In episode 12, we set meaningful, measurable goals to give your business real direction. But a goal without a plan is just a nice idea written in a notebook.

Today, we're closing that gap. This episode is for every business owner who has felt the excitement of a new goal, only to get stuck wondering how to actually make it happen. We tackle the common traps of waiting for "the right time" or for "things to calm down," and instead, build a practical framework that works in your real life.

This is where your goals become your reality. We will break down how to turn your big ambitions into a simple, actionable 12-month plan. Using a story about a client who successfully achieved a 4-day work week, I'll show you how small, consistent steps are the key to building real momentum and creating lasting change.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why you don't need a perfect plan, you need a practical one that you can follow on your best days and your messy days.
2. The three things a powerful 12-month plan gives you: reduced anxiety, increased momentum, and genuine freedom.
3. Fix #1: How to Choose 4 Quarterly Themes to give your year a clear focus and stop you from trying to do everything at once.
4. Fix #2: How to Break Each Quarter Into Monthly Milestones to turn your big priorities into manageable, monthly wins.
5. Fix #3: How to Turn Milestones Into Weekly Actions to anchor your plan into your real-life schedule and create consistent progress.
6. The crucial mindset shift: Structure is supportive, not restrictive. It anchors you so you have the freedom to grow.

The Shift Thought of the Week: "Big change doesn’t come from big leaps. It comes from small commitments made consistently.”

Mentioned in This Episode:

Free Goal Setting Plan PDF: Get the free guide to help you turn your goals into a plan that actually works. Just email hello@profitandgrowth.co.uk with the words "GOALS PLAN" in the subject line or message, and we'll send it straight over.

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

In this episode, we are tackling one of the most fundamental turning points for any business owner: setting real goals.

So many brilliant entrepreneurs are working incredibly hard but find themselves stuck on a treadmill of being busy, but not actually moving forward. They are full of ideas but lack a clear direction, leaving them feeling reactive, behind, and stuck in the same place year after year.

If you know you’re capable of more but "more" feels completely undefined, this episode is for you. We’re moving beyond vague wishes like “I want to grow” and into the kind of tangible, measurable goal setting that provides structure, guides decisions, and protects your time. This isn't just a planning exercise; it's a mindset shift that puts you back in the driver's seat of your business and your life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why motivation isn't the issue for most business owners—direction is.

How the lack of clear goals leads to a reactive loop of constant busyness with no real progress.

Fix #1: How to Set 3 Business Goals That Actually Mean Something (one financial, one operational, and one customer-focused goal to give your business a clear direction).

Fix #2: Why Every Goal Must Be Measurable (adding numbers, dates, and specific outcomes to turn a dream into an actionable plan).

Fix #3: The Importance of Setting One Personal Goal that your business can be shaped around, ensuring it supports your life, not swallows it.

The critical mindset shift: You don’t rise to the level of your motivation; you rise to the level of your structure.

The Shift Thought of the Week: "If you’ve had the same goal for five years… it’s not a goal anymore. It’s a wish.”

Mentioned in This Episode:

Free Goal Setting PDF: Get the free, step-by-step guide to help you set your goals properly. Just email hello@profitandgrowth.co.uk with the word "GOALS" in the subject line or message, and we'll send it straight over.

Or use this link Goal Setting PDF

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

In this episode, I’m tackling a feeling I see in almost every business owner I meet: the crushing weight of overwhelm. If you’re constantly tired, always in catch-up mode, and secretly wondering if it’s supposed to feel this hard to run your business, this episode is for you.

You're not imagining it, and you're not failing. The reality is, the job of a business owner has changed dramatically. The pressures, the pace, and the compliance demands have all increased, but the support and structures haven't kept up. Many of us are trying to run a modern business with outdated methods, holding the entire operation in our heads.

This episode is about relief. We'll explore why overwhelm feels so heavy right now and shift the focus from blaming yourself to fixing the systems around you. I’ll share three practical fixes you can implement this week to reduce the mental load, get control of your numbers, and build a business that supports you, not the other way around. It's time to stop running your business from your head and start running it from a place of structure, confidence, and calm.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why business owners feel more burnt out than ever, even though the number of businesses hasn't significantly changed.

How the expectations of a modern business owner have quietly doubled or even tripled your workload.

Fix #1: How to Reduce Your Mental Load by getting processes, pricing, and tasks out of your head and into simple, repeatable systems.

Fix #2: Why Getting Control of Your Numbers is the fastest way to reduce financial uncertainty and the heavy stress that comes with it.

Fix #3: How to Build Systems That Take the Weight Off You, by automating, delegating, and standardizing so you are no longer the bottleneck.

The crucial difference between leading your business and simply reacting to it.

The Shift Thought of the Week: Your head isn't the problem, but trying to run a whole business from it is.

Mentioned in This Episode:

For a deeper dive into this topic, read the full blog post on our website: profitandgrowth.co.uk/insights

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

Welcome to another episode of Get Your Shift Together! In our last chat, we explored where your cash might be disappearing. Today, we're taking the next logical step: making that cash move more efficiently. It's a common frustration I see with business owners – your sales are strong and profits look great on paper, but your bank account tells a different story. This often leaves you feeling stressed and confused, constantly chasing payments just to keep things afloat.

The core issue is that profit and cash operate on different timelines. Profit is recorded when you make a sale, but cash only hits your account when you actually get paid. That gap is where the trouble starts. In this episode, I'll walk you through why this happens and introduce three practical fixes to clear the cash flow jam. It’s not about luck; it’s about building solid habits and systems. I’ll guide you on creating a simple forecast to see what’s coming, tightening up your payment cycles to get paid faster, and establishing weekly habits to maintain control. It’s time to stop running on an empty tank and build a calmer, more stable business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Profit is Theory, Cash is Fact: You can't pay your bills, suppliers, or staff with theoretical profit. The actual cash in your bank is the fuel that keeps your business running.

2. Start a 13-Week Rolling Cash Forecast: You don't need complex software. A simple spreadsheet tracking expected income and outgoing payments on a weekly basis will give you the clarity to anticipate gaps and surpluses.

3. Shorten Your Cash Conversion Cycle: Implement strategies to get paid faster. This includes sending invoices immediately, taking upfront deposits (especially for jobs requiring stock purchase), and negotiating better payment terms with your own suppliers.

4. Be Consistent with Credit Control: A structured and consistent approach to chasing overdue invoices is crucial. Don't let it slide; timely follow-ups can significantly improve your cash flow.

5. Build Good Weekly Cash Habits: Dedicate just 10-15 minutes each week to review and update your cash flow. This regular check-in helps you stay on top of who owes you money and what payments are due, preventing small issues from becoming major problems.

Download Free Cash Flow Template :

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

Ever had that sinking feeling in your stomach when a "just checking in" email pops up? I've been there. In the beginning, I was so eager to please that I'd answer calls and emails at all hours, creating a standard I couldn't possibly maintain. I was trapped in a cycle of reacting to my clients' every whim, feeling stressed, and constantly worried about negative reviews if I didn't reply instantly. My business was running me, and the freedom I'd set out to create felt like a distant dream.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the three pillars that transformed my business and my well-being: Payments, Processes, and Boundaries. This isn't about being rigid or difficult; it's about creating a clear, respectful framework that allows you to deliver your best work. We'll explore how to have confident money conversations, educate your clients on how you work (so they can help you succeed!), and protect your time and energy. Learn how to stop being a people-pleaser and start building sustainable, respectful, and long-lasting client relationships.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

1. The single most effective way to handle payments to protect your cash flow and avoid awkward "are we still working together?" moments.

2. Why you should never assume your clients know how you operate and how to educate them for a smoother workflow.

3. How setting and holding firm boundaries isn't just for your sanity, but is the key to delivering the high-quality service your clients are paying for.

Unlock the Secrets to a Stress-Free Business:

Ready to find out more? Here are 5 questions this episode will answer for you:

1. What if the key to getting paid on time isn’t chasing, but a simple, automated step you’re probably missing?

2. Are your clients secretly frustrated because they don't understand your process?

3. Could ignoring that 10 PM message actually make your client respect you more?

4. How can saying "no" be the most powerful way to deliver a better "yes" in your work?

5. Is your business truly giving you freedom, or have you just built yourself a 24/7 job?

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

This week on the podcast, I’m tackling the single biggest complaint I hear from business owners: “There are never enough hours in the day.”

I see you. You wake up already feeling behind, with a mental to-do list that’s a thousand items long. You spend your day in a blur of email ping-pong, putting out tiny fires, and feeling busy but achieving nothing. By the end of the day, you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering where all the time went. You’re left with that sinking feeling that you’re working harder than ever but your business isn’t actually moving forward.

Sound familiar?

Here’s the hard truth I’ve learned from nearly 30 years as an accountant and business fixer: The problem isn’t a lack of time. The problem is that you’re letting £10 tasks steal the hours that your £10,000 brain should be using.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the time theft you’re accidentally committing against yourself. We’re moving past the theory and I’m giving you three concrete, battle-tested fixes from my Efficiency & Profit Framework that you can implement this week to reclaim your calendar and your sanity.

Let’s get your shift together.

In This Episode, We Cover:

🧠 The Shift Thought of the Week: "You don’t need more hours in the day; you need to stop wasting them on £10 jobs when your brain’s worth £10,000."

😩 The Vicious Cycle of 'Busy': A brutally honest look at why your days feel so chaotic, from the constant mental load to the productivity-killing interruptions that zap your focus before 10 am.

🌤️ From Chaos to Control: I paint a picture of what life looks like when you're truly in control of your time—making focused decisions, hitting your goals, and ending the day with a sense of accomplishment, not dread.

🧰 THE 3-STEP FIX TO RECLAIM YOUR CALENDAR:

The Weekly Reset: The simple 20-minute ritual that clears your mental fog and sets you up for a week of high-impact progress instead of reactive chaos.

The Ruthless Time Audit & 3D Method: How to track where your hours really go and use my simple Do, Delegate, or Delete filter to instantly eliminate time-wasting tasks.

Blocking Your 'Golden Hours': The non-negotiable strategy for protecting your most valuable time and achieving more in two f

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

Let’s be honest, does the phrase "back office" make you want to grab another coffee and run? I know the feeling. It’s the spreadsheets, the admin, the stuff you promise you’ll sort out "later." But what if I told you that boring, neglected part of your business is actually where your freedom lives?

I used to see it as a chore, too—a heavy weight of paperwork and chasing that made me fall out of love with my own business. But then, I had a shift. I realized my back office wasn't the problem; it was my power base. 

In this episode, I’m showing you how to turn that admin dread into a ritual of control. We’re talking about how to make friends with your numbers, make data visual (even if you hate spreadsheets!), and create a simple Monday routine that gives you clarity for the entire week. It's time to stop avoiding the admin and start appreciating what it gives you: calm, confidence, and control.

Key Takeaways

1. Your Back Office is Your Power Base, Not a Chore: Shift your perspective from seeing admin as a burden to recognizing it as the foundation of your business's strength and your personal freedom.

"Your back office isn't a chore. It's your power base. And when it runs right, it's your creativity, your energy and your freedom flow back in." - Nicola J. Barnett

2. Create a Weekly Ritual to Regain Control: Dedicate a short, protected block of time each week to review your business health.

"Every Monday morning, you spend 30 minutes reviewing your numbers... Once it's a routine, it won't feel like admin. It will feel like control." - Nicola J. Barnett

3. Knowledge of Your Numbers is Non-Negotiable: Don't avoid your numbers; own them.

"Even if the numbers aren't what you hoped for, at least you know the truth. Knowing gives you control, and the control builds your confidence." - Nicola J. Barnett

4. Visualize Data to Make It Understandable: You don't have to be a spreadsheet expert. Using dashboards or even a simple whiteboard can turn confusing numbers into clear, actionable insights.

"When your numbers look clear, your mind feels clear as well. There's no second guessing or assuming anything anymore." - Nicola J. Barnett

5. Focus on What Admin Gives You, Not What It Is.

"Falling in love with your back office isn't about lovin

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

Are you the cheap duct tape holding your business together? Stretched thin, worn out, and about to snap? I get it. I’ve been there—running a business that felt more like a babysitting service, checking emails by the pool, and wondering what the point of all the chaos was. This constant firefighting isn't leadership; it's chaos dressed up as responsibility, and it's draining your soul. 

In this episode, I'm ditching the patches and showing you how to build a business that actually runs without you. We’re moving from micromanaging to leading, from reacting to architecting. I’ll give you the exact steps to create systems, delegate outcomes (not tasks!), and set boundaries that protect your time and energy. It's time to stop being the bottleneck and finally experience the freedom you started this for. Let's get your shift together.

Key Takeaways

1. Micromanagement is Chaos in Disguise: Constantly checking and doing everything yourself isn't control; it’s an unsustainable cycle that keeps your business dependent on you.

"All that micromanaging and double checking everything that isn't control, that's chaos dressed up as responsibility." - Nicola J. Barnett

2. Systemize to Create Consistency: If a task happens more than once, it needs a system. 

"If it happens twice, it's a process. ...Systems create consistency and consistency builds confidence for you and your team." - Nicola J. Barnett

3. Delegate Outcomes, Not Tasks: Empower your team by giving them a clear goal and the freedom to achieve it, rather than a step-by-step list of instructions.

"Stop delegating tasks and start delegating the outcomes... You then need to track the result, not the method. And that's leadership, not micromanagement." - Nicola J. Barnett

4. Protect Your Time to Protect Your Focus: Your ability to think, plan, and lead requires uninterrupted time. Setting boundaries isn't selfish; it’s essential for making better decisions.

"You don't need to be on call 24/7 to be a great leader. In fact, the more space you give yourself, the better your decisions become." - Nicola J. Barnett

5. True Control Comes from Structure, Not Action: Shift your mindset from being the doer to being the architect. Build the right systems so you don’t have to do everything yourself.

"Con

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

In this episode, I explain why the key to getting your freedom and your weekends back lies in a place most business owners ignore: the back office. I know what you’re thinking—spreadsheets, cash flow, and bookkeeping don't exactly sound exciting. It’s not why any of us started our businesses. But I want to flip that idea on its head. When you learn to love your back office, I promise it will love you back with more profit, more cash, and ultimately, more freedom.

So many of us are stuck on the business treadmill, constantly fighting chaos and wondering when we'll finally feel in control. The statistics are grim—burnout is rampant, and cash flow crises close tens of thousands of businesses every year. I’ve seen this firsthand, from working with businesses on the brink of liquidation to those drowning in manual processes. In every case, the turnaround started not with more sales, but with getting the foundations right.

I introduce my three-stage Efficiency and Profit Framework—Awareness, Action, and Momentum—as a clear path to get you from overwhelmed to in control. This isn't about becoming a finance wizard; it’s about understanding what your business needs to run smoothly without you. It’s about creating the confidence to take a real holiday, to stop checking your bank balance three times a day, and to finally build the life you dreamed of when you started. This is your love story with your back office, and it ends with you getting your shift together.

Key Takeaways

1. Your "boring" back office is actually the source of your freedom.
"It's not about falling in love with spreadsheets... It's about falling in love with what those spreadsheets or even the systems can give you. Peace of mind control, the confidence to make good decisions for your future success." - Nicola J. Barnett

2. Ignoring the foundations of your business has a real and significant cost.
Ignoring poor data, cash flow, and inefficient processes isn't just stressful; it directly leads to lost revenue, burnout, and even business failure. Addressing these issues is not optional for long-term survival and success.

"This isn't to scare you, it's to highlight that ignoring the back office comes at a real cost."  - Nicola J. Barnett

3. A structured approach is the key to lasting change and growth.
Feeling overwhelmed can be paral

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

In this week’s episode, we wrap up the first crucial step of the Efficiency and Profit Framework: Awareness and Control. I know so many of you feel like you're working twice as hard for half the money, and you just can’t figure out why. This is where awareness comes in—it’s the beginning of all transformation.

I break down what I call the "domino effect," that vicious cycle where one small issue, like dodgy data, leads to bad pricing. This kills your margins, creates poor cash flow, and ultimately leads to panicked decisions that start the cycle all over again.

But here’s the good news: you can get off this not-so-merry-go-round. I share real-life examples and give you three simple, actionable tasks you can do right now to uncover the truth in your business. It's about finding that first domino so you can stop the chain reaction and regain control. This is how we prepare for the next step, where we start fixing what we've uncovered and making real, profitable changes. Let’s get you off that treadmill and onto the path of true profitability.

Key Takeaways

1. Awareness is the starting point for business transformation.

"Awareness is the beginning of transformation. It means you finally know what's really happening. Not what you think is happening, not what you hope is happening, but what's actually going on." - Nicola J. Barnett

2. Small data errors can trigger a disastrous chain reaction in your business.

"From bad data comes bad pricing decisions. Bad pricing kills your margins, poor margins create poor cash flow and poor cash flow creates panic." - Nicola J. Barnett

3. Fixing one core problem can have a ripple effect of positive change.

"Because sometimes fixing one thing can help fix other things too." - Nicola J. Barnett

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

I'm diving into a question that keeps far too many business owners awake at 3 AM: "Where does the cash actually go?" You're working flat out, the jobs are coming in, but you never quite feel financially secure. That constant stress about whether direct debits will clear or if that customer will finally pay as promised is exhausting. You're always hunting for the next job because you're never quite sure if your regular income actually covers your basic costs. 

Today, I’m going to show you how to find out exactly what needs sorting with your cash flow so you can finally sleep better at night. You’ll gain crucial clarity on whether your business can truly sustain itself, or what exactly you need to change. Do you need more regular, predictable work, or are those one-off jobs just paying for luxuries your business doesn’t genuinely need? It's time to stop gambling and start building stability. Lets dive in!

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding your cash flow is crucial for financial peace of mind. Many business owners experience "constant stress about whether there'll be enough money next month" and are "always hunting for the next job because you're never quite sure if your regular income actually covers your basic costs."

2. A simple analysis of bank statements can reveal significant insights. 

"Download 3 months of bank statements... you need to sort everything... your income... your expenses." -  Nicola J. Barnett

3. Distinguishing between regular and ad hoc income is vital for stability. 

"It's important to understand whether your business can survive on predictable income alone or if you're constantly gambling on finding new work." -  Nicola J. Barnett

4. Categorizing expenses helps identify unnecessary spending. 

"By splitting expenses into 'absolute must-haves,' 'nice to haves,' and 'pure luxury,' businesses can see how much is disappearing on stuff you don't actually need." -  Nicola J. Barnett

5. Relying on ad hoc work for basic overheads creates instability.  

"If your ad hoc work is covering your must-haves, you're creating constant stress having to find new work all the time." -  Nicola J. Barnett

6. Converting ad hoc clients to retainers can transform business stability.  

"By moving our year end clients onto m

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

In this episode of Get Your Shift Together, I'm diving deep into a topic that affects so many business owners: why you might be working for peanuts without even realizing it. We often have a "system" for pricing, but where did it come from? Dave down the pub? Or real, factual numbers? Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on your true profit margins. Grab your latest Profit & Loss report, because we’re going to uncover your gross profit margin and see if it aligns with what you think you're earning. The gap between expectation and reality is where your money is disappearing – your "profit leak." I'll share some eye-opening examples of how missed costs, client changes, and even seemingly small expenses can drastically reduce your actual take-home. It’s time to stop the guesswork and start understanding your numbers to build a truly sustainable business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Many businesses operate with arbitrary pricing methods that don't reflect true profitability. 

 "Where did you get this system from thin air Dave, down the pub? Or maybe someone else just said they was running a similar business and that's what they done. You should have got it from real numbers." - Nicola J. Barnett

2. Understanding your gross profit margin is crucial for identifying profit leaks. 

"The gross profit margin shows you how much money you earned from selling what you sell." - Nicola J. Barnett

3. Unaccounted-for costs are often the culprit behind vanishing profits.  

"What has not been considered when pricing a job? Have you allocated all labour and subcontractor costs to every job that you price? Have you included packaging and postage? And what costs could have been missed?" - Nicola J. Barnett

4. The disparity between perceived and actual earnings can severely impact a business's sustainability.  

"The gap between what you think you charge and what you actually make is where your money is disappearing. This is what we would call a profit leak." - Nicola J. Barnett

5. Relying on guesswork instead of facts for pricing leads to working harder for less. 

 "Quit making pricing decisions based on guesswork and wishful thinking. - Nicola J. Barnett

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

In this first episode of Get Your Shift Together, I’m kicking off my Business Fix Sprint by tackling the crucial first step of the Efficiency and Profit framework: Awareness and Control.

I see so many business owners working twice as hard for half the money because they’re making decisions in the dark, based on financial data that’s lying to them. As I always say, you can't fix what you can't see. I provide a practical, no-nonsense checklist of five questions you must answer honestly about your books—from customer and supplier balances to bank reconciliation and mixed-up expenses.

I'll show you how seemingly small bookkeeping errors can lead to overpaid taxes, damaged reputations, and sleepless nights. This episode is my call to action for you to stop guessing, face the facts, and build your business on the solid foundation of accurate numbers. Stop letting poor data break your business and start getting your shift together.

Key Takeaways

1. Awareness is the First Step to Transformation. You cannot make effective business decisions about pricing, spending, or growth without first having a crystal-clear understanding of your current financial position.

 "Awareness is the beginning of transformation. - Nicola J. Barnett

2. Your Financial Data Might Be Lying to You. Small inaccuracies, unreconciled accounts, or old invoices can create a false picture of profitability, costing you thousands and causing immense stress.

 "It could be as basic as your data is lying to you. These lies could be costing you thousands, wrecking your sleep." - Nicola J. Barnett

3. Bookkeeping is the Backbone of Your Business. Dismissing bookkeeping as a simple admin task is a critical mistake. If your books are messy, your entire business is built on an unstable foundation.

"Bookkeeping is often seen as a boring admin job... But it's the backbone of everything. Mess your books up and your entire business is unstable." - Nicola J. Barnett

4. Separate Business and Personal Finances. Blurring the lines between your personal and business accounts makes it impossible to know if your business is actually profitable or sustainable.

 "When you blur the lines, there's no way to know what's working and what's not. Simple." - Nicola J. Barnett

5. Take Action on One Thing N

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

Welcome to Get Your Shift Together, the podcast I'm creating for business owners just like you. I'm Nicola J Barnett, the Business Fixer, and I know what it's like to be flat out, stressed about cash, and unsure what to fix first. In this first look at what the show is all about, I'm introducing you to my proven Efficiency and Profit Framework. I’ll explain why simply chasing more sales isn't the answer and how fixing your 'back office' is the real key to success. Join me as I break down my 3-step system designed to help you end the overwhelm, fix your finances, and finally drive the success you deserve. It’s time to take back control. 

Join me for the official launch next Tuesday, September 23rd, where we begin with 12-week sprint to fix your business.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start with Awareness: You can't fix a problem you don't understand. The first stage is gaining clarity on the real issues in your business, from cash flow to inefficient systems.
2. Fix the Foundation First: Focus on internal operations before scaling. Improving cash flow and plugging profit leaks builds a strong business that can handle growth.
3. Maintain Momentum: Making changes is one thing; making them stick is another. Set clear goals and implement systems to track progress and ensure long-term success.

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...

Are you working flat out from the moment you wake up, only to find yourself drowning in chaos with cash flow all over the place? Do you look at your business and wonder, "Is it me? Is it the business? Can this even be fixed?"

I get it. I'm Nicola J Barnett, The Business Fixer, and it's time to get your shift together.

Welcome to The Business Fixer Podcast, the show for overwhelmed business owners who are ready to stop surviving and start thriving.

Every Tuesday, we'll dive into my proven Efficiency and Profit Framework to help you build a business that is calm, profitable, and successful for the long haul. Together, we will rip off the plaster, face the truth about your numbers, and fix your business from the foundations up.

This podcast is for you if you want to:

• Keep the Chaos Down: Finally tame the overwhelm by optimizing your workflows, cutting wasted effort, and creating systems that work.
• Get Your Cash Flow Up: Confront the numbers that sting, plug the profit leaks you didn't know you had, and get your finances flowing in the right direction.
• Achieve Lasting Success: Build solid foundations so you can grow with confidence, knowing you've built a resilient and profitable business.

If you're ready to fix the chaos, boost your profits, and finally get the results you deserve, hit that subscribe button now. Your journey to a better business starts here.

Connect with Nicola:

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/nicola-j-barnett

Website: https://info.nicolajbarnett.co.uk/fix-your-business

Want to fix your business? Join The Business Fix With Nicola

Here's what you'll receive when you work with Nicola J. Barnett to get your business on track.

• A Proven Framework: Use the Efficiency & Profit Framework to end overwhelm, get cash flowing, maximize profits, and build a business that won't break you.
• Clarity and Control: The first step is a "Financial Awareness Review," where Nicola will dig through 12 months of your financials to give you the truth about your business and create a 90-day roadmap.
• Hands-On Implementation and Transformation: In "The Business Fix" program, you'll get structured action and accountability to turn awareness into fast results. This will help you fix cash flow leaks, improve profits, and implement smooth systems.
• Full Support for Deep Transformation: For those needing a complete overhaul, the "Survive to Thrive" program offers hands-on support to rebuild your business from the ground up, giving you predictable cash flow and sustainable profitability.
• Ongoing Momentum & Accountability: With the "Strategic Advisory Partnership," you get monthly focused strategy sessions to ensure your progress sticks and your business continues to grow on solid foundations.

Learn More about the Profit & Efficiency Frame work & For a deeper dive into this topic and more, visit our website: p...