ScaleHQ Podcast

ScaleHQ Podcast

By Sean SteeleBusinessEntrepreneurship
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ScaleHQ Podcast episodes

  • #50 — 10-Minute Thursday - Getting Clear on Purpose - Sean Steele

    If you don’t currently have a business purpose, or feel your current purpose lacks impact with your customers and team… this is the episode for you.


    This week on ScaleUps Podcast 10 Minute Thursday we unpack how to develop or improve your business purpose.


    We cover questions like: Why does having a purpose matter? How do you go about developing a purpose? What to include or avoid when writing the purpose statement? What are some examples of well-written and poorly-written purpose statements.


    Today’s content comes from the ScaleUps Roadmap program, due for release in early 2023.


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


    Participants will 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 – email [email protected].


    Here’s What We Cover…

    01:49 – Why does having a purpose matter?

    02:47 – How do you go about developing a purpose?

    04:18 – Top 5 tips for nailing the articulation of your purpose

    06:10 – Examples of purpose’s that lack impact

    07:27 – Examples of some well-written purpose statements

    11:06 – Summary of top tips


    ------------------------------------------------------

    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].

    4. 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:

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

      Website: www.seansteele.com.au

      13 min
    5. #49 — Intro to ScaleUps Roadmap Program and New Episode Type - Sean Steele

      I’m very excited today to be sharing detailed insights into what’s in the ScaleUps Roadmap program that’s currently under development.

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

      Participants will 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.


      Here’s What We Cover…

      01:40 – What is ScaleUps Roadmap all about

      01:55 – Outcomes from the course

      02:58 – Who the program is for

      04:47 – How the course will be delivered

      06;15 – What content will be covered

      11:34 – How to learn more if interested

      12:01 – New episode series - 10-Minute Thursdays


      ------------------------------------------------------

      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].

      4. 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:

          • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile/
          • Website: www.seansteele.com.au

          • 14 min
          • #48 — How to Position Your Product in the Mind of Your Ideal Client - John James

            What’s brand positioning vs product positioning? How does messaging strategy fit in?

            How do I cut through a cluttered and noisy market to ensure my offerings are communicated in a clear and unique way?

            If you want some tips on how to better position your products for cut-through in the market, this is one episode you want to listen to. This week we interview John James, growth marketing expert, Director of James Hammon & Co and friend of the show on all things positioning. Full of examples, you’ll learn something new about positioning, how to do your research to find your white space and even get some golden tips on how to boost your conversions quickly.


            Here’s What We Cover This Week….

            03:19 – Brand vs Product Positioning

            05:40 - Why Positioning Matters

            09:26 – Cirque De Soleil – Positioning or Category Creation?

            12;06 – Category Entry Points or Jobs to be Done

            17:00 – Positioning and Defining “Quality”

            23:36 – Apple vs Samsung

            26:11 – Smith and Singer

            30:55 – Customer Research to Find the Opportunities

            32:13 – The Gold Mine in Your “Lost Leads”

            33:11 – The Golden Question for Immediate Conversion Uplift

            34:56 – Product Extension Opportunities

            44:48 – Don’t Obsess Over Your Competitors.. But Do Look at Them

            49:30 – Don’t Do Art for Art’s Sake.. Make it Matter

            50:21 – Connecting with John

            ------------------------------------------------------


            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].

            4. 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 John at:

              • Website: https://jameshammon.com.au/

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


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

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

              • Website: www.seansteele.com.au

              53 min
            5. #47 — Selling Your Business - What You Need to Know (Episode 1 of 2) - Shawn Flynn

              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 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.


              Here’s What We Cover This Week….

              04:09 – Insights into Shawn’s Background

              12:05 – The Process and Team When Selling Your Business

              19:39 – The Data Room, It’s Importance and Relationship to the Deal

              29:37 – Maximising Value in the Deal

              33:25 – Understanding Your Walk-Away Price

              38:06 – Other Deal Elements You Can Negotiate to Optimise Value

              44:24 – Reducing Risk for the Buyer In Order to Maximise Value

              53:34 – Strategic vs Financial Buyers

              58:52 – Shaun’s Podcast


              ------------------------------------------------------

              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].

              4. Follow us on your favourite socials:

                • 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


                You can connect with Shawn at:

                • Website: www.TheSiliconValleyPodcast.com

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


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

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

                • Website: www.seansteele.com.au

                1 hr 3 min
              5. #46 — Inside the Mind of a Serial Entrepreneur Scaling 4 Companies at Once - Thomas Woudwyk

                Few people build and sell one business. But even fewer build a portfolio of businesses and run them in parallel. But there can be a lot of benefits. T

                If you’re already running a business, but have a few other ideas you want to pursue that could become separate companies then you need to start thinking about bringing a portfolio mentality to your ventures.

                Today we unpack the story of Thomas Woudwyk, Australian-born serial entrepreneur who’s scaling 4 companies at the same time through a clever approach to building a portfolio of related companies in Asia. We unpack the psychology of making a portfolio of businesses work together, financing growth and what it takes to unlock the full potential of your businesses.


                Here’s What We Cover This Week….

                01:26 – Thomas’ Background

                06:42 – Size, Scale and Overview of Current Portfolio

                13:57 – Business Model of Pickup.PH

                17:40 – Why Have a Portfolio Rather than Just One Business

                20:47 – Cashflow vs Equity Businesses – The Rationale

                25:55 – The Problems with Too Much Capital

                31:54 – The Motivations Behind Your Approach to Capital

                35:06 – Secrets to Unlocking Growth

                40:42 – Challenges and Opportunities Launching Business in Developing Markets

                47:08 – Thomas’ “Above All Else’s”

                51:21 – How to Follow the ProSource Journey


                ------------------------------------------------------

                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].

                4. 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 Thomas the ProSource at:

                  Website: https://www.prosource.io/

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

                  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaswoudwyk/


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

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

                  Website: www.seansteele.com.au

                  55 min
                5. #45 — How to Attract, Lead and Empower High-Impact Players - Liz Wiseman

                  What’s the difference between an ordinary contributor, and an impact player? What differentiates them? How do you find more of them? What kind of environment do you need to create to help them thrive?

                  If you want to build a team of high performing impact players, you need to listen to this week’s episode with Liz Wiseman. Former senior executive turned researcher, executive advisor and best-selling author of Impact Players (How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger and Multiply Your Impact) shares the differences between impact players and ordinary contributors but more importantly… how to find or identify them, how to lead them and how to recruit for them.


                  Here’s What We Cover This Week….

                  01:29 – Liz’s Background

                  05:48 – The Key Differences Between Impact Players and Ordinary Contributors

                  17:56 – How Upward and Outward Empathy Plays Out with Impact Players

                  21:01 – How Impact Players Think and Sean’s Example of an Impact Player

                  27:03 – How Impact Players Handle Unforseen Obstacles

                  33:16 – The Missing Impact Players in Your Organisation

                  35:19 – Starter Ingredients for Impact Players

                  42:09 – Finding and Attracting Impact Players

                  44:27 – Recruitment Tips for Impact Players - SOAR

                  49:24 – Being the Kind of Leader Impact Players Want to Work For

                  51:05 – Three Tips in Managing Impact Players Once You Have Them

                  53:36 – How to Connect with Liz or Learn More


                  ------------------------------------------------------

                  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].

                  4. 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 Liz and the Wiseman Group at:

                    Website: https://thewisemangroup.com/

                    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-wiseman-group/

                    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwiseman/


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

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

                    Website: www.seansteele.com.au

                    56 min
                  5. #44 — Approaches to Strategy and Leadership that Led to a 10x Exit - Bryan Watson

                    When you can’t afford talent who’ve already made it to an executive level, how do you get access to people with big potential that can make a huge difference to the trajectory of your business?

                    And once you’ve got them, what do you need to do as a leader to unlock that potential?

                    You’ll love this week’s interview with Bryan Watson.  The former CEO of IDS and current co-Founder of Ovida transformed an electronics security manufacturer into an emerging markets smart-home leader, exiting via a sale to NASDAQ-listed Assa Abloy.

                    We unpack in this episode Bryan’s unique approach to recruiting and building a leadership team capable of executing such a transformation, which generated a 10x return for shareholders.


                    Here’s What We Cover This Week….  

                    05:00 – How Bryan Ended Up as CEO of IDS  

                    08:00 – A Rocky Start for a First-Time CEO  

                    12:48 – The Two Planks of their Winning Strategy  

                    15:01 – How to Attract Top Talent When You Have Little to Offer  

                    19:23 – Realities of a Zero-Blame and Radical Transparency Culture  

                    25:10 – Lots of Reporting is a Great Way to Constrain Potential  

                    28:52 – Planning for an Exit  

                    32:33 – The Benefits of Transparency both Internally and Externally  

                    36:31 – Incentive Alignment for Your Key Players  

                    40:01 – Bryan’s Above All Else’s  

                    42:04 – Bryan’s Newest Venture… Ovida  

                    47:23 – Don’t Underestimate the Value of Your Peers as a Founder  

                    48:42 – How to Follow the Ovida Journey


                    ------------------------------------------------------  

                    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 Bryan Watson and Ovida at:

                    Website: https://www.ovida.org/

                    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanrosswatson/

                    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ovida-moments/

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

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

                    Website: www.seansteele.com.au


                    51 min
                  6. #43 — How to Nail Strategy and It's Execution for Scale-Ups - Jamie Christopherson

                    Should strategy be done once and then just heads down until it’s delivered on? Or should it change every month or quarter based on reality?

                    What are the characteristics of good strategy? What are the factors that influence the ability of the organisation to execute it? Should you share your strategy with your customers?

                    So many questions, and so little time.  But in today’s episode we give answering these questions and more a good crack.

                    Enjoy this week’s interview with strategy and execution specialist Jamie Christopherson, Director at Maximus International as we pull apart the development of strategy and the critical factors that influence execution.  Over 18 years he’s helped organisations across the globe develop and execute on transformative strategies that have catapulted their companies to the next level, including some of our previous guests!



                    Here’s What We Cover This Week….

                    02:58 – Jamie’s Career Background

                    07:12 – What is Strategy?

                    12:00 – The Value of Outside-In vs Inside-Out Strategic Thinking

                    14:38 – What the Three Hindu Gods Have to Do with Good Strategy

                    19:52 – Good Strategy Requires a Strong Leadership Team

                    24:25 – Why Strategy and Operating Rhythms Are Critical if You’re Scaling

                    32:51 – How to Communicate Strategy Throughout the Organisation

                    36:14 – How Customer-Focused Is Your Strategy If You Can’t Share it With Them?

                    42:30 – 3 Minutes of Absolute Gold with Jamie

                    46:13 – How to Connect with Jamie



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

                    • Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts
                    • Register to be the first to know when new episodes drop and free tools are published at www.scaleupspodcast.com, or
                    • 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: linkedin.com/scaleupspodcast
                      • ScaleUps Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/scaleupspodcast
                      • ScaleUps Podcast on Facebook: facebook.com/scaleupspodcast 
                      • Watch the full episode at ScaleUps Podcast on Youtube: www.youtube.com
                      • ‍
                        ‍YOU CAN CONNECT JAMIE CHRISTOPHERSON AND MAXIMUS INTERNATIONAL AT:
                        • Website: maximus.com.au
                        • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/james-christopherson
                        • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/maximus-international
                        • ‍

                          ‍YOU CAN REACH OUT TO CONNECT WITH SEAN DIRECTLY VIA:

                          • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/seansteeleprofile
                          • Website: seansteele.com.au
                          • 50 min
                          • #42 — Lessons Learned Scaling from Zero to Unicorn in 8 Years - Ben Thompson

                            I’m sure you’d agree that by the time you’ve got 100,000 customers on your platform, almost 1 million users and have a valuation of over 1bn you’ve probably learned a thing or two about scaling an organisation!

                            But Employment Hero, led by Founder and CEO Ben Thompson has not been an overnight success.  There was a series of businesses Ben led before Employment Hero in the same space, solving similar but related problems with different solutions. Each were successful in their own right, but Employment Hero has expanded rapidly and globally by truly making employment easier for SMEs across the world.  And they’re just getting started.

                            Founder psychology is everything when you’re seeking to maximise your impact and you’re going to learn a lot about how one of Australia’s most successful Founders has thought about the principles and frameworks that drive scalability, innovation and impact when you tune into this week’s episode on ScaleUps Podcast.   Enjoy this interview with Ben Thompson, Founder and CEO of Employment Hero – Australia’s most recent unicorn.



                            Here’s What We Cover This Week….
                            02:53 – Employment Hero’s (EH) Heritage and Reason for Being

                            14:42 – A Glimpse into Future EH Offerings

                            21:37 – The Benefits of a Remote-First Workforce

                            26:07 – Business Practices Critical to Scaling and Leading Remote Teams

                            30:07 – How Healthy Paranoia and Curiosity Supported Scale and Impact

                            33:48 – Better Innovation and Problem Solving via First Principles

                            39:01 – Surviving the Most Difficult Days

                            43:15 – Advice That Mattered – The Zoo vs The Jungle and Finding the Right Peers

                            50:25 – Ben’s Critical Advice to Founds – Above All Else…

                            57:03 – How to Follow Employment Hero’s Journey


                            ------------------------------------------------------

                            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].

                            4. 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 Ben Thompson and Employment Hero at:

                              Website: www.employmenthero.com

                              LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/employment-hero/

                              LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bthompsonemploymenthero/


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

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

                              Website: www.seansteele.com.au

                              1 hr

                            About ScaleHQ Podcast

                            From the publisher's feed

                            Founders who've scaled. Founders still striving.

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