Adam Asks

We Are Adam

We Are Adam has been in business for nearly 15 years and over that time we’ve been very fortunate and privileged to have met a diverse range of inspiring founders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. On their journeys, they’ve all been in the trenches, as we have, and experienced both the highs and lows that running a business throws at you. ​Adam Asks is a podcast series designed to share their valuable lessons and if like us, you want to know what’s around the corner in a world of uncertainty, we’re here to ask them the questions and share their insight.

  1. Adam Asks… What’s the benefit of letting your employees own their own destiny?

    03/19/2020

    Adam Asks… What’s the benefit of letting your employees own their own destiny?

    Chris Hyland joins us on #AdamAsks to discuss why last 4 years has been a whirlwind of change both personally and professionally. He shares about his incredible growth journey from a marketing graduate to seeking investors to purchase his thriving agency, 4Ps Marketing. He reveals the unforgiving process of selling his agency as he reflects on the lengthy transition process. Key highlights include: · The challenges of running an agency · The culture shock that results from times of huge transformation · The relentless transition period that preceded the sale · How change can create uncertainty and discomfort Chris then discusses how the process impacted him personally. He touches on how scrutinising questions can lead to self-doubt, revealing the candid reality of selling for entrepreneurs at the start of the process and the emptiness that is left behind when the euphoria subsides. Driven by a passion to tackle the corporate ‘monsters,’ Chris explains why he launched The Happiness Index to improve society. The conversation is embedded with fantastic learnings around: · How to actively create a culture that prioritises wellbeing; · The importance of resetting for creativity; · Simple steps to avoid burning out; · How a people-centric approach helps businesses attract and retain the best talent; · Adapting to your people Chris also recognises that establishing a thriving cultureis a journey and why you should spend time getting your leadership team onboard. He elaborates on how the ‘freedom to be human’ can empower employees to be themselves and offers some poignant advice for those feeling the pressure of stress. Listeners will finish by reflecting on their own work-life balance and be reminded that “unless you stop – you will break”.

    38 min
  2. Adam Asks... Do Thriving Employees Equate to Happy Clients?

    03/10/2020

    Adam Asks... Do Thriving Employees Equate to Happy Clients?

    John Readman is the Founder and CEO of Modo25 and the Co-Founder of Ride25 – two innovative businesses that challenge rigid work structures. Recently, John joined us to talk about his experience on Dragon’s Den, the innovative path that Modo25 has chosen to take and how to establish a healthy work-life balance. When reflecting back on his experience on Dragon’s Den, John shares about: · Ride25’s impressive story of growth - transforming from a fundraising idea into a sell-out business opportunity; · What entrepreneurs should consider when facing challenging investors. Jumping from the past to current day, talk turns to Modo25 with John revealing the practical implications behind his ‘people first’ culture. This includes: · Executing a quick recruitment strategy to support growth without compromising standards; · How a seven-figure investment helped him to realise his ‘wish list’ of top talent; · Increasing productivity with a market leading wage structure and a flexible, 4-day week; · The knock-on effect of happy employees improving client satisfaction. John also makes some important points about how the right infrastructure is essential as society shifts towards remote working and discusses the importance of empowering your employees. Finally, the podcast draws to a close with an inspiring conversation around the charity work that shaped his business and some humbling advice for budding entrepreneurs who may feel isolated on their journey to success.

    39 min
  3. Adam Asks...Why aren’t local businesses reaching their potential?

    02/24/2020

    Adam Asks...Why aren’t local businesses reaching their potential?

    Vikas Shah MBE is a philanthropist, a serial entrepreneur, and an investor that has a passion for technology-driven businesses. He holds positions as Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan (Lisbon), Honorary Professor of Business at the University of Manchester and an Honorary Industry Fellow at the University of Salford Business School. It’s fair to say that he has an impressive CV and is a powerful mentor for the next generation of entrepreneurs. However, his multi-faceted portfolio doesn’t stop there. Vikas also hosts an interview series – Thought Economics – which discusses poignant topics with some of the world’s leading thinkers, including Holocaust survivors, Athletes, Presidents and Celebrities - just to name a few. ​Vikas started his business career at the tender age of 14, exploiting the early stages of the internet boom to create a graphic design business to fund his dream of becoming a pilot. An impressive start right? In this podcast, we discover what he’s achieved since on his entrepreneurial journey. ​Unlike most entrepreneurs, Vikas doesn’t have a strict life plan. Instead, he has an innate curiosity to follow paths to see where they lead. In this podcast, we discover how Vikas’ desire for variety led him on a journey full of disruption that expands beyond his angel investments in tech-enabled or related businesses and deep into elements he never expected, such as his practical involvement in teaching and his inspiring philanthropy. He also shares how he juggles his time – subsequently encouraging listeners to apply a ruthlessness to their priorities and to hire the best people to help you achieve your objectives. He also discusses how he consciously defies the unsustainable 'always on the grind’ culture by ensuring he has time for hobbies and downtime with his adorable cats. ​Vikas offers advice to those wanting to build their own business in an entrepreneurial landscape that discourages focus and encourages distraction through an environment of collective hype and shares why securing investment is only the beginning of your journey as a responsible leader. Listeners should expect insight into what Vikas looks for as an early-stage investor, common mistakes he sees start-ups make and why Manchester still has a long way to go in being a top global digital city. ​Finally, Vikas reflects on how interviewing peace-makers and incredible survivors can challenge how we look at the world.

    37 min

About

We Are Adam has been in business for nearly 15 years and over that time we’ve been very fortunate and privileged to have met a diverse range of inspiring founders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. On their journeys, they’ve all been in the trenches, as we have, and experienced both the highs and lows that running a business throws at you. ​Adam Asks is a podcast series designed to share their valuable lessons and if like us, you want to know what’s around the corner in a world of uncertainty, we’re here to ask them the questions and share their insight.