Steve Robinson is a renowned speaker, consultant, and author, highly recognized for his impactful career at Chick-fil-A. Serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for 35 years, Steve was instrumental in transforming Chick-fil-A from a modest franchise to a multi-billion dollar brand. He is the author of the book "Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A," which delves into the innovative strategies that fueled Chick-fil-A’s success. Growing up in Foley, Alabama, Steve's early exposure to his father’s entrepreneurial ventures sparked his interest in sales and marketing, leading him to a storied career marked by significant achievements and industry-defining marketing philosophies.   Want learn how to do strategic planning the SME Strategy way? Enroll in our signature course: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Aligned-strategy-course Episode Summary: In this captivating episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor engages in an insightful conversation with Steve Robinson, the former Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Chick-fil-A. Steve shares compelling anecdotes from his illustrious career, detailing his journey from humble beginnings in Foley, Alabama, to becoming a key figure at one of America’s most successful fast-food brands. Through engaging reflections, Steve takes us through his 35-year tenure at Chick-fil-A, emphasizing the importance of developing a cohesive and purposeful company culture. He discusses the critical role of building relationships over transactions, a philosophy that not only differentiated Chick-fil-A but also established it as a customer-centric brand. With a focus on sustainable and long-term growth, Steve sheds light on the strategic decisions that allowed Chick-fil-A to flourish into a $22 billion company. From the creation of the iconic Cow Campaign to innovative marketing strategies rooted in generosity and community service, this episode is packed with invaluable lessons for marketers and business leaders. Key Takeaways: Focus on Culture Over Strategy: Developing a cohesive culture where values and long-term goals are clear can significantly enhance innovation, decision-making, and overall business success. Build Relationships, Not Transactions: Prioritizing customer relationships and community engagement leads to sustained growth and brand loyalty. Stewardship and Generosity: Embodying stewardship and practicing generosity can create a lasting impression and foster a positive corporate reputation. Leadership and Stability: Maintaining stable leadership in-store through experienced and invested operators is key to operational and cultural stability. Endearing and Enduring Brand: Focusing on making the brand endearing ensures its endurance, as shown through successful campaigns and customer interactions. Notable Quotes: "The most important decisions we make here are who we hire, who we invite to join the organization, because we don't train culture here. We hire it." - Steve Robinson "We discovered that marketing was kind of an uphill climb in the TI environment." - Steve Robinson "If we're going to have positive influence on people, we're going to focus on building relationships, not transactions." - Steve Robinson "Our food is worth full price. We need to figure out how to market this business and grow volume, grow the brand, but differently than the rest of the industry." - Steve Robinson "If you don't have alignment with what's really important to Truett and the Cathy family, then you really don't understand who Chick-fil-A is." - Steve Robinson Resources: LinkedIn: Steve Robinson LinkedIn Book: Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A Website: srobinsonconsulting.com Dive deeper into Steve Robinson’s fascinating journey and learn how the principles of purpose and culture can transform your business by listening to the full episode. Stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on the Strategy and Leadership podcast.

David Becker is the CEO and Chairman of First Internet Bank, located in Indiana. Known as the "Tech Godfather" of Indiana, David's career in technology spans over 40 years. He founded First Internet Bank in 1999, pioneering online banking against the backdrop of skepticism and traditional banking norms. Under his leadership, the bank has grown to over $5 billion in assets, servicing retail and commercial customers across all 50 states in the U.S. David has also been influential in modernizing the Indiana tech and banking sectors through innovative services and partnerships.       Learn our signature process for aligning your leadership team: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Aligned-strategy-course  

Anthony Taylor hosts Toby Southgate, global CEO of Forsman & Bodenfors, on the Strategy and Leadership Podcast. Toby reflects on his journey from cricket ambitions to leading a global creative collective. They delve into the essence of creative problem-solving, the importance of small, empowered teams, and radical collaboration. Toby shares insights on leading creatives, aligning teams to solve complex problems, and the unique attributes of ambidextrous thinkers in the marketing industry. Tune in for lessons on navigating the evolving marketing landscape and the indispensable human element in this dynamic field.   Want to learn how to be a better leader and manager, enroll in our management training course: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Management-Training

In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor sits down with Kathy Guzmán Galloway, an expert with two decades of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. They delve into the intricacies of building and maintaining successful brands, particularly focusing on companies with revenues ranging from $100 million to under a billion. Kathy shares her journey from business school to her extensive tenure at PepsiCo and her eventual transition into consulting, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the CPG sector. Throughout their conversation, Anthony and Kathy discuss the evolving landscape of brand management, emphasizing the importance of consumer research and staying ahead of market trends. Kathy highlights the distinct differences between operating in a Fortune 1000 company and smaller enterprises, particularly in terms of adaptability and consumer engagement. She underscores the continual need for brands to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences, emphasizing the need for ongoing research and direct consumer interaction to remain competitive in a saturated market. Kathy Guzmán Galloway brings over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, specializing in brand management and strategy. Originally from New Jersey, she earned her MBA from the University of Texas at Austin before joining PepsiCo's Frito Lay division in Dallas. Kathy has held roles across small businesses and large organizations, including Dean Foods. For the past 11 years, she has excelled in consulting, focusing on brand positioning, and helping organizations better connect with their consumers.   Prefer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1   About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING:   SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting, strategic plan creation, and support your strategic plan implementation. For more visit https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Jason Radisson, CEO and founder of Movo, is on a mission to empower the frontline workforce through mobile technology. He discusses how mobile tools can enhance productivity in sectors like nursing, retail, and manufacturing. Jason shares insights on the cultural shifts needed for successful digitization, emphasizing trust and innovative scheduling. He highlights how embracing technology can lead to better efficiency and livelihoods, drawing parallels with productivity gains in white-collar sectors. The conversation reveals the transformative potential of mobile automation tools globally.

John St. Pierre, an entrepreneur who created a $100 million business, shares his journey and the life lessons learned from being fired. He emphasizes the importance of crafting a comprehensive life plan that aligns personal goals with professional aspirations. John discusses the power of daily practices like journaling and visualization, urging entrepreneurs to engage in introspection for personal growth. Key topics include balancing ambition with patience and the necessity of taking intentional actions for long-term success while avoiding burnout.

Myriam Hadnes,is a facilitation evangelist with a PhD in behavioral economics, shares insights on the art of facilitation and its impact on organizational dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of psychological safety, vulnerability, and authenticity in creating a conducive environment for collaboration and breakthrough moments. Miriam also highlights the role of facilitation in transforming organizational culture and leadership mindset.   Takeaways Facilitation is not limited to those with the title of a facilitator; it is a mindset that can be adopted by managers to transition from micromanaging to leadership. Psychological safety, vulnerability, and authenticity are crucial in creating an environment where individuals feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and collaborating effectively. The role of a facilitator is to make the implicit explicit, promote vulnerability, and encourage a culture of curiosity and collaboration within the group. Facilitation plays a significant role in transforming organizational culture and leadership mindset, leading to improved team dynamics and better outcomes. The art of facilitation involves preparation, attunement to the needs of the group, and the ability to interpret silence and unspoken dynamics within the group.   Sound Bites "I think every manager needs to learn how to facilitate at least a bit to step out of the micromanaging burden into leadership." "As a facilitator, the next step is to show them that there is a higher goal that brings them all together so that they're all on the same side." "When we reply to other people more with 'yes and,' we help the person to feel good about themselves because they feel seen."  

Ty Wiggins, a leadership expert and CEO Transition Practice Lead at Russell Reynolds Associates, shares valuable insights on stepping into the CEO role. He delves into adapting leadership styles, the significant gap between expectations and reality, and the crucial role of effective communication. Wiggins emphasizes curiosity as a key trait for new CEOs and discusses the profound impact of organizational culture on success. His experience offers a roadmap for leaders striving to create collaborative and inclusive teams while balancing immediate demands with long-term vision.

Aslak De Silva, CEO of Selfly Store, discusses the innovative business model of intelligent vending machines and the use of AI in retail. The conversation covers topics such as the unique features of Selfly Store, the role of innovation in business, the impact of dynamic pricing, and the experience of being a board member. Aslak also emphasizes the importance of communication, transparency, and lifelong learning in leadership.   If you prefer to get a video, subscribe on YouTube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Brad Sugars, president and founder of Action Coach Global, shares insights on business coaching, leadership, and business modeling. He discusses the importance of coaching, management, and leadership skills, as well as the evolution of business strategies. Brad emphasizes the significance of leverage, scalability, marketability, and opportunity in business strategy. He also highlights the differences in coaching for new businesses versus established businesses, and the value of external experience in achieving business results.   Official Bio: Brad is the Chairman and Founder of ActionCOACH, a multi-million-dollar franchise providing result-driven education and business solutions to entrepreneurs and executives in 70+ countries across the world. Since starting it in 1993, Brad has scaled up his venture into an award-winning global enterprise that coaches 15,000 businesses on a weekly basis, helping them grow, sustain, and succeed. With over 30 years of experience in the entrepreneurial space, Brad has established himself as one of the world’s leading business coaches. He has lent his professional expertise to 9+ companies as a CEO, besides building his personal brand as a renowned business guru, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. https://www.amazon.in/Pulling-Profits-Out-Hat-Company/dp/1732049726 https://www.actioncoach.com/ and https://bradsugars.com/   If you prefer to get a video, subscribe on YouTube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator