40 Strategy Blog

In today’s era—of inflation, a pandemic, war, and more—it can sometimes feel like market risk is at an all-time high. But the truth is, how we evaluate and navigate risk hasn’t changed mathematically in hundreds of years. And our guest this week is an expert in risk management (no matter the external circumstances).    Alex Sidorenko is an experienced executive across strategic, investment, and operational risks and insurance working within multibillion-dollar corporations in Australia, GCC, and Europe. He’s successfully implemented changes to quantitative risk analysis, risk-based decision-making, and neuroscience.    Tune into the full episode for more on risk management, the “predictable irrationality” of human beings, the role of global conflict in risk estimation, and Alex’s tips for small businesses to become more resilient in the face of constantly changing global markets.   Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:    How Alex used “kinde...

In business, some of the best leaders have ideas that others would consider “crazy.” But those ideas are often the ones that push us the furthest. And no one knows more about pursuing lofty, wild goals, quite like our latest guest, Cameron Dorn.   Cameron Dorn is the Founder and CEO of The Suitcase of Courage, two-time Guinness world record holder, two-time national champion in triathlon, and believer that “small town” does not mean “small opportunity.”    Listen to the full episode for more on Cameron’s journey (both in business and in sports), how his company helps improve the health of organizations’ employees, and how he uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative results to measure the success of his business.    Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:    More about Cameron’s company, The Suitcase of Courage, and how they help employees become happier and healthier  The biggest challenge Cameron has struggled with as he’s grown his bu...

One of the biggest reasons entrepreneurs set out on their own is for the freedom — and our latest guest is someone who’s expertly melded what he likes to do in that free time, with his burgeoning business.   Max Benz is an outdoor adventure addict as well as a professional storyteller. He’s created a business that combines those two passions, and people usually have a hard time telling if he is hard at work or hard at play.    Listen to the full conversation for more on Max’s outdoor adventures (including a sheep hunt in the Alaska wilderness), his production company, what initially led him on the entrepreneurial journey, and more.   Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:    The story behind Carl and Max’s meeting in the Reno airport, plus why Max was headed to the Alaskan backcountry at the time More details on Max’s trip to Alaska  What Max’s company, 7Nineteen Productions, does, including all the different genres and brands he works with...

In this era of the “Great Resignation,” and the rise of “quiet quitting,” companies are more worried than ever about a disengaged, fluctuating workforce. But there are effective strategies organizations can use to build a loyal, engaged team. They just might not be the strategies you *think* will work.   Our guest this week is one of the global experts in building more effective teams: Dov Baron has been named twice to the list of the world’s Top 30 Global Leadership Gurus and Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He is the leading authority on Emotional Source Code and the Anatomy of Meanings. He’s the founder and host of two podcasts, and the bestselling author of several books, including “One Red Thread” and “Fiercely Loyal: How High Performing Companies Develop and Retain Top Talent.”   Listen to the full episode for the conversation on the failures of hybrid work styles (and what companies can do to avoid the pitfalls), the concept of “quiet quitting,” why foos...

Digital transformation is perhaps one of the most important strategic initiatives that brands will take on in this phase of the 21st century. But how do you ensure you’re actually going to have a successful one that your employees buy into?    Our guest this week is an expert in guiding companies to those successful strategies. Howard Tiersky is a successful entrepreneur who has been named by IDG as one of the "10 Digital Transformation Influencers to Follow Today" and by Enterprise Management 360° as “One of the Top 10 Digital Transformation Influencers That Will Change Your World.” He is also the author of the WSJ bestselling book “Winning Digital Customers: The Antidote to Irrelevance” and is the founder of two companies that enable large brands to win in the digital world, FROM: The Digital Transformation Agency, and Innovation Loft.   Listen to the full episode to learn Howard’s advice for launching a successful digital transformation within your organization, s...

When it comes to scaling your business, readiness (for change, growth, action, etc.) is a must. Crystallizing what this readiness looks like—and how to build it—is the expertise our latest guest brings.   Esther Weinberg is a business growth accelerator that equips executives in high-growth industries to create big pivots, big impact, and big returns. She’s also the Founder and Chief Leadership Development Officer of The Ready Zone.    Tune into the full episode for more on the 6 Zone Performance Indicators Esther uses to develop better leaders, how to prepare in advance for hard workplace conversations, and some of the common reasons leaders struggle to reach their goals.    Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:    More about the 6 zone performance indicators that Esther teaches through The Ready Zone Why Esther says culture is “portable” — and what that means for the workplace  The hidden, tangible costs of conflict in the workplace...

From building his own furniture as a teenager because his first apartment had none, to founding one of the most popular sofa brands in the world, Edgar Blazona is no stranger to building a business successfully — on his own terms. And the lessons he’s taken from that journey can be applied to any business, in any industry.  Edgar is a modernist American furniture designer and founder of DTC sofa brand BenchMade Modern, which he sold to furniture powerhouse American Leather. He’s a high school dropout, turned graffiti artist, turned serial entrepreneur. Listen to the full conversation for more on Edgar’s background, the business lessons he’s learned from his unconventional experiences, and how he’s ensured success in the long-term, not just the short-term.  Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn:  More of Edgar’s backstory, including his struggles in school, what happened after he dropped out of high school, and how his first apartment at age 16 inspired his future com...