This episode is a rebroadcast of host Auren Hoffman's appearance on the CMO Confidential Podcast.
Auren shares why he believes vendor management is the #1 skill for future executives—and why most companies should rent world-class capabilities rather than hire executives they can’t fully utilize. From “scaffolding” young talent to his provocative views on procurement’s negative value, Booz Allen, MBAs, and the transformation of private equity, this episode is packed with contrarian insights for CMOs, CEOs, and founders alike.
🧠 Don’t miss Auren’s candid takes on why many traditional business functions are stuck in the past—and what leaders should do instead.
🔔 Subscribe for more insider lessons on what it really takes to thrive in the C-suite.
⏱️ Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: Auren Hoffman’s Background & Career Path
01:45 - The Most Important Executive Skill: Vendor Management
05:22 - Why Renting Talent Beats Hiring for Most Companies
08:40 - Scaffolding: A Framework for Developing Talent
12:10 - The Case Against Procurement: “A Negative Value Function”
16:03 - Why He Would Short Booz Allen
18:35 - Private Equity’s Shift from Builders to Financial Engineers
23:14 - The Problem with MBAs and Why ROI is Often Negative
26:40 - How Executives Should Rethink Internal Capabilities
29:08 - Final Thoughts & Rapid-Fire Takes
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