In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, host Paul Avins engages in a dynamic conversation with leadership experts George Anson and Sarah Furness. They explore the multifaceted nature of leadership, emphasising the importance of resilience, effective communication, and the evolving role of leaders in modern business. The discussion covers practical strategies for delegation, the significance of feedback, and the necessity of self-compassion in leadership. The guests share personal experiences and insights, providing listeners with actionable takeaways to enhance their leadership skills and foster a high-performance culture within their teams.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is about doing uncomfortable things for a cause beyond your own.
• Effective communication and understanding your team are crucial for leadership.
• The language used around team members can impact team dynamics significantly.
• Transitioning into a leadership role requires clear communication about changing relationships.
• Delegation is essential for growth, but it requires trust and transparency.
• Feedback should be a routine part of business operations for continuous improvement.
• Resilience is not just about bouncing back; it's about managing daily stresses and changes.
• Mindfulness and self-compassion are key to maintaining a positive mindset as a leader.
• Physical energy management is foundational for effective leadership and resilience.
• Creating a culture of reflection and learning from experiences is vital for growth.

Sound Bites

• "If you don't become a better leader, it's hard to attract talent."
• "Leadership is doing uncomfortable things for a cause beyond your own."
• "The language you use around your team is critically important."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Insights

02:57 Defining Leadership

05:57 The Importance of Team Dynamics

08:48 Transitioning into Leadership Roles

12:04 Delegation and Trust in Leadership

14:54 Feedback and Continuous Improvement

17:49 Resilience in Leadership

20:59 Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

23:48 The Role of Energy in Leadership

26:59 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

In this episode of The Grownup Business Podcast, host Paul Avins shares expert insights on how serious entrepreneurs can level up their leadership, transform their teams, and scale sales to seven figures and beyond. The episode features a unique interview between Paul Avins and Graham McGregor, wherein Paul discusses actionable strategies and tips on identifying your dream customer avatar, creating irresistible offers, and implementing effective sales systems. Highlighted are real-world examples from diverse industries showing the application of these strategies. Paul emphasises the importance of focusing on physical and mental health for sustained success. He concludes with practical steps to turn insights into action and encourages listeners to engage and share their experiences.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:38 Interview with Graham McGregor Begins

01:55 Paul Avins' Business Background

03:54 Step 1: Identifying Your Ideal Customer

11:00 Examples of Ideal Customer Identification

15:25 Step 2: Crafting Irresistible Offers

25:23 High Margin Product Discounts

25:39 The Smile for Life Club Success

26:25 Three Key Offers for Scaling

27:25 Testing Offers with AI

29:29 The Importance of a Selling System

34:47 Creating a Community Through Events

42:39 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins sits down with Simon Leslie, a serial entrepreneur with decades of experience in growing businesses. Simon shares his insights into what it takes to scale a business to new heights, navigate the various phases of business growth, and evolve as a leader along the way.

Key Themes Discussed:

1. The Evolution of a Business: Simon compares business growth to human development, explaining how businesses go through stages similar to adolescence. He discusses the responsibilities that come with scaling up and the moment when a business must decide to remain small or grow bigger.
2. Delegating and Trust: As businesses scale, the need to delegate and trust others becomes crucial. Simon emphasizes the challenge of letting go and allowing others to take on responsibilities, even if they don't do things exactly as the founder would.
3. The Importance of Professional Growth: The episode explores the transition from a "scrappy" startup to a more professional organization. Simon discusses when and why to implement formal processes like HR and how these changes impact business culture and dynamics.
4. Knowing When to Scale: Simon and Paul discuss the pivotal moments when a business must decide whether to stay small or push for growth. Simon shares his experience with expanding his business to global markets and the challenges that come with operating in different countries.
5. Building High-Performing Teams: One of the key aspects of scaling a business is building a high-performing team. Simon talks about the importance of trust within an organization and how it can propel a business forward.

Quotes from the Episode:

• Paul Avins: "If you can't build a team, you can't live the dream."
• Simon Leslie: "A grown-up business is one that's full of problems and full of opportunities."

Key Themes Discussed:

[00:00:01] Setting the stage for an insightful conversation about building and scaling a global brand.

[00:02:36] Defining a Grown-Up Business

[00:04:45] The Beginnings of an Entrepreneur: Simon shares his early experiences

[00:07:04] Scaling Up and Leadership Evolution.

[00:09:26] Embracing Professionalism in Business

[00:11:48] The Challenges of Growth and Staying Small

[00:14:07] Global Expansion and Cultural Nuances

[00:18:54] The Philosophy of Selling and Building Relationships

[00:25:48] Persistence and Playing the Long Game

[00:32:53] Buying a Football Club and Making a Difference

[00:37:31] Vision for the Future and Community Impact

[00:44:34] Lessons Learned from Selling a Business

[00:51:34] The Dash to the Finish – Life's Journey

[01:00:41] Wrapping Up and Key Takeaways

Connect with Us:

• Paul Avins: LinkedIn
• Simon Leslie: LinkedIn

Make sure to subscribe to the Grown Up Business Podcast for more insightful conversations with industry leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with your network to help more entrepreneurs level up their business game.

In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with Simon Morton, founder of Eyeful Presentations, to discuss the emotional and strategic journey of exiting a business. After building a multimillion-pound company from scratch, Simon shares the pivotal moment when he decided to transition from owner to benefactor by selling his company through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

The conversation delves deep into the complexities of letting go, preparing the right leadership team, and leaving a lasting legacy. Simon offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs who are contemplating their own exit strategies, including why he chose an EOT over traditional exit options like a trade sale. For business owners considering their future, this episode is full of practical advice and reflections on the personal side of stepping away from a company you’ve nurtured for years.

• From Founder to Benefactor: Simon discusses his decision to sell his business through an EOT, enabling his team to take ownership while ensuring the legacy and culture of Eyeful Presentations would continue.
• The Emotional Toll of Exiting: Learn how Simon managed the personal and emotional aspects of leaving the business he built over 18 years, and why it was important to time his exit correctly.
• Building a Legacy: Simon shares how his focus on team building and leadership development allowed him to confidently hand over the reins, ensuring that the company would continue to grow after his departure.
• Choosing the Right Exit Strategy: Hear why Simon rejected the idea of a trade sale and how the EOT structure aligned with his values of fairness, legacy, and future growth.

Paul Avins:

1. “I think one of the biggest questions for entrepreneurs is: ‘When do you know it’s time to step away, and how do you ensure the business thrives without you?’”
2. “The legacy you’ve built with your team is incredible. It’s not just about growing a business but growing the people within it.”

Simon Morton:

1. “The hardest part wasn’t making the decision to sell, it was realising that my chapter in the company was over and being at peace with it.”
2. “Employee Ownership Trusts aren’t just a financial transaction; they’re about giving the business back to the people who made it what it is.”

To learn more about Simon Morton's book, The Guide to Transitioning from Boss to Benefactor, and discover whether an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) is the right exit strategy for your business, follow Simon on LinkedIn for updates and insights.

• Paul Avins: @PaulAvins
• Simon Morton: @SimonMorton

Simon's new book is out: https://amzn.eu/d/6Zwqo9T

In this episode, Paul Avins interviews Pete Wilkinson, author of the book 'Unstoppable' and creator of the 135 system. They discuss the importance of strategy, clear outcomes, and leading indicators in business success. Pete explains that strategy is about figuring out what to do with limited resources and unlimited opportunities. He emphasizes the need for clear outcomes and alignment within the team, as well as the importance of measuring and tracking leading indicators to predict and improve lagging indicators. Pete also highlights the significance of training and developing the team to ensure successful execution of the strategy. The conversation explores the concept of the one-three-five method and its application in business and endurance sports. The one-three-five method focuses on three main objectives: strategy, operations, and people. It emphasizes the importance of simplicity, balance, and focus in achieving goals. The conversation also touches on the significance of vision and mission in goal-setting, the role of values in business planning, and the parallels between business and endurance sports. The guest, Pete Wilkinson, shares insights on the Reclaro software and how it helps individuals and organizations implement the one-three-five method.

Takeaways

• Strategy is about figuring out what to do with limited resources and unlimited opportunities.
• Clear outcomes and alignment within the team are crucial for successful execution of the strategy.
• Measuring and tracking leading indicators is essential to predict and improve lagging indicators.
• Investing in training and developing the team is key to business success. The one-three-five method focuses on three main objectives: strategy, operations, and people.
• Simplicity, balance, and focus are key to achieving goals.
• Vision is the long-term ambition, while mission is the next mountain to climb.
• Values and mission should be aligned with the one-three-five objectives.
• Business is an endurance sport that requires energy, focus, and regular breaks.
• Efficiency is doing things right, while effectiveness is doing the right things.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:51 Unleashing the Power of Strategy

09:30 The Importance of Clear Outcomes and Alignment

13:49 Measuring and Tracking Leading Indicators

23:43 Investing in Training and Development

26:25 The One-Three-Five Method

28:23 Vision vs. Mission

30:47 The Importance of Focus

33:37 Efficiency vs. Effectiveness

45:22 Business as an Endurance Sport

In this episode of the Grown Up Business Podcast, Paul Avins interviews Barnaby Wynter, a renowned marketer and brand strategist. They discuss the importance of marketing in today's business landscape and how it has evolved over the years. They also delve into the concept of personal branding and its role in business growth.

Barnaby shares insights on creating a value proposition and defining the behavioural style, benefits, beliefs, and what you want to be famous for in your business. He emphasises the need to understand your target market and build relationships based on trust and resonance.

In this conversation, Paul Avins and Barnaby Winter discuss the importance of branding and marketing in building a successful business. They explore topics such as the value of brand on a balance sheet, the impact of AI on marketing, and the role of automation and augmentation in business. They emphasise the need for clear strategy, a strong value proposition, and the importance of building relationships with customers. The conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses and create a go-to brand.

Ket Takeaways

• Marketing is now the lead discipline in businesses, focusing on bringing the buyer into the boardroom.
• A brand is every experience that affects the relationship between a product or service and its buyer.
• Personal branding is important for individuals who are the face of their business, but it should not be the core of the value proposition.
• A value proposition consists of defining the behavioural style, benefits, beliefs, and what you want to be famous for in your business.
• Understanding your target market's attitudes, thoughts, and experiences is crucial for effective marketing.
• Building relationships based on trust and resonance is key to successful marketing and business growth. Branding has value on a balance sheet and is an important asset when selling a business.
• AI is becoming essential in marketing and can be used for tasks such as copywriting, creative development, image creation, and CRM.
• Automation and augmentation are two strategies for using AI in business, with augmentation being the more valuable approach.
• A strong value proposition and clear strategy are essential for successful branding and marketing.
• Building relationships with customers is crucial for creating a go-to brand and attracting loyal customers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Barnaby Winter

02:04 The Evolution of Marketing and its Importance in Business

08:09 Defining Your Value Proposition: Behavioural Style, Benefits, Beliefs, and Fame

13:53 The Role of Personal Branding in Business Growth

20:03 Understanding Your Target Market for Effective Marketing

25:29 Building Relationships Based on Trust and Resonance

32:34 The Value of Branding on a Balance Sheet

49:38 The Impact of AI on Marketing

53:09 Automation vs. Augmentation in Business

01:00:06 The Importance of a Strong Value Proposition

01:03:21 Building Relationships with Customers for a Go-To Brand

Entrepreneurs often trade off their health and well-being for financial success. Guest, Kat Thorne, shares her personal story of nearly losing her life and how it led her to prioritise her health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating positive habits and having a strong why. It also discusses the disconnect between knowledge and action, and the need for a compelling vision to drive consistency. The hosts highlight the power of energy and the danger of conforming to societal expectations. They encourage listeners to surround themselves with supportive people and to be mindful of their own habits and mindset. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of incorporating positive habits into our daily routines to improve our performance and well-being. They emphasize the benefits of exercise, consuming positive information, and practicing gratitude. They also highlight the significance of having a morning and evening routine that supports rest and recovery. The conversation concludes with the recommendation to focus on one habit for 21 days and analyse its impact before making any changes.

Takeaways

Entrepreneurs often sacrifice their health and well-being for financial success, but health is the number one currency for success in entrepreneurship.

Creating positive habits and having a strong why are crucial for maintaining health and well-being.

There is a disconnect between knowledge and action, and it is important to bridge that gap by consistently applying knowledge.

Having a compelling vision for all aspects of life, including health, relationships, and business, is essential for staying motivated and consistent.

Surrounding oneself with supportive people and being mindful of habits and mindset are key to achieving success and happiness. Incorporating positive habits into our daily routines can have a significant impact on our performance and well-being.

Exercise, or movement, can boost confidence and have a positive impact on our business.

Consuming positive information, such as reading or listening to podcasts, can help counteract negative thoughts and reinforce positive thinking.

Having a morning routine that includes positive habits sets the tone for the day and supports overall well-being.

Creating an evening routine that promotes rest and relaxation is equally important for quality sleep and mental well-being.

Journaling and practicing gratitude can help manage thoughts and emotions, leading to improved mental health and overall happiness.

Chapters

00:00 The Danger of Trading Health for Financial Success

01:37 Creating Positive Habits and Finding Your Why

08:37 Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Action

10:06 The Power of a Compelling Vision

19:21 Surrounding Yourself with Supportive People

26:42 Mindfulness of Habits and Mindset

29:21 The Power of Positive Habits

34:09 The Importance of an Evening Routine

38:17 Reading and Infiltrating the Brain

41:23 Asking Your Brain a Question Before Sleep

45:07 Viewing Life as an Experiment

48:20 Business as a Game of Sport

51:59 Focus on One Habit for 21 Days

In this episode, Liv Connlon discusses the importance of building a personal brand and shares her strategies for success. She emphasizes the power of putting your face and name on your brand, as it creates a stronger connection with customers. Liv also talks about the platforms she chose to build her brand on, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. She highlights the importance of being authentic and relatable in your content, and shares her own experiences of starting out and evolving in her personal brand journey. Liv also discusses the benefits of writing a book and provides tips on how to approach the writing process. In this part of the conversation, Liv shares her experience of launching her book and the marketing strategies she used. She explains how she worked with a hybrid publisher and planned a launch campaign to promote her book. Liv also emphasizes the importance of having your own show, such as a podcast or YouTube channel, to build relationships and promote your work. She discusses the effectiveness of direct mail marketing and shares examples of successful direct mail campaigns she has run. Liv also briefly mentions the tech tools she uses in her business, including ClickUp, ClickFunnels, ActiveCampaign, and TeamUp. The conversation concludes with Liv answering questions from the audience about personal growth, getting help as an entrepreneur, and starting a charity.

Are you looking to build a powerful personal brand and elevate your business? Tune in to this episode with Liv Conlon, where she reveals her proven strategies for success. Learn how to put your face and name on your brand to create stronger connections with customers, choose the right platforms for your brand, and maintain authenticity and relatability in your content. Discover the benefits of writing a book, effective book launch strategies, and the power of having your own show. Plus, get insights into direct mail marketing, leveraging tech tools, and much more.

https://www.youtube.com/@paulavins

https://www.facebook.com/PaulAvinsCoach

https://www.instagram.com/paulavins/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/

https://www.paulavins.com/podcast

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Building a Personal Brand

03:37 Putting Your Face and Name on Your Brand

04:32 Choosing the Right Platforms for Your Brand

07:24 Authenticity and Relatability in Building a Personal Brand

13:14 The Benefits of Writing a Book

17:46 Tips for Writing a Book

22:26 Launching a Book: Working with a Hybrid Publisher and Planning a Launch Campaign

24:52 The Power of Having Your Own Show: Building Relationships and Promoting Your Work

25:48 Direct Mail Marketing: Getting People's Attention and Generating Sales

28:19 Investing in Coaching and Mentorship: Learning from Both Successes and Failures

40:28 Starting a Charity: Making a Positive Impact and Changing Lives