Ed Stack, the chief executive of Dick's Sporting Goods, decided after the Parkland school shooting to pull assault rifles and high-capacity magazines from all of his company’s stores. The controversial choice hurt revenues. But the retailer weathered the storm, thanks to inclusive and thoughtful decision-making, careful communication with all stakeholders, a ... Show More
Oct 7
The Trouble with Tech Companies (and Their Strategies)
Cory Doctorow, author and digital rights advocate, argues that big tech companies from Facebook to Google and beyond have evolved - or devolved - in a disappointing way. He says that many large tech companies begin with a good product, but that over time they prioritize first bus ... Show More
26m 30s
Sep 30
How to Lead with Courage in Chaotic Times
Courage involves taking bold action despite uncertainty and fear. In a volatile business environment, it's hard to be brave. But Ranjay Gulati, a professor at Harvard Business School, says that there are strategies any of us can use to get improve our ability to make smart bets o ... Show More
32m 9s
Sep 23
Steven Pinker on Speculation Bubbles, Super Bowl Ads, and What Leaders Need to Know About Group Psychology
As a leader, psychology is fundamental to your success - whether that means understanding consumer behavior, team dynamics, or even your own biases and blind spots. Harvard professor Steven Pinker says that an important phenomena to understand is that of common knowledge and its ... Show More
27m 29s
Jul 2023
Prof G Markets: Twitter’s Rebrand to X, Mattel’s IP Playbook, and What’s Next for Snap
This week on Prof G Markets, Scott shares his thoughts on Twitter rebranding as “X,” and takes us through some of the best and worst branding moves in corporate history. He then takes a look at Mattel’s media strategy on the heels of Barbie’s blockbusting performance at the box o ... Show More
35m 33s
Sep 2022
Reinventing an Iconic Independent Bookstore
In 2020, Kwame Spearman made the career-shifting decision to leave a New York City-based consulting job to return to his hometown of Denver, Colorado, and take over an iconic independent bookstore, The Tattered Cover. Spearman saw an opportunity to reinvent the local business to ... Show More
28 m
May 2023
Prof G Markets: The Writers' Strike, the Art of the Earnings Call, & Microsoft’s Nuclear Fusion Bet
This week on Prof G Markets, Scott shares his thoughts on how the business model of television has changed, and why the new model gives the studios the upper hand in the writers’ strike. He then explains the importance of positioning a company as the hunter on an earnings call, r ... Show More
45m 23s
Jul 2023
Prof G Markets: Carvana and Corporate Governance, Hollywood vs. Microsoft, and Oddity’s IPO
This week on Prof G Markets, Scott shares his thoughts on Carvana’s questionable governance in light of its recent debt restructuring. He then explains why Hollywood writers and actors should be picketing outside of Microsoft instead of the studios. Scott also discusses the succe ... Show More
41m 32s
Nov 2020
Nike’s Phil Knight: How to sell without selling
Great branding is about identity – and it’s about matchmaking too. No one knows this better than the legendary co-founder of Nike, Phil Knight. When he and his partner, Hall of Fame track coach Bill Bowerman, started the sneaker company, they never tried to force-feed customers a ... Show More
35m 40s