Business Essentials

Two questions entrepreneurs often face are: should I write a book? And how do I actually scale my business? First up in today’s episode, business book publisher Lesley Williams – from Major Street Imprint at Rockpool Publishing – outlines the pros and cons of self-publishing versus commercial or traditional publishing. She outlines the strategic trade-offs between the two options...

Feeling busy but still falling behind? In this episode of Business Essentials, we explore smarter ways to work and compete in a changing business landscape. First, time management expert, bestselling author and speaker Donna McGeorge explains why classic time-management advice often fails busy leaders – and what works instead. She tells host Grace Jennings-Edquist why protecting your best ho...

What do employee disconnection and customer reviews have in common? This episode’s guests say both can pose a threat to trust – but handled well, they can really supercharge business performance. Melinda McCormack, founder of Impact with Empathy, first joins host Grace Jennings-Edquist to explore the rising crisis of emotional disconnection at work. Melinda outlines the links between d...

Is physical retail really booming again? And separately, what can family businesses teach us about longevity? In this episode, CEO of the Family Business Association Catherine Sayer shares insights on governance, communication, succession, and how successful family enterprises modernise without losing their DNA. She tells host Grace Jennings-Edquist about the power of next-generation thinking, inn...

What does it really take to build a successful business – and could your marketing budget be working against you? First up in this week’s episode, entrepreneur Dorry Kordahi shares his journey from humble beginnings to launching DKM Blue in his parents’ garage and growing Swanky Socks into a global brand. He unpacks the mindset behind sustainable growth, the value of hard work, a...

Are you tracking the right metrics - and having the right conversations? In this week’s episode, digital marketing expert Jason Le explains why many businesses rely on “vanity metrics” that look impressive but don’t reflect real performance. As Founder and Director at JNRY Digital, Jason shares how to refocus on the metrics that really reflect growth ... and explains what L...

Is your business ready for AI - and your team ready for growth? Our first guest on this week’s episode, AI enthusiast and business strategist Kelvin Wiggins, explains why failing to adopt AI puts businesses at risk - including from rising costs and shrinking customer expectations. As CEO of AI Connections for Business, Kelvin also shares several practical “quick wins” using AI to...

Building eco-friendly brands and tackling the downsides of AI are timely issues in the business world – and we’ve got both covered in this week’s episode. First, we dive in with Olympian-turned-founder Bronte Campbell, who shares how frustration with traditional activewear led her to co-found sustainable activewear brand Earthletica. She also explains why consistency, discipline...

Mindset, manifestation, and building a strong advisory board: they’re three very different approaches that can all play a role in success, as our guests this week explain. To kick this episode off, serial entrepreneur Hilton Misso shares his remarkable career journey: from suburban law firm to major wins across law, real estate, and childcare. Drawing on insights from his new book  How...

Just how important is networking in the age of AI - and what's the business case for environmental investing? Two business thinkers weigh in on these timely themes in this week’s episode. First, Roxanne Calder of EST10 Recruitment explains why genuine human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven hiring landscape. She shares practical tips for building authentic relationships throu...

Are your people excited about AI, or quietly anxious about what it means for their jobs? And how psychologically safe is your workplace culture when it comes to dealing with this uncertainty?  On this week’s episode, we explore how leaders can help teams navigate rapid change without losing trust or momentum. Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of HR Solutions at people2people Recruitment, shares...

What is “greenwashing” - and how can businesses avoid it? And what does it take to build a future-ready, people-first workplace culture? In this episode, Elio D’Amato, founder of EnviroInvest, explains what greenwashing is, why it matters, and why regulators are cracking down. He outlines the risks for business leaders and shares practical guidance on communicating environmental...

Entrepreneurship today demands more than hustle; it requires humanity, clarity and better support. In this week’s episode, entrepreneurial futurist Andrew Griffiths shares the qualities that underpin long-term success - from resilience and curiosity to embracing what makes you uniquely human in an AI-driven world. Andrew also offers sharp insights on modern marketing, brand differentiation a...

Bigger and louder doesn’t always mean better - in business or on LinkedIn. In this week’s episode, two experts share their insights around focusing on quality over noise. First up, LinkedIn trainer Karen Tisdell explains how business leaders can build credibility and real relationships with a strong profile - without feeling pressured to constantly post content. She shares practical ti...

Burnout isn’t a badge of honour - and empathy isn’t a “soft” skill. In this week’s episode, two innovative business thinkers explore strategies for avoiding exhaustion while cultivating meaningful connections that elevate both personal  and professional performance. First, Tim Jack Adams, founder of greenx7, introduces  Energised , his practical guide to res...

Is your workplace culture empowering people or quietly silencing them - and could poor experiences be driving customers away faster than you realise? In this week’s episode, leadership expert Marnie Brokenshire, cofounder of Uncapped Potential, unpacks the growing risk of culture slipping into “cult-like” control and why psychological safety matters. Then Greg Nicolle, Group Mana...

What really drives success in today’s workplace - and are we focusing on the wrong things? In this episode, Professor Darius Pfitzner, Academic Dean at the Australian Institute of Business, shares lessons from his extraordinary career journey, from Navy aircraft engineer to leading business academic, highlighting the value of failure, humility, and customer focus. We then turn to Emotional I...

Australia’s small business landscape is being reshaped by some major forces right now – including the need for AI training, and a proposed new Small Business Charter. We explore both in this week’s episode. First up, Freshworks Australia’s Vice President, Andrew Phillips, talks us through the widening gap between businesses adopting AI and those holding back. Andrew warns b...

There are two major forces shaping how businesses operate right now: intergenerational pressures, and hefty tax debts. In this week’s episode, leadership expert Marnie Brokenshire explains why managing five generations in one workplace is pushing managers to their limits - and why employees in their 50s may be the most underutilised asset in your organisation. Marnie also outlines the emotio...

Strong partnerships and loyal customers are both essential to business success – and this week’s episode explores how to bolster both. Greg Nicolle, Group Manager of Client Success at Thryv Australia, explains why retention often outperforms acquisition – and he shares six clever, underused follow-up tactics that turn one-time buyers into long-term loyalists. Then psychotherapist...

In this episode, we dive into two pressing challenges facing today’s leaders and businesses. Gus Gilkeson, CEO of Grow Capital, discusses how Donald Trump's sweeping US tariffs are shaking up global trade, with real impacts on Australian SMEs. He offers strategic advice to help businesses stay resilient, plan long-term, and adapt to increasing uncertainty. Then leadership expert Michelle Gib...

Are you the type of person who clings to stability while the world around you changes? Then you might be taking a huge risk for your business. Workplace expert Michelle Gibbings argues that calculated, strategic risk-taking is now essential for organisational resilience. Michelle explains why doing nothing can be the riskiest move of all and offers practical advice for business owners on building...

A generation vital to the workplace, Millennials, or Gen Y’s, are now approaching their mid-40’s. As lovers of technology, they’re not fearful of AI, but rather engage with it to seek workplace improvement and explore how it can improve the world around us. Leadership expert, Dr Paige Williams, explains how to nurture and value this vital, next generation of leaders. Business Ess...

How emotionally intelligent are you and your workplace? Are you being held back by toxic or unproductive relationships? Emotional Intelligence Specialist Amy Jacobson says hers is a skill anyone can learn, and that it can transform businesses. Amy outlines five practical steps to build an emotionally intelligent workplace, from self-awareness and emotional accountability to empathy, communication...

If you’re wondering how other businesses are handling their teams working-from-home, you might be surprised that most people are coming back to the office. But not everyone – a significant percentage are working a hybrid arrangement. Roxanne Calder, Managing Director of boutique recruiting firm, EST-10, says implementing a successful hybrid model requires understanding individual needs...