The Impact Sessions Podcast

Bianca Robinson is CEO of UK Charity, CEO Sleepout as well as a Lecturer at Teesside University specialising in "The Sustainable Organisation" and she is on a mission....... In this episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast, Bianca shares her insights into how the work her Charity does (and the Teesside University MBA Programme) can help to achieve genuine change; A change in attitudes A change in focus and,  A change to the lives of many affected by sleeping rough and a whole host of other associated situations.        She is passionate, she is driven and she is an inspiration. CEO Sleepout is a Grant Giving Charity, raising £millions and then distributing the funds to local charities after organising local senior executive and senior team sleepouts to raise awareness of those sleeping rough and also raise money to allow them to grant give.  All monies raised locally are distributed in the areas where the sleepouts take place to make that local difference that matters. We discuss how her mission to get business leaders to become "Stewards of Society" is progressing, why it is important and why there is an absolute need for this to happen. We discuss her Keynote Speaking engagements, her recent award as a "Northern Power Women - One to Watch" and her passion for spreading the message. We also share details of the forthcoming Big Summer Sleepout to be held overnight on Thursday 30th June 2022 and how ANYONE - Children, Students, Work Teams, Friends, Families, Social Groups, literally ANYONE can get involved, raise £100.00 and really make a difference. Details of how to get involved are here; https://ceosleepoutuk.com/big-summer-sleepout/ This is a truly inspiring Podcast episode with a guest who has travelled around the world to be making a genuine difference in your local area. Enjoy! Feedback, as always is most welcome. Contact Details Bianca Robonson CEO CEO Sleepout Tel +44 (0) 7901 977259 Email - bianca@ceosleepout.co.uk Web - www.ceosleepout.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/birobinson/  

In this excellent episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast, we meet Rachel Hudson, the relatively new Managing Director of YB Fixings. We have entitled this episode - Building a Brand, A Value Set & Business Momentum as a New Managing Director. It's another cracking listen or watch - guaranteed. Rachel has had a very interesting and perhaps unorthodox journey into the role of MD, but her story, her passion and her vision for the business shine through as she shares her story - and perhaps some lessons for others in our relaxed discussions. How did Rachel get here? What was one of her first (perhaps surprising) priorities, and why? Where do her values and culture ambitions fit into her plans? What advantages does her disciplined financial background create? Why is she investing in the business right now? Why is learning & development important to her? How is being a woman in a heavily male-dominated sector working out? and much more......... This is a genuinely insightful episode that we are sure you will enjoy. Feedback as ever is most welcome, and don't forget to like and subscribe to receive your future Impact Sessions Podcasts on your favourite platforms automatically. Contact Details Rachel Hudson Managing Director YB Fixings Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 1793 838400 Email - rachelh@ybfixings.com Web - www.ybfixings.com LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/rachel-h-3a64a853  

After taking redundancy in the early days of the pandemic and lockdown 1, what could our guest this week, Martin Bennett conceivably do to put food on his table - quite literally. This is a REET good episode of the Impact Sessions Podcast in which we meet Martin Bennett, Managing Director of Reet Yorkshire Food, a relatively new business building a strong brand, presence and following in the jams, chutneys and pickles market. But this is not just an episode for foodies, it has some great business lessons in here too. Martin shares how and why he set up the business, the thinking behind the name and brand, his vision for the business, how his many years in food manufacturing operations has allowed him to grow the brand and business and how he has overcome any number of challenges to stand on the edge of significant growth as we enter Q2 2022. He also discusses scaling up, keeping his products simple, but well packaged, building a following on various markets around the region - and much more..... Martin might describe himself as a "typical" Yorkshireman - straight forward, direct, plain-spoken and uncomplicated. So how do these traits serve him as he goes through his product and brand development journey? He has some reet good tales to tell and they are all in this episode. One not to be missed...... Feedback, as always is most welcome and don't forget to like, rate and importantly, subscribe, to get your weekly fix of the Impact Sessions Podcast directly to your favourite podcast platform. Contact Details Martin Bennett Managing Director, Reet Yorkshire Food Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 7545 893839 Email – martin@reetyorkshirefood.co.uk Web – www.reetyorkshirefood.co.uk LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/martin-bennett-093b443   

If you and your business have a vision, a mission or a set of values that you are trying to embed, if you need to shift the dial on developing and delivering any type of change, if you operate on a project management, operational or organisational programme basis, if you are a process led or process driven business, (basically most businesses in most sectors), then this is an Impact Sessions Podcast episode for you. Construction Financial Services FMCG Utilities Manufacturing Engineering Public Sector NHS Retail Logistics Supply Chain And many more.....  and let's not forget those ambitious, growth hungry SMEs too. They have the same challenges, and they could all do with a little insight into PMO from an expert. We have entitled this episode "What The Hell Is PMO & Why Might I Want To Adopt It" and to explore this landscape we are delighted to introduce and meet Ruth Geddes, CEO & Co-Founder of Prospect Change who is also a PMO Associate for the HiveMind Network. What are the principles of PMO? How does a PMO driven project work? Why would you consider adopting PMO principles on your projects? Where to start? How to embed PMO into your current and future change management ambitions? What are the commercial, operational and financial advantages of PMO? Ruth shares her insights in such an upbeat, positive and engaging manner that it is impossible not to be hooked in and explore change management & PMO for you, your team and your business. We hope that you will really enjoy this episode and as ever, we welcome your feedback. Contact Details Ruth Geddes CEO & Co-Founder, Prospect Change Tel - +44 (0) 7375 114040 Email - ruthgeddes@prospectchange.co.uk  Web - www.prospectchange.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-geddes-a3413183/   

This is a Podcast steeped in great leadership, an unswerving focus on improving the customer experience and resilience of the highest order.  One not to be missed. Derren Gittins is Managing Director at Verplas, a UK based business, managing all of the same challenges as many over recent years, such as supply chain, transport costs, raw materials availability, the ups and downs of the pandemic, and much more. But that is only the half of it...... Having taken on the role in October 2020, travelling from the Midlands to the South Coast of England and staying over for 4 days a week to get things going, he quickly found that he had a big culture shift to implement if he was to be successful with his vision and ambitions for the business. The starting point was not brilliant, but you have to start somewhere. He was looking to build a successful, competitive business that truly put the customer at the heart of the experience, driving change through staff engagement and setting new standards across the team, all especially important in early challenging circumstances caused by the pandemic. But culture takes time...... Then BANG, just as he is re-structuring his team, implementing improvements to IT, assessing and re-thinking the customer journey through the Investors in Customers programme, and still managing day-to-day pandemic challenges, another THUNDERBOLT hits. We won't spoil the reveal, but it is safe to say that Derren must have felt like he had run over at least two or three black cats and broken several mirrors for him to be dealt the particular cards that came his way in 2021. This is another inspiring podcast episode of leadership, resilience, trust in his team, focus, re-thinking EVERYTHING and getting the job done. We challenge you not to be inspired by Derren's sheer force of nature and drive to succeed in the face of genuine adversity. Have a listen or watch and as ever, feedback is always welcome. Contact Details Derren Gittins Managing Director, Verplas Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 1202 825898 Email - derren.g@verplas.co.uk Web - www.verplas.co.uk LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/derren-gittins-2b5b5139    

James Steptoe is Global Sales Director at Puretech Process Systems Ltd. Sounds like a great role, plenty of travel to exotic destinations (and some not so exotic ones), developing relationships with customers and distributors across the world, attending exhibitions, networking, carrying out negotiations, and building an international sales funnel. So, you start the job as Global Sales Manager in Q3 2019 and get ready to go....... You have your strategy, your plan, your passport and your inoculations, and probably much more up your sleeve too. But oh wait, we have a global pandemic to contend with less than 6 months into the role and all bets are off....... But the role still needs you to deliver global sales growth - but now, without leaving your chair. This is a great podcast episode, offering insights into how James adapted his approach, developed his role in new ways and new directions and still delivered on the aspirations he had for the business when he took on the job of Global Sales Manager pre-pandemic. He must have done something right because he is now Global Sales Director and Puretech Process Systems continues to go from strength to strength, growing existing customer business, adopting new territories, with new customers and distributors and a building growing team to support them. What's more, James has recently been back on a plane - so the world is good again. This is a great episode covering change, resilience, adaptation, creativity, risk management, successful relationship building, global sales success and much more..... One not to be missed. Feedback as always is most welcome. Contact Details James Steptoe, Global Sales Director, Puretech Process Systems Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 7971 743484 Email - jsteptoe@puretech.uk.com Web - www.puretech.uk.com LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/james-steptoe-41098b40     

An insightful Podcast hosted by Nick Bramley, featuring Chris Shanks, Head of Sales & Andrew Vincent, CEO of QUICKBLOCK, a Glasgow based business that helps clients to create temporary, semi-permanent and permanent structures using the QUICKBLOCK product range. Sectors embracing this sustainable, environmentally friendly, 100% recycled and recyclable building material include; - Landscaping - Agriculture & Land Management - Light Construction - Events - Hospitality - Civil Engineering - Many More....... If you can imagine it, you can build it, and rebuild it if necessary, make a permanent structure with QUICKBLOCK. From a temporary storage unit or shed, to a smoking shelter, from event and hospitality furniture - lecterns, registration desks, stage areas etc, to landscape features, retaining walls and the like, this really is an amazing product. In the Podcast, we also discuss COP26, hosted in Glasgow and focusing on many of the conversations that QUICKBLOCK are having with their own fast-growing customer base. A really interesting listen or watch. Hope you enjoy........ Contact Details Chris Shanks Head of Sales Email - chris.shanks@quickblock.uk Tel - +44 (0) 7553 911207 Andrew Vincent CEO Email - andrew.vincent@quickblock.uk Tel - +44 (0) 7870 840011 Web - www.quickblock.uk 

This is Episode 52 of The Impact Sessions Podcast and we are about to take a break. So, how do you leave (for now) on a high with an awesome mid-season finale? Simple - you invite on a truly inspirational, engaging and irrepressible guest who will 100% inspire your audience. Meet Miriam Dervan, Executive Chair of MD Group, founding Trustee of a new Education Foundation supporting mental health in schools and Author of "To Be An Entrepreneur - Just Get On With It" - Amazon details in the notes below. Miriam is a genuine Entrepreneur, although had something of an accidental start to her entrepreneurial career. Whilst she is likely to have been successful at whatever she turned her hand and her passion to, her career in and around the sector in which she now thrives all started with her taking an initial 2 week temporary office job at the National Pharmacology Institute in Dublin (only after great persistence from a recruiter). Her now, hugely successful business, MD Group now employs over 160 staff in 6 global offices, serving many of the world's leading Pharmaceutical and Life Science businesses with a range of innovative services. How did she start? What was it like taking on her first staff members Why does she want to inspire other women business owners & entrepreneurs? Where does her passion for the Foundation come from? Were they ever any doubts?   These and other topics are covered in a really high-paced episode. In recent years Miriam has also established an Educational Foundation to fund the appointment of mental health professionals into schools across the UK & Ireland - big plans for a big subject. She is a truly inspiring and inspirational guest with the unique storytelling skill of a fabulous Irishwoman. Miriam is great value and a great listen or watch.... We hope that you will love this episode and that it is a fitting mid-season finale for you to enjoy. Why not take this opportunity to give The Impact Sessions Podcast a nice 5* Review too - that would be greatly appreciated. Contact Details Miriam Dervan, Executive Chair MD Group Tel +44 (0) 7811 167848 Email - miriam.dervan@mdgroup.com Web - www.mdgroup.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/miriamdervan-mdgroup Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1784520934/ref=cm_sw_r_em_api_glt_fabc_EYZAMTPD8NTXTF93Y2C2 

So, you start a business, you grow your business, you expand your customer base and you continue on a successful path and upward trajectory, but what's next? Well, at some stage, you might want to consider selling the business as an exit strategy, but this can be complex, fraught with stress and there are a myriad of options to confuse and potentially confound too. Which option might be right for you, and how do you know? Amongst the many potential pitfalls could be the absolute loss of the culture you have previously invested life, soul, blood, sweat and tears into, or the stripping of some of the assets, the decimating of your former employee team, or the swallowing of the business into a much bigger organisation who cannot wait to absorb the brand...... So what CAN it be like and what IS IT like to be the "acquired" and indeed the "acquirer"? To explore both sides of the "Business Buying & Business Selling Equation", we meet Peter Rowlands, Senior VP of Indutrade UK who have a positive and on-going business acquisition programme, as Indutrade, having acquired over 200 businesses globally in over 30 years of trading, and Paul Connor, Managing Director of Ellard, acquired by Indutrade UK over 3 years ago. Whether interested in buying and selling businesses or not, this is a fascinating episode that covers discussions around areas such as; Running a Successful, Attractive Business Culture, Vision, Values Collaboration Investment for Growth Effective Business Management Financials And much more.... Two great guests sharing their take on what it is like to be in the mix when offers are made and a sale is a great option. What happens before, during and crucially, afterwards...... The discussion might just surprise you. Another great episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast. As always, feedback is most welcome. Contact Details Peter Rowlands Senior VP, Indutrade UK Tel +44 (0) 161 241 1820 Email - peter.rowlands@indutrade.co.uk Web - www.indutrade.co.uk LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/peter-rowlands-6b547a43   Contact Details Paul Connor Managing Director Ellard Ltd Tel +44 (0) 7968 254610 Email - paulc@ellard.co.uk Web - www.ellard.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/connorpaul/ 

The Impact Sessions Podcast Reaches a Milestone Today - Our 50th Episode...... Thanks to all of my previous excellent guests, those that are regular and supportive subscribers, getting their fix every Tuesday and also to the occasional listener or viewer. Your collective support is, and remains most welcome and appreciated. So, to celebrate our special episode, what better way to do it than with a beer - or more accurately, by meeting a legend in the world of brewing in Yorkshire - Kate Balchin, Director of Sales, Marketing & Export at Wold Top Brewery. Wold Top was one of the first, most successful (and popular) breweries that was spawned out of farming diversification just after the turn of the millennium. On this celebratory episode, we discuss areas such as; How & why brewing came about at Wold Top Farm? Why the natural resources at the Farm made this something of a no-brainer decision? Growing from a micro-brewery servicing local hostelries to a brand beloved in places like Italy. Scaling up and diversifying into a bottle-led future - helping the business during the COVID crisis. Choosing names for the beers - is it scientific or something else, and who chooses? Surprisingly quick production - from raw ingredients to the cask, keg or bottle The future of Wold Top as a destination & hospitality venue in its own right. And more........ Why not get a bottle of Wold Gold, Wold Top Bitter, Scarborough Fair IPA, Helo Velo, Headland Red or even a Marmalade Porter, sit back, crack the bottle open and listen or watch this special episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast - Wold Top beers are available in many local supermarkets, Farm Shops, Restaurants, many Yorkshire pubs (on draft) or from the Wold Top website - details below..... You will not be disappointed. You do not grow to be a successful brewery in a very competitive market if you don't brew excellent beers! Also, if you like a Beer Festival, why not check out the Wold Top Big Sky Beer Festival at the end of August - www.woldtopbrewery.co.uk/products/44/big-sky-beer-festival-2021  Enjoy this episode and thanks Kate for being a brilliant guest for this 50th Podcast Special. Contact Details Kate Balchin, Director of Sales, Marketing & Export Wold Top Brewery Tel +44 (0) 1723 892222 Email - katebalchin@woldtopbrewery.co.uk  Website - www.woldtopbrewery.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebalchin/  

The “Caged Animal” in Question in This Week's Impact Sessions Podcast Title is Mona Norman, Managing Director of Brand Yorkshire and latterly Fogal & Barnes - (More on That Shortly)..... Mona is one of life's “people people”, who operates a fantastic Networking & Conference Business, hit hard, like many in the pandemic. She loves her members and loves the dynamics of her regular networking and annual conference live events. So if you can't organise face-to-face live events, how else can you keep energised and focused in a COVID19 crisis, when virtual networking just isn't cutting the mustard? Obviously, you open a Fine Jewellery retail store - Fogal & Barnes. After all, the High Street has been untouched by all of this hasn't it? Oh wait! This is a great episode exploring the energy and passion of a genuine relationship builder - coming through the pandemic one step at a time and backing her instincts for doing the right thing. We even have an intervention from Mona's dog! Fogal & Barnes after a recent re-opening is going from strength to strength, helping people to celebrate life-changing events such as engagements and weddings, and much more BUT THE BIGGEST NEWS IS THAT BRAND YORKSHIRE NETWORKING IS BACK, THE BRAND YORKSHIRE OCTOBER CONFERENCE IS BACK & MONA IS BACK..... It was great to explore the return of COVID-safe networking, the ambitions for an October socially distanced but large-scale Conference and even what (if anything) will replace the handshake when we can all meet again? It really is a fabulous session with a warm, charismatic, passionate, people person ready to get back out there and inspire some of the Yorkshire Region's most dynamic businesses. We know that you will enjoy it, but feedback, as always would be most welcome. Contact Details Mona Norman Managing Director - Brand Yorkshire Managing Director - Fogal & Barnes Fine Jewellery Tel +44 (0) 7748 117977 Email - mona@brandyorkshire.com Website - www.brandyorkshire.com Website - https://fogalandbarnes.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/monanorman8 

How does a Secondary School DT Teacher develop a product to reduce stress, improve wellbeing & wellness and create a calming influence for its users - all supporting the scientifically robust technique of “conscious breathing”? On this episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast, we meet Michael Crinnion.  Working with Richard Hall and the team at Pd-m International in Thirsk, he has created Luma³. Not only is Luma³ a beautifully designed, tactile piece of desk furniture, but it genuinely improves stress management and wellbeing for its users through a simple but effective light source that encourages calmness through conscious breathing. No intrusive buzzing No shaming reminders to do something - we know which Apps we mean No commitment to reaching targets Just a calming, soothing reminder to do some conscious breathing Brilliantly simple, brilliantly effective And it works....... And YOU can even get involved. Michael is launching a Kickstarter Funding Opportunity in early May (4th).  Do you want to invest in a product that has a very bright future - apologies for the awful pun!!!! Full details of Luma³ can be found here - https://luma3.uk/ Another great Impact Sessions Podcast episode that we hope you will enjoy. Feedback is always welcome.... Why not subscribe to get your usual fix every Tuesday and check out the back catalogue too? Contact Details Michael Crinnion Luma³ Tel - +44 (0) 7936 739386 Email - michael@mindbodygoals.uk Website - https://luma3.uk/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-crinnion/ 

One of IMPACTUS Group's longest-standing and most valued clients, SES Engineering Services is celebrating 60 years in business on Monday 19th April.  That is a massive milestone and as part of the celebrations, we recorded this Special Edition Podcast. We meet the longest serving man, Dave Stoughair - nearly 47 years service and still counting, the longest serving woman, Sarah Jones - who started way back in 1982, the Managing Director, Steve Joyce, himself no slouch in the longevity stakes with 27 years service and one of their very latest, and youngest recruits, Megan Bailey who only joined the business in October 2020. This is a genuine, heartfelt, relaxed and humorous celebration of SES (and the world of work) through the ages in support of their 60th Birthday. Whilst, as you may imagine, there are obviously a number of internal reference points that will only resonate with those involved in the business, there are a lot of interesting and fun exchanges that look at all sorts of areas and reminiscences that hopefully will be enjoyable to a wider audience. Things like; Drilling holes through concrete with hand-tools before power tools were common on site The Boss calling at your house to tell you where to report to tomorrow - long before WhatsApp The Post-Room, a long-extinct staple of the office environment, long before email took over Carbon paper and the blue handed colleagues Smoking in the workplace - what the hell was that all about? Early faxes that just said "Hello" and yet still fascinated the recipients Sharing one PC with dozens of colleagues - and learning how to switch it on Massive mobile phones and even bigger battery packs Interview suits And much more...... We even give a shout out to the heinous Findus Crispy Pancake and the £100,000 Findus French Bread Pizza. All of this is punctuated by a few "pop classics" (plus Maria Carey)! Come on, you know you want to listen or watch! It was great fun to record, full of great stories and a great insight into SES Engineering Services and also the wider workplace over at least the last 47 of those fabulous 60 years. If you are of a certain age (or even at the start of your career), this will either give you a warm glow of reminiscence or make you incredulous at how people used to work. As Megan says, she would "die without her mobile phone". She may well have died trying to carry a mobile phone battery pack the size of a small filing cabinet in the early 90's. Hope you enjoy!

We could have called this week's episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast - "How to Run a Successful Manufacturing Business Without Setting Foot In The Premises for Over a Year"! On this episode, we meet both Neil Matthews, Managing Director and Chris Shanks, Sales Manager of Irvine Springs, a high-performance springs manufacturer based, not surprisingly in Irvine in Ayrshire, Scotland. Well, that's where the business (and Chris) is based, but Managing Director Neil is based in Redditch, in the West Midlands of England. That's over a 5 hour drive and 300 miles away...... Since the global pandemic hit, and since the UK has had an ever-changing set of restrictions, many of which differed between England & Scotland, it has simply not been possible for Neil to be on-site, so Chris has had to take on the local mantle - or has he? Chris has also worked predominantly from home throughout the pandemic, and yet Irvine Springs has not only survived, but has come through and started 2021 in particular like a train. Are there lessons here for others? On another great Impact Sessions Podcast, we discuss, amongst other things; How Irvine Springs developed a sales and marketing approach and action plan during tight restrictions that allowed them to come out fighting in 2021. What being part of a bigger business group (Irvine Springs is an Indutrade business) has brought to the table in these challenging times? Managing and leading remotely. Creating a culture of trust and "can do". Lessons learnt. What the future holds for a UK Manufacturer and why embracing the likes of "Sustainability Development Goals" is a key to future success. And much more...... This was the first Podcast that either Neil or Chris had recorded and they were great! Give it a watch or listen for some inspiring content and conversation. Feedback as always is most welcome. Contact Details Neil Matthews, Managing Director, Irvine Springs Tel - +44 (0) 7985 281706 Email - neil.matthews@irvinesprings.com  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-matthews-7a413644/   Chris Shanks, Sales Manager, Irvine Springs Tel - +44 (0) 1294 279396 Email - chris.shanks@irvinesprings.com  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisshanks1/  Website - https://irvinesprings.com/ 

On this week's episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast we meet Lisa East, Managing Director of The Thinking Cap and we explore all things content. From content creation to creating a content calendar and plan but particularly, how ANYONE can and should be able to be interesting on the right social media platforms. We discuss how the global pandemic has changed the face of content, with more people having more time to create more, but is that necessarily a good thing? Lisa shares some great tips on where to start if you are not sure, and some questions to ask yourself before just diving in. We look at design v the written word - what works best and how to stop the social media "scroll" too. Lisa also discusses lead generation using content and how to sustain growth if you have an opportunity to exploit. Basically, if you run a business, are responsible for developing the profile of a business, or are just looking at ways to up your content "game" then give this excellent podcast a watch or listen. Lisa really is at the top of her game. Feedback, as always is most welcome. Contact Details Lisa East Managing Director The Thinking Cap Tel - +44 (0) 7436 223688 Email - lisa@thethinkingcap.co.uk  Web - www.thethinkingcap.co.uk  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaeast/ 

Why & How Does a High-Flying, City Banker Just Walk Away From a Career in The City of London & Start To Sell Pet Products in Huddersfield Instead - And All Before He Hit His Early 30's? Join us on this week's episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast as we meet a very honest, open and forthright guest who did just that, (well he is from Yorkshire, so we expect those characteristics don't we), and all in the name of supporting his family, following his passion for his local economy whilst also protecting his own mental health and wellbeing into the bargain. Simon Brown, is a Director at Sniffers Petcare a highly successful pet products business which has been established for over 40 years, selling high quality pet products, snacks etc to the trade. The business has had steady growth over the years but Simon shares some exciting (and scary) big plans to grow again with a significant investment in a new warehouse facility underway to meet the needs of an ever-demanding and upwardly mobile customer base. Dog ownership in the UK continues to rocket as working from home has allowed many to realise their dream of having a family pooch.  Growth in the number of dog owners looking for healthy snacks and quality food for their prized pets has also been significant, but the success of Sniffers Petcare isn't accidental or just about luck. Whilst the Sniffers product range is wide, varied and top quality, innovation in product development over recent years has helped to meet modern, demanding dog ownership requirements for top class snacks and the business now sets trends rather than follows them. They are always looking to be ahead of the next curve. Listen to Simon share his vision for how he helps to run the business, how he influences and understands the financials and how he makes MASSIVE decisions based on that level of financial certainty.  This really is a lesson in where entrepreneurship meets operational rigour and it makes a great Podcast episode. We hope that you enjoy it , and don't forget, if you are buying your dog biscuits, treats and snacks from a retailer, ask them if they have Sniffiers Petcare on their shelves..... Your dog will not be disappointed! Contact Details Simon Brown Director, Sniffers Petcare Tel +44 (0) 1484 538281 Tel +44 (0) 7463 760945 Email - simon@snifferspetcare.co.uk  Web - www.snifferspetcare.co.uk  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/spbrownmarketing/ 

When “Customer Journey Expert” Nigel Greenwood set his mind to creating a brand new resource for SME businesses to access real time, valuable and valued information, he probably didn't envisage the trials and tribulations of his own journey to come. But, after developing prototypes, testing the concept and then the user experience, many times over, he is delighted to launch BuBul. Join me on this episode of the Impact Sessions as we meet Nigel and discuss what BuBul is all about and what he has learnt about devising, designing and launching a brand new platform? What has he learnt about himself and what are his ambitions for this new resource for the SME business community? BuBul and Nigel recognise that starting or growing a thriving business is an exciting but demanding challenge. Every day brings crucial problems and questions such as: • I'm not converting sales, what can I do? • How can I find the right customers? • How do I increase my profits? • How can I retain more customers? Getting the right business advice is vital to business success and BuBul does this by putting you in a virtual room with over 30 business experts who will give you the advice you need. A really interesting podcast episode that takes you on a journey of focus & resilience as a genuine expert gets to share his passion for creating access to high quality business advice. Feedback, as always is most welcome. Contact Details Nigel Greenwood Customer Experience Consultant & BuBul Founder Tel - +44 (0) 7545 569775 Email - nigel@simplycustomer.co.uk Web - www.bubulexpert.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/ngreenwood 

Wow, we hope that this Impact Sessions Podcast Episode Will Blow You Away..... It certainly did us! Former Podcast Guest, Paul Lillywhite contacted me and said he was working with an inspirational team who he felt would be great guests for the Podcast and a real value add to the Podcast library - How could I resist? That they turned out to be a team of 6 x Lower 6th / Year 11 Students from St. Peter's School in York was the real surprise, but not once we had met and interviewed them. It has been an absolute pleasure to see such passion, energy and focus of the team, a team who are a great credit to themselves, the school and their business - YES, THEIR BUSINESS! The team are competing in a national Young Enterprise Competition, setting up and running a business over the course of 3 terms, with all of the required rigour, focus and structure you have to demonstrate as you would if you have to manage and run a business with in the "real world". They chose a Social Enterprise Structure for the business, appointed a Board of Directors including Joint Managing Directors, a Sales Director, a Marketing Director, and a couple of Social Media stars, all supported by a cast of over 20 Students all playing other key roles. It has been some journey - So what is the business? During lockdown 1 in March 2020, one of the Students, Lucy had an idea for a simple cookbook to help her elderly Gran / Nan who had previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer's but wanted to still enjoy cooking with her husband and her Carer, (and hopefully Lucy after lockdown was lifted). It was not an idea for a business at that stage, just something great she could do for her cherished Gran / Nan. From that simple idea, "Caring Through Cooking - Bringing Generations Together" was born as THE idea that St. Peter's wanted to adopt as their business entry in the Young Enterprise Competition come September 2020.  From then to March 2021, the journey has been one of creativity, collaboration, communication and of course hard work. It has been about researching, launching & published an excellent cookbook "Caring Through Cooking - Bringing Generations Together". Developing their sales & marketing strategies including an Instagram presence, a website and even a QR code backed series of cookery demonstrations to support the book and conducting market research and collaboration projects with the Alzheimer's Research UK to validate their products from a safety and accessibility perspective. All whilst working and studying remotely for the vast majority of the time! Watch or listen to this episode to see how the students have managed all of this and have a product range on the launchpad of success. If you have experienced a relative with Alzheimer's or if you just want to help these excellent students to make a difference, their contact details, including where to buy the book or access their product range are included here. A truly inspiring episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast, we hope that you will agree. Contact Details St. Peter's School Young Enterprise Team - Caring Through Cooking - Bringing Generations Together Lead Teacher - Mr Dominic Shread Email - d.shread@stpetersyork.org.uk Website for Books - https://www.ye-tradingstation.org.uk/product/bringing-generations-together-cookbook?v=282  Instagram - caringthroughcooking 

Another Episode in our "Positivity in a Pandemic" Mini-Series..... Steve Joyce, Managing Director of SES Engineering Services is an inspiration and my guest on this episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast..... From Apprentice Electrician (a job his Mum put him forward for without his knowledge when he left school at 15) to Managing Director of a £180m+ national Mechanical & Electrical Engineering business, he has had quite the journey. Loads of moves and promotions (you will have to listen or watch to find out how many), all on an upward trajectory and all backed by one common thread - POSITIVITY. And this from a guy who didn't even know what an Electrician was or did until his first day at work....... 28 years later, and he knows his business inside out. This is an inspirational story of opportunity, backing yourself and developing exceptional people and leadership skills along the way, with two very life changing moments thrown in too. You will be hard pressed not to be inspired. Why was 2015 so important to Steve? If you think 2020 was a challenge - have a listen to see what Steve had to overcome - and why he remains so upbeat about 2021 and beyond? You will really enjoy this episode - I guarantee. Feedback, as always is most welcome. Contact Details Steve Joyce Managing Director SES Engineering Services Tel - 0191 258 6627 Email (PA) - Debbi Potts - dpotts@ses-ltd.co.uk Website - www.ses-ltd.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-joyce-56198416/ 

Matthew Ord of LV Shipping & Transport has a great Job Title - Company Ambassador...... How cool is that, or is it? How did it come about, what does it mean, what is the difference between that and other business development and senior level titles and what has been the impact of being a Company Ambassador in a large Shipping & Transport Business? We explore the career path that got Matthew to here, how he embraces the role and how it opens doors to prospects, clients and collaboration partners alike. More than just looking at a simple job title, we explore some really interesting perspectives on the economy, Brexit, local business relationships, networking and more.... Matthew is a really engaging guest and he plugs his knowledge and passion for the North East directly into this week's Impact Sessions Podcast - another great listen or watch. Hope you enjoy it - feedback, as always, most welcome..... Contact Details Matthew Ord Company Ambassador LV Shipping & Transport Tel - 07467 953505 Email - matthew.ord@lvshipping.com Web - www.lvshipping.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-ord-9053a03a/ 

This is a powerful, positive, upbeat Impact Sessions Podcast Episode featuring the excellent returning guest, Lorna Feeney - See Episode 21. Lorna's previous episode is our most popular in the series to date, so we are looking for more of the same in terms of her popularity. The pandemic is having a host of negative and potentially negative effects on people and businesses, but there is a lot of stuff going on that is much more positive, if you know where to look, what the signs are, or if you are prepared to think and act a little differently...... Lorna is a fantastic Mental Health Professional and on this episode, we have deliberately looked at some of those positive pandemic actions, activities and outcomes that are about positivity and pleasure - some of which will stay with us long after we return to some semblance of "normality". A really upbeat discussion to hopefully inspire those that watch or listen to look for the little wins, find the things that you enjoy, embrace the "new normal" where it helps and to share with business owners and managers a few ideas to plan for a return to "normal" working at some stage. Deliberately positive, (let others wallow in negativity), we hope that you enjoy this session and that it will make you think, make you smile, make you find a laugh or two and maybe even make you sing or dance. (As long as it doesn't inspire you to make the ubiquitous banana bread, we are all surely okay with that). Lorna really is an inspiration - we are sure you will agree, but feedback, as always will be most welcome. The link to the two comedy clips mentioned in the episode are here; Peter Sellars - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjC_lv7A8Us&t=2s Only Fools & Horses - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63rcdLeXiU8 Enjoy! Contact Details Lorna Feeney Head of Mental Health Risk at Marsh Advisory & Marsh McLennan Companies Email – lorna.feeney@marsh.com Web – www.mmc.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorna-feeney-63617837/ 

Meet a Special Podcast Guest with a very special ambition, an ambition already shaping NHS improvement on a small scale, but with the real potential to make a significant difference into a much more efficient future. The ambition to "Genuinely Improve NHS Performance" was borne out of adversity but shaped the focus and direction of this impressive individual who is as resilient and creative as they come. My Guest is Fenwick Smith, Chief Executive of FloKi Health. Creating performance efficiencies and improvements in tracking and tracing equipment, reducing hours spent by front-line clinical staff looking for medical devices and improving both the maintenance and procurement decision making of the Trusts he is already working with - he has achieved such a lot in a relatively short space of time and he is just getting started. Fenwick is a truly inspirational Entrepreneur and well worth a listen or watch! If you know anyone working in the NHS or you are just interested in how a life-changing incident can shape an ambition, then please listen, watch, share or shout from the rooftops. - Ideas Generation - Solution / Product Scoping & Development - Testing - Innovating - Improving - ROI All covered, and more in this truly inspiring episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast. Enjoy - Feedback as always is most welcome....... Contact Details Fenwick Smith Chief Executive FloKi Health Tel - +44 (0) 7712 657170 Email - fenwick.smith@flokihealth.co.uk Website - www.flokihealth.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/fenwicksmith/ 

Another great episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast, meeting the irrepressible Amanda Gardiner, Managing Director of Durham Lifting, a long-established, family lifting business embedded in the industrial heartland of the North East of England. Amanda has seen her business develop and evolve over 25 years, as heavy industry has changed like the waxing and waning of the tide in the River Tees Estuary - an area that looms large in the view from their base in a historic Test House in the heart of Middlesbrough's traditional heavy industry area. Shipbuilding has largely gone, overseas, cheaper options have eaten away at some areas of UK manufacturing, oil & gas ebbs and flows but the likes of the development of some strategic Ports, the emergence of the whole offshore renewable energy sector and a constant drive to innovate have made Durham Lifting a continuing success story worthy of a watch or listen. Then there are their bright pink lifting beams range and a ghost story to consider too....... Amanda is a really engaging guest and spreads a lot of optimism about the state of, and future for not only her business but the Heavy Industry sector, especially in the North of England. So, sit back, have a watch or listen and see how a female Managing Director in a massively male-dominated sector gets her hands dirty and really makes a difference day-to-day. Enjoy - and as always, feedback is most welcome. Contact Details Amanda Gardiner, Managing Director, Durham Lifting Tel - +44 (0) 1642 240672 Mob - +44 (0) 7808 896480 Email - amanda.gardiner@durhamlifting.co.uk Web - www.duarhamlifting.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gardiner-480a8846/ 

This week's guest is Steve Twynham who describes himself variously as - Founder / Managing Director of Inspire Radio, Presenter, Podcaster, Inspirational Coach & Connector. He has some sized business card...... All of the roles are actually inter-twined in how Steve works, how he connects people and how he uses the power of his own Podcasts and the 2020 launched Inspire Radio in particular to reach out to a global audience with high-quality, inspiring content. Inspire Radio is aptly named and had a very distinct and different DNA and value set. Have a listen or a watch to see how Steve manages to schedule great Presenters, great Guests, and great music to meet the mood of the audience(s) around the world. Could you be involved, could you inspire, could you become an Inspire Radio Guest, listener, supporter, friend or sponsor? A great episode and one that shows how a man with a genuine heart and passion can really make a difference. Steve really is "inspiring people across the world" and he hasn't stopped yet. Contact Details Steve Twynham Tel +44 (0) 7833 627866 Email - steve@stevetwynham.com Inspire Radio - www.inspireradio.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevetwynham/

This week's guest on The Impact Sessions Podcast is as passionate as they come about a subject close to her heart.... It is Tracey Dawson, Managing Director of Daletech Electronics in Leeds and her passion is for manufacturing, particularly UK manufacturing. In addition to her role at Daletech, a business she has been involved in for over 25 years, Tracey is also Chair of Leeds Manufacturing Alliance and a Member of Make UK & RAB. In this episode, she discussed the impact of the global pandemic on her business as well as the wider UK manufacturing economy. What the future may hold and how to maintain manufacturing confidence and she also shares her passion for investing in skills through valuable Apprenticeships and how everyone from the Government to those in the education sector should be much more focused and supportive towards this route for many more young people. As a Titan of the West Yorkshire Manufacturing sector, this is an insightful, engaging and passionate episode not to be missed. Feedback welcome - enjoy. Contact Details Tracey Dawson, Managing Director Daletech Electronics Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 113 239 4220 Email - td@daletech.co.uk Web - www.daletech.co.uk LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/traceydawsondaletech

A First for The Impact Sessions Podcast - a Returning Guest...... On this episode, the excellent Marianne Smith, Managing Director of Doo Marketing and one of the UK's leading Practitioners around the whole Customer Journey & Customer Experience returns to share some of her successes from a challenging 2020 for many. Marianne was actually the very first guest on Episode 1 in October 2019, but she is in such top form, at the top of her game that we simply had to have her back.  She is now more relevant than ever in the on-going pandemic. She shares why putting the customer at the heart of your marketing and sales focus will create opportunities and build both a new customer funnel as well as a band of loyal, repeating customers who become strong advocates for your business and brand, whatever the challenges around you. Marianne also shares a Case Study or two about the impact of her work and why every business needs to think customer first, not just lip service, but actual actions! A cracking and valuable listen or watch from a superb, engaging guest. Enjoy. Contact Details Marianne Smith Managing Director, Doo Marketing Tel - +44 (0) 7414 821546 Email - mariannesmith@doomarketing.co.uk Web - www.doomarketing.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doomarketing/

This week's Podcast Guest, Charles Fawcett fell in love with a British Icon as a child and followed his dream of building a career and a very successful global business on the back of that love. There were a couple of audio glitches in here but nothing to reduce the impact of the session we hope. What is the icon and brand and the object of his love - The Land Rover Defender....... Setting up Twisted Automotive in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, originally as a part-time venture offering tune-ups and engine tweaks, Charles quickly grew the business to help his Defender-owning customers to create the best Land Rover Defender that they could have. Engines, suspension, after-market parts, there really is no limit to the improvements you can make to this iconic British beauty, (originally conceived as a workhorse farming vehicle), and no limit to the budget some will spend on these improvements. Innovation, creativity and the customer experience all drive the on-going success of the Twisted Automotive brand which also took on the might of Jaguar Land Rover in a court battle over IP (and won).  A great story of David beating Goliath. Charles is a passionate and successful Entrepreneur who left school with little by way of formal qualifications, but through specialising in a brand, focusing on innovation and through sheer hard work and determination, now operates a business that is recognised the world over as THE place to go if you own a Land Rover Defender and want to make it the very best it can be. The next chapter is just around the corner too.... An inspiring Podcast episode with a highly engaging guest.  Hope you enjoy. Podcast Guest – Charles Fawcett Founder & CEO of Twisted Automotive PR Company – Faith PR Tel - +44 (0) 1484 599886  E – kate@faith-pr.co.uk Web – www.twistedautomotive.com

On this episode, regular Host, Nick Bramley interviews a 2nd Year University Under-Graduate Psychology Student about the whole University experience under COVID19 restrictions and whether this experience is helping students to prepare for the future? She just happens to be his daughter, Charlotte..... How has the University experience been? Will the pandemic restrict student skills and confidence development and what are the implications for future employment? What do you have to do to cope with Zoom lectures and little or no face-to-face engagement? What advice would she offer potential students and parents of students considering September 2021 as a University entrant? Charlotte also rights a few misconceptions about her passion - psychology and how this particular degree creates some of the widest transferable and employability skills that any employer should be aware of. If you employ graduates, if you are a parent of a potential University student, or you just want an honest insight into University life in a pandemic, then give this a watch or listen.

On this excellent episode of The Impact Sessions, we are delighted to welcome Chris Black, Managing Director of Sound Leisure. Discussing The Global Success Story of a UK Manufacturer & Brand, Chris runs a Leeds based manufacturing business, renowned for the design and manufacture of high-quality Jukeboxes, plus a range of other craftsman-led leisure products that have literally taken the world by storm. From a small family-business in the late 1970's to a global brand selling into over 25 countries, Chris has taken his father's business to new markets, whilst building a brand that is known for quality, innovation and customer excellence. Quite a journey and quite a story too........ How has a global pandemic affected Sound Leisure? How has innovation been a a cornerstone of their success? What's next for Sound Leisure? This and more are discussed in this really engaging episode with a Titan of the West Yorkshire Manufacturing & Export fraternity. Inspiring..... Contact Details Chris Black, Managing Director Sound Leisure Tel +44 (0) 113 232 1700 Email - chris.black@soundleisure.com Web - www.soundleisure.com 

On this episode, we meet Paula Kaye. Paula is a Hospitality & Food Specialist and Founder of Boost Consultancy. She launched a business in support of the Hospitality Sector just after lockdown in March 2020 and has brought her years of front line sales, customer service and operational experience to the fore, working with the sector to share ideas for being resilient, agile and most importantly, still here in 2021. Putting the customer at the heart of the experience, following 7 steps to make the experience excellent and also looking for agility and areas to pivot into - all are covered in a really practical, engaging and helpful interview. The lessons learned in genuinely tough, challenging and uncertain times are very transferable to other sectors, so give it a listen or watch and be prepared to be inspired. Paula believes that the Hospitality & Food sectors will survive into a brighter future than 2020 provided and that 2021 will see us all being more supportive of our local hospitality and food sectors and where local food producers will thrive. A really timely and interesting pre-Christmas Impact Sessions Podcast episode. Hope you enjoy it, whatever the sector you are in. Contact Details Paula Kaye Founder of Boost Consultancy Tel - +44 (0) 7595 278159 Email – paula@boost-consultancy.co.uk Web – www. boost-consultancy.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-kaye/

A first for The Impact Sessions, in that in this episode we interview two guests - at the same time. Delighted to introduce Terry Mullen & Mark Llewellyn, Joint Managing Directors of Revive! Auto Innovations. Together they run one of the UK's most successful, high-growth Franchise businesses, but share a host of content on this Podcast that is also relevant and transferable to non-Franchise businesses. Entitled - How Managing Your Goals Created Award-Winning Success & Growth, this is a truly inspiring story of audacious and ambitious goal-setting, a focus on communication, team engagement and of course, the ability to drive business success. It hasn't all been plain sailing though, so sit back, have a watch or listen and be prepared to be inspired. The lessons learned are great to see and hear as the business continues it's upwards trajectory, a trajectory that continues to be recognised with a host of prestigious awards too. We really enjoyed recording this session (including a couple of audio interruptions from cats, phones and delivery drivers)! Contact Information Terry Mullen & Mark Llewellyn Joint Managing Directors Revive! Auto Innovations Tel - Terry +44 (0) 7771 525197 Tel - Mark +44 (0) 7967 695999 Email Terry - terry.mullen@revive-uk.com Email Mark - mark.llewellyn@revive-uk.com Web - www.revive-uk.com

This is not a Financial Service Podcast - Read on or listen to see why..... This week's guest is Jon Anderson, Head of Leeds Office & Director of Building Consultancy at Lambert Smith Hampton. Jon is a specialist in all things commercial property related and runs a team of specialists across a lot of disciplines in this particular area too. So, if you have a pension, a traditional pension fund investment has always been investing in and around commercial property of some sort. Pension funds ride the ebbs and flows of commercial property trends and this affects YOUR investments. They have always loved the sector. On this episode, we explore trends in commercial property, the effect that COVID19 has had on the market, investor confidence and where the smart money is now going, or should be going? We also explore the working from home phenomenon and the future of the High Street amongst many subjects. Finally, Jon will offer some insights in what you might do if you have a property portfolio, you own a single office or retail space, or you are in a commercial property lease. A more positive outlook than you may anticipate, despite the tough times and the constant barrage of business failures, especially on the High Street. Contact Details Jon Anderson Head of Leeds Office & Director of Building Consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton Tel - +44 (0) 7860 754073 Email - janderson@lsh.co.uk Web - www.lsh.co.uk

This week's top guest, Jayne Graves, Managing Director of Encompass Marketing, is a high-performing Marketing Strategist who works with and supports ambitious, growth-hungry businesses as well as those looking for some strategic direction for their marketing activity. I have known and worked with Jayne for over 20 years and she is always at the top of her game. Very practical, down-to-earth and effective, Jayne marries marketing with sales and the customer experience to deliver results that positively impact on the financial performance of her wide range of client businesses. Not "fluffy", not "vague" she starts with the ideal customer and builds a strategy that delivers genuine engagement, value and results. Covering her journey from a very successful 1990''s Franchise Entrepreneur to the launch of Encompass Marketing in the early noughties, always with marketing as the golden thread for her success, we cover a lot of ground around trends, focus, activity, marketing options etc. Well worth a watch or listen as you look at your 2021 (and hopefully post-COVID19 plans). Contact Details Jayne Graves, Managing Director Encompass Marketing Tel - +44 (0) 7811 212874 Email - jayne@encompass.uk.net Web - www.encompass.uk.net

Warning & Apology - Sound Quality Not to Usual Impact Sessions Podcast Quality On this Impact Sessions Podcast, I discuss all things recruitment, people strategy and the commercial value of working with professionals with my guest, Charly Melia, Managing Director of Integrated Recruitment. With so many candidates on the market, is there even a place for a recruitment business? Where does doing it yourself stack up against engaging professional support? How in tune is your “gut instinct” and what if it is “off”? Why should recruitment and HR be more valued at the top table and what is the impact of not valuing either or both? And what is the “one for the future” or “team of the future” all about, and should your business be adopting a similar approach? This and more are discussed in a fascinating episode that any business owner or anyone responsible for recruitment or potential future recruitment should listen to or watch. If your business has growth plans, don't risk that growth without a proper, effective recruitment and people strategy. Contact Details Charly Melia, Managing Director Integrated Recruitment Tel - +44 (0) 7423 105399 Email - charly.melia@integratedrecruitment.co.uk Web - www.integratedrecruitment.co.uk 

This weeks guest is the irrepressible Deborah Carr, Business Owner at Total Spa Solutions and new business, Anada. She shares her story of how the first UK lockdown in March decimated her core business, Total Spa Solutions - a B2B service that supported a fast-growing Spa client list with key staff to maximise revenues through maximising Spa Treatment availability. Like many, her business suddenly stopped - overnight. And this is after a record-breaking start to 2020. So what could Deborah do? Well, she could have shut up shop, she could have taken a summer off, or she could have been another economic victim to the COVID19 pandemic. But that is not in Deborah's nature as you will see or hear, so after a little reflection and a moment of inspiration on a dog walk, she decided to use her skills and the skills of her team and launch Anada. Anada is a luxury "at home" Spa Experience which uses all of Deborah's B2B experience and converts that to a new, exceptional B2C brand. The journey is great example of resilience, hard work and focus, lessons which despite the much over-used pivot word, will hopefully inspire you to make some positive decisions going forward. This was a great session - fun, human and passionate. Enjoy Contact Details Deborah Carr Business Owner Total Spa Solutions & Anada Tel +44 (0) 7979 126603 Email deborah@totalspasolutions.com Web www.totalspasolutions.com Web www.anada.co.uk 

Ella Mesma is the Business Owner of Business Yoga. Having had an idea for a business that combines her passion for Yoga, Wellbeing and Wellness with meeting the challenge of businesses maintaining productivity, healthy teams and engagement whilst navigating these challenging times - Business Yoga was born. Whilst the business was launched pre-COVID19, Ella's significant research had already identified the connection between a sedentary work environment and a variety of illnesses and ailments, some of which were leading to absenteeism, stress and lower productivity. Her unique approach to short burst activity, much of which is non-intrusive, desk-based and high impact, but not requiring any previous skills, experience (or a need to change or shower), is changing the workplace for many. If COVID19 means you work from home, have teams that work from home or you run events that get people together and you need a little stimulus or something different to get you all going, then Ella explains some really easy options and steps you can take to make a real difference. During the current crisis, Ella has upskilled herself in many areas of business, from social media to web content and website development, all with the aim of adding genuine value to her clients and future clients.  It is easy to be something of a "victim" in a global pandemic, but hopefully Ella's story will inspire you to keep doing the things that make a difference, and if nothing else, to look after yourself too..... Ella Mesma Business Owner Business Yoga Tel +44 (0) 7886 273719 Email - ella@businessyoga.co.uk Web - www.,businessyoga.co.uk  

On this episode, Salma Karolia shares her fascinating story. How she set up, ran, significantly grew and then sold a successful Beauty Training Academy business over a period of years. She shares the journey from spotting a gap in the market to developing a business to exploit and develop in that gap. Sometimes it was accidental, sometimes opportunist, sometimes by being in the right place at the right time. What did Salma learn along the way, how she developed as a person and as a leader and what she would do differently if she did it all again? Salma also shares the next phase of her journey, including why and how she got back into the beauty sector as a manufacturer of bespoke cosmetics, a packed market, but with another gap that an entrepreneur can see and target for growth. Whatever your business, whatever your ambitions, this is a fascinating insight into the mindset and work-ethic of someone who has been there and done it, and is back to do it again.... Contact Details Salma Karolia Managing Director - SK Cosmetics Tel : +44 (0) 7850 930501 Email : salma@salmakarolia.com

On this very thought-provoking episode of The Impact Sessions Podcast, University of Leeds PhD Student & Researcher, Pauline Oustric shares her passions, not only for academia, research and study, but also for networking and building effective relationships. (She also has a passion for food but puts that down to simply being French).... Pauline identifies the opportunities that exist for businesses to exploit the talent, networks and facilities that exist across the University environment, whilst also encouraging Universities to offer clearer routes to building genuinely collaborative partnerships. How does academia actually work & operate? What resources can they offer? How can a business be more active in collaboration and partnership? What impact could a Researcher, PhD or Post-Graduate Student have in your business? How would you scope out a project? Why might a high calibre Intern be a great option? This is not an academic podcast but a genuine exploration of networking and collaboration with a genuinely passionate advocate of both. Pauline has even managed to collaborate with both the French and the US army in support of her own research into our relationship with food and the behaviours around this. Going forward, Pauline harbours real ambitions to create a networking resource to harness the talent of academia for the benefit of the business community and the wider world. Nothing in this podcast suggests that she will be anything other than hugely successful in achieving this ambition. Released on Pauline's birthday, we wish her Happy Birthday and hope the Podcast listeners really enjoy this one.... Contact Derails Pauline Oustric Researchers & PhD Student University of Leeds Tel - +44 (0) 7377 712641 Email - pspjo@leeds.ac.uk

Businesses often need some financial impetus, but with so many options available, where can you look and what might be the right option for you? Have you considered the distinct advantages of Angel Investment? If not, is that due to a lack of understanding, a lack of knowledge of where to look, a lack of the right networks to leverage, or something else? On this Impact Sessions Podcast, the excellent Martin Avison, Founder of angelgroups shares his wealth of knowledge and experience about the whole world of Angel investment. How does it work? What can it do for your business? Why you might be a great fit? What are the options available? This and more is covered in this insightful episode. Contact Details Martin Avison Founder Angel Groups Tel - +44 (0) 7538 209478 Email - martin.avison@angelgroups.co.uk 

In this episode, Lorna Feeney, Head of Mental Health Risk at Marsh Risk Consultancy & Marsh & McLennan Companies explores the whole subject of health and well-being in the workplace. Mental health awareness in particular is now mainstream, with the likes of Mental Health First Aid and a whole raft of other initiatives emerging to tackle this sensitive, and often confused area. Here, Lorna Feeney shares some of her personal journey in a frank and honest interview but offers some really practical and useful advice to businesses in how to spot, manage and develop a positive culture of support and intervention to create a genuine health and well-being environment in your business. This is a fantastically open, maybe even courageous interview that will have you all thinking about this subject. Contact Details Lorna Feeney Head of Mental Health Risk at Marsh Risk Consultancy & Marsh & McLennan Companies Email - lorna.feeney@jelfgroup.com Website - www.mmc.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/lorna-feeney-63617837 

On this podcast, Sarah Cowl, Marketing Director of The Rainbow Mash walks us through the customer journey from a marketing perspective. Why is effective marketing like the dating scene? Why is competition a great thing for your business? Why is creativity in isolation not enough? How do you build in a return on investment? The answers to these and other questions are all answered by the engaging and very honest and direct Sarah. It's a great episode. Enjoy. Contact Details Sarah Cowl Marketing Director The Rainbow Mash Mob - +44 (0) 7969 906369 Email - sarah@therainbowmash.co.uk Web - www.therainbowmash.co.uk LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/sarah-cowl-mcim-54a09246 

On this episode, Paul Lillywhite, Managing Director of Lillywhite Consultancy discusses tools, techniques and the science behind really understanding your team. Understanding them as individuals as well as as a collective force for your business. If you manage a team, have to recruit new team members, plan team succession or are simply looking to better understand team dynamics, then this is a great podcast for you. Enjoy. Contact Information Paul Lillywhite Managing Director The Lillywhite Consultancy Tel - +44 (0)7764 852676 Email - paul@lillywhiteconsultancy.co.uk Web - www.lillywhiteconsultancy.co.uk LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/lillywhitecons...

On this episode of The Impact Sessions, Rachel Clark, Director at Wrapped PR shares her views on the whole PR world. It is often a very misunderstood discipline and often, people either ignore its real potential or fail to maximise its impact, neither of which is ideal, for the client or the industry. PR, or Public Relations to give it its full title, sits alongside the sales and marketing mix and is integral to supporting areas such as brand, reputation, sales, and business strategy. Rachel, quite naturally, is a passionate advocate of PR but on this episode, she presents compelling evidence of the value and impact that PR can deliver for a business. She even has an offer of a free initial PR Telephone Consultation for any Impact Sessions viewer or listener to demonstrate that value and impact. https://wrappedpr.co.uk/contact/ Contact Details  Rachel Clark Founder of Wrapped PR  Tel - +44 (0) 7557 400973 Email - rachel@wrappedagency.co.uk  

On this episode of The Impact Sessions, Anna Ashford, Board Advisor and Lawyer at Alpaca shares her thoughts on why businesses, and especially small to medium enterprises, should not shy away from great legal advice and support, especially based on cost..... Yes, when starting or growing a business, everyone wants a piece of you (and your budget), but you pay insurances for premises, key people, vehicles, and a host of other areas in need of protection. Getting the right legal advice (and protection) in place should be no different. Anna will hopefully inspire you to think about how easily (and affordably), you might want to think about your contracts, T&C's and other areas of your business - BEFORE they become messy and costly. Another really good episode. Contact Details Anna Ashford Alpaca Tel - +44 (0) 113 320 4540 Mob - +44 (0) 7738 295313 Email - Anna.ashford@alpaca.uk.com Website - www.alpaca.uk.com  LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/annaashford  

On this episode of the Impact Sessions, Katie Thompson of Katie Lingo, a Linguistics Graduate, NCTJ-trained Journalist, Digital Marketer, Blogger, Copywriter and Champion of the Freelancer shares her thoughts on how to create fantastic written content. How can you engage, how can you professionalise, how can you generate genuine written impact and much, more.... Katie is a live wire guest and brings a unique energy to this week's episode. Hope you enjoy it. Contact Details Katie Thompson Katie Lingo Tel - +44 (0) 7704 845956 Email - katie@katielingo.co.uk Web - www.katielingo.co.uk LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/katie-thompson-92206056

Paul Walters, Managing Director of Limetree Europe shares stories, experiences and ideas to inspire listeners and viewers into considering the ambition to trade internationally. Another great listen from a genuine International Trade Expert Contact Details Paul Walters Managing Director Limetree Europe Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 330 055 5858 Mobile - + 44 (0) 7825 870336 Email - paul@limetree.eu.com Web - www.limetree.eu.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/paul-walters-lte

A role reversal Impact Sessions Podcast this week, with usual Host, Nick Bramley in the guest seat. This is a recording of a recent LinkedIn Live session recorded at our usual podcast studio, in which Studio Host, Josh Gudgeon of Get Your Media asks the questions. It is a lively and engaging discussion about the changing face of sales and how businesses and individuals need to adapt to this changing dynamic to be successful. From sales professionals losing all of the previous knowledge and power, through the advent of social selling, to a bit on networking and why it seems to attract “experts” to the death knell of the phrase “cold calling and a little more too. There is something in this episode for anyone involved in or responsible for sales. It was fun recording in a LinkedIn Live environment - listen out for when the connection dropped. I hope that the enjoyment comes through in the recording. Thanks for the opportunity Josh. Hope the Podcast listeners and viewers enjoy this episode. Contact Details Nick Bramley CEO, IMPACTUS Group Tel - +44 (0) 7885 463495 Email - nick@impactus-group.com Web - www.impactus-group.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/nickbramley

Richard Hall, Managing Director of PD-m shares his considerable experience, knowledge and expertise on all areas of product design, innovation and manufacture. A great listen for anyone who has any level of interest in any area of product development. Contact Details Richard Hall FRSA, Managing Director PD-m Tel - +44 (0) 7769 792515 Email - richard@pd-m.com Web - www.pd-m.com LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/richard-hall-pd-m

Julie Waites, Managing Director of The Franchise Company, and one of the UK's leading franchise sector experts shares her insights into why and how any business can potentially expand via the franchising route. This is a real thought-provoker and a great listen or watch for anyone with genuine or potential business growth ambitions. Contact Details Julie Waites Managing Director The Franchise Company Tel - +44 (0) 203 633 7476 Mobile - +44 (0) 7778 743517 Email - jw@franchisecompany.co.uk Web - www.franchisecompany.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliewaites/ 

Sarah Byrne, Managing Director of Mosaic Events, a 16 year established specialist events management business discusses how she keeps herself and her business “fresh” and “vibrant”, removing them potential to get stale. Her business focuses on supporting Associations to become more profitable through conference & membership management and strategic income generation. Her approach is very inspiring as she shares a host of tips and anecdotes that you will surely find inspiring too. How does Sarah work, what has she learnt along the way and what could you learn for your established business? If you want to maintain momentum or freshen up your business, take a listen to Sarah. Contact Details Sarah Byrne Managing Director Mosaic Events Ltd Tel - +44 (0) 845 6434 812 Mob - +44 (0) 7730 597744 Email - sarah@mosaicevents.co.uk Web - www.mosaicevents.co.uk LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-byrne-b1560613/  

Karl Pemberton, CDir FIoD, DIp PFS, Managing Director of Active Chartered Financial Planners & Chair of the Institute of Directors North East South Branch is my guest this week. Karl works in a very competitive field of business and yet continues to set standards that make his team and his business stand out from the competition (whilst also winning a whole series of awards too). Listeners and viewers will be inspired to find out how, and hopefully how this might positively impact on their own business and business ambitions. Contact Details Karl Pemberton Managing Director Active Chartered Financial Planners Tel - +44 (0) 1642 765957 Mob - +44 (0) 7950 454330 Email - kpemberton@activefp.co.uk Web - www.activefinancialplanners.co.uk LinkedIn - http://linkedin.com/in/karlpemberton