Episode 84: corporate strategy
Listen here or wherever you pod:
Watch the video interview on YouTube:
Looking Outside is for curious people looking for a fresh take on familiar topics, in business and beyond.
If strategic planning in the consumer goods sector feels different right now, you’re not imagining it. For the past 15 years, leaders in CPG categories have struggled to build plans that deliver the kinds of predictable, reliable profit of days past. Former General Mills Chief Strategy Officer, and a leading independent voice in long range strategic planning, Peter McDonald joins us to discuss the shifting expectation of corporate strategy, where it is necessary to provide a long range lens into the future beyond a short term fiduciary focus. At the heart of this strategy challenge today is a preoccupation with old playbooks in new competitive landscapes, prioritizing the shareholder at the expense of the consumer, and operating with false confidence - denial, even - that things will revert to the way they were.
To look outside, Peter turns to the hobbies which don’t require the intellectual rigor he needs to apply in his day job. Hobbies like pottery, ‘blue collar’ handywork around the house and photography ensure his mind is focused on what’s in front of him and into a different space.
Peter McDonald is former Fortune 200 global strategy officer, an experienced independent board director, and founder of a successful strategy consulting practice. He has led $500M+ consumer product P&Ls, with multiple business turnarounds to his credit.
Peter is known for highly original thinking and analysis. His ideas produce differential influence on boards and in the C-suite. With a versatile career blending both corporate advisory roles and front-line leadership, he is highly effective aligning disparate views and driving organizational focus.
Peter is currently the founder of McDonald Strategy Partners (MSP), a boutique consultancy supporting small and mid-sized clients with strategic planning and leadership development expertise.
Learn more about Peter McDonald
Follow Peter on LinkedIn
Connect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & X & jolepore.com
All views are that of the host and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme song by Azteca X.
