#ALB53 - John's first business mentor and coach

In this episode John and Jason are joined by special guest Clarke Duncan. Who is Clarke Duncan? Clarke was John’s very first business mentor back in the day and he also appeared heavily in John’s first book ‘Big Ideas for Small Businesses’ “I was very lucky when I first started my business – there were a number of people, who at first glance would appear to be my competitors – those who ran similar businesses to mine. And for some reason, they were happy to share tips, tactics, and ideas with me. They’d tell me where I was going wrong, and how I could improve my business and make more money. (The reason they were happy to share so freely, was because they had a growth mindset, rather than a scarcity one. They knew that if everyone helped each other out, we’d all make fewer mistakes, and everyone’s business benefited – if someone helps me out, and my business grows as a result, theirs doesn’t shrink – it actually grows too, as I then share something I’ve found with them – it’s a virtuous circle!) I didn’t know it at the time, but Clarke and Jason were my very first mentors – they’re the people who gave me an arm around the shoulder when I needed it, and a kick up the arse when I needed that. They told me what worked, what didn’t, and they probably saved me months and months of trying stuff that wouldn’t work, and brought in many thousands of pounds of additional revenue in those crucial early years.” In this podcast, Clarke gives us an insight to his own successes and experiences of affiliate marketing, which he has done for the last 17 years and certainly shows no signs of slowing down either. Clarke is the founder of affiliate marketing network Paid on Results, as well as unlimited design agency Bee All Design Clarke works WITH his competitors…. He talks about how he has never looked at other affiliates as competition, but more like-minded people all working together to try and make something happen and revisits the days where he was a part of the ‘Limo Club’. How Clarke spots opportunities… Clarke runs numerous succesful businesses from Spain, including a family one, and talks about the pro’s and con’s that some of these entail. But is he an opportunity hunter or is there more to it……. He tells us that he starts off by seeing a set of circumstances and then works out if there is any money to be made, is there something he can do that someone else isn’t? He explains how if you’re solving problems for people you tend to make money easier than making something up and trying to convince them that they need it. What does an Ambitious.Lifestyle.Business. look like for Clarke? His family time is plentiful but in his extra time Clarke enjoys working, watching video’s that are sometimes over two hours long, but the amount he takes from them he considers these a great investment of his time https://www.bigidea.co.uk/7-ways-to-get-more-done-in-less-time/ He has two golden rules regarding his staff; 1) Be truthful 2) Be a nice person, get on with others and be onboard with each other This is very important to Clarke for many different reasons which he explains in more detail in the episode. How has Brexit affected Clarke’s business? Brexit has been a HUGE discussion point for all businesses, the uncertainity of it all has had some small businesses losing sleep, but was it detrimental or another golden opportunity for Clarke? How has the One Percent Club helped Clarke? Clarke talks about being a member of the One Percent Club and how he values it, how it benefits him and how he would rather look stupid one time and know how to do it, then to not ask the question and be forever stupid! https://www.bigidea.co.uk/opcc For links to everything we talk about, including the video recording of the episode and transcription of everything we talked about, head over to the show notes at bigidea.co.uk/podcast. And to watch the LIVE recording of each episode of the Ambitious. Lifestyle. Business. Podcast, join our Facebook Group for FREE - you can then watch our ugly mugs in glorious technicolour every month, as well as get BONUS in-between-isodes, and direct access to both of us to ask any questions about this, or any other episode.