
Cold Call
Cold Call distills Harvard Business School's legendary case studies into podcast form. Hosted by Brian Kenny, the podcast airs every two weeks and features Harvard Business School faculty discussing cases they've written and the lessons they impart.
Latest episodes

Apr 15, 2025 • 30min
The Nuqul Group Works to Preserve Its Founder’s Legacy
In 1948, Elia Nuqul fled his hometown in Palestine with his family to Jordan. The refugee overcame many hardships and started a trading business in 1952. Nuqul Group subsequently grew into one of Jordan’s largest family businesses. Its flagship company, Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), was a leader in hygienic paper products across the Middle East and North Africa.
Nuqul died in 2022. In March 2023, his son Ghassan Nuqul, the chairman of FHH, was at a crossroads. He and his three siblings had decided to split the Group’s assets among themselves so that each branch of the family could forge its own path. They were in discussions to finalize the details of the agreement.
In this episode, Ghassan Nuqul and Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer Christina Wing join host Brian Kenny. They discuss what it means to continue a family business into future generations, what determines legacy, and how business decisions affect family ties in the case “Ghassan Nuqul and the Nuqul Group: Preserving a Father’s Legacy.”

22 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 39min
Calyx Global: Improving the Quality of Carbon Credits
Mike Toffel, an HBS Professor focusing on climate change, joins Duncan van Bergen, Co-founder of Calyx Global, to delve into the challenging landscape of carbon credits. They explore how organizations navigate ethical dilemmas while striving for credibility in the voluntary carbon market. The duo discusses the criteria for high-quality carbon credits, the importance of maintaining integrity, and how emerging technologies like AI and blockchain are transforming evaluation processes. Tune in for insights on balancing business growth with sustainability!

Mar 18, 2025 • 27min
How Lanco Medical Group Fosters Workforce Happiness to Motivate Employees and Grow Fast
In a lively discussion, HBS Professor Susanna Gallani shares insights on how Lanco Medical Group, a rapidly growing pharmaceutical distributor, is redefining workforce happiness. She reveals the significant gaps in employee motivation perceptions between leadership and staff. With ambitious expansion goals, Lanco creates tailored incentives based on demographic data, recognizing that a one-size-fits-all approach won't cut it. The conversation also emphasizes the crucial link between employee satisfaction and productivity, driving home the importance of a positive organizational culture.

Mar 4, 2025 • 28min
The Evolution of Luxury Brand Porsche
Porsche has reigned as one of the world’s leading sports and luxury car companies for nearly 80 years. Central to the German automaker’s growth strategy is creating stellar customer experiences and great products, such as the legendary 911 Carrera sports car.
But the automotive industry is undergoing disruptive changes and bringing new competitive challenges from around the world. Company leadership is adapting Porsche’s product portfolio, recently adding the electric model Taycan. They’re also innovating new customer experiences like the “Track Your Dream” program.
In this episode, Harvard Business School Professor Stefan Thomke explores how the storied company will continue to change in a bid to stay relevant—yet also remain true to its legacy—in the case “Porsche.”

9 snips
Feb 18, 2025 • 35min
Should Google Stay in the Cloud Gaming Business?
In this discussion, Derek van Bever, a Senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, and Akshat Agrawal, a recent graduate and co-author of the Google Stadia case study, tackle the challenges Google faced in the cloud gaming market. They explore Stadia’s strategic choices, from casual gamers to potential missteps against competitors like Microsoft and Sony. The duo emphasizes the need for strong market strategies and insights gained from Stadia's rise and fall, ultimately questioning the future of cloud gaming for tech giants.

Feb 4, 2025 • 13min
Celebrating 10 Years of Cold Call
Celebrate a decade of insightful storytelling! Discover how one leader turned career-ending adversity into triumph. Explore the innovative funding models of women’s sports, with the remarkable success of Angel City Football Club. Hear personal accounts of resilience, including a harrowing military training experience that changed everything for one narrator. Plus, reflect on the evolution of good ideas and the delicate balance between speed and execution in business.

30 snips
Jan 21, 2025 • 43min
Managing the Future of Work: Microsoft’s AI Perspective
Jared Spataro, Corporate Vice President of Modern Work at Microsoft, shares his insights on the AI revolution reshaping workplaces. He discusses how Microsoft is seamlessly integrating AI tools like Copilot to enhance productivity and communication. The conversation emphasizes the need for responsible AI deployment and collaboration with labor organizations to develop skills initiatives. Spataro also highlights the importance of adapting education through micro-credentials, showcasing how innovation can redefine the workforce for the future.

4 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 30min
The Leadership Style of Football Legend Deion Sanders
Hise Gibson, a Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer, unpacks Deion Sanders' unique leadership style that blends traditional discipline with modern challenges in college football. They discuss Sanders' transition from an athlete to a transformative coach at the University of Colorado, tackling doubts about his experience. Key topics include the impact of his coaching philosophy on player development, the power of accountability, and his innovative use of branding and social media. Gibson emphasizes how Sanders not only aims for athletic success but also prepares athletes for life beyond sports.

11 snips
Dec 24, 2024 • 31min
Scaling a Family Business While Maintaining Founding Values
Henry McGee, a Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer and former CEO of HBO Home Entertainment, joins Jessica Johnson-Cope, the dynamic President and CEO of Johnson Security Bureau—a historic family-owned security firm. They delve into the delicate balance of scaling a minority-owned business while preserving essential founding values. Topics include navigating leadership transitions, the shift towards cybersecurity, and the importance of community involvement. Their discussion highlights strategies for resilience and growth amid challenges, including the pandemic's impact.

19 snips
Dec 10, 2024 • 39min
A New Model for Funding Healthcare Innovation
Duke Rohlen, Founder and CEO of Ajax Health, and Regina Herzlinger, a Harvard Business School professor, dive into healthcare innovation. They discuss Rohlen's 'Chassis and Growth Drivers' model designed to align incentives for innovation and financial success. The duo debates the $1 billion bid for Cordis and its potential impact. They explore the high stakes of funding models, the challenges of adapting technology, and the critical role of leadership in overcoming hurdles within the medical tech industry.
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