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TED Business

TED Audio Collective

Whatever your business conundrum, there’s a TED Talk for that—whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life. Because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Location:

United States

Description:

Whatever your business conundrum, there’s a TED Talk for that—whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation. Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life. Because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English


Episodes
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How to reclaim your life from work | Simone Stolzoff

2/10/2025
Where do you draw the line between work and life? Writer Simone Stolzoff explores the problem with defining yourself by your job — and shows what it takes to reclaim your time and sense of meaning beyond the office. After the talk, Modupe shares how practicing meditation nourishes her identity outside of work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:11:38

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Forget the corporate ladder — winners take risks | Molly Graham

2/3/2025
Success in your career looks different for everyone — but no matter your industry, you'll need to take risks. Company and community builder Molly Graham shares three key skills to learn before jumping off the metaphorical cliff, outlining a path off the corporate ladder and into true professional and personal growth. After the talk, Modupe shares her own experience with risk-taking when she left her consulting job to pursue academia. What helped her along the way? The support of a good mentor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:12:08

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The trick to powerful public speaking | Lawrence Bernstein

1/27/2025
Why do so many of us get nervous when public speaking? Communication expert Lawrence Bernstein says the key to dealing with the pressure is as simple as having a casual chat. He introduces the "coffee shop test" as a way to help you overcome nerves, connect with your audience and deliver a message that truly resonates. After the talk, Modupe explains a similar approach in academia called the "Grandma test," and how public speaking can be as simple as a conversation with grandma. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:17:27

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We need leaders who boldly champion inclusion | June Sarpong

1/20/2025
This week, we're revisiting an episode on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) — essential drivers of creativity and profits, yet progress has been slow. It's time for leaders to become "rock stars" of inclusion — and that starts with pushing through discomfort, says veteran broadcaster and diversity leader June Sarpong. "When it comes to diversity and inclusion, we need bold disruptors who are uncomfortable with the status quo, even if the status quo benefits them," Sarpong says. After the talk, Modupe highlights proven strategies that increase representation and inclusion in the workplace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:19:21

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K-pop, cutting-edge tech and other ways Asia is shaping the world | Neeraj Aggarwal

1/13/2025
For a long time, the conveyor belt of ideas moved from the West to the East, says business strategy expert Neeraj Aggarwal. But now, Asia’s rising cultural and intellectual influence is redefining this established order. He explores how Asia’s booming culture and economy — from K-pop to cutting-edge tech — is sparking creative solutions to global challenges and reshaping the future in unexpected ways. After the talk, Modupe draws parallels between the cultural exchange happening between the East and West, and the spread of African culture across the globe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:13:26

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What you can learn from people who disagree with you | Shreya Joshi

1/6/2025
This week, we're revisiting an episode with youth leader Shreya Joshi, who shows why having "uncomfortable conversations" with people you disagree with is crucial to bridging the political divide. "When we are able to recognize what unites us, it becomes so much easier to have conversations about what divides us," she says. Join Modupe after the talk for some useful tips on navigating difficult conversations at work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:15:38

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5 steps to building a personal brand you feel good about | Marcos Salazar

12/30/2024
Whether you realize it or not, you have a personal brand, says social entrepreneur Marcos Salazar — and you have the power to shape what it is. This week we're revisiting an episode that focuses on how you can create a brand that captures who you are, who you'd like to be and how you want to make an impact on the world. This episode is part of the Way We Work, a TED original video series. Then Modupe shares how she’s crafted her own online identity in a way that feels authentic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:10:38

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Luxury, not landfill — the waste-free future of fashion | Joon Silverstein

12/23/2024
Fashion is a huge part of the world's waste problem, but it doesn't have to be. Coachtopia founder Joon Silverstein shows how her company creates new designs from the waste products of another, a circular process that cuts the need for new raw materials — and rethinks what qualifies as "luxury." This talk was made in partnership with Coachtopia. Stay tuned afterward as Modupe shares her thoughts on one way companies could cut back on waste. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:13:51

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Ask dumb questions, embrace mistakes — and other lessons on innovation | Dave Raggio

12/16/2024
To launch new initiatives within the confines of a large corporation, you'll need to work with the system, not against it, says "intrapreneur" Dave Raggio. He shares three lessons on innovation he learned the hard way — so you don't have to. Made in partnership with Intuit. After the talk, Modupe shares one small way we can get everyone working together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:09:24

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Will the end of economic growth come by design — or disaster? | Gaya Herrington

12/9/2024
What if solving poverty, caring for nature and fostering well-being were the ultimate goals of the economy, instead of growth for its own sake? Environmentalist and economist Gaya Herrington proposes a shift in thinking from "never enough" to "enough for each," asking us to contemplate whether the end of exponential growth on a finite planet will come by design — or disaster. After the talk, Modupe discusses what this mindset shift can unlock for humanity.

Duration:00:14:48

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Does working hard really make you a good person? | Azim Shariff

12/2/2024
Around the world, people who work hard are often seen as morally good — even if they produce little to no results. In this episode, we're revisiting a talk by social psychologist Azim Shariff, in which he analyzes the roots of this belief and suggests a shift towards a more meaningful way to think about effort, rather than admiring work for work's sake. After the talk, Modupe delves deeper into Shariff’s research – and what our focus should actually be on at work.

Duration:00:18:28

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5 ways leaders can adapt to shifting geopolitics | Nikolaus S. Lang

11/25/2024
What will the world look like in 2030? International business consultant Nikolaus S. Lang predicts the evolution of a multipolar world, with multiple emerging coalitions of countries acting in new ways to achieve their economic, technological and military goals. He dives into what this will mean for the global economy, offering five tips for business leaders to prepare for the coming geopolitical landscape. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on how to train for the unexpected.

Duration:00:16:00

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Networking doesn't have to feel gross | Daniel Hallak

11/18/2024
Networking doesn’t always have to feel like a self-serving transaction, says executive coach Daniel Hallak. Highlighting the importance of focusing on giving rather than taking when it comes to making connections, he outlines a mindset shift to help you build better relationships — in a way that doesn't feel gross. After the talk, Modupe highlights the value of extending your support beyond your usual network.

Duration:00:16:41

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Yes, you can be an entrepreneur too | Saamra Mekuria-Grillo

11/11/2024
Who gets to be an entrepreneur? Saamra Mekuria-Grillo says the image we most commonly see — a guy in a hoodie — is a limiting representation of entrepreneurial success. She highlights the importance of young Black people seeing entrepreneurship as a possibility for themselves and explains the key to making the field more inclusive. After the talk, Saamra joins Modupe for a conversation about how she got into this work.

Duration:00:18:33

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How to empower farmers — and nourish the planet | Agnes Kalibata

11/4/2024
Africa's smallholder farmers feed millions of people and uplift economies, yet they often lack the basic resources needed to thrive, says agricultural scientist and policymaker Agnes Kalibata. She outlines how to empower these farmers with better tools, climate resilience strategies and market access — so they can continue to nourish humanity while caring for the planet. After the talk, Modupe paints a picture of what these ideas look like in action.

Duration:00:14:26

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The power of personalization in the age of AI | Mark Abraham

10/28/2024
With all that spam clogging your inbox, a more personalized experience with the brands you interact with would be a refreshing change of pace. Sharing insights from his research into what brands can do to improve the experience of the people they want to reach, personalization pioneer Mark Abraham highlights a key mindset that can help companies boost their growth (and delight their customers) in the era of AI. After the talk, Modupe dives into what this could mean for the rest of your life — on and offline.

Duration:00:15:07

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Want to get ahead at work? Risk the awkward moments | Henna Pryor

10/21/2024
When we avoid feeling awkward, we often miss an opportunity for growth, says workplace performance expert Henna Pryor. She shares tips on embracing discomfort for the sake of self-betterment and shows how pushing past the "cringe chasm" — the gap between how we perceive ourselves and how others see us — can open up chances to get ahead at work and in life. After the talk, Modupe shares wisdom on how to get over the fear of being cringe.

Duration:00:18:40

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How to ask for more — and get it | Alex Carter

10/14/2024
How do you get what you want out of a negotiation? United Nations negotiation trainer Alex Carter says the best methods center on recruitment, not rivalry. Whether you're asking for a raise or resolving a family dispute, she offers five simple tips for a successful discussion — starting with one powerful question. After the talk, Modupe shares tips on starting the conversation.

Duration:00:17:17

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The case for good jobs — and why they're good for business too | Zeynep Ton

10/7/2024
Many of the jobs that keep the world running — like cleaning bathrooms, picking up trash, caring for the elderly — pay so poorly that workers can barely make ends meet. Nonprofit leader Zeynep Ton is intent on changing that, showing why everyone wins when companies pay their people livable wages and offer opportunities for growth. After the talk, Modupe digs into why money shouldn’t be spent solely on recruiting, training and hiring new talent — but also investing in existing employees.

Duration:00:17:14

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How entrepreneurs can unlock their full potential | Jay Bailey

9/30/2024
Jay Bailey says so many ideas never see the light of day because entrepreneurship has a problem of belonging. He shares how a chance encounter kicked off his own journey to becoming an entrepreneur and advocate for Black-owned businesses — and shows how anyone can unlock untapped potential. After the talk, Modupe reflects on how having space to explore your talent can actually help you realize your dreams.

Duration:00:16:08