Episode 121 - Just One Thing - Advice For Business Leaders

The latest SME Growth Podcast episode features something different - real business advice from real entrepreneurs rather than business school theory.

After reaching out to dozens of successful business owners, Gavin and Richard share the most compelling responses to a single question: "What's your one piece of advice for growing a business or being a good leader?"

What makes this episode special is the authenticity - these aren't polished corporate mantras, but genuine wisdom earned through real challenges, successes, and even failures.

Whether you're scaling a business or leading a team, these pearls of wisdom offer practical guidance from people who have actually walked the path.

Head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe for your chance to stay updated with the latest entrepreneurial success stories and SME growth strategies. Leave your episode ideas in our community section for a chance to influence future content!

You can listen to the full episode here

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Key Topics Discussed:

The episode features insights from successful business owners across various industries, from fitness training to manufacturing. Real entrepreneurs share their hard-won wisdom on growing businesses and leading teams.

• Focus

Whether in business strategy or daily work habits, concentrate on completing tasks rather than juggling multiple priorities simultaneously.

Identify The Basics

“Don't lose sight of them as the business grows." From DJ to successful AV systems installer in schools, Rob emphasises the importance of sticking to core competencies rather than chasing every new opportunity.

Trust Your Instincts

Don't get caught up in what others expect or how others operate. Stay true to your values, especially in industries where standards may vary.

Honesty And Integrity

Authentic leadership means being prepared to do any job, staying accessible, and avoiding ivory tower mentality. Advice for growth: "Go for it, but have a Plan B."

"Put yourself in your customer's shoes. Would you be delighted?" A Birmingham-based manufacturer competing against cheap imports has built success by going beyond satisfaction to true customer delight. His leadership advice is to be consistent, fair, and even-handed with your team.

Three crucial pieces of advice:

1. 1. Choose your business partners wisely.
   2. Employ a Finance Director sooner than you think.
   3. Be prepared to pay for outsourced advice.

Quotes to Remember

• "The market just may not value your offering."
  
  
• "There's quite a lot of people out there that are passionate about wanting to start a business, but maybe not quite able to connect that with a market."
  
  
• “Are you actively scanning your business environment, or hiding from market realities?”
  
  
• "How can you re-engineer growth in your business? Starting from the point of view of what your customers are really looking for now."

Top Takeaways:

There are three actionable steps for reconnecting with your market and testing new approaches without betting the farm.

Practical Steps for Staying Customer-Aligned:

1. 1. Talk directly with customers - Make face-to-face or personal conversations a priority
      
      
   2. Review your product/service offerings - Consider repackaging or reimagining based on customer feedback
      
      
   3. Pilot new approaches - Test potential pivots in controlled ways before full commitment

Enjoyed this episode? Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more insights into SME growth strategies, workplace trends, and entrepreneurial success stories. Share this episode with fellow business owners who might benefit from understanding the perspective of Gen Z in the workplace.

Head over to our YouTube channel and subscribe to The SME Growth Podcast. Share your thoughts and business challenges in the comments section of our community page: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast/community