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My Business Leader Secret

Founders and chief executives reveal the advice that has helped them succeed

Nails.INC founder Thea Green: Don’t sweat the small stuff

Nails.INC founder Thea Green: Don’t sweat the small stuff

Thea Green, one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs in the beauty and self-care space, shares her advice

Rio Ferdinand: How to win at business pitches

Rio Ferdinand: How to win at business pitches

The former Manchester United and England footballer on how to convince people to back your business ideas

Belu Water CEO on the little-known tax causing 'big headaches' for business

Belu Water CEO on the little-known tax causing 'big headaches' for business

Natalie Campbell explains how the extended producer responsibility scheme is hitting her business

JustPark founder: I'm delighted not to be CEO anymore

JustPark founder: I'm delighted not to be CEO anymore

Anthony Eskinazi is one of the UK’s most successful entrepreneurs in the sharing economy sector, but there's things he wishes he knew much earlier to scale.

Michelin-star chef on the ingredients for success in turbulent times

Michelin-star chef on the ingredients for success in turbulent times

The discipline it takes to be a top chef “also works well in the boardroom”, according to Chris Galvin, the chef patron of Galvin Restaurants

Oriens Aviation CEO: Never forget to debrief

Oriens Aviation CEO: Never forget to debrief

Edwin Brenninkmeyer, who is a qualified pilot as well as being a CEO in the aviation industry, shares tips from the cockpit

Airtasker CEO: Hire internally when scaling

Airtasker CEO: Hire internally when scaling

Australian entrepreneur Tim Fung believes that you should prioritise developing internal talent when growing a business

WD-40 CEO: Think of mistakes as learning moments

WD-40 CEO: Think of mistakes as learning moments

Steve Brass explains how he promotes psychological safety at work to foster innovation

Cohesity CEO: Getting fired was the best thing to happen in my career

Cohesity CEO: Getting fired was the best thing to happen in my career

Major career setbacks can be moments to take stock and recalibrate, according to US tech boss Sanjay Poonen

Mediaplus UK CEO: Reframe your comms around AI

Mediaplus UK CEO: Reframe your comms around AI

Communications specialist Tom Laranjo shares advice on how to integrate artificial technology into the workplace

Pitchify founder: Listen to what people actually want

Pitchify founder: Listen to what people actually want

Video games entrepreneur Gina Jackson explains a common trap developers can fall into when making games

The Gym Group CEO: Think about what Gen Z wants

The Gym Group CEO: Think about what Gen Z wants

Will Orr shares his insights into Gen Z’s changing attitude to health and fitness

SurveyMonkey CEO: Leaders need to ask the hard questions

SurveyMonkey CEO: Leaders need to ask the hard questions

Eric Johnson leads an online platform focused on the value of collecting feedback, a principle he applies to his own company

Forest bikes founder: Don't compromise your founding principles

Forest bikes founder: Don't compromise your founding principles

Ebike entrepreneur Caroline Seton explains why start-ups should withstand external pressures to change course

Popeyes UK boss: The CEO is at the bottom of the ladder

Popeyes UK boss: The CEO is at the bottom of the ladder

Tom Crowley explains his philosophy for running successful high street food businesses

Wendy Wu: Show passion and customers will reward you

Wendy Wu: Show passion and customers will reward you

The travel tour entrepreneur’s business is thriving after the pandemic because she listened to customers

Saint and Sofia CEO: Make shopping a social experience

Saint and Sofia CEO: Make shopping a social experience

Fashion entrepreneur Dessi Bell explains why customers are looking for something different when they shop on the high street

Gtech founder: Find synergy in your sponsorships

Gtech founder: Find synergy in your sponsorships

The home appliances inventor and entrepreneur explains what he’s learned from sponsoring Brentford FC

Yotel CEO: You don’t need to choose between tech and people

Yotel CEO: You don’t need to choose between tech and people

Hubert Viriot explains his approach to using technology in the hospitality industry

Karen Blackett: Listen more in order to lead

Karen Blackett: Listen more in order to lead

The advertising veteran believes that leaders need to listen to those around them to set the right course for the business

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

Sir Chris Hoy: Make sure you all buy into the same goal

The Olympic cycling champion has brought lessons from his time in sport to his work in business

Otto Car CEO: ‘Cultural shifts’ are business opportunities

Otto Car CEO: ‘Cultural shifts’ are business opportunities

The auto industry entrepreneur believes smart pivots can be the start button to fire up business success

Hilton EMEA President: Diverse customers need a diverse team

Hilton EMEA President: Diverse customers need a diverse team

The hotel executive believes the hospitality industry needs to be proactive in hiring to reflect society

Sir John Hegarty: See AI as a partner, not a tool

Sir John Hegarty: See AI as a partner, not a tool

The legendary ad exec believes leaders should collaborate with the technology, rather than use it as a tool

Apprentice stars: What Lord Sugar taught us

Apprentice stars: What Lord Sugar taught us

Contestants from The Apprentice reveal the fundamental business lessons they learned from taking part in the TV show

Sizewell C boss: Your workforce should mirror society

Sizewell C boss: Your workforce should mirror society

The woman leading the Sizewell C nuclear plant project explains her approach to building a diverse workforce

PocDoc CEO: Lend your expertise to other businesses

PocDoc CEO: Lend your expertise to other businesses

The healthtech entrepreneur runs a 'Last Friday' club where other leaders can book a session and ask him for advice

Airwallex CEO: Hire for personality traits, not experience

Airwallex CEO: Hire for personality traits, not experience

The fintech entrepreneur explains a key hiring strategy that has helped him scale a global business

Joanna Jensen: Don't avoid the nitty gritty

Joanna Jensen: Don't avoid the nitty gritty

The entrepreneur and angel investor explains a common issue she encounters with start-up founders

GoFundMe CEO: Risk-profile yourself to build your career

GoFundMe CEO: Risk-profile yourself to build your career

The leader of the online fundraising platform says measuring your personal risk appetite is vital for success

Heka founder: Becoming a mother made me a better leader

Heka founder: Becoming a mother made me a better leader

The founder of the employee benefits platform says parenthood has improved her leadership style

Seismic CEO: The best way to grow is never to shrink

Seismic CEO: The best way to grow is never to shrink

The boss of the US tech unicorn says a key part of growing his business involves working hard to ensure that it doesn't lose customers.

Bloom & Wild CEO: See mistakes as an opportunity

Bloom & Wild CEO: See mistakes as an opportunity

The co-founder and CEO of the flower delivery specialist says mistakes with customers can be a chance to shine and even build advocacy

Clarendon Fine Art MD: Make use of reverse mentoring

Clarendon Fine Art MD: Make use of reverse mentoring

The fashion boss turned art gallery executive believes leaders should be open to having younger people coach and educate them

Two Chicks CEO: Be open about who your audience will be

Two Chicks CEO: Be open about who your audience will be

When Alla Ouvarova brough the concept of liquid egg white to the UK, she was surprised by who ended up buying the product

Gousto CEO: Becoming a coach made me a better leader

Gousto CEO: Becoming a coach made me a better leader

Timo Boldt says becoming a coach has helped him to better understand and support employees

Ordnance Survey CEO: Ask three questions before proposing a new business idea

Ordnance Survey CEO: Ask three questions before proposing a new business idea

The CEO of the mapping service says too many would-be entrepreneurs jump in blind without having done enough research

Pip & Nut CEO: How to build luck into your business

Pip & Nut CEO: How to build luck into your business

The founder and CEO of the Pip & Nut food brand explains how you can make your own luck in business

Creatio CEO: Bootstrap first, then raise capital

Creatio CEO: Bootstrap first, then raise capital

Tech entrepreneur Katherine Kostereva explains why you should bootstrap your business idea first, before you seek capital investment

Ikea CEO: Manage challenges, lead from opportunities

Ikea CEO: Manage challenges, lead from opportunities

Ikea's CEO explains a simple concept to help business leaders in times of change and uncertainty