AI is everywhere at the moment - but for most small business owners, it still feels confusing and overwhelming.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna speaks with Luke Williams, Group Head of AI at Intergage, about what it really takes for a business to adopt AI safely, ethically and without sending everyone into a panic.

Rather than focusing on shiny tools or big promises, Luke takes a calm, practical look at the human side of AI: how teams react to change, why people worry about their jobs, and what business owners can do to introduce AI in a way that feels supportive rather than threatening.

Together, they explore:

• Why AI adoption is less about technology and more about change management
• How to create simple, human-first AI policies that protect your business
• Why "human + AI" will always beat "AI replaces humans"
• The importance of transparency when your team fears being left behind
• The difference between genuine productivity and AI-for-the-sake-of-it
• Why pilots sometimes fail - and why that's perfectly normal
• How founders can start using AI without losing their voice and values

It's an honest, reassuring conversation for hands-on founders who want to embrace AI without the overwhelm and who want technology to make their business easier, not harder.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join the community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To connect with Luke Williams, find him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukewilliams/

If you don't know where your business is headed, how do you know what road to take?

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington builds on last week's chat with HR expert Reyhana Jano by looking at one of the most overlooked questions in business: Where do you actually want to end up?

Whether you plan to sell your company, pass it on, or simply work until retirement, your goals shape everything - from the team you build to the systems you put in place.

Anna explores:

• Why your business "end game" defines every decision you make

• How to use SMART goals to turn vague dreams into clear steps

• What happens when you build the wrong kind of business for your personality

• Why knowing your limits (and your gaps) matters just as much as ambition

• And how to work backwards from your ultimate goal - using tools like AI and planning frameworks to make it achievable

It's part strategy session, part reality check, and a nudge to stop driving without a destination.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To download the Year Compass book I recommend in the podcast, go to: https://yearcompass.com

Hiring people shouldn't feel like walking through a legal minefield - but for most founders, that's exactly what it is.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington chats with HR consultant Reyhana Jano about how to build, manage, and retain a small team without the stress (or ending up in tribunal).

Reyhana shares over 30 years of HR experience, from corporate to small business consulting, and breaks down what founders really need to know when it comes to contracts, culture, and compliance.

Together, Anna and Reyhana talk about:

• Why hiring someone "just like you" is a terrible idea (and what to do instead)

• How to build trust, culture, and clarity in your growing team

• Why muddling through HR can cost you more than getting it right upfront

• The simple steps to get compliant without the jargon

• How to reward and retain great people when budgets are tight

Whether you're about to make your first hire or already managing a team, this episode will help you see HR not as red tape - but as one of your biggest tools for growth.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To speak to Reyhana, visit: https://www.constantiaconsulting.com

What if you could create 30 pieces of content from just one idea?

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington shares her tried-and-tested method for using AI to repurpose content - without losing your voice and your patience.

From turning a podcast, video, or eBook into blogs and social posts, to using tools like ChatGPT, Otter.ai, and Descript, Anna walks through a simple framework for creating a single pillar piece each month and breaking it down into smaller, purposeful content that sounds authentically you.

You'll learn:

• Why AI can't (and shouldn't) replace your voice

• How to train it to sound like you - not like "everyone else online"

• The step-by-step process Anna uses to create blogs and posts from one piece of content

• The tools that make it easier (and the ones that waste your time)

• Why repurposing isn't cheating - it's smart strategy

If you've ever stared at a blank screen wondering what to post next, this episode will help you lighten the load, sound more consistent, and still sound like you.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

Mark Schaefer's MarkBot that was mentioned in the show: https://businessesgrow.com/markbot/

What happens when your audience isn't quite who you thought it was?

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington gets honest about her own podcast pivot - how six months of data, feedback, and (accidental) audience research made her realise that her show had outgrown its niche.

Originally created for STEM founders, Creating the Curve has steadily attracted a much wider group of hands-on business owners - people who love the doing but struggle with the business side of things.

Anna shares:

• How she realised 80–90% of her listeners weren't STEM founders

• Why qualitative feedback is just as valuable as analytics

• The moment she admitted she'd fallen out of love with her own muted brand

• How bright colours, rainbows, and a late-night website edit changed everything

• And why listening to your audience isn't a failure - it's smart business

It's part confession, part strategy session, and a reminder that it's okay to change direction when the data (and your gut) tell you to.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

Ever feel like your social media sounds like the same song on repeat? You're not alone and you're probably not the only one bored of it.

In this solo episode, Anna Bravington dives deeper into the playlist approach to social media inspired by her conversation with Gus Bhandal. She talks about how founders can move beyond the traditional content pillars and start thinking like musicians - creating a mix of content "tracks" that still sound like you, but keep your audience interested.

From discovering her own content pillars (data, diversity, and connecting business with marketing) to confessing her "safe space" habit of endlessly tinkering with her website, Anna shares how structure, rhythm, and variety can breathe new life into your marketing.

You'll learn:

• How to move from content pillars to content playlists

• Why consistency doesn't mean doing the same thing over and over

• How to balance your core themes with variety that feels natural

• Why every founder needs their own "album" of ideas

• And how to stop playing Take That on repeat (metaphorically… or literally)

If your posts have started to sound samey - this episode will help you hit shuffle without losing your sound.

Social media can feel like a monster - too many platforms, too much noise, and too little time to do it all. But what if you could be seen everywhere without actually being everywhere?

In this episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington chats with Gus Bhandal, social media strategist, LinkedIn trainer, and co-founder of Uplift Live, the UK's first LinkedIn conference. Gus shares how founders can make social media actually work for their business - without spending every waking hour glued to their phones.

They talk about:

• How to be "omnipresent" without burning out

• Choosing the right channels instead of chasing all of them

• Creating a "content playlist" so your posts never feel samey

• Why personality-led content builds connection faster than perfect posts

• And why biscuits, orange trainers, and authenticity still beat algorithms

Whether you're stuck in the "post and pray" phase or trying to wrangle too many platforms, this episode will help you step back, simplify, and show up online in a way that actually moves your business forward.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our free community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

To find our guest Gus Bhandal, go to: https://www.themguru.co.uk

When times get tough, it's tempting to retreat into "busy work" - polishing your website, tinkering with code, or creating new products no one's asked for. It feels safe. It feels productive. But it doesn't always move your business forward.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna Bravington reflects on her conversation with Mark Schaefer and digs into why founders need to lift their heads, stay curious, and keep an eye on what's coming next.

She shares:

• Why "being busy" isn't the same as making progress

• How comfort zones keep founders stuck

• Why community and getting out from your desk jolts you into fresh thinking

• How to use tools like PESTLE analysis to scan for future risks and opportunities

• Why being a fast follower often beats being first

If you've ever hidden in the comfort of faffing instead of facing the future, this is your reminder to step back, look up, and get curious about what's around the corner.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our free community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk

It's easy to get stuck in the day-to-day of running a business: juggling clients, cashflow, and the never-ending to-do list. But if you never look up, you risk missing the future coming straight at you.

In this episode of Creating the Curve, I sit down with marketing legend Mark Schaefer - author of 13 books including Audacious, host of the Marketing Companion podcast, and founder of the Rise community. Mark has built his career on curiosity, foresight, and spotting what's next before anyone else.

We talk about:

• Why being a "fast follower" is a great place to start

• How to separate shiny distractions from real opportunities

• Why community is the secret weapon for staying relevant

• The human side of AI and why it might be your best co-founder at 2am

• How stories (not pie charts) make lessons stick, and why that matters more than ever in the age of AI content

Whether you're a founder trying to stay ahead, or just someone who feels stuck in the "now," this episode will help you look up, think bigger, and see what's around the corner.

Personal brand isn't built in one big moment - it's built drip by drip, post by post, conversation by conversation.

In this solo episode of Creating the Curve, Anna builds on her chat last week with Ella Orr to explore the messy reality of showing up online when you'd rather be doing anything else. From why technical founders often loathe marketing, to how even top influencers' first videos are often pretty rubbish, I share why consistency beats polish every time.

Expect stories about experimenting with different tones, the frustration of "I hate marketing" threads on Reddit, and why finding your way of showing up (whether that's writing, video, or even car-park content creation) matters more than doing it "the right way."

If you've ever put off posting because it won't be perfect, this episode is your nudge to start small and keep going.

Find out more about Creating the Curve or join our free community here: https://creatingthecurve.co.uk