In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Simon Baker, CEO and Co-founder of Hydrogenus, a startup specialising in low-carbon hydrogen projects.

Simon, with over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, discusses his transition from corporate multinational roles to founding a startup focused on low-carbon hydrogen projects.

In our chat, Simon emphasises the importance of refining business propositions, developing a long-term vision, and the role of creating diversity in teams.

Simon also highlights the challenges and opportunities in the low-carbon energy sector, stressing innovation, patience, and flexibility.

We also briefly explore the global sustainability goals; how they apply to small businesses and the importance of engaging with customers and networks to shape your business ideas.

In this episode you'll learn:

The experience of Hydrogenus (00:01:51) Simon Baker shares his background and experience, including the formation of Hydrogenus.

Starting a Business in the Energy Sector (00:01:56) Simon discusses the initial idea for the business, collaboration, and growth of the company in the energy sector.

Being Green and Sustainable (00:07:02) Simon talks about the importance of considering global sustainability goals and the impact of climate change on small business owners.

Career Inspiration and Low Carbon Energy (00:08:50) Simon shares his career journey in the low carbon energy sector and the inspiration behind pursuing this field.

Excitement in Low Carbon Energy (00:10:04) Simon discusses the excitement and opportunities in the low carbon energy sector, particularly focusing on hydrogen technology.

Emerging Market Challenges (00:12:32) Simon highlights the challenges and opportunities in the emerging low carbon energy market, emphasising the need for innovation and problem-solving.

Adaptation and Patience in the Energy Sector (00:14:31) Simon discusses the impact of government policy, the need for patience, and the importance of adapting plans in the energy sector.

Long-term Strategies for Business Sustainability (00:17:35) Simon shares strategies for staying in the game, emphasising the importance of engaging with colleagues and networks.

Preparing for the Future (00:19:52) Simon advises on preparing for the future by considering factors such as affordability, net zero, low carbon, and security of supply.

Navigating Industry Changes and Compliance (00:22:50) Simon discusses staying ahead of industry changes, compliance, and the importance of engaging knowledgeable people and trade organisations.

Persistence and Determination in Business (00:24:49) Simon emphasises the importance of persistence, determination, and adaptation in bringing business ideas to fruition.

Importance of Relationships and People in Business (00:26:54) Simon emphasises the value of engaging with people and building relationships in business, highlighting the significance of interacting with individuals who can help shape ideas.

Understanding Different Personalities and Cultures (00:28:47) Simon shares insights on understanding people of different nationalities, resolving issues, and effective communication in a multicultural environment.

Diversity in Teams (00:30:10) A discussion on the importance of diversity in teams for gaining different perspectives and shaping products and offerings.

Exciting Innovations (00:31:28) Discussion about upcoming projects and initiatives in the low...

In this podcast episode, Rob Hall, an experienced corporate and small business coach, discusses, with host Rob Lawrence, the common challenges, pitfalls, and mistakes entrepreneurs face.

Rob emphasises the importance of distinguishing between working in the business and working on the business; highlighting that many business owners struggle with time management and balancing their personal and professional lives.

Rob advises setting clear goals, defining the business vision, and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) pointing out that focusing on customer needs and understanding the market is crucial for success.

Rob and Rob also explore the fear of becoming an employer as a significant growth barrier for most business owners.

In this episode you'll learn:

Corporate world and small business experience (00:01:00) Rob's background in corporate finance and small business coaching.

Reasons for starting a business (00:02:56) Motivations for starting a business.

Challenges of running a business (00:05:23) Capacity issues and time management.

Starting a business the right way (00:6:25) Importance of defining business vision and implementing proper disciplines from the outset.

Understanding customer needs (00:09:35) The importance of aligning products or services with customer needs and market demand.

Working on the business, not in the business (00:11:17) The mistake of getting too involved in day-to-day operations and not taking a broader perspective.

Transition from employee to business owner (00:14:17) Challenges and fears of transitioning from being an employee to leading and managing a business.

The importance of business support (00:15:05) Discussion about the need for extra support in business, including outsourcing and the mindset shift when taking on employees.

Establishing business systems and processes (00:16:57) Importance of defining and implementing systems and processes for employees to follow, using the example of McDonald's success.

Creating a business culture and vision (00:17:29) Insights on the importance of aligning employees with the business values, culture, and vision to drive performance and create a sense of direction.

Coaching and mentoring for business growth (00:21:40) How coaching and mentoring help businesses understand their goals, create action plans, and bridge the gap between current and desired states.

Accountability and external support (00:27:18) The role of external support, like coaching or mentoring, in providing accountability and driving action in business.

Surrounding oneself with the right people (00:28:27) Discussion on the importance of seeking advice and learning from others, including the benefits of networking groups and external support for business growth.

Business Challenges (00:29:40) Discussion on the struggles faced by businesses and sole traders, including the importance of understanding profit margins and seeking help.

Running a Business (00:30:31) The complexity of running a business and the importance of defining goals and vision for the business's success.

Reconnecting with Purpose (00:31:31) Emphasising the significance of reconnecting with the purpose of the business and working towards clear goals.

About Rob

Rob Hall spent most of his career in the finance industry, reaching senior levels in leadership and strategic positions. This experience has enabled him to gain extensive commercial knowledge and the ability to coach,...

In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Andy Skinner, the founder of AMS Business Consultants, about the critical role of business processes.

Andy, a seasoned Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, shares insights from his extensive experience in process improvement; revealing the importance of understanding and designing effective processes for startup businesses to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.

Andy also describes practical steps for capturing and mapping business processes and emphasises the need to measure processes from a customer's perspective. The conversation also explores the value of aligning processes with customer requirements to drive operational efficiency and growth.

In this episode you'll learn:

Introduction to AMS Business Consultants (00:01:00) Andy's background, AMS Business Consultants, and qualifications in process improvement.

Understanding Business Processes (00:02:02) Andy explains lean six sigma, process improvement, management, and design for businesses.

Early Career and Lean Six Sigma Training (00:03:12) Andy's early career, introduction to lean six sigma, and becoming a certified blackbelt.

Importance of Processes for Small Businesses (00:06:21) Discussion on the significance of processes for startups and the impact on productivity and customer experience.

Capturing and Mapping Processes (00:10:37) Practical steps and tools for capturing and mapping business processes.

Founder's Involvement in Processes (00:13:59) The role of business owners in performing processes and the importance of designing processes for the business and customers.

Process Design and Improvement (00:15:49) The application of process management, improvement, and design based on business needs and customer perspectives.

Understanding Customer Needs (00:22:26) The importance of understanding and meeting customer needs to deliver value-added services. The importance of communication, customer service, and continuous improvement in online retail businesses.

Continuous Improvement and Program Evolution (00:24:35) The importance of continuous improvement and evolving processes in the "Start Build and Grow" program.

Process Design and Redesign (00:25:07) Process entitlement, process design methodology, and redesigning processes for rapidly growing businesses.

Implementing Performance Metrics (00:26:51) Establishing a dashboard for visualising and understanding performance metrics in business.

Measuring and Improving Speed of Response (00:27:30) Measuring speed of response, using the right tools, and setting up processes for tracking performance metrics.

Aligning Tools with Processes (00:28:53) The importance of defining processes first and then finding tools that fit the process, not the other way around.

Essential Business Measures (00:31:40) Example of critical measures like speed of response, speed of order, dispatch, and target delivery time for product-based businesses.

Utilizing Data Analytics (00:33:43) Leveraging website data analytics for future marketing activities and gaining valuable insights.

Importance of Good Processes (00:35:15) The significance of good processes in delivering consistent outputs and understanding customer needs.

Process Improvement for Reducing Carbon Footprint (00:37:22) Using process improvement to...