How can you develop a unique brand personality that stands out?

In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Richard Liverman about effective marketing strategies for startups and small businesses.

Richard discusses building a unique brand personality through curiosity and playfulness with customers. He explains that branding goes beyond logos, encompassing values, purpose, and customer experience.

Richard introduces the Johari Window model as a way of uncovering brand “blind spots”. He also highlights the importance of storytelling—encouraging businesses to be “the show, not the commercial.”

You'll hear practical tips on standing out, communicating your purpose, and ways to practice storytelling. Hear how to embrace authenticity and continuous improvement with branding your growing business.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Introduction & The Fear of Being Boring (00:02:00) Rob welcomes Richard and introduces the challenge of startups fearing generic, boring marketing.

Curiosity and Playfulness in Branding (00:02:46) Richard suggests staying curious and playful, using examples from his experiences and brand evolution.

Branding Beyond the Logo (00:05:44) Discussion on branding as more than just a logo—it's about values, purpose, and the holistic customer experience.

Identifying Your Brand’s Unique Value (00:07:52) Exploring how business owners can discover their unique strengths and “magic” using customer feedback and the Johari Window model.

Features vs. Benefits & The Power of Ordinary (00:10:48) Distinguishing between features and benefits, and realising how your ordinary can be extraordinary to others.

Be the Show, Not the Commercial (00:12:43) Richard explains the importance of storytelling and showing behind-the-scenes, rather than just selling.

Storytelling in Business (00:15:57) Introduction to storytelling as a business tool, with references to Jack Daniels and Donald Miller’s StoryBrand.

Positioning Your Customer as the Hero (00:16:50) Using Star Wars analogies, Richard explains why businesses should be the guide (Obi-Wan), not the hero (Luke).

Practical Storytelling Tips & The Value of Practice (00:20:06) Advice on practicing storytelling, embracing imperfection, and learning through repetition.

Authenticity and Off-the-Cuff Content (00:23:33) Discussing how spontaneous, authentic content often resonates more than polished, rehearsed material.

Standing Out & Personal Branding (00:24:48) Richard shares his approach to standing out, being authentic, and not being afraid to show personality.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Individuality (00:28:08) Encouragement to break free from self-imposed constraints and embrace what makes your business unique.

Permission to Fail & Redefining Success (00:30:54) Richard discusses learning from failure, giving yourself permission to fail, and defining personal success factors.

Shifting Focus from Self to Customer (00:33:47) Advice on reducing fear by focusing on purpose, vision, and the people you serve.

How to Be Unforgettable (00:35:37) Tips for being memorable: start with why, use body language and tone, and focus on delivery, not just words.

Final Thoughts on Storytelling and Brand Freedom (00:39:13) Encouragement to practice storytelling, seek feedback, and enjoy the freedom of running your own business.

Building Scaffolding & Support...

In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Umashankar V D, an expert in leadership and globalisation.

Umashanker shares his journey from sales engineer to managing multinational subsidiaries and offers practical advice on expanding your business internationally.

We discuss the definition of a global company, the benefits and challenges of globalisation, market research, leadership, financial resilience, cultural sensitivity, regulatory issues, and entry strategies.

Umashanker shares with us the importance of understanding local markets, building resilient teams, and leveraging global best practices, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs, founders, and owners who are considering international growth.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Umashanker’s Career Journey (00:02:00)

Umashanker shares his background, entrepreneurial experience, and transition from the corporate world.

Entry into Global Companies (00:04:06)

Describes joining multinational corporations, managing subsidiaries, and handling mergers and acquisitions.

Defining Globalisation and Global Companies (00:05:46)

Umashanker explains the evolution of globalisation, types of global companies, and the impact of technology on global reach.

First Global Business Experience (00:07:43)

Umashanker recounts initial exposure to global operations, sourcing components, and pitching a unique market entry strategy.

Benefits and Reasons for Globalisation (00:11:50)

Umashanker and Rob discuss economic factors and the strategic advantages of expanding into international markets.

Readiness for Global Expansion (00:14:25)

Umashanker outlines how entrepreneurs can assess readiness, with consideration to financial resilience and leadership delegation.

Key Considerations and Challenges in Going Global (00:16:26)

Umashanker discusses market research, cost structures, supply chain, regulations, and potential impediments in new markets.

Competitive Advantages of Globalisation (00:22:14)

Rob and Umashanker explore economies of scale, centralisation, technology adaptation, and operational efficiencies from international expansion.

Entry Strategies for International Markets (00:25:31)

Umashanker details various entry methods: exporting, licensing, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, joint ventures, and fully owned subsidiaries.

Cultural and Leadership Challenges (00:29:53)

Umashanker highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity, leadership adaptation, and building trust in diverse environments.

Non-Financial Rewards of Globalisation (00:32:19)

Umashanker describes to Rob the benefits of technology, transferring knowledge, best practices exchange, brand reputation, and resilience through diversification.

Final Advice and Resources (00:34:28)

Umashanker offers encouragement, book recommendations, and a top tip: to thoroughly understand the target market before globalising.

Contact Information and Closing (00:37:08)

Hear how to connect with Umashanker on LinkedIn

About Umashanker:

Umashanker V D has had over 35 years of operational experience in the automotive industry and a history of award-winning performance in articulating a vision, strategising businesses, and infrastructure development from the ground up for long-term success....

In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Scott Russell, a serial entrepreneur with 34 years of experience founding, growing, and selling businesses.

Scott shares his journey from childhood ventures to building national companies, highlighting the importance of delegating, building strong teams, and fostering authentic, mission-driven cultures towards growing a business.

He discusses lessons learned from both successes and failures, the value of empowering others through equity, and the founder’s unique role.

Scott also highlights his social impact work in coffee supply chains. He offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and founders: reminding us to focus on innovation through improvement, prioritise getting the organisational culture right, and to approach business as a long-term and rewarding journey.

In this episode you'll learn:

Introduction & Scott’s Background (00:02:00) Scott introduces himself, shares his entrepreneurial background, and discusses his family’s influence on his business mindset.

Early Entrepreneurial Lessons (00:03:08) Scott describes learning business basics as a child, selling goods, and being a disruptive thinker in school.

Philosophy on Growing Businesses (00:04:34) Scott explains his approach to business as a vehicle for freedom, the importance of setting achievable goals, and replacing himself early.

Delegation & Replacing Yourself (00:05:22) Scott discusses the value of stepping back, building leadership teams, and avoiding micromanagement to enable business growth.

First Hire & Early Business Story (00:07:19) Scott shares a story from age 16 about leveraging others’ skills, scaling a jewellery repair business, and planning for business exits.

Mindset Shifts for Founders (00:10:34) Scott talks about coaching founders to delegate, reverse engineering goals, and the evolutionary process of changing mindsets.

Building Company Culture (00:13:49) Scott explains how to instill an ambitious, positive culture, using practical examples such as charity days and empowering employees.

Opportunity vs. Vision in New Ventures (00:17:28) Scott describes how he identifies business opportunities, applies past learnings, and thinks about new ideas and teams.

Hiring & Attracting Talent (00:21:00) Scott discusses the importance of making roles attractive, being mission-led, and how good companies naturally attract good people.

Building Networks & Reputation (00:24:53) Scott shares how reputation, storytelling, and handling failures shape his network and attract collaborators.

Biggest Challenges in Business (00:27:43) Scott reflects on his discomfort with raising external capital, preferring organic growth, and the challenges that come with it.

Proudest Successes & Legacy (00:29:42) Scott highlights the lasting culture in his companies and the impact of his coffee business’s social initiatives.

Letting Go & Equity Sharing (00:33:16) Scott explains when and how he hands over operational control, the importance of equity sharing, and empowering key hires.

Knowing When to Quit an Idea (00:35:42) Scott shares a story about ending a business that lacked traction and how to recognise when to move on.

Final Advice for Entrepreneurs (00:37:04) Scott shares how enjoying the journey, being realistic, and knowing when to pull the plug can be key parts of the growth mindset.

Top Tip for Business Growth...