39 episodes

Welcome to The Big Con, the podcast where we dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but let's be real, mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. Hosted by Emily Kay, a Harvard Extension Student and founder of the Big Consulting Agency, Dale, a business nerd with an obsession for many things, the Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

The Big Con Podcast Emily Kay and Dale Leszczynski

    • Business

Welcome to The Big Con, the podcast where we dive into the wild world of business blunders and figure out where things went wrong (or right, but let's be real, mostly wrong) and use the benefit of hindsight and a healthy dose of schadenfreude to look at where there was an impact on either their profit, their brand, or something much more dire. Hosted by Emily Kay, a Harvard Extension Student and founder of the Big Consulting Agency, Dale, a business nerd with an obsession for many things, the Big Con examines the stories of businesses that refused to invest in strategy and where we can learn from their mistakes.

    Elon Musk VS OpenAI - Lesson's learned from a spicy season!

    Elon Musk VS OpenAI - Lesson's learned from a spicy season!

    Season 3 comes to a close in this insightful episode of "The Big Con Podcast," as we look back on the updates coming thick and fast from our tales of strategy successes and fails. We are tackling the nuances of industry feuds, lawsuits, and the ever-evolving landscape of corporate strategies, all while weaving in critical analyses on diversity and inclusion efforts, and the ethical implications of AI in business.


    Highlights of the Episode:
    Elon Musk's Legal Battles: A look into Elon Musk's propensity for getting involved in high-profile feuds and his recent lawsuit against OpenAI, which prompts a deeper conversation on the ethics of AI development and usage in business.Oprah's Departure from Weight Watchers: Analyzing Oprah Winfrey's exit from the Weight Watchers board and the implications of undisclosed weight loss medication on the company's strategy and public perception.Australia's Gender Pay Gap Data: The release of gender pay gap data by company in Australia sparks a discussion on diversity and inclusion targets, the glass cliff phenomenon, and the complexities of data interpretation in assessing corporate progress toward equality.PwC's AI Chatbot Assistant: An exploration of PricewaterhouseCoopers' introduction of an AI chatbot to aid consultants, raising questions about the balance between innovation and ethical considerations in handling sensitive client data.The Willy Wonka Event Fail in Scotland: A humorous yet cautionary tale of an AI-generated advertisement for a Willy Wonka-themed event that disastrously failed to meet expectations, leading to discussions on the risks of over-promising and under-delivering in marketing.
    📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

    The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark. 
    Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

    • 33 min
    Apple Vision Pro // Apple's pro vision - lessons from the Apple playbook that anyone can steal

    Apple Vision Pro // Apple's pro vision - lessons from the Apple playbook that anyone can steal

    In the latest episode of The Big Con, Emily and Dale are looking to the revolutionary Apple Vision Pro. Embarking on a journey to unravel the intricacies of Apple's latest innovation, discussing its potential to redefine the tech landscape. The Apple approach to product is a historical success so what can we take from these masters at product innovation from the small business owner to the average 9-5er.

    Key Highlights:Introduction to Apple Vision Pro: A detailed exploration of the Apple Vision Pro's features and its positioning in the tech world as a groundbreaking device.Apple's Innovation Legacy: A reflection on Apple's history of innovation and how the Vision Pro fits into the narrative of continually pushing the boundaries of technology.Market Implications: Insights into how the Vision Pro is aimed at the professional market, with potential for wider consumer adoption as the technology evolves.Future Prospects: Discussion on the trajectory of wearable tech and virtual reality, emphasizing Apple's strategic approach to product development and market penetration.
    📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

    The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark.
    Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

    • 27 min
    Kylie's Cosmetics // Forbes Vs Jenner's the billion dollar question

    Kylie's Cosmetics // Forbes Vs Jenner's the billion dollar question

    Kylie Cosmetics is a household name, almost as much as the Kardashians/Jenners. However, Forbes and Kylie are in some heated disagreement regarding valuation discrepancies. The episode narrates Kylie's venture into the cosmetics industry, leveraging her brand and the viral attention around her lip fillers to launch Kylie's Lip Kit, eventually expanding into a full cosmetics line. It critically examines the Forbes article that reevaluated Jenner's billionaire status due to purported discrepancies in revenue reporting and the subsequent sale of a majority stake in Kylie Cosmetics to Coty Inc. The episode also touches on the strategic shifts within Coty Inc. and the broader implications for brand management and public relations in the face of controversy. It concludes with speculative discussions on the future of Kylie Cosmetics and the Kardashian-Jenner brand's resilience in navigating public and financial scrutiny.

    📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

    The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark.
    Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

    • 29 min
    NVIDIA // Unveiling Nvidia's Masterstroke - From Gaming to AI Dominance

    NVIDIA // Unveiling Nvidia's Masterstroke - From Gaming to AI Dominance

    From the Brink of Obscurity to a $1.7 Trillion Valuation: Nvidia's Unbelievable Journey - Dive into this episode of "The Big Con Podcast" as we peel back the layers of Nvidia's meteoric rise. Discover how a company known for its video game chips turned strategic pivots into an empire within the realms of artificial intelligence.

    Key Highlights:
    Epic Beginnings: Relive the moment Nvidia stepped onto the scene, against the backdrop of 1993's pop culture milestones.Strategic Genius: Unravel the daring decisions that catapulted Nvidia from the gaming alleys into the AI spotlight.Dominating the Chip War: Explore how Nvidia's maneuvers not only defined their destiny but reshaped the global tech landscape.The Power of Connections: Peek behind the curtain to see how Nvidia's knack for forging pivotal relationships fuelled their unprecedented growth.Looking Beyond the Horizon: Speculate on what the future holds for Nvidia and how they plan to stay ahead in the game of tech giants.Join us as we distill the essence of Nvidia's strategy, shedding light on the invaluable lessons of adaptability, foresight, and relentless innovation.
    Don't miss out on this compelling tale of transformation. Subscribe to "The Big Con Podcast" to get the latest episodes delivered directly to your device. Spread the word and share the intrigue with everyone you know. Dive deeper into our discussions by visiting our website and joining our community.

    📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

    The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark.
    Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

    • 34 min
    Act of Treason // The Australia v Mexican Tequila fight!

    Act of Treason // The Australia v Mexican Tequila fight!

    The episode explores the intriguing story of "Act of Treason," an Australian-based alcohol company who have t aken a spicey approach to marketing, venturing into the agave spirits market, challenging traditional tequila norms. Emily and Dale are delving into the complexities of agave spirit production, marketing strategies, and the potential impacts on the tequila industry. They discuss how "Act of Treason" positions itself amidst global tequila demand and supply challenges, leveraging Australia's favorable conditions for blue agave cultivation. The conversation also touches on consumer education regarding agave spirits versus traditional tequila, the importance of marketing in creating brand identity, and the broader implications for the spirits industry.

    📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu

    The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark.
    Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

    • 22 min
    Shopify // Strategic Triumph and E-commerce Innovation ..and Moats

    Shopify // Strategic Triumph and E-commerce Innovation ..and Moats

    In this episode, we explore Shopify's remarkable journey from its inception to becoming a powerhouse in e-commerce, boasting a market cap explosion to roughly $200 billion.The Big Con Podcast dives into Shopify's strategic maneuvers and what makes up its moat (all the things that make this impressive company stand out from its competition), including its innovative API, revolutionary growth solutions, and community-building efforts, all of which have solidified its position in the digital market space.

    Key Highlights:Shopify's Growth: From $3 billion in 2015 to peaking at approximately $200 billion.Community and Customer Service: The bedrock of Shopify's success, fostering a passionate and supportive network.Innovative API and Ecosystem: Enabling customization and integration, paving the way for diverse business solutions.Market Adaptation: Shopify's response to the e-commerce boom during the pandemic adds billions to its market cap.
    📕Show Menu - https://bit.ly/bcpshowmenu


    The Big Con Podcast: Emily and Dale are bringing you in on the Con. Strategy doesn't have to be something only those who master PowerPoint can do; we're making it approachable to everyone! The Big Con podcast is dedicated to demystifying and simplifying the world of strategy, exploring the businesses and individuals who've either harnessed it for success or missed the mark.
    Subscribe and follow today to get all new episodes in your feed immediately.

    • 24 min

Top Podcasts In Business

The Ramsey Show
Ramsey Network
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Andy Frisella #100to0
Planet Money
NPR
Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
Money News Network
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Vox Media Podcast Network
PBD Podcast
PBD Podcast