Business Problems Solved Podcast

Lee reflects on the journey of creating the podcast over the past six years and 330 episodes. He expresses deep gratitude for the impact the podcast has had on both his life and the lives of listeners, sharing how it has fostered connections and personal growth. Lee announces the conclusion of the Business Problem Solved podcast, not as an end to his podcasting journey, but as a transition to a new venture: The People Puzzle Podcast, which will align with his upcoming book, "The People Puzzle." This new podcast will focus on four key themes: alignment, relationships, feelings, and leadership, aiming to provide targeted support and insights for listeners. Lee encourages his audience to stay subscribed for this exciting new chapter while expressing his heartfelt thanks for their support throughout the years. KEY TAKEAWAYS Transition to a New Podcast: The Business Problem Solved podcast will be concluding, but a new podcast titled The People Puzzle Podcast will be launched, focusing on themes related to the speaker's upcoming book. Focus on Key Themes: The new podcast will explore four main themes: alignment, relationships, feelings, and leadership, which are referred to as the four pieces of The People Puzzle. Personal Reflection and Growth: The podcasting journey has been a deeply reflective and humbling experience, providing valuable insights and personal growth over the past six years and 330 episodes. Gratitude for Audience Engagement: There is a strong appreciation for the audience's support, including their messages and feedback, which have contributed to the speaker's learning and connection with others. Anticipation for Future Content: Listeners are encouraged to stay subscribed to the current podcast feed, as they will automatically receive the new content when it launches, ensuring continuity in the speaker's message and mission. BEST MOMENTS "This process of recording this podcast has been the most reflective, insightful experience that I've ever had."  "I've decided to stop recording the Business Problem Solved podcast for a few reasons."  "I want to impact and help more people because I want to really double down on what's important to me."  "The new podcast is going to be called The People Puzzle Podcast, because the book is called The People Puzzle." "Thank you from the bottom of my heart for just everything that this podcast has enabled and provided for me."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the dynamics of high performing teams, challenging the common saying, "there's no I in team." He emphasises the importance of recognising individual differences within a team, including diverse perspectives, communication styles, and motivations. Lee discusses how understanding these differences can enhance team collaboration and performance. He introduces the concept of the four C's of human relationships—connect, converse, collaborate, and celebrate—and highlights the significance of aligning intentions in conversations. By fostering deeper connections and being aware of individual needs, leaders can create an environment where team members feel valued and motivated to achieve collective goals. Tune in for practical insights on building effective teams and enhancing interpersonal relationships in the workplace. KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace Individual Differences: High performing teams are composed of diverse individuals with varying perspectives, experiences, and communication styles. Recognising and understanding these differences is crucial for team success. The Four C's of Human Relationships: Building strong relationships involves a cyclical process of connecting, conversing, collaborating, and celebrating. Finding common ground is essential for deeper engagement and rapport. Motivation and Communication Styles: People are motivated differently—some move away from pain while others move towards pleasure. Understanding these motivations, along with individual communication preferences, can enhance team dynamics and effectiveness. Aligning Intent in Conversations: In interactions, it's important to align your intent with the other person's needs, whether they seek help, support, or simply want to be heard. Misalignment can lead to conflict and misunderstandings. Vulnerability and Leadership: Effective leadership may require being vulnerable and showing care for team members. Leaders should also be mindful of their own communication styles and adapt to better connect with their team. BEST MOMENTS "There is no I in team... However, to create a team, it is important that you recognize it is made up of a lot of eyes, a lot of individuals."  "If you can understand which is the dominant preference of each person, then that allows you to change your conversation style."  "We need to connect. We need to understand ourselves and understand others."  "The way that we connect is we find things in common, which requires us to ask better questions."  "If the other person wants to be heard, then you need to listen."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the dynamics of high performing teams, challenging the common saying, "there's no I in team." He emphasises the importance of recognising individual differences within a team, including diverse perspectives, communication styles, and motivations. Lee discusses how understanding these differences can enhance team collaboration and performance. He introduces the concept of the four C's of human relationships—connect, converse, collaborate, and celebrate—and highlights the significance of aligning intentions in conversations. By fostering deeper connections and being aware of individual needs, leaders can create an environment where team members feel valued and motivated to achieve collective goals.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Embrace Individual Differences: High performing teams are composed of diverse individuals with varying perspectives, experiences, and communication styles. Recognising and understanding these differences is crucial for team success. The Four C's of Human Relationships: Building strong relationships involves a cyclical process of connecting, conversing, collaborating, and celebrating. Finding common ground is essential for deeper engagement and rapport. Motivation and Communication Styles: People are motivated differently—some move away from pain while others move towards pleasure. Understanding these motivations, along with individual communication preferences, can enhance team dynamics and effectiveness. Aligning Intent in Conversations: In interactions, it's important to align your intent with the other person's needs, whether they seek help, support, or simply want to be heard. Misalignment can lead to conflict and misunderstandings. Vulnerability and Leadership: Effective leadership may require being vulnerable and showing care for team members. Leaders should also be mindful of their own communication styles and adapt to better connect with their team. BEST MOMENTS "There is no I in team... However, to create a team, it is important that you recognise it is made up of a lot of eyes, a lot of individuals."  "If you can understand which is the dominant preference of each person, then that allows you to change your conversation style."  "We need to connect. We need to understand ourselves and understand others."  "The way that we connect is we find things in common, which requires us to ask better questions."  "If the other person wants to be heard, then you need to listen."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the critical factors that contribute to career success, encapsulated in the concept of PI: Performance, Image, and Exposure. Lee emphasises that while performance accounts for only 10% of success, image and exposure play significantly larger roles, at 30% and 60% respectively. He discusses the importance of personal, product, and professional branding, urging listeners to consider how they present themselves and their teams. Through real-world examples and insights from conversations with change practitioners, Lee highlights the necessity of aligning branding efforts and increasing visibility to foster trust and credibility within organisations. This episode serves as a guide for individuals and teams looking to enhance their impact and recognition in their professional environments. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding PI for Career Success: Career success is influenced by three factors: Performance (10%), Image (30%), and Exposure (60%). While performance is essential, image and exposure play a more significant role in how individuals are perceived and recognised in their careers. Three Brand Perspectives: When considering career and team success, it's important to evaluate from three brand perspectives: personal brand (individuals), product brand (the services or products offered), and professional brand (the team or organisation). Each aspect should align to create a cohesive identity. Authenticity in Exposure: Exposure should be authentic to the individual or team. Engaging in social media or other platforms should reflect one's true self rather than conforming to external expectations. There are various ways to increase exposure that align with personal values. Building Trust through Reliability and Credibility: Trust is built through demonstrating reliability (performance), credibility (image), and intimacy (exposure). Ensuring that these elements are present can enhance relationships and foster a positive reputation within an organisation. Importance of Branding and Communication: Change teams should actively manage their image and exposure. This includes having a clear team identity, consistent branding, and effective communication strategies to ensure that their contributions are recognised and valued within the organisation. BEST MOMENTS "10% of career success is down to performance, 30% down to the image that you have, and 60% down to your exposure."  "You need to think about performance, image, and exposure to ensure that many people have an opportunity to understand who you are, how you help, and what you do."  "Far too many change people believe that just by doing a good job, people will recognise what they're doing. But unfortunately, that doesn't work." "If you can get others to build connection with you first, then you've got a far greater chance of having a successful change team."  "You want to make the team stand the test of time, and it comes down to not just doing a good job." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee wraps up the "Big Picture, Big Insights" series, which synthesises the voices of 5,000 individuals from 10 UK organisations to uncover what drives, hinders, and empowers them in achieving their company vision. Lee discusses the final three key themes: culture and morale, communication and collaboration, and work environment and resources. He emphasises the importance of fostering an engaged workforce, transparent communication, and a supportive work environment to enhance employee well-being and productivity. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their organisational culture, ask targeted questions, and take actionable steps to create a thriving workplace. The episode concludes with an invitation to download the comprehensive insights document and reach out for further engagement. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding Culture and Morale: Organisations should focus on transforming their culture from disengaged to empowered by removing negative elements such as low morale and lack of recognition, while fostering a culture of respect, continuous learning, and appreciation. Enhancing Communication and Collaboration: To shift from chaos to clarity, organisations need to eliminate delayed responses and fragmented updates. Implementing structured communication frameworks and maintaining open channels can significantly improve team interactions and information flow. Improving Work Environment and Resources: A well-designed work environment is crucial for employee well-being and productivity. Organisations should prioritise modern resources, ergonomic workspaces, and mental health support to create a balanced and supportive atmosphere. Asking the Right Questions: Leaders are encouraged to engage with their teams by asking targeted questions related to the six key themes identified (systems and processes, people and teams, leadership and strategy, culture and morale, communication and collaboration, work environment and resources) to gather insights and drive improvement. Taking Action on Insights: Gathering feedback is only the first step; organisations must listen to the responses and take actionable steps to address identified challenges. This proactive approach is essential for fostering a high-performance culture and empowering employees. BEST MOMENTS "A negative or stagnant work culture can drain motivation, lower productivity and lead to disengagement."  "We want to shift from disengagement to empowerment, from unrecognised effort to visible appreciation."  "To create a transparent, efficient communication culture, organisations must implement a clear and structured communication framework."  "When employees lack the right tools and support, organisations face remote working inefficiencies." "The journey to high performance requires addressing inhibitors, enhancing enablers and reinforcing strengths."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee continues the discussion on "Big Picture, Big Insights," focusing on two critical themes: people and teams, and leadership and strategy. Drawing insights from 5,000 voices across 10 UK organisations, Lee explores the barriers to achieving business vision from an internal perspective. He highlights the importance of fostering collaboration, psychological safety, and inclusivity within teams while addressing the detrimental effects of silos and poor communication. Additionally, Lee emphasises the need for visible and engaged leadership that aligns with strategic goals to build trust and clarity. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their organisational dynamics and consider how to shift from disconnection to engagement, ultimately enhancing team performance and morale. KEY TAKEAWAYS Critical Themes for High Performance: The podcast identifies six critical themes that impact organisational performance: systems and processes, people and teams, leadership and strategy, culture and morale, communication and collaboration, and work environment and resources. Moving from Disconnection to Collaboration: To enhance team dynamics, organisations should focus on eliminating toxic behaviors, fostering psychological safety, and breaking down silos between departments. Key elements to maintain include strong morale, flexibility in working arrangements, and a customer-focused approach. Leadership Visibility and Engagement: Effective leadership requires visible and accessible leaders who engage meaningfully with employees. Organisations should aim for consistent messaging and strategic clarity to build trust and empower employees to make decisions. Identifying Challenges: Organisations can assess their engagement and collaboration levels by asking specific questions about employee comfort in sharing ideas, collaboration between teams, recognition of contributions, and the clarity of strategic priorities. Actionable Steps for Improvement: To transition from disconnection to engagement, organisations must connect with their people, understand their challenges, and facilitate meaningful conversations. This process is essential for gathering insights and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. BEST MOMENTS "A dysfunctional team environment can severely impact productivity, morale and overall business success when poor communication and isolation take root."  "The two most important metrics in an organisation that are never actually measured are the number of thoughts we are creating in our people and the length of time from those thoughts to conversation to action."  "To create a high performing, inclusive and engaged teams, organisations must cultivate consistent collaboration across departments, breaking down silos."  "A lack of leadership visibility and strategic alignment can leave teams feeling disconnected, uncertain and unsupported."  "If the answers reveal gaps, it's time to move from disconnection to engagement, from mixed messaging to strategic clarity." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee shares exciting insights from a comprehensive study involving the voices of approximately 5,000 individuals across over 10 UK organisations. The discussion centers around six key themes that drive success in high-performing teams: systems and processes, people and teams, leadership and strategy, culture, morale, communication and collaboration, and work environment and resources. Lee emphasises the importance of understanding the current realities and aspired futures within these themes, particularly highlighting the challenges faced by senior leaders, such as getting trapped in operational issues and fostering silos within leadership teams. The episode aims to provide practical approaches to overcome these challenges, starting with a deep dive into the theme of systems and processes, and sets the stage for further exploration in upcoming episodes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Insights from 5,000 Voices: The podcast discusses insights gathered from approximately 5,000 individuals across over 10 UK organisations, focusing on what drives, hinders, and empowers them in achieving their team and company visions. Six Key Themes Identified: The analysis revealed six critical themes essential for high-performing teams: systems and processes, people and teams, leadership and strategy, culture and morale, communication and collaboration, and work environment and resources. Leadership Challenges: Senior leaders face recurring challenges, including getting trapped in daily operational issues, lack of alignment within leadership teams, and managing a disengaged workforce, which can lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Importance of Systems and Processes: Efficient systems and processes are crucial for operational success. Organisations should aim to eliminate legacy software, paper-based processes, and overly complex approval structures while integrating tools that enhance collaboration and provide real-time insights. Cultural Definition: Culture is defined as the sum of all habits, behaviours, and routines within an organisation. Understanding and improving these elements can significantly impact motivation, engagement, and overall organisational performance. BEST MOMENTS "We've captured the voices of about 5,000 people from approximately 10 UK organisations sharing what drives, what hinders and what empowers them in achieving their team and company vision."  "Culture is the sum of all the habits, behaviours, and routines that exist within your team, function, business, or family."  "When we've engaged with all of these people, there's a bias towards those on the front line, not those at the top of the tree." "Disengaged teams increase costs and erode performance." "People, processes, and information need to flow together and support each other."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the critical role of people in driving improvement within organisations. Drawing from recent experiences in delivering improvement training, Lee emphasises that while tools and methodologies are essential, they must be aligned with the right habits, behaviours, and a clear purpose to be effective. He discusses the importance of creating a culture where individuals feel empowered to identify and address issues, highlighting the need for both top-down direction and bottom-up collaboration. Lee encourages listeners to think differently and engage in meaningful conversations that foster connection and collaboration, ultimately leading to high performance and successful outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of People in Improvement: Improvement is fundamentally about people. Engaging, aligning, and influencing individuals is crucial for achieving desired outcomes in any organisation. Connection of Tools and Behaviors: Tools such as skills matrices and visual management should be utilised to influence the right habits and behaviors. They must be aligned with the organisation's goals and purpose to be effective. Culture and Habits: The culture of an organisation is shaped by the habits, behaviors, and routines of its people. Recognising and addressing these elements is essential for fostering a positive and productive work environment. Top-Down and Bottom-Up Approaches: Effective improvement requires both top-down direction and bottom-up idea generation. Leaders should set expectations and role model behaviors while also creating safe spaces for employees to share their thoughts and solutions. Continuous Engagement and Reflection: Improvement is an ongoing process that involves connecting, conversing, collaborating, and celebrating achievements. Regular reflection on these interactions helps reinforce positive behaviors and drives continuous improvement. BEST MOMENTS "Improvement needs to be a factor in everybody's role, but we outsource it to change teams."  "High performance is a demonstrable evidence of the right habits and behaviors, consistently doing the right thing at the right time."  "If you see something out of the ordinary, what's out of the ordinary to you might not be out of the ordinary to somebody else."  "You've got to think and do to achieve. You've got to think different."  "It's all about the people, but it's about how we are influencing people, engaging people, aligning with people."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee Horton delves into the critical importance of understanding both the destination and the starting point when creating a vision for an organisation. He emphasises that while many companies focus on their aspirational goals, they often overlook the current state of their teams and the challenges they face. Lee provides insightful questions to help leaders engage with their teams, uncovering what is working well, what hinders progress, and what support is needed to bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding the Current State: Before setting a vision or goal, it's crucial to assess where the organisation currently stands. Knowing the starting point allows for a more effective strategy to reach the desired destination. Engagement Through Questions: Engaging team members by asking targeted questions about their current challenges, frustrations, and what works well can provide valuable insights. This helps in understanding their perspective and meeting them where they are. Three Key Aspects of Vision: When working on a vision, consider three components: where you want to go, where you are now, and how to bridge the gap between the two. This holistic approach ensures that everyone is aligned and understands the journey. Focus on Empowerment and Support: Identifying moments when team members felt supported and empowered can help recreate those conditions. Understanding what keeps them engaged is essential for fostering a motivated workforce. Stop, Start, Continue Framework: Utilise the stop, start, continue framework to evaluate current practices. Determine what should be stopped (hindrances), what should be continued (successful practices), and what new actions should be initiated to achieve the vision. BEST MOMENTS "Rather than talking about the destination, the word you want to get to, the big goal for next year, five years, 10 years, I want to talk to you about where are you today?"  "What are your biggest challenges or frustrations that you face in your daily work?"  "When people feel like and are genuinely listened to, cared for and supported, then they will give that back."  "Don't just focus on the future. Absolutely start with the ending mind. But also take a moment to understand where we are today."  "You can only understand where they are starting from if you meet them where they are."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the critical role of habits, behaviours, and routines in shaping organisational culture. He introduces the concept of the "5Rs" for successful habit formation: Reason, Readiness, Routine, Repetition, and Results. Lee emphasises the importance of clarity and simplicity in defining what should happen within teams and organisations, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own practices. By exploring each of the 5Rs, he provides practical insights on how to foster a more engaged and inclusive culture, ultimately guiding individuals and teams toward meaningful contributions and desired outcomes. Tune in to discover how to effectively implement these principles in your own business environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS Definition of Culture: Culture is defined as the sum of all habits, behaviours, and routines within a team, department, or organisation. Understanding this definition is crucial for fostering a positive workplace environment. Five Rs for Successful Habit Formation: The five Rs—Reason, Readiness, Routine, Repetition, and Results—are essential for creating and maintaining effective habits. Each R addresses a specific aspect of habit formation that contributes to personal and organisational success. Importance of Clarity: Clarity in what should happen daily is vital for effective habit formation. Everyone involved should understand their roles and responsibilities to ensure alignment and engagement towards common goals. Role of Accountability: Readiness involves not only personal belief in one's ability to succeed but also having external accountability. This support system is crucial for maintaining motivation and commitment to the desired habits. Reflection and Adaptation: Regular reflection on the results achieved is necessary to ensure that the habits and routines are effective. Understanding what success looks, sounds, and feels like helps in adjusting strategies to stay on the right path. BEST MOMENTS "The definition of culture is the sum of all of the habits, behaviors, and routines that exist within." "We need to make it clear and simple what should happen and is what should happen happening."  "If you're not ready to start today, are you really ready?"  "How often do you need to do these things to get the results? And are you doing it enough?"  "The five R's of successful habit formation are what I spoke about." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the concept of leadership and the importance of aligning one's habits, behaviours, and routines with their job title. Drawing on Aristotle's idea that "excellence is not an act but a habit," Lee emphasises that simply holding a title does not make someone a true leader. He shares personal anecdotes, including his experience training for marathons, to illustrate how consistency in actions defines our identities. The episode highlights the significance of building trust through reliability and understanding the expectations of those we lead. Lee encourages listeners to engage in open conversations about leadership styles and to seek alignment with their teams to foster high performance. KEY TAKEAWAYS Excellence as a Habit: True excellence is not defined by job titles or occasional acts but by the consistent habits and behaviours we exhibit in our roles. Leadership Consistency: Effective leadership requires consistent actions and behaviours that align with the expectations of those being led. Leaders must be aware of how their actions are perceived by others. Trust and Reliability: Building trust as a leader involves being credible and reliable. Leaders should consistently follow through on their commitments to foster trust within their teams. Alignment of Expectations: Successful leadership hinges on a mutual understanding of expectations between leaders and their teams. Open communication about what is expected from both sides is crucial. Self-Reflection and Feedback: To be perceived as a leader, one must engage in self-reflection and seek feedback from others. Understanding how others view your leadership style is essential for growth and alignment. BEST MOMENTS "Excellence is not an act but a habit. What are your habits that you are displaying?"  "Just because you've got the job title, it does not mean that you are the thing."  "We cannot pick and choose when we want to be a leader because we don't know who is seeing what we do."  "The number one reason for people leaving organisations is the leadership, the leader that they've had."  "If you want to be a leader in everybody's eyes, then they've got to see, hear, feel and think about you as a leader."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee Horton delves into the critical role of setting clear expectations in leadership and team dynamics. He emphasises that expectations should be a shared understanding between leaders and their teams, forming the foundation for trust, collaboration, and success. Drawing an analogy from Santa Claus, Lee illustrates how genuine connection and clarity can lead to delightful surprises rather than unwelcome ones in the workplace. He outlines three essential steps for leaders: listening deeply to their teams, collaboratively setting expectations, and connecting meaningfully with individuals. By prioritising these elements, leaders can unlock creativity, innovation, and stronger relationships within their teams, ultimately driving better results. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Clear Expectations: Expectations should be a shared understanding between parties. When they are clear, aligned, and agreed upon, they form the foundation for trust, collaboration, and success. Connection is Key: Building genuine connections on a human level is essential for effective leadership. This includes understanding team members' strengths, motivations, and challenges, as well as fostering a two-way connection. Three Steps for Leaders: To enhance connection and set expectations effectively, leaders should: 1. Listen deeply to their teams to understand their needs and aspirations. 2. Set expectations collaboratively, clarifying what should happen while co-creating how it will happen. 3. Connect meaningfully with team members, moving beyond transactional relationships to build trust and rapport. Two-Way Street of Leadership: Leadership involves both top-down and bottom-up communication. Leaders must provide direction while also empowering their teams to contribute ideas and solutions, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued. Unlocking Potential: When leaders prioritise connection and set clear expectations, they unlock not just the potential for results, but also for creativity, innovation, joy, and strong relationships within the team. BEST MOMENTS "An expectation is a shared understanding of what is desired, required, and possible between two or more people."  "When people understand each other, when there's genuine two-way connection, expectations are met and surprises are welcome."  "Missed expectations lead to frustration, they lead to conflict, leads to disengagement."  "Leaders must build genuine relationships with their people. Leadership isn't a one-way street."  "Expectations are powerful, but only when they're clear, aligned and agreed upon."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee dives into the critical leadership challenges of 2025, emphasising the importance of connecting with people during times of change. Reflecting on his past messages, Lee highlights that effective leadership is not just about tools and processes but fundamentally about engaging the head, heart, and hands of team members. He discusses the necessity of asking better questions, fostering emotional buy-in, and empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully. Lee also addresses the need for transparent communication, collaboration across silos, and balancing technology with the human touch. This episode serves as a rallying cry for leaders to embrace genuine connections and inspire their teams to navigate change effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on People-Centric Leadership: The defining leadership challenge for 2025 is leading people through change. Successful leadership hinges on the ability to connect with and empower individuals, fostering understanding, trust, and commitment. Engage the Head, Heart, and Hands: Effective leadership requires engaging people intellectually (head), emotionally (heart), and practically (hands). This holistic approach ensures that change is not just implemented but embraced. Tailor Communication: Understanding the unique needs, motivations, and challenges of team members is crucial. Leaders should ask better questions and communicate transparently to build trust and ensure everyone feels valued. Break Down Silos: Collaboration across teams and functions is essential for successful change. Leaders must encourage teamwork and collective progress, moving away from siloed thinking to a shared vision and purpose. Balance Technology with Humanity: While technology can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace the human touch necessary for effective leadership. Leaders should use technology to support communication and foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. BEST MOMENTS "The defining leadership challenge for 2025 is leading people through change. It’s about people because leaders are people in change."  "Engaging the head, heart, and hands of your people ensures that change isn't just implemented, it is embraced."  "Connection is more than a buzzword. It's the foundation of effective leadership and successful transformation."  "You need to tailor your communication to meet them where they are, considering their unique needs, motivations, and challenges."  "The greatest challenge of 2025 is also the greatest opportunity to lead change and people in a true way that connects and inspires."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee reflects on his journey through 2024, a year marked by significant personal and professional challenges, including completing both the London Marathon and an Ultra Marathon. He shares insights on the importance of setting meaningful goals and the need to prioritise time with loved ones, particularly as his children grow older. Lee emphasises the value of being present and making conscious choices about how to spend time, rather than simply exchanging time for money. He introduces his upcoming book, which aims to document critical success factors for sustainable change and people leadership, and encourages listeners to adopt a more ambitious and strategic approach to their own goals in 2025. The episode serves as a motivational reminder to think differently and take actionable steps towards achieving personal and professional aspirations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Value of Time: The importance of prioritising time with loved ones over solely focusing on work and financial goals is important, to consciously make choices on how to spend your time. Goal Setting: Setting ambitious and meaningful goals is crucial. Instead of waiting for a new year or a specific date, one should take immediate action towards their aspirations, ensuring that goals are strategic, meaningful, ambitious, real, and targeted. Reflection and Learning: Taking time to reflect on past experiences, such as completing marathons, can provide valuable insights into personal growth and the importance of gradual progress in achieving larger goals. Authentic Connection: Building authentic connections and relationships is essential for personal and professional growth. The focus should be on championing and coaching others while maintaining a leadership role. Daily Actions for Change: To achieve significant differences in life, it is necessary to think differently and take consistent actions towards goals every day. Small, incremental steps can lead to substantial progress over time. BEST MOMENTS "If there's something that actually makes you feel that you want to succeed, then you've got to really double down and go for it."  "At the time when I might be ready, they might not want me."  "You have to think and do different to achieve difference."  "I want to provide an opportunity for other people to find about these things that I believe are the critical success factors for sustainable change."  "Make sure it's by a particular date that you're aiming for."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee Horton addresses a critical challenge faced by change teams in large organisations: the need to practice what they preach. He emphasises the importance of change teams not only facilitating change for others but also engaging in self-improvement and problem-solving within their own functions. Lee discusses the necessity of creating a supportive environment that encourages the identification and resolution of problems, rather than outsourcing all improvement efforts to change teams. He advocates for empowering individuals at all levels to treat continuous improvement as part of their daily roles, ensuring that change teams are focused on meaningful work that aligns with the organisation's goals. Tune in for insights on how to enable change teams to succeed and make improvement a collective responsibility. KEY TAKEAWAYS Practice What You Preach: Change teams often fail to apply the principles of change management to their own processes, which can hinder their effectiveness. It's essential for these teams to embody the change they advocate for. Empower Problem Solving: Organisations should create an environment that encourages individuals to identify and solve problems proactively, rather than relying solely on change teams to address issues. Prioritise Meaningful Work: Change teams should focus on strategic problem definitions and prioritise their activities based on organisational goals, rather than just responding to the loudest voices or immediate demands. Continuous Improvement as a Core Activity: Improvement should be integrated into the daily roles of all employees, encouraging them to take ownership of their processes and suggest enhancements. Collaborative Approach to Change: Successful change initiatives require collaboration across departments, with change teams facilitating improvements rather than being solely responsible for them. This collective effort is crucial for achieving organisational goals. BEST MOMENTS "Change teams hate more than anybody else having to go through and be changed." "We need to create the right safe environment where problems can be found, opportunities can be found, ideas can be had and shared." "The change team is not there to just deliver the wish list of a single person." "If we can get over that, then we can create the right environment to deliver change successfully." "Do not let your change team fail because of poorly set up and not working on the right stuff." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the dual roles of change teams within businesses likening them to doctors and fitness instructors. He emphasises the importance of aligning change initiatives with long-term strategic goals rather than focusing solely on short-term fixes. Lee discusses the critical need for change teams to enhance their image and exposure by demonstrating their contributions to organisational success. He advocates for breaking down silos between functions and fostering collaboration towards a common destination, ultimately enabling teams to work more effectively together. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own change processes and consider how to better align daily activities with overarching objectives for sustained improvement. KEY TAKEAWAYS Change Teams' Focus: Change teams can be likened to either doctors, who address specific pain points and problems, or fitness instructors, who focus on building capability and skills within the organisation. Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective change management. Long-term vs. Short-term Thinking: Organisations often prioritise short-term gains over long-term success, which can lead to the undervaluation of change teams. A strategic approach should focus on aligning activities with long-term goals rather than just immediate fixes. Importance of Image and Exposure: Career success is influenced by performance (10%), image (30%), and exposure (60%). Change teams need to effectively communicate their value and contributions to enhance their image and increase their visibility within the organisation. Alignment with Strategic Intent: For change teams to be effective, their activities must align with the organisation's strategic goals. This requires clear communication and understanding of how daily contributions support the overall destination the organisation is trying to achieve. Collaboration Over Competition: Breaking down silos between different functions (e.g., finance, sales, operations, HR) is essential for achieving collective success. By connecting on a shared purpose and destination, teams can work together more effectively and maximise the value of their contributions. BEST MOMENTS "Change teams often chase short-term victories over long-term success because everybody's trying to justify the job that they're doing."  "We need to connect together on a destination and achieve success together. Don't compete, connect." "If you can demonstrate to people that your change teams are supportive of your destination, it will enable them to increase their positive image."  "We need to gain real alignment and connection to people, daily contribution to the strategic intent."  "Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, but we just don't help them do a good job."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he talks about the critical concepts of psychological safety and safe spaces within organisations. Drawing from his recent experiences delivering training to diverse groups from various cultures, Lee emphasises the importance of creating environments where individuals feel secure to share their thoughts and ideas. He highlights key takeaways from his sessions, such as the value of silent brainstorming to ensure equal participation and the significance of asking follow-up questions to demonstrate genuine interest in others. Lee advocates for connecting on a human level and fostering an atmosphere where everyone feels empowered to contribute, ultimately leading to more effective teamwork and innovation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Psychological Safety: Creating an environment where individuals feel psychologically safe is crucial for encouraging open communication and sharing of ideas. This involves both internal and external factors that contribute to a person's comfort in expressing themselves. Silent Brainstorming: Implementing silent brainstorming sessions allows everyone to have an equal opportunity to share their thoughts without being overshadowed by dominant voices. This method fosters inclusivity and ensures that all perspectives are considered. Asking the Second Question: Engaging in deeper conversations by asking follow-up questions demonstrates genuine interest and care. This practice not only strengthens relationships but also encourages individuals to elaborate on their thoughts and feelings. Human Connection: Fostering connections on a human level is essential. Using relatable icebreakers, such as asking about what someone had for dinner, can help individuals feel more comfortable and open up in group settings. Adaptability in Communication: Recognising that people have different communication styles is vital. Adapting your approach based on the individuals present can enhance the effectiveness of interactions and ensure that everyone feels valued and heard. BEST MOMENTS "Many organizations aspire to create environments that encourage psychological safety for their individuals, but also creating safe spaces."  "Silent brainstorming allowed the individuals the same space, the same time, the same opportunity to share their thinking."  "We need to take this into personal conversations as well as business or coaching conversations because it demonstrates that we care."  "Psychological safety, providing safe spaces is key to connecting with people but it comes down to how we go about doing it."  "If you want people to share their thoughts, you need them to feel safe, but you also need to create the space for them to do it."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the critical relationship between tools and the mindset of individuals in the realm of continuous improvement. Building on a previous discussion, Lee emphasizes that while various improvement methodologies, such as Lean and 5S, provide valuable frameworks, the true essence of successful change lies in fostering a culture of critical thinking and respect for people. He explores popular tools like value stream mapping and Kanban, highlighting the importance of asking the right questions to instil a mindset focused on problem identification, customer centricity, and proactive improvement. Ultimately, Lee argues that creating a thinking culture is paramount for achieving different results and driving meaningful change within organisations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on Thinking, Not Just Tools: The essence of improvement lies in developing people's thinking rather than merely deploying tools. Continuous improvement and respect for people are fundamental principles that should guide all change initiatives. Value Stream Mapping: This tool is not just about mapping processes but about fostering a mindset that encourages holistic thinking, customer-centricity, and problem identification. The goal is to help individuals think differently to achieve better results. 5S and Workplace Organization: Implementing 5S goes beyond maintaining cleanliness and order. It aims to instil discipline, ownership, and a continuous improvement mindset among employees, encouraging them to recognize and address inefficiencies. Encouraging Continuous Improvement: Regularly asking questions about small improvements, frustrations, and outdated processes helps cultivate an improvement mindset. This approach fosters collaboration, proactivity, and a belief that there is always room for enhancement. Critical Thinking in Problem Solving: Tools like root cause analysis and the "5 Whys" are designed to promote critical thinking and accountability. The focus should be on creating a culture where individuals are empowered to identify problems and seek solutions, reinforcing the importance of thinking in driving effective change. BEST MOMENTS "It's about continuous improvement and respect for people. Those two things are not in isolation." "If we can help people think better, then we're creating more ideas and thoughts in those people to make the world a better place." "We want to try to create thinking. We want people to be able to spot the opportunities for improvement." "It's not just so we can have a Kanban. It's not so we can just deploy a tool. It's because we're trying to create thinking in people." "We need to create thinking in people first." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores into the often over looked aspects of training sessions, emphasising the importance of aligning language and definitions to ensure effective learning. He challenges listeners to think differently about their approach to training, whether as participants or facilitators and highlights the necessity of creating actionable plans that integrate learning into everyday practices. Lee shares practical strategies for fostering accountability, such as assigning ownership of action items and encouraging personal commitments from participants. By focusing on these elements, he aims to help organisations maximise their investment in training and achieve meaningful, lasting change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Think and Do Different: To achieve different results, it's essential to not only think differently but also to take actionable steps based on that new thinking. Training should inspire participants to implement what they've learned. Alignment of Language: Ensuring that all participants have a shared understanding of key terms and concepts is crucial. Misalignment in definitions can lead to confusion and ineffective application of knowledge. Action Plans for Application: Capturing tangible actions during training sessions helps cement learning. Each action should have a designated owner and a timeline for accountability, ensuring that the knowledge gained is applied in the workplace. Integration into Existing Routines: Actions derived from training should be integrated into regular meeting rhythms to maintain focus and accountability. This prevents the need for separate discussions about training outcomes and promotes ongoing application. Personal Commitment: Encouraging participants to make personal commitments to change fosters accountability. Sharing these commitments with the group increases investment in the learning process and encourages follow-through after the training session. BEST MOMENTS "You have to think and do different to achieve different."  "When you get back from holiday, the first day back it then seems like it's been months since you've had a holiday."  "Alignment of language is key, especially in a training room."  "We want applied learning. We want people to take the knowledge that they're getting in the training room and apply that learning in the workplace."  "If you don’t do that, then you’re going to have to have another meeting to just talk about the output of that meeting."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks through the critical role of questioning in successful change management. Drawing from his extensive experience since 2006, Lee emphasises that while tools and methodologies are essential, the true key to effective change lies in understanding and asking the right questions. He argues that change practitioners should prioritise developing their questioning skills and the principles behind those questions rather than solely focusing on tools. By engaging the minds, hearts, and hands of individuals, change practitioners can facilitate meaningful transitions and foster a culture of ownership and engagement. Tune in to explore how shifting the focus from tools to thinking can lead to more sustainable and successful change initiatives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Prioritise Questions Over Tools: Successful change management should focus on asking the right questions and understanding the principles behind those questions, rather than solely relying on tools and frameworks. Engagement is Crucial: The ability to engage with people is critical for successful change. Change practitioners must work to understand and connect with individuals to facilitate a positive transition. Understanding Change Dynamics: Change is fundamentally about transitioning people from one state to another. This requires a deep understanding of the thinking, habits, and behaviours of those involved in the change process. Create a Safe Environment for Thinking: It’s essential to foster an environment where individuals feel safe to express their thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions about change. Focus on Meaningful Outcomes: Change practitioners should aim to create clarity around goals and desired outcomes, ensuring that these goals resonate with the people involved, making them feel real and meaningful. BEST MOMENTS "Our ability to work with people, our ability to engage with people is critical in the success of landing change."  "It's not about tools, it's not about people, it's about thinking and our ability to ask the right question."  "If you want to create new thinking, new habits, new behaviours, you need to create more thinking by asking better questions."  "Don't ask what tools do we need to teach our change practitioners. Ask what questions need to be created in our change practitioners."  "Success is changing the thinking of our people, engaging the heads, engaging the hearts, engaging the hands in a meaningful way." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the importance of asking the right questions as a leader and the impact it has on coaching and developing people. He emphasises that effective leadership is not just about managing tasks or providing answers, but about fostering thought and reflection in others. Horton discusses the need to balance managing, leading, and coaching, highlighting that change should be an everyday part of business rather than a one-off project. He advocates for a humann centered approach to improvement, where continuous growth and respect for individuals are paramount. By connecting on a personal level and engaging teams in meaningful conversations, leaders can inspire a highly engaged workforce dedicated to making incremental improvements every day. KEY TAKEAWAYS Coaching Through Questions: Asking questions is a powerful tool for coaching, but the true success lies in generating thought and reflection in the individuals being asked, rather than simply obtaining answers. Situational Leadership: Effective leadership requires a balance of managing tasks, leading people, and coaching gaps. The approach should be tailored to the specific situation and the needs of the individuals involved. Continuous Improvement: Change should be integrated into daily operations rather than treated as a one-off project. Engaging employees in continuous improvement fosters a culture where everyone contributes to enhancing processes and outcomes. Respect for People: Emphasising respect for individuals and their contributions is crucial. A highly engaged organisation thrives on mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to improvement. Holistic Engagement: To achieve organisational success, it is essential to engage employees' heads (through thought-provoking questions), hearts (by inspiring them towards a common goal), and hands (by involving them in meaningful work). BEST MOMENTS "The success of asking a question is not in receiving an answer, but in generating thoughts in the people that we've asked the question of." "Change needs to be, or should be, an everyday business as usual part of every single role because those who do the work know most about it." "If we truly embraced those two principles, joined them together and made them business as usual for everybody, then everybody will be working to do the right thing at the right time every single time." "It's about improving that task at hand as well in a collaborative way." "Change and leadership is not black and white because not every person is the same." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the critical concept of empowering the right person to do the right thing at the right time, every single time. He emphasises the importance of clarity in roles and responsibilities within an organisation, highlighting that not everyone is the right person for every task. Lee discusses how leaders can create an enabling environment through clear expectations, open communication, and trust, allowing individuals to act confidently based on their awareness and experiences. By fostering a culture where responsibility is shared and acted upon with urgency, leaders can ensure their teams thrive. Tune in to discover practical approaches to enhance operational excellence and empower your team effectively. KEY TAKEAWAYS Empowerment of the Right Person: It's crucial for leaders to identify and empower the right individuals within their teams to take responsibility and act at the right time, rather than assuming that everyone should handle every situation. Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities: Clear communication of roles and responsibilities is essential to prevent confusion and ensure that team members know when they are the right person to act. Setting Clear Expectations: Leaders must establish clear standards and expectations for what constitutes the "right thing" to do in various situations, aligning these with the organization's goals and values. Creating an Enabling Environment: An environment that fosters trust, open communication, and support is vital for empowering team members to act confidently and appropriately when they are the right person. Understanding Timing: Knowing when to act is as important as knowing what to do. Leaders should cultivate a sense of urgency and awareness of timing within their teams to ensure actions are taken at the appropriate moments. BEST MOMENTS "A successful environment is one where the right individual steps up at the right time, without confusion over roles and responsibilities."  "The right thing really should align with expectations and standards."  "Leaders must provide clear expectations of what the right thing looks like for various roles and situations."  "When the right person does the right thing at the right time, it's a reflection of the environment that the leader has cultivated."  "You want the choice to be crystal clear and you want them to act appropriately at the right time."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the significance of language in the context of business improvement. He explores the use of Japanese terminology, often adopted from Toyota's principles, and the debates surrounding the choice between using familiar English words or introducing new terms. Lee emphasises that words are merely labels and that the real challenge lies in the thoughts and actions they inspire in others. He presents three approaches to introducing new concepts: challenging existing definitions, using foreign words to bypass biases, or creating entirely new terms. Ultimately, Lee underscores the importance of aligning language with the desired actions to ensure that everyone is doing the right thing at the right time, every time. KEY TAKEAWAYS Language as Labels: Words are merely labels for concepts or objects, and the meanings we attach to them can vary significantly among individuals. Understanding this can help in effective communication and change management. Three Approaches to Language in Improvement: When introducing new concepts, one can either challenge existing definitions, use foreign terms to avoid biases, or create entirely new words. Each approach has its own implications for understanding and acceptance. Importance of Thought Creation: The primary goal of using language is to create specific thoughts in others that lead to desired actions. It's essential to focus on the thoughts generated by the words used rather than the words themselves. Emotional Connection: Words and actions should aim to evoke feelings, as emotions play a crucial role in influencing behaviour. As Maya Angelou famously said, people may forget what you said or did, but they will remember how you made them feel. Alignment of Thinking and Action: To achieve effective outcomes, it is vital to align the thinking of individuals with the desired actions. Misalignment can lead to confusion and hinder progress, making it crucial to ensure clarity in communication. BEST MOMENTS "Words are just labels that we give that thing... and we may use the same word to articulate a completely different point."  "It comes down to the thinking and the thoughts that are created with the words that we use."  "The name of something is just a label. It's the thinking that you're creating in the people that you are wanting to do something that is important."  "It's a thinking challenge, not a new dictionary challenge. We want to create the right thoughts in the people to do the right thing."  "People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but never forget how you made them feel." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the intricacies of leading effective daily conversations within organisations. Building on previous discussions about tiered meeting structures, Lee outlines 12 essential skills that leaders need to master to engage their teams and maximise contributions. He emphasises the importance of creating a safe environment for open communication, interpreting information clearly, and transitioning from information-sharing to actionable steps. By addressing common pitfalls and offering practical approaches, Lee encourages leaders to reflect on their capabilities and seek support in facilitating impactful daily meetings.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Daily Conversations: Regular meetings, whether called stand-ups, huddles, or performance cells, are crucial for engaging teams, aligning information, and ensuring everyone is on track to meet organisational goals. Leader Preparedness: Leaders must be equipped to facilitate effective daily conversations. This includes skills in public speaking, engaging team members, and creating a safe environment for open communication. Structured Approach: A successful daily meeting should follow a structured approach, including setting the tone, interpreting information clearly, asking open-ended questions, and ensuring clarity on next steps and accountability. Encouraging Participation: Leaders should foster an environment where team members feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment, promoting a culture of collaboration and collective problem-solving. Motivation and Clarity: At the end of each meeting, it’s essential to ensure that team members leave feeling motivated and clear about their roles and responsibilities for the day, which contributes to overall productivity and morale. BEST MOMENTS "Done right, these can be the most powerful opportunity to engage your people and enable them to maximise their contribution."  "Just because they lead a team does not mean that they can lead an effective daily conversation." "You want to create as many thoughts in your people. You want to get as many ideas and suggestions from your people as possible."  "How comfortable are you as a leader getting a single owner for activities and actions and then pinning them down to a date?"  "You want people to feel motivated, positive and ready to go and make a positive contribution today."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the crucial concept of connection within the framework of successful change initiatives. He reflects on his frequent use of the term "connection" and emphasises its importance as the first of the Four Cs: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, and Celebration. Lee shares insights on how to foster genuine connections with team members, highlighting the significance of understanding individuals on a personal level, communicating transparently, and adapting communication styles to suit different audiences. He also discusses the value of creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and the importance of celebrating small wins to maintain morale.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Connection: Connection is the foundation of effective communication and change management. It is essential to prioritise building relationships before introducing tools or processes. Person-Centric Approach: To foster connection, it's crucial to view team members as individuals with unique experiences, challenges, and motivations. Taking the time to understand them enhances trust and openness. Transparent Communication: Open and honest communication is vital for building trust. Clearly explaining the reasons behind changes and how they benefit both the organisation and the team encourages engagement. Adaptability in Communication: Tailoring communication styles to suit different audiences is important. Understanding how individuals prefer to receive information can significantly enhance connection and engagement. Fostering Inclusion and Celebrating Wins: Creating an inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued strengthens connection. Additionally, recognising and celebrating small wins keeps morale high and encourages ongoing engagement. BEST MOMENTS "Connection is the start of the Four Cs: Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, Celebration." "Tools don't lead people. Tools can't influence. Tools can't inspire. People do these things."  "Open and honest communication is the cornerstone of connection."  "Finding common ground takes time, takes your ability to ask questions, but also having a genuine interest in that person."  "Connection is far more than a word. Connection is a feeling between two people." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee engages in a great conversation with Tommy, a video testimonial expert originally from Leeds, now residing in Malta. Tommy shares his unique journey from a challenging upbringing to discovering the power of video testimonials in business. He emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for clients to express their feelings and experiences, which ultimately leads to authentic and impactful testimonials. Throughout the discussion, Tommy provides valuable insights on how to maximise the effectiveness of video testimonials, the significance of emotional connection in storytelling, and the art of asking the right questions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Emotional Connection: Building a safe space for clients to share their feelings and experiences is crucial. This emotional connection leads to more authentic and impactful video testimonials. Value of Real Results: Effective video testimonials focus on concrete outcomes rather than abstract benefits. Testimonials should highlight specific results, such as increased leads, reduced stress, or improved relationships. Maximizing Testimonials: To get the most out of video testimonials, ensure they are easily accessible to clients and suppliers, incorporate them into webinars, and reuse the entire interview content for additional marketing materials. Ongoing Relationships: Maintaining strong connections with clients is essential. Regular check-ins and accountability help ensure that clients utilise the services they’ve paid for, leading to better outcomes and referrals. Storytelling Through Questions: Asking open-ended questions that encourage clients to share their stories and feelings can reveal deeper insights. This approach not only enhances the quality of testimonials but also fosters a more engaging and relatable narrative. BEST MOMENTS "What I noticed was that after a short amount of time, the way he wrote sounded like the way I talked. And I liked that. The light bulb went off." "How do you make somebody feel safe? Because in every business, we want everybody to feel safe and that they can contribute their thoughts." "A great testimonial talks about real results, not abstract ones that are kind of all feel good, but no substance." "I realised that the trick to getting people to hang around longer with you was to get them to open up and feel like they were the ones who had the spotlight." "It's all about connection and relationships... It's about how you deal with people." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee engages in a compelling conversation with former professional goalkeeper Lee Robinson, who has transitioned into a modern-day goalkeeping coach and entrepreneur. They discuss Robinson's journey from a challenging football career to his mission of transforming goalkeeping training through innovative methods and specialized gloves. The episode delves into the importance of character, work ethic, and decision-making in goalkeeping, contrasting traditional views that prioritise physical attributes like height. Robinson shares insights on how he aims to empower young goalkeepers by encouraging them to embrace mistakes in training to enhance their performance in games. This episode not only highlights the parallels between sports and business leadership but also emphasizes the significance of mentorship and personal growth in achieving success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Character Over Size: The importance of a goalkeeper's character and decision-making skills outweighs physical attributes like height. A smaller goalkeeper with a strong character can be more effective than a taller one lacking in these qualities. Learning from Mistakes: Making mistakes in training is essential for growth. The approach encourages goalkeepers to make errors during practice to avoid repeating them in games, fostering a mindset that values learning over perfection. Innovative Training Methods: The use of specialised training gloves that challenge goalkeepers to improve their catching skills and decision-making under pressure. This method aims to make training more realistic and beneficial for performance in actual games. Mental Health Awareness: Acknowledging the mental challenges faced by goalkeepers, including feelings of inadequacy and pressure. The discussion highlights the need for support and guidance to help young players navigate these challenges effectively. Changing Goalkeeping Norms: Advocating for a shift in how goalkeeping is perceived and trained, moving away from traditional methods that focus solely on physicality and technique. The goal is to inspire a new generation of goalkeepers who are confident, skilled, and capable of making smart decisions on the field. BEST MOMENTS  "I want to give the benefit of all my underachievements and failures and hard times and help these young goalkeepers not have to deal with what I had to go through."  "I think you should have to earn the right to call yourself a professional instead of just leaving school and a couple weeks later having a professional contract."  "The best goalkeepers aren't the best technically; they're the best decision makers under pressure." "What you did in those camps absolutely engages the heads of the goalkeepers, engages the hearts of them because they love it, and fundamentally engages the hands and the footwork."  "You have to make more mistakes in training to make less in a game." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode of "Business Problems Solved," host Lee Horton explores the concept of PIP—People, Information, and Product—and explores how these three critical elements must flow harmoniously for an organisation to achieve operational excellence. Lee discusses the importance of engaging the head, heart, and hands of the organisation, highlighting key challenges such as misalignment between teams, burnout, and information overload. He offers practical strategies to foster effective people flow, streamline information flow, and optimise product flow, emphasising the need for connection, conversation, collaboration, and celebration within teams. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding PIP Flow: PIP stands for People, Information, and Product (or Process and Services). Achieving operational excellence requires these three elements to flow harmoniously within an organization. Challenges to People Flow: Key challenges include misalignment between teams, burnout or low morale, and siloed collaboration. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a motivated and engaged workforce. Importance of Information Flow: Effective information flow is essential for informed decision-making. Challenges include horizontal and vertical communication breakdowns and information overload, which can hinder timely and accurate decisions. Optimizing Product Flow: Product flow represents the processes and actions involved in delivering goods and services. Challenges include bottlenecks, balancing speed with quality, and inflexibility in processes. Streamlining these processes is vital for efficiency. The Four C's Framework: To orchestrate harmony in PIP flow, organizations should focus on connecting people to the vision, fostering constant conversations, collaborating across functions, and celebrating successes while reflecting on areas for improvement. BEST MOMENTS "Does your pip flow or does your pit squeak? PIP stands for People, Information, and Product or Process and Services." "Achieving operational excellence means orchestrating these three flows so that they work seamlessly together." "The heart represents the emotion, the energy, the culture, the motivation of its people, driving engagement and collaboration."  "If the energy and motivation are stifled, information flow suffers, which is the head."  "Success is not zero problems. Success is a culture of openness and proactivity in dealing with them."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he talks about the critical theme of choices and their impact on personal and professional growth. He emphasises that every decision we make, whether automatic or deliberate, shapes our future and the outcomes we achieve. Lee introduces a framework for making effective choices, highlighting three key components: awareness, evaluation, and commitment. He also shares practical strategies for making better decisions, such as aligning choices with core values, prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term gratification, and seeking diverse perspectives. Additionally, he warns against impulsive decision-making, avoiding responsibility, and clinging to the status quo out of fear. Tune in to discover how to empower yourself and your team to make informed choices that lead to meaningful results. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Choices: Life and business revolve around the choices we make. Every decision, whether big or small, influences our future and the outcomes we achieve. Three Key Components of Making Choices: Effective decision-making involves three steps: Awareness: Recognising that a decision needs to be made and understanding the available options. Evaluation: Weighing the pros and cons of each option and aligning them with personal values and goals. Commitment: Taking action on the chosen option and being responsible for the outcome. Best Practices for Making Choices: To achieve desired results, focus on: Aligning decisions with core values and long-term goals. Prioritising long-term benefits over short-term gratification. Seeking diverse perspectives to gain insights and avoid blind spots. Avoiding Poor Decision-Making: Steer clear of: Acting on impulse, which can lead to poor outcomes. Avoiding responsibility for decisions, which limits personal growth and learning. Sticking to the status quo out of fear, which can hinder progress and innovation. Creating a Supportive Environment: Leaders should foster an environment where team members feel safe to make choices. This involves providing clarity on options, encouraging evaluation, and supporting commitment to decisions, ultimately leading to collective progress towards goals. BEST MOMENTS "Do not leave your change initiatives to chance. You need to really think about the choices that you're making and the choices that you're enabling." "A choice is a deliberate act of will, shaped by your values, beliefs, and the circumstances you find yourself in." "Making a choice is not just about selecting an option, it's about committing to it and taking action." "The best choices are those that are aligned with your values and your goals." "Every choice you make is a step towards shaping your future, the team's future, your business's future."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the crucial topic of behaviours and how they impact our daily actions. He introduces the concept of ACT - Attitude, Choices, and Technique - as the key components of behaviour. He emphasises the importance of having the right attitude, making conscious choices, and executing tasks with the correct technique to achieve success in business and personal endeavours. By framing behaviors in this way, Lee encourages listeners to reflect on their own actions and consider how they can improve their attitude, decision-making, and skills.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Behaviour Definition: A behavior is defined as an observed act, emphasising the importance of actions being visible and tangible. ACT Framework: The ACT acronym breaks down behaviours into Attitude, Choices, and Technique, highlighting the key components that influence actions. Attitude: Having the right attitude, whether positive or negative, plays a significant role in shaping behaviours and outcomes. Choices: Making decisions, whether right or wrong, is crucial as it allows for learning and progress while making no choice hinders growth. Technique: The execution of actions with the right technique is essential for success, emphasising the importance of honing skills and capabilities. BEST MOMENTS "The best thing you can do is make the right choice. The second best thing you can do is make the wrong choice."  "And if we're here to influence habits and behaviours in everybody, then we need to help everybody act in the right way every time."  "So just by thinking about making the right or wrong choices, having the right or wrong attitude and the right or wrong technique, makes me think about and perform better."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Business Problems Solved's 300th episode features host Lee reflecting on his personal transformational journey of running the London Marathon and completing a 100-kilometer ultra challenge. Through his experience, Lee introduces the SMART FIRST method for setting and achieving goals, emphasising the importance of strategic, meaningful, ambitious, real, and targeted goals. He also discusses the FIRST method, focusing on fueling the body and mind, being in the moment, preparing adequately, having a supportive team, and taking one step at a time to achieve success. Lee shares how these methods have not only helped him in his physical challenges but also in guiding his son through a goal-setting process. The episode concludes with Lee's commitment to applying these principles to further grow and improve the podcast in the next 100 episodes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Episode 300 Milestone: The episode marks a significant milestone in the podcast's journey, reflecting on personal achievements and setting the stage for future goal-focused content. SMART FIRST Approach: Introduces a refined version of SMART goals, emphasising strategic, meaningful, ambitious, real, and targeted aspects to provide the right motivation for goal achievement. The FIRST Method: Outlines the FIRST method for achieving SMART goals, focusing on fueling the body and mind, being in the moment, ensuring proper preparation, having a supportive team, and taking one step at a time. Future Podcast Direction: Lee plans to apply the SMART FIRST approach to the podcast's content, aiming to help senior leaders and change professionals navigate challenges and achieve desired outcomes. BEST MOMENTS "I never expected nearly six years ago to ever get to 300 episodes. I thought I was gonna run out of content. But here I am sat 300 episodes later with still quite a few ideas."  "The A should be for ambitious in smart goals, and not achievable because if we say that it's achievable then it's limiting what we can actually achieve." "The more that I verbalized the challenge with those people around me, and the more that they could see me training, the more that people started to support because they started to believe in the challenge." "So are you thinking smart first to achieve your possible dreams? That's what I would encourage you to think about." "My aim in every single episode of this podcast is to make you think some stuff, and make you think enough stuff that you do something different, or you try something new."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about an unconventional yet thought provoking analogy between cleaning and successful change initiatives. Lee draws parallels between the four key components of cleaning—movement, cleaning solution, heat, and time—and the essential elements required for effective change. Through this insightful comparison, listeners are encouraged to apply the same rigour and methodology to their change initiatives as they do to everyday cleaning tasks, ultimately aiming to create sustainable and impactful transformations in their working environments. KEY TAKEAWAYS Four Key Components of Cleaning and Change: The four key components of cleaning (movement, cleaning solution, heat, and time) are paralleled with the components needed for successful change (movement, support, heat, and time). Importance of Agitation and Movement: Lee emphasises the importance of agitation and movement in both cleaning and change processes to bring about effective results. Need for Support and Heat in Change: Having support (cleaning solution) and introducing heat (conflict or challenge) in change initiatives to drive progress and improvement. Time as a Critical Factor: Lee stresses the significance of allowing the relevant amount of time for change to take place and for new processes to be established and sustained. BEST MOMENTS "We clean something to make it look good or to return it to its original state or to make it last longer, to maybe remove something from it that shouldn't be on it." "Do we really have the relevant amount of time? Do we really create enough heat warmth of relationship or challenge to create the most optimal ways of working?"  "Are you applying those four things to your change initiatives? Or are you just doing it when you get in the shower in the morning?"  "Saying you know how to do it is not doing it. Saying you know how to change is not changing."  "We only really improve when we do something different."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the key insights from Carlo Ancelotti's leadership book, "Quiet Leadership." He reflects on the importance of relationships, connection, and authenticity in leadership, drawing inspiration from Ancelotti's approach to managing world-class football teams. The episode highlights the three Cs to becoming a champion: capability of tasks, cultural fit, and contribution to the team. Listeners are encouraged to apply these principles to enhance their leadership skills and team performance. KEY TAKEAWAYS Importance of Relationships: Building strong relationships with team members, support staff, and superiors is crucial for effective leadership. Authentic Leadership Style: Being authentic in leadership, maintaining emotions, and connecting with individuals on a personal level can lead to success. Three C's to Becoming a Champion: Focus on capability of tasks, cultural fit within the team, and contribution to the team to create a high-performing team. Capability: Clarity of tasks, support, and learning opportunities are essential for individuals to be capable in their roles. Cultural Fit: Aligned values, supportive environment, and clarity of vision are key components for fitting into the team or organisation. Contribution to the Team: Clear roles and responsibilities, empowerment, and clarity of goals are crucial for making a valuable contribution to the team. BEST MOMENTS "He leads by understanding the person... around the importance of connection."  "There's three Cs to being a champion... how capable are you to do the task?"  "So how much of a contribution to the team do you make? How much of a contribution do each member of the team make?" "He would make a point of understanding the person, but then also leading in that way."  "So the three Cs to being a champion are those three Cs... what you are doing for yourself to make sure that you are as capable as you can be."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee's latest episode talks about the intricacies of maintaining change momentum and combating loneliness within change management. He shares insights on understanding individual journeys, building belief and trust, leading with connection over tools, and the importance of habits in driving change. Through engaging anecdotes and actionable advice, Lee encourages listeners to embrace the challenges of change management with enthusiasm and purpose. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understand that everybody is on a journey, including yourself, and recognise where individuals are on their journey to create the right conversation. Build belief, confidence, and trust in yourself, the solution, and the organisation to understand and address potential barriers to progress. Lead with connection rather than tools to tailor your approach and make it more relatable and effective. When creating or breaking habits, focus on the cue and reward, not just the routine, to facilitate lasting change. Help individuals move away from pain or towards pleasure, considering the neutral zone as a stepping stone to transition effectively. BEST MOMENTS "Lead with connection not with tools because that allows you to tailor your narrative about the tool, the solution, the technique, the thing in a meaningful way and vary your presentation."  "Don't just focus on the routine and document in the process because if you just create a process and ask people to do it, not everybody will do it."  "Fundamentally, we're trying to get people to create and have the right motivation, the right reasons for action so that they do the right thing at the right time every time."  "The toothpaste manufacturers made the reward feel so amazing that everybody then wanted, okay, your teeth are now clean, your mouth feels so fresh."  "It's not our approach that's broken, it's our approach to change that's broken. And I think just by applying a few different strategies to what we do and how we do it, it can help us overcome some of the challenges that we face today."HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the complexities of leading change within organisations, focusing on maintaining momentum and limiting loneliness in the process. He emphasises the importance of understanding where individuals are on their change journey, addressing resistance, and building belief, trust, and confidence in the solution, approach, and organisation. This episode serves as part one of a two-part series, offering practical approaches to make positive strides in the ever-evolving landscape of change management. KEY TAKEAWAYS Change can be both the best and worst job, with feelings of loneliness and loss of momentum being common challenges. Understanding where individuals are on their change journey and addressing their beliefs, confidence, and trust are crucial for successful change implementation. Change and improvement should be viewed as everyone's job, but not everyone sees it that way, leading to challenges in driving change. It is important to view situations through the eyes of others, considering their perspectives on consistency, connection, and credibility in relation to the proposed solutions and organisation. By recognising and addressing resistance, maintaining momentum, and limiting loneliness, change practitioners can deliver successful change initiatives in a people-focused business environment. BEST MOMENTS "Change for me has been and is the best and worst job that I have ever had."  "Everybody is on a journey. So if they're on a journey, we're on a journey, and people are saying these things."  "All change starts with belief. So like Santa, we believe in Santa, don't we?"  "I shared those four quads because those four quads are what I've heard a lot and I asked a group which one of these four quotes have they heard the most." "And that's where his lack of belief, confidence or trust came from."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he talks about the importance of considering three key factors before implementing tools in business change initiatives. Lee emphasises the significance of prioritising connection and understanding the audience before introducing tools, drawing parallels to the world of comedy where connection is paramount. He highlights the need to assess the problem the tool aims to solve, the design principles behind it, and the predictability of results in the current environment.  Listeners are encouraged to think critically about their approach to tools and change, aiming for meaningful connections and tailored solutions for optimal outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Connection is Key: Prioritise building a connection and relationship with the individuals you are working with before introducing tools or solutions. Consider the Problem: Before applying a tool, identify the problem it aims to solve and ensure that problem exists in the context you are working in. Understand Design Principles: Learn about the design principles behind the tool to determine if they still align with the current situation and if they may be constraining your solution. Predictability of Results: Evaluate how predictable the results of the tool are in the environment you are in and if it effectively addresses the problem at hand. People First: Remember that success in implementing initiatives relies heavily on how well you connect with and understand the people you are working with. BEST MOMENTS "Any fool with a tool is still a fool."  "People protect what they build. If you turn up with a ready-made tool, then it's got to absolutely fix the issue that they've got in the best way that they perceive for them to have any ownership or belief in that thing."  "Change is not easy. If it was, everybody would be doing it."  "When you lead with connection and relationship and build an understanding of who you are delivering, supporting these initiatives with, then it allows you to vary your performance based on who is in front of you."  "I think by understanding those three things, it can give you a better understanding of the tool that you need to apply."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee's latest episode explores the concept of change as a journey, emphasising the individual nature of each person's experience. Lee discusses various models like the Kubler-Ross change curve and Bridges transition model, highlighting the importance of understanding people's past experiences and emotions when leading change initiatives. The episode underscores the significance of making individuals feel positive, safe, and supported throughout the change process, ultimately expressing the need for empathy and gradual progress in navigating the complexities of change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Change is a journey that individuals go through, and it is important to understand each person's unique journey. Resistance to change often stems from past experiences and habits that individuals are comfortable with. Making people feel positive, safe, and supported is crucial when leading and delivering change initiatives. Change requires breaking old habits or creating new ones, which can be challenging but necessary for progress. Understanding where people are coming from, collectively working towards a common destination, and moving forward gradually are key aspects of successful change management. BEST MOMENTS "Change is not easy because we are creatures of habit. Every single day, the majority of the things that we do are habitual." "We need to make people feel positive. We need to make people feel safe. We need to make people feel supported."  "Everybody is on a journey. Not everybody wants to be on a journey. We may face resistance."  "Change is a journey for everybody... Changing anything is often not like flicking a switch."  "Mayor Angelou said, 'I'll forget what you did, I'll forget what you said, but I'll never forget how you made me feel.'" HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee reflects on the first six months of 2024, sharing his personal achievements, including running marathons and launching online courses, attributing his success to the intensity and frequency of his nine-month challenge. He discusses the importance of structure and rhythm in achieving goals, emphasising the concept of intensity times frequency equals connection. The episode concludes with a challenge for listeners to apply intensity and frequency to their endeavours for a successful second half of the year. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reflect on Your Progress: Take time to reflect on your achievements and progress at regular intervals, like at the end of six months, to see how successful you have been. Set Big, Ambitious Goals: Setting big, scary, and ambitious goals can provide the structure and intensity needed to achieve them, allowing for creativity and engagement throughout the process. Intensity and Frequency Create Habits: By combining intensity (strength of reason and feeling) with frequency (repetition), you can create new habits and connections, whether in personal goals or professional relationships. Strive for Connection: Building connections, whether with yourself, others, or within an organization, requires intensity and frequency to strengthen the bond and achieve common goals. Consistency is Key: Consistently applying intensity and frequency to important tasks or goals can lead to success and achievement, as seen in the example of training for a marathon. BEST MOMENTS "I absolutely believe that this has all been achieved through the consistency in my nine month to 100km challenge." "Intensity times frequency equals connection. Connection is the first of the four C's, so connect, converse, calibrate and celebrate."  "Whatever fires together, wires together. But the only wire together, if you do it continually and repeatedly, and you've got a strength of feeling, strength of reason, and then you do that repeatedly, it will then become habitual."  "So last week we spoke about how we're connecting everything together from the bottom all the way through the top and connecting from a best perspective."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode explores the crucial concept of connection in the realm of leadership, change management, and organisational success. Lee emphasises the significance of connecting people to the purpose, vision, and initiatives of a business to drive sustainable performance excellence. Through the framework of the four C's - connection, conversation, collaboration, and celebration/reflection - Lee explores how fostering strong connections among individuals and aligning behaviours with organisational goals are essential for achieving desired outcomes.  The episode underscores the necessity of aligning values with behaviours, fostering emotional connections, and continuously striving to improve connectivity within organisations to drive success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Connection is Key: Connection in leadership, change management, and overall business is essential for success  The Four C's Framework: The four C's framework - Connection, Conversation, Collaboration, and Celebration & Reflection - is a high-level process for delivering sustainable performance excellence. The Best Model: The Best Model focuses on connecting strategies and improvement initiatives to influence leadership behaviours, employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business targets. Behavioural Alignment: Aligning company values with expected behaviours can be challenging, there is a need for clear communication and understanding to create a cohesive environment. Future-Framing: Encouragement is needed to envision the future state of the organisation in terms of what will be seen, heard, and felt, and align improvement initiatives to create that desired future. BEST MOMENTS "Connection is absolutely key. And I guess if I was to do a word cloud of all of the podcasts, the nearly 300 podcasts, I think the word connection and connected would probably feature quite highly."  "Connection is key. Why am I banging on about connection?"  "Engagement is largely influenced by the behaviours of the people that we are working with." "We need to connect the behaviours of all of our people. The environment that is being created to engage our employees."  "Connect the dots to achieve success. Start with the behaviour and how we wanna be in it actually."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode explores the intriguing debate between maturity and ownership when implementing solutions in organisations. Lee reflects on his experiences and conversations, emphasising the importance of balancing these two factors. Through engaging storytelling and practical advice, Lee navigates the complexities of decision-making in organisational improvement, offering a thought-provoking perspective on achieving long-term success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Ownership Over Maturity: When introducing a solution, prioritise ownership over maturity. People are more likely to protect and improve something they have built themselves. Balancing Act: Striking a balance between maturity and ownership is crucial. Sometimes compromising on one for the other is necessary. Long-Term Success: Focusing on ownership and developing a habit of continuous improvement leads to sustainable success in the long run. Context vs. Control: Depending on the situation, decide whether to lead with context (ownership) or control (maturity) to address the problem effectively. Infinite Game: Emphasise playing the long game rather than a finite one. Encourage continuous improvement and sustainability for lasting impact. BEST MOMENTS "I cannot believe that we are nearly at episode 300. When I started the podcast, I believed after about 10-20 episodes, I would run out of content."  "One of the things that I am a big advocate of and we have spoke about before is that people protect what they build."  "The right answer is ownership. But I'm not sure that when things play out, when the pressure is on, when we are trying to help people get better, I think that inadvertently a number of people might push the maturity button."  "So when you are introducing a solution, consider maturity and ownership. And sometimes you can't have both. You might have to compromise one for the other." "It's not about what you would like it to. It's about whether they own it and they know how they can develop it continually. That is successful. That is sustainable. And that is how you win the long game." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Business Problems Solved's latest episode discusses the concept of operational excellence and high-performing environments. Lee emphasises the importance of engaged and empowered people in driving business performance. By focusing on the interactions and engagement of team members rather than just metrics and tools, Lee highlights the true essence of operational excellence - making people and driving performance simultaneously. Listeners are encouraged to consider the impact of their leadership style on creating a culture of growth and development within their organisations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Operational Excellence: Focus on creating high-performing environments, engaged and empowered people, and effective leadership to drive better performance. Purpose of Performance Boards: Emphasise that the purpose of performance boards is not just about the visuals or metrics but about driving engagement, conversation, and improvement within the team. Creating Engaged People: Highlight the importance of creating an environment where people feel comfortable being vulnerable, discussing feelings, and addressing challenges openly to drive growth and performance. Watermelon Reporting: Address the issue of superficial reporting where problems are covered up due to fear, emphasising the need for honesty, openness, and acceptance of mistakes to drive improvement. Focus on People and Environment: Emphasise that true operational excellence is achieved by focusing on developing people and creating an environment that fosters growth, challenge, and continuous improvement for both individuals and business performance. BEST MOMENTS "I believe, are working towards the same destination. Because all of these things done correctly help the team, the function, the business perform better than they are today." - "And following observing this conversation with the two change folk, I went for a cup of coffee and I reflected on what I had just seen unfold in front of me."  "Watermelon reporting. I've often spoke about so it's it looks green on the outside or it's green on the outside. So we're reporting green." "Do they all feel like they've just watched the best film or TV programme that they've had an opportunity to do at the end of every meeting?"  "You can't just keep hitting people over the head to get them to work faster. You have to help your people grow."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the concept of creating an innovative and engaged workforce by challenging the traditional notion of "ask for forgiveness, not for permission." He discusses the importance of leading with context, giving permission, and encouraging behaviours like challenge, conflict, failure, and problem-solving within a safe environment. Listeners are encouraged to embrace failure and conflict as opportunities for growth and improvement, ultimately fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. KEY TAKEAWAYS Encourage Creativity and Risk-Taking: Instead of asking for forgiveness, not permission, create an environment where people feel safe to try new things and be creative without fear of failure. Lead with Context, Not Control: Provide clear expectations and direction while allowing individuals to define their own approach. This fosters creativity, innovation, and empowerment. Give Permission: Allow individuals to challenge, confront, fail, and solve problems. Make it acceptable to hold each other accountable and provide constructive feedback. Role Model Behavior: Leaders should demonstrate the behaviours they expect from others, including being vulnerable and embracing discomfort. Check-In and Reflect: After encouraging action, follow up to ensure individuals act on their thoughts and feelings. Address any barriers preventing them from doing so and reinforce a culture of continuous improvement. BEST MOMENTS "Ask for forgiveness, not for permission. Ask for forgiveness, not for permission. And you say that when you want people to try new things."  "Lead with context, not with control. And when you lead with context and not control, then that is encouraging people to define their own how." "We need to give permission and lead with context. Give permission for people to do certain things. Give permission for people to hold people to account, but lead with context."  "The more we do it, the easier it becomes. So don't just say to people, ask for forgiveness, not for permission. There's some ground rules, there's some Things you need to do to make that possible."  "Let's create this environment where failure, challenge, conflict and problems are recognized, identified, and actually reinforced that actually the good things, they're not bad things, they're good things."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the concept of operational excellence through the lens of two renowned entrepreneurs, Steve Jobs and Richard Branson. He talks about the importance of connecting the dots in operational excellence, drawing on the wisdom of Jobs and Branson.  Through examples and practical insights, listeners are encouraged to connect the dots between tools, behaviours, and environments to drive success in business operations. The episode underscores the need to start with the end in mind, as advocated by Stephen Covey, and to always be connecting dots to create a conducive environment for achieving business goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Continuous Improvement: The key habit within operational excellence is the habit of continuous improvement, engaging people, and striving for excellence in all aspects of the business. Connecting Dots: The importance of connecting the dots between different elements in a system to achieve a particular destination, as emphasised by successful entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Richard Branson. Reflecting Backwards: Understanding that one can only join the dots looking backwards, as plans may change and evolve, highlighting the importance of reflection and learning from past experiences. Creating the Right Environment: Focusing on creating the ideal environment through connecting the right dots, including leadership behaviours, visual performance boards, and metrics, to drive engagement and achieve business targets. Start with the End in Mind: Emphasising the concept of starting with the end goal in mind and connecting the dots looking back to create a path towards success and making a difference in the business. BEST MOMENTS "Fundamentally, it's about the habit of continuous improvement and the habit of engaging people."  "You can only join the dots looking backwards... the plan's out of date."  "Always be connecting dots... you have to stop at a particular point."  "If you create the right environment, then people will behave in a particular way." "Start with the end in mind, connect the dots looking back."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee delves into the common issue of setting vague deadlines and lack of follow-through in business meetings. Lee challenges the practice of assigning generic due dates like "next Friday" or "end of the month," urging listeners to prioritise specific times for completing tasks. By emphasising the importance of committing to realistic deadlines and actively prioritising key activities, Lee highlights how this approach can lead to increased productivity and successful task completion.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Prioritise specific deadlines: Instead of setting vague deadlines like "next Friday" or "end of the month," prioritise specific dates and times for completing actions to increase accountability and likelihood of completion. Gain commitments: By asking individuals when realistically they will make time to complete an action, you can gain commitments and increase the chances of the task being done. Avoid procrastination: Proactively scheduling specific times to complete tasks helps avoid procrastination and ensures that important actions are given the attention they deserve. Major time on major things: Focus on spending major time on major tasks rather than major time on minor tasks to prioritise activities that will make the biggest impact on achieving goals. Challenge and improve: Continuously observe and challenge the way deadlines are set and actions are prioritised to improve efficiency and effectiveness in completing tasks. BEST MOMENTS "When realistically are you going to make time to complete this action? That question provides a different answer."  "If somebody says to me that they didn't have time My response is you're telling me the action wasn't important enough."  "How can you spend major time on major things? and minor time on minor things and that is through prioritisation."  "Don't be lazy with setting your due dates. Be disciplined. You can do better."  "Saying you know how to do it is not doing it."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode delves into the importance of intent, intensity, and impact in achieving desired outcomes. Lee introduces the concept of the three I's - intent, intensity, and impact - as key factors in determining the success of actions and conversations. Listeners are encouraged to look inward, assess their approach, and strive for greater effectiveness in their interactions to achieve the desired impact. KEY TAKEAWAYS Intent, Intensity, and Impact: The three I's discussed in the podcast are crucial for achieving desired outcomes in business interactions. Clarity of Intent: Having a clear purpose and motivation before taking action or engaging in conversations is essential for success. Intensity and Frequency: Applying the right level of conviction and doing so consistently are key factors in making a significant impact. Reflect and Learn: Analysing the gap between intentions and outcomes provides an opportunity for reflection, learning, and improvement. Personal Responsibility: Emphasising the importance of taking ownership of one's intent, intensity, and frequency to drive impactful results. BEST MOMENTS "Are you really putting enough in? Do you have clarity of intent of all of your interactions, of all of your conversations, of all of your actions?" "Intent is personal to us. Impact is what happens as a result of our intentions."  "If your intent is the motivation and purpose for your action and conversation, if you have that conversation or do that action and you do it with enough intensity, feeling, strength behind it..."  "So, intent is around motivation or purpose of your actions or conversations. Intensity is the level that you apply, I guess, of your conviction of your action, of your conversation."  "Often we look through the window at other people and think that actually they have not done what we expected them to do, so they are in the wrong. I believe it's down to the inputs that we put in..." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee delves into the importance of not just doing tasks, but doing them well to make a real difference. He emphasises the four levels of performance: not doing it, doing it, doing it well, and doing it well to shift performance. Drawing parallels to driving a car, Lee explains how simply completing a task is not enough; it must be done with the aim of achieving a specific goal or destination. He challenges listeners to consider their internal motivations and the impact of their actions on reaching desired outcomes.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Strive for Excellence: It's essential to aim for doing tasks well to shift performance and make a difference, rather than settling for just completing them. Focus on Destination: Align behaviors and activities with the end goal or destination to ensure contributions count towards achieving it. Internal Motivation: Understanding individual motivations and connecting them to the overall goal can drive better performance and results. Continuous Improvement: Emphasise the importance of doing tasks well to drive continuous improvement and exceed limits set by oneself. Clarity and Alignment: Ensure clarity on expectations, behaviours, and performance goals to align everyone towards a common destination and purpose. BEST MOMENTS "Saying you know how to do it is not doing it." "We want people to do it well, and we want them to do it well to shift performance, to make a difference, to make their contribution count." "Are you and your teams focused on doing whatever it is that you're doing well and to shift performance, to make a difference, to achieve your destination and your goal." "We've got to strive and aspire to do everything well to make a difference." "Have I made you think differently in order to make you do differently to achieve a different result?" HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode of Business Problems Solved, Lee reflects on his recent completion of the London Marathon and shares five key takeaways that helped him achieve this milestone. Lee draws parallels between lessons from his marathon experience and their applicability in business settings, emphasising the significance of proper fueling, being in the moment, perseverance, support, and training to achieve success.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Fuel Brain and Body Properly: Focus on providing the right fuel through food, thoughts, and sleep to ensure optimal performance. Be Present in the Moment: Embrace each moment fully to enhance the experience and make better decisions. Keep Moving Forward: Continuously take steps forward, overcoming obstacles and challenges along the way. Support and Encouragement: Provide the right level of support and encouragement to foster accountability and motivation. Train Properly: Ensure proper training and development to equip individuals with the skills and capabilities needed for success. BEST MOMENTS "I had a dream the night before the marathon, in the dream, I didn't complete the marathon. I just couldn't get to that distance. I couldn't do it."  "I really did enjoy running 26 miles in front of all those people. It was just an enjoyable experience because I was in the moment."  "Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, but are we helping them do the best job they can? And to do that, they need to fuel their brain and their body properly."  "What can we do to keep moving forward? Sometimes moving forward, I mean, suggests that if something's not working, we need to keep doing it."  "What can you do to ensure and encourage everybody that you're working with is fully trained and is able to do the job that they need to do every single day."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee reflects on his recent completion of the London Marathon and shares five key things that helped him achieve this milestone. Lee draws parallels between these lessons from his marathon experience and their applicability in business settings, emphasising the significance of proper fuelling, being in the moment, perseverance, support, and training to achieve success.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Fuel Brain and Body Properly: Focus on providing the right fuel through food, thoughts, and sleep to ensure optimal performance. Be Present in the Moment: Embrace each moment fully to enhance the experience and make better decisions. Keep Moving Forward: Continuously take steps forward, overcoming obstacles and challenges along the way. Support and Encouragement: Provide the right level of support and encouragement to foster accountability and motivation. Train Properly: Ensure proper training and development to equip individuals with the skills and capabilities needed for success. BEST MOMENTS "I had a dream the night before the marathon, in the dream, I didn't complete the marathon. I just couldn't get to that distance. I couldn't do it."  "I really did enjoy running 26 miles in front of all those people. It was just an enjoyable experience because I was in the moment."  "Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, but are we helping them do the best job they can? And to do that, they need to fuel their brain and their body properly."  "What can we do to keep moving forward? Sometimes moving forward, I mean, suggests that if something's not working, we need to keep doing it."  "What can you do to ensure and encourage everybody that you're working with is fully trained and is able to do the job that they need to do every single day."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode explores the importance of understanding and meeting the needs of others in conversations. Lee discusses the concept of the three H's - being heard, helped, or hugged - and how individuals typically seek one of these in interactions. Drawing inspiration from Charles Dewick's book, "Super Communicators," Lee emphasises the significance of recognising what the speaker wants from a conversation to enhance connection. The episode concludes with a reminder to prioritise connection over mere technicalities in conversations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Three H's: The concept of "heard, helped, and hugged" can help tailor interactions to build more connection with others. Understanding Identities: Showing different aspects of one's identity can influence the outcome of conversations and help in connecting with others. Connection is Key: The most important aspect of conversations is how well one can connect with the other person, understanding their needs, and turning up in a way to provide that. Vulnerability: Being more vulnerable and sharing more of oneself can lead to better connections and understanding in conversations. Continuous Learning: Taking time to get to know people and understand their identities can enhance communication and connection in interactions. BEST MOMENTS "People, when they are in an interaction or a conversation with somebody, they typically want one of three things. They want to be heard, they want to be helped, or they want to be hooked."  "So if you as a speaker, if the person that's speaking wants to be heard, then you need the listener to actively listen and not interject."  "But dependent upon the conversation that I'm in, I show different parts of my identity."  "So how can you really connect with somebody if you only see one identity? But more importantly, how can you connect with people if you only share one identity?"  "The most important thing in your conversations is how well you can connect to the other person."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode delves into the practical application of the ICE model in coaching conversations to drive transformational change. Lee introduces a four-box model that focuses on the coachee's level of thinking and action, guiding leaders on how to navigate coaching sessions effectively. The episode offers a structured approach to coaching that aims to empower individuals to think differently and take meaningful action towards improvement. KEY TAKEAWAYS ICE Model: The ICE model consists of three steps - Intent, Conversation Starters, and Expected Outcome - which can be used to guide coaching conversations effectively. Four Box Model: The Four Box Model helps in understanding the level of thinking and level of action of the coachee, guiding the coach on how to navigate through existing thoughts, new thoughts, transactional actions, and transformational actions. Starting Point: It is recommended to start coaching conversations in the existing thoughts box (low thought, low action) to explore the current mindset of the coachee before progressing to new thoughts and actions. Transitioning: Transitioning from existing thoughts to new thoughts and then to action is crucial in creating sustainable change and transformation in individuals. Questioning Strategy: Using the right questions at each stage of the coaching process, from exploring existing thoughts to creating transformational actions, is key to guiding individuals towards personal growth and development. BEST MOMENTS "The reason why it's transformational action It's because it's based on new thoughts."  "Remember people protect what they build."  "And if you can create an internal change in people's minds, you're more likely to create a sustainable external change."  "So start by clarifying your intent. Understand a couple of conversation starters that keep you in that safe space of exploring the existing thoughts of your coachee." "And really, it starts with understanding your intent, your expected outcome."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee delves into the art of coaching, specifically focusing on the role of an improvement coach. Host Lee Horton emphasises the importance of having a clear intent, using conversation starters, and defining expected outcomes before engaging in coaching sessions. He introduces the ICE model (Intent, Conversation Starter, Expected Outcome) as a mental framework for effective coaching. Lee shares personal experiences of learning from mistakes, highlighting the significance of actively listening to the coachee and adapting questions based on their responses. KEY TAKEAWAYS Clarity of Intent: Before coaching conversations, it is essential to have a clear intent in mind to guide the direction of the discussion. Conversation Starters: Using a few well-thought-out questions as conversation starters can help initiate meaningful dialogue and exploration. Expected Outcome: Reflecting on the expected outcome after the conversation can provide insights into the effectiveness of the questions asked and the overall intent. Coaching Continuum: Understanding the coaching continuum, from pure thought to imposing ideas, can help in adapting the coaching style based on the desired outcome. Creating Ownership: Encouraging the coachee to navigate towards their chosen destination through their own thoughts and actions fosters real ownership and action. BEST MOMENTS "We manage things, we lead people and we coach the gaps."  "The reason why we are asking questions is for either for deep thought and exploration in the other person."  "Pure coaching is about letting the coachee navigate to the destination that they want to get to through their own pure thoughts."  "Pure coaching is not about you. Pure coaching is for the benefit of the other person."  "Remember what questions, how questions really open the mind."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee Horton delves into the concept that the best teams do not necessarily consist of the best thinkers, but rather create the best thinking environment. He emphasises the importance of leaders asking questions to empower and engage their teams, rather than providing all the answers. Lee discusses the significance of morning meetings or daily huddles in setting the tone for the day and encourages leaders to ask thought-provoking questions that stimulate critical thinking.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Focus on Asking Questions: Instead of providing all the answers, leaders should focus on asking questions that stimulate thinking and empower their teams. Encourage Reflection: Encouraging team members to reflect on past experiences and challenges by asking looking back questions can help identify areas for improvement. Set Clear Expectations: Daily meetings should focus on setting priorities and activities for the day ahead, ensuring everyone is aligned on goals and expectations. Create a Safe Environment: Leaders should create an open and safe environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Drive Action: By asking forward-looking questions and setting clear actions, leaders can drive progress and ensure continuous improvement within the team. BEST MOMENTS "The best teams don't have to be full of the cleverest people. The best teams are the ones that create the best thinking." "If you're always sought out for the answer, then you're not enabling, empowering your people and your teams."  "You could ask, what are the escalations from your area? Did anything get in the way of you or your team doing what you needed to yesterday or on the last shift?"  "So our aim as leaders is to really create thoughts in our people... the best teams create the best thinking." "How do you create the best thinking in your people? I would absolutely love to know."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he talks about the art of coaching and the importance of asking great questions. Lee Horton emphasises the significance of thought-provoking questions that are succinct, open, relevant, timely, and free from bias and emotion. By exploring what makes a great question, Lee highlights the role of coaching in supporting performance and development opportunities for individuals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Coaching is essential in managing and leading people, as it involves asking thought-provoking questions to support performance and development opportunities. A great question in coaching should be succinct, open, relevant, timely, unbiased, and devoid of excessive emotion. Thought-provoking questions challenge the thoughts and minds of the recipient, typically framed as "what" and "how" questions rather than "why" questions. The focus of a great question should be on benefiting the recipient by promoting their learning and growth, rather than serving the questioner's personal gain. Effective coaching involves creating an environment with sufficient space and time for individuals to think and develop, ensuring the right level of honesty and transparency for meaningful conversations. BEST MOMENTS "We often say that coaching is how we all need to be... So we support performance and development opportunities by asking questions that create thoughts in the right environment with sufficient space and time for that person to think and develop." "A question that is succinct and thought-provoking... You want to create the most thought-provoking question. And often, the more succinct it is, the more thought-provoking and wide it can be." "What makes a great question? Well, it's got to be open, not closed... It's got to be relevant to the situation that you're in, especially in a work environment." "The most thought-provoking question that I ask is, 'what else?'... So we can't coach in every single situation... we've got to manage things, lead people, but we coach the gaps." "Great questions are thought provoking... We really want to develop people. We want to coach the gaps to develop and grow our people." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode delves into the crucial aspect of leadership buy-in in successful change initiatives. Lee talks about the importance of senior leaders actively engaging and supporting change efforts beyond just financial investment. Using the analogy of a glass ceiling and floor, Lee highlights the disconnect between leaders and employees, stressing the need for transparent communication and genuine connection at all levels of the organisation. By discussing the role of leaders in setting vision, expectations, and asking the right questions, Lee underscores the collective responsibility of all individuals in driving successful change.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Leadership Buy-In: The importance of emotional, physical, and vocal buy-in from senior leaders in change initiatives is crucial for success. Glass Ceiling and Glass Floor: The concept of a glass ceiling for employees looking up at leaders and a glass floor for leaders looking down, highlights the need for better connection and understanding between all levels of the organisation. Role Modelling: Leaders need to set vision, and expectations, and check in on progress to ensure alignment and success in change initiatives. Communication: Effective communication flowing both ways, from leaders to employees and vice versa, is essential for transparency and problem-solving. Empowerment and Support: Leaders should empower employees to solve problems at their level while also providing support and guidance where needed to overcome obstacles. BEST MOMENTS "Change is for everybody, not everyone else." "Leaders need to understand where they can support. What's the main blocker getting in the way of where it is that you're trying to get to?" "Leaders need to check in against those expectations. Check-in each of the layers of the organisation to see that the right things are being spoken about at the right level."  "Leaders need to empower and enable our people to solve the problems at the right level. And we can only do that if we're clear and transparent and we've got clarity of priority." "Leadership buy-in is often cited as a challenge, but we've all got a role in helping leaders buy into the change initiative."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode delves into the crucial aspect of role modelling within change teams. Lee, drawing from his 18 years of experience in change management, highlights the common failure of change teams to effectively role model the behaviours and strategies they advocate for others. By emphasising the importance of role modelling, Lee underscores the significance of change teams embodying the principles they aim to instil in leadership and operational teams. Through practical insights and real-world examples, Lee encourages change teams to prioritise self-improvement and consistent modelling of best practices to effectively support and guide others through change initiatives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Change teams often struggle with role modelling effective systems themselves, which can hinder their ability to support others effectively. Role modelling what is expected of others is crucial for change teams to build credibility and trust with the teams they are supporting. By continuously improving their own systems and practices, change teams can better empathise with the challenges faced by the teams they work with. Change teams should prioritise developing their own operational excellence tools and techniques before assisting others to ensure they lead by example. Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement within the change team can lead to better outcomes for the teams they support. BEST MOMENTS "Change teams seem to have a big challenge with role modelling."  "If we don't role model, if we don't do what we're suggesting that everybody else should do, then why the blooming heck should they do it?"  "Change teams historically are not the best at role modelling the things that they are expecting others to do."  "Change is for everybody and the people that should be the best at change are change people."  "We need to role model. We need to believe because it allows us to empathise." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the concept of footprints leaving clues in our personal and professional journeys. Reflecting on his own diverse experiences, including DJing, owning a bouncy castle business, and self-publishing children's books, Lee highlights the valuable lessons learned from each endeavour. By exploring the footprints left behind by these experiences, Lee emphasises the importance of understanding and maximising the potential of one's team members. KEY TAKEAWAYS Reflect on past experiences to understand present actions and behaviours. Consider the transferable skills gained from diverse past roles. Explore how personal journeys can influence current approaches. Recognise the importance of understanding team members' unique backgrounds. Maximise potential by leveraging the footprints and clues left by individuals. BEST MOMENTS "I've had to delve deeper into my past and start to note down some of the things that I've carried with me, the footprints that I've left behind on my journey." "I really think that my random journey is not actually that random. When you look at the footsteps that I have trodden, the clues that have been left behind, you see how I am." "Footprints leave clues. What clues have your footprints left and what clues have the footprints of your people left? Have you tried to understand it? If not, why not?" "I've learned something in every interaction that I've taken to developing the person that I am today." "The communication from DJing, the understanding the customer from DJing, and the importance of really getting to know the customer." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he delves into the crucial role of rest in personal and professional growth. Drawing from his experience training for marathons, Lee highlights the necessity of rest periods for muscles to grow and strengthen. He parallels this concept with the workplace, emphasising the importance of downtime between meetings to allow for reflection, action, and progress. Through relatable analogies and thoughtful insights, Lee encourages listeners to consider how adequate rest can lead to enhanced performance and overall well-being.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Rest is essential for growth: Just like muscles need rest to grow stronger after exercise, individuals and organizations require rest periods to reflect, recuperate, and progress effectively. Back-to-back meetings hinder productivity: Constantly being in meetings without breaks can lead to fatigue and limit the opportunity to act on tasks and initiatives discussed during those meetings. Reflection is key to personal and professional growth: Taking time to reflect, unpack thoughts, and work through challenges can lead to personal development and improved performance in the workplace. Create space for action: Allocating time between meetings to work on action items and allowing individuals to physically rest and mentally unpack information can lead to better outcomes and growth. Balance is crucial: Just as a balanced workout routine includes rest days, a balanced approach to work involves creating space for reflection, action, and personal growth to achieve optimal results. BEST MOMENTS "Rest and not just keep doing activities... I need to rest to be able to grow."  "Growth only occurs during rest... muscles need the opportunity for growth after being under tension." "We treat everybody like a simple maths... we try to deal with everything in our heads." "Actions need progressing, whether it's from you or whether you're the conduit to create activity."  "Are you giving yourself enough space and enough rest to grow personally?"  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee talks about the concept of looking at people through a deeper lens to truly understand and engage with them. He discusses the importance of considering individuals as a whole person, comprising their thoughts, feelings, actions, and beliefs. By breaking down the person into these four components, Lee explores how leaders can effectively engage with their teams and drive positive change. The episode emphasises the significance of whole-person reflection, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and actions to enhance personal growth and leadership effectiveness. T KEY TAKEAWAYS Consider the Whole Person: Break down individuals into four parts - head (thoughts), heart (feelings), hands (actions), and belief (spirit) to truly understand and engage them. Engagement and Leadership: Use the four components (head, heart, hands, belief) to assess engagement and leadership effectiveness. Leadership can be seen as an input, while engagement is the output. Whole Person Reflection: Encourage reflection on what has been learned, emotional journey, actions taken, and beliefs challenged to gain a deeper understanding of oneself and improve personal growth. Individualised Approach: Treat each person as an individual by understanding them emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually to lead change initiatives effectively. Continuous Improvement: Constantly evaluate and adjust leadership and engagement strategies by considering the whole person to collectively move forward towards shared goals. BEST MOMENTS "I often say that it's all about people. But that's really easy to say, but what do I actually mean by that?" "Whole person reflection is something that we can all do each and every day. So we can tap into and really understand whether ourselves have, we're tapping into the whole of our person by looking at our belief, our head or our thoughts, our heart or our feelings, our hands or our actions."  "But the more I thought about it, it's not that easy to do because we need to consider people with different lenses on. And I think if we look at the whole person, heads, hands, hearts, and belief, or thoughts, feelings, actions and spirit."  "How is your leadership building belief? How is your leadership challenging or making new thoughts? How is your leadership making people feel?"  "And when you reflect, think about you as the whole person and see if asking those questions creates any new thoughts, feelings, actions or beliefs." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode, Lee discusses the importance of managing things, leading people, and coaching the gaps in a business setting. He stresses that while coaching is an effective way to develop employees, it is crucial to recognise when to manage situations and lead people instead. Lee highlights the need for clarity of vision, setting expectations, and role modelling when leading people. He also emphasises the importance of asking questions and providing challenges to close gaps and empower employees to take action.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Coaching is an effective way to develop people and should be utilised in leadership. Leadership should be situational and adapt to the specific needs and challenges at hand. Managing things involves processes, performance, standards, health and safety, and quality. Leading people requires setting a clear vision, direction, expectations, and role modelling. Coaching the gaps involves asking questions, providing challenges, and empowering individuals to think and take action. BEST MOMENTS "We've got to be really, really careful that we cannot coach everything."  "Coaching is the optimal way to develop your people."  "We need to lead our people with clarity of vision, clarity of direction."  "We're not providing answers. We're providing questions." "If we can coach the development of our people, it frees us up. It creates more time and capacity for us to spend more time with more people, to develop more people and develop them further." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the difference between organisational habits and personal habits. He reflects on his previous discussions about individual habits and how they influence culture. Lee defines organisational habits as routines that occur automatically within an organisation, independent of specific individuals. He emphasises the importance of understanding and influencing both personal and organisational habits to shape the desired environment and achieve collective goals.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Differentiating between organisational habits and personal habits is important. Organisational habits are routines that happen automatically within an organisation, while personal habits are individual routines. Culture can be defined as the sum of all personal and organisational habits within an organisation. Organisational habits are not necessarily driven by individuals and can include routines such as daily meetings and problem-solving processes. Changing organisational habits can be achieved by changing personal habits, but it is essential to understand and identify the specific organisational habits that need to be influenced. Consider both personal and organisational habits when shaping the environment and culture within a team, department, or business. BEST MOMENTS "Organisational habits, if we follow the same root as habits, so it's routine. It's a routine that happens automatically."  "There's a lot of habits or routines stacked on top of each other, but influenced by the environment they're in."  "There are organisational habits that we need to consider to allow everybody to move forward together."  "Organisational habits are the ones that provide structure and organisation to enable you to move forward together."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the concept of instincts and habits. He delves into the idea of striving for perfection in human behaviour by encouraging individuals to do the right thing at the right time, every time. Lee discusses the differences between instincts and habits, highlighting that instincts are reactive and unconscious, while habits involve conscious awareness and practice. Overall, this thought-provoking episode challenges conventional thinking and offers practical insights for solving business problems. KEY TAKEAWAYS Instincts and habits are different. Instincts are automatic responses without conscious awareness, while habits have some conscious awareness. Habits can be learned and practised, while instincts are often innate. The goal should be to develop habits that become instinctive, enabling people to do the right thing at the right time, every time. Developing organisational habits is challenging, but striving for organisational instincts can lead to more spontaneous and effective actions. Creating clarity, and alignment, and providing space for practice and learning are essential in developing habits and potentially turning them into instincts. BEST MOMENTS "I want to maybe just go a little bit deeper on this in terms of habits and aspirationally as leaders of people and as leaders of change." "Maybe doing the right thing at the right time, every time, is our striving for perfection, like we do in the improvement world."  "Maybe habits are more reactive and maybe instincts are more proactive at a point, maybe."  "We should be trying to create organisational instincts so that if anything happens, if anything occurs, we all do the right thing at the right time every time."  "Habitual suggests routine. Instinct suggests spontaneity. And if we truly want people to do the right thing at the right time, every time, then we need to create more spontaneity."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the importance of effectively engaging the hearts and senses of people when leading and implementing change. He emphasises the power of words, pictures, and emotions in creating a strong connection with individuals. Lee highlights the significance of creating a vision that resonates with people and involves them in the process, as it increases their level of commitment and engagement. He shares personal experiences, such as his running journey, to illustrate the impact of words and motivation on taking positive action. KEY TAKEAWAYS Engaging the hearts of people is crucial when leading and implementing change. Different people resonate with different things, so it's important to use a combination of words, pictures, and emotions to create a meaningful impact. Creating a vision picture without accompanying words may only engage a portion of the audience while using both words and visuals can engage more people. Involving people in the creation process can increase their level of engagement and buy-in. Tapping into the senses of people, such as what they see and hear, can help create a strong feeling that motivates positive action. BEST MOMENTS "When we are delivering change, when we're leading people, it's really important that we recognise that everybody is different."  "People will forget what you've said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel."  "If you create a vision picture, without the words, it'll only engage a number of your people." "You either involve them in the creation of something... Then they're going to feel something about it."  "The best way to create a positive action towards a destination is to create a feeling, a strong enough feeling that makes it compelling to do something."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee discusses the parallels between his marathon training journey and running a business. He shares his experiences and lessons learned from his training, emphasising the importance of paying attention to the small details and not sweating the unimportant stuff. Lee also talks about the value of seeking guidance and feedback from experienced individuals to understand what truly matters.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The importance of sweating the small stuff: Paying attention to the small details is crucial for achieving success, whether it's in personal goals or in business. Clarity is essential: Having a clear understanding of the direction, purpose, and destination is crucial for making progress and focusing on the important tasks. Conscious effort leads to improvement: By consciously putting effort into the important tasks, individuals can continuously improve and achieve their goals. Consistency is key: Consistently applying oneself and working on the small things over time is necessary for long-term success. Seek guidance and learn from others: Recognise the importance of seeking advice and learning from those who have experience in the field to gain a deeper understanding of what is important and how to improve. BEST MOMENTS "Don't sweat the unimportant stuff, not don't sweat the small stuff, because I think the small stuff is really, really important." "It's the small stuff that's going to help us achieve. Whether that's personal goals, like the marathon or ultramarathon, or whether that's in business today, tomorrow." "80% of your successes, 80% of your progress, 80% of your improvements are going to be delivered by the small things, by understanding the small things."  "You can only really understand the small stuff, which is the important stuff, if you're conscious about it. If you're conscious about doing, when you're doing and the activities that we're talking about."  "I am training, I am progressing, I am getting there, but it's only by working on the small things, and that's what's gonna allow me to achieve what I've set out to achieve." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

This episode explores the importance of conversation in today's technology-driven world. Lee highlights how distractions and short-form communication have led to a loss of the art of conversation. Lee emphasises the need for engaging and meaningful conversations to solve business problems and improve personal relationships. He shares his own experience of transitioning from scripted questions to open-ended conversations in his podcast interviews. Lee believes that by prioritising conversation and being present in our interactions, we can foster connection, generate new ideas, and ultimately solve more problems.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The biggest challenge in today's world is the loss of the art of conversation. Technology has made communication faster and more convenient, but it has also led to shorter, less meaningful conversations. Conversations breed connection, allow for the sharing of thoughts and ideas, and can lead to problem-solving. Many conversations today are focused and process-driven, lacking depth and exploration of thoughts and minds. To have better conversations, it is important to create a suitable environment, be open and present, ask questions, and actively listen and respond. BEST MOMENTS "I think we may have lost the art of conversation and we need to get back to a place where we can start having conversations with people."  "I think the biggest challenge we've got is actually conversing, conversing and having conversations effectively." "The art of conversation, you might absolutely disagree with me at this point, and I can understand why, because you're in so many conversations every single day, but they are focused dialogues."  "I think everybody is only one question away from their next conversation. One question. And you, that can start amazing, amazing exploratory conversations."  "I think every business problem can be solved through a conversation. Every life problem can be solved through a conversation."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he reflects on the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on various industries over the past year. He draws a parallel between AI and artificial grass, highlighting the advantages and limitations of both. While AI offers predictability and efficiency, human intelligence possesses emotional depth and adaptability. Lee emphasises the importance of leveraging technology to enhance productivity and problem-solving, but also warns against over-reliance on it, as it can hinder effective communication and critical thinking.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Artificial intelligence (AI) will continue to be leveraged and used in various industries in 2024. Technology, including AI, machine learning, and automation, can help businesses improve their operations and customer service. While technology provides predictable and repeatable answers, human intelligence is still valuable due to our emotional and experiential nature. The use of technology should not hinder communication and connection among individuals and teams. Leaders should focus on developing the thinking of their people, asking better questions, and engaging them more frequently to overcome communication challenges and foster growth. BEST MOMENTS "Last year, ChatGPT made a difference, it made an impact in a number of industries and it started to be leveraged."  "AI can help with simple responses to customer queries. It can produce copy for social media posts, but it can't replicate fully humans because we are emotional."  "The more we leverage technology, the greater gap we create with our communication on a human level."  "The more we live in this world, the more we need to leverage and understand that. And then we need to learn how to communicate more effectively."  "We need to make every person think more than they are doing now. We need to grow, develop and care for our people." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this final episode of 2023, Lee reflects on the year and shares personal challenges, including his training for the London Marathon and an ultra marathon in 2024. He discusses the parallels between his training journey and the challenges faced in leadership. Lee emphasises the importance of having a compelling vision, making goals tangible and relatable, and creating accountability through public commitment. He also explores the four C's: connection, conversations, collaboration, and celebration, and how they apply to business and team success. KEY TAKEAWAYS The power of making goals public and being held accountable: Lee mentions that by making his charity events public, he is being held accountable by friends, family, and colleagues. This highlights the importance of sharing goals with others to increase motivation and accountability. The significance of effective communication and collaboration: Lee discusses the need for clear communication and collaboration within teams and organisations. They talk about the importance of having regular conversations, creating a safe environment for sharing ideas, and collaborating on key challenges. The value of effort and putting in one's best abilities: Lee reflects on the concept of effort and how it is often underestimated. He discusses the need to not just do something, but to do it to the best of one's abilities. This applies to achieving goals, having meaningful conversations, and celebrating success. The continuous nature of improvement and reflection: Lee emphasises that the journey towards achieving goals and implementing the four C's (connection, conversation, collaboration, celebration) is an ongoing process. He encourages reflection on past efforts and the commitment to continuously improve and apply the principles discussed. BEST MOMENTS "This year I just reminded again how short life is and how I don't contribute and support those that have either going through the challenges dealing with with cancer and other things, also I want to help those who are trying to cure it as as well so that's that's the motivating factor behind the charity events." "Having clarity of destination, having belief in being able to get there, making it tangible and making it relatable to every single individual in the team and letting them know what their contribution is into achieving it."  "We need to be connected on the vision. We need to be connected as people and with people. We need to be connected together with purpose. We need to be connected to make sure our communication flows effectively." "Your effort is on a scale and you might put more effort into some things than other things. And are you truly putting the right levels of effort into successful delivery of the four Cs?"  "Are you doing it? Or are you really doing it? That's my reflection for 2023." HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  

Lee explores the concept of putting your body where your priorities are. He challenges the common practice of leaders simply sending emails or making phone calls about their priorities, and instead encourages leaders to physically show up and contribute to the work that aligns with their number one priority. By being present both physically and mentally, leaders can demonstrate their support and care for their teams, ultimately creating a more engaged workforce.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Putting your body where your priorities are: Lee emphasises the importance of physically showing up and being present in the places where your priorities lie. This means going beyond sending emails or making phone calls and actively engaging with the work and the people involved. Clarity on priorities: It is crucial to have a clear understanding of what your top priority is. This allows you to focus your efforts and resources on the most important task or goal that will have the greatest impact on your business. Conscious effort: Making a conscious effort involves both physical and mental presence. Physically showing up at the workplace and actively supporting your team, as well as mentally being fully engaged and present in the moment, without distractions. Consistency: Consistency is key in building trust and engagement with your team. It means consistently showing up and being present, not just during emergencies or high-pressure situations, but on a regular basis. This helps create a sense of reliability and care for your employees. Caring for your people: Lee talks about the importance of genuinely caring for your team. By putting your body and mind where your priorities are, you demonstrate that you value and support your employees. This leads to a more engaged workforce and fosters a positive work environment. BEST MOMENTS "I don't think there's anything more powerful than a leader turning up to the place that is contributing their efforts towards delivering against your number one priority." "What I'm talking about here is not sending emails, not making phone calls, not tasking others, but you going to the place of work, putting your body where the priority is."  "If everything's a priority, then nothing is a priority." "I believe that one of the most important ways that you can get across that you care about your people is when things are going right or wrong, you are consistently turning up, consistently showing up."  "I think everybody can do it more. But I think we've got to do it right. So that comes down to these three C's: clarity on the priority, conscious effort physically and mentally being present, and then thirdly, doing it consistently."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode, Lee Horton explores the complexities of communication and the challenges that arise when messages are not received as intended. Lee emphasises the importance of consistently and clearly communicating messages multiple times to ensure they are understood by different individuals. He shares the six key factors in any communication process into six key factors and talks about how acknowledging these factors and actively checking for understanding can help set up leaders for success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Communication is a complex process: There are multiple factors that can affect how a message is received and understood, including our senses, thoughts, words, environment, and the listener's interpretation. Consistency is key: To ensure that messages are understood, it is important to communicate consistently and repeatedly. One-time communication may lead to misunderstandings or the message being lost. Check for understanding: It is crucial to verify that the intended message has been understood correctly. This can be done by asking for feedback or engaging in conversations to clarify any confusion. Consider different mediums: Sharing messages through various mediums, such as in-person conversations, emails, or presentations, can increase the chances of effective communication and understanding. Give people the opportunity to succeed: By communicating clearly and consistently, we can provide others with the best chance to act on our messages and achieve success in their tasks or responsibilities. The communication process can be broken into six key factors: senses, thoughts, words with intent, environment, ears of the listener, and their understanding and subsequent actions.  By acknowledging these factors and actively checking for understanding, leaders can improve their communication effectiveness and increase the likelihood of successful outcomes. BEST MOMENTS "The art or the secret of communication is what has been heard, not what has been said." "Different people receive messages in different ways...we need to give everybody the greatest opportunity to truly understand what we mean in our words by saying them multiple, multiple times."  "If you only give a message once, then there is a high likelihood that that message will not be received in the intended way."  "Words are just labels for things, then my labels need to match your labels. And the only way we know that is by speaking to people and actually understanding that the labels, the words that we use for different things, mean the same thing."  "What can you do to help ensure that your messages land more effectively with your people, give them a greater chance of success and doing the things that you'd like them to do by maybe communicating a little bit more, communicating clearer and checking understanding."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  

Lee opens up in this episode, sharing a personal experience of feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage his time effectively. He reflects on the importance of structure and prioritisation to avoid becoming overwhelmed and unproductive. Lee emphasises the need for clarity, conscious effort, and consistency in managing one's schedule and making time for important tasks. He also highlights the limited nature of time and the importance of being kind to oneself by prioritising and sticking to a structured schedule. KEY TAKEAWAYS Time management is crucial: Managing your time effectively begins with making a conscious effort to prioritise tasks.  Structure helps prevent overwhelm: Lee acknowledges that while they used to believe they were more creative and could go with the flow, they now recognise the need for structure when their task list becomes overwhelming. Having a structured schedule allows for better productivity and prevents feelings of being overwhelmed. Clarity on priorities is essential: Lee highlights the importance of having clarity on what is truly important. He suggests understanding one's priorities and making conscious efforts to stick to them, even when faced with a busy schedule. Consistency is key: Consistency is essential to follow through with tasks and commitments. It's important to be consistent in applying your schedule and making conscious efforts to do what you say you will do at the designated times. Be kind to yourself: Lee encourages being kind to yourself and recognising the need to prioritise personal well-being.  BEST MOMENTS "I tend to put off the tasks that I really should be doing, which then compounds the problem."  "I've realised the importance of structure... I really need to be strict with my time and with my structure and be kind to myself."  "Do you turn up and just go through the day being led by the diary that other people have maybe put in a load of meetings and you're just going from meeting to meeting that you've not actually put in based on your priorities?"  "We need to have complete clarity on our priorities and what's important to us."  "We need to remember that time's limited... always make time for the important stuff."  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee shares a personal story about his son's confidence and how it relates to building successful teams in business. Lee's son, Jack, plays for two football teams and has different levels of confidence and involvement with each team. Lee introduces the concept of the "Q for Confidence" formula, which includes comfort, understanding, and effort. Lee talks about the importance of creating a comfortable and supportive environment for team members to build their confidence and perform at their best.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Confidence is situational: Confidence levels can vary depending on the situation and the level of comfort one feels in that particular environment. The Q for Confidence formula: Lee talks about the Q for Confidence formula, which consists of three elements: comfort, understanding, and effort. By assessing and improving these factors, individuals can enhance their confidence levels in different situations. Building connection and intimacy: Building connection and intimacy within a team can boost confidence. Activities like social events, team bonding exercises, and creating a supportive environment can contribute to increased comfort and confidence. Trust and confidence: There is a parallel between trust and confidence, they are often interconnected. Building trust within a team can enhance confidence levels and create a more positive work environment. Enabling confidence in others: Consider how you can enable confidence in your team members. Reflect on whether you are creating a comfortable and supportive space for individuals to thrive and perform at their best. BEST MOMENTS "I want to talk about confidence of my son because there's been some interesting developments." "I have seen it play out with Jack that his actual confidence levels are different and his level of involvement and interaction is different." "Do you trust? Do you have confidence? Do your people have confidence in you?" "Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, do they? But do we really enable our people to do a good job?"  HOST BIO You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he discusses the importance of the four C's: Connect, Converse, Collaborate, and Celebrate. He challenges listeners to reflect on how effectively they are applying these principles within their teams. He also encourages listeners to have clarity in their understanding, be conscious in their actions, and remain consistent in their messaging and activities. By doing so, the four C's become a living and breathing system rather than a one-off activity. KEY TAKEAWAYS The four C's are Connect, Converse, Collaborate, and Celebrate. These four C's are essential for effective teamwork and problem-solving in a business setting. The speaker emphasises the importance of connection in various contexts, such as connecting with an audience, connecting with team members, and connecting different elements in an online ecosystem. The three additional C's that can enhance the implementation of the four C's are Clarity, Consciousness, and Consistency. These three C's help ensure that the application of the four C's is meaningful and ongoing rather than a one-off activity. Clarity is crucial in understanding the meaning and purpose of connection, while consciousness involves actively working towards delivering on that clarity. Consistency is important in maintaining a consistent message and actions in achieving the goals of connection. The speaker acknowledges that the concept of the four C's and three additional C's may be confusing and seeks feedback from listeners to improve clarity and understanding. The ultimate goal is to make the four C's a living and breathing entity in daily business practices. BEST MOMENTS "I wanna give you another lens to look through these 4 Cs and really focus on the first one around connection."  "So that, the ecosystem, my online ecosystem is connecting all of my products, all of my communications and my narratives together to provide the fullest suite of information that I can."  "The big challenge with the four C's is making them live and breathe every single day."  "Let me know whether you think I've absolutely lost the plot or let me know whether it's resonating with you in any way, shape or form."  Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee discusses the concept of failure and how it is perceived differently in the gym versus in the workplace. Drawing parallels between failing to achieve fitness goals and failing to meet business targets, Lee challenges the negative connotation associated with failure and encourages listeners to reframe it as a stepping stone towards success. He emphasises the importance of intrinsic motivation, creating a safe environment for failure, and providing support and encouragement as leaders.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Failure should be reframed as a positive word, as it simply means an obstacle or challenge that needs to be overcome in order to achieve a goal. In the gym, failure is seen as a normal part of the process of improvement. People continue to train and strive to reach their targets, understanding that failure is temporary and a stepping stone towards progress. In business, failure is often viewed as negative and punished, creating an environment where it is not safe to admit mistakes or take risks. This hinders growth and improvement. Leaders should focus on creating a safe environment where failure is rethought and seen as an opportunity for learning and growth. Encouraging and supporting employees in their development is crucial. Motivation plays a key role in both the gym and the workplace. Leaders should strive to increase motivation levels in their employees, encouraging them to give their best every day and continuously improve. BEST MOMENTS "I think failure is a positive word and that we should reframe failure as positive because it just means it's something that's prevented you from achieving your goal that you need to overcome."  "But why is this thinking so different in business? Why in business do we think of failure as bad and as negative?"  "We highlight issues and challenges in a way that doesn't make people want to or doesn't allow people to fail safely to get better."  "So are we really trying our best every single day to get better like we do in the gym?"  "Failure is not bad. It's just a limit that we have hit on our way to achieving our goal. And if we make it a bad thing to fail, then we will always stay below that bar."  Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he explores the importance of trust in leading change. He introduces the concept of the trust equation, which includes reliability, credibility, intimacy, and self-orientation. Lee discusses three key aspects where trust is crucial: trust in the change facilitator, trust in the business, and trust in the solution. By building trust, leaders can successfully navigate organisations and achieve their desired outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Trust is a crucial factor in leading change and solving business problems. It is determined by the other person and can be influenced by factors such as reliability, credibility, intimacy, and self-orientation. Trust can be assessed in three aspects: trust in the change facilitator, trust in the business, and trust in the solution or answer being provided. To increase trust in the change facilitator, individuals can focus on being reliable, credible, building relationships, and demonstrating that the change is for the benefit of others. Trust in the business can be enhanced by demonstrating reliability in past change initiatives, credibility in achieving goals, building intimacy and alignment with employees, and showing that the change is not solely for the business's benefit. Trust in the solution or answer can be strengthened by providing evidence of its reliability, establishing credibility, fostering intimacy and interest in the solution, and clarifying who will benefit from its implementation. BEST MOMENTS "Trust is seen in the eyes of the other person, trust is something that's given by the other person."  "Does the person or do the people trust the business in seeing the change through?"  "Does the person or people trust the solution or answer that's being provided to overcome the challenge?"  "Often we can largely influence our own levels of trust as the change facilitators or leaders of change."  "Trust is seen and scored through the eyes of the other person, not you."  Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode of Business Problems Solved, Lee Horton discusses the three non-negotiables for a high-performing leadership team. Drawing inspiration from a leadership team he has been working with, Lee emphasizes the importance of alignment, clear expectations, and role-modelling accountability. He explains that a high-performing team does not necessarily require all high-performing individuals, but rather a shared understanding and direction. Lee encourages leaders to align their definitions and interpretations of key concepts, set clear expectations for their team, and lead by example while holding others accountable. This episode offers practical insights for creating a high-performing leadership team. KEY TAKEAWAYS Alignment is crucial for a high-performing leadership team. This includes aligning on understanding, direction, and key concepts. It is important to have a shared definition of terms and a clear vision of the destination. Setting clear expectations is essential. Leaders should communicate what is expected of team members in terms of behavior, actions, and outcomes. This clarity helps everyone understand their roles and responsibilities. Role modeling and accountability go hand in hand. Leaders should lead by example and demonstrate the behaviors and actions they expect from others. They should also hold team members accountable if they are not meeting the set expectations. High-performing teams do not necessarily require all high-performing individuals. As long as everyone understands and works towards the agreed-upon goals, the team can outperform individual efforts. These non-negotiables apply to both micro and macro levels. They can be implemented in day-to-day activities within the team or in larger strategic initiatives. The principles of alignment, clear expectations, and accountability are applicable in various contexts. BEST MOMENTS "To have a high performing team, it doesn't need to include a team of high performing individuals."  "The first non-negotiable for a high-performing leadership team is to agree and gain alignment on some key bits of language."  "What expectations do you have that people need to have, be, do and have, I guess?"  "Role modeling and holding people to account should be one and the same."  "These are the three non-negotiables that I believe every high performing team should strive towards: alignment, clear expectations, and role modeling and holding people to account."  Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Join Lee as he explores the concept of "Measure Mountain" and the importance of recognising and enabling effective teams within an organisation. Lee talks about the need to not only focus on the team delivering the 'valuable' work but also on other teams such as the leadership team. He encourages leaders to consider the horizontal lines of communication and collaboration, in addition to the vertical hierarchy. Lee challenges listeners to think about how many teams they really need and how they can help their teams become better, ultimately driving overall success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognise the importance of having effective teams at different levels within your organisation. It's not just about the team delivering the value work, but also about the leadership team and other horizontal teams. Avoid the pitfall of every layer of leadership having the same conversation every day. Enable capable individuals to fix issues within their own teams, rather than escalating them to higher levels unnecessarily. Consider the right rhythm for team meetings and communication. Depending on the needs of your organisation, you may benefit from more frequent meetings, such as weekly or daily, to address challenges and enable efficiency. Connect the goals and metrics from top to bottom within your organisation. Break down long-term strategic goals into shorter-term targets that are meaningful and relevant to each level. Focus on building the capabilities of your teams. Don't solely prioritise the value-adding work, but also invest time in developing the skills and effectiveness of your teams to help everyone move forward together. BEST MOMENTS "How many team of teams? Is your organisation or your department, your function built up of many different teams?" "Those that are doing the work day in, day out, often get a lot of the focus, and the other teams get neglected." "One pitfall that I see in organisations is that every layer of leadership having the same conversation every single day about the same issues." "Does your leadership team need to be recognised as a team? And if so, what does that mean to them? How can they work better together?" "Spending a bit of time building the capability and getting your teams to perform better may actually help everybody else move forward together as well." Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode of the podcast, host Lee is joined by guest Sam Morgan to discuss the challenges and mindset shifts involved in starting your own business and helping others as a change leader. Sam shares his personal journey from being introduced to Lean principles to realizing his passion for empowering people and helping them unlock their potential. They delve into the importance of building trust and confidence, taking small steps towards goals, and overcoming self-doubt. They also explore the challenges of valuing oneself, setting prices, and navigating the mental obstacles that come with starting a new venture.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Lean is about people empowerment: Lean is not just about improving processes, but also about empowering people to realize their potential and believe in their ability to achieve their goals. Building trust and confidence: To help others believe in themselves, it is important to build trust and confidence through building relationships, asking questions, and encouraging experimentation. Belief is a journey: Belief in oneself and one's abilities does not happen overnight. It requires consistent practice, overcoming self-doubt, and taking action to build confidence over time. Overcoming mental obstacles: The biggest challenges in pursuing one's own path or starting a business are often the mental obstacles, such as self-doubt, fear of failure, and undervaluing oneself. It is important to work on changing these negative narratives and beliefs. Focus on the most important things: In order to achieve success and avoid overwhelm, it is crucial to focus on the most important tasks and goals. Filtering out unnecessary noise and distractions allows for greater clarity and progress. BEST MOMENTS "Lean is all about how things work together to make what we see at the end." "It's all in service of making life better for people and people realizing that they have potential inside them." "It really is an empowerment framework… It's about people believing that they can do the things that they didn't believe they could do."  "It's much easier to act our way to a new way of thinking than to think our way to a new way of acting." "The most important thing is the battle of the mind… The importance of the narrative, our stories that we tell ourselves." ABOUT THE HOST You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee shares a personal experience that has made him reflect on the importance of making challenges and changes feel real for people. He discusses his decision to participate in two charity events, the London Marathon and a 100-kilometre ultra event, and how it only became real for him when he started sharing it with others and receiving donations. Lee explores the significance of emotional attachment and involvement in driving motivation and commitment, emphasising the importance of communication and creating a sense of accountability.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Making something real involves sharing it with others and getting them invested in it. Lee's charity events became real when he created JustGiving pages and told his family and friends. This emotional connection and involvement of others made the challenge feel more tangible and significant. Getting people to have "skin in the game" is crucial for leadership challenges and change initiatives. Lee says to think about how you can involve more people and make the challenges feel real to them. This could include working in groups, explaining the impact on a daily basis, selling a vision for the future, or leveraging current pain points to motivate action. Having a goal or vision is not enough; it needs to be made real through communication and conscious awareness.  Emotional attachment and belief are triggered when something becomes real. Lee's own challenge made him feel physically sick and driven by the fear of letting others down. When something becomes real, it evokes strong emotions and motivates individuals to take action and succeed. Planning and structuring are essential in achieving goals. Structuring the journey and aligning actions with intent and goals can lead to success. BEST MOMENTS "And ever since that moment, and ever since donations have started to come in, something has happened and it's become real."  "So, how can we use and leverage people's current feelings of what's not working to help them move towards a neutral state, to help them to move towards an acceptable state to where they want to get to because it's definitely pain that's fueling me at the minute…"  "The thing that's actually driving me and the thing that made it real was when I shared it with other people. When other people started sponsoring me and I'm driven by, I don't want to let anybody down."  "What can you do to make it real to people so they can feel what it means to them? So what can you do to make it real? Because when it becomes real, my God, it feels real."  VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee discusses the importance of silence in both the external and internal world. He emphasises the need to create spaces for silence in meetings to allow people time to think and truly engage in the conversation. Lee challenges listeners to consider their comfort level with silence and how it affects their ability to listen and ask better questions. He suggests avoiding padding or justifying questions, and instead giving people the space and time to think before exploring their understanding. Lee also explores the concept of quieting the chatter in one's own mind to be fully present and actively listen. He encourages listeners to become more comfortable with silence, as it can lead to better answers and a deeper understanding of others. KEY TAKEAWAYS Creating space for silence: In meetings and conversations, it is important to save a seat for silence. Allowing people time to think without filling the silence with unnecessary words or padding on questions can lead to more thoughtful and meaningful responses. Comfort with silence: It is essential to assess one's comfort level with silence. Some individuals may feel nervous or uncomfortable with silence and tend to fill it with laughter, additional words, or noises. Recognising and addressing this discomfort can help create a more conducive environment for effective communication. External silence: When asking questions, it is important to be comfortable with silence in the external world. Avoid questions with unnecessary justifications or explanations. Instead, ask concise questions and give people the space and time to think before responding. This can lead to more genuine and thoughtful answers. Internal silence: To truly listen and be present in a conversation, it is crucial to quiet the chatter in one's internal mind. Starting with an empty cup, emptying the mind of biases and preconceived notions, and focusing solely on listening can enhance understanding and engagement in the conversation. Trusting safe space: Creating a trusting safe space is crucial for effective communication. Actively listening and showing genuine interest in others' thoughts and ideas can foster trust and encourage open and honest communication. Being comfortable with silence plays a significant role in creating this safe space. BEST MOMENTS "If I didn't [think every episode was important], then it wouldn't be an episode, so that's a silly thing for me to say."  "Often, the only thinking time that people have is when somebody else is speaking, and that means, that they are not actually engaged fully and listening truly to what other people are saying."  "Don't pad your questions out. Don't justify the reason why you've asked the question. Give people space and time to think about it first and then explore."  "Start with an empty cup, means empty your mind of all of those thoughts and then just ask the first question and then your second question has got to be the mother of, I guess the answer that the person gives has got to be the mother of your next question, not your internal chatter."  "Silence is just as important, if not more important, than what you say. So how can you become more comfortable with silence, both in the outside world and in your internal mind?" -   Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the difference between getting by and getting better in business. He emphasises the importance of asking the right questions to promote continuous improvement and challenges leaders to reflect on the questions they ask their teams. Lee discusses the three key factors to consider when asking questions: the type of question, the environment in which it is asked, and the person being asked. He provides examples of questions that promote getting by versus getting better and encourages leaders to engage the minds of their team members by asking open-ended and expansive questions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The questions we ask as leaders can either hinder or promote continuous improvement. It is important to ask better questions that encourage deeper thinking and generate more ideas from our teams. The type of question we ask is crucial. Instead of asking closed-ended questions that elicit simple yes or no answers, we should ask open-ended questions that start with "what" or "how" to encourage more expansive thinking and tap into the memory of our people. The environment in which we ask questions is also important. It should be a safe and trusting environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas without fear of being chastised or blamed. Engaging the minds of our people is essential for creating an engaged team. By asking better questions and actively listening to their responses, we can understand what gets in their way and take action to help them improve. Continuous improvement requires more than just going through the motions of daily meetings. Leaders should focus on extracting valuable insights and ideas from their teams by asking better questions and creating a culture of continuous improvement. BEST MOMENTS "I've come to the realisation that actually, as leaders, the questions that you ask may be preventing and stifling you from getting better."  "We want to promote a level of thinking that taps into the memory of our people. We don't just want front-of-mind and in-moment answers."  "What happened yesterday that may have caused a safety issue? You're then promoting thinking and getting people to think about all of the near misses, all of the opportunities that may have caused a safety issue."  "Are you OK? How are you feeling? It opens the mind and allows you to understand the things that are getting in people's way and then allowing you to then get better."  "Don't just assume that just having a daily meeting and going through the motions of the topics that you believe are the right ones to talk about. Don't just go through the motions and ask everybody, have they had a safe day?"  Business Problems Solved Podcast You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode, I delve into the intriguing concept of "empty happiness" and "empty improvement." It's fascinating how we often confuse fleeting moments of joy with genuine, lasting happiness that we experience when we look back on our life's journey. This parallels the world of business, where I've witnessed countless instances of efforts aimed at improvement that ultimately lead to no substantial change.My exploration will illuminate the path toward transformation in both personal and professional spheres, offering valuable insights for leaders striving to make a real impact. So join me as we dissect the nuances of happiness and improvement, and discover how they intertwine in the realm of business problem-solving. KEY TAKEAWAYS Empty happiness is a real phenomenon that occurs when we experience temporary joy or satisfaction in the moment, but upon reflection, realise that it was not a truly fulfilling or meaningful experience. The same concept applies to improvement efforts in business. Empty improvement refers to making changes or fixes that may seem beneficial in the moment, but ultimately do not have a significant impact or contribute to the overall goals and direction of the organisation. To avoid empty improvement, it is important to differentiate between developing the habit of continuous improvement and making tangible, meaningful improvements. The habit of improvement involves regularly engaging in problem-solving sessions and creating a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation. Tangible improvements, on the other hand, require a clear understanding of the organisations destination and the obstacles that are preventing progress towards that goal. By aligning problem-solving efforts with these obstacles, leaders can ensure that improvements are meaningful and contribute to the overall success of the organisation. Building the habit of problem-solving and improvement requires creating a desire in individuals to fix things and solve problems. This can be achieved by connecting their emotional attachment to the organisations goals or by creating a craving for completing specific activities. Developing understanding, skills, and confidence in problem-solving will naturally follow, leading to more effective and impactful improvements. BEST MOMENTS "Happiness in the moment is different to happiness when you're looking back." "Empty happiness is a real thing. We only want to have happy moments that are not empty, that when we're looking back, they are actual happy moments." "Empty improvement is a real thing. How can you ensure that you're not delivering or having empty improvement?" "If you can encourage and create an environment where people are continuously improving regularly, then you're forming that habit." "Building the habit of problem solving whilst selling the destination of where you're trying to get to will build the desire." VALUABLE RESOURCESYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this special episode, host Lee takes a reflective journey by engaging in conversations with his two children, Jack and India. Jack, aged 10, shares his insights on what makes a good manager, drawing from his love of football and admiration for figures like Elon Musk. Meanwhile, 8-year-old India expresses her aspirations to become a teacher or business worker, emphasising the importance of helping others and always doing one's best. Through these conversations, Lee realises the need to have more meaningful discussions with his children and gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts and experiences. This episode serves as a heartfelt thank you to listeners and a reminder of the value of sharing lessons and experiences to inspire and help others. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gratitude and reflection: The host expresses gratitude for the listeners and reflects on the journey of the podcast, emphasising the importance of feedback and sharing lessons learned. Lessons from personal experiences: The host shares lessons learned from his best friend's passing and aims to share any lessons he learns with others to make a meaningful impact. Lessons from children: The host interviews his two children, Jack and India, to gain their perspectives on leadership and change. They emphasise qualities such as being polite, imaginative, and vocal as important for good leadership. Importance of connection and social skills: Both children highlight the importance of being social, making friends, and helping others fit in. They emphasise the need for leaders to be vocal, help each other, and create a welcoming environment. Personal growth and self-belief: The children discuss the importance of being happy, being oneself, and always doing one's best. They encourage self-confidence, resilience, and not letting negative influences deter personal growth. BEST MOMENTS"So, yeah, so just just thank you. And like I said, it's been a really reflective experience.""By imagining new things. By thinking up new things. All right, yeah. Good, good, good.""Because some people are different to others and some people won't understand as easily as others.""Always try your hardest, yeah. 100%. 100%, everything.""Always remember nobody can stop you of what you wanted to be." VALUABLE RESOURCESYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee discusses the challenge that many organisations face when it comes to deploying their strategies effectively. He emphasises the importance of engaging employees and creating a more meaningful and collaborative approach to strategy deployment. Lee introduces a framework of three key questions: Why are we doing this, what do our people need to be, and what elements do we need in place to achieve our goals? By answering these questions and involving the team in the process, leaders can create a clear direction, define desired behaviours, and establish the necessary systems to successfully implement their strategies. Lee concludes by offering a downloadable guide to help listeners navigate this framework and align their departments or functions towards their desired outcomes. KEY TAKEAWAYS Deploying a strategy within an organisation is full of challenges, it's essential we engage people in the process. Using a question framework to guide the deployment of a strategy, focusing on purpose, people, and process can help in helping things go smoothly. The purpose questions involve defining why the organisation is pursuing a particular strategy and what goals or metrics they aim to achieve. The people questions focus on identifying the desired habits and behaviours of employees that will contribute to the success of the strategy. The process questions involve determining the tangible elements and actions needed to support the desired behaviours and achieve the defined goals. BEST MOMENTS "People don't fear change, they fear being changed." "There is a better way than a lot of organisations adopt that can create a more engaging way to deliver the deployment of a strategy, of a direction, of a vision." "To achieve this, our people need to be role models, coaches, positive, respectful, and engaged." "This means we need to have the following things in place: communication system, certain meetings, certain governance, certain roles and responsibilities." "To make this a reality, these actions are required to be delivered. Who's going to do those actions? By when?" You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee explores the concept of opportunities and how they are perceived and acted upon. He shares a simple anecdote about a coin glued to the floor to illustrate how some people may not see opportunities while others may misinterpret them. Lee emphasizes the importance of mindset, work ethic, and consistent questioning in recognizing and seizing opportunities for improvement.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Opportunities are all around us, but not everyone sees them or takes advantage of them. It is important for leaders to help their teams recognize and seize opportunities for improvement. Mindset plays a crucial role in identifying opportunities. Believing that everything can be improved and being open to opportunities increases the likelihood of recognizing and taking advantage of them. Asking better questions can help broaden people's thinking and enable them to see opportunities. Consistency in asking these questions and creating a space for open dialogue is key. Creating an environment where people feel empowered to take action on opportunities is essential. This may involve bringing together individuals from different teams or functions to work collaboratively on identified opportunities. BEST MOMENTS "Opportunities are something that everybody, I believe, everybody has the opportunity for opportunities." "If everything in this world is a process, it has inputs, it has outputs and it has steps to achieve it. And every process can be improved." "We need to find a mechanism, find a way to get people to open up to the opportunities that are in front of them, to ask them better questions, to get better answers." "We've got to increase the belief in our people first to recognize the opportunity or things that can be improved." VALUABLE RESOURCES You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Rather than being a black-or-white question, the gap between safe and strong tends to be a sliding scale as only caution can build safety and only risk can result in strength. Lee looks at this balancing conundrum in the context of creating change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Initially, you may want your people to be safe so they can confidently try repeatedly and possibly fail more comfortably. Do you provide answers, templates, and constant guidance for your people, or are you allowing them to fail and learn? We are aiming for an unsafe, strength-building formula with the ability to learn, judge and mitigate risk. BEST MOMENTS ‘Ultimately you want them to be strong, you want them to learn for themselves, you want them to stretch that comfort zone.’ ‘You increase the level of risk, but you also increase the level of strength of the person.’ ‘How much are we willing to push the boundaries on our current comfort levels to try new things, but do it in a way that’s helping us get to where we want to get to.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  

In this episode of Business Problems Solved, host Lee Horton draws an unexpected analogy between change management and sun cream. He reflects on his recent family holiday and compares the role of change management in protecting individuals from the harmful effects of change to the function of sun cream in shielding people from the sun. Lee emphasises the importance of recognising that change affects individuals differently and that different levels of support and communication may be necessary. He encourages listeners to approach change management with a personalised and adaptable approach, just as one would choose the appropriate sun cream factor for different individuals. Overall, this episode offers a unique perspective on change management and provides practical insights for successfully navigating organisational change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Change management and sun cream are similar in that they both act as barriers between something (change or the sun) and people. Change management is there to protect individuals from the harmful effects of change, just as sun cream protects individuals from the harmful effects of the sun. Just as different people have different tolerances to the sun, different people respond differently to change. Change management should take into account the individual needs and responses of people involved in the change process. Change management, like sun cream, should be applied regularly and with the end goal in mind. It should not be a one-time event, but an ongoing process that considers the different factors and variables at play. People who may appear resistant to change may simply need a different level of support or communication. Just as some people need a higher factor sun cream, some individuals may require more frequent or tailored communication to help them navigate the change process. It is important to treat change management as a positive and necessary aspect of implementing change, rather than a negative barrier. Just as sun cream protects and enhances the tanning process, change management helps individuals and teams transition successfully to their desired state. BEST MOMENTS"Change management is often seen as a barrier between the change and or the solution and people.""Change management is there to protect you from the harmful effects that change can have.""Often people don't fear change, they fear being changed.""Change management is like sun cream. It needs to be applied regularly, but with the goal in mind.""Just remember everybody that is on your program, that is a person, and that person may need a different level of support, a different level of protection, a different level of a barrier between them and the actual change itself." VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

When applying change in various organisations Lee has found resistance a common problem. In this episode, he identifies the key reasons why it is so often encountered and how you can circumvent them.   KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to share what we are thinking clearly with everyone when we explain the reasons for change. If people do not understand the rationale behind the decisions it is easy for them to discard or ignore them.  Change brings uncertainty. People worry about what change will mean to them specifically. A perceived lack of leadership support will be interpreted as disapproval of the changes and will make staff consider them unimportant.  People fear that changes will remove their control.  Previous unsuccessful change efforts can create resistance.  Lack of incentive. People need to see a benefit for the increased work.  BEST MOMENTS‘I think this is the biggest thing, a lack of communication.’’Actively listening to concerns and addressing them transparently and applying regular updates and opportunities for people to ask questions and provide feedback is key.’‘A lack of visible leadership can undermine the change effort and lead to resistance.’ ‘Highlight lessons learned and emphasise the steps taken to ensure its success.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

How do you create an ongoing strategy to facilitate change in the long term rather than just being reactive to current problems? Lee notes some key points to bear in mind when forming a  plan for others to follow to create change well into the future as well as right now. KEY TAKEAWAYS Use technology to help to achieve your goals. Systemically find problems to solve by engaging your people, metrics and identifying targets. Create a new system, or adapt one that already exists. Know your organisation to fully visualise your goals. Identify what will keep you motivated. BEST MOMENTS ‘You can either create something new or adapt and use something that already exists.’ ‘Do this by engaging with people, not sat by yourself in a room with a PowerPoint slide deck.’ ‘When the going gets tough, and it may get tough because we are dealing with people here, what are the things that are important to you that are going to keep you going every single day?’ ‘If you can brand it in a particular way that makes it memorable then that just makes it easier to differentiate it from everything else that’s happening within the organisation.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  

Lee reflects on the past five years since his friend Chris’ passing as well as Chris’ three lessons that have been so intrinsic in leading change in that time, and his dive into those lessons that he has experienced since his loss.  KEY TAKEAWAYS When you allow people to be themselves, we are all so vastly different. It’s our differences that make progress possible. Always be your authentic self. Make good friends.  Time is limited. BEST MOMENTS‘All the way through school I was the kid who would go bright red and wouldn’t speak out in class.’‘It’s our differences and not our similarities that make what we do special.’‘With Chris’ 3 lessons I try to go deeper into those 3 lessons more and more often. Over the last 5 years I’m continuing to delve deeper.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

Lee discusses how amongst change leaders when challenging people’s thinking to move closer to the goal,  your credibility can be much more important than your ability to influence.  KEY TAKEAWAYS A challenge can be uncomfortable, but the important thing is your subject’s view of you and your credibility in their opinion.  It can often be easier to gain credibility as an external change person.  Build trust and credibility with the leaders that you are supporting.  BEST MOMENTS‘Imagine you are a lean coach and you are supporting a leader and you believe the leader can be better at leading people, improving the processes or whatever it is.’‘If you’re starting from a place where the person that you are supporting does not believe that you are credible or doesn’t believe that what it is that you are supporting them with is credible then it doesn’t matter about the ability of the quality in your challenge’‘How can you build that credibility rather than just relying upon your ability to challenge?’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

The ‘Say, Do Gap’ is the delay between when people say they are going to do something and when they actually do it or the difference in quality between what they say they are going to achieve and what they actually produce. Lee talks about an extra stage in this process, the ‘Think Feel’ stage.  KEY TAKEAWAYS If we can influence the thoughts and feelings of our people then we have a chance of influencing the culture of our organisation.  If someone feels that an environment is not safe to freely express themselves there will be a substantial ‘Think, Feel, Say’ gap. Remove the obstacles to free expression to act on things more quickly and achieve better resolutions.   BEST MOMENTS‘What people are thinking and feeling isn’t necessarily what they are saying when they are asked.’  ‘How many times have you had thoughts or feelings that you’ve not actually spoken?’‘People talk about trust a lot and I think when you have a high trust environment then the gap between what people feel and say is far, far reduced.’  VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode of Business Problem Solved, Lee chats with Steve Rames, a global director of a Fortune 100 American corporate. Steve shares his journey from a YTS scheme to a corporate director, his passion for Lean, and the importance of honesty and hard work. Lee and Steve discuss Steve's journey from a production line to a global director, his experience with Lean and Six Sigma, and the importance of honesty and hard work in his career. They also discuss the challenges of leadership, the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, and the future of Lean. In addition, Steve shares some insights on his experience with plant closures and lean implementation, and the importance of connecting with people through humor. BEST MOMENTS "Leadership is all about making other people successful."  "If you concentrate on what is within your sphere of influence, then your sphere influence grows." "A quarter of an hour without laughter is a quarter of an hour, Tyneside is a jolly place."  "I was just dropped into many, many troubling situations, which were a whole lot of fun and total adrenaline maximizing the comedy."  "Truth is the thing we've got to get truth from. The truth, from the guys on the tools, has got to be the same truth spoken in the boardroom, Alight, you're having different conversations, but they've got to be based on the same truth."     VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

One measure of a successful meeting can be the amount and share of vocal engagement experienced during the discussion. However, this is far from being an absolute requirement and there are exceptions as Lee explains in this episode.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes people are fully engaged when they are thinking.  People often fill space vocally as this is often rewarded. Silence is necessary. Silence occurs when people are fully considering what they have heard and working on solutions. Encourage relevant silence.   BEST MOMENTS‘It’s not just about filling all of the spaces. Success in a meeting doesn’t have to be measured by output and voices because silence is also ok.’’One skill for a leader is not to break that silence.’‘The more comfortable we can all become with silence and getting lost in our thoughts, building on each other’s thoughts and sharing them openly and safely the better the solutions, answers and the resolutions.’  VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.

In this episode, Lee chats with James Edmondson, an experienced and results-oriented Agile leader and systemic team coach, with a reputation for working collaboratively with senior teams in both operational and head office environments. He is a people focussed leader with highly attuned emotional intelligence that enables strong relationships at all levels and also a veteran with over 20 years of experience working collaboratively under pressure and with a character that inspires the very best out of high-performing teams. Lee and James discuss his ‘water-based’ career, his adaptation of military ‘cell’ structures as a form of team management, the meaning of ‘agile’ in a team context, moving from military to civilian life, and the lessons he has learned in teams and leadership.  KEY TAKEAWAYS From 20 years in the Navy to his current career with Anglian Water, James has always specialised in team focus.  One of James’ first tasks was dealing with the COVID response which gave him invaluable experience in change management. James uses a ‘cell’ system model which he learned from the Navy in his team-leading strategy.  James is now a certified team coach after training in the field. The idea of an all-powerful, super-efficient, singular leader is a myth. Get rid of the ego, be humble, ask questions and know that you do not know all the answers. BEST MOMENTS‘I remember looking into the Navy as a teenager and thinking, goodness me, it’s just like a really good rugby team or really good football team or really good cricket team. They’re always playing together and got focus on an outcome.’-James ‘That cell structure gave us a really cohesive unit. It decentralised leadership to a certain extent. With the way we connected it all together it allowed people to have shared awareness and real clarity on what we were trying to achieve.’-James‘I started to dig into what ‘agile’ meant and I did a couple of courses.’-James ‘You’ve used the word ‘teams’ a lot and you’ve also used ‘team of teams’. What is it about teams that make you feel the way you do and what is it that makes a great team?’-Lee‘The notion of a heroic leader or a superman or supergirl just getting things done on their own is nonsense.’-James‘What makes a great leader? There’s so much to go into here but straight away it’s humility and trust.’-James VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee rounds off his 3 Things series with 3 more important, thought-provoking points highlighted throughout the past few weeks. Here is a reflective summary of the choosing and honing of the ten topics covered. KEY TAKEAWAYS Thinking about the ten most valuable areas to discuss has been a worthwhile, constructive task. Having to narrow down to 3 most important points forces focus and clarity on all the chosen topics. This series has facilitated thinking, feeling and doing on each of the topics covered efficiently. BEST MOMENTS ‘Just narrowing it down to the 10 things that I believed would add the greatest amount of value to you has been just a great reflective space and a great reflective opportunity for me to really consider these things.’ ‘When you are given a topic to think about and forced to identify the 3 things that you believe are the most important of that really forces the thinking and I had some great moments sat by myself identifying the 3 things for each different topic as well.’ ‘This mini-series has allowed me to think feel and do about each of these different things and it’s an amazing reflective space for me. I don’t think people take the necessary amount of time to actually reflect.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

As always, Lee encourages you to think, feel and do in depth about the 3 things about Coaching. Take a close look at Coaching and it’s importance as a skill in all workplaces in all its variations as a method for developing people towards desirable goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Clarity of intent and destination. Coaching can only be attempted with a clear and definable goal to move towards. Prioritise questions and the thinking space rather than answers. It is a scale from consulting and providing answers through to creating a space to think. BEST MOMENTS ‘I believe we can only and should only coach when we have clarity of that destination. You need to truly have clarity of your intent in each of your interactions with your coachee and other people on the team.’ ’The more that you can make somebody think the more that they are developing their own thinking and their own answers to help them get to where they are trying to get to.’ ‘I don’t think our default as a coach is to provide options. It might be in the moment the thing that you think about to help the coachee move  past whatever it is hinders them.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In various situations, our standards differ and in terms of change, improvement and problem solving it can be difficult to decide where to set expectations to regard goals and targets as being met. Lee defines the 3 things that need to be considered when setting standards.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The standards need to be in line and support the reason why you are there.  They need to be visible and reviewable at the point of work, action or function.  They need to be simple, clear and address the operation required.   BEST MOMENTS ‘It should be an expectation set on an outcome from a leader in line with the purpose of the team, the function, the department, the business and also in line with the direction that you’re heading.’  ‘I often see standards in lever arch folders in cupboards and the cupboards are not actually in the place of the work they’re in an office somewhere.’ ‘Standards are a mechanism to solve the problem between what we say and what everybody hears.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this ‘3 Things’ episode, Lee talks about the tools we all need to use to identify quantitively if our changes and improvements are successful, our chosen measures and metrics. What 3 things do we need to bear in mind to use these tools effectively?   KEY TAKEAWAYS Aligned to purpose. Ensure the chosen metric is the exact measure of the team’s success. Meaningful to each layer. The figures should be comprehensible and meaningful to all levels within the organisation.  To be actionable and solvable. The metric chosen should be affected by the actions and decisions of the change team.  BEST MOMENTS‘They should be aligned to a particular purpose, to a purpose of the team and that team’s purpose is to be aligned to that overall business purpose as well.’   ’Does every person on every team resonate with the measure or metric and the reason why they are there?’ ‘Can you go away and understand where and why the gap exists? Are you empowered to actually resolve or close that gap with you and your team?’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

The creation of this mini-series has forced Lee to distil the complications of his chosen topics down to 3 easy to understand, most important points and in this episode, he is concentrating on Leadership. This time our 3 are Vision, Communication and Teamwork. KEY TAKEAWAYS Set a clear understandable direction. This creates motivation, passion and a shared target. The importance that people are clear on the messages that you deliver. Just because your team ‘works’ doesn’t mean you’ve got teamwork. BEST MOMENTS ‘Your ability to set a clear direction, one that is engaging, one that is motivating, and fundamentally one that people can resonate with.’   ‘Truly, the art of communication is what’s been heard, not what’s been said, and I think what we need to do as leaders is truly understand what has been heard not just what we have said.’ ‘How effective are you at creating teamwork? Encouraging and helping people to sacrifice their own personal goals for those of the team?’    VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Problem Solving can be a highly discussed topic with many differing opinions on methods. However, at this mid-point in his ‘3 Things’ series of episodes, rather than concentrating on method, Lee explains the 3 blocks that he feels you will encounter during your Problem Solving approach.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Finding problems, not solving them. Often locating the problems can be more difficult than solving them. Solving at the right levels, little and often. If you can solve problems with the people that actually work with them and do it often enough you also empower the people at that level. It’s everybody’s job. It’s not a specialist role to solve problems. BEST MOMENTS ‘We are not very good at finding problems because very often we just accept whatever we see, whatever we hear and whatever we feel because it’s always been that way.’ ‘Some problems may need to be escalated through the line to more senior people but only if the people escalate it’s not within their gift to solve.’  ’Is problem solving, moving forward, is identifying and overcoming opportunities actually part of everybody’s job, of everybody’s role to help everybody make today better than tomorrow?’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee introduces 3 important things that will make you think, feel and act differently concerning Visual Management. The fourth episode in the ‘3 things’ will explain how you can cue actions or activities based on the visuals and other sensory input that you share with your team.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Visual Management should provide focus and clarity for everybody on the important points.  It provides an opportunity for increased support and teamwork. It incorporates all sensory management to tap into the senses of all of the people that we are working with.   BEST MOMENTS ‘What is it that you are looking to control and how can you prompt or trigger or cue a particular activity or action or thought in somebody based on what they can see?’ ‘You can use Visual Management to help people see whether we are winning or losing today.’ ‘You want people to understand where we are, where we are trying to get to, whether someone is overloaded, underworked and how we can support each other to get to where we want to get to.’ ‘We need to consider how we can actually be more inclusive of peers, colleagues and friends and actually try to utilise more sensory management.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode Lee continues his ‘There’s Always 3 Things’ series and sets out the 3 most important things to consider about your all-important daily team meeting. After this, you will think, feel and do more when it comes to structuring your regular updates and discussions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Daily meetings are an opportunity to engage everyone and have two-way conversations. An opportunity to connect your communication floor horizontally as well as vertically with effective escalation and cascade. An opportunity to increase your focus and align your priorities.   BEST MOMENTS ‘You’ll maybe feel conflicted about your current meeting structure, or you might feel positive and confident about it.’ ‘But often people mean when they say that there is a lack of communication, it’s a lack of communication to help them do what they are doing today.’  ‘Can you connect your daily conversation with your peer’s daily conversation, with your seniors' daily conversation? Is there an effective cascade of communication and expectations down and is there an effective escalation of issues, challenges , frustration and things that get in the way of people doing the job?’ ‘You are aligning people on what the focus and priorities are today, but also celebrate what has gone well when it’s fresh in the mind.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

The latest in Lee’s series on the power of 3 takes a look at Customer Experience. What 3 things can you consider when focusing on consumers that can challenge you, refresh your viewpoint and make you apply changes to the way you currently deliver your Customer Experience? KEY TAKEAWAYS Customer experience is about the full journey, from awareness, through to purchase and then follow-up. To provide the best experience we need to consider all aspects from the moment the consumer starts to look at your provision.   Have a detailed understanding of the flow of all customers through your organisation. Your task is to understand how they think and feel about all your touch points on the journey. Create powerful memories so that the customer remembers the experience and will be fully willing to repeat it.  BEST MOMENTS ‘Customer experience for me has been an exciting journey to understand more about that but if we think about customer experience and the best model that we use, if you think about consultants 15 to 20 years ago they focused primarily on the targets of a business.’  ‘A customer doesn’t typically follow the same route as the way you are set up organisationally.’  ’The true value in any customer experience measure is to understand the intent of that customer, what they were trying to achieve, and maybe how they felt while they were doing that.’ ‘What lasting memories do you want to leave with the customers?’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode Lee takes a look at the 3 main points when forming positive habits to benefit our organisations. How do we create those automatic actions effectively in ourselves and our team that can become parts of the system and problem solving solutions that we need?   KEY TAKEAWAYS One of our favourite definitions of ‘culture’ is the sum of all of the habits that exist within our organisation.  Belief is the most natural way to form a habit if your people believe that change is truly possible.  The Habit Loop is the model which is based on cue, routine and reward. The same model is applied to creating a good habit as a bad one. Cue is the repeated trigger for the habit, routine is the process to deal with the situation and the reward is the results achieved.  Craving will be the eventual result of repeated problem solving through the habit loop and will be the driver behind habitual change. BEST MOMENTS ‘There’s various different studies that suggest that a high percentage of what we do every single day is habitual.’  ’If we really want to challenge and change our culture then it starts with creating and forming new habits.’  ‘I see a lot of people want to do the routine without considering the cue and the reward.’  ‘If you can sufficiently get people to continuously travel that habit loop over a period of time then you will create a level of craving and then it becomes habitual.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast        ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee begins his ‘3 Things’ mini series with the 3 things he believes makeup Operational Excellence. He will guide you to help you ‘know, feel and do’ in a new way in regards to Operational Excellence to challenge you or help your confidence so you can take action effectively as a leader of change.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The first is an environment that works daily towards a particular destination. The second is encouraging teamwork and cooperation.  The third is committed, supportive, empowering leadership.  BEST MOMENTS ‘For me, typically, this is about the process of the systems, the organisation, operating in a manner that strives towards excellence. I believe that Operational Excellence is a journey that we should be continuously striving towards.’   ’How clear is your vision? How clear has it been articulated? What do people take from it and are you all striving towards the same end?’  ‘Teamwork is a recognition that the sum is far greater than the individual parts.’  ‘How supportive are we of our people? How supportive are we of each other? How often does one leader sacrifice themselves for the benefit and gain of the whole system?’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

3 seems to be a culturally significant digit and Lee is running with this, creating a mini-series over the coming weeks on a number of problem-solving subjects titled The 3 Things About... KEY TAKEAWAYS Have you ever thought of why the number 3 is significant? The rule of 3 is a powerful technique used in writing and speaking. Whittle it down to the 3 most important priorities for your team. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’m gonna do a mini-series, the 3 things about ‘x’ and over the coming weeks I’m gonna introduce the three things about ‘x’. The 3 Things About Visual Management, The 3 Things About Operational Excellence etc’     ’When you think about plays, and every story in every film, it’s always divided into 3 parts isn’t it?’ ‘I want you to know some stuff’ I want you to think some stuff and ultimately I want you to take action and do some stuff afterwards.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

One habit is the differentiator between an environment that sustains and improves and one that does not. The habit that we should all commit to installing in our repertoire is continuous improvement. Lee explains how to make today continuously better than yesterday. KEY TAKEAWAYS By ensuring leaders ask better questions a system of continuous improvement can be installed. There is a difference between identifying blocks to productivity and removing them and improving the actual process by which productivity is achieved.  It all starts with belief. Are you coming from a place where you believe anything can be improved?  BEST MOMENTS ‘I don’t think people really focus on the habit of continuous improvement. The purpose of everything we do is not necessarily to improve the metrics but improve how we do the job.’  ’If you continuously cue, routine, reward it creates a craving in you to want to do it more.’ ‘Use your senses. Use everybody’s senses. What things are you seeing? What things are you hearing? What things are you feeling? What processes are you touching that can be improved?’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

When leading people we often look at things on a macro level. Detailing to a micro level can help you change a culture. Culture is a conglomeration of formed habits, and you need to identify the habit loops present and alter them to make any headway in changing culture.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The Habit Loop is the structure of a habit, made up of cues, routine and reward.   To understand habits you need to engage with people and understand their cues, routines and how they feel rewarded.  You cannot just tell people to change, you need to convince them of the need to do so, cultivating their belief and thus desire to change habits.   BEST MOMENTS ‘If you can identify the habits that people do every single day then you can start to change the culture.’ ‘Often I use the example of walking past a piece of rubbish in any working environment. If you do that then you make it instantly acceptable to do that.’  ‘The easiest way to create belief in others is to create a community set of believers. It’s the reason why religion is so popular, it’s the reason why communities are starting to grow.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

One of the most important aspects of driving change in a team or as a change manager is asking the right questions, but is there any worth in repeating questions previously asked? Lee believes asking the same question in the right setting and with the right intent can benefit you as a leader of people and change and he explains why.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Lee asks weekly ‘how have you felt this week?’ and ‘what one thing that’s noteworthy have you learnt this week?’ Consistently asked questions over time can mean a more in-depth and heartfelt response as time goes on as the responder feels safer in their environment.  A follow-up question as simple as ‘and what else?’ can challenge someone to think deeper about the answer they have just given and elaborate.  BEST MOMENTS ‘Every single Friday morning we have a little ‘reflection section’. It’s a small team and we sit around a table and I’ve asked for the last ten weeks the same two questions.’  ‘Over a course of ten weeks, boy, can I tell you the conversations have developed and have changed.’  ‘Fundamentally it’s about making sure you have clarity of intent of what it is, you create a safe space for people to think.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

When asking better questions, how comfortable are you with silence as a response? Not all questions require a yes or no answer and a team’s strength is built with open-ended questions that require more thought. Is your discomfort with silence causing unconsidered answers and thus unsatisfactory solutions?  KEY TAKEAWAYS Fundamentally, becoming more comfortable with silence can help you with coaching your team.  Common responses to silence are; rephrasing a question to elicit a more immediate response, answering the question themselves or providing prompts or suggestions. Anything to break the silence.   Ask questions that require more thought such as “How can you visualise the performance of your team?”  Create the space and time for the answer to occur.  BEST MOMENTS ‘You might be somebody that when you get in a lift and you're travelling with people you don’t know, do you break that silence with an uncomfortable giggle?’  ’I encourage you to think of an open question. Think of a question that requires some thinking.’ ‘Your ability to be comfortable with silence I think is an important factor in your ability to coach and lead your people.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Have you got enough time? If not, you probably need to prioritise. If you place everything in your ‘in-tray’ into your ‘urgent’ tray, then you are probably going to be eternally frustrated. Lee takes a look at how you can denote what needs doing now. KEY TAKEAWAYS What is the most important thing for you to do today? Fundamentally, despite outside pressures, you can only really have one priority at a time. Are you a specialist or a generalist? This will have an effect on your chosen priority for you. If you are pushing everything a little this makes less progress than pushing the main priority hard. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’m working with a number of teams currently in a couple of different businesses and they’ve all not got enough time. Each of the leaders has not got enough time, they’re working on too many things.’  ’And I can hear you now saying that you don’t have time and there’s so many different expectations on you to do all sorts of other things, but are you going to some meetings where you’ve only got to provide a 10-minute update in a 60-minute meeting?’ ‘Help your team understand what they need to do and how they can help you overcome and achieve the goals that you’re trying to get to.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

You cannot solve problems in a business if you cannot even find them. Encouraging and training team members to locate problems is a first step to making real progress towards solutions. Lee explains the qualities and mechanisms to put in place to create an army of problem finders.  KEY TAKEAWAYS When something is big enough to quantify as a problem then we often have strategies in place to then find and apply solutions.  All team members need to be able to identify problems, especially those that have not yet grown into large system breaking blocks.  To create a good problem finder, have clarity of direction, understand expected standards, have good visual management to prompt the right focus, demonstrate compelling engagement, create confidence and empower those that are closest to the problems.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Recently with one of the teams that I’ve been working with, they have a belief or a perception that they are really good at problem solving.’ ’The real crux of this change and improvement thing is to be able to have everybody finding problems. Solving problems is the easy bit.‘ ‘The reward is a resolution of those challenges and that only comes from having a feedback mechanism or empowering those that are closest to it to fix it.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode, Lee wants to talk to you about simplicity. Over complication is the enemy of comprehension so when leading people keep it concise and simple to facilitate better understanding with those you lead. KEY TAKEAWAYS Often when in change mode we can become over enthusiastic and overload a task explanation to a team member decreasing their comprehension, knowledge and confidence in the change at hand. Keep instructions to one for each task and you will be unlikely to have to repeat yourself. Really understand the task from the perspective of the other person to be able to communicate in the most sympathetic way. BEST MOMENTS ‘If you can’t explain something simply you don’t understand it well enough.’ ‘When we start to deliver change in organisations and in businesses, we don’t necessarily keep it simple for the person, we over complicate things..’ ‘The simpler you can make what they hear and not necessarily what you say, then that will help you be more successful.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee goes back to basics and discusses some of the common pitfalls of business change. You may recognise some of these problems in your own change team and systems as many people have before. Listen in and see if you can avoid these problems before they occur. KEY TAKEAWAYS Immediate success and instant change is rare to impossible. Change is a process and a journey.  Communicate clearly to achieve change. Be sure your message has been received. Involve the people who are in the process to develop the change. It is more likely to be successful with buy-in from the initiators.  Be flexible. Be ready for fluid change when encountering problems in a plan.   Take care of your people. Involvement in change decreases the fear of it.  Celebrate success. Recognise things that are going right, nor just things that go wrong.  BEST MOMENTS “There is no moment when a monkey learns to ride a skateboard. It’s a process.” ‘Just consider are you involving enough people? And how are you involved with those people?’  ‘Leading change can be stressful and it’s really important to take care of your team or the people and peers that you’re working with during this process.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Whose job is it to create motivation? Having a reason to take action is the meaning of ‘motivation’, but whose role is it to demonstrate the reasons to act? The fact is everyone needs a reason to do what they do, but what is the best motivation for your team to not only apply themselves but to do so energetically and enthusiastically?  KEY TAKEAWAYS We have to have clarity of understanding of the reason why we are doing our tasks.  As leaders, it is up to us to create the ideal environment to motivate with the right measures, vision, clarity, reward and recognition. Understanding the full reasons for their tasks is important for staff. A seemingly pointless activity is demotivating.  BEST MOMENTS ‘“Bob lacks motivation.” They are pointing the finger of blame at Bob and suggesting that it’s all Bob’s fault. But I think that as leaders of people and of change we have got a role in creating the environment to allow the people to have greater reasons to do the stuff than not do the stuff.’ ‘Nobody goes to work to do a bad job, I genuinely believe that. But not everybody is motivated to do a good job.’ ‘There’s so many factors that we need to consider and when we’re dealing with medium to large organisations it’s not simply just to give everybody the business reason to act because that does not motivate people.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

We are not asking our people and each other enough questions as leaders. When we speak of engagement we need to engage the heart, hands and mind. Lee delves deeper into this concept of questions and answers and asks if, with all the technology providing instantaneous answers, are we losing the habit of asking each other questions at all?  KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to create an environment where we are asking better questions. Fast solutions for problems often do not provide complex solutions to the given question.  With the rise of social media and information sharing, we borrow other solutions to our problems but in doing that we are missing out on a learning opportunity. If we want our people to think more we have to challenge them to ask the pertinent questions that will provide the most creative, innovative and effective answers.  BEST MOMENTS ‘The world of AI is creating answers and things for us to do just with a few commands. Is this going to create a bigger problem when we stop asking questions because all of the answers are already provided for us?’  ‘If we’d have started by just identifying the correct priorities it would have become a little bit mechanical and we may not have seen the issue that would be solved by us asking that new question.’ ‘We don’t want to live in a world where all of the answers already exist. We want to live in a world where we are asking better questions of everybody.’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Happy 2023! We are about to start the New Year which of course means new years’ resolutions made in good faith and zealously followed for, perhaps, a month and then dropped like yesterday’s old chip fat-soaked newspaper until 2024. Lee is here with his 3 most relevant and attention-worthy business problems that you should be addressing in 2023.  KEY TAKEAWAYS How do you plan and execute in continuing uncertain times? We still have instability so it is important to effectively translate what our strategies are into meaningful things for our people to do at all levels of the hierarchy every day.  How do you effectively lead in onsite and home hybrid working environments? A quarter of all workplaces utilise hybrid working. Regular collaboration is still stunted and complicated by hybrid working and solutions are still being developed to solve this. Specific systems need to be found to bring the right people together at the right time. How do you reduce your costs and still delight your people and customers? The cost of living is affecting staff, supplies and customers. Your people need more from you now than ever and your customers still need to be served effectively.   BEST MOMENTS ‘At the start of 2021, I decided to write a blog article that was also actually a podcast episode about what I believed were the top 4 business challenges for 2021. I’m going to just go back over them for the start of 2023.’    ‘How do we translate our vision into making it meaningful for our people so they know every single day what they need to do to help us achieve our goal and work towards that on a daily basis as opposed to crossing our fingers?’  ‘Those are the four C’s that we spoke about. They still exist. Connect, converse, collaborate, celebrate. Those are the four principles I believe in working together.’  ‘Do you believe that the culture of your organisation is what you want it to be? Is it role modelled by you and the leaders? Does everybody do what is expected of them when nobody's looking?’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

What is the difference between an Internal and External Improvement Person, be that a Coach, Consultant or Change Practitioner? Lee has been both and in this episode will detail not only the differences but the commonalities, be it the way the two are perceived by their team or those they are working with, the preconceived notions of seniority or the level of credibility offered and maintained.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The differences appear in the way the Change Leader is perceived. People often find External Change has more credibility as they are tackling a problem That the internal system could not solve. This credibility is fragile and harder to maintain. Internally it is harder to gain credibility with those with whom you have previous working relationships. The relationships are at a more equal level, but once respect and credibility are achieved it is easier to maintain amongst familiar companies.  Internal change is advantageous due to knowledge of processes and established working relationships with teams. However, an over-familiarity with systems may prevent the spotting of long-term obvious errors and an impartial conception of changes required.  BEST MOMENTS ‘I’ve had the opportunity to be both an Internal Change Person and currently an External Change Person supporting businesses and teams and leaders to do what they do better.’  ‘It’s harder to gain credibility because you’ve got to deliver stuff. You’ve got to have a background in delivering, or a level or seniority that allows people to know that you mean business and you can actually help them.’  ‘With an External, it’s easier to ensure that people have the ownership and accountability of the solution and of the answers because you don’t know the processes.’  ‘They each bring different challenges, but I think it comes down to credibility. External people have instant credibility that can be lost in how they turn up, show up and what they do. It might take a little bit longer to build credibility depending on your level of seniority and what it is that you do to help people win.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Feedback is often seen as one of the main drivers for improvement, but the nature of that feedback can have a direct bearing on the continuation of the task and the satisfaction and motivation of the staff members involved. Lee explains the feedback ‘sandwich’, the relevant time and forum for feedback, your relationship with the person you are approaching and how you encourage development and learning by asking the right questions.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The definition of ‘feedback’ is ‘information about reactions to a product or person’s performance off a task which is used as a basis for improvement.’ A constructive feedback method, the ‘sandwich’ is to offer a positive then an area that can be improved and then another positive. We need to give feedback at the right time and correct forum to offer maximum benefit to the target of the feedback. Feedback is down to your relationship with the person who you are trying to benefit. If your goal is to improve the person that is receiving the feedback, then your role is to keep them thinking, not offer your solutions to the situation. BEST MOMENTS ‘As a leader of people or of change we are often tasked with giving feedback to build the capability of others.’   ‘When we consider feedback, sometimes we take things personally. In the world of improvement we have these daily huddles, the daily standup. I think that there are different kinds of feedback in that situation that we need to consider.’  ‘One of the key questions that you need to ask during the initial conversations is how would they like to receive the feedback that you’ve got?’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In improving the working environment the action of adding tools and changes is often reduced to a box-ticking exercise and not approached as a continuous ongoing task requiring regular attention and updating. Lee is here to encourage you to not let all your approaches slide away and degrade and to keep up that constant improvement.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Introduce every new tool on a timeline to keep a close eye on how they are maturing and integrating as they mature and regularly check in on their progress.  Process capability and people capability need to move forward together and this does not occur without observation and maintenance. Understand what is required to develop the tools and maintain and improve in the future.  BEST MOMENTS ‘You might have a ‘huddle’, a Daily Standup Meeting, a Short Interval Control Board, some sort of daily conversation taking place. Success is not that the daily conversation is taking place, ‘box ticked’. Success is that you’re constantly, consistently developing the daily conversation in line with what it is you need to deliver.’   ‘We want everything to be improving together, and continuously adapting and changing depending upon what is being seen, what is happening in the environment that the process is being worked in.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Our comprehension of specific words is often informed by the experience of learning its meaning, where we got it from or the person who taught us, for example. In this way, our communication should concentrate on what has been heard, rather than what has been said to avoid misunderstandings. Is your teams understanding of a high performing team in sync?     KEY TAKEAWAYS To gain an understanding of peoples opinion of high performance, ask each person to choose an example which for them exemplifies a high performing team. Ask them what they think will exemplify themselves as a high performing team so they can understand the different aspects that are required. BEST MOMENTS ‘I asked everybody to think of a non-work related example of a high performing team. Typical answers are Formula One, the British Cycling Team, Englands Women’s Football Team. When I ask this question it’s to give me a reference point for each person.’ ‘It’s vital that we provide spaces for people to explore and share what they have heard not just accept because something has been said that everybody has understood it in the same way.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This episode's guest is Chris Rainsforth, an award-winning Customer Contact Specialist who has been in the Industry for over 15 years working in both in-house and outsourced contact centres, holding roles in Operations, Training and Support Functions across Front & Back Offices. Chris has experience in developing multi-site, multi-culture and multi-channel change programmes, working across global regions to deliver successful initiatives including enablement, quality assurance, speech analytics and Training and has a demonstrated history in Program Leadership across many functions in a range of industries. His experience is shared as a thought leader and Keynote speaker who has experience delivering small training and discussion workshops up to large-scale conferences and events. Lee and Chris discuss his journey from homelessness to successful change leader, working for The Forum, a professional training and coaching company, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience to use in helping clients develop innovative and robust approaches to customer service. KEY TAKEAWAYS At 15 Chris became homeless from detrimental choices and being an ‘idiot’, but luckily met people who put him on the road to his current success. Chris’ experiences have led him towards a career advising and guiding other people. Contact Centres are great places to launch a business career as it teaches you so much, be it Customer Service, HR, Management or Training. To circumvent mistakes of the past, Chris’ family have a very open environment so discussions can be easily held. It takes a degree of confidence to issue Keynote speeches, lead Change Groups and run open conferences and events. It is much easier to be yourself in these environments as having to keep up an appearance is exhausting. Be authentic. BEST MOMENTS ‘We help organisations that run any type of customer operation, whether it’s a contact centre or a back office or retail business, help them understand their requirements and give them learning development and support to make themselves and their people better.’ – Chris ‘One of the key things for me was finding that you don’t need to do everything alone. That’s the place I was in, that I had to do everything alone. It taught me that I don’t need to be expert at everything, I don’t need to know everything, but I do need to know that there are people out there that can help.’ – Chris ‘What three words do you think your daughter would use to describe you?’ – lee ‘I honestly think she would say that I am caring, generous, and I would imagine she would say I’m a role model.’ – Chris ‘People will like me or they won’t, and that’s fine, I’m happy with that. I am who I am and I’m not going try and change who I am anymore. I’ve tried that and it’s exhausting.’ – Chris VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This episode's guest is Matt Grady. Born in Leeds, Matt is a thoroughly sporty chap and became a professional golfer which took him to the PGA and via Oxford to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates setting up golf courses until the financial crash of 2008. Returning to the UK and quitting golf, Matt found employment in Sales, particularly in Recruitment, and in the last 11 years has progressed to working for international Biotech and Pharmaceutical Companies. A specialist in solving leadership challenges via recruitment solutions, Matt has turned his hand to writing a book, “Making The Cut : Turning Pro in Sport, Business and Life.” He has his own podcast and is a guest on many others. Lee and Matt chat about becoming a professional sportsman, his golf career, his move to sales, recruitment, writing a book as a dare for motivation, podcasting and the nature of inspiration. KEY TAKEAWAYS At 10, Matt couldn’t see life without golf. His success came from heavily visualising his future and having a great sports teacher at school. Having the right support and the right drive was intrinsic. Matt joined the recruitment industry via his sales skills and claimed the stability and investment in his future that golf didn’t offer.  “Making the Cut : Turning Pro in Sport, Business and Life.” Was written determinedly in 30 days.  Matt has his own podcast, ‘ The Domus Search Leadership Podcast’, tackling the subjects of Health, Mindset, Personal Growth, Nutrition, Training and a weekly segment joined by special guests. Filter opinions based on the experience of the person providing them.  BEST MOMENTS‘I’ve got a nine year old aspiring goalkeeper next door. Fingers crossed, that’s my retirement plan. What is it that kept you going to actually realise your dream, and did you realise your dream?’ – Lee‘I was thinking seriously about becoming a sports teacher. Turns out my college didn’t do the A Level, so it was back to plan A all the way.’ – Matt‘In ten years when I’m 50 I’ll be playing golf on the champions tour and I’ll retire having the time of my life.’ – Matt‘I’m very much a one man band in a bigger organisation, competing in a very challenging sector, with a lot of competition. So I’m doing, hopefully, what others won’t do today so I can get the results that they won’t have tomorrow.’ – Matt‘I think if I was talking to a younger group now, teenagers, you might think that someone is going to come and save you, and give you all the skills and all the support, but actually probably 99% of it is you and you really have to do the work.’ - Matt VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee needs a favour. He has started to write a book. A work in progress with a working title of ‘The Leadership Cheat Code.’ Be Lee’s writing accountability partner and ensure that he creates real actionable content and go to bit.ly/theleadershipcheatcode and sign up for progress updates and keep him on track.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The book will be a practical guide to help leaders of people and change and create high performing teams.  The acronym C.H.E.A.T currently stands for Communication, Humility, Engagement, Authenticity, Teamwork. Chase, nag, cajole, pursue, encourage, persuade, advise and suggest until Lee produces a book that actually can be used to create real change in, and for, its readers.  BEST MOMENTS‘I spoke on the podcast about an acronym called T.E.A.C.H. And is anybody working out that the letters in ‘teach’ are the same as ‘cheat’. So there is some commonality with what I shared in that podcast and what I will be writing about in the pages of this book.’  ‘We’ve spoken about humility before and that is not thinking less of yourself, it is about thinking about yourself less. It’s the difference between selfish and selfless.’ ‘In the book I will also be sharing Chris’ story because that’s the foundation for it and sharing the three lessons and where they came from, and then how they feed into The Cheat Code.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee relates his journey and career as an Improvement Coach. An immense learning experience and the best and worst job he’s ever had, Lee explains how he has got to where he is now in the career that has given him the greatest satisfaction. KEY TAKEAWAYS In 2006 Lee was offered a job that included training in workplace organisation, visual management, standards and problem solving and then presenting it as improvement to teams. Lee then spent ten years on projects and programs on problem solving, specific issues that businesses were having difficulty with. This involved end to end visualisation of processes. Resistance in improvement made Lee focus on people and their importance in creating systems. BEST MOMENTS ‘This is how I believe looking back how my career in improvement has transitioned.’ ‘It required somebody as part of the solution to move desks. I thought it was a small part of the solution. To him it was massive. It was like I was asking him to uproot his whole family, or leave his family!’ ‘When I think about my journey as an improvement person there’s three wheels that I’ve been consistently trying to turn.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

As leaders of people and change, we are always trying to get people to do the right thing at the right time, every time. Rather than repeatedly just telling or ordering them to do so, which requires intervention from you constantly, there are other ways to persuade people to continuously commit to action which Lee explains to you in this episode. KEY TAKEAWAYS If someone is working a process they have to be either really well trained to the point where the actions become habitual, but not everything we do is a consistent action.  If the action is a response to circumstance then training will not help, the person has to make the right decision.  The three main influencing strategies are ; using the Person, using Social influence or using the Environment to support it. (PSE). You may face resistance due to the pain required to change may surpass the pain of the current process.  You can create a sense of belonging and teamwork. Can you provide a role model to the process?  Ensure the whole environment is supportive of doing the right thing. For example, easy provision of equipment.  Create trust as people need to believe that change is for the greater good.  BEST MOMENTS‘Our job as leaders is to help them think about it enough to then, hopefully, do the right thing.’``We spoke about pleasure and pain quite a bit in the past as well. We always, typically, try to paint this picture of pleasure. The dream that we are trying to create, the process and the place we want people to work in.’‘The conditions within our environments that we’ve created are also factors we need to consider.’‘Do not just tell them. Do not just tell people to do something. There are so many other strategies that you can do to help people do the right thing at the right time, every time.’VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee speaks on the importance of understanding not only the way your own head works but also the thoughts of people you work with. Are you getting in your own way, becoming stuck in your own mind in meetings? Do you make assumptions about what others are thinking which alter your attitude and actions, often incorrectly? Lee explains how perceiving your own internal habits and perceptions can be essential to communication and knowing others thoughts crucial to understanding. KEY TAKEAWAYS Your own thoughts and reactions to others are often a block to being the person you want to be and the messages you want to convey in your meeting. The eclectic nature of our thoughts means we can often bypass sharing all the ideas that occur to us.  Our own assumptions drawn from body language and other inconclusive external information can often lead us to prejudge the conversation we are about to have with others.  How a meeting starts and its tone often dictates the flow onwards, so it is important to be aware of your own thoughts and the effect others will have on you at this stage. We have no control over others' thoughts. We can only persuade people to follow our ideas. Asking people what they are actually thinking can often lead to creative and unexpected results.  BEST MOMENTS‘You might go to a meeting and you might recognise that there’s somebody who has been a bit negative about what it is you’re trying to achieve and that might help or hinder you.’‘Often people say that the first few interactions in any meeting set the meeting tone for its duration.’ ‘Giving a point of fact, bit of data, maybe a few slides for context and then just opening the floor and asking ‘what are you thinking?’’‘Only by sharing the thoughts and ideas that everybody has can we really create amazing solutions and create greater and stronger connections because we are understanding more about each other.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In a lot of teams and businesses when you try to influence one or all of your staff to move faster or push harder you often find you encounter resistance. Lee explains this thorny issue and what you can do to circumvent it.KEY TAKEAWAYS Deadlines are often set in isolation and that means absolutely nothing to the staff member that is required to meet it.  It is important that people connect on three different levels. To you as a person, to the problem that needs to be solved, and to the solution. Why would an individual support a change if it’s not to their advantage? No amount of influence or manipulation will speed them up.   Personal influence is the consideration of what the advantage is personally for the individual. Social influence is demonstrating other people doing the task you want them to undertake, resulting in peer pressure and example. Environmental influence is changing the surroundings to make it easier to take the action required such as providing the right equipment or circumstances for action.  BEST MOMENTS‘Often we don’t necessarily understand where the starting position for everybody is and whether they actually want to go at the pace you’re going.’ ‘Everybody moves at the pace they want to go.’‘If they do not benefit from it and can’t relate to the benefit you’re proposing, why would they do what you want them to do?’  ‘If you want to have a daily huddle with a white board, then make sure that the room supports having the white board.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Understanding the end destination and result is fundamental in successful leadership, business improvement and change. Lee explains the steps to achievement by asking the question ‘What needs to be true?”.KEY TAKEAWAYS What are the tangible signs as well as key measures that will let you know when you have achieved your target, destination, vision or change? Just because you have achieved a measurable result does not mean it is sustainable. A short term result is not necessarily going to make a difference unless full time repeatable systems are in place to produce it. Do not be reliant upon the subjective vision of other people to indicate that an objective has been reached. Agree upon a verifiable set of results beforehand to fully confirm that the objective has been met. BEST MOMENTS‘One way that we try to articulate this for teams and for businesses is “What habits need to be displayed? What behaviours are being displayed? What outputs need to be produced?”‘You might need to create something, you might need to start a conversation, you might need to factor something in. So this is truly about understanding where it is you’re trying to get to and then making it real in everybody’s eyes.’‘What does it look like, feel like, sound like as well? What are the habits, the behaviours and the outputs? And then what needs to be done to create those things? Now you know, tangibly, how you're going to get there.’VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Flourish ; To grow and develop in a healthy or vigorous way especially as a result of a particular environment. Isn’t this what we want for all our people? We need a welcoming and encouraging environment to allow our team to develop their skills, express their ideas and creativity and effect positive changes to their workplace. Lee takes a look at how we can accomplish this. KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to concentrate on people and process capability. Develop these two things together and you can create a future ready and fully engaged workforce. Being able to develop, learn and progress are always noted as motivating factors by staff within the work environment. Allow people to speak and share in a timely, regular and open fashion to take full advantage of problem solving, process adjustment and to also show that your people are essential and valued. BEST MOMENTS ‘As leaders we have such a huge role in creating a space for people to flourish. It doesn’t just happen overnight.’ ‘Often processes are worked multiple times every single day and things that get in peoples way are identified every single day so what you don’t want to do is have a meeting structure that is monthly.’ ‘First things first, it is individual to that person how much they want to grow, how much they want to develop and how much they want to really, really flourish.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Which statement resonates best with you ; “I will be successful if I can” or “I will be successful if I want”? No one expects to go to work and do a bad job but we don’t provide the environment for people to flourish. Lee discusses the differences in motivations that can drive your team in this episode.KEY TAKEAWAYS These questions are to encourage discussion on the nature of motivation for people in their workplace. If the answer is “want”, the outcome is dependent on motivations utilised by the organisations on the individual. If the answer is “can” the outcome is dependent on external influences like training and equipment. Does the person have the things they need to be able to create? As a leader if you ask these questions you will establish you have a far bigger role in this than you think. What are the environmental factors that will allow your people to become self motivated? BEST MOMENTS‘It’s a motivation challenge. It’s about unpicking and understanding what is required to motivate. Are you moving towards pleasure or are you moving away from pain to that neutral state?’‘The things that motivate us internally are actually external things.’‘You’ve got a big role to play in motivating your people. Don’t just rely on the carrot or the stick. Understand the environmental factors.’ VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOSTFor the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.CONTACT METHODYou can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Welcome to episode 200! To mark this event Lee has a fascinating interview with Jim Longton, former senior executive, CEO/MD of major manufacturing businesses in the United Kingdom, USA, Portugal and South Africa. Jim has had a long career starting in engineering in the 70’s, with experience of the turbulent working environment of poor industrial relations, change resistant work practices and aggressive uncooperative work environments. Jim was intrinsic in changing the culture of the places he worked by introducing a Participation Committee fostering communication between workers and management.After a long career solving industrial relation problems and setting up and managing production environments, Jim is now available for Consulting, helping you do and achieve your aims and goals. If you need any help or advice implementing changes with regard to improving industrial relations, employee participation in continuous improvement, increasing productivity or total quality improvement - every area of your business, contact Jim and he will see if he can help.   KEY TAKEAWAYS After leaving school with one ‘o’ level due to undiagnosed dyslexia Jim started as a general engineer apprentice and gathered a Higher National Diploma.  When young in the 1970s, Jim experienced and witnessed very bad relations between workers and management.  Small issues led to disputes and weeks of strikes.  When Jim rose to a position of high enough influence he fostered cooperation and prevented stoppages and inefficiency by calming and increasing communication and problem solving between management and workers.  Jim has never left a job for another seeking higher wages. It has always been for new opportunities. Purpose is more important than payment.  Dosulting is consultation based on action. Having retired Jim will now only help people willing to commit to the process fully and respect their people.   BEST MOMENTS So I went down to the pattern shop and I walked in and I  was completely amazed. This whole woodworking activity is going on in this huge engineering company.’ – Jim  ‘To me it was archaic the way the people spoke to each other, the way that Management reacted and supervisors etc.’ - Jim  ‘What gave you the confidence to try something different and to challenge the norm? – Lee ‘Once you can get rid and eliminate the suspicion, once they trust you, once they realise that they can talk to you and you’ll listen to them, there’s no problem. You’re pushing at an open door, it’s wide open. The problem is always middle management.’ – Jim ‘I knew we could do so much better in terms of meeting deliveries and quality of things and I was more or less getting there, I was right in the middle of firefighting.’ - Jim  ‘Why is everything always in Germany? The industrial revolution started and we did everything. In 1852 in the UK we made 90% of everything that was manufactured in the world.’ – Jim ‘The answer is no. Not unless you absolutely convince me that you are willing to do it. That you are willing to respect your people, talk to your people, take an interest in their needs and their problems because they don’t.’ - Jim    GUEST RESOURCES LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jimlongton   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Meetings play a fundamental part in a lot of peoples roles and are a huge opportunity if we keep them for just the two key occasions required. Lee details those two circumstances and how you can make the most of a meeting when it occurs.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Communication. To pass information back and forth ensuring the right people are present and the correct data is shared. Collaboration. When a task requiring more than one team member requires completion. There are no other reasons in a business context to hold meetings.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Ultimately it's about making things better and improving people and process capability.’ ‘I think I truly understand the communication flow. If somebody today on your team had an idea, a suggestion, a challenge, an issue, what is the flow of that information to get it resolved?’ ‘Are we asking the right questions? Where does the information stop and how long does it stop?’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee explains one of the main reasons why Improvement Teams, Change Teams and Lean Teams fail within an organisation and the link between physical fitness and organisational fitness.   KEY TAKEAWAYS If we want to permanently improve our health then we have to make permanent changes to our lifestyle to achieve this. Often improvement is treated like a finite project but it reverts at the end so it is best to think of improvement as a permanent change, much like our health. We need to change people to fix the critical stuff that’s hurting the organisation at this point in time but we need to treat improvement as an ongoing task.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Typically we treat improvement like projects, but we need to treat it like a way of being and if we treat it like a way of being, as opposed to a start and a stop date, then it is just how we are.’ ‘If I was to hold your hand, in say four months time, and walk in and you’ve created this amazing, amazing environment, what does it look like? When you’re looking around, what do you see people doing? What are they using?’ ‘You only need to have a project if there is something that is really affecting you today.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee has placed a pole on LinkedIn asking when you start your lean journey what is the ultimate measure of success? Is it the tools that you introduce? Is it how people feel? Is it about the output or performance of the process? Currently there are two leaders, feelings and output. An interesting result bearing in mind not many people start a change process to improve the engagement of their people. When we acknowledge the importance and engagement of people, do we really honestly respect them and ourselves?   KEY TAKEAWAYS Do we properly engage with our people or respect the time of our people, always turning up on time for group meetings? The reason we invest in tools and methods is to create an environment for people to flourish, but we don’t often regard the process from that perspective. Lean practitioners and improvement practitioners are trained in tools, they’re not trained in influencing people, building relationships, empathy, building trust, better communication which are skills required to develop great teams.   BEST MOMENTS ‘When I wrote the question this is what I was expecting but maybe not as much on the people's side because, typically, when people start a lean initiative or an improvement initiative it is to fix a particular metric.’ ‘We become so fixated on the tool that we are trying to shoehorn in or introduce into the process that really the people element goes a little bit wayward.’ ‘A lot of the guests that I’ve had on this podcast have in the later stages of their career recognised the importance of this.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee chats to the multitalented Ray Newland. With a very successful goalkeeping career under his belt, Ray setup Just 4 Keepers training schools to prepare young talented goalkeepers for work in the football industry. He also brought to market his own goalkeeper sports brand J4K. Alongside all of this, Ray has become a business coach and published six books on mental resilience and self help.   Lee and Ray talk about how he started out, his entrepreneurial career, his international sports training and clothing brands, his writing, and his plans for the future.   KEY TAKEAWAYS  Ray became a professional goalkeeper at 18 years of age and was coached by Neville Southall, Peter Shilton, Gordon Banks and Joe Corrigan. After his goalkeeping career ended Ray became financially independent by property development and ownership. Ray is not so much concerned with financial success but with more worldly and down to earth goals. Writing self help books was something Ray accomplished while travelling all around the world and being unable to sleep in transit..  Ray plans to become a personal coach and business mentor when he is less busy running Just 4 keepers.    BEST MOMENTS ‘I’ll try and keep my intro down to about two hours.’ – Ray ‘I basically had no choice. I had a young family to support and I basically knew that I had to have my own business.’ – Ray ‘There is no other goalkeeper coach in history that has done what I’ve done and has ended up taking the concept around the world.’ – Ray ‘I got frustrated with other authors who would just go on too long and again I always planned to do personal coaching and I’ve done it over the years, helping people personally and in business.’ – Ray ‘I never wanna sell Just 4 Keepers, Lee. I always said I’d do it till I’m 55 and I know it looks like I’ve got 15 years left, I’ve got four years left. I’m 51 next week.’ - Ray    VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode Lee talks to David Holmes who has worked in Contact Centres and Customer Operations across Sales, Customer Service and Digital for some of the biggest companies in the UK, currently Operations Director at Cigna Healthcare. Lee and David chat about success and its definition, “harmonious friction”, the team leader role and how open mindedness can make the difference.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Find the job that generates enthusiasm in you. Learn to enjoy challenges to your methods and thinking. Having an open mind and being willing to listen is important.  There is only negative feedback or constructive negative feedback. Generally it is about something that needs improvement. Positive feedback is affirmation.  Being a team leader is about being able to look forward to a destination and then planning on how to get there.  It's ok to bring people outside of the business to be critical and challenging in a way that those inside are too invested to achieve.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Just when you think you’ve seen it all, someone comes along and shows you something new.’ – David ‘What is it that excites you about what you do and why? I love working with people, Lee.’ – David ‘That “harmonious friction” generates my passion and I hope I never lose it’ – David ‘Let’s talk about your past actually. What is it that people saw in you to allow you to create this history?’ – Lee    VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee's guest in this episode is Phillip Holt, author, operational excellence guru and senior Vice President at GKN Aerospace and a Board Member of the Operational Excellence Society. He studied Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University and Management at the Wharton School of Pennsylvania and the University of Warwick, was an engineer at Gillette and led the Lean Deployment worldwide at Philips for over twelve years. He achieved Lean Master status and has now authored three books, Leading With Lean, The Simplicity of Lean and his latest Leading Lean By Living Lean.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Lean Leader means someone who is focused on making their organisation have the biggest positive impact on its workers and customers. A lean business model focuses on improving processes across the value stream in order to eliminate waste and deliver optimised value to the customer. To change an organisation to a lean model you have to concentrate on change in the culture and behaviour within the value stream. The pandemic has helped destroy the myth that if someone sits at a desk for 50 hours a week they are productive. A lean model allows all employees involved to feel positive about the impact they are having.   BEST MOMENTS   ‘We talk about work life balance a lot but for me I don’t like that term. For me it’s about having a life in balance.’ – Phillip ‘I started to realise that as I was there for those two weeks that we were changing some parameters, we were changing a process, characteristics. We weren’t changing the value stream behaviour.’ – Phillip ‘I think that people don’t look in the mirror first, they look out the window at other people’ – Lee ‘We want to make GKN aerospace and this industry far better from an operational excellence perspective.’ - Phillip VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Once again, inspiration has struck, this time while cooking the kids tea. Lee, in tasting a single piece of pasta, assumed all the other pasta were cooked. Let's face it, he was probably right. But not when it comes to people….people are most definitely not like pasta.   KEY TAKEAWAYS  There are some people and places that try to treat everybody the same. When we try to effect change we give the business reason for that change but that does not enthuse everyone. We need to create personal motivation. People's way of thinking is created by the experiences that they have had, creating different approaches and motivations. We should be increasing the connection between us and other people so we can understand their thoughts and motives.    BEST MOMENTS ‘They try to put everybody into a single bucket and expect everybody to have the same outcome, the same thoughts, the same feelings.’ ‘If like me you believe that everything stems from thought or belief, that everybody thinks differently then what we’ve really got to do is we’ve got to challenge the thinking of people.’ ‘Pasta doesn’t think but people do.’  ‘We need to feel belonging. The more we understand people the more we belong and together achieve amazing things.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

When we celebrate success are we considering what we are celebrating enough? Do we congratulate our successes enough? In this episode Lee tackles how we should be celebrating success not just more often but changing its focus to good skills and habits.   KEY TAKEAWAYS  We typically celebrate end results, above and beyond, things that exceed expectations. However, we see it as instant failure when they fail to meet our expectations or standards when things are not going as planned.  There is as much learning to be done about success as there is about failure.  Celebrate success more often. Become familiar with success and the circumstances that cause it, just as you do with failure. Do we celebrate the skills and positive habits of our people, or just targets, benchmarks and deadlines?    BEST MOMENTS ‘I think we find it harder to celebrate stuff than we do to find fault in things. I think we need to redress the balance a little bit.’  ‘By asking “what are we celebrating” then we become more familiar with celebrating stuff.’ ‘If we can truly celebrate the habits and behaviours that we want in our people as opposed to the results that we’re getting, or trust in the behaviours of the right ones to get the results then the results will just come.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee has recently suffered a bereavement with the loss of his best friend. Upon his passing Lee asked about life lessons and Lee has shared these lessons with many people including via this podcast. After using these lessons to bring extra value to those he helps and supports he has added real value to his coaching. However, one 4th, hidden lesson has been revealed to help you stay true to these three principles.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The three lessons were be yourself, make good friends and time is limited.   Truly understand your motivations and reasoning. In the space between an occurrence and our reaction there is an opportunity to understand our thoughts and change what we do. We have an opportunity everyday with everyone to make good friends. All your interactions are an opportunity to make new friends and connections at different levels. Make solid use of your time. Recognise you need to act. ‘Always make time’ is how we apply these three lessons. Take time to consider our thinking. Take time make good friends and build connection. Take time for the priorities. BEST MOMENTS ‘I think, fundamentally, to be a better leader, to be a better change person and to be a better person, understanding what these three lessons mean to you could be the difference.’ ‘Always being yourself, for me now, is about understanding whether the voice in my head is helping or hindering. Its about I’m in control of that voice in my head and I can share and try to create more positive outcomes as opposed to negative and challenging outcomes.’ ‘When you start a video call, when you start a meeting do you just dive into the process or do you create a space for asking different questions.’ ‘If time was not limited there would be no real need to do anything, we’d just get round to it. We’d always just do it tomorrow, day after tomorrow.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks with Lisa Moody, a Senior Change Manager in the Land Registry. She has been in change management for ten years, previously working in local government in service improvement and customer service. People focused skills have led her to her current role. Lee and Lisa discuss her move into change management, ambition, her civil service role, and how to create a change team with the concept of ‘The Invisible Change Manager.’   KEY TAKEAWAYS Ambition doesn’t mean striving for the next opportunity, it can just be to do a really good job of what you do day to day.  The civil service has currently a focus on digitisation and automation, allowing customers to self-serve and speed up service operation.  Improvement is about a better experience for the user of the process whether it be a customer or an internal employee. Co-design wherever you can. Work with your stakeholders and the people affected by the change to help craft the solutions.  The ‘Invisible Change Manager’ is the concept of the leadership figure of the department being the visible focus of change while actual change management remain background facilitators.   Change Management is a natural career step from a process management  perspective, but we are now seeing change managers that are more people focused, relying on the operational knowledge of the team they cooperate with and guiding the change process from a more psychological angle.   BEST MOMENTS ‘The beauty of the civil service is you can move departments, you can move within one department, you can do a whole multitude of different jobs so you tend to find people that do stick around quite a long time.’ – Lisa  ‘It's about making the experience better for whoever is using that process. Ultimately, I guess, everything we do from an improvement perspective should be about that end user, whether it’s the customer, whether it is for us in the civil service, case workers or internal people.’ – Lisa   ‘In those cases be super honest. Be really clear on what’s negotiable. I go back to FNC in these cases. What’s fundamental, what aren’t you going to influence at all. Be really clear about that. Be open and honest.’ – Lisa  ‘A lot of people change that I know, some of them have got egos and they’re in position because they’re the ones that like to have the answer. Have you had any challenges with that?’ - Lee   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee chats to Mark Drager, marketing expert and Canadian fine-haired business consultancy owner. He has worked on thousands of projects for hundreds of different companies ranging from international brands and airlines to small pre start ups. He is also a podcast host of “We Do Hard Things”, brand strategist and speaker. KEY TAKEAWAYS Mark originally went to film school and left to work in television and eventually a corporate environment producing training materials and marketing. To build a company takes time, experience compounds, connections build and skills improve. Overnight success can be perceived, but in the background all the past experience helps support the version of the person people see. Be specific. Vagueness achieves very little. Be precise about your goals and they will be easier to aim for. BEST MOMENTS ‘I started “Phantom Media” in 2006. I was 23, my oldest daughter was only a week old when I decided to do this. My wife had no income and within two months I quit my job, had no money, no income, new born baby, my wife was at home and I was like ‘ Im gonna start this company” - Mark ‘You can show up like an overnight success because people won’t see the work you’ve done in the background. The work you’ve done in the background doesn’t have to be a slog or even linear.’ – Mark ‘If we are vague, if we’re fuzzy, if we’re not quite sure. I’m struggling with this right now. I have a podcast that we are a year and a half into, eighty episodes into and I’ve still not really defines enough who my audience is.’ - Mark GUEST RESOURCES Website https://www.markdrager.com/ Podcast https://youtube.com/c/MarkDragerYT   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee’s job is to get organisations to adopt continuous improvement and problem solving cultures for the long term. There are three high level categories within this process and Rob explains them in this episode. KEY TAKEAWAYS Finding Problems. You may know your problems or survey your employees or customers to find problems. Find them when they are small by increasing discussion and communication between everyone involved in processes and asking better questions. Solving Problems. These are the tools and methodology that you employ to solve problems. Invest in training problem solving staff. Sustaining Solutions. Keep those solutions running and involve everyone so they engage with the new way of working. BEST MOMENTS ‘Typically when people engage us and engage other companies to help them create a problem solving culture or to create an army of problem solvers they want people to be trained in tools and techniques that actually solve problems.’ ‘Problem finding is not randomly or through annual data or monthly meetings but through daily conversations, through visuals, through challenging thinking including everybody that's involved in the process.’ ‘We treat problem solving like a special event for these big problems. We need to treat it like a Monday, a Tuesday, a Wednesday, a Thursday…like everyday.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee chats to Jared, speaker at the Virtual Lean Summit, an online event bringing together experts and leaders from all over the business industry to educate and share their methods on customer care and service, team building and efficient business problem solving. Jared works for the Port of Seattle as the Continuous Process and Improvement Program Manager.    KEY TAKEAWAYS ‘Lean thinking’ is a transformational framework that aims to provide a new way to think about how to organise human activities to deliver more benefits to society and value to individuals while eliminating waste. Jared's day job is creating operational improvements in the busy and varied environment within the Port of Seattle, which is a government agency, during its numerous activities involving both private industry and the general public. Jared started work when he was 12! His first job was picking strawberries and selling them to his neighbours. While working for Daimler, Jared saved them millions of dollars using simple solutions by asking the right, simple questions.  This year's Lean Summit Theme is about going out and achieving a successful and continuous improvement culture within your organisation. It is more efficient to convince people of the advantage of lean thinking than forcing them to do it.   BEST MOMENTS ‘We shortened it on a business card because that’s too long, to the CPI Program Manager. What we do is we help the organisation to really embrace lean thinking and go ahead and think differently.’ - Jared ‘Being able to go ahead and identify the problem, that root cause, is important. I think even more important than that is being able to have a critical eye and asking questions.’ – Jared ‘Construction has always been part of my blood. My Dad, my Uncles, they all started construction businesses. I even worked for my Uncle who had a Finnish cabinetry business.’ - Jared ‘The first day is about embarking on your lean journey. The second day is about establishing a lean culture change. The final day is about embracing lean thinking.’ – Jared  ‘Whether we use the ‘L’ word or whatever improvement methodology we navigate towards is fundamentally about increasing the number of thoughts in our people and reducing the time from thought to conversation to action.’ – Lee    GUEST RESOURCES https://www.virtualleansummit.com/   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

There are certain words that people believe are negative which can, in fact, in the correct context, be considered very positive. Language itself is a challenge due to the understanding and definitions of words changing depending on personal experience and how they are used.  Lee discusses how important it is to consider this when communicating effectively.   KEY TAKEAWAYS  To understand what has been heard by the person listening to you communicate, one must understand the experience of that person.  Failure happens. Mistakes happen. Things go wrong. It is a waste of time to mourn mistakes and failure and not just fix it and move on. If failure incurs punishment or ridicule it is more likely that problems will be covered up or ignored rather than dealt with.    BEST MOMENTS ‘The goalkeeper coach said “part of the goalkeepers job is to let goals in”. Which surprised me at first when I heard it but he was making it acceptable.’  ‘It would make that process far better because you wouldn’t have people hiding and covering stuff up, manipulating things to make it look better.’  ‘You want all of those things to be exposed so you can understand when all of those things have happened so you can put them right. If you can’t see it, you can’t fix it.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Asking the right questions can be a great and essential method of becoming an efficient and effective leader. Often we fall into habits of asking the same questions but what approach should we be taking to affect change and motivate?   KEY TAKEAWAYS The secret of problem solving is are we finding enough problems?  Listening is the best way to formulate our questions. If you are attentive then your team will know you value their time and opinion. If we want to develop our people and encourage their self development then we’ve got to be asking more than just repeated set questions.  Ask questions that keep the other person thinking. You can affect their problem solving by the nature of the questions you present.   BEST MOMENTS ‘I genuinely believe that the secret of asking better questions is by being a better listener because if we are listening more than the person that we’re asking the questions of knows that we are interested in the answers.’  ‘The first time that we start to listen to the answers that are given we will think about those things that are being said.’ ‘The measure of success is all about the thoughts of our people and if we are creating good thoughts in our people we will get more ideas and more suggestions and we will make more improvements.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee, through his work with teams, has been asked for feedback on how he would assess the teams performance. When reducing the time from thought to conversation to action there are three biases that characterise different groups' approach to actioning ideas.    KEY TAKEAWAYS  The Silent Bias. This is when we don’t feel comfortable or confident enough to share what we think  The Conversation Bias. We are happy to share ideas but tend to stick at the discussion stage, reluctant to commit and action the idea. The Action Bias. We would rather get straight to the action rather than spend time discussing it.  The ideal situation is to find a balance between all three.   BEST MOMENTS ‘I think what we have to try to find is a balance for this. We have to try to find a way to navigate through this on an individual and a team level.’ ‘You’ve got to create more thoughts in your people. You’ve got to get them thinking differently. You’ve got to inspire and motivate them and challenge the heads of our people.’ ‘need to create a place where people can do things and try things themselves and this is a challenge in finding a balance between all three.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

The Golden Circle is a model applied by influential speaker and author Simon Sinek to explain the success of leaders in fields ranging from invention to politics. In this episode Lee explains and contextualises The Golden Circle so you can apply it to your business role. KEY TAKEAWAYS Simon Sinek is critical of businesses who apply the following in the wrong order. We should start with ‘why’, move to ‘how’ and then to ‘what’. Why is it important for the senior leadership team or the change team, HR, team leader, operators? By asking these questions you allow people to buy into what you require from them. The how is the differentiator. This is the performance. This is the area that will make you stand out. How you do what you do will define your change. How do you do things differently? The what is the result and if you begin with the ‘what’ you fail to establish the structure and motivation to achieve it. BEST MOMENTS ‘ There’s different purposes for each of these different statements. So, the why. The why do we do it is for people to build connection to whatever it is.’ ‘When you’re delivering change the outcome is the ‘what’.’ ‘So someone’s bias was towards problem solving, another ones bias was towards a daily meeting structure. Ultimately, those are just tools to help create leaders to ask about questions and all of that stuff.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee chats with Josh Gain, founder of The 10x Manager Community, an organised skill sharing group dedicated to helping managers be the best in their current leadership role and preparing them for the next. One of 10x leaderships philosophies is “Management is a title given to you by a company. Leadership is when somebody decides that they are going to create change and impact their team, their business, their industry and beyond. Leadership has nothing to do with job titles, it's all to do with people and their actions.” KEY TAKEAWAYS After studying history at The London School of Economics, Josh began a sales career but always with a mind to starting his own business. One of the real challenges in the scaling of high growth business is attracting the best people and retaining them. 10x Management is a community driven learning platform where managers come together and share knowledge and insights to ultimately improve in their positions. 10x has developed a whole training platform that helps people train in the 12 key areas of management. We need new ideas that are implemented or perhaps even fail, to learn. We need to analyse the results and 10x allows you to share these insights with the community. Have clarity on your destination. Set clear goals with timelines and measurable results. BEST MOMENTS ‘I graduated with a history degree and then tried to work out ‘what do I do now with a history with a history degree?’ and I Kind of fell into sales’ – Josh ‘The real problem was, managers need better training. They need to become better leaders. Companies are aware of it and managers are aware of it but no one really does much about it’ – Josh ‘When you talk about those twelve things, how did you identify those twelve?’ – Lee ‘Through all the conversations we’ve been having. Each week we do a Management Masterclass. We bring someone in to speak about what they are great at and how people can actually replicate that.’ - Josh ‘We prompt everybody to reflect into the community. Based on the experience that you’ve had and the insights that you’ve taken in we prompt them to say something or ask a question into the community that can help have a discussion and prompt more ideas from other people to really develop that thought and that learning.’ – Josh ‘I can always get better and I can always improve and there’s always people to learn from.’ - Josh GUEST RESOURCES Website ; https://www.linkedin.com/redir/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvisit%2E10xmanagers%2Ecom%2F-home&urlhash=821F&trk=about_website 10x on LinkedIn ; https://www.linkedin.com/company/10x-managers VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode Lee details two key factors that are essential to driving your improvement project forward. Creating change can be achieved much more quickly by applying these two methods.   KEY TAKEAWAYS We need to be more aware and understanding of the process of forming ideas, expression of ideas and actualisation.  The length of time from thought to actualisation, the lead time from idea to action, should be discovered. We should do what we can to reduce that time span. Increase the number of constructive thoughts that people have. Engage them so they want to produce results towards your business. Ask them questions more frequently, create structured conversations for them to have ideas and express them. Put in place a safe environment. Do not criticise ideas pejoratively that will make your people reticent to express themselves. Understand how comfortable your people are with group or one to one meetings.    BEST MOMENTS ‘We need to be like magicians and make the invisible visible.’ ‘If this is done in a way that is creating the right thoughts in people then you are going to create more positive actions in the goal or destination that you are trying to achieve.’ ‘Is it easy for people to see what should be happening now and whether it is or isn’t happening the way that it should be happening?’ ‘They’re giving a month for the action because that’s when the next meeting is going to take place. But the action might only be an hour or two hours.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee outlines the 3 factors that can lead to the success of any change team within an organisation. He strongly suggests you apply the PIE ; Performance, Image and Exposure. If resistance is something you face, these three factors can positively affect the efficiency of your team. KEY TAKEAWAYS This is the main body of what you do, done excellently. It is the fundamental of career success and effectiveness, be good at what you do. Do people think of you positively and accept you as a change maker? Do they understand your role and your abilities? How many people know the change team? How many can see the impact the change team is having? Are your senior leaders aware of your value and effectiveness? These three factors can reduce resistance to any change you effect. BEST MOMENTS ‘Performance is 10% of this overall pie. Doing what you say you’re going to do and your level of performance.’   ‘What can you do to try to build a stronger image? Do you have a brand? Do you have a logo? Do people understand what it is that you do?’ ‘As a leader of a change team it is arguably your role to maximise the level of exposure that the team get with the senior leaders and other departments.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee chats internationally! This episodes guest is Nicholas Faribeau, originally from France but currently resident in Canada, who helps people discover their voice by matching their mindset so the two are in sync, clear and understandable. Often peoples voice, the way they present themselves, is confused because we don’t understand how we say things rather than what we say. Nicholas aims to put this right to improve engagement and communication. KEY TAKEAWAYS How you speak as opposed to the words you say is important to psychologically engage with our audience. When we communicate we tend to speak quickly to transfer information. However, when you bear in mind that we only hear about 10% of what is said to us, the importance of how we speak and making our speech memorable becomes prevalent. Now we work from home and with modern telecommunications, voice only is often adopted, so clarity, tone and impression are even more important. The first word you speak, the first tone you take determines who you are. The initial ten seconds of communication is key. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’ve been on two stand up comedy courses. Not because I wanted to be a stand up comedian but I believe that comedians help people feel something emotionally far quicker than most other professions.’ – Lee ‘For example for me it’s more difficult for me to understand an English song because I’m French, buts it’s easy to remember the melody of the music and the tone of the voice of the musician.’ – Nicholas ‘They call me a voice designer because it’s like design your voice, your communication, design your image. Voice designer, it’s a nice word to express myself.’ - Nicholas VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

There is so much conflicting or contradictory advice on this subject. Lee brainstorms to get to the bottom of this primary dilemma.     KEY TAKEAWAYS If you consider marketing, people recommend that you start small and target your messaging to a niche target, but you need to start big with your target vision. When starting with the end goal in mind the start may seem big, but can be broken down into smaller challenges, but most problems seem huge at the beginning. If you're leading change, think about the tiny actions you and the people you are helping need to take to get to their goal.  If you do go small quickly it is easier to learn from the actions you have taken because you are experimenting as you go. It is more difficult to unpick a complex, large, detailed task.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Is it best to be a mile wide and an inch deep or is it best to be an inch wide and a mile deep?’ ‘I think there is something about starting big and starting small because you need to start big on where you're trying to get to, what it is that you’re trying to overcome.’ ‘When we think about leaders and leadership, we train people on the fundamentals of the process of being a leader, the back to work interviews, the personal development plans, setting appraisals, but what about the small actions that are required for being a leader?’ ‘If you wanted to start flossing your teeth you should make sure that the floss is next to your toothbrush because then you’re stacking it on top of a pre existing habit.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Today Lee has the immense pleasure of interviewing much lauded author of ‘The Balance of Excellence’ Carl Klemm. The former head of Toyota plants shares his story and wisdom on manufacturing management culture, success and failure, leadership, coaching, writing, team structure, training good habits and learning.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Carl started off as a young apprentice with Vauxhall Motors and continued with them for 23 years ending up as a general manager in charge of plant quality. He then took up a post as General Manager for Quality Assurance with Toyota.  He started his own management consultancy sharing his wealth of knowledge he has gathered over so many years in the motor manufacturing industry.  The shift between GM and Toyota was a culture shock. GM was a competitive, non cooperative command and control structure. Toyota, however, was a collaborative, planning, teamwork structure. A real issue for organisations effecting change is if the upper management or CEO does not want to accept the changes to their own job. There has to be a steady flow throughout the power structure.  Top management is busy. They don’t have any spare time so are trained for fast decisions. Persuading them to consider the problem at the point of problem is difficult so get them to do it at least 12 times and they will adopt it as a habit. Learning is forever changing and evolving due to the nature of the journey.    BEST MOMENTS ‘And the President only asked one question, he asked “Why do you want to join Toyota” and I said “I spent four years studying Toyota for GM, including the plant in Fremont in California. Then I came back and tried to implement it and I failed miserably. But I want to succeed so I want to join and I want to learn how its done and then I want to share it.”’ - Carl ‘Coming from being a very successful General Manager in GM to a General Manager in Toyota but realising very quickly that I was an apprentice was really hard to swallow.’ -Carl ‘There is no other way, actually, than doing it. That’s why my first sentence is “I swore never to write this book.” - Carl  ‘I’m working with a national organisation at the minute and I had no influence on where they started and the pilot location, and we are at a point now where we’ve created a rhythm and a communication flow within a single location. What it has highlighted is that before I work with them they’ll have a monthly meeting structure, but then when you introduce a daily meeting structure and its feeding into a monthly meeting structure there’s a huge disconnect there.’ – Lee ‘I’ve written it from a selfish point of view to help me to explain to people, especially top management people, what it is we are talking about and how it all fits together and which bit of it we are working on now.’ - Carl   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Language can have positive or negative connotations depending on context and our own personal feelings and experiences, culture and society. Lee has four examples of words that have negative definitions in the world of change and leadership ; failure, problems, conflict and challenge.    KEY TAKEAWAYS If we are all heading in the same direction and we have the same destination these four words do not have to be negative. It is a safer and better environment if we have more of them, a more open, communicative, accepting and encouraging environment. Failure means that you’ve tried something. This is a positive thing as the more tasks or goals attempted the better. Failure needs to be encouraged , not chastised, belittled or singled out. The more problems we can find the more beneficial our journey towards our goal is. Problems solved are systems perfected. Hidden problems continue to be just problems.  Conflict over differing ideas about how to reach the destination all are pulling towards are useful. Two ideas are always better than one and conflict is part of perfecting methods. A fear of being challenged keeps us from creating an open environment with failure, problems and conflict. If you are challenged then that’s an opportunity for you to learn about your approach.    BEST MOMENTS ‘We are trying to remove problems. We are trying to remove opportunities for failure. But I think we need to encourage more of it.’ ‘We are trained in improvement. We are trying problem solving. We prefer problems not to happen and not to occur. But, if we are finding problems, then that means that there are things in our way getting towards where we are trying to get.’   ‘Conflict is just a difference of opinion. And if that opinion is something about the journey or destination then conflict is a positive thing, because you're going to create a better solution or a better outcome because you’ve got two people with two different opinions that can be spoken about openly.’  ‘Be open to being challenged. How can you create, within yourself, more comfort about being challenged? I work with a lot of leaders and they don’t being asked questions where they don’t know the answer because of the challenge and the conflict that might arise.’    VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

If you want to form new positive habits you have to have the intensity, or strength of reason, and frequency to retrain your neural pathways to adopt them. Lee’s consultancy ‘Get Knowledge’ uses this method to encourage people to create a strong collective reason through a jointly owned vision and this is the intensity component of habit forming. Identified positive behaviours are then coached consistently, with frequency, to become habitual.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Lee has developed his own positive habits in relation to his podcasts due to intensity and frequency.  Understand your reasons for implementing a change. Bring people on board with your vision. Have clarity and ‘make it real with look, sound and feel.’  Be consistent with your message and disciplined with your frequency and your positive habit will be team wide.    BEST MOMENTS ‘Intensity and frequency in terms of habit forming has been pivotal to what I have been doing through what we’ve been doing at ‘Get Knowledge’ through business improvement.’  ‘I’ve committed to myself that I’m going to publish a podcast every single week, I’m going to post daily on LinkedIn, post daily on TikTok, post daily on Instagram. And I’m not bothered about the number of followers, I just want to be more conscious about what I'm posting and what ideas will come from it, and hopefully more people will be helped.’      ‘On day one you might not get the answers to the new questions that you’re asking, whether they be for yourself or they be for your team. All the time, by continually asking the same questions you will get better answers.’     VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee has developed an acronym, TEACH, which can keep you informed on how to achieve consistent improvement by changing your mindset. Remember the five essential ingredients that can keep your development going.    KEY TAKEAWAYS First of all we have to be open to change and be willing to apply the lessons we’ve learnt. Mindset is the most important lesson of all.  TEACH stands for Teamwork, Engagement, Accountability, Communication and Humble leadership. If you start with these five areas and look to improve them then your productivity, cost challenge or quality challenge might be resolved as a direct result.  Teamwork. You may have a working team but you may not have teamwork. What can you do to build trust and have more constructive conflict in your team? Engagement. Only by having a proper relationship with your people can you gain trust, through full engaging discourse. Do they believe in your journey? Accountability. We need to have clarity on who is doing what and when they are going to do it. Communication. Ensure people's interpretations of your messages are correct by staying clear and consistent. Equally ensure you understand what is being said to you and it’s intention. Humble leadership. Be selfless. Be there to help your people. It’s ok to not know answers.    BEST MOMENTS ‘Those five things really are, for me, the five main things that this ‘improvement’ thing that we all talk about could really solve. The symptoms of an ineffective system or environment create poor productivity, low customer satisfaction, poor quality, increased costs.’  ‘Trust is situational, its individual. I would trust some people to look after my children but I wouldn’t trust them to record a podcast for me.’  ‘If we assign tasks to whole teams of people it adds an element of doubt, and we need to start to take ownership of the things that we can do.’ ‘People will raise a problem, an idea, an opportunity but then they’ll not be communicated back to, we’ll not close the loop to understand why it can or cannot happen.’    VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to you about customer experience, (different from customer service), and how you should be thinking about the interactions you have with your clients and everybody within the organisation.      KEY TAKEAWAYS When we analyse a touch point with a customer you should be considering what they see, think, feel, and hear in detail. In this way, you can step away from the process and step into the customer's shoes. This method works for employee experience as well. Be aware of how perceptions can build through witnessed action. Every interaction creates an impression. Be aware of how your actions as a leader can create the culture of your organisation.   Display reliability, credibility and capability. Every conversation is an opportunity to create a more flourishing and meaningful relationship.   BEST MOMENTS ‘When doing that, when setting the stage, there’s a realisation in people that they have a role to play with other customers. So as a leader, it could be argued that some of their customers are the people that work for them.’ ‘We have an opportunity to influence how people feel and think about us and also the organisation, the team or even just their day.’  ‘Every single interaction and touch point we have with people, how are we with them? How does that make them feel? What conversations are heard and what can they see?’   VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

The second funniest lean guy Lee chats with the funniest lean guy Jake Harrell. Jake has been in various leadership roles in manufacturing and distribution and utilises his seductive personality to move people onto the same page as himself and gain business results through cooperation. Even though barely clothed, Jake still discloses all his secrets on problem solving and motivation. Oh, and dating adventures.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Jake started in hospitality, as the ‘hi, how are you?’ guy. This is  how he learned to be skilled in interactions and full on seduction.  You have got to want to solve the problem more than anyone else in the room. Enthusiasm gets everyone's attention. Make it fun and the people will want to engage. Collaboration, although not a natural instinct in competitive industries, is the main key to problem solving and the general smooth running of business. Jake is living the dream encouraging people to do this.  Just do the things you want to do. Over caution and risk avoidance is no fun. No one ever had a good time putting money in a savings account.   BEST MOMENTS ‘If I walk in and go, “Y’all suck. How we gonna get better? Well you guys know you’re not doing the best you can right now.” That just sucks, right? The animation, the attitude I can bring can make it fun where it's not personal to the individual.’ – Jake ‘All I want is for Lee Houfton?…Hoofton?…Hoogieton?..Hufton? All I want is for him to be successful. If I want that more than I want it for myself people are going to come to me for collaboration not the other way round.’ -Jake  ‘I remember being told by a consultant to smarten my act, get better shoes, stop wearing jumpers, start wearing shirts to actually make it as a consultant because that’s what he perceived was the successful thing a consultant needs to do.’ – Lee ‘Remove that barrier of yourself holding you back. If there’s something dumb you want to get out there and do, do it. Have you ever played Monopoly..ly? Imagine you go round the board, but the only rule is you can’t spend money on anything.’ – Jake   GUEST RESOURCES Jake Harrell his Linkedin Link: (99+) Jake Harrell - The Funniest Lean Guy | LinkedIn His video podcast link: A Quality Podcast - John Thacker and Jake Harrell - YouTube VALUABLE RESOURCESBusiness Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

We all measure stuff. Why? The sole purpose of measuring something should be to learn something, but often its done to prove our worth. Data gathering and counting is time consuming, so what are the best circumstances in which to start measuring? KEY TAKEAWAYS We should only measure to learn and understand what things are getting in the way of what we are trying to achieve. What are the measures that allow you to understand that you are achieving your standards. Anything else is superfluous. Are you employing effective leading measures? Will they inform you of an impending problem which you can then avoid? Measures can be complex so should be easy to understand and provide knowledge, understanding and wisdom to the organisation that they are detailing. BEST MOMENTS ‘You might be measuring all sorts of different processes, the outputs of different processes to put into a dashboard to go to a monthly meeting. To look good. To make it all green.’ ‘If you read the newspaper or the football scores after ninety minutes as a football manager its too late to affect the result of that game.’ ‘How can you make sure that the measures give you enough information for the things that you control and can control to make it better?’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee interviews Becca Francis, who at the age of 34 was diagnosed with ADHD and she’s here to dispel the myths and stereotypes of ‘single parent mums’, ‘naughty boys’ and how she’s been able to turn it into her superpower!    KEY TAKEAWAYS The importance of looking after your customer facing frontline staff cannot be ignored. If you have higher workforce engagement, it can really deliver customer satisfaction. If there’s a gap between changing how business leadership works versus how markets move can leave the whole business outmoded and unattractive to customers and staff alike. Being honest and open about a condition and communicating the actual facts of it is the only way to break the negativities and stigmas.   BEST MOMENTS  ‘It’s a people game, not a process game.’ ‘It's about our attention being re-focused on things that are more appealing to us’ ‘Do I talk donkey language because no-one else sees things the way I do?’ ‘If I can talk about my experiences and that can help one person, that makes me feel like I’ve done a good job. And that’s all I aim to do’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-f1312/https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6823892562441502720/

Lee interviews James Lott, MD and founder of Working Knowledge, a business and education consultancy. Working Knowledge concentrates on improving employment opportunities, guiding people towards the right job for them. Creator of the Digital Market Apprenticeship designed to provide employees with the business skills to shine in their position. He also works with Further Education Colleges, helping them launch young peoples careers with practical guidance and by improving links between the college and potential employers.      KEY TAKEAWAYS James believes in providing young people with career opportunities in entrepreneur led, scale up businesses so they can get a great start to their working lives. He was inspired on this path from teaching sailing to young people and seeing their receptiveness and enthusiasm. Lots of people are reluctant to take on young people because they believe the media image of hoody wearing, knife wielding layabouts. When they meet young people they realise that actually they are innovative, creative and inquisitive. LinkedIn opens opportunities by offering to chance to present ourselves and our skills in a professional way. When you are young it’s a good idea to have had at least a basic work experience to jump off from.     BEST MOMENTS ‘It was all built on this passion of ‘what does talent look like, and how do you get that talent into entrepreneurial businesses in order for those businesses to scale and thrive?’’ ‘At the same time, in their questioning, because they’re unencumbered by years of experience narrowing our focus, they’re asking the questions we’ve forgotten to ask ourselves often in a business setting.’ ‘People talk about transferable skills and they absolutely are there. So go and do something. It could be volunteering as well, people forget about that.’  ‘Nothing comes to life for free. You cant wait around waiting for it to happen to you.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In todays podcast Lee chats to Gary Nightingale, founder of Gary Nightingale Creative, who make illustrations and animated instructional videos mostly for the business and leadership coaching and mentorship industry and increasingly therapy, crisis and counselling services.  Gary talks about his working history and how he ended up where he is helping others effectively visually express their message.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Illustration and animation often provides a communication need that cannot be easily or concisely articulated. Clients frequently are unsure of the nature of the message they require. Gary gets to know the client and their audience to find what they need. Gary has developed processes within his business to apply to individual clients to standardise and notate his skills based on repetition and refinement. It is a good idea to analyse how the end users interact with your content. In doing this Gary found he discovered the viewers paused and discussed the training as it progressed. When creating an expressive message carrying illustration, think about who you are talking to, what it is you want to say to them, why you want to say it and what you want them to do. Then just doodle your way to the required image.   BEST MOMENTS ‘I looked at their profile pictures. What do these people look like? How do they talk?  What are their job titles? That gave me a big insight into his audience.’ ‘I know a lot of people talk about separating personal and business. I just can’t. They’re so inextricably mixed.’ ‘A domestic abuse charity weren’t getting many referrals from the police, and there were others that were getting more, and they felt that their services they offered were more wide ranging than others around them. I made them a video that they used as part of their presentation to the police and they said that the police loved it and had no idea of what their charity offered. Now they are pushing more referrals their way.’   GUEST RESOURCES Www.Garynightingalecreative.com   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast            ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee continues the conversation about communication with a thought-provoking episode that asks the crucial question: what is the difference between team work, and a team that works? And how can we play a greater role in maximising productivity as a leader? KEY TAKEAWAYS A team's work is measured through metrics, but these can only be truly achieved through effective teamwork. We must seek to create environments that encourage teams to pull together to work collaboratively towards achieving the vision. It is incumbent upon leaders to not just encourage their teams, but to ensure that their achievements are celebrated. BEST MOMENTS 'It's encouraging the team to collaborate on achieving the vision' 'It's easier to say what it isn't, rather than what it is' 'Expectation, direction, clarity, conversation, communication, should be created top down' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

With the advent of the new year, Lee reflects upon the learnings and the insights from 2021, with a specific focus upon the improvements we can make for 2022, and how better communication can provide the bedrock for positive change. KEY TAKEAWAYS Making improvements and becoming more effective in what we do, all comes down to teamwork, and unless we are communicating well with our teams, we can't hope to see those improvements being made. Conflict is not always a bad thing. Conflict can be seen as meeting of differing ideas, the resolution of which all lead to a better solution. Building in a reflective practice is beneficial as it promotes motivation, and causes us to constantly evaluate what has come before and set new goals. BEST MOMENTS 'Conflict is a positive thing' 'You don't want everyone to agree. You want people to challenge the situation' 'The more you talk about something, the deeper you'll understand it' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Kevin Robinson is man who knows all about teamwork, having served for almost three decades in operations within Toyota Motor manufacturing UK ltd. Kevin joins Lee this week to talk about his business journey, how development strengthens teams, and the importance of true leadership. KEY TAKEAWAYS Development is the key to not just strengthening people, but teams. If individuals become stronger, then they strengthen the teams of which they are a part. Planning for the future is not just about striking when opportunities arise, but also looking for ways to mitigate challenge should it arise. Always plan for contingencies. If we see problems setting in, then it could be down to poor leadership. It is incumbent upon as leaders to look at ourselves and how we have provided leadership, and mark any issues that could create negative impact. BEST MOMENTS 'The ethos is all about developing people' 'It all comes back to good leadership' 'My journey so far has been very rewarding' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee meets Lee Chambers, a psychologist and founder of Essentialise, which aims to fuse the scientific performance aspects from sports coaching, the bounty of benefits from the world of neuroscience, with the wisdom of ancient philosophers, in order to unlock the potential that is inside everyone. Lee talks about the ways in which his work has helped others, how you can essentialise your own life, and the beauty and value in being unique. KEY TAKEAWAYS By helping others to realise their potential, we incrementally build a better world. Making it our mission to help others improves life for all. There's so much noise and so many opinions in the world today. The key to improvement is to slow down and focus on a few simple things and look for incremental wins. Never strive to be one of the crowd. You are an endlessly unique creation, and you bring something rare and special to the world. BEST MOMENTS 'I'm making a difference, and that makes me feel great' 'Essentialising your life and your business is about stripping back a lot of the complexity' 'The beauty is that every business and every human being is individual' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          Essentialise - https://www.essentialise.co.uk/lee-chambers/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Nigel Peters, the Ingredients Opertions Director for Ornua, an agri-food commercial co-operative which markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Ireland’s dairy processors and in turn the Irish dairy farmer. Nigel talks about his life in food manufacturing, how a food hamper change the course of his life, and why balancing work and life is more important than we may believe. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes life takes you on journeys you're not quite expecting. Opportunities come our way and it is up to to embrace them, and follow the routes it takes us upon. Success is relative, and not always necessarily something we can measure through our working careers. Success is about growing, developing, taking opportunities and seeing how they can shape us. Balancing life and work is incredibly important. We must remember that the reason we want to do well at work is so that we can provide our families with better lives. However, better lives also mean time well spent in their company. BEST MOMENTS 'As one door closes, another one opens' 'I love everything I do about my job, and they've all been part of a journey to get me where I am today' 'Being happy in what you do is something that gives you energy' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast          Nigel Peters LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-peters-b8b51321/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Mark Cameron has always been curious, and this has led to his constant questioning about not just the world around him, but also internally about himself. Mark joins Lee today to talk about why being inquisitive about the world is important, as well as the role of health in his journey, and how to strike a better balance in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS It's important to ask questions about the world around us. This is how we learn and grow and taken on new perspectives. But it's also crucial to ask questions about ourselves, because this is how we grow as a person. When our beginnings are surrounded by adversity, it instils a sense of resilience and hard work. Often, those with tough beginnings end up being the most successful. Health is very important, both physically and mentally. It is far better to be happy than it is to present a perfect version of ourselves to society. BEST MOMENTS 'You've got to be the best example of what you're questioning other people about' 'I just question why a lot' 'I want to work hard. I want to value the things that I have' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Matt Edmundson is a master of all things eCommerce, and dedicated to helping business owners to find the straight-forward strategy to build their online business, and discover the tools to be successful. Matt talks about his journey in business so far, the power of teams, and his own definition of what success really means. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many of the bigger opportunities in life come quite by accident. We have to recognise them when they arrive and take full advantage. Teams are the building blocks of any good business. By leveraging talent and working towards a shared purpose, we are able to achieve far more. Success takes many different forms. Many see it as the accumulation of wealth, whereas those who have achieved it know that success comes from elevating your life and finding yourself in a place that means life is more enjoyable. Finding the right people for your organisation is not just about qualifications, but more importantly there must be an alignment of values. BEST MOMENTS 'There's an opportunity in front of you and you have to take advantage' 'I like creating something together that's just extraordinary' 'I would say I'm successful but not because of the business or the money' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         Matt Edmundson - https://mattedmundson.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week's Real Story comes from Stuart Boocock, the man who's guided many a young soul into the world of sport and fitness through coaching and junior football, and who's here to discuss why sport can be the key to instilling discipline while also providing a sense of fun, camaraderie and motivation. KEY TAKEAWAYS If children are interested in playing football, it's always best to get them started on that road as early as possible, Developing skills and talents can be begun before the age of ten years old and can give them an advantage later on down the road. Sport and training can act as a structure around which we can grow and develop. The central thesis of physical training is betterment, with each discipline adding to wellbeing, including that of self-awareness and mental growth. We are always learning - this is the key to mastery. When you seek out knowledge and development, and learn from mistakes, you become the best at your chosen pursuit. BEST MOMENTS 'No one in the world hands you anything. You have to go out and fight for it' 'Looking back, I didn't even know what a career was at that age' 'If your heart's set on it, then you'll always find a way to get what you want' 'You've got to keep going at it. You've got to keep learning' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, the real story comes from Dave Scholes, the founder of Mindsight, and a man who has navigated a journey of grief, loss, and most importantly connection, in order to connect people and encourage healing conversations. Dave talks to Lee about the power you can find in connecting with others, and how his personal journey has made him into the person he is today. KEY TAKEAWAYS When we overcome challenge, we learn more about ourselves, but we also fortify our resilience and increase our solution toolbox. This can then be used to help others to overcome their own challenges. Listening is only part of what makes a connection. By talking, and relating our stories to others, we grant the agency required for them to offer their own stories. Connection is a simple concept but can be difficult to master. When we create new connections we must come from a genuine place of understanding. BEST MOMENTS 'I spent many years navigating a personal journey' 'If anybody came into my world and had something going on, I can point them in the direction of a potential solution' 'As soon as you start telling a story, it gives other people licence to tell theirs' 'Connection is key' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Dave Scholes LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scholsey77/?originalSubdomain=uk Mindsight - https://selnet-uk.com/mindsight/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Hailed as the first full-time female firefighter in the UK, Britain, Jo joined Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service in 1982 at just 17. With the world watching, she was determined never to be the weakest link. Using determination and inner strength to overcome prejudice, she proved that women could make great firefighters. Jo joins Lee this week to talk about her groundbreaking, empowering story, and what we can all learn about breaking barriers in order to achieve more and change the world for the better. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes, when the things we want aren't available, we must look elsewhere for opportunities, even though these opportunities may sound wild at the time. When you start a job or new branch of your career, all we really want is not to stand out. Trailblazers like Jo stand out naturally, which increases the pressure immeasurably. When we stand out from the pack in obvious ways, the best thing to do is to set an example and get through the work, showing that we are capable, despite people's preconceptions. Belief in ourselves comes through proving to ourselves that we can be more than we think. Remove doubts and look ahead. BEST MOMENTS 'I didn't know what I was getting into, to be honest' 'I'm an independently-minded girl' 'I was wearing a man's outfit, which was a lovely look for a 17 year-old' 'I don't fear anything' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Jo Reynolds - https://www.josephine-reynolds.com Jo Reynolds Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/SamuiJoReynolds/ https://www.facebook.com/FireWomanJo1 Jo Reynolds Twitter - https://twitter.com/FireWomanJo1 Jo Reynolds Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fire_woman_josephine/ Jo Reynolds LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/atzeropercent/ Email - josephinereynolds815@gmail.com Unique design Rebel Slogan T's - https://firewoman.teemill.com/ Signed Author Copies of Fire Woman - https://fire-woman.sumup.link/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Paul Dunlop is a lean consultant, dedicated to continuous improvement, whose career has taken him through many sectors and endowed him with a wealth of business experience. Paul talks to Lee today about the ways he has persistently looked for opportunities for growth, how to get the best out of people, and his personal definition of what lean really means. KEY TAKEAWAYS Learnings sometimes come through failure, but the lessons gained through doing so can end up being more valuable in the long run. Lean is fundamentally about people, and centres around engaging with, and providing growth and development for people. True servant leadership starts with respect for people, humility, and vulnerability. They are sometimes easier said than done, but it is always a journey of growth. BEST MOMENTS 'I've developed a passion for continuous improvement' 'Sometimes it's a bit of a now or never thing' 'Often there's layers that you have to break through to start the conversation' 'It's about hearts and minds. It's about fundamentally respecting people' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Dunlop Consultants - https://www.dunlopconsultants.com.au/about/about-paul ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Andy Henderson is the founder of Forward Thinking Ltd, and Your Affordable Board, helping business leaders to guide their teams to success. Andy joins Lee to talk about the importance of serving people and making a difference, what it takes to be a successful leader of people, and how by engaging with our workers we can create positive business impact. KEY TAKEAWAYS Being a boss is about more than just telling people what to do. We cannot hope to win the respect of people if we treat them as mere machines. Leading people is about inspiring people, and ourself. It is not enough for the leaders in a business to know about the direction being planned. We must effectively communicate it to everyone in order to align the vision across the board. Employee engagement feeds customer satisfaction, Customer satisfaction feeds the business itself. It all begins by inspiring our people. BEST MOMENTS 'I fight to be the opposite person that I used to be' 'Inside I felt hollow. A Void. It was a lack of community' 'Success is about slowing down but having a greater output' 'We need to create businesses that have meaning' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Forward Thinking Ltd - https://forwardthinking.ltd Andy Henderson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyjhenderson/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, the real value comes from the story of Lili Boyanova, about her incredible journey, in which she has found herself reinventing what life looks like, and finding time to add true value to the world at every opportunity. KEY TAKEAWAYS The story we build in life can take us on some unexpected diversions. When challenges arise, we overcome and begin a whole new direction. Life changes dramatically when we become parents. Finding the balance between personal and business life is suddenly very different. The people we meet add to the value we are able to create. They provide inspiration and support, and can greatly affect the direction we take. The pandemic has shown us that actually we can survive in the world with less than we thought. We are able to realistically question the need for "more" BEST MOMENTS 'I came to this country and decided to create value in the world' 'It got me to question how to face the stigma, and how I will cope with it' 'It was a big, big cultural shock' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Lili Boyanova LInkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liliboyanova/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to life coach, Gloria Milner, whose fascinating life began in advertising, where she built a reputation through her wisdom, acumen and ability to sell media spots on television. Since then, Gloria's journey has been a diverse one, and in this episode, she talks to Lee about the path that brought her to her true calling as a life coach. KEY TAKEAWAYS Gloria generation was one that had very different societal expectations of what women should be. Her determination to do better for herself was a driving factor in breaking the mold. Levelling the playing field in our minds is the art of remembering that people are people. No one is better than another person. Coaching and mentorship have not always been a resource. Today's world is extraordinarily lucky to be able to learn from the paths and lessons of others. BEST MOMENTS 'I was from a generation where women were expected to teach' 'There was a sense that I could so it, and I wanted to succeed where others had not' 'Women want to advance in their careers' 'There's a lot of opportunity to help people' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Gloria Milner LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriamilnercoaching/ Gloria Milner - https://www.gloriamilner.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to Herb Morrick, whose fascinating true life story has taken him from South Africa to South Wales, and which has seen him experience much that the twentieth century has had to offer. Herb talks about the power of choice, why culture and values shoud be at the forefront of every business, and how best to create trust. KEY TAKEAWAYS Building relationships and delivering on what we promise allows us to create trust and enrich life and business at every turn. When we put our core values at the forefront of business, we create trust and a sense of safety. Our clients become connected to our story. Different opinions and different skill sets are not necessarily a weakness when it comes to partnerships. Opposing perspectives and skills actually end up complimenting the other, and thereby strengthening us. BEST MOMENTS 'Life in my family has made me sensitive to how other people feel' 'We were four guys who absolutely believed in making a difference' 'Just remember that you're going to have differences' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to business coach, Harry Armistead, about the ways in which he coaches others to achieve the mind-set that allows them to succeed in business, and how to dismantle the limiting beliefs that may be holding us back. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you don't start with adjusting the mindset, then nothing else matters. Mindset is the foundational key to success upon which all other factors are based. We cannot help who we are on the inside, and nor should we try to alter who we are in order to fit in. We cannot live life to suit others. If we apply ourselves to a task and are determined to see it through, then half the battle is won already. Most things can be overcome if we believe that they can be. BEST MOMENTS 'People want something more than mediocrity' 'It took me time to own it' 'There is a way forward. There is a plan. There needs to be a plan' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Harry Armistead LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harryarmistead/?originalSubdomain=uk Harry Armistead - https://harryarmistead.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the fifth part of his new mini-series, focussing upon real people with real stories that give real value, Lee talks to Sally Chapman of Shine Coaching, about the journey she's taken through life so far, and how she helps people to rediscover the sparkle they thought may have been lost, and help them to shine at whatever they do. KEY TAKEAWAYS We all face challenges in life, and barriers and obstacles that bring us down. What matters is how we deal with them, and the direction we choose afterwards. We can transform any situation by maintaining a positive outlook and attitude. It can be the deciding factor in whether a challenge derails us or not. When we have clearly defined goals in business and life, it makes the pathway more easier to traverse. We must focus on the point ahead that we want to reach and keep moving forward BEST MOMENTS 'Something's going to happen to you, whether it's good or bad' 'I've always had a drive to do things, and do them to the best of my ability' 'There's got to be more...' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Sally Chapman LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-chapman-shine-coaching/?originalSubdomain=uk Shine Coaching - https://shinecoaching.org.uk/a-little-about-me   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the fourth part of his new mini-series, focussing upon real people with real stories that give real value, Lee talks to author and creator, Karyn Ross, about not just her incredible story, but also why kindness should lie behind every motivation in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS We are never too old to begin a new venture and try to put a little more positivity into the world. There is always room for more. Kindness leaves a huge imprint upon the world and the people we meet. Kindness is remembered, and its effects can be felt for a lifetime. The main cause of problems, in business and life, is failure in leadership and failure in kindness. When we put them together you can trace the root of all problems. BEST MOMENTS 'It's super important to me to create a foundation for a better world' 'You use the stuff you learn along the way to make a better world' 'Compassion is feeling someone else's suffering and wanting to do something about it' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the third part of his new mini-series, focussing upon real people with real stories that give real value, Lee talks to Matthew Davies, about his passions in life, and the fascinating overlaps that occur between the world of business and sports KEY TAKEAWAYS Sports and the discipline involved in mastering that sport, can aid in making us better leaders and better managers of people. Organisations have often seen coaching as a remedial thing, when in fact it should be seen as an ongoing process - a matter of course. Connections are far easier built if done with personality, and in some cases, humour. It can help us to create rapport, instant understanding, and allow us to be better understood. BEST MOMENTS 'I've always filled every minute of my spare time with things' 'It's about your ability to engage and connect with people' 'There are a lot of reluctant leaders in big organisations' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the second part of his new mini-series, focussing upon real people with real stories that give real value, Lee talks to Scott Rolph, a firm believer in the power of people, about why they belong at the heart of everything in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS The most powerful achievements in life, those that make true positive impact, are the ones built upon the collaborative efforts of teams. In order to build successful teams, we need to trust in the abilities and capabilities of others. If we empower, then others grow. Self promotion is never a bad thing. Recognition of achievement should be encouraged, as it inspires us all to do better. BEST MOMENTS 'I've only succeeded because I've had great teams working for me' 'It's about a common sense of purpose' 'If nobody knows who you are then you only have yourself to blame' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week sees the launch of an all-new mini-series, 'Real People, Real Stories, Real Value', in which Lee talks to incredible real people about their amazing life journeys. Lee's first guest is Lewis Barton, who's tale of resilience and will power is a true inspiration to everyone. KEY TAKEAWAYS We often face the toughest challenges in life on our own. Although we may have the support and love of others, the internal struggles are ones we must face alone. When we face the truth of a situation, we can then look to find the bright spots and constructive positives in any bad circumstances. When we face our own mortality, we come to realise how much we have taken for granted in the past. Even the small things matter. There is beauty and positivity in things we pass by each day. BEST MOMENTS 'Everybody's got different experiences, and everyone's got different value' 'If you don't know whether you're going to live or die, it plays on your mind every single second of the day' 'In a really strange way, I was looking forward about what was to come' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this week's show, Lee tells you all about why management needs to be more than just visual aids, but a more deep-rooted set of standards that we all hold to. KEY TAKEAWAYS Visual management could be seen as the visible things needed in order to control a process or people. Management in the open is more than a whiteboard bearing targets and indicators. If we want to make failure visible, then we need standards. Sensory management allows us to create a safer environment for people as it allows people's own senses to recognise where they are and where they need to be. BEST MOMENTS 'Visual management is not just about performance boards' 'We need to recognise instantly when something does not align' 'We need sensory control' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Failure doesn't always have to be cast as a negative thing. In fact, there are many instances when failure can be seen as a positive. In this week's show, Lee tells you why it might be time to re-frame those negative setbacks, and look at them with a more constructive eye, beginning with leading by example. KEY TAKEAWAYS Social media is awash with purely perfect perspectives - displaying only the things that make us appear to be faultless, but this isn't authentic. There is a safety to be found in perfection, or at least the sight of it. As humans we strive for commonality and feelings of comfort. Whether we're delivering change or leading teams, we need people to be open and honest throughout. This promotes truth, and allows us to solve problems in a far more efficient way. BEST MOMENTS 'We're not wired to share failure' 'Be open to opinions that differ from your own' 'We have to lead by example' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee discusses the ways in which we can use the art of comedy to overcome resistance to change, and how by thinking differently, we can make sure that we act differently, finding new solutions to problems that we may not have considered before. KEY TAKEAWAYS If you want to achieve different results, then you must think differently. Those thoughts will create and drive new ways of implementing action. Refusal to comply with change is always a personal choice. Each person chooses whether or not support an initiative. Change, therefore, is a personal choice. When delivering information or data or any kind of address, we always communicate in the ways in which we like to receive. In comedy, we have two ways of delivering - the set up and punchline. We should vary the ways in which we deliver both so as to signal the points at which engagement must follow. Timing is everything. We must plan out what we are to deliver, but we must also execute it using perceptual timing - adapting to the moment itself. BEST MOMENTS 'You have to think and do different, in order to be different' 'Resistance is the refusal to accept or comply with something' 'Our job as change leaders is to make people thirsty' 'Perceptual timing is what is happening in front of you' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to Craig Dean, a LinkedIn expert and coach, about how we can better use LinkedIn to leverage connection, and in doing so, create clients and leads so as to fortify and grow our business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many believe that a LinkedIn profile is some kind of resume for a job. If a profile is tailored this way, then it can be a barrier to gaining clients. It needs to be repurposed. Building a client base through LinkedIn is the art of building rapport, and starting conversations that begin connections between people. Connecting with people on LinkedIn should be treated the same way as a real world interaction. Consider the way in which we connect at networking events, and treat the conversation the same way. Never underestimate the power of a powerful banner. Catching the eye immediately is crucial as it makes you instantly memorable. BEST MOMENTS 'I love helping people to achieve more' 'You take people from cold to sold' 'I help people to generate leads by teaching people how to start a conversation' 'The person on the other end is a person, and not a pound sign' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         Craig Dean LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-dean-influxeo/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

It's a spellbinding show this week, as Lee is joined by customer experience expert, magician and hypnotist, Ricky Locke, who talks about the importance of creating a better customer experience and how to make sure that each customer interaction is memorable and magical. KEY TAKEAWAYS Our business journeys are as changeable as our life journey. Never believe that you're stuck in one place. There's always another way forward. Believing in yourself and keeping an open mind are the essential tools you need to surmount challenges when they arise. We fulfil our potential by trying new things, and identifying the points at which passion is ignited. Follow these pursuits all the way to mastery. People never forget about the way you make them feel. Sharing a moment with someone else is too often undervalued. Create a magic spark between you both and the effects will last a lifetime. BEST MOMENTS 'Step out of your comfort zone, keep an open mind, and try new things' 'You don't truly realise what you've got until it's gone' 'There's always been something inside of me asking "How far can Ricky go?"' 'Magic, to me, is not about the trick. It's about the experience - the feeling you feel' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         Ricky Locke - http://www.rickylocke.co.uk Ricky Locke Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rickylockemagic/?hl=en Rickys course - how-to-create-a-magical-customer-experience ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, it's a masterclass in mindset as lee meets Nat and Kim from MasterMindSet, a "New Learning Foundation For Leadership: Different by Design Delivering C-Suite Executives the Skills, Strategies & Networks to Lead in the 2020s and Beyond". Nat and Kim talk about the things they've learned from helping others, the dangers of a blame culture, and how trust can energise your business relationships. KEY TAKEAWAYS Everyone makes mistakes in business and life. We must seek to establish a culture that does not place reliance on blame. We establish trust by trusting others. The best way to operate is to trust without reserve, and only withdraw that trust if we are let down. We do no favours to anyone by being guarded from the off. Always trust your heart and your gut feeling. Your inner voice can usually identify things that your conscious mind cannot. By keeping your mind open, you can learn from everyone each day, and develop into a better version of yourself. BEST MOMENTS 'I've learned so much about communication' 'Amateurs complete and professionals partner' 'Anyone who says they're perfect is just lying' 'It's not the mistake that defines you' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         MasterMindSet - https://www.mastermindset.co.uk/about/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to Katie Anderson, a leadership coach, independent consultant and author of "Learning To Lead: Leading To Learn". Katie discusses the concept of connection and how the writing of the book influenced her own viewpoints on this, as well as coaching and the foundational keystones upon which all good leaders must build their outlook. KEY TAKEAWAYS Connection with humans and the world around us is the foundational place upon which leaders and change agents must build. We build connection by being authentic, and endeavouring to remove any kind of hierarchy that we may imagine exists. When we coach or act as leaders, we should not try to have the answer to every question. It is our responsibility to guide others towards solutions, not provide them on tap. We cannot control events, but we can control our reaction to these events. Leaders and coaches are the ones who must act as the calming voice when challenges arise. BEST MOMENTS 'It's hard to listen to your own voice, but it's important, too' 'That's the foundation of leadership and continuous improvement' 'Connection is the key to everything' 'There can be an unnatural balance in hierarchy' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast         Katie Anderson - https://kbjanderson.com/about/ Learning To Lead - Leading To Learn - https://kbjanderson.com/learning-to-lead/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, join Lee for a highly personal reflection upon the third anniversary of one of life's more momentous events - one that shaped Lee's future forever after. KEY TAKEAWAYS By pretending to be something we're not, we only ever hold ourself up to unhappiness. We can't be truly fulfilled in life unless we're living on our own terms. The best friends in life are the ones who'll be there when you need them. But friendship is a two way street. You also need to be the friend they need in times of trouble. We need to create environments and avenues for people, so that they can share when they are not feeling at their best. BEST MOMENTS 'The last three years have arguably been the most transformational' 'I have tried to be the kind of person that other people would want me to be' 'Make good friends, because you never know when you'll need them' 'People - that's the secret to everything we do' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to fellow podcaster, Martin Teasdale, the voice behind the Get Out Of Wrap podcast and one of the most experienced contact centre operators ever, about the background in life that gave him the skills to strike up an instant rapport, the power of "JFDI", and what really goes on behind that voice on the end of the line... KEY TAKEAWAYS The military lifestyle, of constantly being on the move and making new friends, while often seen as a negative, actually instilled in Martin the gift of being able to quickly strike up rapport with people. Teams are often a reflection of society as a whole. You can find representatives of youth, education, the older generations, part-time workers and even those with a high level of experience. People calling into contact centres are generally not calling for fun. They always call with a purpose. They have a need. Sometimes, we must put aside our own feelings and tribulations, and engage empathetically, which can be tough. Whenever we face down a challenge, we must remember that the pain is temporary, and that all things will pass. Push through and the challenge will be little more than a memory before long. BEST MOMENTS 'There's a part of you that says - JFDI!' 'It's a microcosm of society' 'People come into work and they are dealing with the challenges of life' 'When things are going bad, it is just a moment' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Get Out Of Wrap Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-out-of-wrap-contact-centre-chat/id1462669837 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

What do you do when you retire at the age of just 28 years old? If you're anything like this week's guest, Norman Crowley, entrepreneur and environmental campaigner, you jump straight back into the world of business. Norman is a driven business genius, who sold his welding company for a six figure sum, and used it to not just reinvest in business, but also to help change the world for the better. In this week's fascinating show, Lee talks to Norman about what drives him, and how to be a force for good in the world. KEY TAKEAWAYS The skills we learn are often the result of necessity, and not always supplemental. When we need a task to be completed, and we have no one on hand, we develop the skills required, and therefore become able to complete these tasks in the future, broadening our skill-sets. Success is never a series of uninterrupted wins. Every empire is built upon failures. These failures provide teachings, which steer us towards success. Fear prevents us from finding out what is possible. If we defy fear and develop the right mind-set, we can surprise ourselves by what is out there. If we keep our goals and aims to ourselves, then there is no compulsion to succeed in them. If we verbalise and announce our goals, then we commit ourselves to seeing them through. BEST MOMENTS 'A lot of walking on hot coals, is about getting people into the right mental frame' 'In my world, the divide between work and time off is very blurred!' 'It's very hard to bottle up secrets of success' 'Success is a series of failures tied together with optimism' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Crowley Carbon - https://www.crowleycarbon.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to Paul Serafino, the founder of Accelerated Journey, helping people to amplify their impact and soar to the executive level. Paul discusses why change doesn't take year but only a decision, as well as the power of your network, and how to energise and positively impact your own business journey. KEY TAKEAWAYS Quality connections are worth far more than a myriad connections. By focussing on the ones that matter, we strengthen our network instead of diluting it. if we hope to make real impact in the world, we can't just sit and wait for it to occur. We have to go out there and find it. We have to take control. If we enable others to do better through effective leadership, then we should be allowing them into our way of thinking without making them feel as though they are not in control. Being a leader is not about changing people. It is about empowering them to do better as part of your team. This requires internal work first. BEST MOMENTS 'It's not about quantity - it's about quality' 'I connected with people and learned as much as I could' 'It's amazing what people want. They want to lead all kinds of amazing things. They want to change the world' 'Perception is huge' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Paul Serafino - https://paulserafino.com Paul Serafino LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pserafino/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee is in conversation with Kate Miles-Roberts and Bev Holden, the founders of Clear Thinking, about the ways in which we can think a little more clearly, to feel more at ease and in comfort, and by doing so create great things. KEY TAKEAWAYS Wisdom so often resides in a room with people in it. The purpose of Clear Thinking is to create a sense of ease and comfort, which in turn encourages the perspectives, input and wisdom of those in the room. Thinking is the most important starting point for any endeavour. It is far more effective that fulfilling some nameless API or business target. Every thought we have affects the way that we feel. This in turn affects the way we behave or operate. Therefore, effective thought is at the heart of every action. Effective coaching is the form that causes people to think, and to try and find the solution for themselves. BEST MOMENTS 'We love creating environments where clear thinking is inevitable' 'Some of the greatest business minds in the world do the thinking' 'We're helping people to "be" in the moment' 'The quality of everything we do depends on the quality of the thinking we do' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast        Clear Thinking - https://www.clearthinkinguk.com/about/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee engages in a fireside chat with fellow business expert, and the man behind the ultra-successful 'Scale Up Your Business' podcast. Lee and Nick discuss their respective business journeys, the lessons they've learned along the way, change, business, and the things that are truly important in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes the hardest moments in life are the ones that help us to realise what's important. This leads us to a sharper focus. You can't ever be truly successful unless you're spending each day on something that aligns with your beliefs and values. Time is a gift. We should use each moment with care. We never really know when our time here runs out, so we must make the most of each day, of each opportunity. that's what life is all about. Certain aspects of business are never going back to the way they were. Remote working has been proven to work. Hybrid workplaces are bound to become more normalised. BEST MOMENTS 'I've been able to have amazing conversations with amazing people like yourself' 'At the heart of all of these things are people' 'Always be yourself. Make good friends. Time's limited' 'The idea that people can be productive out of the office is part of a systemic change' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       ABOUT THE GUEST My name is Nick Bradley. I’m an entrepreneur, author, speaker and investor. My background is in growing and scaling VC and Private Equity backed businesses. Having successfully built, bought and sold a number of companies, and removed myself from day-to-day operations, my focus now is on helping entrepreneurs get to where they want to be, in business and in life. As well as investing in growth businesses and backing turnarounds - with the ultimate aim of creating value from significant capital events. I’m passionate about personal and professional development - showing up and being the best version of myself ... every day. My bigger vision is to help bring entrepreneurial skills, experience and mindset to people in developing nations - so they can follow their dreams, live life more on their terms - utilising entrepreneurship as a global force for good. Nick’s Facebook Page: https://scaleup.vip/FB Nick’s LinkedIn: https://scaleup.vip/LI Nick's Instagram: https://scaleup.vip/IG Scale Up Your Business website: www.suyb.global ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the final episode of the 'Not Just An International Author' series, Lee talks to globally renowned employee engagement consultant, speaker and author, Chester Elton! Chester joins the discussion to talk about how he and his co-author came to be dubbed as "The Apostles of Appreciation", and why striking the right balance between work and the home should be at the cornerstone of every decision we make. KEY TAKEAWAYS When interacting with others, no matter how slight, always try to do so with empathy and consideration. You never know what that person is going through. Business is important, but it can never be as important as the happiness we seek to build at home. We need to consider what's truly important. The greatest businesses, the greatest leaders, and the most harmonious companies, are always based on a celebratory culture and gratitude. Leaders must try to show their own vulnerability in order to win the respect of their people. By displaying their humanity, they become far more relatable. BEST MOMENTS 'You work really hard, you surround yourself with really good people and you do the right thing' 'Be good to everybody - everybody's having a tough day' 'If they tell me "You are your father's son" - that's the greatest compliment that anyone could ever give me' 'No success in business can ever compensate for failure in the home' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Chester Elton - https://chesterelton.com Chester Elton LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chesterelton/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week in the 'Not Just An International Author' series, Lee talks to Alain Hunkins, the author of 'Cracking The Leadership Code' about what leadership really means, how best to influence in order to achieve our goals, and the three key elements of a great leader. KEY TAKEAWAYS Leadership is the art of understanding people and achieving outcomes through using that understanding in order to influence others. There are patterns among the best leaders, who all use connection, communication and collaboration to inspire others. We cannot hope to truly connect with others if we do not truly listen to them. If someone is trying to tell us something, we owe it to them to give our full attention and absorb their message entirely. There are four essential needs in order for people to work at their best - safety, energy, ownership and purpose. BEST MOMENTS 'Whenever we're trying to get someone else to do something, that is leadership!' 'Everything gets done through, by and with people' 'What helps us learn best are stories' 'The ability to sit still, listen and be quiet, I have found to be an incredibly useful leadership skill' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Alain's website: www.alainhunkins.com Alain's book site: www.crackingtheleadershipcode.com Alain's linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alainhunkins Alain's TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/alain_hunkins_the_basic_truth_most_leaders_neglect ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this third instalment in the mini-series 'Not Just An International Author', Lee talks to author, speaker and LinkedIn expert, who joins Lee to talk about her array of skills, her business journey so far, and why it might well be time to rethink that LinkedIn profile of yours... KEY TAKEAWAYS LinkedIn profiles are often simply structured as online resumes, when in fact they should be crafted so as to give a far better picture of who you really are. People are attracted to a story. By creating your own narrative, you essentially welcome people into that story. A LinkedIn profile needs to aligned to your goal. We need to ask ourselves what the true purpose of our presence there, really is. A reworked LinkedIn profile may sometimes receive less hits, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It may mean that you're getting more qualified hits - that you have refined it to suit your actual target audience. BEST MOMENTS 'The LinkedIn profile is more than just your online resume' 'You can control what people think through the story you tell' 'When you tell your story and let people how you shine and why you shine, good things happen to you' 'Sometimes it's not even on LinkedIn that you'll feel the success' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Donna Serdula - https://donnaserdula.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee continues his "Not Just An International Author" mini-series, by talking to Mark Graban, a management consultant, and the author of several works, including ‘Lean Hospitals’, and ‘Measures Of Success’. KEY TAKEAWAYS Mark has found great success by taking the lessons learned from various sectors, and translating them into others, such as healthcare. The older, more traditional models say that the higher up you go, the more infallible you become, or the more answers you have. This runs counter to effective problem solving. Many use the metric of follower numbers in order to denote success, but it should really be measured on the quality of the message. There is always the element of luck when it comes to opportunities. But luck favours the prepared. We can only take advantage of fortuitous chances if we have laid the groundwork that enables it. BEST MOMENTS 'I was applying problem solving, and leadership methods from other industries into healthcare’ ‘These approaches might run counter to what we’ve been taught’ ‘Even if I’m not inventing methods, I’m good at connecting dots’ ‘You just have to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, even if it wasn’t part of the plan’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Mark Graban LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgraban/ Mark Graban - https://www.markgraban.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the first of this, a new mini-series for Business Problems Solved, Lee talks to Adam Lawrence, who is "Not Just An International Author", but also the managing partner of Process Improvement Partners.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes the thoughts and feelings inside us need an outlet. The results can change lives for others if channelled correctly. We pour energy and resources into solving problems that sometimes don't stay solved. The way to sustain solutions is through the art of sustainability. Sustainability removes the element of doubt, and the drain on time, that we expend by revisiting issues. It allows us to focus on other things. One of the main issues leaders worry about is the lack of time. Sustainability can aid in helping them in a valuable way, to save time on repetitive challenges. BEST MOMENTS 'Once the problem was solved, it didn't stay solved' 'I knew that there was something that had been bothering me for many years' 'I am somebody who typed a lot of words and had a lot of help' 'Their solution was still solved, and even better than when we left it' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Adam Lawrence LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-t-lawrence/ Process Improvement Partners - https://pi-partners.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this final episode of the Confident Women Leaders series, Lee talks to Chief Executive and keynote speaker, Susie Palmer-Trew, who talks about the value in learning from mistakes, the importance of great teams, and why we should always be true to ourselves.  KEY TAKEAWAYS We learn the best lessons and develop the most from making mistakes, recognising them as mistakes, and overcoming the challenges themselves. Our powers and skills are amplified and energised by surrounding ourselves with a great team. Connecting with real people provides the best value in business. There is no shame in failure, and the great leaders are those who help others to understand that, and to move on when it occurs. There is no substitute for being yourself. The more we try to emulate others, the more we bury the unique gifts that make us individuals. BEST MOMENTS 'I make lots of mistakes and learn from those mistakes' 'From each of my decisions, I've learned something about me' 'What if you fail? But what if you fly?' 'It's about coming home to yourself' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Susie Palmer-Trew LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-palmer-trew-13108646/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this continuing series of conversations with confident women leaders, Lee talks to Sandra Thompson, founder of EI Evolution, and the first Goleman Emotional Intelligence Coach in the UK, who joins the show to talk about her career so far, the role of emotional intelligence in business and life, and the best ways in which to get what we want in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes you need to leap before you look, or the chance to make a positive impactful change can pass you by. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand the emotions within yourself so that you can develop your relationships and better your life. Historically, consultants have gone into businesses with the aim of trying to improve measures or metrics. They then moved to improve customer satisfaction. Employee engagement came next, followed by leadership behaviour. If you can focus upon a goal enough, and chase a desire with enough passion, then it is always achievable. If you want it, you can have it. BEST MOMENTS 'You don't know until you say yes and then figure it out' 'If you want it, you can have it' 'It call comes to down to how you recognise and understand the emotions in you' 'A lot of people think it's a magic wand' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       The EI Evolution - https://www.eievolution.com The EI Evolution Summit - www.eievolutionsummit.com Sandra Thompson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cxeisandra/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In his continuing set of conversations with confident women leaders, Lee talks to Angie McQuillin, a confidence and career success coach, about the incredible content she provides, her journey in business, and how people can improve their own confidence. KEY TAKEAWAYS There's a misconception about people who work at an executive level. People assume that those in positions like this must be filled with confidence, and this may be the external picture isn’t always a true reflection of how someone feels. The internal battles we face are generally not that uncommon, They may feel particular to us, but more people suffer from inferiority than we think. People seems to gain confidence from the things they achieve, but the part that affects self-esteem are the internal challenges. The coaches we find ourselves drawn to are not necessarily based on society or gender. We find the best coaches by looking for the energy that attracts us. BEST MOMENTS 'That might be their game face, but it doesn't mean that's what they're feeling behind it' 'It's been an ongoing journey to where I am now' 'You are the person in that seat, so you have to be comfortable in yourself first' 'It comes down to the energy we project as coaches'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Angie McQuillin LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiemcquillincoaching/?originalSubdomain=uk Angie McQuillin - https://www.angiemcquillin.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

The Confident Women Leaders series continues with a conversation with Alison Tansey, the co-founder of Simply Brilliance, in which Alison discusses her path to business success, the values she adheres to, and where her passions lie in the business landscape. KEY TAKEAWAYS You don't always find your groove by working in a job. Sometimes you have to take a risk in order to find fulfilment. We identify the business needs of others by sometimes identifying the needs of ourselves. Looking at what's missing for us, can show us the missing piece for everyone else. Life is far too short to be serious for too long. Bringing a sense of fun and humanity to business helps to make jobs more inspiring. Using devices to learn, instead of the more traditional ways of reading, is changing, slowly, the ways in which our brains work. BEST MOMENTS 'I'm a bit of an accidental entrepreneur' 'I had to get somebody quick, they had to be great, and there was no way of doing it' 'The aspiration is to have suppliers from every aspect of HR' 'You need to get it, and understand what works and what doesn't'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Alison Tansey - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisontansey/?originalSubdomain=uk Simply Brilliance - https://www.simplybrilliance.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee continues his series surrounding confident women leaders in business, by talking to Kate Birtles, customer services director for Biffa, about her amazing journey through life and business - taking in everything from dancer to director!  KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes the best directions for our careers, are the ones that allow us to develop and broaden the skills we have, and to develop new ones. When trying to effect change, we must recognise that the individuals we work with have valuable insights, perceptions and input. There is always further that we can go. There is always higher that we can reach. We must constantly be on the lookout for ways to be the better versions of ourselves. Our careers are often the result of someone seeing something within us, and giving us a chance. It is incumbent upon us to do the same when we see others that aspire to being better. BEST MOMENTS 'I'm very people focussed - I really like people' 'People give me the inspiration to better myself' 'What can I learn now? What's different? How can I develop?' 'I feel very fortunate and blessed to have been given opportunities by other people'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Kate Birtles LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebirtles/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the next part of his continuing insight into confident women leaders, Lee talks to Veronica Owusu, a transformational online course creation strategist and online deep-dive mindset coach, about her incredible journey through business so far.  KEY TAKEAWAYS By harnessing the power or "gold dust" of other leaders, impactful change can be made as they take their own messages out into the world. At certain times in life, we are presented with defining moments that divert us towards different and radically new pathways. We must embrace them and recognise that change is occurring. We create internal prisons for ourselves by living the life meant for others, and pretending to be someone we're not. Everyone is the sum of their own stories, sometimes buried, that tell the complete tale of who we are. If we unearth these tales, then we come closer to fulfilling our potential. BEST MOMENTS 'Through the essence of my gold dust I serve with focus and clarity' 'This voice was my fearless warrior, but she was caged' 'The powerless transformed into the power' 'Today I want to equip other coaches with the mind-set and tools to thrive online'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Veronica Uwusu LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-owusu-byczkowska/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In the first of a new mini-series focussing upon confident women leaders, Lee talks to Clare Muscutt, the CEO of Women In CX, as well as a global keynote speaker and podcast host, about the incredible work she's doing in order to empower and inspire women in business around the world.  KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a level of conditioning that comes from working in a corporate environment, especially for women, who are made to attach their identities to the role they occupy. For those feeling fundamentally unhappy, the first thing to come to terms with is finding the bravery to step away from the elements of unhappiness, and being true to ourselves. The best way to combat any kind of negativity is to take action. Never let your emotions and our thoughts become your reality. Remember that we can always change our outcomes. The platform being developed now is designed to raise women up so that their voices can be more effectively heard, and to create spaces for them to better collaborate. BEST MOMENTS 'We're empowering women around the world to support, inspire and grow together through collaboration' 'I am currently undergoing my own transformation' 'The connections that we made, made me realise that we are not alone' 'I've finally found my purpose'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       CMXperience - https://www.cmxperience.com/about-1 Clare Muscutt LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-muscutt/?originalSubdomain=uk Clare Muscutt Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thecxnomad/?hl=en ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this week's show, Lee talks to self-professed "revenue strategy nerd" and sales legend, Liston Witherill, about the concept of ethical communication, and how to be a better and more intentional listener in order to create sales.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The things that hold many businesses and their leaders back, are their inability to communicate clearly and directly, listening and asking great questions. Ethical communication is about understanding who we are talking to, and communicating clearly and with honourable intent. If we feel that ethical selling sounds better on paper, but that it will not help you to close vital sales, then it's a signal that you do not have enough demand, not that the concept itself is lacking. If you want to become known for solving a problem, you have to have content. There is no other way to achieve this position. BEST MOMENTS 'I founded what amounts to an idea about how business could be' 'Business must be ethical considerate and empathetic' 'One of the things that makes it easy to be ethical is to have confidence that another opportunity will come soon' 'The problem with a generalist position, is that there's no compelling reason to attract anyone beyond word-of-mouth'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Liston Witherill - https://www.liston.io Liston Witherill LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/listonwitherill/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to Paralympic athlete, coach and podcast host, James Owen Roberts, about what it really takes to become a champion, both in business and in life.  KEY TAKEAWAYS We must always follow our hearts and our instincts, even when others try to steer us down a path we are not comfortable with. Your destiny is your own. All we can do is give others the tools that will lead them to success. The will to win has to come from inside. We must decide if the competition is between us and others, or against ourselves. Matching the achievements of others can help us to go further, but exceeding our own expectations is what is truly important. Real power comes through bringing people from a discontented state to success. We must endeavour to bring positive impact to the world when e can. BEST MOMENTS 'You said I can't - ultimately I'm going to show you that I can' 'I've always been very competitive - sometimes too much so' 'It's been a battle, not knowing where I fit in' 'You have to look at the bigger picture'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       James Owen Roberts Twitter - https://twitter.com/jamesoroberts11 James Owen Roberts LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesoroberts11/?originalSubdomain=uk James Owen Roberts Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jamesoroberts11/?hl=en ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to Ron Pereira, the man behind the Gemba Academy, who help people to grow per­son­al­ly and pro­fes­sion­al­ly by building an orga­ni­sa­tion­al cul­ture of con­tin­u­ous improve­ment.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Solutions are driven by the desire to implement and invoke real change. Gemba was born out of a need to make solutions better. We do not make organisations better by simply training our people. We make it better by going out into the organisation and invoking change. We can make a huge difference to other people, and help them to realise their potential, by simply employing kindness in the way we interact. Anybody can make an impact upon anyone else at any time. Therefore, we must consider carefully, each interaction we have. BEST MOMENTS 'I want to help them invoke change' 'You're going to be able to go now and real value' 'We're accelerating the change process' 'You can make a huge difference by the way you behave'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Gemba Academy - https://blog.gembaacademy.com/author/rpereira/ Ron Pereira LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/leansixsigmaacademy/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

How many communities are you a part of? And are you an active member of those communities? As business leaders and change agents, we should seek to create more communities and collaboration between others. But how do we go about doing this? In this week's episode, Lee talks to Julie Creffield, a community engagement expert, who's here to tell you how to get started, and why it matters so much.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Many talk about tribe building, but what they really mean is building a customer base. Tribe building is not about growing a base that you can sell to - it's about creating interaction and belonging. Building a community is about making people feel as though they belong to you. It is about creating shared objectives. Finding your people is about how you activate them. It is the process of inviting everyone, but sparking a community among those who matter by careful targeting through effective messaging. Be clear about your mission. Explain why you're doing the things you do, and why it's important. You can't make everyone take action, but by communicating the bigger picture, you'll reach those who need you. BEST MOMENTS 'When people feel that they belong to you and your brand your community, they're much more likely to buy' 'How do we become the things we are most proud of in real life?' 'They bought into the ideology of what I was trying to do' 'It's about giving people permission to understand why you're in business in the first place'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Julie Creffield Twitter - https://twitter.com/JulieCreffield Julie Creffield - https://juliecreffield.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Andrew Miller, founder of Business Enjoyment, about the fascinating subject of the very real enjoyment we get from being in business, and we can make sure that our workplaces provide that sense of excitement.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Money is almost never the main driving factor behind personal endeavour. Happiness is a far more common driving force behind people's intent to do well. Every single day should be spent in taking your business forward in some way, and also understanding how this forward motion is making an impact. Intentions and values are separate things. We must recognise the difference the values we aspire to achieving, and the values we actually see around us. As business owners, our DNA is at the heart of every venture. As this scales and grows, we hope to assemble teams who share these values. It is the companies who retain these values that create workplaces people aspire to joining. BEST MOMENTS 'It's really important to enjoy what you do' 'Success is not the same as enjoyment' 'At the heart I am one thing' 'I create a distinction between enjoyment and happiness'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Andrew Miller LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrmiller/?originalSubdomain=uk Business Enjoyment - https://www.businessenjoyment.com ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

What are you doing? Or more specifically, what are you doing, about what you are doing? In this week's show, Lee talks to the founder of Diary Detox, Paul Holbrook, about the ways in which we can become more aware about the activities you engage in, in order to improve.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The quality of answers you get from someone entirely depends on the quality of the questions being asked. Valuable questions lead to invaluable answers. Many people spend their time doing things that aren't required of them - tasks they take on due to frustration at its not being performed well. We all have job and tasks in our role descriptions, but what many of us lack are truly focussed targets - things that we must achieve and deliver. Detoxing the diary is not a set of instructions designed to tell you how to live and how to perform. It is a carefully constructed map of everything we already do so as to aid us in making smarter, time-based decisions. BEST MOMENTS 'In my world, the C word is "coach"' ''Stop looking out of the window and start looking in the mirror' 'This is about giving you a fundamental awareness' 'We know that not all plans go the way we expect them to'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast       Diary Detox - https://diarydetox.com Paul Holbrook LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmichaelholbrook/?originalSubdomain=uk What Are You Doing by Paul Holbrook (Amazon) ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

After being inspired recently by watching the film, 'Making Shankly', Lee has recognised some of the valuable, transferrable lessons that we can take to other areas of our lives. In this week's show, Lee tells you all about them, and how best to apply them.  KEY TAKEAWAYS As a working community, the village of Glenbuck believed in working hard. If people didn't then they didn't prosper. Community provides direction. Teamwork was incredibly important across the entire community of Glenbuck. People pulled together to achieve a common aim. Desire spurred many on to do better. Putting this alongside community and teamwork led to the foundation of a famously successful culture. BEST MOMENTS 'We've got to light fires within people' 'We have to think about desire, teamwork and community' 'What you are trying to achieve is actually achievable'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast      ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

It's a new year, and time to look ahead! With this in mind, Lee is here to talk about the four biggest challenges facing businesses in 2021, and how best to make sure you're prepared to face them.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Hindsight is all very well, but it doesn't help in the present. Focus on the vision, the reason that drove us to begin in the first place, and make this the driving force behind your year ahead. Customers' needs change. Always be ready to pivot when required, and learn to evolve with your customer base. Look at what they need and supply it. Embrace the new working environment. The world has changed. Change with it. Embrace connection, conversation, collaboration and celebrate your wins. Work to reduce your cost and yet still delight your customers over the next year. This is the biggest challenge we face in 2021. BEST MOMENTS 'For some the last twelve months has been about stability and survival. For others it's been about growth and demand' 'Have sight of that vision and direction and remember the reason why you do what you do!' 'Never has there been a greater need to really understand your customers' 'Where are you heading to, and is it being communicated effectively to your team?'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast      ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Nothing comes without hard work. Those who reach the pinnacle of success have put in the time in order to get there. In this week's show, the first of the new year, Lee's here to talk about why putting in the hard work is worth it, and to reassure you that there's really no such thing as an overnight success.  KEY TAKEAWAYS No one has a foolproof formula for instant success. Everyone has to work hard at something in order to find success. Never believe that people get there without effort. When entering the world of business, especially in a leadership role, instant success is almost expected, but this is unreasonable. Sports professionals are required to train and develop in order to become the best in their field. This is the way we should view those in business. It takes time to develop greatness. BEST MOMENTS 'It's consistency. It's continuing to go and continuing to try!' 'Trying, getting better and learning is the way that we want to move forward, culturally'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast      ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Ayesha Murray, host and creator of The Parent Equation Podcast, as well as a coach for working parents who joins the conversation to discuss the ways in which the world of work changes when children arrive in our lives, and the best way of striking that work/life balance.  KEY TAKEAWAYS It is often difficult to view our own careers and achievements with the necessary perspective required, in order to properly steer us towards where we need to be. The main challenge facing working parents is to find the correct balance and headspace between work and home. We all want to do the best in both fields, and we can as long as we recognise that each has its place. Perfect balance for one might no necessarily work for someone else. Each person bring their own challenges. Sometimes the challenge is recognising that it isn't even time to ourselves that we require, but something far different. A coach in these circumstance is useful in creating a safe space, and who will identify limiting beliefs, and then break them down. The most important element is that it is action-driven. They must provide practical ways to move forward. BEST MOMENTS 'It took someone else to highlight my potential' 'That is a hell of a lot for a mind to balance' 'Balance is completely different for every single person' 'It's about challenging myself to do something new'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast      The Parent Equation Podcast - https://www.ayeshamurray.com/podcast.html Ayesha Murray - https://www.ayeshamurray.com/my-story.html ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Many people are advocates of starting with "Why?", but in this episode of Business Problems Solved, Lee offers another layer to this fundamental question that might just change your thinking...  KEY TAKEAWAYS In order to best motivate someone you must feel something. You cannot discount the power of emotion. it is the difference between good and great. Are you chasing a goal that is pleasurable? If not, then is there enough of a reason for us to chase that goal at all? It's important that our motivation is strong enough, and affects us on an emotional level. BEST MOMENTS 'People give the answer that they believe is the right one to give' 'What is the pleasure you're trying to achieve, or the pain you're trying to overcome'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast     ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee interviews Jordan "The Wanderer" Reynolds, a British pro-Boxer whose message really is that you can achieve anything if you have the mindset of a champion! It's an incredibly empowering conversation that'll make you believe that if you can change the way you think, you can achieve anything.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Trauma in life, especially in our young years, may seem cataclysmic, but it also prepares us for the rough waters of life. Positivity can be achieved by visualising the future we want. Keep your eyes on the prize and work hard. Remember why you're doing it. If you believe in something enough, stick with it and keep going. Keep believing, and good things will happen. There isn't anything you can't achieve' We can't blame children for their lack of attention when we as parents do not do enough to curb their addictions to social media and technology. We need to take responsibility and reconnect. BEST MOMENTS 'If you stick at something, you'll always overtake people' 'I've never shied away. I've always been me' 'I'm the type of guy...' 'The wanderer has still got plenty of time to wander'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast     Jordan Reynolds Twitter - https://twitter.com/reynoldsboxing Jordan Reynolds Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jreynoldsboxing/?hl=en ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this week's show, Lee revisits the topic of confidence, and how you can grow and develop your own confidence levels by breaking it down into three areas, and working on each one in small, incremental ways. However, after a recent challenge, Lee returns to re-examine the subject with a new element in mind... KEY TAKEAWAYS Confidence can be broken down into three CUEs. By scoring each out of ten, we gain our confidence score, and can focus on incrementally raising each score up to gradually increase confidence. The CUE for Confidence is: Comfort Understanding Effort If you can demonstrate the thing you're good at, but not in order to promote ourselves, or to make ourselves the beneficiary of praise, and instead to help others, then arrogance can be avoided. BEST MOMENTS 'There is a line between confidence and arrogance' 'Are you selfish or selfless in the act that you're completing?' 'I'm a big proponent of "thinking drives behaviour"' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Please be upstanding, as Business Problems Solved welcomes a real-life member of the nobility to the show. Lord Simon Jacobs joins Lee to discuss his journey through business, which led to the founding of Professional Weirdos, a creativity training company designed to encourage the unique gifts in everyone, and which help to create an effective business culture. KEY TAKEAWAYS Many people find themselves hired for their creativity and unique abilities, only to have these singular qualities lost and diluted as time goes by. Professional Weirdos is designed with keeping this singular spirit alive in people. An important part of being creative is the ability to also accept feedback. If you put anything out into the world, you have to be open to all types of feedback, positive and negative.  Creativity comes in all shapes and sizes. We must never assume that we do not have a creative side. Even the act of problem solving involves a level of creativity within ourselves. We must seek to redefine what professional means,. For many it is the stereotypical image of an executive, when it actual fact, a professional does not need a suit a tie. It is reflected in the qualities we present in business and in life. BEST MOMENTS ‘For the individual there’s motivation and new ideas. For the company, there’s innovation, there’s motivation, and there’s efficiency’ ’There are weirdos who do things professionally, and there are professionals who are weird’ ‘Fundamentally, being human means that you are creative’ ‘Professional means being timely, being honest, it means being polite'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Lord Simon Jacobs LInkedIn - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/simonjjacobs Lord Simon Jacobs Twitter - https://twitter.com/lordsimonjacobs?lang=en Professional Weirdos - https://www.professionalweirdos.co.uk/founder/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this week’s show, Lee talks to Katie Anderson, a leadership coach, independent consultant, author of ‘Learning To Lead: Leading To Learn’, and a passionate advocate of helping to develop individuals’ confidence and capabilities in improving themselves and their organisations. Katie discusses the incredible journey that led to the insights she now uses to empower others, the value of recognising your purpose from moment to moment, and why balance might be the ingredient you’re missing when it comes to developing and leading teams.  KEY TAKEAWAYS We should always remain open to opportunities, and to the "golden seed” moments that can bring about an awakening, and a whole new perspective. Perspective, experience and wisdom allow us the vocabulary we need in order to both recognise and communicate our purpose. We must always try to develop people with the right intentions. It is not a box ticking exercise. We must help others to rise so that they can contribute their unique gifts and insights to the wellbeing of the business. We cannot convince people to change, but we can offer experiences that change their thinking, and their perceptions in such a way that they seek change of their own volition. BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s enriched my own perspective about leadership’ ‘If there’s a big disconnect between your purpose and the moment, there’s a different problem you need to address’ ’The process and the people are two sides of a balance that needs to be working in sync’ ‘Identify the process they need in order to help support the people'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Katie Anderson - https://kbjanderson.com/about/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Tom Morley was the original drummer and a founder member of Scritti Politti, the 80s band who were pioneers of DIY music before appearing successfully on the dance scene. Unlike other bands Scritti Politti used to make half their songs up on stage, so from an early age Tom got used to taking risks in public. Through a scientific method, Tom has developed an entirely unique form of team building known as INSTANT team work, which he has been pioneering with great success in order to bring teams closer together. In this week’s show, Lee talks to Tom about the science behind the method, and how teams are at the heart of any endeavour. KEY TAKEAWAYS No matter which walk of life we belong to, we all spend time in the womb, subjected not to all five senses, but something more primal. This primal connection continues through life, and manifests itself in connections with others. Science has recently proved that drummers experience the world differently. Their acute sense of rhythm means they see patterns everywhere, including patterns of behaviour. Being able to read ‘the energy’ of a room fast Tom creates INSTANT teams, delivering INSTANT team work. Society is designed around happiness through consumerism. By reconnecting to one’s spirit, we gain this rush of happiness through natural, primal means. The simple act of synchronising our movements with another’s leads to an instant sense of participation and team spirit. In this sense, rhythm may be the missing component in any business’s team-building endeavours. BEST MOMENTS ‘We all respond to a beat!’ ‘Business people are goal-orientated, focused, and interested in new things if they are packaged in short bursts’ ‘Most people live lives of quiet desperation and go to their graves with their song unsung’ ‘I am the permission. I am the Rock Star Activator!'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Tom Morley - https://tommorley.com/about/ Tom Morley LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommorleyrockstar/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

How often do you celebrate success? In this week’s show, Lee talks to Neil Skehel, the CEO and founder of Awards International, dedicated to helping success in others to be celebrated! Neil discusses the importance of honouring positivity and achievement, and how the act of recognising success can be truly life-changing and empowering. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognition reinforces self-belief. Rewarding achievement should be commonplace, allowing our people to prosper, and leading to transformation. Society tends to be afraid of boasting and bragging. Some think that if they tell someone they’re doing a good job, it somehow disempowers them. If we recognise people in the right way, however, they will do more. A marvellous way of emboldening our team members is to tell them privately. Removing the suspicion that praise is being given so as to glorify the praiser, can certify and endorse that praise for the recipient. People need to learn and develop whenever possible. By endowing people with skills, we give them the accolades to do better. BEST MOMENTS ‘People who receive good, clear, strong recognition can become transformed’ ‘Positive recognition does change your life’ ‘Celebrating success is also about feeling okay as a person’ ‘When people enter awards they create a case study in change' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Awards International - https://awardsinternational.com/author/neil-skehel/ Neil Skehel LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilskehel/?originalSubdomain=uk Neil Skehel Twitter - https://twitter.com/neilskehel?lang=en  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

We are so intent of teaching our children about the world that we sometimes miss the things that they can teach us. In this week’s episode, Lee tells you about the five most valuable lessons he’s learned from his own children and his own childhood.   KEY TAKEAWAYS It takes around 3000 attempts for a child to learn how to walk. They fail often, but we encourage them to try again. We are instilling a positive learning ethic, and yet this ethic is lost as education develops. We must create an environment in which it is okay to fail sometimes in which experimentation and risk-taking are encouraged. Kids are always pushing against boundaries. As we grow up we find ourselves adhered to laws, beliefs and rules. What can we do to break the rules and push the boundaries in adult life? BEST MOMENTS ’You don’t know if something works or not until you try it' ‘We don’t get as many opportunities to fail as we do as a child’ ‘Learn like a child. Test the boundaries. Push the boundaries' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Anish Hindocha Twitter - https://twitter.com/hindocha_anish?lang=en Jigsaw Consulting - https://www.jigsawconsulting.co.uk Anish Hindocha LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishhindocha/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week, Lee talks to “Mr Habits”, Anish Hindocha, the founder of Jigsaw Consulting, and a lean consultancy expert devoted to driving improvement through teams.  Anish discusses the importance of reflection in every business journey, how we can shape the habits that will lead us to success, and how we can gain back focus and see through distractions when we need to.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Every step we take is a learning experience. Especially in the beginning of a business journey, when we are left to ourselves in many cases, we should focus on each step we take, and examine the things that we learn along the way.  Time gives us perspective. We cannot always recognise the value in feedback when it is given. We gain clarity over time, and recognise the value in feedback.  Habits are all a matter of triggers (the circumstance that activates the need for something), and the reward (the thing we do for ourselves in reaction to the trigger).  Modifying our environment is essential in diverting distraction. Tailor each day and space to the task at hand. Get the toughest tasks out of the way first, turn notifications off, spend at least 25 minutes on focussed work, then take a break and repeat!  BEST MOMENTS ’There’s lots to gain from taking a step back and looking at what you’ve learned’  ‘When you start to understand yourself more, you start to understand the feedback from the past’  ‘If you want to change a habit, you need to know what the trigger is, and what the reward is’  ‘For years we have trained ourselves to be distracted'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Anish Hindocha Twitter - https://twitter.com/hindocha_anish?lang=en  Jigsaw Consulting - https://www.jigsawconsulting.co.uk  Anish Hindocha LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anishhindocha/?originalSubdomain=uk  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Julian Roberts, an expert leadership and business consultant (and now fellow podcaster), about how he helps organisations to thrive, and how through listening and employing a technique known as “inner wisdom", he has helped senior and emerging leaders to build resilience, facilitating them to their next level, creating deep self-awareness along the way, and enabling them in times of company growth.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Coaching and consulting is the art of listening, and using the “inner wisdom” to discern the key words that indicate the needs of clients. The most important component in true listening is to develop a mind-set that steers us towards understanding our conversation partner, instead of simply waiting for your turn to speak. Resilience can be developed by becoming more accepting of change. By resisting, we enter survival-mode, which instantly raises defences. Instead, look for the opportunities that change can bring. Clean language can help to kick-start conversations. It’s a technique that helps to remove pretence and allows the client to step outside of the experience in order to open up more fully. BEST MOMENTS ‘You’ve got to shoot for the moon and stars’ ’The biggest thing for me is listening’ ’Seek first to understand before being understood’ ‘It’s like kicking a boat without rudder into the water, to see where it goes' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Julian Roberts Consulting - https://www.julianrobertsconsulting.com Julian Roberts LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/julesroberts/?originalSubdomain=uk   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Mark Rice, the Group Chief Information Officer for The Big Word, a market leader in translation, interpretation, localisation and language technology solutions. Mark discusses his business philosophies, the “Larry” rule and how it can help your business ideas, and how The Big Word are adapting to a new business landscape. KEY TAKEAWAYS Most ideas that enhance or upgrade a business are essentially re-runs of older ideas. It is the interpretation of these ideas, and the adaptation into a new landscape that set them apart. Ideas always transmit better when they are crystallised. If you can’t distil an idea into a thirty second pitch, then you need to go away and think about it again. Workers who are free to express themselves creatively, and with less pressure, will always deliver better results in the end. Remote working should never be all-or-nothing, but tailored to each worker’s circumstances. It is unfair to expect our workers to live and work constantly in the same place. We should be giving options. BEST MOMENTS ’The first thing is have we got data? Have we got numbers? The second thing is have we got logic?’ ‘My start point is that if I understand it, then other people will understand it’ ‘I have a desire to make things easier and simpler for people’ ‘I like less bureaucracy and more chaos' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    The Big Word - https://en-gb.thebigword.com/about-us/ Mark Rice LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rice-03791623/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

To celebrate the extraordinary achievement of reaching the 100 episode milestone, Lee has turned the reins of the show over to you, the listeners, and some very special guests, for a truly interactive episode where Lee answers as many of your questions as possible! Join Lee in the hot-seat then, for this peek behind the curtain of your host and guide. Welcome to the epic, 100th episode of Business Problems Solved! KEY TAKEAWAYS Always do your best for your organisation, but always remember that we need to be happy. We must put ourselves first, and consider what it is that we want. Finding your place in the world isn’t just about achieving the right salary, or being in the right job. It’s about enjoying the work you do. Enjoyment in your career will energise you, and spur you on to do better. Sometimes, leaving a position, or recognising that you are in the wrong place in your career, can be the moment that helps you to define your true place. There are no such things as failure - only lessons. Success is all about starting small, having a clear vision of where you want to end up, and being comfortable with the journey. Our heads decide exactly how our eyes work, how our mouths open and close, what we say, and whether or not our eyebrows raise... BEST MOMENTS ’The world is a massive place, and you can influence it all' ‘You can’t walk through the same stream twice’ ‘It’s about thinking creatively, and overcoming the challenge’ ‘You are where you are because of the steps that you’ve put it' ‘You two have no issues with opening your mouth, do you?’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

As we approach the special 100th episode, Lee reflects upon the journey so far, and more specifically, tries to figure out which of the 99 that precede it, is his favourite so far. The answer may surprise you... KEY TAKEAWAYS Each episode represents a challenge or question that Lee has asked, or been faced with. And each episode has represented the solution to that problem. Sometimes we only remember the larger outcomes to which we are emotionally attached in some way. We may often miss the incremental steps or learnings that brought us there. Business Problems Solved has acted as a form of recording the building blocks that have formed the structure of Lee’s business journey. Do you have a way of looking back at your learnings? BEST MOMENTS ’They’ve all been a reflection of where I’ve been at that point in time’ ’The 99 podcasts have all been an individual step to where I’ve got to today’ ‘You can only join the dots looking backwards if you can see the bloomin’ dots!' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

We meet people every day, online and in life. But how meaningful are these connections? And how much more powerful could they be if we took the time to get to know people better? In this week’s show, Lee talks to a relatively new connection, but one that has made a marked impact upon his life - Victoria Hamilton, who joins the show to discuss the benefits of spending more time getting to know people. KEY TAKEAWAYS In the new landscape of the business world, it’s the companies who focus on people, and trying to reach their customers in more creative, empowering ways, will be the ones who thrive. Happy people lead to happy customers. We can create happy people by installing a culture of comfort, support and collaboration in our organisations. The art of empathy allows us the insight to recognise when people are coming from a different place. The slightest trip along the way can affect a person’s outlook. We must understand where people are coming from. Having a sensation or feeling removed from our reach, such as the ability to physically connect, makes it all the more desirable. Lockdown has demonstrated that we crave human contact above all things. BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s such a time of unparalleled change’ ’The culture, behaviours and values of an organisation are what will shape and determine the impact and success of your focus on the customer’ ’Try and walk a mile in the other person’s shoes’ ‘We have a chance to relearn, reset and recalibrate!’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Victoria Hamilton LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/customertransformation/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee has recently embarked upon a course in stand-up comedy in order to not just hone his sense of humour, but also his skills in communication.  Stand-up comics are masters of delivering messages through an entirely different form of story-telling, and in this week’s show, Lee tells you all about it.  KEY TAKEAWAYS The three most important elements of stand-up comedy are Connection, Performance, and then Material, meaning that jokes are actually the third most important part of being a comic.  In business improvement, we are often trained rigorously in a particular material, meaning that it is the material itself that takes priority. But this is the wrong way to look at it.  In a joke there is always a setup and then a punchline. When you deliver learning, we must seek to differentiate the key learning points from the rest of the information.  BEST MOMENTS ’There are actually transferable lessons between stand-up comedy and business improvement’  ‘Connection is first - second is performance’  ‘Everybody that’s in front of you is different'  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Opera singer, author, coach, and founder of ’The Voice of Your Mind’, Emma Buratti, joins Lee on this week’s show, to talk about how we can instantly optimise our body language and our voices in order to maximise our communication potential.   KEY TAKEAWAYS We are immediately attracted to those who speak well. The voice is like a diet - it requires work and training in order to optimise it. Often, when trying to improve the voice, the aim is not to minimise the dialects or regional inflections, but to train the voice in how to breathe properly, or soften consonant in order to reduce plosives. A good technique for improving your energy in a video call, is to first dress for the occasion, and secondly to set the area up as though you are staging an important meeting.  To make a larger impact, we must never underestimate the power of silence. A well timed pause can add gravitas and emphasis to a verbal bullet-point. BEST MOMENTS ’The voice has always been important’ ‘Everybody can keep their accents - it’s about softening the consonants’ ‘If your energy goes down, guess where it shows…' ‘If you want to be confident, then you have to learn to stand in your own power’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Emma Buratti LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-buratti-30472a33/?originalSubdomain=uk The Voice Of Your Mind - https://www.thevoiceofyourmind.com/about-me   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

What do the great ones in business have in common?  Those who succeed are not always the most talented in the room. But they do have willpower. Perseverance and clarity about people and ourselves are the forces that can take anyone towards their goals. KEY TAKEAWAYS Knowing ourselves is the first step in understanding each other. By tapping into ourselves, we unleash a new level of creativity. The message and the content aren’t always the most important step. We need to create a connection before we can properly deliver the message. Everything must start with people. We must begin with thought, and a better understanding. Everyone is an individual. BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s your thoughts that drive your creativity’ ‘Business improvement is not just about the methodology’ ’A habit is an automatic action' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Tom Lock, the founder of The British Snack Company, one of the most popular snack brands in the country. Tom discusses the importance of brand identification, perseverance, and the lessons he learned while scaling a small business concern to one of national importance. KEY TAKEAWAYS Perseverance is the secret to success. If the idea you have is a viable one, then keep pushing. Eventually, your product will reach the right person. Whether you’re selling to a single pub or a chain of supermarkets, the principle is always the same; you’re knocking on a door and selling yourself and your idea.  We must never be scared to leverage the people around us, or ask for help. We cannot be the best at everything. Focus on the tasks in which you excel and delegate the rest. Creating a brand is about boiling down the essence of your values, and marketing your idea through that filter. Tom is proud to be British, and his products all reflect the tastes of the country.  BEST MOMENTS ’The longer you’re in it, the harder it is to walk away from’ ‘I guess it’s always been in me, to start a business’ ‘You can’t be ashamed of trying to get in front of people, and trying to command their attention’ ‘As any organisation grows, you have to delegate and hire more people' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Tom Lock LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-lock-ba446740/?originalSubdomain=uk The British Snack Company - https://www.britishsnackco.com ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Oliver Burton of Forbes Solicitors about the importance of people, the true meaning of leadership, and why the wisest and most influential minds in business are the ones who keep the individual front and centre. KEY TAKEAWAYS Understanding what makes ourselves tick and what makes others tick, allows us to get the best out of everyone, and subsequently improve the business. Wins should always be celebrated. It is acceptable to look to the future, but we must never sacrifice our time in the present. Being respected is just as important, if not more so, than being liked. Those who lead with compassion and enthusiasm are the ones who find the right balance between both. We do our best when we create an environment so that others can acknowledge and understand where they are, coupled with where we think they are, and the providing of a personal development plan for each individual. BEST MOMENTS ‘When you’re in a big PLC, change passes through you’ ‘I never wanted to look back and think “what if?”' ‘Culture is about finding fun in what you’re doing’ ‘You have to be able to reward and recognise and celebrate along the way' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Oliver Burton LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/oburton/?originalSubdomain=uk Forbes Solicitors - https://www.forbessolicitors.co.uk/news/41780/forbes-appoints-oliver-burton-as-chief-executive-officer ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks again to Emily Leyland, the Operations Director for Fresh Perspective, an innovative recruitment agency, specialising in helping businesses to find their ideal candidates by offering highly bespoke, internal solutions. In this episode, Emily talks about what makes her tick, the importance of personal branding, and how she’s developed the will and the determination to rise to the crest of business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Self-belief begins with your own authenticity. By determining our own happiness with the way we are, we make it far easier to plot out own course through life. Living in the moment is crucial to find that sense of grounding; of connecting entirely to the present. We can use breathing techniques and mindset to hit the reboot button. The best way to appeal to people is to subvert the accepted thinking and forget “niche”. Go as broad as you can, and then focus upon your respondents. Don’t ever be afraid to pivot. If something isn’t working for you, then take the lesson and change to a strategy that does dynamically improve your reach. BEST MOMENTS ‘It doesn’t matter what other people think. All that matters is what you think’ ‘You’re a LinkedIn legend!’ ‘We warm up the market - we see what’s happening!’ ‘Everyone’s favourite topic is themselves' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Emily Leyland LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyleylandfreshperspectiveresourcing/?originalSubdomain=uk Fresh Perspective - https://fp-resourcing.co.uk/who-are-fresh-perspective/emily-leyland/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Emily Leyland, the Operations Director for Fresh Perspective, an innovative recruitment agency, specialising in helping businesses to find their ideal candidates by offering highly bespoke, internal solutions. Emily talks to Lee about Fresh’s unique outlook on recruitment, and how they are disrupting the industry with empowering alternatives and forward thinking. KEY TAKEAWAYS Typical recruitment agencies will generally accept a job spec from a company and find candidates that fit the requirements. Fresh Perspective offer a far more personalised solution, based upon investigative action. Feedback is essential for candidates, even if they are unsuccessful. People can take the learning and apply solutions in order to make themselves stand out in future. Recruitment can be a huge drain on a business’s resources. With a little forward thinking, companies can save time and money. The great agencies are the ones who do not go for quick wins, but try to add true value to their profession by supplying a quality service. In the long run, quality counts for more than money. BEST MOMENTS ‘We offer a more internal approach to recruitment’ ‘We become your brand ambassador’ ‘We want to disrupt the industry. We want to make the industry better’ ‘If you add value every single day of your life, then you’re definitely doing something right'   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    Emily Leyland LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyleylandfreshperspectiveresourcing/?originalSubdomain=uk Fresh Perspective - https://fp-resourcing.co.uk/who-are-fresh-perspective/emily-leyland/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

With more people out there searching for work right now, it’s important to make sure we give ourselves the best chance possible. With this in mind, Lee talks this week about how you can optimise your LinkedIn profile, in order to stand out in a crowded marketplace.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Endeavour to tailor your LinkedIn profile to the job for which you’re applying. Consider the type of job you’re looking for, and then adjust your profile accordingly. The sentence below your name is your opportunity to tell the world what is you do, and who you do it for. Don’t waste the opportunity to sell yourself. Create engaging content, specifically designed to appeal the people you want to work for, and make your About section keyword heavy, and useful for recruiters. How can you solve their problems? BEST MOMENTS ‘Your LinkedIn profile is your electronic CV’ ‘How can you talk to the ideal client, to make it more about them than you?’ ‘It’s not a numbers game. It’s not a vanity game' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

When was the last time you read something, or learned something, about marketing? Marketing is something that we all need to know more about, and yet many of us don’t spend the time developing this vital business skill. In this week’s show, Lee talks about why it matters so much, and how you can follow the advice of an ancient philosopher in order to make your marketing strategy more dynamic. KEY TAKEAWAYS The principles of Aristotle’s Pyramid Of Persuasion is still being used by marketers today: Logos - Appealing to logic Pathos - Appealing to emotions Ethos - Appealing to a sense of trust In marketing, we must try to get people to feel something whenever we can. We are trying to appeal to the universal in humanity.  In order to get to where we want to be, we need to create allies, communicate effectively, and overcome the objections that people have in what you are trying to achieve. BEST MOMENTS ‘We’re trying to market a way of making today better than yesterday’ ‘I thought these sounded like the Three Musketeers!’ ‘The difference between being good and being great is getting people to feel something’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

One of the more fascinating concepts being discussed today is that of “humble curiosity”, the act of learning with humility, in order to directly benefit another. In this week’s episode, Lee discusses this invaluable concept, and talks about the ways in which it can instantly enrich your life. KEY TAKEAWAYS The definition of being humble is showing a moderate or low estimate of one’s importance. Curiosity’s definition is a strong desire to know or learn something. Humble curiosity is the art of learning something for other people’s benefit. Great leaders and change agents are the ones who unselfishly recognise that by strengthening others, we strengthen ourselves. We should sometimes feel the courage to acknowledge that we don’t have all the answers. We can empower others by encouraging them to seek answers without us. BEST MOMENTS ‘Humility is not thinking less of one’s self. It is thinking about one’s self less’ ’The method you should use depends upon your desired outcome’ ‘Is your level of curiosity for yourself, or for other people?' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Jazmine Wolf is a business and life coach who’s gained an incredibly empowering viewpoint upon life and success through a series of setbacks that may well have derailed the ambitions of a less resilient spirit. Jazmine joins Lee today to talk about the power of trust, empowerment, positivity and the force of will that has led her to founding a highly successful business that seeks to embolden others. KEY TAKEAWAYS Empowerment comes from surrounding ourselves with the people who can vitalise the areas in which we hope to gain strength. Empowering our teams empowers ourselves. Authenticity is very attractive to people, and provides an extra level of engagement in business. People love a story, and they engage with honesty In business, in tends not to be the processes and systems that need improvement, but the mind-set, beliefs, and self-imposed limitations that people put upon themselves. An effective technique in empowering people, is to show them the potential future version of themselves and their plans, in order to help them visualise a successful outcome. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’m a natural nurturer of people’ ’There’s nothing like being authentic’ ‘Most people get in their own way in business’ ‘You can always find positives when working with people' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   Jazmine Wolf - https://www.jazminewolf.com/about Jazmine Wolf LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jazmine-wolf/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Today’s special guest is a specialist side-splitter, and pioneer of the revolutionary idea that laughter can help to turn your workplace into a far less stressful environment. Lee is joined by Laughing Yoga expert and founder of Canned Laughter, Mr Pete Cann, who talks about why laughter is the best medicine, not just for individuals, but for businesses! KEY TAKEAWAYS By practising laughter yoga, we effectively trick our bodies into thinking that we are laughing authentically, and trigger the same release of endorphins and dopamine. One of the greatest benefits of laughter yoga is that it can be practised remotely. It was founded as a collective exercise, but can be just as effective through networking technology. Laughter is a proven method of combating lack of sleep, rising stress levels, anxiety and mental discomfort. Especially during lockdown, it has proven remarkably effective. People are becoming far more accepting of laughter as a way of treating mental health, and more and more people are losing their inhibitions in order to give laughter yoga a try. BEST MOMENTS ‘You release stress, anxiety, and connect with other people!’ ’This is my gold’ ‘I wasn’t expecting such a lengthy ha!’ ‘If I can crack chefs then I can crack most people!' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   Canned Laughter - https://www.petecann.com Pete Cann LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cannedlaughter/?originalSubdomain=uk Laughter And Positivity Podcast - https://www.petecann.com/podcast/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

As we begin the transition from lockdown back to the workplace, Lee takes this opportunity to answer a vital question: how can we hope to work as a close-knit team without being able to huddle and get together regularly in the same way? KEY TAKEAWAYS The first step in developing new ways of working is to ask ourselves why the old practices were in place in the first place. If you do plan to take action, consider what you’d like people to know, how and what do you want them to do, and how you want them to feel. Connection, conversation, collaboration and celebration will always exist in whatever workplace we return to. We simply need to redesign the way we think about them. BEST MOMENTS ‘We talk about things to engage people!’ ‘We should engage people to make today better than yesterday’ ’Think creatively about solving the problem at hand' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

One of the main reasons for employees leaving their positions within companies, is that they’re not enjoying their job. With that in mind, Sunny Sandwell, the Managing Director of Fun At Work, is on a mission to bring the culture you need in your workplace, in order to retain and inspire the people you worked hard to assemble. In this week’s show, Sunny talks through her philosophy around keeping fun as a central part of any business, and what companies can gain from keeping their workforces happy and engaged! KEY TAKEAWAYS People often misconstrue fun in the workplace as silly, or a distraction. But Fun At Work is living proof that fun can be constructive and purposeful. This in turn benefits the business by strengthening teams and helping to dismantle divides. There is a preconception among some companies, that their workforce should act as robots, who do nothing but sit still and produce results. But human beings are conditioned not act as worker ants. Breaks are essential. Fun events such as team building exercises, tend to be held annually. By the time the next event arrives, the positive effects have begun to wane. The key is to have fun incrementally, and more often. People are often reluctant to engage with activities outside of work, if they feel they are being forced to do so. It is incumbent upon us to market these events in such a way that makes it appealing and valuable. Fun is far easier to incorporate into your working life if it's done sooner rather than later. Treat it as a core principle upon which your company is founded. BEST MOMENTS ‘My business is evidence that fun isn’t distracting’ ‘Fun is a good thing for us, and for mental health and wellbeing’ ‘I’d like fun to be part of our core values’ ‘Fun is the thing that will hold your business together' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   Sunny Sandwell LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunny-sandwell-fun-at-work/?originalSubdomain=uk Fun At Work - https://funatwork.co.uk/about-us/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Your story is incredibly important.  No matter where you’re from in life, you’ve overcome far more than you may even remember to get to where you are today. As Lee discusses in today’s show, the sum total of your life experiences may be the key to building successful relationships, and to overcoming the hurdles of the future. KEY TAKEAWAYS Recognising that you are already the veteran of many challenges in life, can help people buy into your story. We build relationships by connecting our stories to those around us. It is the bringing together of shared or aspirational experiences. By focusing on the moments of elation in our livers, we can take from them the lessons that matter most to us. BEST MOMENTS ‘Everybody’s stood on a mountain of value’ ‘What is it that gives you that feeling of scoring a goal?’ ’Don’t be afraid, because these are the things that have shaped you as a person' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

As a change agent, it’s crucial to develop and nurture your personal brand, and your approach in bringing people along with you on the journey towards change. Peter Brodie, known as THE Sales Coach, is a man who specialises in coaching the best of the coaches and consultants, and joins Lee today to talk about the ways in which change agents can evolve and expand to become true innovators. KEY TAKEAWAYS Work carefully to build credibility and brand. Provide clarity in who you are, who you serve, and what the benefits are of working with you. By engendering trust, we become the go-to voice when help is needed. Positioning ourselves as someone to be trusted will mean that they will come to you at the right time.  VITL = Valuable, Individualised, Timely, and Legitimate. If your message follows these four parameters, then people will welcome your input. Clients will always gravitate towards a specialist in the area they need help with. It’s best to emphasise your talent for specific niches than try to appeal to many bases. It’s crucial to find your own individual style, stick to it, and enhance it. You’ll attract the set of clients who want to work with your specific style. If you’re trying to be something you’re not, the clients you attract will be the wrong ones. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’m the only sales coach that guarantees their outcomes’ ‘It’s all about trust and timing’ ‘You attract the right clients for you by being yourself’ ‘If you try to please everyone all the time, you can kiss your ass goodbye'   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   Peter Brodie LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-brodie-bys/?originalSubdomain=uk BYS Coaching - https://www.byscoaching.group ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

For change agents or leaders working in business, one of the greatest challenges can be in how to differentiate yourself. How do we make ourselves stand out? As Lee discusses in this week’s show, the best way of standing out can be in the way we communicate, and by maximising the significance of each interaction, through using a simple formula. KEY TAKEAWAYS Impact means many things, but most importantly, it represents the outcome we aspire to receiving after any communication. Lee’s formula for maximising impact through communication is: Intent - why are you communicating in the first place? Memorable - how can you make sure you stand out among the other communications? Passion - are we communicating emotion in the message? Actionable - have we included a call to action with a timeframe involved? Clarity - can you communication be understood by everyone? Targeted - is your message directed to the relevant person or team? BEST MOMENTS ‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll make the impact you always have’ ‘What do you want somebody to know, to feel, and to do?’ ‘Clarity reduces the chance of misinterpretation' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

It’s a return engagement for Damian Hughes, best-selling author and Professor Of Organisational Psychology & Change. Damian has returned to Business Problems Solved to guide you through how to unlock the secrets of high-performance in people, so that you can invigorate your business journey! KEY TAKEAWAYS High performers are generally blessed with a rare humility. It is this humility that allows them to see the potential of external change. Everybody has the capacity to be a high performer in a selected field. The key is to unlock the identity of that field, and help that person to become the best performer they can be. The transition into becoming a high performer is often triggered by an event that jolts our way of thinking. these are the “golden seed” moments as described by Freud. The art of successful teaching is the art of reducing an idea, or gestating it, so that the idea is refined to its core. By discovering the seed of the idea, we can make it translatable to every kind of audience through the outer garments of words. When we slow down, we come to appreciate the speed at which we were moving. The lockdown has given us all the benefit of seeing how reflection can alter perception. BEST MOMENTS ‘We are often distracted by the outcome of a performance instead of the seeds of it’ ‘If you’re good at something, then you’re also smart enough to be able to explain why you’re good at it’ ‘At some stage in your life, someone comes along and sows a golden seed that makes you believe in yourself’ ’Sometimes ideas need time to gestate and grow’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   Damian Hughes LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-hughes-a376121?originalSubdomain=uk Damian Hughes - https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/damian-hughes/ The High Performance Podcast - https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KrR4/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

It’s a time for reflection, and due to popular demand, Lee has decided to share his own highly personal story; the powerful advice that has brought him here, as well as the emotionally-charged lesson that drives him forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes it takes the darkest moments of tragedy in life to wake us up to the missing components in our own lives. Always be yourself. Make good friends. Time is limited. These are the lessons that mean the most. It’s vital to achieve your goals on your own terms. Always be yourself, and never try to be a carbon copy of someone you emulate. BEST MOMENTS ’There are some pivotal moments in life that have shaped me into the person I am’ ‘If I went now, would my kids be proud of what I’ve achieved?’ ’The key to successful change is people' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to Paul McGee, also known as "The Sumo Guy”, the author of many books that have had a transformative effect on the way we think, and which have helped many in the business industry to adopt a new, more empowering way of operating. Paul joins Lee today for a very special conversation in which he discusses the message of inspiration he lives by, how evolution can be more powerful than revolution, and the importance of looking forwards. KEY TAKEAWAYS SUMO is an acronym for “Shut Up, Move On”, a phrase that soon became the more inspiring “Stop. Understand. Move On”, a mantra that has led Paul to great success. People are a much more effective way of creating change and growth. We need to focus less on technological innovations, and more on understanding people. Dwelling on our failures only keeps us rooted in the present, instead of driving us forward. Learn and grow with each failure, and treat them as lessons. It is the response to any challenge that influences the outcome. Making sure our messages are eternal and relevant will ensure their survival, and our success. The art of empowering communication is the distillation of any concept into concise simplicity, and transmitting it in the most powerful way at that moment. BEST MOMENTS ‘Get the best out of yourself, the best out of others, and the best out of life’ ‘My life’s been about evolution, not revolution’ ‘I want to equip the next generation with skills that will last a lifetime’ ‘I’ve got a message that is relevant for your life. I’m scratching where you’re itching’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast The Sumo Guy - https://www.thesumoguy.com Paul McGee Twitter - https://twitter.com/thesumoguy Paul McGee Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/paul.mcgee.5245 Paul McGee LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulm5/?originalSubdomain=uk Paul McGee YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUn8r9hCk8ewTXHapv1-Ngg How Not To Worry by Paul McGee ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Geoff Ramm is the owner and creator of Celebrity Service, a professional speaker, author and customer service and marketing specialist. Geoff is the architect behind Celebrity Service, a system designed to give your business a customer service experience that will radically alter the way your customers see you. It’s a system that can create a paradigm shift in the way you operate; which can give you an insurmountable lead over your competitors today! KEY TAKEAWAYS We can learn and develop ourselves exponentially by applying the lessons learned and recounted in stories. The art of storytelling is the art of improving ourselves through refinement. The accepted wisdom is that businesses need to go the extra mile, and to exceed expectations. These are not new or disruptive teachings. We need to go deeper. Celebrity Service is founded upon the principle of closing the gap between the service we give customers, and the aspirational service we would give to the biggest celebrity in the world. The main problem businesses face in increasing their service levels is engagement between their staff and customers.  There’s always a nugget of information in the things that customers say; a small truth that can enable you to fully understand their needs, and to better serve them. BEST MOMENTS ‘I genuinely believe that Celebrity Service is the differentiator between you and your competitors’ ‘I’m not telling stories. I am in the stories’ ’Small-minded people say “cost”. The positive people say “invest”' ‘Celebrity Service is the art of asking questions and listening to the nugget’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast Geoff Ramm - http://www.geofframm.com To take Geoff up on his incredible offer, connect with him at geoff@geofframm.com Geoff Ramm LInkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingspeakermarketing/ Geoff Ramm Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Geoff-Ramm-Celebrity-Service-OMG-Marketing-Speaker-192560274147492/ Geoff Ramm Twitter - https://twitter.com/GeoffRamm ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Now may be a time for self-reflection, and to examine the many pathways that have merged to form our own unique journeys. Lee has been considering his own story as a change agent, specifically examining the sometimes loneliness of change and its implementation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Being a change agent means that often we are the sole voice of innovation. It takes a certain mental fortitude, as it’s not always a happy place to be. Leaders of organisations often attribute stagnancy and failure to its people. They believe that things that have worked in the past should work always, and never need to be revolutionised. The only factors we can truly change are our perceptions about others, and our feelings towards our role and how we perform.  What can you do to challenge your own thinking? Are there angles you haven’t considered? Only by opening our minds to the wisdom of others can we approach challenges from a differing perspective. BEST MOMENTS ‘We can be the only person in that organisation pushing that boulder up a hill’ ‘You can only change the things you have direct control over’ ‘Concentrate on you first before anyone else' VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee is with Trish Wilson -  Continuous improvement specialist and professional Network Catalyst from New Zealand who has successfully built international networks over the last 6 years. As a curator of networking Trish knows how to develop the right culture and the importance of learning from each other in smart inspirational conversations where an initial spark can take a conversation on an unexpected journey that provides everyone involved with something special. This is a great conversation with Lee and Trish exploring the key elements of networking and explaining why being with others to learn and share is so inspirational and a vital part of continuous improvement for everyone.   KEY TAKEAWAYS If everyone was able to talk to each other everything would be so much better. The network is an ecosystem there are those who are really involved and those who only dip in occasionally. Why network? – It’s all about being around people sharing ideas, not being alone, inspiring others and learning something new. It’s about people who are doing sharing with others who are doing. To get into networking you need to be curious. You ask a question and then you are curious about the answer so you can ask another question. Don’t write anything or anyone off at the beginning you never know where something amazing is going to come from – you have to be an explorer. People are amazing but there are a huge variety of wants and needs across any group and its about being able to have a smart conversation where everyone comes in on the same level. Being able to successfully curate is about developing the right culture When you put like-minded people together they are all able to bring something that benefits others. It’s a journey an exploration and people resonate with different networks, you have to find out who you are, how you are.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Often the conversation goes off in all sorts of different inspirational ways’ ‘You have to be a bit of a giver to network successfully’ ‘It’s a pivotable role to make the acceleration happen and the connections stick’ ‘It’s about sparking the initial conversation’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast  CICE website Trish Wilson LinkedIn   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to motivational speaker, communications expert and self-professed “Zookeeper”, Nigel Risner, a man who’s been on both sides of success, and who’s since devoted himself to helping businesses and their leaders improve in over seventy countries. Nigel joins Lee to discuss his formula for success, and to talk about his incredible “zookeeper” theory, designed to allow leaders to unlock the potential in their teams. KEY TAKEAWAYS Speak with authenticity. Speak from the heart. Share your message with honesty and passion. A valuable message will always find its way to the right people. You lead people and you manage things. When you’re a parent, you lead your child to success, and you manage the objects and processes around them. It’s the same in business. We need to know when to lead and when to manage. Most of us, instead of listening, are waiting to respond. The greatest zookeepers are the ones who listen. Treat participants in the conversation as though they are the only thing that matters in the world. Nigel’s top two tips for those wishing to supercharge their speaking career: You need to have a “Martini Speech” - Develop a keynote speech that you can deliver “anytime, anyplace, anywhere” You need to become phenomenal at marketing - Get out there and understand how to sell your services and yourself. Never give “feedback". Give "feed-forward”. People can’t turn back time and do things differently. Constructive input happens in the moment, and is far more effective as a tool for future positive outcomes. Too many businesses focus on the last customer instead of the next customer. By giving each interaction our total attention, we create life-changing experiences. BEST MOMENTS ‘Making money isn’t complicated. Working with people is complicated’ ‘If you’re in the room, be in the room’ ‘LISTEN contains the same letters as SILENT’ ‘If you’re brilliant, but no-one knows it, you’re not brilliant’ ‘I am your most important person in the world right now'   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast Nigel Risner - https://www.nigelrisner.com Your Best Year Starts Here Podcast - https://www.nigelrisner.com/podcast Nigel Risner LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-risner-chief-zoo-keeper-09632/ Nigel Risner Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nigel.risner Nigel Risner Twitter - https://twitter.com/Nigelrisner ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

Lee is with Gavin Preston Business Strategist and Growth Expert who has extensive expertise and experience helping businesses to scale and grow. In this time where for many small businesses it’s all about survival, they discuss the ways this can be achieved successfully with Gavin’s ‘Keep Your Boat Afloat – A Business Survival Guide for COVID19 Times’ We are all in a period of enforced change and the most important thing for any business is to be able to make it to the other side. There is great content and practical advice in this episode listen in and find out how to survive and thrive moving forward.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The most important thing is to get your business out the other side so you can take advantage of the opportunities when the resurgence of the economy begins. Sometimes when you in the middle of everything it can be difficult to think rationally because you are in a flight or fight mode. Once you have established the basics you can move forwards People are now beginning to think about how they can use this time productively to be in the best position moving forward. People are on different parts of ‘the change curve’ created by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. Some people have already moved to acceptance and are looking at opportunities whilst others are still in denial. Focus on small simple steps you can take every day to get back in control. The emotional journey of change is one where there is a grieving process that has to be experienced and moved through. People who have their own businesses are creative, flexible and like to solve a problem. This will be a defining moment for many businesses and there will be entrepreneurs who will find solutions that will move their businesses forward over the next 5 years. The pdf ‘Keep Your Boat Afloat – A Business Survival Guide for COVID19 Times’ provides the 8 steps any business needs to work through to be able to survive and then thrive as the opportunities come on the other side of this situation. The 8 steps; looking after your employees, cash strategies, ascertaining your supply chain, talking to your customers, Pivoting and adaptation and marketing along with community and mindset play a vital role in the survival of any business.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Sometimes when you are in the middle of everything it can be difficult to think rationally because you are in a flight or fight mode’ ‘I have lived through the rise and demise of a business, I was the person centre stage with the suppliers, clients, staff and other stakeholder groups’ ‘If you cut too deep and too soon you won’t have a business on the other side. It’s about achieving the right balance’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast  Keep Your Boat Afloat Pdf The Business Mastermind Podcast Gavin Preston Website   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

Today on The Business Problems Solved Podcast, Lee Houghton explains the 4 C’s of communication and how they can help us during these difficult times in business during the COVID-19 outbreak. It can be hard to get the team together and to promote productivity whilst we are all working from home, Lee suggests some key ways that we can keep positive and maintain team spirit. Lee also applies the 4 C’s to people who are living in isolation, working on relationships and supporting your friends and family whilst maintaining good mental health.   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

Daniel Priestley is an author, speaker and entrepreneurial mastermind, as well as the founder of Dent Global, one of the world’s leading strategists in ensuring your business is able to tap into the wealth of expertise and value that sometimes isn’t used to its full potential. Daniel’s here to talk about the importance of becoming the “key person of influence” in business, and the value in treating business as your passion, and as a game we all play. KEY TAKEAWAYS Daniel has been hooked on entrepreneurship since his early days in business, when he found himself going it alone, after a slight disagreement with his boss. Since then, he has grown six global businesses, and has no plans to slow down. As products mature, so too do they become commonplace in the marketplace. The way that we can differentiate our product from others in a crowded field, is to employ a “key person of influence” in order to boost its profile. A good example of this is Richard Branson. Being a key person of influence requires a certain level of experience, insight and the raw materials required to stand out. Daniel runs an accelerator designed to boost people, and recommends that they come in with at least 15 years’ worth of experience. So many people spend far too long admiring the value in others, but failing to recognise the value they have themselves. By assembling the many elements of their success, their value can be easy to demonstrate. They key elements of importance when it comes to positioning yourself as a key person of influence are: You need to have a product eco-system (gift - prospects - robust core product - retainer model) Develop a functioning team. Entrepreneurship is a team sport. It’s far easier to be happy in your professional life when you’re doing something you love, and are passionate about. Daniel is lucky in that entrepreneurship is his burning passion. The thrill of business is always in the pursuit. Money is a great way to shed light or truth on what you’re doing, and to determine if what you’re doing is working, but it should never be the end result. Following the money is always doomed to failure. If you’re looking at a potential project in which money is already being made, the chances are that you’ve already missed the boat. You’ll only be playing catch-up. Trust your awareness. If your instincts are ringing alarm bells in your head, then make sure you’re attuned to them. They’re ringing for a reason. Daniel’s Five P’s, when it comes to being a Key Person Of Influence are: Pitch Publish Products Profile Partnership Sales is an unnatural type of behaviour. Most people hate the prospect of sales. Daniel likens it to physical exercise, in that we don’t enjoy it, but it is necessary. Roleplaying is good way of practicing sales. Data will be the new way of marketing in the future. It has already been used for presidential campaigns and for political purposes, and will be much stronger, in the end, than social media itself. BEST MOMENTS ‘From my passion in entrepreneurship, I went off and wrote four books’ ‘Until you’re a key person of influence, your job should be to becomea key person of influence’ ‘People want to know that you’ve succeeded at something’ ‘You’re looking for that rag-tag bunch of people who’ve got time available’ ‘I love to geek out!’ ’The money’s there to keep score, but that’s not the point of the game’ ‘It’s hard to sell yourself. It's much easier to sell a sports car or a piece of camera equipment’ ‘I was a weird kid' VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast Dent Global - https://www.dent.global Daniel Priestley - Key Person Of Influence eBook - https://amzn.to/2w638EO Daniel Priestley - Oversubscribed eBook - https://amzn.to/3d9QZ2m Daniel Priestley - Entrepreneur Revolution eBook - https://amzn.to/2wdMdA6 Daniel Priestley - What’s Your Business Worth? eBook - https://amzn.to/2Wjtkq1 Daniel Priestley - 24Assets eBook - https://amzn.to/2Wlk98I ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/    

If you want the best processes, results and people think about the BEST model. In this episode Lee explains what the BEST model is and how it can have a positive impact on your business. He also discusses the importance of creating a positive environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS The environment that people work and the results that people get are driven by the leaders. B – Leadership behaviour. What are the things that you can do to influence leadership behaviour? Leaders have a direct impact and influence on how engaged their employees are. E – Employee engagement. This drives customer satisfaction. S – Customer satisfaction. If customers are happy then your business targets will naturally follow. T – Business targets and results. Putting in solutions to move the dial of a particular problem that they’re seeing. Start by looking in the mirror and seeing what you can change to ensure you’re creating the best environment that allows people to speak up and drive improvements. BEST MOMENTS ‘Leadership behaviour drives employee engagement.’ ‘Help foster and nurture improvement’ ‘It’s not about process, It’s about people’ ‘If you can change, you can help other people change’ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

‘It’s about getting young people ready for the real world’ Lee is in conversation with Kamal Ellis-Hyman founder of ‘Aim a Little Higher’ Kamal has a passion for helping young people get ready for the real world and works with them to build their aspirations based on their potential, not their circumstance. They discuss the journey Kamal has taken and the very different aspirations of young people and the ways they interact with the world. Kamal is working towards a world where the ‘playing field is even for young people’ listen in and find out how he is achieving this through his passion.   KEY TAKEAWAYS I write about life and whatever is on my mind. My spoken word poetry is about empowering people. I’ve always been surrounded by the idea that if you want to do something then you should just go for it. It’s about getting young people ready for the real world, with their aspirations based on potential rather than circumstance. I help young people figure out who they are, what they want and how to get out there and get it. When talk to young people about my failures they engage with me and I can talk about my successes and what I want for them We want people to; Know yourself Know your vision Don’t chase your dreams, build them for yourself. Knowing yourself as a teenager is about knowing what you like. Start now and take small steps every day.  In pursuit of our dreams, we forget to recognise and celebrate our achievements on the journey. Growing a business is about being resilient and it’s a beautiful journey when you don’t let it affect your heart. I’ve found my thing I’m a good communicator and I like working with an audience, performing – it’s me.   BEST MOMENTS ‘A world with an even playing field for young people where they understand there is stuff they are good at and stuff they suck at’ ‘A world where everyone feels comfortable doing what they want to do because they want to do it’ ‘I talk to them like a big brother’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast  Aim a Little Higher website Kamal Ellis- Hyman LinkedIn   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/                              

There are two elements to become a high-performance team. Celebrate success and Self Reflection. Lee identified that having two small Team huddles, 10-15 minutes in length, can turn your team from average to high-performance. The first Team Huddle should look to identify and celebrate the things that went well. Small and big wins, things that succeeded and should continue to persist with as well as the continued success of previous wins. The second Team Huddle commences after, later in the week. This meeting is to identify and highlight where things didn’t go quite right (or even wrong!). Focus on self-reflection and improvement; what? how? Why? And then what you, as a team, will & can do to resolve and prevent it moving forward. Lee explains that by having this two-step process, he has worked within unknown teams to develop independently but also as a team far better than without this method. “Everybody needs to recognise that they can do things differently… Every team, every leader that I have supported, there has always been an opportunity for improvement”-Lee Houghton Lee also covers briefly the B.E.S.T. model for leadership and what that means; B = Leadership Behaviour E = Employee engagement S = Customer Satisfaction T = Business Targets & Results   VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast Mike Dennison at Speakers.com - https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/mike-denison/ Lean Mentor International - http://www.leanmentorinternational.com   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to executive coach, Mike Dennison, about the role of an executive coach. There’s a huge difference between being a consultant, a coach and a mentor, and Mike breaks it down one-by-one.  Mike is an incredibly successful guide for businesses and individuals alike, who are seeking to develop themselves and their staff, and in this week’s episode, he tells you exactly how he goes about it, as well as the secret to making businesses understand why they should begin. KEY TAKEAWAYS An executive coach is someone who works at a higher level in organisations, and to help and develop those in need of development, without putting themselves in the way of that growth. A consultant has generally performed in the role previously, and is using their experience to act in advisory capacity. A mentor is much like a consultant, but acts as a one-to-one guide with someone. They make it their goal to develop and grow an individual based on their experience and wisdom. A common weakness in many organisations is the inability of leaders to connect with their staff, and understand their needs effectively.  The key to helping any company is to show them the possibilities of what development can achieve in their case.  Once you establish principles that are meaningful for the leadership team, you can then use those principles to engage with your staff. Leaders should always use more explorative open questions in order to truly get the best out of their team, and to help them discover the best way of training. Leaders should aspire to grow at all times. Never accept the status quo. Leaders need to learn that what worked yesterday, and what caused their ascent, will be different today from yesterday. Human beings have far more potential than they will ever apply in their lifetime. We are limited by our imaginations whether we like it or not, as we can't always get there. By effective coaching and mentoring we can reach new heights. BEST MOMENTS ‘De-Brie everywhere…’ ‘Most people have the capacity to think through things, but they get stuck in their own heads’ ‘I try to bring it back to the principle element’ ‘People will not share problems if they do not trust their leader’ ‘Leaders still think that because they’re a leader, what’s got them to where they are now, is going to get them to where they need to be in the future’ ‘Commitment comes through clarity'  VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast Mike Dennison at Speakers.com - https://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/mike-denison/ Lean Mentor International - http://www.leanmentorinternational.com   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

A lot of businesses forget about the process of learning and only focus on getting the tasks they’re set to do right first time. However, in this episode Lee reminds us of how important it is to remember how we learn and how we can use failures to improve.   KEY TAKEAWAYS When we learn to walk we don’t just walk, we fall, get back up, fall, get back up and fall until you’re able to walk consistently. Allow people to fail in a safe environment and encourage them to get back up and learn from their failures. Whatever process we’re in there’s players who actually do the doing and the leaders who don’t usually do any of the doing. You can’t be good at both at the same time. Assess where you and your team are but don’t do the doing for them. Allow them to do what they’re set to do. Doing this will allow people to develop and allow them to learn. If you’re do things for them then they wont be able to learn and improve from their mistakes. BEST MOMENTS ‘Let them fail’ ‘Think of your process’ ‘Everyone should know their roles.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

David Bovis is a management consultant, and the originator of the "psychology of change”, dealing with organisational transformation, and lee has most definitely not been stalking him for some time on LinkedIn… David has kindly joined the podcast today to discuss why change must always begin with people, how to make real, sustainable change, the science behind brain development and learning, and why it’s vital that we get people to “fall in love” with change. KEY TAKEAWAYS David quickly came to realise early in his business career that true change begins not with procedures or products, but with people. After applying himself to pursuits such as neuroscience, he developed his own theories and methods on how to implement core change. The best way of demonstrating the need for change, is to discuss the potentialities of what can be achieved: Brain Mind Culture Strategy Change All leaders are human beings. We need to remember that they are probably doing the best they can under very challenging conditions. The universal language of science is the key to importing the values and developments made in Asian businesses, and adapting them for the western way of business. The rate of change in the human brain, the time in which change is truly implemented and becomes a normal part of the brain’s operation, is generally around nine months. The only way you can really accelerate change is to affect or provoke our fear-based defence mechanisms, as in the way we fall in love and then have our trust broken. We tend to fear change that is imposed upon us. David’s definition of culture is through language. If you understand that culture pivots on language, then by implementing new language, you will have a fundamentally positive effect upon culture. You will always find that transition that is uncomfortable will cause people to leave instead of change. The imposition of change is the true obstacle. Developing the language of the brain is a vital component in the development of children, whose brains are consistently undergoing rapid shifts in neuron growth. Depending on how we act during this time has a huge impact on their educational development. BEST MOMENTS ‘I didn’t actually know what the word “philosophy” meant’ ‘Once people know this stuff, it completely transforms the way they see the world’ ‘What you’ve got to try and do is to get people to fall in love with change’ ’There’s a lot going on in the brain’ ‘You need to go to where people are at in their minds’ ‘It’s a bit like trimming the branches on an apple tree'  VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast David Bovis at Duxinaroe - https://www.duxinaroe.com/who-we-are.html David Bovis LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/duxinaroe/?originalSubdomain=uk Blame My Brain - Nicola Morgan - www.amazon.co.uk%2FBlame-My-Brain-Amazing-Revealed%2Fdp%2F1406346934&usg=AOvVaw1HUfhsgDCOFD5jJ13KrmM   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

If you’ve got a team or a business you always need a vision! In this episode Lee explains how to create and pursue a vision for your team or business.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Think back to the DUSK model (Desire) is what creates a vision. If you want to create a vision, then you need to include everyone who is involved. Think back to where you are then where you want to be. Decide whether your vision is going to be a picture, words or both. Pictures can be a great way to help people understand what your vision is. Check back with as many people as possible so you can get different iterations of the vision and then check back with everyone to ensure you’ve all got one same vision. Keep your vision relevant by holding morning meetings to discuss how you’re moving forward to your vision. Ensure you can sum up your vision really simply and that you can measure your progress.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Try to articulate the vision you have really simply’ ‘Recognise where you are today’ ‘Create the conversations and the platform to engage your people on a daily basis’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194   Website: Lee@leehoughton.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved   Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw   

‘If you break down your life into 4-minute sections and keep at it you will become one of the 2% of truly happy people’  Lee is with Dr Andy Cope, Author, Teacher, Speaker, Happiness expert and a keen learner.  He is the UK’s one and the only doctor of happiness so if he’s having a bad day then the nation is having a bad day.  They are discussing the science of well-being and positive psychology. Andy explains how he trundled through life being fairly average before he discovered positive psychology.  We know nothing about what’s right with us, psychology has spent many years focusing on what makes us ill, but Andy is asking what makes happy people happy?  Happy people live in the same world as everyone else they are subject to the same external experiences but their positive mindset and choice to be happy along with their desire to be the best they can be impacts not only on them but creates a significant ripple effect on those around them, listen in to hear more.     KEY TAKEAWAYS  We are all happy and upbeat sometimes but the world beats the crap out of us and we become ‘mood hoovers’.  Mood hoovers suck the happiness out of you and leave you feeling a bit sad and grumpy. It only takes one mood hoover to bring everything down.  Happy people choose to be positive. Positivity is a mindset and you can get better at it; happiness is an emotion that you experience when you are in a positive mindset.  Take personal responsibility – how can I upgrade me? Doing this puts you in a better place to deal with things.  Happiness can only emulate from your thinking. The brain is a problem-solving machine with a negative bias.  You have neuroplasticity – your brain is malleable so you can change the way you think.  When you feel amazing you are more creative, and there are lots of things you will be able to do that you couldn’t have done before.  Culture change starts from inside out, it starts with you first and foremost and when you are feeling amazing it creates a ripple effect.   Flourishing is when your happiness is bigger than you and it creates positive spirals of happiness emotion in the people around you.  4-minute rule -It’s about being the best version of yourself, when you do this, others around you catch that emotion  If you are your best self for 4 minutes others around you have almost no choice other than to catch how you feel.  If you are upbeat for the first 4 minutes of a meeting the positivity will carry on.    BEST MOMENTS  ‘You see opportunities when your wellbeing is in balance’  ‘You can create an environment where well-being is the most important element’  ‘What hasn’t happened, that you didn’t want, that you haven’t celebrated’  ‘It’s simple but not easy to do’     VALUABLE RESOURCES  Business Problems Solved Podcast  Art of Brilliance website  Jimmy's Diary YouTube     ABOUT THE HOST  For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194  Lee@leehoughton.com   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ 

How much time do you think you spend in the past? How much time do you think you spend in the future? How much time do you think you spend in the present? In this episode Lee explains why it’s so important to live in the present and how it can help you achieve your goals.   KEY TAKEAWAYS  Consider how much time you’re actually consciously aware of what’s going on right now.  Disney, as an example, do an amazing job of getting you to think in the present time because of all of the experiences they give you.  You can steer a conversation or meeting by being in the present, don’t worry about the future.  Spend more time in the ‘here and now’ especially is you’re working through a process. Engage in the convocation while it’s happening.  A way to help you do this is by turning off all mobile devices when you’re trying to spend time with people or achieve a certain goal.  BEST MOMENTS  ‘Having a moment with someone is because you’re both in the present’  ‘Ask a question and then move on’  ‘Spend time with the people you’re engaging with in the present’  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194   Website: Lee@leehoughton.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved   Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw 

This week, Lee talks to former BBC Breakfast presenter, Penny Haslam, who’s become one of the country’s most sought-after motivational speakers, helping others to achieve their optimal confidence levels and providing them with the boost they need in order to succeed. But can Penny’s inspiring message help those looking to succeed in business? And how? Find out in this fascinating, empowering conversation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Penny left broadcasting because she felt as though she could never truly be herself. Moving into motivational speaking is where she feels she has always belonged, as she gets to help people, work with people, and has made numerous connections along the way. Media training is hugely expensive and is really only available to a chosen few. Having spent so long in broadcasting and seeing how fame and media training can help businesses succeed, Penny decided to put her considerable experience into helping others become “a little bit famous” The old idea of the business persona is gradually slipping these days. It is far more valuable to be ourselves in the business world. Speaking and acting in a natural way is far more appealing. Telling stories is an act of development. It comes from trying, failing and eventually succeeding in getting the ingredients just right. Penny’s acronym of FACE is designed to help storytellers develop their skills: F - Tell us a Fact A - Add a bit of detail C - What is your Comment? E - Give us an Example A common trait among business owners is the sense of static that comes from reaching a certain level of success, and feeling as though they are not being asked to do more. This is in stark contrast to the exciting, early days of growth and invention that kicks off a business’s life. Building confidence and engendering faith in one’s self must begin at home. Outwardly, confidence may seem natural to some, but privately confidence is something that many of us work on constantly. BEST MOMENTS ’No one wants to be a best-kept secret’ ’The broadcasters need experts, so how do they do that?’ ’Most sensible people in business have got better things to do than be a massive famous person’ ‘You’ve got to be a visible leader’ ‘Preston itself was still the same underneath’ ‘Be yourself. Be bold as well. And be visible’  VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast www.pennyhaslam.co.uk penny@pennyhaslam.co.uk How To Make Yourself A Little Bit Famous - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Make-Yourself-Little-Bit-Famous/dp/1912300273/ Penny Haslam LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pennyhaslam/?originalSubdomain=uk Penny Haslam Twitter - https://twitter.com/pennyhaslam Penny Haslam Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pennyhaslamspeaker/?hl=en%20 Penny Haslam Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PennyHaslamSpeaker/ ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Welcome to the new year—to the new decade!  Where do you want your life to go now? It’s always the same question, same habit of doing a new year’s resolution every start of the year. It’s a cycle you need to keep doing (since it will benefit you so much) even though some say it’s useless. Let it be emphasised: getting clear on your vision will never be useless.  In the first episode of the Business Problem Solved Podcast this year, we talk about how we can plan better and deliver so much more. Lee, our host, shares DUSC (Desire, Understanding, Skills, Confidence) and Jab, Jab, Move, templates you could follow when setting and achieving goals this 2020. Jab, jab, move is Lee’s most effective way when he’s trying to influence more people.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  The first day on the calendar are great indicators for you to set clear of your goals and visions of your future. Where do you want your life to head? When do you want IT done? When do you do the following tasks? Knowing your skillset, resources, and timeline lets you aim for a more attainable goal.  Jab, Jab, Move – This is Lee’s technique when he’s mentoring and coaching. According to him, it’s vital to know at least two things that you want to consider BEFORE moving forward. What two things do you want to improve? What two can you do to get started? And so forth.  For Lee, it’s about helping more people this year and to influence them to do the same. In all honesty, Lee wasn’t expecting the BPS podcast to reach this far. So, as long as there are people who get inspired and educated, he’ll continue producing valuable content.  BEST MOMENTS  “Jab, jab, move as many times as you possibly can to as many different people.”  “For the Business Problem Solved Podcast, I’ve got a big plan this year.”  ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194   Website: Lee@leehoughton.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved   Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw 

In this episode of Business Problems Solved Lee explains what DUSC is and how you can implement it into your life to reach your goals and destinations that you want to reach. KEY TAKEAWAYS D = Desire: Having a clear vision and destination that you want to get to, that you have an emotional attachment to. Ensure everyone is moving in the same direction as you and shares the same desire. U = Understanding: Ensure everyone understands what role they have to play in getting to the destination. S = Skills: Do the team you have have the required skills to get you where you want to get to? Know what good looks like. C = Confidence: Ensure your team have the confidence in you and themselves to do what is necessary to get you to your destination. Score yourself and see whether you have all 4 of these things and ask your team to score themselves too. These can all be delivered through training if any of your team who feel they're missing any of these points other than confidence which usually takes more coaching rather than training. By gaining skills you will gain confidence though. BEST MOMENTS ‘DUSC can generally help you' 'Is it an environment of trust?' 'Practice the required skills' 'Understand what 'goog' looks like' VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee has recently taken learnings from a visit to Toyota and from the film ‘The Karate Kid’. He explains what he learned and how you can take his learning and apply them into your business to encourage a better environment.   KEY TAKEAWAYS In the training room there was equipment, such as rope, that encouraged people to move in certain ways and do particular movements. The equipment in the training rooms were teaching the fundamental movements that people will need to use. Break down the process of a something and make it easy to repeat the behaviour in the easiest way possible. Think about the habits you’re trying to create and break down what it is you need to do in order to make these habits happen. How can you break things down into the smallest form and get people to do these things continuously? Once you get people to do the first thing you can get stack these habits up. BEST MOMENTS ‘wax on wax off’ ‘Break down the process’ ‘re-programme the mind’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This week it’s “Seconds Out!" as Lee is in conversation with former world boxing champion, personal performance coach, author and professional speaker, Billy Schwer! Since retiring from boxing, Billy has been working with business leaders, showing them how to empower, achieve and score huge wins in business and life. Billy joins Lee on today’s show to discuss his incredible journey from sportsman to the business world, the effect upon his mental health, discovering his true life’s purpose, his fascinating ‘Man Up’ success model, and the importance of self-development and transformation. KEY TAKEAWAYS Billy’s whole life has been founded upon the drive to prove his worth, and to show the world that he is strong enough to take anything on. This is a belief that he tries to instil now into those he coaches. Transitioning from professional sportsman to life in the real world was something that Billy struggled with a great deal, as he was forced to analyse himself all over again. Billy likens the process to mourning the death of a friend. Billy The Boxer was someone who suddenly did not exist anymore, and the effect upon himself was devastating. Time and perspective have allowed Billy to realise that although he spent the first part of his life fighting and pushing himself in order to achieve his goals, when he reached them, he suddenly came to the understanding that the journey itself was the important part. The things that caused Billy to be a champion inside the ring, also caused him to fail outside of it. Always be conscious of every outcome of the decisions we make in life. By stepping back and analysing himself in detail, he realised that and was able to make valuable adjustments. Billy found it necessary to rewire his mental attitude in order to adjust to life in the real world. It involved getting in touch with his feminine side.  Trust in yourself and keep pushing yourself. Failure is the courage to pursue what it is you really want. Every setback is a learning experience. Energy is vital. Billy meditates and works on his energy levels each day. Take the right supplements, eat well and sleep well. These are the basics of becoming the best person you can be. Think, reflect and create. BEST MOMENTS ‘I’ve finally caught the chicken!’ ‘I remember standing outside the MGM Grand and my name was in flashing lights’ ‘I realised how much I love people’ ’The best is yet to come. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet’ ’Trust in yourself. You are it. You are the one you’ve been waiting for’ ‘Fail your way to the top’ ‘Why not cut the middle man out and eat the grass?'   VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast Billy’s Website: https://mentalboxing.com Billy Schwer Online - www.billyschwer.com Billy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billy-schwer Billy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/billyschwer/?hl=en Billy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/billyschwer1 Man Up by Billy Schwer - https://amzn.to/2JsksaY ABOUT THE GUEST Billy Schwer spent twenty years at the top of his field in arguably the most gruelling and demanding sport there is – Boxing.  During his professional career he won British, Commonwealth, European and IBO World Boxing Titles. One of the most consistently brilliant fighters Britain has ever seen, Billy’s sharp skills, courage, determination and grace in the ring attracted a huge fan base.  His engaging personality and ready wit made him a favourite amongst other boxers, promoters and the media. Billy is a reflective and engaging speaker who demonstrates honesty and intelligence.  These qualities have led to him being sought out by various journalists to contribute to radio discussions, feature articles and opinion pieces on a breadth of subjects. Through sharing his own amazing story, Billy regularly shows audiences how to take their performance to the next level and encourages them to push their own boundaries to produce extraordinary results. ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

You may have seen our guest’s content once (or maybe a lot of times) online. It might be through his YT videos, through his book (which is available for free on his website!), or through his seminars. Whatever it is, surely, James Sinclair has established himself as the go-to expert in building a business. And today I the Business Problem Solved Podcast, he’s ready to help more people by sharing his experiences and some business secrets. Listen to his insights on how to grow an empire, what problems are small to medium enterprises (SME) facing at the beginning, how to make a business profitable quick, what two things to focus on, and many more. He also lets us in about some marketing tips from his book, so tune in.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  Entrepreneurs differ greatly from each other. If borrowing a million pounds seem absurd for some, James is ready to jump into if he gets a chance, especially if he sees a business that he can grow into an empire. Of course, it has to be a venture that you fully understand before anything else.  When you’re building a business, focus on two things: innovation and marketing. Let your team handle logistics management, acquisitions and other operations. It’s important also to invest on the talents you hire—no worries about small things and an unmatched attention on the sales and marketing aspect, which primarily grows your figures.  What makes a profitable business? Improve your customer service will not just get you more customers but also maintain the growth in the incoming years.  Utilise the Internet and the free social media platforms. It’s the web where people mostly are—they have their e-mail addresses, their socmed accounts, their own websites, etc. Know your market first before choosing what marketing approach to do.  BEST MOMENTS  “I want to grow into the size in which my team loves being part of.”  “The more you focused on sales and marketing, the faster you going to grow.”  “You need to make customers to make money.”  VALUABLE RESOURCES  James Sinclair YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTm2gK928YuBSEU0lvdFJoA   Get your copy of ‘Millionaire Clown’ for FREE (https://jamessinclair.net/millionaire-clown)!  ABOUT THE GUEST  James Sinclair  James is the Founder and CEO of the Partyman Group of Companies.  James started his career entertaining as ‘Jimbo the Partyman’ aged 15, built up an entertainment agency, then moved into acquiring his first soft play venue, laser arenas, day nursery and outdoor venues.  Today, James operates a £12 million business which includes leisure, childcare, outdoor attractions, a web-based soft toy business as well as a training business.  (Source: https://jamessinclair.net/)   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194   Website: Lee@leehoughton.com  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved   Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw 

‘You can take a horse to water but you can’t make it drink, you need to make it thirsty.’ In this episode of Business Problems solved, Lee explains the importance of finding problems rather than starting with a solution. He also discusses how you can do this with your team to improve their thirst for getting to where they want to be.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The secret to successful change is finding the problem rather than starting with a solution. If you can understand the problem, you want to solve without a solution already in mind then you have a better chance of success. This is because you may lead the problem down the wrong path. Engage with the people you’re working with on the problems that they have today. Approach the problems by saying the problem without giving any solution. The easiest ways to make people thirsty is to find problems with them. Forward framing is truly understanding what it looks like after you’ve achieved your goal. When you understand where you want to get to, look at how you’re going to get there by finding the problems and see how far away you are. BEST MOMENTS ‘You have to start with the problem’ ‘The thirstier you can make them, the easier it will be’ ‘It’s not about solving problems; it’s about finding them.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

‘Have a look in the mirror and ask yourself how much of an impact you have on the team you lead.’ In this episode Lee explains the importance of not pointing the necessarily at your team but looking at what you can do yourself. This is to help develop them so you can all work towards the same end vision. KEY TAKEAWAYS Irrelevant of the amount of time you’ve been in your position for, be aware that all of your actions have an impact on the team you lead. It’s a lot easier for people to point their finger at someone else at what they’re not doing right. But it’s easier to point that finger back at yourself when there’s a mirror in front of you. You need to consider whether you all have the same clarity of the vision you all should have. Consider the impact you’re having on other people before you try to point your finger at anyone or you say anything. You have to work with what you’ve got in majority of situations and you don’t get a choice. So it’s important to have a look at yourself before anyone in your team. It’s about making people and developing them so that you’re all working towards the same end goal. Understand where your focus is, ensure it’s on making people not pointing your finger at them or things that don’t work. BEST MOMENTS ‘How often do you look in the mirror?’ ‘People have a different interpretation of impact’ ‘Are you staying true to the direction you’re going in’. ‘They make products by making people’. VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/    

Today Lee talks to Richard McCann, one of business, and life’s great survivors, who’s overcome horrifying personal tragedy to raise himself up to the top. In the wake of tragedy, Richard discovered a resilience he never knew possible, and recognises his path back as the making of himself. In this very special episode, Richard discusses his incredible story, his outlook, his vision, how to overcome your fears, and his top presentation tips! KEY TAKEAWAYS In the wake of his mother’s death, who was killed at the hands of the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe, Richard found himself falling into a spiral of depression and self-abuse.  Pulling himself out of this dark beginning began in earnest when he emerged from prison in 1997 and fought past suicidal feelings in order to write his story so far. This started him on the road to prosperity and success. Repetition is the best tutor. Your brain learns through experience. The more you do anything, the more you learn that it’s nothing to be scared of. This is how Richard became such a successful speaker. A motivational speaker is someone who can tell a story in such a way that it inspires the listener to apply the key lessons to their own lives, and to feel improvement in some way. If you knew your time was limited, what would you do with it? We only have so much time here, and yet we waste days so often. We should treat each day with care. The key areas of public speaking are:  Eye Contact - Make your audience feel as though you are speaking to them personally. Meet their eyes for a few seconds. Vocal Variety - Raise your voice, slow it down, add speed and variety. It keeps the passion alive in the content. Storytelling – People need stories in order to remain engaged. It ensures that the listener uses their imagination. BEST MOMENTS ‘I love Mondays!’ ‘When you join all those turning points together, it makes a massive difference in your life’ ‘If you’re scared of spiders then keep holding them. You soon learn that there’s nothing to be scared of’ ‘Everyone has a story’ ’So what!’ ‘He got comfortable with being uncomfortable’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE GUEST Richard McCann is one of the UK’s leading inspirational speakers, having now delivered over 2500 presentations globally. He’s a multi-award-winning speaker as well as a Times no.1 bestselling author. His ‘You Can Do It’ keynote presentation centres on the fact that no matter how difficult life gets, there is a way through it, and no matter how serious the challenge becomes, anything is possible with the right mindset. It’s a talk that everyone can take something from, whether or not they are experiencing change, adversity or just the pressures of living day to day. Richard was born into poverty, listed on the "At Risk" register and then lost his mother when he was just five years old. That led to a brief placement in a children's home until he went to live with his estranged and often violent father. After leaving school with no qualifications, low self-esteem and little confidence, he joined the army. When that didn't turn out well and he was kicked out, he turned to drugs before finally reaching rock bottom, a failed suicide pact with his sister. Richard’s turnaround has been remarkable, but whilst sharing his story, Richard inspires audience members to look at their own lives in a different way. He allows them to put their own challenges into perspective and understand their own potential inside. Richards websites: http://www.icanlive.co.uk http://www.richardmccann.co.uk   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

It doesn’t mean that ALL rules will work out fine every time in the long run. You need to acknowledge the fact that even though they’re placed in the environment or situation you’re in, they can be flawed too. There are times that you got to break them rules! In this episode of the Business Problem Solved Podcast, Lee shares some stories of successful individuals who needed to question the existing rules and devise a new plan just to get to their destination. He tells the stories of Cliff Young who broke the rules, but broke a record, Arnold Schwarzenegger who lives by this motto, and the book he’s read recently. KEY TAKEAWAYS Rules help a home, a workplace, an event, a game, a meetup, or whatever, to make things more orderly. Sometimes, rules can be the very reason why you’re not moving forward. Yes, it is there to help you make plans and decisions easily, but what if the situation changes due to some factors? There’s no reason to stay on a path that isn’t working of you anymore. Cliff Young is a great example of how breaking rules absolutely helped him in his life. He was known for being an ultramarathon winner at 61, but before that, he was a potato farmer. He broke so many rules. He ran through the night, and during the marathon, he didn’t wear the usual sportswear—he wore dungarees. BEST MOMENTS “Rules are not truce. They’re convenient shorthand for the truth.” “What rules can you break? What rules can you overcome?” VALUABLE RESOURCES Free Content from the 50th episode! ly/BPSP50 How to Think Like Einstein: Simple Ways to Break the Rules and Discover Your Hidden Genius by Scott D. Thorpe ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw    

Welcome to Business Problem Solved Podcast! In this episode, Lee talks to Angela Cox, an award-winning Life & Business Coach. Angela has also published books that have inspire other people to take care of their physical and mental health. Aside from this, Angela is known for having an unconventional (and yet very effective) approach when helping businesses thrive and grow. She lets us in how empathy and balance in each individual can help the business in the long run. She also shares her personal stories and some insights about self-talk, reframing negative thoughts, and preventing self-sabotage. You also get to meet Miss Meddler, her inner critic, so tune in. KEY TAKEAWAYS Angela was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 2017 caused by childhood trauma. When she was building her career, having such mental health disorder was trickier compared to other people. And to add, she was also a known mentor in her organisation. So, she had to put in the effort and fight every day. After recognising how difficult it was to keep up with life under such diagnosis, she wants to help others are on the same journey as she is. That’s why she prefers mentoring over coaching—some people need the guidance while they traverse their journey. People who self-sabotage consume things excessively and hurt others. They hate to intimacy and are afraid to mess things up. Angela believes in the power of self-talk. She actually has an alter ego/the voice in her head who helps her understand and balance things, so she can act mindfully. STARS – Angela’s trick on how to reframe negative thoughts in the moment. Step back. Train your lungs. Acknowledge how you feel. Reframe it. Say it out loud. What’s the #1 business problem that need to be solved? According to Angela, it’s the lack of authenticity. Many are subservient, which is not a forward-looking trait at all. How does one become authentic? Lean on to who you are. Get comfortable in making mistakes. BEST MOMENTS                  “Happiness comes from inside of us.” “Nobody can make you feel small.” “Self-talk is where it all starts.” “You’ll know at your deepest core level that you’re not showing as yourself.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Free Content from the 50th episode! ly/BPSP50 Enough: This book proves you can achieve anything if you believe you are Enough by Angela Cox | https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enough-proves-achieve-anything-believe-ebook/dp/B07D3RZH8J ABOUT THE GUEST Angela Cox is an award-winning behavioural change Life & Business Coach and a best-selling self-help author. She’s got clients around the globe who she offers her expertise in personal coaching, stress & burnout management, business coaching, mindset developing, and many more. Official Website - https://angela-cox.co.uk/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/coxange78/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mindsetmentorangelacox/ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

FREE VIDEO LINK: bit.ly/BPSP50 This is a special episode as it’s the 50th! In celebration of reaching the 50th episode Lee will be giving away some more great content in the bit.ly link down below. Alongside this in this podcast episode he will be recapping on the knowledge shared so far throughout his podcast.  KEY TAKEAWAYS  We’ve covered the 5 D’s which are so important because when I’ve dissected change initiatives it’s come down to these five things.  The three life lessons from Lee’s friend Chris showed us what important things he’d learned once reflecting on his life.   Happiness has been a topic of discussion on several of this podcasts episodes. Lee’s asked you how happy you are and then given several tips on how you could improve your happiness.  50% - 60% of you said you were ok. 35% of people said that they were happy. 10% - 15% of people said they were unhappy. When we asked how often you want to be happy the answer is always between 80% - 100%.  You have a choice of whether you’re happy, sad, angry or disappointed etc… at something. So your thinking drives your behaviour because you have a choice.  The definition of culture is everything that happens behind closed doors. If you’re a leader, then you’re responsible for the environment you set.  Finding problems is more important than solving problems. Don’t measure your success on the number of problems you solve but instead, the number of problems you can find.  When you set a goal then make sure you have an emotional attachment to them because you’re more likely to achieve them.    BEST MOMENTS  ‘Always be yourself. Make good friends. Time is limited’.  ‘You shouldn’t try to be the best in the world. You should try to be the only person’.  ‘Be authentic, there’s only one you’.  ‘How long and how much do you allow things to effect how happy you are’.  ‘Make products by making people’.  VALUABLE RESOURCES    Business Problems Solved Podcast  Bit.ly/BPSP50    ABOUT THE HOST    For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194  Lee@leehoughton.com   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ 

In this episode, Lee talks you through one of the most important D’s in his 5D Change Model, and the key component which he believes, has led many on the road to their own personal and business success. There are many processes, formed and perfected by those who have trod the path before us. Today Lee leads you through several examples, looking for the definable connection between them all that may take you toward the path to success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Lee's 5 D’s:  Desire / Discover / Dedication / Deliberate Action / Delivery Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Six-Step Model is: Trust yourself and set a vision / Think big and don’t be afraid to fail / Work your butt off / Ignore the naysayers / Break the rules / Give back Napoleon Hill’s 13-Principles: Desire / Faith / Auto-Suggestion / Specialised Knowledge / Imagination / Organised Planning / Decision / Persistence / Power Of The Mastermind / Transmutation / Subconscious Mind / The Brain / The Sixth Sense Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model: Creating Urgency / Forming A Coalition / Creating A Vision / Communicating That Vision / Empowering Action / Creating Quick Wins / Building On The Change / Making It Stick What these processes all seem to have in common is the creation and desire early on, as well as an emotional journey throughout. If you lead a team, or if you’re introducing a change, is there a desired destination? Is there an emotional resonance that will lead people toward that destination? If you want to know how your team feels about change, then ask them. What are the things they’re happy about? What are the things they’d like to stop doing? What would they like to start doing? BEST MOMENTS ‘What all of those have got in common is creating and having desire’ ‘Do you have clarity in where you want to get to?’ ‘What are the things that they would like to stop doing?’ ’They all start with understanding where you want to get to' ’Start with the end in mind' VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

James Perryman’s career was born in the corporate world. But after experiencing disillusionment at the culture there, he soon came to realise that something was missing. Hard work was not being recognised. But how to ensure that this happened? After dealing with mental health issues stemming from his experiences in business, James decided to try a different approach, and now spends his time helping businesses to understand why their teams aren’t performing to their full potential, and how they can turn their businesses around. James joins Lee today to discuss his journey, the true meaning of culture, and the practical ways in which you can take your business to the next level. And there might even be a bad joke or two along the way… KEY TAKEAWAYS James was a part of corporate life for over twenty years, and felt frustration at the lack of opportunities offered in return for his endeavours. He soon came to realise that his network was ill-matched, and that the culture of business at that time was not conducive to rewarding hard work. It’s very easy to procrastinate when it comes to your physical health. You can tell yourself you’re too busy to exercise, and that you don’t have time to take care of yourself, especially if business is going well. But you need to take your opportunities where you can. Walk. Jog. Move whenever you can. Culture is about the story of your business. It’s about how your business looks to new eyes, and how they would see your business working. The biggest problem that needs to be solved, in James’s opinion, is that businesses don’t seem to enable people to take control of their own career, and to give them a sense of agency when it comes to development. Giving people time and space will empower your people to such an extent that they will end up using their own time to concentrate upon personal development. Making it engaging, and part of their own personal initiative, will turn it into a passion instead of a chore. BEST MOMENTS ‘You’ve got to do good work. You've got to do well. But you’ve got to let people know you want to progress’ ‘A moment is really significant’ ‘It’s about your mentality and your approach’ ‘You’ve got to have a really exciting story to tell’ ‘I’m going to say… fruit' VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast Momentus - https://momentus.uk.com/about/ James Perryman LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesperryman1/?originalSubdomain=uk ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

‘To make products we have to make people’ I’ve been studying that phrase my entire life’ In this episode, Lee is speaking with Michael Balle, bestselling author and executive coach with twenty years of experience in Lean research and practice. Lee and Michael discuss how the ‘lean’ strategy works in business, why it is so different and how it can positively change your business and success. They explore what ‘lean’ is, being people-centric and learning from everyone in this fascinating interview which has something for everyone in business, listen in now to find out how to engage and involve others effectively.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The ‘lean’ strategy Most consultants are obsessed with the idea of the process and they do a blend of reengineering and lean. They look to improve and accelerate the process but it has nothing to do with the people. Brilliant leaders are expected to have a brilliant strategy and execute it. Lean thinkers start not by solving problems but by finding problems. Some problems are structural and they will always be there but if you face them and build your strategy on this thinking you will be altering the way your mindset when approaching problems. We are implicitly taught to be masters of our fate but if we look at the world in a more Asian way we recognise we are challenged by the world around us and it’s about the way in which we respond and how we learn from our responses that develops our thinking. In ‘lean’  the helicopter mode involves looking at a situation with the widest view and then in the minutest detail. The process of moving up and down from the big picture to the smallest detail promotes interaction between management and the people on the front line. Trust When you create trust both elements bring different things and this results everyone being able to see things in a very different way. We are biased to trust people we like and when we meet people we ask ourselves what are the other persons’ intentions towards me? can they carry it out and are they dependable? Growth mindset people think that doing something new and learning is worth doing whilst fixed mindset individuals already think they know everything they need and are concerned with how they are viewed by others. In a team with trust, the individuals will understand the different individual viewpoints.   Problem-solving is the place where trust will happen as a result of people working together and learning to understand each other. The challenge There is a layer of cost in business that is caused by our misconceptions it's not what you don’t know it’s what you think is true that isn’t – your misconceptions. In ‘lean’ you discover your misconceptions.   The key to ‘Lean’ It is a thinking strategy, a cognitive strategy it’s the way you go about solving problems, not the solution you can apply. It’s  a set of tools you can use on yourself to discover things you didn’t know before. In the lean strategy; You begin by finding problems, You face the big problems, You frame them in a way everyone understands, Everyone can participate in solving the problems. It’s a people-centric strategy. It’s a more human way to run companies - people are more engaged and involved in their company. In order to learn you have to treat problems and people as singular,  in doing this you deepen your understanding humanly which gives you new insights. You don’t apply ‘Lean’ you practise ‘Lean thinking’ and you see your own perspective on things change radically.   BEST MOMENTS ‘The bottom-up or top-down approach is completely in the old paradigm’ ‘Every Lean tool in Toyota is a tool to help you think more deeply about the problem. When you learn to think more deeply about the problem you can think more deeply about everything else’ ‘We could teach everyone to think differently in order to be able to solve the problems’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast The lean Strategy book by Michael Balle, Daniel Jones, Jacques Chaize, Orest Fiume The Lean Strategy website   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/        

In this episode of Business Problems Solved Lee discusses the importance of looking forward rather than backwards and how it can have an impact on your leadership and team. Lee also explains the way in which you should do this, listen to this episode to find out more… KEY TAKEAWAYS How much time do you spend looking forward compared to time spent looking backwards? When we asked people whether they believed their meetings were focused on the future or the past, 90% of people said the past. These meetings were often based around performance. If you’re a leader of a team or a business owner, you should be looking forward as much as possible. Yes, you may need to look into the certain details from the past however the majority of your time should be looking forward. Review how much time you’re spending looking forward compared to how much time you’re looking backwards. Try to look 90% forward and 10% backwards. Set a direction and navigate around new problems for today. Yes, you still need to reflect and look back but only to help you come to a conclusion of how you’re going to over come your problems for today. BEST MOMENTS ‘You should be looking forward as often as possible if you’re a leader.’ ‘You should be focusing on today and now’. ‘Look forward more.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee talks to James Dodkins, known throughout the business world as “the customer experience rockstar”.  James has founded Rockstar CX, and has travelled the world to talk to people about his two passions, rock music and customer experience, energising and empowering his many clients, including Disney, Microsoft, Lego and IBM, about how they can deliver a “Rockstar” customer experience of their own. Listen as James shares his story, his ideas and his experience with you, in this very inspiring “one night only” gig… KEY TAKEAWAYS Everything that James learned about the business world came from the music world, while he was part of a successful rock band. As such, he invented his business persona based on his own view of them. When James decided to shed this invented image and apply his own touch to business, he found true success and happiness. A customer experience is the sum of the interactions, the thoughts, the memories and feelings that they experience on the journey towards achieving a particular goal, while dealing with your company along the way. It’s important to remember that we should be considering not their interaction with our company, but with the ones who’ve come before and will come afterwards. Each experience impacts the next. People should stop asking their customers what they want. Businesses should understand their customers at such a deep level that they know what their customers need. There are certain ways of talking to customers. But we should also talk to the people who are serving them. Talk to the people who interact with your customers on a daily basis. Proactive Experience Recovery (PXR) is something all companies can be doing more of. It is the pre-emptive recovery of a negative experience by a customer, that often results in good will. In order to use PXR effectively we must: Identify the things that cause dissatisfaction Monitor the experience in the experience Communicate to the customer that you are aware of issues Put it right. BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s kinda the same, but people don’t buy you beer as often’ ‘You shouldn’t try to the best in the world at what you do. You should try to be the only person in the world who can do what you do’ ‘In order to achieve a successful outcome, what they need is very, very different to what they want’ ‘Don’t listen to ABBA. Don’t eat olives' VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast Twitter: @JDODKINS - https://twitter.com/jdodkins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdodkins Instagram: @thecxrockstar - https://www.instagram.com/thecxrockstar/ Rockstar CX - https://www.rockstar.cx   ABOUT THE GUEST James used to be an actual, real life, legitimate, award-winning rockstar. He played guitar in a heavy metal band, released albums and tore up stages all over the world, James uses this unique experience to energize, empower and inspire his clients and their teams as a 'Customer Experience Rockstar’. Not only is he an international keynote speaker, #1 Best Selling author and host of Amazon Prime’s ‘This Week In CX’, James is one of the world’s top customer experience influencers and content creators. ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Lee answers 2 questions that he is commonly asked in regards to problem solving. One of which is whether they are solving enough problems. Listen to this episode of Business Problems Solved to find out more… KEY TAKEAWAYS Are we solving enough problems? Having meetings are for discussing what went well and what didn’t go well and how you can prevent things not going well again. In these meetings have a look at whether they’re actually identifying problems to solve. If you’re running into the same problems day in day out, try to understand why you’re not discovering new problems. How much data is enough data to have a problem solving event? This depends on the size of the problem you’re looking to solve. If you have data that points you in the direction of where a problem has occurred, then that’s enough data to start problem solving. Understand by going to see the areas where there are issues. Sometimes one person’s opinion is enough to understand. BEST MOMENTS ‘In order to solve problems, you need to find problems that you can solve effectively.’ ‘Make sure you have the system set up right to enable you to find problems to solve.’ ‘If you’re asking whether you’re solving enough problems, the answer is no you’re not finding enough problems. ‘Problems aren’t solved in meetings; problems are solved in the the workplace’ ‘You don’t know whether that’s a perceived problem or a real problem until you see yourself.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

Lee talks to Sonya Looney, World Champion Mountain Biker, Writer, Podcaster, Professional Athlete, Keynote Speaker, Apparel Designer and Author! Sonya has joined Lee to talk about the value of figuring out your journey as you go, the importance of remembering your purpose, how to set effective goals, and the empowering stories from her own life that have contributed to her inspiring success. KEY TAKEAWAYS Be willing to figure out your journey as you go. The job you have is not necessarily the one that defines you. Who know what\’s around the next corner? Define your purpose. What do people want from you? It’s important to remember why people are reaching out or following you on social media or in life, and making sure you deliver. Remember that some things in life are in your control, but so much of it isn’t Chasing downloads, or aiming for a number of Facebook Likes is something of a lottery and depends not on you, but on other people. Work on the things you can control. Confidence comes from small glimpses of what you’re capable of. That’s why perseverance is key. Comparison can be helpful, especially when you’re starting out. But it can lead to un-healthiness in lots of ways. You need to become comfortable in your own skin and make your journey as original as possible. Getting started in business, as well as scaling it when it does begin to grow, are the main problems that need to be solved in business. Scaling, in particular, is a huge challenge. It’s the point at which your idea, your project, becomes the project of so many others. Mindfulness and meditation are a wonderful tool that enable you to recognise the voices in your head. Listening to, and feeding, the negative voices there will lead to a more negative existence. Be aware of what your passion is costing you. You can overdose on the things you love, which can lead to burnout. Love the things you love. Focus on creating content that will help people, and if you’re adding value, instead of chasing numbers, then people will come! BEST MOMENTS ‘It might be easier to ask you what you don’t do’ ‘Changing people’s lives is really powerful’ ’Those are the things that change your life, not the outcomes’ ‘You have to work up to the bigger things by taking on the smaller things’ ‘Which wolf wins? Whichever wolf you feed' VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast Sonya’s Website - https://www.sonyalooney.com/sonyas-story/ The Sonya Looney Show - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sonya-looney-show/id1233067098   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode Lee explains exactly what makes people great at performing or doing what they do and how you can apply it into your personal or professional life. He also covers how you can get people to remember things that you want them to remember, especially when performing on stage. KEY TAKEAWAYS How many times have you been surprised when watching a talent show then wondered why the ‘best’ singer hasn’t won? There’s 2 types of emotion in this regard, the emotion that you feel and the emotion that you make other people feel. If you’re going to achieve your goals you have to attach a piece of music that you have a emotional attachment to, so you feel something. A desire is stronger than a want or need because you have an emotional attachment to that thing. So the lessons you teach should have emotion attached to them so your audience remembers clearly what’s been discussed. If you can get your audience to resonate with your message and story you’re getting across and you want them to feel as much emotion as possible. The more emotion, the better the performance. If you can get your customers or staff to feel emotion towards your business, then they’re more likely to be motivated to buy into your business. If you want to be great, then the key is getting people to feel positive emotions. BEST MOMENTS ‘If it was me I’d remove the letter X from Xfactor and replace it with ‘emotion’’ ‘Link emotion to your goals.’ ‘Take your audience on an emotional roller coaster.’ ‘The difference between being good or being great is emotion’ VALUABLE RESOURCES Liquid Thinker The Barcelona Way by Damian Hughes The Winning Mindset: What Sport Can Teach Us About Great Leadership ABOUT THE GUEST Professor Damian Hughes is an international speaker and bestselling author who combines his practical and academic background within sport, organisational development and change psychology, to help organisations and teams to create a high performing culture. He is the author of eight best-selling business books, including Liquid Thinking, Liquid Leadership, How to Change Absolutely Anything, How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson, The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset and The Barcelona Way: Unlocking the DNA of a Winning Culture. He has also been nominated for the 2007 William Hill Sports book of the year award for Peerless, his biography of boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson. In 2009, he co-authored a critically acclaimed biography of boxing legend, Thomas Hearns in Hitman: the Thomas Hearns Story. In 2013, his latest biography, Marvelous Marvin Hagler became the UK’s bestselling sports biography. He was appointed as a Professor of Organisational Psychology and Change for Manchester Metropolitan University in September 2010. He is currently serving as a member of the coaching team for Scotland Rugby Union and Canberra Raiders. His innovative and exciting approach has been praised by Sir Richard Branson, Muhammad Ali, Sir Terry Leahy, Sir Roger Bannister, Tiger Woods, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Alex Ferguson. ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

We don't always notice it, but every business has its own culture. Your business culture can easily tell you how you’re progressing in achieving your business goal. The truth is, if it does not encourage creativity, commitment, and dedication, then don’t expect high performance from your team. So, how do we change this if we see this happening? In this episode of the Business Problem Solved, Professor Damian Hughes talks to Lee about how we can create and maintain healthy company culture. Meeting your business objectives will come easier if you incorporate Damian’s strategies. Discover today how you should act as a leader, who you should select for your core cultural architects, why choose the commitment culture among others, what’s the importance of every individual’s soft skills, and many more. KEY TAKEAWAYS What is culture? Culture is how people behave when no one’s watching. It’s not about having support or necessary punitive measures in place. It’s about being transparent on how people should behave like. People is always at the centre of how stuff work inside your business. Learning how to manage your team and communicating with them effectively will bring great benefit to attaining business goals. Being patient while providing substantial leadership is very important if you want to keep a team that is always hungry for success. Remember that when you take risk, it’s either you win or not. But never think you and your team didn’t get any value from it. There is learning and growing that happened when you made that step. Soft skills (based on personality) are as important as the hard skills (based on technical knowledge). This is the #1 problem that businesses face—they undermine its importance. Cultural architects are people who ‘carry’ the culture. They pass it on to people. They based their solutions and decisions on their identity. But be careful on choosing your own cultural architects so you get your desired outcome. Decision paralysis can be prevented if we limit the choices. Ambiguity is not good for your business. Communicate with them the top key things that they should focus to attain. Commitment Culture is the most sustainable type of culture; it results to a more guaranteed success. Commitment culture is having behaviours and a clear sense of purpose. Th 3 levels of Commitment are rationalisation, desperation, and inspiration. BEST MOMENTS “Talent is the first step in getting in an organisation—behaviour and culture are what keeps you there.” “My job is to almost help the coaches create that environment where people feel they can come in, flourish, and perform their best.” “How do you think you will get better and make great leaps of improvement if most of the performance are driven by the soft skills and you don’t spend enough time in that area?” “If you want to change the culture, you don’t need to change everybody—you just need a core group of cultural architects.” “It isn’t about confronting bad behaviours, it’s about rewarding good behaviours as well.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Liquid Thinker The Barcelona Way by Damian Hughes The Winning Mindset: What Sport Can Teach Us About Great Leadership ABOUT THE GUEST Professor Damian Hughes is an international speaker and bestselling author who combines his practical and academic background within sport, organisational development and change psychology, to help organisations and teams to create a high performing culture. He is the author of eight best-selling business books, including Liquid Thinking, Liquid Leadership, How to Change Absolutely Anything, How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson, The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset and The Barcelona Way: Unlocking the DNA of a Winning Culture. He has also been nominated for the 2007 William Hill Sports book of the year award for Peerless, his biography of boxing great Sugar Ray Robinson. In 2009, he co-authored a critically acclaimed biography of boxing legend, Thomas Hearns in Hitman: the Thomas Hearns Story. In 2013, his latest biography, Marvelous Marvin Hagler became the UK’s bestselling sports biography. He was appointed as a Professor of Organisational Psychology and Change for Manchester Metropolitan University in September 2010. He is currently serving as a member of the coaching team for Scotland Rugby Union and Canberra Raiders. His innovative and exciting approach has been praised by Sir Richard Branson, Muhammad Ali, Sir Terry Leahy, Sir Roger Bannister, Tiger Woods, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Alex Ferguson. ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

In this episode of Business Problems Solved Lee discusses a recent observation he made that relates performance with happiness. Listen into this episode for tips on how to improve your happiness and performance… KEY TAKEAWAYS Think back to one of the 5 D’s – Desire, have the desire to be happy. Recently Lee asked a group of people how happy they were. 30% said they were happy, 50% said they were ok and the other 20% said they weren’t happy. Lee then continued to ask what percentage of time would someone want to be happy and majority said 80%. In order to become happy or improve happiness, try to recognise what makes you happy and do more of that. Very little people were doing anything to improve their happiness. Starting something new and keeping up the same momentum as when you started that thing can help improve happiness. Ask yourself are you putting yourself first or your business first. Ensure you’ve got the right balance. BEST MOMENTS ‘What things are you doing that make you happier right now?’ ‘How often do you put aside the things that you want to do for you?’ ‘If you’re happier in yourself and have a happier state of mind, you’re more likely to perform better.’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast http://i2ihq.com   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode, Lee is in conversation with Michael Finnigan, a proud descendant of Chorley in Lancashire, and one of the standout business coaches around today. His boundless enthusiasm, incredible wealth of insights, and optimistic energy instantly marks Michael out as a coach that businesses and entrepreneurs want to work with. In today’s show, Michael talks about his incredible journey so far, the unbelievable opportunity that began his road to success, his “impossible-to-inevitable” system, and the infectious joy he finds in helping people to achieve their potential. KEY TAKEAWAYS Michael’s experiences have ranged from working with Russell Crowe’s Australian rugby team, to the Manchester United Football squad; from working alongside the British Army to helping Rolls-Royce achieve a 1.2 billion pound profit. Michael’s big chance came when he was plucked from obscurity to become the protégée of a pair of billionaire business minds, who saw in Michael something special. Since then he has continued to carry on their legacy of making sure the world is being made a better place. Michaels’ programme is called I-To-I, Impossible To Inevitable. His main focus is to take people with goals that others may consider impossible to achieve, and then create a mindset of inevitability that simply make these goals happen. Michael’s first real client was snooker player, Jimmy White, whose life was in tatters. Taking on such a high-profile client at the very beginning would have daunted many people, but Michael believed in himself so much that the fame of the client didn’t matter. This self-belief, couple with a little luck, has been the main driver in Michael’s incredible career. One of the core concepts behind Michael’s business is that his clients will always be supported, no matter what the issue and no matter how much time has passed.  It’s a strange but common phenomenon that the smaller the crisis, the longer we spend in anxiety over it. If it’s a large crisis, we set ourselves to action and get it solved. Too many people spend too long seeking recriminations for smaller problems. As a leader, it’s your job to unlock the potential of your employees. Don’t let them settle for what they can do, but aim for what you know is possible. A bad day is a choice. There’s no such thing as a bad day, only a bad hour. Worrying and defeat are in your control, and don’t help to solve anything. You’re always better off going big. Our greatest fear is not that we’re inadequate. Our greatest fear is that we’re powerful beyond measure. Playing small does not serve the world. BEST MOMENTS ‘I work with people on the psychology of excellence’ ’The curse is to be reasonably good at something - you’re not bad enough to be fired, but you’re not good enough to be able to tell yourself that this is why you were put on the earth’ ‘You’re a bit young for a mid-life crisis’ ‘We’re partner. You’ve invested in me. I’m going to be there when you need me’ ‘You’re going to be brave, strong, dynamic, clever!' ‘Boldness has magic, mystery and means in it’ VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast http://i2ihq.com   ABOUT THE HOST   For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode of Business Problems Solved Lee discusses how to change a company’s culture by understanding what exactly what good culture is, what causes good or bad culture and the small changes you can make to people’s thoughts and behaviours within an organisation. KEY TAKEAWAYS It is far easier to change a small company’s culture than a big company’s, simply due to the fact that you need to change more people’s thoughts and behaviours. Understand what good culture looks like. Having a routine of good habits in a company is a great way to achieve a highly effective culture, stacking a combination of good habits will feed new habits which will, in turn, improve company standards.  Understand where you are now. Try walking around your business to get a feel of how people act and behave when you’re not around, this will give you an insight as to where improvements can be made and which behaviours can be challenged. Understand the thinking that has driven the current state. Consider how your leadership style could be a direct reflection of the environment and current culture of the business, think about what you can change about yourself, develop a strategy to change the way of thinking.   BEST MOMENTS ‘To change a habit you need to change people’s thoughts’ ‘Culture is what people do when nobody is looking’‘One habit leads to another habit’‘Changing culture starts with you, the leader’‘When you can understand the thinking that has created the environment, then you can challenge and change’  VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com mailto:Lee@get.knowledge.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

Marketing strategies uses hypnotism. Tony Robbins is a hypnotist. Everybody can be hypnotised almost every day. Do you believe? In this episode of the Business Problems Solved Podcast, Lee interviews Krystyna Lennon, tagged as the World’s Best Hypnotist by CBS and also an international coach and speaker, about how hypnosis can help bring forward solutions to some business problems. Hypnotherapy brings clarity and focus on your goals, so you can do things effectively. And, if you have limiting beliefs, which are holding you back, start identifying and avoiding them. Discover more about how it works and what are its benefits today when you tune in. KEY TAKEAWAYS Krystyna used to suffer from anxiety and depression, but counselling didn’t really cure them. So, she explored the realms of hypnotherapy. Also, hypnotherapy helped her have a pain-free delivery with her son. Identify your limiting beliefs. What happened to you in the past that has caused to lower your self-esteem and confidence doesn’t have to be your template for now and your future. Is hypnosis real? It’s proven to have worked already. Everybody can be hypnotised. Krystyna’s advice for businesses: Have an unstoppable mindset and remove all limiting beliefs. Krystyna has noticed how businesses price their services too low or too high relative to the quality of what they offer. It’s easier to convince your audience if you link emotions. It becomes more familiar to them so it’s more effective. BEST MOMENTS “If you have the skills and the knowledge that other people have but you aren’t earning as much as them, then there’s something wrong with your mindset.” “Your thoughts actually are creating how you feel.” “We are our thoughts. You can think yourself of being happy, strong, and confident.” “Advice in general is terrible unless you know your subject.” VALUABLE RESOURCES https://krystynalennon.co.uk/ ABOUT THE GUEST Krystyna is an inspirational and motivational speaker. Her ‘Take Back Control’ methodology is used to alleviate anxieties, fears and self-sabotage and move through to clarity, direction and success.       She regularly gets booked by many of the top corporations because her ‘Take Back Control’ talk, Training and one to ones, will give you practical, easy to implement transferable techniques that instantly deliver results and drive business performance. Krystyna has 20 years of executive coaching experience working with the world’s best brands to initiate change, inspire innovation and deliver growth. (Source: https://krystynalennon.co.uk/) ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

In this episode of Business Problems Solved Lee discusses change and how you can implement change within your business in a fun impactful way. Change isn’t always the most welcomed thing with different people therefore It’s important to ensure you know your team members well enough to know how you could change their thinking on the change to turn it into a positive, fun thing.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Improvement is about being fun, engaging and working with people to make today better than yesterday. It can be about increasing employee engagement. How many times have you heard people say ‘I don’t like change’? It’s no surprise if the change is not fun. No matter what type or the size of the change, some people will always go first and others will follow. Some will go all out whereas other will go half heartedly. So change is different for everyone. Leadership is about knowing your people and you should apply that to change; knowing how much change means to one of your team members. The four step model for change: Shock – Emotion - Learning – Forward Moving Challenge peoples thinking but do it in a fun creative way. A good way to do this can be by relating the change in work to a change outside of work. If you can create a simulation of change then that’s also a good way to make change fun. Introduce brain breaks which can help increase the level of engagement and energy again. Keep moving forward like water does.     BEST MOMENTS ‘Improvement doesn’t need to be boring. ‘Don’t tell yourself you don’t like change or you automatically wont like it.’ ‘Change is a personal thing.’ ‘Peoples barriers to change are different.’ ‘Everyone will go through the change curve in their own time.’ ‘If you understand your people you will be able to understand their barriers to change.’ ‘It’s all about getting people from one place to their destination.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com mailto:Lee@get.knowledge.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

We’ve officially launched GET KNOWLEDGE After many months of hard work, we’ve built and launched Get Knowledge Ltd on Friday. This has been built on our values FACT (Fun, Authentic, Caring, Trust). Over the coming weeks, we have a host of exciting things in the pipeline to help leaders and change agents for their own personal development or the development of their team/organisation. We want to work with change agents, coaches and leaders of all levels. So get in touch using the links down below or on any of our social media! Get Knowledge Ltd KEY TAKEAWAYS There are 3 main types of people when it comes to change: Those that will change Those that won't change Those that say they can’t change Change starts with the individual themselves, their desires and attitude to actually change. So the category of ‘those who can’t change’ isn’t really existent. Clarify the reason why someone won't change and understand their mindset that’s driving their attitude, beliefs and values. Then focus on this to change their view on change. You don’t want to have a negative effect on the pro-change people so concentrate on the 80% of people who don’t want to change. It’s about not wasting your time and energy on trying to convince those people that won’t change because you’ll be fighting a losing battle. So work with the 80% of people who are willing and will change that maybe need a little convincing.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Not everybody wants to change and change is an individual thing.’ ‘There’s no such thing as can’t change.’ ‘Change starts with the individual themselves.’ ‘Create an environment that supports change.’ ‘Alienate the people who don’t want to change after you share the reasons for change.’ ‘Don’t waste a lot of energy on people who say they can’t change.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com mailto:Lee@get.knowledge.co.uk https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

In this episode of Business Problems Solved Lee explains how he’s reflected on the 3 life tips, that he was given from his friend Chris who has sadly passed away. Lee’s previously spoken about these 3 tips in episode 2 however in this episode he recognises that he’s given these 3 points injustices. Find out the lessons Lee’s learned upon reflection …   KEY TAKEAWAYS If you’ve listened to episode 2 where I spoke about my best friend Chris, who’s sadly passed away from cancer, I apologise. I asked his for 3 lessons from when he was reflecting back on his life that he would deem as the most important lessons: Always be yourself. Make good friends. Time is limited so act now Since I published this episode I’ve reflected on these three lessons and I believe that they have a deeper meaning than what I originally shared with you. So that’s what I’d like to apologise for. Always be yourself – Recognise that voice in your head when it talks you out of doing positive things. Respond after you recognise and be present in your emotions because if you react you’re not being yourself in that period of time. Make good friends – Create an environment of high trust so people feel confident to be open and honest with you. It’s about communicating successfully. Time is limited so act now – It’s all well and good saying you’re going to do something but it’s about really recognising what you want to do and creating habits. You don’t know when anything is going to happen so create those habits as soon as possible. Talk to yourself in a positive way. If you’ve not done what you needed to do yet I encourage you to take that first step.   BEST MOMENTS ‘The revelation that I had was that those three lessons I’ve seen much deeper’ ‘Always being yourself if much more than what what people think is authentic.’ ‘For me being yourself is being present in your head and being conscious of what the voice in your head is saying.’ ‘It’s important to make good friends.’ It’s about creating an environment so that people can trust you and you can trust them so people have confidence to speak out and be honest.’ ‘Ask yourself how much you want this habit to take place?’ ‘Positive thinking can’t help you do anything however positive thinking can help you do anything better than negative thinking.’ ‘Every change starts with you first as an individual.’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Self and situational awareness, ‘recognise and respond rather than react.’   In this episode, Lee discusses and explains the importance of recognising and responding rather than reacting. He also explains how this can have a positive affect on your personal and professional life. Listen into this episode to learn more!       KEY TAKEAWAYS  Your body recognises a need and responds to it e.g. When you need food you get hungry. When you’re more aware of these signs it can help you personally or professionally.  A number of books, self-help podcasts and physical books mention being present in time. For me, this means driving the voice in your head rather than letting it drive you.     Someone with a negative attitude lets facts control their behaviour. E.g. if it’s raining they wont go play in the rain just because it’s raining.  Does your environment support recognising and responding? Ask yourself how to respond rather than react.  It’s all about creating an enabling environment of trust.   Be aware of how in control of your feelings you are. Ask yourself how in control of your feelings are you.     BEST MOMENTS  ‘If you can recognise you’re in this space then you can respond rather than react to it.”  “Being aware of that voice in your head, as often as you can be, is very powerful.”  “Being in control of that voice in your head will allow you to influence what it says which can affect your behaviour and the way you react.”  “Someone with a negative attitude lets facts control their behaviour.”  “Every response is an opportunity to learn and have responsibility.”  “Create a supportive environment and understanding the direction you’re heading in.”     VALUABLE RESOURCES  Business Problems Solved Podcast     ABOUT THE HOST  For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194  Lee@leehoughton.com   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/   

What Makes a High Performing Team?  ‘If asked to name a high performing team many name sports teams because  you can see when they have achieved through the medals and trophies they collect’  In this episode, Lee explains the fundamentals required to achieve a high performing team in any arena.  He provides key strategies for teams in understanding their individual and collective roles as they develop into a high performing team.       KEY TAKEAWAYS  What actually makes a high performing team?  Having a shared goal  Each team member understanding their role in achieving the goal  A leader or orchestrater to support  These 3 things are fundamental in achieving a high performing team.  Each team is a collection of individuals, so each team requires something that is unique to them that is largely developed by them  Every team requires clarity trams need to understand what the shared vision is, and each team member must have that conveyed to them in a meaningful way  A high level of trust enables a high performing team.  What is it you need to do within your team to give everybody the confidence to be the best version of themselves every day.  How do they know they’ve had a good day?     BEST MOMENTS  ‘People are the biggest variable in everything we do’   ‘Nobody comes to work to do a bad job, but do we support them to do an amazing job  ‘Trust means different things to different people      VALUABLE RESOURCES  Business Problems Solved Podcast     ABOUT THE HOST  For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD  You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194  Lee@leehoughton.com   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/   

‘They believed they could win, they believed they had a chance of victory, having a leader who instils confidence enables you to believe you can deliver’ In this episode Lee explores the ways in which Jurgen Klopp manages Liverpool and shares comments from him that demonstrate the underpinning principles any successful organisation should have in place. Listen in now to hear about the shared approaches for both business and personal development that make the difference.   KEY TAKEAWAYS ‘It’s not what people think  about you when you come in  its what people think about you when you leave’ He is saying the team has potential, that despite all the variables they can be successful When you deal with change every team and organisation is different because people are all different. ‘It’s only the professional game because of the fans, we have to entertain them, it’s our job to help them forget their worries for 90 minutes and talk for the next 3 days about it then  talk the  following 2 days about the upcoming game’ Your understanding  of the needs of the customer and having a relentless focus on delivering customer satisfaction and experience is what you need to do to be successful. Are your measures aligned accurately to what customers want? Having a true understanding of the needs of your customer is key to a successful business. ‘First  I have to talk to the players and find a common way’ People protect what they build, if you engage people in the solution it will be more likely to be sustainable. ‘Everything in life takes time, to be an adult takes time, to be a footballer takes time the only thing nobody gives time is development’ You have a vision as a business leader to get your business to a particular place. Everything takes time and communicating your understanding that  you understand it will take time is crucial. ‘We have to change from doubter to believer now’ He wants people to believe they can achieve and believe in themselves. Positive thinking will not help you achieve everything, but positive thinking will help you achieve more than negative thinking. The words that you say are really important The actions you deliver are really important Being congruent with words and actions is key we should all be developing an environment of trust where we can all be the best we can be.   BEST MOMENTS ‘The rule is better if you have 11 players doing something wrong, teamwork is pivotal’ ‘There are a lot of similarities between business and personal development’ ‘Having a true understanding of the needs of your customer is key to a successful business’             VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

In this episode, Lee examines sustainment; its definitions and its effects. In a world of improvement, what does it mean to truly sustain? How many times have we been presented with an initiative that looks or sounds similar to one previously tried? How many times have you tried a diet, only to find yourself gradually slipping into bad habits? What makes an idea not just achievable, but sustainable? The answer lies within... KEY TAKEAWAYS Sustainment should always be seen as the next stage in any project. And a project should not be seen as completed until sustainment has been achieved. The 5S system includes: Sort, Set, Shine (or finesse), Standard, and finally Sustain. This methodology allows you to find a place for everything, and to ensure that everything remains in its place.  When we have achieved habitual behaviour based upon our goals, then we achieve sustainability. Forward framing - By focussing on where we need to be in the next 3 or 6 months, and gaining clarity on those goals, we can better achieve sustainability.  A true measure of sustainment is what happens when you are not looking. Have the measures and steps taken proved so successful that the process no longer needs maintaining? BEST MOMENTS “Sustainment means to keep up or keep going as an action or process” “Sustainment is about turning all of the desired behaviours into habits” “When behaviour becomes habitual we go from “maintain” to “sustain” “ “Sustainment is the key to successful improvement” VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

‘If you are expecting the environment to change, the people to change, then the sooner you start role modelling and showing people the way, the sooner change will begin’ Lee shares key strategies to help change agents and leaders implement effective role modelling to drive forward change, listen in to find out more.   KEY TAKEAWAYS A role model is defined as a person who is looked to by others as an example to be imitated. Being a role model can help change initiatives whether you are a leader or change agent. Before beginning any change initiative it's vital to think about the end, not just the solution but also the environment you want to create. If you are delivering a change, is there an opportunity for you to display the behaviours that you want others to develop? It's often easier for people to buy into a concept if they can see it working for real. As a change agent, you need to help others to create new habits and the more people repeat a behaviour the more it becomes embedded. If you want things to change the sooner you role model the change the sooner others will begin to change. It's important that you start with yourself.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Change starts with you’ ‘Consider the habits you want people to display in the environment’ ‘You have to start somewhere, and people have to be able to see you doing the things you want them to do’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Proper communication from the workers to the directors and vice versa is one of the critical things that could drive your business to success. And in this episode of the Business Problem Solver Podcast, Lee discusses Measure Mountain, a visualisation tool that can help you create and efficiently manage the hierarchy structure within your company. It’s essential that everyone involved are well-informed about what’s going on. When everyone’s in the know, high performance and determination can be expected. Discover how you could adopt Measure Mountain inside your business when you tune in. KEY TAKEAWAYS Questions you should ask yourself before setting a target: How much influence does a person who has a target actually have on achieving that target? What do we want to accomplish by having a target? What behaviours will having a target actually drive? Lee suggests you use his visualisation tool, ‘Measure Mountain’. On the bottom of the mountain are the frontline workers, and on the next level, it would be the team manager, then followed by the directors and so on. It follows the hierarchy, and everyone has to strive to get higher on this mountain. Key Learnings from Measure Mountain: The people at the bottom of the mountain are closest to the actual process. As you climb up the mountain, your conversations should be based on severity and time. Business owners should have discussions with his workers who know everything about the daily operations. BEST MOMENTS “Targets can create a narrow focus, so people only concentrate on doing the things that make them achieve their target.” “We need to lift leaders up to a level where they’re having conversations of a different type.” “If you’re at the top of that mountain, you can see farthest into the future. You need to be able to translate your key messages, strategy, the direction, the vision into something meaningful to people that can’t see as far in the future as you.” ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

Lee explains 3 key reasons why businesses fail, how you can overcome these pitfalls if they are to occur and why they’re so important.    KEY TAKEAWAYS   3 Reasons Why Some Businesses Fail  No perceived need for change – You need to know on every level why you’re making these changes. If there’s no need to change already within your business, then you need to find a need for change and change things in a meaningful way.  It’s not lead from the top and driven from the bottom – Ensure all layers of the organisation are pulling in the same direction. Create an environment where everyone is heading in the same direction for these new changes.  Communicate regularly and keep commitments – Communicate progress and direction. No matter how much you communicate, you will never reach everyone so keep communicating. Keeping commitments enables you to gain and maintain that trust that you need from your team to achieve your goal.    BEST MOMENTS  “Create a real need for change”  “You need your leaders to remodel behaviour and create environments that enable and engage your workforce.”  “Create an environment that enable your workforce to deliver and move you step by step towards your desired goal.”  “Communicate progress and direction.”    VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast    ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses.  In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material.  Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/         

What are the criteria required for successful and meaningful change? Lee Houghton, THE Business Problem Solver has dissected successful change programmes he’s been involved in and created the 5D’s – specific criteria required to ensure successful and meaningful change. If you want to achieve successful change in your business listen in to  find out how and why you should be using the 5 D’s   KEY TAKEAWAYS The 5 D’s - the specific criteria required for successful transition through any change- Desire, Discover, Dedication, Deliberate action, Delivery. Desire is the clarity of purpose and truly understanding the reason why you want to get somewhere. As a facilitator, It’s not about whether you understand the reason for the change but whether everybody else does and if it’s meaningful to them. Discover what is going on with the processes, the employees and the customers. Speak to your customers and effectively use data to ensure you are moving in the right direction. Dedication is the maintaining of momentum and moving forward towards your desired state. It is arguably the most difficult to achieve but is fundamental to achieving any change. Deliberate action is the crucial identification of those things that will help you get to the goal as quickly as possible. Focusing on the 20% of activities that produce 80% of the benefits ( the 80/20 Pareto rule) Delivery is focusing on the underlying understanding it is a cyclical cycle of celebrating what you have delivered then identifying your next desired state,  the next goal you want to achieve. It’s about not standing still. The 5D’s Desire, Discover, Dedication, Deliberate Action, Delivery consist of elements both seen and unseen but combined provide the criteria for successful change.   BEST MOMENTS ‘If you just keep going will you get there?’ ‘That little voice inside your head that drives your behaviour’ ‘The power of what you say and how it can influence others’ ‘Identifying those vital few things that will help you get there as quickly as possible’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/    

‘At some point, everyone has to deal with a change so big they wonder how they will be able to cope’ You may have gone through a change that for you, has been straight forward but been aware that for others the same change has been much more challenging. In this episode, Lee explains how to deal with change as a leader and facilitator. He highlights the importance of communication and the ‘self-model’ when dealing with change effectively, listen in now to find out more.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Ultimately change can be positive or painful, it can either be out of your control or because of a choice you have made. Solving business problems requires people to make a change, so understanding the different ways people approach a change is key. Individuals respond, accept and adapt to change at varying rates. Ultimately people react to change in 2 different ways, via escape or via control. The self-model - The phases an individual goes through when presented with change Shock Emotion Learning Forward Moving Typically, everyone will go through the 4 stages If you are a facilitator of change as a leader or change agent the way you communicate the change to someone and the type of change you are asking them to go through will result in different people reacting to the change in different ways and take varying amounts of time to adapt and accept it. An understanding of where people are on the journey will ultimately help to solve business problems in a sustainable way.   BEST MOMENTS ‘You can impact in the way you communicate’ ‘You can help people by understanding what and how they are feeling about the change’ ‘I’m a firm believer in -  all change starts with you the individual’ ‘Some people move between the different responses depending on the change that is required’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Do you ever talk to yourself?  Sometimes it can do us an immense amount of good to stop and really talk to ourselves. But what do we say? How do we say it? And how can we ensure that it has the maximum effect upon ourselves?  Join Lee as he discusses the valuable technique of self-talk, and how to recognise the best way of approaching yourself.   KEY TAKEAWAYS What you say to yourself will drive your actions and behaviours. The voice inside your head is the most important factor when it comes to effective change. Do you naturally see things with a positive or negative slant? Do you possess a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? Lee points out a handy set of guidelines to help you determine your own outlook. The engagement equation is Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy ÷ Self Orientation This formula states that the more we focus upon ourselves alone, the more detrimental the effect on trust. If you’re a leader, manager or growth agent, and if you wish to use a get the best from your staff, it can be beneficial to approach your style with a growth mindset. A consultant generally acts with a fixed mindset, that is to say, they are the fountain of knowledge, and have no desire to improve the knowledge of others. Coaches act with a growth mindset, hoping the lead others into finding information and answers for themselves. Sports stars often talk about their attitude contributing to their success. Positive internal talk can improve your performance in life. Whether you think you will, or whether you think you won’t, then you’re probably right. BEST MOMENTS ‘This could very well be called the “marmite” podcast...’ ‘Somebody with a fixed mindset is focussed on themselves, while those with a growth mindset will put learning from failures at the fore’ ‘The way that you talk to yourself, potentially, on your performance’ ‘How often do you blame sod’s law or Murphy’s law?’   VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

There are significant differences between coaches and consultants, you need to be aware of and understand these before investing in their support. Lee explains what the distinctions are and how understanding your situation can help you to select the most effective support to get what you actually need for your business.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Knowing when to employ the services of a consultant or coach are crucial to further your capability or to help you solve a problem. It’s about you or it’s about me Coaching seeks to pull the answers from the client whilst a consultant will tell you what to do or identifies what to do. Building capability versus solving a problem Coaching is building the capability the people, consultancy is about resolving a specific challenge. Exploring versus providing possibilities When you coach you explore the possibilities when you consult you provide the possibilities. Asking questions versus providing solutions Consultants diagnose a problem and make a recommendation about how to tackle it and will then work with you to resolve the issue Coaches partner with the client to ascertain and clarify the questions that need to be answered in order to move forward. The key difference between coaches and consultants is where the focus is. For a consultant, the focus is on solving the specific problem For a coach, the focus is on the client and helping them tap into and develop their own abilities to solve the problem. To sustain any change people must be involved in the process. Before you seek any external resources it is crucial to understand what the situation is and what you are trying to solve.   BEST MOMENTS ‘You will know the potential risks of not changing’ ‘A coach is a good listener’ ‘A consultant uses their eyes to see the processes’ “It’s possible to be called one and display the traits of the other’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In today's episode, your host Lee Houghton put out to his LinkedIn community his Employee engagement equation and asked what others thought? What are their employee engagement equations? Lee's Employee Engagement Equation;  Emotion + Involvement = Engagement His community response exploded. Many replied en masse with lots of their own equations, such as Responsibility + Commitment = Engagement Empowerment + Purpose = Engagement Recognise + Listen too + Allign Values = Engagement Value + Passion = Engagement And on and on the list goes! Listen in as Lee discusses his responses, but more importantly; What is your equation? Do you agree? Let Lee know!    VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India, listening to/reading business & personal development material.   What profession are you/have you been in and how much experience do you have in it? For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: Lee@leehoughton.com / 07813342194 / LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by searching for Lee Houghton THE Business Problem Solver

‘Standards are the Foundations for Improvement’ In this episode, Lee explains the different applications and interpretations of standards and how implementing them can effectively help solve problems in your business. If you want to understand when and why standards can help you to move forward then tune in now.   KEY TAKEAWAYS What is the Standard? A standard is a level of quality or attainment or something used as a measure, norm or model in comparative evaluations. In the context of improvement, a standard is an agreed way of doing something so the customer gets what they want irrespective of who is completing the task in a repeatable process. There are 2 main types of standard – one is a measure of the target condition, one is a measure of conformance to process. When do you need a Standard? This ultimately depends on the problem that you are trying to solve A standard will help to increase the speed of a process if everybody follows the steps correctly to get to the desired outcome. By understanding the problem to be solved you will understand the standard required to solve the problem. Standards are complex but delivered in a very simple way. A standard should be the basis for improvement of a process with a repeatable output. A standard should not restrict and needs to absorb human variation. A standard should be produced in its simplest form to address the particular problem you are trying to resolve. A standard should be developed by those who complete the work.   BEST MOMENTS ‘There are differing viewpoints about standards and the level of granularity that should be captured ‘ ‘People are a cause of variation and everybody is different’ ‘This is about the complexity of the problem and possible complexity of the solution’ ‘Ultimately a standard is what should happen, not how it should happen’ ‘What are you improving if there is no baseline’   VALUABLE RESOURCES Business Problems Solved Podcast   ABOUT THE HOST What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India, listening to/reading business & personal development material.   What profession are you/have you been in and how much experience do you have in it? For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: Lee@leehoughton.com / 07813342194 / LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter by searching for Lee Houghton THE Business Problem Solver

“Do you believe that everything you do is a process?” From brushing your teeth to doing your work assignments to doing your groceries, everything’s a process and, what’s essential to note is, they are all PDCA cycles. In this episode of the Business Problem Solver Podcast, Lee Houghton emphasises why PDCA is not just a planning tool, but a way of life. It does not matter if it’s big or small – or for more apt terms, micro or macro – anything you do in life can be a PDCA cycle. Listen in to know more. KEY TAKEAWAYS The PDCA (plan-do-check-act) was first popularised W. Edwards Deming in the mid-20th It can be a planning tool or an improvement cycle. PDCA cycle is way of life. If you try to see everything’s a process where it needs inputs, goes through steps, and produces outputs, you know what you should be expecting to do to get what you want to achieve. The two PDCA cycles: Micro – a weekly to monthly Macro – usually three to five years BEST MOMENTS “If everything we do is a process, then everything we do can be improved.” “PDCA is much more than a planning tool. PDCA is much more an improvement cycle. It’s a way of life. It’s a way of looking at things to continuously improve anything and everything you do.” ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES IN YOUR BUSINESS MUST BE ALL ABOUT YOU This inciteful episode brings together strands from the podcast series and explains how leadership, creating positive habits, influencing people and developing an environment of high trust are all dependent on understanding that it begins with you. Lee ‘The Business Problem Solver’ explores how making positive changes and enabling others to be problem solvers can be achieved to move your business forward. If you want to make positive changes that make a difference then listen in now   KEY TAKEAWAYS When you are working in a ‘change role’ you need to understand the difference between a manager and a leader, create positive habits and influence people whilst developing an environment of high trust. To achieve these things, you must understand that it all begins with you. You can have an influence on the area you work in and the people you work with. You are the one who decides how you feel and how subsequently you act and behave. If you’ve been in a role for a year or longer then you have had the opportunity to influence that environment, the way people engage with each other and with you, how people behave in meetings, the roles they have and the way they treat each other. If you do the same thing over and over you cannot expect to get a different result If you have a problem and you want to solve it you have to do something different. The 5 ‘Ds’ Desire Discover Dedication Deliberate action Delivery   DESIRE is something on the inside, an emotion it’s your personal goals and aspirations to reach something. You need to DISCOVER the things that are stopping you from getting there. How DEDICATED are you to take the DELIBERATE actions that are going to move you on so that you can DELIVER?   The desire and dedication are the 2 things that show your commitment to achieving that goal and environment that you want to get to.   it's important to realise it starts with you. Role modelling behaviours are vital when you are trying to change environments and cultures.   The more people you can get to think and understand that it is all about them, the more you will be able to change the environment and the way you work.   Ultimately it’s all about people if you can enable inspire and develop people and their environment you can solve most problems that you face.   But, before you ask anyone else to change you must recognise and realise that it starts with you.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Everything you have done and the decisions you have taken have led you to this point’ ‘The environment you work in is a direct reflection of the way you manage’ ‘Why would you get a different result?’ ‘If you have a problem and you want to solve it you have to do something different’ ‘Would you recommend the place you work to your friends and family’ ‘If it is raining outside you can decide whether to go out and jump in muddy puddles or stay inside’ ‘If you want people to do something different how often are you the role model ?’ ‘If you want people to solve problems how often do you solve problems with them’ ‘Lots of decisions are made in meetings but how much understanding do you have of those environments you are trying to change when you are making those decisions?’ ‘You decide how you react to any situation, you decide if you want to act today or tomorrow, next week’   VALUABLE RESOURCES   https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Today Lee is asking ‘do you have a high trust environment?’ he looks in detail at the indicators for both a low and high trust environment and discusses ways that you can change your environment and empower everybody within it. Listen in to find out about how to make your business a high trust environment. KEY TAKEAWAYS To increase the speed of your process and reduce costs most people look to reduce waste. If you increase the trust you have in people and create an environment that supports this then you could achieve the same result. A lack of trust is the biggest hidden problem in business today. The activity you are planning to do will affect the level of trust you have in the person Would you let the person look after your child? Would you let that person make an important business or career decision for you? This is a reflection of how you view a person’s character and competence Somebody can be a trusted character but have low competency for a particular task What’s it like to work in a low trust environment? Do you recognise the level of trust are you allowed to make decisions? Are you micromanaged? Do people outwardly share their ideas and thoughts with others or are they fearful of the response? What is a high trust environment? If you work in a high trust environment you will recognise meetings where everybody contributes without fear about the answers they give. You are autonomous you are allowed to make decisions without seeking approval What do you need to do to create an environment of trust? It starts with habits and behaviours. It starts top down bottom up everybody has their part to play in developing an environment of trust. Allow people an environment of trust, allow people to develop and to make mistakes Create an open atmosphere where you can talk and listen to the people. Be honest and transparent and allow people to understand exactly where you are coming from BEST MOMENTS ‘Develop the environment so you have a high trust environment for everyone’ ‘A lack of trust is the biggest hidden problem in business today’ ‘Does the level of trust vary according to the seniority of the staff’ ‘If you were creating an environment of high trust that would arguably increase the speed and reduce the waste in the process’ ‘In a heightened time, security increases because we don’t trust the other people’ ‘Are there things you can do to transform your environment to one of high trust? ‘Wastes are tangible’ ‘Build relationships in a meaningful way’ ‘Until you start to see it, you can't solve it’ VALUABLE RESOURCES https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

This episode focuses on the 4 vital lessons that Lee has learnt as a change agent. He uses his extensive experience to provide us with focused examples of how these lessons work in the business environment and why they are so important. This podcast will help anyone to understand the core elements that affect change in any business, listen in now. KEY TAKEAWAYS The solution is not yours The success of change really comes from the person or team you are working with. People protect what they build and if they have been engaged in it and understand and believe in it then it will be a successful solution. It’s all about behaviour and enabling people to do the right thing Everything we do is about getting people to do the right thing and creating an environment that supports doing the right thing. We need to understand the things that drive behaviours. What actions have we undertaken to enable these behaviours? Habit stacking – a means to create a new habit or behaviour by stacking it on top of an existing habit or behaviour. This can be an effective way to enable individuals to develop new behaviours. Make it visual To engage people quickly visual management is key. It is a powerful way to share with others. It becomes real for anybody. Visuals clearly expose the challenges and potential difficulties for everyone to see. Understanding what the problem is you are trying to solve Everything we do is about continual improvement. It is about critically understanding what the problem is that you are trying to solve. If you clearly understand what the problem to be solved is, then you will be able to create a compelling need to introduce the solution. BEST MOMENTS ‘There is a lot of linkage between these 4 areas’ ‘If you're not trying to solve a problem what the hell are you doing?’ ‘I'm a big advocate of making it visual’ ‘We want today to be better than yesterday and tomorrow to be better than today’ ‘If you leave me long enough with a pack of post-its and a pen I will redecorate your walls’ ‘This created a road map with common goals and the behaviours we wanted to create’ ‘The solution is not the change agents,  it’s the people who work that process’ VALUABLE RESOURCES https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

In this episode, Lee uses the weekend dance floor as an insightful analogy for your business and customer needs. ‘If you want to keep your dancefloor full you need to focus on the needs of your customers and understand who you are as a business’ Listen in to find out how to keep everyone on the dancefloor and happy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Continuous improvement You should always try and start with the needs of the customer and ensure this is aligned with your purpose. 3 levels of customer experience The basic needs of the customer are being met. How easy or effortless is the experience for the customer? The competitive edge – creating an enjoyable experience. The basic needs There are potentially different trends in customer need over time. You have to be flexible enough to change what you’re doing to satisfy your customer before it’s too late and they leave. You have to constantly be reviewing your location to ensure you are offering the right service and product for your customer. Listen to your customers and meet their requests. If the request is random you have a decision to make. The decision will depend on several factors and you will have to manage the expectations of customers. Make sure you provide feedback so that customers know what will happen next and develop your products based on customer feedback and comments. It's important to recognise the multitude of similarities between the real world and the work world, your personal life and your professional life. BEST MOMENTS ‘Vaguely remember the days’ ‘Each weekend you may venture out for a drink, what might you observe that could help you win at work’ ‘This was my life as a town centre DJ every weekend for 13 years’ ‘All organisations should strive for these’ ‘Actual needs based on the time of the night, different trends of customer need’ ‘To match the music to the majority of the customers so they enjoy themselves and want to come back’ ‘To keep the customers in the pub as long as possible, because they are enjoying themselves’ ‘It needs to satisfy your purpose’ ‘If you are a specialist then what you do is different to everyone else’ ‘You have to be flexible’ ‘What has this got to do with continuous improvement and business?’ VALUABLE RESOURCES https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Do you set targets for yourself and for your business? Do you set targets for your staff? And do you agree in having targets in order to grow? When management sets targets and makes people's jobs dependent on meeting them, they’ll likely meet the targets even if they have to destroy the enterprise to do it. Targets drive a specific behaviour in people, a narrow focus, cheating and influence. Tune in today to find out more. KEY TAKEAWAYS What behaviour do targets drive? Number one, a narrow focus. People concentrating only on doing things that make them achieve their target. This is not necessarily the same thing as doing the right thing for the customer. An example, if you play football and you’re an attacker, if a player from the opposition is running towards you with the ball, would you try to tackle them or would you assume it's somebody else's job? The second one, cheat. This is the act of being untruthful. When the management has set the targets in a particular organisation which has to be met regardless, this forces the employees to go to the extent of cheating in the business to even using false information. The third one, influence. People who challenge their performance provide reasons for the non-achieving factors that are in their control, thus creating or exaggerating a blame culture. Giving all of the reasons of why they've not been able to do it because of other things and other people. Some questions that we must ask ourselves in business: How much influence does the person who has the target actually have on achieving that target? Are there things that get in the way outside of the control of the individual being set that target and what do we actually want to achieve by having a target? What behaviours will setting a target create, and ultimately, how can we use the target to drive actions, actions that drive improvement, not actions that whip the horse harder? Why do people continue to think it's a good idea to set targets? BEST MOMENTS “When management sets targets and makes people's jobs dependent on meeting them, they will likely meet the targets even if they have to destroy the enterprise to do it.” “If you set targets each year and then stretch them each year, it's like being in the Grand National horse race and just whipping the horse sooner and harder each year without really considering that you have a whole host of other things that you can focus on that can impact performance, such as the training of the horse and the jockey, the diet of the horse and the jockey, the stables where the horse stays and lives.” “Ultimately, you should encourage an environment of trust, which allows problems to be shared and solved repeatedly.” “A bad system will be a good person every time.” “Targets turn good people into liars and cheats.” VALUABLE RESOURCES https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

What is the problem you are actually trying to solve? Problems can come in different shapes and sizes and you have a host of different options. This week Lee looks in detail at whether you should deliver quick wins. He explains why and how this can work and explores when to use this strategy for maximum impact in your business. KEY TAKEAWAYS Some people may encourage you to deliver quick wins through small changes others may say advise against the delivery of quick wins as they may not affect the ultimate outcome. Marginal Direct Gains Marginal gains are all about small changes that each make a small difference. Dave Brailsford, British cycling coach specialised in searching for tiny changes that could make a margin of improvement in everything you do. The principle came from the idea that if you break down everything that goes into riding a bike and improving it by one per cent you will get a significant increase when you put them all together. He had clarity on the problem – the focus is on everything that goes into riding a bike. Marginal Indirect Gains A small change can be the right thing to do if you are new in a role as it can help to build credibility, people will then listen to you and adopt the right approach going forward. You are trying to influence behaviours and habits. You may not fix something that moves the dial on the transformation that you want to achieve but you may enable an individual to fix a problem and become familiar with the problem-solving structure that you want to deploy. Whether it is a macro or micro problem that you are trying to solve, clarity and focus on the problem and what you want is achieve is key. You should deliver quick wins if they help you move towards your goal either directly or indirectly and you have clarity of the problem. BEST MOMENTS ‘It doesn’t in all instances move the dial you want to move’ ‘Focusing on the things that actually move the dial’ ‘You have a vision and you want people to take on that vision’ ‘Depends what the problem is that you are trying to solve’ ‘Has to be by improving the capability of somebody or improving the credibility of you as individual VALUABLE RESOURCES https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

What is the difference between a Leader and a Manager? In this episode, Lee’ THE Business Problem Solver’ answers this frequently asked question and explains how the differences impact on staff and the working environment. Using the 5 D’s  - Desire, Discover, Dedication, Deliberate action and Delivery model Lee shares with us the characteristics of a leader. Are you a Leader or a Manager? Listen in now to find out  KEY TAKEAWAYS This is not about a job title – having the job title does not make the person it’s the person who makes the job. Just because you have the title of a leader doesn’t mean you have the characteristics of a leader. Leaders Create a Vision, Managers Create Goals Leaders look outwards and they aim to get others to see what they can see and where they are going. Managers typically either look side-ways or downwards and look after where they are currently. Leaders Coach and Managers Direct Leaders know that people who work for them have the answers or know where to find them, they see their people as competent and are optimistic about their potential. They resist telling people what to do and how to do it. Managers assign the tasks and explain how to accomplish them.  Leaders Identify Opportunities, Managers Drive Performance Managers use measures as sticks to drive performance whilst Leaders use measures to identify opportunities. Leaders create fans and inspire, managers have employees. The 5 D’s Desire A leader has the desire to improve themselves and others Discover A leader discovers opportunities by listening to others and visiting the workplace Dedication A leader has a commitment and dedication to keep going Deliberate action A leader can identify and inspire people to focus on the deliberate actions required Delivery A leader has the greatest chance of delivering the desired outcome BEST MOMENTS ‘Managers have staff who follow directions and seek to please the boss’ ‘Delivered to them what they needed’ ‘Leaders go beyond’ ‘What is it you use to drive the performance of your team? Is it you or measures, data and statistics? ‘You as an individual drive the direction’  VALUABLE RESOURCES  https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2 ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com  www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

Customer experience is seen as the battlefield where businesses compete but do businesses really understand the impact of not focusing on their employees? In this episode, Lee discusses the correlation between the customer and employee experience. He explains how to achieve successful alignment between them and the positive impact it will have on your business.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The way people in your business are treated can impact directly on the experience of your customers. It is vital to enable your employees so that they will be able to deliver for you. Companies invest heavily in trying to understand and improve ‘the customer experience’. Every opportunity to survey the customer is utilised and the data collected is swiftly acted upon in the drive for improved engagement. But many organisations only have an annual survey for their employees. An annual survey doesn’t capture how employees are feeling throughout the year. It is important to capture data across different times so that you gain a detailed understanding of your employees. Analysing employee feedback and acting upon it will enable you to deliver positive employee engagement and also an improved customer experience. There is a direct correlation between customer experience and employee experience. To succeed you need a desire and a shared vision of where you want to get to. There must be an alignment between your business purpose, your customer strategy and employee engagement vision.   BEST MOMENTS ‘Dealing with people is arguably the biggest cause of variation in a business’ ‘Try to understand how your employees feel in the work environment’ ‘You need to have alignment with both customer and employee experiences to be successful’ ‘It could be argued that employees are your customers’ ‘Ultimately they are all people, this is a people engagement strategy’ ‘Understand they are all different, but ask them as often as possible about how they feel about their experience’   VALUABLE RESOURCES https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403?mt=2   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.   CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on 07813342194 Lee@leehoughton.com www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/

CAN YOU CHANGE HABITS AND INFLUENCE BEHAVIOUR?   Listen to this episode and find out how you can change people’s behaviour to create an environment where problems can be successfully be solved. Lee explains how and why this is crucial for any business moving forward.   KEY TAKEAWAYS The majority of problems can be solved by changing people’s behaviour so that they do something today that is different from what they were doing yesterday.   Influencing someone’s behaviour to change what they do in the workplace is an achievable and sustainable way to success. Problems can be solved as a result of people changing their behaviours.   To change a behaviour the brain needs to be trained so the action becomes habitual – you don’t have to think about it.   Visualise the environment you want to have and what people are doing in that environment, then consider what steps you need to create to get people into that position.   You need to influence people’s behaviour to get there through creating daily rituals that become habitual.   To create a situation where people can develop positive habits you will need to ensure that   -Individuals have the knowledge they need and the ability and skills to use that knowledge.   -You provide examples of the particular things you want people to do so they can see it is not a new-behaviour.   -The work environment allows them to exhibit that behaviour. Can they do what you’re asking them to do in that environment?     BEST MOMENTS   ‘The more times you do something, the more it will become habitual’   ‘You need to influence people’s behaviour to get there’   ‘Start small’   ‘Any change is not easy for people, and people deal with change differently’   ‘Every time you ask someone to do something different it will be a challenge’   ‘If you start today by this time next year it will be the norm’   VALUABLE RESOURCES   Business Problems Solved Series   ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams, and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist, and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on tel: 07813342194 Email LinkedIn

Communication is Key If you want to understand the vital importance of communication and how to stop miscommunication, listen to this podcast. Lee Houghton THE Business Problem Solver explains the importance of why, what and how to deliver your message successfully.   “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”-George Bernard Shaw     KEY TAKEAWAYS The medium that you communicate in and the actual delivery – when and who you deliver it too is key.   Simon Sinek developed the ‘Golden Circle’ model for business with its 3 parts - why, what, and how.   Why When you’re delivering a message start with why - Why do they need this product? Why do they need to hear this message? Beginning with why establishes an emotional attachment to the message.   What Then move onto what – What are they going to get from it?   How How to deliver the Message You should consider what the recipient will be doing at the time you send the message. You need to try to intercept their day, you want your message to make them stop what they’re doing. To achieve this your message needs to stand out with the opening line capturing the attention of the audience and guaranteeing they read all of the message.   Telling a story is another way to deliver your message. Pixar Animation successfully use the 6-step story model; Once upon a time, there was… Every day…… One day….. Because of that…… Because of that… Until finally ……   If you can tell a story in your message it will be much more compelling to your audience.   Think Before You Speak ‘Thinking before you speak’ or ‘deliver the message’ is vital, especially when engaging in any change activity. You only have one opportunity to engage the audience in listening to your message.   Only communicate when you can answer these questions; Why is the message is needed? What is message is for? Who is it for? When is it needed?   Thinking before you speak will help you gain traction, engagement and move you towards the results you want to achieve.   Communication is key whatever the relationship you are wanting to influence.     BEST MOMENTS ‘Then you get them right from the start’   ‘Think about which types of messages you read’   ‘The person giving that message believes they have told you something, but you’ve not interpreted it the way the sender intended’   ‘If you can get someone to open and read your message your halfway there, you’ve got their attention.’   ‘Opening line needs to grab their attention’     VALUABLE RESOURCES   Start with Why – Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/0241958229   The Golden Circle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5Tw0PGcyN0     ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.     CONTACT METHOD   You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/      

The bubble theory is a concept from Lee that is easy to apply in different situations enabling us to understand where we are and the deliberate actions, we can take to influence success. Lee takes us through a range of scenarios demonstrating the positive impact implementing the bubble approach can have across all aspects of personal and professional development. KEY TAKEAWAYS Identify your current bubble If you plot where you live, shop, socialise, work this determines your bubble.  To improve yourself you need to change your bubble by either; Expanding its reach This is about increasing the size of your bubble, if you are a business you can increase the distance over which your customers can get your product. Filling it with more You can fill your bubble with more people in the same or similar locations. Grow a leadership bubble Create a leadership bubble and see if your decisions affect only those inside the bubble or those outside as well.  Fill this bubble to understand more things using individuals with specialist skills. Expand this bubble to learn more about operations and how the decisions you make affect what happens and other people in the business. Whether personal or professional development You need to understand the size of your bubble first and what you are trying to do and deliver. Its then possible to increase the size of the bubble If you are a business do you know your customer profile? Visit your shops, what type of customers buy from you? To expand find more of the same or create new products and services to attract different customers How can you fill it with more things that are working for you, things that are successful can you find more of this type of customer? BEST MOMENTS ‘Identify the deliberate actions you can take’  ‘Increase your bubble to give yourself greatest chance of success’  ‘Understand the things that make up what you do customers, locations visited’ ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  

Encountering problems is a natural occurrence in the business setting. So, today on the Business Problem Solver Podcast, we go back to the basics and define what a business problem is. Lee helps you to easily pinpoint a problem so that you could come up with an effective problem-solving plan. There will be many strategic approaches out there that are used by large-scale and small-scale companies, but none will be outright applicable to your business problem. You have to innovate from it, consider your organizational culture, and always link it to your purpose. KEY TAKEAWAYS According to Lee, you consider it a problem if it gets in the way of getting where you want to be. There are different approaches to problem-solving when it comes to business like using the 5D Model, Lean Six Sigma, or Agile. You have to make sure that it can identify the problems and can provide strategic solutions to those. Every business is different. A solution can be very effective for an organisation but not for yours, and vice versa. You have to take note that every business has a different culture and working environment. Try to look back at how your company dealt with similar problems in the past. If the previous solutions worked well, then innovate a strategic solution from it taking note of course of the changing environment. BEST MOMENTS “Problems come in different sizes, but it’s basically something that gets in the way of where you want to get to.” “There are no new ideas – they are just ideas that have been built on previous solutions and ideas.” “Don’t just necessarily take an off-the-shelf solution and apply it to your problem.” ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

Signing up for business courses and learning about business concepts, theories, principles, etc. is just the start of it. What’s more important is you CAN apply the things you’ve studied in a real-life setting. In this episode of The Business Problem Solver Podcast, Lee urges you to step it up a notch and start implementing what you’ve learned. Besides, putting what you’ve learned into practice gives a different kind of learning experience and can enhance your skills. Lee also highlights that learning is a life-long process especially when you’re looking into maintaining the growth of your business. It is important that you stay updated what’s happening within the company and be able to communicate with your employees and your customers properly. KEY TAKEAWAYS "If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!" – Richard Branson If you want to learn everything about the business, there a lot of online business courses you could choose. Just take note, that before taking the course, you know what you want to achieve at the end of it. It’s important that afterwards, you start doing–start applying the theories, principles, strategies that you’ve learned on something that could be valuable. Choose your mentor/s wisely. Choose someone who could help you to get where you want to go and someone who will recognise your principles, purpose, and learning needs. When you’re running a business, there’s no better way to learn for people who work the process up to the executives than them seeing the work. It makes it difficult to communicate the current situation and developments within the company if not everyone is well-informed about the processes. Two most important groups of people that CEOs, senior executives, and managers should take note of: The people who actually do the work The people who pay for their products and services BEST MOMENTS “Saying you know how to do it is NOT doing it.” “It is important that the people that make the decisions understand what happens day-to-day.” “You can’t change a business unless you change yourself first.” “Ideas, challenges, and organisations do seem to stop at a middle layer manager.” ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years, I have been a multi-sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improved capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my two young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

What crucial role do Desire and Discover play in a successful business? In this podcast THE Business Problem Solver’s success criteria Desire and Discover are explored in more detail. This is the third motivating podcast in this series from THE Business Problem Solver. If you are starting a business or looking to grow your current organisation this podcast provides the vital starting point. Lee explains in detail how and why the first two steps Desire and Deliver are vital components of the 5Ds steps of success criteria. Lee is an engaging speaker and weaves his own experiences across the podcast, creating an opportunity for the listener to learn from his experiences. KEY TAKEAWAYS  The 5Ds, identified as critical success criteria for anyone, whether as an individual, part of a team, wanting to grow scale or improve their business. The 5 ‘Ds’ Desire Discover Dedication Deliberate action Deliver Desire Why desire? – desire is an emotion, its far stronger than just wanting something. You’ve got to really feel that emotion, that you want to overcome that obstacle that’s in front of you. Desire is all about truly believing in that destination. It’s where you want to get to if you are an organisation. As a business it is the reason to exist and the reason why you do what you do. Discover Discover the things that are getting in your way. It’s about understanding those things that are obstructing you, those issues that are getting in the way for you in the journey to achieving your desired destination. The Desire and Discover success criteria are all about framing your problem and understanding the things that are getting in the way of getting to your outcome. BEST MOMENTS “Don’t take an off the shelf system, it might not fix the problem in front of you” “The thing you want to overcome, is going to help you get to where you want to get to” “Ensuring that you communicate the desired destination is important to what you want to achieve.”  “An emotional attachment to where you need to get to.” “It’s equally important that people in your organisation desire or resonate with the direction you’re going in.” “Some of the problems you overcome in business will help you to survive longer.” VALUABLE RESOURCES Other podcasts in 5Ds series ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years I have been a multi sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to reading and applying both business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved  Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaD

What are the Deliberate Actions you need to Deliver your desired outcome? Welcome to this exciting podcast exploring the actions you need to deliver your desired outcome. The 5Ds, identified as critical success criteria for anyone, whether as an individual, or as part of a team, or wanting to grow scale or improve their business. Desire Discover Dedication Deliberate action Deliver THE Business Problem Solver – Lee Houghton explores how you can really deliver and achieve your desired outcome, through criteria 4 and 5 of the 5Ds. This engrossing podcast is part of an introduction to the 5Ds KEY TAKEAWAYS Deliberate Action This is about doing those actions that fill you up the quickest and move you closer to your desired outcome the fastest. Prioritising What are the actions you could do to move you closer to your goals? You need to prioritise those things that will have the greatest benefit. Study positive behaviours Study those people who have perfected the behaviour you want to perform and then break the behaviour into manageable actions. Observing It’s about those actions that help you move closest to your goals most quickly. You might have to observe a process to understand what’s happening and implement those actions. Delivery This about understanding how do you know you’ve achieved what you want to achieve what are your measures to help you know that? how do you know? Reviewing Reviewing the journey, you’ve been on, so you can learn and adapt and improve next time. Outcomes Celebrating success with those who’ve been involved with you and about choosing what’s next. How do you know if you’ve achieved your destination? because at the start you had desired outcome and a place you wanted to get to, have you achieved it or not? What is the journey you’ve been on? What could you change? BEST MOMENTS “What are the actions you need to deliver?” “Form habits to enable you to continually move forward it’s a culture and environment you want to create then go through 5d again.” “Did that path happen the way you thought it may what can you learn share with others?” “A plan is just a guide of the path you want to take" “Only at the end can you join the dots” VALUABLE RESOURCES Other podcasts in 5Ds series ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years I have been a multi sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to, reading and applying business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

3 Lessons in Life In this poignant podcast, Lee Houghton shares the 3 lessons that underpin how he lives his life. He reflects on Chris, the inspiration for these values and how they can underpin all aspects of how we live. Always be yourself, make good friends, clients and connections, time is limited so if there is something you want to do why wait. Lee dedicates this podcast to the memory of Chris, his best friend and explains through this podcast how he is living these 3 lessons  KEY MOMENTS Personally important There are values which are important to live by, these values are key even when there is a fixed time scale or when there is a significant personal challenge. Always be yourself At times we all try to please other people by changing ourselves but doesn’t please others or help you. Authenticity is vital – when someone is being themselves, they are far more engaging. Make good friends If chosen different path growing up, may not have had so many people during illness make good connections, make/ build good relationships with customers Time is limited If there is something you want to do, go for it you can only get there by moving towards it. If there’s something you want to do why wait?  BEST MOMENTS “He was not a multi-millionaire, he was not a best-selling author, he was not a great sportsman, but he has left me with a gift I couldn’t have got from anyone else” “There are so many lessons to be learned in everything that we do, inside and outside of work” “From this podcast, take one action, take one step towards something you want to go and deliver, help Chris’ message get little bit further, let Chris help you deliver something” VALUABLE RESOURCES Other podcasts in 5Ds series  ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years I have been a multi sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en  You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

Why is dedication such an important element in business? THE Business Problem Solver – Lee Houghton shares the importance of Dedication, step 3 in the 5Ds steps to success for business. The 5Ds, identified as critical success criteria for anyone, whether as an individual, as a part of a team, or wanting to grow scale or improve their business. The 5 ‘Ds’ Desire Discover Dedication Deliberate action Deliver Dedication is the focus of this dynamic podcast, exploring the importance of dedication and how to make sure you have it.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes the destination or a large goal might feel overwhelming Breaking the big challenge down into more manageable phases will psychologically help you to get there. Tell others about what your destination is. Share the destination with others so there’s collective accountability and so they can help and support you. Accountability is an important part of achieving your destination.  Make effective use of the Pomodoro technique. The Pomodoro technique of time chunking is a popular method for increasing productivity. The basic concept is that you set a timer for a specific chunk of time. During that time you focus on one task, without allowing any distractions to interrupt your work. Identify the number one activity that will help you move closer to your outcome. If you know actions required to get to your desired outcome, then understand those and work on them first Keeping going It needs to become a habit and the more you do it the more habitual it becomes. You need to be committed to it and to keep going. You are more likely to be committed to a destination if it’s one that you really want to get to. The destination needs to resonate with your team  What’s in it for them? Regular communication of progress will keep them going along with celebrating each deliverable as you achieve them. BEST MOMENTS “If you know actions required to get to your desired outcome then understand those and work on them first.” “Need to break big  goals down into  manageable chunks.” “Create a reduced amount of distractions at the time you are the most productive.” “Set a deadline, if there’s no deadline you can put it off.” “Starting is one of the most difficult steps but what’s stopping you from starting today?” “You’ve got to move to get to your destination .” VALUABLE RESOURCES Links to other podcasts in 5Ds series ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years I have been a multi sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to, and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”,  a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw  

What experience do your customers have? Welcome to episode 6 of this series. In this absorbing podcast Lee tackles, the mis-understandings between customer service and customer experience. He offers comprehensive solutions to enhance and develop the customer experience leading to repeating positive interactions. Lee uses his own experience and expertise to develop our understanding of how to achieve the ultimate – an easy and effortless service that is an enjoyable and personable customer experience. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a difference between customer service and customer experience Customer service is in place to deal with failure, but the customer experience is now being seen by a number of organisations as the differentiator in business success. Customer experience is about the customers perceived experience at each interaction during the customer journey Basic needs How well are you meeting the basic needs of your customer? What would you expect at a basic level? Are you satisfying your customers basic need? Ways you can understand how well or not you are doing is to listen to customer service calls. Reviewing inbound calls should be undertaken for leaders of all organisations to pick up trends, issues so that action can be taken. An Effortless/Easy Journey Continually map your customers journey to make sure new and existing products and services are making it effortless and easy for your customers to do business with you. An enjoyable and personable experience Finally make sure an easy and effortless service never fails make it as enjoyable and personable experience. Make it a delight for customers to do business with you. BEST MOMENTS “You need to build a service to prevent that failure happening” “Look to optimise the entire end to end journey” “By listening into calls understanding your complain data and speaking to your people who speak to customers on a daily basis you will know what the basic needs of your customers are” “By looking at the flow of customer journeys and their interactions, you can find out how easy it is for a customer to deal with you” “Enjoyment is the battlefield where you need to gain the competitive edge” “Need to continually develop your customer experience to meet changing expectations” VALUABLE RESOURCES Other podcasts in 5Ds series  ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years I have been a multi sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker.  CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194 Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/  Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw

In this eagerly awaited first podcast in the series, Lee Houghton – THE Business Problem Solver shares with us his 5Ds strategy which sets out comprehensive criteria for solving all business problems. Listening to Lee will enable you to confidently structure a constructive approach that can be used to solve and overcome any business problem. Lee uses his extensive experience, identifying and describing examples so that the positive outcomes from using the 5Ds are relatable to everyone - from those just starting out to those running large organisations. KEY TAKEAWAYS Successful problem-solving outcomes across differing challenges have a commonality between them. The key criteria for successful problem solving can be identified as 5 steps – THE Business Problem Solver’s 5 Ds which can be used to solve and overcome any business problem. Desire Why do you do what you do, why do you want to do what you do. Discover Discover the things that get in your way Dedication How can you keep going? How can you maintain the momentum as long as is needed to make your business a success? Deliberate action The specific action(s) that gives you the maximum benefit Deliver Really delivering what you set out to do. So how do you know you’ve got there and how do you know what’s next? The recipe to successful problem solving is keeping in mind and always working through the 5Ds this will enable the solving of any problem and ensure the successful delivery and outcome for any project. BEST MOMENTS “We all solve problems every day, and see problems being solved everyday” “That’s how I can help, making sure you’re set up for success” “I believe that if you’re going to overcome a business problem you need to commit to all the 5Ds” “These are types of challenges that are reoccurring in organisations” “I can help you navigate your way through these problems “ VALUABLE RESOURCES Other podcasts in 5Ds series  ABOUT THE HOST For the last 15 years I have been a multi sector internal or external business improvement consultant, building the improvement capability of individuals, teams and businesses. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my 2 young children Jack & India. I also enjoy listening to and reading business & personal development material. Lee Houghton is “THE Business Problem Solver”, a Management Consultant, CX Specialist and Keynote Speaker. CONTACT METHOD You can contact Lee Houghton on: 07813342194  Website: Lee@leehoughton.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/THEBusinessProblemSolver/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusiProbsSolved Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_business_problem_solver/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsf0YC2_ZBuhtC_s-AbHaDw