About Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray
Hosted by the insightful Craig Alexander Rattray, this podcast is your ultimate guide to growing your business and understanding finance and the numbers that matter. Learn and understand this and you will make better decisions and make more money.
Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just starting out, Craig’s expert advice will help you navigate the complexities of business finance in his unique and easy to understand manner giving you better information and more confidence. Mastering business forecasting and cash flow management will become second nature to you. Follow the tips and advice and you will make more profit, have a more valuable business and reduce stress.
In each episode, Craig breaks down essential financial concepts into easy-to-understand strategies, empowering you to take control of your business’s financial future. From understanding growth and funding, forecasting, managing cash flow, building value and exit, to making informed decisions, “Know Your Numbers” is here to turn financial uncertainty into clarity and success.
But that’s not all! Craig will also be joined by guests who have walked in your shoes while running a business. These experienced entrepreneurs, business experts, related professional advisors, investors and funders will share their stories of challenges and growth, offering practical tips on managing and growing a business, changes to implement and what works, and providing insights that you can replicate in your business and find the best solutions to grow successfully and profitably.
Join us every fortnight for actionable insights, real-world examples, and practical tips that will transform the way you manage your business finances. Don’t let financial jargon hold you back—tune in to “Know Your Numbers” and start your journey to financial mastery and a more profitable and valuable business.
From the Tools to the Boardroom - The Best of the Know Your Numbers Podcast
In this very special episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray takes a sunny moment in Crete to reflect on the journey so far, and to share some of the best insights, most powerful lessons, and biggest turning points from over 25 incredible guests.
From footballers-turned-financiers to business owners fighting for survival, from funding experts to accountants on a mission to deliver real value - this episode brings together some of the most memorable and meaningful moments.
If you’ve ever felt alone, overwhelmed or just wanted to hear from people who truly understand the rollercoaster of running a business – this is the one for you.
Key Themes Covered:
✅ How getting financial clarity changes everything✅ The emotional cost of not knowing your numbers✅ Real stories of risk, resilience, and rebuilding✅ What banks and funders really want to see✅ Why ignoring your finances can quietly sink you✅ The mindset shift from doer to director✅ And the undeniable truth: You don’t know what you don’t know
Key Takeaways:
✅ Every business has a story behind the numbers – but clarity and structure make a difference✅ Don’t wait until it’s too late – ask for help early✅ You need up-to-date information to make good decisions – otherwise you're flying blind✅ It's not a weakness to bring in support – it's how the best businesses grow✅ From cash flow to confidence – the right systems change the whole game
Memorable Quotes (Direct from the Guests):
“You wouldn’t jump in a car, put a blindfold on, and expect to get to your destination safely.” – Craig Alexander Rattray
“You can build a business from anything – but you need to learn how to run it properly.” – Peter Archibald
“This will change everything – real-time satellite imagery, the internet of things... and real global impact.” – Chris Newlands
“I went from earning over £100k to selling photocopiers for £18k. I had to start over.” – Lee Mair
“We don’t sell accounts. We sell insight. That’s where the value is.” – Laura Taylor
“If you get the right funding, the right team, and the right focus – you can turn anything around.” – Jordan Howard
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping business owners go from chaos to clarity📌 SpaceAye – Chris Newlands’ groundbreaking platform for global change📌 Mair Finance – Lee’s mission to support footballers into finance📌 Halden Construction – Peter’s company rebuilding stronger📌 Bright Flamingo – Laura Taylor’s consultancy for modern accountants
28 Aug 2025
From Redundancy to Resilience: Craig Talks with James Fleming on Belief, Business, and The Power Within
In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with James Fleming, founder of The Power Within and a leading voice in motivational intelligence and leadership training.
James’ story is nothing short of remarkable. From growing up in a Glasgow housing scheme, struggling in school, and finding work the old-fashioned way (via the Yellow Pages!)… to working internationally as a talent director, getting made redundant just before Christmas, and turning that moment into the catalyst for building The Power Within.
This is an episode about mindset, momentum, and what’s possible when you stop waiting and start acting.
Key Topics Discussed:
✅ Why redundancy was the greatest gift James ever received✅ How motivational intelligence changes behaviour - and results✅ Going from “just a boy from a scheme” to global talent leader✅ What most companies get wrong when it comes to leadership development✅ Why business owners must stop playing small✅ How The Power Within is helping people lead themselves first✅ And why the numbers still matter… even when you’ve got belief
Key Takeaways:
✅ A setback can be your greatest opportunity - if you choose it✅ Leadership isn’t about title or position - it’s about action✅ Motivation will fade - but motivational intelligence creates consistency✅ Investing in your mindset is the best ROI you’ll ever get✅ “Just get started” is often all the plan you need
Memorable Quotes:
📢 “I thought, ‘Oh ya b*****d’... then I thought, ‘Oh ya beauty.’”📢 “You’ve got to lead yourself before you can lead anyone else.”📢 “People wait until they’ve got everything in place. I just start.”📢 “The only way to change your business is to change your behaviour.”📢 “My goal is to help others believe in themselves - because belief changes everything.”
Timestamps:
00:54 Meet James Fleming: Background and Early Life
02:34 Challenges and Early Career
04:14 Finding a Path in Engineering
08:46 Transition to Oil and Gas
10:14 Leadership Roles and Career Growth
12:56 A New Direction: HR and Talent Management
14:30 Personal Life and Business Ventures
16:21 Career Change and Relocation
17:13 Unexpected Job Loss
18:03 Starting a New Business
18:20 The Power Within Training and Development
22:11 Challenges and Adaptations During COVID-19
24:37 Financial Management and Cash Flow
29:16 Ideal Clients and Business Growth
30:40 Success or Excuses: The Book
33:08 Final Advice for Business Owners
Resources Mentioned:
📌 The Power Within Training📌 Connect with James on LinkedIn📌 Know Your Numbers website – Helping business owners lead with clarity and confidence📌 You Can Have SUCCESS or EXCUSES, You Cannot Have Both – Book by James Fleming
14 Aug 2025
Construction, Contracts & Cash: Craig Talks with Lloyds Bank’s Jim McFadzean
In this episode of The Know Your Numbers Podcast, Craig Alexander Rattray sits down with Jim McFadzean, Head of Client Management at Lloyds Bank Invoice Finance, where he leads the team specialising in construction sector funding.
Jim brings over 40 years of experience at Lloyds and offers a no-nonsense perspective on what it really takes to run a successful and sustainable construction business. From pay-less notices and paper trails to the vital role of accurate forecasting, this conversation is packed with practical insight for anyone operating in one of the UK's toughest sectors.
This is a must-listen for construction business owners and anyone working with them - from funders to accountants to advisors.
Key Topics Discussed:✅ Why invoice finance is critical to construction sector growth✅ How to know if a contract is really worth taking✅ Why “know your numbers” isn’t just a slogan – it’s survival✅ Pay-less notices, poor paperwork, and how to avoid nasty surprises✅ The power of building a proper management team✅ Why a good QS and lawyer can save you a fortune✅ How Lloyds Bank are seeing cautious optimism in the sector
Key Takeaways:✅ A profitable contract isn’t just about turnover – it’s about margin✅ You can’t run a construction business on outdated MI✅ Reputation, delivery and good systems matter more than ever✅ Good funding relationships are built on transparency and trust✅ It’s not just about invoices – it’s about families and livelihoods
Memorable Quotes:📢 “The last MI was 5, 6, 7 months ago… I don’t know how you run a business like that.”📢 “Good businesses get funding - but you’ve got to know your numbers.”📢 “Pay-less notices are part and parcel of the sector – but they don’t have to ruin you.”📢 “Get the variation in writing. Every time. Or it’ll cost you.”📢 “We want to be seen as trusted advisors. Our average invoice finance client stays with us for 9 years.”
Timestamps:
00:52 Meet Jim McFaren: A Journey in Finance
02:32 The Importance of Cash Flow in Business
03:24 Challenges in the Construction Sector
10:48 Understanding Invoice Finance
20:15 Advice for Business Owners
29:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Resources Mentioned:📌 Know Your Numbers Website – Helping construction businesses build with clarity📌 Rolling 13-week Cash Flow Forecasting Training – The tool that became a client’s Bible
Who has been a guest on Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Calvin Bannan
Chris Newlands
Chris Peace
Shane Lukas
Jamie Taylor
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
54
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Know Your Numbers with Craig Alexander Rattray?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
