Shows
The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving636: Dr. John La Puma on the Hidden Health Costs of Indoor LivingDr. John La Puma discusses how everyday environmental choices shape sleep, cognition, and long-term health. Drawing on research from medicine, neuroscience, and environmental science, he explains why many professionals unknowingly experience what he calls "cognitive drag," the gradual decline in mental clarity caused by indoor lifestyles, poor light exposure, and excessive screen use. A central theme of the conversation is the biological importance of natural light. Morning sunlight triggers a cortisol activation signal that helps set the body's circadian rhythm and supports deep sleep later in the night. Without that signal, the cycle of melatonin release and...
2026-03-1646 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving631: How Elon Musk Thinks (with Charles Steel) Charles Steel reflects on "more than two decades in private equity, banking," combined with "public service roles, including advising Tony Blair," and how these experiences led him to a late but powerful discovery: "the best way to really find purpose in life is to be creative, to make stuff." He explains that "the things I'm writing about now I am only able to write about because of what I spent the last two decades doing," and how this realization became a turning point. He describes how stepping outside traditional career paths creates "periods where you have perspective,"...
2026-02-2552 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving626: BCG Henderson Institute Senior Director Adam Job on Growth and Strategy in Uncertain TimesAdam Job, Senior Director at the BCG Institute and leader of its strategy research, offers a clear-eyed examination of growth, uncertainty, and value creation in today's business environment. Drawing on long-term empirical research, he explains why growth remains the primary driver of value over time, while also outlining why it has become structurally harder to achieve amid geopolitical tension, demographic shifts, affordability pressures, and changing political priorities. The discussion moves beyond slogans and focuses on decision-making under uncertainty. Job explains that politically driven risk differs from other forms of uncertainty because corporate responses can amplify consequences, both...
2026-02-0955 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving623: Bain's Rishi Dave, the Secret of Top Sellers (Strategy Skills classics) In this episode with Rishi Dave, a partner in Bain's Commercial Excellence practice with deep expertise in B2B marketing and digital marketing, he explains the concept of a "Day 1 List" in B2B sales and marketing and the three things that will get a supplier or seller on the list. Rishi also discussed what a "sales play" is, how to build it, institutionalize the knowledge within the company, and get the sales team to adopt the sales play to fulfill their potential and increase their productivity and sales. Rishi Dave partners with CMOs and management teams...
2026-01-2856 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving621: Business Longevity Principles from Immigrant Entrepreneurs (with University of Oxford's Neri Karra Sillaman)Neri Karra Sillaman, entrepreneurship advisor at the University of Oxford and author of Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, discusses why immigrant-founded companies are disproportionately successful and tend to last longer than their counterparts. Drawing on her experience as a former child refugee and on research that began with her PhD, she explains how longevity is built through clear vision, perseverance, community, shared value, and disciplined decision-making. She begins with the formative role of vision. At age eleven, while living in a refugee camp, education became her "north star." That clarity helped her interpret...
2026-01-2143 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving619: Founder of McKinsey's Strategy and Corporate Finance Insights Team on Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies (Strategy Skills classics)In this episode, Tim Koller, co-author of Valuation and a leading authority on corporate finance, offers a substantive examination of capital allocation decisions under real-world constraints. The discussion moves beyond theory to explore how CEOs and CFOs should approach resource deployment in mature, capital-rich companies—where investment opportunities are limited not due to lack of ambition but due to economic reality. Key insights include: - Share Buybacks as Rational Policy: Many firms undertaking significant buybacks—particularly in tech, life sciences, and consumer products—do so because they generate more cash than they can reinvest profitably. Koller...
2026-01-1449 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving618: Rethinking Capitalism, Innovation, AI, and the American Dream (with Elizabeth McBride and Seth Levine)Elizabeth McBride and Seth Levine return to discuss the ideas behind their book Capital Evolution and the shifts they see across capitalism, innovation, and work. They describe conversations with young people who believe "socialism is the right answer," and explain why "nearly half of people under forty now don't think that capitalism works." They share experiences from a World Bank launch event where one attendee "jumped in his car and raced to get there" because he was "so engaged in entrepreneurship and this idea of we need to build things really rapidly." Elizabeth explains that the book...
2026-01-1248 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving616: NYU Stern's Prof on How AI Is Rewriting the Future of Work (with Ben Zweig)When most executives discuss AI, they focus on automation. Dr. Ben Zweig, NYU Stern professor and CEO of Revelio Labs, explains why the real disruption isn't machines replacing people, it's our failure to rethink how work is structured. "Labor markets are not as sophisticated as capital markets," Ben explains. "We allocate capital efficiently, but not labor. That's a huge weakness in how our economy operates." In this conversation, we explore: Why every company must learn job architecture, seeing jobs not as titles, but as bundles of tasks that must constantly evolve. ...
2026-01-0552 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving615: $12B Investment Firm CEO on Saving the American Dream (with Mark Matson)In this conversation, Mark explains that "we often build our lives on things we are certain about that simply are not true." He describes how "we don't actually see the world… we see screens of how we think the world is." He explains that these screens create "a double paradox" shaping what we think is safe, what we think is risky, and how we choose to act. Mark describes the difference between someone who sees a large employer as stability versus an entrepreneur who sees it as danger, saying "which screen is right? Well, it depends on wh...
2025-12-3152 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving614: Why Executive Leaders Feel LonelyAdam McGraw is a Fortune 100 VP turned entrepreneur and co-founder of CREW, a leadership community. "We try and really curate it for folks that are in the VP and above through CEOs as well, founders, etc., so that they have this kind of safe white space atmosphere to really consistently plug in and build community." "Not just transact network-wise in things that are typically narrow and niche… we really love the idea of a melting pot for leaders." "This is kind of the new normal: constant change, constant uncertainty, constant transition." "Be...
2025-12-2955 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving612: How to Have More Hope with Dr. Julia GarciaIn this episode, Dr. Julia Garcia explains why hope is a habit and why it is critical for us to remove what blocks hope. She describes what happens inside teams when leaders lose hope, including "the culture that creates, the burnout that leads to, the discouragement and defeat." Julia shows how unprocessed emotions drain leaders even when they appear high-functioning. "If we emotionally feel disconnected, we're going to start looking elsewhere or we're going to end up in a place of hopelessness where maybe we completely shut down in our career and now we're just...
2025-12-2253 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving611: Former U.S. Intelligence Officer on AI, Leadership, and Thinking Like a Spy (with Anthony Vinci)In this conversation, Anthony Vinci explains that "AI is going to be able to do more and more of what people do." He describes a future where "AI is going to get better and better at doing what people do," and highlights that leaders must understand "how do you figure out what AI is good at and then implement it to do that" and "how do you manage your workforce so that they are able to partner with that AI." He warns that leaders often "overestimate what AI can do and underestimate it at the same time,"...
2025-12-1753 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving610: Cas Holman on Play, Creativity, and the Future of WorkWhen was the last time you played, really played? For Cas Holman, founder and chief designer of Heroes Will Rise and star of Netflix's Abstract: The Art of Design, play isn't childish. It's the foundation of human creativity, resilience, and connection. She worked with LEGO, Disney Imagineering, and the LEGO Foundation and on a mission to help adults rediscover what children know instinctively: that play is how we learn, adapt, and feel alive. "Play isn't what happens after work," Cas explains. "It's how we manage uncertainty. It's how we cope, experiment, and find our way...
2025-12-1555 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving606: CEO Readiness: How Boards Decide Who Gets the Top JobByron Loflin, Global Head of Board Advisory at Nasdaq and co-author of CEO Ready, explained on the Strategy Skills Podcast why many talented executives never make it to the top. " Because you perform well isn't going to automatically get you the job." Boards are looking for more than results. They look for humility, curiosity, and authentic relationships across stakeholders. Byron shared a personal lesson from riding with Ronald Reagan before he was president: "He was genuinely interested in others. And that surprised me. I didn't get the sense that he was a pompous...
2025-12-0155 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving604: How Design Thinking Rebuilt IBM and Reached 400,000 EmployeesPhil Gilbert led one of the most significant cultural transformations in corporate history, as IBM's General Manager of Design, he helped the 400,000-person company reinvent how it thinks, listens, and builds products. In this in-depth interview, Phil shares the playbook behind "Irresistible Change", his approach to scaling design thinking, transforming culture, and helping teams adopt new ways of working that actually work. If you've ever wondered how to lead large-scale transformation that doesn't collapse under politics or mandates, this conversation will show you the operating system behind lasting change. ...
2025-11-2458 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving603: A $3.6B CEO on the "Poverty of Dignity" in Corporate AmericaBob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, explains how he built a $3.6 billion company by placing human dignity at the center of leadership. He describes the moment he recognized that "our history does not give us the future that we deserve," and how this led to a disciplined focus on balance, diversifying customers, industries, and technologies to create a stable enterprise. Bob recounts the insight that reshaped his philosophy: every team member is "somebody's precious child," and leadership is stewardship, not control. Caring, in his view, is an economic principle: "The greatest act of charity is how yo...
2025-11-191h 01The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving602: Harvard's Scott Levy on His Path from Investment Banking to Public Education and Leading in Uncertain TimesScott Levy spent two decades as an investment banker at firms like J.P. Morgan, advising corporate boards and senior executives on risk, growth, and capital decisions. Then he pivoted, serving on a public school board, teaching at Harvard, and writing Why School Boards Matter. In this episode, we discuss: How Levy broke into investment banking and the lessons that carried him through twenty years on Wall Street What he learned about resilience, risk-taking, and long-term thinking at the highest levels of finance Why he left a successful career t...
2025-11-1753 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving600: Jamie Dimon & CEOs Are Rethinking Capitalism – Here's What That Means for YouIs capitalism still working, or is it due for an upgrade? In this must-watch episode, authors Seth Levine and Elizabeth McBride discuss insights from their book Capital Evolution, sharing what they learned from interviewing top CEOs, including Jamie Dimon, Dan Schulman (PayPal), Peter Stavros (KKR), and others who are helping to reshape the social contract of business. They explore: Why Jamie Dimon led 200 top CEOs to declare that companies should serve more than just shareholders. "If you ask Jamie Dimon, are you a capitalist? Because we...
2025-11-1054 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving599: Joy at Work in the Age of AI: The Pain Is Optional (with Bree Groff)"Most people can't remember the last time they went to bed and thought: today was fun." In this conversation with Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun, we recenter the conversation on joy, pleasure, and meaning at work. Bree shares why her mom always said, "I have the best days," what it taught her about how we spend our lives, and why fun is not frivolous, it's the driver of creativity, performance, and belonging. We also dive into the future of work and AI: "If the AI is a tr...
2025-11-0546 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving598: From Gas Station Cashier to Billion-Dollar CEO with Shirin BehzadiWhat does it really take to go from working as a gas station cashier to leading a billion-dollar company? In this Strategy Skills Podcast episode, host Kris Safarova speaks with Shirin Behzadi, author of The Unexpected CEO and former CEO of Home Franchise Concepts, where she scaled the business to nearly $1B in sales across 12,000 cities. This is a remarkable entrepreneurship journey and CEO story filled with powerful leadership lessons, proof that resilience in leadership is a superpower, and insights into how to do well despite adversity. You...
2025-11-0354 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving596: Ex-Siemens & Alcoa CEO Klaus Kleinfeld on AI, Energy & Leading at the Highest LevelFew leaders have run Fortune 500 giants on different continents. Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld has. As CEO of Siemens (Germany) and Alcoa (U.S.), he has led global transformations across industries and advised presidents and heads of state. In this interview, Klaus shares: Why time management is a myth and energy is the real driver of performance How leaders must "AI-ize" their organizations or risk irrelevance What skills will still matter when AI automates analysts, lawyers, and even screenwriters How purpose condenses energy "like a laser beam"
2025-10-221h 01The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving595: What AI Can't Replace: Former design lead at IDEO on Safe Danger, Trust, and the Future of WorkIn this week's Strategy Skills episode, we spoke with Ben Swire, author of Safe Danger and former leader at IDEO. His thesis is trust and psychological safety aren't byproducts. They're designable conditions. And when designed correctly, they create room for calculated risk, creativity, and deeper collaboration. Below are a few insights that stood out: 1. Experiential culture > Instructional culture "There's a difference between handing someone bullet points on how to build trust and giving them a space to practice it." Swire's workshops deliberately use low-stakes emotional challenges to normalize openness...
2025-10-2059 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving594: $2 Billion NYC Real Estate Broker on the Strategy of HomeownershipScott Harris, a New York City real estate broker with more than $2 billion in career sales and author of The Pursuit of Home, reframes buying and selling property as an emotional journey—"a place where life is happening for you"—that requires the same discipline leaders apply to strategy, systems, and people. Drawing on two decades of high-volume practice, he shows how clarity, structure, and empathy turn one of life's biggest financial decisions into a more deliberate, rewarding process. Key insights and practical lessons: Hire with intent. "Take the time to hire a...
2025-10-1551 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving592: London School of Economics Lecturer on AI, Strategy, and the Future of MarketingThis week's podcast features Jenna Tiffany, London School of Economics lecturer, sharing actionable insights on why most marketing misses the mark and what real value looks like in an AI-driven business environment. Key discussion points include: The real reason marketing sometimes fails to deliver measurable value, and why strategy must be linked to clear organizational objectives. How AI is disrupting both the skillset and mindset of marketers, what skills must be protected, and which can be augmented. Practical approaches for using generative AI, including persona-building and campaign analysis, without l...
2025-10-0854 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving580: The Hidden Belief Blocking High Performers: "I'm Not Good Enough"Why do even the most successful executives and management consultants secretly struggle with the belief that they're not good enough? In this conversation with Josh Davis, PhD (psychology & neuroscience, Columbia University, NLP trainer) and Greg Prosmushkin (trial lawyer turned entrepreneur), we unpack: Why top leaders and consultants battle with imposter syndrome How invisible mental models shape every decision and client interaction Why strategy, frameworks, and technical skill aren't enough if this belief goes unchallenged Practical NLP tools to shift your mindset, reframe limitations, and lead with confidence
2025-08-2554 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving568: The one thing every consulting case study must produce (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss one important thing every consulting case study must produce. Subscribe to FIRMSconsulting's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Firmsconsultingsubscribe Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2025-07-1408 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving517: Digital Transformation Consulting: Technology Leader InsightsIn this episode, we dive into digital transformation consulting, exploring the top digital transformation challenges faced by today's technology leader from a large consulting firm working with C-suite executives on large-scale transformation projects. We'll discuss how emerging tech consulting is shaping the future and how to balance vision and practicality while staying up to date on technology trends, especially the rapid move from AI to generative AI. We cover the challenges of business case development and overcoming ambiguous requirements that often arise in these fast-paced engagements. We also cover the challenges of staying up to dat...
2025-01-1308 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving508: McKinsey's Rise to Prominence Under Marvin BowerMcKinsey's Marvin Bower: Father of Management Consulting | 19 Rules That Shaped McKinsey In this video, we dive deep into the legacy of Marvin Bower, the man who turned McKinsey & Company into the gold standard of management consulting. Known as the "father of management consulting," Marvin Bower's vision, integrity, and groundbreaking leadership set McKinsey apart and established consulting as a respected profession. Discover the 19 rules that Marvin Bower enforced at McKinsey to ensure consultants upheld the highest standards, from wearing specific attire to prioritizing client interests above all else. Learn why these principles helped build McKinsey into a preeminent global firm...
2024-12-1116 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving506: Management Consulting Storyboard | Storyboarding used by McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC et al.One of the most powerful tools management consultants from firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, PwC, KPMG, et al. use to solve problems and communicate solutions to clients is the consulting storyboard. Whether you're new to consulting or just want to sharpen your storyboarding for consulting skills, this video is for you. Here are some of the topics we covered: - Why you should use consulting storyboard- Where storyboard fit in a consulting strategy study- How corporate strategy studies are different- What is a storyboard? - What are the b...
2024-12-0408 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving487: How publishing a book fast-tracked me to partnership (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings tr...
2024-09-3026 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving441: How do I know what is corporate strategy (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss how to know what is corporate strategy. Subscribe to FIRMSconsulting's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Firmsconsultingsubscribe Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2024-04-1705 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving440: What is the big picture thinking? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss what big picture thinking is. At least once in your life, you would have received feedback to be a more big picture thinker. The problem is that everyone will have a different definition of big picture thinking and many of the definitions are vague, counter-intuitive, or wrong. Based on advising some of the consultants on the study, this podcast provides a very simple, intuitive, practical, and correct definition of the big picture concept. It also explains why it is so...
2024-04-1511 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving431: Design the value chain you need | value chain analysis (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss value chain analysis. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo Subscribe to FIRMSconsulting's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Firmsconsultingsubscribe
2024-03-1311 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving423: Value chain mapping (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss value chain mapping. We have seen many value chain mapping examples. We have seen good value chain mapping, bad value chain mapping, and incomplete value chain mapping. Ultimately, given the nature of how value chain mapping will work, it can and cannot do a few things. So if value chain mapping is presented to do things it cannot do, then it is flawed. When you do value chain analysis, 1.) it is far more useful to see where profits will shift over time. 2.) assign...
2024-02-1408 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving420: What a strategy workshop will not give you at the end (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss what a strategy workshop will not give you at the end. Subscribe to FIRMSconsulting's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Firmsconsultingsubscribe Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2024-02-0508 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving419: The one thing every consulting case study must produce (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss one important thing every consulting case study must produce. Subscribe to FIRMSconsulting's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Firmsconsultingsubscribe Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2024-01-3108 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving418: The most important output in a consulting study | management consulting project | benefits case (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss one important thing you always need to present in all of your management consulting projects, a business case. If you are not presenting a business case to a client, or a benefits case, I prefer the word benefits because it makes it clear you are looking for a benefit for a client, if you are not presenting a benefits case to a client you are making it very difficult for the client to make the decision to implement what you are saying in your recommendation...
2024-01-2910 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving416: Consulting workshop best practices (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss consulting workshop best practices. Subscribe to FIRMSconsulting's YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/Firmsconsultingsubscribe Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2024-01-2209 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving404: B2B Sales Expert, Rana Salman, on Internal and External Strategies for Optimizing Your Sales Conversations and Communicating SolutionsWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 404, an interview with Rana Salman, M.B.A, PhD, a renowned expert in the sales industry who is transforming the performance of sales teams worldwide. With a background in marketing and years of experience in enterprise-level B2B sales, she has established herself as a trusted partner for global organizations seeking to elevate their sales strategies and execution. As the founder of Salman Consulting, LLC, Salman collaborates with midsize and Fortune 500 IT companies to create tailored sales strategies, develop compelling sales content, and deliver impactful training sessions. Whether it's in-person, through webinars, or on-demand...
2023-12-1150 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving403: Grooming corporate leaders (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we spoke about the approach and philosophy used by the study leadership team in a power sector corporate strategy study as they guide and mentor corporate leaders at the client. We discuss the four pillars on which our leadership philosophy is built and use practical examples to demonstrate how we help clients adopt these principles. The four pillars are: Sincere authenticity matters. Embrace – don't hide – leadership flaws. Forget about image. Focus on results. This approach is about helping corporate leaders be successful in the sh...
2023-12-0618 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving402: Consulting: Confidence & getting results (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we discuss something that affects every consultant in the world: the issue of confidence – or even arrogance – and its role in getting results on a consulting engagement. We discuss the role that confidence plays in your career and look at what actually creates a competitive advantage in your career. We also look at an example that showcases the limited value of confidence in a consulting engagement. Click here to see the full study and here to see the merger study and market entry study. Here ar...
2023-12-0417 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving401: How to conduct a value chain analysis (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we take a brief look at how to conduct a value chain analysis. Click here to see the full study and here to see the merger study and market entry study. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-11-2908 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving400: What the NYPD teaches us about complex corporate strategy (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we discuss corporate strategy. In this episode, we explain why conventional and step-by-step strategy analysis will always yield incorrect answers in any corporate strategy study. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-11-2732 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving399: 5 tips to fight fatigue (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we shared five tips to fight fatigue. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-11-2216 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving398: Northwestern University Professor, Lan Nguyen Chaplin — How to Disrupt a System That Was Built to Hold You BackWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 398, an interview with a Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications, at Northwestern University, Lan Nguyen Chaplin. In this episode, we focused on how to disrupt a system that was built to hold you back. We also touched on to move past an embarrassing moment at work. Lan Nguyen Chaplin, Ph.D. is Professor of Integrated Marketing Communications, at Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. She is also a member of the Core Faculty, Golub Capital Social Impact Lab at Kellogg School of Management. She received her Ph.D. in...
2023-11-2047 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving398: CEO and Founder of Vanderbloemen Search Group, William Vanderbloemen — A guide to hiring the best talentWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 398, an interview with the author of Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest, William Vanderbloemen. In his book, William reveals how job seekers, employees, hiring managers and company leaders everywhere can stand out from their peers and become irreplaceable, building the careers they've always wanted. William Vanderbloemen has been leading the Vanderbloemen Search Group for 15 years, where they are regularly retained to identify the best talent for teams, manage succession planning, and consult on all issues regarding teams. This year, Vanderbloemen will complete their 3,000th executive...
2023-11-1541 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving397: Period case studies (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we discuss a special type of case study called a period case study which is significantly harder to do, but incredibly useful. Most consultants prefer case studying the latest and greatest fad, which is extremely misleading, as explained in this podcast. Click here to see the full study and here to see the merger study and market entry study. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKi...
2023-11-1312 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving396: CEO OF KUSI Global, Inc. and Harvard University Fellow, Talia Fox — The Power of Conscious ConnectionWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 396, an interview with the author of The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform How You Live and Lead. In this book, Talia shares her methodology for transforming how we live and lead by first tapping into our own power so that we can make choices that align best with what really matters to us as individuals. The Power of Conscious Connection is a blueprint for a more conscious, compassionate, and connected world. Each page of this book will stir you to the core, awaken your senses, and challenge you to commit to a...
2023-11-0852 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving395: The organizational design stream (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we discuss the tough work being done by the Organizational Design team. We discuss the three tensions which drive all Organizational Design recommendations and the trade-offs required. We also spoke about the most important requirement to implement a new culture and structure at any company, and it is quite simple to do. As you will see, the Organizational Design stream is struggling in the study. Click here to see the full Corporate Strategy & Transformation study and here to see the merger study and market entry study.
2023-11-0615 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving394: Avoiding the strategy echo chamber (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics where we discuss why you should avoid the strategy echo chamber. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-11-0114 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving393: What makes it a transformation study? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we discuss what makes a study a "transformation study" and how to determine if an organization is going through a transformation or something else, such as restructuring. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-10-3022 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving392: USA Champion Gymnast turned entrepreneur & VC, Lisa Carmen Wang — Overcoming Good Girl BrainwashingWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 392, an interview with the author of The Bad Bitch Business Bible, Lisa Carmen Wang. The Bad Bitch Business Bible is Lisa's no-holds-barred guide for women who want to break free of Good Girl Brainwashing and take charge of their bodies, boundaries, and bank accounts. Interweaving intimate personal stories with large life lessons, Lisa shows you how to transform from insecure good girl to unapologetic Bad Bitch so you can start earning the money, power, and respect you deserve. Lisa Carmen Wang is the Founder & CEO of BAD BITCH EMPIRE, a community investment...
2023-10-2549 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving391: How to complete logical case studies? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we discuss how to complete logical case studies. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-10-2310 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving390: $42 million in fees for one engagement (Problem)In today's Strategy Skills podcast episode, Kris and Michael will share with you some key lessons you need to know related to the upcoming Mega Program called Innovating An Industrial Giant. This particular program is phase two as part of a larger series, phase one is called How to Sell Over $10 Million Consulting Studies, which we also called the Andrew program where all 214 episodes were already published on strategytraining.com. We decided to separate this discussion into three parts: person, assets, and problem. So, in this second episode of this three-part series, our focus will be on problem.
2023-10-1841 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving389: $42 million in fees for one engagement (Assets)In today's Strategy Skills podcast episode, Kris and Michael will share with you some key lessons you need to know related to the upcoming Mega Program called Innovating An Industrial Giant. This particular program is phase two as part of a larger series, phase one is called How to Sell Over $10 Million Consulting Studies, which we also called the Andrew program where all 214 episodes were already published on strategytraining.com. We decided to separate this discussion into three parts: person, assets, and problem. So, in this second episode of this three-part series, our focus will be on assets.
2023-10-1653 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving388: President of WillowTree, Tobias Dengel — How AI Will Return Communication To Its Most Natural Form: VoiceWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 388, an interview with the author of The Sound of the Future: The Coming Age of Voice Technology, Tobias Dengel. In his new book, Tobias answers why voice technology is the next big thing in technology, as big as mobile a decade ago and the internet in the late 90s, fundamentally altering the way companies do business. Tobias connects the dots about this emerging paradigm to vividly illustrate how business leaders can stay ahead of the game, rather than scrambling to catch up, as voice technology gradually reveals its power, creating a host of new...
2023-10-1150 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving387: $42 million in fees for one engagement (Person)In today's Strategy Skills podcast episode, Kris and Michael will share with you some key lessons you need to know related to the upcoming Mega Program called Innovating An Industrial Giant. This particular program is phase two as part of a larger series, phase one is called How to Sell Over $10 Million Consulting Studies, which we also called the Andrew program where all 214 episodes were already published on strategytraining.com. In today's session, we will get you up to speed on phase one. We also decided to separate this discussion into three parts: person, assets, and problem...
2023-10-0951 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving386: Three career path options for consulting partners (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we discuss the 3 career path options that consultants face once they become partners. We discuss each career path and what it means for a consultant's career. These are differences that are crucial to know and understand because partner career paths that appear to be more attractive often lead to disappointing results. For example, did you know it is a really bad idea to emulate the career path of all the McKinsey and BCG partners who appear in the McKinsey Quarterly, BCG perspectives, and HBR? This counter-intuitive...
2023-10-0413 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving385: When should you not brand yourself ex McKinsey (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we talk about one of the issues that we deal with at Firmsconsulting and which many ex employees of major consulting firms (e.g. ex McKinsey and ex BCG consultants) encounter as they embark on building their own boutique consulting firms or even when they join other consulting firm as employees. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/re...
2023-10-0211 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving384: Great Management Consultants are Artists (Strategy Skills classics)How do you become an outstanding management consultant? Should you excel at analysis? Should you master problem-solving? Should you become the world's most gifted communicator? You could master all of the aforementioned items and still be an average management consultant at best. Great management consultants have all these skills but they have one more quality that makes them great, they are not just competent business people but they are also artists. For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we explain the mindset we encourage teams to use on the stu...
2023-09-2724 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving383: How to handle a "horrible" client (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we answer a question from our audience. Facing a "horrible" client is a common experience in the business world. You could say that it is part of the journey. It can be hard to know what you should do during this situation. But it is exactly in these types of situations that we learn a lot. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG w...
2023-09-2514 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving382: How and when a consultant must disagree (Strategy Skills classics)Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 382. For this episode, let's revisit one of Strategy Skills classics, where we discuss when a consultant must dissent and how it should be done. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-09-2013 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving381: How to get to $500k per month in 4 years (with Samuel Moses)I recently had a great conversation with Sam Moses, which I think you will enjoy. We speak about how Sam managed to build a $500k in revenue per month business in just 4 years. We cover a lot of ground in this episode of the Strategy Skills podcast. Sam shares the most important points that anyone planning to start a business wishes to know. He discussed how to find the right manufacturer and supplier and how to build relationships with them. He generously shared the process of his business from manufacturing to delivery, how to manage SEO for...
2023-09-1856 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving380: Private Equity Firm CEO on Power, Success and Getting Results (with Rick Walker)Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 380, an interview with an experienced founder, leader, and thinker across a variety of domains, Rick Walker. In this episode, Rick walks us through his leadership journey, how he built his first company in his 20's, the lessons he learned across multiple domains, and how he was able to do multiple things successfully, simultaneously. He also shared his views about fear, pride, faith, religion, and ethics in relation to leadership and business. Rick Walker scaled his first company to 400 employees when he was 26, and simultaneously, as Chairman, scaled a 53-country international...
2023-09-131h 02The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving379: Ex Microsoft AI Strategy Expert on Strategy and Vision in the era of Artificial Intelligence (with Brian Evergreen)Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 379, an interview with the author of Autonomous Transformation: Creating a More Human Future in the Era of Artificial Intelligence, Brian Evergreen. Autonomous Transformation provides a blueprint for leaders and managers who have aspired or attempted to harness artificial intelligence and its adjacent technologies for the betterment of their organization and the world, weaving strategy, management thinking, economics, systemic design, and philosophy into actionable steps with accompanying frameworks to create and sustain Profitable Good. Brian Evergreen is best known for his work advising FORTUNE 500 executives on artificial intelligence strategy. Building on his experiences...
2023-09-1149 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving378: Director of the Advanced Management and Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, Dr. Andrew White — The New Archetype of Business LeadershipWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 378, an interview with the director of the Advanced Management and Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, Dr. Andrew White. In this episode with Dr. Andrew White, we delved deeply into the changes and challenges of leadership, as well as the reason behind the negative tone of discussions around leadership. Dr. White also discussed how to know if you are approaching leadership in the right way, the indicators of healthy leadership, and how leaders can assess themselves to be better leaders. Dr. Andrew White is the h...
2023-09-0636 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving377: The Fourth-Generation CEO of Premier Dental, Julie Charlestein — How to Create a Healthy Succession PlanWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 377, an interview with the author of How to Lead Your Family Business: Excelling Through Unexpected Crises, Choices, and Challenges, Julie Charlestein. In this book, Julie gets vulnerable about her experience as an emerging leader and ultimately CEO, who has worked to earn her colleagues' respect while navigating the succession to her father's company. Through stories full of candor and humor, Julie shares her leadership adventure, offering actionable strategies for those leading and working within their own family businesses. Julie Charlestein is a Philadelphia-based business leader and healthcare innovator who serves as the...
2023-09-0438 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving376: The Global Customer Growth and Innovation Evangelist at Salesforce, Tiffani Bova — The Experience Mindset: Changing the Way You Think About GrowthWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 376, an interview with the author of The Experience Mindset: Changing the Way You Think About Growth, Tiffani Bova. This book details exactly how your company can adopt an Experience Mindset, at scale. It's not enough to know that happy employees equals happy customers. You must have an intentional, balanced approach to company strategy that involves all stakeholders – IT, Marketing, Sales, Operations, and HR – with KPIs and ownership over outcomes. Tiffani Bova is the global customer growth and innovation evangelist at Salesforce, and the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Growth IQ. Over the...
2023-08-3045 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving375: The first Chief Digital Officer in the history of the Fortune 500, Atif Rafiq — Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to ActionWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 375, an interview with the author of Decision Sprint: The New Way to Innovate into the Unknown and Move from Strategy to Action, Atif Rafiq. In this book, Atif shares the breakthrough methods to put your company on the path to innovation, creativity, and growth. Atif has written Decision Sprint to pull the curtain back on the hidden management systems within your organization that impact how people think, collaborate, and make decisions. Atif Rafiq has blazed trails in Silicon Valley and the Fortune 500 for over 25 years. After rising through digital native companies like...
2023-08-2854 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving374: Wharton School Professor of Management and Vice Dean for the MBA for Executives Program, Mauro F. Guillén — Embracing a post-generational mindset to live a long and fulfilling lifeWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 374, an interview with the author of The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society, Mauro F. Guillén. In this book, Mauro unpacks a sweeping societal shift triggered by demographic and technological transformation. Guillén argues that outmoded terms like Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z have long been used to pigeonhole us into rigid categories and life stages, artificially preventing people from reaching their full potential. Mauro F. Guillén is one of the most original thinkers at the Wharton School, where he is Professor of Management and Vice Dean for t...
2023-08-2346 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving373: CEO and co-founder of Reboot.io, Jerry Colonna — Leadership and the Longing to BelongWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 373, an interview with the author of Reunion: Leadership and the Longing to Belong, Jerry Colonna. In this book, Jerry guides us on a journey of reunification with the disowned parts of ourselves, the myths and truths of our ancestors, as well as a deeper connection with those most affected by systems of exclusion. Jerry Colonna is the CEO, and co-founder, of Reboot.io, an executive coaching and leadership development firm whose coaches and facilitators are committed to the notion that better humans make better leaders. For nearly 20 years, he has used the...
2023-08-2144 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving372: Former President of Disney Stores Worldwide Jim Fielding — Leading Consumer Products Groups at the World's Largest Media Companies, Leading Disney Stores Worldwide, Time Management, Biggest Lessons Learned While at DisneyWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 372, an interview with the author of All Pride, No Ego: A Queer Executive's Journey to Living and Leading Authentically, Jim Fielding, where he delivers an inspirational leadership story told from the perspective of an out and proud LGBTQ+ executive. In the book, you'll explore a call-to-action for authentic servant leadership that encourages people to own their truth and bring out the best in themselves and their communities. Jim Fielding is a respected retail and media industry veteran whose expertise combines storytelling, product innovation, merchandising, and consumer experiences. Jim currently serves as a...
2023-08-161h 00The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving371: McKinsey's Emily Field — Power to the Middle, Reimagining the Roles of a Mid Level Manager, The Key to the Future of WorkWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 371, an interview with the author of Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work, Emily Field. In this book, McKinsey thought leaders Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field call for a profound reimagining of managers and their roles. They explain how middle managers are uniquely positioned close to the ground but with a crucial connection to company strategy, enabling them to guide their organizations through periods of rapid and complex change, as well as to help shape the new world of work. Emily Field is...
2023-08-1458 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving370: Harvard MBA Manisha Thakor — Financial Services Thirty Years Career, Hungry Ghost Mindset, How to Stop Being a Workaholic, Dealing with Work AddictionWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 370, an interview with the author of MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your "Enough", Manisha Thakor. In this book, Manisha shares her candid journey out of the Cult of Never Enough—a painful mindset that tells you the money you earn, accomplishments you achieve, and praise you receive is always insufficient. Manisha Thakor has worked in financial services for more than thirty years, with an emphasis on women's economic empowerment and financial wellbeing. A nationally recognized thought-leader in this space, Thakor has been featured in a wide range of publications including the Wall St...
2023-08-0956 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving369: World leading expert on perfectionism, Thomas Curran — The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good EnoughWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 369, an interview with the author of The Perfection Trap: Embracing the Power of Good Enough, Thomas Curran. In his book, Thomas calls for both introspection and broader, societal change. He shows what we can do as individuals to resist the modern-day pressure to be perfect, and in so doing, win for ourselves a more purposeful and contented life. Thomas Curran is a professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and the author of a landmark study that the BBC hailed as "the first to compare perfectionism across generations." His TED...
2023-08-0753 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving368: Should I email the full deck to participants before the strategy workshop? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills, where we answer a question, "Should I email the full deck to participants before the strategy workshop?" Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-08-0214 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving367: Are the analyses always the same for a strategy workshop? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills, where we covered a topic about analyses. - Are the analyses always the same for a strategy workshop? In other words, what determines the analyses you should undertake for a strategy workshop? - How does one set objectives for the workshop? - How many strategy workshops should be completed during an engagement? - Why are top-down analyses so important? Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/Over...
2023-07-3119 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving366: What if the client demands more analyses? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills, where we cover a topic about what to do if the client demands more analyses. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-07-2623 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving365: What happens if the client asks for proof of the strategy? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills, where we cover a topic about what happens if the client asks for proof of the strategy. Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-07-2420 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving364: How confident must I be to lead the workshop? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills, where we cover a topic about understanding the readiness and level of confidence required to go out there and lead. Here are some free gifts for you:Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo
2023-07-1922 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving363: What is corporate strategy? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we discuss the most important concepts you need to understand in order to advance your career. Be reminded about what is Corporate Strategy and how is it different from the other types of strategies. Here are some free gifts for you:Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com...
2023-07-1712 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving362: What is a conceptual thinker? (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we explain what it means to be a conceptual thinker and how to demonstrate this skill. If you work at any major consulting firm – and especially if you want to be promoted – you must prove you are a conceptual thinker. The only problem is that it is hard to define the word conceptual. In this podcast, we explain a similar problem experienced by a consultant on the Corporate Strategy & Transformation Study and how I helped them improve. The definition also explains why a conceptual thinker is a...
2023-07-1210 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving361: Former McKinsey Consultant Darryl Stickel — Building Trust With Consulting Clients, Testing Trust Deficit Within Your Team, Sharpening Trust as a Skill, The Most Effective Levers You Can Pull To Build TrustWelcome to Strategy Skills episode 361, an interview with the author of Building Trust: Exceptional Leadership in an Uncertain World, Darryl Stickel. In his book, Darryl outlines his groundbreaking Trust Unlimited blueprint for building trust. Stickel moves away from the traditional approach of influencing people's willingness to trust—the con artist's tactic—to employing one or more of ten levers, which leaders can "pull" to close the gap between how much they are trusted and how much they should be. This approach also makes them more trustable and increases trust where it is deficient. Darryl Stickel is one of t...
2023-07-1052 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving347: How to start shifting to the career you've always wanted - Author program Q&A 7 (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-05-1706 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving346: How to write a book even if you're "too junior" - Author Program Q&A 6 (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-05-1510 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving344: Should I wait to publish a solo book? Author Program Q&A 5 (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-05-0811 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving343: Is it expensive? Author Program Q&A 4 (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-05-0311 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving342: What is the ROI? Author Program Q&A 3 (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-05-0109 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving340: Is it a good time now or should I wait until I become more senior? Author Program Q&A 2. (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-04-2406 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving339: Is this good for my career at this point in time? Author Program Q&A 1. (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-04-1906 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving337: How publishing a book fast-tracked me to partnership (Strategy Skills classics)For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them? Imagine the fee premium you could earn? Imagine avoiding awkward meetings trying to establish your...
2023-04-1226 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving183: How to start shifting to the career you've always wanted - Author program Q&A 7Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is a part of a 10-episode program to help our clients and customers measurably and radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to th...
2021-10-2506 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving179: How to write a book even if you're "too junior" - Author Program Q&A 6Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is a part of a 10-episode program to help our clients and customers measurably and radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to th...
2021-10-1110 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving178: Should I wait to publish a solo book? Author Program Q&A 5Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is a part of a 10-episode program to help our clients and customers measurably and radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to th...
2021-10-1011 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving174: Is it expensive? Author Program Q&A 4Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is a part of a 10-episode program to help our clients and customers measurably and radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to t...
2021-09-2212 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving173: What is the ROI? Author Program Q&A 3Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is a part of a 10-episode program to help our clients and customers measurably and radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to th...
2021-09-2010 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving163: Is it a good time now or should I wait until I become more senior? Author Program Q&A 2.Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is the 1st of a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them...
2021-07-2407 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving162: Is this good for my career at this point in time? Author Program Q&A 1.Learn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is the 1st of a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them...
2021-07-2207 minThe Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving161: How publishing a book fast-tracked me to partnershipLearn more and see the application guidelines: https://www.firmsconsulting.com/experts-published-author-program/ Apply: email team@firmsconsulting.com This is the 1st of a 10 episode program to help our clients and customers measurably, radically transform their careers through The Author Program. How would your career, reputation, and earnings change as a published author? Imagine your client interactions when potential and current clients saw your thinking in a published book before they met you? Imagine the time you would save not having to explain your ideas and the value you could add to them...
2021-07-2227 min
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking284: Big Changes to Firmsconsulting websiteThis podcast explains the member changes we will soon make to the Firmsconsulting website. We are rolling out a new way to track contributions from members and reward members for their contributions and support.
2015-09-1908 min