The Independent Minds

On the Independent Minds, podcast, you will meet independent thought leaders and learn about the ideas they have developed to help employers and their employees address the challenges that organisations of any type or size, in any location have must address if they are to achieve their business objectives and attain sustainable growth.You will be able to read more about all of the independent minds thought leaders on the Work Place Learning Centre blog.The independent minds thought leaders will be based all over the world. Some will discuss a new way of doing, whilst others will be discussing new ways of thinking. Each will have a practical solution which you will be able to access at Work Place Learning Centre.co.uk.Independent minds solutions are also available as part of Abeceder H2R the comprehensive employee management solution that covers every aspect of every stage of the employer employee relationship from hiring to retiring.

The Independent Minds is a business podcast hosted by Michael Millward, with 211 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Michael Millward hosts The Independent Minds, a business show with 211 episodes published.

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  The Independent Minds

  How to Scale a Business – a conversation with author Steve Walsh

  Sep 29, 202629 min

  How to Scale a Business – with Steve Walsh, Author of Make the 10X Leap In this episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward , talks with entrepreneur, investor, and author Steve Walsh to explore what it really takes to scale a business. Drawing on insights from his book Make the 10X Leap , Steve explains Why so many entrepreneurs get stuck, How to break through growth barriers, and The mindset shifts required to build a company that can scale far beyond lifestyle‑business limits. From his early entrepreneurial beginnings at age 15 to advising investment groups and high‑growth founders, Steve shares practical lessons on: The 3C Investment Lens – Clarity, Clairvoyance, Confidence Why entrepreneurs must evolve their role as their company grows The power of pairing a visionary with an implementer - including examples from Microsoft, Virgin, and Office Depot. Smart capital vs. dumb capital Why investment should bring more than money, it should bring expertise, networks, and strategic direction. Why customer relationships matter more than ever in the age of AI How entrepreneurs can overcome fear‑based decision‑making From hiring to seeking advice to letting go of control. This conversation is packed with actionable insights for founders, startup leaders, investors, and anyone preparing to scale a business. Whether you're aiming for your first £1m or dreaming of £100m+, Steve’s guidance offers a clear blueprint for growth. If you're an entrepreneur, or thinking about becoming one, this episode will challenge your assumptions, sharpen your strategy, and help you think differently about what’s possible. Discover more about Steve and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because Zencastr really does make creating content so easy. Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club , you can travel anywhere at trade prices. Fit For Work We recommend The 39-health marker Annual Health Test from York Test; conducted by an experienced phlebotomist with hospital standard tests. A secure Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and lifestyle guidance Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25 . Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU . Being a Guest We recommend the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre . Matchmaker.fm is where great guests and great hosts are matched and great podcasts are hatched. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership. We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber. Thank you for listening .

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  The Independent Minds

  Change – v – Transformation – a conversation with Helena Hornebrant

  Sep 24, 202629 min

  Why do most organisational change programmes fail? In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward and Swedish technology and transformation leader Helena Hörnebrant unpack one of the most misunderstood aspects of organisational development: the difference between change and transformation. Drawing on her global career across CIO, CDO, MD and project leadership roles, Helena explains why organisations often focus on systems, processes, and structures; but overlook the only element that can truly transform a business: people. Michael and Helena explore: Why traditional change programmes often “do change to people” rather than enabling them to transform for themselves How leaders must evolve their style as organisations mature, scale, and face the “never normal” pace of change The role of ego, curiosity, and psychological safety in helping teams adopt new ways of working Why transformation requires orchestration, not command‑and‑control management How cross‑functional collaboration and shared accountability create sustainable, self‑driven improvement The growing impact of AI on leadership, employee empowerment, and organisational adaptability This conversation is rich with practical insight, reflective moments, and real‑world experience. Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, change practitioner, or simply curious about how work is evolving, this episode will challenge your assumptions and expand your thinking. Discover more about Helena and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because Zencastr really does make creating content so easy. Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club , you can travel anywhere at trade prices. Fit For Work We recommend The 39-health marker Annual Health Test from York Test; conducted by an experienced phlebotomist with hospital standard tests. A secure Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and lifestyle guidance Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25 . Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU . Being a Guest We recommend the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre . Matchmaker.fm is where great guests and great hosts are matched and great podcasts are hatched. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership. We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber. Thank you for listening . Keywords Organisational transformation, change management, leadership development, behavioural change, digital transformation, AI and leadership, cross‑functional teams, workplace culture, employee engagement, modern management, transformation strategy, continuous improvement, business transformation podcast.

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  The Independent Minds

  Resilience at Work – a conversation with Sarah Turner

  Sep 22, 202629 min

  Explore what resilience really means at work, In this episode of Independent Minds , host Michael Millward and leadership trainer, coach, and author Sarah Turner explore one of today’s most talked‑about workplace skills: resilience . Drawing on her contribution to the anthology Joy at Work and her certification in the Hardiness Resilience Gauge, Sarah breaks down what resilience truly is, why it matters, and how anyone can strengthen it. Sarah uses the three core components of hardiness: Challenge, Control, and Commitment To explain how resilience is more that toughing it out and how these factors shape the way we respond to stress, change, and everyday workplace curveballs. Sarah shares real‑life examples, including how “picking your battles” can transform both your mindset and your relationships at work and at home. Michael and Sarah explore The impact of low resilience on teams and culture, How resilience links to emotional intelligence, and Why adaptability is just as important as bouncing back. How organisations can identify resilience during recruitment Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply someone navigating modern work, this conversation offers practical insights into building resilience, creating joy at work, and shaping healthier, more productive workplace cultures. Discover more about Sarah Turner and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because Zencastr really does make creating content so easy. Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club , you can travel anywhere at trade prices. Fit For Work We recommend The 39-health marker Annual Health Test from York Test; conducted by an experienced phlebotomist with hospital standard tests. A secure Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and lifestyle guidance Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25 . Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU . Being a Guest We recommend the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre . Matchmaker.fm is where great guests and great hosts are matched and great podcasts are hatched. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership. We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber. Thank you for listening . Keywords resilience at work, workplace resilience, hardiness resilience gauge, emotional intelligence, leadership development, challenge control commitment, joy at work, Sarah Turner, Michael Millward, Independent Minds podcast, adaptability at work, employee wellbeing, workplace culture, HR insights, recruitment resilience questions

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  The Independent Minds

  The Future of Selling – a conversation with marketer Jeanne Omlor

  Sep 17, 202629 min

  Why honesty, emotional intelligence, and genuine service are the secrets of future sales success Host Michael Millward and Jeanne Omlor a Florida‑based specialist in maximizing profits and impact, discuss how selling is evolving. Jeanne only started to be successful in business when she discovered that most barriers to success are emotional not technical. Michael and Jeanne explore how modern buyers are becoming more sophisticated, more informed, and far less tolerant of traditional sales tactics. You will learn why Traditional sales techniques based on manipulation are dying out There is a growing trend towards transparency in sales. A sales person’s reputation is key to their success. Understanding a prospect’s marketing awareness using the five levels of buyer sophistication model helps you tailor communication without becoming fake or formulaic. The ‘boxes of communication’ model works to help you adapt while remaining authentically yourself. The future of sales is #Unfake. Jeanne’s core message: stop performing, stop manipulating, and start serving. Selling should be serving people. This conversation challenges long‑held assumptions about selling and offers a refreshing, human‑centred alternative. If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or anyone who needs to influence others ethically, Jeanne’s insights will help you rethink how you show up, communicate, and build trust. This episode of The Independent Minds is perfect for listeners who enjoy: Modern sales psychology Ethical business practices Emotional intelligence in leadership AI‑driven shifts in customer behaviour Conversations that make you think — not tell you what to think Discover more about Jeanne Omlor and Michael at Abeceder.co.uk Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr, because as the all-in-one podcasting platform, Zencastr really does make creating content so easy. Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club , you can travel anywhere at trade prices. Fit For Work We recommend The Annual Health Test from York Test; a 39-health marker Annual Health Test conducted by an experienced phlebotomist with hospital standard tests carried out in a UKAS-accredited and CQC-compliant laboratory. A secure Personal Wellness Hub provides easy-to-understand results and lifestyle guidance Visit York Test and use this discount code MIND25 . Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU . Being a Guest We recommend the podcasting guest training programmes available from Work Place Learning Centre . Matchmaker.fm is where great guests and great hosts are matched and great podcasts are hatched. Use our offer code MILW10 for a discount on membership. We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber. Thank you for listening .

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  The Independent Minds

  Why Do Sales Plateau? and What to Do About It – a conversation with Tamara Ceman

  Sep 15, 202630 min

  When your marketing is working, leads are flowing, and new customers are signing up… yet sales stubbornly refuse to grow, something deeper is going on. In this thought‑provoking episode of The Independent Minds, host Michael Millward chats with Tamara Ceman , the Practical Marketeer and author of The DIY Marketing Playbook, to explore what really causes a growth plateau, and how you can break through it. Drawing on 17 years of hands‑on marketing leadership, Tamara explains why plateaus rarely have a single cause. Instead, they emerge from hidden misalignments across acquisition, activation, retention, and most critically positioning. As she puts it in the conversation: “The initial sale is very far from the end of the story. It’s just the beginning.” Michael and Tamara unpack: Why companies often panic and widen the top of the funnel — only to attract poor‑fit leads that churn quickly. How sales‑led organisations can unintentionally distort product‑market fit. The four common causes of growth plateaus, from dried‑up acquisition channels to “hope‑and‑vibes” retention. Why shedding assumptions, egos, and past glories is essential for diagnosing the real problem. Practical steps any team can take — even without external consultants — to start uncovering the truth behind stalled growth. Tamara’s “scout mindset” approach is a refreshing, practical framework for leaders who want to understand why their growth has stalled and what to do next. This is an episode packed with insight, honesty, and actionable guidance for SaaS founders, marketers, sales leaders, and anyone navigating the messy reality of scaling a business. Audience Offers – listings include links that may create a small commission for The Independent Minds The Independent Minds is made on Zencastr , the all-in-one podcasting platform, that really does make creating content so easy. Travel – With discounted membership of the Ultimate Travel Club , you can travel anywhere at trade prices. Visit Three for information about business and personal telecom solutions from Three, and the special offers available when you quote my referral code WPFNUQHU . Fit For Work – The Annual Health Test from York Test ; assesses 39-health markers. Use discount code MIND25 . Being a Guest We recommend the podcasting guest training available from WPLC . We appreciate every like, download, and subscriber. Thank you for listening

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