The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Transformation Economy

Join Ed and Ron as they delve into the complexities of modern pricing strategies and their impacts on consumers and brands. We’ll explore the supposed frustration consumers face with the rise of add-on fees and personalized pricing. From airline baggage fees to layered subscription costs, hidden charges make it increasingly difficult for buyers to navigate the marketplace without feeling nickel and dimed. Also, is price-led profit growth coming to an end? Is inflation and recession fear signaling a shift away from growing margins from more sophisticated pricing? Finally, are luxury brands underpricing? Despite their premium positioning, some luxury brands might not be charging enough to reflect their true value and maintain their exclusivity. We’ll discuss the 4Es of pricing high-end brands, and how we can apply that framework to professional firms. Join us as we unravel these topics and discuss how consumers and businesses can navigate the complex world of modern pricing.

Ron and Ed return to their roots and will be talking all things pricing this week including trends in subscription pricing as well as rethinking some previously discussed topics. If you have any questions or topics you want them to opine upon, let us know on X by using @asktsoe or go to our special questions portal at http://thesoulofenterprise.com/questions

With the explosion of ChatGPT and other AI tools recently, Ron and Ed thought it made sense to investigate some of the forebears of AI technology. Certainly, Issac Asimov's I, Robot falls into that category and better to have a conversation about it than our (TSOE's) goto consultant on sci-fi, Robert Wood. This promises to be a far reaching and insightful conversation that you do not want to miss.

Join Ron and Ed as they explore the concepts behind Ed's new venture, the MetaConsulting Academy. Ed developed the idea of a metaconsultant a few years age when he realized that he has spent the better part of his career consulting to people who do consulting. Furthermore, as they explored way back in show 40, We're All Consultants Now. Listen at http://thesoulofenterprise.com/40. They will also discuss a recent article on robots and dementia patients. As always, fascinating stuff.

Ron and Ed welcome back for the fifth time, author, speaker, and positioning and strategy guru, Tim Williams. Tim has been doing a ton of thinking (as always) about a productized business model and capturing the value of AI for marketing agencies. His lessons are easily applied to all professional firms. In short, when Tim talks, people (including Ron and Ed) listen!

Ron and Ed welcome Dr. Kimberlee Josephson back to the show for a fourth time. This week they will talk about Kimberlee's latest articles published on the AIER site, including: * Apple’s Big Business: Mises is Right, Sen Warren is Wrong * Business Schools Undermine Wealth Creation * Tucker Carlson’s Dollar Store Takedown * Lina Khan’s Anti-Progress Paradox * Of Moats and Search Engines: The DOJ’s Coercive Case against Google

Join Ron and Ed as the interview Hector and Carlos Garcia about their upcoming conference Reframe 2024: Influential Conversations for Accountants. This conference centers on the transformative power of language in reshaping professional identities, corporate cultures, and business models within the accounting sector. Key topics will include the strategic rebranding of firms and individuals through careful word choice, preparing for challenging conversations with various stakeholders, and enhancing service value via unique offerings and persuasive language. For more information go to REFRAME2024.com and use coupon code TSOE for a 25% preferred price through June 30.

Ron and Ed dive deep into the contentious world of price discrimination. They explore how businesses leverage consumer data and market segmentation to charge different prices for the same product, sparking debate over fairness and ethical boundaries. The episode will speak to the pros and cons, highlighting cases where price discrimination can lead to perceived exploitation or savvy business strategy. Listeners will gain insight into the legal frameworks that both restrain and permit these practices across various industries. Tune in to unravel the complexities of price discrimination and its profound impact on both businesses and consumers.

Join Ron and Ed for an enlightening episode where we draw pivotal lessons from the extraordinary planning and execution of D-Day, as detailed in the National Review article, D-Day at 80: How the Allies Won at Normandy and Changed History. Discover how meticulous preparation, clear communication, adaptive strategies, and resilient leadership led to one of history's most significant military successes. We'll translate these historical strategies into actionable project management tips for today's knowledge workers, helping you navigate complex projects and achieve your goals with precision and determination. Tune in to learn from the past and enhance your future projects!

Time once again for another alliterative assembly with a dash of associated assonance as Ron and Ed pull together a patchwork of punditry. In other words, Ron spent a lot of time on planes last week and digested six issues of The Economist and has a few things to say about it. If you want to add to the agenda, use our new question feature at https://thesoulofenterprise.com/questions