S9-Ep53: How to Lead through the Storm with the Weather Company’s CEO

Guest: Sheri Bachstein Can your business weather the storm? We mean that quite literally!   There’s not a business on the planet that isn’t impacted by weather at some level. Leaders must prepare their organizations for what’s to come. It’s not just obvious climate change decisions, like making sure you don’t build that new factory in a hurricane hotspot. It’s little things, too, like a grocer stocking extra ice cream when weather keeps people indoors and craving comfort food (even in the middle of winter!).   Guest Sheri Bachstein, CEO of The Weather Company (parent of The Weather Channel), reveals the data and insights behind the forecasts that can boost – or bust – your bottom line. Along the way, she share lessons from her own unexpected leadership journey. Here's what Sheri and Maureen cover: How today’s rich weather data can boost your business’ survivability…and profitability; Why climate change has made crafting a weather plan as part of your business plan an absolute must; and Realizing that your leadership journey will never be a straight line (and how to maximize the benefits of those inevitable zigs and zags). Other episodes you'll enjoy: Women’s Leadership Journeys with Lisa DeFrank Cole & Sherylle Tan To Err Is to Innovate with Beryl Tomay When Your Path Is Unclear with Donna Marie Laskin & Chellie Spiller For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn. We’re on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter, too!   RESOURCES:   The Weather Channel’s website is https://weather.com. For the business side, surf over to The Weather Company’s homepage at https://www.ibm.com/weather (NOTE: This may change when the ownership changes from IBM to Francisco Partners).   Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here.    Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI. Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here.    Books we’re reading for fun or personal development right now include: Becoming Superman: My Journey from Poverty to Hollywood by J. Michael Straczynski Own the AI Revolution by Neil Sahota Time and Chance by Kim Campbell Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller, the Man Who Created Nancy by Bill Griffith -----------------------   OUR PODCAST TEAM:   Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf Editor & Producer: Dan Mushalko Video & Graphics Editor: Devon Mushalko Assistant Editor & Raconteur: Luigi Morelli Weathering the Vicissitudes of Life: Jenna Reik & Mike Morrow-Fox CONNECT WITH US:  YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership  Threads: @innovativeleaders Twitter: @IL_Institute  LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2  Instagram: @innovativeleader  TikTok: @innovativeleadership Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com    Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating!  -----------------------   About Our Guest:   Sheri Bachstein began her career with The Weather Channel nearly 30 years ago as a field producer (otherwise known as storm chaser). Today, as the CEO of The Weather Company, an IBM business (and parent company of The Weather Channel), she holds a deep appreciation for and understanding of weather’s impact on consumers, communities, and businesses. Under her leadership, The Weather Channel is recognized as one of the top 10 most trusted brands in the U.S., the world’s leading provider of weather, and the world’s most accurate forecaster, helping hundreds of enterprise-level companies leverage weather data to increase consumer loyalty and business performance.