One More Question

Mike Stopforth - Back to honesty, value and impact

Episode Summary

Capitalism 2.0 is broken. We’re too focused on growth at all costs and we’ve reached the point where this has to change — socially, environmentally, and ethically. In Episode #10 of OneMoreQuestion Ross sits down with Mike Stopforth, entrepreneur, writer, speaker, and ex-CEO of Cerebra to chat about purpose and values in business, capitalism, impact, social media and ‘influencers’. Highlights: Defining and staying true to your explicit purpose — 8.40 Values in business — 13.14 Business as part of an ecosystem — 16.31 Brands in the social media environment — 20.55 Moving away from a growth at all costs model — 32.03

Episode Notes

More about Mike

Mike Stopforth is an entrepreneur, writer and speaker. He is particularly passionate about transformational leadership and organisational change, and enjoys helping fellow business owners, executive teams and CEOs get the best out of their people, especially in the midst of rapid political, environmental and socio-economic change. In this line of work he is often invited to offer business commentary for industry publications, on TV and on radio.

In 2006, after a short and colourful career in sales (that included peddling welding machines and earth-moving machinery spares), he took the entrepreneurial plunge and started a company called Cerebra. With a specialist focus on digital content and engagement, Cerebra won numerous multinational accounts and grew quickly to become South Africa’s leading social media agency. In his role as CEO of the business, he had the privilege of working with Coca-Cola, Samsung, Toyota, Vodafone, AB InBev, Google, Ford, Huawei, Barclays, and many other remarkable brands. Cerebra was acquired by global advertising giant WPP in 2013.

In 2007, Mike co-founded a web start-up called Afrigator.com that was acquired by Naspers just 18 months later. Around the same time, he began hosting a popular networking event called the 27dinners, which went on to catalyse business collaborations and relationships through hundreds of successful events.

You can find more on Mike, here:
Website
Twitter
LinkedIn

Show Notes

People:
Richard Mulholland
Jordan Belfort
Julius Malema
Seth Godin

Organisations:
Cerebra
London School of Economics
Marshall Institute
Nike
Gillette
Stratton Oakmont - Jordan Belfort’s company
Facebook
Uber
Amazon
Microsoft
AirBnB
Costco
BCorp
H&M
Apple

Places:
Scandinavia
South Africa
Sandton

Miscellaneous:
Executive MSc Social Business and Entrepreneurship
Hybrid Economy Theory
Wolf of Wallstreet
Bosberaad - South African slang
Chuckles
The Big Lebowski
Black Economic Empowerment/Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment

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One More Question is a podcast by Nicework a Brand and Service Design Company. One of the things we do best is asking our clients the right questions. This podcast came about because we want to share some of the best answers we have heard over the last 12 years. We talk to significant creators, experts and communicators who we have encountered. To share the useful insights, inspirations and facts that made us stop and take notes as we go about our work. Hosted by our Founder Ross Drakes.

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