Business Essentials

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...

Do you need some cash to make your business grow? And would you consider swapping equity with a government-backed fund for growth capital? Then you might like to apply to the Australian Business Growth Fund. The fund’s CEO and MD, Anthony Healy, helps small and medium enterprises unlock their full potential with long-term minority growth capital. Anthony explains how businesses with turnover...

Any form of workplace bullying is toxic, but what happens when the boss doesn’t know that they themselves are bullying? Workplace Expert Michelle Gibbings says the key for small business owners and operators is self-awareness. Michelle highlights the critical role self-awareness plays in effective leadership, especially in fostering psychological safety within teams. She discusses how leader...

More than 60% of Australians over 18 years old have a LinkedIn profile. While the popular social media platform is ideal for sourcing and developing business leads, most people don’t use it effectively, according to Karen Tisdell. Karen helps people to craft their LinkedIn profiles and offers lessons on building connections through the platform. To generate leads Karen recommends proactively...

As an author and former CEO of cloud-based accounting software business, Xero, Steve Vamos shares transformative lessons from his new book, ‘Through Shifts and Shocks: Lessons from the Front Line of Technology and Change.’ Steve discusses his leadership path, emphasizing the power of clear priorities, alignment, and performance focus to create thriving workplaces. Drawing on decades of...

So many different online tools are now available to plan your work day and record the important elements of your business. But whether you use them or old school pen and paper, it’s crucial to record your thoughts, or risk forgetting what you’ve done or the goals you’re trying to achieve. Productivity guru Les Watson explains why he’s a fan of record-keeping and setting tim...

Workplace regulations seem to be snowballing, with new compliance requirements relating to employment, casual work arrangements and union access worsening matters. A recent Work Health and Safety survey, conducted by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, reveals that 34% of small business owners are battling mental health issues like anxiety and depression — far above the nat...

Managers struggling to address poor performance effectively is an enduring issue for many businesses, and it can lead to challenges like avoidance, ruinous empathy, or manipulative insincerity. That’s according to Employment Lawyer and co-founder of Edge Legal, David Dilger. David shares his views on balancing compassion and accountability, fostering trust through clear and respectful commun...

Customers don’t like it when they're told "No, you can't do that," or "No, you can’t have that." Many organisations insist on rules and regulatory systems to control and handle large numbers of customers. The problem is, observes entrepreneur Roy Osing, they ignore customers as individuals, which leaves them annoyed and upset. And you don’t want that! Instead, Roy encourages busi...

Do you know if your business is being held back by an antiquated workplace culture? The expectations of workers have evolved dramatically in recent years, and leaders need to change their practices to keep pace. Workplace Culture Specialist and author of ‘Detox Your Culture’ Colin D. Ellis says investing in effective management training, embracing inclusivity, and fostering a sense of...

KX Pilates is the Australian fitness chain that muscled in on the local market. The idea was first sparked while its founder, Aaron Smith, was travelling abroad. Following his gut instinct and with no formal business qualifications, he’s propelled his business into an industry juggernaut with 109 studios across six countries. In this episode, Aaron shares the story of how innovative customis...

Family businesses hold a special place in the economic landscape, with their own unique challenges and concerns. CEO of Family Business Association, Catherine Sayer, discusses the organisation’s recent Pronto Software Barometer Survey, which reveals how multigenerational thinking sets these businesses apart and why they are crucial to Australia’s economic and social fabric. The survey...

Performance management can be a lengthy and often uncomfortable experience that is often delayed. It’s surely one of the most challenging aspects of leadership. But conflict coach and author Genevieve Hawkins can offer some practical help. Genevieve shares her strategies for navigating these conversations effectively, from addressing clarity and capability to fostering a supportive environme...

Business plans are traditionally too expensive, they take too much time, they’re too rigid, and they’re not properly implemented. Roy Osing, former president of TELUS, advises on a strategic game plan with a rule of three: focus on the three things that will produce 80% of your results. Beware though of being diverted by what he calls the “yummy incoming”, the distractions...

From a crowdfunded startup in 2013 to an award-winning brand sold in more than 30 countries, the tale of Four Pillars Gin is an uplifting and inspiring one. One of the distillery’s Co-Founders, Matt Jones, shares his remarkable story and how a commitment to craft, innovation, and intimate customer connections propelled Four Pillars to global success. Matt also reveals the strategies behind s...