Podcast For Business with Steve Twynham

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.

Give Back, Grow All, Guide Others: Small Business, Big Heart: Partnering with the Red Hen Project

This podcast explores the partnership between C A Dyer Accounts and the Red Hen Project, a local charity in Cambridge that supports families through parenting programs and community activities. Craig explained how his business, selected the Red Hen Project as their charity partner after a thorough evaluation process, citing shared values and community impact as key factors. Sarah, representing the Red Hen Project, discussed their work supporting families in challenging circumstances through one-on-one support, group activities, and community programs. The conversation highlighted the benefits of long-term partnerships between small businesses and local charities, including increased community visibility, enhanced reputation, and opportunities for skills-based volunteering. Both Craig and Sarah emphasized the importance of sustainable funding models for charities and encouraged listeners to consider supporting local causes through donations, volunteering, or skills-based contributions.
The conversation highlighted the shared commitment to supporting the community through charitable work.

If you have missed the previous podcasts with Craig, here are the links.

Give Back, Grow All, Guide Others :How Small Business Values Build Community

Give, Grow, Guide: Real Work–Life Balance for Small Businesses

 

 

Give, Grow, Guide: Real Work–Life Balance for Small Businesses

In this podcast episode, Steve and Craig discussed the core value of "balance" in Craig's business, which focuses on work-life balance and employee wellbeing. Craig shared his personal experience transitioning from teaching to entrepreneurship, emphasizing how he prioritized work-life balance from the start due to his previous career burnout. They explored how Craig's business maintains a balanced approach through remote work options, flexible scheduling, and a focus on productivity rather than just hours worked. The conversation highlighted how COVID-19 has changed workplace expectations around remote work and flexibility, while also discussing the importance of regular check-ins with team members and maintaining a holistic approach to business relationships. The episode concluded with Craig sharing three key takeaways: plan work-life balance early in business development, maintain regular conversations with team members about their needs, and focus on the whole person rather than just business interactions.

If you missed Podcast 1 with Craig about How Small Business Values Build Community. Click here.

Give Back, Grow All, Guide Others :How Small Business Values Build Community

In this episode Steve Twynham speaks with Craig Dyer about how small businesses can give back, grow their teams, and guide others by embedding values into everything they do. They discuss community involvement, grassroots sponsorships, networking, and the importance of overcoming isolation as a sole trader.

Craig shares practical takeaways — support local events, make time to join community networks, and consider the bigger impact your business can have — plus examples from his journey growing an accountancy practice and working with startups.

Don't Let Your Christmas Party Cost You: HR Dos & Don'ts

HR Consultant Siobhan Clarke shares practical guidance on Christmas party conduct and employer responsibilities, including managing alcohol, preventing sexual harassment, and ensuring staff get home safely.

She also explains major 2026 changes—higher minimum wage, statutory sick pay from day one, expanded paternity rights, a new Fair Work Agency—and offers retention strategies like stay interviews, absence management, and supporting mental and musculoskeletal health.