Is an awkward conversation the only thing standing between you and the salary you deserve?

In this episode of all about business, Connor Scully, Senior Executive Consultant at Reed Specialist Recruitment, sits down with James to discuss how professionals can effectively secure a pay rise in their current role.

Connor shares practical advice on how to move beyond the discomfort of pay discussions by focusing on preparation, timing, and proving your worth. The conversation explores how to assess whether you are truly due a salary increase, emphasizing the need to align your output with business goals and quantify your impact through measurable KPIs. Connor explains why being proactive, taking on extra responsibilities during company hardships, or "saying yes" to complex projects, is key to becoming an indispensable asset.

Whether you feel underpaid or are looking to take the next step in your career, this episode offers a step-by-step guide to navigating pay conversations with confidence and a growth mindset

Timestamps

02:00 Are You Due More

04:42 Prep And Timing Mistakes

09:38 When To Job Hunt

12:19 Ask In Person

15:36 Say Yes More Often

20:22 Employer Perspective on Pay Requests

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All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

How do you know if you’re being offered what you’re worth?

In this episode of all about business, Leanne Appleton, recruitment expert at Reed, speaks with James about how professionals can increase their earning potential and achieve a higher salary.

Leanne shares practical insights into what really drives salary growth, from understanding your market value to building in-demand skills and positioning yourself effectively in the job market. She explains why working harder isn’t always enough, and how being more strategic about your career decisions can significantly impact your long-term earnings.

The conversation explores how to approach salary negotiations with confidence, including when to ask for a pay rise, how to benchmark your worth, and why timing plays a critical role. Leanne also highlights the importance of demonstrating impact through measurable results, rather than relying on tenure or job titles alone.

Timestamps

02:10 Know Your Worth

04:15 Recruiter Advantage

05:41 Benchmark Beyond Salary

08:36 Reading Job Ad Salaries

11:14 Negotiation Prep

14:20 Avoid Over Underselling

17:37 Benefits That Matter

19:36 Perks Employers Can Add

21:52 Probation Pay Reviews

24:39 Counteroffers Warning

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

Find out how Reed can help you advance your career here:

Find out more about Reed Specialist Recruitment here:

Find out more Number Eight restaurant here:

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk

How do you grow an idea into a multi-million pound business before the age of 40?

In this episode of all about business, James Reed sits down with Andrew Hulbert, entrepreneur and founder of Pareto Facilities Management, a company he built from his bedroom into a £50 million business before successfully exiting in his thirties.

Andrew shares the journey from a difficult start in Oxford and an unconventional path into business, to scaling rapidly in a competitive industry and navigating the realities of high-growth entrepreneurship. He reflects on the mindset required to build something from nothing, the importance of winning (and keeping) customers, and why consistency and execution matter more than ideas.

The conversation explores what it really takes to scale a business, from landing pivotal contracts that accelerate growth, to building a leadership team strong enough to step back from. Andrew also speaks candidly about the personal cost of success with long hours, burnout, and the moment he realised the business he built was no longer sustainable for the life he wanted.

Now focused on family, investing, and sustainability, Andrew offers a different perspective on success that goes beyond financial outcomes.

This is a grounded and honest conversation about entrepreneurship, growth, and what success really looks like once you’ve achieved it.

Timestamps

02:17 Council estate roots

09:20 Knife lesson turning point

22:06 Bedroom startup launch

34:14 Why sell the business

42:57 Health reset and purpose

46:50 Sales tricks that work

54:47 Advice for entrepreneurs

Follow James Reed on LinkedIn

Follow Andrew Hulbert on LinkedIn

Find out more about Pareto Facilities

All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more HERE

This podcast was co-produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a chart-topping podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo-media.co.uk