Go Radio Business Show Highlights:

[00:01:18] 

Labour Party Conference:

Keir Starmer's announcement of £200 million for Grangemouth.

Analysis of the announcement and its implications.

Discussion on the joint venture between Jim Ratcliffe and PetroChina.

Potential for new businesses and investments in Grangemouth.

[00:04:28]

Quangos and Public Authority Bingo:

Russell Findlay and David Hamilton's comments on quangos.

Discussion on the inefficiency of quangos and the need for better management.

[00:08:08] 

Tax Rises and Public Services:

Criticism of recent tax rises and the perceived lack of value for money.

Warren Buffett's shareholder letter and lessons on business leadership.

[00:11:51]

Housing and Homelessness:

Discussion on local authorities' spending on temporary accommodation.

Anas Sarwar's plans for housing and rebuilding the country.

[00:15:24]

Regulations and Red Tape:

The impact of regulations on housing and business development.

[00:16:33]

US Investments and Global Politics:

Discussion on Donald Trump's policies and their impact on global business.

German elections and their potential impact on Europe.

[00:35:08] 

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Update: Stuart Patrick

[00:21:00]

£200 million from the UK government's National Rail Fund for Grangemouth.

Potential investments and projects in Glasgow.

Defence spending and its impact on the Clyde.

Glasgow's debt and potential solutions.

[00:35:30] 

Special Guest: Colin Rowley, Executive Chair at Dron & Dickson

Dron & Dickson are specialists in supply, installation, and maintenance of electrical equipment in harsh and hazardous environments. With a team of highly trained sales professionals who are CompEx certified, providing exceptional service and support.

Founded in 1927 by Mr Alan Dron & Robert Dickson originally selling explosives to the mining industry, in 1972 Norman & Alan Jr, sons of Alan Dron, begin selling flameproof lighting, cable and equipment to the distillery and shipbuilding sectors.

[00:56:00]

Board You Can’t Afford

Stephen Halpin, Founder Portfolio XD

PortfolioXD provide flexible and affordable, fractional (part-time), highly experienced senior executives for ambitious SME's and scaling businesses.

Questions for Hunter and Haughey

When you were scaling your own businesses, was there ever a time when you knew you needed to bring more experienced, top-level C-suite leadership into your business, but hesitated for those or similar reasons?

What impact did this have on your growth... and do you think that C-Suite as a Service, enabling businesses to hire better and earlier—repeated across thousands of Scottish businesses—could help to inject much needed growth into Scotland's economy?

Go Radio Business Show - Season 10, Episode 6

Entrepreneurial Spirit and Economic Growth:

[00:02:37] 

Mention of Oxford Economics' report on what Scotland could learn from Singapore's model, including necessary legal and policy changes.

[00:04:04] 

Emphasis on releasing entrepreneurial spirit in Scotland, with a focus on improving GDP per capita and overall economic growth.

[00:04:31] 

Comparison of Singapore's GDP growth from 1965 ($1,200 per capita) to present ($86,000 per capita), highlighting the dramatic economic transformation.

Public Sector and Economic Policies:

[00:06:12] 

Discussion on the need for bold economic policies and the role of the public sector in Scotland. Discussion about current policies and calls for radical changes to improve education, healthcare, and the economy.

[00:07:23] 

Mixed messages on economic indicators, including interest rates and wage growth, and their implications for the economy.

Interest Rates and Employment:

[00:08:12] 

Predictions on unemployment rates and economic adjustments due to new employer contributions and wage growth. Concerns about potential increases in unemployment rates.

Public Sector Efficiency:

[00:09:27] 

Debate on public sector efficiency and the influence of business on government policies. Discussion on the need for transparency and accountability in public sector spending.

James Watt

[00:10:00] 

James Watt is fast becoming the UK version of Elon Musk. He’s setup what he’s calling a shadow DOGE in an attempt to mirror the influence of business on government that Musk is bringing to the states. Whilst in no way an official body, Watt is launching a hotline for public sector employees to report inefficiencies and promises to release monthly reports highlighting where savings can be made.

[00:12:27] 

Skyrora

Whilst Scotland has produced more than a few rockets, most of them MSPs in the green party, the country will see its first proper rocket launched into orbit later this year. Scottish company Skyrora is constructing a 23m rocket called XL to deliver small satellites to space.

Special Guest: Ryan Clark, Security and Technology in Business:

[00:21:12] 

Introduction of Ryan Clark, CEO of Safer Group, who shares his background and journey into the security industry.

[00:21:42] 

Ryan Clark discusses his initial entry into the security industry as a temporary job, his promotion within the company, and his eventual decision to start his own business focusing on technology-driven security solutions.

Retail and Construction Security:

[00:25:17] 

Discussion on the effectiveness of technology in reducing theft and improving security in construction sites. Ryan explains how technology can provide constant monitoring and transparency, reducing the need for physical security guards.

[00:32:47] 

Surge in shoplifting and its impact on business. Ryan mentions the deployment of security systems in retail stores to reduce theft and provide reassurance to the public.

[00:33:40] 

Comparison of theft in retail and construction industries, with construction experiencing higher losses due to the value of assets on-site.

Insurance and Security Systems:

[00:35:28] 

Potential for insurance companies to recommend security systems to builders. Discussion on the challenges of getting insurance companies to recognise and recommend these systems.

Board You Can’t Afford

Fiona McKee is the founder of The HR Practice a HR Consultancy business based in Hillington. Providing HR services to SME and Entrepreneurial businesses.

Prior to launching The HR Practice Fiona was a Global HR Director for SD Worx a payroll business. Fiona is a Non-Executive Board Member at Kilbryde Hospice, Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador for Institute of Directors and Member of the Scottish Economic Advisory Board.

Questions:

Fiona set the business up to focus specifically on M&A due diligence and post acquisition integration however, at the beginning of 2023 M&A market slowed down significantly.

At the same time an accountant approached Fiona to go into a joint venture providing HR services to SME’s. Fiona decided not to do that but instead go after the work independently.

Keywords:

Electric cars, Business transition,Labour growth policies, Singapore economic model, Oxford Economics report, Entrepreneurial spirit, Scotland GDP, Public sector efficiency, Economic policies, Interest rates, Unemployment predictions, Public sector influence, Security technology, Retail theft, Construction security, Insurance recommendations, Business personal life balance

In this episode of the Go Radio Business Show, hosts Sir Tom Hunter and Willie Haughey discuss a range of topics from economic policies to personal success stories.

Special guest Ross Anderson, founder and CEO of Beyond Baseline, shares his incredible journey from a troubled past to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

On the Board You Can't Afford, Scottish chef Craig Grozier has a question and discusses building a unique culinary brand.

[00:00:33]

Economic Discussion

ECB rate cuts and their implications

Comparison of Singapore and Australian economies

Lessons Scotland can learn from these countries

[00:05:00]

Public Services and Taxation

Discussion on public services in the UK

Critique of current tax policies and their impact on growth

[00:10:00]

Airport Developments

Record numbers at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports

New cargo routes at Prestwick Airport

[00:15:00]

Bold Leadership

Analysis of leadership styles of Elon Musk and Donald Trump

The importance of bold decisions in business

[00:20:00] Interview with Ross Anderson

Ross's background and personal struggles

Turning points and mentors that influenced his journey

Founding Beyond Pay and its mission

Insights on mental training and personal development

[00:35:00]

Beyond Baseline

Ross's new venture and its focus on mental and physical wellbeing

Strategies for improving workplace engagement and performance

[00:45:00]

Board You Can't Afford: Craig Grozier

Craig's culinary journey and the founding of Fallachan

Challenges and opportunities in the hospitality industry

Advice on maintaining brand integrity while growing a business

If you were effected by any of the subjects mentioned please contact Know the Score on 0800 587 5879 for free, confidential information and advice, or Drink-line Scotland on 0800 731 4314.

ECB rate cuts, Singapore economy, Australian economy, Public services in the UK, Tax policies, Airport developments, Prestwick Airport cargo routes, Bold leadership, Elon Musk leadership, Donald Trump leadership, Mental training, Personal development, Workplace engagement, Workplace performance, Culinary brand, Scottish cuisine, Hospitality industry

Go Radio Business Show  - Season 10, Episode 4

Hosts:

Special Guest:

Key Topics Discussed:

Homelessness in Scotland:

[00:00:33] Discussion on the alarming number of homeless children in Scotland (90,000).

Urgent need for government intervention to address the housing crisis.

Economic and Political Commentary:

[00:01:08] Analysis of Donald Trump's unpredictable actions and their impact on global and UK businesses.

[00:02:00] Discussion on tariffs and their potential effects on Scottish companies like Johnnie Walker whisky.

Business Insights:

[00:03:00] Importance of learning from mistakes, inspired by Matthew Syed's book "Black Box Thinking."

The aviation industry's safety due to its approach to learning from errors compared to other sectors like medicine.

Global Business Environment:

[00:06:00] Insights from Singapore's economic model and its potential lessons for Scotland.

[00:07:00] Discussion on the impact of Brexit on the UK economy and potential benefits or drawbacks.

Philanthropy and Leadership:

[00:10:00] Mention of Bill Gates' philanthropic efforts and his new book "The Source Code."

[00:11:00] The importance of having a successor in business leadership, highlighted by Eddie Hawthorne's transition at Arnold Clark.

Scottish Edge Competition:

[00:12:00] Encouragement for early-stage businesses to apply for funding through the Scottish Edge competition.

Success stories of businesses that benefited from the competition.

Special Guest: Julie Grieve

[00:23:05] Julie's entrepreneurial journey from working in various businesses to founding Criton.

[00:25:00] Challenges and successes in the hospitality tech industry.

[00:35:41] The impact of COVID-19 on her business and the subsequent growth in demand for digital guest services.

Support for Small Businesses: 

[00:42:12] Importance of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) survey to influence policy decisions.

Call to action for small business owners to participate in the survey to voice their concerns and needs.

The Go Radio Business Show - Season 10, Episode 3

In this episode of The Go Radio Business Show, Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey discuss various topics related to business and the economy. They highlight the recognition of three Scottish tech companies in The Sunday Times list, debate the role of government in running businesses, and critique the Scottish Government's handling of ScotRail.

They also discuss the economic outlook from Davos, the housing crisis in Scotland, and innovative initiatives like zero-bills homes by Octopus Energy.

Special Guest: Andrew Marshall, Founder Carlowrie Group

Episode Highlights:

Government and Business: [00:00:29]

Debate on the role of government in running businesses.

Critique of the Scottish Government's handling of ScotRail and the financial implications.

Discussion on the importance of government setting the right tone for business growth.

Economic Outlook: [00:04:27]

Insights from Davos and the potential for interest rate cuts.

Discussion on the impact of government policies on business confidence and growth.

Housing Crisis: [00:06:50]

Highlighting the issue of homelessness in Scotland, with 90,000 children deemed homeless.

Call for urgent action to address the housing crisis.

Innovative Initiatives: [00:09:21]

Introduction of zero-bills homes by Octopus Energy in partnership with Homes for Scotland.

Discussion on the potential impact of such initiatives on the housing market and sustainability.

Business Reality TV: [00:14:11]

Announcement of a new business reality TV show, "The House of Unicorns," by James Watt.

Discussion on the concept and potential impact of the show on the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Small Business Survey: [00:19:20]

Encouragement for small businesses to participate in a survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) to share their views on the business environment in Scotland.

Visitor Tax: [00:20:09]

Introduction of a visitor tax in Edinburgh and the potential implications for tourism and local businesses.

Special Guest Interview: [00:21:08]

Andrew Marshall shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting a lifestyle concierge company to founding Carlowrie Group.

Discussion on the importance of combining profit with purpose and the impact of social initiatives.

Board You Can't Afford: [00:41:01]

Craig Neilson, founder of Fayre Play, discusses his business and seeks advice on managing business expansion.

Sir Tom and Lord Haughey provide insights on the importance of building a strong team and retaining talent for business growth.

Keywords: 

Go Radio Business Show, Sir Tom Hunter, Lord Willie Haughey, business and economy, Scottish tech companies, The Sunday Times list, government role in business, ScotRail critique, economic outlook Davos, housing crisis Scotland, zero-bills homes, Octopus Energy, innovative initiatives

Episode Summary:Hunter and Haughey discuss various economic and business topics, including the impact of currency fluctuations, the influence of major business leaders, and the future of work-from-home policies.

They also delve into the latest developments in the UK economy, the role of technology in business growth, and the importance of strategic investments.

Special guest Alistair Cameron, CEO of Scotmas, shares insights on scaling a family business, breaking into new markets, and the challenges of raising investment.

The episode concludes with a discussion on recruitment strategies with David Sutherland Director at Cruinn Consulting.

Notes and Timestamps

[00:01:02] 

Discussion on recent political events and their business implications. Mention of tariffs and executive orders.

[00:02:00] 

Insights on pre-emptive pardons and political dynamics. Joe Biden and Donald Trump's actions.

[00:03:07] 

Discussion on major business leaders and their influence.

Mention of Mark Zuckerberg, Bernard Arnault, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Warren Buffett, and Jensen Huang.

[00:04:16] 

The role of money in politics and business. Influence of wealthy individuals on political decisions.

[00:05:15] 

Discussion on the UK economy and investment opportunities. Davos conference and global economic outlook.

[00:06:49] 

Predictions on interest rate cuts and unemployment rates. Economic forecasts and their implications.

[00:08:24] 

Debate on work-from-home policies. Pros and cons of remote work and its impact on productivity.

[00:10:07] 

Discussion on procurement and waste management in public services. Issues with local authorities and care homes.

[00:12:00] 

Highlighting successful tech companies in Scotland. Mention of Utopi, Skyrora, and Safer Group.

[00:13:26] 

Strategies for supporting tech companies and fostering innovation. Role of Scottish Enterprise and Strathclyde University.

[00:14:28] 

Discussion on housing regulations and their impact on growth. Need for sensible government policies.

[00:17:29] 

Concerns about regulatory pressures on businesses. Impact of lifting regulations on growth and stability.

[00:18:44] 

Introduction of new leadership at the Hydro. Appointment of Dom McKay and future plans for the venue.

[00:20:15] 

Special guest:

Alistair Cameron, CEO of Scotmas.

Journey of scaling a family business and breaking into new markets.

[00:32:10] 

Challenges of raising investment and scaling up. Insights on the investment process and strategic growth.

[00:40:04] 

Board You Can’t Afford Guest:

David Sutherland at Cruinn Consulting.

David discusses recruitment strategies and the importance of finding the right talent for business growth and has a question for Hunter and Haughey.

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, Sir Tom Hunter and Willie Haughey discuss various business topics, including the meteoric rise of reform, the challenges of change in business, and the influence of Elon Musk.

They also welcome Johnny Manning, the founder of Connekt EV, who shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights into the electric vehicle charging industry.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:15]

Elon Musk's Influence

Discussion on Elon Musk's involvement in various industries and his impact on politics and social media.

[00:03:38]

Business and Politics

Sir Tom and Lord Haughey delve into the intersection of business and politics, including Musk's potential interest in UK politics and football.

[00:07:06]

Government and Business

Analysis of government procurement and the potential for business leaders to drive efficiency and cost savings.

[00:13:25]

Economic Outlook

Discussion on the current economic climate, interest rates, and government borrowing.

[00:20:05]

Scottish National Investment Bank

Announcement of a £20 million investment in a subsea cable manufacturer in Ayrshire.

Special Guest: Johnny Manning, Founder of Connekt

Johnny is a pioneering force in the electric vehicle charging industry. As Founder and Managing Director of Connekt, he's driving the company's mission to become the UK's premier Charge Point Operator and Installer.

With his innovative vision and strategic leadership, Johnny is at the forefront of shaping a sustainable future for transportation.

Board You Can't Afford Guest: Donna Kerr, Founder DMK Finance

Donna is qualified as a Commercial Banker with extensive credit/industry knowledge & experience. DMK Finance are specialist property and business finance experts who have aided clients obtain finance from £100k to £50m loans and to date.

Access to finance is often critical in the growth journey of any business. 

Donna's Question: 

During both your own entrepreneurial paths, did you find yourselves fully leveraging your businesses or taking bold financial risks to fuel growth?

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Hosts: Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey

Board You Can't Afford Guest: Scott Munn (12th generation funeral director)

Episode Summary: 

In this episode, Sir Tom Hunter and Willie Haughey discuss various business topics, including the recent budget, the state of the NHS, and the challenges faced by car manufacturers.

On the Board You Can't Afford, Scott Munn, a 12th generation funeral director, has a question and chats about his experiences in the family business and the funeral industry.

Key Topics Covered:

Budget Discussion:

Analysis of the Scottish budget and its impact on small businesses.

Discussion on business relief and the hospitality sector.

Concerns about the allocation of funds to the NHS and public services.

Critique of the SNP government's handling of economic growth and public services.

NHS and Public Services:

Examination of the NHS budget and the need for systemic changes.

Discussion on the inefficiencies in public services and the need for better management.

Business Growth and Economic Policies:

Importance of growing the economy to fund public services.

Discussion on tax policies and their impact on businesses and individuals.

The need for big ideas and quality leadership in the Scottish government.

Elon Musk's Compensation:

Discussion on Elon Musk's $56 billion pay award and the legal challenges surrounding it.

Debate on the role of shareholders and judges in executive compensation.

Political Donations:

Discussion on the influence of wealthy individuals in politics.

Debate on whether political donations should be allowed.

Car Manufacturing Industry:

Challenges faced by car manufacturers in transitioning to electric vehicles.

Discussion on the impact of government policies on the automotive industry.

Housing Market:

Concerns about the drop in mortgage approvals and the long-term implications for homeowners.

Board You Can't Afford with Scott Munn:

Scott's background and experience in the funeral industry.

The history of his family business, which started in 1811.

Transition from a family-owned business to being part of a larger company.

Scott's role and responsibilities as a funeral director and operations manager.

Insights into the funeral industry and the importance of attention to detail.

Subscribe to the podcast for more insightful discussions on business and economics.

Follow and Connect with the show :

#BusinessPodcast #ScottishEconomy #NHS #PublicServices #FuneralIndustry #ElonMusk #PoliticalDonations #CarManufacturing #HousingMarket #EconomicGrowth

Episode Summary

Sir Tom and Lord Haughey discuss the relevance of the CBI and government interactions, as well as their wishlist for the upcoming Scottish budget, which includes tax reforms and business rates. They emphasise the importance of investing in apprenticeships and skills, suggesting tax incentives for companies. Additionally, Scottish Water's £9 billion investment in infrastructure is highlighted, presenting opportunities for SMEs.

The special guest is Simon Burgess, CEO of BIP Solutions in Glasgow

Episode Highlights 

[00:02:00] Scale-Up Conference Recap

Discussion about the recent Scale-Up Conference at Gleneagles.

Highlights of the event and key speakers like Professor Sir Christopher Evans and James Watt.

[00:05:30] CBI and Government Relations

Conversation about the CBI's relevance and government interactions.

Sir Tom and Lord Haughey opinions on political responses and budget implications.

[00:10:00] Scottish Budget Preview

Upcoming Scottish budget discussion.

Lord Haughey and Sir Tom discusses their budget Wishlist, including tax reforms and business rates.

[00:15:00] Apprenticeships and Skills Investment

Importance of investing in apprenticeships and skills.

Suggestions for tax incentives for companies investing in training.

[00:18:00] Scottish Water Investment

Announcement of Scottish Water's £9 billion investment in infrastructure.

Emphasis on opportunities for SMEs.

[00:20:00]

Special Guest: Simon Burgess, CEO of BIP Solutions in Glasgow

BIP Solutions in Glasgow provides procurement services and solutions to the public and private sectors. BIP Solutions offers services like tendering, procurement advice, and digital tools to help organisations manage and streamline their procurement processes. 

Board You Can't Afford

Craig Johnstone from Launch Foods has a question for Sir Tom and Lord Haughey..

Launch Foods was established in 2018. Craig identified the contradicting news reports of food waste and food surplus, against child poverty and children going hungry 

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Summary: 

In this episode, Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey delve into a range of topics from the challenges faced by the hospitality and retail sectors and the potential impact of redundancies at Edinburgh University. They are joined by Jonathan Burridge Co-founder & CEO and John Trower Co-founder of Utopi and its innovative approach to smart building technology. The discussion also touches on the importance of investment in Scottish scale-ups and the development of green energy technologies.

Additionally, on the Board You Can’t Afford, David Dwyer highlights the transformative potential of AI for businesses and asks for advice on growing in the AI sector.

Key Topics Discussed:

[00:00:38] Children in Need Challenge: Sir Tom Hunter's participation in the Paddy McGuinness challenge, cycling from Wrexham to Glasgow, and the Hunter Foundation's donation.

[00:03:00] Bank of England's Interest Rate Strategy: Analysis of Andrew Bailey's approach to interest rate cuts and the comparison with European rates.

[00:05:00] Consumer Confidence and Budget Impact: The effect of the budget on consumer confidence and spending habits.

[00:07:00] Unemployment Rates and Economic Growth: The rise in unemployment rates and its implications for economic growth.

[00:10:00] Scottish Labour's Stance on Pensions: Analyzing the announcement by Scottish Labour regarding the reversal of the pensioners' ruling.

[00:12:00] Arnold Clark's Financial Performance: Overview of Arnold Clark's turnover and profit, and the impact of a cyberattack on the company's finances.

[00:15:00] Young Entrepreneurs: Highlighting the success of Finlay Gordon and his business 'Restock' in the limited edition sports shoes and clothing market.

[00:17:00] Hospitality and Retail Sectors: The challenges faced by these sectors, particularly with business rates and the NRA.

[00:20:00] Investment in Scottish Scale-Ups: The importance of investment in Scottish scale-up businesses and the role of the Scottish National Investment Bank.

[00:23:00] Green Energy Technologies: The construction of a new facility in Aberdeen for developing green energy technologies.

[00:25:00] Edinburgh University's Redundancies: The potential impact of staff cuts at Edinburgh University on talent and innovation.

Special Guests: Jonathan Burridge Co-founder & CEO and John Trower Co-founder of Utopi

At Utopi, they simplify the complexities of data acquisition and ESG reporting to decarbonise the multi-tenant real estate sector, for the benefit of people, planet, and profit. Whether it be Performance Reporting, Automated Temperature Control or Empowering Residents to change their behaviours.

[00:27:00] 

Utopi's Business Model: Jonathan Burridge and John Trower discuss their company Utopi and its focus on smart building technology and IoT.

[00:35:00] Net Zero Carbon Challenge: The role of data and IoT in helping real estate investors meet their net zero carbon targets.

[00:40:00] Commercialising Smart Building Technology: Utopi's approach to selling their technology and the benefits it provides to clients.

Board You Can’t Afford

[00:45:00] AI in Business: David Dwyer from Inspire Digital Agency talks about the opportunities and challenges of AI for Scottish businesses. He also has a question for Sir Tom and Lord Haughey.

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