The Reality of Business

What does it take to build a successful sales training business - and still be laughing 25 years on? In this special anniversary episode, Bob and Jeremy reflect on the lessons, surprises, and stories they’ve collected over a quarter of a century of running a training company. One of the biggest revelations? Learning to take business a little less personally. As Bob admits, “Every knockback felt like a blow to the heart” in those early days. Over time, they learned to separate self-worth from ...

Are values just words on a wall? Or something you’re willing to stand by – even when it’s hard? In this episode, Bob & Jeremy take on the uncomfortable question many businesses are now facing: What happens to your integrity when you quietly scale back your DEI programme? We’re seeing it everywhere - big names like Google, Pepsi, and investment banks are stepping back from the DEI work they once shouted about. And here’s the thing: it’s not just a budget decision. It’s a values decision. S...

What if marketing could be as surprising and impactful as guerrilla warfare? In this episode of The Reality of Business, Bob – an enthusiast of military history – and Jeremy share insights into the art of ambushes and raids, translating these military principles into creative marketing campaigns that surprise and engage audiences in unexpected ways. They revisit the revolutionary ideas of J. Conrad Levinson, the visionary of guerrilla marketing in the 1980s, whose concepts revolut...

Digital nomads: A lifestyle revolution or a passing trend? Can remote work truly free us from the traditional office, blending adventure with productivity? Or is it an overhyped fad destined to fade away? Join us as we explore the intriguing world of digital nomads – exploring the rise of this global phenomenon and the unexpected challenges it brings. Through engaging anecdotes and a fictional exchange between a CEO and a director debating the push for more in-office days, we reveal the reali...

How do you measure a company's performance effectively? Join us for a lively exploration of performance measurement in organisations, complete with a humorous sketch that pokes fun at the murky world of target setting. We unravel the history of performance measurement, tracing its roots from the chaos of the Industrial Revolution to the precision of today's AI-driven insights. Discover how methodologies have evolved over centuries and how companies today strive to balance efficiency wi...

In the fourth and final episode of The Reality of Business mini-series, inspired by their upcoming book Whose Side Are You On? Disloyal Bonding and Strategic Lies, Bob Morrell and Jeremy Blake uncover the essential steps to building a loyal, trustworthy workforce that will transform your business. Throughout this episode, Bob and Jeremy reflect on crucial lessons covered in the series – spotting disloyal bonding, eradicating strategic lies, and building a culture of integrity. They offer act...

What happens when businesses prioritise short-term gains over long-term integrity? In the second episode of a special mini-series inspired by their upcoming book, Whose Side Are You On? Disloyal Bonding and Strategic Lies, Bob and Jeremy explore the hidden dangers of strategic lies in the corporate world. When businesses prioritise short-term gains – whether to boost senior executives’ desire for bonuses or prepare for a sale – they often sacrifice long-term customer trust and company repu...

This introduction is written by an AI bot provided by the podcast broadcaster. The description is edited slightly but it saves an hour of work every time a new episode is published. Bob Morrell and Jeremy Blake unravel the intriguing evolution of artificial intelligence, from its mythological origins to today’s cutting-edge innovations. You'll learn how ancient legends, like medieval golems and modern cinematic portrayals like Ex Machina, have shaped humanity's understanding of AI. With...