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/

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Episodes

Tuesday Sep 03, 2024

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.
 
Prefer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1
 
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.
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

Wednesday Aug 28, 2024

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
Learn how to lead strategic planning the SME Strategy way
Connect with Anthony Taylor

Wednesday Aug 21, 2024

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.

Wednesday Aug 14, 2024

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."
 

Wednesday Aug 07, 2024

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. 
// Connect with us:
► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/
// 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. 
► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Friday Aug 02, 2024

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.
 
If you prefer to get a video, subscribe on YouTube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1
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

Thursday Jul 25, 2024

Brad Sugars, president and founder of Action Coach Global, shares insights on business coaching, leadership, and business modeling. He discusses the importance of coaching, management, and leadership skills, as well as the evolution of business strategies. Brad emphasizes the significance of leverage, scalability, marketability, and opportunity in business strategy. He also highlights the differences in coaching for new businesses versus established businesses, and the value of external experience in achieving business results.
 
Official Bio: Brad is the Chairman and Founder of ActionCOACH, a multi-million-dollar franchise providing result-driven education and business solutions to entrepreneurs and executives in 70+ countries across the world. Since starting it in 1993, Brad has scaled up his venture into an award-winning global enterprise that coaches 15,000 businesses on a weekly basis, helping them grow, sustain, and succeed. With over 30 years of experience in the entrepreneurial space, Brad has established himself as one of the world’s leading business coaches. He has lent his professional expertise to 9+ companies as a CEO, besides building his personal brand as a renowned business guru, keynote speaker, and best-selling author.https://www.amazon.in/Pulling-Profits-Out-Hat-Company/dp/1732049726
https://www.actioncoach.com/ and https://bradsugars.com/
 
If you prefer to get a video, subscribe on YouTube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1
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

Friday Jul 19, 2024

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Christopher Volk, an accomplished author and business veteran known for his expertise in wealth creation and financial strategy. Christopher, who has a storied career in commercial banking and leading multiple businesses, shares his journey from starting at a bank to taking companies public and engaging with giants like GE and Berkshire Hathaway. His book, "The Value Equation," serves as a cornerstone for the discussion, offering insights into the fundamental principles that drive business success.
Throughout the conversation, Christopher delves into the practicalities of taking a company public, the importance of leveraging other people's money (OPM), and how to balance shareholder's equity with debt to optimize business growth. He explains how understanding and managing six core financial variables can make a company more valuable and shares his belief in the universal virtues of free enterprise. He also touches on maintaining liquidity, making prudent long-term investments, and efficiently utilizing assets and capital to maximize returns. This episode is a treasure trove for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors looking to deepen their understanding of business finance and wealth creation.
 
Prefer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1
 
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.
 
For teams: We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting and strategic plan creation. As well as support your strategic plan implementation.
 
For individuals leading strategy: Join our community of strategy leaders who have learned SME Strategy’s approach and tools for aligning teams, and driving strategic plans forward.
 
For more visit www.smestrategy.net/
 
 

Tuesday Jul 09, 2024

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor converses with Brent Kedzierski, Shell's former Head of Learning Strategy and Innovation and current Chief Industrial Advocate at Human Works. Brent shares his extensive insights on human-centered industry, emphasizing the necessity for a strategic approach to leadership development and the evolution of the workplace in response to changing generational expectations.
Drawing from over two decades of experience, Brent discusses the critical differences between large multinationals like Shell and SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises) in how they develop and support their workforce. He explains the need for a well-defined leadership pipeline and exposes the flaws in the prevalent practice of promoting technically proficient individuals to leadership roles. The conversation also covers the evolving expectations of Gen Z employees, the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, and the future of work design.
 
Connect with SME Strategy: www.smestrategy.netConnect with Anthony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/
Work with a strategic planning facilitator on your next strategy offsite: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator
 

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024

Summary
Steve Dennis, president and founder of SageBerry Consulting, discusses the transformation of the retail industry in the digital age and the challenges faced by companies in adapting to change. He emphasizes the need for leaders to embrace a mindset of continuous transformation and make the necessary mindset shifts to drive success. Dennis also highlights the importance of imagination and creativity in business, as well as the need to think beyond traditional constraints and business models. He encourages leaders to take a portfolio approach to innovation and be willing to take calculated risks.
 
Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor, keynote speaker, and bestselling author focused on growth, innovation, and the impact of digital disruption. Steve's groundbreaking book--"Remarkable Retail: How to Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption"--is a perennial international bestseller, and his provocative ideas on the future of shopping and consumer behavior are regularly featured in the media, in his role as a Forbes senior contributor, and through the award winning Remarkable Retail podcast. His new book is "Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption" During a storied and diverse career as a C-suite executive at two Fortune 500 companies–and most recently as a consultant and member of several boards–Steve has worked with dozens of brands to catalyze and design their journey to remarkable results. As a sought-out keynote speaker, Steve has delivered inspiring talks on six continents, sharing his unique perspectives on what it takes to reignite customer growth in a world of constant change and shifting consumer preferences. Steve is President of SageBerry Consulting. Prior to founding SageBerry, he was the chief strategy officer for the Neiman Marcus Group, where he also led the company's customer insight, loyalty, and multichannel marketing efforts.
Keywords
retail, digital transformation, leadership, mindset shifts, innovation, disruption
Takeaways
The retail industry has been greatly impacted by digital technology and faces challenges in adapting to the changing landscape.
Leaders need to embrace a mindset of continuous transformation and be willing to make the necessary mindset shifts to drive success.
Imagination and creativity are crucial in business, and leaders should think beyond traditional constraints and business models.
A portfolio approach to innovation, combining incremental improvements and game-changing ideas, can help companies stay competitive.
Leaders must be willing to take calculated risks and be open to exploring new opportunities.
Titles
Taking a Portfolio Approach to Innovation
The Importance of Mindset Shifts in Leadership
Sound Bites
"If the world has changed so much, why have you changed so little?"
"Safe is risky."
"Destruction is a means for creation."
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:44 The Impact of Digital Technology on Retail
04:11 The Need for Mindset Shifts in Leadership
08:43 Unleashing Imagination and Creativity in Business
10:07 Taking a Portfolio Approach to Innovation
12:05 Embracing Calculated Risks and New Opportunities
21:14 Conclusion and Call to Action

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