Episode 80 – The final episode in our trilogy talking to Nick Drake-Knight about the origins of his work. If you have customers, have a team who helps customers, or in any way engage with customers in your organisation – you need to know what Every Customer Wants®. It will give you remarkable solutions to all those problematic challenges you face every day. Hospitality, healthcare, call centres, after-care, retail, web support (the list goes on). Customers have high expectations and, rightly so,...
Dec 11, 2022•9 min
Episode 79 – Our second in the trilogy where we look at the work of Nick Drake-Knight, and how it can help you and your team. Last time we checked out – Continue & Begin Fast Coaching. This time, it’s the turn of Meerkat Selling®. If you (or your team) are helping customers to buy things, this one is for you. Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: What Meerkat Selling is all about The emotional factors that impact customers The common thread of feelings Moving towards – or a...
Dec 04, 2022•9 min
Episode 78 – Yes, we’re back! (Unless you’re listening to this in the back catalogue – in which case, we never went away!) This is the first in a trilogy where we share a conversation I had with Nick Drake-Knight about the origins of his fabulous work. Nick helps people with a wide range of skills, from selling to service and all sorts in between. In this short episode, we learn about the origins of Nick’s fabulous coaching model – Continue & Begin Fast Coaching®. If you (or your team) have ...
Nov 27, 2022•10 min
Episode 77 – I was invited to join Karl Craig-West on his podcast. It’s all about being self-employed, and we’ve decided to share the episode here, so you can listen to it too. Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: Why I’m at the kitchen table What I’ve been up to since the last episode Who Karl Craig-West is Moving to self-employment Helping businesses improve performance Marketing Making videos Social media Perfectionism – ( It was actually episode 47 !) Not working long hour...
Apr 27, 2022•55 min
Episode 76 – I promised you an episode to listen to at Christmas – and here it is! We’ve taken a look back at what happened in 2021, the episodes, the stuff. Then, we look forward to 2022 and I give you an alternative to New Year’s Resolutions. Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: Moving house and rebuilding the studio New jobs Building the business (have a look if you’re interested): sondevelopment Doing face to face training again Creating my own digital content (have a look...
Dec 22, 2021•33 min
Episode 75 – This is a great conversation. We spoke with Aaron Morton not only about his approach to fitness, nutrition and psychology but also so much more! We learn why, for Aaron, being a personal trainer is not only limited to physical fitness, how to look at your wider lifestyle, and why you may need a crisp strategy. Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: How Aaron helps people with habits: Eating Breathing Sleeping Movement General Physical Preparedness – GPP Specific Phy...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 1 min
Episode 74 – This is a JAM-PACKED conversation. We chatted with Mark Billage from Smartculture.UK about resilience, communication, leadership and loads more. Listen to the end, where we talk about his brand-new book. This one is WELL WORTH an hour of your time! Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: Blue socks! Smart Culture Leadership and culture Joy Communication The 5 Voices Being self-aware Understanding people better The impact of your voice Cross-cultural training Culture ...
Oct 10, 2021•56 min
Episode 73 – In this episode, we chat with Suzy from the Casual Birder podcast. We cover so much stuff and get into a really rich conversation about how Suzy has found herself ‘stuck’ with her productivity and look at some solutions. It’s a great chat! Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: Peach socks! Learning is about a journey not a destination Focusing on today Being confined unlocking joy Loads of helpful systems Trello Notion To-do ist Kanban Checklists Templates Prioriti...
Sep 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Quick update - Not an episode, just an explanation! Yes, we've been gone TOO long. Have a listen to find out more. As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Buy me a coffee (I'd be ever so grateful) * Rate or subscribe on apple podcasts by going here - apple podcasts * Contact us on Twitter - we are @sharppodcast here * Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sharppodcast/ * Share with at us on Instagram - https://www.instagra...
Aug 06, 2021•4 min
Episode 72 – We chat with Casanova Brooks. Casanova has driven himself from poverty and difficulty to significant success. We find out about his inspiration, his world, and how his frame of mind has helped him achieve that success. We get a different perspective here to many of the areas we’ve looked at before. Inspiring stuff! Look at all this stuff we covered in this full episode: Being a parent and how his children inspire him Getting away from trading time for money Growing up with no Dad Wh...
May 16, 2021•57 min
Episode 71 – This is the audio from my recent YouTube video all about the benefits of meditation. It was recorded on location, so the audio is different to the regular episodes. Look at all the stuff we covered in this short episode: The YouTube video this came from Modern meditation doesn’t need candles or the lotus position (unless you want them) Dan Harris and his panic attack live on air How he learned that meditation could help him A bit of science research (it’s actually Martinos centre – ...
Apr 18, 2021•12 min
Episode 70 – We investigate the idea of work-life balance. What is it? Is it really a thing? How do we get it? Look at all this stuff we covered: What really IS work-life balance? Why much of the advice seems to be unhelpful It means different things to different people Three different perspectives from the ‘TED’ stage It is important and urgent for us to solve Work-life balance is a fallacy We could revisit our perspective Steve-In-The-Field’s adverts are definitely unhelpful! What happens if y...
Mar 21, 2021•41 min
Episode 69 - We look ahead at what's coming this year and what our thoughts are for making the podcast EVEN BETTER than it is now. Tell us what you think; we're gonna do a Q&A episode in the future. So ask us your questions in the comments on the website, on social media or by e-mail at [email protected] Look at all this stuff we covered: Moving house Building the new studio Top tips to use ToDoIst with a big project A friend of the show, Laurie, pops in to say hi Our ideas for the co...
Feb 09, 2021•42 min
Episode 68 – We have a look back at 2020. An awful year for many. So we decided to focus on what’s happened with the podcast. There are 3 sections: we look at what changed for ‘sharppodcast’ in 2020, we quickly revisit each episode with a tiny sample, and then end with Steve and Lisa at the table. Look at all this stuff we covered: What’s new for sharppodcast: Making videos New formats for some episodes Covering current subjects Then we do a quick visit to each episode, like a taster menu, but b...
Dec 28, 2020•48 min
Episode 67 - We've collated the best of the resource we've shared on social media in the past few weeks. We're aiming to give you a selection of things to look at for yourself, and hopefully, you'll find something that works for you. Look at all this stuff we covered: Procrastination Time chunks Your 'why' and your 'how' Mindsets and self-sabotage Damaging your brain Dealing with overwhelming to-do lists Recharging Taking things personally Meditation Here are the links to the resource where you ...
Nov 30, 2020•17 min
Episode 66 - If you struggle to get things from your to-do list actually done, then ALPEN is for you. We have a look at this great method... Look at all this stuff we covered: Why it's different from other to-do list methods You don't have to work long hours to be effective Professor Lothar J Seiwert - who is he? Why we don't like the word 'productivity' (again) Two acronyms (depending on your language): Activities Length Plan Buffer Establish Priorities Note Success OR: Aufschreiben Lange schat...
Oct 30, 2020•29 min
Episode 65 - A different approach in this episode. We've collated the best of the resource we've shared on social media in the past few weeks. We're aiming to give you a selection of things to look at for yourself, and hopefully you'll find something that works for you. Look at all this stuff we covered: Brain hacks 3 daily habits Goals Today is unique Stop taking things personally Can we trust our brain Stress and burnout Habits and streaks Doing more Past, present and future Stress Process ins...
Aug 30, 2020•19 min
Episode 64 - Your thinking isn't as rational or balanced as you think. Let us tell you why and how you can be more aware of what's stuffing it up. Look at all this stuff we covered: What cognitive biases are How they affect us Why your brain is SO effective - and that's the problem How not to make a cup of tea Our top 10 chart of biases The difference between sharks, selfies and coconuts THE IDIOT (and his lockdown diary) Here are the links to the resource where you can find out more: Buster Ben...
Aug 03, 2020•45 min
Episode 63 - The final episode in our kind of 'trilogy' on using Todoist. We briefly explore how to use Todoist at an advanced level. We also share great disciplines for managing tasks regardless of whether you use paper, Todoist or something else. Look at all this stuff we covered: We meet Theresa - she's a 'Level 3' kind of person Sharing files - so others can help you with the project Filters - to keep track of everything Needless references to Findus Crispy Pancakes AGAIN The 'Teams Plan' on...
Jun 18, 2020•15 min
Episode 62 - This is a great episode! In our second look at todoist, we move up to Level 2. Our survey said most of you use paper to manage your tasks. Todoist Level '2' could really help YOU too! Look at all this stuff we covered: We meet 'Emma' who has different stuff going on in her life - work stuff, hobby stuff, home stuff - and she manages it all with todo lists on paper and spreadsheets Projects - they're not just for big things like building hospitals Preparing Lucy's birthday celebratio...
May 29, 2020•27 min
Episode 61 - Do you keep your tasks on a post-it note? Or are you happy using technology? We look at how "todoist" can help a range of people across a variety of situations. (Warning - episode features multiple references to Findus Crispy Pancakes.) Look at all this stuff we covered: Amir's story - the brains behind todoist How a 'rootless' upbringing seems to have resulted in a great business ethos If you're using pen and paper what could an app like todoist do for you? Freeing up your mental s...
May 20, 2020•21 min
Episode STP060 - With the whole coronavirus and lock-down thing going on, we wondered how we can help. It turns out there are three areas we know about that could be useful to you. How we do the 'home' thing, deal with change, and learn new things. Look at all this stuff we covered: We chatted at the table and talked about Working from home - this is what can help: Set aside a dedicated area Plan your day with a structure Agree boundaries with the family Set a definite end time to the day Wear s...
Apr 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Episode STP059 - We meet one of my favourite creative people - Laurie Jeffery. He describes himself as a photographer, a filmmaker and a story teller. Look at all this stuff we covered: Treating your commitment to people as important Why quality matters more than Stephen Spielberg How it's hard to find people who care Using great tools Working with good people Sharpening your tools How great calendar skills makes him a great photographer Preparing for the moment of scrutiny Asking for the 'impos...
Mar 22, 2020•1 hr 16 min
As you can tell, this isn't an episode! But it's a request to you, our lovely listener, to share Sharp if you love it. There's all sorts of way you can share this audio: * Copy and past the page this 'episode' is on from the website, into your social media* Share the website 'subscribe' page https://www.sharppodcast.com/subscribe/* If you use a podcatcher - there's usually a 'share episode' option. You could share it:* Direct to a friend in WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, text message* Direct ont...
Feb 16, 2020•1 min
Episode 58 - If you have to remember things, plan things or share things - mind maps can help with that and loads more. We'll tell you how. Look at all this stuff we covered: What mind maps are Where they came from How they work What YOU can use them for Tony Buzan invented mind maps - he was a character 1970's BBC tv That idiot Steve In The Field makes another appearance Our research came from here - find out more: Use Your Head from BBC TV in 1974 How to Mind Map with Tony Buzan Hazel Wagner T...
Jan 29, 2020•36 min
Episode 57 - Because sometimes books are more than books. Don't let the battle of the printed word and the audiobook get you down - you decide. Here are four books we loved reading this year; now it's your turn to enjoy them. Look at all this stuff we covered: Being in the woods near THAT picnic table in the rotten weather 4 Seconds by Peter Bregman Change your habits and your life Dog-earing pages (yep!) The Getting Things Done Workbook by David Allen and Brandon Hall It's like David coming to ...
Dec 24, 2019•31 min
Episode 56 - If you haven't yet discovered how great GTD is, we tell you why - regardless of your age - you should read GTD For Teens. It's an excellent way of getting to know how GTD can work for you. Look at all this stuff we covered: We first covered GTD back in June 2017 in Episode 15 Bruce Lee and David Allen have something in common (now you know why we chose this episode's cover art) Enter The Dragon What having a 'Mind Like Water' means David Allen's Ted Talk including his reference to t...
Aug 17, 2019•26 min
Episode 55 - Would you like an extra week in your year to focus on really important stuff? How about TWO weeks? How about ELEVEN days of fun/important/helpful personal time? Take control of your calendar and you could have that - and more. We show you how. Here's all the good stuff: Forbes.com article on 6 things you should NOT have on your calendar Meetings Back to back appointments Checklists Notes Miniscule tasks Other people's priorities History.com and the Gregorian Calendar Today's date on...
Jun 16, 2019•42 min
No shownotes - just me, telling you, why you've been waiting ages for an episode! As always, we're really grateful for your help in supporting this podcast. To do this you can: * Rate or subscribe at i-tunes by going here - i-tunes * Contact us on Twitter - we are @sharppodcast here * Connect with us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sharppodcast/ * Share with at us on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharppodcast/ * Post comments on the website. This link will take you to home page, a...
May 04, 2019•4 min
Episode 54 - We talk to the whirlwind that is Laura Gassner Otting! With her new book coming out (in April 2019 at time of writing) Laura shares her view on life, what gets in the way, and how we can all enjoy a life without limits! Look at all this stuff we covered: Laura's background and wide range of experience Socks (Isle of Wight of course!) New Year's resolutions Why there will always be a bigger boat How Laura uses her calendar (great tips here) Putting things off GTD "Limitless - How to ...
Feb 24, 2019•54 min
