Finance Hour on J-Air

Ever wondered about how businesses attract customers in the on-line world? Mystified by  SEO, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pay per click? Then today’s show is a must-hear. 

My guest is Joel Gerschman, managing director of the Change Coach. Joel cuts through the noise and guides his clients in harnessing digital marketing to attract potential customers. The result? A reliable funnel of new prospects eager to buy your product or services.

So whether you’re contemplating a digital marketing strategy or you are a consumer wanting to get insight into the strategies companies use to attract your business, you are certain to benefit from listening to this week’s show.

“If you are willing to be innovative and forward thinking as a business owner, there is always opportunity for growth” – Joel Gerschman

 “On-line marketing can enable you to get ahead despite some of the complexities and challenges of the current market.” – Joel Gerschman

“Despite the amount of material out there on the web, personal financial advice will always have a role in applying this information  for a client’s personal circumstances ” – Reuben Zelwer

 Today on the Finance Hour Podcast:

• In “Reuben’s Rant”, I give my take on Labor’s proposal to exempt pensioners from the bank on franking credit refund.
• Joel discussed the key growth drivers for businesses.
• How traditional and on-line marketing tools can work together.
• The role of content marketing in generating
• Why the digital marketing journey shouldn’t end once a customer buys your service or product.
• How to stand out in a cluttered digital world.
• A new way of asking for referrals.
• Joel’s 3 tips for businesses embarking on a digital marketing strategy.

And be sure to listen all the way to the end of the show for my “Propellerhead of the week” which is about why your Accountant and Financial Planner need to get on.

Mentioned Resources:

• Joel Gerschman’s LinkedIn profile
• The mindful entrepreneur
• Google Adwords
• Facebook

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 30– Who moved my cheese?

Is Bill Shorten’s announcement about getting rid of franking credit refunds akin to a cat moving a mouse’s cheese? Is it necessary to repair the budget repair or thievery from retirees and self-managed superannuation funds?

In this week’s episode we go straight to the top to get the answers.  I interview John Maroney who is the CEO of the Self-Managed Superannuation Fund Association, which represents both Advisers and Trustees of SMSFs.

So whether you will be directly affected by Labor’s proposed changes, or just want some insight into the political process, you are certain to benefit from listening to this week’s show.

“There could be several adverse economic impacts if this policy is implemented.” – John Maroney

 “Franking credit refunds have been part of the tax framework for 18 years and a lot of people have made their long term investment plans around that system” – John Maroney

 The median income that a member of an SMSF is drawing is  around $50,000 and the franking credits are $5,000 so this would cut 10% off the income of people who are generally not getting the age pension at all” - John Maroney

 “People who are affected should write their local Member of Parliament. Traditional letter writing has become a lost art” - John Maroney

 Today on the Finance Hour Podcast:

• The two groups that will be most affected if Labor’s proposal becomes law.
• The unexpected backlash from the announcement.
• Why John believes that the current system of refunding franking credits was good policy and was originally supported by both parties.
• How the proposal could affect valuations of Australian shares.
• What the Self Managed Superannuation Fund association is doing to influence Government.

And don’t forget to listen all the way to the end for my “Propellerhead of the week” which  is about some strange entries on my credit card statement following from my return home from Israel.

Mentioned Resources:

SMSF Association

John Maroney LinkedIn profile

Labor proposal to ditch franking credit rebates

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thought there was no link between physical and financial fitness? Well think again!  My guest this week is Fred Liberatore, who is a master coach, personal trainer, former amateur body builder and owner of Realfit Gym – a boutique gym and personal training studio with two locations in Melbourne

I talk to Fred about the surprising impact that a physical training program can have on financial decision making and overall wellbeing.  We also talk about Fred’s journey in starting and managing his business, which includes many lessons for all small business owners.

In this episode I also introduce a brand new segment called “Reuben’s Rant” where I give my personal take on happenings in the world of business and finance.

So whether you are in small business or contemplating a physical fitness regime, you are certain to benefit from listening to this week’s show.

“You need to be uncomfortable in order to be successful” - Fred Liberatore

 “Jumping into a business and buying into businesses is no easy feat. You need to plan with your finances as well.” – Fred Liberatore

 “A business coach gets you accountable and it’s a really good way to put systems in place” – Fred Liberatore

Today on the Finance Hour Podcast:

• In “Reuben’s Rant”, I give my take on Bill Shorten’s announcement regarding tax on company dividends.
• Fred shares his personal journey from a sport obsessed family, to amateur body builder and business owner.
• The link between physical wellbeing and financial decision making
• Strategies to change unhealthy habits?
• The intimate relationship between a personal trainer and their clients
• The business models for gyms and the advent of the burgeoning 24/7 gym
• How Fred approaches social media & email marketing in his business
• Fred’s 3 tips for people embarking on a personal fitness journey

And following my recent trip to Israel,  don’t forget to listen all the way to the end of the show for our “Propellerhead of the week” which is about accessing cash whilst travelling overseas.

Mentioned Resources:

• Fred Liberatore’s LinkedIn
• Realfit Gym

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. No matter how perfect a workplace may look from the outside, conflict is bound to happen one way or another. In this episode you’ll learn how to handle the inevitable complexities of workplace relationships and appreciate the importance of engaging in difficult conversations.

Tony and Zandy Fell of the Zalt Group specialise in helping businesses resolve internal conflicts among staff. And when things are beyond repair, they assist in managing the fallout to  minimise the long term damage to the business

Today they share with us some real-life stories of conflict and help us better understand the blurred lines between our  business and personal lives. We also hear their take on high profile cases in the media around workplace relationships and alleged inappropriate behaviors.

“You need to be flexible in your approach, your approach is not the only way to do things.” - Tony Fell

“Conflicts are more positive than people think.” - Zandy Fell

“Effective workplace relationships are a strategic advantage. If you’ve got good relationships in the workplace, you will be able to achieve what you need to.” - Zandy Fell

Today on the Finance Hour Podcast:

• How big an issue conflict is in the workplace and its negative impact on the business.
• How conflict affects business decisions.
• Why conflicts usually take longer to resolve in large businesses.
• How Zandy and Tony help businesses determine what is acceptable behavior in the workplace.
• How the objectives of different business partners may change over time and what to do about it.
• How to educate employees on the impact of their social media activity on the workplace.
• Tony and Zandy’s top three tips for managing conflicts at work.

And don’t forget to listen all the way to the end for our “Propellerhead of the week” which is about why investors should be looking more closely at principal and interest loans.

Mentioned Resources:

• Zalt Group
• Tony Fell LinkedIn profile
• Zandy Fell LinkedIn profile

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you happy with the returns of your share and property investments over the last few years? Optimistic that things will continue?  Or are you worried about an impending bear market (where shares and property prices start to fall and pessimism persists). On this episode, Tim Farrelly, principal at Farrelly’s Investment Strategy  provided us with some insights about what you can control and when you should be scared of the big bad bear.

I also spoke to Sean Herman, a Mortgage Broker from Professional Partners who provides insights into the bank’s attitude towards the property market.

“It is definitely a time  to absolutely be focused on the long term.”

• Tim Farrelly

“We should always be prepared for a downturn of the order of 10%, 15%, 20%, or even 25%”

• Tim Farrelly

Today on the  Finance Hour Podcast:

• What causes a bear market and why they are inevitable?
• The two situations which precipitate a big market fall.
• The impact of tax cuts in the company’s profits.
• The “chicken and egg” effect of wage growth to the economy.
• Insights about the emerging share markets like China, Taiwan, Korea, and India
• Why the US markets look expensive.
• The key differences between residential and commercial property markets.
• How bank lending practices influences house prices.

And be sure to listen all the way until the end for my “Propellerhead of the week” which is about how you can save money on insurance premiums by adjusting the payment frequency!

Mentioned Resources

• Farrelly’s
• Professional Partners

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 26 - Remembering Lawrence Shamrakov

This episode is dedicated to my dear friend and business partner, Lawrence Shamrakov who passed away tragically as a result of a bike accident two years ago (20 January 2016).  Lawrence’s cousin Gary Voskoboynik joins me today to speak a few people who were close to Lawrence and share their stories to give you an idea what kind of an amazing person he was. This is also for his daughter Maya who will one day listen to this tribute episode when she is old enough.

The guests on this week’s episode are:
Gary Gorov - Lawrence’s cousin
Mikel Guyetsky – friend and work colleague
Inge deKoster – client of Lawrence in his role as financial planner at Adapt.

“He was like my little brother, he was a few years younger than me. Everything I did he wanted to do as well” - Gary Voskoboynik

“We were more than family, we were more than friends. Our bond ran deeper than any. No-one really understands what we meant to each-other” – Gary Gorov

“He was such a special person to a lot of people in a lot of different ways. Every parent would want their child to emulate Lawrence” – Mikel Guyetsky

“It is difficult and emotional, but while we are talking, I can’t wipe the smile off my face thinking about him and everything he could do” – Reuben Zelwer

Today on the  Finance Hour Podcast:

• Reuben and Gary V talk about their memories of the day Lawrence passed away and their journey of the last two years
• Gary V talks about Lawrence’s cheekiness as a child and how he would tinker with family computer settings making it unusable in many occasions. As he got older, he became incredibly tech savvy and became the go to guy for anything IT.
• Gary G recounts how Lawrence had a strong sense of responsibility to both himself and his family and gives a moving message to Lawrence’s daughter Maya.
• Mikel Guyetsky, shares his  story on how he met Lawrence and how their close friendship developed.
• Mikel and Reuben talk about Lawrence’s creative side including his passion for marketing, design photography and  creating websites His combination of both technical and creative skills was truly unique. 
• Mikel’s message for Lawrence’s daughter Maya
• Inge de Koster,  a client of Lawrence’s at Adapt Wealth Management tells us what he was like as a financial planner. He was attentive, sensitive and had an amazing memory of what was going on in Inge’s life
• Gary V and Reuben talk about the programs they are continuing in Lawrence’s memory. Gary is involved in a truck driver bicycle awareness program through Bicycle Network where he will add a personal touch by sharing Lawrence’s story.
• Reuben and his wife Keren have set up a loan fund in Lawrence’s name at Empower (Jewish Care interest free loans) which will provide funding for young professionals and small business owners to further their careers.

And make sure to listen all the way to the end where Reuben shares three important lessons from how Lawrence managed his financial affairs.

Resources mentioned

• Adapt Wealth Management
• Empower (Jewish Care interest free loans)
• Wealth Axis (Mikel Guyetsky)
• Bicycle Network

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder how Uber (valued at roughly $50 billion!) and other private companies rapidly scale its business operation without ever going public and listing on the stock market?  In this episode you’ll learn how private equity enables companies to exponentially scale their businesses and tap new markets. 

Simon Feiglin is a Managing Partner and Fund Manager at The Riverside Company. The Riverside Company is a global private equity firm focused on making control and non-control investments in growing businesses valued at up to $400 million. Since its founding in 1988, Riverside has invested in more than 490 transactions and the firm's international portfolio includes more than 80 companies. 

“If you have good management and a little bit of risk appetite, you'll be successful” - Simon Feiglin 

“If you want to scale, you’re gonna need other people in the business so you need to make sure you got the right foundation to support that” - Simon Feiglin 

Today on the  Finance Hour Podcast: 

• What is Private Equity? 
• Simon’s backstory and how he ended up being a private equity fund manager 
• What type of growth Riverside plan for when buying into a business 
• How Riverside finds potential businesses to invest in 
• Simon’s take on ‘disruptors’ such as Amazon coming in Australia and the role of technology  
• Simon’s experience with Retail Zoo which includes the well know franchise Boost Juice 
• Challenges that comes up when investing in a business alongside the original owners 
• Riverside Company’s source of funds 
• How you can invest in private equity as an individual 

And don’t forget to listen all the way to the end for our “Propellerhead of the week” which is about   assessing your level of cover for health insurance!  

Mentioned Resources: 

• Riverside Company 
• Simon’s Linkedin Profile 

• Retail Zoo 
• Boost Juice 
• Janine Allis 

Thanks for tuning in! 

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered if it’s worth setting aside budget for marketing in your small business today? In this episode you’ll learn why there’s no better time to start marketing than now.

Timbo Reid who runs the #1 podcast marketing show called Small business, Big marketing shares his tips on how to make your business stand up from other businesses. He also shares his thoughts on how business owners can dedicate the right amount of time in a focused way without getting sidetracked to get the most Return On Investment (ROI) out of content marketing.

“Never Stop Learning. Keep your mind open and keep learning” - Timbo Reid

“Marketing is everything, everything is marketing.” - Timbo Reid

Today on the  Finance Hour Podcast:

• How to use Google as a free marketing tool.
• Listen as Timbo Reid debunks small businesses’ marketing myths!
• Learn the importance of leveraging content marketing for businesses!
• Timbo Reid’s top three tips that every business owner should know!

And don’t forget to listen all the way to the end for our “Propellerhead of the week” which is about   using  your internet banking app to its capacity, maximizing its data and reports to help you make better financial decisions.

Mentioned Resources:

• Small Business, Big Marketing website
• Timbo’s Linkedin Profile
• Timbo’s twitter

Thanks for tuning in!

 Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever thought that financial advice is just for the wealthy? Well think again. Technology is making the first steps on the path to financial success easier than ever.

In this episode of the Finance Hour, we have an in-depth discussion with Paul Feeney of Mapymplan an on-line program allowing people to set-up a simple, actionable financial strategies without the jargon. We discuss

• Why financial advice is more than just managed funds and insurance policies.
• Paul's journey from the finance industry, travelling the world to a start-up financial technology business.
• How an on-line tool such as mapmyplan can be a great stepping stone to getting advice from a real life, human financial planner!

And don't forget to listen all the way until the end for Paul's three top financial tips.

Thanks for tuning in! 

Thanks for joining us on today’s episode of the The Finance Hour podcast! If you enjoyed today’s episode, please head over to iTunes and leave us a rate and review to help us reach even more listeners. Don’t forget to check out our website, visit us on Facebook, or hang out with us on Twitter to stay up-to-date on what’s in store for you! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’ episode is about investing in small and medium size companies. I have a great discussion with Callum Burns who manages the SGH Hiscock ICE fund,

Tune in to learn

• Why investors should diversify away from the big bank and resources stocks despite their high level of franked dividends.
• Examples of smaller companies which have a competitive edge or a ‘moat’ around their business model.
• Why you want to invest in a company which an idiot can run (because you can be certain that this will occur one day).
• Callum’s three tips for making smart investment decisions.

And don’t forget to listen all the way to the end for my Propeller Head of the week where  I outline a critical issue for you to be aware of when transferring money between superannuation funds

If you are enjoying the Finance Hour, please leave us a review on ITunes. For previous episodes go to our  website 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.