Strategy Hero

What drives a project to transform an organization? In this episode, Ray Collis, co-founder of Growth Pit Stop, shares his “super projects” formula—blending ambition, confidence, alignment, complexity, and collaboration. You’ll learn how successful leaders manage bold initiatives by embracing uncertainty and fostering seamless team alignment. Ray’s “pit stop” strategy—pausing to regroup and refocus—offers a practical way to navigat...

In this episode, Jim Longshore, Vice President at SBTI and author of The ABCs of Strategy Execution, shares insights from over 25 years of driving Lean Six Sigma deployments across manufacturing, healthcare, and insurance.

Jim reflects on his early career experiences at American Standard and Trane, where the integration of Lean and Six Sigma first clicked, and how understanding measurement systems and capability analyses transforme...

In this episode, Hensley Sejour, Principal at Black Tech Nation Ventures, shares how a mindset rooted in curiosity and community has guided his unconventional path—from PhD chemical engineer and 14-year BP veteran to AWS product manager and now venture capital leader.

Hensley reflects on pivotal career moments, including how a move to Alaska unlocked a journey toward an MBA at Carnegie Mellon and a transition into tech and investin...

In this episode, Anthony Huffman, Enterprise Architecture Strategist at Koch Industries, discusses the transformation of manufacturing through Industry 4.0. With over 20 years of experience in operational excellence and smart manufacturing, Tony shares insights into lean principles, change management, and the integration of digital technologies such as Gen AI and predictive analytics.

Tony outlines the four layers of Industry 4.0—s...

Roger Longden, founder and chairman of the UK's leading OKR consultancy There Be Giants, brings a wealth of experience in helping organizations excel in strategy execution. From his corporate IT background to a coaching qualification at Henley Business School, Roger's journey has spanned leading project management at Fujitsu, coaching in the North Sea oil rigs, and establishing an international consultancy that empowers businesses ...

Featuring amazing guests such as Roger Longden of There Be Giants, Enterprise Architecture Strategist for Industry 4.0 at Koch Industries, Anthony Hoffman and Hensley Sejour, Investor at Black Tech Nation Ventures. Season Three also sees the departure of James Milsom as our host, with Simon Crowther coming in midway through the season as our new host. This season is packed with insights into the world of strategy, leadership and ...

James Milsom, host of the Strategy Hero podcast, has spent two seasons uncovering the stories and strategies behind the world of business transformation, operational excellence, and strategy execution. As a seasoned marketer and thought leader at i-nexus, James has connected with practitioners, consultants, and unsung heroes to share their insights and experiences.

In this special episode, James takes the guest seat, reflecting on ...

Wes Bush is the founder and CEO of ProductLed. He is the bestselling author of Product-Led Growth: How To Build a Product That Sells Itself and is one of the most sought-after product experts in the world. After working for some of the world’s fastest-growing companies in the world, today he trains teams around the globe how to turn their products into powerful growth engines.

Wes explains how PLG flips traditional sales-led method...

In this episode, Simon Wardley, creator of Wardley Maps, explores how mapping brings clarity to strategy and complex decision-making. Wardley shares how his frustration with vague corporate strategies led to his development of the Wardley Mapping methodology, inspired by a bookstore conversation about The Art of War. Wardley Maps visually map out an organization’s strategic landscape by illustrating user needs, capabilities, and ho...

In this episode, we explore the 27-year career of Grant Elder, a seasoned change management leader, known for his expertise in fostering transformation through empathy and communication. Grant reflects on his experiences leading complex organizational change, emphasizing the critical role of strategic planning, environmental analysis, and the engagement of employees through processes like Catchball and Gemba walks.

Grant outlines t...

In this episode, we delve into the extensive career of Paul Niven, a renowned expert in strategy execution with a focus on the balanced scorecard and OKR (Objectives and Key Results) frameworks. Paul shares his journey from public accounting to pioneering the balanced scorecard in the early 1990s, leading to significant improvements in organizational performance. He has since authored several influential books and collaborated with...

In this episode, we explore the career of Jack Soos, whose diverse background spans sociology, biochemistry, and leadership. Jack has developed a keen understanding of the importance of empathy and active listening, which he applies to his leadership practices. He shares insights on fostering trust, promoting employee growth, and the necessity of ongoing learning.

Jack has tackled the challenges of cross-functional collaboration, a...

In this episode, we delve into the career journey of Garvan Callan, an expert in strategy, transformation, and leadership. With a rich background that includes roles at Danske Bank and the Bank of Ireland, Garvan has honed his focus on digital innovation over the past 18 years. This experience culminated in the creation of his advisory practice, ONEZERO1, where he helps business leaders develop and implement transformative strate...

In this episode, Charlie Sharman, an advisor at the Kaizen Institute and co-author of the book "Strat to Action," delves into the future of Kaizen. Known for his candid and sometimes controversial insights, Charlie outlines the key areas businesses should focus on for effective process improvement. He examines the relative importance of people, processes, and data in the quest for continual improvement, leaving no stone unturne...

In this episode, Ryan Henson, the CEO of the Coalition for Global Prosperity talks about building a network of relationships and an internal culture to drive change on a global scale. His work has built an organization that is educating the senior political leaders of the UK on the changes needed in international development and social mobility. The lessons in this episode can be applied to any organization looking to build a chan...

Jeroen Kraaijenbrink is a distinguished author, consultant, and thought leader in the realms of strategy, innovation, and organizational development. With a wealth of experience spanning over two decades, Kraaijenbrink has established himself as a pivotal figure in guiding organizations towards sustainable growth and competitive advantage. In this episode, Jeroen takes us through how organizations can build the foundations for str...

Former Group Director of Strategy for Rexam Plc, Kit is now the Managing Partner of Strategy Together, where she leads a network of strategy consultants - but Kit's focus on personal strategy is what we explore in this episode. From leading groups of leaders on an Antarctic expedition, to setting a roadmap to developing one's strategy, this episode is all about setting yourself up for success, in whatever endeavors you are pursuin...

In the ever-evolving landscape of business, partnerships have become more than just keys to success; they're now the very foundation for many enterprises. Join us in this episode as we delve into the 'Decade of Ecosystems' with Jay McBain, Chief Analyst - Channels, Partnerships & Ecosystems at Canalys.

Drawing from his impressive 30-year career in advising and working with channel businesses, Jay sheds light on the dramatic tra...