ScaleHQ Podcast

This is one of the most frequently asked questions I get as a mentor and advisor, from founders of service-based businesses. There’s an art to getting the right people, providing them with what they need and empowering them to do what they do best, so your business can grow sustainably.

We have compiled golden nuggets of wisdom from 5 reputable business leaders. First, there’s Liz Wiseman, best-selling author on leadership, who talks about what an impact player is and how to lead them. Bryan Watson, co-founder of Ovida, then elaborates on creating a culture of zero-blame and radical transparency.

Matt Forman, founder of XPON, speaks about building a psychology safety net for your employees that normalises trying and failing. Then we have Narelle Anderson, Envirobank founder, who distils the importance of building a culture of communication and contribution. Finally, Anneke van den Broek, CEO of Rufus & Coco, wraps it up by outlining how to transform a good team to an amazing one.

Listen to all these and more in this week’s episode:

· 05:17 – Moving away from a culture of retention to a culture of contribution

· 08:02 – The one question you must ask about your management team

· 09:23 – How to make it okay to fail for your team

· 14:56 – Building a culture of radical transparency and trust

· 19:29 – Attracting, hiring and managing impact players in your team

Enjoy!

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to subscribe or review us on Apple Podcasts.

Watch or listen to full episodes on:

· Website: https://loom.ly/hY5IR-8

· Apple: https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4

· Spotify: https://loom.ly/NuK50WA

· Google: https://loom.ly/Lg3t6jw

· YouTube:https://loom.ly/u_vibuw

You can reach out to connect with Sean directly via:

· Website: www.seansteele.com.au

The end of the year is always a wonderful time to unwind and relax. It’s also the perfect time to take a hard look at where your business is at, evaluate what’s working and what’s not, identify the gaps, and hash out a plan for the next year.

Sean reveals the key areas you should reflect upon: business strategy, personal effectiveness, leadership, and business rhythms. Tackling all these will get you in the right mindset the instant you’re back from the holidays, instead of toiling through business as usual. And all it takes is half a day of your time.

Tune in to this week’s episode on the ScaleUps Podcast as Sean reveals….

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to subscribe or review us on Apple Podcasts.

Watch or listen to full episodes on:

Website: https://loom.ly/hY5IR-8

This is the first episode in a new type where we do a fly-on-the-wall series of interviews with 5 Founders who are still striving to scale. We’ll interview them 2-3 times each year for the next 3 years and follow their journey… the highs, the lows, the wins and disappointments. Some will succeed, some will falter, some may even fail.  But our community will be there with them all the way, cheering them on.

Enjoy listening to our first Founder this week.. Hitesh Madan, one of three Directors of TechForce Services; the multi-award winning and (arguably) fastest growing Salesforce business in Australia that’s kicking massive goals.

They’ve won, been finalists in or been recognised in SO many awards in the last three years.  From Australia’s Fastest Growing Company, to Fastest Growing Companies in Asia Pacific, ARN Innovation Awards, CRN Fast 50, Financial Review Fast 100 and Technology Fast 500… the list goes on!

Hitesh and I explore in his interview:  

06:03 – The origin story of the TechForce business 

09:00 – From solo to 80 team members and 4.9/5 as rated by Salesforce customers 

12:14 – How they’ve approached scaling quality in a services business 

18:32 – The role that mindset has played on their journey 

32:36 – The nuances of making leadership work with 3 Directors 

35:23 – Advice they’ve received that’s been critical to their success

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to subscribe or review us on Apple Podcasts.   

Watch or listen to full episodes on: 

• Website: https://loom.ly/hY5IR-8

• Apple: https://loom.ly/-oy8jL4

• Spotify: https://loom.ly/NuK50WA

• Google: https://loom.ly/Lg3t6jw

• YouTube: https://loom.ly/u_vibuw 

You can connect with Hitesh at:  

• Website:  www.TechForceServices.com  

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hiteshkumarmadan/   

or you can reach out to connect with Sean directly via: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/  

• Website: www.seansteele.com.au

Forget about having a great strategy if you don’t have great people to execute it.

Pointless.

But how do you attract great people?

It all starts with having a clear, and compelling employee value proposition which clearly reflects the commitments you’re willing to make and benefits you’re willing to offer your team members to make the environment an awesome and rewarding one to work in.

AND as a way of saying thank you for their dedication and contribution to your company’s ambitions.

This week on the full ScaleUps Podcast 10 Minute Tuesday episode we unpack how to develop or improve your employee value proposition.

We cover: 

01:35 - What’s an employee value proposition (EVP) and why do you need one? 

02:46 - What categories of benefits or features do best-practice companies include in theirs? 

08:58 - What are some examples of top company EVPs? 

11:44 - 6 steps to improving or building your EVP

This episode’s content draws on lessons within the ScaleUps Roadmap program, due for release in the first half of 2023.

Scaleups Roadmap is an exclusive cohort-based course that helps first-time Founders develop a strategy and execution plan that will enhance their growth rate, profitability, valuation & exit options.

Participants walk away with a clear growth strategy for the next 3 years, a simple 12-month execution plan, a renovated and improved business model and some new business peers.

If you’d like to join the waitlist for ScaleUps Roadmap – visit www.ScaleUpsRoadmap.com.au

2. Register to be the first to know when new episodes drop and free tools are published at www.scaleupspodcast.com, or    

3. Drop us a question about scaling using Speakpipe on the website, or email [email protected].

Follow us on your favourite socials:   

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scaleupspodcast   

• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlvcqAuqJMYBVUBoiixChQ      

You can connect with Sean directly via:   

• ScaleUps Roadmap: www.scaleupsroadmap.com.au   

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/   

• Website: www.seansteele.com.au

Lots of us Founders don’t grow up in marketing. But it’s absolutely core to helping us fulfil the potential of our businesses and maximise our impact in the world.

Bad marketing? Sub-par impact!

So what does good look like when it comes to marketing? And what are some of the simple things we can do to make our marketing better?

Enjoy this week’s episode on the ScaleUps Podcast as we interview Simon Dell, Founder of marketplace Cemoh who helps businesses find great marketing professionals. In it Simon and I explore:

Enjoy!

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to subscribe or review us on Apple Podcasts.

Founders have massive reserves of energy and resilience. But it’s not infinite. So how can you tell when you’re starting to hit burnout? What should you do about it if you are? And what can you do to reduce the risk of it emerging in the future?

In this week’s episode on the ScaleUps Podcast we interview Sophie Scott, award-winning journalist for the ABC, speaker and author on burnout, longevity and happiness.

Sophie shares science-backed techniques to help Founders prevent or address burnout and increase emotional resilience for now, and for the road ahead:

13:39 – How to avoid guilt when enjoying life’s little pleasures

28:39 – Small shifts that when compounded improve mood (for you and others)

12:53 – Short bursts of stress then rest vs prolonged energy-depleting behaviours

20:45 – How to notice when you are hitting burnout (and what to do about it)

41:40 – Techniques to re-find joy in your life

48:26 – Why doing nothing about it, is a terrible option

Enjoy!

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‍IF YOU GOT VALUE FROM TODAY'S EPISODE, PLEASE REMEMBER TO:

‍YOU CAN REACH OUT TO CONNECT WITH SEAN DIRECTLY VIA:

Recently we interviewed an investment banker on how to optimise your outcome if you’re selling your business - but one of the other key team members in the deal is the lawyer.

Lawyers see the deal from a fascinating perspective as they’re thinking about risks, loopholes, terms, issues, the negotiation and when you’ve got a great one on your side they can be a force to be reckoned with for the buyer – helping you get the best bang for buck and ensuring you don’t accept any terms that aren’t reasonable or favourable for you.

In this week’s episode (our last in our “selling your business” mini-series) we interview JeromeFogel from FP General Counsel. He’s a deal maker, an innovator and a specialist lawyerwho’s advised both buyers and sellers in hundreds of transactions, capital raisings, contracts, partnerships and structures.

Today we unpack together some of the secrets from a lawyers perspective on:

05:06 - Common mistakes made by sellers

13:02 - Items found in due diligence that scuttle deals

25:35 - What a Founder should focus on in the run-up to getting a deal done

32:16 – The differences between businesses worth 3x, 5x, 10x and 20x their profit

37:56 - Negotiating tips when selling your business

Enjoy!

Here’s What We Cover This Week….

05:06 - Common mistakes made by sellers

13:02 - Items found in due diligence that scuttle deals

25:35 - What a Founder should focus on in the run-up to getting a deal done

32:16 – The differences between businesses worth 3x, 5x, 10x and 20x their profit

37:56 - Negotiating tips when selling your business

42:40 – Final thoughts from Jerome

46:31 – How to get in touch with Jerome

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to:

1. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts

2. Register to be the first to know when new episodes drop and free tools are published at www.scaleupspodcast.com, or

3. Drop us a question about scaling using [email protected].

Follow us on your favourite socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scaleupspodcast

Watch the full episode at ScaleUps Podcast on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlvcqAuqJMYBVUBoiixChQ

You can connect with Jerome at:

• Website: https://fpgeneralcounsel.com/jerome-fogel/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jerome-fogel-esq./

or you can reach out to connect with Sean directly via:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/

• Website: www.seansteele.com.au

If you don’t currently have a set of Values or Operating Principles that underpin decision making and how your team show up with each other and your customers – this is the episode for you.

This week on the full ScaleUps Podcast 10 Minute Thursday episodes we unpack how to develop or improve your values or operating principles.

We cover questions like:

XXXX - Why do having Values or Operating Principles matter so much?   

This episode’s content draws on lessons within the ScaleUps Roadmap program, due for  release in 2023.

Scaleups Roadmap is an exclusive cohort-based course that helps first-time Founders  develop a strategy and execution plan that will enhance their growth rate, profitability,  valuation & exit options.

Participants walk away with a clear growth strategy for the next 3 years, a simple 12-month  execution plan, a renovated and improved business model and some new business peers.

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to:    

1. Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts    

2. Register to be the first to know when new episodes drop and free tools are published at www.scaleupspodcast.com, or    

3. Drop us a question about scaling using Speakpipe on the website, or email [email protected].

Follow us on your favourite socials:   

• ScaleUps Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scaleupspodcast   

• ScaleUps Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scaleupspodcast/   

• ScaleUps Podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaleupspodcast   

• Watch the full episode at ScaleUps Podcast on Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlvcqAuqJMYBVUBoiixChQ

You can connect with Sean directly via:   

• ScaleUps Roadmap: www.scaleupsroadmap.com.au   

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/   

• Website: www.seansteele.com.au

Links:  

Harvard Business Review article mentioned: https://hbr.org/2018/02/ban-these-5-words-from-your-corporate-values-statement

#businesspodcast #scaleupspodcast #podcast #SeanSteele #strategy

Selling your business is a big deal. It’s highly likely you’ll only ever do it once, maybe twice at the most. But there’s so much you can learn, and prepare for early, that will help you maximise the deal value. 

If you’re keen to sell your business at some point in the future, you’ll love this episode. Today we interview (for the second time) Shawn Flynn, Investment Banker and mergers and acquisitions specialist who not only advises others but has built and sold his own businesses. We unpack the reality and process of selling your business, tips to help you prepare well and to maximise the potential value of your sale.

03:31 – Tips and Tricks for Nailing Management Meetings

16:35 – Flexible Terms That Can Be Leveraged to Optimise Outcomes

31:51 – Buyer Secrets –Tricks Buyers Play to Create an Advantage (for Them)

44:34 – New Focus Areas You Should Expect from Buyers

53:46 – Optimise Your Screening by Mandating Minimum Information in Buyer Letters of Interest

58:10 – How to get in touch with Shawn

If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to:

  • ScaleUps Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scaleupspodcast

  • Watch the full episode at ScaleUps Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlvcqAuqJMYBVUBoiixChQ

  • Website: www.TheSiliconValleyPodcast.com

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpflynn/

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/

  • Website: www.seansteele.com.au

During COVID many businesses shelved their international expansion plans. However, the world is opening back up and now is an excellent time to be recommencing that strategic discussion in your business.

If you’ve considered exporting to China, now might be the perfect time. This week China market expert, growth strategist, TV Host, celebrity and influencer with over 6m followers, Heidi Dugan, shares her insights into the current state of business in China, understanding Chinese consumer values, the characteristics of Western businesses who fail in their efforts to enter China and her 7 secret tips for succeeding in penetrating the market.

00:29 – Origin of the Arete brand

04:23 – Is China open for business?

10:01 – Typical failure points when entering China

13:10 – The same goals or values mean different things in different countries

17:59 – The risk of becoming generic when seeking scale

22:43 – Western companies doing well in China

25:52 – Hit the market hard with marketing, or seep in slowly?

29:49 – Growth areas in the next 5 years in China

33:00 – Top 7 principles to succeed in China

41:24 – How to get in touch with Heidi

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If you got value from today’s episode, please remember to:

Follow us on your favourite socials:

  • ScaleUps Podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scaleupspodcast

  • ScaleUps Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scaleupspodcast/

  • ScaleUps Podcast on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaleupspodcast

  • Watch the full episode at ScaleUps Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLlvcqAuqJMYBVUBoiixChQ

You can connect with Heidi at:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-dugan/

  • Instagram: www.instagram.com/heidi_dugan/

  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidi.dugan.chn/

  • Website: https://www.heididugan.com/

  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeidiDugan

or you can reach out to connect with Sean directly via:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/

  • Website: www.seansteele.com.au