Business Essentials

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...

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...