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Listen "Doing Business in the UK, US, and the Middle East with Stephen Read"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, Brad interviews Stephen Read in a thought-provoking conversation about leadership, business culture, and strategic planning with a focus on service-based businesses. Stephen shares his extensive experience in building and scaling companies across various regions, including the UK, US, Europe, and the Middle East. He emphasises the importance of nurturing talent within teams, the significance of a customer-centric culture, and the need for realistic business planning that goes beyond mere ambition.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Effective leadership involves nurturing and developing team members, allowing them to excel and potentially surpass the leader. This approach fosters a supportive environment that contributes to overall business success.
A strong company culture is essential for success and should be cultivated from the top down. Leaders must lead by example and ensure that the culture aligns with both employee needs and customer expectations.
Business plans should be grounded in reality, outlining clear steps to achieve ambitious goals. It's crucial to break down objectives into manageable milestones and ensure that the team has the resources and support needed to execute the plan.
Maintaining a strong focus on customer needs is vital for business growth. As companies scale, they must avoid losing sight of their customers, as this can lead to a decline in service quality and customer satisfaction.
Businesses must be willing to adapt and evolve their strategies based on market conditions and internal capabilities. This includes being open to feedback, learning from failures, and adjusting plans to ensure sustainable growth.
BEST MOMENTS
"I've always felt that if people want something and they push hard enough, they don't wait to be told or asked, they grab it."
"It's easier to be forgiven afterwards if you've done something or you've done too much than it is to ask permission in the first place."
"The leader of the business is central to a good culture. The leader has to lead by example."
"If you turn left or turn right, the price difference is huge, but the services for it isn't worth that."
"The UK is the hardest place to do business, I think, by some way."
HOST BIO
Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow.
He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting.
Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader.
Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Effective leadership involves nurturing and developing team members, allowing them to excel and potentially surpass the leader. This approach fosters a supportive environment that contributes to overall business success.
A strong company culture is essential for success and should be cultivated from the top down. Leaders must lead by example and ensure that the culture aligns with both employee needs and customer expectations.
Business plans should be grounded in reality, outlining clear steps to achieve ambitious goals. It's crucial to break down objectives into manageable milestones and ensure that the team has the resources and support needed to execute the plan.
Maintaining a strong focus on customer needs is vital for business growth. As companies scale, they must avoid losing sight of their customers, as this can lead to a decline in service quality and customer satisfaction.
Businesses must be willing to adapt and evolve their strategies based on market conditions and internal capabilities. This includes being open to feedback, learning from failures, and adjusting plans to ensure sustainable growth.
BEST MOMENTS
"I've always felt that if people want something and they push hard enough, they don't wait to be told or asked, they grab it."
"It's easier to be forgiven afterwards if you've done something or you've done too much than it is to ask permission in the first place."
"The leader of the business is central to a good culture. The leader has to lead by example."
"If you turn left or turn right, the price difference is huge, but the services for it isn't worth that."
"The UK is the hardest place to do business, I think, by some way."
HOST BIO
Brad Staines is a founder in the thick of it - but by design, not by default. As the face of Aquamark Cleaning, he’s built a multi-million-pound operation with 30+ team members, strong systems, and a culture that gives people space to grow.
He’s still involved in the business a couple of days a week - but only doing the parts he genuinely enjoys: building relationships, growing the brand, spending time with the team, and spotting new opportunities. The day-to-day grind? That’s been handed over to a structure that runs without constant firefighting.
Brad’s also found his rhythm outside of business - with a deep commitment to physical and mental training. Whether it’s strength work, early morning runs, or cold plunges, he’s a believer that how you show up for yourself shapes how you show up as a leader.
Working On It is where he brings it all together - growth, grit, and getting better every week
More episodes of the podcast Working On It
Working On It | Trailer
11/09/2025
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