Strategy at Scale

When growth gets real, strategy has to scale with it. In this conversation, we unpack a practical playbook with Brad Stevens—founder of Outsource Access—on turning constraints into capacity, and values into velocity, using a global-talent model anchored in culture, systems, and smart economics.From bootstrapping through a prior business crunch to building a Philippines-based team of full-time, benefits-backed “teammates,” Brad shares how he identified a durable opportunity, designed for retention and quality, and aligned giving and culture with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—without outside capital.In this episode, you’ll learn: • A four-part strategy lens—Promise, Power, Process, Profit—to test opportunities and scale decisions. • How to create real advantage (preferential inputs, scalable capabilities, and customer “captivity”) that drives pricing power. • The two-question audit that surfaces hidden bottlenecks and converts them into high-ROI roles and workflows. • Building “Process” the right way: org design, incentives, operating cadence, and managed offshore teams that improve retention. • Profit discipline without external funding: pricing, unit economics, FX sensitivity—and why investing in people and tools comes first.Ultimately, this is a story about reframing work: pairing AI with global talent to free your best people for their highest and best use—and to build a company that scales on purpose.Let’s dive in with Brad Stevens.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

What does it take to build—and sell—a thriving business born from resilience and clarity of purpose?Few stories capture it as powerfully as Shirin Behzadi’s.At 17, Shirin fled Iran alone during the revolution, arriving in the U.S. with little money and no family. She started as a gas station cashier—and eventually rose to become CEO of Home Franchise Concepts, the parent company behind Budget Blinds and several other national home-service brands.Under her leadership, the company more than doubled in size, expanded into multiple industries, and achieved a successful private-equity sale—all while staying true to its core values and people-first culture.In this episode, you'll learn:Why adversity can become your greatest strategic advantageHow to identify your company’s true core competencyThe power of a “listening tour” to realign culture and accelerate growthHow to navigate private-equity partnerships without losing your missionWhy clarity of purpose drives both leadership and negotiation successShirin’s journey proves that grit and gratitude can scale just as powerfully as capital.Let’s dive in with Shirin Behzadi, author of The Unexpected CEO.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

What does it take to transform a small supplement company into a global wellness powerhouse valued at over $1 billion?Radek Sali has the answer.As CEO of Swisse Wellness, Radek led the company through one of Australia’s most remarkable growth stories—turning a niche vitamin brand into a household name through intuition, bold marketing, and a people-first culture. Where others focused on health claims, he reimagined the category through aspiration, storytelling, and purpose.Today, Radek is an investor, advisor, and advocate for conscious leadership.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to use intuition as a strategic edge in identifying real opportunitiesThe flywheel model that fueled Swisse’s explosive global growthWhy culture is the only competitive advantage that can’t be copiedHow to balance purpose, performance, and profit at scaleThe lessons every entrepreneur can apply from wellness to any industryRadek’s story is a testament to scaling with heart, clarity, and conviction.Let’s dive in with Radek Sali.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

Most founders obsess over the spark of an idea—but the real test begins after the idea.Julia Austin knows this better than most. As an operator at Akamai, VMware, and DigitalOcean, an advisor to hundreds of startups, a faculty member at Harvard Business School, and now the author of After the Idea, she’s seen what truly drives sustainable growth.In this episode of Strategy at Scale, Julia challenges the “move fast and break things” mindset and offers a grounded, evidence-driven playbook for building enduring companies. She shares how to spot real product-market fit, create a culture that fuels execution, and design systems that make scaling possible.You’ll learn:Why the hardest part of entrepreneurship starts after the ideaHow to test product-market fit with scrappy, real-world experimentsThe link between clarity, culture, and long-term resilienceWhat big companies often get wrong about innovationWhy “slow down to move fast” might be the smartest strategy of allWhether you’re leading a startup or driving innovation inside a large organization, Julia’s insights will help you scale with clarity, discipline, and purpose.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

What does it take to build not just a successful business, but one that leaves a lasting impact? Brian Brault has done it multiple times—scaling, exiting, and reinventing ventures while staying anchored in purpose.A seasoned entrepreneur, former Global Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), and founder of Legacy of Significance, Brian has guided leaders across industries to align vision, culture, and values for meaningful growth. From transforming Advanced Facilities Services International into a national leader to pioneering wellness-focused spaces with PURE Wellness, his track record speaks for itself.In this episode, Brian joins Kaihan Krippendorff to share hard-earned lessons on:Why most founders struggle when shifting from building to managing a businessHow to recognize when you’re in your “zone of genius” versus just doing work with excellenceWhy culture starts with the leader—and how to foster accountability without micromanagementWhat to do when your head says “go” but your heart isn’t in itThis is a conversation about more than scaling—it’s about building companies, careers, and legacies that truly matter.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

What does it take to build a firm that grows without losing its identity?Kurt Miscinski, co-founder and CEO of Cerity Partners, believes the answer lies in clarity of purpose, disciplined reinvestment, and redefining what partnership truly means. What began as a bold vision—to bring McKinsey-style professionalism and global scale to the wealth advisory space—has evolved into one of the industry’s fastest-growing firms, now managing over $130 billion in client assets.In this episode, Kurt shares how Cerity Partners was architected from the ground up to align ownership, culture, and long-term strategy. Drawing from his background as a CPA and former Deutsche Bank executive, he explains why Cerity avoids the traditional consolidation mindset in favor of true partnerships—and how the right language can shape everything from team dynamics to M&A success.Tune in to hear:Why Cerity chose to reinvest 100% of profits—and how it changed the gameThe power of redefining mergers as partnershipsHow reframing words like “employee” can reinforce a culture of ownershipLessons on modeling vision into reality for aspiring foundersAnd the blueprint for building a professional services firm that enduresIf you’re scaling a service business, shaping culture, or designing for longevity, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Let’s dive in with Kurt Miscinski.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

What if the key to scaling impact isn’t one bold idea—but a clear understanding of who you are as an entrepreneur?Lori Rosenkopf, Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship at the Wharton School, has spent decades mentoring more than 20,000 students, guiding startups, and redefining how we think about entrepreneurial success. In her new book, Unstoppable Entrepreneurs, she challenges the myth of the lone genius and maps out a broader, more inclusive view of what it means to build, scale, and innovate.In this conversation, Lori breaks down the seven distinct entrepreneurial paths she uncovered—from disruptors and funders to acquirers and advocates—and the six essential traits that define successful entrepreneurs across industries and roles. Drawing from years of research and firsthand stories, she reveals how anyone—from corporate professionals to first-time founders—can tap into entrepreneurial thinking and momentum.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why entrepreneurial success doesn’t require a garage or a pitch deckThe seven paths to entrepreneurship—and how to find yoursThe six core traits shared by unstoppable entrepreneursHow Lori’s journey from systems engineer to Wharton professor shaped her insightsHow to spark ideas from everyday experience and low-risk experimentationWhy expanding access to networks and education fuels innovationWhether you’re building something new or scaling from within, Lori’s insights will help you align your strengths with your strategy—and unlock the entrepreneurial path that’s right for you.Let’s dive in with Lori Rosenkopf.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

“Rule number one is: never give up. Success is always there. It’s just on a certain timeframe.”That’s the mindset behind Shaun Noorian’s journey—and it’s what powered the rise of Empower Pharmacy from a 100-square-foot rented exam room to a 340,000-square-foot, FDA-registered pharmaceutical operation with national reach.As founder and CEO of the largest 503A compounding pharmacy in the U.S., Shaun didn’t take the traditional path. No VC funding. No shortcuts. Just a mechanical engineer with a mission to fix a broken system from the inside out—starting with infrastructure, integration, and an unrelenting focus on patient outcomes.Today, Empower employs over 1,300 people and defies industry norms by lowering prices every year—thanks to its fully vertically integrated model.In this episode, we unpack:How Shaun scaled from a back room to a national provider in one of the most regulated industries in the worldThe strategy behind lowering costs while improving quality and speedWhy vertical integration unlocked pricing power, margin control, and operational agilityHis decision to fund growth with debt—not equity—and the strategic freedom that createdThe systems and culture Empower relies on to scale safely in a high-stakes environmentWhy rebuilding the pharmaceutical supply chain was never just a business model—it was a missionThis is a story about scaling with intention. About building systems that last, solving real problems, and staying true to your purpose—even when the odds are stacked against you.Let’s dive in with Shaun Noorian.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

What does it take to build a $2 billion business—not from scratch, but from inside a legacy corporate giant?Tushar Amin has the answer.A seasoned strategy executive, Tushar led a transformative initiative within one of IBM’s most traditional business units—a flat-growth, high-margin division many saw as a cash cow. Where others saw constraints, he saw opportunity. By reframing IBM’s aging global infrastructure as a strategic asset, he helped create a fast-growing, globally competitive services business—without dismantling what already worked.In this episode, you’ll learn:How Tushar uncovered a horizon-two growth opportunity hidden within a horizon-one business.Why identifying profit pools in the ecosystem is more impactful than conventional market sizing.The alignment framework he used to connect go-to-market, offerings, and delivery—and scale fast.How to gain organizational buy-in for long-term bets, even when they challenge short-term margins.Why a credible value proposition rooted in real differentiation is the key to pricing power.This is more than an intrapreneurial success story—it’s a masterclass in seeing strategic opportunity where others don’t.Let’s dive in with Tushar AmiThanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.

Dave Whorton has spent decades at the highest levels of Silicon Valley—working alongside industry legends at Kleiner Perkins, co-founding pioneering companies like drugstore.com and Good Technology, and eventually charting a different course with Tugboat Institute. His focus? Evergreen businesses—companies built to last, guided by purpose, and driven by sustainable growth.In this episode, Dave shares his journey from venture capital to founding the Tugboat Institute, where he champions a different way of building companies—one that rejects the high-risk, high-reward mentality of VC-backed startups. We dive into his new book, Another Way: Building Companies that Last… and Last… and Last, co-authored with Bo Burlingham, exploring the core principles of evergreen businesses and how they defy conventional wisdom.Tune in to learn:Why many of the tech giants VCs celebrate (like Google and Microsoft) actually took minimal venture funding—and what that means for founders.How the explosion of the VC market has changed how businesses are built—and why that’s a problem.The "Evergreen 7Ps" framework and how they guide companies toward sustainable, long-term growth.Real-world examples of evergreen businesses that prioritize steady growth, pragmatic innovation, and people-centered leadership.Let’s dive in with Dave Whorton.Thanks for listening! This episode is brought to you by Kaihan Krippendorff of Outthinker Networks and Verne Harnish of Scaling Up.