"Grow your business in 40 flushes!" with book author John Preston
Manage episode 507846083 series 3390181
What separates successful business owners from those who struggle despite their technical expertise? John Preston tackles this question head-on in this eye-opening conversation with Pete Chow on the RTO Show, introducing his unconventional business guide "40 Flushes to Grow Your Business."
Preston shares a fundamental truth that many entrepreneurs aren't ready to hear: your skill level has surprisingly little correlation with business success. "A bad plumber who knows how to run a business is going to be much more successful than a great plumber who doesn't," he explains, challenging listeners to shift their focus from technical expertise to business acumen.
The conversation explores five critical metrics that determine business profitability: lead generation, conversion rate, frequency of use, revenue per transaction, and profit margin. Preston emphasizes that pursuing volume (more customers) rather than profitability is a common mistake that can sink a business as quickly as having too few customers. He provides practical frameworks for understanding which of these metrics needs attention in your specific business situation.
Perhaps most valuable is Preston's insight on separating personal finances from business finances—creating what he visualizes as a brick wall between two piggy banks. This separation not only leads to better business decisions but also provides emotional stability at home. "Your personal expenses should not dictate your business decisions," he warns, explaining how "lifestyle creep" during good times creates vulnerability when inevitable business fluctuations occur.
The discussion takes a surprising turn when Preston reveals that internal struggles—self-doubt, fear, and decision paralysis—often prove more challenging than external business obstacles. His simple experiment with random alarms throughout the workday reveals how much time is spent thinking about work rather than doing productive work that moves the business forward.
Ready to transform your approach to business? Visit 40flushes.com to get Preston's book, or check out his free course on handling customer objections at ihateobjectionscom. Subscribe to the RTO Show for more insights that will help you keep collections low and sales high.
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Chapters
1. Introducing 40 Flushes Book (00:00:00)
2. Five Profit-Driving Business Metrics (00:13:31)
3. Marketing Strategy vs. Customer Volume (00:19:53)
4. Separating Personal and Business Finances (00:28:46)
5. Mindset and Internal Business Struggles (00:38:01)
6. Finding Your Competitive Advantage (00:46:15)
7. Resources and Final Business Advice (00:53:56)
102 episodes