De-stress Your Business

Alexis shares what advances in AI, and its inability to be accountable, really means for business leaders.

Mergers and acquisitions can spark exciting growth — but they also bring chaos, uncertainty, and a lot of stress. In this episode of De-stress Your Business, we’re joined by Alex Black, Director of Client Services and Innovation at Ad Valorem, a fast-growing accountancy firm now part of the ETL Group. Alex shares how he’s helped teams navigate the stress of change — from integrating cultures and standardising processes, to preparing teams for powerful innovations like AI. You’ll learn: What causes stress during mergers — and how to ease it How to overcome resistance when introducing change Why standardising workflows is critical for innovation What leaders often get wrong about growth and acquisitions This episode is packed with real-world lessons from someone who’s been at the frontline of fast change — and still kept the team engaged, productive, and open to the future. What’s your approach to handling stress during periods of change? Let us know in the comments! #DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #ChangeManagement #TeamAlignment #AlexBlack #Innovation #AIAdoption Helpful resources: Ad Valorem: https://www.advaloremgroup.uk/ ETL Global: https://www.etl-global.com/ Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexblackacca/

Catherine Morgan was a financial adviser with all the right credentials. She had the qualifications, the clients, and years of experience helping others manage their money. But in her own life, money felt unsafe. She was stuck in cycles of overspending, shame, and fear. Not because she didn’t know how to manage money, but because her nervous system was reacting to something deeper. That’s when she realised the problem wasn’t knowledge. It was trauma. So she stepped away from the traditional finance world, retrained in trauma healing, money psychology, and coaching, and started doing the work that had been missing all along. Today, she’s an award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of the global top 0.5% podcast It’s Not About the Money, with more than 600,000 downloads and a mission to help one million women feel safe and empowered around money. In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Catherine shares: Why so many smart, successful people still sabotage themselves financially How money trauma hides in patterns like undercharging, overspending, and avoidance What it means to feel safe with money — especially for ADHD and neurodivergent minds The internal stories that keep us stuck, and how to rewrite them Real transformations Catherine has witnessed — including her own If money stress keeps showing up in your life or business, even when you’re doing everything “right,” this episode will give you a new way to understand it — and a path forward. #destressyourbusiness #CatherineMorgan #moneytrauma #financialstress #adhdawareness #neurodivergentleaders #emotionalresilience #businessgrowth #healingjourney #entrepreneurship --- Helpful resources: Website- https://catherinemorgan.com/ LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-morgan/ Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/catherinemorganmoney/?hl=en Book- “It’s not about the money”- https://catherinemorgan.com/free-book-its-not-about-the-money/ Podcast: It's Not About The Money: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/its-not-about-the-money/id1449065629 Money Quiz: https://catherinemorgan.com/quiz

In Episode 159 of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury shares simple yet impactful ways to enhance your employee onboarding process. He emphasizes the significance of first impressions, providing actionable advice on how to make new hires feel excited, valued, and ready to contribute. From pre-start communication to thoughtful touches on the first day, Alexis highlights the importance of making new employees feel welcome. This episode is packed with practical tips, including setting up tools, personalizing the experience, and fostering early connections. Learn how to turn your onboarding process into a memorable and efficient experience, ultimately improving retention and creating brand ambassadors. Access the full employee onboarding playbook at airmanual.link/playbooks for more detailed templates and checklists. --- Helpful resources: Playbook on how to Onboard a New Employee: https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/onboard-a-new-employee-playbook (it is tailored to Accountancy firms, but the principles apply to all businesses)

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury explores why great technology often fails in businesses despite its potential for significant impact. He breaks down common myths and excuses for tech adoption failures and introduces a seven-step tech adoption process designed to ensure your team not only has the tools but uses them effectively to solve real business problems. Alexis also shares insights on how to align processes with technology, obtain cross-business buy-in, and provide structured training to achieve long-term success. --- Helpful resources: - Get the playbook and interactive checklist at airmanual.link/das25 for step-by-step guidance.

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of selling your business? It’s a lot—confusing valuations, succession plans, and tax pitfalls may be keeping you up at night. Maybe you feel trapped by the legal and financial headaches that turn what should be a smooth transition into a nerve-wracking ordeal. Or maybe the mere idea of letting go leaves you anxious about your future and the legacy you’ve built. If all of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it’s time to rethink how you approach your exit. Today we have Richard McMullan on the podcast. He’s the brilliant mind behind The Business Exit Blueprint. He’s also guided 130+ business owners to transform their exit strategies—helping them scale companies from £1M to £20M and boost value by an average of 40%—and turn overwhelming challenges into clear opportunities for a more relaxed and profitable future. In today’s podcast you’ll: Discover how to break down the exit process and tackle the parts that stress out business owners Hear real-life stories of pivoting strategies and spotting early warning signs Get practical tips on balancing day-to-day operations with long-term exit planning Learn offbeat advice that cuts stress and unlocks new opportunities If you’re ready to flip the script on exit headaches and set yourself up for a smoother, smarter transition, you won’t want to miss this conversation! #DeStressYourBusiness #BusinessExits #ExitStrategy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #RichardMcMullan --- Helpful resources: Richard’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mcmullan/ Richard’s website- https://aurelius-advisory.com/ Richard’s book- https://aurelius-advisory.com/the-business-exit-blueprint-book/ Book recommendation- Living at the summit, by Tom Hill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Summit-Novel-Approach-Exceptional/dp/0966782135

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury dives into assessing and resolving employee underperformance. He discusses the importance of using performance data over gut instinct, signs that indicate potential improvement, and when to consider firing an employee. Alexis also covers the significant costs of keeping underperformers, creating structured improvement plans, and the consequences of inaction. Tune in for practical advice on maintaining high team morale and productivity. --- Helpful resources: - Get the playbook for resolving unsatisfactory employee performance at https://www.airmanual.co/resources

Customer feedback can be a gift—or a challenge. For service businesses, mastering how to handle it is key to improving your offering and keeping clients happy. But what’s the best way to respond to tough criticism without defensiveness or ensure glowing praise doesn’t go unnoticed? In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Rachel Harris, aka “accountant_she,” shares her proven process for handling customer feedback in a way that fuels growth and reduces stress. Rachel, an award-winning accountant and advocate for small businesses, reveals how to: Respond to negative feedback with professionalism and composure Amplify positive feedback to boost morale and attract new clients Build a culture of continuous improvement through actionable insights Whether feedback stresses you out or gets lost in the day-to-day, this episode will give you practical strategies to make it work for your business—not against it. --- Helpful Resources: Accountant_She on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@accountant_she YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/accountantshe Rachel’s Website: https://www.accountantshe.com/

Worried about your business running out of money? This common fear among entrepreneurs goes beyond mere inconvenience; it strikes at the heart of your ability to operate and grow. Imagine the stress of looking at your financial statements, realizing there isn’t enough to cover next month’s bills, let alone unexpected expenses. Whether it’s missing payroll, delaying crucial inventory purchases, or facing hefty tax bills unprepared, these scenarios can shake even the most seasoned business owner. It’s not just about managing finances; it’s about securing peace of mind in a world where cash flow is king. This week on “De-stress Your Business,” we’re joined by Mike Michalowicz, a titan in the entrepreneurial community and the creator of the Profit First formula. With a track record of founding and selling multiple multi-million dollar businesses before his 35th birthday, Mike has dedicated his career to teaching other entrepreneurs how to achieve the same success. His Profit First system has been applied by hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide, radically improving their cash management and ensuring their financial health. In this episode, Mike shares: Effective strategies to prevent financial panic at the end of each financial period, Real-world success stories of businesses that implemented Profit First and transformed their financial health, Step-by-step actions you can take immediately to start building financial security in your business. Tune in to episode 149 with Mike Michalowicz to learn how to turn your financial anxiety into a story of success. --- Helpful resources: LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/ Website- https://mikemichalowicz.com/ / https://www.mikemotorbike.com Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mikemichalowicz/?hl=en Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MikeMichalowiczFanPage/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/MikeMichalowicz X- https://twitter.com/mikemichalowicz?lang=en Mike’s Books- https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mike-Michalowicz/author/B002E4G0CC?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Profit First UK: https://profitfirstuk.co.uk/ Recommended book: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury tackles the often stressful end-of-year annual planning process. He provides practical tips for simplifying the process, aligning your team around shared goals, and creating an actionable plan for 2025. Alexis highlights the importance of using quarterly reviews, effective tools like SWOT analysis and OKRs, and obtaining structured input from your team. He also shares strategies to keep your planning flexible and focused, ensuring continuous progress and engagement throughout the year. 00:00 Introduction: De-stress Your Annual Planning 01:46 Why Annual Planning Feels Stressful 02:50 Preparing for Annual Planning Throughout the Year 04:21 Tools and Templates for Effective Planning 07:55 Aligning Your Team and Gathering Input 09:45 Structuring Your Annual Planning Meeting 12:17 Creating an Action Plan 14:09 Communicating and Adapting Your Plan 15:45 Conclusion and Resources --- Helpful resources: - Template for your annual planning meeting: https://airmanual.link/annual-planning-agenda

Are your outdated accounting practices costing you clients and damaging your business reputation? In a world where speed, efficiency, and precision drive client decisions, clinging to traditional methods is not just inefficient—it’s business suicide. Clients today expect real-time insights and seamless service; failing to provide these can lead them straight to your savvier competitors. The gap between what you offer and what your clients demand is widening, and without a shift, your firm could be left irreversibly behind. This week on ‘De-stress Your Business,’ we confront this urgent issue with David Kime, a visionary who’s revolutionizing the accounting landscape by defying conventional practices. Known for his bold approach and technological prowess, David has not only anticipated the future needs of the industry but has actively shaped them. He’s successfully turned traditional accounting on its head by integrating innovative technologies like DEXT, making businesses not just survive but thrive in the digital age. His expertise has transformed struggling firms into market leaders, setting new standards in client satisfaction and retention. Join us as David shares:👉 How sticking to traditional accounting is pushing clients away.👉 Transformative stories from businesses that have adopted new technologies.👉 The must-have tech tools that are reshaping client relationships. Don’t miss this crucial conversation with David Kime—it might just be the wake-up call your practice needs to stay relevant and competitive. 🎧🚀 #DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #innovation #accounting #technology #clientretention #DavidKime --- Helpful resources: - LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkime/?originalSubdomain=uk- Kime Consultancy- https://www.kimeconsultancy.com/

Are you tired of sifting through candidate profiles only to find that they don’t live up to their resumes? Do traditional hiring methods seem to deliver professionals who lack creativity and the ability to drive real innovation in your business? If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone. Many leaders are discovering that standard recruitment processes often fail to uncover the transformative talent that could significantly advance their organizations. That’s why we invited Chloe Britnell, a revolutionary partner at PJCO who defies industry norms by successfully championing unconventional talent. With her audacious approach, Chloe not only fills positions but also cultivates potential leaders who bring fresh perspectives and drive innovation. Her strategies have consistently proven that great minds don’t always follow conventional paths. In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Chloe shares:👉 Her transformative journey from arts to accounting and how it shapes her hiring philosophy👉 The undeniable benefits of embracing diverse backgrounds in a conventional sector👉 Real-life success stories of non-traditional hires who are now thriving👉 Essential advice for leaders ready to shake up their own hiring practices Tune in to learn how breaking the rules with Chloe might just be the secret to discovering the leaders your business has been missing. #DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #innovation #hiring #unconventionalTalent #ChloeBritnell #leadership #businessgrowth--- Helpful resources: - LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-britnell-acca-bb79b9160/- PJCO Chartered Accountants- https://peterjarman.com/