Synchronous or asynchronous? Manja Horner compares online learning models — from live cohorts and role-play simulations to self-paced automated programs — and warns why scalable courses often suffer from low completion without the right design.
Marc Gutman explains why 90% of brands fail on social media by only talking about themselves. Drawing on Patagonia, Nike, and the Edelman Trust Barometer, he reveals how brands can use storytelling to enlist customers into a shared community and worldview — not just build an audience.
Video strategist Mo Ismail reveals his framework for telling engaging stories in 15-30 second videos on Instagram and TikTok. His approach starts with one question: what is the punchline? Mo explains why identifying the single most potent learning outcome — then getting creative with how to convey it — beats trying to cram everything into a short clip.
Social justice designer William Hardaway challenges brands to stop manufacturing diversity with stock photos and start letting communities tell their own stories. He shares how Nike let Kaepernick speak unfiltered and why revenue-sharing with artists beats profiting from their culture.
Brand strategist Marc Gutman breaks down the anatomy of a great story, from the classic three-act structure to why your audience must be able to locate themselves within your narrative. Trained under legendary screenwriting coach Robert McKee, Marc reveals why something simply has to happen for a story to resonate.
Adam Matossian and Alicia Jones kick off Week 5 of Strategize This with a focus on storytelling — exploring how brands can use narrative principles to connect with audiences. This week features Marc Gutman, William Hardaway, and Mo Ismail sharing insights on story anatomy, cultural diversity through narrative, and short-form video storytelling.
Mo Ismail returns to answer the debate every content creator faces: video quality, content quality, or speed to publish? He makes the case that speed to market beats perfectionism, and offers a practical framework for balancing polished monthly content with consistent daily output.
Brand strategist Marc Gutman of Wild Story shares his framework for storytelling on social media, arguing that authenticity and specificity beat polish every time. He reveals why the best content creators treat social like a TV show — entertaining first, selling second.
Video strategist Mo Ismail breaks down how to create content that fosters belongingness and social connection. He shares two actionable techniques — leading with relatable stories and using inclusive language — that turn generic advice into content people actually engage with.
William Hardaway explores how cultural appropriation shows up in fashion and design, arguing that intent does not excuse impact. He reveals how rethinking design thinking with identity and acknowledgement can prevent brands from causing unintentional harm.
Adam Matossian and Alicia Jones kick off Week 4 of Strategize This with the theme of content creation — previewing episodes on cultural appropriation in fashion, content that drives connection, storytelling on social media, and balancing video quality with speed to publish.
Why do most online courses go unfinished? Manja Horner identifies the real roadblocks — irrelevance, overwhelm, poor navigation — and shares actionable tactics for accountability systems, micro-learning phases, and designing safe spaces for failure.