"And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain..."

That's right boys and girls, this is the FINAL EVER episode of the Big Idea Podcast!

"Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention..."

It's also the shortest episode we've ever recorded..

"Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew..."

But don't panic - we're not going anywhere! We're simply getting a new name - the "Ambitious. Lifestyle. Business. Podcast." - we're also going to be dragging (Ed - you mean "inviting") some of our One Percenters onto the show to talk about how they've built (or are building) their own ambitious, lifestyle businesses.

"But more, much more than this
I did it my way..."

(With apologies to Frank Sinatra!)

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

Want to get more customers?

Who come back more often?

And spend more money?

A subscription model could be the answer to your prayers - The likes of Amazon, Netflix, Graze, Naked Wines and Sky have all cottoned onto it - even the dear old Milkman is making a comeback, so isn't it about time you did the same?

This episode is a brief overview of a Masterclass that we delivered for the One Percent Club, our very own subscription business!

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

We tackle Fear of Failure in this month's episode, with lessons and advice from Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger and Scott Adams.

We learn about the £100k risk that John and Jason are taking right now, and also tell you how John made £50k by playing Fifa...

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

We "keep it simple, stupid" in this episode, with key takeaways and lessons from Elon Musk, Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger about the power of simplicity in business.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

You don't choose the level of your success.

You choose your habits, and your habits dictate the level of your success.

In this episode, we find out why you need to become the "King of Routine" in your business if you want to thrive. We look at what it takes to have "grit" with Angela Duckworth, and how to demonstrate "Extreme Ownership" courtesy of Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

It's the Easter edition of the Big Idea Podcast, so it's only natural that we talk about... Hot Cross Buns!

Specifically, how Hot Cross Buns can teach you a thing or two about growing your business - especially if you think you only sell one "thing" and can't possibly branch out into other products or cross sell something similar to people who currently HATE what you sell.

We talk about asset creation, and why EVERYBODY should be creating, building, buying and sweating assets on a weekly, if not daily basis. We give an insight into one of the latest assets in OUR arsenal - the audiobook recording of Big Ideas for Small Businesses, where John recently spent two days in the studio, recording an asset that will still be bringing in constant revenue 20 or 30 years from now.

This month's Book of the Month was "The Rise and Fall... and rise again" by Gerald Ratner. It's a fascinating insight into the world of a man who had it all, the world at his feet, and then told one "crap" joke, and lost it all.

More specifically, it's a great insight into how Gerald Ratner had everything taken away from him - apart from the knowledge between his ears, and his drive to succeed - and how he clawed his way back to become successful again. 

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

If you've been listening to the Big Idea Podcast for the last few months then you'll have heard me raving about today's guest for quite some time.

Neville Wright is the founder of Kiddicare.com, a nursery retailer that Neville started with his wife Marilyn in 1974.  But don't be fooled into thinking this is your usual "and then I made £100 million" story - we go deep into the early years of Neville's journey, focusing on how he took 37p and borrowed his Dad's ladder to go from "a beggar to chairman of the board" in over afternoon.

Neville isn't a superhuman. He hasn't done anything that you or I couldn't do ourselves given a decent work ethic, some business acumen and 40 years ahead of us. If you're looking for the blueprint for almost guaranteed success, this is it.

There's no gimmicks, no "gaming of the system", no hustling or cheating his way to win. Neville got to the very top of his industry by always looking for a win/win solution at every opportunity, and by really looking after his customers and his staff.

We talk a lot about Neville's book "The Answer is Yes, now what is the question?", which I honestly believe is the best autobiography I've read in several years - it's inspirational, without the level of disconnect that the average man usually feels. 

If you want to succeed in business or marketing, then the answers you seek are in here - you just need to know "what is the question?"

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

John's eight year old son is collecting mentors. Like just about every other 8 year old kid, he wants to be a famous YouTuber like DanTDM or Stampylonghead. But like John way back in 2000, he "knows that he knows nothing" - so he's been seeking out mentors. Other kids like him that are a little bit ahead of him in his Youtube journey, and who can help give him the blueprint to succeed.

We review February's Book of the Month by Neville Wright, which earned rave reviews, and also introduced March's book of the month by Gerald Ratner, which having seen Gerald speak before should be very entertaining (and certainly not "crap!").

We delve into how and why accountability works for us, and show you how we've used it to publish a book, learn to play golf, and even get a lazy entrepreneur doing 100 press ups every day!

Finally, we talk about public speaking - This is something that both John and Jason do quite a lot of these days. But it wasn't always the case, so we look into the secret behind confident public speaking.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

In this episode, we go Mystery Shopping with some of our clients, and encourage you to find out the TRUTH about what's going on in your business, rather than what "should" be happening.

Our book of the month is "Principles" by Ray Dalio, and as always we've got loads of takeaways from it to help you grow your business.

We evaluate risk vs reward from an investment, and business point of view - would you risk £6k to make £30k? How about giving free petrol away to potential customers, or giving them ALL their money back if you don't do what you say you're going to do?

We look at how "real" businesses can implement squeeze pages and funnels into their marketing without coming across like a sleazy marketer!

Finally, we talk about how we've built up some huge communities in our businesses - from 800 people in a Facebook group to 200,000 on a mailing list, and how you can swipe and deploy what we do.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

Our review of the year - key takeaways and favourite moments.
Our resolutions and predictions for 2018.
What we've learned from a year of podcasting.
Our Book(s) of the Year

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

John shows us what we can learn from Heston Blumenthal's restaurant "The Fat Duck" - in terms of customer experience, attention to detail, and pricing.

We also look back at last month's book of the month "Money", by Rob Moore - a title that really polarised listeners, who seemed to either love it or hate it - Jason of course didn't read it as usual!

We do a debrief from Black Friday - sharing what's worked, and what hasn't worked from our clients businesses - and our own. There's a crucial point in there too about not needing to wait a year to repeat a successful Black Friday campaign...

Finally, we show you why it's really important not to just ask for feedback from your customers, but to actually LISTEN to what they're telling you too!

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

In this episode:

John tells us why he decided to switch from Apple, just two months before the launch of the iPhone X, and why he's already regretting it - this is more than just another "Apple v Android" war of words though - there's some real business lessons in there.

This month's book of the month was "The Everything Store" by Brad Stone, which looks at the meteoric rise of Jeff Bezos, and Amazon.com, which leads John to the conclusion that "he's a bit of an evil b*****d really isn't he?"

Jason once again tells us how simple running a successful business is - and it all comes down to doing "what you say you're going to do."

John shares some of his strategies for curing overwhelm ("getting rid of your phone" is one of them, though that may simply related to his Samsung woes this month)

John also tells us what he learnt meeting Charlie Mullins, the "millionaire plumber" from Pimlico Plumbers last month.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

Doors are open for the One Percent Club! We've got just 12 spaces for ambitious, lifestyle business owners to work more closely with John and Jason to grow their businesses.

In this episode:

We review "Shoe Dog", the memoirs of Phil Knight, the founder of Nike (and Jason gives us a memorable lesson in how to pronounce Nike "correctly"...)

We look back on a very successful month of our "Bring me Sunshine" challenge - and how forcing ourselves to think positively on a daily basis has led to the habit of positive thinking coming much, much easier to us.

It's Jason's turn for a rant this month - as he laments the lack of follow-up from several people he's had dealings with recently.

John shares his simple 3-step process for "the ultimate marketing strategy"

We look at the importance of giving value as part of a content marketing strategy.

John looks forward to meeting Charlie Mullins, the "millionaire plumber" from Pimlico Plumbers later this month, and also manages to get in a dig at used car salesmen...

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

John has a bit of a rant this month (just for a change!) - This time the focus of his rage are those "experts" who have never run a real business in their lives, yet charge people who DO run real businesses thousands of pounds for their "expertise".

What's that got to do with "stuffing envelopes"?

You'll have to listen to the podcast to find out...

Also in this episode:

John gets excited about a Direct Response advert in a football programme (only to get his hopes dashed spectacularly).

John and Jason go all "Morecambe and Wise", and ask you to Bring Them Sunshine for the month of September.

We look at why people don't think BIG enough when setting long term goals.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

In this Bumper Summer Special episode of the Big Idea Podcast, John and Jason discuss:

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

Welcome to the July episode of the Big Idea Podcast - summer is here!

In this episode, John and Jason discuss:

• The launch strategy for John's new book "Big Ideas... for Small Businesses - Simple, practical tools and tactics to help your small business grow"
• How John crashed his car at 120mph (there may be some exaggeration in this statement.. John is a Marketer after all)
• How to increase your prices without losing all your customers.
• The time that "they" appeared on Have I Got News For You.
• How to deal with missing deadlines.
• What happened when the guys were interviewed by the local newspaper, and why YOU need to be doing PR.
• The importance of monitoring the effectiveness of your Marketing.
• Why you shouldn't devalue your small business with tiny pricing.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

John and Jason have been devouring the 700+ pages of Tim Ferriss' epic MONSTER of a book "Tools of Titans" over the last few months, and have managed to fit no less than 14 of their key takeaways into a 40 minute podcast.

From "keeping it simple" to intermittent fasting, "copywriting your flaws" to knowing what to say NO to - the hardest part was whittling literally hundreds of gems that we COULD have used down to just 14!

For those not familiar with Tim Ferriss or Tools of Titans, Tim's the author of best-selling books like the Four Hour Workweek, Four Hour Chef, Four Hour Body, and host of the Tim Ferriss show - a weekly podcast where he interviews industry leaders, geniuses and billionaires.

Guys like Tony Robbins, Triple H, Derek Sivers, Jamie Foxx, Scott Adams, Kevin Costner, Noah Kagan, Shay Carl, Edward Norton, Seth Rogen, Naval Ravikant, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Morgan Spurlock, Peter Thiel, and many more over 200+ epsiodes.

Tools of Titans is the condensed version of those interviews. Yep, you read that correctly - the 700+ page book is the CONDENSED version. Trust me - you're never more than 4 pages away from your next "nugget"

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

We're working to rather a tight deadline at the moment, with John's new book "Big Ideas for Small Businesses" coming out on the 21st June.

With that very deadline much in mind for the whole team at the moment, it's only natural that this week we talk about deadlines - how to set ambitious, yet realistic ones, as well as the effect that a good deadline can have on your own business, and how they can be deadly when deployed in your marketing.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

Find out what happens when John spends a few days in the company of Ryan Deiss and Gary Vaynerchuk. As well as the main lessons that John picked up from Ryan and Gary Vee, he also has a rant about trying to buy a jar of pesto, and a very important lesson about margins.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

In this week's show Helen asks "What's the most effective form of marketing  to reach my target audience which are schools and businesses looking to increase staff skills? I provide training to businesses and schools on supporting mental health and improving 'soft' people skills"

Kane asks "I'm the general manager of a new restaurant in Blackpool, and want to make sure my launch is as successful as possible - how can I make the most of the launch?"

John tells us how a school residential trip for his seven year-old re-affirmed his "why", and gets us all posing as Wonder Woman for two minutes in the name of science.

Sophie asks "I have started my small business trying to sell handmade painted glasses and mugs through Etsy and also via Facebook. I would like to have some sales and be able to work from home and make a nice little business for myself. I have had no sales as yet but have been making items for friends and family as presents and gifts." - something John describes as "Kevin Costner Syndrome"

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.

For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast.

And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Big Idea Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every Monday lunchtime, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.