EPISODE 245- Data with a Driving License: Volvo's Head of Information Management AI, & Analytics Ivan Branco on Turning Industrial Complexity into Clear Decisions

Why Creatives Need Both Structure & FreedomIn this snippet, Samuel Beek, Chief Product Officer at VEED, shares a key insight on creative work: Creativity thrives on constraints and space.A few guardrails help guide ideas but creatives also need a blank canvas to truly express themselves. Samuel explains how VEED once relied on highly restrictive templates. While they looked great and performed well on social media, users didn’t love them.The learning?True creative satisfaction comes from choice, flexibility, and freedom, not just polished outcomes.Listen to the full podcast- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-Samuel-Beek#Outgrow #Podcast #SamuelBeek #VEED #CreatorEconomy #ProductDesign #CreativeFreedom #UXDesign

💳 Driving Trust & Efficiency Across the Payments Ecosystem- Brice van de Walle, EVP Core Payments Lead Europe, MastercardThe hardest part of any transformation is alignment, making sure every player is moving toward the same goal.But in this case, the benefits are clear:🔐 Lower fraud✅ Higher approval rates🤝A smoother experience for merchants, banks, and PSPs alikeWith nearly 50% of transactions already tokenized, adoption is well underway. The future of secure, seamless payments is collaborative.Listen to the full podcast now- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-Brice-van-de-Walle#Mastercard #DigitalPayments #Tokenization #Fintech #PaymentsInnovation #FraudPrevention #Ecommerce #PSP #Merchants #FinancialTechnology

Ivan Branco is a data-driven leader with over six years of experience in business intelligence, analytics, and information management. As the Head of Information Management, AI, and Analytics at Volvo Group Trucks Operations, Ivan stands at the forefront of operational excellence and digital transformation, redefining how data shapes smarter decisions and resilient systems. On The Menu: Data's role in Volvo's service-oriented business transformationWhy is governance structure foundational to data strategyCustomer satisfaction as the ultimate business compassFraud detection through data insights at Volvo GroupTechnology should solve problems, not drive strategy choicesHuman factors remain essential despite AI advancementTrust-based leadership in technology and data teams

The Vision for a Core AI SubscriptionIn this snippet, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, outlines a bold ambition: making OpenAI the core AI subscription people rely on every day.Built on experiences like ChatGPT, the vision includes:👉 Smarter and smarter models👉 Core AI services bundled into a single subscription👉 New surfaces, from future devices to OS-like platforms👉 APIs and SDKs that others can build on (even if it takes a few iterations)Sam believes this platform could unlock massive global value creation, empowering builders everywhere to create what comes next. There’s still a lot to build, but the direction is clear.#Outgrow #Podcast #SamAltman #OpenAI #AIPlatform #FutureOfAI #SubscriptionEconomy #TechInnovation

Leading by Going Deep, When It Matters.In this snippet, Adam Harmetz, Vice President of Product Management at Microsoft, shares how he balances strategy with hands-on leadership.At his best, Adam focuses on the big picture, creating the right environment and giving senior leaders the autonomy to go deep, where the real work happens. But there are moments when leaders must dive in themselves.He goes deep to be a role model for new team members, during major culture shifts, and especially now with AI. By actively using AI and encouraging others to do the same, leaders send a clear signal: adaptation matters.Drawing from past transformations at Microsoft, from design-led thinking to today’s AI wave, Adam shows how deep engagement, even in projects that don’t “win,” can shape an organization’s future.Listen to the full podcast now- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-Adam-Harmetz#Outgrow #Podcast #AdamHarmetz #Microsoft #ProductLeadership #AITransformation #LeadershipMindset #TechCulture

Efficiency First: Building a Climate Strategy from the Ground Up”In this snippet, Monika Tenerowicz, ex-Climate Officer at Orange Polska, currently Deputy Head of Communications and Marketing at Upstream Poland Division, Orlen SA, shares how the company’s climate journey took shape.While Orange Polska officially published its climate ambitions in April 2021, the work started much earlier, through scattered initiatives driven by one core belief: efficiency should be the way forward.By 2020, the team began calculating its carbon footprint and identifying priority areas. As an infrastructural telecom, their focus naturally turned to scope 1 and 2 emissions, from network operations, fuel use in fleets, and the energy required to power the network.A clear reminder that meaningful climate action starts with measurement, focus, and operational efficiency. Listen to the full podcast- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-Monika-Tenerowicz #Outgrow #Podcast #MonikaTenerowicz #OrangePolska #ClimateStrategy #Sustainability #CarbonFootprint #GreenTelecom

Deepfakes & Democracy: A Dangerous LineIn this snippet, Matthew Blakemore, CEO at AI Caramba!, raises serious concerns about the rise of deepfakes, especially during elections.With examples already online of people appearing to say things they never said, the risk is clear. A flood of deepfakes before an election could heavily influence outcomes, and that’s deeply problematic.Still, Matthew points to a hopeful sign: when parties publicly call out and clarify deepfakes, it helps protect democratic processes.The takeaway?👉 Technology is advancing fast.👉 Accountability and transparency must move faster.Because deepfakes are simply not a good look for democracy.Listen to the full podcast now- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-matthew-blakemore#Outgrow #Podcast #MatthewBlakemore #AICaramba #Deepfakes #AIEthics #Democracy #DigitalTrust #ResponsibleAI

Rakesh Doddamane is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience specializing in Generative AI, UX Design, and Digital Transformation. Currently serving as Leader of Gen AI & UX at Philips, he has established the Generative AI Centre of Excellence and spearheaded AI governance frameworks across global organizations. On The Menu: Value-driven approach to scaling generative AI solutionsStrategic AI investments across Philips' business functionsCloud infrastructure governance and cost optimization frameworksGen AI Ninja Certification: three-tier upskilling programCustomer insights leveraging AI for product innovationFuture of autonomous agents and orchestration governanceNavigating EU AI Act compliance in regulated industries

Financial Services Is an Ecosystem, Not a Solo Act!In this snippet, Pavan Bachwal, VP & Head of Financial Services at Ericsson, explains why building in financial services is never a one-play show.Success requires aligning multiple moving parts:🔹 Technology players and regulators🔹 Access channels and frameworks🔹 Banking, payment, card, and remittance rails🔹 Utility, service, and merchant providersBy mapping the entire ecosystem and forming the right strategic partnerships, organizations can get the story right and design a scalable, sustainable growth journey.Listen to the full podcast now- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-Pavan-Bachwal#Outgrow #Podcast #PavanBachwal #Ericsson #FinancialServices #EcosystemThinking #Fintech #Payments #GrowthStrategy

Product Leadership Is a Jack-of-All-Trades!In this snippet, Adam Harmetz, Vice President of Product Management at Microsoft, shares what product leadership really looks like at scale.From finance and legal to HR, culture, and product planning, no two days look the same. It’s a role that demands being boundless across disciplines, balancing deep thinking with the occasional emergency firefighting.At the senior level, Adam explains, the real advantage is being able to define your own job. With strong teams handling the day-to-day, the focus shifts to a few high-impact, differentiated problems each year, the ones that truly move the business forward.Listen to the full podcast- https://premade.outgrow.us/interview-with-Adam-Harmetz#Outgrow #Podcast #AdamHarmetz #Microsoft #ProductManagement #ProductLeadership #TechCareers #BuildingAtScale