Brilliance Talks

Simac Konkader

As a CEO or founder, you’re constantly solving problems—breaking through growth plateaus, managing a growing team, and trying to scale without losing control. That’s where Brilliance Talks comes in. Brilliance Talks is where we help business leaders scale with clarity, confidence, and freedom. Each episode is packed with practical strategies you can apply right away—no fluff, no buzzwords, just real insights that drive results. ⬇ Follow Us On Socials ⬇ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader

  1. 1d ago

    Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better: The Truth About Sports Sustainability

    Sports sustainability isn't just about being environmentally responsible. It's about building stronger organisations, making better decisions and creating long-term strategic value. In this episode of Brilliance Talks, Simac Konkader sits down with Pierluigi Zacheo, a strategic advisor specialising in sustainability, governance, climate resilience and social impact for sports organisations. Pierluigi's entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly after the 2008 financial crisis left him facing hundreds of rejected CVs. Instead of giving up, he reinvented his positioning and eventually helped shape international sustainability standards for the sports and events industry. In this conversation, we explore sports sustainability, leadership, entrepreneurship, strategy, credibility, and why sometimes bigger really isn't better. Pierluigi also shares the biggest lie CEOs tell themselves, why "I can do everything" can become a dangerous leadership mindset, and why independent advisors have a responsibility to tell clients the bloody truth. 📝 Show Notes: 03:38 What 400 Rejected CVs Taught Him About Positioning 07:16 The “Forest” Model: Building a Network Instead of a Company 11:07 Why Your Job Isn’t to Be Liked 15:39 The Question That Exposes a Weak Strategy 19:08 Working With Formula E, NBA & The Olympics 22:33 Why Credibility Beats Everything About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierluigizacheo/ Website: http://www.mystadium.net Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better: The Truth About Sports Sustainability

  2. Aug 11

    Building an Award-Winning Project Controls Business - Dale Foong

    What if the biggest problem in your business isn't a lack of data, but a lack of insight? In this episode of Brilliance Talks, Dale Foong explains why Project Controls is one of the most misunderstood disciplines in business and how it helps leaders make better decisions. From moving to the UK with no long-term plan to helping build Movar into an award-winning consultancy working with major organisations, Dale shares lessons on entrepreneurship, growth, leadership, AI, innovation and scaling a business. Whether you're a founder, project manager or business leader, you'll learn how to turn information into action and build a business that lasts. 📝 Show Notes: 01:06 How Dale Accidentally Entered Project Controls 02:36 Building a Network in a New Country 06:49 Project Controls Explained in Simple Terms 08:17 When a Career Became a Business 11:46 Advice for Founders: Cash Reserves & Growth 15:35 Winning Global Innovation Awards 17:05 Why Awards Matter for Businesses 21:39 Movar's Five Core Values (IDEAL) 23:08 Why Most Companies Waste Their Data 28:49 The Future of Movar 29:07 Robotics in Construction About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalefoong/ Website: http://www.movar.group Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    Building an Award-Winning Project Controls Business - Dale Foong

  3. Aug 4

    Emotional Intelligence For CEOs: The Truth Elite Leaders Never Admit

    Emotional Intelligence For CEOs is what separates leaders who burn out from leaders who last. In this episode, Dov Baron, the coach elite CEOs, political figures, and top performers call when success stops working, joins host Simac Konkader to unpack the hidden emotional patterns driving high achievers, why founders keep reaching for "more" instead of "meaning," and why the future of work is human, not AI. A raw, unfiltered conversation on trauma, truth, and what it really takes to lead at the top. 📝 Show Notes: 02:33 "What's next" vs. "what's more" 04:11 The CEO who had everything but felt empty 17:14 Finding the "emotional source code" fast 19:03 The compartmentalized boss 21:45 Why "fitting in" at work is dead 26:43 Terrified of losing your edge 41:16 AI is our child 47:02 Where AI fails in customer service 51:08 Deciding what stays human 58:12 When a client starts to hate you 1:03:31 Dov's own fall and breaking point 1:19:06 One sentence every founder needs to hear 1:26:35 Pain isn't real until it's personal About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dovbaron/ Website: http://www.DovBaron.com Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    Emotional Intelligence For CEOs: The Truth Elite Leaders Never Admit

  4. Jul 28

    He Started With Brown Rice... Then Changed the Food Industry Forever

    In this episode of Brilliance Talks, Simac Konkader sits down with the co-founder of Green & Black's, founder of Carbon Gold, and one of the pioneers of organic food and Fairtrade. Craig shares the incredible journey that started after nearly dying from hepatitis while travelling through India, eventually leading him to revolutionise the food industry. We discuss entrepreneurship, ethical business, pricing, regenerative agriculture, leadership, sustainability, Fairtrade, Green & Black's, Carbon Gold, and why the best businesses are built decades before the world is ready for them. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, business owner or simply interested in building businesses that create lasting impact, this episode is full of timeless lessons. 📝 Show Notes: 02:20 The moment Craig discovered macrobiotic food 04:30 Building one of the UK's first organic food businesses 09:45 Creating the first Veggie Burger™ 10:45 The accidental birth of Green & Black's 12:45 Launching the world's first Fairtrade chocolate 14:42 Battling giants like Unilever and Kraft 17:00 Selling Green & Black's to Cadbury 23:55 How Craig spots billion-dollar opportunities About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-sams-2106a77/ Website: http://www.greenandblacks.com/ Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    He Started With Brown Rice... Then Changed the Food Industry Forever

  5. Jul 21

    Former Bain Consultant Reveals Why Most Businesses Never Scale

    Why do brilliant leaders still make terrible decisions? In this episode of Brilliance Talks, Simac Konkader sits down with Michael Farmer, former Bain and Boston Consulting Group consultant, to explore what separates exceptional business strategy from costly mistakes. They discuss leadership lessons from the US Navy, why consultants think differently from founders, AI's impact on business, agency economics, pricing, business growth, advertising, and what every CEO needs to know to survive the next decade. If you're a founder, executive or business owner, this conversation is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. 📝 Show Notes: 01:06 What the Navy Taught About Leadership 05:06 When Data Lies 09:47 The Shift to Output-Based Pricing 13:01 How Michael Diagnoses Business Problems 18:50 The Scope Metrics Framework Explained 21:37 Why Agencies Struggle With Data 25:18 Why Agencies Undervalue Themselves 28:21 Why AI Could Destroy Agency Profits About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfarmer/ Website: http://www.farmerandco.com Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    Former Bain Consultant Reveals Why Most Businesses Never Scale

  6. Jul 14

    He Turned Down $2M… Then Everything Changed

    This podcast explores what it really takes to build a high-growth AI company without sacrificing sound leadership. Anthony Baker shares lessons from becoming a world champion athlete, living through 18 months without a salary, rejecting £2 million in funding, leveraging ADHD as a leadership advantage, and building 15 Group's ambitious vision toward a $500 million business. If you're a founder, CEO or business owner looking to scale with AI while keeping people at the center of your business, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately. 📝 Show Notes: 01:23 From World Champion to CEO 04:54 ADHD as a Business Superpower 10:41 Why He Rejected £2 Million Funding 16:40 What the 15 Group Actually Does 22:20 Why Your Middle Office Determines Growth 24:52 Don't Build AI Without Human Intelligence 29:11 Where AI Becomes a Distraction About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-baker/ Website: https://www.15.group Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    He Turned Down $2M… Then Everything Changed

  7. Jul 7

    Why Construction Leaders Fail (It's NOT Technical Skills)

    Emotional Intelligence in Construction is transforming leadership across one of the world's toughest industries. In this episode of Brilliance Talks, Simac sits down with construction leadership expert Brent Donald to discuss emotional intelligence, burnout, neuroscience, accountability, leadership coaching, and why people, not processes, create high-performing construction companies. If you're a contractor, engineer, entrepreneur, project manager, or leader looking to build stronger teams, this episode is for you. 📝 Show Notes: 03:20 The Biggest Myths About Emotional Intelligence 05:34 Why Emotional Intelligence Takes 9–12 Months to Build 07:53 Accountability Partners That Actually Change Behavior 16:56 The #1 Reason Companies Hire Brent Darnell 22:14 How AI Is Changing Leadership Development 26:52 Social Media, Dopamine & Mental Health 31:20 How to Manage Big Egos Without Killing Confidence 37:06 Brent's 3 Emotional Intelligence Cheat Codes About Guests: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentdarnell/ Website: https://www.brentdarnell.com/ Connect with us: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/

    Why Construction Leaders Fail (It's NOT Technical Skills)

  8. Jun 30

    AI Architecture: How Architects Are Designing the Future with Digital Twins

    AI Architecture is redefining how buildings, cities, and communities are designed. In this episode of Brilliance Talks, Francesca Silvi and Mattia Santi, co-founders of SASI Studio, share how they combine AI, Digital Twins, computational design, and human-centered architecture to create future-ready buildings around the world. They discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, sustainability, and the future of architecture in an AI-driven world. 📝 Show Notes: 03:14 Designing Through Culture and Context 05:23 AI Architecture and Creative Exploration 06:43 Understanding Digital Twins 07:17 Buildings That Generate Data About Guests: Francesca Silvi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-silvi-2746a841/ Mattia Santi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattia-santi-a0792968/ Website: https://www.sasi-studio.com/ Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader

    AI Architecture: How Architects Are Designing the Future with Digital Twins
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About

As a CEO or founder, you’re constantly solving problems—breaking through growth plateaus, managing a growing team, and trying to scale without losing control. That’s where Brilliance Talks comes in. Brilliance Talks is where we help business leaders scale with clarity, confidence, and freedom. Each episode is packed with practical strategies you can apply right away—no fluff, no buzzwords, just real insights that drive results. ⬇ Follow Us On Socials ⬇ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simac.konkader/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simac-konkader

Information

  • Creator
    Simac Konkader
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Simac Konkader
  • Show Website
    Brilliance Talks