The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving

Welcome 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 i...

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/resumepd...

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-...

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...

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 ep...

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.c...

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.firmsconsultin...

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 expe...

Welcome 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 lever...

For this episode, let's revisit one of the classics by Strategy Skills where we discuss why everyone should read Bill Matassoni's book, MARKETING SAVES THE WORLD. Every now and then, someone comes along and makes the subject of management both fun and insightful. That's what Bill Matassoni has done in his memoir—a combination of compelling stories and contrarian substance—that covers his forty-yea...

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 360, an interview with the author of Environmentally Sustainable Growth: A Pragmatic Approach , Steven Cohen. In this book, Steven explores the causes of environmental degradation and examines what sustainability looks like in practice and outlines realistic paths toward a renewable resource–based economy, demonstrating that, in many respects, the shift to sustai...

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic with Kevin P. Coyne, founder of Coyne Scientific. He is the former Director and co-leader of both McKinsey's Worldwide Strategy Practice and CEO transitions practice, and the host of The Consulting Offer II Kevin attended the Harvard Business School after his junior year of college. He simultaneously graduated from both Rice University and...

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from week 4 of the  Corporate Strategy & Transformation study. The previous podcasts discussed each of the elements which together comprise the visioning workshop. This podcast discusses the workshop structure, how we ran it, and the overall outcome.  Click  here  to see the full study and here to see the  merger study  and  market entry  s...

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 357, an interview with the author of Paradoxical Leadership: How to Make Complexity an Advantage , Ivo Brughmans. Paradoxical Leadership reveals how to transform divisive dilemmas into creative solutions and paralyzing polarization into a constructive dialogue. Ivo Brughmans studied philosophy, international politics, and business management. He worked for twenty...

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 356, an interview with the author of Madison Avenue Makeover: The Transformation of Huge and the Redefinition of the Ad Agency Business, Michael Farmer. He also wrote the award-winning Madison Avenue Manslaughter, an inside view of fee-cutting clients, profit-hungry owners, and declining ad agencies (Third Edition, 2019). In this episode, Michael speaks about the...

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 355, an interview with the author of REWIRED: The McKinsey Guide to Outcompeting in the Age of Digital and AI, Kate Smaje. The book REWIRED delivers a road-tested, how-to manual that Mckinsey consultants use to help companies build the capabilities to outcompete in the age of digital and AI. It reveals the learnings from large companies around the globe for succe...

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 354, an interview with the author of The Datapreneurs: The Promise of AI and the Creators Building Our Future, Bob Muglia. In this book, Bob helps us understand how innovation in data and information technology has led us to AI—and how this technology must shape our future.  Bob Muglia is a data technology investor and business executive, former CEO of Snowflake,...

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from the power sector corporate strategy study. A stream of our consultants is assessing the management skills of senior EI managers and executives to manage the transformation process. This process has not gone well. A senior manager of EI felt the management skills assessment was designed to present him in a poor light. He, therefore, com...

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic from the power sector corporate strategy study. In this critical podcast, we focus on two things. First, we discuss the reason why corporate strategy studies rely so heavily on executive workshops. We explain why simply handing the perfect strategy to the client will never yield results, even if the client accepts it without any challenges....

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss advanced predictive problem solving.  Turquoise Eyes started off the groundbreaking new genre developed by FIRMSconsulting that combines compelling narrative while teaching problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Set after a bank begins implementing a new retail banking strategy, we follow Teresa García Ramírez de Arr...

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss how to finalize the overall storyboard for the client. Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/7LXOL_KDZYQ Click here  to see the full study and here to see the  merger study  and  market entry  study. Enjoying our podcast? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here:   www.firmsconsulting.co...

For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we discuss the role of the business unit strategy stream within a corporate strategy study. Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/mSNDAvmXjzA Click  here  to see the full study and here to see the  merger study  and  market entry study. Enjoying our podcast? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here...

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 348, an interview with the author of Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power. Bold Move is Dr. Luana Marques' unique, tried and tested method to get you out of your rut and give you the courage to create a more confident and meaningful life. Dr. Luana pinpoints the anxiety at the root of avoidance and shows you how to overcome it and achieve your...

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? Ima...

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? Ima...