James Reed: all about business

With seventy percent of online buyers abandoning their shopping before checkout, how can you create a frictionless customer journey that only takes ten seconds?In this episode of All About Business, James Reed speaks to customer experience expert Todd Unger. Todd reveals why most customer journeys don’t work, how low-cost AI can help you understand your customers better, and the hit Ariana Grande song that could transform your approach to customer experience.Todd Unger is the Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, overseeing membership, marketing and customer experience initiatives. His book, the ten-second customer journey explains how you can rapidly convert customers online, drawing on Todd’s 30 year career in marketing and customer experience.02:00 Meet Todd Unger: Chief Experience Officer03:27 The evolution of Customer Experience08:04 The four points of CXO10:50 The importance of frictionless experience18:07 Building effective digital services24:10 Building a culture of testing and experimentation26:17 The role of AI in modern testing26:44 AI's impact on the 10 second customer journey28:03 Leveraging technology partners for AI34:29 Practical applications and future of AI45:17 Customer experience advice for entrepreneurs48:27 Reed interview roundFollow Todd Unger on LinkedInVisit Todd Unger’s website: https://www.toddunger.com/Buy Todd Unger’s book Follow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Being a socially conscious business is becoming more and more important, but can it really help you grow your brand long-term? In this episode of All About Business, James Reed sits down with Centre for Social Justice CEO and proud Leeds native, Andy Cook. They explore the unseen world of philanthropy, why small charities are often more powerful, the best interview questions to ask future employees, and the steps you can take to become a brand locals love. Andy is CEO of The Centre for Social Justice, an award-winning organisation that aims to solve Britain’s most pressing social issues through political change. Hailing from Leeds, Andy founded another award winning charity that helped disadvantaged youth across the Midlands.  Since then, he’s become an advisor to several leading philanthropists and CSJ has been awarded social policy Think Tank of the Year for the last 2 years.1:56 - Introducing Andy Cook - CEO for the Centre for Social Justice2:48 - The Centre for Social Justice8:43 - The five areas of help that affect Society9:58 - The Big Give13:38 - The importance of giving people opportunities16:56 - The power of smaller charities 19:04 - Where do donations go and how to make the process better21:07 - Should businesses engage more with philanthropy?25:35:00 - The Kickstart Program27:40:00 - Finding a balance between education and employer's needs31:36:00 - The Centre for Social Justice Foundation34:36:00 - Why businesses should be more involved in the education system38:18:00 - How you can help40:10:00 - Reed interview segment41:50:00 - Wrap up and final thoughtsFind out more about the CSJFollow Andy on LinkedInRegister for the Green Match FundDonate to a cause you care aboutFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to get your brand heard, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk  

Talent and customers aren’t just looking at the product or service your company provides. They’re choosing organisations with purpose over those who only prioritise profit. In this episode of 'All About Business,' James is joined by Becky Willan, CEO of Given, part of Anthesis. They explore the importance of implementing purpose into the heart of your business,, the impact of ESG and sustainability on brands, and practical steps for organisations to align profit with meaningful societal impact. Becky shares her journey from working at Body Shop to founding Given, and discusses how companies like John Lewis and Lloyd's Banking Group are navigating purpose-driven transformations.01:31- Introduction02:26- Meet Becky Willan03:13- Defining Purpose in Business03:48- The Journey of Given07:41- Implementing Purpose in Organisations11:32- Case Study: John Lewis Partnership20:31- Case Study: Lloyd's Banking Group24:01- Advice for Entrepreneurs29:54- Evidence of Purpose-Driven Business Success31:25- Purpose vs. Philanthropy: Understanding the Difference33:52- Reed's Purpose-Driven Philanthropy Model34:54- Steps to Implementing Purpose in Your Organisation36:44- The Importance of Employee Engagement and Culture40:14- Challenges and Pitfalls in Purpose-Driven Organisations42:54- Case Study: Centrica's Purpose Transformation49:49- IKEA's Purpose and Philanthropy51:35- Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations53:56- Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFind out more about Given Follow Becky on LinkedIn: Follow James on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

What if there was a model your business could use to smash your targets faster? And with a team of no more than 10? In this episode of All About Business, James speaks to Alex Day, Managing Director of Big Give. Alex explains how his small team of ten has managed to raise hundreds of millions of pounds for charity. They also discuss how technology is transforming the charity sector, why philanthropy is good for business, and the psychology behind giving money away.Alex Day is Director of Social Impact at Reed and Managing Director of the Big Give, the UK’s biggest match funding charity. Every year, Big Give runs a variety of match funding campaigns, including the Green Match Fund, Kind2Mind and the Christmas Challenge. Since 2008, they’ve raised over £300 million for charities all over the world. Timestamps00:00- Intro02:31- How Big Give's Match Funding Works03:38- The Psychology Behind Match Funding05:38- Campaigns and Themes of Big Give08:18- Digital Transformation in Charity Fundraising12:53- Running a Lean and Effective Team16:37- Engaging Big Figures in Philanthropy23:42- Identifying Your Passion for a Cause25:16- Setting Ambitious Goals27:37- The Importance of Ambition in Social Impact29:26- Supporting Smaller Charities30:50- Innovative Match Funding Strategies31:59- The Contagious Nature of Generosity32:32- The Christmas Challenge Campaign34:18- Philanthropy in Business37:18- The Philco Model41:33- Quickfire Round43:38- Conclusion and Final ThoughtsLinksVisit the Big Give website: https://donate.biggive.org/See what difference you can make: Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024Double the difference this Christmas NOW Follow James Reed on LinkedInFollow the Big Give on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk 

Authenticity. It can be the difference between a thriving business and losing your audience. Gone are the days when having a good enough product was enough to drive growth, and with so much competition out there, having a brand that people believe in is non-negotiable. In this episode of All About Business, James Reed sits down with father-daughter duo Molly and Philip King of Ireland’s family-run festival, OtherVoices.Starting in a tiny church in Dingle, it grew to become a hotly-anticipated event. It’s hosted some of the biggest names in music, including Kate Tempest, Arlo Parks and Amy Winehouse and is now watched by millions across the globe.They explore the ins and outs of working with family, how to use digital media to build a brand and, despite massive growth, how they’ve managed to stray true to their original vision. Timestamps01:55- Family Dynamics in Business02:27- Building an Authentic Brand03:57- The Role of Culture and Trust08:23- The Evolution of Other Voices10:35- The Digital Transformation14:33- The Growth of Other Voices20:39- Maintaining the Core Ethos23:32- Navigating the Pandemic24:30- The Birth of Other Voices Courage25:21- Live Performances in Iconic Locations26:51- Challenges and Triumphs in the Music Industry28:59- Spotting and Nurturing Talent33:13- The Unique Experience of Performing in Dingle38:04- Ireland's Edge: Bridging Art and Science42:18- Quickfire Round45:47- Conclusion and FarewellWatch Other Voices live on YouTubeFollow Other Voices on InstagramFollow Other Voices on Tik-TokFollow James Reed on LinkedInFind a creative job you loveFind out about the Big Give Christmas ChallengeAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

One thing that’s on pretty much every business owner's mind is the advent of AI, what it means for your business, and how you can use it to get ahead of your competitors. But AI is only one piece of the digital business puzzle…In this episode of All About Business, James Reed CBE speaks to Oli Green, a trailblazing entrepreneur who has started and acquired multiple businesses across the digital landscape.He reveals the key areas every business should be focusing on when it comes to digitisation and explains why he was able to raise a substantial amount of funding in just a few short weeks.About the guestOli Green is CEO of Brave Bison, a  digital advertising and technology services company. Brave Bison bought Social Chain in 2023, a social media agency founded by Steven Bartlett that has worked for global brands such as KFC and LinkedIn. Oli is also Chairman of Tangent, a company that helps enterprises build future ready digital experiences, products and capabilities with a focus on People, Planet and Purpose. 02:21 Digital First Approach03:18 Emerging Trends in AI04:47 Challenges in Recruiting AI Talent06:45 Improving Digital Experiences08:46 Social Media Strategies09:55 Brave Bison's Four Divisions17:18 Acquisition Strategies24:36 Integration Challenges29:18 Working with Family37:41 Public Company Benefits40:19 Conclusion and Future VisionConnect with Oli on LinkedInFollow Brave Bison on LinkedInFollow James Reed on LinkedInAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

At a time when consumers are fed up of ads (and advertisers), how can you connect with your target customers and stop them hitting the ‘skip now’ button? In this episode of All About Business, James Reed is joined by award-winning director and veteran ad-man Paul Weiland OBE. He’ll share how some of Britain’s most well-loved ads were created, how to navigate the often tricky client/agency relationship and answers the question every marketer wants to know: how to create a profit-growing campaign everybody loves. Paul is a writer, producer and director whose credits include Blackadder and Mr Bean. He’s also directed 1000s of popular TV ads, most notably, the Gary Lineker Walkers ads.In 2015, he received an OBE for his services to advertising and the creative industries. 02:24-  Paul's Journey into Advertising05:33-  Early Career and Breakthroughs09:01-  Directing Commercials and Building a Reputation20:14-  The Walkers Crisps Campaign25:47-  Celebrity Endorsements in Walker's Ads26:09-  The Power Struggle with Supermarkets28:15-  What Makes a Good Client?29:58-  The Evolution of the Gary Lineker Campaign31:58-  The Importance of Continuity in Advertising36:10-  The Changing Landscape of Advertising42:06-  From Ads to Feature Films45:11-  Advice for the Next Generation48:19-  Reflections and Future OutlookDiscover how to connect with your customers online with our Digital Marketing CourseInterested in watching one of Paul’s movies? Check them out hereFollow James on LinkedInWatch the hand-built by robots ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fXV6KzhBbM Watch the infamous Gary Lineker ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuKgMSUU6-cAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

We often hear that we need to strive for a more diverse workforce. But what if just having diversity as your goal does more harm than good? In this Episode of 'all about business', James is joined by Dr. Heather Melville, OBE CMgr CCMI FCBI, to explore how inclusive business practices can drive growth, retain talent, and align organisational values with commercial strength. They shed light on understanding different needs and demographics within the workplace that go beyond mere diversity so you can make impactful cultural changes to help your business thrive.Heather is a Trustee and Senior Advisor, the Chancellor of York University and a Partner at Stork and May. She’s also the Chair and Non-Executive Director of CMI Women, where she empowers and develops women in leadership. In 2017, she was awarded an OBE for services to Business and Gender Equality, which is why she’s the perfect person to talk to us about building an inclusive business.02:25 Defining Inclusivity in Business03:58 Challenges and Misconceptions in Diversity06:55 Practical Steps for Inclusivity10:57 Leadership and Inclusivity17:09 The Cost of Ignoring Inclusivity22:59 Real-World Examples and Stereotyping26:23 Gender Pay Gap and Organisational Accountability27:33 Creating Fair and Equitable Workplaces27:59 Inclusive Hiring Practices29:23 The Importance of Leadership in Inclusion30:17 Employee Advocacy and Organisational Response31:00 Personal Experiences with Leadership36:12 Balancing Work and Personal Life44:45 Recruitment Strategies and Positive Action48:16 Looking Forward: Future Goals and Reflections50:45 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow Healther on Linkedin Follow Heather on XFollow James Reed on LinkedinAll About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.comThis podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

Welcome to 'all about business' with me, James Reed.Every episode, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.