Business Episodes

This week on The Marketing Rules Podcast James is joined by Andy Dunn, Managing Director of TEAM, the UK’s largest network of independently owned recruitment businesses. They dive into something that almost everybody talks about, but very few people genuinely understand: networking and community building. They discuss what separates networks that create real opportunities from those that simply look good on paper, why giving value first matters, and how to stay visible without becoming just a...

Most people in recruitment think burnout is just part of the job. Long hours. Constant pressure. Always “on”. But what if the real problem isn’t workload… it’s how we’re operating? In this episode of the Marketing Rules Podcast, I’m joined by recruitment leader turned performance coach Michelle Flynn to talk about sleep, stress, burnout, breathwork and why so many recruiters are running at 100mph with no recovery. This is one of those episodes that will probably make you stop and ret...

This episode flips one of the biggest assumptions in recruitment on its head. We spend so much time defining people by job titles, CVs and neat career paths. But what if that is exactly what is limiting performance, creativity and growth? In this conversation, I sit down with Daen Fox to unpack why labels in recruitment are becoming less relevant, and what actually drives high performance in today’s market. We get into the reality of modern recruitment. Why generic processes are creatin...

James is joined by Dave Jenkins, CEO and Founder of Wave, who has spent 25 years building recruitment websites and watching them evolve from simple brochure sites to powerful marketing and tech platforms. We get into the future of the recruitment website, the impact of AI, candidate experience, and why your site should be your hardest-working asset, not just something that sits online looking pretty. #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Dave:⁠ https://w...

This week, James was joined by Manan Shah, co-founder and CEO of Recruiterflow. They get into what recruitment data really matters, why most agencies obsess over the wrong metrics, and how velocity, productivity, and AI are reshaping how recruitment businesses scale. If you care about building a faster, smarter, more resilient recruitment operation, this one’s for you. #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Manan:⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/manan...

In this episode, James is joined by Thomas Vose, co-founder of HireAra, to unpack what it really takes to build a recruitment tech business from scratch and successfully exit it. They discuss the challenges of bootstrapping, angel investment, avoiding the VC trap, and what life is really like after being acquired. If you’re building, scaling, or thinking about selling a rec tech business, this one is packed with real lessons from the front line. #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitm...

In this episode, James is joined on the couch, in person, by Ross Thompson, founder of Infinity Staff Global, to unpack how he has successfully expanded from Australia into the UK recruitment market. They get into why he chose South Africa over the Philippines for offshore talent, how cultural fit and time zones impact performance, and why clients are turning to offshore solutions as the cost of employing in the UK and Australia continues to rise. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsore...

Every now and then, you meet someone who doesn’t just imagine the future — they build it. In this episode, James talks to Benn Klewpatinond. A designer, engineer, and inventor whose creations blur the line between technology and humanity. From rethinking the rowing machine with his Float Rower invention to shaping inclusive, purpose-driven products through his company INOND, Benn’s work is all about empathy, innovation, and impact. Bennhow the mind of a modern inventor works: where ideas come ...

Joining James this week Steve Lewis, Managing Director at HireGuide. Steve has spent his career at the heart of recruitment technology, from being one of the first employees at TotalJobs, to leading search staffing and RPO at LinkedIn and now driving innovation in interview intelligence. Steve is now on a mission to transform how interviews are run, helping companies make better, fairer, and more structured hiring decisions. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, James sits down with Paralympic judo champion Chris Skelley MBE. From battling childhood bullying and being misdiagnosed by doctors, to finding strength through sport, Chris shares his powerful journey of resilience, mental health struggles, and ultimate triumph on the world stage. We dive into the highs of winning gold in Tokyo, the emotional fight for bronze in Paris, and why that medal means more than any other. Now retired, Chris reflects on sacrifice, identity, and...

Recorded live from RecFest 2025 The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Mark:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mchaffey/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/...

Recorded live from RecFest 2025 The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing ⁠To connect with Bill:⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/billboorman/ Learn more about James and ThinkinCircles: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thinkincircles.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https:/...

This week, James is joined by Nitin Sharma, recruitment entrepreneur, podcast host and the mind behind RecTools. They dive into how podcasting is shaking up the world of talent acquisition. Nitin shares how what started as a simple content idea grew into a full-blown platform with over 70,000 subscribers. From building credibility and boosting employer brand to engaging those hard-to-reach passive candidates, podcasting is proving to be a powerful tool for TA teams. They also get into the ...

In this episode, James is joined once again by Rob Green, Founder and CEO of RecTech. Making him one of the rare few returning guests. We dig into the evolution of the recruitment Tech industry the global impact of AI and how companies can make smarter tech choices faster. Whether you're in talent acquisition, HR, or recruitment, this is one conversation you won’t want to miss. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this episode, James is joined by the always inspiring Kate O’Neill – recruitment coach, trainer, and now founder of a brand-new rec-to-rec agency focused on rookie talent. Kate shares her journey from falling into recruitment to shaping its future, and offers sharp insights into why the industry is more attractive – and more complex – than ever. From building confidence in new consultants to redefining business development in a post-COVID world, this conversation is packed with wisdom, energy...

Fostering the current and next generation of innovators is a goal for most industries. Its even more critical in the advanced engineering industry where the pressure to innovate is ever-present. Joining me this week is Chantal-Lawren Welch, Marketing Manager at Silverstone Park.Chantal discusses the role of Silverstone Park in the advanced engineering industry, how The Park attracts new businesses and the work The Park does to foster the next generation of innovators. The Marketing Rules P...

The traditional view of a leader is serious, stoic and humourless, but are humour, laughter and storytelling the new leadership traits?Joining me this week is Neil Mullarkey, Comedian, author and business coach Neil discusses how to be a better leader through storytelling, laughter, fun and mindset? The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing To connect with Neil: https://www.link...

We talked many times on the podcast about how communities have become more and more important for brand building, but what if that's not the aim and it is simply to create a community of like-minded professionals? Joining me this week is Edan Haddock, Head of Talent at Movember. Edan talks me through how he started 'Rubberband', his Facebook community for TA professionals and his new role at Movember. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.co...

As marketers in an SME or larger business, we will probably have dealings with the head of operations, but what exactly do they do? Joining me this week is Si Bor, Founder at Embedded Ops.Si talks me through his years of experience as an Ops Director with several big name recruitment agencies. He details the duties and responsibilities of Operations and how they are key to growth for any scaling Recruitment agency. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.com...

AI has touch points with lots of our marketing activity but how could it support the way we build, design and interact with websites? Talking to me this week is Peter Guirguis, CEO at SwiftPress Support. Peter discusses how he sees AI shaping the future of WordPress websites and how AI can influence web and landing page design. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill ⁠⁠⁠https://www.rchilli.com/⁠⁠⁠ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing To connect with ...

Running remote marketing teams is a challenge at the best of times, but doing that across different time zones is even trickier. Joining me this week is Laura Brown, Marketing Director at Engtal. Laura discusses managing remote teams, building community brands and driving revenue from marketing in 2024. The Marketing Rules Podcast is sponsored by RChill https://www.rchilli.com/ #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing To connect with Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/la...

The key to building and maintaining a diverse workplace is rich, consistent and accurate data, but how do you even start measuring this data? Joining me this week is Dan Cohen Co-founder at MixxylDan talks me through his background that led him to co-found mixxyl, why its important to use AI to understand diversity in the workplace and why businesses still aren't taking diversity seriously. #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing To connect with Dan: https://www.linkedin.com/...

Building an engaged community around your brand and business is the goal for many marketers, but what are the issues you might face and what does success look like? Joining me this week is Lloyed Lobo, author and cofounder at Boast. Lloyed talks me through how he built a community of over 100,000 entrepreneurs and innovators and how he managed the community and kept them engaged. #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing Support for this podcast comes from Shazamme ⁠⁠⁠...

Many businesses want to attract early career jobseekers, but what are their drivers and do they play by the usual recruitment rules? Joining me this week is Steven Rothberg, founder of The College Recruiter job siteSteven discusses what early career job seekers are looking for from an employer and their relationships to job boards and the application process. #MarketingRules #TheVoiceOfRecruitmentMarketing Support for this podcast comes from Shazamme ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.shazamme....