Welcome to Aston means business podcasts where our top academics provide essential advice to business owners and managers, entrepreneurs and students. In March 2020 we turned this podcast’s attention to small and medium sized businesses in our community (known as SMEs), and how they are responding to the challenges brought on by COVID-19. Our guests are interviewed by Steve Dyson, a business journalist and former daily newspaper editor who has presented dozens of regional programmes for BBC’s HARDtalk series.
Aston means business has been ranked in the top 3 business school podcasts by Feedspot. The best UK Business School podcast list curated from thousands of podcasts on the web and ranked by traffic, social media followers, domain authority and freshness.
Aston means business podcasts can be found on Spotify, Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts.
Season 7 - Episode 1 - Jack Miller: From playground entrepreneur to top Aston Martin career
A graduate of Aston University’s Executive MBA has explained how the programme helped his journey from selling Pokemon trading cards at primary school to a rising career with a luxury car-maker. Jack Miller, a manager at Warwickshire-based Aston Martin, who also combined an apprenticeship degree as part of his MBA, has already enjoyed one promotion while still on the programme, with another rise up the corporate ladder in the pipeline. Release date: February 2024 |
Season 6 - Episode 8 - New MSc Strategic Digital Marketing aims to produce future leaders in digital marketing
Francis Mulleady, a Senior Teaching Fellow in Digital Marketing at Aston University, explains how companies need to embrace social media like LinkedIn and TikTok to drive their businesses forward. The programme director of the university’s MSc Strategic Digital Marketing also explains how his course will produce future leaders in digital marketing. Release date: October 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 7 - The future is green - even for funerals
Frances Glover is co-owner of A Natural Undertaking, a Birmingham firm of funeral directors that recently benefitted from Aston University's 12-week Green Advantage course. Frances explains how electric hearses, cardboard coffins and a new process of 'cremation by water' are all part of a growing move towards environmentally friendly funerals. She says the Aston University course is ‘invaluable’ to help companies take the next green step. Release date: September 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 6 - The success stories behind Aston University’s MSc in Entrepreneurship
Jocelyne Fleming, the course director of Aston Business School's MSc in Entrepreneurship, recalls how one student created recyclable bamboo toothbrushes for hotels in a business created as part of his degree. She also explains how Aston University recently won Entrepreneurial University of the Year for its commitment to entrepreneurial activity, and advised that would-be students needed passion and an eye for business gaps. Release date: August 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 5 - MBA students at Aston Business School focused on their personal and professional development
Yasmin Ansari, Aston Business School's MBA careers consultant, explains how students benefit from a module called Aston Edge, focusing on career skills and behaviour science. She said MBA students are fully engaged, with “super ambitious and super driven” career aspirations, and that their courses focus on real-life applications and case-based learning. Release date: July 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 4 - How Aston Global Advantage creates competitive edge in job market
Dr Jude Preston, a lecturer in the Work and Organisation Department at Aston Business School, explains how the Aston Global Advantage module gives its Masters students a unique head start in landing their dream jobs. Release date: June 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 3 - Researchers at Aston University aiming to develop healthier workplaces
Dr Simon McCabe, a senior lecturer in behavioural science at Aston Business School, discusses how the Healthy Work Research Unit is developing insights and recommendations to industry and the public sector on how to create healthier workplaces. Release date: April 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 2 - Knowledge Transfer Partnership results in boost in productivity for Metal Assemblies
An automotive firm has experienced a boost in productivity without having to increase staff or buy new machines, thanks to a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Aston Business School. Iain Collis, managing director at Metal Assemblies, and Professor Ben Clegg, of Aston Business School, explain how the project has succeeded. Release date: March 2023 |
Season 6 - Episode 1 - How executive leadership apprenticeships can drive businesses' talent development
Tomorrow’s boardroom superstars are emerging from executive leadership apprenticeships at Aston Business School. Discover more about the Masters-level programme from Terry Hodgetts, director of Corporate Client Solutions, and Dr Lloyd Parsons, director of the MBA and Chartered Management Institute programmes. Release date: February 2023 |
Season 5 – Episode 8 - Sports marketing: the World Cup, plus other challenges and solutions
Sports marketing expert Michael Inpong, a new teaching fellow at Aston Business School, argues that while many huge sports events like the World Cup are sponsored, this form of marketing is ‘very weak’. He says future marketeers need to unleash the power of sport for their businesses – using storytelling to impact on society. Release date: December 2022 |
Season 5 – Episode 7 - Pensions: improving financial planning for later life
Dr Hayley James, a senior research fellow in the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing at Aston Business School and an expert in pensions, discusses her ‘mission’ to improve financial planning for later life. Release date: November 2022 |
Season 5 – Episode 6 - Understanding the UK's financial downturn and the world's economic crisis
Dr Dean Garratt, a senior teaching fellow and expert in economics at Aston University, says a recession is “pretty imminent” for the UK resulting in a “painful” year ahead. But he is optimistic that both inflation and interest rates will fall in the second half of next year. Release date: October 2022 |
Season 5 – Episode 5 - Strikes: is Britain facing a winter of discontent?
Prof Kathy Daniels, an expert in employment law and employee relations at Aston University, discusses the recent increase in strike action and considers whether Britain is facing a 1970s-style 'winter of discontent' Release date: September 2022 |
Season 5 – Episode 4 - The nine behavioural habits needed to become a trusted executive
Successful business leaders need to rely on the power of trust, rather than just trusting in power. Dr John Blakey, who researched the subject for his doctorate at Aston Business School, explains the nine behavioural habits needed to become a trusted executive in the latest episode of 'Aston means business'. Release date: July 2022 |
Season 5 – Episode 3 - How small businesses are helping to solve the energy crisis
Simple energy savings by SMEs could close half the UK's power stations, according to Dr Mark Smith, business engagement manager on the Low Carbon SMEs project at Aston University. The latest episode of the 'Aston means business' podcast also interviewed Cassie Kirk-Gould, the owner of Sweetmeats Inc, about how her expanding fudge-making firm is completely plastic-free. Release date: June 2022 |
Season 5 – Episode 2 - Taking staff wellbeing seriously can help drive business success
Taking staff wellbeing seriously can help drive business success. That's the message in the latest 'Aston means business' podcast from Marc Hornby, who co-founded hospitality group Caviar & Chips after taking an MBA at Aston Business School. The business, which survived Covid-19 and has since grown to employ 100 staff, has just won a national wellbeing award. Release date: May 2022 |
Season 5 - Episode 1 - How rejection should be treated as a stepping stone to success
Rejection should be treated as a stepping stone to success, according to Dr Rushana Khusainova, a lecturer in marketing and sales at Aston Business School. She explains how entrepreneurs and business people should develop positive ‘self-talk’ as a vital mindset for dealing with rejection. Release date: April 2022 |
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Distributed leadership and the trusted second in command
Mafia film and TV dramas can reveal the value of a trusted ‘second in command’ in business and organisations. That's one of the themes in a podcast from Dr Lloyd Parsons, interim director of MBA programmes at Aston Business School, who explains the power of 'shared and distributed leadership’ and underlines the importance of 'trust and delegation'. Release date: March 2022 |
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Women in Business
Women in business should consider themselves a strength, not a weakness. That's the message from Professor Helen Higson of Aston Business School, and Daniella Genas, an MBA graduate and successful entrepreneur, in a podcast episode created to celebrate International Women's Day. Release date: March 2022 |
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Humble Leadership
Dr Xiaoshuang Lin, an expert in leadership at Aston Business School, explains how Gareth Southgate is a perfect example of 'humble leadership'. She says the England football manager’s humility, empathy and willingness to admit mistakes is what many businesses need, along with 'servant leaders', such as Mother Theresa. However, she warned that businesses will sometimes need tougher leaders as well. Release date: February 2022 |
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Inspirational Team Coaching
Dr Uwe Napiersky and Dr Elinor Vettraino explain how ‘team leaders are the future’ as they plan the launch of a new course at Aston Business School. Inspirational Team Coaching will be run as a Postgraduate Certificate at the Centre for Innovation in Enterprise Education from this autumn. Release date: February 2022 |
Season 4 - Episode 4 - Low Carbon SMEs
Prasanta Dey, professor of operations and information management at Aston Business School, explains how his Low Carbon SMEs project is set to save 6,000 tonnes of CO2 – more than five times its initial target. Lee Cole, managing director of Paint 360, just one of the 165 companies involved, and Jamal Lea, project manager of Low Carbon SMEs, discuss details of the achievements to date. Release date: September 2021
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Season 4 - Episode 3 - The potential for 3D printing to disrupt traditional manufacturing
Dr Mark Prince, a senior lecturer in mechanical engineering at Aston University, explains how 3D printing provided a vital solution to a medical problem caused by COVID-19. Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Beltagui, a lecturer in operations and information management at Aston Business School, says ‘Imagination is the only limit’ for additive manufacturing’s future, which is already used to make hearing aids, dental crowns and hips. Release date: August 2021 |
Season 4 - Episode 2 - The challenges women face as ‘later life’ entrepreneurs
Dr Isabella Moore, the chair of Comtec Translations who became an entrepreneur again aged 60, discusses the greater disadvantages that women in 'later life' face when it comes to setting up their own business. Businesswoman Merle Palmer also explains how she overcame a lack of confidence to launch her own company after redundancy. Release date: May 2021 |
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Language capability and UK SME export success
Dr Geoff Parkes discusses new research by Aston Business School that proves how SMEs embracing language capabilities are 30% more successful at exporting. Rob Mannion, founder of e-commerce platform B2B.Store, says his business is now reaping benefits of languages investment, starting with its first overseas client in Mexico. Release date: May 2021 |
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Hogarths Hotels
Helena Hogarth, owner of Hogarths Hotels, plans to bounce back from a 90% downturn during COVID-19 by switching from large corporate events to smaller weddings, staycations and spa offerings. Dr Rob Thomas, a teaching fellow in Marketing and Strategy at Aston, has been helping the group to rebrand and identify new target markets. The pandemic has devastated many businesses, but Dr Thomas says: “It’s a wonderful chance to revitalise who you are.” Release date: April 2021 |
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Trafalgar Marquees
James Morris, managing director of Trafalgar Marquees, explains how he initially lost 90% of revenues in the lockdown but is now growing again after switching from corporate events to providing extra space for NHS COVID-19 testing centres and school classrooms. Mark Hart, professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston, praises the turnaround, and highlights the new government-backed Help to Grow: Management scheme. Release date: March 2021 |
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Nomad HR and Recruitment
Amy Foster, founder of Nomad HR and Recruitment in Atherstone, Warwickshire, has launched a social enterprise to help find jobs for the young unemployed. She's already got six back into work, including a homeless youth. Nathalie Ormrod, local director of the UN's Principles for Responsible Management Education at Aston Business School, praises Ms Foster's “inspirational journey” as “heart-warming” and “courageous”. Release date: March 2021 |
Season 3 - Episode 5 - NLT Electrical
Nathan Tromans, the founder of NLT Electrical, explains how a new marketing strategy has helped him revive his company's fortunes after its revenues were halved by COVID-19. Dr Rob Thomas, a teaching fellow in marketing and strategy at Aston Business School, praises Mr Tromans for his “exemplary” approach in developing a stronger market orientation, improving customer relationships and realigning NLT’s brand values. Release date: March 2021 |
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Fun Fest
Sarah Beattie, owner of a full-time nursery and the Fun Fest holiday club franchises, explains how government finance helped her businesses survive COVID-19 and is now funding her launch of a new nursery franchise. Martin Potts, a senior lecturer in the Accounting department at Aston Business School, praised Sarah's “financial literacy” and explained how a “working capital cycle” can be used to monitor finances. Release date: January 2021 |
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Centric HR
Sandra Berns, founder of Centric HR, explains how her revenues have tripled in the last year, partly as a result of an initial investment of free and low-cost advice to companies at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown. Mark Hart, Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, says this was a great example of how SMEs can invest to grow. Release date: December 2020 |
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Integritax
Adnan Khalid, founder of Integritax Accountants, explains how his revenues doubled by using the latest digital accounting tools to help SMEs survive COVID-19. Matt Davies, of the Accounting Department at Aston Business School, says undergraduates are now using the latest Xero software on compulsory undergraduate accounting modules. Release date: November 2020 |
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Smart Learner
Tommy Sandhu, founder and director of the Smart Learner driving school, explains how the business has continued to grow and now has a four-week waiting list, despite COVID-19. Dr Geoff Parkes of Aston Business School says it's crucial for SMEs to "be focused, listen to your customer, and look beyond the crisis". Release date: November 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Metal Assemblies
Iain Collis, managing director of Metal Assemblies, hopes a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) will drive better data management to increase the car parts firm's efficiencies and profits. Prof Ben Clegg, head of the Operations and Information Management Department, says Aston Business School will act as a change catalyst to help the company's productivity. Release date: October 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Composite Braiding
Steve Barbour, managing director of Composite Braiding, describes how angel investors helped his component company’s plans to double in size in the next couple of years, despite COVID-19. Angel investor Liz McKenzie said she funded the firm because Steve was “switched on, knew his numbers, was realistic, and had a determined glint in his eye”. Release date: August 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 8 - The Whisky Club
Amy Seton, owner of The Whisky Club in Birmingham, lost 95% of her revenues because of lockdown. She explains how a loan and small grant have helped her to invest in a new website and casks for online deliveries of bottle collections to customers across the UK. Prof Mark Hart of Aston Business School praises how Amy is keeping her brand alive and said: “Once you put your business on a website you are global." Release date: August 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Caviar and Chips
Marc Hornby and Jonathan Carter-Morris own specialist catering company Caviar and Chips and the 16th century Virgins and Castle pub in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. Marc was first interviewed in episode 13 during lockdown. Marc explains how the pub has reopened and how they are looking after their wedding customers. Professor Mark Hart of Aston Business School says hospitality businesses need clear guidance from the government. Release date: August 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Special Kids Company
Sasha Radwan, the founder of the Special Kids Company, tells how focused online marketing has helped her special needs clothes business to grow despite COVID-19. Prof Mark Hart, of Aston Business School, says Sasha's company was able to adapt because she already had the right systems and people in place. Release date: July 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 5 - RWAD Project
Refugee businessman Osama Al Assaf quickly ‘pivoted’ from sports retail to the crafts sector during lockdown to cope with import issues and meet new demand. He also became an NHS volunteer. Dr Muhammed Al Mahameed, an accounting lecturer at Aston, explains how refugee entrepreneurs often react more quickly than many businesses to the pandemic because they're so used to facing crises. Release date: June 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Rugged Nature
Joe Poxon, who graduates with a Product Design and Management degree this summer, tells how winning £50,000-worth of advertising helped his start-up male grooming business adapt to the lockdown. Professor Kate Sugden, Deputy Dean at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, explains how their students are taught a range of practical skills in entrepreneurship. Release date: June 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Karim Supermarkets
Anwar Karim, of Karim Supermarkets in Lozells, Birmingham, explains how Asian convenience stores continued to serve communities throughout COVID-19, despite losing staff, friends and family. Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, said Asian retailers played a vital social role and were among the 'heroes' of the pandemic. Release date: June 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Streetly Balti
Experienced curry house owner Shahab Uddin predicts up to 30% of Indian restaurants may struggle to reopen after COVID-19 because of social distancing rules. Professor Monder Ram, Director of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, agrees traditional cheap curry nights out will be over if venues cannot pack diners in. Prof Ram adds that the sector needs to invest and raise prices to realistic levels to survive. Release date: May 2020 |
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Micro-Fresh
Byron Dixon, founder and chief executive of Micro-Fresh Ltd talks about their ‘fogging’ machine that can coat surfaces in places like health centres, shops and restaurants with its anti-bacterial agents. Mark Hart, professor of entrepreneurship and small business advises Byron on how to expand to a national and global scale. Release date: May 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 15 - Little Soap Company
Emma Heathcote-James, founder of Little Soap Company which produces organic and ethical soap products explains how she is dealing with an upsurge in demand. We also talk to Mark Hart, professor of entrepreneurship and small business about some of the operational challenges that small businesses are facing during the lockdown. Release date: May 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 14 - Green Sisters
Geeta Salhan, co-founder of Green Sisters, which makes homemade Indian snacks for people with dietary restrictions, explains how they're now providing full seven-day meal parcels for customers in isolation. We also talk to Paula Whitehouse, the director of Aston Centre for Growth, about how micro start-ups need more assistance from government. Release date: May 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 13 - Caviar and Chips
Marc Hornby, co-founder of wedding caterer Caviar & Chips, explains how they're working hard with all customers, venues and suppliers because in return they'll look after the business in the long term. We also talk to Dr Julius Stephan, a marketing lecturer at Aston Business School, about how consumers' buying behaviour changes during crises. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Colour Cubed Creative Communications
Simon Greenfield, the managing director of Colour Cubed Creative Communications, tells how his £1 million turnover business has been severely hit by the COVID-19 lockdown, and how he's been let down by insurers. We also hear from Mark Hart, professor of small business and entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, who's been researching the pandemic's impact on businesses. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Rising Stars Property Solutions
In this latest episode looking at the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs Steve talks to La’Toyah Lewis founder of Rising Stars Property Solutions CIC a third sector property management company and Paula Whitehouse Director of the Aston Centre for Growth about balancing financial and social sustainability. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Shakespeare Distillery
In this latest episode looking at the impact of COVID-19 on SMEs Steve talks to Peter Monks co-founder of Shakespeare Distillery and Mark Hart Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business about how businesses are adapting in the short term and the long term. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Miss Macaroon
In this special episode Steve talks to Rosie Ginday of Miss Macaroon a social enterprise business about how she is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of her staff during this crisis and Dr Wladislaw Rivkin an expert in leadership, wellbeing and employee resilience. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 8 - Koolmill
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Synergy Organisational Solutions
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs. Release date: April 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 6 - Fun Fest Ltd
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs. Release date: March 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 5 - CircusMASH
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to shut down the economy, we’re working with Aston Centre for Growth to turn the podcast’s attention towards how SMEs are dealing with the crisis. This special series is called ‘Aston means business: SMEs dealing with COVID-19’. In each episode, we’ll be talking to current and previous business participants in Aston Centre for Growth’s programmes. We’ll be providing a voice for them to discuss their challenges, share their experiences and discuss how they are dealing with the pandemic. We’ll also be interviewing some of Aston Business School’s top academics who work at Aston Centre for Growth, getting their expert insight, analysis and advice for SMEs. Release date: March 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 4 - How the future of manufacturing relies on servitization
This week Steve sits down with Ali Bigdeli a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Service Innovation in The Advanced Services Group at Aston Business School. His interests lie in the operational and organisational change brought about when businesses intend to introduce technological innovations to the market. His research at the Centre focuses on how servitization helps a business to bring its products to market, expand the scale of its operations and increase financial sustainability and the business model innovation that is required to enable this. Release date: February 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 3 - How happy and healthy staff increase success
This week Steve sits down with Wladislaw Rivkin a lecturer in work & organisational psychology. Wladislaw's research focuses on the interplay of work-related stressors, employee resilience, and leadership in predicting health, well-being, and performance at work. He also has vast experience as a practitioner who delivered several individual employee and leadership development programmes focusing on improving psychological health and well-being. Release date: January 2020 |
Season 1 - Episode 2 - How to dismiss bad staff
Our second podcast features Associate Professor Kathy Daniels, a leading employment expert at Aston Business School who shares a set of top tips for bosses on how to dismiss bad staff. Kathy discusses the importance of investigations, evidence and following processes for anyone considering dismissing staff, even in cases of gross misconduct. Release date: November 2019 |
Season 1 - Episode 1 - What happens when the money runs out
In our first episode Steve sits down with Chris Umfreville an expert in the area of corporate insolvency. Chris is the contributing editor for Palmer's Company law and before joining Aston Chris practised as a solicitor with an international law firm, specialising in insolvency related advice to major UK and international clearing banks and multinational accountancy practices. Release date: October 2019 |
