This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this captivating interview, Bimal, founder and CEO of Elemental Concepts, shares his remarkable journey from chartered accountant to technology consultancy trailblazer.

Discover how his experiences in mergers and acquisitions, including privatizing the Ministry of Defense's research agency, shaped his innovative approach to business.

Bimal’s insights delve deep into the importance of understanding clients’ needs, fostering transparency, and empowering diverse voices within the team.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation that showcases the power of integrity, resilience, and genuine leadership in navigating today’s complex business landscape.

Tune in and unlock invaluable lessons to fuel your own leadership journey!

You can find Bimal Shaifta at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/bimal-shah-32973517/
• https://www.elementalconcept.com/

In the interview, Bimal shares

• "We help businesses figure out if they need to use technology to solve a problem. Quite often, we end up building the solution to help their business grow and continue to maintain and improve those systems over time."
• "Starting as a chartered accountant taught me to understand what drives a business. The numbers reflect the importance of what’s behind them."
• "I worked on the privatization of the Ministry of Defense's research agency, now Kinetic, which had 9,000 scientists researching future technology."
• "Joining Nomad Digital, I learned valuable lessons on running a company and grew it to be the largest internet provider on trains worldwide, signing contracts in 14 countries."
• "One of the biggest lessons I learned was how crucial it is to have a dedicated team that shares your vision."
• "We value understanding our customer's business and identifying the return on investment metrics to measure the success of their projects."
• "Transparency is key for us. We are open with our customers and invite them to our daily standups, sharing our progress and challenges."
• "It's important for everyone in our team to have a voice, regardless of their culture or background, because diverse perspectives drive innovation."
• "We prioritize doing the right thing, even if it means losing money or a contract. Our decisions are guided by what’s best for our customers and our team."
• "A young boy's idea to create a marketplace for second-hand school uniforms inspired us to build a platform now used by 400 schools in the UK, demonstrating the power of simple, impactful solutions."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this insightful episode, Sophie Milliken shares her journey from accidental entrepreneur to the founder of Moja, a thriving modern PR agency.

Sophie reveals the key strategies she used to navigate the male-dominated business landscape of the Northeast, offering practical advice on building confidence and embracing resilience.

You'll learn how to balance multiple responsibilities, including running a business, chairing a charity, and pursuing a PhD, all while avoiding burnout.

Discover how to effectively say no to create more meaningful opportunities and the importance of strong support networks.

Tune in for a conversation packed with valuable lessons for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

You can find Sophie Milliken at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-milliken/
• sophiemilliken@thisismoja.com

In the interview, Sophie shares

• "My challenge this year is to say no to more things so that I'm not quite as busy."
• "Moja is a modern PR agency based in the North East of England. We work with entrepreneurs and corporates to raise their profiles within their industry."
• "We do lots of things around award strategy, helping clients win business awards, write books, and get on stage to speak at events."
• "I chair SmartWorks Newcastle, a charity providing education, interview clothing, and coaching for unemployed women across the Northeast."
• "I'm doing a PhD part-time at Durham University Business School, focused on female entrepreneurship."
• "I didn't set out to own a business; I'm an accidental entrepreneur. I didn't have role models in that sense, so I found my way as I went along."
• "Networking with women who were at similar points with their businesses helped me feel comfortable, share challenges, and grow my confidence."
• "I feel passionately about the Northeast of England as a place to do business. I want to promote the region and support women to realize their ambitions."
• "I think resilience is really important for any entrepreneur. You need to keep going even when things don't go as planned."
• "Last year, I felt burnt out and exhausted. I've started saying no to more things and focusing on my well-being to avoid reaching that point again."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, we sit down with Wais, the CEO of Private Doc, who shares his fascinating journey from leading major companies like Push Doctor and Just Eat to revolutionizing the wellbeing industry.

Wais delves into the intricacies of consumer-first strategies, the profound psychological impact of beauty treatments, and the evolution of digital healthcare.

He offers valuable insights on leadership, emphasizing the importance of respecting team foundations and adapting management styles to diverse demographics.

Discover how Wais balances high-stakes business decisions with a passion for his work, treating it as a hobby rather than a stressor.

Whether you're navigating leadership challenges or seeking inspiration for your own career, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice.

You can find Wais Shaifta at the below links

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/wais-shaifta-5184134b/
• wais.shaifta@gmail.com

In the interview, Wais shares

• "Private Doc is transitioning from online pharmacy and prescriptions into wellbeing, with bespoke healthcare programs for both men and women. Stay tuned for our exciting expansion."
• "At Push Doctor, we served over 6 million NHS patients. Leading through COVID was fascinating and challenging."
• "I've held leadership roles at Just Eat and TreatWell, managing global operations and driving innovation in the digital space."
• "In addition to my role at Private Doc, I sit on the boards of a major gym group and Reach PLC, the largest news publisher in the UK."
• "My career has been driven by a consumer-first mindset, optimizing products and influencing consumer behavior to deliver the best experiences."
• "Treatwell taught me the profound psychological impact of beauty treatments, which was an eye-opener for me in understanding customer wellbeing."
• "Joining Push Doctor, we launched the first digital video consultations in the UK, making healthcare more accessible and immediate."
• "Leadership is about respecting the foundation built by the team and highlighting their achievements to motivate further growth."
• "As a leader, adapting my managerial style to different demographics, especially the younger generation, is a continuous learning process."
• "Work is a hobby for me. The key to managing stress is prioritizing family and keeping a balanced perspective on work challenges."