This episode dives into the real challenges of building and growing startups, with practical advice from Guillano Demon. Listeners get insights on leadership, product-market fit, team alignment, and customer experience. The discussion is honest, energetic, and packed with actionable tips for founders and innovators.

About the guest:

Guillano Demon is an ex-EY Partner with deep cross-functional experience in building, transforming, and scaling businesses across healthcare, consumer products and technology. He is a co-founder of ventures including Ohana Health, Admiral Freight and KompiTech.AI, works closely with startups and SMEs as a strategic advisor. His mission is to help founders turn bold ideas into real, scalable companies by combining disciplined execution with human-centered leadership.

Relevant links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillano-demon-264881/

Keay Take-aways:

• Blend conviction with openness: Startup leaders must be stubborn yet open to feedback and learning from others.
• Engage customers early and often: Constantly involve customers to ensure products are usable and meet real needs.
• Team alignment and governance matter: Having the right team and clear governance helps resolve issues and drive success.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:35 - Introduction to Business Transformation and Startup Insights

1:57 - Giullano's Mission: Supporting Startup Founders

3:21 - Essential Leadership Qualities for Startups

4:36 - Engaging with Teams and Customers Effectively

5:39 - Overcoming Challenges in Fundraising and Market Fit

8:25 - Strategies for Achieving Product Market Fit

13:03 - Success Case: Launching a Pharmaceutical Startup

15:13 - Learning from Failure: The Importance of Team Alignment

18:43 - Quickfire Round: Insights on Business Challenges and Strategies

20:17 - Golden Nugget: Balancing Dreams with Reality

20:52 - Conclusion and Wrap-Up

Please, hit the follow button and leave your feedback:

Apple Podcast: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/apple

Spotify: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/spotify

About the host:

Gregorio Uglioni is a seasoned transformation leader with over 15 years of experience shaping business and digital change, consistently delivering service excellence and measurable impact. As an Associate Partner at Forward, he is recognized for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and ability to drive sustainable growth. A respected keynote speaker and host of the well-known global podcast Business Transformation Pitch with the CX Goalkeeper, Gregorio energizes and inspires organizations worldwide with his customer-centric approach to innovation.

Follow Gregorio Uglioni on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorio-uglioni/

This episode explores the deep connection between psychology, company culture, and customer experience (CX). Katie Stabler shares practical advice, real stories, and actionable insights for CX leaders. Listeners will learn why strategy, employee involvement, and communication matter more than just technology or AI.

About the guest:

Katie is a Cheshire-based customer experience specialist, keynote and the published author of the best-selling CX-ISM. Dedicated to cultivating high-value customer experience through data, design and culture, she inspires organisations to do things differently.
Her work is rooted in the psychology of customer perception and built on the belief that customer experience must evolve from a strategy you implement to a movement you lead.
With over a decade in experience design, Katie founded CULTIVATE Customer Experience by Design, now in its fifth year of global operations, where she supports organisations around the world to unlock meaningful, measurable and sustainable customer experience transformation.

Relevant links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-stabler-ccxp/

https://www.instagram.com/customerexperience_provocateur/

Keay Take-aways:

• Psychology drives CX success: Understanding feelings, memory, and perception is essential for effective customer experience.
• Culture is shown in tough times: True customer-centric culture appears when employees act right during challenges.
• Strategy beats tactics in CX: Long-term CX success needs a clear strategy, not just isolated projects or training.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:35 - Game-Changing Moments in CX Career

1:22 - Book Insights: Philosophy of Customer Experience

2:48 - Bringing CX Philosophy to Life

3:37 - Understanding Psychological Elements in CX

6:01 - Growing as a CX Specialist

7:38 - Creating Customer-Centric Culture

10:44 - Integrating AI with Customer-Focused Employees

13:44 - Addressing AI's Impact on Employment

16:40 - Learning from CX Initiative Failures

19:32 - Strategic Approaches to CX Initiatives

23:09 - The True Measure of Customer Experience

23:56 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Please, hit the follow button and leave your feedback:

Apple Podcast: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/apple

Spotify: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/spotify

About the host:

Gregorio Uglioni is a seasoned transformation leader with over 15 years of experience shaping business and digital change, consistently delivering service excellence and measurable impact. As an Associate Partner at Forward, he is recognized for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and ability to drive sustainable growth. A respected keynote speaker and host of the well-known global podcast Business Transformation Pitch with the CX Goalkeeper, Gregorio energizes and inspires organizations worldwide with his customer-centric approach to innovation.

Follow Gregorio Uglioni on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorio-uglioni/

Gregorio Uglioni and Nick James discuss highlights from the Lead 26 conference, focusing on leadership, diversity, and the importance of authenticity. Nick shares insights from keynote speakers, especially Sandra DeVito, who spoke about being a female leader in a male-dominated industry. They also touch on how engaging discussions and a diverse audience make the event valuable for everyone attending.
Nick explains the challenges and realities of flattening hierarchies in organizations. He emphasizes the need for leaders to listen, encourage ownership, and set clear strategies while allowing teams to execute creatively. The conversation compares leadership to coaching, highlighting how leaders can empower others by stepping back and supporting growth rather than micromanaging.

About the guest:

Based in Zurich, Nick James has spent the past 30 years helping organisations transform and adapt to the ever-changing business environment spanning technology, business and regulatory change. He has an infectious passion for maximising the potential of the teams to deliver exceptional results for customers. He now works as a team and individual performance coach, mentor, senior advisor and transformation leader for corporates, consulting firms and start-ups.

Relevant links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickajames/

Key Take-aways:

• Authenticity in leadership: Leading with authenticity and style is powerful, especially in challenging or male-dominated environments.
• Flattening hierarchies: Bridging hierarchies and listening to teams helps leaders set clear strategies and encourage ownership.
• Coaching as leadership: Leaders should use coaching skills, empower teams, and step back to let others shine and grow.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:35 - Key Themes and Reflections from Lead 26

0:47 - Leadership Insights: Authenticity and Gender Dynamics

3:59 - Addressing Hierarchies in Organizations

6:38 - Evolving Leadership: The Role of Coaching

11:02 - Transformational Leadership: Lessons from Bueller

13:16 - Integrating Social Purpose into Business

20:39 - Embracing Discomfort for Growth

21:48 - Conclusion

Please, hit the follow button and leave your feedback:

Apple Podcast: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/apple

Spotify: https://www.cxgoalkeeper.com/spotify

About the host:

Gregorio Uglioni is a seasoned transformation leader with over 15 years of experience shaping business and digital change, consistently delivering service excellence and measurable impact. As an Associate Partner at Forward, he is recognized for his strategic vision, operational expertise, and ability to drive sustainable growth. A respected keynote speaker and host of the well-known global podcast Business Transformation Pitch with the CX Goalkeeper, Gregorio energizes and inspires organizations worldwide with his customer-centric approach to innovation.

Follow Gregorio Uglioni on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorio-uglioni/