HBR On Strategy

Weslynne Ashton, a systems scientist and professor specializing in circular economy strategies, shares her insights on sustainable business practices. She emphasizes the need for companies to move away from linear models to reduce waste and create long-term value. Ashton discusses innovative resource-sharing models and the importance of integrating traditional wisdom into new business strategies. She also highlights the challenges businesses face in balancing efficiency with sustainability and how purposeful leadership can foster social responsibility.

Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari and physicist, and Harvard Business School professor Raffaella Sadun dive into Ferrari's bold push for carbon neutrality by 2030. They discuss how the company is blending traditional luxury with innovative sustainability, energizing both investors and employees. Vigna elaborates on collaborating with suppliers, addressing their concerns about the shift towards electric vehicles. The duo also highlights the unique corporate culture that fosters community, urging that sustainability is not just a goal but a catalyst for innovation.

Arjan Singh, a consultant and adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University, discusses the critical need for businesses to adopt a military-style approach to strategizing. He emphasizes how corporate war games can effectively stress-test strategies against market changes and competitors. Singh shares insights on innovative transportation models and the importance of adaptability during crises, like the COVID-19 pandemic. He also highlights how developing actionable playbooks from wargaming can drive organizational success by revealing blind spots in decision-making.

Rafi Mohammed, founder of Culture of Profit and author of 'The 1% Windfall,' discusses the importance of reevaluating pricing strategies during economic uncertainty. He emphasizes that slashing prices isn't the answer; instead, businesses should adapt creatively, using methods like strategic discounting to maintain value. Real-world examples, including responses to the Covid-19 pandemic, showcase effective price adjustments. Mohammed also highlights how small price increases can significantly boost profits, proving that thoughtful pricing is key to navigating challenges.

Lisa Su, CEO of AMD and named Time's "CEO of the Year," discusses the evolution of AI in various sectors with Adi Ignatius. She emphasizes the importance of responsible risk-taking and fast experimentation to drive innovation. Su advocates for strategies that prioritize safety, such as AMD’s Responsible AI Council and hiring diverse talent. The conversation dives into the strategic utilization of AI technology, addressing challenges in accessibility and the need for a pragmatic approach to leverage its benefits while mitigating ethical concerns.

Jeffrey Rayport, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, shares insights on the pivotal decisions Ryan Cohen faced at Chewy.com regarding logistics strategy. The discussion highlights the delicate balance between outsourcing and in-house fulfillment amid rapid growth. Rayport explores Chewy's unique blend of technology and personal customer service, along with competitive pressures from giants like Amazon. The case study illustrates critical risks and rewards in scaling operations, ultimately revealing the lessons learned from Chewy's remarkable success.

Iavor Bojinov, an assistant professor at Harvard Business School and former LinkedIn data scientist, delves into the challenges of launching AI initiatives, which often fail due to their complexity. He outlines five key steps for success: selection, development, evaluation, adoption, and management. The discussion highlights the importance of trust between users and AI, balancing speed with ethical standards, and the critical role of experimentation. Case studies from Etsy and LinkedIn reveal valuable lessons about user interactions and strategy alignment.

Sean Jacobsohn, a partner at Norwest Venture Partners and founder of the Failure Museum, explores the lessons learned from notable product failures like Harley-Davidson Cologne and Cheetos Lip Balm. He identifies six key forces of failure, emphasizing the importance of timing, financial management, and understanding product-market fit. Through vivid examples like Pets.com and Blockbuster, listeners discover how agility and market awareness can safeguard against business pitfalls. Get ready to rethink your strategies based on these fascinating failures!

Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, dives into the pivotal role of community in business. He emphasizes hiring for cultural fit over traditional resumes and discusses the impact of genuine engagement on customer loyalty. Mullenweg compares community building to hosting a dinner party, where authentic connections thrive. He also explores the freemium model's effectiveness and shares insightful strategies for enhancing customer feedback. Tune in for valuable lessons on turning your customer base into a thriving community!

Stefan Thomke, a Harvard Business School professor and author of "Experimentation Works," delves into the transformative power of experimentation in business. He discusses how successful companies like Netflix and Booking.com leverage A/B testing for competitive advantage. Thomke highlights the pitfalls of relying on intuition, advocating for a data-driven decision-making approach. He shares insights on cultivating an experimental culture within organizations, encouraging all employees to engage in small-scale experiments to drive innovation and growth.