This week we welcome Becky Downing as our expert guest, along with guest co-host David Semmens.

Based on her experience as an entrepreneur and Founder/CEO for several years, Becky is well placed to understand the fundamental differences in mindset between running (or investing in) a startup “in the wild”, versus trying to make innovation happen in a corporate context.

Located in the UK, Becky is an expert in corporate innovation and venture building, particularly in the insurance industry.

Join us as we explore some of the fears that hold large companies back and sabotage their efforts to build and scale innovative ventures in a meaningful way.

In this episode, Becky shares valuable advice, for the benefit of corporate executives and innovation managers but also for startup entrepreneurs — on how to lay the foundations for a culture that creates faster, tangible results.

🔗 You can reach Becky through her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beckydowning/

🔗 Or at: https://www.neu21.com/

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🔗 You can also contact Stephen Parkins (podcast host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenparkins/

🔗 And David Semmens (guest co-host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsemmens/

🎙 The Culturedge Podcast: https://culturedge.com/podcast/

✉️ [email protected]

Today we’re joined by expert storyteller Sabyasachi (Saby) Sengupta, along with guest co-host David Semmens.

Saby is the author of the book What's Your Plan B, and creator of the venture Method in Madness through which he helps professionals & organisations manage the human side of change & transformation.

In this episode, he tells us all about the issue of “feeling stuck” in one’s work and career, his own experience in this, and how he helps teams and individuals resolve this pain.

In parallel, in his capacity as a corporate intrapreneur at ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam, Saby applies his experience in banking to creating innovative new fintech solutions for customers.

In both areas, Saby’s unique approach is to deep dive into understanding a problem, its underlying root causes, the “feelings and smells” within the team, before thinking about solutions.

A keynote speaker, a twice winner of the Toastmasters challenge and a twice TEDx speaker, Saby is as comfortable behind a microphone as on stage.

Saby is originally from India, he’s lived in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) for over a decade and his insightful presentations have enlightened audiences across 12+ countries.

🔗 You can reach Saby through his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabyasachi-sengupta-6505b5b/

🔗 And check out his website Method in Madness: https://method-im.com/

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🔗 You can also contact Stephen Parkins (podcast host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenparkins/

🔗 And David Semmens (guest co-host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsemmens/

🎙 The Culturedge Podcast: https://culturedge.com/podcast/

✉️ [email protected]

Nick Himowicz joins us for this second episode of the Culturedge Podcast, along with guest co-host David Semmens.

Nick jumps straight in at the deep end and holds no punches when describing the phenomenon of “bullsh1t jobs” in the corporate world.

Our conversation includes deep-rooted problems like cultural resistance inside corporates, in contrast to existential challenges for startups, including sales success and recruiting the right leadership team.

An innovation coach and a YouTube creator, Nick has an extensive background in content creation, training, sales, and events management across 3 continents.

Most recently with Strategyzer and innovation legend Alex Osterwalder (inventor of the Business Model Canvas), Nick has worked with lots of companies to create business models that work and value propositions that people care about.

Originally from the UK, Nick is now based in Moldova and has recently become acquainted with the vibrant local startup ecosystem.

🔗 Be sure to check out Nick’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/nickhimo

🔗 You also can reach Nick through his LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhimo/

🔗 Or via his website: https://www.nickhimo.com/

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🔗 You can contact Stephen Parkins (podcast host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenparkins/

🔗 And David Semmens (guest co-host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsemmens/

🎙 The Culturedge Podcast: https://culturedge.com/podcast/

✉️ [email protected]

Katie Ireland shares with us her extensive experience in entrepreneurship, diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I) and leadership - from both the corporate world and the startup world.

Katie Ireland is the former CEO and Co-Founder of Enliven, known for her empathic leadership and for challenging systemic bias for positive change.

With almost 20 years of experience in global marketing and STEM-based roles, she has held prominent positions such as Senior Director of Marketing Science at Nike, Director of CRM and Insights at House of Fraser, and Head of Customer Engagement at New Look.

A passionate advocate for DE&I, Katie has actively promoted well-being and inclusion throughout her career, playing a pivotal role in shaping Nike's approach to disability issues.

She is a Mental Health First Aider, Positive Psychology and Somatic Coach, Leadership expert, and a Qualified Personal Trainer, who believes in the power of holistic wellbeing and human connection within the workplace and beyond.

Originally from the UK, now based in the Netherlands, Katie currently has a few coaching slots open - if you would like to learn more or even start your own coaching journey.

🔗 You can reach Katie Ireland via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irelandkatie/

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🔗 You can also contact Stephen Parkins (podcast host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenparkins/

🔗 And David Semmens (guest co-host) here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsemmens/

🎙 The Culturedge Podcast: https://culturedge.com/podcast/

✉️ [email protected]

Introducing the Culturedge Podcast - a new show for entrepreneurial minds, change-makers and the leaders who manage them.

Join me, Stephen Parkins, along with my exceptional guests, in learning practical lessons on how to apply your unique skills in the corporate world and the startup world.

You can also connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenparkins