Marketing and Finance (MAF) Podcast

John Dashfield on your state of mind and your bottom line - MPAF98

John Dashfield on your state of mind and your bottom line - MPAF98 In this episode I talk to business coach John Dashfield. How can your state of mind affect your business bottom line? Welcome to episode 98 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast. Who John Dashfield? John is a coach, mentor and writer. He mentors his clients to perform at their very best, more of the time. This means that they experience increasing levels of creativity, resilience, ability to lead and get...

Neal Cross: Is direct to consumer the key to protection insurance market growth? - MPAF97

Neal Cross: Is direct to consumer the key to protection insurance market growth? - MPAF97 In this episode, I talk to Money Supermarket's Neal Cross. Is direct to consumer the key to protection insurance market growth. Welcome to episode 97 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast. Who Neal Cross? Neal works for Money Supermarket on strategy for protection digital insurance comparison services. His overall aim is to give his customers the best online experience, across all de...

Jeff McMahon on Healthy Lifestyle Hacks for Business Hard Hitters - MPAF96

Jeff McMahon on Healthy Lifestyle Hacks for Business Hard Hitters - MPAF96 In this episode I talk to Jeff McMahon about healthy lifestyle hacks for business hard hitters. Because healthy people can generate healthy business results. Welcome to episode 96 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast. Who Jeff McMahon? Jeff is a fitness coach and entrepreneur who virtually trains some of the world's most successful business people. His degree is in Pre-med/Pre-pharm and Jeff is ...

Andrew and Pete on Rule Breaking Marketing: Making your FS Brand Stand Out - MPAF95

Andrew and Pete on Rule Breaking Marketing: Making your FS Brand Stand Out - MPAF95 In this episode I talk to Andrew and Pete on rule breaking marketing. Making your financial services brand stand out. Welcome to episode 95 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast. Who are Andrew and Pete? I’m super excited about today's interview with Andrew and Pete – a wacky rule breaking duo from Newcastle. They help people stand out with their rule breaking approach to marketing. Rule...

Ian Fraser on Writing about RBS the Bank that Broke Britain - MPAF94

Ian Fraser on Writing about RBS the Bank that Broke Britain - MPAF94 The financial crisis of 2008 rocked the world. Institutions collapsed. Economies tottered on the brink. In the UK the Royal Bank of Scotland fell. The Government had to step in and bail the bank out. My guest today wrote a book called Shredded about the bank’s failure. Although triggered by the September 2008 bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, it was largely the consequence of its pursuit of scale for its own sake. List...

Janet Murray on Mastering PR and Getting your Story into the Media - MPAF93

Janet Murray on Mastering PR and getting your Story into the Media - MPAF93 Good PR can be perfect for your business growth. If you have a different story to tell journalists want to hear about it. But there's more to success than just bunging out a press release. In this episode, I talk to Janet Murray, a journalist who helps people master PR and the opportunities it brings. Listen to Janet's tips on building relationships with journalists, how to pitch your story, and how to get ...

Chris Budd on Client Coaching and The Financial Wellbeing Book - MPAF92

Chris Budd on Client Coaching and The Financial Wellbeing Book - MPAF92 In this episode I talk to Chris Budd about The Financial Wellbeing Book which he's recently written and published. Chris has a unique perspective on financial planning, preferring to call it financial coaching, and this forms the foundation of his book Hear where his inspiration came from and how Chris went about writing The Financial Wellbeing Book.  Listen to Chris explain the five elements of financial wellbeing...

Alan and Kathryn Knowles on Special Risks Protection and Bold Zombie Advertising - MPAF91

Alan and Kathryn Knowles on Special Risks Protection and Bold Zombie Advertising - MPAF91 In this episode I talk to Alan and Kathryn Knowles from the Special Risks Bureau. They specialise in insurance for people who have existing conditions or take part in extreme pastimes or hazardous occupations. The Financial Services industry call this “impaired lives". Alan and Kathryn have a much less gloomy term for it which we'll discover in the chat. But this small firm recently launched a b...

Dickie Armour on Generic Top Level Domain Names, Crime Fiction and Video - MPAF90

Dickie Armour on Generic Top Level Domain Names, Crime Fiction and Video - MPAF90 Domain names are changing. Dot-Co-Dot-UK and Dot-Com and other country coded names are making way for branded alternatives like Dot-Marketing and Dot-Finance. In this episode I talk to domain expert Dickie Armour about how you can use generic top level domain names to enhance your company or personal brand. We also talk about the sales books Dickie has written and his best selling crime Thriller, "The H...

Eleanor Goold from Compliance Manager to Copywriter and Communicator - MPAF89

Eleanor Goold from Compliance Manager to Copywriter and Communicator - MPAF89 In this episode I talk to Eleanor Goold, an ex-financial services compliance manager who's reinvented herself as a copywriter. A fascinating story giving a unique insight into the way we market financial products such as pensions, investments and protection. Hear Eleanor talk about simplicity in communications and how important it is to focus on benefits and not features. That's all right here in episode 89...

Chris Fox on taking the pain out of putting together a strategy - MPAF88

Chris Fox on taking the pain out of putting together a strategy - MPAF88 For many companies strategy is a painful process executives and managers face reluctantly every year. They often over complicate it. Weave it into the annual planning and budgeting cycle. The result often isn't a strategy at all. In this episode I talk to Chris Fox about how to make strategy simple. Hear Chris explain how to take the pain out of putting together a strategy. Listen to him explain how to separate ...

Alex Cameron on why we can't ignore Live Streaming Video in our Marketing - MPAF87

Alex Cameron on why we can't ignore Live Streaming Video in our Marketing - MPAF87 Periscope. Blab. Facebook Live. Video streaming apps that have taken the world by storm. US marketers are creating massive engagement using live streaming video. It was hottest topic at the recent Social Media Marketing World Conference in San Diego, no one can afford to be left behind as live streaming video takes hold. In this episode I talk to Alex Cameron, a marketing consultant from San Diego who ...

Adam Carolan on Nurturing Young Adviser Talent and Engaging Younger Clients - MPAF86

Adam Carolan on Nurturing Young Adviser Talent and Engaging Younger Clients - MPAF86 Some of the perceptions that stop people seeking financial advice also stop them choosing advising as a career. Does the public believe only older wealthier people need advice? And that advising is not a good career choice for youngsters? In this episode I chat to Adam Carolan who believes it's time perceptions changed. And he's actually doing something about it. Hear about his website and content for cr...

Chris Ducker on Mastermind Communities and Personal Branding Fueling Business Growth - MPAF85

MPAF85 – Chris Ducker on Mastermind Communities and Personal Branding Fueling Business Growth Running a small business or a one man band can be lonely. Without the support mechanisms that come from a corporate environment you may miss the motivation of others or the accountability they bring. In this episode I talk to serial entrepreneur, Chris Ducker, and we chat about Mastermind Communities and how they can fill those motivational and accountability gaps. Whilst running a number of...

Danny Matthews on Building Consumer Trust using Social Media - MPAF84

MPAF84 – Danny Matthews on Building Consumer Trust using Social Media The way we communicate is fundamentally changing. Clients want you to communicate with them on their own terms. That might mean phone or email. But they also want to connect on live video, and social media platforms. In this episode I chat to Danny Matthews who believes that we must use new communications platforms to build a new level of trust with clients. Financial services companies are universally distrusted acr...

Why some Companies don't understand Social Media and how it makes them afraid - MPAF83

MPAF83 – Why some Companies don't understand Social Media and how it makes them afraid How many Financial Services Companies truly understand social media. Some don't use it all. Some use it sparingly. Is it because some don't have a strategy? Maybe they don't see a traditional return on investment. Or perhaps they see it as a compliance minefield. Is it a lack of understanding about social media that drives these concerns? Let's discuss this right here in Episode 83 of the Marke...

Panacea Adviser on Retirement Choices: The UK’s First Virtual Financial Services Conference - MPAF82

MPAF82 – Panacea Adviser on Retirement Choices: The UK’s First Virtual Financial Services Conference Panacea Adviser just held the UK's first virtual conference for Financial Services. Retirement Choices 2016 was a unique, if slightly surreal experience. The conference was complete with virtual stands, a virtual auditorium, keynote speakers and avatars of company representatives. My guests today are Derek Bradley and James Bradley from Panacea. We chat about where the idea for the vi...

Susie Colley on PMI, Critical Illness Cover and Going Beyond Expectations - MPAF81

MPAF81 – Susie Colley on PMI, Critical Illness Cover and Going Beyond Expectations In this episode I talk to Susie Colley. She advises her clients on the best PMI, critical illness and income protection products to meet their needs. And uses her nursing experience to give them expert help when and if they claim. Listen to Susie talk about the state of the PMI and critical illness markets and her ideas for future growth. Hear about how she goes beyond expectations with the added value...

Chris Marr on Content Marketing, Educating and Communicating without Selling - MPAF80

MPAF80 – Chris Marr on Content Marketing, Educating and Communicating without Selling You might hear traditional marketing described as "interruption marketing". An advert stopping you from watching your favourite TV show is an example. But you don't have to shout at your customers, interrupt them or get on their nerves to engage with them. What if marketing could be about: Education Entertainment Fun Help In this episode I talk to Chris Marr about content marketing. And he d...

MPAF79 – Why we must Engage rather than Enrage to Improve Customer Experience

MPAF79 – Why we must Engage rather than Enrage to Improve Customer Experience Customer experience should engage not enrage. And yet we seem to live in a country where customer experience, and I'm not just talking about Financial Services here, is often an afterthought. In this episode it's just me and the mic talking about customer engagement. The lessons from social media. And whether this should be a focus for financial services providers rather than the continuous adding of spurious b...

MPAF78 – Mark Loosmore on 7 Ways to use Technology to Improve Client Engagement

MPAF78 – Mark Loosmore on 7 Ways to use Technology to Improve Client Engagement In this Episode I talk to Mark Loosmore of Iress about using technology to improve client engagement. We cover client data, the connected world, social media and more, Mark's interview is packed with tips and ideas you can follow up. That's all right here in Episode 78 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast. Who is Mark Loosmore? Mark is Executive General Manager Wealth for Iress UK. With expertise...

MPAF77 – Roy McLoughlin on Pensions Auto Enrolment Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations

MPAF77 – Roy McLoughlin on Pensions Auto Enrolment Challenges, Opportunities and Collaborations Seen as the best way to overcome “savings inertia”, Auto Enrolment is the biggest shake up of pensions in a generation. It’s a huge opportunity for financial planners but also represents adminstration challenges. In this episode I talk to Roy Mcloughlin about maximising the opportunities, over coming the challenges and looking for ways to collaborate with other financial services professionals....

MPAF76 – John Cordray on Live Video, Personal Branding and Stress Free Working

MPAF76 – John Cordray on Live Video, Personal Branding and Stress Free Working Personal Branding is the focus again in this episode when I talk to John Cordray. In five short months, John has built a personal brand and an international audience using social media and live video streaming. Listen to how John used Periscope to establish himself as The Calm Expert which led to a speaking invitation at the recent Periscope Summit in San Francisco. Also listen to John’s tips on how to keep yo...

MPAF75 – Colin Gray on How to Launch a Financial Services Podcast

MPAF75 – Colin Gray on How to Launch a Financial Services Podcast   Your business will almost certainly benefit if you launch your own podcast. Some people are put off because they think they need thousands of pounds’ worth of equipment. Or that there’s no point because others are already doing it and have already taken the audience. In this episode I talk to Colin Gray who quickly dispels these myths. Listen to Colin talk about the business he’s built around podcast production and his ...

MPAF74 – Deborah Turner on Personal Branding, Image and Style

MPAF74 – Deborah Turner on Personal Branding, Image and Style This episode is all about you. Your personal brand is just as important as a corporate brand. Especially in the digital world where you appear across multiple media platforms. In this episode I talk to Deborah Turner, and image consultant who helps people to manage a consistent and powerful image and brand online and in person. A fascinating chat and you great insights about personal branding, image and style. That's all righ...

MPAF73 – Alistair Wickens on Totally Digital Businesses

MPAF73 – Alistair Wickens on Totally Digital Businesses What is a totally digital business? Certainly not one an "old style" one with a cool website superimposed over the front end. In this episode I talk to Alistair Wickens who's just transformed his company from a traditional to a totally digital business. A fascinating story, it's both scary and packed with lessons and insights. Listen to Alistair describe the route taken by Road to Health and what a similar journey might mean for you...

MPAF72 – Marketing Protection and Finance Review of 2015

MPAF72 – Marketing Protection and Finance Review of 2015 In this episode I look back over 2015 and the topics and issues discussed on the podcast. And I look forward to next year with a particular focus on marketing your business and going for growth. What I thought I would do in this short episode is to share my thoughts with you what's happened this year in marketing protection and finance. What are the trends, issues and highlights? Please join me for this retrospective trip through wh...

MPAF71 – Pete Chadborn on Time Management, Industry Conferences and Why Buy Now is Best

MPAF71 – Pete Chadborn on Time Management, Industry Conferences and Why Buy Now is Best Time is money. Efficiency is profit In this episode I talk to Pete Chadborn about managing time in a business. What do the seemingly unrelated subjects of industry conferences and advising on insurance have in common? Pete ties these subjects together and makes strong points that conference organisers and product provider executives should listen to. That's all right here in Episode 71 of the Marketin...

MPAF70 – Sandip Roy-Chowdhury on Short Term Income Protection

MPAF70 – Sandip Roy-Chowdhury on Short Term Income Protection Would you consider Short Term Income Protection? Or has PPI ruined its chances of success? In this episode I talk to Sandip Roy-Chowdhury of new insurer Realm Protection Ltd. Their Short Term Income Protection is simple, easy to apply for and a cost effective alternative to long term product equivalents. We talk about where Short Term Income Protection fits in the protection market and within the financial adviser's protection ...

MPAF69 – Nigel Bradshaw - Will Big Data Simplify or Complicate Protection Applications?

MPAF69 – Nigel Bradshaw - Will Big Data Simplify or Complicate Protection Applications? A recent recurring topic on the MPAF Podcast is the complicated protection underwriting process. In this episode I talk to Nigel Bradshaw and we debate whether Big Data could make underwriting protection applications simpler. Or whether it might make it more complicated. That's all right here in Episode 69 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podcast. Who is Nigel Bradshaw? An Actuary, Nigel descr...

MPAF68 - What are Your Views on the Future of the MPAF Podcast?

MPAF68 - What are Your Views on the Future of the MPAF Podcast? In this episode I ask you to help me to shape the future of the MPAF Podcast. What content would you like to see in upcoming episodes? Who would you like to hear me interview? And what do you think about the mix between marketing content, protection content and finance content? If you help me you could win a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champagne. That’s all right here in episode 68 of the Marketing Protection and Finance Podca...

MPAF67 – Ian McKenna on Product Comparisons, Advice and First Class versus Economy

MPAF67 – Ian McKenna on Product Comparisons, Advice and First Class versus Economy With so many high quality and complex protection products out there identifying "the best" is difficult. And what does "the best" even mean? In this episode I talk to Ian McKenna about product comparisons and advice. He argues that we've fallen into a trap believing "First Class" is best. Many clients might be happy with, and be able to afford, "Economy" products instead. Have we contributed to the Protec...

MPAF66 – Andrew Wibberley on Risk, Post Codes and Sleepwalking into Preferred Lives Underwriting

MPAF66 – Andrew Wibberley on Risk, Post Codes and Sleepwalking into Preferred Lives Underwriting Are cheap protection prices in the UK an illusion? Each provider fights to appear competitive on comparison sites, but one in four or more applicants now face extra premiums after underwriting. Is that fair? In this episode I talk to Andrew Wibberley, an underwriting expert with a provider a reinsurance pedigree. We discuss whether we have sleepwalked into preferred lives underwriting and how f...

MPAF65 – Stealing with Glee, Video Streaming and Doubling Protection Commission

MPAF65 – Stealing with Glee, Video Streaming and Doubling Protection Commission In this episode I talk about Stealing with Glee, Video Streaming, and whether we should double protection commission. This week it’s just me and the mic riffing on some of the subjects I’ve written about recently. Stealing with Glee – how a borrowed idea could reveal the future of the UK protection market Video Streaming – how you could use Periscope, Meerkat or Blab to engage with your clients Doubling Prot...

MPAF64 – Chris Daems on How to Write Blogs and Articles that bring in Clients

MPAF64 – Chris Daems on How to Write Blogs and Articles that bring in Clients In this episode I talk to one of the most prolific bloggers and article writers in UK financial services. Chris Daems, widely known for his Auto Enrolment software, AE in a Box, puts out three or more pieces a week. Consistency combined with engaging subjects means his writing generates a significant percentage of his business. Full of great tips this interview is a must for anyone who already writes, or wants t...

MPAF63 – Martin Bamford and Pete Matthew: Should You Launch Your Own Financial Services Podcast?

MPAF63 – Martin Bamford and Pete Matthew: Should You Launch Your Own Financial Services Podcast? In this episode I chat to two of the UK Financial Services Industry’s most successful podcasters. Martin Bamford of the Informed Choice Podcast and Pete Matthew of meaningful Money join me to talk about our experiences using this awesome broadcast medium. We share our experiences on putting a podcast together, how much business we’ve generated as a result, and give out some tips on how you cou...

MPAF62 – Johnny Timpson on Protection Engagement, Charities and Collective Industry Initiatives

MPAF62 – Johnny Timpson on Protection Engagement, Charities and Collective Industry Initiatives The 7 Families Campaign is an example of a successful UK collective industry initiative. In the USA LifeHappens.Org has taken the concept many steps further to create massive consumer engagement about the need for protection insurance. In this episode I talk to Johnny Timpson who works with both 7 Families and LifeHappens.Org. Hear Johnny's views on how we can build upon the success of 7 Famil...

MPAF61 – Ken Smith on Critical Illness Cover: The USA versus the UK

MPAF61 – Ken Smith on Critical Illness Cover: The USA versus the UK Critical Illness Cover in the USA developed along a different path to the UK. In this week’s episode I talk to Ken Smith, a pioneer in the US critical illness market. We discuss the differences in the products between the two countries. Chat about how American companies market them. And debate whether the UK can learn any lessons from the US critical illness cover model. That's all right here in Episode 61 of the Marketi...

MPAF60 – Fiona Murphy on Editing Cover Magazine and Pushing Positive Protection Stories

MPAF59 - Tony Horn: Should Distributors Lead Protection Proposition Development?

MPAF58 - Iain Anderson on the Politics of the UK Financial Services Industry

MPAF57 - Charlotte Wibberley on Superman Syndrome Virtual Assistants and Online Business Management

MPAF56 – Protection Payouts Underwrite Me and Market Disruption

MPAF55 – Chris Hitchens on Co-ignition Recruitment and Disrupting Tired Industries

MPAF54 – Phil Lowes gives 10 Health Hacks for Busy Business People

MPAF53 – Rohan Sivajoti on Postcard Planning and Finance for the Partially Sighted

MPAF52 – Holly MacKay on Boring Money, Storytelling and Customer Engagement

MPAF52 – Holly MacKay on Boring Money, Storytelling and Customer Engagement In this episode I talk to Holly Mackay. We chat about her new business, Boring Money, and how she believes storytelling is the key to customer engagement. Hear Holly's own story of how she started Boring Money and her aims to produce easy to understand content which talks about financial products in a simple way. Listen to how she's determined to sweep away the stuffy "suit and tie" perceptions people have about ...

MPAF51 – Ryan Hanley on Adrenaline Charged Marketing and Content Warfare

MPAF51 – Ryan Hanley on Adrenaline Charged Marketing and Content Warfare In this episode I talk to Ryan Hanley. He's my first international guest, based in Albany New York. Originally an Insurance Adviser, Ryan transformed his business with a powerful marketing strategy. Becoming a Content Marketing expert podcaster and author, he is now a sought after speaker on the US circuit. Hear how Ryan gave his business a shot of adrenaline charged marketing. Listen to how a focus on answering you...

MPAF50 – Mark Polson on Building Better Stuff and Communicating in a Better Way

MPAF49 – Fergus Muirhead: Consumer Insights from a Certified Financial Planner, Writer and Broadcaster