The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

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The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

CEOs and business leaders, management consulting senior partners, ground-breaking professors, thought-provoking writers and journalists, record-setting athletes and coaches, and award-winning actors and celebrities discuss the key issues facing the business world and broader society. Get free access to our newsletter, Monday Morning at 8 am, along with sample episodes from our training programs on www.strategytraining.com. Go to https://www.firmsconsulting.com/promo.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    P&G and Walmart: The Story Behind the Groundbreaking Relationship

    Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 510, an interview with the author of Collaborative Disruption, Tom Muccio.   In this episode, Tom Muccio shares his experience leading Procter & Gamble's collaboration with Walmart. By breaking down corporate barriers and focusing on mutual understanding, Tom helped both companies grow dramatically and expand their business from $350 million to $8 billion. His approach focuses on respect, testing new ideas, and challenging traditional business norms through transparent communication and shared strategic goals.   Tom Muccio was the architect and first team leader of the groundbreaking process that turned an adversarial relationship between Walmart and P&G into one that created dynamic a win-win for both companies and has now been replicated in thousands of Customer-Supplier relationships around the world. P&G-Walmart groundbreaking relationship is outlined in his book "Collaborative Disruption."   Get Tom’s book here: https://shorturl.at/GDNgl Collaborative Disruption: The Walmart and P&G Partnership That Changed Retail Forever   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    59 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    509: First Director of Culture at Pixar Animation Studios on Constructive Disruption as a Force for Innovation

    Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 509, an interview with a renowned innovation cultivator, speaker, and founder of Creativity Partners, Jamie Woolf.   In this episode, Jamie shared her remarkable experience working at Pixar under Ed Catmull's leadership and explained its unique culture that combines art and technology to drive innovation. She explained the concept of “constructive disruption” at work and how leaders can build healthy, innovative, and creative workplaces where everyone feels free to speak up, be heard, and support employees in bringing their authentic selves to work.   Jamie Woolf was the first Director of Culture at Pixar Animation Studios where she was recruited to be a force for “constructive disruption.” Jamie has 30+ years of experience practicing organizational psychology and draws on her impactful work with organizations like Google, Dreamworks, University of California, and Pixar Animation. Visit Jamie's blog here: https://www.creativity-partners.com/blog    Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    48 min

  3. 11 DEC

    508: McKinsey’s Rise to Prominence Under Marvin Bower

    McKinsey's Marvin Bower: Father of Management Consulting | 19 Rules That Shaped McKinsey In this video, we dive deep into the legacy of Marvin Bower, the man who turned McKinsey & Company into the gold standard of management consulting. Known as the "father of management consulting," Marvin Bower’s vision, integrity, and groundbreaking leadership set McKinsey apart and established consulting as a respected profession. Discover the 19 rules that Marvin Bower enforced at McKinsey to ensure consultants upheld the highest standards, from wearing specific attire to prioritizing client interests above all else. Learn why these principles helped build McKinsey into a preeminent global firm and what they can teach us about leadership, values, and success. 🎯 Listen till the end to uncover: The story of Marvin Bower’s rise and his role in shaping modern consulting. 19 rules that McKinsey consultants had to obey or leave the firm. Key lessons from Marvin Bower’s leadership that you can apply in your career. 📖 For more insights: Marketing saves the world - https://amzn.to/40NW7UN McKinsey’s Marvin Bower - https://amzn.to/4hPACZP   💡 Want to learn how to become a trusted advisor for your clients? Start by understanding Marvin Bower's philosophy.  Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/-GURIMZqS7Y?si=7cR9ffF4yd-yVcfB   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Nine Leaders in Action: www.firmsconsulting.com/gift   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    17 min

  4. 9 DEC

    507: Decoding M&A: Why 70% of Deals Fail and the Scorecard for Predicting Success

    Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 507, an interview with the authors of The M&A Failure Trap: Why Most Mergers and Acquisitions Fail and How the Few Succeed, Baruch Lev and Feng Gu.   In this episode, Baruch Lev and Feng Gu discuss the pitfalls of corporate acquisitions and the reasons why CEOs repeatedly make strategic errors that lead to costly mistakes. They argue that many acquisitions are driven by investor pressure and unrealistic expectations, with large deals often failing due to many factors including poor due diligence, lack of synergies, and talent retention challenges. Acquisitions should be a carefully considered last resort, not a knee-jerk strategic move.   Baruch Lev is a professor emeritus at NYU Stern School of Business, where he has taught and conducted research on mergers and acquisitions for decades. He worked formerly at UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago. His work has been widely cited in academic and professional circles (over 63,000 Google Scholar citations), and he is a leading authority on corporate finance and valuation.   Feng Gu is a professor of accounting at the University at Buffalo and has extensive experience in analyzing the financial aspects of corporate acquisitions. His research focuses on the economic consequences of corporate decisions and has been published in top-tier academic journals.   Get The M&A Failure Trap here: https://shorturl.at/YZydV   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    58 min

  5. 4 DEC

    506: Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al.

    One of the most powerful tools management consultants from firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, et al. use to solve problems and communicate solutions to clients is the consulting storyboard. Whether you’re new to consulting or just want to sharpen your storyboarding for consulting skills, this video is for you. Here are some of the topics we covered: - Why you should use consulting storyboard - Where storyboard fit in a consulting strategy study - How corporate strategy studies are different - What is a storyboard?  - What are the biggest questions you have about consulting storyboards?  Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Nine Leaders in Action: www.firmsconsulting.com/gift   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    9 min

  6. 2 DEC

    505: How Leaders Can Prevent Burnout and Foster Mental Well-Being in High-Performance Cultures

    Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 505, an interview with the author of The Resilience Plan, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier.   Resilience is a skill that can be developed, not a fixed personality trait. In this episode, Dr. Pelletier shares practical strategies for building resilience, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and creating a personal plan to manage stress and prevent burnout. She advises on how professionals can navigate challenges and maintain high performance while protecting their well-being.   Throughout her career in management and psychology, Dr. Pelletier has spearheaded the dialogue on the crucial issues of leadership resilience and work performance. Drawing on her extensive background in corporate, insurance, and governance, she brings an international perspective and unique expertise in leadership. She has over 20 years of experience as a leadership psychologist, executive coach, and senior leader.    Marie-Helene is a Member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization, and past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology. She has presented and authored and co-authored a number of industry and academic publications and has won numerous academic and industry awards. Dr. Pelletier is a highly rated instructor at the University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business, Executive Education and a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, an opt-in research community of business professionals. Her award-winning book, The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health, was named a “Top 5 Book to Read” by Inc. Magazine and Forbes.   Get Dr. Pelletier’s book here: https://shorturl.at/iTfXg The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    52 min

  7. 27 NOV

    504: The CEO's Dilemma: When to Speak Out on Political and Social Issues

    Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 504, where we interview Ex Harvard Kennedy School researcher Matt Kohut, the author of Speaking Out: The New Rules of Business Leadership Communication.   In this episode, Matt discusses the role leaders play in public communication. Drawing from his book "Speaking Out," he explores how CEOs can engage with political and social issues while balancing stakeholder perspectives, organizational values, and potential risks. Matt also shares practical advice on effective public speaking, managing communication anxiety, and building communication skills that help leaders connect authentically with their audiences.   Matthew Kohut is the managing partner of KNP Communications where he prepares CEOs, elected officials, and public figures for events such as live television appearances. Matt has taught at George Washington University and held a fellowship at Bennington College. His writing has appeared in publications from Harvard Business Review to Newsweek.    Get Matt’s book here: https://shorturl.at/htduE Speaking Out: The New Rules of Business Leadership Communication   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    43 min

  8. 25 NOV

    503: Ex-Amazon Executive: How Leaders Win by Making Big Bets

    Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 503, where we are doing round 2 with John Rossman. John was an early Amazon executive and senior innovation advisor at T-Mobile & the Gates Foundation. He is the co-author of Big Bet Leadership and a keynote speaker and advisor.    In this episode, John Rossman discusses the insights from his recent book, Big Bet Leadership, on how companies can manage major strategic initiatives ("big bets") that involve significant risks. He explains why organizations need to test ideas before making big commitments and stay focused on key priorities. John describes how companies can adapt to increasing digitalization through careful planning and controlled experiments.   John Rossman is an author, executive advisor and keynote speaker on digital transformation, leadership, and business reinvention. With a career spanning consulting roles at renowned brands like Novartis, Gates Foundation, Microsoft, Walmart, and T-Mobile, he brings extensive expertise in solving complex business challenges and driving customer-centric solutions. As an early Amazon executive, Rossman played a pivotal role in launching the Amazon Marketplace in 2002, shaping its transformative impact.   Rossman is the author of four influential books on leadership and business innovation, including the bestseller “The Amazon Way” and his recent release “Big Bet Leadership.” He served as senior innovation advisor at T-Mobile and senior technology advisor to the Gates Foundation, where he honed his strategic acumen in driving organizational change and creating enduring enterprise value.   Today, Rossman is a sought-after keynote speaker renowned for his insights into leadership for innovation and transformation. His work focuses on practical applications of Amazon’s Leadership Principles to foster innovation, drive growth, and navigate digital disruption effectively.   Get John’s book, Big Bet Leadership, here: https://shorturl.at/XLpaB   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

    36 min
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CEOs and business leaders, management consulting senior partners, ground-breaking professors, thought-provoking writers and journalists, record-setting athletes and coaches, and award-winning actors and celebrities discuss the key issues facing the business world and broader society. Get free access to our newsletter, Monday Morning at 8 am, along with sample episodes from our training programs on www.strategytraining.com. Go to https://www.firmsconsulting.com/promo.

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