Inside the Director's Circle

On this episode, hosted by Jason Langford Brown founder of the Director's Circle and practicing business advisor and coaching psychologist, he is continuining the conversation about productivity - but extending it out to get some energy hacks As always, there are a couple of great guests to help with the discussion Claire Fudge is the founder of 4D, also a practicing clinical nutritionist and dietitian, also still an active triathlete, fresh back from the world champion Iron Man in Hawaii earlier this year. Graham Nicholl is Managing Director of Atlanta global corporate finance business. Graham's also been MD of Barclays and held senior positions at KPMG. But before that, Graham was an entrepreneur in the fitness space and like Claire, has been a very active guy, done the marathon de Sablas.   Timestamped Overview 00:00 Leaders discuss energy and productivity in business. 04:09 Advice for wearable devices: Collect data, analyze. 09:22 Eating late can affect sleep and metabolism. 13:08 Skipping breakfast may lead to overeating. 15:53 Eating breakfast improved energy and muscle tone. 17:44 Choose healthy snacks and refuel after exercising. 21:58 Non-exercise thermogenesis burns energy, consider movement. 25:20 Meetings start five or 35 past the hour. 29:38 Start small, consistent routines, enjoy and improve. 31:41 Measuring data encourages managing and changing behaviors.   Claire can be found here: linkedin.com/in/claire-fudge-dietitian https://www.4thdiscipline.com/   Graham can be found here: linkedin.com/in/grahamsnicoll https://www.alantra.com/   Get in touch with The Directors Circle here:   https://directors-circle.com/   info@directors-circle.com   0121 270 5777    

On this episode, hosted by Jason Langford Brown founder of the Director's Circle and practicing business advisor and coaching psychologist, he is talking about productivity as a business leader. As always, there are a couple of great guests to help with the discussion Claire Fudge is the founder of 4D, also a practicing clinical nutritionist and dietitian, also still an active triathlete, fresh back from the world champion Iron Man in Hawaii earlier this year. Graham Nicholl is Managing Director of Atlanta global corporate finance business. Graham's also been MD of Barclays and held senior positions at KPMG. But before that, Graham was an entrepreneur in the fitness space and like Claire, has been a very active guy, done the marathon de Sablas.   Timestamped Overview 00:00 Manage energy strategically for optimized work-life balance. 05:37 Finding balance in remote work and life. 08:24 Prioritize health and time for productivity. 12:53 Quality, not quantity, of sleep is crucial. 15:24 Frequent blood sugar fluctuations impact energy levels. 18:22 Organizations adapting culture; presenteeism in certain industries. 21:11 Measuring productivity and proving impact with data. 24:24 Measuring productivity, caring for employees' well-being. 27:31 Claire and Graham joining next episode talk.   Claire can be found here: linkedin.com/in/claire-fudge-dietitian https://www.4thdiscipline.com/   Graham can be found here: linkedin.com/in/grahamsnicoll https://www.alantra.com/   Get in touch with The Directors Circle here:   https://directors-circle.com/   info@directors-circle.com   0121 270 5777    

In this episode, hosted by Jason Langford Brown founder of the Director Circle, practicing business advisor and coaching psychologists - we look at valuing your business, especially when it comes to exiting your business. Along with Chasz Coulsting who is the Director of Corporate Finance at Crowe UK they give some great value to the entrepreneurs and business owners who get a little overwhelmed when it comes to business value.   Timestamps: 00:01:08 Get involved, gain insights, visit director's website. 00:05:48 Maximizing value; finding ideal buyers; management important. 00:10:02 Factors influencing business valuation: profitability and strength. 00:14:33 Value drivers for growing and strengthening businesses. 00:16:34 Recurring revenue, supply chain, and health checks. 00:21:52 Healthy businesses thrive long-term, prepare for exit. 00:24:14 Time on your side, valuable conversations continue.   Chasz can be found here: linkedin.com/in/chasz-coulsting-56075441 https://www.crowe.com/global   Get in touch with The Directors Circle here:   https://directors-circle.com/   info@directors-circle.com   0121 270 5777  

In this episode, hosted by Jason Langford Brown founder of the Director Circle, practicing business advisor and coaching psychologists - we look at why, when and how you should be looking at exiting your business.   Along with Chasz Coulsting who is the Director of Corporate Finance at Crowe UK, they look at the right time to start planning your exit from the business.  - Identifying the correct process - and people - to take over  - When to tell other people in the business  - When and how to approach buyers, or accept approaches from buyers   If this is something you are thinking of - listen to this episode. If this is something you haven't been thinking of - you definitely have to listen to this episode.   Timestamps 00:00:13 Why thinking about selling is crucial now. 00:04:17 Owner-managed businesses discuss exit plans & retirement. 00:06:51 Frustration for clients wanting to exit business. 00:11:16 Exit potential, management team, and suppressed price. 00:14:03 Planning ahead: management team, strategy, maximizing value. 00:17:18 Plan for management and continuity of business helps increase pool of buyers. 00:21:22 Business leaders struggle with finding worth beyond being busy; recalibration is necessary to maximize value and achieve personal goals.   Chasz can be found here: linkedin.com/in/chasz-coulsting-56075441 https://www.crowe.com/global   Get in touch with The Directors Circle here:   https://directors-circle.com/   info@directors-circle.com   0121 270 5777  

In this episode, hosted by Jason Langford Brown founder of the Director Circle, practicing business advisor and coaching psychologists - we dive into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and its impact on our daily lives. Jason is joined by Amy-Rose Hayden and Liz Mulley. With the proliferation of AI tools, one particular chatbot called Chat GPT has caught our attention. But as with any technological advancement, there are legal implications and security risks to consider. The need for organizations to stay compliant with UK and EU data regulations is paramount, especially when it comes to the safety and use of data in chat platforms. Throughout the episode, we explore the potential risks and biases associated with chatbots, as well as the importance of regularly assessing processes and data storage methods. Join us as we discuss the finer details of chatbot implementation and the ongoing discussions surrounding GDPR compliance.   Timestamped overview 00:00:12 Legal implications of chatbots explored by experts. 00:04:44 Automation and chatbots can enhance productivity. Bill Gates supports embracing the technology. 00:10:30 AI output not always accurate or reliable. 00:12:53 AI regulation varies by jurisdiction, no UK regulation at present. 00:18:26 Chat GPT limited, unreliable for decision-making. Outdated and aggregates fact and fiction. Useful but not to be relied on. 00:21:48 Chat GPT is like a confident apprentice. AI output can be convincing and believable. Deepfakes are concerning and pose risks. AI is based on input and lacks creativity. Careful input and consideration of consequences are important. Businesses should embrace AI with caution. 00:25:54 Balance risk, embrace tech, don't overlook compliance. 00:28:27 Plan, not play randomly. New Facebook?   Guest Resources Liz Mulley - Managing Associate in Commercial Litigation (Fraud & Risk) at Trowers & Hamlins linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-mulley-8aa98440 Amy-Rose Hayden - Commercial Dispute Resolution Associate linkedin.com/in/amy-rose-hayden-701b3076     Get in touch with The Directors Circle here: https://directors-circle.com/ info@directors-circle.com 0121 270 5777    

Welcome back to another episode of Inside The Director's Circle! In today's episode Jason leads a fascinating discussion on the importance of cyber due diligence and proactive measures businesses can take to protect themselves from cyber threats. Jason is joined by guest experts Liz Mulley, Amy-Rode Hayden and Stuart Hadley. They delve into the world of cybersecurity, shedding light on the risks associated with personal data and the need for a more thoughtful approach to consent. Liz explains what cyber due diligence is and why it should be a vital part of any business's exit or merger strategy. So grab your headphones, sit back, and get ready to dive into the world of cybersecurity on Inside The Director's Circle.   Timestamps 00:00:11 Cybersecurity due diligence is crucially important. 00:04:06 Cover off on due diligence, risk assessment, compliance, incident response, recovery, business continuity, supply chain assessment, and digital exposure for cyber maturity. 00:07:04 Tech-focused business shift emphasizes security measures. 00:11:45 Stats can be misleading; cyber security is affordable and essential. 00:14:09 Data protection and cyber due diligence are important in mergers and acquisitions. The nature of the data held by the target should be considered. Cyber due diligence can impact the deal, possibly affecting the purchase price or including additional protections in the contract. Business leaders should also assess their own cyber readiness. 00:17:49 More scrutiny needed for data usage risks. 00:22:02 Stress testing, cyber response, supply chain weakness. 00:25:29 "How often do we receive something from someone we know?" 00:28:40 Starting the journey, chatbots in focus.   Guest Resources Liz Mulley - Managing Associate in Commercial Litigation (Fraud & Risk) at Trowers & Hamlins linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-mulley-8aa98440 Amy-Rose Hayden - Commercial Dispute Resolution Associate linkedin.com/in/amy-rose-hayden-701b3076 Stuart Hadley - Group Global Chief Operating Officer CyberQ Group linkedin.com/in/stuart-hadley-8281a419   Get in touch with The Directors Circle here: https://directors-circle.com/ info@directors-circle.com 0121 270 5777    

In episode 18 of Inside the Director's Circle, Dr Brian Glibkowski, professor at Chicago University and founder of answer intelligence interviews Jason about our use of AQ as a practice in coaching, leadership, and high-performing sales. Jason reveals how people went from ditching the old-fashioned appraisal processes to creating high-quality conversations that went past coaching and started to inform leadership and customer management skills too. Listen to the full episode to learn how you can use this in your leadership approach too.

In this follow up episode we will be looking at when and how to use mediation to win trust and positively move forward in the situations we may face. As we learn, mediation overlaps with other areas, so we dive into some practical tips to help business leaders get the most out of their people, and how to navigate compromise. Don't forget to follow Jason and The Director's Circle for more insights

In episode 16 of Inside the Director's Circle, Jason is joined by Peter Brewer, commercial litigator and credited practitioner of mediation at national law firm, Clarke Willmott LLP. In this episode, Jason and Peter unpick why mediation is so powerful and how we can embrace it as a part of litigation before money gets in the way of the solution. Don't forget to follow us and Jason on LinkedIn @TheDirectorsCircle @JasonLangfordBrown

In episode 15 of Inside the Director's Circle, host Jason Langford-Brown is interviewed by Andrew Menzies, Vice President of TGS Global Network on what is B2B selling. B2B selling is complex, especially when selling intangible products.  The relationships and processes needed to get the approval of many stakeholders mean that we need to be up to date with the latest practices. If not, failure is imminent.  So what are the approaches to selling that work?  Jason and Andrew take a deep dive into the sales landscape, how it's changed, and what high-performing sales teams now look like.

In episode 14 of Inside the Director's Circle, leading sales expert and Founder of Sales Shift, Mike Boyle and I continue our exploration of nailing our sales process.  Especially since the pandemic, companies have placed a huge amount of investment into nailing their virtual selling strategy. A really important factor in sales but, nothing quite beats the human touch.  So how do we find that optimal balance between social and virtual selling to maximise profits?  Listen to the latest episode to find out.

In episode 13 of Inside the Director's Circle, Jason is joined by leading sales expert and Founder of Sales Shift, Mike Boyle.  The process of sales is something we don't often see written down. Experts like to withhold their knowledge and secrets and steer away from admitting any losses.  So today's episode tackles just that. Having spent decades in the industry, Mike is revealing the tried and tested method on the science behind sales, and how you can implement techniques and processes to increase your revenue.

Episode 12 of Inside the Director's Circle continues on from the previous episode where former British Army Colonel, Chris Carter MBE, dives into his experiences in the military and how this has affected his leadership skills.  Both Jason and Chris are also joined by the CEO of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Joanne Williams, who brings 23 years of expertise as a leader in the NHS. 

Episode 11 of Inside the Director's Circle looks at the canvas of leadership.  Jason is joined by Chris Carter MBE, project leader for the consultancy giant Arup, and former British Army Colonel and Commanding Officer.  Also joining Jason and Chris is the CEO of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Jo Williams who brings her 23 years of expertise working in the NHS.  This episode unpicks the canvas of leadership and how it's made up of three key blocks to make a great leader, what leaders are, what leaders know, and what leaders do. The discussion looks at the practical application of these blocks, and how we can all become better leaders from them. 

In episode 10 of Inside the Director's Circle, Jason Langford-Brown continues to delve into the of topic change with leading change expert Dr Chris Mason, PhD.  This time, Chris is revealing the secrets of some of the most successful companies that have carried out change, with an average of 80% success rate.  Research into these companies highlighted 3 major factors they used to be successful, readiness, capability and beliefs.  Listen to the full episode now to learn how you can apply this to your own change initiative.