Extrology

With the hospitality sector in a state of relative disarray in lieu of the past year’s developments, and the government’s somewhat misguided response trying to help the industry, there are swathes of people begging to return to the kind of experiences and venues that incubate moments of genuine human connection. One man who hopes that his brand, and sector as a whole, emerge stronger than ever with a focus on facilitating the ‘touchpoints of humanity’ is Mark Cribb, the Managing Director of Urban Guild.

Joining Lee Cooper to detail the steps on his business journey and years of travelling which renewed his interest in creating moments that people cherish and enjoy, Mark shares his entry point to business ownership and the lessons he carries forward from running a market stall at an early age. He also elaborates on some ‘creative’ business expansion methods, and the importance of taking the first step into entrepreneurship without fear or, as Mark calls it, ‘the paralysis of analysis’.

Lee and Mark discuss:

• The valuable business lessons learned from running a market stall
• Feeling permanently out of your comfort zone when travelling
• The difference between customer service and true hospitality
• Creative methods of business expansion
• Being motivated by ‘the touchpoints of humanity’
• Support needed to alleviate difficulties faced by the hospitality sector
• Overcoming the ‘paralysis of analysis’

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

With the hospitality sector in a state of relative disarray in lieu of the past year’s developments, and the government’s somewhat misguided response trying to help the industry, there are swathes of people begging to return to the kind of experiences and venues that incubate moments of genuine human connection. One man who hopes that his brand, and sector as a whole, emerge stronger than ever with a focus on facilitating the ‘touchpoints of humanity’ is Mark Cribb, the Managing Director of Urban Guild.

Joining Lee Cooper to detail the steps on his business journey and years of travelling which renewed his interest in creating moments that people cherish and enjoy, Mark shares his entry point to business ownership and the lessons he carries forward from running a market stall at an early age. He also elaborates on some ‘creative’ business expansion methods, and the importance of taking the first step into entrepreneurship without fear or, as Mark calls it, ‘the paralysis of analysis’.

Lee and Mark discuss:

• The valuable business lessons learned from running a market stall
• Feeling permanently out of your comfort zone when travelling
• The difference between customer service and true hospitality
• Creative methods of business expansion
• Being motivated by ‘the touchpoints of humanity’
• Support needed to alleviate difficulties faced by the hospitality sector
• Overcoming the ‘paralysis of analysis’

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

There is no age too early to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, as evidenced by Russell Merry, whose story takes him from selling newspapers aged 5, to growing cycling company Hot Wheels from £1m to £13.5m annual revenue with 26 employees before selling the brand in 2009. Russell then doubled the revenue of the business continuing as Managing Director at Cycling Sports Group, distributors of Cannondale, Charge, GT, Mongoose & Wethepeople Bikes. 

Now in 2021 he’s embarking on a new venture to prove to himself that the term ‘One Trick Pony’ does not apply, Russell tells us of his ambitions for Brake Fluid, a caffeine-based sports brand, while explaining the incredible drive and passion which has seen success both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and spurred him on to find pastures new, at a time where many would simply settle.

Lee and Russell discuss:

• Russell’s passion and expertise in the cycling industry
• Learning a new craft from those who have a lifetime of experience
• Inheriting his father’s entrepreneurial spirit
• Running a business through generations of world-changing crises
• Transferring business ambition to a new industry

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

There is no age too early to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit, as evidenced by Russell Merry, whose story takes him from selling newspapers aged 5, to growing cycling company Hot Wheels from £1m to £13.5m annual revenue with 26 employees before selling the brand in 2009. Russell then doubled the revenue of the business continuing as Managing Director at Cycling Sports Group, distributors of Cannondale, Charge, GT, Mongoose & Wethepeople Bikes. 

Now in 2021 he’s embarking on a new venture to prove to himself that the term ‘One Trick Pony’ does not apply, Russell tells us of his ambitions for Brake Fluid, a caffeine-based sports brand, while explaining the incredible drive and passion which has seen success both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and spurred him on to find pastures new, at a time where many would simply settle.

Lee and Russell discuss:

• Russell’s passion and expertise in the cycling industry
• Learning a new craft from those who have a lifetime of experience
• Inheriting his father’s entrepreneurial spirit
• Running a business through generations of world-changing crises
• Transferring business ambition to a new industry

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

The style of football exhibited by England’s teams has undoubtedly evolved, in part due to a shift in the types of training offered to our rising stars. One man whose contributions to introducing samba-style futsal to the masses have likely shaped some of our current sporting talents is Chris Sharman. 

Throughout his decades of sports and leisure experience, Chris has made incredible efforts to professionalise working with kids, and demonstrated remarkable resilience dealing with vastly different management scenarios.

Now the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Topodium Group, a new sports, health and leisure agency that’s weathered the storm of 2020, Chris has had an incredible journey, into which we delve on this episode of the Extrology podcast. 

Lee and Chris discuss:

• Introducing a new football style to upcoming young talent
• Heading up an internationally successful business division
• The skills learned from hosting kids at leisure centres
• Professionalising childcare
• Handling challenging business politics
• Starting a business in exceedingly challenging conditions

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

The style of football exhibited by England’s teams has undoubtedly evolved, in part due to a shift in the types of training offered to our rising stars. One man whose contributions to introducing samba-style futsal to the masses have likely shaped some of our current sporting talents is Chris Sharman. 

Throughout his decades of sports and leisure experience, Chris has made incredible efforts to professionalise working with kids, and demonstrated remarkable resilience dealing with vastly different management scenarios.

Now the Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Topodium Group, a new sports, health and leisure agency that’s weathered the storm of 2020, Chris has had an incredible journey, into which we delve on this episode of the Extrology podcast. 

Lee and Chris discuss:

• Introducing a new football style to upcoming young talent
• Heading up an internationally successful business division
• The skills learned from hosting kids at leisure centres
• Professionalising childcare
• Handling challenging business politics
• Starting a business in exceedingly challenging conditions

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

With the advent of website creation tools like Wix and Squarespace, making an impact online now is far easier than in the late 90s, where a young Michael Saunders - fresh from a degree in Film & Video Directing and Producing - began a ‘side job’ which formed the basis for an incredibly prolific digital agency celebrating its 16th year in business.

Besides his more explicitly successful fiscal endeavours, on episode 11 of Extrology we hear how Michael was a part of what may have been the first multicam music festival live stream, the lessons he’s picked up from running a business with a large number of freelancers, and why learning to handle problems by yourself can be simultaneously a blessing and a curse. 

Lee and Michael discuss:

• Michael’s early passion for music and film
• Developing a revolutionary multicam festival livestream
• The challenges of managing lots of freelancers
• Pros and cons of learning to tackle issues yourself
• Overcoming traditional issues with business scaling
• Picking the right business partners/investors

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

With the advent of website creation tools like Wix and Squarespace, making an impact online now is far easier than in the late 90s, where a young Michael Saunders - fresh from a degree in Film & Video Directing and Producing - began a ‘side job’ which formed the basis for an incredibly prolific digital agency celebrating its 16th year in business.

Besides his more explicitly successful fiscal endeavours, on episode 11 of Extrology we hear how Michael was a part of what may have been the first multicam music festival live stream, the lessons he’s picked up from running a business with a large number of freelancers, and why learning to handle problems by yourself can be simultaneously a blessing and a curse. 

Lee and Michael discuss:

• Michael’s early passion for music and film
• Developing a revolutionary multicam festival livestream
• The challenges of managing lots of freelancers
• Pros and cons of learning to tackle issues yourself
• Overcoming traditional issues with business scaling
• Picking the right business partners/investors

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

Becoming MD of a football club emerging from the throes of their lowest ever final league position at the mere age of 26 is both a great privilege and an intimidating prospect. Now celebrating his 20th year at YMU, Group CEO Neil Rodford has demonstrated an incredible work ethic to make the most of the opportunities offered to him.

On episode 10 of Extrology, Neil explains how working harder than everyone else in the room formed the basis for his chemistry with Kevin Keegan, the transferable skills learned from football that he applied to talent management, and learning to take a step backwards to make the right kind of progress.

Lee and Neil discuss:

• Becoming Managing Director of Fulham at a young age
• Aligning goals of manager, owner, and back-end staff
• The volatile nature of running a football club
• Fulfilling your potential for growth
• Surrounding yourself with with right people
• Doing the right thing for the business, not just financially

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/

Becoming MD of a football club emerging from the throes of their lowest ever final league position at the mere age of 26 is both a great privilege and an intimidating prospect. Now celebrating his 20th year at YMU, Group CEO Neil Rodford has demonstrated an incredible work ethic to make the most of the opportunities offered to him.

On episode 10 of Extrology, Neil explains how working harder than everyone else in the room formed the basis for his chemistry with Kevin Keegan, the transferable skills learned from football that he applied to talent management, and learning to take a step backwards to make the right kind of progress.

Lee and Neil discuss:

• Becoming Managing Director of Fulham at a young age
• Aligning goals of manager, owner, and back-end staff
• The volatile nature of running a football club
• Fulfilling your potential for growth
• Surrounding yourself with with right people
• Doing the right thing for the business, not just financially

Links and references at: https://www.extrology.com/
Get in touch: [email protected]
Sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners: https://www.progressotalent.com/
Produced by Podcast Labs: https://podcastlabs.co.uk/