how strategy gets leaked
The enterprise risk exposed by the Signal scandal
The Invisible Thread That Can Unravel Everything
By Adil Husain
Key Insights
Senior U.S. officials used Signal to coordinate military action—without oversight—and accidentally included a journalist.
The scandal reflects a broader problem across industries: unsanctioned messaging apps erode compliance and accountability.
Since 2021, the SEC has fined financial firms $2.7B for off-channel communications via Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage.
Encrypted ≠ secure. Disappearing messages may feel private—but they eliminate institutional memory and audit trails.
Why It Matters
Encryption gives a false sense of security if it bypasses governance.
Whether it’s the Pentagon or your boardroom, when decisions aren’t documented or preserved, the entire enterprise is at risk.
Informal communication culture, left unchecked, becomes a strategic blind spot.
Recommended Actions
Establish clear policies on what communication belongs where—don’t just ban tools, build structure.
Train teams (and execs) on compliance-conscious communication.
Use enterprise-grade tools like Teams or Slack—configured for oversight, retention, and role-based access.
Shift the mindset: messaging isn’t neutral—it’s strategic infrastructure.
EXPLORE WHAT THE SIGNAL SCANDAL REVEALES ABOUT YOUR OWN ORGANIZATION’S RISK
📩 Are we getting our signals mixed up about these risks or are we on point? Reply and share your take!
The Real EV Bottleneck Isn’t Chips—It’s China
Key Insights
A new U.S.-China trade war is accelerating, with 20%+ tariffs and retaliatory export controls already in place.
EV battery materials—like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—are overwhelmingly refined in China, making automakers dangerously dependent.
Legacy OEMs like Ford, Stellantis, and Volkswagen are lagging in localizing and diversifying their supply chains.
The traditional just-in-time, cost-optimized model is breaking down in a world of geopolitical volatility and resource nationalism.
Why It Matters
This isn’t a chip shortage redux—there’s no fast workaround if China chokes off battery materials.
As supply chains tighten and tariffs bite, automakers that haven’t restructured will face production halts, rising costs, and long-term strategic disadvantages.
Supply chain agility isn’t a best practice—it’s now a survival trait.
Recommended Actions
Diversify sourcing: Secure regional, multi-source supply chains to reduce single-country exposure.
Invest in control: Vertical integration in mining, refining, and software adaptability is the new competitive edge.
Plan for crisis: Run geopolitical war games now—don’t wait until the next disruption hits.
Revamp contracts: Replace rigid supplier agreements with flexible, responsive terms.
SEE HOW SUPPLY CHAIN STRATEGY COULD DEFINE THE WINNERS OF THE EV ERA
📩 Think the EV rollout is insulated? Or do you see a crash coming? Hit reply—we’re curious how you're thinking about it!
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