Podcasts about Scale up

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Best podcasts about Scale up

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Latest podcast episodes about Scale up

The Changemakers
Growing a scale-up brand through iteration and experimentation: Aviv Canaani, Datarails

The Changemakers

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 34:51


We're back! After a little hiatus between new guest episodes, we return in style as Dave sits down with Aviv Canaani, Chief Revenue Officer at Datarails, to discuss his firm belief that there is no real way to grow a B2B company without building a brand - especially not today.Aviv shares his unique journey from marketing leader to Chief Revenue Officer, and how he transformed a traditional outbound sales machine into a high-growth inbound powerhouse through a constant process of experimentation, risk-taking, learning and iterating. Along the way, he and Dave dismantle the myth (prevalent amongst many scaleup marketers) that brand is just "fluffy" creative work. We also dive into:The CRO's case for brand: Why revenue leaders should obsess over brand as the ultimate "revenue tomorrow" engine.The outbound/inbound shift: How Datarails moved from 90% outbound to 90% inbound through intentional brand-building and community.Balancing short-term & long-term: Managing separate growth and brand teams to hit this quarter's targets while fueling future demand.B2B doesn't mean boring: How memes, a niche podcast, and sponsoring the Microsoft Excel World Cup drove massive engagement in the typically corporate finance space.If you're a marketing leader looking to learn more about brand-building's impact on revenue growth, or moving beyond over-reliance on short-term outbound activity, this masterclass in modern B2B growth is for you.

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #582 - AI Search Is Rewriting the Rules. Are You Still Playing the Old Game? - with Andreas Voniatis

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2026 54:20


In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Andreas Voniatis, founder of Artios.io, to explore what might be the biggest shift in search since Google began. Traditional SEO as we know it is fading. AI search is changing how content is discovered, prioritised, and rewarded. And Andreas saw it coming early. In fact, Artios built its own Large Language Model back in 2019; years before ChatGPT entered the mainstream. This conversation dives into: Why traditional SEO is becoming a back-office function Why most AI content strategies are fundamentally flawed What "information gain" really means; and why it's now critical How Andreas bootstrapped deep-tech R&D without external investors The founder mindset shifts that helped him scale without burning out As always, we break the discussion into three parts. First, the business, the model and where Artios.io is on its ScaleUp journey. Second, Andreas' views on scaling challenges and the future of AI search. And third, a few quickfire questions to close. Quick heads-up; we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's designed to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will shape the final version. Just email kevin@biz-smart.co.uk to get access. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Andreas.   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk     Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Andreas can be found here: http://artios.io/guaranteed-winning   Resources: The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-story-of-philosophy-will-durant/201405a61e221106?ean=9780486848556&next=t

Startup Schlau Podcast
Warum Freunde im Business scheitern (und wie man es verhindert) (#48)

Startup Schlau Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2026 55:59


Hi, wir sind Marc & Dave, zwei Unternehmer nach Gründung, Scaleup und EXIT. Wir wollen Wissen und Emotionen weitergeben und treffen uns regelmässig zum virtuellen Ping Pong. Wie damals beim Tischtennis im eigenen Startup

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #581 - ScaleUp Club: Take Control of Your Week - with Ryan Slaney

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2026 32:51


This ScaleUp Radio episode is a ScaleUp Club special — recorded live in February — and it's packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. Kevin Brent opens with the month's theme: gaining control of your week, moving away from reactive firefighting and towards deliberate, high-value leadership time. You'll hear a simple framework to help you protect the work that really moves the business forward, rather than letting your diary become "a democracy". Then we switch gears into a short AI Pulse update from Paul Rhodes, founder of Green Gorilla Software, who shares a genuinely useful productivity shift: stop typing and start talking. Paul explains why AI needs context, why dictation creates richer prompts, and how tools like Granola and WhisperFlow can turn messy spoken thoughts into structured, usable output. Finally, we move into a live Q&A session with Ryan Slaney, Managing Director of iLockerz, who shares the realities of scaling a product business — including the mistake that "nearly killed" them: trying to build the perfect product from day one. Ryan talks candidly about payroll reality, customer-led development, the value of weekly all-hands alignment, and spotting issues early through "Potential Red Flags". You'll hear: How to redesign your week around green time (strategic), red time (operational) and grey time (low value) Why you must put the rocks in first (or the sand will swallow your week) Paul's AI Pulse: why dictation creates better prompts and faster output Ryan's hard-won lesson: MVP, revenue and feedback loops beat perfection A simple scaling discipline: weekly all-hands, shared visibility and "PRFs" before they become fires Quick heads-up — we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals — in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Ryan. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk     Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Ryan can be found here: https://www.ilockerz.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanslaney/ ryan.slaney@ilockerz.com

The Recruitment Marketing and Sales Podcast
How Strategic Hiring Built a £30 Million Business in Under Two Years with Sarah Bishop

The Recruitment Marketing and Sales Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 51:49


Welcome to the Superfast Recruitment podcast. In this episode, Sharon sits down with Sarah Bishop, founder of Recruit Recruit, based in Wolverhampton, and author of the newly published book Scale Up! The Founder’s Guide to Accelerating Growth by Building Dream Teams. Sarah has spent 30 years in recruitment, and her book is built around one of the most extraordinary case studies you will hear in this industry: helping a business called Your Doctor Film and Media grow from zero to £30 million in turnover in just 21 months, in the middle of a pandemic. This is a conversation about what strategic hiring actually looks like in practice, why culture and DNA matter far more than job specs, and how Sarah’s subscription model is changing the way small and growing businesses access great recruitment support. Sarah also shares something refreshingly honest: that despite all her success in helping others to scale, she has found it harder to apply the same thinking to her own business. What Made You Write the Book? Sharon: Before we get into the big case study, tell me, what made you decide to write the book in the first place? Sarah: It was a mixture of things, really. Throughout my career, I have worked with fast-growing businesses. Phones4U, Holiday Hypermarket, HomeServe. But those experiences were always as part of a larger team doing volume hiring. The case study at the heart of the book, Your Doctor Film and Media, was completely different because we were building every single team from scratch across every function. There were genuine moments where I thought I knew something, and then realised I knew it in theory but not in practice. And honestly, the second reason was to prove to myself that I could actually finish something as big as a book. The £30 Million Journey Sharon: So, your book is centred on helping Your Doctor Film and Media go from zero to £30 million in just 21 months, during a pandemic of all things. Walk me through it. What were the big recruitment challenges, and how did you help them see hiring as a competitive advantage rather than just a cost? Sarah: In the early days, it was a malay. Nobody knew what was going on or how long Covid was going to last. Your Doctor Film and Media started by providing Covid testing for the film and media industry at Pinewood Studios, beginning with Jurassic World Dominion, and it just snowballed from there. The turning point came when producers got frustrated that government laboratories could not turn tests around quickly enough. Hollywood producers are fairly exacting about their timetables and budgets, so Your Doctor made the very smart decision to build their own labs. Suddenly we were finding biomedical scientists and a Head of Science who, miraculously, got the labs ISO-accredited in a matter of weeks. I was brought in through Vanessa Deco, a brilliant Chief People Officer and a very good friend. She introduced me to Pete and Dr. Rick, and they trusted me from day one. They gave me access all areas, including board meetings and strategic planning sessions, which meant I could really do my job properly. I cannot take too much credit for the strategic approach. A lot of that was down to Pete and the founding team being willing to stop reacting and start building a proper business. Hiring for Roles That Do Not Exist Yet Sharon: That is such a challenge, is it not? Recruiting for roles that do not even exist yet. How did you figure out what talent was needed before the business even knew what it required? Sarah: The early stages were actually more straightforward than you might think. The first brief was very clear: find people who could interface between film crews and clinical teams, work antisocial hours without complaint, think on their feet, and handle what I called tricky people, meaning Hollywood producers who wanted the impossible done yesterday. I immediately knew that events and hospitality professionals, many of whom had been furloughed or made redundant during Covid, were the perfect fit. Some of my earliest placements were technically overqualified, but I could see they were going to become the future leaders of the business. Laura had spent years with Disney on their cruises and ended up heading up special productions including The Crown. Serge had been Events Manager at the Royal Opera House for 13 years and followed a similar path. The harder roles came later, on the technical and scientific side, where candidates tended to be more risk-averse. Some people I simply could not put in front of the client, not because they lacked the ability, but because they needed structure that did not exist yet and would not have lasted five minutes in that environment. Getting Culture and DNA Right Sharon: Most agencies just default to matching skills and experience when they are under pressure to move fast. How did you get under the skin of Your Doctor’s culture and DNA, and how did that actually change who you put forward? Sarah: Getting the DNA match right is not just about culture and values, though those matter. It is about genuinely understanding what a business is trying to achieve and where it is going, and then working out whether a candidate will actually thrive in that specific environment. I still cringe at the term ‘recruitment consultant’, because too many people in this industry are essentially order-takers. They get a job spec, they try to fill it, and they have no idea where the business is heading. I was very fortunate that Pete, Dr. Rick, and the whole team treated me as an equal, not as ‘the recruiter’. We were never left waiting for feedback. We were in the room. That is what allowed me to do my best work. Pete once said it was so nice to work with a recruiter where you did not feel you needed to arm yourself with a wooden stake and cloves of garlic. He had used all the big London names on previous projects, and I think that says everything. The Subscription Model Sharon: Tell me about your subscription model, because it is quite different from the traditional contingency approach. What drove you to develop it, and why do you think it works better for businesses that are growing fast? Sarah: I cannot believe I did not think of it sooner. Traditional contingency recruitment creates this start-stop-start dynamic that serves nobody. Even if the placements are brilliant, the reactive nature of it means businesses are always catching up. My model is designed to work like an embedded internal talent acquisition team, without all the overhead. Clients get predictable monthly costs rather than surprise fees, which is better for their cash flow. And from our side, we get the time to build proper talent pools, map the market, and do a genuinely good job rather than scrambling to fill an urgent vacancy. We have a startup mode from around four hundred pounds a month for sole traders taking on their first hire, right the way up to established corporates whose finance directors are looking at recruitment spend and do not want a full internal team sitting idle in quiet periods. I should also say, with some embarrassment, that I have not scaled my own business anywhere near as well as I have helped others to scale theirs. Classic physician-heal-thyself. The Hire That Changed Everything Sharon: So looking back over that whole 21-month journey, what was the single hire that you think really shifted things for Your Doctor? The one that unlocked the next stage of growth? Sarah: It is not the hire you might expect. The earliest placements, the events and hospitality professionals we brought in when nobody knew what was going on, had an enormous impact. Not just because they handled the chaos brilliantly, but because they stepped up and became managers and leaders as the business grew. In terms of a single hire that shifted the trajectory, I would point to Katie, the Director of HR. We had brought in Mandy as HR Manager initially, and she was brilliant at the transactional work: getting policies and procedures in place. But the business scaled so fast that it very quickly needed strategic HR leadership, and that was a completely different thing. One of the lessons I share in the book is that in rapid scaling, you need to think carefully about whether you are better off bringing in a senior hire or an interim from the start, rather than assuming you can grow up from a junior level. Getting a critical hire wrong at that stage is serious. At best it stalls you. At worst it could be the end of the business. From Car Sales to Recruitment Sharon: Right, let’s talk about you for a minute. Your background is not a conventional route into recruitment at all. Car sales, Wolverhampton, environmental science degree. How did all of that shape the way you approach this industry? Sarah: I graduated with an environmental science degree in the nineties, which was not especially useful, combined with a fairly significant student debt. My dad had run car yards and dealerships, I had done sales training working in shoe shops on Oxford Street, so I knew I could earn commission. I went in absolutely for the money. But the real lessons I took from that background into recruitment had nothing to do with cars. They were about human behaviour, psychology, and a genuine curiosity about what makes people tick. Understanding people, what they really mean when they say something, is the best skill you can bring to recruitment. It helps with interviewing, with building client rapport, with the DNA-matching work that has become central to everything I do. My autism and ADHD are part of that too. I have always been hypercurious about people, sometimes to an uncomfortable degree. When I joined Extra Personnel in 1996 as a temp controller, that curiosity was already there. As a temp controller you do not interview to a job spec, you interview the person. I have never really stopped doing it that way. Building a Team That Makes You Redundant Sharon: Now this one fascinates me, because there is a real tension in your book between being the external recruitment partner and your goal of building internal teams that eventually make the recruiter redundant. Why on earth would you want to do that? Sarah: I know it sounds like a poor business model, and I will admit it is. But I stand by it completely. A lot of this ties into my autism, which gives me a very finely tuned sense of what is fair and ethical. If I do such a good job that the client does not need me anymore, that is exactly what they brought me in to do. I am not going to sit there worrying about future revenue. And in practice, those clients always come back when they next need someone, because the relationship and the trust are already there. The subscription model does now offer a natural alternative, because not every business wants or can sustain an internal HR and recruitment function. Many HR professionals actively dislike doing recruitment because it pulls them away from everything else they need to manage. So now there is an option that gives clients consistency and strategic input without the overhead. I still stand by making yourself redundant as a principle, but I am glad we now also have a model that makes business sense alongside it. Marketing and Employer Brand Sharon: Your whole approach is very relational and very marketing-led. You think about employer brand, candidate experience, matching people not just for right now but for where the business is going. How does that differ from what most recruiters do? Sarah: I will be honest, our own marketing is very much a work in progress. We do not yet have a clearly defined candidate niche, which makes it harder to market with real specificity on that side, and that is a 2026 project for us. Where we have genuinely improved is in consistency. Having the monthly content from Superfast Recruitment means Marianne and I now have something to work with every single month instead of scrambling or just not getting things out at all. When the resources come through, we genuinely go ‘yes!’, because we can adapt them and get them out there. Our broader marketing philosophy is very relational. There is no corporate speak on our website or in our communications. It is very much us. The role marketing plays for us is simply making sure that when the right client or candidate finds us, they already have a sense of who we are and what we are like to work with. Scaling Your Own Business Sharon: So tell me, Bish. Writing about scaling is one thing, but doing it in your own business is a completely different story. What did writing this book teach you about your own operation? And what would the Sarah of today tell the Sarah who was just starting Recruit Recruit? Sarah: Take my own advice. That is the biggest lesson. I am genuinely good at solving other people’s problems, and I have been pretty poor at applying the same thinking to my own business. Two things really stand out from writing the book. The first came from going back to The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. Just sit down and sketch out the organisation chart for the size of business you want, not the one you have got right now. That single exercise forces you into strategic conversations about what will actually move the needle and who to bring in first. The second is accountability. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that nearly every chapter of Scale Up! was written on a Thursday evening, the night before my weekly call with my writing mentor. When I looked back at my calendar, it was painfully obvious. But the lesson is real: whether you are writing a book or building a business, an accountability partner who simply asks ‘did you do what you said you were going to do?’ makes an enormous difference. For founders picking up the book, the signs it is right for you are pretty clear. If you are juggling too many plates and not moving fast enough, if you find yourself thinking ‘why can they not understand what I want?’, or if you have a sizable team but you are still being pulled into everything because there is nobody senior enough to take things off your plate, that is the book for you. Finally Sharon: Bish, this has been brilliant. Honestly, one of my favourite conversations we have had on this podcast. The story of Your Doctor Film and Media is extraordinary, and I think there is so much in here that recruitment business owners can take and run with. If you want to get hold of Sarah’s book, Scale Up! The Founder’s Guide to Accelerating Growth by Building Dream Teams is available now. If today’s conversation has got you thinking about your own marketing and how to get more visible and consistent as a recruitment business, come and take our free Client and Candidate Attraction Scorecard. It takes about three minutes and gives you a personalised picture of where your marketing is right now and what to work on first. The post How Strategic Hiring Built a £30 Million Business in Under Two Years with Sarah Bishop appeared first on Superfast Recruitment.

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #580 - Scaling a Personal Brand Without Becoming the Bottleneck
- with Benjie Hughes

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2026 61:13


Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by Benjie Hughes, founder of Hopeless Marketing. Benjie works with B2B service businesses turning over between one and thirty million pounds who feel stuck, plateaued or unclear about their positioning. His philosophy is simple but powerful; hope is not a strategy. Most businesses do not need more marketing. They need more clarity. In this episode we explore his Ice Pick Strategy; why being focused and sharp beats being broad and busy; and we talk honestly about the challenge of separating the founder from the business. Benjie shares how he scaled his first company to run without him, and why his current business requires a very different approach, including hiring a fractional COO for accountability. As always, our discussion is structured in three parts. First, we look at the business, the model and where it sits on the ScaleUp journey. Second, we explore Benjie's perspective on the challenges of scaling, including growth plateaus and founder psychology. And finally, we close with a few quickfire questions. One standout message from this episode is this: most marketing problems are not visibility problems; they are clarity problems. Quick heads-up; we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Benjie. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk     Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Benjie can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjiehughes/ https://hopelessmarketing.com/unvisible   Resources: E-Myth Revisited by Michael E Gerber - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-e-myth-revisited-why-most-small-businesses-don-t-work-and-what-to-do-about-it-michael-e-gerber/82114?ean=9780887307287&next=t Predictable Success by Les McKeown - https://www.waterstones.com/book/predictable-success/les-mckeown/9781608320318 Getting Things Done by David Allen - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/getting-things-done-the-art-of-stress-free-productivity-david-allen/2593335?ean=9780349408941&next=t Remarkable - https://remarkable.com/

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP274 - Inside the MSP Growth Hub - Insights from January 2026 Client Intensive Event

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2026 26:18


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we take you inside our Client Intensive Event and lift the lid on what really happens when ambitious MSP owners come together to build better businesses.     This was our January 2026 Client Intensive Event, and it was the biggest room we have ever had. Over 60 MSP owners and team members gathered for two full days of structured thinking, planning, challenge, and collaboration. It was not a sit back and listen type of event. It was designed to stretch thinking, raise standards, and help every single business owner leave with clarity and a refreshed 16-week plan.     The Client Intensive Event is a core pillar of the MSP Scale System. Three times a year, our clients step away from their day-to-day operations and immerse themselves in focused work on the business. The structure is deliberate. We expand thinking through expert led sessions, then channel that insight into practical planning, peer discussion, and clear next steps. Every attendee leaves with an updated 16-week roadmap built around their own business priorities.     The theme this time was business maturity. We explored three key areas that underpin sustainable growth. Structural maturity, team and people maturity, and operational maturity. These are not theoretical concepts. They are the foundations that determine whether your MSP can grow with confidence or remains fragile beneath the surface.     On the structural side, we focused on governance and risk. Many MSP owners are strong technically and commercially, yet have never formally considered how governance protects value. We explored how to build a practical risk register, how to identify exposure across legal, supplier, regulatory and client concentration risks, and how to put simple mitigation in place. For several business owners, this created real light bulb moments. Scaling with confidence requires knowing your ducks are in a row. When you understand your risks, you make stronger decisions and protect long term value.     On the people side, we explored what makes a cohesive team. It is not only about systems and processes. It is also about how people feel inside the business. Trust, accountability, the ability to have difficult conversations, and clarity of expectation all drive performance. When those elements are weak, leaders experience frustration, repeated questions, slow decision making, and high staff turnover. The Client Intensive Event created space for honest reflection. Several owners recognised that team dysfunction often starts with leadership behaviour. That awareness is powerful. When leaders change how they show up, teams respond.     Operational maturity formed the third pillar. We examined how margin is often lost in operations rather than in finance. By connecting systems properly and using accurate data from sales, service, projects and finance, MSP owners gain visibility over efficiency and profitability. We drilled into practical examples around help desk structure and the dispatcher role, helping owners see where small operational refinements can unlock meaningful financial impact. For one new client, this approach has already uncovered significant hidden profit within their first 60 days.     Beyond the structured content, what continues to define every Client Intensive Event is the community. Observational learning is a powerful force. When MSP owners hear peers tackling similar challenges, sharing openly and supporting one another, confidence rises quickly. Trust builds. Relationships deepen. Competitors become collaborators in the pursuit of higher standards. The energy in the room this time reflected a step change in maturity across the community.     One of the most rewarding moments came when we stood at the front for a group photograph and realised how far the community has grown. What started with a simple vision to help more MSP owners scale with confidence has become a room full of experienced leaders committed to doing business better. That growth is not measured only in revenue. It is measured in confidence, clarity and ambition.     The Client Intensive Event always concludes with a rebuild of each owner's 16-week plan. Ideas are distilled. Priorities are clarified. Actions are documented. This discipline ensures that inspiration turns into implementation. It prevents overwhelm and replaces it with focused progress.     If you are serious about building a business that works for you rather than you for it, stepping into a structured environment like a Client Intensive Event can transform the way you think about growth. Business maturity is not accidental. It is developed deliberately, one focused cycle at a time.     At The MSP Growth Hub, our mission remains simple. Help MSP owners accelerate success and scale with confidence. The Client Intensive Event is one of the most powerful ways we do that.    Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!   

Startup Schlau Podcast
Kann man Familie und Karriere wirklich kombinieren? (#47)

Startup Schlau Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2026 57:55


Hi, wir sind Marc & Dave, zwei Unternehmer nach Gründung, Scaleup und EXIT. Wir wollen Wissen und Emotionen weitergeben und treffen uns regelmässig zum virtuellen Ping Pong. Wie damals beim Tischtennis im eigenen Startup

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #579 - ScaleUp Short: Scaling Does Not Need To Be Complicated

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 10:23


Welcome back to ScaleUp Radio Shorts, where Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt distil the best insights from our recent full-length interviews and turn them into practical, actionable takeaways for ambitious business owners. This week, we're bringing together two very different voices with a surprisingly aligned message: Jack Molyneux – former Merchant Navy Master Mariner turned tech founder, building a disruptive superyacht platform, IDOSY. Lindsey Burden – Intuitive Business Coach with over a decade of experience helping founders stop overcomplicating and start executing. Different industries. Different journeys. The same core lesson: scaling successfully comes down to clarity, courage and focused execution.     1. Simplicity Scales. Complexity Distracts. Jack built IDOSY around a clear mission: fix a broken, opaque system in the superyacht charter industry. His entire platform centres on three things: Live price. Live availability. Live booking. In an industry dominated by phone calls, PDFs and delayed email chains, that simplicity is the disruption. Lindsey shared the flip side. In her early days, she described herself as the "Queen of Overcomplication". Busy work felt productive. Complexity created the illusion of progress. But when business owners panic, they often abandon the plan and chase shiny objects. A new platform. A new offer. A new strategy. Instead of staying focused on the destination, they start reprogramming the sat-nav mid-journey. The lesson? Simplicity creates traction. Complexity creates noise.     2. The Right Team Will Challenge You Jack made a powerful point about leadership: as a founder, you must have someone around you who is prepared to say no. Founders are persuasive. Vision-driven. Convincing. But without challenge, conviction can turn into blind spots. Having led crews of over 100 people as a Master Mariner, Jack understands operational discipline. In a scaling business, strong teams aren't just compliant. They question. They test. They refine. Lindsey sees this transition from another angle. When you move from solopreneur to employer, you quickly realise: No one will care quite as much as you. You cannot hire only "doers". You need a mix of reliable executors and people who think, lead and innovate. Scaling requires a shift in identity. From being the person with all the answers… To being the person who sets the intent and trusts others to execute.     3. The 90-Day Sweet Spot One of the strongest overlaps between both conversations was execution rhythm. Lindsey is a huge advocate of 90-day planning. She calls it the sweet spot: Long enough to deliver meaningful results Short enough to stay focused and accountable Without that rhythm, founders get trapped in what she calls the "octopus business" – tentacles everywhere, constant activity, little progress. Jack demonstrated this mindset in action when raising capital. Instead of being overwhelmed by the enormity of fundraising, he broke it down step by step. His advice? Start with friends and family. If you cannot convince the people who know and trust you, persuading strangers will be even harder. It builds confidence, momentum and belief. And when the rejections come, as they always do, remember: Every "no" is one step closer to the next "yes".     4. Pricing, Confidence and Backing Yourself Lindsey delivered some tough but essential advice on pricing. When things get quiet, the temptation is to drop your prices or accept the wrong-fit clients for quick cash. But that decision shapes your future pipeline. Do premium work at bargain prices and you attract more bargain buyers. She challenges founders to stop pricing by the hour. Clients do not pay for time. They pay for outcomes. They care about getting from A to B, not how many hours it takes. Her practical tip for selling high-ticket services: "Nail your pricing, say it with confidence, and then don't say another word." Confidence is built through repetition. Through experience. Through backing yourself. Which mirrors Jack's advice to his younger self: Back yourself. Be brave. It's okay if people don't like it. He also challenged the idea of overprotecting your concept. You do not have a business until you build it. Talking about your idea creates momentum. Silence does not.     The One Key Thing The one key thing this week: Focus on execution over emotion. Keep it simple, commit to a 90-day rhythm, price with confidence, and back yourself even when it feels uncomfortable.     Standout Message "You can have 100% of nothing, or you can start talking to people and see what happens."     Quick Heads-Up: Smart90 Lite We're currently looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. If you would like early access, take a look at smart90.co.uk      

Developer Experience
[EXTRAIT] Focus, leadership, autonomie : les clés d'une équipe performante — Jean-Marc Charles

Developer Experience

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026 15:02


Faire grandir une boîte tech de 5 à 500 personnes, c'est un défi que peu de gens maîtrisent vraiment.Jean-Marc l'a vécu de l'intérieur chez BlaBlaCar pendant 10 ans. Et il a identifié 3 règles simples qui font qu'une équipe fonctionne — ou pas.Dans cet extrait, il partage son approche pour structurer des équipes autonomes, éviter les 9 mois de cycle perdus, et surtout : grandir soi-même dans une organisation qui scale.————— JEAN-MARC CHARLES —————Retrouvez Jean-Marc :Sur son site web : https://antlice.fr/Sur LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmcharles/————— CHAPITRAGE —————(00:00) Comment faire grandir une boîte de 5 à 500 personnes(01:28) Les 3 règles qui font qu'une équipe fonctionne bien(02:24) Règle #1 : Le focus — toute l'équipe sur un seul sujet(04:22) Règle #2 : Le leadership — avoir une locomotive qui tire le train(05:01) Règle #3 : L'autonomie — réduire les frictions entre équipes(06:18) L'importance de la démo toutes les deux semaines(06:59) Trouver le bon équilibre entre autonomie et robustesse(07:55) Comment grandir soi-même dans une boîte qui grandit(09:00) L'effet Instagram professionnel et l'importance des mentors externes————— RESSOURCES —————Communauté Tech Rocks————— 5 ÉTOILES —————Si cet épisode vous a plu, pensez à laisser une note et un commentaire sur Spotify ou Apple Podcast. Ça ne vous coûte rien et ça m'aide beaucoup !————— COACHING —————Vous êtes leader tech ou product face à des défis majeurs ?

tech 45'
La scale-up française du cloud entre Paris et Californie - Frédéric Plais (Platform.sh) REPLAY

tech 45'

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 44:18


Cette semaine, direction la Californie !J'ai le plaisir de recevoir Frédéric Plais, cofondateur et CEO de Platform.sh, la scale-up française du cloud qui simplifie la vie des développeurs en hébergeant sites et applis — sans se prendre la tête avec l'infra. Cet entretien a été enregistré en juin 2025.→ plus de 7 000 clients → plus de 50 M$ d'ARR→ 187 M$ levés à dateFrédéric, c'est un entrepreneur discret mais redoutablement efficace, avec un regard Paris / Californie très précieux sur la tech et la culture produit. On parle scalabilité à l'international, culture d'ingénierie en full remote, souveraineté sans fausses bonnes idées, et aussi de l'impact de l'IA sur le quotidien des devs.Je suis Seb Couasnon, je te donne RDV chaque semaine sur ta plateforme de podcast favorite : mets-moi des étoiles, laisse un avis, abonne-toi… merci ! Tu peux aussi m'écrire sur X ou LinkedIn si tu as une remarque ou une idée d'invité. Bon replay !Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Beyond Coding
How Senior Software Engineers Balance Speed and Quality (Scale-Up Lessons)

Beyond Coding

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 47:09


The difference between a junior and a senior engineer isn't coding speed, it's knowing when to say "no.""The best code you can write is the code you don't write." In this episode, I sit down with Alessandro Mautone (Senior Software Engineer at Aquablu, ex-WeTransfer) to discuss the reality of engineering at a scale-up: how do you maintain technical excellence when the business demands speed?We break down why delivering features "fast" pays your salary, but how to negotiate deadlines so you don't drown in technical debt later. If you want to move from writing code to owning product decisions, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we cover:- How to push back on features and negotiate deadlines without upsetting stakeholders- Why chasing "perfect code" can hurt a company in growth mode- The Generalist vs. Specialist career path: Which one is right for you?- The potential pitfalls of using AI for unit tests without proper oversightTimestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:06 - Balancing Technical Excellence With Delivery Speed00:04:11 - Why Delivering Features Pays Your Salary00:06:51 - The Importance of Ownership and "Skin in the Game"00:08:59 - Leaving WeTransfer: When Company Direction Shifts00:11:49 - The Generalist vs. Specialist Career Path Debate00:16:46 - How to Attract Top Engineering Talent to Your Team00:18:50 - Is LeetCode the Right Way to Hire for Scale-Ups?00:23:16 - Learning to "Say No" is a Sign of Seniority00:25:17 - Negotiating Scope Without Burning Bridges00:26:02 - When AI Generates Bad Unit Tests00:28:14 - Never Compromise on Tests, Even in "Code Red"00:33:59 - Communicating Technical Concepts to Non-Tech Stakeholders00:35:35 - The Never-Ending Battle Against Complexity00:37:26 - When to Build for the Future vs. Ship Now00:42:30 - A Real-World Example of Refactoring for Simplicity00:46:48 - The Skill That Will Be Make or Break for Engineers#SoftwareEngineering #ScaleUp #TechnicalDebt

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #578 - From Master Mariner to Marketplace Disruptor - with Jack Molyneux

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 53:23


In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Jack Molyneux, Founder of IDOSY – a new digital marketplace set to disrupt the superyacht charter industry. Jack's journey is anything but conventional. From qualifying as a Master Mariner at just 26 and commanding cruise ships and superyachts around the world, to managing fleets of luxury yachts for a family office, and now launching the first live-booking superyacht platform – this is a true ScaleUp story grounded in deep operational credibility. IDOSY launches mid-April with a bold ambition: to bring live pricing, live availability and instant booking to a market that still runs on emails, brokers and PDF brochures. And yes – it is as complex as it sounds. Our discussion is structured in three parts. First, we explore the business, the model and where IDOSY sits on its ScaleUp journey. Second, we dig into Jack's views on the real challenges of scaling, including raising capital from industry insiders and navigating complex global regulations. And third, we close with a few quickfire questions. One standout message from this episode is this: if you are going to disrupt a market, you need deep operational understanding before you digitise it. Quick heads-up — we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing kevin@biz-smart.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Jack.   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk     Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Jack can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-m-3580bb7b/ https://www.idosyyachts.com/   Resources: Close To The Wind by Pete Goss - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/close-to-the-wind-an-extraordinary-story-of-triumph-over-adversity-pete-goss/2215269?ean=9780747259381&next=t Turn The Ship Around by L. David Marquet - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/turn-the-ship-around-a-true-story-of-building-leaders-by-breaking-the-rules-l-david-marquet/3549368?ean=9780241250945&next=t Diary of a CEO podcast - https://stevenbartlett.com/doac/

Linchpin Conversations
When is it time to Scale UP?

Linchpin Conversations

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026 48:15


Knees-to-elbows grip Bike vs Rower CrossFit terminology Training days & results. Scaling up. Deadlift grip. VNR cycles The CF Open Sugary Treats & discipline

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP273 - Owner Not Needed - Are You Ready to Stop Being the Bottleneck?

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 14:59


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we ask a powerful question. Are you ready to stop being the bottleneck in your MSP and step into true Owner Not Needed leadership?    So many MSP owners tell us the same story. They are still the person everything flows through. Every decision lands on their desk. Every problem escalates to them. Every opportunity waits for their approval. They are working eighty or ninety hours a week while the rest of the team finishes at five. And deep down, they are wondering whether the business is working for them, or whether they are working for the business.    At The MSP Growth Hub we use the phrase Owner Not Needed. It is not about disappearing. It is about building a business that can grow, perform and create value without being dependent on you for every move. One day you will exit your MSP. Whether that is five years away or fifteen, the value of your business will be shaped by how needed you are. The less dependent it is on you, the stronger the valuation and the more freedom you create along the way.    One of the biggest fears around Owner Not Needed is loss of control. Owners worry that if they delegate properly, quality will slip, standards will drop and clients will suffer. The truth is that poor delegation creates risk. Structured delegation reduces it. When you build clarity around roles, responsibilities and expectations, you do not lose control. You create scale.    Another common challenge is decision dependency. Your team comes to you with ten-pound tasks. Small decisions. Quick clarifications. Simple approvals. Individually they feel harmless. Collectively they make you the bottleneck. A practical shift is the one three one rule. When someone brings you a problem, ask for one decision, three options and their recommendation. This develops thinking, confidence and ownership. It moves you closer to Owner Not Needed behaviour and further away from reactive firefighting.    There is also the emotional side. What happens if the business runs smoothly without you? What happens if the team no longer needs your input every hour? Some owners experience a subtle fear of becoming irrelevant. The shift from technical doer to strategic leader is not easy. What got you here will not get you there. Owner Not Needed requires you to redefine your value. You move from fixing tickets to setting direction. From solving immediate problems to shaping long term outcomes.     A practical starting point is to define your thousand pound an hour tasks. These are strategy, leadership, growth planning, financial oversight and culture. If you are spending your week buried in technical work or low value approvals, you are operating far below your true impact level. Owner Not Needed is about elevating your contribution. Delegate the ten-pound tasks. Develop your leadership team to handle the hundred-pound tasks. Protect your time for the thousand-pound decisions that drive growth.     Building leaders rather than helpers is another essential shift. Helpers wait for instruction. Leaders take ownership. They understand their numbers. They report performance. They challenge ideas. They contribute to innovation. This requires structure. Clear KPIs. Departmental plans. Individual accountability. Regular one to ones. Without structure, people drift. With structure, they grow. Owner Not Needed thrives in a culture of clarity.     Numbers also play a critical role. Many MSP owners cannot confidently say whether they are truly making money. They look at the bank balance and hope. Owner Not Needed demands financial visibility. Know your margins. Know your EBITDA. Share the right metrics with your team. When everyone understands performance, decisions improve and dependency reduces.     Staying strategically involved is different from daily firefighting. A weekly cadence focused on progress, priorities and performance replaces reactive noise. Instead of walking around asking how things are going, you review structured updates. Instead of solving every issue, you coach leaders to solve them. This is how Owner Not Needed becomes a lived reality rather than a slogan.    The benefits are powerful. Clear head space to think. A capable leadership team making aligned decisions. Consistent delivery without owner interruption. More time with family and friends. Greater flexibility and control over how you spend your time. And when the day comes to sell, a stronger multiplier because the business is not reliant on you.    Owner Not Needed is not about stepping away and hoping for the best. It is about intentionally building a structure that allows the business to thrive without constant owner intervention. When you lift yourself out of the bottleneck position, you unlock growth, value and freedom.     If this episode has struck a chord, take a moment to reflect. Where are you still the decision maker for something your team could own? What would change if you truly embraced Owner Not Needed thinking?   Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!   

Startup Schlau Podcast
Entferne Noise aus deinem Kopf (#46)

Startup Schlau Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2026 46:52


Hi, wir sind Marc & Dave, zwei Unternehmer nach Gründung, Scaleup und EXIT. Wir wollen Wissen und Emotionen weitergeben und treffen uns regelmässig zum virtuellen Ping Pong. Wie damals beim Tischtennis im eigenen Startup

Developer Experience
Dorra : "Si on veut, on peut", le moteur de sa carrière dans la tech

Developer Experience

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 144:59


Dorra devait devenir chercheuse. Arrivée de Tunisie pour un master de recherche à Paris, tout semblait tracé. Mais au CEA, elle découvre qu'elle préfère développer des outils plutôt que rédiger des articles. La recherche théorique n'est pas pour elle.Depuis, elle explore tous les terrains de la tech : dev, tech lead, architecte, coach, formatrice, professeur, speaker, co-auteur d'un livre, et aujourd'hui CTO d'Arolla. Plus de 400 personnes formées, des conférences partout en France, un livre co-écrit pendant sa grossesse, et le Craft Radar qui cartonne auprès de leurs clients.Son fil rouge ? La transmission. Elle ne refuse jamais une belle opportunité et applique au quotidien sa croyance : « Quand on veut, on peut. » Une approche qui lui vient de sa culture tunisienne, où l'on fait beaucoup avec peu de moyens.————— DORRA BARTAGUIZ —————Retrouvez Dorra sur LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%92%8Edorra-bartaguiz-457b5315/————— PARTIE 1/3 : PARCOURS —————(00:00) Intro + présentation de Dorra(02:45) Comment Dorra vit sa multiplicité de casquettes au quotidien(05:21) S'adapter comme un caméléon selon son interlocuteur(10:27) D'où vient cette croyance « quand on veut, on peut » ?(14:39) Faire beaucoup avec peu : un mindset familial(17:05) Pourquoi cette croyance est devenue son mode automatique(29:39) Le problème des lunettes : on ne voit pas le monde pareil(31:28) De consultante à CTO : un parcours non planifié(32:21) « Je voulais rester dans l'expertise, pas devenir CTO »(37:06) Apprendre le management sans formation management(45:20) Ce qu'elle a appris en passant de consultante à CTO(56:55) Être CTO : avant tout montrer l'exemple(1:00:35) Le tennis à 40 ans pour prouver que c'est possible(1:12:35) Le karma : plus tu donnes, plus tu reçois(1:14:02) Cinq ans pour devenir speaker : le chemin détaillé(1:22:27) Se connaître et connaître ses limites comme un élastique(1:26:06) Prise de notes et création de contenu : le processus(1:42:09) Le challenge des deux semaines de prise de notes————— PARTIE 2/3 : ROLL-BACK —————(1:45:04) La franchise qui coûte cher(1:49:20) Don't Be Yourself : ne pas utiliser l'authenticité comme excuse(1:50:43) Les faiblesses : comment les transformer ?(1:56:12) Le karma du partage dans les avant-ventes————— PARTIE 3/3 : STAND-UP —————(2:01:42) Le Craft Radar : créer ensemble plutôt que seul(2:08:10) Quels problèmes clients le Craft Radar résout-il ?————— RESSOURCES —————Don't Be Yourself par Thomas Chamorro-PremuzicIt Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at WorkOneNote : outil de prise de notes numériqueLe Craft Radar : format d'audit créé par l'équipe ArollaZettelkasten : méthode de prise de notes connectées————— 5 ÉTOILES —————Si cet épisode vous a plu, pensez à laisser une note et un commentaire sur Spotify ou Apple Podcast. Ça ne vous coûte rien et ça m'aide beaucoup !————— COACHING —————Vous êtes leader tech ou product face à des défis majeurs ?

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #576 - ScaleUp Short - Two Founders. Two Paths. One Scaling Truth

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026 12:24


The Art of Sales, Self-Awareness and Scaling Featuring Dr Muddassir Ahmed (SCM DOJO) and Rachael Jackson (WIBN Birmingham) Produced with the aid of AI In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt reflect on two powerful – and very different – scaling journeys. On one side, Dr Muddassir Ahmed, founder of SCM DOJO, who built a global AI-enabled learning platform from scratch. On the other, Rachael Jackson, who chose a franchise route with WIBN Birmingham to create structure, community and flexibility – while building her passion project, Array of Light. Two contrasting models. One shared truth: scaling demands self-awareness, discipline and resilience.   Sales Is Not Optional Muddassir learned a hard lesson early: You can outsource HR. You can outsource accounting. You can outsource marketing. But you cannot outsource sales as a founder. Despite being highly technical and data-driven, he had to personally master enterprise sales – including sending 72 emails over 18 months to land a major global brand. The takeaway? Polite persistence wins. Enterprise sales cycles are long. And founders must own the conversation.   Cash Flow Is Reality Rachael's scaling journey exposed a different challenge. Moving from corporate retail into a franchise networking model meant adjusting to the unpredictability of SME payments. Her response? Save upfront Take no salary for 12 months Prioritise reinvestment and resilience It is a disciplined approach that many founders underestimate.   Self-Awareness as a Strategic Advantage Rachael openly discussed being diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD traits in adulthood. Instead of seeing this as a weakness, she built systems around it: Time-blocked email checking Turning off notifications Choosing tools designed for dyslexic thinkers Delegating dense information into top-line bullet points Self-awareness became a scaling tool. Meanwhile, Muddassir applies "lean accountability" and daily stand-ups to manage a global team across time zones, backed by documented SOPs. Different personalities. Same principle: structure enables scale.   AI – Tool or Transformation? Muddassir is building agentic AI into SCM DOJO – not just generative AI that writes text, but AI agents that: Plan Analyse Execute workflows Run forecasting models Evaluate supplier responses Yet even with advanced AI, he still had to build human relationships the hard way. AI enhances. It does not replace resilience.   Two Definitions of Success Muddassir wants SCM DOJO to become the industry standard for supply chain learning. Rachael defines success as happiness, impact and helping women grow in confidence. Different ambitions. Both completely valid.   The One Key Thing Scaling is not about copying someone else's model. It is about knowing yourself, managing your cash carefully, building repeatable systems, and staying resilient long enough to win.   Quick Heads-Up If you want more structure and accountability in your own ScaleUp journey, explore Smart90 – our proven 90-day execution system. And if you'd like to stay focused and actually deliver each week, try our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite. It's free while we're testing it – just email kevin@smart90.co.uk for access.

CarDealershipGuy Podcast
"Like Rocket Fuel for Growth!" – The Scale-Up Playbook Behind a Rapidly Expanding Dealer Group | Matt Stuckey, President of Stuckey Automotive

CarDealershipGuy Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 46:03


Today I'm joined by Matt Stuckey, President of Stuckey Automotive. Matt explains how real estate mandates, throughput targets, and workforce pipelines intersect, and why productivity—not volume—is the real competitive edge in today's market. This episode is brought to you by: 1. iPacket - iPacket also offers iPacket Recon, iPacket OnTargeting and iPacket Value - the newest product to the iPacket line-up. iPacket partners with thousands of dealer partners and is headquartered in Williamstown, WV. For more information, visit @ here or follow the company on Facebook and LinkedIn. 2. Lotlinx - What if ChatGPT actually spoke dealer? Meet LotGPT — the first AI chatbot built just for car dealers. Fluent in your market, your dealership, and your inventory, LotGPT delivers instant insights to help you merchandise smarter, move inventory faster, and maximize profit. LotGPT is free for dealers, but invite-only. Join the waitlist now @ here. 3. CDG Recruiting - Hire top dealership talent, fast. From sales managers to GMs and C-suite execs, we've placed over 1,000 roles across auto retail. Ready to scale without the hassle? Visit @ here to get started. Check out LotGPT here: https://lotlinx.com/lotgpt-waitlist/ Check out Car Dealership Guy's stuff: For dealers: CDG Circles ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://cdgcircles.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dealership recruiting ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgrecruiting.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Fix your dealership's social media ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.trynomad.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For industry vendors: Advertise with Car Dealership Guy ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgpartner.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Industry job board ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://jobs.dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Request to be a podcast guest ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.cdgguest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Topics: 05:08 Why waste prime retail real estate on dirty, used car reconditioning? 05:18 The "Shrink the Footprint" strategy for building high-leverage, low-overhead dealerships. 09:07 The "150-unit rule" that dictates exactly when you must centralize operations. 22:08 Why the secret to a happy family business is never working in the same building. 23:48 How to force your sales team to average 25 units—double the national average. 25:12 Why 45 minutes is the "magic number" that defines a modern car delivery. 25:27 The "Stopwatch Audit" trick to find out exactly where your deals are dying. 26:45 Ending the "Print-Scan-Shred" insanity to reclaim hundreds of lost staff hours. 33:45 The "Clock is Ticking" mindset for stealing B2B market share from competitors. 41:53 Why the "tech shortage" is a myth fueled by lazy dealership training. Car Dealership Guy Socials: X ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠x.com/GuyDealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/cardealershipguy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tiktok.com/@guydealership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Threads ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠threads.net/@cardealershipguy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077402857683⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Everything else ➤ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dealershipguy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The BarberShop with Shantanu
Shark Tank's GOAT Life Gets a Reality Check on Its ₹1 Cr to ₹10 Cr Scale-Up Strategy Ft. Yash Kalra

The BarberShop with Shantanu

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026 70:21


This episode goes inside the realities of scaling a D2C brand.Yash Kalra, Founder of Goat Life, started his journey in Kota. Before crores in monthly revenue and national visibility, there were 80 plus offline events and constant product iteration.He joins Shantanu Deshpande and Aditya Sehgal, Founder, Asgard.world and Ex-President & COO, Reckitt, for a direct conversation on what it really takes to scale. They challenge assumptions, question positioning, and examine the shift from founder hustle to structured growth.Problems that we solve in this episode: - How should founders prioritise operations and capacity when demand spikes overnight?- As a content led brand scales, what must stay founder led to keep the voice authentic?- When does a niche brand know it has gone deep enough to expand wider into new categories?- If you are building a consumer brand and navigating growth decisions, this episode will sharpen your thinking.Navigate through the chapters and watch till the end00:00 Coming Up01:43 Introduction04:07 From GO OAT to Goat Life06:40 Products, Flavours & Packaging08:31 Sales Split Across Channels & AOV10:50 The “Ompi” Story × Shantanu12:14 Is GOAT LIFE Truly Just a Breakfast Company?13:42 SKU Mix: Assorted Packs vs. Singles14:57 Limited Drops Strategy19:16 How to Expand Your Product Range?22:01 Breakfast or Oats?23:39 The Growth Formula27:37 Go Wide or Go Deep?39:47 Why the Current Team Setup Is Breaking40:07 How to Build a Good Team and Culture?50:33 The 3-Bucket Org Structure (Brand, Sales, Product)01:01:19 Working Capital and Demand Shocks

Honest UX Talks
#170 Lessons learned from 4y at a scale up

Honest UX Talks

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 39:19


Anfi shares insights on her journey working in a fast-paced scale-up, transforming weaknesses into strengths, strategic product pitching, effective communication at scale, leading impactful workshops, what defines a great manager, the difference between delivery and vision, and strategies to elevate UX culture from low to high maturity.This episode was recorded in partnership with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wix Studio.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out these links:Sign up for Anfi's ⁠⁠Design → Impact translation WS⁠⁠ workshop on  February 18Preorder Ioana's upcoming book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The first 100 copies will be hand-signed.Ioana's ⁠⁠co-working space⁠⁠Join Anfi's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Job Search community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The community includes 3 courses, 12 live events and workshops, and a variety of templates to support you in your job search journey.Ioana's AI project: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aidesign-os.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ioana's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠WhatsApp group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ioana's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠AI Goodies Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ioana's Domestika course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Create a Learning Strategy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enroll in Ioana's AI course ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"**AI-Powered UX Design: How to Elevate Your UX Career"**⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Interaction Design Foundation with a 25% discount.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Into UX design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ online course by Anfisa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠❓Next topic ideas:Submit your questions or feedback anonymously ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram to stay tuned for the next episodes.

ai whatsapp lessons learned ux job search ws scale up ioana design impact interaction design foundation
Head Of Design
ManoMano – Faire grandir une équipe design dans une scale-up tech - Paul Buquoy

Head Of Design

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026 60:18


Dans cet épisode de Head of Design, Paul Menant reçoit Paul Buquoy, Senior Lead UX Manager chez ManoMano. Ensemble, ils explorent le passage de designer à manager, les outils pour structurer une équipe en période de crise, et le rôle stratégique du design dans une scale-up tech en pleine évolution.

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP272 - Why Owner Dependency Kills MSP Valuations with Stuart Warwick and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2026 17:50


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we explore why owner dependency quietly destroys MSP valuations and what you must do now to build real, transferable value in your business.     If you have ever assumed your MSP will sell when the time comes, this conversation may shift your thinking. Stuart and I unpack a hard truth. A business that cannot run and grow without you will always carry risk in the eyes of a buyer. And risk directly impacts MSP valuations.     We were prompted to record this episode after a sobering conversation with an MSP owner who had attempted to sell multiple times over several years. Each time, buyers began the process. Each time, due diligence exposed weaknesses. Each time, the deal collapsed. Not because the business was small. Not because there was no demand. The issue was clarity, structure, and owner dependency. The business worked for him. It did not work without him.     That distinction is critical.     When buyers assess MSP valuations, they are not buying your effort. They are buying sustainable profit. They are buying systems. They are buying a team. They are buying recurring revenue. They are buying predictability. If you are central to sales, delivery, relationships and decision making, the buyer sees fragility. And fragility reduces multiples.     We often explain valuation through simple maths. Imagine a one million pound MSP generating two hundred and fifty thousand pounds of EBITDA. At a modest multiple, you may walk away with half a million pounds. After decades of work, that can feel underwhelming. The opportunity lies in understanding that MSP valuations are influenced by clear, controllable drivers.     Recurring revenue mix is one of them. Many MSPs above two million pounds in turnover still rely heavily on project income. That may feel exciting and profitable. It also introduces volatility. Increasing recurring revenue from fifty percent to seventy five percent can materially improve how buyers view your stability and future cash flow.     Contract length is another lever. Monthly rolling agreements are easy to sell. They also weaken your negotiating position when it comes to MSP valuations. As your confidence grows, building longer term agreements with clients strengthens predictability and reduces perceived risk.     Service gross margin is often overlooked. Buyers want to see not only recurring revenue, but recurring margin. They want to understand the efficiency of your service desk and the return generated per technician. Strong revenue per full time employee signals operational maturity. Clean numbers, transparent reporting, and clear profitability remove doubt during due diligence.     Then there is client concentration. Over-reliance on one or two major clients creates vulnerability. Strengthening account management, spreading revenue more evenly, and improving client retention all contribute positively to MSP valuations.     Yet none of these matter fully if the owner remains the bottleneck.     We refer to this as ONN, owner not needed. This does not mean you disappear tomorrow. It means your business can run and grow without your daily involvement. Holidays without disruption are a starting point. True value is created when growth continues even while you step back from delivery.     Building towards ONN requires leadership development, documented processes, empowered managers, and consistent rhythm in reporting and accountability. It is straightforward in principle. It is demanding in practice. Letting go, hiring stronger people, and shifting your leadership style takes intention.     The encouraging news is that this transformation does not require magic tools or dramatic reinvention. It is disciplined business practice. Clear KPIs. Departmental plans. Regular reviews. Consistent focus on sales, account management, people engagement and margin control. When stitched together, these habits compound.     Improving MSP valuations is rarely about chasing a headline multiple. It is about reducing risk and increasing clarity. Buyers walk away when profit is opaque, when dependency is high, and when systems are weak. They lean in when performance is transparent and transferable.     For established MSPs already above one million pounds in revenue, a focused three-year commitment to strengthening structure can materially change exit outcomes. For others, it may take longer. The timeline is less important than the decision to begin. Planning for exit today gives you options tomorrow, even if you choose to continue building.     There is also a powerful side effect. Businesses that reach a strong ONN position often discover they enjoy the work more. Time increases. Profits rise. Acquisition opportunities become viable. MSP valuations improve not only because you are preparing to sell, but because you are building a stronger company.     At some point, every owner will exit. The question is whether you leave with confidence and control, or whether you accept whatever is offered because options have narrowed.     Owner dependency is fixable. Transferable value is buildable. MSP valuations are influenced by the decisions you make now.     If this episode resonated, start by reviewing your recurring revenue mix, contract structure, service gross margin and leadership depth. Build a plan. Work the plan. Stay consistent.     Strong MSP valuations are not accidental. They are earned through structure, discipline and the courage to let go.   Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!   

Startup Schlau Podcast
Das passiert nach DHDL Deal wirklich (#45)

Startup Schlau Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2026 71:17


Hi, wir sind Marc & Dave, zwei Unternehmer nach Gründung, Scaleup und EXIT. Wir wollen Wissen und Emotionen weitergeben und treffen uns regelmässig zum virtuellen Ping Pong. Wie damals beim Tischtennis im eigenen Startup

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #573 - ScaleUp Radio Shorts: The Pivot Point: Moving from Busy to Impactful

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 8:47


This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin and Louise unpack two fascinating recent conversations, one with Samantha Thurlow of In Collaboration, and one with Graeme Tennick of Tennick Accountants. Different sectors. Same pivotal moment. Both guests hit a point where "business as usual" stopped working, and had to rethink structure, mindset, and action to move forward.  

Developer Experience
[EXTRAIT] Transformer ses prises de notes en machine à contenu — Dorra Bartaguiz

Developer Experience

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026 23:34


Dorra prend des notes. Tous les jours. Depuis des années.Pas pour écrire des articles. Pas pour alimenter LinkedIn. Juste pour capturer ce qui se passe dans son quotidien de dev : une décision technique, une question qu'on lui pose, une difficulté rencontrée.Et c'est cette discipline apparemment banale qui lui permet de publier un article tous les trois mois… sans jamais se forcer ni se bloquer devant une page blanche.Parce que quand elle s'assoit pour écrire, elle ne part pas de zéro. Elle relit deux ans de notes, réorganise les idées, et l'article se construit tout seul.Dans cet extrait, Dorra partage son système complet : de la prise de notes quotidienne à la publication, en passant par sa routine mensuelle de réorganisation.————— DORRA BARTAGUIZ ————— Retrouvez Dorra sur LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/

Where It Happens
How I use AI Marketing and Claude Code to make $$

Where It Happens

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 44:45


I sit down with Jonathan Courtney, host of Unscheduled CEO Podcast, to talk about the gap between building AI-powered products and actually making money from them. Jonathan walks through his four-step "Promoter Blueprint" — traffic, holding pattern, selling event, and conversion — and shows exactly how he uses Claude and Claude Code to execute each phase. This one is a wake-up call for any founder spending more time optimizing automations than promoting what they sell. Timestamps 00:00 – Intro and Welcome Back 04:13 – The Founder's Real Job: Promotion, Period 09:23 – The Promoter Blueprint (Screen Share) 19:38 – Using AI with Promoter Blueprint 22:52 – Inside Claude: Jonathan's Claude Workflow 28:41 – Moving from Claude to Claude Code for Builds 30:55 – Building a $450K Webinar Campaign with Claude 37:30 – Scale Up, Abundance Over Efficiency 43:57 – Final Advice: Embrace Your Role as Promoter Key Points A CEO's primary job is promoting the business — building is secondary to getting people in the door. AI tools become "procrastination machines" when builders optimize systems that have zero customers. Every revenue engine follows four phases: traffic, holding pattern, selling event, conversion (and a loop back). Claude projects combined with Claude Code create a fast workflow for going from research to a shipped marketing asset in under an hour. The current play is abundance and scale, using AI to run five campaigns instead of one, rather than cutting headcount for efficiency. Off-the-shelf solutions still beat custom builds in many cases — always ask before you spend three days vibe-coding something. The #1 tool to find startup ideas/trends - https://www.ideabrowser.com LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ The Vibe Marketer - Resources for people into vibe marketing/marketing with AI: https://www.thevibemarketer.com/ FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL Unscheduled CEO Podcast: https://www.unscheduledceo.com/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jicecream LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/

Munich Startup Podcast
PITCH & PEOPLE #20: Scale-Up-Coach Nico Reis

Munich Startup Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026 27:23


Was erfolgreiche Startups anders machenIn unserem Videocast PITCH & PEOPLE spricht Scale-up-Coach, Unternehmer und Ex-Gründer Nico Reis über seine wichtigsten Learnings aus zwölf Jahren Startup-Erfahrung: Wie Unternehmenskultur messbar wird, welche Führungsaufgaben CEOs nicht delegieren dürfen, warum Cashflow wichtiger ist als Umsatz und welche Fehler GründerInnen beim Skalieren unbedingt vermeiden sollten.

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP271 - Is Your MSP Giving You Groundhog Day Vibes with Stuart Warwick and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 22:01


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I want to speak directly to MSP owners who are getting Groundhog Day vibes from their business. That sense that every week feels the same, the same problems keep resurfacing, and despite working hard, progress feels slow or non-existent. If Groundhog Day vibes are creeping into your MSP, this conversation will resonate deeply.     I was joined by Stuart Warwick in the podcast lounge, and we went straight into the reality behind that familiar sigh many MSP owners make. It does not matter what time of year it is. When Groundhog Day vibes show up, it usually means the business has reached a ceiling created by habits, structure, and leadership patterns that once worked and no longer do.     We talked about how easy it is to stay busy while staying still. Many MSPs operate in a steady rhythm where the business pays the bills and supports a decent lifestyle. On the surface everything looks fine. Underneath, there is often frustration and a sense that something more was meant to happen by now. When Groundhog Day vibes become normal, it is a sign that the business is not aligned with the original vision that drove you to start.     One of the biggest themes in the conversation was owner dependency. Most MSP owners built their business because they love technology and solving problems. Being needed feels good and that feeling can quietly turn into an addiction. Over time, this keeps you trapped in the day to day and limits growth. When Groundhog Day vibes keep returning, it is often because you have not decided what you are willing to let go of.       We also spent time talking about the role your team plays. I see this repeatedly inside The MSP Growth Hub. Owners underestimate the capability and appetite of their people. When Groundhog Day vibes take hold, it is often because the team has not been invited into the bigger picture. When you involve them properly, energy changes. Ownership grows. Momentum starts to build in ways that surprise most owners.      Stuart shared a simple and practical starting point. Stop and take an honest audit of your business. Look at operations, projects, sales, marketing, finance, billing, and admin. Notice what drains you and what energises you. When Groundhog Day vibes are present, this exercise brings clarity quickly. From there, the work becomes about spending more time on the areas that move the business forward and less time on the tasks that keep you stuck.    We also explored leadership and culture. Whether you realise it or not, you set the tone for everything. Your team watches what you prioritise and what you tolerate. When expectations are unclear, people fill the gaps themselves. If Groundhog Day vibes persist, it often points to missing structure, unclear standards, or a lack of shared direction. This is not about blame. It is about growth as a leader.     Consistency was another key part of the discussion. Change does not come from motivation alone. It comes from rhythm and follow-through. Write things down. Decide what success looks like. Check in regularly. When MSP owners fall back into old habits, it is usually because progress was not being measured. Groundhog Day vibes thrive in the absence of accountability.      We also talked about what life can look like on the other side of this. Progress shows up in numbers, in time, and in satisfaction. Better margins. More space in your diary. Time to think and lead. When owners look back after a year of intentional action, they are often shocked by how much has changed. If Groundhog Day vibes are present today, that future is still available to you.     This episode is a reminder that you are not stuck. You are where you are because of past decisions and actions, which means new decisions create new outcomes. Your team can be part of the solution. Structure can work in your favour. Momentum can be rebuilt. You do not have to keep reliving the same week on repeat.   Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon! 

ScaleUpRadio's podcast
Episode #571 - ScaleUp Club - Dr. Serge Santos on Letting Go, Building Legacy, and Leading with Purpose

ScaleUpRadio's podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026 24:13


This episode of ScaleUp Radio is part of our Scale-Up Club spotlight series – a special format where we welcome back a previous guest to go deeper in a live Q&A session with our Scale-Up Club members. This time, we shine the spotlight on Dr. Serge Santos, also known as The Business Physicist – and for good reason. Serge brings a rare blend of financial acumen, physics-trained problem solving, and a deep passion for business legacy. From being made redundant in 2013 to raising £700 million and running three growing businesses under his Bedrock Enterprises group, Serge speaks with refreshing honesty about the real challenges of scaling – and the mindset shifts required to succeed. This engaging Q&A covers wide-ranging questions from the audience, including: How Serge transitioned from founder to multi-business leader His approach to building empowered leadership teams Why culture is the bedrock – and how to enforce a "no dickhead policy" Letting go of control, and why founders often become their own bottleneck Balancing long-term investment with short-term performance His thought process for setting strategic direction across multiple businesses And why legacy matters more than ego Expect practical advice, candid reflections, and a healthy dose of inspiration. The standout message? "You can't build legacy if the business is still about you. Step back, empower others, and invest in a culture that can thrive without you." The one key thing you'll take away? If you want to scale, you have to learn to let go – and build a team and culture that doesn't rely on you. Quick heads-up, we're looking for a handful of founders to test our new AI-powered Smart90 Lite app. It's built to help you stay accountable and actually deliver on your goals, in just a few minutes a day. It's free while we're in testing, and your feedback will directly shape the final version. You can get access by emailing: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts – and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full Q&A session with Serge.   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk   Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Serge can be found here: serge.santos@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/santosserge/

Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast
The Slippery Slope — How Small Compromises Lead Teams to Abandon Scrum Entirely | Juliana Stepanova

Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2026 14:14


Juliana Stepanova: The Slippery Slope — How Small Compromises Lead Teams to Abandon Scrum Entirely Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.   "If you have it like once, you think it's okay. But it starts to change our mindset in the way that these rules, these frameworks could be changed. And with the small stuff that it's not correct, within half a year, Scrum will not work at all." - Juliana Stepanova   Juliana describes a pattern she witnessed in an experienced seven-person development team that had practiced Scrum for years. It began innocuously: the daily standup stretched from 15 to 30 minutes because the team was larger. Then came the skipped retrospectives during release phases—"we don't have time today." Each compromise seemed reasonable in isolation, but together they formed a slippery slope that eventually dismantled the entire framework. The root cause often lies outside the team: misaligned Scrum rituals across multiple teams, company-wide meetings that override sprint events, and pressure from management to prioritize immediate fires over process discipline. Once the brain accepts that "we can skip it for a good reason," finding the next good reason becomes easier and easier. Juliana emphasizes a crucial distinction: teams that actively choose Scrum—those who approach management saying "we want to try this"—naturally protect the framework. They understand its value from personal conviction. When Scrum is imposed rather than chosen, the team lacks the intrinsic motivation to defend it against organizational pressure, making the slippery slope almost inevitable.   In this segment, we talk about the challenges of organizational alignment and protecting Scrum events.   Self-reflection Question: What small compromises has your team made to the Scrum framework, and are they leading you toward a slippery slope where the entire process may eventually be abandoned? Featured Book of the Week: Startup, Scaleup, Screwup by Jurgen Appelo Juliana recommends Startup, Scaleup, Screwup by Jurgen Appelo as her go-to resource for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches. The book contains 42 tools designed to accelerate business growth, presented in accessible chapters that cover the most essential knowledge for agile practitioners. What sets this book apart for Juliana is its scope: it addresses not just team-level concerns but company-wide perspectives. "Sometimes Scrum Masters don't pay so much attention to the company level or between departments," she explains. "In this book, you'll find normal tools which you can apply all over the company, not only for the team." She uses it constantly for inspiration and recommends reading it at least once—though she returns to it repeatedly for reference.   [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

The Roast it Yourself Podcast
Roaster Tips: How to Scale Up Batch Size Without Wasting Coffee

The Roast it Yourself Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026 11:14 Transcription Available


In this episode of the Roast It Yourself Podcast, we dive into a practical roasting challenge many home roasters face: scaling up batch size without wasting coffee. Stephen Burnett and Catherine Mansell respond to a listener question from Greg, a longtime DIY roaster who recently upgraded to an Aillio Bullet R2 and is looking to move from 250-gram batches to the Bullet's sweet spot of 1.5 pounds—without burning through pounds of coffee in trial and error. Catherine breaks down what really changes when scaling a roast, focusing on the critical role of preheat temperature, thermal mass, and how to maintain similar roast curves as batch size increases. Along the way, they talk Kenya AA as a use-case, share realistic expectations for profile translation, and offer guidance that applies not just to the Bullet, but to thoughtful, data-driven roasting in general. As always, the episode blends hands-on technical advice with real-world experience, making it valuable for home roasters leveling up and professionals refining their process. Got a roasting question of your own? Send it to questions@riypod.com NOTES: Follow Our Instagram Account @RIY_POD CHECK US OUT HERE: Coffee Bean Corral YouTube Coffee Bean Corral Website Current Crop Roasting Shop Website Rancher Wholesale Website

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP270 - How to Reduce Over-Reliance on Big Clients with Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2026 13:24


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I want to talk to you about something that does not get enough attention in the MSP space, over-reliance on big clients. This is not about fear mongering or pointing fingers. It is about protecting the business you have worked so hard to build and making sure it is resilient, valuable, and able to withstand shocks that are completely outside your control.    Over the last few weeks, I have seen several MSP owners lose large clients through no fault of their own. Long standing relationships, solid delivery, and good account management were all in place. Then a corporate buyout happened, private equity stepped in, and overnight the MSP was out. If you have ever experienced this, you know how gutting it feels. This is exactly why over-reliance on big clients is such a serious risk, even when everything appears to be going well.    We talk about risk all the time with our clients, cyber risk, security risk, operational risk. Yet many MSPs do not have a proper internal risk register that includes client concentration. If one client makes up more than fifteen to twenty percent of your revenue, that is a risk. If a handful of clients account for half of your income, that risk increases again. Over-reliance on big clients also impacts valuation in a big way. Buyers, banks, and investors all look closely at client concentration when assessing the strength of a business.    One of the traps I see MSPs fall into is assuming their biggest clients are their best clients. Size does not equal profitability. Often the largest clients are the noisiest, the most demanding, and the ones that introduce the most scope creep. Project work can hide this reality for a while, creating the illusion of strong performance, while margins quietly erode underneath. This is how over-reliance on big clients becomes both a financial and emotional burden.    Contracts are another major factor. Weak renewals, rolling monthly terms, and informal agreements leave you exposed when circumstances change. Strong contracts with clear notice periods, structured SLAs, and defined expectations protect both sides of the relationship. I have seen MSPs completely transform their resilience by moving clients onto longer term agreements, creating stability and confidence even in uncertain markets.    I also share practical steps you can take over the next ninety days to reduce over-reliance on big clients. This includes building a healthier pipeline so no single client dominates revenue, strengthening account management across your mid-tier clients, and intentionally growing those relationships instead of focusing all your attention on one whale account. Growth should never come at the cost of balance.    Diversification matters too. That might mean going deeper into a vertical you already serve, refining your niche, or improving the mix between recurring revenue and project work. Over-reliance on big clients often creeps in when project revenue masks a lack of predictable monthly income. The managed service model works best when recurring revenue is the foundation.    Pricing and packaging play a role here as well. Minimum standards, minimum security, and minimum value help ensure every client contributes fairly. When profitability improves, cash reserves improve, and cash gives you breathing space. It is not about comfort, it is about protection.    Finally, I talk about the importance of proper account management that does not sit solely with the owner. When relationships and value delivery are embedded into clear processes, the business becomes stronger and less dependent on any one person or client. This shift is critical if you want to scale with confidence and reduce over-reliance on big clients in a sustainable way.    I will leave you with a simple challenge. Review your top ten clients, look honestly at your concentration risk, and choose one action you can take in the next seven days to make your MSP safer, stronger, and more resilient. Over-reliance on big clients is not a failure. It is a signal. And with the right structure in place, it is a risk you can actively reduce.   Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon! 

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists
224: From Cultivated Meat to Chocolate: Rethinking Cellular Agriculture Scale-Up with Steven Lang - Part 2

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2026 16:40


The cultivated meat industry has captured headlines and struggled with economics. Meanwhile, plant cell biomanufacturing is quietly solving the cost equation and approaching commercial launch. The question isn't whether cellular agriculture can work at scale. It's which applications will get there first, and what bioprocessing innovations will make it possible.In Part 2, we dive into the commercialization challenges that separate laboratory curiosity from market-ready products. Steven Lang tackles the hard questions: How do you replicate chocolate's complex flavor profile without traditional fermentation? What analytical infrastructure ensures product consistency and safety? And how do you build the right team and data foundation to navigate the journey from premium launch to commodity-scale production?Steven's background spanning Johnson & Johnson, Genentech, and Upside Foods gives him a unique perspective on what works and what doesn't when translating biopharma rigor to food applications. At California Cultured, he's applying those lessons to launch high-flavanol cocoa powder in 2026, with a clear roadmap to commodity cocoa and coffee thereafter.In this episode:The challenge of replicating chocolate's taste and fermentation in the lab (02:39)How plant cell culture differs from conventional farming and its advantages for safety and scalability (03:03)Analytical methods and equipment needed for consistent, safe, and high-quality cultured cocoa products (05:05)The potential for cell-based food to minimize heavy metals and other contaminants in chocolate (06:09)Environmental implications: tackling climate change, deforestation, and the realistic timeline for widespread adoption of lab-grown foods (06:50)Emerging opportunities beyond cocoa and coffee—saffron, ginseng, echinacea, and even lab-grown wood (08:40)Key advice for scientists and entrepreneurs interested in entering the cellular agriculture field (10:12)Building successful teams and robust data foundations in biotech startups (11:43)Key takeaway:Cellular agriculture's future isn't a single technology replacing conventional food production. It's multiple parallel approaches creating resilience in global food systems. The opportunity is clear: the technical principles you've mastered in biopharma translate directly to food applications, but the faster commercialization timelines and novel business models require rethinking what "stage-appropriate development" means.The question for bioprocess leaders is whether you'll help build the solutions to bridge the food production gap, or watch from the sidelines as food security becomes the defining challenge of our generation.Here is the previous conversation with Steven Lang:Episodes 55-56: Cultivated Meat: A Promising Future or an Inevitable Bubble? with Steven LangConnect with Steven Lang:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/steven-lang-b003406California Cultured Inc.: www.cacultured.comNext step:Need fast CMC guidance? → Get rapid CMC decision support hereSupport the show

Latino Business Report
LIFT: The Marketing Accelerator Changing the Game for Small Business

Latino Business Report

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2026 49:45


Episode 123 - Texas State University's New Program Helps ‘LIFT' Small Business Growth Small businesses fuel local economies — but growth requires the right tools, training, and support. In this episode, we spotlight Texas State University's Learning and Insights for Forward Traction (LIFT) accelerator, a six-week program designed to strengthen marketing skills and help small businesses scale with confidence. Developed by Texas State's SCALEUP initiative and delivered in collaboration with the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) and community partners, LIFT recently graduated more than 300 small business leaders from across Texas and beyond. Participants reported major gains in marketing confidence, social media strategy, goal setting, and practical execution. You'll hear insights from program leaders Dr. Josh Daspit and Dr. Marlene Orozco on how research-driven training translates into real-world growth, as well as why access to practical tools matters for long-term economic stability. We also explore how entrepreneurs are redefining branding, leveraging analytics, and using innovative resources like an AI Business Coach to accelerate their businesses. Whether you're a business owner, chamber leader, educator, or economic development professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways on how targeted education and partnerships can strengthen entrepreneurs and communities statewide. Tune in to learn how LIFT is helping small businesses move forward — faster and smarter. SCALE UP - SCALEUP : Texas State University    Podcast Guests Dr. Josh Daspit is an Associate Professor of Management at Texas State University's McCoy College of Business and the founding director of the SCALEUP initiative. He's a nationally recognized expert in entrepreneurship and family business, with more than 50 publications and ranked among the top three most productive family business scholars in the country. His work focuses on translating research into real-world solutions that help small businesses grow.   Dr. Marlene Orozco, LIFT Program Lead and Research Fellow with SCALEUP. Her research centers on inclusive entrepreneurship, Latino and immigrant-owned businesses, and turning data into practical strategies that strengthen communities. She has led major national research efforts, including contributions to the State of Latino Entrepreneurship reports.    

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists
223: From Cultivated Meat to Chocolate: Rethinking Cellular Agriculture Scale-Up with Steven Lang - Part 1

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026 27:50


What if the chocolate industry's reliance on equatorial farms—and the deforestation that comes with it—could be eliminated entirely? Plant cell bioreactors are doing that, producing real cacao without a single tree. But this isn't just about chocolate. It's about fundamentally rethinking how we manufacture food at scale, and the bioprocessing innovations emerging from this shift have implications far beyond the food industry.Steven Lang, Head of R&D at California Cultured, spent two decades mastering mammalian cell culture at biopharma giants like Johnson & Johnson and Genentech. Then he made a radical pivot: applying those same bioprocessing principles to cultivate plant cells for food production. His mission? Prove that cellular agriculture extends far beyond the cultivated meat narrative, and that plant cell manufacturing offers a faster, more economical path to market.At California Cultured, Steven's team is scaling cacao and coffee production using innovative low-cost plastic bioreactors instead of expensive stainless steel vessels. They've engineered plant cell media formulations that operate at a fraction of typical bioprocessing costs. And they're preparing to launch their first commercial product—high-flavanol cocoa powder—in 2026.What you'll discover in this episode:Why cellular agriculture ≠ cultivated meat (07:16) – Steven's frustration with the narrow definition that's holding the industry back, and why plant cell culture deserves equal attentionPlant vs. animal cell culture fundamentals (09:26) – Technical comparison: totipotent plant cells, callus formation, adaptation to suspension culture, and how cacao cell lines are developed from explantsAchieving 30-40% pack cell volume in 7-day batches (11:14) – Process parameters: ambient temperature growth, low pH environments, minimal downstream processing, and maintaining product consistency without genetic modificationThe economics that change everything (14:38) – How plant cell media costs and simple raw material requirements create commodity-scale economicsThe Tesla model for biotech (15:58) – Strategic rationale for launching with premium high-flavanol cocoa powder first, then using that revenue runway to optimize for commodity pricingLow-cost bioreactor innovation (18:23) – Why plastic vessels beat stainless steel, contamination management in low-pH cultures, and scale-out strategy over traditional scale-upDecentralized biomanufacturing (23:10) – Converting underutilized office space into production facilities, onshoring food ingredient production, and what this means for emerging markets and supply chain resilienceThe bigger picture beyond cacao (24:23) – Four approved drugs already produced via plant cell culture, the expanding landscape of ingredients (saffron, ginseng, echinacea), and why stage-appropriate models matter for cellular agriculture's futureThe strategic insight:While the cultivated meat industry struggles with cost structures and consumer acceptance, plant cell manufacturing is quietly proving the business model. The lesson for bioprocessing professionals? Sometimes the fastest path to commercialization isn't the most obvious one, and the innovations happening in food manufacturing today could reshape how we think about bioproduction economics across industries.Here is the previous conversation with Steven Lang:Episodes 55-56: Cultivated Meat: A Promising Future or an Inevitable Bubble? with Steven LangConnect One bad CDMO decision can cost you two years and your Series A. If you're navigating tech transfer, CDMO selection, or IND prep, let's talk before it gets expensive. Two slots open this month.Support the show

WFH with 2 Guys
Leading Through Uncertainty into 2026

WFH with 2 Guys

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026 25:29


Benny Carreon, Dennis Jackson, and Gerry Gadoury reflect on the challenges and uncertainty that defined 2025 and what business leaders can take forward into 2026. They discuss the importance of making decisive choices even when conditions are unclear, the risks of hesitation, and how leaders can build confidence amid volatility. The group also explores the evolving role of AI in business strategy, emphasizing proactive planning, adaptability, and learning from past experiences to better prepare for what lies ahead.Gerry is a twenty-five year veteran of the Tech Professional Services industry. In that time he has been a recruiter, sales person, manager, consultant, trainer, executive, speaker, author, and business owner. Utilizing that experience Gerry created the Destination Employer Methodology to empower Startup, Scaleup, and early stage companies to consistently Attract, Recruit, and Retain the top-talent they need to fulfill their critical missions. The methodology was derived from the successful engagement he had with more than 75 early stage companies in empowering them to build highly performant teams. From this experience he wrote the #1 best-selling book, “Destination Employer” and he uses that experience to this day in supporting Startup growth. In addition he created the industry's first Cyber Security & Tech focused Recruitment & Retention as a Service (RaaS) Platform as well as the Destination Employer Program to assist Government Agency and Private Industry partners with the critical task of sourcing, recruiting, and leading the teams that ensure their success. And doing it in a manner that not only improves their overall Employment Brand but is the most cost effective solution by a wide margin!Contact InformationGerry Gadoury- www.redbeardsol.com Benny Carreon- Velocity Technology Group- benny@velocitytechnology.groupDennis Jackson-WorX Solution- dennisj@worxsolution.com

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP269 - How to Supercharge Your MSP by Growing Future Leaders with Julie Hutchison and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2026 28:07


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I sit down with leadership coach Julie Hutchison to explore what it really takes to supercharge your MSP by growing future leaders from within your existing team. This is a topic that comes up time and time again with MSP owners who want to scale with confidence and stop being the bottleneck in their own business. The conversation is practical, honest, and rooted in what we see working every day inside The MSP Growth Hub.     I speak to many MSP owners who understand that leadership matters, yet feel unsure about what to do once they spot someone with potential. Growing future leaders is not about handing out titles or sending someone on a course and hoping it sticks. It is about creating the right environment where people can step up, build confidence, and perform in a way that supports the direction of the business.     Julie shares insights from the work she has been doing with multiple cohorts of future leaders inside The MSP Growth Hub. One thing becomes clear very quickly. Learning only works when it is applied. Information without implementation leads to frustration. Confidence grows when people are given space to practise, reflect, and talk through the real situations they face inside their MSP each week.     We spend time talking about the role of the business owner in this process. Growing future leaders does not mean stepping away or leaving people to figure it out alone. It means changing how you show up. As owners, we need to be clear on vision, expectations, and outcomes, while allowing future leaders the freedom to find their own way of delivering results. When the outcomes are clear and the guardrails are in place, leaders can act without fear of being micromanaged or overruled.     Another key theme is safety. When someone moves from a technical role into leadership, they are being asked to think and behave differently. They need room to make mistakes, have honest conversations, and understand the impact they have on others. Without a safe environment, confidence drops and progress slows. With the right support, growing future leaders becomes one of the most powerful drivers of performance, communication, and team engagement.     Julie introduces a simple analogy that really resonates. Future leaders need to be at least in the front passenger seat of the business. They understand where the business is going and help navigate the route. When owners constantly grab the wheel or dismiss input, those leaders slowly disengage and retreat. Growing future leaders requires trust, coaching, and a willingness to let go of doing everything your own way.     We also talk about mindset. Leadership is not about creating mini versions of yourself. It is about being clear on outcomes and allowing different styles and approaches to work. When owners focus on results rather than methods, leaders gain confidence and ownership. This shift is essential if your MSP is going to grow beyond your personal capacity.     Communication comes up repeatedly throughout the episode. Julie explains how leadership success often comes down to how conversations are handled. Understanding what drives people, approaching difficult conversations with confidence, and being willing to adjust your own behaviour has a direct impact on performance. When leaders change how they show up, the response from the team changes too.     This episode is a reminder that growing future leaders is one of the most valuable investments you can make as an MSP owner. It reduces pressure, increases resilience, and creates a business that can scale with confidence. With the right structure, support, and mindset, leadership development becomes a strategic advantage rather than a risk.     Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!   

ICMA Podcast
ICMA Quarterly Briefing Q1 2026: Creating the conditions to scale up the European commercial paper market

ICMA Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2026 5:47


Katie Kelly explores structural barriers and enabling measures to deepen and modernise the European commercial paper market.

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP268 - The MSP Guide to Building a Real Sales Run Rate with Stuart Warwick and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2026 19:29


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we dig into why building a real Sales Run Rate is one of the most important disciplines an MSP can put in place if it wants predictable, sustainable growth. Too many MSPs set big revenue goals without ever breaking them down into something tangible, measurable, or shared across the team. This conversation is about changing that pattern and replacing hope with clarity.     I am joined by Stuart Warwick to explore why Sales Run Rate often gets ignored, even though it sits at the centre of confident decision making. Many MSP owners talk about wanting to reach one million or two and a half million in revenue, yet very few can clearly explain what needs to happen month by month to get there. Without a Sales Run Rate, goals remain emotional and aspirational rather than practical and achievable.     The discussion opens by addressing a common frustration. MSPs are busy. They are deep in delivery, firefighting, and client work, which means long term planning often gets pushed aside. Sales Run Rate forces you to stop, step back, and look at the building blocks that sit underneath growth. When you understand what revenue needs to be added each month, each week, and even each day, the mountain suddenly feels climbable.     Stuart explains that Sales Run Rate is not about chasing endless new logos. It is about understanding all the components that make up growth. New business plays a part, yet so does revenue from existing clients, projects, hardware refreshes, and improved account management. When MSPs break their numbers down properly, they often realise that a large percentage of growth is already happening inside the client base they have today.     A key theme in the episode is confidence in numbers. Many MSP owners avoid their financials because they feel overwhelming or unclear. Sales Run Rate connects sales activity directly to budgets, forecasts, and real outcomes. Once the numbers make sense, confidence grows. With confidence comes better decisions, whether that is hiring, investing in systems, or planning for the future.     The conversation also highlights the power of involving the whole team. Sales Run Rate is not owned by one person. When the goal is broken down and shared, support teams, engineers, and account managers can all see how their daily actions contribute. Listening for opportunities, asking better questions, and helping clients make informed decisions becomes part of normal service delivery rather than something labelled as selling.     We also talk about how this shift changes culture. Sales stops being a dirty word and starts becoming a shared responsibility rooted in helping clients get the most from technology. When teams understand the impact of small actions repeated consistently, momentum builds. Progress becomes visible, measurable, and something worth celebrating each month.     The episode also touches on long term outcomes. A clear Sales Run Rate supports healthier margins, stronger service delivery, and a more valuable business. MSPs that understand their numbers are better positioned to reduce risk, diversify revenue, and prepare for eventual exit if that is part of their plan. Growth stops being accidental and starts becoming intentional.     This conversation is a reminder that Sales Run Rate does not need to be complex. It needs to be visible, realistic, and reviewed regularly. When MSP owners take the time to break goals down, communicate them clearly, and review progress with the team, growth stops feeling like guesswork and starts feeling manageable.     If you want to take control of your growth rather than hoping for it, this episode will help you rethink how you approach revenue, planning, and team involvement. Sales Run Rate is not about pressure. It is about clarity, rhythm, and building a business that works for you.    Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.  Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK  And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!  

The KE Report
Graphene Manufacturing Group - Battery Progress, Thermal-XR, and Commercial Scale-Up

The KE Report

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026 27:29


Key topics covered include: Battery optimization and fast-charging performance Energy density expectations and scaling challenges Super G testing and battery industry engagement Thermal XR EPA approval and U.S. rollout 2026 growth strategy and commercialization plans In this KE Report company update, we welcome back Craig Nicol, Founder and CEO of Graphene Manufacturing Group (TSX-V: GMG | OTCQX: GMGMF), to address a wide range of listener-submitted questions following the company's EPA approval for THERMAL-XR®. Craig provides clear updates on GMG's battery development progress, including ongoing optimization work, fast-charging performance, and realistic energy density expectations as the technology moves toward larger-scale cells and eventual commercial testing. The conversation also dives into Super G graphene testing with battery industry participants, the final steps toward shipping THERMAL-XR® into the U.S., and the massive market opportunities across air conditioning, data centers, and industrial cooling. Craig closes with an overview of GMG's key priorities for 2026, including scaling production, expanding into North America, and converting technical validation into meaningful commercial sales.   Please keep the questions coming! Email me at Fleck@kereport.com. Click here to visit the GMG website to learn more about the Company.  ------------- For more market commentary & interview summaries, subscribe to our Substacks: https://kereport.substack.com/ https://excelsiorprosperity.substack.com/   Investment disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or investment product. Investing in equities, commodities, really everything involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Do your own research and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Guests and hosts may own shares in companies mentioned.

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP267 - Inside GTIA with CEO Dan Wensley and Ian Luckett

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2026 32:21


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, I sit down with Dan Wensley, CEO of GTIA, to go under the hood of an organisation that plays a far bigger role in our industry than many MSPs realise. This conversation is about community, leadership, and why staying connected to the wider channel is no longer optional if you want to build a business that lasts.     Dan Wensley brings over 30 years of experience across the IT services industry, and that depth shows throughout the discussion. We talk about his journey through the channel, from the early reseller days, through solution providers, and into the managed services world most of us operate in today. What stood out for me is how clearly Dan connects those past transitions with what MSPs are facing right now. This is not theory. It is perspective earned through lived experience.     A big part of our conversation centres on GTIA itself. Dan Wensley explains what the Global Technology Industry Association really is, why it exists, and how it supports MSPs around the world. What makes GTIA different is its position as a non-profit, member focused organisation. There is no product to sell and no commercial agenda to push. Instead, the focus is on research, education, and providing a neutral space where MSPs, vendors, and industry leaders can come together and learn from each other.     We spend time talking about community and why it matters so much in this industry. I have always believed the MSP channel is unique in its willingness to share, collaborate, and support one another, and Dan reinforces this from a global perspective. The MSPs who succeed are rarely the ones trying to figure everything out on their own. They are the ones who stay curious, ask questions, and learn alongside their peers. GTIA exists to enable exactly that, without bias and without noise.     Another theme that came up strongly is time. Many MSP owners tell me they are too busy to attend events or get involved in industry groups. Dan Wensley understands that pressure and challenges the idea that education is something you can put off. With the pace of change accelerating, especially with AI now influencing every part of the channel, staying informed has become part of the job. Dan makes it clear that learning does not only happen on a stage. It happens through conversations, shared insight, and exposure to different ways of thinking.     We also talk about the future shape of the MSP model. Dan Wensley shares his view that customer success will be the defining factor moving forward. MSPs who focus on outcomes rather than tools, and who sit alongside their clients as true partners, will be the ones who stand out. Asking customers what success looks like and then delivering against that consistently is still the most reliable way to build trust and long-term relationships.     Risk and change naturally come up in the conversation. Drawing on lessons from earlier industry shifts, Dan Wensley talks about the importance of defining the path, not only the destination. Too many MSPs aim for the end state without thinking through the steps needed to get there. Whether it is AI, security, or operational change, progress comes from doing the right things in the right order.     We also touch on the GTIA Foundation and the role it plays in giving back. Dan shares how member led philanthropy allows GTIA to support education, access to technology, and community initiatives worldwide. It is a reminder that this industry has an opportunity to make a meaningful impact beyond commercial success.     This episode is ultimately about staying connected. Dan Wensley leaves us with a clear message. Stay inquisitive. Stay educated. Stay involved. For MSP owners who want to build resilient businesses and remain relevant in a fast-moving market, this conversation offers both reassurance and direction.   Connect with Dan Wensley through his LinkedIn by clicking HERE.    You can also visit their website and learn more about GTIA by clicking HERE.    Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon!   

(in-person, virtual & hybrid) Events: demystified
201: From Startup to Scale-Up, Building Innovation That Lasts ft CEO Pedro Goes

(in-person, virtual & hybrid) Events: demystified

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 45:21


This episode of the Events Demystified podcast features Pedro Goes, co-founder and CEO of inEvent. Anca Platon Trifan delves into Pedro's journey of growing inEvent into a global event technology powerhouse, merging in-person, virtual, and hybrid experiences into one seamless platform. Pedro discusses the evolution of the event tech industry, the importance of managing talent, the challenges and rewards of innovation, and his vision for the future of event technology. He also shares insights into how his company navigates the complexities and dynamic changes of the event industry, highlighting the importance of resilience, adaptability, and strategic focus.

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett
EP266 - Build Your 2026 MSP Growth Plan in 30 Minutes with Ian Luckett and Stuart Warwick

IT Experts Podcast with Ian Luckett

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2026 19:45


In this episode of The IT Experts Podcast, we focus on one clear outcome, helping you build a practical MSP growth plan for 2026 in the next 30 minutes. Stuart and I recorded this right at the start of the year because this is the moment when MSP owners finally get space to think. Not space to dream or hope, although to decide. The goal of this conversation is simple, to replace short lived motivation with real momentum through structure, clarity, and commitment.    At the start of every new year, it is easy to feel energised. New year, new goals, new intentions. The problem is that motivation fades quickly once the pressure returns. What actually carries you forward is momentum, and momentum only exists when there is substance behind it. A strong MSP growth plan gives that substance. Without it, you risk repeating the same patterns and getting the same results, even when your ambition is higher.    We see this every December. MSP owners tell us they are not doing another year like the last one. They have had time over Christmas to reflect while walking the dog, spending time with family, or stepping away from the noise of the business. That reflection is valuable, although only if it leads somewhere. An MSP growth plan turns reflection into action and gives you a clear direction instead of frustration.    The first step we talk through is getting clear on the destination. We encourage you to define what success really looks like three to five years from now. Not in vague terms, although in practical ones. What role do you want to play in the business. How involved do you want to be day to day. What values do you want the business to stand for as it grows. When this is clear, decisions become easier and distractions lose their pull. Your MSP growth plan needs a destination before it can define a route.    From there, we move into structure. The structure that got you here will not get you where you want to go next. That includes your role, your team, and how accountability works. Many MSP owners stay trapped in technical delivery long after the business needs them elsewhere. A proper MSP growth plan forces you to look honestly at where you add the most value and what needs to change to remove you as the bottleneck.    We also talk about investing ahead of growth. Waiting until things feel comfortable often keeps you stuck. Progress comes from deliberate decisions, not from hoping things will improve. Bringing in the right people, especially experienced technical or leadership hires, creates the space you need to focus on higher value work. This is how growth becomes intentional rather than accidental.    Sales, marketing, and account management play a central role in any MSP growth plan. High performing MSPs understand that trust takes time to build. Consistency matters more than bursts of activity. Getting clear on your target market, showing up regularly, and having proper conversations with existing clients unlocks both new opportunities and hidden value that already exists in your business.    Accountability is the final piece. A plan without measurement will drift. We talk openly in this episode about the need for clear expectations, meaningful numbers, and regular review rhythms. This applies to your team and to you as the owner. External accountability keeps you moving forward when energy dips and distractions creep back in. Momentum is protected when someone is there to challenge you and keep you aligned to the plan.    We close the episode by reminding you that growth should feel energising. When structure replaces chaos, teams become more engaged, confidence increases, and the numbers start to reflect the progress you are making. A well-built MSP growth plan creates sustainable progress that supports the business and the life you want it to fund.    If you want help applying this properly, we are running a live working session on February designed to help you build your MSP growth plan step by step, with clarity you can use immediately. You can register for the session HERE.    Make sure to check out our Ultimate MSP Growth Guide, a free guide that walks you through a proven process to take your MSP from stuck to scalable, without working even more hours. It's 44 pages rammed with advice, insights and inspiration to help you decide what support is available to you now if you want to grow and scale your business. Click HERE to get your copy.    Connect on LinkedIn HERE with Ian and also with Stuart by clicking this LINK    And when you're ready to take the next step in growing your MSP, come and take the Scale with Confidence MSP Mastery Quiz. In just three minutes, you'll get a 360-degree scan of your MSP and identify the one or two tactics that could help you find more time, engage & align your people and generate more leads.  OR   To join our amazing Facebook Group of over 400 MSPs where we are helping you Scale Up with Confidence, then click HERE  Until next time, look after yourself and I'll catch up with you soon! 

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists
216: From Data Silos to Autonomous Biomanufacturing: Digital Twins and AI-Driven Scale-Up with Ilya Burkov - Part 2

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 18:33


Biomanufacturing has always dealt with the challenge of turning vast, complex datasets and intricate production steps into life-changing therapies. But when batch records multiply and process deviations loom, how do biotech teams make sense of it all? In this episode, we move beyond theory to the nuts and bolts of how AI - when thoughtfully deployed - can turn bioprocessing chaos into actionable intelligence, paving the way for the factory of the future.Our guest, Ilya Burkov, Global Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Growth at Nebius AI, doesn't just talk about data wrangling and algorithms—he's spent years building tools and strategies to help scientists organize, contextualize, and leverage real-world datasets. Having worked across tech innovation and pharmaceuticals, Ilya Burkov bridges cutting-edge computation with the practical realities of CMC development and manufacturing, making him a trusted voice on how bioprocessing is rapidly changing.Highlights from the episode:Advice for biotech scientists on learning from innovations in other industries (00:02:21)Tackling the complexities of organizing huge and often unstructured datasets in bioprocessing (03:08)Techniques and tools to structure, label, and prepare data for AI—including Nebius's in-house tool, Tracto AI (06:24)Strategies for startups and small teams—how to begin implementing AI and what areas of bioprocessing to focus on first (10:12)The vision for the “factory of the future”: AI-driven, interconnected, and self-learning manufacturing environments (08:11)Navigating the decision between on-premise and cloud computing for scalable, cost-effective AI workloads (12:32)The importance of partnership between scientists and AI, emphasizing collaboration and data-driven decisions (00:15:47)Wondering how to kick off your own AI-enabled bioprocessing project, or what to insource versus outsource as you scale? This episode gives you a grounded starting point—minus the buzzwords and empty promises.Connect with Ilya Burkov:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ilyaburkovContact email: ilya.burkov@nebius.comNebius: www.nebius.comIf this topic grabbed you, you'll love these related episodes focusing on advanced modeling, continuous manufacturing, and Digital TwinsEpisodes 213 - 214: From Developability to Formulation: How In Silico Methods Predict Stability Issues Before the Lab with Giuseppe LicariEpisodes 85 - 86: Bioprocess 4.0: Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing with Massimo MorbidelliEpisodes 05 - 06: Hybrid Modeling: The Key to Smarter Bioprocessing with Michael SokolovEpisode 153 - 154: The Future of Bioprocessing: Industry 4.0, Digital Twins, and Continuous Manufacturing Strategies with Tiago MatosEpisodes 173 - 174: Mastering Hybrid Model Digital Twins: From Lab Scale to Commercial Bioprocessing with Krist GernaeyNext step:Need fast CMC guidance? → Get rapid CMC decision support hereSupport the show

The Brand is Female
Fixing the scale-up challenge for women-led businesses, with TD's Julie Dimitri

The Brand is Female

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025 38:00


What does it really take to help women entrepreneurs scale in Canada — and where are we still falling short?In this episode, Eva Hartling sits down with Julie Dimitri, National Manager, Women in Enterprise at TD, for an in-depth conversation on the realities women founders face when navigating financing, growth, and long-term sustainability.Drawing on TD's recent research with the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, Julie unpacks why access to capital remains a persistent barrier, why Canada has a scale-up problem — not a start-up problem, and how confidence, timing, and banking relationships can make or break a business's growth trajectory.Together, Eva and Julie explore:Why women entrepreneurs tend to wait too long to seek funding — and the cost of that delayWhat women actually want from their banking relationshipsHow bias and confidence gaps still show up in financial decision-makingThe importance of relationship-based banking and integrated financial supportWhy ecosystems, mentorship, and intentional connections matter as much as capitalThis episode offers practical insights for women founders at every stage, as well as a candid look at what financial institutions must do differently to truly support women-led businesses.A must-listen for entrepreneurs, advisors, and anyone committed to unlocking the full economic potential of women in Canada.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists
215: From Data Silos to Autonomous Biomanufacturing: Digital Twins and AI-Driven Scale-Up with Ilya Burkov - Part 1

Smart Biotech Scientist | Bioprocess CMC Development, Biologics Manufacturing & Scale-up for Busy Scientists

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025 21:34


Across biotech labs, researchers swim in oceans of process data: sensor streams, run records, engineering logs, and still, crucial decisions get stuck in spreadsheets or scribbled into fading notebooks. The challenge isn't having enough information, it's knowing which actions actually move the needle in cell culture productivity, process stability, and faster timelines.This episode, David Brühlmann brings on Ilya Burkov, Global Head of Healthcare and Life Sciences Growth at Nebius AI. With a career spanning NHS medicine, regenerative research, and cloud infrastructure, Ilya Burkov has lived the leap from microscope to server room. He's seen firsthand how digital twins, autonomous experimentation, and cloud-first strategies are shifting the way biologics are developed and scaled.Topics discussed:Shifting from experimental-based to computational bioprocess development, and the evolving role of human expertise vs. AI (02:48)Ilya Burkov's journey from medicine and orthopedics to AI and cloud infrastructure (04:15)Solving data silos and making real-time decisions with digital twins and automated analytics (06:36)The impact of AI-driven lab automation and robotics on drug discovery timelines (08:51)Using AI to accelerate cell line selection, cloning, and protein sequence optimization (10:12)Why wet lab experimentation is still essential, and how predictive modelling can reduce failure rates (11:15)Reducing costs and accelerating development by leveraging AI in process screening and optimization (12:32)Strategies for smaller companies to effectively store and manage bioprocess data, including practical advice on cloud adoption and security (14:30)Application of AI and digital twins in scale-up processes, and connecting diverse data types like CFD simulations and process data (17:18)The ongoing need for human expertise in interpreting and qualifying data, even as machine learning advances (19:09)Wondering how to stop your own data from gathering dust? This episode unpacks practical strategies for storing and leveraging your experimental records - whether you're in a major pharma or a small startup with limited tech resources.Connect with Ilya Burkov:LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ilyaburkovContact email: ilya.burkov@nebius.comNebius: www.nebius.comIf this topic grabbed you, you'll love these related episodes focusing on advanced modeling, continuous manufacturing, and Digital TwinsEpisodes 213 - 214: From Developability to Formulation: How In Silico Methods Predict Stability Issues Before the Lab with Giuseppe LicariEpisodes 85 - 86: Bioprocess 4.0: Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing with Massimo MorbidelliEpisodes 05 - 06: Hybrid Modeling: The Key to Smarter Bioprocessing with Michael SokolovEpisode 153 - 154: The Future of Bioprocessing: Industry 4.0, Digital Twins, and Continuous Manufacturing Strategies with Tiago MatosEpisodes 173 - 174: Mastering Hybrid Model Digital Twins: From Lab Scale to Commercial Bioprocessing with Krist GernaeyNext step:Need fast CMC guidance? → Get rapid CMC decision support hereSupport the show

Scale Up Your Business Podcast
Allan Dib: Simplifying Your Marketing with a 1-Page Plan

Scale Up Your Business Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025 55:17


Nick talks to Allan Dib, author of The 1-Page Marketing Plan and Lean Marketing, about the power of simplification in marketing and business growth, particularly for those with seven- to eight-figure businesses.  Allan shares his core philosophy, the structure of his 9-box marketing plan, and the importance of focusing on a "rich life" by design. KEY TAKEAWAYS Simplification is crucial in marketing, as complexity often hampers execution and leads to procrastination. Allan's 1-Page Marketing Plan is a 9-box framework that simplifies the entire customer journey. Focus on specialisation (niching) and avoid the temptation to widen your market, as being highly specialised allows you to charge more, resonate better with customers, and communicate with higher precision. The only two marketing metrics that truly matter are Cost of Customer Acquisition (CoCA) and Lifetime Value (LTV). All other metrics are merely tools to help troubleshoot or optimise these two primary figures. Convert customers by delivering a world-class experience and orchestrate referrals by making the referrer look good, which creates positive goodwill and brand equity for your business. BEST MOMENTS "My role in simplification is to simplify the complex." "The only two metrics that really, really matter are your Cost of Customer Acquisition and Lifetime Value." "If you do the first parts of your marketing right, sales becomes so easy and frictionless." "How do we get to that rich life, how do we live a life that's essentially awesome?" VALUABLE RESOURCES Exclusive offer for SCALE UP listeners! Level up your marketing with The 1PMP Architect, a free tool by Allan Dib that builds your custom marketing plan. Access it here: leanmarketing.com/scaleup  Allan Dib on LinkedIn - https://au.linkedin.com/in/allandib Allan Dib on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/allandib/?hl=en Lean Marketing With Allan Dib on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanMarketingOfficial To get your copy of Nick's new book, go to http://bit.ly/4ngC2hO Exit Your Business For Millions - Download This Guide: https://go.highvalueexit.com/opt-in Nick's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realnickbradley Nick Bradley is a world-renowned author, speaker, and business growth expert, who works with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and investors to build, scale and sell high-value companies. He spent 10+ years working in Private Equity, where he oversaw 100+ acquisitions, 26 exits, and over $5 Billion in combined value created. He has one of the top-ranked business podcasts in the UK (with over 1m downloads in over 130 countries). He now spends his time coaching and consulting business owners in building and scaling high-value business towards life-changing exits. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Predictable B2B Success
Startup to Scale Up: 5 Go-to-Market Pivots That Reached $4B

Predictable B2B Success

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025 47:09


What if the key to explosive business growth isn't doing more, but doing less, only much better? In this episode of Predictable B2B Success, Vinay Koshy speaks with David Snider, founder and CEO of Harness Wealth, to unpack the transformative power of specialization. From scaling Compass from pre-launch to a $1.8 billion valuation, to building a platform shaped by a personal encounter with bad tax advice, David Snider reveals the counterintuitive strategies and data-driven decision-making that fueled his journey. You'll hear how narrowing focus not only ignited rapid revenue growth but also strengthened trust, team building, and technology adoption in a notoriously traditional industry. Ready to learn how refusing to serve everyone can actually help you serve and win over the right ones? Tune in for tactical insights on storytelling, technology integration, and cultivating a culture that delivers standout results. If you've ever wondered how to break through plateaus, build scalable trust, or harness the hidden drivers of client referrals, this conversation is your blueprint for going further by zeroing in. Some topics we explore in this episode include: The origin story of Harness Wealth fueled by bad tax advice.How specialization accelerates business growth and revenue.The power of storytelling and data synthesis in fundraising.Tech adoption challenges for professional service firms.Pivoting from a marketplace to a SaaS revenue model.Using content marketing and education to build client trust.Company culture and values driving high client satisfaction.Onboarding that matches advisors and clients by specialization.Strategies to avoid commoditization of specialized services.Future growth areas and emerging advisor specializations.And much, much more...

The Modern Craftsman Podcast
I Tried to Scale Up and Hated It

The Modern Craftsman Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 23:52 Transcription Available


Tyler lays out why he still self-performs—from demo and drainage to framing and trim—and where he draws the line with subs, risk, and bandwidth. We get into scaling by margin instead of volume, keeping quality tight when you're the one on the tools, and how to make a good living without taking the belt off. Show Notes:  00:00 Keep the belt on and make a living 02:01 Screened porch demo grading and concrete sub 05:16 Framing plan and roof timing 09:43 One job at a time and scale by margin 15:51 Frame to finish pride and profit 20:31 Back to craft and flying the self performer flag Video Version:  https://youtu.be/4n6Kb0WACPA   Partners:  Andersen Windows Buildertrend Harnish Workwear  Use code H1025 and get 10% off their H-label gear   The Modern Craftsman: linktr.ee/moderncraftsmanpodcast Find Our Hosts:  Nick Schiffer  Tyler Grace  Podcast Produced By: Motif Media