Business Benchmark Group Podcast

In this short "Think Tank" podcast, Stefan explains what it takes to build an A-Grade business. He explores the 4 key aspects to needed to create a successful business: 1. Be an A-Grade Business Owner 2. Have an A-Grade Team 3. Having A-Grade Suppliers 4. Having A-Grade Customers Without the first 3 things, you will not attract A-Grade customers. Stefan then explores just what it takes be 'A-Grade...

Our interview with Kylie and Simon Frank, owners of Powercom Electrical (powercomelectrical.com.au) Simon and Kylie share their story in business – from humble and challenging beginnings, to experiencing enormous growth and success over the past 2 years. Since becoming clients of Business Benchmark Group just over 2 years ago, their monthly revenue has increased threefold, taking the business from...

In this “brain stretch” episode, Stefan explores what it takes to build a high performance team. There are nuggets of gold right throughout this episode to pay attention to, including: • The 16 cylinders of high performance • The distinct difference between growing a team versus building a high performance team • The mental toughness required to continue to raise the bar • The two types of pressur...

Julie Quinton shares her truly touching and inspiring personal story of her life in business. Her husband Brian purchased the independent supermarket in January 2000. Sadly, just seven years later in August 2007 at the age of just 49, Brian died from Pancreatic Cancer. In devastating circumstances and with no prior experience in the business, Julie took on the challenge of taking over the family b...

As a business owner, when you’re building a business you need to have a clear idea about where you’re headed and put a structure in place so that when you reach the point of an exit, you’re prepared. Business owners need to create a strategy for success and build a business that is not just dependent on them – that it is something far bigger than them – they need to create something that builds a...

We interview Tom Harley, CEO of Harley & Sons Roofing (formerly Aussie Plumbers & Gutters) in a fantastic, candid interview discussing the challenges and successes in running and growing his business. Harley & Sons Roofing (harleyroofing.com.au) is a second generation family business in Melbourne who has undergone huge growth over the past few years. Prior to working with us at Business Benchmark...

In this Think Tank, Stefan explores business partnerships, and how to make them successful in comparison to other alternatives. There are many good reasons for getting into business partnerships, but in order for a successful outcome – for all parties - there are many issues you must first consider and traps you must avoid. Partnerships are all about negotiations, so you must take your time to und...

Bek McMillan is the owner of Gourmet Living in Templestowe Victoria (https://www.gourmetliving.com.au/). Bek shares her really incredible business journey, which started with just an idea, and led to her being named as a Finalist in Telstra’s Young Business Woman of the Year in 2015. Bek achieved incredible success in a short space of time. In a period of just 12 months, Bek was able to increase h...

How do you build the most successful business model in the world? Generating repeat customers and getting referrals is the most effective and affordable way to build your business. It costs far less to keep an existing customer, and to get referrals from those customers, compared to any other marketing technique. Repeat and referral customers also require less work to convert to a sale because the...

Interview with the owners of family-run plumbing business H2Pro, Tony Welsh and Tristan Wise. Tony started working on his own business in 2000 with the philosophy that he offered "more than ‘Bum Crack and Blue Heeler’ plumbing" - it was plumbing with professionalism. Over the years, the business evolved to become H2-Pro plumbing. H2-Pro became a client of Business Benchmark Group in 2014, and sinc...

Stefan explores the topic of business diversification. Many business owners look to diversify their business far too early, putting more and more balls in the air before really mastering one yet. It’s important to build upon your business’s core strengths – don’t diversify your business into new areas where you spread yourself too thin and become mediocre. Instead, focus on your strengths, leverag...

Interview with Ben & Emma Stallworthy, owners of Pinnacle Health Clubs. In this fantastic interview, Ben and Emma share the story of their business journey, the challenges they've faced and the successes they've had as they've grown from a single club to the four premises they have today. This is a must-listen to episode for business owners, especially so for those in the fitness sector. Ben and E...

This week’s podcast explores the good, the bad and the ugly of business partnerships. The idea of going into business with a partner can often appear to be a great idea - whether that’s a husband and wife team, a trio of siblings or just a couple of mates who planned their business on the back of a beer coaster! But as the wise often say ‘all my problems today started out as a good idea’! Every pa...

As we enter a new financial year, it's time to take stock of your business and ensure you are continuing to be brilliant at the basics - that's where the diamonds are found after all. In this episode, Stefan strips it all back to discuss the basics of building and running a successful business. Stefan's golden advice includes the need for business owners to continuously focus on your core business...

In this special episode, Melbourne Storm's Football Manager, Frank Ponissi, shares his views on leadership and crisis management. Ponissi is certainly no stranger to crisis management. In 2010, Melbourne Storm was found to have breached the NRL's salary cap over a period of 5 years, resulting in punishments including the stripping of Melbourne's 2007 and 2009 premierships, fines of almost $1.7 mil...

In this episode, Stefan shares more of his famous "Stefanisms" - key advice on how to constantly improve, and ultimately succeed, in achieving and executing your vision for your business. Key to this is a need to develop outcome-based thinking. Always ask 3 key questions: 1. What's working? 2. What's not working? 3. What will we do about it? Stefan also discusses the need to always see things from...

If you aren't leading, nobody's following. This short episode explores the need for business owners to schedule time every week, dedicated to thinking strategically about their business. Stefan delivers key advice about taking advantage of every opportunity in your business and in life. Be deliberate with your strategy. Leverage your team, your peers, relationships, technology and systems and use...

If you don't have something driving you to be your Personal Best, then chances are each day, each week and each month you are going to be spending more time in mediocrity. But if you are clear about your opportunties, your strategic planning, and your use of time and money, you can make the decision that you can be your Personal Best. You will be able to make 1% improvements each day. You can revo...

In this special episode of our podcast, Brendan Dover from The Drain Man shares the story of his business, it's enormous growth since becoming a client with Business Benchmark Group in 2007, and offers tremendous insight into the decisions he's made on his business journey. Brendan gives his unique perspective on a number of key topics: - The difference between running and growing a business - Bus...

Do you lead or manage for success? The leader provides direction, encouragement and inspiration to motivate a team to achieve business success. A manager coordinates the efforts of the team and the allocation of resources to maximise efficiency in achieving individual goals. Both these roles operate hand in hand and both are especially so during times of crisis or a choke point. As a leader and ma...

Why do we hear the term 'back to basics' so frequently? Because it works! Regardless of what you are doing, going 'back to basics' is something everyone understands. Being "brilliant at the basics" is where diamonds are found! In this week’s episode, Stefan Kazakis delivers a key lesson in how to develop a competitive advantage in your business. First and foremost, it is about attitude. To be able...

As business owners, we are bridge builders, taking target clients from a point of a problem, frustration and challenge to a place of solutions, problems being solved and freedom. The bricks with which you build your bridge are all inspired by “re” words: Relationships, results, reputation, reengagement, reactivation, reliability, retention, referrals. It’s obvious that people will do business with...

As you market your product or service, be sure to share your success stories. Marketing is something that happens every day, so it’s vital that you get better at telling your story. Genuinely believe in who you are and what you stand for – your core values – and demonstrate trust and genuine authenticity. Learn how to deliver your “elevator pitch”. The “rule of threes” gives you just 3 seconds to...

Welcome to the Business Benchmark Group podcast, where you will learn how to think strategically about your business and discover that whilst business ownership is not always easy, it doesn't need to be hard. With over 20 years' experience in turning stalling businesses into thriving enterprises, here is your host, Stefan Kazakis. In our second episode, Stefan discusses why choosing how you struct...

Welcome to the Business Benchmark Group podcast, where you will learn how to think strategically about your business and discover that whilst business ownership is not always easy, it doesn't need to be hard. With over 20 years' experience in turning stalling businesses into thriving enterprises, here is your host, Stefan Kazakis. In our first episode we ask can you improve by 220% in one year? If...