The Reality of Business

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a lasting impression at a networking event?  This episode kicks off with a hilarious sketch showcasing some common networking blunders, reminding us all about the importance of making a strong first impression. We dive into practical tips on overcoming shyness, avoiding snap judgments, and dressing for success, all illustrated with personal stories that...

Elections are great ways to learn about the best public speaking. Rishi Sunak, Keir Starmer, and Nigel Farage, as well as a huge number of supporting cast members will be trying their best to influence us over the next few weeks and any of us can study how good they really are.  We all need, sometimes to elevate our voices and captivate audiences, whether it's during an election season frenzy...

Senior Managers have an important question to answer – what development is going to make them better at what they do? Or do they need any at all?  Unlock the full potential of senior leadership with expert insights from Bob & Jeremy, executive coaches who bring to life the varied activities that are available. This episode promises an eye-opening journey through the world of senior management...

Ever been caught at the end of a meal, wallet in hand, wondering just how much to tip - or if at all?  That's the exact conundrum we unpack in today's lively podcast, where we navigate the new Employment Allocation of Tips Act 2023, set to revolutionise UK's service industry. Join us as we delve into the principles of fairness and transparency in tip distribution, sharing tales from...

How do you get through to a company's decision-maker?  You’re not alone, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the B2B space. We kick things off with a hilarious skit that hits close to home, capturing the all-too-familiar frustration of reaching out to remote-based workers. Then, we break down the hard truths of the increasingly digital buying and selling arenas in business. With anecd...

What makes a sales strategy irresistible? This episode promises to change your approach to sales and sales training through the lens of behavioural science. We kick things off by discussing how societal trends, can signal shifts in consumer behaviour — a key factor in shaping effective sales tactics. We sight insights from behavioural science experts like Rory Sutherland, and we examine how anthro...

In our latest episode, we examine new research into the level of customer satisfaction in the UK, where the landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. We start by discussing the reasons behind the decline in customer’s experiences, from the pandemic's shake-up of our shopping habits, to Brexit and the economic and political whirlwinds influencing staffing.    As we navigate the trans...

Do sales targets work? In this episode we study sales targets and expose their problems. Unpack the dilemma of arbitrary figures with us, as we get into the reasons of how these numbers can warp sales strategies, leading to short-term wins but potentially jeopardise your company's future. And if you think corporate life can't be dramatic, wait till you hear our Inglourious Basterds inspi...

Join us for a down-to-earth journey through the highs and lows of launching a career in today’s job market. In this episode, we dive headfirst into the unpredictable world of early employment – offering practical advice, real insights, and a roadmap to success. We’ll take you on a tour of the first-job scene, sharing stories of the issues faced by young adults stepping into today’s job market. We...

2024 Reflect and Reset: How are your resolutions going?  Why do those January promises often slip through our fingers?  How can you to be a part of the resilient 9% that Arnold Schwarzenegger says, actually achieve their goals. We're looking at goal setting to habit-forming, and how peering into the rear-view mirror at the year gone by can sharpen your focus on the road ahead. Join us for a r...

Team Leaders Do's & Don'ts - Why are some teams better than others? In our latest episode of Bob & Jeremy's Conflab , we dig deep into the do's & don'ts that differentiate a thriving team from a struggling one. This episode is jam-packed with our personal research, tips and tricks on effective leadership, emphasising the need for leaders to be more than just bo...

What is sweary coaching? Toss out those conventional coaching models and try something refreshingly direct. We're here to guide you through a unique approach: the SFC model. It's all about being brutally honest about what you genuinely don’t care about in your life or work. We believe that by eliminating these elements, you make space for the things that truly matter, sparking motivation...

What’s funny these days? Ever wondered how the landscape of humour has evolved in the business world over the past decade? Prepare to discover, through our lively conversation, how comedy has shifted gears, for better or worse, in the day-to-day corporate realm. From recounting our experience of revising the 'Auntie Close' training method into the 'Emergency Close', to delving...

Is UK management just not good enough? Ever wondered why UK companies are still struggling to recover from the 2008 financial crisis, while their international counterparts seem to have moved on? Curious about why no UK company features among the world's top 25?  Join us on Bob and Jeremy's Conflab to explore these realities and delve into the heart of the UK's management crisis. We...

In this podcast, brought to you by Reality Training, we report on our recent teambuilding trip to the codebreakers site, Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire.  We learnt how the teams there, through WW2, broke the codes of the enemy and how that contributed to the winning of the war. By the end of the war over 8500 people, mostly women it must be said, were working at the site, deciphering, and trans...

What is it like to walk 500 miles across the top of Spain?  In this podcast, Bob tells Jeremy all about his extraordinary trip to Santiago. It is a story of resilience, agony, inspiration and endurance.  Find out whether you could do something like this and think about what it might give you.  Please listen and share with anyone you know who will be inspired by Bob's remarkable story! To find...

Following hot on the heels of our popular ‘Conferences’ and ‘Exhibitions’ Do’s & Don’ts episodes, we move on to Team Building! Love them or hate them, team building activities inject a dose of fun into the work routine and play a vital role in helping your team work better together. But not all team building activities are created equal! Dreaded by some people, many admit they’d rather be catc...

Business Decision-Making Tips – How do you make a decision? What are the different ways decisions are made? What are the problems that companies face with this process? Are they always rational?  "A good decision is made with knowledge, not numbers" – who said that? Listen and find out!  Are your decisions aligned to your values? Do you use a system for decisions? Do you use a committee?...

Jeremy interviews his uncle as he hits 80 with no plans for retirement. “Marketing moves consumers to the product and merchandising moves your product to the consumers.” Tim began his career in advertising in the 1960s and went on to own and run a motor vehicle parts and accessories business. There is lots to learn from as Tim moves between reflection and how he feels about business today. His hot...

Following hot on the heels of our popular dos & don’ts for conferences episode, we explore Exhibitions. Exhibitions are your chance to show off. Whether you’re showcasing a product, a skill, or a service, these events provide an excellent opportunity to collect leads, make sales, build relationships, and much more. But when planning and running a show-stopping exhibition stand there’s a lot th...

In this episode, we explore the importance of collaboration and look at the key dynamic principles that mean we are more likely to collaborate with our colleagues effectively.  These 5 principles will help each individual increase their feeling of ‘self-worth’.  Bob and Jeremy consider: the importance of being empowered to make decisions the difficulties that status can cause the importance of str...

As conference speakers and presenters, we always rehearse. Whereas lots of people don’t. If they did then any audience would receive something far more impactful. What are the four stages of rehearsal? Understanding, Exploration, and the other two? Listen and find out!  The more you rehearse the better the quality. Some people think they don’t need to at all. That’s a self-certification bias. Many...

Get facts and trivia about tea that you knew you never wanted to know!  In this episode, we champion the tea break at work. Tea breaks produce so many benefits to your health and well-being and your ability to do your job better.  We discuss the top five reasons why you should have a tea break at work, and we share 10 ways to have an in-person or virtual tea break with your colleagues.  As a savvy...

Conference Organisers & Speakers: Are You Ready To Get It Right? Planning a conference? Whether you're running the event, speaking on stage, or curating the agenda, there's a fine line between a forgettable gathering and a conference people rave about. In this episode, Bob and Jeremy - who have spent over 15 years attending and speaking at conferences worldwide - share their ultimate...

Why do people go on strike?  In the this podcast, Bob and Jeremy comment on the recent wave of strikes taking place across the UK, look at the history of strikes, and how effective or not they can be, and consider what it would be like if other groups went on strike and how it would affect us.  Using research and remembering the 70s and 80s this podcast frames the importance of striking as a human...