The Strategy Show

The Growth Trap: Organic vs Acquisition

Acquisitions can accelerate growth overnight - or destroy billions in value just as quickly. This episode explores the strategic battle between organic growth and buying size, using real examples of companies that mastered it… and others that paid heavily for chasing growth too fast.

Sustainability vs Profit — When Doing the Right Thing Gets Expensive

When sustainability gets expensive, what should businesses do? In this episode, we examine the growing tension between profitability and sustainability. With rising energy costs, investor pressure, and cautious consumers, companies are being forced into tough strategic trade-offs. Using real-world examples from industries like energy, aviation, and manufacturing, we explore why going green isn’t always straightforward, and how leading firms are adapting their strategies under pressure. If you’re studying business strategy or working in finance, this episode will challenge how you think about long-term value, short-term performance, and the real meaning of “sustainable” strategy.

From Empires to Focus: Why Conglomerates Rose… and Why They’re Unravelling

In this episode we look at the thorny issue of the conglomerate - what is it, why did they become popular and why do they seem to be going out of fashion? As always, we help you understand the business world around you by looking at strategy theory and real world examples.

From Shoes to Servers - the AllBirds Pivot No One Saw Coming

What happens when a sustainability success story suddenly changes direction? In this episode, we unpack the surprising shift of Allbirds - from a purpose-driven, eco-friendly footwear brand to exploring a future in AI infrastructure. Why would a company pivot so dramatically? Is this bold strategic reinvention… or a sign of deeper problems? Using core strategy frameworks and real-world analysis, we break down what’s really going on - and what it tells us about growth, competitive pressure, and the risks of losing strategic focus.

Why Strategy Fails (The Balanced Scorecard Explained)

In this episode we'll be looking at the Balanced Scorecard and how (and if) it really works in the modern world.