt, you will not be able to move forward to create the lifestyle you dream of. The key here is to be dispassionate about failure and check your irrational fears, ego, and the fear of losing prestige because this can paralyze your progress. Bill shares some wisdom and strategies for addressing fear, failure, and the pursuit of success.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… it's a pleasure to have someone on the What's Next! Podcast who talks about fear of failure and having the courage and fortitude to lean into the kind of discomfort that leads to success.

Running time: 32:34

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Fail More

Always Forward

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I'm giving another listen to a conversation I shared with Professor Christian Terwiesch and I'm eager to share it with you! Christian is a Professor in Wharton's Operations and Information Management department, co-director of Penn's Mack Institute for Innovation Management, and also holds a faculty appointment at Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. He is the co-author of Matching Supply with Demand, a widely used textbook in Operations Management. He launched the first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in business on Coursera based on the book and since its inception, more than half a million students have enrolled. His first management book, Innovation Tournaments, details a new process-based approach to innovation and has inspired innovation tournaments around the world. His latest book, Connected Strategies, combines his expertise in the fields of operations, innovation, and strategy to help companies take advantage of digital technology leading to new business models. In addition to his teaching and his research, Professor Terwiesch is the host of "Work of Tomorrow," a national radio show on Sirius XM 132.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone wanting to become more innovative or bring a culture of innovation to their organization, as well as those wanting to get a pulse on new business models shaping how organizations interact with customers today.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… we have to find different ways of delighting our customers. How do we do that? Through innovation and continuous connection. Professor Terwiesch maintains that innovation is a cultural process that can be managed. That is the power of the Innovation Tournament, it leaves room for that magic spark to fly while giving it direction and structure. Beyond Innovation Tournaments, it's about becoming continuously connected. This connection enables new ways of delighting the customer and also allows organizations to provide more value to the customer, potentially at a lower cost. The purpose of a connected strategy and a continuous relationship is not only to get data but also to do a better job for the customer.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… I love that Christian has identified these new business models that are fundamentally changing the way organizations interact with their customers.

Running Time: 30:47

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Christian's Book:

Connected Strategy Book

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I have the wonderful pleasure of welcoming two guests. The first is Wes Adams. He is the founder and CEO of SV Consulting Group. He has led teams that were recognized as one of Fast Company's most innovative brands, won multiple Webby Awards, and received two James Beard Award nominations. Also joining him is Tamara Myles. She is a consultant and an international speaker with over two decades of experience helping leaders improve business performance. She is a professor at Boston College and an instructor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Secret to Peak Productivity. But the reason they're here today is because they have a new book coming out called Meaningful Work.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… leaders and managers looking for actionable ways to create more meaningful and fulfilling workplaces.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… research shows that finding meaning at work is the single most important factor in creating fulfilled, high-performing teams. In this conversation, Wes and Tamara explore how leaders can foster environments where employees feel a sense of purpose and impact. They share a simple yet transformative framework—community, contribution, and challenge—that helps align individual fulfillment with organizational success.

KEY TAKEAWAYS…

• Meaning happens in moments. Paying attention to details can go a long way.

• Creating community at work starts with authentic connections and showing genuine care for colleagues.

• Recognizing the contribution of employees strengthens engagement and enhances performance.

• Meaningful work is not just beneficial for individuals but drives long-term organizational success.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… these three simple but powerful questions for leaders: Did I connect with someone today? How did my work have a positive impact? Did I learn something new today? These reflections inspire actionable steps toward more meaningful work environments.

Running Time: 23:57

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Wes and Tamara's Book:

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I'm reflecting on a conversation with Heather Monahan that I think is valuable to everyone, no exceptions! Heather is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of Boss In Heels. As a Chief Revenue Officer in Media, Heather Monahan is a Glass Ceiling Award winner, named one of the most Influential Women in Radio in 2017, and Thrive Global named her a Limit Breaking Female Founder in 2018. Heather is a confidence expert and her book Confidence Creator shot to #1 on Amazon's Business Biographies and Business Motivation list the first week it debuted on Amazon, and her show "Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan" can be found on Apple podcasts.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… anyone who wants to reach his or her full potential and needs that important confidence boost!

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… take ownership of your mental platform and be intentional about the tape you run repeatedly in your head. Confidence is the key to unlocking your full potential, and that confident mindset starts with you. It starts by developing that confidence skill through discipline and frequency. When that confidence muscle is strong, scary does not mean freeze, it means go faster. So, take action! Major action is the catalyst that accelerates the confidence growth cycle. There are many paths to confidence, but not all the steps along those paths are created equal, and the bigger the risk, the bigger the confidence reward. Stop letting self-limiting beliefs and fear tell you you're stuck. No excuses. Just take action!

WHAT I LOVE MOST… Heather has no shortage of passion for building confidence, taking risks, "firing your villains," and making the big decisions that will lead you where you need to be and doing what you love!

Running Time: 30:03

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Heather's Book:

Creating Confidence

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week, I have two amazing guests on the show. The first is Bob Moesta. He is a founder, maker, innovator, speaker, and professor. He is the president and founder of the Rewired Group, as well as an adjunct lecturer at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern and a research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute. But what I love most about him is he co-created the famous Jobs to Be Done theory, which I use in almost every keynote I have. Alongside Bob, and not to be outshined by any stretch, is Michael Horn who strives to create a world in which all individuals can build their passions, fulfill their potential, and live a life of purpose. He is the co-founder of and a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, a nonprofit think tank. He also teaches at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone navigating career decisions, seeking purpose, or looking for strategies to make meaningful progress in their work.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…making career moves isn't just about finding the next big opportunity—it's about aligning your work with your values, energy, and aspirations. In this conversation, Bob and Michael discuss how to evaluate your current situation, identify opportunities for growth, and take steps toward a more fulfilling career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Align your career with what energizes and fulfills you.

• Evaluate your current role to identify opportunities for growth.

• Instead of making a person fit the work, make the work fit a person's strengths.

• Thoughtful career moves start with clarity about your values and goals.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Bob and Michael's insight that career fulfillment doesn't always mean a big leap—it can come from small, intentional changes that better align your work with your strengths and aspirations.

Running Time: 31:03

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Michael and Bob's Book:

Job Moves Assessment

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

This week I am excited to replay a conversation I had with the innovative Tom Stockham. Tom is a passionate champion of disruptive technologies who began his career as an associate at BCG, immersed in the shift to "big-box" retail. He later served as president of Ticketmaster.com, where he helped lead the transition to online ticketing. Then, as CEO of Ancestry.com, he built one of the Internet's first online content subscription businesses. Today, as CEO of ExpertVoice, Tom leads the company in pioneering a new influencer-marketing category that's transforming commerce. He's devoted to the mission of creating a better buying experience for brands, retailers, and consumers through a large network of authentic influential experts who make trusted recommendations.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR… passionate disrupters, innovators, and those interested in learning more about influencer marketing.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE… brands should always put trust at the center of their organization and make a concerted effort to build it up over time. Increasingly, the sources brands are and should be using to do this are Influencers. It's time to shift the balance and shift resources from speaking on your own behalf as a brand to finding trusted figures that can recommend your brand and speak on your behalf in a trusted way. If you are going to do this well, you need to think about who is going to be best to speak on your behalf, how you are going to get them to do so and be more articulate about your brand, and where that influence is going to take hold such that it is beneficial to your brand.

WHAT I LOVE MOST… talking to an innovator who has been involved with so many major industry transitions. Now he's driving the conversation around Influencer marketing, and he feels that this is the next great frontier.

Running time: 34:26

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ExpertVoice

Welcome to the What's Next! Podcast with Tiffani Bova.

I have the wonderful pleasure of welcoming Mike Maples Jr. to the show this week. He is a co-founding partner at Floodgate. He has been on the Forbes Midas List eight times in the last decade and was also named a "Rising Star" by FORTUNE and profiled by Harvard Business School for his lifetime contributions to entrepreneurship. Before becoming a full-time investor, Mike was involved as a founder and operating executive at back-to-back startup IPOs, including Tivoli Systems, which was acquired by IBM, where his dad used to work, and Motive acquired by Alcatel-Lucent. Some of Mike's investments include Twitter, Clover Health, Okta, Outreach, Chegg, Demandforce, and Applied Intuition. And he has a new book out called Pattern Breakers with his co-author, Peter Zimmerman.

THIS EPISODE IS PERFECT FOR…anyone curious to learn about the ingredients to start-up success.

TODAY'S MAIN MESSAGE…why is it that 80% of start-ups fail? What factors sets the 20% apart? As a seasoned venture capitalist, Mike says it comes down to breaking patterns. In this episode, he shares how to break away from linear strategies and dare to think boldly and take a risk.

KEY TAKEAWAYS...

• Great startups force choices, not comparisons.

• Early believers are essential for co-creating groundbreaking futures.

• Intrapreneurs succeed by innovating discreetly before scaling their ideas.

• Striking out on bold experiments is crucial - safe bets won't lead to grand slams.

WHAT I LOVE MOST…Mike says that the best ideas often begin as unsettling or even disliked by many. It's a testament to the power of sticking to bold, authentic visions despite early skepticism.

Running Time: 30:05

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Mike's Book: Pattern Breakers: Why Some Start-Ups Change the Future