Small Business Talk Cathy Smith Small Business Talk

To Niche or Not. In episode 219 of Small Business Talk, the discussion centers around the concept of "niching" in business. The episode begins by questioning whether to niche or not, considering the implications of either restricting your audience or attempting to help everyone. The host emphasizes that while it might seem beneficial to cater to everyone, this approach can complicate marketing efforts. Instead, they suggest focusing on one "ideal client" - a person you are familiar with, whose problems you understand deeply. This strategy allows for more targeted communication, using language that resonates with that specific individual. The episode further explains that marketing to a broader audience dilutes your message, similar to adding too much water to cordial. A more concentrated approach, targeting a specific individual or avatar, makes your message clearer and more compelling. It's stressed that this doesn't necessarily limit your audience; rather, by appealing strongly to one group, you attract others who can relate to your messaging. The concept of niching is likened to the growth of Facebook, which started in a single university dorm and expanded globally. The idea is that starting with a specific focus doesn't limit growth potential but can actually facilitate it. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to try being more specific in their marketing and to enjoy their business journey.

How to improve customer experience for repeat and referral business. In episode 218 of Small Business Talk, Cathy Smith chats with Bill Nikolouzakis, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Levels Growth Consultants. They delve into the crucial topic of enhancing customer experience for repeat and referral business. Bill shares his rich entrepreneurial journey, including his venture into consultancy to bring corporate-level strategies to small businesses. Key discussion points include understanding and exceeding customer expectations, transforming clients into active promoters, and the importance of viewing service delivery through the customers' eyes. Bill also touches on the concept of service quality exceeding expectations, using real-life examples from his career to illustrate how this approach leads to sustainable business growth. The conversation offers practical advice for small business owners on improving customer service, handling feedback, and the art of communication. It wraps up with a quick-fire round where Bill imparts valuable business wisdom, including his favourite book and the best advice he's received. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to enhance their customer experience and drive business growth through satisfaction and referrals. Listen to episode 218 of Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith, brought to you by CATCO Enterprises for all the details.

Building Strong Client Relationships is Key to Success,In Episode 217 of Small Business Talk, Cathy Smith explores the essential principles of building and maintaining strong client relationships, a key factor in the success of coaching and small business ventures. Cathy emphasizes the importance of active listening, which involves deeply understanding clients' needs, concerns, and feedback. This approach fosters trust and a deeper connection. Consistent communication is highlighted as crucial for keeping clients informed and building a relationship based on reliability. Cathy advises on the strategy of underpromising and overdelivering to exceed client expectations, enhancing their perception of your dedication and reliability. Personalisation in business interactions is stressed as a necessity, with Cathy explaining how tailoring your approach to each client's unique challenges and goals can strengthen the relationship. Transparency is another key principle discussed, with an emphasis on being open and honest, even when delivering challenging news. This builds trust and client loyalty. Anticipating clients' needs and addressing them proactively is also covered, demonstrating a commitment to their success and preventing potential misunderstandings. Cathy discusses the importance of seeking and acting on client feedback. This practice is essential for continuous improvement and shows clients that their opinions are valued and integral to the business. Cathy wraps up by reiterating that these strategies are not just beneficial but critical for building lasting, meaningful client relationships that can propel a small business or coaching venture to long-term success. Episode 217 of Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith, brought to you by CATCO Enterprises.

How to overcome imposter syndrome in your everydaylife and business with Cathy Smith and Sheila Buswell. Imposter syndrome is the feeling you get when you feel that you’re just not enough, so it’s self-doubt but in certain roles, that self-doubt can hinder your professional growth and experience. In episode 216, Cathy Smith and special guest Shiela Buswell discuss this important topic. You feel like you don’t belong where you are and it affects people in a myriad of different ways. It can last an instant or it can last a breath of years and most people experience this over their career. It’s something that affects people differently, so there’s not one way to explain it but generally speaking, it feels just like that. Imposter syndrome influences people in more areas than you can think of. For example, if you are working in a man filled industry, you’ll be told that you are too feminine. You might not be feminine at all but when you are around other women, you don’t feel feminine enough. So, there are a lot of ways Imposter syndrome can affect people. Listen to episode 216 of Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith, brought to you by CATCO Enterprises Imposter syndrome is the feeling you get when you feel that you’re just not enough, so it’s self-doubt but in certain roles, that self-doubt can hinder your professional growth and experience. In episode 216, Cathy Smith and special guest Shiela Buswell discuss this important topic. You feel like you don’t belong where you are and it affects people in a myriad of different ways. It can last an instant or it can last a breath of years and most people experience this over their career. It’s something that affects people differently, so there’s not one way to explain it but generally speaking, it feels just like that. Imposter syndrome influences people in more areas than you can think of. For example, if you are working in a man filled industry, you’ll be told that you are too feminine. You might not be feminine at all but when you are around other women, you don’t feel feminine enough. So, there are a lot of ways Imposter syndrome can affect people. Listen to episode 216 of Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith, brought to you by CATCO Enterprises.

Who Do You Need to Be In Episode 215 of the Small Business Talk podcast, Cathy Smith discusses the challenges faced by professionals transitioning into coaching roles. The episode, titled "Who Do You Need to Be?", delves into the complexities of identity and the struggle some face when letting go of their previous professional titles. Cathy emphasizes that becoming a coach is not just about mastering the skills but also reshaping one's identity and self-belief. She encourages embracing personal experiences and histories as unique value propositions in a crowded coaching market. The episode underscores the power of vulnerability, storytelling, and authenticity in building trust with clients. Cathy advises against trying to fit a mould and stresses the importance of carving out one's authentic path in the coaching world. Listen to Episode 215 of Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith brought you by CATCO Enterprises.

Scaling Small Business with Cathy Smith and Anton Harrison-Kern. In Episode 214 of Small Business Talk, host Cathy Smith welcomes special guest Anton Harrison Kern for an insightful discussion on scaling small businesses. Cathy sets the stage by mentioning the show's recent focus on future-proofing businesses, making this episode on scaling a fitting sequel. Anton, an entrepreneur with extensive experience managing between 11 and 30 businesses, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Anton kicks off by stressing the importance of organic growth, cautioning listeners against the pitfalls of having too much startup capital, which can lead to wasteful spending. He explains his endorsement of the "Profit First" model, which prioritises profitability from the get-go. Cathy, who shares her enthusiasm for the model, adds that listeners can find more details in previous episodes and in the show notes. As the conversation unfolds, both Cathy and Anton agree that marketing and sales are paramount when it comes to scaling. Anton introduces a novel concept, the 1-to-1 marketing spend, explaining how each dollar spent on marketing should generate at least a dollar in revenue. This approach also allows for the building of a customer list, which becomes an invaluable asset for future marketing efforts. Anton highlights that creating value at every price point is crucial for customer retention and upselling, a sentiment strongly seconded by Cathy. They discuss how even low-cost items should provide high value to the customer, setting the stage for them to move to higher-priced products. Finally, Anton reveals one of the most overlooked aspects of scaling: the existing customer base. He argues that companies often focus too much on acquiring new customers and neglect the goldmine that is their current clientele. According to Anton, the key to successful scaling is to continuously offer new and valuable products to existing customers, thereby enhancing customer loyalty and increasing sales. This episode of Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith and Anton Harrison Kern serves as a comprehensive guide to scaling small businesses, offering both practical advice and innovative strategies that are rooted in real-world experience. Small Business Talk with Cathy Smith Brought to you by CATCO Enterprises.