Episodes

In this insightful episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed are joined by SEC Commissioner Hester M. Peirce, famously dubbed “CryptoMom” for her forward-thinking views on cryptocurrency and blockchain regulation. They’ll dive into her perspectives on a range of pivotal topics currently reshaping the financial landscape including PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board), particularly its oversight roles and evolving challenges in today’s regulatory environment, ESG (Environmental, S...

It has been a few months since Ron and Ed emptied their stacks of stuff that have accumulated regarding all things pricing, subscription, and business in general. To correct that, this week's episode will do just that. Featured will be some posts from the Subscribed Institute, a story about a Dallas wine club, Mozart, and more. Settle in with a nice glass of your favorite fall wine.

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed dive into the transformative world of pricing strategies. Pricing is more than just setting a number—it’s about understanding and conveying the true value of outcomes. Together, they explore the common pitfalls of cost-based pricing, the importance of focusing on utility, and how consultants can command higher prices by focusing on transformations rather than time spent. They’ll discuss the need to apply the same creativity to pricing that co...

Ron and Ed welcome Back Adam Thierer, now with the R Street Institute, to talk about government regulation and AI. Adam has written extensively about how government regulation potentially affects the progress of innovation, especially with regard to new technology. This episode promises to be a wide-ranging and timely conversation.

Since Luca Pacioli’s 1494 invention of double-entry bookkeeping, accounting has seen little innovation. GAAP, designed for an industrial economy, is outdated in a world where intellectual capital drive business success. Dr. Margaret Blair’s research shows that by 1998, only 30% of a company’s value could be attributed to tangible assets, leaving 70% unaccounted for in GAAP financial statements. We’ll dive into the deteriorating paradigm of accounting and examine audit failures through the lens o...

Ron and Ed welcome another CATO Institute scholar, Jennifer Huddleston, to the show to discuss the effects of technology policy on innovation and economic growth. Jennifer will also share her insights about the anti-trust case against Google as well and the effects of technology regulation at the state, federal, and even international level.

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed sit down with Reilly Newman to explore his manifesto: the powerful intersection of science and strategy in business. Reilly emphasizes the importance of clarity as a driver of growth, helping business leaders make confident decisions that align with their vision. He discusses how simplifying complex processes can uncover opportunities for pure progress and ensure that your business remains a cornerstone of your life. Tune in to discover how c...

In this unique episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed embark on a journey through time as they interview the legendary 19th-century French economist, Frédéric Bastiat. Thanks to AI technology, ChatGPT will bring Bastiat back to life, offering insights in his signature style on some of today’s pressing economic issues. From his famous concept of “the seen and the unseen” to his sharp critiques of protectionism, this virtual conversation delves into how Bastiat’s timeless ideas apply in our...

In this episode, Ed and Ron will delve into the profound insights from Peter Block's book The Answer to How is Yes, especially his How? vs. What Matters questions. We'll explore these six pivotal questions that Block argues keep us trapped in our current way of thinking and prevent us from embracing true change. These questions, often disguised as practical concerns, subtly hinder our ability to innovate, take risks, and transform both ourselves and the world around us. Join us as we unpack the ...

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed explore the themes presented in Doughnuts and Degrowth by Andrew Stuttaford. The article delves into the growing ideological shift from economic growth to a focus on sustainability, as advocated by figures like Olivier De Schutter and Kate Raworth. Ron and Ed provide a critical analysis of the so-called degrowth movement and its potential impact on democracy, innovation, and individual freedoms. They discuss the concept of doughnut economics ...

Co-hosts Ron Baker and Ed Kless talk with Dr. Wendy Dean, author of If I Betray These Words. Dr. Dean, a psychiatrist and co-founder of the nonprofit Moral Injury of Healthcare, explores the profound ethical dilemmas faced by professionals today. Through the lens of her groundbreaking book, Dr. Dean discusses the concept of moral injury—the psychological distress that occurs when individuals feel unable to act according to their ethical and moral values. She shares real-life stories from the fro...

Join Ed and Ron for an enlightening interview with Geraldine Carter, a consultant to CPA firms and author of the transformative book Down to 40 Hours: A Roadmap for CPAs to End Overworking Without Giving Up Revenue. Geraldine's mission is to help overworked CPAs reclaim their time and create the accounting firms and lives they've always dreamed of. Since 2016, Geraldine has been coaching CPAs, bringing a unique perspective from her experience as a client who has worked with numerous bookkeepers,...

In this episode of The Soul of Enterprise, hosts Ron Baker and Ed Kless dive into the world of creativity and innovation with a focus on the work of two remarkable individuals: Rory Sutherland and Rick Rubin. Sutherland, a leading advertising executive known for his unconventional thinking, and Rubin, a legendary music producer celebrated for his minimalist approach, offer unique perspectives on the creative process. Join us as we explore how these two visionaries approach problem-solving, the i...

Ron and Ed once again share entries from their One Thing journals, so this episode is a bit random, but contains nugget after nugget on curated wisdom for the reading and listening habits of the hosts.

Join Ed and Ron as they delve into the complexities of modern pricing strategies and their impacts on consumers and brands. We’ll explore the supposed frustration consumers face with the rise of add-on fees and personalized pricing. From airline baggage fees to layered subscription costs, hidden charges make it increasingly difficult for buyers to navigate the marketplace without feeling nickel and dimed. Also, is price-led profit growth coming to an end? Is inflation and recession fear signalin...

Ron and Ed return to their roots and will be talking all things pricing this week including trends in subscription pricing as well as rethinking some previously discussed topics. If you have any questions or topics you want them to opine upon, let us know on X by using @asktsoe or go to our special questions portal at http://thesoulofenterprise.com/questions

With the explosion of ChatGPT and other AI tools recently, Ron and Ed thought it made sense to investigate some of the forebears of AI technology. Certainly, Issac Asimov's I, Robot falls into that category and better to have a conversation about it than our (TSOE's) goto consultant on sci-fi, Robert Wood. This promises to be a far reaching and insightful conversation that you do not want to miss.

Join Ron and Ed as they explore the concepts behind Ed's new venture, the MetaConsulting Academy. Ed developed the idea of a metaconsultant a few years age when he realized that he has spent the better part of his career consulting to people who do consulting. Furthermore, as they explored way back in show 40, We're All Consultants Now. Listen at http://thesoulofenterprise.com/40. They will also discuss a recent article on robots and dementia patients. As always, fascinating stuff.

Ron and Ed welcome back for the fifth time, author, speaker, and positioning and strategy guru, Tim Williams. Tim has been doing a ton of thinking (as always) about a productized business model and capturing the value of AI for marketing agencies. His lessons are easily applied to all professional firms. In short, when Tim talks, people (including Ron and Ed) listen!

Ron and Ed welcome Dr. Kimberlee Josephson back to the show for a fourth time. This week they will talk about Kimberlee's latest articles published on the AIER site, including: * Apple’s Big Business: Mises is Right, Sen Warren is Wrong * Business Schools Undermine Wealth Creation * Tucker Carlson’s Dollar Store Takedown * Lina Khan’s Anti-Progress Paradox * Of Moats and Search Engines: The DOJ’s Coercive Case against Google

Join Ron and Ed as the interview Hector and Carlos Garcia about their upcoming conference Reframe 2024: Influential Conversations for Accountants. This conference centers on the transformative power of language in reshaping professional identities, corporate cultures, and business models within the accounting sector. Key topics will include the strategic rebranding of firms and individuals through careful word choice, preparing for challenging conversations with various stakeholders, and enhanci...

Ron and Ed dive deep into the contentious world of price discrimination. They explore how businesses leverage consumer data and market segmentation to charge different prices for the same product, sparking debate over fairness and ethical boundaries. The episode will speak to the pros and cons, highlighting cases where price discrimination can lead to perceived exploitation or savvy business strategy. Listeners will gain insight into the legal frameworks that both restrain and permit these pract...

Join Ron and Ed for an enlightening episode where we draw pivotal lessons from the extraordinary planning and execution of D-Day, as detailed in the National Review article, D-Day at 80: How the Allies Won at Normandy and Changed History. Discover how meticulous preparation, clear communication, adaptive strategies, and resilient leadership led to one of history's most significant military successes. We'll translate these historical strategies into actionable project management tips for today's ...

Time once again for another alliterative assembly with a dash of associated assonance as Ron and Ed pull together a patchwork of punditry. In other words, Ron spent a lot of time on planes last week and digested six issues of The Economist and has a few things to say about it. If you want to add to the agenda, use our new question feature at https://thesoulofenterprise.com/questions