Business Leader's team of top journalists - Graham Ruddick, Sarah Vizard, Josh Dornbrack, and Dougal Shaw - take a second look at stories of success and failure...
How Stuart Machin turned around Marks & Spencer (part two)
Who is the leader behind the turnaround of Marks & Spencer? And what does he think are the challenges still ahead?In part two of our interview with Stuart Machin, the chief executive of Marks & Spencer, he discusses his leadership style and why he has concerns about the UK economy and government in 2025.Marks & Spencer is probably the best-known business in Britain. But when Stuart Machin joined in 2018 it had been struggling for years. Since then he has led an extraordinary turnaround of the high street retailer. This is the story of how he did it, in his own words. In part one of this interview, Stuart Machin discussed his strategy and approach for M&S. You can find that via the link below:https://www.businessleader.co.uk/podcasts/business-leader-podcast/stuart-machin-turn-around-marks-spencer-part-one/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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How Stuart Machin turned around Marks & Spencer (part one)
Marks & Spencer is probably the best-known business in Britain. But when Stuart Machin joined in 2018 it had been struggling for years. Since then he has led an extraordinary turnaround of the high street retailer. This is the story of how he did it, in his own words.Stuart Machin, the chief executive of M&S, talks to the Business Leader Podcast about how M&S is changing its shops, products, and, crucially, the culture within the business. One thing stands out – how much he obsesses over the detail (no-one buys more men's clothes from M&S than him). That is not easy given M&S has more than 60,000 employees, nearly 1,500 shops, annual revenues of £13bn and pre-tax profits of £673m in its last financial year.In part one of this two-part special, Stuart Machin discusses his strategy and approach for M&S. In part two, we will look at his career in retail, why he has such passion for the sector and what he thinks are the challenges ahead... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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John Cleese on creativity: Lessons from a Monty Python mind for business leaders
What can a comedy legend teach you about business? Plenty. In this episode, John Cleese reveals how creativity isn’t just for the arts — it’s a vital skill for problem-solving, strategy and innovation in business. Drawing from a fascination with creativity that spans five decades, Cleese shares how “play” and the “tortoise mind” can unlock ground-breaking ideas, why interruptions kill creativity, and how trust in leadership fosters innovation. Packed with practical tips and humour, this conversation will inspire you to think differently and tackle your biggest challenges with fresh ideas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Paul McKenna masterclass: The science behind strategic thinking
Best-selling author, behavioural scientist and hypnotist Paul McKenna explains the powerful role that manifestation can play in business success and debunks some myths. From Sir Richard Branson's game-changing Virgin Atlantic vision to practical exercises that rewire your brain for achievement, McKenna shows how "manifesting" is simply strategic planning in disguise. In this episode, you will learn how to harness this science-backed approach to overcome challenges, fuel innovation and achieve your biggest goals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Docusign CEO Allan Thygesen on the AI revolution
Docusign made its name in the early 2000s by pioneering the idea of e-signatures in digital contracts. Since then it has grown into a multi-billion dollar tech company. The technology came into its own during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping businesses to keep running when everyone worked remotely. However, that dramatic spike in demand ultimately unsettled the company. Thygesen joined from Google in late 2022 to steady the ship. He’s finding growth by revolutionising the world of digital contracts once more, but this time harnessing the power of artificial intelligence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Business Leader's team of top journalists - Graham Ruddick, Sarah Vizard, Josh Dornbrack, and Dougal Shaw - take a second look at stories of success and failure, provide masterclasses from world-leading experts and guide you through what matters in the business world Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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