Speaking Business Podcast

My guest this week is one of the most fortunate people you’re likely to meet. He should be dead many times over and his exploits have been covered in a Discovery documentary with the very cheerful title ‘I Shouldn’t Be Alive.’  My guest is Chris Moon.  Chris knows exactly what it takes to overcome adversity and supposed limitations. He was blown up in Africa whilst clearing landmines for charity, losing his lower arm and leg. Less than a year after leaving hospital he completed the London Marathon and now runs the world’s toughest ultra-marathons. He’s also one of the few Westerners to have survived being taken prisoner by Khmer Rouge. In this week’s show, we find out why Chris was kidnapped by the Khmer Rouge and how he negotiated his release. How he defied all expectations to run the London Marathon after losing his lower right leg and arm in an explosion clearing land mines and why the biggest limits in life are those, we impose on ourselves often without even realising it.  Bio Chris Moon is one of the mo

Today my guest is Michael Solomon.  Michael “wrote the book” on understanding consumers.  Literally. Hundreds of thousands of business students have learned about Marketing from his books, including Consumer Behavior: Buying, Having, and Being -- the most widely used book on the subject in the world. Michael often is asked to provide briefings to global executive teams who want significant increases in their bottom line and who understand that’s accomplished by a deeper connection with their customers. Michael’s mantra is:  We don’t buy products because of what they do.  We buy them because of what they mean. He advises global clients in leading industries such as apparel and footwear, financial services and e-commerce, retailing, sports and transportation on marketing strategies to make them more consumer-centric.  He is frequently quoted in major media outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Adweek and Time. In this week’s show, Michael and I fight to get heard over an electric drill, I ask why compa

Today Maria’s is Mark Gallagher.  Mark has held leadership roles in F1 for over 30 years with Jordan Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing and Cosworth Formula one engine company. Today he runs his own consulting business and is a F1 analyst for media organisations. In this week’s show, we find why out what is it about Lewis Hamilton that makes him the champion driver he is. We discover what people really thought about Eddie Jordan when he first entered Formula 1. We find out who Michael Schumacher considered his only real rival and we get amazing insights into how to lead high performance teams. Bio Mark Gallagher has worked in the high performance environment of Formula One motor racing for over 30 years.  Today he is a Formula One analyst for the BBC, makes regular appearances on global media outlets and is founder of his own consulting business, Performance Insights Ltd. Mark Gallagher’s management career in Formula One included more than a decade on the management board of the highly successful Jordan Grand Prix t

Today Maria’s guest is award-winning author, innovator, entrepreneur, leadership futurist and transformational catalyst, Nick Jankel. In this week’s show, we talk about one man’s journey from McDonald’s burger maker to student of philosophy, we talk about how everybody is born to transform and we find out why innovators and business leaders have never had so much political responsibility. Bio Thought leader Nick Jankel switches on people all over the planet with the limitless opportunities of the Networked Age...and how to leave behind redundant Industrial-Age thinking, mindsets, and processes that block us from fulfilling our potential as leaders and as organisations. A former elite scientist, Nick has spent close to 30 years developing a rigorous brain-based methodology and complete toolset for personal and organisational transformation - the hardest tasks in the world - that ensure his clients such as Unilever, HSBC, Kelloggs, Zalando, and Nike are match fit for the future. Having initially made his name a

Today Maria’s guest is international brand specialist, Kubi Springer. Kubi has 20 years’ experience in consumer brand marketing with some of the world’s top brands as her clients.  Quite simply Kubi builds brands.  She describes herself as a little girl with a big mouth and I’ll tell you what every word that comes out of that mouth is pure wisdom. Recorded: 2nd October 2018 In this week’s show, we do some serious celebrity name dropping.  If you are a music fan like me you are going to love some of these names.  We share a bit of tough love and we get some really top advice on how to truly connect with your customers for sustainable commercial growth. Let’s dive in…. Links: Connect with Maria on LinkedIn Connect with LSB on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on Facebook Connect with LSB on Facebook  To book any of the speakers featured on the Speaking Business podcast, click here Listen here: Libsyn  Itunes  Stitcher Spotify Bio Since 1996 brand specialist Kubi Springer has been working with companies and high profi

Today Maria’s guest is Mary Tillson.  Mary is the Head of Momentum and Executive Learning at MFL. Mary has worked internationally as a management and leadership development Principal Consultant. She has held leadership roles, both within the training industry, for OnTrack International, GBS Corporate Training, and for American Express where she jointly ran the UK 24-hour Authorisation Centre. As Head of Momentum and Executive Learning at MFL, Mary provides 90-minute Injections of Inspiration workshops as well as custom designed learning programmes and masterclasses. Most recently she has taken on the role of head of Learning at Speaking Business Academy, an organisation providing support, training and coaching to speakers at all stages of their speaking business. Recorded: 2nd October 2018 In this week’s episode, we are going to be talking about the cost of forgetting, how to set yourself up for a success when you book a speaker, how you get a better return on investment and we are also going to delve into Ma

Today Maria’s guest is Neil Armstrong.  Neil has been making films and TV programmes for over 33 years. He started his career as a Film Assistant at the BBC and worked his way up to become a highly respected and sought-after Series Producer and Director. Neil’s credits include ‘Alter Ego’ with Jon Culshaw, ‘Renford Rejects’, ‘The Miners “Location, Location, Location”, “House Doctor” for C5), and the “Teletubbies”. Neil has filmed all over the world writing, producing and directing for a great range of brands from Astra Zeneca, Barclays and UBS right through to L’Oreal, John Lewis, Microsoft and Tate&Lyle. He has also made Speaker Showreels for Roger Black, Sahar Hashemi, Sally Gunnell, Jamil Qureshi, Linda Yueh and Viv Creegor amongst others. Recorded: June 2018 In this week’s episode, we learn the difference between how to shoot a show reel vs shooting a normal event, we learn about what else you could add to your reel other than video and why owning a spanner doesn’t actually make you a mechanic. So, le

Today Maria’s guest is James Kettle, a professional script and speechwriter. He has written for the likes of Rory Bremner, Ed Balls, David Gower and Miles Jupp. Recorded: March 2018 In this week’s episode, we find out that a speech writer has a lot in common with the effervescent vitamin tablet Berocca, making speakers “them”, but them on a really good day.  And we hear about liquid lunches with former English cricketer David Gower.  So, let’s dive right in. Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Listen to Jack Milner’s podcast   To book any of the speakers featured on the Speaking Business podcast, click here

Today Maria’s guest is James Pearce. For two decades, James has been one of the most regular faces on the BBC's television news bulletins. An award-winning correspondent, James freely admits to having one of the best jobs in the world. You name it, he's reported from it. Recorded on: 12th July 2018 James tells us how Gloria Hunniford gave him his first broadcasting break at the tender age of nine, he teaches me how to elegantly deflect awkward questions, and James shares with us an embarrassing broadcasting moment.  All this and more… Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook

Today Maria’s guest is Chris Roebuck. Chris has vast experience as a leader. He was Global Head of Leadership at UBS during the implementation of one of the most successful corporate transformations. This period now forms a Harvard Business School case study on transforming organisational performance. Chris has also worked in government and public sector on major change and leadership projects, from UK National Health Service and local government to London Underground PFI partnership. Chris is currently visiting professor of transformational leadership at Cass Business School in London. In addition, he has served as a military officer and now works as an executive coach and mentor across a range of different sectors, helping senior executives to be more successful. Recorded on: 5th July 2018 In this week’s show, Chris Roebuck shares how you can start your career managing catering services, including the bars for about 8000 undergraduates to being in the Army, to then becoming Global Head of Leadership at UBS.

This week, Maria’s guest is Tony Fish. Tony is an author investor, serial entrepreneur, and maverick. He's a visiting fellow at Henley Business School for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and an EC expert for big data. He is entrepreneur in residence at Bradford School of Management and Law, lecturer in innovation and entrepreneurship at the London Business School, and lecturer in AI and future of disruptive technology at the London School of Economics. Recorded on: 28th June 2018 In this week’s show, Tony Fish shares how he defeated the University system and got a place with no prior qualifications, why he is a maverick and how he has never been employed.  Tony explains how to differentiate a high growth business from a non-high growth business and how diversity of thinking is the key to an exceptional team. All this and more… Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Significant quotes: “Diversity in the ability to think differently is how you bring to

This week, Maria’s guest is Graham Allcott. Graham is the author of the global bestseller How to Be A Productivity Ninja. He is the founder of Think Productive, a leading provider of personal productivity training and consultancy. His podcast, Beyond Busy, explores the issues of productivity, work life balance, and how people define happiness in their lives. Previous roles include chief executive of Student Volunteering England, head of volunteering at the University of Birmingham and advisor to the UK Government on youth volunteering policy. Recorded on: 21st June 2018 In this week’s show Graham Allcott shares how we too can become Productivity Ninjas with a zero inbox whilst working only a four-day week.  Graham also explains how he got into volunteering and all the wonderful charities he has worked with over the years as well as explaining what our second brain is and why we shouldn’t manage our time. All this and more… Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria

This week, Maria’s guest is Dr. Beau Lotto. Beau is a world-renowned neuroscientist, bestselling author, and entrepreneur. Beau is also the founder and CEO of Lab of Misfits, the world's first neuro-design studio. His studies in human perception have taken him well beyond the scientific domain and into the fields of education, the arts, and business. He has been a two-time main stage TED speaker and spoken at the G8, Google's ZeitgeistMinds, Wired, and made contributions to BBC's Horizon, National Geographic Channel and PBS. Beau's aim is to use the principles of perception to enable people to think differently about both themselves and the world around them. Recorded on: 14th June 2018 In this week’s show Beau Lotto explains why what we see isn’t really what we see and tells us in with what the Lab of Misfits work is all about including sharing some of the experiments they’ve created with Cirque du Soleil and L’Oreal.  Ever wondered what Augmented Reality is? Beau gives us an insight into some of the AR apps

This week Maria’s guest on the show is David Price. David is an expert in organisational learning for a complex future. He is a senior associate at The Innovation Unit and co-founder of We Do Things Differently, a cultural change practise. His book, Open: How We'll Work, Live, and Learn in the Future, has been an Amazon bestseller since its publication. In 2009, he was awarded the OBE by Her Majesty the Queen. He writes, talks, trains, and advises leaders around the world on some of the biggest challenges facing business, education, and society, solving the problems of employees, student, and civic disengagement, maximising our potential to be creative, innovative, and fulfilled citizens, and understanding the global shift towards open organisations and systems of learning. Recorded on: 7th June 2018 In this week’s show David Price talks about his fascination with how people learn informally, shares his thoughts on the education system, talks about engagement & learning and what we expect from his new boo

This week Maria’s guest on the show is Dr. Pritpal S. Tamber. Pritpal is the CEO and co-founder of Bridging Health & Community, a Seattle based non-profit dedicated to transforming how healthcare works with communities. At the heart of its work is the insight that our current approach to health, deploying technical solutions to biomedical problems, is failing in a world of circumstance related chronic conditions. Bridging Health & Community has gleaned 12 overarching principles for how healthcare can work with communities. These principles also have the potential to foster the agency of communities, their ability to make purposeful choices, something increasingly recognised as core to health. He is the former physician editor of TEDMED and began his career as an editor at the British Medical Journal. Recorded on: 31st May 2018 Show Notes: In this week’s show Pritpal tells us how he became an editor at the British Medical Journal, what he learnt from working at Biomed, explains a bit about TED and TEDM

This week Maria’s guest on the show is Jim Harris. Jim is one of North America's foremost thinkers on disruptive innovation. Jim is the bestselling author of The Learning Paradox, The 100 Best Companies to Work for in Canada, and Blindsided. Blindsided is published in 80 countries worldwide and is a number one international bestseller. The Miami Herald calls Blindsided "brilliant stuff". Jim is a catalyst for conversation and change. He excels at leading people to new ways of thinking, making productive, profitable change possible. Recorded on: 24th May 2018 Show Notes: In this week’s show Jim Harris talks to us about climate change, being a global social influencer, disruptive innovation and how driverless cars will disrupted us more than we realise. Jim also tells us how his great aunt influenced his passion for the environment and how by reading just one sentence from a book led him to being elected leader of the Green Party of Canada. Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Con

This week Maria’s guest on the show is Bruno Marion. Bruno nicknamed The Futurist Monk, is an expert in global trends and innovation. For the last 30 years, Bruno has been traveling around the world, meeting CEOs, monks, all kinds of gurus, people in jail, super rich people, super poor people, artists, scientists, high-level politicians, members of the special forces, activists, and successful entrepreneurs. In that time he's read thousands of books on the latest innovations in science, technology, philosophy, and spirituality. He has been experimenting with cutting edge technologies, investigating new types of governances, smart cities, and disruptive ways of living. Bruno himself is the author of several best-selling books on Asian cultures, and the aptly titled book, Chaos, A User's Guide. All about taking advantage of chaos and uncertainty Recorded on: 17th May 2018 Show Notes: In this week’s show Bruno tells us who he thinks are the most inspiring people and his heroes. We find out how he got his nick na

This week Maria’s guest on the show is Josephine Fairley. Having been the UK's youngest ever magazine editor in her twenties, Jo Fairley co-founded Green and Black's in 1991 with her husband Craig Sams, now a one hundred million pound a year brand under the umbrella of Mondalez. Passionate since her teenage years about clean, green living she continues to work as an ambassador for Green and Blacks while also acting as a consultant to brands that are seeking increasingly to become more ethical, sustainable and to embody stronger values. A serial entrepreneur, she has translated her lifelong interest in the senses into a series of successful ventures, Judges Bakery and the Wellington Centre in her hometown of Hastings, and the Perfume Society, the world's first networking organisation for those interested in the sense of smell. Author of twenty-five books, she has contributed to a wide range of publications including The Times, YOU Magazine, Mail on Sunday, Red, Psychologies, and more. Recorded on: 18th May 201

This week Maria’s guest on the show is Mark Stevenson. Mark is a futurist, broadcaster, and expert on global trends and innovation. He's a highly respected thinker on the interplay of technology and society, helping a diverse mix of clients to become future-literate and adapt their cultures and strategy to squarely face the questions the future is asking them. He's the author of two best-selling books, An Optimist's Tour of the Future, and the award-winning, We Do Things Differently: The Outsiders Rebooting Our World. Mark's many advisory roles include Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Earth Challenge and Atlas of the Future. Mark is also resident futurist at the National Theatre of Scotland. TED curator, Chris Anderson said, "Stevenson wears no blindfold. His tools are curiosity, open-mindedness, clarity, and reason." Recorded on: 27th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week’s show, Mark Stevenson talks to us about how he came to be a futurist via stand-up, about technology change over the next 20 years and why cultu

This week Maria’s guest on the show is Amy Brann. Amy is a visiting lecturer to Manchester Metropolitan University, teaching the neuroscience of leadership on the Master of Sports Directorship Programme. She is the founder of Synaptic Potential, working with organizations to strengthen their strategy, culture, and performance. Amy is also the author of three books, Make Your Brain Work, Neuroscience for Coaches, and Engaged: The Neuroscience Behind Creating Productive People in Successful Organizations. Recorded on: 26th April 2018 Show Notes: In this week’s show, Amy Brann talks to us about the brain. She tells us why she thinks children should be taught about how the brain works and how it would benefit in the workplace. How we can shape our brain, why we should not to rely on willpower and why sleep is so important for our memory. Links: More about Maria Franzoni Ltd Connect with Maria on Linkedin Connect with Maria on FaceBook Significant quotes: “Learning new things these days is so easy.  We have it so