In the Black

It's so difficult to find time to get 'all the things' done! We understand the juggle of balancing business demands and home life, let alone personal health and wellbeing... it's a continual work in progress! In this episode, we're sharing our 5 productivity hacks that have helped us in both our businesses and personal lives. With the right tools and mindset, you can maximise your productivity and make the most of every hour.

We're not talking about anything overly complicated here. These are simple, straightforward, and, most importantly, they work. From time-blocking techniques to prioritisation methods, there is something for everyone.

So, join us as we share our experiences and insights, and discover how you can unlock your time and supercharge your productivity.

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We love creating this podcast and want to continue bringing you great content. Reviews are important to boost the show, so we are trying to get as many as we can. Please rate the podcast on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

Get in touch:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books

Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing

Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Wondering if you're doing the 'right stuff' when it comes to marketing? In this episode, Wendy discusses her Marketing Essentials checklist - the top 10 activities businesses should focus on to get the best results.

There is an overwhelming amount of marketing options and strategies available, and it's easy to feel lost in the sea of marketing advice. That's why we have broken this down into an easy to follow guide that simplifies the complexity, providing you with a much needed list of effective marketing strategies and tactics.

The checklist is applicable to both online and brick-and-mortar businesses, and serves as a roadmap rather than a rigid set of instructions. Because we know that every business is different.

If you've been struggling with marketing, this one is for you!

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We love creating this podcast and want to continue bringing you great content. Reviews are important to boost the show, so we are trying to get as many as we can. Please rate the podcast on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

Resources:

FREE Marketing Essentials Checklist - grab yours HERE

Get in touch:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books

Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing

Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Ever felt stuck in a repeating pattern of overwhelm in your business? We've named this the 'Cycle of Despair,' from our own personal experience of managing boundaries and stress as we navigate business owner life.

Characterised by a lack of enthusiasm and increased procrastination (doom scrolling anyone?!), this often stems from an overwhelming number of undesirable tasks and saying 'yes' to activities that no longer align.

If you've ever found yourself spinning in this cycle, this episode will give you helpful advice on how to move from despair to delight in your business again. Go from people-pleasing to focusing on long-term goals so you can regain confidence and fall back in love with your work.

You will learn about:

• The key factors that contribute to the cycle of despair
• Why it's important to set aside time to think about the direction you want for your business
• How to create clear boundaries that align with your vision
• The value of external accountability and "bigger picture" thinking
• Why you should prioritise activities that yield the most results & examples of these
• Practical solutions for simplifying business processes & escaping the cycle of despair

We love creating this podcast and want to continue bringing you great content. Reviews are important to boost the show, so we are trying to get as many as we can.

Please rate the podcast on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

Get in touch:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

In this episode, we share the importance of creating a business plan and how it can drive your business forward, rather than leaving progress to chance.

You may be thinking about your business plan as we approach the end of the financial year in New Zealand. Now is a great time to reflect and make changes where necessary – or if you don't currently have a plan, grab that notebook as Sarah also shares the most effective ways to get started on one!

You will learn about:

• What needs to happen to create a business plan

• How to break down your overall vision with specific action points

• The key benefits to your business when you have direction

• What it means to "stay relevant" in business

• How a business plan can unite your team

• The benefits of working with a business coach or advisor

We love creating this podcast and want to continue bringing you content like what you heard today. Reviews are important to boost the show, so we are trying to get as many as we can. Please rate it on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

Want to know more and grow your business, contact us below:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books

Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing

Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Today, Wendy dissects what brand positioning means and its significance in establishing a business's place in the market.

So let's differentiate your brand from competitors, grab yourself a pen and paper as you learn fundamental strategies that will help you create a lasting impression in your customers' minds.

You will learn about:

• Impact of personal behaviour on brand perception
• Aligning your product and Brand
• The importance of consistency
• Practical advice on market research
• Defining your target audience
• How to articulate a clear positioning statement

We love creating this podcast and we are trying to get as many reviews as we can so please rate on Spotify and leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

Want to talk? Check us out below:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books

Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing

Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

The end of the financial year is fast approaching, so in this episode, Sarah runs you through 4 things she's doing in her business before 31st March 2024.

Sarah discusses why it's beneficial to pay for expenses in March and reduce the taxable income for the current financial year, but only if it makes financial sense. She also talks about bonuses, debtors, and setting a financial budget for the next financial year.

So if you want to influence a tax outcome, grab a pen and paper to take notes and get sorted before 31 March 2024.

Thanks for listening to today's episode. If you're enjoying the podcast, you can rate the show on Spotify, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. This will help other savvy business owners find us and learn more!

If you feel someone else would benefit from listening to today's episode, please pass it on.

Get in touch: Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

In this informative episode, Wendy delves into the Ansoff Growth Matrix, a straightforward framework that shines light on identifying business growth opportunities.

If you're ready to expand in your business, tune in to hear the specific techniques that could set the stage for your next big growth spurt.

You will learn about:

• The four core strategies within the matrix
• How you can develop new products & services for your market
• Ways to increase sales of your existing products
• How to explore new markets
• Weighing up the risks associated with diversification
• What activities can significantly drive growth

Thanks for listening to today's episode and supporting the Growth Curves podcast. You can rate the show on Spotify, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. This will help other savvy business owners find us and learn more!

If you feel someone else would benefit from listening to today's episode, please pass it on.

View the graphic that describes the framework discussed in this episode: Ansoff Growth Matrix

Get in touch:Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Today Sarah and Wendy dive into the essential business cycle, explaining the nuances of cash flow and profit within a business context.

By better understanding and implementing the tips provided in this episode, you will learn how to use your business as a vehicle to achieve financial freedom and flexibility.

You will also learn about:

• How to boost cash flow & eliminate unchecked overheads
• Common pitfalls in business
• Increasing sales vs. decreasing margins
• The benefits of negotiating better payment terms with suppliers
• How to intelligently invest for quicker returns

Thanks for listening to today's episode. If you feel someone else would benefit from listening to today's episode, please pass it on.

Are you enjoying the Growth Curves podcast? If so, don't forget to rate and review so that more business owners can find us.

Get in touch:Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Today Sarah & Wendy come together to discuss the important topic of creating a marketing plan for business growth. We discuss how a marketing plan is not just a to-do list, but a strategy that gives you direction on how to make money and increase revenue in your business.

You will learn about:

• What a marketing plan actually is
• How to understand what the best marketing strategy is for you
• How to be intentional with your marketing efforts
• Why it's important to define your business strategy
• Ways to save time & move beyond tactical activities

Thanks for listening to today's episode. You can grab Wendy's Marketing Plan Template HERE.

If you feel someone else would benefit from this episode, please pass it on. And if you're enjoying the Growth Curves podcast, don't forget to rate and review so that more business owners can find us.

Get in touch: Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Having different types of offers can be really powerful when selling to your target audience. In this episode, Sarah and Wendy dive into how you can package your products or services, what the benefits are, and why it can be so effective.

You will also learn:

• What a value ladder is and how to use it
• What you're actually selling beyond your products or services
• The 4 main things your offer needs to be
• Why it's important to be authentic when creating urgency
• How to move people through your sales funnel
• What type of add-ons you can offer your customers

Thanks for tuning in!

If you feel someone else would benefit from listening to today's episode, please pass it on. And if you're enjoying the Growth Curves podcast, don't forget to rate and review so that more business owners can find us.

Get in touch: Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast