In this insightful episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with Matthew Mills, the Chief Commercial Officer of The CFO Centre. They dive into the intricacies of scaling a business, highlighting the crucial role of financial visibility and cash flow management. Matthew shares valuable insights from his experience at The CFO Centre, discussing how fractional CFOs can significantly contribute to the growth journey of startups and scaling businesses.

Themes Discussed:

1. The Role of a Fractional CFO in Scaling:

- Strategic Financial Management: Learn how fractional CFOs provide strategic financial insights, driving business strategy and growth.

- Case Studies: Matthew shares success stories where fractional CFOs have helped businesses double their revenue and optimize financial operations.

2. Importance of Financial Visibility:

- Cash Flow Management: Understand why having a clear view of your cash flow is vital for scaling and how to achieve it.

- Financial Reporting: Discover the key financial reports every scaling business needs to monitor for informed decision-making.

3. Achieving Scalability:

- Operational Efficiency: Explore how fractional CFOs mentor internal teams to enhance operational efficiency and maximize the finance function.

- Strategic Planning: Learn the importance of having a scalable business model and the role of strategic planning in achieving long-term growth.

Quotes:

Paul Avins:

- "Data drives decisions. As I'm scaling a business, it's crucial to focus on profitability and cash management to ensure sustainable growth."

- "A grown-up business has a clear vision, a great team, and a sales engine that scales without the constant need for the owner's presence."

Matthew Mills:

- "Having someone who's been there, seen it, and done it can really add value, especially in conversations with funders or during potential exits."

- "Most business owners didn't start their business to face off with HMRC or deal with spreadsheets. They need a professional who can take over the financial management."

Paul Avins:

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/)

-Twitter](https://twitter.com/paulavins)

Matthew Mills:

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-mills-8780981ab/)

In this episode of the Grown Up Business podcast, Coach Paul Avins discusses how entrepreneurs can adapt to and navigate through changes in the business landscape. They explore the impact of political and regulatory changes, such as the recent UK election, on businesses and entrepreneurs.

With guests, Guy Bartlett and Jeff Lermer, they also discuss the importance of staying ahead of consumer trends and adapting business models accordingly. The trio emphasise the need for entrepreneurs to have a long-term perspective and to be open-minded and flexible when facing change.

They also discuss the potential opportunities and challenges that may arise under a Labour government, including changes in tax policies and employment regulations. Discussing the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in the UK. They touch on topics such as tax legislation, payment terms for SMEs, the impact of AI, and the importance of strategic planning. They emphasise the need for businesses to adapt to change, surround themselves with a supportive community, and focus on de-risking and maximizing opportunities. Highlighting the value of proactive accounting and the importance of understanding one's motivations for selling a business. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to navigate the changing business landscape.

Takeaways

• Entrepreneurs need to be adaptable and willing to change their business models in response to political, regulatory, and technological changes.
• Having a long-term perspective and staying ahead of consumer trends is crucial for staying relevant as a business.
• When facing change, it is important to not panic and to approach it with an open mind and flexibility.
• Under a Labour government, there may be changes in tax policies and employment regulations, which entrepreneurs need to be aware of and adapt to.
• Opportunities may arise in industries such as housing and AI, but it is important to consider the potential impact of changes in regulations and costs. Payment terms for SMEs can be a major challenge, with corporates often imposing long payment periods that can cripple cash flow.
• Adapting to change and embracing new technologies, such as AI, can help businesses stay competitive and productive.
• Strategic planning is crucial, especially in times of uncertainty, to identify opportunities and align business models with changing market conditions.
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive community and seeking advice from experts can provide valuable insights and help navigate challenges.
• Understanding motivations for selling a business and de-risking strategies are important considerations for entrepreneurs.
• Proactive accounting and staying informed about tax legislation can help businesses optimize their financial position and minimize tax liabilities.

Sound Bites

• "The ability to adapt, pivot and evolve your business model."
• "It's not personal. There's a reason, don't know what the reason is, there's a change that's make it, let's make that happen."
• "Control the controllables."
• "If you're a small business scaling, that kind of contract cripples your cashflow and can cause all kinds of issues."
• "It's a people business, right? It doesn't matter how big the company is."
• "The gift at the moment and the opportunity is it's the middle of the year. This is a perfect time to sit down and do another strategic plan."

Chapters

00:00 A New Dawn: Love it or hate it - Labour is in!

03:22 Adapting to Change and Staying Relevant

08:03 Approaching Change and Tax Policy

14:59 Handling Change in Business and Personal Life

29:30 Opportunities and Challenges in the Changing Landscape

34:15 Payment Terms and Cash Flow Challenges for...

In this episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins welcomes Chris James, a prominent figure in the realm of personal branding and digital marketing.

They dive deep into the significance of building and leveraging a personal brand in today's business landscape. Chris shares his journey from starting in sales to becoming a key influencer and speaker, emphasizing the transformative power of a strong personal brand.

Key Takeaways:

1. Importance of Personal Branding: - Chris discusses

how a well-crafted personal brand can distinguish you in a crowded market. He

highlights the journey of influential figures like Elon Musk and Lionel Messi,

showing how personal branding can surpass corporate branding in impact.

2. Steps to Build a Personal Brand: - Chris outlines actionable steps to develop a personal brand, including consistency in content creation, authenticity, and engagement with your audience. He stresses the importance of portraying your true self and sharing your unique story.

3. Leveraging Social Media Platforms: - A significant portion of the conversation revolves around LinkedIn. Chris explains why LinkedIn is an underrated platform and how it can be a goldmine for professionals looking to build their personal brand and network effectively.

4. Challenges and Overcoming Them: - Chris opens up about the challenges he faced in his career, from making cold calls to transitioning into digital advertising. He shares valuable lessons on resilience and the importance of not normalizing hardships.

Quotes:

- "When you put your personal brand out there, it becomes a lot more relatable than just a business logo." – Chris James

- "If you can't get excited about having a conversation, we probably shouldn't have a conversation." – Paul Avins

- "Personal branding is like an insurance policy; it makes you more desirable as a person and the company you are attached to." – Chris James

- "Don't normalize hardships. What you tolerate, you tend to keep attracting." – Paul Avins

Follow Paul on Social Media:

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/)

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/paulavins/)

Connect with Chris James and learn more about personal

branding and digital marketing:

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjames)

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/chrisjames)