The Company Doctor

Hosted by Gary Gamp & George Clode

Business Management

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116

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Company Doctor; the podcast that diagnoses business challenges, and prescribes practical, forward-thinking solutions.The show is a biweekly, 25-minute hit of eye-opening, horizon-expanding advice, knowledge and key takeaways to implement straight away - all expertly curated for those at the forefront of leading growth and change within business. From accelerating start-up entrepreneurs and ambitious leaders inspiring teams, to managers implementing growth solutions - wherever you're starting from, we’ll give you the shortcuts and knowledge you need to navigate the ever-changing business landscape, by helping companies improve performance, and people, their careers. https://thecompanydoctor.com/

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October 5, 2026Episode 11524 min

When Teams Collide: How to Survive a Corporate Merger #115

Welcome to another episode of The Company Doctor! With the weather turning cold and windy, Gary and George sit down for a remote "Sit and Talk" to tackle one of the most stressful experiences in the business world: a corporate merger. This is a double-edged episode. We break down the merger playbook from both sides of the coin—the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the employees on the ground. Gary reveals the massive mistakes executives make in the immediate aftermath of a deal (hint: keeping secrets because you don't have all the answers is the fastest way to lose your best people), and how to integrate clashing leadership teams without triggering an ego war. For employees and middle managers, Gary shares why times of change are actually the absolute best moments to fast-track your career. Learn why you must avoid becoming a "wallflower," how to politely worm your way "inside the tent," and why cringey team-building exercises are a thing of the past. Key takeaways from this episode: The "What it Means to Me" Filter: During any merger, every employee is thinking: "What does this mean for me?" If leadership stays quiet because they don't have all the answers, paranoia festers. Even if you can't share everything, tell your people something . Get Inside the Tent: The worst thing you can do during a reorganization is be a passenger. Put your head above the parapet, offer to help, and get inside the workstreams. If you aren't inside the tent, no one can hear your ideas. Design the "Embedding" First: Most mergers fail because leaders get giddy about the launch and ignore the integration. You must design how the change will be embedded from Day 1. Otherwise, people will just wait for the project team to leave and go back to their old habits. Ditch the Trust Falls: Skip the cringey team-building exercises. To get hostile teams collaborating, focus on real relationship-building (past, present, future) over coffee, or have departments swap roles for a day to build instant empathy. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

September 22, 2026Episode 11425 min

The Jean Queen: Donna Ida on Denim, Disruption, and 20 Years of Building a Brand #114

What does it take to survive and thrive for two decades in the notoriously brutal fashion industry? It starts with a willingness to disrupt your own success. In 2006, Donna Ida founded her eponymous denim brand, building a highly successful retail empire. But as the business grew, she realized that permanent brick-and-mortar stores, skyrocketing rents, and operational clutter were pulling her away from what she loved most: the product, the brand, and the customer. So, she did the hard thing. She made a painful short-term decision for long-term joy: she pulled the plug, closed her permanent high-street shops, and pivoted entirely to a highly lean, e-commerce, and pop-up-driven model. Today, Donna runs her global brand directly from her smartphone—no laptop, no desk, and no back-office bloat. In this episode, Gary Gamp sits down with the "Jean Queen" herself live in beautiful Burford in the Cotswolds. Donna shares her raw, unfiltered wisdom on how to build a business that lasts. We explore the power of "moving energy" through temporary retail spaces, why you should never spend a penny on something the customer can’t see, and why keeping your business simple is the ultimate competitive advantage. Key takeaways from this episode: Never Spend on What the Customer Can't See: Inspired by Jeff Bezos, Donna’s golden rule is to keep the business simple. Don't get bogged down in backend details; pour your money and energy only into what directly impacts the product quality, the website, and the customer experience. The Power of Moving Energy: Permanent physical stores get stale quickly. Instead of waiting for customers to come to you, keep the energy moving by taking the "mountain to Mohammed" through targeted, high-impact temporary pop-ups and shared retail spaces. Declutter to Focus: Mental clarity starts with physical decluttering. Donna operates her entire business from her phone—no laptop, no desk, and no busywork to create false productivity. Own the Process: As companies grow, they get bloated and over-reliant on external roles. By keeping operations lean and staying deeply involved in the product yourself, you preserve quality and truly own both your successes and your mistakes. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

September 7, 2026Episode 11319 min

Walk & Talk 9: Kill Bad Meetings! Breaking the boring meeting curse once and for all #113

Let's be honest: we are all exhausted by pointless, recurring calendar invites. For forty years, professionals have been complaining about bad meetings, yet very little has actually changed. We continue to sit through boring status updates, get trapped in default 60-minute calendar slots, and secretly check our emails in silence while one loud voice dominates the room. In this spontaneous Walk & Talk, Gary and George unpack the ultimate playbook for breaking the boring meeting curse once and for all. Gary shares his practical "3 Ds" framework (Decide, Design, Diagnose) to ensure every meeting has a singular, razor-sharp focus. They explore how to politely decline useless invites, why AI note-takers are actually a lazy crutch, and why you should start your next session by doing "Any Other Business" (AOB) first. Whether you are a manager trying to run more efficient teams or an employee drowning in Zoom invites, this episode offers a refreshing, tactical take on workplace productivity. Learn how to handle virtual multitasking, why you should ban hybrid meetings entirely, and how asking a simple "no constraints" question can completely transform your group decision-making. Key takeaways from this episode: The 3 Ds (+ Connect): Every meeting must have one sole objective. Are you there to Decide something, Design something, or Diagnose a problem? If it's none of these, use that time to Connect (lobby and align) before the formal meeting even starts. Kill the Default Slots: 30 and 60-minute slots are productivity traps. Start booking 17, 22, or 23-minute meetings to instantly grab people's attention and force tighter, more efficient conversations. Stop the Multitasking (It's Your Fault): If people are visibly doing emails during your virtual meeting, it's because you aren't engaging them. Keep them present by constantly asking direct, targeted questions. Ditch Status Updates: A status update is a waste of live meeting time. Move status updates to concise emails, voice notes, or recorded video updates sent out in advance, and use live meeting times only for real-time collaboration. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

August 26, 2026Episode 11237 min

The Sh*t to Shiny Method With Sally Wilkinson #112

Our number one most downloaded guest of all time is back! Straight-talking Northerner Sally Wilkinson returns to The Company Doctor Podcast to share the raw, unvarnished wisdom behind her highly anticipated debut book, The Shit to Shiny Method: Ditch the Diet, Let Go of Guilt, Find Your Power (published by Penguin, out September 3rd). Sally didn't start with a massive online following or an academic medical degree, but she has spent years in the trenches helping millions of people break free from the soul-destroying cycles of the dieting industry, low self-esteem, and constant self-sabotage. In this raw and deeply personal conversation, she shares her own grueling 8-year battle to get this book published—proving that persistence and self-ownership are the ultimate pathways to success. This isn't your average self-help lecture. Whether you are trying to find the motivation to start a business, lose weight, or just pull yourself out of a low mental loop, Sally’s no-nonsense advice about taking ownership of your choices, building small daily wins (like a simple 20-minute walk), and dumping the imaginary "wagon" will change the way you look at your potential forever. Key takeaways from this episode: The "No-Time" Lie: When you say "I don't have time," what you are actually saying is "it is not important enough to me." Create awareness first, get over your excuses, and own your choices. The 20-Minute Triumph: You do not need a massive, exhausting life overhaul to change your trajectory. Start small. A simple, daily 20-minute walk builds a "magic cloak of motivation" that naturally cascades into every other area of your life. Sack the "Wagon": There is no diet wagon, drinking wagon, or routine wagon. You cannot fall off something that doesn't exist. Give yourself permission to have off days and "low winters" without calling it a failure. Persistence Over Perfection: As the Calvin Coolidge quote on Sally’s bedroom wall stated: "Nothing takes the place of persistence." Keep pushing, keep showing up for yourself, and do not go to your grave with your "unfinished business" still inside you. Pre-order The Shit to Shiny Method : https://thesallywilkinson.com/preorder Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

August 11, 2026Episode 11133 min

10 Years, No Shortcuts: How to build a business that lasts With Gary Gamp & Niall Anderson #111

In this special milestone episode, we turn the tables on our very own host, Gary Gamp. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Smart/Tasking —the boutique business consultancy Gary co-founded with Niall Anderson—George Clode sits down with both co-founders to dissect what it really takes to build an enduring B2B business. Gary and Niall pull back the curtain on their decade-long journey. They discuss how they broke the traditional consulting model by focusing on execution and outcomes rather than just giving advice, how they have kept their co-founder relationship strong over a 25-year working history, and the tough business pivots they had to make along the way. From the realities of "active" consulting to navigating a massive post-COVID restructure, this episode is a raw, practical masterclass in entrepreneurial resilience. Plus, Gary and Niall share the three core pillars required to survive ten years of market changes, and explain why the rise of AI means we must focus on "assistive intelligence" rather than complete automation. Key takeaways from this episode: Outcome Over Activity: Customers don't buy features; they buy results. Building a lasting business means being ruthlessly obsessed with delivering the ultimate outcome, rather than just tracking hours or compiling reports. The Power of Reflective Learning: Those who are reflective learn faster. To survive market shifts, a business must constantly look back at what went well, what could be improved, and make proactive, conscious decisions to pivot. Aligning the Value Stack: A successful partnership or team relies on shared values. You must be prepared to challenge one another without taking it personally, and be selective enough to walk away from clients or associates who don't fit your core culture. AI as an Assistive Motor: Don't treat AI as a magic bullet. Fix your data and process foundations first, then use AI as "assistive intelligence" to automate the mundane so your people can focus on human-centric strategy and relationship building. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

July 21, 2026Episode 11035 min

Human by Design, AI by Default: Rewriting the Way We Work With Nick Walker & Emma Coleman #110

Don’t fear losing your job to AI—fear losing it to someone who knows how to use AI better than you. It's time to stop treating AI as a tool and start treating it as your default way of working. Human by Design, AI by Default: Rewriting the Way We Work #110 What does it actually look like to rebuild a global, legacy brand with years of technical debt into a completely AI-native business from the ground up? As it turns out, it isn’t just a technological challenge—it is fundamentally an HR and communications mountain to climb. This week, Gary and George are doubly thrilled to welcome back Groupon’s Chief People Officer, Nick Walker (marking his record third appearance on the show!), alongside Groupon's VP of Comms, Engagement, and Inclusion, Emma Coleman. Together, they take us behind the scenes of Groupon's massive cultural and structural transformation under their AI-savvy CEO, Dushan. From reshaping employee mindsets and restructuring traditional departments into lean "speedboats" to managing the psychological fear of redundancy, Nick and Emma share the unfiltered reality of rewriting the way we work. They discuss why AI adoption is actually a massive transfer of power from legacy systems back to human beings, and how human judgment remains the ultimate corporate superpower. Key takeaways from this episode: Speeding Fines vs. Parking Tickets: To build an AI-native culture, leaders must encourage risk-taking. Groupon welcomes "speeding fines" (mistakes made while pushing boundaries and moving fast) but has zero tolerance for "parking tickets" (complacency or refusing to try). Ditch the "Hand-Off Tax": Legacy organizations slow down because of continuous hand-offs between bloated, siloed teams. By structuring operations around "speedboats"—lean teams of 2 to 3 people running a complete workflow—you eliminate the friction and move exponentially faster. Close the Execution Gap, Not the Judgment Gap: AI is incredibly efficient at closing the execution gap (handling processes and grunt work). However, humans still own the judgment gap. Your ability to understand context, see around corners, and apply emotional intelligence is irreplaceable. Prompt Engineering is a Non-Negotiable Skill: Good inputs yield rich outputs. Investing time in mastering prompt engineering (sometimes spending up to an hour crafting a single prompt) is a major career differentiator that prevents "sloppy AI work." Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

June 29, 2026Episode 10922 min

Managing Expectations Without Being a People Pleaser #109

In this "Walk & Talk" episode, Gary and George tackle the fine line between professionally managing expectations and falling into the people-pleasing trap. It’s incredibly easy to promise the world to avoid disappointing a client or a boss, but kicking the can down the road with unrealistic deadlines always bites you in the end. Gary breaks down why delivering bad news honestly is the ultimate trust-builder. We explore how to "clean your own house" so you can push back constructively, why fake promises ruin your reputation, and the simple "pause" technique that recovering people pleasers can use to stop overcommitting. Key takeaways from this episode: The truth will set you free: Don't invent fake deadlines just to soften the blow. Tell the honest truth, set a realistic timeline, and then work hard to overachieve on it. Clean your house first: Before you push back on a client or colleague (like asking for missing data), make sure you and your team are executing flawlessly on your end first. The People Pleaser's Pause: If you naturally hate confrontation, stop committing in the moment. Simply say, "Let me look into it and come back to you," so you can gather the facts and set an expectation you can actually meet. Trust earns you the tent: When you consistently do what you say, you build trust. Once you have trust, you get "inside the tent," meaning people actually care about your opinion and give you leeway when things go wrong. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

June 15, 2026Episode 10823 min

The Evolving Role Of The COO Linked To Diversity In Tech #108

Welcome to another episode of The Company Doctor! This week, we are thrilled to be joined by Fiona Richards, Group COO of the Ephelia Group. With a career spanning traditional banking giants like Deutsche Bank and HSBC, Fiona now sits at the bleeding edge of payment technologies, blockchain, and AI. The role of the Chief Operating Officer is evolving fast. It’s no longer just about back-office efficiencies and controls; it’s about knitting together technology, compliance, customer service, and commercial priorities to execute a founder's vision. But how do you build a culture capable of delivering that? And how do you navigate "crypto bro" stereotypes to build a genuinely diverse tech workforce? In this episode, Fiona faces the George Clode Grill, sharing her operational wisdom on everything from unlearning old banking habits to using AI to elevate (not eliminate) entry-level talent. Plus, she explains why "diversity of thought" will always be the ultimate competitive advantage. Key takeaways from this episode: The Modern COO: The role has shifted from just back-office control to managing a complex spectrum of technology, compliance, and commercial verticals. Flexibility is the name of the game. Visions aren't "Eureka" moments: A vision evolves over time. If the people executing the strategy aren't involved from the get-go, delivery becomes nearly impossible. Diversity of Thought Wins: Corporate diversity initiatives are a good start, but the real prize is diversity of thought—creating a culture where constructive challenge and asking questions are actively encouraged by the C-Suite. AI Elevates the Entry-Level: Automating the "grunt work" doesn't destroy entry-level roles; it actually gives junior talent the opportunity to take on higher-value, diverse tasks much earlier in their careers. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

May 18, 202622 min

Fireside Chat: Confidence Trick - How to reclaim your value in an AI Obsessed market #107

Every time you open the news right now, another major company is announcing mass layoffs and blaming "AI." It’s easy for the workforce to feel completely paralyzed by the wave of automation. But is this just a handy excuse for CEOs to trim the fat, or is it a genuine technological revolution that we need to adapt to? In our very first (and very cozy) "Fireside Chat," Gary and George sit down to provide a roadmap through this murky, AI-obsessed terrain. Gary explains why companies need to shift their mindset from "Artificial" to "Assistive" Intelligence, and why keeping your team in the dark during times of change is the fastest way to lose your best people. For professionals feeling the pressure, this episode is the ultimate confidence booster. Learn how to adopt "Double Denim Confidence," approach your role as if you had £300,000 in the bank, and use periods of massive industry change to secure your next big promotion. Key takeaways from this episode: Assistive, not Artificial: Start looking at AI as a tool to make employees more efficient, not a tool to replace them. Focus on finding specific "use cases" that add actual business value. The £300k Confidence Trick: Desperation has a smell. Change your attitude and drop the fear by asking yourself: How would I behave at work today if I had £300,000 in the bank? Don't treat your team like they're stupid: If a company hides its AI or restructuring plans, employees will assume the worst and leave. Bring them on the journey with honest communication and a balanced scorecard. Pilot your own career: The most promotions happen during times of change. Don't be a passenger—put yourself forward, ask for the sticky projects, get inside the tent, and make yourself invaluable. Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

May 5, 2026Episode 10617 min

Walk & Talk 8 : Luck isn’t random, its built: How to master the serendipity mindset #106

In this windy "Walk & Talk Episode" near London’s Guildhall, Gary and George dive into the science of serendipity. Inspired by the work of Dr. Christian Busch and his book Connect the Dots: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck , Gary explains that the "lucky" breaks we see in business aren't just random coincidences—they are the result of a specific mindset and a series of "serendipity hooks." If networking is the how , serendipity is the why . This episode breaks down how to increase your "luck surface area" by being curious, breaking through the banality of small talk, and being brave enough to connect the dots between seemingly unrelated events. Whether you are a natural extrovert or a quiet introvert, you can influence your own luck by making small, 30-day habit shifts. Key takeaways from this episode: Influencing Your Luck: Luck is not magic; it’s a skill. You can train yourself to spot and create opportunities by being slightly braver and significantly more curious. "Goals in Concrete, Paths in Sand": Have a long-term vision, but remain flexible enough to let the "meaningful coincidences" of life change your route. Kill the "What Do You Do?" Question: To maximize serendipity, replace standard small talk with better questions like, "What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?" The 20% Rule: Just like Google, leaders should encourage "thinking time." Productivity isn't just about doing; it’s about having the space to let new ideas collide. Introverts can be "Lucky" too: You don't have to be the loudest person in the room. Serendipity can be triggered through non-verbal actions, like thoughtful LinkedIn posts or simply being present in the right "queues." Book Mentioned: Connect the Dots: The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck by Dr. Christian Busch Send us Fan Mail Links & references: https://www.thecompanydoctor.com/ Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode Gary's new book, Career Catalyst - available online now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Career-Catalyst-Secret-Skills-School-ebook/dp/B0DFYVG6XY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=