This is a podcast for anyone buried under spreadsheets, stuck in broken systems, or simply trying to make operations run more smoothly. Each episode explores how to solve real-world business problems with practical strategies, low-code tools like Zoho Creator, and of course smart thinking!
Whether you're building platforms for your business, managing complex data, or just trying to streamline your team's workflow, Trailblazer FM brings you conversations and insights to help make sense of the mess.
🎧 400+ episodes available now, with new episodes launching soon.
As a teenager, I knew I wanted to be in business. My world was very small being the small UK town I live in so my game plan was to serve my local community as a web designer. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-i-landed-my-first-client
I’ve been battling with my mental health many year. I’ve had a range of support including medication to keep me on track but things are still hard. Getting up in the morning is still an effort. A throw away comment from someone can still send me spiralling for days. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/running-an-agency-with-depression
We are exposed to typography on a daily basis. From signs in the treat to our computer screens. Without type, we would be unable to consume information and to act upon it. It's everywhere and it's important we get it right for our business and for our clients. A hard to read landing page can negatively impact it's performance. No thought into accessibility could hold others back. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/why-type-matters-more-than-you-think...
The website is often seen as a checkbox on a long list of mundane and irrelevant marketing activities. It tends to become an online "calling card" with little to no thought on what it should actually do for the website owner. As agency owners we have an awesome opportunity to help build websites that help people achieve their objectives and we can do that from the wealth of experience we've had getting it right and learning from when we got it wrong.
Avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring you get everything down during the discovery process can be a nightmare! To help facilitate productive discovery sessions, we developed a framework that we've used on countless projects to ensure we capture as much as possible without missing the important elements. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/website-discovery-framework/
Considering taking on an intern? Meet Sam, former intern and mentor for interns at P&W a design agency based in London. Sam shares her journey, experiences and best practices when looking for an intern. She also shares with us her exciting project called "Tern Heads" a community that is revolutionising access to creative internships and junior employment. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/the-benefits-of-internships/...
We all have a personal brand, even if we don't fully understand what that is or what it looks like. Through networking, through attending events and through showing up online, I've developed a personal brand that attracts the right type of clients to the businesses I am a part of. For me it was accidental and as I try to become more intentional it made sense to connect with Nicole Osborne. Nicole suggested a 5 day challenge to help unpack my personal brand more, and within minute we figured it w...
Without being a part of a mastermind I would not be where I am today, nor would I have the clarity focus and drive to push onto where I am headed. There is immense power in a small group of people, meeting regularly and holding each other accountable that can transform a business. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-create-a-peer-mastermind/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
When Jemma launched her VA business last year, she was not clear on who her ideal client would be. The first few months saw a range of clients and projects. These experiences and interactions highlighted the importance of niching to a particular client time and range of services. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/attracting-the-ideal-client/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
In 2012 my agency used multiple providers on multiple platforms. We'd created a support nightmare for ourselves and we knew we needed to change how we delivered our services. This podcast unpacks our journey into the cloud and the lessons learned along the way. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/agency-in-the-cloud/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
During Agency Transformation Live 2020 , we interviewed Brad Morrison on how he developed his niche over time. Having started providing services within an industry that did not seem to be as commercially viable, his agency expanded into other sectors. They eventually landed upon the service niche of care plans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
A product or service is more often than not measured by the quality of support provided. The reputation of a company can be its downfall should it provide poor after care. Yet I think there are ways that we can improve the support we get from the products that are essential to our business by changing our own attitude towards seeking help. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/getting-better-support/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
We are surrounded by negative messaging on the news and in social media. Global economies are being massively impacted by the pandemic, and as business owners, we may be feeling worried and concerned. I invited Nev Harris onto the show to share with us lessons we can learn from past economic crises. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/the-covid-economy/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
Are you getting burned out on online meetings? Many agencies are seeing their meetings increase as clients and team members seek assurances and companionship. Whilst lockdown may have removed the travel burden, regular and unproductive meetings can continue to have a negative impact on your productivity, motivation and mental health. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/productive-online-meetings/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
During these uncertain times, income may be much reduced. I share how to manage your personal finances, make savings and enable your money to go further. We approach this both as a business owner and as an employee. Our audience are a wide mixture of agency owners and awesome staff members, therefore I'd like to cover all bases. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/managing-your-personal-finances/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
No business has been untouched by the global pandemic of 2020. Some agency owners recognise a need in their business to pivot so they can add value to their customers, and weather these uncertain times. In this episode I will share a range of ideas to get you thinking on how you can pivot your offering. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/ideas-for-pivoting-your-agency/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
The world has changed within days, and you may be concerned about your business and the future of our industry. In this episode, I share with you how we are best positioned to help build the new digital community of tomorrow. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/the-future-of-web-design/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
In 2008 nearly the whole world fell into recession. Overnight we lost some of our biggest clients, and others drastically cut their investments with our agency. Fast forward to today. The global Pandemic is hitting the stock market, and it is predicted that another recession is round the corner for many nations. What can an agency do to survive and thrive during difficult times? In this episode I share lessons we learned from 2008, as well as a range of practical steps you can take to strengthen...
Being intentional with social media allows you to build your brand. In turn you can build trust, and generate valuable leads for your agency. In this episode I will share with you the basics of planning your social media strategy... Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/planning-your-agency-social-media-strategy See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
There comes a point in your agency when enough is enough. You cannot do everything and you realise you need outside help from a freelancer or virtual assistant. The thing is, you've heard horror stories from other agency owners and your last freelance experience was a nightmare. How do you find, select and onboard the right contractor for your agency? If you are struggling, this episode is for you. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-hire-a-virtual-assistant/ See acast.com/priv...
Do you know what is in your bank account, who owes you what, and what you have to pay out? It's likely you don't as running an agency is time intensive and demanding. Finances become something we dread at the end of our financial year as we hand over a box of receipts to our accountants, unsure if we will be able to pay our tax bills. It need not be like that. In today's episode I am going to talk you through a very simple framework for managing the financial health of your business. Full show n...
How do you keep motivated when things can be so stressful? Running an agency can be high pressure, and you may have experienced those days where you can't face it all. I know I have... Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/how-to-keep-yourself-motivated/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
How many plans have you made that you've never followed through with? What would you like to change in your agency or in your personal life that seems too overwhelming and un-achievable? I have struggled for years with procrastination, and have a graveyard of abandoned dreams behind me. Yet all that changed a few years ago, and I'm going to share with my strategy for getting things done. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/how-to-get-the-big-things-done/ See acast.com/privacy ...
"Plan for the worst, hope for the best" is a phrase I've often heard from family members as we go through life. There is no better place to ensure you can push through the rough times that in your business. What would happen if your office burnt down? What would you do in the case of a business partner passing away? Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/planning-for-the-worst/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
So much business can be lost due to not handling leads effectively. With multiple channels of communication, and such unique needs, what can you implement to keep on top of, and to nurture the leads you get in? Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/how-to-manage-leads/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
Being a business owner, or part of a business design agency can be tough. I remember how lonely I would often feel battling the day to day challenges with no one else to talk to. In this weeks episode we share how to get plugged into the online community to create a support network. Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/getting-plugged-into-online-community See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
Running your agency without a plan, you are inadvertently planning to fail. We learned the hard way many years ago. The purpose of this episode is to provide you the framework for a simple one page business plan that you can review regularly. Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/the-one-page-business-plan/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
How do you get more productive and create a healthier happier lifestyle? Who better to brainstorm this with than my good friend James Rose. We’ve known each other many years and he’s been able to balance business with travel, family and developing hobbies. We talk ways to improve productivity and to enhance our lifestyles. Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/productivity-with-purpose/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....
Profitability is not just about selling more. We are so often a slave to our business because we need to generate more income to get more free time. It’s a vicious cycle. In today’s call I share a range of money saving techniques both for your business and personal life. These are what we apply to our lives so we can: Get lots of time together as a family Operate a stable business Save for the future Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/money-saving-techniques/ See acast....
Networking helped build our agencies and is an essential element of our ongoing marketing strategy. If you are a new or established business, you should consider your own strategy for generating leads through networking. We cover: Different types of networking Meeting styles Help others Help others help you Reality check Outcome: To help you develop a clear long term networking strategy to help support your marketing efforts. Full show notes here - https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/generatin...
