This episode of ScaleUp Radio is one of our monthly theme presentations and it's around planning - in particular three year planning.

But before you switch off with images of 110 page business plans or worse in your mind, it's not about that at all. We all know that we should be doing our planning at least an annually but how many of us really hand on heart do it properly and think about it in the right way with the right people involved and then come out with some really good priorities for the year for example that we stick to?

So what we take you through here is a simple way of getting to the point where you've got that sorted, not a big written business document, but ideally on a one page plan. 

So a nice simple way of doing it, and we look at some of the reasons why it's so important, and most importantly, how to go about it in a practical, pragmatic way that gets you to where you need to get to, because as small business owners, we don't want to spend all of our time with our head buried in spreadsheets and word documents. 

And we also have a couple of guests presentations from business owners and their experiences of the planning and how they go about it and why they found it so valuable.  

One is from Matt Busby, who is the founder and General Manager of the name Label company. And the other is Ian Morgan, who is the founder and director of MBS Accountants.

They give some great insights as to how they go about planning within their businesses and the difference that it's made to them. 

So I think you're going to get a lot of value out of this session, and something that you can take away and really start to apply to your business. I certainly encourage you to do so and think about how you can really set your direction and then how you can keep on top of it and take yourself further with your business.

As always, there are tools mentioned throughout the presentation. If you’d like a copy of them please email [email protected]

 

Matt Busby can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/matt-busby-79594b5

 

https://www.namelabelco.com/

 

[email protected]

 

 

Ian Morgan can be found here:

 linkedin.com/in/ian-morgan-mbs

https://www.mbsaccountants.co.uk/

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

So welcome to another episode of scale up radio. This is a great discussion with Chris Cook, who is the founder and MD of Chantry and they work in the franchise industry, specifically around helping franchisors to find more franchisees, but they also help the franchisees of those franchisors to find more clients. 

 

It gets a little bit tricky with all these franchisors and franchisees, but they're helping those two sides of the franchise industry. 

 

And then they're also helping with franchise resales and valuations so specifically around the franchise industry but of course there are such a range of businesses, many household names that are in fact franchises that you may not even realise.

 

So it's a fascinating industry to be a part of. And we talk a little bit about some of the reasons why you might want to franchise a business maybe even why you want to buy into a franchise. 

 

And if you want to find out why Chris's dog Jeff was so instrumental in the setting up of the business then don’t miss out. 

 

Of course we talk about Chantry’s own scale up journey, he's been doing this since about 2006 2007 and has gone through many different stages. Like many of us maybe, he started with a bit of an outsourced model and then looked at having a having an office base and then he's grown from there. But also there was a key point at which he realised the value of hiring people essentially that are better than him – or certainly the importance of hiring really good people and being prepared to invest in them. 

 

And we also talked a bit about the culture within the business and how Chris feels that that is so important to him. So there's lots of things that we talked about within this episode, and I know that you're going to get a lot of value to it. So I encourage you very much and listen to this episode with Chris Cook, who is the founder and MD of Chantry.

 

 

Chris can be found here:

 

linkedin.com/in/christopherabcook

 

https://chantry.group/

 

[email protected]

 

 

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz - https://www.waterstones.com/book/profit-first/mike-michalowicz/9780735214149

 

Monday - https://monday.com/

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, I talk with Jon Hope, who is the CEO of Billy Chip. 

 

This is a really inspiring conversation and it's also very heart wrenching as you will hear with some of the reasons for founding the charity but also the CIC or the Community Interest Company that is Billy Chip. 

 

And, really it is a fascinating story, with all sorts of things relating to whatever kind of business that we're trying to run and set up, but if you've ever wondered about setting up a charity, or a not for profit, or a community interest company or even a CIO, if you're wondering what all of those terms mean, then they'll all be covered within the conversation that we have and the kind of business model that is appropriate for for Jon Hope with Billy Chip but it's such a great idea. 

 

We also talked about how discover how Paloma Faith had an influence on the business and how he's managed to have conversations right through from McDonald's, he's been interviewed on the BBC red sofa, all sorts of great stories and I met John at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards earlier on in fact, last year in 2022. 

 

So what a great story and this is one that I think you're going to thoroughly enjoy. So let's go over to John and hear the rest of his story.

 

 

Jon can be found here:

 

linkedin.com/in/billy-chip-a60525195

 

https://www.billychip.com/

 

[email protected]

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

What a great episode of ScaleUp Radio this this one is.  A fantastic discussion with Kate Bell, who's the founder of Zip Us In 

It's a brilliant product and is a really great journey that Kate has been on from literally being off on maternity leave and coming up with an idea and then taking it through over eight years to being in multiple countries having sold 10s of 1000s of units of the main product.

We hear about her journey where she got the product into boots early on, how she went around finding a manufacturer for her products because she was literally making it herself and sewing it together with her a mother, raising some angel finance then getting some additional financing, including venture capital, investment

All sorts of wonderful things and one or two great examples of things that are just practical examples of things that she wished she'd known at the time and might well have done differently and along the way, and a trip to Dragon's Den as well. 

So what's not to like about this action packed episode there's so much to learn. It's such a great story from Kate. A delight to have her on and I know that you're going to love this episode.

 

Kate can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/kate-bell-zipusin

 

https://www.zipusin.co.uk/

 

https://www.zipusin.co.uk/crowdfunding/

 

The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F**k by Mark Manson - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-subtle-art-of-not-giving-a-f-ck/mark-manson/9780062457714

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

Hello, I’m Kevin Brent and on this week’s episode of ScaleUp Radio I’m speaking to Christophe Convert from Convert Design.

 

They started as Convert Solutions in 2008, but changed their name just a couple of years ago to Convert Design. Christophe himself, though, has been in the industry for over 20 years.

 

As you’ll hear, they help clients to design and a develop products from a sketch or idea to a 3D design or a finished product.

 

Our conversation covered the client journey through the company, the business model and Christophe’s origins in the design world.

 

There’s also quite a bit of help and advice for all business owners, including:

 

 -  How you can structure and maintain a national company, using a very small team.

 - Why you need to keep your marketing going - no matter how busy you are with clients at any one time.

 -  Why dismissing trust between you and your clients can be very damaging to your business.

 

As you’ll hear, Christophe is quite laid back in that Gallic way - but the passion and ambition for the future of the company still manages to show through.

 

 

Christophe Convert can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/christophe-convert-34a75340

 

https://www.convertdesignltd.com/

 

Siemens NX for Design - https://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/global/en/products/nx/nx-for-design.html

 

Wordpress - https://wordpress.org/

 

Haynes Manuals - https://haynes.com/

 

Mark Wright, Climb Online - https://climb.online/

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

Hello, I’m Kevin Brent and on this episode of ScaleUp Radio I’ll be speaking with Roland Lees who is the Corporate Sales Manager of Arctic Spas.

 

As you might expect, Arctic Spas manufacture and supply hot tubs and other leisure goods for the garden.

 

They’ve been in business for just over 20 years when they started out purely as a distribution company, but they’ve grown into a retail company whilst also moving into the international market.

 

Like so many businesses that we’ve featured on ScaleUp Radio, they were affected by the pandemic - but it wasn’t the huge body blow that you would have expected.

 

As always, there is an awful lot covered, including:

 

 - Be ready for your business to change, sometimes without planning; Roland and the team didn’t plan to expand into retail - but when they saw the demand, they grew that side of the company.

 - The benefit of keeping the team small, even if you are going to be working internationally

 - Working out how long you could last if all of your business stopped suddenly - and how much you should have in your ‘pot’

 

No matter what industry you’re in, or where you are on your scale up journey, you’ll definitely find something in this episode that you can put into action straight away. 

 

 

 

Roland can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/roland-lees-9b3a2aa1

 

https://www.arcticspas.co.uk/en/

 

[email protected]

 

 

Zoho - https://www.zoho.com/en-uk/

 

Trello - https://trello.com/

 

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-lord-of-the-rings/j-r-r-tolkien/9780261103252

 

Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu - https://impacttheory.com/

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

Hello I’m Granger Forson and on this episode of ScaleUp Radio I speak with Toni Griffiths, the owner of The Good Surveyor.

 

The Good Surveyor is a surveying and valuing company that are based in Gloucester. They started only a few years ago, but they’ve already grown into a tight little team already - with more growth in the pipeline.

 

It was so interesting hearing Toni’s story about how she came to the business, and how she’s already planning her exit to Italy!

 

As always we cover a lot of ground, including:

 

 - It’s not enough to say that you’re customer-focused, you’ve got to constantly display that quality - as well as ensuring that your team feel the same way too.

 - Why you don’t need to know everything when speaking to a client. It’s okay to admit that something is outside your sphere of knowledge

 - If you’re going to market your company - engage with it. Don’t just post on social media and leave it, reply and chat to people to engage with your post.

 

What is so illuminating about this conversation with Toni is how she’s used her experiences as a business owner previous to this, to make the best of The Good Surveyor.

 

I know that you’ll get something out of this episode.

 

 

Toni can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/tonigriffiths

 

https://www.thegoodsurveyor.co.uk/

 

[email protected]

 

https://www.facebook.com/thegoodsurveyor

 

 

Da Vinci & The 40 Answer by Mark L Fox - https://www.amazon.co.uk/DaVinci-40-Answers-Playbook-Creativity/dp/193222663X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X2BHUP8R64YZ&keywords=da+vinci+and+the+40+answers&qid=1671554582&sprefix=da+vinci+and+the+40+answers%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Granger here: [email protected]     Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

On this episode of ScaleUp Radio I speak with Vanessa Eyles.

 

Now, as you’ll hear, this is a slightly different conversation to the ones that we normally have. 

 

Instead of being a business owner, Vanessa is Detective Superintendent in West Midlands Police, and she has direct responsibility for the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands, which has been set up to help businesses become cyber safe.

 

Cyber Security is considered one of the biggest threats to modern businesses, and Vanessa - along with the CRC - is working to educate and help to protect businesses.

 

As you’ll hear, we talk about the formation of the centre, the specific aims and how businesses across the region can take advantage, and the ‘business model’ of this not-for-profit.

 

There are also some excellent practical points that can help you protect your business from cyber attacks. The mistake is thinking that you aren’t big enough to be a target!

 

If you are a small business owner, or work for a small business, then this is a vital episode for you. Obviously, Vanessa works in the West Midlands - but there are Cyber Resilience Centre’s across the UK.

 

 

Vanessa can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/vanessaeyles

 

https://www.wmcrc.co.uk/

 

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

On this week’s episode of ScaleUp Radio we have another valuable presentation, centred around Critical Numbers.

 

When we say Critical Numbers, we’re not just referring to the financial side of the business, critical numbers are used throughout the framework of your company; from accountability through to rhythms.

 

With this presentation we’re going to explain just what Critical Numbers are; the importance of them to the scale up journey of your business, the common mistake most people make - and what the effect of ignoring them, or neglecting them, could mean.

 

We’ll also help you define your own Critical Numbers, giving you advice about fitting them into your Business Rhythms.

 

As with all of the ScaleUp Radio presentations, I refer to tools and techniques. If you’d like a copy of them, there is a link in the show notes.

 

Following the presentation, there is also a panel discussion of business owners talking about Critical Numbers, and the challenges they’ve faced using them within their business - and how they dealt with those challenges.

 

You might think that this is a little dry as a subject - but Critical Numbers are important when it comes to your scale up journey.

 

 

Granger Forson from BizSmart

linkedin.com/in/granger-forson-business-scale-joy-lean-coach

 

Luke Townsend

linkedin.com/in/luke-townsend-5483461b9

 

Louise Blunt of BizSmart

linkedin.com/in/louise-blunt-5a279714

 

Claire Hill from Hill HR Consultancy

 linkedin.com/in/clairehillhr

 

Steve Bradstock

linkedin.com/in/stephen-bradstock-1bbb1812

 

Peter Chatterley from The Talent Hackers

linkedin.com/in/thetalenthackers

 

 

Stuart Avis of Audacious Creative

linkedin.com/in/stu-avis

 

 

Amy Dyble at ME Financial Services

linkedin.com/in/amydyble

 

Ben Murcott from Murcott Energy

linkedin.com/in/ben-murcott-ceng-993a5258

 

Faith Guest from Tools of the Trade

linkedin.com/in/faith-guest-407a428

 

Beth Newton from The Development Manager

linkedin.com/in/beth-newton-951017137

 

Bryony Barber from Rippl

linkedin.com/in/bryony-barber-a3794056

 

Caroline Meredith from Platform81

linkedin.com/in/caroline-meredith-6736081b2

 

Charlotte Albutt from Fews Marquees

linkedin.com/in/charlotte-albutt-13099a232

 

Claire Hill from Hill HR

linkedin.com/in/clairehillhr

 

Claire Bennett from Hornbeam Workplace Wellbeing

linkedin.com/in/claire-m-bennett

 

Emma Canning from Cannins Exterior Cleaning

linkedin.com/in/emma-canning-055655143

 

Gary Mawhinney

linkedin.com/in/gary-mawhinney-74569524

 

Helen Groves from Food Safety Logic

linkedin.com/in/helen-groves464

 

John Heseltine from Odious Consulting

linkedin.com/in/johnheseltine

 

Jonathan Boxall-Southall from Harlequins Costumes

linkedin.com/in/jonathan-boxall-southall-64340b245

 

Matt Busby of The Name Label Company

linkedin.com/in/matt-busby-79594b5

 

Miguel de Sousa from Big Cause

linkedin.com/in/miguel-de-sousa-tutoring-with-heart

 

Neil Hastings from Hasti-Brokers

linkedin.com/in/neil-hastings-b8861795

 

Nick Wroe from Platform 81

linkedin.com/in/nick-wroe-149527b

 

Noel Kessell from WPA Healthcare Practice

linkedin.com/in/noel-kessell-cert-cii-a2b9121

 

Ray Bower from Adder Bookkeeping

linkedin.com/in/ray-bower-5b738218

 

Rhian Jones from Seasonal Soul Home

linkedin.com/in/rhianyddjones

 

Robert Gibson from Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions

linkedin.com/in/robert-gibson-miet-29541253

 

Samantha Wills from Denvic

linkedin.com/in/samantha-wills-298b9022

 

Simon Baldwin from High House Wealth Management

linkedin.com/in/simondbaldwin

 

Steve Harris from Central Finance

linkedin.com/in/steve-harris-36b6731a

 

Sukhraj Gill from JDP Procurement

linkedin.com/in/sukhraj-gill-09430519

 

Sukjeet Kaur Watts from Roshni

linkedin.com/in/sukjeet-kaur-watts-3562572b

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: [email protected]   Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

Hello. I’m Granger Forson and on this episode of ScaleUp Radio I’m talking to Andre Smague from A & B Fencing.

 

A & B Fencing do pretty much what they say on the tin; but they are a little but more. They are bespoke timber builders, meaning that they can help with the construction of anything from a fence, right through to a man cave.

 

The company has been in business for 35 years and Andre originally came on as a consultant about 5 years ago - but came onboard full-time about 3 years ago.

 

As always, we cover an awful lot of ground in our conversation including:

 

 - the benefit of keeping the organisation quite lean when it comes to staff within the business

 - why focusing on quality, not output, will scale your business dramatically 

 - the importance of working towards a healthy culture within the business

 - why putting your staff first leads to success in all parts of the business

 

What is so good to see with Andre, and A & B Fencing as a whole, is the way in which they approach development within the company - and the importance they place on it. I know you’ll get something from this episode.

 

 

 

Andre can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/andre-smague-73179650

 

https://abfencingciren.co.uk/

 

Mobile number - 07483 802908

 

[email protected]

 

Eat The Frog! By Brain Tracy - https://www.waterstones.com/book/eat-that-frog/brian-tracy/9781444765427

 

The JBP Podcast - https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/podcast/

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Granger here: [email protected]     Kevin's New Book Is Now Available!    Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/