Best M Bates Podcasts (2025)

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Distribution Channels: The Untapped Intangible Asset in Exit Planning with Kevin Harrington 32:23

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2d ago32:23

32:23

Send us a text What’s your route to market – and is it helping or hurting your business valuation? In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and marketing strategist Kevin Harrington break down how to turn your marketing system into a valuable intangible asset. From understanding why relying on a single channel is risky, to learning…

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From Chaos to Control: The Exit-Boosting Power of Documented Processes with Kevin Harrington 30:59

9d ago30:59

30:59

Send us a text Are you ready to step back from the daily grind of running your business – without everything falling apart? In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how documenting your systems and processes not only makes your business easier to run, but significantly increases its val…

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110: The history of the history of Indo-European - Interview with Danny Bate 1:00:40

14d ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Before there was English, or Latin, or Czech, or Hindi, there was a language that they all have in common, which we call Proto-Indo-European. Linguists have long been fascinated by the quest to get a glimpse into what Proto-Indo-European must have looked like through careful comparisons between languages we do have records for, and this very old to…

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From Curtain Call to Boardroom: Knowing When to Move On with Dawn Farrow 37:10

20d ago37:10

37:10

Send us a text Could you walk away from a thriving business without selling it? This week on Exit Insights, Dawn Farrow shares her extraordinary journey from professional dancer to founder of a fast-growing marketing agency – and why she chose to shut it down just before the pandemic hit. Dawn opens up about: The emotional toll of burnout and ident…

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From Transactional to Transformational: Building a Team That Drives Exit Value with Kevin Harrington 30:15

23d ago30:15

30:15

Send us a text Your people could be your greatest intangible asset – or your biggest blind spot. In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial role that people and culture play in business valuation, exit preparation, and long-term sustainability. If you're thinking about succession p…

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Why Not All Revenue Is Equal: What Buyers Really Want with Kevin Harrington 28:19

1M ago28:19

28:19

Send us a text If your revenue stopped tomorrow, would your business survive? More importantly – would anyone want to buy it? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how the structure and quality of your revenue impacts your business valuation and exit options. 💡 You’ll learn: W…

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Intangible Assets: Why Positioning Is a Business Game-Changer with Kevin Harrington 29:30

1M ago29:30

29:30

Send us a text Most business owners focus on the numbers they can see – balance sheets, P&L, cash flow. But what about the value that doesn’t show up on your financial statements? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to dig into positioning – one of the most powerful but often overlooked intangible assets. It’s the…

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109: On the nose - How the nose shapes language 46:26

2M ago46:26

46:26

We often invoke the idea of language by showing the mouth or the hands. But the nose is important to both signed and spoken languages: it can be a resonating chamber that air can get shaped by, as well as a salient location for the hand to be in contact with. In this episode, your hosts Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne get enthusiastic about the…

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Start with the End in Mind: Chris Everard on Building Exit-Ready Businesses 40:03

2M ago40:03

40:03

Send us a text Chris Everard knows what it takes to build a business that sells. After starting and successfully exiting seven companies, he’s now helping others do the same as a Business Architect at Fabric Business Solutions. In this episode of Exit Insights, Chris shares the practical lessons he learned from 20+ years of exits, including: Why st…

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Systemise to Scale: How to Grow Without Becoming a Corporate Clone with Kevin Harrington 30:51

2M ago30:51

30:51

Send us a text Is your business growing – or just getting busier? In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to explore how SME business owners can achieve scalable growth without copying the clunky habits of big corporates. Too many owners try to grow by adding more people, more processes, and more…

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SME vs Corporate: Finding the Right Growth Path with Kevin Harrington 34:02

2M ago34:02

34:02

Send us a text If you’re a business owner looking to scale, maximise your valuation, or plan your exit – this episode is a must-listen. Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to discuss why many SMEs lose their edge when they try to behave like corporates – and how to avoid it. They unpack the key inflection points in business growth…

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Weaving Business and Wealth: The Fabric Approach to Exit Planning 27:17

2M ago27:17

27:17

Send us a text Most business owners have heard of an IFA or a wealth manager. But what’s a family office – and why is it a game-changer when preparing for a business exit? In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to break down the real difference between IFAs, wealth managers, and private offices – and…

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108: Highs and lows of tone in Babanki - Interview with Pius Akumbu 51:00

3M ago51:00

51:00

Linguistic research has its highs and lows: from staging a traditional wedding to learn about ceremonial words to having your efforts to found a village school disrupted by civil war. Linguistic research can also be about highs and lows: in this case, looking at how high and low tones in Babanki words affect their meaning. In this episode, your hos…

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The Starting Point: Why Every Exit Begins with a Current State Assessment 35:35

3M ago35:35

35:35

Send us a text Before you can maximise the value of your business or plan your succession, you need to know exactly where you stand today. In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington break down the importance of a current state assessment – the essential first step in exit planning. They explore: Why risk is the b…

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Beyond the Numbers: What Really Drives Business Valuation 24:11

3M ago24:11

24:11

Send us a text What really drives business valuation – and how do you make your company truly exit-ready? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by regular guest Kevin Harrington to explore the crucial differences between financial optimisation and strategic value creation. Together, they break down: Wh…

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From Cookies to Cash-Outs: Real Lessons in Building a Business That’s Exit-Ready 40:54

3M ago40:54

40:54

Send us a text What if you discovered you weren’t building a business, but a lifestyle job – just when it was time to sell? Brandon Harris, serial entrepreneur and now business architect at Fabric, joins Exit Insights to share his journey from cookie start-up and gym ownership to guiding other owners on their exit preparation journey. In this episo…

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From Confusion to Certainty: Why It Takes 3 Years to Get Your Business Exit-Ready 34:55

3M ago34:55

34:55

Send us a text In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington unpack why it takes three years to prepare your business for a successful exit – and why starting early can make all the difference. You’ll learn: ✅ Why clean financials and documented governance are essential ✅ The role of intangibles like culture, IP, and brand in boosti…

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107: Urban Multilingualism 39:16

4M ago39:16

39:16

When we try to represent languages on a map, it's common to assign each language a zone or a point which represents some idea of where it's used or where it comes from. But in reality, people move around, and many cities are host to hundreds of languages that don't show up on official records. In this episode, your hosts Gretchen McCulloch and Laur…

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From Vision to Valuation: How a Business Architect Can Transform Your Exit with Kevin Harrington 22:51

4M ago22:51

22:51

Send us a text What if preparing your business for sale was like designing your dream home? In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to unpack the role of a business architect – a professional who helps you create a clear vision, long-term plan, and the right sequence of actions to maximise your valuat…

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106: Is a hotdog a sandwich? The problem with definitions 33:32

5M ago33:32

33:32

We asked you if a burrito was a sandwich, and you said 'no'. We asked you if ravioli was a sandwich and you said 'heck no'. We asked you if an ice cream sandwich was a sandwich and things...started to get a little murky. This isn't just a sandwich problem: you can also have similar arguments about what counts as a cup, a bird, a fish, furniture, ar…

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A Smarter Way to Plan Your Business Exit: From Succession Plus to Fabric with Kevin Harrington 27:15

5M ago27:15

27:15

Send us a text What happens when two like-minded firms unite to better serve business owners planning their exit? In this special episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to share why Succession Plus has evolved into Fabric Business Solutions – and what it means for you as a business owner. If you're look…

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Inside an EOT Success Story: From Handover to Ownership with Caroline Summers 35:01

5M ago35:01

35:01

Send us a text What really happens after a business becomes employee-owned? In this insightful episode, Caroline Summers, CEO of PBShop – a successful book distribution company – shares her five-and-a-half-year journey through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) transition. From renegotiating a sky-high valuation to building a culture of ownership am…

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105: Linguistics of TikTok - Interview with Adam Aleksic aka EtymologyNerd 43:47

6M ago43:47

43:47

TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are an evolving genre of media: short-form, vertical videos that take up your whole screen and are served to you from an algorithm rather than who you follow. This changes how people talk in them compared to earlier forms of video, and linguists are on it! In this episode, your host Gretchen McCulloch get…

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104: Reading and language play in Sámi - Interview with Hanna-Máret Outakoski 47:57

7M ago47:57

47:57

When we talk about language reclamation, we often think about oral traditions. But at this point, many Indigenous languages also have considerable written traditions, and engaging with writing as part of teaching these languages to children is important for all of the same reasons as we teach writing in majoritarian languages. In this episode, your…

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103: A hand-y guide to gesture 48:02

8M ago48:02

48:02

Gestures: every known language has them, and there's a growing body of research on how they fit into communication. But academic literature can be hard to dig into on your own. So Lauren has spent the past 5 years diving into the gesture literature and boiling it down into a tight 147 page book. In this episode, your hosts Lauren Gawne and Gretchen…

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The Business Insights Report: Your Blueprint for a Profitable Exit with Kevin Harrington 27:57

8M ago27:57

27:57

Send us a text Most business owners have a number in mind for what they believe their business is worth - but is it realistic? In this episode of Exit Insights, host Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to discuss the Business Insights Report, a powerful tool designed to help owners see their business through the eyes of a buyer.💡 …

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Unlocking Private Equity: Maximise Your Exit with Adam Coffey 46:42

8M ago46:42

46:42

Send us a text In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Adam Coffey, author of The Private Equity Playbook, to explore how private equity works and why business owners need to understand it, even if they’re not planning to sell.They unpack what PE firms are looking for, how rolling over equity can lead to multiple paydays, and the grow…

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Selling to an EOT: What Comes Next? with Kevin Harrington 34:30

8M ago34:30

34:30

Send us a text You've sold your business to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT—now what? Many founders think their job is done, but the reality is that the longest earn-out period often begins after the sale. In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword dive into the post-exit journey, uncovering how former owners ca…

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From Chaos to Clarity: Designing a Business That’s Exit-Ready with Kevin Harrington 23:39

9M ago23:39

23:39

Send us a text Are you constantly solving problems, putting out fires, and feeling like your business would collapse without you? You’re not alone. Many business owners build their companies around people instead of structure - leading to inefficiencies, stress, and an unattractive business when it’s time to sell.In this episode of Exit Insights, K…

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102: The science and fiction of Sapir-Whorf 51:19

9M ago51:19

51:19

It's a fun science fiction trope: learn a mysterious alien language and acquire superpowers, just like if you'd been zapped by a cosmic ray or bitten by a radioactive spider. But what's the linguistics behind this idea found in books like Babel-17, Embassytown, or the movie Arrival? In this episode, your hosts Lauren Gawne and Gretchen McCulloch ge…

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Exit-Ready Essentials - How to Institutionalise for Maximum Value with Adrian Mendoza 42:59

9M ago42:59

42:59

Send us a text What makes a business irresistible to investors? Adrian Mendoza, founder of Mendoza Ventures, shares his playbook for scaling and selling businesses. Learn why institutionalising finances and governance is a game-changer, how to identify repeatable revenue streams, and why documenting your business model can make or break your exit. …

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The Optimism Trap: Why Entrepreneurs Struggle with Exit Planning with Kevin Harrington 26:11

9M ago26:11

26:11

Send us a text Many entrepreneurs are natural optimists - it’s what drives them to start and grow successful businesses. But when it comes to exit planning, that same optimism can lead to overconfidence, unrealistic expectations, and costly mistakes.In this episode of Exit Insights, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington explore:✅ Why entrepr…

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How Capacity Planning Can Boost Your Business Valuation and Efficiency with Kevin Harrington 34:01

9M ago34:01

34:01

Send us a text What’s holding your business back from reaching its full potential? In this episode of the Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword is joined by Kevin Harrington to dive into the transformative power of capacity planning.Learn how to:✅ Spot and fix operational bottlenecks.✅ Ensure sustainable growth without cash flow crises.✅ T…

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Exit Options: How to Choose the Right Path for Your Business with Len Bruskiewitz 40:34

9M ago40:34

40:34

Send us a text Ready to step back from your business, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword sits down with exit planning expert Len Bruskiewitz to discuss your options, from family succession and employee buyouts to third-party sales. Discover why planning ahead can increase your valuation by up to 300% and how reduc…

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101: Micro to macro - The levels of language 48:36

10M ago48:36

48:36

When we first learn about nature, we generally start with the solid mid-sized animals: cats, dogs, elephants, tigers, horses, birds, turtles, and so on. Only later on do we zoom in and out from these charismatic megafauna to the tinier levels, like cells and bacteria, or the larger levels, like ecosystems and the water cycle. With language, words a…

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Profit vs. Multiplier: The Key to Doubling Your Business Valuation with Kevin Harrington 35:14

10M ago35:14

35:14

Send us a text Maximising your business valuation goes far beyond just cutting costs. In this episode ofthe Exit Insights podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington reveal the secret formula: Profit x Multiplier = Valuation—and how to work smarter, not harder, to double your business’s worth.Discover why focusing on the multiplier can ma…

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The Blueprint for an Exit-Ready Business: Maximise Value, Minimise Risks with Kevin Harrington 35:32

10M ago35:32

35:32

Send us a text What does it mean to have an "exit ready" business? In this episode of the ExitInsights Podcast, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington unpack theessentials of exit planning for business owners who want to maximise value andtransition on their terms.🎯 Key takeaways include:The difference between a "sellable" business and one th…

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Beyond the Exit: How to Embrace Your Fourth Quarter with Purpose with Scott Couchenour 36:54

10M ago36:54

36:54

Send us a text This episode of Exit Insights features Scott Couchenour, a “fourth quarter” coach who helps business owners prepare for life beyond the sale.Scott shares his Four Life Quarters framework, explaining how business owners in their 60s and beyond can make a meaningful impact post-exit. If you’re starting to plan your succession, don’t mi…

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Beyond the Sale: Crafting a Purposeful Life After Your Business Exit with David Buck 29:15

10M ago29:15

29:15

Send us a text What happens after you exit your business?David Buck joins us to discuss the often-overlooked side of exit planning—personal and relational readiness. From setting a new purpose to planning a fulfilling post-exit lifestyle, David’s insights will help you transition smoothly and find joy beyond the deal. “Don’t just exit—prepare for w…

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The Ladder to Equity: How to Motivate Employees and Prepare for Exit with Kevin Harrington 30:45

11M ago30:45

30:45

Send us a text What’s the secret to aligning your employees’ goals with your business success? DarrylBates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington discuss The Ladder to Equity, exploring performance bonuses, profit sharing, and equity options. Discover how these strategies foster loyalty, reduce turnover, and prepare your business for a high-value exit.Key…

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100: A hundred reasons to be enthusiastic about linguistics 41:16

11M ago41:16

41:16

This is our hundredth episode that's enthusiastic about linguistics! To celebrate, we've put together 100 of our favourite fun facts about linguistics, featuring contributions from previous guests and Lingthusiasm team members, fan favourites that resonated with you from the previous 99 episodes, and new facts that haven't been on the show before b…

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Why 80% of Businesses Don’t Sell – And How Yours Can, with Kevin Harrington 27:12

11M ago27:12

27:12

Send us a text Did you know only 20% of businesses that go to market end up selling? In this episode, Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington break down what makes a business sellable, explore strategies to increase your business valuation, and share tips to ensure a favourable exit.💡 “Buyers want momentum—businesses standing still are often g…

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How Productizing Your Services Can Boost Your Business Valuation with Eisha Tierney Armstrong 35:27

11M ago35:27

35:27

Send us a text In this Exit Insights episode, Eisha Armstrong from Vecteris discusses about productizing professional services. Eisha shares key strategies for business owners looking to productize their service offerings to increase scalability and valuation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of transitioning from selling time to offering s…

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99: A politeness episode, if you please 56:05

12M ago56:05

56:05

If it wouldn't be too much trouble, if you have a spare half hour, could we possibly suggest that you might enjoy listening to this episode on politeness? Or, if you'd prefer a less polite version, "Listen! Now!" In this episode, your hosts Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne get enthusiastic about what politeness and rudeness are made up of at a l…

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Planning to Exit from Day One: Denise Nurse on Building a Sellable Business 48:00

12M ago48:00

48:00

Send us a text How do you build a business that’s both profitable and attractive to buyers? In this episode, Denise Nurse, founder of Halebury and TV presenter, shares her roadmap to creating an exitable business.Denise’s story is packed with insights, from establishing systems to negotiating earn-outs and managing life post-exit.Tune in to learn h…

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Scaling Smart: How to Build the Foundations for Sustainable Business Growth with Kevin Harrington 27:12

12M ago27:12

27:12

Send us a text What’s the secret to growing a business from £1M to £10M and beyond? In this episode,Darryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington reveal the triple revenue rule: the key to scaling sustainably. Learn how investing in systems, building leadership, and evolving your role as a business owner can make the difference between stalling and …

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Why Business Owners Postpone Exit Planning—And How to Stop with Kevin Harrington 32:01

12M ago32:01

32:01

Send us a text Is procrastination keeping you from maximising your business’s value? In this episode of Exit Insights, Kevin Harrington and Darryl Bates-Brownsword tackle the common excuses that hold business owners back from preparing their businesses for sale.Discover how mitigating risks, separating yourself from daily operations, and planningah…

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Maximise Your Business Valuation for a Winning Exit with Doug Lawson 45:42

1y ago45:42

45:42

Send us a text How do advisors value a business, and what can you do to boost yours? In this episode, Doug Lawson, co-founder of MarktoMarket, takes us behind the scenes of business valuations, sharing practical insights for owners preparing to exit. Discover the top factors that increase your valuation, why clean financials matter, and how to make…

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98: Helping computers decode sentences - Interview with Emily M. Bender 56:10

1y ago56:10

56:10

When a human learns a new word, we're learning to attach that word to a set of concepts in the real world. When a computer "learns" a new word, it is creating some associations between that word and other words it has seen before, which can sometimes give it the appearance of understanding, but it doesn't have that real-world grounding, which can s…

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Employee Ownership Trusts with Kevin Harrington: Navigating New Legislation for Fair Valuations 25:46

1y ago25:46

25:46

Send us a text In this timely episode, Daryl Bates-Brownsword and Kevin Harrington discuss the recent UK legislation requiring Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) to secure independent third-party valuations. Discover how this impacts business owners looking to exit and why fair market valuations are crucial to protecting employee interests. Hear how …