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Can a passion-driven business approach redefine an entire industry? Managing Director of Add Some Zest, Calum Lyle, believes so. 

We loved speaking to Calum and hearing about his refreshing approach to recruitment. We feel Calum's values and our values at the Amplified Group are naturally aligned. It definitely feels like a match!

Calum shares how prioritising customer experience over profit can lead to a staggering +94 Net Promoter Score and an impressive candidate retention rate. 

Calum has built an agency that truly enhances the recruitment process, focusing on authenticity and energy in every interaction. They choose passion and customer-centricity over mere financial gain.

We discover some practical tips on navigating the evolving job market, including strategies for bypassing AI filters and crafting personalised communication. 

This episode is a wonderful example of breaking free of established ways of working, thinking creatively and executing on it.

Whilst this conversation is focused on a recruitment, it's a must listen for job seekers and hiring managers alike.

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We're delighted to welcome back AI pioneer, Reddy Mallidi. Reddy has been busy since we last spoke, channelling his knowledge and passion into writing a book, AI Unleashed.

The true power of AI is not in replacing humans, but in creating super humans.

Reddy shares with us  how he has numerous conversations that start with ‘We need AI’ to which his immediate response is ‘Yes, but what for? What is the use case?’

We'll hear first-hand accounts from his early days experimenting with neural networks in the 1990s to a standout achievement at Autodesk, where AI helped him tackle the colossal task of screening 50 million accounts. This episode illuminates the immense power of AI and the technological strides in computing power, data availability, and algorithm development that have brought us to this transformative point in history.

We explore how AI is reshaping the landscape of sales and HR, offering strategic benefits that enhance business efficiency. Discover how AI can sift through mountains of unstructured data, providing sales teams with pivotal insights to close high-probability deals and improve forecasting. We also dive into the ethical considerations of AI in HR, with cautionary tales like Amazon's early machine learning tool that inadvertently reinforced gender biases. 

As Reddy highlights, when harnessed thoughtfully, AI serves as a powerful tool to augment human capabilities across various sectors, from finance to winemaking, all while ensuring data security and a positive organisational impact.

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As the days get shorter and the weather becomes gloomy Sam and Vic are joined by the legendary Joe Baguley to brighten your day on a podcast filled with humour and insight.

Joe, Chief Technology Officer at Broadcom openly shares his motivations, driven by a lifelong curiosity and the knack for simplifying the complex. Known for his memorable "kittens and chickens" analogy to introduce Cloud, Joe's unique approach to technology intertwines with his ability to make intricate concepts simple.

Embracing the strength of neurodiversity, we venture into how diverse thinking enhances problem-solving and teaming, offering fresh perspectives even in traditional settings like the military. 

We were thoroughly entertained as Joe shared how influencing without authority can be achieved through genuine conviction and emotional resonance. This philosophy has guided his leadership style, notably during his time at VMware, where he inspired an entire community to embrace change and innovation. Our conversation highlights the art of connecting people with technology, emphasizing the importance of translating technical jargon into language everyone can relate to.

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Ever wonder how internal operations can actually support and supercharge your sales efforts rather than hinder them? 

Join us on Get Amplified with special guest Dr. Mark Baker, visiting fellow at Cranfield University. With a rich background in engineering, finance, and risk management, Mark shares compelling stories from his time at Unilever and his pivotal role in the London 2012 Speedo project! Discover the untapped potential of effective teaming and learn how bridging the gap between front office and back office can create a formidable competitive edge.

Reflecting on the 2003 Rugby World Cup and England’s T-C-U-P (Think Clearly Under Pressure) strategy, we explore how preparation and resilience can turn high-pressure situations into opportunities for success. 

By integrating systematic approaches and digitalization, we uncover strategies that enhance decision-making processes and client outcomes, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement.

In our discussions on strategic leadership and vision planning, we tackle the necessity of stepping back from daily operations to focus on long-term goals. Learn valuable insights into effective delegation, the dangers of "organisational constipation," and the benefits of pre-mortem analyses. 

A big thank you to Dr. Mark Baker for his insights on effective teaming and strategic leadership.

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What better way to launch Season 6 of Get Amplified than with the experienced and innovative GTM leader, Ross Brown.

This episode is jam packed with stories and nuggets of partnering strategy. You’ll need your fast listening ears as it is a wild ride with some brilliant metaphors and stories that had us leaning in for more!

With an impressive career that spans over three decades, including senior leadership roles at Citrix, Microsoft, VMware, and Oracle, we delve into the topic of teaming at scale. Ross shares his vast experience and insights into how strategic partnerships can drive efficiency and success.

We discuss how businesses can thrive by focusing on their core competencies and outsourcing the rest. Through relatable examples like the UK's wine industry and the metaphor of house building, we hear how specialization leads to greater value creation. 

Getting into the nitty gritty, we discuss driving behavioural change through well-designed incentives, using Microsoft's transition to a rateable revenue model as a case study. 

Ross shares riveting stories of deep tech partnerships, such as those between Oracle, Accenture, and Quantify, that showcase the transformative power of clear role alignment and expertise sharing. 

This episode offers a compelling take on how effective teaming and trust-building are crucial in today’s competitive landscape.

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Brace yourself for leadership lessons that are as impactful as they are practical. We're joined by Jason Tooley, EMEA Sales Leader and Board Member of techUK,  who shares what he has learnt from his 35 years of experience in the tech industry.

Strap in for a journey through the challenges and strategies of leading transformations, especially within the backdrop of EMEA.  We'll dissect the importance of adaptability and the courage it takes to make tough calls on prioritization, ensuring your vision doesn't get lost in the noise of competing tasks. 

Discover why supporting your team is the cornerstone of success and how clear communication channels are the glue that holds your strategic plans together. 

You'll learn how to cut through the clutter of everyday tasks and prioritize with precision, fostering an environment that thrives on trust and simplicity. 

Our conversation with Jason dives into the importance of emotional intelligence, empathy, and engaging leadership styles that resonate across different cultural contexts. We discuss the art of breaking down silos, integrating business models, and motivating teams beyond just financial incentives, ensuring a seamless approach and a team that's in sync with the corporate vision.

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Discover the ripple effects of interest rates on the tech industry as we sit down with Paul Wiefels from the Chasm Group. Our enlightening conversation traverses the current challenges faced by tech firms, especially in the bustling hub of the San Francisco Bay Area. From the precarious dance of hiring to the tough decisions on layoffs, Paul unpacks the ways companies are striving to adapt to a "normal economy." His insights on the criticality of speed of execution provide valuable lessons for maintaining momentum in the industry, even as headcounts shrink and efficiency becomes the watchword.

Platforms are the buzzword of the day, but what truly makes a platform successful? We crack open the evolving definition, distinguishing between transaction platforms like Airbnb and innovation powerhouses such as AWS. Through candid anecdotes—including one from Splunk's former CEO—we underscore the importance of a customer-centric approach in tech leadership. It's not about the label 'platform' but the utility and customer adoption that truly cements a platform's place in the tech pantheon.

Wrapping up this deep-dive, the discussion shifts to the nuanced dance between vendors and customers. Paul emphasizes the need for tech companies to hone in on the outcomes and benefits that customers genuinely seek, rather than merely pushing the platform label. We dissect how Splunk's journey from a single-application offering to a comprehensive platform exemplifies the organic growth and alignment with customer aspirations that's crucial for success.

So tune in for a fresh angle on platforms and the critical importance of having a customer centric approach in the tech world.

You can view the Business Value Stairway framework that Paul shared with us here:
Business Value Stairway Extract 2023 (amplifiedgroup.co.uk)

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If steering a sales team to greatness has ever felt like herding cats, you're in for a treat. 

In this episode, we chat with Andy Wills, EMEA Sales Enablement Director at Dynatrace. Andy tells us when a business has all the ingredients to be successful it is the people that will make the difference, yet businesses very often neglect to invest in leadership skills.

We share laughs and learn about the grit it takes to face rejection head-on and convert it into a stepping stone for success. We uncover the secret sauce that turns a high-performing salesperson into an impactful manager.
 
We dissect the art of leadership with Andy, where management is not merely about oversight but about vision. Listen to tales of inspiring teams to rally behind a common goal, the transition from sales leadership to enablement, and the joy of crafting a culture where leaders breed more leaders. The Dynatrace story will leave you itching to redefine your own approach to leadership and team motivation.
 
To cap things off, we get a peek into the framework that moulds sales leaders at Dynatrace. It's a thrilling insight into the company's nine-month leadership curriculum, now going global, that does more than just impart skills—it instils a way of being that's synonymous with the company's forward march. 

We hear about the program's inception and the collaborative spirit that drives organizational growth. It's a masterclass in nurturing your most valuable assets—your people—and preparing them to conquer the tech world's ever-evolving landscape.

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Ever wondered what propels a high-performance team? Vic is on this special Amplified only podcast, with co-host Pippa Hutchinson to give you an insider's view.  

We dig deep into the dynamics of highly productive teams, who are not just aligned and collaborative, but also exhibit a strong sense of belonging. 

If you’re struggling with team productivity,  being asked to do more with less or even flat headcount.  Then we have some answers.

We explore how the tech industry measures speed of execution, the new metric for  differentiation and introduce you to a tool that's revolutionizing team dynamics: the Speed Check.

This tool measures your team's execution prowess across four key pillars: purpose, trust, clarity, and simplicity. We also dissect common red flags like high clarity and low trust, and the deceptive phenomenon of artificial harmony. Prepare to shift your perspective as we underscore the importance of simplicity as a mindset and the power of every voice being heard. Buckle up for an enlightening ride into the heart of team performance.

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What a thought provoking session Sam and I had with the highly engaging and incredibly energising Ben Pearce.

Ben has two decades of tech go to market under his belt with Microsoft. The later 10 years, as a leader he realised he didn’t need to coach his team on the tech stuff, but the critical human skills needed to influence both internal stakeholders and customers.

Packed with practical tips on key point retention, next step strategies, and the art of storytelling. Ben walks us through his super simple AOREN framework (which btw we are now putting into practice already at Amplified Group 😃)

You can down load it here 

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to master communication and leadership in the tech industry. If you're ready to take your tech skills to the next level, this is the episode for you.

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