The Good Employer Podcast

Emma del Torto

Want to know what makes a Good Employer? Check out our fortnightly interviews with real employers who put their employees first and are among some of the best in their industry.

  1. 05/21/2025

    Joanne Manville | The Indispensary | The Good Employer Podcast Episode 28

    The Good Employer Podcast Introduction: Welcome to another episode of The Good Employer Podcast, the show that explores what it means to be a great employer in today’s business landscape.   About the Host:  Emma is a co-founder of a values-driven consultancy and proud member of the Good Business Charter. With first-hand experience scaling a business and building a trusted team, she’s passionate about helping businesses create workplaces where people flourish. About the Guest: Todays guest is Joanne Manville, founder of The Indispensary, a multi award-winning virtual assistant consultancy supporting charities and business leaders.  Joanne discovered her true passion lay in providing high-level admin support. She launched her own VA business in 2015, which rebranded as The Indispensary in June 2024. Joanne is also active in the VA community, mentoring peers and championing best practices. What’s Inside This Episode: Joanne’s Professional Journey: From mortgage consultancy to PA to founding The Indispensary, Joanne shares the pivotal moments and motivation behind launching her business.Business Growth and Values: The challenges of scaling, rebranding, and shifting from a solo identity to a collaborative team model while keeping strong values at the core.What is a Virtual Assistant?: Joanne debunks common misconceptions about VAs, stressing the importance of relationship-based support, trust, and the breadth of services they provide.Impact and Recognition: The significance of industry awards and peer-recognition, including her notable win for "Contribution to the VA Community", and how collaborative, supportive networks uplift everyone in the sector.Measuring Success: Both Emma and Joanne discuss how engaging a VA positively impacted their revenue and allowed them to focus on growth and value-added activities.Tech, Tools & Collaboration: The evolving role of technology in running efficient businesses, favourites like Capsule CRM and Canva.Interns & Gen Z Talent: Joanne’s approach to hiring and nurturing university interns, what she’s learned from younger team members, and how they’ve enriched her business with fresh skills.Building a Thriving Team: Recruitment through trusted VA networks, the power of having a simple "Join Our Team" page, frequent feedback surveys (for both clients and freelancers), and fostering loyalty and professional development.Leadership & Letting Go: Joanne shares her philosophy of being “firm but fair” and why it’s sometimes necessary to part ways with clients if values don’t align—for the wellbeing of both sides.The Human Side of Remote Work: The importance of in-person connection amidst a remote-first era, building trust, and tackling the nuances of virtual client relationships.Advice for New Entrepreneurs: Joanne recommends engaging a business coach sooner but also values the self-led learning journey. Useful Links & Resources Mentioned: The IndispensaryCapsule CRMThe ONE Thing by Gary KellerGood Business CharterCanvaConnect with Joanne: LinkedIn: Joanne ManvilleJoin The Indispensary TeamConnect with Emma: Effective HRM

    39 min
  2. 11/01/2024

    Rob Warlow | Business Loans Services (UK) Limited | The Good Employer Podcast Episode 25

    Ahead of the Budget announcement on 30 October 2024 I spoke with Rob Warlow to see what we could possibly expect from the new Labour government after just over 100 days. ____________   The guest on the podcast this week is Rob Warlow, an expert in business finance with over 30 years of experience helping businesses navigate the complex world of funding, cash flow management, and financial resilience.   Rob is the founder of Business Loan Services, a consultancy dedicated to supporting business owners as they secure financing and strategically manage their finances.   Known for his practical, down-to-earth approach, Rob has a wealth of experience working with banks and lending institutions, as well as firsthand insight into the challenges faced by business owners at every stage.   On top of his extensive experience in the UK and international markets, Rob is also the author of Loan Sharp: Get the Business Finance You Deserve, a guide for small and medium-sized enterprises on how to approach lenders and secure financing with confidence.   Through his consultancy and regular vlogging, Rob is passionate about equipping employers with the financial strategies they need not only to survive but to thrive in today’s business landscape.   In this episode, we’ll dive into Rob’s insights on financial best practices for business owners, how employers can build strong, sustainable businesses, and the key financial considerations that help businesses grow while supporting their employees.   Links: Rob’s website

    45 min

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Want to know what makes a Good Employer? Check out our fortnightly interviews with real employers who put their employees first and are among some of the best in their industry.