An Unorthodox CEO

This week on An Unorthodox CEO, Steve is joined by Sussex Beds' Training Manager, Amanda, to explore why great training is at the heart of great customer service.

Amanda shares her journey from joining Sussex Beds and helping launch our Ashford store to progressing into her current role, where she now develops and supports teams across the business. Along the way, she reflects on the lessons she's learned, how her previous experience shaped her approach, and what it really takes to lead people with confidence.

Together, they discuss what makes effective training, how Sussex Beds helps new starters build confidence, the importance of self-reflection, and why learning never stops. They also explore the challenge of maintaining the same high standards across every store as the business grows, proving that investing in people is one of the biggest investments any business can make.

00:00 Intro
01:35 Why Amanda joined Sussex Beds
04:20 Working in Ashford when it opened
05:15 Early learnings from working in store
08:30 The change in environments from M&S to Sussex Beds
12:00 Big learnings from her previous job
15:22 How to lead so people follow
17:06 Amandas progression through the business
24:15 Competition being nearby is good
25:30 The training role at Sussex Beds
28:30 What makes great training
31:30 The power of self reflection
33:42 How we build confidence in new starters
36:45 Learning from each other
39:50 Growing and keeping the same standards
43:20 Why personal growth of team aids the business
46:10 Signs of a successful leader
51:46 Biggest training challenge
54:40 Our most successful training
56:48 Quickfire questions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a holiday rental truly memorable? While many hosts focus on décor, location and amenities, one of the most important parts of any stay is often overlooked – the quality of sleep.

In this episode, Steve and Lee explore why the bed should be at the heart of every Airbnb experience. They share their own experiences, discuss the importance of guest feedback, explain the latest furniture safety regulations, and offer practical advice on choosing the right mattress, pillows and mattress protectors.

Whether you're an Airbnb host looking to improve your guest experience or simply interested in what makes a great night's sleep, this episode is packed with useful insights and actionable tips.

00:00 Intro
01:20 Why they chose the topic of Airbnbs
03:30 You hire these houses to sleep - why isn’t it a focus
05:00 Premier inn got it right - the bed is the highlight
06:50 Sleep Facts from Steve & Lee
08:30 The importance of Mattress Protectors
10:45 Why Airbnb hosts should survey their guests
12:40 Don’t be frightened of feedback - embrace it
13:50 Understanding Airbnb Furniture Regulations
16:11 What mattress/ bed we recommend for airbnbs
18:00 Advice on changing the mattress, mattress protectors & pillows
21:07 Quickfire Questions
28:50 Let us know your views
30:16 Outro
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on An Unorthodox CEO, Steve is joined by Tony White, Managing Director of Bonners Music.

Listen as they chat about all things, business, Tony's journey to Managing Director and what they think the secret to selling is...

00:00 Intro
01:02 How Tony & Steve met
02:15 How fate landed Tony work experience at Bonners Music
06:00 Working full time in the Bonners shop
07:30 Creating a database & holding trade shows
09:00 Instrument progression is very different now
10:45 Tonys first taste of sales
13:45 Key to selling
14:38 Sticking to your purpose when choosing products
16:30 Balancing customer needs
20:19 Creating a welcoming environment in store
23:04 Education is so important in every industry
25:30 Why Tony started his YouTube channel
29:00 How Tony became the owner of Bonners
33:00 The first changes they made after taking over
36:00 The joy of opening new shops
36:00 The internet & websites
38:50 Warehouse & website mistakes
42:00 The way consumers buy has changed
44:00 Targets & juggling with brands
47:00 Opening new stores
50:00 The post pandemic changes
54:30 How the stores & website work together
56:40 Deciding to improve rather than expand
58:50 Did Tony ever want to be a musician
1:03:17 Most challenging part of business journey
1:06:07 Quickfire Questions
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on An Unorthodox CEO Steve chats again with Sarah our HR Manager all about her trip to the CIPD Festival of Work. They explore the future of work, from AI in HR and supporting team through change to employee wellbeing and the workplace trends every business should be paying attention to. Plus, new employment laws everyone should be aware of!

00:00 Intro
01:35 What is the CIPD Festival of Work
03:07 The ‘Practical Solutions’ Stage
04:30 People are business
05:50 Managing change & providing clarity
07:15 Transformation in business is endless
08:20 Communication is key for change
12:25 Ai and HR - its a tool
17:13 Dealing with difficult conversations
19:47 Ai Policies plus how Sarah & Vic use it
24:00 Struggles of young people getting jobs
26:25 Sarahs standout speaker of the event
30:50 Cons of superhero leadership…
33:14 Employment law changes
37:10 How our probation period works
42:20 Employee wellbeing should be a business priority
45:40 Our Pulse Surveys
48:56 Quickfire Questions
55:45 Top HR Tip
56:20 Outro

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Steve & Babatunde discuss architecture, entrepreneurship, learning from criticism, and why some of life's biggest setbacks can become your greatest opportunities. From growing up in Nigeria and moving to the UK for university, to facing redundancy, 18 months of job applications, and eventually building his own architecture business, Babatunde's story is one of resilience, determination, and never giving up.

00:00 Intro
01:25 How Babatunde met John Rayment
03:19 Growing up in Nigeria
04:10 Leaving for University in the UK & getting architecture
08:26 Degree & getting a job
10:47 Being offered his first job & learning on the job
12:00 Masters degree - learning to listen to criticism
15:17 Being made redundant & covid
16:30 Applying for Jobs for 18 months & Babatundes resilience
19:20 The start of Baba Atelier
22:50 Learning to render & building concept work
23:33 Babatundes struggles without a job & how people supported him
27:11 A breakthrough - a new job
31:22 The learnings from having a job and then having his own business
35:11 Why taking advice from others is important
38:44 Babatundes escapes
40:00 Renovating his new home & his drive
43:30 How traumas & knocks are things that make you
46:39 Practice makes perfect
48:31 Helping clients with needs analysis
53:00 Quickfire Questions
1:01:45 Outro
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.