EP 369 - You should hire people who are different from, and smarter than, you to help shape and build your culture. That’s how you grow successfully and meaningfully.That’s the great advice from Janet Coyle (Janet Coyle CBE no less) the MD of Grow London.   Janet has spent a career as a diplomat AND working in and around Silicon Valley firms and culture, so she knows a thing or seventeen about growth and how to create it.Janet is very glass-half-full about the prospects for London as a business and innovation hub (the city is a huge draw for talent and culture). But she is also passionate about how the Grow London / London & Partners socially inclusive non profit model, could be used to help grow the entire UK economy.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Janet Coyle CBE02:04 Meet Janet03:02 The Role and Impact of Grow London04:58 London's Global Position and Future Prospects10:18 Inclusion and Diversity in Tech23:25 Janet's Journey and Insights29:07 Empowering Underrepresented Entrepreneurs29:36 The Gender Investment Gap30:34 Building Female Investment Infrastructure32:47 Scaling Up UK Businesses35:13 Maintaining Company Culture During Growth38:23 London's Role in Global Business41:28 Challenges and Opportunities for London and Partners47:23 Quickfire - Get to Know Janet51:40 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.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 368 - This week we meet Jonathan Lundy, CEO of the Fluencers group, a man of seriously impressive willpower as well as business acumen. To lose weight and take control of his own health, he once ate only 1500 calories and went to the gym with a personal trainer for every day, for 365 days straight.He talks us through how this process gave him a disdain for all the bullshit that floats around the fitness and wellness industries and the will power to create a different approach. An approach that has had amazing success and became the basis of a business that now operates across fitness, health, beauty and even pets.Luckily for us he’s a dog person, and someone who still likes to find time for the odd pint of “proper” beer.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Jonathan Lundy00:57 Jonathan's Weight Loss Journey01:38 Building a Fitness Business02:48 Challenges in the Fitness Industry06:40 The Role of Personal Trainers17:44 Expanding the Empire!30:32 Career Risks and Integrity in Medicine30:58 Doctors and Brand Collaborations31:59 Challenges Faced by Medical Professionals33:31 The Role of Medical Influencers35:34 Efficient Business Practices38:49 Entrepreneurial Journey and Future Goals49:55 Quickfire - Get To Know Jonathan54:14 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.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 367 - This week serial entrepreneur Tim Kirby explains why a focus on results is entirely the wrong thing to do - it sets up a feedback validation mentality apparently. Instead you should focus on behaviours to unlock the key to success and create something he calls a feed forward, intention sharing loop.Tim also explains why a “feel, felt, found” approach is the way to connect with customers. And as the CEO of Releaf, A MedTech company based around medicinal cannabis products he has some wild stats about medicinal cannabis.  Did you know that humans have an actual endocannabinoid system? No, nor did we!Tim also has some bad news for any Wanna-preneurs. If you want to succeed you’ve got to learn to love the grind.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Tim Kirby01:05 Meet Tim - CEO of Releaf02:02 The State of Medical Cannabis in the UK02:27 Releaf's Mission and Market Strategy03:19 Barriers to Market Entry and Growth07:38 The Importance of Patient Education12:35 The Role of Trust and Consistency25:27 Behavioural Focus in Business Success36:28 Agnostic Views and Personal Conditions36:42 Sports Psychology and Business Parallels37:36 Mindset of Sporting Greats39:20 Medical Cannabis Market Challenges40:12 The Prescription Process41:26 Regulatory Bodies and Market Growth42:44 Patient Experience and Education44:44 Cannabis Strains and Prescribing Practices45:39 Innovations in Medical Cannabis57:36 Cannabis in the Mainstream01:02:37 'Quickfire' - Get To Know Timbusinesswithoutbullshit.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 366 - Introducing our monthly roundup of the Business or Bullshit quiz. Andy goes head-to-head with guests Chris Hirst and Simon Alexander Ong, breaking down business buzzwords to decide—are they the real deal or just nonsense?They tackle everything from government policies and influencer culture to social media hype, unicorn companies, mandatory lunch breaks, and even self-actualisation.It’s a lively chat packed with plenty to chew on.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 Business or Bullshit Monthly Roundup00:45 Discussing the Labour Government03:12 Paying for Top Talent05:44 The Role of Influencers06:34 Social Media Platforms08:57 Unicorns and Children's Fascinations10:14 Mandatory Lunch Breaks11:06 Self-Actualisation12:34 Political Ideologies: Left and Right Wing12:56 Corporate Away Days and Instagram13:41 Debating MBAs and Brexit14:32 Regulators and Their Effectivenessbusinesswithoutbullshit.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 365 - We get quite Zen this week, talking to Energy Management specialist Simon Alexander Ong, not about heat pumps, solar panels or the national grid, but about how optimising your own energy levels are the key to personal and professional success.Simon talks to us about how energy management not time management is the key to personal productivity. Why laying out and sticking to a system for living is far more important than setting out individual goals, and the benefits of problem solving like pre-schoolers.Star Wars also makes a brief appearance in the chat.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Simon Alexander Ong00:57 Meet Simon - The Energy Management Expert03:41 Simon's Journey from Finance to Coaching06:46 Understanding Energy and Its Dimensions24:22 The Role of Leadership and Team Dynamics37:01 The Importance of Self-Improvement38:23 The Role of Social Media44:03 Balancing Work and Family Life49:11 The Power of Communication56:52 Creative Thinking and Innovation58:26 Quickfire - Get To Know Simon01:08:25 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.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 363 - Turns out that leadership is always the problem, luckily it’s also the solution. We sit down with business turnaround specialist, author and reluctant influencer Chris Hirst to find out why and how to fix it (turns out that leadership is always the solution as well).Leadership transforms business for good and bad, Chris talks us through why the smallest unit of any business is a team, and that all teams have leaders. We also discuss ‘culture’ and why most leaders think about it the wrong way, and how if you get it right it is a business superpower. If you want to get an equation for understanding leadership impact (yes an actual equation), learn how to mitigate against 20% of your team providing 80% of your businesses value or just get your head round the fact that failure is a prerequisite for success this is the episode for you.He’ll also explain how to write a book by accident.You can buy Chris's books on Amazon*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Chris Hirst01:36 The Role of an Influencer02:13 Understanding Leadership09:50 The Importance of Culture12:54 Team Dynamics and Flexible Working18:23 Leadership in Complex Organisations34:23 The British Perspective on Leadership41:09 The Power of Writing for Clarity41:35 The Journey of Leadership43:48 Understanding Work Fulfilment45:21 Challenges in Workplace Dynamics49:38 The Importance of Fair Compensation01:00:44 Turning Around a Failing Business01:04:45 Quick Fire - Get To Know Chris01:13:08 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.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 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.*For Apple Podcast chapters, access them from the menu in the bottom right corner of your player*Spotify Video Chapters:00:00 BWB with Richard Oury01:56 Personal Stories and Family History03:01 Quickfire - Get To Know Richard03:58 Early Career and First Jobs05:30 School Experiences and Career Choices17:22 Music Preferences and Gadgets22:11 Office Dogs and Workplace Dynamics26:16 Family History and Huguenot Heritage30:32 Food, Smoking, and Health36:33 Coal Dust and Diesel Fumes: A Dirty Past37:53 Family Business Ventures and Escaping Financial Ties38:30 Complex Relationships and Business Growth39:10 Religious Upbringing and Family History41:49 Economic Struggles and Resilience48:13 Corporate Takeovers and Corruption53:05 Regulatory Challenges and Business Integrity01:09:20 Trust and Personal Values in Business01:16:34 Toxic Workplace Dynamics01:16:56 The Importance of Banking Relationships01:17:34 Overdrafts and Debt Collection01:18:06 Cultural Attitudes Towards Money01:21:25 Workplace Efficiency and Motivation01:25:59 Generational Perspectives on Business01:28:14 Future Goals and Business Expansion01:30:01 Challenges and Advice for Entrepreneurs01:32:38 Environmental Concerns and Solutions01:36:15 Reflections on Business Mistakes01:45:11 Family Business and Legacy01:57:28 Wrap Upbusinesswithoutbullshit.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.Spotify Video Chapters (only):01:06 - Understanding Disability and Its Impact01:41 - Victoria's Personal Journey with Disability03:39 - The Birth of Unhidden: Fashion for the Disabled06:02 - Challenges in the Fashion Industry for Disabled People08:07 - The Struggle for Recognition and Equality10:53 - Unhidden's Challenges in Advertising12:09 - The Need for Representation in Government and Society14:06 - The Future of Disability and Adaptive Fashion23:07 - Misconceptions Surrounding Paralympians23:19 - The Power of Overcoming Adversity24:02 - The Need for Better Government Support25:04 - The Misrepresentation of Disability in Media28:22 - The Challenges of Being a Disabled Founder28:27 - The Importance of Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion29:04 - The Power of Community for Disabled Entrepreneurs29:45 - The Struggles of Raising Funds as a Disabled Founder30:13 - The Experience of Pitching on Dragon's Den38:42 - The Snobbery in the Fashion Industry43:03 - The Future of Unhidden Clothingbusinesswithoutbullshit.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.Spotify Video Chapters (only):00:00 BWB with Mehreen Baig - Re-Visited01:40 The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Education11:35 The Role of Parenting and Systemic Issues21:03 Special Educational Needs and Career Advice27:09 The Emotional Toll on Teachers32:32 Future Goals and Reflections39:57 Life Advice from Leslie Joseph40:20 Transition to Media41:00 Accidental Career Shift44:45 Quickfire - Get To Know Mehreen48:18 Mehreen's Book and Podcast Recommendations50:31 Business or Bullshit Quiz!58:21 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