Public speaking is no longer just for TEDx headliners or CEOs on giant stages. Whether you’re pitching to clients, speaking at industry events, or simply leading a team meeting, how you communicate can determine how your business is perceived. In this episode, Carmen Sederino, founder of Illuminated Story, reveals how small and medium business owners can turn […]
In an era flooded with AI-generated content and marketing noise, how do small and medium-sized businesses truly stand out? This episode delivers a fresh, deeply human perspective on how to use AI—not just to produce more content, but to create authentic connections and lasting customer loyalty. If you’re overwhelmed by automation tools or worried about […]
If you’ve ever been frustrated by a team member, confused by a client’s behaviour, or struggled to influence outcomes in your business—this episode is for you. Host Paul Sweeney welcomes experts Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin to explore the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how small and medium-sized business owners can use it to become more […]
How to Lead with Happiness, Hope, and Human Connection—Even in Tough Times If you’re a small or medium business owner struggling with team morale, leadership challenges, or just the daily grind of running a business, this episode is for you. In this inspiring conversation, Dr Calvin Lawrence Jr—a seasoned educator, leadership expert, and author of The […]
Imagine waking up to find your website gone, your email list inaccessible, or your brand’s identity being misused online—and you have no idea how to take it back. That’s the nightmare too many business owners face because they’ve unknowingly handed over control of their digital assets. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host […]
Why should you care about restructuring your business—especially when things seem to be going fine? Because waiting for a crisis to act could be the most expensive decision you ever make. In this episode, turnaround expert James Martin reveals why restructuring isn’t just a last resort—it’s a powerful tool for transforming challenges into competitive advantage. If […]
Work That’s Worth It: How Purpose Transforms Performance with Georgi Enthoven In a time when attracting and retaining great talent is tougher than ever, especially among Gen Z workers, are you approaching employee engagement the right way? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Georgi Enthoven—entrepreneur, Harvard Business School alumna, […]
Why understanding your customer’s values can unlock serious business growth Are you missing the mark with your customers—and don’t even know it? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with marketing strategist and author Chris Peterson to explore a transformative idea: your customers’ personal values—specifically whether they lean conservative […]
Financial literacy isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a survival skill for business owners. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with tax expert and financial educator Michelle Campbell about the hidden financial pitfalls entrepreneurs often face, and how a lack of financial understanding can quietly sabotage your business. Whether […]
Ready to sharpen your e-commerce strategy and stay ahead of the curve? In this episode, Matthew Stafford joins us to share real-world tips and forward-thinking advice to help business owners thrive in the ever-evolving world of online retail. With years of hands-on experience, Matthew offers a clear perspective on what it really takes to succeed […]
What happens when you stop following the rules—and start following your passion? In this inspiring and insightful episode, Stephen Ridley shares how he built a globally recognized music brand, grew an online academy that now teaches over 1.2 million students, and turned personal passion into a thriving, purpose-driven business. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or creative […]
Negotiation is more than winning—it’s about creating value for both sides. Many business owners struggle with negotiations, relying on outdated strategies that often lead to conflict or lost opportunities. Whether you’re dealing with vendors, partners, or internal stakeholders, your ability to negotiate directly affects your bottom line and professional confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn […]
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 […]
Are you ready to grow your start-up but not sure how to attract funding? It is important to have your business ready before you try to gain investors. Roshan Sidhu from Frank Law looks at some important things you need to do to make your business investment ready: Make sure your business structure, documentation and processes are […]
