Think2Thrive 'unplugged'

Episode 27: Interview with Aidan O'Driscoll, Founder of Align, 30 under 30

Aidan O Driscoll is the Founder a Director of Align a GTM agency based in Ranelagh. Aidan has been named as one of Ireland’s 30 under 30 and has been in Forbes and the Times discussing Sales and growing a business.  You can connect with Aidan here: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-o-driscoll-866472138/] Align Website [https://www.alignca.ie/]

Episode 26: Interview with Fraser Grant, Entrepreneur

Entrepreneur and Global Team Leader. Committed to helping others unlock more of their full potential! In this episode we get to listen to Fraser Grant who tells us a bit about his success story so far ... and there is much more to come! You are going to absolutely love this one. And if you wish to connect with Fraser you can do it on the links below: Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/frasergrant_?igsh=cmQ1ZTRiOHlscGR4&utm_source=qr] Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/share/18E5ZnZwXs/?mibextid=wwXIfr] Youtube [https://youtube.com/@frasergrant1?si=kuDjjPuRbP09F0y3]

Episode 25: Interview with Aalpa Pnddya, Learning & Development Specialist, Performance & Behavioural Change Coach

This month, I had the absolute pleasure to welcome a good friend of mine, Aalpa Pnddya to the show, to discuss all things mindset, goals etc and it was an amazing conversation! Thanks a million Aalpa for been such a great guest on the show! Aalpa's Bio: I’m a Learning & Development Specialist and Corporate Trainer who helps teams communicate, lead, and perform with clarity and confidence. I believe communication shapes culture — and when people speak, listen, and lead better, organisations transform. My work spans behaviour-based learning programmes in communication, leadership, emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, and workplace mindset. I design and deliver training that’s discussion-led, practical, and rooted in real behavioural change — not theory that gets forgotten the next day. As a mindset and confidence coach, I’ve helped professionals overcome fear, speak with presence, influence stakeholders, and connect authentically with clients and teams. My approach blends adult learning principles with practical communication tools people can use immediately. I trained under Bob Proctor and became a Certified Coach with the Proctor Gallagher Institute, supporting individuals and teams to think clearly, perform under pressure, and build stronger habits. In 2022, I received the Brainz 500 Global Award for entrepreneurial contribution and personal development. Before coaching and facilitation, I spent 14 years at British Telecom handling high-pressure customer conversations — service failures, vulnerable cases, escalations, and financial hardship. Those years taught me the real meaning of empathy, clarity, and composure. My early radio career with the BBC helped me develop a natural, human style of communication — something I bring into every workshop and coaching session. Today, I’m focused on transitioning into a full-time L&D or Corporate Training role — environments where communication, behaviour, leadership and inclusion all come together. I’m based in the UK and open to opportunities across the UK, India, or Dubai. Core Competencies: Learning & Development | Corporate Training | Leadership Development | Behaviour-Based Learning | Diversity & Inclusion | Communication Coaching | Adult Learning | Emotional Intelligence | Workshop Delivery | Sales Enablement | Mindset & Confidence Coaching | Performance Improvement Connect with Aapla here: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalpapnddya/]

Episode 24: Interview with Bogdan Stan, CEO of WhatsWhat.ie and Utender.ie

Bogdan Stan is the CEO and founder of UTender, as well as the CEO of WhatsWhat, a business ecosystem built to support growth, visibility, status, and meaningful partnerships. He’s passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, and turning ideas into impact. At WhatsWhat and UTender, I help SMEs thrive by offering tailored solutions in key growth areas like SEO, marketing, lead generation, and sales. Here’s how: 1. Boosting Visibility with SEO: At WhatsWhat, we help your business become more visible online by optimizing your website to rank higher in search engine results. We offer high-quality backlinks that contribute to 15% of Google's ranking factors, and we help optimize your profiles to be easily read by Google spiders, getting you on the first page. Businesses that appear on the first page get 70% more business. 2. Driving Targeted Marketing: Through our platforms, we offer strategic marketing that’s crafted to resonate with your target audience. This includes content in our digital magazine, direct email campaigns to our extensive database, and leveraging our social media channels. Whether it’s through digital content, ads, or community engagement, we ensure your brand’s message reaches the right people. 3. Generating Quality Leads: Using the UTender platform, we connect businesses to active service seekers in need of what you offer. We cut through the noise, putting you in front of interested prospects, which leads to high-quality inquiries that are more likely to convert. Additionally, we help drive direct sales through your WhatsWhat profile and magazine presence, as well as through affiliate programs and networking events. 4. Enabling Sales Growth: With tools like WhatsWhat’s business directory and UTender’s direct project notifications, we empower your sales efforts. We help you get noticed by potential clients, secure opportunities quickly, and provide you with insights to close deals efficiently. Our channels, including your profile, the magazine, and affiliate programs, further enhance your sales potential. 5. Making Marketing Human-Friendly: We’re not just about numbers and metrics; we’re about building connections. Our approach helps businesses tell their story authentically, building trust and ultimately converting more customers. Partnering with WhatsWhat and UTender means you’re not alone in your growth journey. We’re here to help you navigate the challenges of scaling up, standing out, and achieving sustainable growth. You can find and connect with Bogdan here on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petru-bogdan-stan-8aa2416a/] Find out more about WhatsWhat here [https://whatswhat.global/ie/] And find out more about U-Tender here [https://utender.ie/]

Episode 23: Interview with Mark Victor Hansen, Worldwide Best Selling Author - Helping People share their Story

The world has experienced 10 years of change in the past 3 months. Here are some tips to watch so you can keep ahead in business today! 1) Everything is online and remote. This is the new normal and much of it will continue even after the pandemic. What are you doing to adapt your company to the new virtual world? All speaking events and conferences have been canceled for the near future. My company started to build online training courses to help support people so they can learn and keep prospering in the change. We used a company called OperationsX.com to build my newest book writing and marketing course titled "You Have a Book in You." I recommend all companies to stay ahead of the curve and put your training, keynote speeches, and learning online so you can spread your information to the world without the limitations of physical challenge. 2) With everything bombarding you online, how do you distinguish yourself from the pack? The most effective method I have found is by writing a book. If you put your message down on paper and immortalize it in a book; people know what you believe, what you stand for, and the people that like what you write will view you as an expert in the subject matter. This is a powerful tool to gain credibility and differentiate yourself, your brand, and your company to make your thoughts stand out and translate those thoughts to growth, wealth, and prosperity. 3) Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, need, and deserve in life. People are in need right now and we need to ask because I believe that 1+1 does not equal 2, if you look at it the right way it equals 11. We are here on earth to help each other and uplift others. By combining the ask from one to another, you can create exponential growth with 2 people working synergistically on a topic. This method is truly the bridge from your dreams to your destiny. 4) Keep your head up and don't stop learning! With the rapid changes happening, we need to learn and improve faster and more often than ever. Crisis equals opportunity. If you seek the solutions to this crisis you will find your life full of amazing opportunity. My new books on AMAZON NOW: ASK! The Bridge From Your Dreams to Your Destiny: https://www.amazon.com/dp/164293495X/ref=cm_sw_su_dp How To Be Up in Down Times: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087S82GWR/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_OQJ.Eb1T2Y9CA You Have A Book in You: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V9Z1Z35/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_JRJ.EbQJTBY9N Find Mark Here: [https://markvictorhansenlibrary.com/mvh-book-course]