Simon Hodgkins catches up with Amanda Wallace on this episode of The Global Discussion. As Director of CDH Consultants Ltd, Amanda brings two decades of executive experience, combining a deep understanding of people with the complex realities of business transformation.00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Amanda Wallace02:50 - From “office politics” to stakeholder management05:02 - The speed trap in transformation, resistance, and leadership misalignment08:04 - How Amanda aligns leadership, current state to target state15:14 - Stakeholder mapping, choosing champions, understanding impact and resistance20:33 - Supporting senior leaders, the perfection trap, when to step in or step back25:43 - AI, real data, and the future of leadership and org designWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Charlotte Otter, a former journalist turned executive coach and founder of Otter Advisory, is in conversation with Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion. The topics include leadership, reputation, and what it really means to build trust in a world that never stops changing!

00:33 - Charlotte's journey, journalism to SAP to Otter Advisory, and change leadership MSc

04:13 - Why we need new leaders today, the crisis of leadership

07:35 - Adaptability over command and control, qualities modern leaders need

10:39 - Reputation equity explained, own your story, and create a record of success

14:11 - Reputation 360, unlocking executive narratives and a shy CEO case study

20:43 - The art of storytelling for leaders, details that create connection

26:52 - Final takeaway: build your reputation on LinkedIn.

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Carolina Arroyo, the Founder and Managing Director of EC Peasy Communication, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion to explore how companies can scale their revenue without expanding headcount.00:35 - EC Peasy mission and services01:39 - From cold calling to smarter outbound systems06:38 - Content that drives sales, 80 percent research, and the 50-30-20 mix12:49 - AI-powered sequencing, email to LinkedIn to warm calls16:11 - Strategic commenting and LinkedIn profile optimization21:03 - Debunking myths about AI agents and why calling still works25:19 - Reverse pitching framework, lead with symptoms before the pitchWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠YouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Host Simon Hodgkins speaks with Kim Polley, Co-founder of Frontièr Advisory, a firm that helps organizations navigate some of the world's most complex markets.

Their conversation focused on reputation, trust, and the evolving challenges global businesses face when entering or operating in high-stakes environments.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Kim Polley

00:36 - What is Frontièr Advisory?

02:04 - Why Trust Matters Now

02:56 - ESG and the Trust Dividend

05:01 - AI and Reputation

08:35 - From License to Operate to License to Belong

15:35 - Crisis, Community, and Reputation

22:41 - Misunderstanding Africa

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Host Simon Hodgkins speaks with Mays Elansari, a seasoned marketing leader known for her sharp strategic mind, storytelling skills, and ability to bring brands to life across industries and regions. With experience at some of the world’s most recognized names, including McCann Erickson, BBDO, Subway, and Pinkberry, Mays has built a career around balancing creativity with commercial impact. She is also widely recognized in the industry as the “Queen of Events”.

Mays shared thoughtful insights about marketing leadership, brand building, and the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Mays Elansari

01:44 - Art and science in marketing, long and short balance

06:02 - Subway EMEA transformation, alignment, and the why

08:54 - Queen of Events, networking to insights and impact

13:41 -Judging top awards, creativity with measurable results

18:37 - Global to local, Pinkberry case and cultural nuance

27:22 - The future of engagement, the human element with AI

Listen to The Global Discussion

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Joanne Sweeney, the author of AI Playbook, CEO of the Public Sector Marketing Institute, and Owner of the Digital Training Institute, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion.

Joanne has worked at the intersection of journalism, communications, and digital transformation for many years, constantly adapting her skills to stay ahead of change. She has carved out a unique space as a trusted authority in public sector communications. In this episode, Joanne shares her journey from her early days as a journalist to becoming a leading voice on AI, digital strategy, and government communications.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Joanne Sweeney

00:26 - 25 years in communications, staying ahead through every digital wave

02:48 - The aha moment, niching into public sector and launching a global mission

06:03 - The Apprentice lesson, why scalability and focus changed everything

10:33 - Exclusive, announcing The AI Playbook and who it is for

14:08 - Creating a language for public sector marketing and Harvard takeaways

20:15 - Lead with value, podcasts, and building trust over virality

27:09 - Inside AIj, turning a career’s knowledge into practical AI products

Listen to The Global Discussion

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Host Simon Hodgkins welcomes Alastair McDermott, an AI consultant, speaker, trainer, and the founder of HumanSpark•ai. Alastair is also the author of "Use AI, Stay Human" and the host of "The AI-Powered Business Leader" podcast. His perspective on artificial intelligence blends deep technical expertise with a clear focus on people, empathy, and real-world results.

01:25 - Pivot to AI, rebranding to HumanSpark.ai, why he went all in

03:14 - Human-first AI, empower teams, from productivity gains to transformation and learning

07:38 - Case study, medical lab automation cuts processing from 90 minutes to two

14:02 - Accuracy and evals, error checking, and why the EU AI Act matters

17:22 - AGI outlook, the jagged edge of AI strengths and weaknesses

21:56 - Writing Use AI, Stay Human, developmental editor, and synthetic beta readers

32:48 - Free AI toolkits, adoption roadmap, where to find Alastair, closing remarks

Listen to The Global Discussion• Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4n• Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.com⁠• YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/@theglobaldiscussion/videos• Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.

Jona Hysa, a London-based social media strategist, founder of Time4PA, and the driving force behind the Moving Women Forward community, speaks with Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion. Jona’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and a deep commitment to helping others thrive in both business and life.

00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Jona Hysa

01:07 - From Albania to London: Jona’s Journey

02:20 - Starting as a Virtual Assistant

04:32 - Building Confidence and Helping Businesses

08:01 - The Social Media Landscape Today

15:19 - SEO vs AI Optimization

17:49 - Creating the Moving Women Forward Community

29:25 - Key Takeaway: “I Did It” Mindset

Listen to The Global Discussion

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