Strategy and Leadership Podcast Ep. #211
In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, We talk to Nick Donofrio. 

He joins us to talk about his lessons learned in leadership from 44 years of leadership at IBM, What to do as a leader while the speed of technological change and digital transformation seems overwhelming, Where to invest your time, and prioritize what areas to improve during uncertain times, and shares some time- tested wisdom on approaching team building and layoffs as a leader.

Nick Donofrio is a 44-year IBM veteran who led IBM’s technology and innovation strategies from 1997 until his retirement in October 2008. He also was vice chairman of the IBM International Foundation and chairman of the Board of Governors for the IBM Academy of Technology.

Nick is the co-author of the book “If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes”. Where he explains how he led IBM’s global technical team to embrace market-centric, focus redefining innovation and sparking worldwide collaboration.

Get his book here: https://www.amazon.com/If-Nothing-Changes-Donofrio-Story-ebook/dp/B0B178D91G

► Subscribe to our channel for weekly videos on strategy & leadership: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1

// Connect with us:

► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact

► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/

// About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: 

SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. 

► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-alignment-program

► Check out our Strategy & Leadership Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4yND4JKofh64gcvyvcLMqW

► Check out our online course on how to successfully lead your next strategic planning process: https://courses.smestrategy.net/courses/Aligned-strategy-course

Hard Earned Leadership Lessons from 44 Years at IBM w/Nick Donofrio

On the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, we interview CEOs, business leaders, authors and thought leaders to get their perspectives on strategy, leadership, management and other trends to support your career as a leader.  
If you're looking for one of the best business podcasts and management podcasts out there- we're top 3% in the world. 

Be sure to subscribe!  We put a new podcast out once a week. 

The Strategy and Leadership podcast is hosted by SME Strategy: We're a management consulting firm based out Vancouver, Canada that helps small to medium sized organizations with creating and implementing their strategic plans.

Education

Training

Language Courses

Higher Education

K-12

Educational Technology

Business

Investing

Careers

Management & Marketing

Business News

Shopping

Non-Profit

Government & Organizations

Management

Entrepreneurship

Self-Improvement

Summary In this episode, Anthony Taylor interviews Rob Beer, the managing partner at Trellis and author of Smooth Scaling. Rob shares his insights on building great companies and the importance of being all in. He discusses the challenges of managing growth and the need for balance between operational and cultural needs in high-growth companies. Rob also emphasizes the importance of aligning incentives and timelines and shares lessons from his experience at Smart Money Group. He provides advice for CEOs on transitioning from a 'get shit done' mindset to building an organization that gets shit done. Rob concludes by sharing his personal hobbies and where to connect with him. 
 TakeawaysBuilding great companies goes beyond financial success and high growth; it involves how well the company does what it does.The transition from a 'get shit done' CEO to building an organization that gets shit done requires discipline, patience, and the ability to delegate and empower others.Growth should be aligned with the operational complexity of the organization; growing too fast can lead to organizational inefficiencies and breakdowns.Private equity firms prioritize sustainable growth and profitability, while venture capital firms may push for rapid growth to achieve high valuations.Success in scaling organizations requires discipline, alignment of incentives, and a focus on building an efficient and effective organization.Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:08 Interest in Great Companies 04:17 Success and Failure in Organizational Effectiveness 06:15 Balancing Operational and Cultural Needs in High-Growth Companies 09:02 Driving Fast Growth and Managing Complexity 11:38 Aligning Incentives and Timelines 13:13 Transitioning from a 'Get Shit Done' CEO to Building the Organization 19:32 Lessons from Smart Money Group 22:16 Sustainable Growth vs. Capital Markets Game 24:52 Personal Hobbies and Fun Facts 25:50 Smooth Scaling and Where to Connect with Rob Beer 27:13 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

Prefer to watch video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. For teams: We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting and strategic plan creation. As well as support your strategic plan implementation. 
For individuals leading strategy: Join our community of strategy leaders who have learned SME Strategy’s approach and tools for aligning teams, and driving strategic plans forward.
For more visit www.smestrategy.net/


Building High Performing, Scalable Organizations: An Interview with Rob Bier

Summary In this episode, Anthony Taylor interviews Kerry Siggins, CEO of StoneAge and author of The Ownership Mindset. Kerry shares her journey of becoming a leader at StoneAge and the importance of trust and empowerment in building a successful company. She emphasizes the need for leaders to have an ownership mindset and to surround themselves with smart people. Kerry also discusses the challenges of aligning a large organization and the importance of defining a clear vision and values. The episode concludes with a discussion about Kerry's book, which provides actionable insights for leaders looking to build a great team and culture. 
 Kerry Siggins is the CEO of StoneAge, a leading manufacturer of industrial cleaning equipment and one of Outside magazine’s top 100 companies to work for. In 2021, she was honored by Industry Era magazine as one of its Top 10 Most Influential CEOs, and in 2017 she was a finalist for Colorado’s CEO of the Year. She sits on the boards of several companies and is member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO). She is regularly invited to deliver keynote speeches on several business and leadership topics, including how to create employee-centric cultures in which it’s safe to speak up and show up as your whole self. She is an active blogger and contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Authority magazine, and BIC magazine and hosts several podcasts, including the popular Reflect Forward. 
 TakeawaysTrust and empowerment are essential in building a successful company.Leaders should have an ownership mindset and surround themselves with smart people.Defining a clear vision and values helps align a large organization.Regular check-ins and accountability systems are crucial for ensuring success.Kerry's book, The Ownership Mindset, provides actionable insights for leaders.Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:07 Becoming a Leader at StoneAge 07:43 Empowering Others and Building Trust 12:02 Aligning the Company and Ensuring Accountability 14:08 Creating a Unified Culture 16:28 The Ownership Mindset Book
Prefer to get video, subscribe on Youtube. : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a management consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. For teams: We can facilitate your strategic planning offsite meeting and strategic plan creation. As well as support your strategic plan implementation. 
For individuals leading strategy: Join our community of strategy leaders who have learned SME Strategy’s approach and tools for aligning teams, and driving strategic plans forward.


EY Entrepreneur of the Year Kerry Siggins on her Ownership Mindset


 Dr. Andrew Temte, CFA, is the former CEO of Kaplan Professional, author of two books: Balancing Act: Teach, Coach, Mentor, Inspire, and The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows, and host of The Balancing Act podcast. 
A thought leader on issues related to organizational health, continuous improvement, and workforce reskilling, his articles have appeared in a number of media outlets. A blend of higher education and professional education experience gives Dr. Temte a unique perspective over the issues surrounding the future of employment and workplace relevance.
About the Guest(s):Andrew Temte is an accomplished professional with an intriguing background that belies conventional career trajectories. Having left high school in the 11th grade, he serves as a testament to the belief that one's early missteps do not define their future success. Pursuing a passion for music and education, Andrew went on to earn a PhD in finance from the University of Iowa. He's a musician, a former CEO at Kaplan Professional, a frontrunner in alternative educational pathways, and the founder of Skills Owl LLC. Andrew is also the author of "Balancing Act" and "The Balanced Business," and leads a musical life as the frontman of the band The Remainders.Episode Summary:In this enlightening episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor engages in a deep dive with Andrew Temte, exploring the intersections of education, skills development, and leadership. Offering a quick snapshot of Andrew's unique journey from high school dropout to a PhD-educated professional, this episode delves into the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in a rapidly evolving workforce landscape. Andrew discusses the critical shift in skill demand from technical to more human-centric, emphasizing the imperative for leaders and workers alike to embrace and refine their emotional intelligence. As companies face a global reskilling challenge, bolstering human skills, which Andrew refers to as compassionate leadership, has become more vital than ever. He also sheds light on organizational responsibilities, advocating for a dynamic approach to performance reviews, which should pivot to skill mapping and strategizing learning paths for employees.Key Takeaways:Lifelong learning and persistent curiosity are essential for thriving in the future of work.Organizations need to transition from traditional performance reviews to continuous skill evaluations tied to strategic goals.Developing human skills, or "human skill" as Andrew prefers to call them, is paramount in an AI-driven workplace.Certification and credentials remain important for career mobility, but learning on the job should be acknowledged and transferable.Balancing professional growth with personal passions, such as music, can lead to a more fulfilled and successful life.Notable Quotes:"Your failures do not define you. As long as we're learning from them and continuing to move forward.""The future of work will require much less technical training… we have to bring to the world of work but our human selves.""Once you start to coast, the world is going to plow you over.""Leaders and managers should be sitting down with their people and saying… 'Here's the gap between your current skill set and what you are going to need…'""If you're a leader…and you gave up music 15 years ago to be a leader, please pick it back up… You'll just be amazed at the doors of your mind that open up."Resources:Andrew Temte's website: andrewtemte.comBooks: "Balancing Act" and "The Balanced Business" available on Amazon and other booksellers.Band: The Remainders (no specific reference link provided)Engage with the full discussion for a treasure trove of insights on how to navigate the changing tides of work, leadership, and learning. Stay tuned for more episodes that promise to enlighten and inspire your leadership journey.


The Re-skilling Revolution: Preparing for the Future of Work with Andrew Temte

Alan Stein Jr. is an acclaimed keynote speaker, author, performance coach, and consultant with a formidable track record in working with elite NBA superstars such as Kevin Durant and Victor Oladipo. As a former basketball performance coach, Stein Jr. has pivoted his focus to the corporate realm, where he leverages his sports insights to elevate individual and organizational performance. His deep love for basketball and expertise in performance training make him a noteworthy authority in applying sports principles to business leadership and team development. He is also the author of books like "Raise Your Game" and "Sustain Your Game," which explore the parallels between athletic and business excellence.
Key Takeaways:Transformational Leadership: Embrace a leadership that focuses on what you want for people, rather than what you want from them, to enhance personal influence and impact.Core Values in Decision Making: Use your personal values as a guide to make consistent and aligned decisions that reflect your true self and bolster leadership effectiveness.Unseen Hours: Invest in habits and activities during the "unseen hours" — those moments away from the public eye — to become the best version of yourself and set the foundation for success.Youth Sports and Leadership: Alan passionately highlights the need to improve the landscape of youth sports, teaching parents and coaches to prioritize process over outcomes and constructively contribute to a child's growth.Elevate by Caring: One's dedication to genuinely caring for their work and relationships is the differentiator in achieving professional and personal success.
Notable Quotes:"Every single decision you make, you need to ask yourself and run through the filter of, is this in alignment with my personal core values or not?""As a manager, if you show up as less than your best self, mentally, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, you give your team and the people that report to you less of a chance to be successful.""Stop badgering and berating the officials. Let the officials officiate. Just sit there and enjoy watching your child do something that they love...encourage them, support them, but don’t coach from the sideline.""I am a huge advocate of improving parental behavior and decorum on the sideline, teaching coaches how to have a better impact and influence.""The more you invest in caring about others, then the more that will be reciprocated and you'll be rewarded with some phenomenal opportunities and some incredibly fulfilling relationships."


  Subscribe to our channel for weekly youtube videos on strategy, leadership, business and management.: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOHLNRrpk3rGUdg7qUQjiog/?sub_confirmation=1 ➡ Looking for a sample agenda for your strategic planning offsite? https://www.smestrategy.net/blog/sample-strategic-planning-agenda // Connect with us: ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ // About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a Strategic planning consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. We work with teams to facilitate conversations about strategic direction and business strategy so that our clients can focus their energy on what will move them forward faster. ► Work with us: Are you looking for someone to facilitate your strategic planning process? https://www.smestrategy.net/strategic-planning-facilitator

Elevating Your Game: Strategies for Success in Business and Life with Alan Stein Jr.

Episode Summary:In this insightful episode of the Strategy and Leadership podcast, host Anthony Taylor is joined by Shawn Mohr, the dynamic CEO of Aventus, to explore the intricate relationship between leadership, technology adoption, and organizational growth. Sean delves into the emerging space of blockchain and tokenization, offering a glimpse into how these technologies are shaping the future of business transactions and customer engagement. The discussion pivots around the significance of cultivating a robust company culture and the importance of hiring the right talent to steer an organization towards its desired milestones. Sean underscores the necessity of looking beyond immediate operations, emphasizing a "spatial thinking" approach that balances high-level strategic planning with ground-level execution.Key takeaways and notable quotes are woven through the conversation, revealing Sean's philosophy on revenue generation, change management, and the potential of blockchain to disrupt traditional business processes. For those curious about integrating cutting-edge technology into their strategy and staying ahead of the curve, this episode offers compelling insights and practical advice on making that leap effectively.
Key Takeaways:Embrace "spatial thinking" by balancing a 30,000-foot strategic view with detailed, 3-foot execution in business processes.Change management and talent acquisition are critical components of leading an organization through growth and transformation.Tokenization and blockchain will play significant roles in future business operations—enhancing security, efficiency, and interoperability.Companies need to adapt to evolving technologies to ensure brand loyalty, customer acquisition, and the retention of Gen Z and Gen Alpha demographics.Leaders should consider their long-term technology impacts today and plan strategically for where their industry and customer expectations are heading in the next 10 to 15 years.Notable Quotes:"The questions you typically want to ask these organizations [are]... how do you use technology to create tenx efficiency within your team itself?" - Shawn Mohr"The only constant is change... whenever every company is going through these type of changes and approaches, I'd look spatially and ask yourself the simple question..." - Shawn Mohr"Oftentimes you start with talent. Talent management is a key component to your ability to be successful." - Shawn Mohr"This [blockchain and tokenization] is significantly about brand loyalty and customer acquisition for their standpoint." - Shawn MohrResources:Aventus website: Aventus Homepage
About the Guest:Shawn Mohr is an experienced leader with over two decades of expertise in guiding businesses through strategic transformation and growth. Currently leading the helm as CEO at Aventus, Shawn has a proven track record of propelling companies from early-stage startups to scalable enterprises. His background includes work with both publicly traded companies and private organizations post-funding, where he leverages change management processes and leadership development to drive 
We invite you to listen to the full episode to gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between leadership, technological advancements, and business growth. Join us for more episodes of Strategy and Leadership, where we bring thought-provoking content to the forefront, helping today's leaders shape tomorrow's success stories. Stay tuned for more enlightening discussions. ► Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604/ 
// About SME STRATEGY CONSULTING: SME Strategy is a Strategy Consulting firm that specializes in helping organizations develop and implement their strategic plans. ► Contact us: https://www.smestrategy.net/contact


Hard Earned Leadership Lessons from 44 Years at IBM w/Nick Donofrio

Download our free app to listen on your phone