Podcasts about INSEAD

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Filipa Lancastre, PhD. Filipa is someone who has never been afraid to do things differently. While most young adults in Portugal stay under their parents' roof until their 30s, Filipa took a different route. As a rising McKinsey consultant, she bought her own place, got her parents to guarantee the loan, and walked away five years later with a 50% return. But that was just the beginning. Filipa is an Assistant Professor (adjunct) of Strategy at Universidade Católica Portuguesa. She holds her PhD in Management from NOVA SBE. Filipa was a senior researcher and faculty at Nova SBE and Universidade Europeia. Prior to her academic activities, Filipa worked in telecom, serving as advisor to the board at ZON and leading the customer relationship management department at TV Cabo. She was also a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company. Filipa is an Industrial Engineer from Instituto Superior Técnico (Universidade de Lisboa) and holds an MBA from INSEAD.

The Magnificent 7 MBA programs in the U.S. by the revealing numbers 

Why finance is surging and tech is fading

The results are sometimes as mystifying as they are illuminating

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began with a wonderful review of the podcast, from an industry professional! Graham highlighted Clear Admit's ongoing summer series of webinars, which focuses on top MBA programs' admissions essays, and is attended by more than 20 of the top MBA programs. The final event is on Wednesday of this week, and includes CMU / Tepper, Chicago / Booth, MIT / Sloan, Texas / McCombs and UVA / Darden. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/mbaessay0725 Graham then discussed a new webinar focused on M7 MBA admissions, scheduled for August 7 and hosted by Alex. This event will also feature admissions coaches from Leland. Graham then noted two news events from this week. INSEAD is extending their final deadline for their January intake; we assume this might be related to uncertainty for some international students who were targeting the United States. Our Fridays from the Frontlines series features a Duke / Fuqua student with an interview on quantum computing. Graham also highlighted an admissions tip, as part of our MBA Myth Busters series: Adcoms are impressed by jargon and other fancy language in essays and interviews. We continue our series of Adcom Q&As, this week we have a Q&A from Shelly Heinrich at SMU / Cox. Finally, Graham highlighted a recently published podcast that focuses on the contents of essays and interviews and candidates' goals. This is a recording from a panel discussion from our summer event in Boston, and includes representatives from Berkeley / Haas, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School and Indiana / Kelley. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries: This week's first MBA admissions candidate has a 655 GMAT, and a 9.1 GPA (on a scale of 10).  They are a Bain consultant from India. This week's second MBA candidate has a 332 GRE score and is also a consultant. They are a first-generation immigrant from South America. The final MBA candidate also has a 655 GMAT, which they are planning to retake. They are targeting Harvard, Stanford and Wharton. We think they should consider a few more top MBA programs. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

In this podcast, Andy Yap, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, discusses how leaders can inspire and empower others through communicatiion that appeals to both the head and the heart. It starts with listening. In today's globalised workplace, leaders must communicate effectively with diverse groups. Doing this well starts with understanding the context and culture of your audience, which has as much to do with listening, observing and reading the room as speaking.He gives his take on a authenticity and discusses anticipatory stress. To get better at communicating, we need self-awareness, the space to make mistakes and honest feedback. Communication, as a skill, is well worth honing, he stressed, for it can be your sharpest edge.

"I have this fundamental belief that you make abnormal returns not when you are right but when people don't agree with you." This contrarian mindset from Jaydeep Barman perfectly captures how Rebel Foods built a $1.4 billion unicorn by doing what everyone thought was impossible: decoupling restaurant brands from physical real estate. Jaydeep Barman is the Co-founder and Group CEO of Rebel Foods, the world's largest internet restaurant platform operating 450+ cloud kitchens across 100+ cities in three countries. Under his leadership, the company processes 3 million orders monthly, generates ₹1,800+ crores in annual revenue, and achieved unicorn status at a $1.4 billion valuation. A former McKinsey Associate Partner with an MBA from INSEAD, Jaydeep pioneered the multi-brand cloud kitchen model that revolutionized how restaurants operate. In this candid conversation with host Akshay Datt, he shares the journey from a failed Kolkata roll startup to building a category-defining global company. Key Insights from the Conversation:

If you measure life by other people' success, you will always come up short.  Insead, rely on your faith for direction and inspiration and focus only on who you are and what you have done.  You'll be surprised how cool you really are.

We discuss the increasing possibility of a boycott of the FT's rankings by U.S. MBA programs.

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, recognizing that we are now moving into the new application cycle. Graham highlighted Clear Admit's ongoing summer series of webinars, which focuses on top MBA programs' admissions essays, which will be attended by more than 20 of the top MBA programs. The third event is on Wednesday of this week, and includes Columbia, Georgia Tech / Scheller, Insead, London Business School and Washington / Foster. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/mbaessay0725 Graham then noted two admissions tips. The first focuses on how to create a resume for MBA admissions.  The second, part of Clear Admit's “Mythbusters” series, discusses whether top MBA programs only provide you access to careers in Strategy consulting, Investment banking and Technology. We continue our series of Adcom Q&As, this week we have Q&As from Toronto / Rotman and Ohio State / Fisher. Finally, Graham highlighted a recently published podcast that focuses on the core elements of an MBA applicant's profile: test scores, grades, work experience and outside activities. This is a recording from a panel discussion from our summer event in Boston, and includes representatives from Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, and Georgia Tech / Scheller. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected three ApplyWire entries: This week's first MBA admissions candidate enlisted in the military. They had a GMAT of 655, then retook the test to score a 695. This week's second MBA candidate has a 330 GRE score and is looking to do a dual degree in sustainability. The final MBA candidate is a startup founder. They have also worked as a product manager. They are a first-generation immigrant and have a 331 GRE score. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

Jesús Carmona ha vivido y trabajado en seis países, ha criado tres hijos en tres idiomas, ya es abuelo, y ha aprendido a no definir su vida por un cargo. En esta conversación con BlancaJuana, habla de lo que le costó entender que el éxito no se mide en títulos, sino en decisiones: dejar de viajar en fines de semana, bajarle al protagonismo, escuchar más y figurar menos.También habla de América Latina, del liderazgo que acompaña sin invadir y de cómo se avanza —en el trabajo, en la familia, en la vida— sin seguir una línea recta.Acerca deJesús Carmona tiene más de 25 años de experiencia en liderazgo empresarial en entornos multinacionales. Inició su trayectoria en Schneider Electric en Venezuela y ha ocupado cargos de dirección en Canadá, Estados Unidos, Brasil y México. Ha liderado unidades de negocio con responsabilidad regional y global en sectores como automatización industrial, distribución eléctrica, transporte y servicios energéticos. Desde 2022 es presidente de México y América Central en Schneider Electric, con responsabilidad total sobre operaciones y P&L en la región.Es ingeniero electricista, tiene un MBA ejecutivo global por Duke University y formación ejecutiva en Insead y Harvard. Habla español, inglés, portugués y francés.

Caroline Diarte-Edwards and Maria Wich-Vila on the changes for MBA applicants

Padmini Pandya is a modern-day polymath—a storyteller, strategist and soulful creator whose life unfolds across continents and careers with the grace of a woman unbound by singular narratives. Her YouTube channel, Pieces of Miss Mini is a peek into her colorful global life where she shares her stories, the laughter, the lessons, the heartaches and the beauty, one memory at a time.  A fourth-generation East African Indian, she was born in London, rerouted throughout American, and refracted through Asia for a decade —challenges the very idea of monolithic identity. Her educational path is just as layered. Padmini holds four degrees, including an MBA from INSEAD, a Master's in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Questions? Go to https://www.youtube.com/@PiecesOfMissMini https://www.instagram.com/piecesofmissmini/ Support the program: CashApp: $SharpGameAtl PayPal: Lopaze@gmail.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/sharpgame ( CLICK HERE NOW!!! ) Get copies of my books: https://goo.gl/14cU2m This epsiode is brought to you by https://findflightsandhotels.com  

Will other business schools and corporate partners follow? We discuss

In conversation with Seán Coughlan and Dr. Joyce Wamoyi In this episode of Africa Rights Talk, we spotlight a transformative conversation on ending childhood sexual violence (CSV) with Seán Coughlan, Director of To Zero, and Dr. Joyce Wamoyi, Tanzanian Principal Investigator for the Parenting for Lifelong Health digital programs. Together, they unpack A Vision to Zero, a groundbreaking global roadmap co-created by over 50 organizations and 330 field leaders committed to eradicating CSV. Seán discusses the importance of African-led solutions in shaping global agendas, while Joyce reflects on the powerful impact of the ParentApp Teen initiative in Tanzania, which has significantly reduced sexual violence against children through digital parenting support. Explore the A Vision to Zero Roadmap and the Toolkit for practical strategies and evidence-based interventions. The discussion dives into the critical need to shift harmful social norms, amplify survivor voices, and foster cross-sector partnerships involving parents, civil society, and governments. Seán and Joyce explore what's working, the systemic barriers that remain, and how young Africans and advocates can take hope and action from emerging evidence and success stories. This episode is a call to invest in locally rooted, globally relevant interventions that bring us closer to a world free from childhood sexual violence.    Seán Coughlan is a senior leader with extensive experience across both the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors. His experience includes tackling childhood sexual violence and harmful practices in his current role as Director of To Zero and previously as Executive Director of the Human Dignity Foundation. His career also includes managing Ireland's largest indigenous internet forum as Chief Executive of Boards.ie and co-founding and running Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, a sector-leading social entrepreneurship fund. Seán has also served on a number of not-for-profit and academic boards and working groups including the End Violence Against Children Safe Online Working Group, the Advisory Board of INTERPOL's Fight Against Child Sexual Exploitation Initiative, the Board of the European Venture Philanthropy Association, the Enterprise Advisory Board of Dublin City University, the Board of Trustees of Airfield Estate farm and sustainable food hub, and the Leonardo Group of Science Gallery Dublin. Seán earned a degree in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin and is a graduate of Harvard Business School, INSEAD and the Irish Management Institute executive education programmes. Dr. Joyce Wamoyi is a Social and Behavioural Researcher with over 20 years of research experience in adolescent and young people's Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH); Social determinants of health; Parenting and child outcomes; and Sexual and gender-based violence. She has contributed to the understanding dynamics of risky sexual behaviour and to the development of measures to capture complexity of risky sexual behaviour. She is the Tanzanian Lead Principal Investigator for the Parenting for Lifelong Health digital parenting programmes (ParentApp-Teens and ParentApp-Kids) to prevent violence against children. Dr. Wamoyi has excelled in translating complex research findings into actionable strategies, collaborating with national governments, civil society organizations, bilateral and philanthropic donors, and UN agencies. She is the lead of the project on building a national parenting support system for scaling evidence-based parenting interventions in Tanzania. She served as a member of the: WHO Behavioural Insights Technical Advisory Group; and UNICEF Advisory Board for the multi-country project “Children's Experiences and Perspectives of Covid-19”. She is a co-founder of the organisation, REAL Transformation that collects evidence and transforms it into action for policy impact.     This conversation was recorded on 17 June 2025.         Youtube: https://youtu.be/MpQFogU6lns Music and news extracts: Inner Peace by Mike Chino https://soundcloud.com/mike-chinoCreative Commons — Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported — CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...Music promoted by Audio Libraryhttps://youtu.be/0nI6qJeqFcc Limitless https://stock.adobe.com/za/search/audio?k=45259238        

Caroline, Maria and John on what you need to know to make the best impression

Membership | Donations | Spotify | YouTube | Apple PodcastsThis week we speak with George Pór, mentee of Doug Englebart, Founder of Future HOW, Enlivening Edge, and Campus Co-Evolve, independent scholar with past academic posts at the London School of Economics, INSEAD, UC Berkeley, California Institute of Integral Studies, and Université de Paris, wisdom-guided AI advisor at River, and consultant who has worked with clients including the UN Development Programme, HP, Greenpeace, Intel, Ford, and the World Wildlife Foundation. George has played vital roles our emerging understanding of collective intelligence, knowledge gardening, and online community. In this episode we explore his latest iteration as a Metamodern AI Shaman — what that means, why he's promoting this approach for the cultivation of hybrid human-machine wisdom, and his theory of change for a reimagined human being in an age of collaborative planet-scale intelligence.Links• Hire me for speaking or consulting• Explore the Humans On The Loop archives• Dig into nine years of mind-expanding podcasts• Browse the books we discuss on the show at Bookshop.org• Explore the interactive knowledge garden grown from over 250 episodesDiscussedExtensive context and background summary provided by George hereRadio evolve #568 - Collective Wisdom and ChatGPT with George PórPrelude to the Rise of the Compassionate AI - George PórAI and Wisdom - George PórA Future of our Interactions with AI - George PórNobel Prize in economics awarded to trio for explaining why some nations are rich and others poor (CNN)Scaling of urban income inequality in the USA - Elisa Heinrich Mora, Cate Heine, Jacob J. Jackson, Geoffrey B. West, Vicky Chuqiao Yang, and Christopher P. KempesAI Attending Human Attending AIRelationality - David JaySeeing Like A State - James C. ScottMentioned People & EpisodesLayman PascalFrederic LalouxTimothy MortonAri KushnerStephanie LeppDavid SauvageRoss DawsonStephen ReidTurquoise SoundKate RaworthMatt SegallFrancisco Varela This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaelgarfield.substack.com/subscribe

“People who eat healthily don't have that much more willpower. They have just engineered their environment to avoid having to resist temptation.”Pierre Chandon, Professor of Marketing at INSEAD, challenges the idea that healthy eating is a matter of self-control. On the INSEAD Knowledge podcast, he explains how our surroundings – what we see, where we are and how food is framed – play a far greater role in shaping what we eat.Chandon explains that there are four ways food products claim to be healthy. Some brands say it's because they have improved the nutritional properties of the food. They use labels like “enriched” if they have added “good” vitamins and minerals or “diet” if they have removed “bad” sugar and fat. These are the traditional, nutrition-based ways to be healthy.Other food products claim to be healthy “by nature”. These brands claim they have preserved the food's natural characteristics by either not adding anything “bad” (these includes claims such as “clean” or “free from” additives or hormones) or by not removing anything “good” (these includes claims such as “whole” or “organic”).“Consumers are less and less interested in the nutritional approach,” says Chandon. Rather, they now favour foods that are healthy by nature.In a series of studies with his co-author Maria Langlois, he found that nature itself can nudge people towards better choices. When participants walked in a park rather than through city streets, they picked fruit over unhealthy snacks. Even just looking at pictures of green landscapes had a similar effect. “A natural view makes people more willing to trade off taste and diet for natural healthy food,” he says.He also points to a disconnect between how brands talk about health and what consumers actually want. For instance, his research with Romain Cadario shows that in France, labels on cereal packages align with local preferences. However, in the United States, companies miss key signals. “It's not enough to say I'm healthy,” he says. “You have to be healthy in the right way.”

In this episode, Bev and Tassos discuss:​Difference between leadership and executive coaching​HEART acronym​CCE programKey Takeaways and Actions:​How can you connect more with your heart when coaching​Reach out to Tassos if you'd like to learn the HEART method to leadership coachingABOUT TASSOSAnastasios (Tassos) is the President of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) Doha Chapter and the Middle East Ambassador for the ICF Foundation for Coaching for Social Impact.As an accredited ICF PCC Executive Holistic Coach, he brings a wealth of experience from diverse roles in Europe, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, and Qatar. With expertise in leadership, coaching, and holistic personal development, Tassos emphasizes the importance of balancing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being through his Leadership by HEART© Coaching methodology.His educational background includes advanced executive education from institutions like London Business School and INSEAD. Tassos is passionate about contributing to the personal and professional growth of individuals and organizations through executive coaching and group coaching.SM LINKS:Website: https://tassoskotzias.com/LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasioskotzias-icf-acc/Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/anastasios.kotzias.5/Instagram: www.instagram.com/my.holistic.coachABOUT BEVERLYBeverly Sartain is the President of the Holistic Coach Training Institute, where she trains aspiring coaches on coaching skills and business set-up. The Holistic Coach Certification Programs are ICF Level 1 and Level 2 accredited that focuses on a holistic approach to coaching. We see Clients as whole, complete and resourceful to create creative solutions to their challenges and issues. During her ten-year career in nonprofits, she managed and developed domestic violence and co-occurring residential programs. Beverly is a Certified Addictions Professional. She has her PCC (Professional Certified Coach) from the ICF. Connect with HCTISign-up for Holistic Coach Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign-up for a Discovery Call ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ so you can join our Holistic Coach Certification Program or receive coaching.Request to join no cost FB group: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/holisticcoachnetwork⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://holisticcoachtraininginstitute.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Waypoint Immigration's Amber Davis on what to expect from the new social media reviews in the U.S.

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing some of the recent activity on LiveWire, which includes a little movement on wait lists. We then continued our discussion on the recent U.S. Government decisions as they pertain to international MBA students; visa interviews are now available again. No doubt this whole situation is causing great anxiety. Graham highlighted Clear Admit's new summer series of webinars, which focuses on top MBA programs' admissions essays, which will be attended by more than 20 of the top MBA programs. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/mbaessay0725 Graham then noted two new articles, posted on Clear Admit, regarding Chicago / Booth. The first addresses a generous donation for their health care focus, the second addresses an entrepreneurial contest which awarded more than $2 million to the top 10 finalists. Graham also highlighted three admissions tips that focus on addressing gaps in unemployment, and two “myth busters” that dispel the notions that you need to have experience in finance or consulting to apply for a top MBA, or that you need perfect test scores for the very top MBA programs. We continue our new series of Adcom Q&As, which is a yearly series where we interview the admissions leaders at all the top MBA programs; this week we have Q&As from Washington / Foster, Cambridge / Judge, and Michigan State / Broad. Finally, Graham highlighted two Real Humans alumni spotlights, alums from Emory / Goizueta working at BCG, and Duke / Fuqua working at Accenture. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected two ApplyWire entries and one DecisionWire entry. This week's first MBA admissions candidate has two years of work experience to date and is originally from Japan. They have yet to complete the GMAT test. This week's second MBA candidate has five years of experience with a GRE of 326. We believe their overall profile is very strong, but we discussed the merits of retaking the GRE. The final MBA candidate is deciding between London Business School and INSEAD. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

How do you continuously reinvent L&D while working with the same stakeholders and navigating constant change? In this episode, Avinash Chadarana, Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group, shares the realities of leading L&D over the long haul—building from scratch, overcoming challenges like budget cuts and COVID, and evolving with a geographically dispersed remote team. We dive into the biggest shifts in L&D over the past few decades, the ongoing challenge of moving stakeholders beyond just training requests, and how AI is shaping the future of workforce development. Avinash also shares his principles for staying relevant and ensuring his team does the same. Take your L&D to the next level Take advantage of thousands of hours of analysis. Hundreds of conversations with industry innovators and 25+ years of hands-on global L&D leadership. It's all distilled into one framework to help you level up L&D. Access the L&D Maturity Model here - https://360learning.com/maturity-model KEY TAKEAWAYS Develop an intrapreneurial culture to encourage employees to generate innovative ideas. Ask what we are here to achieve, not what we are here to deliver. Make sure everyone knows what success looks like. Empower performance. Leverage localised generative AI. Align learning and development initiatives directly with business outcomes. Join the dots for stakeholders so they truly understand what L&D can do for them. BEST MOMENTS “Lead by outcomes, not by hours logged.” “See what's coming up and stop being in reactive mode.” “With AI we have gone past that point of fetishization or it being novel. We're hearing actual success stories.” GUEST BIO Avinash Chandarana is a visionary global L&D leader with over 25 years of experience shaping workplace learning. As Global Learning & Development Director at MCI Group - a leading global engagement and marketing agency - he founded the MCI Institute in 2008, transforming employee development for 2,500 staff across 60 offices in 31 countries. A recognised Fellow of the Learning & Performance Institute (LPI), Avinash combines human-centred design with cutting-edge technology, including AI, to optimise learning experiences and drive business impact. A true global nomad, his career spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with successful projects in 33+ countries. Beyond leading L&D, he is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and moderator, holding credentials from MIT Sloan and INSEAD in neuroscience, leadership, and management. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avinashc VALUABLE RESOURCES The Learning And Development Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523 L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home ABOUT THE HOST David James David has been a People Development professional for more than 20 years, most notably as Director of Talent, Learning & OD for The Walt Disney Company across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. As well as being the Chief Learning Officer at 360Learning, David is a prominent writer and speaker on topics around modern and digital L&D. CONTACT METHOD  https://twitter.com/davidinlearning https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjameslinkedin L&D Collective: https://360learning.com/the-l-and-d-collective https://360learning.com/blog L&D Master Class Series: https://360learning.com/blog/l-and-d-masterclass-home This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Since 2019, Pius leads Sanofi China encompassing Greater China, representing the 2nd largest market of Sanofi in the world with over 8,000 associates. Pius and his team are fully dedicated to transforming healthcare by accelerating the introduction and access to innovative and chronic medicines, driving digitalization, as well as empowering people to bring their best to the workplace.Pius' extensive experience in the healthcare industry encompasses a variety of key positions and responsibilities, including leading global core brands, and P&L responsibilities for different geographical areas within Europe, Latin America, emerging markets, and Greater China. He has worked around the world in countries including France, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Brazil, Tanzania, and China. He has successfully launched several major innovative medicines both globally and locally.Pius is a native of Switzerland. He started his career in the healthcare industry at the Cardiology Department of the University of Basel in a research collaboration with Novartis in Switzerland, where he earned his PhD in medical research, graduating magna cum laud. He is an alumnus of INSEAD and Singularity University. He speaks fluent German, English, French, and Portuguese.Pius has an extensive experience with various industry associations, where he currently holds several key leadership positions, as an active member of RDPAC Executive Committee and Sponsor of the Market Access Committee, as well as Vice-Chair of the European Chamber Shanghai Chapter. Pius is also speaker at the World Economic Forum's China Chapter.He is a strong believer in the idea that innovation ultimately drives progress and prosperity, an active advocate for increasing diversity in society. Pius is happily married, and a proud father of twin daughters.

Berkeley Haas shakes things up, MIT Sloan and Kellogg set MBA app deadlines

Welcome back to another episode of the HR insights: podcast!In this episode, our CEO and host, Stuart Elliott, chats to International Benefits Strategy Leader Maggie Lester at Merck Group, to discuss the evolution of employee benefits and how they mould the brand and culture of the organisation. Maggie shares insights spanning her 20 years of international experience, highlighting the shift from pensions to more inclusive benefits. She notes the impact that cultural differences have on benefit structures, discussing the implementation of fertility, menopause, carers' leave and trans health benefits.Who is our guest?Maggie Lester is a remuneration specialist with over 20 years' international experience working for both consultancies and multinationals, in the UK, France, Switzerland, Japan and Hong Kong.  She currently heads up employee benefits for Merck Group KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, covering over 60,000 employees across 65 jurisdictions.  Previous roles include Meta, HSBC (Asia Pacific) and Reuters.  Maggie has always been passionate about designing and delivering innovative solutions that deliver both employee value and fiscal benefits for organisations.  She believes that DE&I is a business case, and that a company's benefits define their position.  She holds a BSc in Economics from the University of Bristol in the UK, and an MBA for Executives from INSEAD.Key timestamps00:40: Introducing Maggie Lester06:02: How benefits have evolved12:05: Benefits linked to brand and culture17:00: Time off/ quality of life20:40: DEI as part of the benefits package26:27: Fertility benefits30:02: Has the shift in DEI impacted the benefits space35:30: Global vs local benefits40:00: Newest trends within benefits46:32: Advice for renewing your benefit structure48:24: Wellness benefits This episode is sponsored by our partners at Cappfinity. Cappfinity believes in a world where skills and potential create opportunity for all. They are global leaders in measuring and developing potential in Talent Acquisition & Talent Management with a focus on skills and strengths.Through the Cappfinity Skills Suite® they provide skills-based Talent Acquisition and Management solutions across all levels and industries.Their Talent Acquisition solutions range from pre-skilling to seamless onboarding - all the while delivering immersive, brand aligned and insightful experiences to their clients and their candidates.Interested in their services? Please reach out to Celine.Floyd@cappfinity.com to book your demo today.You can listen to and download HR Insights from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and other popular podcast apps. Please subscribe so the latest episodes are directly available! You can also join our HR Community by following us on LinkedIn.Thank you for listening and please do review and rate us wherever you listen!

Kamal Hassan, Managing Partner at Loyal VC, spoke with Rudolf Falat, founder of the Voice of FinTech podcast, about backing INSEAD and Founder Institute alums (mainly) worldwide with a unique approach.Here is what they covered: Kamal, can you briefly introduce yourself?Can you describe Loyal VC - what does it do? Where are you based?Are you global? How much money have you facilitated since inception, and for how many growth companies? How many investors?What kind of growth companies have you invested in? What's your onboarding approach? E.g., minimum size of the stakeWhat are your best tips for aspiring founders to grow their companies?How do you find investment opportunities and investors? What are your selection criteria?Can you share success stories of the growth companies you invested in?What's your favorite business book (or another learning source)?Wrap up: What's the best way to reach out? Check out www.loyal.vc

Visa restrictions, tuition model changes and increased taxes on college endowments will force a fundamental reshaping of business schools

In this episode of In The Know, we catch up with Stefano Pizzoli and Francesca Fitzgerald, two alumni from the pioneering INSEAD Master in Management (MIM) class that graduated in 2021. Five years after starting their INSEAD journey, they share how the MIM shaped their careers, from launching a startup to consulting at BCG, and reflect on the personal growth and global opportunities they've gained. If you're wondering whether a Master in Management is worth it, their stories offer honest, inspiring answers.  Timesteamps 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guests: Stefano and Francesca from INSEAD's pioneering MIM cohort 01:24 – Guests' introductions: Background and current roles at Celonis (Stefano) and BCG (Francesca) 02:25 – Why they chose to join the pioneering INSEAD MIM programme 05:35 – Stefano's memorable experience applying to INSEAD 10:11 – Navigating the unexpected challenges of starting the programme during the COVID-19 pandemic 17:14 – Maintaining strong bonds with classmates post-graduation 21:44 – Stefano's global career journey in tech at Celonis 27:10 – Francesca's career path in consulting, across Portugal, the Middle East, and now New York City 33:44 – Stefano shares the entrepreneurial story behind his tomato sauce business 37:16 – Francesca highlights the unexpected benefits and personal growth from the INSEAD MIM experience

Ce jeudi 5 juin, les personnalités et les événements importants qui ont marqué le secteur de la technologie en 25 ans ont été abordés par Alexandra Roulet, professeure à l'Insead, Cécile Lejeune, présidente de Kantar Insights France, Frédéric Simottel, journaliste BFM Business, et Jean-Hervé Lorenzi, fondateur du Cercle des économistes, dans l'émission Les Experts, présentée par Nicolas Doze et Anthony Morel sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au vendredi et réécoutez la en podcast.

Ce jeudi 5 juin, les enseignements à tirer du baromètre exclusif pour BFM Business concernant les technologies qui ont marqué les Français en 25 ans, la question de savoir si l'IA a réellement transformé les entreprises, ainsi que son effet sur l'emploi, ont été abordés par Anthony Morel, journaliste BFM Business, Alexandra Roulet, professeure à l'Insead, Cécile Lejeune, présidente de Kantar Insights France, Frédéric Simottel, journaliste BFM Business, et Jean-Hervé Lorenzi, fondateur du Cercle des économistes, dans l'émission Les Experts, présentée par Nicolas Doze sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au vendredi et réécoutez la en podcast.

Ce jeudi 5 juin, Nicolas Doze et Anthony Morel ont reçu Alexandra Roulet, professeure à l'Insead, Cécile Lejeune, présidente de Kantar Insights France, Frédéric Simottel, journaliste BFM Business, et Jean-Hervé Lorenzi, fondateur du Cercle des économistes, dans l'émission Les Experts de la Tech sur BFM Business. Retrouvez l'émission du lundi au vendredi et réécoutez la en podcast.

Born in France almost 50 years ago, Decathlon has grown into the world's largest sporting goods retailer with over 1,700 stores in more than 70 countries. On today's episode of Redefiners, Simon Kingston is joined by our new co-host, Marla Oates, as they sit down with former CEO of Decathlon Barbara Martin Coppola. Barbara takes us through her globe-hopping journey in leadership roles across several industries, including technology, home furnishings, food delivery, and consumer electronics before she came to the CEO role at Decathlon. She talks about the need for a clear North Star to enable transformation, creating a culture of innovation, driving a circular product strategy, and redefining Decathlon's customer experience in-store and online. Plus, as a member of the board of directors at INSEAD, she shares her insights on how educational institutions' next generation leaders need to redefine what skills will be needed in a rapidly changing world. We'll also hear from Pam Fitzpatrick, Global Head of Sustainability at Russell Reynolds Associates. Pam will discuss key insights from our 2024 Sustainability Report and the commitments we've made as a firm. Four things you'll learn from this episode: How a North Star and guiding purpose can shape overall business strategy and leadership development How to build a culture of innovation while maintaining a clear vision of quarterly, annual, and longer-term goals How a circular product strategy impacts product life cycle from design and distribution through end of life How educational institutions and young people need to redefine the skills needed in a rapidly changing world If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like these Redefiners episodes: Paws, Purpose & Profit: A Conversation with Pets at Home CEO Lyssa McGowan Leadership Lounge: Beyond Handshakes – How to Build Trust and Transform Executive Team Performance Unpacking Leadership Lessons with Marriott International President and CEO Tony Capuano Leadership Lounge: What do top-performing teams have in common? Outwork the Competition: Jordan Brand's Winning Strategy with President Sarah Mensah Leadership Lounge: How to develop your personal leadership brand

Our advice: Purge your social media accounts. Create a Plan B. And apply first round if you want to come to the U.S. to study next year.

Episode Info Debbie Brackeen leads CSAA Insurance Group in strategy, partnerships, innovation and venture investing. She has more than 25 years of experience and leadership at innovative high-tech companies, including Apple, Sun, HP, and eBay, and, most recently, serving as the global head of innovation at Citigroup. She has served as an adviser to the Astia Technology Committee since 2008, and was an adviser on the corporate board of the National Venture Capital Association. Ms. Brackeen earned a degree in American Studies from Stanford University and has completed executive programs at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, INSEAD and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.   Highlights from the Show The video features a discussion with David, who has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, focusing on casualty underwriting and management. He currently serves as the Head of Casualty at Argo Group, where he oversees various liability lines, including primary and excess casualty, environmental liabilities, construction liabilities, and workers' compensation. The conversation highlights Argo's niche focus on the U.S. market, with some operations in Bermuda, and its recent acquisition by Brookfield Wealth Solutions. David shares insights into the challenges faced by the Casualty insurance sector, such as social inflation, litigiousness in the U.S., and the economic viability of Casualty lines. He discusses the importance of capacity management and the need for insurance carriers to be nimble in managing their portfolios. The conversation also touches on the impact of distracted driving on auto insurance claims and the necessity for the industry to adapt to changing conditions. The video concludes with a discussion on the future of the insurance industry, emphasizing the need for innovation and the importance of attracting new talent to sustain the industry. David expresses optimism about the industry's ability to adapt and continue providing necessary coverage despite current challenges. Episode Summary The video features a discussion on the strategic implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within a corporate setting, specifically focusing on the insurance industry. The conversation is led by Debbie Brackeen, who heads innovation and corporate development at CSAA Insurance Group, a part of the AAA insurance companies in the US.  Key Points AI Strategy and Implementation: The focus is on harnessing the power of Generative AI (Gen AI) to transform business operations and create sustainable business value. The strategy involves embedding AI as a strategic capability within the company to gain a competitive advantage. AI in Insurance: The conversation highlights the potential of AI to revolutionize the insurance industry by improving efficiency and accuracy in claims processing and underwriting. The use of AI is seen as a way to manage both structured and unstructured data more effectively. Challenges and Opportunities: There is an acknowledgment of the challenges posed by AI, such as the need for governance, controls, and regulatory compliance. However, the potential benefits, such as faster claims processing and better customer service, are emphasized. Future Outlook: The discussion reflects optimism about the future impact of AI, comparing its transformative potential to that of the Internet. There is a belief that AI will lead to new job roles and opportunities, rather than just eliminating existing ones. Overall, the video provides insights into how AI is being strategically integrated into business processes to enhance efficiency and create new opportunities within the insurance sector. This episode is brought to you by The Future of Insurance book series (future-of-insurance.com) from Bryan Falchuk. Follow the podcast at future-of-insurance.com/podcast for more details and other episodes. Music courtesy of Hyperbeat Music, available to stream or download on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music and more.

Most founders add layers to gain control. Reed Hastings built an empire by removing them. This episode unpacks No Rules Rules—the leadership playbook behind Netflix's rise from a DVD mail service to a global entertainment powerhouse. Co-authored by founder Reed Hastings and INSEAD professor Erin Meyer, the book reveals how to scale not through policy, but through trust, talent density, and extreme transparency. But this isn't just about Netflix. It's about you—if you're building or investing in companies between Series A and IPO, where culture either compounds performance or quietly kills it. I walk you through 7 operational principles that deep-tech teams can apply now—lessons forged in crisis, growth, and reinvention. You'll learn how to sunshine mistakes, pay like a pirate, and lead without becoming a bottleneck. Each principle is translated into coaching prompts, ready to implement this week. Key Takeaways: Culture Outruns Capital: Don't optimize the engine—reinvent the vehicle.Pro Team > Family: Loyalty is earned through excellence, not tenure.Candor Drives Speed: Build feedback loops that fuel progress.Pay Top of Market: Buy peace of mind. Unlock creative flow.Bet Boldly: Seek dissent. Test. Learn. Repeat.Context Beats Control: Share the why. Let them own the how.Transparency = Trust: Open up, even when it's uncomfortable.Timestamps: (00:00) Intro – Why Netflix Scaled Faster by Removing Rules, Not Adding Them (04:30) Who Is Reed Hastings? – From Math Teacher to Global Disruptor (09:13) Book Snapshot – What Makes No Rules Rules a Real Operating System (11:35) Lesson 1: Culture Outruns Capital – How Netflix Survived 4 Disruptions, Blockbuster Didn't Survive One (17:25) Lesson 2: Build a Pro Team, Not a Family – Talent Density Over Loyalty (22:48) Lesson 3: Radical Candor = Speed – The Feedback Model That Fuels Innovation (27:34) Lesson 4: Pay Like a Pirate – Why Netflix Pays Top of Market—No Games, Just Outcomes (32:20) Lesson 5: Bet Bold, Fail Proudly – The 4-Step Innovation Cycle That Keeps Netflix Ahead (39:12) Lesson 6: Lead with Context, Not Control – Scaling Leadership Without Becoming a Bottleneck (43:28) Lesson 7: Transparency Builds Velocity – How Truth-Telling Became Netflix's Superpower (48:15) 7 Key Takeaways – The Culture Playbook Every Growth-Stage Founder Needs (50:15) Personal Reflection – What I Questioned, What I'll Steal, What Gave Me Pause (52:00) Call to Action + What's Next – Support the Show + Tease of the Next Episode Why Listen: Learn how Netflix scaled without micromanagementGet 7 principles that push your org design, talent strategy, and leadership edgeDiscover where you're still playing defense—when your culture should be your offenseUpgrade your leadership thinking with real examples and immediate applicationsFound this useful? Like, share, and follow. Every signal grows the show—and brings in more elite guests ready to share the truths behind high-growth success. Send us a textSupport the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link

On today's episode, Clay is joined by Tim Koller to discuss all things valuation. Tim is the lead author of Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies which is the #1 best-selling guide to business valuation. This book—now in its eighth edition—has sold more than one million copies, and is used as a textbook at top business schools such as Wharton School, University of Chicago, MIT, INSEAD, Tuck School of Business, and Northwestern University. As a Partner at McKinsey & Company, Tim combines broad cross-sector experience with decades of service to clients in value creation, corporate strategy, capital-markets issues, and M&A transactions. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - How companies create shareholder value. 05:13 - The common misconceptions related to creating shareholder value. 13:54 - How managers should think about return on invested capital. 28:08 - Why it's so common for managers to not take a long-term approach. 33:16 - How return on invested capital impacts a company's valuation. 46:30 - How Tim thinks about the vast differences in returns we've seen in the US relative to Europe. And so much more! Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences. BOOKS AND RESOURCES Join Clay and a select group of passionate value investors for a retreat in Big Sky, Montana. Learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join the exclusive ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Mastermind Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, Kyle, and the other community members. Tim's book: Valuation. McKinsey's website. McKinsey's insights: McKinsey on Finance. Related Episode: TIP577: Valuation Masterclass w/ Aswath Damodaran. Follow Tim on LinkedIn. Follow Clay on LinkedIn & X. Check out all the books mentioned and discussed in our podcast episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy ad-free episodes when you subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Premium Feed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. NEW TO THE SHOW? Get smarter about valuing businesses in just a few minutes each week through our newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Intrinsic Value Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Check out our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠We Study Billionaires Starter Packs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow our official social media accounts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Browse through all our episodes (complete with transcripts) ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try our tool for picking stock winners and managing our portfolios: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TIP Finance Tool⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Enjoy exclusive perks from our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠favorite Apps and Services⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn how to better start, manage, and grow your business with the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠best business podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPONSORS Support our free podcast by supporting our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: ⁠SimpleMining⁠ ⁠Hardblock⁠ ⁠AnchorWatch⁠ ⁠DeleteMe⁠ ⁠Fundrise⁠ ⁠Vanta⁠ ⁠The Bitcoin Way⁠ ⁠Unchained⁠ ⁠CFI Education⁠ ⁠Onramp⁠ ⁠Shopify HELP US OUT! Help us reach new listeners by leaving us a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rating and review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! It takes less than 30 seconds, and really helps our show grow, which allows us to bring on even better guests for you all! Thank you – we really appreciate it! Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://premium.theinvestorspodcast.com/ Support our show by becoming a premium member! ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://theinvestorspodcastnetwork.supportingcast.fm

In this episode of Money Tales, our guest is Sophie Bertin. You know that feeling when everything looks good on paper, a great job, supportive colleagues, a solid paycheck, but something inside keeps whispering, this isn't it! That was Sophie. She had a comfortable life, but comfort wasn't enough. It took a spark - an unexpected stat about entrepreneurs from a business school dean when Sophie was at a less-than-satisfying moment in her career - for her to realize: “Why am I in the 50% who haven't taken the leap?” That catalyzed her turning point. Sophie Bertin has a varied career path, from strategic consultancy, to banking operations, to the European Commission and now turned entrepreneur. She recently founded Serapy with the aim of improving corporate compliance training through the combination of simulations, gamification, role play and online tools. Serapy uses the latest educational theories to provide trainings with increased retention rate, and combines that with AI tools to enhance the learning process. Serapy is currently present in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Portugal, France and the UAE. Serapy has been accepted in the incubation program of the Unicorn Factory Lisbon and of Station F in Paris. In addition to Serapy, Sophie has her own consultancy (Parnima Consulting) since 2016, where she works with top legal and regulatory firms, consultancy firms and financial clients on EU Regulations in the area of Financial Services, Foreign Subsidies and State Aid. She also serves as independent board member of Eastnets, a leading provider of AML, SWIFT and payments solutions. She sits on the Remuneration, Nomination and Governance Committee. Before becoming entrepreneur, Sophie was Group Head of Corporate Development and Managing Director of SIX Group (in Switzerland), in charge of strategy development, innovation and regulatory affairs. During the Financial Crisis, she served as Head of Unit at the Directorate General for Competition within the European Commission. There, she was responsible for the review and approval of the State aid provided by Member States to the financial services (mostly banks) during the financial crisis of 2008-2014. Prior to her role with the European Commission, Sophie held senior positions within SWIFT, where she was globally in charge of Asset Servicing; with The Bank of New York Mellon; and worked with the top consultancies McKinsey and later Bain &Co. She started her career path as IT and database programmer, which is very helpful now with the latest AI tools she uses in her start-up. She started her studies in Vienna, graduated from the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, holds an MBA from INSEAD and a post-graduate diploma in EU Competition Law from King's College. She holds also a diploma from the Swiss Board Institute. She is member of the Executive Committee of the INSEAD Alumni organization, and she is also the founder and president of the global INSEAD Women in Business Club. Recently, she finished an advanced AI Mastery class and won the award for the best AI Application Builder. She is promoting and advocating for AI literacy among women and through the INSEAD Women in Business Club organizes events for Women in AI.

O convidado do programa Pânico dessa terça-feira (27) é Marcos Troyjo.O Professor Marcos Troyjo é Transformational Leadership Fellow da Universidade de Oxford e Distinguished Fellow do Insead. Membro do Conselho do Futuro Global do Fórum Econômico Mundial, foi presidente do Novo Banco de Desenvolvimento e Secretário Especial de Comércio Exterior e Assuntos Internacionais do Ministério da Economia. Marcos Troyjo foi o primeiro ocidental a chefiar um organismo internacional sediado na Ásia e o primeiro brasileiro a presidir um banco multilateral de desenvolvimento. Foi um dos principais negociadores do Acordo Mercosul União Europeia. Fundou e dirigiu o BRICLab na Universidade Columbia, em Nova York, onde lecionou relações internacionais. Troyjo é um dos brasileiros mais influentes no mundo em temas relacionados a economias emergentes, megatendências e o próximo ciclo da globalização. É voz de destaque em estratégias de como o Brasil pode utilizar suas vantagens comparativas em mineração, energia, agricultura e economia verde para construir um futuro intensivo em tecnologiaEconomista, cientista político e diplomata, é conselheiro de empresas multinacionais e autor de livros sobre desenvolvimento econômico, relações internacionais e inovação.Redes Sociais: Linkedln: linkedin.com/in/marcos-troyjo-4006539b

Chances are applications to top MBA programs will be down due to economic uncertainty and Trump's visa terror

What if the key to innovation isn't a process, but a mindset that travels across boundaries, disciplines, and decades?   From international development to McKinsey to leading AI strategy at Microsoft, Dean Carignan has built his career at the intersection of systems, people, and impact. Now, as co-author of The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft, he's helping organizations rethink how real innovation happens, not just in startups or labs, but in legacy institutions and global companies.   In this episode, Dean shares lessons from two decades at Microsoft, where he's worked across Xbox, Office, cognitive services, and AI research. He also reflects on why innovation is ultimately about people, not products, and how leaders can create space for meaningful change, even inside complex organizations.   We explore: How Dean moved from solving global problems at the World Bank to driving change inside one of the world's largest tech companies The power of being a “boundary crosser” and why innovation happens in the in-between Why mission often outperforms money as a motivator, especially in hiring for impact The overlooked value of storytelling in innovation (and how case studies bring ideas to life) How AI is transforming not only productivity, but the very nature of scientific discovery Why learning to build with agents may be the most valuable skill of the next decade   Dean also shares practical examples of how he uses AI today, from research to writing to daily decision-making, and why “thinking about thinking” is the leadership advantage most people overlook.   Whether you're guiding a team through change, building a new product, or trying to stay ahead of the AI curve, this conversation offers a grounded, human-centered approach to innovation in a time of exponential possibility.   Dean Carignan's career spans international economic development, startup ventures, and strategic roles in technology. He is an alumnus of Georgetown University and INSEAD, he was a charter member of McKinsey & Company's advanced technology practice.   During his 20 years at Microsoft, he has guided new businesses, including the early internet division, Xbox, and multiple Al efforts through the critical growth phases to their first billion dollars in revenue.   Most recently, Dean has focused on leading AI innovations within Microsoft Research and the Office of the Chief Scientist. His intrapreneurial spirit, deep institutional knowledge, and expansive internal network made the behind-the-scenes perspective of The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft   Get Dean's book here: https://www.innovationatmicrosoft.com/ The Insider's Guide to Innovation at Microsoft   Here are some free gifts for you: Overall Approach Used in Well-Managed Strategy Studies free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/OverallApproach   McKinsey & BCG winning resume free download: www.firmsconsulting.com/resumepdf   Enjoying this episode? Get access to sample advanced training episodes here: www.firmsconsulting.com/promo

These MBA graduates represent the most promising and exceptional young professionals in the world

Send us a textToday's guest is Phanish Puranam, INSEAD Professor and author of Re-Humanize: How to Build Human-Centric Organizations in the Age of Algorithms. He's the perfect guest to discuss how AI is transforming—not just tasks—but the very DNA of how organizations operate.Here's what you'll learn:Why the future of AI in business isn't about job replacement, but organizational redesignHow AI is turning from tool to teammate, and what that means for leadership and decision-makingWhat "bionic organizations" are—and how companies can blend algorithms and humans without crushing autonomy or purposeWhy algorithmic bureaucracy might quietly become the most dangerous workplace trendHow poor implementation of AI threatens to destroy learning cultures and employee agencyThe four pitfalls of AI adoption most companies fall into—and how to avoid themA framework for designing AI systems that enhance human competence, not erode itWhy employees—not just executives—should shape the future of AI-powered workAbout our guest: Phanish Puranam is the Roland Berger Chaired Professor of Strategy & Organization Design at INSEAD, where he also leads the Organizations & Algorithms research initiative. With a career focused on the science of how organizations work—and how they change—he brings a deeply research-backed, globally informed perspective on the next phase of AI's workplace evolution.

The resume you submit with your application is very different from the one you use to get a job

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the Round 3 activity on LiveWire; interview invites and final decisions continue to roll out for this shortened application cycle; next week Emory / Goizueta, Berkeley / Haas and Duke / Fuqua are scheduled to release final decisions. Graham noted a new Clear Admit survey, where we are trying to understand the issues and concerns that international students may have, with regards to coming to the United States for an MBA. The survey link is here: https://bit.ly/mba25usa Graham highlighted Clear Admit's Application Overview May series of events that begin this week on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday's event includes Dartmouth / Tuck, Duke / Fuqua, INSEAD, London Business School and Michigan / Ross. The remainder of events in this series will be hosted on May 20 and 21. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/appoverview25 Sandwiched in the middle of this series is Clear Admit's MBA admissions fair in Boston, on May 14th. This event includes panel discussions, one of which is focused on Consulting hiring and is led by Bain. Twenty-four of the top 25 U.S.-based MBA programs are planning to attend, along with London Business School. Signups for this event are here: https://bit.ly/mbafair2025 Graham noted three articles recently published on Clear Admit. The first details the best laptops for MBAs as they plan to begin their program. The second article is part of Clear Admit's Real Numbers series and looks at the percentage of MBA students who go into Consulting after business school. The final article is a deep-dive research piece that examines placement statistics of the top US MBA programs, by geography. This helps us understand the regional nature of many of the leading MBA programs. Graham highlighted five Real Humans alumni spotlights, alums from Michigan / Ross working at PepsiCo, Emory / Goizueta working at Accenture, IESE working at BCG, Irvine / Merage working at Disney, and Columbia working at their own company, Small Bear. Finally, Graham discussed a recently published podcast episode about careers and impressive growth at SMU Cox with Shelly Heinrich. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected two ApplyWire entries and one DecisionWire entry: This week's first MBA admissions candidate has a 695 GMAT score and a strong GPA. They are working in Australia and received their undergraduate degree from New Zealand. This week's second MBA candidate is from India and has 8 years of work experience. They are targeting a 330 on the GRE and have extensive experience building online communities. The final MBA candidate is deciding between Chicago / Booth and Berkeley / Haas. They are seeking a career in tech. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

Dr. Einat Wilf is a leading thinker on Israel, Zionism, foreign policy and education. She was a member of the Israeli Parliament from 2010 to 2013, where she served as Chair of the Education Committee and Member of the influential Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Born and raised in Israel, Dr. Wilf served as an Intelligence Officer in the Israel Defense Forces, Foreign Policy Advisor to Vice Prime Minister Shimon Peres and a strategic consultant with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Wilf has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge and is the author of seven books that explore key issues in Israeli society.

Ever wondered if your team's greatest strength could also be its biggest weakness? When expertise becomes tunnel vision, even the most talented teams can miss what matters most.Drawing from my enlightening conversation with Professor Henrik Bresman of INSEAD, co-author of "X-Teams," this episode explores a counterintuitive truth: truly exceptional teams aren't defined by their internal cohesion alone, but by their courage to look outward. While most organizations celebrate alignment and efficient execution, Bresman's research reveals that external focus, deep listening, and genuine co-creation with stakeholders create the real competitive edge.We dive into the "inward trap" that ensnares even the most brilliant teams, keeping them locked in internal debates while customers feel forgotten. You'll discover why presenting fully-baked solutions often backfires, transforming what should be partnerships into mere transactions. Through practical examples and actionable strategies, I'll walk you through the mindset shift from being expertise-driven to connection-focused.The most powerful moment comes when we realize that listening itself is transformative. I share personal experiences where simply creating space for customers to express frustrations—even when those truths were uncomfortable—completely turned around soured relationships. That's because people don't just want solutions; they want to feel heard, valued, and involved in creating their future.Ready to build an X-Team that leads rather than merely executes? This episode offers immediate steps you can take to audit your team's orientation, schedule genuine listening sessions with stakeholders, and move from problem-focused thinking to possibility-centered creation. Your expertise matters, but your ability to connect might matter even more.Subscribe to The Leadership Project for more insights that challenge conventional wisdom and transform how you lead. How might your team's effectiveness change if you spent as much energy looking outward as you do looking inward?Send us a textSupport the show✅ Follow The Leadership Project on your favourite podcast platform and listen to a new episode every week!

We return next week with a new episode of 18 Questions, 40 Israeli Thinkers. In the meantime, enjoy this earlier interview with Einat Wilf, recorded Nov. 25, 2024. The true enemy in Israel's current war, Einat Wilf says, is what she calls "Palestinianism."Once part of the Israeli left, Einat Wilf is a popular political thinker on Israel, Zionism, and foreign policy. Her 2020 co-authored book, "The War of Return," outlines what she believes lies at the core of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict: the Palestinian people's "Right of Return" is what makes this conflict unresolvable.Einat served in Israel's Knesset from 2010 to 2013 and now lectures and writes widely on contemporary issues. She is the author of seven books and hosts the "We Should All Be Zionists" podcast. She has a BA from Harvard, an MBA from INSEAD in France, and a PhD in Political Science from the University of Cambridge. Now, Einat joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including what Palestinianism is, why Israel's war aims are flawed, and the future of Gaza.Here are our 18 questions:As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history?What has been Israel's greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas?How do you think Hamas views the outcome and aftermath of October 7—was it a success, in their eyes? What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for?Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy?Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same?What role should the Israeli government have in religious matters?Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism?Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic?Is the IDF the world's most moral army?If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin?Can questioning the actions of Israel's government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism?What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today?Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime?What should happen with Gaza and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict after the war?Is Israel properly handling the Iranian threat?Where do you identify on Israel's political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”?Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?

Truly innovative teams distinguish themselves not by what happens within their team rooms, but by how actively they engage with the world outside. In a powerful conversation, Professor Henrik Bresman of INSEAD draws from his decades of research and his book X-Teams: How to Build Teams that Lead, Innovate and Succeed to challenge traditional ideas of high-performing teams. He emphasizes that while internal alignment is important, it is no longer enough in today's fast-changing environment. Instead, teams must first reach outward—connecting with knowledge, power, and work structures—before turning inward.Bresman explains that many leaders resist this "external-first" approach because of outdated mental models and a fear of disrupting internal harmony. Ironically, prioritizing short-term comfort by avoiding external feedback undermines long-term success and real team cohesion. The teams that succeed practice key activities like sensemaking, ambassadorship, and task coordination, constantly cycling through phases of exploration, experimentation, and exportation to remain dynamic and relevant.This conversation redefines leadership for an uncertain world, where pretending to have all the answers breeds false security and true innovation comes from admitting what we don't know. Bresman's insights offer practical guidance for leaders at all levels, showing how to build teams that not only adapt to change but actively drive it. Listeners are encouraged to explore more of his work at xleadco and join a growing movement to rethink how teams can lead and innovate in complex environments.

In this week's MBA Admissions podcast we began by discussing the Round 3 activity on LiveWire; interview invites are now starting to roll out for this shortened application round. Next week Harvard and UPenn / Wharton have deadlines for their deferred admissions programs. Graham noted Clear Admit's Application Overview May series of events. These online events will be hosted on May 6 and 7, and May 20 and 21. Signups are here: https://bit.ly/appoverview25 Sandwiched in the middle of these events is Clear Admit's MBA admissions fair in Boston, on May 14th. This event includes panel discussions, one of which is focused on Consulting hiring and is led by Bain. Twenty-four of the top 25 U.S.-based MBA programs are planning to attend, along with London Business School. Signups for this event are here: https://bit.ly/mbafair2025 Graham noted a recently published article on Clear Admit that focuses on three alumni from Dartmouth / Tuck who are focusing on areas of social impact. This does help illustrate the broad relevance and impact of a top tier MBA. Graham highlighted three Real Humans alumni spotlights, alums from Maryland / Smith working at JPMorgan Chase, Harvard working at Disney+, and Yale SOM working at Microsoft. Finally, we discussed two late-arriving 2024 career reports, from UCLA / Anderson and USC / Marshall. Both programs are showing similar trends that we have seen from other top programs this season. This includes a slight dip in the percentage of those who have offers, that were seeking jobs. Both programs do show some very similar statistics, overall. For this week, for the candidate profile review portion of the show, Alex selected one ApplyWire entry and two DecisionWire entries: This week's first MBA admissions candidate has an undergraduate degree in accounting, a master's in accounting, and is now pursuing a master's in finance, part-time, while looking at MBA programs. This led to a discussion on the dangers of being considered a degree-collector. This week's second MBA candidate is choosing between UVA / Darden or waiting a year to reapply. They are seeking a career in consulting. The final MBA candidate is choosing between INSEAD and NYU / Stern's one-year Tech MBA. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the fabulous Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, USA. Thanks to all of you who've been joining us and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen!

From the emergence of generative AI (GenAI) to widespread adoption of hybrid work, HR leaders are increasingly called upon to lead their organizations through uncertainty. Authors Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr join the Talent Angle to explain why uncertainty should be associated with opportunity, not anxiety. They detail how organizations can navigate uncertainty to drive transformation and innovation, and offer tools to help HR leaders develop the “uncertainty ability” in leaders and managers.   Nathan Furr is a professor of strategy at INSEAD, where he teaches innovation and technology strategy. Nathan earned his doctorate from the Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP) at Stanford University and has written five books and more than 70 articles on innovation, technology, and transformation. Nathan and Susannah Harmon Furr are co-authors of “The Upside of Uncertainty” (HBR Press, July 2022).   Susannah Harmon Furr is a designer and art historian, and has founded a women's clothing line inspired by her research. She is currently creating a hope accelerator in Normandy, France, to teach regenerative ecosystems and transformation for individuals and families. Susannah and Nathan Furr are co-authors of “The Upside of Uncertainty” (HBR Press, July 2022).   Jessica Knight is a vice president of research in the Gartner HR practice. She leads research teams to identify best practices and new opportunities to address HR executives' most urgent challenges. Her areas of focus include employee experience, organizational culture, change management and the future of work.