ScaleUp Radio

MonkeyPants Productions
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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 apply to be a guest, just click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply Kevin's New Book Is Now 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/

  1. Episode #603 - ScaleUp Shorts - What two very different founders teach us about leadership, resilience, Al and the future of human connection in business

    9 HR AGO

    Episode #603 - ScaleUp Shorts - What two very different founders teach us about leadership, resilience, Al and the future of human connection in business

    This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack two fascinating conversations with founders operating in completely different worlds — yet connected by one powerful idea: Business success still comes down to people. On one side is Bob Ferguson — city councilman, long-standing business owner, and leader of what he calls an "all-volunteer army" through his network marketing organisation in Fairfield, Iowa. On the other is Priyanka Rao — immigrant tech founder and creator of MicroInterns, an innovative platform connecting students with startups through short-term, skills-based micro-internships. Together, their stories reveal extraordinary lessons around: AI and the future of hiring Leadership without ego Mental fitness and resilience Building ecosystems that scale Why culture matters more than credentials The importance of asking for help Interdependence in business growth Key Talking Points AI is changing recruitment — but not necessarily for the better Priyanka explains how businesses are increasingly using AI to write job descriptions while candidates use AI to create CVs — leaving "bots talking to bots". Her solution? Creating "tamper-proof micro-skill passports" through real-world startup projects that prove capability beyond keyword matching. Leadership is about making people want to be there Bob Ferguson shares why traditional command-and-control leadership simply doesn't work when leading independent teams and volunteers. He explores: Adam Grant's concept of "other-ish givers" Jim Collins' "Level 5 leadership" The importance of creating workplaces where people feel valued and included Resilience forged through adversity Priyanka shares the deeply personal story behind launching MicroInterns — including the Christmas period where she had just £5.45 left in her bank account while struggling to find work after university. From that experience came her powerful S.A.F.E framework: Start before you're ready Ask for help Fail fast Experiment Why ecosystems matter Both guests highlight the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, partnerships and communities. Whether it's: Scottish startup support networks University partnerships Civic ecosystems Peer collaboration Arts and entrepreneurial communities …neither founder believes success happens in isolation. Memorable Quotes From The Episode "You can't have bots talking to bots and expect to truly understand people." "Make your workplace somewhere people want to be — not somewhere they have to be." "The only thing that is certain is change." "If you want something, ask for it. The worst they can say is no." Resources & Mentions Give and Take — Adam Grant Level 5 Leadership — Jim Collins Stephen Covey's concept of interdependence Transcendental Meditation (TM) MicroInterns Smart90® G90 Summit About ScaleUp Radio ScaleUp Radio brings together founders, entrepreneurs and scale-up leaders to share practical insights, honest experiences and lessons from building ambitious businesses. Produced with the aid of AI This episode and its supporting content were produced with the aid of Artificial Intelligence tools, alongside human research, editing and creative direction.

    11 min
  2. Episode #602 - Solving the Experience Paradox with Micro-Internships - with Priyanka Rao

    2 DAYS AGO

    Episode #602 - Solving the Experience Paradox with Micro-Internships - with Priyanka Rao

    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 Priyanka Rao, founder of MicroInterns. Now if you've ever struggled with hiring or wondered whether CVs really tell the full story anymore, this one's for you. With AI now writing CVs and even running interviews, there's a growing question around trust in the hiring process. Priyanka is tackling that head on by connecting students with startups through short micro-internships, and creating something called a Micro-Skill Passport – a way to actually prove skills, not just claim them. What I really liked in this conversation was her mindset. From hitting a low point with just £5.45 in the bank, to building a platform that's already led to multiple full-time hires, all guided by her SAFE framework – Start, Ask, Fail Fast and Experiment. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, I run a quarterly planning session called the G90 Summit, a structured half-day where founders and the leadership teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and commit to them. I run them quarterly. Find out more and reserve your place at Smart90.co.uk/summit. 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 Priyanka.   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/   Priyanka can be found here: https://microinterns.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyankaraor/   Resources: Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/steal-like-an-artist-10-things-nobody-told-you-about-being-creative-austin-kleon/566510?ean=9780761169253&next=t Mel Robbins Podcast - https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast/

    55 min
  3. Episode #601 - Leadership Effectiveness Is A State Of Mind - with Bob Ferguson

    4 DAYS AGO

    Episode #601 - Leadership Effectiveness Is A State Of Mind - with Bob Ferguson

    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 Bob Ferguson. Bob brings a fascinating perspective on leadership - combining decades of experience in business, community building, and global networks - and at the heart of it all is one powerful idea: mental fitness. We explore why your effectiveness as a leader is shaped less by what you know, and more by your internal state - your ability to stay calm, open, and in control, especially under pressure. One standout message that really stayed with me was this: "In leadership, the state of the knower is just as important as the knowledge itself." We also talk about what it really takes to lead an "all-volunteer army," why inspiring people beats managing them, and how a small city of under 10,000 people became one of the most recognised intelligent communities in the world. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, I run a quarterly planning session called the G90 Summit, a structured half-day where founders and the leadership teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and commit to them. I run them quarterly. Find out more and reserve your place at Smart90.co.uk/summit. 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 Bob.   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/   Bob cab be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobferguson/ https://appliedintelligencecoaching.com/ bob@fergleads.com 913-208-6357 Resources: Civic Intelligence Hub - https://civicintelligencehub.com/ Lifestyle Intelligence Hub - https://www.lifestyleintelligencehub.com/

    58 min
  4. Episode #600 - ScaleUp Shorts - Stop explaining. Start solving!

    1 MAY

    Episode #600 - ScaleUp Shorts - Stop explaining. Start solving!

    This episode is created with the use of AI In this ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack two recent interviews with very different leaders operating in very different sectors, yet facing strikingly similar scaling challenges. On one side, Paul Patras, a deep-tech founder translating complex AI into commercial value. On the other, Greg Baldwin, scaling a fast-growing operational business through practical, data-led leadership. This episode focuses on the practical shifts in thinking, communication, and leadership that enable businesses to move from complexity and instinct to clarity and scalable performance.   💡 The One Key Thing The one key thing is this: if your message is not clear and your decisions are not grounded in data, growth will stall no matter how strong your product or service is.   ⭐ Standout Message "You have to stop selling vitamins and start solving painkillers."   🔍 Key Insights & Practical Guidance 1. Speak the Language of the Customer One of the biggest barriers to growth is not capability, it is communication. Paul Patras had to shift from academic, technical explanations to clear, commercially relevant messaging. Customers do not buy complexity They buy solutions to painful problems Your value must be immediately understood 👉 Practical application: Review your messaging. Are you explaining features or solving urgent problems?   2. Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution A critical mindset shift for scaleup leaders: Stop leading with what your product does Start with the customer's biggest pain point Align everything to that outcome 👉 This is the difference between interest and revenue.   3. Move from Gut Feel to Data-Led Decisions Greg Baldwin's growth journey highlights a common scaling challenge, relying on instinct for too long. Early-stage businesses can operate on intuition Scaling businesses require measurable insights Data does not need to be complex to be valuable 👉 Start simple. Even manual tracking creates clarity and better decisions.   4. Build Before You Automate A powerful operational lesson: Do not wait for perfect systems Create manual processes first Learn what matters Then automate 👉 Progress beats perfection every time.   5. Leadership Evolution is Non-Negotiable Both leaders had to fundamentally change how they lead: From reactive to considered From individual contributor to strategic leader From doing to enabling 👉 Growth demands a different version of you as a leader.   6. Resilience is a Leadership Responsibility Scaling a business brings external and internal pressures: Funding challenges Personal setbacks Market uncertainty Greg Baldwin's experience highlights that leadership resilience directly impacts team resilience. 👉 Your energy, mindset, and wellbeing set the tone for the business.   7. Cash Flow and Adaptability are Critical Paul Patras' experience navigating funding challenges reinforces: Cash flow is always a priority Funding environments change quickly Leaders must adapt funding strategies 👉 Diversification and creativity in funding can be the difference between survival and growth.   8. Culture is Built Early and Protected Intentionally Both businesses emphasised culture, but in different ways: Greg focused on maintaining values during rapid growth Paul focused on embedding values early in a small team 👉 Culture does not scale by accident. It requires clarity and consistency.   📈 Practical Takeaways for ScaleUp Leaders Simplify your message to focus on customer pain points Start measuring key metrics, even manually Build systems after understanding the process Invest in your own resilience and performance Be intentional about culture from day one   📢 About Smart90 Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that's you, the G90 Summit is worth a look. A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days Then commit to them; and build the system to make sure they actually happen. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat. Smart90.co.uk/summit.

    11 min
  5. Episode #599 - 5 Years On: What Happens When You Choose Control Over Chaos? - with Greg Baldwin

    29 APR

    Episode #599 - 5 Years On: What Happens When You Choose Control Over Chaos? - with Greg Baldwin

    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 Greg Baldwin, Managing Director of Highway Traffic Management. Now this is a special one; because we're revisiting Greg's journey five years on to see what's actually happened since our last conversation. And it's a fascinating look at what real scaling looks like in practice. From rapid 65% growth to deliberately slowing things down, Greg shares why choosing control over speed has been critical to building a stronger, more sustainable business. One standout message really hit home for me: "We realised growth was putting too much pressure on the business and the people; so we chose control over speed." We also talk about leadership through personal loss, how to protect culture as you scale, and why starting simple with data beats jumping straight into technology. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. Try it free at Smart90.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 Greg. 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/   Greg can be found here: linkedin.com/in/greg-baldwin-75497990 https://htmltd.co.uk/ greg.baldwin@htmltd.co.uk   Resources: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-miracle-morning-updated-and-expanded-edition-the-6-habits-that-will-transform-your-life-before-8am-hal-elrod/7737402?ean=9781399816052&next=t

    31 min
  6. Episode #598 - ScaleUp Club - AI Agents, Anti-Fragile Teams & Hiring for Outcomes - with Rafmary Baker

    27 APR

    Episode #598 - ScaleUp Club - AI Agents, Anti-Fragile Teams & Hiring for Outcomes - with Rafmary Baker

    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 returning guest Rafmary for a live Q&A session recorded at our ScaleUp Club. This episode is structured a little differently and brings together three key elements. First, our latest AI Pulse update, where we explore how tools like Claude Co-Work are moving AI beyond content into real workflow automation. Second, a look at this month's ScaleUp theme around building teams for outcomes, not roles. And third, a live Q&A with Rafmary, sharing practical insights and answering real scaling challenges from the room. One standout message really captures the discussion — most businesses don't struggle because of lack of effort, but because the founder becomes the bottleneck. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. Try it free at Smart90.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 our ScaleUp Club panel. 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/   Rafmary can be found here: https://www.cambridgebusinessonline.com/

    48 min
  7. Episode #597 - Net AI – From Academic Breakthrough to Commercial ScaleUp
- with Paul Patras

    20 APR

    Episode #597 - Net AI – From Academic Breakthrough to Commercial ScaleUp
- with Paul Patras

    In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Paul Patras, co-founder of Net AI, a University of Edinburgh spin-out transforming how telecom networks manage energy and capacity. What started as deep academic research has evolved into a commercial AI engine helping telecom providers reduce energy costs by up to 35% - potentially saving tens of millions annually - without compromising service quality. This is a fascinating conversation about the realities of moving from research to revenue, the mindset shift required, and the challenges of scaling a highly technical innovation into a viable business. One of the standout insights from this conversation is this: the shift from something interesting to something essential is what makes a business scalable. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. Try it free at Smart90.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 Paul.   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/   Paul can be found here: https://netai.tech/ paul@netai.tech

    46 min
  8. Episode #596 - ScaleUp Short - Why Your Leadership, Not Your Strategy, Is Holding You Back

    17 APR

    Episode #596 - ScaleUp Short - Why Your Leadership, Not Your Strategy, Is Holding You Back

    This episode is AI generated In this ScaleUp Radio Shorts edition, Kevin and Louise revisit two powerful conversations exploring one of the biggest constraints in scaling a business: people. Drawing insights from Mike Moorhouse and Anita Čavrag, this episode unpacks how leadership, culture, and self-awareness shape your ability to grow beyond the founder-led phase. This episode was produced with the aid of AI to help bring together key insights and actionable takeaways.   🔍 What You'll Learn 1. Why People Are the Real Bottleneck Both guests highlight that while strategy and finance can be structured, execution depends entirely on people. Mike focuses on aligning business strategy with human capability Anita focuses on eliminating disengagement and building thriving cultures   2. The Trap of the "Hero Founder" Early-stage hustle doesn't scale. Founders often stay stuck in control mode Micromanagement and fear of failure limit growth What got you here will not get you to the next stage Standout insight: 👉 "Your job isn't to be right. Your job is to move people."   3. Leadership vs Management You can manage processes and tools You must lead people through inspiration and trust Traditional hierarchies often create dependency and disengagement. Modern teams need autonomy and ownership.   4. Building Psychological Safety If you suddenly ask your team for ideas and get silence, that's normal. People are conditioned not to challenge authority. To unlock contribution: Invite disagreement explicitly Ask your team to challenge your thinking Create structured ways to critique ideas   5. Practical Tools to Unlock Better Thinking "Kill the company" exercise to stress-test strategy Encourage teams to think like competitors Use frameworks and checklists to avoid emotional decision-making   6. The Role of Ego in Scaling Ego blocks learning and adaptability. Great leaders: Admit when they are wrong Change direction quickly Focus on outcomes, not being right   7. Self-Awareness is the Foundation If performance or culture is off, look in the mirror first. Leadership is a learnable skill, not an innate trait.   8. AI vs Human Thinking A powerful contrast: Mike warns against outsourcing thinking to AI Anita leans into human connection and simplicity The risk: 👉 Losing "organisational knowledge" and becoming indistinguishable from competitors   💡 The One Key Thing Scaling your business means scaling your leadership capacity first.   🔥 Key Takeaway Quote "Your job isn't to be right. Your job is to move people."   📌 About Smart90 If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. 👉 Try it free at Smart90.co.uk

    9 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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 apply to be a guest, just click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply Kevin's New Book Is Now 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/

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