Talking SME with Ten2Two … eavesdropping on the experts

In this episode of Talking SME , Jane O'Gorman sits down with Paul Mann , founder of Pathmaker Advisory, to cut through the noise around AI and get straight to what matters for business owners and leaders. Paul shares why now is the critical inflection point for non-tech companies to adopt AI, why wary scepticism is understandable but commercial inaction is risky, and — crucially — how to tak...

Sarah shares practical ways SMEs can measure success beyond profit and offers her top leadership tips for creating a culture where people, purpose, and profit thrive together. Sarah is a Fellow of the ACCA with broad financial leadership experience across corporates, start-ups and scale-ups. Who believes short-term financial decision-making in business was not helping people, the planet or our pro...

In this special episode of Talking SME, Deborah O'Sullivan, our Founder and MD, joins one of our Directors, Jane O'Gorman, to give our take on:  •    How AI is changing hiring •    The biggest hiring shifts we’re seeing across SMEs •    The biggest recruitment challenges (and how to tackle them)

Florence Cassell, Founder and Creative Director of Studio Floc, talks about why she was an early adopter of the 4 day week, explains how it benefits everyone, from employees to clients and leaves us with her top tips for utilising the 4 day week model. Florence is the Founder and Creative Director of Studio Floc, an award-winning, B Corp-certified graphic design agency. After studying at Chelsea C...

Jenny Copeland, Behavioural Change Leader and Executive Coach, talks about the definition of culture, explains how you promote what you permit and leaves us with her top tips for a thriving workplace culture. Jenny is a Professional Performance and Transformation Coach, Author and Accredited Facilitator for Life Success Productions. For the last 30 years, she has been providing leadership and orga...

Ruth George, HR Consultant and Herts CIPD Chair, talks about the challenges HR can pose for a SME, the importance of offering flexibility to employees and why small businesses can't afford to miss the AI boat. Ruth is a Chartered Member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) with over 25 years' experience in senior HR management roles.  Previously HR Director at G...

Baljit Kaur, Founder of Innate Consultancy and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion champion, talks about the challenges Diversity, Equity & Inclusion can present for an SME, whilst offering actionable changes and starting points that can help to get the ball rolling. Baljit helps companies design a diverse workforce and inclusive cultures achieving excellence in diverse employee attraction, enga...

James Ker-Reid, top SaaS and technology sales leader and co-author of two bestselling books, talks about the challenges of creating a robust, enduring sales framework whilst in a fast-moving start-up.  Discussing his simple, proven framework, he covers the key elements needed for sales success. James has a background in B2B SaaS and IT consultancy, with specialisms including fintech, insurance, HR...

Chris O'Riordan, Founder and MD of Firestarter Business Solutions, talks speed planning and how it can be the answer to your SME planning woes, why the best plans never exceed a single A4 sheet of paper and how not to get lost in a jungle of KPI's. Chris is a specialist in sales excellence, organisational structure & design, sales training and change management programmes with over 3...

Stuart Hearn, HR and Technology Entrepreneur, talks about the challenges of managing people in today’s uncertain business environment and how business owners and managers approach the tricky balance they seek between ‘doing the day job’ and effectively managing their teams. Stuart is an experienced HR and Technology entrepreneur, having founded and scaled two successful HR businesses - most recent...

Sean Ruane, Founder of Mind Data, talks mental health check ins, how managers can play an important role in improving employee mental wellbeing and the importance of businesses being proactive with how they support their employees. Sean is the founder of Mind Data, a digital platform that aims to improve human-to-human therapy. Mind Data provides tools to increase self-awareness in patients/client...

Francis Lake, Founder of Green Juniper, talks about changing attitudes to hybrid working, his experience developing innovative working practices, and why one popular hybrid policy is an ill-fitting suit. Francis has a long career in organisation and people development.  He’s got a track record in deploying groundbreaking practice, winning awards for performance and purpose.  His work on post-covid...

Jim Simpson, Founder and CEO of Ziptech services discusses the changing attitude to tech, how it underpins business growth and why it is so important for business leaders to expand their knowledge. Jim founded Ziptech at a time when his frustration with IT Support companies was at its height. Working as a turnaround CEO, he realised that the performance of each of these companies who sought his ad...

Souky Arsalane, CEO and Co-founder of newly established ZING, discusses the problems underrepresented founders face, what she has learnt as an entrepreneur and her role supporting other female founders.  Souky is the CEO and co-founder of ZING, the platform for digital experiences designed for businesses who want to enrich the lives of their staff.  Previously part of the management team and Head...

Katherine Rayden, Owner and Founder of Rayden Solicitors, discusses what makes a good business leader, growth during Covid and creating a positive working environment.  Katherine has over 25 years’ experience as a specialist family law solicitor. She has a wealth of knowledge in disputes that can follow the breakdown of any relationship whether this concerns children and/or finances. Katherine has...

Louise Hosking of Hosking Associates, IOSH President and One WISH co-founder, discusses how she puts the pulse into health and safety, what flexible working means to her and the impact of feminine skills in leadership positions.  Louise is a first career Health & Safety Professional with over 30 years experience. Her consultancy, Hosking Associates, was established in 2005. As an employer and...

Adrian Malpass, Executive Coach, Mentor and Board Advisor discusses the leadership qualities he saw in Gareth Southgate, his advice for SME business leaders and how business owners can best utilise their skill sets.  Adrian is a renowned award-winning executive coach and mentor, and board adviser, focusing on leadership, strategy and managing growth for businesses of all sizes. He is also Curator...

Louise Towler, Founder and Managing Director of Indigo Tree discusses her first steps into technology, being a female leader in STEM and her advice for SME business leaders.  Louise is a technology entrepreneur and started her career in STEM as a software developer over 30 years ago. Today she is the founder and Managing Director of Indigo Tree, a digital agency, with a team of twelve, experts in...

Peter Hopwood, Global Public Speaking & TEDx Coach discusses some of his top tips to be more impactful in a virtual setting, how to transfer existing presenting skills to the screen and the importance of emotion when storytelling.  Peter delivers dynamic public speaking, pitching and presentation skills, through individual and team coaching - worldwide. As an international speaker coach he gui...

Kimberley Whalen-Blake, Director at Hughes Paddison Legal Practice answers five of the most topical and current employment law questions. Covering IR35, returning to work post COVID, Brexit and much more. Kimberley specialises in all areas of employment law, with over 10 years’ experience in her field and has advised on and litigated all aspects of employment law, from unfair dismissals, TUPE, red...

Linda Garcia, owner of Alluxi Consulting discusses productivity trends, the impact the pandemic and working from home have had on productivity and steps that business leaders can take to improve productivity in the workplace.  Owner of Alluxi Consulting, Linda Garcia has more than twenty years experience in project formulation and application; the design, development and implementation of manageme...

Gary Swanwick, Co-founder and Managing Director at Epoq IT discusses how simple antivirus software is no longer enough, how the rise in remote working has impacted cyber security and steps business leaders can take to educate themselves and their people.  Gary is co-founder and managing director of managed services provider Epoq  IT, which is based in High Wycombe.  With over 20 years’ experience...

Cathryn Barnard, Director at Working the Future discusses the importance of foresight focus and why it is essential for business leaders. As well as the trends that are currently impacting employees' expectations of business leaders.  Cat is a director at Working the Future, a management consultancy helping business leaders make sense of the multiple forces changing how we work in the 2020s. ...

Kimberley Whalen-Blake, Director at Hughes Paddison Legal Practice shares her knowledge and top tips on how Brexit and the ending of Freedom of Movement for EU nationals might affect your recruiting and staffing practices. Kimberley specialises in all areas of employment law, with over 10 years’ experience in her field and has advised on and litigated all aspects of employment law, from unfair dis...

Sarah Sen, HR Consultant at Sen Consulting, shares her top tips on the key considerations for employers when moving to a hybrid working arrangement, the great benefits it can offer and the pitfalls to avoid. Sarah Sen is an award-winning HR and dynamic working consultant who works with SME clients to develop modern and flexible workplaces.  Sen HR consulting is a boutique people consultancy focuse...