Smart Business Growth with Nicky Miklós

Still waiting to hear back from that prospect? Don’t go quiet. In this week’s Smart Business Growth episode, Nicky's calling out the silent killer of sales success: giving up too soon. HubSpot research shows it takes five follow-ups to close most deals. Yet nearly half of people give up after just one . No wonder sales feel stuck. In this episode, Nicky shares: Why your follow-up feels awkwar...

Season 4 of the Smart Business Growth Podcast is here. I’m Nicky Miklós, and this season, we’re tackling the real roadblocks to business growth - inconsistent sales, reactive teams, clunky or non-existent sales systems, and leadership stretched way too thin. If it feels like you're building the plane while flying it, you're not alone. This season is about shifting from chaos to clarity,...

Nicky and Ness dive deep into the world of AI with Leanne Shelton, exploring how businesses can integrate AI without losing the human touch. We kick off the discussion by addressing the overwhelming pressure many feel in experimenting with AI tools and Leanne’s advice to start small. From simple tasks like email editing to gradually incorporating tools like Microsoft Copilot or OpenAI, she emphasi...

Could you be sabotaging your company's success with decision fatigue? Discover how this silent productivity killer might be draining your resources and leaving your business in the dust.  On today's Smart Business Growth Podcast, Nicky and Ness tackle the pressing issue of decision fatigue in leadership. We explore the heavy toll of constant decision-making on leaders, revealing how it c...

Join us on a captivating journey with Andy McCarthy, the visionary founder of Gippsland Solar, who shares his extraordinary tale of building a solar empire in the heart of Australia's coal country. Discover how Andy overcame not only industry resistance but also personal demons of entrepreneurial addiction, leading to a transformative journey of self-awareness and reinvention. Through his can...

In this episode of the Smart Business Growth Podcast, hosts Nicky and Ness explore the concept of New Year's resolutions in the context of both personal and business growth. They discuss the challenges and pressures of setting resolutions, the importance of understanding one's 'why' through vision and mission statements, and the power of selecting a theme or word for the year....

In the final installment of the summer series revisiting season two's most popular episodes, Nicky and Ness dive into the core reasons people start their own businesses versus the often stark reality that follows. They discuss the importance of redefining success and aligning business goals with personal fulfillment to achieve a balanced work-life dynamic. The episode is packed with actionabl...

In this episode of the Smart Business Growth Podcast, Nicky and Ness revisit a compelling conversation with Mel Packham, a brand strategist focused on ethical and sustainable business practices. The discussion dives into redefining what sustainability in business means in 2024, emphasising the importance of not just environmental impact but also human health, wellbeing, and purpose-driven growth....

In this special summer series episode, hosts Nicky and Ness revisit their popular session with business coach Janine Garner. Janine interviews them, discussing their book 'Healthy Hustle' and its pivotal messages. They explore creating a sustainable business through 'healthy hustle,' covering smart growth, peak performance, and time freedom. They emphasise breaking unhealthy hu...

In this special episode from the Smart Business Growth Podcast's 2024 Summer Series, Nicky and Ness revisit a compelling conversation with James Bartrop, director and founder of ShadowSafe. The discussion centers on distinguishing between unhealthy, hard hustle and healthy hustle. James shares his journey from unsustainable work habits to achieving balanced success, including significant reve...

As season two of the podcast wraps up, it’s time to reflect on the concept of taking genuine holidays as business owners. With Christmas around the corner, many of us are craving a break. But are we really disconnecting, or are we bringing work along for the ride? Join Nicky and Ness as they explore the importance of stepping away and how to truly switch off. Episode Highlights: Startling statisti...

In this podcast episode, hosts Nicky and Ness share their experiences from an exceptionally busy week that included Nicky's TEDx talk at QUT and the launch of their book, 'Healthy Hustle.'  They discuss the preparation and emotional journey behind Nicky's TEDx talk, the importance of balancing a healthy hustle, and the lessons learned along the way.  Key takeaways include recog...

In this episode, Vanessa is joined by sales expert Darcy Smyth to explore the evolving sales landscape in a post-COVID world. They discuss overcoming sales challenges, the impact of economic changes, and effective strategies to thrive despite market fluctuations. Episode Highlights: Market Changes: Darcy explains how the sales environment has shifted over the past five years, highlighting the impo...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness dive into the modern obsession with busyness and how it often leads to unproductive patterns. They discuss the societal pressure to be constantly "busy" and share strategies to combat feelings of overwhelm. Learn about the 51% of work time spent on low-value tasks and how to make your efforts more meaningful. Episode Highlights: The paradox of busyness and...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness delve into the challenges of maintaining a healthy hustle in the world of sales. With burnout rates soaring and the market becoming increasingly competitive, it's essential for sales professionals to find sustainable strategies for success. They discuss the impact of longer lead times, tighter budgets, and increased competition on sales teams and explore four k...

In this episode, Nicky, Ness and Laura explore the crucial link between functional breathing and peak performance in leadership. They delve into how improving the quality of our breath can transform our work and decision-making abilities, leading to more effective leadership and business growth. Episode Highlights: The Importance of Functional Breathing: Understanding how proper breathing affects...

In this episode of the Smart Business Growth Podcast, hosts Nicky and Ness dive into critical aspects of workplace stress, burnout, and sustainable growth. They uncover the hidden costs of aggressive hustling, share startling statistics on stress-related illnesses, and review the right-to-disconnect laws in Australia. The hosts explore the primary motivators for change—pleasure and pain—and provid...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness dive deep into how our beliefs influence every aspect of our lives and businesses. They discuss how beliefs around money, sales, and success can either propel us forward or hold us back. With real-life examples and practical insights, they explore the importance of challenging ingrained belief systems to unlock true potential. Episode Highlights: The power of belief...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness delve into the critical topic of sustainability in business for 2024 and beyond. Joined by expert Mel, they discuss what it truly means to run a sustainable business in today’s evolving landscape. They explore the interconnected challenges facing businesses, from environmental impacts to human health, and how smart business owners can navigate these complexities. Ep...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness, authors of the new book "Healthy Hustle," are joined by business coach Janine Garner to discuss the importance of rethinking the traditional hustle culture and embracing a healthier approach to business and life. They argue that the relentless pursuit of success at all costs is leading to burnout, exhaustion, and ultimately, unsustainable business practic...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness dive into the essential topic of managing your energy. They explore how different work styles and energy rhythms impact performance, especially for those with neurodivergent brains. They discuss the importance of understanding energy gainers and drainers, and how behavioural profiling, like DISC, can help. Nicky shares her journey of embracing her natural energy rhy...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness are joined by James Bartrop of Shadow Safe to discuss the concept of "Healthy Hustle." They explore how old-school, relentless work habits can be detrimental, and why balancing drive with well-being is essential for sustainable success. James shares his personal journey from unhealthy hustle to finding a healthier, more balanced approach to business and li...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness dive into the concept of working smarter, not harder, as they explore how a clear sense of direction can help you break free from the busy trap. They discuss the myths of multitasking, the importance of personal and business vision, and how to prioritise effectively for a more balanced life. Episode Highlights: Understanding the true meaning of "healthy hustle&...

In this episode, Nicky and Ness dive into the concept of the "Healthy Hustle," a term they've coined and built their book around. They explore the idea of creating a business that thrives while still allowing space for life and personal fulfilment. Through personal stories and lessons learned, they discuss the importance of balancing drive, success, and boundaries to avoid burnout....

In this episode, Lynn challenges the widely held belief that perfectionism and high performance are connected. She explains that putting in more effort doesn’t always equate to better results, introducing concepts like the Pareto principle and the law of diminishing returns. Lynn also delves into how old work cultures, focused on hard work and perfectionism, can hinder productivity. She encourages...