Optimum: LIVE!

About Optimum: LIVE!

Optimum Professional Services are delighted to launch the new monthly conversational series, “Optimum: LIVE!” which will provide the opportunity for you to hear from members of the Optimum team and special guests each month as they delve into a variety of subjects in light-hearted, fire-side chat style productions. Each episode will be shot or broadcast live (yep! One take!) which means that it is not scripted or edited and has a more natural and engaging tone. This is a https://www.visual-pr.co.uk production

Publisher

Optimum Professional Services

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Oct 2023

Latest episode

2 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Apr 2026

   Why your business can feel busy yet not make money - Optimum: LIVE Episode 27

   Optimum: LIVE Episode 27 | Why your business can feel busy yet not make money Why does it feel like you are working flat out… yet the money is not there? In this episode of Optimum: LIVE, host Chris Dawes from Visual PR Productions is joined by Hannah Matthews, Head of Assurance & Accounts at Optimum Professional Services, to unpack one of the most common frustrations for business owners. You can be busy, growing and generating sales… but still struggling with profitability and cash. This episode breaks down exactly why that happens and, more importantly, what you can do about it. In this episode, we cover: Why being busy does not always mean being profitable The four key metrics every business owner must understand Turnover vs profit and why “turnover is vanity, profit is sanity” How rising costs silently erode your margins Why your bank balance does not always reflect your success The importance of planning, monitoring and adapting your strategy Cash flow challenges, including late payments and stock issues Pricing confidence and the danger of undervaluing your services The reality of scaling a business and the “invisible line” of growth Why regular conversations with your accountant are critical This is a practical, honest conversation for SME owners who feel like they are doing everything right but not seeing the financial results they expected. If you want to take control of your numbers, understand what they are really telling you, and make better decisions for your business, this episode is essential viewing. For tailored advice, visit www.optps.co.uk (http://www.optps.co.uk/) and speak to the team at Optimum Professional Services. Subscribe for more real-world business insight and let us know in the comments if this resonates with your own experience. #OptimumLive #BusinessAdviceUK #SMEFinance #CashFlowManagement The episode can be watched and listened to from any of the following locations: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS (https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live (https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps (https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d (https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d) This is a Visual PR Productions broadcast – “At Visual PR Productions, we produce authentic, engaging, conversation-led video content and broadcasts. No scripts, no hard sell, just genuine, credible dialogue. Whether it’s for marketing, podcasts, training, panel shows, live events, or inductions, we help everyone feel at ease on either side of the camera. Then, with smart automation, we repurpose and share your content across the platforms that matter.” https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/ (https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/) enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk (mailto:enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk) @visualpruk

2. 

   25 Feb 2026

   A Typical Annual Optimum Journey - Optimum: LIVE! Episode 26

   Optimum: LIVE! Episode 26 - A Typical Annual Optimum Journey What actually happens when you work with an accountant over the course of a year? In this episode of Optimum: LIVE, host Chris Dawes from Visual PR Productions is joined by Optimum Partner Mike Blaken to walk through a typical annual journey for an Optimum client. From pre year end reviews and tax planning to payroll checks, director salary planning, face-to-face meetings and year-end accounts, this is a behind-the-scenes look at how proactive accountancy should really work. This is not just about filing accounts and submitting tax returns. It is about communication, confidence and forward planning. In this episode, we cover: The nine-month pre-year-end review and why timing matters Managing directors’ loan accounts and avoiding tax traps Planning for pension contributions and capital purchases Why face-to-face meetings uncover opportunities you might otherwise miss Payroll reviews for directors and National Insurance thresholds Childcare allowances and hidden tax implications Forward planning for growth, staff, premises and equipment Business acquisitions, due diligence and strategic advice Why year-end accounts should never come as a surprise Whether you are a start-up, an established SME or scaling quickly, this episode explains how ongoing advice and regular conversations can reduce stress, improve decision-making and help you build a more resilient business. If you have questions about your own annual business journey, visit www.optps.co.uk (http://www.optps.co.uk/) and speak to the team at Optimum Professional Services. Subscribe for more practical business insight, and let us know in the comments what stage of your journey you are currently in. #BusinessAdviceUK #TaxPlanningUK #SMEFinance #OptimumLive The episode can be watched and listened to from any of the following locations: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS (https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live (https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps (https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d (https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d) This is a Visual PR Productions broadcast – “At Visual PR Productions, we produce authentic, engaging, conversation-led video content and broadcasts. No scripts, no hard sell, just genuine, credible dialogue. Whether it’s for marketing, podcasts, training, panel shows, live events, or inductions, we help everyone feel at ease on either side of the camera. Then, with smart automation, we repurpose and share your content across the platforms that matter.” https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/ (https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/) enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk (mailto:enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk) @visualpruk

3. 

   21 Jan 2026

   The Top 5 Myths of Auditing - Optimum: LIVE! Episode 25

   Optimum: LIVE Episode 25 – The Top 5 Myths of Auditing Is an audit just checking the numbers? Only for companies in trouble? Outdated and inflexible? Think again. In this episode of Optimum: LIVE, host Chris Dawes from Visual PR Productions is joined by Hannah Matthews (Head of Assurance and Accounts) and Tom Absalom (Audit Senior) from Optimum Professional Services to tackle the five most common myths surrounding auditing. Whether you're running a company, charity or academy, or just want to understand the true role of auditors, this episode gives clear, honest insight into what audits really involve, how they’ve changed, and what they can do for your organisation. What we cover: Why audits are not just about numbers The difference between governance, risk and financial accuracy What auditors really look for — and why it matters Misunderstandings about fraud, systems and personal spend How audits vary for academies, charities and SMEs The evolving role of auditors and why choosing the right team matters This one-take, free-flowing discussion is designed to bust misconceptions, demystify audit jargon and show how the audit process can actually add value. Need advice or want to speak with the team? Visit www.optps.co.uk (http://www.optps.co.uk/) #AuditMyths #UKAuditExplained #SMEFinanceUK #OptimumLive Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment with your business goals, and follow us for more practical insights in 2026. The episode can be watched and listened to from any of the following locations: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS (https://www.youtube.com/@OptimumPS) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live (https://www.facebook.com/OptimumProfessionalServices/live) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps (https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimum-ps) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d (https://open.spotify.com/show/1xHt43HDhn7SipOn9euUTx?si=bd239b1d0dc2497d) This is a Visual PR Productions broadcast – “At Visual PR Productions, we produce authentic, engaging, conversation-led video content and broadcasts. No scripts, no hard sell, just genuine, credible dialogue. Whether it’s for marketing, podcasts, training, panel shows, live events, or inductions, we help everyone feel at ease on either side of the camera. Then, with smart automation, we repurpose and share your content across the platforms that matter.” https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/ (https://www.visual-pr.co.uk/) enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk (mailto:enquiries@visual-pr.co.uk) @visualpruk

Who has been a guest on Optimum: LIVE!

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Michael Blaken
• Rob Stokes
• Mike Blaken
• Graeme Leighfield
• Iain Mason

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

10,417

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

49

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

Contact Optimum: LIVE!

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.