Nevermind the Buzzwords

Welcome to Never Mind the Buzzwords—the podcast that ditches jargon and delivers real talk on business transformation. Hosted by Helen McMillan and Will Pearce, this series is your no-nonsense guide to unlocking true business value through digital and technological innovation. In a world drowning in hype, how do you separate game-changing innovation from empty noise? Never Mind the Buzzwords cuts through the fluff, exploring the practical realities of digital transformation—helping businesses boost efficiency, agility, and growth. Helen and Will bring clarity to the chaos, sharing real-world insights that help you make smart, impactful decisions. Whether you're tackling operational challenges, enhancing customer experience, or evolving your business model, this podcast delivers actionable strategies that turn digital potential into measurable success. Expect expert interviews, case studies, and straight-talking discussions on what actually works in business transformation. Powered by Valorem First.

Scottish Construction Summit: Key Takeaways with Neil Brownlie and Ricky Milliken 10/01/2025

Beyond the Build: Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Affordable Housing with David Wylie 08/27/2025

Breaking Barriers: How to Inspire the Next Generation of Construction Leaders with Lynsey Brydson & Hannah Lloyd 07/22/2025

Breaking Barriers: How to Inspire the Next Generation of Construction Leaders with Lynsey Brydson & Hannah Lloyd Breaking Barriers: How to Inspire the Next Generation of Construction Leaders 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guests: Lynsey Brydson & Hannah Lloyd of BEST (Built Environment Smarter Transformation) Episode Summary: How can we attract the next generation into the construction industry, especially young people, women, and underrepresented groups? In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by Lynsey and Hannah from BEST, Scotland’s national innovation centre for the built environment. Together, they explore the exciting opportunities available in the industry and discuss how we can shift perceptions and attract more young people to careers in construction. From digitalization and sustainability to skills shortages and gender inclusivity, the conversation touches on the pressing issues shaping the future of the built environment in Scotland. 🔍 What’s Covered: 1️⃣ Current State of the Construction Industry – The need for innovation, digital skills, and a more inclusive workforce. 2️⃣ The Gender Gap – Why the construction industry remains male-dominated and how to close the gap for women. 3️⃣ The Role of Technology in Attracting Young Talent – How digital tools and smart construction are transforming the industry. 4️⃣ Youth Engagement – How can we shift the narrative to make construction an attractive first-choice career, not just a fallback option? 5️⃣ The Importance of Diverse Role Models – Showing young people what’s possible through visible leaders and mentors in the built environment. 6️⃣ Sustainability and Smart Construction – How the younger generation's focus on the environment and sustainability aligns with innovation in the sector. Key Takeaways: ✔️ The construction industry offers diverse roles beyond the traditional trades, including tech, design, sustainability, and management. ✔️ Attracting young talent requires changing perceptions, showcasing the full range of opportunities, and making the industry more inclusive. ✔️ The future of construction depends on innovation, digitalization, and collaboration between different sectors. ✔️ Role models are key - especially women in the industry - to inspire the next generation of leaders. ✔️ Schools and communities play a pivotal role in exposing young people to careers in construction and the built environment. Listen to the full episode for insights and practical strategies on bridging the gap and inspiring the next generation of construction leaders! Join the conversation! ✅ What changes do you think the construction industry needs to make to attract young talent? Share your thoughts with us on LinkedIn! /episode/index/show/5d93729c-5090-45f6-b9db-7a1fd6029eb7/id/37502940

Watch Me Go: Building a Tech Business on Her Own Terms with Yvonne Lindsay 06/17/2025

Watch Me Go: Building a Tech Business on Her Own Terms with Yvonne Lindsay Watch Me Go: Building a Tech Business on Her Own Terms with Yvonne Lindsay 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: Yvonne Lindsay – Founder & Managing Director, Telecom Networks Episode Summary: What happens when a woman enters a room full of men and builds her own empire anyway? In this powerful episode, Helen and Will are joined by Yvonne Lindsay, an entrepreneur who left the corporate world to launch her own telecoms business and hasn’t looked back. From facing outdated stereotypes to raising her kids while leading multimillion-pound deals, Yvonne shares what it really means to lead with purpose, grit, and unapologetic authenticity. This isn’t just a conversation about business. It’s about breaking barriers, building confidence, and reshaping what leadership can look like in tech and beyond. 🔍 What’s Covered: 1️⃣ From BT to Boardroom – Why Yvonne stepped away from corporate to go it alone 2️⃣ Pink Drills & Power Moves – Flipping perceptions in a male-dominated industry 3️⃣ Business Divorce – The hard lessons that shaped a stronger leadership mindset 4️⃣ Leadership & Motherhood – Raising a baby while running a business 5️⃣ Female Representation – Why we need more women at the top (and how to make it happen) 6️⃣ Confidence, Culture & the Next Generation – Teaching our daughters they belong in the room Key Takeaways: ✔️ You don’t need permission to lead - just courage and conviction ✔️ Culture change starts with conversation—and sometimes a pink toolbox ✔️ Balancing business and motherhood is hard, but it’s possible ✔️ Women in tech don’t just belong - they’re essential to its future ✔️ If you can’t find a seat at the table, build your own 👇 Join the Conversation: ✅ Listen now to hear Yvonne’s journey of resilience, bold decisions, and real leadership ✅ What moment made you say “watch me go”? Share your story in the comments 🎧 Enjoyed the episode? 🔹 Like, follow, and subscribe for more real talk on leadership and transformation 🔹 Share this with a woman who inspires you 👑 Heads up: There’s no such thing as just a mum or just a business owner - Yvonne shows us you can be both, and brilliant at it. /episode/index/show/5d93729c-5090-45f6-b9db-7a1fd6029eb7/id/37040705

Building the Bus: Leadership, Team Dynamics & Getting the Right People in the Right Seats with James Turnbull 05/13/2025

Building the Bus: Leadership, Team Dynamics & Getting the Right People in the Right Seats with James Turnbull Building the Bus: Leadership, Team Dynamics & Getting the Right People in the Right Seats 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: James Turnbull – Chairman, Inverarity Morton & DAMM Environmental 🎧 Episode Summary: What does it take to build a truly high-performing team? In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by James Turnbull, who brings 40 years of leadership experience across multiple businesses. From getting the right people on (or off) the bus to managing diverse personalities and dysfunctional teams, James shares candid lessons on building cultures that work - and keep moving forward. With practical insights, a touch of humour, and a lot of wisdom, this episode explores what makes teams tick - and what stops them in their tracks. 🔍 What’s Covered: 1️⃣ The Bus Analogy – Why you need drivers, not horn-blowers, and when to change seats 2️⃣ Communication Matters – How perception shapes performance 3️⃣ People Over Process – Why team alignment comes before strategy 4️⃣ Dysfunction at the Top – The ripple effect of unaligned leadership 5️⃣ Profiling with Purpose – How Insights helps decode team dynamics 6️⃣ Team Roles vs. Titles – Putting the right people in the right roles 7️⃣ Visualising Culture – The power of metaphors to unify vision ✅ Key Takeaways: ✔️ Great teams are aligned, not just assembled ✔️ Profiling tools like Insights can unlock hidden potential ✔️ Leadership is about orchestrating - not owning - the vision ✔️ Dysfunction at the top disrupts everything beneath it ✔️ You can’t lead a team if you don’t understand how they think 👥 Join the conversation! ✅ Listen to the full episode to hear James’ approach to team building, leadership, and real-world business challenges. ✅ What metaphor best describes your business culture - a bus, a rugby team, or a Michelin-star kitchen? Let us know on LinkedIn! 🍪 Enjoyed the episode? 🔹 Like, follow, and subscribe for more honest conversations 🔹 Share it with your network (especially if they love a good biscuit debate) And in case you’re wondering - Florentines and caramel logs top James’ biscuit list. Sorry, rich tea. Until next time! 🚀 /episode/index/show/5d93729c-5090-45f6-b9db-7a1fd6029eb7/id/36547255

From Submarines to Strategy: Navigating Leadership in Business with Ricky Milliken 04/23/2025

From Submarines to Strategy: Navigating Leadership in Business with Ricky Milliken From Submarines to Strategy: How Exposure Builds Resilience in Business 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: Ricky Milliken – Managing Director, Valorem First Episode Summary: What can life on a submarine teach us about leadership, teamwork, and digital transformation? In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by Ricky Milliken, who shares how his time in the Royal Navy shaped his mindset, values, and leadership style in the business world. From tight quarters to high-stakes decisions, Ricky unpacks what true resilience looks like — and how those lessons are now driving culture and strategy at Valorem First. 🔍 What’s Covered: 1️⃣ From Navy to Business – Why Ricky left the Armed Forces to lead a purpose-driven company. 2️⃣ Purpose & Resilience – The link between personal values, pressure, and performance. 3️⃣ Teamwork in Confined Spaces – How submariner camaraderie builds strong business culture. 4️⃣ Understanding the Whole System – Why knowing every role in the process matters. 5️⃣ People + Process + Tech – The real trifecta behind effective digital transformation. 6️⃣ Decision-Making Under Pressure – Using the right data at the right time. 7️⃣ Leadership Lessons – Why collaboration and adaptability always win. Key Takeaways: ✔️ Exposure builds resilience — in submarines and in business. ✔️ Success comes from shared purpose, not hierarchy. ✔️ True transformation happens when people, process, and tech align. ✔️ Data is only powerful when it’s understood and acted on in the moment. ✔️ Leadership is about doing it together - not going it alone. Join the conversation! ✅ Listen to the full episode for real-world insights from Ricky Milliken. ✅ What’s the biggest leadership lesson you’ve learned under pressure? Share with us on LinkedIn! Enjoyed the episode? 🔹 Like, follow, and subscribe for more honest conversations 🔹 Share this with your network — especially the biscuit lovers 🍪 Thanks for tuning in - and yes, it’s official: Hobnobs are Ricky’s go-to biscuit (with tea, of course). Until next time! 🚀 /episode/index/show/5d93729c-5090-45f6-b9db-7a1fd6029eb7/id/36275780

Brains Work Differently – So Should Workplaces with Nuria Fraile-Diaz 03/05/2025

Brains Work Differently – So Should Workplaces with Nuria Fraile-Diaz Brains Work Differently – So Should Workplaces with Nuria Fraile-Diaz 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Ricky Milliken 🎤 Guest: Nuria Fraile-Diaz – Learning & Development Specialist at The Data Lab 🚀 Episode Summary: Workplaces are designed for the ‘average’ employee—but what if we built them to support all thinking styles? In this episode, Helen and Ricky dive into the realities of neurodiversity in the workplace with Nuria Fraile-Diaz, a specialist in learning and development. Together, they explore how businesses can go beyond surface-level accommodations and rethink communication, recruitment, and work structures to unlock hidden talent and create a genuinely inclusive culture. 🔍 What’s Covered: 1️⃣ Understanding Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Autism, ADHD, OCD, and why cognitive differences matter. 2️⃣ Beyond Tokenism – Why true inclusion goes beyond quiet spaces and sensory adjustments. 3️⃣ How Communication Affects Inclusion – The hidden barriers in meetings, emails, and social interactions. 4️⃣ Fixing Recruitment – Rethinking job descriptions and interviews to attract neurodivergent talent. 5️⃣ Flexible Work & Technology – AI-powered tools and digital solutions that improve accessibility. 6️⃣ Shifting Workplace Culture – Moving beyond compliance to build workplaces where everyone can thrive. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✔️ Neurodivergence is an asset. Businesses that embrace diverse thinking styles unlock innovation and problem-solving abilities. ✔️ Inclusion is about culture, not just accommodations. Physical adjustments help, but true inclusion requires systemic change. ✔️ Rethink recruitment. Traditional hiring processes exclude neurodivergent talent—change how you write job ads and conduct interviews. ✔️ Flexibility drives engagement. People perform better when they can work in a way that suits their cognitive style. ✔️ Technology is a game-changer. AI tools reduce cognitive overload and make workplaces more accessible. 📢 Join the conversation! ✅ Listen to the full episode for expert insights from Nuria Fraile-Diaz. ✅ Share your thoughts: How is your business adapting to support neurodiversity? Use #NeverMindTheBuzzwords on LinkedIn. 🎧 Enjoyed the episode? 🔹 Like, follow, and subscribe for more insights. 🔹 Share this with your network to spark the conversation. 👋 Thanks for tuning in—see you next time! 🚀 /episode/index/show/5d93729c-5090-45f6-b9db-7a1fd6029eb7/id/35544155

From Waste to Worth: Identifying Value in Your Organisation with Mhairi Brown 03/05/2025

From Waste to Worth: Identifying Value in Your Organisation with Mhairi Brown From Waste to Worth: Identifying Value in Your Organisation 🎙️ Hosts: Helen McMillan & Will Pearce 🎤 Guest: Mhairi Brown – Expert in Manufacturing & Engineering 🚀 Episode Summary: What does value really mean in business? It’s more than just numbers—it’s about people, processes, and purpose. In this episode, Helen and Will are joined by Mhairi Brown, who brings 30 years of experience in engineering, manufacturing, and leadership. Together, they break down how organisations can maximise value while ensuring employees feel engaged and appreciated. 🔍 What’s Covered: 1️⃣ What is Business Value? – Beyond salary: recognition, engagement, and efficiency. 2️⃣ People vs. Technology – Why tech alone isn’t the answer (and how upskilling employees leads to success). 3️⃣ Business Transformation & Value Stream Mapping – Identifying inefficiencies and streamlining operations. 4️⃣ Culture & Leadership – The role of leadership in driving real, long-term value. 5️⃣ Customer-Centric Value Creation – Understanding what customers actually need. 6️⃣ Developing Future Leaders – Why lean thinking and innovation are crucial for the next generation. Key Takeaways: ✔️ Business success relies on people and processes, not just technology. ✔️ Employees must feel engaged and valued to drive real change. ✔️ Value stream mapping is a game-changer for improving efficiency. ✔️ Long-term strategic value beats short-term cost-cutting every time. ✔️ A culture of continuous improvement leads to better engagement and results 📢 Join the conversation! ✅ Listen to the full episode for expert insights from Mhairi Brown. ✅ Share your thoughts: What does value mean to you in your business? Let’s discuss on LinkedIn! 🎧 Enjoyed the episode? 🔹 Like, follow, and subscribe for more insights 🔹 Share this with your network 👋 Thanks for tuning in—see you next time! 🚀 /episode/index/show/5d93729c-5090-45f6-b9db-7a1fd6029eb7/id/35543950

Nevermind the Buzzwords

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