Episodes

  • April Podcast – Small Business? Do This.

    April Podcast – Small Business? Do This.
    Apr 24 2026
    This episode is aimed at small business owners who feel stuck, overworked, and not getting the return they want from their business. The core message is simple: Your business should serve your life, not control itCutting costs has limitsGrowth comes from using what you already have better, especially your existing customers The focus is on shifting from chasing new business all the time to building stronger relationships with current customers. Key Ideas 1. Your Business Should Give You Freedom If your business feels like a bad job, something is wrongThe goal is income and flexibilitySystems and processes create that freedom 2. Cost Cutting Is Limited You can reduce staff, marketing, travel, overheadsBut there is a ceiling to how much you can cutIt will not solve the core problem on its own Cost control matters, but it is not the growth strategy 3. Stop Chasing, Start Farming Most businesses spend too much time hunting new customersExisting customers are: Cheaper to sell toEasier to deal withMore likely to buy againAlready trust you They are your real source of profit 4. Big Businesses Do This Well Examples like Amazon, eBay and Tesco show the model: Regular contactSmart offersStrong customer dataConsistent reminders Small businesses can copy this in a simple way 5. Simple Customer Retention System Step 1: Contact Recent Customers Look at your last 10 customersSend a simple messageNo selling, just checking in Step 2: Build Habit of Communication Set aside 3 to 4 hours per weekMake contact normal, not occasional Step 3: Add Light Marketing Send updates or newslettersShare useful or relevant informationEvery business has something to say 6. Emotional Benefit Talking to customers builds confidenceReminds you that people value what you doMakes the business feel more in control Practical Takeaway Pull your last 10 customersSend a short message todayBlock out time each week for contactStart simple updates No systems needed yet, just action Get In Touch If you are tired of chasing work and want a business that actually pays you back, start fixing this properly. If you want help putting the systems in place, building customer retention, and turning your existing client base into consistent income, get in touch. We will show you how to turn what you already have into something that actually works. Bottom Line New customers cost moreExisting customers are easier moneyConsistent contact creates repeat businessRepeat business creates stability Stop chasing. Start building. Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *EmailSend Message
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    6 mins
  • APRIL PODCAST – Stop Treating Social Media Like a Megaphone

    APRIL PODCAST – Stop Treating Social Media Like a Megaphone
    Apr 6 2026
    And Start Using It Like a Conversation Hi, welcome back. Today I want to talk about two things most small businesses get wrong: Social mediaExisting customers Let’s keep this simple. Social Media Is Not the Answer But It Is a Tool Social media is not magic. It will not fix a broken business.It will not replace proper marketing.And it will not turn rubbish into results. But it is free access to attention. You have platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). They cost nothing to use. And they give you direct access to: Potential customersReferrersPartnersPeople already interested in what you do That is powerful. Most people waste it. Why Most Businesses Get It Wrong They treat social media like a loudspeaker. “Buy this.”“Look at me.”“Here’s another offer.” Noise. That’s why people switch off. What Actually Works Use what is already happening in the world. Example: A story appears on the BBC about faulty kitchen units. If you’re a kitchen fitter, that’s your moment. You say: “You may have seen this issue.Here’s how we do it differently so it doesn’t happen.” Now you are not selling. You are explaining. You are solving. You are positioning yourself as the person who knows. That works whether you are: A builderAn accountantA solicitorA consultant Same principle. The Shift You Need to Make From this: “Look at me.” To this: “Here’s something useful.” When you do that: Your content gets shared moreThe algorithm finds the right peopleYou stop being a nuisanceYou become relevant That’s marketing. Not selling. Now Let’s Talk About Your Existing Customers This is where most businesses are just… lazy. You already have people who: Know youLike youTrust youCall you when they’re stuck But you never contact them. Why? You message your mates.You send them links.You share things you find interesting. But your customers? Silence. Makes no sense. Your Customers Are Already Your Audience If someone has used you before, you are their go-to. If something breaks, they call you. So why wouldn’t you: Send them a useful articleShare a video you madeFlag a common problemOffer a simple solution Email.Text.WhatsApp.Even a letter. Yes, a letter. Remember those? No one gets anything in the post anymore except bills. So when they get something useful from you, it stands out. How to Do It Without Being Annoying Don’t sell. Just say: “Saw this. Thought of you.If it’s relevant, give me a shout.” That’s it. No pressure. No pitch. You stay visible.You stay useful.You stay top of mind. This Is the Bit Most People Miss You don’t need more leads. You need to: Talk properly on social mediaStay connected to existing customers That alone will grow most small businesses. Do Something With This If you are sitting there thinking: “I should probably be doing this…” You’re right. But thinking doesn’t pay the bills. Action does. If you want help putting this into place: Go to https://richardsmith.com if you run a larger businessGo to https://smallbusinessninja.co.uk if you are a small or micro business Or just get in touch and we’ll sort it out. Because right now, you are sat on customers, content, and opportunity. And doing precisely nothing with it. Which is a bold strategy, if your goal is to stay exactly where you are. Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *PhoneSend Message
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    8 mins
  • Get out of the office. Podcast

    Get out of the office. Podcast
    Mar 8 2026
    Podcast Summary – Stop Hiding Behind the Screen

    Welcome to today’s episode.

    I work with small businesses. Strategy. Sales. E-commerce. Marketing. Customer retention. That last one is my weapon of choice. Getting existing customers to come back is cheaper and more powerful than chasing strangers all day.

    But here’s what I’m seeing in early 2026.

    Everything is being pushed onto a screen.

    Zoom meetings. LinkedIn “connections”. Webinars instead of conferences. Entire businesses run from a spare bedroom in slippers.

    We are being sold the idea that you can build a serious company without leaving the house. Click a few buttons. Post a few videos. Watch the money roll in.

    It’s nonsense.

    Yes, online tools matter. Of course they do. Email, WhatsApp, social media. They are efficient.

    But they are not a substitute for human contact.

    Small businesses, especially those under £1m turnover, grow through trust. And trust grows faster face to face.

    Eye contact matters. Sitting across a table matters. Having a coffee. Reading the room. Picking up on tone. Having a proper conversation about what your client actually wants.

    That nuance does not live inside a screen.

    When you meet people in person, something shifts. You get momentum. Ideas flow. Decisions happen. That is where real business gets done.

    So I am not saying ditch digital.

    I am saying stop hiding behind it.

    If you are a small business owner, look at your diary. How many real meetings are you having? How many proper conversations are you starting?

    If everything is online, your growth will be limited.

    Blend it. Use digital for reach. Use face to face for depth.

    That is where the money is.

    Call to Action

    If you run a small business under £1m and you want practical, hands on help with retention, sales and real world growth, go to:

    www.therichardsmith.com

    Or if you want structured support and sharp thinking applied directly to your business, visit:

    www.smallbusinessninja.co.uk

    Stop building your business through a webcam.

    Go and shake a hand.

    Final thought: if running a million-pound business in your underwear was that easy, Primark would be sponsoring the FTSE 100.

    Get In Touch

    Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *MessageSend Message
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    5 mins
  • Small Business : Before the Phone Rings: How Customers Decide to Trust You

    Small Business : Before the Phone Rings: How Customers Decide to Trust You
    Mar 3 2026
    The Zero Moment of Truth (And Why Your Online Presence Actually Matters) If you run a small business, this one is for you. What I Do Before I Meet a Client Before I ever sit down with a client, I do two simple things. First, I Google them. I look at their website. I see how they present themselves. I get a feel for how they do business. Second, I look at their wider online presence. Reviews. Mentions. What other people say about them. This is not clever. It is exactly what your customers do. Your Customers Are Already Checking Before someone works with you, they look you up. They want reassurance. They want confirmation. They want to know they are making the right choice. If your website does not explain how you work and why you work that way, you are missing a trick. If your social media says nothing useful, you are missing another one. The Zero Moment of Truth Google used to call this the Zero Moment of Truth. It happens when someone gets a quote from you. Then they open Google. They search your name. Your business. Your reviews. They are not being difficult. They are being sensible. You need to show up at that moment. Reviews Are Not Enough on Their Own Star ratings matter. But they are not the whole story. People also look for supporting signals. A website that feels realA YouTube channelA TikTok or Facebook presenceEvidence that you exist beyond a logo These channels are free to use. But only if you actually use them. This Also Applies to Your Suppliers This is not just about customers. It applies to the people you work with. Your kitchen supplier. Your accountant. Your solicitor. Your software provider. You should be leaving feedback for them too. Why? Because it shows you are a serious business. It shows who you choose to work with. It shows the quality of your supply chain. And you can talk about that publicly. Symbiosis in Business There is a biological term for this. It is called symbiosis. Two organisms working together. Both benefit. Neither survives as well alone. Trees and ivy. Humans and gut bacteria. Business works the same way. When you support your suppliers publicly, they support you. When you link to each other, visibility increases. Algorithms like connectivity. So do humans. What This Looks Like in Practice Reviews for customersReviews for suppliersMentions on your websiteSocial posts showing how you workClear signals that you are real and trusted This builds confidence before anyone ever calls you. The Core Message People are checking you out anyway. You can either control the story. Or leave it to chance. The Zero Moment of Truth is happening whether you like it or not. You might as well turn up for it. Need a Way Forward? If you are stuck with any of this and want a clear plan, you know what to do. You can find out more about me at: https://www.therichardsmith.com If you need hands-on help for your small business, visit: https://smallbusinessninja.co.uk Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *MessageSend Message
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    5 mins
  • Small Business – AI Is Just a Tool: Why Small Business Fundamentals Still Matter

    Small Business – AI Is Just a Tool: Why Small Business Fundamentals Still Matter
    Feb 28 2026
    AI Is the Tool. The Fundamentals Still Win. Welcome to this episode of the podcast. In this session, I want to reset how we think about artificial intelligence and small business. I am positive about AI. I believe it will be one of the biggest shifts small business owners experience over the next few years. But not for the reasons most people are being sold. The Real Mistake Small Businesses Are Making Everyone is rushing to integrate AI into systems and processes. Automation. Dashboards. Workflows. Platforms. That is fine. But it misses the bigger point. As I mentioned in the last podcast, the real advantage for small business owners is focusing on what does not change. What Keeps Changing in Business Business never stands still. Legislation changesEmployment law evolvesMarketing channels rise and fallTechnology updates constantlyThe way work gets done keeps shifting This has always been true. What Does Not Change The fundamentals. Customers still want problems solved. Sales still rely on trust. Cash flow still matters. Clear thinking still beats busy activity. Good decisions still outperform clever tools. These things are constant. The Carpenter Analogy Think about a carpenter. A hundred years ago, they used: Straight edgesMeasuring tapesHammers and chisels Today, they use: Lasers and mobile phone measuring toolsBattery-powered equipmentAutomated machinery The tools have changed completely. The job has not. They still turn up every day to build something solid that fits and lasts. AI sits in exactly the same place. It is machinery. Not the craft. Why Business Owners Get Stuck Most people do not stop to think. They keep working through problems. They hope clarity will appear later. It rarely does. Busyness creates noise. Noise hides the real issue. The problem grows instead of shrinking. Where AI Actually Helps Used properly, AI supports thinking. It helps you: Step back from the noiseQuestion assumptionsTest ideas safelySee simpler routes forward But only if you stay grounded in the fundamentals. The Core Message Forget the hype. Forget the panic. Forget the race to automate everything. AI is just another tool. The fundamentals still do the heavy lifting. Get those right and AI helps. Get them wrong and no system will save you. Need a Way Forward? If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or buried in noise, you already know something needs to change. You can find out more about me at: https://www.therichardsmith.com If you need hands-on help with your small business, visit: https://smallbusinessninja.co.uk Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *WebsiteSend Message
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    3 mins
  • AI Without the Fairy Dust: How Small Businesses Can Actually Use It

    AI Without the Fairy Dust: How Small Businesses Can Actually Use It
    Feb 19 2026
    In this episode, the focus is artificial intelligence without the nonsense. AI is not sold as a miracle. It is treated as what it actually is. A tool. The discussion looks at how small business owners can use AI in a practical way. Not in the cloud. Not as a gimmick. But as a controlled system that helps you think, decide, and act. It explores how AI can pull together proven ideas, trusted content, and real-world experience. All in one place. On your terms. If you want fewer opinions, better questions, and shorter paths from problem to solution, this episode is for you. Why listen to this episode? This is not AI hype. It is AI as a tool that actually earns its keep. Here are the ideas, and why they matter. 1. AI is not magic Idea: AI is useful, not miraculous. Why listen: If you are tired of being told AI will solve everything, this resets expectations fast. 2. Small businesses have too many jobs Idea: Owners are expected to be good at finance, sales, HR, marketing, stock, and strategy. Why listen: Because no one is that good. This episode admits it and moves on. 3. Outsourcing is expensive and slow Idea: Most firms outsource knowledge because they have no choice. Why listen: This shows how AI can reduce that dependency without pretending you can replace experts. 4. AI works best as a private knowledge base Idea: AI is strongest when fed proven content you trust. Why listen: You learn how to turn AI into something closer to an in-house advisor, not a glorified search box. 5. Use your own data, on your own terms Idea: Control the sources. Control the answers. Why listen: This avoids cloud dependence and keeps sensitive thinking where it belongs. 6. Turn podcasts into thinking tools Idea: Download, transcribe, and interrogate content. Why listen: This is a practical trick most people have not clocked yet. 7. Build AI by function, not fantasy Idea: Separate tools for marketing, sales, product, and ideas. Why listen: Because structure beats enthusiasm every time. 8. Shorter paths appear Idea: AI often shows a simpler route than the one you planned. Why listen: Less effort. Fewer mistakes. Same destination. 9. Better questions beat quick answers Idea: AI helps you think before you pay someone else to think for you. Why listen: This alone can save time, money, and embarrassment. 10. This is about survival, not buzzwords Idea: AI is framed as a working tool for real businesses. Why listen: Because survival is more interesting than trends. Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *CommentSend Message
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    6 mins
  • February 2026 Small Business Podcast

    February 2026 Small Business Podcast
    Feb 5 2026

    Steal Like a Professional. Borrow What Works. Build What Sells.

    Summary

    This episode is about borrowing ideas, not nicking work.

    Every market is crowded. Whatever you sell, someone else sells something similar. Often cheaper. Often louder.

    That is normal. That is how markets work.

    Instead of pretending you must be “original,” look at what already exists. If a competitor has a product or service that sells, that proves demand. That alone is valuable.

    You can take the idea, adapt it, repackage it, and make it fit your customers better. Add your edge. Your voice. Your service. Your brand.

    This is not about copying copyright or stealing IP. It is about learning from what already works and improving it.

    The internet proves this daily. Amazon is full of near-identical products. The difference is branding, positioning, and trust.

    For small business owners, this is often the fastest way to grow. Less risk. Clear demand. Faster execution.

    Stop fearing the word “steal.” Start borrowing intelligently.

    Ready to get in touch?

    Get In Touch

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    5 mins
  • January 2026 – For Small Business Owners That Feel Stuck

    January 2026 – For Small Business Owners That Feel Stuck
    Jan 16 2026
    Most people know me for business development. Fewer know my background is financial services. I spent over 30 years in that industry. One thing became very clear early on. Most people have serious mental blocks around money, work, and investing. There is no magic switch. No instant fix. Anyone selling that is lying. But there are ways to reset how you think and behave. When that shifts, everything else starts to move. This podcast has always focused on business. Planning. Strategy. Growth.Today I want to talk about mindset. How the brain actually works. And why so many capable people feel stuck. I am about to launch a new programme on my sister site, MoneyTrainers.co.uk. It made sense to introduce the ideas here first. We are taught a simple story.Set goals. Make plans. Follow steps. Everything works out. Business owners know that is nonsense. Plans break. Life interferes. Circumstances change. You end up somewhere you never planned to be. That is not failure. That is reality. The Buddhists say it well. The problem is rarely the problem. Your reaction is. I want to talk about being stuck. Not lazy. Not broken. Just stuck. Most of us already know what we should be doing.Get up earlier.Move more.Focus.Stop scrolling.Stop avoiding. The issue is not knowledge. It is behaviour. Your brain is doing exactly what it was designed to do. Distract you. Protect you. Preserve energy. Sit alone for an hour. No phone. No noise. You will see it. Thought after thought. Tens of thousands a day. That is not a flaw. That is survival wiring. The brain blocks action in three main ways. First, uncertainty.Your brain does not believe the effort will work. Second, distance.The reward feels too far away. Big goals overwhelm the system. Third, threat.Fear of failure. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of damaging your identity. When all three are present, action stops. This is why motivation fails.This is why positive thinking fails. You do not need more effort.You need less friction. A reset is not about dreaming bigger. It is about starting smaller. As we get older, this matters more. I am in my 60s now. Looking back, the real question is not “why didn’t I know?” It is “why didn’t I change?” For years, I did not believe change was possible. Life was fine. Career was fine. Family was fine. But something never shifted. That changed when I started working with meditation and reset principles in my late 40s and 50s. I began to understand the mechanics. We do not need another “change your life” programme.We need to work with the brain we actually have. That means smaller actions.Closer rewards.And a shift in identity before long-term goals. Identity drives behaviour. If you believe you are overweight, unfit, bad with money, or “just not that person,” then no amount of motivation will fix it. You will always act in line with who you think you are. This reset is about changing that. Gradually. Practically. Without heroics. If you are stuck, the answer is not trying harder.It is starting smaller. The programme launches soon. It will be free initially. You will find it at:moneytrainers.co.uk/reset If this resonated, get in touch. Leave a comment wherever you found this podcast. You are not broken.Your brain is just doing its job. Ready to get in touch use the form below. Get In Touch Name *Email *Subject *Comment or Message *CommentSend Message
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    8 mins