A lot of business owners find it uncomfortable to provide constructive feedback to staff, and when they do it's often ineffective. Business and leadership coach, Mandy Holloway - who has examined numerous businesses across Australia - says feedback should not be about fixing someone. Instead, she says, it's about holding a mirror up to staff to make them aware of their behaviour. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/listener ...
Nov 18, 2020•10 min•Ep. 134
We all want to live happily ever after work, don’t we? And that means shoring up all those superannuation savings we’ve made over the years so there’s money in the bank come retirement. Question is, do we leave it to those huge industry or retail superannuation funds or do we take control ourselves through a self-managed super fund? Here’s some super advice from the experts, Michael Jones, Superannuation and Business Advisory Partner at Mazars, joined by Mazars Superannuation Partner Clive Todd....
Nov 17, 2020•14 min•Ep. 133
Because of COVID-19, 2020 has brought immense opportunities for online businesses. Gabby Leibovich describes the current digital market and reflects on his own success of building and then selling the Catch group of companies for more than $1 billion. Gabby and his brother Hezi have written about their journey and they offer more than 200 tips for those looking to build their own digital empire in their new book, ‘Catch of the Decade’. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundc...
Nov 16, 2020•8 min•Ep. 132
One of the best sales opportunities that's often ignored is customer enquiries from inbound phone calls. Colin Pearce explains how to win long-term loyal customers with his six-P's approach. When the phone rings in your business, Colin insists, be prepared to answer promptly. And then, be positive from the outset, be precise when scheduling an appointment, be personal, and – most importantly – be polite. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See...
Nov 15, 2020•10 min•Ep. 131
What started as an accidental hobby has become a fully-fledged business and the foundation for a perfect lifestyle in far north Queensland. Casey Willetts and her husband, Jesse, make chips, granola and muesli from naturally grown coconuts close to their home in Port Macquarie in far north Queensland. Television appearances and awards have helped build the reputation of their label. Despite offers to stock the shelves of the big supermarkets, Casey and her husband are not looking to expand. Busi...
Nov 12, 2020•10 min•Ep. 130
The idea of reducing waste is great one, but how do you start? Back in 2018, Lottie Dalziel decided to dramatically reduce her waste but quickly realised how difficult it was to find the right products and reliable information. So within just two weeks, she started online store and education platform, Banish. It not only provides consumers and businesses a one stop-shop for education and information, but an opportunity for brands to sell their eco-friendly products, if they meet the strict Banis...
Nov 11, 2020•17 min•Ep. 129
Dom Crawley reckons a recession, like the one we’re in, or an industry downturn is an opportunity to re-evaluate processes, examine your waste, and focus on providing the best value for clients. If you can maintain the discipline in the tough times, he says, you and your business will be in a better competitive position when things turn around. Despite a downturn in the building industry, Dom's concreting business BASECON has in fact grown – he explains how. Business Essentials Daily is produced...
Nov 10, 2020•11 min•Ep. 128
Much has been said and written about entrepreneurs and the success borne from those committed to building and growing their own business. Less appreciated are the “intrapreneurs” – those talented employees who are as committed to your business as you are. It’s those intrapreneurs that Gabby Leibovich and his brother Hezi recognised and rewarded to help grow Catch, Menu Log, Scoopon, Luxury Escapes, and other businesses, which they sold for a billion dollars about a decade after launching. Busine...
Nov 09, 2020•9 min•Ep. 127
Buying a gift, at the best of times can seem like a chore, especially when it comes to corporate gifting. But what if you could outsource this to an expert and have one less thing on your to do list? Laura Szkudlarek, Founder of Gift Hunters Australia, says that corporate gifting is not a just a chance to send hamper at Christmas, but a relationship building opportunity, that should be built into your marketing strategy. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +6...
Nov 08, 2020•14 min•Ep. 126
If your employees don’t know what they’re supposed to do, how do they or even you know whether they are doing a good job? A job description is key, and it’s something that you should be updating regularly. Carmel Brown, Director of The Proven Group, explains what should go into a job description and outlines some of the common mistakes she sees business owners make. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...
Nov 05, 2020•8 min•Ep. 125
Start-up life is never easy, but entrepreneurs are born with an innate desire to create and build. There are however some well-worn pitfalls that entrepreneurs keep tripping up on. Tara Shelton is founder of a number of successful businesses, including 'Dream & Do', a creative agency that helps start-ups build their brand and communications. She says that she’s seen it all before — the good, the bad and the ugly — so, she’s identified 7 deadly sins that entrepreneurs keep making but need to ...
Nov 04, 2020•13 min•Ep. 124
Does your business have a uniform? It's not only beneficial for frontline staff, a shared dress code can improve morale for all members of an organisation – and it’s great for your brand. Pamela Jabbour is CEO of Total Image Group, which designs and supplies uniforms for some of Australia's biggest brands. In fact, it was the official uniform supplier for the Australian Winter Olympic Team. Pamela explains why uniforms make business sense, what to wear in the office, in the store and on a Zoom c...
Nov 03, 2020•11 min•Ep. 123
It’s come to this at last, and as the whole world watches on, just two names now count on the global stage. Trump – or Biden. Who’s it to be? We’ll soon find out as voting in the 2020 US election draws to a close – or maybe it won’t be so soon if the result is a close-drawn thing. But as the world sits on edge, what’s happening to the sharemarket and how should investors respond? Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/listener ...
Nov 02, 2020•13 min•Ep. 122
In 2006, Gabby and Hezi Leibovich launched Catch of the Day, a website selling just one deal a day. By 2010, it was Australia’s number one shopping site, and in 2019 they sold the business to Wesfarmers for a whopping $230 million. How did they do it? Well, it’s detailed in the brothers’ new book: ‘Catch of the Decade: how to launch, build and sell a digital business’. Gabby shares his tips and his journey over three episodes for Business Essentials Daily. Business Essentials Daily is produced b...
Nov 01, 2020•10 min•Ep. 121
It might be that you meet someone that comes across as your new best friend, but the charming behaviour of a sociopath is merely a front for their own selfish intentions. The best thing you can do, says Professor Gary Martin, is not hire them in the first place – but it's not always easy to spot someone with sociopathic tendencies. Professor Martin, CEO of the Australian Institute of Management in WA, takes us through six signs to determine if there’s a sociopath lurking in your business. Busine...
Oct 29, 2020•11 min•Ep. 120
Innovation is supposed to help drive growth. If you don’t innovate, they say, you’ll stay stagnate and eventually fall behind. So, how does a business innovate? If only there was a toolkit that could show us the way. There is! It’s called 'Innovator’s Playbook: how to create great products, services and experiences.' It’s a new book by Nathan Baird, Founder and Managing Director of Methodry, who walks us through the five steps to a design-led approach to innovation. Business Essentials Daily is ...
Oct 28, 2020•8 min•Ep. 119
There’s no end of advice on how to run a business. But often you just want to hear it from the horse’s mouth – someone who’s taken all the hits, fallen down, picked themselves up and forged ahead. Alan Manly, CEO of Group Colleges Australia, is one such individual who shares his lifetime of lessons in his book, ‘The Unlikely Entrepreneur’. In this episode, he recounts some of his lessons to a new generation of entrepreneurs. Reference Purchase a copy of ‘The Unlikely Entrepreneur’ by Alan Manly ...
Oct 27, 2020•9 min•Ep. 118
Yes, we could all manage our time better. And the best way to do it? Kate Christie will tell us that we must stop thinking “management” and start thinking “investment”. Because time is a very precious commodity and we need to make sure we’re getting the best return on it. In fact, Kate, a time management expert and Founder and Director of Time Stylers will tell us that the investment approach will help us recoup 30 hours a month, every month. And what should we do with all that time? Spend on ou...
Oct 26, 2020•12 min•Ep. 117
Andrew Ford, Founder of Social Star, has turned the elevator pitch on its head with his own pitch structure which aims to be more conversational. The standard elevator pitch, he insists, is one-directional and lacks true engagement. With practice, your pitch shouldn't feel like selling; instead, it should feel like you're providing answers to someone's questions. The challenge Andrew sets out to solve is getting them to ask you questions. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel sou...
Oct 25, 2020•8 min•Ep. 116
If you want your team to be fully committed to your idea, first it's worth spending time with them to connect and develop a level of trust. That's according to Simon Dowling, business coach and author of ‘Work With Me: How to get people to buy into your ideas.’ You’ll achieve the best results, he insists, if you have a team who’s as enthusiastic and willing as you are about your idea. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/list...
Oct 22, 2020•11 min•Ep. 115
Sometimes your most talented employees are also the hardest to manage. How do you keep them in line? It’s a common dilemma for business owners. The standout performers in your business are often the hardest to manage. They make good money for you but in the process, they upset others and can be unwieldy in conforming to the best interests of the business. Aaron Goonrey, Partner at Lander & Rogers Lawyers, highlights three types of talented but tricky staff and what you can do to manage their...
Oct 21, 2020•9 min•Ep. 114
Sure, it’s easy to be a fine upstanding business citizen when everything’s going well. But what happens if times get tough – like now? Are you tempted, just a teeny bit, to compromise your integrity for the sake of a few dollars more or just to get that deal over the line? Well don’t be, warns veteran business coach, Alan Rodway. That slippery slope will lead you nowhere. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
Oct 20, 2020•11 min•Ep. 113
There’s nothing good about bad bosses. Often, they are the reason a workplace is toxic, they can lead team members to suffer stress and mental health problems, and they’re the cause of staff turnover. However, bad bosses are not necessarily bad people – and they can learn to be good or even great. That’s according to workplace expert, Michelle Gibbings, who shares lessons from her new book, ‘Bad Boss: what to do if you are one, manage one or work for one’. Business Essentials Daily is produced b...
Oct 19, 2020•10 min•Ep. 112
If tyre kickers are tying up your time seeking quotes and proposals without coming through with the work – then it’s time to call them out. Preparing detailed proposals is a time-consuming part of a sales person’s job. There’s a substantial cost involved, says respected sales expert Sue Barrett, and you can’t afford to waste time if that client seldom or never comes back with the goods. Tyre kickers, Sue warns, may be after more than you think when seeking a proposal from you. Business Essential...
Oct 18, 2020•12 min•Ep. 111
It comes as no surprise that calls to mental health support groups have spiked during COVID-19. In particular, business owners have been doing it really tough with the awful potential of closure, laying off staff and simply trying to perform at peak, while the world seems to be crumbling around them. Beyond Blue recognise the challenges and have developed a new approach to supporting business owners by targeting business advisers. Tim Hoopmann is a business trainer and speaker for Beyond Blue, a...
Oct 15, 2020•14 min•Ep. 110
Do you have a problem with employing mature-aged workers? Lots of us do, apparently - and that’s a huge shame, for employers who miss out on the experience that maturity brings and for mature workers as doors slam shut on their employment opportunities. And now, according to Hunter Leonard, CEO of Silver & Wise, those workers are facing a perfect storm in the jobs market – and it’s time to shift their thinking! Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 98...
Oct 14, 2020•13 min•Ep. 109
Sales and marketing, it rolls off the tongue, but these two disciplines working in harmony, can sometimes be a struggle. In a landscape entirely reshaped due to technology and the pandemic, selling like we used to, is a thing of the past. So how can we optimise these two powerhouse specialities for selling in a new world? Adele Crane, CEO of Sales Focus Advisory explains in her new article – Finding New Customers to Increase Sales. Reference Finding New Customers to Increase Sales: https://sales...
Oct 13, 2020•10 min•Ep. 108
Applying for the chance to win a government contract can be cumbersome, time-consuming and a headache for any one in business. But, if successful, the rewards can be substantial. There’s no winning formula per se, but there are things you can do to give yourself the best chance to secure government business. Thomas Pollock, Founder of THINQ Learning, outlines what you can do to claim your own slice of the government pie. Thomas shares his secrets in his new book, 'Winning Government Business: th...
Oct 12, 2020•10 min•Ep. 107
Yes – we’ve got the message! Last week Josh Frydenberg announced the most significant Federal Budget since any of us can probably remember. But let’s not get befuddled by the numbers. Let’s look beyond the terrifying debt and forecast figures to work out how it actually applies to you, right now, in your business. Because according to tax expert Michael Jones, of Mazars, there are turbo-charged incentives to hire workers and spend up big! Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel sou...
Oct 11, 2020•11 min•Ep. 106
If one thing is certain, it’s that we WILL emerge from this pandemic – hopefully sooner rather than later. But HOW we emerge will depend on our ongoing relevance in the marketplace. Have we adapted to future needs, or have we been overtaken by other businesses moving faster in these dramatic COVID times? To business futurist Morris Miselowski, it comes down to innovation - even in the smallest of incremental ways. Reference Find out more about Morris’s Futurists' Innovation Hack Program : http:/...
Oct 08, 2020•11 min•Ep. 105
