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For this episode, let's revisit a Case Interview & Management Consulting classic where we talk about brainstorming with definitions. Brainstorming is very difficult and a crucial skill to have when solving cases, especially with McKinsey where the interviewer will constantly ask you to probe and brainstorm different areas of the case. This podcast examines the initial parts of the brainstorming structure. Since brainstorming happens in such a rapid-fire format and appears unstructured, the speed at which it is done creates the illusion it lacks structures. Yet, it does have structure, but is merely done very quickly in the candidate's mind. This podcast will teach candidates how to generate a structure/definition that can be used to guide the development of options or paths in the brainstorm. 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
Melissa Dinwiddie doesn't have an MBA. She's never worked for a consulting giant, such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting, or Bain. She is a ukulele-playing, jazz-singing, Julliard-trained dancer and improv entertainer. Yet when companies, including Meta, Google, Uber, Intuit, and Salesforce, seek fresh thinking on innovation and team creativity, they turn to Melissa for results. Melissa draws parallels between performance troupes, such as her All That Jazz improv jazz group, and business teams. To be successful, she notes, all members must listen closely, support one another, adapt on the fly, and create something from nothing. Melissa is the founder and CEO of Creative Sandbox Solutions, communication, connection, and creativity experts. Her firm's specialty is helping teams blast through creative roadblocks. She is the author of The Creative Sandbox Way: Your Path to a Full-Color Life, which she wrote to help readers be comfortable with and embrace their own, authentic creativity. As Melissa explains this week, her unconventional background and unorthodox methods — including having six- and seven-figure salaried executives build with Lego bricks — consistently unlock breakthrough ideas and enhance team performance. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Melissa Dinwiddie, Creative Sandbox SolutionsPosted: July 21, 2025 Monday Morning Run Time: 49:42 Episode: 14.7
What happens when you bring together a practicing monk, a seasoned tech entrepreneur, and an AI education pioneer? In this episode of The Tech Talks Daily Podcast, I sit down with Prashant Raizada, the driving force behind Lumi Network, to explore how we can build a workforce ready for the AI era, not just in skills, but in mindset and purpose. Prashant shares how his journey from global banking and McKinsey to founding five startups worth over $2 billion eventually led him to education technology. But Lumi is not just another edtech venture. It's a mission-driven platform focused on upskilling the current and future workforce through human-AI collaboration, regional transformation initiatives like the Scale Up North East campaign, and a clear-eyed view of what education should look like in a rapidly changing world. We talk about the need to rethink our approach to curriculum design, the limits of traditional university models, and why collaboration between industry, academia, and government isn't just helpful, it's urgent. Prashant explains why AI isn't a threat to humans but an amplifier of our abilities when used with intention. And he shares how Lumi's "Quest" programme trains participants in collaborative problem-solving while subtly building the 12 essential skills for thriving in an AI-powered economy. We also tackle the bigger picture: why education has often been overlooked in AI investment conversations, and what needs to change for the sector to finally unlock the $10 trillion opportunity ahead of it. Prashant doesn't shy away from the challenges but makes a compelling case for why the UK could become a global exporter of a scalable, human-centric education model. So, what would it take to scale this nationally? And if we're serious about upskilling 7.5 million people by 2030, who's going to deliver it? Prashant believes startups like Lumi could be a central part of the answer and the time to act is now. Could meaningful AI education be the missing piece in our national skills strategy? And what does real collaboration between humans and machines actually look like in practice? Let us know your thoughts after listening.
Send us a textSaahil's path to McKinsey was anything but typical. He started in law school in India, built two startups, earned an MBA at UVA Darden, and ultimately broke into consulting. In this episode, he shares exactly how he translated his legal and entrepreneurial skills into a top‑tier consulting offer.Listen in for practical tips on consultifying your resume, networking from a non‑traditional background, and preparing for McKinsey's PEI and case interviews. If you're a lawyer - or in any other non‑traditional field - wondering if consulting is possible, Saahil's story will show you how to make it happen.Additional Resources:Accelerate your transition to consulting with Black Belt, the world's #1 consulting prep programPrevious Strategy Simplified episode: From Law to Consulting: How to Make the Leap SuccessfullySubscribe to Management Consulted on YouTubePartner Links:Stax is hiring! See open roles and requirementsReal Talk About MarketingAn Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.
“If I wanted to destroy the U.S. dollar, I couldn't do a better job than what this government is doing,” says Ken Hoffman, head of commodity strategy at Red Cloud and former global metals expert at McKinsey and Bloomberg Intelligence. Speaking with Daniela Cambone, Hoffman highlights how de-dollarization and central bank gold buying are driving gold toward new highs. “Midterm $5,000 an ounce is a fairly easy target, but $10,000 plus... the world is almost returning to a gold standard in some ways.” On copper, Hoffman points to a lack of coherent U.S. strategy, which is contributing to the dollar's decline and causing market instability. Is the world quietly moving back toward a gold standard? Watch Ken Hoffman break it down.✅ FREE RESOURCESDownload the Ultimate Decision-Making Guide on Gold & Silver plus Daniela Cambone's Top 10 Lessons to safeguard your wealth (FREE)
On this special episode of the Walker Webcast, recorded live at the Walker & Dunlop Summer Conference, guest host Gary Pinkus — Walker & Dunlop board member and former Chairman of McKinsey & Company — sits down with Gillian Tett, award-winning journalist, author, Chair of the Financial Times' Editorial Board, and Provost of King's College, Cambridge. You won't want to miss Gillian's unique perspective on everything from the global repercussions of the Trump presidency and the use of tariffs as a political lever, to shifting ESG narratives, varying attitudes about AI worldwide, the politicization of higher education, and what all this means for the future of real estate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this engaging episode of "Crafting a Meaningful Life," host Mary Crafts is joined by Davina Stanley, a communication expert known for her mastery in structured thinking and conveying complex ideas with clarity. The episode explores Davina's fascinating life journey from rural Australia to the bustling world of Hong Kong, New York, Tokyo, and finally Seattle, highlighting her resilience and adaptability in varied environments. As they delve into the intricacies of effective communication, listeners are offered insights into improving personal and professional interactions. Davina introduces her expertise in the Pyramid Principle, a method that transforms intricate concepts into clear, hierarchical communication. Her framework empowers individuals to present their ideas persuasively in workplace settings and beyond. Mary and Davina discuss the art of structured communication, emphasizing the increasing importance of relationships and clarity in post-COVID-19 professional environments. Davina's approach involves a five-step process aimed at honing the message, which she applies to diverse scenarios from boardrooms to nonprofit engagements. Listeners are guided through understanding the significance of well-planned communication strategies and how they can lead to more meaningful interactions and outcomes. About the Guest: Davina Stanley is an esteemed communication specialist with a remarkable professional journey that spans continents and industries. Originally from Australia, Davina's career began as a teacher of young children in Melbourne before transitioning into the corporate world. Her extensive experience includes working at McKinsey, a world-renowned management consulting firm, where she honed her skills in structuring complex business communications. Currently residing in Seattle, Washington, Davina is an author, speaker, and teaches the Pyramid Principle technique as taught by the influential Barbara Minto. Her focus is on helping individuals convey ideas in clear, persuasive, and structured ways. Key Takeaways: Structured Communication: Davina Stanley shares her methodology of the Pyramid Principle, helping convey complex ideas clearly and persuasively. Building Relationships: The episode highlights the role of strong relationships in thriving personally and professionally, especially in a post-COVID-19 world. Applying Communication Techniques: Davina's framework is utilized for managing sensitive topics, ensuring one's best self is communicated effectively. Professional Adaptability: The discussion underscores the importance of adaptability and resilience in personal and professional transitions across diverse global settings. Empowering Women: The conversation touches on empowering women by stepping out of the victim mindset and leveraging structured communication for impact. Resources: Davina Stanley's LinkedIn: Davina Stanley on LinkedIn (URL not provided in transcript) Davina Stanley's Books: https://clarityfirstprogram.com/books Davina's Course - https://clarityfirstprogram.com/engage Davina's Website - https://clarityfirstprogram.com Mary's Website: MaryCraftsInc.com
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with Eric Byunn, Partner and Co-Founder of Centana Growth Partners, to unpack the journey behind one of the most respected voices in growth equity. From his early days at Harvard and McKinsey to product leadership at Netscape and founding his own investment firm, Eric shares candid insights on navigating career transitions, leading through uncertainty, and building a successful finance career with curiosity and conviction.This episode is a must-listen for early-career finance professionals, consultants considering a pivot to investing, and anyone interested in how great investors think not just about deals, but about people, purpose, and long-term impact.
Send us a textIn this heartwarming and enlightening episode, co-hosts Amith Nagarajan and Mallory Mejias welcome the dynamic father-son duo, Conor and Finn Grennan, to discuss their journey teaching generative AI in Nepal. Connor, Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern, and his 16-year-old son Finn share stories of cultural resonance, the universal challenges of AI adoption in education, and how peer-to-peer learning can drive real change. From Kathmandu classrooms to critical thinking conundrums, this conversation explores why the messenger matters just as much as the message—and why students everywhere might be the future's best AI evangelists.Conor Grennan is Chief AI Architect at NYU Stern School of Business and trains large companies on how to drive AI adoption. He's worked with organizations like NASA, McKinsey, PWC, Google, Amazon, and many more. Finn Grennan just finished his sophomore year in high school where he has been asked by the administration of his school to help set AI strategy.
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We continue our deep dive into McKinsey's latest Learning Trends Perspective Report with authors Jessica Glazer and our co-host Jake Gittleson. In Part 2, we take a closer look into the last two of the three macro trends: responsible AI adoption and developing resilient and adaptable individuals and organizations. We discuss actions and meaning for each and implications for individuals, managers, and leaders within organizations. 00:00 Introduction and Banter 02:03 Recap of Report 05:41 Diving into Responsible AI 07:48 Challenges and Considerations in AI Adoption 11:36 Higher Order Skills and AI 16:38 The Role of AI in Art and Animation 18:03 Decisions and Consequences of Using AI 18:53 Metacognition and Learning in the Age of AI 19:57 The Importance of Genuine Intelligence 23:02 Resilience and Adaptability in Continuous Change 30:37 Organizational Resilience and Sustainable Workflows 32:29 Final Thoughts DOWNLOAD THE REPORT The team provided an overview of the findings and a link to the full report (see bottom of post) at https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/people-in-progress/reimagined-learning-and-development-in-the-future-of-work LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON APPLE, SPOTIFY, AND YOUTUBE Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-learning-geeks-podcast/id1413446184 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mACo97JvUL1LOmVJ9lATI?si=c430a6d9b08c4100 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@learninggeekspodcast You can also download us anywhere you get your podcasts. CONNECT WITH US If you have any feedback or want to join in on the conversation, connect with us via LinkedIN. DISCLAIMER All thoughts and views are of our own.
What if the key to innovation isn't thinking bigger — but slowing down?In this episode of What is Innovation?, Jared Simmons is joined by Cynthia Kane, founder of the Kane Intentional Communication Institute and author of The Pause Principle. Cynthia brings a deeply personal and practical perspective to innovation, drawing from her experience teaching over 70,000 people how to communicate with clarity, compassion, and calm.The conversation explores how communication—with ourselves and others—is a practice that shapes not only our relationships but also our ability to navigate change, uncertainty, and complexity. Cynthia shares her journey from loss to discovery, illustrating how curiosity, mindfulness, and self-awareness can transform the way we lead, build, and collaborate.Whether you're leading a company or navigating a tough conversation, this episode offers a grounding approach to innovation that begins within.Guest Bio:Cynthia Kane is the founder of the Kane Intentional Communication Institute and the author of four books, including The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations. A certified meditation and mindfulness instructor and breathing coach, Cynthia has helped over 70,000 people improve the way they communicate through her bestselling courses and training programs. Her work blends principles of Right Speech, mindfulness, and intentional action to create sustainable change in communication and leadership.What You'll Learn:Why innovation isn't always about doing something new — but doing it differentlyHow communication becomes a practice of clarity, curiosity, and connectionThe link between mindfulness and effective leadershipHow to speak to yourself with kindness (and why it matters for innovation)Why responding is more powerful than reacting in high-stakes situationsThe difference between making things easy and making them simpleHighlighted Insight:“Innovation is a flowing river, not a series of hurdles. It moves. It breathes. It responds.”Quote to Remember:“Go where it's easy. Innovation doesn't have to be hard. It just has to be yours.”Resources & Links:CynthiaKane.comThe Pause Principle (Book)Cynthia on Instagram @cykane1Free 30-Day Pause Challenge available on her websiteAbout the Host:Jared Simmons is the Founder and Principal of OUTLAST Consulting, a boutique firm helping organizations unlock innovation through intentional action. With leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, McKinsey & Company, and Coca-Cola, Jared blends corporate strategy with entrepreneurial thinking to help clients innovate on their own terms.
You don't need a PhD to get AI—you just need Dan Chuparkoff. A former tech leader at Google and McKinsey, Dan now helps people make sense of innovation as the “Understandable Technology” expert. From dropping out of college to redefining how leaders use AI, this episode is packed with mic-drop moments, real-world use cases, and fresh ways to rethink how you work. Here's what you'll hear: 1.) Why he dropped out of college and how that actually served him better in the long-run 2.) How using AI can be thought of as simply as finding small "copy/paste" moments 3.) How leaders should think about using AI to be more efficient (and why AI might not always be the answer) 4.) The biggest changes he sees coming with AI and work 5.) One company's unique approach to leveraging all those meeting notetakers' notes Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuparkoff/ If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?”quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments “Almost a billion people are using one of the top three AI tools every single week.” “Some people are choosing to be left behind.” “What I think most people are missing is that you want to create efficiencies in the places that you're actually spending five or six hours a day.” ”Let AI take all that minutia away so you can focus on building great relationships with people that you like and enjoy being around.”
Arvind Iyengar is chair of Sportz Interactive and CEO of the Sportz Solutions, the global parent company. As such he now oversees a company with 700+ employees working across 40 sports worldwide, with marquee clients including UEFA, The Olympics, NBA, F1, Google, BCCI, Dream11 and multiple IPL franchises. The company is in an aggressive expansion phase, particularly in Europe.So Arvind is the perfect guest to talk AI, betting, fan engagement and how McKinsey teaches its alumni how to think, and what that means for sport business. A quick thank you to our friends at Spectacle Partners for the loan of their very nice new Soho office for the recording, and a particular shout out to Ellie Gray who came in specially to let us in and make us feel very welcome. That was very kind, thanks. Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry. To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartnerWe publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday. These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport. Our entire back catalogue of 400 sports business conversations are available free of charge here. Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner' on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app. If you're interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.
After nearly twenty years in corporate leadership—serving as an executive at some of the largest companies in the world—I recently made the decision to step away and go full-time into entrepreneurship and ministry, and I know I'm not alone. According to a 2023 McKinsey report, nearly 70% of Americans say they've considered leaving their jobs to pursue more meaningful work, and more than 5 million new business applications were filed in the U.S. in 2022 alone. That tells me something: people are hungry for purpose over paychecks, for calling over comfort.In this episode, I want to talk about what it means to truly follow God into the unknown—to leave behind what's safe, stable, and culturally celebrated in order to step into purpose.
Josh Howell and Mark Reich, LEI President and Chief Engineer Strategy, respectively, speak with Scott Heydon, former VP of Global Strategy at Starbucks, McKinsey & Co. consultant, and a Senior Lean Coach with LEI since 2014. They discuss Scott's efforts to transform Starbucks with lean thinking, learning lean methods and new ways of problem-solving along the way, and how he's taken that knowledge to other organizations. Scott says at Starbucks he evolved his own problem-solving from that of a top-down, MBA-style focused on financials and strategic analysis to include a recognition of problems from the bottom up and a need to develop the capability of others to incrementally improve and problem-solve at the local level to “get better every day.” His work at Starbucks included a four-store lean experiment, which involved then Starbucks colleague Josh and was eventually expanded across the coffeehouse chain. The effort was revised midcourse, says Scott, as his programmatic approach shifted to a better understanding of the processes and problems that need to be solved specific to individual stores and asking store leaders, “What problem are you trying to solve?” Scott offers two pieces of advice for those in leadership positions progressing with their own lean learning and working to develop and support others who are learning with them: “Spend more time where the work happens. That can be challenging as a leader because people will operate differently” and the perspective viewed may not always be authentic. Scott worked in a local store as a barista for a few hours each week, and told people on the line he was trying to learn and was not there to judge. It also helped that he had an idea of what to look for, a key skill learned from LEI coach Jeff Smith while at Starbucks. Turn off the problem-solving in your brain as you talk to someone, and instead ask questions to learn from them about what they are doing and ask questions that can help them become a better problem-solver. “To develop that capability in others and to create improvement by supporting others is a really important capability for leaders.”
You don't need a PhD to get AI—you just need Dan Chuparkoff. A former tech leader at Google and McKinsey, Dan now helps people make sense of innovation as the “Understandable Technology” expert. From dropping out of college to redefining how leaders use AI, this episode is packed with mic-drop moments, real-world use cases, and fresh ways to rethink how you work. Here's what you'll hear: 1.) Why he dropped out of college and how that actually served him better in the long-run 2.) How using AI can be thought of as simply as finding small "copy/paste" moments 3.) How leaders should think about using AI to be more efficient (and why AI might not always be the answer) 4.) The biggest changes he sees coming with AI and work 5.) One company's unique approach to leveraging all those meeting notetakers' notes Connect with Dan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuparkoff/ If you'd like quick tangible tips and practical corporate career advice to level up your authentic leadership, download the 10 simple “plays” to stop selling out and start standing out at https://bauthenticinc.mykajabi.com/freebie To connect with Erin and/or Nicole, email: hello@bauthenticinc.com If you like jammin' with us on the podcast, b sure to join us for more fun and inspiration! Follow b Cause on Twitter (really it's mostly Nicole) Follow Erin on LinkedIn or Instagram Join the b Cause Podcast Facebook Group Take our simple, fun and insightful"What's your workplace superhero name?”quiz Unleash your Authentic Superpower with Erin's book,"You Do You (ish)" Check out our blog for more no-BS career advice Work with Us Or just buy some fun, authentic, kick-ars merch here DISCLAIMER: This episode is not explicit, though contains mild swearing that may be unsustainable for younger audiences. Tweetable Comments “Almost a billion people are using one of the top three AI tools every single week.” “Some people are choosing to be left behind.” “What I think most people are missing is that you want to create efficiencies in the places that you're actually spending five or six hours a day.” ”Let AI take all that minutia away so you can focus on building great relationships with people that you like and enjoy being around.”
When Andrew Lacy launched Prenuvo, the medical establishment largely dismissed it as fringe. Now, some of those same skeptics are collaborating with him on research.In this episode, Halle and Michael sit down with Andrew, founder and CEO of Prenuvo, to unpack what it takes to build trust in an unconventional idea. He opens up about how a moment of personal reckoning led him to pivot from tech to healthcare—and why he believes early detection should be a fundamental right.We cover:
In this episode, Michael D. Levitt sits down with Justin, founder of Aryo Consulting Group, to unpack small businesses' real-world challenges in today's fast-paced economy. With a track record of helping over 350 companies—ranging from scrappy startups to established enterprises—Justin brings practical insight into what works (and what doesn't) when scaling a business.
Send us a textIn this episode, we break down exactly what to expect from the 2025 McKinsey Digital Assessment - also known as the McKinsey Solve Game or McKinsey Problem Solving Game. Whether you're facing two or three game scenarios, we'll walk you through the most common formats, including Red Rock, Seawolf, and ecosystem management.We also share proven strategies used by thousands of successful candidates to prepare for the McKinsey Digital Assessment. Learn why the best prep mimics case interview training, and how to sharpen the skills McKinsey is looking for.If you're serious about landing your McKinsey offer in 2025, this episode is your essential guide to the McKinsey Solve Game.Additional Resources:Full McKinsey Solve Game guide (2025)Get expert case interview coach through the Black Belt programConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.
Furnished Finder's CEO Jeff joins us to break down why thousands of hosts are moving away from Airbnb and into the booming midterm rental space.In this episode: • Jeff's journey from VRBO and Expedia to Furnished Finder • Why monthly rentals are the most underserved niche in real estate • How to price your MTR listings for max profit • The 3 types of hosts who thrive on Furnished Finder • Tech upgrades, new guest demographics, and the future of midterms • Why most Airbnb hosts still don't understand real returnsWhether you're a casual host or a pro operator, this episode will help you rethink your strategy, lower your fees, and build a more resilient rental business.Guest Bio:Jeff Hurst is the President and CEO of Furnished Finder, a role he assumed in November 2023 at the invitation of the company's founders. Prior to that, Hurst was the Chief Operating Officer of Expedia Brands and Co-Lead of Expedia Group Marketing. Before that, he was the President of Vrbo and Chief Strategy Officer of HomeAway, where he oversaw the company's successful sale to Expedia, Inc. Before venturing into the vacation rental industry, Hurst worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, collaborating with consumer brands on corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and pricing strategies. Hurst received his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and BA from the University of Texas at Austin.00:05:00 - Game-Changing Insights: Luxury Brands in Vacation Rentals 00:10:00 - Unstoppable Leaders: CEOs Who Shaped My Philosophy 00:15:00 - Winning Balance: How I Prioritize Family, CEO Role, & Life 00:20:00 - Bold Moves: Why I Chose Furnish Finder Over Other CEO Jobs 00:25:00 - Secret Advantage: Choosing the Right City & Team First 00:30:00 - Proven Blueprint: Advice to My Son on Career & Leadership 00:35:00 - Power Tip: Best Way to Reconnect with Furnish Finder 00:40:00 - Ultimate Secret: #1 Tip for Short Term Rental Success 00:45:00 - Smart Hack: How Hosts Save Money by Reverse-Engineering Airbnb Guest Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hurst-atxGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com
Welcome back to The Hydrogen Podcast! I'm Paul Rodden, and today we're breaking down two major hydrogen headlines that could reshape the global energy landscape:
Vince Tizzio is President and CEO of AXIS, a specialty insurance and reinsurance company that delivers customized solutions to organizations worldwide. Since taking on the role in May 2023, Vince has led AXIS on an ambitious transformation journey. In this episode, he speaks with McKinsey senior partner and North America Chair Eric Kutcher about what it means to take on the CEO role, how to lead through significant change with conviction and care, the kind of exposures companies should consider in today’s complex risk landscape, and how to be deliberate about investing in AI. Related Insights Becoming CEO, just in time for global crisis: David Gitlin, Chairman and CEO of Carrier Global Corporation Transforming for growth Stepping up: Becoming a high-potential CEO candidate How boards can tackle geopolitical risk How Judy Marks leads Otis Worldwide Corporation through uncertainty and technological evolution The art of 21st-century leadership: From succession planning to building a leadership factory Author Talks: IBM’s Ginni Rometty on leading with ‘good power’ Getting fit for growth: The leadership mindsets and behaviors that matter CEO Perspectives The Strategic CEO newsletter McKinsey Insights on Transformation McKinsey Transformation on LinkedIn McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedIn Support the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
For this two-part conversation, Chandler sits down with SBC Consultant Dawn Clare to discuss her "One Minute Method" for identifying underrecognized individual strengths. As many of you know, Dawn is no stranger to the podcast and brings so much to this conversation. Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner Bros. In part one of this conversation, Dawn described her “One Minute Method” for identifying strengths. This methodology really is about focus – helping you to identify and focus on your own superpowers and how best to make these central to your MBA application. In part two of this conversation, Dawn shares how to apply this methodology to application time management especially during periods of stress or anxiety. In this segment Dawn focuses specifically on: Helping you improve your own productivity, Managing your workload during times of stress and anxiety, Figuring out what to do when you get stuck on essays and/other parts of their application, Using this methodology to "stand out from the crowd" -- especially if you are a part of an over-represented demographic, Moving from overwhelm to productivity when the application becomes too daunting; breaking down big application elements into smaller manageable pieces in order to move forward. Dawn and Chandler also discuss how many applicants are currently overwhelmed by all that is going on in the world… and how to use this methodology to move from overwhelm to excitement by identifying new strengths they hadn't thought about before.
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
Far too many candidates demonstrate poor knowledge of consulting by insisting that they want to work for McKinsey strategy and not operations or BTO. This is a flawed strategy which will only hurt their chances in the short, medium and long-term. This podcast explains why and how to compensate for this misunderstanding. 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
In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Russ Hawkins, a seasoned three-time CEO renowned for reviving and scaling struggling startups into profitable, exit-ready companies. With a background rooted in sales and a practical MBA earned through hands-on transformation work alongside McKinsey and AT&T, Russ shares his battle-tested playbook for turning chaos into clarity.Together, they unpack Russ's journey from humble beginnings to orchestrating successful pivots in tech companies across hardware, software, and analytics. He reveals how he assesses leadership, evaluates products, and identifies untapped markets — even amidst fierce competition and failing patents. Russ emphasizes the importance of listening to customers, understanding competitors, and making quick, strategic decisions based on data.The conversation also explores signs that a pivot is needed, how to test for willingness to pay, and what makes a company attractive for acquisition — especially in the age of private equity dominance. This is a must-listen for founders, investors, and anyone steering companies through change, disruption, or scale.TakeawaysTurnarounds require deep customer and competitor understanding — listen more than you speak.Growth rate and churn are two of the clearest signs a pivot is necessary.Don't underestimate small, underserved market segments — they can be goldmines.Losing patent protection should trigger urgent strategic reassessment.Price high and validate value — underpricing can signal poor quality.Strategic pivots often mean repositioning your product, not reinventing it.Talk to everyone: competitors, customers, staff, and trusted advisors.Testing willingness to pay should be structured around real customer problems.Cultivate private equity relationships early — most exits go this route now.Always “lose quickly” in sales — avoid staying too long in the friend zone.Leadership assessments should focus on shared values, not just resumes.A strong turnaround starts with understanding the product's true capabilities.Chapters00:00 Competitive Weaknesses and Sales Foundations01:30 The Accidental CEO vs. the Professional CEO03:45 Russ's Background: Firefighting Roots to Sales Leadership06:30 The AT&T Breakup and Working with McKinsey09:00 First CEO Role and Million-Dollar Exit11:00 Pivoting a Failing Video Tech Company13:00 Losing Patent Protection and Facing Better-Funded Competitors15:00 Learning from Competitors and Going Where They Aren't17:00 Talking to Customers, Founders, and Trusted Advisors20:30 Finding Untapped Markets with Existing Technology23:00 Pivoting Hardware to Telecom Use Cases25:00 The Benefits of Private Equity vs. Venture Capital27:00 When a Pivot is Necessary: Signals and External Pressures29:30 Learning from Mistakes and Backing the Wrong Tech31:30 Quick Evaluation of Leadership and Sales Team Fit35:00 Researching New Market Opportunities with Your Team39:00 Willingness to Pay and the Dangers of Undervaluing43:00 The Case for Testing High Prices First45:00 Strategic Exits: PE Ecosystem vs. Traditional Acquirers48:30 Why Strategic Buyers Need to See Product Fit50:00 When Founders' Emotional Attachment Skews Valuation53:00 Russ's Favorite Learning Activity: Reading Biographies55:00 Final Advice: Know Your Product, Know Your Customer, Prioritize RelationshipsRuss Hawkins's Social Media Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/russhawkins/Russ Hawkins's Website:https://www.agilenceinc.com/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright
Alejandra Botero Barco es economista, ex Mckinsey, y ha sido directora del Departamento Nacional de Planeación.SOMOS INTERNET 3 MESES 50% OFF https://www.somosinternet.co/atemporalPida su asesoría GRATIS con SYMPLIFICA: https://symplifica.comLibros:Barco - Malcolm DeasEl llamado del jaguar - Martin Von HilderbrandCapítulos:00:00 Intro 01:22 Querer emprender en Venezuela19:41 Mi identidad ¿Colombiana o venezolana?21:50 La unidad de entrega25:17 La explicación de un catastro multipropósito43:01 La inercia para el cambio catastral48:50 La frustración de chocarse con la política53:18 Garantizar la ejecución58:34 Volver a Colombia a estar en el gobierno01:07:01 La idea sobre Colombia01:11:05 Lo que me dejó el DNP01:16:12 El porcentaje de días buenos en el gobierno01:28:30 Pablo Escobar intentó mat4rme01:26:23 Tener conciencia sobre Pablo Escobar01:31:49 La imagen de su abueloRecibe mi newsletter: https://acevedoandres.com/newsletter/
In this profound conversation, leadership and intuition expert Tal Shavit joins Chedva to explore the intersection of spirituality and business, feminine leadership models, and the courage to follow inner guidance. Tal shares her journey from McKinsey consultant to co-leading Double You retreat with 11 women, her transformative year prioritizing spiritual practice, and the pivotal moment she said no to a 60-day meditation retreat because her inner voice told her she wanted "to be in the world with friends." Together, they discuss how jealousy can be a powerful pointer to our desires, the difference between productive rest and rest as productivity, and what it means to bring intuition into real-world leadership decisions. The conversation touches on hustle culture recovery, the vulnerability required for creativity, and how our backgrounds affect our relationship with safety and risk-taking. Key Topics: Co-leading an organization with 11 women and exploring feminine leadership models Using jealousy as a compass for understanding what we truly want The intersection of spiritual practice and business leadership Learning to prioritize rest as part of the work, not separate from it How hustle culture affects millennial women even when we consciously reject it The relationship between safety, vulnerability, and creativity Bringing intuition and inner guidance into practical decision-making How personal background affects our relationship with risk and failure The relationship between perseverance and avoiding difficult questions Creating space for playfulness and curiosity in professional settings Notable Quotes: "If there's jealousy that's coming up, this is a pointer that there is something that's important for me." "Top athletes spend between 20 to 40% of their time in complete rest... A huge part of the build is through the rest periods." "The way that I see intuition or inner guidance is not just Tal or Chedva's personal thing - is the ability to connect to that which is wider from within ourselves." "There's no way I will play and be silly, truly, if I'm not feeling safe, but this is also a huge catalyzer for creativity and innovation." "Our bodies remember these things... our experience of failure and safety, depending on our background, is completely different." Tal's Powerful Question: "In a world of no failure, like there's no way for you to fail, and no cost... What is the most exuberant, beautiful, enlivening, energizing vision you have for your life?" Resources Mentioned: Tal on Linkedin Double You retreat - women's leadership retreat organization with 1,000+ active members Stephie Knopel on Looks Like Work "Growing on the Job" - book about adult development theory in workplace settings Brené Brown's work on vulnerability and organizational safety Gateway questions and cohabitating with big questions
Today is an informal conversation with my close friend, Warren Ndlovu, about the unconventional path he's taken to doing the work he loves and the obstacles he's overcome along the way. Warren is an early-stage climate tech strategy and operations executive with a background in derivatives structuring at Absa, management consulting at McKinsey & Company, and fintech and telecoms at Econet Global (now Cassava Technologies).His journey has taken creativity, courage, adaptability, a thick skin, a willingness to play the long game, and the focus to always keep the big picture in mind when he faced setbacks. If you're struggling to break into the work that you long to do, or are a generalist with a non-linear path who has struggled to own your story, join me in this inspiring conversation. We openly discussHow hard it was to find a foothold in the sustainability sector – and how he finally broke throughThe strategic choices he made as he pivoted into diverse roles seeking to gain the experience and exposure he neededThe choice to do a joint MBA and Masters at The Wharton School and University of Pennsylvania, using education to establish himself as a sustainability and climate expertWhat he would do differently if he could do it all again Learn more about Warren on LinkedIn. --Book a human design reading to help you determine the next step on your path, own your career story through the lens of your unique combination of skills, strengths, and, and learn how you attract and open doors to the most expansive career opportunities for yourself.Book a free 1x1 coaching discovery call to get unstuck in your career or leadership journey Reach out for team retreats, workshop facilitation, or 1x1 and group leadership coaching for your companySign up for the mailing list to hear about upcoming eventsFind me on LinkedIn and Instagram
Can bioengineering improve the health, vitality, and longevity of human beings? What would the future look like if the medical system were about preserving health rather than just treating symptoms? In this episode, Kevin Caldwell, the CEO, Co-Founder, and President of Ossium Health, sits down to share his thoughts… Ossium Health is a commercial-stage bioengineering company that uses its exclusive organ donor bone marrow banking platform to develop stem cell therapies for patients suffering from life-threatening hematologic conditions, organ transplant rejection, and musculoskeletal defects. Initially built from a small startup, it evolved into the clinical-stage bioengineering company it is today with one primary mission: To improve human health through bioengineering. Join the conversation now to explore: ● How Kevin's mindset shift in business led to the creation of Ossium. ● Why the healthcare system isn't adequately equipped to deal with modern chronic diseases. ● Types of cell therapies that provide relief for patients with blood and immune conditions. ● The role that cell composition plays in the reactivity between donors and recipients. Before founding Ossium, Kevin worked as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey's San Francisco office, where he advised clients in the biotechnology and healthcare industries. His projects spanned from conducting due diligence on biotech startup acquisitions to restructuring financially distressed biopharma companies. Over the course of his tenure, Kevin led more than 20 engagements for over a dozen clients, guiding teams in strategies for revenue growth, market-entry, and organizational restructuring. To learn about Kevin's cutting-edge work with Ossium Health, visit their website now!
The future of work is changing, and we can't afford to have our leaders evolve backward by sticking to outdated leadership styles. It's high time for a major upgrade because this new era of work won't wait for you to catch up. In this three-part episode, we explore what it takes to thrive at the highest levels of leadership across three urgent dimensions: executive readiness, AI fluency, and hybrid work strategy. We begin with Mark Thompson, world's #1 CEO coach and author of CEO Ready, who shares what it really takes to step into the top seat: mastering leadership languages, building trust with your boss, and aligning ambition with the real demands of executive life. Then we dive into the age of AI with Dr. Michael Chui, Senior Fellow at McKinsey and QuantumBlack AI, who explains how agentic AI is reshaping leadership itself—from decision-making and team structure to the rising need for leaders who can manage machines as skillfully as people. Finally, we turn to the workplace of the future with Stanford Professor Dr. Nicholas Bloom, the world's top expert on remote work, who debunks common myths, lays out why hybrid work is the sweet spot, and reveals how AI might accelerate the decline of fully remote roles. ________________ Start your day with the world's top leaders by joining thousands of others at Great Leadership on Substack. Just enter your email: https://greatleadership.substack.com/
Show Notes: Brian Stollery talks about AlphaSense, an information provider that independent consultants and boutique firms are using to gain an edge over those who rely on chat GPT or consumer LLM tools. AlphaSense is built for this kind of work, pulling in verified content such as industry reports, broker research filings, earnings calls, expert calls, news, and internal research and internal content. It layers this with market-leading AI functionality that can read and synthesize all of it to deliver consulting-grade insights at scale. AlphaSense Explained Brian clarifies that AlphaSense is not primarily an expert network like AlphaSights, but rather a market company and enterprise intelligence search engine for the AI generation. It offers the depth and breadth of authoritative data that would be obtained from a legacy research platform with the intuitive user experience of modern AI tools. The value of AlphaSense lies in the deep, authoritative content set that is the foundation of AlphaSense, along with the speed and accuracy of the AI that allows users to quickly surface relevant insights. Brian also talks about the major categories of sources of proprietary information that feed into AlphaSense. The AlphaSense Platform The AlphaSense platform features an index where users can go to different things, such as portfolio monitors, research topics, expert insights, news, risk signals on consumer tech growth investment strategy, events, company documents, and talent job executive movements. The dashboard includes eight or nine widgets that provide a list of seven or eight articles on various topics. These articles are sourced from various sources, such as news articles or interviews with experts. The platform also has over 200,000 free recorded, transcribed expert calls, which are added to the library for analysis by the AI. How AlphaSense Gathers Information The interviewers are usually conducted by-side analysts, corporate users, and experts in respective fields. They work with corporate development teams and head of corporate strategy to conduct these interviews. The platform believes that a rising tide lifts all boats, and every expert call that happens throughout the AlphaSense is published back in the platform to further enhance and grow its library of expert calls from subject matter experts who are currently active in their industry. AlphaSense Use Cases In management consulting, AlphaSense may not be suitable for calls that would be better suited to AlphaSights where the information is sensitive or should have restricted access. However, the use case for AlphaSense is for commercial due diligence for private equity, where it allows users to get up to speed for engagement and quickly search across benchmark expert perspectives. This allows them to bolster their expertise within the management consulting space. AlphaSense is an institutional grade content engine that consolidates information from various sources, including expert calls, news, research reports, broker research, and more. It offers over 6000 vetted business and market news sources and trade journals, most of which require paywalls. AlphaSense allows users to bypass these paywalls and provides real-time insights from over 700 partners. The AlphaSense Dashboard The dashboard includes relevant documents related to executive movements, risk signals, growth, and investment strategies. Users can explore the dashboard by searching for trigger words related to their watchlist of consumer tech companies. The AI can then pull relevant documents, such as expert insights, event transcripts, press releases, and news, to provide valuable insights for business development or due diligence. The Executive Search Function The document search module within AlphaSense allows users to get forensic insights from relevant documents, such as executive search, talent, and hiring practices. The AI can also generate summary responses, which are useful for top-tier consulting use cases. However, the AI may sometimes make a guess or hallucination if an answer is not available. This is why the Big Three and Big Four rely on AlphaSense for their consulting use cases. The AlphaSense Research Tool The AlphaSense generative search tool is a research analyst team in a box. The tool is designed to answer macro business questions, such as market size or pricing trends. Brian checks McKinsey, Bain and BCG's performance in 2025, including their revenue, talent, hiring, and growth areas. The AI agent breaks down these questions into subquestions and finds 3000 documents across the content library. It then extracts documents from expert calls, press releases, investor relations presentations, research reports, and sustainability reports. The AI outputs a summary of the documents. The tool is particularly useful for understanding the performance of consulting firms like McKinsey Bain and BCG. Quality Sources and Quantitative Data AlphaSense provides bullet points on McKinsey, revenue, growth, talent, and hiring, with links to expert calls and other sources of data. The AI outputs are deep linked and cited to the source, ensuring accuracy. For instance, McKinsey Sciences for Growth, a 2025 focus, integrates tech-enabled capabilities and AI. BCG reported $13.5 billion in 2024 revenue, achieving 10% global growth and expanding its workforce to 33,000 employees. AlphaSense also has sentence-level citations, ensuring every sentence is deep linked and cited to its source. AlphaSense uses various models from partners like open AI, sonnet four, and Gemini 2.5, all grounded in high-quality, relevant documents. The tool's intelligence selects the best model based on the use case, whether it's reasoning-based or quantitative or qualitative. The AI is a comprehensive market-leading library of authoritative content that consultants care about. Modes of Research and Meeting Prep for Management Consultants Brian shares the typical use cases for management consultants using generative search platforms. He highlights two modes: think longer and deep research. Brian used generative search to prepare for a meeting with a client at a mid-sized consulting firm, focusing on digital strategy. The AI summarized transcripts, expert calls, earnings calls, and press releases from iHeart, highlighting the company's focus on technology, digitization, and AI-enabled automation as the key to cost savings and digital revenue acceleration. The platform also offers an iPhone app for on-the-go access to insights. The AI analyzed bullet points and planned insights on every section, creating a comprehensive competitive intelligence report. The report includes chatter on core service offerings, engagement models, pricing structures, sector specialization, news partnerships, partnerships, and tech bets. AlphaSense's Generative Grid Brian talks about using AlphaSense's generative grid, which is a generative AI-powered spreadsheet to aggregate documents and interrogate them. This is useful for tracking executive compensation and performance components for target accounts. The grid allows consulting users to analyze past performance and understand the current climate. Another use case is connecting consulting, transformation, and strategic advisory services to key performance indicators, such as free cash flow, human capital, strategic objectives, or EBITDA. By attaching value drivers directly to performance components, consultants can focus on adjusted EBITDA growth, cost optimization, Target, discover integration execution drive, adjusted ROTC, and revenue growth tied to executive compensation. AlphaSense for Understanding Business Development Brian explains that the use cases and projects of consultants using AlphaSense vary, but one major use case is business development understanding. It helps in identifying companies' propensity for M&A or divestitures, such as changes in management or new strategic initiatives. AlphaSense also offers a deal scanner for M&A consultants looking at acquisitions or private equity deals across a portfolio of companies or industries. It also provides due diligence services, such as meeting prep, company research, trend analysis, market assessment, client benchmarking, and sentiment analysis. Alpha Sense's Access to Information Providers AlphaSense has access to SEC filings, newspapers, trade journals, investment bank coverage, and reports. AlphaSense also has access to other information providers like CrunchBase, capital, IQ, and Pitch Book. The Venn diagram highlights the overlap of information between AlphaSense and other information providers, such as CrunchBase, Morningstar, and CrunchBase. If a company's revenue or employee count is in CrunchBase, it can be accessed via AlphaSense. Alpha Sense vs. Capital IQ The conversation turns to the differences between AlphaSense and Capital IQ, a financial reporting platform. AlphaSense is an end-to-end intelligence engine that provides access to investment banking reports, but it requires downloading them one by one. It is not possible to search across all content sets at once. Capital IQ, on the other hand, offers valuable structured data, is great for downloading Industry Reports, and is a strategic database of financials and filings. It is also useful for importing statistical or financial models into Excel. AlphaSense, on the other hand, is an end-to-end intelligence engine that provides decision-ready insights across billions of data points. Timestamps: 03:23: Overview of AlphaSense's Content and AI Capabilities 07:27: Detailed Walkthrough of AlphaSense Dashboard 12:38: Exploring Different Categories of Information Sources 16:36: Generative Search and Deep Research Capabilities 26:05: Use Cases for Management Consultants 42:50: Comparison with Other Information Providers 49:22: Pricing and Accessibility Links: Website: https://www.alpha-sense.com/ Recently feature on AlphaSense on CNBC with more insight on our Deep Research differentiation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HJ8Egisg-w If folks want to reach out directly for their own personalized demo: Email: bstollery@alpha-sense.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briancity/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.
Case Interview Preparation & Management Consulting | Strategy | Critical Thinking
You have been brainwashed by every single forum and case book to assume that McKinsey wants a framework and set of hypotheses, that you have stopped listening as carefully to the interviewer and simply providing hypotheses even when the interview is not asking for them! 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
I was joined this week by Murtaza Ali, CEO & Co-Founder of Symphony (YC F24), for a conversation about how he's tackling some of the biggest challenges in the insurance industry with cutting-edge voice AI — without losing sight of the human touch.A bit of context: Murtaza's journey insurtech journey started at McKinsey before joining Tractable to build out their platform. He's seen firsthand how AI can transform industries — but also where it can fall short without humanity in the loop. That insight became the driving force behind Symphony AI.What we covered in this episode:
Mergers and acquisitions are among the more complex processes new CEOs have to learn, whether they’re in the role for the first time or taking over at a new company. Andreas “Andy” W. Mattes has navigated this multiple times in his roles as CEO of Siemens Communications, Diebold, and later of Diebold Nixdorf, and now of the laser technology company Coherent. In this discussion with M&A practice leader Jake Henry, Andy talks about the roller-coaster ride that M&A can be, and the critical M&A skills he had to learn as a CEO, including how to best deal with competing bids and making time to commune with other CEOs. Jake is the global co-leader of McKinsey’s M&A Practice, which includes mergers, acquisitions, integrations, joint ventures, and divestitures. He previously led our Life Sciences Practice globally, where he guided pharmaceutical and medical-technology company executives on matters of corporate strategy, growth strategy, and operational excellence for more than twenty years. Related insights CEOs in M&A: Five actions only the chief executive can take Uncertainty in M&A: Postcards from the new normal M&A Annual Report: Is the wave finally arriving? What makes a successful CEO? The loneliest job? How top CEOs manage dilemmas and vulnerability CEO excellence: How do leaders assess their own performance? CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead From the Inside Out McKinsey Strategy & Corporate Finance on LinkedIn McKinsey Insights on M&ASupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information
Are phones killing brains or just replacing boredom with a dopamine hit?In this episode of The Bridge, Shantanu dives into a no-filter conversation with guests from different tech eras to explore the real impact of smartphones on human brains, behaviours, and boundaries. Joining him are Aseem Dhru (MD & CEO, SBFC Finance Ltd) and Damodar Mall [CEO(Grocery Retail ), Reliance Retail] who are amazed to see WhatsApp being the most powerful medium of business, while on the other side, Gauri Bansal (Strategy Manager, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Spotify) and Avi Anurag (Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company), the thought-provoking Gen Zs believe phones are a filler for dead time.Together, they dive into:Is YouTube really better than Instagram?The rise of “phone as a boredom cure”.Why do parents trust WhatsApp more than other applications?And whether brains are truly at risk, or simply evolving!Watch now to hear both sides unpack the real truth behind screen time.Tell us in the comments: what do you want us to break down next?
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OpenAI is hiring forward deployed engineers and building services that overlap with Palantir, Accenture, and McKinsey. The role focuses on embedding technical staff with clients to fine tune models and develop apps, often backed by $10 million deals.Get Ad Free AI Daily Brief: https://patreon.com/AIDailyBriefBrought to you by:Gemini - Supercharge your creativity and productivity - http://gemini.google/KPMG – Go to https://kpmg.com/ai to learn more about how KPMG can help you drive value with our AI solutions.Blitzy.com - Go to https://blitzy.com/ to build enterprise software in days, not months AGNTCY - The AGNTCY is an open-source collective dedicated to building the Internet of Agents, enabling AI agents to communicate and collaborate seamlessly across frameworks. Join a community of engineers focused on high-quality multi-agent software and support the initiative at agntcy.org - https://agntcy.org/?utm_campaign=fy25q4_agntcy_amer_paid-media_agntcy-aidailybrief_podcast&utm_channel=podcast&utm_source=podcast Vanta - Simplify compliance - https://vanta.com/nlwPlumb - The automation platform for AI experts and consultants https://useplumb.com/The Agent Readiness Audit from Superintelligent - Go to https://besuper.ai/ to request your company's agent readiness score.The AI Daily Brief helps you understand the most important news and discussions in AI. Subscribe to the podcast version of The AI Daily Brief wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1680633614Subscribe to the newsletter: https://aidailybrief.beehiiv.com/Join our Discord: https://bit.ly/aibreakdownInterested in sponsoring the show? nlw@breakdown.network
For this two-part conversation, Chandler sits down with SBC Consultant Dawn Clare to discuss her "One Minute Method" for identifying underrecognized individual strengths. As many of you know, Dawn is no stranger to the podcast and brings so much to this conversation. Dawn graduated as a PepsiCo Scholar from Harvard Business School with concentrations in finance and marketing. Dawn was also admitted to the Stanford GSB. Outside of her work in admissions consulting, Dawn has experience at a wide range of companies, including Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Pepsi, the Carlyle Group and Warner Bros. In part one of this conversation, Dawn shares her framework the "One Minute Method" for identifying individual strengths and how she uses it with her clients. This exercise focuses on taking one minute to focus on what they do that is AMAZING. This exercise sounds simple, but when done correctly a series of times is incredibly powerful. This exercise is designed to be simple to support you with limited time. You can do it as many times as you would like and it is incredibly powerful. In this segment Dawn focuses specifically on: helping applicants who might be stuck on essay topics, potential interview questions, or other elements of the MBA application, focusing on your instinct and intuition for a brief time rather than over-analyzing or comparing yourself to others, centering who you are at core, clarifying your own internal intrinsic value, and harnessing that to make your application as strong as possible, offering specific and actionable tips on how to think about yourself in new ways or “break out of the box” that others might have put you in. Numerous applicants have found this exercise to be especially useful, when “stuck” or during times of application stress and anxiety. If you enjoy this conversation, we hope you will join us next week for part two of this series.
What if the true barrier to innovation isn't a lack of ideas, but how we manage them?In this episode of What is Innovation?, Jared Simmons sits down with Steve Hinch — award-winning author, high-tech executive, and innovation consultant — to uncover the overlooked mechanics of corporate and startup innovation. Drawing on decades of leadership experience at Hewlett Packard, Agilent Technologies, and startup ventures, Steve breaks down innovation into four clear categories, reframes failure as a learning opportunity, and explains why managing innovation demands a radically different mindset.Whether you're in a Fortune 500 boardroom or an early-stage startup, this conversation delivers insight on how to build repeatable innovation processes, manage risk with purpose, and make sure your great ideas don't die at the delivery stage.Guest Bio:Steve Hinch is the author of Winning Through Innovation: Lessons from the Front Lines of Business, winner of the Benjamin Franklin Award. With a long career spanning senior R&D, marketing, and general management roles at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies, Steve has also served as CEO of TeamLogic IT. He now consults with senior leaders across industries to design innovation strategies and processes that work, from product launches to corporate transformations.What You'll Learn:A simple 4-part framework for classifying innovation: product/process + incremental/disruptiveWhy innovation in large corporations fails — and how to fix itHow to manage innovation differently from traditional projectsWhy failure is critical to innovation (and how venture capitalists accept it)How to protect innovation from corporate reporting cycles and quarterly pressureWhat support really looks like in a thriving corporate innovation cultureHighlighted Insight:“Innovation is not just about seeing opportunity — it's about delivering it profitably. Without delivery, even the best idea is useless.”Quote to Remember:“In the startup world, 80% of ventures fail. But that 20% that succeed? That's where the real return is — and failure is part of the learning.”Resources & Links:Winning Through Innovation – Book by Steve HinchSteve Hinch on LinkedInAbout the Host:Jared Simmons is the Founder and Principal of OUTLAST Consulting, a boutique firm helping organizations unlock innovation through intentional action. With leadership experience at Procter & Gamble, McKinsey & Company, and Coca-Cola, Jared blends corporate strategy with entrepreneurial thinking to help clients innovate on their own terms.
Today, I'm joined by Laura London. Laura is a former McKinsey consultant who now serves as CEO, consultant, and coach at Calocedrus Partners, where she helps clients build better leaders, teams, and organizations by tapping into their higher purpose and the power of their people.In this episode, we explore the role of authenticity, curiosity, and emotional alignment in leadership communication—and how getting outside might just be your greatest tool for showing up with clarity and conviction.Whether you're leading a team, navigating change, or simply want to communicate more effectively, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiring takeaways. Let's dive in.Additional Resources:► Follow Communispond on LinkedIn for more communication skills tips: https://www.linkedin.com/company/communispond► Connect with Scott D'Amico on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdamico/► Connect with Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauralondon/► Subscribe to Communicast: https://communicast.simplecast.com/► Learn more about Communispond: https://www.communispond.com
We revisited a powerful conversation with David Edelman—a seasoned expert in marketing, executive leadership, and digital innovation, with experience at BCG, Digitas, McKinsey, and Aetna.David broke down how customer experience has evolved into the key differentiator for brands, especially as products and services become more commoditized. He explored the intersection of digital transformation, AI, and data-driven strategy, emphasizing how organizations can deliver real value through meaningful, personalized interactions.The episode highlighted stories from David's work building advanced digital capabilities and developing executive-level strategies centered on customer experience. He walked us through the five promises of personalization and painted a compelling picture of what's ahead, including the rise of agentic AI and collaborative ecosystems.If you're reflecting on how to better use data, personalize at scale, or align your organization around customer-centricity, this recap brings together the most valuable takeaways from an eye-opening episode.
We revisited a powerful conversation with David Edelman—a seasoned expert in marketing, executive leadership, and digital innovation, with experience at BCG, Digitas, McKinsey, and Aetna.David broke down how customer experience has evolved into the key differentiator for brands, especially as products and services become more commoditized. He explored the intersection of digital transformation, AI, and data-driven strategy, emphasizing how organizations can deliver real value through meaningful, personalized interactions.The episode highlighted stories from David's work building advanced digital capabilities and developing executive-level strategies centered on customer experience. He walked us through the five promises of personalization and painted a compelling picture of what's ahead, including the rise of agentic AI and collaborative ecosystems.If you're reflecting on how to better use data, personalize at scale, or align your organization around customer-centricity, this recap brings together the most valuable takeaways from an eye-opening episode.
Jesse Pujji reveals how he builds wildly successful companies from scratch by doubling down on talent, distribution, and the power of bootstrapping. In this episode, Sarah Lockwood sits down with the serial founder and investor behind Gateway X, a venture studio that launches and scales high-performing companies without venture capital. Jesse shares how he went from Goldman Sachs and McKinsey to building Ampush, one of Facebook's earliest and most effective performance marketing agencies, which grew to manage over $1 billion in ad spend for top brands like Uber, Peloton, and Dollar Shave Club. That experience became the foundation for how he now builds high-performance teams and scalable businesses through bootstrapping. Jesse breaks down the core principles that drive his companies: hiring exceptional talent, obsessing over sales and distribution, and staying rooted in profitability from day one. He shares the origin stories of ventures like GrowthAssistant, which connects startups with offshore marketing talent, and explains how each business at Gateway X is shaped by a unique unfair advantage and the right operating partner, not a VC-funded roadmap. From his two-farm model for sourcing ideas and people to his frameworks for knowing when to walk away from a failing project, Jesse offers a rare look into what it really takes to scale without VC. This is a must-listen for founders ready to trade the unicorn myth for real traction, culture-driven leadership, and sustainable growth on their own terms. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Jesse Pujji's Entrepreneurial Journey from Ampush to Gateway X 05:01 Core Principles for Bootstrapping and Scaling Without VC 08:48 How GrowthAssistant Scaled to $20M in Revenue 13:32 The Two-Farm Model: Matching Ideas with the Right People 15:00 Knowing When to Kill an Idea and Move On 16:02 Inside Aux: Translating Marketing for Private Equity 21:09 Why Sales and Distribution Matter More Than Product 22:14 The Power of High Performance Teams 27:02 Building Profitable Companies with Operational Rigor 34:30 Managing Attention, Energy, and Leadership Across Startups 38:48 Conscious Leadership and the Value of Coaching Links Dave Kashen - Startup CEO Coach Book - The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://a.co/d/j4uKz9A Connect with The Conscious Entrepreneur: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/conscious-entrepreneur/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conscious_entrepreneur_summit/ Website: http://www.consciousentrepreneur.us Connect with Jesse Pujji: Website Gateway X: https://www.gateway.xyz/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepujji/ Connect with Sarah Lockwood: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lockwoodsarah/ Website: https://hivecast.fm HiveCast.fm is a proud sponsor of The Conscious Entrepreneur Podcast.
Send us a textWorried your school isn't on top consulting firms' target lists? You're not alone. In this episode, we break down exactly what it takes to land an offer from firms like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, and beyond, especially if you're coming from a non-target school.We also unpack how the rules of recruiting have changed post-COVID - and what that means for your strategy.Additional ResourcesConsulting prep programs: Black Belt (8+ hours of structured interview coaching, optional resume edit); SuperPrep (20+ hours of end-to-end strategy + coaching, optional resume edit)Partner LinksStax is hiring! See open roles and requirementsCase Prep Challenge (July 4 - 8)Sign up hereConnect With Management Consulted Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team. Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube! Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights! Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email us (team@managementconsulted.com) with questions or feedback.
Building HVAC Science - Building Performance, Science, Health & Comfort
In this in-depth episode of Building HVAC Science, hosts Bill Spohn and Eric Kaiser sit down with Phil Farese, CEO of Mojave HVAC, to explore the cutting edge of desiccant dehumidification technology. Phil, whose career began in physics at Cornell and research at Princeton before moving into consulting at McKinsey and leadership roles at NREL, Enphase, and now Mojave, brings a rare mix of scientific rigor and market savvy to the HVAC space. The conversation traces the evolution of liquid desiccant systems and Mojave's unique approach that combines vapor compression and liquid desiccant in a single DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) unit. The result? Enhanced dehumidification, reduced energy use, and precision control of sensible and latent loads—at market-competitive prices. Phil outlines how Mojave's patented media bed and regeneration systems avoid many of the pitfalls that plagued earlier desiccant systems, while also maintaining ease of installation, low maintenance, and strong reliability. Listeners also hear about Mojave's service philosophy, tech training programs, and broad rep network, plus a discussion of ideal use cases, efficiency standards like ISMRE (Integrated Seasonal Moisture Removal Efficiency), and how the system outperforms traditional DOAS units. Whether you're an engineer, contractor, or building owner looking to optimize HVAC performance while cutting energy bills, this episode delivers clear, science-backed insight into where dehumidification is headed. Quotes from the episode: “We're not undoing cooling with reheat—we're using that energy to do something useful: regenerate the desiccant.” “Liquid desiccants are like the honey of HVAC—safe, natural, and surprisingly powerful.” “It looks like an air conditioner. That's what contractors tell us—and that's the point.” Phil's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-farese-49a81b1/ Mojave Energy Systems: https://mojavehvac.com/ Tony Mormino, our friend at HVAC-TV did a recent interview with Mojave: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/hvac-tv/episodes/Liquid-Desiccant-Dehumidification-Explained-e33elio/a-abvfahu Eutectic system defined: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutectic_system AHRI Standard 920,Performance Rating of Direct Expansion-dedicated Outdoor Air System Units: https://www.ahrinet.org/search-standards/ahri-920-i-p-and-921-si-performance-rating-direct-expansion-dedicated-outdoor-air-system-units Papers and reports by Phil: Tool to Prioritize Energy Efficiency Investments (NREL 2012): https://docs.nrel.gov/docs/fy12osti/54799.pdf How to build a low-energy future (2012): https://www.nature.com/articles/488275a ASHRAE paper on Liquid Desiccants: https://mojavehvac.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Liquid-Desiccant-Field-Campaign-Final-2.pdf McKinsey paper:Unlocking Energy Efficiency in the US Economy (2009): https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/dotcom/client_service/Sustainability/PDFs/US_energy_efficiency_full_report.pdf This episode was recorded in June 2025.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Alison Fragale, organizational behavior expert at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and author of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve. We dive deep into why status isn't just about ego—it's actually a fundamental human need that directly impacts your mental health and professional success. Alison breaks down her formula for being both assertive and warm, explaining how resources follow respect in the workplace and why most of us are playing "introduction dodgeball" instead of building meaningful connections. 00:00 Introduction to the Likable Badass 03:06 The Impact of Writing a Book 05:55 Navigating Social Dynamics in School 09:11 The Introduction Dodgeball Experience 11:50 Experiencing Disrespect and Mid-Career Invisibility 15:06 Sharing and Building Status 17:45 The Influence of McKinsey on Career Choices 20:59 Gender Dynamics and Professional Identity 24:02 Finding and Using Your Voice 26:52 Key Takeaways and Conclusion We explore how her time at McKinsey shaped her understanding of power dynamics, the difference between having power (controlling resources) and having status (earning respect), and why those throwaway moments like "How are you?" are actually goldmines for relationship building. Alison shares personal stories about her need to always be "correct," her unexpected expertise in cheese boards, and how Golden Girls wisdom applies to leadership. As coffee-loving introverts who appreciate both Christmas music and strategic thinking, we discuss the art of making "small deposits" into professional relationships without burning yourself out through excessive kindness. This conversation is perfect for anyone who wants to command respect while staying approachable, understands that professional success requires both competence and connection, and believes you don't have to choose between being respected and being relatable. Website: alisonfragale.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alisonfragale Book: Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve If you enjoy the show, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating on Apple or a
Nicola Harding is a London-based interior designer whose award-winning firm, celebrated for its soulful, layered aesthetic, is regularly named as one of Britain's finest. Andy Harding, her husband, is an e-commerce veteran with experience at House of Fraser and McKinsey. In 2023 the two of them launched a home goods brand, Nix, dedicated to quality, design-driven pieces at a reasonable price point.On this episode of the podcast they speak with host Dennis Scully about why Nicola tried aviation and theology before becoming an interior designer, why they wanted to launch their own brand instead of a licensed collection, and why Nix is coming to America. This episode is sponsored by ErnestaLINKSNicola HardingNixDennis ScullyBusiness of Home
Episode 718: Sam Parr ( https://x.com/theSamParr ) and Shaan Puri ( https://x.com/ShaanVP ) talk about stuff that hit the group chat this week. — Show Notes: (0:00) Apple Just Unlocked a $1B App Idea (04:13) McKinsey got $55M for This? (10:28) Frank Slootman's Ice-Cold Advice (16:20) “Treat people well, and you'll win.” (24:41) Man steals $122 million from Facebook and Google, (28:17) ChatGPT's $10B ARR retention curve (34:58) Elon v. Trump Meltdown (39:54) Ramp's Monopolist Pitch Deck (46:22) Rich Guy House Alert: Gary Tan Edition (48:55) Sam's First Ever Bookmark — Links: • Want Sam's top 7 books for entrepreneurs (& his reading strategy)? Get it here: https://clickhubspot.com/kmb • Apple AlarmKit announcement (WWDC) - https://developer.apple.com/wwdc23/ • Waymo Self-Driving Cars - https://waymo.com/ • Ramp (Eric Glyman's company) - https://ramp.com/• Brex - https://www.brex.com/ • Amp It Up - https://tinyurl.com/5ak4ckux • Les Schwab: Pride in Performance - https://tinyurl.com/5ch39nrv • TBPN - https://www.youtube.com/@thebrospodcastnetwork — Check Out Shaan's Stuff: • Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com • Visit https://www.somewhere.com/mfm to hire worldwide talent like Shaan and get $500 off for being an MFM listener. Hire developers, assistants, marketing pros, sales teams and more for 80% less than US equivalents. • Mercury - Need a bank for your company? Go check out Mercury (mercury.com). Shaan uses it for all of his companies! Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC — Check Out Sam's Stuff: • Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/ • Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/ • Copy That - https://copythat.com • Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth • Sam's List - http://samslist.co/ My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano
"It was dark, and I remember looking over the ledge thinking, 'What's down there?' I probably don't want to know…" Deirdre Keane has never encountered an adventure she didn't want to pursue. The pediatric ICU nurse turned McKinsey consultant is always on the run, whether it's at a world marathon major or it's completing — and winning! — the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Deirdre's latest endorphin chase: the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon! In this conversation, she talks about the three-week excursion traversing glaciers and mountain passes and, ultimately, an unplanned trek back to base camp. Warning: This episode may inspire you to go do something big, scary, and life-changing. SPONSOR: New Balance: Click here to shop the just-released New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5! In this episode: Deirdre's introduction to the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and how she was able to make it happen (4:00) Deirdre's lasting relationships with her World Marathon Challenge crew (7:30) How Deirdre planned to complete the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and what her training was like (9:00) The logistical components of the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (17:20) Deirdre's adventures before the ultra, summitting Island Peak (21:45) What it was like seeing Mount Everest for the first time (36:20) All about the Everest accommodations (41:00) Deirdre talks about completing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (45:30) On finishing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon — and the road away from the mountain (58:40) Deirdre's top takeaways from this experience (1:08:40) What's next on the run for Deirdre (1:10:40) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!