De-stress Your Business

E163: Navigating Mergers Without the Headache, with Alex Black FCCA

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/

E162: Workplace Drama Without the Stress

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.
 
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Helpful resources:
 
Playbook for Managing Employee Performance (including guidance on great 1-2-1 meetings): https://discover.airmanual.co/resources/unsatisfactory-performance-playbook

E161: Why Money Stress Is Not About the Money, With Catherine Morgan

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
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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

E160: The Mindset Shifts That Make Leaders Great, With William C. Davis

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
 
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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/

E159: Turn New Hires Into Raving Fans in Their First Week

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.
 
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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)

E158: Create Awesome Case Studies Even If You Hate Writing

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. 
 
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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

E157: How to Make Technology Actually Work in Your Firm

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. 
 
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Helpful resources:
 
- Get the playbook and interactive checklist at airmanual.link/das25 for step-by-step guidance.

E156: Process in Practice, From Alexis’s Session at the ACCA Roadshow

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
 
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Helpful resources:
Participate in the research and get your FREE playbook: https://airmanual.link/get-your-SOP

E155: Navigating Your Way to a Stress-free Business Sale, With Richard McMullan

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
 
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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

E154: Talking to Employees About Poor Performance, Without the Stress

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
 
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Helpful resources:
 
- Get a playbook for resolving unsatisfactory performance available at www.airmanual.co/resources