The Parenting Business

Stuart Malcolmson with Ben Lovejoy

If you're a parent and you're in business, whether you own it or manage it, then this podcast is for you. Stuart and Ben are both multiple business owners trying to juggle work and family life. We discuss how things are going, the ups and downs of running businesses and how that affects weekly family life. We also talk about other things happening in the world, give our views on it and chat to other parents in business, to discover their stories, secrets, hints and tips for both better business and family life.

  1. Sep 10

    Hire Slow, Fire Fast! - The Staffing Rule Which Could Save a Small Business!

    Summary In this episode, Stuart and Ben delve into the complexities of hiring staff, sharing insights on recruitment strategies, red flags, and the impact of recent legal changes. They explore practical tips for hiring, trial periods, and managing staff issues, offering valuable advice for business owners navigating the hiring minefield. 00:00 — Weekly catch-up and why routine matters in busy periods01:38 — Staff absences, holidays, and why normality helps productivity03:58 — Factory move chaos and the upside of tidying the workplace05:27 — How supplier holidays still affect delivery timelines07:10 — Introducing the episode topic: hiring staff08:50 — Stuart’s accidental Indeed advert and unexpected applications10:54 — Trial shifts as part of the interview process11:52 — Hiring for social media, marketing, and sales support12:49 — The red flags that appeared during a trial session14:51 — Why someone complaining before being hired is a warning sign15:19 — Younger, less experienced hire or older, more experienced candidate16:26 — Ben’s focus on experience, tools, and attitude over schemes18:25 — Why overqualified candidates may not stay long19:35 — How Ben’s approach to hiring has changed over the last year21:14 — Why a bad hire can still be kept too long if performance dips later22:23 — Bottlenecks, backup plans, and keeping production flowing23:03 — Policies, warnings, and why follow-through matters24:22 — Stuart’s long-serving employee from a youth unemployment scheme25:15 — Younger versus older workers and different patterns of letdown 28:33 — Employment law changes and shorter dismissal timelines31:43 — Why paperwork and absence procedures matter more than ever36:42 — Ben’s biggest mistake: letting problems fester too long39:15 — Stuart’s biggest mistake: rushing to hire and employing a mate43:28 — Top tips for hiring staff without rushing the process44:56 — Ben on paid trials, CVs, and spotting genuine interest47:02 — Red flags in job history and why repeated job changes matter48:17 — Stuart’s takeaway: hire slow, fire fast49:37 — Dad joke break and sign-off hiring staff, recruitment, trial periods, staff management, employment law, business tips, hiring mistakes, staff red flags, employment regulations, business growth

    Hire Slow, Fire Fast! - The Staffing Rule Which Could Save a Small Business!
  2. Sep 3

    We're Back And Lets Talk Holidays!

    We’re back for season two, and it feels like we’ve got a fresh start! Stuart and Ben reflect on their summer breaks while promising a more focused and engaging podcast this time around. Stuart and Ben have had some time to think over the summer, and they’re excited to share that this season will be more structured. “We’re going to try and stay a bit more focused, a bit more on topic each episode,” says Stuart. They plan to alternate between parenting discussions and business topics, aiming for deeper dives into each subject. As they reminisce about their summer breaks, Ben shares memorable moments from his time at Peppa Pig World. “It’s about making memories,” he notes, emphasizing the priceless photographs created during these outings. Stuart echoes this sentiment, sharing his own experiences of family adventures, but also expresses a longing for more time spent with his loved ones during the holidays. Episode Chapters00:00 — Season 2 kickoff and a more focused format01:57 — Summer holiday catch-up04:18 — The challenge of August and keeping things running05:17 — Parenting through the summer holidays10:08 — This week’s topic: holidays13:12 — Managing long car journeys with kids18:40 — Service station stops and holiday travel hacks24:01 — Caravan holidays, parks, and entertainment costs32:34 — Booking early vs last-minute holiday deals35:48 — ChatGPT-planned trip to Paris37:15 — Top tips for travelling with kids42:11 — Dad joke43:07 — Parenting Business LinkedIn and listener call to action

    We're Back And Lets Talk Holidays!

About

If you're a parent and you're in business, whether you own it or manage it, then this podcast is for you. Stuart and Ben are both multiple business owners trying to juggle work and family life. We discuss how things are going, the ups and downs of running businesses and how that affects weekly family life. We also talk about other things happening in the world, give our views on it and chat to other parents in business, to discover their stories, secrets, hints and tips for both better business and family life.