Business Source

As founder of MG Sales Performance, Mark shares some great advice on how to differentiate yourself in a sales commoditised  environment.  Meaning, it's unlikely you are selling something 'New' or 'Unique'... if you are, you're in the hot seat.

Mark walks us through why he believes traditional training models don't work and how MG Sales Performance offers a fresh, modern approach. 

Most importantly,  he explains why training is not a 'once a year' activity!

We discuss the vital new team all companies need 'Customer Success'.  A team dedicated to your existing PAYING clients.

Marks' Books

• The Chimp Paradox - The Mind Management by Dr Steve Peters
• The Challenger Sales by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson
• Rehumanise your business - Ethan Beute and Steve Pacinelli
  • The power of video in the sales process.

For some, staying in a job just isn't cutting it for them.  They have this yearning to break free and go it alone.  To take that leap of faith... in themselves, to become an entrepreneur.

There are MANY risks associated with starting a company, so many things to put in place before you can launch the business, where do you start, who do you trust, co-founders to consider and that scariest of situations to deal with... will customers pay for what i've created?

I sit down for a fascinating chat with entrepreneur and co-founder of Hoist, Hector Forwood.  He shares his exciting journey with some valuable insights that we can all learn from.

If you're thinking of jacking it all in and doing it for yourself, I highly recommend you watch/listen to this episode.

Hector's Books

• “Hooked: How to build Habit Forming Products” - As a sales person with a bit of operational experience going into creating software for the first time. This really lays out the foundations and goals you should be aiming towards for whatever product you’re creating. A lot of it uses simple analogies to articulate points which makes it extremely easy to digest. 
• “The Lean Startup” - I’m pretty sure every founder has read this book and there is a reason for it. When you’re trying to find that justification and product market fit before you’ve committed to writing a single line of code, that’s the real art. The second thing I found incredibly useful which was one phrase and would happily buy the book again just for that chapter is analysis paralysis. When you’re a first time founder and are figuring it all out for the first time. You can sit and think, and think, and think… Speculation kills creativity. Just go out and make mistakes.

Ian Moyse is more than just a senior leader in the tech world...

He's a Sales Trainer, Coach, Digital Disrupter, Social Media Influencer and LinkedIn Legend.

I sat down for a nice cosy fireside chat with him to hear the story of his business, how it was affected and how they pivoted.

Ian also shares his views on 'selling' and how sales people should and can be adapting, pivoting and reshaping the way they sell in order to remain... well frankly, employed.

We discuss what to consider now that the people you are looking to reach are no longer at their desk phones and cannot be called using web conference platforms.  Which means getting access to mobile numbers basically.  So it becomes a data issue.

All that and more.

Ian's Books

• Social Selling by Tim Hughes
• Known by Mark schaeffer 

Lee's Book

• On Form by Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz

A subject that really is of interest to me is SECURITY.  Internet and device security to be specific.

So when i was given the opportunity to sit and chat with Iain Cundy of Section 20 Solutions, I jumped at the chance.

Iain has a VERY clear passion for ensuring that the world and EVERYTHING is secure, I actually don't think he'll stop until he's achieved that goal!

In this episode you'll hear some VERY useful security tips, software, hardware strategies that I'm sure you'll all need at some point.

We also talk about the DARK WEB and how to spoof Googles trackers.

Warning - This episode is a little longer than normal but that's because there is just so much content that we wanted to discuss.  We literally could have chatted for another 5 hours.

It's all too easy to fall into the pigeon hole of what society says we should be and the career path we should take.

Not so for Bimbola Kila of Diamond Shine cleaning in Nigeria.

Faced not only with starting a business in a challenging country, but also being a woman entrepreneur was something that wasn't considered 'normal'.  Bimbola faced adversity and went ahead with her goals regardless, creating a successful cleaning company hiring 30+ employees with government contracts.

She also shares how she pivoted the business to offer sanitising services in a Covid world.

Oh... and she was running the business remotely (with support from her business partner), whilst studying for TWO... yes 2 degrees here in the UK.

This really is a very inspiring episode.

Bimbola's Book
Give and Take by Adam Grant

Lee's Book
Money Master the Game by Tony Robins

When it comes to investing our money, no matter how much or how little, the risks are the same, we invest what we can afford.  Putting it in the right place can be a daunting thought.

I sit down with Stuart Hudson, Chartered Financial Planner, co-founder in AAG Wealth Management, friend and golfing buddy. 

DICLAIMER – This episode is NOT financial advice and as such you should not base your investments on what you hear.  It’s two people, two business owners chatting about business and life in general.

Stuarts business had to keep going through lockdown as people were rightly concerned about their investments and needed to know that their money was still being managed and not part-time.  They help individuals, families and businesses.

He shares his challenge in managing a 30 person team via conference call, managing the working day along with home-schooling 2 children.  And also what does the office environment look like post covid?

Stuart's Books
Shantaram by Frederic Roberts
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Lee's Book
The Future Of Capitalism By Paul Collier

When Rinku Banger decided to start his new business in February 2020, little did he know what was about to ensue just 4 weeks later.

Taking the plunge and starting your own business is a huge undertaking, risky, scary and takes a huge amount of motivation.  To be in the embryonic stages when the country went into lockdown must have really put the pressure on.

In this next episode of Business Source, Rinku shares his inspirational story, how he had to adapt, quickly, and talks about the challenges of hiring for his new business during lockdown.

We share some common tips on how to keep yourself motivated whilst working from home, taking away the distractions and how to stay sharp.

As usual, we both share some interesting books that have helped us along the way.

Rinku's Book
The Leaders Guide to Negotiation by Simon Horton

Lee's Book
Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers

A topic I am all too familiar with, SaaS.  I've been involved in the SaaS industry since 2006 having worked for a global Internet, Email and Data Security vendor.

I wanted to chat with someone in the same space to understand how their business has been impacted over the past 6 months.

I'm thankful to Aaron Browning of FrontSpin, a BDR Outreach Platform, for joining me in this episode.

For some, this past 6 months hasn't affected their businesses too badly, and FrontSpin, I'm pleased to say, is one of them.

Aaron shares the growing pain they encountered as well as how they had to change their approach to sales.

As usual, we both share some interesting books to read.

Aaron's Books
Buy Then Build by Walker Deibel

Lee's Book
Predictable Revenue by Aaron Ross & Marylou Tyler

In our next episode of Business Source, I'm delighted to be joined by double award winning Amazon Best Selling Author, Expert Sales Trainer and Keynote Speaker, Niraj Kapur. 

As someone who's business is 95% face-to-face, Niraj shares the impact to his business and how even he as a coach, needs coaching in order to stay ahead of the game. 

We talk omni-channel, personal development, mindset... and... we both share about detoxing your life, a fascinating concept! 

Pick up some fantastic tips that we can all use in our daily lives to keep motivated, on track and sharp, with some fabulous book recommendations from both Niraj and myself (book listing below).

If you'd like to appear on an Episode of Business Source, please contact [email protected] 

Books mentioned: 
Million Pound LinkedIn Message by Daniel Disney
Converted by Matt Sykes 
Mind for Sales by Mark Hunter 
Selling Boldly by Alex Goldfayn
Detox Your Life by Jane Scrivner 
What You See Is What You Get by Alan Sugar

In the second of the series, I chat with Loren Jenkins, Business/Performance Coach and Yoga Instructor about the importance of looking after yourself both physically and mentally.

These past 6 months have surely taken its toll on us as humans, as husbands, wife's, partners, but also as employees, leaders and owners.

I share some insights into how I choose to keep healthy with physical exercise and books and Loren shares some valuable insights around yoga and breathing that could really make all the difference to your state of mind. 

Books mentioned

1. The Concise Human Body Book - Steve Parker

2. Superfoods - David Wolfe

3. A Life Worth Breathing - Max Strom

4. Light on Pranayama - B.K.S IYENGAR (a deeper look at the 'life force' of breath)

5. The Art of Happiness - HH Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler 

6. Light on Yoga - The Definitive Guide to Yoga Practice - B.K.S IYENGAR

7. Mind Power - Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life - James Borg