As it's National Apprenticeship Week in the UK, we have recorded a podcast to discuss and promote the value of Apprentices and Apprenticeships, with particular regard to Leading Business Change and bridging the Skills Gap in Digital Transformation.

Unlocking the Potential of Apprenticeships: A Journey with

Embark on a transformative voyage as we delve into the world

Recent reports from Forbes highlight a staggering 93% of UK

Against this backdrop, apprenticeships emerge as a powerful

Alison's active engagement in the Government's South East

Tune in to my PJ Tips Podcast to discover Alison's

Is engaging apprentices a sound business decision? According

#NationalApprenticeWeek

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek2024

#ApprenticeshipScheme

#BuildBetterBusiness

#LeadingBusinessChange

#DigitalTransformation

#Technology

#SkillsGap

#Education

#TalentPool

#SuccessionPlanning

#Coaching

#Culture

#Leadership

#Strategy

#GrowthStrategy

In this PJ Tips Podcast on Leading Business Change, our guest Gwen Stirling Wilkie shares insights, stories and top tips on Beyond Hybrid Working.

Gwen has recently published a book Omni-Working, which talks a lot about the need and value of flexibility in work. Not just where we work, but how we work.

If you think Omni or Flexible working is tough to achieve in your world, imagine integrating Omni working into a Construction Firm on the building sites.

Over the last few years, I have worked with and spoken to many leaders and bosses who (excuse the expression) have their proverbial 'knickers in a twist' over whats right and wrong when it comes to flexible working.

Clients such as a Dubai Bank to UK Rail Co are wrestling with this topic. A Top Tip from Gwen is to 'experiment'. You'll hear her use this term a number of times in the conversation.

But, as we discuss, do you - and the business - have the leadership skills and underlying culture to encourage and support experimentation.

We usefully discuss two levels of Leadership :

The strategic level of leadership that vision and strategy for omni working, and

The second tier of leaders who have to try and implement the strategy.

One could argue there's a third level, and that's leadership of self to live the strategy honestly and effectively, not just in service of self, but in service of the project, team and overall purpose.

Given that, in the UK, figures for Performance and Productivity are (relatively) low, we need to upskill (or re-skill) leaders to Lead Business Change. Unfortunately change is most often difficult, expensive , emotional, time consuming .... and failure intensive.

How can Omni Working impact on Performance and Productivity? Listen in to hear Gwen's insights and practical tips for Leaders, leading this change.

For more insights on Omni Working, connect with Gwen Stirling-Wilkie on LinkedIn and Twitter, and her book is available online : Omni-Working: Work effectively in all ways, from all places.

For more insights and top tips on Leading Business Challenge, connect with me PJ Stevens #PJTips

#leadingbusinesschange

#omniworking

#beyondhybridworking

#performance

#productivity

#culture

In this PJ Tips podcast on Leading Business Change, Neil Barrie talks us through the new playbook for 21st century brand building, and shares his purpose to 'challenge leaders to create a positive cultural legacy’.

Its a high energy ride, so hang on. It so worth it!

Neil was CSO of Chiat Day Los Angeles from 2014-2018, and spent most of his time working on Airbnb. Here he met up with Jonathan Mildenhall and they worked together when Airbnb was just a squiggly logo and helped grow it to the global travel brand we know it as today.  

Having left in 2018, they decided to create a business together. A business that would utilise their incredible knowledge of Brand Building for good. TwentyFirstCenturyBrand was born with the mission to launch, build and scale the most influence brands of our time.

After 5 years growing their business and helping others do the same, they joined up with Common Interest who now have a 51% stake in the business.  

Neil openly discusses why they created 21stCenturyBrand, the good work its done and will do as part of the Common Interest collective.

When talking with Neil on this PJ Tips Podcast I got the overwhelming sense of Human, of being Human and Human interest. Indeed, Neil tells us about their core value ‘Ambush with Humanity’, meaning they go out of our way to create a safe space for people to be vulnerable, creative and challenging, both internally and with clients. Neil says it’s so important that people are themselves, not who they think they ‘should’ be.

This bears out in his views on ‘discuss the undiscussable’ and how to create a safe space for leaders to do this.

Purpose flows through the conversation. When asked about TwentyFirstCenturyPurpose, Neil offers surprising insights. He talks about seeking a deeper purpose above that of

I had heard people use the term ‘explosion of creativity’ and I was buzzing with energy talking to Neil, which makes more sense when you hear why sold shares to Common Interest and join the collective. Its all about partnering with other businesses with a common interest and services that combined can add more value.

The term collective brilliance springs to mind. By working with Common Interest they can expand services whilst remaining true to themselves, their skills and brand.  

I referred to it as a merger in the conversation, and it’s not that. It’s more of a purposeful coming together.

Given the successes Neil and the team have enjoyed to date, one can only imagine the good they can do in the next period.

Here’s some of the questions that Neil answers in this podcast:

#LeadingBusinessChange

#PurposeLedBrands

#BusinessForGood

#Failure

#GrowthStrategy

#CollectiveBrilliance

#Brand

#BrandBuilding

#21stCenturyBrands

#Culture

#CultureChange

#Legacy

In this PJ Tips podcast, I talk Sport, Leadership and Sustainability with the World's Greenest CEO, Henry Staelens.

Having sold a couple of businesses, Henry became the youngest football club CEO when he took over at Forest Green Rovers.

Henry has very clear views on leadership and sustainability, and since recording this, has started a new challenging role as CEO at Ice Hockey UK - why, because of the massive potential he sees.

Forest Green Rovers were once described as the hippie club everybody hated, but the world has moved on and Forest Green Rovers are a global phenomenon leading the way in sustainability in football, and are 'everyone's second favourite club'. Hundreds of Clubs and Businesses have been to see FGR, ho are a model for change, even Wimbledon has been to visit the tiny Gloucester Club. In the conversation Henry talks about Wimbledon's famous Strawberries and Cream, and their trial of Strawberries and Vegan Cream. The results might surprise you. Check out their Green Code work.

Henry believes in leadership and accountability, not micromanagement and establishes a 'belief system that’s bigger than just on the pitch'. He's highly motivated, purpose led and had a very clear mission & strategy at FGR. It was about being the Worlds First where they could, such as having the worlds first vegan/organic pitch. They believe in the notion of do it first, then tell people you’ve done it! Rather than tell them about ideas or plans you have to XYZ in 2030 and then fail to execute.

You can feel the innovation and intention in Henry's comments and insights.  So does this mean other Football Clubs are typically lazy or slow to change?

FGR does more with less – they are over achievers by their own admittance and in the nicest possible sense.  They have bigger audience than any club of its size. Indeed they have 120 international fan clubs. Made profit every year including Covid; Hospitality has grown 300%  and fan numbers grown by 400%. This impacts on the fan experience, income, sponsors and merchandise.

FGR have some amazing sponsors. Henry talks about Quorn who were their biggest sponsors and who are now middle tier as new sponsors have come onboard. This has happened as sponsors have bought into the vision and purpose.

There's no greenwashing at FGR. And they have been careful with new sponsors, checking their green behaviours and governance. So with this in mind, I ask about their relationship with Innocent Smoothies, owned by Coca Cola. The response might surprise you.

So what does sustainability mean and does it make good business sense.  Sustainability takes a culture, decisions and investment. But it seems that at FGR it does indeed make great business sense. People (fans) buy into consistency and authenticity. So dont just have one Carbon Neutral Game and then revert to BAU, make sustainability BAU.

Is Forest Green Rovers a Football Club or Small business? The main product is still football. They have a green stadium, but its still about football. However they are nimble, agile and able to make fast decisions. When Henry joined there was great potential to do more with what they had. The combination of Leadership and Change , was brought about in 2010 when FGR nearly went bust, and Dale Vince invested. He realised it needed more than money, it needed leadership and to be run properly and sustainably.

Culture plays an important part in any committed change. And the overall role of Culture, on and off the pitch is key in FGR. So if FGR can change and become 'green', why cant the likes of Newcastle? Henry talk about football have a wonderful opportunity to lead sustainability in Sport.

We talk about Culture, how to build and create and we talk about managing people, personalities and roles, including the relationships with Owners and Managers and how that helps or hinders Clubs.   

“As a leader, it’s about the actions you take, not the words you use.”

This was one of the references that Emma Hardaker-Jones makes in the podcast. Its big and brave as are many of the other insights and information she shares about herself as leader, the business and the changing face of leadership today.

Emma is Group HR Director at Legal & General, though her title might better be described as Chief of Stuff. Since joining Legal & General in 2017, her role has expanded to include internal communications, sustainability, real estate investments as well as sitting on the board of the housing business that L&G bought in 2018. 

How does she manage all the projects whilst keeping her health, sanity and effectiveness high - she reveals all in our chat.

In the podcast, Emma talks to us about the bravery of leaders today, the changes required in leaders and leadership, and gives some insights into the changing leadership at the top at L&G as Chief Executive of Legal & General, Nigel Wilson, is to retire after more than a decade leading Britain’s largest asset manager and insurance group. L&G, which manages £1.5tn worth of assets for clients, including workplace pension schemes, is now on the hunt for a successor. Will Emma be that successor - I ask the question.

Presumably there's a bunch of in-fighting from people in the business who want that CEO job? And how will the business manage if an 'outsider' is recruited into the most senior leadership role. Imagine trying to follow Nigel Wilson. Emma gives an authentic overview of this situation, how to manage the business, protect people's investments and lead Changing Leadership.

Emma offers some wonderfully personal and professional insights, such as why she joined L&G, how its purpose from 1836 of creating a better society lives in todays culture, and where they are today and why they will exist in the future? Today L&G are a leading financial services group and major global investor, safeguarding people's financial futures around the world with over 10,000 staff and £1.5TRN AUM

So what does leadership and the Bravery of a Leader mean to Emma - and how does she live it. 2021 was a tough year for Emma and she talks through the realisation and changes that had to be made, and how well she and the business maturely embraced this. Her insights include how to and why to make space for self and the importance of self maintenance. This level of leadership has proved a benefit to L&G and had a positive impact on her family.

It takes courage to change and one of Emma's top tips, which she heard elsewhere is that Leaders need to ‘’watch the feet, not the lips’’. What are people doing, not just saying - are they staying in the business or exiting to pastures new? She is clear on what did leaders do well in pandemic,  what behaviours do we want to preserve and will this help. The notion of 'we may not get it right' is inspiring.

Emma talks openly about the ebb and flow of Engagement, and lessons hey learned about to treat people and importance or power of listening.

As a result of extensive listening - and an increase in staff engagement - Emma and the team at three key points to work on: 

The first two may be more obvious in this day and sage, but what about the third? Getting things more easily is perhaps common sense, but then again, does it happen, or are too many of us making things more complicated, more difficult than needs be. I can name some businesses where people thrive on making things tough, to look important and valuable for their own purposes. Emma shares what this means to L&G and broader community.

Finally we look at how not only do Leaders need to drive and lead change in organisation, but how to create and maintain shifts in culture and behaviours. The landscape is constantly shifting

 Thanks to Emma and Legal & General.

#Leadership #LeadingBusinessChange #Bravery #Change #Culture #ChangingLeadership

The topic for this podcast is the Value of Boards, and more specifically about value and impact of Non Executive Directors ( NEDs).

Are NEDs a waste of money or an essential part of the business?

And to help us unpick and better understand it, is Ian Shepherd.

Ian is Chairman of the PE-backed retailer Bensons for Beds. Over the last 25 years, Ian has served as CEO, COO and in a number of senior commercial roles for a variety of leading retail, hospitality and media brands including Odeon, Vodafone, Sky and Game where we met 10-12 years ago.

Ian is also the author of 2 books on retailing - Reinventing Retail and The Average Is Always Wrong - and writes a weekly newsletter on retail and business topics at Moving Tribes ( movingtribes @ substack.com )

So it is with great pleasure I introduce Ian to you and thank him for his valuable insights and information, and more over his desire to help build better business and businesses.

More specifically, if you are thinking about whether you need a board, the good and bad of having a board, the ups and downs, want to understand the difference between a Chair of a Private Co, Plc or PE backed organisation, or are thinking about being a NED, this podcast is for you. You may be a shareholder wondering what a board is doing for you, and Ian will help.

Ian and I discuss how the world is changing in unprecedented ways: Climate change, Covid, war close to home, financial instability, food costs, high street store closures and energy prices, and in UK we had three Prime ministers in 6 weeks! One might aptly refer to this as #PolyCrisis.  I was fascinated to hear how Ian leads against this backdrop, and given the situation, what part do boards play, or should play in navigating this period?

Boards and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) is a topic close to my heart, but more importantly its one I see businesses and boards wrestling with. Ian talks very openly about his thoughts, experiences and suggestions on this matter. As he points out, he doesn't know all the answers, but certainly has some challenging views and sets high standards for himself and the broader NED community.

What does a diverse board look and feel like. When is a diverse board not a diverse board? Listen in to Ian's thoughts or send us your views.

Topics and questions discussed include:

Two questions from listeners:

I very much hope you found the views and ideas in this conversation of value.  If you have any questions, views or feed back on this podcast, or want to suggest a guest, please get in touch with me pj @ pjstevens.co.uk

#leadingbusinesschange

#culturechange

#Board

#Chairman

#PrivateEquity

#BusinessGrowth

#EDI

#NonExecutiveDirectors

#BoardBehaviours

#ESG

#Governance

#Shareholders

Our thirst for the freedom to travel at will causes many challenges against the back drop of climate change, behaviours and manufacturing, so how can we solve the multiple challenges and retain our freedom, and at what price?

Are Electric Vehicles the answer to our mobility?

Whats better for the environment, a new EV or an old 100,000 mile diesel - is new the best option? 

Who is responsible for leading and delivering a more sustainable mobility agenda? 

Indeed, should car companies selling as many cars as they do?

These and other questions are covered in this conversation with guest Ian Digman. Ian is an automotive engineer by education and has spent the last three decades in the industry. He has worked in functions ranging from advance concept development and strategy through to production and marketing. And has worked across Europe, Asia and Middle East in global corporations and small start-ups alike, including time at Ford, Nissan and McLaren.

He is now an independent consultant and joined the podcast to share his passion and knowledge of the industry as it goes through a once in a lifetime revolution.

I invited Ian because I'm fascinated by the power of collaboration, the eco-system and infrastructure, and equally baffled and challenged by its seemingly lack up connectivity, direction and ownership. Example, charging points placed in areas, such as underground parking where the mobile signal fails, making it a challenge to download the app to use the charger. 

I was also hoping he'd tell us about some the superstars and characters in the automotive industry....  the good leaders and the not so good!! 

How do leaders need to respond, how will behaviours need to change regarding EV Sustainability as a model for change. In your view, who is doing it well?

Do you think people will continue to own cars, will we move to a subscription or rental based model? 

Given the unprecedented changes globally, perhaps we will be jumping in and out or Ubers or flying in Jetsons spaceships? 

I love ICE cars, the sound of a normally aspirated V12, the whine of a supercharger on a monster V8.....   these emotions are deep in me, but aren't the future. So what is? Ian has a whole bunch of ideas and insights.

If you have any questions or feedback, please get in touch with me pj @ pjstevens.co.uk 

#futureofmobility #EV #sustainability #rawmaterials #network #socialresponsibility #rangeanxiety #transportationmodel #engineering #projectmanagement #leadingbusinesschange #automotive #cars #mclaren #electricvehicles #leadership #government #carbonneutral #environment 

The Red Arrows, Britain’s best loved High Performance Team, is the topic for this podcast with guest Red Arrow Mike Ling, MBE.

This podcast is about High Performance Teams and Teamwork. Mike shares deep insights into what makes the Red Arrows such a High Performing Team and suggests ways in which businesses can learn from the Red Arrows and improve their business, performance and team work.

For many years I have delivered team work, team development and team building sessions for clients - from the Warehouse to the Boardroom - and in these high performance teams sessions, the Red Arrows are regularly held up as a model for high performance. I think the Red Arrows as a team, both on the ground and in the air, is a solid example of a top team.

So why is Mike Ling the best of the best?

The numbers behind Mike’s RAF and Red Arrows career are truly outstanding. Of his 21 years in the RAF he has completed 10 display seasons in the Red Arrows . In that time he’s flown over 2500 sorties in Red Arrows aircraft, taken part in 700 public displays and flown the famous red Hawk jet in nearly 50 different countries from USA to China.

During those ten Seasons of flying in the famous display team he’s held a number of positions in the air and on the ground. He has been Team Supervisor and one of the Synchro Pair.

Why do the Red Arrows exist?

The quintessentially British brand, was created to promote Britain, in true best of British style. For nearly 60 years the Red Arrows have flown displays of excellence. In this podcast Mike talks about the importance of the Red Arrows work stating the value from the 2016 Great British Campaign supporting British brands – such as Aston Martin and Brompton bikes - in Singapore producing £8BN trade deals on 9 weeks.

What are the Hallmarks of High Performance Teams?

There’s much talk of the hallmarks or criteria which elevate good teams to high performance teams. But what are these hallmarks?  Typically you hear about Communication, Leadership, Goals and Trust, and these are mentioned in this conversation, along with a few others that you might find interesting. Hearing Mike talk about Pride and Heritage adds a new depth of engagement, whilst his very specific insights into their view of Feedback and Self-Critique takes the notion of ’feedback is the food of champions’, to the next level. Perhaps this is singularly the main hallmark that sets them apart, what do you think?

In the high tech world of flying, Mike notes that at times good old fashioned communication wins through. I thoroughly enjoyed the way he compares Social Media and WhatsApp to their WAM communication. Whats WAM, have a listen, it might be the simplest and easiest Top Tip to take from this podcast to help you in your business.

What is the Recruitment Process like for Red Arrows and what can business learn from it? After the initial application a number of Pilots are invited to a week long practical process with the Team. In the business world here recruitment is constantly under review and is often a poor process, the Red Arrows have a few top tips to share. 

Mike answers questions on: ego, nicknames and how many people are in the Red Arrows team, including the Ground Crew...  How many do you think it is? 

Finally there's a piece on personal leadership and resilience, as Mike talks through his 800 mph head on crash and months of rehabilitation. The honest insight must be heard to be believed. 

And for fun, who do you think Mike names as his example of a great team, and why? 

#Teamwork #HighPerformance #TopTeams #LeadingBusinessChange #Leadership #HighPerformanceTeams #BestOfTheBest #TopGun #TomCruise #RedArrows #BritishBrands #Trade #ForeignTrade #AstonMartin #PJTips #TopTips 

Why businesses must stop trying to empower women, and put their money where their mouth is. 

In this provocative, insightful and current conversation with Rebecca Leppard, she tells why we must stop trying to empower women, and what businesses need to focus on. And yes, that means money! No, not just in salaries, but in infrastructure, education, support and even health care. 

I can already hear a bunch of blokes cringing. Indeed Rebecca addresses the challenges and discomfort many men might feel talking about this topic, and she does her best to coach 'blokes' through her insights, information and stories. Love or hate it, you'll benefit from it. I certainly did. 

No topic seems off limits in the conversation. If you're a Pale, Stale Male, afraid to address women's issues or don't know whether to hold the door open or not, Rebecca has the answers. 

'Stop talking about Aunt Flo, grow up, use the proper term.... its not a period, a punctuation mark....  its a menstrual cycle.' She continues to talk about Tampons, Cups and the importance of health care. Though I'm fascinated by the menopause, we agreed to keep that for another day. 

She talks about Equity in a truly refreshing way. Does she think Women should be paid the same as Men in Sport, listen in. 

More importantly we discuss why investing in Women makes great business sense, and why businesses need to care about DE&I for real. 

We talk about:

A couple of questions that listeners asked include.....

What questions do you have about this topic, let us know. 

In this PJ Tips Leading Business Change podcast, guests David Blower Executive Director at Stonewater Housing Association and Merje Shaw, Design Researcher and Strategist, join me to discuss 'Staying Human: Ethics as an Advantage' 

Stonewater is a leading social housing provider, with a mission to deliver good quality, affordable homes to people who need them most. With well over 30,000 homes and 70,000 residents, Stonewater supports many people to have a place they can call home.

Given that number of people and range and importance of services and support that Stonewater offers, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Tech and Ethics are high on the agenda. How to enable customers to have a better, more efficient service is central to the Stonewater community. So how can data better inform and improve customer experience, whilst managing those human needs in a digital first world. 

David offers insights into what good use of tech and data mean to customers at the group and individual perspective. He questions how can we foster trust with our customers, when one might consider there is an absence of trust not just in data and business, but in society. Therefore, where is the opportunity to develop trust through better use of data and tech, and in those human on interactions. 

Merje has some challenging and broad ranging views on how much can be automated in our day to day working, and indeed what cant it. She offers some interesting insights into the notion of empathy in this space, and reminds us that Tech is fallible. 

#artificialintelligence

#businessimprovement

#customerexperience 

#userexerience

#data

#bigdata

#customersatisfaction

#humanonlytaits 

#loyalty

#trust

#technology 

#empathy