Friends in Business

Friends in Business

By Jemimah Ashleigh and Ben WrightBusinessEntrepreneurshipCareersManagement
Download on the App Store

Friends in Business episodes

  • Episode 19: 3 Traits of a High Performing Team

    In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh explore the nuances of developing high-performing teams. With their unique blend of expertise and wit, they delve into the essential elements required for team success, offering valuable insights and relatable anecdotes. Ben champions a straightforward approach to complex business challenges, highlighting the Team STEP framework, which aligns strategy with talent acquisition and development, while nurturing team energy. Jemimah contributes by discussing the dynamic relationship between personality and skill in recruitment, advocating for hiring based on potential rather than traditional metrics. Together, they provide practical guidance and share personal experiences, making this episode an essential listen for business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs keen to boost their team’s performance.

    Key Takeaways: 

    •     Focus on strategy, talent, and energy to drive peak team performance.
    •     Strategy: It’s critical for a high-performing team to have a clear understanding of their objectives, target audience, and value proposition.
    •     Blend experienced leaders with potential-driven hires, emphasizing continuous learning and coaching.
    •     Cultivate a positive, accountable, and consistent team energy through shared values and effective communication.
    •     Conduct team evaluations using the Team STEP framework to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

    • Time Stamps: 

      0:00 Intro

      3:40 Building High Performing Teams

      5:25 Strategy

      8:07 Talent

      14:07 Energy

      19:55 Recap

      20:21 Weekly Silver Bullet

      21:44 Outro

      Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

      23 min
    • Episode 18: The 5 Behaviours We See In Successful Teams

      In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh delve into the complexities of creating high-performing teams. With a blend of humour and camaraderie, they offer valuable insights crucial for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and aspiring business owners. Renowned for their dynamic and thought-provoking conversations, Ben and Jemimah discuss key topics essential to business success, focusing on leadership, sales strategy, and team dynamics. The discussion highlights five vital traits of successful teams, with a detailed exploration of how to establish clear strategies that encourage full engagement and commitment from all team members.

      Key Takeaways: 

      • Developing a clear strategy with team involvement ensures commitment and effective execution.
      •  A well-structured sales process is crucial for consistent performance and scalability in growing businesses.
      • Celebrating progress and utilizing metrics can significantly enhance team motivation and direction.
      • Training programs must be regular and structured, allowing for engagement, growth, and feedback.
      •  Providing coaching alongside training enriches knowledge and adaptability, helping team members harness their full potential.

      • Time Stamps: 

        0:00 Intro

        2:17 5 Traits That We See in Successful Teams 

        3:45 Strategy That Everyone is Aware Of

        5:53 Sales Process

        8:51 Metrics and Celebration

        11:24 Training Program

        15:15 Coaching

        18:21 Recap

        18:38 Weekly Silver Bullet

        20:15 Outro

        Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

        22 min
      • Episode 17: Is the Speaking Circuit Right for You?

        In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, listeners receive expert guidance on using speaking engagements to boost visibility and influence within their industry. From exploring the role of speaking agencies to crafting captivating keynote presentations, Ben and Jemimah walk you through the key elements needed to secure impactful speaking opportunities. A highlight of the episode is Jemimah’s practical advice on how entrepreneurs can create and deliver engaging speeches. Ben complements this with a discussion on pricing strategies, recommending a model based on audience size, which serves as a useful approach for valuing speaking gigs. This episode is perfect not only for aspiring speakers but also for seasoned professionals looking to refine their public speaking skills and increase their influence.

        Key Takeaways: 

        •   Learn to create a compelling keynote by integrating personal experiences with moral lessons to engage your audience.
        •   Recognize the importance of starting with free speaking gigs to build your reputation before progressing to paid opportunities.
        •   Utilize the vast network of speaking agencies to access diverse opportunities that help expand your professional reach.
        •   Understand how to determine your speaking fee based on audience size and potential business prospects, starting with achievable benchmarks.
        •   Remember that once you share your story publicly, it becomes part of the broader discourse, hence choose what aligns with your personal and professional brand.

        • Time Stamps: 

          0:00 Intro

          0:45 MacGyver

          2:10 Speaking Gigs

          8:01 Ways To Prepare Yourself in Seeking For Speaking Opportunities

          15:55 Pricing

          19:00 Weekly Takeaway

          20:00 Outro

          Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

          21 min
        • Episode 16: The 3 Types of Celebrations That Lift Team Engagement

          In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh explore the power of celebrations in the workplace and how they can boost team motivation, help with employee retention, and show recognition. Ben and Jemimah take a deep dive into why celebrations often miss the mark, backed by stats that underline the importance of appreciating your employees, and they share a practical framework for weaving celebrations into your business strategy .They introduce a clear, actionable approach to celebrating within teams, across departments, and through leadership recognition—each of which fosters a sense of achievement and motivation. Tune in for some practical tips on how celebrating milestones in line with company goals can have a big impact on both business success and employee satisfaction.

          Key Takeaways: 

          • Celebrations are not just about major milestones; regular and meaningful acknowledgments can enhance team morale and motivation.
          • Tailor celebrations to align with team goals and behaviors, ensuring they contribute to a positive organizational culture.
          • Vary celebration methods to accommodate different team members’ motivators, from recognition and community to learning opportunities.
          • Leveraging external acknowledgment by senior leaders can be powerful in reinforcing team achievements and sustaining motivation.
          • Building rituals into workplace culture takes time and dedication but is essential for lasting impact and employee engagement.

          • Time Stamps: 

            0:00 Intro

            1:12 Celebrations

            3:49 Three Framework For Celebrations

            3:49 Internal Team Celebrations

            7:54 External Team Celebrations

            9:57 Celebrations From Leaders

            13:47 How To Make Celebrations Stick

            16:15 Weekly Takeaway

            18:30 Outro

            Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

            20 min
          • Episode 15: What to Do at Networking Events to Build Profitable Relationships

            In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh explore the vital role of networking in business, highlighting the importance of cultivating genuine connections rather than viewing individuals as mere sales opportunities. Drawing on their own experiences at numerous networking events, they offer valuable guidance on how to avoid common missteps. From choosing the right attire to understanding the specific nature of each event, the hosts provide practical tips for preparing effectively for networking occasions. Through real-life anecdotes, both successes and missteps, they stress the importance of establishing trust—what they refer to as the "know, like, and trust" principle—before diving into sales conversations. By reflecting on their own journeys and offering expert advice, they inspire listeners to use networking as a powerful tool for fostering business growth and development.

            Key Takeaways: 

            • Research and understand the networking event you’re attending to tailor your approach effectively.
            • Avoid immediate selling at networking events; focus instead on establishing genuine relationships.
            • Clearly articulate what problem you solve, who you solve it for, and what you are currently working on.
            • Don’t forget to follow up on leads post-networking events to capitalize on opportunities.
            • Treat networking as a relationship-building exercise, not merely a series of sales transactions.

            • Time Stamps: 

              0:00 Intro

              2:15 Networking

              3:10 Mistakes In Networking

              4:31 Not Understanding the Event

              6:07 Trying to Sell Immediately

              8:17 Not Being Clear On What To Do

              10:59 Not Following Up

              14:03 Seeing People As Potential Sales

              15:09 Spending Too Long In A Conversation

              18:27 Recap

              20:13 Weekly Takeaway

              21:35 Outro

              Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

              23 min
            • Episode 14: The Rise and Rise of Storytelling - How You Can Sharpen Your Skills

              In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh explore the powerful role of storytelling in the business world. As the conversation progresses, Jemimah and Ben share their excitement about shifting from the demands of business to enriching dinner conversations, highlighting how stories foster meaningful connections.With the focus on the art of storytelling, they underscore its vital role in effective business communication, offering valuable strategies to help listeners refine their storytelling skills. Ben and Jemimah also discussed the growing influence of AI in storytelling, offering practical advice on how tools like ChatGPT can be leveraged to enhance and refine business narratives. The episode offers an insightful journey into the transformative power of storytelling, blending expert advice with real-world applications.

              Key Takeaways: 

              •  Storytelling is essential in business for building connections and conveying information effectively.
              • A four-part framework—Problem, Impact, Solution, Outcome—can streamline storytelling processes.
              • Integrating AI tools like ChatGPT can enhance story crafting and make narratives more compelling.
              •  Documenting and practicing stories can help refine messaging and improve audience engagement.
              •  Storytelling not only boosts business success but also fosters deeper interpersonal connections.

              • Time Stamps:

                0:00 

                1:31 Story Telling

                2:56 Learing Through Story Telling

                5:00 Framwork Around Story Telling

                7:39 Problem and Opportunity

                7:44 Impact

                9:00 Solution

                9:28 Outcome

                16:07 Recap

                16: Weekly Takeaway

                17:20 Outro

                Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

                19 min
              • Episode 13: What Winning an Award can do for Your Business

                In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemimah Ashleigh explore the strategic significance of business awards for both entrepreneurs and corporations. The conversation begins with some lighthearted exchanges before delving into the surprising advantages of participating in awards ceremonies, highlighting how these events can elevate a business’s profile. Jemimah, a seasoned expert in visibility, shares her extensive experience as a finalist more than 100 times and discusses the often-overlooked potential of business awards as a powerful marketing tool. Ben also contributes valuable insights, focusing on the long-term benefits of winning or being a finalist in business awards. He highlights how these accolades can serve as a testament to a business's credibility and excellence, offering a distinct competitive edge. The episode offers valuable, actionable insights on harnessing awards for public relations and business growth. 

                Key Takeaways: 

                • Awards offer free PR and visibility, acting as a significant credibility booster for businesses.
                • Create one comprehensive award application and adapt it for multiple entries to save time and effort.
                • Understand that entering awards can be a marketing investment with potential costs for attending events.
                • Awards nights are prime settings for networking, offering access to like-minded business professionals and potential referral partners.
                • The application process itself serves as a valuable business audit, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement.

                • Time Stamps: 

                  0:00 Intro

                  0:54 Ball Gowns

                  3:01 Awards

                  3:52 Why Enter in Awards

                  6:30 Things To Know Before Looking at Awards

                  6:35 Choose Your Playing Field

                  7:45 Benefits of Awards

                  9:45 One Application

                  12:31 Marketing in the Room

                  14:18 What To Do With Publicity

                  15:05 Awards are Businesses

                  18:16 Recap

                  19:11 Weekly Takeaway

                  21:30 Outro

                  Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

                  23 min
                • Episode 12: Negotiation Simplified to Give You Better Business Results

                  In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemima Ashleigh delved into the art of negotiation with engaging stories and expert insights. This episode kicks off with a light-hearted moment, as Ben shares a humorous anecdote about his young daughter, who’s already showing a knack for negotiation. Ben breaks down the key elements of negotiation, drawing inspiration from Herb Cohen’s renowned model. He highlights the critical factors of time, power, and information, explaining how these play a pivotal role in negotiating effectively. Jemimah brings her unique perspective to the conversation, drawing on her experiences from law enforcement to add depth to the discussion. Together, they emphasise the importance of understanding the needs of both parties and having a clear, well-thought-out plan to achieve the best outcomes.

                  Key Takeaways: 

                  • Successful negotiation involves understanding the importance of time, knowing when to leverage urgency, and when to patiently await the right moment.
                  •  Power dynamics in negotiation are influenced by perceived strengths like offering unique value or having better terms than competitors.
                  • Knowledge is key — entering negotiations well-prepared with detailed information and a clear plan can dramatically improve outcomes.
                  • Planning your approach with defined positions for walk-in, fallback, and walk-away helps maintain control during negotiations.
                  • Ego can be the biggest pitfall in negotiations. Keeping it in check is essential for reaching mutually beneficial outcomes.

                  • Time Stamps: 

                    0:00 Intro

                    0:43 Negotiation of a Kid

                    3:22 Negotiation

                    9:13 Time

                    12:31 Power

                    16:14 Information

                    19:55 Ego

                    21:02 Weekly Takeaway

                    22:33 Outro

                    Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

                    24 min
                  • Episode 11: A Simple Approach to Building a Sales Process That Works

                    In this episode of the Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemima Ashleigh explore the intricacies of developing an effective sales process. Ben outlines a thorough five-stage sales process designed to enhance efficiency and drive greater sales success, beginning with lead generation and concluding with post-sales management. Jemima offers valuable insights on building strong customer connections. As emphasised in this discussion, businesses must continually adapt and refine their sales strategies to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced market.

                    Key Takeaways: 

                    • A defined sales process is crucial for fostering predictable and reliable sales outcomes.
                    • Lead generation should be a shared responsibility between marketing and sales teams for optimal results.
                    • Understanding customer needs and objections is essential to presenting effective sales proposals.
                    • Maintaining post-sale relationships helps create an evergreen sales funnel and increases repeat business.
                    • Collaborative team efforts in strategizing sales processes can reveal insightful improvement areas and foster a cohesive work environment.

                    • Time Stamps: 

                      0:00 Intro

                      0:49 Builders in the Family

                      3:04 The Sales Process

                      5:35 Lead Generation

                      8:01 Meet and Greet and Needs Analysis

                      11:37 Presentation or Quotation

                      16:46 Closing

                      18:50 Post Sale Key Account Management

                      20:27 Weekly Takeaway

                      23:09 Outro

                      Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

                      24 min
                    • Episode 10: How to Leverage Podcasts into Revenue Growth

                      In this episode of Friends in Business Podcast, Ben Wright and Jemima Ashleigh delved into the game-changing potential of podcasting for self-promotion and company expansion. Their perceptive conversation illuminates the strategic benefits of podcasting, whether one is the host or the guest, and offers helpful pointers for making the most of these chances. This episode is a goldmine of information meant to inspire would-be podcasters and business owners to get on the bandwagon of this exciting new medium. 

                      Key Takeaways: 

                      • Podcasting significantly increases a business’s visibility across platforms like iTunes and Spotify, widening brand reach.
                      • Hosting or guesting on podcasts helps tailor content to reach and engage directly with ideal clients.
                      • Consistent podcasting boosts SEO, improving searchability and online presence for long-term sales growth.
                      • Subtly sharing success stories through podcasting can build credibility and attract interest without overt selling.
                      • Successful podcasting requires dedicated effort and patience, with a typical ROI timeline of about 12 months.

                      • Time Stamps: 

                        0:00 Intro

                        1:35 Podcasting

                        2:27 Jemimah’s Story on Podcasting

                        5:46 Ben’s Story on Podcasting

                        6:39 Tips and Why Start a Podcast

                        8:04 Visibility

                        8:51 Contact with Ideal Client

                        9:30 Breadcrumbing

                        12:29 Increases Sales through SEO

                        14:36 Weekly Takeaway

                        18:15 Outro

                        Be sure to stay tuned for more enlightening content from the Friends in Business podcast. If you enjoy the show, please like, share, and leave a review to support us and help others discover these valuable discussions.

                        20 min

                      About Friends in Business

                      From the publisher's feed

                      Welcome to the *Friends in Business Podcast,* where hosts Jemimah Ashleigh and Ben Wright join forces to become your trusted allies in the world of entrepreneurship. This dynamic duo is dedicated to sharing their extensive knowledge and experience to help you navigate the complexities of business with confidence and clarity.