Speaking Business Podcast

Today Maria's guest is Chris Roebuck. Chris has vast experience as a leader. He was Global Head of Leadership at UBS during the implementation of one of the most successful corporate transformations. This period now forms a Harvard Business School case study on transforming organisational performance. Chris has also worked in government and public sector on major change and leadership projects, from UK National Health Service and local government to London Underground PFI partnership. Chris is currently visiting professor of transformational leadership at Cass Business School in London. In addition, he has served as a military officer and now works as an executive coach and mentor across a range of different sectors, helping senior executives to be more successful. Recorded on: 5th July 2018 In this week's show, Chris Roebuck shares how you can start your career managing catering services, including the bars for about 8000 undergraduates to being in the Army, to then becoming Global Head of Leadership at UBS.

This week, Maria's guest is Tony Fish. Tony is an author investor, serial entrepreneur, and maverick. He's a visiting fellow at Henley Business School for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and an EC expert for big data. He is entrepreneur in residence at Bradford School of Management and Law, lecturer in innovation and entrepreneurship at the London Business School, and lecturer in AI and future of disruptive technology at the London School of Economics. Recorded on: 28th June 2018 In this week's show, Tony Fish shares how he defeated the University system and got a place with no prior qualifications, why he is a maverick and how he has never been employed.  Tony explains how to differentiate a high growth business from a non-high growth business and how diversity of thinking is the key to an exceptional team. All this and more… Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Significant quotes: "Diversity in the ability to think differently is how you bring to

This week, Maria's guest is Graham Allcott. Graham is the author of the global bestseller How to Be A Productivity Ninja. He is the founder of Think Productive, a leading provider of personal productivity training and consultancy. His podcast, Beyond Busy, explores the issues of productivity, work life balance, and how people define happiness in their lives. Previous roles include chief executive of Student Volunteering England, head of volunteering at the University of Birmingham and advisor to the UK Government on youth volunteering policy. Recorded on: 21st June 2018 In this week's show Graham Allcott shares how we too can become Productivity Ninjas with a zero inbox whilst working only a four-day week.  Graham also explains how he got into volunteering and all the wonderful charities he has worked with over the years as well as explaining what our second brain is and why we shouldn't manage our time. All this and more… Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria

This week, Maria's guest is Dr. Beau Lotto. Beau is a world-renowned neuroscientist, bestselling author, and entrepreneur. Beau is also the founder and CEO of Lab of Misfits, the world's first neuro-design studio. His studies in human perception have taken him well beyond the scientific domain and into the fields of education, the arts, and business. He has been a two-time main stage TED speaker and spoken at the G8, Google's ZeitgeistMinds, Wired, and made contributions to BBC's Horizon, National Geographic Channel and PBS. Beau's aim is to use the principles of perception to enable people to think differently about both themselves and the world around them. Recorded on: 14th June 2018 In this week's show Beau Lotto explains why what we see isn't really what we see and tells us in with what the Lab of Misfits work is all about including sharing some of the experiments they've created with Cirque du Soleil and L'Oreal.  Ever wondered what Augmented Reality is? Beau gives us an insight into some of the AR apps

This week Maria's guest on the show is David Price. David is an expert in organisational learning for a complex future. He is a senior associate at The Innovation Unit and co-founder of We Do Things Differently, a cultural change practise. His book, Open: How We'll Work, Live, and Learn in the Future, has been an Amazon bestseller since its publication. In 2009, he was awarded the OBE by Her Majesty the Queen. He writes, talks, trains, and advises leaders around the world on some of the biggest challenges facing business, education, and society, solving the problems of employees, student, and civic disengagement, maximising our potential to be creative, innovative, and fulfilled citizens, and understanding the global shift towards open organisations and systems of learning. Recorded on: 7th June 2018 In this week's show David Price talks about his fascination with how people learn informally, shares his thoughts on the education system, talks about engagement & learning and what we expect from his new boo

This week Maria's guest on the show is Dr. Pritpal S. Tamber. Pritpal is the CEO and co-founder of Bridging Health & Community, a Seattle based non-profit dedicated to transforming how healthcare works with communities. At the heart of its work is the insight that our current approach to health, deploying technical solutions to biomedical problems, is failing in a world of circumstance related chronic conditions. Bridging Health & Community has gleaned 12 overarching principles for how healthcare can work with communities. These principles also have the potential to foster the agency of communities, their ability to make purposeful choices, something increasingly recognised as core to health. He is the former physician editor of TEDMED and began his career as an editor at the British Medical Journal. Recorded on: 31st May 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show Pritpal tells us how he became an editor at the British Medical Journal, what he learnt from working at Biomed, explains a bit about TED and TEDM

This week Maria's guest on the show is Jim Harris. Jim is one of North America's foremost thinkers on disruptive innovation. Jim is the bestselling author of The Learning Paradox, The 100 Best Companies to Work for in Canada, and Blindsided. Blindsided is published in 80 countries worldwide and is a number one international bestseller. The Miami Herald calls Blindsided "brilliant stuff". Jim is a catalyst for conversation and change. He excels at leading people to new ways of thinking, making productive, profitable change possible. Recorded on: 24th May 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show Jim Harris talks to us about climate change, being a global social influencer, disruptive innovation and how driverless cars will disrupted us more than we realise. Jim also tells us how his great aunt influenced his passion for the environment and how by reading just one sentence from a book led him to being elected leader of the Green Party of Canada. Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Con

This week Maria's guest on the show is Bruno Marion. Bruno nicknamed The Futurist Monk, is an expert in global trends and innovation. For the last 30 years, Bruno has been traveling around the world, meeting CEOs, monks, all kinds of gurus, people in jail, super rich people, super poor people, artists, scientists, high-level politicians, members of the special forces, activists, and successful entrepreneurs. In that time he's read thousands of books on the latest innovations in science, technology, philosophy, and spirituality. He has been experimenting with cutting edge technologies, investigating new types of governances, smart cities, and disruptive ways of living. Bruno himself is the author of several best-selling books on Asian cultures, and the aptly titled book, Chaos, A User's Guide. All about taking advantage of chaos and uncertainty Recorded on: 17th May 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show Bruno tells us who he thinks are the most inspiring people and his heroes. We find out how he got his nick na

This week Maria's guest on the show is Josephine Fairley. Having been the UK's youngest ever magazine editor in her twenties, Jo Fairley co-founded Green and Black's in 1991 with her husband Craig Sams, now a one hundred million pound a year brand under the umbrella of Mondalez. Passionate since her teenage years about clean, green living she continues to work as an ambassador for Green and Blacks while also acting as a consultant to brands that are seeking increasingly to become more ethical, sustainable and to embody stronger values. A serial entrepreneur, she has translated her lifelong interest in the senses into a series of successful ventures, Judges Bakery and the Wellington Centre in her hometown of Hastings, and the Perfume Society, the world's first networking organisation for those interested in the sense of smell. Author of twenty-five books, she has contributed to a wide range of publications including The Times, YOU Magazine, Mail on Sunday, Red, Psychologies, and more. Recorded on: 18th May 201

This week Maria's guest on the show is Mark Stevenson. Mark is a futurist, broadcaster, and expert on global trends and innovation. He's a highly respected thinker on the interplay of technology and society, helping a diverse mix of clients to become future-literate and adapt their cultures and strategy to squarely face the questions the future is asking them. He's the author of two best-selling books, An Optimist's Tour of the Future, and the award-winning, We Do Things Differently: The Outsiders Rebooting Our World. Mark's many advisory roles include Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Earth Challenge and Atlas of the Future. Mark is also resident futurist at the National Theatre of Scotland. TED curator, Chris Anderson said, "Stevenson wears no blindfold. His tools are curiosity, open-mindedness, clarity, and reason." Recorded on: 27th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show, Mark Stevenson talks to us about how he came to be a futurist via stand-up, about technology change over the next 20 years and why cultu

This week Maria's guest on the show is Amy Brann. Amy is a visiting lecturer to Manchester Metropolitan University, teaching the neuroscience of leadership on the Master of Sports Directorship Programme. She is the founder of Synaptic Potential, working with organizations to strengthen their strategy, culture, and performance. Amy is also the author of three books, Make Your Brain Work, Neuroscience for Coaches, and Engaged: The Neuroscience Behind Creating Productive People in Successful Organizations. Recorded on: 26th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show, Amy Brann talks to us about the brain. She tells us why she thinks children should be taught about how the brain works and how it would benefit in the workplace. How we can shape our brain, why we should not to rely on willpower and why sleep is so important for our memory. Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Significant quotes: "Learning new things these days is so easy.  We have it so

This week Maria's guest on the show is Philip Hesketh who is an expert in the psychology of persuasion and influence. He combines a powerful mix of well researched persuasive techniques in buying, selling, persuading and influencing. He is best known for his 'can-use-today' techniques to be more influential. Philip is a psychology graduate from Newcastle University and a sales graduate from Proctor and Gamble. In 1986 he was creator, new business director, and managing partner of an advertising agency, Advertising Principles. He sold his interest in the business after 16 consecutive years of growth, with the agency billing 48 million pounds, and employing a 150 people. Recorded on: 19th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show Philip Hesketh talks to us about how the sale of soap and shampoo inspired him to move into advertising, how he became a full time professional speaker and how he changed the weather in February. Philip explains the difference between negotiation and discounting and shares some of his

This week Maria's guest on the show is Tony Hawks, who is a British author and comedian and best known for his appearances on shows like "QI", "Just a Minute", and "I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue". His bestselling books include "Round Ireland with a Fridge" which has sold nearly a million copies worldwide. He is not to be mixed up with Tony Hawk, the American skateboarder, who is not as funny as Tony. Recorded on: 5th April 2018   Show Notes: In this week's show Tony Hawks tells us about his big hit with his band Morris Minor and the Majors and how through his music, his career in comedy began. He talks about the reason why he hitch-hiked round Ireland with a fridge and how that motivated him to write a bestselling book about it. Also, how he was able to open a care centre for kids with cerebral palsy in Moldova due to a silly bet and how he incorporates some of the lessons from his adventures into his corporate talks. Links: Morris Minor and The Majors – Stutter Rap video Tony Hawks Centre Maldova More about Ma

This week Maria's guest on the show is Mark Pollock, an explorer, innovator, and collaborator. Even though he went blind in 1998, Mark has competed in ultra-endurance races and was the first blind person to race to the South Pole. He also won silver and bronze medals for rowing at the Commonwealth Games. In 2010, Mark was left paralyzed after falling from a second story window.  He is now exploring the frontiers of spinal cord injury recovery and is walking daily using bionic robotic legs. Through the Mark Pollock Trust he's on a mission to find a cure for paralysis. Mark is the subject of the acclaimed documentary Unbreakable. He's a Davos, Wired, EG and TED speaker and is the co-founder of the global running series called Run in the Dark. Recorded on: 4th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show Mark talks about his incredible mission to find a cure for paralysis and why his drive for adventure took him to the South Pole and across the Gobi Desert. Mark shares his work with robotics is probably the most e

This is a special Bonus episode, a little extra treat especially for any speakers out there listening.  It is taken from a video chat I had with Neil Armstrong about Speaker Showreels - my go to expert on the subject. Neil Armstrong has been making films and TV programmes for over 33 years. He started his career as a Film Assistant at the BBC and worked his way up to become a highly respected and sought-after Series Producer and Director. Neil's credits include 'Alter Ego' with Jon Culshaw, 'Renford Rejects', 'The Miners "Location, Location, Location", "House Doctor" for C5), and the "Teletubbies". Neil has filmed all over the world writing, producing and directing for a great range of brands from Astra Zeneca, Barclays and UBS right through to L'Oreal, John Lewis, Microsoft and Tate&Lyle. He has also made Speaker Showreels for Roger Black, Sahar Hashemi, Sally Gunnell, Jamil Qureshi, Linda Yueh and Viv Creegor amongst others. He says and I quote "He is accomplished, experienced and unflappable, as well a

This week Maria's guest on the show is Tim Reid. Tim spent over 20 years working with some of the world's most creative organizations including global ad agencies and innovation consultancies. Before having his first sitcom, Car Share, starring superstar comedian, Peter Kay, commissioned by the BBC. As an innovation expert, Tim has helped many clients from beer brands to broadcasters, confectioners to condom makers, reimagine the future and reinvent their businesses. As a coach, Tim has enabled hundreds of teams across the world to reignite their own creative potential to have bigger, better ideas. From his unique position as both the successful innovation consultant and comedy writer, Tim has drawn together a practical guide to applying the trade secrets used by top creative professionals, comedians and writers. Recorded on: 4th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show Tim Reid talks about where the idea for the BAFTA award-winning TV sitcom Car Share came from. How his career path changed when he realised

This week Maria's guest on the show is Neil Mullarkey.  Neil studied economics, social and political science at Cambridge University, where he was also president of the famous dramatic club, The Footlights. In 1985, he co-founded the London Comedy Store Players with Canadian-American comedian Mike Myers. Neil's credits include "Whose Line Is It Anyway", "I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue", "Have I Got News for You", "QI", and two Austin Powers movies. Since 1999 he has been bringing theatre skills, in particular, improvisation, into the world of business. His work has taken him to 24 countries. Neil is currently a visiting lecturer at Cass Business School, City University. Neil's book, "Seven Steps to Improve Your People Skills," was published in October 2017. Recorded on: 15th March 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show, Neil Mullarkey tells us why after studying economics he went into comedy where he met Mike Myres who introduced him to improvisation. Neil talks about the lessons that a business can take from the w

This week Maria's guest on the show is Caspar Berry. After studying Economics at Cambridge, Caspar decided to put what he had learnt there into practice in a rather unique way. He moved to Las Vegas and became a professional poker player. He played poker for much of the next three years before finding himself as the poker adviser on the James Bond movie Casino Royale. Recorded on: 1st March 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show, Caspar talks about some of the lessons that you can apply from poker to business.  How embracing uncertainty can help decision making. He tells us about working with Ant and Dec, getting Robert Webb and David Mitchell together and breaking the rules with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. And much much more … Significant quotes: "The essence of poker is the essence of decision-making theory, investment theory and risk-reward analysis."  Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Next Week: Join us next week when Maria's guest will be

This week Maria's guest on the show is Rohit Talwar a global futurist and award-winning speaker, who works with corporations and governments to help them explore, understand, and respond to the forces shaping our world. He has a particular focus on how we can harness emerging science and technology to ensure that these advances are used to unleash individual potential, and enable a very human future. Recorded on 23rd February 2018 Show Notes: In this week's show, we will find out what a futurist actually is, why Rohit would like to have coffee with the oddly named drug dealer "the Penguin" and what could happen if machines took over the world. All this and more …. And yes Maria did say The Exterminator instead of The Terminator, don't write in! NB This was recorded before Stephen Hawking sadly passed away in March this year. Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Significant quotes: "A great futurist really helps people get insights into the emerging

This week Maria's guest on the show is Jack Milner. Jack works as a director, comedy writer, business facilitator, and speaker. He has over 20 years' experience helping organisations and individuals articulate and memorably communicate their ideas. Jack says that skills learnt from the world of stand-up comedy and improvisation need fresh, natural and compelling communication, and can help audiences understand complex stories. As director for the West End, film and radio, Jack knows how to take often dry, technical information and render it clear and memorable, no matter who the audience. Recorded on: 15th February 2018 Show Notes:  In this week's show, Jack talks to us about the similarities between working with executives and soap stars.  What you can learn from the comedy world that you can apply to speaking and how to deal with nerves. He tells us about his scary experience in Russia and why his wife bought him a book called 'Dull Men of Great Britain'! Significant quotes: "The skills used in improvisatio