The role of luck in life and business is often overlooked or underweighted. Many fall victim to this fallacy – myself included. However, luck rarely arrives for those not prepared to see it or capitalize on it. That’s the role of strategy; to prepare for and navigate towards the range of opportunities most likely to present themselves. So, how do you prepare to meet luck with gratitude?

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Here we take the chance to review Marty’s progress and focus in on how growth, and the challenges that come with it, have impacted his work. Marty gives us some sage perspective on how he manages growth and updates on what advice he might give others seeking to join him in his chosen field.  It’s full of great knowledge and wisdom from someone who has been in the arena for quite some time.

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This double demon joins to explain how she balances her work as an empirical researcher in healthcare with her long-standing advocacy for environmental rights. These two parts both complement and overlap each other and allow her to make contributions is ways that may not be possible without traveling her unique journey.  

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Hyzon focuses on producing zero-emission heavy duty trucks; a nascent market with huge potential. Like many new markets, though, the path ahead isn’t always crystal clear. How do you get where you want to go, when the destination doesn’t exist yet? Hyzon has a solid strategic plan to build around its core fuel cell technology & expertise that maintains flexibility, leverages strong IP, and fixed costs, and can provide significant scale economies if or when this market blooms.

Listen in to hear how they’re doing it.

She currently handles strategic alliances at Logitech and has an interesting story of getting there. This story includes terrific role models, some luck, and a lot of hard work. A LOT! Her current role uses her business strategy concentration to help Logitech create mutually beneficial strategic alliances that open new markets, leverage firm advantages, and efficiently fill market gaps. Any business alliance brings risk, but Nuna serves as a point of continuity to maximize the benefits while minimizing any risk. Listen in to hear how.

Clients rely on Bell’s scientific expertise to be successful, and their food scientists rely on Ryan to deliver raw materials at scale and on budget. That requires him to constantly gather market intelligence on who has what, where, how much of it and at what price. Unfortunately, there isn’t just one answer to that question and that keeps him very busy. Listen in to hear how.

The servant-based leadership model discussed here begins at the top and requires discipline to scale and maintain. However, done well, this model of selflessly developing and enabling talent, creates a self-sustaining culture in its likeness and the benefits are significant. These human and organizational benefits become assets that, from a resource-based view, provide a competitive advantage hard for others to overcome. Treat your people well, I think I’ve heard that before?

Luke is a composed, experienced, and highly capable executive in a sector that demands clear thinking and strategic insight. These skills were honed by a remarkable father, a natural inclination to listen and learn, and an education that enables him to synthesize information into a strategic framework. Success in business necessitates understanding the value proposition for your customers, employees, and suppliers, and this can only be accomplished through curiosity and active listening! Interested? Give it a listen.

This experience gives her the ability to see how policy goals that serve everyone, require working, step-by-step through the interested parties. Roxy openly admits game theory plays a role in her work and backward induction seems to fit well here. Think of it this way, start with a policy goal, navigate backwards solving each preceding step, the resulting path theoretically achieving the desired outcome. Sounds strategic to me. Give it a listen.

In this episode, Andrew explains what’s unique about insurance for technology firms and shares how today’s insurance companies rely on technology, data, and research to forecast risk and prevent client losses. Andrew also has an interesting story to tell about his MBA journey and the value of pacing while pursuing your MBA. It’s a story of balancing life, school, and work, and simultaneously super charging you’re learning. It’s a great strategy for anyone who wants to make the most of your learning.