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In this episode of CX in the Wild, we sit down with Ali Raza Shah to unpack a major shift that is reshaping our industry.

Across the world, operators are struggling to monetize 5G and many already see it as the final generation built by carriers. As we look ahead, it is clear that the next wave of networks will be shaped by the industries that need them most, from healthcare to energy to real estate.

We explore what this means for people and for the future of work. As networks move toward zero touch operations, many technical roles will disappear, but the human ability to connect, influence, and sell will become even more valuable.

Ali shares how he stays ready for change, how he continues to grow, and why curiosity remains his greatest asset.

Ali Raza Shah on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ali-raza-shah-74b0288

Learn more about Ali's work at their website: https://spectrumeffect.com/

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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We continue our journey across continents and cultures, and this episode brings us together with Ladislau Batalha, a trusted leader who is helping shape the future of experience worldwide.

From Dubai to Lisbon, Brazil to Vietnam, we see firsthand how our community is growing, connecting, and redefining what it means to create meaningful experiences in a world where expectations are rising fast.

In this conversation, we explore the expanding intersection of CX and AI, the rise of patient experience as a global priority, and the shift toward better intelligence through agentic systems that give leaders clearer vision and deeper insight.

We also look ahead to the future, where younger CEOs will move faster with new tools, and seasoned professionals will bring hard earned wisdom back into the ecosystem.

Together, we discuss the skills, mindset, and courage required to lead in 2026 and beyond. This is a look at what comes next for CX and why the world is listening more closely than ever.

Ladislau Batalha on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ladislau-batalha-812218

Learn more about Ladislau's work at their website: https://icxi.com/

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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Vietnam is one of the few places where customers can spot weak value almost instantly. In this episode of CX in the Wild, we’re in Ho Chi Minh City with Amalia Goux, a Romanian CX strategist who has spent the past eight years helping brands design experiences that genuinely resonate with Vietnamese consumers.

We dig into why “value for money” in Vietnam isn’t just about price, it’s a mix of quality, social cues, cultural expectations, and the kind of community word of mouth that can boost or sink a brand overnight.

We talk about how Vietnamese consumers negotiate, compare, and question every detail; what global brands often misunderstand when they apply Western models here; and why modern CX work needs to connect more directly to real business outcomes like revenue, churn, and long-term customer health.

If you want a grounded look at what effective CX really takes in an emerging market, this conversation is worth your time.

Amalia Goux on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amaliagoux

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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From Dubai, a new generation of CX leaders is shaping the future with people, culture, and purpose at the core.

In this episode of CX in the Wild, we sit down with Ahmed Hatem, Customer Experience Manager at e& enterprise, to explore why customer happiness is more than a metric. Ahmed represents the rising wave of leaders who see customers first as human beings and believe empathy is the foundation of trust.

Our conversation explores why younger professionals naturally lean into customer centricity, how UAE’s vision creates a unique approach to experience, and why values like health, family, and education strengthen professional excellence. Together, we uncover a larger truth: the future of customer experience will be built on human connection and collective happiness.

This is about more than business strategy. It is about creating experiences that bring value to society and lasting impact for people everywhere.

Ahmed Hatem on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ahmed-hatem-95b8891b9

Learn more about Ahmed's work at their website: https://www.eandenterprise.com/en/index.html

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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The next generation of leaders is shaping the future of customer experience.

In this episode of CX in the Wild, we meet Diogo Miranda, a young professional at Altice Portugal whose journey shows how curiosity, courage, and risk-taking fuel growth. From navigating university during the pandemic to stepping into a high-impact corporate role, Diogo proves that learning and practice must go hand in hand.

We discuss why risk-taking matters, how education and experience build confidence, and why giving back to the community strengthens leadership. His story highlights how the next wave of talent is redefining strategy, innovation, and the customer experience conversation worldwide.

Diogo Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diogoguilhermemiranda

Learn more about Diogo's work at their website: https://altice.net/

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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Rebranding isn’t just a marketing exercise, it’s a catalyst for transformation. In this episode of CX in the Wild, we explore how the smartest organizations use brand evolution to fuel growth, win new markets, and stay ahead of changing customer expectations.

From the lessons hidden inside the controversial Jaguar rebrand to the often-overlooked power of personal branding in the digital economy, this conversation uncovers why the future belongs to brands that have the courage to trigger emotion, create distinction, and lead with purpose.

We break down the mindset, the discipline, and the strategy behind rebrands that work and the change management required to make them stick. Whether for a global enterprise or a personal career path, the same truth applies: people invest in the future, not the past.

Jim Heininger on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimheininger

Learn more about Jim's work at their website: https://www.dixon-james.com/

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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Boris Petrovitch Njegosh, founder of R GENERATION, shares how the rise of remote work, AI and digital nomadism is transforming both business and life.

From leading design thinking projects for global brands to helping small companies harness AI strategies, Boris has embraced agility over long-term planning and shown how small, fast changes can outperform traditional corporate playbooks.

We explore how AI enables people to work less while delivering more value, the cultural shifts shaping global collaboration and why communities both physical and digital are becoming the new engines of innovation.

The conversation also reveals the personal side of this evolution: balancing productivity with health, family and the human experience.

Boris Petrovitch Njegosh on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/njegosh

Learn more about Boris' work at their website: https://r-generation.community/

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi

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On this episode of CX in the Wild, we sit down with Manuela Doutel Haghighi, Director of Global Customer Experience and Success at Microsoft. With experience spanning continents and industries, Manuela shares how organizations can move beyond generic talk about CX to real-world practices that deliver measurable impact.

From shifting insurance models to healthcare innovations, and from the growing importance of employee and partner voices to the future of B2B customer experience, this conversation highlights the strategies that will set companies apart in competitive markets.

Her perspective is clear: the future of CX is not just post-sale, it begins with how expectations are set and how trust is built at every stage of the journey.

Manuela Doutel Haghighi on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/manueladoutelhaghighi

Learn more about Manuela's work at their website: https://news.microsoft.com/

Connect with me, Dennis Wakabayashi: linkedin.com/in/denniswakabayashi