Built on Strategy

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I'm joined by Ken Evans, Managing Director of the Tampa Bay Innovation Center’s Tech Accelerator Program. We discuss the myth of big numbers and talk about practical ways to gain customer bases within different market sectors. Ken focuses on the early stage founder and helping them get to a scalable model, and believes solving a real problem for your first customer is the most important element for acceleration in a market place. Identifying customer’s behavioral patterns and assessing their interests and needs is key to building a brand.

On this episode of Built on Strategy’s special franchise series, I'm joined by Larry Kruger, a former executive at Wendy’s and Chief Operating Officer of Wingstop. Larry’s long and highly successful career in franchising with these two iconic chains provides him with a wealth of knowledge in the field of franchising. We discuss what makes a franchise attractive, installing effective operators worldwide, and recognizing potential franchisers within the restaurant industry as people who are passionate about service. Larry brings a top-down and detailed first-hand experience of what franchising has to offer from his experience with these goliaths in the industry, as well as his triumphs and challenges of expanding a car detailing service from the ground up. He has recently started his own company KR Ventures, and is a top adviser to Floresta Partners.

On this special episode of Built on Strategy focused on franchising, I'm joined by Greg Graber. He is the CEO and founder of Heritage Restaurant Brands, a company that offers franchising opportunities for their brands: Huckleberry's Breakfast & Lunch, Perko's Grill, and Cool Hand Luke's Steakhouse. We discuss the important distinction between service and hospitality, the value of ambience and branding within the restaurant industry, and the Heritage franchise model of being a family company that honors the past and builds a legacy for the future. Greg describes his strategy on crafting the experience as it pertains to breakfast franchises in particular, with specific insights on what makes Huckleberry’s breakfast and brunch a special place for families to enjoy. COVID-19 has created challenges for Heritage, but Greg insists on holding true to the branding and practices that have brought him success.

How do you develop an effective pricing strategy?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I'm joined by Jason Covtiz, VP of Pricing, Analytics, and Strategy at Safelite AutoGlass. We talk about your competitors paying attention to pricing even if your customers aren't, the evolution of pricing strategies across different buying channels, and learning from your customers.

How much influence does data have on our lives?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I'm joined by Lexy Kassan, Senior Strategic Solutions Architect at Databricks and creator of the DataTalk podcast. We discuss the relevance, regulation, and ethics of data collection. Lexy describes the genesis of the data collection industry, how business implements statistics, and how policy makers are always a few steps behind the technology sector in terms of ethical and responsible data collection. Social media and Wi-Fi connected cell phones have created a structure of numbers and figures linked to each of us, and Lexy is an expert at understanding and explaining the collection and implementation of these structures.

Guest Bio

Lexy Kassan has 15 years of experience in statistics and data analytics. Currently, she is the Senior Strategic Solutions Architect at Databricks, where she leads her team in strategy in terms of data and analytics. Attaining her Master of Arts in International Economics and Finance, she went on to work in a variety of fields related to data and is an expert in the ethical implementation of it.

What kind of strategies can we implement to grow and support our communities?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I'm joined by Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright, author of D.I.G.N.I.T.Y., which describes seven tenants that assist institutions to clarify and align core purpose, brand identity and leadership to create an authentic community. We discuss the fundamental importance of understanding our history without a filter, in order to implement policy that creates cultural awareness in our institutions, as well as procure an environment that seeks to embolden and enable stability, opportunity and accessibility across America.

Guest Bio

Beth-Sarah Wright, Ph.D serves as Director of Enrollment Management at the largest U.S. Episcopal Parish Day school, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School in Atlanta, Georgia. She is an author, speaker, former NYU and Spelman College professor, and advocate for authenticity in our communities by aligning aspirational identities with our lived realities. Originally from Jamaica, Wright has lived and studied worldwide, from Edinburgh, Scotland to San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Connect with Dr. Beth-Sarah Wright on LinkedIn.

What should you know about the direct health impact of air pollution?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I’m joined by Urecsys (Urban Ecology Systems) Vice President of Strategy Jonathan Houri to discuss the battle against urban air pollution. We look at the impact of air pollution on overall healthcare, the correlation between air pollution and cognitive abilities, and pioneering environmental health technology to protect people and the environment.

Guest Bio

Jonathan Houri is an entrepreneur, investor and businessman, dealing in a variety of fields. His specialization in a wide range of projects, capabilities, and present partnerships, accompanied by strategic thinking and long-term perspectives are what led him to his successful position at Urecsys today.

Urecsys is an environmental health technology pioneer that has developed a smart, all round solution for (a) improving air quality indoors and reducing indoor air pollution in an unprecedented manner, (b) effective and unique protection against the penetration of urban air pollution into buildings, (c) efficient air quality management, including energy conservation in the building and full compliance with the most rigorous international standards.

Thank you for joining me for a special episode of Built on Strategy!

On today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Keith Herndon, who is a Professor of Practice in Journalism at the University of Georgia, Morris Chair in News Strategy and Management, and Director of the Cox Institute for Journalism, Innovation, Management and Leadership. We look at the three main challenges facing media leaders today, the strategic perspective from someone on the front line of journalism, media literacy, and teaching people how to identify false information.

Guest Bio

Keith Herndon, Ph.D. holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Media and Information from the Curtin University of Technology, Master of Liberal Studies from the University of Oklahoma, and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia. He is an accomplished media industry leader with exceptional academic achievements. He has an expertise in journalism, news and media management, media technology, and consulting and applied research. Dr. Herndon's teaching and academic specialties are in management (including leadership development and financial skills), media ethics, media technology, innovation and entrepreneurship with an emphasis on mobile media for newsgathering and storytelling.

By now, we’re all used to the necessity of contact-less delivery orders and socially distant checkout lines because of COVID-19.

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I’m joined by Revel Systems Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer Chris Lybeer to dig deeper into how our point of sales systems have also adapted to consumer needs during the pandemic.

Chris and I talk about the demand for open solutions that can quickly adapt to new technologies and delivery systems. We look at the future of cloud-based point of sales systems, adopting modern technologies, and change driven by the desire for convenience.

Guest Bio: Chris Lybeer is the Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Revel Systems. He is a dynamic leader with a track record for identifying strategic opportunities and launching them into growth businesses. Chris’ experiences encompass a deep knowledge of retail & financial software, with a focus on mobile, consumer facing, and transaction-based technology. His specialty is the ability to marry innovation with business needs to drive financial success.

Revel Systems powers the ambitions of restaurants and retailers with a robust cloud-based point of sale (POS) and business management system. Designed to maximize security, stability, ease of use, and service delivery, Revel’s ecosystem replaces bulky, expensive legacy solutions with a quick, intuitive iOS-based POS platform that combines cloud-based technology and the mobility of the iPad. Founded in 2010 with major offices in Atlanta, Lithuania and San Francisco, Revel is a leading member of the Apple Enterprise Mobility Program.

And why do you need to know about them?

On this episode of Built on Strategy, I’m joined by Control System Cyber Security Association International or (CS)²AI Founder & Chairman Derek Harp. We look at who (CS)²AI is, what they do, why you should join, and why we should all be more aware of our personal, professional and global cyber security safety.

Guest Bio

Derek Harp is the Founder & Chairman of Control System Cyber Security Association International. A cyber security serial entrepreneur, speaker, board member, author, and podcast host, Derek has frequently focused on cyber security within his career. Going back to his time as a U.S. Navy Officer where he was introduced to communications security, management and intelligence; to co-inventing Intellishield™, a pioneer IT security product which was later acquired by Cisco Systems; co-founding NexDefense, a software company focused on the specific security needs of industrial control systems (ICS) asset owners.

Control System Cyber Security Association International, (CS)²AI, pronounced “See-say”, is the premier global not for profit workforce development organization supporting professionals of all levels charged with securing control systems. With over 19,000 members worldwide, (CS)²AI provides the platform for members to help members, foster meaningful peer-to-peer exchange, continue professional education and directly support cyber security professional development in every way.