Podcast For Business with Steve Twynham

Behind the LinkedIn Smile: Real Business Challenges and Overwhelm

A group of small business owners share candid stories about the highs and lows of running a business — from feeling overwhelmed and dealing with mental health to systemizing work and outsourcing tasks.

The episode offers practical tips: recognize when you’re struggling, ask for help, focus on what you can control, and build systems to grow sustainably.

Networking Mistakes That Kill Connections — And How to Fix Them

Host Steve Twynham and a panel of business professionals discuss the biggest mistakes people make when networking, both online and face-to-face.

They share practical tips on preparing a clear pitch, being visible on video, following up with one-to-ones, choosing welcoming groups, and focusing on building relationships rather than expecting immediate sales.

From Handshake to Happy Clients: The Power of One-to-Ones

In this episode of Podcasts For Business, business owners discuss why follow-ups and one-to-one meetings are crucial for building trust, understanding people beyond their elevator pitches, and generating real referrals. They share practical tips for meaningful conversations, offering help, and using shared spaces to strengthen connections.

Whether you’re nervous about networking or want to deepen your existing connections, this episode explains how thoughtful follow-ups and genuine one-to-ones turn introductions into lasting business opportunities.

Give Back, Grow All, Guide Others: From Bookkeeper to Business Navigator: How Accountants Unlock Growth

In this podcast episode, Steve and Craig discussed the evolving role of accountants and how they can help small business owners navigate financial decisions. Craig shared his approach of treating clients holistically and using simple language to explain complex financial concepts. They explored the importance of developing a 5-year business plan and regularly reviewing it. Craig emphasized the value of having a strong relationship with an accountant and highlighted that businesses working with accountants tend to earn 11% more in turnover. They also discussed the need for small business owners to overcome their fear of numbers and the importance of aligning team members with the business's values. The episode concluded with Craig encouraging listeners to reach out to him through his website for further assistance.

 

The Gift of Feedback: How to Help People Improve at Work

Steve and Gary discussed the importance of feedback in the workplace, focusing on its purpose of helping individuals improve their performance. Gary emphasised that feedback should be timely, specific, and delivered with the intent to assist rather than criticise. They explored the AID model (Action, Impact, Do) as a structured approach to providing feedback. Gary highlighted the need for consistency in feedback delivery while acknowledging the importance of tailoring the approach to the individual. They also discussed common pitfalls, such as the feedback sandwich, and the importance of giving feedback in private. Steve and Gary agreed on the value of feedback at all levels of an organization and encouraged listeners to seek training if needed.

Stitching Credibility: How Branded Workwear Builds Trust

Steve Twynham is joined Chris Robinson of Embroidery in House about branded workwear: the pros and cons of embroidery versus print, choosing quality garments, and how decoration and care affect durability and professional appearance.

Chris explains that his company, originally named Personalised Sports and Workwear in 2005, was later renamed Enterprise International Holdings Limited before settling on its current name, Embroidery House, in 2008. Chris describes the business as a family enterprise that has been successfully operating for over a decade.

Embroidery vs Print Branding Options

Chris shared his family business experience, highlighting his father's work at 73 years old. They discussed embroidery versus print options for business branding, with Chris emphasizing that embroidery provides a professional, durable look, while prints offer bold colors and larger decorations. Chris noted that print technology has improved significantly, making it a viable option alongside embroidery.

Branding Choices: Print vs. Embroidery

Chris and Steve discussed the pros and cons of embroidery and print for branding, emphasizing that print has improved significantly and should not be underestimated. Chris suggested that for companies with frequent staff turnover or heavy use, cheaper garments are a practical choice, despite their shorter lifespan and less durable branding. However, for customer-facing roles, investing in higher-quality, fashionable workwear brands like Snickers and Mascot is advisable for a professional appearance.

Embroidery Logo Creation Process

Chris explained the process behind creating high-quality embroidered logos, highlighting the importance of proper artwork and digitisation. He mentioned that their team, led by Mickey, a skilled redrawer with 20 years of experience, ensures logos are redrawn to maintain quality, especially when dealing with poor-quality images from customers. Chris also noted their long-standing relationship with a digitising team, which helps in transforming logos into stitch patterns for a premium finish.

Digitising Logos for Embroidery

Chris discussed the process of digitising logos into stitch patterns, emphasizing the importance of trial and error and the need for editing and sending proofs to achieve the desired embroidery results. Steve proposed exploring the significance of branded workwear in building credibility and trust, and the meeting took a break to continue this discussion later.

Trust Through Professional Work Attire

Steve and Chris discussed the importance of branded workwear in building trust and credibility. Chris shared an analogy comparing a window fitter in casual workwear to one in professional attire, emphasizing that the latter's appearance suggests greater professionalism and reliability. They agreed that while both workers might be skilled, the dressed-up worker appears more trustworthy to customers, potentially influencing their willingness to invest in their services.

Workwear Durability and Care Guidelines

Chris and Steve discussed the importance of first impressions and the professional appearance of workwear. They emphasized the durability of workwear, particularly the DTF print which can last for 60-70 washes, and the importance of proper care to maintain the quality of embroidery. Chris advised against using tumble dryers for decorated workwear and recommended ironing over logos to extend the life of embroidery.

Uniform Care and Production Updates

Chris discussed the importance of proper care for uniforms to extend their lifespan, emphasizing that treating them well will reduce replacement costs. He also highlighted recent improvements at the embroidery house, noting significant investments made since COVID, including the acquisition of new embroidery machines and an up-to-date direct-to-film system, which has increased their production capacity to 18 heads.

Promoting New UV DTF Machine

Chris discussed recent investments and upgrades, including a new UV DTF machine that prints stickers for various substrates, and updates to their website and showroom. He is working on finding ways to promote the machine and determine its return on investment. Chris emphasised that they are pushing their brand more than ever before.

Brand Visibility and Production Overview

Chris discussed the company's strategy to increase brand visibility in a saturated industry by actively promoting their services. He explained their showroom and production facilities, which are located in West Yorkshire. Steve inquired about the showroom's location, and Chris provided a brief overview of their setup, including the production areas for DTF, UV DTF, and embroidery.

Bradford Workwear Business Overview

Chris discussed the location and history of his business in Bradford, highlighting their 20-year presence and recent upgrades. He mentioned the popularity of certain workwear items, such as fleeces, soft-shell jackets, body warmers, and quarter zips. Steve inquired about the business's contact information, and Chris provided their website, email address, and phone number.

Networking Secrets: Turn Small Talks into Big Business

Host Steve Twynham and a panel of business owners share clear, practical advice for getting the most from networking: prepare your message, listen actively, be consistent, and focus on long-term relationships and referrals.

Learn about different networking styles, how to approach meetings with an open mind, and simple actions that turn casual connections into useful business opportunities.

Battling Rising Absence: Why Employees Are Off More Than Ever

In this podcast Steve is joined by HR Consultant Siobhan Clarke discussing rising absenteeism levels in the workplace and the associated challenges for employers. Siobhan, shared insights on the factors contributing to increased absence, including mental health issues and musculoskeletal problems related to remote work. They discussed the importance of monitoring and analyzing absence data, implementing consistent policies, and conducting return-to-work interviews to address underlying issues. The conversation also touched on upcoming changes to employment law regarding statutory sick pay and the need for employers to adapt their practices accordingly. Additionally, they explored the concept of the Hawthorne effect and its relevance to managing employee behavior.