We go head to head in a battle off: the five things that have genuinely moved the needle for our businesses over the last 25 years. No rehearsed answers, no overlap discussed in advance, just two founders picking apart what actually built the business versus what just felt busy. It's a useful exercise for any owner who wants to get clear on what would hurt most if it disappeared tomorrow.

Key Topics Covered

• Why LinkedIn became Claire's number one channel for leads, and the debate over whether it's actually scalable
• How the smartphone and tools like Claude Code turned Simon into someone building internal software with no coding background
• Using AI as a thought partner to challenge decisions and shortcut the learning curve on things like SEO
• Why Xero opening up its API changed what was possible for both businesses, and what that means for any owner relying on one core piece of software
• Podcasting, AirPods, and self-education as an underrated growth lever
• The apprenticeship levy as a way to attract and train talent without competing purely on salary
• What COVID-19 actually taught them about steady growth versus sudden windfalls, and why "predictable" isn't always what it's cracked up to be

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Most business owners have never heard of the apprenticeship levy, and it's costing them thousands of pounds in training they could be getting for free or close to it. In this episode, Claire and Simon explain exactly how the levy works, why it isn't just for school leavers, and how any business, including the owner themselves, can use it to fund everything from AI upskilling to a full charter accountancy qualification.

Key topics covered:

• What the apprenticeship levy actually is and who pays into it
• Why small businesses can access the fund without ever paying into it themselves
• The difference between funding for under-25s and over-25s, and what that means for cost
• How short, modular courses now sit alongside longer professional qualifications
• Real examples of courses available right now, from AI implementation to sales and operations
• Why training providers handle almost all of the admin, and what's actually required from you as the employer

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Most business owners only track the time between issuing an invoice and getting paid, and wonder why cash still feels tight. In this episode, Claire Hancott breaks down the customer journey cash cycle: the full picture of how long money is actually out of your business before it comes back in. If you're spending on marketing, taking on new work, or thinking about scaling up, this episode shows you exactly what you need to know before you commit more cash.

Key topics covered:

• Why invoice-to-cash (your DSO) is only one small part of the real cash flow picture
• The four stages of the customer journey cash cycle, from lead generation to cash in the bank
• How to calculate your own cash cycle in days, and why that number matters more as you grow
• Why slow invoicing is one of the easiest and most costly gaps to fix in any business
• How to use your cash cycle number to work out exactly how much spare cash you need before ramping up marketing spend
• Why this calculation becomes essential when raising funding or approaching investors

⭐ Rate, Review & Share this episode with fellow business owners, and let's grow together!

⭐ Take the Finance Fitness Scorecard https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/finance-fitness-score

⭐ Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get Expert Advice Straight to Your Inbox: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/subscribe

⭐ Get a Free copy of Claire's book Profit By Numbers: https://www.profitcashgrowth.com/book

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Website

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook

ABOUT THE HOST:

Claire Hancott through Profit Cash Growth helps 7 & 8 figure business owners to increase their profit, improve their cashflow and grow their business using their numbers.

As a finance director & chartered management accountant, Claire has nearly 20 years’ experience in finance and running businesses of her own. This gives her a unique insight into the information and support business owners need to grow a financially successful business.

Claire passionately believes that every business should be run by the numbers because the numbers in your business are telling you a story about what is and isn’t working and where your opportunities lie. Claire’s mission is to provide insightful management accounts, reports and advice to business owners and support them to make smarter decisions.

*The content of this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.