In this episode of Business Focus, we explore the important topic of strategic succession planning with Gavin Hall, Director at The Acquire Group. As businesses evolve, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership becomes vital to maintaining your company’s future. Whether you're an owner preparing for an exit or a leader looking to address key person risk, this discussion is filled with practical advice. Gavin shares his experience on how to identify potential successors, build their skills, and prepare your business for leadership changes, whether planned or unexpected. Learn about the significance of understanding your business’s long-term goals, assessing leadership capabilities, and the necessary steps to develop a succession plan that ensures continuity and success. Tune in to discover: - The importance of succession planning for business owners and leaders. - How to identify and develop future leaders within your organization. - Strategies to manage the risks associated with the departure of key personnel. - The role of external advisors, mentors, and coaches in succession planning. - Practical steps for progressively transitioning responsibilities to new leaders. If you’re focused on securing the future of your business, this episode is a must-watch. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on building and leading successful businesses through succession planning!

We have once again been chosen as one of the best places to work, ranking number 7 on a list where more than 120 companies applied. In this episode, we speak with Neil Smith, our Chief People Officer, who guides us through the characteristics that have made us a great workplace. He discusses how we care for our people and the processes that ensure we have the best professionals in the industry. Join us as Neil shares insights on what it takes to create an outstanding work environment, the initiatives we have in place to support our employees' well-being, and how we continuously strive for excellence. This episode is packed with valuable information for anyone interested in understanding what makes a company a top employer and how to foster a culture of success and satisfaction. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business. Like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest episodes.

Learn what it truly takes to become a CEO: In this Business Focus episode, we're exploring the mindset and strategies required to think like a CEO and build a successful business.Join us as we chat with seasoned CEO Ross Sardi, who shares his journey from state manager to the helm of a leading Managed IT Services company. Ross provides invaluable insights on what it means to be an effective leader, the importance of self-belief and vision, and how to grow a thriving company culture.Key Takeaways:

• The role of self-belief and vision in leadership.
• How to transition from a direct contributor to an effective leader.
• Building and maintaining a high-performing team.
• Understanding the financial aspects of running a business.
• The importance of managing up and balancing stakeholder expectations.
• How to maintain personal well-being and manage stress as a CEO.

Whether you’re an aspiring CEO, a current leader, or just interested in the intricacies of top-tier management, Ross shares personal anecdotes and tips that can help you prepare for a CEO role or enhance your current leadership skills.

In this impromptu episode, we look into the recent CrowdStrike update that led to a massive global IT outage, affecting millions of Windows devices. Join us as we discuss: - The timeline of events on the day of the outage - How a faulty update from CrowdStrike caused widespread disruptions - The immediate and long-term impacts on businesses and essential services - CrowdStrike's response and the manual remediation process - The role of Microsoft and how the incident was perceived in the media - Insights into disaster recovery planning and business continuity We’ll also share our experiences and observations, including how the IT community came together to tackle this crisis. Whether you’re an IT professional or just curious about the intricacies of cybersecurity, this episode provides valuable lessons on resilience and the importance of robust update procedures. Don't miss out on this critical discussion about one of the largest IT disruptions in history. Tune in to understand what went wrong, how it was fixed, and what we can learn from this event to prevent future failures.

In recognition of Diabetes Week, we are honoured to have Ross Sardi, CEO of First Focus and a type 1 diabetes patient, join us for a special episode. Ross shares his personal journey with diabetes and discusses the cutting-edge technology he uses to manage his condition and enhance his quality of life. Discover the tools that help him maintain control and live a healthier, more balanced life. Join us for an insightful conversation that blends personal experience with professional expertise, offering valuable information for anyone affected by diabetes.

AI has sparked much controversy; it has been introduced into our daily lives but its use has been limited to certain personal tasks. Our Head of Technology has designed a bot that assists in the onboarding process. In this episode, we chat with him to discuss how he created it and what his vision is for the current and near-future landscape of AI. We also tested the bot live!

Every business will run an IT project at some point, and if you're the project owner, you'll want to do all you can to make sure it's delivered on time and on budget. In this episode, Mia draws from her 10+ years of experience to share 5 essential tips that ensure IT project success. These tips are specifically designed for those in roles other than IT Manager. Whether you're a project manager, team leader, or business owner, Mia’s insights will help you steer your IT projects to success. Learn how to navigate common pitfalls, enhance team collaboration, and keep everything on track. With practical advice and proven strategies, Mia’s tips will empower you to deliver outstanding results.

Are you constantly feeling like there just aren't enough hours in the day? In this episode, we tackle the art of managing your time, focussing your attention and making effective decisions. Join us as we explore practical tactics to help you align your daily choices with your personal and professional goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Time is a universal currency; manage your attention and choices wisely.

• Prioritise tasks that align with your goals using simple frameworks.

• Build a structured week that fits your work and personal life balance.

• Rely on a support network to provide feedback and maintain accountability.

• Regularly review and adjust your time management strategies to stay effective.

Guest Speaker: Ron Schwartz Founder of Brass Tacks and an expert in creating positive change for leaders and businesses. Ron shares his insights and practical tips on making good decisions to manage your time effectively.