This episode’s guest is Hadi Ghanbari (Assistant Professor at Aalto University’s Business School). In this interview, we discuss cyber-attacks which target supply chains, including the types of attackers, motivation, techniques, exploited vunerabilities, targeted assets, impacts of these attacks, along with real life cases. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast page:https://www.aalto.fi/en/podcasts/operations-leadership-with-gautam-basu-podcast

Our guest for this episode is Sami Miettinen (author, investment banker, & host of the Neuvottelija podcast). In this interview, Sami dives deep in the art & science of negotiation and why negotiation is a superpower especially in these current times of accelerated change & uncetrainty. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from … Continue reading "Episode 31: Negotation as a Superpower"

This episode’s guest is Mikko Möttönen (Professor of Quantum Technology at Aalto University / VTT). During our conversation, he discusses how quantum computing differs from classical computing, specific industry applications for quantum technology, & how quantum computing can impact the future of supply chain & operations management. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found … Continue reading "Episode 30: Power of Quantum Technology"

Our guest for this episode is Katri Kauppi (Associate Professor of Logistics at Aalto University). In this interview, we discuss the particulars of principal-agent problems and her current research on value based purchasing, and public procurement practices in healthcare services. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast page:https://www.aalto.fi/en/podcasts/operations-leadership-with-gautam-basu-podcast

This episode’s guest is Karl Buschmann (Adjunct Policy Advisor for RAND & Strategic Advisor for CSCMP). In this interview, Karl provides us with insights on how geo-politics, public policy, trade regulations impact global supply chains & reviews of the top 10 trends in SCM for 2025. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from … Continue reading "Episode 28: Geo-Political Impact on Global Supply Chains"

This episode’s guest is Linda Dunn (Professor of Practice at Georgetown University). In this interview, she talks about the lessons learned in during her long & distinguished career, importance of financial literacy for SCM professionals, and bridging theory with practice in supply chain management. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast … Continue reading "Episode 27: Bridging Theory with Practice in Supply Chain Management"

Our guest for this episode is Tony Wood (CEO CF & Society of Leadership Fellows at Windsor Castle). In this interview, we discuss the concept of an agentic worker & how they can be deployed alongside human teams to improve leadership, productivity and performance in business organizations. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found … Continue reading "Episode 26: Agentic Workers and It’s Impact on Leadership & Productivity"

Our guest for this episode is Dr. Stefan Holmberg (Partner at Optilon & Leader of Swedish Roundtable for the Council of Supply Chain Mgmt. Professionals). In this interview, Dr. Holmberg discusses Sweden’s unique approach to SCM based on his experience working at IKEA and advising Swedish companies operating globally. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can … Continue reading "Episode 25: The Swedish Approach to Supply Chain Management"

This episode’s guest is Dr. Teemu Lehto (EVP of QPR Software). He is an expert in the the area of process mining. In this interview, we dig deeper in what process mining is; its origins, blending data science & process mgmt. and case examples of how process mining, coupled with AI/ML tools can improve supply … Continue reading "Episode 24: Process Mining: An Intersection between Data Science and Process Management"

Our guest for this episode is Pekka Maki, who is a legendary boxing coach and trainer to multiple world & European champions. In this interview, we discuss the process, preparation, due diligence, & risks in producing world class boxers, embedding resilience in fighters, and parallels between the boxing and the business world. Accessibility transcripts for … Continue reading "Episode 23: What Operations Leaders can Learn from Professional Boxers & Combat Sports Athletes"

This episode’s guest is Dr. Terry Esper (Professor of Logistics at Ohio State University & Chair of the Council for Supply Chain Management Professsionals). He is accomplished academic scholar and leader in the SCM field. In this interview, we discuss the current state of supply chain management, crowded-funded last mile logistics plaforms, e-logistics service quality, … Continue reading "Episode 22: The State of Supply Chain Management"

This episode’s guest is William Bundy (Partner at McKinsey & Co). He is an acclaimed expert in operational value creation in the private equity (PE) industry. Will provides us with rich insights on how PE firms have evolved from traditional financial engineering to complementary operationally focused approaches to value creation, importance of operational DD, leveraging … Continue reading "Episode 21: Creating Value through Operations: An Approach for Private Equity Portfolio Companies"

This episode’s guest is Joose Toiviainen (CEO of Daze). This start up specializes in providing reverse logsitics and returns management services for e-commerce platforms. Joose details his start up journey & highlights the critical issues of reverse flows within the e-commerce logistics. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast page:https://www.aalto.fi/en/podcasts/operations-leadership-with-gautam-basu-podcast

In this episode, Gautam dives into the distinctions between the two distinct forms of operations leadership – transformational and transactional, different contexts & situations when they can be employed, & real life case examples of each leadership style. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast page:https://www.aalto.fi/en/podcasts/operations-leadership-with-gautam-basu-podcast

In this episode, Gautam explores the trend of select outstanding individuals with operational backgrounds who manage to land the top leadership spot in business organizations and the rationale why operations leaders make great CEOs. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast page:https://www.aalto.fi/en/podcasts/operations-leadership-with-gautam-basu-podcast

In this episode, Gautam delves into the various distinctions in scope for key decisions and risks that operations and strategic leaders are required to manage. While there are commonalities and alignment between the two leadership disciplines, there are some key differences. We do a deep into this topic on this podcast episode. Accessibility transcripts for … Continue reading "Episode 17: Operations vs Strategic Leadership: Differences in the Scope of Key Leadership Decisions"

In this episode, our guest is Ramesh Sharda (Vice Dean of Research at Oklahoma State University). Leveraging his long history in data science & analytics, Dr. Sharda provides us with rich insights into his intergrative approach to analytics, industries that have been at the forefront in the adoption of analytics tools, and two interesting case … Continue reading "Episode 16: Analytics Applied to Industry: Approaches & Cases"

This episode’s guest is David Derichs, who is a senior lecturer in the Accounting dept. at Aalto University. In this interview, David discusses the importance of enterprise performance management in bridging strategy & execution, key financial & non-financial measures, as well as lagging & leading indicators. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from … Continue reading "Episode 15: Bridging Strategy & Execution with Enterprise Performance Management"

Our guest for this episode is Pekka Malo, who is Associate Professor of Management Science at Aalto University’s School of Business. During this interview, Pekka goes deep into quantitative analytical models, scalability of such models, and how to build analytics capabiltiies for business organizations. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can be found from the podcast … Continue reading "Episode 14: Adventures in Analytics"

This episode’s guest is Oana Velcu-Laitinen. She is an author and creativity expert. In this interview, Oana provides case examples of operational leaders & companies that leverage creativity in uncertain times and proposes a unqiue metric called Operational Creativity Capacity for organizations looking to maximize their productivity through creativity. Accessibility transcripts for podcast episodes can … Continue reading "Episode 13: Operational Creativity Capacity"