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The Priyanka Shinde Podcast | Strategy | Execution | Leadership
Welcome to "The Priyanka Shinde Podcast" your ultimate destination for insightful conversations and expert advice on mastering strategy, execution and leadership.
Join Priyanka Shinde, author of Art of Strategic Execution, as she uncovers how leaders within organizations tap into 'founder mode'—driving innovation, ownership, and execution to lead like entrepreneurs within their companies.
This podcast is designed for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are looking to sharpen their strategic mindset and continue driving impactful results. Through engaging conversations with C-suite executives and industry experts, Priyanka shares actionable insights on how successful organizations build world-class products, lead high-performing teams, and implement effective systems. Learn real-world strategies to excel in today's competitive landscape and drive lasting success.
About Priyanka
Priyanka Shinde is a Silicon valley tech leader with over 20 years of experience in AI, product leadership, and execution strategy. She has led high-impact teams at Meta, Cruise, and other startups, helping them bridge the gap between strategy and execution to turn AI innovation into real-world impact.
As a trusted consultant and leadership advisor, Priyanka partners with organizations and startups to optimize execution, scale operations, and drive product success. A certified executive coach, she also delivers leadership development programs that help leaders and teams navigate complexity, scale with confidence, and execute bold ideas.
Subscribe now and transform your approach to strategy, execution, and leadership.
* The content provided in the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. The opinions expressed in the podcast are those of the hosts or guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organizations or entities mentioned.
** This podcast was previously known as "Unleash Your Leadership"
The Priyanka Shinde Podcast | Strategy | Execution | Leadership
#17: Beat the Competition with Minimum Sellable Product: Dipti Desai on Founding Crstl, Execution Discipline & the Future of Work
Ever wondered what it takes to build enterprise-grade software from scratch—in the middle of a global crisis?
In this episode of The Priyanka Shinde Podcast, Priyanka sits down with Dipti Desai, CEO and Co-Founder of Crstl, a modern B2B commerce network helping brands, retailers, and logistics partners connect on a single digital platform.
Dipti shares her journey from product leadership roles at startups and global enterprises to founding Crstl in the thick of COVID-19. She opens up about the lessons behind building “minimum sellable products,” balancing vision with flawless execution, and leading with grit and empathy in a rapidly evolving AI era.
What you’ll learn:
- Why “Minimum Sellable Product > MVP” when launching in enterprise markets.
- How COVID led to the idea for Crstl.
- The power of execution — and why ideas mean little without a sound hypothesis.
- The leadership values that drive resilient, high-trust startup teams.
- Why hiring for traits like curiosity and judgment beats hiring for skills alone.
- What the next 3-5 years hold for specialists and generalists as automation reshapes work.
Whether you’re an early-stage founder, a B2B operator, or a product manager learning to scale, this conversation offers grounded, actionable insight on building in uncertain times.
⏱ Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
4:00 – The Leap to Entrepreneurship: What Sparked the Idea for Crstl
5:18 – Starting a Company in the Thick of COVID
20:20 – From MVP to MSP: Why the Bar Is Higher in B2B
27:37 – 1% Inspiration, 99% Execution — But Get Your Hypothesis Right
31:36 – The Power of Community and Support in the Founder Journey as Female Founder
39:30 – Hiring for Grit, Curiosity & Judgment
42:35 – Future of Work: Specialists vs Generalists in the AI Era
45:35 – Let Some Fires Burn: How Founders Stay Focused
Connect with Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diptidesai/
Company: https://www.crstl.ai/
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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution
▶ About the Priyanka Shinde
I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.
