Episode 6 - Simon Dennis - Gate One

Simon Dennis is co-founder of Gate One (www.gateone.co.uk). Gate One are an award winning Business Transformation Consultancy who specialise in Digital, Operating Model and People Change. Since founding the business Gate One have grown rapidly going from an idea to £25m cumulative revenue in their first 5 years trading. As well as their award winning Consultancy offering Gate One also runs its own internal Start Up Incubator. Giving their team the opportunity to explore their own entrepreneurial ambitions and help grow new business ideas alongside the Consultancy. The latest idea to go through the Incubator, Pinga (http://pinga-app.com/), has seen some great early success and is looking to grow rapidly, something we discuss in today’s episode. Simon and I first met when I was deciding whether to stay in Consulting or pursue a start-up idea that I had. Throughout our conversations about joining Gate One it was clear that Simon and his team were looking to do it differently and create something unique in the Consulting industry. I ended up pursuing the start-up idea (sadly unsuccessfully) but Simon and I have stayed in touch ever since and I’ve had the pleasure of watching as Gate One have gone from strength to strength. We cover a whole range of topics in this episode including: How and why Simon and his Co-founders started Gate One Gate One’s unique ‘ripple’ approach to Consultancy What you should think about if you’re looking to make the move from a big Consultancy to a small one Simon’s top books for anyone looking to climb in Consulting or start their own business The Gate One start-up incubator and much much more! You can find out more about Simon on his Linked In page – https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-dennis-28416b1/ or drop him a message at Simon.Dennis@GateOne.co.uk Specific things we discuss in the show: Simon’s Recommended Reading List: Managing the Professional Services Firm by David Maister - http://amzn.eu/8gfLD5m Start with Why by Simon Sinek - http://amzn.eu/dU3ZgMq Drive by Dan Pink - http://amzn.eu/6Nne2Xr Mindset by Carol Dweck - http://amzn.eu/h2fAzeu The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin - http://amzn.eu/73hkExk Quiet Leadership by David Rock - http://amzn.eu/71y201l Happiness by Design by Paul Dolan - http://amzn.eu/3kEqGr2 Bounce by Matthew Syed - http://amzn.eu/icRAp5S Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey A Moore - http://amzn.eu/7SiieF4 The Founder's Mentality by Chris Zook and James Allen Pinga – http://pinga-app.com/ Acai Berry - https://www.webmd.boots.com/healthy-eating/guide/acai-berries-health-benefits