Erin Craske has built more than forty product brands for large FMCG companies including, L'Oréal, Reckitt Benckiser, British American Tobacco, SSL International, Mars, P&G, and Walgreen Boots Alliance. Yet Erin describes herself as someone who does not fit into the corporate machine.

In this episode of the Abeceder podcast The Independent Minds, Erin and host Michael Millward discuss why businesses that prioritise profit over purpose often don’t do as well as companies that have a clearly defined purpose.

Erin uses her own experience to explain how having a clear purpose for each of the brands she worked on contributed to the success of that brand.

Find out more about both Michael Millward, and Jonathan Baum at Abeceder.co.uk

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Audience Offers

Travel – Listeners to The Independent Minds can access discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club  and book flights, hotels, trains, and holidays at trade prices.

Health – It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25.

Telecommunications – Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We use Matchmaker.fm to connect with potential guests If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

When Jeff Barnes, the author of All Hands-On Deck asked at a networking event how to explain what his business did to potential customers, the advice he received was to focus on what made him unique.

Like many people it is Jeff’s experience that brings something special to what he does today.

Success in the first stage of his career meant that Jeff had to rely on his wits and the instruction manual, there was no way to phone a friend, but that is life for a submariner.

In his book All Hands-On Deck explains how the same structured, systemized approach to working and a culture of accountability, responsibility, and camaraderie can deliver exceptional improvements in business performance.

During this episode of The Independent Minds Jeff and Michael explore the importance of team work in creating a successful business, how making the wrong hiring decisions can hold a business back and what angel investors look for when considering investing in a business. 

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr.

Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Google. It really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER. 

Find out more about both Michael Millward and Jeff Barnes at Abeceder.co.uk  

Visiting Seattle, Washington USA

Jeff is based in Seattle in the North West USA. If you would like to visit Seattle you need to know that The Ultimate Travel Club members get trade prices on flights, hotels and holidays. So visit their site and use my offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

 Matchmaker.fm

Thank you to the team at Matchmaker.fm the introduction to Jeff.

If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like Jeff, you have something very interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership. 

Three the network

If you are listening to The Independent Minds on your smart phone, you may like to know that Three has the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, so listening on Three means you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on Fit For My Age, please contact using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

In the 16 years since 2008 Dave Valentine has provided hundreds of clients like Target and Real Simple with consultancy and marketing services that have helped them add over a billion US Dollars in business growth.

It is says Dave, all about finding ways to maximise the return on every dollar of marketing spend.

As Dave explains in this episode of The Independent Minds it is the money that should be working, not the person who spends the money.

Listen to this episode of The Independent Minds to learn about the important role played by corporate values in marketing and building relationships between suppliers, and customers that last despite the bad times.

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr.

Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Google. It really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER. 

Travel to the Oregon 

Dave Valentine is one hours drive from Portland Oregon, in a wood house situated by the side of a river in the mountains. It’s remote and beautiful. He told me.

If you would like to visit Oregon, and experience the mountain lifestyle for yourself, a good place to plan your travel is The Ultimate Travel Club. It is where you will get trade prices on travel including flights, and hotels.

Visit the Ultimate Travel Club and use our offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

You can find out more about both Michael Millward, and Dave Valentine at Abeceder.

Three – the network

If you are listening to The Independent Minds in the United Kingdom on your smart phone, you may like to know that Three has the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, so listening on Three means you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Three for more information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three. And the special offers available when you quote my referral code.

WPFNUQHU

Being a Guest

Matchmaker.fm

If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like Dave, you have something very interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code for a discount on membership. 

MILW10

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

If you have liked this episode of The Independent Minds, please give it a like and download it so that you can listen any time anywhere. 

To make sure you do not miss future editions please subscribe.

Remember, the aim of all the podcasts produced by Abeceder is not to tell you what to think, but we do hope to make you think!

Thank you to you for listening.

Jonathan Baum is the founder of Avenir Law a law firm based in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA.

Jonathan is concerned that too many lawyers/solicitors and other professionals are working excessive hours. He believes that professional service firms know that this practice has a negative impact on both individual workers and the quality of the work they produce.

In this episode of the Abeceder podcast The Independent Minds, Jonathan explains to host Michael Millward how he is challenging the long working hours culture of professional services by creating a different approach to the way legal services are provided.

You will hear Jonathan and Michael discuss the reasons why professional services has a long working hours culture.

Jonathan describes his new way of working that removes the need to work long hours and how that benefits, workers, employers and their clients.

Find out more about both Michael Millward, and Jonathan Baum at Abeceder.co.uk

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel

Sam is based in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, USA. Members of the Ultimate Travel Club, can travel to Great Barrington, and anywhere else at trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, package holidays and all sorts of other travel purchases. You can become a member at a discounted price by using my offer code ABEC79 when you join-up.

Fit For Work Look after your health and you will be fit for work.

Working long hours can have a negative impact on your health. So, it is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25.

Three the network Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We use Matchmaker.fm to connect with potential guests If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

As someone who has contributed to over 200 patents Sam Zellner is undoubtedly an innovator.

Sam is the founder and CEO of Inspire IP, a SaaS platform that helps corporations build and sustain innovation ecosystems. He serves on the USIPA board, is one of  IAM's Top 300 IP Strategists. and is regarded as a leader in innovation.

In this episode of the Abeceder podcast The Independent Minds, Sam explains to host Michael Millward how AI can contribute to the innovation process, the advantages for organisations and people of using AI for innovative problem solving.

Sam also explains how to utilise AI to achieve the best results and organisations may need to change approaches to management and communications in order to achieve those best results.

Find out more about both Michael Millward, and Sam Zellner at Abeceder.co.uk

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel

Same is based in Atlanta Georgia, USA. Members of the Ultimate Travel Club, can travel to Atlanta, and anywhere else at trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, package holidays and all sorts of other travel purchases. You can become a member at a discounted price by using my offer code ABEC79 when you join-up.

Fit For Work Look after your health and you will be fit for work.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25.

Three the network Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on The Independent Minds, please contact using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We use Matchmaker.fmto connect with potential guests If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

A straightforward explanation of Artificial Intelligence.

Garik Tate is an AI Futurist, and the founder of Valhalla a software company based in the Philippines.

In this episode of the Abeceder podcast The Independent Minds, Garik explains to host Michael Millward the technical discoveries that made the Artificial Intelligence (AI) possible and how AI works.

Although the technology has been around for less than a decade AI is more widespread than you might think. Garik explains why despite how much we interact with AI we tend to ignore it. Michael and Garik discuss how software has been written in the past and how it will be created in the future, and how this may involve changing our perception of software.

Garik expresses his concern that AI may be seen as the solution for everything and explains to Michael how organisations of all kinds can identify how they can best use AI.

Find out more about both Michael Millward, and Garik Tate at Abeceder.co.uk

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Matchmaker.fm If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like Garik, you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Travel

Garik is based in the Philippines. Members of the Ultimate Travel Club, can travel to the Philippines at trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, package holidays and all sorts of other travel purchases. You can become a member at a discounted price by using my offer code ABEC79 when you join-up.

Fit For Work Look after your health and you will be fit for work.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, so we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

Your Personal Wellness Hub has easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle.

Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on The Independent Minds, please contact using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

Faris Aranki the founder of strategy consultancy Shiageto.

Shiageto ensures the success of change management projects and strategy implementation by focusing on building competence across all three intelligences,

1. Intellectual Intelligence

2. Emotional Intelligence

3. Focus Intelligence.

In this episode of the Abecederpodcast The Independent Minds, Faris explains to host Michael Millward the what the three competencies mean. Listening to Faris Michael is prompted to reflect on his career. An activity that Faris cautious him may not be a pleasant one.

Michael describes the times he experienced managers acting without using their IQ, EQ, or FQ. They discuss the different behaviours that Michael may have witnessed if the managers had utilised their different intelligences at the correct time and the correct way.

They conclude by describing the everyday behaviours which demonstrate that a manager has all three of their intelligences.

Find out more about both Michael Millward, and Faris Aranki at Abeceder.co.uk

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Matchmaker.fm If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like Faris, you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Travel

Faris is based in London. Members of the Ultimate Travel Club, can travel to London at trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, package holidays and all sorts of other travel purchases. You can become a member at a discounted price by using my offer code ABEC79 when you join-up.

Fit For Work Look after your health and you will be fit for work.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, so we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

Your Personal Wellness Hub has easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle.

Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on The Independent Minds, please contact using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

When the bad news hit David Patrykowski knew that he could have avoided the agony of almost losing his business if he had taken notice of, and understood the data that his business was generating.

Like many entrepreneurs David had simply got on with the work.

Now, David understands all the data that his business creates and has built a business to help other businesses understand their data and utilise it so that managers can make better decisions.

In this episode of the Abecederpodcast The Independent Minds, David explains to host Michael Millward the products his company has created and the benefits they will provide for users.

David and Michael discuss how marketers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their decision making, and how over use of AI can have a negative impact on customer relations.

During their conversation David raises concerns about how marketing and IT departments interact, and the problems this can create for both organisations and their customers.

Find out more about both Michael Millward, and David Patrykowski at Abeceder.co.uk

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, on which you can create your podcast in one place and then distribute it to the major platforms, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Matchmaker.fm If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like David, you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership.

Travel

David is based in Coventry, in Warwickshire. Members of the Ultimate Travel Club, can travel to Coventry at trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, package holidays and all sorts of other travel purchases. You can become a member at a discounted price by using my offer code ABEC79 when you join-up.

Fit For Work Look after your health and you will be fit for work.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25.

Three the network Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on The Independent Minds, please contact using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend that potential guests take one of the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

Noah Healy joins The Independent MInds host Michael Millward to explain  why he is working on a new approach to algorithms.

Noah explains what he sees as the problems with existing approaches and why he is confident that a different approach like the one he is developing would have far reaching benefits for the tech industry, businesses and consumers.

It is fascinating to hear Noah explain what an algorithm is and how they work.

Find out more about both Michael Millward and Noah Healy at Abeceder.co.uk.

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

When The Independent Minds team travel we Imake our travel arrangements with the Ultimate Travel Club, because as members we benefit from trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, and package hotels, and so many other travel related purchases.  Use our offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

Thank you to Matchmaker.fm  for matching The Independent Minds and Noah Healy. If you are a podcaster looking for interesting guests or if like Noah, you have something interesting to say Matchmaker.fm is where matches of great hosts and great guests are made. Use our offer code MILW10for a discount on membership.

Proactive Positive Ageing.

It is always a good idea to know the risks early so that you can take appropriate actions to maintain good health, that is why we recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test.

York Test provides an Annual Health Test. An experienced phlebotomist will complete a full blood draw at your home or workplace. Hospital standard tests covering 39 different health markers are carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory.

A Personal Wellness Hub gives access your easy-to-understand results and guidance to help you make effective lifestyle changes anytime via your secure, personal Wellness Hub account.

Access York Test https://www.yorktest.com/and use this discount code ABECEDER2.

Being a Guest

If you would like to be a guest on The Independent Minds, please contact us using the link at Abeceder.co.uk.

We recommend the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre.

We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber.

Thank you for listening.

Finding work can be a challenge for anyone, but for someone who is leaving education with little, or no work experience the challenges of accessing the first steps on the career ladder can seem unsurmountable.

When Sydney Samuels left university with an ambition to work in the finance industry, the reality of just how hard it can be to access career opportunities became very apparent. Despite the numerous obstacles that she encountered Sydney was able to get the starting role with an investment bank.

In this episode of The Independent Minds Sydney shares with Michael Millward, of Abeceder the sequence of events that led to her starting a career in an investment bank.

Sydney also shares the lessons her experience taught her about the challenges that people face when they are looking for their first step on the career ladder when leaving education.

Michael and Sydney explore the reasons why these challenges exist and the problems they create for both employers and would be employees.

Sydney explains how her experiences led to her founding Loop Not Luck a new style of recruitment website that helps employers access junior talent from outside their conventional areas of recruitment.

The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because Zencastr is the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy.

If you would like to try podcasting using Zencastr visit zencastr.com/pricing and use our offer code ABECEDER.

Travel

Loop Not Luck is based in London. Visiting London can be expensive, but not for Ultimate Travel Club, members because they benefit from trade prices on flights, hotels, trains, and package hotels, and so many other travel related purchases.

You can become a member of the Ultimate Travel Club. Use our offer code ABEC79 to receive a discount on your membership fee.

Three the network

If you are listening to The Independent Minds on your smart phone, you may like to know that Three has the UK’s Fastest 5G Network with Unlimited Data, so listening on Three means you can wave goodbye to buffering.

Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU.

We appreciate every like, every download, and every subscription.

Thank you for listening.