Business Essentials

Struggling to generate revenue in today’s tough market? A sales revolution might be the answer. That’s according to Ingrid Maynard, Founder and Managing Director at The Sales Dr. Ingrid explains why traditional sales models are failing, how a lack of skilled sales talent is holding businesses back, and why a company-wide approach to customer engagement is essential for growth. She also...

As the nation goes to the polls tomorrow, Business Essentials Daily brings you the final episode of our special week of pre-election interviews, and it’s certainly revealing. A new report by OnDeck - small business loan experts, shows that out of the 500 Australian small businesses they surveyed, 85% cite cost of living pressures as the key issue shaping their vote this election. It’s...

Global volatility, tariff tensions, and shifting global trade dynamics continue to shape the outlook for small and medium businesses in Australia. For the next in our special series of pre-election interviews, Economist Professor Robert Brooks unpacks the ripple effects of global uncertainty on Australia — highlighting inflation risks, exchange rate pressures, and why smart, steady policy re...

Hospitality is one of Australia’s largest small business sectors, and it’s been on the front lines of recent economic uncertainty. So, are government policies doing enough to help, and what is the Coalition offering? CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Café Association, Wes Lambert, unpacks the pros and cons of each major party’s offerings for small business owners, with...

In the lead up to the Federal Election, Monash University economist Professor Robert Brooks assesses the state of the Australian economy. He explores key productivity drivers — from childcare reforms to infrastructure and housing supply — and warns that lasting improvements will depend on smart, long-term policy decisions. Professor Brooks assesses the potential impacts of polices and...

The status of family businesses needs to come into clear focus this election, according to Family Business Association CEO Catherine Sayer. Family businesses make up about 70% of Australian enterprises, yet they remain largely invisible in federal policy conversations. So, Catherine is calling for greater recognition — through better data collection, targeted representation, and policy consi...

COVID spelt difficult times for many small businesses, perhaps none more so than in the travel sector. So, when the pandemic brought travel to a halt, owners of the travel app Locomote.com had to rethink their survival strategy to. CEO and Co-Founder of Growth Forum, David Fastuca, focused on repackaging Locomote’s value by highlighting duty of care, governance, and compliance to help SMEs m...

When Dr May Chan was a child, she had a fall which resulted in dental issues and an unwillingness to smile for family photos. This experience would later be pivotal in her ambition to pursue a career in cosmetic dentistry. Ten years ago, Dr May and her husband, Dr Reuben Sim, started Dental Boutique in the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn. Today it has grown to 10 surgeries across Australia and New Zeal...

The shift to remote work appears to have improved task efficiency, but is it hindering innovation? Marnie Brokenshire, Founder of leadership and performance consultancy, Uncapped Potential, says productivity in Australia is at its lowest in decades, and spontaneous in-person interactions may be what’s missing. Marnie says leadership is a “contact sport” and how returning to...

Rarely do we know when crisis will strike – a pandemic, war, or a GFC-like event – but if it does happen, the impact on your business and staff could be just as seismic. So how can you prepare for a potential disaster? It helps to have an adaptive mindset, insists Prof Martin Bean, CEO of The Bean Centre, and former Vice Chancellor of RMIT University, during the lockdown days of C...

Starting a firm with nothing but a printed leaflet and gritty determination, Melissa Browne built a thriving business by focusing on profitability and strategic growth. From helping clients with tax to coaching them on business success, she developed ground-breaking systems that revolutionised her practice. Melissa explains how she scaled, streamlined, and ultimately sold her firm for seven figure...

You may associate cybersecurity with protection, but it can also be a driver of business growth. That’s according to the Managing Director of Cyber Matters, Saaim Khan. He explains how trust is now a major differentiator in a competitive market, with businesses increasingly required to meet strict security standards to win contracts and retain customers. Saaim tells us that as cyber threats...

To maintain long-term profitability, you need a strategy that can adapt to new trends and consumer demands. Companies that don’t change will fall behind, says consumer and marketing guru Barry Urquhart. Barry identifies three pillars of business success, and offers the example of a particular Australian hardware company, which is pivoting from hardware to homeware – a subtle, yet power...

A strong brand isn’t just the CEO’s responsibility — it belongs to employees, customers, and even competitors. Rod Curtis is the Director, Strategy & Creative Lead at Kommunal Brand Strategy Architects, he understands more than most why businesses should involve their entire team in shaping their brand identity. Rod explains how effective team workshops can foster genuine buy...

Workplace productivity has taken a dive in the last couple of years. Productivity in the workplace involves effectively leveraging resources to deliver outcomes. So how do you do that? HR consultant Karen Gately says bosses should set clear expectations, fostering engagement, and focusing on intrinsic motivators. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8...

Sometimes it’s a good idea to look at your sales approach with fresh eyes, so for a sales check-up, we’ve turned to Ingrid Maynard, Founder and Managing Director of The Sales Dr, Ingrid outlines four essential practices that she says every business should embrace. She explains how to plan outcome-driven conversations, ask powerful questions, use influencing techniques effectively, and...

Being a salesperson today is a tough gig, but could a change of mindset be the secret to success? CEO and Co-Founder of Growth Forum, David Fastuca, says starting out by building a healthy pipeline fosters confidence, reduces desperation, and helps you close deals without alienating people with what he calls "commission breath." David has some great advice on how to engage buyers on their terms, d...

Traditional sales skills may not be sufficient to overcome the challenges faced by sales teams today. A new approach is needed to end rising disengagement, stress and burnout, and equip sales leaders to lead their teams confidently to success. That’s according to Anna Glynn, who says leaders need to ensure that their teams have the mindset and toolset – not just the skillset – to...

There’s been a great deal of public discussion about four-day work weeks recently, so could it give your business a competitive edge? Gartner’s VP of Research and Advisory, Aaron McEwen, explores the surprising benefits of employees working fewer hours — from boosting productivity to attracting top talent. He breaks down the key principles, the risks, and why small businesses mig...

What does it take to lead a leadership organisation? Well, former AFL player and two-time Hawthorn Grand Final winner, Dean Anderson explains why in 2022, he took the role of CEO at Leading Teams. Leading Teams is an organisation well known for its leadership and high performance models, that have had a huge impact on businesses across so many industries, including media, education, government, ut...

Trust and respect are the foundation of strong workplace relationships — for both owners and employees. But how can business leaders and teams cultivate them? Performance coach Stephanie Bown explains why vulnerability is key to building trust, as well as how to encourage and express it in a workplace framework. She discusses how leaders can create psychologically safe environments, and the...

Clear and simple communication is a powerful tool, yet many professionals still get lost in jargon and complexity. Employee engagement specialist Esther De La Cruz has some advice: deliberate simplicity is key to driving change, engaging stakeholders, and making ideas stick. Esther outlines some practical strategies for breaking down complex concepts, testing clarity, and refining messages to ensu...

The key to effective sales and marketing is collaboration, according to sales expert and CEO of Barrett Consulting Group, Sue Barrett. Having a customer-centric mindset across the entire organisation will ensure everyone is on the same page. This can be achieved by nurturing the customer at each marketing touchpoint, e.g. emails, social media digital marketing, and direct communication with sales...

A clear and focused brand strategy is essential for standing out in a competitive market. But what does strategy really mean? Director and Strategy and Creative Lead at Kommunal Rod Curtis is a branding expert with decades of experience. Rod lays out a simple yet powerful approach — distilling strategy down to three key questions: Why are we here? Where will we play? And how will we win? He...

Business owners often struggle with setting the right price for their products or services due to self-doubt, observes business coach and trainer Jim Cocks. It’s important, he says, that business owners have the confidence in their offerings and be willing to increase prices to reflect their quality and value. Finding the right pricing balance requires consideration of competitors, affordabi...