Ep 24: Demystifying strategy with Julian Cole

Now Go Create

What exactly is strategy and why does it seem so confusing (or intimidating) to so many of us? In this episode of Now Go Create, Claire Bridges talks to Julian Cole, the globally renowned strategy consultant and educator who has worked with brands like Uber, Apple, Facebook, and Disney.

If the word ‘strategy’ makes you think of war generals, chess masters, or just gives you imposter syndrome, let this episode be your practical, jargon-busting guide. No matter your creative discipline, you’ll walk away with practical tools for critical thinking, working smarter, and showing your unique value in any room.

Highlights:

• Why strategy shouldn’t be left to the C-suite and why anyone can be strategic
• How to actually define a strategy
• The difference between a fact and a true *revelatory insight (and how to spot the “aha!” moment)
• Real-world examples including the Snickers “You’re Not You When You’re Hungry” and PlayStation’s “Greatness Awaits”
• Why there’s rarely a single right answer in strategy and how to build your creative confidence regardless
• The importance of frameworks and how to use AI think of ChatGPT as a “sparring buddy” for rapid idea generation
• The crucial (and often overlooked) role of office politics and soft skills in making your ideas land
• How to present your strategic thinking, not just your process, for maximum impact
• Myths about strategy that need debunking including why a great insight is more emotional than rational
• Confidence, imposter syndrome, and the real skills every modern strategist needs to thrive

Do you have a creative dilemma for Claire? Send your questions, challenges or strategy dilemmas for future episodes to [email protected]

About Claire Bridges

Claire Bridges is Chief Spark and Founder of leading creative training consultancy Now Go Create, whose philosophy is that everyone can be creative.

Claire worked as Managing Director and Creative Director working with global brands including Starbucks, Kellogg’s, Unilever, P&G and Danone in her previous PR career. Upskilling individuals, teams and organisations with practical creativity tools is Claire’s mission.

She’s one of only 250 people globally to hold an MSc in Creativity, Leadership & Innovation, and authored an Amazon best-selling creative handbook In Your Creative Element based on her academic studies.

Claire and her hand-picked team of experts have worked on thousands of creative projects and trained over 40,000 people around the world since starting Now Go Create in 2011.

Join our weekly email for free resources and worksheets to go with the podcast.

Connect with Claire:

Website: https://nowgocreate.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowgocreate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NowGoCreate

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claire-bridges-b6205b14

About Julian Cole:

Julian Cole is a strategy consultant to leading brands including Uber, Apple, Facebook, and Disney.

Previously he was Head of Comms Planning at BBDO New York, where he oversaw a team of 15+ strategists who created award-winning work for Bacardi, Footlocker, Mountain Dew, GE, Snickers, M&Ms, Lowes, Interscope Records, Bombay Sapphire and the Sandy Hook Foundation.

Prior to that he was Head of Communications Planning at BBH New York, helping to launch the PlayStation 4 to be the highest selling console launch in gaming history.

With a void of practical strategy education, in 2019 Julian started the Strategy Finishing School and he has taken his world class experience and taught it to over 4,000 strategists.

Connect with Julian:

Website: https://strategyfinishingschool.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliancole/

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk