As the nation goes to the polls tomorrow, Business Essentials Daily brings you the final episode of our special week of pre-election interviews, and it’s certainly revealing. A new report by OnDeck - small business loan experts, shows that out of the 500 Australian small businesses they surveyed, 85% cite cost of living pressures as the key issue shaping their vote this election. It’s an extraordinary number and illustrates how personal finances have overtaken other small business concerns for t...
May 02, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1275
Global volatility, tariff tensions, and shifting global trade dynamics continue to shape the outlook for small and medium businesses in Australia. For the next in our special series of pre-election interviews, Economist Professor Robert Brooks unpacks the ripple effects of global uncertainty on Australia — highlighting inflation risks, exchange rate pressures, and why smart, steady policy responses may help shield local businesses from the worst impacts. He also explains how Australia’s exposure...
Apr 30, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1274
Hospitality is one of Australia’s largest small business sectors, and it’s been on the front lines of recent economic uncertainty. So, are government policies doing enough to help, and what is the Coalition offering? CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Café Association, Wes Lambert, unpacks the pros and cons of each major party’s offerings for small business owners, with a focus on energy relief, tax breaks, and support for apprentices. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soun...
Apr 29, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1273
In the lead up to the Federal Election, Monash University economist Professor Robert Brooks assesses the state of the Australian economy. He explores key productivity drivers — from childcare reforms to infrastructure and housing supply — and warns that lasting improvements will depend on smart, long-term policy decisions. Professor Brooks assesses the potential impacts of polices and highlights the need to address ongoing challenges with economic growth and labour availability. Business Essenti...
Apr 28, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1272
The status of family businesses needs to come into clear focus this election, according to Family Business Association CEO Catherine Sayer. Family businesses make up about 70% of Australian enterprises, yet they remain largely invisible in federal policy conversations. So, Catherine is calling for greater recognition — through better data collection, targeted representation, and policy consideration — to ensure this vital sector has a seat at the table. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: ...
Apr 27, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1271
COVID spelt difficult times for many small businesses, perhaps none more so than in the travel sector. So, when the pandemic brought travel to a halt, owners of the travel app Locomote.com had to rethink their survival strategy to. CEO and Co-Founder of Growth Forum, David Fastuca, focused on repackaging Locomote’s value by highlighting duty of care, governance, and compliance to help SMEs manage post-pandemic travel risks. By proactively reaching out to CFOs and addressing future challenges, he...
Apr 24, 2025•7 min•Ep. 1270
When Dr May Chan was a child, she had a fall which resulted in dental issues and an unwillingness to smile for family photos. This experience would later be pivotal in her ambition to pursue a career in cosmetic dentistry. Ten years ago, Dr May and her husband, Dr Reuben Sim, started Dental Boutique in the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn. Today it has grown to 10 surgeries across Australia and New Zealand. They have since won a slew of business awards. She discusses the life-cycle of business growth ...
Apr 23, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1269
The shift to remote work appears to have improved task efficiency, but is it hindering innovation? Marnie Brokenshire, Founder of leadership and performance consultancy, Uncapped Potential, says productivity in Australia is at its lowest in decades, and spontaneous in-person interactions may be what’s missing. Marnie says leadership is a “contact sport” and how returning to the office, when done right, can drive collaboration, creativity, and long-term business success. She says businesses can m...
Apr 22, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1268
Rarely do we know when crisis will strike – a pandemic, war, or a GFC-like event – but if it does happen, the impact on your business and staff could be just as seismic. So how can you prepare for a potential disaster? It helps to have an adaptive mindset, insists Prof Martin Bean, CEO of The Bean Centre, and former Vice Chancellor of RMIT University, during the lockdown days of COVID-19. He has co-authored a book, ‘Toolkit for Turbulence: The mindset and methods that leaders need to turn advers...
Apr 21, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1267
Starting a firm with nothing but a printed leaflet and gritty determination, Melissa Browne built a thriving business by focusing on profitability and strategic growth. From helping clients with tax to coaching them on business success, she developed ground-breaking systems that revolutionised her practice. Melissa explains how she scaled, streamlined, and ultimately sold her firm for seven figures. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omny...
Apr 20, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1266
You may associate cybersecurity with protection, but it can also be a driver of business growth. That’s according to the Managing Director of Cyber Matters, Saaim Khan. He explains how trust is now a major differentiator in a competitive market, with businesses increasingly required to meet strict security standards to win contracts and retain customers. Saaim tells us that as cyber threats rise, organisations that prioritise security can not only safeguard their data but also enhance their repu...
Apr 17, 2025•13 min•Ep. 1265
To maintain long-term profitability, you need a strategy that can adapt to new trends and consumer demands. Companies that don’t change will fall behind, says consumer and marketing guru Barry Urquhart. Barry identifies three pillars of business success, and offers the example of a particular Australian hardware company, which is pivoting from hardware to homeware – a subtle, yet powerful realignment. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See om...
Apr 16, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1264
A strong brand isn’t just the CEO’s responsibility — it belongs to employees, customers, and even competitors. Rod Curtis is the Director, Strategy & Creative Lead at Kommunal Brand Strategy Architects, he understands more than most why businesses should involve their entire team in shaping their brand identity. Rod explains how effective team workshops can foster genuine buy-in, and that aligning employees with the brand’s core values can create a sense of belief and purpose, leading to str...
Apr 15, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1263
Workplace productivity has taken a dive in the last couple of years. Productivity in the workplace involves effectively leveraging resources to deliver outcomes. So how do you do that? HR consultant Karen Gately says bosses should set clear expectations, fostering engagement, and focusing on intrinsic motivators. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 14, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1262
Sometimes it’s a good idea to look at your sales approach with fresh eyes, so for a sales check-up, we’ve turned to Ingrid Maynard, Founder and Managing Director of The Sales Dr, Ingrid outlines four essential practices that she says every business should embrace. She explains how to plan outcome-driven conversations, ask powerful questions, use influencing techniques effectively, and strengthen client relationships after the sale. The discussion centres on how small changes in your approach can...
Apr 13, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1261
Being a salesperson today is a tough gig, but could a change of mindset be the secret to success? CEO and Co-Founder of Growth Forum, David Fastuca, says starting out by building a healthy pipeline fosters confidence, reduces desperation, and helps you close deals without alienating people with what he calls "commission breath." David has some great advice on how to engage buyers on their terms, deliver real value, and strike the right balance between persistence and patience in your sales appro...
Apr 10, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1260
Traditional sales skills may not be sufficient to overcome the challenges faced by sales teams today. A new approach is needed to end rising disengagement, stress and burnout, and equip sales leaders to lead their teams confidently to success. That’s according to Anna Glynn, who says leaders need to ensure that their teams have the mindset and toolset – not just the skillset – to succeed in sales. She calls these the off-field factors and they relate to the resources available that help achieve ...
Apr 09, 2025•8 min•Ep. 1259
There’s been a great deal of public discussion about four-day work weeks recently, so could it give your business a competitive edge? Gartner’s VP of Research and Advisory, Aaron McEwen, explores the surprising benefits of employees working fewer hours — from boosting productivity to attracting top talent. He breaks down the key principles, the risks, and why small businesses might have an easier time making the shift than big corporations. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel s...
Apr 08, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1258
What does it take to lead a leadership organisation? Well, former AFL player and two-time Hawthorn Grand Final winner, Dean Anderson explains why in 2022, he took the role of CEO at Leading Teams. Leading Teams is an organisation well known for its leadership and high performance models, that have had a huge impact on businesses across so many industries, including media, education, government, utlitlies and most publicised - on elite level sporting teams. Business Essentials Daily is produced b...
Apr 07, 2025•14 min•Ep. 1257
Trust and respect are the foundation of strong workplace relationships — for both owners and employees. But how can business leaders and teams cultivate them? Performance coach Stephanie Bown explains why vulnerability is key to building trust, as well as how to encourage and express it in a workplace framework. She discusses how leaders can create psychologically safe environments, and the role respect plays in fostering innovation and collaboration. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: So...
Apr 06, 2025•12 min•Ep. 1256
Clear and simple communication is a powerful tool, yet many professionals still get lost in jargon and complexity. Employee engagement specialist Esther De La Cruz has some advice: deliberate simplicity is key to driving change, engaging stakeholders, and making ideas stick. Esther outlines some practical strategies for breaking down complex concepts, testing clarity, and refining messages to ensure they resonate with any audience without losing essential meaning. Business Essentials Daily is pr...
Apr 03, 2025•9 min•Ep. 1255
The key to effective sales and marketing is collaboration, according to sales expert and CEO of Barrett Consulting Group, Sue Barrett. Having a customer-centric mindset across the entire organisation will ensure everyone is on the same page. This can be achieved by nurturing the customer at each marketing touchpoint, e.g. emails, social media digital marketing, and direct communication with sales teams. While the emphasis on each function may vary depending on the product or service, the core id...
Apr 02, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1254
A clear and focused brand strategy is essential for standing out in a competitive market. But what does strategy really mean? Director and Strategy and Creative Lead at Kommunal Rod Curtis is a branding expert with decades of experience. Rod lays out a simple yet powerful approach — distilling strategy down to three key questions: Why are we here? Where will we play? And how will we win? He also warns against vague, bloated strategy documents and instead emphasises clarity, purpose, and a discip...
Apr 01, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1253
Business owners often struggle with setting the right price for their products or services due to self-doubt, observes business coach and trainer Jim Cocks. It’s important, he says, that business owners have the confidence in their offerings and be willing to increase prices to reflect their quality and value. Finding the right pricing balance requires consideration of competitors, affordability, and the current economic climate. Jim Cocks is author of ‘Build, Excite, Ignite: How to beat burnout...
Mar 31, 2025•8 min•Ep. 1252
Tipping in Australia is on the rise, with restaurant tips increasing by nearly 50% in just two years —in spite of a cost-of-living crisis and a drop in international tourism. But where do these tips go, and should they be taxed? CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Café Association, Wes Lambert, unpacks the latest data and explores how businesses handle gratuities. He also questions whether the government should treat tips as tax-free windfalls. With wages rising and digital tipping options beco...
Mar 30, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1251
Artificial intelligence is promising to eliminate a host of tasks, but will it render selling — and salespeople — obsolete? Founder and Managing Director of The Sales Dr, Ingrid Maynard, says that while AI can streamline business operations and may be important for retail sales, human connection and trust remain irreplaceable, particularly in the B2B landscape. Ingrid offers practical steps for integrating AI without losing the personal touch that drives successful sales. And she shares insights...
Mar 27, 2025•10 min•Ep. 1250
ChatGPT is the best-known example of a large language model which is transforming the way in which we communicate. It’s now leading to other innovations, including ChatGPT-specific apps that anyone of us now can create to help our own businesses. Futurist Steve Sammartino explains some of the advances in artificial intelligence and how they will impact the way we work and live. Future AI trends, he says, include the development of personal digital twins and the emergence of copyright battles ove...
Mar 26, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1249
Sales success doesn’t happen by chance — it requires a structured approach. Entrepreneur. CEO and Co-Founder of Growth Forum David Festuca shares insights from his new book, ‘The B2B Sales Playbook’. David reveals the strategies that helped him build and sell multiple businesses. He breaks down the biggest mistakes companies make, the importance of a multichannel sales strategy, and why persistence is key in a world flooded with digital noise. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCarte...
Mar 25, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1248
One of the most effective marketing strategies is tapping into other people’s networks. But, Marketing Specialist and Founder of Leadsology, Tom Poland says, it requires finding partners whose audience aligns with your target market: offering something that people are already looking for is key. Tom explains how to identify and approach potential partners, and the importance of building an email list for successful marketing. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com....
Mar 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1247
The Australian small businesses sector is the country’s largest private sector employer, but it’s at a crossroads. This Federal Budget is critical to keeping this economic pillar standing. That’s according to the CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Luke Achterstraat, who says increasing red tape and a sluggish economy has led to insolvency records. On the eve of the Budget, Luke outlines what the government needs to deliver to provide certainty, support productivity, an...
Mar 24, 2025•11 min•Ep. 1246
