Strategy and Leadership Podcast - podcast cover

Strategy and Leadership Podcast

SME Strategy Consulting INCwww.smestrategy.net
We interview CEOs, business leaders, and thought leaders to get their perspectives on strategy, leadership, management, and other trends that can support your career and help you run a ”best-in-class” business or non-profit. Be sure to subscribe and tell us what you’re taking away from each episode. About SME Strategy We facilitate strategic planning offsite meetings and support the accountability of the plans and the leadership teams who lead them. Learn more at: https://www.smestrategy.net Connect with the host, Anthony C Taylor https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/
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Episodes

Canadian Rugby Legend Maria Samson On Leadership

Certain situations will call us forth into leadership. Whether that's in sports, business, or life, we need to be ready for when that time comes. In this episode, Anthony Taylor engages in an insightful conversation with Maria Samson , a distinguished leader in women's rugby. Maria shares her remarkable journey ad her experiences in advocating for women in sports, breaking down barriers, and fostering equitable contributions. The discussion touches upon her leadership roles, both on and off the ...

Feb 05, 202421 min

The Story Of 1906 With CEO Peter Barsoom

1906 is making microdosing more accessible and legal, opening the door to a new era of wellness. In this episode, we hear how CEO Peter Barsoom leads the charge, reshaping industries, one drop at a time. Explore the evolution of 1906 from its roots in the cannabis industry to becoming a leader in microdosing. Peter discusses 1906, how it is about more than just cannabis. He discusses redefining microdosing, bringing up the end of prohibition and the launch of a new direct-to-consumer platform. F...

Feb 05, 202422 min

The Story Of First Command Financial Services With CEO Mark Steffe

Mark Steffe, the CEO of First Command Financial Services, leads with love and believes that success comes from putting your mission first. He also talks about his leadership principles and the company's commitment to military families. They guide military families to financial security and measure their success by what they give back. In 2022, they provided 30,000 financial plans and donated 7% of profits to military charities. First Command encourages team members to lead by example and donate ...

Jan 25, 202430 min

Being On Offense With Paul Epstein Former NFL And NBA Executive

In today’s uncertain times, we need to take matters into our own hands. This episode’s guest is all about doing that, winning by being on offense. Former NFL and NBA executive Paul Epstein joins us to share a playbook for winning both on and off the field. He shares his 15-year career in professional sports to becoming a sought-after consultant and author. He also shares how to seize 52 opportunities a year with "Win Monday" for personal growth and success, the “head-heart-hands” equation, and m...

Jan 22, 202424 min

Aligning Mission With Your Product - With Lisa Curtis CEO Of Kuli Kuli Foods

Success isn't just about products on shelves; it's about aligning purpose with every purchase, empowering communities, and shaping a healthier world. Align your mission with your product as Lisa Curtis , the CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods , joins Anthony Taylor in this illuminating episode. Lisa shares the remarkable story behind her mission-driven approach to revolutionizing the superfood industry. From the inception sparked by her personal encounter with Moringa in a Nigerian village to scaling up and...

Jan 18, 202422 min

How To Deliver Value For An Invisible Product With Keith Farley

It is already challenging to sell a tangible item to your target market. How hard would it be if you are selling an invisible product? Keith Farley , SVP at Aflac, joins Anthony Taylor to share his strategies for selling something that does not technically exist: insurance claims. He explains how they focus instead on providing quality customer experience and building a healthy workplace culture by harnessing the power of current technological innovation. Keith also shares how they keep their cu...

Jan 12, 202423 min

Leadership, Purpose, Innovation, And Tech For Good With Marga Hoek

We hear a lot of dystopian narratives around the rapid advancement of technology in this day and age, but we seldom take a pause to reflect on the good things that come with this evolution. Can today’s technology be leveraged as a force for good? In this episode, we dive into the world of purpose-driven leadership and sustainable innovation as Anthony Taylor engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Marga Hoek , a global thought leader on sustainable business and author of Tech for Good: ...

Dec 11, 202328 min

Rico Nasol Former Executive At Zappos And Netflix On Leadership And Management

Leadership is not only about guiding teams but also about creating a culture that promotes creativity, empathy, and respect for each individual's story. In this episode, we have Rico Nasol , former executive at Zappos and Netflix, talk about leadership and management. From Zappos’ familial culture to Netflix’s “All-Star team” approach, Rico sheds light on the distinct cultures and their impact on personal growth within the organizations. He reveals the secrets behind building and managing creati...

Dec 04, 202322 min

Leadership Lessons: Thriving As A Servant Leader In Business With John Prothro - CEO Of Foot Solutions

What makes a leader thrive in the business? In this episode, we will uncover some leadership lessons from the CEO of Foot Solutions to help us traverse into the space of entrepreneurship. John Prothro is a global foot wellness retailer bringing much value to this conversation. He shares his leadership approach, the core values of leaders, and how pride is the downfall of a leader. Mark also talks about organizational learning and so much more! So, what are you waiting for? Set foot into this val...

Nov 27, 202319 min

Case Study - Scaling Through Lean At Theodo Group

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 adop...

Nov 19, 202324 min

Jay Sidhu Chief Executive Officer Of Customers Bancorp, Inc.

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, alo...

Nov 13, 202325 min

Former Pro Baseball Player On Cultivating A World-Class Mindset With Derin McMains

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 Dire...

Nov 06, 202321 min

How To Break Through As A Leader - 35 Years Of Lessons Learned With Scott McGohan

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 ...

Nov 01, 202318 min

From Wall Street Trader To Inc 500 Fastest Growing Company

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 t...

Oct 23, 202322 min

Escaping The Perfection Trap With Thomas Curran

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 resis...

Oct 20, 202321 min

How To Overcome The Performance Paradox With Eduardo Briceño

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 w...

Oct 18, 202320 min

2 Ingredients To Have 50,000 Employees Win With Andy Lansing, CEO Of Levy

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 i...

Oct 12, 202316 min

Building Trust: Exceptional Leadership In An Uncertain World With Darryl Stickel Ph.D

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 bac...

Sep 26, 202324 min

Cracking The Code Of Product-Market Fit With Adam Robinson, CEO Of Retention.com

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 ...

Sep 20, 202320 min

Elevate Your CEO Game: Winning Strategies And AI Innovation With Will Robinson

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 mi...

Sep 15, 202322 min

What It Takes To Scale A Business With Keith Smith

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...

Sep 13, 202320 min

Adaptive Strategy - 25 Years Of Lessons In Strategy From DuPont With Peter Compo

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 ...

Sep 07, 202329 min

Building A Brand Around High-Quality Products: The Entrepreneurship Journey Of Peter Mann

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 a...

Sep 05, 202317 min

Ultimate Mentorship - How To Take Everyone Around You To The Next Level With Scott Jeffrey Miller

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 y...

Aug 30, 202324 min

Building your team through specialists with Joe Rare CEO Level 9 Virtual

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 mu...

Aug 11, 202327 min

What happens when you listen to millions of your customers w/ Amy Brown

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 indust...

Jul 28, 202323 min

Building a 40 person ESOP through great culture and clear KPIs with Meredith Schwartz

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 le...

Jul 14, 202322 min

Get the most from your business upon exit with Kevin Shaw from Baker Tilly

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. ► Su...

Jun 30, 202328 min

Driving Change & Innovation in the Payments Industry - Insights from Blue Snap CEO Ralph Dangelmaier

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 with...

Jun 14, 202324 min

The Art of Persuasion: Building Buy-In and Inspiring Teams for Success W/ Alastair Wood

Have you ever needed to persuade someone to join your team or convince them to support a project? How did you approach the situation, and what did you learn from it? In this interview, we have the privilege of talking to Alastair Wood, Vice-President & General Counsel at Rhino a New-York based real estate startup, looking to bring greater financial freedom to renters everywhere. He shares valuable insights gained from his experience as the Chief of Staff to the General Counsel and Chief Admi...

Jun 08, 202322 min
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