Lancefield on the Line

What can we learn from Chinese entrepreneurs?China is home to some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs and companies. Yet, much of the management thinking and practices we use comes from Western companies.This episode fills this gap by delving into what it takes for companies to thrive in this dynamic, unpredictable, and hyper-competitive market. Aldo and Sandrine share their collective experience of 60 years of working and living in China, outlining tactics strategic leaders can master, whether operating in China or elsewhere. They discuss the importance of adaptability, customer focus, data, and having a hunger to succeed. They also reveal the mistakes companies make that lead to failure, especially Western companies looking to enter the Chinese market.“In the West a thinker is highly revered. In China an observer is highly revered.” – Aldo SpaanjaarsYou'll hear about:·      Why was the book called Dragon Tactics?·      Company success stories in the Chinese market·      Sources of systemic failure in Chinese markets·      The biggest business myths·      The emperor decides but agility rules·      Transformational vs incremental innovation·      Is there results-driven ruthlessness in China?·      Who should we learn from in China?·      The biggest disagreement when writing Dragon Tactics·      How to go from OK to great in China·      The biggest gift of working in ChinaAbout Sandrine Zerbib & Aldo Spaanjaars:Sandrine is the President of Baozun Brand Management and the President of Baozun Europe. Previously she was President of Adidas Greater China and the CEO of Chinese Group Dongxiang and created her own e-commerce operation industry, which was acquired by Baozun.Aldo manages his own China advisory firm, Dragon Strategies. Until end 2022 Aldo was Executive Vice President, Outdoor at Anta Sports, China’s #1 domestic sportswear company.Over his 25-year career in China, Aldo also held senior leadership roles at Fosun Fashion Group, Lacoste, Adidas Greater China, and J.Walter Thompson.Their resources:Sandrine’s LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/sandrine-zerbibAldo’s LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/aldospaanjaarsRead their book ‘Dragon tactics’: https://www.dragontactics.com/My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How do you connect in a virtual world? The virtual world was thrust upon us all with the pandemic and it has since become a way of working life. That doesn’t mean everyone makes their virtual work engaging, inspiring and thought provoking. Robbie Samuels is the perfect guest to talk to about creating virtual events people will remember. He talks about the challenges we all face working in virtual environments, from the sessions themselves to how we can have those sensitive conversations with team members. He busts myths around the virtual working experience and what you can do to ensure your team sees the value in them. He gives the fundamental things we need to remember to make the audience experience an enjoyable one from the technical setup to the body language we use. “I need people to recognise that sometimes virtual is the optimal option.” – Robbie Samuels You'll hear about: ·      The challenges of working virtually                ·      Busting myths about working virtually·      What are the main skills needed in virtual working? ·      The best moments of Robbie's virtual experiences·      How to read body language in a virtual session·      How to keep informal interactions going·      Having sensitive conversations virtually·      What does Robbie's best day look like? About Robbie Samuels:  Robbie is an event design consultant and executive Zoom producer, with a passion for creating engaging and unforgettable experiences. He is the best-selling author of three books, the latest being "Break Out of Boredom: Low-Tech Solutions for Highly Engaging Zoom Events". Robbie is also a professional speaker, HBR contributor, and the host of the Schoomze podcast (since 2016). Resources:Robbie Samuels profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiesamuels/Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Break-Out-Boredom-Low-Tech-Solutions-ebook/dp/B0BXCHJZZZ Resources (newsletter, free masterclasses): https://robbiesamuels.com/start-here/My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How does nutrition impact strategic leaders?This episode is all about feeding your brain and body with the right stuff. In other words, how can you enjoy a good nutritious diet, and why it matters for our performance and wellbeing at work, and indeed in life. Dana Chapman, a leading nutritional therapist joins me to share her advice on how to do this.Dana explains food’s role as a source of nutrients rather than a source of fuel and how understanding this has profound impacts on both our physical and mental health. She gives practical advice on how to make changes to your diet to improve your gut health as well as how to have good eating habits and the triggers that can lead to poor nutritional choices.“A lot of it is people seeing food as fuel, rather than people seeing food as a source of nutrients and a source of raw materials that help our bodies to perform the best” – Dana ChapmanYou'll hear about:●      What is poor gut health?●      What does good nutrition look like?●      What are good eating habits?●      What steps can you take to improve nutrition?●      Triggers that cause poor nutrition●      Does nutrition affect mental health●      Dana's views on supplements●      What is Dana's Gut Safe Model?●      Dana's biggest nutritional changes●      What helps Dana do her best work? About Dana Chapman:  Dana is a health and wellness expert, a nutritional therapist, and founder of DC Nutrition. She works with organisations and individuals who want to take control of their mental health. Empowering people with knowledge about how their bodies work, and how this knowledge can help you feel better, think better and perform better. Her training is in Nutrition Science, which incorporates elements of how genetics, stressors, environment, food, movement and sleep all impact how we feel, think, and perform. Her resources:Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-chapman-85b73316/Resources, newsletter: www.dc-nutrition.co.ukGut safe model: https://www.dc-nutrition.co.uk/downloads My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How do you develop a reinvention mindset?Who better to talk with than Aidan McCullum, who's used this mindset as he's moved from being a professional rugby player, to commentator, to innovation leader, to transformational consultant, keynote speaker, and host of the successful Innovation Show. He talks about what it takes to reinvent yourself, how to think about your mindset (your ‘software’) and how to look after yourself as you experience discomfort and anxiety. Aidan emphasises the importance of a ‘fuzzy’ vision to help guide you as you make important decisions. “You can't change business models until change mental models. You don't change what people do until they change how they think.” – Aidan McCullenYou'll hear about: ·     What is mindset?·      How to manage yourself to make wise decisions·      Improve yourself to reinvent yourself           ·      Managing anxiety as you go through reinvention·      The importance of a vision·      Aidan's process of learning story telling        ·      What has most inspired Aidan from his podcast?     ·      Misconceptions about discipline and innovation·      What does Aidan struggle with?·      What impact does Aidan want to have on the world?About Aidan McCullen:  Aidan is a transformational consultant, leading workshops and giving keynote speeches. He is the host of the Innovation Show podcast and the author of the book ‘Undisruptable: a mindset reinvention for individuals, organisations, and life’. He is an Adjunct Professor at Trinity College, Dublin and a non-executive director of various organisations. Previously, he held innovation leadership roles at RTE and Communicorp and was a professional rugby player. His resources:Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidanmccullen/ The Innovation Show: https://theinnovationshow.io/about/ The Thursday Thought Blog: https://theinnovationshow.io/blog/ Undisruptable Book: https://theinnovationshow.io/undisruptable-book/My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How do you stimulate innovation?In this episode, Alex Osterwalder, CEO and Founder of Strategyzer, talks about what it takes to stimulate and pursue innovation in a difficult and dynamic context. He talks about why CEOs need to invest at least 40% of their time on innovation activities, how they should use new measures (AKIs that complement OKRs), and how to develop inclusive, high performing teams. Alex also talks about the implications for AI in innovation - how it can help develop prototypes and how it will encourage innovation professionals to up their game. “If you’re not producing innovation results you’re doing innovation theatre.” – Alex OsterwalderYou'll hear about:How organisations practise innovationWhy OKRs don't workSeparating exploration and exploitationCreating an innovation mindsetShould CEOs have split roles? The impact of ecosystems on innovationHow AI is being used in innovationDeveloping high performance inclusive teamsWhat are Alex's strengths?What is Alex's leadership style?The biggest sacrifices Alex has madeAbout Alex:  Alex is the CEO and Founder of Strategyzer, the company that provides corporate innovation strategy advice, tools, and training. He’s the co-author of five books, including the Invincible Company and the Business Model Canvas. He is also a Visiting Professor at the IMD Business School. Ranked No. 4 of the top 50 management thinkers worldwide, Alex also holds the Thinkers50 Strategy Award.His resources:●      Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/osterwalder/●      Strategzer: https://www.strategyzer.com/●      Books: https://www.strategyzer.com/booksMy resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How do you lead creative people in a high profile organisation like the BBC?Tom Fussell is the CEO of BBC Studios, the BBC’s production and distribution business. Most recently, his team was responsible for the coverage of the King’s Coronation and the Queen’s Funeral. It doesn’t get much bigger or more under the spotlight than that. In this episode, Tom discusses how he’s creating the conditions for people to feel empowered to do their best work, often in high pressure situations like these. He covers how he’s scaling the business whilst maintaining coherence, including how he makes partnerships work successfully. He reflects on his leadership approach, the tough calls he's made, and how he looks after himself. “The standard is perfection, and that’s the only standard the world will accept.” – Tom Fussell You'll hear about: ·      What is Tom Fussell's leadership style?·      Positioning BBC Studios in the BBC·      How to lead creative people·      Maintaining coherence whilst scaling the BBC·      Making partnerships work·      How to evolve an inclusive and diverse culture·      Challenges of being CEO of BBC Studios·      The importance of giving people space·      How Tom keeps fresh as a leaderAbout Tom Fussell:  Tom Fussell is the CEO of BBC Studios, the BBC’s production and distribution business. He is on the BBC Executive Board, reporting into Director General, Tim Davie. Tom became CEO in October 2021 after holding the interim position for 13 months. Prior to this Tom was CFO at BBC Studios, starting the role in 2017, having held the same position at BBC Worldwide since May 2016.He has previously held leadership roles in Shine, Harper Collins UK,  Random House, and the BBC.His resources: Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfussell/ BBC Studios: https://www.bbcstudios.com/ My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

Do you let the little things get to you as a leader?Everyone has those moments of irritability that you regret afterwards. You were stressed. It happens, doesn’t it? But it doesn’t have to if you know how to manage your microstresses and what causes them. As a leader you can be more resilient and create a stronger, richer identity if you know how to deal with microstress.Karen and Rob reveal not only how to identify your microstresses but also what impact they are having on your co-workers, family, and friends. They delve into strategies you can take to keep a sense of perspective and enjoy the moment more. We also get insights into what they do to manage their own microstress. Get ready for lots of actionable tips to get a grip on your microstress.“A telltale sign of microstress is that you may be triggering unintentionally, and it almost always come back on you.”  You'll hear about:The difference between micro and macrostressersHow do you recognise a microstress?How to use knowledge of microstress to improve performanceWhat are the most harmful microstresses?Research findingsWhy a rich multi-dimensional life inoculates life's stressesActions they have taken to reduce microstressWhat impact do they want on the world?Tips for leaders to reduce micro stresses About Karen:Karen is the co-author of 3 books with Clayton Christensen: "The Prosperity Paradox: How Innovation Can Lift Nations Out of Poverty"; Wall Street Journal best-seller "Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice"; and New York Times best-seller "How Will You Measure Your Life?She is currently the Editorial Director of BanyanGlobal Family Business Advisors.About Rob:Rob is the Edward A. Madden Professor of Global Leadership at Babson College, Founder and Chief Research Scientist at Connected Commons (a consortium of over 150 leading organizations accelerating network research and practice), and author of Beyond Collaboration Overload as well as over 50 articles, many of which have won awards, in top scholarly outlets.Karen & Rob’s resources:• Rob Cross profile and resources: https://www.robcross.org/• Karen Dillon profile and resources: https://www.karendillon.net/• Book: https://www.robcross.org/resources/books/• HBR article: https://hbr.org/2023/02/the-hidden-toll-of-microstress My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

Why should companies encourage their employees to build their personal brand?  A question that many companies shudder at the thought of. Individuals sharing their own ideas and opinions can’t be good for the company, right? Wrong. Personal branding can be used by companies to share values and ideas through the individuals that work for them with far wider reach. In this conversation Amelia Sordell, personal branding expert, gives expert advice on everything personal branding. From how to develop your personal brand as a leader to how to overcome the fear of expressing yourself online. She also debunks personal branding myths as well as the importance of encouraging your team to share their personal brand for the benefit of the company. “Personal branding is really powerful because it gets you into rooms where strangers are talking about you.” – Amelia Sordell You'll hear about: ·      What people get wrong about personal branding·      Why companies stop people developing personal brands·      How to start expressing yourself as a personal brand·      Amelia's steps to personal branding·      The frontiers of personal branding·      How to develop more confidence in yourself·      Management myths debunked·      Is Amelia a visionary or emergent strategist?·      Living life for the plot not the ending·      The impact Amelia wants to have on the world·      What fuels Amelia's best days? About Amelia Sordell: Amelia is the Founder and CEO of Klowt, the UK’s leading personal branding agency. Named as one of Management Today’s Women under 35, Amelia is an entrepreneur, marketeer, thought leader, and influencer with a substantial social media following. Amelia has 2 children, a community online of over 150,000 people and has built a multi-million personal branding agency, Klowt all off the back of her personal brand. Her resources:·      LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameliasordell/ ·      Klowt: https://klowt.com/  My resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

Do you get enough sleep? The answer to that question has far reaching implications for your health, performance and wellbeing. As leaders there are many benefits to ensuring sleep is prioritised over work, from being able to make better decisions, improving your mental and physical health, to getting the best out of your teams. But how do you ensure you get enough? In this episode, Dr. Els van der Helm, a Sleep Neuroscientist and one of the top 5 sleep experts in the world, discusses the cost of chronic sleep debt. She explores how to improve sleep, performance, and wellbeing by making sleep integral to our lives, not a residual when we’ve finished off everything on our to-do list.“There's this direct thing that can help us feel happier: sleep.” – Dr. Els van der HelmYou'll hear about:The detrimental impacts of prolonged bad sleepWhat causes people to change sleep habits?The neuroscience of behaviour changeThe frontiers of sleep neuroscienceThe link between sleep and cancerWhy light is important to our biological clocksHow Dr Els prioritises sleepThe importance of easy access to sleepAbout Dr. Els van der Helm: Dr. Els van der Helm is a neuroscientist, adjunct professor at IE Business School, has been named one of the top 5 sleep experts in the world and now advises corporations around sleep, performance, and wellbeing. She supports CEOs and decision makers worldwide to help them get the best out of themselves, their team members, and their organisation. She hosts keynotes, workshops, webinars, Sleep & Wellbeing Months, in combination with science-based assessments. Separately she also supports players in the sleep and wellbeing space as a boardroom advisor, educating their workforce on sleep and assisting in the creation of science-based sleep content for product and marketing purposes.Resources:• Profile: https://www.elsvanderhelm.com/what-we-do-bedford • LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsvanderhelm/• Sleep tips: https://www.elsvanderhelm.com/subscribeMy resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).

How do you create the best places to work? This is a question many leaders are asking themselves as they figure out new hybrid environments. To do this, they need to understand the features and characteristics of high performing workplaces and the enabling organisational culture.In this podcast, Julia Hobsbawm, author of The Nowhere Office and Bloomsburg columnist, gives her insights into the workplace revolution. She shares her thoughts on where work is heading and how leaders need to listen, ask and iterate to create the conditions for high performance.“There is no hard and fast fixed rule or model anymore. This is what's scaring the pants off people.” – Julia Hobsbawm You'll hear about:What the nowhere office is.Obstacles that stop thoughts becoming actions What’s going on in the hybrid world.What’s happening to the demand of office space.Are there winners and losers in the corporate real estate marketplace?The change that is in the air.Why it’s people that matter, not work.How to bring learners and leavers together.About Julia:Julia Hobsbawm is a futurist of work. An award-winning writer, speaker, commentator and consultant, she writes the ‘Working Assumptions’ column for Bloomberg’s Work Shift. And created and co-presents the popular podcast The Nowhere Office. The author of the acclaimed book The Nowhere Office: Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future, She was a founder of the US-led Workforce Institute, and was Chair of the inaugural UK Demos Workshift Commission.Resources:●      Profile: http://www.juliahobsbawm.com/about.html ●      Nowhere Office book: https://thenowhereoffice.com/book.html●      Nowhere Office podcast: https://thenowhereoffice.com/podcast.htmlMy resources:Sign up to one of my courses (https://bit.ly/3QHvlYm).Sign up to my Strategic Leader newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively.Subscribe to my YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k) where you can watch the conversation.If you’re looking to work with me, check out my:Services (https://bit.ly/3QFOn1A) to C-Suite execs, entrepreneurs and professionals.Profile (https://bit.ly/3JUzrZk).Writing (https://bit.ly/3JTYnAi).Posts on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP).