It's The Small Things podcast: Victoria Brocklesby, COO, Origin

"No idea is a stupid idea. If we want to improve, we have got to embrace all these different possibilities. Some ideas will work, some won't and we will give them a try. That’s the message going out to everybody," says Origin COO Victoria Brocklesby.

The second episode of this season of It’s The Small Things welcomes Origin co-founder and COO, Victoria Brocklesby. Along with her cousin, Neil Ginger, Victoria has built the bespoke window and door manufacturer into a £40m business.

Victoria shares how a pioneering approach to customer service, good internal communication and an ethos of always listening to staff ideas has transformed Origin from a small family operation into a global business with 300 employees. The episode has advice on adopting technology to improve collaboration and creating a culture where staff are empowered to try new ideas without fear of failure.

You’ll also learn about how Origin put customers first with a promise to deliver bespoke orders the next day if required – something that is unheard of in the industry.

The full podcast episode is available on all major platforms and immediately below. Click through to find it on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Acast, Spotify and SoundCloud and subscribe to make sure you don't miss out on new episodes. We've also got some behind the scenes action to set the scene and showcase why Origin is such an exciting business to learn from.

Full podcast episode audio

BONUS: How Origin Global COO Victoria Brocklesby met the challenge of COVID-19

Read at your leisure

Access the full Origin podcast transcript

Go behind the scenes

"No idea is a stupid idea. If we want to improve, we have got to embrace all these different possibilities. Some ideas will work, some won't and we will give them a try – but don't be shy in coming forward. That’s the message going out to everybody."

Victoria Brocklesby – Origin

Making changes

Take it step by step

Like Victoria, it's important to not bite off more than you can chew by prioritising

Find out how you can better balance short-term needs with long-term targets

Hear what a typical day for Victoria is like

Staying connected with your team

Want to better understand what digital tools your business needs?

Start using tools as effectively as Victoria

Case Study

Learn more about how Victoria has built her family business by really listening to staff in a wide variety of ways

Lessons learnt

Think like Origin and Victoria by integrating differing kinds of open communication opportunities, and then dial in on the ones that work.

If a member of staff, like Damien, suggests a good improvement then publicise it internally to encourage others.

While letting customers pick when they get the product is a big move to make, understanding the value of thinking like this is a great start.