The Exceptional Business Podcast

After hitting big goals in 2025, Helen found herself facing an unexpected challenge — a lack of motivation for the long, drawn-out projects that would take the business to its next level. In this candid episode of The Exceptional Thinking Podcast , she shares how she navigated post-goal energy dips, balanced “boring but necessary” work with more engaging tasks, and learned to only tackle big proje...

It’s January 2026 — but are you still chasing the same goals you set in 2025? In this episode of The Exceptional Business Podcast , Helen challenges you to break the cycle of setting the same targets year after year without moving the needle. Drawing on relatable stories (including one about an 8-week cooking course that sparked a big “aha!” moment), Helen shares her five proven tips for turning y...

In this final episode of 2025, Helen shifts focus to the importance of rest and rejuvenation for business owners during the festive season. As the year draws to a close, she shares practical advice on how to truly disconnect and recharge, ensuring you return to work refreshed and ready for the challenges of 2026. Helen outlines five essential strategies to help you make the most of this downtime,...

In this insightful episode, Helen continues her series on setting impactful goals, guiding listeners through a structured approach to planning for the year ahead. Building on the foundation laid in part one, this episode focuses on breaking down annual goals into manageable, actionable steps, using the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework. Helen emphasizes the importance of quarterly p...

Episode Summary : In this thoughtful episode, Helen guides listeners through a powerful end-of-year ritual designed to help business owners and professionals reflect on the past year and prepare for the next. Recognizing the importance of closure before setting new goals, Helen introduces a three-part exercise focused on celebrating achievements, addressing challenges, and extracting valuable less...

In this episode, Helen dives into the often-overlooked benefits of marketing during the so-called "quiet" months of August and December. While many businesses pause their marketing efforts during these periods, Helen argues that these months are actually prime opportunities to gain traction and secure new clients. She explains that the common belief that everyone is on holiday in August or too dis...

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Helen shares her tried-and-true strategies for maintaining mental well-being and staying positive as a Managing Director or business owner. Recognizing the unique pressures that come with leadership roles, Helen provides practical tips and exercises that have helped her stay focused, energised, and resilient. These practices are not only essential for p...

Episode Summary: In this episode, Helen shares a game-changing concept that transformed the way she manages her business: the realization that her role as a Managing Director (MD) is not to do everything herself but to ensure that everything gets done. She discusses how she shifted her focus from being the person who completes tasks to becoming a leader who delegates and oversees the completion of...

Are you actually measuring the right things in your business? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking explains why, if you have an issue, sometimes what you THINK is the cause isn't what is the ACTUAL cause and encourages you to dig deeper to get to the root issue. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead gen...

How often do we assume that people understand everything we say? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking shows you why it's essential to check, check and check again that people understand and know how to do their jobs and also have measures in place so you can see where there are issues. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointmen...

Do you use Chat GPT or Excel functions to automate your workload? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking tells you why if you currently don't, you absolutely should and how you can use these tools to simplify your business. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalthink...

We all have the occasional difficult client, but when you do experience one, what can you do about it? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking walks you through seven different things you can do to help prevent difficult clients and then to deal with them when you experience them. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to tal...

Do you currently do everything yourself? If this is you, then today's episode will be very useful. On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking gives you three suggestions for getting out of the day to day and shows you what you should focus on instead to drive your business forward. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk...

I've been listening to Josh Nelson from the Seven Figure Marketing Agency with new thinking about webinars. On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking walks you through the changes we've made in our business about webinars and the difference it's made and shows you how you can apply these as well. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appo...

Do you have a regular focus meeting where you set your intentions for the week? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking explains why you should and goes through what's included in a focus meeting. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk/contact Hosted on...

We visited Bollinger Champagne house last year which was really interesting... On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking goes through the experience and some of the lessons that you could apply to your business. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk/conta...

Do you have a proven step by step process that's mapped out and you can give to your clients and potential prospects? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking walks you through why you should and what this step by step process might look like. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  ww...

Do you know how to ask questions....and when you do, do you really listen to the answers? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking walks you through the power of asking questions and how you can use questions to get more clients. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalt...

When we're looking to get a new client across the line and they ask for a discount, it's always tempting to say yes! On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking shows you ways to discount without actually discounting so the client feels that they're getting a deal but it's not costing you an arm or a leg. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book...

We tell stories all of the time; whenever we're with people we know, loved ones, friends - we love stories; that's why books and films work so well. On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking asks why we don't use stories as much as we should in our business and encourages you to start thinking about stories you could tell. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthi...

If you listen, your prospects and your customers will tell you about things they're worried about, questions they have and objections that they'd like you to overcome. On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking shows you how to use frequently asked questions to help build a content library and move potential prospects forward. To find out more go to  www.exceptional...

Do you ever watch your sales meetings back on zoom or teams? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking gives you four reasons why you should watch your sales meetings back and how you can use them to improve your sales. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co....

We all have different personalities and depending on what personality assessment you use, you can find out what these are and then use them to attract these sorts of personalities via your marketing. On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking shows you two assessments that you can use and how to take these personalities and create a marketing strategy around them. To fin...

When was the last time you did some house-keeping on your marketing? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking goes through why it's essential to check your website, check links work etc etc to build a thriving business. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co...

Do you have regular meetings with your clients or send them weekly reports? On this week's episode, Helen Dowling from  Exceptional Thinking goes through meetings and reports and let's you know why these can be beneficial for your business. To find out more go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk To book an appointment to talk about lead generation, go to  www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk...