What\u2019s next when your sports career comes to an end?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSo tell me a bit about when it was in your illustrious cricket career when you started thinking, \u201cWhat am I going to do next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question. I think as soon as you approach 30-ish as a sports person, you begin to think it\u2019s quite clear you\u2019re nearer the end than you are the beginning, unless it\u2019s something like golf, where you can maybe play until you\u2019re 55 or 60.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The physical sports are generally your mid-30s when, if you\u2019re lucky enough, you can get to stop. So when you start approaching 30, you\u2019re very conscious that you need to start focusing on something that you might have an interest in going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mine probably started at 24-25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re very lucky, in cricket we have an organization called the PCA, Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association, that help you find courses or potential interests that you could take forward, job placements, to learn a bit about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the pub company came about just by fate really, just by chatting with a friend in a pub. And he was a GM of a pub and wanted skin in the game, so to speak, and that\u2019s where The Cat & Wickets pub company got founded really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because I was, what was it, 2017, I was 30. And I was interested in the business world but hadn\u2019t been part of a start-up, and the opportunity arose to start one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that interested me a lot. It\u2019s been a hell of a journey. We\u2019ve changed and evolved so much in the 7 years, but also we\u2019ve learned a huge amount as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is an ever-moving industry, the hospitality industry. We always say we\u2019re cautiously optimistic, it\u2019s never like we\u2019re high as a kite and we\u2019re never down there. We\u2019re always cautiously optimistic, but it\u2019s a wonderful industry to be in because you\u2019re surrounded by people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting a business by chance with your teammates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDid you always know that you wanted to go into business with Harry, and did you have conversations when you were teammates about it, or did it just happen again by chance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA bit by chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So Harry\u2019s a trained accountant and he was a cricketer for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and England, but he always said his hero\u2019s growing up were business people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So he\u2019s always had a big interest in business. And we had a business partner called Dan, Dan Cramp, who was the GM of a pub. And was very successful in running that pub, but as a GM was just on a salary rather than having shareholding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we said, \u201cWe can make something happen as a trio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dan sets the pub up and runs all the pub stuff. Harry\u2019s an accountant and gets the finances, gets the business side of things. And I can play a role in building PR, being the bank, so to speak, an investor of sorts and having that devil\u2019s advocate mindset of challenging people of what direction were going in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s where we started. And it went from almost being, I wouldn\u2019t say a hobby, but it was a bit like, \u201cOh, it would be great to be able to take the family there on a Sunday lunch,\u201d to a couple of years down the line, going, \u201cWell, if we\u2019re going to do it, let\u2019s do it properly. Let\u2019s really restructure the business. Let\u2019s try and have a route that we can go down to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now we\u2019re in a place where we\u2019re able to get a third very soon, maybe 5 in the next couple of years, and keep growing from there and scale up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bringing back the community feel to pubs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBecause you\u2019d already created the business and you were still playing cricket, were there times when it interfered with your ability to be a professional sportsman? Was there any kind of overlaps or distractions from the business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNot really. Harry\u2019s always been incredible on that front, and down at the start was very influential in taking that sort of thing off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, of course, after a game there\u2019d be times where I\u2019d be on the phone quite a lot discussing different supply routes and different styles of how we wanted the pub to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we\u2019ve always had that culture that we\u2019re there to serve the village, we\u2019re there to serve the local community. So we very much listen to everything that comes our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So ultimately in our pubs we don\u2019t have TVs, because we wanted it to be a place where the family go for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the moment we were discussing it, I\u2019d taken my mum, sister and grandma out for a Sunday lunch, and I think Man United were on the TV in our first pub\u2014when we did have TVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019ve got my grandma there, my mum, my sister, and I\u2019m not a Man United fan [English football team]. I was watching Man United and I thought, \u201cWhat am I doing? I could watch that anytime, just enjoy being with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we created that culture, we have Monopoly and Scrabble, and we want people to come and enjoy a Sunday roast and then play a board game instead of being on phones and watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that was one of our values that came about from making mistakes, so to speak, early on, that I was engulfed in the football instead of enjoying my family time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And actually, we found a great benefit to that from the customers, because the atmosphere of the pubs is always great. You don\u2019t have the cheering of a goal necessarily, but you\u2019ve got that talking and that enjoyment, and enjoyment of each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we get a lot of families coming just to spend time together and enjoy that time together, which is what pubs are for really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThat is the heart of what pubs always were, somewhere the community could spend time together and be social. There would be a church and there\u2019d be a pub, and that\u2019s where you\u2019d congregate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe set one of our mindsets very much on, yes, of course we want your family to come and enjoy a meal for 6, but we also want an individual to come on their own who might not have family close, and grab a pint and sit at the bar on their own, but be able to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So all our staff, the culture of our staff are very warm, engaging, and we don\u2019t want it ever to be, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to go to the pub on my own and have a pint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s like, \u201cCome, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, we\u2019re your friends in the village for you to come and have some interaction with if you\u2019ve had a quiet day or if you\u2019re feeling a bit down, or if you\u2019ve got some news to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s the forefront of the mind of the culture of the pub. And if all the staff know that and all your employees know that and buy into that, then it becomes a very warm place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if anyone walks through the door, it\u2019s an engagement straight away, \u201cHow are you? How are you doing? Sorry, we\u2019re a bit busy at the moment, be with you in one sec.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that stuff is a cultural thing for the staff to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry who is the GM, runs it daily now, he\u2019s very strong on that. We try and work with good people is the polite way of saying it, he\u2019s got another way of saying it, but I won\u2019t swear on the podcast. But ultimately, only work with good people in your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether that\u2019s chefs, GMs, front of house, waiters, suppliers, if they\u2019re good people then they buy into the culture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we see it very much like a sporting changing room, everyone speaks to everyone with great respect. There\u2019s no hierarchy within the staff. There\u2019s no right for the chef to shout at someone who they\u2019re classed as maybe below them in the pecking order, that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about being on a level playing field and having good people around. And we feel like that builds the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you put on an England cricket shirt, you\u2019re so proud to wear the three lions. We want people to wear The Cat & Wickets logo and be proud to work there, and that\u2019s the culture that we\u2019ve tried to drive forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning a catastrophic pub fire into an opportunity for improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So tell me a bit about when it was in your illustrious cricket career when you started thinking, \u201cWhat am I going to do next?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question. I think as soon as you approach 30-ish as a sports person, you begin to think it\u2019s quite clear you\u2019re nearer the end than you are the beginning, unless it\u2019s something like golf, where you can maybe play until you\u2019re 55 or 60.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The physical sports are generally your mid-30s when, if you\u2019re lucky enough, you can get to stop. So when you start approaching 30, you\u2019re very conscious that you need to start focusing on something that you might have an interest in going forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mine probably started at 24-25.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re very lucky, in cricket we have an organization called the PCA, Professional Cricketers\u2019 Association, that help you find courses or potential interests that you could take forward, job placements, to learn a bit about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the pub company came about just by fate really, just by chatting with a friend in a pub. And he was a GM of a pub and wanted skin in the game, so to speak, and that\u2019s where The Cat & Wickets pub company got founded really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because I was, what was it, 2017, I was 30. And I was interested in the business world but hadn\u2019t been part of a start-up, and the opportunity arose to start one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that interested me a lot. It\u2019s been a hell of a journey. We\u2019ve changed and evolved so much in the 7 years, but also we\u2019ve learned a huge amount as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is an ever-moving industry, the hospitality industry. We always say we\u2019re cautiously optimistic, it\u2019s never like we\u2019re high as a kite and we\u2019re never down there. We\u2019re always cautiously optimistic, but it\u2019s a wonderful industry to be in because you\u2019re surrounded by people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting a business by chance with your teammates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDid you always know that you wanted to go into business with Harry, and did you have conversations when you were teammates about it, or did it just happen again by chance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA bit by chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So Harry\u2019s a trained accountant and he was a cricketer for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and England, but he always said his hero\u2019s growing up were business people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So he\u2019s always had a big interest in business. And we had a business partner called Dan, Dan Cramp, who was the GM of a pub. And was very successful in running that pub, but as a GM was just on a salary rather than having shareholding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we said, \u201cWe can make something happen as a trio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dan sets the pub up and runs all the pub stuff. Harry\u2019s an accountant and gets the finances, gets the business side of things. And I can play a role in building PR, being the bank, so to speak, an investor of sorts and having that devil\u2019s advocate mindset of challenging people of what direction were going in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s where we started. And it went from almost being, I wouldn\u2019t say a hobby, but it was a bit like, \u201cOh, it would be great to be able to take the family there on a Sunday lunch,\u201d to a couple of years down the line, going, \u201cWell, if we\u2019re going to do it, let\u2019s do it properly. Let\u2019s really restructure the business. Let\u2019s try and have a route that we can go down to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now we\u2019re in a place where we\u2019re able to get a third very soon, maybe 5 in the next couple of years, and keep growing from there and scale up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bringing back the community feel to pubs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBecause you\u2019d already created the business and you were still playing cricket, were there times when it interfered with your ability to be a professional sportsman? Was there any kind of overlaps or distractions from the business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNot really. Harry\u2019s always been incredible on that front, and down at the start was very influential in taking that sort of thing off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, of course, after a game there\u2019d be times where I\u2019d be on the phone quite a lot discussing different supply routes and different styles of how we wanted the pub to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we\u2019ve always had that culture that we\u2019re there to serve the village, we\u2019re there to serve the local community. So we very much listen to everything that comes our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So ultimately in our pubs we don\u2019t have TVs, because we wanted it to be a place where the family go for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the moment we were discussing it, I\u2019d taken my mum, sister and grandma out for a Sunday lunch, and I think Man United were on the TV in our first pub\u2014when we did have TVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019ve got my grandma there, my mum, my sister, and I\u2019m not a Man United fan [English football team]. I was watching Man United and I thought, \u201cWhat am I doing? I could watch that anytime, just enjoy being with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we created that culture, we have Monopoly and Scrabble, and we want people to come and enjoy a Sunday roast and then play a board game instead of being on phones and watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that was one of our values that came about from making mistakes, so to speak, early on, that I was engulfed in the football instead of enjoying my family time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And actually, we found a great benefit to that from the customers, because the atmosphere of the pubs is always great. You don\u2019t have the cheering of a goal necessarily, but you\u2019ve got that talking and that enjoyment, and enjoyment of each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we get a lot of families coming just to spend time together and enjoy that time together, which is what pubs are for really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThat is the heart of what pubs always were, somewhere the community could spend time together and be social. There would be a church and there\u2019d be a pub, and that\u2019s where you\u2019d congregate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe set one of our mindsets very much on, yes, of course we want your family to come and enjoy a meal for 6, but we also want an individual to come on their own who might not have family close, and grab a pint and sit at the bar on their own, but be able to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So all our staff, the culture of our staff are very warm, engaging, and we don\u2019t want it ever to be, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to go to the pub on my own and have a pint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s like, \u201cCome, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, we\u2019re your friends in the village for you to come and have some interaction with if you\u2019ve had a quiet day or if you\u2019re feeling a bit down, or if you\u2019ve got some news to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s the forefront of the mind of the culture of the pub. And if all the staff know that and all your employees know that and buy into that, then it becomes a very warm place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if anyone walks through the door, it\u2019s an engagement straight away, \u201cHow are you? How are you doing? Sorry, we\u2019re a bit busy at the moment, be with you in one sec.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that stuff is a cultural thing for the staff to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry who is the GM, runs it daily now, he\u2019s very strong on that. We try and work with good people is the polite way of saying it, he\u2019s got another way of saying it, but I won\u2019t swear on the podcast. But ultimately, only work with good people in your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether that\u2019s chefs, GMs, front of house, waiters, suppliers, if they\u2019re good people then they buy into the culture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we see it very much like a sporting changing room, everyone speaks to everyone with great respect. There\u2019s no hierarchy within the staff. There\u2019s no right for the chef to shout at someone who they\u2019re classed as maybe below them in the pecking order, that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about being on a level playing field and having good people around. And we feel like that builds the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you put on an England cricket shirt, you\u2019re so proud to wear the three lions. We want people to wear The Cat & Wickets logo and be proud to work there, and that\u2019s the culture that we\u2019ve tried to drive forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning a catastrophic pub fire into an opportunity for improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDid you always know that you wanted to go into business with Harry, and did you have conversations when you were teammates about it, or did it just happen again by chance?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA bit by chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So Harry\u2019s a trained accountant and he was a cricketer for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and England, but he always said his hero\u2019s growing up were business people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So he\u2019s always had a big interest in business. And we had a business partner called Dan, Dan Cramp, who was the GM of a pub. And was very successful in running that pub, but as a GM was just on a salary rather than having shareholding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we said, \u201cWe can make something happen as a trio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dan sets the pub up and runs all the pub stuff. Harry\u2019s an accountant and gets the finances, gets the business side of things. And I can play a role in building PR, being the bank, so to speak, an investor of sorts and having that devil\u2019s advocate mindset of challenging people of what direction were going in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s where we started. And it went from almost being, I wouldn\u2019t say a hobby, but it was a bit like, \u201cOh, it would be great to be able to take the family there on a Sunday lunch,\u201d to a couple of years down the line, going, \u201cWell, if we\u2019re going to do it, let\u2019s do it properly. Let\u2019s really restructure the business. Let\u2019s try and have a route that we can go down to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now we\u2019re in a place where we\u2019re able to get a third very soon, maybe 5 in the next couple of years, and keep growing from there and scale up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bringing back the community feel to pubs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBecause you\u2019d already created the business and you were still playing cricket, were there times when it interfered with your ability to be a professional sportsman? Was there any kind of overlaps or distractions from the business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNot really. Harry\u2019s always been incredible on that front, and down at the start was very influential in taking that sort of thing off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, of course, after a game there\u2019d be times where I\u2019d be on the phone quite a lot discussing different supply routes and different styles of how we wanted the pub to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we\u2019ve always had that culture that we\u2019re there to serve the village, we\u2019re there to serve the local community. So we very much listen to everything that comes our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So ultimately in our pubs we don\u2019t have TVs, because we wanted it to be a place where the family go for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the moment we were discussing it, I\u2019d taken my mum, sister and grandma out for a Sunday lunch, and I think Man United were on the TV in our first pub\u2014when we did have TVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019ve got my grandma there, my mum, my sister, and I\u2019m not a Man United fan [English football team]. I was watching Man United and I thought, \u201cWhat am I doing? I could watch that anytime, just enjoy being with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we created that culture, we have Monopoly and Scrabble, and we want people to come and enjoy a Sunday roast and then play a board game instead of being on phones and watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that was one of our values that came about from making mistakes, so to speak, early on, that I was engulfed in the football instead of enjoying my family time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And actually, we found a great benefit to that from the customers, because the atmosphere of the pubs is always great. You don\u2019t have the cheering of a goal necessarily, but you\u2019ve got that talking and that enjoyment, and enjoyment of each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we get a lot of families coming just to spend time together and enjoy that time together, which is what pubs are for really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThat is the heart of what pubs always were, somewhere the community could spend time together and be social. There would be a church and there\u2019d be a pub, and that\u2019s where you\u2019d congregate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe set one of our mindsets very much on, yes, of course we want your family to come and enjoy a meal for 6, but we also want an individual to come on their own who might not have family close, and grab a pint and sit at the bar on their own, but be able to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So all our staff, the culture of our staff are very warm, engaging, and we don\u2019t want it ever to be, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to go to the pub on my own and have a pint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s like, \u201cCome, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, we\u2019re your friends in the village for you to come and have some interaction with if you\u2019ve had a quiet day or if you\u2019re feeling a bit down, or if you\u2019ve got some news to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s the forefront of the mind of the culture of the pub. And if all the staff know that and all your employees know that and buy into that, then it becomes a very warm place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if anyone walks through the door, it\u2019s an engagement straight away, \u201cHow are you? How are you doing? Sorry, we\u2019re a bit busy at the moment, be with you in one sec.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that stuff is a cultural thing for the staff to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry who is the GM, runs it daily now, he\u2019s very strong on that. We try and work with good people is the polite way of saying it, he\u2019s got another way of saying it, but I won\u2019t swear on the podcast. But ultimately, only work with good people in your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether that\u2019s chefs, GMs, front of house, waiters, suppliers, if they\u2019re good people then they buy into the culture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we see it very much like a sporting changing room, everyone speaks to everyone with great respect. There\u2019s no hierarchy within the staff. There\u2019s no right for the chef to shout at someone who they\u2019re classed as maybe below them in the pecking order, that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about being on a level playing field and having good people around. And we feel like that builds the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you put on an England cricket shirt, you\u2019re so proud to wear the three lions. We want people to wear The Cat & Wickets logo and be proud to work there, and that\u2019s the culture that we\u2019ve tried to drive forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning a catastrophic pub fire into an opportunity for improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A bit by chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So Harry\u2019s a trained accountant and he was a cricketer for Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, and England, but he always said his hero\u2019s growing up were business people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So he\u2019s always had a big interest in business. And we had a business partner called Dan, Dan Cramp, who was the GM of a pub. And was very successful in running that pub, but as a GM was just on a salary rather than having shareholding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we said, \u201cWe can make something happen as a trio.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dan sets the pub up and runs all the pub stuff. Harry\u2019s an accountant and gets the finances, gets the business side of things. And I can play a role in building PR, being the bank, so to speak, an investor of sorts and having that devil\u2019s advocate mindset of challenging people of what direction were going in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s where we started. And it went from almost being, I wouldn\u2019t say a hobby, but it was a bit like, \u201cOh, it would be great to be able to take the family there on a Sunday lunch,\u201d to a couple of years down the line, going, \u201cWell, if we\u2019re going to do it, let\u2019s do it properly. Let\u2019s really restructure the business. Let\u2019s try and have a route that we can go down to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now we\u2019re in a place where we\u2019re able to get a third very soon, maybe 5 in the next couple of years, and keep growing from there and scale up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bringing back the community feel to pubs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBecause you\u2019d already created the business and you were still playing cricket, were there times when it interfered with your ability to be a professional sportsman? Was there any kind of overlaps or distractions from the business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNot really. Harry\u2019s always been incredible on that front, and down at the start was very influential in taking that sort of thing off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, of course, after a game there\u2019d be times where I\u2019d be on the phone quite a lot discussing different supply routes and different styles of how we wanted the pub to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we\u2019ve always had that culture that we\u2019re there to serve the village, we\u2019re there to serve the local community. So we very much listen to everything that comes our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So ultimately in our pubs we don\u2019t have TVs, because we wanted it to be a place where the family go for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the moment we were discussing it, I\u2019d taken my mum, sister and grandma out for a Sunday lunch, and I think Man United were on the TV in our first pub\u2014when we did have TVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019ve got my grandma there, my mum, my sister, and I\u2019m not a Man United fan [English football team]. I was watching Man United and I thought, \u201cWhat am I doing? I could watch that anytime, just enjoy being with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we created that culture, we have Monopoly and Scrabble, and we want people to come and enjoy a Sunday roast and then play a board game instead of being on phones and watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that was one of our values that came about from making mistakes, so to speak, early on, that I was engulfed in the football instead of enjoying my family time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And actually, we found a great benefit to that from the customers, because the atmosphere of the pubs is always great. You don\u2019t have the cheering of a goal necessarily, but you\u2019ve got that talking and that enjoyment, and enjoyment of each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we get a lot of families coming just to spend time together and enjoy that time together, which is what pubs are for really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThat is the heart of what pubs always were, somewhere the community could spend time together and be social. There would be a church and there\u2019d be a pub, and that\u2019s where you\u2019d congregate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe set one of our mindsets very much on, yes, of course we want your family to come and enjoy a meal for 6, but we also want an individual to come on their own who might not have family close, and grab a pint and sit at the bar on their own, but be able to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So all our staff, the culture of our staff are very warm, engaging, and we don\u2019t want it ever to be, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to go to the pub on my own and have a pint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s like, \u201cCome, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, we\u2019re your friends in the village for you to come and have some interaction with if you\u2019ve had a quiet day or if you\u2019re feeling a bit down, or if you\u2019ve got some news to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s the forefront of the mind of the culture of the pub. And if all the staff know that and all your employees know that and buy into that, then it becomes a very warm place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if anyone walks through the door, it\u2019s an engagement straight away, \u201cHow are you? How are you doing? Sorry, we\u2019re a bit busy at the moment, be with you in one sec.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that stuff is a cultural thing for the staff to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry who is the GM, runs it daily now, he\u2019s very strong on that. We try and work with good people is the polite way of saying it, he\u2019s got another way of saying it, but I won\u2019t swear on the podcast. But ultimately, only work with good people in your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether that\u2019s chefs, GMs, front of house, waiters, suppliers, if they\u2019re good people then they buy into the culture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we see it very much like a sporting changing room, everyone speaks to everyone with great respect. There\u2019s no hierarchy within the staff. There\u2019s no right for the chef to shout at someone who they\u2019re classed as maybe below them in the pecking order, that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about being on a level playing field and having good people around. And we feel like that builds the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you put on an England cricket shirt, you\u2019re so proud to wear the three lions. We want people to wear The Cat & Wickets logo and be proud to work there, and that\u2019s the culture that we\u2019ve tried to drive forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning a catastrophic pub fire into an opportunity for improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because you\u2019d already created the business and you were still playing cricket, were there times when it interfered with your ability to be a professional sportsman? Was there any kind of overlaps or distractions from the business?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNot really. Harry\u2019s always been incredible on that front, and down at the start was very influential in taking that sort of thing off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, of course, after a game there\u2019d be times where I\u2019d be on the phone quite a lot discussing different supply routes and different styles of how we wanted the pub to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we\u2019ve always had that culture that we\u2019re there to serve the village, we\u2019re there to serve the local community. So we very much listen to everything that comes our way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So ultimately in our pubs we don\u2019t have TVs, because we wanted it to be a place where the family go for a meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the moment we were discussing it, I\u2019d taken my mum, sister and grandma out for a Sunday lunch, and I think Man United were on the TV in our first pub\u2014when we did have TVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019ve got my grandma there, my mum, my sister, and I\u2019m not a Man United fan [English football team]. I was watching Man United and I thought, \u201cWhat am I doing? I could watch that anytime, just enjoy being with your family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we created that culture, we have Monopoly and Scrabble, and we want people to come and enjoy a Sunday roast and then play a board game instead of being on phones and watching TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that was one of our values that came about from making mistakes, so to speak, early on, that I was engulfed in the football instead of enjoying my family time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And actually, we found a great benefit to that from the customers, because the atmosphere of the pubs is always great. You don\u2019t have the cheering of a goal necessarily, but you\u2019ve got that talking and that enjoyment, and enjoyment of each other\u2019s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we get a lot of families coming just to spend time together and enjoy that time together, which is what pubs are for really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThat is the heart of what pubs always were, somewhere the community could spend time together and be social. There would be a church and there\u2019d be a pub, and that\u2019s where you\u2019d congregate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe set one of our mindsets very much on, yes, of course we want your family to come and enjoy a meal for 6, but we also want an individual to come on their own who might not have family close, and grab a pint and sit at the bar on their own, but be able to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So all our staff, the culture of our staff are very warm, engaging, and we don\u2019t want it ever to be, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to go to the pub on my own and have a pint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s like, \u201cCome, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, we\u2019re your friends in the village for you to come and have some interaction with if you\u2019ve had a quiet day or if you\u2019re feeling a bit down, or if you\u2019ve got some news to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s the forefront of the mind of the culture of the pub. And if all the staff know that and all your employees know that and buy into that, then it becomes a very warm place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if anyone walks through the door, it\u2019s an engagement straight away, \u201cHow are you? How are you doing? Sorry, we\u2019re a bit busy at the moment, be with you in one sec.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that stuff is a cultural thing for the staff to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry who is the GM, runs it daily now, he\u2019s very strong on that. We try and work with good people is the polite way of saying it, he\u2019s got another way of saying it, but I won\u2019t swear on the podcast. But ultimately, only work with good people in your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether that\u2019s chefs, GMs, front of house, waiters, suppliers, if they\u2019re good people then they buy into the culture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we see it very much like a sporting changing room, everyone speaks to everyone with great respect. There\u2019s no hierarchy within the staff. There\u2019s no right for the chef to shout at someone who they\u2019re classed as maybe below them in the pecking order, that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about being on a level playing field and having good people around. And we feel like that builds the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you put on an England cricket shirt, you\u2019re so proud to wear the three lions. We want people to wear The Cat & Wickets logo and be proud to work there, and that\u2019s the culture that we\u2019ve tried to drive forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning a catastrophic pub fire into an opportunity for improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is the heart of what pubs always were, somewhere the community could spend time together and be social. There would be a church and there\u2019d be a pub, and that\u2019s where you\u2019d congregate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe set one of our mindsets very much on, yes, of course we want your family to come and enjoy a meal for 6, but we also want an individual to come on their own who might not have family close, and grab a pint and sit at the bar on their own, but be able to talk to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So all our staff, the culture of our staff are very warm, engaging, and we don\u2019t want it ever to be, \u201cOh, I don\u2019t want to go to the pub on my own and have a pint.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s like, \u201cCome, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, we\u2019re your friends in the village for you to come and have some interaction with if you\u2019ve had a quiet day or if you\u2019re feeling a bit down, or if you\u2019ve got some news to share.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s the forefront of the mind of the culture of the pub. And if all the staff know that and all your employees know that and buy into that, then it becomes a very warm place to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because if anyone walks through the door, it\u2019s an engagement straight away, \u201cHow are you? How are you doing? Sorry, we\u2019re a bit busy at the moment, be with you in one sec.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that stuff is a cultural thing for the staff to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harry who is the GM, runs it daily now, he\u2019s very strong on that. We try and work with good people is the polite way of saying it, he\u2019s got another way of saying it, but I won\u2019t swear on the podcast. But ultimately, only work with good people in your staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether that\u2019s chefs, GMs, front of house, waiters, suppliers, if they\u2019re good people then they buy into the culture of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And we see it very much like a sporting changing room, everyone speaks to everyone with great respect. There\u2019s no hierarchy within the staff. There\u2019s no right for the chef to shout at someone who they\u2019re classed as maybe below them in the pecking order, that doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s all about being on a level playing field and having good people around. And we feel like that builds the culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you put on an England cricket shirt, you\u2019re so proud to wear the three lions. We want people to wear The Cat & Wickets logo and be proud to work there, and that\u2019s the culture that we\u2019ve tried to drive forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turning a catastrophic pub fire into an opportunity for improvement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s so clear that the ethos behind this business and the mission is it really resonates with people, but you still had a really tough time in many ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not even touching on COVID, which must have been very tricky, you had a fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tell us about that and tell us how you felt when you found out that your business was literally going up in flames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, I remember it very clearly. I was playing a test match in Nottingham [England], fortunately, so I was sort of on site. It was day 3, day 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Harry Gurney had a call at 5:20 AM, which in the pub trade is very unusual. You might get a call at 11 PM, but never at 5 o\u2019clock in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I was like, \u201cHello.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPub\u2019s on fire.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then he said, \u201cCheck your WhatsApp picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I looked on my WhatsApp picture, and he\u2019d taken a picture from the top of the hill as close as you could get to it. Whole roof\u2019s up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it took 8 fire engines to put it out, completely abolished everything really, the whole place was derelict inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But it was weird, because by the end of that day one of all the emotions, I spoke to Harry and he was like, \u201cWe\u2019re going to bring it back better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was his focus straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I was a bit more emotion, I was like, \u201cOh no, it\u2019s all gone. We\u2019ll never get it back to what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he was like, \u201cWe\u2019ll get it back better. We won\u2019t be able to change the print of it, but we\u2019ll be able to design it so it\u2019s more user-friendly, all the little things that make it feel like a warmer pub. Align the kitchen better, so it works smoother,\u201d and that was the mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a year to get right, but yeah, 8 fire engines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Re-opening the Tap & Run<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYou were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You were insured though, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe were insured. Like all insurance, it\u2019s always a bit of a scrap though, isn\u2019t it? But yeah, we got it to exactly where we wanted it to be, and ultimately, came out of it with a positive mindset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That year, when I\u2019d bump into people it would be, \u201cI was so sorry to hear about your pub,\u201d because it had been on the news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when we re-opened, we had immediate PR because people were like, \u201cOh, that was the pub that burnt down. Should we go and have a look at what it\u2019s like?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And because we\u2019d been so strong on making it better, everyone seemed to really love the new fit out and the new style of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did some soft openings to start so we could make sure everything was working fine. And that\u2019s been our mindset throughout the business really, start small so your mistakes are small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you go in really heavy without much experience and you make a mistake, then it can be catastrophic, because in every business you\u2019re going to make mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So the mistakes we made early, we weren\u2019t so heavily invested that it was a real big problem. We could fix it, learn from it, and then put it right in the next pub or the next venture or by the next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So that\u2019s what we did with opening the Tap and Run after it burnt down, we opened it to our friends and family. We opened it to the village and asked them to come and give us feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you think? Do you like this? Do you like that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOkay, we\u2019ll put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, it\u2019s too hot. Okay, we\u2019ll make sure we fix that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All that information, and then bang, we\u2019ll open to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019ve come back as strong as we could ever have wished for. But not by chance, it was because it got redesigned, it got made more user-friendly, better for the customers, great beer garden, and all the staff were buzzing to get it back open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start small to grow your vision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour point there about not taking a risk or not going down an avenue that\u2019s going to be too expensive to double back on or to fix. I\u2019ve spoken to business people, and it\u2019s taken them years to learn that, and you seem to have it straight off the bat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are literally driving a path forward that other people, it takes a long, long time, and the hard MBA of life to avoid those mistakes. How did you do that? Did you have great advice, or are you just a natural businessman?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The good thing about having business partners is your constant bounce. You\u2019re always discussing things and very open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The key to sport changing rooms and to business is you can\u2019t hide anything. You can\u2019t just try and cover a little mistake or something, just be as honest as you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So our first pub that we got was I think we could do 50 covers on a Sunday, which is very small. And now we\u2019re up at 250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, A, it meant that if you made a mistake, you\u2019d hear about it straight away, because you\u2019ve only got 50 people in the pub or whatever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then when COVID came it made it completely impossible for that to reopen, because with 2 metres apart, if you can only get 50 people eating at one time\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, get 5 people in there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWe had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We had to have more staff than people in there, so that became impossible for us to reopen without making a huge loss straight away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t remember an exact moment where we decided that we were going to start small, but because we didn\u2019t know much about the industry, we wanted to dip our toe in it rather than go, \u201cWe\u2019re going to buy the best, biggest pub in the world and we\u2019re going to make it the best pub in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That was never the mindset. The mindset is to have the best culture of a pub business, in 10 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in sport you might have a great debut, but you don\u2019t become a Lionel Messi in the first year. So it\u2019s very much building up to learn so much about the industry, that when you do go and get your star pub, it\u2019s perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now the Tap and Run, it\u2019s a beautiful pub. We can get 220, 230 covers in on a Sunday roast, but now our goal is that will be our smallest ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So when we grow, it will always be bigger than the last. Because our experience is more, our staff are better, we\u2019re better informed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve got comfortable with our suppliers, we know the area, we know the industry. We try and get our pubs all within 10, 15 mile radius so we can use the same staff, use the same suppliers, because it\u2019s going back to that good people thing, people we trust, that then we can grow quicker if you know that you can rely on the people around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t build your mindset around achieving success every single day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yeah, absolutely. And then you\u2019ve mentioned a few setbacks during the course of our conversation and how you\u2019ve come back from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I\u2019d love to know where you found that resilience and how you\u2019ve built that up through your sporting career, the ability to dust yourself off and pick yourself up. And can you tell me how you\u2019ve built that in yourself?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSports, cricket particularly, is full of, it sounds a bit negative to say but I mean it in a positive way, is full of failure really. It\u2019s not every day you can look at yourself in the mirror at the end of the day and go, \u201cI\u2019ve had a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probably looking back at my international career, probably only 10% of the days do you actually go back to your room and go, \u201cYeah, I have succeeded today. What a great day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you\u2019re building your whole mindset on success every day, you\u2019re going to be a bit angry at yourself because it won\u2019t work like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So managing expectations is crucial in professional sport, but you\u2019re also built on dealing with failure and dealing with it in the right way to put it in a performance, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to lose games, it\u2019s natural, you\u2019re going to have off days, but how do you make tomorrow better? How do you make the next day better?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s built resilience for me over a long period of time. I made my England debut, I think I was 19, just turned 20. I played until I was 37, so think how many games I lost. A lot. How many times I bowled badly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But ultimately, I\u2019m very much someone who doesn\u2019t dwell on things for a week, it\u2019s a 24-hour rule, and then I take everything I\u2019ve learned. But I don\u2019t watch things back, I take what I felt and then I move forward in the sporting world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019d never necessarily go back and go, \u201cOh, on this footage, technically, I think that looks not aligned.\u201d I\u2019d go, \u201cThat felt like that was doing that, so I need to put that right.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I built resilience through growing my knowledge of feeling what I was as a player and putting it right myself, and not being reliant on coaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think sometimes sports people get the wrong mindset, that they think the coach is there to coach them and make them the player. It\u2019s not true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The player\u2019s there to make themselves the player. The coach is there to facilitate and to help and to guide. But if you don\u2019t know where you want to be, then how\u2019s the coach going to know?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Actually, I was just sat on the Sage Small Business 11 call, I don\u2019t know if you know much about that, but it\u2019s something we\u2019ve put together with 10 other small businesses. To have a community to talk and to help grow, and ask silly questions that you might feel like you can\u2019t ask or employ someone to ask and stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one of the small business owners came on with the best bit of advice he\u2019d had. And it\u2019s so interesting to just listen to how other people see things, isn\u2019t it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s so good to just pick brains and listen to other people, but he said the best bit of advice he had was an old friend of his say, \u201cWell, know exactly what you want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that sounds so basic, but he said it changed his life. Because he said, \u201cI don\u2019t know, I don\u2019t know what I want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, \u201cWell, where\u2019d you start it? Where are you going then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And from that moment he was like, \u201cWell, I\u2019m going to decide what I want, and then I know I can plot a route to achieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I think that\u2019s really important in business and in sport. As a player in sport I knew what I wanted. I knew that I wanted to represent England, but in a winning way. I didn\u2019t just want to get a cap and wear it and go, \u201cI\u2019m proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wanted to win in the cap and create memories in the cap, and continuously improve and drive the game forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In business, if you go into it not knowing where you want to end up or what you want to be, then you can float around and have a slight loss of direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We started The Cat & Wickets pub company a little bit like that, a bit like, \u201cIt\u2019s a hobby, it\u2019s fun. It\u2019s great to have a Sunday roast in a good pub.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas now we\u2019re like, \u201cNo, we want 10 pubs in 10 years,\u201d and we want to be set up so that every pub gets bigger every time we get one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the culture never and the quality never leaves us, it\u2019s actually the quality gets better in every pub. The worst thing that could happen is we have a great pub, we get a big one, and you go to it and go, \u201cOh, it\u2019s not quite as good.\u201d The business has to be in a place where the quality continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we know exactly where we want to be, and we\u2019re not there yet, we\u2019ve got 2. But we know where we want to be, and that\u2019s how I can see how the sport and business links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nHow many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How many pubs do you want to have? What would be the golden number that you\u2019re aiming?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think the aim in the short term is 5 as quickly as we can with retaining quality, but we\u2019re not going to make a mistake on a pub. We always research everything about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re not just going to rush in and think, \u201cOh, that could be a good pub.\u201d We need to know that that\u2019s something that we could develop and do really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a lot of pubs coming up at the moment. It\u2019s a tough industry, like I mentioned to you, cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s not an industry that you can go into knowing that you\u2019re going to be a success, but there are opportunities to turn brilliant buildings and brilliant pubs that have been amazing to communities into exceptional pubs that people fall in love with again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s interesting that you\u2019ve gone from sport, where you live on a knife edge, to hospitality, where you live on an knife edge. You don\u2019t go for an easy life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNo, I should do really, really, shouldn\u2019t I?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learn the power of appreciation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEverything that you\u2019ve learned while building this business, there must have been some outstanding lessons that you might think would be useful to people who are running cricket clubs, local cricket clubs, because a lot of them are really struggling at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How would you suggest that they make their businesses more resilient and attract more people, and just keep becoming more sustainable as a business, as a going concern?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUltimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ultimately, I\u2019ve grown up through cricket clubs, Egerton Park in Melton Mowbray was mine. And one thing that is so evident in cricket clubs is that community feel, is that it\u2019s a people\u2019s place. It\u2019s where people volunteer to do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I used to turn up at Egerton Park, and to set the game up, just to be able to start, you\u2019d need to put the flags around the boundary, you\u2019d need to put nets across the river at one side. You need to open the scoreboard, you need to paint the lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So everyone would just muck in. And I think you gain respect for teammates and friends at cricket clubs like that when people just crack on and muck in and do their thing, don\u2019t they?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I used to drive to away games in the second team from memory with an accountant who would do all the books of the cricket club, just as a favour, as a voluntary thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the communities of cricket clubs are so strong, but again, they\u2019re based on great people, aren\u2019t they, and respect. And that\u2019s where Egerton Park was so superb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And the same faces who have played there for 20 years, are still playing there now, when I\u2019ve been through and finished a whole international career, they\u2019re still playing there with the same people, which is a great sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I suppose the advice for cricket clubs is continue to value everybody and realize how much it takes to put on a Saturday afternoon of cricket, but realize people love doing it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So feed off that and feed off the energy of the good people that are around, because people want to feel valued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are scoring or opening the score box, or doing the tees or pulling the pints, if you get satisfaction out of doing that and you feel valued and loved around there, and you\u2019ve got a social life from doing it and you make friends from doing it, then that community will continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If people are rude to you or don\u2019t make you feel welcome, or criticize your work, then you\u2019re not going to keep doing it, are you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So it\u2019s all that same things that motivate a sports team, a changing room, or a business, to drive people forward is be as good a person as you could possibly be and feed positive energy into the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put on the best show for your customers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On that point of being the positive leader and driving the culture, do you feel like leading a business is similar to leading a cricket team, or are there quite fundamental differences there?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think it\u2019s very similar. Harry Gurney, who is MD of The Cat & Wickets, he sees it as virtually exactly the same actually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He often talks about representing the badge of The Cat & Wickets pub company, it\u2019s a very sporting term. But if you can feel pride in putting the outfit on, then you\u2019ll feel pride in your work and you\u2019ll want people to have a great time. And you want people to praise your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve hosted a table and they\u2019ve had the best night ever because it\u2019s the parent\u2019s 50th, you want them to remember that day. And you can be a big part of making them have a special day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s definitely the culture, almost seeing yourself in the entertainment industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In cricket, you are in the entertainment industry, people are giving up their weekends to come and watch you at Lord\u2019s or the Oval or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s the same in the pub industry, people are giving up their time to come and experience what you\u2019ve got to show them. So make it the best show you possibly can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say give them everything they want, if anyone watches this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if they want something different with their food then we do everything we can to accommodate that, or they want something different for a birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or they let us know it\u2019s their birthday, bottle of champagne on the table, all that sort of thing is part of what we\u2019re there for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And our staff buy into that incredibly, they know that the customer comes first. And we as business owners know that our employees are the most important thing, because if our employees are happy, then the customers will be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incorporate your personality into your business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAnd you were such an entertainer in cricket, you are so famous for flipping the bales or edging the ball and refusing to walk. The amount of noise and response online to some of your antics, and a lot of it was hilarious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you feel like you are able to express yourself in the same way now and still be cheeky in your own way, or is that consigned to your cricket career?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGood question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Good question, yeah. We\u2019ve actually filmed a few little idents for the pub, where I\u2019m washing the floors or pulling the pints, and Harry\u2019s stunned I\u2019m there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or I\u2019d be saying, \u201cCome on Harry, all hands-on deck. Go and wash the dishes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So very tongue-in-cheek and a bit of fun, because I remember I pulled the first pint in our first ever pub, and I said, \u201cThat\u2019s the last time I\u2019m going to do that. That\u2019s for the professionals.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m very happy drinking them on the other side. As I played, I did often get energy off the crowd and look for the mischievous thing in the game that could create a bit of a story outside the cricket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So there\u2019s always that mindset, on the board of the pubs, I play the devil\u2019s advocate. I\u2019m always the, \u201cWhy, what are we doing that for? What\u2019s the reason? Can you explain that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s my role, but never in an awkward way or a difficult way, but I like playing that role of questioning. I need a reason for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m quite stats driven. I like the analytics of everything, but with that I need to know why. I need to know what\u2019s the reason we\u2019re spending that money on that, is that going to really help us?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although I took my cricket extremely seriously, I wouldn\u2019t say I take myself overly seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I\u2019m not offended by anything. Genuinely I don\u2019t get offended, I\u2019m very much open for a bit of cheeky conversation on the odd occasion with the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI\u2019m not going to try and test that thesis, how can I offend Stuart Broad? Not doing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Master the art of perfect timing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI wanted to ask a little bit about adaptability, because you seemed very good in your career at taking the best at what coaches were offering, at what people were saying to you, from analyzing your own game and shifting focus and adapting to new situations, do you feel you\u2019ve been able to do that in business in the same way and be very reactive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or do you feel like you\u2019ve had to, I don\u2019t know, move a bit more slowly in that way? As you said earlier, small steps rather than big, full-scale pivots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I think small steps, but we\u2019re very curious. We\u2019re always looking at ways to improve the business. I think if you get comfortable in your environment, you get slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So we\u2019re never a business that\u2019s going to rest on our laurels and be like, \u201cOh, things are great now.\u201d Because if you slow down, then the pub down the road is going to be trying something different and can hop ahead of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019re definitely stepping in a bit more into obviously how important social media is, what\u2019s the right times for us to post certain things? No point posting a gin and tonic at 11 o\u2019clock on a Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nI don\u2019t know, there might be a market for that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBut we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But we\u2019re definitely on the mindset that you want someone in the village to click on your Instagram and go, \u201cWow, I fancy that now. Can I get down to the pub and have that now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So can you encourage 2 for 1 at some stage, or make something look so attractive at the right time that people are finishing work or fancy socialising?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d say we\u2019re definitely, without a cricket pun, pushing the boundaries internally for us, but without being too extravagant outwardly because it\u2019s the pub trade. And ultimately your customers do like familiarity, they like consistency, they want consistent quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So if you try too many things at once, you can lose that rhythm to the flow of the pub. And actually you go to a pub because you know what you\u2019re going to get a lot of the time, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know you want good quality, you know you want a nice Sunday roast, a couple of beers, a bottle of red or whatever, great dessert, a nice view, all that sort of thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you try and overcomplicate it too much, you could lose sight of what you do really, really well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But within the board we\u2019re constantly going, \u201cWhat\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing? What\u2019s our next thing?\u201d Because that\u2019s an important mindset to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use self-reflection notes to maintain a positive mindset<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On mindset, how do you look after your mental health? How do you maintain a positive mindset?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of sad news in the cricket world this week. How do you look after, I suppose, yourself, your mental strength?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nActually, I write notes, I don\u2019t like that saying journaling, because it does sound a little bit wishy washy. But I always have throughout my cricketing career and continued since moving away from that, I just jot down things on my mind first thing in the morning, if it\u2019s 5 minutes with a coffee or something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s generally of the rhythm of, what\u2019s important for me today? What am I grateful for? What\u2019s on my mind?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because it gives me a drive for that day, so in cricket I might have written, engage the crowd today, so I know that\u2019s my target. So actually if I do engage the crowd, my goal\u2019s achieved, doesn\u2019t matter if I get no wickets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s important, a lot of the time, it\u2019s about making other people feel uplifted. Or in the cricketing culture, under Brendon McCullum, what wasn\u2019t appreciated is walking into a room, \u201cHow you feeling mate?\u201d \u201cA bit tired.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because then if I sound a bit tired, then you suddenly feel, \u201cActually, I might be a bit tired,\u201d and it\u2019s a bit of a knock-on effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So even if I was feeling really tired, I\u2019d write in my notes. So I\u2019d write, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re feeling tired,\u201d because I\u2019m always really honest in them, \u201cBe aware that you\u2019re tired, but actually when you get in the room, praise something straight away so it\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you walk in, and it\u2019s, \u201cHow are you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the best coffee on the circuit that, isn\u2019t it? How good\u2019s the coffee at breakfast, it\u2019s unbelievable?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then bang, you\u2019re into the day. So that doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re not tired, but it means that you flip your mindset into believing that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re accepting your tired, but actually can you give off a positive energy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I still try and do that as much as I can. Actually, I notice if I haven\u2019t done my notes for a couple of days or just been here, there, and everywhere, I can find my mind does keep thinking of a variety of different things, whereas actually if I write it down, it\u2019s out my brain onto paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I can refer to it or see it. But I write how I want my mind to operate in that day basically, which means that I\u2019ve got something to reflect on a little bit and review against a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There might be times when I\u2019ve been a bit too busy on my phone when Annabella\u2019s at home, and that makes me feel sad when I do that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I then write it down and say, \u201cJust be aware, you don\u2019t need to be on your phone. Your daughter\u2019s the most important thing, you don\u2019t need to be anywhere near your phone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then the next time I think, \u201cOh, I\u2019ll just check that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then it will click in, \u201cActually, I don\u2019t need to check it. Nothing\u2019s more important than what\u2019s in this room right now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bex Burn-Callander:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIt does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It does. That\u2019s fantastic advice. That\u2019s really beautiful advice, and I think that\u2019s something that everyone can do. Just focus on small, achievable wins for that day, and don\u2019t try and do everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stuart Broad:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEvery 4 years in my career, I wrote a brainstorm with a big goal, whether it\u2019s the next Ashes or whatever, and I\u2019d circle it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I\u2019d over time, write little things that I would think would be important for me to get that. It might be, \u201cNeed to be working really hard in October, fitness is everything,\u201d or, \u201cBlah, blah, blah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But I check that once every quarter, 2, 3, 4 months, it wouldn\u2019t be a daily thing. Whereas my notes, it would try and be daily, and I could flick through them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if it was one line that was annoying me. Bang, and then it\u2019s not annoying me, it\u2019s annoying the paper. That was my theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by this business story?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wherever you\u2019re listening or watching, subscribe to Sound Advice on Apple iTunes<\/a> here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\nJoin our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are also on Spotify<\/a> and anywhere else you get your podcasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Join our community to share your insights and stories on X @Sage_Canada<\/a> using the hashtag #SoundAdvicePodcast, on Instagram @SageOfficial<\/a> or in the comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find out more about Stuart on his Instagram<\/a> or X<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWant to know more about Stuart and The Cat and Wickets pub company?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1073797282-1440x810.jpg\")
\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"