Business Backstage with Bukola Osuntuyi

Many businesses can grow. Far fewer can sustain performance when conditions become unpredictable.

In this episode of Business Backstage, Bukola Osuntuyi speaks with Ayobiyi Shote, former Baker Hughes Vice President and CEO of BVI Consult, about what it takes to achieve operational excellence in volatile markets.

Together, they discuss leadership development, scaling organisations, building effective systems, emotional intelligence, performance management, and the lessons leaders learn when navigating operational crises.

This conversation offers practical insights for founders, executives, managers, and emerging leaders seeking to build organisations that remain resilient in times of change.

• Scaling a business sustainably
• Leadership and self-awareness
• Building operational systems
• Emotional and cultural intelligence
• Leading in an automated world
• Performance management
• Future leadership skills
• Crisis management and resilience

If you're interested in leadership, business operations, organisational growth, and executive decision-making, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Hosted by Bukola Osuntuyi, Founder of Business Backstage.

New episodes featuring the professionals behind successful organisations are released regularly.

Watch the episode on YouTube

Contact Ayobiyi Shote

Website: Ayoshote.com

LinkedIn

Disclaimer

The views, opinions, and experiences shared in this episode of Business Backstage are those of the host and guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of any current or former employer, organisation, client, institution, or affiliated entity.

This podcast is intended for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared should not be construed as professional, legal, financial, investment, human resources, operational, or business advice. Viewers and listeners should seek independent advice from appropriately qualified professionals before making decisions based on any information discussed in this episode.

Any examples, case studies, anecdotes, or personal experiences referenced are shared to illustrate perspectives and lessons learned. They are not intended to represent all organisations, industries, individuals, or circumstances.

While reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of information presented at the time of recording, Business Backstage makes no representations or warranties regarding the completeness, accuracy, or ongoing relevance of the content. Business environments, regulations, and industry practices may change over time.

References to organisations, products, services, or individuals are made for discussion and educational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement, criticism, or recommendation unless explicitly stated.

By watching or listening to this episode, you acknowledge that any actions taken based on the information provided are at your own discretion and responsibility.

Is your 9-5 holding you back, or is it actually your most valuable startup incubator?

In this episode of Business Backstage, we’re pulling back the curtain on "Dual Ambition". If you’ve ever felt caught between a demanding career and the drive to build your own legacy, this conversation is your roadmap.

I’m joined by Imani Maatuka, Esq., a high-stakes US commercial litigator and serial entrepreneur who has mastered the art of building "backstage."

Imani shares the unfiltered reality of balancing Big Law with multiple ventures and why she prioritises "boots on the ground" experience over a traditional MBA.

We discuss:

• The 9-5 Blueprint: How to use your current role as a high-level "paid internship" for your future business.
• The Jay-Z Trap: Why lateral networking with your peers is more powerful than chasing a mogul.
• International Scaling: The expensive legal landmines that can bankrupt a startup before it even launches in the USA.
• Sustainability: Building a business that lasts beyond the initial "hustle" phase.

Imani’s perspective is a masterclass in intentional execution.

Listen in to discover why your current career might just be your greatest secret weapon.

• Website: https://www.imanimaatuka.com/

  https://bridgingthegapscholarship.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanimaatuka/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bukolaosuntuyi
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/business__backstage/

What worked five years ago is now your biggest bottleneck.

Are you trying to scale your organisation using a traditional rulebook that no longer exists? In Episode #8, we are joined by the refreshingly practical Sheryl Newman.

From her journey of building a business from the kitchen table to achieving B Corp status, Sheryl shares the gritty reality of digital transformation. We move past the AI hype to discuss how artificial intelligence is a strategic partner for your workforce—not a replacement for it.

• The Scaling Trap: Why most SMEs hit a wall and how to break through.
• The M365 Secret: Why your existing tools are more powerful than you realise.
• AI Governance: Protecting your data while innovating.
• Workforce Transformation: Preparing your team for the AI age.

As an operator, this episode hits home. It is honest, practical, and full of advice that actually moves the needle for UK businesses.

Caregiving is a journey that eventually touches everyone, whether we are providing care, managing it, or receiving it. But in an era of burnout and high turnover, how do we build care businesses and personal routines that actually last?

In the Season 2 premiere, we explore the intersection of empathy and entrepreneurship. We break down how to lead with faith, leverage technology to enhance (not replace) relationships, and build franchise systems that prioritise a "culture of rest."

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Business of Care: Navigating accountability and systems within a franchise model.
• The Human Element: Why faith and psychological resilience are the backbone of long-term caregiving.
• Smart Innovation: How technology is shifting from a "tool" to a relationship-builder.
• Sustainability: Practical self-care strategies to prevent caregiver burnout.

Whether you are a personal caregiver in the trenches, an agency owner looking to scale, or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers a roadmap for the future of the industry.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – The Journey into Caregiving
• 08:31 – Self-Care Strategies for Caregivers
• 13:00 – The Role of Faith in Caregiving
• 18:06 – Entrepreneurship & Franchise Models
• 23:20 – Creating a Culture of Rest in the Workplace
• 26:11 – Technology’s Role in Modern Care
• 35:03 – Self-Care as a Business Foundation

Subscribe & Review If this episode helped you see caregiving in a new light, please leave us a review and subscribe for more insights into the care industry!

Most leaders think being needed everywhere is a sign of impact.

In reality, it’s often a sign of risk. In this episode of Behind the Build, I talk about delegation, control, and the uncomfortable truth many managers avoid: that real leadership isn’t measured by how much depends on you, but by how well your team functions without you.

We explore why some leaders struggle to delegate, how information hoarding quietly damages teams, and what happens when people are trusted to think, decide, and even fail forward.

I also share a simple framework to help you build teams that are more confident, productive, and capable of running with responsibility, even representing you when you’re not in the room.

This conversation is for founders, business leaders, and aspiring managers who want to build resilient teams, reduce burnout, and create businesses that don’t collapse in their absence.

If this resonates, subscribe for more practical insights on building strong operations and sustainable leadership.

For sponsorships or promotions, contact [email protected]

Artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces at a pace that many professionals are still trying to make sense of.

While the conversations often focus on productivity and automation, a deeper story is unfolding beneath the surface: the emotional, psychological, and identity-level impact on today’s workforce.

In this powerful Season 1 finale of the Business Backstage Podcast, I sit down with therapist and mental health advocate Nara Morrison to explore the human side of AI adoption.

We discuss the rising anxiety around job displacement, the silent pressures leaders face, the identity crises triggered by automation, and what it truly means to create psychologically safe spaces in the age of AI.

If you’re a tech professional, leader, HR practitioner, or someone navigating the emotional weight of AI in your career. This episode is one to listen.

Every business reaches a point where the tools that once worked start to hold everything together with duct tape.

In this episode, The ERP Doctor, Dr James Robertson, breaks down the real signs that your organisation has outgrown its systems, from hidden risks to everyday pain points leaders often overlook.

We explore why every organisation already has an ERP (even if it’s just spreadsheets), the dangers of delaying structure, and why business executives need to lead ERP implementations. A simple, practical conversation for founders and leaders building for scale

Contact Dr James Robertson via his website and assess your ERP's health using Dr Robertson's Assessement scorecard.

Feeling like your startup is growing faster than your structure? You’re not alone, and that’s exactly what this episode is about.

In this solo episode of Business Backstage, Startup Operations Director - Bukola Osuntuyi breaks down what it means to build solid operational foundations in a tech startup without killing your speed or creativity.

Learn:

1. What “operational maturity” looks like for a seed-stage tech startup

2. The biggest operational mistakes founders make early on 3. How to prioritise which systems to build first (hiring, onboarding, customer ops)

4. When it’s the right time to bring in an Operations Lead or Head of Operations

This episode is packed with practical insights from my experience helping tech founders build resilient, scalable businesses, especially in their messy early days. - Bukola.

In a new country, it’s easy to feel like you’ve lost everything you worked hard to build. The networks, the credibility, the identity – it can all feel out of reach.

But the truth is, relocation doesn’t erase your achievements; it challenges you to rebuild, influence differently, and embrace change.

In Episode #4 of the Business Backstage podcast, I sit down with Adeyinka Fakunmoju, a dynamic tech leader and ecosystem builder with a career spanning global enterprises like HP and leadership roles in sales, customer success, and partnerships.

We discuss what it means to lead without authority, build successful partnerships, adapt to technological advancements, and navigate the hidden pressures of career transitions and relocation. Adeyinka shares his personal playbook for embracing technology, maintaining identity in a new environment, and using mentorship as a tool for long-term impact.

Whether you’re a professional navigating a relocation, a leader dealing with unseen pressures, or someone seeking practical ways to adapt and grow in a fast-changing world, this conversation will give you authentic insight and actionable takeaways.

In Episode #3 of Business Backstage, host Bukola Osuntuyi dives into the modern marketing equation with Peter Dickinson, a seasoned business strategist and fractional Chief Marketing Officer.

With over 25 years of experience, Peter shares insights on aligning sales and marketing strategies for sustainable growth, the practical application of AI in business, and the importance of cultural understanding in international market expansion.

Discover how Vision to Success and the Power Network are empowering entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to thrive.

Contact Peter Dickinson: Email: [email protected] Website: Vision to Success:

Website Power Networkers Hub

Watch the Episode on YouTube