The SME Growth Podcast by Wellmeadow

In this episode, we take a candid look at the often-overlooked side of CRM implementation, what happens when it goes wrong. From misconfigured settings and GDPR oversights to mismanaged data imports and catastrophic email leaks, we explore the common mistakes businesses make when onboarding platforms like HubSpot. It’s not about naming and shaming, but sharing cautionary tales that offer tangible...

In this episode, we explore burnout, not simply as a personal issue, but as a warning signal within a business. We discuss how sustained workplace stress, whether you're a business owner or part of a team, often reflects structural challenges such as unclear priorities, insufficient delegation, or an overloaded operating model. Drawing on frameworks like the World Health Organisation’s definition...

In this episode, we take a closer look at economist Roger Martin-Fagg’s July 2025 economic forecast and what it means for UK SMEs. With global tariffs looming and questions swirling about interest rates, inflation, and government spending , we look past the headlines to interpret what’s really going on beneath the surface . Roger’s quarterly insight offers a more nuanced, SME-relevant view than ty...

In this episode, we take a practical look at how to assess the true health of your sales pipeline. It’s a topic that frequently arises in client conversations, especially during due diligence, forecasting, or periods of commercial strain. Yet, many businesses still rely on surface-level metrics or default CRM settings. So we share the tools and thinking we use to dig deeper into: what's really...

In Episode 126 of the SME Growth Podcast, hosts Dave and Rich explore a hypothetical scenario that might feel a little too real: What if the internet went down across the UK? What starts off as a playful thought experiment quickly becomes a serious discussion about business continuity, digital resilience, and the practical steps SMEs can take to be ready, just in case. Inspired by a Sunday Times a...

In this week’s episode of the SME Growth Podcast, hosts Richard and David explore the evolving world of AI in CRM's and how tools like ChatGPT and HubSpot’s latest data connectors are shifting what’s possible for sales, marketing, and business owners. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pace of change. But beneath the jargon, there’s a simple idea: AI can help you make better decisions if you...

In this week’s episode of the SME Growth Podcast, host Dave Parry sits down with David Ventura, founder of Front and Centre, to dig into a critical (yet often overlooked) part of the business growth journey: what happens after the sale. We’ve all heard the golden rule—look after your customers before someone else does. But in the race to land new logos, many businesses unconsciously neglect the on...

In the final episode of their business wisdom trilogy, Wellmeadow hosts, David Parry and Richard Buckle reveal why this advice isn't about chance at all. From a sales leader who sold a terabyte of data for £1 million to a military commander who managed £30 billion budgets, successful business leaders share their most valuable insights. The episode features contributions from recruitment specia...

In this compelling second instalment of their business wisdom series, hosts David Parry and Richard Buckle from Wellmeadow, continue their exploration of invaluable advice from seasoned entrepreneurs, managing directors, and industry specialists. The conversation ranges from customer diversification strategies that saved companies from collapse, to the authentic leadership principles that build la...

The latest SME Growth Podcast episode features something different - real business advice from real entrepreneurs rather than business school theory. After reaching out to dozens of successful business owners, Dave Parry and Richard Buckle from Wellmeadow share the most compelling responses to a single question: "What's your one piece of advice for growing a business or being a good leade...

In this thought-provoking episode of The SME Growth Podcast, David Parry and Richard Buckle from Wellmeadow discuss how businesses can effectively respond when markets and customers evolve. They explore the importance of staying connected to customer needs rather than becoming fixated on established business models and focus on the dangerous disconnect between business vision and market reality. T...

In this thought-provoking episode of The SME Growth Podcast, Dave Parry and Richard Buckle from Wellmeadow discuss how AI is fundamentally changing the competitive landscape for businesses. Going beyond the efficiency benefits, they explore the strategic implications of mass AI adoption and how it's reshaping competitive advantages across industries. This episode challenges business owners to...

In this episode of the SME Growth Podcast, we delve into the art and science of creating and delivering effective business pitches. Richard and David share valuable insights from their recent pitching experience, breaking down the process into three essential phases: preparation, execution, and follow-up. Whether you're pitching to potential clients, investors, or partners, these practical SME gro...

In this episode of The SME Growth Podcast, host Richard is joined by Tracey Miller, who has been running her own business for 17 years. Tracey shares invaluable insights about the importance of business communities and membership organisations for entrepreneurs, particularly for small service-based businesses looking to grow. Key Topics Discussed The Value of Business Communities: Richard and Trac...

In this enlightening episode of The SME Growth Podcast Dave Parry sits down with Kirsty an 18-year-old representative of Generation Z, to explore the evolving expectations and perspectives that young people bring to today's workplace. This conversation offers business owners and managers rare insight into how the newest generation of workers view employment, work-life balance and professional...

In this episode of The SME Growth Podcast, Dave Parry and Richard Buckle reunite to explore whether understanding economic theory actually matters for small and medium-sized business owners. Against the backdrop of newly announced international tariffs and potential economic uncertainty, they examine key economic concepts like price elasticity, opportunity costs, and Keynesian theory, translating...

In this enlightening episode of The SME Growth Podcast Dave Parry from Wellmeadow sits down with Tracey Miller, MD of Bigger Brighter Bolder ( www.biggerbrighterbolder.co.uk) to explore the challenging intersection of imposter syndrome and sales. This conversation delves into why many business owners and professionals struggle with selling their products or services, despite being experts in their...

In this episode of The SME Growth Podcast, Dave Parry from Wellmeadow engages in a compelling conversation with Steve, a seasoned sales professional who has retired after decades in the industry. Throughout this insightful discussion, Steve shares his wealth of experience navigating the challenging world of business-to-business sales, revealing both the exhilarating highs and devastating lows that...

In this timely episode Dave Parry and Richard Buckle examine the critical importance of business continuity planning as we mark the fifth anniversary of the first COVID-19 lockdowns. Drawing from their extensive experience helping businesses navigate crises, they explore practical strategies for ensuring operational resilience in the face of unexpected disruptions. The hosts reflect on how the pan...

In this insightful episode Dave Parry and Richard Buckle explore the critical importance of customer experience in today's business landscape. Moving beyond traditional sales and marketing approaches, they examine how exceptional customer experiences throughout the entire customer journey can drive loyalty, repeat business and powerful word-of-mouth marketing. As customer expectations continue...

Join hosts Dave Parry and Rich Buckle as they explore the unique sales and marketing challenges that small businesses face compared to large organisations. They discuss how small teams must juggle multiple roles, the importance of balancing delivery with ongoing business development, and practical ways to stay accountable without the structured KPIs of bigger companies. You’ll hear insights on cho...

In this thought-provoking episode, Dave Parry and Richard Buckle challenge conventional recruitment practices by revealing how traditional CVs fail to identify the best candidates. Drawing from 15+ years developing recruitment processes for dozens of SMEs, they share their proven 10-stage framework that evaluates candidates beyond paper qualifications and gut feelings. Their approach focuses on di...

“Dirty data is killing you. If your CRM isn’t telling the truth, your business is in trouble.” I. Key Topics & Chapters Introduction & Context: – Episode opens with a bold claim: “Dirty data is killing you.” – Data is compared to oil, requiring constant refinement to fuel growth. – Recap of previous episodes on decision-making and business lessons sets the stage. • The True Cost of Dirty D...

In this deep-diving episode, Dave Parry and Richard Buckle tackle one of the most challenging aspects of business leadership - knowing when to persist through difficulties and when to make the strategic decision to quit. Drawing from Seth Godin's influential book "The Dip," they explore how business leaders can develop a framework for evaluating challenges, making strategic decisions...

In this revealing episode, Dave and Richard take us through their decade-long journey of developing Magic Minutes, a SaaS product designed to revolutionize board meeting management. Through candid discussion of both successes and setbacks, they provide invaluable insights for entrepreneurs considering software development. Their experience spans the complete lifecycle - from initial concept as an...