Crisis breeds opportunity, that’s what I say again and again. Businesses have been put in a tight spot due to this pandemic but it doesn’t mean that it’s the end. Choose change and start the work of reinventing your business to cater to what your customers need the most nowadays. Instead of worrying, focus on adapting. In the current business climate, we have two options, we either adapt or die! 

In this week’s episode, I talk with Nils Vesk of Ideas with Legs. We talk about how businesses should grab the opportunity to redesign and re-evaluate their processes to suit the environment we are in. Nils also shares the importance of reinventing from a customer’s perspective and how to leverage on what you are currently doing, and a lot more. 

I believe that this topic is becoming more relevant now and so I encourage you to tune in to this episode. 

Resources: 

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• Ideas with Legs (www.ideaswithlegs.com)
• Contact Nils Vesk through email ([email protected])
• The Site Shed Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSiteShed)
• Innovate Your Business Series 
• • Episode 88 - Using innovation to grow your business (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/using-innovation-to-grow-your-business/)
  • Episode 89 - Creating innovative business models and processes (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/creating-innovative-business-models-and-processes/)
  • Episode 90 - Creating an innovative customer experience (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/creating-an-innovative-customer-experience/)
• Innovative Thinking 
• • Episode 149 - Innovative thinking Part One (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/innovative-1)
  • Episode 150 - Innovative thinking Part Two (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/innovative-2)

What’s Discussed In This Episode: 

1. How the playing field is leveled for businesses now [5:45]
2. Why those who adapt, survive

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

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⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

If you are serious about protecting your business then the safeguarding of intellectual property, your brand, is one of the things you can start looking into (if you haven’t) to protect it from any legal risks in the future. 

In this episode with Helen Kay, The Contracts Lawyer, we have an interesting and informative conversation regarding keeping one’s intellectual property safe specifically by registering a trademark. She clarifies to us that having a business name is different from registering a trademark as the latter is your way of securing your brand, making sure that you alone have the right to use it. She stresses on how your brand is one of your business’s most important assets, the benefits of registering your trademark, and she also guides us into the practical steps for registering a trademark, etc. 

Tune in to this episode to gather this information we made available to you. 

Resources: 

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• The Contracts Lawyer (www.thecontractslawyer.com.au)
• IP Australia (https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/) 
• Check Part 1 of this series (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/contracts-1/)
• Check Part 2 of this series (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/contracts-2/)

What’s Discussed in This Episode: 

1. Overview of episode [4:16]
2. Registering a trademark [6:09]
3. The difference between the ™ and ® symbols [10:12]
4. Business names and trademarks [10:51]
5. Benefits of registering your trademark [11:57]
6. Registering similar business names [14:23]
   1. Check if your name is trademarkable [17:19]
   2. Identify the goods and services your business is about [21:04]
   3. Search for existing trademarks [22:17]
   4. Two ways to apply for your trademark [22:45]
7. Practical steps for registering a trademark 

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resources:

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• The Contracts Lawyer (www.thecontractslawyer.com.au)
• Personal Property Securities Register (https://www.ppsr.gov.au/)
• Check out Part 1 of this series with Helen Kay (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/contracts-1/)
• How to Sell Your Trades Business Series    
• • Episode 220 (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/brandon-1/)
  • Episode 221(https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/brandon-2/) 
  • Episode 222 (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/brandon-3/)

Selling your business. This topic should make business owners curious about whether they are planning to sell or not. As a business owner, it can be considered a wise thing to do if you start preparing your business with the end in mind, especially because one of the key factors that determine if a business is thriving is if it is ready for sale. 

In this episode with Helen Kay, The Contracts Lawyer, she emphasises the importance of getting help from experienced professionals to help with the sale of one’s business and the tasks that business owners can do themselves to make sure the sale goes smoothly. She also talks about the stages of selling a business, the seller’s due diligence, etc. 

I highly recommend that you tune in to this episode as it provides vital information about preparing your business for sale. 

What’s Discussed in This Episode: 

1. An overview of The Contracts Lawyer and recap of the previous episode [3:54]
2. Getting into the business of ‘selling your business’ [5:27]
3. The legal business health checklist [8:47]
4. The importance of working with experienced professionals [10:42]
5. Stages of selling your business [12:53]
   • Ensure the busines

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resource Links: 

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• The Contracts Lawyer (www.thecontractslawyer.com.au)
• Australian Consumer Law (https://consumerlaw.gov.au/australian-consumer-law)
• Debt Collection Information (https://www.accc.gov.au/business/treating-customers-fairly/debt-collection)
• Check our previous podcast with Helen Kay as one of our guests (https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/coronavirus-1/)   

When we’re asked why we’re in business we all have a common answer and that is to earn an income. As much as we love and are passionate about what we do, the very goal of every business, even with tradies, is having income. But most business owners, especially those who do not receive upfront payments for services, are faced with the problem of not getting paid on time or not getting paid at all for jobs that have already been accomplished. This was a problem prior to the pandemic and has become a pressing issue now because of the current climate we are experiencing. 

In this podcast episode, we will talk with Helen Kay, The Contracts Lawyer. She is going to enlighten us by providing helpful tips to address this dilemma. We will cover topics such as different payment structures, the importance of contracts and invoices, payment terms, different clauses to put in your terms and conditions, setting up of systems and processes to ensure that you get paid, and a lot more. 

There’s a wealth of information that you wouldn’t want to miss so tune in to this episode!

What’s Discussed in This Episode: 

1. How Helen Kay had to reinvent the advise she gives due to this pandemic [9:08]
2. Contracts and invoices [13:45]
3. Setting up the terms and conditions [17:09]
4. Why terms and conditions should be updated [18:58]
5. How to communicate the updated terms and conditions to your clients [20:05]
6. Terms and conditions for current contracts [20:48]

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resource Links: 

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• Get in touch with Al through his website https://7powercontractor.com/ 
• Get in touch with Ellen through her website https://ellenrohr.com/ 
• You can also access Al Levi’s Training Module program using The Site Shed’s discount code at https://www.7powercontractor.com/tss/
• Check out Matt’s last podcast with Al and Ellen - https://www.thesiteshed.com/blog/when-is-the-right-time-to-expand/

This pandemic has created not just a panic towards our physical well-being but is affecting us in so many other ways. Business owners are stressed, they seem to think that hope is lost and are running out of ideas on how to make their businesses stronger even in the face of this crisis. 

In this episode, Al and Ellen provide practical help to all business owners who are struggling now. They believe that something, in fact, a lot of things can still be done to emerge stronger after this crisis. We will talk about refining business objectives, the role of communication to get your business’s message across, seizing and spotting of the right opportunities that this crisis presents, and a lot more. 

If you are a business owner finding it hard to navigate through this crisis yet bent on emerging stronger when this is all over, this episode might just be what you need.

What’s Discussed In This Episode: 

1. Who to listen to during this crisis [8:43]
2. Refining business objectives with the changes happening [9:53]
3. Why having systems in place prior to this crisis is important [12:41]
4. The critical role of communication during a crisis [15:36]
5. How triage makes us focus on what’s important [16:18]  
6. Al’s narrative on how he survived past crises with the right attitude [21:17]
7. Seizing the opportunity to step into greatness [24:55]
8. Understanding your KFP (Known Financial Position) [27:50]

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resource Links:

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• Get in touch with Joe at Winning Reviews (https://www.winning.reviews/)

Reviews and testimonials are conversion factors which tradespeople and contractors shouldn’t neglect. Time and time again, we’ve seen people become customers after reading positive reviews or testimonials. The power of reviews is definitely something that tradies should learn to harness and manage responsibly.  

In this episode, we put the spotlight on reviews and testimonials. Joe Mikitish is with us today as we dive into the entire landscape including how to obtain reviews, where to put them up, and making them a part of your process. We also discuss how to handle negative reviews when they come up, which happens in any industry. 

If you’re a business owner interested in utilising reviews and testimonials the right way, this episode is exactly what you need.

What’s Discussed In This Episode:

1. Joe’s background and what Winning Reviews does [06:04]
2. Who are the businesses they work with [08:01]
3. The transition to digital word-of-mouth [09:40]
4. The problem with relying on Facebook and Google reviews [14:47]
5. Other platforms for reviews [16:37]
6. The longevity of free real estate in Google My Business [18:37]
7. Joe’s process around navigating negative reviews [22:00]
8. Making obtaining reviews as part of the process [25:19]
9. Soliciting reviews while following Google rules [27:19]
10. Leveraging customer reviews [32:40]
11. Re-engaging customers [38:32]
12. The relationship between reviews and search engine rankings [45:38]
13. The difference between Google Maps and Google My Business [47:53]
14. Publishing reviews on your website [50:44]
15. Reviews as social proofs [52:36]

About Our Guest:

Joe Mikitish is the co-founder of software company, Winning Reviews. Coming from an engineering background, he has worked for companies like Microsoft and HP. He st

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resource Links:

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• Get more teachings about content creation at Tradiematepro (https://www.tradiematepro.com.au/)

Public speaking is said to be one of the most feared things by people. Who knew that the camera can cause so much fear? But creating your content involves you putting your face out there and talking because you carry your brand and your business. 

In Part 3 of our ‘Mastering storytelling’ series, Dan and Dani from The Block and Healthy Homes Australia are back once more. For many tradies thinking of making content, being in front of the camera is a major worry. What if I don’t look good? What if I sound awful? These are some of the questions they have. Dan and Dani are here to help our listeners overcome their fears and get their content done.

The camera is just a black device. So relax and trust in yourself. If you need tips to getting more comfortable on camera, this episode is exactly what you need.

What’s Discussed In This Episode:

1. Dan’s experience getting comfortable in front of the camera [02:59]
2. Getting over the hurdle and your ego [08:42]
3. Using scripts to avoid screwing up [10:00]
4. Knowing your value and what you bring to the table [13:15]
5. Putting people at ease [16:32]
6. Challenge for all podcast listeners [21:53]

About Our Guests:

Dan Reilly and Dani Wales are co-founders of Red Door Project, a construction company based in Melbourne, Australia. Both became recognised personalities in the home interior industry after becoming the “Power Couple” on The Block. They have also been featured on Healthy Homes Australia. Their renovated “Block” houses in both South Melbourne and Bondi have been widely acclaimed as stylish and beautifully resolved. 

Having come on board as Personal Branding Experts at Tradiematepro, Dan and Dani are flying the flag when it comes to content and branding.

If you want to get to know more about them, check out Ep. 234 - Celebrity Tradies Dan and Dani from The Block and Healthy Homes Australia.

Take on our challenge and post a content video you made on our

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resource Links:

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• Get more teachings about content creation at Tradiematepro (https://www.tradiematepro.com.au/)

Once you have the foundational blocks needed, a solid content creation strategy is necessary to effectively execute your plans and achieve the outcome you want. You don’t want to just wing it, and you don’t have to do it alone either. 

In Part 2 of our ‘Mastering storytelling’ series, Dan and Dani talk about building out the content creation strategy including who to involve, tools to use, and how to deploy it.

If you’re serious about building up your brand through content, now is the time to get moving, so don’t miss this important episode!

What’s Discussed In This Episode:

1. Who creates the content [05:24]
2. Tying together the content with the brand [07:40]
3. Getting help from other businesses or other tradies [11:47]
4. Creating consistency and accountability [15:39]
5. Using content to direct customers to your site [18:28]
6. Content comes in many forms [21:52]
7. Tools for streamlining the process [23:36]

About Our Guests:

Dan Reilly and Dani Wales are co-founders of Red Door Project, a construction company based in Melbourne, Australia. Both became recognised personalities in the home interior industry after becoming the “Power Couple” on The Block. They have also been featured on Healthy Homes Australia. Their renovated “Block” houses in both South Melbourne and Bondi have been widely acclaimed as stylish and beautifully resolved. 

Having come on board as Personal Branding Experts at Tradiematepro, Dan and Dani are flying the flag when it comes to content and branding.

If you want to get to know more about them, check out Ep. 234 - Celebrity Tradies Dan and Dani from The Block and Healthy Homes Australia.

Connect with me on LinkedIn. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit my website. Tune in and subscribe to The Site Shed: You can also listen to The Site Shed on

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Resource Links:

• Come and visit my website at (https://www.thesiteshed.com/)
• Check my latest podcast or listen to the previous ones (https://www.thesiteshed.com/podcasts/)
• Tradie Web Guys (https://www.tradiewebguys.com.au/apply)
• Get more teachings about content creation at Tradiematepro (https://www.tradiematepro.com.au/)

Content creation can be a waste of time if you’re not doing it right. Laying the foundation blocks for your content strategy is key to get ahead. It’s the same principle you as a builder live by when you do your day to day work. This is where our branding experts come in.

In Part 1 of our ‘Mastering Storytelling’ series, we welcome back Dan and Dani from The Block and Healthy Homes Australia. Having reached the pinnacle of content creation, both Dan and Dani are here to talk about laying the foundations of successful content creation.

The content creation game is definitely something every trade business owner should get into. So don’t waste any more time and tune in.

What’s Discussed In This Episode:

1. What Dan and Dani are busy with these days [03:38]
2. Promoting your business on social media [08:35]
3. Why and How Dan and Dani do content creation [10:07]
4. Structuring and scheduling content [15:02]
5. How they find and identify their ideal customer [17:11]
6. Using content to target, qualify, and disqualify customers [21:27]
7. Analysing the content strategy [25:15]
8. What classifies a successful piece of content [28:07]
9. A rough framework for getting started in content creation [35:07]

About Our Guests:

Dan Reilly and Dani Wales are co-founders of Red Door Project, a construction company based in Melbourne, Australia. Both became recognised personalities in the home interior industry after becoming the “Power Couple” on The Block. They have also been featured on Healthy Homes Australia. Their renovated “Block” houses in both South Melbourne and Bondi have been widely acclaimed as stylish and beautifully resolved. 

Having come on board as Personal Branding Experts at Tradiematepro, Dan and Dani are flying the flag when it comes to content and branding.

If you want to get to know more about them, check out Ep. 234 - Celebrity Tradies Dan and Dan

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Guest: Jon Dale from Small Fish Business Coaching

Running a business is not a simple one-step process. It has many aspects you should learn about, especially when you’re aiming for success. The beauty in it is that every business owner can come up with their own strategy.

Today’s episode is a fantastic discussion about how trade businesses can approach the topic of building assets, using automation, and re-engaging with their customers. The continuous exchange of brilliant ideas and opinions here is something you wouldn’t want to miss.

Do you want to stand out from the competition? Do you want to hear from different perspectives? Tune in now and learn how to grow your business.

For more episodes with our special guest, Jon Dale, be sure to check these links out:

• TSS 204 – Why having decent margins is important – [LINK]
• TSS 205 – How to sell your value and maintain a solid sales process – [LINK]
• TSS 206 – Resisting the ‘Discount Pressure’ – [LINK]

About this 'Podcast with Jon Dale’ Podcast Highlights:

• 05:00 – Three different types of trade businesses
• 07:06 – Relationship marketing
• 14:05 – How email marketing and good content works
• 21:18 – Increasing the customers’ lifetime value
• 25:27 – Keeping control of your assets
• 33:35 – Why people invest in marketing
• 36:25 – Building an asset for your business
• 43:43 – Nurturing relationships
• 58:27 – Creating useful content and changing your perspective
• 1:07:15 – Proper Data collection and reporting

This episode shares an interesting discussion between two different views about automated marketing. We provide the breakdown of effective email marketing, customer re-engagement, and creating a secure database. With this, I hope you’ll be able to apply this practical knowledge to your business.

About Jon Dale

Jon Dale is an experienced business coach from Small Fish Business Coaching. With more than ten years under his belt, he guides business owners and builders on creating, growing, and scaling a profitable business. You can reach Jon through their website or LinkedIn.

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series,

Your Next Step:

Join Tradie Academy, our free community packed with templates, checklists, and resources shared by podcast guests, coaches, and successful tradies.

👉 Join free and grab your next growth tool here: https://tradie.wiki/pod

Follow The Site Shed:

• Facebook: The Site Shed
• Instagram: @thesiteshed
• LinkedIn: Matt Jones
• Website: thesiteshed.com
• YouTube: @TheSiteShed

If you enjoyed this podcast and this series, please take 5 to leave us a review:
⭐ https://lovethepodcast.com/TheSiteShed

Love the audio version of this podcast? Subscribe to the link below:
⭐ https://followthepodcast.com/TheSiteShed