Beside Ourselves

AI Conference season: what are the key takeaways for SMEs?

Theo and Giles report back from major tech conferences—sharing what they heard, what was hype, and what actually matters. From the K-point of careers to the real cost of AI, here's how SMEs should think about digital transformation without the nonsense. Please send us your questions in the comments or via email to podcast@besidepartners.com.

How do we shape perceptions, when AI acts as brand gatekeeper?

AI has fundamentally disrupted the brand discovery journey by intercepting the consumer consideration process before a human ever sees you. To thrive,  brands need to go back to basics: clarity of purpose, specificity of positioning, and a digital footprint a machine can trust. For SMEs, this is a rare and genuine levelling of the field moment. In the latest episode of Beside Ourselves, we had the pleasure of speaking with Christian Lazopoulos, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Brave, a marketing communications and digital technology group based in Athens. Please send us your questions in the comments or via email to podcast@besidepartners.com.

How AI Is rewriting Search and SEO, ft Aris Vrakas from Rankbee

Giles and Theo sit down with Aris Vrakas, CEO of Rankbee, to unpack how AI has quietly rewritten the rules of search, why your SEO strategy may be leaving you invisible to an entirely new kind of buyer, and what you can realistically do about it right now. Whether you're a marketer, a business owner, or just someone wondering why your web traffic feels a bit off lately, this one will make you look at your homepage very differently. Questions or comments? Please use the comments or email podcast@besidepartners.com.

Which AI tools do we use every day?

Giles and Theo stop talking about AI in theory and get specific: which models they actually use, which ones they've quietly abandoned, and the apps that have genuinely earned a place in their daily workflows. Plus, why Giles still starts every piece of writing with a fountain pen and paper — and why that's not as eccentric as it sounds. Honest, practical, and a little opinionated — as it should be. Please email us your questions or feedback at podcast@besidepartners.com.

How do we turn down the heat on AI conversation?

In recent weeks, we've seen a surge in anxiety surrounding AI, from explosive software vulnerabilities to public backlash against tech leaders. Can we shift the narrative? Instead of rushing headfirst into adoption, we need to slow down and engage in more meaningful conversations. It's time to address concerns, clarify misconceptions, and promote responsible deployment. Please email us your questions or feedback at podcast@besidepartners.com.