Market Outsiders

Management Consulted
  • 5.0 (5)
  • BUSINESS

Welcome to Market Outsiders — where business news meets real insight, fast. Two days per week, the Management Consulted leadership team breaks down one major story through a business lens, helping you spot what really matters behind the headlines.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ford’s Surprise Comeback: Why $50K Cars Still Sold

    The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760. So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019? In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand. They cover: Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVIDHow financing, hybrids, and product mix drove Ford’s outperformanceWhat Ford must change in 2026 as margins shift beyond unit salesThis is a forward-looking strategy conversation on how automakers adapt when cars start behaving more like platforms than products. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10Chapters: 03:05 — 2025 Auto Industry Overview 06:33 — Ford's Unexpected Success 08:56 — Consumer Behavior and Car Buying Trends 13:53 — Analyzing the Automotive Market Trends 16:40 — Consumer Behavior and Financing Strategies 19:51 — The Shift Towards Hybrid and Electric Vehicles 22:46 — Sales Performance and Market Share Insights 25:38 — Future Strategies for Automotive Companies 28:30 — Monetizing Customer Relationships Post-Purchase Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    37 min

  2. 12/19/2025

    Who Really Wins When Weed Goes Mainstream? (December 19, 2025)

    Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics. In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news. They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, federally funded research, banking access, and why Big Pharma, consumer giants, and even beer companies may now have the edge. This is a regulatory shock case study: how one policy change reshapes competition, pricing power, supply chains, and long-term winners across healthcare and consumer markets. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10Chapters: 01:05 — What Cannabis Reclassification Actually Changes 03:15 — Schedule I vs Schedule III: Why It Matters 05:45 — Banking, Taxes, and the Industry’s Hidden Constraints 08:20 — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Real Demand Unlock 11:10 — Why Cannabis Stocks Fell on “Good” News 13:30 — Big Pharma, Big Beer, and New Market Entrants 19:40 — Supply Chains, Compliance, and Rising Costs 25:00 — Who Wins, Who Loses, and What Comes Next Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    33 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    Did Thrive Market Just Ditch Its Profit Engine? (December 10, 2025)

    Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely, and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems.  In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story. We cover: Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the wrong metric for retailersThe hidden logistics + regulatory friction behind alcohol shippingHow Thrive’s branding strategy earns attention, even if the business case is thinThe one customer-insight mistake we see companies make again and againA fascinating look at strategy, consumer behavior, and the storytelling behind business decisions.   Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025  Chapters: 03:19 Consumer Trends in Alcohol Consumption06:23 Business Model Analysis of Thrive Market09:05 Logistical Challenges in Alcohol Sales12:07 Market Size and Consumer Preferences15:38 Branding and Business Storytelling17:30 How Great Strategists Think Past the Press Release21:00 Households, Not Individuals: Why the 54% Stat Misleads23:30 Takeaways on Strategy, Storytelling & Alcohol’s FutureLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    27 min

  4. 12/08/2025

    Netflix’s $72B Warner Bros Gamble (December 8, 2025)

    Netflix just shocked Hollywood with a $72B bid for Warner Bros, the biggest media deal of the decade. But behind the headlines is a fight over market share, regulation, and the future of streaming. In this episode, we break down: Why Netflix is suddenly willing to buy instead of buildHow HBO, Warner Bros, and gaming change Netflix’s strategyThe regulatory risk (and why Trump and Paramount matter)Whether this deal can ever pay for itselfWhat this means for the future of streaming bundles and pricingPartner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Episode Links: Netflix press releaseNetflix set to buy Warner Bros. in deal valued at $83 billion (ABC News)Netflix Co-Founder LinkedIn PostChapters:  01:20 Christmas tree banter and setting the stakes 03:05 What Netflix is actually buying from Warner Bros 07:00 Why Netflix wants Warner Bros and HBO 11:45 Can this $72B deal ever pay off? 16:30 Ads, bundles and the future Netflix business model 20:50 Antitrust risk, Trump factor and hostile bids 24:30 Disney, YouTube and the real competitive set 28:10 When M&A stops being rationalLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    33 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    Why Best Buy Is Winning When Everyone Expected It to Die (November 26, 2025)

    Best Buy was supposed to be dead. Instead, it just raised its full-year sales and earnings outlook. In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into why Best Buy is outperforming in a “K-shaped” economy, even as everyone keeps blaming the consumer and inflation. They break down: How Best Buy is still winning on laptops, gaming, and smartphonesWhy AI-enabled laptops and new consoles are quietly driving an upgrade cycleThe role of predictable sale moments (Prime Day, back-to-school, Black Friday)What Best Buy is doing in-store vs. online that pure e-commerce players can’t matchHow services and better execution matter more than macro excusesThey also talk about what this says about the American consumer, why sentiment and spending keep telling different stories, and what levers they’d pull if they were running Best Buy for the next five years. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters: 02:10 Black Friday: From Chaos Day to 2-Month Season 04:45 Best Buy’s Unexpected Earnings Beat 07:20 What’s Actually Selling: Phones, Laptops, Gaming, AI Devices 10:05 Why Best Buy Wins In-Store (When It Shouldn’t) 13:00 Digital Channel Strength: Website, Pick-Up, Inventory, UX 15:40 The Consumer Is Fine (Again): Spending vs Sentiment 18:25 Best Buy’s Revenue Declines & Store Footprint Questions 21:05 Margin Breakdown & Where Best Buy Really Makes Money 24:10 The Future: Services, Smaller Stores, and Growth LeversLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    29 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    Why Bath and Body Works Lost Its Scent With Shoppers (November 20, 2025)

    Bath and Body Works used to own the mall fragrance space. Now traffic is shrinking, margins are squeezed and a new CEO is blaming the old playbook. In this episode, we break down what went wrong and whether the turnaround plan has a real shot. We cover: How chasing “adjacent” categories like shampoo and laundry backfiredWhy discounting destroys price integrity in a brand-led businessThe missed opportunity in e-commerce and Amazon resellersWhat Bath and Body Works can learn from Walmart, Target and TJXHow to think about profit from the core in your own businessIf you want to sharpen your operator brain and see how a real consumer brand tries to pull out of a stall, this one is for you. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters:  00:30 Introduction to Bath and Body Worksv06:37 Analyzing Bath and Body Works' Strategy11:40 Challenges in Product Expansion17:32 E-commerce Strategy and Customer Engagement27:34 Future OutlookLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    33 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Can Panera’s Turnaround Plan Actually Work? (November 18, 2025)

    Panera used to dominate fast casual. Now traffic is falling and leadership is scrambling to turn it around. In this episode, we unpack: How cost cutting changed salads, sides, and the in-store experienceWhy menu complexity and pricing confuse customersThe barbell strategy Panera is betting on for its comebackWhat we’d do differently on pricing, testing, and customer researchA practical breakdown of what happens when spreadsheets win over the customer experience. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Episode Links Panera lost diners by cutting portions and staff. It’s reversing course to win them back (CNBC)Jewelry business that implemented updated pricing strategy  Chapters  03:16 Personal Experiences with Panera06:11 Panera's Business Challenges08:50 Consumer Trends and Market Forces11:46 Menu Complexity and Customer Experience14:48 Cost-Cutting Measures and Their Impact18:38 The Role of Younger Consumers21:28 Panera's Turnaround Strategy24:05 Operational Challenges and Brand Management27:00 Pricing Strategies and Customer Perception29:56 Lessons from Other Brands32:52 Thoughts on Panera's Future37:13 The Barbell Pricing Strategy37:55 Consumer Sentiment and Market PositioningLearn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted Making Good: Small Business Marketing PodcastMaking Good helps you do better marketing so you can make a bigger impact. If you’re...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify More Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    41 min

  8. 11/14/2025

    What Ending the Penny Mint Means for Prices (November 13, 2025)

    The U.S. stops minting new pennies. Cost savings help, but do second-order effects matter more? We dig into: Why it cost ~4¢ to make 1¢$56M savings vs real economic impactRounding rules, cash users, and pricing behaviorCard mix, tipping culture, and “two-way door” policyA quick, practical look at what this means for consumers and businesses. Partner Links: Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025Chapters:  00:31 The End of Penny Minting03:16 Economic Implications of Removing Pennies05:57 Nostalgia and Cultural Impact of the Penny08:30 Regulatory Challenges and Business Adaptation11:36 The Future of Currency and Transaction Trends14:06 Critical Thinking in Business DecisionsMore Market Outsiders: Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to Market Outsiders — where business news meets real insight, fast. Two days per week, the Management Consulted leadership team breaks down one major story through a business lens, helping you spot what really matters behind the headlines.

Information

  • Creator
    Management Consulted
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    90
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Market Outsiders
  • Show Website
    Market Outsiders

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