Business Leader's Voice Source

Jason Maude, Chief Technology Advocate at Starling Bank, joins Emma Carroll, Source’s Head of Content, on the latest episode of our Business Leader’s Voice podcast.  
In this episode, we talk to Jason about building, deploying, and monitoring technology in an innovative bank. We look at how to create trust, look beyond fads, and think about customer experience. Jason also shares his experience of working with consulting firms, including where they add value and what “grinds his gears”.  
He shares his insight into the following issues and more:  
What a tech-first business wants from consulting firms, including measuring it against the principles of success rather than simply against what its peers do  Reassuring regulators when you are operating at the cutting edge of technology  Releasing new code rapidly, the underlying data foundations needed to get a business ready for AI, and the risk of decay in data models  Looking beyond fads and only using AI and other tech tools where you need them and where a simpler approach won’t work  Using pseudo data to train your models, e.g. to recognise financial crime  Jason’s tips on creating an innovative mindset and picking up the pace in your organisation.  If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t miss our sister podcast, The Future of the Firm. In our latest episode, we discuss what clients are looking for from a restructuring firm and where the current hotspots are in the market.  

Andy Haywood, former Chief Modernisation Officer at Yorkshire Water and NED at Furness Building Society, joins Emma Carroll, Source’s Head of Content, on the latest episode of our Business Leader’s Voice podcast.  
In this episode, we talk to Andy about how best to approach transformation work, the traps businesses often fall into, and why it’s important to give projects ‘the room to breathe’. With experience of the high-profile Co-operative Group turnaround, through to stints in retail, banking, and utilities, Andy reflects on the recurring transformation challenges he’s faced and on working with consulting firms.  
He shares his insight into the following issues and more:  
The most common transformation pitfalls, such as focusing too much on the numbers at an early stage  Navigating media attention, including how to turn negative media glare into positive internal change  Avoiding ‘deal fever’ to make the space and time for transformation projects  The best way to sequence the planning and financing of transformation programmes  What business leaders want to see from consulting firms, from pitch stage through to delivery  How consulting firms can help cut through the politics in client organisations and what this looks like in practice  Why it’s important for businesses to keep a sense of ownership over their transformation projects when working with consultants  If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t miss our sister podcast, The Future of the Firm. In our latest episode, we discuss what clients are looking for from a restructuring firm and where the current hotspots are in the market. 

Belden Menkus, Founder and MD of Menkus & Associates, and Fiona Czerniawska, CEO of Source, join Emma Carroll, Source’s Head of Content, for the latest episode of our Business Leader’s Voice podcast.  

The management skills that we all take for granted are disappearing from our businesses—leaving us with an execution gap and poorly trained people. 

In this podcast, we talk to Belden and Fiona about how the prioritisation of leadership has squeezed crucial management capability out of organisations.  

They share their insight into the following issues and more:  

The loss of management skills can be seen on the ground in a reduced ability to spot problems and opportunities, to analyse situations, and to choose a route forwards. This is causing an execution gap.  
As hierarchies have become flatter, managers can be less willing to give feedback or step in and challenge.  
Managers and senior leaders now frequently give away the valuable opportunity to upskill their junior staff to consultants. This could be seen as a misuse of consulting.  
It would help if people could see the roles of leadership and management as ones that overlap. Good business executives do both.  


CEOs should be asking their HRDs searching questions about where the training budget for managers is being directed.  
Fiona and Belden also share advice on how to get great management back into our businesses.  

 

If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t miss our sister podcast, The Future of the Firm. In our latest episode, we discuss how firms should be rethinking digital talent in an AI-ambitious world.   

Emma Carroll, Source’s Head of Content, is joined by Ian Wright, Co-Chair of the Food & Drink Export Council, for the latest episode of our Business Leader’s Voice podcast.  
As we head into 2024, businesses are facing ongoing economic pressures alongside a whole host of new challenges. 
In this podcast, we talk to Ian about where he sees the biggest risks emerging and the opportunities that executives must not miss. He cautions against risk aversion but suggests leaders should be ready to sense check previous decisions around technology, supply chains, and how they plan to hit their net zero targets.
He shares his insight into the following issues and more:  
Where businesses will need consulting support in 2024, including around technology, risk, and net zero  The impact of the climate crisis and macroeconomic pressures on supply chains  Operating in a low-growth environment, including the need to prioritise investment  Being thoughtful and ready to adapt if you realise you have made the wrong choices around tech and AI  Rethinking customer choice in the face of today’s supply constraints  How risk management is not fit for purpose in 90% of businesses today.  If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t miss our sister podcast, The Future of the Firm. In our latest episode, we discuss how firms can harness tech and AI to stay relevant in 2024.

Emma Carroll is joined by Beth Butterwick, CEO of clothing retailer, Jigsaw.
At a time when the business environment is constantly shifting, leaders must target simplicity by focusing on their customers, being clear about their USPs, and pulling on their strategic levers.
In this podcast, we talk to Beth about her experience of doing just that, when she joined the retailer shortly before COVID hit.

Beth shares insight on the following issues and more:
Identifying and focusing on the heartland of your business Timing and targeting growth during uncertainty Encouraging multichannel customers and removing friction points Innovating around slow fashion, circularity, and subscription models The appetite for professional services in today’s retail market

 
Emma Carroll is joined by Paul Pellizzari in this episode of Business Leader’s Voice, a new series providing a client’s-eye view of the professional services landscape. 

Organisations across the globe are on their individual journeys to deliver on new and challenging ESG ambitions. There’s a lot to do, from deciding where to focus limited internal resources, to deciding how to measure success, to communicating an authentic story to a diverse range of interested stakeholders.  

In this podcast, we talk to Paul about how he is leading on this challenge at Hard Rock, one of the world’s most recognised brands. He discusses the importance of the “S” aspect of ESG to the Hard Rock business model and where the big challenges and rewards lie. 

We talk about the risk of setting unachievable goals, what “meaningful” metrics really are, and what business leaders are looking for from consulting firms in this space.

About the series: Business Leader’s Voice is essential listening for those seeking to understand what’s important to clients. Speaking to influential buyers and users of professional services, Source’s managing editor, Emma Carroll, asks the big questions about what really matters to firms today and offers fresh insight into the critical issues occupying the headspace of senior executives.