Strategy And Leadership Podcast

Fast-growing companies tend to develop Big Company Disease, where growth dramatically slows down. Business owners find their ultimate challenge in scaling up their business. But fear not, because in this episode, Fabrice Bernard, CTO and co-founder of Theodo Group, and Catherine Chabiron, the author of Learning to Scale at Theodo Group: Growing a Fast and Resilient Company, talk about how successful business owners are scaling through lean. Catherine, a Lean Sensei, explains how teams can adopt Lean as their organizational methodology. Meanwhile, Fabrice shares the lessons he learned from his own Lean journey. To wrap up the conversation, Catherine and Fabrice leave some valuable advice for business owners when embracing Lean. Don't miss out on today's episode—join us now! Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ►

Success begins with clarity, authenticity, and continuous improvement. Keep it simple, stay engaged, and make a lasting impact. In this episode, Jay Sidhu, the Chief Executive Officer of Customers Bancorp, Inc. shares his rags-to-riches story. He generously reveals the key principles that have led him to become a Fortune 500 CEO and a prominent figure in the banking industry. Jay emphasizes the importance of clarity, authenticity, and continuous improvement as the cornerstones of leadership, along with a focus on keeping things simple and staying passionately engaged. From transforming small banks into Fortune 500 giants to his commitment to helping the youth of today achieve their dreams, Jay inspires people to pursue dreams and lead with authenticity. With the right principles and unwavering determination, anything is possible. Tune in now and drive your personal and professional growth. Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation wit

Some of the best athletes out there understand that physical performance can only take you so far without having the right mindset to go with it. This same is true for our professional lives, especially in today’s competitive environment. In this episode, who better to help you cultivate a world-class mindset than a former pro baseball player himself? Derin McMains joins Anthony Taylor to talk about the importance of mindset and how you can translate it across all areas of your life. As the Director of Mental Performance at global security company, ReliaQuest, Derin has been training executives with mental performance principles to take their game to the next level. He shares some of those principles and gives us a peek into what a performance program looks like, diving deep into the value of being intentional, taking the right action, and preparation. Tune in to this conversation and learn what it takes to be a high performer and more! Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.

You can't lead people further than how you lead yourself. It’s just one of those poignant leadership lessons that all entrepreneurs and business leaders will eventually come full circle to somewhere down their careers. Scott McGohan has been on the journey for 35 years, and he believes it to be one of the biggest wake-up calls he has ever had. In this conversation, he talks more about it and other lessons in leadership he has accumulated over the years, many of which the hard way. He also talks a bit about the rationale of his book, Culture Is an Inside Job, and how we can start to recognize and bring back the humanity to work. Tune in for all of these and more! Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNR

Success is found not in avoiding failure, but in embracing it and learning to rise stronger. Transitioning from Wall Street trader to CEO of an Inc 500 fastest-growing company, Jeremy Delk shares his entrepreneurial journey built on resilience and leadership in this episode. Join us as we explore the twists and turns of Jeremy's life, where he learned valuable lessons from early successes and the heart-wrenching loss of a fortune. Jeremy openly shares his financial setbacks and how he overcame them to build a thriving company, Delk Enterprises. Jeremy was clear on how his entrepreneurial journey wasn’t a straight line to success. As CEO, he gives us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes realities of running a business and the unglamorous aspects of leadership. From personal resilience to inclusive leadership, Jeremy shares how to ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and set an ultimately stable and thriving culture. Tune in now. Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ W

In a world driven by intense competition, it can be so easy to lose ourselves in that pursuit of perfection. And when it becomes a dangerous obsession, it will cost you more than you know and even notice. In this episode, Thomas Curran, the world’s foremost expert on perfectionism, takes us deep into his book, The Perfection Trap, which looks at the dangers of obsessively going after perfection and how we can escape that trap in today’s competitive environment. He shows what we can do to resist modern-day pressures to be perfect and explains why good enough is often a better aspiration. So, get off of that ever-moving hamster wheel of perfection and focus on what matters most. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PwHVK2mm9d61SeLqPT4a0?si=ec8f19452e164124 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/escaping-the-perfection-trap-with-thomas-curran/id1202449526?i=1000631993930 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continu

When you keep doing the same thing every time, you are only going to be able to perform at that level. There is no growth. This is The Performance Paradox. In this episode, Eduardo Briceño helps us understand what this phenomenon is and how we can overcome it. He shares key insights from his book, The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action, to inform us of the value of developing a culture of learning and high performance. Eduardo then takes us into his journey, sharing what drives his personal growth and development along with the lessons he learned across his career path. Tune in to this conversation and learn how to perform not just for the sake of performing but instead, to perform to get better. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3HeJOOZECBWX1HCDgqFCD4?si=8c96b920197a462f Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/how-to-overcome-the-performance-paradox-with/id1202449526?i=1000631718510 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing http

Business success is unachievable without the right people at your side and a healthy workplace culture where they can thrive. Therefore, leaders must know how to surround themselves with talented individuals and put into action the values they hold dear. Anthony Taylor chats with Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy, who shares the extraordinary journey of growing his company from just a single delicatessen to a team of more than 50,000 people. Andy talks about the immense power of niceness and passion in targeting huge business wins. He also breaks down leadership lessons from his entire career, from creating a workplace culture where failure is embraced as a stepping stone to success and why innovation must always start from the top. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7eHAMwZOqTJm1wWBviDWPc?si=9bc89f56ad004de1 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/2-ingredients-to-have-50-000-employees-win-with-andy/id1202449526?i=1000631073545 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Sta

Trust is the glue that keeps society together, and without it, it motivates non-cooperation to people. Trust is as fragile as glass. If it shatters, it will always be harder to build it back. Today, Darryl Stickel, the Founder of Trust Unlimited, brings us into the framework of Building Trust effectively with other people through the ten levers. Darryl suggests showing vulnerability creates a space for others to trust you. His approach closes the gap between leaders and others. Let’s build back our society and combat the unprecedented trust-deficit crisis today. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3z46q8O5LQpj7NozS8adQL?si=e5a1c80b18cc4cd9 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/building-trust-exceptional-leadership-in-an/id1202449526?i=1000629184759 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-

True innovation is about building what customers can't wait to have, not just what they need. In this riveting episode, get ready to dive into the world of exponential growth, daring experiments, and the art of bouncing back from setbacks. Our guest, Adam Robinson, the visionary CEO and founder of Retention.com, takes us on an inspiring journey through his roller-coaster ride of scaling businesses and shaping resilient teams. Adam introduces his unique "face-lighting-up" barometer approach to identifying game-changing products. He also dives into the evolving landscape of marketing and customer attraction strategies and shares how to foster a culture of balanced experimentation. He emphasizes how true innovation ignites not just interest, but excitement. Tune in as Adam shares what it takes to lead with vision, resilience, and a dash of fearless experimentation. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FTgq2NGFu6qaKdB1eJyuq?si=b92375aeb7014c2a Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.c

Leading as a CEO isn't about knowing every answer; it's about fostering a culture of growth, embracing innovation, and empowering your team to excel. Join us as Will Robinson, the CEO of Encapture, unravels the challenges and triumphs faced in their journey towards innovation, leveraging AI, and transforming leadership. Throughout the episode, Will shares the journey from a legacy business model to a cutting-edge software company, discusses the art of leading transformation, and debunks the misconceptions around AI. He emphasizes that as organizations adopt AI technology, the workforce is empowered to tackle complex challenges and contribute more meaningfully, thereby enriching the workplace. Tune in to uncover the secrets of effective leadership in the digital age and discover how AI can empower businesses and individuals to thrive. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6sFKRIBpAHR4HtwCV1ig1P?si=90a784730a8d4244 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/elevate-your-ce

What does it take to scale a business? It’s time to dive right into this episode with Keith Smith, the president of Vonco Products, to know how he manages to climb the stairs to success. Moving onto the corporate ladder takes a lot of effort, but being intentional in his position allowed him to thrive where he is today. Vonco Products improved after many years as they added talents along the way. There is so much to unpack from this organizational growth Vonco Products faced. So don’t let this opportunity slip to acquire insights on how others scale their business. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6lpRmzH1pzzCB4UlKqsIDU?si=5f50bdac00b848e6 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-it-takes-to-scale-a-business-with-keith-smith/id1202449526?i=1000627722761 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://str

Adaptive strategy is an ingenious approach that has been the secret sauce behind the longevity of iconic companies. In this episode, we sit down with Peter Compo, the author of The Emergent Approach to Adaptive Strategy, Design, and Execution, who shares profound insights gained from his 25-year tenure at the global giant DuPont. Explore how DuPont, a company steeped in tradition, faced the daunting challenge of reinventing itself in a rapidly changing world. Dive deep into the strategies they employed to foster innovation and adaptability. Peter's unique perspective sheds light on how to navigate the complexities of change and emerge stronger than ever. Stay tuned as Peter unveils a transformative takeaway that can revolutionize your strategic approach, regardless of the size or nature of your business. If you're eager to gain a fresh perspective on strategy, innovation, and leadership, then tune in! Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5N8eiVSv7mt6ktmmWd2tR0?si=c683a991ca624b23 Listen on

A successful entrepreneurship journey is all about focusing on a high-quality product, being aware of the needs of your target market, and keeping a healthy working culture within your own team. Although Peter Mann did not plan to be an entrepreneur from the get-go, he found success in his chosen industry by focusing on these key areas. Joining Anthony Taylor, he looks back on how he found his entrepreneurial spirit by accident and started the air purifier manufacturing business Oransi. Peter also shares some strategies for building a small yet highly productive team, as well as the right approach to business scaling as he now makes his mark across Canada and the United States. Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OmzCqD3Y4IZTjcoFoFKcM?si=f56a9a37a34c4336 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/building-a-brand-around-high-quality-products/id1202449526?i=1000626801166 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME Want to continue

Are you a leader looking to make a lasting impact? In this episode, we dive into the world of mentorship with Scott Jeffrey Miller, author of The Ultimate Guide to Great Mentorship. Discover the distinct roles of leadership and mentorship, the evolving landscape of leadership in a post-COVID world, and the invaluable insights that mentors and mentees can gain from each other. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that will change how you view mentorship and leadership. Tune in and start your journey towards becoming an influential mentor or finding the right mentor for your growth. Don't miss this engaging conversation that reveals the power of mentorship in transforming lives and careers. Stay tuned! Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nkJ3b7Vr0waaL6c4f4nLm?si=518b0f2657644af5 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/ultimate-mentorship-how-to-take-everyone-around-you/id1202449526?i=1000628743236 Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affini

Joe Rare is an “underground” serial entrepreneur, investor, outsourcing expert, father and husband. He currently owns four digital companies, five wedding venues, and real estate investment properties. His passion for sales never dimmed, but he discovered what his life’s work would be - building digital businesses. The road was definitely made of dirt with a lot of potholes. There were failed businesses in the early days, but he took the failures and learned to create wins. He has since built multiple 7+ figure companies and built a strong and growing real estate portfolio. Thank you to our show partner Affinity Staffing https://affinity-group.ca/SME/ Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic p

Amy Brown is the founder and CEO of Authenticx – a software platform that analyzes and activates patient voices at scale to reveal transformational opportunities in healthcare. Amy built her career as a rising executive in the healthcare industry, during which time she advocated for underserved populations, led and mobilized teams to expand healthcare coverage to thousands of Indiana residents, and learned the nuance of corporate operations. In 2018, Amy decided to leverage her decades of industry experience to tackle healthcare through technology. She founded Authenticx with the mission to bring the authentic voice of the patient into the boardroom and increase positive healthcare outcomes.

Meredith Monday Schwartz shares her journey growing "Here Comes the Guide", what she's done to support the individuals in the company and how they created a fair and equitable culture while being distributed across the US. Meredith Monday Schwartz is the CEO at Here Comes The Guide, a fully bootstrapped, employee-owned, all female-led and all-female staffed website showcasing top-notch wedding venues. With a focus on work/life balance, flexible schedules and mom-friendly policies, Meredith is leading Here Comes The Guide to be the template for the new, 21st century small business. Want to continue the conversation with other leaders around the world? Join our Strategy and Leadership community. https://strategy-and-leadership.mn.co/ ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-plannin

As you think about exiting your business there are many factors you need to consider to make it a successful one. Having the right amount of time to prepare can make a world of difference (And several million dollars difference) at the end of the day. In this episode of the strategy and leadership podcast, I speak with Kevin Shaw, President and Managing Director at Baker Tilly Canada Corporate Finance about key considerations for business owners in order to successfully exit their business. ► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting fi

How does a company go about revolutionizing an entire industry? Join us as we sit down with Ralph Dangelmaier, CEO and board member at Blue Snap, to delve into the industry of payments and innovation. In this episode, we explore how Blue Snap is disrupting the payments industry and empowering merchants to accept payments globally. From embedding payments for sale to optimizing platforms, Ralph shares invaluable insights and expertise that will inspire you to lead change and drive innovation within your own organization. Are you wondering how CFOs are shaping the payments landscape amidst tight economic conditions? Discover the power shift from CTOs to CFOs and learn why focusing on return on investment (ROI) is crucial for success. Ralph sheds light on the challenges faced by merchants and platforms, such as managing multiple payment providers and the overwhelming amount of data. Here are some key takeaways from this episode: -Understand how Blue Snap simplifies payments and connects platforms, making it