In this first episode of the new series, 'OnBD with ALF', host and General Manager of ALF Insight, Amanda Rosevear, delves into the intricacies of successful business development with guests, Rich McHardy, founder of The McHardy Collective, and Jody Osman, Chief Growth Officer at Propeller Group. The pair are also known for being the founders of The BD100. The episode explores what differentiates a good business developer from a great one, through the lens of The BD100—a community and annual awards event recognising top-performing business developers. Rich and Jody discuss the evolving nature of business development roles, characteristics of standout professionals, and the significance of creativity, strategy, and personality in sales. Plus hear what advice our guests would give their younger selves and what they’d name a movie about their life, as Amanda tasks them with answering the OnBD quickfire questions.  The episode concludes with insights on future trends in business development and information about the upcoming BD100 Awards event at The Drum Labs.00:00 Introduction to OnBD with ALF00:47 Meet the Guests: Jody Osman and Rich McHardy01:18 The BD100: Origins and Purpose02:01 The BD100: Nomination and Judging Process03:21 Key Traits of Top Business Developers04:55 The Importance of Personality in BD17:35 Recognising Rising Stars in BD20:44 Evolution of Business Development22:49 The Expanding Role of Business Developers23:58 The Evolution of Business Development24:23 Balancing Stress and Support in Business Development26:07 The Importance of Research and Personalisation27:23 Building and Leveraging Relationships28:40 Advice for Aspiring Business Developers31:24 Quick Fire Questions: Insights and Reflections39:12 Upcoming BD100 Event and ConclusionIf you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands, request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to ALF Insight’s brand-new series focusing on everything you wanted to know about business development. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jonathan Wolf, Co-founder and CEO of ZOE, and Sharlene Lopez, Founder of Medifesto, share their insights into personalized nutrition and the critical role of gut health. They explore how dietary choices can impact mental health as much as pharmaceuticals. The conversation shifts to the importance of effective branding in the health tech sector, revealing how consumer trust is shaped by marketing. They also address the challenges of maintaining user engagement in nutrition apps while debunking common nutrition myths, highlighting the need for realistic dietary changes.

Toby Horry, the Global Brand and Content Director at TUI, shares his journey from indie film and advertising to leading a top tour operator. He dives into the evolving trends in the travel industry, emphasizing the rise of dynamic pricing and experiential travel for Gen Z. The impact of COVID-19 on travel booking and the importance of flexibility in work arrangements are highlighted. Toby also discusses how technology is reshaping consumer behavior, along with unique travel destinations worth exploring beyond the typical holiday spots.

Ruth Snowdon-Gough, Chief Marketing Officer at Hain Celestial, champions brands like Covent Garden Soup and Linda McCartney Foods. She dives into Hain's global growth strategy and the rising trend of meat-free diets. Ruth emphasizes the importance of educating kids about cooking to promote healthier eating habits and discusses the potential for soup in the portable meals market. Balancing ethical goals with sales is crucial, as is managing the legacy of the McCartney name in their product line.

Benjamin Braun, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Europe, shares insights from his extensive background in digital transformation and creative marketing. He reveals how gifting gold phones to Olympians enhanced Samsung's visibility, resulting in a 23% demand spike for the Flip 6. The discussion dives into innovative products like foldable phones and AI-enabled ovens, emphasizing user-centric design. Braun also explores the balance between premium and affordable tech while highlighting the future of AI in marketing strategies that prioritize minimal resource use for maximum impact.

Jordan Brompton, co-founder of myenergi, transitioned from market stalls to leading a company that innovates in renewable energy. Joined by Lee Sutton, a plumber turned electrician, they discuss their journey in creating eco-friendly technology like the zappi EV charger and the eddi power diverter. They emphasize the importance of manufacturing in the UK and the critical role of skilled electricians. Jordan addresses market challenges, including the fluctuating EV demand, and advocates for hands-on learning as the real MBA experience.

In this episode of 'On Brand', Rory Sutherland welcomes Margaret Jobling, Chief Marketing Officer at NatWest. They discuss the challenges and successes in marketing across various sectors, with a focus on NatWest's transformation in its marketing approach. Margaret delves into the importance of understanding customer needs, leveraging data effectively, and experimenting to build knowledge. The conversation also covers the impact of fintech, the role of technology in banking, and NatWest's strategy around social purpose and sponsorships, particularly the partnership with Team GB for the Paris 2024 Olympics.  Additionally, they touch on flexible work, its benefits for employees, and how NatWest is investing in young people's financial education through the NatWest Thrive programme. If you want to do business with the UK’s leading brands Request an ALF Insight demo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Roberts, founder and CEO of AO, ignites the conversation with his inspiring journey from a £1 bet in a pub to building a leading electrical retailer. He shares how superb customer service and innovative marketing set AO apart. Fascinatingly, he reveals the company's shift back to mailing mini-brochures amidst a digital age. John also discusses their ambitious goal of comprehensive recycling of appliances and the challenges of maintaining brand integrity while driving ethical business practices.

Rachel Eyre from Morrisons discusses their Market Street proposition appealing to both traditional and younger shoppers. She talks about the importance of smaller, more frequent basket shops and Morrisons' vertically integrated business model. The revamp of the MoreCard loyalty scheme with 'Fivers' has been a success, with 85% saving for big splurges. Despite competition, convenience still drives customer choices in the supermarket industry.