Episodes

  • Episode 004: Reach

    Episode 004: Reach
    Mar 7 2023
    ACT Group pride itself on the 'accurate prescription of engineering solutions since 2006'. The best solutions for the job – on time, every time.

    In this new ACT Group Podcast episode, brand builder Mychael Owen chats to ACT Group MD Michael Richardson in the 4th episode - 'Reach' - of a Diary of an Engineering CEO.

    Recorded: January 2023.
    Length: 18:43.

    Watch the episodes on:

    ACT Group Website: https://www.my-act.co.uk/category/podcasts/
    ACT Group YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZDBq-T4TmVfaJ95fPxUPg

    Follow us on LinkedIn to keep updated: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-cutting-tools-ltd/

    Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/diary-of-an-engineering-ceo
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    19 mins
  • Episode 003: Pillars and Principles

    Episode 003: Pillars and Principles
    Oct 13 2022
    ACT Group pride itself on the 'accurate prescription of engineering solutions since 2006'. The best solutions for the job – on time, every time.

    In this new ACT Group Podcast episode, brand builder Mychael Owen chats to ACT Group MD Michael Richardson in the 3rd episode - 'Pillars and Principles' - of a Diary of an Engineering CEO.

    Recorded: September 2022.
    Length: 34:03.

    TOPICS.

    9 Principles and 5 Pillars.

    ...

    1. PLAN

    Have a plan. If you haven't got a plan it is not a good starting point.

    ...

    2. PURPOSE

    This is the reason we do what we do.

    The 5 Pillars of ACT Group are:
    1. Generations
    2. Shrinkage
    3. Capacity
    4. Profit
    5. Legacy

    ...

    3. CANDLE

    How to keep going when you don't do 8-hour days and 5-day weeks.

    ...

    4. SERVICE

    When it comes to service levels, okay isn't okay.

    ...

    5. CUSTOMERS

    It's important for ACT Group to have quality relationships with every single customer.

    ...

    6. SUPPLIERS

    How to manage a temptation to overpromise with suppliers.

    ...

    7. DYNAMIC

    Always be open to change - daily, weekly, monthly.

    ...

    8. AGILE

    We live in a world of 'It was needed yesterday'.

    ...

    9. BUMPS

    When things don't quite go to plan.

    ...

    Watch the episodes on:

    ACT Group Website: https://www.my-act.co.uk/category/podcasts/
    ACT Group YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZDBq-T4TmVfaJ95fPxUPg

    Follow us on LinkedIn to keep updated: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-cutting-tools-ltd/

    Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/diary-of-an-engineering-ceo
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Episode 002: Moments and Milestones

    Episode 002: Moments and Milestones
    Jul 8 2022
    ACT Group pride itself on the 'accurate prescription of engineering solutions since 2006'. The best solutions for the job – on time, every time.

    In this new ACT Group Podcast episode, brand builder Mychael Owen chats to ACT Group MD Michael Richardson in the 2nd episode - 'Moments and Milestones' - of a Diary of an Engineering CEO.

    Recorded: June 2022.
    Length: 34:22.

    TOPICS.

    About Michael Richardson and ACT Group.

    Moments and milestones during the 16 years of ACT Group:

    When did you first try running your own business?
    Why did you want to do it?
    Financially, how did you start ACT Group?
    Family support and personal sacrifices.
    Where was your first office?
    Moving to a bigger office.
    How do you learn to be an MD?
    It's all about the people.
    Creating a good place to work.
    How long do customers tend to stay with ACT Group?
    Investing in infrastructure.
    What was the first indulgent thing you bought yourself?
    Do you have any regrets or wish you'd done things different or better?
    Do you get enough time off?
    Coping during the tricky times.
    Looking forward to the future for ACT Group.
    What drives you now?

    Watch the episodes on:

    ACT Group Website: https://www.my-act.co.uk/category/podcasts/
    ACT Group YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZDBq-T4TmVfaJ95fPxUPg

    Follow us on LinkedIn to keep updated: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-cutting-tools-ltd/

    Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/diary-of-an-engineering-ceo
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Episode 001: People

    Episode 001: People
    Mar 18 2022
    ACT Group pride itself on the 'accurate prescription of engineering solutions since 2006'. The best solutions for the job – on time, every time.

    In this new ACT Group Podcast, brand builder Mychael Owen chats to ACT Group MD Michael Richardson in the first episode - 'People' - of a Diary of an Engineering CEO.

    Recorded: March 2022.
    Length: 31:50.

    TOPICS.

    About Michael Richardson and ACT Group:
    Tell us a little bit about you and the company.
    Where, geographically are your customers?
    How did ACT Group grow to have the biggest market share in that territory?

    Managing People:
    Are you any good at managing people?
    Being a good boss
    Does your Dad's involvement in the business influence how you work?
    The open door policy - can your team talk to you?
    What do you look for when recruiting?
    Employing people from competitor companies
    Communication and involvement
    Quiz. How well do you know your people?

    Watch the episodes on:

    ACT Group Website: https://www.my-act.co.uk/category/podcasts/
    ACT Group YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZDBq-T4TmVfaJ95fPxUPg

    Follow us on LinkedIn to keep updated: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-cutting-tools-ltd/

    Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/diary-of-an-engineering-ceo
    Show More Show Less
    32 mins