Rob Isaacs, the man with a healthy obsession for building businesses and a bias to action, takes us on the super neuron highway of his brain. Rob shares with us why he founded &us, what his super power would be if he had one and more.
What’s your work background?
Through my career, I’ve worked at the intersection of tech, innovation and culture change – initially in a startup environment trying to build the UK’s first mobile bank (way before Monzo), then in corporate and consulting organisations.
Why did you found &us?
I’ve always loved the world of innovation and finding 10x opportunities for businesses. But through that, I’ve always felt that the bigger challenge is in the culture change that is needed for an innovation to succeed and be sustainable.
No one was helping clients solve that problem, and that’s why I wanted to start &us. So we could help clients innovate, and transform through that journey.
What does your morning routine look like?
I don’t know anymore. My old routine was sacred, and involved a decent amount of coffee. But, with a 5-month-old, every morning can be different – he is v smiley though so that’s a lot of fun.
What does an average working day have in store for you?
I’m guessing lots of us have said there is no average day, and they’d be right. But each day normally involves a good mix of times with clients, with our teams in the work, and trying to figure out how we continue to build the best environment for our work.
What’s the best thing about your job?
The people. I love what we do, but more importantly I love the people at &us, and the leaders we work with. That might sound corny, but it’s 100% true.
How has your work day changed in the last year: What new things will you be keeping? And what can’t you wait to go back to?
I’m a very visual person, so as much as I love having time at home to get my head down and focus, I love the time in person.
Definitely looking forward to spending more and more time together – and with our international clients.
Predictions for the next year? What will clients want most of in the next 12-24 months?
Knowing our clients, and their ambitions, my hunch is they’ll be looking for us to help them speed up and slow down at the right moments, explore new territories and navigate the uncertainty that exists in their business and the world.
What is the most random thing on your desk?
Notebooks from 3yrs ago.
Who was your last email from?
Our People + Talent Manager, Alex Sisan, sharing important information about our away day tomorrow – our first quarterly soireé.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
I began my career at a mobile banking startup. There were 8 of us, and we never seemed to have more than about 3 months of funding left at any time. I wasn’t necessarily given this advice, but the mantra was always “done is better than perfect”. We focussed on moving fast, getting stuff launched, and moving the needle each week. That ethos has stuck with me.
What did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?
I want to be a maths teacher when I grow up.
How do you relax outside of work?
Pardon?
What would be your super power if you had one?
This question always stumps me. How am I meant to pick just one super power? Does everyone else get one, or is it just me? Probably not the best choice, but I think I’d like to be able to cook like Tom Kerridge. And run as fast as Usain Bolt. And sculpt like Barbara Hepworth.
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