Five Questions Over Coffee with Arba Cooper (ep. 152)

Who is Cydney?Cydney Mar is a renowned product development specialist with a rich background in the fashion industry. She has developed products and strategies for numerous brands and holds extensive experience designing for prestigious names like Cirque du Soleil and QVC Worldwide. In her early career, she competed as a national-level figure skater before transitioning into fashion design, where her expertise in creating and executing merchandise lines emerged. At the age of 68, she continues to influence and support product-driven founders with her mentorship and strategic planning skills, encouraging innovation and organized execution for successful product launches.Episode Summary:In this engaging episode of “Five Questions Over Coffee,” host Stuart Webb sits down with Cydney Mar, a seasoned product development expert renowned for steering product-driven organizations to success. With a background that includes competitive figure skating and an influential career in fashion design, Cydney shares her vast insights into how founders can transform their ideas into reality. She emphasizes the necessity of organizing and planning as fundamental steps in product development and discusses the dynamic nature of markets that constantly demand vigilance and adaptation.Cydney Mar provides practical advice for product founders, focusing on the importance of strategy, mentorship, and adaptability. She elaborates on the role of reflection and structured planning in navigating the challenging terrain of product development. Cydney’s experiences in overcoming personal and professional hurdles bring a fresh perspective to the conversation, encouraging founders to maintain resilience and perseverance. This episode is a must-listen for budding entrepreneurs looking to merge creativity with strategic planning to excel in competitive markets.Key Takeaways:* Organizational Skills Are Crucial: The core of successful product development is organizing ideas and executing a clear, sequential plan.* Adaptability Is Key: Being prepared to adjust strategies in response to market changes and unexpected challenges is vital for product success.* Importance of Mentorship: Having a mentor or a trusted sounding board can provide valuable guidance and insights for founders.* Resilience Through Challenges: Personal adversities can lead to new opportunities and should be seen as part of the growth journey.* Strategic Planning As a Guide: While a plan shouldn’t be followed slavishly, it offers direction and helps identify when to pivot or stay the course.Subscribe and join in: fivequestionsovercoffee.comQuestions? Leave a comment and we’ll respond.#FounderAdvice #ProductDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #FiveQuestionsOverCoffee👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave your comments and questions below—for Gwen or for future guests!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SPEAKERSCydney Mar, Stuart Webb0:00:00 - (Stuart Webb): Sam. Hi, and welcome back to five Questions over coffee. I’m here today with Sydney Marr. Sydney is a product development specialist. She helps founders of product driven organizations really go to develop the products that they’re developing. She’s a real expert in this. She’s been developing products and developing strategies for people with products for, for more years than I’m going to say, because she, she is, she doesn’t, she doesn’t look as if she’s got that much experience.0:01:09 - (Stuart Webb): But I will say that when you read about Sydney, you’ll realize just what an expert we have in the studios with us today. So, Sydney, thank you for spending a few minutes with us, taking a few minutes to do this, this discussion, and I’m really looking forward to hearing your pearls of wisdom for people who want to develop their products and want take advantage of somebody with the knowledge and the, the expertise you’ve got. So thank you for spending a few minutes with us.0:01:38 - (Cydney Mar): Thank you so much for inviting me, Stuart. I’m really excited because there are so many people that you and I, if we were going to a coffee shop or we would probably hear the conversation at the next table saying, oh, I have an idea for either a new apparel line or I have, you know, this pen is driving me crazy or this buckle. And I’m here to help. And that is really what I’m doing in what I call my legacy years. It’s so much fun because I get to hear about everybody’s ideas and then really helping them bring them to life.0:02:12 - (Stuart Webb): Brilliant. I love it. Listen, Sydney, tell us a little bit about the sort of things that the founders you’re helping at the moment. You know, what is the problem they’ve got that, you know, we’ve just talked about the fact that they have ideas. But it’s having an idea, even a good idea, is not enough, is it? It’s great, but it’s not going to get you from sitting in the coffee shop to sitting in the boardroom.0:02:36 - (Cydney Mar): Exactly. And what I find mostly, and when I start with clients and, you know, they hop on a call, just exploratory, to find out what their idea is, is getting it out of their head. They say, I think about this and I think, so you can see all of the ideas floating around above their head. And I really want them to get a notebook, write everything down, and just sort of brain dump. And then once we have all of the pieces, we can start putting it in order because I find that there are so many, you know, founders who love to create products tend to be very creative. So they’re always getting another idea and another idea, and we kind of just have to ground them.0:03:20 - (Cydney Mar): And once we can table them all, I find it so much easier to prioritize. Let’s start here. Let’s put these ones. You know, maybe this is going to be number two, number three. But until you’ve got the pieces to work with, it’s hard to organize them. And I believe that in terms of producing, getting an idea developed, producing it and figuring it out, it has a lot to do with organizational skills, which most people find super boring.0:03:50 - (Cydney Mar): But the truth of the matter is, that is what’s going to get you from A to Z.0:03:57 - (Stuart Webb): I love the simplicity that you’ve put there, Sydney, because you’re right. The first step is to just organize all these disparate ideas into something which somebody can actually sort of say, this is the starting point, and everything else branches out from that. And that’s what a lot of founders, a lot of entrepreneurs struggle to do. And I suppose I’m interested in … Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Janine?Janine Bolon is a seasoned entrepreneur with a background in analytical biochemistry, having worked in the pharmaceutical industry for over 15 years. A dynamic figure who combines her scientific acumen with a drive to teach, Janine has blended her interests in technology, business, and personal development to support others in achieving a balanced and successful life. She is the author of 20 books, a creator of 112 online courses, and hosts four podcast programs along with a radio show, all of which focus on helping people balance work, family, and creativity without succumbing to burnout.Episode Summary:In this enlightening episode of “Five Questions Over Coffee,” host Stuart Webb is joined by the multifaceted Janine Bolon. An entrepreneur, scientist, and educator, Janine shares her journey from the pharmaceutical industry to becoming a homeschooling advocate and business owner. Having authored numerous books and created multiple online courses, Janine reveals her secrets to maintaining a well-lived life without burning out. This episode dives deep into how established professionals can transition smoothly through major life changes using structured systems and creative insight.Janine Bolon, struck by lightning as a child and driven by a lifelong passion for understanding systems, discusses her methodologies aimed at helping people navigate the rapid advancements of technology and personal career transitions. Throughout the discussion, she highlights the importance of building systems that allow for creativity and freedom, noting that systems create the space for creativity to thrive. Additionally, Janine offers expert advice on how to leverage existing contacts, avoid common entrepreneurial pitfalls, and maintain clarity amid major life changes. Her strategies offer listeners the opportunity to explore unconventional yet highly effective paths to personal and professional success.Key Takeaways:* Systemize for Success: Janine stresses the importance of creating systems to enable both business scalability and freedom for creativity.* Clarity Over Chaos: Instead of seeking more clients, focus on clarity and effective systems to improve revenue streams and workflow.* Avoiding Activity Traps: Busy doesn’t always mean productive; it’s crucial to differentiate between meaningful progress and mere activity.* Perfection vs. Progress: Waiting for perfection can delay revenue generation—embrace progress instead.* Build Authentic Relationships: Genuine and helpful interactions can often lead to significant business opportunities over time.Notable Quotes:* “I help you with clarity because you’ve already accomplished a lot, but now you’re trying to move forward with this knowledge.”* “Systems create the freedom for your creativity. What kind of lifestyle are you wanting with this business?”* “Waiting for everything to be perfect is what’s delaying your ability to bring in revenue.”* “Every morning I wake up and I go, hot damn, I get another day.”* “If you don’t have your polestar in alignment, you will never make where you want to go.”Resources:* Five Questions Over Coffee Podcast* Janine’s Article: Available soon at free stuff link.* Master Contact Sheet training: Exact URL pending, available through Janine’s blog.* Contact Janine Bolon: WebsiteFor those seeking inspiration or insights into managing transitions and cultivating creativity, this episode with Janine Bolon is a must-listen. Stay connected for more engaging and informative content from “Five Questions Over Coffee.”👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave your comments and questions below—for Gwen or for future guests!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SPEAKERSJanine Bolon, Stuart Webb0:00:00 - (Janine Bolon): Foreign.0:00:23 - (Stuart Webb): Hi and welcome back to five Questions over Coffee. I’m delighted. Today I’m joined by Janine Bolon. Janine, now this is a fascinating, a fascinating introduction and I’m going to just, I’m just going to have to sort of say if we get time to dive into this, I’d really love to. When Janine Boland was young, she was struck by lightning. Now that is a really interesting way to start anybody’s introduction, but she’s always loved figuring out how things work.0:00:50 - (Stuart Webb): She was a scientist. She’s a scientist to a core. And she has dug into the mysteries of life and tried to understand why things are the way. I understand absolutely where she’s coming from with that. But after working in the pharmaceutical industry for 15 years, she’s dropped out, homeschooled her four children and. But she’s always had a side business in her life and she shares with others how to manage a well lived life of children, family, friends and clients while not suffering from burnout.0:01:20 - (Stuart Webb): She’s now written 20 books, 112 online courses, four podcast programs and a radio show which all express her desire to share her systems and routines with others. And we’re going to get much more into Janine’s life as we talk about this. Janine, thank you for coming and spending a few minutes with us with so much going on. I appreciate how busy you are and therefore this must be a big stretch for you. So thank you so much for doing it.0:01:44 - (Janine Bolon): You are so welcome. And I absolutely love being able to help other business owners not make my mistakes. I’m always like, I’ve made the mistakes, let me teach you my mistakes. And then you go make new ones. Don’t make the ones I made.0:01:57 - (Stuart Webb): Yeah, I know that feeling so much. Let’s just dive in a little bit too some of that stuff. Now then, then you must have an ideal client, somebody you’re trying to sort of really reach out and help describe what the sort of problem it is they’ve got, what is it that they’re doing as a mistake that you look at, I can help you from, from getting the third degree burn that you’re about to get to turn that into just a bonus gold.0:02:21 - (Janine Bolon): Right? Right. We’re going to try to keep you from getting burnt at all. Okay. We’re going to try to keep that flesh nice and nice and calm. Right? Very calm. I think the biggest one with people that I work with, they’re already very accomplished. Like my people, they aren’t beginners in the sense of they’re starting fresh. Like, never written a book or never started a business. They’ve actually started a business, and they’re in a massive transition.0:02:48 - (Janine Bolon): You know, they’ve either built the business, they’ve written the book, they’ve raised their family, all right, They’ve already acc… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Allen?Allen Kopelman is the seasoned founder of a forward-thinking payments company, with an impressive professional career spanning over 25 years in the payments industry. Previously involved in the hospitality sector as a restaurant owner and chef, Allen transitioned to the payments industry with a resolve to help business owners optimize their transaction processes. His deep understanding of both sides of the payment equation empowers him to create client-centric solutions that enhance business growth and efficiency. Allen is a problem solver at heart and a respected voice in the industry, also contributing as a writer for the Green Sheet magazine.Episode Summary:Welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science: Five Questions Over Coffee, where Stuart Webb engages with Allen Kopelman, the innovative founder of a successful payments company. In this enlightening episode, Allen delves into the intricacies of payment solutions, outlining how tailored payment software can significantly reduce costs for business owners. Through sharing his rich experience, Allen illustrates the transformation from traditional payment setups to today’s software-centric approaches. The conversation touches upon key elements that businesses need to consider when scaling their payment operations, with insights into common challenges faced by startups and how his company provides resolute solutions.The discussion highlights practical advice on leveraging payment technologies to maintain cash flow, avoiding the pitfall of becoming a financial buffer for clients. Allen underscores the importance of invoice automation and understanding interchange in order to enhance business operations. His valuable insights and real-world anecdotes underscore the critical role of payment strategies in ensuring business viability. Business owners and payment professionals alike will find this conversation both informative and inspirational, offering actionable strategies for optimizing payment processes and fortifying cash flow.Key Takeaways:* Understanding your payment system is crucial to effective business operations, especially when considering scalability and customer service.* Automated billing systems can significantly improve cash flow and free up resources for core business functions.* Business owners should avoid negotiating long-term payment terms, thereby mitigating cash flow issues by effectively utilizing credit options for customers.* The importance of understanding interchange rates in optimizing payment transactions, particularly as businesses expand.* Transitioning from traditional business approaches to embracing software solutions can improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.Notable Quotes:* “Payments is all about software...using the proper technology based on whatever business it is that you have.”* “Your customer already has a bank. You shouldn’t really be doing that as a business owner.”* “Cash flow is king...you shouldn’t really be doing that as a business owner.”* “You have to make decisions, you can’t just wallow around.”* “Don’t be the bank. Your customer already has a bank.”Resources:* Allen Kopelman: LinkedIn Profile [Not explicitly mentioned but relevant]* The Green Sheet: Industry magazine where Allen contributes.* Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, a recommended book.* The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins, another highly recommended book.* Visit It’s Not Rocket Science: Five Questions Over Coffee for free resources and more insights from the episode.Dive into the full episode to grasp the depth of Allen’s expertise and stay tuned for more discussions that demystify complex topics with simplicity and p👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave your comments and questions below—for Gwen or for future guests!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SPEAKERSAllen Kopelman, Stuart Webb0:00:00 - (Stuart Webb): Foreign. Hi, and welcome back to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee. I am here with my, my lizard mug, which is where I get my coffee for these things. And there’s Alan. I can see Alan has got his drink in front of him. So welcome to you, Alan. Alan Koppelman is our guest today. Alan is the founder of a payments company. So I guess we’re going to get in some really interesting discussions about how payments can help business owner grow their business with reduced costs. So welcome to five questions over coffee, Alan.0:00:59 - (Allen Kopelman): Well, thank you for having me today, Stuart.0:01:02 - (Stuart Webb): Absolutely no problem. So, Alan, let’s start with sort of trying to understand from, from the sort of business owners that you speak to, who is it that you’re trying to help with the solution that you’ve got?0:01:15 - (Allen Kopelman): Well, we always talk to the business owner. I mean, in a larger company, we might be talking to the CFO or talking to someone in their IT department because, you know, today, you know, payments used to be, you know, a bunch of little machines around. And you know, now today, today payments, you know, been doing this for 25 years. Payments is all about software. So we always have to make sure, you know, how are we doing these payments, how are we connecting everything?0:01:46 - (Allen Kopelman): How is that all put together? And you know, so, you know, doing payments is not just a commodity. It’s all about, you know, using the proper technology based on whatever business it is that you have.0:02:02 - (Stuart Webb): And, and tell me, what solutions have business owners tried before they come across somebody like you? What, what is it they’re trying to do? What is it they’re trying to do without perhaps sort of seeking help from the sort of solutions that you’ve got?0:02:18 - (Allen Kopelman): Well, a lot of times people are starting a business and they run to Stripe, but you know, sometimes they run into problems over there scaling because Stripe doesn’t really do underwriting of the merchant. They kind of underwrite the transactions and it’s kind of a little bit different of a setup. And then they could run into issues based on their business type and things like that. A lot of people today, you know, I probably come across one person a week that’s starting a business that virtually there aren’t, they’re either the first one or there’s maybe only a few of those around.0:03:05 - (Allen Kopelman): And a lot of times they don’t understand, like, oh, well, I’m going to the, like, we had a guy recently had a cost recovery company and I was like, well, what is that? Explain it to me. So he explained, he g… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Arba?Arba Cooper is a distinguished marketeer with a longstanding expertise in technology, dating back to the 80s. Specializing as a digital marketing trainer, Arba dedicates her efforts toward solopreneurs, particularly baby boomers, who are facing challenges with technological advancements. Her passion is fueled by personal experience and a strong desire to help others navigate the complexities of digital marketing, particularly video marketing. Arba is celebrated for her patience and ability to distill complex technological concepts into approachable, relatable lessons.Key TakeawaysIn this episode of “Five Questions Over Coffee,” hosted by Stuart Webb, we dive into a lively and informative discussion with Arba Cooper, an expert in digital marketing and technology. Arbor shares her longstanding experience in technology, having witnessed its evolution since the 80s, and her passion for helping solopreneurs, particularly those within the baby boomer demographic, accustom themselves to the digital age. This episode unveils Arba’s insights on the potency of video as an essential marketing tool, especially in the age of AI.Arba discusses her role in assisting solopreneurs who struggle with integrating new technologies into their business strategies. She describes how she supports clients by reducing their apprehension towards technology and introducing them to video marketing, a crucial aspect in today’s digital commerce landscape. With attention spans diminishing, she notes that video content can significantly elevate engagement and lead generation. This episode is packed with Arba’s personal anecdotes, expert advice, and effective methodologies in leveraging modern marketing tools.Key Takeaways:* Solopreneurs, especially baby boomers, often face challenges with technology that Arba Cooper helps them overcome with patience and expertise.* In the realm of digital marketing, video content particularly holds increasing value in engaging audiences and generating leads.* Arbor emphasizes that effectively using AI tools can aid those uncomfortable with appearing on camera to still create compelling video content.* Arba’s commitment is deeply personal, rooted in her own experiences of entrepreneurial struggles when she faced marketing challenges without adequate guidance.* Engaging with a community of learners can enhance one’s skills in video marketing, benefiting from both novice insights and professional expertise.Notable Quotes:* “The person I am exactly trying to talk to is the solopreneur who is struggling particularly with their marketing.”* “Attention span has become shorter... but you can use technology, what’s called faceless videos, or insert yourself in different parts of your video.”* “If a person’s afraid to be on camera, my job is not to make them comfortable, it’s to show them there are other ways.”* “We would miss out on a lot of the services and products of the solopreneurs.”* “If they have time, I’ll give my talent.”Resources:* Five Questions Over Coffee - Free Stuff Vault: fivequestionsovercoffee.com/freestuffTune into this past episode to hear insightful discussions and practical advice on how👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave your comments and questions below—for Gwen or for future guests!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SPEAKERSArba Cooper, Stuart Webb0:00:01 - (Stuart Webb): Fabulous. The countdown didn’t happen. I have no idea what’s going on today. It’s all going wrong here in the studio. It doesn’t happen. It doesn’t matter. Hi, I’m Stuart Webb and welcome back to Five Questions Over Coffee. I’m here today with the wonderful Arbor Cooper. Arbor is a well arbor. We’re going to introduce you in a moment. You are a marketeer, aren’t you? You are, you are. Now, we are just, we’re just talking about the fact that you are never going to be anybody other than Arma Cooper. So, Arbor, welcome to It’s Not Rockets.0:00:29 - (Stuart Webb): That’s Five Questions over Coffee. I really appreciate you giving up a few minutes to be with us today. Thank you for being here. I look forward to the conversation.0:00:39 - (Arbor Cooper): Thank you, Stuart. Thank you for having me.0:00:42 - (Stuart Webb): Now, let’s start with the first question that I always, I always ask, who is the person that you’re trying to help? What is their problem? And please use this as a way to really sort of pinpoint exactly who it is you’re trying to talk to today.0:01:03 - (Arbor Cooper): Yes, the person that I am exactly trying to talk to is the solopreneur who is struggling particularly with their marketing. And they need more, more guidance, more hand holding. And that’s what I do as a trainer. So you could be at any stage as a solopreneur and just getting started or maybe couple years into your business.0:01:29 - (Stuart Webb): So, I mean, there are, there must be a lot of people out there that they’ve tried a lot of the traditional, I mean, how would you describe the problems they’ve had? What are the problems that they are that you’re trying to help them solve that they probably, they, they’ve seen podcasts, they’ve been to training courses, they probably read the book, they’ve probably written half the books. What is that? What is the specific problems you see with people like that that you, you help them to, to address?0:01:58 - (Arbor Cooper): Well, Stuart, specifically narrowing down my niche even more is that I’ve been in technology all my life, ever since the 80s, 70s, so I’m not intimidated or overwhelmed with technology. But I’ve noticed that other baby boomers, so I’m giving a little hint as to my age. I don’t mind. My birthday, by the way, is tomorrow.0:02:24 - (Stuart Webb): Anyway, happy birthday, Abba. Thank you for spending the eve of the birthday here.0:02:29 - (Arbor Cooper): Yes. So particularly my niche is baby boomers and beyond who are very good in their jobs, you know, their nine to five jobs or their regular jobs, but they have either been misplaced or displaced from their jobs or have left their jobs to start their own business. And they’re behind in technology so they’re intimidated with it, they’re overwhelmed. And so yes, there’s a lot of videos you can watch, books you can read, all of that, but they really need someone like me who has the patience and will train them and bridge that gap for them with technology.0:03:16 - (Stuart Webb): And we’ve already got, well, Perennial Life TV and we’ve also got, got another one of your friends here, Gladys, who is. Hi Gladys, we’re pleased to see you. So, so, so give us, give us … Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Gwen?Gwen Acton, PhD, has built her career helping “rocket scientists”—the brilliant scientists, engineers, and technical experts behind today’s most innovative companies—become extraordinary leaders. With a background spanning everything from biology to technology, Gwen was inspired by the crucial roles these experts play in industries like biotech, aerospace, AI, big pharma, and government research labs. She saw that while technical leaders are essential for organizational success, many find themselves suddenly tasked with leading teams, often without the tools or training to do so. Gwen made it her mission to bridge this gap, coaching and advising growth-stage companies and R&D groups so their top technical minds can excel both as experts and as leaders.Key TakeawaysSummaryStuart Webb and Gwen Acton PhD discuss* Why technical expertise doesn’t equate to leadership proficiency* Common pitfalls technical leaders face (like micromanagement and letting go of control)* The mindset shift required to move from individual contributor to successful team leader* The most essential skills and behaviors for leadership in science and technology-driven organizations* Practical advice for influencing up, engaging teams, and leading transformation* Insights from Gwen’s career and highlights from her book, “Leadership for Scientists and Engineers”* Audience questions on changing leaders’ minds and the hallmarks of great leadershipWhether you’re a new leader, a technical expert on the rise, or simply curious about the bridge between science and leadership, this episode delivers actionable tips and inspirational stories.Timestamps & Overview* 00:00 - Tech glitches and introductions:Stuart Webb kicks off, introducing Gwen Acton PhD, her background, and the episode setup.* 01:24 - Defining the technical leader’s challenge:Gwen explains who she helps and the need for leadership skills in technical organizations.* 04:10 - Why technical backgrounds don’t prepare you for leadership:Gwen highlights the crucial differences between technical problem-solving and managing people, and why logic alone isn’t enough for people problems.* 07:04 - The confusion and blind spots of technical leaders:Discussion about why what worked as a technical expert often fails in leadership, and the importance of learning new interpersonal skills.* 09:16 - Letting go and the pains of delegation:Gwen addresses micromanagement, the struggle to trust others, and methods for successful delegation in high-precision environments.* 11:29 - One piece of leadership advice:Why great leaders ask more (and better) questions instead of always trying to provide answers.* 13:24 - Audience Q&A – Changing minds and influencing up:Gwen shares tips for helping leaders change direction, including the power of genuine questions and one-on-one influence.* 17:05 - Gwen’s journey from scientist to leadership expert:Personal story about her path, why group dynamics and leadership in science are so important, and practical solutions for the technical world.* 20:20 - About the book “Leadership for Scientists and Engineers”:What readers will find inside and why it’s designed as a practical guide for technical leaders.* 21:34 - What makes a good leader or role model?:Key traits and behaviors ranging from strategic alignment to offering feedback and motivating teams.* 26:48 - The killer question: What separates great leaders from those who plateau?:Gwen’s reflections on lifelong learning, intentional skill development, and the humility to accept feedback.* 29:28 - Closing remarks and staying in touch:How to subscribe for future episodes, more about Gwen, and reaching out with questions.Resources and Links* 📘 Gwen’s Book: “Leadership for Scientists and Engineers”* 🆓 Free Leadership Resources:www.systemise.me/free-stuff — Grab templates, guides, and more to boost your leadership journey.* 💡 Stay Informed:To be first to know about upcoming guests (and ask your questions live!), visit www.systemise.me/subscribe.* 🔗 Connect with Gwen Acton PhD:Find Gwen on LinkedIn and follow for more expert tips (see show notes for the link).👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave your comments and questions below—for Gwen or for future guests!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDStechnical leadership, rocket scientists, scientist to leader transition, leadership skills, delegation, micromanagement, influencing skills, team motivation, business leadership, technical expertise, problem solving, people management, organizational success, biotech leadership, tech company leadership, research labs, defense contractors, big pharma R&D, cross-functional teams, leadership blind spots, team ownership, decision making, senior leadership, growth stage companies, feedback in leadership, leadership mindset, communication skills, leadership for scientists, career development, leadership challenges, leadership bookSPEAKERGwen Acton, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:55]:Hi, and welcome back to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee. I’ve got my coffee mug in front of me. I hope Gwen, my guest today, has got her. I’m having a bit of a laugh because as, as soon as we tried to go live, there was a technical error. And the last thing I can remember saying as I was pushing this, which hopefully didn’t come through on the, on the live stream, was why do we work with technology? But here we are. Here we are, Gwen. Welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science.Stuart Webb [00:01:24]:Five questions over koio, I’m looking forward enormously to talking to you. Gwen is a really inspiring leader. She works with, well, she, she is a, she’s a former scientist. She’s got a, got a very impressive, very impressive PhD and she now works with leaders in scientific and organizations like that, helping them to take the knowledge that she’s got from transitioning from being a scientist to being a business leader and helping them do the same. So I’m really looking forward to the talk today, the discussion today. So Gwen, welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee.Gwen Acton PhD [00:02:03]:Thanks so much, Stuart. It’s great to be here today.Stuart Webb [00:02:05]:Look, I’ve just given you, I’ve just given you the build up, so perhaps you better clarify for us exactly who is the leader you’re trying to help. What is it that you bring to them and try and help them to understand that’s perhaps different to their other life when they’re trying to lead a business.Gwen Acton PhD [00:02:25]:Yeah. So my, I, I actually was really struck by the title of your podcast, … Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Sharon?Sharon Kennedy is a business leader and consultant who specializes in helping high-achieving leadership teams reach their goals. With a systemic approach, Sharon works with successful and ambitious individuals who find themselves at a crossroads—where progress seems more difficult than it should be despite their capability and intelligence. By focusing on aligning organizational goals with effective strategies, Sharon guides her clients to greater clarity and collective achievement, emphasizing business-level solutions over individual fixes. Her work is driven by a commitment to turning challenges into opportunities for alignment and business growth.Key TakeawaysIn this insightful episode, Sharon Kennedy shares her expertise on how leaders and businesses can gain better alignment in their work, especially when navigating complexity and uncertainty. She explains why many high-achieving individuals and leadership teams feel like something is “missing,” even when they’re doing so much right—and how stepping back, gaining clarity, and focusing on systemic coherence transforms both people and organizations.Key topics include:* Identifying the Type of Client Helped: Sharon discusses the kinds of ambitious leaders and teams she works with, who often find their progress harder than it should be and benefit from a systemic, not just individual, approach.* What Clients Have Tried Before: Many have read books, taken courses, or followed common advice, but struggle to see the results because true change requires personal insight and a shift in perspective.* The Power of Lightbulb Moments: Sharon explains that breakthroughs aren’t about doing things “wrong,” but about discovering new ways of seeing challenges and embracing novel solutions.* Sharon’s Process at Engage and Prosper: From open, candid diagnostics to supporting genuine business-wide alignment, Sharon covers her approach to lasting organizational change.* Valuable Takeaways: The importance of identifying areas of repeated friction, why strategy often fails to translate into reality, and why real coherence beats great intentions every time.* Inspiration & Influence: Sharon shares her influences, including Rory Sutherland and Simon Sinek, and reflects on what human behavior teaches us about creativity, bravery, and leadership.* The Killer Question: How do you know when your organization lacks coherence—and what can you do about it?Timestamps Overview* [00:00:31–00:01:15] Introduction of Sharon Kennedy and her background in talent and neuro-inclusion* [00:01:27–00:03:22] The characteristics of Sharon’s ideal clients and her focus on business systems, not just individuals* [00:03:23–00:05:07] What clients have tried previously and why change requires personal insight and self-determination* [00:07:10–00:09:18] Sharon’s process at Engage and Prosper: diagnostics, clarity benchmarking, and identifying points of friction in the business* [00:11:10–00:11:46] Why company values and real behaviors don’t always align—and what to do about it* [00:12:45–00:16:27] Sharon’s personal journey, influences, and what really prompted her approach to leadership coaching and coherence* [00:17:12–00:19:22] The “killer question”: Signs your organization or team lacks coherence, and what key indicators (like repeated unresolved issues) to look forDon’t forget: If you want to connect, ask questions, or get notified about upcoming guests like Maria subscribe to the newsletter here. You only need your first name and email—easy as (coffee) pie!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDSneuroinclusion, talent development, innovation, education, high-growth sectors, leadership alignment, coaching, confidence building, skill development, business coherence, systemic approach, candidate-to-company pathway, fragmentation, fresh perspectives, clarity, diagnostic tools, Clarity benchmark, employee engagement, operational systems, team behavior, AI integration, onboarding challenges, early career hires, job fit, organizational congruence, company culture, values alignment, productivity, absenteeism, staff turnover, workplace coherenceSPEAKERSharon Kennedy, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:00]:Don’t mess me about now. Now is not the time to mess me about. Hi and welcome back to It’s Not Rocket Science, 5 questions over coffee. I’m here with— this is my coffee, by the way. I’m here with, uh, Sharon, and she has got coffee as well in front of her. Sharon Kennedy is a, um, a coach, uh, helping to develop future talent. Uh, she’s, uh, works with people who are looking to develop high potential individuals in innovation, talent development, education. She’s helping people build skills, confidence, and insight necessary to move in the fast-moving, high-growth sectors, particularly interested in people with neuro-inclusion in their development.Stuart Webb [00:01:16]:So Sharon, welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science, 5 Questions Over Coffee, and thanks for being a guest.Sharon Kennedy [00:01:21]:Thanks for having me.Stuart Webb [00:01:24]:So tell me a little—Sharon Kennedy [00:01:25]:Perfect.Stuart Webb [00:01:27]:Let’s, let’s just explore a little bit. So if we’re looking at the sort of the, the person you’re trying to help, what is the, uh, what are the characteristics? What are the— what is it you, you are— you would say are the sort of, um, ideal client, ideal person you’re trying to help with this neuroinclusivity, building their confidence, uh, in this fast-paced environment of education and employment today?Sharon Kennedy [00:01:50]:Well, I suppose it’s— I suppose the first thing to say, and I understand why you’ve positioned it the way you have. But I— as much as I work on an individual level, I really come at it from a business level. That’s what we’re trying to achieve. And so, so the individual leader or individuals in this leadership team are, generally speaking, going to be quite successful and achieving lots of great things, lots of ambition, lots of intelligence, capability, and things like that. It’s more that they’re at a point where it seems harder than it should be. And they’re still pushing forward. And I think really, for me, what I try to do, and, and we as a business, is about helping them find alignment in what they’re trying to achieve and how they’re trying to achieve it. So it’s more of a systemic approach that we take to it.Sharon Kennedy [00:02:38]:So whilst all the things you described are exactly what we also do, you know, clarity, confidence, talent, uh, you know, development, and the sort of candidate-to… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Maria?Maria Dolores: A Life Guided by Seven PrinciplesMaria Dolores’s journey is deeply anchored in her belief in seven guiding principles. From an early age, she embraced the right to her body, her emotions, and her thoughts, cherishing both the freedom and the responsibility that come with caring for her physical and mental well-being. As she matured, Maria expanded her focus to the importance of personal power, communication, and the essence of life itself. She believes every person deserves the right to express themselves—whether through speech or creativity—while maintaining accountability for their actions and words.Maria’s story is one of balancing self-awareness with compassion for others, always striving to act with dignity and listen with an open heart, embodying the fundamental human needs of both the individual and the collective.Key Takeaways* Maria Dolores shares the Human Constitution—7 principles for rights and responsibilities—drawing from global values and encouraging maturity, dignity, and collaboration in every aspect of life and work.* Leaders, business owners, and individuals: caring for physical and mental health isn’t just personal, it’s foundational for thriving teams. Maria reminds us, maturity starts with self-awareness and responsibility.* Our experiences, from grief to joy, shape how we connect and broaden perspectives. Maria believes embracing discomfort and lessons is key to growing as individuals and humanity as a whole.* The Human Constitution isn’t top-down or political—it’s an invitation to reflect on our rights and responsibilities. Change begins within, and our ideas can change the world.* Dignity means wearing your crown and honoring others’ crowns, too. Maria’s life and work remind us: we all have birthrights, but true maturity comes when we care for ourselves and each other with integrity.00:00 “Maria Dolores: Five Questions Chat”04:18 Human Constitution: Rights and Responsibilities09:28 “Striving for Human Maturity”11:25 “Human Evolution and Technology’s Role”15:07 Lessons in Discomfort and Growth20:31 “Rights, Responsibilities, and Life’s Journey”24:38 “Living and Serving with Dignity”27:52 “Maria’s Insights & Subscription Info”29:27 Grateful AcknowledgmentDon’t forget: If you want to connect, ask questions, or get notified about upcoming guests like Maria subscribe to the newsletter here. You only need your first name and email—easy as (coffee) pie!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDSHuman Contract Foundation, Human Constitution, Universal Human Rights, birthrights, rights and responsibilities, dignity, maturity, global goals, civil courage, moral courage, collective rights, collective responsibilities, physical health, mental health, leadership, human resources, burnout, emotional health, personal power, communication, freedom of speech, freedom of creativity, empathy, self-worth, integrity, cultural diversity, global village, technology, collaboration, community change, slavery statisticsSPEAKERMaria Dolores, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:33]:Hi and welcome back to 5 Questions Over Coffee. I have in front of me my coffee mug. I know Maria, our guest today, has her coffee in front of her as well. So welcome to Maria Dolores. Maria is a global speaker, uh, she is a— the founder of the Human Contract Foundation, and we’re going to get into what the Human Contract Foundation is She’s the author of The Human Constitution, which I think is a really interesting and great document, and there will be links to that in the show notes so that you can access that and read it. And she was Ambassador for World Peace— that was, she was honored with that in 2023. And also only last year was given an honorary doctorate in humane letters, which I think is a brilliant achievement. So Maria, thank you for spending a few minutes with us and making some time in what I think must be a very, very busy life for you to come and spend a few minutes talking to us here at Five Questions Over Coffee.Maria Dolores [00:01:33]:Thank you, thank you, Stuart. I’m so happy to be here with you in the audience and to share about the Human Contract, the Human Constitution, and our rights and responsibilities. Thank you, thank you.Stuart Webb [00:01:47]:And we’re really looking forward to hearing it. So, so tell me a little bit about— and we’ll get into a little bit about the, the history behind it, but Who is it that you think— I mean, we’re all human beings, we all have rights, but who is it you’re trying to reach most at the moment with this contract, with the foundation that you’re working with?Maria Dolores [00:02:08]:Yeah, so I help leaders to remember people’s rights and responsibilities and to lessen hate, disrespect, and to increase Dignity and maturity. And I do this with the Human Constitution. The Human Constitution is 7 principles regarding our— to take a stand for our right, our birthrights, and that we all need to mature with these birthrights.Stuart Webb [00:02:41]:And, and tell us a little bit about those 7, if you like, to really get us into understanding how they fit.Maria Dolores [00:02:48]:Yes. Okay. So the 7 principles is based and derived from United Nations Declaration of the Universal Human Rights, but with rights, we should have responsibilities. Don’t you think, Stuart?Stuart Webb [00:03:04]:Yeah, absolutely.Maria Dolores [00:03:06]:So these 7 principles, the first 3 is personal: body, emotion, and thought, that you are born with a right to your body. You’re born with a right to the range of all your emotions and your thoughts. But we also have a responsibility to care for our body, our physical and mental health. So the first 3 principles is addressing our fundamental human needs as a, as a species and individually. And then the coming 3 is about power, communication, and life. That you have the right to your power, your personal power, and we also have a responsibility in how we act and interact with each other. And the fifth principle is about our communication, our freedom of speech and freedom of creativity, but also responsibility in what we say and what we create and to express and trying to express with dignity and trying to listen to each other. And so that’s the fifth principle.Maria Dolores [00:04:18]:And the sixth out of the seven is our life, that you have the right to your life and you have a responsibility to respect others’ way of life and other life forms, but never at the cost of any other. So, and I think we have a lot to do and a lot to mature here. Respecting— and… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Ally?Ally Machete has built her career working closely with a dynamic range of authors, but she has found her true passion in helping confident business owners become first-time authors. She specializes in guiding experienced entrepreneurs who know their industries inside out but feel unsure when it comes to writing a book. Understanding that her clients have no time, energy, or money to waste, Ally works deliberately and strategically to ensure their book aligns with their greater business goals. She is the expert these leaders turn to when the stakes are high, and there’s no room for mistakes—helping them transform their hard-won expertise into powerful, purposeful books.Key Takeaways* Writing a book isn’t just for the famous—it’s a powerful tool to build credibility and open doors for any expert. As Ally Machete shares, the real impact comes from writing the right book, with the right strategy behind it.* Don’t write a book for “everyone.” As Ally Machete explains, clarity about your target audience and their needs makes your book not only marketable but transformative for your business or career.* A well-crafted book is more than “decoration for your Zoom background,” says Ally Machete. It’s a tool—something to leverage intentionally, not just a vanity project.* Not every business needs a book. Ally Machete recommends crafting your strategy first—sometimes timing or focus on other projects delivers more growth than rushing into publishing.* Feeling the “magic” of book writing doesn’t mean ditching strategy. Ally Machete urges authors: don’t just write what you want, write what solves a real need for your ideal reader. That’s how culture shifts—one book at a time.Don’t forget: If you want to connect, ask questions, or get notified about upcoming guests like Ally, subscribe to the newsletter here. You only need your first name and email—easy as (coffee) pie!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDSwriting a book, lead generation, business owners, book marketing, strategic writing, target audience, book publishing, book as a tool, writing process, marketable book, author credibility, authority, business growth, writing strategy, book promotion, niche audience, sales conversion, email list building, free resources, blog articles, podcast interviews, digital printing, ebooks, networking, credibility signal, partnership promotion, course creation, return on investment (ROI), book launch, marketing strategySPEAKERAlly Machate, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:00]:Live, please go live. Yeah. Hi, and welcome back to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee. I am here today with Ali Machati, the writer’s ally. I’ve got those two right, haven’t I, Ali, Please tell me. Okay, thank you. So I was going to get something wrong.Stuart Webb [00:00:47]:I’ve managed to get through without actually making a huge mistake yet. So welcome, Ali. Thank you so much for making a few minutes today. Ali is, well, she’s somebody who helps people write books. So I can tell you somebody who has tried to do that and successfully succeeded, but by golly, it was hard. You need an ally in your corner. So I’m really pleased Ali has made some time today to come talk to us a little bit about this. You know, writing a book is probably the greatest lead generator you can do because it really sets you apart from the competition.Stuart Webb [00:01:18]:Ali is going to tell us all about that. So, Ali, thank you so much for being the writer’s ally. And welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee.Ally Machete [00:01:26]:Thank you so much for having me, Stuart. I’m really excited to be here.Stuart Webb [00:01:30]:Well, I hope. I hope we’re going to have a really interesting conversation. So let’s start by talking a little bit about, well, the sort of people you try to help as the. As the writer’s ally.Ally Machete [00:01:43]:Yeah. So we work with lots of kinds of authors, but our real sweet spot, our ideal client, are generally business owners, people who have been in business for a little while and are really confident in their expertise. But now they’re thinking about writing a book and they’re not confident about that. You know, they don’t have time, money, energy to waste. All of that has to go very deliberately into their plans and their strategies in business. But they want to have that book. They know enough to know that there’s things they don’t know, and they know that they really need to get it right. That book has really important goals attached to it.Ally Machete [00:02:24]:It’s a tool that’s going to be really valuable to them and is a part of their growth strategy. And so they need it to be done at the highest level. And that’s where we come in.Stuart Webb [00:02:33]:That’s brilliant. So tell me. I mean, you’ve obviously, you’ve obviously helped a lot of people do this.Ally Machete [00:02:38]:What.Stuart Webb [00:02:38]:What are the sort of things they tried to do? I mean, you know, everybody has sat with that sort of completely blank piece of paper or blank screen or whatever nowadays and thought, where do I start? What are the things that you’ve seen them try which have failed to get them anywhere.Ally Machete [00:02:54]:Well, one of the things that I think a lot of people who are new to writing a book get stuck on is there’s this sort of kind of like romantic, kind of magical, I think thinking around what a, what a writing process looks like. You know, you’re going to get struck by the muse and you’re going to sit down and it’s all going to flow out of you in a number of hours and you’re going to end up with this masterpiece that, you know, just needs a spell check and then you’re done. Right. And they don’t understand how much harder it actually is. You know, even if you are fortunate enough to be able to create a rough draft very easily, and some people certainly can, some people do have that experience, but that is rarely the finished product. Right. There is so much that goes into crafting a book strategically. Not just writing a good book, but writing a marketable book.Ally Machete [00:03:44]:Writing a book that’s going to get you certain results in your business is a lot more than just writing something that’s, you know, basically well written and, or even interesting to read. So I think that’s, that’s the biggest piece where people tend to get tripped up is they think, well, I wrote it, it’s good, right. It’s objectively good. And they miss that strategic tie in piece and they end up with a book that on the surfa… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Julia?Julia Felton is a business consultant who has built a reputation for identifying the real issues behind her clients’ challenges. While companies often approach her with concerns about team dysfunction, lack of trust, and poor collaboration, Julia quickly uncovers that these surface symptoms stem from deeper underlying causes. With her insightful approach, she helps organizations move beyond treating just the symptoms—enabling teams to break free from silos, improve communication, and achieve the results they desire. Julia’s clients rely on her expertise to foster genuine trust and collaboration within their teams.Key Takeaways* Is your team chasing results but feeling disconnected? Julia Felton says it’s all about energy alignment, not just process. Slow down, reset, and watch collaboration grow.* Most trust issues in teams don’t come from lack of tools, but from not investing enough in relationships. Build social capital, even if it feels “frivolous”—it’s critical for flow.* True leadership isn’t about controlling everything. Julia Felton reminds us: empower your team, step back, and let the natural talents shine for real productivity.* Vision isn’t a one-time message. Keep communicating your purpose so everyone knows where you’re heading. As Julia Felton notes, clarity builds trust and connection.* Take inspiration from nature: humans, like herds, thrive when leadership is shared. Health, harmony, unity—let these guide your team to higher trust and adaptability.Don’t forget: If you want to connect, ask questions, or get notified about upcoming guests like Julia, subscribe to the newsletter here. You only need your first name and email—easy as (coffee) pie!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDStrust issues, team building, rewilding leadership, misaligned energy, team dynamics, collaboration, silos in business, business productivity, meeting fatigue, leadership styles, performance paradox, shared leadership, empowerment, micromanagement, business culture, teamship, employee engagement, organizational trust, social capital, remote work challenges, communication in teams, business vision, talent management, role alignment, leveraging strengths, sustainable leadership, natural leadership, flow in teams, founder-led business, relationship buildingSPEAKERJulia Felton, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:01]:Hopefully. Hi, and welcome back to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee. I’m delighted. Today I’ve been joined by Julia Felton. Julia is an expert in, well, helping to fix trust issues within teams using rewilding leadership. She’s really going to help us to understand exactly how we can rebuild those trust issues which so often dog startups, even rapidly scaling a growing company. So, Julia, welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science.Stuart Webb [00:01:01]:Five questions over coffee. I hope you’ve got your coffee in front of you. I’ve actually got a fruit tea at the moment, but that’s because it’s after Christmas. I try to be careful with my body.Julia Felton [00:01:12]:Well, me too, Stuart. I’m, I’ve got ginger and lemon here.Stuart Webb [00:01:15]:So I’ve been off your only way to live. Let’s start by understanding, you know, the sort of person you’re trying to help. You obviously, you’re obviously trying to help somebody that’s got a problem. But how do, how would you recognize them? What would they, what would they be saying? What would they be doing in order to sort of, you know, for you to be able to say, well, that’s exactly the sort of person I’m trying to help.Julia Felton [00:01:42]:Yeah, that’s such a great question. Because I think what typically happens is what people come to me with and what actually the problem is, are very different. And I think often what we find in business, isn’t it, we, we, we, we of treating the symptom rather than the cause. So sort of people come to me and they go, oh, my team’s not functioning properly, Julia. You know, and people don’t trust each other. There’s a lot of bickering going on, we’re not getting the results we want. You know, there’s people are working in silos, nobody collaborates together. Those are the sorts of things that my clients are saying.Julia Felton [00:02:19]:And my clients range from, you know, smaller SMEs up to larger corporates, you know, and this, these kinds of problems exist throughout many types of organizations. So anywhere where you’ve got people involved, really. Because at the end of the day, trust drives everything in business. Right.Stuart Webb [00:02:41]:So what would some of those, I mean, you just talked about sort of smaller SMEs, large corporates. I mean, they’ve tried everything before, haven’t they? They’ve done the courses, they’ve sent people off on the training courses, they’ve, they’ve done that, they’ve done the online stuff, they’ve done everything they can and it’s still not fixing it. So what are the sort of things that they are trying that you break through and you find that even having done this stuff, they’ve still got these issues.Julia Felton [00:03:08]:Sure. So I think if we distill it back down and we go to, well, what’s really the cause of what’s going on in the business? Rather the biggest challenge, if I was to sum it up like that, is it’s, it’s not this lack of skill or ambition or desire, but it’s actually all to do with misaligned energy. So we’ve got brilliant purpose driven leaders out there. They built often fast growing businesses, but somewhere along the way this momentum turns into mayhem, right? And the team’s busy, but it’s not productive. People, you know, having loads and loads of meetings. We know this meeting fatigue, right? The progress stalls, everyone’s working harder, but people aren’t working collectively together, they’re not pulling in the same direction. So I call that the performance paradox. Because what we’re seeing is companies chasing these results so hard, but they’ve become really disconnected from the very people and the energy that creates them.Julia Felton [00:04:08]:So what happens is these businesses start running on logic and process rather when what we really need is this connection and trust and flow, Flow. And so I think what I really see leaders craving is a much more natural, sustainable way of leading where we get everyone pulling in the same direction and we stop forcing the results and we start getting the results flowing naturally because everyone’s working in their right energy. And as you know, Stuart, you know, I’m very passionate about nature. I reference eve… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe

Who is Patrick?Patrick Van der Burght’s journey began over 25 years ago, when he first discovered the transformative power of understanding human behaviour and research. Awed by how empowering and effective these insights were—without the need to lie or cheat—he quickly became passionate about sharing them. Today, as a sought-after keynote speaker, Patrick relishes witnessing audiences experience their own “aha” moments, just as he did decades ago. His mission is to help others unlock their potential by waking up to the profound impact of his teaching, sparking realization, growth, and change wherever he speaks.Key TakeawaysThe Secret Science Behind Getting a YES—Without Being Manipulative1/ Ever felt “icky” trying to get someone to say yes? Turns out, ethical persuasion isn’t about tricking—it’s about understanding human behavior. Patrick Van der Burght dropped some serious knowledge on this in his chat with Stuart Webb on “It’s Not Rocket Science.” 👀☕️2/ Persuasion isn’t just for salespeople. It’s for anyone who wants their ideas accepted—bosses, parents, partners, even project managers. If you want to move people (literally and figuratively), these insights are gold.💡3/ Fun fact: The World Economic Forum ranked leadership & social influence as TOP business skills for the next 5 years. And persuasion came in at #3 on hiring wishlists. Why? Because it’s POWERFUL.✨4/ But here’s where most people mess up: They use random “strategies” or lengthy logical pitches, thinking more info = more yeses. Uh…no. Patrick Van der Burght: “You might accidentally talk people OUT of saying yes!” 😅5/ Why? Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman says our brains make 90–95% of decisions FAST and unconsciously (System 1)—not by analyzing facts, but relying on shortcuts.Your audience has an attention span SHORTER THAN A GOLDFISH. They won’t analyze your 2-minute pitch! 🐠6/ The trick? Use the 7 Universal Principles of Persuasion (from Dr. Cialdini):* Reciprocity: Give first—genuinely. Free PDF, no strings attached? Magic.* Liking: Compliment, connect, be authentic.* Unity: Create community bonds—“we’re in this together.”* Social Proof: Show reviews, testimonials (the detailed ones count!)* Authority: Let OTHERS introduce your expertise. It’s more credible.* Consistency: Get small commitments first. People stick to what they start.* Scarcity: Highlight what they’ll LOSE by not acting. We value what’s rare.7/ Pro tip: Five-star reviews everywhere can actually REDUCE credibility. Aim for an average of 4.2–4.7. Realness wins trust! ⭐️8/ If you’re endlessly pumping time & money in, hoping for incremental “yes” rates, STOP! Persuasion science can 10X your results—without hurting your integrity or reputation.9/ Want to dive deeper into ethical persuasion and grab some of Patrick Van der Burght’s free stuff? Visit EthicalPersuasion.com or check out his podcast, “Ethical Persuasion Unlocked.”10/ Last word from Patrick Van der Burght: “If you want those yeses that were always yours to have, learn the science.”Ready to persuade with integrity?👇#EthicalPersuasion #SalesTips #Leadership #DrCialdini #BehavioralScience #Marketing #SmallBusiness—Drop a comment: Which principle are you going to test out first?Don’t forget: If you want to connect, ask questions, or get notified about upcoming guests like Patrick, subscribe to the newsletter here. You only need your first name and email—easy as (coffee) pie!And don’t forget: keep an eye out for next guest. To submit your own questions, subscribe to our newsletter and join the conversation!P.S. Loved this episode? Hit reply and let us know what resonated most_________________________________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to our newsletter and get details of when we are doing these interviews live at www.systemise.me/subscribeFind out more about being a guest at : link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/beaguestSubscribe to the podcast at https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/podcastHelp us get this podcast in front of as many people as possible. Leave a nice five-star review at apple podcasts : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/apple-podcasts and on YouTube : https://link.thecompleteapproach.co.uk/Itsnotrocketscienceatyt!Do You Need a P.A.T.H. to Scale?We help established business owners with small but growing teams:go from feeling stuck, sceptical, and tired of wasting time and money on false promises,to running a confident, purpose-driven business where their team delivers results, customers are happy, and they can finally enjoy more time with their family -with a results-based refund guarantee: if you follow the process and it doesn’t work, we refund what you paid.This is THE P.A.T.H. to scale your business.————————————————————————————————————————————-TranscriptNote, this was transcribed using transcription software and may not reflect the exact words used in the podcast.SUMMARY KEYWORDSethical persuasion, persuasion techniques, sales strategies, Cialdini principles, reciprocity, social proof, authority, scarcity, consistency, liking principle, unity principle, behavioral science, Daniel Kahneman, decision making, system one thinking, system two thinking, attention span, sales psychology, B2B persuasion, ethical sales, lead generation, business coaching, influence tactics, customer testimonials, compliance, negotiation skills, persuasive communication, loss aversion, marketing psychology, consumer behaviorSPEAKERPatrick Van Der Burght, Stuart WebbStuart Webb [00:00:32]:Hi there, and welcome back to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee. I have in front of me my coffee. This is, this is going to keep me going as I’m chatting today to Patrick Vanderburg. Patrick is. Well, Patrick’s an expert in how you get to go, to get somebody to say yes ethically. Now, if you’ve ever been in sales, if you’ve ever been trying to help anybody understand the need to say yes, and you only feel dirty and somehow manipulative when you try and do it, this is getting somebody to do that by ethically helping them to understand how they are going to be benefited from, from your product, your service, from working with you. So, Patrick, I’m really delighted to welcome you here to talk about the.Stuart Webb [00:01:20]:This Cini method. And I’m doing delighted you managed to make a few minutes available to us in order to talk to us. So welcome to It’s Not Rocket Science. Five questions over coffee.Patrick Van der Burght [00:01:32]:Thank you for inviting me, Stuart. I’m excited to be here. And I remember quite clearly when I first was introduced to this and I was learning the insights and human behavior, the research, how amazing that was and how empowering that was. And I couldn’t believe how, you know, how potent, how powerful it is, and you didn’t have to lie or cheat to make it to work either. And I love seeing that in, you know, when I do a keynote and, you know, people are starting to wake up to the fact of what I’m actually teaching them, you see, the eyes go bigger and I know they’re having that same realization that I had, goodness, 25, 26 years ago. So while we can’t see our audience, of course I’m hoping those eyes are getting a little bigger in the, in the time that we’ve got together.Stuart Webb [00:02:24]:I absolutely agree with you, Patrick. And, and people, if you’re watching at the moment, look, please, if you have questions whilst we’re talking, or indeed after we finish, if you come to the recording of this and you’re interested in getting some more information and you wanted to understand, we’ll talk about how you can get some free stuff from PA Patrick. But also if you want to drop questions or comments into the chat below, we will answer them for you. So you get sort of free consultancy immediately from an expert like Patrick. So, but Patrick, let’s start by trying to sort of set the scene. Let’s understand what we’re talking about. You have been working in this field for a while, so what is it? Who is it you… Get full access to The Leak at thecompleteapproach.substack.com/subscribe