In this episode of The PowerTalk Show, Roy — former executive leader and author of Be Different or Be Dead — shares the real story behind how he scaled a data business into a $1B+ enterprise. And spoiler: It wasn’t because they followed the traditional playbook.
Differentiation: The Only Strategy That Works
“Don’t tell me you’re the best. Tell me how you’re the only one doing what you do in a way people care about,” Roy says. At the heart of his philosophy is the Only Statement — a strategic tool that forces leaders to define what makes them truly unique.
Most companies, he argues, are still caught up in vague claims of superiority. “We’re #1, we’re better, we’re best” — but none of that holds meaning if it doesn’t matter to the customer.
Growth Isn’t About Cutting Costs
When it comes to scaling, Roy insists on a simple truth: top-line revenue matters more than cost models. “Start by growing. Then architect your operations around that growth,” he advises.
From his experience, customer retention and delivering dazzling service — not acquisition gimmicks — are the keys to sustainable success.
What About AI?
Roy doesn’t mince words when asked about AI: “It’s not a silver bullet.” Instead of obsessing over technology, he urges leaders to get their strategy straight first. “AI can help—but only when it’s applied with clarity and purpose,” he adds.
His Strategic Game Plan framework — built around three simple but profound questions — can produce a workable growth strategy in just 48 hours.
Roy’s Advice for Entrepreneurs
“Success is achieving your wildest dreams while serving the needs of others.”
Roy’s takeaway is simple but powerful: stop copying, start creating. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or rising leader, your edge comes not from the tools you use, but the problems you solve differently than anyone else.