C-Suite Conversations | An SME Strategy Podcast

Transforming Ideas into Action: Effective Execution Tactics for CEOs w/Patrick Thean

Join host Anthony Taylor as he engages with Patrick Thean, CEO of Rhythm Systems, on the Strategy and Leadership podcast. They explore the importance of strategic execution, the concept of rhythm in managing organizational success, and how a leader’s personal style can impact a team. Patrick shares insights on accountability, CEO challenges, and aligning leadership strengths with business objectives. Discover how maintaining the right rhythm can help leaders support their teams effectively, ensuring sustainable growth and reduced stress in the corporate environment.
 
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Secrets Behind Chick-fil-A's 35 Years of Marketing Brilliance with former CMO Steve Robinson

Steve Robinson is a renowned speaker, consultant, and author, highly recognized for his impactful career at Chick-fil-A. Serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for 35 years, Steve was instrumental in transforming Chick-fil-A from a modest franchise to a multi-billion dollar brand. He is the author of the book "Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A," which delves into the innovative strategies that fueled Chick-fil-A’s success. Growing up in Foley, Alabama, Steve's early exposure to his father’s entrepreneurial ventures sparked his interest in sales and marketing, leading him to a storied career marked by significant achievements and industry-defining marketing philosophies.
 
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Episode Summary:
In this captivating episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor engages in an insightful conversation with Steve Robinson, the former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Chick-fil-A. Steve shares compelling anecdotes from his illustrious career, detailing his journey from humble beginnings in Foley, Alabama, to becoming a key figure at one of America’s most successful fast-food brands.
Through engaging reflections, Steve takes us through his 35-year tenure at Chick-fil-A, emphasizing the importance of developing a cohesive and purposeful company culture. He discusses the critical role of building relationships over transactions, a philosophy that not only differentiated Chick-fil-A but also established it as a customer-centric brand. With a focus on sustainable and long-term growth, Steve sheds light on the strategic decisions that allowed Chick-fil-A to flourish into a $22 billion company. From the creation of the iconic Cow Campaign to innovative marketing strategies rooted in generosity and community service, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons for marketers and business leaders.
Key Takeaways:
Focus on Culture Over Strategy: Developing a cohesive culture where values and long-term goals are clear can significantly enhance innovation, decision-making, and overall business success.
Build Relationships, Not Transactions: Prioritizing customer relationships and community engagement leads to sustained growth and brand loyalty.
Stewardship and Generosity: Embodying stewardship and practicing generosity can create a lasting impression and foster a positive corporate reputation.
Leadership and Stability: Maintaining stable leadership in-store through experienced and invested operators is key to operational and cultural stability.
Endearing and Enduring Brand: Focusing on making the brand endearing ensures its endurance, as shown through successful campaigns and customer interactions.
Notable Quotes:
"The most important decisions we make here are who we hire, who we invite to join the organization, because we don't train culture here. We hire it." - Steve Robinson
"We discovered that marketing was kind of an uphill climb in the TI environment." - Steve Robinson
"If we're going to have positive influence on people, we're going to focus on building relationships, not transactions." - Steve Robinson
"Our food is worth full price. We need to figure out how to market this business and grow volume, grow the brand, but differently than the rest of the industry." - Steve Robinson
"If you don't have alignment with what's really important to Truett and the Cathy family, then you really don't understand who Chick-fil-A is." - Steve Robinson
Resources:
LinkedIn: Steve Robinson LinkedIn
Book: Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A
Website: srobinsonconsulting.com
Dive deeper into Steve Robinson’s fascinating journey and learn how the principles of purpose and culture can transform your business by listening to the full episode. Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on the Strategy and Leadership podcast.

From Flip Phones to AI: The Evolution of Technology in Banking w/David Becker CEO and Chairman of First Internet Bank

David Becker is the CEO and Chairman of First Internet Bank, located in Indiana. Known as the "Tech Godfather" of Indiana, David's career in technology spans over 40 years. He founded First Internet Bank in 1999, pioneering online banking against the backdrop of skepticism and traditional banking norms. Under his leadership, the bank has grown to over $5 billion in assets, servicing retail and commercial customers across all 50 states in the U.S. David has also been influential in modernizing the Indiana tech and banking sectors through innovative services and partnerships.
 
 
 
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Unlocking Creativity: Lessons from a Global CEO | Toby Southgate Global a CEO at Forsman & Bodenfors

Anthony Taylor hosts Toby Southgate, global CEO of Forsman & Bodenfors, on the Strategy and Leadership Podcast. Toby reflects on his journey from cricket ambitions to leading a global creative collective. They delve into the essence of creative problem-solving, the importance of small, empowered teams, and radical collaboration. Toby shares insights on leading creatives, aligning teams to solve complex problems, and the unique attributes of ambidextrous thinkers in the marketing industry. Tune in for lessons on navigating the evolving marketing landscape and the indispensable human element in this dynamic field.
 
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Mastering Brand Strategy in the CPG Industry w/Kathy Guzmán Galloway

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Kathy Guzmán Galloway, an expert with two decades of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. They delve into the intricacies of building and maintaining successful brands, particularly focusing on companies with revenues ranging from $100 million to under a billion. Kathy shares her journey from business school to her extensive tenure at PepsiCo and her eventual transition into consulting, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the CPG sector.
Throughout their conversation, Anthony and Kathy discuss the evolving landscape of brand management, emphasizing the importance of consumer research and staying ahead of market trends. Kathy highlights the distinct differences between operating in a Fortune 1000 company and smaller enterprises, particularly in terms of adaptability and consumer engagement. She underscores the continual need for brands to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and direct consumer interaction to remain competitive in a saturated market.
Kathy Guzmán Galloway brings over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, specializing in brand management and strategy. Originally from New Jersey, she earned her MBA from the University of Texas at Austin before joining PepsiCo's Frito Lay division in Dallas. Kathy has held roles across small businesses and large organizations, including Dean Foods. For the past 11 years, she has excelled in consulting, focusing on brand positioning, and helping organizations better connect with their consumers.
 
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SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster.
We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting, strategic plan creation, and support your strategic plan implementation.
For more visit https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Jason Radisson Discusses Empowering Frontline Workforce with Mobile Tech

Jason Radisson is the CEO and founder of Movo, a company dedicated to providing automation and tools for the frontline workforce. With a notable background as a General Manager for Uber and experience working in various countries, Jason brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. His career spans multiple industries, with a significant focus on leveraging technology to enhance productivity and improve workplace efficiency.
 
Anthony Taylor talks with Jason Radisson, CEO and founder of Movo. The episode dives deep into the challenges and opportunities related to digitizing the frontline workforce through mobile technology. Jason shares insights from his extensive background, including his time at Uber, and discusses the transformative potential of mobile automation tools in increasing productivity and improving workers' livelihoods globally.
Jason discusses how Movo's platform leverages the power of mobile phones to provide better efficiency and flexibility for those in fields like nursing, retail, and manufacturing. He elaborates on the concept of workforce digitization, drawing parallels to the productivity gains seen in white-collar sectors over the past few decades. Jason also addresses various management considerations and cultural shifts necessary for adopting mobile technology in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of trust and the benefits of innovative scheduling automation.
 
Movo HQ on LinkedIn
Movo Website: Movo.co
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John St. Pierre on Building a $100 Million Business with Intention

The episode kicks off by discussing John's initial business endeavors and the crucial life lessons he learned after being fired from his own company. John delves into the concept of creating a comprehensive life plan, which aligns personal goals with professional ambitions, to achieve long-term success without sacrificing overall well-being.
Throughout the conversation, John and Anthony explore various strategies and methodologies, including the significance of regular introspection and strategic reflection. They talk about the power of patient ambition and how setting long-term goals can lead to substantial achievements over time. John highlights the necessity of daily practices like journaling and visualization for mental clarity and aligning daily actions with long-term objectives. For entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking both professional success and personal fulfillment, this episode provides invaluable insights and practical strategies.

The art of effective facilitation with Dr Myriam Hadnes 281

Myriam Hadnes,is a facilitation evangelist with a PhD in behavioral economics, shares insights on the art of facilitation and its impact on organizational dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, vulnerability, and authenticity in creating a conducive environment for collaboration and breakthrough moments. Miriam also highlights the role of facilitation in transforming organizational culture and leadership mindset.
 
Takeaways
Facilitation is not limited to those with the title of a facilitator; it is a mindset that can be adopted by managers to transition from micromanaging to leadership.
Psychological safety, vulnerability, and authenticity are crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and collaborating effectively.
The role of a facilitator is to make the implicit explicit, promote vulnerability, and encourage a culture of curiosity and collaboration within the group.
Facilitation plays a significant role in transforming organizational culture and leadership mindset, leading to improved team dynamics and better outcomes.
The art of facilitation involves preparation, attunement to the needs of the group, and the ability to interpret silence and unspoken dynamics within the group.
 
Sound Bites
"I think every manager needs to learn how to facilitate at least a bit to step out of the micromanaging burden into leadership."
"As a facilitator, the next step is to show them that there is a higher goal that brings them all together so that they're all on the same side."
"When we reply to other people more with 'yes and,' we help the person to feel good about themselves because they feel seen."
 

The challenges and lessons of transitioning into the CEO role with Ty Wiggins #280

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, Anthony Taylor interviews Ty Wiggins, CEO and Executive Transition Practice Lead at Russell Reynolds Associates. They discuss the challenges and lessons of transitioning into the CEO role. Ty shares insights from his book, 'The New CEO,' which focuses on the importance of adapting leadership style, managing expectations, and building a strong executive team. They also discuss the impact of communication and culture on a CEO's effectiveness. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for curiosity, adaptability, and a focus on organizational culture in order to succeed as a CEO.
#CEOtransition, #leadershipstyle, #executiveteam, #communication, #culture, #organizationalculture 
Takeaways:-Transitioning into the CEO role is a significant challenge that requires adapting leadership style and managing expectations.-Effective communication is crucial for a CEO, as their words and actions have a significant impact on the organization.-Building a strong executive team is essential for a CEO's success, and it requires creating an environment of collaboration and trust.-Understanding and shaping organizational culture is a key responsibility of a CEO, as it has a profound influence on the organization's performance.
Ty Wiggins is a leadership expert who is passionate about setting new CEOs up for success. As the lead of Russell Reynolds Associates’ CEO & Transitions Practice globally, he helps world-leading CEOs successfully onboard and transition into their role, to unlock business (and personal) success— faster. A trusted advisor, he guides new CEOs through their first 12-18 months in role, so they land well and perform quickly. Ty is one of one of only a handful of people globally with a PhD in leadership transitions. He harnesses his deep academic and consulting background to provide CEOs, boards, and senior leadership across industries with the skill and advice needed to enact transformational change. 
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// About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: 
SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. 
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279-Aslak De Silva, CEO of Selfly Store, on AI in retail

Aslak De Silva, CEO of Selfly Store, discusses the innovative business model of intelligent vending machines and the use of AI in retail. The conversation covers topics such as the unique features of Selfly Store, the role of innovation in business, the impact of dynamic pricing, and the experience of being a board member. Aslak also emphasizes the importance of communication, transparency, and lifelong learning in leadership.
 
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About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING:
SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster.
Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator