Business Brief is a (very brief) new solo series hosted by Looking Outside podcast host, strategist and corporate futurist Jo Lepore.

The path to the c-suite is predictable and still reliant on strong commercial literacy. But while marketers are relegated to perceptions of creativity, not financial savviness, senior leaders lack the very skills they bring – curiosity. In this Business Brief, Jo reflects on the cross-functional and transdisciplinary skills needed to bring truly future-forward thinking to organizations caught up in short term thinking.

Being a marketer today is challenging enough, just imagine what it’s like for the next generation of brand leaders coming in to study marketing. On this episode of Looking Outside we explore the mindset and skills that future brand leaders are considering, with Adjunct Professor at SMU Cox School of Business, Radhika Zaveri. With over 20 years experience leading billion dollar brands at some of the world’s leading organizations, Radhika brings a wealth of wisdom to her marketing students. But some of the most critical lessons she is teaching them may be surprising.

Today we’re taking a no BS look at the world of customer insights, leadership and business visioning with the President of software company Zappi, the ever-passionate and transparent leader, Ryan Barry.

Having led Zappi for over four years, Ryan shares his no holds barred take on company leadership and people leadership, and it’s all anchored on authenticity.