Business Essentials

Tipping in Australia is on the rise, with restaurant tips increasing by nearly 50% in just two years —in spite of a cost-of-living crisis and a drop in international tourism. But where do these tips go, and should they be taxed? CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Café Association, Wes Lambert, unpacks the latest data and explores how businesses handle gratuities. He also questions w...

Artificial intelligence is promising to eliminate a host of tasks, but will it render selling — and salespeople — obsolete? Founder and Managing Director of The Sales Dr, Ingrid Maynard, says that while AI can streamline business operations and may be important for retail sales, human connection and trust remain irreplaceable, particularly in the B2B landscape. Ingrid offers practical...

ChatGPT is the best-known example of a large language model which is transforming the way in which we communicate. It’s now leading to other innovations, including ChatGPT-specific apps that anyone of us now can create to help our own businesses. Futurist Steve Sammartino explains some of the advances in artificial intelligence and how they will impact the way we work and live. Future AI tre...

Sales success doesn’t happen by chance — it requires a structured approach. Entrepreneur. CEO and Co-Founder of Growth Forum David Festuca shares insights from his new book, ‘The B2B Sales Playbook’. David reveals the strategies that helped him build and sell multiple businesses. He breaks down the biggest mistakes companies make, the importance of a multichannel...

One of the most effective marketing strategies is tapping into other people’s networks. But, Marketing Specialist and Founder of Leadsology, Tom Poland says, it requires finding partners whose audience aligns with your target market: offering something that people are already looking for is key. Tom explains how to identify and approach potential partners, and the importance of building an e...

The Australian small businesses sector is the country’s largest private sector employer, but it’s at a crossroads. This Federal Budget is critical to keeping this economic pillar standing. That’s according to the CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Luke Achterstraat, who says increasing red tape and a sluggish economy has led to insolvency records. On th...

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs may be facing its nadir in the United States, but how does that trend compare to Australia? Aaron McEwen, Vice President of Research and Advisory for Gartner, says corporate Australia remains committed to DEI and is likely to continue diversifying their work forces. He explains why he thinks small business owners should see diversity as a competitive...

Ros Handley wants to change the conversation around retirement to renewal. Our mindset, and the way we think about this phase of our lives is really important. If we have potentially 20 years or more ahead of us, why wouldn’t we see it as an opportunity to start something new? And, it’s never too early, she says, to think about and plan for retirement. Business Essentials Daily is prod...

Economic conditions right are extremely difficult for some SMEs, now faced with downsizing to try and manage. But letting workers go is never easy. Change expert and employee engagement specialist Esther De La Cruz says handling termination with transparency, collaboration, and care can make a difficult situation more manageable for everyone involved. Esther explains her ‘Four Cs’ fram...

Understanding your clients’ needs and desires is a crucial step in the sales process. And it’s only through asking the right questions and having the ability to listen well, that you can source this information. That’s the first of five steps to increasing sales conversions. Sales and business strategist, Maree Kirkpatrick says pricing and bundles should be tailored to meet speci...

For family-owned businesses, succession planning is essential. But it’s more complicated, and takes longer to achieve, than many families think. Family Business Association CEO Catherine Sayer says succession planning can take years to execute properly. Without a clear plan, businesses risk uncertainty and conflict when key leaders step away — whether due to retirement, illness, or unf...

How do the new ‘right to disconnect laws’ affect your business? Workplace Expert Michelle Gibbings explains how to actually harness the new rules to benefit your business. By setting clear boundaries and role-modeling healthy work habits you can boost productivity rather than hinder it. Learn why overworking leads to diminishing returns and how simple strategies like time blocking and...

Each year, leading sales advisor Sue Barrett reveals the top sales and business trends. For 2025 those trends embrace the concept of collaboration. To be effective, you needn’t choose between being a hunter or a gatherer, or a manager or leader. These binary choices are not helpful, Sue says. You can be both profitable and ethical, an effective leader and manager, and combine human capabilit...

When you hear the term ‘mindful listening’ do you think of a soft skill, or a game-changing ability for business success? Communications expert and the Founder and CEO of Excited Adults, Megan Flamer, explains how truly hearing your clients and team members can build trust, foster loyalty, and even help de-escalate difficult situations. With simple techniques like paraphrasing and stay...

No matter how tough times are – and we’re facing economic challenges right now – there is always opportunity. That’s according to Andrew Griffiths, entrepreneurial futurist, keynote speaker, and best-selling author. It’s up to us to adapt in the face of change, he says, and be proactive in chasing those opportunities. He provides seven practical steps you can take to...

It has sparked a huge pre-election debate: the Federal Opposition’s proposed policy to exempt small businesses from fringe benefits tax on meals and entertainment expenses up to $20,000 per year. But the controversy isn’t stopping the Australian Restaurant and Café Association CEO, Wes Lambert, from supporting the idea and backing up the coalition in the halls of the Parliament....

How good are you at initiating, and then conducting, a difficult conversation? Effective small business leadership often requires traversing tough conversations with empathy, clarity, and courage. Former Xero CEO Steve Vamos has some practical strategies for addressing performance issues while fostering stronger team relationships, emphasizing the importance of aligning individual contributions wi...

Few could have guessed that an overweight young man with an eating disorder would go on to found one of Australia’s most popular fitness brands, but that’s Aaron Smith’s true story. In this episode, the founder of KX Pilates discusses his new book, 'Define Yourself: When Passion, Purpose and Business Collide'. Aaron overcame immense personal and business setbacks to start a compa...

Almost every workplace has them: entitled workers who become disgruntled with a lack of favoured treatment. Workplace expert Michelle Gibbings explains how to spot the warning signs and deal with this sort of toxic teammate. She outlines six practical steps for leaders to address entitlement, clarify expectations, and foster fairness in the workplace while maintaining team morale and productivity....

COVID-19 drastically affected the way we buy – we’ve embraced online shopping not just for convenience but in the hope of finding the best deals. Now, with cost-of-living pressures, and the rise of subscriptions services, the infrastructure required to accommodate this switch in consumer buying habits has had to adapt. Richard Thame is CEO of CouriersPlease, Australia’s leading f...

It’s been a challenging time for small businesses recently, economically but also at a political level. Workplace relations changes are a principal concern. Andrew McKellar, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been at the front lines of the situation. Andrew reflects on the key battles and achievements for Australian businesses in 2024, covering topics like workplace...

Family businesses make up a staggering 70% of Australian enterprises and employ about half of the nation’s workforce, yet they often lack the recognition they deserve in government policy. The CEO of Family Business Association, Catherine Sayer, says her organisation is ramping-up its efforts to elevate family businesses on the political agenda, from securing a dedicated ministerial portfoli...

As president, Roy Osing guided Canadian telco Telus Communications to $1 billion in sales. He identifies six major drivers that helped to achieve that growth, including differentiation, planning, and championing the frontline staff. He insists that there are no silver bullets – running a business is a game of inches. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +6...

Burnout can hit fast or creep in slowly, with implications for individuals but also for team morale and productivity. So how can you tell if it’s emerging before it affects the bottom line? Founder and CEO of Excited Adults, Megan Flamer, says communication and creating a sustainable work environment are crucial for long-term success. And Megan offers some practical strategies for identifyin...

When it comes to the cascade of AI tools entering the market, be wary of relying too heavily on them to communicate with your audience. Customer service legend Barry Urquhart insists there is nothing more frustrating than having to deal with AI bots, when all customers or clients want is to speak with a real human. While AI can enhance efficiency and productivity, he says, it should be used to com...