Data to Accelerate Success: CEOs of AppLovin, DreamBox Learning, Hinge Health, Logicworks, Podium +More

As war rages in Ukraine and prices spike for gas and food, it feels awkward at times to focus on anything else; of course, the reality of life demands that we hold multiple things in mind at once.?This week I spoke with five CEOs in Fortt Knox 1:1s, with specialties in app ecosystem marketing, edtech, healthtech, multicloud, and small business.

I also celebrated the one-year anniversary of Fortt Knox March Forth, the conversation series at the intersection of business and social justice.

More below!

AppLovin CEO Adam Foroughi: Execution Eats Strategy

AppLovin?provides tools to help app-based businesses get downloaded by new customers. It’s a challenging business, as privacy rules shift and audience attention fractures.?CEO Adam Foroughi?told me disciplined, consistent execution of the company’s business has been the key:

DreamBox Learning CEO Jessie Woolley-Wilson: The Right Education Tools for the Times

When COVID hit,?DreamBox Learning?had to shift its product and marketing strategy to deal with the reality that its customer schools were in crisis.?CEO Jessie Woolley-Wilson?says what the company did is helping it to make lasting gains:

Hinge Health CEO Daniel Perez: Telehealth to Tackle Major Aches and Pains

Does physical therapy via webcam sound like … a stretch? In the pandemic,?Hinge Health CEO Dan Perez?has expanded access to the company’s services. The unique offering is driven by camera tracking, sensors and live instructors:

Logicworks CEO Ken Ziegler: Managing the Journey to the Cloud(s) Fuels Growth

Logicworks CEO Ken Ziegler?led the company’s shift from providing rented resources in datacenters to providing expertise to manage customers’ shift to the cloud. Next the company will take on fresh capital and push toward new growth targets:

Podium CEO Eric Rea: Small Business is the Heart of the Recovery

The first year of the pandemic provided both a harrowing test and strategic clarity for?Podium, a startup that provides tools to help mom & pop businesses retain loyal customers and attract new ones. For now,?CEO Eric Rea?isn’t trying to cater to enterprise customers. He’s all about the small shops:

Earnings Recap: Grab President Ming Maa on the Company’s Controversial Investment Strategy

Grab, the Southeast Asia-based super app that includes ride hailing, delivery and financial services, reported results Thursday morning. Investors balked at the amount the company is spending to incentivize drivers, and to reduce churn by incentivizing consumers to use multiple services. I spoke with?Grab President Ming Maa?as the stock began trading for the day:

Should President Biden Invite Elon Musk to the White House? On the Other Hand

President Biden keeps leaving Tesla out. Should he invite Elon Musk to the White House? I argued both sides in the latest?On the Other Hand, on CNBC's Squawk Box:

March Forth: One Year In

A year ago, I started a journey with my friend Jayson Council, who works in culture, philanthropy and social impact. What if we hosted some conversations at the intersection of business and societal change? The result is March Forth, and March fourth was the anniversary of our very first chat:

Check out?The Black Experience in America: The Course,?an online educational resource I researched, designed and built.?A?free PDF download ?is available?to bring the material to kids, and the?online interactive experience?is made for young people and adults.?You can also take?interactive courses at your own pace: