A weekly Scottish Business Podcast featuring Scotland’s most inspirational entrepreneurs, Sir Tom Hunter and Lord Willie Haughey. They offer insight, advice and chat to Scotland’s leading CEOs, Founders and Entrepreneurs about how they built their businesses. Guests share their insights, challenges, defeats and successes as Hunter and Haughey spread knowledge across the Scottish business community. THE Business Podcast for Scotland - a Scottish Business Podcast, made in Glasgow.
Episodes
Sunday Sep 15, 2024
Sunday Sep 15, 2024
Episode Notes and Highlights
US Current Affairs:
Discussion on the controversial statement from Trumo about migrants and pets.. Comments on Kamala Harris’s performance and how she managed to rile Donald Trump.
Political Commentary:
John Bolton questioning Trump’s fitness to be commander in chief. Expression hope that Trump will not be president again.Comments on Trump’s claims about the war in Gaza and Kamala Harris’s remarks about President Xi and Putin.
04:35
Andrew Carnegie:
References Andrew Carnegie in the context of current events concerning US Steel.
07:00
Declaration of a New Labour government and the scrutiny over a £20 billion black hole.
Opposition’s demand for more details and the government’s lack of forthcoming information.
Sir Tom Hunter questions the decision to cut pensions and suggests more time should have been taken to find alternative savings.
Labour Party’s handling of pension cuts statement and the lack of announcement of increased payments to pensioners. Discussion on the media’s focus on pensioners’ hardships and the potential negative headlines.
08:20
Public Service Salaries:
References a Freedom of Information request revealing high salaries for civil servants in Scotland.
Concern over the number of senior public servants earning over £100,000.
Value for Money:
Emphasises the importance of paying public servants well if they deliver results. Comments on the Scottish Government’s allocation of taxpayer money.
Public Sector Employment and Outcomes:
Highlighting the unsustainable nature of employing many people without improving outcomes. .
Public Sector KPIs:
Discussion on the lack of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the public sector compared to private businesses.
Pension Cuts:
Suggests that deeper analysis could have prevented pension cuts and the resulting public backlash.
Civil Service Issues:
The civil service is broken and mentions the impact of COVID-19 on the system. Emphasis the need for strong leadership and accountability in the public sector, with appropriate compensation for good leaders. Discussion on the increase in civil service numbers in Scotland and their effectiveness.
Financial Concerns:
Highlighting the discrepancy between increasing employment and the existing deficit, calling it a recipe for disaster.
15:20
Celebrating 25 Years of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Strategy
25th anniversary of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Strategy at Strathclyde University.
Background:
The Centre was founded by Tom Hunter after selling his sports business.
Inspired by visits to top entrepreneurship centers in the U.S., including Babson College.
The Centre combines academic knowledge with practical entrepreneurial experience.
Key Highlights:
New Leadership: Nigel Mackenzie is the new director.
Mission: Focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategy.
Research and Practice: Emphasis on practical ideas, influencing government policy, and making a difference in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Achievements:
The Centre has grown significantly over the past 25 years.
It has become a leading hub for entrepreneurship research and education in Europe.
Future Plans:
Continued focus on combining academic and practical entrepreneurial insights.
Upcoming 25th-anniversary celebration event.
Economic Insights:
Discussion on current economic trends, including interest rates and inflation.
Positive outlook on long-term economic indicators.
Conclusion:
Recap of the Centre’s journey and achievements.
Excitement for the future and upcoming celebrations.
17:30
Economic Trends, Football Finances, and Leadership Insights
Economic Trends:
Inflation and Deflation: Current US deflation rate at 2.5%, with positive economic indicators.
18:30
Football Finances:
Financial Losses: Discussion on recent financial losses in football, including a £113 million loss. Jim Ratcliffe: Insights into Jim Ratcliffe’s business approach and the financial challenges in football.
Chelsea’s Situation: Analysis of Chelsea’s financial struggles and shareholder dynamics.
19:15
Upcoming Guest: Sir Alex Ferguson
Interview Announcement: Sir Alex Ferguson will be featured on the Go Radio Business Show.
Leadership Insights: Sir Alex’s transition from football to teaching at Harvard University.
Book Recommendation: Encouragement to read Sir Alex’s book on leadership.
20:45
Scottish Government and Budget:
Budget Balancing: Discussion on the SNP’s efforts to balance the budget, including new taxes on alcohol and cigarettes.
Political Strategy: Analysis of the political implications of budget balancing.
NHS and Government Efficiency:
NHS Spending: Discussion on NHS spending and patient outcomes.
Tony Blair Institute: Insights from the Tony Blair Institute on improving government efficiency and the role of AI.
22:50
Economic Insights and Lessons from Ireland
The Irish Economy:
Apple’s Tax Payment: Apple has been ordered to pay €13 billion to the Irish government.
Economic Surplus: This payment could lead to a €23 billion surplus for Ireland.
Comparison with the UK: Discussion on how the UK can learn from Ireland’s economic strategies.
Key Points:
Ireland’s Success: Exploration of why Ireland’s economy is thriving compared to the UK’s.
Government Policies: Highlighting the policies and strategies that have contributed to Ireland’s success.
Lessons for the UK:
Learning from Success: Encouragement for the UK and Scottish governments to study and adopt successful strategies from Ireland.
Policy Recommendations: Discussion on specific policies that could be beneficial if implemented in the UK.
24:09
Guest Kirsty Allan, Director, City Access Scaffolding
Kirsty was raised by her grandparents in Edinburgh.
Kirsty initially attended Granton Primary, but her grandmother, a strong believer in education, managed to get her into George Heriot's School on a bursary. Although she trained as a teacher, Kirsty also pursued various side businesses. Eventually, she left teaching to focus on developing her entrepreneurial skills, starting 'Treacle Boutique,' an online childrenswear business.
She was accepted into the 2nd intake of Entrepreneurial Spark, where she gained many of the key skills she now uses in her business and leadership roles. While 'Treacle Boutique' is no longer operating, Kirsty regards Entrepreneurial Spark as a crucial learning experience
Kirsty co-founded City Access Scaffolding with her husband and a third business partner. While her husband and the business partner focused on the operational work, Kirsty managed the business and handled sales. Ten years later, the company has a turnover of £6 million and employs 55 staff
Kirsty is committed to making the business the best it can be, with a strong focus on societal contribution. She has established a robust apprenticeship scheme and implemented several employee-focused initiatives, including financial and debt recovery workshops aimed at empowering employees with knowledge—efforts that are largely unheard of in this industry.
Securing contracts with Historic Scotland and working with Gleneagles Townhouse.:
Keywords: Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Andrew Carnegie, US Steel, Steel Industry,Nippon Steel Acquisition, Industrial History, New Labour Government, £20 Billion Black Hole, Pension Cuts, Sir Tom Hunter, Lord Willie Haughey, Government Spending, Public Service Salaries, Freedom of Information, Civil Servant Salaries, Scottish Government, Public Sector KPIs, Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, Strathclyde University, Entrepreneurship Education,Economic Trends, Inflation and Deflation, Football Finances, Financial Losses in Football, Jim Ratcliffe
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