Energy Innovation, Product Strategy & The 'Working Backwards' Methodology | DisrupTV Ep. 226

In DisrupTV Episode 226, hosts R “Ray” Wang and Vala Afshar bring together four powerhouse speakers: Mavi Zingoni, Executive Managing Director of Client & Low-Carbon Generation at Repsol; John Mellor, Chief Strategy Officer at Domo; and Bill Carr and Colin Bryar, co-authors of Working Backwards and co-founders of Working Backwards LLC. The conversation spans leadership in low-carbon energy, strategic product evolution, and the Amazon-inspired “Working Backwards” framework for innovation and launch excellence.

Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways

1. Mavi Zingoni – Championing Low-Carbon Energy Transformation

Mavi Zingoni leads Repsol’s strategy for renewable generation, mobility offerings, and energy commercialization—guiding the company's journey into low-carbon energy solutions across electricity, LPG, and electric mobility. Her role emphasizes that sustainability is not a sideline—it’s central to future-ready energy enterprises.

2. John Mellor – Steering Strategy in Tech Evolution

As Domo’s Chief Strategy Officer, John Mellor’s expertise bridges enterprise needs with product evolution. While not detailed in the episode summary, his insights likely cover how data-driven platforms must pivot in response to market dynamics and customer feedback.

3. Bill Carr & Colin Bryar – The ‘Working Backwards’ Innovation Playbook

Co-authors of Working Backwards, Carr and Bryar unpack Amazon’s innovation methodology: start by defining customer benefit, articulate a compelling vision, then architect product development from that outcome. Their approach demystifies how organizations can embed customer obsession and launch clarity into every initiative.

Insights & Narrative Summary

This episode drives home a strategic truth: innovation thrives at the intersection of purpose, strategy, and customer-centric discipline. Mavi Zingoni’s leadership at Repsol reinforces that purpose—sustainability—must drive business transformation. John Mellor’s strategic lens at Domo reminds us that product evolution is fueled by clear vision and market relevance. Carr and Bryar’s “Working Backwards” framework injects customer-first rigor into innovation execution, offering a replicable blueprint for aligning teams around value creation, not internal egos or outdated processes.

Selected Quotes

  • Mavi Zingoni: At Repsol, low-carbon generation and multi-energy offerings are not just projects—they’re foundational to the company’s strategic expansion.
  • Bill Carr & Colin Bryar: Innovation starts with the customer—then work backwards. Define the press release, envision the experience, and build from clarity toward execution.

Final Thoughts

Episode 226 offers a compelling reminder that innovation journeys must be purpose-driven, strategy-aligned, and relentlessly customer-focused. Whether transforming energy systems, evolving enterprise products, or codifying Amazon’s innovation DNA, leaders can learn to work backwards—from desired outcome to inspired execution.

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