We have just released Developing a Financial Services Strategy Proposal (109 SLIDES). It is accessible within the Strategy Control Room, Advanced Level. *** This winning proposal template/example is unique. The goal was to impress the private equity firm which had purchased the retailer, and serve as their advisor rather than working for the retailer, which was planning an expansion into financial services. The proposal, which is detailed and research-intensive, was meant to help the PE executives who sat on the retailer's board understand that what they were proposing could be repeated across the continent.  While our primary focus is on retail…

Baruch Lev & Feng Gu: Decoding M&A. Why 70% of Deals Fail Welcome to episode 507 of Strategy Skills podcast where we interview Baruch Lev and Feng Gu, the authors of The M&A Failure Trap: Why Most Mergers and Acquisitions Fail and How the Few Succeed. In this episode, Baruch Lev and Feng Gu discuss the pitfalls of corporate acquisitions and the reasons why CEOs repeatedly make strategic errors that lead to costly mistakes. They argue that many acquisitions are driven by investor pressure and unrealistic expectations, with large deals often failing due to poor due diligence, lack of synergies,…

Strategy Skills episode 504 where we interview the author of The Resilience Plan, Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier is now released! Resilience is a skill that can be developed, not a fixed personality trait. In this episode, Dr. Pelletier shares practical strategies for building resilience, including regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and creating a personal plan to manage stress and prevent burnout. She advices on how professionals can navigate challenges and maintain high performance while protecting their well-being. I hope you will enjoy this episode. Kris Safarova       Throughout her career in management and psychology, Dr. Pelletier has…

We've released Strategy Skills episode 504, where we interview ex Harvard Kennedy School researcher Matt Kohut, and the author of Speaking Out.  In this episode, Matt discusses the role that leaders play in public communication. Drawing from his book "Speaking Out," he explores how CEOs can engage with political and social issues while balancing stakeholder perspectives, organizational values, and potential risks. Matt also shares practical advice on effective public speaking, managing communication anxiety, and building communication skills that help leaders connect authentically with their audiences. I hope you will enjoy this episode. Kris Safarova       Matt Kohut…

Ex-Amazon Executive: How Leaders Win by Making Big Bets We just released Strategy Skills episode 503, where we are doing round 2 with John Rossman. John was an early Amazon executive and senior innovation advisor at T-Mobile & the Gates Foundation. He is the co-author of Big Bet Leadership and a keynote speaker and advisor. In this episode, John discusses the insights from his recent book, Big Bet Leadership, co-authored with Kevin McCaffrey, (on how companies can manage major strategic initiatives ("big bets") that involve significant risks. He explains why organizations need to test ideas before making big commitments and stay…

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 502, an interview with Ed Fidoe, the founder and CEO of the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), the first institution in decades to be granted degree-awarding powers from inception in the UK and offers an innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum focused on tackling complex global issues such as inequality, sustainability, ethics, and AI. In this episode, Ed shares his journey from child actor to McKinsey consultant to educational innovator. Throughout the conversation, Ed emphasizes the importance of broad intellectual curiosity, the growing impact of AI on education, and the need for future leaders to develop skills beyond traditional…

From Harvard Engineer to Inc. 5000 CEO: David G. Ewing on How to Build a Successful Business We just released Strategy Skills episode 501, an interview with the innovative CEO of Motiv, David G. Ewing. One of my favorite interviews. David is a very honest and open guy. You will enjoy listening to him and learning from him.       David's Harvard engineering degree taught him to dive deep into technical challenges, and he focused on revolutionizing customer experience since 1998. Under his leadership, Motiv has earned a spot on the Inc 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies,…

Welcome to Strategy Skills episode 500, an interview with an entrepreneur and global thought leader in high-performing teams and Chairman of Ferrazzi Greenlight and its Research Institute, Keith Ferrazzi. In this episode, Keith takes us through his inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in a poor immigrant family to becoming a global leader in relationship-building and team performance. Keith introduces us to the concept of teamship, a profound shift from today’s hierarchical model to sharing the load among a team that elevates one another and the organization to achieve exponential results. He shared a glimpse of the 10 critical shifts…

      Steps to Becoming a Fractional C-Suite Executive with Sara Daw: We just released the Strategy Skills podcast episode 499. An interview with the author of Strategy and Leadership as Service, Sara Daw. Her new book provides businesses with access to the complete range of functional, emotional, and collective intelligence at the C-suite level by moving their positions from the “pay-roll” to an “access-role.” In this episode, Sara discussed strategies for advancing a career as a fractional C-suite executive, including how to find a mentor and a sponsor to help open doors and realize career ambitions. Sara…