In this episode, Lech Guzowski is joined by Misha Jonathan Cogan, Chief Commercial Officer at Simtex, to dive into the constant nature of change and how it affects all aspects of life, particularly business. Mish shares his journey of transitioning a company from B2C to B2B during the pandemic, discussing the challenges and strategies involved. He also shares his insights on navigating significant changes, handling unforeseen challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Israel conflict, and ...
Aug 26, 2024•55 min•Ep. 76
Lech Guzowski speaks with Shona Stewart, VP of People and Operations at Railz Financials, about building a people strategy that aligns with business objectives. They discuss the need for constant auditing and evolution of people programs, the misalignment between HR and business, and the importance of HR professionals having a strong understanding of the business. They also explore the role of HR in improving efficiency, the disconnect between HR and other departments, and the need for HR to be ...
Aug 12, 2024•43 min•Ep. 75
In this episode, Lech Guzowski interviews Ewa Żabińska-Soha, the DNV's global shared service, global center manager in HR, to understand how DNV manages to retain employees for long tenures. They discuss the importance of workplace communities, the benefits they bring, and how DNV supports and encourages these communities. They also explore other factors contributing to employee retention, such as growth opportunities, development plans, and the company's values and atmosphere. SELECTED LINKS FR...
Jul 15, 2024•35 min•Ep. 74
Lech Guzowski and Tom Fowler, seasoned professional in the health, wellness, fitness, and sports performance sectors, explore the miscommunications and misunderstandings that occur within the CEO, employees, and customers triangle. Tom also shares his experiences and insights into the pressures faced by CEOs, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the critical role of board members and advisors in ensuring organizational success. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Tom’s LinkedIn Cultur...
Jul 01, 2024•50 min•Ep. 73
In this episode of we got this podcast, we delve into the complexities and challenges faced by CEOs. Lech Guzowski interviews Marek Kesküll, CEO and founder of ScoreStars, a sports fan engagement platform. Discussing the intricacies and challenges that CEOs face, from directing strategy and vision to handling finances and driving product innovation, the discussion provides insights into the often misunderstood and lonely journey of a CEO. The conversation delves into the importance of user feedb...
Jun 06, 2024•53 min•Ep. 72
In this episode of the we got this podcast, Lech Guzowski delves into the multifaceted objectives of businesses, exploring the balance between profit and people. The conversation features Nikos Psaltopoulos, a leader, founder, and advisor specialised in building resilient tech companies. They discuss the challenges of maintaining a thriving business while ensuring adaptability and employee satisfaction. The discussion further covers the evolution of education systems and their impact on preparin...
Jun 03, 2024•59 min•Ep. 71
In this episode, Stefan Weiss, CEO and co-founder of STRAFFR, discusses the challenges and learnings of building a startup in the fitness technology industry. He emphasises the importance of customer success and gaining and retaining customers. Stefan also highlights the misconception that startups can easily raise investment and run smoothly, when in reality, there are many challenges and failures along the way. He shares the importance of celebrating wins, no matter how small, and having a cle...
May 27, 2024•45 min•Ep. 70
Lech Guzowski and Mick Griffin, Chief Growth Officer at TRAFFIT, explore the importance of career development and growth in the workplace. Mick shares his experience implementing development pathways for employees which aim to provide employees with a clear roadmap for growth and align their goals with the company's objectives. The conversation covers challenges and lessons from developing a structured growth program within a company, highlighting the potential impact of such initiatives on empl...
May 13, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 69
In this episode, Aldo Comi, the co-founder and CEO of Soccerment, shares his journey of building a startup in the sports analytics industry. He discusses the importance of solid foundations, including a clear vision and values, in creating a successful organisation. Aldo also highlights the challenges of navigating uncharted waters and the need for perseverance and resilience. He emphasises the importance of finding the right people with the right attitude and the challenges of introducing new t...
Apr 29, 2024•43 min•Ep. 68
Lech Guzowski interviews Robin Kent, who shares his extensive experience in the advertising world, including his tenure as the global chairman and CEO of Universal McCann, and his current role at RSportz, a sports tech and consultancy firm. Robin also discusses the operations and global reach of RSportZ, touching upon the importance of technology in amateur sports and the company's approach to managing a dispersed team, emphasising trust, responsibility, and the adaptive use of communication too...
Apr 15, 2024•47 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, Lech Guzowski speaks to Rana Ersgård, co-CEO of Beetroot, who sheds light on navigating company cost cutting while fostering growth. She emphasises the importance of balancing short-term and long-term planning. The conversation explores the challenges and approaches to adapting to change and implementing new practices. Rana also stresses the importance of avoiding being 'dum snål' (stupid cheap) and grounding strategies in reality is emphasised. Takeaways Balancing short-term an...
Apr 02, 2024•43 min•Ep. 38
In this episode, host Lech Guzowski sits down with Jakob Knutzen, the CEO of Butter, a groundbreaking collaboration platform designed to make remote work not just efficient, but also delightful. Dive deep into the world of business innovation, team dynamics, and the evolving landscape of workplace culture through the lens of a seasoned entrepreneur. Whether you're navigating the challenges of building a business or curious about the future of work, this conversation offers valuable insights and ...
Mar 18, 2024•47 min•Ep. 65
Lech Guzowski interviews Cobi Blumenfeld-Gantz, CEO of Chapter, about the unique and exceptional culture at Chapter, a company that is the industry leading Medicare navigation platform. Cobi shares his unique perspective on leadership, the challenges of scaling a business while maintaining a high-quality user experience. This episode is about the principles and practices that make Chapter a remarkable example of corporate culture done right. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Cobi’s LinkedIn Chapte...
Mar 04, 2024•46 min•Ep. 64
In this episode, Lech Guzowski and guest Mateusz Stasica discuss the evolving role of HR in modern businesses. They challenge the perception of HR as a purely people-focused field, highlighting the growing need for HR leaders who are also business-savvy. The conversation covers the importance of integrating HR into strategic planning and how this integration can drive business success by leveraging talent effectively. Mateusz, a founder himself, provides insights on how HR can be more aligned wi...
Feb 19, 2024•50 min•Ep. 63
In this episode, Lech Guzowski and Jarosław Świątek discuss ideas around creating a healthy work environment, managing stress, understanding the effects of modern overstimulation on mental health, and ensuring emotional resilience in staff. Jarosław, who is a neuropsychologist and the founder of the School of Emotional Intelligence, provides insightful observations on how both employees and employers can contribute to a healthier, more effective workplace. They also discuss common errors employe...
Feb 19, 2024•48 min•Ep. 62
In this episode, Lech Guzowski talks to Alexis McEvoy, the Chief People Officer at Chapter, a company focused on transforming the retirement experience through technology. Alexis discusses the importance of creating a solid company culture, as well as some practical steps for going about it. She reflects on the need to determine organisational priorities and values, and how they intersect with culture. While emphasising that culture is not solely about perks such as flexible work hours or free c...
Feb 19, 2024•51 min•Ep. 61
Ever wondered if your job is defining who you are? Lech Guzowski talks to Natalia Morgan, Head of Online Marketing at Advance Metrics about the complex relationship between our work and personal identities, exploring how our jobs shape our sense of self and the challenges this can pose. They discuss the emotional impact of job loss, cultural challenges in Zurich, and strategies for enriching life beyond the office. Key Talking Points: Job Loss and Identity: Impact on self-perception and emotiona...
Jan 08, 2024•47 min•Ep. 60
In this episode of We Got This, Lech Guzowski interviews Stephen ‘Shed’ Shedletzky, an expert on leadership, communication, and business strategy. They discuss Shed’s recently published book "Speak Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen," where he explores the concept of 'speak up culture' in a corporate setting. Shed discusses the role of effective communication, psychological safety, and leaders truly listening to their teams in creating successful businesses. Key Takeaways: a genuine 'Speak Up...
Dec 11, 2023•46 min•Ep. 59
In this episode of we got this, host Lech Guzowski is joined by Claudio Vandi, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at NUMA, to unravel the essence and impact of B Corp certification on businesses and workplace culture. As NUMA has recently achieved this coveted status, Claudio shares the meticulous process, the changes it has spurred within their company, and how it’s more than just a badge—it's a commitment to a stakeholder-driven business model. Tune in for an in-depth exploration of the B Co...
Nov 27, 2023•46 min•Ep. 58
In this podcast episode, Lech Guzowski interviews Ashley Chain Director of People & Operations at Process Street. They discuss the topic of automation and assess the benefits and pitfalls of the push to automation. Key Takeaways: It’s important to assess what tasks see the most benefit from automation. Repetitive unskilled tasks are the obvious ones, but also tasks that you don’t do very often that you may forget how to do. Some tasks should probably never be automated. Faking interactions w...
Nov 13, 2023•43 min•Ep. 57
In this podcast episode, Lech Guzowski interviews Franziska Hatami Anderson, Head of People and Culture at BayWa r.e. Nordic AB. They discuss the topic of micromanagement and how it can hinder growth and trust within teams. Key Takeaways: Micromanagement can hinder growth and trust within teams, and addressing it requires a shift in mindset and leadership support. Providing a clear framework and trusting employees to make decisions fosters a more empowered and collaborative work environment. Emp...
Oct 30, 2023•41 min•Ep. 56
Luisa Liesenberg, director of talent and organisation at MVP Factory, returns to discuss neurodiversity and its impact on the working world. The conversation covers a range of topics, including Luisa's personal journey with ADHD, the importance of understanding neurodiverse needs in the workplace, and the role of diagnosis in managing and accommodating neurodivergent individuals. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Episode show notes Luisa’s LinkedIn MVP Factory website Culture micro-practices Have ...
Oct 02, 2023•41 min•Ep. 55
In this episode, Lech Guzowski talks to Sam Valentine, the Employee Experience, Listening and Culture Lead at Miro, about effective organisational listening. They discuss the difference between surveys and listening, and the importance of understanding the drivers of performance. Sam shares his working definition of listening as collecting strategic data from people to help drive performance. They also talk about the challenges involved in implementing effective organisational listening and the ...
Sep 18, 2023•50 min•Ep. 54
In this episode, Lech Guzowski speaks with Emmet Gibney, Head of Product at Rewardful, about the challenges and benefits of moving from asynchronous to synchronous work. They discuss the importance of finding the right balance between the two and the difficulties that can arise when making a change in the way a team works. Emmet shares his experiences with implementing synchronous work at Rewardful, including the benefits it has brought to the team and the challenges they have faced along the wa...
Jun 05, 2023•45 min•Ep. 53
What is the cost of toxic environments? Employee turnover = loss of productivity, decreased morale, and high replacement costs. Losing employees also takes a toll on the remaining team membersToxic environments drive employees away. The list goes on. The good news is, you have the power to lead the charge in creating a positive work environment. By taking action and advocating for change, you can make a real difference in the lives of your employees and your organisation. In this podcast episode...
May 22, 2023•48 min•Ep. 52
For many organisations growth = more people. Or if there are any issues or inefficiencies, throwing money at the problem seems to be the most common instinctive response. Recent layoffs in the tech sector are a very good example. For years tech companies have been ridding the wave - scaling, blitzscaling, using questionable business models and strategies like there was no tomorrow. In this podcast episode, Luisa Liesenberg, Director Talent & Organization at MVP Factory, and Lech Guzowski dis...
May 08, 2023•53 min•Ep. 51
In this episode Lech Guzowski speaks with Vanesa Cotlar, VP of People and Culture at Policy Me, about when is the right time to bring on a HR person or culture hire in a growing organisation. Vanesa shares her unique perspective on how to build a flexible and transparent workplace. She discusses the importance of bringing in a strategic people hire early on to set the right culture and strategy for the organisation's growth. The conversation also touches on how organisations can build a culture ...
Apr 24, 2023•50 min•Ep. 50
In this episode, I’m joined by Jindy Mann, a leadership coach and organisational consultant, to discuss the importance of creating safe spaces for men to talk about their emotions and experiences in the workplace. Jindy shares the results of the 'Men At Work' survey he recently conducted and discusses how the data can inform potential strategies and initiatives that can help men show up more fully and authentically in their roles. Key Takeaways: Men in the workplace commonly experience frustrati...
Apr 11, 2023•45 min•Ep. 49
I often feel like employer branding is nothing more than PR exercises aimed at painting a rosy picture of how great it is to work for them or how great their culture is, when the reality is much, much different. Am I too cynical? Maybe. That's why I've invited James Barraclough, Employer Branding Team Lead at SEB, so that I can understand this topic better and to discuss how strategic and data-driven employer branding can bring an Employee Value Proposition to life in an authentic way. Talking P...
Mar 13, 2023•49 min•Ep. 48
Struggling to find the balance between work and life? Don’t bother! With the rise of remote work, the lines between personal and professional life have become blurred. Join Wim Focquet and Lech Guzowski, as they challenge the notion of finding balance and introduce the ideas of work-life enrichment or energy balancing. Discover why this is important and why it often seems like an elusive goal. Takeaways: Work and life don’t have to be opposing forces Consider how to find meaning and purpose in w...
Feb 27, 2023•47 min•Ep. 47
