Unlocking the Business Vault: Data Revolution, and Leadership Mastery with Curtis Schmidt from RAPP
Release Date: 11/21/2023
Building Brands That Feel Real.
Steering Success
What stood out most in this episode wasn’t just the branding insights - though there were plenty of those too 💡 Some conversations remind you that branding isn’t about what you say, it’s about what people feel long after they’ve interacted with you. I sat down with Christian Eid, founder of DuckLife, to talk about what meaningful marketing actually looks like in practice - not theory. We unpacked the real story behind the DuckLife name, why alignment between brand and reality is everything and how leadership evolves once you’ve been on both the client and agency side 🦆 If...
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300 Flavors. Zero Fear. One Unstoppable Brand.
Steering Success
Most would’ve played it safe. They didn’t. And that changed everything. Every now and then, you meet founders who remind you why creativity still matters in business. Alexandria and Katie did exactly that. Their story is a reminder that brand loyalty doesn’t come from ads. It comes from audacity. From doing the thing everyone else calls “too risky,” “too niche,” or “too extra.” I f you’re building something — or dreaming about building something — this one will give you that nudge you’ve been waiting for.
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Apple x Nike: The Untold Story of a Sold-Out Collaboration
Steering Success
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to lead marketing for brands like Nike, Apple, Armani, and Majid Al Futtaim, this conversation is for you. Said has spent decades mastering the art of brand consistency, storytelling, and customer obsession, and in this episode, he shares the mindset, the lessons, and the behind-the-scenes moments that most people never see. From selling shoes at 15 to orchestrating global campaigns, he’s lived every step of the journey — and the insights he drops will change how you think about building your brand, your team, and your legacy.
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Culture Fit Is Dead. Long Live Culture Add.
Steering Success
We talk a lot about culture in business but few people actually live it the way Sabahatt does. In this episode, we dive deep into how she’s reshaping what it means to lead with humanity without compromising high performance. “We’re not a charity. We’re a business. But while you’re on this football team, we’ll help you show up for your life.” From her thoughts on hiring “good humans,” to why empathy ≠ softness, to the role of leadership in actually driving inclusion — this conversation left me rethinking what “people and culture” really means. Tune in if you...
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Data is King - but the Gut Still Knows!
Steering Success
In this episode, we sit down with Ami to explore the evolving role of data in business—from being a background player to sitting at the very heart of decision-making. With over two decades of experience in transformation and leadership, Ami shares how data has reshaped strategy, leadership, and people management across industries. We dive into the misconceptions that hold leaders back, why asking the right questions matters more than having endless dashboards, and how to balance hard numbers with the very human element of gut instinct. Along the way, we cover the rise of AI as an...
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What AI Will Replace in Your Job (and What It Won’t)
Steering Success
In this phenomenal Season 3 opener, we sit down with Waseem Sayegh to unpack the real drivers behind career success — and spoiler: it’s not just about the job. We explore how culture shapes business, why the first few hires can make or break a company, and how personal foundations like family support and life balance directly fuel professional growth. Waseem shares behind-the-scenes stories from launching Google and TikTok in the region, building teams with hunger and adaptability, and navigating leadership in high-growth environments. We also tackle the big one: AI. Is it a threat, an...
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The CEO Journey: Leadership and Transformation with Hani Weiss
Steering Success
Hani Weiss shares his rise from trainee section manager to CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Retail, emphasizing the value of perseverance and learning from both great and challenging leaders. He highlights the importance of humility, accountability, and fostering a people-centric culture where trust and team empowerment drive success. Hani reflects on leading Carrefour's e-commerce journey, integrating online and offline operations, and overcoming resistance to change, especially during the pandemic. We discuss building career pathways, creating training programs, and empowering employees to explore...
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Remote Work Unlocked:Culture, Challenges, Visa Hurdles & Startup Success with Karim Nadi
Steering Success
Karim shares how RemotePass enables businesses to manage global teams seamlessly, offering services like onboarding, payroll, tax compliance, and perks in over 150 countries. Hear the inspiring story of how RemotePass pivoted from a travel industry solution to a remote workforce enabler during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discusses the importance of trust, commitment, and due diligence in building successful remote teams and the hurdles businesses face in adopting remote work. Learn how a customer-centric approach drives RemotePass’s growth, with Karim emphasizing the...
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Coaching, Culture & Conflict: Navigating Self Worth in a Complex World with Esther-Supriya Iyer
Steering Success
Esther, a seasoned HR leader, shares her transformative journey through coaching, self-discovery, and personal growth. We explore the critical distinction between self-worth and self-esteem, emphasizing that self-worth is intrinsic and not reliant on external validation. Esther delves into the parallels between parenting and leadership, highlighting the importance of nurturing others while also focusing on self-improvement. Our conversation touches on cultural influences, conflict resolution, and the power of choice in overcoming adversity. Throughout, Esther advocates for intentional living,...
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From Corporate to Entrepreneurship: Building Culture, Leadership, and Success with Hussein Wehbe
Steering Success
Hussein Wehbe discusses his transition from corporate to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of first building a solid foundation in the corporate world. He highlights the value of learning from multinational corporations to shape successful startup practices. The conversation explores the startup ecosystem's challenges, stressing the need for greater support and collaboration. People-centric leadership, driven by empathy and accountability, plays a central role in motivating high-performing teams. Shared values are critical to building and sustaining strong corporate cultures and...
info_outlineOn this episode, we are joined by Curtis Schmidt, President and Chief Growth Officer of RAPP, part of the Omnicom Precision Marketing Group.
Curtis explores the data perception shift from IT silos to cross-departmental value, especially in marketing.
Emphasizing understanding clients on a business level, he advocates transparent conversations to add value and avoid unrealistic expectations.
We cover the topic of how introducing services strategically involves a "crawl, walk, run" progression, acknowledging inevitable challenges. Curtis underscores the role of knowledgeable decision-makers, especially in shared services, and the need for sponsors to drive transformations.
In leadership, he stresses effective communication, cultural alignment in recruitment, and incentives like ownership stakes, reinforcing transparent communication and a culture focused on substantial value delivery.