Welcome to The StrategyStory Podcast! We’re a podcast bringing you cutting edge thoughts and real world stories to help you develop your strategy and communications.

Born from the work of StrategyStory, a bespoke strategy and communications company based in the Highlands of Scotland and working across the world, this podcast offers research, practical tips and tricks, and fascinating conversations with leading entrepreneurs.

In this trailer you’ll meet your hosts, Kate Hooper and Professor Donald Maclean. They’ll tell you all about how our show works and when to expect the first episode.

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Mixed and mastered by Martha Brownill
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

Leading a team to produce the best possible results is a real skill. Hear from experienced business owners about their route to success.

In the first interview of Series 1, StrategyStory's Kate Hooper talks to the impressive Kate Buell-Armstrong of the Admiral Group and Confused.com. They chat about Kate's background in business and how to really engage your team in your business strategies.

Themes and Topics:

• 04:00 - Understanding the success of the Admiral Group and Confused.com
• 09:50 - Pushing the boundaries
• 15:38 - Using storytelling to engage your team in your business strategy
• 19:10 - Managing people to get the best out of them
• 21:30 - Kate’s top tip for entrepreneurs
• 23:00 - Kate and Donald’s breakdown of the interview

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Produced in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

In this opener to The StrategyStory Podcast, Kate and Donald, co-founders of StrategyStory, will give you a taste of what to expect in Season 1.

Throughout the series you'll hear 6 interviews with guests who are pros in the fields of business and storytelling, and you’ll also get access to 4 special ‘Mini Masterclass’ episodes that delve deeper into relevant skills and techniques linked to strategy and communications.

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

In the first of our Mini Masterclasses, Professor Donald Maclean breaks down what we really mean by the word 'strategy'. In under 10 minutes you'll learn about its three main components, how to join these up to create a really ingenious strategy, and common misconceptions to avoid.

Themes and Topics:

• 00.40 – Defining the term strategy
• 01.16 – The three main components of strategy
• 03.30 – Joining up the parts
• 05.20 – What isn’t strategy?

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

As the founder of an app that helps creators to get their podcasts out into the world, Colin Gray has a lot to say about the power of the voice. Likewise, here at StrategyStory we want to get people talking to each other and figure out better ways for organisations to communicate internally and externally.

In this episode of The StrategyStory Podcast, Colin chats to Donald and Kate about how starting a business allowed him to design a working life that suited him, how to foster healthy communication within organisations, and how podcasting helps businesses to personalise what they do.

Themes and Topics:

• 03:38 - Colin's background in astro-physics
• 07:55 - Finding freedom in your working structure
• 09:13 - How Alitu has grown organically
• 12:18 - Running a business whilst building an enjoyable life
• 17:20 - The current state of bigger corporations
• 18:40 - Making organisations better places to be
• 20:06 - How storytelling and podcasting fosters healthy communication within your team
• 22:22 - The strength of podcasting to build connections
• 26:53 - Colin's one wish for Alitu

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

Darina Garland is CEO and co-founder of global pizza-oven sensation Ooni, one of the UK's fastest growing companies. Founded in 2012 by Darina and her husband, Kristian, Ooni now employs 350 people across Scotland, America, Germany and beyond. It’s a phenomenal story of entrepreneurship, creativity and growth, which she shares with Kate and Donald in this episode of the StrategyStory podcast.

They discuss OONI's incredible succcess story, some ingenious methods to get teams behind company values, and how OONI develops its vibrant culture as it continues to grow.

Themes and Topics:

• 3:00 - The OONI origin story
• 6:55 - The strategy behind OONI's global success
• 12:05 - Growth mindset and the power of a positive outlook
• 14:15 - Building a values-driven business culture
• 19:10 - Methods to uphold company values
• 25:15 - Maintaining company culture as a growing business
• 32:50 - Scaling a business, trusting instincts and learning from mistakes

Psst... You won't normally hear swearing in the The StrategyStory Podcast, but there's a small exception in this episode... It's all in context! You'll have to listen to find out why...

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

Learn how to be a better storyteller by listening to this Mini Masterclass led by Kate Hooper, ex-BBC broadcaster and digital communications whizz.

You'll not only find out why storytelling is so important for businesses, but you'll also learn how to craft a great story in 3 simple steps.

Themes and Topics:

• 2:00 - Why do storytelling for business?
• 4:45 - Step 1 - Know Your Audience
• 9:32 - Step 2 - Key Elements of Your Business Story
• 12:43 - Step 3 - Structure Your Story
• 17:20 - Conclusions - What's the pay-off?

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design

Introducing a special bonus episode with podcast know-it-all Colin Gray...

As the CEO of podcasting app Alitu and all-around podcast bible The Podcast Host, as well as the official partner for The StrategyStory Podcast (!), Colin has a lot to say about the power of podcasting.

Phew... that was a lot of 'podcast's in one sentence!

This week Kate and Donald dissect their podcast journey with Colin, discussing the lessons they've learned, the power of the voice, using podcasting to propel their business, and Colin's top tips to grow your show.

Themes and Topics:

• 01:50 - What Kate and Donald learnt from creating The StrategyStory Podcast
• 6:40 - Using podcasting to listen to each other's stories
• 8:50 - Podcasts harness the power of the human voice
• 10:50 - Surprises in the podcasting process: joy and accessibility of podcasting
• 17:47 - Collaboration and working together
• 20:23 - How to grow your podcast: niche targeting
• 27:10 - Growing your audience by knowing your audience

More info:

• Visit our website for more information
• Find us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook
• Contribute your thoughts at hello@strategystory.co.uk
• Kate Hooper
• Donald Maclean

Credits:

• Written and produced by Martha Brownill and Kate Hooper
• Delivered in partnership with Alitu
• Cover art by Cuan Design