The go-to podcast for business owners in the spa, salon, hair and aesthetics industry, co-hosted by founder of The Delforge Group Valerie Delforge and ex-salon/clinic owner and business coach Amy Gordon. Join Valerie and Amy as they discuss the questions they get on a regular basis from members, in an honest, open and frank chat.
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Inside Chat Episode 79 | Surviving & Thriving in 2025: What We Make of the Year So Far
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11:32We’re back for our first episode of the year and we’re diving straight into how 2025 is shaping up so far. Valerie and Amy reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, the struggles and the key lessons we can take into this year. In January, we focused on taking control of your stock and this month we’ve been deep into financial planning, a service that’…
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Inside Chat Episode 78 | Our Top Bloopers of All Time
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2:41We've just wrapped filming for Series 8 of Inside Chat and one thing's for sure — the bloopers never disappoint! Enjoy these hilarious moments from way back in Series 1 up until now. We'll be back soon with fresh content this month, but in the meantime, catch our recent episode where we count down the top episodes of all time. • Inside Chat Ep 76 -…
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Inside Chat Episode 77 | Our Top 5 Episodes of All Time
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11:20Since launching Inside Chat at the start of 2023, we’ve explored a wide range of topics, diving deep into the nitty-gritty of what it’s really like to be a business owner and the challenges that come with it. These are our top 5 episodes of all time, each covering relevant and practical topics for business owners and even managers. A huge thank you…
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Inside Chat Episode 76 | CASE STUDY: The Mystery Shop That Went Wrong… And It’s Consequences
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34:51In 2024, thanks to the popularity of one of our Inside Chat episodes, we launched our Mystery Shop service. In this bonus episode, listen to Valerie as she shares the story of a Mystery Shop that went wrong and the consequences that followed. If you'd like access to a written copy of this case study, along with the audio, you can download it below.…
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Inside Chat Episode 75 | Top Episodes of 2024
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11:12And that's a wrap on 2024! What an incredible year of Inside Chat, packed with fascinating topics and thought provoking discussions. Here are our top episodes of the year! Stay tuned for brand new episodes coming soon as we gear up for another year of Inside Chat in 2025. 5) Ep 52 | Minding Your Language Around Your Team 4) Ep 54 | New members of m…
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Inside Chat Episode 74 | Merry Christmas & Thank You for an Incredible 2024
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7:09As this year draws to a close, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year and extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of our wonderful community throughout 2024. It's been another amazing year of Inside Chat and we are so grateful for the all support from our viewers and listeners. Wishing you all a well deserved, restful Christma…
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Inside Chat Episode 73 | How Structure Transforms Your Business Long Term
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8:39In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy dive into the importance of having structure in your business and how to harness the unique strengths of every individual on your team. They discuss how structure brings organisation, clarity and the ability to plan for long-term success. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Vale…
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Inside Chat Episode 72 | How to Stop Doing It All & Trust Your Team
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5:42As a business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing everything yourself. You’ve built this business from the ground up and letting go of control can often feel impossible. In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy dive into how to shift your mindset and take actionable steps toward relying more on your team and manager. If you’ve ever asked…
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Inside Chat Episode 71 | Commission Success Without The Competition
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8:02In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy discuss how to manage commission structures effectively, balance healthy competition and build a retail culture that empowers each team member individually. They share their tips on how to eliminate commission-based competition and create a commission plan that benefits both your business and your entire team…
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Inside Chat Episode 70 | Why Consistency Matters in Leadership
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6:53In this episode, Valerie and Amy dive into one of the most crucial yet challenging aspects of effective leadership: consistency. How you show up every day, how you interact with your team, and even how your mood sets the tone for your business. But being consistent as an owner goes beyond daily routines—it requires intentional processes and procedu…
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Inside Chat Episode 69 | Is a Mystery Shop the Key to Front of House Improvements?
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6:34In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy revisit our mystery shop case study, showcasing how it highlights key improvements for the Front of House and the overall customer journey. This complimentary case study was released to accompany the recent launch of our new Mystery Shop service, offering valuable insights into where businesses can make impactf…
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Inside Chat Episode 68 | How Self Assessment Can Improve Your Leadership for Your Salon/Spa Team
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6:36In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy discuss the importance of assessing your leadership skills and how it impacts your salon/spa team's performance. It's easy to spot issues in the team, but how often do we reflect on our own leadership? Our new downloadable guide, 'Refine Your Leadership Skills,' includes self-assessment tools and team feedback …
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Inside Chat Episode 67 | What is the Key to Effective Performance Management?
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7:11This week, Valerie and Amy explore the crucial steps behind effective performance management. Before any formal actions like disciplinary measures, having a structured process in place is key. They’ll discuss why it’s essential to follow these steps to ensure fairness and productivity. Plus, Valerie reveals her exclusive Delforge 1,2,3 Method for p…
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Inside Chat Episode 66 | Why Mastering Your Online Presence is Crucial for Business Growth!
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6:40In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive into Amy's latest obsession—Google Business! Building a strong online presence is crucial for driving your business forward, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. From Google Business to your website, social media, and understanding how they all work together, there are so many pieces to the pu…
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Inside Chat Episode 65 | The Secret to a Seamless Spa Experience
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8:02In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy look into how you can enhance your spa's customer journey to ensure a seamless and personalised experience for every client. From the moment they walk through the door to the time they leave, every touchpoint matters, ensuring all staff—from reception to therapists—are engaged and aligned. Join us every other M…
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Inside Chat Episode 64 | The Art of Picking Your Battles with Your Team
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7:03This week, Valerie and Amy dive into the crucial topic of prioritising team issues. It can feel overwhelming when every instance seems to demand immediate attention. Learn the what, when and how of picking your battles and discover why reacting to everything isn't always the best approach. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat…
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Inside Chat Episode 63 | Overwhelmed and Stuck? Navigating the Struggles of Salon/Spa Business Ownership
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7:27In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive deep into the realities of feeling overwhelmed as a small business owner. They discuss practical tips on dealing with the struggles that come with running a business, especially when it feels like everything is going wrong and you don't know where to start to turn things around. They also discuss the imp…
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Inside Chat Episode 62 | My business is thriving but I'm unsure what to do next...
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7:04In this weeks episode, Valerie & Amy dive into the journey of thriving salon owners who ask, "What's next?". They discuss re-evaluating your business, which areas you should focus for continued growth and discuss strategies to enhance customer experience and services. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Am…
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Inside Chat Episode 61 | Is age vs. authority a real challenge for young salon/spa owners and managers?
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8:54In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive into the unique challenges of leadership as young salon & spa owners and managers. They explore the dynamics of leading a team when age can be perceived as a barrier to authority and respect. This episode is packed with valuable insights on earning respect, building a strong team and effectively managing…
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Inside Chat Episode 60 | Effective Communication Strategies for Salon Managers
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8:26Join us in this weeks episode as we dive into the essential responsibilities of salon managers, why a well-defined structure is key and the impact of effective communication in meetings, from owners to managers and managers to their teams. Our Management to Leadership programme is designed for owners and managers, to equip you with top level manage…
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Inside Chat Episode 59 | Mastering room occupancy, to maximise business efficiency
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6:52In this week's discussion, Valerie and Amy delve into the intricacies of effectively analysing room occupancy within a salon/spa business and how to leverage this analysis for smoother operations. They offer a fresh perspective on business management by examining how space utilisation can be optimised and developed to enhance business performance, …
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Inside Chat Episode 58 | Mystery shops, are they worth it?
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9:29Join Valerie and Amy this week as they discuss whether mystery shops are worth it. They discuss the value of mystery shops for your customer journey, online presence, service quality and their impact on overall business performance and growth strategies. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer …
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Inside Chat Episode 57 | How can owners and managers avoid complacency amongst the team?
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11:01This week, Valerie & Amy discuss the difficulties of team complacency and provide actionable insights for owners | managers to tackle this to drive continuous improvement and growth within the team. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our cha…
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Inside Chat Episode 56 | How do I protect my cashflow?
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9:07In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive into the importance of cultivating the right mindset for building a strong cash flow. Elevate your understanding further with our latest free webinar, designed to provide actionable guidance on navigating your targets, your team, and your business effectively. Download and watch now to gain valuable insi…
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Inside Chat Episode 55 | How do I launch a new brand/treatment successfully?
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11:39This week Valerie & Amy are discussing the secrets to successfully introducing new brands and treatments into your salon or clinic. They touch on pre-launch strategic approaches, effective team training, online marketing strategies, networking and events. Download the free guide mentioned 'How to launch a new brand, new products, new treatments in …
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Inside Chat Episode 54 | New members of my team are never working out, what am I doing wrong?
11:16
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11:16In this weeks episode, Valerie & Amy discuss the common mistakes made during the onboarding process, uncovering the mistakes you may make in integrating new team members effectively. They shares their insights on creating a welcoming environment, while setting clear expectations and performance standards. Join us every other Monday for a new episod…
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Inside Chat Episode 53 | Creating Effective Commission Schemes For Team Engagement and Profitability
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9:25In this week's episode Valerie & Amy discuss navigating commission structures that resonate with your team while aligning seamlessly with your business strategy, specifically tailored to your numbers. We also offer a free online guide, 'A Salon Owner's Guide to Commission,' where you'll gain valuable insights to set up a robust commission system fo…
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Inside Chat Episode 52 | Minding Your Language Around Your Team
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8:54This week, Valerie and Amy delve into mindful language within your team dynamics, especially during challenging moments. Join them as they uncover the importance of steering clear of negative language and maintaining a delicate balance between transparency and positivity to keep your team motivated during quiet times. Join us every other Monday for…
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Inside Chat Episode 51 | Exploring Rise in Costs, Price Increases and Boosting Staff Performance in 2024
11:22
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11:22Join Valerie and Amy in this week's episode as they tackle the current topics of rising costs, including minimum wage and implementing price increases. They also dive into why staff performance is the key to your growth in 2024. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Re…
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Inside Chat Episode 50 | I've Made A Decision That I Feel Is A Mistake, What Should I Do...?
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8:44This week, Valerie and Amy delve into the topic of dealing with decisions that haven't turned out as expected. They share their valuable insights on how to maintain a positive mindset and identify solutions that can help you overcome the challenges associated with the decision. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Vale…
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Inside Chat Episode 49 | Our 2023 Top 5 Episodes
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12:51Enjoy the highlights of our 2023 best bits! We've delved into some fascinating topics, but these episodes were the most popular among our listeners. You can listen to the full episodes on our YouTube channel or tune in to our podcast. Don't miss out on the engaging discussions and insights we have coming up in 2024 - subscribe now! 5) Surviving The…
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Inside Chat Episode 48 | Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year
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4:08Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As we reflect on our first year of Inside Chat, we're grateful for the amazing support from our viewers and listeners. We can't wait to kick off another fantastic year with new and exciting content. If you have any burning questions you'd like us to answer in 2024, send them to support@thedelf…
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Inside Chat Ep 47 | Why Do I Need Soft Skills For Effective Leadership?
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7:47Join us in this week's episode as we continue our discussion on Valerie's upcoming book! This time, we delve into one of her favourite topics: the transformative power of soft skills in leadership. Register your interest in the book launch here : [email protected] Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Am…
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Inside Chat Episode 46 | Valerie Unveils Leadership Secrets in Book Launch Countdown!
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10:52In this weeks episode, dive into an exciting interview with Valerie, revealing the secrets of her upcoming book, 'I'd Rather Do It Myself: From Micromanagement to Leadership.' As we countdown the book launch in late December, gain valuable insights into leadership and discover the 'why' behind Valerie's journey to write this transformative book. Re…
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Inside Chat Episode 45 | What Are The Key Things That Put People Off Coming Back To My Business?
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10:37Today Valerie & Amy unpack the reasons why clients may not return, along with their suggestions on building lasting relationships. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our channel and press that notification bell so you can catch all new episodes. Head…
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Inside Chat Episode 44 | I Know I Need To Look More At My Numbers But I Don't Know Where To Begin!
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9:09In this weeks episode Valerie and Amy discuss our Business Analysis coaching service designed for anyone feeling lost or wanting clarity in their business. Within this service, we provide guidance on how to build a monthly budget, we analyse your monthly business performance and dig down into the KPIs that really matter - such as individual and tea…
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Inside Chat Episode 43 | Should I Be Offering Treatment Packages?
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9:24
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9:24To Package or Not to Package: In this weeks episode Valerie and Amy discuss the pros and cons of offering packages, loyalty programs, discounts or freebies to clients. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss an episode. Head …
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Inside Chat Episode 42 | I Really Struggle With Feeling Guilty No Matter What I Do...
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11:49Sometimes as a business owner you may always feel an element of guilt no matter the decisions you make. In this weeks episode Valerie and Amy discuss how to manage these feelings. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss an ep…
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Inside Chat Episode 41 | Why Is It Important To Uphold High Standards & Professionalism?
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12:25In this weeks episode Valerie and Amy discuss how important it is for your team to maintain professionalism in the company of clients and the impression it can give if they don't. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss an ep…
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Inside Chat Episode 40 | Structuring My Days Is Proving Difficult, What Do You Suggest?
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10:24In this weeks episode, Valerie & Amy discuss how as a business owner, structuring your day is crucial to your success. From setting priorities to managing tasks, having a plan in place can help you stay focused and productive. With a well-structured day, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and resources, while also avoiding bur…
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Inside Chat Episode 39 | Why Is It Important For My Team To Trial Our Treatments?
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11:56In this week's episode Valerie and Amy discuss the importance of your team understanding all of the treatments the salon/spa/clinic offers, regardless whether they are providing those treatments themselves. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our chan…
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Inside Chat Episode 38 | Where Do I Start When Building A Customer Journey?
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11:21In this week's episode, Amy and Valerie dive deep into the significance of the client journey and how it plays a crucial role in creating a relaxing atmosphere for clients. They emphasise the importance of ensuring that clients feel comfortable and satisfied with their experience so that they are more likely to return. Join us each week for a new e…
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Inside Chat Episode 37 | Where Should I Begin When It Comes To Strategy?
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9:15We understand that strategy can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when determining where to start and the areas to prioritise. In this weeks episode Amy & Valerie discuss the benefits of a good strategy and how our Get Strategic Quick Guide can help you begin. Buy & download the Get Strategic Quick Guide here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/…
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Inside Chat Episode 36 | Is It Ok To Stand Still Or Do I Continually Need To Add New Treatments?
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10:12
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10:12Navigating the balance between implementing new ideas and staying in the present can be a challenge for spa and salon owners. In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy share valuable insights on how to approach changes and the importance of taking a pause to reflect, allowing your business to thrive in both stability and innovation. Join us each week…
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Inside Chat Episode 35 | What Is The Power Hour?
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9:47In this weeks episode Valerie and Amy discuss one of our most sought after services: The Power Hour. This is the perfect service if you are seeking advice on a particular topic and really need some guidance. It is designed to be high impact, low investment with no long term commitment required. Discover more here : https://thedelforgegroup.podia.co…
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Inside Chat Episode 34 | How To Have Confidence When Speaking With My Team?
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11:38In this episode, Valerie and Amy share valuable insights on cultivating confidence when addressing your team, aiming to inspire and motivate them. They provide expert guidance on the art of impactful communication in both one-on-one interactions and group meetings. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answe…
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Inside Chat Episode 33 | The Delforge Group Business Retreat
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8:23This week Valerie and Amy discuss our upcoming exclusive three-day retreat in Jonzac, France! We have only one spot left for our Business Retreat, 13th-17th September! If you happen to be feeling burnout, overwhelmed, or simply want clarity on how to move forward in 2024, this retreat is for you. It's a chance to invest in yourself and take a step …
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Inside Chat Episode 32 | What Are Effective Strategies For Managing a Business With Multiple Locations?"
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11:58In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy tackle the challenges that arise when managing multiple locations for your business, where it often feels like you are constantly fighting fires. They dive into the importance of establishing efficient systems, effective communication channels, and streamlined processes to maintain control. Join us each week …
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Inside Chat Episode 31 | How Do I Know What I Should Be Spending On What?
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12:13In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy delve into the importance of having a comprehensive understanding of your business expenses, knowing your numbers, and mastering the art of budgeting. Join us each week for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our channel so you don't…
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Inside Chat Episode 30 | My Receptionist Is Overwhelmed, What Can I Do To Help Them?
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12:12In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy delve into the crucial aspects of supporting your Receptionist/Front of House to not only guarantee a seamless and welcoming experience for all clients but also acknowledge their role as the anchor of your team. Read Amy's recent article providing valuable insights on empowering and appreciating your Receptio…
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