In this conversation, Alan O'Neill and Wojtek Swietochowski discuss the critical role of renewable energy, particularly solar, in achieving sustainability. They explore the economic benefits, the importance of energy storage, and the integration of solar energy with farming. Wojtek shares insights into AboEnergy's business model, the challenges of legislation, and the future trends in renewable energy, including innovations in technology and the potential for hydrogen as a clean energy source.

Following two previous episodes with Paco Underhill and John Mitchell, Alan connects the dots between AI hype and boardroom reality… why culture is the operating system, change management is the gearbox, and strategy still decides the race.

In this solo episode, Alan O’Neill explores how AI is reshaping not just technology — but culture, leadership, and strategy.

Drawing on insights from previous guests John Mitchell (All Human) and Paco Underhill, Alan unpacks:

• How AI is changing search and customer behaviour

• Why small innovators are outpacing big brands

• The cultural pitfalls that derail strategy execution

• The 4D Model — a practical roadmap for AI-driven change

If you’re leading a team, building strategy, or navigating transformation — this is a must-listen on how to keep culture and execution aligned in the age of AI.

AI isn’t just changing how we market — it’s changing how people find and buy.
In this episode of Boardroom Insights, Alan O’Neill speaks with John Mitchell, Principal of All Human, a digital agency leading at the intersection of technology and AI.

They explore:

• What AI means for the future of search engines

• Why merchants will need to rethink their websites entirely

• How AI partnerships like OpenAI x Stripe are transforming e-commerce

• What businesses must do now to stay visible — and profitable — in an AI-powered world

If you run a digital brand, this episode is essential listening for understanding what’s coming next.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Alan O’Neill takes us behind the scenes of professional speaking — how events are booked, tailored, and delivered — and shares a powerful case study from Suzuki UK. Discover how one heritage brand keeps customer experience at the heart of its success, and why culture, not just training, is the true key to consistency.

Topics Covered:

• How keynote speaking really works

• Why every presentation should be tailored to the audience

• The difference between service and hospitality

• How Suzuki uses culture to sustain excellence

• Why real customer experience has nothing to do with price tags

Listen now and see how a customer-first culture can drive performance and profit.

Following last week’s conversation with Paco Underhill, Alan O’Neill shares The KISS 7-Day Challenge — a simple but powerful roadmap for leaders who want to turn customer insight into execution.

In this episode, Alan breaks down seven daily actions that help teams stay aligned, customer-focused, and fast-moving.
If Paco showed us how to see the customer, this is how to act on it.

Paco Underhill is often called the godfather of retail anthropology. As the founder of Envirosell and author of Why We Buy, The Call of the Mall and How We Eat, he reshaped how businesses design space, understand human behavior and build experiences around real people, not unrealistic, imaginary personas.

Long before our conversation, Paco’s approach to observing people was quietly influencing how I worked, even without me realizing it.

In this episode of Boardroom Insights, Alan O’Neill introduces the KARA Leader’s Six-Pack — a practical framework that shows leaders how to:

• Turn strategy into daily action

• Build the muscles every leader needs (Self, Team, Business)

• Balance courage with compassion so people stay with you while results are delivered

If you want to lead with both grit and grace, this episode is your playbook.

Alan O’Neill speaks with Ralph Ward about the changing role of boards, the dynamics between CEOs and chairmen, and why diversity and skills are crucial for effective governance.

From the value of non-executive directors to the future of hands-on boards, this episode explores what really makes boards work.

Alan O’Neill talks with Jean McCabe, Managing Director of Retail Excellence Ireland, about the state of retail in 2025.

They discuss phygital shopping, AI’s role in cutting costs, creating magical customer experiences, and why retail skills are future-proof.

Essential listening for leaders in retail and beyond.

Product. People. Place. Your customers judge you on all three. In this episode of Boardroom Insights, Alan O’Neill explores the often-overlooked power of place in shaping your proposition.

From Paco Underhill’s Why We Buy to real-world stories of hotels, websites, and supply chains, you’ll walk away with a practical checklist to differentiate your business.

In Part 3 of our August series on Proposition, Alan O’Neill explores why people are the most powerful leg of your 3-legged stool (Product, People, Place).

Discover:

• The story of “Johnny the Bagger” — and why customers queued just to see him.

• How empathy and consistency keep customers loyal, even when competitors are closer or cheaper.

• The 3 Cs framework for customer interactions: Connect, Consult, Conclude.

• Four leadership levers: Recruitment, Training, Communication, Wellbeing.

Because products can be copied. People cannot.

Listen now and re-think how people shape your USP.

In this solo summer episode, Alan O’Neill dives deep into the “Product” leg of the 3-Legged Stool — part of Step 6 of the 7 Steps to Profit.
He shares hard-earned lessons on product strategy, including category design, pricing architecture, flagships, and innovation.
A must-listen for any business that’s looking to clean up its offer, differentiate with intent, and drive higher margin.

In this solo episode, Alan O’Neill dives into Step 6 of the 7 Steps to Profit — your Proposition.
He reveals why focusing only on product is a mistake, and how his proven 3-Legged Stool model (Product, People, Place) gives companies a stronger, more aligned way to grow.
Learn how to audit your business, avoid the price trap, and stand out in today’s crowded marketplace.

Alan O’Neill sits down with global AI expert Dr. Samir Mirdad... advisor to billion-dollar companies... to explore the real-world impact of applied AI.

From saving lives on oil rigs to predicting sports injuries in real time, Samir shares jaw-dropping examples of how AI is quietly transforming entire industries.

You’ll learn:

• What applied AI really means (and why most AI out there isn’t real)

• How a single model saved $50M in telecom supply chains

• How video AI is reinventing healthcare, sport, and security

• Why most boardrooms are getting AI wrong — and what to do instead

This is a must-listen episode for CEOs, investors, and leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve... and not go extinct.

Gen Zs Part 2. This episode explores how they behave as customers (B2C) or as buyers (B2B).

In this episode, Alan O’Neill unpacks what Gen Z really wants — and why their expectations matter more than ever for both B2C and B2B leaders.

From Patagonia to Shein, Starbucks to Shopify, Gen Z are calling out inauthentic brands and rewarding the ones who live their values.

You’ll learn:

• Why values, transparency, and experience are non-negotiables

• What B2B leaders can do now to avoid being seen as outdated

• And why Gen Z will shape your next generation of buyers

🎧 Listen now
📘 Download the free 7 Steps to Profit eBook at 7stepstoprofit.com

By 2030, Gen Z will make up 72% of the global workforce — but most organisations are still leading like it’s 2010. In this episode, Alan O’Neill sits down with Julie Ryan, Deputy MD at Harvest, to unpack one of the most important workplace studies of the decade.

You’ll learn:

• What makes Gen Z truly different (and what doesn’t)

• Why “phygital” communication is redefining the workplace

• How to lead, recruit, and retain this new generation

• What organisations must change now to stay competitive

This isn’t about mollycoddling. It’s about adapting. Because if we don’t evolve, we lose the future of talent.

👉 Want practical tools for alignment and growth? Download our free eBook The 7 Steps to Profit: www.7stepstoprofit.com

In this solo KISS Insights episode, Alan O’Neill shares stories of real leaders facing real pressure and reflects on what leadership really requires in times of change.

From burnout to boardroom tension, Alan explores the emotional toll of modern business and introduces a 100-year-old piece of wisdom that still resonates: Desiderata.

No ads. No jargon. Just perspective.

If you’re leading through noise, take 12 minutes to reset.

ESG. Sustainability. Responsible Investment.
These buzzwords dominate boardrooms — but what do they actually mean?

Alan O’Neill is joined by Daniella Woolf, CEO of Danesmead Advisory, to unpack ESG like never before.
They explore:

• How ESG has evolved — and why many get it wrong

• What regulations like SFDR and SDR really require

• The trap of greenwashing (and how to avoid it)

• How companies of every size can embed ESG in culture and decision-making

• Why investors, employees, and clients are all demanding better

If you're responsible for strategy, culture, or compliance — this is unmissable.

Think money is the biggest motivator at work? Think again.

In this short KISS episode of Boardroom Insights, Alan O’Neill introduces the KASH model — Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Habit — as the true drivers of productivity.

Packed with real-world examples from retail and leadership coaching, Alan explains how you can improve output, motivation, and customer experience — without adding to your payroll.

Listen now for a practical, proven model that transforms performance at every level of your business.

Mark Eardley, founder of Langcliffe International, joins Alan to unpack the secret world of M&A deal origination.

With 30+ years in corporate finance, Mark explains how his team matches committed buyers with vendor-led opportunities across Europe and the U.S.

You’ll hear how Langcliffe built Europe’s largest buy-side deal pipeline, why culture matters more than price, and what every founder should know before selling. An essential episode for investors, advisors, and business owners alike.