Episodes

Barclays just made £2.3 billion in three months – and it's cutting 5,000 jobs anyway, because of AI. Here's what that means for your business, plus four more stories every founder needs this week. I'm Mark Hayward, and every week on Business Growth Talks I break down the 5 business stories that matter if you run a business – in plain English, no jargon. This week: • Barclays cuts 5,000 jobs while profits rise 12% – and what smart founders are doing with AI instead • An urgent hacking alert ...

The most expensive habit in business isn’t overspending. It’s waiting. When I left corporate, I finally had no boss, no sign-off, total freedom… and for weeks I did absolutely nothing. In this episode I share the three things I wish someone had told me back then, plus the five words that finally snapped me out of it. If you’ve been sitting on an idea, waiting for the right time, more money or to “feel ready”, this one’s for you. ⏱ Chapters 0:00 The most expensive habit in business &nbsp...

Mark L. Vincent spent 23 years building Design Group International. He was founder and CEO for almost 18 of those years, then chair, and then he sold his stake. A few years later, after a record year, the firm went into receivership. In this episode, Mark explains what went wrong after he left and why most founders’ businesses don’t outlive them. He also covers what you should be doing in the five years before you sell so yours does. We talk about: The 3 mistakes that sank the business after ...

A dating app worth $14 billion just sold for $1.3 billion. In this week’s BGT Weekly News, Mark Hayward breaks down what went wrong at Bumble, and what every business owner can learn from it. Plus four more stories business owners in the US and UK need to know this week: JPMorgan boss Jamie Dimon’s warning about “rogue” AI agents, Bank of America’s $1.2 billion fine, the UK’s plan to make Amazon, eBay and Temu collect tax for their sellers, and why British companies are being bought up and head...

In this compelling episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward welcomes successful entrepreneur Steve Rolle, who shares his journey from the US Army to becoming a high-achieving businessman. Despite societal pressures to conform to traditional career paths, Steve followed his entrepreneurial instincts and built businesses that collectively generated over $100 million in sales. The conversation delves into the core question of whether individuals are truly living a life they have chosen o...

Discover how recent shifts in the US job market and interest rates could impact business strategies, as Mark Hayward dives into the week's top business stories. Explore the surprising trends in consumer spending, the role of AI in shopping, and the monumental merger creating Hollywood's new giant, Skydance. Learn why a record number of Brits are telling the taxman they're leaving, and enjoy an uplifting 'dog news' segment from Tennessee. Tune into Business Growth Talks for essential insights eve...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward welcomes Jason Kramer, founder of Cultivize, to delve into the often-ignored aspect of lead management and follow-up processes. What happens after a potential lead shows interest? Jason, who transitioned from running a creative agency to founding Cultivize, sheds light on how businesses can streamline their follow-up procedures to maximize lead conversion and sustain ongoing customer relationships. Listeners will gain valuable insights...

Join Mark Hayward on Business Growth Talks as he unpacks pivotal stories affecting businesses globally. Discover the impact of America's tariff truce with China and its implications for importers. Explore the pessimistic mood among American consumers, the sharp increase in UK household borrowing, and Manchester City's financial scandal. Understand how global oil dynamics are influencing prices and business costs. Plus, delve into a light-hearted tale of dog world records. Stay informed on how th...

In this engaging episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward sits down with Brian Hunt, an experienced entrepreneur and founder of Kore BPO, to discuss the intricacies of offshoring and global hiring. The conversation delves into the common misconceptions around offshoring, emphasizing that talent isn't typically the issue but rather the processes and management after hiring. Brian shares the lessons he learned from his time at consulting giants Deloitte and Accenture, which equipped him...

Join Mark Hayward on Business Growth Talks as he unpacks crucial developments in the business world. Discover how AMD's trillion-dollar valuation parallels the Dutch economy and the implications of AI's rapid growth on competitive markets. Dive into the significance of a historic $2.2 trillion dinner featuring the planet's wealthiest and the President of the United States. Understand rising interest rates and their impact on your finances, and explore the evolving dynamics of employee sick pay. ...

In this impactful episode, Mark Hayward delves into the intricacies of successful networking practices that transform business landscapes. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Mark guides listeners through building meaningful relationships that lead to substantial business growth, emphasizing that one well-nurtured relationship can outshine numerous cold contacts. With a focus on key concepts like "referral partners" and "super connectors," Mark Hayward delivers a masterclass on networking st...

In this insightful episode of the Knack for Business Podcast, hosts Bernie Franzgrote and Wayne Pratt welcome podcast guesting expert Mark Hayward to explore the world of podcasting as a strategy for business growth and brand development. With extensive experience both as a host and a guest, Mark shares his journey and why podcast guesting is an essential tool for entrepreneurs looking to enhance their influence without the high costs of traditional advertising. Mark discusses how podcast guest...

In this enlightening episode, Mark Hayward delves into the intricacies of leadership, mindset, and business strategy, offering invaluable insights for founders and business owners. He explores nine pivotal lessons that can transform the way one approaches business, leadership, and personal growth. Understanding these lessons, from sharpening one's skills to fostering supportive team dynamics, is crucial for long-term success. Mark discusses the dichotomy between those who seize opportunities an...

In this provocative episode of "Business Growth Talks," Mark Hayward delves into the legacies and complexities of three titans of the business world: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs. With a focus beyond admiration or disdain, Mark explores what these figures have built, whom they've hurt, and the indelible marks they've left on both technology and society. Through an honest lens, he examines how every entrepreneur today carries a piece of their legacy, whether in ambition, innovation, o...

In this introspective episode of "Business Growth Talks," host Mark Hayward delves deep into the role of AI in modern businesses. With no guests to disrupt the flow, Mark directly addresses listeners with a personal and cautionary tale about the perils and promises of AI. He emphasizes the importance of delineating the tasks AI should handle, such as repetitive work, and those that must remain under human control, like decision-making. This episode is a critical listen for business leaders ea...

This insightful episode of Business Growth Talks, hosted by Mark Hayward, features an engaging conversation with Rachel Minion, an inspiring entrepreneur and cancer survivor. Initially a marketing executive at Ticketmaster, Rachel’s journey into entrepreneurship was catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic when she was furloughed. Despite the personal challenge of battling cancer, she founded a successful business and a nonprofit, Beyond Basic Needs, which supports cancer patients with chemo care kits...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward dives deep into a transformative seven-principle framework for mastering goals and identity inspired by Dan Martel. With insights drawn from his personal journey of leaving corporate life to building his own business, Mark breaks down principles aimed at elevating standards and achieving fulfillment. This episode is packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs feeling stuck, explaining how setting standards, designing an empowering en...

In this thought-provoking episode of "Business Growth Talks," host Mark Hayward delves into the narratives we've unknowingly adopted that stagnate business growth. Dispelling the myth that strategy, product, or market conditions are primary growth barriers, Mark reveals how personal stories often limit our business efforts before we even begin. Prepare to unravel these ingrained beliefs, understand their origins, and learn how to rewrite them for success. Throughout this solo episode, Mark ex...

In this episode, Mark Hayward dives deep into a discussion about the importance of taking holidays and how it relates to business ownership. Fresh from a two-week vacation, Mark shares his personal insights on why stepping away from work is crucial not only for personal well-being but also for assessing the sustainability and efficiency of your business. He discusses the importance of having a business that can operate without you, emphasizing the need for robust systems and trustworthy teams. ...

In this episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward shifts the spotlight from guest interviews to a solo exploration of five transformative books that every business leader should read. This curated list includes The Psychology of Money, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Legacy, The E-Myth Revisited, and Black Box Thinking. Throughout the episode, Mark provides insightful summaries and distills key lessons from each book, correlating their wisdom with practical business applications and strategic grow...

In this insightful episode, host Mark Hayward engages with Dusty Gulleson, the CEO of Tectonic, to delve into the journey of crafting a successful business rooted in reliability and enduring client relationships. Dusty recounts his upbringing in Indonesia as a "feral kid," exploring how those early experiences shaped his approach to cross-cultural communications and entrepreneurship. This backdrop set the stage for Dusty’s challenge to the fast-paced, profit-driven narrative that often rules Sil...

In this insightful episode of "Business Growth Talks," host Mark Hayward delves into the remarkable journey of Sean Weisbrot, an entrepreneur who took the road less traveled by leaving the comforts of the U.S. to establish a business presence in China. Sean's ventures in the blockchain industry led to remarkable financial success before the 2018 crypto winter nearly wiped it out. His story is one of resilience and constant adaptation, as he pivoted towards building innovative technology solut...

Join Mark Hayward in this insightful episode as he explores the often overlooked nuances of transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship. Mark draws on his extensive experience to highlight the challenges faced by new entrepreneurs. This episode delves into crucial aspects of operating a small business, including sales strategies, cash flow management, and leveraging AI tools, while also addressing the emotional and psychological hurdles that come from embarking on this new journey....

In this enlightening episode of Business Growth Talks, host Mark Hayward sits down with Jason Barnard for his second appearance to explore the evolving world of AI in 2026 and its intricate relationship with brand visibility. Jason, renowned for introducing the term "Answer Engine Optimization," provides a thought-provoking analysis on how businesses need to adapt or face being left behind in this fast-evolving digital world. He brings into focus the necessity of training AI systems to understan...