B2Be Different - Engineering your brand for success

Samantha Tonge
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Engineering and B2B manufacturing companies create brilliant things. They just don't always shout about it. B2Be Different Co-Founders Samantha & Steve are here to change that. In season 1, we will also dig into the top two issues in the industry, skills and sustainability, with conversations featuring some of the great people in the industry looking to solve problems. Plus, Samantha & Steve share the marketing strategies that actually work when you're selling complex solutions to informed buyers. Because playing it safe isn't getting you noticed, and you deserve better than bland. Ready to B2Be Different? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 23: Justine Scullion from Circulus

    In this episode on sustainability, I spoke to Justine Scullion from Circulus, a circular economy business focused on electronics, about how repair and reuse extends product life and saves money, how much of the engineering and manufacturing sector still uses a linear take-make-dispose model, and why you need to build sustainability into employee KPIs across the business. B2Be Different Circulus Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  2. Jun 3

    Episode 22: Jim Fowlie AEMT the Training Working Group Chair

    In this episode on skills, I spoke with Jim Fowlie from Sensor-Works and chair of the Training Working Group at the AEMT, about why younger people don't always know what engineering opportunities are available to them, how networking and exposure to different engineering activities can shape careers, why smaller companies struggle to train new talent, and the critical role that professional associations play in connecting the next generation with mentorship and real-world possibilities. B2Be Different AEMT Sensor-Works Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min

  3. May 27

    Episode 21: Sustainability with Thrive Consulting

    I was really excited about speaking to this week’s guest as she was highly recommended by Keri Craig in our first sustainability episode (that’s episode 3). I spoke to Jane Dennyson, founder of Thrive Consulting about how ESG credentials are now baked into tendering requirements, why measurement and evidence are essential to avoid greenwashing accusations, and how sustainability is fundamentally about making businesses more competitive, resilient and successful rather than just a nice to do. Some more information about legislation Jane mentioned:   1 - UK CBAM will apply to certain carbon-intensive imported goods from 1 January 2027 and aims to create a comparable carbon price, not a general tax on all products.   2- EU CBAM is already in its transitional phase, with the definitive period from 1 January 2026. UK CBAM starts 1 January 2027.   3- The Clean Industry Bonus is specifically tied to fixed and floating offshore wind applicants under CfD allocation rounds. It supports investment in more sustainable supply chains, not simply “use UK suppliers”. Government guidance says applicants can get extra CfD revenue support if they invest in more sustainable supply chains.   4-UK SRS exists now; FCA rules are expected from 1 January 2027 for listed issuers, subject to final FCA policy. It will not apply to every company immediately. B2Be Different Jane's LinkedIn Thrive Consulting Episode 3 - where Keri sang Jane's praises Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min

  4. May 20

    Episode 20 Engineer a Career

    In this episode Samantha spoke to Josh Robertson, founder of Engineer a Career and host of the Engineer a Career podcast, about why he sees the skills gap as a breakdown in the system between sparking the engineering mindset in schools and getting people into industry, why a third of engineering graduates don't work in engineering, and how organisations can build their talent pipeline by engaging with students earlier and showing authentic stories about their people. B2Be Different Engineer a Career The Engineer a Career podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min

  5. May 13

    Episode 19: the skills gap - what we've learned so far

    In this episode, Samantha shared her research findings on the skills gap in engineering and manufacturing through third-party reports and from all of the expert guests we have spoken to about the skills gap during this series. She also announced our full-day event in Edinburgh on 2nd June in partnership with CeeD to explore collaborative solutions to this critical challenge. CeeD event on the 2nd June in Edinburgh Links to research referenced in this podcast: Scottish Engineering skills report Make UK Industrial Strategy Skills Commission, Skills for Success: The Reforms Essential to Our Economic Future Barclays Corporate Banking / The Manufacturer, Now Hiring: Understanding and Tackling the Skills Shortage in UK Manufacturing Fabian Society / Youth Futures Foundation / CIPD, Levying Up: How to Make the Growth and Skills Levy Work (August 2025) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    18 min

  6. May 6

    Episode 18: Ryan McCuaig on the circular ecomony

    In this episode on sustainability in engineering & manufacturing, Samantha spoke to Ryan McCuaig, lead product development engineer at Renewable Parts, about the circular economy. He spoke about how they're remanufacturing wind turbine gearboxes and other critical components, not just keeping them out of skips, but to perform even better than when they were new, getting turbines back online in under a week, and how SMEs are leading the charge on the circular economy across all sectors. Since we recorded this conversation, the team at Renewable Parts have been recognised with the CeeD Circular Economy award for this outstanding work. B2Be Different Renewable Parts Organisations mentioned by Ryan: Ellen MacArthur Foundation Zero Waste Scotland CeeD University of Strathclyde Advanced Research Materials Laboratory National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland (NMIS) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    27 min

  7. Apr 29

    Episode 17: Murray Whittaker on apprenticeships

    In this episode about using apprenticeships to fill the skills gap, Samantha spoke to Murray Whittaker from Whittaker Engineering about how apprenticeships are foundational to their business with 35% of their 140-strong workforce homegrown, why the UK needs to be prouder of its engineering heritage, and how they're developing the next generation through open days, hands-on training, and opportunities that take young people around the world while going from cycling to work to buying houses. Whittaker Engineering B2Be Different Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    31 min

  8. Apr 22

    Episode 16: Steve's love for engineering & B2B manufacturing

    After Samantha was interviewed by Steve in episode 13, this week it's Samantha’s turn to put Steve of the spot. Steve spoke about his journey from a mechanical and electrical engineering apprenticeship to running a successful creative agency, why he's always loved creativity and the challenge of helping B2B manufacturing and engineering overcome its conservativeness, and the five most important things manufacturing and engineering companies need to consider, including understanding what makes you extraordinary and being brave to stand out. B2Be Different Episode 13, when Steve interviewed Samantha Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    15 min
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About

Engineering and B2B manufacturing companies create brilliant things. They just don't always shout about it. B2Be Different Co-Founders Samantha & Steve are here to change that. In season 1, we will also dig into the top two issues in the industry, skills and sustainability, with conversations featuring some of the great people in the industry looking to solve problems. Plus, Samantha & Steve share the marketing strategies that actually work when you're selling complex solutions to informed buyers. Because playing it safe isn't getting you noticed, and you deserve better than bland. Ready to B2Be Different? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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