Strategy and Leadership Podcast

Building Your Team Using the Clifton’s Strengths Finder w/Micah Lorenc Ep.114

Micah Lorenc left his strategy job at a Fortune 100 company to start his own coaching business, where he focuses on team development, leadership, and Clifton's Strengths coaching.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Micah and our Managing Partner Anthony Taylor meet to discuss how leaders can use the Clifton's Strengths tool, building a strong team around you, playing to your strengths, and more.
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ator-consultant

AI in Business: Everything Leaders Need to Know w/Daniel Faggella Ep#113

On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Dan Faggella joins us to discuss why leaders should care about artificial intelligence, how to manage the change around AI, and the ROI of AI.
Dan Faggella is the Head of Research and CEO of Emerj Artificial Intelligence Research, as well as a Fellow at the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies. Before joining Emerj, Dan was a black belt Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter who competed internationally.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Dan joins our Managing Partner Anthony Taylor to discuss:
- Why leaders should care about AI
- How to manage change related to AI
- The different types of ROI for AI
- & much more
Register for Dan's webinar, Starting an AI Consulting Practice - 3 Critical Factors for Success: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/14/w8v97bp
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

Build Repeatability into Your Business by Becoming Metrics Driven w/Amos Schwartzfarb Ep#112

Amos Schwartzfarb has been building businesses since the 90's. Now, he's the Managing Director at Techstars, investing in early stage businesses and helping them find repeatability. He also sits on several boards, and is the best-selling co-author of LEVERS: The Framework For Building Repeatability into Your Business.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Amos connects with our Managing Partner Anthony Taylor to discuss the difference between being metrics aware and metrics driven, his Levers framework, how it helps businesses build repeatability into their business, and much more.
Here's a breakdown of the conversation:
- Being metrics aware vs. metrics driven
- Considerations to make when becoming metrics driven
- The Levers framework for becoming metrics driven
- Leadership traits needed to bring a business to the next level
- & more
Check out his book, LEVERS: The Framework For Building Repeatability into Your Business: https://www.leversbook.com/
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

How Processes, Transparency & Trust Will Help You Attract Top Talent w/Chris Cicchinelli Ep#111

Chris Cicchinelli is the CEO & President of Pure Romance, the world’s largest in-home/virtual party company specializing in intimacy and sexual health. On his twenty year journey with the company, he grew the business from $3 million to $350 million in revenue.
In 2018, Chris founded the Living with Change Foundation to help transgender youth and their families. He's also the author of the secret is YOU: How I Empowered 250,000 Women to Find Their Passion and Change Their Lives.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Chris joined our Managing Partner Anthony Taylor to discuss his most challenging phase of growth, developing trust & credibility, the keys to attracting top talent & more.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- His most challenging phase of growth
- Developing trust & credibility
- Keys to attracting top talent
- & more!
Chris' website: https://chriscicchinelli.com/
Chris' book, the Secret is YOU: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VD9ZFKM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

How Improving Your Managers’ Skills is the Key to Business Growth w/Cameron Herold Ep#110

Cameron Herold in the Canadian born founder of COO Alliance. He was instrumental in building 1-800-GOT-JUNK? into a $100 million business, and also helped build several other companies including North America's largest collision repair company, the largest residential house painting company in the world, and a currency company he sold for $64 million.
Since leaving 1-800-GOT-JUNK? 14 years ago, he's been coaching companies all over the world, and speaking in 26 countries. He's also authored 5 books, and is the host of the Second in Command Podcast.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Cameron joins us to discuss the role of the second in command, his big 'aha' moments, growing the skills of managers, the importance of continuous learning, and more.
To learn more about Cameron's work, check out his website to find podcasts, 5 books, case studies, courses & more: https://cameronherold.com/
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- The role of the second in command
- Biggest 'aha' moments after helping build 4 companies
- Growing the skills of your managers
- On continuous learning & the COO Alliance
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

Digital Transformation in Action: Lessons Learned in Local Gov w/Jazz Pabla, City of Kelowna Ep#109

Jazz Pabla is the CIO and Director of Information Services for the City of Kelowna. Being in IT, he focuses most of his time on securing digital assets, and key city services and systems like water.
Formerly, Jazz was a Customer Experience Manager at the University of Saskatchewan, and a Technology Integration Manager for the City of Saskatoon.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Jazz joins us to discuss digital transformation in action, cybersecurity, the complexity of local government, and more.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- The complexity of local government
- The citizen first model
- Digital transformation in action
- Cybersecurity as a strategy
- & more!
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

Why Managers Need to Stop Thinking Small in Order to Thrive w/Andrew Freedman Ep#108

Andrew Freedman is the Managing Partner of SHIFT Consulting, where he helps leaders think differently about employee engagement and performance. Since the dawn of his career, Andrew's aim has been to help and teams get better in one way or another.
He's also an Affiliate Professor of Strategy & Leadership at the University of Baltimore, and he's got a new book out called Thrive: The Leader's Guide to Building a High-Performance Culture.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, we discuss some of the challenges people and organizations are dealing with right now, how to improve organizational alignment, his advice for leaders, and his new book.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- Challenges organizations & employees are dealing with right now
- Tips for improving organizational alignment
- Advice for leaders
- About his book, Thrive
To learn more about Andrew, his work, and his book, visit: thrive.shiftthework.com
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

How AI will Impact the Future of Work & the C-Suite w/Peter J. Scott (former NASA) Ep#107

Peter J. Scott is an IT specialist and futurist who worked for NASA for over 30 years. Now, he's a coach and the author of Crisis of Control: How Artificial SuperIntelligences May Destroy or Save the Human Race, and the host of Artificial Intelligence and You, a podcast that seeks to communicate the intricacies of both the challenges and opportunities of artificial superintelligences in away that non-experts can grasp.
On this episode, Peter joins us to discuss the future of AI in the workforce, his big takeaways from working at NASA, using an engineers mindset to approach people problems, and so much more.
Here's a breakdown of our previously live conversation:
- The future is now for AI and tech
- One takeaway from working at NASA
- How he approaches the people side of problems
- Big challenges faced at NASA
- How AI will impact the C-suite
- & more
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

What is CX? // How to Improve Customer Experience for International Markets w/Chui Chui Tan Ep#106

Chui Chui Tan is the founder & Director at Beyō Global. Having originally studied industrial engineering, she went on to become a culturalization expert who has worked in user/customer experience (UX/CX) for over 14 years.
Now, she helps companies like Spotify, Netflix, Marriott, BBC, and others with their international launches and expansions in order to maximize their global reach.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Chui Chui joins us to discuss everything customer experience, including:
- Why it's important for organizations to consider customer experience
- How organizations can improve their international customer experience
- Who is responsible for the customer experience?
- An international customer experience 'aha moment' in Japan
- & more
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant

Return to the Office: Best Practices for Competitive Advantage w/Dr. Gleb Tsipursky Ep#105

Dr. Gleb Tsipursky is the CEO of Disaster Avoidance Experts, a boutique consulting, coaching, and training firm that empowers leaders and organizations to avoid business disasters. Throughout his career, Dr. Tsipursky has consulted for Fortune 500 companies including Aflac, Honda, IBM, Wells Fargo, and others.
He's also the author of several books - his most popular being Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Dr. Tsipursky joins us to discuss his research on remote vs. in-person work, the future of remote work, and more.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- Looking at the numbers: Remote work vs. in-office
- Balancing what you want vs. what your employees want
- The psychological nature of hybrid work
- & more
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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.
Based out of Vancouver, BC, we've worked with organizations all over North American and beyond in various industries including nonprofits, universities & government organizations. For more information on working with a facilitator for your next strategy session: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator-consultant