Sumit Gupta

June 2024

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  • Leadership Journeys [184] – Graham Goodkind – “The Fosbury Flop Mentality”

    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, Graham Goodkind, chairman and founder of Frank PR, shares his 24-year journey of transforming the PR landscape with his innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

    Discover how Graham navigated the dot-com boom, built a distinctive brand with a frank and honest approach, and steered his company through various challenges to maintain its creative edge.

    Learn valuable insights on balancing business growth with maintaining a passionate and resilient team, and why he believes in hiring youthful enthusiasm over experience.

    Graham also opens up about the importance of mental well-being and his unique experiences, including a surprising stint on Baywatch.

    Tune in for a candid conversation filled with leadership lessons and inspiration for anyone looking to make their mark in the creative industry.


    You can find Graham Goodkind at the below links

    In the interview, Graham shares
    • “I’ve always been as interested in business as I was in PR, and Frank PR is the fusion of those passions.”
    • “In 2000, I saw the dot-com boom as an opportunity to create a fun, innovative email service. It was the precursor to launching Frank PR.”
    • “From day one, Frank PR was about being down-to-earth, open, and honest in our approach—a stark contrast to the industry’s perceptions at the time.”
    • “Managing a growing business can shift your role from being a PR expert to a problem solver for staff and operational issues, which isn’t always the fun part.”
    • “Buying back Frank PR in 2021 was a turning point. We shifted our focus from cost maintenance to reigniting creativity and doing things differently.”
    • “To maintain our creative culture, we moved away from having a structured creative department and embraced a more nimble and proactive approach.”
    • “The challenge is to keep the hunger for the next big idea alive. Recruitment of the right people who share this passion is key.”
    • “Our current focus isn’t growth at all costs. We choose clients who align with our disruptive and creative approach.”
    • “Mental resilience and a balanced approach to work are crucial. I’ve learned to disconnect after work hours to maintain my well-being and lead by example.”
    • “Most people wouldn’t guess it, but I starred in an episode of Baywatch alongside Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff.”

  • Leadership Journeys [183] – Bimal Shah – “Our customers are probably our biggest sales people”

    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

    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.”

  • Leadership Journeys [182] – Sophie Milliken – “Good entrepreneurs spot opportunities and follow them to see where they lead.”

    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

    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.”