BusinessManagementEducation

Operations Leadership

Aalto University

The Operations Leadership with Gautam Basu podcast provides insights for today’s business leaders on creating value through operations improvement, process excellence, digital innovation, and leadership.

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20 episodes
Avg 45 min
English

Episodes 20

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June 5 · 37 min
Episode 40: Future of Operations: Outlook 2031
In this episode, Gautam looks into the future of operations. He digs deep into the six forces that will reshape operations in the next 5 years and why 89% of organizations are still running industrial age operating models, while 1% are lapping the field;
May 19 · 1 hr 12 min
Episode 39: Behind the Numbers: Insights from M&A Due Diligence
This episode’s guest is Michael Hardy (PwC Deals Partner) based in Helsinki. In our conversation, we dive deep into the M&A due diligence process, linkages between the finance and operations in a transactions environment, deal risks, working ca
May 12 · 36 min
Episode: 38: Field Notes – AI ROI Reckoning: Why Most AI Deployments Still Aren’t Hitting the P/L
In this episode, we cut through the AI hype to ask the question most vendors don’t want answered: why are 80% of supply chain AI deployments still invisible on the P&L? Drawing on fresh 2026 research, we diagnose the four root causes behind the
May 5 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 37: Manufacturing Operations Leadership in Private Equity
This episode’s guest is Wayne Marhelski, a former US Air Force veteran and operations executive with over three decades of experience transforming manufacturing businesses across defense, aerospace, and nuclear industries. Wayne shares why private
April 30 · 29 min
Episode 36: Field Notes – Network Redesign from Resilience to Total Value
In this episode, we analyze the strategic shift from resilience to Total Value. Leading organizations are moving beyond disruption management toward enterprise-wide value maximization. The practical vehicle is supply chain network redesign at scale. We e
April 20 · 31 min
Episode 35: Field Notes – Chokepoint: Hormuz, World’s Most Dangerous 21 Miles
In this episode, Gautam unpacks the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the largest disruption to global energy supply since the 1970s oil crisis. This crisis has profound implications for chokepoint exposure, commodity dependency, and logistics network res
April 10 · 25 min
Episode 34: Field Notes: AI Supply Chain Showdown: Pentagon vs Anthropic Saga
In this episode, we analyze the recent case of Anthropic AI solution being designated as a supply chain risk by the US Pentagon. This case has profound implications for vendor dependency, contract governance, and supply chain resilience, analysing how si
March 20 · 1 hr 13 min
Episode 33: Operating Partner Groups, Carveouts, & AI in PE Value Creation
In this episode, we have returning guest William Bundy (Partner at McKinsey & Co). We discuss how private equity firms have evolved their operating groups into structured capabilities that systematically drive value across their portfolio companies,
Sep 25, 2025 · 47 min
Episode 32: Supply Chain Attacks in the Digital World
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 vun
May 20, 2025 · 46 min
Episode 31: Negotation as a Superpower
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 t
Apr 20, 2025 · 34 min
Episode 30: Power of Quantum Technology
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,
Mar 24, 2025 · 48 min
Episode 29: Value Based Purchasing in Public Services
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 practi
Feb 20, 2025 · 51 min
Episode 28: Geo-Political Impact on Global Supply Chains
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 & re
Jan 20, 2025 · 43 min
Episode 27: Bridging Theory with Practice in Supply Chain Management
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 b
Dec 20, 2024 · 44 min
Episode 26: Agentic Workers and It’s Impact on Leadership & Productivity
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, productivit
Nov 20, 2024 · 44 min
Episode 25: The Swedish Approach to Supply Chain Management
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 ex
Oct 25, 2024 · 38 min
Episode 24: Process Mining: An Intersection between Data Science and Process 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 o
Aug 21, 2024 · 41 min
Episode 23: What Operations Leaders can Learn from Professional Boxers & Combat Sports Athletes
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, embeddin
Jul 20, 2024 · 44 min
Episode 22: The State of Supply Chain Management
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
Jun 19, 2024 · 52 min
Episode 21: Creating Value through Operations: An Approach for Private Equity Portfolio Companies
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 fin

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