ScaleUp Radio

Episode #606: ScaleUp Shorts - Fear, Focus & the Founder Trap - What Jacqueline Wales and Jules Herd reveal about scaling without losing control

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack the powerful overlap between mindset and operational scale-up challenges through insights from two exceptional guests: Jacqueline Wales and Jules Herd. While Jules Herd brings practical expertise from the world of strategic communications and scaling technology businesses, Jacqueline Wales explores the deeper psychological patterns that often hold founders back. Together, their lessons reveal a critical truth: many operational bottlenecks are actually rooted in fear, control, and limiting beliefs. This episode explores: Why founders struggle to delegate effectively The difference between building a scalable business and creating a stressful job How fear of loss and fear of inadequacy affect leadership decisions Why "calculated risk" is essential for sustainable growth The dangers of promoting loyalty over capability Creating psychological safety within leadership teams Why clarity of audience and positioning matters more than ever The hidden link between mindset and operational execution One standout message from the discussion: "What got you here won't get you there." Kevin and Louise also discuss: Jules Herd's decision to move manufacturing from China to the UK to protect quality and supply chain resilience Jacqueline Wales' FEAR framework: Face it, Explore it, Act, and Rise The importance of hiring true experts as businesses scale Why founders must challenge their own assumptions and comfort zones The role of communication, trust, and self-awareness in building high-performing teams Key Takeaway The one key thing: Many scale-up problems that look operational on the surface are actually psychological underneath. Better strategy starts with better self-awareness. About the Guests Jacqueline Wales is an internationally recognised coach, speaker, and author specialising in Fear Intelligence and leadership transformation. Jules Herd is the founder of strategic communications agency Five in a Boat and host of On the Edge. She advises scaling businesses on communications, positioning, and operational growth strategy. Smart90 Mention Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that's you, the G90 Summit is worth a look. A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, then commit to them and build the system to make sure they actually happen. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat. Smart90 Summit Production Note This episode of ScaleUp Radio Shorts was produced with the aid of AI to support research, structure, and content development. Listen to the full episodes featuring Jacqueline Wales and Jules Herd on ScaleUp Radio wherever you get your podcasts.

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Episode #605 - Harnessing Fear Intelligence to Lead, Decide, and Scale with Confidence - with Jacqueline Wales

2w ago00:57:13Tap to summarize

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by expert advisor Jacqueline Wales, a leading authority on Fear Intelligence. This conversation reframes one of the most misunderstood forces in business, fear, and turns it into a practical leadership tool. Rather than trying to eliminate fear, Jacqueline explains how scaleup leaders can use it as valuable data to make better decisions, build stronger teams, and unlock growth. If you are navigating uncertainty, leading through change, or feeling stuck at a plateau, this episode offers clear frameworks and actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence. The One Key Thing The one key thing is this: fear is not the enemy of growth, it is the signal that tells you where growth needs to happen. Key Insights & Practical Frameworks 1. Fear is Data, Not Danger Jacqueline introduces the concept of Fear Intelligence – the ability to recognise fear as information rather than a threat. Fear is a natural neurological response, not a weakness It often hijacks decision-making by bypassing rational thinking The goal is not to be fearless, but to respond intelligently For scaleup leaders: If you ignore fear, it drives behaviour unconsciously. If you understand it, you can use it strategically. 2. The Four Core Fears Limiting Growth Most leadership hesitation and stalled growth can be traced back to four universal fears: Inadequacy – "Am I good enough?" Rejection – "What will others think?" Uncertainty – "What if this goes wrong?" Loss – "What might I lose if I try?" These fears quietly influence hiring, pricing, strategy, and decision-making. Practical application: Identify which fear is driving hesitation in your current business decisions. 3. The FEAR Framework: A Practical Tool for Leaders Jacqueline shares a simple but powerful framework to manage fear in real time: F – Face it Challenge the belief. Ask: Is this actually true? E – Explore the story Reframe your internal narrative. Move from doubt to possibility. A – Act differently Take action aligned with the new, more empowering belief. R – Rise with courage Lean into discomfort and treat challenges as growth signals. This is not theory, it is a repeatable process leaders can use daily. 4. Leadership Requires Strategic Vulnerability High-performing teams are built on trust, and trust starts with leadership behaviour. Admit when you do not know Encourage open dialogue Replace criticism with constructive "feed forward" Create psychological safety so people speak up Strong leaders do not project certainty at all times. They create environments where better thinking can emerge. 5. The Hidden Cost of Fear in Business Fear is not just emotional, it is financial. Jacqueline highlights how tools like the Fear Cost Calculator reveal millions in lost revenue caused by: Delayed decisions Avoided risks Missed opportunities Resistance to change The biggest risk in scaling is often staying comfortable. 6. Navigating Fear in the Age of AI A growing concern for leaders and teams is relevance in a rapidly evolving AI landscape. Fear of being replaced is widespread Leaders must separate hype from practical tools Upskilling and clarity are essential The role of leadership is to guide teams through change, not avoid it. Standout Message "Fear does not mean stop. It means pay attention." Practical Takeaways for ScaleUp Leaders Treat fear as a diagnostic tool, not a blocker Use the FEAR framework in decision-making moments Identify which of the four fears is influencing your leadership Build psychological safety through openness and trust Address fear proactively to unlock performance and growth About Smart90 If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, I run a quarterly planning session called the G90 Summit, a structured half-day where founders and leadership teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and commit to them. I run them quarterly. Find out more and reserve your place at Smart90.co.uk/summit. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that sounds familiar, the G90 Summit is worth a look. It's a structured half-day session where we help founders identify the three to five priorities that genuinely matter over the next 90 days and build the systems to deliver them. Quarterly, virtual, and £97 a seat. You can find out more at http://Smart90.co.uk/summit . Jacqueline can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinewales/ https://fearintelligence.co/ jacqueline@jacquelinewales.com Resources: Fear Intelligence by Jacqueline Wales - https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Fear_Intelligence.html?id=-Mij0QEACAAJ&redir_esc=y An Everyone Culture by Lisa Laskow Lahey- https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/an-everyone-culture-robert-kegan/717142?ean=9781625278623&next=t Claude - https://claude.ai/ Gamma - https://gamma.app/ Notebook LM - https://notebooklm.google/

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Episode #604 - Founder Mistakes & Building Resilient Scale-ups - with Jules Herd

2w ago00:53:51Tap to summarize

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Jules Herd, founder of Five in a Boat, to unpack the real reasons scale-ups stall and what founders must do differently to grow sustainably. Jules shares hard-earned insights from working with Series A to C tech businesses, revealing why marketing often isn't the real problem and what actually needs fixing underneath. Key Takeaway The one key thing: Growth stalls when founders try to scale without upgrading their thinking, their team, and their focus. Standout Message "Marketing doesn't fail because marketing is broken. It fails because the business behind it isn't ready." The Problem: Founder Mistakes That Stall Growth Many scale-ups hit a ceiling not because of market conditions, but because of internal decisions: Treating the business like a job Founder dependency limits scalability and prevents the business from operating independently. Lack of audience focus Trying to target everyone results in wasted time, budget, and diluted messaging. Promoting loyalty over capability Early team members are elevated beyond their skillset, creating gaps at senior level. Avoiding calculated risk Founders hesitate to invest in key roles or decisions, ignoring the bigger cost of inaction. The Solution: What Founders Must Do Jules outlines practical steps to unlock growth: 1. Bring in Experience Secure mentors and non-execs Gain external perspective to challenge assumptions 2. Take Calculated Risks Assess upside vs downside properly Make informed decisions rather than avoiding them 3. Invest for Resilience Example: UK manufacturing shift to reduce supply chain risk Focus on long-term stability, not short-term savings 4. Build a Scalable Team Hire specialists (CFO, CMO, Ops leaders) Delegate effectively Balance scrappy startup mindset with professional expertise The Pivot: Five in a Boat's 360° Model Jules explains how Five in a Boat evolved: Clients paused comms work due to deeper business issues The business pivoted to a 360° advisory model Built a flexible structure combining core team + specialists Positioned as a practical, accessible alternative to large consultancies What makes it different: Integrated approach across growth challenges Deep operator experience Radical honesty with clients Passion Project: On the Edge Outside of her advisory work, Jules hosts On the Edge: Focused on resilience and defining life moments Explores when people chose to jump, were pushed, or stayed Aims to turn stories into a wider podcast platform Personal Motivation Jules is driven by a powerful legacy goal: To show her daughter the importance of ambition, resilience, and learning through failure. Smart90 Recommendation If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, I run a quarterly planning session called the G90 Summit, a structured half-day where founders and leadership teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and commit to them. I run them quarterly. Find out more and reserve your place at Smart90.co.uk/summit. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that sounds familiar, the G90 Summit is worth a look. It's a structured half-day session where we help founders identify the three to five priorities that genuinely matter over the next 90 days and build the systems to deliver them. Quarterly, virtual, and £97 a seat. You can find out more at http://Smart90.co.uk/summit . Jules can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliaherd/ https://www.fiveinaboat.com/ Resources: Traction by Gino Wickman - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/traction-get-a-grip-on-your-business-gino-wickman/3561744?ean=9781936661831&next=t Crossing The Chasm by Geoffrey A Moore - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/crossing-the-chasm-ga-moore/1986221?ean=9781841120638&next=t

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Episode #603 - ScaleUp Shorts - What two very different founders teach us about leadership, resilience, Al and the future of human connection in business

3w ago00:11:10Tap to summarize

This week on ScaleUp Radio Shorts, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack two fascinating conversations with founders operating in completely different worlds — yet connected by one powerful idea: Business success still comes down to people. On one side is Bob Ferguson — city councilman, long-standing business owner, and leader of what he calls an "all-volunteer army" through his network marketing organisation in Fairfield, Iowa. On the other is Priyanka Rao — immigrant tech founder and creator of MicroInterns, an innovative platform connecting students with startups through short-term, skills-based micro-internships. Together, their stories reveal extraordinary lessons around: AI and the future of hiring Leadership without ego Mental fitness and resilience Building ecosystems that scale Why culture matters more than credentials The importance of asking for help Interdependence in business growth Key Talking Points AI is changing recruitment — but not necessarily for the better Priyanka explains how businesses are increasingly using AI to write job descriptions while candidates use AI to create CVs — leaving "bots talking to bots". Her solution? Creating "tamper-proof micro-skill passports" through real-world startup projects that prove capability beyond keyword matching. Leadership is about making people want to be there Bob Ferguson shares why traditional command-and-control leadership simply doesn't work when leading independent teams and volunteers. He explores: Adam Grant's concept of "other-ish givers" Jim Collins' "Level 5 leadership" The importance of creating workplaces where people feel valued and included Resilience forged through adversity Priyanka shares the deeply personal story behind launching MicroInterns — including the Christmas period where she had just £5.45 left in her bank account while struggling to find work after university. From that experience came her powerful S.A.F.E framework: Start before you're ready Ask for help Fail fast Experiment Why ecosystems matter Both guests highlight the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, partnerships and communities. Whether it's: Scottish startup support networks University partnerships Civic ecosystems Peer collaboration Arts and entrepreneurial communities …neither founder believes success happens in isolation. Memorable Quotes From The Episode "You can't have bots talking to bots and expect to truly understand people." "Make your workplace somewhere people want to be — not somewhere they have to be." "The only thing that is certain is change." "If you want something, ask for it. The worst they can say is no." Resources & Mentions Give and Take — Adam Grant Level 5 Leadership — Jim Collins Stephen Covey's concept of interdependence Transcendental Meditation (TM) MicroInterns Smart90® G90 Summit About ScaleUp Radio ScaleUp Radio brings together founders, entrepreneurs and scale-up leaders to share practical insights, honest experiences and lessons from building ambitious businesses. Produced with the aid of AI This episode and its supporting content were produced with the aid of Artificial Intelligence tools, alongside human research, editing and creative direction.

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Episode #602 - Solving the Experience Paradox with Micro-Internships - with Priyanka Rao

3w ago00:54:34Tap to summarize

Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by Priyanka Rao, founder of MicroInterns. Now if you've ever struggled with hiring or wondered whether CVs really tell the full story anymore, this one's for you. With AI now writing CVs and even running interviews, there's a growing question around trust in the hiring process. Priyanka is tackling that head on by connecting students with startups through short micro-internships, and creating something called a Micro-Skill Passport – a way to actually prove skills, not just claim them. What I really liked in this conversation was her mindset. From hitting a low point with just £5.45 in the bank, to building a platform that's already led to multiple full-time hires, all guided by her SAFE framework – Start, Ask, Fail Fast and Experiment. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, I run a quarterly planning session called the G90 Summit, a structured half-day where founders and the leadership teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and commit to them. I run them quarterly. Find out more and reserve your place at Smart90.co.uk/summit. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Priyanka. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Priyanka can be found here: https://microinterns.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyankaraor/ Resources: Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/steal-like-an-artist-10-things-nobody-told-you-about-being-creative-austin-kleon/566510?ean=9780761169253&next=t Mel Robbins Podcast - https://www.melrobbins.com/podcast/

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Episode #601 - Leadership Effectiveness Is A State Of Mind - with Bob Ferguson

3w ago00:58:13Tap to summarize

Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by Bob Ferguson. Bob brings a fascinating perspective on leadership - combining decades of experience in business, community building, and global networks - and at the heart of it all is one powerful idea: mental fitness. We explore why your effectiveness as a leader is shaped less by what you know, and more by your internal state - your ability to stay calm, open, and in control, especially under pressure. One standout message that really stayed with me was this: "In leadership, the state of the knower is just as important as the knowledge itself." We also talk about what it really takes to lead an "all-volunteer army," why inspiring people beats managing them, and how a small city of under 10,000 people became one of the most recognised intelligent communities in the world. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, I run a quarterly planning session called the G90 Summit, a structured half-day where founders and the leadership teams get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days, and commit to them. I run them quarterly. Find out more and reserve your place at Smart90.co.uk/summit. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Bob. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Bob cab be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobferguson/ https://appliedintelligencecoaching.com/ bob@fergleads.com 913-208-6357 Resources: Civic Intelligence Hub - https://civicintelligencehub.com/ Lifestyle Intelligence Hub - https://www.lifestyleintelligencehub.com/

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Episode #600 - ScaleUp Shorts - Stop explaining. Start solving!

4w ago00:10:36Tap to summarize

This episode is created with the use of AI In this ScaleUp Radio Shorts episode, Kevin Brent and Louise Blunt unpack two recent interviews with very different leaders operating in very different sectors, yet facing strikingly similar scaling challenges. On one side, Paul Patras, a deep-tech founder translating complex AI into commercial value. On the other, Greg Baldwin, scaling a fast-growing operational business through practical, data-led leadership. This episode focuses on the practical shifts in thinking, communication, and leadership that enable businesses to move from complexity and instinct to clarity and scalable performance. 💡 The One Key Thing The one key thing is this: if your message is not clear and your decisions are not grounded in data, growth will stall no matter how strong your product or service is. ⭐ Standout Message "You have to stop selling vitamins and start solving painkillers." 🔍 Key Insights & Practical Guidance 1. Speak the Language of the Customer One of the biggest barriers to growth is not capability, it is communication. Paul Patras had to shift from academic, technical explanations to clear, commercially relevant messaging. Customers do not buy complexity They buy solutions to painful problems Your value must be immediately understood 👉 Practical application: Review your messaging. Are you explaining features or solving urgent problems? 2. Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution A critical mindset shift for scaleup leaders: Stop leading with what your product does Start with the customer's biggest pain point Align everything to that outcome 👉 This is the difference between interest and revenue. 3. Move from Gut Feel to Data-Led Decisions Greg Baldwin's growth journey highlights a common scaling challenge, relying on instinct for too long. Early-stage businesses can operate on intuition Scaling businesses require measurable insights Data does not need to be complex to be valuable 👉 Start simple. Even manual tracking creates clarity and better decisions. 4. Build Before You Automate A powerful operational lesson: Do not wait for perfect systems Create manual processes first Learn what matters Then automate 👉 Progress beats perfection every time. 5. Leadership Evolution is Non-Negotiable Both leaders had to fundamentally change how they lead: From reactive to considered From individual contributor to strategic leader From doing to enabling 👉 Growth demands a different version of you as a leader. 6. Resilience is a Leadership Responsibility Scaling a business brings external and internal pressures: Funding challenges Personal setbacks Market uncertainty Greg Baldwin's experience highlights that leadership resilience directly impacts team resilience. 👉 Your energy, mindset, and wellbeing set the tone for the business. 7. Cash Flow and Adaptability are Critical Paul Patras' experience navigating funding challenges reinforces: Cash flow is always a priority Funding environments change quickly Leaders must adapt funding strategies 👉 Diversification and creativity in funding can be the difference between survival and growth. 8. Culture is Built Early and Protected Intentionally Both businesses emphasised culture, but in different ways: Greg focused on maintaining values during rapid growth Paul focused on embedding values early in a small team 👉 Culture does not scale by accident. It requires clarity and consistency. 📈 Practical Takeaways for ScaleUp Leaders Simplify your message to focus on customer pain points Start measuring key metrics, even manually Build systems after understanding the process Invest in your own resilience and performance Be intentional about culture from day one 📢 About Smart90 Most founders I speak to feel busy but stuck; plenty happening, but not always clear on what genuinely matters most this quarter. If that's you, the G90 Summit is worth a look. A structured half-day where we work through everything competing for your attention, get clear on the three to five things that must happen in the next 90 days Then commit to them; and build the system to make sure they actually happen. Quarterly, virtual, £97 a seat. Smart90.co.uk/summit.

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Episode #599 - 5 Years On: What Happens When You Choose Control Over Chaos? - with Greg Baldwin

4w ago00:30:36Tap to summarize

Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by Greg Baldwin, Managing Director of Highway Traffic Management. Now this is a special one; because we're revisiting Greg's journey five years on to see what's actually happened since our last conversation. And it's a fascinating look at what real scaling looks like in practice. From rapid 65% growth to deliberately slowing things down, Greg shares why choosing control over speed has been critical to building a stronger, more sustainable business. One standout message really hit home for me: "We realised growth was putting too much pressure on the business and the people; so we chose control over speed." We also talk about leadership through personal loss, how to protect culture as you scale, and why starting simple with data beats jumping straight into technology. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. Try it free at Smart90.co.uk. Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Greg. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Greg can be found here: linkedin.com/in/greg-baldwin-75497990 https://htmltd.co.uk/ greg.baldwin@htmltd.co.uk Resources: The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-miracle-morning-updated-and-expanded-edition-the-6-habits-that-will-transform-your-life-before-8am-hal-elrod/7737402?ean=9781399816052&next=t

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Episode #598 - ScaleUp Club - AI Agents, Anti-Fragile Teams & Hiring for Outcomes - with Rafmary Baker

4w ago00:47:57Tap to summarize

Hi there and welcome back to another edition of ScaleUp Radio, the podcast brought to you by Smart90, inspired by the Entrepreneurial ScaleUp System and designed to make navigating our ScaleUp journeys that little bit easier by learning from others' experiences. I'm Kevin Brent and in today's episode I'm joined by returning guest Rafmary for a live Q&A session recorded at our ScaleUp Club. This episode is structured a little differently and brings together three key elements. First, our latest AI Pulse update, where we explore how tools like Claude Co-Work are moving AI beyond content into real workflow automation. Second, a look at this month's ScaleUp theme around building teams for outcomes, not roles. And third, a live Q&A with Rafmary, sharing practical insights and answering real scaling challenges from the room. One standout message really captures the discussion — most businesses don't struggle because of lack of effort, but because the founder becomes the bottleneck. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. Try it free at Smart90.co.uk Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with our ScaleUp Club panel. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Rafmary can be found here: https://www.cambridgebusinessonline.com/

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Episode #597 - Net AI – From Academic Breakthrough to Commercial ScaleUp - with Paul Patras

Apr 2000:45:34Tap to summarize

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent is joined by Paul Patras, co-founder of Net AI, a University of Edinburgh spin-out transforming how telecom networks manage energy and capacity. What started as deep academic research has evolved into a commercial AI engine helping telecom providers reduce energy costs by up to 35% - potentially saving tens of millions annually - without compromising service quality. This is a fascinating conversation about the realities of moving from research to revenue, the mindset shift required, and the challenges of scaling a highly technical innovation into a viable business. One of the standout insights from this conversation is this: the shift from something interesting to something essential is what makes a business scalable. If you're tired of ending the week busy but no further forward, Smart90 might be for you. It's a simple 90-day execution rhythm with an AI alignment check that keeps your daily focus tied to what actually matters. Try it free at Smart90.co.uk Make sure you don't miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts - and why not give us a follow. For now, continue listening for the full discussion with Paul. Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk Kevin's Book Is Here! Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/ Paul can be found here: https://netai.tech/ paul@netai.tech

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All episodes

Episode #606: ScaleUp Shorts - Fear, Focus & the Founder Trap - What Jacqueline Wales and Jules Herd reveal about scaling without losing control

Episode #605 - Harnessing Fear Intelligence to Lead, Decide, and Scale with Confidence - with Jacqueline Wales

Episode #604 - Founder Mistakes & Building Resilient Scale-ups - with Jules Herd

Episode #603 - ScaleUp Shorts - What two very different founders teach us about leadership, resilience, Al and the future of human connection in business

Episode #602 - Solving the Experience Paradox with Micro-Internships - with Priyanka Rao

Episode #601 - Leadership Effectiveness Is A State Of Mind - with Bob Ferguson

Episode #600 - ScaleUp Shorts - Stop explaining. Start solving!

Episode #599 - 5 Years On: What Happens When You Choose Control Over Chaos? - with Greg Baldwin

Episode #598 - ScaleUp Club - AI Agents, Anti-Fragile Teams & Hiring for Outcomes - with Rafmary Baker

Episode #597 - Net AI – From Academic Breakthrough to Commercial ScaleUp - with Paul Patras

Episode #605 - Harnessing Fear Intelligence to Lead, Decide, and Scale with Confidence - with Jacqueline Wales

Episode #597 - Net AI – From Academic Breakthrough to Commercial ScaleUp - with Paul Patras