Made in Essex with John Gladman. MD of AVRT.
Adaptive Virtual Reality Training, a tech businesses making the way emergency services & military personnel train for difficult scenarios, safer, and more realistic,
Now leading AVRT Training, John Gladman has faced business setbacks which made him re-evaluate his approach — and turn failure into valuable lessons for future success.
John shares his personal entrepreneurial journey, the early days of AVRT Training and what it’s meant to achieve Ambitious Essex Tech50 status.
Founded in 2017, AVRT uses VR to help trainees practice high-risk scenarios in a safe and realistic environment.
Prior to AVRT, Gladman built a successful career in IT, eventually becoming a serial entrepreneur with several businesses under his belt. His journey hasn’t been without challenges—Gladman has experienced failure, but he sees it as a crucial learning tool for future success, emphasising the importance of adaptability and persistence in business.
Learning From Failure and Turning It Into Success
Reflecting on past mistakes, Gladman shared a candid lesson about a failed business venture. “I missed one key element. I didn’t check if my target market had the money to pay for the product,” he admits. His app, aimed at children’s mental health, was widely praised but flopped when schools couldn’t afford it. “You will learn more from failure than you ever will from success. That’s a fact,” says Gladman, highlighting the importance of thorough research and understanding your market.
Overcoming Business Challenges in the Face of COVID-19
The pandemic hit businesses hard, and AVRT was no exception. “Covid absolutely kicked us where it hurts,” says Gladman. But rather than being defeated, his team adapted. While they couldn’t meet customers in person, they continued to innovate from home, ensuring the product remained top-notch and ready for when the world opened again. “We developed our product, improved it, and kept moving forward. It’s important in business to focus on what you can control,” he emphasises.
Turning Ideas into Gold: Surrounding Yourself with Superstars
Reflecting on his leadership philosophy, Gladman shares a key to his success: building a strong team. “Surround yourself with superstars and don’t be the smartest guy in the room,” he advises. This approach has allowed him to delegate effectively, trusting in his team’s expertise to grow the business. “I’ve made myself redundant in one of my companies— the holy grail for any entrepreneur,” he adds with a laugh.
John Gladman was talking to Jill Willis, Director of Attract & Engage and host of the Made in Essex Podcast. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for the next episode, featuring the county’s most tenacious and successful business leaders lifting the bonnet on their entrepreneurial stories.
Check the full episode below or listen wherever you get your podcasts👇
Keep your eyes peeled for more episodes as Jill invites the county’s most tenacious and successful business leaders to lift the bonnet on their entrepreneurial stories.
Made in Essex – The Podcast With John Gladman
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