Strategy and Leadership Podcast
We interview CEOs, business leaders, and thought leaders to get their perspectives on strategy, leadership, management, and other trends that can support your career and help you run a ”best-in-class” business or non-profit. Be sure to subscribe and tell us what you’re taking away from each episode. About SME Strategy We facilitate strategic planning offsite meetings and support the accountability of the plans and the leadership teams who lead them. Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net Connect with the host, Anthony C Taylor https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/
Episodes

Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Wednesday Mar 31, 2021
Stephen King is the President & CEO of GrowthForce, a company that specializes in outsourced bookkeeping, accounting and controller services for companies that want to run better, grow faster and make more money. Stephen spent much of his career at Ernst & Young and Amnesty International US, and has started a couple of his own companies.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Stephen joins us to discuss how leaders can improve their decision making, his experience with peer groups, his 5-step process for profitability, how culture drives growth, and more.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- Advice for leaders trying to improve their financial decision making
- His experience with peer groups & mentorship
- His 5 Steps to Profitability Model
- How your culture will help you grow or sink
- How to foster a culture of tracking & the desire to follow data
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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.

Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Kristin Harper is the CEO of Driven to Succeed, a leadership development firm focused on brand innovation and reinvention for businesses and high achieving individuals around the world. She's also the author of Heart of a Leader: 52 Emotional Intelligence Insights to Advance Your Career.
Kristin started working in Brand Management at Proctor & Gamble before being recruited by The Hershey Company. Finally, she became a Global Vice President at Cardinal Health (a Fortune 20 company) while still in her thirties, before starting her own company.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- Lessons learned growing in a corporate setting
- Her experience trying to implement strategic initiatives
- What employers are doing to support their people (virtually)
- How important is the perspective of the customer?
- How to live diversity & inclusion
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Wednesday Mar 10, 2021
Tara Rethore is the CEO of Strategy for Real, and a strategic advisor who works with CEOs, executives, and nonprofits to help them take their strategy off the page and put it into action. Previously, Tara came up in the corporate world, gaining experience from all over the world in the natural gas sector.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Tara joins us to discuss making strategy real and actionable, how to create change in an organization, where strategy goes wrong, and much more.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- What she's seeing in the strategy execution ecosystem
- Making strategy real and actionable
- How to create change within an organization
- Where she's seen strategy go really poorly
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Wednesday Mar 03, 2021
Paul Katzoff is the CEO of WhiteCanyon Software, the premier provider of data erasure software for SSD, Hard Drive, & Mobile Device platforms to global organizations of all sizes. Paul originally started at the company in a Tech Support role, before coming the Manager of Tech Support and eventually switching to Sales. After a two-year hiatus from the company, Paul rejoined as the CEO.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Paul joins us to discuss how his perspective changed at different levels of the company, his process for sharing expertise and personal development, and much more.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- How his perspective changed from the bottom, to the top, & in-between
- How his changing roles & relationships with customers impacted the strategy
- His process for sharing expertise with the team
- How he continues to develop his own capabilities as CEO
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Wednesday Feb 24, 2021
Jeff Kavanaugh is the global head of the Infosys Knowledge Institute, the research and thought leadership arm of Infosys, one of the world’s leading consulting and technology services firms. Jeff also serves on several boards, and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Jeff joins us to discuss the importance of critical thinking, becoming a lifelong learner, best practices for communicating information, and how to create an organization that is continuously learning and evolving.
Here's a breakdown of our conversation:
- Importance of critical thinking
- Best practices for leaders trying to communicate information
- On becoming a life long learner
- A successful case study - Infosys
- Tracking, documentation & automation
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
Wednesday Feb 17, 2021
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, we were live with Robin Hills from the United Kingdom. Robin is the Director of Ei4Change, a company that delivers educational training based on emotional intelligence. Today, Robin has taught emotional intelligence skills to over 100,000 people from 175+ countries via online training.
We're super excited to have Robin on the show to discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and how we use it in everyday life, how to empathize, how to harness the power or emotional intelligence as a leader, and more.
Here's a break down of our conversation:
- Using emotional intelligence in everyday life
- How to empathize
- How leaders can use emotional intelligence to persuade
- Trends in the workplace
- & more
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
Wednesday Feb 10, 2021
David Yetman is an award-winning business development specialist who works directly with organizations to help them grow and become resilient. David has his own consultancy called Yetman Consulting where he helps businesses create resilience and margin to ensure they're thriving in the long term. He is also studying business resilience at Harvard University.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, David joins us to discuss how to make yourself and your business more resilient moving forward, what he sees many businesses struggling with, how to fix your business model, and much more.
Is your non-profit organization in need of a facilitated strategic planning session, but lacking the resources to pay the full industry price for these services? As part of our corporate giving back program for 2021, we're offering our full strategic planning services to 5 nonprofits at a heavily subsidized rate. Apply here: https://www.smestrategy.net/discounted-nonprofit-strategic-planning-facilitation
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Tuesday Feb 02, 2021
Binna Kim is the Co-founder & President at Vested, a NYC-based communications agency that leads campaigns for companies at the intersection of finance, technology & innovation.
With a background in marketing and communications for financial services, Binna and her co-founder set out to start Vested about 5 years ago.
They wanted to lead something of their own that they were truly proud of, all while setting a good example as female entrepreneurs in the FinTech space, which hasn't always been known for diversity and inclusion.
Here's a breakdown of the episode:
- What happening right now in the world of FinTech
- Struggles of being a female entrepreneur
- One big challenge for Fintech companies
- What she's learned as a founder
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Wednesday Jan 27, 2021
Terry is an expert in board governance, policy governance, and nonprofit and association board training. With over 20 years of experience in the world of board governance, Terry is the go-to guy for board of director development in Western Canada. #BoardGovernance
During our LIVE conversation from December 10th, Terry and I discussed:
- The role & responsibilities of the Board of Directors
- Best practices for common governance issues
- How to go about creating long term change in 2021
- & much more!
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment

Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Wednesday Jan 20, 2021
Chris Ronzio is the founder and CEO of Trainual, an onboarding, training and knowledge management platform for small and growing businesses. His company replaces the traditional training manual, and gives companies the ability to tell their story and share their policies, history, culture, and vision.
Chris has also founded several other businesses, and currently sits on the board of Design Pickle.
On this episode of the Strategy & Leadership Podcast, Chris joins us to discuss the benefits of documentation, having a culture of openness, how he uses repeatability to support his people, and more.
Here's a breakdown of the episode:
- The benefit of having your company well documented
- His 'ah hah' moments as a leader
- How he uses repeatability to support his people
- A culture of openness
Get our FREE Strategic Planning Workbook template here: www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…mplate-workbook
Enroll in our strategic planning course to learn our process for creating a strategic plan successfully (without hiring anyone): www.smestrategy.net/strategic-plann…ng-steps-course
Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? Book a complimentary consultation to learn more about our approach:
www.smestrategy.net/contact
Want a software to track & monitor your strategic plan? Get a free trial for Cascade Strategy: go.executestrategy.net/trial?fpr=smestrategy
// WEBSITE & RESOURCES:
Website ► www.smestrategy.net/
Blog ► www.smestrategy.net/blog
Strategy & Leadership Podcast ►www.smestrategy.net/podcast
Alignment Book ► www.smestrategy.net/alignment-book
Contact ►www.smestrategy.net/contact
// FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook ► www.facebook.com/Smestrategy/
LinkedIn ► www.linkedin.com/company/2866558
Instagram ► www.instagram.com/anthonyctaylor/
Twitter ►twitter.com/smeinsights
// 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. #StrategicPlanningProcess #StrategyDevelopment