Behind the SME

Adam Kene
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Ever wondered what it really takes to grow a small or medium-sized business? In each episode, we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and secrets of innovative leaders in the SME world. From overcoming challenges to celebrating wins, this is your inside look into what drives success in today’s fast-paced business landscape. 🔑 Key insights 🌟 Real stories from real business owners ⚡ Actionable advice for entrepreneurs & leaders 💡 Fresh perspectives on industry trends Hosted by Adam Kene, the CEO of Kene Partners and Co-Founder of OPUS. Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-t... Connect on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. AI as a Teammate: Becoming an “Agent Boss” with Rahan Arif

    JAN 29

    AI as a Teammate: Becoming an “Agent Boss” with Rahan Arif

    Behind the SME with Rahan Arif, Co-founder of BossUp AI is moving from tool to teammate, and that changes what leadership looks like inside an SME. In this episode of Behind the SME, Adam Kene speaks with Rahan Arif, a seasoned entrepreneur and transformation leader with nearly two decades at the forefront of digital disruption. Rahan has built and scaled product organisations across cloud, low code, automation, and AI, delivering platforms that have reshaped how enterprises operate. Now, as a founder at BossUp, he is focused on the Agent Boss economy and what it takes to build an AI collaborative future. Rahan cuts through the noise and gets practical: What agentic AI actually means and why it is the next big shiftWhy SMEs often freeze when tech moves fast, and how to move anywayHow to lead AI agents with the right guardrails and accountabilityA real example of using agents to plan and execute work end to end, using a marketing campaign This episode is essential for SME founders, leaders, and managers who want to use AI to move faster without losing control. It is also for operators who are responsible for delivery, growth, or customer experience and need a clear way to turn AI into practical outcomes. 🎙️ Behind the SME is hosted by Adam Kene, CEO of Kene, exploring the real stories and lessons from the entrepreneurs and leaders powering the UK’s SME economy. Like what you hear? We’d love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 More platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  2. From Founder to CEO: Building, Letting Go and Leading in the Age of AI with Evgeny Shadchnev

    JAN 15

    From Founder to CEO: Building, Letting Go and Leading in the Age of AI with Evgeny Shadchnev

    Behind the SME with Evgeny Shadchnev, Founder of Makers, CEO coach and author specialising in leadership transitions. In this episode of Behind the SME, host Adam Kene sits down with Evgeny Shadchnev, founder of Makers and one of the UK’s most respected voices on founder-to-CEO transitions, to unpack the real journey of building, scaling and ultimately stepping away from a high-growth startup. Evgeny shares how his background in computer science and early career as a software developer led him to spot a major gap between academia and industry - sparking the creation of Makers, a pioneering coding bootcamp that helped thousands of career switchers break into tech. He talks candidly about finding product-market fit, evolving the business model, and scaling from a scrappy startup to a 60+ person organisation working with major corporates like Deloitte. The conversation goes deep into the realities of leadership: chaotic early culture, self-set salaries, hiring mistakes, and the difficult moment when early team members stop being the right fit. Evgeny unpacks why the skills that make you a great founder don’t always make you a great CEO, and how to recognise when you might be becoming the bottleneck in your own business. We also explore CEO transitions, stepping aside with intention, emotional maturity in leadership, and why self-awareness is a non-negotiable skill for founders. Finally, Evgeny shares his perspective on AI-first businesses, zero-based thinking, and why the Netflix vs Blockbuster story is a warning every leader should take seriously. 💡 Highlights include: Building Makers and finding product-market fit in the bootcamp spaceScaling from 0 to 65 people and navigating the chaos-to-structure journeyWhen early team members outgrow their roles (and how to handle it well)Founder vs CEO: why the skill sets are often very differentHow to have difficult conversations with empathy, not egoRecognising when it might be time to step aside as CEOThe emotional impact of leadership and why self-awareness is criticalAI-first vs AI-supported businesses: lessons from Netflix and BlockbusterZero-based thinking and preparing your business for an AI-driven future If you’re a founder, CEO, or leader wrestling with growth, culture, strategy, or the question “am I still the right person for this job?” this episode will challenge, reassure and inspire you in equal measure. 🎙️ Behind the SME is hosted by Adam Kene, CEO of Kene, exploring the real stories and lessons from the entrepreneurs and leaders powering the UK’s SME economy. Like what you hear? We’d love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 More platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  3. A Million Tabs Open: Inside the ADHD Mind with Leanne Maskell

    11/20/2025

    A Million Tabs Open: Inside the ADHD Mind with Leanne Maskell

    Behind the SME with Leanne Maskell, 5x best-selling author, coach and Director at ADHD Works. In this episode of Behind the SME, host Adam Kene speaks with Leanne Maskell - author, coach, and Director at ADHD Works - about her remarkable journey from international modelling and severe mental health struggles to becoming a global voice for neurodivergent empowerment and workplace inclusion. Leanne shares how receiving an ADHD diagnosis transformed her life and career, leading her to build the UK’s first CPD-certified ADHD coaching qualification and train more than 600 ADHD and autism coaches worldwide. She opens up about living with a brain that never switches off, writing five books by the age of 33 (all best-sellers), and redefining success by embracing, rather than fighting, her neurodivergence. 💡 Highlights include: The lived experience of ADHD: hyper-focus, overwhelm & the “interest-based nervous system”Turning personal crisis into purpose and global impactHow leaders can better manage and support neurodivergent talentCreating structure and systems to unlock the zone of geniusWhy understanding ADHD, not correcting it, unlocks performance If you’re a leader, founder, manager or parent wanting to better understand neurodiversity or harness ADHD as a superpower, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Behind the SME is hosted by Adam Kene, CEO of Kene, exploring the real stories and lessons from the entrepreneurs and leaders powering the UK’s SME economy. Like what you hear? We'd love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 More platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 4m
  4. Community First: Solving Public Safety Through AI and Data with Michael Houghton

    11/06/2025

    Community First: Solving Public Safety Through AI and Data with Michael Houghton

    Behind the SME with Michael, Co-Founder of Community Wolf. What if public safety could be crowdsourced and improved with the power of AI? In this episode of Behind the SME, host Adam Kene speaks with Michael Houghton - entrepreneur and co-founder of Community Wolf - about his journey from corporate engineering to building a mission-led startup tackling public safety challenges in South Africa. They discuss the lessons learned from navigating early career pivots, embracing naivety while building expertise, and creating a platform that empowers communities to participate in safety reporting through WhatsApp and AI tools. 💡 Highlights include: How curiosity, obsession, and “happy buckets” guide entrepreneurial decisionsThe journey from corporate engineering to mission-led entrepreneurshipBuilding trust at scale while crowdsourcing sensitive public safety dataTurning mission-first thinking into a sustainable business modelLessons in leadership, risk-taking, and learning through discomfort If you’re a founder, leader, or innovator looking to solve real-world problems and build a mission-driven business, this one’s for you. 🎙️ Behind the SME is hosted by Adam Kene, CEO of Kene, exploring the real stories, insights, and lessons from the entrepreneurs and leaders powering the UK’s SME economy. Like what you hear? We'd love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  5. Stop Reacting, Start Anticipating: The Power of Foresight with Athena Peppes

    10/23/2025

    Stop Reacting, Start Anticipating: The Power of Foresight with Athena Peppes

    Behind the SME with Athena Peppes, Futurist and Economist, Advisor at BossUp.AI and Director of Futures at Beacon Thought Leadership What if you could see disruption coming and turn it into opportunity? In this episode of Behind the SME, host Adam Kene, speaks with Athena Peppes — futurist, economist, and former Accenture strategist — about how small and medium-sized businesses can use foresight to anticipate change, build resilience, and stay ahead in a world of constant disruption. They break down practical ways to “look to the horizon” without losing sight of today’s priorities, from horizon-scanning and team signal alerts to scenario planning and AI readiness. 💡 Highlights include: What “foresight” really means and how to apply it inside an SMEHow to run horizon-scanning sessions with your teamTurning future risks into opportunitiesBuilding AI literacy and avoiding common leadership blind spotsWhy continuous learning (not prediction) is the real competitive edge If you’re a founder, leader, or strategist who’s too busy fighting fires to think long-term, this one’s for you. 🎙️ Behind the SME is hosted by Adam Kene, CEO of Kene, exploring the real stories, insights, and lessons from the entrepreneurs and leaders powering the UK’s SME economy. Like what you hear? We'd love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    52 min
  6. How Curiosity (Not Control) Drives Real Growth — with Mike Jones

    10/09/2025

    How Curiosity (Not Control) Drives Real Growth — with Mike Jones

    Behind the SME with Mike Jones, CTO of LoveHolidays From turning a £5 million turnaround story into a £2.2 billion exit to steering a travel brand through the chaos of COVID, Mike Jones has built a career on turning complexity into clarity through technology, leadership and curiosity. In this episode of Behind the SME, Mike shares 30 years of lessons in scaling fast-moving businesses, rebuilding teams under pressure and creating cultures where innovation thrives. He talks about why growth doesn’t come from control but from empowering experts, how he rebuilt a company from the inside out during lockdown, and why “weaponising your weirdness” might just be the key to thriving in the age of AI. 🔎 You’ll learn: How a failing business became a multi-billion-pound success storyWhat it takes to lead through crisis and changeHow to turn a traditional company into a technology-driven oneWhy autonomy and curiosity drive real growthHow AI can become your thinking partner, not your replacement Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a business, or exploring how AI can sharpen your edge, this episode is full of practical wisdom and candid stories from a technologist who’s built, rebuilt, and reimagined success more than once. Like what you hear? We'd love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  7. Lessons in Leadership from Nicole Spencer: Curiosity, Courage & Culture

    09/25/2025

    Lessons in Leadership from Nicole Spencer: Curiosity, Courage & Culture

    Behind the SME with Nicole Spencer, MD of RMC & Board Member at FESPA UK From navigating self-doubt at breakfast in a room full of technical jargon, to earning respect and building trust as a new face in the factory, Nicole shares how humility, curiosity, and grit have shaped her leadership journey. In this episode of Behind the SME, Nicole unpacks how “knowing nothing” became her secret weapon, why the act of asking “why?” matters more than knowing the answer, and how she’s championing change across both her business and the global print industry. 🔎 We cover: How starting as an outsider became a surprising leadership advantageLessons from the hardest moments: admitting ignorance and embracing vulnerabilityWhy curiosity (and the Ted Lasso credo: be curious, not judgmental) is a leadership superpowerChanging perceptions: how print shapes daily life more than we realiseCreating opportunities when none exist, and stepping into them Whether you’re leading a team, trying to be more authentic at work, or just looking for ways to turn uncertainty into strength, this episode is full of real stories, honesty, and leadership wisdom from someone who’s learned it all the hard way. Like what you hear? We'd love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  8. Safety, Sleep and Showing Up: Rethinking Leadership for Human Performance

    09/11/2025

    Safety, Sleep and Showing Up: Rethinking Leadership for Human Performance

    Behind the SME with Steve Peralta, Co-Founder of Unmind, cultural advisor, and leadership coach. From redefining psychological safety as a strategic advantage, to exposing why leader well-being is the single biggest predictor of business performance, Steve brings a refreshingly human perspective to the future of work. In this episode of Behind the SME, we dive into why culture can’t be fixed with a “10-step plan,” how managers “set the weather” inside organisations, and why recovery, rest, and authenticity matter more than ever in high-performing teams. 🔎 We cover: The science of psychological safety and how it fuels creativity and collaborationWhy leader burnout quietly destroys performance across entire organisationsThe overlooked power of managers and why they impact mental health more than therapistsWhy rest and recovery are not luxuries, but the foundation of sustainable performanceHow embracing authenticity transforms leaders and teams Whether you’re scaling a startup, leading a team, or rethinking your own role at work, this episode is full of practical insights, hard truths, and inspiration for building cultures where people truly thrive. 📌 Useful links from this episode 🌐 Steve's website: https://www.steveperalta.co/ 💡 Unmind: https://unmind.com/ 🔗 Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peraltasteve/ ✍️ Read his Substack: https://substack.com/@steveperalta Like what you hear? We'd love to know! 📩 Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-the-sme 🌐 Find us on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
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Trailer

About

Ever wondered what it really takes to grow a small or medium-sized business? In each episode, we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and secrets of innovative leaders in the SME world. From overcoming challenges to celebrating wins, this is your inside look into what drives success in today’s fast-paced business landscape. 🔑 Key insights 🌟 Real stories from real business owners ⚡ Actionable advice for entrepreneurs & leaders 💡 Fresh perspectives on industry trends Hosted by Adam Kene, the CEO of Kene Partners and Co-Founder of OPUS. Contact us: hello@behindthesme.co.uk Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/behind-t... Connect on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/behindthesme Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Kene
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Adam Kene
  • Show Website
    Behind the SME