Podcasts | Valorem First

Welcome to Never Mind the Buzzwords—the podcast that ditches jargon and gets real about business transformation.

Hosted by Helen McMillan and Will Pearce, this series is your no-nonsense guide to unlocking true business value through digital and technological innovation.

In a world drowning in hype, how do you separate game-changing innovation from empty noise? Never Mind the Buzzwords cuts through the fluff, exploring the practical realities of digital transformation—helping businesses boost efficiency, agility, and growth.

Helen and Will bring clarity to the chaos, sharing real-world insights that help you make smart, impactful decisions. Whether you're tackling operational challenges, enhancing customer experience, or evolving your business model, this podcast delivers actionable strategies that turn digital potential into measurable success.

Expect expert interviews, case studies, and straight-talking discussions on what actually works in business transformation.

Episode 3: From Submarines to Strategy: Navigating Leadership in Business with Ricky Milliken

What does life on a submarine have to do with leading a business? More than you might think.

In this episode, Helen and Will sit down with Ricky Milliken, Managing Director at Valorem First, to explore how high-pressure environments, close-knit teams, and a deep understanding of process have shaped his approach to leadership and transformation.

Together, they unpack the lessons Ricky learned beneath the surface - from building camaraderie in confined spaces to making critical decisions with limited time and data - and how those experiences now inform how he runs a business built on clarity, collaboration, and purpose.

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Episode 2: Brains Work Differently – So Should Workplaces with Nuria Fraile-Diaz

Workplaces are designed for the ‘average’ employee—but what if we built them to support all thinking styles? In this episode, Helen and Ricky dive into the realities of neurodiversity in the workplace with Nuria Fraile-Diaz, a specialist in learning and development.

Together, they explore how businesses can go beyond surface-level accommodations and rethink communication, recruitment, and work structures to unlock hidden talent and create a genuinely inclusive culture.

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Episode 1: From Waste to Worth: Identifying Value in Your Organisation

In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of value—how businesses define it, measure it, and, most importantly, create it. Our guest, Mhairi Brown, shares insights into engaging employees, identifying inefficiencies through value stream mapping, and fostering a culture where people feel valued beyond just their paycheque. We explore real-world examples of streamlining operations, tackling root causes of inefficiencies, and implementing small but impactful changes that drive long-term success. Tune in for a candid conversation on how businesses can balance value for employees and bottom-line impact while cultivating meaningful workplace relationships.

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