What One Thing?

Phil Davenport and Hayley Baxter
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  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

One business. One lesson. Every episode.  Real businesses. Real stories. Real-time. What One Thing? is the straight-talking bi-weekly podcast for growing UK businesses with a team who are on the move — building, scaling, and figuring it out as they go. Join co-hosts Hayley Baxter (Corbar Accounting) and Phil Davenport (Affirm IT) as they chat with fellow business owners and share their own lessons from the journey — the things they wish they'd known, the wins, the wobbles, and the one thing that made the biggest difference. Each episode is 15–25 minutes of real-world insight, a few laughs, and practical takeaways to help you grow a better business — without the fluff. 🎙️ Expect: Honest interviews with business owners on the growTopic episodes on key business challengesStraight answers, no jargonOne clear lesson, every week👀 Also on YouTube — because yes, it’s filmed too. 📍 Based in Derbyshire, speaking to businesses across the UK. New episodes fortnightly — follow to catch the next one.

  1. 22h ago

    People Buy Holes, Not Drills:| How to Stand Out and Win More Customers - Alastair Ruston

    Everyone says you need a USP. But what if that's the wrong place to start? In this episode of What One Thing, hosts Phil Davenport and Hayley Baxter are joined by sales consultant Alastair Ruston to explore one of the most powerful concepts in sales and marketing: People don't buy what you do. They buy the result of what you do. From the famous phrase "People buy holes, not drills" to practical ways of uncovering what really makes your business different, this conversation is packed with ideas every business owner can put into practice. Whether you're an accountant, IT company, manufacturer or service business, if you've ever struggled to explain why customers should choose you, this episode is for you. In this episode you'll learn:✅ Why your USP probably isn't your real differentiator ✅ The simple questions every business owner should ask themselves ✅ Why your staff can help uncover what makes your business special ✅ How your customers already know your biggest selling point ✅ Why people buy emotionally before they justify logically ✅ How AI can help turn customer feedback into compelling marketing If you've ever found yourself saying "we're different because we offer great service," this episode will completely change how you think about selling your business. 🎙 About What One Thing Every episode we ask successful business owners one simple question: "What's the one thing that's helped move your business forward?" Hosted by: Hayley Baxter – Corbar Accounting Phil Davenport – Affirm IT New episodes every other Wednesday. Subscribe for bi-weekly conversations that give business owners one practical idea they can implement immediately. Every episode asks one successful business owner: What's your one thing? Connect with us Hayley Baxter – Corbar Accounting Phil Davenport – Affirm IT Connect with Alastair Alastair Ruston - Blitz Sales Solutions #Sales #Marketing #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #USP #SalesStrategy #BusinessDevelopment #CustomerExperience #BrandStory #BusinessPodcast #WhatOneThing #LeadGeneration #BusinessAdvice #MarketingStrategy

    People Buy Holes, Not Drills:| How to Stand Out and Win More Customers - Alastair Ruston

  2. Jun 30

    The Business Plan You Should Never Stop Updating - Laura Holland

    Running a business isn't just about writing a business plan... it's about continually evolving it. In this episode of What One Thing?, Hayley Baxter and Phil Davenport are joined by structural engineer and business owner Laura Holland to explore why business planning should be a living document, not something you complete once and forget. Laura shares the honest reality of growing an engineering consultancy from scratch, the confidence challenges that come with leadership, when to hire (and when to say no), and why business coaching transformed the way she runs her company. Whether you're starting your first business or scaling an established one, this episode is packed with practical advice on planning for growth without losing sight of why you started. In this episode we discuss:✔️ Why your business plan should evolve with your business ✔️ The confidence challenges every business owner faces ✔️ Hiring, staffing and growing the right team ✔️ Knowing when to say no to new work ✔️ Vision boards vs business plans ✔️ Business coaching and accountability ✔️ Why success often feels uncomfortable ✔️ Building a business around the life you actually want One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is that nothing in business is fixed. Businesses evolve, people evolve and your plans should evolve too. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by business planning, struggled with confidence or wondered whether you're growing too quickly, this episode is for you. Subscribe for bi-weekly conversations that give business owners one practical idea they can implement immediately. Every episode asks one successful business owner: What's your one thing? Connect with us Hayley Baxter – Corbar Accounting Phil Davenport – Affirm IT Connect with Laura Laura Holland - Ecotech Engineers #BusinessPlanning #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #Leadership #BusinessCoach #ScalingABusiness #BusinessOwner #SME #Confidence #Hiring #VisionBoard #WorkLifeBalance #WhatOneThing #Engineering #LeadershipDevelopment

    The Business Plan You Should Never Stop Updating - Laura Holland

  3. Jun 17

    Talk To People - Daisy Ferns

    The Most Underrated Business Growth Strategy with Daisy FernsIn a world obsessed with algorithms, followers, and going viral, what if the real secret to growing your business was much simpler? In this episode of What One Thing?, Hayley Baxter and Phil Davenport sit down with lead generation specialist Daisy Ferns, whose one thing is refreshingly straightforward: talk to people. Daisy shares how building genuine relationships has helped her create multiple successful businesses, including a six-figure business, and why so many business owners are overlooking one of the most powerful growth tools available to them – real human conversations. Together, they explore: ✅ Why social media isn't a substitute for relationships ✅ The biggest mistakes business owners make when generating leads ✅ How to start conversations without feeling pushy or salesy ✅ Why follow-up is where most opportunities are won or lost ✅ Daisy's simple five-step process for generating leads through genuine connection ✅ How to identify and engage with your ideal clients on LinkedIn and beyond If you're tired of chasing algorithms and wondering where your next client will come from, this episode is a timely reminder that business is still built on people. About Daisy FernsDaisy helps established business owners generate leads through authentic relationship-building and strategic outreach. Rather than relying solely on inbound marketing, Daisy's approach focuses on creating meaningful conversations that turn into opportunities and long-term clients. Connect with DaisyFind Daisy on LinkedIn and Instagram

    Talk To People - Daisy Ferns

  4. Jun 3

    Stop Buying AI Tools: Solve the Problem First - Richard Geary & Scott Evans

    What One Thing AI Podcast Everyone is talking about AI. But what if most businesses are approaching it completely the wrong way? In this episode of What One Thing AI, Phil Davenport and Hayley Baxter are joined by Richard Geary and Scott Evans from the AI Foundry to discuss one of the biggest mistakes business owners make when implementing AI. Instead of starting with ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini or the latest AI tool, Richard argues that businesses should first identify the problem they are trying to solve. The conversation explores: ✅ Why AI should be the last part of the solution, not the first ✅ The People, Process and Technology framework ✅ How small business owners can identify AI opportunities without spending thousands on consultants ✅ Why AI licences alone don't create productivity gains ✅ The importance of training, experimentation and leadership buy-in ✅ How to use AI to analyse your business and prioritise opportunities ✅ Hallucinations, bias and whether AI can actually be trusted ✅ Practical first steps any business owner can take today If you're wondering how to implement AI in your business without wasting time, money or effort, this episode provides a practical framework to help you start in the right place. About What One Thing AIWhat One Thing AI explores the real-world AI tools, strategies and lessons that business owners can use to improve their businesses. Each episode focuses on one practical idea that can make a meaningful difference. Hosted by Hayley Baxter of Corbar Accounting and Phil Davenport of Affirm IT Services. #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ChatGPT #Copilot #Gemini #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwner #DigitalTransformation #Productivity #WhatOneThingPodcast #AIForBusiness #BusinessSystems #BusinessLeadership #BusinessStrategy

    Stop Buying AI Tools: Solve the Problem First - Richard Geary & Scott Evans

  5. May 20

    We Tried a 30-Day Business Challenge… did we win or learn?

    Phil Davenport and Hayley Baxter reflect on their attempt to implement a 30-day relationship-building challenge inspired by their own podcast advice. What started with good intentions — outreach messages, networking coffees, introductions, and accountability — slowly became overwhelming as real business life got in the way. In this honest conversation, they unpack: why consistency is harder than motivationthe pressure business owners put on themselvesrelationship-building in growing businessesaccountability vs competitivenessand why slower, more sustainable habits often work better long termA thoughtful episode for business owners trying to balance growth, networking, marketing, and actually running the business at the same time. 🎙️ Brought to you by Corbar Accounting and Affirm IT Services Ltd.

    We Tried a 30-Day Business Challenge… did we win or learn?

  6. May 6

    Be Real - Why Pretending Everything's Fine Is Hurting Your Business - Marc Johnson

    Marc’s What One Thing is: Be real. In this episode, we explore the pressure many business owners feel to look successful, polished, and “together” — even when reality feels very different behind the scenes. Marc shares his experience growing up in a family business, the pressure to prove himself, and how networking changed once he stopped trying to project perfection and started having more honest conversations. We also discuss: vulnerability in leadershipauthentic networkingmanaging teams as humans, not resourcesbalancing professionalism with personalitythe difference between honesty and oversharingwhy real relationships grow better businesses A very human conversation about leadership, business culture, and letting your guard down a little. Brought to you by Corbar Accounting and Affirm IT Services Connect with: Marc Johnson Phil Davenport Hayley Baxter

    Be Real - Why Pretending Everything's Fine Is Hurting Your Business - Marc Johnson

  7. Apr 22

    Why Your Ideal Client Isn’t Who You Think - Diyar Abdullah

    Why do some deals close instantly… while others drag on forever and go nowhere? In this episode of What One Thing, we sit down with Diyar to break down a different way of thinking about sales, marketing, and lead generation. Instead of focusing on your product or service, this conversation explores how understanding data, timing, and buyer intent can completely change how you win business. We talk about: Why “ideal client” might not mean what you thinkThe difference between a good fit and a deal that actually closesHow to use your existing customers to identify patternsWhy most businesses are unknowingly targeting the wrong peopleThe role of timing, triggers, and personal context in buying decisionsHow to build a simple but powerful data-led approach to growthIf you’ve ever felt like your marketing should be working… but isn’t converting, this episode will help you rethink where to focus. Brought to you by Corbar Accounting and Affirm IT Services Ltd. Connect with: Diyar Abdullah Phil Davenport Hayley Baxter

    Why Your Ideal Client Isn’t Who You Think - Diyar Abdullah

  8. Apr 8

    The One Thing That Stops You Doing Everything in Your Business - John Lamerton

    In this episode of What One Thing, we sit down with entrepreneur and author John Lamerton to explore the single shift that transformed his business — and his life. After years of running multiple businesses, working long hours, and trying to do everything himself, John hit breaking point. A health scare forced him to rethink how he was working and led him to a powerful realisation: You don’t need to do more. You need to focus on one thing. John shares how he went from being a “busy fool” juggling everything — from marketing to operations to finance — to focusing on his role as the marketer of his business. We cover: • Why doing everything holds your business back • How to identify your “one thing” • The dangers of constant busyness and burnout • Practical ways to simplify your workload • How to capture ideas without getting distracted • Why focus beats productivity every time This episode is for business owners who feel overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or stuck in the day-to-day running of their business. 🎧 If you’re ready to stop doing everything and start focusing on what actually moves the needle, this one’s for you. John's Website

    The One Thing That Stops You Doing Everything in Your Business - John Lamerton
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About

One business. One lesson. Every episode.  Real businesses. Real stories. Real-time. What One Thing? is the straight-talking bi-weekly podcast for growing UK businesses with a team who are on the move — building, scaling, and figuring it out as they go. Join co-hosts Hayley Baxter (Corbar Accounting) and Phil Davenport (Affirm IT) as they chat with fellow business owners and share their own lessons from the journey — the things they wish they'd known, the wins, the wobbles, and the one thing that made the biggest difference. Each episode is 15–25 minutes of real-world insight, a few laughs, and practical takeaways to help you grow a better business — without the fluff. 🎙️ Expect: Honest interviews with business owners on the growTopic episodes on key business challengesStraight answers, no jargonOne clear lesson, every week👀 Also on YouTube — because yes, it’s filmed too. 📍 Based in Derbyshire, speaking to businesses across the UK. New episodes fortnightly — follow to catch the next one.

Information

  • Creator
    Phil Davenport and Hayley Baxter
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Phil Davenport and Hayley Baxter
  • Show Website
    What One Thing?