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Standards are essential for successful, growing brands.

But here’s the real question: what are your standards?

Can your people clearly explain them?

Do they know what ‘good’ looks like day to day?

And are those standards actually being maintained or quietly ignored?

In this episode of The Reality of Business, Bob and Jeremy talk honestly about why standards have slipped across sales, service and leadership and why this is a leadership issue, not a people problem.

They explore how ‘expectations’ have replaced standards, why remote and hybrid working has made things harder to spot and enforce and how flexible management can drift into avoiding accountability altogether.

You’ll also hear why:

• Standards need to be visible, not just written down
• Leaders must enforce them, not hope for the best
• Metrics without behaviour attached can do more harm than good
• Customers now expect more than many organisations are delivering

Most importantly, they ask the question many businesses avoid: where do we start?

If you care about quality, consistency and protecting your brand as you grow, this episode will give you plenty to think about and act on.

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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If you’re always busy but nothing really seems to move forward, this episode is for you.

In part two of our Team Leaders series, we take a closer look at what gets in the way of consistent leadership and how to get back on track. It’s a practical conversation about replacing firefighting with focus and giving your team (and yourself) a clearer sense of direction.

From endless meetings to shifting priorities, we explore what’s actually worth your time and how to make it count.

We cover:

• Spotting the difference between busy and making progress
• Using 3 daily non-negotiables to take control of your day
• Building a 90-day plan and creating a proper leader’s playbook
• Making sure your metrics match your values and culture
• Letting your calendar speak for your leadership
• Quietly fixing one small thing each week
• Seeing why remote accompaniment matters more than ever

Whether you’re new to leading a team or you’ve been doing it for years, this episode offers honest, realistic ways to manage your time, your work and your team.

Haven’t listened to Part 1 yet? That one’s all about managing people – worth going back for.

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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If you lead a team, or have just started, this is part 1 of two episodes all about making that role easier and more effective.

We talk about the stuff that’s hard:

• What to do when someone says the rules don’t apply to them
• How to respond without backing down or starting a row
• Dealing with likeable people who still aren’t performing
• Helping quiet team members feel confident to speak
• Getting two people to work together when they clearly don’t want to

You’ll also hear how to open a meeting with purpose, give useful feedback, and create the kind of team environment where expectations are clear and people know what good looks like.

This episode is all about managing people – the day-to-day conversations, nudges, and challenges that come with the job.

Part 2 is coming soon, where we’ll look at managing time, workload, and getting out of firefighting mode.

Listen in and take one idea into your week!

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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We pull apart the everyday chaos of “urgent” demands and show how to pilot attention, energy, and priorities with practical tools that actually stick. From Covey’s quadrants to Ivy Lee’s “Success Six,” we share real examples, simple tactics, and a mindset that swaps frenzy for focus.

• hybrid work patterns and shifting Fridays
• mindset reframe: you are the pilot
• ageing, purpose, and retirement as rhythm
• sleep as a weekly equation and recovery
• urgent vs important and reaction traps
• delegation, deletion, and saying no
• energy management and chronotypes
• time blocking, batching, and buffers
• the two-minute rule for small tasks
• Ivy Lee’s Success Six planning tool

Please share, review, and rate. It helps us hugely. You can forward this to somebody who you think could really do with the help. You can write us a few words, give us a review, give us some feedback.

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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What does it take to build a successful sales training business - and still be laughing 25 years on?

In this special anniversary episode, Bob and Jeremy reflect on the lessons, surprises, and stories they’ve collected over a quarter of a century of running a training company.

One of the biggest revelations? Learning to take business a little less personally. As Bob admits, “Every knockback felt like a blow to the heart” in those early days. Over time, they learned to separate self-worth from outcomes - building resilience, perspective, and a clearer sense of what drives long-term business success.

From standout leadership moments to spontaneous karaoke, the stories span cities, countries, and conference rooms. You’ll hear tales from Dublin to Delhi, and Amsterdam to Atlanta - all reinforcing a simple truth: business growth often comes from the unexpected. Whether it’s a three-hour wine-fuelled lunch in France, or a client mix-up that sparks a brand-new idea, there’s wisdom in the unplanned.

There’s practical insight here too - around investing in personal development, taking time to reset, and remembering that culture, connection, and not taking yourself too seriously are all part of a sustainable leadership journey.

Whether you’re leading a business, growing a team, or reflecting on your own path, this one’s for you.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your own business journey? We'd love to hear your stories and questions!

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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Sales managers & salespeople: Be honest - have you ever assumed a customer wouldn’t go for the higher-priced option so you left it out altogether?

You might be losing more sales than you think. It’s easy to filter choices for customers based on your own biases or assumptions, often without realising you’re doing it. But when you take the decision away from the buyer, you limit their options – and potentially their satisfaction.

From choosing the “cheap” option on a customer’s behalf to skipping over premium choices because “they won’t go for that”, this mindset is surprisingly common. In this episode, we share real stories (think chocolates, shoe shops, and scruffy car buyers) and explore the seven key psychological biases that influence how salespeople present – or don’t present - choice.

You’ll hear how things like time pressure, financial worries, stereotyping, and disloyal bonding can all affect how we sell, often working against the very outcome we’re aiming for.

Most importantly, we’ll share practical ways overcome these habits – helping you build trust, offer the full picture, and give your customers the confidence to choose what’s right for them.

Listen now for a fresh take on an old problem, and ask yourself, when was the last time you made a decision for your customer?

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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Are values just words on a wall? Or something you’re willing to stand by – even when it’s hard?

In this episode, Bob & Jeremy take on the uncomfortable question many businesses are now facing: What happens to your integrity when you quietly scale back your DEI programme?

We’re seeing it everywhere - big names like Google, Pepsi, and investment banks are stepping back from the DEI work they once shouted about. And here’s the thing: it’s not just a budget decision. It’s a values decision.

So, we ask:

• What do those cuts really say about what you stand for?
• Are we really ‘past the point’ of needing DEI – or just bowing to political pressure?
• And can values mean anything if they change with the wind?

With real-world examples, a dash of satire (don’t miss Bob & Jeremy’s sketch), and some heartfelt debate, this episode digs deep into the link between inclusion, integrity, and business leadership.

Whether you’re leading a team, shaping company culture, or just wondering where your business stands – this is the conversation you won’t want to miss.

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

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Don't you love a sales conference?

Motivating your customer-facing teams to sell with greater enthusiasm...

"There, you've had your sales conference - are you more motivated now?"

"Yeah!"

Really?

Does your sales conference actually deliver the impact you’re hoping for? You’ve invested time, energy, and budget into your annual event – but does it truly equip your team to sell more effectively? A few hours of inspiration is great, but what if your event could turbocharge performance long after it ends?

In this episode, we explore how a well-planned sales conference can drive lasting success – far beyond just a typical social event. From skill development and team morale to employee retention and recruitment, we uncover the overlooked benefits that can make all the difference.

We also tackle the delicate balance between essential training and content overload. What do sales conferences really cost? We discuss the logistical and financial challenges of hosting large-scale events, share entertaining stories from conferences, and offer practical solutions to maximise your return on investment.

Looking ahead, we discuss the future of sales conferences – from AI integration to hybrid work models – and why maintaining high brand standards is crucial. Plus, we explore how unconventional speakers can bring fresh perspectives and real value to your team.

If you want your next sales conference to have a real, measurable impact on your sales team, this episode is a must-listen!

For more info, free resources, useful content & our blog posts, please visit realitytraining.com.

Reality Training - Selling Certainty