The Amaiz Podcast

Sally Graham joins us to talk about sustainability and investment.  Fern Equity pairs companies with investors in the impact space - as Sally explains, 'impact' means anything that advances the Sustainable Development Goals. From companies with products that are positive for the environment to those with large-scale climate-change initiatives, it's a wide range. And as Sally explains, while money creation is important to investment, value creation is too. It's important for the future business growth of startups and established businesses. Sally provides excellent insight into investment structure and looks forward to what may be in store in 2021. Alongside large shifts to our working life and wealth responsibility, Sally sees investment changes; after all, the VC movement came from a recession and is all about opportunity. 

Find out more about the Amaiz app and it supports business at https://amaiz.com/features/

Is it vital for every business to have a bookkeeper? In this episode, we're joined by Andrew Tapson of Pearl.biz. Bringing vast experience of supporting companies with strategic management services, Andrew discusses the specific potential of bookkeepers. As he explains, they can bring great value to any business at the coalface. Ideal finance support is adding expertise where it's needed - an extra skillset can make all the difference; it comes down to adding value.  No business is too small or too young to pick up great pointers from this conversation - it all starts on day one.  

Find out more about Amaiz banking, bookkeeping and accounting features and how they support small business at https://amaiz.com/features/

Professor, author, and greenhouse gas expert, Mike Berners-Lee talks to us about sustainability in this fascinating and important chat. From a practical perspective, Mike’s research work and consultancy help businesses get on top of the climate crisis. Businesses want to be more sustainable for various reasons, and Mike explains how a business response to climate change affects every part of a company. 
 
How much extra time has COVID bought humans in the fight against climate change?  There is good news to go along with stark warnings. Covering product and services, early adoption and specific sectors, this is a chat that will spark questions and hopefully provide a few answers, for every business owner.

Yani embraced entrepreneurism after drawing together her passions for creativity and urban development. She's always been fascinated by the potential companies have to transform the experience of a city. At NACUE, the UK's leading membership organisation for engaging students in enterprise, she supports the business leaders of the future. Hear about the innovation that's endured through the pandemic and Yani's hopes for the future. In uncertain times, Yani is enthusiastic about the young entrepreneurs she works with, their ability to adapt, and the new opportunities opening up for startups. Find out why in this Amaiz podcast.

... And find out more about Amaiz banking, bookkeeping and accounting features and how they support small business at https://amaiz.com/features/

"Covid is ten years' worth of change in one year."
Tom Ball from desklodge.com joins us for catch up on the extraordinary changes 2020 brought to 'flexible working' - as Tom says, that's when you're free to work anywhere. 

The past year has posed huge issues for businesses large and small, employees and freelancers. Tom talks through the importance of recognising the different experiences of remote workers, how an appreciation of rhythm and culture is critical, and why we need to develop the conversation around mental health.

Right now, we all need to take care of our ergonomics, but what does the future hold?  Achieving balance, Tom says, and expect a role for virtual reality too... 

Introducing the "Queen of Furlough" - Debee runs the progressive training and HR consultancy Debbee Dale Developments, specialising in the breadth of HR resources and talent across travel, tourism and hospitality. How has she earned that nickname? The Covid-era brought an onslaught of new terms and specialisms to HR, and Debbee talks about the changes she's helped businesses navigate during 2020.

There's been dramatic change across every industry and a major impact on companies' ability to manage and retain talent. But Debbee's optimistic about the future, and the inevitable creativity that comes from adversity. She's also practical, and very mindful of the significant challenges posed to business. Don't miss her top advice for businesses taking the initiative on human resources during the pandemic. 

"You have to recognise what people have done and what they haven't done."

"Right time, right place comes from building connections."

 A stunning chat with serial entrepreneur and creative thinker Ian Silverstein. Ian has vast experience building businesses from scratch, scaling them and expanding them in other countries. The growth of his design business in the Middle East is a fascinating case study. But the story doesn't end there. From start-ups to collaboration to the happy accidents that come from unlikely places (and even building a house), Ian shares his tips for entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. 

"If you haven't got a happy and well team, they aren't going to be achieving."

Can you think of a topic more important and relevant in today's workplaces? Wizzy Magnussen has created the stigma-free platform mindsanonymous.com where workers can anonymously share their stories and experiences. She talks to us about the importance of a platform that partners with professionals to drive understanding, support and knowledge. 

The disruptive and damaging events of 2020 have highlighted the importance of mental health but, as Wizzy explains, there's a lot to do, and a significant factor remains a lack of understanding. Wizzy talks through the implications this has on for the productivity of a business and how managers can better recognise the signs and check in on their employees.  Communication is key. 

“Author of “That sh*t will never sell” and with a book title like that, you know you’re in for punchy insight from David Gluckman. As he says, “Creating brands is not a democracy”

What does that mean? Find the answer and far more in this fascinating chat with the product and brand development specialist. David takes us through his incredible experience, working through the heyday of consumer culture. Discover why words are underused and why making a statement is essential. From market analysis to formulating thoughts, David shares examples of what to do and what not to do. Don’t rush to complete market research before you listen to this. Contains straight-talking and mild swearing - just look at the book title!

Darryl Bannon of Darryl Bannon Consulting brings her holistic understanding of how businesses work and grow to the Amaiz Podcast. If you’ve reached the stage where you’re thinking of ways to grow and scale your business, this is an unmissable chat. Daryll takes us through the types of available investment and the crucial things every business owner needs to consider. What is impact investment? What’s more important, your numbers or your idea? Just how important is a business plan? Listen to our latest investment chat.

Find out more about Amaiz banking, bookkeeping and accounting features and how they support small business at https://amaiz.com/features/