What if everything you thought you knew about business failure was completely wrong? Drawing from five generations and "170 years" of family business experience, Larry Mandelberg challenges conventional wisdom with a provocative claim: businesses don't fail—they commit suicide through their own decisions.

This conversation takes you deep into the hidden patterns behind organisational failure. Mandelberg, author of "Businesses Don't Fail, They Commit Suicide," reveals how his research across hundreds of organisations identified the true culprits behind business collapse. Contrary to popular belief, external forces like economic downturns, competition, or even natural disasters aren't what kill most businesses. The real threat comes from within—specifically from how organisations respond to success and growth.

Mandelberg introduces the counterintuitive concept of "surviving success." When businesses grow—whether in customers, revenue, territory, or offerings—this success forces change. Those unprepared for these growth-induced changes make decisions that eventually destroy the company. Finance problems, rather than being the cause of failure, are merely "lagging indicators of prior bad decisions that show up too late to fix."

The conversation explores practical frameworks for building resilient organisations, including Mandelberg's "three organisational imperatives" that must be addressed in sequence: clarity of purpose, consistency of performance, and engagement of people. Through compelling case studies, including a healthcare company turnaround and Disney's remarkable COVID recovery, Mandelberg demonstrates how proper planning and decision-making can make businesses virtually "indestructible" even in the face of severe external challenges.

Whether you're running a family business, leading a growing enterprise, or simply fascinated by organisational behaviour, this episode offers powerful insights into why some businesses thrive across generations while others implode despite apparent success. Ready to learn how your organisation can avoid committing "business suicide" and instead build lasting resilience? Listen now.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

What if improving safety performance could actually boost your profits rather than drag them down? Mike Frick's remarkable journey proves exactly that.

From his early days in construction where he learned safety fundamentals from his father ("not losing my fingers was my incentive") to running teams with zero accidents and industry-leading profit margins, Mike shares the practical wisdom that transformed his approach to workplace safety.

The turning point came after attending OSHA training, where Mike initially felt overwhelmed by regulations. "By the time I got out, I didn't want to be in business anymore because I had to abide by all these rules," he recalls. But a mentor showed him how integrating safety planning into daily operations could actually enhance performance rather than hinder it.

Mike's secret weapon? Human connection. "I make sure that they know that I care for them," he explains of his leadership philosophy. This simple approach created an environment where workers followed safety protocols out of mutual respect rather than fear. The results speak for themselves – while managing projects for Kiewit Construction, Mike maintained zero accidents while simultaneously delivering the highest profit margins in the company.

Now leading Bear Ironworks, Mike applies these principles in manufacturing, addressing the unique challenges of repetitive tasks through innovative incentive programs. Rather than punishing unsafe behavior, he rewards safe practices, aligning workers' immediate interests with their long-term wellbeing.

Whether you're in construction, manufacturing, or any safety-critical industry, Mike's experiences offer a blueprint for building a safety culture that enhances rather than hinders performance. Listen now to discover how genuine care combined with thoughtful incentives can transform workplace safety while boosting your bottom line.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

What separates truly resilient leaders from the rest? Yusuf Khoja brings decades of experience working alongside icons like Oprah Winfrey, Tony Robbins, and Richard Branson to answer this crucial question. His journey from failed law student to globally recognized leadership expert reveals powerful lessons about turning obstacles into opportunities.

At the heart of our conversation lies a compelling problem—the critical difference between what we recognize and how we recognize it. Yusuf shares a painfully honest story about losing valuable team members despite generous financial rewards. "We paid recognition from the extrinsic side," he explains, "but lost our ability to recognize the importance of intrinsic motivation." This candid admission unlocks a deeper understanding of what truly drives sustainable performance.

We explore emotional intelligence not as a trendy "soft skill" but as the foundational element that enables everything else. As Yusuf puts it, "If we focus on that element of emotional intelligence, that's foundational, that's never going to change." This perspective challenges leaders to reconsider how they approach team development and recognition.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn when we examine innovative recognition approaches like gamification. Our Scratchie app demonstrates how small, immediate rewards can transform workplace cultures by creating a framework that encourages supervisors to actively seek positive behaviors. In traditionally stoic industries like construction, this structured approach normalizes recognition without requiring uncomfortable emotional conversations.

Yusuf also introduces his new book, "The DNA of Great Storytellers," which distills decades of observations watching world-class communicators create powerful human connections. In a world facing unprecedented mental health challenges alongside technological revolution, rediscovering authentic communication may be our most powerful tool for building resilient teams and organizations.

Ready to transform how you recognize your team's contributions? Listen now and discover practical approaches to turn workplace obstacles into stepping stones for growth.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

What if your sense of security at work is just smoke and mirrors? Find out as we chat with Ben Hutchinson, a safety professional and PhD candidate, who takes us on his journey from human factors to exploring the depths of organizational safety. We challenge the notion of false safety systems and their symbolic nature, dissecting real-world examples like the Pike River mine disaster to illuminate the chasm between perceived and actual safety. Ben's insights push us to rethink how we approach safety management and ensure that our systems do more than just check boxes.

Explore the fascinating world of motivation and incentives in workplace safety as we contrast Skinner's behaviorism with Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory. We critically assess the impact of rewarding lag indicators such as lost-time injuries and examine innovative solutions like the "ConvoCard" that aim to revolutionize safety communication. Greg Smith's critiques on the burden of excessive safety documentation are also on the table, as we delve into the challenges faced by supervisors and the quest for genuine safety conversations.

Lastly, we tackle the complex interplay of incentives, audits, and organizational culture. Unpack the role of audits in safety improvement and their tendency to focus on compliance rather than learning. Ben shares his insights on crafting safe, high-performing projects, emphasizing the importance of aligning motivations and the significant impact of design. Join us as we explore how craftsmanship, incentives, and systems collaborate to foster a safer, more productive workplace.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

Ready to unlock the secrets behind truly transformative workplaces? Join us as we chat with Jurriaan Kamer, the organizational transformation expert and author of "Unblock," who is redefining the way we think about recognition and motivation in the workplace. Kamer shares his fascinating journey from IT, highlighting why self-organizing teams are integral in bridging the gap between complex problem-solving and the traditional management approach. Discover how embracing frameworks like Kinefin can offer valuable insights into navigating complexity, not just in software development, but across all business environments.

We also explore the intricate dance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, challenging the common belief that intrinsic motivation always takes precedence. Drawing inspiration from the work of Deci and Ryan, we delve into how strategically applied extrinsic rewards can actually enhance intrinsic motivators by fulfilling psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Learn from Julian how leaders can create environments that encourage autonomy, mastery, and purpose while using structured reward systems to foster alignment and recognition. This episode underscores effective communication as a pivotal tool for leaders to convey values and expectations, building a motivated and engaged workforce.

To round off our enlightening discussion, we consider the importance of psychological safety and its impact on team dynamics. Listen in on a beautiful exercise involving personal user manuals that foster empathy and support, and how humor can create a safe learning environment. Julian also shares compelling stories of adaptive companies like Tesla and Roche Pharmaceutical, which are breaking the mold with innovative approaches to job roles and team structures. We wrap up with Jurriaan's insights on overcoming organizational obstacles and nurturing a thriving culture that values both cultural exchange and professional collaboration. Don't miss out on these invaluable strategies for transforming workplace culture.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

Rich Alderton, a seasoned expert in adaptability intelligence, takes us on a transformative journey from the shop floor to the boardroom, sharing insights on how change, psychology, and immediate recognition can revolutionize workplace behavior. Rich's compelling narrative highlights the significance of cultivating an adaptable mindset, allowing individuals and organizations to not just embrace change but thrive on it. With a rich background in the pharmaceutical industry, Rich illustrates how addressing our primal reactions to change can lead to profound cultural shifts that foster more engaging and productive environments.

We delve into the fascinating blend of ancient wisdom and modern psychological research, exploring Buddhist approaches to fear and self-acceptance. Drawing from Harvard research, we discuss how our initial response to fear is hormonally driven, and how beyond that, we have the power to choose curiosity over judgment. This conversation segues into the challenges of altering organizational culture within traditional project management constraints, inviting listeners to rethink how they approach change management and cultural transformation.

Behavioral change through positive incentives is another key theme, where we analyze how transactional incentives can transform resistance into engagement. With examples ranging from construction sites to IT projects, Rich illustrates the effectiveness of aligning rewards with clear expectations, drawing inspiration from Dan Pink's "Drive". This episode promises to equip you with the tools to harness the power of motivation and change, leaving you with thought-provoking insights into transforming workplace culture through strategic incentives and adaptability.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

Can recognising good behaviour be more powerful than training? In this episode, learning and development expert Paul Matthews shares groundbreaking insights on why many safety training programs fall short and how positive reinforcement can transform workplace behaviour.

Paul, CEO of People Alchemy and author of multiple books on learning transfer, draws on his extensive background in engineering and L&D to explain why traditional approaches to safety training often fail to create lasting change. Using his powerful SAT NAV analogy, he breaks down the four critical elements needed for successful behavioral change: knowing your starting point, defining clear objectives, creating step-by-step guidance, and maintaining accountability.

Listen in as Paul and James explore:
- Why distinguishing between skill acquisition and skill maintenance is crucial for safety programs
- How immediate rewards tap into powerful behavioral drivers that overcome "future discounting"
- A fascinating case study of how tire fitters transformed their safety culture through peer observation
- The vital differences between compliance-based training and true behavioral change

Key Topics:
00:00 Introduction and Paul's background
08:40 The SAT NAV analogy for learning journeys
15:30 Skill acquisition vs maintenance in safety
23:45 Present vs future benefits in motivation
31:20 Case study: Transforming safety culture
42:10 Practical implementation strategies

Resources Mentioned:
- People Alchemy: www.peoplealchemy.com
- Learning Transfer at Work (Book by Paul Matthews)
- Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve research

Ready to transform your workplace culture through instant recognition? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to learn how Scratchie can help you build a more engaged and safer workforce.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

In this episode, Scratchie co-founders James Kell and Garry Mansfield discuss their exciting expansion into the quick-service restaurant industry through a partnership with McDonald's. They explore how Scratchie's instant rewards platform is being adapted beyond traditional safety applications to recognize and encourage positive workplace behaviors in new sectors. The conversation covers their firsthand experience in McDonald's operations, insights from recent meetings in Chicago with global technology partners, and a preview of Release 3 featuring the innovative new Convo Card system. Learn how Scratchie is evolving from a construction safety platform to transform workplace culture across multiple industries through positive reinforcement and gamification.

In This Episode (rough timing):
00:00:00 - Welcome and Introduction
00:03:00 - McDonald's Partnership & Peter Ritchie's Legacy
00:08:00 - Chicago SaaS Conference & Logistics Industry Insights
00:13:00 - Scratchie Release 3 Preview
00:15:00 - The Convo Card Innovation
00:19:05 - Gamification in Safety Apps
00:22:00 - Latest Industry News & Rewards Trends
00:26:00 - University of Newcastle Research Update

Key Topics:

• Expansion into quick-service restaurants
• International growth opportunities
• Next-generation safety engagement features
• Academic validation of rewards-based safety
• Integration with major safety platforms

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

In this  episode of the Scratchie Safety Podcast we explore the cutting-edge intersection of technology and workplace safety. Our mystery guests dive deep into how modern tech is revolutionising age-old principles of positive reinforcement, creating safer and more engaged work environments.

Key topics include:

1. The shift from lagging to leading safety indicators
2. How gamification is transforming safety culture
3. The power of instant recognition in changing behavior
4. Why positive reinforcement isn't just "being nice" - it's about fundamental change
5. Real-world examples of successful safety initiatives

Our guests discuss the challenges of implementing new safety approaches in traditional industries and how innovative tools like the Scratchie app are overcoming these hurdles. They explore the science behind behavioral change and how it applies to workplace safety.

This episode offers valuable insights for safety professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in creating a more positive and effective safety culture. It's a fascinating look at how principles as old as Dale Carnegie's teachings are being turbocharged by today's technology.

Listen closely - you might be surprised by who our guests are! We challenge our listeners to guess their identities and reflect on the implications of this conversation for the future of workplace safety.

Whether you're a seasoned safety professional or new to the field, this episode promises to challenge your thinking and inspire new approaches to keeping workers safe and engaged.

Don't miss this exciting exploration of where workplace safety is headed and how you can be part of the revolution!

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

In this episode of the Scratchie Safety Podcast, host James Kell sits down with Peter Berry, Managing Director at Peter Berry Consultancy and a global leader in workplace safety and engagement. With decades of experience in organisational psychology and safety management, Peter shares invaluable insights that could change how we approach safety in the workplace. The conversation covers topics such as the link between employee engagement and safety performance, the impact of leadership on workplace culture, and the often-overlooked importance of teams in driving safety and performance.

Peter emphasises that safety is not an isolated concept but a critical component of overall workplace culture. He shares fascinating case studies, including his work with Shell, demonstrating how engagement directly correlates with improved safety performance and reduced turnover. The discussion also delves into the use of personality assessments in hiring for safety-conscious traits, explaining how characteristics like adjustment (ability to handle stress) and prudence (rule-following tendency) are strong predictors of safe behavior.

James shares how these insights align with Scratchie's innovative approach to safety, particularly their on-the-spot, categorised rewards system for safe behavior. The potential for evolving the Scratchie platform to focus more on team-based rewards emerges as a key takeaway from the conversation. Peter emphasizes that prioritizing safety and engagement isn't just about avoiding accidents – it's good for business, pointing out benefits including increased productivity, lower workers' compensation costs, reduced employee turnover, and enhanced reputation.

This episode offers valuable insights into the interconnected nature of safety, culture, leadership, and team dynamics in the workplace. It underscores the potential for innovative approaches to drive meaningful improvements in safety outcomes. Whether you're a safety professional, a business leader, or someone interested in workplace culture and performance, this episode provides thought-provoking ideas and practical strategies for improving safety and engagement in your organization.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

Get ready for a no-holds-barred discussion as we sit down with Josephine Taylor, a trailblazing safety leader at construction giant John Holland, in Episode 8 of the Scratchie Safety Podcast. With a background in nursing and a rebellious streak that led her to challenge the construction industry's safety status quo, Josephine shares her unconventional journey and bold vision for change.

In this episode, we dive deep into the construction world's safety challenges, from ineffective toolbox talks and generic training modules to a punish-first mentality that's hurting morale and hindering progress. But Josephine doesn't just dwell on the problems; she comes armed with game-changing solutions.

Imagine a world where safety meetings are lively, engaging conversations that workers actually look forward to, and where training is delivered in irresistible, bite-sized chunks. Josephine believes that by harnessing the power of positive reinforcement and innovative tools like Scratchie, we can transform safety from a top-down mandate to a bottom-up movement.

But her vision doesn't stop there. Josephine advocates for a fundamental shift in how we structure work in construction, from embracing 5-day workweeks to fostering inclusive, flexible environments that attract diverse talent and fresh perspectives. She's calling on industry leaders to be bold in overhauling their practices and aligning around a shared vision for a safer, more human-centric future.

Whether you're a safety professional, a construction executive, or just someone who cares about making work better for everyone, this episode will leave you inspired and energised to join the safety revolution. Tune in to discover how you can start building a stronger, more engaged workforce today.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

Andrew Ferguson joins James for a far-ranging career conversation spanning construction safety, insurance, and community empowerment.

Beginning in the union movement fighting for better worker protections, Andrew grew to lead one of Australia's largest construction unions for 30 years. He's met the grieving families of members lost to a workplace accident. This deeply personal understanding of safety's human impact still motivates him today.

Now Managing Director of specialist insurance broker Coverforce, Andrew explains how data-driven risk management and a culture shift towards prevention are imperative for the industry's future. Can we move from penalising lagging indicators to rewarding leading ones?

With decades advocating for vulnerable groups, Andrew also shares his passions for local government, heritage preservation, multiculturalism, and broad community betterment in Australia. He offers sobering reflections on social cohesion, climate change, rising extremism and prospects for peace.

Tune in for an unfiltered insider perspective from a respected Australian leader still fighting the good fight. 

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

What interventions actually prevent workplace accidents in the long run? Johnny Dyreborg, co-author of a seminal systematic review analysing 60,000 safety studies, shares evidence-based insights.

We unpack findings on the inefficacy of awareness campaigns and “carrot” rewards alone. Johnny stresses the importance of leadership communication, safety climate, and worker involvement for sustaining culture change.

How can we move from safety as a priority in words to safety as a priority in action? Tune in to understand the crucial factors in translating espoused safety values into operational routines.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

How is Denmark consistently top 3 in workplace safety globally? Pernille Thau, Head of Department at leading Nordic consultancy Human House, gives insights into Vision Zero.

Pernille shares psychological keys behind its 7 Golden Rules, including management commitment and employee participation. We discuss challenges of safety bureaucracy, control vs commitment culture, and leading indicators.

Does vision drive action? Tune in to discover Pernille’s view on enabling open & honest safety dialogues. Learn why she stresses positivity and internal motivation in safety leadership.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

How can insights from psychology transform workplace safety? Dr. Nicole Celestine joins us to explore the science behind safety incentives.

With expertise in organisational behavior and motivation, Nicole provides fascinating context on gamification. We discuss how tools like Scratchie’s positive reinforcement app can drive engagement by fulfilling needs for autonomy, competence, and connection.

What motivates us at work? How can leaders encourage intrinsic motivation? Tune in as Nicole and the Scratchie team dig into the latest research on incentivising safety. Discover how psychology is reshaping incentives from meaningless box-ticking to meaningful conversations.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

In this candid discussion, Scratchie founders James and Gary dig into the root problems in construction safety culture. Why does compliance fall short? They explain how incentives can balance the over-reliance on penalties and rules.

Hear how a simple idea - rewarding safe behaviors with scratch cards - evolved into the Scratchie app. Piloted on an iconic Apple store build, the concept sparked a revolution in motivating and engaging workers.

James and Gary also tackle common objections to incentives. Do rewards undermine personal responsibility? Does cash present issues? Tune in for straight talk on transforming safety leadership.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.

The founders of Scratchie share their origin story in the very first episode of the Scratchie Safety Podcast. James Kell and Garry Mansfield take us back to the beginning - from a chance meeting to piloting simple scratch cards that reward safe behaviors onsite. What sparked their journey to make safety more positive? Tune in to find out how it all started and where these workplace safety innovators hope to go next in Episode 1.

Ready to take the next step? Visit https://www.scratchie.com/book-a-demo to see how Scratchie can help you recognise and reward safe behaviour on your projects. The future of construction safety starts here.