Paul Hetherington: From selling timeshares to guiding the CEOs
This week, we sit down with Paul to explore his journey from his first job and university days to becoming a leader who now guides CEOs across the country. Listen as he chats with Steve about what itβs like to run a business you didnβt found, the importance of listening and vulnerability, and how Vistage changed his approach to leadership. Plus so much more in our Series 1 finale!00:00 Intro03:18 A bit about Paul & life growing up07:18 Paulβs first Job09:14 Life at University12:05 How Paul ended up in the South East16:20 Becoming a Manager (Sorry Paul - Becoming a Leader)17:31 Experiences working with friends21:30 How Vistage changed Paul24:58 Being a CEO in a business you didnβt found - learning to listen30:00 Balancing family life & business32:35 Why he joined Vistage & what itβs all about41:45 Why vulnerability & honesty is really important in business47:10 Implementation is key to moving forward50:00 Value of coaching & imposter syndrome53:00 Paul sleeps on a Sussex Beds mattress!55:25 Quickfire Questions1:09:25 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sue Skinner: Creating products for quality sleep
We are back with Sue for episode 21! Listen as Steve and Sue chat about all things product - why they are all our own brand, the process of creating products, and why having the same values as our suppliers is vital! They talk to us about the products on the shop floor that have changed over the last 20 years and why having our own brands helps us get the customer the perfect bed for them.00:00 Intro01:40 Why our product ranges are different to 20 years ago06:45 All our products are built to facilitate quality sleep09:25 What Sue looks for in a product she is buying & 60 night trial13:42 How we meet different product needs14:20 Suppliers: How we work & what we look for 17:45 All our products are own brand - why?23:12 How we understand our customers25:15 Quickfire Questions 31:21 Tip of the Week32:30 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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An Unorthodox CEO Q&A
This week, weβre answering 13 big (and fun) questions β all asked by YOU! From memorable Gang Show moments to when to grow your business, the skills every employee will need in the next five years, and even how a CEO winds down for sleep β thereβs something for everyone. Got a different question? Leave it in the review section and we will make sure we answer it!00:00 Intro 01:30 What can you see yourself doing if you hadn't of gone into the family business?02:43 When is the right time to grow your business? And Is growing your business through openings more shops the most effective strategy?06:08 You are a Brighton football fan - Do you prefer to be a coach on the sidelines or a captain on the pitch?08:05 What skills will be most valuable for employees in the next five years?09:10 What is Steves favourite ever Gang Show moment? If he could perform one sketch/musical number at Gang Show and then go and perform it in the West End what would it be?12:25 What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a business today?13:51 What advice would you give someone aiming for a leadership role?15:15 How do you know when to take a risk versus play it safe?17:52 What are things we can do instore at Sussex beds to get our name out there?19:20 If Sussex Beds had a time machine, which year would you visit and why?20:50 What is something you do to try and help you get to sleep when you canβt?23:35 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Ben Barrett: Turning Passion into Purpose
From launching a print business to starting a football agency and raising a large family, Ben Barrett has built a life where passion fuels everything he does. In this episode, he chats with Steve about how he turned bold ideas into successful ventures, why values matter in business, and how he learned to balance ambition with family life.00:00 Intro01:38 A bit about Ben & how he got into print06:30 Having similar values to your suppliers is key 10:12 The importance of making customers super fans12:19 Why Ben took the leap to start his own business18:00 The factor agreement & how he turned it all around22:45 Bens son playing football & Why he founded a Football Agency26:48 Bens first scout & how the agency grew32:05 Football is a cut throat industry 33:10 Ben & his βhome aloneβ style family35:35 How he splits his time between business & family42:30 What Ben loves about business & his hardest moments57:43 Quickfire Questions 1:02:40 OutroLeave a question for Steve here - https://forms.gle/PEcCM14CDe57tqCd8 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Grace Pickering: The Impact of Display & Merchandise
We are back for another episode, and this week we are joined again by Grace. Listen as she talks with Steve about why display is vital in retail and how consumer buyer behaviour affects where we place our beds! Plus, find out how printing in-house has been a game-changer for our display!00:00 Intro01:35 Why Steve loveβs merchandise 03:20 Graces favourite parts of display & the theory behind it07:55 Store layouts - why they are all different 10:57 How we educate customers through display13:30 Why good display & the right product has a big impact on sales 15:25 How Grace decides what to put on our windows16:37 Merch is also all about the senses18:10 In-house print, how we use it & the advantages22:29 Quickfire Questions 27:35 Tip of the week28:49 Steveβs Bed Knob Award31:05 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the An Unorthodox CEO Podcast! The brand new podcast from Steve Pickering & Sussex Beds. Join us for weekly episodes as we explore the challenges of business, the ups and downs of working with family, and unorthodox tips and tricks to navigate it all! Following on from Steve's weekly LinkedIn posts, this podcast takes a deeper dive into business whilst inviting guests on to share their stories. P.S. We film this in our office, so background noise, laughing, and sneezing may be heard...π Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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