Less Than 15

AI deepfakes, email security risks, and the single action to take tomorrow In this extended final episode of our Cyber Resilience series, Aron Robertson answers real questions from business owners just like you.  From AI-powered deepfakes to managing employee mobile devices, from understanding the Notifiable Data Breach scheme to the uncomfortable truth about email security, this Q&A session c...

Beyond technology: insurance coverage, business continuity, and compliance explained Now that you understand the threats and how attacks unfold, it's time to build your defences. In this comprehensive episode, Aron Robertson shares the essential strategies every business should implement - from multi-factor authentication to endpoint detection, from incident response planning to business cont...

From reconnaissance to encryption - how criminals execute attacks in real time In this episode, Aron Robertson walks through the complete lifecycle of a cyber attack - from reconnaissance to exploitation to execution - then reveals four real-world scenarios that are hitting Australian businesses right now. From business email compromise to ransomware, these aren't hypothetical threats. These...

Welcome to the first episode of our Cyber Security series with Aaron Robertson, Chief Commercial Officer at Strategic Group. In this episode, we unpack the sobering reality of today's cyber threat landscape. With attacks costing Australian businesses more than ever before—and large enterprises seeing costs double in just one year - no organisation is too small to be a target. Aaron reveals th...

Season 2 of Less Than 15 was packed with sharp, actionable insights from across the DFK Australia New Zealand network, and our brilliant guests. In this finale episode, our host Angela Raspass recaps each episode and pulls out key takeaways you can use straight away. From workplace culture to cashflow, AI to estate planning, this 10-episode season offers something for every business owner. If you...

What many owners get wrong about timing, taxes and true value If you think business valuation only matters when you're ready to sell, think again. This week, we speak with Steven Tindale, Partner at DFK Gooding Partners in Perth, about why getting an accurate business valuation well before a sale is one of the smartest strategic moves an owner can make. Steven outlines the financial, strategi...

The smart way to measure what’s working in your online marketing Most business owners invest time, energy, and budget in digital marketing—often without knowing what's actually working. In this energising episode, Leanne O’Sullivan from Adventure Digital joins us to reveal the blind spots many businesses have and how to uncover the metrics that matter. Spoiler: it’s not all about likes and fo...

What business owners need to know before managing their own super For business owners, a self-managed super fund (SMSF) can offer flexibility, control, and some strategic benefits you might not have considered. But is it the right fit for you? In this episode, we chat with Daniel Shaw, Director and SMSF specialist at DFK Benjamin King Money in Melbourn e, to explore when and why an SMSF might be a...

As a business owner, you’ve likely considered what happens to your personal assets when you’re no longer here, but what about your business? In this important episode, we speak with Melissa Healy, Senior Manager at DFK Everalls and Director of Everalls Wealth, to explore what estate planning looks like when your business is your biggest asset. Melissa demystifies the complexities of estate plannin...

The benefits of People-centred Risk Management  In this episode of Less Than 15 , we speak with Lisa Sisson, author of Risk Starts and Ends with People and the founder of the Unearth consultancy. We explore a refreshing take on risk management, one that prioritises people, not just policies. Lisa shares why the traditional ‘tick-the-box’ compliance approach is no longer sufficient, how disengageme...

  You’re profitable on paper, but your bank balance tells a different story. Why? In this episode, we speak with Mike McNab, Partner at DFK Oswin Griffiths Carlton in Auckland, about the critical differences between profit and cash, and how too many business owners find out the hard way. Mike breaks down five common cashflow killers, offers simple tactics to tighten your finances, and shares how t...

 How to stop doing everything and lead your business forward   Are you spending too much time on tasks that someone else could be doing? If you’re still stuck doing everything in your business, you’re not alone—and you may be carrying what today’s guest calls “the 30% burden.” In this practical episode, Kristy Smith, the Founder of outsourcing specialists Virtual Elves, shares her method for ident...

Stay competitive, attract top talent, and secure funding by becoming ESG-ready. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) isn't just a corporate buzzword, it’s becoming a business reality for small and medium-sized enterprises. In this episode, CIB Audit Director Chaitanya Mawji explains why ESG is no longer just for the big end of town. We explore how ESG frameworks can attract top talent,...

AI can turbocharge your productivity, but without care, it can also erode the trust you’ve worked so hard to build with your audience. In this energising and practical conversation, Angela is joined by AI coach and speaker Leanne Shelton, CEO of Human Edge AI Training, to explore how business owners can harness AI for content creation without losing their human touch . Leanne shares real-world exa...

Psychosocial hazards might sound like corporate jargon, but at the heart of it, we’re talking about protecting your people from harm at work. In this episode, Wendy Jeffery-Lonnie from DFK Gooding Partners returns to break it down in plain English. We explore what psychological safety really means, why it’s becoming a non-negotiable in business today, and what you, as a business owner, can do to c...

Welcome back to Less Than 15 , the bite-sized podcast series by DFK Australia New Zealand, designed for time-poor business owners who still want quality insights. In this intro episode to Season 2, host Angela Raspass gives you a sneak peek into the practical and strategic topics coming your way over the next ten weeks. You’ll hear from a mix of expert advisors from across the DFK network and gues...

In this special final episode of Less Than 15 , we take a journey through the highlights of Series 1, revisiting the most valuable insights from our guests  and suggesting one key action you can implement immediately to strengthen your business.  From navigating tough times to preparing your business for sale, each episode was packed with actionable advice — and we’ve also included links to free r...

Preparing Your Business for Sale: Start Early, Sell Smart Selling your business is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make as a business owner. In this episode of Less Than 15 , Gary Nugent, Managing Partner at DFK Nugent in Melbourne and Chair of DFK Australia New Zealand, shares how to prepare your business for sale.  Gary explains why it’s crucial to start planning 3 to 5 years in adv...

Meetings can be a huge time drain for business owners like you. In this episode of Less Than 15 ,  Donna McGeorge, an expert in productivity and efficiency, discusses how you can cut your meetings down to just 25 minutes without sacrificing effectiveness.  Donna shares practical strategies to make meetings more focused and productive, so you can free up your time for what really matters. If your c...

From gut feel to data-driven decisions for business growth   As a business owner, you know that setting the right goals can make or break your success. In this episode of Less Than 15, I’m joined by Mitchell Brooks, Partner at DFK Hirn Newey in Brisbane, to show you how combining your gut instincts with real-time data can unlock your business’s full potential. We’ll discuss how to use technology t...

In this episode, we speak with Sonya Lovell, Training and Communications Director for Menopause Friendly Australia about why businesses need to become menopause-friendly and how simple adjustments in the workplace can support staff during this life stage. This is a must-listen for business owners and leaders who want to foster inclusivity and retain experienced staff, all while enhancing productiv...

In this episode, Christina Arcane, Director of Inspire Cyber, shares practical cybersecurity measures that every small to medium-sized business should implement.  With recent high-profile cyber incidents making headlines, Christine breaks down how even smaller breaches can be devastating and offers actionable advice on how to safeguard your business.  Whether you’re just starting to think about cy...

In this episode Wendy Jeffery-Lonnie, HR Manager at DFK Gooding Partners in Perth, covers the Right to Disconnect legislation and its implications for small to medium-sized businesses.  Wendy provides practical advice on how to proactively address this legislation, ensuring it integrates smoothly into existing operations and maintaining positive employee relatiosnhips. Whether you're concerne...

Harness the productivity power of AI for your business In this episode, renowned business futurist, AI researcher, and author, Gihan Perera, outlines the transformative power of AI for small to medium-sized businesses. In a must-listen for business owners looking to future-proof their operations and harness the power of AI today, Gihan shares practical examples of how AI can boost productivity and...

In this episode, Rob Shelton, the Managing Director of DFK Everalls in Canberra brings 30 years of business observations and insights to the table as we delve into the back-to-basics philosophy and the role this plays in navigating difficult times in business. Key Takeaways: Communication is vital during challenging times - Open, honest conversations with business partners and advisors are essenti...