Traditional budgeting DESTROYS shareholder value! This episode reveals how budget gaming leads companies to ship unfinished products, waste millions on "wooden nickels," and create toxic accountability problems.

Discover how idea-based budgeting transforms 3-month budget battles into 3-week solutions with real accountability. Based on 25+ years helping Fortune 500 companies eliminate budget theater.

Key Budgeting Topics:

• The budget crime scene: Why traditional processes fail
• Massive time waste and adversarial meetings
• Gaming that destroys company culture
• Meaningless allocation battles over "wooden nickels"
• No accountability or early warning systems
• Idea-based budgeting that works in real-time

👉 Learn more: HarvestEarnings.com

📧 Questions? [email protected]

#BudgetProcess #CorporateFinance #BusinessStrategy #OperationalExcellence

Most culture transformation strategies waste millions and fail spectacularly. In this episode, we expose McKinsey's viral "5 Bold Moves to Transform Your Organization's Culture" and reveal why conventional culture change approaches destroy company value rather than create it.

Terri and Jeremy dissect each of McKinsey's recommendations—from "don't just tell, show" to "shake it up, all of it"—explaining why these feel-good approaches fail in Fortune 500 environments. You'll discover the critical psychology behind behavior-first change management and why implementing the right behaviors (with clear benefits) works better than waiting for voluntary engagement.

Key insights you'll gain:

• Why voluntary engagement programs backfire in large organizations
• The engineering approach to culture change that actually works
• Real case studies from $5 billion in client transformation projects
• How different departments need radically different cultural attributes
• Why values posters and employee surveys waste time and money

Featured story: How we transformed IT culture at a major corporation using "speed costing"—forcing teams to abandon their beloved Agile process for rapid decision-making. Initial resistance transformed into enthusiastic adoption within 10 days when people experienced the results.

Based on 25+ years leading operational excellence projects at companies like H.J. Heinz and PNC Financial Services. This isn't theory—it's battle-tested methodology from the trenches of corporate transformation.

Connect with Harvest Earnings:📧 Email: [email protected]🌐 Website: harvestearnings.com💼 LinkedIn: Follow Terri Long and Jeremy Eden

Love what you heard? Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a 5-star review—it helps other executives discover practical alternatives to expensive consulting fluff.

(00:00) Introduction: McKinsey Culture Transformation Problem

(01:40) Culture Transformation: Don't Just Tell Show

(04:15) McKinsey's Voluntary Engagement Myth Exposed

(07:00) Speed Costing: Real Culture Change Example

(08:04) Hidden Influencers: McKinsey's Impossible Advice

(10:05) Personal Holistic Support: Culture Fluff

(12:02) Shake It Up: Rituals vs Culture

(15:14) Engineering Behaviors Creates Real Culture

(20:38) McKinsey Culture Advice: Why It Fails

(24:17) Different Teams Need Different Cultures

(26:01) Culture Transformation: Real Solutions Summary

#CultureTransformation #McKinseyAdvice #OrganizationalChange #EmployeeEngagement #CorporateCulture #BusinessTransformation #ChangeManagement #WorkplaceCulture #OperationalExcellence #CompanyCulture #CultureChange #BusinessConsulting #LeadershipStrategy #BehaviorChange #CulturalEngineering

The Elephant in the Boardroom: Where we challenge conventional business wisdom and share advice you can actually use.

In times of economic uncertainty like the current tariff crisis, most companies resort to panic cost-cutting: layoffs without changing work processes, slashing R&D, and cutting training budgets. These "slash and burn" tactics may provide immediate relief but create long-term damage that takes years to repair. In this episode, Terri Long and Jeremy Eden reveal the smarter "no-regrets" approach used by successful companies during previous crises like the 2008 financial meltdown and post-9/11 uncertainty.

You'll discover:

✅ Why blanket layoffs without process changes always backfire

✅ Warren Buffett's "bathing suit" principle for crisis management

✅ How one major bank found tens of millions in savings while improving morale

✅ 5 specific strategies that transform uncertainty into competitive advantage

✅ Why your employees WANT to help save the company (if you ask the right way)

Stop making panic decisions, you'll regret them later. Learn how smart leaders navigate tariff uncertainty while strengthening their organizations for the long term.📱 SUBSCRIBE for bi-weekly business strategy insights that challenge conventional wisdom

(00:00) Introduction

(00:33) Understanding Panic Cost-Cutting in Business

(02:32) The Regrets of Poor Cost-Cutting Decisions

(05:00) Strategies for Smart Cost-Cutting

(11:03) Leveraging Crisis for Positive Change

#tarrifpanic #crisiscostcutting #businessstrategy #leadership #costoptimization #economicuncertainty #trump #trumptariffs

Most managers work incredibly hard but still struggle to get the best from their teams. The problem isn't effort—it's approach. In this episode of Elephant in the Boardroom, we reveal how to be a good manager by mastering six essential traits that separate great leaders from the "concrete middle" that holds companies back.

You'll discover why traditional management promotion paths often fail, creating managers who excel technically but struggle with leadership. We share proven strategies from our work with thousands of managers across Fortune 500 companies, including real examples of how to be a good manager who drives both team performance and company-wide success.

Key Management Skills You'll Learn:

One-Company Thinking: Stop optimizing for your department at the expense of overall success. Learn how the best managers align team goals with corporate objectives and why leaving your ego at the door creates exponential results. We share a case study from PNC Financial where this mindset delivered measurable improvements across multiple divisions.

Empathy and Team Advocacy: Discover how to be a good manager by putting yourself in your team's shoes. We examine real scenarios including call center management challenges and resource allocation decisions that demonstrate the difference between reactive leadership and proactive problem-solving.

Subject Matter Expertise: Understand when technical knowledge matters most and how to distribute your expertise effectively. Learn why Google's dual-track system works and how to teach rather than just solve problems for your team.

Strategic Communication: Master the art of communicating up, down, and sideways. We reveal specific techniques for delivering constructive feedback, sharing difficult news with leadership, and creating transparency that drives engagement. Includes our proven "walking around" question framework.

Advanced Problem-Solving: Move beyond firefighting to systematic issue resolution. Learn how a simple operational fix at a major bank eliminated thousands of customer complaints and why 5-7% expense reductions can dramatically impact earnings through strategic problem identification.

These aren't theoretical concepts—they're battle-tested approaches from our 25+ years leading operational excellence projects. Whether you're a new manager or experienced leader, you'll gain practical frameworks for employee innovation programs, cost optimization strategies, and transformation initiatives that actually strengthen rather than disrupt company culture.

Based on real client work generating over $5 billion in earnings improvements, this episode gives you the tools to become the manager your team needs and your company values.

#Management #Leadership #Business #CorporateCulture #ProfessionalDevelopment #ManagementTraining #LeadershipSkills #TeamManagement #WorkplaceImprovement #BusinessPodcast

(00:00) Introduction

(02:06) The Management Problem

(03:48) Trait #1: One-Company Thinking

(09:13) Trait #2: Empathy and Team Advocacy

(12:14) Trait #3: Subject Matter Expertise

(17:14) Trait #4: Strategic Communication

(21:10) Trait #5: Problem-Solving Ability

(28:01) Outro

Most business leaders struggle with meetings that waste time, frustrate teams, and fail to drive meaningful outcomes. In this episode of Elephant in the Boardroom, we reveal the framework for creating effective meetings that transform your biggest organizational time drain into a strategic competitive advantage.You'll discover why traditional agendas are fundamentally broken and learn our proven game plan methodology that Fortune 500 companies use to structure effective meetings. We share specific strategies for eliminating "meeting tourists"—non-contributing attendees who dilute focus and drain productivity from every session. Our countdown timer technique creates accountability and urgency, ensuring discussions stay on track and deliver actionable business results.Drawing from 25+ years leading transformation projects at major corporations like H.J. Heinz and PNC Financial, we expose why PowerPoint presentations kill meeting effectiveness and reveal the standardized reporting formats that accelerate executive decision-making. You'll learn how to implement hard starts that respect everyone's schedule, optimize meeting duration beyond the default 30-60 minute blocks, and build cultures where productive dissent leads to better strategic choices.This proven system for running effective meetings has helped our clients generate over $5 billion in earnings improvements by fundamentally changing how teams collaborate, make decisions, and execute initiatives. We share real case studies demonstrating how proper meeting structure increases employee engagement, speeds up project timelines, and eliminates the frustration that makes meetings universally despised across organizations.Key strategies include specific pre-meeting preparation templates, during-session facilitation techniques that maintain focus and energy, and post-meeting follow-up processes that ensure every gathering drives measurable business progress. You'll also discover how to transform meetings into powerful motivation tools that celebrate team wins and build organizational momentum rather than dwelling exclusively on problems and setbacks.Whether you're facilitating executive leadership sessions, managing cross-functional project reviews, or conducting regular team check-ins, these battle-tested approaches will help you reclaim valuable organizational time, improve decision quality, and create collaborative environments where innovation and strategic thinking flourish naturally.Stop accepting wasteful meetings as an inevitable cost of doing business. Start treating every gathering as a strategic opportunity to advance your organizational goals, strengthen team relationships, and drive bottom-line results that matter to stakeholders.

(00:00) Intro

(00:45) Why Meetings are Despised

(03:29) Meeting Tourist

(05:18) Meeting Durations

(07:55) Countdown Clocks in Meetings

(11:30) Hard Starts for Meetings

(16:56) The Obligation to Dissent

(19:09) PowerPoint Presentations

(24:12) Using Meetings to Motivate

(28:25) Improving Meeting Practices

Did you know that only 11% of companies manage to sustain their cost savings after three years? In this eye-opening episode of The Elephant in the Boardroom, hosts Terri Long and Jeremy Eden dive deep into the often misunderstood world of cost-cutting strategies within corporate America. They challenge the conventional wisdom that executives are inherently skilled at slashing costs, arguing instead that many fail to achieve lasting financial discipline. With a focus on Fortune 1000 executives, they reveal the pitfalls of common practices such as layoffs and the over-reliance on external consultants, which frequently lead to poor outcomes and broken corporate boards.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of engaging employees at all levels to identify practical solutions that not only increase measurable earnings but also maintain a customer-neutral stance. The hosts emphasize that effective decision-making in cost savings requires a disciplined approach, incorporating tracking systems and accountability that foster a culture of honesty and transparency within organizations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in corporate governance or change management, as it critiques current business practices and offers fresh perspectives on how to improve organizational effectiveness.

As Terri and Jeremy navigate the complexities of cost-cutting, they share leadership insights that challenge the status quo and encourage executive leadership to rethink their strategies. Are you ready to confront the elephant in the boardroom and rethink your approach to cost savings? Discover how to transform your business strategy discussions into actionable plans that not only drive financial results but also enhance corporate culture. Join us for a critical examination of leadership challenges and the dynamics of boardroom decision-making that can either lead to business wins or losses.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to create a sustainable cost-cutting framework that can serve as a model not just for your business, but for government efficiency as well. Tune in and take the first step toward transforming your approach to cost savings today! #costsavings #businesscostsavings #savings #businesspodcast

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) The Reality of Corporate Cost-Cutting

(03:15) Commonly Misused Cost-Cutting Techniques

(06:28) Engaging Employees for Effective Solutions

(10:00) Criteria for Successful Cost-Cutting Ideas

(16:42) The Importance of Tracking and Accountability

Are your corporate governance practices stuck in the past, hindering your organization’s potential? Join co-CEOs Terri Long and Jeremy Eden in this enlightening episode of The Elephant in the Boardroom, where they tackle the pressing issue of corporate board effectiveness in today's fast-paced business landscape. With the average age of directors skewing older and a glaring lack of diversity in age, gender, and ethnicity, many corporate boards are failing to represent the dynamic demographics of the companies they serve. This episode dives deep into the critical need for diversity in corporate governance, revealing how a varied board can significantly enhance decision-making and overall performance.

Research shows a direct correlation between board diversity and improved company outcomes, yet many boards remain stagnant, often resisting necessary change. Terri and Jeremy advocate for implementing term limits for board members to inject fresh perspectives and innovative thinking into corporate decision-making. They challenge the status quo of broken corporate boards and emphasize the importance of fostering an inclusive corporate culture that welcomes diverse viewpoints.

The conversation also highlights the often-overlooked human dynamics at play in boardrooms. Terri and Jeremy encourage directors to be candid and proactive, breaking down barriers that prevent open communication. By allowing junior employees to engage with directors, organizations can cultivate a more effective leadership strategy and improve organizational effectiveness. This episode is a treasure trove of leadership insights that can help Fortune 1000 executives navigate the complexities of corporate governance and drive meaningful change within their organizations.

As the hosts dissect the challenges of executive leadership and the impact of outdated business practices, they provide listeners with actionable strategies for embracing organizational change. Whether you're an anti-consultant looking to disrupt traditional business strategy discussions or a leader seeking to enhance your corporate culture, this episode is packed with invaluable advice. Discover how to transform your boardroom dynamics and achieve significant business wins and losses through effective decision-making. Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of corporate governance that could reshape the future of your organization! #corporategovernance #governance #board #diversity #executives #business #businesspodcast #boardmembers

(00:00) Intro

(00:49) The Need for Diversity in Board Composition

(03:00) Term Limits and the Stagnation of Board Members

(05:03) The Importance of Curiosity and Integrity in Board Members

(13:46) Engaging Junior Employees and Open Communication

Are we on the brink of a corporate revolution, or are we merely distracted by the glitz of artificial intelligence? In this thought-provoking episode of The Elephant in the Boardroom, co-CEOs Terri Long and Jeremy Eden delve deep into the intersection of human intelligence and AI, challenging the prevailing notion that technology will be the cornerstone of corporate growth. They assert that, while AI serves as a remarkable tool, it is human intelligence that will ultimately drive sustainable success in Corporate America.

Terri and Jeremy share personal anecdotes that highlight their frustrations with AI, particularly in interactions with chatbots that often miss the mark on human connection. This episode offers a candid critique of the current business practices that prioritize AI over the invaluable insights and creativity that only human intelligence can provide. They argue that an overreliance on AI can distract management teams from tapping into the rich reservoir of existing human intelligence within their organizations, leading to missed opportunities for innovation and growth.

Listeners will gain valuable leadership insights as the hosts discuss the critical need for organizations to invest in enhancing their collective human intelligence rather than succumbing to the allure of AI solutions. With the stakes higher than ever, this episode emphasizes the importance of effective decision-making and communication in navigating the complexities of corporate governance. Terri and Jeremy also explore how better tools and practices can enhance organizational effectiveness, ultimately leading to significant business wins and losses.

As the conversation unfolds, they touch on the challenges of change management and the potential degradation of customer service and corporate culture when businesses lean too heavily on AI. This episode serves as a wake-up call for Fortune 1000 executives and all corporate leaders to rethink their strategies and prioritize human intelligence in their business strategy discussions.

Join us for an engaging exploration of boardroom dynamics, where we dissect the realities of AI vs. HI and provide anti-consulting insights that challenge conventional wisdom. Whether you're an executive coach, a member of a broken corporate board, or simply interested in the future of corporate decision-making, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can transform your organization's approach to leadership challenges and organizational change. Tune in and discover how to harness the power of human intelligence to drive meaningful change in your corporate landscape! #ai #humanintelligence #hi #leadership #growth #aipodcast #businesspodcast

(00:00) Intro

(00:27) AI vs. HI in Corporate Earnings

(01:45) The Remarkable Nature of AI

(03:12) Distractions Caused by AI in Management

(05:36) The Importance of Human Collaboration

(10:33) Limitations of AI in Problem Solving

(18:12) The Need for Critical Thinking Over AI Reliance

Are your change management strategies stuck in the past, assuming employees will resist transformation? It’s time to rethink that narrative! In this enlightening episode of The Elephant in the Boardroom, hosts Terri Long and Jeremy Eden dive deep into the evolving landscape of change management within organizations. They challenge the outdated belief that employees are inherently resistant to change, highlighting instead that in today’s dynamic corporate America, adaptability is not just a skill but a necessity.

Terri and Jeremy emphasize that successful change management hinges on the involvement of those closest to the work. By engaging employees in the decision-making process rather than imposing top-down solutions, organizations can foster a culture that embraces change rather than fearing it. This approach not only enhances communication and collaboration but also transforms change from a painful ordeal into a powerful opportunity for growth and innovation.

Throughout the episode, the hosts share compelling anecdotes that illustrate how involving employees in the change process can yield better outcomes, increased buy-in, and ultimately, a more robust corporate culture. They discuss the importance of leveraging insights and creativity from the workforce, positioning organizations as adaptable and forward-thinking entities ready to tackle leadership challenges head-on.

As they navigate the intricacies of corporate governance and the dynamics of broken corporate boards, Terri and Jeremy provide invaluable leadership insights that resonate with Fortune 1000 executives and beyond. They reveal how effective decision-making and strategic business practices are essential for navigating the complexities of organizational change. By understanding the delicate balance of cost-cutting strategies and the need for innovation, leaders can drive their organizations toward success.

Join us for this engaging business podcast episode, where the hosts dissect the nuances of corporate decision-making and explore anti-consulting insights that challenge conventional wisdom. Whether you’re an executive coach, a corporate strategist, or simply interested in enhancing your organization’s effectiveness, this episode promises to deliver thought-provoking discussions on leadership, organizational culture, and the future of business strategy.

Don't miss this opportunity to transform your perspective on change management and uncover the secrets to thriving in an ever-evolving business landscape!

#changemanagement #corporateculture #change #embracingchange #decisionmaking #employeeengagement #culture #businesspodcast

(00:00) Intro

(00:26) Understanding the Constant Nature of Change

(01:25) The Myth of Resistance to Change

(02:55) Involving Employees in Change Processes

(04:36) Real-Life Examples of Change Management

(12:31) Building a Culture of Embracing Change

Are your company's financial practices as disciplined as they should be? In the latest episode of "The Elephant in the Boardroom," co-CEOs Terri Long and Jeremy Eden tackle the pressing issue of financial discipline within corporate America, revealing how a lack of rigorous expense management can undermine even the most well-intentioned cost-saving initiatives. Many Fortune 1000 executives announce significant savings from various programs, yet these savings often fail to make an impact on the bottom line. Why is that?

Join us as we explore the concept of 'locking the vault'—a powerful strategy advocating for meticulous tracking and accountability of all expenditures. Long and Eden share invaluable insights on how to ensure that every dollar spent is justified and aligned with your company's overarching mission statements and business strategy. They delve into the common pitfalls of expense management, including the notorious water balloon effect, where managers overspend simply because they perceive themselves as under budget. This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in executive leadership or corporate governance.

Transparency and accountability are crucial in financial decision-making, and without them, even substantial savings can be eclipsed by untracked spending. Long and Eden emphasize that financial discipline is not just a buzzword; it is essential for enhancing organizational effectiveness and protecting your resources. As they unpack the leadership challenges that come with managing expenses, they provide practical tips for fostering a corporate culture that prioritizes disciplined financial practices.

Whether you're navigating change management or seeking to improve your organization's financial health, this episode is packed with leadership insights that can transform your approach to expense management. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to elevate your decision-making processes and drive meaningful change within your organization. Tune in to discover how adopting a more disciplined approach to expenses can safeguard your company's future and enhance shareholder value. It's time to confront the elephant in the boardroom and take action! #expensemanagement #financialdiscipline #organizationalgrowth #businesspodcast

(00:00) Introduction to Expense Control Issues

(01:08) The Impact of Poor Expense Management

(02:17) Tracking and Accountability in Spending

(03:45) The Water Balloon Effect and Budget Politics

(05:32) Creating a Culture of Financial Discipline

(09:03) The Need for Transparency in Financial Decisions