Strategy at Scale

Outthinker
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Brought to you by Outthinker, Scaling Up, and Growth Institute  In a sea of contradictory business advice, Strategy at Scale breaks through the noise to deliver practical, proven strategies to predictably scale the value of your business. Each week, we interview successful entrepreneurs and business builders across industries to extract simple, high-impact strategic concepts that work. From avoiding costly missteps to executing systematic processes that fuel growth, you’ll gain lessons from the masters to scale your enterprise more effectively. 

  1. JUL 8

    From $0 to $130B: How Kurt Miscinski Scaled Cerity Partners with Purpose

    What does it take to build a firm that grows without losing its identity? Kurt Miscinski, co-founder and CEO of Cerity Partners, believes the answer lies in clarity of purpose, disciplined reinvestment, and redefining what partnership truly means. What began as a bold vision—to bring McKinsey-style professionalism and global scale to the wealth advisory space—has evolved into one of the industry’s fastest-growing firms, now managing over $130 billion in client assets. In this episode, Kurt shares how Cerity Partners was architected from the ground up to align ownership, culture, and long-term strategy. Drawing from his background as a CPA and former Deutsche Bank executive, he explains why Cerity avoids the traditional consolidation mindset in favor of true partnerships—and how the right language can shape everything from team dynamics to M&A success. Tune in to hear: Why Cerity chose to reinvest 100% of profits—and how it changed the gameThe power of redefining mergers as partnershipsHow reframing words like “employee” can reinforce a culture of ownershipLessons on modeling vision into reality for aspiring foundersAnd the blueprint for building a professional services firm that enduresIf you’re scaling a service business, shaping culture, or designing for longevity, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in with Kurt Miscinski. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    48 min

  2. JUN 17

    Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: Lori Rosenkopf on the 7 Paths to Scaling Impact

    What if the key to scaling impact isn’t one bold idea—but a clear understanding of who you are as an entrepreneur? Lori Rosenkopf, Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School, has spent decades mentoring more than 20,000 students, guiding startups, and redefining how we think about entrepreneurial success. In her new book, Unstoppable Entrepreneurs, she challenges the myth of the lone genius and maps out a broader, more inclusive view of what it means to build, scale, and innovate. In this conversation, Lori breaks down the seven distinct entrepreneurial paths she uncovered—from disruptors and funders to acquirers and advocates—and the six essential traits that define successful entrepreneurs across industries and roles. Drawing from years of research and firsthand stories, she reveals how anyone—from corporate professionals to first-time founders—can tap into entrepreneurial thinking and momentum. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why entrepreneurial success doesn’t require a garage or a pitch deckThe seven paths to entrepreneurship—and how to find yoursThe six core traits shared by unstoppable entrepreneursHow Lori’s journey from systems engineer to Wharton professor shaped her insightsHow to spark ideas from everyday experience and low-risk experimentationWhy expanding access to networks and education fuels innovationWhether you’re building something new or scaling from within, Lori’s insights will help you align your strengths with your strategy—and unlock the entrepreneurial path that’s right for you. Let’s dive in with Lori Rosenkopf. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    51 min

  3. JUN 10

    Built to Heal: Shaun Noorian on Scaling Empower Pharmacy Without Outside Capital

    “Rule number one is: never give up. Success is always there. It’s just on a certain timeframe.” That’s the mindset behind Shaun Noorian’s journey—and it’s what powered the rise of Empower Pharmacy from a 100-square-foot rented exam room to a 340,000-square-foot, FDA-registered pharmaceutical operation with national reach. As founder and CEO of the largest 503A compounding pharmacy in the U.S., Shaun didn’t take the traditional path. No VC funding. No shortcuts. Just a mechanical engineer with a mission to fix a broken system from the inside out—starting with infrastructure, integration, and an unrelenting focus on patient outcomes. Today, Empower employs over 1,300 people and defies industry norms by lowering prices every year—thanks to its fully vertically integrated model. In this episode, we unpack: How Shaun scaled from a back room to a national provider in one of the most regulated industries in the worldThe strategy behind lowering costs while improving quality and speedWhy vertical integration unlocked pricing power, margin control, and operational agilityHis decision to fund growth with debt—not equity—and the strategic freedom that createdThe systems and culture Empower relies on to scale safely in a high-stakes environmentWhy rebuilding the pharmaceutical supply chain was never just a business model—it was a missionThis is a story about scaling with intention. About building systems that last, solving real problems, and staying true to your purpose—even when the odds are stacked against you. Let’s dive in with Shaun Noorian. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    39 min

  4. MAY 27

    Scaling from Within: Tushar Amin on Building a $2B Business Inside IBM

    What does it take to build a $2 billion business—not from scratch, but from inside a legacy corporate giant? Tushar Amin has the answer. A seasoned strategy executive, Tushar led a transformative initiative within one of IBM’s most traditional business units—a flat-growth, high-margin division many saw as a cash cow. Where others saw constraints, he saw opportunity. By reframing IBM’s aging global infrastructure as a strategic asset, he helped create a fast-growing, globally competitive services business—without dismantling what already worked. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Tushar uncovered a horizon-two growth opportunity hidden within a horizon-one business.Why identifying profit pools in the ecosystem is more impactful than conventional market sizing.The alignment framework he used to connect go-to-market, offerings, and delivery—and scale fast.How to gain organizational buy-in for long-term bets, even when they challenge short-term margins.Why a credible value proposition rooted in real differentiation is the key to pricing power.This is more than an intrapreneurial success story—it’s a masterclass in seeing strategic opportunity where others don’t. Let’s dive in with Tushar Ami Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    44 min

  5. MAY 13

    Picking the Right Investors: Dave Whorton on Building a Company that Lasts

    Dave Whorton has spent decades at the highest levels of Silicon Valley—working alongside industry legends at Kleiner Perkins, co-founding pioneering companies like drugstore.com and Good Technology, and eventually charting a different course with Tugboat Institute. His focus? Evergreen businesses—companies built to last, guided by purpose, and driven by sustainable growth. In this episode, Dave shares his journey from venture capital to founding the Tugboat Institute, where he champions a different way of building companies—one that rejects the high-risk, high-reward mentality of VC-backed startups. We dive into his new book, Another Way: Building Companies that Last… and Last… and Last, co-authored with Bo Burlingham, exploring the core principles of evergreen businesses and how they defy conventional wisdom. Tune in to learn: Why many of the tech giants VCs celebrate (like Google and Microsoft) actually took minimal venture funding—and what that means for founders.How the explosion of the VC market has changed how businesses are built—and why that’s a problem.The "Evergreen 7Ps" framework and how they guide companies toward sustainable, long-term growth.Real-world examples of evergreen businesses that prioritize steady growth, pragmatic innovation, and people-centered leadership.Let’s dive in with Dave Whorton. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    51 min

  6. APR 23

    From Vision to Execution: Sabrina Herrera on Scaling Brands That Last

    Many founders dream of turning a big idea into a lasting company. Sabrina Herrera has done it—again and again. As part of the founding leadership at Genomma Lab, one of Mexico’s most successful pharmaceutical and personal care companies, she helped shape a brand known for category-defining products and direct-to-consumer innovation. Under her leadership, Genomma became the first in its industry to go public on the Mexican Stock Exchange and expanded into more than 20 countries. But Sabrina didn’t stop there. Over the past two decades, she’s launched wellness brands, backed startups, served on boards, and mentored the next generation of entrepreneurs. Known for her strategic clarity, sharp financial instinct, and human-centered leadership, Sabrina brings a rare combination of heart and execution to everything she touches. Today, she’s transforming Regina Romero—a 40-year-old handcrafted leather shoe brand—into a modern, tech-driven business with global ambitions. It’s not just a rebrand; it’s a reinvention. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Sabrina helped Genomma scale beyond MexicoThe hardest lessons she’s learned as an investorWhy execution always beats vision aloneHow to evolve a legacy brand without losing its soulWhy an obsession with product quality is non-negotiableLadies and gentlemen, Sabrina Herrera. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    44 min

  7. APR 8

    Executing Fast, Thinking Slow: How Matt Wallach Scaled Veeva into a $2.75B Powerhouse

    In this episode of Strategy at Scale, we sit down with Matt Wallach, co-founder of Veeva Systems, one of the most successful enterprise software companies in the life sciences industry. While many companies craft visionary strategy statements, Matt reveals why execution—not strategy—is what truly sets high-growth companies apart. You’ll hear how Veeva redefined cloud-based solutions for pharmaceutical companies and the pivotal choices that fueled their rapid rise—from a startup to a public company generating nearly $2.75 billion in annual revenue. Matt shares a behind-the-scenes look at how the team prioritized discipline, customer selection, and strategic patience to win in a highly regulated industry. Tune in to learn: Why choosing the right first customer can make or break your businessThe strategic reasons Veeva became a Public Benefit CorporationWhy saying “yes” to every customer request is a recipe for failureHow “thinking slow” can accelerate long-term successThe decision-making crossroads at scale: new markets vs. new productsMatt’s story is a masterclass in execution, focus, and discipline in scaling a business.  Let’s dive in with Matt Wallach. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    52 min

  8. MAR 25

    driversselect: How Steve Hall Found the Ignition Point to Disrupt the Used Car Industry

    When I asked Verne Harnish, who he recommended we interview to gain insights into effective scaling strategies, Steve Hall was one of the first names he mentioned—and for good reason. As the founder of driversselect, Steve transformed the used car retail industry through innovative business practices and a strong organizational culture that drove exceptional performance. His journey culminated in a successful acquisition by Sonic Automotive, one of the largest auto retailers in the U.S. What sets Steve apart is his ability to combine analytical thinking with heartfelt leadership. He not only mastered the operational and financial levers necessary to outpace competitors—such as minimizing inventory costs, maximizing turnover rates, and streamlining cash flow—but also fostered a culture that aligned with these strategic goals. This dual focus resulted in reduced employee turnover, heightened engagement, and a scalable business model that stands the test of time. In this episode, we delve into: How Steve pinpointed inefficiencies within the used car industry and crafted a business model to capitalize on them.The four core values that enabled him to cultivate a high-trust, high-performance culture.Why prioritizing employee retention was just as crucial as boosting inventory turnover—and the strategies he implemented to achieve both.His unique approach to leadership development, emphasizing continuous feedback over traditional annual reviews.The role of strategic transparency, particularly during challenging times, as a competitive edge.Key lessons in scaling that any entrepreneur can implement in their own journey.Steve’s story exemplifies the art of scaling with both precision and purpose.  Let’s dive in with Steve Hall. Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks, Verne Harnish of Scaling Up, and the team at Growth Institute.

    50 min
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About

Brought to you by Outthinker, Scaling Up, and Growth Institute  In a sea of contradictory business advice, Strategy at Scale breaks through the noise to deliver practical, proven strategies to predictably scale the value of your business. Each week, we interview successful entrepreneurs and business builders across industries to extract simple, high-impact strategic concepts that work. From avoiding costly missteps to executing systematic processes that fuel growth, you’ll gain lessons from the masters to scale your enterprise more effectively. 

Information

  • Creator
    Outthinker
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Outthinker
  • Show Website
    Strategy at Scale

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