Are your teams working flat out, but delivery still feels slow, unpredictable, and hard to explain to stakeholders?

In this episode of Wicked Problems, Toby speaks with Sonya Siderova, founder and CEO of NAVE, a flow analytics platform that helps software and delivery teams identify process bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, and make performance visible through data. Sonya brings over a decade of experience in software development, product management, and process optimisation.

NAVE has been on the market for eight years and was built around a simple but powerful observation: the problems slowing your teams down are usually invisible, and the instinct to push people harder makes them worse, not better.

What We Cover

• Why optimising for busyness actively hinders your delivery process, and what to focus on instead

• How flow analytics reveals that 70% of work time is often spent waiting, not being worked on

• The mindset shift from managing people to managing the flow of work through a system

• Why 'stop starting, start finishing' is so difficult for management to accept, and how data makes the case

• How NAVE's AI layer translates complex flow metrics into plain-language narratives for non-technical stakeholders

• Why deploying AI upstream of an unresolved bottleneck makes the bottleneck significantly worse

• How to use flow data to have strategic conversations about reprioritisation and work in progress limits

• What reports from Atlassian, MIT, and Oxford reveal about why AI initiatives are hitting problems in delivery teams

Whether you are a transformation lead trying to build the case for change, an engineering manager looking to improve predictability, or a consultant working with delivery teams, this episode gives you a clear framework for understanding where work is really getting stuck and how to talk about it in language that resonates with leadership.

Chapters

00:00 — Why AI Amplifies Broken Processes, Not Just Good Ones

00:21 — Introducing NAVE and the Series on Transformation Tools

02:34 — What Flow Analytics Actually Measures

04:30 — The 70/30 Problem: Most Work Time Is Waiting, Not Working

06:02 — Why Keeping People Busy Is Killing Your Delivery

07:17 — Getting Comfortable With Data and a Different Way of Working

10:00 — Stop Starting, Start Finishing: The Management Mindset Shift

19:00 — How NAVE's AI Turns Flow Metrics Into Plain-Language Narratives

27:04 — Your Job Is Now the Change Work, Not the Data Translation

29:35 — The Bottleneck Problem: What Happens When You Speed Up the Wrong Thing

Resources

Wicked Problems Podcast

https://www.wickedproblems.fm

NAVE, Flow Analytics Platform

https://getnave.com/

Sonya Siderova on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/siderova/

Kanban Guide (Kanban University)

https://www.kanban.university/kanban-guide

Atlassian State of Teams Report

https://www.atlassian.com/blog/state-of-teams

Electric vehicles aren't just for driving — they're powerful batteries on wheels. In this clip, Claire Miller breaks down how new V2G (vehicle-to-grid) technology could let you earn money by simply keeping your EV plugged in. From smart tariffs to grid balancing, this is the future of energy — and it's already rolling out.

Join us on Wicked Problems as we explore the groundbreaking world of electric aircraft with Guy Hayden, Chief Commercial Officer at Aerovolt. Discover the challenges and innovations driving this nascent industry, from lightweight aircraft to electric vertical take-off taxis. Guy shares exclusive insights into the first public electric aircraft charging network, the parallels with early EV development, and what the future of sustainable aviation could hold. Plus, don't miss hints about a thrilling race between an electric car and a plane!

Guy Haydon is the Chief Commercial Officer at Aerovolt, the disruptor building the world's first public charging network for electric aircraft. With charge points already installed at seven UK airports, and 25 in the pipeline to launch soon, Aerovolt is transforming the future of flight. The company is in talks with nearly 120 more airports to expand its simple, user-friendly rapid chargers across prime airfield locations, both in the UK and internationally.

The company's vision goes beyond infrastructure, aiming to make the UK a global leader in electric aviation by supporting manufacturers and tackling key challenges like range anxiety and operational costs.

Haydon's journey from an aspiring Navy pilot—an ambition derailed by a peanut allergy—to leading the charge in electric mobility is one of resilience and adaptability. In this episode, he shares Aerovolt's bold plans for growth, the critical need for investment, and how the team is laying the groundwork for a cleaner, more sustainable future of flight.

Aerovolt.co.uk

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, discusses the company's efforts to build one of the fastest-growing public EV charging networks in the UK. Connected Kerb focuses on making charging infrastructure equitable, reliable, and accessible, particularly for drivers without home charging. Chris highlights challenges like land access, grid constraints, and government policy, and shares how AI and modular designs are shaping the future of EV charging.

Chris Pateman-Jones, Chief Executive Officer: Experienced infrastructure executive with extensive commercial, innovation and strategy experience developing projects in the energy and commodities sectors, initially with Bechtel and more recently as EY's Global Infrastructure Director. He joined the Connected Kerb team in 2018, initially to lead Product and Strategy before becoming Chief Executive Officer in November 2019. In March 2024, he was appointed Chair of ChargeUK, the trade association body for the EV charging.

Connected Kerb - https://connectedkerb.com

Charge UK - https://www.chargeuk.org

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-pateman-jones/

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

Wicked Problems is powered by Adaptavis®

Adaptavis is a Business Performance Management and Transformation consultancy aimed at forward-thinking leaders, based in London UK. The company specialises in helping organisations to enhance operational efficiency, drive business growth, and navigate complex transformations. From strategy to execution, they focus on providing insights and practical solutions to improve the overall performance of businesses, ensuring they can adapt to changing market conditions and achieve sustainable success. Toby Corballis is a Partner at Adaptavis.

You can find out more about their work by visiting: www.adaptavis.com

Enjoy,

Toby Corballis

Melanie Shufflebotham, co-founder and COO of Zap-Map, the UK's leading app for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to locate charging stations and plan trips, shares Zap-Map's journey from a basic Google Map overlay in 2014 to a robust platform with live data, user reviews, and payment options. Zap-Map also supports businesses and local authorities with insights into EV charging trends to prepare for a sustainable, electrified future;

Melanie Shufflebotham is the co-founder and COO of Zapmap, the UK's leading EV mapping app. Having worked in the space for over ten years, Melanie is an EV market expert, with deep knowledge of the charging market and EV data sets. As co-founder she developed the Zapmap app, products and initial revenue streams. Now, as Zapmap scales ready for the mass take-up of electric cars, she continues to be focused on making charging simple for EV drivers as well as providing data and insights to business & fleets to help them develop their electrified services.

Zap-Map

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

Adaptavis is a Business Performance Management and Transformation consultancy aimed at forward-thinking leaders, based in London UK. The company specialises in helping organisations to enhance operational efficiency, drive business growth, and navigate complex transformations. From strategy to execution, they focus on providing insights and practical solutions to improve the overall performance of businesses, ensuring they can adapt to changing market conditions and achieve sustainable success. Toby Corballis is a Partner at Adaptavis.

You can find out more about their work by visiting: www.adaptavis.com

Enjoy,

Toby and Jon Burdekin dive into the challenges and opportunities of fleet electrification. They discuss the evolution of electric vehicle infrastructure, the growing role of salary sacrifice schemes in making EVs more accessible, and the misconceptions surrounding EV adoption. Jon shares insights on how businesses can smoothly transition their fleets while avoiding common pitfalls.

Jon has 30 years' experience in the UK leasing and fleet finance industry, having previously worked for such major leasing companies as Alphabet GB Ltd and GE Capital Fleet Services. His 15-year career with Alphabet incorporated roles as Account Manager, Head of Account Management, and Head of Consulting Services.

Client relationships that Jon had direct responsibility for included McDonald's, BOC, Shell, Oracle, Royal and Sun Alliance and the BBC. By managing such large vehicle fleets, he has gained extensive knowledge in helping clients transition to electric – incorporating all the component parts of that journey.

A subject matter expert in the adoption of electric vehicles and salary sacrifice schemes, Jon led Alphabet's Electric Vehicle proposition, AlphaElectric, and is the accredited EV and salary sacrifice trainer for both the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP). Jon has also delivered EV training directly for such clients as LV=, Leaseplan, AA Drivetech, Arval, United Rental Group, SG Fleet, Athlon, Select Car Leasing, Volvo, Citygate Group, Holdcroft Group and Norton Way Motors.

Delegate satisfaction rates consistently exceed 95% and Jon is able to demonstrate measurable improvements in EV confidence and knowledge of between 60% and 300%.

Jon has run his own consultancy business since January 2019 with the aim of enhancing subject matter knowledge on all aspects of Salary Sacrifice and EV adoption, and helping clients educate their customers for the transition to 100% electric by 2030 (cars), or 2035 (LCVs).

Jon on LinkedIn

JB Consulting

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

Adaptavis is a Business Performance Management and Transformation consultancy aimed at forward-thinking leaders, based in London UK. The company specialises in helping organisations to enhance operational efficiency, drive business growth, and navigate complex transformations. From strategy to execution, they focus on providing insights and practical solutions to improve the overall performance of businesses, ensuring they can adapt to changing market conditions and achieve sustainable success. Toby Corballis is a Partner at Adaptavis.

You can find out more about their work by visiting: www.adaptavis.com

Enjoy,

Toby speaks with Neill Emmett, Global Marketing & Brand Director at Gilbarco Veeder-Root, a company with a 160-year legacy in refueling and energy solutions. Now leading the EV transition, Gilbarco's Konect provides turnkey solutions for fuel retailers adapting to electric charging. Neill shares insights on seamless EV infrastructure, retail profitability, and the future of fuel stations in the electrified world.

Neill Emmett is the Global Marketing and Brand Director at Konect, a subsidiary of Gilbarco Veeder-Root. He has over 25 years of experience leading award-winning campaigns in vehicle electrification and financial services. Known for strategic expertise and team empowerment, he joined Konect to redefine EV charging infrastructure delivery.

Konect provides a turnkey electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure ecosystem, enabling seamless integration with existing fuelling, payment, and service offerings.

Konect Product

Konect Solution

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

Adaptavis is a Business Performance Management and Transformation consultancy aimed at forward-thinking leaders, based in London UK. The company specialises in helping organisations to enhance operational efficiency, drive business growth, and navigate complex transformations. From strategy to execution, they focus on providing insights and practical solutions to improve the overall performance of businesses, ensuring they can adapt to changing market conditions and achieve sustainable success. Toby Corballis is a Partner at Adaptavis.

You can find out more about their work by visiting: www.adaptavis.com

Enjoy,

Toby speaks with George Symes, founder of Evaluate Strategy, a consultancy specialising in decarbonising complex fleets. With over 15 years in transport and infrastructure consulting, George shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of electrifying emergency services, rental fleets, and logistics companies. From the UK's ZEV mandate to fleet telematics, this discussion dives into the future of sustainable mobility.

George runs EValuate Strategy Consulting, helping complex fleets to decarbonise. These fleets include emergency services, and shared mobility operators such as car rental, car sharing and e-scooter operators. Typically, they are characterised by unpredictable and "spikey" demand, critical services and a "many-to-one" relationship between the drivers and vehicles.

George has over 15 years strategy consulting experience in the infrastructure, automotive and mobility industries, with experience across fleet and charging infrastructure in the UK, mainland Europe and Australia. He has diverse experience within new mobility in both advisory and operational roles: with Neuron Mobility (e-scooter and e-bike sharing), Zipcar (car and van sharing) and Avis.

Prior to EValuate he worked at GrainCorp and KPMG, focused on infrastructure, transport and energy clients.

Links:

Evaluate Strategy: www.evaluatestrategy.com

George's LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/georgesymes

I hope you enjoy the show and if you have any comments or suggestions, please write to me at: [email protected].

Wicked Problems is powered by Adaptavis®

Adaptavis is a Business Performance Management and Transformation consultancy aimed at forward-thinking leaders, based in London UK. The company specialises in helping organisations to enhance operational efficiency, drive business growth, and navigate complex transformations. From strategy to execution, they focus on providing insights and practical solutions to improve the overall performance of businesses, ensuring they can adapt to changing market conditions and achieve sustainable success. Toby Corballis is a Partner at Adaptavis.

You can find out more about their work by visiting: www.adaptavis.com

Enjoy,

Toby Corballis