Podcast Summary: Business as a Force for Good – Lord Matthew Elliott

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Going Big! with Kevin Gentry, host Kevin Gentry welcomes Lord Matthew Elliott from Great Britain as his guest. Lord Elliott is a distinguished serial and political entrepreneur, renowned for founding the Taxpayers' Alliance in 2004 and leading several influential organizations, including the Jobs Foundation. His pivotal role in the Vote Leave campaign and his steadfast belief in business as a force for good make him an ideal guest to explore transformative strategies in leadership, marketing, and fundraising.

Business as a Force for Good

Lord Matthew Elliott delves into his philosophy that businesses are inherently a force for good in society. He reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how the crisis illuminated the critical yet often underappreciated roles businesses play beyond economic contributions.

Lord Matthew Elliott [02:12]: "There are a whole lot of things during that period that I felt really just went unappreciated... the business community who made sure that the supermarket stayed stocked, that made sure things got delivered to our homes, the services carrying on running."

Elliott emphasizes that businesses provide not only economic prosperity and growth but also essential social benefits such as employment, training for social mobility, and significant tax contributions supporting public services. He argues that recognizing and valuing these contributions is essential for fostering a supportive environment where businesses can continue to thrive and contribute positively to society.

Founding the Jobs Foundation

Expanding on his commitment to harnessing business for societal good, Lord Elliott discusses the creation of the Jobs Foundation, a charity he co-founded with George Ola Bristol. The foundation operates on both practical and policy levels to enhance the role of businesses in providing opportunities for disadvantaged individuals.

Lord Matthew Elliott [04:57]: "We work on a practical level and a policy level as well... taking people on from more disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them a new start in life, and then training them, helping them with social mobility."

The practical initiatives focus on enabling businesses to adopt best practices in hiring and training individuals from vulnerable populations, such as those on welfare, formerly incarcerated, or homeless. Simultaneously, the foundation advocates for favorable economic policies that create an environment conducive to business growth and social responsibility.

The Roles of Government, Business, and Individuals

Lord Elliott explores the delicate balance between government, business, and individual responsibilities within a society. He posits that as government intervention and taxation increase, there is a corresponding decrease in both business and individual responsibilities towards the community.

Lord Matthew Elliott [07:59]: "When you have a more modest size of government... the slack is actually picked up by business leaders, by businesses and other societal institutions, charities, community groups, etc."

Elliott advocates for a more restrained government role, arguing that a lighter governmental hand allows businesses and individuals to better fulfill their societal obligations. This, he believes, fosters a more resilient and self-sufficient community where various sectors collaborate to address social needs.

Lord Elliott’s Journey and Leadership

Kevin Gentry shifts the conversation to Lord Elliott’s extensive experience in political entrepreneurship, particularly his pivotal role in the Brexit Vote Leave campaign. Lord Elliott recounts his journey from founding the Taxpayers' Alliance to orchestrating large-scale campaigns that require strategic coalition building and long-term commitment.

Lord Matthew Elliott [16:01]: "Vote Leave was the big one and the big effort... bringing that coalition together was a huge privilege to be at the center of that."

He highlights the importance of perseverance, strategic planning, and the ability to unite diverse stakeholders to achieve monumental societal changes. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, vision, and the relentless pursuit of impactful policy changes.

Advice for Aspiring Leaders and Changemakers

Towards the end of the discussion, Lord Elliott offers invaluable advice to listeners aspiring to make significant impacts in their respective causes. He underscores the importance of having a burning desire to effect change, the resilience to overcome challenges, and the necessity of building strong, supportive teams.

Lord Matthew Elliott [23:21]: "Bite off more than you can chew... the key thing is not to do it solo, not to try and take all the credit yourself to build a really effective team around you."

Elliott encourages individuals to aim high, embrace ambitious goals, and foster collaborative environments where collective efforts can lead to substantial societal advancements.

Final Insights and Parting Words

In his concluding remarks, Lord Elliott reflects on his career’s focus on policy wins and societal benefits over personal financial gain. He urges listeners to remain dedicated to their causes, emphasizing that perseverance and teamwork are crucial for achieving meaningful and lasting change.

Lord Matthew Elliott [26:01]: "I would encourage people to really stick with it... you are making a huge difference, and it's hugely, hugely rewarding when you actually see those wins coming through."

Conclusion

This episode of Going Big! presents an inspiring dialogue with Lord Matthew Elliott, whose profound insights into the symbiotic relationship between business and society offer a roadmap for leaders and changemakers. By advocating for balanced governmental roles, fostering business responsibilities, and emphasizing collaborative efforts, Lord Elliott provides a compelling vision for leveraging business as a transformative force for good. Listeners leave with actionable strategies and motivational guidance to amplify their impact and "go big" in their endeavors to create positive societal change.

Notable Quotes

• Lord Matthew Elliott [02:12]: "Business was a force for good."
• Lord Matthew Elliott [04:57]: "Taking people on from more disadvantaged backgrounds, giving them a new start in life."
• Lord Matthew Elliott [07:59]: "The slack is actually picked up by business leaders, by businesses and other societal institutions."
• Lord Matthew Elliott [16:01]: "Bringing that coalition together was a huge privilege."
• Lord Matthew Elliott [23:21]: "Bite off more than you can chew... build a really effective team around you."
• Lord Matthew Elliott [26:01]: "You are making a huge difference, and it's hugely, hugely rewarding when you actually see those wins coming through."