STRAT

On this episode of STRAT , Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer tackle the issue of a fragmenting world order, where relative influence and leadership is shifting rapidly and framed by a US and China bilateral relationship tilting towards conflict. They look at various potential scenarios: •           There is no scenario where the US and China beco...

Co-Hosts Hal Kempfer and Mark Mansfield have returned from a Thanksgiving Break to get back to the reality of what forces and externalities are driving business decisions. On this episode of STRAT , they examine the overarching concern about climate change and renewables. It is real and it deserves focused analysis. They make it clear that there is a need for a reality wrapper on the unbridled ent...

There is no question that the US dollar’s position of being the Global Reserve Currency provides unparalleled strength as well as flexibility in borrowing. Some may argue, especially during this election cycle, there is too much flexibility. Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer take on this critical currency discussion, looking at opportunities and peril in our modern age, and all of it aimed at prepare...

There is a rising tide of terror in and environment where the events of October 7, 2023 changed everything. Co-hosts Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer discuss this and how to effectively mitigate and prevent these risks to maintain optimal business continuity on this episode of STRAT . They reference a long history of successful terrorism prevention efforts including one with unprecedented achievemen...

Hosts Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer discuss a conflict that could potentially upend global supply chains and spur enormous prices shocks here at home. Beyond the enormous human tragedy of October 7th and now the grueling military campaign in Gaza, lies how this conflict can affect the War in Ukraine and the hegemonic “ascendancy” of China. Could China see this as an opportunity for...

It’s inevitable as a human decision makers, we can fall prey to cognitive/organizational biases.‘STRUCTURE FOLLOWS STRATEGY’ and it must be flexible enough to adapt to be thing that is always predictable - change.  Rather than suffering enormous loss to (avoidable) “Black Swans,” Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer explain how to genuinely be prepared, and how to use a more strategic approach to b...

On this episode of STRAT : Developing a successful business or government operation inherently means leveraging the right capabilities, knowledge and skills in a cost-effective manner. Maintaining continuity of operations in a crisis is even more demanding, as is strategic planning. Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer explore the advantages and pitfalls in both insourcing and outsourcing talent, a...

On this episode of STRAT , Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer dive into what may be the biggest change in our society since the internet, and before that the introduction computers. While everyone has seen Hollywood Sci-Fi’s about the dangers of drones, robots and sentient automation, what does this mean for business, government and how we live from a practical standpoint?! What planning and...

On this episode of STRAT with Hal Kemper and Mark Mansfield , today’s world is one of strategic risk, where the once ‘unlikely’ is now ‘likely,’ and the ‘never could happen,’ does happen. These events are awkward for everyone - leaders, stakeholders, and investors. As the famous Marine Corps poster of John Wayne as 'Sgt. John Stryker' in the Sands of Iwo Jima succinctly framed:  "life's...

The world remains dependent on maritime supply chains . This merits serious attention given the dramatic changes in the overall maritime theater, specifically geopolitical tensions that create choke points  through confrontation.  The threats are framed  not only by escalating sovereignty claims, but an unprecedented build up in naval warships as well as advanced weaponry – think un...

On this episode of STRAT ...As global supply chains become increasingly more tenuous, and "de-risking" becomes a strategic by-word in industry and government, manufacturing technology and operations take on a renewed strategic importance reminiscent of the Cold War. In the concept of "Fortress North America," lines of internal communication and vertical integrati...

As supply chains for critical materials, components and products have shifted and are still shifting, so must our strategic plans for making sure the sources of what we need are adequately "secured." In the concept of continuity of operations, we ae essentially trying to build a plan to keep one disaster from creating another. The pandemic brought this reality into stark and sudden awareness...

If the “once every 500 year” flood or fire is occurring every 5-10 years, then obviously it is no longer a threat faced once every five centuries. Both natural and manmade disasters are occurring with more frequency and greater impact, yet too many private and public entities are relatively unprepared, attributing these events to being “black swans” or “acts of God” as if that alleviates them...

In this eye-opening episode of STRAT:  Strategic Risk Assessment Talk , the hosts delve into pressing issues at the intersection of energy, environment, and global development. They kick off by examining Russia's stranglehold on atomic fuels, raising questions about its impact on the journey towards carbon neutrality. The discussion then takes a deep dive into the viability of solar and wind...

With the rapid decrease in offshoring and foreign investment in China, and the advancement of a concept sometimes called “Fortress North America,” the potential of Mexico to benefit from this trend has never been greater. Mark Mansfield and Hal Kempfer explore what this means, how it mitigates supply chain risk globally, and some of the inherent challenges and strategic gains of realigning pr...

Welcome to STRAT , the insightful podcast hosted by renowned risk assessment expert Hal Kempfer and investment banker Mark Mansfield . In this thought-provoking episode, India at a Crossroads , the hosts embark on a riveting exploration of India's unprecedented growth and challenges. As India's rapid GDP expansion propels it to the top of the population charts, they ponder whether it can outpace C...

Hal Kempfer and Mark Mansfield discuss what the China Challenge is for the United States, North America, Europe and the World. They discuss how slowing economic growth and an aging population are among the biggest challenges facing China and that includes a shift in the manufacturing base to Southeast Asia, Latin America and India. The hosts also discuss Chips when the chips are down, and what Chi...