This week, we met Kyle Gustafson, civil engineer by training, digital commerce expert by career. From scaling office supply giants to building businesses at Amazon, Kyle reflects on what digital transformation really takes and why WIFM – “What’s in it for me?” – is the key to adoption and growth.
Highlights
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Kyle Gustafson & His Career Path
02:00 – Lessons from Office Depot, Staples, and OfficeMax
04:00 – Building Private Brands and Supply Chains at Amazon
06:35 – Transformation Mindset: Thinking 20 Years Ahead
11:35 – Why Companies Call for Help: Common Consulting Triggers
17:40 – Defining eCommerce: Where’s the line?
21:33 – Why Digital Transformation Never Really Ends
28:40 – Tech Adoption and the Power of WIFM
34:10 – The Alexa Microwave Story: When Customer Value Isn’t There
39:23 – Leadership Lessons from Mentor Ron Lala
45:10 – Book Recommendations & Closing Thoughts
Resources Mentioned
- Viktor Frankl – Man’s Search for Meaning
- Malcolm Gladwell – The Revenge of the Tipping Point
- Paul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley – The Digital Mindset: What It Really Takes to Thrive in the Age of Data, Algorithms, and AI
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