Business Essentials

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 leaders can identify unintentional bullying through hard and soft data, the profound impact of workplace dynamics on employee well-being, and practical steps to create a safe, trusting, and high-performing environment.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 searching for potential clients, personalising connection invites, and building relationships through engagement. Investing 5 to 10 minutes a day, she insists, can yield major results.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 experience at the highest levels, he discusses how self-awareness, open communication, and genuine care for people can overcome the human challenges of change.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 time aside for review and reflection.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 national average. The Chamber’s CEO, Andrew McKellar, says all of this, coupled with economic pressures such as rising costs, tight labor markets, and fragile supply chains, is becoming increasingly daunting. Andrew outlines the practical reforms that could alleviate these burdens and empower small business owners to thrive.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 communication, and using what he calls the "competency-care seesaw" to deal with complex situations. He emphasises the importance of being as kind as you are clear if you want to build a stronger team and maintain credibility.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 businesses to implement a strategy of "yes".

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 belonging are essential for building high-performing, resilient teams in 2025. And he offers strategies to future-proof your workplace.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 customised Reformer Pilates machines, exclusive to KX Pilates studios, have revolutionised the workout experience. He discusses early struggles to educate the market and the pivotal role word-of-mouth and creative marketing strategies, played in KX Pilates’ success.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 illustrates what keeps family business owners awake at night, the importance of long-term planning and the impact of strong family values on businesses. Catherine describes how the survey’s results will set advocacy priorities.

Business Essentials Daily is produced by:

SoundCartel
soundcartel.com.au
+61 3 9882 8333

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.