The Transformation Mindset and the Power of WIFM with Kyle Gustafson
Mon Sep 01 2025
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.
Highlights00:00 – 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 MeaningMalcolm Gladwell – The Revenge of the Tipping PointPaul 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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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. Highlights00:00 – 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 MeaningMalcolm Gladwell – The Revenge of the Tipping PointPaul Leonardi and Tsedal Neeley – The Digital Mindset: What It Really Takes to Thrive in the Age of Data, Algorithms, and AI