Zombie. The very term conjours up images of something not right at best and fearful at worst.  In the world of business it's exactly the same, which is why the term has been coined for companies inhabiting a troublesome place financially. The consequences of being a Zombie company are debilitating for business owners and effectively dooms them to years in the financial wilderness with consequences reaching far into the distance under a long shadow.

Who isn't familiar with the term "red flag"? But who really grasps the meaning of why they are so named and what constitutes a red flag?  Furthermore, how should you react to a red flag? Listen to this episode and it might just save your business from some serious problems - there's nothing like awareness of an issue even if you're not an expert, because you can go and seek advice.

Business pundits are never short of opinions on why firms have failed or markets have behaved in an unforeseen way, nor are they short of opinions about where markets will head in the coming weeks, months or years. So what about forecasting and planning for the future in YOUR business? Given the vicissitudes and uncertainties that the world faces on a daily basis, whether it is a natural disaster, pandemic or supply chain problem - usually unforeseen and unplanned for - what value is there in making plans for YOUR business?

It's a hackneyed expression but what lies behind it and are there exceptions in today's business climate? We read daily in the financial press and websites about the likes of Uber, Deliveroo and others burning through their shareholders' funds to make land grabs where it is winner takes all, but what about YOUR business and the market in which YOU operate?

Family and friends - just the people to support you when you need to get your new business off the ground or take an existing one to new heights with an injection of capital. Regrettably, once the euphoria and bonhomie settle down reality sets in and tensions rise as the business charts its way through the difficult and choppy waters.  Make sure that you don't risk important relationships by mixing business with pleasure without understanding the dynamics.

Networking - something widely misunderstood but so crucial to build a business. It's never been easier to do these days, through social media and similar technologies - even for the faint hearted or shy amongst us. It's one of the few things in business I regret not knowing enough about or fully appreciating in my early years. I embraced it more recently and the massive move to online networking since Covid has been a real boon for me. I guarantee you'll not only be smiling after listening to Will, you'll be thinking deeply too about how to fast-track your networking.

Everybody loves a success story, all the more so when it inspires them to go on to achieve big things themselves. This special end of season edition is an interview with Alex Smilanksy, founder of Mayku and  a "Forbes 30 under 30" star. Alex took a relatively straightforward idea and democratised it in a phenomonally successful manner to disrupt manufacturing and drive down costs for small businesses. Listen to his story and I guarantee you'll come away smiling....and inspired by the art of the possible. 

Each business owner thinks they know best in their business, especially if the business appears to be successful.  Unfortunately this can have disastrous effects if workers have ideas and observations to contribute, however simple or insignificant they may appear. Too many business owners, especially at the smaller end of the SME spectrum and in particular at the micro level, are simply unwilling to give their employees the respect they should when it comes to what they have to say about the business at an operational level. Learn how a small dose of humility can go a long way.

There are times in your business life when radical and often brave decisions are required.  It can require courage of conviction and perhaps a need to jump in, maybe in the face of conventional wisdom. In some ways this is not unlike the hackneyed midlife crisis that happens to "others",  so if you've not experienced one this podcast will give you an insight into what you can learn from it and apply to your business when the chips are down.

Do you have a valuable brand in your business without even realising it?  Once you understand what a brand actually is and what it means for you and your customers, you'll appreciate the importance of respecting it because it is so easy to abuse it, even passively.
Brands aren't just for big names, they are for everybody and can be an exciting and lucrative tool in your marketing toolbox.