Rob Chester, SCI CEO outlines how he is disrupting his own industry

Foresight from SCI

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In this insightful episode of the SCI Foresight Podcast, host Dom Burch sits down with Rob Chester, CEO of SCI, to discuss his inspiring journey, the mission of SCI, and the disruptive impact they aim to bring to the compliance industry.

Key Highlights:

• Rob Chester's Journey: Rob reflects on leaving a secure corporate career at companies like Tesco, Walmart, and NSF to found SCI. Turning 50 inspired him to take control of his destiny and address systemic issues he observed in corporate capitalism, such as diminishing employee benefits and rigid structures.
• SCI’s Unique Approach: SCI distinguishes itself with:
  • Employee Equity: Everyone at SCI gets a stake in the business after a year, fostering a sense of ownership.
  • Healthcare from Day 1: Acknowledging the importance of health security for employees and their families.
  • Flexible Working: Emphasising outcomes over rigid schedules to accommodate diverse needs like childcare.
• Disruption in Compliance: Rob highlights the outdated nature of traditional compliance tools and SCI’s commitment to developing innovative solutions that better serve clients' needs, even if it disrupts existing business models.
• Balancing Innovation and Reliability: SCI's tagline, “Reliable Partner for Today, Innovative Partner for Tomorrow,” captures their mission to offer stability while embracing forward-thinking approaches. They focus on customer trust and work closely with early adopters who value innovation.
• Building Relationships: Rob credits SCI's success with high-profile clients to deep industry understanding, proactive engagement, and a customer-first mindset. He emphasises the importance of personal relationships and maintaining trust through actions like face-to-face meetings and understanding client operations firsthand.
• Retention Success: SCI boasts an incredible retention rate, having lost no employees or customers since its inception. This achievement stems from making and keeping promises, recognising critical moments, and maintaining a strong "bank of goodwill."
• Vision for the Future: Rob envisions SCI reconnecting the compliance industry with its core purpose: safeguarding lives and fostering innovation. He emphasises the power of storytelling to demonstrate the tangible impacts of SCI's solutions and the need for proactive thinking to stay ahead of emerging challenges.
• Advice for Founders: Rob concludes with three key lessons for disruptors:
  1. Be Brave: Challenge the status quo.
  2. Be Rational: Recognise when and where to innovate.
  3. Find Early Adopters: Collaborate closely with those open to new approaches.