Off The Tools with Wayne and Andy 🔥

Welcome to the Off The Tools Podcast, where two of the UK's best trade business coaches, Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones, deliver tons of free value week in week out to help trade business owners level up their business and more importantly themselves.Wayne Bettess & Andrew Jones are passionate entrepreneurs & trade business owners themselves who are committed to personal and professional development. on this channel, Wayne & Andy share their wisdom on mindset, self-development, and offer glimpses into how to create a life that is one of choice and freedom.

Off The Tools with Wayne and Andy 🔥 is a business podcast hosted by Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones, with 148 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones hosts Off The Tools with Wayne and Andy 🔥, a business show with 148 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #41

  #41 The Hidden Costs Killing Your Trade Business Profit: Part 1

  Aug 18, 202647 minS2

  The Hidden Costs Killing Your Trade Business Profit: Part 1 In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast , Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones break down the hidden costs that are quietly destroying profit in UK trade businesses. Most plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, gas engineers, builders and trades business owners know their obvious costs — materials, fuel, wages, insurance and tools. But the real damage often comes from the hidden costs that get ignored every day. Missed phone calls. Slow quotes. Callbacks. Poor scheduling. Weak communication. Underpricing. No upselling. Bad debt. Poor van stock management. And the biggest one of all — the business owner becoming the bottleneck. Wayne and Andy go through the first part of their list of hidden profit leaks and explain how these small problems compound into lost jobs, wasted hours, poor cash flow, stressed customers and a business that feels busy but still does not make enough money. Inside this episode, we cover: Why missed calls are costing tradesmen real money Why customers will not wait around anymore How slow quotes lose jobs in 2026 Why callbacks are often a systems or training problem How poor scheduling wastes time, fuel and diary space Why underpricing destroys profit Why you must add margin to materials The hidden cost of poor van stock control Why communication is now a major part of customer value How upselling can help customers and increase profit Why bad debt should not be tolerated How the owner becomes the bottleneck in a growing trade business This episode is perfect for UK tradesmen who feel busy but still do not see enough profit at the end of the month. If you are working hard, winning jobs and staying busy but still wondering where the money is going, this episode will help you spot the hidden leaks in your business. Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance : https://offthetools.co.uk Book a free discovery call: https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Explore QuoteLion: https://quotelion.co.uk Profit is not only lost on big mistakes. It is often lost through small daily leaks that go unnoticed. If you want more time, freedom and profit, you need to find the hidden costs, fix the systems, and stop letting your trade business quietly rinse your money. SEO-Friendly Podcast Description Useful Links Key Takeaway

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  Episode #40

  #40 Why Great Engineers Can Make Bad Business Owners

  Aug 11, 202617 minS2

  Why Great Engineers Can Make Bad Business Owners In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast , Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones explore a hard truth in the trades: Being a brilliant engineer does not automatically make you a brilliant business owner. Many plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, gas engineers and tradesmen spend years improving their technical skills, learning new systems, buying better tools and becoming excellent on the job. But the skills that make you great on the tools are not always the same skills needed to build a profitable, scalable and sustainable trade business. Wayne and Andy discuss why technical ability can sometimes become an anchor, holding business owners back from hiring, delegating, systemising, marketing properly and stepping into the role of business owner. This episode covers: Why being the best engineer is not enough The difference between tradesman thinking and business owner thinking Why technical skill can sometimes hold you back Why customers value more than just perfect pipework Why great tradesmen often struggle to delegate How being able to “just jump in the van” stops proper problem-solving Why business skills, systems and leadership matter more as you grow The danger of always being the technical person in your business Why hiring people with different skills can help you scale Why becoming a better business owner may mean stepping away from being the best engineer If you are a UK tradesman who takes pride in doing top-quality work but still feels stuck, overwhelmed or tied to the tools, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth. Because if you want to build a proper trade business, you cannot only focus on being better at the trade. You have to become better at business. Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance : https://offthetools.co.uk Book a free discovery call: https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Listen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes: https://offthetools.co.uk/podcast The best tradesman does not always build the best business. If you want more time, freedom and profit, you need to stop only thinking like an engineer and start thinking like a business owner.

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  Episode #39

  #39 Is Andy Burnham Right - Why Trades Could Beat a Degrees

  Aug 4, 202640 minS2

  Are Apprenticeships Finally Getting The Respect They Deserve? Why Trades Could Beat Degrees In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast , Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive into a big conversation around apprenticeships, university, trade careers and the future of work. For years, young people have been pushed towards university as the “better” option, while apprenticeships and hands-on trades have often been looked down on. But is that finally changing? Wayne and Andy discuss why becoming a plumber, heating engineer, electrician, gas engineer or skilled tradesman can now offer more opportunity, flexibility and earning potential than many traditional degree-based careers. They also explore how AI is changing the job market, why hands-on trades are likely to become even more valuable, and why real-world skills, confidence, problem-solving and life experience matter just as much as academic qualifications. Inside this episode, we cover: Why apprenticeships should be valued alongside degrees The earning potential of qualified tradesmen Why university is no longer the obvious “safe” route How AI could impact office-based and degree-based careers Why hands-on trades are harder to replace Why young people need more real-world experience The difference between classroom learning and learning on the job Why tradesmen build confidence, resilience and problem-solving skills Why the trade industry needs to be promoted properly to the next generation What parents should consider when advising their children on careers This episode is perfect for UK tradesmen, parents, apprentices, young people, employers and anyone interested in the future of apprenticeships, trade careers and vocational training. If you’ve ever wondered whether university is still worth it, whether your child should consider a trade, or whether apprenticeships deserve more respect, this episode will challenge the old way of thinking. Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance : https://offthetools.co.uk Book a free discovery call: https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Listen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes: https://offthetools.co.uk/podcast University is not the only route to success. For many young people, an apprenticeship could offer better earning potential, stronger life skills, less debt, more flexibility and a safer future in a world being reshaped by AI. The trades do not need to be seen as the backup plan anymore. They could be one of the smartest paths available. SEO-Friendly Podcast Description Useful Links Key Takeaway

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  Episode #38

  #38 Tradesmen Using AI Will Win: How AI, Automation & Software Are Changing The Trade Industry

  Jul 28, 202638 minS2

  In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast , Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones dive into one of the biggest shifts happening in the UK trades industry: Tradesmen using AI are going to win. AI is not here to replace plumbers, heating engineers, electricians, bathroom fitters or gas engineers on the tools. Robots are not turning up tomorrow to fit boilers, rewire houses or install bathrooms. But AI is already changing everything that happens around the job . Wayne and Andy discuss how AI, automation, CRM systems, job management software and smart workflows are helping modern trade businesses improve customer service, reduce admin, follow up faster, send better quotes, manage reminders, collect reviews, trigger upsells and create a smoother customer journey. They also explain why AI is not a magic button. It still needs the right business foundations, systems, admin support and human oversight to work properly. Used badly, AI can damage the customer experience. Used properly, it can help a trades business look more professional, respond faster and compete at a much higher level. Inside this episode, we cover: Why tradesmen using AI will have a huge advantage Why AI will not replace the actual trade work on site How AI supports admin, customer service and follow-up Why customers now expect Amazon/Uber-style communication The danger of relying too heavily on AI without systems Why AI call answering still needs careful use How automation can support office staff, not replace them How ServiceM8, SalesLion, QuoteLion and Review Lion can work together How AI can trigger quotes, emails, texts and upsell journeys Why reviews, reminders and customer experience matter more than ever Why software should be seen as an investment, not a cost This episode is perfect for UK plumbers, heating engineers, gas engineers, electricians and trade business owners who want to future-proof their business, improve customer experience and use AI properly without losing the personal touch. If you are still relying on paper, manual follow-up, missed calls, late quotes and old-school systems, this episode will challenge how you think about the future of your trade business. Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance : https://offthetools.co.uk Book a free discovery call: https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Explore QuoteLion: https://quotelion.co.uk Explore Review Lion: https://reviewlion.co.uk AI is not replacing tradesmen. But tradesmen who use AI, automation and modern software properly will beat the ones who refuse to adapt. The future of the trades will not just be won by the best engineer on the tools. It will be won by the business that communicates better, follows up faster, quotes professionally, collects reviews, automates the boring stuff and still keeps the human touch.

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  Episode #37

  #37 Thinking Of Going Self-Employed? What Every Tradesman Must Know Before Going On Their Own

  Jul 21, 202634 minS2

  In this episode of the Off The Tools Podcast , Wayne Bettess and Andy Jones talk directly to UK tradesmen who are thinking about going self-employed, starting their own trade business, or have recently gone out on their own but are struggling to get traction. Going on your own is often seen as the dream — more money, more freedom, no boss, and full control. But the reality is very different if you start without the right pricing, systems, marketing, website, software and business mindset. Wayne and Andy explain why too many plumbers, heating engineers, gas engineers, electricians and tradesmen start too cheap, attract the wrong customers, rely on old-school methods, and end up becoming busy fools rather than profitable business owners. This episode covers the real foundations every tradesman needs before going self-employed, including: How to price properly before going on your own Why charging too cheap creates the wrong customer base Why you need job management software from day one Why branded certificate pads and paper diaries are outdated The importance of a proper website in 2026 How AI search, SEO and online visibility are changing the game Why reviews are now the modern word of mouth Why ServiceM8, QuoteLion, Review Lion and strong systems matter How primitive marketing still works when done properly Why van branding, flyers and local visibility still have power Why you need capital before starting a serious trade business Why being a good tradesman is no longer enough If you are thinking about leaving employment, starting a plumbing business, heating business, gas business, electrical business or any UK trade business, this episode is a must-listen. Wayne and Andy give honest, no-fluff advice on what it really takes to build a modern trades business — and why the old way of “do a good job and word of mouth will sort it” is no longer enough. Find out more about Off The Tools Alliance : https://offthetools.co.uk Book a free discovery call: https://offthetools.co.uk/discovery-call Access free resources and training: https://offthetools.co.uk/free-resources Listen to more Off The Tools Podcast episodes: https://offthetools.co.uk/podcast Going self-employed is not the goal. Building a profitable, professional and sustainable trade business is. If you go out on your own with weak pricing, no systems, no website, no software and no plan, you are not building freedom — you are building another stressful job. Do it properly from the start. Useful Links Key Takeaway

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