Ep. 111 - 10 Years, No Shortcuts: How to build a business that lasts

Written By George Clode

Most businesses don't survive their first few years, let alone a decade. What does it actually take to build, pivot, and scale a boutique consultancy through ten years of constant market disruption?

In this special milestone episode, we turn the tables on our very own host, Gary Gamp. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of SmartTasking—the boutique business consultancy Gary co-founded with Niall Anderson—George Clode sits down with both co-founders to dissect what it really takes to build an enduring B2B business.

Gary and Niall pull back the curtain on their decade-long journey. They discuss how they broke the traditional consulting model by focusing on execution and outcomes rather than just giving advice, how they have kept their co-founder relationship strong over a 25-year working history, and the tough business pivots they had to make along the way.

From the realities of "active" consulting to navigating a massive post-COVID restructure, this episode is a raw, practical masterclass in entrepreneurial resilience. Plus, Gary and Niall share the three core pillars required to survive ten years of market changes, and explain why the rise of AI means we must focus on "assistive intelligence" rather than complete automation.

Key takeaways from this episode:

  • Outcome Over Activity: Customers don't buy features; they buy results. Building a lasting business means being ruthlessly obsessed with delivering the ultimate outcome, rather than just tracking hours or compiling reports.

  • The Power of Reflective Learning: Those who are reflective learn faster. To survive market shifts, a business must constantly look back at what went well, what could be improved, and make proactive, conscious decisions to pivot.

  • Aligning the Value Stack: A successful partnership or team relies on shared values. You must be prepared to challenge one another without taking it personally, and be selective enough to walk away from clients or associates who don't fit your core culture.

  • AI as an Assistive Motor: Don't treat AI as a magic bullet. Fix your data and process foundations first, then use AI as "assistive intelligence" to automate the mundane so your people can focus on human-centric strategy and relationship building.

Links & references:

Highlights:

  • “We’d both experienced the receiving end... where it wasn't quite a good enough experience. So we really set up from the outset to... give those customers a really first-class experience.” - 00:03:54 - Niall Anderson

  • “We've got a very similar value stack, which is massively important... we can challenge each other without getting upset and throwing our toys around.” - 00:06:09 - Gary Gamp

  • “Unless you're bringing innovation, unless you're bringing something new... at some point they won't renew with you. They'll go somewhere else.” - 00:19:43 - Niall Anderson

  • “If you help a customer, they appreciate it... but when things go wrong, you manage the customer's expectations. You don't just be a people pleaser.” - 00:24:15 - Gary Gamp

  • “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger... you've got to go through the hardships in order to get the highs.” - 00:26:11 - Gary Gamp

  • “Those that are reflective learn faster. Those that aren't reflective just keep doing the same stuff and wonder why they don't get a different outcome.” - 00:27:05 - Niall Anderson

George Clode
Next

Ep. 110 - Human by Design, AI by Default: Rewriting the Way We Work