Mark Johnson, co-founder of Innosight, emphasizes the power of 'future-back' thinking in strategy development. He advocates for leaders to visualize their desired future and work backward to achieve it, a critical mindset during crises. Johnson shares insights on innovation and adaptability, drawing from real-world examples like Apple and Intel. He highlights the necessity for organizations to engage with emerging trends, restructure strategies, and encourage grassroots innovation to foster long-term growth and success.

Join Chris Zook, a partner at Bain & Company and a best-selling author, as he reveals how businesses can breathe new life into their core strategies. He discusses three critical signs that indicate it's time for transformation. Zook shares insights on Fortune 500 companies adapting to crises and highlights examples like Home Depot and De Beers. He emphasizes the importance of unearthing hidden assets within organizations to fuel growth and the practical steps for CEOs to navigate turbulent times effectively.

In this discussion, Bill Aulet, a seasoned entrepreneurship professor at MIT and author of 'Disciplined Entrepreneurship,' shares invaluable insights. He highlights the appealing yet risky nature of launching a startup and outlines 24 essential steps to success. Aulet emphasizes the role of technology in democratizing entrepreneurship and talks about the rise of mission-driven ventures tackling societal issues. He also delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by entrepreneurs and the need for customer-focused innovation to attract funding.

Shelle Santana, an assistant professor of marketing at Bentley University, dives into the evolution of branding through Super Bowl ads. She highlights how iconic commercials, like Budweiser's, create emotional connections. The discussion covers the staggering costs of ads and smart strategies for measuring ROI. Santana also explores the risks of bold storytelling, the timing of ad releases, and how cultural significance shapes consumer engagement. It’s a fascinating look at the art of short-form storytelling in a high-stakes environment.

Emily Hund, a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and author of *The Influencer Industry*, dives into the evolution of influencer marketing. She reveals how economic challenges birthed this new career path and offers insights on finding the right influencers for brands. Hund emphasizes the value of long-term relationships over one-off campaigns. Discover effective strategies for small businesses, explore the rise of organic influencers, and learn how transparency in deals can transform brand-influencer dynamics.

Marco Bertini, a marketing professor at Esade Business School, dives into the intriguing world of dynamic pricing strategies. He cautions that while algorithms can enhance profits, they may hurt brand perception if not aligned with human psychology. Bertini emphasizes the importance of maintaining customer trust amidst fluctuating prices. He shares actionable strategies, including communication tactics and real-world examples, to strike a balance between profit maximization and customer loyalty, making it a must-listen for modern businesses.

Hiroshi Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten, Japan's largest e-commerce platform, and Tsedal Neeley, a Harvard Business School professor, dive into Rakuten's bold shift to English as its official language for global expansion. They discuss the initial resistance and productivity dips faced by employees, along with the long-term cultural transformation this decision ignited. The conversation highlights the importance of language in global strategy and the nuanced challenges of cross-cultural management in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Jeffrey Rayport, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, sheds light on the complexities of scaling startups. He emphasizes the critical phase of achieving 'profit market fit' for long-term success. The conversation dives into common pitfalls that hinder growth, such as demand management and capital constraints. Additionally, Rayport highlights the pivotal role of organizational culture in scaling, sharing insights from successful companies like ThreadUp and Netflix. Tune in for strategic takeaways on navigating startup challenges!

Wharton professor David Robertson discusses innovating around a core product by building a family of complementary innovations. Examples include LEGO, GoPro, and CarMax. Key topics: growth strategy, leveraging customer feedback, challenges in innovation, and successful strategies by companies like Victoria's Secret and Gatorade.

Yale School of Management professor Barry Nalebuff discusses the benefits of collaborating with competitors, highlighting successful examples like Apple and Ford. The podcast explores co-opetition strategies, negotiation tactics, and collaboration in various industries. Insights on mitigating risks through contracts and performance guarantees are shared, emphasizing the value of strategic cooperation in business relationships.