The Art of Being Nimble

What the Swiss F-35 Deal Teaches Us About Procurement

WHAT THE SWISS F-35 DEAL TEACHES US ABOUT PROCUREMENT Glenn Smith interviews Mirko Kleiner Artwork for the podcast episode with Mirko Kleiner on The Art of Being Nimble podcast, where he discusses the Swiss F-35 deal and what we can learn from it about Lean Agile procurement. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Mirko-Kleiner-1024x1024.jpg] What can a controversial fighter jet deal teach us about the way organisations buy products and services? In this episode of The Art of Being Nimble, Glenn Smith is joined by Mirko Kleiner [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirkokleiner/], co-founder of the Lean-Agile Procurement Alliance [https://www.lap-alliance.org] and a leading voice in rethinking procurement approaches. Together, they unpack the Swiss government’s troubled acquisition of the F-35 fighter jet — a high-stakes, multi-billion deal that has become a national scandal. Mirko explains why traditional procurement processes often set both buyers and suppliers up for failure, particularly in fast-moving, complex environments. The conversation explores: * Why procurement models built for a predictable world are failing in today’s complexity * The hidden costs and risks of lengthy, adversarial tendering processes * How outcome-based specifications and collaboration with suppliers can deliver better results * Real-world examples of Lean-Agile Procurement in government and enterprise settings * Practical advice for leaders preparing for their next big procurement challenge Whether you’re managing multi-million contracts or simply trying to buy smarter in your organisation, this episode will change how you think about procurement — and why agility, trust, and collaboration matter more than ever. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/spotify.png]https://open.spotify.com/show/5pzNnwkl7JSzz7jOYUJSay?si=YKut94k3RP-IVyU6UI_zxQ [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amazon-music.png]https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ccfeb305-52a8-4c89-af98-118de6951e25/the-art-of-being-nimble [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/apple-podcasts.png]https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-being-nimble/id1793754922

Sir Robert Buckland on Navigating AI Risk and Regulation

SIR ROBERT BUCKLAND ON NAVIGATING AI RISK AND REGULATION Glenn Smith interviews Sir Robert Buckland KC Artwork for the podcast episode with Sir Robert Buckland KC on The Art of Being Nimble podcast, where he discusses AI and the law. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sir-Robert-Buckland-KC-Episode-1024x1024.jpg] As AI tools become embedded in everyday business decisions, the legal and ethical stakes are rising fast. In this episode, Glenn speaks with former UK Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, Sir Robert Buckland KC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbuckland/], about what companies need to know now, before the regulations catch up. Drawing on his time in government and as a senior fellow at Harvard, Buckland offers a frank, practical perspective on the realities businesses face: from data retention pitfalls and copyright clashes to the risks of automation and global regulatory drift. They explore: * Why existing laws already apply to AI — and where the grey areas are * The UK’s approach vs. the EU and US regulatory models * What boards and founders should ask before adopting AI tools * How trust, transparency and human judgment remain non-negotiables * What gives him hope that we’ll get it right — eventually Whether you’re building with AI or buying it in, this conversation offers a clear-eyed look at the risks, responsibilities, and decisions business leaders can’t afford to delay. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/spotify.png]https://open.spotify.com/show/5pzNnwkl7JSzz7jOYUJSay?si=YKut94k3RP-IVyU6UI_zxQ [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amazon-music.png]https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ccfeb305-52a8-4c89-af98-118de6951e25/the-art-of-being-nimble [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/apple-podcasts.png]https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-being-nimble/id1793754922

When the Juice Isn’t Worth the Squeeze: Letting Go of a Promising Business

WHEN THE JUICE ISN’T WORTH THE SQUEEZE: LETTING GO OF A PROMISING BUSINESS Glenn Smith interviews Adam Mattis Artwork for the podcast episode with Adam Mattis on The Art of Being Nimble podcast, where he discusses his experiment in running a local power cleaning business. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Adam-Mattis-episode-1024x1024.jpg] What happens when a business is working on paper—but not for you? In this episode, Adam Mattis [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adammattis/] shares the story of Beans Power Clean, a home services startup he co-founded with his wife and scaled quickly. With strong demand, great branding, and a clear operations model, everything pointed to success. But just four months in, Adam made the difficult decision to shut it down. Why? Because despite the metrics, it wasn’t the kind of business he wanted to run, and the personal cost wasn’t worth the payoff. We explore the tension between what appears to be success from the outside and what feels right on the inside. Adam reflects on risk, identity, and motivation—how leadership lessons from the corporate world don’t always translate to frontline businesses, and why founders need the courage to walk away when the fit is wrong. It’s a practical, honest look at what it means to let go of a promising business before it consumes you. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/spotify.png]https://open.spotify.com/show/5pzNnwkl7JSzz7jOYUJSay?si=YKut94k3RP-IVyU6UI_zxQ [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amazon-music.png]https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ccfeb305-52a8-4c89-af98-118de6951e25/the-art-of-being-nimble [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/apple-podcasts.png]https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-being-nimble/id1793754922

Lonely at the Top – Why Founders Need NEDs

LONELY AT THE TOP – WHY FOUNDERS NEED NEDS Glenn Smith interviews James Savage Artwork for the podcast episode with James Savage on The Art of Being Nimble podcast, where he discusses the role of a Non-Executive Director (NED)/Independent Director. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/James-Savage-episode-1024x1024.jpg] Being a founder can be exhilarating — but also isolating. As businesses grow, the decisions get harder, the stakes get higher, and the pressure doesn’t let up. That’s where a good non-executive director comes in. In this episode, Glenn speaks with James Savage [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamessavagehk/], a Chartered Director, experienced board member, Institute of Directors Ambassador, and advisor to tech companies across the UK and Asia, about the role of a Non-Executive Director (NED). They explore how independent directors provide challenge, calm, and clarity when it matters most, and why many companies misunderstand the role. Because leadership can be lonely, and sometimes the most valuable thing a founder or senior leader can have is someone who has been there, sees clearly, and has no hidden agenda. In the interview, Glenn references another podcast episode that covers a multi-generational workforce. This was the interview with Andy Lethbridge [https://www.nimbility.co/podcast/building-a-learning-organisation-across-generations/]. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/spotify.png]https://open.spotify.com/show/5pzNnwkl7JSzz7jOYUJSay?si=YKut94k3RP-IVyU6UI_zxQ [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amazon-music.png]https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ccfeb305-52a8-4c89-af98-118de6951e25/the-art-of-being-nimble [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/apple-podcasts.png]https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-being-nimble/id1793754922

How Finding Product-Market Fit Unlocked Rapid Growth — and Why Adobe Acquired ContentCal

HOW FINDING PRODUCT-MARKET FIT UNLOCKED RAPID GROWTH — AND WHY ADOBE ACQUIRED CONTENTCAL Glenn Smith interviews Andy Lambert [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Andy-Lambert-Episode-1024x1024.jpg] Every startup talks about finding product-market fit—but few get it right. Andy Lambert [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyrlambert/] and the team at ContentCal didn’t just find it – they used it to unlock rapid growth, build a loyal customer base, and ultimately catch the attention of Adobe. In this episode, Andy shares the real story behind ContentCal’s journey: the early hustle, the painful lessons, and the critical decisions that made the difference—including how putting human faces at the centre of their brand created an unstoppable force of personality-led growth. We explore how relentless customer conversations shaped the product, why focusing on underserved businesses (not big logos) was crucial for rapid scaling, and how ContentCal’s personal, human approach to marketing established trust that no paid ad could replicate. Andy also shares lessons on rectifying early sales mistakes, expanding a team, and what it’s like to hand your company over to one of the world’s largest software brands. It’s a practical, honest examination of what it takes to grow a company from idea to exit. The book Andy mentioned was The Startup Owner’s Manual [https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Startup+Owner's+Manual%3A+The+Step-By-Step+Guide+for+Building+a+Great+Company-p-9781119690689]. [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/spotify.png]https://open.spotify.com/show/5pzNnwkl7JSzz7jOYUJSay?si=YKut94k3RP-IVyU6UI_zxQ [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amazon-music.png]https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/ccfeb305-52a8-4c89-af98-118de6951e25/the-art-of-being-nimble [https://www.nimbility.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/apple-podcasts.png]https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-art-of-being-nimble/id1793754922