AF Insights
⚡️Setting You and Your Business Up For Success - with simple tools and frameworks you can do!⚡️
Work stuff
• Worked for BP as a performance coach
• Started AF Insights coaching business
• LinkedIn content Creator whilst being a Mum at home
• Co-run Linked Online Networking Group
• Created my “Business Basics Mastery: 7 Simple Elements to
Supercharge Your Business” Program to help other business owners
• In everything I do I want to set YOU up for success
•Superpower: Enabling people to
Working on yourself is work!
People think working on yourself is easy. It’s not.
👀 Noticing behaviours that are negatively impacting you
❌ How you are following patterns that are unhelpful
🙈 Seeing how you affect others
📉 What patterns other people have
🔫 How you can trigger people inadvertently.
All of these things need self reflection and a willingness to acknowledge those behaviours, catching them and trying to do it a better way. It’s hard as most of our behaviour is habitual so we do it without thinking, we are unconscious.
Once you become more conscious, you naturally become more disciplined. But none of this works if there is not the pay off i.e. you can’t see that the effort is worth it.
I’m always amazed at how many focus so much on doing the thing, not standing back. Then turning the responsibility for it outwards. It’s their fault or blaming the situation rather than taking control of whatever and changing it.
I now know though after doing it repeatedly with myself that turning round and actually taking responsibly for yourself and your behavior is really hard. A job most are not up for. Much easier to blame externally.
Now I am not perfect. I get things wrong all the time. From those mistakes though I learn and grow and I want to get better.
I’m genuinely interested though.
❓Do you consciously take time to work on yourself? And how❓
As I know I do it but I’m not sure if others do.
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments or click on the button at the top of my profile for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
24/06/2024
Networking – What is the point 🤷♀️
Now when I started my business, I did think this.
Would turn up at random events for absolutely no reason except I thought I had to, it’s what businesspeople do.
That was before I truly realised its purpose.
I don’t know when I actually got the memo, but I think it took me a while.
For you to understand the point of networking you must understand the point of relationships.
You don’t go into a pub and walk up to someone and ask them to marry you.
Same with networking.
Relationships need time, trust, consistency, effort. 😫
That’s how you make networking work for you.
Also, a bit of forethought helps!
That’s why I have a module in my Basic Business Mastery: 7 Simple Steps to Supercharge your Business called Great Networking.
So, you have a plan, you know what you want out of networking and then set yourself up for success to achieve it.
Also, can I add here Networking is not just for Leads, we have all been stuck with the Selly person you want to tell to do one!
You do get sales from networking but what I think is equally important is the following:
👍 Supporters
👥 Collaborators
👉 Referrals
It takes time to build these relationships so showing up and being consistent whether it is in an actually networking group or here on LinkedIn is the way forward.
A little bit of planning about what you want to do, going to where your niche is, tied to your Sales Process, your intuition about any group you visit and being realistic about what resources you have keeps you on the right track.
Effective networking expands your reach and accelerates your business growth. Connect, share, and grow 😀
❓How do you like to network❓
I’m a mixture of Online and LinkedIn.
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments or click on the button at the top of my profile for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
Embracing Feedback 😳
Now I am not going to lie I have had a difficult journey with feedback, that’s why I am passionate about helping people with it. As I know how it can be difficult and the value of it to you as a human being and to your business.
I only realised I was dyslexic a few years ago. I realised through my son’s diagnosis.
When I did a lot of things started to make sense.
After a lifetime of wondering why I struggled to pick things up.
How I like pattern and routine.
Why I notice things others don’t.
Probably the biggest thing though I learned about being a neurodiverse person was emotional dysregulation.
I always felt things deeply and wondered what was wrong with me. A small thing would be like me being hit by a lightning bolt, I would feel it strongly, it would take me ages to get over it.
I managed by using every ounce of energy to not let that emotion escape.
It was exhausting.
So why is this important with feedback.
I found feedback painful. I always felt it was a conversation to tell me I was rubbish.
I was on the backfoot, I would take it personally and if it got too much I would start being defensive – the quickest way to destroy any relationships!
I struggled to remove the emotion from it.
You could tell me a 100 things I was doing right but I would focus in on the 1 or 2 things I was doing wrong, then twist myself in knots trying to fix it. It would have been much kinder to myself, if I had actually known myself well enough to say no – I’m not good at that.
So, because it was painful, I avoided or when I did have to do it I found it hard.
But by doing this I was throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
As yes it can be hard but there are valuable insights in feedback that you will only get from someone else’s outside perspective.
I had to learn to deal with feedback in a better way.
I have a Module in my Program Basic Business Mastery: 7 Simple Elements to Supercharge your Business, called Dealing with Feedback where I share all I learned to make it easier for people to give and receive feedback. You can either buy the video or have me go through it with you.
❓Are you ok with feedback❓
If you are not, I can honestly help.
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments or click on the button at the top of my profile for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
The Cost of Being Me 🤔
I was speaking to a friend the other day and I told the story of my teenage years. It was hard. I had a lot of stuff going on at home.
When I got to secondary, I was with the popular crowd. But I got uncomfortable. They were doing things I wasn’t ok about. So, I withdrew consciously and on purpose. It meant then I was a target for bullying. It made that period of my life pretty awful, and I didn’t have any support.
Now I’m not saying this for anyone to feel sorry for me I learned an important lesson.
Even though it was hard and painful I knew I was always prepared to do what I thought was best even if others disapproved. Would I have started a business otherwise 😂
For me though that meant being able to say:
1️⃣ Are you sure that’s right?
2️⃣ How are we actually going to be able to do that?
3️⃣ Why do we need to do this?
4️⃣ Is there another way?
5️⃣ How many times has this not worked before?
6️⃣ Is there a process or procedure for this?
7️⃣ What is the benefit?
8️⃣ Who do this new thing when you are already stretched and it takes away from what you are already good at?
It benefits others. Even if I am the bad guy sometimes. I do it though as I genuinely want the best for people.
In my corporate job I used to be invited to meetings on purpose just for the sheer fact I would raise my hand and say “I don’t understand”. Probably a dyslexic thing.
Then others would say “I’m so glad you asked, I had no idea what they meant.”
So that turmoil made me more me! I’m glad it’s useful not just to me but others too ❤️
❓Have you ever had anything that was perceived as negative make a positive influence in your life❓
I have had loads but I know to look for the benefit, that’s growth! Something I want for anyone I work with.
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments or click on the button at the top of my profile for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
Creating Your Offer 🎁
One of the modules I have on my Basic Business Mastery: 7 Simple Element to Supercharge your Business is Module 2: Creating your Offer.
People often ask me for this module on it’s own as it is so valuable and often difficult to do by yourself, the biggest results are with help from me. You can though, chose to just do the video.
What I advise is do this module after Module 1: Being Clear on YOU.
As often people create offers based on their niche, their market etc but they don’t whatsoever tie it to THEM.
A fatal mistake. The quickest way to get burnt out in your business is not to be doing what you love.
The first time I did this was with the fabulous Yvonne Pritchard many moons ago.
From that initial session I developed what was required over the years. I also used the principles myself to create my own products and offers.
I have done this with many people, especially Service based businesses as they often don’t see their service as a product but it is just a tweak of the mindset.
I have also done with businesses who have actually products and showed them how to group them together for packages to suit their customers.
I love doing this, as I love people and I always come at it from the perspective of your client. So, they understand and can buy from you!
In this module we cover:
🎯 Niche
🎁 Productising
💰 Value Ladders
What I love about this module is how people get a clearer idea of what they have to offer and they get excited about getting it out there. I just show them how to structure their offer.
❓How clear is your offer❓
If you are unsure about mine, DM me I’ll drop you my packages, or click the button my profile for my free Business Basics Course.
For yours an outside set of eyes usually helps 😉
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
10/06/2024
You do You 👊
I love this saying. My friends both in and outside work are all different, special and unique. I appreciate them for how they are. I wouldn’t want to change them or for them to be anything other than them.
This is exactly the same in for clients. That’s why it is so important to me to give them something that will suit THEM.
Usually, basic is seen as bad but in my program (Basic Business Mastery: 7 Simple Element to Supercharge your Business) I think it is good. As I give people the basics and then they can make it suit them. As there is no right or wrong, only right for YOU.
Not everyone thinks like me though. Especially when it comes to fixing others. We can all go around trying to fix other people but all that really is is you putting your solution on them, that solution might not be right for them though. Then getting frustrated when they don’t listen, but it’s their life not yours 🤦♀️
Wouldn’t it be lovely if everyone could just do themselves and everyone was accepting of that.
❓How are you at just doing you❓
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
Cost 🤔
Now I know cost can be a blocker for people in whatever business we are in.
I was always afraid of showing my prices. I was scared it would be too forward. Or it would put people off. But for me it was plain and simple just uncomfortable. When you run your own business it’s something you get better at with practice.
There is another part to this though, the part of your client. The ambiguity isn’t good for either of you. For a start they might feel uncomfortable too. Worried they can’t afford you. It can stop them coming.
Skirting round it is a massive waste of time for both of you.
If they are not willing to pay that’s you wasting your time on someone who will not use you versus using it on someone who would.
For them wasting time speaking to someone they can’t afford.
So, the waste is time, which we all know you can’t get back. Your most precious commodity.
If you are up front about your prices it stops “tyre kickers” as I call them. People who will not pay and hoover your time. Pretty much anyone who haggles with me, I’m out. Why? As what I charge is reasonable and I’m good with it.
What you are paying for is my expertise and time.
I have recently had a reboot of my business and my products are clearly priced and upfront. After not doing it for years. I have the last few and it’s made a huge difference.
I teach people to do it in my Basic Business Mastery: 7 Simple Elements to Supercharge your Business in Module 3 – Create your Offer.
❓What do you think about being up front with your prices❓
I’ve written about this as I know a lot of people struggle with it ☺
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
Clarify Your Vision
How do you do that?
Often people don’t know how to do this.
I cover this in Module: 3 Business Planning in my Program- Basic Business Mastery: 7 Simple Elements to Supercharge your Business.
Doing the whole program can clarify your vision.
Or even the 6 months of Coaching I do (only with vetted people), does it to.
As often I see people who are not quite sure where they are going.
Why?
They have not thought about it or planned.
That’s my job, not to tell you but to guide you. Make you look at things differently. Have simple tools and structures that suit you, so you can head in the right direction not for me but for you!
When you take the time to go through the modules in my program your vision will become clear but also you will have all the right pieces and plans in place to create your business towards that vision.
The killer question I often ask is “What do you want with your business?”
I am amazed how many people don’t actually know 😳
I get hit with all the things they don’t want.
Like, I don’t want:
❌ To be skint – What is not skint then?
❌ Be working as much as I am now – So how much do you want to work?
❌ Be doing all this stuff which I don’t add value to – What do you need to change that?
❌ Never see my family – What could you put in place to ensure that doesn’t happen?
We cover some of this in Module 1 – Being Clear on YOU too.
❓Are you clear about the vision for you and your business❓
If not might be worth a discovery call 😀
In it I would ask you some questions about you and your business that might help 😉
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
29/05/2024
I’m Boring 🥱
Not very cool I know.
I am:
👍 Consistent
✅ Reliable
💪 Get on with what I need to
😱 Do most things myself
As an employee it sucked!
People didn’t notice or appreciate, well until you were not there.
When I worked in the oil industry, I had been tasked with keeping our safety critical no’s at 0. Which I did consistently for weeks and weeks. Then I went on my honeymoon, we went 2 overdue.
If I hadn’t gone away no one would have noticed.
It’s the same in businesses we do everything. The wheels never fall off. As we are committed, it’s our baby!
But if your business can’t run without you, you’ve made a noose for your own neck.
Do you realise to exit takes 3 years? In whatever form you decide to.
So, us business owners become the bottleneck to growth.
If you are an invisible employee, like I was, I feel you, but I look for you whenever I need something. Those of us who’ve been there will appreciate you ❤️
As a boss I have had let go, delegate and to be honest I find it hard. But no surprise I was in my own way!
❓Which one are you❓
Which one are you?
Bottleneck Boss
Invisible Employee
Other – Please comment below 👇
I sometimes wonder if to be a bottleneck boss you have had to be an invisible employee.
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
What do you want?🤔
When I coach people this is the question most people really struggled with.
The key part of it is intention.
As I have noticed again and again when you set your intention clearly it’s generally what you get back.
It’s like putting your order in for what you want.
When I worked with the awesome Alison Mitchell she used to roll her eyes at me as before each meeting I would ask “What is it we actually want out of this meeting?”
It’s one of the reasons I ask this in my Basic Business Mastery Program in 2 Modules. Module 1: Being Clear on You and setting intentions is basically what you do in a Business Plan which is Module 3.
My intention with all my clients is that they emotionally connect with their business. As your business is not just stuff you do, it should connect to who you are.
So, you can add value by doing that you are amazing at. Meaning your tank is kept full. But more than that you have systems and structures that work for you, to make running your business easy.
My intention with my clients is to:
⭐️ Be clear on themselves – so they know what they have to offer that’s adds value
🎁 Create an offer that’s not only good for their perfect client but for them to
✅ Have a Business Plan so they know where they are going
🎯 Know what Social Media platform their people are on, how to use it and what to do
💰 To be able to do sales with a process that feels comfortable for them
📈 Be able to do amazing feedback so they can grow
👥 Have a strategy for networking so it really benefits them and their business
As often we start our businesses and get so overwhelmed with everything, we need to do but we don’t know how. Or we run it for a while and realise we are not getting enough clients. I have been there, and I know most business owners have.
If this sounds like you please book in on Calendly (link in comments👇). I can do a little diagnostic (10 mins) to see what you need to support you.
❓What is your intention for your business / life❓
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
Hour of Hope – Standing Back ✋
This week our topic is on standing back.
Both Hywel ApDewi and I have had things recently when we have had to stop and reassess what we are doing and where we are going.
As we are both coaches, we know how important it is to do this. We do it with others 😀
Good though we practice what we preach.
So, this weekend we decided to share the benefits of it and how to do it.
We will cover:
👀Perspective from Standing Back
✋ Small Pauses
❌ Big Pauses
🤔 The Value of Standing Back
If you are interested tune in to Fylde Coast Radio Digital on Sunday 26th of May 12.30 – 1.30 pm, I’ll put the links in the comments below ⬇️
If you would like to add to the conversation, drop us an e-mail on [email protected]
❓How are you at standing back from your life to reassess❓
Another great conversation, I am sure. Here is the clip from our podcast. You’ll get the full episode on Fylde Coast Radio’s YouTube channel.
Have a great weekend ❤️
Like my stuff? Ring the bell 🔔 on my profile so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
22/05/2024
My Website 🙌
Now I’m not going to lie. I have hated doing this.
I’ve done a few before and I always found them a pain.
Now admittedly it probably would have been easier and quicker if I had just handed everything over to Ansari Nadeem and his team. I’m sure I tested him a bit 😳. Even though he was gracious as ever.
But the pain was worth it. I know my website really well and I can change most things. What I wanted so I can update it myself 😊
But what I’m most grateful for is all the people who have helped me last week to get it over the line.
Shout outs to:
Firstly Nadeem. For putting up with me. Being kind. Listening and trying his absolute best to give me what I wanted, which he did. You did an amazing job and I am extremely thankful ❤️
Ray Dolben for helping me with my legal stuff, even though I know you could have chucked me in the bin 🗑️ 😂😂
Rosie diver for helping me with an annoying excel issue, honestly she is amazing and digital stuff she’s your gal.
Ian Denny for bigging me up as he always does!
Hywel ApDewi, Angela Mercer and Rosie McGuigan for moral support
Derek Sutherland for sorting my email!
Trish guy for getting the website started
Julia Reedshaw for proofreading
All of you I am so grateful, thank you 🙏
I realised how lucky I am to have amazing business friends ❤️
So here it is!
https://afinsights.co.uk/
❓Have you got a website❓
Drop it below ❤️
Like my stuff? Follow me so it shows up in your feed 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
Free Beginner Business Courses & Training - AF Insights Explore our range of free online business courses that provide adults with the skills to succeed and grow in today's business environment.
20/05/2024
Intuition 🤔
I’m going to speak about it today as I know I had totally switched mine off. Especially in my business.
But I think I am no different to a lot of you.
That little nagging voice inside. Telling us we are going the wrong way. That’s the wrong person. We don’t listen.
Not because we are stupid but as we rationalise. That would look silly. I don’t want to let them down. It feels a bit rash.
How many times have you done that and paid the price later? I know I have many times.
So, tuning into yourself is important.
In particular I speak about on my program in Module 1: Being Clear on YOU and Module 7: Great Networking. In both I speak about knowing yourself and listening to you above anyone else. You are right!
I wanted to mention it today as often I think we are socially conditioned out of listening to ourselves, but that voice is there for a reason to keep us right 😊
❓If you hear that inner voice do you listen❓
If you don’t listen might be an idea to tune back into yourself 😀
Like my stuff? Follow me 👍
——————————————————————
Want to set your business up for success?
Fed up of not progressing at the speed you want?
Want a system and structure to make running your business easy?
What if you could:
✅ Have systems and processes that suit you
✅ Set you and your business for growth
✅ Ensure what you are doing is progressing you
✅ Have support to do all of the above
Wouldn’t it be great if you stopped:
❌Feeling unproductive
❌Endless training to learn how to do everything
❌Wasting time
❌The emotional rollercoaster in your business
Say “INTERESTED” in the comments for my free Business Basics Course 😀.
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