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/

Listen on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • YouTube
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
  • iHeartRadio
  • PlayerFM
  • Listen Notes
  • Podchaser

Episodes

Thursday Jan 25, 2024

Mark Steffe, the CEO of First Command Financial Services, leads with love and believes that success comes from putting your mission first. He also talks about his leadership principles and the company's commitment to military families. They guide military families to financial security and measure their success by what they give back. In 2022, they provided 30,000 financial plans and donated 7% of profits to military charities. First Command encourages team members to lead by example and donate time and resources to help military families.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4R7rYKwLrSWhjv2ZQh2bdK?si=21baab4079e6418cApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-story-of-first-command-financial-with-ceo-mark-steffe/id1202449526?i=1000642897853Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Monday Jan 22, 2024

In today’s uncertain times, we need to take matters into our own hands. This episode’s guest is all about doing that, winning by being on offense. Former NFL and NBA executive Paul Epstein joins us to share a playbook for winning both on and off the field. He shares his 15-year career in professional sports to becoming a sought-after consultant and author. He also shares how to seize 52 opportunities a year with "Win Monday" for personal growth and success, the “head-heart-hands” equation, and more. Tune in now and learn the true mindset for success and why it matters to align head, heart, and hands to define your own playbook for victory.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aYmTwDxc3tcny6DixyoXj?si=3a2a0ddb94d448b8Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/being-on-offense-with-paul-epstein-former-nfl-and/id1202449526?i=1000642482242Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Thursday Jan 18, 2024

Success isn't just about products on shelves; it's about aligning purpose with every purchase, empowering communities, and shaping a healthier world. Align your mission with your product as Lisa Curtis, the CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, joins Anthony Taylor in this illuminating episode. Lisa shares the remarkable story behind her mission-driven approach to revolutionizing the superfood industry. From the inception sparked by her personal encounter with Moringa in a Nigerian village to scaling up and stocking products in 11,000 stores nationwide, discover the resilient and innovative path Kuli Kuli Foods has traversed. Gain insights into driving sales dynamics, fostering innovation, and the responsibility of being a female founder in today's entrepreneurial landscape. This episode is a testament to the power of aligning business with a global mission, offering an inspiring narrative on creating purpose-driven enterprises for a healthier, more sustainable world. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/61gHgHFVGVfl0SVzdXnwoc?si=f56b6713d6bd4902Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/aligning-mission-with-your-product-with-lisa-curtis/id1202449526?i=1000642083120Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net

Friday Jan 12, 2024

It is already challenging to sell a tangible item to your target market. How hard would it be if you are selling an invisible product? Keith Farley, SVP at Aflac, joins Anthony Taylor to share his strategies for selling something that does not technically exist: insurance claims. He explains how they focus instead on providing quality customer experience and building a healthy workplace culture by harnessing the power of current technological innovation. Keith also shares how they keep their customers in the loop while their claims are being processed and how they use a duck mascot to create meaningful connections with everyone.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VRT4oyud9ANmaB03GP3Vt?si=m4npu1WfQoif-GrKJJ6AaAListen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-to-deliver-value-for-an-invisible-product-with/id1202449526?i=1000641416368Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Monday Dec 11, 2023

We hear a lot of dystopian narratives around the rapid advancement of technology in this day and age, but we seldom take a pause to reflect on the good things that come with this evolution. Can today’s technology be leveraged as a force for good? In this episode, we dive into the world of purpose-driven leadership and sustainable innovation as Anthony Taylor engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Marga Hoek, a global thought leader on sustainable business and author of Tech for Good: Imagine Solving the World's Greatest Challenges. Among other things, Marga shares insights on leveraging the fourth Industrial Revolution for positive change. Discover the power of purpose, imagination, and collaboration in reshaping our future, and learn how technology can be harnessed to create a world where business becomes a force for good. Tune in for a visionary episode that challenges the status quo and inspires hope for a more sustainable and impactful tomorrow. Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Monday Dec 04, 2023

Leadership is not only about guiding teams but also about creating a culture that promotes creativity, empathy, and respect for each individual's story. In this episode, we have Rico Nasol, former executive at Zappos and Netflix, talk about leadership and management. From Zappos’ familial culture to Netflix’s “All-Star team” approach, Rico sheds light on the distinct cultures and their impact on personal growth within the organizations. He reveals the secrets behind building and managing creative teams, explaining the essence of innovation within constraints. Rico also touches on the crucial role of mental and emotional well-being in the workplace, advocating for a human-centric approach to leadership. He promotes habits that promote a good balance between work and personal life and that help team members. Tune in now!Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Monday Nov 27, 2023

What makes a leader thrive in the business? In this episode, we will uncover some leadership lessons from the CEO of Foot Solutions to help us traverse into the space of entrepreneurship. John Prothro is a global foot wellness retailer bringing much value to this conversation. He shares his leadership approach, the core values of leaders, and how pride is the downfall of a leader. Mark also talks about organizational learning and so much more! So, what are you waiting for? Set foot into this valuable conversation, and we will take you on a whole new journey as a leader.Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Sunday Nov 19, 2023

Fast-growing companies tend to develop Big Company Disease, where growth dramatically slows down. Business owners find their ultimate challenge in scaling up their business. But fear not, because in this episode, Fabrice Bernard, CTO and co-founder of Theodo Group, and Catherine Chabiron, the author of Learning to Scale at Theodo Group: Growing a Fast and Resilient Company, talk about how successful business owners are scaling through lean. Catherine, a Lean Sensei, explains how teams can adopt Lean as their organizational methodology. Meanwhile, Fabrice shares the lessons he learned from his own Lean journey. To wrap up the conversation, Catherine and Fabrice leave some valuable advice for business owners when embracing Lean. Don't miss out on today's episode—join us now!Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Monday Nov 13, 2023

Success begins with clarity, authenticity, and continuous improvement. Keep it simple, stay engaged, and make a lasting impact. In this episode, Jay Sidhu, the Chief Executive Officer of Customers Bancorp, Inc. shares his rags-to-riches story. He generously reveals the key principles that have led him to become a Fortune 500 CEO and a prominent figure in the banking industry. Jay emphasizes the importance of clarity, authenticity, and continuous improvement as the cornerstones of leadership, along with a focus on keeping things simple and staying passionately engaged. From transforming small banks into Fortune 500 giants to his commitment to helping the youth of today achieve their dreams, Jay inspires people to pursue dreams and lead with authenticity. With the right principles and unwavering determination, anything is possible. Tune in now and drive your personal and professional growth. Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

Monday Nov 06, 2023

Some of the best athletes out there understand that physical performance can only take you so far without having the right mindset to go with it. This same is true for our professional lives, especially in today’s competitive environment. In this episode, who better to help you cultivate a world-class mindset than a former pro baseball player himself? Derin McMains joins Anthony Taylor to talk about the importance of mindset and how you can translate it across all areas of your life. As the Director of Mental Performance at global security company, ReliaQuest, Derin has been training executives with mental performance principles to take their game to the next level. He shares some of those principles and gives us a peek into what a performance program looks like, diving deep into the value of being intentional, taking the right action, and preparation. Tune in to this conversation and learn what it takes to be a high performer and more!Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // 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 ► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW ► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/

All rights reserved

Version: 20241125