Local Business Podcast

Episode 19: How To Provide The Best Customer Service

May 14, 2019 03:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MB

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Episode 19 of the Local Business Podcast, where today we talk to mortgage and protection expert Ross Stisi – Ross’ journey to running his own business came via retail – somewhere that many self employed people have a background in – and it was because of his retail work that Ross was able to become an expert when it comes to handling customers and delivering the very best in customer service. Have a listen and you’ll find Ross’s business journey compelling. ...

Episode 18: Riding to Success and Expansion

April 30, 2019 02:00 - 32 minutes - 14.8 MB

On Episode 18 we talk to a local business owner who runs something a little bit out of the norm. We met with Douglas Shaw, the owner of Edinburgh Bike Fitting who told us an interesting and thought-provoking story on how his company came to be and how it grew. https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LB_Podcast https://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/ If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: [email protected] We’re al...

Episode 17: Video Marketing with The Animation Guys

April 16, 2019 03:00 - 33 minutes - 15.2 MB

We had the pleasure of journeying to London in order to visit Jamien Middleton of the Animation Guys –keen listeners out there may remember Jamien from our trip to SME Live last year and his company left such an impression on us that we thought we’d go visit the team at the Animation Guys to see what they could tell us about video marketing and the work that they do. https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LB_Podcast https://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/ If you have any qu...

Episode 16: The Franchise Option

April 02, 2019 02:00 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MB

This time, we’ve done something a little bit different and explored the world of franchises. Often referred to as a half-way house between employment and self-employment, becoming a franchise owner has a number of benefits that make it more appealing than owning your own business. We had the pleasure of speaking to James Tucker, a franchisee of CEX who spoke to us about why he got involved with, their interesting marketing and why you shouldn’t immediately dismiss the idea of going down th...

Episode 15: Creativity and Positivity

March 19, 2019 03:00 - 28 minutes - 13.1 MB

This time around we’re looking at creativity and positivity – two aspects that are needed if you’re to take your business forward but like the hardest things in life, they’re not easy to come by. But what if your business is dependent on a constant flow of both? We got the chance to speak to Ryan Powell, founder of Colourvision after he reached out to the Local Business Podcast via our Facebook page and started telling us about his and his companies’ story. You’ll also find images relatin...

Episode 14: Is Finance Boring?

March 05, 2019 03:00 - 24 minutes - 11.4 MB

To those outside of the profession there’s a stigma and stereotype that finance is all about looking at spreadsheets and that everything is a little bit grey and uninteresting. As you’re about to hear though, the reality is a little bit different. For Episode 14 we got the chance to meet Sam Teller at Bluefish Financial Services in Bristol who talked to us about the profession, why he got involved, what the future holds and why taking care of your finances is so important for the early y...

Episode 13: Playing The Game

February 19, 2019 06:00 - 13 minutes - 6.15 MB

For Episode 13 of the show I met up with two people who decided that working a 9 to 5 job just wasn’t good enough. So they quit their jobs and started making video games for a living. Simon and Ed created a business: Sole Survivor Studios and went to work on their game: Honey, I Joined A Cult as they chased a dream away from the sometimes soul destroying life of being employed. We spoke about not just what it meant to chase what they loved doing, but also the advantages of building a co...

Episode 12: The Rebirth of King Alfred

February 05, 2019 06:00 - 24 minutes - 11.1 MB

For Episode 12 of the Local Business Podcast we travelled to Wales and visited the King Alf pub in the small town of Maesteg near Bridgend. I talked with the pub’s owner Gareth Watkins and its’ manager Sian Maddock - as we looked at the decline of the pub industry, the difference between operating in more populated areas compared to rural and the tale of how they turned a building with a giant hole into a flourishing pub with a vibrant community. You’ll also find images relating to this...

Episode 11: What is Human Resources?

January 22, 2019 00:00 - 19 minutes - 8.96 MB

For this episode we decided to look into a subject that affects every business, no matter how big or small. Human resources, or HR as it more commonly known, is an area of business that looks at the people within a company and what happens to them. Whether that be positive or, as is often the case, negative. If you want to know more about the work Christine does, then feel free to get in touch with her at the following: HR & Diversity Management Limited is 01793 338888 Website: www.hrd...

Episode 10: 2019 Business Tips from Local Business Owners

January 08, 2019 00:00 - 21 minutes - 9.83 MB

Looking for business tips for the new year? Well, we've got just the podcast for you. You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below: https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LB_Podcast https://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/ If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: [email protected] We’re also looking for new guests, so feel free to get in touch if you’d like y...

Episode 9: A Christmas Treat

December 25, 2018 00:00 - 15 minutes - 6.95 MB

Welcome to a very special episode of the Local Business Podcast that we've put together just for you! We hope you've had a great year, a Merry Christmas, have a great New Year and a wonderful 2019! You’ll also find images relating to this episode on our social media channels which you’ll find below: https://www.instagram.com/lbpodcast/ https://twitter.com/LB_Podcast https://www.facebook.com/LBPodcast/ If you have any questions or queries about the show, then feel free to e-mail us: sho...

Episode 8: The Beauty of Training

December 11, 2018 00:00 - 34 minutes - 15.7 MB

Welcome to Episode 8 of the Local Business Podcast where we found ourselves in Wales, visiting the Director of the Academy of Hair and Beauty: Ceri Edwards. During my time with Ceri she spoke about her academy, the importance of training and development and also why the hair dressing industry isn’t taken as seriously as it probably should be. Towards the end of the show she also provides a variety of tips for those of you looking to help develop your own staff. You’ll also find images rel...

Episode 7: One Word: Now

November 27, 2018 00:00 - 28 minutes - 13.3 MB

For Episode 7 we’re going back to Scotland, this time to the small town of Dunblane, just north of Edinburgh where we met Ross Poole - owner of Murray and McGregor stoves and fireplaces. Ross’ story is one that really touches the heart at times. During the interview he speaks of his difficulties in getting to where he is today, how writing one word down on a piece of paper was the moment where his life changed and why he’s so passionate about selling in the right way. You’ll also find i...

Episode 6: Business Bullying

November 13, 2018 07:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MB

Welcome to Episode 6, a show that that looks at a subject that should be impossible to ignore. If you aren’t already aware, this week in the UK is national anti-bullying week and while it might be something that’s usually associated with schools and education, bullying is an issue that affects everyday life for many, even in the workplace. In fact, it might be an issue that’s happening in your work place right now. For employers it’s sometimes difficult to spot amongst the everyday runnin...

Episode 5: Crafty Networking

October 30, 2018 00:00 - 38 minutes - 17.5 MB

Ladies and gentlemen welcome to Episode 5 of the Local Business Podcast. We stay in Scotland for this episode and visit the husband and wife team of the Crafty Connoisseur, an importer of a range of different whiskeys, gins, rums and a whole lot more. Brenda and Steve McKenzie met me in Edinburgh and told me how they got through sleepless nights, networked and took on customer feedback in order to create a business, that in their eyes, is different. Make sure you check out Crafty Connoisse...

SME Live!

October 18, 2018 23:00 - 28 minutes - 13.2 MB

Welcome to this very special episode of the local business podcast, I’m your host Craig Shields and I hope you don’t mind us breaking our bi-weekly schedule for a special show. During the past few days we visited SME Live, a business tradeshow that is an annual event at the NEC in Birmingham. We took the time to find out what it was, why it’s important, not just from those running the show (including an interview with SME Live’s Managing Director James Ashwood) but also those attending. I...

Episode 4: VR: The Future of Business?

October 15, 2018 23:00 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MB

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome once again to the Local Business Podcast. For those of you who have been with us from the start, you’ll already know that we’ve been to a wide range of businesses even though we’re only a few episodes old. Today, you’ll be listening to an episode that continues that trend, except this time, we’re looking into one of the potential businesses of the future. Virtual reality has been around for longer than you probably realise but it’s only been in recent years w...

Episode 3: Running A Foodbank

October 01, 2018 23:00 - 18 minutes - 8.52 MB

We’ve already been to a hairdressers and an arts and crafts self-starter, so where are we off to today? Well, for today’s show, we look off the normal business path and venture to Swindon, where we were lucky enough to spend some time with Cher Smith MBE, the manager of Swindon’s Foodbank service know as the Swindon Food Collective. She explains what motivates her and her volunteers to go into work every day, what impact the foodbank has on the area and also, the positive effect that suppo...

Episode 2: The Early Years of Running A Business

September 17, 2018 23:00 - 22 minutes - 10.6 MB

Welcome to the brand new Local Business Podcast – hosted by Thomson Local. For Episode 2, we ventured to Grayshott in Hampshire in order to meet the owner of Hairworks: Harri Dudley – a young business owner who struggled with staff but now has a wonderful team and a flourishing business. We talked about the early years of Hairworks, how she managed to attract great staff, manage customers and take advantage of social media. You can find Hairworks here: http://www.hair-works.co.uk/ You’ll...

Episode 1: The Risks and Rewards of Starting a New Business

September 17, 2018 23:00 - 32 minutes - 14.9 MB

Welcome to the brand new Local Business Podcast – hosted by Thomson Local. For our opening episode, we explore the risks and rewards of starting a new business with Jayne Thomas, owner of Sid and Joan’s – a creative crafts, furniture and gift shop, located at the Olde Water Mill in Bedfordshire. Jayne’s provides us with local business tips, advice on how to start a new business and interesting stories on how a new business should use social media and the opportunity she took when confronte...

Episode 0: Launching September 18th

September 03, 2018 23:00 - 3 minutes - 1.52 MB

We’re pleased to reveal that the Local Business Podcast launches on September 18th with TWO episodes, absolutely FREE. From then on, every two weeks you’ll receive insight, advice, tips and tricks from real local business owners who have been there and done it. No matter whether you’re a veteran in your industry, have just started your own company or are simply considering going self-employed, the Local Business Podcast has you covered. We aim to create a show that will allow you to take ...

An Introduction to The Local Business Podcast

July 16, 2018 23:00 - 1 minute - 642 KB

Whether you've started your own local business or are just starting to scribble down some ideas, The Local Business Podcast plans to give you the insight, knowledge and expertise in order to help you to maximise your potential. Each episode we'll be talking to a different local business owner and ask them to share their success tips, things they did wrong and advice to anyone looking to grow their own company. This short episode is a small introduction to ensure everything is in working ord...