The Sponge Podcast

The Sponge Podcast - Leadership Lessons with Author and Veteran Adman with 40 years of experience in advertising - Ambi Parmeshwaran. Each episode is an in-depth conversation about a chapter from Ambi's new book Sponge - Leadership Lessons I Learnt From My Clients Host Amit Doshi sits down with Ambi as he shares some of the best advice he’s gotten over the years from reading, asking questions, observing, and acting more like a sponge.

Ready for a long life

Thinking about the future can be very stressful and intimidating but it's important in today's time.In today’s episode of Investverse, an investor education initiative by HDFC MF, Anupam will be in conversation with Ambi Parameswaran veteran AdMan, author, business historian, and co-host of The Last Brand Standing.They will be talking about Ambi’s relationship with money, planning for the future and so much more.Follow HDFC MF on all platforms -HDFC Mutual Fund (@hdfcmf) • Instagram photos and videos(29) HDFC Mutual Fund: Overview | LinkedInHDFC Mutual Fund (@hdfcmf) / TwitterFollow Ambi Parameswaran on all platforms -https://instagram.com/ambimgp?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparameswaranhttps://twitter.com/ambimgp?t=LfqtxIDiC2ZlGIKxgWSflQ&s=08Follow our host Anupam Gupta on all platforms Anupam Gupta (@b_50) • Instagram photos and videosAnupam Gupta (@b50) / Twitter(1) Anupam Gupta | LinkedInYou can check out this show on the IVM Podcasts website and app, or wherever else you get your podcasts fromSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

10-20
07:24

Ep. 28: One Final Squeeze!

"Re-frame the relationship into one of learning." On this final episode of the season, Ambi Parameswaran talks about re-framing every situation, especially customer relationships. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-12
14:04

Ep. 27: The Self-Driven Driver

"If you look around, you can actually learn from other people not necessarily the mighty but also the simple." This week on 'The Sponge Podcast', Ambi talks about the his experience with different types of people and tells us how a company can rise with 'over workers' like Ghouse bhai- the self-driven driver. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

08-05
16:07

Ep. 26: Value Quality Over Cost

'If you are trying to control cost in your company, every small bit matters'. This week on 'The Sponge Podcast', Ambi talks about Mr. Azim Premji, the Indian business tycoon, philanthropist, and Chairman of Wipro Ltd. Ambi reminisces about the time he worked with Mr. Premji on Wipro's new logo and ethos. They also talk about cost control and economizing expenses. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-29
18:56

Ep. 25: Decisions Made Rapidly

"Clients tend to take very long to make a decision." On this week's episode, Ambi highlights the most important quality of a CEO of an organization and the importance of quick decision making when it comes to brand communication. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-22
20:43

Ep. 24: You're Fired!

This week on 'The Sponge Podcast', Ambi shares his work experience in the advertising agency as an account executive trainee in the year 1979. In this conversation, he talks about the 'F' word that we all get scared of- Fired. He also talks about leadership lessons he learnt from his clients, how one should not get bullied by their clients, and a lot more. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-15
17:18

Ep. 23: Doodh Si Safedi Customer Focus

“Better products, Better Value, Better Living, Nirma is all about that.” How did Karsanbhai Patel become a corporate pioneer and built an iconic detergent brand or maybe more than that, or how did it become a ‘Sabki Pasand’? Find out more on the recent episode of #TheSpongePodcast Check out Ambi’s latest book ‘Sponge’: https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-08
19:27

Ep. 22: Lights, Camera, Action!

"Clients have to realize that celebrities need them as much as they need celebrities." Does having a celebrity associated with your brand giving it a competitive edge over others? He also shares some interesting celebrity stories and talks as to how clients get trapped in the brand-celebrity vicious cycle. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

07-01
20:31

Ep. 21: Failing to Try Versus Failing

"People don't quit jobs, they quit their bosses." On this episode, Ambi talks about how working with entrepreneurs is different from working with large companies and how the famous Naukri.com 'Hari Sadu' advertisement was conceptualized. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-24
19:53

Ep. 20: A Giant Learns to Dance

"Today, if India's image in the world has changed, it's largely due to the IT people." On this episode, Ambi shares his experience of working with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) for over 15 years. In this conversation, he also talks about the journey and growth of TCS and how it placed itself in the global IT market. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-17
13:57

Ep. 19: An Apple A Day

In this episode, Ambi Parameswaran talks about his admiration for Vinita Bali and other successful women back in the 1980s. What's a foolscap paper? How did research and analysis happen back in the early 1980s? Listen to the episode to know more. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-10
15:57

Ep. 18: The Story Behind The Logo

On this week's episode, Ambi Parameswaran talks about working with type designer and calligrapher R K Doshi - the brain behind many corporate logos and the core Indian fonts for Microsoft Windows. He also talks about the power of storytelling in designing logos and narrates the story behind the famous ITC-Bhadrachalam logo. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

06-03
13:08

Ep. 17: A New Business Pitch That Wasn't Quite...

This week on The Sponge Podcast, Ambi Parameswaran reminisces about the time when he met Pradipta Mohapatra and how in their first conversation he struck a deal with the RPG group. They also talk about executive coaching and the various personality groups used in the 'Myers-Biggs Type Indicator' (MBTI) test. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05-27
19:38

Ep. 16: Biases, Biases, Biases

This week, Ambi Parameswaran talks about how working with UTI and LIC changed his perception towards PSUs. He also shares a story about the famous 'UTI country' campaign and how it came into being. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05-20
18:40

Ep. 15: Architects And Pillars

In this episode of The Sponge Podcast, Ambi Parameswaran explains why it is essential to demonstrate a greater degree of trust in a client and agency relationship. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05-13
16:33

Ep. 14: Reading Smoke Signals

"There is always a lot of missed communication between the client and the agency. If you don't maintain this parallel dialogue going, you will never be able to manage things." In this episode of 'The Sponge Podcast', Ambi Parameswaran discusses the significance of keen awareness to read smoke signals from a client. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

05-06
14:51

Ep. 13: India's First CEO CM

In this episode of The Sponge Podcast, Ambi Parameswaran recalls his memorable experience with India's first CEO CM, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. He further talks about how forbearing leaders can change the blueprints of a country for the better. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM Podcasts app on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios, or any other podcast app. You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04-29
19:14

Ep. 12: Red & White... And Brown!

In this episode of The Sponge Podcast, Ambi Parameswaran talks about how the ability to accept mistakes and move forward through a show of humility and social intelligence sets great leaders apart. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04-22
18:45

Ep. 11: Sorry. Please Leave!

In this episode of The Sponge Podcast, Ambi Parameswaran talks about why it's crucial to turn down incompatible clients. He further talks about how voicing 'no' early on reduces the chances of damaging a company. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04-15
19:21

Ep. 10: The Chaiwala Test

Who decides what is classy or massy? Is a Creative Ad better than a Strategic Ad? What makes for a great client and agency relationship? How does one not get caught in intra-company cross fires? Find all these answers in this episode of The Sponge Podcast, where Ambi Parameswaran talks about numerous business lessons he learnt over his many years of experience. Check out Ambi's latest book 'Sponge': https://ivm.today/SpongeBook You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios You can check out our website at http://www.ivmpodcasts.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

04-08
13:31

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