To mark this extremely special occasion of our 50th episode of The Property Nomads Podcast, we are pleased to bring an incredibly special interview to you.
Paul Sewell, the man at the head of The Sewell Group, was awarded an OBE for Services to Business and the Community in 2011. He joins Rob today to discuss his story of success which has taken him from incredible lows to the top of business in the UK.
Paul shares his incredible insights into the foundations which he believes should be at the root of every business, the important of culture, the recipe for creating the perfect team, and his proudest achievements in business and life.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
When Paul was awarded the OBE for Services to Business in 2011, he was initially hesitant, as the honours system had always seemed a little distant to him. But he quickly recognised that the honour was not just his, but also belonged to those he worked with, and to those who had supported him.
Paul is a fierce proponent of ensuring that business benefits everyone. He believes that if a transaction is to the detriment of anyone, then it shouldn’t be done. Business is not about chasing awards or making as much money as possible. Being able to benefit people’s lives makes your business more attractive and makes for good business in general.
A healthy culture in the workplace should come from the top down and should reflect the business’s values as well as its purpose. This is how the culture at ‘Sewell Group’ has been created, leading the company to often hire for cultural fit rather than technical expertise.
The key to success is being able to realise what you’re great at. Everyone’s great at something. If you identify what you’re great at and stick to it, then success is inevitable. Surround yourselves with people who are great at the things you’re not great at, and you will have found yourself a successful team.
Your biggest assets in this day and age are your emotional attractiveness as a business, and the network you create. The Sewell Group changed its way of working as a result of this wisdom, making business development the role of everybody instead of a single individual.
Success to Paul is all about being emotionally attractive as a company, forming good relationships, taking responsibility for any problems, delivering on every promise, and have integrity.
People are naturally cautious about having important conversations. But if you have the courage and the will to have these conversations in a direct but kind way, it can be a marvellous way of clearing the air and starting over with someone.
Delivering on quality is the most important rule for the Sewell Group. By lowering standards even briefly, or because it means a reduction in potential profits - in Paul’s own words, “you let something pernicious into your company that spreads and grows like a cancer”.
There are always lessons to be learned from those who’ve trodden the path before you. A mentor can be an invaluable resource when it comes to encouragement or advice but studying competitors can also provide you with inspirational ways to improve your own business.
The future of not just Sewell’s but the UK, is in innovation. Paul believes that by constantly looking for ways to grow and improve, we can compete with the best the world has to offer. By getting the small things right, you constantly move forward.
Good manners mean so much, they get you everywhere. Good manners in business are especially important as they make you memorable, and a pleasure to deal with, and as Paul says, business is done between people.
BEST MOMENTS
‘It’s so impressive to know that you can drive your geese over Westminster Bridge!’
‘If your business doesn’t make people’s lives better, then don’t do it’
‘We believe a strong culture is so, so important’
‘I’m just like a football coach who’s come into business’
‘Never discount chance meetings in life. 80% of success is showing up’
‘You appreciate the highs in life when you’ve had the lows'
‘We hire for attitude and train for skill’
‘Hunt down the best, find out what they’re doing, replicate what they’re doing and make it appropriate to you’
‘Sometimes a wrong decision is better than no decision'
VALUABLE RESOURCES
The Property Nomads WebsiteThe Property Nomads Podcast – iTunesThe Property Nomads - StitcherBuy To Let: How To Get Started – By Rob Smallbone (Amazon)The Sewell Group – About Paul Sewell OBEPaul Sewell OBE – Twitter
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Rob Smallbone, Rachael Taylor and Matt McSherry, the hosts of The Property Nomads Podcast, are on a global mission to guide your success. Success can happen in many ways, shapes and forms. Think about what success means to you. More properties? More clients? Financial freedom? Time freedom?
Rob, Rachael & Matt just want to make a huge difference to people around the world. They are here to guide your success in property, business and life and to inspire you to achieve your goals, dreams and visions. They’ve travelled, explored, and invested. And they’re not planning on stopping these activities anytime soon.
Buckle up, sit tight and enjoy the ride that is life.
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