The Big Con Podcast

The Big Con Podcast

📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark. Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

Episodes

January 26, 2025 33 mins
In this landmark final episode, hosts Dale and Emily distill two years and 50 episodes worth of business strategy insights into actionable frameworks and lessons. From blue oceans to corporate karma, this masterclass serves as both a series finale and an entry point for new listeners wanting to understand strategic thinking in business.

Key Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Introduction & Episode Overview
00:01:30 - Defining Strategy: Core C...
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Is "build a community" the most dangerous business advice you've ever received? In this eye-opening episode, we dive into how your carefully cultivated community could become your biggest nightmare. Through cautionary tales of Etsy's identity crisis, Tumblr's spectacular self-destruction, and Reddit's ongoing power struggles, we explore what happens when profit meets passion.Discover:
  • Why Etsy's journey from craft fair to Wall S...
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From workplace stigma to corporate innovation - dive into the real talk about neurodiversity at work. When a major luxury retailer's neurodivergent discrimination case hits the headlines, we unpack the bigger picture: why embracing neurodivergent talent isn't just good ethics, it's smart business. Did you know neurodivergent testing teams are 30% more productive? Discover how companies like HP and the Australian Defence Force are t...
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Step into the epic three-way battle for gaming dominance as we explore how Nintendo, Sony PlayStation, and Microsoft Xbox have carved out unique strategies in the $260 billion gaming industry. From Nintendo's "Blue Ocean" innovation-first approach to Sony's premium experiences and Microsoft's cloud-gaming revolution, discover how these tech titans have transformed entertainment while fighting for 3.2 billion global gamers.

Key Strat...
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October 15, 2024 30 mins
Unravel the double helix of 23andMe's rollercoaster journey from Silicon Valley darling to Wall Street wallflower.
This episode decodes the DNA of a company that turned saliva into gold... and then watched it evaporate faster than you can say "genome sequencing."
🧪 From $1000 kits to $99 spit tubes: How 23andMe made genetics go viral
🔬 The FDA showdown: When regulators crashed the DNA party
💊 Pivot or perish: 23andMe's adventurous l...
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Hit us baby one more time with a juicy business blunder! This week, we're serving up a double whammy of celebrity missteps. First course: the pop princess's less-than-toxic foray into the restaurant biz. Britney Spears: Queen of the charts, not so much the kitchen. For dessert: a fresh slice of tech drama à la MKBHD.Highlights:
  • From Mickey Mouse Club to Michelin dreams: Britney's recipe for restaurant disaster
  • The Louisiana-New Y...
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🛒 Dive into the world of Temu, the e-commerce sensation that's got everyone clicking "Add to Cart" faster than you can say "free shipping"!Episode Highlights:
  • 🎰 ADHD Consumerism: Discover how Temu turns shopping into a dopamine-fueled casino experience
  • 🐔 Chicken Helmets & Beyond: Explore the weird and wonderful world of Temu's product offerings
  • 💸 The Price of Cheap: Unpack the ethical dilemmas and sustainability concerns b...
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From the heights of being touted as "bigger than the internet" to becoming a punchline in popular culture, the Segway's journey is a fascinating case study in innovation, hype, and the importance of understanding your market. Join Dale and Emily as they dive into the rollercoaster ride of the Segway - the invention that just couldn't seem to find its footing. Discover the key missteps that led to the Segway's downfall, like pricing...
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Is the world's favorite search engine losing its way? Dive into the digital drama as we dissect Google's journey from garage startup to tech titan. We'll explore:
  • The rise of the data-hungry behemoth
  • Why Google might be its own worst enemy
  • The AI race: How did the front-runner fall behind?
  • Search results or ad bonanza? The blurring lines
  • Can anyone topple this tech Goliath?
Join us for a thought-provoking romp through Google's t...
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The Big Con" tackles the scandalous world of Ashley Madison, the dating site that shook the internet. Join hosts Dale and Emily as they unpack the business strategies behind the infamous "Life is short. Have an affair" empire.🔍 Key points:
  • The rise of Ashley Madison and its controversial marketing tactics
  • How they expanded globally, including a cheeky campaign in India
  • The catastrophic data breach that exposed millions of users
  • Su...
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In this episode of The Big Con, hosts Emily and Dale explore the fascinating world of Marvel Comics, examining its storied history and the strategic lessons that can be gleaned from its journey. From its humble beginnings in 1939 to becoming a cultural powerhouse, Marvel has faced numerous challenges and triumphs. Join us as we uncover how Marvel’s strategies evolved through its bankruptcy, its resurgence with blockbuster films, an...
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Season 3 comes to a close in this insightful episode of "The Big Con Podcast," as we look back on the updates coming thick and fast from our tales of strategy successes and fails. We are tackling the nuances of industry feuds, lawsuits, and the ever-evolving landscape of corporate strategies, all while weaving in critical analyses on diversity and inclusion efforts, and the ethical implications of AI in business.


Highlights of the E...
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In the latest episode of The Big Con, Emily and Dale are looking to the revolutionary Apple Vision Pro. Embarking on a journey to unravel the intricacies of Apple's latest innovation, discussing its potential to redefine the tech landscape. The Apple approach to product is a historical success so what can we take from these masters at product innovation from the small business owner to the average 9-5er.

Key Highlights:
  • Introduct...
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Kylie Cosmetics is a household name, almost as much as the Kardashians/Jenners. However, Forbes and Kylie are in some heated disagreement regarding valuation discrepancies. The episode narrates Kylie's venture into the cosmetics industry, leveraging her brand and the viral attention around her lip fillers to launch Kylie's Lip Kit, eventually expanding into a full cosmetics line. It critically examines the Forbes article that reeva...
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From the Brink of Obscurity to a $1.7 Trillion Valuation: Nvidia's Unbelievable Journey - Dive into this episode of "The Big Con Podcast" as we peel back the layers of Nvidia's meteoric rise. Discover how a company known for its video game chips turned strategic pivots into an empire within the realms of artificial intelligence.

Key Highlights:
  • Epic Beginnings: Relive the moment Nvidia stepped onto the scene, against the backdrop...
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The episode explores the intriguing story of "Act of Treason," an Australian-based alcohol company who have t aken a spicey approach to marketing, venturing into the agave spirits market, challenging traditional tequila norms. Emily and Dale are delving into the complexities of agave spirit production, marketing strategies, and the potential impacts on the tequila industry. They discuss how "Act of Treason" positions itself amidst ...
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In this episode, we explore Shopify's remarkable journey from its inception to becoming a powerhouse in e-commerce, boasting a market cap explosion to roughly $200 billion.The Big Con Podcast dives into Shopify's strategic maneuvers and what makes up its moat (all the things that make this impressive company stand out from its competition), including its innovative API, revolutionary growth solutions, and community-building efforts...
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January 31, 2024 26 mins
Hesta's 40:40 vision.
More diversity, more awareness and more transparency.
Sounds great, right?
But sometimes quotas, KPIs and metrics get in the way of a conversation.
DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) is a hot topic at the moment, and rightly so; the Big Con is doing its part and discussing an incredibly complex issue.
  • The Role of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators):
    • Challenges and limitations of KPIs in business strategy.
    • Th...
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Imagine you're running the best business ever, so good, that someone else makes a perfect copy. Down to the last pixel on your website? The Big Con is heading back to Air BnB because they found themselves in this exact scenario. Did they live to fight another day (well, yes, but how is where the magic is).
  • Mastering Anti-Copycat Strategies:
    • SIlicone valley horror stories
    • Cultivating Brand Allegiance: Unveiling the secrets to b...
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Episode Summary:
This episode with hosts Emily Kay and Dale delves into the chaotic Optus outage of November 8, 2023, in Australia. Taking down emergency services, businesses and train lines - we look at the response and why it lead to a very public firing!
  1. Outage Overview: An in-depth look at the Optus outage timeline and its wide-reaching effects.
  2. Ripple Effects and Real-Life Consequences: Exploring the outage's impact on essent...
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