The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business

We all have good ideas. But some of us have to clear more hurdles than others. If you’re a founder, you want to make your ideas happen and grow your business. But it’s not always that easy. If you’re an investor, you want to back the best ideas and companies out there. But are some of those ideas not even landing on your desk in the first place? If you're a female founder, scaling your business should be just as easy as that of your male counterpart. But that isn’t always the case. The question is, why? Only 2% of all VC funding goes to women-led startups. And while the consensus around investment is that it drives economic growth, the funding gap for female founders is still an ongoing challenge. And the numbers back it up. It’s clear we are missing out on brilliant ideas, talent and companies that could add billions to the UK economy. So, where do we go from here? For this episode of The Green Room podcast, we’re joined by Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of Women in Venture Capital: Europe (WVC:E) and Jodi Birkett, UK TMT Leader, as we ask: How do we close the funding gap? Tune in to find out: What the funding gap is and why it exists An insight into why the funding gap needs to close and the benefits Sophie’s experience as both an investor and a founder How we can create more opportunities for founders and less blockers   Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Guests: Sophie Winwood, co-founder and CEO of Women in Venture Capital: Europe (WVC:E) and Jodi Birkett, UK TMT Leader Hosts: Annie Wong and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

The anticipation as the lights drop. The roar of the crowd. The beat of the music. The feeling that you just had to be there – and you were.    Whether it’s the band that you never thought you’d get to see, the music festival that you build your calendar around or the comedian who you’ll quote forever, nothing beats the feeling of seeing it live.   And it’s not just crowd surfing and crowd singing, there’s the corporate side of live events too. The summits. The launches. The awards. All a chance to connect, share ideas and feel part of something bigger.   So, live events matter. But our planet matters too - and there’s no denying that the travel, power and resources involved in staging unforgettable experiences have an impact on it. Is there a way to enjoy one, without sacrificing the other? That’s what we’re exploring with Sam Booth, Director of Sustainability at AEG Europe, and Ed Shedd, European Climate & Sustainability Partner at Deloitte in this episode of The Green Room. Tune in to find out:  The role our favourite artists and venues have to play in saving our planet How the world’s first carbon-removed arena events went down with fans Why live events have the power to change our attitudes and behaviour The one thing we can all do this summer to help make music festivals more sustainable Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out From Babies With Love here: frombabieswithlove.org  Guests: Sam Booth from AEG and Ed Shedd from Deloitte  Hosts: Annie Wong and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Medals. Cheering. Split seconds. Finish lines. Every four years, Olympians and Paralympians come together from around the world and compete on the biggest stage.   That stage is also the last stage. A moment in time. A day when all eyes are on you.   What we don’t often see is what it took to get there. The hard work. The training. The setbacks. Those who helped.   And of course, the wider movement it inspires. Because it’s one thing to be a champion. And another thing to champion something.   So, what can we learn from those who have been there and done it? And what can we take away from it into our everyday lives and work? To find out, we invited not one, but two champions into The Green Room for this special episode:  Hannah Cockroft OBE, seven-time gold medallist at the Paralympic Games, and Nile Wilson, five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic Games bronze medal-winning gymnast. Tune in to find out: Why a champion is more than crossing the line first The hard work that goes on behind the scenes for the Olympic and Paralympic Games The resilience it takes to compete on a global stage How champions can inspire others and start a movement Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK   Guests: Hannah Cockroft OBE, seven-time gold medallist at the Paralympic Games, and Nile Wilson, five-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Olympic Games bronze medal-winning gymnast. Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Friend or threat? Help or hindrance? Possibilities or problems? The headlines about artificial intelligence often force us to fit the technology into one of two columns. It’s going to be good or bad. It’s going to be us or the robots. But as with most things in life, it’s not that simple.   Is it time to change the conversation about AI to one that’s less ‘either/or’ and more open? Open to possibilities. Open to change. Open to discussion.   It’s been suggested that AI could bring about as big a transformation as the industrial revolution. So what does this mean for us? For our families? Our work? And our future?  And more importantly, are we asking the right questions that can help us prepare for all of this change – both as businesses and individuals?  That’s what we’re exploring with Sam Everington from Engine by Starling, and Isabel Parker from Deloitte Legal in this episode of The Green Room.   Tune in to find out:  How generative AI is already featuring in our day-to-day lives Why our attitude to AI has changed over time  The factors that influence our trust, or lack of trust, in new technology What we can learn from the banking sector about the successful implementation of AI Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out Loaf Catering here: loafcatering.com  Guests: Sam Everington from Engine by Starling and Isabel Parker from Deloitte Legal Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Industry experts Alistair Dormer and Susan McDonald discuss the challenges and solutions of transforming energy systems towards sustainability by 2050. They explore the UK's shift to renewable energy, global insights on energy transition progress, support for social enterprises, and decarbonizing strategies for a sustainable future.

Every five years, we put a cross on a piece of paper – and put it in a ballot box. It’s a democratic right. A civic duty. An opportunity to have a say on what matters to us in our communities. 2024 is a big year for elections. Because more of us than ever before will be going to the polls around the globe. In the US. The UK. India. Taiwan. Mexico. South Africa. And many more. And there’s a lot at stake – from the rise of the far right and soaring inflation to ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the climate emergency. But voting is one thing. Making change happen, is another altogether. For this episode, we’re joined by Rt Hon Caroline Flint, former MP and Government Minister for the Labour party, and Ian Stewart, Chief Economist at Deloitte, as we ask: Do elections change anything?  Tune in to find out:  What we can learn from past elections to make future elections count How governments can balance short-term issues and long-term challenges Which issues matter most to voters right now How elections impact business – and how businesses can be prepared   Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out Change Please here:  changeplease.org Guests: Rt Hon Caroline Flint, former MP for the Labour party and Advisory Board Member for think tank Reform, and Ian Stewart, Chief Economist at Deloitte Hosts: Ethan Worth and Annie Wong Original music: Ali Barrett  

Can you imagine your life without the internet?  It’s a platform that’s brought about enormous benefits over the years.  The internet has opened up opportunities for millions of us worldwide, from being able to find information and expressing ourselves to transforming the way we do business.  But for kids, the internet can sometimes be a confusing, upsetting, or a scary place, and figuring out how to stay safe online is an important skillset for children to gain.  In this episode, we’re joined by Amanda Storey, Managing Director, Trust & Safety at Google EMEA and Nick Seeber who leads our Global Internet Regulation offering. Tune in to find out: The role of the internet, how it’s evolved and the challenges around regulation How both Amanda and Nick are driving regulation in their own work The role of education, business and internet companies on kids’ online safety The safety measures and regulation processes we can implement for a better future Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Guests: Amanda Storey, Managing Director, Trust & Safety at Google EMEA and Nick Seeber, Deloitte’s Global Internet Regulation lead. Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ethan Worth Original music: Ali Barrett

Once we huddled around campfires, now we huddle around phone screens.   Once we hunted and gathered, now there’s an app for that.   Once we used the stars to navigate the wild, now we’re in a digital jungle.   Modern technology has managed to make our lives easier and more complicated all at the same time. And then there’s the emerging technology to keep up with too.  What skills do we need to be able to manage this constant change? How do we make sure no one gets left behind? And what about the things that can’t be taught through a screen?   For this episode, we’re joined by Bear Grylls OBE, adventurer and broadcaster, and Shilpa Shah, Digital Transformation Director at Deloitte, as we ask: What are the new survival skills?  Tune in to find out:  The technology that saved Bear while he was out in the wilderness Why the skills that we need to survive have changed over time What ‘a survivor attitude’ is and how to have one How we can ensure everyone has the skills to survive – and to thrive Guests: Bear Grylls OBE, adventurer and broadcaster, and Shilpa Shah, Digital Transformation Director at Deloitte Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK  Check out Loaf Catering here: loafcatering.com Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Annie Wong Original music: Ali Barrett  

When we think of great leaders, influential visionaries come to mind. Pioneers in the corporate world. People who take risks, open doors and inspire others to step into their footsteps. But is the concept of a leader changing? And is it about finding who you are as a leader vs trying to fit into expectations of what a leader should be? In this episode, we’re joined by Jonathan Mildenhall, curator of A Colourful View From the Top and Co-Founder and Chairman of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand and Tim Clayton-Ball, who runs our global Deloitte Leadership practice, to ask: Are leaders born or made? Tune in to find out: ·        Jonathan and Tim’s definition of a leader ·        How leadership has evolved over the years ·        Leadership styles and whether we all have a natural ability to lead ·        Advice for future leaders and businesses who want to lead on what matters Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts You can also watch our episodes over on YouTube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK Guests: Jonathan Mildenhall, curator of A Colourful View From the Top and Co-Founder and Chairman of TwentyFirstCenturyBrand and Tim Clayton-Ball, who runs our global Deloitte Leadership practice.   Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Annie Wong Original music: Ali Barrett

Every one of us has dreams. A desire to make a difference on the things that matter to us. A vision for change, from the project we’re working on to our local community. Without action, a vision will merely be a dream. But a vision that many people believe in? Now that can change the world – ask any great leader. So how do you get this buy-in? Should that be the first step? Or is it something that follows only once you have a vision you can share with others? That’s what we’re exploring in the latest episode of The Green Room podcast with examples from elite sport and the business world. Our guests, World Cup-winning former England rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward, and executive coach and Deloitte director Jess Dooley, know all about the role that leaders and teams play in realising a vision and what it takes to get there. We ask them, does it all start with having a clear vision? Or do you need to get buy-in first? How do you sell your plans to people around you? And do you need to adapt your style to bring different types of people with you? Do you build your ideas up from testing or sell them in first? Do people buy into a leader before they buy into a vision? What if the team don’t agree on our vision or don’t buy into our method to get there? Do you need both to succeed?  What if you have buy-in but no clear vision yet – is that an issue? And what techniques can anyone apply help make their plans a reality? For this episode of The Green Room, we ask: What comes first, vision or buy-in? Tune in to find out: How team dynamics influence (nearly) everything How Sir Clive sold his vision to transform England rugby Jess’ take on whether teams or leaders should lead on buy-in If business should learn from sport or if sport can learn from business   Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts   You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK   Guests: Sir Clive Woodward, former England Rugby World Cup winning coach and Jess Dooley, Growth Director in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. Hosts: Ethan Worth and Lizzie Elston Technical support: Deloitte Creative Studio Original music: Ali Barrett