Business Made Smarter

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, host Ed Nell is joined by Doug D'Aubrey, Founder and Managing Director of Executive Training Consultancy, to dig into one of the most challenging aspects of running a business - managing change. Whether it is a new piece of technology, a shift in internal processes or a change that will affect customers directly, Doug breaks down why so many change initiat...

Episode - From £47K to £2.6M: How to Scale a Creative Business the Right Way In this episode of Business Made Smarter , host Doug D’Aubrey is joined by Scott Clarke, co-founder of Kensa Creative, to unpack the journey from a £47,000 turnover startup to a £2.6 million business over the past decade. The conversation explores what it really takes to scale - from learning to delegate and building a ma...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, host Ed Nell is joined by Doug D'Aubrey, Founder and Managing Director of Executive Training Consultancy, to tackle one of the most overlooked habits in small business management - the regular meeting. Far from the dull, overlong affairs many business owners dread, Doug explains that the right meetings, run well and held consistently, are the single most e...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter , host Doug D’Aubrey is joined by David Hyner, a researcher and professional speaker who has spent nearly three decades interviewing high achievers to understand how they think and behave. The conversation explores what truly drives success - from having a powerful reason why, to setting meaningful goals and, crucially, taking consistent action. David break...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, host Ed Nell is joined by Doug D’Aubrey, Founder and Managing Director of Executive Training and Consultancy, to explore one of the most important (and often misunderstood) aspects of running a business: people management. Doug explains why people management is both an art and a science, highlighting the importance of understanding individual motivations,...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter , host Doug D’Aubrey is joined by Michele Ibbs, Director of I’m Your PA, to explore what it really takes to scale a business effectively. Following her previous appearance, Michele shares how the business has expanded into three distinct service areas — and the practical decisions behind that growth. The conversation focuses on building the right structure...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey discuss one of the biggest steps in growing a small business: building a management team. Many business owners start as solo operators and eventually reach a point where growth becomes impossible without delegation. Doug explains why productivity is closely linked to management structure, how to recognise when it’s time to build a...

In this February episode of Business Made Smarter , host Ed Nell is joined by Doug D’Aubrey to kick off the year’s deep dive into small business management with a focus on organisational structure. Rather than legal company structures, Doug explains the practical framework of activities that allow a business to function, grow and remain profitable. The conversation explores how clearly defining re...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey kick off the 2026 series by shifting focus from marketing to small business management. They explore why many great tradespeople and specialists accidentally build “a job” rather than a profitable business, and why management is really about managing activities (not just managing people). Doug outlines the key themes they’ll deep-...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey look back over a tough year for small businesses and the core marketing themes they’ve covered on the podcast. They talk about the real impact of higher employment costs, why some businesses chose to close rather than adapt, and how others used planning, pricing and better marketing to have their best year ever. Key Takeaways It’s...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey get practical about trade shows and business expos, how to pick the right ones, show up well, and turn footfall into real pipeline. They cover researching organisers and expected attendance, the pros and cons of giant multi-day shows (NEC/Olympia) versus half-day local expos, and why “looking busy” isn’t the goal, booking follow-u...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey unpack what “networking” really is and why it’s far broader (and more useful) than awkward breakfasts and business-card bingo. They redefine networking as the everyday act of building relationships and creating opportunities, whether that’s at a formal event, on the golf course, at church, or even during a speed awareness course....

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey cut through the jargon to show exactly how to judge whether your marketing is working. The golden rule: measure marketing on the enquiries it generates, not on closed sales, because conversion is the job of your sales process. Doug walks through practical ways to track sources (“How did you hear about us?”), keep a simple but cons...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey explore the importance of building customer loyalty, a vital but often overlooked part of long-term business success. Doug outlines why keeping existing customers is just as crucial as attracting new ones. He introduces the concept of the Customer Loyalty Ladder, which moves from satisfied customers to repeat customers, advocates,...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey discuss the value of creating and maintaining a marketing database for small businesses. Doug explains why a database is far more than a contact list; it's a powerful tool that helps you get your message in front of the right audience. They break down the steps to building a useful database, choosing the right CRM system, segmenti...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, host Doug D’Aubrey is joined by ETC’s Director of Consultancy, Phil Edwards to explore the power of scaling up your business. Together, they talk about what scaling really means, how it differs from traditional business growth, and how small businesses can increase turnover without drastically increasing overheads. With real-world examples from tech startu...

In this episode of Business Made Simple, host Ed Nell is joined by Doug D’Aubrey to explore the essentials of creating a successful marketing plan for small businesses. With Doug’s no-nonsense approach, they break down the barriers and myths around marketing strategies, showing that you don’t need a large team or months of prep to start planning effectively. Together, they highlight the importance...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell sits down with Doug D’Aubrey to discuss the importance of crafting a strong marketing message. Doug explains why a marketing message needs to resonate with your target audience, focusing on outcomes rather than the details of how your product or service works. He shares insights on avoiding common mistakes, the power of a clear Unique Selling Propo...

In this episode of Business Made Smarter, Ed Nell sits down with Doug D’Aubrey to discuss the importance of identifying and developing a strong Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Doug explains that a USP is not just about being "different" but also about understanding why customers choose your business over the competition. He shares practical advice on how to uncover your USP by talking to custome...

In this episode of the Business Made Smarter Podcast, Doug D’Aubrey and Michele Ibbs discuss the importance of a well-defined customer journey and how automation and AI can streamline business processes. Michele explains how her company, Truly Yours, helps businesses by creating bespoke customer journeys, utilising automation tools such as Go High Level and AI to save time and improve productivity...

In Episode 3 of the Business Made Smarter Podcast, host Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey, Founder of Executive Training & Consultancy, discuss the importance of organising customer data to enhance marketing efforts. Doug explains how segmenting your customer base allows for more targeted communication, improved service, and ultimately, greater profitability. Whether you're a small business owner or a...

In Episode 2 of the Business Made Smarter Podcast , hosts Ed Nell and Doug D’Aubrey explore why understanding your customer is the foundation of effective marketing. Doug explains how identifying your target audience enables you to tailor your messaging, focus your efforts, and maximise marketing success. From creating a customer avatar to tracking changing trends, this episode provides practical...

In Episode 1 of the Business Made Smarter Podcast, hosts Ed Nell from The Media Insiders and Doug D’Aubrey, founder and managing director of Executive Training and Consultancy, discuss how small businesses can market themselves effectively in a competitive landscape. Doug shares ETC’s 8-step framework for budget-friendly marketing, offering actionable strategies for understanding target audiences,...

Business Made Smarter , brought to you by Executive Training and Consultancy Limited, is your go-to podcast for practical, no-nonsense advice to help your business thrive. Hosted by Ed Nell and featuring insights from Doug D’Aubrey, founder and Managing Director of Executive Training and Consultancy Limited, this series dives into actionable strategies that businesses of all sizes can use to grow...