Speaking Business Podcast

My guest today is a fashion industry and retail expert having designed for Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, M&S and Topshop. Her high flying, high pressure career, of global travel, enormous responsibility, crazy deadlines, mixing with high profile people, appeared glamorous and successful on the outside. However, underneath she was crumbling. She maxed out and she burnt out.  Today she's going to share her story of burnout and recovery and how she's now helping businesses and people to excel without burnout. Please welcome my guest, Marie Oakes.  Bio  Marie Oakes is a fashion industry and retail expert having designed for Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, and M&S. Her high flying, high pressure career, of global travel, enormous responsibility, crazy deadlines, mixing with high profile people, appeared glamorous and successful on the outside. However, underneath she was crumbling. She maxed out and burned out. She went on a journey of self-recovery and learnt how to rewire her brain, regain control of her lif

My guest this week is a British household name, he took over his family's jewellery business in 1984.  By 1990 he had grown it from 130 stores to 2500. But everything changed overnight in 1991 when, during a speech for the Institute of Directors, he described a Ratner's sherry decanter as 'total crap'. In December 2020, he published his latest book called Reinvent Yourself co-authored with Rob Moore.  It shows you how to embrace change, take the unpopular path and become a business chameleon. Voted as one of the top 10 best public speakers, Gerald Ratner will share his story and the rollercoaster ride that he experienced when he had nothing else to lose. Bio Gerald Ratner is best known as the former millionaire chief executive of the major British jewellery chain Ratners Jewellery, when he achieved notoriety after making a speech which caused the company's bankruptcy. Gerald Ratner based his philosophy of business on his experiences as a boy in Petticoat Lane Market. He observed that "the people who shouted t

Our sponsor, London Speaker Bureau, has been running a series of webinars over the past few months.  These episodes are focussed on sharing advice, support and insights to businesses on how to navigate these troubling and uncertain times. We are lucky enough to have one of those episodes to share with you. Dame Carolyn Fairbairn recently stepped down as the first female Director General of the CBI - the Confederation of British Industry. She was invited to share her point of view on the future role and opportunities women have in the business world today.  This insightful discussion also covers topics such as inclusion in the workplace, digital transformation and international trade.  The discussion is hosted by Producer, Presenter and Interviewer Roy Sheppard. Carolyn Fairbairn Bio As the first female Director-General of the CBI (2015 – 2020), Carolyn Fairbairn has incredible appreciation for the role of women in global business. With her outstanding academic achievements including a BA in Economics from Cam

After 10 years working as a nightclub promoter in New York City, my guest made a decision to change everything about his life. He left America to volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa, and returned two years later to start charity: water, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to solve the global water crisis. In the 14 years since, charity: water has raised nearly $500 million and brought clean & safe drinking water to 11 million people in 29 countries around the world. Please welcome my guest, Scott Harrison. Bio Scott Harrison spent almost 10 years as a nightclub promoter in New York City before leaving to volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa as a volunteer photojournalist. Returning home to New York City two years later, he founded the non-profit organisation charity: water in 2006. Turning his full attention to the global water crisis and the world's 785 million people without clean water to drink, he created public installations and inno

My guest this week has been recognised world-over for five decades as one of the world's most influential lifestyle experts, predicting and creating societal, business and consumer trends; initiating and promoting major events such as London Fashion Week and Green Consumer Week as well as advising major corporations including McDonalds, Tesco, HSBC and Next on women's engagement.   She is the creator of B.Hive, the world's first women's business club in partnership with Regus; was Chair of Viva women's radio and put on the UK's first women's festival, What Women Want and founded SEED, the women's leadership platform based on her global best-seller, The SEED Handbook, the feminine way to do business.  As well as having written several women's leadership books she also ran her successful US-based new marketing agency, Globalfusion, in Los Angeles and San Francisco. In 2018, she received an OBE for her contribution to business, fashion and women's empowerment. Please welcome my guest, social scientist Lynne Fran

My guest is the world's leading educator and motivator for uplifting customer service and Uplifting Service cultures. He helps leaders, teams, and organisations learn how to serve better, care more, and generate new value in the world.  He is author of the book, Uplifting Service, and fourteen other books on service, business and inspiration. For three years in a row, GlobalGurus has rated him the #1 Customer Service Guru in the World.  He is a man on a mission – to uplift the spirit and quality of service and care everywhere in the world – including with us here today, please welcome Ron Kaufman.  Bio Ron Kaufman is the world's leading educator and motivational speaker for uplifting customer service and uplifting service cultures. He is author of the book, Uplifting Service, and fourteen other books on service, business and inspiration. Ron is rated one of the world's top twenty-five "Hot Speakers" by Speaker Magazine for his high energy and high content presentations. Ron is a man on a mission – to uplift t

My guest this week has a global reputation for his leading edge thinking about how companies can out-perform in today's highly dynamic and complex business system. He has been a Visiting Distinguished Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan where he formed a powerful partnership with the late, great, CK Prahalad. He is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on "competitive disruption" and "game changing strategy". Please welcome my guest this week, Gordon Hewitt. Bio Dr Gordon Hewitt is one of the world's top business school professors, with a truly global reputation for his leading edge thinking about how companies can out-perform in today's highly dynamic and complex business system. He has been a Visiting Distinguished Professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan where he formed a powerful partnership with the late CK Prahalad. Gordon is widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading authorities on "competitive disruption" and "game cha

My guest this week is a branded lifestyle portrait, virtual/live event photographer who collaborates with speakers, trainers, consultants and other expert-based business owners to create an emotional connection with their audiences through persuasive visual storytelling.  He is a photographer who thinks like a marketeer. He sets clients up for success beyond the photo sessions by educating them on how to best leverage their image content for every touchpoint across their online presence.   A former television producer, he has over 20 years of production experience, and has been featured as a portrait photographer expert on several NBC Universal daytime shows.   Please welcome my guest this week, John DeMato. Bio John DeMato is a branded lifestyle portrait, virtual/live event photographer who collaborates with speakers, trainers, consultants and other expert-based business owners to create an emotional connection with their audiences through persuasive visual storytelling. John isn't simply a photographer - he

My guest today is one of the few experts in inter-generational diversity. This is the emerging science and management skill of maximising the engagement, collaboration and productivity within and across the five distinctive generations in today's workplace. She shares ways to adapt leadership and management styles to get the best out of people.  She provides usable insights and tools to increase collaboration and performance, whilst reducing attrition. And she busts some myths about the youngest talent in the workplace whilst providing practical ways to motivate and engage them. Please welcome my guest, Henry Rose Lee.  Henry Rose Lee is one of very few inter-generational diversity experts helping organisations to improve the contribution and profitable performance of the youngest talent in the workplace today. Author of three books on maximising today's young talent, (Generation Z and Millennials), Henry busts myths and gives practical hacks for attracting, recruiting, engaging, and retaining your youngest e

My guest this week is the founder of the Secret Salesforce programme. He believes that customer experience is the biggest differentiator over which you have total control and that the human touch can have massive positive impact. He works with leaders and teams primarily in technology and professional services companies to unleash and utilise their hidden resources.  He has worked with various organisations including IBM, Capita, and KPMG helping them to create great customer experience, turn difficult customers into loyal customers and to improve overall communications.   Today we're going to focus on the customer experience and how you too can harness your resources into a Secret Salesforce.  Please welcome Steve Catchick. Bio Steve Catchick is the founder of The Secret Salesforce Programme and equips businesses to develop a Secret Salesforce of Brand Ambassadors in order to drive engagement, reduce churn and win more business. He has been at the front line of customer service for over 25 years, mostly with

Businesses are rising and falling faster than ever before, and crisis is the new normal. For over 25 years, my guest today has equipped many thousands of people and many leading brands to tap their full creative and psychological powers in response to challenges, crises and threats. Personally, she has turned a six month 'terminal' cancer prognosis into the most creative six years of her life (so far) by finding solutions she was told did not exist and becoming a Sunday Times bestselling author of three crisis-resolving books. Please welcome author and activist Sophie Sabbage. Bio Businesses are rising and falling faster than ever before, and crisis is the new normal. Sophie Sabbage is a Sunday Times bestselling author who has worked in the fields of human psychology and corporate change for nearly thirty years. She has equipped hundreds of thousands of individuals as well as leading brands to unlock opportunities for growth that they didn't think possible. Personally, she has turned a six month 'terminal' ca

My guest this week is as adept at captivating an audience of thousands as he is at quietly amazing and amusing an intimate gathering of close friends. His impressive skill and charming good humour make him an extremely memorable, engaging, diverse and popular performer. He has entertained internationally and appeared on numerous prestigious television programmes including Penn and Teller: Fool Us, and he did fool them. Please welcome my guest, a Man You Can't Keep Out of Your Mind - Graham Jolley. Bio Graham Jolley is one of the UK's most talented and versatile magical performers, entertaining audiences with his unique style and amazing mind reading capabilities. Having performed at a huge number of corporate events, private dinners, conferences and on national television, his most recent being The One Show, Graham's act adapts perfectly to any environment. A psychological entertainer, Graham is able to perform any number of astonishing feats, baffling and thrilling his audience in equal measure. His work has

My guest this week is a former NHS Mental Health Lead and one of the country's leading psychotherapists, with over 25 years' experience in physical and mental health sectors. He is the author of The Sunday Times Best-selling book 'Ten to Zen'.  His second book 'Ten Times Happier' which was published in May 2020.  In his latest book he shares his unparalleled insight into what brings happiness and calm into people's lives. His experiences have provided him with the necessary skills to analyse any mental, emotional or stress related issue with the utmost efficiency. I am delighted to have with me today psychotherapist and best-selling author Owen O'Kane Bio Owen O'Kane is a psychotherapist and author of the globally acclaimed book, 'Ten To Zen', along with the follow up 'Ten Times Happier'. Owen grew up in Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles,' which was the perfect training ground for understanding the anxious mind due to the conflict and fear that existed in the region. As a former palliative care nurse, Owe

With me today I have a comedian, business leader, writer and entrepreneur.  She has held senior management positions at some of the biggest media companies in the world, including 10-years as Senior Vice President at the US studio giant Viacom, where she oversaw a multi-million-dollar budget for brands including Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount. While working for Comedy Central, on the road with the late, great Joan Rivers, she was nudged into the sphere of performance. On top of all this she holds a Masters in Neuro Linguistic Programming and has worked for many years, alongside her not inconsiderable day jobs, as a sought-after Executive Coach to the great and the good in industry, public life and politics. Please welcome comedian, writer and businesswoman Cally Beaton.  Bio Cally Beaton is a comedian, writer, speaker and business mentor.  Of the rising stars on the circuit today, few can boast the journey into comedy that Cally Beaton can. Cally is a natural storyteller full of intelligent, d

My guest today has a staggering 11 World and European Championship medals, she's a 2 times Olympian, an MBE, an Executive Coach and an Entrepreneur. She is a woman who persevered and succeeded despite the odds, who achieved when others said she couldn't. When she talks to us today about overcoming adversity, leadership and high performance, she's doing it from personal experience. She draws on the lessons she has learnt along her journey as an Olympian, world champion and expert in the field of resilience and leadership and is on a mission to infuse the business world with the secrets of sporting success. Please welcome my guest this week – Marathon Kayaker Anna Hemmings MBE Bio Anna Hemmings is Britain's most successful female marathon kayaker with a staggering eleven World and European Championship medals, 9 of them gold.  By the age of 24 she had been World Champion 3 times and competed at the Olympic Games.  In 2010 she was awarded an MBE for her services to sport. Anna achieved this success against all t

My guest has spent over 30 years developing the ADAPTAGILITY high Performance methodology, a synthesis of Agility, Adaptability, Resilience and Balance. His ADAPTAGILITY High Performance Framework, and Digital Diagnostic tool, provides a proven approach, and deep insights, to activating, and optimising, sustainable higher performance. This helps organisations to achieve eXponential impact, amazing growth, and outstanding results, in the mega-waves of change, challenge, uncertainty and opportunity. I'm going to ask him to share some of methodologies he is applying to create thriving revolutionary workplaces. Please welcome Tony Dovale. Bio Tony Dovale is founder and CEO of Life Masters. He's the Business Soul Surgeon, and the #BulletProof Growth-Optimised Mindset Guy. Tony enables meaningful success with his #Mind-Grow-Tainment, and SWIFT Action with FIERCE Focus approach.   Tony helps people, teams, leaders, and companies, to win through wellness, and achieve exponential impacts and high-performance results i

Our guest today is an import – he is an American living here in England! Before coming here, he founded and scaled three software companies where he lived in California.  He has authored a number of best-selling leadership books, writes for entrepreneur.com, and advises companies like Microsoft, Salesforce, Stanford University, and PwC on leadership.   I'm really happy to welcome one of the tallest people I've ever met, Mr. R. Michael Anderson Bio Michael Anderson's business successes include starting, growing, and selling three enterprise software companies, some of which landed on the Inc. 500|5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies and won Best Places to Work in San Diego, California. Despite these achievements, for a time Michael felt unfulfilled; hard drugs, divorce, depression, and lawsuits brought him to a low point. A quest for change led him to earn his master's degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. Now he is devoted to teaching others the tools that transformed his own l

As consumers we are becoming increasingly cynical about who we buy from, we want authenticity, meaningful connections and a great experience. My guest this week is a business psychologist of global renown, currently a lecturer at University College London – he was the first person to establish the field of consumer psychology in the UK. He uses psychology to work out what consumers want and to help companies build solutions that are long lasting and more absorbing.  Today I'm hoping he will help us to understand how people connect with brands and services and crucially why.  Please welcome consumer and business psychologist Dr. Dimitrios Tsivrikos Bio Dr Dimitrios Tsivrikos is a Consumer and Business Psychologist at University College London (UCL). His research, teaching and consultancy work specialises in Business, Consumer/Branding and Occupational Psychology with a specialist interest in the contribution of social identity and group membership to a range of organisational processes, such as leadership, com

My guest was a professional footballer for nearly 20 years playing for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Burnley and Norwich City, whilst gaining 40 Caps internationally for Northern Ireland.  He made over 300 appearances and was a key member of 2 Championship winning teams and rose to the pinnacle of English football. He is also a published Author and recently finished his studies which means he is the first person in history to play in the Premier League and qualify with a Masters in Sport Psychology. My guest this week will share what you can learn from the most ruthless and competitive industry on the planet! Please welcome, Paul McVeigh. Bio Paul McVeigh is a Premier League football player and an expert in elite performance. Paul's credibility comes from the unique combination of reaching the pinnacle of elite sport as well as being the first Premier League footballer to qualify with a Master's degree in Psychology. Paul McVeigh specialises in implementing the psychology required to elevate the performanc

My guest this week says that "If all the world's a stage" the greatest role you ever get to play is yourself.   She applies the principles of 'Great Performance' from her 25 years' experience in the world of theatre to 'Great Performance' on the business stage. She connects leaders with the energy of inspiration that great performances give us - to feel more alive, more courageous, more optimistic and more galvanised. Using key principles from her book about performing greatly as yourself she ignites leaders to pull back the safety curtain of corporate conformity and step into the spotlight of their fullest authentic presence and unique voice. Her global clients describe her as a transformational energy conductor who offers an irresistible invitation to shine in every role they play. I'm very much looking forward to chatting to International presence coach, speaker and bestselling author of Performing As YOU, Diana Theodores Bio Dr Diana Theodores is a Presence and Performance Specialist, high energy speaker