Strategy Hero

S3E3 - Hensley Sejour - The Power of Curiosity

In this episode, Hensley Sejour, Principal at Black Tech Nation Ventures, shares how a mindset rooted in curiosity and community has guided his unconventional path—from PhD chemical engineer and 14-year BP veteran to AWS product manager and now venture capital leader.

Hensley reflects on pivotal career moments, including how a move to Alaska unlocked a journey toward an MBA at Carnegie Mellon and a transition into tech and investing. Drawing on experiences in process design, operations, and strategy, he unpacks lessons on stakeholder alignment, human-centered design, and the value of real-world execution before strategic planning.

He also explores the parallels between oil refineries and startups, the role of mentorship in career growth, and how learning—whether from books, people, or setbacks—can be a lifelong competitive advantage. For aspiring leaders navigating career change, Hensley’s advice is clear: you’re capable of more than you think.

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S3E2 - Anthony Huffman - Mastering Industry 4.0

In this episode, Anthony Huffman, Enterprise Architecture Strategist at Koch Industries, discusses the transformation of manufacturing through Industry 4.0. With over 20 years of experience in operational excellence and smart manufacturing, Tony shares insights into lean principles, change management, and the integration of digital technologies such as Gen AI and predictive analytics.

Tony outlines the four layers of Industry 4.0—smart assets, smart manufacturing, supply chain integration, and digital transformation—emphasizing the importance of aligning strategy with technology rather than simply adopting new tools. He also highlights common pitfalls in transformation efforts, the role of middle management in change adoption, and how Gen AI can enhance decision-making while avoiding hallucinations.

For leaders looking to leverage Industry 4.0 technologies, Tony advises starting with capability maturity rather than technology-first approaches. He stresses that transformation requires balancing "run, improve, and transform" strategies while ensuring that digital tools augment rather than add complexity to existing workflows.

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S3E1 - Roger Longden - The power of OKRs and cross-functional collaboration

Roger Longden, founder and chairman of the UK's leading OKR consultancy There Be Giants, brings a wealth of experience in helping organizations excel in strategy execution. From his corporate IT background to a coaching qualification at Henley Business School, Roger's journey has spanned leading project management at Fujitsu, coaching in the North Sea oil rigs, and establishing an international consultancy that empowers businesses to thrive with OKRs.

In this episode, Roger delves into the transformative potential of OKRs, emphasizing their role in fostering alignment, engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. He explains how OKRs offer an alternative to traditional "cascade" methods, empowering teams to devise solutions that connect directly to organizational objectives. Roger highlights the significance of psychological safety, trust, and inclusivity in OKR adoption, while also addressing challenges like maintaining agility in corporate settings.

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Season Three Trailer - 12 new guests and a new host

Featuring amazing guests such as Roger Longden of There Be Giants, Enterprise Architecture Strategist for Industry 4.0 at Koch Industries, Anthony Hoffman and Hensley Sejour, Investor at Black Tech Nation Ventures.

Season Three also sees the departure of James Milsom as our host, with Simon Crowther coming in midway through the season as our new host.

This season is packed with insights into the world of strategy, leadership and business transformation.

S2E12 - James Milsom - Behind the scenes of Strategy Hero

James Milsom, host of the Strategy Hero podcast, has spent two seasons uncovering the stories and strategies behind the world of business transformation, operational excellence, and strategy execution. As a seasoned marketer and thought leader at i-nexus, James has connected with practitioners, consultants, and unsung heroes to share their insights and experiences.

In this special episode, James takes the guest seat, reflecting on his journey as a host and the evolution of the podcast. He reveals the inspiration behind the show: creating a platform that replaces the watercooler conversations lost in a remote-first world, while highlighting the voices of those on the frontlines of strategy execution.

James shares lessons learned from the podcast, such as the importance of balancing structure with spontaneity in storytelling, building genuine relationships with guests, and capturing the humanity behind business strategies. He recalls standout moments, from deep conversations about leadership and culture to personal stories like the shared impact of family with Festus Akinbusoye.

S2E11 - Wes Bush - Building a Strategy for Product-Led Success

Wes Bush is the founder and CEO of ProductLed. He is the bestselling author of Product-Led Growth: How To Build a Product That Sells Itself and is one of the most sought-after product experts in the world. After working for some of the world’s fastest-growing companies in the world, today he trains teams around the globe how to turn their products into powerful growth engines.

Wes explains how PLG flips traditional sales-led methods by using the product itself to acquire, engage, and monetize users, enabling a frictionless and efficient customer journey. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ideal users, creating a clear organizational strategy, and aligning product, marketing, and sales teams for long-term success.

Listeners will learn how to avoid common pitfalls, from relying on surface-level tactics to underestimating the role of data in shaping user experiences. Wes also discusses the significance of fostering a product-led organization, addressing change management challenges, and continuously improving through experimentation and user feedback.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for CEOs and leaders eager to embrace PLG and align their teams with a data-driven, user-first approach to strategy execution. 

Find out more about Wes and ProductLed