Podcasts about British Gas

A new no-fly zone has been put in place over a famous shipwreck off the Kent coast.Pilots are banned from going over the remains of the SS Richard Montgomery which sunk off Sheerness during the second world war. Hear from reporter Joe Crossley who has been following the story.Also in today's podcast, a petition has been launched calling for the Gravesend to Tilbury ferry service to be reinstated.It's not run for more than 12 months, after local authorities in Essex and Kent pulled their funding.It's been revealed people affected by a fire at a block of flats in Dover could be out of their homes for many more months.Conqueror House, in Crabble Hill, caught alight over Easter when a blaze started in the bin storage. We've been chatting to councillor James Defriend and have an update from Town and Country Housing who own the property.Meantime, a Margate woman has described the horror of watching a fire rip through her home.Jane Moore's house in Norfolk Road in Cliftonville was severely damaged in April.A Kent woman has received an apology from British Gas after receiving a bill for almost £30,000 for just one day's use.Janine Duffel from South Darenth had previously been paying around £53 per month. She's told us about the moment the bill turned up.And, Kent's Big Cat Sanctuary has celebrated 25 years of conservation.Part of the celebrations included the reveal of a statue of the sanctuary's founder Peter Sampson and a rescued tiger cub.

Speaking to a PRWeek editor-in-chief Danny Rogers at PR360 last week, Simon Lewis and David Yelland discuss their comms careers and the biggest things they've learnt about the sector - and about podcasting.Lewis and Yelland are among the experienced figures in UK comms and media. The former was director of comms for Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Vodafone, British Gas and The Queen; while Yelland, who now runs consultancy Kitchen Table Partners, was previously editor of The Sun and has held senior roles at Weber Shandwick and Brunswick. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of The Campaign Podcast, Charlotte Rawlings, deputy creativity and culture editor at Campaign, chats to four of the industry's top creatives about some recent ads. Rawlings is joined by Laura Rogers, executive creative director at AMV BBDO; Jonny Parker and Chris Birch, joint chief creative officers at VCCP; and Caitlin Ryan, creative partner at Dentsu Creative. The creatives discuss the longevity of brand mascots, their favourite type of crumpets and how the PG Tips Monkey has transformed into a loving husband.Listen to their opinions on British Gas, Warburtons, KFC and more. Further reading: PG Tips brings back Monkey in campaign featuring Emily AtackBritish Gas launches brand platform with cosy charactersOlivia Colman takes crumpet duty seriously in Warburtons campaignWarburtons radio ads feature Olivia Colman denying 'crumpet heist'KFC spot launches burger with cult-like dinner ceremonyConfused.com spot turns people into helium-filled inflatables Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textWelcome to a special (and deliciously different) episode of Marketing in the Madness! This time, we're taking you behind the scenes of one of our most-loved events of 2024 — the Contentful Bake Off. Yes, you read that right. It's where digital marketing meets flour, frosting, and… personalising strategies.

Our guest for this episode is Philip Stubbs, partner at Atlantic Insight. Philip brings a unique blend of academic rigor and hands on know how, which he has honed over years of delivering major performance improvements for contact centers, back-office, and field operations. In addition to having led high-impact teams at organisations like British Gas and JD Williams, Philip has also expanded into machine learning and Python based forecasting, and we discuss in this episode how modern data science can solve long standing Workforce Management challenges

Sean and Kevin dissect the controversial new Renters Rights Bill. Kevin cuts through the fear and media hysteria, explaining why these changes won't be the disaster many landlords fear. With over 20 years of experience and 120+ properties in his portfolio, Kevin is honest about government incompetence, the disappearing middle class and why corporate landlords spell disaster for tenants. KEY TAKEAWAYS Section 21 abolition is not a disaster for landlords as most use it for legitimate evictions anyway Beware of corporate landlords taking over, they care about profits, not people Rent caps create trapped tenants and artificially inflated new rental prices Future proof properties by renovating properly from day one. Avoid being "penny wise, pound foolish"! Good landlords rent homes to people, not houses to tenants Property remains the most accessible way to build wealth for average people despite regulatory changes BEST MOMENTS "I have never, in my 20 years in property, 20 plus years now, never, ever, ever evicted a tenant for no fault. I don't rent houses to tenants, I rent homes to people and I have never evicted a person from their home that was paying the rent on time at market rent and looking after the house." "The middle class is disappearing in front of our eyes. Look down your high streets. All the middle class shops are shutting down. House of Fraser, Mac, the makeup shop, Ted Baker, they're all disappearing. What's booming? Big expensive shops that the wealthy use and the pound shops." "Once the big corporations take over, it's the road to ruin. Because the little landlord cares about their tenant, they get to know their tenant. They get to know, like and trust that person... Once the big corporations take over, it'll just be like British Gas." "You've never seen a millionaire saver, never mind a multi millionaire saver. The only way to become wealthy is through business and property and most business owners, even though they make money in business, they put it into property because it's a safe asset." VALUABLE RESOURCES MSOPI – Multiple Streams of Income: https://www.progressiveproperty.co.uk https://kevinmcdonnell.co.uk ABOUT THE HOST Kevin McDonnell is a Speaker, Author, Mentor & Professional Property Investor. He is an expert when it comes to creative property investment strategies. His book No Money Down: Property Invest talks about how to control and cash flow other people’s property to create financial freedom. CONTACT METHOD https://www.facebook.com/kevinMcDonnellProperty/ https://kevinmcdonnell.co.uk/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@progressiveproperty YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g1KuusONVStjY_XjdXy6g Twitter: https://twitter.com/progperty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/progressiveproperty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressiveproperty/ Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/progressivepropertycommunity Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Progpertyprogressive, property, investing, rent, housing, buy to lets, serviced accomodation, block, auction, home, financial freedom, recurring income, tax, mortgage, assets: http://progressiveproperty.co.uk/

In Episode 12, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom is joined by Murtz Daud, Director of Data & AI Director of Data & AI at British Gas Business, to discuss the barriers to data innovation, which includes:The different views on what a Data & Analytics function is – starting with the fundamental question: why do we need this department?Why Data & Analytics should be decision-makers, not ticket-takersEnabling the business to create value through data-driven solutionsThe rise of Data & Analytics structures is driven by the fear of being left behindEmbedding data-driven decision-making across the organisationDemonstrating the value of Data & Analytics as an investment, not a costThe importance of leading indicators – measuring the actions that influence key outcomesHow an MBA can help transition from a technical leader to a business leaderThe concept of 'purple people' – bridging technical and business skills to create high-performing teamsLeveraging individual strengths to enhance team performanceWhy great leadership is about building the right team, not knowing everythingCreating the right conditions for innovation and psychological safetyInnovation doesn't have to be complex – it just needs to solve real-world problemsThe role of the client/sponsor in championing data products internallyPositioning Data & Analytics as a strategic consulting partner within the businessThe ongoing challenge of shifting perceptions of Data & Analytics from a support function to a value driverThe critical role of emotional intelligence in leadershipWhy cultural change is essential for fostering innovationRecognising and rewarding contributions to maintain motivation within data teamsEnsuring time is allocated for innovation to thrive within organisationsThe best ideas often come from those closest to the problem – creating space for grassroots innovationThanks to our sponsor, Data Literacy Academy.Data Literacy Academy is leading the way in transforming enterprise workforces with data literacy across the organisation, through a combination of change management and education. In today's data-centric world, being data literate is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity.If you want successful data product adoption, and to keep driving innovation within your business, you need to start with data literacy first.At Data Literacy Academy, we don't just teach data skills. We empower individuals and teams to think critically, analyse effectively, and make decisions confidently based on data. We're bridging the gap between business and data teams, so they can all work towards aligned outcomes.From those taking their first steps in data literacy to seasoned experts looking to fine-tune their skills, our data experts provide tailored classes for every stage. But it's not just learning tracks that we offer. We embed a deep data culture shift through a transformative change management programme.We take a people-first approach, working closely with your executive team to win the hearts and minds. We know this will drive the company-wide impact that data teams want to achieve.Get in touch and find out how you can unlock the full potential of data in your organisation. Learn more at www.dl-academy.com.

Meet Bob Thomson, a coach with an impressive background in management development and education. Sarah and Rebecca sit down with him to discuss his client-centred, non-directive coaching approach and the profound impact of simply being present with your clients. Listen to their insights on the importance of trusting your clients, who are the experts of their own lives. They also explore thought-provoking topics like the shift from being non-directive to client-centred, the significance of supervision in a coach's growth, and even the nuances of coaching neurodiverse people. Get ready to be inspired and tune in now!Here are the Highlights:06:50 How diversifying coaching practice brings shared joy.08:35 Learn to embrace silence, listen more, and speak less.12:58 Becoming a supervisor felt like a natural evolution of coaching.15:19 Choosing between directive and non-directive approaches is essential.18:59 Transitioning to client-centred approaches through supervision.21:31 "Don't just do something, sit there."25:48 Coaching involves trusting the client's autonomy.About Bob Thomson:At the end of September 2024, Bob stepped back after eleven years as a Professor at Warwick Business School. One of the highlights of his time there was designing and leading a very distinctive module for their full-time MBA students, LeadershipPlus. In partnership with the school's career coaches and external consultants, the module was highly experiential, helping each student to explore who they are, to work collaboratively in a team, and to consider how they want to act as a manager and leader. He also worked on modules on Leadership, Management of Change, and Organisational Behaviour for students on WBS's Executive and Global Online MBA programmes.For seven years, he served as a Senior Tutor for half of the final year undergraduates at WBS. This involved supporting students who had mitigating circumstances – sadly, often mental health challenges – which affected their ability to study and complete assessments. He was also for eight years a personal tutor for Foundation Year students, supporting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain access to a WBS degree programme and hence to widen participation.Prior to joining WBS, he worked for nine years in the Learning & Development team at the University of Warwick. He created and ran the Warwick Leadership Programme for senior academics, administrators and managers. He also established the Warwick Administrative Management Programme for middle-ranking administrators and managers. He created a staff coaching and mentoring scheme, a competency framework and associated 360-degree feedback process, and a workplace mediation process.Before that, he worked in learning and development roles at British Gas, Transco and National Grid. He is accredited to use a number of psychometric tools and 360-degree feedback instruments, including MBTI and Spotlight. His first career was as an economist with British Steel and ICI.Connect with Bob:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-thomson-coach-supervisor/Connect with us here: Website:https://www.thecoachingcatalysts.comWork with us:Find out more about our supervision service here: http://bit.ly/coaching-collectiveFor ICF mentoring see here:

In Episode 117 of the Diary of a UK Stock Investor Podcast this week:- (00:00) Show Start (01:25) An In-Depth Review of the UK and US markets (13:50) How My 50 Stock Watchlist has been performing (16:49) Why are Centria (British Gas) profits down 44% in 2024?  (23:46) An exciting AIM stock to look at (31:55) Peter Lynch on Fast & Slow Growth Stocks (35:23) How I Know When to Sell A Stock Diary of a UK Stock Investor Podcast is a show for everyday long-term retail investors, hosted by Chris Chillingworth. The podcast is unique in that it serves as a place for Chris to reflect on the highs and lows of long-term UK stock investing, as well as sharing detailed updates on how his own portfolio is growing. With new episodes every Thursday, and a detailed update on his quest to reach £1,024,867 in portfolio value by 2043, episodes often discuss investing education, strategy, mindset, ideas and even stock picks and analysis. The show, which now has an active following of over 4000 downloads a month, is curated by Chris Chillingworth, a UK investor for over a decade whose stockpicks have achieved a 18% annual average return between Jan 2014 - Nov 2024. Email Chris at the show on chris@chrischillingworth.com Checkout the website https://chrischillingworth.com 

Welcome to our review of PR Pitches and mergers & acquisitions in the UK PR scene with Andrew Bloch. Here we discuss the biggest pitch wins and mergers & acquisitions that the PR sector has seen in 2024.If you haven't heard already I'm pleased to say we've now launched our PR Masterclass: The Intersection of Data, Planning and Measurement event. Attend this PR Masterclass to hear from experts on the latest techniques, tools and case studies about the use of data in modern communications.The other big news in public relations is that the PRmoment Awards 2025 are open. The final entry deadline is on January 17th. Miss it and miss out!Also, thanks so much to the PRmoment Podcast sponsors the PRCA.JANUARYPitchesIceland appointed TangerineHenkel appointed BCW/BursonMinistry of Justice appointed KindredAirbnb  appointed The Romans.M&AMerger of BCW and H+K to become Burson and create a £1bn + agency.Bully Pullpit Interactive acquired Boldt. FEBRUARYPitches“This is often the hangover from the Golden Quarter Pitches that start to get announced.”Bolt appointed Boldspace.Burger King appointed The Academy.British Gas appointed Smarts. M&A SEC Newgate acquired a 70% stake (over 5 years) in Athens HQ V+O Group.Real Chemistry acquired Avant Healthcare -Havas acquired Ledger Bennett. MARCHPitchesPepsi appointed Hope & Glory.“The first change for Pepsi in 14 years. This was a big big brief.”Taco Bell appointed Earnies.“You never forget your first win'Pizza Express appointed Pretty Green. M&AMHP acquired La Plage (creative content above the line agency). First acquisition for MHP since its acquisition by Next15.W acquired Franses,Havas appointed WildernessAPRIL PitchesWilliam + Grant appointed Exposure.Shark Ninja appointed  BursonTinder appointed The AcademyCarlsberg appointed Hope&GloryEA appointed Premier.M&AAccenture bought Unlimited“In my mind one of the smartest deals that was done this year.”WPP announced that leading global investment firm KKR has made a growth investment in FGS Global.“WPP has focused on releasing cash and consolidation and they've done that impeccably well.”“The holding companies and the big private equity firms have all realised that scale is important.”MAYPitchesEDF appointed Tin Man/Lucky Generals“What we've seen in consumer PR is... the agencies who went into the year strongest, have come out even stronger.”Reebok appointed Brand Nation.Pringles appointed Mischief MHP.Unilever appointed Golin“Nothing beats the UK, no one comes close, in terms of strategic creativity.”M&APagefield sells to PPHC.JUNE/JULYPITCHESFamous Grouse appointed Pretty Green.B&Q appointed Romans.Homebase appointed Aduro.The Independent appointed W.WRAP appointed Kindred.National Grid appointed 9 agencies to a “Community Agency Framework” for next 3 years – Grayling, Cavendish, Lexington, Aecom, Arup, Camargue, Copper, grasshopper, JBP.M&APublicis acquired Influential.Havas - acquired a controlling stake in Klareco Communications.Prime Weber Shandwick – MBO. AUGPITCHESMoet Hennessy appointed Earnies - wines and spirits division of LVMH.Dept for Education appointed FourArla Foods -appointed City Press.  

If you thought AI's impact on recruitment was limited to a few CVs and cover letters, think again. Gen Z candidates have access to more tools and learning resources than ever — and they're using them to shift the balance of power in their favour. But are recruiters ready to meet this wave of innovation –– with a clear plan and transparent communication about what that plan looks like?In this episode of TA Disruptors, host Robert Newry is joined by Shoshanna Davis and Holly Hobbs, to discuss how Gen Z sees the world of work, why employers are missing the mark, and how AI has become both a bridge and a barrier.Shoshanna Davis is founder of Fairy Job Mother, and is on a mission to empower young people with the skills and confidence they need for impactful careers, while giving managers the understanding and tools to engage, inspire, and elevate the next generation of leaders. She manages a community of 20,000+ young people and advises companies like M&S, BT and Diageo. Holly Hobbs is Founder of Apprentivia - The Early Talent Employer Branding Agency that specialises in helping employers attract & develop Gen-Z apprentices through social media; as well as managing a community of 40,000 young people. Holly has worked with organisations like Berkeley Group, British Gas, and the Department of Education.What's in this episode?

Episode #137. Today's episode is a holistic topic on how the breadth and depth of marketer's roles are continuing to evolve as we move towards leading the long-term commercial agenda, understanding the advancements in science and neuromarketing for how consumers make decisions and adopting AI into our everyday lives. Abby's guest is legendary marketing leader, Margaret Jobling, Group Chief Marketing Officer at NatWest Group. Before joining NatWest in 2020 and implementing agile ways of working, “Tomorrow Begins Today” brand platform and the NatWest partnership with team GB for the Paris Olympics in 2024, Marg has spent the majority of her marketing career in FMCG categories, working on some iconic brands such as Lynx, Dove, Radox, Cadbury, Dairy Milk and Birds Eye, as well as Director of Marketing for British Gas. In this episode, Margaret shares her definition of the role of marketing today and how it has evolved, the art and science of marketing, learnings as a CMO, marketing in the age of AI and building trust and authenticity with consumers in a digital environment. Plus Margaret's career highs and howlers, and advice for marketers of tomorrow. 00:00:00 Welcome and why we need evolving skills in marketing today 00:03:13 Defining of the role of Marketing 00:05:40 Key shifts in marketing 00:06:42 Impact of technology on customer interactions 00:10:05 What are the skills required for modern marketers 00:11:27 The future of marketing with AI and building trust 00:20:53 Skills Margaret looks for when hiring marketers 00:24:56 Building relationships with stakeholders 00:28:14 Experimentation, Curiosity and Continuous Learning 00:31:16 Margaret's Career Highs and Howlers 00:36:31 Advice for marketers of tomorrow Host: Abigail (Abby) Dixon FCIM/ICF | LinkedInGuest: Margaret Jobling | LinkedInThe Whole Marketer podcast is here to support and empower the people behind brands and businesses with the latest technical tools, soft and leadership skills and personal understanding for a fulfilling marketing career and life as a whole. For more info go to www.thewholemarketer.com

Episode #137. Today's episode is a holistic topic on how the breadth and depth of marketer's roles are continuing to evolve as we move towards leading the long-term commercial agenda, understanding the advancements in science and neuromarketing for how consumers make decisions and adopting AI into our everyday lives.  Abby's guest is legendary marketing leader, Margaret Jobling, Group Chief Marketing Officer at NatWest Group. Before joining Natwest in 2020 and implementing agile ways of working, “Tomorrow Begins Today” brand platform and the NatWest partnership with team GB for the Paris Olympics in 2024, Marg has spent the majority of her marketing career in FMCG categories, working on some iconic brands such as Lynx, Dove, Radox, Cadbury, Dairy Milk and Birds Eye, as well as Director of Marketing for British Gas.  In this episode, Margaret shares her definition of the role of marketing today and how it has evolved, the art and science of marketing, learnings as a CMO, marketing in the age of AI and building trust and authenticity with consumers in a digital environment.  Plus Margaret's career highs and howlers, and advice for marketers of tomorrow.    00:00:00 Welcome and why we need evolving skills in marketing today  00:03:13 Defining of the role of Marketing  00:05:40 Key shifts in marketing  00:06:42 Impact of technology on customer interactions  00:10:05 What are the skills required for modern marketers  00:11:27 The future of marketing with AI and building trust  00:20:53 Skills Margaret looks for when hiring marketers  00:24:56 Building relationships with stakeholders  00:28:14 Experimentation, Curiosity and Continuous Learning  00:31:16 Margaret's Career Highs and Howlers  00:36:31 Advice for marketers of tomorrow    Host: Abigail (Abby) Dixon FCIM/ICF | LinkedIn Guest: Margaret Jobling | LinkedIn   The Whole Marketer podcast is here to support and empower the people behind brands and businesses with the latest technical tools, soft and leadership skills and personal understanding for a fulfilling marketing career and life as a whole. For more info go to www.thewholemarketer.com 

The average British household usually puts on their central heating by October 24, according to British Gas. But this year, thanks to soaring energy costs, and a mild winter it may well be later. Turning down your heating can have real savings. The Energy Saving Trust calculates that turning your thermostat down from 20c to 19c should cut your energy bill by around 10 per cent. But as well as saving money there are possible health benefits. According to a study carried out by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia spending time in an environment at 19° increases your ‘brown fat'. This is unlike normal fat, because it is packed with mitochondria which act like mini power stations, turning food into energy. What are the health benefits? Should we go lower than 19°? Should anyone not turn down the temperature? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Can you get rid of cellulite? Do you know about home design maximalism? What is toxic positivity? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 15/11/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fuel poverty is hitting homeowners, full-time workers, and young people. As energy prices rise and the cost of living crisis deepens, heating our homes is becoming increasingly difficult. In this episode, host Zoe Grunewald speaks with Jessica Taplin, CEO of British Gas Energy Trust, Martin Lord from Citizens Advice Essex, and Carol Shreve from Citizens Advice North Yorkshire and Law Centre. Together, they discuss the shifting demographics affected by fuel poverty, the importance of community-based support, and the urgent need for policy changes. We also explore insights from British Gas Energy Trust's roundtable events across the UK, highlighting the collaborative efforts required to tackle this growing issue. This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charitable trust fully funded by British Gas, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Sansome was born, raised and continues to live in England. He had what he considers a normal childhood except for the fact that he did have and has today dyslexia. As he describes it, reading even to day some forty-two years after he came on the scene, is extremely difficult for him. He does, however, write well. He will tell us about his growing up, going to a British college, then joining the workforce and eventually going to a university. Yes, college as he will tell us is different from university.   In 2014 he was struck with a slipped disc. Unfortunately, the chiropractor who then attempted to fix the problem only made matters much worse and Simon became paralyzed from the waist down. Simon determined to move forward and went back to the university where he graduated in 2018 with a degree in journalism.   Along the way Simon created a Facebook page and a community called “Snowball Community”. As the community evolved Simon and later others began posting information about accessible places first in England and then elsewhere as well. Today Snowball has received countless awards for all it is doing to promote accessibility and Simon tells us that they expect to have over a Million viewers on a regular basis. Snowball Community will soon be providing opportunities for restaurants, shops and other places to obtain in-person accessibility assessments and the ratings from those assessments will be available to promote the businesses that are evaluated.   Simon by any standard is unstoppable and inspiring. I trust that you will agree.       About the Guest:   Simon sustained a life changing injury when he was 32 which left him disabled from the waist down. It forced him to take early retirement and he decided to go to DMU to study Journalism and pursue his passion for writing.   In 2016, while at DMU, Simon set up a Facebook Snowball Community with the idea of raising awareness of, and improving, disabled access. His award-winning campaign has had a global impact and the page now reaches more than 20 million people a month.    Simon is also an award winning film/documentary producer after his life story was brought by Amazon Prime and his film ‘Access All Areas' won 16 international film awards including best film.    Simon is also founder of Snowball Community a global disability app where you can leave reviews on how accessible a place is. Which is available on Android and Apple devices. The app has had 40,000 reviews in 12 months making it the biggest disability app in the world helping thousands of people daily.    Simon has won a number of major awards he is widely considered to be one of the most influential disabled people in the UK.   He was named in the top ten of the most influential people in the UK 2023 and this yeas won the Digital and Tech award at the Disability Power 100 and won the prestigious Santander X national award and will represent the UK at the Santander Global awards 2024.   Ways to connect with Simon:   https://www.facebook.com/FreezeSnowball   https://twitter.com/FreezemySnowbal   https://www.instagram.com/freezesnowball?igsh=MTl5ZHMxb3FvdzV1dA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr   https://www.tiktok.com/@snowball.community?_t=8jKD9oRZmPw&_r=1       About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/   https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes:   Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:20 Well, hi there. This is your host, Mike Hingson, and you are listening to unstoppable mindset where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. I love to say that every so often, but here we are once again, and now we are talking with Simon Sansome, who is over in England. So it is about 736 in the evening there, and it's 1136 where I am. So Simon, welcome to unstoppable mindset. Simon is a he's going to talk about snowball and I don't want to give that away. He also is a person with a disability. So again, welcome to unstoppable mindset. Thank you very much. It's   Simon Sansome ** 02:01 a pleasure to be here.   Michael Hingson ** 02:02 Now I am curious about something that just popped into my head. Do you all have daylight savings time over there that takes effect at some point? Yes, we   Simon Sansome ** 02:10 do. Yes.   Michael Hingson ** 02:12 When will that start?   Simon Sansome ** 02:13 No idea whatsoever. It just pops up on my iPhone and changes itself   02:17 these days. Yeah. Yeah. I   Simon Sansome ** 02:22 mean, best thing from working at home doesn't really affect me. Yeah, well, it's not like I lose an hour or gain an hour because I just stay in bed or get up, you know, get it when, when I need to. So, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 02:33 now I'm just really curious. I'm gonna look at my calendar. I think,   02:39 I think it's April.   Michael Hingson ** 02:40 Is it all the way to April? Yeah, with Okay, over there, it's April. Well, here Daylight Savings Time begins. Oops, I'm sorry. Daylight Saving Time begins next Sunday. So you can tell we're recording this in advance of when it's going to actually go up everyone but daylight savings time here in the US, begins on March 10 so time Time flies. However, when you're having fun, I guess   Simon Sansome ** 03:13 there is a rumor over here that Daylight Savings Time was actually created by Benjamin Franklin so we could play golf in Scotland. Is that what it was, apparently so, but obviously we've got nothing to verify that, but that's the rumor. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 03:26 yeah, but it didn't get implemented all that soon. But you know, on the other hand, um, Benjamin Franklin is also one of the main characters in the new James Potter series, the outgrowth of the Harry Potter books. Oh, I didn't know that, because he is the Chancellor of Alma alaran, which is the American or US School of magic. So he's been around a while. This guy, Franklin, he's done a lot of stuff. But anyway, nevertheless, welcome to unstoppable mindset, and we're really glad that you're here. Why don't you start by telling us kind of about the early Simon growing up and some of those things. Yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 04:06 of course, I grew up in a village called burst in Leicestershire, that for most people, nobody knows where Leicestershire is. Everyone thinks of Nottingham when they think of Les share because it's the cloak, because of Robin Hood. So Nottingham Sherwood Forest is about 40 miles north of Lacher. However, we have become more famous over the recent years. We won the premiership in 2016 in Leicester City, which went was was a fantastic thing for the city. And then Richard the Third interesting fact, it was found under my car parking space. Dickie three. I was working for social services at the time, and Dickie three under my car parking space. So that was fun, I know, but no grew up in a normal house, Mum, three sisters, went to school, was dyslexic, wasn't diagnosed. I did terribly at school, great at cricket, loved the sport, played a bit of rugby and. And, yeah, just, I suppose really, you know, I worked. I worked all the like, Saturday jobs, and worked in a fruit and veg shop from the age of 14 to 16, getting up at four, four o'clock in the morning, going to work for a few hours, then going to school, falling asleep at school before Yeah, and then going to close the shop up at night. And I did that for one pound 25 an hour, which was, you know, child slave labor, yeah? So really, your average childhood, nothing really exciting going on there.   Michael Hingson ** 05:33 So did you ever go to Sherwood Forest?   Simon Sansome ** 05:35 Many times it's a nice walk. Yeah, is it we go on a regular basis due to the fact that it's you can hire a they're called trampers over here. It's a big mobility scooter, and so you can go around Sherwood Forest in the mobility scooter. So we'll get there quite a lot, because it's a nice outing. What   Michael Hingson ** 05:52 kind of trees?   Simon Sansome ** 05:55 Big oak, okay, big ones, yeah, willows, oaks and lots more. You know, it's a forest.   Michael Hingson ** 06:02 How big is? How big is the forest?   Simon Sansome ** 06:04 Absolutely no idea whatsoever. It's big. It's a forest. Yeah, you know, it's a good few miles across, a few, good few miles wide. You're going to get lost in it, if you if there wasn't a path, yeah, yeah. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 06:19 and it's nice that after all these years and all the reputation that it has, and Robin Hood hiding in it and living there, and all that, that it really does still stand and people honor it, which is cool. Yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 06:31 I the best thing about Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves, if you've seen it, he arrives in Dover on by sea, and then by night, he's walked to Nottingham, which is about 250 miles, he's fast,   Michael Hingson ** 06:47 and when you got to go after the sheriff, you know, you, you've got a mission, you got to do it,   Simon Sansome ** 06:51 yeah? So fat place Walker, him and him and Morgan Freeman,   Michael Hingson ** 06:57 well, my favorite movie is actually a slightly different one. It's called Robin in the seven hoods. Have you ever seen it is,   Simon Sansome ** 07:04 is that the, I don't know if, no, I'm thinking of Robin Hood, many types. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 07:09 Robin and the seven hoods, stars, well, the Rat Pack, basically. Okay, and so Bing, Crosby is no Frank Sinatra is Robbo. It takes place on the in Chicago during the gang times. So Frank Sinatra is Robbo. Dean Martin is John, or Little John. Bing Crosby was Friar, tuck and other people. Peter Falk was Guy Gisborne. Okay, you know, so they had all the characters. It was, it was really a cute movie. I've always loved to watch that movie. It's a lot of fun. So, and needless to say, it was a comedy and, and at the end, most everybody ends up behind, you know, in concrete. It in behind a wall, except for Friar Tuck who gets the girl? Fair enough. I think Robbo doesn't get walled up either, but it's a fun movie. But anyway, no Sherwood Forest. It's all on the south side of Chicago, okay. But anyway, so did you go to college? I   Simon Sansome ** 08:16 went to college and dropped out and then moved when? Because I just didn't get along college. Well, the thing is, because I had undiagnosed, I was undiagnosed dyslexic, yeah, in the like, you know, 80s and 90s, it wasn't really recognized as a thing, no. So I really couldn't really write until I was 1516, so I didn't go to what you would I went to a college. But the college isn't what colleges in America, or secondary rather than higher education. So we go, we go primary school, high school, college, university, okay? And so I went to, I went to Leicester college to did, what did I do there? It was film, I think, yeah, for about a year, dropped out and then got a job in Scotland, and moved Scotland just on a whim and became a training manager in a hotel. And the idea was, is I wasn't going to be rich, I but I thought, if I could be a waiter, if I can be a barman, if I can be the head of the departments in a hotel in the catering industry, then I've got a job for life. Yeah. So I've got a backup plan. So because once you've worked in a bar, in a restaurant, or you've been a chambermaid, which I've done, or kitchen shoe chef, or whatever, you know, you can pretty much walk into any job anywhere, and just, you know, you're always going to have a job if you need to, you can find things. Yeah, yes, absolutely. And that was the plan, because I didn't have an education behind   Michael Hingson ** 09:39 me. And then, and I'm amazed at the number of people, and I shouldn't be, because I understand the history who happened to have dyslexia or who were on, what we would say now is on the autism spectrum, who were never diagnosed. I've talked to a number of people here on on stop. Mindset who talked about the fact that they were autistic and didn't even know it until they were in their 30s or even 40s, and it was very freeing to figure it out, because they knew they were different, but they didn't understand what what was really going on with them, and then in the last 15 or 20 years, they finally got enough of a diagnosis, a lot of information. So they, oftentimes, they figured it out even before the medical profession did.   Simon Sansome ** 10:37 Yeah, same thing that happened with me. It was late diagnosis, yeah. So, so after Scotland, I moved back down to moving with my sister to help her out, because she had a child, and she was struggling. She was single mother. And so I got a job working at British Gas in Leicester, which is in the call center, and I got and after a painstaking working a nine to five job in a call center, thought, I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. Yeah. So I returned to education. And I returned to Loughborough College, which is up the road, and my then teacher, my sociology teacher, after handing in my first assignment as a mature student, she went, right, you're dyslexic, have an assessment. And that's when it really Yeah, and that's when it changed. That's when everything changed for me.   Michael Hingson ** 11:28 So what changed and why did it? Well, I can understand why, after the diagnosis,   Simon Sansome ** 11:33 I got the support I needed, that I didn't that I didn't realize myself, that I needed so kind of support, extra reading lessons, extra tuition, how to read and write, how to spell, very patient teachers, and a lot more encouragement as well from the college, which then helped me go on to university as well. So yeah, so   Michael Hingson ** 11:57 your your teachers helped you teach your brain to connect and be able to eventually really recognize, yes, so   Simon Sansome ** 12:07 I learned very visually. I can't really read. Can't really read very well. However, I'm an excellent writer, which is ironic. And I was writing everything and everything because I enjoyed writing so much. But I couldn't read software. I couldn't read out loud. And if I would read, sit there and reading your book, I would have, I call them brain farts, but their memory lapses or something, where you can read a whole page, or three or four pages of a book, and you can read it absolutely fine, but I've got no idea what's happened in those three pages, the information just doesn't   Michael Hingson ** 12:42 stay there. Yeah, the disconnect is still pretty strong. Yes, very much. So,   Simon Sansome ** 12:47 so I learn visually. So I was, I mean, back in the day, I was a huge film fan, and that explains the reason why. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 12:53 but, but you could write so you could, you could communicate. And whether, whether you, I assume, probably more often than not you, you wrote via a keyboard. Yep,   Simon Sansome ** 13:05 very much. So I also used the dragon talk back in the day, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 13:09 but you don't. How did you do with like, writing with a pen or a pencil? No, I Yeah, no, I can do that quite well. You can do that quite well as well. Yeah, yeah.   Simon Sansome ** 13:18 I kept my journal as well. I kept a diary, yeah, just because it helped me to write. So   Michael Hingson ** 13:24 do you still use Dragon? No,   Simon Sansome ** 13:27 no, God, no. It's atrocious. I don't I haven't used it for about 15 years, so I don't know where it is now. Oh   Michael Hingson ** 13:34 gosh, it it is incredibly much better than it used to be when it was dragon. Dictate. Now it's Dragon Naturally Speaking, I use it a lot, and when I discover it has mispronounced, I can read or not mispronounce, but misrecognized or misinterpreted, I can correct it, and it doesn't take much in the way of corrections. But Dragon is so much better than it used to be. Yes, I use Dragon Professional and and I do type a lot and compose a lot, but I also find when I'm doing something that takes a while to do because it's long, it's much better to use Dragon to do it.   Simon Sansome ** 14:18 Yes, No, I never really got along with Dragon. I used it, but a big fan of it. But however, the dictation on my Mac and my phone is absolutely perfect for me. We'll come to it shortly. But I'm a journalist as well now, and so I can write a story within 10 minutes, 500 or 1000 words within a few minutes. It's great, and   Michael Hingson ** 14:40 you would find that that Dragon has that same level of accuracy, because I think a lot of the algorithms went from Dragon to other technologies, or the other way around. But Dragon is really great today.   14:55 Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 14:56 so, you know, I can't, I can't complain a lot about Dragon. And it really does help a great deal. It's a whole lot cheaper than it used to be, but that's another story. You know, of course, the original Kurzweil Reading Machine for the blind that read print out loud by being able to look at a page and recognize the characters. The original Ray Kurzweil machine was $50,000 and now you get free OCR on an iPhone or an Android device or or very inexpensive anyway, and optical character recognition is a common place kind of thing anyway. So yes, lot different than it used to be. The world does progress and move forward. It certainly does so you did eventually go to university. What did you do there?   Simon Sansome ** 15:41 Yeah, so the first time I went to university. So I went twice, I did criminology. Oh, wow. Because I was enjoying writing so much, I thought I'd like to be a crime writer. What a waste of the time. If you want to learn about crime, you don't go and do you don't go and do criminology at university. So because it was so boring and so dull, I dropped out after the second year again. I mean, I was doing okay. I was getting about 50s, you know, so, two, two ish at university, but I really wasn't enjoying it, and I wasn't putting any effort into it. And so, yeah, I dropped out and looked for a job and went to work for the council. So   Michael Hingson ** 16:27 the council being so,   Simon Sansome ** 16:29 I worked for the local authority. Left City Council. Okay, yeah, the city council. Okay, great, okay, yes. So I,   Michael Hingson ** 16:36 I that was different. It was,   Simon Sansome ** 16:39 it was, it was very interesting, because I wasn't enjoying university, that was the thing, and so   Michael Hingson ** 16:46 and so you decided to leave criminology at the university and go look at the criminals of the council, right?   Simon Sansome ** 16:51 Pretty much. Yeah, I started off in housing. I worked as a housing assistant for a couple of years, working up there, and then, after a number of years getting a bit of experience under about doing some volunteering for youth services, um, I moved on to social services. And I was there till I left the council. And that was, that was an education. I did that for about eight years. And so, yeah, that and nothing prepares you for working for social services, going to see people intimate house you know, into their homes, their immediate environments, how people live, the poverty, the destruction, the drugs, the deaths you know, every you know, everyone's everyday life that you take for granted. And it certainly was an eye opening experience and a very worthwhile life education,   Michael Hingson ** 17:43 yeah, at the same Yeah, it is a great education at the same time, when you do it and you care, you are also hopefully able to help people and make a difference, even if it's with one life that   Simon Sansome ** 17:56 was the intention. So our specializing in adult mental health and physical disabilities by the time I left, and what you see every day is you try and get some positives from it, because you are saving lives and you're trying to make people safe, and that's your job. And at the end of the day, you get people who just don't care and just want to die and kill themselves. And yeah, it's people dying on you every day, especially if you come to the hospitals, that's interesting. I didn't I got transferred to one of the hospitals here in Leicestershire and but even before I had a case or went to see went to see a patient, to get them discharged from hospital, I had like, nine deaths on my table, wow. And so I got transferred back, just in case I thought I was killing people, even I hadn't seen anyone.   Michael Hingson ** 18:46 So did, do you think you ever really did make a positive difference to any of those people who were really losing hope, or who had lost hope? Were you? Were you able to help?   Simon Sansome ** 18:55 I mean, the thing is, is because you're the first point of call, so I was on effectively, emergency call outs. So you go and make sure that person is safe, you make sure they've got food, make sure they're okay, and then you pass it on to a long term team. So mine was the emergency intermediary department, like working with the police, ambulance service, firemen and so on and so forth. We would do joint visits. And so I really never got to see the long term effects. I was there to put the plan in place and then let a longer term, longer team, manage that person and the cash plan, or whatever was needed. So well,   Michael Hingson ** 19:31 it's a it is a process, no doubt. So when did, when did you leave the council? What year was that   Simon Sansome ** 19:39 that was? When was that that was 2015   Michael Hingson ** 19:42 Oh, okay, well, yeah. And then what did you go do? Because at some point after that, your life changed.   Simon Sansome ** 19:48 My life changed. So it actually changed while I was working for the council. Um, so I became disabled in 2014 um. So I we're not 100% sure how the injury happened. I'll explain. So I was doing Ruby training at Victoria Park during that week, and I we also had a ton of bark delivered to our driveway because our driveway needed doing. And so I have this I slipped a disc, and I don't know if it's from the or it's from playing with me that I don't know, or rugby training anyway, not from cricket, not from Cricket. No, I have played cricket for a while, since then I played it as   Michael Hingson ** 20:30 a lad. Cricket is very slow. Oh, cricket's amazing   Simon Sansome ** 20:34 you. It's more technical than baseball. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 20:37 I know. I understand. I When I visited New Zealand and listened to some cricket on the radio, and it was really hard to follow because it it generally does move pretty slow, so I know it's very technical, and I never really caught on to the rules. I did figure out rugby a lot more than than I was able to figure out rugby   Simon Sansome ** 20:58 is 80 minutes. I mean, cricket lasts for five days. It's beautiful. Yeah, I   Michael Hingson ** 21:02 understand, but you have to take the time to really learn the rules. And I didn't have enough time to really listen to the radio, I guess   Simon Sansome ** 21:11 that's right. Anyway, yeah, so I had a slip disc. I've had a slip disc before, and normally I would take some ibuprofen, do my exercises, try and pop it back in. On this occasion, me and Kate, my new wife, we were going away on a honeymoon to Mexico, and so I went to see a chiropractor in the local area. And it was doing well, you know, I was getting better. I was exercising. What I was walking further. It was had I took a few weeks off work because it was really very uncomfortable, and couldn't really visit people in their homes when I'm really uncomfortable. However, on the fifth or sixth visit, this newly trained chiropractor decided she was going to have a go at putting the disc back in for my honeymoon, and she crushed levels three, four and five of my spine while doing that, and that hurt. I screamed. I didn't know what she did. I thought she slipped. I thought she she could. She warned me it was going to hurt, yeah, and it did. It really did okay. And I after I couldn't get my shoes on, so she was on. So she helped me get my shoes on, and effectively, she just threw me out after I screamed. I think she knew something that had gone wrong. I didn't know at the time. I just thought she put my disc back in because I was in so much pain. I collapsed outside where Kate was waiting for me in the car. And I went home and said, Look, I'm just going to go to bed. I'll sleep it off. And the following morning, I woke up, I thought I had a stroke because I had no sensation from the waist down. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 22:50 yeah. My wife was a t3 para, so it was basically from the bottom of the breast down. But I understand exactly what you're saying,   Simon Sansome ** 22:59 yeah. So it was a very unusual situation. I didn't know what to do. Kate had gone to work that morning. We lived in a cul de sac, a dead end road for you and me.   Michael Hingson ** 23:10 Nope, no cul de sacs. Very well, that's okay,   Simon Sansome ** 23:14 okay, that's fine. I wasn't too sure on the terminology for the American audience.   Michael Hingson ** 23:18 It's it's a term over here, too cool,   Simon Sansome ** 23:21 excellent. And so I was shouting for assistance. There's nobody there. I didn't have my phone on me. Phone was downstairs, and so I threw myself out of bed, did an army crawl, threw myself down the stairs, but naked, and I don't really remember a lot after that. I don't mean apparently my mom came round. Apparently, the ambulance came round. But I you know, but I don't remember a lot what happened. I really don't. What I know is, when I was taken to hospital, I had an MRI. Don't remember the MRI at all. Obviously, I'm under painkillers at this time, and there's a lot going on, and I'm in shock because I'm paralyzed from the waist down. And yeah, they they did an MRI. The emergency doctor said it was cordial. Quite a syndrome. Cordiaquinas syndrome is fully recoverable if you get an operation within 2448 hours. However, for whatever reason, and we still don't know the answer to this, the consultant overall, the A and E doctor, and said, It's not cordial Corona syndrome, and they put me on the ward for three months not knowing what to do with me, because they didn't know what was wrong with me. And by the time the by that time, the damage had been doing. Needed to do it within a 48 hour window to stop any permanent damage. But no, they left me there, and I was unfortunately left there to rot for three months. The damage had been done, and then I was paralyzed from the waist down for forever. I still, you know, I'm a wheelchair, full time wheelchair user. Now I. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 25:00 yeah. By then it was irreversible and there was nothing you could do. Yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 25:04 very much. So,   Michael Hingson ** 25:06 so as a paraplegics, can you? Can you now? Well, I've summoned that. You then went through some sort of physical therapy and strengthening and so on. Yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 25:17 absolutely. So I went through physio for a while. I mean, some of it has come back. Some of it did come back for a while. They said you probably going to get better for a while, but then it's going to deteriorate again. So the point where the first, after a year, I could walk, you know, 200 meters, maybe, with a walking stick and a frame. So I was getting out, you know, I could walk slightly. I could, you know, so that wasn't too bad, okay, however, then I got a drop foot, so that went so I couldn't really walk anywhere, because I got no balance. And then the other Association went to my legs, so I got to a point where I could walk slightly, a little, and then it started disappearing over the years. It's been 10 years now. So now I've while I've got about, in my right leg, I'd say about, ooh, 10% sensation. But my drop foot, there's nothing at all. Can't feel it, so you can drop it off, I wouldn't notice. And in my left leg, I've probably got about 10% usage. So I can move my legs, I just can't feel anything, and then my bowels and bladder have gone as well. So I've got a self catchpherized and stuff as well.   Michael Hingson ** 26:25 Yeah, which? Which my wife always had to do. She was born with scar tissue on her spinal cord, so she's always been that way. We always been apparent. So obviously huge difference in your lifestyle going forward. And how did you cope with all that? What did you do? What did you decide to do? Because you strike me as a person who isn't going to let a lot row of grass grow under your feet, as it were. Well, I   Simon Sansome ** 26:55 mean, we didn't know. Wow, this is the thing. We were stuck because I couldn't work, okay? And work made me take ill health retirement. They didn't want me back at work. Even though I didn't want to do that, I was forced to take ill health retirement at 32 we me and Kate. This is where me and Kate were very sensible. Is because Kate was earning a good wage, I was earning a good wage, and we brought the house. That was in case any of any of us lost our jobs, we could still afford the mortgage and the bills. Okay, wouldn't leave us with a lot of money, but we could just, we wouldn't lose the house, right? So if we, if we brought a huge because we had a nice three bed, semi detached, it was a really nice house, but it we could have Afford a House shovel the size, but if we did that, we'd be really stretching ourselves. So because we were sensible. That gave me the option to go and we needed to cover the mortgage effectively, because the bills were the bills and the mortgage were effectively case wage, and so we didn't have really any money to live on. You know, we're talking about 2030, pound a week after all, the bills will come out and the mortgage. So I decided that I was going to return to university to retrain, um, after pretty much the day afterwards. Uh, let's let city council told me how to take ill health retirement, and I applied to university to check do a journalism because I enjoyed   Michael Hingson ** 28:14 writing. Did the health retirement then give you some income,   Simon Sansome ** 28:18 very little. It was 134 pound a month. And it still is about, I think it's going to be up to inflation, like 150 pound a month. I get it after life, not much. Yeah, absolutely. Because, you know, I was 32 there's no money in the park for the ill health retirement, yeah. But what would happen is, is it would give us time to sort things out, and the student loan would cover any food bills, or, you know, anything we needed for that for three years. So it gives us a little leeway. So it gives us a little bit of an income. It takes the pressure off Kate and so I returned to university to train as a journalist, and that's again where everything starts to change again. So,   Michael Hingson ** 29:04 but you could write, so there you go, yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 29:07 um, couldn't spell. It still can't spell, but I could tell a story, yeah, so I can get it checked by Kate or my mom or whoever. So, yeah, it's, it was interesting. So yeah, I got accepted. And I was twice the age of everyone else there, which was a little bit embarrassing, but I didn't really care. I was more mates with I'm still in contact with them. Actually, I'm still, and this is like 2000 what, 15 until 18 I graduated. Yeah, I'm still in contact on Facebook and stuff with all my lecturers, not the people I went to university with, because, yeah, but all lecturers I'm still in contact with.   Michael Hingson ** 29:46 So, you know, I want to come back and continue the story, but now I'm a little bit curious. Given the way things work over here, a lot of times, somebody clearly made them a. Stake in terms of dealing with your diagnosis and so on. Did you ever think about any kind of litigation or going after them legally and looking for funds that way, or anything like that?   Simon Sansome ** 30:11 We had to. Never sued anyone in my life. Never wanted to. Yeah, but we're getting to the point where I you know, wheelchairs are expensive. Equipment's getting expensive. Mobility scooters are expensive. We need an adapted vehicle, brooches, medication. We need carers. We need, you know, personal help with personal care, adding confidence power, which was really expensive, and so we didn't realize at the time how expensive having a disability was. So we got to the point where we had to take legal action. And we saw a lawyer, we got recommended one, and after five years, they settled. They didn't go, he didn't go to court. And so that was put in a trust for my protection. Yeah, yeah, because I am going to deteriorate later in life, and the cost of that is going to be extortionate, so that is well protected. So yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 31:16 yeah, it's unfortunate you have to do that sometimes my involvement in litigation was that I was thrown off of an airplane because of my guide dog, and we, we sued, we eventually settled years ago. Was back in the early 1980s it's an education to go through the process, and it did go to court. There was eventually a settlement. But it was even really hard to get a good jury, because some of the original people who were potential jurors worked for airlines, or new people who worked for airlines, and so they said they'd be prejudiced, and it didn't matter that a blind person with a guide dog was ejected from an airplane simply because of the dog. Yeah, of course, today that that couldn't happen, well, it could happen, but it would. It can. He   Simon Sansome ** 32:10 still does. It does. It   Michael Hingson ** 32:11 does and but the laws are, are more substantive, but even so, it lawsuits are, are really not an easy thing at all, and there's a lot of emotion that goes into it, and there's a lot that one has to decide they want to put up with. And you don't really know a lot about that until you're in the middle of it, unless somebody really sits you down and describes this is what's going to happen. I had a little bit of that, but I know how difficult it is to do people have told me I should sue the hospital that put me in an incubator when I was born prematurely, simply because that could cause blindness. And other people have actually sued successfully 20 and 30 years after they were born, they litigated, and I just felt, look, medical science had already started to be told that a pure oxygen environment could lead to what at that time was called retrolateral fibroplasia, which is now retinopathy or prematurity. But I think 2030, and 40 years later, suing doesn't accomplish anything and and so my parents and I talked about it a lot, and we all agreed that that doesn't make any sense to do, and we didn't, and I have no regrets about that, but your situation is significantly different than that. Yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 33:44 we had to move house. We had to double our mortgage. We couldn't stay in the house we were in at the time. And yeah, it was, it was a painful experience. So yeah, we needed, we needed an adaptive property at the end of the day, and we simply couldn't afford one. So you found   Michael Hingson ** 34:03 one, or did you build one? Or so   Simon Sansome ** 34:07 we couldn't find one. We actually brought one off plan, but we had to double our mortgage to do it. Yeah, that was interesting. So that wasn't pleasant, pleasurable at all, but we managed it. So   Michael Hingson ** 34:20 we had instances where we built a house from scratch. First one was a manufactured home, and then we we moved to New Jersey in 1996 and we built a house there because we couldn't find a house that we could relatively easily modify. And if you modify a home, the cost is so expensive because you've got to redo doors, you've got to redo counters, you've got to redo a lot of things. That's assuming you can find one that doesn't have too many stairs for a person in a chair, and that you can can ramp those but. If you build a home, there's really no additional cost other than the cost that we had in New Jersey, because it was in an area where they only had two story homes, so we did have to put an elevator in. So that was an additional cost, but that was the only additional cost, because, as you're pointing out, everything else was on plan and you you design it in, there's no additional cost for building lower counters if you're doing it from the outset. So we did that. But then when we moved to we moved back to California, we couldn't find a place to build, and so then we did have to modify a home and it and the problem is that you can't really put it in the mortgage, and it's a little different today than it was when we moved back out here in 2002 but we couldn't put it in the mortgage, so it was $150,000 that we had to find. And eventually it it worked out as you, as you pointed out with like with you. Then we moved here to Southern California. We built this home, and I am, I'm very glad that we did. It's, it's a great house.   Simon Sansome ** 36:05 Yeah, we've got a lovely home now. It's fully adapted. It's great, you know, it's large. I can get around quite easily. So it's a it's very nice,   Michael Hingson ** 36:14 all one floor,   Simon Sansome ** 36:17 all one floor. Yeah, it's extremely long.   Michael Hingson ** 36:19 There you go. Well, so you went back to university and and clearly that was a major commitment and dedication on your part to decide to do that, but you didn't. What was the university like? How accessible was the university?   Simon Sansome ** 36:36 Oh, it wasn't accessible at all for me. So I had a manual hospital, manual wheelchair. At the time, I couldn't push myself around because of my spinal damage and the spinal damage that I've got. I can't really push myself well in a manual wheelchair, right? And we didn't have any money for a scooter, so the first year, I was really struggling because we didn't know what services we didn't know what services we could access. We didn't know what was available. I'm newly disabled. I'm new to this world, even my work for social services, and until you're sitting in the chair, what you know about the world is absolutely nothing. And so it wasn't until I came across Disability Services at the University who helped me apply for a grant with the snow interest in the UK, and they provided me with an electric scooter. Well, that was brilliant. I mean, oh my god, yeah, it's like I found freedom. Because obviously, you know, so my university is called, my university is called Democrat University. And although it's not on a hill by any means whatsoever. There is a slope going all the way down to the main campus. And it's quite, it's quite a long road, but the slope is very subtle school it helps, yeah, but if you're pushing yourself in a manual wheelchair up that slope, by the time you get to the main road, you're absolutely exhausted. You just can't push yourself anymore. Yeah, and it's about, it's about a quarter mile along the whole campus. And so, yeah, I was pushing myself backwards with my foot on the floor up the hill to get the classes and stuff. And I just said, This is ridiculous. This can't carry on. And so I spoke to Disability Services, and they helped me out. So,   Michael Hingson ** 38:16 so what did you do once you So you went to the university, you you did that, and you were committed to making it happen and and there, there had to be times that they would have been tempting to give up, but you didn't. No,   Simon Sansome ** 38:30 I wasn't really tempted to get up. I mean, I have side effects from my corticoana syndrome. I have, like, seizures in the legs, which can happen anytime, and that causes that knocked me out for a few days. Yeah, so I did get a few medical exemptions here or there, but, you know, the the lecturers were more than happy knowing that I was capable of doing the work, yeah, which is cool. Yes, very much so. But I did have to have a couple of exemptions here or there, but nothing major. But while I was at university, that's when I set up the Facebook page, which is now known as snowball community, and that's what brings us to it. So, right, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 39:05 so tell us all about snowball and yeah, and everybody should know that I teased at the very beginning. I said, Well, now isn't it time that we should remember that snowball was the name of the pig in Animal Farm. And Simon's not read Animal Farm, so I   Simon Sansome ** 39:24 got red Animal Farm can't read, sorry.   Michael Hingson ** 39:27 Well, go listen to it. Then, you know, it's not that long on the book. It's not that long.   Simon Sansome ** 39:33 No. So when, when, after a year of recovery, when I was going to university, so I went. So we were going out for a meal. It was the first meal me and my wife went out following the injury, okay? And there's a really nice place in Leicester, Spanish tapas, and it was the first time out in the wheelchair for a meal, and we couldn't get in. Okay? We called up and the wheelchair wouldn't go through the door. There was a step. At the front. And they're like, can you step over? That went, No, not really. But what happened was, as well, they put a table in front of the disabled entrance as well. Oh, that was good. Yeah, they had a ramp that went into the road, so that was interesting. And then the disabled toilet was upstairs, and so it was an emitted, a mitigated disaster. It really was atrocious. And this, and we didn't know this, we know I've never paid attention to say what access, you know, it just something we'd never, you know, I've never really been in a wheelchair before, so why? Why would I, yeah, yeah, and only if   Michael Hingson ** 40:42 you took an interest, but most people wouldn't think of that, yeah, yeah, exactly understandable. So   Simon Sansome ** 40:48 yeah, we just thought, you know, what else can we not get into? And it turns out quite a lot. And so a couple of days later, I decided to set up a Facebook page. It was called Ability access. Back then. It's now, of course, now being rebranded snowball community. And you know, all it was, it wasn't anything special. It was a very simple Facebook page, and it was to raise awareness of disabled access in the Leicester area. That's all I wanted to do. I didn't want awards. I didn't want recognition. I didn't want any of that. But however, within like, I think it kind of triggered something in people. It's not mold. It snowballed. Yeah, exactly. And I'm not too sure why or how, but I started putting a post of pictures of things, of places I couldn't get into, and videos, and, you know, me being angry, and so on and so forth. And, you know, within a like, within a month, I had 1000 followers. You know, they went to 2005 1000. And just kept on growing and growing and growing. Then we got nominated for many the page got nominated for awards. He started winning awards. And that's when I, at the time, I decided I was going to create something, if I could, called snowball community, which was an app. I had the idea of a disability app, but I'll come to that in a second. And yeah, it just, it just would not stop growing at the moment, I think it's about 110,000 followers on social media, and in 2019 it became the most read disability page in the world because people sharing videos, people sharing stories. You know, we were reaching an audience of over 30 million people a month. At one point, it just got absolutely crazy. And I just mean, I couldn't carry on doing that. I mean that took a lot of time, that took a lot of effort. And we just said, Look, we can do something with this. We can use the audience we've got. We've got an audience who follows it on a regular basis, who comments on a regular basis. And I said to Kate, we could do something really special here. And so I just Yeah. Once I graduated in 2018 I graduated from university with, again, a two one with honors in journalism, and I was working as a freelance journalist as well, which is great. It's because I could work whenever I like, but really, ability access would now snowball, just started to take over my life on the social media pages. And I said, Look, we could design an app here and create an accessibility app, and it took years of design to try and get it right. It really did. We took, we took, we did consultations, but also we couldn't afford it at the time either. We had to raise money for it as well. That's quite hard. And so, no, it's at the moment. Snowball was launched last year, and we are looking to get 100 that it's won national awards. It's one we came back from Barcelona last week. Okay? It won funding at a global award ceremony. And it's really snowballing. It's, we're expecting 100,000 reviews on the app this year.   Michael Hingson ** 44:04 So do you? So have you created an actual nonprofit organization out of it, like snowball.org or anything like that?   Simon Sansome ** 44:15 No, I really wanted to. I wanted it to be a charity organization. Yeah. And the reason I wanted it to be a charity organization, because I had assistance from a charity organization in the UK while at university, however, um, here in the UK, there are very strict rules and regulations on what you can spend the money on if you're a charity. And I wanted to set up a fund to help students who have disabilities at university, so I can do that. But also, I wanted to give 10% of the profits to local businesses who can't afford to do their own adaptations. We're talking small businesses, coffee shops, you know, local cafes, bakers and butchers and so on and so forth, fruit and veg shops who simply haven't got the 1015 grand what's required to make their stores excess. Possible. So I still, I'm still ever have every intention of doing that, but I couldn't do that as a charity organization. The rules and regulations wouldn't allow me to spend the money where I wanted to and where I thought thought, see if it where it's needed to do so for the communities across the UK. So I actually set it up as a limited company with the intention of probably 10% of the profit aside for local businesses to apply for grants when we start making money.   Michael Hingson ** 45:30 Yeah, well, but that is, I would still say that is exciting. You're, you're, you're channeling all of that, and hopefully you'll be able to do some major things to to help raise a lot of awareness. So what other kinds of things do you do to help raise awareness about disabilities and so on?   Simon Sansome ** 45:50 Yeah, so we're launching a number of profiles, at the moment, a number of things. So what we're doing is, I'm sure you have it in America as well with you, probably for your restaurants and pubs and everything you have, something similar to a food safety hygiene certificate. Yes, I'm not too sure what you call it. Over there, we have a certain similar thing here. It's a rating from one to five, okay? And we're launching something called the snowball membership scheme, and we're taking our 70 staff over the next few months to cover the whole of the UK. And what we're going to be doing is we're launching a scheme where businesses, whether it's Frankie and Benny subway McDonald's, can sign up to the system where we will go out and basically view a disability consultation for 250 quid and give you a full breakdown of what you can improve on your business, but also gives you an access rating that you can promote on social media and say, Look, come to our business. We are disabled friendly, yeah. But what that does is that creates a huge opportunity for businesses and the snowball app, because we are creating the biggest disability app in the world, and it tells you where you can it tells you where you can access, where you can go, okay, where you can eat, where you can shop, but also, more importantly, where you can spend your own money. And I was doing some research earlier today, before this interview. And according to one, I think the valuable 500 is the disabled community in America has $8 trillion of disposable income right to spend on things like restaurants and cinema tickets and so on and so forth, to cafes and, you know, clubs and shops and whatever, per year. So $8 trillion is going unspent because the disabled community in America, which is 60,000,060 1 million, I believe, don't know where to spend their money.   Michael Hingson ** 47:48 Well, when you think about the fact that it's the largest minority worldwide, you hear anything from 20 to 25% of all persons have some sort of disability. The The only, the biggest challenge that I see is the problem is that the disabilities aren't uniform. That is, it isn't the same. The needs that that you have, to a degree, are different than the needs that I have. The bottom line, however, is that even if you deal with it in that term that everyone has different kinds of disabilities. The fact of the matter is, it's still awareness. And while you need physical access to get into a restaurant, I need access to be able to to know what's on the menu and know what it's going to cost. And you don't have as much of a need for that, as I do, because you can lift a menu and read it in theory, but the fact is that we all have different challenges, and as I've said a couple of times on this podcast, we need to really redefine disability. First of all, disability doesn't mean a lack of ability at all. This isn't really the issue, because we do have terms like disciple, discrete, you know, they're not all negatives and and so disability is is really something different than what people have made it into. Disability is a characteristic that everyone has, and it manifests itself differently. I love to say that that the reality is, for most people, your disability is that you're light dependent, because most people don't do well in the dark, and they and Thomas Edison fixed it by inventing the light bulb, but it still is a disability, even if it's covered up, because most of the time you have light disability is a characteristic that everybody manifests. It's just that we do it in different ways.   Simon Sansome ** 49:44 No, I completely agree. I'm hoping that the system that I've created will address that. So, because what we've done as well is not, it's not just the question of, oh, we're going out there and is disabled friendly, is wheelchair accessible? We're doing. Know, full disability consultation on the business. So, do they have Braille menus? Do they have a change in place facility? You know, is there a lift? Is there Braille on the lift, that kind of thing, and so. And we're also introducing something called the stimulation rating as well. And this is touch, touch, taste, sight, see and spell. And this is to give you an indication of what those things are at that place for people with visual impairments, for mental health issues and learning disabilities. Because, for example, if you go to the British Library, very quiet, you know it's going to be quiet. Okay. If you go to the Natural History Museum in London, well, some days it's really nice and peaceful on other days, because you've got 10 school 10 coaches of school children, absolutely chaotic. Okay, so it does vary considerably. And the whole idea is, is, while it's not a perfect rating system, because, like you said, there are so many different types of disability, not every disability is the same. Yours is different to mine. We're trying to incorporate a holistic approach to making sure that people feel comfortable going there, because they can relate to something that's on the assessment, and they can see what's there, so they get the full report, and therefore they can have an individual, independent, independent, independent decision on whether that place is suitable for them. So it's not a perfect system where it can be changed quite easily through feedback. It can be improved through feedback. It's like a moving model at the moment. It's like 16 pages long the assessment. But hopefully it will with the feedback we're getting and how it will grow. It will hopefully evolve into something absolutely fantastic for everyone to be inclusive everywhere.   Michael Hingson ** 51:42 Well, and that's a cool thing, clearly, to do. One of the things that I know well is that you and I were introduced by Sheldon Lewis at accessibe. Sheldon is in the nonprofit part of accessibe in helping to find places that need Internet access and who are nonprofits, especially in the disability world, and helps provide accessibe for that. And I don't know whether you all are doing much yet with accessibe, but clearly it's a great place to get involvement in the whole issue of internet website access is is a horrible thing. I mean, we have so many websites being created every minute, and the reality is that none of the major internet website building companies, including Microsoft and Google, do nothing to insist that for website is being built, it has to be accessible right from the outset. So, you know, accessibe is a great, inexpensive way to help with all that, and I'm assuming that Sheldon and you are working on that somewhat.   Simon Sansome ** 52:54 Yes, we are. We've had a discussion, and unfortunately, accessibe isn't available on apps at the moment, but that is something they're working on, and you introduce it soon. So I'm, I think once it's available on the apps, I will after, course,   Michael Hingson ** 53:07 but it is, however, the reality is that restaurants and other places do create websites, and people go to websites, and so that's, that's right now, the place where accessibe can make a significant difference.   Simon Sansome ** 53:22 Absolutely, I completely agree they should have it on there. Yeah. So   Michael Hingson ** 53:26 that is, that is a that is certainly one place where, you know, we can help. And certainly every restaurant should have an accessible website and and if they're going to have menus on the website, then there are certainly guidelines on ways to make those accessible, and that is part of what needs to be done.   Simon Sansome ** 53:46 Yes, and I completely agree with you. I support it, of course,   Michael Hingson ** 53:50 yeah. And you're right, apps, apps today, that's a different process. It's a different animal, but it will come, and that'll be something that that we'll be able to see. But in the short term,   Simon Sansome ** 54:02 yeah, I've told Sheldon, straight away, we'll get it on there straight away, as soon as soon as they've done the development for the apps, for access to be   Michael Hingson ** 54:09 Yeah, but right now, well, okay, but right now for your app, it could be accessible. You just build it that way, but it's not the app. But every restaurant should have an accessible website, and that really ought to be part of what you look at when you're going to a restaurant, to explore what and how accessible they are. Having accessible and inclusive websites is certainly something that is very straightforward to do today. Yes,   Simon Sansome ** 54:38 it is, but businesses are lazy   Michael Hingson ** 54:42 well, but you know, they also that they are, but they also think that it's more expensive than it needs to be, and that's part of the whole issue. I mean, if you go to a restaurant and it's not accessible because you can't get into it, so they're still lazy. They didn't make it. Accessible right from the outset, and either they're going to where they're not, and it's a lot No no, no offense in any way intended, but it's a lot less expensive to make a website accessible than it is to modify an entrance so that you can get in with a wheelchair when there are steps or a very narrow door. Yeah. So it is yeah, laziness goes always Yeah. And   Simon Sansome ** 55:23 hopefully, if they do have initiatives that hopefully snowball, can help me out with that, with the credit that we want to provide to small businesses, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 55:30 yeah. And I understand that most businesses are pretty small and don't necessarily have a lot of money to spend, but with websites, that's where accessibe can make a big difference right from the outset? Yeah, absolutely, which is pretty cool. Yes. So what's, what's next as you go forward with snowball What are, what's the future going to hold?   Simon Sansome ** 55:52 Oh, my God, right. So, I mean, we're having a huge expansion, as I said, we're taking on about 70 staff to cover the whole of the UK. We're actually looking to franchise it as well across North America and Europe. We've also asked to be consultants for a number of governments as well. So it's going from strength to strength to strength. Every week, we keep on getting inquiries. We've got customers signed up already for the assessments, for the membership schemes. Loads in London. London's really taking off quite nicely. So it's where we're going at the moment is, I don't know, but in a couple of years time, I think we're going to be a major player in the app world for accessibility, because we already are the most that we are the biggest disability app in the world at the moment. Mm, hmm. By a long, long way, by, you know, 10s of 1000s of reviews. So nobody's really going to catch up with snowball, but we still need people to use it on a regular basis. That's the thing, because all the information we get is usually generated. Okay, in the UK, we're doing really well. In America, we need a bit more help. Yeah, but, you know, I was having a I was doing another podcast a couple of weeks ago in America, and there's a chap who wants to give us 10,000 locations of petrol stations across America where they went, because he doesn't know where to post it. All this information on accessible fueling stations across America, where they'll come out and help you to fill yes and you to fill your yes and stuff, and do help to pay for it. And he's just got no idea where to post it. So parallel, we think he's going to get we will win early stages of talks, and he wants to give us that information to help people to travel across America, and so they know where they can go and get their car filled up with assistance. So it's just we need people like that to leave reviews, to add places to use it on a regular basis, even if you go, even if you spot a car, you know, disabled car parking bay, you can have that. If you find an accessible toilet, add the accessible toilet. If you find an accessible restaurant, add the restaurant. Even if you find an inaccessible restaurant, add the inaccessible restaurant, because it will stop people going there and being disappointed. So all that information is extremely relevant to help people to be live a more independent life. So we need as many people across the world, including America, to download to to add reviews like you would on TripAdvisor. Is TripAdvisor for the disabled community. We just need more reviews and more people to use on a regular basis, and it will grow considerably. And therefore, once that's grown, we can start helping people more with like booking cinema tickets, booking airline travel holidays, and expand it that way as well. Because once businesses know that you're booking it through snowball, then they know you need extra assistance. So Sheldon,   Michael Hingson ** 58:43 has Sheldon talked to you about access find? Uh, no, okay, access is again, right now, it's website oriented, but access find is a database that accessibe created of accessible websites, and any website can say, you know, we have, we have made our website accessible, and it's checked, but then, when it is, then they are included in access, find. And it might be interesting to explore that, both in terms of websites, but finding ways to expand it. So we can, we can explore that and talk about that one. So what? What motivates you? I mean, you're doing a lot. Why?   Simon Sansome ** 59:28 It's the frustration of not being able to so, I mean, yes, remember, I for 32 years, I was fully independent. I could go anywhere in the world. I wanted to Okay, and it's the frustration that the world is not I'm not going to say it's not welcoming, because it's not that's not quite right. I'm going to say uneducated. And the ignorance of that everyone can access everything after having an injury like mine is very small mindedness, and I get. Frustrated that, because I travel a lot for work. I travel all over the world, and when we turn up to places, you know, we haven't got the right room, we can't access the hotel, we can't access the restaurant. It's got to the point where we don't choose where we want to go the place chooses us, yeah, and I don't, I don't think that's fair, no. And so I just want an equal opportunity world. That's what I don't like being turned away from places where we want to go for a family meal. I don't like being turned away from the cinema because the disabled seats so close to the screen. You know, it's, you know, it's just It frustrates me. And that's what, you know. I think that's what keeps up, keeping me going, but also as well, is when I was in hospital, because I got told I would never sit up again. I got told I was going to be on my back for life. Okay? And I'm very fortunate where I am. I mean, I know that sounds really stupid, because I'm paralyzed from the waist down, but I am very fortunate where I am, and I see, especially from a social services point of view, there are so many more people worse off than I am okay, and I just want to help them as much as I can. I want to give them choice. I want to give them a bit of independence. I want them to have that freedom of not being restricted to, you know, five, five places to go and eat, or, you know, the only place you can go to the cinema. I want you to the only tourist attraction you can visit. I want them to be fully inclusive. I want them to have a good life, you know. And I think snowball can help a lot of people do that.   Michael Hingson ** 1:01:40 Well, that's cool. So if people want to learn more about Snowball or access the app and so on, how do they do that? And how do they reach out to you? Yeah,   Simon Sansome ** 1:01:50 I'm on LinkedIn. Simon Samson, just send me a message. That's not a problem at all. Spell, if you would please. Yeah, S A N for November, s o m for mother, E for Echo,   Michael Hingson ** 1:02:03 and first name Simon, s, i, m, o n,   Simon Sansome ** 1:02:05 that's correct. You can also, you can also email us at support at snowball dot community,

Brought to you by our sister podcast, Generation (Spotify) (Apple Podcasts).Time and time again, marketers get stuck in the same dilemma. How do I really show ROI for my marketing spend? Today, Max is joined by Natwest CMO Margaret Jobling, who shares her powerful blueprint for maximizing ROI through a balance of brand building, performance, and experimentation. With a career spanning iconic brands like Cadbury's, British Gas, and Bird's Eye, Margaret reveals how to break free from “rearview” marketing, and drive real business impact.Partner with us: https://business.finimize.com/Subscribe To Finimize Newsletter: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1TVySdLKsSxmyp0sBmOcNrg2b9knn

In this episode of the IPA New Business Diaries podcast, Tobi Asare, Managing Partner Head of Growth at OMD UK is joined by Andy Freeman, Group Brand and Marketing Director at Centrica, British Gas. They explore all things pitching, new business and building strong client/agency relationships.

Unlock the secrets to marketing success with seasoned expert Richard Levy. Learn how to craft powerful marketing strategies, leverage AI, and drive business growth in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or aspiring marketer, gain invaluable insights to stay ahead in the competitive world of marketing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video footage showing people risking their lives at level crossings has been released as part of a major safety campaign.It's after near misses in Gillingham, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Gravesend and East Farleigh.Plans to scale back the number of children eligible for special needs places in Kent have been described as 'terrifying' by worried families.Kent County Council say there's an over-reliance on special school placements and want to change the admissions guidance so they're only for those with the most complex needs.A Medway man says he's been hounded by a gas company for seven months for a bill that wasn't his.The property in Rainham was supplied by British Gas who refused to set up Benjamin Robinson as a new customer until the outstanding debt was settled.One of Kent's new MPs has been chatting about getting used to Westminster - just days after he was preparing for the end of term.Secondary school teacher Tris Osborne was elected to represent Chatham and Aylesford 10 days ago. In sport, it was a very disappointing night for England fans.Gareth Southgate's side were beaten 2-1 by Spain in the final of Euro 2024. Hear from fans who watched the match at the Folkestone Harbour Arm last night.Gillingham's new manager has admitted his first match in charge wasn't the prettiest.The Gills drew 0-0 with Millwall in their pre-season friendly at Priestfield yesterday afternoon.

Join us for an exciting episode of Trade Legends featuring Kaz, a female gas engineer with a captivating story of resilience and adaptability. From her early days at British Gas to starting her own business, Kaz shares her unique insights on the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Liam the Plumber @liamtheplumber joins as a guest host, bringing his trademark banter and practical advice to the conversation. Mark, the head of marketing at Thomas Dudley @thomasdudleyplumbing reveals his fascinating career journey from the disposable paper industry to coffins and now plumbing products. He discusses the importance of British manufacturing and the company's commitment to its employees and the local community. With over 100 years of history, Thomas Dudley has remained a family-owned business that values teamwork, partnership, and innovation. Kaz opens up about her experience as a female gas engineer, sharing valuable advice for young women considering a career in the trades. She emphasises the importance of confidence, hard work, and being true to oneself in the face of negativity. Mark highlights the diverse range of apprenticeships available in manufacturing, encouraging aspiring professionals to explore the exciting opportunities within the industry. Throughout the episode, the guests discuss the importance of adaptability, whether it's in response to changes in company policies or the ever-evolving technology in the plumbing and gas industry. They also touch on the power of social media in promoting one's business and the need for authenticity in online interactions. Don't miss this engaging and informative episode of Trade Legends, packed with laughter, practical advice, and inspiring stories of success in the trades. Guests this week: Mark @thomasdudleyplumbing Kaz @kazgasltd (Insta) Hosts: Mark @MJTiffPlumbing With special guest host Liam @liamtheplumber --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/trade-legends/message

Fuel poverty is on the rise with millions of households in England having to choose whether to “heat or eat”.Last year, the Government estimated almost 9 million households could be classed as “fuel poor”. This means that, after housing costs, more than 10 per cent of their household income would be spent on heating.Covid supply disruptions and the war in Ukraine have contributed to the problem alongside the UK's economic crisis. In this episode host Zoë Grünewald is joined by British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Rhondda Cynon Taff, Ashley Comley and Chief Executive Officer of Bromley by Bow Centre, Ellen De Decker. They explore reasons for the sharp rise in fuel poverty, what's being done to support those in need and what needs to change to ensure Government funding gets through to those who need it most.This New Statesman podcast episode is sponsored by The British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charitable trust funded solely by British Gas. The Trust offers financial support for vulnerable households and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Gas is one of Britain's largest natural gas companies, and soon, they discovered one of the most important fields in their history. By BG's estimate, just 22 miles offshore from Gaza, at least one trillion cubic feet of natural Gas.

British Gas is one of Britain's largest natural gas companies, and soon, they discovered one of the most important fields in their history. By BG's estimate, just 22 miles offshore from Gaza, at least one trillion cubic feet of natural Gas.

British Gas is one of Britain's largest natural gas companies, and soon, they discovered one of the most important fields in their history. By BG's estimate, just 22 miles offshore from Gaza, at least one trillion cubic feet of natural Gas.

British Gas is one of Britain's largest natural gas companies, and soon, they discovered one of the most important fields in their history. By BG's estimate, just 22 miles offshore from Gaza, at least one trillion cubic feet of natural Gas.

Stories Series: Testify to Glorify with Richard Gamble   Psalm 96:3 (NIV) "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."   Richard Gamble is the founder and visionary behind Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, the world's largest database of hope stories. Aspiring to make hope visible and renew faith in prayer, Gamble first had the idea for the inspirational structure in 2004 when he was carrying a cross around Leicestershire at Easter to lead people to think about Jesus. He prayed over the idea for ten years until 2014, when he felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to begin acting upon it.   Gamble has spent many years rallying support for the Eternal Wall, a process which has tested his humility and obedience to follow God's will. Having successfully garnered hundreds of partnerships who want to see the unique project come to fruition, the iconic monument will be a legacy project, future-proofed to inspire and engage generations, supporting them in their spiritual journey.   A Christian since 1990, Gamble studied at Bible college before working for British Gas. He eventually left the corporate world to make his mark in entrepreneurship, co- founding both a software business and a marketing consultancy. With a love for soccer, he became CEO of Sports Chaplaincy UK, and was former chaplain of Leicester City Football Club (before they were famous and won the Premiership).   Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer   BBC Documentary   Eternal Wall, Crowd Fundraiser Website   Questions We Discuss:   Will you share your childhood story of a near death experience? How did God call you to build the Eternal Wall of Prayer? Will you share three of the stories submitted so far for the Eternal Wall of Prayer?   Other Episode Mentioned from The Savvy Sauce: 126 Rhythms of Renewal with Gabe and Rebekah Lyons   Thank You to Our Sponsor: Leman Property Management Company   Connect with The Savvy Sauce through Our Website   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Welcome to our February 2024 Review of PR Pitches and mergers & acquisitions in the UK PR scene with Andrew Bloch, where we will discuss the biggest, most seismic pitch wins and mergers and acquisitions that the PR sector has seen in 2023.Andrew is the lead consultant - PR, Social, Content and Influencer at the new business consultancy firm AAR and a partner at PCB Partners, where he advises on buying and selling marketing services agencies.Andrew was also co-founder and managing partner at PR agency Frank, before stepping back in 2020 to found Andrew Bloch & Associates.A quick mention about the relaunch of PRmoment. If you take a look at PRmoment.com, you'll see a brand new design with lots of new features, hopefully, easier navigation and also the launch of our new subscription training service for senior folks within agencies' PRmoment Leaders. Do take a look and let us know if you like it.Thanks also so much to the PRmoment Podcast sponsors the PRCA.2 mins Andrew talks us through this month's biggest PR pitch wins in the UK:Tortilla, the Mexican fast food restaurant,  appoints PR agency Houston.Orlebar Brown - a luxury swimwear brand owned by Chanel - appoints PR agency W.Bolt appoints PR agency BoldspaceBurger King appoints PR agency The AcademyVersuni (Philips brand owner) appoints PR agency Smoking Gun.(Ketchum continues to partner with Philips. Tin Man continues to handle global comms.)Heineken's trade PR goes to food and drink  PR specialist Fleet StreetBallantines Whisky appoints Pangolin on a global brief.M&C Sport and Ents retain the global music brand strategy brief and Firstlight Group handle corporate comms.Four Seasons appoints Red - replaces PRCO after a 30-year client-agency relationship.Greggs appoint That Lot for a social media brief.Santander appoints two agencies - Lansons Team Farner for its consumer PR and MHP for its public affairs work.eToro appoints Lansons/Team Farner on a combined corp and brand brief.British Gas appoints Smarts for a consumer PR brief. (Working alongside BCW)“If there is a lack of long-term client commitment you have to adjust your cost base accordingly. The great agencies do that.”“We don't do this for fun. There is no point running an agency that doesn't make any money.”16 mins Andrew talks us through February's M&A activity:Faith Brand Communications is acquired by Fantastic MediaSEC Newgate acquires a 70% stake (over five years) in Athens HQ V+O Group.Real Chemistry acquires Avant Healthcare.Havas acquires b2b marketing specialist Ledger BennettCognito, an independent global PR agency, has completed the majority acquisition of its German operation Cognito DACH.

Mark is joined by author and actress Caroline Quentin , along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Horticulture, British Gas and memory loss. Plus there's the return of Martin Sunak with his money saving tips and Mark overhears a woman in a cafe talking about the closing of The Body Shop. Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Caroline @Quentyquestions Buy her book "Drawn to the garden" right here on amazon now!! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Drawn-Garden-Caroline-Quentin/dp/0711290555/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1708105439&refinements=p_27%3ACaroline+Quentin&s=books&sr=1-1   Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom and his podcast @BtecPhilosoph   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Along with the sale of council houses, privatisation was a signature theme of Mrs Thatcher's government. Its aim was not just more efficient businesses, but a "share owning democracy" that would purge Britain of the "corrosive effect of socialism". With its "Tell Sid" campaign, British Gas was the high water mark of privatisation. Neil and Jonathan talk to author Philip Augar about "stagging", Cedric the Pig and how privatisation changed the City. Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Philip Augar.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot.In association with BRIEFCASE.NEWS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brief Summary In this part of the podcast, we discuss the importance of customer experience in business growth in 2024. We highlight the significance of quick response times and personalized attention to clients' needs. We stress the need for businesses to prioritize customer experience to attract recommendations and gain a competitive edge. We also emphasize the value of authentic marketing, showcasing the true self and building trust with the audience. Staying updated on innovation and the latest trends is crucial for business growth, including adapting to short-form content and utilizing various platforms. Prioritizing customer experience and adapting to trends can lead to significant growth and success in 2024. Long Summary In this part of the podcast, we delve into the importance of customer experience in growing a business in 2024. We share a personal experience of receiving poor customer service from a management company and how it frustrated us enough to reach out to the CEO. We contrast that with our own approach to customer service, highlighting how we prioritize quick response times and personalized attention to our clients' needs. We emphasize the significance of a positive customer experience in attracting recommendations and gaining a competitive edge. We also express our frustration with other companies, such as British Gas and Santander, that have subpar customer service. We believe that businesses should focus on improving their customer experience to thrive in the coming year and share an example of how we have recently enhanced our web design department's customer service by adding a new manager. Overall, prioritizing customer experience can lead to significant growth and success in 2024. We are constantly striving to improve our level of customer service and are frustrated when we see others providing poor customer service with contempt for their customers. One way to grow your business in the future is by increasing the level and consistency of authentic marketing. Authentic marketing means showing your true self, including flaws and sometimes inappropriate jokes or swearing. We have had success with this approach, showcasing our clients' success stories, conducting interviews, and creating various types of content to distribute across social media. Authentic marketing not only drives traffic to your website but also improves the conversion and sales process. It's important to have a clear funnel in place and make it easy for visitors to take the desired action. Removing friction, such as making it easy to schedule a strategy session or contact us, is crucial for converting leads. In order to grow your business in 2024, it is important to stay updated on innovation and the latest trends. For example, Facebook groups used to be the go-to for driving traffic, but now they are no longer effective as Facebook has changed its policies. It is crucial to keep up with these changes. Another important trend is short-form content, such as shorts, stories, reels, TikToks, and Snapchat. These formats are more effective in driving traffic and building awareness compared to long-form content. The strategy we recommend is to use shorts for subscriptions and long-form content for sales. This involves posting short versions of content across various social media channels while also providing access to longer-form content. For example, this live stream is a long-form piece that will be shared on various platforms, while shorter snippets will be chopped and posted separately. We also have a podcast show and a combination of audio-only and video content to cater to different platforms. This shift to the latest trends has resulted in increased views and reach for our clients, allowing them to reach a wider audience. It is essential for your business to adapt to these trends as well. Click like or subscribe to our podcast for more valuable content.   The Wealth Creation Podcast is brought to you by Daniel Latto, and is designed to help you learn the steps you need to take to achieve Financial Freedom in the next 5 years. Discover how to make more money, turn that money into investments, and live from cashflow while never having to work again. The podcasts covers three main areas 1. Cut Costs 2. Generate Cash (Business) 3. Invest the rest (Property) Throughout the podcast episodes, I'll be going through the step by step actions you can take, including any Business & Property Strategies along the way that can accelerate your results. The Podcast is hosted by Daniel Latto. Daniel Latto is a business coach originally from Leeds, and now lives in the Mediterranean providing advice for business owners and entrepreneurs. You can contact Daniel Latto at his website at http://www.daniellatto.co.uk How to grow your business in 2024 - The Business Growth Show - The Daniel Latto Podcast Show - Season 9 Episode 34

Ann Cairns started her career as a research scientist and was the first woman to work offshore with British Gas. She moved into investment banking in her 30's and rose up the ranks in Citibank – ExCo Citi Global Transaction Bank, CEO of ABN Amro Transaction Bank, CEO of Lehmann Holdings and was responsible for the restructuring (with Alvarez & Marsel). After 15 years at Citi, she enjoyed a number of senior roles at other financial institutions before finishing her executive career as Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard.  Ann believes that women should rise to the top of the corporate world in equal numbers to men and has chaired both the 30% Club and the Financial Alliance for Women. She was also the Chair ICE Clear Europe prior to her current boards.  Today Ann is Chair of 2 commercial boards - CAB Payments and TMF, and 2 non-profits Moving Ahead (mentorship) and Stock MS, and the board of Lightrock, a PE Impact investor.

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we're listening back to some of our favourite episodes of 2023.A Times journalist went undercover to show that British Gas obtained court warrants to break into customers' homes to force fit prepayment meters. The investigation led to immediate responses from the company, the regulator and from government. So how did the investigation unfold?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.Guest: Paul Morgan-Bentley, Head of Investigations, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Clips: Times Radio, Sky News, BBC, Parliament. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katy is CEO of the Valuable 500, the global business partnership of 500 companies working together to end disability exclusion. She played an instrumental role in the initiation of the Valuable 500 when she partnered with Dr Caroline Casey to launch the programme at DAVOS 2019. With over a decade of experience at AMV BBDO, Katy held leadership roles, including Chief Client Officer, Chair of BBDO EMEA Talent Engagement Council, and Head of Account Management and Managing Partner. She played a key role in the ground-breaking 2016 Maltesers Disability campaign, which garnered prestigious awards and became Maltesers' most successful campaign in 18 years. After 7 years working in both  NZ and Australia on a range of domestic and international business from Air New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand, Pepsico, Danone, Frucor Beverages,  Nintendo and Casio, she returned to the UK in 2006, working at WCRS and then M&C Saatchi on Fosters, British Airways and TfL and was the Group Account Director on British Gas and Carphone Warehouse at CHI&Partners for 3 years before joining AMV BBDO in 2010. Katy's expertise extends to multi-discipline communications across 25 markets and includes serving as the Global Omnicom lead for Rexona, and the Global BBDO lead for Snickers. She has been acknowledged as a Marketing Trailblazer of 2019 and has recently served as a Leadership Mentor for Disability Rights UK. More recently, Katy has made valuable contributions to the executive leadership team at PINWHEEL, a corporate sustainability company.

On this episode of Flourish-Meant, Tina Yeager welcomes guest Richard Gamble, the visionary behind the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, a monumental piece of public art revealing how Jesus has answered a million personal prayers. It will be the largest database of hope stories in the world. Having the idea in 2004, God gave him the go-ahead to launch in 2016, and for the past four years, Richard has shared the incredible concept all around the UK, rallying people behind the belief that one individual's answered prayer can be another person's hope. After becoming a Christian in 1990 Richard studied at bible college and then worked for British Gas before leaving the big corporate world to make his mark in entrepreneurship, co-founding both a software business and a marketing consultancy. With a keen love of football, he became CEO of Sports Chaplaincy UK, and was former chaplain of Leicester City Football Club (before they were famous and won the Premiership!). Richard shares his personal practice of overcoming fear and despair by visualizing a storm of worries on his left and Jesus on his right. He encourages listeners to donate to eternalwall.us, a website where people can share their stories of answered prayers. Richard believes that these stories, written, audio, or video, will inspire future generations. He reminds listeners to place their hope in God, recounting experiences where God has provided and healed. Richard also discusses the importance of physical reminders of God's faithfulness, using personal stories and examples from the Bible.  Through personal anecdotes and scripture, Richard and Tina emphasize the power of faith and hope in overcoming challenges and finding healing. Richard defines Psalm 77 as a life hack for dealing with fear and despair. He candidly shared his own experience of waking up in the middle of the night and battling fear. To calm these fears, Richard personally practices a visualization technique where he envisions the storm of worries on his left and Jesus on his right. Recalling past instances where God has provided and healed has been instrumental in finding peace during these moments. Moreover, Richard emphasized the importance of hope and where we choose to place it. Coping with fear involves seeking peace from Jesus and anchoring ourselves in the things God has said to us. Throughout the episode, Richard shared incredible stories of answered prayers that have built his faith and helped him combat fear. Inspired by the concept of passing down and telling these stories to future generations, Richard conveyed his vision for the eternal wall of answered prayer. This monumental piece of public art, the size of a football field, will comprise a million bricks, each representing a story of hope related to Jesus. Visitors will be able to scan any of the bricks with their phones and learn about the inspiring stories inscribed upon them. The underlying goal is to offer hope to those who drive past the monument and inspire them to seek God. Intrigued by Richard's journey and his inspiring project, the eternal wall of answered prayer, we invite you to learn more about it by visiting the website eternalwall.us. You can be part of something that will last for 100 years and impact future generations. Share your own stories on the website, whether through written, audio, or video formats. Richard's story of battling an incurable disease in his spine for over 22 years, only to experience healing, reminds us that God is still listening and can do anything. Let us choose to focus on God's truth rather than facts, for there are over 100 scriptures encouraging us to proclaim the goodness of God in our lives. We are grateful to have had Richard Gamble on the show, revealing his journey, insight, and passion for inspiring hope through shared stories of answered prayers. We hope that you, our Flourish-Meant community, can take five minutes of your time to impact future generations and join us in spreading hope through the eternal wall project. To book Tina as a speaker, connect with her life coaching services, and more, visit her website: https://tinayeager.com/ Get Tina Yeager's newest release, Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose! The book is available on Amazon, Bold Vision Books, or wherever books are sold. Visit Tina's website for craft videos and more at https://www.tinayeager.com/upcycled/ Follow Tina on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tina-Yeager-M.A./e/B06Y4T4TMG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0 Get Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose (Bold Vision site) Beautiful Warrior: Finding Victory Over the Lies Formed Against You (publisher site): https://www.newhopepublishers.com/shop/beautiful-warrior/  Manage stress & anxiety in 10 minutes a day with https://divineencouragement.onlinecoursehost.com/courses  Connect with Tina at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tinayeager/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina.yeager.9/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager

Account-Based Growth: Unlocking Sustainable Value Through Extraordinary Customer Focus by Bev Burgess and Tim Shercliff About the Book: Develop long-term relationships, deliver market-beating growth, and create sustainable value with this pragmatic guide to aligning marketing, sales, customer success, and your executives around your most important customers. Many B2B companies make half their profitable revenue from just three percent of their customers, yet don't recognize the significance of these accounts, nor invest appropriately in them. Account-Based Growth introduces a comprehensive framework for improving internal alignment and external engagement with these vital few. It contains bullet-pointed takeaways at the end of each chapter and a comprehensive checklist to help you improve your company's approach to its most important customers. Each framework element is brought to life through viewpoints from industry experts and case studies from leading organizations including Accenture, Fujitsu, Infosys, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Telstra. About the Author: Bev Burgess is passionate about the critical role marketing can play in accelerating business growth.  Her specialism is the marketing and selling of business services, built through a combination of postgraduate study and the privilege of working with 40 of the world's most influential firms, primarily in the technology and professional services sectors.  Bev's background includes senior marketing roles at British Gas, Epson, and Fujitsu, and she was a Senior Vice President at ITSMA, where she led the global ABM Practice and ITSMA's European operations for many years. Bev first codified ABM as a marketing strategy while managing director of ITSMA Europe in 2003. Today Bev is a Founder and Managing Principal at Inflexion Group, delivering thought leadership, consulting, and training to companies around the world that are designing, developing, and implementing account-based growth programs.  Bev holds an MBA in strategic marketing and a BSc Honours degree in business and ergonomics. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and has served as an international trustee.  Her first book, Marketing Technology as a Service, was published by Wiley in 2010, exploring proven techniques to create value through services based on an infrastructure of technology.  Her most recent, A Practitioner's Guide to Account-Based Marketing (with Dave Munn, Kogan Page 2021, 2017) explains how to use ABM to accelerate growth in strategic accounts. Both editions of that book were featured on The Marketing Book Podcast episodes 117 and 373 with Dave Munn. Executive Engagement Strategies, published by Kogan Page in 2020, explains how to have conversations that deepen executive relationships and build sustainable growth with key clients.  And, interesting fact – she was a competitive ballroom dancer! Click here for this episode's website page with the links mentioned during the interview... https://www.salesartillery.com/marketing-book-podcast/account-based-growth-bev-burgess

We read the papers so you don't have to… Today: Rage and disbelief as British Gas rakes in record profits of £969m from cash-strapped customers. Sinéad O'Connor was a saint, say papers who treated her as a madwoman when she was alive. Footballers bin principles to take Saudi cash. And will more sex stop you getting cancer? Miranda Sawyer is joined by stand-up comic Fin Taylor and Marie le Conte of the New Statesman (and everywhere else) to battle the ravening newsbeast. Follow Paper Cuts: Twitter: https://twitter.com/papercutsshow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papercutsshow Illustrations by Modern Toss https://moderntoss.com Written and presented by Miranda Sawyer. Audio production: Robin Leeburn, Alex Rees, Simon Williams. Design: James Parrett. Music: Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Exec Producer: Martin Bojtos. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. PAPER CUTS is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The parent company of Britain’s biggest energy supplier British Gas have recorded record profits. Plus: the allegation surrounding GB News presenter Dan Wootton reach shocking new levels; and the high court rule that the Home Office’s use of hotels for housing unaccompanied child asylum seekers is unlawful. With Dalia Gebrial and Kojo Koram.

The parent company of Britain's biggest energy supplier British Gas have recorded record profits. Plus: the allegation surrounding GB News presenter Dan Wootton reach shocking new levels; and the high court rule that the Home Office's use of hotels for housing unaccompanied child asylum seekers is unlawful. With Dalia Gebrial and Kojo Koram.

In this episode, Olympic medalist and six-time world champion Anna Hemmings shares her insights on success and resilience. Despite facing chronic fatigue syndrome and being told she would never race again, Anna's determination and goal-setting mindset propelled her to achieve incredible success. She discusses the importance of setting goals, having a plan, and being adaptable when things don't go according to plan. Anna's definition of success has always been about achieving her goals, and she emphasizes the need to be ready for the occasional zigzag on the path to success. Tune in to learn from Anna's experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the psychology behind success.About Anna HemmingsAnna Hemmings, a remarkable figure in marathon kayaking, clinched 11 World and European Championship medals, including 9 golds. Today, she shines as an influential speaker and coach, focusing on resilience and high performance.By age 24, Anna became a 3-time World Champion and Olympian. Despite adversity, including a battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, she rallied to win 3 more world titles and compete in her second Olympics.Now an accredited Leadership Coach, Anna founded Beyond the Barriers consultancy. She imparts her resilience and high-performance expertise to diverse clients, from Unilever and British Airways to Amazon and British Gas.With experience spanning elite sports and 13 years in business leadership, Anna offers a profound understanding of overcoming challenges for exceptional outcomes.Please click here to learn more about Anna Hemmings.About Brad SugarsInternationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars: https://bradsugars.com/Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free:The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter

Anna Hemmings is Britain's most successful female marathon kayaker with a staggering eleven World and European Championship medals, 9 of them gold. She is now a leading inspirational speaker and coach on resilience and high performance.By the age of 24, Anna had been World Champion 3 times and competed at the Olympic Games. In 2010 she was awarded an MBE for her services to sport. She achieved this success against all the odds. At the peak of her career, Anna was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and was told by medical experts she might never race again. She battled her way to full recovery and went on to win a further 3 world titles and compete at her second Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.Since retiring from sport Anna has become recognized as a specialist in the field of resilience and the psychology of high performance. She is an accredited LeadershipCoach and founded Beyond the Barriers high performance training consultancy. Anna has worked with CEOs and senior leaders through to middle management, designing and delivering resilience, leadership, and high-performing teams programs. She works globally with leaders and teams at Unilever and British Airways to Red Bull and Novartisto Amazon and British Gas, helping them develop the skills, attitudes andbehaviorstodeliver exceptional performance.Anna's unique combination of experience in elite sports combined with 13 years leading a successful business and working alongside senior leaders, gives her a broad understanding of the challenges that leaders and teams face and how to overcome them to deliver outstanding results.Please click here to learn more about Anna Hemmings.About Brad Sugars Internationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone. That's why Brad has created 90 Days To Revolutionize Your Life – It's 30 minutes a day for 90 days, teaching you his 30 years experience on investing, business and life.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars.Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free: The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter Join Brad's programs here: 30X Life: https://results.bradsugars.com/30xlifechallenge 30X Business: https://results.bradsugars.com/30xbusinesschallenge 30X Wealth: https://results.bradsugars.com/30xwealthchallenge 90X – Revolutionize Your Life: https://30xbusiness.com/90daystorevolutionize Brad Sugars' Entrepreneur University: https://results.bradsugars.com/entrepreneuruniversity For more information, visit Brad Sugars' website: www.bradsugars.comFollow Brad on Social Media:YouTube: @bradleysugars Instagram: @bradleysugars Facebook: Bradley J SugarsLinkedIn: Brad SugarsTikTok: @bradleysugarsTwitter: BradSugars The Big Success Podcast https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-big-success-podcast/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/ep-27-anna-hemmings-the-big-success-podcast-with-brad-sugars

Andrew Middleton from British Gas Zero joins me on this episode of Tech Talks Daily.  Andrew plays a pivotal role in a venture dedicated to installing, managing, and supporting EV chargers, heat pumps, and smart home technologies. These innovations are helping pave the way to a decarbonized future for public and private sectors, under the trusted banners of British Gas, Hive, and PH Jones. With the UK government's firm commitment to achieving net zero by 2050, we delve into the timely topic of sustainable energy, affordability, and the role of technology in the fight against climate change. The conversation touches on the implications of the newly announced department for energy security and net zero, highlighting the importance of this national goal amidst rising living costs and pressing environmental concerns. Andrew sheds light on how British Gas Zero is helping customers lower their energy bills while making significant strides in reducing carbon emissions. We explore how technology is fostering a future where UK homes can fully embrace decarbonization and discuss why enhancing energy efficiency in homes is imperative in our path to sustainability. We explore the steps individuals and businesses can take to help achieve the national net-zero goal, the perceptions around this ambitious target, and how businesses can simplify the decarbonization agenda. Andrew also shares insights on how the net zero venture is aiding the UK's energy transition and British Gas Zero's collaborations with other organizations and initiatives in support of this transition. If you're curious about the UK's net zero ambition, concerned about climate change, or simply interested in how tech can help make your home more energy-efficient, this episode offers vital insights and practical advice.  

Over 30 years he has developed a strong reputation on the international corporate speakers' circuit for his work on thought leadership and for delivering personally moving interventions with long lasting effect. His intimate, uplifting and humorous messaging relates powerfully to our lives both in and out of work.His overriding purpose is to help us generate ever increasing levels of virtue, optimism, courage and generosity. This helps us realize even greater spirit as we navigate change, serve others, overcome challenges and carry out our everyday interactions with a warmer tone, greater awareness and stronger conviction for achieving excellence.He chairs and presents at numerous conferences for organizations including: Aviva, AXA, British Gas, British Telecomm, BSKYB, British Navy Training, BUPA, Cancer Research UK, Centrica, Dropbox, E.on, EE, Expedia Group, The FSCS, Hewlett Packard, HSBC, IBM, Microsoft, MoreTh>n, NBCUniversal, Network Rail, Npower, O2, RSA, The AA, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The FCA, The NHS, VirginMedia…Please click here to learn more about Ian Woodhouse.About Brad Sugars Internationally known as one of the most influential entrepreneurs, Brad Sugars is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the #1 business coach in the world. Over the course of his 30-year career as an entrepreneur, Brad has become the CEO of 9+ companies and is the owner of the multimillion-dollar franchise ActionCOACH®. As a husband and father of five, Brad is equally as passionate about his family as he is about business. That's why, Brad is a strong advocate for building a business that works without you – so you can spend more time doing what really matters to you. Over the years of starting, scaling and selling many businesses, Brad has earned his fair share of scars. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy road. But if you can learn from those who have gone before you, it becomes a lot easier than going at it alone. That's why Brad has created 90 Days To Revolutionize Your Life – It's 30 minutes a day for 90 days, teaching you his 30 years experience on investing, business and life.Please click here to learn more about Brad Sugars.Learn the Fundamentals of Success for free: The Big Success Starter: https://results.bradsugars.com/thebigsuccess-starter Join Brad's programs here: 30X Life: https://results.bradsugars.com/30xlifechallenge 30X Business: https://results.bradsugars.com/30xbusinesschallenge 30X Wealth: https://results.bradsugars.com/30xwealthchallenge 90X – Revolutionize Your Life: https://30xbusiness.com/90daystorevolutionize Brad Sugars' Entrepreneur University: https://results.bradsugars.com/entrepreneuruniversity For more information, visit Brad Sugars' website: www.bradsugars.comFollow Brad on Social Media:YouTube: @bradleysugars Instagram: @bradleysugars Facebook: Bradley J SugarsLinkedIn: Brad SugarsTikTok: @bradleysugarsTwitter: BradSugars The Big Success Podcast https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/the-big-success-podcast/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/ep-24-ian-woodhouse-the-big-success-podcast-with-brad-sugars

OUTLINE of today's show with TIMECODESBusted Border: Come & get the free phones, plane tickets, etc and come back in 3 to 5 years for a court date as federal "law enforcement" runs cover, attacking journalists (2:00)The rap sheet of Jordan Neely — the new hero of the race-war promoters (10:08)"Citizen's Arrest"? How about illegals arresting legal citizens? Illegal aliens allowed and encouraged to become police officers in California (13:05)As trannies push to takeover Mother's Day, more than half of Americans say motherhood is the most important role for a woman to fill in today's world. (15:52)Stop playing defense and go on offense — time to build family, build culture. Kirk Cameron shows the right approach to Drag Queen grooming (18:32)"Build-A-Queer" — who is behind the organization sending sex paraphernalia to kids through the mail and coaching them on how to hide it from parents? (31:23) Put on a happy face: Japanese, finally getting rid of mask mandates, have training classes on how to smile again (50:44) "Anti-vaxxers are a menace who must be defeated", says London Times. (56:39)The Imperial College of London is STILL the “true enemy of the world” as they double-down on lies about jabs (after the lies that kicked off the lockdown) (57:36)Dr. Yeadon (former VP of Pfizer): What's going to happen if we don't stop the digital revolution. (1:09:38) FDA changes blood donation policy to allow homosexual and bisexual men to give blood. (1:13:25) Look at George Santos, Biden, Trump and forget politics for a moment. What lessons can we learn from their lives that give us hope for our lives — or a warning? (1:24:29)Pro-life groups are making the classic mistake of federalizing their goals — making a federal case out of whatever is most important to them (1:39:04) Fast Food That Lasts FOREVER (literally) vs Recycled Packaging Why do they worry when the food doesn't spoil — FOR DECADES WATCH this is what McDonalds burger and fries looks like at 25 years old (1:51:25) British Gas refuses to install heat pumps because they don't work in a cold climate. 19 State AGs come after gas stoves. Emperor Biden tells power plants to cut emissions by 90% or close. (1:57:15)INTERVIEW Oncologist on "Turbo" Cancer and AIDS and Mitigating Spike Damage Dr. William Makis, MD, TWCCanada.health and makismd.substack.com The new phenomenon of unusually virulent and fast-acting cancers and a massive increase in AIDS. And, what can be done about mitigating the damage from mRNA and spikes (2:04:05) Twitter's new Davos CEO and what the return to kowtowing to government and multinational corporate demands will mean for the election (2:49:13)Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here:SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation through Mail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money is only what YOU hold: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHT

OUTLINE of today's show with TIMECODESBusted Border: Come & get the free phones, plane tickets, etc and come back in 3 to 5 years for a court date as federal "law enforcement" runs cover, attacking journalists (2:00)The rap sheet of Jordan Neely — the new hero of the race-war promoters (10:08)"Citizen's Arrest"? How about illegals arresting legal citizens? Illegal aliens allowed and encouraged to become police officers in California (13:05)As trannies push to takeover Mother's Day, more than half of Americans say motherhood is the most important role for a woman to fill in today's world. (15:52)Stop playing defense and go on offense — time to build family, build culture. Kirk Cameron shows the right approach to Drag Queen grooming (18:32)"Build-A-Queer" — who is behind the organization sending sex paraphernalia to kids through the mail and coaching them on how to hide it from parents? (31:23) Put on a happy face: Japanese, finally getting rid of mask mandates, have training classes on how to smile again (50:44) "Anti-vaxxers are a menace who must be defeated", says London Times. (56:39)The Imperial College of London is STILL the “true enemy of the world” as they double-down on lies about jabs (after the lies that kicked off the lockdown) (57:36)Dr. Yeadon (former VP of Pfizer): What's going to happen if we don't stop the digital revolution. (1:09:38) FDA changes blood donation policy to allow homosexual and bisexual men to give blood. (1:13:25) Look at George Santos, Biden, Trump and forget politics for a moment. What lessons can we learn from their lives that give us hope for our lives — or a warning? (1:24:29)Pro-life groups are making the classic mistake of federalizing their goals — making a federal case out of whatever is most important to them (1:39:04) Fast Food That Lasts FOREVER (literally) vs Recycled Packaging Why do they worry when the food doesn't spoil — FOR DECADES WATCH this is what McDonalds burger and fries looks like at 25 years old (1:51:25) British Gas refuses to install heat pumps because they don't work in a cold climate. 19 State AGs come after gas stoves. Emperor Biden tells power plants to cut emissions by 90% or close. (1:57:15)INTERVIEW Oncologist on "Turbo" Cancer and AIDS and Mitigating Spike Damage Dr. William Makis, MD, TWCCanada.health and makismd.substack.com The new phenomenon of unusually virulent and fast-acting cancers and a massive increase in AIDS. And, what can be done about mitigating the damage from mRNA and spikes (2:04:05) Twitter's new Davos CEO and what the return to kowtowing to government and multinational corporate demands will mean for the election (2:49:13)Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.comIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here:SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation through Mail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money is only what YOU hold: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHT

Historian Phil Tinline explores why, 37 years ago, the Thatcher government privatised British Gas, how what followed has shaped today's energy price crisis - and what should happen next. Contributors: Professor Michael Bradshaw, Derek Davis, Dr Amy Edwards, Mathew Lawrence, Tim Lefroy, Sir John Redwood Producer: Phil Tinline

If companies know they inappropriately installed a prepayment meter, then they should fix it now' was the message today from the CEO of the energy regulator OFGEM. The forced installation of prepayment meters was suspended after an investigation by The Times into British Gas contractors breaking into the homes of vulnerable customers to force-fit meters. OFGEM will investigate British Gas and will also review regulations on the installation of prepayment meters, which have increased sharply over the last year. Credit: Reuters Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom Copyright: Reuters/Natasha Hirst

From Shell’s record profits to British Gas breaking into poor peoples’ homes, energy companies are taking us all for a ride. Plus: Rishi Sunak is epicly unpopular 100 days into his premiership; and economists aren’t heeding Hunt’s calls for positivity about the British economy. With Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani. __________________________________________ Support Novara Media for […]

As Shell makes massive profits because of war while millions struggle British Gas have been employing debt collectors to smash their way into the homes of pensioners, single mums and disabled people. It sums up our broken system - and why the calls of the likes of Bernie Sanders for a peaceful political revolution are more pressing than ever. Seriously, how much of this can you take?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-owen-jones-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Gas has suspended the forced installation of pre-payment meters following a report that debt collectors employed by the company have been fitting them in the homes of vulnerable customers. Energy regulator Ofgem has begun an investigation. Companies can apply to the courts for a warrant, authorising the fitting of a pre-payment meter if a customer hasn't paid their bills. Today's Mishal Husain spoke to Chris O'Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica which owns British Gas, and Paul Morgan-Bently, Head of Investigations at The Times who went undercover for the investigation. Today's Nick Robinson also spoke to Labour shadow minister Ed Miliband. (Image: Smart Meter with prepayment tariff, Credit: DANIEL LEAL/ AFP/ Getty Images)