The Crux Cast

"Why would anyone listen to me…”This is a question Chris West asked himself when he became CEO of an engineering company.The answer? Hard work, humility and a healthy pinch of imposter syndrome. Chris tells us about his life experiences that lead him to where is today and how his life has shaped his decisions in business. “Purpose has to be inbuilt into business...because there is so much good that can come out of business."Leaders who are driven by a purpose try to answer the “why” question and encourage the interest, empathy, and stability needed to run a successful business. Focusing not just on customer or shareholder satisfaction but employee advocacy and social and environmental responsibility.Chris tells us his thoughts on modern leadership, conscious capitalism and how he believes he has a duty to look beyond simple profit and carve out a deeper purpose for his business.…. a truly inspirational listen. Contacts / links: ChrisWebsite: www.optimusaberdeen.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-west-a300b332/ The Crux CrewWebsite: www.consultcrux.comYouTube: Get to the CruxLinkedIn: Consult Crux Twitter: @eric_crux Clubhouse: @cruxeric Instagram: Get to the Crux

"Focus on what you have not what you have lost..." Former British Army Officer, Chris Moon has survived being taken prisoner in Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge (one of the most brutal terror groups in history) and managed to negotiate his release and that of two colleagues from threatened execution.He left the Army to work for a charity clearing landmines in Asia & Africa.In 1995 Chris was blown up in a supposedly safe area of a minefield in remote East Africa, losing an arm and a leg. He survived initially because he treated himself. About fourteen hours after the injury he arrived in South Africa where doctors said they'd never seen anyone live with such a small amount of blood.In 1997 he completed the gruelling Marathon De Sables and inspired many to follow in his footsteps. Since then he's run the world's toughest ultra- marathons, including the Badwater Death Valley 135 mile ultra and the 95 mile West Highland Way Race. He's run numerous ultra-distance events and several one thousand mile events.Chris was awarded an MBE for his work in demining and in recognition of his humanitarian work and he was given the honour of carrying the Olympic Flame into the stadium at the opening ceremony of the Nagano Winter Olympics.Throughout all that Chris has endured never gave up, he went one step beyond…Tune in to hear his amazing story.Contacts / links: ChrisWebsite: www.chrismoon.co.ukLinkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrismoonspeakerThe Crux CrewWebsite: www.consultcrux.comLinkedIn: Eric DoyleLinkedIn: CruxLinkedIn: Crux CastTwitter: @eric_crux

Patrick's company bio will tell you: "We are an independent network providing tech powered research to organisations impatient to change the world for good. We work with everyone from Fortune 500 businesses, to not-for-profits, digital agencies and activist groups. If you need to deeply understand how people's needs have changed, book your 15-minute intro call today..." His LinkedIn profile will tell you: "I believe in the power of people to act beyond their fears. I am fascinated by how people act and why. I have tried throughout my career to go to 'where the action is' and take action. Whether this is a refugee camp, a corporate boardroom, running roadblocks in major cities, or leading a crisis response, I look to bring together people to create positive changes". But there is more beneath the skin... Sit back and listen....when you are done, get in touch with Patrick, you won't regret it...Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

Gerry tells us about Extincts CIC, a Social Enterprise with the mission of mobilising the next generation of animal protectors.They provide kids with fun game content which educates them on the plight of endangered animals and their habitats which generates funds for charities, not for shareholder dividends.At Extinct CIC they believe in doing business for good and ensuring profits go to good causes. 70% of all profits go to conservation charities like IUCN, OAUK, WWF and RSPB.When you play the game, nature wins!Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

"Before you get comfortable, you have to be uncomfortable..."Ica tells us all about ‘We are here Scotland' a community interest company he started in order to amplify the voices of BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Colour) artists and creatives living in Scotland and how underrepresented they are in Scotland. We are Here Scotland give opportunities to those artists to share their work, connect with each other and have their voices heard within the wider art community. From visual arts, music, dance, poetry, photography, and much more, their stories need to be heard. On top of all that Ica runs a clothing line, a podcast and all the while working as a social worker!If you would like to help or donate to We are Here Scotland click in the links below to find out how.Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

Wendy Fleming is providing hope to those in a financial crisis. Many feel they have nowhere to turn, that their situation is hopeless or that they are too ashamed and embarrassed to share.Wendy and her team provide help and support to get those in a financial crisis back on their feet.In this Crux Cast, Wendy shares her story of what inspired her to set up a charity and devote her time to helping people. You'll be surprised at how it all came to her. Alot of us have great ideas or want to help others in some way, what's different about Wendy… she's doing it.So, don't waste any more time reading this, hit play and listen to Wendy Fleming's amazing story.If you or someone you know are facing financial difficulties you can contact Ditch Debt with Dignity on the links below.Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

Malin Bruset studied Naprapathy and Nutrition and when she had her first child, she naturally made her own nutritious baby food at home. She found that the information available to parents was poor as was the production and methods used in mass market, high street brands. It all started when Malin wrote her first book, showing parents what and how to do it. This started her off on a journey to change hearts and minds. Join us for this Crux Cast where Malin takes us though her inspirational journey from idea to product launch and the high and the lows that come with running your own business. Its fair to say 'no mountain is too high' when it comes to how Malin approaches life'.....why? In her own words "we have to be like this, its too important".Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

In this Crux Cast Steve Beedie describes how he was faced with a clear decision - stay on the broken path or pick himself up and sort himself out. Steve uncovered something within himself and managed to find his way beyond the trauma of PTSD and mental illness and used this new strength to share his story.He set up Unspoken Wounds, an awareness and fundraising platform helping veterans then reaching further to all areas of mental health. Steve helps major organisations within the military, education, private sector, non profits & businesses who want to improve their productivity, happiness, saftey and performance while reducing burn out stress and underperforming teams. Steve lets loose on his latest amazing project...best you hear it from him... Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

Mike Scotland, Founder of manUP speakUp shares his story on why he started manUp speakUP, a facebook community developed to talk, help, listen and share. Allowing members to become part of a movement to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues in the offshore oil and gas and maritime industries. Mike is also passionate about cleaning up our environment. He started picking up litter and things spiralled out from there, creating a little oasis on the banks of the River Don in Aberdeen that was once a dumping ground. From mental health support, littering to online trolls, Mike exudes a 'realistic positivity' that's hard to ignore.Thanks for listening to the Crux Cast.

Larry Levine leads a revolution of authenticity, integrity and substance in his mission to convert the reputation of sales as a valued career and mediocre sales reps into proud, respected sales professionals. The Amazon Best Selling author of 'Selling From The Heart - How To Sell Your Authentic Self' and globally recognised sales leader, pulls no punches. He says it as he sees it and challenges us, not only to look deep in the mirror, but do something about what we see. Join us on this Crux Cast where Larry walks us through his life and the book that started a revolution of authenticity. As we look to try and kick start what was already an evolving sector pre-Covid, Larry asks us to seize the initiative and rethink sales for the better, reset and take action on how we can become more relevant in the post Covid world.Thanks for listening to The Crux Cast.Larry Levine leads a revolution of authenticity, integrity and substance in his mission to convert the reputation of sales as a valued career and mediocre sales reps into proud, respected sales professionals. The Amazon Best Selling author of 'Selling From The Heart - How To Sell Your Authentic Self' and globally recognised sales leader, pulls no punches. He says it as he sees it and challenges us, not only to look deep in the mirror, but do something about what we see. Join us on this Crux Cast where Larry walks us through his life and the book that started a revolution of authenticity. As we look to try and kick start what was already an evolving sector pre-Covid, Larry asks us to seize the initiative and rethink sales for the better, reset and take action on how we can become more relevant in the post Covid world.Thanks for listening to The Crux Cast.

Louise defines the “Entrepreneurial Myth” as the exaggerated, idealised misrepresentation of a business creator to promote widely - but false - beliefs about enterprise, to the detriment of the individual, their business and the community. We are taken back to the ancient origins of entrepreneurship, picking up on psychology, sociology, economics, history and geography to where we are today. We are challenged to take another look at what entrepreneurship is today and what it could be with some courageous reflection. Louise offers an alternative perspective, presenting us with her 'Real Business Manifesto'. She also offers an invitation to speak, reflect, connect, learn and persist in a movement to preserve the best of real entrepreneurial business.Thanks for listening to The Crux Cast.

What if the goals and objectives of the company were not to make a handful of shareholders incredibly rich but to create something truly special? Where people felt secure and valued. Where the people that make 'the company' are really the most important. Where profits were divided - some to the bank to protect the company and the rest shared amongst of the people who created the profit in the first place.Perhaps we are programmed that businesses have to be about creating value for shareholders and nothing else. Perhaps we are so used to seeing businesses run at the expense of care, true care for people. Which is ironic as the people that do the work create all the value and are all too often forgotten when it comes time for directors bonuses, shareholders dividends and exit strategies.What if the thinking was reversed, that wouldn't work would it? Surely not.........think again. Simon Biltcliffe has built a successful business based on the reverse, and it works. Built on the fabric of his lifelong interest in colliding two economic bedrocks - Marxism and Capitalism. Capitalism to create wealth and Marxism to share it. Now he has decided to put pen to paper and give us the formula."Business has too important a role in creating a society we all want to live in, to ignore it and carry on current, capitalist 'business as usual' with all its stress, pollution, zero-hours misery and inequality is to accept it has to be thus. Most people don't realise that you don't have to change your very being to run a business - you can be yourself, keep your soul and ethics WHIST doing well for yourself, your family, staff and, crucially, wider society". We first chatted to Simon Biltcliffe when the first lockdown hit, it was an experiment that turned into a podcast passion. So you will hear us say “I can't be worse than the last one”…we hope not!Thanks for listening to The Crux Cast.