The unconventional meeting strategies of the world's top business leaders

Welcome to Business Matters. In this edition, we go inside the meeting strategies of the best of the best, look at a digital consultancy’s non-hierarchical model of management, explore how Sir Rocco Forte built a second billion-pound empire, talk to the leader of a recycling company that uses gamification to motivate customers and more. 

How Sir Rocco Forte built another billion-pound company after losing the family business

Sir Rocco Forte has led two businesses worth more than £1bn. The first, Forte Group, was founded by his father, Charles. It owned hotels and restaurants and was one of the biggest companies in the UK. But in 1996 it was lost. 

Forte was taken over by Granada after a hostile bid battle and then dismantled. Sir Rocco had to start again. At first, he had no properties and couldn't even use the family name. But Rocco Forte Hotels is now valued at £1.2bn. This is the story of how Sir Rocco fought back and his thoughts on how to grow a business. 

You can listen to the episode in full here or wherever you get your podcasts. 

The meeting strategies of the world’s top business leaders

From Jeff Bezos' "two-pizza rule" to Sheryl Sandberg's emotional check-ins, the world’s top business leaders have their own quirky approaches to running meetings. These unique strategies – from cutting meeting times in half to banning PowerPoint – reflect their broader philosophies on leadership and team productivity. 

You can read all about it here . 

Rethinking management: The story of Jellyfish’s non-hierarchical model

Most companies have very similar management structures. There is likely to be someone you report into who sets your objectives, monitors your progress and provides support and guidance.  

At the digital consultancy Jellyfish , however, this was not the case. It did not have a typical corporate pyramid structure – it did away with line managers and heads of department. Instead, staff were almost all individual contributors responsible for their own progress and career advancement. 

It might sound chaotic, but the company’s co-founder Rob Pierre believes it set the company up to get the best out of people.

Here’s the story of how he did it. 

The importance of competition within companies

We’re used to the idea of competition being a good idea when it exists between companies in open markets, to raise standards, drive innovation and keep prices low for customers. But have you considered the power of competition within companies? 

Bruce Bratley , the founder and CEO of First Mile | Certified B Corp , believes it’s an important factor to consider when you design your product offering, as he explains in our latest My CEO Secret video. 

You can watch the rest of the My CEO Secret series here . 

How to tap the power of neurodiverse talent

While many companies recognise the value of diversity, neurodiversity often remains overlooked. Despite widespread equity policies, few SMEs actively focus on integrating neurodiverse talent, leading to missed opportunities. 

Our talent management Expert Niki Turner-Harding says that by embracing neuroinclusive recruitment and retention strategies, businesses can unlock significant benefits, from enhanced creativity to greater loyalty, ensuring they remain agile in today's challenging markets.

You can read the article here . 

Caspar Lee: Fake it till you make it 

Speaking at the Oxford Union, Caspar Lee reflects on his battle with impostor syndrome and the powerful motivator behind the aphorism "fake it till you make it." 

Through personal anecdotes and examples from industry giants like Apple and Airbnb, Lee explores how early manual efforts and self-confidence can drive success. 

However, he warns of the fine line between confidence and deception, underscoring the importance of authenticity and ethical behaviour in achieving lasting success. 

You can read the article here . 

Growth Stories: Harriet Hastings and Biscuiteers

Harriet Hastings transformed her experience in publishing and PR into a thriving business when she founded the Biscuiteers Baking Company in 2007. Seventeen years later, her luxury food gifting brand produces 3 million iced biscuits annually, employs 200 people and is set to exceed £13m in revenue. 

With a focus on e-commerce and personalized gifting, Hastings has navigated the challenges of scaling an artisanal product, cementing Biscuiteers as a leader in the luxury gifting market. This is her Growth Story. 

You can read the article here and about more inspirational businesses in our Growth Stories series here . 

Learning to lead: Transforming a legacy business

After stepping into the family business to spend time with her ailing father, Clare Elford transformed a declining software division into a thriving enterprise. 

Now CEO of Clue Software , a software provider dedicated to intelligence and investigations, Elford has led the company from a modest £400,000 in revenue to £7m annually, all while prioritising collaboration and purpose-driven leadership. 

You can read the latest in our Learning to lead series here . 

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In today’s edition of Off to Lunch: 

🤖 Another Nvidia wobble stokes AI bubble fear

🗓️ Day one employment rights concerns 

🧾 "Tax road map" for business promise 

🕰️ Why 10,000 hours is a lie

😋 The surprising ingredient of the truly great 

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