Last week, I launched a new podcast series with a simple but important purpose: to explore the difference between average performance and commercial excellence.

The inspiration comes from my own experience of working with very different organisations. On one hand, I’ve seen businesses that operated to high standards, lived their values, and consistently achieved incredible results. On the other, I’ve worked with firms that undermined themselves through politics, poor leadership, or by settling for “good enough.”

What I came to realise is that many leaders and managers don’t actually know what “good” looks like. Not because they aren’t capable, but because they’ve never been exposed to it. Without that benchmark, companies often allow circumstances, personalities, or short-term pressures to dictate the direction of the business.

This challenge is particularly relevant for SMEs. As they grow, they enter new territory and face new demands. Without clarity on what “good” looks like, they can unintentionally accept lower standards, weaker performance, and cultures that hold them back.

The purpose of my podcast is to challenge that way of thinking. Meetings, presentations, and key events aren’t just everyday activities — they’re opportunities to set higher standards, bring values to life, and show what excellence can look like in practice.

So far:

• Episode 1 was about aspiration.

• Episode 2 was about high standards.

Future episodes will dig deeper into practical examples of what good looks like — and how leaders can use everyday situations as a platform for excellence.

My hope is that this series sparks reflection and inspires leaders to ask: Are we really setting the bar high enough? And if not, what would commercial excellence look like for us?