Business Essentials

It’s natural to be apprehensive – even fearful – of the uncertainty that envelopes us when we face challenges. But, if we push through a particular challenge and get through the other side, we’re the better for it. Emotional fitness expert Joe Pane has identified three universal fears that hold us back from living the life we want or having the business we desire: the fear of not being enough, the...

Great coaches – like great leaders – are able to support teams and each individual within the team, allowing them to perform at their best. Professor Martin Bean, is CEO of The Bean Centre, and co-author of ‘Toolkit for Turbulence: The mindset and methods that leaders need to turn adversity to advantage’. He discusses how meaningful, one-on-one conversations, focused on achievements, development,...

The problem with most business proposals is that they’re too focused on selling the business to the potential clients. A better tactic is to focus on the client’s needs and wants. It’s outlined in Alan Weiss’s book, ‘Million Dollar Consulting Proposals’, a well-worn copy of which is in the hands of Nicole Ashby, Founder of Mentoring to Success. Nicole and her clients swear by the million-dollar pr...

If you currently employ casual staff, now's the time to check whether in fact they're employment is genuinely casual. Cheryl-Anne Laird, Head of the HR and IR Division at Mazars, says changes to the Fair Work Act 2009, has redefined what it means to be a casual employee. For instance, casuals will have the right to convert to permanent employment, but employers can decline the request on reasonabl...

Too many companies focus on the products they provide. They tinker with the price, and they highlight the features. The problem is that it’s harder to differentiate your product from everyone else’s. To standout, insists entrepreneur Roy Osing, you need to deliver dazzling, astonishing customer-service, moments that take your buyers’ breath away. Triggering the most valuable marketing of all – rav...

How well does your website perform in search engine results? If it’s not at least on page one, you need to understand how Google’s algorithm is prioritising quality content over quantity, and build that into you SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) strategy. That’s according to Sagar Sathi, Founder and CEO of digital marketing agency Xugar. The credibility of the author are also important factors in d...

Do you find some people on your team are difficult to communicate with? Perhaps they don’t give straight answers, or they dominate group conversations, or they’re outright hostile. Well, they could demonstrate one of four main communication styles: aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive or assertive. Communications specialist Leah Mether unpacks each style and how you can adapt to better connect...

Fleur Heazlewood reckons that our race for more is reducing ourselves to less. Our health and wellbeing is the ‘less’, while the ‘more’ is the endless cycle of being busy. The answer, she says, is to prioritise our own wellbeing; if we do that, everything else will fall into place. Fleur shares some practical tips from her book, ‘Resilience Recipes: Making space for wellbeing that works’. Business...

A self-entitled employee is someone who thinks they should be paid more, who always wants promotions, the best opportunities, bonuses and take holidays only when it suits them. Often, a self-entitled employee is not particularly good at what they do, they do less work than their peers and add less value. So, how do you handle them? Workplace expert Michelle Gibbings says you need to address their...

Since the pandemic, the rate of people recording psychological distress has increased massively. That’s according to Kerry Howard, corporate mental health advisor, and author of, ‘How to heal a workplace culture: Tackle trauma, foster psychological safety and boost happiness at work’. She explains what trauma is and how to help minimise the traumatic impact in the workplace, through understanding...

How are you doing with sales? Do you have a winning sales strategy or approach? If not and you’re struggling to close, you might need a different pitch. Glenn Poulos has developed a sales pitch from his many years in corporate sales, marketing and customer service roles. The ‘Punch Perfect Pitch’ starts with a "punch" or "bang" – an impactful opening that grabs the audience's attention. Because it...

A successful sales team as one that is fully engaged, highly satisfied, able to handle pressure, and performs at their best. That’s according to Anna Glynn, speaker, author and coach on thriving workplaces, who shares her six secrets to sales success. Implementing the six principles, she insists, takes time and should be part of an ongoing plan. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCarte...

There are four key questions a business owner needs to ask themselves about why customers or clients choose their business. That's according to Dan Williams, Asia Pacific Coach for EOS Worldwide, a global network of business coaches. In this episode, Dan Williams explains how studying your customers can lead to increased profitability. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcar...

Lawyer Tracey Mylecharane feels that we’re in a crisis of knowledge. Countless business owners, she says, are simply not aware of some of the legal issues affecting their own business and their customers. There is a lot of risk that could be avoided by doing due diligence and risk management. She insists that businesses have the right legal documents that are tailored to their circumstances, the r...

We’re living in such a fast changing world, that for many the rate of uncertainty has made it difficult to plan for the long-term. But plan we must, says an optimistic Nigel Collin. You must find the right balance of planning for the future with the flexibility of shifting course when storms approach. Nigel, who’s weathered many business squalls over the years, offers some guidance for others in b...

Facts and stories play a vital role in successful sales operations. While facts build trust and demonstrate value, stories engage and connect with people on an emotional level. The problem is that businesses tend to use either sales or facts to convert customers or clients to purchase. Sales expert Sue Barrett, CEO of Barrett Consulting Group, insists a good story has the power to inspire action a...

Businesses are scrambling to keep up with latest trends in technology and take advantage of the efficiencies of digitisation. At the same time, mediocre customer service is rampant. So, how can you embrace the benefits of the digital era while also servicing customers with the human touch they crave? Well, Jaquie Scammell provides the answers in her new book, ‘The Future of Service is 5D’. The con...

How do you explain to a member of your team that they have body odour? It’s a delicate conversation – you don’t want them to feel terrible, but it’s important to let them know. For help, we turn to HR guru and CEO of Corporate Dojo, Karen Gately. Body odour aside, most businesses require a certain standard of appearance, particularly in customer-facing roles. Is it okay to expect staff to cover th...

The current economic climate is having a significant impact on small businesses, with SMEs struggling across various industries. According to Wayne Morris, CEO of Fifo Capital, many businesses don’t fully understand the importance of cashflow, often focussing solely on profit and loss statements. Managing cash flow effectively, requires forecasting, clear terms and conditions, and understanding cu...

More than a third of all businesses in Australia are female-owned – a significant proportion, with the vast majority being mothers. Incredibly this demographic is an audience that remains largely untapped. Kate Christie is a time management expert and author of five books, including her latest, ‘The Life List: Master Every Moment and Live an Audacious Life’. She discusses what business can do to e...

Too often sales people tell the customer what they think they want to hear, rather than asking questions and listening to customer concerns. That’s according to business coach and trainer Jim Cocks, who equates great questions with great sales. Jim offers insights into how to improve sales performance by focusing on mindset and building rapport with potential clients. He offers strategies for hand...

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...

Business Coach Dan Williams says he can chalk up most business failures to weak processes. An Asia Pacific business coach for coaching firm EOS Worldwide, he says successful firms need to have strong processes at their core, otherwise their possible growth and ability to scale will be hobbled. And he says strong processes will lead to fewer people leaving the company.  Business Essentials Daily is...

The good old days in agency land saw long lock-in contracts, mark ups on media buying and the money flowed. At a time when there are more ad, digital and PR agencies than ever, James Smith, CEO of digital agency Smith Brothers Media, explains why there’s a shift in monetization strategy across the industry. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333 Se...

There’s a goldmine of extra income a lot of businesses are missing out on because they don’t follow up effectively. Sales expert and Founder of BOOM Sales!, Trent Leyshan, reckons businesses haven’t implemented a proper follow-up process or structure. Trent explains how to follow up, using both traditional and digital methods. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.com.a...