Mergers and acquisitions can spark exciting growth — but they also bring chaos, uncertainty, and a lot of stress.   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, we’re joined by Alex Black, Director of Client Services and Innovation at Ad Valorem, a fast-growing accountancy firm now part of the ETL Group.   Alex shares how he’s helped teams navigate the stress of change — from integrating cultures and standardising processes, to preparing teams for powerful innovations like AI.   You’ll learn: What causes stress during mergers — and how to ease it How to overcome resistance when introducing change Why standardising workflows is critical for innovation What leaders often get wrong about growth and acquisitions This episode is packed with real-world lessons from someone who’s been at the frontline of fast change — and still kept the team engaged, productive, and open to the future.   What’s your approach to handling stress during periods of change? Let us know in the comments!   #DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #ChangeManagement #TeamAlignment #AlexBlack #Innovation #AIAdoption     Helpful resources: Ad Valorem: https://www.advaloremgroup.uk/ ETL Global: https://www.etl-global.com/ Alex on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexblackacca/

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury delves into the often unexpected and challenging people problems every business leader faces.    From marital disputes to sudden resignations, Alexis emphasizes the importance of strong line management in navigating these issues.    He shares practical advice on building trustful, open relationships between managers and their teams, and highlights the significance of regular one-to-ones and creating a no-blame culture.    Learn how to prepare for crises and support your employees effectively, ensuring your business remains resilient even when life throws curveballs.   ---   Helpful resources:   Playbook for Managing Employee Performance (including guidance on great 1-2-1 meetings): https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/unsatisfactory-performance-playbook

Catherine Morgan was a financial adviser with all the right credentials. She had the qualifications, the clients, and years of experience helping others manage their money.   But in her own life, money felt unsafe. She was stuck in cycles of overspending, shame, and fear. Not because she didn’t know how to manage money, but because her nervous system was reacting to something deeper.   That’s when she realised the problem wasn’t knowledge. It was trauma.   So she stepped away from the traditional finance world, retrained in trauma healing, money psychology, and coaching, and started doing the work that had been missing all along.   Today, she’s an award-winning coach, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and host of the global top 0.5% podcast It’s Not About the Money, with more than 600,000 downloads and a mission to help one million women feel safe and empowered around money.   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Catherine shares:   Why so many smart, successful people still sabotage themselves financially How money trauma hides in patterns like undercharging, overspending, and avoidance What it means to feel safe with money — especially for ADHD and neurodivergent minds The internal stories that keep us stuck, and how to rewrite them Real transformations Catherine has witnessed — including her own   If money stress keeps showing up in your life or business, even when you’re doing everything “right,” this episode will give you a new way to understand it — and a path forward.   #destressyourbusiness #CatherineMorgan #moneytrauma #financialstress #adhdawareness #neurodivergentleaders #emotionalresilience #businessgrowth #healingjourney #entrepreneurship ---   Helpful resources: Website- https://catherinemorgan.com/ LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-morgan/ Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/catherinemorganmoney/?hl=en Book- “It’s not about the money”- https://catherinemorgan.com/free-book-its-not-about-the-money/ Podcast: It's Not About The Money: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/its-not-about-the-money/id1449065629 Money Quiz: https://catherinemorgan.com/quiz

What separates good managers from truly great leaders?    In this episode, Alexis Kingsbury sits down with leadership expert William C. Davis, who brings over 38 years of experience across corporate America, the military, and government. Together, they dive deep into the mindset shifts that transform leadership—from focusing on tasks to building genuine relationships and trust.   William shares powerful stories and practical advice on: The difference between managing, leading, and “being the boss” Why self-awareness and emotional intelligence are essential for modern leaders How to build a culture of trust and ownership in your team The challenges and opportunities of leading new generations, including Gen Z Real-life examples of leadership failures and how to fix them The keys to retaining top talent and reducing stress for everyone Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an aspiring leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead with confidence, empathy, and impact.   If you enjoy the episode, please like, subscribe, and share! Leave a comment with your favorite takeaway or question for William.   #Leadership #Mindset #Teamwork #DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #LeadershipDevelopment   ---   Helpful resources: Website: https://www.williamcdavis.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573023334183 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamcharlesdavis64/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamcharlesdavis/

In Episode 159 of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury shares simple yet impactful ways to enhance your employee onboarding process.    He emphasizes the significance of first impressions, providing actionable advice on how to make new hires feel excited, valued, and ready to contribute. From pre-start communication to thoughtful touches on the first day, Alexis highlights the importance of making new employees feel welcome.    This episode is packed with practical tips, including setting up tools, personalizing the experience, and fostering early connections.    Learn how to turn your onboarding process into a memorable and efficient experience, ultimately improving retention and creating brand ambassadors.    Access the full employee onboarding playbook at airmanual.link/playbooks for more detailed templates and checklists.   ---   Helpful resources:   Playbook on how to Onboard a New Employee: https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/onboard-a-new-employee-playbook (it is tailored to Accountancy firms, but the principles apply to all businesses)

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury explores how professional services firms can easily create compelling case studies using AI.    Despite the value of case studies, firms often avoid them due to the time and effort required. Alexis introduces a streamlined approach using a simple checklist and AI prompts to convert rough notes into polished case studies.    Learn the steps to gather essential information, prompt AI for drafting, and finalize case studies efficiently, enabling even junior staff to handle the task.    ---   Helpful resources: Accountancy Playbook - Win More Ideal Clients: https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/win-more-ideal-clients Alexis speaking at Accountex 2025: https://www.accountex.co.uk/london/event/how-to-get-the-best-out-of-your-people-even-if-theyre-terrible/ Example of a case study created using this approach: https://airmanual.link/case-study/tennick More Playbooks: https://www.airmanual.co/resources

In this episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury explores why great technology often fails in businesses despite its potential for significant impact.    He breaks down common myths and excuses for tech adoption failures and introduces a seven-step tech adoption process designed to ensure your team not only has the tools but uses them effectively to solve real business problems.    Alexis also shares insights on how to align processes with technology, obtain cross-business buy-in, and provide structured training to achieve long-term success.    ---   Helpful resources:   - Get the playbook and interactive checklist at airmanual.link/das25 for step-by-step guidance.

In this episode of the De-stress Your Business podcast, Alexis Kingsbury shares insights from his ACCA Roadshow presentation on how to build scalable systems, delegate work, and enhance client experiences in accountancy practices.    Using real-life examples, Alexis discusses the necessity of processes, common pitfalls, and strategies for improvement.    Learn how to effectively onboard new clients, improve recruitment, and create a thriving business environment with less stress.    Get actionable tips and hear inspiring stories of how effective process implementation can transform lives and businesses.   00:00 Introduction and Importance of Processes 01:40 Challenges in Recruitment and Onboarding 03:47 Personal Journey and Business Success 07:12 Common Struggles in Accountancy Practices 11:22 Strategies for Hiring A Players 14:37 Making It Easy to Do a Great Job 20:47 Client Onboarding Process 25:09 Key Takeaways and Conclusion   ---   Helpful resources: Participate in the research and get your FREE playbook: https://airmanual.link/get-your-SOP

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of selling your business?   It’s a lot—confusing valuations, succession plans, and tax pitfalls may be keeping you up at night.    Maybe you feel trapped by the legal and financial headaches that turn what should be a smooth transition into a nerve-wracking ordeal.    Or maybe the mere idea of letting go leaves you anxious about your future and the legacy you’ve built. If all of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and it’s time to rethink how you approach your exit.   Today we have Richard McMullan on the podcast. He’s the brilliant mind behind The Business Exit Blueprint. He’s also guided 130+ business owners to transform their exit strategies—helping them scale companies from £1M to £20M and boost value by an average of 40%—and turn overwhelming challenges into clear opportunities for a more relaxed and profitable future.   In today’s podcast you’ll:   Discover how to break down the exit process and tackle the parts that stress out business owners Hear real-life stories of pivoting strategies and spotting early warning signs Get practical tips on balancing day-to-day operations with long-term exit planning Learn offbeat advice that cuts stress and unlocks new opportunities   If you’re ready to flip the script on exit headaches and set yourself up for a smoother, smarter transition, you won’t want to miss this conversation!   #DeStressYourBusiness #BusinessExits #ExitStrategy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #RichardMcMullan   ---   Helpful resources: Richard’s LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-mcmullan/ Richard’s website- https://aurelius-advisory.com/ Richard’s book- https://aurelius-advisory.com/the-business-exit-blueprint-book/ Book recommendation- Living at the summit, by Tom Hill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Summit-Novel-Approach-Exceptional/dp/0966782135

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, host Alexis Kingsbury discusses how to effectively manage conversations about employee performance issues.    He outlines a three-step framework to address underperformance without causing stress, awkwardness, or defensive reactions. Through specific feedback, clarifying the impact of mistakes, and setting clear expectations for improvement, Alexis provides actionable steps to enhance employee performance and maintain team morale.    01:08 Why Leaders Avoid Performance Conversations 01:29 The Consequences of Avoidance 02:17 Setting Clear Expectations 02:59 Giving Specific Feedback 04:07 Focusing on the Impact 04:58 Setting Clear Expectations for Improvement 06:01 Handling Pushback Calmly 07:24 Reinforcing Accountability 08:00 Conclusion and Next Steps   ---   Helpful resources:   - Get a playbook for resolving unsatisfactory performance available at www.airmanual.co/resources

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury dives into assessing and resolving employee underperformance.    He discusses the importance of using performance data over gut instinct, signs that indicate potential improvement, and when to consider firing an employee.    Alexis also covers the significant costs of keeping underperformers, creating structured improvement plans, and the consequences of inaction. Tune in for practical advice on maintaining high team morale and productivity.   ---   Helpful resources:   - Get the playbook for resolving unsatisfactory employee performance at https://www.airmanual.co/resources 

For many business owners, dealing with HMRC and tax compliance is one of the most stressful parts of running a business. The fear of making mistakes, the pressure of deadlines, and the complexity of the system can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we’re joined by Paul Aplin OBE, a trailblazer in tax and business strategy. With decades of experience and a leading role in the Making Tax Digital initiative, Paul shares practical advice for reducing tax-related stress and avoiding common pitfalls. We cover:👉 How to simplify your tax processes and save time.👉 Practical tips for confident communication with HMRC.👉 Tools and strategies to reduce the anxiety of compliance. Whether you dread tax deadlines or want to feel more in control of your business finances, this episode is packed with actionable insights you won’t want to miss! What’s your approach to managing tax stress in your business? Let us know in the comments! #DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #TaxCompliance #BusinessStrategy #HMRC --- Helpful resources: - Paul Aplin OBE on Twitter / X: https://x.com/PaulAplinOnTax- Paul Aplin OBE on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/paulaplinontax.bsky.social- Paul Aplin OBE on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-aplin-obe-a799bb13/- Resources on how to get your processes sorted: https://www.airmanual.co/resources

Customer feedback can be a gift—or a challenge. For service businesses, mastering how to handle it is key to improving your offering and keeping clients happy. But what’s the best way to respond to tough criticism without defensiveness or ensure glowing praise doesn’t go unnoticed?   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Rachel Harris, aka “accountant_she,” shares her proven process for handling customer feedback in a way that fuels growth and reduces stress. Rachel, an award-winning accountant and advocate for small businesses, reveals how to: Respond to negative feedback with professionalism and composure Amplify positive feedback to boost morale and attract new clients Build a culture of continuous improvement through actionable insights   Whether feedback stresses you out or gets lost in the day-to-day, this episode will give you practical strategies to make it work for your business—not against it.   ---   Helpful Resources: Accountant_She on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountant_she/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@accountant_she YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/accountantshe Rachel’s Website: https://www.accountantshe.com/

Mergers can tear teams apart… when they are trying to bring teams together!   Uncertainty spreads like wildfire, leaving employees anxious about their jobs and leaders scrambling to restore focus. Productivity plummets as confusion and fear take hold.    The best talent starts eyeing the exit, while the rest are stuck wondering if their contributions even matter. For leaders, it’s a nightmare—morale crumbles, resistance grows, and the stress of trying to hold it all together feels insurmountable.   That’s why we’re talking to Nikki Adams, the Joint Managing Director of Ad Valorem Group and a leader who’s been in the trenches of business transformation for over two decades. Nikki has built award-winning teams, steered organizations through complex mergers, and implemented strategies that turn chaos into collaboration.    Recognized as a Xero Mid-Size Firm of the Year winner and one of Practice Ignition’s Top 50 Women in Accounting, Nikki is known for her ability to unite teams, reduce stress, and make even the most daunting transitions a success.   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, we dive into: The first steps leaders must take to calm employees and regain control during a merger How to avoid the classic mistakes that stress employees and kill morale Strategies Nikki uses to turn resistant teams into unified powerhouses Real-life examples of mergers that went from disaster to triumph under Nikki’s guidance   If you’ve ever wondered how to manage a merger without losing your team—or your sanity—this episode is for you.   Don’t miss this game-changing conversation on De-stress Your Business!   #DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #ChangeManagement #NikkiAdams #TeamSuccess #EmployeeEngagement   ---   Helpful resources: Nikki on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkiadamsadvalorem/?originalSubdomain=uk Ad Valorem: https://www.advaloremgroup.uk/ ETL Global: https://www.etl-global.com/

Worried about your business running out of money?   This common fear among entrepreneurs goes beyond mere inconvenience; it strikes at the heart of your ability to operate and grow. Imagine the stress of looking at your financial statements, realizing there isn’t enough to cover next month’s bills, let alone unexpected expenses.    Whether it’s missing payroll, delaying crucial inventory purchases, or facing hefty tax bills unprepared, these scenarios can shake even the most seasoned business owner. It’s not just about managing finances; it’s about securing peace of mind in a world where cash flow is king.   This week on “De-stress Your Business,” we’re joined by Mike Michalowicz, a titan in the entrepreneurial community and the creator of the Profit First formula. With a track record of founding and selling multiple multi-million dollar businesses before his 35th birthday, Mike has dedicated his career to teaching other entrepreneurs how to achieve the same success.    His Profit First system has been applied by hundreds of thousands of businesses worldwide, radically improving their cash management and ensuring their financial health.   In this episode, Mike shares: Effective strategies to prevent financial panic at the end of each financial period, Real-world success stories of businesses that implemented Profit First and transformed their financial health, Step-by-step actions you can take immediately to start building financial security in your business.   Tune in to episode 149 with Mike Michalowicz to learn how to turn your financial anxiety into a story of success.   ---   Helpful resources: LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemichalowicz/ Website- https://mikemichalowicz.com/ /  https://www.mikemotorbike.com  Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/mikemichalowicz/?hl=en Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/MikeMichalowiczFanPage/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/user/MikeMichalowicz X- https://twitter.com/mikemichalowicz?lang=en Mike’s Books- https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mike-Michalowicz/author/B002E4G0CC?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Profit First UK: https://profitfirstuk.co.uk/ Recommended book: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie

What do you do when everything is falling apart?    Your entire team walks out, leaving you with no one to lean on and years of expertise wiped out overnight. Clients are questioning your ability to deliver, peers are skeptical of your vision, and the sheer weight of rebuilding feels impossible.    Worse yet, you can’t help but wonder—was it all your fault? Did you push too hard, fail to communicate, or simply choose the wrong people?   That’s exactly what Eriona Bajrakurtaj faced—and conquered. As CEO of Major’s Accounts and founder of Volt Digital Transformation, Eriona didn’t just survive the collapse of her team—she turned it into the foundation for a thriving digital empire.    Today, she leads a fully digital accounting practice serving over 1,600 clients, has pioneered cutting-edge systems that future-proof businesses, and is recognized as a trailblazer in digital transformation.    Her story is one of resilience, bold decisions, and proving skeptics wrong at every turn.   In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Eriona shares: How she bounced back after losing her team during a digital transformation The bold moves she made to build a more agile and aligned workforce Her strategies for navigating skepticism from industry peers Why embracing challenges can lead to your biggest breakthroughs.   If you’ve ever felt like your business was on the brink, this episode will inspire you to rethink setbacks and come back stronger. ---   Helpful resources: LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/eriona-bajrakurtaj-19922006/?originalSubdomain=uk Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/eriona_bajrakurtaj/ Tiktok- https://www.tiktok.com/@eriona_majors_accounts Major’s Accounts- https://majorsaccounts.com/ Volt Digital Transformation: https://www.voltdigital.ai/ Recommended book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Guy Kawasaki

In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury tackles the often stressful end-of-year annual planning process.    He provides practical tips for simplifying the process, aligning your team around shared goals, and creating an actionable plan for 2025.    Alexis highlights the importance of using quarterly reviews, effective tools like SWOT analysis and OKRs, and obtaining structured input from your team.    He also shares strategies to keep your planning flexible and focused, ensuring continuous progress and engagement throughout the year.   00:00 Introduction: De-stress Your Annual Planning 01:46 Why Annual Planning Feels Stressful 02:50 Preparing for Annual Planning Throughout the Year 04:21 Tools and Templates for Effective Planning 07:55 Aligning Your Team and Gathering Input 09:45 Structuring Your Annual Planning Meeting 12:17 Creating an Action Plan 14:09 Communicating and Adapting Your Plan 15:45 Conclusion and Resources   ---   Helpful resources:   - Template for your annual planning meeting: https://airmanual.link/annual-planning-agenda

In this special rhyming episode of De-Stress Your Business, Alexis Kingsbury reflects on a whirlwind year, expressing gratitude for listeners and guests.    He gives you a whistle stop tour through ALL the interviews in 2024, grouped into topics like pricing models, marketing, sales strategies, and tech automation.    The episode also teases a comedy song, 'Be Kind to Your Accountant This Christmas,' available at: https://youtu.be/nDJmcQ2wx6Q   P.S. Alexis wrote the poem. It was NOT created by AI or by the team. So any complaints on poor rhymes can be blamed squarely on him.

Are your outdated accounting practices costing you clients and damaging your business reputation?  In a world where speed, efficiency, and precision drive client decisions, clinging to traditional methods is not just inefficient—it’s business suicide. Clients today expect real-time insights and seamless service; failing to provide these can lead them straight to your savvier competitors.  The gap between what you offer and what your clients demand is widening, and without a shift, your firm could be left irreversibly behind. This week on ‘De-stress Your Business,’ we confront this urgent issue with David Kime, a visionary who’s revolutionizing the accounting landscape by defying conventional practices. Known for his bold approach and technological prowess, David has not only anticipated the future needs of the industry but has actively shaped them. He’s successfully turned traditional accounting on its head by integrating innovative technologies like DEXT, making businesses not just survive but thrive in the digital age. His expertise has transformed struggling firms into market leaders, setting new standards in client satisfaction and retention. Join us as David shares:👉 How sticking to traditional accounting is pushing clients away.👉 Transformative stories from businesses that have adopted new technologies.👉 The must-have tech tools that are reshaping client relationships. Don’t miss this crucial conversation with David Kime—it might just be the wake-up call your practice needs to stay relevant and competitive. 🎧🚀 #DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #innovation #accounting #technology #clientretention #DavidKime --- Helpful resources: - LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkime/?originalSubdomain=uk- Kime Consultancy- https://www.kimeconsultancy.com/

Many people use LinkedIn hoping it will help their career or business grow, but often it just feels like a waste of time.  This is especially true for professional services providers like accountants and bookkeepers who spend hours trying to connect with others and make their profile stand out, only to see little to no results.  The platform is crowded, it’s hard to get noticed, and all that effort doesn’t seem to pay off. So, how can you actually make LinkedIn work for you without it taking over your life? We’ve got an episode that might just change the way you think about LinkedIn.  Today, we’re going deep with Ashley Leeds, also known as the ‘15-Minute Guy.’  Ashley is a legend in transforming LinkedIn from a time-consuming chore into a powerhouse tool for professionals.  With many years of proven success, he’s revolutionized the approach to online networking, showing how to use 15 focused minutes a day to achieve the results that hours of effort used to promise. Here’s what you’ll learn in today’s episode:👉 How to make connecting via LinkedIn feel natural and fun!👉 The biggest LinkedIn myths that hold many back.👉 What to post about on LinkedIn, and make this easy to do every single weekday.👉 How LinkedIn engagement leads directly to qualified prospects So if you’re tired of trying hard without seeing results, tune in to learn how Ashley Leeds turns 15 minutes into your most productive time of the day. #DeStressYourBusiness #Podcast #LinkedInSuccess #AshleyLeeds #Networking #BusinessGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #15MinuteGuy #LinkedIn #Marketing #Sales--- Helpful resources: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6bgLrcSbjg Ashley’s LinkedIn Post about Breakfast: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy_15minuteguy-activity-7256917107173462016-BjXJ/ Recommended book: Solve for Happy, by Mo Gawdat