In this podcast, we talk to strategy makers to demystify the myth of strategy and at the same time show how you can win with strategic work in volatile times.
Success is no coincidence.
For a company to be successful in the market, it needs a sound strategy.
But who is able to develop strategies that can survive in the long term?
Which hurdles must be overcome and which turns and curves must be mastered? How can you cope with heights and how do you get back on track from a low?
We explain all this in our podcast "Hope is not a strategy".
In the latest episode of “Hope Is Not a Strategy”, Christian Underwood speaks with Deniz Schütz and Dr. Sascha Haggenmüller about a critical question: Why are companies still hiring despite the AI boom—and how is AI really transforming M&A and value creation?
The discussion centers around one key insight: technology is not the bottleneck—data is. Without clean data, efficient processes, and a solid infrastructure, AI often falls far short of its potential.
Together, the three experts explore data-driven deal sourcing, AI-powered financial due diligence, the importance of data warehouses, and the role of human expertise in an increasingly automated world. They explain why many AI initiatives fail and why companies should focus on taking action today instead of waiting for the “perfect” solution.
This episode is essential for entrepreneurs, investors, CFOs, and business leaders who want to understand how AI creates real business value—and why data, processes, and people remain the foundation of every successful AI strategy. 🎧 Tune in now and discover how AI is reshaping value creation and strategic decision-making.
21 Aug 2025
Is your company killing innovation without knowing it?
In this episode of “Hope Is Not a Strategy”, Christian Underwood is joined by Prof. Ben Bensaou from INSEAD Business School to explore a fresh perspective on innovation - one that moves beyond Silicon Valley buzzwords and elite R&D departments.
Ben Bensaou shares insights from over 20 years of research with more than 100 companies across the globe - from hidden champions to global corporations. His key message: Innovation isn’t limited to a select few — it’s a way of thinking and working that everyone can embrace.
Together, we dive into the myths surrounding innovation, how to unlock creative potential at every level of an organization, and why shifting from “innovation” to “innovating” can lower the pressure and spark real change. You’ll learn how to build a culture where employees are encouraged, supported, and recognized for contributing new ideas.
Whether you’re a business leader looking to make your company more future-ready or a manager wanting to empower your team, this episode offers fresh perspectives, practical examples, and actionable steps to help make innovation a daily habit - not a distant goal.
Tune in now and discover how to build a truly innovative organization from the inside out.
21 Nov 2024
#80 Leadership and strategy: Insights from Willie Peterson
Professor Willie Pietersen shares his "Strategy Frame" model with hosts Christian Underwood and Jürgen Weigand, emphasizing adaptability, learning, and ethical leadership for long-term business success in this interview.
26 Oct 2023
#11 Human is the next big thing: The Birkman Method's Role in Strategy and Leadership
Christian Underwood interviews Sharon Birkman about the Birkman method, which enhances self-awareness and interpersonal understanding, to improve organizational strategy and foster meaningful work.
14 Sept 2023
#10 The New Face of Strategy Consulting
Hosts Christian Underwood and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand examine the evolution of strategy consulting, competition, innovation through technology, and the future of consulting, highlighting the industry's adaptation to changing business needs.
6 Jul 2023
#09 Pedro Stark: AI-powered strategic planning for your startup with gotely
Pedro Stark, founder of gotely, discusses the AI-powered strategy platform for startups and its modules for idea validation, offering insights into digital strategic planning in this interview with Christian.
22 Jun 2023
#08 Steffen Bersch: The strategic journey of the SSI SCHÄFER Group
SSI SCHÄFER Group CEO Steffen Bersch discusses the company's strategic development, including navigating crises and maintaining technology leadership, in a conversation with Christian Underwood.
7 Jun 2023
#07 Strategies made in Germany
Prof. Jürgen Weigand and Christian Underwood discuss the "Made in Germany" concept amidst rising competition and volatile global markets in this StrategySummit 2023 interview.
18 May 2023
#06 From municipal energy supplier to platform for the energy transition
Badenova Co-CEO Hans-Martin Hellebrand discusses the two-year strategic realignment of a municipal energy supplier into a digital platform for energy transition, in an interview with Christian Underwood and Professor Jürgen Weigand.
12 Jan 2023
#05 Better decisions with market intelligence
Sascha Dongowski and Prof. Dr. Arno Lammerts discuss how market intelligence and data analysis optimize internal decision management for corporate decision-makers, enabling faster strategy adjustments in this interview with Christian Underwood.
8 Dec 2022
#04 The digital strategy tool StrategyFrame®
Oliver Kern and Martin Kundt demonstrate StrategyFrame® software, explaining its features and benefits for companies, including workflow learning and the five moments of need in this interview episode with host Christian Underwood.
10 Nov 2022
#03 What a precise situation analysis can do for your business strategy
Christian Underwood and Professor Jürgen Weigand discuss situation analysis, exploring its six key points to provide listeners with a clearer business strategy.
12 Oct 2022
#02 Will banks become the dinosaurs of our century?
Christian Underwood and Prof. Jürgen Weigand discuss the challenges facing the banking sector and explore new strategic approaches to sustainability, recorded live at the Sustainable Banking Forum in Luxembourg; this is an interview.
31 Aug 2022
#01 How Les Paul changed the world with the right strategy
Hosts Christian Underwood and Jürgen Weigand explore how musician Les Paul's innovative strategies revolutionized the music industry, offering insights applicable to modern strategic thinking in this interview episode.
12 Aug 2022
00 Teaser
The podcast introduces its focus on demystifying strategy and revealing how strategic work leads to success in volatile times.
Who has been a guest on HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Willie Pietersen
Sharon Birkman
Pedro Stark
Steffen Bersch
Hans-Martin Hellebrand
Contact HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY
Guest appearances
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