Less Than 15

 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 to use tools like Xero and SYFT to stay ahead of the curve. This is a focused,  practical chat to help you spot risks, boost cash, and make better decisions in any market conditions.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why profit doesn’t guarantee positive cashflow
• The 5 biggest cashflow killers to watch for
• How to spot patterns in customer payments
• Strategies to speed up cash collection
• Simple Xero tools to track cash and stay alert
• How tech can reduce surprises and support smarter decisions

Mike also mentioned the value of using SYFT, an AI-powered cloud software that can create reports, forecasts, dashboards, and consolidations.   

Action Step
Take 10 minutes each day to review your cashflow. Ask: What’s due in? What’s due out? Any red flags? Start tracking patterns before they become problems.

Guest Bio
Mike McNab is a Partner at DFK Oswin Griffiths Carlton in Auckland. With deep expertise in business performance and advisory, he helps SMEs across New Zealand navigate the complex relationship between profitability, cashflow, and sustainability, often using tech tools to make smarter, faster decisions.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

 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 identifying, systemising, and letting go of the time-consuming tasks that keep business owners out of their zone of genius. You’ll learn how to free up space to think, lead, and grow without losing control.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the “30% burden” looks like in a typical business
  
  
• The mindset shift required to let go of tasks
  
  
• The power of SAD: systemise, automate, delegate—or ditch
  
  
• Why ditching tasks can be just as powerful as delegating
  
  
• How to run a simple time-and-task audit in just 5 days
  
  
• Six categories that help you organise and identify your overwhelm

Action Step
Start tracking your time and tasks for five days—just jot down what you’re doing and when. It will give you a clear picture of what you can systemise, automate, delegate or ditch. Then use Kristy’s free downloadable list of “101 things a VA can do” to spark ideas.

Guest Bio

Kristy Smith is the founder of Virtual Elves, a business she launched in 2009 to help small business owners reclaim their time and scale with support. She is an expert in virtual assistance, delegation strategies, and business systems.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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, influence funding opportunities, and satisfy supply chain expectations, plus, why it’s smarter to view ESG as a strategic investment, not just a compliance burden.

Whether you're a business owner wanting to stay competitive, win more tenders, or future-proof your operations, this is the 15-minute insight you need.

In this episode, we cover:

• What ESG really means and why it applies to SMEs
• The dual pressure of compliance and strategic positioning
• How ESG can help unlock green loans and funding
• The influence of ESG on customer and hiring decisions
• Why ESG disclosures might hit your inbox even if you’re not legally required

Action Step
Google “ESG in [your industry]” to get a quick overview of emerging expectations, and start thinking about where ESG fits into your brand, operations, and future plans.

Guest Bio
Chaitanya Mawji is Audit Director at CIB Accountants and Advisors, our DFKANZ firm in Parramatta. With deep experience across assurance and compliance, he's passionate about helping businesses view ESG as an opportunity for growth and innovation, not just red tape.

Don't miss the ESG Webinar with Chaitanya 

1pm AEST Thursday, July 3. More depth, and the opportunity to ask questions - register here 

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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 examples, her “three commandments” for training your AI, and tips for prompt refinement that boost both quality and connection. Whether you’re using AI to write emails, blog posts, or proposals, this episode will help you amplify your voice, not erase it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why saving time isn’t the only goal with AI—and how to avoid the “productivity trap”
  
  
• The 3 essential areas to train your AI tool on (brand, business, and customer)
  
  
• How to improve your prompt skills and build a collaborative relationship with your AI assistant
  
  
• What good AI content sounds like—and why the best AI outputs feel fully human
  
  

Bonus Resource
Download Leanne’s free Brand Voice Prompting Guide to start training your tool the right way.

Action Step:
Pick one key area of communication, like LinkedIn posts or proposals, and start training your AI tool today. Add examples, tweak the outputs, and watch the quality improve.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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 create a safer, more sustainable workplace culture.

Whether you’ve heard whispers about legislation changes or just want to do better for your team, this episode is a must-listen. Wendy shares practical, common-sense ideas for identifying risks and taking simple steps to make work better for everyone.

What We Cover in Less Than 15 Minutes

• What psychosocial hazards actually are and why they matter
• How unaddressed stress at work can become a physical and legal risk
• The link between clarity, autonomy, support, and safety
• The role of leaders in shaping a wellbeing-focused culture
• Where to start—even if you feel unsure or under-resourced

Download the Psychologically Safe Workplaces Checklist compiled by Wendy here.

And access the psychosocial hazards guidelines from Safe Work Australia or your local WHS site.

Take action - Choose one area, such as role clarity, workload, or support, and ask your team for honest input. Start there, and build from what you learn.

You can revisit Wendy's episode on The Right to Disconnect legislation here. 

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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 guest specialists who deliver succinct, real-world guidance that helps you lead, grow, and future-proof your business. From AI and brand voice to psychological safety, digital marketing metrics, and estate planning, this season is packed with timely insights and action steps.

If you’re looking for high-value, low-fuss business content you can apply right away, you're in the right place. Subscribe today and tune in each Tuesday to catch the latest episode.

In Season 2, we’ll explore:

• How to meet your psychological safety responsibilities
• What ESG really means for SMEs
• How to infuse your brand voice into your AI tools
• Where risk starts and how to lead through it
• How to reduce task overload and reclaim thinking time
• The must-know digital marketing metrics
• Self-managed super funds and estate planning essentials
   …and more.

Listen now, subscribe, and get actionable insights every Tuesday in under 15 minutes.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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 resources that can help you dive deeper.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• Episode 1: Insights for Tough Times with Rob Shelton
  Focus on balancing cost-cutting with growth opportunities.
  
  
• Episode 2: The Hidden Business Economy with Liz Fleming
  Unlock grant opportunities with a strategic plan.
  
  Free Resource: Grant Application Checklist & Australian Grants Search Sites.
  
  
• Episode 3: Open the Door to Innovation with Reverse Mentoring with Maree McPherson. Bring diverse perspectives into your leadership.
  
  Free Resource: The differences between coaching and mentoring
  
  
• Episode 4: The Productivity Power of AI for SMEs with Gihan Perera
  AI can streamline processes and free up time.
  
  Free Resource: Accelerate AI: Build your capability rapidly
  
  
• Episode 5: The Right to Disconnect with Wendy Jeffery-Lonnie
  Build clear out-of-hours communication policies for your team.
  
  Free Resource: Right to Disconnect Guide and Checklist
  
  
• Episode 6: Everyday Cybersecurity with Christina Arcane
  Implement strong password hygiene and educate your team.
  
  Free Resource: Launching your cybersecurity employee program
  
  
• Episode 7: Creating Menopause-Friendly Workplaces with Sonya Lovell
  Simple adjustments can make a big difference in supporting staff.
  
  Free Resource: Menopause-Friendly Workplace Checklist.
  
  
• Episode 8: Data-Driven Business Decisions with Mitchell Brooks
  Track KPIs in real-time for smarter business growth.
  
  
• Episode 9: Shorter, Smarter Meetings with Donna McGeorge
  Keep meetings to 25 minutes to maximise efficiency.
  
  Free Resource: A Guide to Transform Your Meetings.
  
  
• Episode 10: Getting Your Business Ready for Sale with Gary Nugent
  Start planning 3-5 years ahead to maximize business value.
  
  

If you found value in this series, take a moment to subscribe so you don’t miss out on Series 2 of Less Than 15 — where we’ll continue to provide you with expert advice and actionable insights to grow your business!

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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 advance and provides practical advice on how to increase your business’s value before you even think about selling.

If you want to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start with the End in Mind:
   
   
   • Most business owners leave it too late to start preparing for a sale. Gary recommends starting at least 3 to 5 years in advance to ensure you have enough time to make necessary improvements and position your business for the best possible sale price.
2. Avoid Common Pitfalls:
   
   
   • The biggest risk of leaving it too late is that you’ll end up selling your business for less than it’s worth. If you don’t have enough time to lock in key people or fix issues within the business, it may appear less attractive to potential buyers and you could become a “price taker” rather than getting what your business is truly worth.
3. Focus on Key Areas for Improvement:
   
   
   • Gary highlights the importance of focusing on core areas like brand strength, system documentation, key people, business plans, and client relationships. Think about what makes franchises successful: a strong brand, documented systems, and clear plans.
4. Create a Transferable Business:
   
   
   • It’s not about selling you—it’s about selling the business. Make sure you have systems in place that allow the business to run independently of you. This means empowering your team and ensuring your processes are well-documented.
5. Different Avenues to Market:
   
   
   • From selling to a competitor to engaging with brokers or attending trade fairs, Gary outlines multiple pathways to selling your business. Each comes with its own risks and benefits, so it’s important to choose the right strategy based on your goals and timeline.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re a business owner thinking about selling your business—whether it’s in 3 years or 10 years—this episode provides invaluable advice on how to maximise your business’s value and avoid common pitfalls. Don’t leave this important decision to the last minute. Start planning now to ensure a successful and profitable sale.

Guest Information:

Gary Nugent is the Managing Partner of DFK Nugent in Melbourne and the Chair of DFK Australia New Zealand. With extensive experience in advising businesses on mergers, acquisitions, and sales, Gary is a seasoned expert in preparing businesses for sale and ensuring owners get the best value for their hard work.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

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 calendar is packed with back-to-back meetings, this episode is for you!

Key Takeaways:

1. The Problem with 60-Minute Meetings:
   • Most meetings are set for an hour by default, but they often waste valuable time. Donna explains why cutting meetings down to 25 minutes creates a sense of urgency and focus, leading to better outcomes in less time.
2. Creating Focus and Clarity:
   • When you limit a meeting to 25 minutes, everyone knows they need to get to the point quickly. This sense of urgency eliminates unnecessary chatter and gets everyone aligned on the task at hand.
3. Managing Different Types of Meetings:
   • Short, sharp meetings work best for operational discussions or regular check-ins with 5-7 participants. For more strategic or creative sessions, consider using structured frameworks to maximise productivity even in a shorter time frame.
4. Avoiding Common Pitfalls:
   • Don't just replace one-hour meetings with more short ones! Use the extra time to catch up on work, decompress, or prepare for your next meeting. It’s about having fewer, better meetings.
5. Taking the Leap:
   • You don’t need anyone’s permission to make your meetings shorter. Start with your own meetings and lead by example. Set the expectation that meetings will be 25 minutes, with a clear purpose and desired outcomes.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re overwhelmed by back-to-back meetings and want to take control of your schedule, this episode offers practical steps to make your meetings shorter and more productive. Learn how to create space for the work that truly matters!

Visit the dfkanz website episode page to download your free guide from Donna to transform your own meetings.

Guest Information:

Donna McGeorge is a productivity and efficiency expert, author, and speaker. She helps businesses and individuals reclaim their time by making meetings more effective and impactful.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today! 

 
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 to track key performance indicators (KPIs), measure your goals in real-time, and make smarter, data-driven decisions that drive real growth.

Key Takeaways:

Why You Need to Set Clear Goals:

Without clear, defined goals, your business risks losing direction with success happening by accident, rather than repeatable, scaleable design. Mitchell explains that having goals in your head is not enough—you need to vocalise them and share them with your team so everyone is aligned and working towards the same targets.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls:

One of the biggest mistakes business owners make is not communicating their goals. Whether you’re aiming to increase sales or reduce costs, it’s crucial to ensure your team knows what those targets are so they can contribute to achieving them.

Using Tech to Track Progress:

You don’t have to be a tech expert to use cloud-based tools like Xero to track your goals in real-time. Mitchell shares how you can easily set up dashboards to monitor KPIs such as sales, profitability, and customer growth—all without getting lost in spreadsheets.

Customising How You See Your Data:

Every business is different, and so is every business owner. Whether you prefer detailed reports or visual dashboards, Mitchell explains how you can tailor how your data is presented, making it easier to keep your finger on the pulse of your business.

Real-Life Application:

Mitchell walks you through a real-world example of how he’s helped clients use data to improve their profitability. From tracking gross profit margins to monitoring sales numbers, he demonstrates how to turn insights into action, driving growth and efficiency.

Why You Should Listen:

You’re busy, and so is your team. However, making time to set and track meaningful goals could be the key to unlocking more profit and smoother operations. This episode will give you practical, actionable steps to combine your business instincts with the power of data—helping you achieve goals that grow your business.

Our Guest - Mitchell Brooks

Mitchell Brooks is a Partner at DFK Hirn Newey, specialising in helping businesses leverage data and technology to make informed decisions and drive profitability. He has extensive experience working with small and medium-sized businesses, helping them set actionable goals and track their progress with real-time data.

Less Than 15 is a show brought to you by leading Accountants and Business Advisors, DFK Australia New Zealand.

We help business owners make better decisions with our local knowledge, national connections and global reach.

Search for a firm here and have a conversation with us today!