The Business Alchemists

Phil Akilade

The podcast where we uncover the magic of entrepreneurship, business growth, transformation, and innovation! I’m Phil Akilade, an entrepreneur, CEO/Leadership coach, consultant and a lifelong business strategist. If you're a founder, CEO, investor, or business leader—or just someone fascinated by how great businesses are built—you're in the right place. In each episode, we share bold ideas, cutting-edge strategies, and real-world stories on scaling businesses, breaking through obstacles, and harnessing the fusion of people, technology, and leadership to create extraordinary results.

Episodes

  1. 07/14/2025

    𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵...𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦

    If you're a CEO, founder, or ambitious professional who wants to: ✅ Sell more effectively ✅ Command more influence ✅ Get promoted and paid what you’re worth... …this episode is your shortcut to learning 𝘩𝘰𝘸.Leah Kim Brighton isn't your average communication coach. She's a 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 with a background in linguistics, psychology, and executive hiring and her approach removes the fluff and guesswork. With her 𝗩𝟴 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, she breaks down the 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 behind how to sound confident, earn trust, and get results whether you're in the boardroom, leading a team, or pitching a client.𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿: ❌ Why “speak with confidence” is terrible advice unless you know 𝘩𝘰𝘸 ✅ Two simple but powerful techniques to instantly improve how you're heard❓ How your 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦 could be the reason you're not getting promoted ✅ Why your “echo” in the room 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 you leave matters more than what you say in it❓ What really earns respect, trust, and influence in leadership🎯 If you've ever been overlooked, underestimated, or unheard this episode will change the way you think about communication forever.👉 Watch this episode of the Business Alchemists Podcast now and 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹.

    1h 20m
  2. 05/29/2025

    AI: Just another Hype Cycle?

    In this episode of the Business Alchemist podcast, Phil Akilade speaks with Nick Sales, a fractional CTO with 35 years of experience in AI. They explore the reality of AI, discussing whether it is genuine innovation or merely hype. Nick shares his mixed feelings about the current AI landscape, emphasising the importance of data in AI applications and the need for businesses to navigate the hype cycle carefully. They also delve into the practical applications of AI in business, highlighting the potential for productivity gains while cautioning against unrealistic expectations. In this conversation, Nick Sales and Phil Akilade delve into the evolving landscape of AI, discussing its implications for productivity, job dynamics, and ethical considerations. They explore a structured approach for business leaders to adopt AI, emphasising the importance of understanding data and technology. The discussion also highlights the current applications of AI in manufacturing, the rise of no-code development, and the critical need for security in AI-generated code. Ultimately, they stress the importance of human collaboration in the future of AI. In this conversation, Phil and Nick delve into the complexities of AI in software development, the practical applications of technology in business, and the mindset required for leaders to embrace these changes. They discuss the limitations of AI, the importance of understanding technology, and the challenges businesses face in implementing new solutions. Nick shares his journey from philosophy to technology, emphasising the need for a balanced approach to technology adoption and the importance of human insight in the process.

    1h 45m
  3. 03/11/2025

    Autism in business - blessing or curse?

    Reluctant entrepreneur Roger Horlock, shares his hazardous journey from starting up to successfully growing an independent broadband network in Brighton. He discusses the challenges he faced due to his late diagnosis of Autism and ADHD, how this condition shaped his approach to business and tragically impacted his family life The conversation delves into the importance of innovative thinking in entrepreneurship, emphasising the personal nature of business and the need to solve problems effectively. Roger discusses his own personal philosophy on the guerrilla mindset in business, emphasising the importance of resilience and innovation. He shares his journey from that of a reluctant entrepreneur to discovering his true potential as an autist. He highlights the challenges he faced in the business world and explains why he thinks the education system is failing to nurture entrepreneurial skills. He discusses the art of selling and the challenges of scaling a business, especially for individuals on the autistic spectrum. Roger explores the complexities of ego, perception, and the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in business. He discusses the importance of understanding one's identity, the significance of resilience under pressure, and the need to create a sustainable business model that generates passive income. The conversation also touches on the role of neurodiversity in whistleblowing in large organisations and the crucial contributions people with this condition can make to innovation in business and society. Ultimately, Roger emphasises the importance of fulfilling one's potential as an autist.

    2h 27m

About

The podcast where we uncover the magic of entrepreneurship, business growth, transformation, and innovation! I’m Phil Akilade, an entrepreneur, CEO/Leadership coach, consultant and a lifelong business strategist. If you're a founder, CEO, investor, or business leader—or just someone fascinated by how great businesses are built—you're in the right place. In each episode, we share bold ideas, cutting-edge strategies, and real-world stories on scaling businesses, breaking through obstacles, and harnessing the fusion of people, technology, and leadership to create extraordinary results.