Explore every episode of the podcast Disruption Talks by Netguru

How do you turn bold strategies into real-world transformation?

This episode of Disruption Talks drops you directly into the mindset of someone who lives and breathes it.

We’re sitting down with https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAABviO8BMW_0O-8AZ0ZnmxBhO5MvwRW8i5YManuel Zaccaria, Head of Program Management & Integration at lastminute.com, hosted by https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA0TwIUBhtByVG3JqEuDEkTWRK1nrsE9OAUBarbara Rybicka, Commercial Director, Composable Commerce & Finance at Netguru | B Corp™.

Manuel will pull back the curtain on:
- His unique approach to leading innovation - from agility and experimentation to staying future-proof in a volatile industry
- Why execution matters just as much as the strategy itself - and how his team brings big ideas to life
- The hidden barriers companies face when trying to innovate and how to navigate them

Whether you’re a transformation leader, a travel industry executive, or just passionate about change, this episode is a must-watch.

We all hate pinging 100 people on Slack just to find out one small piece of information. 

Not only does it get annoying, it also wastes our time and sometimes leaves us empty handed...
That's why we turned a Slack bot into our internal AI Agent! 

Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Netguru’s boldest internal experiments - building a real AI agent that actively supports business goals.

• Why we built it - learn what pushed us beyond prototypes and into production
• How we built it - we’ll walk you through our technical stack, design decisions, and architecture + a live demo of the agent in action!
• What we learned - we'll share the biggest challenges we faced

With our Netgurals:

• Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead
• Patryk Szczygło, R&D Lead 
• Hosted by: Mary Achinger, Brand & Content Team Lead

Will you adapt or be replaced?

Because when it comes to AI, the clock’s ticking. 

Join us for the episode of Disruption Talks: AI or Die: AI-Driven Marketing, and Leadership in a New Reality! 

What to expect?

• The #1 thing most companies still aren’t doing with AI
• How L’Oréal is actually applying AI to drive real marketing innovation
• What the future of work looks like—what stays human, what gets automated
• Dino’s go-to resources to become AI-fluent (no tech background required)

Speaker: Dino Metaxas, ex-Chief Digital & Marketing Officer at L'Oréal (also ex-Żabka Polska, ex-Pernod Ricard)
Host: Mary Achinger, Brand & Content Team Lead at Netguru

Where's the greatest impact: Culture or Code?

Let's discuss! We're thrilled to invite you to yet another Disruption Talk this time with Nishtha Jain, Head of Innovation & Digital Technology at Takeda

Questions tackled:

• How does the third largest pharmaceutical company in Asia approach GenAI?
• How to boost the right mindset to make the most of the latest tech?
• How does Head of Innovation at Takeda ensure the right balance between present delivery and future vision?

Join us for a deep dive into AI & Culture in Pharma.


Host: Agnieszka Hyla-Pochrzęst, Delivery Lead at Netguru

We all click "Pay Now" without a second thought...

But behind that button lies a world of strategic decisions, clever tech, and real business impact.

This you can find out from https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABXZFrUBVfGPcng_XmRnOlnqxwvNIZXbLcQTheo Spyrides, Head of Product at Primer and host of the Payments Unfiltered podcast. With deep experience in simplifying complex payment flows, Theo shares how automation and smart design are reshaping the way companies handle transactions — and why it matters more than ever.

Here’s what to expect:
– What really happens behind the scenes of that "Pay Now" button
– How better payment experiences translate into business growth
– The intersection of product design and fintech innovation
– Advice for leaders looking to optimize their payment systems

Host: Agata Rączewska, Innovation Consultant & Client Partner at Netguru

99% Is Not Enough for Autonomous Driving? 🚘

It sounds impressive — but in the world of autonomous vehicles, 99% accuracy might still be dangerously insufficient.

As cars take over more responsibility on the road, even the smallest margin of error can have massive consequences.

So what does it really take to close that final gap, and what challenges lie ahead on the road to full autonomy?

You'll find out from https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAfMv-ABF-_Tjd_04xLWQvHk6bBzh1wj2FgLukasz Szpot, Head of Data Solutions at Stellantis, Overall Tech Lead for L3 autonomous driving implementation, who is building an instrumented vehicle data platform to enable advancements in autonomous driving and smart cockpit development.

Here's what to expect:
- Insights into the latest advancements in autonomous vehicle technology
- The role of AI and machine learning in achieving high accuracy
- Challenges and opportunities in developing and implementing autonomous vehicles

Ever wondered how to turn company knowledge into a smart, searchable AI tool?
Get the behind-the-scenes story of building Netguru Memory—our internal AI-powered knowledge agent.

Speaker: Pavel Averin, Operations Director at Netguru
Host: Maria Achinger, Content Team Lead at Netguru

From planning to pitfalls—how do you actually get started with AI agents?
Listen to for a real-world take on adoption, risks, and navigating early implementation challenges.

Speakers:

• Marc Teipel, Azure App Innovation & AI Specialist – Enterprise at Microsoft
• Pat Szubryt, AI Policy Lead at Center for AI and Digital Policy
• Egor Kraev, Former Head of AI at Wise
• Host: Justyna Kałębasiak, Delivery Lead at Netguru

What happens when AI starts sounding more human than ever?
Listen to explore how ultra-realistic voice agents are changing the game in communication, content, and customer experience. 

Speaker: Jędrek Śmigielski, GTM at ElevenLabs
Host: Maria Achinger, Content Team Lead at Netguru

AI is evolving fast—from task automation to reasoning, reflection, and making decisions that matter. Listen to explore what’s next and what it means for your business.

Speaker: Angelo Dalli, Chief Scientist at Umnai
Host: Pavel Averin, Operations Director at Netguru

What does it mean to be a professional in the age of AI?
We’re diving into shifting roles, smart tools, and how to lead AI-assisted teams with real impact.

Speakers:

• Jakub Bares, Generative AI Strategist at World Health Organization
• Caroline Ohlsson, Data & AI Director at Verdane 
• Marco Brambilla, CTO at Shopfully
• Host: Łukasz Pietrucha, Interim Engineering Director at Netguru

How can AI agents help us work smarter, not harder?
Let’s explore how teams can automate tasks, boost productivity, and scale operations with AI-powered workflows.

Speaker: Daniel Abdulla Bobruk, Founder & CTO at ReBloom
Host: Mateusz Czajka, Chief Delivery Officer at Netguru

In enterprise design innovation doesn't take front stage.
It often happens behind the scenes—shaping the tools, workflows, and experiences that define how we work.

But who are the architects behind these systems, and what lessons can we learn from them?

We found out from Daria Tarawneh, whose career spans McKinsey, AWS, and Head of Enterprise Design at Miro, where she has been at the forefront of designing for large, complex systems. Through her experiences, we’ll explore the key moments that shaped her approach to enterprise design, collaboration, and leadership.

What to expect:
– Lessons from designing at McKinsey, AWS, and Miro
– A pivotal project that went wrong and the insights it revealed
– Disruptive forces reshaping how we build solutions
– What she would tell her younger self about design and career growth

Whether you're a designer, product leader, or just curious about the invisible forces shaping modern work, this session will offer valuable perspectives!

– How are expectations for engineers changing in the AI era Who is the new AI-assisted engineer
– How to ensure efficiency, plan headcount, and reimagine leadership 
– Future proofing engineering careers 

Speaker: Alex Maruseac, Vice President, Software Development at NewGlobe

Host: Luke Pietrucha, Interim Engineering Director at Netguru

Three different use cases of AI implementation projects done for Netguru clients

Speaker: Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead at Netguru

Host: Maria Achinger, Content Lead at Netguru

– What are the first lessons from leveraging AI tools
– What are the advantages, risks, and trade-offs of adopting AI in development
– AI in everyday work: experimentation, prototyping, testing, and getting to know the user

Speakers:
– Rishita Kalyani, Engineering Manager at Miro
– Simana Paul, Global VP Engineering at SumUp
– Sebastian Schnelle, Head of Data Science at CRIF

Host: Luke Pietrucha, Interim Engineering Director at Netguru

– How can teams and organizations align with evolving regulations such as DORA and others
– How can industries adapt to stringent regulatory demands more effectively
– Managing development costs with compliance in mind

Speakers: Satyajit Ranjeev, Interim CTO at Solaris

Host: Pavel Averin, Operations Director at Netguru

• How can tech teams drive internal automation and optimization
• New solutions implementation: AI agents, AI assistants, etc.
• Building companies in the AI-everything era

Speakers:

Barbara Sobkowiak, Head of Advanced Analytics at Rossmann
Karol Blaszczyk, Director of Engineering at Builder.ai
Josh Moller, Former Head of Engineering ViralHog LLC

Host: Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead at Netguru

Vinted Go scaled from 2 lockers to 6,000 in just 2 years—here’s how design made it possible.

In this episode of Disruption Talks, we sat down with Fatma Köstekli, Director of Product Design at Vinted Go, to explore:
– Scaling smart – From 2 lockers to 6,000 locations in record time
– Balancing affordability & sustainability in shipping solutions
– AI’s impact on logistics – from route optimization to cost reduction
– The designer’s role in shaping the future of shipping & circular economy

Host: Barbara Rybicka, Commercial Director | Retail at Netguru

– What upskilling opportunities are critical for personal and business growth in 2025 and beyond?
– How can designers prepare for long-term career success in a rapidly evolving field?
– Strategies for developing a robust personal and professional career growth plan.

Speakers:
– Jan Wardecki, Service Design & Innovation Manager at BNP Paribas
– Moritz Kronberger, Director of Design at Moss
– Mariana Rita, Design System Manager at Vinted

Host: Bartosz Białek, Head of Design at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Speakers:
– Julia Picker-Huchzermeyer, Senior Product Designer at Lokalise
– Anatoly Vjalihs, Senior Lead of Brand Design at Lokalise

Host: Tomasz Grynkiewicz, Head of Growth at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Speakers:
– Yazminca Woodward, Global Design Strategy Director at Visa
– Andreas Roos, Head of Design Strategy at Visa

Host: Radek Zaleski, Senior Partner at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

– How will AI influence the evolution of roles such as Product Owner, Product Designer, and Design Manager?
– Can we think of a future where developers aren’t required to have deep coding expertise? What would that mean for the industry?
– The convergence of soft and hard skills for UX professionals in the age of AI and the future of the profession.

Speakers:
– Patrycja Rozmus, Head of Product Design at Zalando
– Aswin Ranganathan, Design Manager, Gen AI at Delivery Hero

Host: Maria Achinger, Content Team Leader at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

– Is AI in design ethical? What are the key ethical dilemmas?
– Which parts of the design process can be effectively automated, and where should human creativity and focus remain essential?
– What can’t we automate?

Speakers:
– Eduardo Ribeiro, Brand Design Lead at Qonto
– Max Brooks, Head of UX Design at Checkatrade

Host: Aga Brzycka, Client Partner at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Continuous experimentation pays off and a good AI proof of concept goes a long way.

Tune in to our latest Disruption Talks with Adi Pavlović, Co-founder & CEO at Newzip, a next-gen proptech reshaping the industry.

We explored Newzip’s innovative approach to reducing homeownership costs, scaling a business in tough market conditions, and leveraging AI to enhance the customer experience. 💡

What you’ll learn:
– Challenges of scaling in the real estate market and how to overcome them
– How bundling services can save customers $3,500 per transaction
– Ways AI is being used to match buyers with homes and simplify decisions
– How collaboration boosts product development and validation

Countless investors are turning to viral TikTok trends and unverified social media tips to guide their financial decisions… But can this really be trusted?
Or are we gambling with our financial futures in the quest for quick, crowd-sourced advice?

 In this episode of Disruption Talks, we sat down with Tal Brockmann, Founder & CEO of Finnovest, to talk about how his platform is addressing the unique challenges modern investors face.

Finnovest is revolutionizing retail investing by delivering hyper-personalized investment advice, real-time portfolio screening, and seamless 'one-tap' trading execution of recommended orders, empowering the next generation of investors with actionable real time advice, tailored to their unique needs and preferences.

Here’s what you'll learn:
– Why generic investment advice is no longer enough in today’s market
– Key lessons from Finnovest’s success and tips for building impactful partnerships
– The future of retail investing and what’s next for Finnovest

Host: Maria Achinger, Content Team Leader at Netguru

How can you mitigate the risks of working with external talent?
Dos and absolute don't and lessons from larger and smaller staff augmentation projects

Speakers:

– Paulo Gomes, Senior Software Engineering Manager at Nubank
– Paschal Amah, Chief Technology Officer at Wowzi

Host: Maria Achinger, Content & Brand Team Leader at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Engineering Horizons.

What can engineering leaders do to boost team morale?
Proven ways to get engineers more engaged and focused

Speakers: Jorge Martins, Senior Director of Engineering at Lokalise

Host: Mateusz Krawczyński, Consulting Director at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Engineering Horizons.

How to be ready for AI adoption Strategies for data quality and overcoming data challenges

Speakers:
– Dr Henri Winand, CEO and co-founder at Akinova
– Chris "Jay" Hawkinson, Senior Director Data and Analytics at Lamb Weston | Forbes Technology Council Member

Host: Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Engineering Horizons.

How to validate ideas faster?
How to get an MVP right – best practices.
Proven strategies for faster MVP development 

Speakers:
– Todd Yates, Chief Technology Officer at Transact
– Erika Rice Scherpelz, Head of Engineering at Sourcegraph
– Mahmoud Galal, Software Engineering Manager at Kitopi

Host: Dominika Szelkenbach, Consulting Practice Lead at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Engineering Horizons.

Learn how to integrate AI into your team’s work to boost creativity, efficiency, and product personalization.

Speaker: Sören Purz, Design Director at Sinch
Host: Bartlomiej Rokowski, Senior Product Designer and Team Leader at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Explore new work methods including AI generated research.

Speakers:
– Carlos F. Wydler, Head of Design at iwoca
– Joe Cahill, Experience Design Manager at Unqork

Host: Agata Rączewska, Innovation Consultant & Client Partner at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Speaker: Honey Mittal, Co-Founder, CEO & CPO at Locofy.ai

Host: Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Fostering leadership skills within design teams and the crucial role of strategic thinking.

Speakers:
– Francisca Muñoz Chamy, Product Design at Talabat | Delivery Hero
– Aristotle Anthony Raj, Lead Product Designer at Cognizant
– Avi Ashkenazi, Head of Design at Shopify

Host: Mateusz Jankowski, Design Manager at Netguru

This session is a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Understanding ethical considerations in design, including the impact of digital products on mental health and societal well-being.

Speakers:
– Mattias Wikman, Head of Design at Ethic 
– Kieran Weston, Head of Design at Visa

Host: Bartosz Białek, Head of Design at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

Speaker: Terry Behan, Design, Education & Digital Transformation at Nedbank
Host: Radek Zaleski, Senior Partner at Netguru

This panel was a part of Disruption Forum Design Horizons.

If you’re a real estate professional or a tech innovator, we’re sure you’ll want to check out this Disruption Talks episode!

In "The Future of Real Estate: AI, Tech, and Innovation" Jakub Wajda, Commercial Director at Netguru discussed with Mariusz Przybylik, CTO CEE at Colliers on topics like:

 – How AI and tech are reshaping the commercial real estate landscape
– Colliers’ key initiatives to enhance tenant experience and facility management
– The biggest innovation opportunities and how proptech is driving change.

With Mariusz driving Colliers' tech innovation in the CEE region, and Jakub expertly leading the conversation, you'll gain insider knowledge on the technologies that are transforming commercial real estate today.

"AI is a critically important technology that cannot be ignored, unlike some previous trends like Web3 or blockchain." – Charlene Li

Disruption Talks wouldn’t be complete without a disruptive leadership expert like Charlene Li, and we’re thrilled to have her joined us in this episode!

For over three decades, Charlene Li has empowered leaders to view disruption as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. As the bestselling author of The Disruption Mindset and a trusted advisor to top global executives, Charlene’s insights go beyond theory. She equips leaders with the strategies they need to not just survive disruption but harness it for lasting transformation.

In this exclusive session, Charlene broke down:
– Why AI isn’t just another tech trend—it's a business-critical force.
– How to shift your leadership mindset to focus on outcomes, not just adopting the latest tools.
– The "AI competitive flywheel"—how AI drives productivity, innovation, and customer experience.
– Building trust in AI, using the groundbreaking "AI Trust Pyramid" framework.

Host: Radek Zaleski, Senior Partner at Netguru

Femtech is finally reshaping the healthcare industry by giving women unprecedented access to personalized health solutions.

At the forefront of this revolution is Flo, a platform that helps women manage their health through cutting-edge technology and impact-driven innovation.

Listen to the latest episode of Disruption Talks as we sat down with Alison Paul, Senior Product Manager at Flo Health, who leads two product teams dedicated to the Flo Health Assistant (chatbot).

With a background in health marketing and product leadership roles at Bupa and Cancer Research UK, Alison brings invaluable insights on the intersection of health, innovation, and technology.

What we touched upon?
– How Flo is driving innovation in women’s health through an impact-driven, digital-first model
– The challenges and opportunities of engaging key stakeholders in the health and medical space, including data privacy and AI integration
– What the future of health tech looks like, from wearables to AI-driven symptom prediction

Discover how Flo is transforming women's health and what lies ahead for femtech!

Speakers:

– Helene Labaume, Innovation & VC Funds Group Director at Carrefour
– Nikita Gordeev, Chief Technology Officer at Snoonu

Host: Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Future of Retail.

Speaker: Krystian Bergmann, AI Consulting Lead at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Future of Retail.

Speakers:

– Nerijus Lasauskas, Director of Engineering at Vinted
– Vipul Gajbhiye, Director Quick Commerce at talabat

Host: Barbara Rybicka, Consulting Director | Retail at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Future of Retail.

Speakers:
– Felix Lutter, Head of Retail Innovation at Just Eat Takeaway.com
– Ayman Kaheel, Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer at Breadfast

Host: Tomasz Grynkiewicz, Head of Growth at Netguru

This session was a part of Disruption Forum Future of Retail.

Speakers: 
– Catalina Salazar, Global Head of Advertising at Wolt
– Paul Ladevèze, VP of Product Design & User Research at Vestiaire Collective

Host: Agata Rączewska, Innovation Consultant & Client Partner at Netguru


This session was a part of Disruption Forum: Future of Retail.

Are you interested in digital health? Corporate innovation? Or even the future of healthcare?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, this episode is for you. We sat down with Dan, Head of Innovation & New Commercial Partnerships at Sandoz Innovation Lab in Germany, to discuss how Sandoz is pioneering new approaches in patient care through digital health solutions and innovative partnerships.

Dan’s journey from molecular biotechnology to leading cutting-edge digital initiatives will show you how traditional pharmaceutical companies are embracing technology to push boundaries and improve healthcare.

What we have discussed?
– How Sandoz, a generic pharmaceutical company, drives innovation beyond products. 
– How they launched the first-ever biosimilar and how they continue to lead with 10 marketed molecules and 24 in development.
– The current status, ePrescriptions, and the future potential of electronic patient records.
– How curiosity, purpose, and collaboration foster "outside-the-box" ideas within the Sandoz Innovation Lab.
– The partnership with Careanimation and its impact on improving health literacy and medication compliance with Apoclip.
– Why market adoption can be slow and how smart risk-taking can accelerate the process.

Product Managers, Tech Leaders, and e-commerce Innovators—do you know how the quick commerce game works?

Ever wondered what it takes to lead in that race?

Hear from Matthew Neff, Chief Product Officer at Snoonu during this session of Disruption Talks. The episode was hosted by our one and only Barbara Rybicka, Consulting Director at Netguru.

Questions we answered:
– Can you really deliver anything in 30 minutes? The secrets behind hyperlocality
– Is AI your secret weapon or just hype? Revolutionizing customer engagement and efficiency
– What’s next after groceries? The surprising new categories in quick commerce
– Can going green boost your bottom line? The power of sustainability in delivery
– Are your payment options holding you back? How localized solutions can unlock growth

If you’re driving innovation in product management or e-commerce, this is an episode you can’t miss.

Are you concerned about the risks posed by AI in your like of work?
Do you know how to make the most of AI for better risk management?

Listen to this Disruption Talk with a special guest, Ido Lustig, ex–Chief Risk Officer at checkout.com.

Ido has an impressive track record:
- He launched a fraud detection tool that exceeded all targets.
- He established a comprehensive Enterprise Risk Management framework.
- He reduced buyer fraud by 20% through innovative risk analytics.

On this episode together with Radek Zaleski, Senior Partner at Netguru talked about:
- AI vs Risk Spotting: How AI is revolutionizing risk detection
- Digital Channels & Increased Fraud: Tackling new fraud challenges
- Replacing Jobs? The impact of AI on employment
- Who Watches the Watchmen? Ensuring AI accountability

How do Engineering Leaders at Spotify make the most of AI?

We could try guessing but… decided to ask an insider.
Don’t miss out on this Disruption Talks episode with Bryan Maloney, Former Engineering Leader at Spotify!

“Experiences With ML & AI in Streaming Media R&D” is hosted by Agata Rączewska, Innovation Consultant & Client Partner at Netguru.

We’ve discussed:
– How does Spotify’s cutting-edge AI solve real-world challenges and balance engineering support with user-focused applications?
– What is the difference between AI and ML, and how do neural networks and large language models (LLMs) fit into the picture?
– How is AI-generated music impacting the industry, and what does the future hold for automatic ad generation and personalized targeting?

Perfect for all Engineering Leaders looking to stay on top of the trends!

When was the last time you had your lunch delivered to your doorstep?
We bet a majority here used food delivery services within the last 7 days.

It’s possible thanks to disruptors such as Wolt, and it’s Wolt we talked to during this live session!

This Disruption Talk “Measuring Success: Aligning Customer Value with Profitability” is perfect for:
– entrepreneurs
– industry professionals
– and innovators who want to learn how commerce platforms such as Wolt deal with challenges and seize opportunities.

We addressed issues such as:
– current trends in the food delivery and subscription service industry
– understanding and catering to the evolving needs of customers, especially the younger generations
– strategies for accelerating time to market and improving product delivery

How to drive strong customer engagement?
How to balance GenAI and compliance?
How to make the most of personalization and what's the best way to reach GenZs?

Conversation with Tal Brockmann, Founder & CEO at Finnovest, hosted by Wojciech Domagała, Delivery Lead at Netguru.

This session was a part of Disruption Forum: Future of Finance.