Business Live: for curious entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs

How do you support your team and manage them effectively at a time of such uncertainty and change? How do you build their and your resilience? And what can business leaders and social entrepreneurs learn from neuroscience about dealing with stress?

Jennifer McCanna, a leadership coach, has plenty of practical ideas and solutions you can implement now – even while working remotely – so you can look after your colleagues, your business or organisation and yourself.

Jen's worked with leaders in organisations like the UN, the UK’s Department for Education, businesses and leading charities, helping them to build effective relationships based on trust, so her evidence-based strategies and ideas are well-proven.

Also on the show: lots of exciting events; lots of sources of funding for businesses and social enterprises; a consultation about extending a grey-to-green scheme in Sheffield and more.

Timings:

• 0 - 2:31 Introduction
• 2:31 Jen McCanna: Who Jen works with and what are people feeling at work, right now?
• 4:15 Why the brain doesn't deal well with uncertainty – and the impact of biological responses to stress on our ability to be effective at work.
• 7:20 How to address stress.
• 9:38 More ideas, applicable to remote working.
• 14:45 How to apply Stephen Covey's "Circles of Influence" model (control, influence and concern).
• 19:00 How productivity and effectiveness relate to these circles – and the importance of self-awareness.
• 24:00 Building trusting relationships and the ability to have difficult conversations – with honesty and without defensiveness. How?
• 26:45 Giving feedback with directness and care – Jen recommends Kim Scott's book, Radical Candor, and TED talk.
• 27:55 Details of Jen's forthcoming and free five-day programme, "5 Day Work Relationships Fast Track." What it involves and how it will work. More about this here.
• 31:14 Finding Jen online – website, LinkedIn and Instagram.
• 35:15 Plans to extend a Sheffield "Grey to Green" scheme to create a green corridor in the city. The city council wants your input – here's the consultation.
• 37:19 Details of an upcoming webinar, Can Business Be a Force for Good, on 11 February. Free, organised by Alpkit whose CEO was on the show last year. Register here.
• 38:45 The Business & IP Centre webinar, How to Be More Pirate. Free, register here.
• 40:01 New workshops (and grants) from the Social Enterprise Exchange for startup and early-stage social enterprises. Details here.
• 41:16 Innovate UK Smart Grants to deliver game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. Details.
• 43:19 Big Society Capital's call for Ideas for Impact. Details.
• 44:09 Sheffield City Council business support.
• 44:31 The Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Entrepreneurs. Details.
• 45:18 Wrapping up

Playing has been Dale Le Fevre's life's work. One of the world's best-known exponents of the New Games movement, Dale has given workshops, trained and played in 35 countries since 1975.

New Games are about fun for anyone who wants to take part. Research demonstrates a wide range of benefits for participants. Dale has also worked with businesses worldwide, helping them use new games to facilitate cooperation, build confidence, and break the ice at conferences.

We all need play more than ever before, says Dale, "it's like a breath of fresh air, a chance to relax, recharge, take a break from the news."

In this episode Dale tells me more about New Games and why he dedicated his life's work to play. He describes what he's done since times have forced us to change how we interact, and a new product which is a compilation of socially-distanced New Games, many can be played over Zoom. Sounds great – more details here.

Also in today's show: a record 772,002 new businesses launched last year; changes to the prompt payment code (good news for businesses of under 50 people which sell to corporates); business insurance ruling; rethinking town centres and funding for freelancers in the creative and arts sector who live or work in Sheffield.

Timings:

• 0 - 3:00 Introduction
• 3:00 Interview with Dale Le Fevre
• 33:04 A record 772,002 new businesses launched last year according to the Centre for Entrepreneurs. Their analysis is here. 
• 35:27 An overhaul to the Prompt Payment Code.
• 38:08 High street shop closures and reimagining town and city centres – new report from the Social Market Foundation.
• 39:26 Small businesses to get business interruption insurance payouts after court ruling.
• 40:47 Tribepad Ventures, a new incubator and accelerator.
• 41:46 Big Issue Foundation launches Clever Shopping Companion.
• 42:43 Funding for freelancers in Sheffield
• 44:20 Wrapping up

Social enterprises exist to create impact. Not measuring it is like trying to reduce your blood pressure without checking whether your medication or lifestyle changes are having an effect, according to social enterprise and impact specialist Heidi Fisher.

Yet many social entrepreneurs are mired in a swamp when it comes to measuring, managing and understanding their impact.

Heidi Fisher joins me for episode 325 of Business Live to explain her five-stage LEAN social impact approach.  Social enterprises of all sizes use it to understand, demonstrate and improve their social impact.

Heidi runs through the five stages (Define, Plan, Measure, Analyse and Learn), why each is important, how to use them, common pitfalls and how to embed impact management into day-to-day operations. 

Well-known for her unflinching honesty, Heidi has run social enterprises for over two decades and worked with or supported thousands of social entrepreneurs. She was awarded the MBE for this work a year ago and is determined for social enterprise to become the default way to do business. Understanding, being realistic about and boosting your social impact is a key element.

Also in this episode: new events, grant and loan funding and an entrepreneurial community.

Timings:

• 0 - 2:44 introduction
• 2:44 interview with Heidi Fisher
• 30:05 new events from the Business and IP Centre Sheffield
• 32:05 the Digital Entrepreneurial Community, a new networking group in Sheffield
• 32:50 the Cultural Recovery Fund is now open for applications from eligible businesses, social enterprises and charities – details
• 34:26 wrapping up

Heidi's new book, Impact First: The social entrepreneur's guide to measuring, managing and growing your impact is out now. 

Do you remember supermarket shelves stripped bare when the UK went into its first national lockdown in 2020? And widespread reports of no home delivery slots?

There are many other places to buy groceries though – but lots of independent shops don't or didn't have their own online shops or delivery services. That's where this week's guest Mazen Musaeed, founder and CEO of 3Miles comes in.

His Sheffield startup helps people running locally-rooted independent grocery businesses bring their products online and offer delivery and collection services to their customers.

Mazen's last appearance on Business Live was in October 2019 as the business soft-launched as a Minimum Viable Product. In the 14 months since then it has rebranded, doubled the size of its team and enabled "hundreds of thousands of pounds" of business for its customers. Mazen describes how.

Also covered in this episode (number 324) of Business Live:

• The 7th Annual #MicroBizMatters Day is today, featuring recognition, action and learning for people running micro businesses. There are 10 hours of digitally streamed learning sessions from more than 100 business owners covering all the sectors of the economy hardest hit by the pandemic. The event is organised by Tina Boden and (recent guest on the show) Tony Robinson OBE. They say more than a million freelancers, self-employed people and micro business owners will kick start 2021 by helping each other. Get involved here.
• Grants/support through the Paul Hamlyn Foundation: Tech for Good programme and the Social Enterprise Exchange: Small Grants Scheme.
• Sheffield has been awarded up to £15.8 million through the Future High Streets Fund.
• How to get in touch to put yourself forward as a potential guest.

"It's important we can still look forward to a great future," says Mike Lawrence, workplace health and wellbeing consultant.

Working from home means many business leaders and employees feel isolated; others experience overwhelm and burnout, or never stop working. He has strategies to protect and support you and your colleagues' health and wellbeing. 

Born and raised in a working-class part of Sheffield, Mike now lives in Chesterfield. But as a young man he had to move to London to access employment opportunities: covert racism in Sheffield proved an enormous barrier. Has that changed? Is the city a better place now for a young Person of Colour?

Mike "could talk for a week about some of the challenges I've had to overcome." Alongside his one-to-one practice in Sheffield, he now works with many corporate firms and large organisations, enabling them to address discrimination, bias and barriers to inclusivity. He describes initiatives and action, underway and needed, to create a level playing field for all.

It's been a year of immense stress: the pandemic, losses of family and friends, concerns for people's health, living under restrictions, businesses going under or at risk of it, and horrifying  injustices. Mike supports people with depression and experiencing anxiety, so how does he protect himself and what did he do differently this year?

Mike is also frank about a period in his life when his own confidence took a battering and how he addressed this, and describes practical actions you can take to protect and build your own.

Timings:

• 0 - 2:06 Introduction.
• 2:06 How to address isolation, prevent burnout, and protect yourself from a festive "tipping point."
• 11:08 Because of discrimination Mike moved from Sheffield to London to develop his career. He talks about this, the impact of the world witnessing the horrific killing of George Floyd this year, Black Lives Matter, and initiatives and action to create a level playing field for all.
• 27:29 How Mike looked after his own health and wellbeing during 2020.
• 30:29 The book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl has been transformational for many, including Mike: why does he recommend it?
• 33:50 Mike is a co-author of "Confidence: How to Have it and Keep it," published this year. He describes some of his own experiences.
• 38:10 How Mike found mentors.
• 39:30 Realistic advice for business leaders about listening, asking questions and building trust.
• 44:39 How to find Mike Lawrence Health and Wellbeing online, and the book.
• 46:05 Some thank-yous.
• 47:02 Business grants available in the Sheffield City Region.
• 48:37 Wrapping up.

Normally on this show we get to pick the brains of business leaders and social entrepreneurs. Today's episode is a little different: it's a deferred brain-picking, if you like.

I recently joined a live call with Carol Jordan, Head of Planning at ITV News, organised by Broadcast Revolution. Responsible for three daily TV news bulletins, Carol has brilliant and valuable advice about what she's looking for when it comes to non-breaking news stories.

What makes for a great item on the news ? How can you show a producer or planner that you can deliver if you've never been on air before? And how do you pitch a TV news decision-maker effectively? There are loads of tips here you can use.

Also on today's show: more ideas for fantastic gifts from social enterprises and independent businesses; thoughtful presents which also make the world better. Mentions for Regather Sheffield's hampers, Treehouse Board Game Café's shop, The Substantial Meal IPA from Triple Point Brewery,  And Other Stories, publishers of innovative contemporary writing. 

Plus an opportunity to have your say about new plans to enable people to travel around Sheffield more easily on foot, by bike and public transport.

Timings:

• 0 - 2:34 Introduction.
• 2:34 Carol Jordan: what sort of stories is ITV News looking for? How do you grab her attention?
• 8:36 Carol's pitch bugbears and how to pitch effectively.
• (I've distilled Carol's advice from a live Q&A I attended with her, organised by Broadcast Revolution – thanks Josh and team).
• 14:41 After last week's episode, more ideas for lovely gifts from social enterprises and independent businesses.
• 21:02 Want to be on this radio show? What we're looking for and how to get in touch.
• 22:28 Consultation about 'Connecting Sheffield' – how to get involved and have your say about the plans (deadline 7 January 2021)
• 24:28 Wrapping up.

In this episode: a round-up of support, funding and grants for businesses and social enterprises; a guide to where to buy wonderful presents which have a positive rather than negative impact in the world.

It was 'Black Friday' when this show was first broadcast on FM radio, traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year, perhaps followed by 'Cyber Monday.'  Certainly a day when many people think about buying presents. There’s increasing understanding that every £1 or penny we spend has an impact which can be good, bad or ugly.

What I mean by that is we have enormous choice when it comes to where we buy things, online and off.  We have options. And many people want to buy great quality and thoughtful gifts which also make the world better, not worse. So I've made a few recommendations. Feel free to send your own ideas and if I can, I'll mention them in a future show.

Timings:

• 0 - 2:25 Introduction
• 2:25 Gift guide covering clothing, outdoor gear, bags, luxury items, a magazine, coffee, chocolate, other social enterprises, and independent businesses in Sheffield.
• 11:20 Sheffield to enter Tier 3. Grants and support including lockdown support grants of up to £3,000; Restart and Recovery Fund (opening here on 2 Dec; first come, first served); supply chain support grants for businesses which supply other businesses forced to close.
• 18:30 Support for social enterprises: The Thriving Communities Fund.
• 20:55 Wrapping up and a mention for Bookshop.

How do you turn thoughts of a better future into reality? How can we create high-quality jobs,  make places work better for people, and truly enable an inclusive and green recovery?

Paul Riley, director and network co-ordinator at Transition Liverpool CIC joined me for today's show, episode #320.

He originally got in touch after I asked social entrepreneurs and purpose-driven business leaders to nominate the books which have had the biggest impact for them.

In this episode, Paul covers three books (two of which I've read and know to be both brilliant and urgently applicable):

• Kate Raworth's Doughnut Economics (shortlisted for the FT/McKinsey business book of the year; named one of Forbes' best business books)
• Rob Hopkins' From What Is to What If (an imaginative tour de force showing how to change societies for the better)
• and Matthew Bolton's How to Resist, crammed with effective strategies for changemaking. 

Plus we discuss the green economy and yesterday's comments from Chris Stark, the chief executive of the Committee on Climate Change, that achieving net zero carbon emissions in the UK is likely easier than previously thought – and can be done to quickly improve the lives of millions.

Also in this episode: a new business grant scheme in Sheffield; the Reset 2020 Festival of Social Enterprise; and the British Library's Start-Up Day.

Timings:

• 0 - 3:10 Introduction
• 3:10 Paul Riley, Transition Liverpool CIC
• 4:15 Discussing Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth
• 15:07 Discussing From What Is to What If by Rob Hopkins
• 24:17 Discussing How to Resist by Matthew Bolton
• 30:10 Transition Liverpool CIC, its mission and actions to achieve this including sPark It Liverpool 
• 33:19 What were the barriers to becoming a CIC?
• 36:00 Reaching net-zero, making lives better: are we doing enough and what should we do? How to create great green jobs
• 42:30 Forthcoming events including the British Library's Start-Up Day (with a Business & Intellectual Property Centre Sheffield session with Kisha Bradley)
• 46:46 The Reset Festival in Sheffield City Region and International Social Enterprise Day
• 48:25 new Business Grant scheme in Sheffield City Region
• 49:40 Wrapping up and a Happy Birthday to Sheffield Live on FM radio

Food Works collects, upcycles and shares surplus food, preventing 7-9 tonnes from being wasted every week. CEO Rene Meijer describes how it achieves this – and what this fantastic social enterprise has been doing this half-term to ensure no child in Sheffield should go hungry.

Rene explains how Food Works operates (and has adapted), how it makes ingredients and meals accessible to people and how it earns its income.

I also asked Rene how his interest in food and sustainability has been shaped – and pressed him for leadership and management tips. His are well worth reflecting on.

Also on the show: Rachel Veitch-Straw (no relation!) of Key Fund on a new capital grants programme for social enterprises (and a brief diversion into brass band music!)

Plus I cover the local restrictions business support grant; Sheffield’s Business Response Group and its new Business Recovery Plan; an online shop selling goods from independent traders at The Moor Market and more.

Timings:

• 0 - 2:28 introduction
• 2:28 Rene Meijer
• 24:32 The  local restrictions business support grant
• 27:01 Rachel Veitch-Straw
• 36:07 Sheffield's Business Recovery Plan; The Moor Market; Printed By Us; wrapping up

This is episode #319 of Business Live – please do leave a rating or review, which helps more people to find it and hear from our fantastic guests.

Minreet Kaur is a freelance presenter, producer and reporter.  She’s worked in radio and television for the BBC, Sky News and multiple other media channels.

Her father Rajinder Singh the "Skipping Sikh" has inspired people all over the world. His work to show people how to stay fit and healthy led to an MBE. Minreet used her journalistic skills and expertise to tell his story and make it go viral.

Minreet has covered sensitive stories such as how divorce has been viewed as a stigma for women in the Sikh community, alcohol abuse and vitiligo with respect and dignity.

But as a result of COVID she’s under-employed. She knows where she wants to be: presenting on The One Show, for example; sharing stories which need to be heard with warmth and compassion. She describes the stories she is most proud of, what she's doing to progress her career, and how journalism in changing in 2020.

Minreet also has tips about how to get your message heard. She is frank about the difficulties of establishing a career in journalism, bias, and the need for action on inclusivity, diversity and nurturing talent in the media.

Also in this episode (number 318 of the show): Tier 3 for Sheffield and South Yorkshire; changes to the Job Support Scheme; The CAF Resilience Fund for social enterprises and charitable organisations and more.

Timings:

• 0 - 42:38 Minreet Kaur interview
• 44:07 Tier 3 for Sheffield and South Yorkshire
• 45:06 Reduced employer contributions via The Jobs Support Scheme and other measures – brief details and some reaction
• 49:04 Details of new grant funding available from the CAF Resilience Fund and loan/grant funding from The Social Investment Business Resilience and Recovery Loan Fund
• 51:00 Good news for Sheffield Sustainable Kitchens

You can watch Minreet Kaur's showreel here and get in touch with her via twitter or Linkedin.