Click here to listen: Carl Day on Balancing Growth and Risk In Your Business - Start Build and Grow
Shownotes
In this podcast episode, host Rob Lawrence interviews Carl Day, an experienced entrepreneur in freight and logistics.
Carl shares candid insights from his career spanning over three decades, discussing the challenges of leadership, the loneliness of success, and the importance of having a supportive network.
He reflects on lessons learned from over-expansion and cash flow crises, raising awareness that financial discipline, honest feedback, and keeping an eye out for red flags are critical to sustainable growth.
Carl also highlights the need for work-life balance, the value of a strong team, and the importance of continuous learning for long-term business success.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Carl’s Career Journey (00:02:10) Carl shares his background, entry into logistics, and early career progression.
Entrepreneurial Expansion and Reality Check (00:03:05) Carl describes rapid business growth, overexpansion, and the tough period that followed.
The Loneliness of Leadership (00:05:02) Discussion on how business success can lead to increased loneliness and responsibility for leaders.
Transition from Team Member to Leader (00:05:53) Carl explains the shift from being part of a team to leading and the challenges of honest feedback.
Importance of Community and Support (00:08:13) Carl emphasises finding a peer community or support network to share challenges and avoid isolation.
Setbacks and Over-stretching the Business (00:10:01) Carl recounts a specific instance of over-expansion, cash flow issues, and lessons learned about cautious growth.
Balancing Ambition and Risk (00:13:25) Exploring the tension between entrepreneurial risk-taking and the dangers of overconfidence.
Red Flags and Sounding Boards (00:14:47) Carl discusses the importance of having people who challenge your decisions to avoid overconfidence.
Sustainable Growth and Financial Controls (00:16:27) Focus on the need for margin over turnover, cash flow management, and avoiding “busy fool” syndrome.
Building the Right Team (00:19:40) Advice on surrounding yourself with people who challenge you and ensuring honest, regular team discussions.
Key Business Metrics and Decision-Making (00:21:33) Carl highlights the importance of monitoring financial health, cash flow, and analysing new opportunities.
Personal Sanity and Work-Life Balance (00:23:32) Carl shares how he maintains personal well-being, the importance of outside interests, and lessons from burnout.
Non-Negotiables for Business and Life (00:26:16) Carl outlines essential boundaries: personal interests outside work and real-time business financial dashboards.
Delegation, Trust, and Leadership (00:28:01) Discussion on the importance of delegation, trusting your team, and distinguishing leadership from management.
Vision, Success, and Pitfalls (00:30:38) Carl reflects on his visionary strengths, the dangers of overconfidence, and the need for balance.
Continuous Learning and Embracing Technology (00:33:32) Carl recommends learning from others, embracing technology, and maintaining a growth mindset.
Top Tips for Avoiding Burnout and Overstretch (00:36:28) Carl’s final advice: have a sounding board and always keep a close eye on the business’s financial health.
How to Connect with Carl (00:37:25) Carl shares where listeners can find him online and his current ventures.
About Carl:
Carl Day has worked in the supply chain and logistics sector for over 35 years. He is a pioneer in the field of Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) and introduced the term 'Control Tower Logistics'. He has worked for market-leading shipping lines and freight forwarders focussed on the food, beverage, alcohol, and high-value FMCG sectors. He has built a wealth of knowledge regarding customs formalities and has been recognised on multiple occasions with industry awards for service excellence. Carl earned an MBA focused on sustainability in logistics. He has served for several years as the chairman of the WSTA Logistics Group, is a member of the Bonded Warehouse Keepers Association, as well as a fellow of the British Institute of Freight professionals.
Carl is passionate about sharing his knowledge and expertise with others. He has founded Charlie Delta Ltd to provide consultancy services and has also written a book as a comprehensive resource for anyone who wants to learn more about 3PL warehousing and distribution in the food, beverage, and high-value FMCG sectors.
Carl lives in Ipswich (UK) with his wife Inga and his dog Donald, an English bulldog with a mind of his own.
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