Act Like an Owner — How Culture Really Gets Built
The Executive Edge
Episode 227 Released February 19, 2026 With Greg Hawks, Corporate Culture Specialist What if the problem with employee engagement isn't the disengaged — it's the people you've been tolerating? That's the starting point for this week's conversation with Greg Hawks, corporate culture specialist, keynote speaker, and author of Act Like an Owner: Five Unlocks for Creating Culture People Love and Results People Need. Greg has spent 15 years helping organisations build environments where people genuinely buy in — and his framework is built around three types of employee. Owners, Renters,...
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Developing a Future-Ready Mindset with Allister Frost
The Executive Edge
Episode 226 Released February 5, 2026 In this episode, Sue Firth talks with about why cultivating a future-ready mindset is essential for leaders navigating constant change—and how to do it without feeling overwhelmed. About Allister Frost Allister spent ten years in traditional manufacturing before joining Microsoft, where Bill Gates' philosophy—"If it works, it's obsolete"—transformed his thinking about innovation. For the past 15 years, he has worked as a consultant, speaker and coach, helping individuals and organisations thrive amid relentless transformation. His mission: to...
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The Leadership We Need - with Maria Brinck
The Executive Edge
Episode 225 Released January 22, 2026 Episode Overview In this episode, I'm joined by , leadership consultant, public speaker, and author of The Leadership We Need. Maria shares her remarkable journey from corporate America to the rainforests of Cameroon, and explains why the leadership models we've relied upon for generations are no longer fit for purpose. This is an essential conversation for any leader ready to challenge conventional thinking and create meaningful, lasting change. About Maria Brinck Maria Brinck is the founder of Zynergy International and a certified StrengthsFinder...
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Selling Your Business: What Nobody Tells You About Letting Go
The Executive Edge
Episode 224 Released January 8, 2026 This week I’m joined by , a fellow Vistage member who’s been on quite a journey – from building a manufacturing business with his brother over nearly two decades, through its sale, to running a funeral director businesses in Kent. through acquisitions, post-acquisition challenges, and the transition out of businesses. What struck me most was James’s honesty about the emotional reality of selling a business. We hear the success stories – the champagne corks, the celebration – but rarely what comes next. James opens up about what he...
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Building Culture Through Strategic Internal Communication
The Executive Edge
Episode 223 Released December 11, 2025 Guest: Alejandra Ramirez, Founder of Ready Cultures Episode Overview In this episode, Sue is joined by Alejandra Ramirez, an internal communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience helping service-driven businesses shape their culture from the inside out. Together, they explore why so many organisations struggle to turn their values into lived reality—and what leaders can do about it. The Culture Gap We've all seen it: values proudly displayed on office walls that bear little resemblance to how things actually work day-to-day....
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Leading with Emotional Intelligence
The Executive Edge
Episode 222 Released November 27, 2025 Audio Quality Note Please note: Due to technical difficulties with the host's microphone during recording, Sue's audio quality is below our usual standard. We've chosen to release this episode despite these challenges because the conversation offers valuable insights that we believe are too important to delay. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Episode Overview In this conversation, Swedish-born CEO and leadership coach Andreas Pettersson shares his transformative approach to leadership that prioritizes emotional intelligence,...
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Turning Adversity Into Leadership – with Ted Santos
The Executive Edge
Episode 221 Released November 13, 2025 Guest: Ted Santos, Business Strategist and Founder of Turnaround Investment Partners ----- In this episode, I sat down with Ted Santos, a business strategist who has pioneered a disruptive leadership model that challenges how executives think about change, adversity, and organisational transformation. Ted’s approach isn’t just theoretical – it’s forged from personal experience that would break most people. The Power of Early Adversity Ted’s story begins with tragedy. At just 21, he lost his mother and found himself responsible for his younger...
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Building Your Resilience Plan – with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier
The Executive Edge
Episode 220 Released 2025-10-30 Building Your Resilience Plan with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier Guest: Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, Workplace Mental Health Expert, Psychologist, and Speaker If you're a busy, I suspect you've already spotted yourself in this scenario: demands are increasing, deadlines are looming, and your natural response is to lean in harder, work longer hours, and push through with the same tools that have got you here. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier to unpack why this instinct—whilst understandable—is precisely what leads...
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Mastering Salary Negotiation with John Gates
The Executive Edge
Episode 219 Released 2025-10-16 Guest: John Gates, Founder of Salary Coach Episode Summary I sit down with veteran recruiter , who shares over 30 years of insider knowledge on salary negotiation. With 75,000+ job offers under his belt, John reveals why 80% of people don't negotiate at all—and how much money they're leaving on the table. This episode is packed with practical techniques you can use immediately to maximize your compensation. Key Takeaways Why People Don't Negotiate Fear of losing the opportunity trumps everything else Most people lowball themselves at the first pay...
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Grasping Confidence with Tara Lafon Gooch
The Executive Edge
Episode 218 Released 2025-10-02 Episode Overview In this episode of The Executive Edge, host Sue Firth sits down with confidence coach and entrepreneur to discuss building authentic confidence, personal branding, and the transformative power of gratitude. Tara shares her journey from corporate burnout to becoming a TEDx speaker, author, and CEO, offering practical strategies for anyone looking to step into their power and purpose. Key Topics Discussed From Corporate Success to Personal Fulfillment Tara's 2022 turning point as a corporate sales director The difference between external success...
info_outlineEpisode 212
Released June 12, 2025
Guest Bio
Lauren Taubes brings over 20 years of experience in fashion technology, with a unique background spanning trend forecasting, retail training platforms, ERP systems, and data analytics. She holds a degree in apparel merchandising with a minor in business and currently serves as Director of Business Development at Seventh Online, where she helps fashion companies optimize their merchandise planning through advanced technology solutions.
Key Topics Discussed
Fashion Technology Evolution
- Journey from trend forecasting at WGSN to SaaS platforms
- Experience at Multimedia Plus (retail associate training technology)
- Transition through ERP companies and data analytics
- Current role at Seventh Online focusing on merchandise planning
The Power of Data-Driven Planning
- How technology helps fashion companies avoid overstock and stockouts
- The psychological aspects of consumer buying behavior
- Supply chain optimization and inventory management
- Real-world impact on customer satisfaction and full-price sales
The Amazon Effect
- Consumer expectations for instant gratification
- How modern shoppers demand next-day delivery
- Challenges for retailers in meeting these expectations
- Balancing customer satisfaction with operational efficiency
Career Development Insights
- The importance of passion-driven work
- Benefits of working within established structures vs. entrepreneurship
- Building expertise through diverse roles in the same industry
- The value of relationship-building in B2B sales
Working Mom Realities
- Balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities
- The guilt factor and learning to manage it
- Importance of supportive workplace culture and flexible employers
- Practical strategies: Google Calendar as "brain," detailed documentation for travel
Success Mindset
- Influence of family work ethic and parental modeling
- The drive to make customers' work lives "better, faster, and easier"
- Building long-term relationships even when deals don't close
- Continuous learning and adaptation in technology sales
Notable Quotes
"I want people's lives to be better, faster, and easier. I want to sell them something that makes their jobs day-to-day within the fashion industry more effective, more efficient."
"Google Calendar is my best friend. It's my brain. Who has what sport? Who has what activity?"
"You have to decide, are you a career woman who happens to have children? Or are you a mom who happens to work? Which one are you?"
Company Spotlight: 7th Online
What they do: Merchandise planning technology that helps fashion companies optimize seasonal inventory and product availability
Problem they solve: Eliminating the guesswork in inventory planning to ensure customers can always find products at full price
Website: 7thonline.com
Target market: Fashion, apparel, footwear, and accessories companies globally
Key Takeaways
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Technology Integration: Small to medium fashion companies can significantly benefit from moving beyond Excel-based planning to sophisticated SaaS solutions
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Work-Life Integration: Success comes from finding supportive environments that understand the realities of being a working parent
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Relationship-First Sales: Building genuine connections and providing value leads to long-term success, even when immediate deals don't close
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Industry Expertise: Deep knowledge of your sector combined with genuine passion creates authentic sales conversations
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Supply Chain Reality: Modern consumer expectations require sophisticated planning and forecasting to maintain satisfaction
Connect with Lauren
- LinkedIn: Lauren Taubes
- Company Website: 7thonline.com
- Open to: Industry discussions, career conversations, and connecting with fellow working parents
About The Executive Edge
The Executive Edge provides practical skills for life and business success. Hosted by Sue Firth, each episode features insights from successful professionals sharing real-world strategies for achieving and maintaining success.
Topics: #FashionTech #WorkingMoms #SaaS #BusinessDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #WorkLifeBalance