Business Without Bullsh-t

EP 399 - July's guests - Lucy Parker, Mark Field, Victoria Dunford, and Luis Gosalbez - discuss and debate the legitimacy our BOB quiz cards - drinking at lunch, corporate away days, in-office fitness classes, and universal basic income to equal paternity leave and corporate gifting all make the shortlist!Chapters:00:00 Business or Bullshit QUIZ00:55 Debate: Drinking at Lunch04:49 Corporate Away Days: Business or BB?06:38 In-Office Fitness Classes08:54 Universal Basic Income Discussion12:16 Equal Paternity Leave14:01 Corporate Gifting: Business or BS?businesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 398 - Spain looks like a dream for startups: sunny, affordable, and full of talent. But beneath the surface, founders face a slow, fragmented system that often blocks growth instead of enabling it. In this episode, lawyer, founder and managing partner of Metricson Luis Gosálbez explains why Spain’s business environment frustrates entrepreneurs, from endless bureaucracy to region-by-region politics and a risk-averse culture that kills momentum. Whether you're launching in Spain or expanding into Europe, this is what they don’t teach you in school - but should.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 Business Without Baggage #2 - Spain's Hidden Business Rules00:19 Meet Luis Gosalbez01:36 Regional Differences in Spanish Business Culture08:15 Business Etiquette and Payment Practices09:25 Family-Owned Businesses and Hierarchies11:15 Impact of Historical and Political Context13:48 Collaborative vs. Individualistic Business Approaches16:35 Challenges of Employment Laws20:51 The Importance of Personal Connections29:21 Cultural Taboos: Money and Religion30:00 The British Perspective on Money32:51 Building Spanish Business Relationships34:21 Navigating Bureaucracy in Spain37:20 Banking and Financial Regulations43:45 Living and Working in Spain44:54 Special Tax Laws and Incentives47:27 Buying Property in Spain49:41 Show and Tell: A Taste of Spain51:43 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 397 - In Moldova, thousands of disabled children and adults remain unseen - hidden away by a system that offers them little support. In this episode, Andy speaks to humanitarian and social entrepreneur Victoria Dunford, founder of MAD-Aid, who is fighting to bring dignity, inclusion, and opportunity to those left behind. From transforming hospitals to changing laws, discover how one woman is challenging stigma and building a future where no one is invisible*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Victoria Dunford 01:24 Quickfire - Get to Know Victoria01:36 Victoria's Early Career and Challenges05:10 The State of Healthcare in Moldova08:00 Founding MAD-Aid and Early Efforts14:12 Changing Legislation and Social Impact17:49 Fundraising and Building Trust20:15 The Ukraine Conflict and Moldova's Future21:45 Business and Charity Partnerships22:52 Building Connections23:17 The Benefits of Donating to Charity23:29 Challenges and Changes in Charity Regulations24:41 Transparency and Trust in Charitable Donations26:28 The Importance of Grassroots and Big Charities26:43 Encouraging Heartfelt Donations27:33 The Role of Charity Commissions29:11 Fundraising and Donor Engagement33:08 Healthcare Systems in Moldova and the UK37:44 MAD-Aid's Goals and Ambitions40:27 Advice for Entrepreneurs and Founders43:56 Challenges and Misconceptions in Charity Work44:47 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 396 - Are supermarkets controlling more than just prices? global food expert Mark Field reveals the hidden secrets of the food industry, exposing how Big Food shapes what we eat, drives up costs, and impacts sustainability. Learn how corporate power influences your choices - and what it means for the future of food.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Mark Field00:57 Meet Mark: A Food Industry Leader01:43 Quickfire - Get To Know Mark02:00 Mark's Career Journey and Insights07:46 The Impact of COVID-19 on Prof Consulting12:36 Global Trends in the Food Industry15:19 Challenges and Innovations in Food Logistics18:54 Brexit's Impact on the UK Food Industry23:27 British Farming and Seasonal Produce27:25 Vertical Farming and Future Technologies27:41 Energy Costs vs. Output in Food Production28:19 Future of the Food Industry by 205029:44 Changing Food Preferences and Social Eating30:56 Global Food Diversity and Supermarket Trends37:10 Sustainability and Business Growth in Food Retail42:34 AI's Role in Food Industry Transformation48:44 Advice for Entering the Food Industry50:32 Challenges and Opportunities in Food Retail54:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughtsbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 395 - Can big business actually change the world or is it all just PR? Andy speaks to Lucy Parker, Senior Advisor at Brunswick and co-author of The Activist Leader, on why CEOs need to stop playing it safe and start thinking like activists. From Gordon Brown’s task force to boardrooms at Maersk and Walmart, Lucy shares how companies can bridge the gap between profit and purpose, and why the future belongs to leaders with a backbone.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Lucy Parker01:19 Andy's Intro03:04 Quickfire - Get To Know Lucy09:47 Lucy's Current Role at Brunswick10:25 Big Business Addressing Societal Issues14:27 Challenges and Misconceptions About Big Business22:44 Big Businesses Making a Positive Impact28:19 The Role of Regulation and Policy in Business35:11 The Future of Business and Societal Change44:51 Developing a Sustainable Mindset45:35 The Role of Leadership in Sustainability45:59 Challenges and Responsibilities of Modern Business49:16 The Complexity of Global Issues49:40 The Journey Towards Net Zero51:02 Transparency and Accountability in Business01:07:33 The Importance of Data in ESG01:13:40 Activist Leadership in Business01:23:18 The Power of Storytelling in Leadership01:26:12 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 394 - This week Andy meets Bernard Savage who leads professional services business development consultancy - size ten and half boots.We have a wide running chat about how AI means that now, more than ever, professional services firms need to embrace sales. Luckily it’s also going to free up their time to do it.I’m not sure he persuaded Andy that sales wasn’t a dirty word. But we definitely buy into his rallying call that if you just do the same things as everyone else, then, well you are not going to stand out and your business will die.Straight talking advice indeed.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Bernard Savage01:19 Andy's Views on Bernard04:02 Quickfrie - Get to Know Bernard06:33 The Reality of Professional Services12:45 Networking and Business Development21:17 Client Relationships and Commerciality25:15 Evolving Business Development Strategies25:53 Impact of AI on Professional Services26:24 The Dominance of London in Professional Services27:41 The Importance of Client Relationships30:28 The Role of LinkedIn in Professional Networking33:06 Regional Differences in Professional Services35:33 Northern England: Challenges and Opportunities48:38 Balancing Authenticity and Professionalism51:24 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 393 - June's BOB quiz lineup sees Elizabeth Varley from the Department of Business and Trade, Silent Disco Company founder and CEO Toby Burns, and ex-Special Forces author and speaker Sarah Furness tackle topics including climate change, office nap pods, AI-created content, team-building exercises, and mandatory lunch breaks. Strap in!Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Business or Bullshit Quiz00:42 Climate Change: Business or Bullshit?04:21 Office Nap Pods: A Good Idea?06:29 AI Created Content: Boon or Bane?09:43 Team Building Exercises: Effective or Awkward?13:20 Mandatory Hour-Long Lunch Breaks: Yay or Nay?businesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 392 - This week we meet Sarah Furness, whose self described superpower is being “just enough of a bitch”. If you want to know what she means by that, stop reading and start listening.Sarah was the first female helicopter pilot to lead special forces missions in Iraq.These days she is bringing battlefield hardened insights to business problems, helping leaders to create healthy behaviours and environments in threatening or stressful situations.It’s a wide ranging conversation, covering everything from gender roles and sexism to mindfulness under extreme pressure and something called disco leg. But our main focus was on psychological safety and why it is important in the military and business.As Sarah says, “The only way we can learn from a mistake is if we talk about it, and we can’t talk about it if you’re punished for it”.The bit about disco leg is right at the end, if you want to skip to that to find out what it means.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Sarah Furness01:16 Andy's Intro02:33 Quickfire: Get to Know Sarah07:53 Sarah's Journey: From Military to Mindfulness17:05 The Power of Mindfulness in High-Stress Situations24:47 Learning from Failure: Military Insights for Business31:14 Creating an Optimum Environment for Psychological Safety32:02 Encouraging Bravery in Leadership32:13 Vulnerability in Leadership34:28 Navigating Shame and Self-Compassion38:01 Self-Awareness and Inner Work in Leadership43:48 Gender and Leadership: Moving Beyond Stereotypes49:47 Customer-Centric Business Practices52:20 Lessons from Military Leadership01:01:16 The Importance of Humor and Camaraderie01:02:25 Top Tips for Founders and Entrepreneurs01:06:06 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 391 - This week we are joined by Toby Burns, immersive events pioneer and the man behind Silent Disco.He has some quite spicy things to say about how the UK treats entrepreneurship and flags an innovation that he would love to see the UK copy from China.Yep, we should copy China.You’ll have to listen in to find out how and why. But you will also get some real nuggets of business wisdom (in handy catch phrases). Such as “innovate or evaporate”, “diversify or die”.Most importantly, if you want to create continued success you need to create a great customer experience at every touchpoint.Let us know what you think in the comments.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*00:00 BWB with Toby Burns01:16 Andy's intro to Toby01:58 The Silent Disco Business Model03:57 Toby's Early Career and Family Business07:02 Customer Service and Business Philosophy14:16 Property Investments and Business Strategy16:55 Innovations and Future Plans30:16 The Turning Point: Scaling a Business31:01 Innovating in the Entertainment Industry32:52 Customer Service and Business Processes39:14 The Impact of Taxes on Business48:11 Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis54:15 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs01:03:12 Toby's Ultimate Party Line-Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 390 - Something a little different this week. We took BWB on the road to meet James Duckenfield, CEO of Glass Pharm and tour their state of the art facility for growing pharmaceutical grade cannabis.We learnt a lot of fascinating stuff - including that the only way that you are likely to die from cannabis, certainly medical cannabis, is if someone accidentally drops a ton of it on your head.Furthermore, this remarkable growing system is not just leading the way for growing medicinal cannabis, but its carbon negative approach and techniques are breaking new ground for horticulture in general.Listen in and learn.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB Live at Glass Pharms00:47 Andy & Medical Cannabis01:43 The UK Cannabis Conversation02:57 Tour of Glass Pharms Facility06:44 Cannabis Cultivation Techniques13:24 Regulations and Licensing18:59 Product Demonstration and Quality Control24:39 BWB with James Duckenfield CEO25:51 Medical Cannabis in the UK27:12 Public Perception and NHS Policies28:06 Cannabis and Chronic Pain29:31 Cannabis and Mental Health30:33 Global Cannabis Policies31:16 Personal Experiences with Cannabis32:28 Challenges in the Cannabis Industry33:09 The Endocannabinoid System35:24 Regulatory Hurdles42:01 Future of Medical Cannabis49:33 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch and subscribe to us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterFacebookIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark