In this insightful episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with Jamie Beaumont, the CEO of Plata, a company revolutionizing the way small businesses manage their cash flow. Jamie shares his journey from the recruitment industry to founding Plata, highlighting the challenges and solutions small businesses face when dealing with cash flow issues.

The conversation dives deep into the common cash flow problems that many entrepreneurs encounter, such as late invoice payments and difficulties in securing funding from traditional banks. Jamie discusses how Plata's innovative financial solutions are designed to help businesses pay their bills later and get paid faster, thereby easing the cash flow crunch.

Whether you’re a startup struggling with liquidity or an established business looking to optimize your cash management, this episode is packed with practical advice and real-world examples that can help you navigate the financial hurdles in your business.

Highlights:

- The importance of managing cash flow for business sustainability.

- Jamie’s personal journey from a recruitment entrepreneur to the fintech space.

- Common cash flow challenges faced by small businesses.

- Innovative solutions Plata offers to help businesses manage their finances more effectively.

- The role of technology in streamlining financial processes for SMEs.

Quotes:

Paul Avins:

1. "I think it can be really confusing sometimes to be an entrepreneur because you look at the data, and even though your business might be turning a profit on paper, there's very little cash in the bank at the end of the month."

2. "The ability to access capital quickly is a skill, and the power of your network plays a crucial role in finding solutions that traditional banks often overlook."

Jamie Beaumont:

1. "We want to leave every business at the end of every single month with more cash in their bank to do whatever they want to do with, whether it's investments or just peace of mind."

2. "Our mantra is to help slow the flow of money leaving your business and help speed the flow of money coming in, providing a more stable cash flow for small businesses."

Follow and connect with us:

- Follow Jamie Beaumont on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiebeaumont/)

- Connect with Paul Avins on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/)

- Learn more about Plata and their financial solutions at [Playter's Website](https://www.playter.co)

In this episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins is joined by customer service expert and keynote speaker Geoff Ramm to delve into the critical role that customer service plays in business growth.

Geoff, known for his groundbreaking work on "Celebrity Service," shares invaluable insights into how businesses can transform their customer service practices to not only meet but exceed expectations.

Highlights:

- Introduction to Celebrity Service: Geoff Ramm introduces the concept of "Celebrity Service," explaining its origin and how treating every customer like a celebrity can create unforgettable experiences and boost customer loyalty.

- Why Customer Service Matters: The discussion highlights the direct correlation between excellent customer service and business growth. Geoff emphasizes that outstanding service leads to higher customer retention rates, increased referrals, and ultimately, greater profitability.

- Common Pitfalls in Customer Service: Geoff and Paul explore why many businesses fail to prioritize customer service, often treating t as an afterthought rather than a fundamental aspect of their operations.

- Real-world Examples: Through engaging anecdotes, Geoff illustrates the significant impact of small, thoughtful gestures in enhancing customer satisfaction and driving positive word-of-mouth.

- Practical Strategies for Improvement: Geoff provides actionable tips for businesses to elevate their customer service standards. He stresses the importance of consistency, attentiveness, and creating a service culture that permeates the entire organization.

Quotes:

- From the Host, Paul Avins:

- "I've always said profit is a direct result of repeat customers."

- "Too often, great service is down to one or two individuals who innovate it rather than it

being across a whole company."

- From the Guest, Geoff Ramm:

- "If you are not being tagged into the posts based on the service experience you are giving,

you are not giving a service experience worthy of being tagged into."

- "We need to change our mindset to a celebrity service mindset, redesign and redefine our

levels of service."

- Join us at the Scale Up Summit 2024:

Discover more about how to revolutionize your customer service by attending the Scale Up Summit.

Visit [Scale Up Summit](https://scaleupsummit.co.uk) to grab your tickets now.

- Follow Us on Social Media:

- [Paul Avins on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/)

- [Geoff Ramm on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/customerservicespeaker/)

- [Paul Avins on Instagram] (https://www.linkedin.com/in/customerservicespeaker/)

In this enlightening episode of The Grown UP Business Podcast, host Paul Avins sits down with Marianne Page, an expert in business systems and processes, and a former executive with over 27 years at McDonald's.

Marianne shares her invaluable insights on how implementing effective systems can be a game-changer for businesses looking to scale up.

Key Themes:

1. The Power of Systems in Scaling a Business: Marianne explains how systems and processes are the backbone of any successful scaling strategy.Drawing from her extensive experience at McDonald's, she illustrates how a well-implemented system can create consistency, improve efficiency, and drive growth.

2. Building a Systematic Approach: The conversation delves into the importance of creating a blueprint for success. Marianne emphasizes the need for businesses to develop repeatable and scalable processes that ensure high performance and reliability across all operations.

3. The Four Types of Systems: Marianne introduces the concept of the four critical systems every business needs:

- Sexy Systems: These are your marketing and sales processes that attract and convert

customers.

- Security Systems: Financial and data management systems that protect the business.

- Service Systems: Operational systems that ensure the delivery of your product or

service meets customer expectations.

- Sticky Systems: HR systems that focus on hiring, training, and providing feedback to

ensure team cohesion and performance.

4. Real-World Examples and Practical Advice: Using real-world examples from her tenure at McDonald's and her consulting experience, Marianne provides actionable advice on how to start building and refining these systems in your own business.

Quotes:

- Paul Avins: "Simple scales, complex fails. Systems are at the heart of simplifying things."

- Marianne Page: "Businesses aren't very good at systems, but systems are the foundation that creativity can be built on."

- Paul Avins: "If you don't have visibility of numbers as you scale, managing cash becomes a critical skill set."

- Marianne Page: "Train the team member to do their job really well and develop the person to fulfill their potential."

Follow Paul on Social Media:

- [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulavins/)

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/paulavins/)

Follow and connect with Marianne Paige:

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannepage/)