Business Essentials

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...

Many employees fear the possibility of artificial intelligence taking their jobs, so how can a small business integrate AI and allay those concerns? Aaron McEwan, VP, Research and Advisory for Gartner, outlines the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the workplace, from fears of job losses to concerns about ethical use and data privacy. He says transparency, ethical practices, and clear comm...

Business debt to the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) has more than doubled over the past five years, with Australian SMEs owing an average of $21,000 each. And with the recent focus on small business tax debts, The CEO and Founder of Grow Capital, Gus Gilkeson, is offering some essential advice on navigating ATO notices, creating cash flow forecasts, and the importance of open communications. G...

Cinzia Cozzolino started her smoothie business almost by accident. After she started preparing delicious nutritional smoothies for her daughter, word got out. Her daughter’s friends and their mums wanted them. The local cafes and retail outlets wanted to sell them. Next thing, Cinzia found she had a very successful business selling to hundreds of stores in the Australia and overseas. She exp...

Before you can effectively manage others, you need to know more about yourself. Employment lawyer and co-founder of Edge Legal David Dilger introduces four animal archetypes that illustrate different management styles, to help small business owners and managers learn about themselves. ‘The Bear’ manager, is one who dictates and focusses on results, ‘The Dog’ manager likes t...

Online spending went through the roof during the pandemic, as consumers stuck at home relied on ordering goods that could be delivered to their door. The increased confidence and reliance in the online marketplace means that your business’s digital presence is more important than ever. So, what should you be doing to ensure you’re front-and-centre in the digital world and are serving y...

Australia’s small business sector is slowly shrinking, with big businesses creeping in to fill the void. SMEs constitute about a third of GDP, but just 15 years ago that figure was 41 per cent. In the same period, the small business share of the private sector employment market has dropped from one half to a third. The Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Bruce Bilson, argues that...

Michael Black, Founder and CEO of Success Tutoring has rapidly established the franchise nationally, and he intends to upend the traditional franchising model. He says his company is breaking away from rigid, corporate-style franchising structures, in a model called “flat franchising”. By fostering a collaborative environment where franchise partners, support staff, and tutors operate as equals, h...

Are you constantly distracted by those voices in your head. You know the ones, urging you to check emails or social media, but you really need to concentrate on something else, or they keep replaying a memory or a fear of yours. Or perhaps you’re trying to break a habit, like over-eating or drinking. Well, behavioural scientist Darren Fleming has come across a solution so that you can have more co...

As society, in general, becomes more conscious of mental illness and its impacts on individuals and teams, stigmas persist. The Founder and CEO of the Safe Watch mental health app, Shane Muller, offers some practical strategies for small business owners and managers to support mental health in the workplace. He discusses how reducing stigma, focusing on employee strengths, and fostering trustful,...

COVID changed the world, and now many businesses find themselves having to undertaking sales work over the web, with videoconferencing replacing face-to-face encounters. Sales and negotiations consultant Julia Ewert says there are some important things to remember when conducting sales meetings over the web. She says that on the web, speed kills, so dedicating more time to asking open questions, a...

It has been an acutely challenging year for small businesses. Rising costs, interest rates, labor shortages and big new regulatory burdens have made life much more difficult. So, is there any light on the horizon in 2025? For an end of year economic summary, we’ve turned to the CEO of Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar. After a look back at 2024, Andrew signposts the glob...

When there’s an unspoken issue hindering communications and productivity, how do you find, and then move, the elephant in the room? It’s something conflict coach and author Genevieve Hawkins discusses in her new book, 'Shrinking Elephants: Untangling workplace conflict to unlock value for all'. She explains why tensions arise due of differing perspectives, and emphasises the importance of open, em...

As a productivity expert, Donna McGeorge has heard all the cliches. For instance, ‘hard work will get you ahead’, you need to be ‘more productive’, and you should aim to do what’s ‘urgent and important’. They’ve become well-worn cliches, as Donna explores what you really should be doing with your workday to feel less overwhelmed. Business Essentials Daily is produced by: SoundCartel soundcartel.co...

The cash flow challenge is worsening, and it’s being caused by widespread overdue payments. That’s according to the CEO and Founder of Grow Capital, Gus Gilkeson. At a difficult time, Gus suggests some proactive strategies for managing late payments and outstanding debts. He shares advice on setting up effective terms of trade, the importance of clear communication with clients, and when to consid...