People of Performance Podcast

Manchester SEO (MCR SEO Ltd)

Connecting Technical Expertise with Human Stories! A podcast for business owners. We interview business owners about their business, how they got into it, how they grew their business, the challenges now and in the future. We also here their advice for other business owners, using their experience and everything they have learnt and been through over the years to give the viewers some valuable insights that they may be able to learn from. We've learnt a lot doing and we hope you learn something too.

  1. 4d ago

    Rob Lee - Motorsport Marshaling, A Life In Orange, and the Volunteer Community Behind Racing - Ep112

    Beyond the Overalls: Rob Lee on Motorsport Marshaling, A Life In Orange, and the Volunteer Community Behind RacingJames Crisall welcomes Rob Lee to The People of Performance podcast to discuss motorsport marshaling and Rob’s platform A Life In Orange (ALIO), named after the orange overalls worn by marshals. Rob explains how he began marshaling in 2010, shifted from engineering to journalism, and identified a gap in coverage of the marshaling community, leading to writing and later podcasting. He outlines how marshals get involved, the unpaid volunteer nature of the role, required Motorsport UK training, and how safety procedures vary by level and country under FIA guidance. Rob shares standout experiences from Oulton Park, F1, Le Mans, Spa, and Sebring, plus his favourite events including Race of Remembrance. He describes ALIO’s evolution (https://www.youtube.com/@A_Life_In_Orange), new podcast format spotlighting individual marshals, ongoing articles with an editor, and future plans for documentaries and live shows.00:00 Welcome and guest intro00:36 What Life In Orange means01:05 How Rob started marshaling03:00 Getting involved and volunteering04:23 Training and safety basics05:40 Learning on the job08:05 Rules and global standards09:50 Race day roles and track limits11:17 Rebooting the podcast concept12:52 Spotlighting marshal stories14:47 Favourite events and highlights17:23 International events and community20:01 Dream Tracks Wishlist21:02 Beyond F1 Motorsport Paths21:51 Podcast Guests And Stories25:15 Marshaling Best Moments28:15 Blogging Team And New Angles29:43 Tech Making Marshaling Easier31:37 Articles That Hit Home35:25 Future Plans And Live Shows39:38 Where To Find Life In Orange40:30 Wrap Up And Race Prep Thanks to Cheshire Podcast Studio for the studio.Thanks to ⁠Recognise Media (https://recognisemedia.com/)⁠ who produced the podcast for ⁠Manchester SEO (https://mcr-seo.com/)⁠.Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

  2. Sep 23

    Stefan Hopewell - Manchester Cycling Academy Pathway Building a Purpose-Driven Sports Business Ep111

    Manchester Cycling Academy’s DICE Pathway, Coaching Traits & Building a Purpose-Driven Sports Business | Stefan HopewellJames Crisall interviews Stefan Hopewell from Manchester Cycling Academy about launching just before the pandemic, pausing for 18 months, and building key relationships with Sport England, British Cycling, SGS College and Manchester City Council. Stefan explains MCA’s role as the northern provider of British Cycling’s DICE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) for talented 16–19 athletes, covering modules like nutrition, psychology, physiology and assessed riding competence, and how it supports athletes and their personal coaches. They discuss what makes a good coach (specialist at the top level, “people person” in community settings), widening access beyond cycling’s typical demographics via their CIC social enterprise, and business lessons on trusting the process, hiring good people and having difficult conversations. Stefan also shares his rugby league background, RFL experiences, and a 2023 brain haemorrhage that changed his outlook.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro00:33 Academy Origins and Pandemic Pause01:48 British Cycling Partnership02:42 DICE Program Explained05:40 Athlete Pathways and Motivation09:12 From Rugby League to Cycling10:02 Trust the Process Culture12:05 Naming and Rebranding Plans16:52 Sport Meets Business Mindset18:49 What Makes a Great Coach24:54 RFL Memories and Challenge Cup27:39 Sport for Community Impact28:58 Talent Pathway Barriers29:58 Manchester Cycling Academy30:23 Cost of Youth Sport32:16 First Year Business Advice32:51 Hiring Nice People34:50 Difficult Conversations37:10 Sport Honesty Lessons40:24 Future Plans and Scaling44:25 E-Bikes and Training46:12 Brain Haemorrhage Story52:57 Life Philosophy and Loyalty55:46 Mobile First Youth Focus56:17 Closing ThanksThanks to ⁠Recognise Media (https://recognisemedia.com/)⁠ who produced the podcast for ⁠Manchester SEO⁠.Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

  3. Sep 3

    Carol Clarke - Planning Expert - From Land to Legacy - Navigating the Planning World - Episode 110

    Planning Permission Myths, Grey Belt Opportunities & How AI Could Change UK Planning with Carol ClarkeChartered town planner Carol Clarke of Bramhall Town Planning (https://www.bramhalltownplanning.com/) discusses common misconceptions about getting planning permission, including the mistaken belief that a neighbour’s approval guarantees yours and that the housing crisis means any site should be approved. She explains how planning applications are assessed on their own merits, why councils are busy (with officers often handling large caseloads across 350,000 annual applications), and why thorough submissions help avoid technical refusals, while design remains highly subjective. Carol outlines brownfield, greenfield, greenbelt and the newer “grey belt” category as an opportunity, and notes that around 40% of permissions may never be built, affecting housing targets. She describes her varied work from single homes to 106 apartments and NHS projects, advocates early planning strategy before design, supports AI tools to help authorities, and shares how networking, speaking training, and her upcoming book “Planning Permission Unlocked” help educate developers and investors.Timestamps:00:00 Planning Myths Intro00:43 Meet Carol Clark02:32 From Geography to Planning04:18 What Projects She Handles06:40 Stockport Regeneration Boom07:15 Why Planning Feels Hard08:14 AI Tools for Councils09:47 Greenbelt and Graybelt Explained14:12 Common Misconceptions17:14 Why Permissions Go Unbuilt18:47 Why Applications Get Refused20:23 Design Refusal Pitfalls21:49 Planner Mindset And Tenacity23:26 Getting Into Planning Careers24:26 Motherhood And Going Solo26:12 Networking And Stage Speaking27:36 Permitted Development Minefield29:36 Book Planning Permission Unlocked32:18 Public Speaking Training Tips35:29 Future Of Planning And AI37:46 New Towns And Transport Links39:44 When Developers Should Call41:23 Business Advice And Wrap Up Thanks to Recognise Media who produced the podcast for Manchester SEO. Brownies supplied by Bele Brownies

  4. Jul 1

    Mike Marshall - PPC Isn’t a Silver Bullet: Winning with Conversion, Tracking - Ep# 109

    PPC Isn’t a Silver Bullet: Winning with Conversion, Tracking & Smarter Offers (ft. Mike Marshall, Evolution Digital)In this episode, Mike Marshall from Evolution Digital discusses why PPC can’t “fix” a business and the common misconception that more traffic alone solves growth. He explains how effective Google Ads work now extends beyond the platform into competitor analysis, landing page and conversion rate optimization, and better tracking, especially for long, multi-touch journeys and call-led inquiries. Mike shares his path into PPC from e-commerce, his frustration with bloated agency models, and why businesses should demand ownership of their ad accounts and data. The conversation covers attribution challenges, SERP coverage with SEO and paid working together, Google’s reduced search-term visibility, offer improvements like stronger return policies, and cautious AI use that still requires human validation. Mike also notes emerging channels and shifting platform behaviours while emphasizing fundamentals, budgets, and realistic expectations.00:00 No Silver Bullet00:16 Meet Evolution Digital00:49 Fixing PPC Agency Bloat03:36 PPC Beyond The Platform05:23 Landing Pages And Quality Score06:46 How Mike Got Started10:26 Advice For New Advertisers12:46 Agency Red Flags And Ownership15:05 AI Hype And Validation18:23 Neurodivergence And Learning22:07 Creative Versus Data Brains30:19 Attribution For High Ticket Sales36:28 Call Tracking And Data Quality37:46 SEO And Paid Together39:46 Hidden Search Terms And Winners41:14 Offer Tweaks That Win Auctions42:11 Risk Reversal Policies42:49 Google Crawlers and SEO Signals45:45 AI Overviews and Clickless Search47:44 Beyond Google Ad Channels54:02 Brand Awareness and Halo Effect01:00:50 AI in PPC Workflows01:06:36 Learning Tools and Guardrails01:11:40 Future of PPC and In-Housing01:15:12 Biggest PPC Misconceptions01:17:39 LLM Ads and Wrap Up The Episode was recorded by https://recognisemedia.com/ for ⁠Manchester SEO⁠ The episode was sponsored by: Brownies were Supplied by Bele Brownies: https://www.belebrownies.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

  5. Jun 26

    George Morrison on Social Media Marketing, Trends, TikTok Growth & Building a Creative Agency - 108

    George Morrison (Recognise Media) on Social Media Marketing, Trends, TikTok Growth & Building a Creative AgencyOn tour at Cheshire Podcast Studio, the host interviews George Morrison of Recognise Media (formerly Flownamix), the long-time behind-the-camera producer of the podcast, about his agency’s work in social media marketing, video, photography, drone, and podcasting. George shares his path from music at university to graphic design, gaming/streaming success during COVID, and building a business from long hours and boredom, including early growth from filming Macclesfield’s Barnaby Festival. He explains why he dislikes chasing trends, arguing success comes from understanding why a format works, especially the first 3–4 seconds, plus pacing and structure. He critiques marketers who focus on self-promotion, emphasizes community interaction and holistic marketing (website, reputation, targeting), discusses followers vs reach and watch time, and outlines Recognise Media’s current retainers, sports event production, and plans to keep growing the team and operations.00:00 Marketers And Trends00:39 Podcast Tour Intro01:28 Recognise Media Explained02:39 From Music To Media03:48 Shower Breakfast Origins05:10 Gaming Clips Going Viral06:00 What Makes Streams Work08:08 Creative Arts Career Gap10:02 Performance And Presence12:27 Starting Flownamix16:10 Why Clients Choose Us19:05 Efficient Content Creation20:01 Followers Misconception21:22 Friends vs Followers22:03 Reach Beats Follower Count23:06 Podcast Idea to Reality23:26 Creative Problem Solving25:26 TikTok Shop Roadblocks27:08 Why Content Fails28:43 Fix The Business First30:44 Trends And The Hook33:17 Phone Versus Pro Camera35:34 Agency Workload Breakdown37:47 Building The Business39:28 Wrap Up And ThanksThe Episode was recorded by Recognise Media: https://recognisemedia.com/⁠ for ⁠Manchester SEO⁠ The episode was sponsored by: Brownies were Supplied by Bele Brownies: https://www.belebrownies.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

  6. Jun 19

    Helen Tudor on Honest Marketing, Effortlessly Attracting New Clients, and LinkedIn Growth - Ep 107

    Helen Tudor on Honest Marketing, Effortlessly Attracting New Clients, and LinkedIn Growth - Ep 107Podcast host James welcomes entrepreneur Helen Tudor (https://helentudor.online/), whose free five-day LinkedIn challenge helped him land a client after redundancy just before COVID. Helen shares her path from grey-hat SEO link building at a Manchester start-up to running a successful digital agency, then closing it after burnout, cashflow shocks, and realizing she disliked agency life and people management. She explains how candid honesty helped her win clients, how she shifted into scalable online education, and how she built a large paid community, earning over £3 million and becoming known as “the LinkedIn woman,” before feeling unfulfilled and seeking a “second mountain.” Helen advocates simple, non-spammy growth: add the right people, engage publicly, post content, and sell clearly, plus a “who do you know who” referral strategy. She now focuses on expert identity, ideal client clarity, and putting the “soul” back into business.00:00 Honesty Over Tactics00:19 Why Helen Is Here02:41 A Pub Meetup Story03:48 Early SEO Startup Days07:14 Single Mum LinkedIn Breakthrough08:52 Selling With Radical Honesty11:57 Agency Success And Burnout13:25 Closing The Agency Chapter19:06 Training And FIFO Offers22:03 Gold Rush To Second Mountain29:16 Post Lockdown Cashflow Reality31:51 No More Lazy Outreach34:48 Scaling LinkedIn Growth Agency35:33 Marketing Basics Never Change36:33 Why Skip Personal DMs40:01 Me First Business Mindset42:46 Pick Channels You Enjoy44:23 Who Do You Know Launch49:33 Advice To Younger Self51:54 AI Podcast And Opportunity56:41 Let Kids Choose Their Path01:00:22 Future Plans And The Book01:04:55 Flow State Content Strategy01:08:48 TV Appearance And Wrap UpThe Episode was recorded by Recognise Media: https://recognisemedia.com/⁠ for ⁠Manchester SEO⁠ The episode was sponsored by: Brownies were Supplied by Bele Brownies: https://www.belebrownies.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

  7. Jun 10

    Software Escrow for SaaS Explained: Failover, UK Data Sovereignty & Cyber Attack Lessons

    Software Escrow for SaaS: Business Continuity, UK Data Sovereignty & Real-World Cyber Attack Lessons (Chris Edge & Mark Ryan)The hosts discuss software escrow and SaaS continuity with Chris Edge (Edge IT- https://edgeitsystems.com/) and Mark Ryan (SES Secure - https://www.ses-escrow.co.uk/), explaining how escrow has evolved from storing on‑prem source code to safeguarding SaaS by also capturing data, virtual machines, and validated deployment materials. They describe why cloud subscriptions still need escrow, especially if a developer or hosting provider fails, and outline a model where an escrow agent can fail over services to an alternative UK data centre for 60 days, enabling customers to keep working and download software and data with a 12‑month (or optional indefinite) license. Edge IT details hourly backups, UK sovereign hosting, and a real ransomware incident where they declined to pay, failed over to Datto, restored operations within hours, and improved procedures. The conversation highlights gaps in mandates for .gov.uk, references DORA’s resilience requirements, and emphasizes verification, zero trust security, and risk-based planning.00:00 Welcome and Guests01:30 Software Escrow Basics03:05 From On Prem to SaaS04:00 Why SaaS Still Needs Escrow06:38 Failover Plan with Datto08:35 Real World Council Hack10:37 Mandates and DORA Explained12:56 What Escrow Actually Stores15:06 Why Pen and Paper Fails18:25 Friday the 13th Cyberattack25:26 Escrow Requirements for Buyers29:30 Vendor Questions and Scoping32:00 Data Makes It Work32:22 Customer Involvement Options33:09 Choosing Escrow Providers34:31 Licenses Source Code Value36:11 Zero Trust Security Shift39:03 Edge Background Products41:32 Escrow Wins Business49:32 Release Events Explained53:03 Planning Worst Case56:09 Why Big Firms Fail01:03:11 Supply Chain Risk Reality01:07:17 Wrap Up Contact DetailsThe Episode was recorded by Recognise Media: https://recognisemedia.com/⁠ for ⁠Manchester SEO⁠⁠⁠ The episode was sponsored by: Brownies were Supplied by Bele Brownies: https://www.belebrownies.com/ ⁠⁠⁠

  8. Jun 1

    Alex Moore - Reputation Management: Own the Narrative, Social Media Scandals & Cyberattacks - Ep105

    Reputation & Crisis Management: Owning the Narrative, Social Media Scandals, and Cyberattacks (with Alex Moore)We welcome returning guest Alex Moore, a crisis communications expert, to discuss reputation management through recent public scandals and corporate crises. They use examples including a viral Coldplay “caught in the act” incident, Prince Andrew’s BBC interview and the resignation of his press secretary, and tactics like “dead cat” distraction, “burying bad news,” and SEO “shunting.” Alex emphasizes that silence creates a vacuum for gossip, and advises getting on the front foot: acknowledge issues, avoid repeating negatives, reframe toward strengths, and be clear on a consistent narrative grounded in values. They contrast crises you can prepare for versus sudden media deadlines, discuss communicating bad financial results, and note how mishandling often becomes the bigger problem. They also cover social media’s speed, fragile trust, AI deepfakes, and praise Marks & Spencer’s disciplined response to a major cyberattack.00:00 Welcome Back Intro01:00 Coldplay Kiss Scandal02:12 Silence Versus Response05:21 Prince Andrew Interview09:13 Online Reputation Tactics12:57 Handling Bad Reviews13:27 Crisis Types And Prep17:19 Explaining A Bad Year23:07 Reputation Value And Shields26:13 Data Breach Owning Narrative29:17 Media Questions Discipline30:39 Sports Press Lessons31:43 Ashes Accountability Debate34:59 Learning From Mistakes35:40 Truth in Social Media38:48 AI and Deepfake Fears39:55 Consistency Builds Trust42:33 Staying in Your Lane43:51 M&S Cyberattack Response46:27 Pragmatic Crisis Playbook49:49 Emotion First Messaging57:27 When Handling Becomes Scandal58:52 Politics Raises the Stakes01:03:08 Preparation and Reputation Bank01:06:12 Gritstone Strategy Origins01:08:05 Closing Banter and ThanksEditing for Manchester SEO

About

Connecting Technical Expertise with Human Stories! A podcast for business owners. We interview business owners about their business, how they got into it, how they grew their business, the challenges now and in the future. We also here their advice for other business owners, using their experience and everything they have learnt and been through over the years to give the viewers some valuable insights that they may be able to learn from. We've learnt a lot doing and we hope you learn something too.