The BIG Strategy Podcast

Nersey Rastan shares lessons from leading a critical ERP crisis, revealing how empathy and cross-functional collaboration can overcome seemingly impossible challenges in global organizations. Discover how Nersey navigated cultural differences, built trust across teams, and turned a potential disaster into a career-defining moment. Learn strategies for effective change management and the importance of keeping humans in the loop during digital transformations.

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Vic Shao, a serial cleantech founder, takes us behind the scenes of his entrepreneurial journey. From his first project, funded with DOE grants, to acquisitions by Engie and BP and securing a $100 million supercharger deal with Tesla, he reveals strategies for overcoming setbacks and seizing opportunities. Hear his hard-won lessons in resilience, product-market fit, and navigating corporate acquisitions that apply to entrepreneurs and leaders across industries.

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In this insightful recap of Season 1 of The BIG Strategy Podcast, host Jeff Eyet explores three critical themes from conversations with six diverse business leaders: mentorship and guidance, personal passions for professional success, and adaptability and resilience. Drawing from experiences shared by executives from Pete's Coffee, Mural, and Applied Materials, Jeff uncovers valuable lessons on navigating market changes, overcoming internal resistance, and leveraging personal interests for career growth. This episode offers a deep dive into how mentorship shapes leadership styles, personal passions drive innovation, and adaptability and resilience are crucial for success in today's dynamic business landscape. Whether you're a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this summary episode provides actionable insights and thought-provoking questions to enhance your strategic thinking and leadership skills.

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Dive into the revolutionary mindset of Austin Lavin, a product leader disrupting the defense sector with cutting-edge AI solutions. From government service to spearheading game-changing initiatives, Austin leverages radical empathy, first principles thinking, and a contrarian approach to challenge tradition and achieve paradigm-shifting outcomes. Prepare for an eye-opening discussion as he discusses battle-tested strategies for navigating bureaucracy, fostering innovation, and staying ahead of evolving threats. Tune in for these invaluable insights for individuals looking to revolutionize their industries.

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Tune into this episode as we sit down with Jared McGriff, a multifaceted individual who combines his talents as a self-taught painter and product marketer in the tech industry. Jared shares his journey driven by relentless curiosity and the risks he took to follow his passions. Discover how he integrates creativity into his professional life, offering a unique perspective on innovation and strategic thinking. Jared's story is a testament to the power of independence, individuality, and perseverance. Uncover a remarkable blend of ingenuity and professional prowess through this episode. 

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In this episode, we sit down with Craig Hunter, the visionary founder and CEO of Covalent Metrology. Craig's journey is nothing short of extraordinary—from hearing strategy insights at the dinner table from his father, a key figure at Applied Materials, to navigating the challenging landscape of a services startup.

Listen in as Craig shares valuable lessons on building a company from the ground up, the importance of resilience and curiosity, and the power of a strong support network. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, Craig's story is packed with insights on innovation, strategic risk-taking, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Join us for an engaging and inspiring conversation that highlights the significance of betting on yourself and the rewards of taking bold, calculated risks.

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Join us as Craig Hunter shares Applied Materials' transformative journey from semiconductor equipment leadership into the new market of solar panel factories. His leadership in managing innovative projects and a demanding customer base to deliver results to a success-driven leadership team defined his tenure. Learn about the importance of curiosity, strategic risks, and bold moves in driving industry success.

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Drawing upon years of human-centered design expertise, Ward Bullard shares his strategic insights from pivoting a visual collaboration startup, Mural, during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Initially focused on large enterprises, the company swiftly adapted to meet the urgent needs of educators transitioning to remote learning. Ward emphasizes the importance of organizational resilience – assembling a top-tier team empowered to pursue customer-centric solutions. 

Despite being overlooked internally, their impact far outstripped expectations, enabling transformative growth by wowing customers with exceptional support during uncertain times. 

Ward's approach highlights the value of strategic talent acquisition, autonomy, and an unwavering commitment to delivering innovative solutions that create a better future through purposeful collaboration.

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This week, we're joined by Beth Hammond, an innovation expert in consumer packaged goods (CPG) who's captured consumer trends to drive line extensions and "out of the can" innovation. Beth breaks down her mindset and process, giving us a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get the innovation engine humming in established CPG companies. She's not holding anything back!

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In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Mitchell, the former Head of Retail Marketing and Director of Innovation at Peet's Coffee. She discusses her experience successfully bringing cold brew coffee to market at Peet's Coffee, specifically 

1.) understanding younger consumers and their evolving coffee preferences, 

2.) reframing Peet's values from a focus on dark roast to an emphasis on great coffee, and 

3.) expanding beyond the traditional coffee shop to point-of-sale locations. 

In the story of cold brew's journey from insight to launch, she highlights the importance of grounding innovation in consumer needs, building diverse teams, and always being willing to sell your idea.

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Find out more about The Berkeley Innovation Group: www.biginnovates.com