My Business Podcast: Recent Episodes
Momentum Media
The My Business Podcast is Australia’s leading podcast for anyone who owns and operates their own business. Each week, we speak with real-life business owners about their successes and struggles, finances and fears, as well as what inspires them and how they continue to make ends meet. Raw, honest and unscripted, the My Business Podcast is the ultimate source of inspiring stories and practical advice for every business leader.
Recognised as a trusted advisor to SME owners for 24 years, My Business provides innovative business strategies, practical tips and expert advice that Australia’s two million SME owners can use in their day-to-day operations.
In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by the deputy editor of MyBusiness, Adrian Flores, to discuss the latest in business news.
Over the past week, several big announcements were made from Canberra, including JobMaker’s passage through Parliament and the tabling of both the small-business insolvency reforms and legislation ensuring COVID-related small-business grants are made tax-free.
On a state level, NSW unveiled its budget, spurring hope in the small-business community, while Victoria embraced the new COVID normal and South Australia plunged back into uncertainty with the return of several state borders.
Adrian and Maja take a look at the above and more, dissecting the key business measures, including JobMaker.
While 2020 has been challenging to say the least, many lessons have been learnt. From the importance of disaster planning to the power of technology, Aussie SMEs have gained a wealth of knowledge during what has for most been the most challenging year on record.
In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Daniel West, chief sales and support officer at MYOB, to look back on the year that was and talk about expectations for 2021.
Daniel shares valuable insights from MYOB’s extensive research into the SME space, as well as tips to help businesses wade the unknown waters during and after the pandemic.
Hear his thoughts on the importance of reaching out for support and welcoming it from their accountants and counsellors.
The ATO has released its tax gap estimates for all 15 income and transactional-based taxes for the first time ever, believing $31.2 billion went missing in 2017–18.
Last month, MyBusiness sister brand Accountants Daily host Jotham Lian was joined by Tax & Super Australia tax counsel John Jeffreys to unpack the different tax gaps, including the small business tax gap, which remains the largest gap by dollar value and percentage figure.
John also dissects the ATO’s sample of agent-prepared returns requiring more adjustments than self-prepared returns and gives his take on how to reduce the tax gap.
With work from home likely to become the new norm, an expert joins us to share tips on creating and maintaining a connected company amid growing challenges.
Late last month, MyBusiness hosted a special, three-day, virtual event to help small-business owners wade through the rough COVID-19 seas.
Editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic chatted with Vicky Skipp, head of APAC at Workplace from Facebook, about managing a dispersed workforce, communicating updates clearly and improving business culture with remote collaboration.
Ms Skipp shares some of her key tips to help businesses utilise technology to build their remote muscles.
She also gives her thoughts about what the future holds and whether work from home will become a new norm.
“If you’re feeling unsettled, anxious or stressed, we all are. That’s absolutely normal in circumstances we find ourselves in,” Beyond Blue chief executive Georgie Harman said.
Late last month, MyBusiness hosted a special, three-day, virtual event to help small-business owners wade through the rough COVID-19 seas.
Editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic chatted with Georgie Harman about the importance of mental health in the workplace and why it’s everyone’s business.
Ms Harman shared some key tips to help employers recognise when their employees may be mentally struggling through the coronavirus crisis and steps to take to help them navigate through the tough environment.
Ms Harman also provided some key tips that small-business owners can use to check in with themselves.
If you are suffering from depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts, or you’re worried about someone else and feel that urgent professional support is needed, contact your local doctor or one of the 24/7 crisis agencies below:
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
www.beyondblue.org.au
Lifeline: 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Late last month, MyBusiness hosted a special three-day, virtual event to help small business owners wade the rough COVID seas.
Editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic sat down and chatted through COVID-related relief and predictions for business with the NSW small business minister Damien Tudehope.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, we bring you that special chat - one in which Mr Tudehope reveals what’s ahead for business in terms of the state’s plan to ease COVID restrictions, the planned 24-hour economy strategy to revamp Sydney and how businesses can access the state’s financial assistance.
Mr Tudehope also looks ahead to the NSW budget and talks alfresco dining in a COVID safe environment.
In this special budget coverage episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by a number of prominent figures in the small business space to unpack the most anticipated budget in history.
From loss carry-back for businesses and temporary full expensing which builds on the expanded instant asset write-off, to tax incentives and the JobMaker hiring credit, our host and guests discuss budget 2020 and what it means for business.
Maja is joined by Kate Carnell, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman; Andrew Conway, the CEO of the Institute of Public Accountants; Vicki Stylianou, executive general manager, advocacy and technical at the IPA; and the body’s general manager of technical policy Tony Greco.
Hear their thoughts on budget 2020 and gain more insight into some of the measures that could help your COVID recovery.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by Michael Black, a 21-year-old paving his way in business.
Michael started Success Tutoring when he was 17 and is now on the brink of selling his first franchise.
Growing from a bedroom desk to a company with 60 staff, Michael’s Success Tutoring has helped over 1,000 students across Australia.
He talks about the sacrifices he had to make to get a business off the ground in his teens and how he has navigated the current, tough environment.
In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by the deputy editor of MyBusiness Adrian Flores to discuss the latest business news, reflecting specifically on the situation in Victoria and JobKeeper updates.
Over the past several days, Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews has announced some important updates, including a new $3 billion stimulus package aimed to help those most impacted by the state’s coronavirus restrictions.
Adrian and Maja take a look at what’s on offer, sharing also the reactions they’ve been hearing from the business community.
The pair deep dive into Andrews’ roadmap to open the state and give a brief recap of the changes to JobKeeper due to begin at the end of month.
Cathy Dimarchos believes that there are always opportunities in the market if you know where to look.
With over 35 years of experience in finance and business, Cathy Dimarchos has seen it all. Today she is an adviser, mentor and small business coach, channelling her hard-earned knowledge towards helping fellow business owners survive and thrive amid challenging times.
Cathy joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to talk about decision making in difficult times and how business owners can best deal with fear while making sure their staff are looked after too.
Cathy touches on the importance of stepping back and revisiting that passion that first led business owners to start their companies, she shares her tips on switching to solution focus mode to drive business growth, and tops off our chat with some inspiring business success stories.
24-hour mental health telephone support is available via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
For GetCapital, the past several months have been quite demanding. At the onset of the pandemic, their call centre lit up with calls from overwhelmed business owners, but as time went on and the number of businesses that recognised a chance to transform grew, GetCapital was soon swamped by calls of a different nature.
Chief product officer at GetCapital Paul Nayda joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to talk about the past several months and how businesses are faring according to GetCapital’s data.
He also shares some unique customer stories, celebrating businesses that found their footing and turned to growth, and talks about the importance of cash-flow planning in a period of extended choppiness.
Fitness and events are two industries that have been upended by the coronavirus crisis and Josh King’s business falls within both. Josh King, the managing director of Corporate Fighter, had to build his resilience and prepare for the worst at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year. Since that initial closure period and a mental health slump driven by the high levels of uncertainty, Josh swiftly made the tactical decision to fight for his business.
He joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to chat through his COVID journey and how this seemingly daunting sport is actually a front to a story of acceptance, support and friendship.
Employing nearly half of all Australians, small businesses are absolutely vital for the nation's economy. Alex Brgudac has been on the ground supporting this sector through the rollercoaster ride that is COVID-19 in his role as the head of partnerships at online lender Prospa.
Alex joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to talk about Prospa's transition to remote working conditions, the sentiment among his SME clients throughout the crisis, and the effectiveness of the government's support schemes thus far.
He also explains how businesses have been pushed to positively adapt, what he expects to happen in the SME sector over the next few months, and shares some words of advice to small businesses that are struggling at the moment.
As the president of the Independent Bar Association NSW and owner of three small bars, Karl Schlothauer has witnessed the dramatic effects of COVID-19 on Australia's hospitality sector, first-hand.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, Karl joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to talk about the challenges his industry has faced in navigating the current environment and the importance of government support measures for keeping his businesses above water.
Karl reveals how his staff and customers have been responding to the circumstances, considers what would happen if a second wave was to hit NSW, and outlines some of the creative initiatives he's implemented in order to adapt, such as "Shaz", the social distancing pool noodle.
Sisters Frances Atkins and Naomi Vowels founded technology platform givvable just eight months ago as a means to help companies find, source and track the impacts of any sustainable, circular or social spending they do.
Frances joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic in this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to share how the idea for the business came about, what it's been like navigating COVID-19 as a brand-new startup, and why it's important for SMEs and corporations to source local and sustainable products.
She also talks about her experience winning the inaugural Xccelerate2020 venture program, her plans for growing givvable over the coming months, and her advice to other entrepreneurs who want to found a startup.
At the onset of the pandemic just a few months ago, lockdowns in China meant that Melbourne-based company FloatPac Group was in serious trouble.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic is joined by FloatPac Group's CEO, Gavin Hodgins, to share the inspiring story of how he managed to pivot the 40-year-old company's product offering by manufacturing face masks. This new product not only saved FloatPac from going under, but also provided a critical service to the community at large.
Gavin details what measures his business is taking to stop the spread, explains how effective government support measures have been, and shares a message to other business owners experiencing a tough time at the moment.
The Inspector-General of Taxation and Taxation Ombudsman (IGTO) provides an important, free service to assist taxpayers with complaints and concerns around the ATO and the TPB.
In this special episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, the editor of Accountants Daily, Jotham Lian, is joined by the Inspector-General of Taxation, Karen Payne, to outline the role of her office in the broader tax system, new stats around taxation complaints over the last few months, and the process of escalating tax administration concerns.
Karen explains why she endorses the simplification of the taxation of deceased estates, the key recommendations out of the Senate Economics Legislation Committee's inquiry, and the IGTO's plans for the coming financial year.
The coronavirus crisis has stacked burden after burden on already exhausted business owners, but now they're faced with more uncertainty in the shape of tax time 2020 and the ATO's presumably firm compliance approach.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, the Institute of Public Accountants' general manager of technical policy, Tony Greco, joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to discuss a broad range of issues weighing heavily on the minds of small and medium-business owners.
From tax time 2020 and the considerations for recipients of stimulus measures to the ATO's compliance approach and the possible JobKeeper extension, tune in for an expert's view on these key issues and more.
Historically, fashion options for the ageing and differently abled population have lacked style, trendiness and sophistication. Just six months ago, Matthew Skerritt established his adaptive clothing business EveryHuman with the goal of breaking down that stigma.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, Matthew joins host Maja Garaca Djurdjevic to share why he decided to move from accounting into business ownership, what motivated him to enter the adaptive space, and how he has been getting the word out about his brand.
Matthew also explains how he has been navigating his new business through the global pandemic, the importance of surrounding oneself with other business owners, and his plans for expansion over the next six months.
Meet the two Aussie women who went from zero to global in just six months with a very interesting and unique product.
In this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, our editor Maja Garaca Djurdjevic speaks to Zhenya Gerson and Jacqueline Weiley, the owners of PROPPR - an Australian-made and designed luxury foot stool that has taken the world, and Gwyneth Paltrow, by storm.
Tune in to hear how these women took a frail business, capitalised on its uniqueness and the very important issue of gut health, and turned it into a global success, winning a Good Design Award for innovation in the process.
Full of passion and energy, Zhenya and Jacqueline talk about the ins and outs of running a business, the importance of celebrating small victories, the impacts of COVID on business, and more.
Over the last eight years, "Flip Out" has become the household name for trampoline parks around the world, with 96 locations and counting.
On this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by the founder and CEO of Flip Out, Brent Grundy, to share how he established a globally successful business on the back of a failed venture that landed him in deep financial trouble.
Tune in as Brent reveals:
- How he came up with a winning business concept
- How to franchise a business
- Plans for growth and how to realise them
- How the coronavirus has rocked local businesses
Plus lots more!
In April, Momentum Intelligence conducted a major survey to understand how the coronavirus pandemic has been affecting the nation's professional services across seven different industries.
The head of strategy at Momentum Intelligence, Michael Johnson, joins host Phil Tarrant on this episode of the MyBusiness Podcast to analyse the findings of the MyBusiness COVID-19 Sentiment Survey, revealing how business owners' revenue, workload and mental health have been impacted.
Tune in to find out how your industry is faring, how businesses feel about the government's stimulus measures and their overall sentiment when looking towards a post-pandemic future.
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
Effective digital marketing is critical for successful modern businesses, but how does a business go about setting themselves apart in a saturated online marketplace? The head of digital at Momentum Media, Michelle Tucker, breaks it down step by step.
On this episode of the My Business Podcast, Michelle joins host Adam Zuchetti to divulge her secrets around creating a digital marketing strategy, optimising investments of both money and time, and maximising returns on those investments.
Tune in as Michelle reveals:
- A surprising discovery about images on social media
- Whether paid social marketing is worthwhile
- The single biggest digital marketing mistake
And more!
Harry Sanders was homeless at the tender age of 17. Just five years later, his search engine optimisation agency StudioHawk has won countless industry awards, employs 18 staff and has a turnover of $3 million.
Harry joins My Business editor Adam Zuchetti in this episode of the My Business Podcast to share how he turned his life around so dramatically, what it's like owning a business where he is the youngest member of his team, and why certain SMEs might not benefit from SEO.
Tune in as the My Business Awards winner reveals:
- His inspiring rags to riches story
- The best piece of business advice he's ever been given
- Some quick SEO tips that small businesses can implement themselves
Plus lots more!
With the ATO now visiting about 10,000 Australian companies every year, should business owners have anything to fear? Does a drop in from the ATO mean you're considered "dodgy"? ATO assistant commissioner Peter Holt speaks straight from the source.
Mr Holt joins My Business editor Adam Zuchetti in this episode of the My Business Podcast to share insights from the business visits program, dispel misconceptions around what employers can expect, and discuss the current trends in business compliance.
Tune in as Mr Holt reveals:
- Why the ATO is making such a big deal about the black economy
- What inspectors have discovered by visiting Aussie businesses
- What the Tax Office really thinks about discounts for cash payments
Plus lots more!
Retention problems, recruitment woes, talent shortages... The Adecco Group's CEO Rafael Moyano has seen them all, and has some great insights for employers to find, attract and keep the best skilled workers.
Recruitment can be cumbersome, daunting, exciting and terrifying - not to mention costly when it goes pear-shaped.
In this episode, Mr Moyano joins My Business editor Adam Zuchetti to discuss the inside tips and tricks recruiters use to source the best job candidates.
Tune in as Mr Moyano reveals:
- Ways that SMEs can compete with bigger firms and higher salaries
- How to write a smashing job ad
- Onboarding tips to slash staff turnover
- How technology is shaking up the recruitment process
Plus lots more!
Should you cut business costs before submitting a business loan application? How can fear actually be a good thing for business owners? Veteran finance broker and author Nancy Youssef offers some seasoned advice.
"You'd be surprised how many people don't know what they don't know," Nancy reveals.
She joins editor Adam Zuchetti on this episode of the My Business Podcast to explore:
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The biggest fears that business owners have about money (and how to address them)
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What lenders look for when assessing business loan applications
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The hidden opportunity that comes with industry and regulatory uncertainty
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Why fear itself can be a very powerful tool for business
Nancy also discusses why "fear is actually healthy" in business, her approach to addressing financial and regulatory uncertainties within her own industry post-banking royal commission as well determining your own sense of purpose and how that aligns with business.
What makes a business award submission stand-out from the crowd? And what are judges really looking for? Senior events producer Bronwyn Cooksley gives us the scoop on what makes a winner.
In this podcast episode, Momentum Media’s very own Bronwyn Cooksley joins My Business editor Adam Zuchetti to discuss best (and worst!) practice when it comes to award submissions.
We pick her brain about:
- What makes a standout submission
- Attachments: Are they a good or a bad thing to include?
- Simple but really common mistakes to avoid
With around a decade of experience planning awards events and receiving feedback from the various judges, Bronwyn also discusses the importance of answering the questions directly, how to back-up the claims you make and what judges really want to see to make them declare you the winner.
In this episode, My Business editor Adam Zuchetti is joined by Prime Partners accounting director George Morice, to discuss business betterment and some of the strategies he recommends to drive profitability.
We pick his brains about:
- Shedding clients and why it can be a good thing
- Working smarter, not harder
- Pricing strategies
George also shares his top three tips for delivering better customer value, the little touch points that allow businesses to increase their prices, and the paradox of how reducing revenue can lead to higher profits.
Businesses all too often fall afoul of the ATO for deductions they try and push through. But others wind up paying more tax than they need to, accountant Alexander Laureti reveals. And with the transition to a new financial year involving some major changes in 2019, the scope for getting things wrong is high. Alexander Laureti, of LMS Advisory, joins My Business editor Adam Zuchetti to explore some of the key points impacting SMEs as we enter FY20, including: - How businesses can legitimately lower their tax bill - Where ATO investigators focus their scrutiny - Impending changes in the new financial year
As someone who has owned and operated some 25 businesses over the years, and as a twice-elected councillor, Angela Vithoulkas is hopeful of a positive public reaction at the polling booths in support of The Small Business Party in the 2019 NSW election. In this episode of the My Business podcast, Angela joins host Adam Zuchetti to reveal how she felt compelled to give small business a better deal in politics, the key policy areas she wants to tackle head-on and her response to some of the policies outlined by federal politicians. Angela also unpacks how fragmentation of the small business sector has slowed progress on essential regulatory reforms, and what can be done to turn this around and deliver action, not just rhetoric. Enjoy the show! www.mybusiness.com.au
Since launching in 2015, OnDeck has assisted over 80,000 businesses gain access to capital by evaluating businesses based on their actual performance rather than solely on a business owners’ personal credit score. In this episode of the My Business podcast, brought to you by OnDeck, hosts Adam Zuchetti and Andy Scott are joined by OnDeck’s head of sales Michael Bourke and head of risk and operations Kameron Ahmad, to unpack the lending process and outline how SMEs can best prepare a finance application. They discuss how accessible capital aids business growth, the importance for leaders to know their business’ credit score and reveal the key requirements that financial providers are looking for in a successful application. www.mybusiness.com.au
A lot of thought and preparation goes into putting forward a winning entry for any award and the Optus My Business Awards are no exception. So, what can you do to stand out from the rest? In this special episode of the My Business Podcast, host Adam Zuchetti joins previous winners of the training and education category Sally Murphy and Victoria Whitaker of The Ethics Centre who will unpack their tips for others looking for the win. They will discuss how the win has impacted their company both externally and within the team and discuss the opportunity that the awards ceremony presented them with to gain exposure for their business. They will also share: - The trends that they are seeing across the ethics sector - How they have built a strong reputation for their business - Why exposure is paramount to them finding new clients Listen now for all of this and so much more in this special episode of the My Business Podcast.
Content marketing may sound like the latest buzzword, but as businesses of all size are discovering, content has become the key to unlocking sales growth and customer loyalty alike. Jo Cronolly and Tim Johnson, the team behind Spike Native Network – which picked up the Publisher Innovation Award at the 2017 Australian Magazine Awards – join the My Business Podcast to debunk a few myths when it comes to digital marketing. Listen in to learn about: An introduction to content marketing – what is it? A different approach – providing value upfront for free Learning from the likes of Coke and others, and how you can do it too The costs of content marketing, and the best way to get started
Two decades is a long time to have survived in any industry, especially in retail: Matt Blatt owners Deb and Adam Drexler return to the My Business Podcast to reveal their insights on achieving sustainable business growth. From marketing their business to wowing new customers, combatting fraud to the real-world implications of understanding your customer demographics, Adam and Deb are honest and open about their journey in business. Tune in as they discuss: • Getting the best value from your advertising and marketing spend • Countering “the sky is falling” belief about Amazon in Australia • Useful tips for minimising card fraud and chargebacks • Strategies for surviving in business as a couple And loads, loads more! www.mybusiness.com.au
As celebrity chef and restaurateur Matt Moran reveals, those in business who achieve their goals have a few things in common – which many others may overlook amid the everyday grind. Speaking ahead of the launch of his latest (and biggest) venue – Barangaroo House in Sydney’s Barangaroo – Matt returns on the My Business Podcast to provide an insight into how his career has gone from restaurant apprentice to household name. We pick his brains about: Taking on time-consuming marketing activities despite being a busy business owner Key mistakes he has made in building his company One core element to business success that most people overlook His tips for growth, particularly during the tough times Plus lots more!
There are people who can turn a trip to the supermarket into an “edge of your seat thriller”, according to Sam Cawthorn, owner of training provider Speakers Institute – and those who do anything less are directly limiting their earning power. “It’s not the story itself, it’s about how well you tell it,” he says. From humble beginnings to narrowly surviving a head-on car crash with a semi-trailer through to sharing the stage with former US president Bill Clinton, the Dalai Lama and Sir Richard Branson, Sam’s journey is as inspiring as it is motivational. Chuck on the headphones as Sam reveals: - What we say counts for just 20 per cent of our influence on others - How to sound more intelligent when you speak - Whether ‘picturing the audience naked’ really work - How communication directly limits our earning capacity Plus loads, loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
From 20 years working in the industry to almost 20 more years in their own business, Adam and Deb Drexler dig deep into their approach to business culture, taking risk and coping with copycats. “You can’t be in business and not worry, it’s a very worrying thing – not for the faint-hearted,” says Deb. However, the husband-and-wife duo who own and operate eclectic homewares retailer Matt Blatt suggest there are practical ways to cope with, and even thrive on, these “worries”. Joining the My Business Podcast, Deb and Adam share their business approach to: • Determining the right level of risk for growth • Coping with copycats that threaten to steal their customers • Strategising according to the “royal order of the tummy compass” • Which is more important – culture or competence? And lots more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
While now a household name thanks to TV shows such as MasterChef and From Paddock to Plate, Matt Moran reveals he has struggled just like every business owner to build a profitable enterprise. “When I first started I was in the kitchen, and I was in the kitchen over 100 hours a week, and Peter, my [business] partner at the time, was on the floor. We found it really tough for the first year, we nearly went broke a couple of times because we just had no idea what we were doing,” he explains. Speaking on-location at Chiswick, one of his Sydney venues, Matt opens up with My Business and reveals: • How he got to where he is over 26 years in business • The strategy behind his business merger • His approach to finding suitable venues • Why he digs into his own pocket to pay company suppliers Plus loads more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Robin McGowan of custom-made men’s formalwear retailer InStitchu returns to the My Business Podcast to discuss how his business has approached revenue diversification. He reveals: • How the business is achieving 116 per cent year-on-year growth • His tips for making fast growth sustainable • Diversifying revenue streams in ways that fit your core business • A nifty trick for expanding into offshore markets Plus lots more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Entrepreneur Gary Elphick, co-founder of Disrupt Sports, reveals the manufacturing efficiencies most Aussie SMEs overlook, why not all feedback is useful, and the limitations of customer choice on profitability. The two-time Optus My Business Awards winner joins the My Business team for a forthright discussion about his mistakes and master strokes in establishing his on-demand manufacturing business, including: The hidden efficiencies in foregoing offshoring production His experience “getting schooled” in business planning Why some customer feedback can be a waste of your time Commercial benefits of taking out industry awards Plus much more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Well-known former Olympic swimmer Eamon Sullivan has become a restauranteur in his native Perth, and as he candidly admits, the challenges of running a business outweigh those of elite sports. From not liking school and working casual jobs at McDonald’s and Subway, Eamon went on to win three Olympic medals and twice set a world record in the 50m freestyle event. Now, having retired from swimming at an elite level, Eamon is successfully growing his four Perth-based hospitality businesses. Yet the transition to business owner has by no means been guaranteed, and in some instances his profile has actually hindered, rather than helped, his progress. Tune in as Eamon discusses: • The challenges and benefits of setting up a business while still working full-time. • Why following your passion can actually be a commercial disaster. • His novel approach to turning around negative customer feedback • The biggest mistakes he’s made in business and how they now shape his efforts. Plus much more! www.mybusiness.com.au
The co-founder of high-profile custom fashion retailer InStitchu shares his experiences on competing against the big boys and developing a new form of retailing. As Robin explains, consumers have never been more savvy: they want to know the journey “from farm to fashion”, and expect tailored products and services over a one-size-fits-all approach. Robin joins the My Business Podcast to explore: • His approach to winning market share from major players like department stores • Operating as a retailer without holding any stock • Balancing the ups and downs of being in business with a good friend And lots more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Funding, supplying and marketing a business is never an easy prospect, but as EduKits founder Michael Nixon reveals, doing so while under the legal age is infinitely harder still — but by no means impossible! The savvy schoolboy has already secured thousands of dollars to fund his growing business, without access to traditional funding types because of his age. Tune in to hear Michael's insights on: • Funding a business without loans, credit cards or cash savings • Being taken seriously in a new business channel • Sourcing suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and even customers for a new-to-market concept • Why age is just a number, not a determinant of your abilities And much more! www.mybusiness.com.au
We are all familiar with the phrase "worked to death", but for Rand Leeb-du Toit, an entrepreneur and former venture capitalist, those words carry with them a vivid memory from a first-hand experience. As Rand admits, while lying on the floor after suffering from a sudden cardiac death, his thoughts zoomed in on work and the meetings he would miss. He has recovered from the attack and a subsequent minor stroke, and now Rand is on a mission to help save other overworked business leaders from themselves and share his lessons for leading a productive, balanced life. Tune in to hear: • Rand's experience of knocking at death's door and how it can happen to anyone at any age • The factors holding business leaders back from reaching their potential • How to reinvent your business, and yourself as its leader, for peak performance Plus lots more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Admitting failure can be a difficult thing, yet as these 10 business owners reveal, mistakes have helped to strengthen their business – and others can do the same without taking the hard route. In this collection of guests on the My Business Podcast, hosts Adam Zuchetti and Andy Scott explore some of the most common mistakes business leaders have made, and what lessons have been taken away from the experience. Tune in to hear: • Finance tips from those who have struggled first-hand • Growing pains and missing the mark with your audience • The unrealised dark side of doing something innovative • Avoiding burnout and cutting down on staff management Plus lots more! Enjoy the show. www.mybusiness.com.au
In this special edition of the My Business Podcast, Andrew Conway, head of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), joins My Business owner Phil Tarrant to share his insights on the ‘evolving’ conditions facing modern SMEs. In a wide-ranging discussion on topics as varied as mental health and wellbeing to cyber security and tax reforms, Andrew reveals: • The differences between various types of accountants, and how to choose the right one for your business • Tax changes that are now, and will soon, impact business operators • Common pain points for SMEs and the role accountants can play in resolving them • Why mental health is a growing concern for employers Plus lots more! www.mybusiness.com.au
A blind video producer – “tell him he’s dreamin’!” Yet for gough of Beernuts Productions, dreams do come true, and his inspiring story has plenty of valuable insights for other business owners. Joining the My Business Podcast, gough, “a one-word name, like Madonna” discusses exactly how he has overcome not just the challenges that everyone faces when starting and growing a business, but doing so with a disability.
Owner of Adore Estate Coffee and the Killer Coffee Co, Nick Mastro, reveals first-hand the highs and lows of operating a multichannel business, and what lessons other brands can take from his experience. Along with his chief marketer Antonio Galati, Nick joins the My Business Podcast to explain the hows and whys of moving a business from solely importer to manufacturing wholesale and retail channels, and the real-world implications and prospects of business diversification. Tune in as he explains: - Their social media faux pas that courted controversy - Starting from scratch to market and sell a new product - The business processes involved in getting “Australia’s strongest coffee” to market - His approach to balancing innovation with brand integrity Plus lots more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Many business owners are afraid of competition. Others, such as Lachy Rowston and Raph Freedman of CrossFit Creature, say competition is a tool to hone your product or service offering. “The competition [has] forced us to try and differentiate our product more and make it of higher value,” they tell My Business, adding: “We can just provide the best service that we can offer and at the end of the day, if people like what we do, fantastic.” Returning to the My Business Podcast, the team reveals how they’ve stepped up to the plate by differentiating themselves from their competitors in order to grow a sustainable business within the highly competitive gym industry. In this episode, find out: - Why going cheaper doesn’t always work - How they are leveraging a large social following to drive growth - Their mindset behind competition and how they’ve countered resistance And plenty more! www.mybusiness.com.au
He’s not the biggest fish in the pond, but Marty Halphen from The Fruit Box says that if he wants to be number one, he’s got to train like he’s number two. “We don’t want that way of thinking to go away because it keeps us hungry … The way we look at it, it just incentivises us to actually keep on improving and getting bigger and growing in the right direction.” Returning to the My Business Podcast, Marty reveals the driving forces behind growing The Fruit Box nationally, the ways in which he engaged wholesalers to create a marketplace unique to the business, as well as the steps he took to successfully adapt the business to target markets and connect with consumers. Tune in as he explores: - Why a business is only as good as its last delivery - His approach to scaling a business that is realistic and sustainable How he unites his 250-strong team from multiple locations nationwide - The importance of continued learning and development as a business owner And much more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Delivering new growth options for a long-established business is no easy feat. Red Rooster’s CEO Chris Green reveals exactly how he is tackling this challenge head-on. Established businesses often find themselves in a unique dilemma – they have years of experience serving a loyal customer base, but recognise that bringing new customers in requires change. How can innovation be delivered without alienating the business’ bread and butter base? In an exclusive chat on the My Business Podcast, Chris reveals: • How new service offerings are expanding the brand into untapped markets • Why he personally got behind the wheel to test Red Rooster’s new delivery service • The importance of differentiating different brands owned by the same company • His insights from three decades in the customer-facing fast food industry Plus loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Gym owners Lachy Rowston and Raph Freedman came frighteningly close to becoming another business failure statistic. Now, they have three gyms and an active social following in excess of 100,000. Despite getting to a point of not being able to pay themselves for three months, Lachy and Raph – owners of the three Crossfit Creature gyms in Sydney and the popular podcast The Mind Muscle Project – were able to act quickly and turn their business into one of healthy growth. Tune in to hear: The moment they realised they were heading for failure, and how they turned things around; Their experience building a social following through The Mind Muscle Project podcast; How reviewing past work can reveal valuable insights for future improvement; and The biggest lessons the guys have taken away in transforming their business towards sustainable growth. Plus loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
After literally being laughed at here in Australia, aussieBum founder Sean Ashby took his apparel ideas overseas, securing none other than luxury London department store Selfridges as his first stockist. Now his business has global sales in excess of $150 million. In this episode of the My Business Podcast, Sean reveals the scale of the rejection he faced and how he used that rejection as motivation to succeed. Tune in as he explains how taking the initiative, daring to take a risk and infusing the “spirit of Australia” into his product enabled the aussieBum brand to take hold and flourish. Speaking on the podcast, Sean reveals: - His journey from $30,000 at his dining table to $150 million global empire - How blatant honesty has helped secure business opportunities against the odds - The cheeky marketing tricks he used to build a massive social following - Why he thanks counterfeiters for helping to grow his business And plenty more! www.mybusiness.com.au
Anton Pemmer of Bottles of Australia imparts some key advice for SMEs on exporting, learnt from his own experience building a sales network across 22 countries around the globe. “It’s one thing to say, yes, you’re getting involved with exporting. The next question is, how much are you prepared to invest within a market to actually try and develop that market to work for you?,” says Anton. In this episode of My Business Podcast, Anton explains how he took his Canberra-based business global by investing in and building partnerships with worldwide vendors, as well as how utilising the services of credit agency Efic enabled the business to identify opportunities in the export space. Anton reveals: - The difficulties he faces in exporting products and services worldwide - How cultural differences can make or break your exporting efforts - That exporting is on track to grow from less than 1 per cent to 15 per cent of his total sales - How Efic works with businesses to identify and facilitate opportunities And plenty more! www.mybusiness.com.au
With 90-plus per cent of web traffic to a site coming from SEO, can your business afford to do without this valuable marketing tool? Tim Barnett of digital agency 2BInteractive explains how to get SEO to deliver more customers. Search engine optimisation (SEO) is like “witchcraft”, explains Tim – poorly understood and something of a dark art for many business operators. Having previously joined the My Business Podcast to explore the costs of a new or improved website, Tim returns to demystify this seemingly supernatural force, and reveals: • The best way to confuse Google and lose your ranking • How to target web content to capture a wider audience • Why pushing to close a sale online can be counterproductive And loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“We would get more than 95 per cent of our customers from our online marketing strategy,” says Amajjika Kumara of Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup, who explains exactly how they achieved this feat. Amajjika and business partner Jules Peacocke return to the studio to reveal the clever marketing strategies they’ve employed to win the war online and drive new business. Tune in to hear how Amajjika and Jules: - Adapted their business to deliver new customers during an economic downturn - Drive higher conversions from the time and money invested in digital marketing - Tailor their marketing strategy to their core demographic - Deal with bad online reviews, and turn them into wins Plus loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Mark Gardiner and Nicole Billett from Teddington Legal return to the My Business studio to give listeners the inside track on a number of hot-button legal issues facing business owners. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Mark and Nicole reveal: - Changes to the Privacy Act and how this could affect businesses - What constitutes defamation, particularly in the digital world - The legal implications of not understanding a commercial property lease - Why debt recovery and chasing money can be difficult Plus loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Businesses don’t know employee expenses are coming in until the claim hits the finance desk, as Concur’s Murray Warner explains. However, there are ways to make the expenses process more transparent and efficient. “If you’re trying to go from a 10-person company to a 50-person company, how do you grow without having to hire more people to do very manual tasks?,” asks Murray. The answer, he says, is in delivering efficiencies through process automation. Joining the My Business Podcast, Murray explores: - How to make back-office functions cheaper and more efficient - Ways to simplify the audit process - The concerns many business owners have around cloud-based data storage - How transparent expenses management can improve cash flow Plus loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Mark Rusbatch, CEO of Mister Minit Australia, reveals how a business dependent on foot traffic is embracing technology to overcome the general retail malaise and how turning franchisee is unlocking profitability for independent operators. “One of the things we’re very conscious of is that the market is changing at a faster rate. It’s not only enough to change and modify our offer and ensure that we’re relevant, but we have to do it faster,” explains Mark. Mister Minit is one of the most successful franchises in the country, solving in excess of 10 million problems a year with its extensive service offering – from key cutting, to watch repairs, to battery replacements and more. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Mark dispels the common misconception that practical services are unaffected by marketplace disruptors and explains how the business is diversifying its offering to keep up with its customers’ changing needs. Tune in to hear how Mark is investing in complementary distribution channels to improve the running of Mister Minit, why you could soon see a higher representation of female franchisees working within the business, and hear his tips for business owners looking to take their established businesses to a franchise model. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Marty Halphen is a former solicitor turned business owner, who purchased a once small fruit home delivery service, The Fruit Box, and grew it from a total customer base of 300 to a staggering 30,000 orders each week! Marty credits much of his success to the guidance of customers, but says that implementing a corporate social responsibility scheme within his business is a defining factor in establishing its overall identity. “What we’ve done over that five or six years is we arranged for a food rescue program … However, we felt a little bit like an accidental tourist,” Marty explains, adding that the business’ need for refinement inspired The Fruit Box to do something meaningful. “We felt that if we had a very strong CSR platform, not only would we improve our identity, [but] it walks hand-in-hand with improving the profile of our business.” Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Marty outlines his journey of growth – from how he cracked the national market, to the techniques used to achieve repeat business – and explains why implementing a CSR scheme within your business could not only improve its public profile but boost team morale and, as a flow-on effect, the bottom line. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
A number of employment matters and HR issues can have disastrous consequences for a business if not handled correctly. My Business speaks with specialist SME law firm Teddington Legal about how to solve some of the trickiest legal issues in business. Teddington Legal’s Mark Gardiner and Nicole Billett are problem-solvers standing at the forefront of the Australian legal system with expertise in immigration, business law, workplace relations and dispute resolution. Speaking to the My Business team, Mark openly admits legal information can be hard to find. However, by seeking professional advice and educating one’s self on their obligations, he says business owners can minimise their risk of potential legal repercussions in the future. Tune in to the My Business Podcast as Mark and Nicole broach common issues in the workplace – from unfair dismissal to health and safety for remote working employees, workplace bullying and the abolition of the 457 visa – as well as share their tips for employers to assist them in future-proofing their businesses. Enjoy the show!
“If you don’t know what you’re trying to get out of your website, then it makes our job harder. And it will cost more for you, for us, to come in there and help you understand,” says 2BInteractive co-founder Tim Barnett. “We’re web developers – we’re not business coaches or business development coaches. But at the end of the day, we sometimes are involved at that level because your website is so key to your business.” Indeed, website architecture can be a costly and time-consuming endeavour. Tim joins the My Business team to discuss the importance of having a business strategy and how having a plan in place helps web developers produce an end result that is satisfying to all. In this episode of the My Business Podcast, Tim also explains how he establishes a cost base for building websites, how he aids clientele through the construction process, as well as the story of his very own business and how it evolved from a single-channel to a multi-dimensional company. Enjoy the show! www.mybusiness.com.au
“I want criticism, I genuinely do, because you learn from that and that's value for our business,” says BridgeClimb founder Paul Cave, who notes that customer feedback has been an integral part of his success. “Every negative problem is communicable and I think that’s what people lose sight of – you can communicate if you’re prepared to!” Paul rejoins the My Business team to continue the interesting story of his unique business, as well as explain how he implements the feedback of each and every one of his 3.6 million customers within the business to improve and individualise every experience. Tune in now to hear why Paul reported himself to WorkCover to keep operations safe, how the business works hand in hand with the tourism industry to bring people into the country, and how BridgeClimb guests will be able to dance atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge! Enjoy the show!
An initial appointment with Jules Peacocke of Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup will set you back $300. And while that may raise your eyebrows, Jules explains how and why the price you charge needs to reflect the level of service you provide. “I see hairdressing as a profession – not an unskilled labour,” says Jules Clearly there is merit in Jules’ methods, as clients often book up to 12 months in advance. As such, it’s no wonder Lily Jackson Hair & Makeup is often called ‘Sydney’s best hairdresser’. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Jules and partner Amajjika Kumara explain what it really means to operate at the high end of your industry, their approach to overcome the poor communication skills prevalent among young people and why the abolition of 457 visas spells disaster for their own industry and many others! Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
A simple idea can lead to a complex journey. BridgeClimb has now had 3.6 million visitors go through its doors and is a major tourist draw for people around the world, but it wasn't always like this. Listen to Paul Cave, founder of BridgeClimb talk through how his dream to allow the general public to walk up an Aussie icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, turned into a 10-year journey dealing with new technology, unions and getting government legislation passed to bring his vision to life. Paul shares with us some of the unique challenges he faced, how he mentally dealt with them and the lessons he learned to build a business that, in his own words "if I'd known it was going to take 10 years, I never would've started". http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Aged care and disruption are not terms commonly found in the same sentence. Bringing them together has been a lucrative but highly challenging endeavour for Synovum Care Group’s founder Natasha Chadwick. Demonstrating that her disruptive idea in the aged care space has commercial sense and is viable long term has proved to be her biggest challenge – convincing lenders, valuers, industry leaders and even incoming staff of the value of what she is trying to achieve. “Yes, it’s a big risk, but if we don’t take the risk, who will? Someone’s got to – we’ve got to demonstrate that you can do it better,” Natasha says adamantly. Speaking exclusively on the My Business Podcast, Natasha discusses exactly how her model is changing the way aged care services are administered, keeping a tight lid on costs at a time when industry costs are soaring, and pursuing customer interests without the backing of your broader industry. Plus loads more! Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
The head of Mood Media Australia, Steve Hughes, discusses the concept of experiential marketing and the clever ways businesses can revamp their in-store experience for their customers, the thing businesses most commonly get wrong in their messaging at the point-of-sale, and how low-cost technologies are revolutionising the buying experience for the modern consumer, plus much more. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
When thinking about online stores and brick-and-mortar businesses, most would consider the two to be in opposition of each other. However, Zed Klingenberg, founder of the online tyre specialist store Tyroola, thinks otherwise. “For us, partnerships with retail chains … and with wholesalers is very, very important,” says Zed. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Zed reveals what it takes to partner with retailer Supercheap Auto and the benefits of having a partnership with a big business, as well as educating customers on a product they didn’t know they wanted, how to get suppliers onboard an unknown idea and more! Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Tackling corporate social responsibility is always important, but according to Luke Baylis, SumoSalad CEO and co-founder, if business owners are going to make a difference in their community, you need to truly believe in what you’re doing in order to be successful. “You've got to have a genuine connection to your purpose. Our perspective is that it's a very important aspect of our business, but it has to be a sincere thing. It can't just be lip service like a lot of other businesses are doing,” says Luke. With over 100 stores nationwide, Luke reveals his attitudes on taking a stand in society and what that means for his business, how to get the right investor, finding the right franchisee, dismantling the concept of fast food to fit his business and more! Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Scott Bradley has been a partner at Rotor Studios, a full-service production agency for 20 years creating video content, and has seen technology advance around him. Yet despite working in this highly technological field, Scott doesn’t see himself as a “technological guru”; he regards technology as another tool in his belt. "It's been an evolving process over 20 years ... and the skills that I had 20 years ago, I still use," Scott says. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Scott shares what innovation means to him off Rotor Studio’s win as Innovator of the Year at the Optus My Business Awards 2016, the importance of diversifying your revenue streams, how to find skilled staff, the importance of your business name and much more! Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
There's a lot to learn from being in business, even more so from being a serial entrepreneur, as Mat Collett knows only too well after building and selling multiple companies. Going through the cycle of establishing, building, growing and then selling a business multiple times, often across very different industries, provides a wealth of experience and insight – experience which can be highly lucrative for anyone operating a business of his own. Speaking from the context of his current business, the innovative sunscreen maker of Solar D Sunscreen shares his experiences in whether patents and trademarks are worthy of investment or not, the best and worst times to undertake a capital raising, why regulation is ultimately good for businesses, and his tips for finding the right distributor. All this and much, much more. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
When your business is totally reliant on the products of others, strategy becomes more important than ever, as Adina Jacobs of STM Goods knows only too well. As an accessories maker for personal technologies, STM Goods continually plays catch-up to the technology makers, balancing the need to have products available with the risk of investing in a new product that may be a massive flop. “We started off as a laptop bag brand, because when we started, there were no iPhones, no iPads, no other tablets – it was all about the laptop,” recalls Adina. Times have definitely changed, and so too has STM Goods’ range of products to keep up with the many devices rolled out. Adina shares with My Business her experiences of the delicacies of forecasting consumer demand, manufacturing for a global audience, insights into what makes a good product design, and why her business only joined the world of online sales in 2016. Plus loads more. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“I’m so positive about small business that even my blood group is positive!” jokes former Australian small business minister and Efic ambassador Bruce Billson. Having operated his own family business before moving into politics, Bruce is all too familiar with the everyday challenges facing SMEs. Post-politics, he remains dedicated to advocating for them and connecting them with various support channels to keep the wheels of growth turning. He is now an ambassador for export finance agency Efic and the executive chairman of the Franchise Council of Australia, among a number of roles all geared towards assisting and encouraging Aussie SMEs. In a wide-ranging chat on the My Business Podcast, Bruce explores how business owners can better influence policymakers, his fervent support for Efic in enabling SMEs to overcome export finance barriers, and the lessons businesses can learn from his time in government. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
How are SMEs reacting to wage stagnation at home and Donald Trump’s policies in the US affecting business sentiment? Are most business owners expecting more or less money in their pockets in the year ahead? We asked Andy Scott, head of research at Momentum Intelligence, to outline the results of the latest quarterly Australian SME Business Sentiment Index. Speaking exclusively on the My Business Podcast, Andy reveals some interesting trends emerging around: • The take-home pay of business owners • Differences in outlook from employers and their employees • Hiring intentions • Overall economic sentiment And more! Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
While a business model may work well overseas, there’s no telling how well it will work here in Australia. Justin McDonell, co-founder of Anytime Fitness Australia, faced this concern in 2008. Since then, Anytime Fitness Australia has grown to 450 locations nationally, with ambitious plans for ongoing growth. “The franchise relationship, it’s like a marriage. There’s good and bad times, but generally, it should be good,” says Justin. Justin shares how he launched and grew the Anytime Fitness franchise in Australia and helped adapt the 24-hour gym concept to the local market, his plans to diversify the business using multiple sub-brands, and how the prominent business has achieved such rapid expansion in a highly competitive industry. Find out all this and more on this episode of the My Business Podcast! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Guy Williams, of The Training Guys, has seen people management at its worst. A business leader, or senior manager, disaffected with their role because the task of leading a team takes them away from what they do best. And try as they might to get a handle on the task, they can’t get a handle on it. “Practice doesn’t make perfect: practice makes permanent,” says Guy. So how can you change things up to deliver the desired productivity gains for your team? What strategies can you employ to minimise distractions? How can you salvage a disaffected manager in your business before they give up and quit? Find out on this episode of the My Business Podcast! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“We had a second shop, which we sold. It was great, it was making money and was fine – we actually didn’t like it,” says Stu White, CEO and ‘flower lover’ at Jodie McGregor Flowers. Maintaining growth is a key element for any business owner, but for Jodie McGregor Flowers, growing their brand isn't necessarily tied to growing their number of stores. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Stu and Jodie explore life after being named the Optus My Business Awards 2016 Retail Business of the Year, ensuring your customers are happy above all else, how to choose the right growth strategy for your business and its customers, as well as dealing with disgruntled people who have it out for you… plus lots more. Enjoy the show! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
What does it take to create a great product? How can you get your new invention to market? These are the types of issues Robert Tiller, CEO of Tiller Design, deals with on a daily basis. Tiller Design is a product design and development business that helps budding entrepreneurs and established businesses take their new product ideas from concept to reality. “The project conspires to destroy a concept”, Robert says, adding that this is why project management is so crucial to keep everything on track. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Robert explores some of the facets involved in developing a prototype and taking the product to market, the weird and wonderful inventions he has worked on, his insights into becoming an effective project manager, diversifying your methods of payment such as taking equity stakes instead of cash and much more. http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“The smaller sites … were actually cannibalising some of our larger stores,” explains John Sammut, CEO of Flower Power. The prominent Sydney-based chain of 10 large-format garden centres is a thriving second-generation family business. Yet despite its established roots – pun intended – Flower Power continues to evolve its retail and product offerings to ensure it remains at the forefront of its industry. In an exclusive media appearance on the My Business Podcast, John discusses how his business has boosted growth by reducing store numbers, developed a 355,000-strong loyalty program, competed effectively against major competitor Bunnings and much, much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
"Let's face it, people leave managers, not companies". It is a bold statement, but one which Norgay HR Consulting's Clare Long believes is important for all business owners to be mindful of. Returning to the My Business Podcast, Clare delves deep into the issues of leadership and people management with insights on how to hire well from the outset, dealing with conflict resolution and employee terminations, the truth about unfair dismissal as well as important tips for ensuring your leadership delivers an empowered and engaged workforce. Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“You learn a lot just from listening to your customers … but some companies don’t do that.” Coming from the owner of a business that grew its turnover by an impressive 80 per cent in 2016, such advice is worth listening to. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Andrew Lupton of Nonna’s Gourmet Sausages and Deli discusses exactly how he achieved this feat, his approach to developing and managing supplier and customer relationships, the opportunities that can be harnessed by acquiring distressed assets and much more!
With the new year finally here, it may be time to give your workplace a new look with a commercial fit-out. However, it can be a daunting task: what do you need to know to get the right plan? Who do you need to talk to? How much do you need to spend? Speaking on the My Business Podcast, QVS Commercial Interiors managing director Eric Brown and DCI Partnership director Richard deVries discuss what business owners need to know about getting a commercial fit-out. They also cover how to balance what business owners want for their new layout versus what they actually need, and an easy trick to get the best possible layout before you make a costly mistake. Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“The lifeblood of a business is its cash flow, and the more that you can bring in sooner, the better.” While this is a statement of the obvious, it is important to step back from your daily 'busyness' as a business owner to remember this point, and focus on ensuring your cash flow is in a healthy state. In this Christmas-week podcast, accountant Alexander Laureti returns to discuss chasing last-minute Christmas receivables, tips for maintaining healthy cash flow over the holiday period, and how best to strategise for the new year ahead. Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
With speculation mounting about Australia’s economy approaching a recession, amid global factors such as Brexit and Trump’s election victory, just what are SMEs expecting for the future? Momentum Intelligence head of research Andrew (Andy) Scott joins the My Business Podcast to discuss the results of the inaugural SMB Sentiment Survey. Undertaken in the first quarter of the 2016-17 financial year – the same quarter that Australia’s economy went backwards, according to GDP figures from the ABS – the survey provides a snapshot of the thoughts of business owners on the performance of government, global economic forces, hiring intentions and profitability forecasts. Andy also explores the satisfaction and expectations of employees in smaller businesses, in terms of pay rises, promotions and job-hopping. Is it all doom and gloom, or are business owners optimistic about their fortunes in the months ahead? And are employees happy to stay where they are or do they plan to re-enter the job market? Tune in now to find out! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Once the domain of our biggest companies, offshoring is an increasingly attractive option for SMEs to reduce their wages bill and to fill skills gaps when local talent is short on the ground. Yet there are many questions and queries: How do you go about it? Is it expensive? Do you still have managerial control? My Business editor and co-owner of Momentum Media, Phil Tarrant, discusses his first-hand experience of taking on an offshore team of web and IT-skilled employees in a conversation with Thomas Cragg and Joe Curren of KMC Solutions, an offshore staff leasing and virtual employee provider in the Philippines capital, Manila. Take a listen and get some valuable insights into whether offshoring could be a viable option for your business! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Beyond the eccentric rhetoric and headline-grabbing blustering, many Australians are keen to know what a Donald Trump presidency in the US will mean for their businesses. With this in mind, we invited Chris Joye, a funds manager at Smarter Money Investments and a columnist for The Australian Financial Review, onto the My Business Podcast to share his thoughts for what Trump’s policies will mean for Aussie importers and exporters. In a wide-ranging chat, Chris explores the potential policy implications at home, the effects on domestic interest rates for business loans and residential mortgages, as well as where SMEs can get the best returns on surplus capital. Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
While innovation is a hot topic at present, how do you maintain relevance and grow your business in a changing market without cutting off your established bread-and-butter offering? Ex footy player and co-founder of Garlo's Pies, Sean Garlick, reveals his strategies that other businesses could also follow. http://www.mybusiness.com.au
From a start-up to annual sales nearing $5 million in less than three years, publican turned online retailer Steve Rider clearly has a solid grasp of e-commerce. The founder of Mybottleshop.com.au joins the My Business Podcast to discuss how business owners can best capitalise on sales growth opportunities, plus much more! www.mybusiness.com.au twitter.com/philliptarrant
Virtually every Australian knows of Kennards Hire – they ‘make your job easy’, as the slogan goes. Yet did you know this household name grew from a small regional hardware store? New CEO Angus Kennard, grandson of founder Walter Kennard, hits the airwaves on the My Business Podcast to share the story of how the business has grown to date, its innovative plans for the future and the company’s approach to succession planning... plus much, much more. Listen now! See more business insights, tips and profiles at www.mybusiness.com.au
A strict compliance regime spanning aviation and maritime regulations, high-cost maintenance in a corrosive salt water environment, a limited pool of skilled employees and exposure to the mercy of the weather: it would seem that Sydney Seaplanes has everything stacked against it. Yet, as managing director Aaron Shaw explains, the business is as successful as it is iconic over the waters of Sydney Harbour, and Sydney Seaplanes continues to expand and diversify its service offering to add further value to its customer base. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Aaron discusses: • Forming symbiotic partnerships with other businesses for mutual benefit • The challenges of operating in a heavy regulatory environment • Diversifying the business to leverage existing assets • His strategies for contingency planning as a weather-dependent business And much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“You have to be prepared to give stuff away,” says Clare Long, founder of Norgay HR Consulting. On its own, this may not sound like the wisest of business strategies. Yet as Clare explains, giving away bits of your time and expertise for free is a core part of building strong referral partnerships and developing trust with prospective customers. Speaking on the latest episode of the My Business Podcast, Clare discusses: • The return on investment from giving away free bites of the cherry • How she targets her networking activities for maximum effectiveness • The difficulties of scaling a consulting business and her approach to achieving this • Why she seeks to engage with her competitors rather than challenge them And lots more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“That was a really eye-opening experience for us, because in taking over somebody else's business … you're basically having to earn your stripes very quickly, because you have now taken over that relationship,” says Alexander Laureti on his firm’s first business acquisition. Regular followers of the My Business Podcast will recognise Alexander from several months ago, when he discussed how often you should speak to your accountant and the most common problems accountants uncover in their SME clients’ taxes and finances. Alexander makes his return to discuss his own business, LMS Advisory, in more detail, and speaks about: • The challenges and benefits of expansion through acquisition • Some of the quirks of succession planning in a family business • His approach to selling in an industry not traditionally associated with sales • Balancing profitability with service delivery Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“It’s always on the top of my to-do list, because I can’t stand doing that other stuff… it’s painful,” says physiotherapist and pilates instructor Becky Dyer when asked about working on her business, rather than in it. “I had an admin assistant helping me and she’s recently left, and I’ve decided to suck it up and do it myself.” Becky’s struggles are all too familiar for every business owner, yet her outlook on where her priorities lie is a source of inspiration. Speaking on the latest episode of the My Business Podcast, Becky discusses: Her approach to ‘upselling’ through offering value-add services How she is adding scale by taking her services business online Tips for building a business solely around a referral network Managing the challenge of working on a business when your heart lies with the job And more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“If your idea is really good, and they like who you are – you are genuine about it – they will actually remember you,” ZOO Group’s Pawl Cubbin says of selling your wares to new customers. Achieving this, he says, requires a delicate balance of attracting the best employees and then incentivising them to perform at their peak. And having established a raft of businesses, from advertising agencies to pubs to an airline, who better than Pawl to explain the dynamics of staff performance and customer attraction? Speaking on the My Business Podcast, the Canberra-based advertising and creative agency director discusses: • Enhancing customer value when digital disruption threatens your industry • Transforming his business from being process- to outcome-driven • How to “activate people’s thinking” to get employees performing at their best • His tips for pitching to prospective customers And more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“In the beginning, it was tough…but we just continued our plight of selling it for what it is.” These are the words of Lauren Chang Sommer, founder of Moi Moi Fine Jewellery which, for its first 12 years, was the exclusive Australian distributor of manufactured gem moissanite. Now, with a major shift underway in the industry, Lauren and her business partner – sister Alana – are establishing their own manufacturing business to further enhance their reach and take ownership of the entire product chain. As well as outlining what moissanite is and how it is created, Lauren discusses: • Establishing a business around an unknown product • Her approach to running a business while looking after young children • Controlling the entire product vertical, from manufacture to education to retail • Gearing up to pounce on a major industry shift And more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Most people struggle to run one business. Jacob Ohlson currently has two businesses – wellbeing clinic Cryo and Powernet IT Solutions, having run the latter for more than two decades, since the tender age of 17. But with technology changing rapidly, the service offering and knowledge base of Powernet IT Solutions and its founder have never remained static. “20 years ago, I knew everything … today, there are so many different types of technology, nobody can be a master of everything,” he says. Sharing his incredible story on the My Business Podcast, Jacob discusses: • How he has retained his first two customers for 22 years • The lessons learnt with the benefit of hindsight over those 22 years • His innovative approach to changing things when he stopped enjoying his work • What he has taken away from spending time with Sir Richard Branson And more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
“You could probably make a comparison with our business to a niche coffee brand that goes out in Australia, grows very organically through finding great little cafes in different markets and putting their coffee in there. You win the hearts and minds of the owners. The consumers start liking the coffee and you gain your market share that way,” says Jared Fisher, founder of Rogue Beauty. This route to market is a strategy Jared learnt while working in the US, before returning to Sydney and establishing Rogue Beauty, a distributor of high-end hair and beauty products through hairdressing salons. Yet this is only one part of a chain of businesses in partnership for mutual benefit. Jared is also a partner with US-based Oribe Hair Care, which manufactures its own product range, in conjunction with prominent American beauty products owner Luxury Brand Partners. My Business sits down with Jared, together with Reuben Carranza, the group president of Luxury Brand Partners, to discuss: • How to break into a market against large, established players • Tips for properly understanding your target market to maximise sales conversions • Why even the most trusted brand means nothing if your marketplace engagement is wrong • Establishing a new business to act as the distributor of your own and other products And much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au
Marketing is a word every business owner is familiar with, but one which many – if not most – don’t fully understand. For this reason, the My Business Podcast crew asked Sascha Moore, founder of Create Design & Marketing, to return and discuss some of the fundamental points that SME owners should know about how to (and how not to) market their business. In this episode, Sascha explores: • Alienating new opportunities by sticking with ‘what’s worked before’ • Identifying what your point of difference really is (and no, it’s not service!) • How to set up a one-page marketing plan And more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
Swallow some humble pie – you can’t do everything well, so outsource the things that would cost you more in time, money or energy to do yourself. That’s the advice to business owners from Paul Glossop, founder of property buyer’s agency Pure Property Investment. The high school teacher turned pharmaceuticals rep turned business owner says time is the most valuable resource you have, and as such, you need to devote every minute you have in your working week towards the core areas that will make you money, rather than on activities – and people – that burn through it. In this episode of the My Business Podcast, Paul discusses: • The level of persuasion involved in turning a lead into a customer. • How he assesses which tasks to take on and which to outsource. • The trap of paying yourself less to boost cash flow within the business. • His plans for adding scale, and why doing so is important. Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
“The truth is that it's very, very fragile, but I've actually designed a life and an environment around me, which makes it easy for me to succeed,” Tom Panos, sales educator and real estate auctioneer, says of his busy working schedule. “All it would take for me is one hangover and it could fall to bits.” Back in the inaugural episode of the My Business Podcast, we spoke with Tom Panos about his tips for boosting sales. Now, Tom returns to discuss more about his own business and processes, such as how he: · Manages his time across a 90-hour working week · Copes with going more than a year without switching on his desktop computer · Times various activities to coincide with his peak energy levels Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
"One of the biggest problems small businesses have is cash flow, and large companies don't seem to care," says Mikel Lindsaar, founder of digital developer reinteractive. "We're not a bank – we can't afford this. We need better payment terms." This up-front discussion is one that Mikel has with all of his clients, and he admits to having had great success in negotiating more favourable outcomes. Speaking on the My Business Podcast, Mikel outlines: - Exactly how he deals with companies such as Qantas and Westfield to deliver better payment terms. - His approach to managing and engaging with a remote workforce - The process and benefits of delivering full transparency of business processes to clients. - Why fixed-price services can be bad for both your business and your customers And more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
“My clients can go direct, they can do their own research. The internet was meant to end what I do. They can go to my competitors. They can sometimes decide not to do anything … I have to show the value first,” says Keith Harwood, founder of Inspire Speakers. As a broker connecting clients with motivational speakers, Keith has faced – and continues to face – considerable threats to his business. Yet the company is maintaining a healthy growth trajectory. In this week’s episode of the My Business Podcast, Keith discusses how he is meeting these many challenges and his thoughts on: • The thing he believes is most crucial to making a successful sale • How to cope with digital disruption • Dealing with channel conflict as a ‘middle-man’ service provider And much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
For most SME owners, hearing the personal insights of someone from the big end of town is something of a rarity. For Thought Patrol founder Mark Bilton, it’s his life. Starting as a retail shop assistant before climbing the corporate ladder to become the head of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, and now the owner of a small business, Mark has had an eclectic experience of business at all levels, and has unique insights into the do’s and don’ts of being a leader. The My Business Podcast crew asked Mark to share his thoughts about: • The key trait common to the most successful businesses • His approach to developing a company strategy • The role he plays as a business mentor • How he, as a small business owner, is maintaining a sales pipeline And much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
Cash flow – it can be a scary term for many business owners, particularly those who feel they don’t have a handle on their everyday finances. Accountant Alexander Laureti of LMS Advisory says the majority of business owners are doing better than they think, but there is always room to improve your cash flow management. In this episode of the My Business Podcast, Alexander takes an in-depth look at business cash flow and: · 3 of the biggest mistakes SMEs make in relation to their finances · How often you should really be seeing your accountant · Ways to deal with people who owe you money Plus much more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
“I worked out … that about 80 per cent of my time was spent on managing people, and 20 per cent of my time was on the work. But for me to feel fulfilled and driven and optimistic, I need to be doing that work 100 per cent of the time,” says Sascha Moore, founder of Create Design & Marketing. It’s a problem common to many business owners: that they get bogged down in managing people and problems that there is very little time left to do what they are good at – the very reason they got into business. Sascha sits down with the My Business Podcast crew to discuss: • How she is eliminating HR from her daily schedule • The ways in which she leverages her network to generate new business • Why she seizes opportunities without regard for the consequences And loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
“[Businesses must be] able to cope with the stuff that life throws at you … whether those risks are key people leaving your organisation, key suppliers going bankrupt, key customers disappearing or your building burning down. The inevitable happens. Our business is to help organisations learn to cope with that and how to recover,” says Rick Stone, the brains behind risk management consultancy Tigertail. And when you consider that Rick was previously the senior disaster planner for the NSW government and spent ten years as the training manager for the SES in NSW, it’s clear he knows more than most about managing risk and disaster recovery efforts. In this episode of the My Business Podcast, Rick reveals: · The three key risks SME owners should be planning for · What the costliest type of natural disaster is, and how to prepare for it · The lessons he has learnt moving from a steady public service job to self-employment And loads more! http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
“You hold onto things so tightly you start to hinder the growth of the business,” says Samantha. Having started out making jewellery at night while studying and selling them at Bondi Beach markets on weekends, doing everything herself seemed only natural. Samantha’s first foray into marketing netted $17,000 worth of orders from a $500 outlay, which led her to quit her retail job the next day. At just 21 and with $90 to her name, Samantha Wills admits her parents were aghast at her bold decision to quit her retail job and sell her handmade jewellery. Now, some 13 years later, she has a business empire bearing her name, which is headquartered in Sydney with offices in New York, LA, Paris, Korea and Japan. Speaking exclusively on the My Business Podcast, Samantha discusses ‘hustling’ for new business and useful connections, how to avoid spreading yourself too thinly as well as the challenges of taking a successful business back to start-up mode when entering a new market. http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant
“Doing something well is not necessarily doing something important,” says Tom Panos – well-known in real estate circles as an independent auctioneer and sales educator as well as an executive with News Corp Australia. In the inaugural episode of the My Business podcast, the part-employee, part-entrepreneur speaks with My Business editor Phil Tarrant (https://twitter.com/philliptarrant)and publisher Russell Stephenson about understanding the difference between sales and marketing, his three-phase approach to client attraction and the value of what he refers to as ‘educational selling’. http://www.mybusiness.com.au https://twitter.com/philliptarrant