The Long Game in Marketing Leadership: Lessons from Karl Winther, CMO at Kogan.com

CMO Chapters Podcast with Lucy Bolan

In this episode of CMO Chapters, Lucy Bolan sits down with Karl Winther, Chief Marketing Officer at Kogan.com, to explore his dynamic career in retail and e-commerce. Karl reflects on his 20+ years of experience, including leadership roles at Officeworks, Australia Post, and Myer, and the lessons he learned along the way. From managing toy catalogues at Myer to spearheading marketing for one of Australia's top e-commerce platforms, Karl shares how being adaptable, curious, and committed to learning has helped him thrive.

Karl offers practical advice on career progression, the importance of understanding both the creative and commercial sides of marketing, and how investing in relationships can help you excel as a leader. Whether you’re an aspiring CMO or a seasoned marketer, this episode is filled with valuable insights for those looking to make an impact in the world of marketing.

Key Takeaways:

• Career Progression: Karl emphasises the importance of focusing on progression rather than fixating on titles. He shares how taking unexpected roles early in his career helped him build a strong foundation in retail and marketing.
• Navigating Challenges: One of Karl’s biggest lessons came from working in a role he hated early in his career—inventory planning. He explains how this experience taught him critical business skills like P&L management and stakeholder engagement, which have been invaluable throughout his CMO journey.
• The Power of Relationships: Karl stresses the significance of building strong relationships within and outside your team. He reflects on the advice given to him about nurturing internal relationships, which he believes has been key to his success.
• Get Things Done: A core principle Karl lives by is to take action and focus on execution. He believes in the value of getting things done, even if it's not perfect, and continually iterating to improve results.

Recommended Resources:

📖 Mindset by Carol Dweck – A key resource on developing a growth mindset, something Karl believes is crucial for long-term career success.

📖 Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull – This book, by one of the founders of Pixar, explores how to foster creativity in teams while maintaining high standards of feedback and collaboration.

🎧 Podcasts: Karl recommends listening to podcasts like WorkLife by Adam Grant, which focuses on improving workplace culture and leadership.

Connect with Karl Winther: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-winther-53570673/

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This podcast is brought to you by New Chapter Talent recruitment. If you're hunting for a fulfilling new role or seeking the right talent for your company, contact Lucy Bolan today!

Website: https://www.newchaptertalent.com.au/contact-us

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-chapter-talent/

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