EP 362 - Richard has a wide career from running and building the family business, to acting as a chairman of a FTSE quoted company, to being an entrepreneur in Wine, Music, Cosmetics, Food Manufacturing, Hedge Funds, and more.  To all of these activities he has applied a deeply independent mindset, this entrepreneurial independence is what has grown Oury Clark from a tiny firm in Slough to a unique Top 50 professional firm in the UK.We recorded this episode sometime back, and it was the final time my sister appeared on the podcast before she died of cancer.  I was honoured to record this, and it is a joy to bring her back to life once more in this interview.Chapters:00:00 BWB with Richard Oury00:59 Episode Synopsis03:51 Quickfire - Get To Know Richard05:35 Early Career and Education11:50 Family History and Business Ventures38:35 Father's Religious Background and Beliefs39:20 Huguenot Heritage and Philosophy40:45 Grandfather's Life and Struggles43:42 Mother's Resilience and Frugality45:40 Career Ventures and Business Decisions50:48 Challenges in Business and Governance01:10:05 Trust and Integrity in Relationships01:15:20 Company Culture and Management01:17:00 The Role of Banks in Business Financing01:17:25 The Psychology of Debt Collection01:17:55 The British Relationship with Money01:21:04 Work Culture and Efficiency01:28:57 Challenges in Professional Services01:32:17 Family Business Dynamics01:35:49 Reflections and Advice01:44:37 The Future of the Firmbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch 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 361 - This is an absolute cracker from the archive for you this Christmas, one that will help you see the world around you through other people’s eyes.We meet adaptive and universal fashion pioneer Victoria Jenkins (don’t worry, she explains the difference between the two).  We talk about how successive governments have created a truly hostile environment for disabled people. Why 2023’s “Ask Don’t Assume” campaign was, frankly, a right pain in the “ask”.  And the problem that Victoria has with "inspiration porn” in general, and the Paralympics in particular.There is also quite a lot of chat about velcro.Chapters:00:00 BWB with Victoria Jenkins - Re-Visited 02:01 Meet Victoria - Adaptive Fashion Pioneer03:04 Victoria's Personal Journey with Disability05:02 The Birth of Unhidden06:42 Challenges in the Fashion Industry16:30 Representation and Media Challenges21:45 Government and Disability Rights29:45 Marketing and Business Hurdles31:36 Dragon's Den Experience32:38 Pitching and Investor Insights33:53 Advice and Mentorship35:01 Living with Disability41:01 Quickfire - Get To Know Victoria44:48 Business or Bullshit quiz!54:49 Unhidden Clothing and Future Plans55:15 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 360 - Don’t knock teachers unless you’ve tried to do it yourself! Why politicians should find the money to fund education for all and stop using teachers as a political punchbag, especially if they have never set foot in a state school classroom.Our archive special this week is Mehreen Baig, author, documentarian and former secondary school teacher who makes a compelling case that failure to invest in young people in general and education in particular is storing up problems for society in years to come.We thought it was timely to revisit this episode, to see if Labour’s ‘milestone’ announcement around investment in early years education measures up to what is actually needed.Chapters:00:00 BWB with Mehreen Baig - Revisited01:38 Meet Mehreen02:21 Challenges in Teaching03:25 The State of the Education System06:50 The Impact of Socioeconomic Status09:33 The Role of Parenting and Privilege22:58 The Emotional Toll on Teachers29:46 Future Goals and Reflections36:32 Rhubarb Revelations36:44 Words of Wisdom from Leslie Joseph37:40 Mehreen's Transition to Media38:18 Accidental Media Career41:44 Quickfire - Get To Know Mehreen45:11 Mehreen's Book and Podcast Recommendations47:17 Business or Bullshit Quiz!53:35 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 359 - We love opinions and James has plenty. After spending a couple of episodes looking at the global picture we get down to UK business brass tacks with Partyman CEO James Sinclair.James is full of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, business owners and anyone at the sharp end of leading a company in the UK.  We talk about the importance of dreaming big, the value of vertical integration and how staying on top of your P&L and cash flow is the most important thing that any business owner can do.Given the recent UK budget, James’ call on the government to tax profit not turnover makes this a timely re-listen.Chapters:00:00 BWB with James Sinclair: Revisited02:04 Meet James02:55 Sinclair's Business Journey08:10 Challenges in Childcare and Employment10:36 The Burden of Turnover Taxes21:11 Entrepreneurial Spirit and Big Dreams28:17 Advice for Entrepreneurs36:46 The Push and Pull in Business37:49 Taking Risks and Self-Belief39:09 Worst Advice and Protectionist Mindset39:58 Founder Challenges and Tall Poppy Syndrome42:19 Government Support for Entrepreneurship49:58 Quickfire Round: Get to Know James54:13 The Role of Good Management57:52 Business or Bullshit Quiz!01:05:35 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 358 - We revisit our first chat with Steve Keen - author, friend of the podcast and the first economist to warn of the 2008 financial crash. Appropriately, given the COP29 was all about the money, we chat about how economists have totally trivialised the dangers of the climate crisis, and what that might mean for humanity.We also discuss why trade unions are a good thing for the economy and why corporate behaviour in the UK would be better if we followed Germany’s model.Chapters:00:00 BWB with Prof. Steve Keen01:19 Meet Steve 03:21 The Frustration of Predicting Crises05:16 Climate Change and the Ozone Layer14:55 Trade Unions and Economic Theory18:46 Government's Role in Society22:57 Brexit and Business Bullshit26:58 Quickfire - Get to Know Steve28:39 Getting Fired and Office Politics31:45 Inspirational Teachers and Economics33:18 Critique of Economics and Climate Change37:08 Career Reflections and Advice43:31 Business or Bullshit Quiz!47:56 Pitching Ravel and Final Thoughtsbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 357 - As COP 29 draws to a close in sunny, oil rich Azerbaijan we revisit our spirited conversation with political economist Grace Blakeley. We talk about Green New Deals and why we need to restore faith in democracy above all else.Grace makes a compelling point that dealing with Climate Change shouldn’t be put on the shoulders of individuals but those of institutions and businesses, as only they can affect the systemic changes required. We discuss how investing money in fixing problems now will pay for itself in the long run (it worked after WWII after all) and how community wealth building offers a credible alternative to the idea of “stakeholder capitalism”.Spoiler alert - Grace is not a fan of stakeholder capitalism.Chapters:00:00 BWB with Grace Blakeley02:10 Meet Grace02:44 Climate Change and the Green New Deal06:25 Economic Inequality and Political Disconnect16:33 Taxation and Wealth Distribution24:31 Community Wealth Building: The Preston Model25:59 Stakeholder Capitalism: Myth or Reality?31:35 Introduction to the Grace's Career31:54 Writing and Media Appearances32:17 Grace's New Book: Vulture Capitalism32:55 Career Journey and Early Experiences34:03 Long-Term Goals and Challenges of Writing36:03 Grace's Upcoming Projects37:13 Biggest Mistakes and Lessons Learned38:23 Passions Outside of Work40:28 Advice and Reflections45:53 Quickfire Round - Get To Know Grace52:05 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 356 - We are doing some hefty metaphorical redecorating at BWB at the moment (remodelling for our American friends). That means that we will be using the next few weeks to look back into our catalogue and republish some choice episodes. Conversations that we think are as relevant today as they were when they were first released. First up Martin Wolf CBE - Associate Editor and Chief Economics Commentator at the FT.We kicked off 2023 talking to Martin about the state of the Nation and his thinking will give you a helpful lens to hold up to UK current events such as the budget, democratic reform and how our future is shaped by the economic choices that we make now.And Martin's keen eyed analysis and clear headed assessment of the current state and future of the British Economy, Political Realm and our role in the world when it comes to trade is as relevant now as when we first sat down in 2023.Chapters:00:00 BWB with Martin Wolf01:14 Revisiting the UK's Economic Identity Post-Brexit02:05 Current Global Challenges08:09 The UK's Economic Strengths and Weaknesses11:02 Regional Inequality and the Future of British Cities15:53 The Challenges of Long-Term Policy Making28:57 The Role of Education and Skills in Economic Growth34:07 The Future of British Industry and Innovation44:02 Evaluating Productivity Measures44:36 The Complexity of Data Presentation45:12 The Importance of Honest Data46:30 Navigating Economic Uncertainty48:31 Understanding Modern Monetary Theory55:18 The Impact of the Energy Crisis01:00:58 Brexit and Global Trade01:11:59 The Future of UK Politics01:28:39 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 355 - Sky and NBC ring announcer known as Big Mo is in the quiz seat for the B.O.B quiz showdown - personal trainers, corporate gifting, universal basic income and the significance of Super Bowl ads all make the draw for Kody's views - are they Business or Bullshit?Chapters:00:00 Business or Bullshit with Kody Mommaerts00:43 Personal Trainers: Business or BS?02:20 Corporate Gifting: Sincere or Fake?03:44 Business Accelerators and Incubators04:17 Right Wing Politics and Universal Basic Income05:04 Lunch Provided for Employees: Bullshit or Benefit?05:41 Search Engine Optimisation and Family Business06:34 Crypto and Digital Nomads07:20 Drinking at Lunch and Workplace Humour12:29 Lobbying and ChatGBT14:46 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 354 - This week we catch up with broadcaster, entertainer and tech entrepreneur Kody ‘Big Mo’ Mommaerts.  Kody combines being “Big Mo” the ring announcer for Boxxer on Sky and NBC with being the COO of SaaS scale up Sports Thread.We chat about why the most important skills for any role are really hard to put in the job description, why being distinctive, putting time and effort into standing out is as important in business as it is in entertainment and why the rapid rate of change in both combat sports and tech means that the areas have more in common than you would think.We also discover that no-one in the podcast studio knows the name of Liverpool FCs home stadium. (hint producer Dee: it’s not Old Trafford).Chapters:00:00 BWB with Kody 'Big Mo' Mommaerts01:08 Meet Big Mo02:03 The Journey of Sports Thread Inc.02:58 The Role of a Ring Announcer04:18 The UK and USA Sports Connection10:05 The Art of Ring Announcing25:54 The Complexities of Boxing Promotions31:51 Fighters and Promotional Companies32:24 Marketing and Promotion in Boxing33:11 The Business of Boxing35:42 Personal Journey and Public Speaking38:14 The Art of Communication46:31 Cultural Differences in Business Communication49:13 Innovating Boxing Entertainment52:05 Quickfire Round - Get To Know Kody01:00:02 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark

EP 353 - Financial literacy expert Andrew Craig jumps in the seat to take on Andy's quiz card debate.They also delve into Universal Basic Income, the future of digital nomads, the relevance of ESG investing, the role of lawyers in business, and the potential of decentralised autonomous organisations.Chapters:00:00 Business or Bullshit with Andrew Craig00:30 Personal Trainers and ChatGPT01:17 Corporate Social Responsibility03:27 Venture Capital and Incubators05:14 Universal Basic Income08:35 Insurance and Alternative Investment Market10:47 Digital Nomads and ESG Investing13:38 EBITDA and Lawyers15:09 Decentralised Autonomous Organisations16:57 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.meWatch us on YouTubeFollow us:InstagramTikTokLinkedinTwitterIf you'd like to be on the show, get in contact - mail@businesswithoutbullshit.meBWB is powered by Oury Clark