In order to make your business less dependent on you, you need to have a team around you that you can trust to delegate to and who will ensure the business continues to flourish. Do you have that? If you don't, this podcast episode is for you.  In this podcast episode, Malcolm speaks to Paul Mallinson, Partner at Backley Black, about finding the balance between performance and people in business. Backley Black is run with Paul alongside Steve Backley and Roger Black (ex-Team GB Olympians who Malcolm wrote his book with!) and blends aspects of performance with sport and the aspects of performance with business. Prior to that Paul worked in a well-known pharmaceutical company running a sales team and training departments to perform best of their level. If you want to make your business less dependent on you but aren't confident you can step away and the business not fall to pieces without you, you need to listen to this episode.In this episode, you'll learn:  Why stress is good as a business owner, if managed correctlyHow to find joy in being a business owner againHow to successfully recruit and train employees that you trust to delegate to How to delegate, not abdicateHow to onboard your new team membersWhat to do if you have a ‘nightmare employee’Succession planning advice as an ‘Elton’   Continue the conversation… A4G | Website | Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Durban Offshoring | Website | Email

Are you a Ronald or an Elton? This week you’ll learn exactly what we mean by Ronald and Elton and how a balance of the two will make your business less dependent on you. What you’ll learn in this episode: Assess where you sit on the ‘Ronald and Elton Scale’ to determine your level of involvement in your business Focus on working on your business, not just in it, to create systems and reduce dependency on yourselfConsider whether you are more suited to the Ronald or Elton business model, and how to delegate tasks accordinglyBuild a business that is independent of you by hiring the right team and investing in internal systemsFind the balance between being a Ronald and an Elton, and be aware of the risk of burnout and the need for retirement planning Continue the conversation… A4G | Website | Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Durban Offshoring | Website | Email

In this podcast episode, Malcolm Palmer interviews Andy Lopata. Andy is a true luminary in professional relationships and networking. With over 25 years of expertise under his belt, Andy is hailed as one of Europe's leading business networking strategists by the Financial Times and Forbes.com. In this conversation, Andy shares invaluable insights on stress management, time optimisation, and the delicate balance between vulnerability and positivity in professional relationships. He doesn't just offer theories; he provides actionable advice gleaned from years of experience and success. Key takeaways from their discussion: Learn to handle stress and overwhelm by developing coping mechanisms and a positive mindset.Balance vulnerability and positivity in professional relationships, knowing when to open up and when to maintain a positive image.Manage your time effectively and delegate tasks to maximize productivity         Identify the limitations on your business growth and find ways to overcome them.Practice strategic thinking and avoid catastrophizing by focusing on solutions and taking proactive steps.Build positive relationships and let go of negative ones to create a supportive network.Consider the challenges and lessons of franchising before pursuing it as a business model.Develop an exit strategy and succession plan by productizing your business and creating value beyond your personal involvement. Authenticity, trust, and reciprocity are key in building strong relationships.Effective networking requires active listening, asking open-ended questions, and following up.Social media platforms can be powerful tools for expanding one's network and showcasing expertise.Referrals are a valuable source of opportunities and should be nurtured through relationship-building. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Background 03:00 - Managing Stress and Overwhelm 07:02 - Balancing Vulnerability and Positivity 09:35 - Time Management and Delegation 16:18 - Limitations on Business Growth 20:42 - Productivity and Deep Work 25:19 - Catastrophizing and Strategic Thinking 29:01 - Building Positive Relationships and Letting Go of Negative Ones 35:20 - Franchising and Lessons Learned 43:16 - Exit Strategy and Succession Planning   LINKS A4G | Website | Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Durban Offshoring | Website | Email  Andy Lopata | Website

In this podcast episode, Malcolm Palmer discusses the importance of making your business less dependent on you. He introduces the five stages of the strategic planning process and emphasises the need to envision where you want your business to be in the future. He also highlights the challenge of finding employees who can perform tasks as effectively as you can. Malcolm encourages business owners to trust and delegate to others, and he provides tips on building a valuable team member.   Takeaways  Envision where you want your business to be in the future and set clear goalsAssess the current state of your business and identify areas for improvementChallenge yourself to delegate tasks and trust others to perform them effectivelyFocus on building a valuable team member who can contribute to the growth and success of your business. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Chapter 4: The Five Stages of Strategic Planning Process 03:12 Step 1: Where Do You Want to Be? 04:06 Step 2: Where Are You Now? 05:02Are You the Only Person Who Can Do This Task? 06:24 The Challenge of Finding Mini Versions of Ourselves 07:19 Reaching the Natural Ceiling of Your Management Style 11:56 Learning to Trust and Delegate 14:34 Finding the Right People to Help 15:18 Building a Valuable Team Member LINKS A4G | Website | Email | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube Durban Offshoring | Website | Email

For this week's episode, we decided to begin with the end in mind (a reference to the book The Seven habits of highly effective people). Malcolm interviewed someone who has done the whole journey - from start up to growing their business to being the best in their industry in the UK to selling it on. That person is Richard Marshall. In the episode, Richard shares his experiences and insights on how delegating and trusting others with responsibilities played a pivotal role in his journey from business growth to making the business less dependent on him. Richard emphasises that as business owners, we cannot do everything. We have our limitations, and there are people who can fill those gaps. Takeaways from this episode:  Focus on what's best for the company rather than individual egosRecognise when you're becoming stale and in need of changeCreate a work-life balance to avoid burnoutRecruit a successor to ensure the company's growth and success Let's continue the conversation Email us to book a free 1-2-1 - enquiries@a4g-llp.co.uk Find out more about how we can help make your business less dependent on you Read more about our sponsor, Durban Offshoring and how they can help you make your business less dependent on you

Summary  In the first episode of the series, Malcolm Palmer starts by sharing his story of how he got to where he is. Him, in a little office in Dartford, where things kept going wrong.   Malcolm discusses the importance of making your business less dependent on you sharing personal experiences and insights from his clients over the years.   The conversation explores the concept of the doughnut and the different mental states business owners experience. It highlights the challenges of being on the edge of the ‘doughnut’ and the impact on profitability and personal wellbeing.   The episode concludes with actions to help you to start the journey towards business independence.   Takeaways   Making your business less dependent on you is crucial for achieving work-life balance and long-term success  The doughnut analogy helps visualise the mental states of business owners, from relaxation to being out of control.Being on the edge of the doughnut can lead to high profitability but also increased stress and potential mistakes.Rationalising stress and finding solutions, such as delegation and systems overhaul, are key steps towards business independence.     Identifying unfulfilled talent within your business can contribute to making your business less dependent on you. Timestamps 00:00 - Making Your Business Less Dependent on You 04:35 - Life on the doughnut 11:04 - Being on the doughnut 13:43 - The Paradox of Stress and Profitability 18:10 - Chapter 4: Rationalizing Stress and Finding Solutions 22:36 - Identifying Unfulfilled Talent 23:50 - Taking the Journey to Business Independence Let's connect www.a4g-llp.co.uk www.durbanoffshoring.co.uk Book a free 1-2-1 with A4G