HBR On Strategy

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.

Sophie Bellon, Chair and CEO of Sodexo, discusses talent management, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. Topics include global strategy, digital transformation impact, local vs global supply systems post-pandemic, and collaboration in the food sector.

Harvard Business School professor Fritz Foley discusses Microsoft's strategic transformation in 2015, focusing on growth strategy, business models, and cultural evolution. Topics include shifting to subscription sales, aligning investors and employees, and overcoming risk-averse culture. Learn how Microsoft navigated challenges and drove growth.

Hear Harvard Business School associate professor Ayelet Israeli discuss the pros and cons of selling on Amazon. Topics include costs, competition, data challenges, brand strategies, and the decision-making process for leveraging the Amazon marketplace.