The 2026 Business and Society Lecture Series welcomed author and strategy expert Ken Favaro on Wednesday, March 11, where he presented “Real Strategy and Innovation” to nearly 250 attendees in person and online, including Sentry School of Business and Economics students, faculty and alumni along with local business leaders and entrepreneurs. [View Photos]
Favaro, a longtime consultant and educator, drew from decades of experience advising CEOs, executive teams and boards to explain how strategy often falters when organizations misunderstand what it is and how it should function. He emphasized the importance of clarity and discipline, noting that strategic success depends less on complexity and more on alignment, direction and shared purpose.
Favaro’s latest book, Real Strategy, published in 2024, tackles the toughest questions leaders face when shaping long-term plans. He also introduced attendees to “Precedents Thinking,” a new approach to innovation he co-developed and featured in the Harvard Business Review in 2025. The method helps leaders generate stronger ideas by studying past solutions to uncover patterns that can inspire breakthroughs today. All in-person attendees received a complimentary copy of Real Strategy and the Harvard Business Review article on Precedents Thinking.
Throughout his presentation Favaro shared examples of how entrepreneurs and corporate teams have used Precedents Thinking to spark creativity, strengthen problem-solving and drive outcomes with greater impact.
Following the keynote in the Dreyfus University Center Laird Room, Favaro met with students in BUS 490 – Pitching Investors and Executives, plus held a live demonstration of a new AI tool and facilitated a discussion on the future of AI as an innovation platform.
The Business and Society Lecture Series continues to bring thought leaders to UW-Stevens Point, giving students the opportunity to learn directly from professionals shaping today’s business landscape. The event was part of the Smiley Professional Events series which connects students with industry professionals throughout the year.
About the Speaker
Favaro began his career at Bain & Company before spending 25 years at Marakon Associates, where he served as CEO for six years. He later led the global strategy practice at Booz & Company (now Strategy& PwC). He has guest taught strategy and innovation at the Columbia Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.