The ACCA SBL Guru Podcast with Marty Windle and Friends

This is another episode in our series Strategy in Real Life where we take elements of the SBL Syllabus and apply it to a real life organisation in this podcast will focus on Marketing Mix in a Service Organisation.If you need help with your ACCA SBL Exam visit www.sblguru.comPrepare smarter for the ACCA Strategic Business Leader (SBL) exam with this episode, where we break down key insights from the Levwell pre-seen case study and turn them into practical, exam-ready strategies. Whether you're sitting SBL for the first time or aiming to boost your professional skills, this podcast helps you understand how to analyze how to apply theories in the exam#ACCASBL #Levwell #SBLExam #ACCAStudent #ExamPrep #ACCAStudies #PreSeenCaseStudy #StrategicBusinessLeader #SBLTips #AccountingStudents #StudyMotivation #PodcastEpisode

This is the audio version of the ACCA SBL Strategic business Leader article This episode examines the flexible alternatives to mergers and acquisitions: strategic alliances, joint ventures, franchising, and licensing. Discover the legal distinctions, operational risks, and real-world advantages of each model, with engaging case studies like British Airways, AstraZeneca, H&M, Honda, and Coca-Cola.​Learn why 97% of UK franchises succeed, the pros and cons of sharing resources versus maintaining control, and how collaboration drives rapid, low-risk expansion. Whether you’re preparing for an ACCA exam or seeking actionable business insights, this episode delivers clear guidance on choosing the right growth strategy in a fast-changing world.​#accasbl #podcast #businessgrowthstrategy #strategicalliance #jointventure #franchising #licensing #businesspartnerships #casestudies #businesssuccess #examsupport #ailearning #martywendle #sblguru #levwell

This is the latest episode of the Podcast Strategy in Real life Unlock your Strategic Business Leader (SBL) edge with this essential podcast for ACCA students sitting exams in December 2025 exam! This deep dive into risk management at Hilton Hotel—will bring the Levwell pre-seen case study to life with expert insights from Marty Windle SBl Guru and real-world risk strategies designed to boost your marks. Hosted by Marty Windle this episode breaks down key risks and controls, which can be leveraged for use in the Levwell ACCA Pre-seen . Perfect for anyone seeking confident, well-prepared answers for SBL exam success.Use this podcast to prepare for ACCA December 2025 case study. Elevate your revision—risk management done right for Levwell and Hilton Hotel.#accasbl #podcast #businessgrowthstrategy #strategicalliance #jointventure #franchising #licensing #businesspartnerships #casestudies #businesssuccess #examsupport #ailearning #martywendle #sblguru #levwell

This is part of Season 3 of the SBLGuru Podcast where we read the articles so you dont have to. By listening to the podcast it can help you to prepare for the ACCA Strategic Business Leader (SBL) exam If you need more help with the exam get in touch at www.sblguru.comSummary of the podcast The podcast “Responsible Leadership” explores what it means to lead effectively and ethically in a rapidly changing business environment, distinguishing genuine responsible leadership (RL) from traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR).Responsible leadership is described as a mindset shift—not just smart strategy but long-term, values-driven decision-making. Unlike CSR, which focuses on minimizing harm, RL requires proactive positive impact. It involves meeting performance goals without harming people or the planet.Three core behaviors define responsible leaders:Serving broader needs – looking beyond personal or corporate interests.Moral accountability – examining the societal and ethical implications of each decision, not hiding behind legality.Long-term focus – rejecting short-term profit bias to ensure sustainable prosperity.By embodying these behaviors, leaders build trust, portrayed as the ultimate strategic asset that enhances reputation, attracts talent and investors, and improves resilience.A detailed thought experiment illustrates the concept. A car company that treats workers well and sells eco-friendly vehicles might seem responsible but still fall short if it ignores:The environment – responsible leaders consider silent stakeholders like ecosystems and natural resources.Ethical sourcing – verifying supply chains for human rights and biodiversity impacts.End-of-life processes (ELV) – recycling and remanufacturing cars to prevent waste and pollution.Workforce development – continuous professional development (CPD) to sustain innovation.Corporate ethics – transparency in emissions reporting, paying fair taxes, and taking responsibility for faults.True RL is thus a systemic commitment—embedding sustainability, ethics, and equity into core business design.Embedding RL requires top-down cultural commitment from CEOs and boards but also decentralized ownership from every leader. The model cited (Mack & Plus, 2006) defines responsible leaders as stewards, citizens, coaches, visionaries, and storytellers, shaping shared purpose across teams.Accountants and finance professionals play a key role by adopting integrated reporting, combining financial and non-financial metrics (social, human, and natural capital). This helps measure the real value of sustainable decisions beyond immediate profit.The episode provides examples such as companies that introduced four-day workweeks and saw up to 40% productivity gains, lower turnover, and stronger morale—all proof that responsible behaviors drive both ethical and economic outcomes.Ultimately, the hosts argue that public value creation isn’t limited to government—private firms must actively contribute to societal wellbeing. The lasting question posed: If responsible leadership yields trust, innovation, loyalty, and resilience, what hidden costs are organizations paying for short-term irresponsibility?Meaning and Core PrinciplesCase Study: Car ManufacturerOrganizational Culture and RolesLong-Term Rewards#acca #article #SBLguru #marty # exam

This is another episode in season 1 of the SBL Guru Podcast where we take a topic from the ACCA Strategic Business Leader exam and apply it in a real life company. This episode of the SBL Guru Podcast explores how the dramatic rise and collapse of Theranos, led by Elizabeth Holmes, offers a real-world study in corporate governance failures. Host Marty Windle connects key ACCA Strategic Business Leader (SBL) Corproate Governance topics —like accountability, transparency, and board oversight—to the company's downfall.​ The podcast can help you prepare for your ACCA SBl exam. If you need more help contact the SBLguru at www.sblguru.comEpisode summary Theranos promised to revolutionize medical testing with a single drop of blood but unraveled due to a vacuum of governance controls. Its board lacked scientific expertise, leaving executives unchecked. Non-executive directors failed to challenge Holmes, committees for audit and remuneration were nonexistent, and transparency was replaced by secrecy. As a result, regulators were misled, patients were endangered, and the company collapsed following media and legal investigations—culminating in fraud convictions for Holmes and COO Sunny Balwani.​This episode breaks down how poor diversity, weak oversight, and absent accountability mechanisms at Theranos demonstrate the importance of effective corporate governance—and how these lessons apply directly to ACCA SBL exam preparation#acca #SBL #marty #SBlguru #tips #exam #windle