This time we feature an interview with John Kettley (johnfkettley.com). John has not only successfully started and run a number of smaller businesses but also coaches and mentors others to achieve their own success - with a very down-to-earth and practical approach. We talk not only about what can help or hinder that success but also look to the future as the worlds of business and employment change around us as the Covid crisis continues ..read more

In this first full episode, Jon starts by explaining how the podcast came about and its purpose - and introduces himself for those who don't know him.  The first main segment this week includes Why being outstanding is NOT the same as Standing Out Why a logo is not the same thing as a brand What a brand actually is, what it's used for and why it matters - for small businesses as well as big ones That people have brands as well as businesses and products What the process of branding is about Branding is not the same as marketing The second main segment starts to explore video as a signi ..read more

If you’re in business, I’m pretty certain you’ll have a website. It’s fair to say that some website work better than others and in this episode we explore some of the ‘tricks of the trade’ that can help you stand out on your own website. Our guest is Richard Ambrose, designer and website developer who has been crafting business websites for some 20 years, so he certainly knows what he’s talking about. Some of the topics we cover include: A nostalgic look back at the ‘dotcom boom’ Why have a website Website graphic design and layout The challenge of content Use of images What helps or hinders ..read more

The business-focused social networking platform LinkedIn currently had some 760 million users world-wide, of whom around 260 million are active monthly. Of these monthly active members about 40% log in daily. If you’re one of the 40% you may be among the many who are not getting much in the way of results or contribution to your business. Your posts may be getting limited views, few reactions and rare comments. Maybe you’re gamely plodding on, although frustrated and disappointed. I must confess that I was one of the ‘gamely plodding on’ – and then I was introduced to Mac Laubscher not long ag ..read more

In Part 2 Janet Efere and I take a good long look at something that's critical to business and yet which many people shy away from. I'm talking about the scary 'S-Word'! All is revealed.... And we also talk a bit about mindset. Janet has years of successful experience across both small businesses and corporates and is highly regarded in her field. If you want to know more about Janet and what she does you can find her contact details on the 'Interview Guests' page of the Standing Out website: CLICK HERE And if you didn't yet listen to Part 1, you can find it along with all the past episod ..read more

This is Part 1 of a 2-part programme in which I talk to Janet Efere about a whole range of business topics.  Although the list below might suggest it's only useful for new businesses, there's a lot that could be a helpful refresher for established businesses and business people too, so do have a listen. Business success and always doing things right first time The risks and challenges facing business start-ups Pricing Approaching starting a business The fear factors that can affect business people How a new business can build credibility Competing when you're a start-up How to promote yo ..read more

What would be the cost to you and your business if your computer suffered data loss, damage or unauthorised access? With our regular business focus, in this week’s show the Standing Out Podcast turns its attention to cybersecurity of all kinds.  My expert guest, Daniel Bryk, shares advice, tips and anecdotes – in user-friendly language - across a wide range of computer security risks. Risks that could end up costing you dearly.   In the first half of 2020 alone, data breaches exposed 36 billion records, and businesses of all shapes and sizes paid the price for inadequate securit ..read more

"Handle them carefully, for words have more power than atom bombs." This quote by Pearl Strachan Heard (1930s British politician) sets the scene for this Standing Out podcast Words are everywhere – including this LinkedIn post. Spoken, written, printed, online, offline – what would we do without them! More important is what we, business people and professionals of all kinds, do with them. Words are essential for getting our messages across, for informing and educating our target audience. But getting those words right, making them effective, attractive and compelling is a skill not all of us h ..read more

In this episode, my guest Arwyn Bailey tells the story of how a series of events knocked him sideways, affecting both his business and personal life. Part of our conversation is how he worked through it to come out the other side, but more than that. Arwyn shares some helpful advice from his own experience and practical things you can do to cope with the problems we all have to confront from time to time, both in business and life. At one point he mentions and recommends a book titled 'The 4 Money Mindsets' by Karen Sutton-Johal You can find it on Amazon HERE ..read more

In this episode, we look at a different kind of working life.  For most of us, getting up in the morning, getting ready and then either travelling to work or working at home isn’t such a big deal.  But what if you started feeling things, worryingly, weren’t right physically? You begin to experience unnatural fatigue; your balance is shaky; there are falls… My guest in this episode, Patrick Burke, literally found himself ‘falling down on the job’ some years ago.  It ended up with him being medically retired and having to deal with a condition called Multiple Sclerosis. A conditi ..read more