In this episode we're joined by Julie Cross - mother, entertainer and most of all an amazing storyteller. Julie is one of Australia's most sought after presenters and caused something of a social media stir recently with her 'bikini post' on Facebook that scored 143,000 likes in just 24 hours and a reach of over 3.5 million! More than anything, Julie will share with you why a positive mindset and strong self belief are some of the key ingredients to not only a successful business, but a successf...
Feb 09, 2015•42 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Today we talk to Timbo Reid, host of Australia's number 1 marketing podcast, Small Business Big Marketing. We're both fans of Tim's podcast and actually credit Timbo as being one of the catalysts for us starting our show. Tim is a guru when it comes to marketing a small business and a tradie business is no exception! In fact, Timbo reckons that Tradies have a great opportunity to improve their business through smart marketing that doesn't cost a cent. With over 200 interviews with successful sma...
Feb 05, 2015•39 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Free quotes. It's what you have to do if you want to get more customers, right? Problem is you spend half your time quoting instead of doing chargeable work, only to be told by the prospect that "we're still deciding" or "we didn't realise it'd be that much" or perhaps the worst "we've decided to go with someone cheaper"! Well...it doesn't have to be this way. In today's episode we take a closer look at the practice of offering free quotes to prospective customers and how it could be affecting y...
Feb 02, 2015•15 min•Season 1Ep. 27
If you're a licenced contractor you've no doubt questioned the worth of paying that fee every year. What do you even get in return for your money, apart from increasing levels of scrutiny and regulation? Well, in Queensland it seems times are changing. The 'old BSA' (Building Services Authority) has been replaced by the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission). It's now run like a business with a board and it's own decision making powers and stand alone funding model. Heading up th...
Jan 29, 2015•35 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Nobody likes spending money on insurance. What's worse is that insurance for tradies can be quite expensive compared to a lot of other industries. In this episode we talk with Ross Forbes from Tradesure about how insurance for tradies doesn't need to be expensive and also how to get it right so that in the unfortunate event you need to make a claim, you're actually protected the way you need. Ross has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to insurance and has been in the insurance industry for 30 ...
Jan 26, 2015•21 min•Season 1Ep. 25
How do you set prices in your business? Is it scientific, intuitive or something else? In today's episode Warrick and Michaela look at: why you shouldn't be basing your prices on your competitors how to make sure you make a profit on your work relate your pricing to your personal goals whether you should mark up materials used or not, and more. The post TBS024: How To Set Your Prices appeared first on Tradies Business Show . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 22, 2015•18 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Still using a paper diary in your business? Well, today might just be the day to throw it away! In this episode, we talk to Clinton Cowin from TradiePad about: his transition from Tradie to Tech-adviser how cloud technology allowed him to step away from his plumbing business but keep it running whether you should be using iOS, Android or Windows Mobile devices in your tradie business the top things you should be doing with technology, and some simple apps and tools you can start using in your bu...
Jan 19, 2015•44 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode we interview Michelle House - The Money Maven, about how to improve the relationship you have with money AND how that can help you with more than just your business... if you get our drift. No? Still not clear? Well, when it comes to husbands and wives, getting better with your money talk can definitely improve the bedroom conversation. Clearer now? Michelle also shares her tips for budgeting better, saving more and just generally how to be more comfortable with the folding stuff...
Jan 15, 2015•43 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Warrick and Michaela chat with Nick May from Walls By Design in another of their 'real tradie stories'. Nick is a painter, podcaster and lover-of-canned-soup, based in Denver, Colorado. Nick shares many stories and some great tips on: How to differentiate yourself from the competition How to attract the right staff for your business joint ventures and referral partnerships creating customers for life, and more! Warrick also attempts to intro this episode in an American accent...have a listen and...
Jan 12, 2015•49 min•Season 1Ep. 21
n Episode 20 of The Tradies Business Show Warrick and Michaela dive deeper into what it takes to stick out from the crowd. How do you get the attention of your potential customers and get them to choose you over your competition? Find out how to: use guarantees to increase conversions take what you're already doing and turn it into a marketing opportunity get away from discounting as a means to attract customers save time and money by not working with the wrong customers The post TBS020: How To ...
Jan 08, 2015•20 min•Season 1Ep. 20
We chat with Paul Bidwell (no relation to Warrick) from Master Builders Queensland about the building and construction industry and the trends and opportunities one of Queenslands largest industry associations sees for 2015. Paul also shares: tips for how to be an industry leader some of the benefits of Master Builders membership what sectors are likely to do well and how to tap into the opportunities for tradies in the coming year The post TBS019: How To Lead Your Industry with Master Builders ...
Jan 05, 2015•34 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode we take a look at how to smash 2015 and make it a great year for your business but more importantly, for you and your family. Warrick and Michaela put goal setting under the spotlight and talk about: How to give yourself a fighting chance to achieve your goals Making sure your goals relate to your personal lifestyle and aren't just about business (and money) What to do if you don't reach your goals and targets and Who you should include when picking a point to aim at Warrick also...
Jan 01, 2015•21 min•Season 1Ep. 18
They say you're only as good as your last performance, so it makes sense to review each year in your tradie business when the full time siren sounds on December 31st! In this episode of the show we discuss: The importance of locking in our key lessons from the past year Our own learnings and what we plan to do differently next year How to improve your quality of life and results using a simple score card (click her to download it) Some of the small things that can generate great results in your ...
Dec 29, 2014•30 min•Season 1Ep. 17
What's your biggest asset? Your house? Your car? Your tools? Perhaps you said your health and you'd be pretty close. The reality is, your biggest asset as a trade business owner is your ability to generate cashflow or earn an income. Without your income, how would you: Pay your mortgage if you have one? Put food on the table? Pay for kids' schooling? Buy clothes, take holidays or just generally enjoy life? Worse still, even if you can't work due to illness or injury, your employees still need to...
Dec 25, 2014•30 min•Season 1Ep. 16
We talk to Tony from H2Pro Plumbing - an award winning plumbing business that literally 'gives a crap'! Tony and his wife Tristan have found some unique ways to not only market their business but to contribute to the local community by 'giving a crap'. They're supporters of a charity that uses toilet rolls for their fund raising... We also talk with Tony about: the power of entering business awards and not just if you win how social media can transform your marketing why having a business mentor...
Dec 22, 2014•35 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Zig Ziglar said, "The only thing worse than training employees and losing them is to not train them and keep them" We talk to Wade Grundon from Face To Face training about some of the benefits of providing training like: winning more tenders or contracts by having qualified staff improving productivity reducing staff turnover by providing a work/career path using training to incentivise employees PLUS, there are some extremely generous government subsidies and cash bonuses available to Australia...
Dec 18, 2014•31 min•Season 1Ep. 14
We record our first 'on location' episode...at the pub! We enjoy a quick counter meal after recording a guest interview on site and discuss the importance of time out from your trade business and how it can help you: increase your chance of hitting your goals in 2015 recharge your batteries so you perform better, for longer allow you to rethink what worked and what didn't, and actually enjoy the things you work so hard for all year! To find out more about Michaela's 'business babysitting service...
Dec 15, 2014•11 min•Season 1Ep. 13
There's a saying that 'you are who Google says you are' and that's certainly true for your business. If you're not on the front page for search results then you're pretty much nowhere with more than 80% of people selecting from these 'page 1' listings. In this episode we talk to Jim Stewart from Stewart Media about some simple things you can do to help your SEO (search engine optimisation) efforts and Google search rankings. We also debunk some SEO myths and give specific tips to help you. The p...
Dec 11, 2014•42 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Yep, we're talking sales! Mention used cars, real estate or mobile phone plans and the first thing that comes to mind are pushy, selfish salespeople, right? Problem is, as business owners we're all in sales regardless of the role or industry we're in. So how do you attract and convert more customers, without being pushy or salesy and falling into those negative steroptypes? We share some strategies in this episode to help with just that. The post TBS011: How To Sell More Without Being Salesy app...
Dec 08, 2014•32 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The first of our Tradies' Hot Seat victims is Helen Yost from the all-girl plumbing business The Plumbettes. Helen asked for help via a social media group to deal with the Christmas slow down experienced by many tradie businesses. We invited Helen into the studio for a live consultation and looked at some simple ways she could generate some more leads quickly, convert more of those leads into customers and do it profitably and without spending a ton of money on advertising. We covered strategies...
Dec 04, 2014•46 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Today, Warrick and Michaela go on a bit of a rant. We're not sure if it's the heat or the extra shot of coffee but your hosts express their frustration (and concern) at businesses who don't return phone enquiries, don't do what they say they're going to do and make it hard for their customers to buy from them. We outline two simple things tradies can do to increase their topline revenue without sacrificing any of their bottom line profits. A true win:win! The post TBS009: 2 Ways To Grow Revenue ...
Dec 01, 2014•17 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Today we interview Sharny Kieser who, along with husband Julius, has authored 13 books on fitness including the worldwide bestsellers FITlosophy 1&2, Healthy Junk, Fit, Healthy Happy Kids and Fit, Healthy, Happy Mum. They have 5 children and live on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Find out more by heading to their website http://www.sharnyandjulius.com Sharny talks with us about: -How to keep fit when you're tired after a long day on the tools -Eating right for energy, stamina and a good lo...
Nov 27, 2014•41 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Today we're talking marketing and how to get more 'bums on seats' in your business. There are some simple ways to market your business that don't require much, if any, spending. We'll show you how to: -Increase your marketing without increasing your spending -How simply recording where your enquiries are coming from can help save you money... and make you more! -The difference between marketing and advertising -Why size really does matter... The post TBS007: How To Market Your Business and Get M...
Nov 24, 2014•37 min•Season 1Ep. 7
In this episode we talk everything cashflow and announce our new sponsor - MYOB and their PayDirect solution. MYOB's Head of Product Matt Mulligan talks about his top three tips for managing cashflow and how changes in technology are helping to give tradies their Saturdays back. The post TBS006: Improving Your Cashflow With Matt Mulligan From MYOB appeared first on Tradies Business Show . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 20, 2014•28 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Today's episode is all about taking over a 30 year old family business and turning it into thriving modern day plumbing operation. Our special guest is Sunshine Coast local plumber Ben Perren from Adrian Perren Plumbing. What you will learn: - how to successfully take over the family business - how technology can help save you hours a week with your job management - importance of networking to grow your business The post TBS005: Real Tradies Stories - Ben Perren, Adrian Perren Plumbing appeared ...
Nov 15, 2014•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode you will learn the second half of our 'Dirty Dozen', the 12 critical things you need to have in place to build and run a great Trade and service business. The post TBS004: Dirty Dozen: 12 Ways To Create A Top Tradie Business - Part 2 appeared first on Tradies Business Show . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 15, 2014•17 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In this episode you will learn about the first 6 of our 'Dirty Dozen'. These are the 12 critical things you need to have in place to ensure you build and run a sustainable trade and service business. The post TBS003: Dirty Dozen: 12 Ways To Create A Top Tradie Business - Part 1 appeared first on Tradies Business Show . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 15, 2014•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
In this episode we talk to Adam Ellis from Allied Drafting Services about how to: find and develop a great team, deal with challenges in your industry especially around pricing how to make money by being a bit different and Read More The post TBS002: Real Tradies Stories - Adam Ellis appeared first on Tradies Business Show . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 15, 2014•32 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This first episode is all about learning what the Tradies Business Show mission is as well as finding out who the hell the co-hosts of the Tradies Business Show are - Warrick Bidwell and Michaela Clark. PLUS we share one thing that you can start doing today that will lead to massive results in your trade and construction small business. The post TBS 001: Welcome to the Tradies Business Show appeared first on Tradies Business Show . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 15, 2014•13 min•Season 1Ep. 1
