‘Sales is not just an art form, it’s also a science’ is a belief that this week’s guest has built a successful career on. Along with his sleeves-up, hardworking approach to leadership, it becomes apparent why he has achieved success as a leader and mentor.  Ben Dorks, CEO of Ideagen, joins Gareth to discuss his incredible journey from deciding that he wanted to pursue a career in sales aged just 14, to setting up a company with his brother and ultimately stepping into the role of CEO in 2018. In this episode, Ben uncovers the importance of building a transparent work culture that does NOT include a glass ceiling, being an authentic leader and ensuring that he avoids burnout to always be the best version of himself.  Ben also candidly unpacks how he has helped evolve Ideagen into a market leader in the compliance solution world, and one of the UK’s most recent Tech Unicorns. With fascinating insights on the critical importance of delegation, and the necessity of always having good people around you, this episode uncovers the secrets of what it means to be a successful CEO.  Time stamps  What does good leadership mean to Ben? (02:00) Success in Sales (04:28) Early milestones (09:25) The Adventure of Acquisition (13:25) Advice to young entrepreneurs (17:45) Everyday AI (22:15) Becoming a CEO (26:05) The key to good delegation (28:17) The evolution of AI in the compliance world (31:33) Avoiding burnout (35:10) Productivity advice (36:16) *Book recommendations*   Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella  Hit Refresh: A Memoir by Microsoft’s CEO: Amazon.co.uk: Nadella, Satya: 9780008247652: Books / It’s Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy: Amazon.co.uk: Abrashoff, Captain D Michael, Author: 0352719502246: Books / The New Power Base Selling by Jim Holden The New Power Base Selling: Master The Politics, Create Unexpected Value and Higher Margins, and Outsmart the Competition: Amazon.co.uk: Holden, Jim, Kubacki, Ryan: 9781118206676: Books