What should business owners do when new technology threatens to derail their business? Close down or find a new path? This was the dilemma experienced by professional copywriter Leanne Shelton (Write Time Marketing). With the avalanche of artificial intelligence taking over much of content creation, Leanne made the challenging decision to pivot her business and […]
There’s so much uncertainty in the world and it can feel hard to confidently lead your small business when the path ahead is unclear. Today we’re joined by Jim Mills, the managing director of Merit Planning Hills, to look at some strategies to help guide businesses during difficult times. Jim looks at some of the […]
As a small business owner, do you fall back on your business credit card for everything? While using these credit cards is very popular, it’s important to recognise when there are better solutions. We are joined by Jason Smith (Capital Plus Finance) for a frank discussion on how credit cards can be misused by businesses, […]
Does your business struggle with a constant turnover in employees? This is an issue for many businesses and the cost of hiring and onboarding new employees is high. Or perhaps you have some amazing employees and you want to learn more about how to retain them? We are joined by Paul Cripps from PK People […]
In this episode we’ll be exploring the transformative power of Three-Way Forecasting and how it can revolutionize your approach to financial planning and decision-making. Understanding Three-Way Forecasting: What exactly is Three-Way Forecasting? We break down this concept into digestible pieces, explaining how it integrates income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Learn why this […]
If you watched our last episode, you will have learned that it is never too late to make a business plan. In this episode, we look at some of the common mistakes business owners make when creating and using business plans. So look out for these 5 common business plan fails: Not actually making a […]
What are your business and personal goals for the year? What plans have you made? How will you implement these plans? How will you assess if your goals are being met? If these questions leave you feeling overwhelmed, never fear! It’s NEVER too late to make a business plan. Find out the benefits of making […]
The 2023 calendar year has drawn to a close. For many, it was still a year of hangover effects from covid and poorer economic conditions. For many others, it was a year of substantial growth and increased profits. So what set those businesses apart? In this episode, our host Paul Sweeney reflects on some of […]
What do you need to consider when choosing an accountant for your business? It’s an important decision – getting the right accountant for your needs can help you build a profitable and healthy business. Here are some key factors to consider: What services does your business need? What are your values? What are the qualifications […]
One of the accepted risks of running a business is being audited by the tax department. Nowadays, there are multiple government agencies that you and your business may need to deal with, apart from just the Australian Tax Office and possible income tax audits. With increased data sharing between government organisations, it has become much […]
What can you do to give yourself the best chance of success in your business? Following on from our last episode on business health checks, Paul Sweeney shares the 7 steps you need to take to create some positive changes in your business. What kinds of outcomes can you expect? Your business will be more […]
In general, small businesses are not healthy. Here are some alarming statistics – Australian Small Business and Family Enterprises Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has found that 49% of small business owners make less than average wages, and two out of 5 micro and small businesses are not profitable. Interestingly, there are also businesses who are thriving in […]
Raj Nathoo from Keystone Active Learning explores how your business can manage change in this constantly evolving business environment. It all starts with your personal mindset. Raj discusses why it’s important to reduce negative thoughts and stop punishing or blaming yourself for circumstances beyond your control. You need to accept change as being inevitable – […]
Have you been reflecting on your business over the holidays? Maybe you have found some things that aren’t working well, things that you want to do differently. Or perhaps you aren’t even sure where to start. Don’t worry, we have some inspiration to help you kick-start your business this year. Paul Sweeney shares some of […]
We hope you got some inspiration from last week’s ‘kick-start your business’ podcast. We have another dose ready for you this week on The Business Behind Your Business. While we have all been experiencing many challenges over the past couple of years, we want to see businesses flourishing, despite the bumpy road. That is why we […]
Is your business losing profits to expensive and unnecessary FX conversions? These costs are often ‘hidden’ but can go up to 5% each time you bring money back, or pay global expenses. In this episode we talk to Henry Broad from Airwallex who have developed a solution to this problem. Essentially, Airwallex provide a cheaper […]
Planning for your retirement? Or do you look at retirement as something to think of ‘down the track’? Many business owners don’t plan properly for their retirement. And many rely on selling their business to fund their retirement. But will that provide the lifestyle that you’ve been dreaming of? Find out what else you should […]
Did you know there are many grants and incentives to help fund early stage innovation companies? And small and medium businesses can access them – they are not just for the large companies. Peter Towers from ESS BizTools explains what opportunities are available around research and development. Find out about the application process and steps […]
How do you determine what your business strategy and plan should be? How do you identify what your successful business should look like? What goals and targets should you set for your business this year? The first question you should be asking is ‘why?’ Asking ‘Why’? Has become a key process for business owners, made […]
What is revenue and why is it so important? Let’s start with looking at profit. Profit is the outcome; the end result. It’s quite simply what’s left over from your revenue when you deduct your expenses. Profit is the final score. Just looking at the final result and saying how much you want it to increase won’t make any […]
Do you feel like your days are spent running from one thing to another and never getting anything done? Do you look at those 5 and 10 minute gaps between speaking to this client and invoicing that client and picking the kids up from school and think, “That’s not enough time to do anything, why […]
How can we support better mental health in our communities and workplaces? What training is available to help workplaces promote mental health and recognise when someone needs help? Who can you turn to if you are worried about the mental health of someone at work or at home? Michael van Dyk from The Black Dog […]
As an employer, what are you doing to look after your employees? These days, employers are investing more into employee wellbeing than ever before. Employee relations and getting the most out of your employees is one of the most critical things for any business, but it’s particularly important for small businesses. Paul Cripps from PK […]
As a business owner, have you ever avoided getting advice because it was too expensive, then had to fix up a legal problem which cost even more money? Have you turned down opportunities because getting advice was too hard and too expensive? Do you worry about being appropriately covered for risk but not sure who […]
Do you have a great business idea, but not sure where to start? Are you confused about what you need to do first? If this is you (too many questions and not enough answers) then you are in the right place! Paul Sweeney, chartered accountant and business advisor, explores what you need to know before […]
Is being passionate about your product or service enough to warrant starting a business? What about skill or quality – if your product or service is ‘the best’, does that mean you should start a business selling it? A successful business requires more than just passion, skill and an amazing product or service. Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) […]
Are you ready to turn your passion into a business? Sister2Sister pop duo did exactly that when they opened the popular Sister2Sister School of Singing in 2004. They successfully moved from a performance career to balancing running a singing school with being professional freelance, session vocalists. So how did they do it? Learn about the […]
Do you understand your employer obligations under the National Employment Standards? Whether you have one employee (even if it’s just you, the business owner) or many, these are rules you must follow, including understanding changes in the past couple of years. Paul Cripps (PK People Solutions) gives an overview of the eleven points of the […]
What’s the difference between a ‘start-up’ and ‘starting a business’? A start-up is all about scale, it’s about creating a business that is built to grow quickly. We are joined by Meryl Johnston from Bean Ninjas. Meryl looks at start-ups and ways you can scale your business. She also looks at supports for businesses such […]
So you have just started your business – why would you want to look at exit planning? Well, the more you focus on having a great exit plan, the more profitable and successful your business will be. A good business plan is a long-term plan, with both a start and a finish. By planning your […]
Intellectual property (IP) is frequently overlooked by businesses. But by looking at your IP issues early, when you are setting up your business, you are both protecting your business, as well as adding value to it. André Meyer, founder of Meyer West IP, joins us to take a closer look at intellectual property and the […]
What traps do you need to avoid this end of financial year? What is the simple strategy behind tax planning? End of Financial Year (EOFY) activities should include, but not be limited to taxation planning. There are some traps that every business owner should avoid at this time of year. So what do you need […]
What can you do to gain a competitive advantage over other businesses? Raj Nathoo from Keystone Active Learning discusses how business owners can use the knowledge within their business to its greatest capacity. Some important points that Raj discusses include the following: Identify training needs within your organisation Offer staff training – this helps keep […]
Do you have a business that buys and sells products? Or do you manufacture products to sell? Or, maybe you are looking at starting a business that will have stock? If your business has inventory, then you need a tool to help you manage your stock and grow your business. If you don’t already have […]
Do you have trouble keeping track of what is going on in your business? Does the idea of business planning leave you feeling overwhelmed? Are you ready to grow your business, but not sure where to start? If any of this sounds familiar, maybe you need an ‘all-in-one’ business tool! Chris Palmer, from Maus Software, […]
Do you struggle to forecast the right amount of stock to order? Are your manual systems and processes letting you down? Find out how ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, like Jiwa, can help your business be successful. It combines inventory management, accounting and other tools in one complete package. Getting the right business tools can […]
