The Business Strategist With Adam Strong

Adam Strong
  • 4.9 (29)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

The Business Strategist is the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs, founders and business owners looking to scale, grow, and exit their businesses successfully. Hosted by Adam Strong, an award-winning strategist with over 30 years of industry experience and three times best selling author. Each episode delivers actionable business advice, practical tools, and insights to help you build a thriving enterprise. Whether you want to master leadership, craft a winning exit strategy, or implement proven scaling techniques, this podcast has you covered. With expert interviews, real-world case studies, and a focus on achieving business freedom, the business strategist is your go-to resource for taking your business to the next level. Tune in every week for new episodes designed to inspire, educate, and empower your entrepreneurial journey. Adam's Contact details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong Is your business ready to run without you? Take the 2-minute Exit Readiness Assessment — a fast, strategic scorecard for founders who want to scale, sell, or step back without becoming the bottleneck. Get instant insights across leadership, systems, marketing, and more. Click here to take the assessment: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com

  1. 5d ago

    How to Grow on LinkedIn With AI (Without Sounding Like AI)

    Could AI be the reason my LinkedIn content still sounds like everyone else’s? I’ve been trying to get Charlie Hills on the show for well over a year and this conversation was worth every bit of the wait. Charlie built one of the biggest audiences on LinkedIn while admitting he was never a natural writer, and the way he did it isn’t what most people would expect. By the end he turns the spotlight on my own profile, and what he picked up on is something you’ll want to check on yours straight after listening. Charlie Hills is a LinkedIn creator and AI content strategist with over 160,000 followers who helps founders grow their audience and turn attention into sales and partnerships. In this episode Why context now beats clever promptsThe AI privacy risk in your connected toolsThe CHEF framework for content that sounds like youWhen lead magnet posts build trust and when they burn itA live LinkedIn profile audit you can stealInterested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-hills/ ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    How to Grow on LinkedIn With AI (Without Sounding Like AI)

  2. Oct 22

    Why Buyers Pay Less for Businesses That Sound the Same

    Why would anyone pay more for your business when it sounds exactly like the firm down the road? I sat down with my good friend Les Evans for his return to the show, and this one turned into a proper masterclass. We got into the hidden cost of sounding like everyone else in your industry, why it drags down what a buyer will pay when you sell, and what a soap brand, a guitar maker and a law firm handing out free coffee can teach you about standing out.  If you’ve ever read your own website and wondered why it sounds like your competitor’s, grab a notebook for this one. Les is the author of Uncopyable, has worked with founders in over 25 countries and once ran a $100 million investment fund. In this episode The sameness tax and what it costs you at exitHow brand can add two or three to your multipleThe one line that turned a fund manager into a bank robberHow a law firm grew 400% without changing the law it practisedThe question that exposes what you’re really sellingInterested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST Website: https://reallesevans.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesevansofficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/les-evans-uncopyable/ ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    Why Buyers Pay Less for Businesses That Sound the Same

  3. Oct 15

    Feeling Stuck in Business? Your Habits Are the Reason

    My business isn’t held back by the market, the economy or my team, and I’d bet yours isn’t either. So why does nothing change when I already know exactly what needs to change? I sat down with Dr Michael Hagemann to work out why founders who know they need to change still don’t, and before long I was the one in the coaching seat. We got into why the habits that built your business can quietly hold it back, why people don’t really resist change so much as they resist being changed, and the slightly uncomfortable exercise that showed me what I’m actually chasing.  If you’ve ever set a big goal and looked back twelve months later to find nothing had moved, this one is for you. My guest Dr Michael Hagemann is a change and transformation leader at a global multinational, founder of Transformationdoc and author of two books on leadership and change. In this episode Why people resist being changed, not change itselfThe real reason founders never follow through on the planHow to build your change muscle with one small daily habitThe DOC framework for reinventing how you leadThe eulogy exercise that reveals what you really wantInterested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ Timestamps 00:00 Why good businesses stall 03:00 From priest to change leader 08:22 People resist being changed, not change 10:49 The real reasons we resist change 15:03 Knowing you need to change but staying stuck 18:39 Why the plan never gets followed through 20:27 How your brain keeps you in a rut 23:48 How to train your change muscle 34:40 The DOC framework for getting unstuck 42:25 Live coaching: why my goals keep stalling 53:46 The eulogy exercise 58:39 The MIC method for changing your team 1:03:32 Final thoughts ABOUT THE GUEST https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-hagemann-20359156 ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    Feeling Stuck in Business? Your Habits Are the Reason

  4. Oct 8

    How to Sell Your Business When the Brand Is You

    For years I've heard founders being told to build their personal brand, so why does my guest believe it's the worst thing you can do if you ever want to sell your business? This conversation puts my guest at odds with Daniel Priestley and half of LinkedIn, and I wanted to find out why. We talk about the difference between brand and branding, why buyers hunt for undervalued businesses the way a dealer looks for a Picasso at a car boot sale, and the one asset Stevey says nobody can replace once you've sold. If you run a professional services firm and you've ever wondered whether your name is holding up the valuation, listen before a buyer asks you that question. My guest Stevey Arroyo started on the creative side, learning his craft at a studio in Australia whose clients included Apple. He now works on the deal side, putting a number on what a brand is worth when a business is sold. He also hosts The Brand Exit podcast, where he talks to founders and buyers about what makes a business worth more. Value bombs Why your personal brand could be the biggest risk in your exitBrand versus branding, and why only one shows up in your valuationHow buyers use arbitrage to buy low and sell highThe three things a buyer checks before making an offerWhat to do if you've spent years building your own profileInterested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST www.linkedin.com/in/steveyarroyo www.linkedin.com/company/the-brand-exit   https://www.instagram.com/stevey.arroyo/ https://www.instagram.com/the.brand.exit https://www.thebrandexit.co.uk/ ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    How to Sell Your Business When the Brand Is You

  5. Oct 1

    Why Culture Adds Millions to Your Business Valuation

    What if two businesses with the same revenue and the same profit went to market, and one sold for millions more than the other? I've watched it happen more times than I can count, and the reason never shows up anywhere on the balance sheet. Alex Brueckmann has been a good friend of mine for the best part of five years, and this is the third time he's joined me on the show.  This time we tackle the question most founders never think to ask until a buyer is already sitting across the table: why will an investor happily pay more for one business than another when the numbers look almost identical?  Alex sits on both sides of that table, advising founders and investing in businesses himself, so he knows exactly what makes a buyer lean in and what quietly sends them walking. Towards the end I asked him to coach me through my own exit plan, and the very first question he put to me is one I think every founder planning to sell should be able to answer before they go anywhere near a deal. Alex is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Strategy Legacy and creator of the Nine Elements of Organisational Identity framework.  Value bombs Why identical profits can sell at very different pricesThe dead body in the closet that kills dealsHow buyers read your culture in due diligenceWhy alignment is a dangerous word in your boardroomWhere to start if you plan to exit in the next 24 to 36 monthsInterested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderbrueckmann  Website: www.AlexBrueckmann.com ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    Why Culture Adds Millions to Your Business Valuation

  6. Sep 24

    How To Buy An Online Business (From A $120M Broker)

    Would you rather spend three years building a business from scratch, or buy one that's already paying out every month? There's a whole market most founders never see. Websites, SaaS tools and digital products change hands every single day, some of them for millions. I sat down with someone who's brokered over $120 million of these deals. We got into what buyers are really paying for, why two businesses making identical profit can sell for double the price, and the million dollar purchase that went to zero overnight. I'm joined by Mike Swigunski, employee number four at Empire Flippers, the world's largest marketplace for buying and selling online businesses. He helped grow it to a 100 person remote team, brokered over $120 million in acquisitions, and is a number one bestselling author and TEDx speaker.  He's now building Dividends, a platform that lets everyday investors own a share of cash flowing online businesses. Value Bombs  The five checks that stop a business collapsing overnightWhy equal profit can mean a 2x difference in priceThe £1M lesson one first time buyer learned the hard wayHow service firms can bolt on recurring revenueWhy the best offer doesn't always win the dealInterested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST #1 Bestselling Book: https://globalcareerbook.com Dividends Raise: https://wefunder.com/dividends Dividends Website: https://dividendscapital.com TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/MQpotNI5NvQ?si=vBq41Ts_io6eIbHV Instagram: https://instagram.com/mikeswigunski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeswigunski YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MikeSwigunski Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swigunski ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    How To Buy An Online Business (From A $120M Broker)

  7. Sep 17

    The Exit Most Business Owners Never Reach

    For years I was convinced I had built a real business. So why did the whole thing fall apart the second I stepped away from it? Over 52% of business owners have no exit plan, and with the biggest wealth transfer in history already underway, that window is closing fast. In this episode, I had the privilege of appearing on James Lamb’s podcast called ‘The Ownership Journey, where I break down how to build a business that runs without you, the kind of company acquirers actually want to buy, so you can sell on your own terms and the exact blueprint to maximise valuation 2-3 years before exiting.  I share why founder dependency is the biggest drag on your valuation, how an exit plan exposes the gaps in your company, and the mindset shifts that break the revenue ceilings trapping most entrepreneurs. I also go back to my own story, from elite distance runner to McDonald's manager to advisor, and why healthy high performance beat the hustle that was burning me out. Five key takeaways Why what you own might be a job, not a businessWhy founder dependency is the biggest drag on your business valuationHow an exit plan exposes the gaps holding your company backThe mindset shifts that break through revenue ceilingsWhy rest and recovery drive high performance more than hustle Timestamps (00:00) Introduction(01:49) The Exit Planning Crisis: Why 52% of Founders Have No Plan(03:13) My Athletic Roots: Training Alongside Mo Farah(08:47) From McDonald's Manager to Business Coach(14:18) How to Build a 400+ Episode Podcast That Lasts(21:25) Founder Dependency: The Biggest Drag on Business Valuation(30:48) The LAPS Framework for Tracking Business Metrics(37:17) Hustle Culture vs Healthy High Performance(43:05) A Holistic Approach to Exit Strategy for Business Owners(46:29) Breaking Through Business Growth Ceilings at Every Revenue Level(52:22) Lead Generation, LinkedIn Strategy, and Business Acquisition(01:05:52) What a Successful Exit Really Looks Like(01:08:58) Overcoming the Fear of Being Insignificant(01:12:53) Creating Your Own Economy: Build a Business That Runs Without You Interested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong ABOUT THE HOST James Lamb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslambuk/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ownership-journey/id1882591694

  8. Sep 10

    The No Money Down Business Acquisition Playbook

    What if the smartest growth move you could make this year was buying the competitor that keeps stealing your clients? And what if I could do it with none of my own money? I got Jeremy Harbour back on the show and this one shifted how I think about growing my own business. We got into why buying a competitor beats trying to out market them, why most owners quietly wind their business down instead of selling, and the low key way to open that first conversation without spooking anyone.  Jeremy is a Wall Street Journal best selling author and founder of the Harbour Club, the largest M&A community of its kind. He closes one to two acquisition deals every month. Value bombs  Why 92% of small businesses never sell, and how that becomes your openingThe buyer pyramid that quietly doubles what a business is worthHow to spot a competitor worth buying in the first conversationTurning red flags into leverage for a no money down dealThe consulting to equity route into your first acquisition Interested in freeing yourself in the business? Take the exit ready diagnostics test and identify the gaps in your growth and scale model. Go here: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com/ ABOUT THE GUEST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyharbour/  Website: https://www.harbourclubevents.com ABOUT THE HOST LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong Website: ⁠https://adamstrong.net⁠ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong

    The No Money Down Business Acquisition Playbook
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About

The Business Strategist is the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs, founders and business owners looking to scale, grow, and exit their businesses successfully. Hosted by Adam Strong, an award-winning strategist with over 30 years of industry experience and three times best selling author. Each episode delivers actionable business advice, practical tools, and insights to help you build a thriving enterprise. Whether you want to master leadership, craft a winning exit strategy, or implement proven scaling techniques, this podcast has you covered. With expert interviews, real-world case studies, and a focus on achieving business freedom, the business strategist is your go-to resource for taking your business to the next level. Tune in every week for new episodes designed to inspire, educate, and empower your entrepreneurial journey. Adam's Contact details LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamistrong YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/adamstrong Is your business ready to run without you? Take the 2-minute Exit Readiness Assessment — a fast, strategic scorecard for founders who want to scale, sell, or step back without becoming the bottleneck. Get instant insights across leadership, systems, marketing, and more. Click here to take the assessment: https://readytoexit.scoreapp.com

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