In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Jane Fryatt, HR Consultant at Face2Face HR to discuss the role of HR in creating a positive work environment and how successful HR enables employees to do successful work, fostering innovation and creativity, creating a safe space for raising concerns. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: Understanding HR and best practices Attracting and retaining talent How to handle difficult conversations Implementing...
Nov 03, 2023•25 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Regina Johnys, co-founder of Databasix, to discuss the importance of data protection. With practical advice and insights, Regina shares her expertise on managing personal data, complying with data protection regulations, and protecting sensitive information. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: The introduction of GDPR Guidance on how businesses can approach data protection Data usage transparency Staff t...
Oct 06, 2023•32 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Jamie Knight , Business Development Executive at Fidelity Energy Ltd, to discuss the commercial energy sector and how business can successfully navigate it to combat rising energy prices. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: The factors affecting energy prices How an energy broker can save your business money The future of the energy market More about the guest: Jamie Knight is a Business Development Exec...
Sep 01, 2023•27 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Samantha Harman , a Style Coach and Editor-In-Chief, about the impact of clothing on personal branding and business success. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: Unconscious bias in the workplace The importance of confidence Your wardrobe's relation to business success More about the guest: Samantha Harman is a Style and Confidence Coach, helping ambitious women finally quit their imposter syndrome, stop ...
Aug 04, 2023•30 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Mike Woodward, founder and director of Opera Anywhere to discuss the arts in Oxfordshire and the impact of COVID on the sector. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: The importance of flexibility in business Collaborating with the community Overcoming the difficulties of running an arts business More about the guest: Mike Woodward initially started Opera Anywhere back in 2000. With its beginnings as a way ...
Jul 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Sabiene North , CEO of Be Free Young Carers to discuss their work to support young carers in Oxfordshire. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: The work that goes into running a small charity Charities and the cost of living crisis How businesses can support local charities More about the guest: Following a 22-year career in Wealth Management, Sabiene joined Be Free Young Carers in March 2020 before taking...
Jun 02, 2023•26 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Emma Finneron , owner and managing director of ByEmmaJaneInteriors as they discuss her work within interior design, her prestigious awards within the sector and the importance of tailoring services to the client. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: The positive impact of interior design Finding solutions to client issues Interior design client motivators How awards can benefit a business Working within a...
May 05, 2023•25 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by James Craddock , owner of Get Support IT Services and Get Radio as they discuss the importance of cyber-security and how Get Support IT Services can assist your business. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: How Microsoft 365 can benefit your business. The importance of owning a web domain. Anti-virus and Endpoint Detection Response software. BitLocker and Encrypting your data. More about the guest: James...
Apr 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Mike Foster , the Entrepreneur's Mentor as they discuss Mike's experience as a business owner, the role of the entrepreneur and the importance of talking to a business coach. Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on this and more: What actually is an entrepreneur? The benefits of a business coach How much should I have in reserves for my business? The business model canvas More about the guest: Mike Foster is a business men...
Mar 03, 2023•28 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of the Oxford Business Podcast, Ben is joined by Dylis Guyan, an International Sales and Leadership Expert, as she shares her story, advice and experience in the world of sales, including the importance of loving what you do, understanding what your clients need and the necessities of appropriate training for leadership roles. The importance of loving what you do The necessity of training for leadership roles How to identify your ideal client The importance of a client central ap...
Feb 03, 2023•34 min•Ep. 11
This week Ben explores how successful businesses can overcome difficulties, both professional and personal to strive for success. In this episode, Ben speaks with Mary Thomas of Concise Training and Concise Digital, Nick Mason of Wagner Mason Accountants and Howard Feather of Howard Feather Business Advisors. What makes a successful small business The digital channels that will help your business How to counteract issues confronted by small businesses When to outsource work The importance of a s...
Nov 04, 2022•28 min•Ep. 10
First came the great resignation, and now we have quiet quitting. Why are employees becoming increasingly dissatisfied with their work, and what can employers do to retain their staff? In this episode, Mike speaks with Paul Hayward of Blake Morgan and Jane Fryatt of Face2faceHR. The rise of quiet quitting How businesses can retain employees The importance of communicating with your team Focusing on output not input Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on those topics. Guests: Paul Haywa...
Oct 07, 2022•26 min•Ep. 9
As in-person meetings have returned in this post-pandemic world, how can networking events help businesses grow their client base and how can these businesses get the most out of such events? In this episode, Ben speaks with Matt Eastland-Jones of Story Ninety Four, Ted Yeates of Kept Assets Limited and James Constable of Get Support IT Services. The importance of networking Building trust with clients Utilising networking to build a brand online The benefits of podcasting for B2B purposes How n...
Sep 09, 2022•27 min•Ep. 8
The pandemic brought on many changes to businesses. One of the most significant was the change from office life to working from home. With the pandemic now behind us, how has the workforce changed and adapted post-pandemic? In this episode, Ben speaks with Katie Aldridge of The HR Dept Newbury, Darren Aston of Aston & James, and Paul Mabbutt of Jennings. The 2022 office Are businesses working from home or back in the office? Has the demand for offices changed? What can employers do to ensure...
Aug 05, 2022•30 min•Ep. 7
What are the different ways to raise finance in 2022 to fund your growing business? In this episode, Mike speaks with Tracy Smart of The Smart Team, and Sam Jones of NGI Finance. Current climate with raising finance Different ways to raise finance How to prepare for financing your business Tips for better forecasting Listen to the podcast to hear expert insights on those topics. Guests: Tracy Smart: Finance Director and Founder of The Smart Team, Tracy is passionate about making a difference &am...
Jul 01, 2022•27 min•Ep. 6
In this episode, Mike speaks with Nick Hughes from Dynamic Coach Group, Jenny Gordon from Jenuine Consulting Ltd, and Ian Farrington from Prodevuk. When do you know you need coaching and development? How important is development to career progression? How has the pandemic altered coaching? Listen to the podcast to hear expert answers to those questions. Guests: Nick Hughes: Dynamic Coach is driven to improving your revenue streams and profit margins and as such we have developed our sales traini...
Jun 10, 2022•30 min•Ep. 5
In this episode, Ben speaks with Tim Wraith the Corporate & Community Partnerships Manager at Sobell House, Jamie Miller the CEO of Headway Oxfordshire, and Anne Cooper the Senior Fundraiser at Cecily's Fund. How can businesses work with charities? What are the benefits of volunteering with charities? Why do charities need to start behaving more like businesses? Listen to the podcast to hear expert answers to those questions. Guests: Tim Wraith: As the Corporate & Community Partnerships ...
May 06, 2022•26 min•Ep. 4
In this episode, Mike speaks with Marc Kavanagh founder of MK Mortgages and Michael Pawley founder of Proficio Solutions. What are the current concerns around finance in 2022? How do you raise finance for your business? How does being self-employeed affect your ability to get a mortage? How far in advance do you need to prepare your finances for lending? Listen to the podcast to hear expert answers to those questions. Guests: Marc Kavanagh: Formerly a member of the Scots Guard Band, Marc founded...
Apr 01, 2022•27 min•Ep. 3
Scaling your business is a challenge that many business owners face. How do you transition from a sole trader to larger opperation with multiple employees and departments? In this episode, Ben speaks with Cath Convery of Explosive Learning Solutions, Tracy Smart of The Smart Team, and Sam Jones of NGI Finance. What steps are needed to scale a business? How can borrowing support and finance your growth? How important is getting recuitment right first time? What support is out there for business o...
Mar 04, 2022•29 min•Ep. 2
Effective marketing is key for the success of any business. But creating a successful marketing strategy is harder than it looks, and it's one area that many businesses get wrong. In this episode, Mike speaks with Sally Green of YMS, Mike Duerden of Urban Element, and Josh Cox of Prystine Web Solutions. How can businesses best consider their marketing strategy? How do businesses decide on their marketing channels? How do you create trust with clients? How much money should businesses spend on ma...
Feb 03, 2022•25 min•Ep. 1
