For Strategy Skills episode 518, we interviewed the author of Change: Six science-backed strategies to transform your brain, body, and behavior, Michael Lopez. In this episode, Michael Lopez shares his consulting journey and leadership challenges that shaped his leadership style and led him to start his own firm. He shares his advice for consultants aiming to become partners in today's hybrid work environment.  Michael also discussed change and how deeply personal it is that it can't be approached with one-size-fits-all solutions. Lopez explains why change takes longer than expected, especially in adults, and warns against organizations' tendency to focus too…

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 516, an interview with the author of Change the Wallpaper: Transforming Cultural Patterns to Build More Just Communities, Nilanjana Dasgupta. In this episode, Nilanjana Dasgupta discusses her career journey and research on implicit bias and diversity science. She highlights her groundbreaking 2001 study showing that implicit attitudes can be changed through exposure to counter-stereotypical media images. Nilanjana also discusses the importance of understanding and addressing subtle forms of discrimination, such as accent and social class, in professional settings. She advocates for evidence-based strategies over diversity training to foster inclusive cultures. Her new book, "Change the…

Episode 513 of Strategy Skills is an interview with the author of Leading Giants: A Leader's Guide to Maximum Influence, Dave Durand. In this episode, Dave Durand explains his decision to approach life as an adventure, without fearing mistakes and prioritizing the best ideas over being right. He talks about building successful organizations by creating the right culture, hiring for values and cultural fit, and adapting to technological changes. He shares how he balances personal and professional responsibilities, advising us to maintain order in life and strive for continuous improvement. I hope you will enjoy this episode. Kris Safarova …

For Strategy Skills episode 511, we interviewed the author of The Imagination Emporium: Creative Recipes for Innovation, Duncan Wardle. In this episode, Duncan discusses how to promote creativity in business and explains how the subconscious mind generates better ideas when we’re not at work. He introduces tools like "What If," "Where Else," and "How Else" to help teams think differently. The discussion also covers how businesses can adapt to AI advancements while maintaining human touch and creativity. His book, The Imagination Emporium, presents these concepts through characters that represent different aspects of innovation. I hope you will enjoy this episode.…

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 510, an interview with the author of Collaborative Disruption, Tom Muccio. In this episode, Tom Muccio shares his experience leading Procter & Gamble's collaboration with Walmart. By breaking down corporate barriers and focusing on mutual understanding, Tom helped both companies grow dramatically and expand their business from $350 million to $8 billion. His approach focuses on respect, testing new ideas, and challenging traditional business norms through transparent communication and shared strategic goals. I hope you will enjoy this episode. Kris Safarova       Tom Muccio was the architect and first team leader of…

For episode 509 of Strategy Skills, we have an interview with a renowned innovation cultivator, speaker, and founder of Creativity Partners, Jamie Woolf. In this episode, Jamie shared her remarkable experience working at Pixar under Ed Catmull's leadership and explained its unique culture that combines art and technology to drive innovation. She explained the concept of “constructive disruption” at work and how leaders can build healthy, innovative, and creative workplaces where everyone feels free to speak up, be heard, and support employees in bringing their authentic selves to work. I hope you will enjoy this episode. Kris Safarova   …

The Family Didn’t Trust Each Other, Let Alone the Buyer. Every Move Felt Like Navigating a Minefield. Building an electric car start-up: 9 new episodes Building an electric car start-up is not for the faint of heart. Picture standing at the edge of an industry known for brutal competition, staggering costs, and relentless innovation. Then imagine stepping into it, not as a seasoned automaker but as an outsider. No connections. No experiences. No decades of industry knowledge. This is exactly where Richard, a former MBB consultant and StrategyTraining.com Case Coaching Alum, found himself. And he came to us to see…

We have just released Developing a Financial Services Strategy Proposal (109 SLIDES). It is accessible within the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level. *** This winning proposal template/example is unique. The goal was to impress the private equity firm which had purchased the retailer, and serve as their advisor rather than working for the retailer, which was planning an expansion into financial services. The proposal, which is detailed and research-intensive, was meant to help the PE executives who sat on the retailer's board understand that what they were proposing could be repeated across the continent.  While our primary focus is on retail…

Baruch Lev & Feng Gu: Decoding M&A. Why 70% of Deals Fail Welcome to episode 507 of Strategy Skills podcast where we interview Baruch Lev and Feng Gu, the authors of The M&A Failure Trap: Why Most Mergers and Acquisitions Fail and How the Few Succeed. In this episode, Baruch Lev and Feng Gu discuss the pitfalls of corporate acquisitions and the reasons why CEOs repeatedly make strategic errors that lead to costly mistakes. They argue that many acquisitions are driven by investor pressure and unrealistic expectations, with large deals often failing due to poor due diligence, lack of synergies,…