The Unfair Advantage Podcast

Content creation is pivotal in today's world. So how are you driving engagement with your audience? We break down the differences between short-form and long-form content - whether that's TikTok, YouTube or books. As Hasan and Ash both agree: the power is in the storytelling.

What's more important - product or marketing? 'Mr Marketing' Ash Ali gives a potentially surprising answer. "Marketing is mostly experimentation, whereas your clients need to LOVE your product". Today we cover this age-old debate, and cover word-of-mouth, how to boost product market fit and and how to boost you marketing efforts. Because ultimately, you need to get traction.

When should you bring investors onboard? Fresh from a successful funding round with his start-up UHubs, Ash breaks down the lessons he learned along the way. As Hasan says: you need to have the fire going before you pour on the gasoline! We cover founder-friendly investors, staggered funding, equity dilution and more. For more tips, check out Ash's LinkedIn post here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashali/

Consistency is key, and slow and steady wins the race. In this quick-fire discussion, Ash and Hasan discuss habit-building, self-motivation and the importance of turning up. Whether you're swimming, getting your daily steps in or writing a book - we've got you covered!

We all want to scale our business. But when is the right time? Today, Ash and Hasan catch up with author and business growth guru Simon Severino, CEO of Strategy Sprints. Simon says you'll never find him at a 3 day conference - he'll be taking what he's learned and applying it. Join as we uncover his ethos for maximising your business potential.

Your audience is desperate for authenticity. So you personal branding matters. On today's podcast, Ash and Hasan explain the shifting rules of branding in the Age of the Influencer. Coming at it as businesspeople, best-selling authors and content creators, they share practical wisdom you can apply today.

People are the world's greatest resource. How can you figure out which shoulders to stand on? You need a coach. We're all seeking guidance. On this episode, Hasan and Ash tell us exactly how to find a coach, take on their advice and up-skill.

You're only retaining 20% of what you read. How can you learn from a sea of conflicting information? Today, Ash and Hasan help you get the most out of your content diet to maintain that growth mindset. We're all hungry for value, but without the right strategy it's easy to get swamped by junk content. Learn that strategy now.

Information overload is killing us. Are you overwhelmed by your feed? How do you find those value-adding needles in a haystack? On today's episode, Ash and Hasan dive into the best and worst of the information boom, and give you tools to manage your consumption. Today's tools are far more powerful than ever before. With this episode of the Unfair Advantage podcast, learn how to make the world your oyster in the new age of information.

Where do you start with writing a book? In this special 'Short' episode, our hosts Hasan and Ash pick apart everything you need to know. As the first ones to admit they couldn't have imagined becoming writers, they reflect on the genesis of the project, the process they implemented, and the experience of working with editors and publishers. Preaching the importance of feedback and collaboration - this is the definitive short guide for all aspiring business authors.

What's the difference between a lifestyle start-up and a hyper-growth startup? In this episode, Ash and Hasan break down the fundamental differences between these two types of businesses, and talk us through the different challenges and milestones each will inevitably produce. With Ash's firsthand experience working in the early stages with Just Eat, and reflecting on their experience together angel investing, our hosts are perfectly placed to give you the inside track. What gives certain businesses an Unfair Advantage? What are the benefits of entrepreneurial investors? Tune in to find out.

Your energy is finite. How do you use yours? On this episode of the Unfair Advantage Hasan sits down with coaching expert and author Simon Alexander-Ong. Taking us through each stage in his life, Simon discusses how a short-lived career in finance led him to rethink and take ownership on his journey by becoming a coach. From taking on his first client to making it full-time, he covers the all-important difference between coach and consultant, and the Unfair Advantages that helped build his success. With his book ‘Energise: Find Your Spark, Achieve More and Live Better' to be published in April 2022, Simon breaks down how nurturing your environment can pave the way to success!

Perspective is everything. In our 7th episode, Hasan welcomes Ash back to the show after a recent period of illness. Revealing the value of family support, and a realisation that his businesses and projects can continue to function without him, Ash reflects on what matters to him most. Ultimately, family and health come first - so time to use your Unfair Advantages to build a healthy, happy and sustainable working life that supports yourself and everyone around you!

Why is self-awareness one of the very biggest predictors of business success? In this episode, Producer Jamie Slevin comes onto the podcast to pick Hasan's brains on that central theme of his award-winning book. Together, they break down what self-awareness practically means, how to implement it and the pitfalls of not developing it.

How should you price your products? On the 5th episode of the Unfair Advantage Podcast, Ash and Hasan welcome their first guest - Robin Waite. Robin is a best-selling author of 'Take your Shot' and 'Online Business Startup', as well as the founder of Fearless coaching. Here, Robin shares his Unfair Advantages and provides amazing practical advice on how new businesses should price, market and build their way to success.

The deep-dive into Ash and Hasan's minds that you've been waiting for. In the 4th episode of the Unfair Advantage Podcast, producer Jamie Slevin joins Ash and Hasan to extract practical wisdom for entrepreneurs. Ash, Hasan and Jamie talk courageousness, the massive importance of getting out onto the market quickly, and how to avoid the common mistakes first time entrepreneurs inevitably make. By turning the spotlight on a new start-up, this episode sees our hosts in their element!

The 3rd episode of the Unfair Advantage is all about getting to know Hasan and his trajectory. From dropping out of medical school and being a "professional over-thinker" to becoming an award-winning business coach and author, Hasan has overcome an immense amount - and learned some vital lessons along the way. Ash and Hasan cover the biggest misconceptions to be aware of when you're starting a business, the absolute importance of going to market quickly and the distinction between ‘playing' business and doing business. Everything you've wanted to know about Hasan in an episode!

In the second episode of the Unfair Advantage Podcast, Hasan delves into Ash's personal and professional origins - from humble beginnings in Birmingham selling CD and trainers, to landing a career-changing job in London at just nineteen - before becoming Just Eat's first ever marketing-director. Hasan and Ash use the MILES framework (as seen in the award-winning book, the Unfair Advantage) to identify Ash's very own Unfair Advantages. Everything you've wanted to know about Ash in an episode!

Welcome to the Unfair Advantage Podcast. Today's episode serves as our introduction to co-hosts and authors of Business Book of the Year: Hassan Kubba and Ash Ali. On this episode, Hasan and Ash explain the premise of the podcast, what it is to have an ‘Unfair Advantage' and tell the story of how they met. Welcome to the Unfair Academy.