Toolbox Talk

“If you let yourself get swept up in the immediate, seemingly more urgent jobs you avoid those big, important jobs that grow your business.”  Putting your head down and churning through work is detrimental to business growth….  Why?  You not getting any of the important work done. If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Trad...

Who are you accountable to? Accountability is one of those buzzwords we hear all the time in business. You hear constantly that as the boss you should be accountable for your team, and your employees; your whole business. Yet who holds you accountable? Who makes sure you’re getting the jobs done? Who checks that you’re actually doing those big projects that will create growth and success in your b...

Unicorns and normals - what do I mean by that?  The unicorns are the anomalies but we ‘normals’ can still build sustainably successful businesses.  How? For s start you could download the 7 Systems guide. Comment and we’ll send it through.  If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.c...

Your business is primarily about emotions - even a trades business. Your business exists because of the way it (and you) make people feel about the work it does. Your business exists; it makes money because of how you treat your customers and your team (as well as yourself). If you want help bringing more emotion to your business book a call - we help with mindset in our program. -----------------...

‘Jon, how do I get more sales, consistently?’  A question I’m asked often by my clients and one answer is - stop jumping on the tools at the sign of trouble and think about your opportunity cost!  If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/ Book a money...

Miscommunication - how to avoid it with your customers and avoid the headaches that come with it. If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/ Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat FOLLOW US AT: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sma...

Let’s Talk Guarantees and Warranties  What is the difference between these two terms? People often get them confused or think they mean the same thing when they are different.  A warranty is something you legally have to have whereas a guarantee is something you can choose to provide.  Why? Find out in this week’s podcast. ----------- If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over...

How to grow your capacity. To make your trade business more successful you need to increase your capacity and there are several ways to do this. Listen to this week’s podcast to find out more. If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/ Book a money-mak...

Where Should You Spend Your Time As Your Business Grows? It’s an important question to ask yourself - listen to this week’s podcast to find out...

What’s a job management system and why have one?  They’re exceedingly useful tools if you don’t already have one or know about them… I’d highly advise getting one.  But first - why?  Well, they help automate all of your admin tasks - quoting, estimating, scheduling, job tracking, etc… it's all in one place.  And so much more...  Listen to this week’s blog post to understand why I am a huge fan...

Company Get-Togethers - why do them? We do one quarterly and it’s always an important event to get our clients together and away from the hurly-burly so they can focus on their business instead of continuing to be caught up in its grind. As well as an opportunity for us to showcase our program to trades business owners who may be interested in it - i.e. you. My Quarterly Intensive helps my clients...

'Level up your trades business in 2024' I've got some exciting news for you! I've made some changes in my coaching program to help you grow your business more quickly and efficiently. I'll explain to you in detail what this program means for you and how it can help you resolve some pressing issues with your trades business. Listen to this episode to find out more.

For this week's toolbox tip, I talk about fun - 'How to make work fun for your team'. And there are some benefits to doing so. Listen to this episode to find out more.

Despite the changes in comparing yourself (making you feel bad unnecessarily, ruining your motivation) it can also be useful. I’m sure you spend a bit of time thinking about what you’re doing right and wrong – I certainly do. Listen to this episode to find out more.

Comparison is the thief of joy - More often than not, these days we are comparing ourselves to others and this is no different as a business owner.  Comparison can be helpful but to be doing it in a way that is often not accurate or reasonable is unproductive.  Listen to this episode to find out more.

The important question you should ask yourself.

Do your people think your business makes much more money than it actually does? They probably do. In the absence of real information, people make up their own interpretations based on what little information they have. each your team how much employees really cost a business and show them all the other costs a business has to cover before it makes any profit because there’s a lot more than just wh...

How's your motivation? Is it a bit rubbish at the moment? Seems to be that way for quite a few people. If you've been feeling a bit flat or not very motivated, don't just plough on with work. You'll do a shitty job and you'll stay pissed off. Listen to this episode and do these things instead.

It can be challenging to let go of control and trust others to handle tasks, but it's necessary for growth and scalability. By focusing on growth and development, business owners can build a strong foundation for their businesses and create a sustainable future. Listen to this episode.

Hang up your toolbelt - start finding and winning more work for your team not just doing the 'work'. How might you do that?

To prioritise effectively the first thing you have to do is divide up your priorities. I like to think of them as divided into three things - your money, your capacity and your time: How might you do that?

]There are a number of reasons you may feel unmotivated when it comes to your trades business and whatever these reasons are, they are normal however, it can be hard to pull yourself out of a tired slump. In this week's podcast, I'll chat about how to get yourself back on track.

How much is enough? It's a question that obviously elicits a personal response from each of us so I’m not going to attempt to tell you the answer to what I think it should be. But I will point out how much could lead to making a mistake. Which begins when you blindly remain on a forward trajectory, getting lodged in that perpetual cycle of needing more - more money, more work, more success. Bu...

[Toolbox Tip] Why Cost Plus Is A Shit This podcast will help you understand why Cost Plus is risky and bad. As a business coach for tradies, I recommend fixed price quoting. Find out WHY.

Are you thinking of quitting because you're not making any progress and plans aren't working? Losing the desire to keep going is normal, but my advice is not to give up. Think about what you can do to help yourself, and seek help. Listen to this podcast.