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)

In this episode of The Grown Up Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with sales expert David Angel to delve into the common challenges businesses face in their sales processes and how to overcome them.

David brings his wealth of experience in helping entrepreneurs scale their sales and build effective sales teams. The discussion focuses on the pitfalls of relying too heavily on salespeople without having robust systems and processes in place, the importance of continuous training, and actionable strategies to enhance sales performance.

1. Challenges in Sales and Solutions:

- Identifying the pitfalls of over-reliance on individual salespeople.

- Importance of having structured systems and processes to support sales teams.

- Strategies to ensure sales processes are scalable and repeatable.

2. Importance of Continuous Training:

- How ongoing training helps maintain and improve sales skills.

- The role of training in preventing skill erosion and keeping the team sharp.

- Examples of effective training practices and how to implement them.

3. Building a Resilient Sales Team:

- Characteristics of a successful salesperson and how to identify them during recruitment.

- The significance of onboarding and ongoing support for new sales hires.

- Tips on creating a supportive environment that fosters continuous improvement and resilience.

Quotes:

- Paul Avins: "When we start out, we sell the way that we feel comfortable selling rather than the way necessarily people wanna buy. Understanding different buying energies is crucial."

- Paul Avins: "One of the biggest mistakes people make with salespeople is they don't onboard them very well. They spend all this time and money hiring and then just expect them to impress without any proper training."

- David Angel: "Most business owners sell the way they like to buy, not based on the way their clients would like to buy. Adjusting to the client's buying preferences is key to improving sales."

- David Angel: "Sales isn't an eroding skill. Like going to the gym to maintain muscles, continuous training is essential to keep sales skills sharp and effective."

Connect with us on social media:

Paul Avins:

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

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

David Angel:

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

-[Twitter](https://twitter.com/davidangel)

In this insightful episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with Jamie Beaumont, the CEO of Playter, a company revolutionizing the way small businesses manage their cash flow. Jamie shares his journey from the recruitment industry to founding Playter, highlighting the challenges and solutions small businesses face when dealing with cash flow issues.

The conversation dives deep into the common cash flow problems that many entrepreneurs encounter, such as late invoice payments and difficulties in securing funding from traditional banks. Jamie discusses how Plata's innovative financial solutions are designed to help businesses pay their bills later and get paid faster, thereby easing the cash flow crunch.

Whether you’re a startup struggling with liquidity or an established business looking to optimize your cash management, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples that can help you navigate the financial hurdles in your business.

Highlights:

- The importance of managing cash flow for business sustainability.

- Jamie’s personal journey from a recruitment entrepreneur to the fintech space.

- Common cash flow challenges faced by small businesses.

- Innovative solutions Plata offers to help businesses manage their finances more effectively.

- The role of technology in streamlining financial processes for SMEs.

Quotes:

Paul Avins:

1. "I think it can be really confusing sometimes to be an entrepreneur because you look at the data, and even though your business might be turning a profit on paper, there's very little cash in the bank at the end of the month."

2. "The ability to access capital quickly is a skill, and the power of your network plays a crucial role in finding solutions that traditional banks often overlook."

Jamie Beaumont:

1. "We want to leave every business at the end of every single month with more cash in their bank to do whatever they want to do with, whether it's investments or just peace of mind."

2. "Our mantra is to help slow the flow of money leaving your business and help speed the flow of money coming in, providing a more stable cash flow for small businesses."

Follow and connect with us:

- Follow Jamie Beaumont on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/b2bbnpl/)

- Connect with Paul Avins on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/)

- Learn more about Plata and their financial solutions at [Playter's Website](https://www.playter.co)

In this episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins is joined by customer service expert and keynote speaker Geoff Ramm to delve into the critical role that customer service plays in business growth.

Geoff, known for his groundbreaking work on "Celebrity Service," shares invaluable insights into how businesses can transform their customer service practices to not only meet but exceed expectations.

Highlights:

- Introduction to Celebrity Service: Geoff Ramm introduces the concept of "Celebrity Service," explaining its origin and how treating every customer like a celebrity can create unforgettable experiences and boost customer loyalty.

- Why Customer Service Matters: The discussion highlights the direct correlation between excellent customer service and business growth. Geoff emphasizes that outstanding service leads to higher customer retention rates, increased referrals, and ultimately, greater profitability.

- Common Pitfalls in Customer Service: Geoff and Paul explore why many businesses fail to prioritize customer service, often treating t as an afterthought rather than a fundamental aspect of their operations.

- Real-world Examples: Through engaging anecdotes, Geoff illustrates the significant impact of small, thoughtful gestures in enhancing customer satisfaction and driving positive word-of-mouth.

- Practical Strategies for Improvement: Geoff provides actionable tips for businesses to elevate their customer service standards. He stresses the importance of consistency, attentiveness, and creating a service culture that permeates the entire organization.

Quotes:

- From the Host, Paul Avins:

- "I've always said profit is a direct result of repeat customers."

- "Too often, great service is down to one or two individuals who innovate it rather than it

being across a whole company."

- From the Guest, Geoff Ramm:

- "If you are not being tagged into the posts based on the service experience you are giving,

you are not giving a service experience worthy of being tagged into."

- "We need to change our mindset to a celebrity service mindset, redesign and redefine our

levels of service."

- Join us at the Scale Up Summit 2024:

Discover more about how to revolutionize your customer service by attending the Scale Up Summit.

Visit [Scale Up Summit](https://scaleupsummit.co.uk) to grab your tickets now.

- Follow Us on Social Media:

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

- [Geoff Ramm on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/customerservicespeaker/)

- [Paul Avins on Instagram] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/customerservicespeaker/)

In this enlightening episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with Marianne Page, an expert in business systems and processes, and a former executive with over 27 years at McDonald's.

Marianne shares her invaluable insights on how implementing effective systems can be a game-changer for businesses looking to scale up.

Key Themes:

1. The Power of Systems in Scaling a Business: Marianne explains how systems and processes are the backbone of any successful scaling strategy.Drawing from her extensive experience at McDonald's, she illustrates how a well-implemented system can create consistency, improve efficiency, and drive growth.

2. Building a Systematic Approach: The conversation delves into the importance of creating a blueprint for success. Marianne emphasizes the need for businesses to develop repeatable and scalable processes that ensure high performance and reliability across all operations.

3. The Four Types of Systems: Marianne introduces the concept of the four critical systems every business needs:

- Sexy Systems: These are your marketing and sales processes that attract and convert

customers.

- Security Systems: Financial and data management systems that protect the business.

- Service Systems: Operational systems that ensure the delivery of your product or

service meets customer expectations.

- Sticky Systems: HR systems that focus on hiring, training, and providing feedback to

ensure team cohesion and performance.

4. Real-World Examples and Practical Advice: Using real-world examples from her tenure at McDonald's and her consulting experience, Marianne provides actionable advice on how to start building and refining these systems in your own business.

Quotes:

- Paul Avins: "Simple scales, complex fails. Systems are at the heart of simplifying things."

- Marianne Page: "Businesses aren't very good at systems, but systems are the foundation that creativity can be built on."

- Paul Avins: "If you don't have visibility of numbers as you scale, managing cash becomes a critical skill set."

- Marianne Page: "Train the team member to do their job really well and develop the person to fulfill their potential."

Follow Paul on Social Media:

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

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

Follow and connect with Marianne Paige:

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