Podcasts about ftse

Send us a textWhat if your struggle with manifestation isn't failure— but the next level of your evolution calling you forward?In this episode of Soul-Led CEO: Wealth Codes + Science Wisdom, I, Dr. Amen Kaur — trauma-informed mentor and former FTSE 250 partner — guide spiritual high-achievers who are secretly exhausted from “doing all the things” into a new paradigm of soul-led success.This is for you if…You've built vision boards, said affirmations, and scripted your desires… but it all feels flat.You've achieved so much already, but deep down you feel stuck in an identity void — no longer who you were, not yet who you're becoming.You crave prosperity and purpose without the burnout of chasing and proving.It's not that you're failing. It's that you've outgrown the old paradigm.

Did you know that there is a whole industry around the concept of helping deserving people and organizations to receive recognition through winning awards? In this episode we meet and get to know one of the foremost experts in this industry, Donna O'Toole. Donna grew up in the South of England in a real castle. At the age of 16 her family conditions changed, and she had to go to a home with four other girls who also lost their family arrangements. Donna had to go to work although she had wanted to go to university. Eventually she did get to earn her degree.   Donna studied linguistics and found ways to use her growing knowledge of the field. Eventually she discovered the value of recognition and how helping people and companies gain recognition made them better for the experience. She began working to help people and companies earn awards. She will tell us about this fascinating subject and why earning awards is important. She gives us statistics about how after working to win awards and the subsequent recognition sales and overall exposure usually grows.     About the Guest:   Donna O'Toole is an award-winning entrepreneur, international awards judge, and bestselling author of WIN! – the ultimate guide to winning awards. She's also the founder of August Recognition, a global leader in awards strategy and part of the Dent Global group, helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs stand out, scale up, and make a meaningful impact.   Named one of the Top 25 Customer Experience Influencers in the world, Donna has transformed the visibility and credibility of hundreds of businesses - from start-ups to FTSE 100 giants - by helping them win the recognition they deserve. Her clients span global brands, high-growth entrepreneurs, and inspirational leaders across every industry.   Donna is renowned for her outstanding success rate in the most prestigious awards in the world, including The King's Awards for Enterprise. She's passionate about the true value of awards - not just the trophy, but the trust, authority, and growth they generate.   Now, Donna is taking her mission even further. Together with her business partner and Dent Global co-founder Daniel Priestley, she's launching a pioneering new AI venture that's transforming the awards industry - making it safer, simpler, and smarter than ever for people to find, enter, and achieve the awards and recognition that matters.   Ways to connect with Donna:   https://www.augustawards.com/ - to get a free copy of my book: Win! and to get a Free awards list LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaotoole/ Instagram: @donnaot     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 ** 01:17 Well, hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of unstoppable mindset. I am your host, Michael Hingson, and I think we'll have some fun today. We get to talk to Donna O'Toole, who is over in England, and she has a very interesting story to tell and a profession that she works at regarding awards. We'll get to all that in a bit. I don't want to give it all away, because it's more fun to listen to Donna tell it than it is to listen to me tell it. No one has ever said that I'm boring, but nevertheless, I always think that the people who come on the podcast are much more fun and interesting than I so I can't I can't argue with that, and of course, that's my job to make sure that happens. But anyway, here we are once again with unstoppable mindset. And Donna, I want to welcome you and thank you for being here.   Donna O'Toole ** 02:09 Thank you. It's great to be here with you. Michael, thank you.   Michael Hingson ** 02:13 And it's what about 930 in the evening? Or no, it's up 737   **Donna O'Toole ** 02:17 Well, it's   Michael Hingson ** 02:19 after dinner. Yeah. Well, thank you for being here. And we're, we're really glad to have the opportunity to do this. And so I'd like to start, it's so fun to always start this way. Tell us sort of about the early Donna growing up and all that. Ah, okay.   Donna O'Toole ** 02:35 Um, okay. So, well, I don't tell very many people this actually so secret. One for you, Michael, I actually grew up in a castle, which makes me sound like I lived in a fairy tale, but I didn't. It was definitely not a fairy tale, and I'm not a princess, so I'm sorry to disappoint anybody.   Michael Hingson ** 02:54 Well, what was it like growing up at a castle?   Donna O'Toole ** 02:59 It was, you know what? It's one of those things that when you're an adult, and you look back, you realize how amazing you were, it was, and how lucky you were. But when you're a child, it's just all, you know, isn't it? So, yeah, we were very lucky. I grew up in a town called Arundel, which is in the south of the UK. It's a very historic town, and the reason that I lived there was because my stepdad was the head groundsman at the castle, so he looked after all of the grounds for the Duke of Norfolk. And yeah, it was a it was a wonderful place to live. We used to be naughty and run around and go hiding in nooks and crannies that we shouldn't be. However, I was permanently petrified that there was ghosts and bats and all sorts of things like that.   Michael Hingson ** 03:48 So were there ghosts?   Donna O'Toole ** 03:49 Yes, definitely, certainly, they were making noises like ghosts, and we couldn't identify what they were. So, yeah, there's a few stories around that castle. Actually around I think there's a ghost of a lady in one in the library, and there is a ghost of a Labrador, actually, that people talk about seeing there as well. So I'm sure they were friendly.   Michael Hingson ** 04:14 Did you ever see any ghosts?   Donna O'Toole ** 04:16 I think I convinced myself that I did. On many occasion, my bedroom window looked out over Arundel Cathedral, which is was lit up at night, which looks very spooky. I used to be terrified to look out of the window at night, in case I saw something I didn't want to see.   Michael Hingson ** 04:36 So was the castle drafty and cold in the winter?   Donna O'Toole ** 04:40 Yes, definitely very stone and cold. And we had a ray burn. It's called, it's like an auger type thing where you just, you sort of heat up the kitchen by heating up this oven thing. Yeah, I remember putting wood in it. I remember that,   Michael Hingson ** 04:56 wow. Well, that was kind of fun. So how long did you. Live in the castle.   Donna O'Toole ** 05:00 So I lived in the castle until I was 16, and then her life took a bit of an unexpected turn at that point, and we had a difficult family breakdown that resulted in myself being actually taken into care for a while, so I didn't get to I did. I did finish school and finished my GCSEs exams as they were, but it did mean that I didn't get to continue on my education at that point, as I needed to earn some money and learn how to look after myself. So at 16, I was living in a home with four other girls who were in similar situations to me, which is girls who's through no fault of their own, their families couldn't look after them anymore. And we learned to, you know, live and survive and get through life together. And it was a great adventure. There was ups and downs, for sure, but actually at that point, I needed to get some work, and I also wanted to continue studying, so I ended up becoming an apprentice dental nurse, and that is where I started. And I never expected to go there. Wow.   Michael Hingson ** 06:24 I guess, I guess it is an adventure, though. Yeah,   Donna O'Toole ** 06:27 Life is an adventure, and you've got to be ready for whatever it throws at you. That's what I say. And   Michael Hingson ** 06:31 I think that's a good way to put it. I think that life's an adventure, and I think that we can choose how to look at life no matter what happens, and either we can think things are positive and grow with whatever occurs or not. Yeah, 100% 100% and   Donna O'Toole ** 06:46 actually, if it wasn't for that part of my life, I don't think I would be here today, doing what I'm doing now. So it's, it's incredible how you can't predict where life's going to take you, but you do go on a journey. So I actually became a dental nurse. And then I got bit bored of that, and my brain was always active, trying to think of something new to do. And I spotted a gap in the market for at the time dentists had there was just this legislation that changed that meant that dentists always had to have a nurse or a chaperone in the surgery with them, whereas before they hadn't had to have that. And so what was happening was you had all these small dental practices whereby the the dentist couldn't work if their nurse was on holiday or off sick or on maternity leave or something. So I spotted this gap in the market to be to start a dental nurse agency to fill those gaps, if you pardon the pun, and and to actually go all over Sussex and support the practices that needed help. So that was at the age of 19, I started my first business, and yeah, it was a great   Michael Hingson ** 08:00 success. I was just going to ask how successful it was.   Donna O'Toole ** 08:03 Yeah, it was great, and I really enjoyed it. And I got to know so many people. I trained nurses, which I really enjoyed as well. So I developed myself whilst I was developing them, which was great and and then after that, I I stopped that business and handed it over to some good friends who were brilliant nurses to have my children and to take a little break while I have my two daughters.   Michael Hingson ** 08:27 Now, did you ever get to university or college?   Donna O'Toole ** 08:31 Yeah, so then had my girls, and still I've got a very busy brain that needs a lot of occupying. So I thought, right, what can I do now? I've got two children under the age of four or five. I know I must need something else to do, so I decided to go back, finally, to university, and I studied linguistics, so English language linguistics at the University of Sussex in in the UK. And interestingly, it's incredible, because during that part of my life, I absolutely loved every part of it. I was really passionate about English, and as a child, I'd wanted to be an English teacher, but because my life had gone on a different path, it wasn't something that I'd been able to do. But actually, during that time, I studied large language models and computer mediated communication. And it just absolutely blows my mind that through making that decision and then further decisions later down the road, I'm actually now launching a company that is AI based that is containing large language models. So it's really, like, amazing how you can connect the dots in your in your journey.   Michael Hingson ** 09:45 And of course, you're calling it Donna GPT, right? I had to. I   Donna O'Toole ** 09:51 love it. I'm Michael. I am definitely calling it that now.   Michael Hingson ** 09:56 Well, that's, that is cool though.   Donna O'Toole ** 09:58 Yeah. So when I. Actually completed my degree. I came out of that and thought, right, well, I need to do some work now. And I started writing for businesses. I'm quite a business writer. I'm a real aura of people who can write fiction. I think that's incredible, yeah, but I'm definitely on the factual side. So I started business writing. Then I started, just by coincidence, started writing award entries for some businesses. I then started working with another awards agency, and I really saw, then the power of how awards and recognition helped people to reach their potential in business and in life, and so that then took me on my next journey.   Michael Hingson ** 10:47 Well, awards are, are interesting. And of course, we hear about awards for all sorts of things, but tell me more about the power of awards and where they where they can fit into society.   Donna O'Toole ** 11:00 Yeah. So, so we work from I work with business awards, so generally speaking, so even back then, it was sort of working with entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurial businesses, or even big brands, whereby they wanted to recognize their achievement and they wanted to raise their profile, so they needed to raise brand awareness, perhaps around what they do, their services, their products, and what's always quite I find quite interesting about awards is people who've never been involved in awards tend to come into them with quite skepticism, which is understandable. It's not a regulated industry, so you do have to be a bit skeptical and do due diligence around what awards you're entering. But they come into them with skepticism about themselves and actually whether they have what it takes to win. And very often, what I found was they did have what it takes to win, they just didn't have know how to communicate it in a way that others could understand that they had what it took to win. So my job, as I see it, is to really support them, to communicate their story, their data, their evidence, everything that they're doing, and turn that into a proposition that demonstrates why they would be exceptional at what they do, or their team is exceptional, their brand is exceptional, so that They can stand out in awards.   Michael Hingson ** 12:21 So it's almost like you're helping to train potential award recipients to respect what the awards are and what they do. Yeah,   Donna O'Toole ** 12:31 it is always understanding what they're looking for, what the criteria is, and how they can stand out against it. But also, you know, most people who are involved in a business, whether you're running a business or whether you're a part of a team or you're a manager, we don't have the time to stop and look back and think, wow, what have we done over the last year? What have we achieved? What you know, what's really standing out about us? We just don't give ourselves that time. So recognition and awards is a really good opportunity to stop and look back and celebrate together the development journey that you've been on in your business and and motivate your team and the people around you to do even more because you're recognizing it   Michael Hingson ** 13:13 well. So how did you actually get involved in doing awards in the first place? What that's a pretty unique sort of thing to take on.   Donna O'Toole ** 13:23 Yeah. So it was kind of a journey from starting out in business writing and then moving through into doing a few award entries, and then that became more and more, and then I worked for another organization. And then in 2016 I decided the time was right to launch my own company and to start supporting more people with awards. I was, had already been involved with the industry, so I was very well supported by some great awards in the industry. And so yeah, I I started my new business, and that was called August recognition. And because I'm a linguist, I like words that have extra meanings. And August actually means in its second sense of the word, when you're not using it as the month actually means respected and admired. So in my mind, I had started an agency that enabled people to be respected and admired for what they did, and help them raise their profile that way. So   Michael Hingson ** 14:24 you don't really hear a lot about the industry of helping people get awards, but I gather it's probably a fairly substantial industry around the world.   Donna O'Toole ** 14:35 Yeah, it's 10 billion pound industry in the awards industry in itself. It's 2 billion just in the UK. So yeah, it's a big, big industry. There's so many events connected to awards. There's so many different processes. So yeah, and there's, if you imagine, every different industry there is in the world there's awards for it. I dare you to find an industry where there's not an award. Yeah. Even,   Michael Hingson ** 15:02 I'm sorry, even, even AI. And that's pretty even AI, yeah, yeah. And so when AI starts generating its own awards, then we can probably worry a little bit,   Donna O'Toole ** 15:13 yeah, we're eating ourselves, yeah?   Michael Hingson ** 15:17 But still, it's, it's a fascinating, well, topic and industry to talk about, because I'm sure there's a lot to it. Of course, like with anything, there's also a lot of politics and all that sort of stuff, but, but it must be a fascinating industry to to be a part of and to see when you help somebody get an award. How does all that work? Yeah, so   Donna O'Toole ** 15:42 usually, well, we work with businesses from the smallest business in the world right through to the biggest business in the world, literally. And what I really love about the whole process is you, you as a small business, you can use the same strategies, you can enter the same awards as the biggest businesses can and you can win. So what I really love is that you you don't have to be a certain size, you don't have to be a certain type of business. You just need to be having an impact in some way on something, and then be able to tell It and Prove It, essentially.   Michael Hingson ** 16:19 So how do you as a person in the industry make your money or earn your money as part of all of this? So   Donna O'Toole ** 16:26 we work with clients who are looking for recognition. So for example, a brand may come to us and say, you know, over the last couple of years, we've done some great learning and development projects. We've trained our teams, we've digitized our processes, we've done all of these great things. We'd love to recognize the people that have worked so hard and really, you know, give them the recognition that they deserve. So we will then look at their project, look at their business. You know, what kind of impact has that had on it might be internally. It might be that it's had a great impact for their customers. It might be it's had a great impact for the impact. For the employees. And then we'll look at all of the data around that, and we will create, we will research which are going to be the best awards to recognize them, which criteria they match, which categories they match, and then essentially, we'll support them to execute all of the work that needs to go together to go into the awards process. Someone's once said to me, did you ever think you'd be running a business where you're basically writing exams every single day? Yeah, it's a bit like that. Fortunately, I don't do the writing anymore so, but yeah, I kind of love it.   Michael Hingson ** 17:36 Yeah. Well, it seems like it would be sort of your your writing exams every day, or you're involved in helping to prepare people for the exams.   Donna O'Toole ** 17:45 Yeah, it's very analytical from looking at what's been achieved, but then it's all about communication and how you're going to deliver that to the awards process. And it's all about finding the right awards that are going to give them the right recognition, that's going to really have a return on investment for the motivation of the team, for the brand awareness, whatever it is that their goals are, that they're hoping to get to.   Michael Hingson ** 18:06 Well, so awards in general, it seems to me, create a lot of recognition. And you say that recognition has the power to make people unstoppable? Tell me a little bit more about them. What that means to you? Yeah,   Donna O'Toole ** 18:24 absolutely. Um, something I call awards imposter syndrome, which is where, you know, often, and this typically is with entrepreneurs and smaller businesses. They they'll come to us and say, you know, I'd really love to get some recognition of my brand, but I really, I think we we're doing enough, or don't know if we're worth it or we could really stand out. And actually, you know, what we want to do is make them unstoppable. We we want them to see where all the power is in what they're doing and how they can make a difference in the world. So we will go and discover all of that about their business, and then help them to communicate it in a way that even now they can see what they're doing is brilliant. And then through that recognition, there's a lot of research to show the amount of motivation that awards bring to people, even more so than even a pay rise, you know. So through that recognition, it makes them feel more able. I always say to people you know, don't think about business awards right now. Think about the awards that you won when you were a child. Think about when you were at school and you entered awards in the swimming competitions or dancing competitions. Someone want someone told me today they won a competition for the best recorder player. I said I thought, I thought we had to ban recorders. But you know, when you got that recognition as a child, we didn't think, Oh, my goodness, I'm you know, do I really deserve it? I'm so shy. Let's not tell anyone about this recognition. We loved it, and it enabled us to go on and do more. So we want to do okay, we won that swimming competition. Let's do another swimming competition. Let's really learn our craft and do more and more of what we do better and better. Her and I liked people to try and think of that feeling that they had then and bring that into now with their business. You know, don't be humble about what you're doing, because the more that you can shout about your success, the more that you can help other people to achieve success through what you're doing, and the more you've got a platform to shine a spotlight on something that you believe in and that you want to make a difference in the world about. So, you know it, I call that, I say to people, you know, if you're feeling like a bit of an imposter about awards, one of the best things you can do is to create what we call a who wins when you win campaign. And what that is, is sort of putting a stake in the ground and making a pledge to say, when we win this award, we are going to go and do this great thing, and it might be we're going to go and do a team beach clean together. We're going to mentor some people. We're going to celebrate as a team and go out for the day, or we're going to plant some trees. You know, it could be anything that means something to you, but it's a really good opportunity to seal that recognition with something that reminds you that you are worth it and really helps you get over that imposter syndrome and celebrate your achievement.   Michael Hingson ** 21:14 I assume you also run into the other side of that, which are the people who just think by definition, because they are, whoever they are, they must deserve awards, whether, yeah, must be a lot of that. Yes. So   Donna O'Toole ** 21:27 a while back, because I'm a linguist, I interrogate language all the time. I can't help it. And I would look at, I judge a lot of award entries all from around the world. Judge the leading competitions in many countries. And I would look at these award entries, and I could tell what the person was thinking when they're writing the entry, as they're coming as you're reading it. And I developed these 10 personas of different types of people that enter awards. And so we've got everything from the imposter to the ostrich who wants to hide their head in the sand to the bridesmaid who's always the always, never quite makes it to the podium. And one of those actually is the peacock. And the peacock is the one who thinks they're going to win everything, and does come across like that, but isn't great about taking the feedback when they don't win.   Michael Hingson ** 22:20 Yeah, that's really the issue, isn't it? Right? It's they don't take the feedback, and they don't change what they do and why they do it and how they do it, to be a little bit more humble in what they're all about.   Donna O'Toole ** 22:33 Absolutely, absolutely. We've also got an awards persona called the politician, and that's somebody who doesn't answer any of the questions, and all their numbers don't add up.   Michael Hingson ** 22:46 Now, I wonder what my cat would think about awards. I wonder dogs are humble, but I don't know that cats are necessarily,   Donna O'Toole ** 22:56 yeah, they've definitely got a bit more persona going on, haven't they? I don't   Michael Hingson ** 23:01 know if they necessarily would be interested in awards, because they tend not to want to stand up in front of public and do stuff. That's   Donna O'Toole ** 23:07 true, that's true. Yeah, they're kind of yeah, they're their own creature, aren't they? They are, aren't they? I don't think they think they need awards, actually,   Michael Hingson ** 23:15 yeah, that's right. They don't think they need awards. They think that everybody should just recognize them for who they are,   Donna O'Toole ** 23:20 I might have to add a new persona to my league now.   Michael Hingson ** 23:26 Well, you know, there's, there's value in that, but, but still, so you've, you've helped a lot of people with awards. I wonder if you have a story that you could share where they've received recognition and it just completely changed their lives and what they did and what they do. Oh,   Donna O'Toole ** 23:49 so many, so many of those. Yeah. So, I mean, let's think of an example. So a few years ago, I was working, actually, it was interesting. I was I was introduced by on email, just to a gentleman called Andrew, who I was introduced by the Department of Trade and Industry here in the UK, who said he's got a great story. He's got a great business. He's growing fast. We think he should win some awards. We should talk to you. And so I was like, great. Let's get on a call, Andrew. And every time we booked a call, he didn't turn up to the call. And I thought, oh goodness, you know, it's like three attempts at this call and it's just not happening. And I just emailed him and said, look, it looks like you. Maybe you're not interested in winning awards, so, you know, catch up with me if you ever get the chance. And he emailed me back, actually, this is in the introduction of my books. And he emailed me back, and he said, Donna, I'm so so sorry. I'm going through a really difficult time at the moment. His wife had cancer. His son was being bullied at school, and he was really struggling, and he'd started a business that would have grown very quickly, whilst also as a side hustle, while. Also doing the job, and he was quite overwhelmed. And I said, he said, you know, and he actually said, so if I can't even turn up for a call, how could I possibly win an award? So I said, Oh, my goodness, okay, let me, let's get together, and I'll let you know whether you can win an award or not. But this is a big award we're talking about, because he'd actually been recommended to enter what was the Queen's Awards for Enterprise. It's now the king's Awards, which is the biggest and most prestigious business award in the UK, if not in the world. And I said, let's, you know, you've been recommended for this. Let's, let's at least explore it. So I went over to his house. We had a coffee, I went through everything of his business, and I said, You know what I do? Think you've got what it takes, but I don't think you're in the right mindset to be able to manage so let us help you. So he agreed, we worked on that project, and a year later, because that's how long it takes, I was absolutely delighted. He won the Queen's awards for innovation, and it was game changing for him. And what I really loved about it was, it's a couple of things. So one is because he's a techie person, and he had launched it was a software product that he'd developed. He'd put the logo for the award on his website, and he measured the impact that that was making on his website, which is really useful for me to know, because often people don't do that. And he got came back to me in a couple of months later, and he said, in three months, his sales have gone up by 30% because of the impact of winning this award. And you know, when you're running a business and you're trying to run a family and you've got other things going on that are really important, you need your sales to go up without you having to work harder, because it gives you the free time. It gives you the ability to employ people to support you. It gives you then the time back with your family when they need you most. So I was absolutely delighted for him that it had an impact on him and his business that would enable him to actually have the time that he needed with his family and help them and support them. So that was something that was game changing in my mind, for, you know, for a really personal reason. And I was delighted he was happy to share that in in my book. Yeah, so that that was a lovely one.   Michael Hingson ** 27:14 So what is kind of the common thread? Or, how do you what is it you see in someone that makes them award winning, that that genuinely makes them award winning, as opposed to the politicians and peacock   Donna O'Toole ** 27:28 Okay, so what it is is they need to be making an impact in some way. And I think people tend to be quite fixated on on measuring or looking at their customer service, but I'm looking at their customer impact. So what their customer impact is that's something customer service is transactional, right? Customer impact is transformational. So what is it that you're doing that is making a difference or making life easier in some way for your customers? Or it is could be internal as well. So it could be your employees, for example, but generally it's impact. Now, with Andrew's story, the software that he developed, it was the first software that had the biggest ability to, I mean, I'm not a techie, so I'm probably describing this in the wrong way, the ability to display charts and graphs with the biggest amount of numbers. So we think, Okay, well, why is that important? Well, these are the graphs and the charts that are going into ECG machines in hospitals. These are going into universities to do research. You know? These are going into all sorts of things, stocks and shares. They're going into Formula One racing cars. There's so many, there's so much impact coming out from having designed that software that it's having an impact on us as humanity, and that's the kind of golden thread that you want in your award, is, what is the impact that you're having, and where can you show and prove that it's making a difference to someone, somehow, somewhere?   Michael Hingson ** 28:56 And I assume there are, we've talked about it, but I assume that there are a lot of people who are award winners who never, just never thought they would be, even though they're, they're perfectly capable and, oh yeah, they're deserving, but they, they don't, they're not doing it to seek the award. They're doing it to do what they want to do.   Donna O'Toole ** 29:18 Yeah, and they need, they need the recognition to shine that you know, 90% of businesses are small businesses now, and it's a very noisy world out there when you're trying to sell your products and services, you need to be able to do something that helps you to cut through and to get into customers minds and build trust. 85 Nielsen did a study 85% of customers now want to see credible awards on your website, on your products, before they will have the trust layer there to buy from you. What's really interesting is, years ago, we had, you remember when reviews came out? So Amazon was one of the first organizations to do reviews. I actually studied. Reviews and the mechanisms and language structures in them. And we all trusted reviews at the beginning, because, oh, great, you know, someone's going to tell us what their experience was of this thing, and we love it. And then as time went on and as the decades have progressed, we then learned not trust reviews, because it was like, Oh, hang on, they might be fake reviews, or, you know, that could be a competitor, putting a bad review on a competitor. So there's lots of reasons then not to trust reviews. So then we go, oh, well, what do we trust? Then we can't just trust what the business is telling us. We need something that's external, that's third party, and that's going to enable us to trust that brand. And then what we saw then is the pandemic happened, and we all went to shopping online. We all went to living online, and we all saw businesses fall apart and lose money who we never expected to because they didn't have the digital transformation turn around quick enough, or for whatever reason, there was a lot of businesses that suffered in the pandemic, and a lot thrived, and since that then, it was almost like awards and reviews together became even more important to all of us, because we needed something to help us to trust the brands other than, you know, the strongest referral, which is a word of mouth referral. So if you haven't had a word of mouth referral and you've gone online and you found something through a search, how do you know whether you can trust putting your money into that business to buy its products or services? So this is really where we come back to recognition, to say, Well, no, this is a this brand gives excellent customer service, or this brand is a great place to work. It really looks after its employees. So there's a huge amount of reasons now why businesses do awards to demonstrate they are trustworthy in so many ways like nowadays. You know, we live in a world where employees want to work for organizations that will look after them and that will treat them well, so that employees looking for jobs will go out looking for the businesses that have got a great place to work accreditation or award because it makes them trust that they're going to be looked after. Well,   Michael Hingson ** 32:08 it's interesting. Nielsen did a study back in 2016 regarding brand brand loyalty and disabilities, and what they found was that people with disabilities are at least 35% more likely to stay with an organization and buy from an organization that has done things like really taken the Time to make their websites accessible and to make their their environment welcoming to people with disabilities, because it is so hard to oftentimes deal with companies they're they're companies that that I deal with their websites. They're just not accessible, and they don't want to change, and it's not magic to make them accessible, but they don't, and then there are other companies that do, and I agree with the Nielsen study. It makes perfect sense, because the reality is, you're going to steal with companies that that really take the time to show that they value you being there, yeah,   Donna O'Toole ** 33:17 well, it's interesting, actually, because I've been looking at this in the awards industry and accessibility, and it's something that I'm passionate about as well. And so we've just written a white paper, we've just done some research, commissioned some research, and we've just written a white paper on accessibility and awards, because we want people to be recognized, whatever, whoever, whatever they do, it shouldn't be saved for anyone who isn't, you know, doesn't have a disability or can't access their forms. You know, it should be open to absolutely everybody. So we've been looking into that now and seeing, you know, what is it that we can do to influence the industry to be more accessible and to really share recognition for all?   Michael Hingson ** 33:59 Yeah, well, and, and it's important, I think, to do that, because there have been enough statistics to show that roughly 25% of the population has some sort of a disability in the traditional sense of the word. Now, I have a different view than that. I believe that everyone on the planet has a disability, and for most people, their disability is you're light dependent. You don't do well in the dark, and if suddenly you're in a building and the power goes out or whatever, you scramble around trying to find a light source or a smartphone or a flashlight or whatever. But the reality is that all those light sources do is cover up your disability. On the other hand, I do recognize that there are people. We're in a minority by any standard, because we are, we are not the traditional, if you will, person. We do tend to be blind, or we tend to be deaf or hard of hearing, or we tend to be low vision, or we don't walk, and there are fewer of. Less than there are of the rest of you light dependent people, and so you don't recognize the disability that's there. But it's, it's important, I think, for people to recognize it. Because in reality, when people suddenly realize, Oh, I've got my own challenges, then you get to be more aware of and want to, at least a lot of times, think about ways to make the world a more inclusive place overall.   Donna O'Toole ** 35:27 I think that's such a great way of looking at it, and it really helps immediately. I couldn't see exactly what you you're saying is, yeah, 100% as soon as the lights go out, I'm completely incapable of knowing what to do next. So, yeah, you're absolutely right.   Michael Hingson ** 35:44 Yeah, it is. It is one of those things that we just don't deal with enough. But nevertheless, it's, it's there. So there, there are a lot of reasons to to deal with access, and that's why I work with a company called accessibe that has been they started smaller and narrower in scope, but they have become very robust in doing things to make the internet a more inclusive place. And so one of the things that they've learned is you can't do it all with AI, although AI can help. And so there are so many things to be done, but the reality is, there are a lot of different kinds of disabilities that really need the Internet to and website creators to pay attention to their needs, to make sure that they, in fact, do what's necessary to make the web accessible to those people. It's a challenge.   Donna O'Toole ** 36:40 It is, and we're going through that challenge at the moment, actually. So I'm just launching a new business, and it's called, it's an AI platform that's going to enable people to do exactly what we do as an agency, find, enter and win awards, but on a platform that is accessible to everybody. So it's aI enabled. But obviously, as you exactly say, that's not the end of the story. So there's a lot of work to do, and we're doing lots of research to find out what we need to do to make sure that that is accessible to everybody, because we want to enable more people to have a good chance of getting the recognition they deserve through a platform that enables them to do that, rather than perhaps miss out on really vital recognition that could help to promote what they do just because they can't access it.   Michael Hingson ** 37:31 Yeah, well, and it happens way too, way too often. Yeah. And it's not like it's magical to make the web more inclusive. It's just that a lot of people don't know how to do it. Although the information is readily available, they just don't consider it a priority.   Donna O'Toole ** 37:48 Yeah, absolutely. So yeah, we're really putting this front and center. My business partner is Daniel Priestley. He's just been on the driver CEO actually talking about the AI side of it. So together, we're really working at trying to join all the dots so that we get all the right technologies in there and ways of working. So I'll be getting you beta testing that. Michael,   Michael Hingson ** 38:14 absolutely. And if there's any way to help, I am very happy to help. Thank you. So Don't, don't hesitate to reach out. So we will. We've now said that publicly for the whole world, that's all right. So what do you say to the person who says winning an award is just not for   Donna O'Toole ** 38:33 me? I think often, you know, I was thinking about this earlier, actually, and I was thinking, you know, there's different things that we're all in favor of and all not in favor of most of the time, when I come across people who say a winning awards is not, for me, is they either haven't been involved in an awards process before, or they feel a bit shy of it and like a bit of an imposter. And, you know, it's a risk, isn't it? You're putting yourself up to be judged, ultimately. So it does take a bit of courage, and it takes a bit of reflection. So, you know, I say, Look at what impact you're having, you know, go away and see, have you got impact on your customers? Somehow, have you got impact on your community? Somehow? It doesn't all have to be about transactional business. It could be that actually you're doing something great for the environment or sustainability or for a community source or for charity, you know, so what are you doing that's making a difference, and it could recognition help you to do more of that? Could it give you the spotlight to enable you to do more of that purpose? Because if it could, then why not, you know, why not do it and get some recognition?   Michael Hingson ** 39:36 Yeah, well, and that makes sense. And but some people may still just continue to say, well, I don't really think I've done that much, and so it isn't for me.   Donna O'Toole ** 39:47 Yeah, absolutely. And you'll always have people who don't want to do everything at the end of the day, you know, it's probably, realistically, it's probably, you know, the top 10% of businesses that are looking to win awards because they're already in that zone or. Where they're, you know, they're growing, they're they're trying to transform. They're always jumping on the next best thing. So, you know, it's a good way to benchmark ourselves as well, and to say, you know, how can I progress this year? Well, what would it take for me to win this particular award? Let's say, let's have a look at what it would take, and let's see if we can get to the business, to that stage, because that way you can develop the business first, before you even think of entering the award, so that you have got the impact, and you have got, you know, all the right things to show that you're making a difference.   Michael Hingson ** 40:31 Yeah, and you brought up a point earlier, which I think is extremely interesting, the whole issue of awards and reviews, one of the things that I do when I'm looking at buying a product that I'm not overly familiar with is I love to look at the worst reviews for the product. Yeah, they're the most fun, because you find out really quickly. If you look at those reviews, you find out whether the person really knows what they're talking about or not and whether they really got good arguments. And I find that the people who give the bad reviews generally are, are not, are not necessarily, really giving you substantive information that you can use.   Donna O'Toole ** 41:15 Yeah, exactly. That's often the way I am. I actually studied reviews, and I looked at the different language structures and reviews of different retail stores, and how, how the the language that the people used in their reviews influenced the buyers. And it was really funny, because this is back in the days. This is just when I was at university. I was doing my dissertation, and it was what we were looking for. What I was looking for was what represent, what people felt represented good value for money. Because no matter how much money you've got, whether you've got a pound to spend or 1000 pounds to spend, you just want to get good value for money for what you're spending. So it doesn't really matter how pricey the product is. It matters your perception of good value for money, and that's essentially what tends to come across in a review, even if people don't say it is whether they think it's good value for money or not, whether it's the brand or the actual product. And it was really funny, because I did this whole study, and I came up with a structure that retailers should use to give to their reviewers to then put the review in in the most helpful way possible for the people then looking at the reviews who want to purchase the product, and I it was great, and I was really happy with it, and got first class and all of that. Anyway, a while later, I bought a coat from a store called Debenhams in the UK, which is now only online. But I bought this coat, I wrote a review and put it on their website. And it was quite the early days of reviews. Still, two days later, Debenhams called me, and I couldn't believe it, because when you had to leave your review, you had to leave your name and number, and it was like, I said, it's a very new thing then. And they actually telephoned me, and they said, Hello, we want to say thank you for your review that you left about this coat, and I still have the coat. And because, because of your review, we sold out the product. And so we want to say thank you. So we're sending you a voucher. And I got this voucher through the post. And I mean, you wouldn't get that, I don't think nowadays, no, but it really showed me the difference that a review could make on a product back then, you know, and how writing the right type of review, not just saying it's great, but why it's great, why I considered it good value for money about the material and the sizing and the shape and all of the quality and that kind of thing. It gave people reassurance to buy, and that's what we're looking for when we're looking at reviews. And that's where awards can come in and kind of secure that trust as well. I don't know about you, but I get down rabbit holes with reviews on things like trip,   Michael Hingson ** 43:52 oh yeah. Well, what I found is, if I look at the positive, the best reviews, I get more good technical information, and I got and I get more good product knowledge, but then I look at the bad reviews, and the reason I look at those is I want to see if they truly are giving me the same information the other way, and they don't. They're it's totally emotional, and a lot of times it is just not, in fact, what I or others find with the products, and that the bad reviews tend not to really give you nearly the information that the bad reviewers think they're giving you if you if you read them carefully. And I think that gets back to your whole issue of studying language, but still, they're not giving you the information that they really ought to be giving you. And, you know, I've had some where somebody gave a bad review to a product because the box arrived and it was open or wasn't sealed. Well, yeah, all right, so what   Donna O'Toole ** 44:55 exactly I know it's ridiculous. I mean, I think we're as consumers a bit more. Pragmatic about it nowadays, but as businesses, we need to be able to demonstrate to our customers in every way possible, you know. And that's why social media now and user generated content is so popular. Because we don't want to see what it looks like on a model anymore. We want to see what it looks like on a real life, personal we want to hear someone's like real life, day to day experience of something, as opposed to a polished article on it, right,   Michael Hingson ** 45:26 which, which is, is the way it ought to be. And again, that gets back to substance. And the the people who give really good reviews are generally the ones that are giving you substance. I've had some bad reviewers that had very good reasons for why they feel the way they do. And then you look at it and you go, Well, maybe it doesn't fit in their situation or, aha, they really know what they're talking about. I'm going to take that into consideration when I look at buying this product or not. But a lot of them   Donna O'Toole ** 45:57 don't. Absolutely, no, absolutely, yeah, I could do this for days.   Michael Hingson ** 46:04 Yeah. Well, it is. It is fascinating, but it's part of human nature   Donna O'Toole ** 46:09 psychology, isn't I tell you when else it comes up and it's quite interesting. So often we make companies may approach us and say, Leo, we want to win awards to be the best place to work. And we'll say, okay, great, you know, tell us about the workplace, and we'll go through all these different criteria with them, and they tell us all this great stuff. And then we go and do our own research as well, because we need to verify this, right? And we go on to glass door, and then we see some horrendous reviews from employees that have left. I think, okay, maybe this is, maybe this is not quite all the story we're getting here. Yeah. So, you know, the thing with awards is, if you are saying anything about your business, you're going to have to prove it. So reviews from your customers and reviews from your employees are super important for awards. Actually,   Michael Hingson ** 46:59 I find as a speaker that letters of recommendation are extremely important. In fact, I even put it in my contract that if someone likes the talk, then I expect to get a letter of recommendation. And for a good amount of people, they do that, although I've had some people who forget or just don't. But the letters are extremely valuable, especially when they go into detail about not just the talk, but like in my case, I view when I visit a customer, or when I view when I talk about going to speak somewhere, I believe that I'm a guest like anyone who goes, and it's not about me, it's about them. It's about the event. It's about the people who are putting it on. It's about the audience. And I always want to make sure that I do everything I can to be as not a problem as possible. And I know that there are some people that don't do that. I had a I had an event once where I went and spoke, and while there, I talked to the person who brought me in, and I said, What's the most difficult speaker you ever had? Had come here? And I was just curious. I was curious to see what he say without any hesitation. He said, We had a woman who came to speak, and we honored the contract, although still don't know why, but she insisted that in the green room, and so there had to be one, but in the green room there had to be a brand new, never used crystal champagne flute full of pink M M's. Now what does that have to do with being a speaker? Well, I know some people just like to take people through the wringer. They want to try to drive the point home that they're the bosses. Well, I think that, you know, I know what I can do. What I said to the guy, though afterward I said, Well, okay, I hear you. They actually did find peak Eminem. So was interesting. I said, Well, let me just tell you that if you bring cheese and crackers, I'll share them with you.   49:10 They brought you that we had fun, yes,   Michael Hingson ** 49:13 but, you know, but, but he, he understood that there were no demands. I wouldn't do that. I just think that that's not what I'm supposed to do as a speaker. My job is to in a well, inspire and motivate and and to educate. But it's not my job to be difficult. And I've gotten some wonderful letters that say how easy I made it to work with them, which is great. Yeah, fantastic. I'm sure you did. So it's, it's a lot of fun to to see some of those, and I've gotten some great stories over the years, which is really   Speaker 1 ** 49:46 a lot, and that's why they love to have you. Well, I hope so   Michael Hingson ** 49:53 we still do it, and it's a lot of fun to help and motivate and inspire. But yeah, I. I and by the way, I guess I'd never be interested in pink M M's anyway, so I wouldn't see the colors. So,   Donna O'Toole ** 50:08 yeah, glass of water is just about the thing on my list.   Michael Hingson ** 50:12 Yeah, well, you know, I'll take M M's if they show up. And I'm not going to demand them, that's okay. But you know, people are interesting. So once somebody's won an award, you've talked about this some, but when I once somebody has won an award, what's next?   Donna O'Toole ** 50:28 So next, it's all about, well, sharing it to demonstrate why people often forget to tell people why they've won an award. They just say that they've won an award. I think it's important to say, why? Like, what is it? What is it? What impact are you having? What's the difference that you're making out there in the world? Why have you won and share that on your profile? As I said, you know, people buy from people now as well. If you're winning an award as a leader or as a speaker or as an entrepreneur, you know people want to know about that because it helps to give credibility to what you do and trust like, just like those letters of referral that you're talking about. So, you know, get that on your LinkedIn profile, get it onto your podcast, you know, all of those different things, and take pride in your work and share that   Michael Hingson ** 51:14 I had a salesperson I hired is my favorite sales guy, and when I asked him, as I asked everybody who came to apply for jobs, what are you going to be selling for us? Tell me about that. He is the only person who ever said, The only thing I really have to sell is myself and my word. Your product is stuff, and it's all about trust and it's all about honoring my word. And he said, The only thing I asked from you is that you backed me up. And I said, well, as long as you do a good job, you know, but he understood it, and he's actually the only person that I ever hired that really articulated that, but that was always the answer I was looking for, because it really told me a lot about him. Just that simple answer told me more about him than anything else anyone, even he could say,   Donna O'Toole ** 52:06 yeah, absolutely. So it's so important, and you know, so I'm part of a key person of influence program that Daniel Priestley runs, and it's I do profile coaching for entrepreneurs to help them to become a key person of influence in their in their industry. And now that's not being an influencer. That's being someone who's known for being good at what they do and being a key person in that industry. And you know, work flows to you if people know what you do and know who to come to because you're the expert in that area, if you're a small business, you're an entrepreneur, you're struggling to get leads, then actually maybe you need to make yourself put bit more known. People tend to be bit shy and hide behind their brand. But you know, if you look at people like Richard Branson, you know, we when you trust an entrepreneur, then you will buy from the brand. And there's many more entrepreneurs I could mention, who when the trust is lost with them because of their behavior in some way, then their brand suffers. It's quite clear to see, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 53:09 do you find that most people who win an award do carry on and do positive things as a result, and that their brand and what they do improves, or is some people win and just falls by the wayside.   Donna O'Toole ** 53:27 Generally speaking, if you're the people that are going in for awards, the brands that are going forwards, they're progressive, so they usually progress with it. There's a piece of research that shows that businesses that have won awards are around 77% more valuable than businesses without awards even five years after winning. And that's because when you're going for an award in business, you've got to do a lot of develop. You know, there's got to be some good stuff happening in your business. And so naturally, the businesses that are doing those good things want to keep doing more of those good things internally, and so they tend to keep driving the business forward. And they have that motivation. They have motivated teams who are being recognized for the work that they're doing, and all of that naturally pushes them forward. So in five years time, they're still leagues ahead of their competitors that are not winning awards.   Michael Hingson ** 54:20 So always worth exploring winning awards. Oh, 100% Yeah. If   Donna O'Toole ** 54:27 I always say, I think, quote Nelson Mandela on this, you've got nothing to lose. You'll either win or you'll learn. If you don't win, then you should learn something about what you do need to do to win, and that will bring your business on.   Michael Hingson ** 54:39 Absolutely agree it's like, I also believe there's no such thing as failure. Failure is really it didn't go the way you planned. And so what do you learn in order to make that not happen again?   Donna O'Toole ** 54:51 Yeah, exactly, that exactly. So we need that kind of resilience in business today,   Michael Hingson ** 54:57 if people listening and watching this. Just take away one lesson and get one piece of advice out of this. What should it be?   Donna O'Toole ** 55:04 Understand your impact? I would say people don't often understand their impact. So ask your customers, ask your employees, what's improved since we've been working together? What? What if? What's improved for you since you've been using our product? And then calculate up what is that impact that you're having? You know, if 90% of your customers are saying that since using your product, I don't know, they're they're they're having a better their their accounts are better, or their skin is better. You whatever it is your product or your service is, then you've got impact that you're having. So start investigating what that impact is, and then that will help to steer you towards which kind of awards you could potentially be winning as well.   Michael Hingson ** 55:47 And of course, if you really think about your impact and whoever you are and whatever business you're doing, and you do monitor that, then that's one of the most important things that you can do about your business anyway, and people should be doing that.   Donna O'Toole ** 56:01 Yeah, exactly. But probably 90% of people that come to me aren't measuring their impact, and so it's a surprise, but I always say, Well, if you don't know what your impact is, how do you know that what your product or your services works? Just because people are buying it, you still need to know what your impact is. How do you measure impact? Oh, you can measure it in so many different ways, and you want in awards to be able to demonstrate it both quantitatively and qualitatively. So typically, in large corporate organizations, they will be measuring impact. So there's something called net promoter scores. So, you know, they'll be asking customers, would they recommend them? They'll ask them what they're enjoying about their products and things. So they tend to have some kind of measurement built into their process, in their customer departments, however, in smaller businesses, often they don't. So I say, you know, draw up a simple survey, ask your customers what's changed since you've been working with us. Let's say you're a service provider. So are you less stressed since you've been working with us? Do you have more revenue coming in since you've been working with us? What is it? And get them to answer a little survey. And then you could go all this collective impact that you can put together to look at the percentages and see what that's telling you. And if you don't want to know what the impact is in your business, then I question why you don't want to why   Michael Hingson ** 57:16 you're in the business in the first place, exactly. Well, tell us about your book. You've mentioned books several times, yeah.   Donna O'Toole ** 57:23 So I wrote a book called Win, of course, raise your profile and grow your business through winning awards. And really, it's a toolkit for for entrepreneurs. I was working with a lot of large businesses, and, you know, I was conscious that small businesses don't always have the resources to win awards or to be able to outsource. So I wrote a book that they could use to follow the toolkit, essentially, of winning awards. So that's developing their strategy, knowing understanding how awards work and which ones would suit their business, setting awards goals, understanding criteria. What does innovation really mean? What do they want to see? What kind of evidence do I need to provide? How do I know if it's the right race for me? All of those things. So it takes you end to end, through the awards journey internationally. You know, no matter where you are, you can follow the same process, and you could nowadays, it's really important to become the most award winning in your sector, so you can follow the process to get there. And that's a hugely valuable tagline.   Michael Hingson ** 58:26 And I appreciate that you sent us a picture of the book cover, and it is in the show notes. I hope people will go get   Donna O'Toole ** 58:31 it absolutely and it is on Audible as well, so that everyone can access it. So yeah, enjoy listening to my voice a lot more.   Michael Hingson ** 58:39 I was just going to ask if you read it. I did read it for you.   Donna O'Toole ** 58:44 Do you know what it was? I was so proud of that I was more proud of the audible recording than I was of writing at the book. But I don't know why. I think it's because I actually really enjoy listening to books on audio. So I'm quite passionate about listening. I like listening to the actual author's voice, though. So I found I was quite interesting, actually, when I found, when I recorded it, that was quite good at recording audio. The studio guy that I was working with was like, Oh, you're really good at this. We could just drop it words back in if there was a mistake.   Michael Hingson ** 59:14 There you are. See, it is so much better to edit today than it used to be, because now it is. It is all electronic, and I, I edit from time to time, just different things and all that I don't we work on not editing the podcast. That is, I don't want to cut out part of a conversation, because it is a conversation, but, but now you can do so many things, like, if there's a lot of noise, you can even filter that out without affecting the camera. It is so cool.   Donna O'Toole ** 59:43 Yeah, very, very clever. So, yeah, get it on Audible. There you   Michael Hingson ** 59:47 go. Well, great. Well, I hope people will Well, I want to thank you for being here. This has been a lot of fun, and you should get an award for doing it. That's all there is to it. But I really appreciate you being here. And. I appreciate all of you out there listening to us and watching us. Love to get your thoughts. How do people reach out to you? Donna, if they'd like to to talk with you,   Donna O'Toole ** 1:00:09 absolutely. So you can con

          Isabella Mainwaring is a former strategy consultant to FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies, including global leaders at the World Economic Forum and clients at the forefront of scientific research. She advised CEOs on growth, positioning and transformation at the highest levels of business. Alongside her corporate career, Isabella spent […]

Frameshifting: It's Not A Change Problem, It's An Integration Problem With Kathryn Pope & Alan ArnottIn this compelling episode, Jayne sits down with transformational coaches and thought partners Kathryn Pope and Alan Arnott to explore a radical reframe: what if the real challenge in leadership and organizational life isn't change itself, but our ability to integrate?Together, Kathryn and Alan bring a powerful synergy to the conversation. Kathryn is a credentialed coach, supervisor, and resilience expert who works with senior leaders across FTSE 500 companies. Alan, a seasoned thinking partner with over three decades of experience helping global organizations like Microsoft, PwC, and BP navigate complexity and innovation.As co-creators of Resourceful Conversations™ and Frameshifting™, they challenge traditional change models and offer a more human, grounded approach, one that places relationships, energy, and meaning at the center of transformation. This episode is an invitation to move beyond surface-level solutions and into a deeper, more integrative way of leading and living.Whether you're a coach, a team leader, or a changemaker inside a system that's shifting, this conversation will leave you with fresh insight—and renewed energy for the road ahead. To learn more about Kathryn and Alan's work, visit the links below, and if this episode sparked something in you, we'd love for you to share it with someone else navigating change. The integration begins with us.Key TakeawaysWhy change isn't the real problem, and what integration has to do with lasting transformationThe power of Frameshifting™ to help leaders navigate complexity and make sense of what's really going onHow Resourceful Conversations™ re-energize teams and build connection in high-stakes environmentsThe difference between managing change and aligning people, relationships, and purposePersonal stories from Kathryn and Alan that illuminate the deeper human dynamics behind leadership growthPractical ways to begin working with integration; within yourself, your team, and your organizationEpisode Resources:Guest websites: www.beechurst.com and www.theexplorationhabit.comKathryn's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-pope-pcc-211181/Alan's Linkedin Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanarnett/SacredChangemakers.comThank you to our sponsor:A huge thank you to our Resonance Collective members, podcast sponsors, and the extended Sacred Changemakers community, who help us make a global impact aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.Support the PodcastIf you've enjoyed this episode, we'd love your support! Please rate, review, and subscribe on iTunes or your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us reach more coaches and changemakers who are ready to create real impact.About Sacred ChangemakersSacred Changemakers is a movement for coaches who feel called to...

The topics, stocks and shares mentions / discussed include: Could these be the next FTSE 100 winners, Smith & Nephew / SN. Relx / REL Ashtead Group /AHT Airtel Africa / AAF Natwest / NWG Lloyds Banking Group / LLOY Rolls Royce / RR. BP Plc Barclays / BARC Standard Chartered / STAN Rolls Royce / RR. Dewhurst / DWHT / DWHA Dividends The Investor Summit last chance to get your ticket https://www.investorsummit.co.uk/tickets TwinPetesInvesting Challenge Winners Tribal Group /TRB Gulf Marine Service / GMS Thor Explorations Ltd / THX Oxford Nanopore Technologies / ONT Westminster Group / WSG Jadestone Energy / JSE Investing Trading  & more Don't miss out! This is your last chance to buy your Investor Summit tickets 2025 Conference Tickets | Investor Summit before the August 13th event ShareScope special discount offer code ShareScope : TwinPetes Harriman House books Harriman House – Independently minded publishing support the TwinPetesInvesting Challenge Investors' Chronicle sponsor Special Trial Offers (investorschronicle.co.uk) the TwinPetesInvesting Challenge Henry Viola-Heir's blog Home – The Ethical Entrepreneur Powder Monkey Brewing Co All Products – Powder Monkey Brewing Co 10% discount code : TWINPETES The 2025 TwinPetesInvesting MENPHYS Charity Appeal please make a donation on the TwinPetes Investing Charity Challenge 2025 Just Giving page here where  Peter Higgins & the TwinPetesInvesting podcast are fundraising for the children with disabilities charity, Menphys. The Twin Petes Investing podcasts will be linked to and written about on the Conkers3 website , on the Sharescope website and also on available via your favourite podcast and social media platforms. Thank you for reading this article and listening to this podcast, we hope you enjoyed it. Please share this article with others that you know will find it of interest.

It's one of the biggest travel companies on the planet and one of the top 20 companies on the Nasdaq, with a value of more than £130 billion, making it bigger than FTSE-listed companies like Unilever and Arm Holdings. Will Bain talks to Booking's chief executive, Glenn Fogel, about how AI is disrupting the jobs market, overtourism, and whether hotels are fighting back against short-term lets.Two new reports on the property market paint a gloomy picture for first-time buyers, mortgage-holders and renters - is the divide growing?Plus, the average age of cars on UK roads has reached a record high of nearly 10 years - we hear from a used car salesman about how drivers' habits are changing.

The Equality Conversation podcast with bestselling author Joy Burnford explores what we can all do to champion gender equality at work and is dedicated to the retention and progression of female talent in organisations. Each episode offers inspiration, stories and practical solutions from experts, leaders and senior business women from around the world. Achieving gender balance at work isn't about fixing the women, it's about changing the system. So, if you're looking for insights, guidance or advice on how to enable women to thrive in your organisation, grab a cuppa, go for a walk, or escape for a while and join us for today's conversation.In this episode, Joy Burnford interviews Edward Haigh. Ed is Head of Research at Encompass Equality, and is an accomplished and purpose driven business leader with 25 years of international experience across a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, music, social media and professional services. Ed joins Joy today to share insights and key findings from Encompass Equality's latest research ‘Women in Leadership: Strategies from FTSE 350 organisations leading the way'.

In the US today so far, Wall St closed lower as investors digested weak economic data against the latest tariff threats out of President Trump. ISM services index data flatlined for July adding to stagflation concerns in the US while stocks also came under pressure after Trump told CNBC that tariffs on chips and pharmaceuticals are coming soon. The S&P 500 ended the day down 0.5%, the Nasdaq dropped 0.65% and the Dow Jones ended the session down 0.14%.In Europe overnight, markets in the region closed mostly higher despite President Trump saying he will unveil new tariffs in the near future. The STOXX 600 rose 0.1%, Germany's DAX added 0.4%, the French CAC fell 0.1% and, in the UK, the FTSE 100 ended the day up 0.1%.Across the Asia region on Tuesday markets closed higher led by South Korea's Kospi index adding 1.6%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 0.92%, China's CSI index added 0.4% and Japan's Nikkei ended the day up 0.64%.The local market started the new trading week in the green with a 1.23% surge on Tuesday as all sectors ended the day in positive territory following strength on Wall St on Monday night. Discretionary and financials were the best performing sectors with gains of 1.81% and 1.49% respectively, while staples managed the lowest gain with 0.34%.Australian consumer confidence rose to 90.6 points, the highest since May 2022, following easing inflation data and expectations of an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The ANZ-Roy Morgan index saw significant improvements in both current and future financial conditions, with a 0.25% rate reduction anticipated this month.Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) plunged over 8% after it flagged higher operating expenses in the first half of the fiscal year to be around 36% of revenue for 1H25.Austal (ASX:ASB) added over 7.5% as it finalised its agreement with the federal government to become the country's leading defence shipbuilder. The company also impressed investors with a guidance update for FY25 with the new guidance expectation for EBIT of no less than $100m for the 12-months, higher than the previous guidance of no less than $80m.And Electro Optic Systems (ASX:EOS) rocketed 43% on Tuesday after announcing it has secured an order for a drone defence capability based on a new type of high-power laser, to the value of $125m (71.4million euros) from a European NATO Member State. The order is a world first export order for a 100-kilowatt class laser defence system.What to watch today:On the commodities front this morning, oil is trading 1.66% lower at US$65.20/barrel, gold is up 0.16% at US$3379/ounce and iron ore is up 1.21% at US$100.77/tonne.The Aussie dollar has strengthened against the greenback to buy 64.72 US cents, 95.56 Japanese Yen, 48.62 British Pence and 1 New Zealand dollar and 10 cents.Ahead of the midweek trading session the SPI futures are anticipating the ASX will open the new trading day up 0.13.Trading ideas:Bell Potter has significantly increased the 12-month price target on Electro Optic Systems (ASX:EOS) from $3.75 to $5.00 and maintain a buy rating on the defence manufacturer after the company secured its latest order valued at 71.4m euro. The new laser counter-drone capability was developed by EOS to address the urgent market need and emerging strategic requirement to defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost.And Trading Central has identified a bullish signal on AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) following the formation of a pattern over a period of 34-days which is roughly the same amount of time the share price may rise from the close of $10.00 to the range of $10.45 to $10.55 according to standard principles of technical analysis.

Episode 85Leadership Essentials: GratitudeSUMMARY SECTION In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores one of the most overlooked but high impact traits in leadership: Gratitude. Part of the Leadership Essentials series, this episode breaks down why gratitude isn't just about being nice, it's integral to building resilient, loyal, and high-performing teams. James shares real-world examples from leaders such as Richard Branson and John Wooden and offers 8 practical ways to make gratitude part of your leadership toolkit. KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy gratitude is a performance driver, not a soft skillThree reasons gratitude is essential for every leaderHow top leaders use gratitude to fuel loyalty and enhance cultureEight actionable steps to embed gratitude in your leadership styleABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXTEpisode 83 - Leadership Essentials: ApproachabilityEpisode 61 - Set your standards high Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: PresenceCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to another episode of the "Entrepreneurs at Scale" podcast, where we explore the journeys of some of the most resilient and visionary minds in the business world.  In the latest episode we welcome Jeremy Middleton.Jeremy  is a self-made businessman and angel investor.  After a career in brand management with Procter and Gamble, Jeremy spent a period in management consultancy with PWC before starting a series of businesses in partnership with Richard Harpin.  One of these businesses was Homeserve PLC, a multinational emergency repairs company, which went on to become a FTSE 100 business, employing over 10k people across Europe, the USA and Japan. HomeServe was bought by Brookfield Asset Management for over $5bn in 2023.  In 2000, Jeremy founded Middleton Enterprises Ltd, a successful family office investment company specialising in growth capital. This was set up with the intention of being the flexible, friendly investment partner Jeremy wishes HomeServe had in its earliest days. Middleton Enterprises currently backs several businesses, offering ambitious entrepreneurs in the early stages of profitability, both strategic and financial support.Key takeouts from the episode Entrepreneurial Drive (1:39)Jeremy disliked working for bosses and realised that entrepreneurship was the path to financial and personal freedom.Crucial Partnership (6:31)Detail of his partnership with Richard Harpin, emphasising the importance of mutual agreement and profit-sharing to their business successSecuring Strategic Investment (15:04)Lessons learned from negotiating with South Staffordshire Water, emphasizing the importance of pitching big ideas to decision-makers.Cash Flow Management (24:56)Highlighting the necessity of understanding financials, planning, and the critical role of cash flow in business sustainability and growth.Thoughtful Exits (28:21)Tips for planning a successful business exit, being open to sale opportunities, and knowing when to accept a fair offer.Enduring Legacy (42:21)Jeremy's focus on building a lasting legacy through Middleton Enterprises and philanthropic work, ensuring sustainable impact beyond his lifetime.Book Recommendation (45:15)Jeremy recommends Arnold Schwarzenegger's autobiography, highlighting the power of determination and persistence. Top Tips for Future Entrepreneurs (47:32)Persistence is key. If something isn't working, make adjustments and keep moving forward. Jeremy emphasises the importance of adapting and staying committed to your goals.Middleton EnterprisesMiddleton Enterprises is a family office investment company based in Newcastle and London. We offer ambitious entrepreneurs, in the early stages of profitability, strategic and financial support to help them bring their dreams to life. If you would like to speak to Jeremy or one of his team with regards to the work they do investing in ambitious organisations, they can be contacted at:  https://middletonenterprises.com/about-us/VALUABLE RESOURCESEntrepreneurs at Scale Podcast - https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/scalingupScale Up Your Business, coaching/consulting: https://www.scalingup.co.uk/work-with-a-scale-up-coach

What happened with Rentokil this week? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!It's not been a good week for either Steve – or the FTSE 100, or the S&P 500. Steve W's in between the indexes and Steve D's below them both. Taylor Wimpey is the latest addition to Steve D's portfolio. But the firm made a loss and lowered its dividend as a result of cladding provisions during the first half of the year.That, however, should be a one-off thing. And Steve W has some macroeconomic data to support the idea that the construction industry could be about to pick up.Amazon's share price fell sharply after the firm's Q2 earnings report. And not just because tariff news sent the stock market down more generally. Steve W is putting it down to weak guidance for operating profits in Q3. So is the falling share price an opportunity to get back to buying the stock?Transmedics has been having an outstanding year so far in 2025. The stock market has responded well to the company's latest earnings report – and for good reason.Revenues are profits growing strongly and the firm is working on the next iteration of its product lineup. All of that bodes well for Steve D's investment. We've had a request to talk about Croda International's latest earnings report. The stock market didn't like it at all, but Steve W thinks the picture is more mixed. The dividend is up despite lower free cash flows and sales are growing, but not as quickly as they were. So what should Jamie from Stocks and Savings make of the report?Only on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► Support the show:Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS10:38 TAYLOR WIMPEY EARNINGS DEEP DIVE35:47 AMAZON48:20 TRANSMEDICS58:15 CRODA► Show Notes:What's been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that's accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy► Wanna get in contact?Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/► Enquiries: Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com► Disclaimer: This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Watch episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/DcTPjBovpygPublished September 2024. In this episode of "What's the Risk?" we take a look at the historic performance of the FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure Index. An index comprising infrastructure assets in developed markets. Over the years there has been some discussion that infrastructure could be a fixed interest replacement, but we look at the data to see it performs more inline with developed market equities and not fixed interest.Some people would know Vanguard's VBLD as an ETF that attempts to track the return of this index before fees, expenses and tax.FTSE Developed Core Infrastructure Index (Total Return) Total Returns in AUD. Copyright 2024 FTSE Russell® All rights reserved.Want to learn more about investing? Get our Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Your-Investment-Philosophy-Protecting-Fraudsters-ebook/dp/B0BCPJ8BGC/ www.mfg.com.auMancell Financial Group is an Authorised Representative No. 226266 and Credit Representative No. 403187 of FYG Planners Pty Ltd, AFSL/ACL No. 224543. ABN 29 009 541 253. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you get when you mix a FTSE 250 company, your utility bills and a multi-level marketing model? As part of the Mid 250 series, Fund Managers Jean Roche and James Goodman are joined by Stuart Burnett, the CEO of Telecom Plus.   Important information. This information is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument or to adopt any investment strategy. Any reference to sectors/countries/stocks/securities are for illustrative purposes only and not a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument/securities or adopt any investment strategy. Any data has been sourced by us and is provided without any warranties of any kind. It should be independently verified before further publication or use. Third party data is owned or licenced by the data provider and may not be reproduced, extracted or used for any other purpose without the data provider's consent. Neither we, nor the data provider, will have any liability in connection with the third party data. Reliance should not be placed on any views or information in the material when taking individual investment and/or strategic decisions. The views and opinions contained herein are those of individual to whom they are attributed, and may not necessarily represent views expressed or reflected in other communications, strategies or funds. The value of investments and the income from them may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amounts originally invested. Exchange rate changes may cause the value of any overseas investments to rise or fall. Past Performance is not a guide to future performance and may not be repeated. The forecasts included should not be relied upon, are not guaranteed and are provided only as at the date of issue. Our forecasts are based on our own assumptions which may change. Issued by Schroder Investment Management Limited, 1 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU. Registered No. 1893220 England. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Meet Gillian Smith, Founder, Facilitator and Life & Leadership Coach In this empowering episode of The Jane Anderson Show, we’re spotlighting Gillian Smith, founder of Connect Lead Coach and a passionate advocate for compassionate, sustainable leadership. With over 20 years of experience working across the UK, Europe, US, Australia, and New Zealand—including with FTSE 100 and ASX-listed organisations—Gillian brings a fresh, human-centred approach to leadership development and workplace culture Meet Gillian Smith Gillian isn’t just a coach—she’s a bridge-builder. Her vibrant energy and deep HR expertise shine through in her coaching, facilitation, and speaking. After navigating her own experiences of corporate burnout, she launched Connect Lead Coach in 2021 to help leaders and teams foster safer, kinder, more connected workplaces—starting with her own transformation journey Cultivating Connection and Courageous Leadership In a world craving meaning and authenticity, Gillian believes true leadership starts with making people feel seen and heard. Her signature style blends introspection, empathy, and cultural insight to guide leaders in creating inclusive, engaged environments where everyone thrives Tools and Stories That Inspire Growth and Trust In this episode, Gillian shares real-life strategies that leaders can use to build connection and resilience—whether you're leading a global team or mentoring a new manager locally in Brisbane. From designing purposeful workshops to coaching leaders through change, she brings practical insights to the heart of complex challenges. Her goal? To turn everyday leadership into meaningful action. Here’s what you can expect: Warm, human-first frameworks for reconnecting with your people Practical techniques to foster psychological safety and trust Wisdom shaped by global experience and real transformation—including burnout and renewal ✨ Tune in to hear how Gillian is helping leaders lead with heart and authenticity—creating cultures where everyone belongs, contributes, and flourishes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch episode on youtube: https://youtu.be/20BVAzSSEloPublished August 2024. In this episode of "What's the Risk?" we take a look at the historic performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index (net divs.) AUD. An index comprising emerging markets across large, medium and small companies. Some people would know Vanguard's VGE as an ETF that attempts to track the return of this index before fees, expenses and tax, which are an important consideration as investors may not achieve a return as close to the index as they'd like due to fees and taxes.FTSE EM All Cap China A Inclusion NR Index AUD/FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Transition NR Index AUD (prior to Sep 2016). Copyright 2024 FTSE Russell® All rights reservedWant to learn more about investing? Get our Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Your-Investment-Philosophy-Protecting-Fraudsters-ebook/dp/B0BCPJ8BGC/ www.mfg.com.auMancell Financial Group is an Authorised Representative No. 226266 and Credit Representative No. 403187 of FYG Planners Pty Ltd, AFSL/ACL No. 224543. ABN 29 009 541 253. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ohne Aktien-Zugang ist's schwer? Starte jetzt bei unserem Partner Scalable Capital. Alle weiteren Infos gibt's hier: scalable.capital/oaws. Aktien + Whatsapp = Hier anmelden. Lieber als Newsletter? Geht auch. Das Buch zum Podcast? Jetzt lesen. Tesla pusht Samsung. Trump-Deal versenkt Autobauer und Rüstungsaktien. Und Japan sieht den Deal ohnehin etwas anders. ProSiebenSat.1 mag seine Aktionäre. NICE Ltd. mag deutsche KI von Cognigy. 947% Rendite in den letzten fünf Jahren. 60 Mrd. $ Börsenwert. KI-Profiteur. Das alles ist Quanta Services (WKN: 912294). FTSE 100 schlägt S&P 500. Wieso und wie lange geht das noch? Rolls-Royce (WKN: A1H81L), Burberry (WKN: 691197) & Fresnillo (WKN: A0MVZE) sind jedenfalls High-Performer. Der iShares Core FTSE 100 ETF (WKN: 552752) ist jedenfalls ein ETF. Diesen Podcast vom 29.07.2025, 3:00 Uhr stellt dir die Podstars GmbH (Noah Leidinger) zur Verfügung.

Wall St closed lower on Tuesday as Wall St awaits for the Federal Reserve interest date decision. The Dow Jones fell 0.46%, the S&P 500 dropped 0.3% and the tech heavy Nasdaq closed 0.38% lower.Over in Europe, the STOXX 600 closed 0.29% higher, Germany's DAX rose by just over 1%, the French CAC gained 0.72% and over in the UK, the FTSE 100 ended Tuesdays trading session 0.6% in the green.Locally yesterday, the ASX200 closed Tuesday's session out 0.08% higher with most major sectors closing positive. Gains were led by the energy and industrial sectors which jumped by 0.65% and 0.33% respectively. This was offset by the real estate sector which fell by 0.44% by market close.What to watch today:The Australian share market is set to open slightly lower with the SPI futures predicting a fall of 0.08% at market open this morning.On the commodities front this morning, Oil is trading 4.03% higher at 69 US dollars and 40 cents a barrel. Gold is trading 0.34% higher at 3326 US dollars an ounceAnd iron ore is trading 0.31% higher at 98 US dollars and 98 cents a tonne.Trading Idea:Bell Potter has increased the 12-month price target on Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) from 90cps to $1.05 and maintain a speculative buy rating on the lithium producer following the release of the company's Q4 trading update including production and sales of lithium exceeding Bell Potter expectations and the company finished the quarter with cash of $156m.

Episode 84Leadership Essentials: Clarity SUMMARY SECTION In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores the Leadership Essential: Clarity. Using analogies and examples from business, politics, and elite sport, James shows why clarity is the antidote to confusion, misalignment, and inertia in modern leadership. Whether you're driving performance, leading change, or simply trying to feel less overwhelmed this episode will help you simplify and focus.KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy clarity is the foundation of all great leadershipThe difference between being busy and being intentional3 types of clarity every leader must masterWhat Clive Woodward, Sean McVay, and Lee Kuan Yew can teach us about focused leadership8 actionable strategies to sharpen your clarity in work and lifeABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 52 - Leadership Essentials: The legacy you leave Episode 38 - Mastering the art of communication Episode 24 - What do you have to breakthrough to create your breakthroughCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wall Street started the new trading week almost flat as traders looked past the EU-US trade deal that was announced and focused more on the upcoming Fed interest rate decision. The S&P500 rose just 0.02% to another fresh record high while the Dow Jones fell 0.14% and the Nasdaq ended the day up 0.33% also setting a fresh record. A trade deal has been reached between the US and EU which will see 15% tariffs on all exports from the EU bound for the US.In Europe overnight markets closed mostly lower as the trade deal between the US and EU failed to raise investor confidence levels. The STOXX 600 fell 0.23%, Germany's DAX fell 1.02%, the French CAC declined 0.43% and, over in the UK, the FTSE 100 ended the day down 0.43%.  Locally on Monday the ASX 200 see-sawed throughout the first trading session of the new week before closing the day up 0.36% as investors took confidence from the S&P500 record run of late and ahead of key earnings results coming out over the coming weeks.Uranium producer Boss Energy (ASX:BOE) tanked over 40% after the company released a fourth quarter performance update for FY25. At first glance the results looked very strong with an 18% increase in drummed uranium from the prior quarter, FY25 production totalling 872,607 pounds and second half FY25 C1 cost from drummed uranium of $36/pound. Looking deeper into the company's announcements out yesterday though, investors likely fled the stock after the FY26 Honeymoon mine guidance was issued including increased cash costs, and potential challenges now identified that may arise.What to watch today:The Australian share market is set to open lower, with the SPI futures predicting a fall of 0.7% at market open this morningOn the commodities front this morning, oil is trading 2.68% higher at 66 US dollars and 91 cents a barrel, gold is down 0.6% at 3317 US dollars an ounce and iron ore is down 0.03% at 98 US dollars and 55 cents a tonne.Trading ideas:Bell Potter has slightly reduced the 12-month price target on Step One Clothing (ASX:STP) from $1.30 to $1.25 and maintains a buy rating on the online retailer of underwear and innerwear. The analyst has reduced the price target by 4% due to Bell Potter's earnings revision outlook factoring in a delayed recovery in the consumer spend environment.

A stark warning has been sounded that the state pension age could have to rise to 74 for those under-30s. The Institute for Fiscal Studies' pronouncement in the same week that the government announced a state pension review set the cat amongst the pensions. But would Labour - or any party - really hike the state pension age that high? Wouldn't it  be political suicide and spark protests in the street? The IFS warning hinged around the triple lock and balancing the books, but it's clear that the risk of the state pension age rising from its current timetable's maximum 68 is high. On this episode of the This is Money podcast, Georgie Frost, Helen Crane and Simon Lambert, discuss what could happen to the state pension, when we might be able to retire and what we all need to do to get there. Pension saving is also under the spotlight and the team discuss how to make the most of your work scheme or a Sipp. Plus, a double tax hit on inheritances is on the way, as pensions are pulled into the net. Does the government need to change tack rather than plough on with a levy that will reach 64 per cent for many affected? The FTSE 100 finally broke through 9,000 this week, is 10,000 on the cards and why is the UK stock market doing well? And finally, buy and hold is the traditional investment mantra, so why does one bitcoin expert say you shouldn't do that and should trade it instead?

As MPs depart Westminster for parliamentary recess, The Spectator's political sketch writer Madeline Grant joins Natasha Feroze and economics editor Michael Simmons to talk about how to sketch PMQs and why Keir Starmer makes for the best sketches. Also on the podcast, Michael Simmons looks at the promising FTSE at record high following Trump's trade deal with Japan and the gloomy national debt figures announced yesterday. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more.For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts.Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk

Episode 83Leadership Essentials: Approachability SUMMARY SECTION In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores why approachability isn't just a “nice to have” it's a leadership essential. Being approachable unlocks ideas, invites honest feedback, improves team wellbeing, and builds deep loyalty. James shares how approachability can build trust and drive results. Plus, 8 practical strategies to immediately make yourself a more approachable leader.KEY TAKEAWAYSThe four core benefits of being an approachable leaderHow body language, language, and accessibility shape your leadership presenceWhat sport coaches can teach us about approachable leadershipWhy vulnerability and consistency are critical to creating psychological safety8 actionable steps to become a more approachable leaderABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 51 - Leadership Essentials: The Power of Optimism Episode 52 - Leadership Essentials: The legacy you leave Episode 36 - Leadership Essentials: ConfidenceCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Disney to Microsoft, via Vodafone and Virgin Media, Cindy Rose has been a top executive at some of the world's best known companies. Born and raised in the US, one of her early passions was figure skating – a sport she confessed left her covered in bumps and bruises. After qualifying as a lawyer, she later switched to corporate roles, relocating to Europe then London. Her time at Disney included a shift dressed as Mickey Mouse's loyal hound, Pluto, welcoming guests to the Californian theme park. Now she's set to become the new CEO of the troubled FTSE ad giant, WPP – where her experience in tech and AI look set to be an asset. Stephen Smith talks to friends and colleagues to find out how Cindy Rose made it from law to leadership – and the challenges she faces as head of one of the world's biggest advertising groups. Presenter: Stephen Smith Producers: Natasha Fernandes, Alex Loftus, Sally Abrahams Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound Engineer: James Beard Editor: Bridget Harney Credits: Cindy Rose at London Tech Week, 2018 Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, addressing Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing CBS Mornings (2014) Claudia Winkleman, Liquid News, 24 July 2002 Greenpeace scale Disney offices in London, 2004. Source: Greenpeace.

Global stock markets have experienced significant volatility in 2025. After April's downturn, triggered by U.S. tariffs, markets have since rebounded, with emerging markets, European equities and U.S. tech giants leading the global recovery story. U.K. markets have been resilient, with the FTSE 100 hitting record highs in June. London-based Investment Director Tom Stevenson joins host Kyle Cheropita to provide his global market perspectives, reflecting on the first half of 2025, and what key storylines to watch in the rest of the year. This episode was initially presented as a live "The Upside" webcast. For more Fidelity insights for investors, check out "The Upside" podcast. Recorded on July 2, 2025. At Fidelity, our mission is to build a better future for Canadian investors and help them stay ahead. We offer investors and institutions a range of innovative and trusted investment portfolios to help them reach their financial and life goals. Fidelity mutual funds and ETFs are available by working with a financial advisor or through an online brokerage account. Visit fidelity.ca/howtobuy for more information.

How do you solve a problem like high house prices without sinking the economy? That's a conundrum that's kept politicians and central bankers awake at night for years. Now there's a new plan. Rachel Reeves unveiled a push for bigger mortgages this week, with the backing of the Bank of England, financial watchdogs, banks and building societies? Protections in place since the credit crunch-induced crash will be swept away. Are we forgetting the lessons from the financial crisis or adjusting the rules to meet a world that's different? On this podcast, Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert talk bumper mortgages and what next. Plus, the Chancellor has more plans, to get people investing, support the stock market and fire up the economy, will they work? As the FTSE 100 flirts with a close above 9,000, is it time to buy British? And what do you need to know about paying inheritance tax rather than the usual topic of avoiding it?

In this week's AJ Bell Money and Markets podcast, Laith Khalaf and Tom Selby dive into what's been moving in markets, from the FTSE hitting 9,000 [01:17] to Bitcoin hitting a record high [04:10]. We'll also be talking through the latest inflation figures to come out of the UK and US and what that might mean for interest rates [11:25]. The Chancellor has delivered her annual Mansion House speech to the city, and there were a lot of big changes announced. Laith and Tom discuss ISAs [14:52], boosting retail investing and changes to the banking and mortgage market [29:42]. Finally we have an interview with Lynda Shillaw, CEO of the property development company, the Harworth Group, about trends in the sector and Harworth's promotion to the FTSE 250 [34:20].

Mehr Infos zum Private-Equity-Angebot von Scalable Capital: https://de.scalable.capital/private-equity Aktien + Whatsapp = Hier anmelden. Lieber als Newsletter? Geht auch. Das Buch zum Podcast? Jetzt lesen. BlackRock & Wells Fargo leiden unter reichen Kunden + wenig Zinsen. NVIDIA, AMD, Tencent, Baidu & Alibaba profitieren von TACO. MP Materials profitiert von Apple. Trade Desk goes S&P 500. FTSE 100 & Citigroup haben Rekorde. JPMorgan hat gute Banker. Deutsche Autobauer haben's schwer. Daimler Truck (WKN: DTR0CK) will den Börsenwert verdoppeln. Asien soll's richten. Alphabet (WKN: A14Y6H) wird an der Börse wie der große KI-Verlierer gehandelt. Ist vielleicht das Gegenteil der Fall? Kapitalanlagen bergen Risiken. Es bestehen Liquiditätsbeschränkungen. Beachten Sie die spezifischen Produktinformationen. Diesen Podcast vom 16.07.2025, 3:00 Uhr stellt dir die Podstars GmbH (Noah Leidinger) zur Verfügung.

Episode 82Leadership Essentials: The strength of decisivenessSUMMARY SECTION In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule dives into one of the most underrated yet vital leadership traits: Decisiveness. From the pressure of daily decision making to the paralysis caused by over analysis, James breaks down why the ability to decide and act separates effective leaders from stagnant ones.Hear real world stories from sport, and business. Learn how decisive leadership removes confusion, inspires trust and builds momentum, and walk away with 10 practical tips to sharpen your decision making ability.If you've been stuck, hesitating, or overthinking this episode is your call to move.KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy indecision is still a decision and often the worst oneColin Powell's 40–70 Rule and how it applies to your leadership The real cost of hesitation in high stakes momentsHow Anne Mulcahy - CEO Xerox and former President Theodore Roosevelt modelled decisive leadership10 actionable strategies to enhance your decisivenessABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 77 - Leadership Essentials: Tenacity - Holding the line when it gets toughEpisode 56 - Leadership Essentials : Positivity Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence CONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this season finale of The Sunday Roast, recorded on July 13th, Phil Carroll and Kevin Hornsby reflect on a week of sunshine, epic concerts, and major market moves. The political spotlight shines on a new UK-France migration pilot agreed by Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, as tensions persist over deterrence effectiveness. Guests this week include Anthony from Solvonis, who shares insights into the company's mission to transform addiction treatment through ethical biotech innovation; Pieter Krügel, CEO of Mast Energy Developments, on their momentum post-fundraise; and Charles Bray, Chairman of Aterian, with a deep dive into the company's lithium drilling success in Rwanda under a joint venture with Rio Tinto. We also unpack Tether's $5B+ crypto cash flow move into gold royalties via a 37.8% stake in Elemental Altus Royalties. In market action, PREM soared 100% on Zulu mine updates, Wishbone Gold surged 90% on new exploration licenses, and copper prices spiked ahead of looming US tariffs. Nvidia became the world's most valuable public company, while the FTSE 100 hit a record high led by mining gains. Tune in for a packed wrap-up of the week in finance, mining, and global trends. 00:00 - 00:09:16  Weekly News Roundup 00:09:16 #SVNS Interview 00:53:20 #MAST Interview 01:08:10 #ATN Interview 01:29:49 #PREM  01:30:44 #WSBN  01:33:12 #MIRI   01:33:25 #AFP   01:33:33 #MATD  01:35:35 #BZT   01:37:57 #EST #AFP #GLR  #XTR  01:38:06 #JLP  01:39:32 #GGP #GMET 01:43:13  #POW   01:43:17  #FDR Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest This podcast may contain paid promotions, including but not limited to sponsorships, endorsements, or affiliate partnerships. The information, investment views, and recommendations provided are for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any financial products related to the companies discussed. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentators; however, no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion. Listeners are encouraged to perform their own research and consult with a licensed professional before making any financial decisions based on the content of this podcast.

S&P futures are pointing to a slightly lower open today, down (0.2%). Asian equities were mostly higher Thursday, supported by gains in Greater China markets. European equity markets are also broadly firmer, with the FTSE 100 leading at +0.7%. President Trump issued additional tariff letters targeting smaller trading partners. Japan is reportedly organizing trade talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent next week, while U.S.-Brazil relations remain tense after Trump threatened 50% tariffs. However, markets remain largely unshaken, with expectations of reprieves closer to the August deadlines.Companies Mentioned: WK Kellogg, Canada Goose, Amazon

Send us a textHave you ever wondered why you feel heavy, stuck, or off—despite doing everything “right”?In this soul-illuminating episode of The Soul-Led CEO, trauma-informed therapist, scientist, and former FTSE 250 executive Dr Amen Kaur offers a powerful reframe: Trauma isn't just what happened to you. It's what your body did to survive. And chances are, it's still running in the background—shaping your nervous system, your sense of worth, and how you show up in leadership, business, and relationships.This episode is a permission slip for high-achieving, spiritually-conscious women who are tired of chasing “normal.” Because let's be honest—what even is normal?Amen unpacks how trauma hides in plain sight: in perfectionism, overgiving, people-pleasing, and the constant push to prove you're enough. Through science-backed insights and personal storytelling, she explains why trauma healing isn't about fixing what's broken—it's about witnessing what's been carrying you for too long, and gently laying it down.If success has come at the cost of your nervous system, your joy, or your voice… this conversation will land like a breath of truth. You'll discover how reclaiming safety within your body unlocks presence, prosperity, and the energy to finally live—and lead—from wholeness.✨ Think of it like rebooting your internal system. Less performance, more presence. Less survival, more soul.You're not broken. You're becoming.Ready for more soul-led science and embodied expansion? Share with someone on the path, or explore deeper inside Prosperity Codes or book a free private 1:1 discovery session: linktr.ee/dramenkaurBecause you're not here to manage symptoms. You're here to lead—rooted, regulated, and radically aligned.Support the show

Wall Street rallied overnight, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq hitting fresh record highs as investors shrugged off tariff concerns. Delta Airlines boosted sentiment with an upbeat outlook, while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is now on track to surpass Warren Buffett in personal wealth. In corporate news, Nutella maker Ferrero is reportedly planning a $3 billion USD acquisition of Kellogg’s. Across the Atlantic, the UK’s FTSE also hit record highs, driven by strength in mining stocks. In commodities, iron ore jumped to multi-month highs on hopes of fresh stimulus from China, while oil prices slipped amid speculation that OPEC+ may pause supply cuts. Back home, the ASX is on track to end the week by resetting its own record highs. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property or Stocks – Which Is The Best Investment For You? In today's Money Tips Podcast, we're diving into one of the most common questions UK investors ask: “Should I invest in property or the stock market?” Both have made millionaires — but which one is right for you?

Episode 81Feedback Culture: The secret weapon of high performing teams (Part 2 Receiving Feedback)SUMMARY SECTION In the second instalment of this feedback focused series, James Rule explores the often overlooked leadership skill of receiving feedback well. Feedback isn't just a tool to give, it's also one of the most powerful growth levers when leaders learn how to truly hear it and are willing to act upon it.From Mary Barra's leadership at GM to Gareth Southgate's coaching evolution, James shares what it looks like to seek and respond to feedback without ego, and how this transforms trust, morale, and personal growth.Key Takeaways:Why leaders who resist feedback get left behindThree common traps leaders fall into when receiving critique8 practical ways to receive feedback with humility and strengthABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 80 - Feedback Culture: The secret weapon of high performing teams (Part 1 Giving Feedback)Episode 74 - Leading through organisational change Episode 64 - Leading without regretsCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which hole has Steve D been shoving money down? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!The Steves are on a roll right now – both are ahead of the FTSE 100 and the S&P 500. And there's one stock in particular that's been doing it for both of them over the last seven days…Greggs shares have had another appalling week, this time due to the weather being too hot. But does that change anything about what the Steves are planning on doing with the Britbox?The FTSE 250 stock had been on the list to buy before the latest decline. But there's also another new name that's joining the ranks from Steve D…In terms of European shares to buy there's one big name that stands out. It's LVMH which – as of last week – both Steves have ownership stakes in. Making way is spirits company Pernod Ricard and GLP-1 firm Novo Nordisk. But Steve D has an eye on another name from a different sector to add to the portfolio…AstraZeneca is the latest name rumoured to be leaving the FTSE 100 for the US. But Steve W isn't buying it – the stock or the story. Healthcare has been the worst-performing S&P 500 sector over the last 12 months. And with RFK Jr. as Health Minister, is that really where a pharmaceuticals firm wants to be?Anyone wanting a house, cars, or basically anything in the Baltic region realistically only has one place to look. It's Baltic Classifieds – which is obviously a member of the FTSE 250. The company has a nice business model and a very strong market position. And with the stock down almost 10% in  day, could it be one to consider buying?Only on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► Support the show:Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS6:55 BRITBOX CHANGES24:58 EUROBOX CHANGES35:32 ASTRAZENECA TO LEAVE UK STOCK MARKET49:51 BALTIC CLASSIFIEDS GROUP► Show Notes:What's been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that's accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy► Wanna get in contact?Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/► Enquiries: Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com► Disclaimer: This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

S&P futures are pointing to a slightly higher open today, up +0.1%. Asian markets had a mixed session on Thursday. The Hang Seng dropped (0.6%) amidst weakness in property stocks while Japan's Nikkei dipped as uncertainty around trade talks weighed on sentiment. European markets are broadly higher in early trades, with the STOXX 600 up +0.3% and the FTSE 100 leading at +0.5%. President Trump announced a trade deal with Vietnam, imposing a 20% tariff on exports to the U.S. and 40% on transshipments, reduced from an earlier proposed 46%. The U.S. will face zero tariffs on exports to Vietnam, though specifics on product groups and transshipment provisions remain unclear. Companies Mentioned: Old Point Financial, Apollo Global Management, TripAdvisor

In this weeks' Scale Your Sales Podcast episode, my guest is Nick Buxton.   Nick has a background in engineering, 2x CRO, and 5x VP of Sales. Over the past 20 years I've worked my way up from individual contributor at seed, Series A- C, privately held, FTSE and NYSE listed tech companies. He is now helping tech companies deliver revenue transformation projects with a range of partners.   In today's episode of Scale Your Sales podcast, Nick shares his value-led growth approach and why breaking down silos between sales, marketing, and customer success is key to building customer-centric organizations. He and Janice explore the difference between solving user problems vs. business needs, the impact on go-to-market strategy, and the evolving role of CROs as AI and sales enablement continue to reshape the future of sales.   Welcome to Scale Your Sales Podcast, Nick Buxton.     Timestamps: 00:00 Product-Led Growth Challenges Explained 05:51 Embrace Product-Led Growth Strategy 07:09 Customer-Led Growth Insights 13:29 Sales Competency Deficit Analysis 14:41 Challenges in Building Sales Relationships 20:13 Improving Sales Leadership Competencies 22:08 Sales Enablement and CROs Alignment 25:20 Understanding Product Value Basics 28:31 Silent Quitting: Mutual Interview Necessity     https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-buxton/     Janice B Gordon is the award-winning Customer Growth Expert and Scale Your Sales Framework founder. She is by LinkedIn Sales 15 Innovating Sales Influencers to Follow 2021, the Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Customer Experience Nov 2020 and 150 Women B2B Thought Leaders You Should Follow in 2021. Janice helps companies worldwide to reimagine revenue growth thought customer experience and sales.   Book Janice to speak virtually at your next event: https://janicebgordon.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/janice-b-gordon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaniceBGordon Scale Your Sales Podcast: https://scaleyoursales.co.uk/podcast More on the blog: https://scaleyoursales.co.uk/blog Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janicebgordon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScaleYourSales And more!   Visit our podcast website https://scaleyoursales.co.uk/podcast/ to watch or listen.

Episode 80Feedback Culture: The secret weapon of high performing teamsSUMMARY SECTION In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast James Rule kicks off a two part series on one of the most misunderstood tools in leadership: feedback. This first episode focuses on the art of giving feedback and how to do it in a way that inspires growth, trust, and high performance.From the rugby field to the boardroom, James shares real world examples and lessons from leadership giants. With 8 actionable strategies, this episode will help you give feedback that your team actually wants to hear and will act on.KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy vague feedback destroys performanceThe three most common feedback fails leaders makeHow to give feedback that inspires, not deflates8 proven rules for better feedback conversationsABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 38 - Mastering the art of communication Episode 60 - Are you optimising internal resources? (your staff)Episode 56 - Leadership Essentials: PositivityCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who's been selling their Southern Copper shares? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!It's the end of Q2, so it's time to check back in on portfolios. That means Steve D, Steve W, the Britbox, and the Eurobox, but who's been outperforming what?Steve D was having a quiet time of things in Q2. But then that all changed later on in the piece. With over £2,000 in cash, is Thermo Fisher Scientific on the buy list? Or are there better opportunities to add to his existing investments?Steve W's Q2 got off to a roaring start on the buying front as Liberation Day crashed the stock market. But most of his buying has been in one particular FTSE 100 stock. It's been a FTSE 250 name, though, that has been keeping his portfolio afloat for the last six months. And with share prices recovering, he's got an eye on a sell…The Britbox has had a mixed few months. And there have been a few high-profile fallers that have been putting pressure on the overall portfolio.The big question is what to do about it, which gives the Steves a question. With a lot of ideas about stocks to buy, what should they sell to make way?The Eurobox has made a roaring start to life. Strong performances from Dino Polska and Euronext have caused the overall portfolio to climb.Steve W has a few names in mind for potential additions. But a handful of Swedish conglomerates are out of the question for an unusual reason…Only on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Fiscal.ai:Huge thanks to our sponsor, Fiscal.ai, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at Fiscal.ai!https://fiscal.ai/?via=steve► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► Support the show:Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS4:27 STEVE D'S PORTFOLIO23:29 STEVE W PORTFOLIO40:27 BRITBOX UPDATE52:52 EUROBOX UPDATE► Show Notes:What's been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that's accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy► Wanna get in contact?Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/► Enquiries: Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com► Disclaimer: This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

Episode 79Leadership Essentials: Why Active Listening is the skill that changes everythingSUMMARYIn this episode, James Rule explores why active listening is one of the most under appreciated but critical skills for modern leadership. Drawing from personal experience, professional coaching insight, and examples from sport and business, James highlights how leaders can transform team culture, improve performance, and deepen trust by simply becoming better listeners.You'll hear:Why active listening is different from passive hearingHow poor listening destroys trust and performanceLessons from Phil Jackson former coach of NBA team Chicago Bulls8 actionable takeaways to build better listening habitsKEY TAKEAWAYSListening is a leadership action, not a passive state.Ask questions to understand, not to reply.Silence is powerful don't rush to fill the space.Avoid multitasking when someone is speaking.Don't assume you know what's coming next.Let people finish even when it's uncomfortable.Practice patience real listening takes time.Make it a habit, listening is a muscle, not a switch.ABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 38 - Mastering the art of communication Episode 70 - Disconnect to reconnect: Why leaders need a digital detoxEpisode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence CONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who's got wood? Find out on this week's PlayingFTSE Show!Both Steves are up ahead of the market again this week, extending an impressive run. But who were the real winners over the last seven days?As FTSE 250 stocks go, XPS Pensions has been an outstanding performer over the last five years. And the future doesn't look bad either. A strong competitive position in an industry where shifting regulation should mean steady demand is a very good thing. And there's a share buyback to consider, as well…FTSE 100 events company Informa has caught Steve W's eye. He's not going to World of Concrete and doesn't know anyone who is, but there might be money in running it.Attractive economics and a resilient business are big plus points. On the other hand, an acquisition at over 20 times adjusted EBITDA means there's some risk with the stock.Ashtead is making its way from the UK to the US, but shares didn't get the boost investors might have hoped for. Probably because it also came with a profit warning.Despite a cyclical downturn, the stock seems like decent value. Steve D, however, thinks taking a closer look reveals a different picture of the relatively attractive multiple.Renew is an uninteresting business in an uninteresting industry. Sometimes, though, these boring stocks can generate some impressive returns for investors. Rail maintenance work has unironically been delayed and this is weighing on growth. But with maintenance work non-negotiable, it might just be a case of being patient.Only on this week's PlayingFTSE Podcast!► Get a free share!This show is sponsored by Trading 212! To get free fractional shares worth up to 100 EUR / GBP, you can open an account with Trading 212 through this link https://www.trading212.com/Jdsfj/FTSE. Terms apply.When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested.Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.► Get 15% OFF Finchat.io:Huge thanks to our sponsor, FinChat.io, the best investing toolkit we've discovered! Get 15% off your subscription with code below and unlock powerful tools to analyze stocks, discover hidden gems, and build income streams. Check them out at FinChat.io!https://finchat.io/playingftse/?lmref=iQl2VQ► Follow Us On Substack:https://playingftse.substack.com/► Support the show:Appreciate the show and want to offer your support? You could always buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/playingftse(All proceeds reinvested into the show and not to coffee!)There are many ways to help support the show, liking, commenting and sharing our episodes with friends! You can also check out our clothing merch store: https://playingftse.teemill.com/We get a small cut of anything you buy which will be reinvested back into the show...► Timestamps:0:00 INTRO & OUR WEEKS6:22 XPS Pensions19:23 Informa35:26 Ashtead Group49:40 Renew Holdings► Show Notes:What's been going on in the financial world and why should anyone care? Find out as we dive into the latest news and try to figure out what any of it means. We talk about stocks, markets, politics, and loads of other things in a way that's accessible, light-hearted and (we hope) entertaining. For the people who know nothing, by the people who know even less. Enjoy► Wanna get in contact?Got a question for us? Drop it in the comments below or reach out to us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/playingftseshow Or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playing_ftse/► Enquiries: Please email - playingftsepodcast@gmail(dot)com► Disclaimer: This information is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions.

This week we look at the most powerful forces you’ll ever come across in finance. It’s the importance of reinvesting dividends. We’ve crunched the numbers to see what difference that makes to returns in the UK and the US and found some quite surprising results. Host Andrew Oxlade and Tom Stevenson a provide a well-balanced take on the latest financial developments together with expert insights to help you grow your capital, manage your investment portfolio and make the most of the money markets. Popular for its jargon-free approach, clear analysis and fresh perspective, The Personal Investor podcast helps shine a light on the latest market developments for the savvy UK investor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 78You´re not alone: The most common issues facing leaders todaySUMMARY SECTION In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule highlights the three most common challenges he sees in the boardroom, in coaching sessions, and across every leadership level from CEOs to emerging leaders.James explores the three core pillars where even the most capable leaders often struggle: Communication that landsProductivity and presence in a distraction filled worldPhysical and mental energy that doesn't burn outWhether you're leading a team of five or five hundred, this episode is your reminder: you're not alone.James also shares a behind the scenes look at the coaching, mentoring and advisory support available for leaders who want to do the inner work and unlock lasting change by working with The Lonely Leader.ABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 23 - Lessons learned from burnoutEpisode 48 - Leadership Essentials: PresenceEpisode 47 - Mastering productivity: Key strategies to make every day countEpisode 38 - Mastering the art of communicationCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking.THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Markets erupted this week as oil spiked 13% overnight following Israeli strikes on Iran. Anthony and Piers unpack what it all means from geopolitical shockwaves to the tactical chaos of trading during breaking news.They also dive into the concept of backwardation and why it's dominated the oil market for years, despite the headlines. Plus, what U.S. inflation data reveals about Trump's tariff strategy and the real pressure behind his attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell.With the Fed meeting looming, a surging FTSE defying weak UK GDP, and signs of a subtle U.S.–China détente in London, this episode helps you connect the dots in a world full of noise.(00:00) Intro & Key Themes in Focus(02:14) Market Reactions to Geopolitical Events(12:33) Understanding Oil Market Dynamics(17:47) US Inflation Data and Its Implications(25:39) Trump Pressures the Fed to Cut(27:50) US-China Relations and Market Impact(32:45) UK GDP and the Resilience of the FTSE 100

US-China talks in London have commenced.US Commerce Secretary Lutnick says discussions with China are "going well"; talks to continue all day Tuesday.European stocks move lower ahead of US-China talks, FTSE 100 bid post-jobs data.GBP lags after jobs data which saw a slump in HMRC Payrolls and a further cooling in average earnings, USD ekes out mild gains.Gilts outperform as the UK labour market cools, USTs await US-China day two and 3yr supply.Crude is incrementally firmer, with XAU also modestly in the green.Looking ahead, US NFIB Business Optimism, EIA STEO, US-China Talks in London, Supply from the US.Read the full report covering Equities, Forex, Fixed Income, Commodites and more on Newsquawk

Episode 77Leadership Essentials: Tenacity - Holding the line when it gets toughSummaryIn this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores tenacity, the quiet, relentless force that defines the world's most effective leaders. Drawing on powerful examples from Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln, this episode shows how to lead with grit, how to keep moving forward when the odds are stacked against you, and highlights why tenacity is a non-negotiable in today's fast paced leadership landscape.Whether you're leading through adversity or chasing a long term vision, this episode is a blueprint for staying the course and inspiring others to do the same.Key Takeaways:Why tenacity is more than stubbornness and how to lead with resilience.How Churchill and Lincoln role modelled unshakable resolve.What to do when your plan gets "punched in the face".How to build a culture of grit and perseverance in your team.8 actionable ways to strengthen your tenacity as a leader.ABOUT THE HOST James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance and create it in both our professional roles and personal lives. EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT Episode 63 - The Man in the Arena Episode 62 - The intersection of purpose and performance Episode 17 - Five Key Steps to Lead Through AdversityCONNECT & CONTACT www.thelonelyleader.co.ukThe Lonely Leader's LinkedIn James' LinkedInInstagramhello@thelonelyleader.co.uk THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA NEWSLETTERSign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Top 10 Tips for Combating Your Fear of Public Speaking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former leadership coach to IBM's top executives, Head of Organization Development at Honeywell, and fellow with McKinsey's Change Center, Todd has taught world leaders at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, developed doctoral students at Columbia University, and trained tens of thousands of leaders globally to “Get to Candor”.As the founder of Holzman Leadership, a global consultancy, Todd's Real Work Process has been used by numerous Fortunate 500, FTSE 100, and Global 2000 companies to transform their leaders, cultures, and business results.Todd holds a B.S. in Industrial Labor Relations (Cornell), an M.A. in Organizational Psychology (Columbia), and an Ed.M. in Leadership & Adult Development (Harvard).

The EAH team caught up with George Richardson of Norman Broadbent, the first UK headquartered search firm. Given his deep experience in hydrogen and broader purview including renewables, energy, utilities, and power, he was able to provide perspective on hiring patterns in these markets. About Norman Broadbent:Established in 1979, Norman Broadbent is a premiere executive search firm with over 3000 clients, from start-ups to FTSE 100 and international corporations.The team has placed directors, executives and leaders in 79 countries around the world. They have a proven track record supporting SMEs, major brands, household names and established global businesses across a range of sectors.Norman Broadbent has a commitment to ED&I, CSR and ESG, both internally and across every engagement with their clients and candidates. They are partners of Chapter Zero, building a community of non-executive directors and equipping them to lead crucial UK boardroom discussions on the impacts of climate change and helping ensure their companies are fit for the future. They are partners of Lean In Equity & Sustainability, an independent gender diversity and inclusion initiative, and a member-centric, diverse, international circle of women and allies supporting and empowering women to achieve their ambitions. Their mission is to empower women in male-dominated sectors to build a sustainable future. They are also supporters of Empowering People of Colour (EPoC), a peer-to-peer network that links high-potential executives of colour, providing support and opportunities for Board-level appointments and changing the makeup of leadership at the top of all UK institutions.About George Richardson:George is a Director within the international Energy, Utilities and Natural Resources practice at Norman Broadbent. He has a robust six-year background in the energy sector focusing intensively on the energy transition landscape, which includes significant expertise in hydrogen, battery energy storage systems (BESS), ammonia, and ET consulting.George excels in assisting technology-based business, developers, asset owners, and service providers with their executive recruitment needs at C-suite, SVP, and Director levels. He is passionate about renewable energy, previously leading several podcasts and integrating with governing bodies to ensure continued change across the sector.Prior to joining Norman Broadbent, George honed his skills at BOSS, a boutique energy firm, where he supported clients across EMEA, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. His experience spans various sub-sectors, including major utilities and developers, hydrogen, clean fuels, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), waste to energy, energy storage, and industrial engineering.--Links:Norman Broadbent - https://www.normanbroadbent.com/

S&P futures are pointing to a strong open today, up +1.5%. European equity markets are mostly higher in early trades with the FTSE 100 outperforming. Asian markets closed mostly lower, though Japan and Hong Kong saw modest gains. EU-US trade talks have intensified after President Trump delayed imposing 50% tariffs on EU imports, providing a 30-day window for negotiations. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič engaged with U.S. Commerce Secretary Lutnick and Trade Representative Greer, signaling a shift toward a cooperative tone. The EU may consider concessions, such as increased purchases of U.S. LNG and agricultural products. Companies Mentioned: Chevron, Trump Media, MAC Copper

Who built John? We find out that it takes more than just a village/borough/nation to raise such a superhunk. He has an entire team behind him, like all of the top athletes of his generation. And not just any top athlete superhunk, but one on the verge of yet another birthday.With this year's birthday, Elis has pushed the present boat out even further than the standard BACS. John's got more gifts coming out of his A than he does roulade, and they will no doubt be sweet and wreak yet more havoc on his energy levels.Plus there's loads of other stuff to get into including the struggles of eating a big salad, yet more wins and a belting follow up to Elis's paint travails.Get in touch via WhatsApp on 07974 293 022 or elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk if you're more old school.