Strategy and Leadership Podcast

Join Anthony Taylor, a seasoned strategic planning facilitator and the host of the SME Strategy Podcast, as he sits down with Jonathan Ferrari, the visionary founder, CEO, and chairman of Goodfood. Discover how Jonathan transformed a simple idea (fresh meal kits) into a national Canadian brand, delivering over 15 million meals annually and employing nearly a thousand people. Jonathan shares his vision for strategic growth and his journey from investment banking to revolutionizing the Canadian food delivery landscape. We explore the strategic decisions that propelled Goodfood's growth, including: 1. Navigating Early Challenges: Learn how Goodfood overcame logistical hurdles and innovated in temperature-controlled packaging, moving from apartment deliveries to a nationwide network. 2. Strategic Diversification: Explore the company's bold move into Bitcoin reserves and its strategic acquisition of Genuine Tea, showcasing innovative approaches to asset management and growth. 3. Building a Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Understand how Goodfood prioritized quality, sustainability, and social impact, partnering with organizations like the Breakfast Club of Canada to address food insecurity. 4. Leadership and Thought Leadership: Gain valuable lessons into Jonathan's strategic vision and leadership philosophy. As a strategic management facilitator, Anthony Taylor expertly guides the conversation, extracting key takeaways that you can apply to your own business. Chapters: 00:00 The Birth of Goodfood: A Culinary Journey 03:04 Challenges in the Food Delivery Space 06:04 Sustainability and Supply Chain Innovations 09:05 Social Impact and Community Engagement 12:02 Bitcoin as a Strategic Reserve 17:59 Acquisition and Supporting Food Entrepreneurs Key Takeaways: - Goodfood was founded in 2014 to address food delivery needs. - The company delivers 15 million meals annually and employs nearly 1,000 people. - Sustainability in packaging is a core focus for Goodfood. - Goodfood has donated over a million meals to combat food insecurity. - The company has adopted Bitcoin as a strategic reserve for financial growth. - Building a direct-to-consumer logistics network was a significant challenge. - Community engagement is vital for Goodfood's mission. - Goodfood aims to support other food entrepreneurs through acquisitions. - Sourcing local and healthy ingredients is a core value at Goodfood. - Jonathan's entrepreneurial spirit drives the company's innovative strategies.   If you're looking for expert guidance in strategic management facilitation, visit our website at www.smestrategy.net to learn more about our services and how we can help your organization achieve its strategic goals.   // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/   // 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. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Ben Lamorte, an OKR expert with 15 years of experience, dives into the world of Objectives and Key Results. He emphasizes how to avoid the trap of treating OKRs like mere to-do lists, advocating for measurable goals instead. Ben discusses the critical role of understanding the 'why' behind objectives and how to shift from compliance to a performance-driven culture. He shares valuable tips for communicating goals and highlights the importance of adaptability and frequent strategic reviews to ensure continuous improvement and alignment.

In this episode we are joined by Dana Caspersen, TedX speaker and author of "Conflict is an Opportunity," who reveals how to: Shift from blame to collaborative solutions. Cultivate curiosity and active listening. Make requests, not demands, for buy-in. Avoid the high cost of conflict avoidance. Build strategic capacity through conscious decision-making.  Key Takeaways Conflict is often viewed negatively, but it can be a creative space. Curiosity is essential for navigating conflict effectively. Trust can develop through open and honest communication. Avoiding conflict leads to a loss of information and relationships. Leaders should focus on the situation, not the person, in conflict. Expressing needs without blame fosters better communication. Understanding different perspectives is crucial in conflict resolution. Conflict can reveal important information that may otherwise be overlooked. Engaging in conflict can lead to more conscious decision-making. Building power together in conflict can lead to better outcomes.   Chapters 00:00 The Dance of Conflict: An Introduction 10:01 Understanding Conflict as an Opportunity 20:05 Navigating Power Dynamics in Conflict   // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // 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. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Maggie Olson, former Chief of Staff at T-Mobile and founder of Nova Chief of Staff, shares her insights on the vital role of Chiefs of Staff in organizations. She emphasizes that this strategic role goes far beyond administrative tasks, acting as a crucial partner to leaders. Maggie discusses the importance of networking and acquiring experience in customer service and special projects. She also highlights how understanding organizational needs and timing is key when considering hiring for this role, positioning the Chief of Staff as a secret weapon for success.

In this episode, Rebecca Homkes, author of "Survive, Reset, Thrive," discusses practical strategies for building a growth strategy in volatile times with host Anthony C. Taylor. The discussion explores proactive survival strategies, the "loop mentality" in strategic planning, building competitive advantages, and the significance of acting on beliefs rather than waiting for facts. Plus, we touch on developing talent for long-term resilience in a rapidly changing environment. Learn how to create a sustainable growth strategy in volatile times in this episode of the SME Strategy Podcast.   Key Takeaways Must embrace uncertainty as a growth opportunity. The reset phase is crucial for thriving post-crisis. Loop thinking allows for continuous strategy cycles. Proactive survival means preparing before shocks occur. Competitive advantages are eroding faster than ever. Acting on beliefs can lead to better strategic decisions. Organizations should focus on building loyalty with customers. Talent development is essential for long-term growth. Strategic plans should be living documents that adapt. Growth requires a commitment from leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Survive, Reset, Thrive 02:55 Navigating Uncertainty in Leadership 05:51 The Importance of Loop Thinking 08:49 Building Competitive Advantage 12:11 Kickers and Killers: Strategic Planning Insights 14:58 Developing Talent for Growth 16:55 Conclusion and Call to Action   // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn:   / anthonyctaylor604     // 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.   ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic...

JoAnn Garbin, author of the Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft. She explores the concept of regenerative data centers, the creative journey of innovation, the importance of diverse perspectives, and the challenges faced in the innovation process. Joanne shares her personal experiences, including her battle with cancer and how it has shaped her approach to innovation and leadership. The discussion emphasizes the need for a holistic view of innovation beyond technology, focusing on community engagement and sustainable practices.   takeaways Regenerative data centers aim to create positive feedback loops with their environment. Innovation requires a diverse range of perspectives and collaboration. Identifying pain points and opportunities is crucial in the innovation process. Synthesis is a key component of successful innovation. Life experiences can profoundly shape one's approach to leadership and innovation. Engaging with the community can transform perceptions of infrastructure projects. Incremental improvements are not enough; sometimes a complete refactor is necessary. Bad innovation often stems from a lack of understanding of the target audience. The journey of innovation is complex and requires both hard and soft skills. Personal challenges can lead to a renewed focus on what truly matters. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to C-Suite Conversations 01:19 Understanding Regenerative Data Centers 03:37 The Creative Journey of Innovation 09:43 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives in Innovation 11:34 Identifying Bad Innovation Practices 14:36 Navigating Challenges in Innovation 19:35 Personal Experiences Shaping Innovation Perspectives 25:56 Connecting with the Audience and Future Endeavors

In this episode of C-suite Conversations, host Anthony Taylor speaks with Nicholas Lalla, founder of Tulsa Innovation Labs. They discuss the journey of establishing an innovation economy in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the importance of strategic focus and stakeholder engagement, and the challenges of change management in urban development. Nicholas emphasizes the need for cities to find their unique strengths and not simply emulate larger tech hubs like New York or San Francisco. The conversation highlights the potential for mid-sized cities to thrive by leveraging their assets and fostering inclusive growth.   00:00 Introduction to Tulsa Innovation Labs 02:46 Building an Innovation Economy 06:06 Strategic Focus and Stakeholder Engagement 08:50 Change Management in Urban Development 11:50 Decentralizing the Innovation Economy 14:47 Final Thoughts and Future Directions   For more on Tulsa Innovation Labs visit: https://www.tulsainnovationlabs.com/   For more on SME Strategy visit: https://www.smestrategy.net/

The Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor welcomes Nigel Thurlow, CEO of the Flow Consortium, to delve into the nuances of lean thinking and continuous improvement. Nigel shares his extensive experience from Toyota and beyond, offering insights into how Lean principles can apply to various organizational contexts, emphasizing the significance of behavior alongside methodology and tools. This episode is packed with thought-provoking discussions on cultural transformation, the role of human factors, and how organizations can effectively harness their workforce to achieve long-term success. Nigel explores the concept of viewing organizations as complex adaptive systems and discusses why prescriptive methodologies often fall short in such environments. He emphasizes the importance of human behaviors and culture in achieving continuous improvement, drawing from his collaborations with complexity thinking experts. Listeners will learn about the practical application of lean methodologies beyond manufacturing environments, discover the importance of root cause analysis, and gain insights into how organizations like McKinsey are shifting their focus toward unlocking human potential. Nigel also discusses practical strategies for leaders to engage employees in continuous improvement and empower teams to make impactful decisions. Key Takeaways: Lean thinking transcends manufacturing and can be applied to any area with non-value-added activities, focusing on eliminating waste and enhancing processes. Organizations must adapt to complex systems by shifting from prescriptive methodologies to emphasizing human factors and team dynamics. Effective leadership involves empowering teams to address problems and contribute to cultural transformation by creating a psychologically safe environment. Root cause analysis should identify not only the point of occurrence but also the point of cause to effectively address underlying issues. The Strategy and Leadership podcast is hosted by SME Strategy Consulting. Connect with them when you are looking for a strategic planning facilitator for your next strategy offsite. https://www.smestrategy.net/en/strategic-planning-facilitator

Cindy Anderson, CEO of Think Strategy and a CPA with a rich background in public accounting and CFO roles, shares her expertise on business transitions. She emphasizes the necessity of creating a five-year exit strategy to maximize company value. Cindy discusses the intricacies of ESOPs and the importance of leadership readiness. Drawing from her own experience selling her CPA firm, she highlights proactive planning, understanding personal motivations, and the significance of team development. Listeners will gain valuable insights into strategic planning for successful business exits.

Thomas Dunlap is the managing partner at Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig, an established law firm with around 80 lawyers. His extensive expertise lies in intellectual property law, supported by a diverse professional background as a former CEO of a biotech company, and an army officer with military training. He shares his knowledge by teaching an class on intellectual property for engineers and scientists at Lafayette College. Episode Summary: With a distinguished background in law, business, and the military, Thomas shares fascinating insights into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and intellectual property (IP), particularly the challenges and opportunities they present. As the discussion delves into the transformative landscape of AI, Taylor and Dunlap consider how businesses can strategically leverage AI technology without compromising their intellectual assets. Throughout the conversation, Dunlap highlights the "Wild West" nature of AI and its implications for IP protection. He shares valuable perspectives on how AI technologies are reshaping industries, urging companies to adapt and integrate these tools to stay competitive. Dunlap also sheds light on his law firm's innovative management structure, emphasizing the importance of hiring professionals, even non-lawyers, to efficiently manage non-core activities like HR and marketing. His unique approach showcases how legal practices can break traditional barriers and foster a progressive work environment focused on specialization and efficiency. Key Takeaways: AI & IP Law: The intersection of AI and intellectual property law poses complex challenges, with the need to clearly define ownership of AI-generated content. Innovation in Management: Employing non-lawyer professionals for peripheral tasks enhances efficiency and allows specialized professionals to focus on their core strengths. Adoption of AI Tools: Companies not using AI risk falling behind, as AI is an invaluable tool for creative and operational enhancement in businesses. Educational Integration: Encouraging future scientists and engineers to utilize AI responsibly can lead to innovative developments and solutions. Leadership Practices: Building a successful organization involves aligning management practices with core strengths and creating a culture centered around trust and efficiency.   The Strategy and Leadership podcast is hosted by SME Strategy Consulting. Connect with them when you are looking for a strategic planning facilitator for your next strategy offsite.