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 Many business owners struggle with negotiations, relying on outdated strategies that often lead to conflict or lost opportunities.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 […]
If you’re a small or medium-sized business owner, this episode could save you from costly legal missteps that threaten your business’s growth—or even its survival. Legal expert Matthew Fornaro joins the podcast to highlight the essential contracts and legal strategies that many entrepreneurs overlook in their rush to launch or scale. Whether you’re just starting out or […]
If you think pay is just about numbers, think again. In today’s talent-short market, the way you compensate your people could be the reason they leave—or why they stay and thrive. In this episode, Trudy MacDonald, award-winning business leader and Managing Director of TalentCode HR, pulls back the curtain on remuneration. She explains why most […]
In today’s fast-changing business landscape, survival isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s about adapting, innovating, and thinking long-term. In this episode, we sit down with Rick Yvanovich, an experienced entrepreneur and business strategist, to explore what it takes to thrive in an era of constant transformation. Whether you’re a start-up founder or an established business leader, this […]
If you’re a business owner who feels overwhelmed, overworked, and constantly in the thick of everything, this episode is a must-listen. Host Paul Sweeney takes a deep dive into the “hub and spoke” model—a common but problematic setup where every decision, task, and communication flows through you, the owner. While this might seem manageable in […]
Are you prepared for the unexpected? Every business will face a crisis at some point—whether it’s a PR disaster, a supply chain breakdown, or a financial emergency. But the difference between businesses that survive and those that struggle often comes down to preparation. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits […]
Are you attracting the right customers for your business, or are you stuck in a cycle of working long hours for clients who aren’t the right fit? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Marama Carmichael, CEO of Oracle Tree, to uncover why so many business owners struggle […]
One of the most time-consuming and frustrating challenges faced by businesses are meetings, and especially board meetings. From chasing down reports to dealing with last-minute changes and version control issues, the process can quickly become a logistical nightmare. And what a headache (and waste of time) it is reading a slide show on your phone […]
Struggling to close deals? Losing potential customers because you’re not following up effectively? You’re not alone—most business owners and entrepreneurs give up after just two or three follow-ups, missing out on massive sales opportunities. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, sales expert Jacob Hicks shares why consistent follow-up is the secret weapon for increasing conversions, […]
If you have a business in Australia, you may have noticed that lately the Australian Tax Office (ATO) is putting a lot of effort into recovering debt from businesses. This is because over the last few years, debt collection had been halted due to Covid and its many issues like lockdowns. We are joined by […]
The end of the financial year is swiftly approaching – so what does that mean for you as a business owner? What activities do you need to do to set your business up for the best start in the new financial year? There are two types of essential business planning that you should be doing […]
We are joined by our special guest, The Honourable Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). Bruce explains the role of ASBFEO and the different programs and services available to assist small businesses. Helping small businesses with dispute resolution A policy and advocacy space to help small businesses deal with governments […]
As a small business owner, have you ever thought about doing business with large companies and decided it was never going to happen because it was just ‘too hard’ or the differences between your business and theirs were just too great? Find out how to successfully bridge the gap between small businesses and larger businesses. […]
We are joined by Anna Ruth from Freedom for Humanity for an eye-opening chat about modern slavery. Freedom for Humanity is an organisation committed to creating a world where human rights are upheld, and all individuals can flourish and thrive. In this conversation we delve into Anna’s profound insights, her passion for human rights, and […]
More conversations to help your business grow and thrive We hosted The Business Behind Your Business Meet Up – a fun celebration for our podcast community. All of our podcast guests and listeners have been a special part of our podcast and we wanted to say thank you, plus hear from everyone about their business […]
One of the biggest issues for business owners is managing cash flow. Healthy cash flow is crucial for the success of any business. Cash flow is a term that is often confused with profit. Business owners often say, “My business is busy and profitable, so why don’t I have any money in the bank?” Find […]
We hosted The Business Behind Your Business Meet Up – a fun celebration for our podcast community. All of our podcast guests and listeners have been a special part of our podcast and we wanted to say thank you, plus hear from everyone about their business journeys. It was a great opportunity to network and […]
Business owners – here’s an important question to ask yourselves, “Do my customers actually know what I do for them?” We are joined again by Nathan Williams (Customer Return) to look at this crucial issue – and how the use of storytelling can help bridge the gap in understanding and build your relationship. You can […]
Knowing your business and providing amazing products or services is only part of running a successful venture. Another crucial aspect of business success is building positive relationships. From fostering business-to-business ties, to encouraging return customers, to keeping fantastic staff – how you manage relationships is integral to your business. We are joined by Jason Owen, […]
Events have long been a go-to strategy for businesses aiming to showcase their products or services. However, it’s not uncommon for these efforts to fall flat despite the considerable investments of time, effort, and money. In this episode we address the questions of: How can we turn the tide and make our events successful? How […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
The Business Behind Your Business has had some incredible guests over the past year. I have been lucky enough to interview people from many different industries and share their stories and insights with our podcast audience.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
