Bluff and Swagger - The psychology of business

Ross and Paul

A business improvement discussion covering a varieting of topics that are practical and relevant for business owners and leaders including the most often missed piece of the puzzle, the psychology needed to not only succeed but also to survive the modern pressures that businesses owners and leaders commonly face. Join us, it's more fun than it sounds! Want to know more about Ross and Paul? Go to - bluffandswagger.com

Episodes

  1. May 13

    Sales through relationship marketing

    For many small and medium sized businesses, good ol' sales repping is one of the best ways to secure new clients and ongoing repeat business. For many though this method is a challenge either through a lack of confidence in the sales methodolgy and/or the lack of time to get out and about and meet people. This discussion centres around how to get new prospects, how to manage them and the methods for converting prospects to sales. Also, remember to click on the Toolbox link below to grab the free resources available on this topic. ⁠⁠⁠Business Toolbox⁠⁠⁠ Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠⁠⁠Click Here

    55 min

  2. Mar 13

    Self sabotage and other leadership hazards

    It's so hard to keep perspective in business when few, if any, are prepared to give you honest feedback. Deep down we tend to know the habits and traits that don't always serve us well, yet change or even improvement can seem very elusive. This is particularly relevant to owners and managers given the huge influence they have over productivity, culture and 'navigation'. This in itself can be a source of stress, particularly when you know, or feel, your methods are not at the level you would like them to be. If you ever find yourself saying 'I am what I am' or if you know there's more you can be in your role this episode is for you. We'll discuss the issues and improvement methodologies for really optimising your outcomes as a leader. as well as heading off on plenty of tangents (asusual). Enjoy! Want to know more about us ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ross and Pauls Business Toolbox⁠⁠⁠

    1h 2m

  3. Jan 12

    Financial Reporting - Boring, boring, boring. Not in this episode!

    Boring old financials, eh? Many small business owners see financials as little more than a compliance requirement — a have to. But what if the reports were simple to understand and could give you a timely heads-up on opportunities to grow, while also highlighting issues that might be holding the business back? How many businesses can afford not to use every tool available to help make their business stable, sustainable, and profitable? In this episode, Paul and I walk you through the Cashflow Statement, Profit & Loss, and Balance Sheet, explaining the key components that make up each one. Now you know how they work, what valuable info can you glean from each? Tune in and find out. ⁠⁠⁠Ross and Pauls Business Toolbox⁠⁠⁠ Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠⁠⁠Click Here⁠⁠

    50 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    Why can't my people just get on with it?

    How frustrating is it when your people: 1. Have a diminished care factor - 'not my problem, I just work here' or 'I just do what I'm told' 2. Won't take accountability for their actions or take ownership of the job at hand. 'Not my fault'. They love to play the victim card, right? Some people just fail to use their initiative to get the project done and are constantly asking silly questions about stuff they should already know. Sound familiar? Of course, this all sounds a bit dire for as we know we also have great people whom we trustand rely on. The worry is, how do we stop them becoming disheartened through the unfairness of workload share and the general negativity of the low care factor brigade? This situation can become chronic in an economic environment where quality, skilled people are hard, in some cases impossible, to find. Rock and hard place, right? Want to get a handle on ‘where to from here’ with your people? Tune in now. Also, remember to click on the Toolbox link below to grab the free resources available on this topic. ⁠⁠Business Toolbox⁠⁠ Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠⁠Click Here

    46 min

  5. 11/13/2025

    Fast Problem Solving

    Businesses get blindsided by issues on a routine basis. What happens when we are struggling to come up with a fast strategy to resolve, or at least improve, the outcome? The tool that assists leaders create relevant actions quickly is outlined in this episode. We hope you find it useful. Also remember to click on the Toolbox link below to grab your free template for fast problem solving. ⁠⁠Ross and Pauls Business Toolbox⁠⁠ Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠⁠Click Here⁠

    29 min

  6. 10/27/2025

    Marketing - Aligning Each Element

    Marketing consists of several elements which when properly aligned provide an offer that the client/customer will find compelling.  In this episode we overview each and their relationship to one another. We hope you will find this a great starting point, or reminder, on where the focus should be in relationship to this topic.  If you want a delighted client/customer this is a good place to start.  Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠⁠Click Here⁠

    46 min

  7. 10/27/2025

    Values in Business - Why?

    Business is about making money so can values really be a tool for business growth and profitability. If yes, how? Join us as we discuss these questions and explore how values can be a useful tool in improving what we all want in our business - better productivity and, by extension, better profits and sustainability. We'll also look at the methods for developing values and how to integrate them into your business for maximum effect. Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠Click Here

    41 min

  8. 10/27/2025

    Getting into Business

    Whether starting or buying a business this episode looks at some of the key areas of consideration - the pitfalls, the opportunities and the rewards of being in business along with the psychologic approach needed if you are to be successful. This discussion is a great starting point if you are considering making the leap of faith that is 'going into your own business'. Also remember to click on the Toolbox link below to grab your free business startup checklist. ⁠Ross and Pauls Business Toolbox⁠ Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠Click Here

    59 min

  9. 10/27/2025

    The Key Elements of Business - An Overview

    Part of setting up, running, growing and sustaining a business lies, at first, in identifying the elements that Ross (Bluff) and Paul (Swagger) refer to as the scaffold of business.  As usual the discussion seeks to be simple and pragmatic so you can apply some or all of the information easily.   The scaffold is also a great tool for analysing where you are 'now' with a view to delivering relevant strategy for moving forward. As always thanks for listening and apologies in advance for the dad jokes. Want to know more about Paul and Ross? ⁠⁠Click Here

    37 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

A business improvement discussion covering a varieting of topics that are practical and relevant for business owners and leaders including the most often missed piece of the puzzle, the psychology needed to not only succeed but also to survive the modern pressures that businesses owners and leaders commonly face. Join us, it's more fun than it sounds! Want to know more about Ross and Paul? Go to - bluffandswagger.com

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