De-stress Your Business

E148: How to Respond When Your Entire Team Walks Out, With Eriona Bajrakurtaj

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.
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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

E147: Taking the Stress Out of Annual Planning

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
 
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Helpful resources:
 
- Template for your annual planning meeting: https://airmanual.link/annual-planning-agenda

E46: Thanks for 2024! A Special Rhyming Holiday Episode

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.

E145: How to Overcome Resistance to Adopting New Technology, with David Kime

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
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Helpful resources:
- LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidkime/?originalSubdomain=uk- Kime Consultancy- https://www.kimeconsultancy.com/

E144: Faster and Easier LinkedIn Networking to Get More Leads, with Ashley Leeds

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

E143: Cast the Net Wide to Get the Best Talent, with Chloe Britnell

Are you tired of sifting through candidate profiles only to find that they don’t live up to their resumes? 
Do traditional hiring methods seem to deliver professionals who lack creativity and the ability to drive real innovation in your business? 
If this sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone. Many leaders are discovering that standard recruitment processes often fail to uncover the transformative talent that could significantly advance their organizations.
That’s why we invited Chloe Britnell, a revolutionary partner at PJCO who defies industry norms by successfully championing unconventional talent. With her audacious approach, Chloe not only fills positions but also cultivates potential leaders who bring fresh perspectives and drive innovation. Her strategies have consistently proven that great minds don’t always follow conventional paths.
In this episode of De-stress Your Business, Chloe shares:👉 Her transformative journey from arts to accounting and how it shapes her hiring philosophy👉 The undeniable benefits of embracing diverse backgrounds in a conventional sector👉 Real-life success stories of non-traditional hires who are now thriving👉 Essential advice for leaders ready to shake up their own hiring practices
Tune in to learn how breaking the rules with Chloe might just be the secret to discovering the leaders your business has been missing.
#DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #innovation #hiring #unconventionalTalent #ChloeBritnell #leadership #businessgrowth---
Helpful resources:
- LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-britnell-acca-bb79b9160/- PJCO Chartered Accountants- https://peterjarman.com/

E142: Tapping into Emotions to Close More Sales, with Kelvin Gieck

Is every potential client hitting you with, “Let me think about it,” and never closing the deal? 🧐
You’ve crunched the numbers, presented the data, and crafted the perfect logical argument — but your prospects still aren’t buying. They’re dragging their feet, avoiding decisions, and your sales are grinding to a halt. 
Sound familiar? 
You’re frustrated, exhausted, and wondering why all the facts in the world aren’t moving the needle. Here’s the hard truth: logic doesn’t sell, emotions do.
That’s why we’re thrilled to have Kelvin Geick, co-founder of Twenty Eighty and Helm, on the podcast today. Kelvin is a master of turning emotions into action, cutting his sales cycle down by leading with emotional intelligence. 
He’s helped his businesses scale rapidly, turning hesitant prospects into fast “yeses” by focusing on what really moves people. 🌟 
With his innovative EQ strategies, Kelvin has transformed his team’s approach to sales — and the results are undeniable.
Our conversation covers:👉 A deep dive into using emotions to win clients quickly👉 How Kelvin trained his team to focus on EQ👉 Practical strategies you can use to bring emotions into your own sales process
Don’t miss this chance to learn from a leader who’s breaking all the rules and winning big!
#DeStressYourBusiness #SalesSuccess #KelvinGeick #EmotionalIntelligence #SalesGrowth #BusinessStrategy #Leadership---
Helpful resources:
- LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgieck/- Website- https://www.twentyeighty.co/- Recommended book: The e-Myth by Michael Gerber

E141: How to Win the Day, Every Day, with Baiju Solanki

Tired of feeling like every day is a losing battle?
 
You’re working harder than ever, but still, it feels like you’re failing to get ahead. 
 
What if the problem isn’t the hours you’re putting in, but the way you’re approaching your day?
 
In this week’s episode of De-stress Your Business, we’ve got Baiju Solanki, award-winning entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and CEO of EnSpirit Global, whose proven methods have transformed countless leaders into high performers.  
 
Baiju has helped business owners thrive, by showing them how to win the day—every single day.
 
Baiju’s game-changing insights include:
Why you’re losing the day and how to change it
How to work fast without the chaos
The exact steps to set yourself up for daily success
His proven strategies for breaking through internal barriers and unlocking your full potential
 
Baiju’s expertise has taken companies from struggling to succeeding, and his no-nonsense approach is exactly what you need to finally take control of your day.
 
If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start winning, this episode is a must-listen.
 
#DeStressYourBusiness #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #BaijuSolanki #WinTheDay #HighPerformance #Entrepreneurship
 
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Helpful resources:
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/baijusolanki-performance-psychologist/?originalSubdomain=uk
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/baijusolanki/?hl=en
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@BaijuSolanki
Website- https://baijusolanki.com/
Change Your Game Scorecard: https://changeyourgamescorecard.com/
Baiju’s book: https://www.changeyourgamebook.com/
Book recommendation: Turning Pro, by Steven Pressfield

E140: Taming the Tech Tsunami to Find the Right Tools, with Abby Anderson

Tired of tech solutions that promise to simplify your operations but end up adding more chaos? 
 
It seems that every new tool pledges to boost efficiency but often leads to increased complexity, draining your resources, and frustrating your team.
 
That’s why we’re excited to have Abby Anderson, who’s legendary for seamlessly integrating the right tech into the operations in her bookkeeping practice. 
 
Her choices in tech have not just streamlined her firm; they’ve propelled it into rapid growth while freeing up Abby’s time.
 
So in this episode, Abby shares:
 
How she sorts through the tech noise to pinpoint solutions that truly deliver
Firsthand accounts of how the right tech has reshaped her business
Her strategy for keeping technology user-friendly and problem-focused
Practical advice for leaders overwhelmed by tech options
 
Got questions? Share them with us in the comments!
 
#DeStressYourBusiness #podcast #techintegration #AbbyAnderson #businessgrowth #efficiency #bookkeepingsoftware
 
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Helpful resources:
 
Abby’s links:
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/abby-anderson-rocksolid
Website- https://www.rocksolidacc.com/
Website: https://www.iaimee.io/
 
Recommended book: 
Minimal Viable Launch by Lee Russel: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Minimal-Viable-Launch-Creating-Software/dp/B0D27899T2
 
Alexis’s webinar with Amanda C Watts on how processes can be documented super fast: https://airmanual.link/simplescales
 
Software products and tools mentioned in the episode #notspon:
Practice Management SoftwareClient Engager
Senta (Now owned by IRIS)
Accountancy Manager (Now Bright Manager)
Accounting / bookkeeping softwareXero
Quickbooks
Sage
Advisory / reporting appsFathom HQ
Pulse
XBert
Clarity
Futrli (now part of Sage for Accountants)
Document capture and automationDEXT Prepare
HubDocs
iAimee
Payments softwareAdfin
Apron
Telleroo
Software comparison sitesCapterra
App Advisory Plus (Accounting & Bookkeeping specific)

E139: Make It Easy for Managers to Resolve Poor Performance

Struggling with underperforming employees? 😬
It can be tough when deadlines are missed, communication falters, and you're left unsure of how to tackle the issue effectively. 
Don't worry, you're not alone!
In episode 139 of the De-Stress Your Business podcast, I dive into how to make it easy for you and your managers to resolve poor performance, ensuring it doesn't burden you or your team. 😅
Discover clear steps to enhance your management skills, from setting expectations to creating a culture of growth and support. It's time to turn performance challenges into opportunities for success!
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Helpful resources:
- Want our best practice playbook and process templates to make performance management easy? Email alexis.kingsbury@airmanual.co