Strategish (Daniel Marquez)

In our 5th episode, Dan sits down with Samantha Liscio, CIO extraordinaire & seasoned C-Suite executive/corporate strategist. Craig also joins us later to reflect on the discussion and identify the Nuggets of Insight we captured throughout.

In this conversation, we hear from Sam about the complex nuances of Enterprise Culture, why culture is so hard to change, and what hidden truths underpin the cultural transformations that do tend to succeed. We also explore the critical importance of talent and peer toxicity on the performance of an organization and it's aspirations of greatness.

For anyone looking to contact Samantha, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-liscio/

Every organization in the world has a strategy - whether it's any good is another story.

Welcome to Strategish! This is the podcast that seeks to demystify how organizations make their most important and complex decisions, and why so many of them get it wrong. Each week, we'll interview another leader in the corporate, government, or non profit sector, along with a suite of senior executives in the strategy consulting industry. From these discussions, we'll extract useful "Nuggets" of insight that can be applied to our own organizations and even in our day-to-day lives.

So join us, for a conversation that may not always be serious, but promises to always be strateg...ish.

In our 13th episode, Dan and Craig sit down with Business Process Transformation leader Shoeb Javed, the Chief Product Officer of iGrafx. Together, they examine many of the challenges that leaders face in discovering big ideas worthy of strategic prioritization, and the many roadblocks that tend to emerge in translating big ideas into market realities.

In this conversation, we tap into Shoeb’s experience as a product, strategy, and technology leader, to understand how organizations understand the true potential of big ideas to create transformative value. Along the way, we revisit a few topics from previous discussions, including the importance of high quality decision making and the distinct approaches required to bring novel innovation to market by listening to users and tackling quantifiable problems. Finally, we discuss some of the important opportunities that leaders can better understand and exploit through process intelligence powered by Digital twins of enterprise processes.

For anyone looking to contact Shoeb, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shoeb-javed-25380b1/

In our 15th episode, Dan and Craig sit down for the second half of our cross-over podcast series with J-M Erlendson and Roland Woldt of the What’s Your Baseline Podcast. In the first episode (Check it out on the What’s Your Baseline Podcast) we discussed how organizations can shape strategies that align with the realities of execution. In this second part, we explore the other side of the equation, diving into an exploration of how architectures are built to deliver on the direction set by an enterprise’s strategy.

This conversation is fascinating for anyone who wants to better understand how a strategy turns into reality, and the critical role that enterprise architects play in helping translate a strategy into practical designs that can be executed on sustainably. Listen as the joint podcast hosting teams share their experiences around the most commonly experienced challenges in this critical interface between strategists and architects, and learn how you can be a catalyst for seamless realization of bold strategic ambitions in your own enterprise!

For anyone looking to contact JM and Roland, you can do so via linkedin:

JM: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-merlendson/

Roland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rolandwoldt/

And make sure to check out their podcast (including part 1 of this conversation) on What’s Your Baseline’s website:

https://www.whatsyourbaseline.com/

In our 16th episode, Dan and Craig sit down with strategist and pricing expert Min FitzGerald, Head of Monetization at Clio. Together, they dive into the complex world of how organizations think about pricing their products in the market.

In this conversation, we explore many of the poorly understood and fascinating decisions that go into setting and evolving prices, and how the monetization of a company’s offerings can impact their ability to innovate and achieve sustained success. We also discuss the role of pricing as a force for unification across enterprise silos, and how that unity can help a business navigate the complex dynamics of market competition.

For anyone looking to contact Min, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/minfitzgerald/

In our 6th episode, Host Dan Marquez and Co-Host Craig Overmars sit down with venerated leader Ret. LGen Michael Rouleau, former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Throughout their conversation, Mike shares a broad range of hard-won lessons on the essentials of effective leadership and transformation. In fact, their discussion was so rich and packed with insights that it couldn’t fit into a single episode! In Part 1 (Episode 6) we focus on the role of leaders in shaping an agenda of change that is set up for success, and on how leaders can inspire their teams through consistent authenticity.

And stay tuned in the next couple of weeks for the riveting conclusion of our discussion in Episode 7!

For anyone looking to contact Mike, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rouleau-aa4b63256/

In our 4th episode, Dan and Craig sit down with Deborah Ko, expert in leadership psychology and fellow Googler, to delve into the surprising realities of how leaders think and what secretly drives their most strategic decisions.

In this conversation, we hear from Deborah on a fascinating array of topics, ranging from the dual role of fear in both motivating and restricting executives from taking decisive action, to tools for overriding politics and groupthink in favor of real innovation, to the critical importance of sustained trust for achieving greatness.

For anyone looking to contact Deborah, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahko/

In our 11th episode, Dan and Craig sit down with experienced technologist and digital leader Rich Corbridge, Chief Digital Information Officer for the Department for Work and Pensions. Together, they explore how technology is transforming the way organizations function, and also examine the radical changes that have taken root within most technology and digital functions, turning them into engines for enterprise change.

In this conversation, we delve into Rich’s background as a digital and technology leader in both the public and private sectors, reflecting on the outsized role that technology has played in the performance of organizations over the last 20+ years. We also talk about how the digital transformation agents of yesterday have become the de-facto best leaders to drive the most complex change programs in today’s organizations, and how smart leaders tap into the power of new technologies to solve tangible problems without falling prey to the hype cycle that often accompanies these new tools.

For anyone looking to contact Rich, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-corbridge-fbcs-8b621b5/

In our Zero-th episode, co-hosts Dan and Craig get together to lay down the basics: What is a strategy, really, and how does it help organizations survive, thrive, and create tangible value for themselves and the people they serve?

In this conversation, we'll also lay our the Big Question we want to try and answer in Season 1: Why do so many organizations struggle to achieve greatness? We grapple with what it means to pursue this lofty aspiration, and explain why we think it's important that more leaders take on this challenge on behalf of their organizations and society at large.

In our 9th episode, Dan and Craig spend some quality time together, with a 1-1 discussion on the chronically misunderstood topic of Innovation!

In this conversation, our hosts explore the often quoted and rarely achieved concept of Corporate Innovation, providing an honest perspective on what it really means to innovate and what usually passes for it within most organizations. They’ll discuss why so many organizations struggle to make real investments in innovation despite both the obvious benefits and its essential role in the pursuit of greatness, and examine the practical methods that leaders can employ on their path to achieving it at scale across the enterprise.

In our 12th episode, Dan and Craig go back to basics, providing our listeners with a 1-1 discussion on the fundamentals of Strategy.

In this conversation, our hosts break down the concept of strategy itself, articulating what an effective strategy is, the essential elements of how it gets built, the different approaches that organizations tend to employ to build them, and many of the common misconceptions around what they mean and how they’re used (and misused).

This discussion is packed full of insightful anecdotes and examples sourced from two careers spent delivering strategies for clients all over the world - not one to miss!

In our 7th episode, Host Dan Marquez and Co-Host Craig Overmars continue their conversation with venerated leader Ret. LGen Michael Rouleau, former Vice Chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Throughout their conversation, Mike shares a broad range of hard-won lessons on the essentials of effective leadership and transformation. Building on the discussion of shaping a strategy and inspiring others in Part 1 (Episode 6), this half of the conversation focuses on how great leaders navigate the challenges that face any large complex change, and turn great strategies into a reality.

For anyone looking to contact Mike, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rouleau-aa4b63256/

In our 17th and final episode of Season 1, Dan and Craig sit down to propose an answer to our BIG QUESTION:

“Why do organizations struggle to achieve sustained greatness?” (Spoiler Alert - It’s not easy!)

In this conversation, our hosts reflect on the past year-and-a-half of amazing discussions, and synthesize all of the insights we’ve gathered into a perspective on how organizations can achieve sustained greatness. They lay out a framework for the 8 facets of an enterprise that leaders need to master to get this right, and share some highlights from their upcoming playbook detailing the behaviors that differentiate great organizations.

Thank you to everyone for listening to The Strategish Podcast these past 18 months, and we hope you stick around for Season 2 in 2025!

For anyone looking to contact Dan or Craig, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquezd/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigovermars/

In our 10th episode, Dan sits down with resilient senior executive Jillian Moffatt, Regional President of McCain Foods in Great Britain and Ireland. Together, they take a cross-organizational view on how organizations can pursue and achieve complex change. In this conversation, we tap into Jillian's unique background, with senior leadership roles in the transformational domain (Enterprise program leadership), the functional domain (Former Chief Technology Officer) and the regional/operational domain (Regional President). Through this rare intersection of perspectives, we unpack the strikingly simple yet profoundly effective tools that she employs to drive change at a global scale. Her insights cover a wide spectrum, including a view for both the top down narrative and the bottom up needs of individuals customers, employees, and partners. Finally, we examine the under-appreciated power of sustained and authentic communication as an essential tool of great leadership, and reflect on it's ability to get to the heart of challenges embedded deeply within an organization. For anyone looking to contact Jillian, you can do so via linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-moffatt-757b996

In our 8th episode, Dan and Craig sit down with former colleague and all-around phenomenon Kevin Raymond, COO at Validere, to take a hard look at why so many organizations tend to inevitably struggle with complexity.

In this conversation, we discuss how demanding and reinforcing radical simplicity can cut through the explosion in value-less work that proliferates as organizations age. We also talk about the benefits this can have for a company’s ability to pursue greatness and maintain sustained performance in both the boom times and the hard times. 

For anyone looking to contact Kevin, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpraymond/

In our 2nd episode, Dan sits down with Christiana Cavazzoni, Chief Digital and Data Officer for Supply Ontario. Craig also joins us later to reflect on the discussion and identify the Nuggets of Insight we captured throughout.

In this conversation, we hear from Christiana about the challenge to achieving greatness posed by "corporate inertia", the cultural force that pushes back on all large organizational transformation efforts. She shares perspectives shaped by decades of complex change in both the private and public sectors, and identifies strategies to overcome inertia and build up sustained momentum for big change.

For anyone looking to contact Christiana, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianacavazzoni/

In our first episode, Dan and co-host Craig sit down with Paul Kortenaar, CEO of the Ontario Science Centre (OSC).

In this conversation, we hear from Paul about how this venerated institution, a global pioneer in hands-on science education, tackled the existential challenges posed by COVID-19. We explore the importance of an organization's mission to it's pursuit of greatness, and learn how the OSC managed to stay on mission in the face of seemingly insurmountable hurdles - emerging from lockdowns with a renewed clarity and focus on it's core purpose.

In our 3rd episode, Dan and Craig spend some quality time together, with a 1-1 discussion on the under-appreciated art and science of Decision Making. 

In this conversation, our hosts explore the topic of how organizations make choices, not only at the strategic C-Suite level, but across every level all the way down to the front lines. They examine the chronic under-appreciation for how decision making impacts a company’s ability to achieve greatness, and discuss how adopting a “decision supply chain” analog can help leaders carve out competitive advantage through the accumulation of tiny edges in everyday choices.

For more insight into the article mentioned in today’s episode, you can give it a read on Dan’s LinkedIn page, here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/decision-making-supply-chain-dan-marquez

In our 14th episode, Dan and Craig sit down with Serial Change Executive Stuart McDonald, currently the Global Chief Information Officer of Colliers International. Together, they tap into Stuart’s proven playbook for organizational transformation and for finding value hidden in plain sight, developed over his decades of experience.

In this conversation, we learn about what Stuart looks for during his first 6 months in a new senior executive role, how he drives transformation as both a change agent and a corporate leader, and how he would design an organization tailored to achieve sustained greatness. We also hear from Stuart on his diverse perspectives around nurturing talent, setting shared business goals across the enterprise, and managing change without being beholden to rigid processes and arbitrary timelines.

For anyone looking to contact Stuart, you can do so via linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartjmcdonald/