This year, we are very excited to announce we have launched a 5-part video series: ‘In Conversation with Nick’, in which Nick had the opportunity to sit down with a select few speakers we admire. Having met lots of speakers across the years, Nick is often seen buzzing around the office about some of the great conversations he’s had with the leading world influencers. This got us thinking, wouldn’t it be great to record some of these conversations? Letting our clients find out a bit more about some of our favourite speakers and illustrating the types of incredible things they can offer to an event. So we did just that. Being at the helm of Speakers Corner for nearly two decades now, Nick not only has some pretty great insight into the speaking industry, but he knows a thing or two about running a small  business , so Nick and his weekly guest explore both the speaking circuit and the business world. This blog is dedicated to the series, we’ll be releasing a new video each week as Nick talks to entrepreneurs , academics, conductors and customer service experts, he explores some of the biggest questions in both business and the world as we know it.

"We had the chance to chat about their careers and lives, both through the kaleidoscopic of speaking as well as their personal experiences too"

On filming the series, Nick commented that “it was such great fun getting to sit down with some amazing people (and fantastic speakers) and shoot the breeze with them. We had the chance to chat about their careers and lives, both through the kaleidoscopic of speaking as well as their life experiences too, which was really a privilege. These are people that we, at Speakers Corner, have spent years developing relationships with and I thoroughly enjoyed being given the opportunity to explore and demonstrate the knowledge that they could bring to our client’s events. It was also heartening, and reflective, to hear about their thoughts on the speaking marketplace, the team at Speakers Corner, and how best our clients could utilise their individual expertise at any given event.”

Sahar Hashemi - Co-founder of Coffee Republic

The first video in our series is Nick in conversation with entrepreneur and the Co-founder of Coffee Republic, Sahar Hashemi . Moving from her job as a top-notch corporate lawyer into the world of retail and FMCG, when she started Sahar knew nothing about coffee. But, learning on the job she transformed our nation of tea lovers into double shot latte drinkers. In this video, she speaks about adopting an entrepreneurial mindset and why you always need to step into your customer’s shoes. But, don’t just take our word for it, have a watch. Sahar also shares with us her life mantra, which coming from an entrepreneur who managed to reach a turnover of £30 million within 5 years, is definitely something you’re going to want to hear.

Nick said “it was such great fun getting to sit down with some amazing people (and fantastic speakers) and shoot the breeze with them. We had the chance to chat about their careers and lives, both through the kaleidoscopic of speaking as well as their personal experiences too, which was really a privilege. These are people that we, at Speakers Corner, have spent years developing relationships with and I thoroughly enjoyed being given the opportunity to explore and demonstrate the knowledge that they could bring to our client’s events. It was also heartening, and reflective, to hear about their thoughts on the speaking marketplace, the team at Speakers Corner, and how best our clients could utilise their individual expertise at any given event.”

"Spending time with Sahar talking about the wider speaking arena and what she can bring to a conference is something I both thoroughly enjoyed from a personal and professional perspective."

After filming with Sahar, Nick commented that “I am not sure whether it is a badge of honour or a sad reflection of our society, but Sahar is one of the original and most successful female business entrepreneurs who is also a sensational speaker. For years, Sahar was known as the person who created the brand ‘Coffee Republic’ but she is so much more. Her level of understanding and knowledge as a lawyer, senior business leader, best-selling author and an industry pioneer is not always given as much credit as it should be. Often Sahar is asked to share her entrepreneurial story, but with this background, just chatting for a few minutes with her, it is clear she can offer so, so much more. Spending time with Sahar talking about the wider speaking arena and what she can bring to a conference is something I both thoroughly enjoyed from a personal and professional perspective. Not only is Sahar a truly engaging and fun person, but it was clear from our chat that she is more than capable of enabling clients to understand the diverse areas that she can speak about with knowledge as well as both warmth and passion.”

Caspar Berry - Entrepreneur, speaker, professional poker player and trainer

The second video in our series is Nick in conversation with Caspar Berry. Entrepreneur, professional poker player and trainer, Caspar knows how to take calculated risks to achieve success and how a change in behaviour can help anyone achieve a competitive edge. In this video, Caspar speaks about how to be the best version of yourself on stage, why attention spans are getting shorter and what his best piece of advice is.

"Caspar’s unique take on individuals and businesses and their attitude to risk is something that has fascinated and enthralled audiences all over the world."

On his experience with Caspar, Nick commented that "Caspar’s unique take on individuals and businesses and their attitude to risk is something that has fascinated and enthralled audiences all over the world.  Having had the privilege to watch him in action or numerous occasions (and had him critique my poker abilities to ensure I would never dream of giving everything up in the hope of winning the World Series of Poker), the opportunity to sit down with Caspar and chat about the world of risk, attitude, the speaking world and his experiences was too good to miss."

Our third video in this campaign features Nick speaking to Linda Moir. From heading up the London 2012 Games Makers to bring about an incredibly successful Olympic and Paralympic Games to Directing Virgin Atlantic's In-Flight Services, Linda is an expert in customer service. This conversation captures Linda sharing her experiences and stories of how any business can go above and beyond to make that magical encounter, what great customer service really means and which businesses are doing it right.

Linda Moir said "my inspiration comes from experience earlier in my career when I remember what it felt like to be managed badly! I thought to myself if I ever got to the position of manager I would treat people in my team better."

On the video, Nick said "superlative customer service, customer and employee engagement is the goal that every business should aspire to because with true engagement, comes loyalty, happiness and an amazing business. Linda’s career has spanned some of the finest examples of great companies culminating in the amazing exploits of 2012 and the volunteers that made the games. Linda is always a joy and a treat to spend time with, so I was delighted that I got to sit down with her and discuss her thoughts on the evolution of great customer service."

Linda Moir - an expert in HR and customer service

The next video in our series is Nick interviewing the world-renowned conductor, Charles Hazlewood. Covering trust, authenticity, headlining Glastonbury and starting the first orchestra for disabled musicians, Charles has had a pretty great career to look back on. Educating the business world on what they can learn from music, Charles's video reminds us all what we can learn from creativity and confidence.

Nick said that "for any person to get me to sing in public and not be embarrassed by my groaning voice is someone that I instantly have respect for. When coupling this with an incredible career and amazing achievements, Charlie Hazlewood is a speaker that has woven stories that have both delighted and intrigued me, so to be given the opportunity to sit down with him and have a good chat about conducting, the Paralympic orchestra and all things speaking was definitely a career highlight."

Charles Hazlewood - International Conductor

The last video in our series is Nick in conversation with Adam Kingl. Adam is the Executive Director of Thought Leadership for Executive Education at London Business School. In this interview, Adam divulges the importance of managing Gen Y in the right way, how companies can prepare for the changing workplace and why business today needs always needs purpose.

After the interview, Nick said "spending time with Adam getting his views and experience on the business world, the generations within it and the changing environment of the workplace today gave me some real food for thought. It is an area that both fascinates and intrigues. Adam is a charismatic speaker with real depth of both knowledge and content, so I knew our conversation would be thoroughly enjoyable."

Adam is the Executive Director of Thought Leadership for Executive Education at London Business School

Thanks to all five speakers who took part in our in conversation series.

For further information or to book a speaker, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070  or email  info@speakerscorner.co.uk .