Business Problems Solved Podcast

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 07813342194
Lee@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 07813342194
Lee@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 07813342194
Lee@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/