How to build an effective board
Welcome to the latest edition of Business Leader Masterclass.?
In this issue:?
?? How to build an effective board?
?? Will Shu on building Deliveroo and founder mode v manager mode?
?? Ordnance Survey CEO: Ask three questions before proposing a new business idea?
?? How microeconomists are helping tech giants boost profits?
?? Don’t be afraid to rethink, reimagine and start afresh
How to build an effective board
Bringing independent directors onto your board can be a game-changer for scaling businesses, offering fresh perspectives, governance expertise, and strategic guidance. But knowing when to take this step – and how to get it right – is crucial. From assembling a lean, effective team to avoiding common pitfalls, here’s how to set your business up for sustainable growth with the right board structure.?
Podcasts: William S. on founder mode v manager mode and 2025 predictions with the Business Leader team
Is being in the details, micro-managing and following your instincts the key to building a business? Has an obsession with professional managers blinded us to what really matters in founding and scaling a business? We get the thoughts of Deliveroo founder Will Shu on this and much more. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.?
Also, a special podcast episode as the Business Leader team gets together to share what they have been hearing from business leaders, what they are looking forward to in 2025 and what they want businesses to stop doing in the year ahead. Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.?
Ordnance Survey CEO: Ask three questions before proposing a new business idea
In this week's My Business Leader Secret we talk to Nick Bolton , who became CEO of Ordnance Survey ey in 2023. The organisation was founded in 1791 and specialises in making detailed maps of Great Britain. It is owned by the government but operates like a business.??
Bolton joined Ordnance Survey after a career in the private sector. In his previous role as CEO of Oxford Metrics, he led the company that developed the avatar technology used in the Abba Voyage show.?
There are three key questions you have to ask when proposing a new business idea, says Bolton. These boil down to “insight, customer appeal and unit economics”.?
First, what is the new insight you are offering? “What is it that you see that others don’t see, which when they do see it, they won’t be able to unsee it?”?
Then you need to figure out how it will appeal to the customer group that you have identified. “If you haven’t got clarity on that,” says Bolton, “you shouldn’t start spending money on anything because you don’t know where that pound is best applied.”?
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Finally, look at the unit economics and calculate if there are enough customers to “address in a readily repeatable way”, make a profit and grow.?
Don’t be afraid to rethink, reimagine and start afresh
Perseverance is a hallmark of entrepreneurial success, but clinging to an unworkable idea can lead to failure. Business Leader Expert Caspar Lee shares how embracing the power of the pivot – whether in YouTube, business or life – can unlock new opportunities and drive lasting growth.?
Join us at the Business Leader Summit
It’s time to scale up! ??
The Business Leader Summit promises to deliver the insights, inspiration and practical advice on key topics that will spearhead your business growth.
The agenda boasts expert speaker panels and dedicated breakout rooms which will give you the opportunity to hear from like-minded founders and CEOs who’ve grown their businesses and are best placed to give you the insider advice to do the same.?
Are you ready for growth?
How microeconomists are helping tech giants boost profits?
Economists may have a reputation for being out of touch, but their skills are driving innovation in tech and beyond. From Spotify reshaping music tours to Uber mastering customer loyalty, our Business Leader Expert Szu Ping Chan explains how microeconomists are solving real-world problems and proving that the dismal science has a bright future.?
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