CSI Chat

We are joined on CSI Chat by Professor Ron Adner to talk about "Disruption".  Ron is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and the author of two terrific books on disruption, The Wide Lens: What Successful Innovators See that Others Miss and Winning the Right Game: How to Disrupt, Defend, and Deliver in a Changing World. During our "CSI Chat" with Ron, we discuss: - How do companies recognize that they are being disrupted before it is too late?  Why is it so important to understand all of the elements of a business unit's "value architecture" so that you can respond accordingly.  How did "Tom Tom" GPS respond when their "in-car" GPS was being replaced with phones?  How did Lexmark respond when companies were moving away from printing?  Ron provides some colour on these terrific case studies.   - Kodak - the story of Kodak and their collapse is misunderstood.  Kodak's business model was, "Capture", "Produce", "View" and "Share" and the reality is that they managed to get most of these elements right in the "Digital Age" (including inventing the digital camera).  Which element did Kodak fail at and what can we learn?  Ron explains. - Microsoft - Microsoft is a great example of a company who reinvented themselves under current CEO Satya Nadella.  What did Satya Nadella do differently as compared to the previous CEO Steve Ballmer?  Ron explains why Microsoft is a great example of the importance of leadership during times of disruption.   I hope everyone enjoys our "CSI Chat" with Ron Adner!  

We are joined on CSI Chat by pricing expert and AI investor, Madhavan Ramanujam.  Madhavan is currently a GP at 49 Palms Ventures and previously he was a Managing Partner at Simon-Kucher & Partners, a global pricing strategy firm.  Madhavan is also the author of two terrific books on pricing, Monetizing Innovation and Scaling Innovation.   During our "Chat" with Madhavan, we touch on a number of areas: - The current "lay of the land" of Artificial Intelligence and what it means for technology companies.  What are the key characteristics of tech companies who will thrive in this new environment?  - The importance of pricing new products in the AI age.  What are the key elements of pricing AI related products in order to drive both customer adoption and revenue growth? - What are some great examples of companies who have priced products extremely well (such as Apple) and companies who have managed disruption (Microsoft).  What can we learn from both of these companies? I hope everyone enjoys the " CSI Chat" with Madhavan!  

We are joined by Scott Anthony who is a professor of strategy at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth where his research and teaching focus on the adaptive challenges of disruptive change.  Scott is also the author of the terrific book, "Epic Disruptions:  11 Innovations that Shaped our Modern World".  We have a terrific "CSI Chat" with Scott whereby we discuss the concept of "Disruption" and touch on: - A few specific case studies from his book, including Bethlehem Steel (a company that was disrupted) and Apple (a company that was the disruptor).  What can we learn from both of these examples? - What are the core characteristics of leaders and a workforce that can withstand disruption? - Generative AI and its impact as a "Disruptive Technology". I hope everyone enjoys the "CSI Chat" with Scott!  

We are joined by Anthony Scilipoti, the President and CEO of Veritas Investment Research.  Veritas Investment Research is Canada's leading independent equity research firm and is staffed entirely by CPAs.  We spend some time talking to Anthony about a variety of topics, including: The state of the markets today and where Anthony is seeing the "Red Flags".  Are there particular industries which Anthony feels are over valued?   How does the "Veritas Valuation Framework" identify companies that might be over valued?   What can we learn from past case studies of Nortel Networks and Valeant Pharmaceuticals.  Does history always repeat itself? I hope everyone enjoys our "CSI Chat" with Anthony!  

We are joined by Mike Abrashoff, a NY Times Best Selling Author, Leadership and Teamwork Expert and the former captain of USS Benfold.  Mike is the author of the best-selling book, "It's Your Ship:  Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy".  At 36, he was selected to be Commander of USS Benfold and was the most junior commanding officer in the Pacific fleet.   The challenges of this underachieving destroyer were staggering, with low morale and the highest turnover rate in the Navy.  Few thought the ship could improve. Yet 12 months later it was ranked #1 in performance -- using the same crew.  How did Mike do it?  By replacing command and control leadership with commitment and cohesion. The lesson was clear:  Leadership matters and culture is everything.  Since leaving the Navy, Mike has worked with over 1200 organizations instilling leadership initiatives at every level – achieving phenomenal change in unexpected places.  We talk to Mike about how we can apply these leadership strategies in the business world!  

We are joined by Kjetil Nyland, who along with Oddbjørn Dybvad and Adnan Hadžiefendić, wrote the terrific book "The Compounders: From Small Acquisitions to Giant Shareholder Returns".  Their book analyzes a group of high-performing companies, led by capital allocators, who operate using decentralized structures in fragmented markets, and redefine acquisitive growth.   During our "Chat" with Kjetil, we talk about: - What makes these "Compounders" so unique and why are so many of these companies based in Sweden?  Is there something in the water in Sweden? - The stories in the book of the authors meeting with the CEOs of these is legendary... from the CEOs making coffee for their guests to the "low key" nature of the offices, the folks that lead these companies are remarkable individuals.   - What are some of the key elements of a successful compounder?  Decentralization, ability to deploy capital at high rates of return, managers acting as owners.  We talk about several of these key elements. I hope everyone enjoys the "CSI Chat" with Kjetil!

We are joined by Peter Doherty who worked for the London Metropolitan Police Service for over 25 years and is currently the head of Crisis Response for S-RM, a global intelligence and cyber security consultancy.  Peter is an expert when it comes to keeping yourself safe when travelling to other countries, especially those countries which have been categorized as "high risk". During our "CSI Chat", we talk to Peter about: - The "State of Global Affairs" and why it is riskier than ever to travel to other countries.  - What are some of the ways that you can keep yourself safe when travelling to other countries?  For example, what can you do before you leave?  What are some of the things you need to think about when arriving at the country? - What should you do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation?  Peter has several tips that will keep you alive.  I hope everyone enjoys the "CSI Chat" with Peter!  

We are joined by Kyle Buckett, a retired US Navy SEAL and a leadership expert.  Kyle spent over 20 years in the US Navy and led the advanced training for both junior and seasoned Navy SEALs.  Kyle is the Cofounder of "Culture Force" and is the co-author of the incredible book, "Leadership is Overrated:  How the Navy SEALs Create Self-Leading Teams that win"?   During our "CSI Chat" with Kyle, we talk about: Kyle talks about the process of going through "Hell Week", one of the most difficult elements of the famous US Navy SEAL’s training program, during the "Winter Season".  Surviving "Hell Week" with water temperatures approaching "freezing" requires a level of "mental strength" which is off the charts.   Chapter 1 in Kyle's book is entitled "Kill the leader...".  Kyle explains how every organization needs to be able to survive without the leader and how to build a team that can sustain this drastic change.   Kyle outlines how to build a culture within an organization that can produce at a high level.  Kyle outlines the importance of "decentralization", how leaders conduct themselves and the need for "rituals". I hope everyone enjoys our Chat with Kyle!  

We are joined by author and prominent Canadian business writer David Thomas.  David has been writing about businesses for decades for various publications, including the Financial Post, the Globe and Mail, MoneySense and Macleans.  David recently released his first book, "The Fairfax Way: Inside Prem Watsa's Secret to Lasting Success" which documents the history of one of Canada's most successful companies.  During our "Chat" with David, we discuss: - How was David able to build a relationship with Prem Watsa which ultimately resulted in the terrific book on the entire history of Fairfax.  - David provides some perspectives on Prem Watsa who arrived in Canada from India with $8 in his pocket and ultimately became one of Canada's most successful entrepreneurs.     - How was Fairfax able to become so successful through leveraging their core values of "Fair and Friendly"?   David's book on "The Fairfax Way" is a must read for anyone looking to learn about one of Canada's most successful companies.  I hope everyone enjoys the "Chat".    

We are joined by Peter Cappelli who is the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at The Wharton School and Director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources.  We talk to Peter about his latest book which he co-authored, entitled "In Praise of the Office:  The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work".   During our "CSI Chat", we talk to Peter about: - The evolution of "Work from Home" and current state of the work force in 2026.  What do most employers expect in 2026 as it relates to working from home vs. from the office? - What does the data support surrounding the effectiveness of working from home?  Is it is more productive to work in the office or work from home?  Peter would argue that it depends on the nature of your job.   - What is the right way to transition a team from working from home to working from the office?   I hope everyone enjoys the "Chat" with Peter!