UK Business IQ is the premier platform for British businesses to share their story. Hosted and produced by Geoff Nicholson, we provide the professional vehicle for business owners to get their marketing message out to the world. We interview the UK's most exciting businesses, giving them the stage to showcase their expertise, build authority, and connect with a wider audience. This is the voice of UK business excellence.
UK Business IQ
Claim This Podcastby Geoff Nicholson
12 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
UK Business IQ is the premier platform for British businesses to share their story. Hosted and produced by Geoff Nicholson, we provide the professional vehicle for business owners to get their marketing message out to the world. We interview the UK's most exciting businesses, giving them the stage to showcase their expertise, build authority, and connect with a wider audience. This is the voice of UK business excellence.
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Publishing Since
2/3/2026
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Recent Episodes
June 17, 2026
Kalpa Tan on AI Adoption, Why Most Businesses Get It Wrong and What SMEs Really Need to Know
<h2>Kalpa Tan on AI Adoption, Why Most Businesses Get It Wrong and What SMEs Really Need to Know</h2><p>Kalpa Tan did not come to AI through a business strategy or a tech interest. She came to it because she needed it. After a spinal injury in 2020 that left her spending five months in a Glasgow spinal unit during COVID lockdown with no visitors, she returned home to a house full of admin she had no capacity to face. Getting dressed took 20 minutes. A shower took 45. When ChatGPT arrived it did not transform her career. It helped her get through her inbox on the days she simply could not manage it alone. That experience became the foundation of the business she now runs.</p><p>In this episode of UK Business IQ, Geoff Nicholson speaks with Kalpa Tan, founder of Kalpa AI, about what AI actually means for small businesses without the noise, without the hype and without the pressure to get it right first time. Kalpa brings a grounded, practical view that comes from lived experience rather than theory, and she is direct about what businesses get wrong, what they need to do first and why the whole thing is less complicated than most people assume.</p><p>This episode reflects Kalpa Tan's professional experience and personal perspective on AI adoption in business. The insights shared are intended to help SMEs think more clearly about how they approach AI. Every business is different and the right approach will vary depending on your systems, team, goals and budget.</p><p><strong>About Kalpa Tan</strong></p><p>Kalpa Tan is the founder of Kalpa AI, a consultancy working with SMEs to help them adopt AI with clarity, confidence and practical direction. Her background spans biotechnology research and a decade in pharmaceutical sales. She brings that combination of analytical thinking and commercial awareness to help business owners understand where AI can genuinely support efficiency and growth without the overwhelm. She is based in Aberdeen and works with businesses across the UK.</p><p><strong>In this episode</strong></p><p>Kalpa shares the life experience that brought her to AI and why it matters to how she works with clients. She explains why so many AI implementations fail and what businesses get wrong before they even choose a platform. She talks through what a proper business audit looks like before any AI tool is introduced and why you cannot build on systems that are not working. She introduces her RTCC prompting framework — Role, Task, Context, Constraints — and explains why most people are skipping two of those four steps. She shares why letting AI ask you questions is more useful than just asking AI questions. She explains the markdown context file tip that most people have never heard of and why it changes the quality of everything you produce with AI. She reflects on fear as the biggest barrier to adoption and why the businesses that build these skills now will be the ones that benefit most.</p><p><strong>Key takeaways</strong></p><p>The clearest message from this episode is that AI is not a technical challenge. It is a communication challenge. Getting more from it is not about understanding the software. It is about learning how to work with it, give it context, push back on it and build that relationship over time. Kalpa's RTCC framework is a practical starting point that anyone can use from their first session.</p><p>Kalpa is also direct about what businesses need to do before AI enters the picture. If your processes are disconnected, your systems are fragmented and your team has no understanding of what you are trying to achieve, adding AI will not solve that. It will just make the confusion move faster.</p><p>The markdown context file tip she shares at around 29 minutes is one of the most practically useful things in this episode. Most people have never heard of it. If you take one thing away from listening, make it that.</p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction</li><li>01:00 Who Kalpa is and what Kalpa AI does</li><li>02:00 Background in biotech and pharmaceutical sales</li><li>03:00 Living abroad in Jakarta and returning to Aberdeen</li><li>03:30 The spinal injury and five months in a Glasgow hospital during COVID</li><li>04:30 How ChatGPT gave back time she had completely lost</li><li>06:00 The decision to launch Kalpa AI</li><li>07:30 Why AI is about communication, not technology</li><li>09:00 Why businesses get overwhelmed and what fear costs them</li><li>11:00 The difference between AI platforms and which suits what</li><li>13:00 How Claude, agents and automation work together</li><li>14:00 Why prompting is the most important skill in AI</li><li>15:00 How Kalpa works with a new client before any AI is discussed</li><li>17:00 Why you cannot put AI on top of broken processes</li><li>19:00 AI working 24 hours a day in the background</li><li>21:00 The agentic era and what is coming next</li><li>22:30 Connecting personal fear to business fear around AI</li><li>24:00 Where to start if you have never used AI before</li><li>25:30 Why you should let AI ask you questions</li><li>27:00 The RTCC framework — Role, Task, Context, Constraints</li><li>29:00 Using projects and markdown files to give AI lasting context</li><li>31:00 What Kalpa wishes more SMEs understood about AI</li><li>32:00 AI as Einstein in your garage</li><li>33:00 Closing reflection</li></ul><br/><p><strong>Guest links</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="http://www.kalpaai.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.kalpaai.com</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalpatan" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalpatan</a></p><p>Book a free AI Audit:</p><p><a href="https://calendly.com/kalpa-tan/ai-audit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/kalpa-tan/ai-audit</a></p><p>Book an online AI skills workshop</p><p><a href="https://calendly.com/kalpa-tan/online-ai-skills-workshop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/kalpa-tan/online-ai-skills-workshop</a></p><p>email me : <a href="mailto:contact@kalpaai.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">contact@kalpaai.com</a> with any questions.</p><p><strong>Want to be featured on UK Business IQ?</strong></p><p>UK Business IQ is where credible UK business owners, founders and experts share the real conversations behind their work, their thinking and their impact.</p><p>If you are doing great work but feel like too many of the right people still do not know who you are, this could be your opportunity to change that.</p><p>Find out more or apply to be featured at:</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.ukbusinessiq.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.ukbusinessiq.co.uk</a></strong></p><p>Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn:</p><p><strong>https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffnicholsonuk/</strong></p><p><strong>UK Business IQ</strong></p><p>Real Conversations. Real Connections. Real Impact.</p>
June 10, 2026
Linda Barclay: 33 Years of Keeping People Safe at Work with Evolve Training
<h2>Linda Barclay: 33 Years of Keeping People Safe at Work with Evolve Training</h2><p>In this episode of <strong>UK Business IQ</strong>, Geoff Nicholson speaks with <strong>Linda Barclay</strong>, Managing Director of Evolve Training in Aberdeen, about the business of workplace safety, the value of practical training, and how a family-founded company has grown by helping people come home from work safely.</p><p>Founded in 1993 by Linda’s parents, Evolve Training began by helping businesses understand risk assessments, COSHH and health and safety requirements. Over the years it has developed into a respected training business delivering forklift, confined space, first aid, working at height and other practical workplace safety training across multiple sectors.</p><p>In this conversation, Linda shares how she joined the business, what it means to lead it today, why practical face-to-face training still matters, and what businesses often misunderstand when they treat training as just another compliance task.</p><p>This episode explores Linda Barclay’s perspective on workplace training, practical learning and health and safety based on her professional experience. The ideas shared are intended to help businesses think more clearly about training and workforce safety, but specific requirements will vary depending on the sector and role.</p><h3>About Linda Barclay</h3><p>Linda Barclay is the Managing Director of Evolve Training in Aberdeen, a family business that has been helping organisations improve safety and practical workplace competence for over 30 years. Her background includes first aid, training delivery and operational leadership across the business.</p><h3>In this episode</h3><ul><li>Linda shares how Evolve Training began and why her parents started the business.</li><li>She explains how the company grew from a back bedroom into a major training facility.</li><li>She talks about joining the family business and eventually becoming Managing Director.</li><li>She discusses why practical, face-to-face training is still so important.</li><li>She explains the risks businesses face when training is treated as just compliance.</li><li>She highlights the importance of adapting training to individual learners.</li><li>She shares what makes Evolve different in a competitive market.</li></ul><br/><h3>Key takeaways</h3><p>One of the strongest messages in this episode is that workplace training should not be reduced to paperwork or certification alone. Linda makes the case that good training builds confidence, understanding and safer behaviour, especially when it is practical and tailored to the people doing the work.</p><p>The episode also highlights the value of long-term trust in business. Evolve’s reputation has been built not just on compliance knowledge, but on consistency, service and genuine care over more than three decades.</p><h3>Timestamps</h3><ul><li>00:00 Introduction</li><li>00:45 How Evolve Training began</li><li>03:00 How the business grew over time</li><li>04:00 Linda’s route into the business</li><li>05:00 Her vision for the future</li><li>06:00 The biggest mistakes businesses make</li><li>09:00 Why practical face-to-face training matters</li><li>13:00 Why training should not just be compliance</li><li>15:00 What to look for in a training provider</li><li>18:00 How Evolve stays relevant and adaptable</li><li>20:00 Cost versus quality in training</li><li>23:00 The deeper value of workplace training</li><li>24:00 Where to find Evolve Training</li></ul><br/><h3>Links</h3><p><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-barclay-a84950403/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Linda Barclay - Linkedin</a></strong></p><p><strong>Evolve Training</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.evolvetraining.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.evolvetraining.com/</a></p><h3>Final thought</h3><p>This is a practical, thoughtful conversation about safety, service and the kind of business that builds trust over decades. A strong episode for anyone responsible for people, process and standards at work.</p><p><strong>Want to be featured on UK Business IQ?</strong></p><p>UK Business IQ is where credible UK business owners, founders and experts share the real conversations behind their work, their thinking and their impact.</p><p>If you are doing great work but feel like too many of the right people still do not know who you are, this could be your opportunity to change that.</p><p>Find out more or apply to be featured at:</p><p><strong><a href="http://www.ukbusinessiq.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.ukbusinessiq.co.uk</a></strong></p><p>Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn:</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffnicholsonuk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffnicholsonuk/</a></strong></p><p><strong>UK Business IQ</strong></p><p> Real Conversations. Real Connections. Real Impact.</p>
May 20, 2026
Laura Armstrong on Tech Recruitment, Hiring Better and Winning Talent in a Competitive Market
<p>In this episode of <strong>UK Business IQ</strong>, Geoff Nicholson speaks with <strong>Laura Armstrong</strong>, founder of Armstrong Talent Partners, a specialist IT recruitment company based in Glasgow. With around 16 years of experience in tech recruitment, Laura brings a practical and grounded view of what businesses are getting right and wrong when it comes to hiring.</p><p>The conversation explores the realities of the Scottish tech market, where strong candidates remain in demand and businesses often face real challenges around speed, flexibility, salary expectations and process. Laura shares why she decided to launch her own company, what drives her work, and why good recruitment is about far more than matching CVs to job descriptions.</p><p>This episode explores Laura Armstrong’s perspective on hiring, tech recruitment and candidate experience based on her professional experience. The ideas shared are intended to help businesses think more clearly about hiring decisions, but the right approach will vary depending on the company, role and market conditions.</p><h3>About Laura Armstrong</h3><p>Laura Armstrong is the founder of Armstrong Talent Partners, a specialist tech recruitment business based in Glasgow. She works with SMEs, startups and larger companies to help them recruit strong technology talent, with a particular focus on the Scottish market.</p><h3>In this episode</h3><ul><li>Laura shares how she got into tech recruitment and why she stayed in the sector.</li><li>She explains why she decided to launch her own recruitment business.</li><li>She talks about the realities of hiring in a competitive tech market.</li><li>She discusses why low offers and slow processes damage hiring outcomes.</li><li>She explains the impact of hybrid working and flexibility on candidate demand.</li><li>She shares her views on poor recruitment practices and what better process looks like.</li><li>She outlines practical advice for businesses that want to build stronger teams.</li></ul><br/><h3>Key takeaways</h3><p>One of the strongest messages in this episode is that businesses cannot expect strong people to accept weak offers, poor process or unnecessary delay. Laura’s message is clear: if you want great candidates, you need to move well, communicate clearly and treat recruitment as something strategic.</p><p>The episode also makes a strong case for working more proactively. Good recruitment is not simply reacting to a vacancy. It is about understanding the market, building relationships and knowing what strong people actually want.</p><h3>Timestamps</h3><ul><li>00:00 Introduction</li><li>02:00 What Laura does and who she helps</li><li>03:00 Why she stayed in the tech sector</li><li>05:00 Why she launched Armstrong Talent Partners</li><li>08:00 What makes her approach different</li><li>10:00 The biggest hiring challenges in tech</li><li>14:00 Skill shortages and market gaps</li><li>18:00 The cost of poor hiring</li><li>20:00 What businesses get wrong in hiring</li><li>22:00 Hybrid work, flexibility and candidate demand</li><li>25:00 Better interview processes</li><li>30:00 Lessons from building her business</li><li>34:00 Where to connect with Laura</li></ul><br/><h3>Connect with Laura Armstrong</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/larmstrong2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn - Profile</a></li><li><a href="https://armstrongtalentpartners.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Company Website</a></li></ul><br/><p><strong>Would you like to be featured on UK Business IQ?</strong></p><p>If you are an experienced business owner, consultant, coach, speaker or professional with valuable insight to share, we would love to hear from you. UK Business IQ is designed to spotlight credible experts who are doing great work and help them become more visible to the right audience. To apply to be considered as a guest on the show visit: <strong><a href="http://www.geoffnicholson.co.uk/getfeatured" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.geoffnicholson.co.uk/getfeatured</a></strong></p><h3>Final thought</h3><p>This is a practical and timely conversation for any business that needs to hire well, especially in a market where strong people have options. A strong reminder that recruitment is not just about process. It is about people, reputation and decisions that shape the future of the business.</p><p><span class="ql-size-small">This episode explores Laura Armstrong’s perspective on recruitment, hiring and the Scottish tech talent market based on her professional experience. The ideas shared are intended to help businesses think more clearly about hiring decisions and candidate experience, but the right approach will vary depending on the role, market and business stage.</span></p>
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