Business Essentials

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...

When Colleen Callander was CEO of Sportsgirl, she was burnt out: she’d been doing too much, saying yes to everything, and did nothing but work. These days she helps other women avoid burnout and achieve greater success in life and business. She’s Founder of Mentor Me, and has written a book with fellow business coach, Shannah Kennedy, titled ‘Elevate: unlock your extraordinary po...

While the rest of the SME sector sails against strong headwinds, one small segment is going gangbusters. Labelled the "Growth Economy", this six per cent of businesses are driving Australia’s future. The CEO and MD of the Australian Business Growth Fund, Anthony Healy, says this small but mighty segment of Australian businesses generate 42% of employment, 26% of GDP, and almost half of all R...

Mindfulness, more than ever, has practical business applications. Megan Flamer is the Director of Innovation and Capability at the Monash Centre for Consciousness & Contemplative Studies. She explains how integrating mindfulness into the workplace can boost team cohesion, emotional intelligence, and overall productivity. And she offers some practical strategies for fostering self-awareness, im...

Change can be a daunting prospect — something many fear and dread. But that doesn’t have to be the case, according to change expert Esther De La Cruz. She says that change can, instead, be an entirely positive experience, depending on the mindset you approach it with. By focusing on the benefits, purpose and rewards, change can become not only easier, but possibly even enjoyable. Refer...

The economy in 2025 is proving difficult to forecast, with an unpredictable new US President who may, or may not, have dramatic impacts on the global — and thus Australia’s — economy. So we have turned to renowned finance journalist, Alan Kohler, Editor in Chief of InvestSMART Group, for his take on the situation. While strong employment figures and government-driven growth in GD...

It’s far easier today to start a business than ever before, which has resulted in more competition in almost every space imaginable. Forget about benchmarking, ‘best of breed’ analyses, and price wars with your competitors, according to entrepreneur Roy Osing. Instead, you need to establish a clear, relevant and unique claim that distinguishes you from everyone else. Roy explains...

How safe is your workplace in a psychological sense? Workplace expert David Dilger says the concept of psychosocial safety is critical in creating well-performing teams. He explains the biological responses that can hinder workplace productivity and shares strategies to foster worker safety, including regular one-on-one meetings, constructive feedback, and effective communication techniques. David...

Millennials are a generation, with a fluctuating reputation that needs to be catered for in the workplace. So how do you attract them? Michael Black, Founder and CEO of fast growing franchise, Success Tutoring, is also a Millennial himself. He explains the challenges of engaging this dynamic generation, including their impulsivity, shifting goals, and need for trust. And he offers achievable tips...

In the not-too-distant past, kids wanted to be firefighters, doctors or a police officers. Today, many want to be influencers. And why not, when they can earn thousands, even millions of dollars from businesses paying them to promote their products or services. The content has to be engaging of course and is often produced as videos across social media platforms. Perhaps this is a strategy that ma...

No matter the size of your business, a toxic workplace culture puts it at great risk. Colin D Ellis, a workplace culture specialist and author of the book 'Detox Your Culture', says toxic environments impact productivity, employee health, and public perception. He offers practical strategies for identifying and addressing toxic behaviours, fostering accountability, and creating a shared cultu...

Inflation, supply chains, staff retention, a possible global downturn. There are so many issues facing businesses now, and they all end in one place: a cash flow spiral. The Commonwealth Bank’s General Manager of Working Capital, Elizabeth Huxley, says cash flow has become the chief concern for business across the country in recent times. But she’s offering some help, with a new system...