The discussion argues that inclusive innovation is a system, not a department, and that many organizations are hindered by overlooking their mid-level managers. These managers should be appreciated as crucial for translating strategy into action and for possessing vital insights from both the C-suite and the front lines. Excluding them from innovation processes leads to stalled initiatives, lost insights, and leadership drain. True inclusive innovation involves not only who is within the company but also innovating for and with consumers, with mid-level managers playing a key role due to their proximity to both. In conclusion the discussion suggests that changing this requires a mindset shift, structural adjustments, and cultural reinforcement to include and value the perspectives of mid-level leadership.

Mid-Level Managers Drive Inclusive Innovation

Business strategy sounds great in the boardroom—but it only works when executed on the ground.

In this talk, Dr. Claude B. Kershner IV unpacks functional-level strategy—the engine that drives day-to-day execution and long-term competitive advantage. Using real-world cases and proven frameworks, Claude breaks down the four essential pillars that functional teams must master to deliver results:

🔹 Efficiency – Achieve more with less through smart design, economies of scale, learning effects, and technologies like AI and flexible manufacturing. It’s not just cost-cutting—it’s cost-smart.

🔹 Quality – Go beyond checklists. Functional strategy embeds reliability (via tools like Six Sigma and TQM) and excellence (in design, features, service) to reduce defects and elevate brand value.

🔹 Innovation – Most ideas fail. Successful firms link R&D, marketing, and production to turn innovation into profitability. It’s not just about being first—it’s about being right, fast.

🔹 Customer Responsiveness – Give customers what they want, when they want it, at a price they’re willing to pay—without breaking your cost structure. That means listening, customizing, and moving fast with purpose.

These four functional strategies don’t work in silos—they reinforce each other to execute the company’s business-level strategy. Whether your goal is low cost, differentiation, or market leadership, this is how you operationalize it.

✅ Perfect for business students, managers, and founders alike, this session brings strategic theory to life—with tools you can use across marketing, operations, HR, R&D, and more.

🔔 Subscribe for more on business leadership, execution strategy, and building organizations that work from the inside out.

Functional-Level Strategy Explained: Executing Business Level Strategy through Four Key Levers

In this week’s episode, we dive into the hidden creativity of AI with "latent-space engines", - tools transforming chatbots from mere answer machines into innovation co-pilots. Join us as we explore how these groundbreaking systems generate genuinely novel product ideas and business strategies. Can AI truly become your next brainstorming partner? Discover provocative insights, real-world case studies, and practical steps to harness this creative frontier in your organization. Tune in and rethink what’s possible with AI-driven innovation.

Bit & Being - AI’s Hidden Idea Factory: How Latent-Space Creativity Engines Are Reshaping Innovation

Is the future of coding… no code at all? In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into Sean Grove’s bold vision of “The New Code,” where writing precise specifications may soon rival traditional programming. Can clear communication really replace complex code? We explore the promise and pitfalls of AI-powered development, from the allure of executable specs to the risks of overreliance on flawed AI outputs. With insights from researchers, industry skeptics, and real-world case studies, this episode challenges the hype and asks: are we dressing up the same old code in new AI clothes?

Bit & Being - The Emperor's New Code: Hype vs. Reality of AI “Executable Specs”

Billions of red-eyed insects and… your roadmap? In this episode, we unpack the cicada’s prime-number playbook, - why synchronized swarms (predator satiation) and staggered cycles (competition avoidance) make these insects unstoppable, and translate it into strategies for tech, security, and policy. Should companies ship in coordinated waves? When should movements desynchronize to win attention? Could prime-number rhythms harden cyber defenses? Join us for a fast, witty tour from forest floor to boardroom, - where timing, not force, becomes the ultimate advantage.

Bit & Being - The Prime Number Strategy: Lessons from Cicadas for Modern Leaders

MARKETING DEEP DIVES by DENYSE is a Podcast for CPG Executives wanting to attract, delight and retain more consumers.
In each episode Denyse shares her tips, tools and ideas gathered from her more than 30 years experience working in over 125 countries around the globe.
Denyse is: 📈 Advisor to Fortune 100-Inc 5000 | 🚀 Strategist for mid-sized CPGs | 👨‍💼👩‍💼Leadership Coach | 🎤 Keynote Speaker | 📚 #1 Best-Selling Author | 🌍 Former Global Head of Consumer Excellence at Nestlé

The Dr. Claude Kershner Show empowers students, professionals, and scholars by offering practical examples of Strategic Entrepreneurship. In a series of teachings, interviews, and stories, we confidently provide evidence-based tactics to take teams and organizations through life cycle transitions.

New tracks tagged #Innovation Strategy