Chris Fox on taking the pain out of putting together a strategy - MPAF88

For many companies strategy is a painful process executives and managers face reluctantly every year.

They often over complicate it. Weave it into the annual planning and budgeting cycle.

The result often isn't a strategy at all.

In this episode I talk to Chris Fox about how to make strategy simple. Hear Chris explain how to take the pain out of putting together a strategy. Listen to him explain how to separate strategy from the bureaucracy of annual planning, and turn it into a blueprint for business success.

That's all right here in Episode 88 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who Chris Fox?

Chris is an independent strategy expert.

He describes himself as a problem solver with a strong strategic and project management delivery capability. He has a broad range of experience in international financial services, including strategy, marketing, M&A and technology.

Chris has developed an online strategy tool called StrategicLearningApp.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Chris, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to our own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if you would leave a review. http://rogeredwards.co.uk/itunes

Fancy Appearing on the Show?

Alex Cameron on why we can't ignore Live Streaming Video in our Marketing - MPAF87

Periscope. Blab. Facebook Live. Video streaming apps that have taken the world by storm.

US marketers are creating massive engagement using live streaming video.

It was hottest topic at the recent Social Media Marketing World Conference in San Diego, no one can afford to be left behind as live streaming video takes hold.

In this episode I talk to Alex Cameron, a marketing consultant from San Diego who attended the mega conference.

Don't miss this special report where Alex shares with you insights, lessons and strategies about live streaming video and the future of content marketing.

That's all right here in Episode 87 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who Alex Cameron?

Alex is a Social Media Coach from San Diego California.

With a background in the hospitality industry, she loves empowering her clients with the knowledge and direction they need to succeed in the world of digital marketing and social media.

So let’s get to it right here on the Marketing Protection and Finance podcast.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Alex, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to our own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if you would leave a review. http://rogeredwards.co.uk/itunes

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Would...

Adam Carolan on Nurturing

Some of the perceptions that stop people seeking financial

Does the public believe only older wealthier people need advice?

In this episode I chat to Adam Carolan who believes it's time

Hear about his website and content for creating interest in

That's all right here in episode 86 of the Marketing Protection

Who Adam

Adam is an Independent, "fee only" financial adviser and

He's a self-confessed finance nerd and a big fan of

He wants to see the rise of a young, dynamic and entrusting

He's also author of Genius with Money, a site specifically setup

Links and Show

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Adam, please visit

What is the Marketing

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business

Marketing – talking about how financial

Protection – talking about life insurance,

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms,

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big

I’m your host, Roger

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if

MPAF85 – Chris Ducker on Mastermind Communities and Personal Branding Fueling Business Growth

Running a small business or a one man band can be lonely.

Without the support mechanisms that come from a corporate environment you may miss the motivation of others or the accountability they bring.

In this episode I talk to serial entrepreneur, Chris Ducker, and we chat about Mastermind Communities and how they can fill those motivational and accountability gaps.

Whilst running a number of large companies, Chris also built a strong personal brand of his own online. We discuss how personal branding combined with masterminds can catapult boost your business growth.

That's all right here in episode 85 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who Chris Ducker?

Chris Ducker serial entrepreneur from London in the UK, now living in the Phillipines. Author of Virtual Freedom Chris is a well known international speaker. He spoke in the UK at the New Media Europe Conference in 2015 and most recently at Social Media Marketing World 2016 in San Diego.

Using his ‘No BS’ attitude to getting things done, and his empathy towards business owners and entrepreneurs, Chris also created a mastermind group called Youprenuer, the entrepreneurial community where no one gets left behind .

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Chris, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to our own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if you would leave a review.

MPAF84 – Danny Matthews on Building Consumer Trust using Social Media

The way we communicate is fundamentally changing.

Clients want you to communicate with them on their own terms. That might mean phone or email. But they also want to connect on live video, and social media platforms.

In this episode I chat to Danny Matthews who believes that we must use new communications platforms to build a new level of trust with clients. Financial services companies are universally distrusted across the globe and he wants to see an end to that.

We talk about using compliant social media to connect with our clients in the most trustworthy, transparent, personal and authentic way to maintain and grow our business into the next generation.

That's all right here in episode 84 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who Danny Matthews?

Danny is an adviser working for the Total Mortgage Network.

He's also the founder of Adviser's Edge Media providing training on social media and other ways of creating lifetime value for clients.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Derek and James, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to your own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if you would leave a review. http://rogeredwards.co.uk/itunes

Fancy Appearing on the Show?

Would you be interested in appearing on the MPAF Podcast? Are you working on...

MPAF83 – Why some Companies don't understand Social Media and how it makes them afraid

How many Financial Services Companies truly understand social media.

Some don't use it all.

Some use it sparingly.

Is it because some don't have a strategy? Maybe they don't see a traditional return on investment. Or perhaps they see it as a compliance minefield.

Is it a lack of understanding about social media that drives these concerns?

Let's discuss this right here in Episode 83 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to your own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh, I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if you would leave a review. http://rogeredwards.co.uk/itunes

Fancy Appearing on the Show?

Would you be interested in appearing on the MPAF Podcast? Are you working on a new proposition, campaign or a business model you want to talk about? Do you fancy drawing out some inspirational business and marketing ideas that MPAF listeners can take away to use in their own businesses? Do please contact me if you want to get involved. http://rogeredwards.co.uk

MPAF82 – Panacea Adviser on Retirement Choices: The UK’s First Virtual Financial Services Conference

Panacea Adviser just held the UK's first virtual conference for Financial Services.

Retirement Choices 2016 was a unique, if slightly surreal experience.

The conference was complete with virtual stands, a virtual auditorium, keynote speakers and avatars of company representatives.

My guests today are Derek Bradley and James Bradley from Panacea. We chat about where the idea for the virtual conference came from. How they put it together and convinced providers to sponsor it. And the lessons they've learned after that successful first foray into virtual reality.

That's all right here in episode 81 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who Are Panacea Adviser?

Launched in February 2007, Panacea Adviser is a unique and free resource. They support financial advisers, mortgage brokers and paraplanners by providing free online access to the very latest news, views, tools, research, educational support and business development ideas from product providers and support services all in one place.

My guests are:  Derek Bradley is CEO and James Bradley is Head of e-Relationships.

The Panacea community grew from 100 small advisers supported by eight providers in 2007 to a community of some 17,000 Equifax Touchstone validated financial services professionals, supported by 40 firms in 2016.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Derek and James, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to your own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing

MPAF81 – Susie Colley on PMI, Critical Illness Cover and Going Beyond Expectations

In this episode I talk to Susie Colley.

She advises her clients on the best PMI, critical illness and income protection products to meet their needs.

And uses her nursing experience to give them expert help when and if they claim.

Listen to Susie talk about the state of the PMI and critical illness markets and her ideas for future growth. Hear about how she goes beyond expectations with the added value services she gives her clients.

That's all right here in episode 81 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who is Susie Colley?

Susie runs Westcountry Health Care.

Having had 25 years in the nursing profession, she does the leg work for her clients in finding the policies that will work for them and deliver exactly what they want at a price that suits their pocket.

She's committed to demystify the jargon, explain the underwriting and explain the benefits of the policy, what's included and what isn't.

Susie believes that insurance services shouldn't stop at the point of purchase. Westcountry Health Care's USP is the personal care each and every client receives for the lifetime of their policy.

The winner of numerous industry awards Susie is also chair of the Torquay Chamber of Commerce.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Susie, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to your own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe...

MPAF80 – Chris Marr on Content Marketing, Educating and Communicating without Selling

You might hear traditional marketing described as "interruption marketing".

An advert stopping you from watching your favourite TV show is an example.

But you don't have to shout at your customers, interrupt them or get on their nerves to engage with them.

What if marketing could be about:

• Education
• Entertainment
• Fun
• Help

In this episode I talk to Chris Marr about content marketing. And he describes the principles of content marketing just like that.

Education. Entertainment. Fun and help.

Listen to Chris expand on these principles and how it could work for your business. Hear how you could create content cost effectively, engage potential clients and have them come and find you.

That's all right here in episode 80 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Who is Chris Marr?

Chris Marr is a content marketer, blogger and podcaster. He helps businesses in and around Fife in Scotland to embrace content marketing principles and improve their communication.

Chris is also the founder of The Content Marketing Academy, Scotland’s first and only annual content marketing conference, and is the founder and host of The Content Marketing Academy Podcast, both of which are great examples of Chris’ commitment to promoting marketing and guiding business owners.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned by Chris, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to your own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and...

MPAF79 – Why we must Engage rather than Enrage to Improve Customer Experience

Customer experience should engage not enrage.

And yet we seem to live in a country where customer experience, and I'm not just talking about Financial Services here, is often an afterthought.

In this episode it's just me and the mic talking about customer engagement. The lessons from social media.

And whether this should be a focus for financial services providers rather than the continuous adding of spurious benefits.

That's all right here in episode 79 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast.

Links and Show Notes.

For links to the books and apps mentioned, please visit http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF for the show notes.

What is the Marketing Finance and Protection (MPAF) Podcast?

It’s the Podcast for Financial Services Professionals looking to share business ideas and inspiration in the world of Marketing, Protection and Finance.

The MPAF Podcast is a 30 minute audio show you download from http://rogeredwards.co.uk/MPAF, iTunes or Stitcher Radio. Each week I’ll be interviewing financial services providers, advisers, experts and journalists.

Interviews to listen to in the car, on the train or on the treadmill.

The main focus of the podcast is on what we can do to make protection and finance more accessible to the consumer and how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses.

We’ll look at financial services products, interesting business models and campaigns with an emphasis on the following:

Marketing – talking about how financial services professionals can develop and promote their businesses using traditional marketing tools but focussing on modern content marketing and social media techniques.

Protection – talking about life insurance, critical illness, income protection and other protection products

Finance – talking about pensions, platforms, savings and investments

My aim is to make sure that you will get one or two big business ideas that you can apply to your own business.  Whether it is a sales idea, advice idea, product tweak or simply an app that is worth looking at.

I’m your host, Roger Edwards.

A marketing guy from Edinburgh I help people like you with your marketing strategy, content and social media. Until I set up my own business I was in and out of senior marketing roles in UK Financial Services Companies for two decades. Some of you might remember me as the Marketing Director and Managing Director of Bright Grey and Scottish Provident.

Please subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes and I’d be grateful if you would leave a review. http://rogeredwards.co.uk/itunes

Fancy Appearing on the Show?

Would you be interested in appearing on the MPAF Podcast? Are you working on a new proposition, campaign or a business model you want to talk about? Do you fancy drawing out some inspirational business and marketing ideas that MPAF listeners can take away to use in their own businesses? Do please contact me if you want to get involved. http://rogeredwards.co.uk