Podcasts about Royal Bank

Lisa Pendergast leads one of the industry's most influential organizations and is a top capital markets analyst to boot, but she discovered her professional passion almost by accident. An English major with her eye on law school, she was hired as a writer by a major institutional investor. The opportunity to learn the finance business from brilliant minds proved to be, as she puts it, “the cheapest MBA anybody ever got.”Fast forward a few decades, and Pendergast serves as president & CEO of Commercial Real Estate Finance Council. Before taking on her current role, she was a member of the organization's Board of Governors and served as its 2010-2011 president. She's held senior positions at Jeffries LLC, an affiliate of Leucadia National Corporation, as well as the Royal Bank of Scotland.In this conversation, she shares takeaways from the organization's recent national conference in Miami, describing the event's upbeat mood. She reveals insights from CREFC's latest national sentiment survey, and discusses why this ellwether indicator is approaching its record high. Also during this podcast, Pendergast discusses today's key policy issues and how CREFC is informing regulators about the issues that hamper the industry. As one of the top securitization experts in the business, she gives us her take on the state of CMBS and CLOs.In this conversation, she shares takeaways from the organization's recent national conference in Miami, describing the event's upbeat mood. She reveals insights from CREFC's latest national sentiment survey, and discusses why this bellwether indicator is approaching its record high. Also during this podcast, Pendergast discusses today's key policy issues and how CREFC is informing regulators about the issues that hamper the industry. As one of the top securitization experts in the business, she gives us her take on the state of CMBS and CLOs. Take a listen!Episode highlights:(1:05) Top takeaways from Miami(3:27) Asset performance insights(5:51) Maturities and the Fed's next moves(8:09) Taking the pulse of CRE finance(11:38) Economic indicators to watch(13:04) Office-to-resi conversions: NYC and beyond(17:17) “The cheapest MBA anybody ever got”(22:09) CLOS on the rise(24:51) CMBS and federal policy(29:45) Navigating regulator relations(34:03) New path for the GSEs?(36:55) How the GSEs can address affordability(38:10) Executive off the clock: the garden and the links

Another day, another Labour scandal. The campaign group that helped sweep Sir Keir Starmer into No 10, Labour Together, now stands accused of orchestrating a sinister smear campaign against journalists.After The Sunday Times revealed the group had failed to declare £730,000 in donations, Labour Together reportedly paid a US consultancy to dig into the “backgrounds and motivations” of reporters Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke.As the Cabinet Office begins “looking into” the affair, Camilla and Jacob Rees-Mogg ask how deep do Labour Together's roots run in this Government and if PM Keir Starmer should now sever ties completely.And as pressure mounts for a full police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over fresh revelations about his time as trade envoy, emails now suggest he leaked confidential information about Royal Bank of Scotland after its £45bn bailout, and shared sensitive details about Aston Martin.Producers: Lilian Fawcett and Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of WSJ's Take On the Week, co-hosts Miriam Gottfried and Telis Demos are joined by Frances Donald, chief economist at Royal Bank of Canada, to break down the K-shaped economy, where different groups are thriving financially while others struggle. They ask: How could Walmart hit a trillion-dollar market capitalization despite consumer sentiment near record lows? Next, Donald analyzes what could be hiding the true health of the American household, from front-loading purchases ahead of potential tariffs to buy now, pay later programs. After the break, Donald explains how the U.S. can sustain growth despite a massive wave of Boomer retirements. Then Donald breaks down why AI may no longer be a threat to the workforce but a necessary rescue for a shrinking labor pool. This is WSJ's Take On the Week where co-hosts Telis Demos, Heard on the Street's banking and money columnist, and Miriam Gottfried, WSJ's investing and wealth management reporter, cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance—the big trades, key players and business news ahead. Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We'd love to hear from you. Email the show at takeontheweek@wsj.com. To watch the video version of this episode, visit our WSJ Podcasts YouTube channel or the video page of WSJ.com Further Reading The Two-Speed Economy Is Back as Low-Income Americans Give Up Gains Weak Hiring, Layoff Plans Paint a Gloomy Labor-Market Picture Walmart Reaches $1 Trillion Market Cap as Its E-Commerce Boom For more coverage of the markets and your investments, head to WSJ.com, WSJ's Heard on The Street Column, and WSJ's Live Markets blog. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Follow Miriam Gottfried here and Telis Demos here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textDonald Trump's tariffs have forced Canada to take a hard look in the mirror. Simply put, a national economy based around U.S. dependency is no longer viable.Is it also time to rethink how we deliver postsecondary education in Canada? A new report says yes — and that the necessary changes must be “urgent and coordinated.”Released back in October by the Royal Bank of Canada, the report calls for a “postsecondary pivot” to advance national goals, including a focus on defence and space exploration, artificial intelligence and major energy projects.Some of the notable proposals include retraining auto workers for the shipbuilding and space sectors, teaching AI skills across all academic disciplines, and positioning Canada as NATO's “firefighting nation.”On tonight's episode of Closer Look, we revisit our interview with Jackie Pichette, director of skills policy for RBC Thought Leadership.Hosted by Village Media's Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.Fresh episodes drop every Monday to Friday at 7 p.m. right in your local news feed — and on the show's dedicated website: closerlookpodcast.ca. Of course, you can also find us wherever you get your favourite podcasts.Want to be the first to know when a new episode lands? Sign up for our free nightly newsletter, which delivers the latest Closer Look straight to your email inbox. You can also subscribe to our YouTube channel or follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.Have something to say? Please reach out. Our email address is closerlook@villagemedia.ca.

What happens when a kid who didn't speak English and didn't touch a computer until 15 goes on to lead some of the biggest AI and automation programmes in the world? Meet Danilo McGarry — a global AI expert, automation pioneer and digital transformation leader who has worked across organisations like Citigroup, UnitedHealth Group, Royal Bank of Canada and Alter Domus, helping companies redesign how work is done using artificial intelligence. From growing up in Brazil to becoming one of the most recognised voices in AI leadership, Danilo's story is about resilience, obsession with learning, and refusing to accept how things have always been done. In this conversation, we go far beyond buzzwords. We talk about how AI is really being used inside companies, why culture matters more than technology, how automation is reshaping jobs and leadership, and what executives must understand if they want to survive the next decade. We also explore the human side of artificial intelligence — anxiety, burnout, biology, sleep, emotional intelligence, and what it actually means to stay human while machines become more powerful. This is not a hype conversation. This is about execution, responsibility, leadership under pressure, and building a future where AI amplifies people instead of replacing them.We Discuss:00:00 – Danilo McGarry on AI & Leadership03:25 – Danilo's personal story: from Brazil to AI expert12:10 – Using automation to outperform humans in work21:40 – The chaotic banking story & leadership lessons32:15 – Why culture must lead AI adoption42:00 – The 5 pillars of AI transformation58:30 – The biggest myths about AI & singularity1:10:20 – How to manage anxiety in a rapidly changing world1:22:45 – The future of jobs, freelancing & gig economy1:38:10 – The future of hiring: beyond resumes1:50:00 – Why sleep, biology & humanity matter2:00:00 – Danilo's final advice on execution with AIAbout Danilo McGarry: Danilo McGarry is a globally recognised AI expert, automation leader and digital transformation advisor, consistently ranked among the Top 20 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence worldwide. He has led large-scale AI and automation programmes across major organisations including Citigroup (Head of AI & Machine Learning), UnitedHealth Group (enterprise automation leadership), Royal Bank of Canada, JPMorgan, BNP Paribas and Alter Domus, delivering measurable business impact across finance, healthcare and enterprise technology.Danilo is also a Strategic Adviser on AI to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the UK and a sought-after keynote speaker on AI, leadership, future of work and digital transformation. His work and insights have been featured in publications including WIRED, Financial Times, Bloomberg and Computer Weekly, and he advises governments and global companies on how to adopt AI ethically, practically and at scale.YT: https://www.youtube.com/@aimcgarryIG: https://www.instagram.com/aimcgarry/

Today, on the Two Mikes, we welcomed our great friend Chad Stewart, of Britfield. Chad Robert Stewart has twenty years of experience as a global strategist, marketing consultant, creativity specialist, financial analyst, and prolific writer. Chad's areas of expertise are global strategy, film and media production, innovative education, and international marketing. Chad has worked at Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch. A few of the companies he has consulted with include Cisco Systems, Disney, Moen, PepsiCo, Pratt & Whitney and Royal Bank of Scotland. He received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did post-graduate work at Harvard University; earned an M.B.A. from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a PhD in Strategy at Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University. Now based in San Diego, he is a strong supporter of education and the arts; an adjunct professor at Fermanian School of Business, Point Loma Nazarene University; and Past President of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Ballet. Chad enjoys world travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, tennis, and the Arts. SPONSORS Our Gold Guy: https://www.mygoldguy.com/twomikes www.TwoMikes.us

This week, we revisit our interview with Shellye Archambeau. Shellye is an experienced CEO and Board Director with a track record of accomplishments building brands, high-performance teams, and organizations. She shares lessons learned from her life that she has written about in her new book, Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms. A book that will inspire you, and provide the tools to enable you to fight the battles, make the tradeoffs and create the life you want. Shellye Archambeau currently serves on the boards of Verizon [NYSE:VZ], Roper Technologies [NYSE: ROP], and Okta [NASDAQ: OKTA]. She previously served on Nordstrom's [NYSE: JWN] board. She is also a strategic advisor to the Royal Bank of Canada, Capital Markets Group, and Forbes Ignite. Shellye has over 30 years of experience in technology. She is the former CEO of MetricStream, a Silicon Valley-based, governance, risk, and compliance software company. During her tenure, MetricStream grew from a fledgling startup into a global market leader. She is also a Forbes contributor and the protagonist of the Harvard Business School Case Study: Becoming a CEO. To learn more about Shellye, visit shellye.com  

As we come to the end of 2025, it's time to announce our latest batch of patrons and Kofi subscribers.  A huge thank you to each and every single one of you who have supported the show this year… it wouldn't be where it is today without you and all of the incredible listeners out there.  If you want a shout-out, why not get over to Patreon or Kofi, and join one of our 2 tiers. The following people have, and these are their shoutouts:  Didge QueenZ SaraEllen Hutchinson L H Kathryn Foot F. Kaori Matt David Bruce Ryan Hennessy-Saunders Andrea Barrier Lucy Stephanie Petersen Helen Hoyland Lyndsay Lisa Simmons Sheba Keith Dale Gloria Stitts Howard Grimshaw Matthew Barry Ged Krissie Wright Amanda Smith Tracey Flanagan AJLaw Nick Banks Gerald L Amy Vebeke Hokstad Samantha Beecham Didge Diane Piggott Rusty Drew Robin Lynn Karen Brett Sydney Cruce Harrison Joe Verity  Before I go, I'd just like to also extend a thank you to Robin on Instagram, who kindly informed me that there was a slight error in Episode 68 - The Hauntings of Flitwick Manor and Himley Hall.  At the time of the building work the Hotel wasn't owned by the Menzies Group at all, but instead by West Register Hotels under the Royal Bank of Scotland. Incredibly, Robin actually worked with all the people mentioned in the episode and also had his own experience.  Robin said that at the time the hotel had plastic laundry bins, and while he was working just off the main kitchen, he discovered the lid of one of these bins on the floor… over the opposite side of the kitchen. There had been nobody in the kitchen to have done this… another strange incident in the continuing story of Flitwick Manor, and a huge thank you to Robin for getting in touch.  From the Haunted UK Podcast, and Haunted UK Fiction… for the last time this year… stay safe… and have a wonderful new year. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/haunted-uk-podcast--6759967/support.

Today, on the Two Mikes, we welcomed our great friend Chad Stewart, of Britfield.   Chad Robert Stewart has twenty years of experience as a global strategist, marketing consultant, creativity specialist, financial analyst, and prolific writer. Chad's areas of expertise are global strategy, film and media production, innovative education, and international marketing. Chad has worked at Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch. A few of the companies he has consulted with include Cisco Systems, Disney, Moen, PepsiCo, Pratt & Whitney and Royal Bank of Scotland. He received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did post-graduate work at Harvard University; earned an M.B.A. from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a PhD in Strategy at Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito Graduate School of Management, Claremont Graduate University. Now based in San Diego, he is a strong supporter of education and the arts; an adjunct professor at Fermanian School of Business, Point Loma Nazarene University; and Past President of the Board of Directors of the San Diego Ballet. Chad enjoys world travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, tennis, and the Arts. SPONSORS Our Gold Guy: https://www.mygoldguy.com www.TwoMikes.us

In this episode of the Canadian Investor Podcast, EQ Bank announced a major acquisition on the same day as earnings — buying PC Financial and locking in an exclusive partnership with PC Optimum. We break down what the deal really means, why Loblaw becoming a major shareholder matters, and how this positions EQ Bank against Canada’s much larger incumbents. We also dig into earnings from TD and Royal Bank, where strong capital markets are masking softer lending conditions — and why 2026 could look very different for Canadian banks. Are we nearing a reset year? Finally, we cover BRP’s latest results and what looks like a classic cyclical recovery: improving margins, inventory normalization, rising market share, and upgraded guidance — even as the broader consumer picture remains uneven. Tickers of stocks discussed: EQB.TO, TD.TO, RY.TO, DOO.TO Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we're joined by our winners from the Accountancy and Banking categories: Oreofeoluwa (Oreo) Agunloye from KPMG in the Crown Dependencies and Dominika O'Dwyer from the Royal Bank of Canada, who are joined by our Head of Marketing, Louise Burrows. Oreo and Dominika share insights into their roles, what inspires them, and how they see the industry evolving, as well as the challenges and opportunities they've faced, and reflections on their career journeys. They also highlight the strong presence of women at this year's event and how empowering it was to see so many talented young women recognised. For inspiration, career insights, and a glimpse into Jersey's finance sector, this episode is a must-listen. 

Every founder is looking for ways to save time and money. And right now, AI promises both. But here's the catch: while AI can write code, it can't think through your product's logic, security, or scalability. The result? A shiny prototype that collapses under real-world use. In this episode of Tech for Non-Techies, Sophia Matveeva interviews Natalie Kaminski, CEO of JetRockets, with a knack for bridging the gap between non-tech founders and the digital world. With experience spanning multiple countries and roles she brings a hands-on approach to turning ideas into real, successful products. At JetRockets, she leads a global team focused on building high-quality Ruby on Rails platforms that align perfectly with business goals. Sophia and Natalie unpack the limits of AI in product development, why "AI-native" platforms often fail at the fundamentals, and what happens when shortcuts lead to security nightmares. In this episode, you will hear: When to use AI for fast prototyping and when to bring in engineers The "toilet in the living room" test for spotting bad product architecture Why great developers are more valuable than ever in the AI era The red flags that signal a product quote is too cheap to trust Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass Resources from this Episode Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/277-why-you-shouldn-t-use-ai-to-build-your-product  

This Episode is Sponsored by: City National Bank Consumer demand for chicken is rising at home and away from home, but how can a company leverage this demand? City National Bank's Eric Viergutz steps in as guest host and interviews Wayne-Sanderson Farms CFO T.J. Wolfe on how feed prices, pathogenic diseases, and even air fryers are impacting the U.S. poultry industry. More About T.J. Wolfe: T.J. Wolfe serves as Wayne-Sanderson Farms' Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the company's consolidated financial planning activities and information technology functions. His focus is on the efficient allocation of capital across the production infrastructure, risk mitigation strategies for the company's commodity portfolio, and the advancement of digital technology platforms and capabilities. T.J. and his team partner with each of the company's business units to provide financial insights and enhance the value offered to customers. Joining the company as CFO in 2023, T.J. brings nearly 25 years of strategic, operational, and compliance experience in both the U.S. and Europe, having worked with large companies such as Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola. Prior to joining Wayne-Sanderson Farms, he served as CFO of Kimball International, Inc. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and earned his Master of Business Administration from Emory University. Additionally, T.J. holds several professional accreditations, including Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst. More About Eric Viergutz: Eric Viergutz is a managing director with City National Bank's Food & Beverage Group. Based in Atlanta, GA he supports food and beverage executives with a variety of financing solutions and industry intelligence. Working with City National's team of experts, he provides the bank's full range of financial solutions to food and beverage businesses nationwide. Mr. Viergutz has more than 10 years of financial services and business advisory experience and has also served in various corporate finance and strategy roles over his career. Prior to City National, he served as senior vice president for Truist Securities' Food and Beverage Investment Banking team. Mr. Viergutz earned his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Florida and his MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Active in the community, he spends time coaching youth basketball and volunteering with Youth About Business and United Way of Atlanta. More About City National Bank: City National Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada since 2015. RBC's Market Cap of $181 Billion is one of the Top 15 largest global banks with $1.7 trillion in assets and Moody's/S&P Ratings of Aa1/AA-. As a subsidiary of one of the largest and strongest financial institutions in the world, City National Bank offers a unique combination of highly personalized services with a full range of tailored financing solutions. CNB's Food & Beverage Group is a national vertical that supports owners and c-suite executives and is a proud sponsor of the Food Institute. Learn more at http://cnb.com/foodandbeverage.

Story of the Week (DR):Disney brings back Jimmy Kimmel's show after backlash spurred massive boycott while some conservatives blasted FCCSinclair says it won't air Jimmy Kimmel on its stations after Disney announced his returnFCC Chair Brendan Carr defends ABC affiliate that's not showing 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' despite his reinstatementNexstar joins Sinclair, says it will continue not to air Jimmy KimmelDisney investors demand internal records on Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, say the board may have breached dutiesDisney investors say handling of Jimmy Kimmel suspension put politics over shareholders, demand recordsDisney boss Bob Iger has gone from woke warrior to liberal lightning rod MAGA furious at Disney and ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's return: ‘They let the woke mob get to them' Disney decides it hasn't angered people enough, announces Disney+ price hikes'There's no way we can afford $100,000': Small firms scramble over H-1B visa feesTalent Drain: Skilled Immigrants Choose Canada Over U.S.Indian IT Firms Recalibrate U.S. Strategy After Visa ShockJPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon expresses surprise and concernDimon said the hike “came out of the blue” and stressed that the U.S. still needs access to global talent. He has indicated the banking/finance sector may challenge or negotiate around the policyReed Hastings (Netflix) praises the policyHastings called the $100,000 fee a “great solution,” especially because he sees it as helping ensure that the H-1B program is used for “very high value jobs,” reducing reliance on a lottery system.Silicon Valley leaders cautiously support the feeNvidia CEO Jensen Huang and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised the measure in terms of potentially simplifying the visa system and merit-based immigrationAltman: "We need to get the smartest people in the country, and streamlining that process and also sort of aligning financial incentives seems good to me"Royal Bank of Canada's CEO Dave McKay said the US President's move to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas is a win for Canada.The 20 financial firms that could be hardest hit from Trump's new H-1B fee — from Goldman Sachs to CitiTylenol maker Kenvue battles fresh storm as Donald Trump links it to autism MMTrump's unfounded claims heap new stress on household brand name TylenolTrump, RFK Jr. distort facts on autism, Tylenol and vaccines, scientists say: "Sick to my stomach"OB-GYN group calls Trump's remarks on acetaminophen 'irresponsible'Kenvue Stock Recoups Losses After Trump Links Tylenol to AutismResearch tying Tylenol to autism lost in court. Then it won Trump's earTrump's 'tough it out' advice to expectant moms is the latest example of men opining on women's painThe President and RFK Jr.'s dangerous war on science and mothersThe Shameful Spectacle of Trump and Kennedy Blaming Mothers for AutismAutism Science Foundation: 'Shocking' move takes us 'straight back to when moms were blamed for autism''Acet…Aceto…': Trump Struggles To Say Medicine's Name, Links Autism To PainkillerAnti-vaccine groups melt down over RFK Jr. linking autism to Tylenol"We didn't wait 20 years for Bobby to finally speak and then get served Tylenol as an answer," anti-vaccine group Georgia Coalition for Vaccine Choice wroteChildren's Health Defense (CHD) - the anti-vaccine group founded by Kennedy - retweeting a post on Monday: "THIS WAS NOT CAUSED BY TYLENOL."Oracle names two CEOs in rare leadership shift after Catz exitLord Emperor Larry Ellison (65% influence and 42% voting power): he still gets $8.3M in pay despite owning ~$378B in Oracle stock. Is this even possible? He got security-related costs and expenses of $2,999,264 for his primary residence. Board chairFormer CEO and now Executive Vice Chair Safra Catz. She's staying on the board.221,974: (i) Company matching contributions under our 401(k) Plan of $5,100, (ii) flexible credits used towards covering the premiums for cafeteria-style benefit plans in the amount of $14,860, (iii) security-related costs and expenses to augment the existing security system at Ms. Catz's primary residence, (iv) legal counsel fees and (v) aggregate incremental costs to Oracle of $200,086 for Ms. Catz's use of Oracle's private aircraft for non-business travel. This leaves $1,928 for legal fees and security: for a Larry:Safra We Love Him More Security Ratio of: ~3114:1Catz still got $6.5M despite owning $2.8B of company stockNew co-CEO and director Clayton Magouyrk: joined Oracle in 2014, is 39Mr. Magouyrk will receive a grant of stock options to purchase $250M in shares of Oracle common stock with 80% of the grant consisting of time-based stock options and 20% of the grant consisting of performance-based stock options (“PSOs”).New co-CEO and director Michael Sicilia: joined Oracle in 2009, is 54Mr. Sicilia will receive a grant of stock options to purchase $100M in shares of Oracle common stock with 80% of the grant consisting of time-based stock options and 20% of the grant consisting of PSOs.Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: MacKenzie Scott gives $70 million to UNCF to financially strengthen HBCUs DRUNCF, as the nation's largest private provider of scholarships to minority students works to raise $1 billion to strengthen all 37 of its historically Black colleges and universitiesMM: Trump claims ‘sabotage' at UN from escalator, teleprompter and micTurns Out Trump's Own Team Messed Up U.N. Escalator and TeleprompterAssholiest of the Week (MM):American oligarchsMurdoch's TikTok? Trump offers allies another lever of media controlLarry Ellison's Oracle set to spearhead U.S. oversight of TikTok algorithmElon Musk just sold Grok to U.S. government for 42 cents – and signals warmer ties with TrumpMark Zuckerberg showed Google how to make Republicans happyIN: Zuck, Musk, Ellison, MurdochOUT: Satya Nadella (too Indian), Tim Cook (too gay), Sundar Pichai (too Indian), Bezos (too bald), Jensen Huang (too Asian), women, blacksSee? TikTok deal won't include 'golden share' or equity for U.S., Trump administration says - he only takes a golden share or voting stake when the CEO is Japanese (Nippon Steel) or Chinese (Intel)Disney - now everyone hates you!Conservatives: MAGA furious at Disney and ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's return: ‘They let the woke mob get to them'Liberals: Disney boss Bob Iger has gone from woke warrior to liberal lightning rodAffiliates: Nexstar joins Sinclair, says it will continue not to air Jimmy KimmelIRONY ALERT: In statement, Nexstar cited “diversity” as a reason why Kimmel is still off the air: “On Wednesday, Nexstar said it continues to evaluate the show and is speaking with Disney ‘with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve.'”Trump: Trump threatens to sue Disney-owned ABC over Jimmy Kimmel's return to TVInvestors: Disney investors demand internal records on Jimmy Kimmel's suspension, say the board may have breached dutiesEveryone: Disney decides it hasn't angered people enough, announces Disney+ price hikesStay in your place on the manufacturing line MMFirst they say college is for losers, now they say so is being alive - just eat your cheap fatty protein adjacent meal and go to workEx-Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns U.S. tech workers: competing with China's grueling 12-hour workdays means sacrificing work-life balancePalantir CEO says Gen Z can either have a social life at age 20 or be successful—but they can't do bothCharlie Kirk had a message for the over 2 million unemployed Gen Z NEET men: You don't need college to make your dreams happenBlackRock CEO Larry Fink said America could dodge a ‘retirement crisis' by encouraging people to work longerDon't try to be funny at work unless you want to risk your job and any chance of ever getting promoted, management professors sayMcDonald's is supersizing its value menu to win back average Americans — could it be a sign of trouble ahead?Girls, STOP APOLOGIZING for doing your jobsCracker Barrel CEO apologizes for logo, store changesWe conducted extensive research to inform our strategic plan. Well, what cannot be captured in data is how much our guests see themselves and their own story in the Cracker Barrel experience, which is what's led to such a strong response to these changes.Translation: we had no idea how racist you all areAt least she didn't apologize for everything that's ever happened in the last hundred years like Vanessa Hudson apologizing for the boys behavior at QantasLook how it worked for her: Qantas cutting CEO pay signals new era of cyber accountability - has a dude EVERY HAD PAY CUT FOR ANYTHINGHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Real American Beer collaborates with WWE for special Hulk Hogan collectible can: 'Hulkamania forever'Hulk:In leaked recordings Hogan was heard making homophobic remarks, using the N-word, making racist remarks, and openly admitting to being racistWWE terminated their relationship with him temporarily, removed him from their website/Hall of Fame, following public backlash. Eventually, some reinstatement occurred.Hogan's ex-wife made public emotional abuse allegations and accusations of an affair with their daughter's friendDuring the WWF / Vince McMahon-related trial over steroids in wrestling, Hogan testified under immunity and admitted past steroid use back to 1976He admitted to actively working against efforts to unionize professional wrestlersTwo divorcesMichelob Ultra overtakes Modelo Especial as best-selling beer in the U.S.American subsidiary Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLCWoke CEO Brendan Whitworth was a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and then as an operations officer for the CIA's counterterrorism center. Woke!Their leadership page of 15 executives also has a woke DEI hire! Chief People Officer Lindsay KingBelgian parent Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev)They are even worse than their American counterparts: of their 18 executive leaders, they have TWO DEI WOMEN: Chief Communications Officer Donna Lorensen and General Counsel Katherine Barrett. DEI gone crazy!Both Michelob ULTRA and Bud Light are made by Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev.DR: Palantir CEO says Gen Z can either have a social life at age 20 or be successful—but they can't do both & Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt warns U.S. tech workers: competing with China's grueling 12-hour workdays means sacrificing work-life balance MM: Tesla 'The Biggest Meme Stock' Ever? Expert Says 'Too Much Emphasis On The Magic Wand Of Musk'Sharing thoughts on Musk's new compensation package, Yale School of Management Senior Associate Dean Jeff Sonnenfeld didn't hold back with the meme stock analogy.THE SAME WIZARD IGER SONNENFELDMM: ‘Black Swan' author Nassim Taleb says your city's new bike lane is the reason the economy sucksTrump's tariffs force resources into lower-margin activities, Taleb said, likening the policy to “asking a brain surgeon to do some gardening two days a week to avoid being ‘ripped off' by professional gardeners.”Who Won the Week?DR: I-boo-proff-in, oh no, it's not American!MM: Jimmy Kimmel's YouTube channel PredictionsDR: Jimmy Kimmel takes Tylenol on air causing all remaining ABC affiliates to replace him with family-appropriate TV: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit which covers sex-based crimes (i.e. violence against women, now with commercials!)MM: Victoria's Secret ditches woke rebrand and vows to return to 'unapologetically sexy' roots - after reading this headline, Webster's Dictionary finally changes its definition of “woke” from “politically liberal or progressive (as in matters of racial and social justice) especially in a way that is considered unreasonable or extreme” to “anything including fat chicks, uggos, black people, and gays.”

Fred Goodwin led Royal Bank of Scotland to ruin and Britain to the brink of financial disaster. But who was the man they called Fred the Shred and how did he build RBS into (briefly) the world's largest bank? And how was he allowed to make such a complete horlicks of it? In our first live show at the Library of Mistakes in Edinburgh, Neil and Jonathan discuss these issues with Ian Fraser, author of Shredded, the seminal history of the fall of RBS. The show is made in partnership with The Library of Mistakes who are offering a 25% discount on their Practical History of Financial Markets course to listeners. Just follow this link and enter ALTIF25 into the box marked promo.Presented by Jonathan Ford and Neil Collins.With Ian Fraser. In partnership with the Library of Mistakes.Produced and edited by Nick Hilton for Podot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've been revisiting some of my favorite and most-listened episodes, this month. And in this episode, I'm bringing back this conversation with Marsha Shandur. Just listening to her tell stories inspires me to dig deeper and I know she'll make you want to be a better storyteller too.Marsha Shandur believes that storytelling is the KEY to ethically persuasive communication. A Storytelling and Persuasive Communication Coach and Trainer, she has taught thousands of individuals and groups of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals across the world, and has received rave reviews from clients like Meta, Royal Bank of Canada, HelloFresh, and Shopify.Before launching Yes Yes Marsha and her career as a Storytelling Coach, Marsha spent 15 years working as a Radio DJ, where she gained a powerful understanding of how to tell stories in a way that fosters connection, trust, engagement and loyalty. Her work has been featured in Forbes, BBC and Mashable.Tune into this episode to hear:How to use your clients' own words to connect deeply Why the popular  “are you tired of…” sales copy falls flat and what to do instead.How tiny stories and emotions can make your copy unforgettable.The one thing every great opener needs (hint: it's not “Hi, my name is…”).Learn more about Marsha Shandur:Yes Yes MarshaInstagram: @yesyesmarshaConnect with Marsha on LinkedInGet FREE resources from MarshaResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Moldova arrests 74 people over alleged Russian election interference, Egypt and Rwanda ink water and trade deals, the U.S. Treasury is in talks to support Argentina, a Dallas ICE facility shooting leaves two dead, including the shooter, Jimmy Kimmel returns after his suspension, President Trump cancels a meeting Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, the Trump admin. offers hundreds of reinstatements after DOGE workforce cuts, Sweden's Anna Breman is named the first female Royal Bank of New Zealand governor, Super Typhoon Ragasa kills 14 in Taiwan, and an experimental gene therapy reportedly slows the progression of Huntington's Disease. Sources: www.verity.news

During the Freedom Convoy in 2022, Canadians watched as bank accounts were frozen for supporting the protest. Now, in July 2025, it's happening again. Eva Chipiuk — the lawyer who represented Convoy protestors and cross-examined former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — says Royal Bank of Canada suddenly dropped her after a few cryptocurrency transactions.  Is this a warning to all Canadians? If banks can cut off truckers, lawyers, and ordinary citizens, who's safe? Weaponizing bank accounts is a full-frontal assault that puts democracy at risk.  Join David Leis live as we break it all down and discuss why this matters for every Canadian with:  Brett Oland, CEO of Bow Valley Credit Union  Marco Navarro-Genie, VP of Research at Frontier Centre  Lee Harding, Research Fellow at Frontier Centre 

Can you really lead a tech company if you're not technical yourself? David Windley has done exactly that. He's the former CHRO at Yahoo, held senior HR roles at Microsoft, Intuit, and Activision, scaled a startup from under $1M to $50M as CEO, and now leads HootRecruit — a recruiting tech company.  David has spent his career at the intersection of people, technology, and leadership. Listen to this episode to learn: How non-technical founders blow it when hiring their first developers Why a startup CTO is nothing like a corporate CTO The “Windley Rule” — why engineers must make sure you understand, not the other way around If you've ever felt shut out of the tech conversation because you don't code, this episode will show you how to step up as a leader. Resources from this Episode Tech for Non-Technical Founders course https://www.techfornontechies.co/tech-for-non-technical-founders Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/271-what-big-tech-taught-me-about-leading-without-code  

Most people think you need to be a Silicon Valley insider — or have millions in funding — to start a tech venture. That's just not true. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares the journeys of four Tech for Non-Techies alumni who built products and startups without writing a single line of code. You'll learn: How a dentist turned lockdown frustration into a healthtech app (and how you can spot opportunities in your own field). Why a fund manager realised he didn't need to code — and the mindset shift that freed him to start building. How a CFO uses tech knowledge to make smarter investment decisions (lessons every business leader can apply). The simple framework a banker used to launch her startup on the side, while keeping her day job. You'll hear directly from Tech for Non-Techies alumni Dr. Marilyn Sandor, Musi Skosana, Gustavo Juarez, and Zahra Almahoozi — and walk away with practical takeaways you can use to move your own idea forward. If you've ever caught yourself thinking “someone like me couldn't do that,” this episode is proof that you can. Resources from this Episode FREE class: Build a Startup WITHOUT Learning to Code https://www.techfornontechies.co/freeclass Tech for Non-Technical Founders course: https://www.techfornontechies.co/tech-for-non-technical-founders Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/270-real-people-real-startups-lessons-from-our-alumni   

At least to me, it seems everywhere you turn…iron-clad sports nutrition brands of the past are now showing huge cracks in their armor. So then, why does the industry appear shocked by the recent Iovate Health Sciences International news? For those that haven't already read the headlines, (last week) Iovate Health Sciences International filed voluntary petitions for protection under Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code. But unlike other chapters that address domestic bankruptcies, Chapter 15 doesn't involve a full liquidation or reorganization of the debtor through the U.S. court system. Instead, Chapter 15 is an administrative process to grant U.S. recognition to a foreign proceeding…designed to facilitate cross-border insolvency cases involving debtors, creditors, and assets in multiple countries. Thus, Iovate Health Sciences International is utilizing the bankruptcy proceedings to stabilize its operations and pursue an orderly cross-border restructuring…because if you didn't realize, the parent company of supplement brands like Hydroxycut and MuscleTech is headquartered in Canada. Founded in 1995, Iovate initially began as MuscleTech Research and Development…launching as a direct-to-consumer mail order business with just three products, one of which was the original Hydroxycut formula. A year later, MuscleTech expanded into physical retailers like GNC…and then soon after launched the infamous Cell-Tech product, along with Nitro-Tech, quickly becoming the first (and probably only) occurrence in supplement industry history that a single brand owned the top-selling fat burner, creatine, and protein powder products simultaneously. But while Iovate continually evolved its family of sports nutrition and wellness brands throughout the 21st century, the current portfolio includes the beforementioned MuscleTech and Hydroxycut (which eventually got spun off into a standalone brand), but also Six Star Pro Nutrition and Purely Inspired. And I can continue being nostalgic and overly positive by sharing numerous commercial highlights, but that wouldn't tell the entire business story. In fact, a central reason for changing the company name to Iovate Health Sciences International resulted from an original MuscleTech bankruptcy filing in June 2005…which got triggered after it faced thousands of lawsuits mostly related to Hydroxycut products containing ephedra. And I can go on and mention many other lawsuit settlements and reputational blunders…but in 2016, Xiwang Foodstuffs acquired Iovate Health Sciences International for reportedly north of a half-billion dollars. So, what caused this bankruptcy? The largest trade payable is the organic nutritional products brand Orgain, which (as of 2022) is now majority owned by Nestle Health Science. While the legal battle wasn't publicized much, Orgain filed a trade dress infringement lawsuit against Iovate…alleging that the Purely Inspired mimicked the Orgain packaging. Then, in April 2024, a U.S. court ordered Iovate to pay Orgain $12.5 million for copying its product labeling. But after Iovate failed to pay, Orgain obtained a writ of garnishment against Walmart, which withheld approximately $8 million in outstanding accounts receivable payments…severely impacting the working capital of Iovate. And as you'd imagine, this liquidity crunch ended up being a central reason why Iovate defaulted on its secured debt with Royal Bank of Canada. But while the protracted legal battle with Orgain might've been the “straw that broke the camel's back,” it hardly explains everything.

The Herle Burly was created by Air Quotes Media with support from our presenting sponsor TELUS, as well as CN Rail, and Fidelity Investments Canada.Alright, you curiouser and curiouser Herle Burly-ites, today on the show, the unofficial Herle Burly in-house economist ... Frances Donald is here! As I referred to her last time out, she's the Economist Explainer in Chief. The person who puts the FUN in economic fundamentals. The Senior Vice-President and Chief Economist at The Royal Bank of Canada. I'm super happy Frances is here because it feels like everything is changing with regard to our economic relationship with the United States. So today, I'd like her to explain this to me: What is the state of the Canadian economy in the context that new reality. Thank you for joining us on #TheHerleBurly podcast. Please take a moment to give us a rating and review on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts or your favourite podcast app.Watch episodes of The Herle Burly via Air Quotes Media on YouTube.The sponsored ads contained in the podcast are the expressed views of the sponsor and not those of the publisher.

In episode 217, Coffey talks with HRSouthwest Conference keynote speaker Steve Cadigan about the evolving nature of work.They discuss ongoing remote work debates; the evolution from hiring for skills to hiring for learning ability; the need for experimentation in remote team management; AI's role in skills analysis and internal talent mapping; building learning ecosystems between companies and educational institutions; the importance of knowing employee capabilities outside of their role-specific tasks; and HR's evolving role as facilitators of organizational awareness and AI governance.Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.About our Guest:Steve Cadigan is a highly sought-after talent advisor to leaders and organizations across the globe. As Founder of his own Silicon Valley-based firm, Cadigan Talent Ventures, Steve advises a wide range of innovative organizations that include Google, Cisco, Intel, and The Royal Bank of Scotland, Manchester United Football Club, The Country Music Association and the BBC. He is also regularly retained by some leading VC (Venture Capital) and Consulting firms such as Andreesen Horowitz, McKinsey & Company, Deloitte, and Greylock Partners for his counsel on a wide range of talent topics.Since 2021 Steve has been recognized every year as a top 100 thought leader in the world of Talent and People.Steve speaks at conferences and teaches in major universities around the world. His work in helping shape the culture at LinkedIn led Stanford University to build a graduate-level class around this ground-breaking work. Steve is frequently asked to appear on global TV and is a frequent guest on Bloomberg West, CBS, and CNBC.Throughout his career, the teams, cultures, and organizations he has led and helped build have been recognized as exceptional, “world-class” performers by the Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine.Before launching his firm, Steve worked as an HR executive for over 25 years at a wide range of companies and industries including ESPRIT, Fireman's Fund Insurance, Cisco Systems, PMC-Sierra, Electronic Arts and capped by serving as the first CHRO for LinkedIn from 2009 through 2012, taking the company from a private firm of 400 employees, through an IPO and helping set it up to be the powerhouse that it has become today. In 2021 Steve received the high honor of being invited by both The University of San Francisco and Stanford University to deliver their commencement speeches.Today Steve serves on the Board of Directors to three companies and also sits on the Advisory Board of several other progressive organizations. His passion is helping leaders and companies build compelling talent strategies.In August of 2021 Steve published a ground-breaking book on the Future of Work titled Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working.Even before its official release it realized #1 on the Amazon list of Hot New Releases. In the summer of 2025 Steve launched a new podcast series called Workquake Weekly.Over his career, Steve has lived in Singapore, Canada, and the United States. He has interviewed, hired, coached and mentored thousands of employees and leaders within a wide range of industries and geographies. This is what sets Steve apart from others who speak about the future of work. Steve has lived deep inside the world of work as an employee AND as an employer. His experiences and achievements give him a unique and authoritative point of view, essential to all discussions about the future of work.Today Steve lives in California with his family. He is the father of four boys and the stepdad to two girls. When he is not speaking, teaching, or writing, you can find Steve coaching basketball, playing tennis, body surfing, driving his kids everywhere, or cheering them on at their activities.Steve graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in History and received a Master's Degree in HR & Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of Working : https://a.co/d/3uORSF4Workquake Weekly Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workquake-weekly/id1815731966Steve Cadigan can be reached at https://stevecadigan.com.About Mike Coffey:Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business.Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business' small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association. Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community.Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year. Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas' 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week.Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.Learning Objectives:1. Shift hiring strategies from evaluating what candidates already know to assessing their capacity to learn new skills quickly, as the shelf life of current competencies continues to shrink.2. Develop comprehensive internal talent mapping systems that identify employees' transferable skills and potential for different roles within the organization, similar to how companies track customer data.3. Create experimental approaches to remote work management rather than rigid policies, to determine what productivity and culture practices work best for specific team dynamics.

What if the real secret to customer loyalty and transformation isn't just about great ideas, but about how you build consensus within your organization—before you make a single move? Too often, even the smartest strategies can get derailed by resistance, misalignment, or simple miscommunication inside a company. That's why I was eager to dig into the Japanese concept of "Nemawashi," a systematic approach to consensus-building that's been central to Toyota's legendary pursuit of customer delight and continuous improvement. Imagine cutting through internal silos and getting people not just to "buy in," but to truly commit—streamlining innovation from inside out. The impact? Smarter, faster, and more sustainable change that sticks. If you care about transforming customer experience and sparking lasting organizational change, you don't want to miss this episode with Dr. Graham Hill. He brings not only a global perspective but also hands-on experience as the former head of CRM for Toyota Financial Services—where these very principles drove jaw-dropping results. Dr. Hill's blend of academic rigor, practical insight, and international expertise makes this a must-listen for anyone looking to break down barriers and drive real, measurable progress. Here are three standout questions Graham answers on the show: What is Nemawashi, and how does it fundamentally change the way organizations drive internal consensus and transformation? Why is commitment more important than simple executive buy-in when trying to make organizational change succeed? How can the A3 model and concepts like Gemba and Kaizen help teams collaborate more effectively and boost campaign results? Don't miss this fascinating exploration—listen and subscribe to the Delighted Customers podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or find us on all your favorite podcast platforms. Meet Dr. Graham Hill Dr. Graham Hill is a recognized global authority on customer experience, loyalty, and organizational transformation. With an extensive background spanning over thirty-five years, Graham has worked with top brands such as British Airways, Ford Motor Company, the Royal Bank of Scotland, and notably spent over five years with Toyota Financial Services in Germany as Head of CRM. There, he learned firsthand the power of Japanese business principles like Nemawashi, the A3 model, and Kaizen—applying them to drive breakthrough improvements, including a leap from a 5–10% to a 35% response rate in customer campaigns. He's also held senior roles at firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG Consulting, bringing both rigorous academic and practical expertise to the table. While Graham humbly resists the title of "Japanese culture expert," his immersion in Toyota's approach has given him a unique perspective on the art and science of organizational change. Today, he's active on LinkedIn—passionate about sharing what he's learned and helping others cultivate more collaborative, customer-centric organizations. Connect with Graham Hill on LinkedIn: Graham Hill Show Note References Toyota's Secret Weapon: The A3 Report by John Shook (MIT Sloan Management Review): Read Article Culture's Consequences by Geert Hofstede: Learn more Steve Blank's quote: “There are no facts inside the building.” Steve Blank Servqual/ RATER Model: Overview 40 Years, 20 Million Ideas: Toyota's Suggestion System: Book Info Tom Fishburne, Marketoonist: Marketoonist Cartoons Connect with Dr. Graham Hill: LinkedIn

Most founders think you need to be technical to build a billion-dollar company. But some of the world's biggest tech giants were started by people who never wrote a single line of code. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva unpacks the journeys of four non-technical founders who rewrote the rules of business. In this episode, you will hear: How Steve Jobs proved that design instincts can beat coding skills Why Jack Ma's 30 job rejections became his unfair advantage in building Alibaba The broke rent payment that sparked Airbnb's $80B global empire What Katrina Lake's Stitch Fix IPO teaches about trusting customers over investors Resources from this Episode https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/how-companies-really-use-ai  FREE CLASS:  Build a Startup WITHOUT Learning to Code  https://www.techfornontechies.co/freeclass   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/269-4-non-technical-founders-who-built-billion-dollar-tech-empires  

In this episode of the Canadian Investor podcast, Simon (fresh off vacation) and Dan Kent dig into a jam-packed news and earnings episode. We start with the U.S. antitrust ruling on Google. Then we break down Alimentation Couche-Tard’s quarter which was mostly positive. We finish with earnings from TD and Royal Bank as well as our takeaways from Banks earnings this season. Tickers of stocks discussed: TD.TO, RY.TO, GOOG, ATD.TO Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most founders think securing investors will solve all their problems. But fundraising often creates a new set of challenges—misaligned expectations, endless reporting requests, and pressure that pulls focus from building the business. The truth is, raising capital isn't just about money.  It's about relationships, trust, and knowing when to push back. In this episode, you'll learn from Jeffrey Fidelman, founder and managing director of Fidelman & Company, which is on Inc.'s list of America's fastest-growing companies. Jeffrey has worked at Morgan Stanley, been a partner at a venture fund, and now advises early and mid-stage companies on growth and fundraising strategy. He shares what founders should realistically expect from investors, how to set boundaries without burning bridges, and why today's tools—like AI and no-code—make it possible to show traction before raising a single dollar In this episode, you will hear: Why some investors secretly derail startups — and how to spot them early The hidden risk of over-delivering for your investors (and how to say no) How no-code and AI tools can replace your first $250K in funding The newsletter strategy smart founders use to turn interest into investment Resources from this Episode Free class: Build a startup without learning to code https://www.techfornontechies.co/freeclass Fidelman & Co https://fidelmanco.com/ Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection https://amzn.to/3HPMHRG Financial Times: Being an angel investor is tougher than it looks https://on.ft.com/4oDoQFD Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/268-how-to-align-founders-and-investors-before-things-go-wrong

Most founders dream of creating a product so good it sells itself. That's the promise of product-led growth: customers discover, share, and adopt your product with little to no sales effort. Sadly that's rarely the reality. In the early stages, almost every founder has to do the hard, unglamorous work of founder-led growth: building trust, making offers and facing rejection. In this episode, you will learn from Vijay Rajendran, author of The Funding Framework: Secure Startup Funding With Confidence. Vijay previously led portfolio value at 500 Global, a venture capital firm with $2.7 billion under management, where he supported startups in more than 80 countries.  Vijay has helped hundreds of founders grow, scale, and raise capital.  Listen to learn: The difference between founder-led and product-led growth — and when each approach works best. How design partnerships and pilots can win your first customers (and even get them to fund product development). Why “influence” is a better mindset than “sales” — and how listening to customers creates trust. Stories from Airbnb to enterprise startups that reveal what growth really looks like behind the scenes. Whether you're launching your first product, leading innovation inside a corporate, or backing founders as an investor, this episode is for you. Resources mentioned in this episode: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It, Chris Voss Chapters   05:24 — The seductive dream of product-led growth (and why it rarely works early on) 07:52 — Design partnerships: how customers can fund your product 13:39 — The Airbnb toilet photos story: why every founder must talk to customers 18:55 — Stop pitching, start listening: turning sales into influence 23:23 — Empathy and persuasion: the human skills behind tech success 28:48 — When to move from founder-led growth to a professional sales team FREE Course: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know https://www.techfornontechies.co/freecourse   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/266-founder-led-vs-product-led-growth-how-to-pick-the-right-path-for-your-startup

Earlier this month, amidst seeing 50 shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Mickey-Jo saw James Graham's new play MAKE IT HAPPEN at the Edinburgh International Festival.The play follows the expansion and downfall in the 2000s of the Royal Bank of Scotland and stars Sandy Grierson and Brian Cox.Check out this full review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of the play...• 00:00 | introduction02:06 | synopsis / writing06:08 | performances10:02 | shortcoming15:16 | creative strengths19:33 | overall framingAbout Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 89,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're a non-technical founder building your first product, this episode is for you. In today's lesson, Robyn Exton shares the real story of how she went from branding agency employee to founder of a global tech company — without writing a line of code. She didn't raise millions on day one. She learned by doing, made all the early-stage mistakes, and got her first users with vodka shots in nightclubs. Now, her app has millions of users and she's been through Y Combinator. Robyn is the founder of HER, the dating app for queer women. Listen to this episode to learn: How to build a tech product without knowing how to code What to do when your first version fails The difference between product design and graphic design (and why it matters) How to work with developers when you don't speak tech Whether you're dreaming up your first MVP or struggling through version two, this is your honest guide to building in the dark — and making it work.   Chapters 00:00 — Vodka shots for downloads: the hustle begins 03:10 — From branding job to building a tech product 10:30 — The wake-up call: “You're doing too many things” 14:00 — Fake research, failed MVP, and what she learned 27:20 — How a non-technical founder led a dev team 33:45 — Hiring a CTO, letting go of ego, and building trust 45:35 — Raising $1M before YC — and why she joined anyway 51:10 — Final audience Q&A: churn, product, and user feedback   FREE Course: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know https://www.techfornontechies.co/freecourse   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. For the full transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/265-from-vodka-shots-to-y-combinator-how-a-non-technical-founder-built-a-global-tech-company

If you're the kind of leader who is “on” all the time — even on vacation — this episode is for you. In today's lesson, Sophia Matveeva shares a practical, honest approach to taking time off without pretending you'll fully unplug.  Because when you're in charge, not checking work emails is often a pipe dream. Listen to this episode to learn: Why inner peace isn't realistic for early-stage founders How to structure your break without lying to yourself The one rule you must follow if you get a great idea mid-vacation Why learning to trust your team now will set you up to scale How to use downtime to spot blind spots and reset your strategy Whether you're heading to the beach or just trying to unplug for a weekend, this is your guide to making rest work for your ambitious brain. Chapters 00:00 — The founder brain that never stops 01:50 — You don't need inner peace, you need creativity 04:52 — Structure your vacation like a pro 07:15 — What to do when inspiration strikes on holiday 09:35 — Smart founders use vacations to train their teams  FREE Course: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know https://www.techfornontechies.co/freecourse   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/264-the-vacation-strategy-for-people-who-can-t-switch-off

A special edition of the programme recorded in front of an audience at the Edinburgh Festivals earlier this week. Emmy and Olivier Award-winning actor Brian Cox discusses his role as the ghost of economist Adam Smith in James Graham's satirical play Make It Happen. The National Theatre of Scotland production at the Edinburgh International Festival chronicles the rise and downfall (in 2008) of the world's biggest bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland, and also features an actor playing the role of the bank's former chief executive, Fred Goodwin, and an onstage chorus. We're joined by Zainab Johnson - a black female Muslim comedian from Harlem whose show Toxically Optimistic is her debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and by comedian, Taskmaster star and the voice of Netflix's Too Hot to Handle Desiree Burch, whose show The Golden Wrath tackles themes including death, menopause, spirituality and nationality. Plus music from leading trumpeter Jay Phelps, whose show Miles at the Fringe reflects on the legacy of the bestselling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, and from The Bengsons, an Obie-winning husband and wife indie folk duo whose production Ohio is a celebratory true story about losing faith and finding hope in the darkest of places and is produced by the team behind Fleabag and Baby Reindeer. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Pacific tsunami warnings subside after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes off the Russian coast, India says the militants behind the Kashmir tourist attack have been killed, Niger inks a nuclear deal with Russia, protestors clash with police in Serbia, the Royal Bank of Canada terminates its banking relationship with the Freedom Convoy's lawyer, the Texas GOP unveils a new congressional map, Donald Trump announces a 25% tariff and Russia “penalty” on India, a U.S. House panel rejects Ghislaine Maxwell's immunity request, the FDA's top vaccine official resigns after three months, and Australia includes YouTube in its under-16 social media ban. Sources: www.verity.news

Why do so many software teams feel busy — but deliver so little value? Fractional tech leader Thanos Diacakis shares why shipping more features doesn't always mean progress. Drawing on 25+ years in software — from startups to scaling JUMP Bikes at Uber — he explains how to escape the trap of over-planning, feature overload, and technical debt. Listen to learn: Why planning more often leads to less progress What non-technical leaders need to ask their tech teams How to find your team's bottleneck (and why that changes over time) The 4 stages of becoming a high-velocity software team If you're a founder, product leader, or innovation exec frustrated by slow progress, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to course-correct. Follow Thanos Diacakis on LinkedIn and on his website.    Chapters 02:01 — Stop planning, start shipping 06:16 — Software isn't construction: you can't forecast innovation 09:58 — The 4 stages of high-velocity teams 13:56 — Spot the bottleneck, fix the system 20:11 — How business and tech teams can actually work together   FREE Course: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know https://www.techfornontechies.co/freecourse   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.   For the full transcript, go here: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/263-the-feature-factory-trap-when-output-doesnt-equal-progress

Canada's Banks: The Iron Vault of Tyranny Richard uncovers the Royal Bank of Canada's chilling assault on liberty by "debanking" constitutional lawyer Eva Chipiuk for defending the Freedom Convoy. This isn't just a closed account—it's a calculated strike against free thought, echoing the government's 2022 Emergencies Act overreach that froze $7.8 million in assets. With Tamara Lich and Chris Barber facing years in prison for “mischief,” Canada's banks and courts are colluding to crush dissent. Join us as we expose this tyranny and rally for a free Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most startup CEOs think they're the visionary. But in today's episode, you'll learn why the CEO is often the single biggest threat to team productivity — and how to avoid becoming one. Based on a real conversation with a seasoned CTO and a sales leader who've scaled startups to exit, this episode dives into the blind spots that trip up even well-meaning founders. Whether you're a CEO, part of a startup team, or investing in one — this lesson will help you lead smarter, build better, and waste less time. Listen to learn:  Why startup CEOs are more dangerous than corporate CEOs (and it's not about ego) What “Seagull CEO Syndrome” does to your roadmap and morale How developer paralysis destroys velocity — and how to fix it What smart founders, teams, and investors can do to keep priorities on track Lesson mentioned in this episode:  Why MVPs are Always Late, Why That's Okay, and What to do About It   Chapters 00:00 — The Real Threat: Why Startup CEOs Kill Productivity 02:10 — Power Without Process: How CEO Impulses Go Unchecked 04:30 — Seagull Syndrome: How CEOs Derail Roadmaps 09:15 — Nothing to Do? Why Bored CEOs Delay MVPs 14:10 — Bottlenecks in Human Form: When CEOs Bypass Their Own Leaders   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/262-why-the-startup-ceo-is-the-biggest-risk-to-their-own-team

Some CEOs are already replacing engineers and junior staff with large language models. But what if the real risk isn't that AI replaces your team — it's that it doesn't, and you're left without a talent pipeline? In this episode, Sophia Matveeva breaks down: Why cutting junior hiring today could sabotage your company in 3–5 years What IBM's CEO gets right that others get very wrong How the hype around “AI-first” companies is creating poor decision-making What the S-curve of innovation tells us about the real pace of AI progress And why thinking long-term — not just cutting costs this quarter — is a strategic advantage Whether you're a government leader, innovation executive, or non-technical founder, this episode will help you make smarter, more resilient decisions in the age of AI.  Fortune: IBM's CEO says ‘the first thing you can automate is a repetitive, white-collar job,' but he's not cutting workers: ‘I'll get more' Chapters 00:00 — The Real Risk Isn't AI — It's What Happens When It Doesn't Work 02:45 — What CEOs Are Saying: Duolingo, Klarna… and IBM's Contrarian View 06:30 — The Junior Job Crunch: Accountancy's Mistake Repeats in Tech 09:15 — The S-Curve Explained: Why AI Progress Is Slowing 14:10 — Your Strategic Takeaways: What Smart Leaders Are Doing Now   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.   For the full transcript, go here: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/AI-wont-kill-jobs-but-short-term-thinking-will

What does it really take to lead in tech without a technical degree? In this episode, Jennifer Byrne, former CTO of Microsoft US, shares how she built a top-tier tech career starting with a psychology degree — and why understanding context, not code, is your key to success. You'll learn: How Jennifer transitioned from nonprofit work to tech leadership The difference between digital fluency and context (and why it matters) What cloud computing really is — minus the jargon How Microsoft handled global trust issues post-Snowden What CTOs actually do at big companies (hint: it's not coding) Whether you're a founder, investor, or business leader, this episode will help you think more strategically about tech — and your role in it. Chapters 00:00 – Why this episode still matters 02:30 – Jennifer's path from psychology to tech 08:55 – Cybersecurity and the WikiLeaks era 14:40 – What cloud computing really is 25:25 – Digital context vs. fluency explained 35:45 – What a CTO actually does in big tech Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/260-how-non-techies-succeed-in-tech-lessons-from-microsoft-s-cto

The Royal Bank of Scotland was once the biggest bank in the world. Then, hubris got the best of it. During the financial crisis the UK government spent £46bn to bail out the bank. Seventeen years and a rebrand to NatWest Group later, the government just sold its last shares in it and officially ended the country's “bailout era”. The FT's Akila Quinio analyses what this means for the economy and for NatWest. Clips from ABC News, BBC, NBC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:The RBS story: how the world's biggest bank was nationalised and then rebornNatWest's freedom dividend has already been cashedNatWest must not forget its chequered past- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Akila Quinio on X (@akilazoe). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think advertising is just TikTok, Instagram, or TV? Think again. At Cannes Lions, a major industry summit, Big Tech set the agenda for what's next in AI, branding, and attention. This is your insider's summary. In this episode, you will learn: How offline spaces are powering smart digital brands  What AI personas are, and how to use them to test product and brand ideas faster (and cheaper) Why most agencies are missing half the audience — and what that means if you're building a mass-market product If you're building or marketing a tech product — whether you're in a startup or a large org — this episode gives you a real-world edge, minus the fluff. Chapters FREE COURSE: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.   For the full transcript go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/259-big-tech-ai-and-the-future-of-attention-what-you-missed-in-cannes

Sabine VdL talks to Lou Smith, a true trailblazer in the world of financial services and insurance. In today's episode, we'll dive into Lou's incredible journey, explore the vision behind Neuron, and discuss the key takeaways from the latest report that insurance providers need to consider.    KEY TAKEAWAYS We all have moments in life where the last thing we want to look at is out credit rating and history, but those things can affect how you access financial services in the future. Lou was part of the team that delivered the first end-to-end mortgage renewal online, started to break down investments and getting it to the hands of the many rather than the few. Everybody says insurance is behind the rest of the financial services industry, and it's a funny statement. It doesn't matter. What I'm seeing in insurance in the last 5-6 years is that this conversation has circled around about what do we do? But in the last 12-18 months I've seen a passion for how do now think about using digital, distribution models, digital, analytics and AI and thinking of all of those things together and deliver distribution models that start to move industry forward. The challenge is always in leadership, culture and change adoption. This is because it's really difficult to step into an unknown and think it's going to be better than what you're doing today. You want to power people with the data and capabilities so they can do what they're brilliant at, which is focusing on the best product and position for their client. Neuron and others enable brokers to do that. You also want to attract a new generation into the brokering sector, but rather than have them focus on the admin of that sector, they should be having great conversations with clients. All the work we're doing enables brokers to do that.   BEST MOMENTS ‘When starting my career I had a real passion for how to make the services we were offering more successful for clients and customers.'‘We care about the customer and making financial data accessible to you through the narratives we use.'‘I'd love to say this was all planned out, we didn't call it anything or know what it looked like, we just started to bring data and technologies together to build ‘workflow' and that's now become cool.'‘We want to be the easiest, most predictable and consistent broker to work with.'   ABOUT THE GUEST Louise (or Lou) Smith is a trailblazer in the financial services and insurance industries, with a career spanning leadership roles across digital transformation, data, product innovation, distribution, technology, and operations.  Her journey has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, including delivering the UK's first steps into digital distribution at Barclays, leading the digital transformation of the Royal Bank of Scotland (including NatWest) during its turnaround to profitability, and becoming the first-ever Chief Digital Officer at Lloyd's of London.  Currently, Louise is at the helm of Neuron, a transformative initiative aimed at redefining the insurance and financial services landscape. Through Neuron, she is driving innovation, collaboration, and growth, focusing on creating a more connected and customer-centric industry. WTWCO LinkedIn ABOUT THE HOST Sabine is a corporate strategist turned entrepreneur. She is the CEO and Managing Partner of Alchemy Crew a venture lab that accelerates the curation, validation, & commercialization of new tech business models. Sabine is renowned within the insurance sector for building some of the most renowned tech startup accelerators around the world working with over 30 corporate insurers, accelerated over 100 startup ventures. Sabine is the co-editor of the bestseller The INSURTECH Book, a top 50 Women in Tech, a FinTech and InsurTech Influencer, an investor & multi-award winner. Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Facebook  TikTok Email Website This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Most founders dive straight into building — features, user flows, no-code tools — before they've nailed the strategy that actually drives traction: brand. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares why brand must come before product, especially for non-technical founders building tech-enabled businesses. You'll learn the four brand foundations every founder needs — whether you're launching a new venture or scaling an existing one: Clarity — Who you serve and why you exist Story — What problem you solve and what's at stake Trust Signals — How to build credibility before or beyond your user base Voice — How to speak to your market without jargon Sophia also shares examples from Uber, Goldman Sachs, and her own company, Tech for Non-Techies, which is trusted by governments and Fortune 500s to teach non-technical leaders how to succeed in the digital economy. If you want customers, talent, and investors to take your venture seriously — and you're not building brand strategically — this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 – Code vs Brand 01:11 – Logos Are Not Brands 02:37 – Why Trust Matters More Than Features 04:37 – Non-Technical Founders' Common Mistake: Features Before Brand 09:38 – Investors Back Missions, Not Apps 11:40 – Think Like an Investor 12:30 – 4 Brand Foundations Before Product 18:13 – What's Next: Cannes Lions Insights Episodes to help you build your personal brand: 170. Advisory Boards: why join them & why have them 146. How to get headhunted   For the full transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/258-why-you-need-a-brand-before-you-need-an-app   FREE COURSE: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.

Michael Every of Rabobank discusses the evolving global financial and geopolitical landscape. He explores the potential transformation of the dollar system from one based on financialization to one focused on industrial production, possibly involving Bitcoin as a strategic reserve and dollar stablecoins, with the aim of reducing inequality both within and between countries. The conversation also touches on the concept of multipolarity and the emergence of regional blocs, while questioning whether any alternative currency or system can truly replace the dollar's global acceptance. He examines the potential for military conflict in this great interregnum period and explains neo-mercantilism as the key takeaway. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube Geopolitics & Empire · Michael Every: Neo-Mercantilism & the New World Order #563 *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics easyDNS (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://easydns.com Escape Technocracy course (15% off with GEOPOLITICS) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis (CitizenHR, CitizenIT, CitizenPL) https://societates-civis.com Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Rabobank https://www.rabobank.com/knowledge/our-experts/011085368/michael-every X https://x.com/TheMichaelEvery About Michael Every Michael Every is a Global Strategist at Rabobank. He analyses major financial developments and contributes to the bank's various economic research publications for internal and external customers and to the media. Michael has over two decades of experience working as an Economist and Strategist. Before Rabobank, he was a Director at Silk Road Associates in Bangkok, Senior Economist and Fixed Income Strategist at the Royal Bank of Canada in both London and Sydney, and an Economist for Dun & Bradstreet in London. Michael holds a Masters degree in Economics (with distinction) from University College London and speaks a smattering of languages, including Thai. *Podcast intro music is from the song "The Queens Jig" by "Musicke & Mirth" from their album "Music for Two Lyra Viols": http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)

Interest rates weren't cut this week. Why? Well, it's complicated. The Bank of Canada didn't give borrowers a break when it set policy on Wednesday, as Tiff Macklem cited the need to wait for more data points. The word "uncertainty" is being thrown around, although ironically, the economy was actually stronger in the first quarter than forecast. Host Mike Eppel speaks to experts about the lack of a cut and what that means for the market, home buyers and home owners. Guests: Claire Fan, Senior Economist, Royal Bank of Canada Phil Soper, President Royal LePage We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us: Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca  Or @thebigstoryfpn on Twitter

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof resigned after far-right leader Geert Wilders walked out of his coalition government, Mexico's new supreme court is set to solely contain judges nominated by the ruling coalition, and Eurozone inflation fell below the European Central Bank's 2 per cent target. Plus, the FT's Akila Quinio explains how the Royal Bank of Scotland was nationalised in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis and then reborn. Mentioned in this podcast:Far-right Dutch leader Geert Wilders quits governmentTiny slice of Mexicans elect supreme court closely tied to ruling partyEurozone inflation falls below target to 1.9%The RBS story: how the world's biggest bank was nationalised and then rebornSouth Korean leftwinger Lee Jae-myung wins presidential electionToday's FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian, Ethan Plotkin, Fiona Symon, Mischa Frankl-Duval, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, Michael Lello, and Gavin Kallmann. Our intern is Michaela Seah. Topher Forhecz is the FT's acting co-head of audio. The show's theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Analysis paralysis is BORING. And it doesn't get you results. Most founders think they fail because of the market, the product, or the pitch. But the real killer is a slow mindset. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shows you why bad work beats perfect ideas — and how shifting your mindset can be the difference between building real momentum and watching your venture die. You will learn:  Why perfectionism feels smart but keeps you stuck How no-code tools tempt you to tinker instead of launch Why top founders move fast and embrace imperfection How to build momentum before you're ready — with real-world examples and a challenge for you to do today   Chapters 00:00 The Mindset Shift for Non-Technical Founders 03:07 The Importance of Speed Over Perfection 05:53 Accepting Imperfection in Innovation 09:02 Consequences of a Slow Mindset 11:47 Taking Action Before You're Ready FREE COURSE: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University. For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/257-why-bad-work-wins

If you're building a tech product but don't have a technical background, this episode will save you months of wasted time and thousands in unnecessary spend. In this re-release of one of our most popular early episodes, Tech for Non-Techies founder Sophia Matveeva shares the 5 biggest mistakes non-technical founders make — and how to avoid them. Whether you're a  founder, a corporate innovator, or leading a new digital venture, these lessons will help you lead product teams effectively and build better tech businesses. You will learn: Why hiring a developer first is a mistake — and who to bring in instead The crucial difference between product metrics and business metrics (and how to use both wisely) How Facebook and WhatsApp built great products by focusing on engagement before monetisation What non-technical leaders must know about giving clear, measurable instructions to product teams What success looks like in the early stages — and why early growth shouldn't be the goal Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Non-Technical Founders' Challenges 02:26 The Importance of User Experience Design 10:36 Understanding Product vs. Business Metrics 16:21 Setting Clear Goals for Product Teams 20:13 Embracing Flexibility in Product Development 24:32 The Journey of Product Improvement Over Growth   FREE COURSE: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.   Listen to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Amazon Podcasts Stitcher Pandora For the episode transcript, go here: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/256-top-mistakes-non-technical-founders-make-how-to-avoid-them

From accelerators to corporate venture capital, most startup support structures fail to deliver. Investor and entrepreneur Andrew Ackerman explains why — and what founders and corporates should do instead. With over 70 investments and hundreds of founders mentored, Andrew brings rare perspective from both sides of the table. Andrew is a serial entrepreneur who has founded two companies, led an accelerator, and now advises startups, VCs and corporates. He's also the author of The Entrepreneur's Odyssey — a novel-style guide to what startup life really feels like. You will learn: Why most accelerators fail: Discover how many support programs offer flashy promises without delivering tangible outcomes like revenue or pilot deals. Rethinking venture capital: Understand why fundraising is often pursued for validation rather than strategic fit — and why most startups don't necessarily need VC money. Corporate innovation pitfalls: Learn how misaligned incentives and internal politics transform innovation programs into mere theatre rather than engines of growth. The value of tailored support: Find out how startups can benefit from support structures designed as platforms that evolve with their specific stage and needs. What to do instead: Get practical insights on structuring your support programs, whether you're a founder, a corporate team, or an investor.   Chapters 00:00 The Illusion of Tech Startups 02:43 Understanding Startup Support Systems 06:48 Challenges in Corporate Innovation 10:05 The Value of Accelerators 16:58 The Glamour of Fundraising 22:12 The Reality of Startup Life   FREE COURSE: 5 Tech Concepts Every Business Leader Needs To Know   Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.  --- For the full transcript, go to https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/What-most-startup-support-gets-wrong-and-how-to-fix-It

Anson Sowby is CEO and co-founder of Battery, a global creative company that mixes Hollywood storytelling with brand strategy and Silicon Valley speed. With offices around the world and clients like the Anaheim Ducks, Land O'Lakes, and Warner Bros Games, Battery has been named Ad Age Agency of the Year three times. Anson joined me to share how they built this bold, modern agency on this week's On Brand podcast. Anson Sowby is the CEO and co-founder of Battery, a global creative company who developed a unique working model that's part Hollywood storytelling mixed with classic brand principles done the Silicon Valley way. The company has been celebrated as a three-time Ad Age Agency of the Year with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Shanghai, and works with forward-thinking clients like the Anaheim Ducks, Land O'Lakes, Royal Bank of Canada, and Warner Bros Games. What brand has made Anson smile recently? Anson shared a fun smile from the brand Trust & Will, which is in the business of ... well, exactly what you'd think! Listen to learn where Anson's unexpected smile came from. Connect with Anson on LinkedIn and learn more on the Battery website. Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you're hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you'd like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to become a better tech innovator while you sit on a beach? In this episode, Sophia Matveeva shares four podcast episodes you can learn from through osmosis—and enjoy every minute of it. You will learn: Why Netflix's original CEO got fired by his co-founder—and what that says about startup leadership transitions The founder Warren Buffett said was more scary than a grisly bear How the New York Times nearly collapsed and reinvented itself in the Digital Age Why building a stellar career takes longer than you think—and why that's okay These episodes aren't just entertaining—they're strategy lessons in disguise. Timestamps: 01:18 Podcast Recommendations for Tech Innovators 05:36 The Story of Rose Blumkin 08:57 The New York Times Company Case Study 12:47 The Long Game in Professional Development Growth Through Innovation If your organisation wants to drive revenue through innovation, book a call with us here. Our workshops and innovation strategies have helped Constellation Brands, the Royal Bank of Canada and Oxford University.  For the episode transcript, go to: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/4-Podcasts-That-Will-Make-You-Smarter-This-Summer