Shows
Built For ValueBuilt to Evolve: How to Keep Good Systems from Going StaleYou fought to get the system right.But what happens after the rollout?In this episode, we explore how even the best-designed systems can quietly become the biggest blockers to progress — not because they failed, but because they stopped evolving. From supply chains to software, from ERPs to internal tools, we unpack the hidden cost of stability and what it takes to build systems that stay relevant.🔍 Why good systems go stale⚙️ How to design for continuous evolution📉 Real-world failures from Lidl and National Grid🧠 The mindset shift from stability to adaptability
2025-08-0614 minBuilt For ValueBuilt to Last: Why Smart Change Still Fails (and What to Do About It)You spotted the problem.You built the fix.Everyone agreed it worked.But the moment you stepped away… it vanished.In this episode of Built for Value, we explore why even the best solutions don’t always stick — and what it really takes to build systems that survive beyond rollout. From fragile fixes undone by ego, to tools that fail because they weren’t co-created, we unpack why “better” isn’t enough unless it's embedded.You’ll learn:Why change fails quietly when no one owns itThe difference b...
2025-07-2215 minBuilt For Value"That’s How It’s Always Been Done” Isn’t a Justification — It’s a WarningWe’ve all heard it.“That’s just how we do things.”“Don’t fix what’s not broken.”“We’ve always done it that way.”But here’s the truth: those aren’t justifications — they’re warnings.In this episode, we dig deep into legacy thinking — the quiet force that stalls innovation, shuts down fresh ideas, and drives your best people out the door. From collapsing pallets to collapsing systems, I share real-world stories and practical tools for challenging the status quo and building smarter, braver systems from first principles.You’ll learn:✅ Why “good enoug...
2025-07-2011 min
Built For ValueFrom Dungeons to Boardrooms: Lessons in InnovationJoin James as he explores how Dungeons and Dragons teaches valuable lessons in innovation applicable from gaming tables to corporate boardrooms. In this episode of Built for Value, delve into strategic decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, and the importance of embracing creativity and adaptability in business. Discover why unconventional tools like D&D can inspire innovative thinking and transform organizational strategy in unexpected ways. Tune in for insights on building a culture that fosters experimentation, resilience, and real-world impact.
2025-07-1311 min
Built For ValueHow Pricing Psychology Builds Real Value — with Etinosa AgbonlahorWhat does your price really say about your product? In this episode, behavioral economist and pricing expert Etinosa Agbonlahor (Founder of Decision Alpha) joins James to unpack the science behind how people perceive value—and what most businesses get wrong about pricing.Together they explore:Why pricing signals trust, quality, and perceived valueThe psychology behind $9.99 vs $10—and how it changes buyer behaviorWhen startups should actually start thinking about monetizationFreemium traps, tiered pricing strategy, and pricing for services vs productsHow small businesses underestimate hidden cost...
2025-07-0751 minBuilt For ValueWhy Systems Fail — And What to Do InsteadMost systems don’t fail because of bad tech — they fail because of bad decisions.In this episode, we explore why ERP projects, digital tools, and even internal processes break down under real-world pressure. From legacy logic to tool bias, we unpack the quiet compromises that derail billion-dollar implementations and frustrate frontline teams.You’ll learn:Why success depends more on incentives than softwareHow consultants and internal teams unintentionally sabotage alignmentThe real cost of systems chosen for résumés, not resultsHow to ask better q...
2025-07-0614 min
Built For ValueThe #1 Mistake Founders Make Before They Even StartThink your idea is ready to launch?Think again.In this episode of Built for Value, James breaks down the most common (and costly) mistake founders make before they ever write a line of code or build a product: they skip root cause thinking.🔍 You’ll learn:Why your idea might be solving the wrong problemThe difference between validation and wishful thinkingHow to tell if a market is actually willing to payWhy personal insight ≠ product-market fitAnd how to test if your...
2025-06-2912 min
Built For ValueCustom Travel Is the Future — Here's How JPN Guides Is Changing Japan TourismIn this episode of Built for Value, I’m joined by Michael Zislis, founder of JPN Guides — a business that's helping travelers ditch cookie-cutter itineraries and experience Japan like never before.We talk about how Michael went from marketing and graphic design to creating fully customized, AI-assisted guidebooks tailored to your interests, your trip, and even your dislikes. From hidden towns to hyper-personalized food recs, JPN Guides is making authentic travel more accessible — no tour groups required.We also dig into how AI, Reddit data, and thoughtful automation are powering his small team’s big vision —...
2025-06-271h 04Built For ValueIt’s Not an Idea Problem — It’s a System Problem: Why Innovation Fails Quietly🎙️ It’s Not an Idea Problem — It’s a System Problem: Why Innovation Fails QuietlyMost organisations aren’t short on ideas — they’re short on infrastructure.In this episode of Built for Value, we unpack why so many innovation efforts stall, even when ambition is high and creativity is abundant. From failed innovation labs to shallow training and leadership silence, we explore the hidden system failures that quietly kill progress.You’ll learn:✅ Why symbolic innovation is so common — and so dangerous✅ The six levers that make innovation stick (from Be Less Zombie)✅...
2025-06-2518 minBuilt For ValueProcurement Isn’t Just Buying — It’s Strategy, Clarity, and LeverageProcurement isn’t just buying. It’s how strategy becomes real.In this episode of Built for Value, James breaks down why procurement is often misunderstood — and how reframing it as a strategic function can unlock clarity, capability, and momentum across an entire organization.From the pitfalls of reactive buying to the loneliness of being the only one who sees the missed opportunity, this episode unpacks what procurement really is, how it should feel to the business, and why it’s time to stop treating it like admin — and start using it as leverage.Whether...
2025-06-2414 minBuilt For ValueDesign Thinking Isn’t Just for Designers — How to Solve the Right ProblemSpeed isn’t always the solution. Sometimes, it’s the problem.In this episode of Built for Value, we dive into how companies like Klarna and Netflix got the metrics right—but the meaning wrong—and explore what it really takes to build systems that serve people, not just processes.James unpacks Design Thinking as more than a buzzword or brainstorming exercise. It’s a mindset—and a method—for ensuring we solve the right problem, not just the visible one.What you’ll learn:What Design Thinking is (and isn’t)Why the D...
2025-06-2111 minBuilt For ValueCustomer-Focused Growth Starts on the InsideWhat if your most important customers aren’t outside the company — but across the hall?In this short, sharp episode, James explores why internal teams like Finance, Procurement, and IT should think like product managers and treat colleagues as customers. Drawing on ideas from Service-Dominant Logic, Employee Experience, and Design Thinking, this episode explains how internal friction quietly erodes growth — and how trust, empathy, and better design can unlock massive value from within.Whether you’re leading a support team or just tired of being the “policy enforcer,” this episode will challenge how you see your role —...
2025-06-1707 min
Built For ValueConversation with Dr Owen Chamberlain: The Words We Use Shape the Teams We BuildWhat happens when the language we use to describe culture doesn’t match the reality of our teams?In this episode of Built for Value, I sit down with Dr. Owen Chamberlain — a pracademic whose career spans education, business development, and strategic change — to explore how words like “family” shape expectations, power dynamics, and even burnout in the workplace.We unpack why “community” might be a more honest and empowering metaphor, how change fatigue is often really about culture fatigue, and why alignment matters more than control.If you're leading a team, building a business, or...
2025-06-101h 14Built For ValueIntrapreneurs Wanted: Why Your Best Ideas Are Already in the BuildingSome of the most valuable innovations in your business aren’t in your strategy deck — they’re buried in spreadsheets, sticky notes, and unsent emails.In this episode of Built for Value, James explores the hidden power of intrapreneurship — and why your team’s best ideas often go unheard. From shadow systems to overlooked fixes, we unpack how to create a culture where innovation isn’t just encouraged — it’s expected.We’ll cover:Why “shadow code” is a signal, not a threatHow to protect space for innovation (even without a 15% tim...
2025-06-0613 minBuilt For ValueWhen Growth Breaks Trust: Lessons from Klarna and the FinTech FallIn this episode of Built For Value, we unpack Klarna’s high-profile decision to replace 700 staff with an AI chatbot—and the $99 million quarterly loss that followed. Was it innovation, or did they solve the wrong problem?Join James as he explores what happens when companies prioritise scale over substance, efficiency over empathy, and speed over real customer value. With insights for founders, leaders, and intrapreneurs alike, this episode challenges you to rethink what you're really building, and who you're building it for.🔍 Featuring:Klarna’s AI overhaul & aftermathThe hidde...
2025-05-2909 minBuilt For ValueStart Here: Why Built for Value ExistsThis is where it all starts.In this short intro, I share why I created Built for Value — a podcast for people who are building something and want to do it better. Whether you're running a side hustle, scaling a business, or leading a team, this show is about understanding how real value is created… and how to design systems that actually work.I also share what to expect in future episodes, the kinds of conversations I’ll be having, and why this isn’t just about growth — it’s about building with purpose....
2025-05-2703 min