Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Leadership & Life Chat
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel the fear and retire anyway! How exactly did Mark Curtis retire before 50? | 04 Apr 2024 | 01:11:14 | |
Four years, 131 episodes, 38 guests and three presenters later, it's time to say goodbye to the Leadership & Life Chat 'band' as we know it. In this episode, original presenter, James Lay, makes a triumphant return and, alongside Becky, questions Mark on exactly how he's been able to pre-plan and orchestrate his retirement at only 49, and the lessons he's learnt on the way. They discuss the insights of previous guests around living to your values, stepping out of your comfort zone, overcoming fear, the power of support and encouragement, fears of public speaking, making sacrifices, challenging the perception of success, the importance of continuous learning, the power of asking questions and so much more. In this final EVER episode, Mark reflects on his past success and failures, shares the advice he would give to his younger self, and looks back on what he's learned throughout his career, including the importance of being brave and speaking up, avoiding black and white thinking, and developing an internal locus of control. *Insert profound heavy metal lyric in honour of Mark here*…. Producer Lizzie can't think of any, she's a Taylor Swift fan… Show notes Marks Books/Podcasts
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| Leading through anxiety – Let's get philosophical with Garath Symonds | 28 Mar 2024 | 00:58:38 | |
In this episode, Garath Symonds, the founder of Reconnect Coaching, joins Mark and Becky to discuss his upcoming book, 'The Anxious Leader'. They explore how anxiety impacts decision-making and leadership, the importance of rational thinking and ego reflection, as well as strategies for tolerating anxiety as opposed to rejecting it. They delve into the role of meditation and self-reflection for leaders, along with managing trauma's impact and the importance of vulnerability and psychological safety in top level roles, and ultimately, embracing life's lessons. Tune in for fascinating insights into leadership and personal growth in the podcast's penultimate episode! GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Keep your eye on Garaths channels for the release of his upcoming book 'The Anxious Leader' - due to be published in 2024 Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S6 E5. IQ v EQ - why it's not all about technical skills | 07 Dec 2023 | 00:40:14 | |
This week, Mark and Becky reflect on a topic which keeps coming up with their guests – the importance of emotional intelligence. They look back on their AI episodes and how the human in the loop theory will become more important in the future, extending past the technical aspects of a job, and into how to retain the people in your team; after all, people join organisations but leave managers. They discuss how EQ skills can be taught and learned, and why it's so important for leaders to get hold of their own self-awareness, set the drum beat and audit their own emotions and how others perceive you. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here You can find all of the Leadership & Life Chat episodes here Show notes AI Special roundtable with Alison & Alix Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| Ep31: How to succeed with New Year Resolutions - WOOP there it is! | 08 Jan 2021 | 00:24:34 | |
James and Mark return for season 3 with an episode focused on achieving New Year Resolutions. They build on the WOOP model introduced in episode 28, drawing reference to The Science of Wellbeing, Situational Support by J E Painter, James' sleeping attire and Mark's new knitting hobby. We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! www.larking-gowen.co.uk Show notes: Episode 28 - How to drive lasting change - a change will do you good Top tips timestamps: 1 – Set specific targets and bring it back to why: 04:50 2 – Prepare for obstacles: 09:37 3 - Plan: 18:00 (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep30: Negotiation Skills: Everything is a negotiation | 18 Dec 2020 | 00:24:50 | |
Mark and James talk about the importance of negotiations skills in business and in life generally. As always they provide 3 valuable top tips, and along the way they make reference to former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, hostage negotiator George Kohlriser and Return of the Mac by Mark Morrison. We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Show notes: Larking Gowen Business Advisory services Chris Voss - Never Split the Difference George Kohlrieser - Hostage at the Table Steven Covey - 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Top tips timestamps: 1 – What is negotiation? Win-win: Think about reaching an agreement: 03:27 2 – Make sure you've got competitive tension: 11:17 3 - Discussion: 18:14 (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep29: Make the right decision (part 2) - Mind over matter | 11 Dec 2020 | 00:21:44 | |
Mark and James talk about the pitfalls of cognitive biases and how they influence decisions in business. As usual they finish with 3 top tips, and along the way they refer to Richard Branson, Status Quo and Mark's Mum! Episode 22: Make The Right Decisions - I'm not indecisive... am I? Episode 26: The Art of Listening - Come on feel the noise Predictably Irrational - Dan Ariely The Blind Spots Between Us - Gleb Tsipursky Cognitive Biases - Jerrell Forman We would love to hear from you - you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and whilst you are there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips timestamps: 1 – Looking out for confirmation bias: 04:34 2 – Sunk cost bias: 09:41 3 - Bias and aversion to losses: 15:21 (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep28: How to drive lasting change - a change will do you good | 04 Dec 2020 | 00:19:25 | |
Mark and James reflect on 2020, and look ahead to 2021 and the inevitable New Year's Eve Resolutions. They impart advice on how to make change stick for the long term, referring along the way to melting icebergs, Princess Gabriele and Mark's "B" in GCSE German! Larking Gowen's change success diagnostic tools John Kotter - Our Iceberg is Melting Gabriele Oettingen - Rethinking Positive Thinking We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips: (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep27: Interview with Louise Newby on Mental Health & Wellbeing | 27 Nov 2020 | 01:11:41 | |
Louise Newby, an experienced educator in the world of mental health and wellbeing, joins Mark and James for this highly relevant episode. Louise has seen first hand the detrimental effect that poor mental health and lack of training and support can have on business leaders and their teams. At the end Mark and James reflect on their 3 key take-away's from the valuable insights and numerous practical tips shared by Louise. [Book] Extreme Ownership [Book] Mental Health and Well-being in The Workplace [Book] A Mind For Business by Andy Gibson [Book] Sane new world by Ruby Wax We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk.If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep26: The Art of Listening - come on feel the noise | 20 Nov 2020 | 00:20:42 | |
Mark and James discuss the often overlooked importance of good listening skills in business and in life generally. Starting with a fascinating fact which illustrates just how little time we spend on developing our listening skills, they come up with 3 top tips, and along the way they take inspiration from Jim Kwik, the 5 levels of listening and Slade's Noddy Holder! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips: (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep25: Handling Disappointment - You can't always get want you want... | 13 Nov 2020 | 00:21:01 | |
James and Mark highlight the importance of handling disappointment, which is particularly relevant in the current climate with many people and businesses facing some challenging lockdown measures. As usual, they come up with 3 top tips, and along the way they make reference to Yale University studies, George Bush Snr and Mark's mildly impressive but slightly embarrassing lawn bowls career! Mentioned links; Changing Minds with Own Fitzpatrick The Science of Wellbeing course We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips: (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep24: Drive sales in Lockdown: Navigating the Income Stream | 06 Nov 2020 | 00:18:35 | |
James and Mark talk about ways businesses can increase sales performance during lockdown and extended furlough. As usual they end up with 3 top tips, and along the way they make reference to Toy Story 4, Kurt Cobain and, yet again, the film The Matrix! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk.
Top tips: (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep23: Tackling diversity in the workplace - Special guest episode with Andy Nicol and Sue Liburd MBE | 30 Oct 2020 | 00:53:52 | |
Mark and James lift the lid on the important topic of diversity in the workplace and discuss what business leaders can do now to tackle this pertinent issue. Joining Mark and James this month are guest speakers from Abstract, an award-winning learning and development company that changes people's lives. Sue Liburd MBE is an award-winning businesswoman, human capital innovation consultant and business mentor; and Andy Nicol is a former rugby union player, who represented his country for 10 years from 1991, and also played for the British Lions on two tours in New Zealand in 1993 and Australia in 2001. Andy is now the CEO of Abstract. Sue and Andy talk through the importance, for business leaders, of the key elements of inclusive leadership and how to ensure diversity in the workplace. Then, to wrap up, three key points to take away, from Mark and James. You can view Abstracts website here Listen to the mentioned episode Lancing your blind spot here We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep22: Make The Right Decisions - I'm not indecisive... am I? | 23 Oct 2020 | 00:19:48 | |
The decisions we make every day, whether big or small, help to shape our lives and our businesses. Mark and James share their thoughts and some trusted tools to help improve our decision-making skills. To help bring their tips to life, they refer back to Dr Susan Jeffers, Steven Spielberg and the late, great David Bowie. We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips: Tip 1 – Decision matrices: skip to 01:39 Tip 2 – Trusting your intuition: skip to 06:24 Tip 3 - Tackling your fear: skip to 11:45 larking-gowen.co.uk (c) 2020 Larking Gowen | |||
| S6 E4. What does your daily leadership look like? With author Antonio Garrido | 30 Nov 2023 | 01:08:54 | |
This episode is a complete refresh on the topic of leadership. Antonio Garrido, former architect and author of My Daily Leadership: A Powerful Roadmap for Leadership Success, has dedicated the latter half of his career to helping CEO's better tap into their emotional intelligence, understand the art of truth telling and create more productive working relationships. His energy and experience offers a reinvigorated perspective on modern day business, as he philosophises with Mark over the reality of business ownership and management in 2023, he gives some uncomfortable examples of the type of personalities still allowed to operate at top levels, and why those businesses open themselves up to failure. Do you want to create a carrot or stick culture? GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here You can find all of the Leadership & Life Chat episodes here Show notes
Books
Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| Ep21: Manage Your Time Effectively - The Time Lords | 16 Oct 2020 | 00:19:15 | |
James and Mark return to talk about prioritising the use of time for leaders and their teams. As usual they provide 3 top tips, drawing inspiration from the likes of Stephen Covey, Tim Ferriss and Sir Cliff Richard, and James even explains how you can create more than 24 hours in a day! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. Top tips: (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep20: Interview with Dr Chris Mason on Leadership Success | 25 Sep 2020 | 01:05:30 | |
Dr Chris Mason is a coach to the coaches. He advises businesses all over the world, as well as owning many himself, and has a PhD in Industrial and Organisational Psychology. In this podcast James and Mark pick his brains on the traits of a great leader, the importance of building capabilities and how he manages his time and energy to achieve Kaizen! At the end, James and Mark reflect on their 3 takeaways from this fascinating and valuable interview. This is the first in a set of upcoming special guest episodes, which concludes series one of Impromptu Business Chat. James and Mark will be back in October! Resources mentioned: Success change diagnostic tool Chris Mason: Value to Others - Change Success Napoleon Hill - Grow Rich With Peace of Mind The Lean Start Up by Eric Reese The Challenger Sale by Brent Adamson and Matthew Dixon. We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep19: Eat, sleep, run, repeat - Increase your energy levels (part 2 of 2) | 18 Sep 2020 | 00:22:00 | |
James and Mark build on previous episodes to help business leaders and their teams feel more energised in work and life. Breaking tradition, this time they provide a bonus forth top tip, taking inspiration from the likes of Dr John Briffa, the 5am Club, Fat Boy Slim and cold showers. We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips: Tip 2 – Fuel your body: skip to 06:36 Tip 3 - Golden hour - prime yourself for the day: skip to 14:09 Tip 4 - Sleep patterns in 90 minute segments: skip to 18:32 (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep18 - So so, or mojo? - find your mojo | 11 Sep 2020 | 00:18:24 | |
Inspired by a recent conversation with a listener, this week's podcast makes reference to Austin Powers, Tony Robbins, Michael Heppell and Ghandi, as James and Mark provide 3 top tips on how to reclaim your mojo in business and in life. Yeah baby! We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! Top tips: (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep17: Working In a Ghost Town - Pivot your business model for quieter town centers and more home working | 04 Sep 2020 | 00:23:45 | |
James and Mark reflect on the choice many business owners, and employees, are now facing as to whether to return to the office or not, and the knock on impact this will have on the surrounding economies. Building on comments from Dame Carolyn Fairbairn of the CBI, and referencing Richard Jackson MBE of The Winning Edge, the Rolling Stones and The Wurzels, they come up with 3 top tips on how to make the right choice for you and your business. The link to the referenced Dame Carolyn Fairbairn can be found here. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep16: Sailing the Entrepreneur Ship - Help entrepreneurs start new businesses (part 2 of 2) | 28 Aug 2020 | 00:16:21 | |
By popular demand in this week's show Mark and James build on Episode 7, All Aboard the Entrepreneur Ship, by using Fritz cola as a real life example of a highly successful start up business that took on the larger players and won. To help illustrate their additional 3 top tips they refer back to Sir Richard Branson, Ferrari and Tom Araya of Slayer. Link to Fritz Cola article - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53593138 Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep15: How bad do you want it?! - Turn your business from good to great | 21 Aug 2020 | 00:18:36 | |
James and Mark consider what differentiates great businesses from good businesses. In their usual informal but informative style they come up with 3 valuable tips drawn from the likes of Gary Player, Sir Clive Woodward and Roy Keane, whilst Mark confesses to a mild case of Tsundoku. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep14: Up Your Energy - Increase your energy levels (part 1 of 2) | 14 Aug 2020 | 00:17:16 | |
High and consistent energy levels are crucial for personal and business success. This week James and Mark give 3 top tips to help improve energy levels drawing inspiration from motivational legend Jim Rohn, cycling hero Tommy Voeckler and Pavlov's salivating dogs. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep13: Trust me, I'm an employee - Improve trust within your team | 07 Aug 2020 | 00:20:14 | |
Mark and James reflect on the importance of trust between leaders and their teams. Using the co-founder of Netflix, Feargal Sharkey' and Mark's fashion sense, as usual, the duo come up with 3 great ideas to help build greater trust in your business. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep12: Lancing your blind spots - Identify your weaknesses and thrive | 31 Jul 2020 | 00:20:28 | |
James and Mark reflect on how ignoring your blind spots can have a painful impact on your profits. Pushing beyond Mark's teenage acne years, they call upon footballing legend Geoff Hurst, two silly bulls and a century old Japanese story to illustrate their top 3 tips. Links to the articles mentioned; Coronavirus: Safety fears over lack of translated virus advice Firms with more female executives 'perform better' Top tips: Tip 1 – Think about team style: skip to 04:24 Tip 2 – 360 feedback: skip to 09:13 Tip 3 - Perceptual positions: skip to 13:22 We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! larking-gowen.co.uk(c) Larking Gowen | |||
| S6 E3. Predictive is the new proactive | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:34:35 | |
The world of business is changing again and, where once we were encouraged to be proactive in our businesses, now, thanks to the advancement in AI, we might have to start being predictive – but how easy is this for humans, and will the world look like Minority Report! Mark and Becky reflect on their special roundtable chat this summer with AI experts, Alison Alexander and Alix Rübsaam, and discuss their fears around AI and the reliance that we might put on it, going forwards. They discuss the bias that will exist in the algorithms, how we must always be questioning AI's answers, the potential stunt in creativity, and the possible dangers around predicting human behavior, especially in business. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here You can find all of the Leadership & Life Chat episodes here Show notes • AI SPECIAL - Roundtable with Alix Rubsaam & Alison Alexander Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| Ep11: Are you wedded to Norm? - Set your business apart from others | 24 Jul 2020 | 00:19:22 | |
James and Mark challenge business owners to rethink the Normal's in their sectors. Using weddings, Billy Idol and fish and chip shops as inspiration, they encourage you to establish new ways of operating to batter the competition even when the chips are down. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep10: Pay more tax...So what? - Increase sales and grow profits | 17 Jul 2020 | 00:19:05 | |
James and Mark talk about how business owners can pay more tax... by increasing their profits! With the help of zebras, wart hogs, a wolf and Metallica, they come up with 3 top tips to build your sales and make more money. Top tips: Tip 1 – Focus on which part of sales is important: skip to 03:51 Tip 2 –Zebra sales: skip to 07:44 Tip 3 - Increasing conversion rates: skip to 11:00 We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! larking-gowen.co.uk(c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep9: Ohhh do the Covid Hokey Cokey! - Help businesses coming in and out of lockdown | 10 Jul 2020 | 00:16:02 | |
Mark and James discuss how to prepare for future localised lockdowns. Whether you're in or out, pick up some tips to shake it all about and do the Covid Hokey Cokey. And that's what its all about! Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep8: The Zone Rangers - Maximise your concentration levels and results | 03 Jul 2020 | 00:16:54 | |
Mark and James have an impromptu business chat about how to get in the zone whilst working from home and drawing on the unlikely influences of Pearl Jam, Usain Bolt and Lance Armstrong. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep7: All aboard the Entrepreneur Ship - Help entrepreneurs start new businesses (part 1 of 2) | 26 Jun 2020 | 00:16:36 | |
Mark and James have an impromptu business chat about starting a new business and building the belief to start that journey whilst questioning the validity of the moon landings! Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep6: Business Resilience; Love It or Hate It - Build resilience in your business | 19 Jun 2020 | 00:14:01 | |
Mark and James discuss 3 valuable tips on building business resilience based on the unlikely starting point of a jar of Marmite. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep5: Stress, Drugs and Leadership Roles - Help the wellbeing of business leaders | 12 Jun 2020 | 00:17:09 | |
Mark and James discuss the alarming results from a recent survey on mental health for business owners and suggest 3 top tips to help release the strain. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| Ep4: Picking The Lock of Lockdown - Reopen your business after lockdown | 05 Jun 2020 | 00:15:58 | |
With the phased relaxation of lockdown measures, James and Mark have an impromptu chat about how customers will react and how businesses can ensure they are making a profit as they open their doors. James summarises with 2 top tips to consider, but Mark saves the day with a third to not let the listeners down. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen
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| Ep3: The Office Is Dead, Long Live The Office - Work effectively from home | 29 May 2020 | 00:14:23 | |
James and Mark have an impromptu chat about whether COVID-19 will topple the office as we once knew it in as they explore the potential impacts on you, your teams and your customers. As always, they offer 3 top tips for you and your business to consider. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen
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| Ep2: Pricing in a Pandemic - Set your prices during COVID-19 | 22 May 2020 | 00:17:41 | |
From price gouging to sustainable pricing for profit, in this episode, James and Mark have a thought provoking impromptu business chat that will leave you with not with top tips that you can apply to your pricing today! Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen
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| S6 E2. Selling up is hard to do. What comes next? With business strategist, Dawn Bloomer | 16 Nov 2023 | 01:11:15 | |
Studies suggest that selling your business or retiring early do not necessarily make someone happier. Dawn Bloomer, a former veterinarian turned strategic advisor, knows this all too well. Dawn guides us through her journey after selling her successful practice and finding herself adrift – she hadn't planned what to do next! She chats to Mark and Becky about the importance of exit plans and considering 'what comes next'. They talk about the accountability and logistics often over-looked in any move, and the toxic 'workaholic' culture that still exists despite its known impact on our wellbeing. Dawn prefers to look at work-life balance as 'integration'. This is a great episode for anyone looking to climb the career ladder, but who's worried about the sacrifices they think are needed; those planning for an exit; and managers who need to better understand the implications of their teams returning after maternity, sickness or other forms of leave. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here You can find all of the Leadership & Life Chat episodes here Show notes Contact Dawn - www.productivepressure.com Larking Gowen Corporate Transactions Books Transitions (40th Anniversary): Making Sense of Life's Changes - – William & Sue Susan Bridges The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level – Gay Hendricks Reinventing Yourself – Steve Chandler – get the audio-book! Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| Ep1: To Furlough and Beyond - Use the job furlough scheme effectively | 14 May 2020 | 00:17:14 | |
Listen to Business Advisory experts, James Lay and Mark Curtis, as they bounce around some impromptu views and ideas on how to use the 'Job Retention Scheme', also known as the 'UK furlough scheme' for the maximum benefit of your business and employees, leaving you with three top tips for actions you can take. To find out more and to book your complimentary course click here. Booking closes on the 31 May 2020 and you have six months to complete the courses. Top tips: We would love to hear from you – you can get in touch with us on podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, and whilst you're there, we would really appreciate a 5* review, as this helps other people find our podcast! (c) Larking Gowen | |||
| S6 E1. We're back for SERIES 6, with how to cultivate creativity at work! | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:37:36 | |
We're back for series SIX, and what better way to start than letting Mark do what he does best – philosophise about himself! He muses around what 'being a creative person' really means, and how we can embrace creativity and innovation in our businesses. Mark and Becky look at how creativity can't be forced and how the pressures of work diaries, workloads and deadlines, particularly for business owners, can stunt creativity and what impact this has on your work and wellbeing. They discuss practical ways to empower your teams and how permission to think outside the box is sometimes all a person needs to find that spark! GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes
Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| A.I SPECIAL - Roundtable with Alix Rübsaam & Alison Alexander | 23 Aug 2023 | 01:33:54 | |
How can you use, shape and lead AI in business – with experts Alix Rübsaam and Alison Alexander. Should we be worried? What does the future of humanity really look like? You might aready be familiar with ChatGPT, but there's a whole world of AI out there, and it's rapidly impacting how we live and work. For this special roundtable episode, we invited previous guests, Alix Rübsaam, Head of Curriculum and Expertise at Singularity Education Group and an expert on the human influence on algorithms, and Alison Alexander, the co-founder of Metacampus, and expert on Web3. This conversation takes us into the world of large language models, government legislation and policy, prompt engineering, Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG), the human fear response, historical tech trends and, most importantly, the philosophical and moral implications of using AI in our businesses. This episode will help you navigate the real-life application of AI in your work, and learn how business owners can avoid a 'wild-west' situation with unintended consequences simply by implementing policy, systems and boundaries. If you're still scratching your head wondering what on earth is going on, this one is not to be missed! GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here to watch this weeks episode Show notes Alix Alison • Alison on Twitter - @AMETAVERSEA General • DALL.E 2 | |||
| S5 E6. Be more Labrador! Building trust at work with Darryl Stickel PhD | 13 Jul 2023 | 01:08:10 | |
Darryl's journey is nothing short of inspirational. Darryl was already living with degenerative eyesight, resulting in becoming legally blind, when he was brutally attacked at 17. Rather than recoiling from the world and pursuing resentment, he decided to embrace empathy and his life and career of thinking was brought hastily forward. Darryl achieved his doctorate at Duke University and wrote his thesis on building trust in hostile environments. Inspired by Darryl's guide dog Drake, who serves as his company's 'Director of Goodness' (DOG), they talk about how to pursue a life of positivity, integrity, embracing neutrality in toxic work relationships, and how vulnerability is the key to building trust, which is proven to improve business levels. Mark and Darryl nerd out on their shared interest in tribalism and the bigger philosophical questions around leadership and discuss Darryl's equation: Uncertainty x vulnerability = risk. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Building Trust - Exceptional Leadership in an Uncertain World – Darryl Stickel Leadership & Life Chat - The new office, and the generation gap Thinking, Fast and Slow: Daniel Kahneman Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S5 E5. Revisiting strength, tenacity and mental fortitude for leaders in 2023 | 06 Jul 2023 | 00:35:17 | |
'Stuff' happens, as Becky politely put it– but how do we deal with it now we're all facing a new wave of challenges? There's a lot going on; geo-political, environmental, and economic pressures and worries infringe on all our lives in some way, so Mark wants to revisit resilience. But that's a bit of a buzz word now, so they work on the peripherals of what this encompasses, looking back on the Locus of Control technique; how you can learn, rather than defend yourself, in tricky situations; and how to avoid pity parties. They take inspiration from the work of Dr Lucy Hone and psychologist Owen Fitzpatrick. You can watch on YouTube here GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! Show notes 3 secrets of resilient people – Dr Lucy Hone Leadership & Life Chat – You've got the power! Impromptu Business Chat – Owen Fitzpatrick, a practical guide to psychology in business Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S5 E4. Mission accomplished: Leadership lessons from former Marine, Janet Polach | 29 Jun 2023 | 01:01:56 | |
It's widely considered that the US Marine Corps is one of the best examples of leadership in the world. Veteran Janet Polach chats to Mark and Becky about how best to leverage the skills of your team and avoid being a selfish leader. They examine each step of Janet's book, The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make, and delve into Janet's 'make it worse' technique. After discussing the importance of people knowing their responsibilities and role, and the value in one-to-ones, they reflect on the impact of the transition between feedback frenzy in school, into the feedback desert that is the workplace. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Contact Janet – janet@inthelead.co The Seven Mistakes New Managers Make - Janet Polach Attitude of gratitude - Leadership & Life Chat Olga Dies Dreaming – Xochitl Gonzalez Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S5 E3. Culture vs cult - what side does your leadership fall on? | 22 Jun 2023 | 00:36:23 | |
Mark is inspired this week by a TEDx talk which leads him to reflect on one of his favourite topics – evolution, tribes and what makes humans tick. It's a tough question to ask yourself, but are you creating a cult or a culture? Mark and Becky discuss where the idea of culture comes from and what it really means for businesses. "Cult leaders see greatness in themselves", whereas, if you operate as a culture, you see greatness in the team. They also discuss the impact the CEO/owner has on a culture and why active engagement is important. They consider the negative connotation behind the term 'HR' and why, perhaps, this no longer fits the modern world… GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us. You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Corporate Anthropologist, Michael Henderson – TEDx Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S8 Ep2 The war on talent rages on! The impact of the Great Resignation, with Steve Jacobs from WTW | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:52:13 | |
In a world of quiet quitting and the 'Great Resignation', what should employers be doing to keep their best people? This week Mark chats to Steve Jacobs, a director at WTW, to discuss the importance of employee benefits and how to navigate the ever-changing trends in the workplace. With the shift in employee expectations post COVID-19, and a focus on flexibility and work-life balance, they look at the differences between employer and employee perspectives on what constitutes a 'benefit' now and, in particular, what employees sometimes value above money. They discuss diversity and inclusion, global differences in legislation and the challenge of the multi-gen workforce. With a background in the Merchant Navy, and now working for WTW, a world leader in data driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital – Steve has seen it all, and his business has helped businesses to navigate stormy, unpredictable waters. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We'd also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify; this really helps people find us! You can also watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk | |||
| S5 E2. How powerful is your personal brand? – with leadership architect Mihaela Berciu | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:52:30 | |
We all have a personal brand, whether we know it or not. Born in Romania, under a Communist regime, personal brand expert, Mihaela Berciu, faced more than the usual teenage worries. Simply saying the wrong thing would have landed her in a lot of trouble, but, little did she know that this lived experience, of having heightened anxiety over her own behaviour, would lead her into a post-revolutionary world. Mihaela headed to the UK, Cambridge University no less, then hosted her own tv show, and has forged her path to become a pioneer in the introduction of personal brand. When you hear the word 'brand' you possibly think of a logo, posters, or adverts. In reality, a brand evolves and incorporates every aspect of your business. The traditional 'corporate brand' mindset has been a powerful force and often a huge burden for those working under it. Mihaela chats to Mark and Becky about how empowering your teams to embrace and grow their own personal brand is good for the bigger picture as well as the company brand. Promoting the personalities of your people builds trust with your customers—and authenticity is key. In the current working world, businesses must consider personal brand, particularly if they are reliant on referrals. The team also discuss how to handle Gen-Z politics entering the workforce, and potential problems with social media; how we can cleanse our past habits and ways of thinking; and why it's not always good to be a people pleaser. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Mihaela's website Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S5 E1. There's no such thing as 'self-made' | 08 Jun 2023 | 00:28:43 | |
Mark loved explaining how Einstein was not great at making sandwiches this week! He didn't grow the wheat, didn't knead the dough, so did he really make a sandwich? The point being none of us really ever make it on our own. We're all reliant on so many factors around us that help guide, support and ultimately achieve our success. They challenge the listener to think about whether they lean into their technical capabilities, as it's easy to hide behind expertise, but to think about how many 'soft-skills' they could honestly claim to be expert in. Richard Branson can't build a plane after all, he motivates, leads and inspires others to do it for him! GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Mark mentions Adnams – listen to their COO Karen Hester chatting to Chris Scargill on Tourism Business Chat about her journey from part time cleaner to one of the industry's biggest success stories Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S4 E6. Why self-doubt is bad for business | 18 May 2023 | 00:42:54 | |
Becky makes a great point in this episode – "it's only bragging if it isn't true". Doubting ourselves is part of our genetic makeup as humans, but we no longer need as much of a 'fear instinct' as our Homo sapiens predecessors – we're fairly high on the food chain now! Context is key, and you can use this as a driver when assessing decisions you need to make as a leader. A fear of judgment can also be a barrier for businesses, so Mark and Becky let us in on what they have learnt about how to conquer the voice in your head that makes you doubt yourself, and how fear can change us, and impact all our life decisions. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes The Weight of Gold documentary Civil Disobedience – Henry David Thoreau Leadership & Life Chat with Robert Jordan - Who do you think you are? Embrace your style Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S4 E5. To volunteer or not to volunteer? That's the question. With Voluntary Norfolk | 11 May 2023 | 00:51:57 | |
This week, Mark and Becky connect with a local Norfolk organisation, whose insights have global relevance – why businesses should embrace a strong Corporate social responsibility (CSR) package. (And we find out who Mark's favourite Womble is!) Voluntary Norfolk connects businesses and charitable organisations, to help businesses meet their community objectives. In previous episodes, Mark and Becky have discussed the change in what younger generations are expecting from employers, and how they now look beyond just salary in job searches. CSR forms a huge part of most company employment packages and is a key part of Employer Brand, our guests this week discuss why volunteering initiatives are a popular offering, and the benefits they bring to the employee, as well as the business. Laura is a Volunteer Coordinator, supporting organisations and matching them to volunteers, and Nicola is a HR Consultant at CBR Business Solutions, who works as a consultant to SME businesses and voluntary social enterprises. They discuss the opportunities available to people who have had career breaks and are perhaps lacking in confidence and up to date skills, the changes lockdown brought, and they identify the mental health impact that strong CSR packages are proven to bring to the employee, and how this in turn helps to cultivate a healthy and more profitable work environment. They also discuss how hesitant business owners should see volunteering as an opportunity to identify skills in their teams that they were not aware of, and how neutral environments not based on 'a night out' can embolden teamwork and unity, all things that are good for business! GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk. We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can also now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Evolve Workplace Wellbeing podcast Institute for Volunteering Research Leadership & Life Chat - The Attitude of Gratitude: reap the rewards of appreciation Leadership & Life Chat – The new office and the generation gap Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S4 E4. The new office, and the generation gap | 04 May 2023 | 00:47:30 | |
With Gen-Z now entering the workforce, how do you go about navigating the massive cultural divide that might now exist in your office? Typically, Gen-Z are no wallflowers; strong minded, often politically active and not afraid to call out inappropriate 'banter'. They are moving into workspaces with Gen-X, millennials and even boomers, who have not had to deal with such a big cultural leap in the generational divide for some time. How you operate on a day-to-day basis may start to look different, not necessarily for better or worse, just different. Mark and Becky troubleshoot what leaders could face and how they would handle different opinions and create a safe culture and boundaries for everyone. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show Notes Teen depression statistics Twitter post Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||
| S4 E3. Honesty and authenticity in business, with ProspHER founder Serena Fordham | 27 Apr 2023 | 01:01:59 | |
TRIGGER WARNING – This episode contains mention of suicide Not only is Serena's business journey inspirational, but she's also doing important work in empowering and supporting women's mental and career health! Shortly after facing redundancy, Serena founded ProspHER, a business providing training, practical support and mentoring for women in business, with a focus on empowerment and community. Serena is a breath of fresh air in her honesty around the challenges women often face in their careers, and how honesty, authenticity and workplace cultures are integral to success – things we know tick all of Mark and Becky's boxes! They have a fascinating chat about vulnerability, relationship and confidence building, flexible working and the pros and cons of social media and how we consume it. It's worth listening just to find out how Mark manages to tie Serena's insights into his leek crop on his allotment… Check out the work ProspHER do here. GET IN TOUCH! We would love to hear your thoughts on today's episode, email us at podcasts@larking-gowen.co.uk We would also love it if you could rate us 5 STARS on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, this really helps people find us! You can now watch us on YouTube! Click here Show notes Contact Serena on LinkedIn Thank you to our sponsors Larking Gowen, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors – check out their website to see how they could help your business www.larking-gowen.co.uk © Larking Gowen LLP | |||