Jim Stengel’s ‘The CMO Podcast’ helps refine my understanding of the role : Amit Doshi
The chief marketing officer of Britannia Industries spoke of the benefits of podcasts and how it has given him a broader perspective on branding, marketing and understanding the CMO’s role.
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For most marketers, podcasts are their go-to medium for staying abreast with current affairs, upgrading their knowledge and adding value to their positions. That’s the case with Amit Doshi as well. The Britannia Industries chief marketing officer (CMO) is a self-confessed fan of the medium, and religiously tunes in to The CMO Podcast by Jim Stengel, who among other things was the CMO of Procter & Gamble. Listening to him, said Doshi, has offered him much-needed perspective on refining his responsibilities in his field.
It's not that Stengel is his only source of information. In a conversation with Storyboard18, Doshi said, “I am a big believer in the way Gary Vaynerchuk thinks about attention and how brands need to change their playbooks. Prof. Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher are the other absolute favourites. Over the years, their podcast has helped me keep a tab on all that's changing and in their absolutely inimitable style.”
Edited excerpts:
What are your favourite quotes on marketing and leadership?
Over the last several years, there are a few I have heard from several leaders and peers that have stuck with me. Those would be:
a. There are no boring brands, only boring marketers.
b. Ideas are common, execution is not.
c. Change before you have to.
d. Victory belongs to the most tenacious.
In your free time, what marketing-related content do you consume?
I like listening to a few podcasts. The CMO Podcast by Jim Stengel helps me with perspectives from global CMOs. It has helped refine my understanding of the role and its priorities. GaryVee is my go-to content stream for new-age marketing. I am a big believer in the way Gary Vaynerchuk thinks about attention and how brands need to change their playbooks. Prof. Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher are the other absolute favourites. Over the years, their podcast has helped me keep a tab on all that's changing and in their absolutely inimitable style.
Where do you get your social media fix?
Instagram doomscrolling and LinkedIn, of course. I do enjoy a few subreddits too, the ones related to my interests.
What were the last five videos you viewed on any social platform?
a. Currently streaming The Lavari Show on The Comedy Factory.
b. A few videos about Graham Thorpe, the cricketer.
c. An interview with Col. Shivender Kanwar.
d. An episode of Talking Watches on Hodinkee.
e. Re-runs from The Paris Olympics.
Who are your favourite creators and what draws you to them?
That's a super-tough question. There are so many talented creators and one keeps discovering new ones every now and then. There are some that have truly stood the test of time. Zakir Khan, Lex Friedman, Marques Brownlee, Unfiltered by Samdish, Smita Prakash (ANI), Gaurav Kapoor (Breakfast With Champions), Neelesh Misra (The Slow Interview), Amit Varma… The list goes on.
Of late, it has been a treat to listen to Shekhar Gupta (The Print) and Saurabh Dwivedi (Lallantop). Our Indian cricket team champion and Britannia brand ambassador R. Ashwin has been an absolute revelation, too. Their authenticity and their distinctive tone of voice have been the reasons that they've been so successful over long periods of time.
What is your sport/fitness/wellbeing routine?
I practice a blend of mobility exercises and strength training, usually over the weekend. Watchful eating helps me keep in control of my daily calorie intake and over time, thanks to my coach, I've been able to evolve a formula that works for me. I try to pack in some minutes of mindfulness every day, whether it's a short bout of meditation or brewing my own coffee in the morning.
How does your routine weekend go? What does your ideal kind of weekend look like?
A fun train ride with the family to discover a new part of Bengaluru, my cheat meal of the week and a couple of good workouts. That makes for an amazing weekend. A trip to the local gaming arcade with my son Anay is a stellar bonus!
What are you watching or streaming this weekend?
Over the weekend, I invariably find myself hunting for the latest Malayalam movies. My latest movie watches include the National Award winning "The Play" and the recently released "Aavesham". I am usually streaming multiple things at once. Currently I am catching up with the latest series of "Gullak" and binge watching “Lavari”, a series of episodes by a quartet of super-talented artists from Gujarat.
Any work or life hack you swear by?
What gets resourced gets done—time, people, money
What are you reading? Any recommendations?
I enjoyed reading "The Anatomy of Humbug: How to Think Differently About Advertising" by Paul Feldwick. Kawal Shoor, founding partner of The Womb, introduced me to this book. It introduces the reader to the historic roots of our common and often contradictory beliefs about advertising.
Having said this, I don't read much. I might be stating an unpopular opinion here. I sometimes feel that conventional "reading" is overrated. I am an audiovisual person and would rather watch a movie, listen to a podcast or walk the streets.
What's your advice to avoid personal and professional burnout?
This has not come easy to me but I've got better at this over time. My first advice is to find a job that you enjoy doing and an organisation that is a fit for your personality. It is easier said than done but is half the battle won. Managing burnout is an everyday practice and I believe in the 3 'S's—sleep well every day, switch off every week and set right every year. Setting right involves re-evaluating one's priorities and calibrating life choices accordingly.
A piece of professional wisdom you would like to share with next-gen marketers?
The world is changing rapidly and will continue to do so. Staying curious is necessary but not sufficient any more. The future will belong to brands and marketers who respect the past but also have the courage to challenge it. And if you have the opportunity, have the bias for action and not debate.
What's the best advice you've got or heard on "life"?
Rather uncomplicated advice
● It is what it is and…
● You've got to do what you've got to do
