Leadership, culture, and global growth take centre stage in this Smart Energy Podcast conversation between Matthew Jones and Tim Gannon, the entrepreneur behind the global expansion of Outback Steakhouse.

In this episode, Tim shares the leadership principles and business lessons that helped build a world-recognised brand across 27 countries and 14+ stores, while staying grounded in the values that shaped his journey.

From treating every person with respect, whether a frontline worker or global leader, to creating ownership within teams, Tim reveals why people are the foundation of sustainable business growth.

You’ll hear:

• Why respect and humility are the foundation of great leadership
• How investing in frontline teams creates stronger businesses
• The importance of building ownership, not just following instructions
• How to identify your leadership blind spots and turn weaknesses into strengths
• The difference between transactional and strategic partnerships
• How global businesses maintain consistency while scaling
• Why culture and people remain a competitive advantage in business

Tim’s journey is a powerful reminder that success isn’t built through growth alone. It’s built through trust, strong values, and creating an environment where people want to contribute.

If you’re building a business, leading a team, or looking to scale sustainably, this episode delivers practical leadership lessons from someone who has done it on a global stage.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:05] Welcome to The Smart Energy Podcast featuring Tim Gannonr
• [01:15] The Leadership Principle of Treating Everyone With Respect
• [05:12] Building Culture Through Fun, Recognition, and Employee Appreciation
• [08:20] Why Investing in Your Frontline Team Creates Long-Term Success
• [11:45] Finding Your Achilles Heel and Turning Weakness Into Strength
• [15:10] Choosing Strategic Partnerships Over Short-Term Opportunities
• [18:30] Scaling a Global Brand While Protecting Quality and Consistency
• [22:05] Leadership Lessons From Building Outback Steakhouse Worldwide
• [24:00] Closing Thoughts on People, Culture, and Business Growth

About the Guest

Tim Gannon is a global entrepreneur and business leader best known for his role in building and scaling Outback Steakhouse into an international brand across 27 countries.

Throughout his career, Tim has focused on leadership, company culture, operational excellence, and creating businesses where people feel valued and empowered.

His approach to business is built on a simple philosophy: respect your people, invest in your teams, and create an organisation where everyone has ownership in the success.

Connect with Tim Gannon:

• Website- https://outbacktim.com/
• LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-gannon
• Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/outbacktim/

Connect with Matthew Jones:

• Website: https://www.matthewjjonesofficial.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartenergypodcast/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2joJLaUlPLMjWa3X1W9CUT?si=bc78c6eeb27749d1

What separates truly exceptional brands from everyone else?

In this episode of The Smart Energy Podcast, I sit down with internationally renowned customer experience expert, bestselling author, and business consultant Joseph Michelli to uncover the principles behind world-class customer experiences.

Drawing from his extensive research and consulting work, he reveals what premium brands consistently do differently, and why most businesses misunderstand what actually drives customer loyalty, trust, and long-term growth.

Together, we explore how organizations can create customer-centric cultures, build credibility in an increasingly AI-driven world, and measure customer experience in ways that lead to meaningful business outcomes.

If you're serious about building a customer-first business, improving customer loyalty, and creating experiences that drive sustainable growth, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and subscribe to The Smart Energy Podcast for more conversations on leadership, innovation, customer experience, energy, technology, and business transformation.

In This Episode:

• 00:05 – What Premium Brands Do Differently in Customer Experience

• 00:26 – How Premium Brands Build Exceptional Customer Experiences

• 01:28 – Building Customer Trust and Brand Credibility in Energy, Technology, and Service Businesses

• 02:06 – The Human Touch in an AI-Driven World: Balancing Technology and Customer Experience

• 02:23 – Customer Effort Score vs Net Promoter Score (NPS): The Most Important Customer Experience Metric

• 03:14 – The "Wow Story" Framework: Building Service Excellence and Customer-First Culture

• 04:03 – Why Businesses Should Stop Copying Premium Brands and Focus on Customer Experience Principles

About Joseph Michelli

Joseph Michelli is a globally recognized customer experience consultant, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. He has advised some of the world's most respected brands and is widely known for his work studying customer experience, leadership, service excellence, employee engagement, and organizational culture.

If you enjoyed this conversation and want more insights on customer experience, leadership, energy innovation, technology, and business growth, connect with Matthew Jones and follow The Smart Energy Podcast.

Connect with Matthew Jones

• Website: https://www.matthewjjonesofficial.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjjsolarspecific/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjjones_official/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJJSSOLAR 

⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help more leaders discover these insights

Why do so many businesses have great strategies... but struggle to get results?

In this episode of The Smart Energy Podcast, I sit down with internationally recognised leadership expert, bestselling author, and business execution specialist Billy Ray Taylor to uncover the real reason most organisations fail—not because of poor strategy, but because of poor execution.

Drawing on decades of experience leading high-performing teams, Billy shares the practical leadership principles that transform strategy into measurable results. From creating accountability and ownership to building systems that drive consistent performance, this conversation is packed with insights for business owners, leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone responsible for leading people.

We also explore why process matters more than personality, how leaders can create cultures built on respect and accountability, and why human leadership will become even more important as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace.

If you're looking to build a stronger team, improve business performance, and become a more effective leader, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎧 Listen to the full episode and subscribe to The Smart Energy Podcast for more conversations on leadership, business, innovation, energy, technology, and high-performance organisations.

In This Episode

• 00:00 – Why purpose is the fuel behind consistent energy and leadership
• 01:35 – The biggest mistake businesses make between strategy and execution
• 04:10 – Why ownership creates accountability and drives performance
• 07:05 – "Be hard on the process, easy on the people" explained
• 10:45 – Building a Purpose Map that aligns your entire organisation
• 14:20 – Identifying the Critical Performance Indicator (CPI) that matters most
• 18:05 – AI, adaptability, and why human leadership will always matter
• 21:40 – The leadership lesson that completely changed Billy's career
• 26:15 – How respect, recognition, and ownership build high-performing teams
• 30:10 – Three practical actions anyone can take today to raise their standards

About Billy Ray Taylor

Billy Ray Taylor is an internationally recognised leadership expert, keynote speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author of The Winning Link. He helps organisations around the world improve business execution, leadership, accountability, and operational performance through practical systems that create sustainable results.

If you enjoyed this conversation and want more insights on leadership, business strategy, energy, innovation, and high-performance teams, connect with Matthew Jones and follow

The Smart Energy Podcast.

Website: https://www.matthewjjonesofficial.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjjsolarspecific/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewjjones_official/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MJJSSOLAR⭐

Enjoyed the episode? Follow, rate, and review the podcast to help more leaders discover these conversations.

Central Energy, AI disruption, and high-performance execution collide in this Gold Coast conversation between Matthew Jones and global entrepreneur JT Fox.

In this episode of The Smart Energy Podcast, the discussion cuts straight into how AI is reshaping business faster than most operators realise, and why the gap between those who adapt and those who fall behind is accelerating at scale.

JT Fox shares insights from building and investing across 80+ businesses worldwide, and breaks down what high-level execution actually looks like in a world where attention, automation, and leverage now define success more than effort alone.

You’ll hear:

• Why most people don’t execute consistently
• The truth about business partnerships and accountability
• How AI is reshaping jobs, energy, and decision-making
• Why “effort” is the real competitive advantage
• Leadership, standards, and operating without excuses
• Legacy, success, and why most people overvalue recognition

If you’re building a business in today’s economy, this episode shows exactly where things are heading, and what you need to change now.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:05] Welcome to The Smart Energy Podcast featuring JT Fox
• [01:43] The Role of Discipline, Commitment, and Personal Accountability in High Performance
• [04:01] Building Successful Business Partnerships Through Trust, Effort, and Shared Values

• [06:51] The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business Productivity and Operations
• [09:42] Emerging Trends in Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Digital Content
• [11:05] A Perspective on Legacy, Leadership, and Long-Term Success
• [13:18] Defining Success Through Continuous Growth, Discipline, and Execution
• [13:50] Closing Remarks: Leadership, Excellence, and Taking Action

About the Guests

JT Foxx is a global entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist who has built and scaled 80+ companies across multiple industries. He is known for working with some of the world’s most recognised figures and advising high-performance entrepreneurs on growth, execution, and scale. JT stands for relentless standards, speed in business, and eliminating excuses in execution. His focus is on helping business owners think bigger, move faster, and build without limits.

Connect with the JT Foxx:

• Website: https://jtfoxx.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JTFoxxOfficial
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtfoxxofficial/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JTFoxx

Connect with the Matthew Jones:

• Website: https://www.matthewjjonesofficial.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartenergypodcast/
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2joJLaUlPLMjWa3X1W9CUT?si=bc78c6eeb27749d1

Central Coast businesses are getting hit from every angle: rising costs, tighter labour markets, infrastructure bottlenecks, insurance pressure, and now AI accelerating the gap between operators who adapt and those who get left behind.

In this episode of The Smart Energy Podcast, Matthew Jones sits down with Scott Goold (Regional Director, Business NSW - Central Coast) to unpack what’s really happening on the ground, what decision-makers respond to, and where the biggest leverage is for business owners over the next 12 to 36 months.

You’ll hear:

• The 3 biggest pressures Central Coast operators are facing right now and the one most underestimated
• What evidence-based advocacy actually looks like when you need outcomes, not “noted”
• The behind-the-scenes reality of the workers comp premium freeze and what it takes to win results
• The infrastructure bottleneck that could unlock the next wave of private investment
• What businesses should do now on energy strategy to protect margin and reduce risk
• Where AI and automation are already creating advantage for early movers in regional markets
• Scott’s single best piece of advice for owners who want to be stronger three years from now than they are today

If you’re building on the Central Coast and want practical insight, not commentary, this one is for you.

In this episode of The Smart Energy Podcast, Matthew Jones sits down with Matthew Harrison, one of MJJS Solar & Electrics’ most experienced on-the-road operators, to expose what actually separates a high-performing solar + battery setup from an expensive regret.

Pulled straight from the trenches, Matt breaks down the real conversations happening in Aussie homes and businesses every day: the objections, the misconceptions, and the hidden design mistakes that quietly destroy ROI.

You’ll hear:

• Why people think they’re buying solar - but what they’re really buying is certainty
• The difference between a “cheap system” and an expensive mistake (quality install matters more than brand hype)
• Why most systems fail in a blackout - and what needs to be engineered from day one (hybrid inverter + backup circuitry + correct expectations)
• The “set and forget” trap that donates money back to your retailer - and the simple habit that prevents it
• The practical way Matt handles “I can get it cheaper” without playing price games

If you want a system that performs like an asset, not a gamble, this one is required listening.

In this eye-opening episode, host Matthew Jones introducesthe revolutionary “nine-figure AI brain” — a custom-built system powered by JT Foxx’s JT1 and AI1 platforms. Imagine having an expert business brain that thinks like you, works 24/7 as your sales closer, CFO, branding guru, and more,never burning out and always ready to help you execute smarter, faster, and with laser-sharp confidence.

Matthew shares how this AI isn’t here to replace us but toupgrade us. Discover how a collection of 15 specialized AI personas delivers tailored advice on demand, from closing deals to navigating cash flow and managing leadership conflict. Plus, hear about building a personalized AI brainthat learns your unique style and becomes your ultimate business partner.

Ready to step inside the next-level AI revolution forentrepreneurs and operators? Tune in and get inspired to multiply your impact like never before.

Hed to www.matthewjjonesofficial.comfor more information or connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or comment directly on the episode.

Dont forget to Dm me for your free personal demo.

Discover practical home energy hacks that can slash yourpower bills and boost your daily comfort — no complicated tech needed.

In this 30-minute episode, Matthew Jones shares tested timer tips for hot water systems, pool pumps, and more, revealing how small adjustments lead to big savings.

Whether you're a homeowner seeking clear advice or a business owner curious about energy efficiency, this episode delivers actionable strategies and myth-busting insights.

What you'll hear:

• Why simple timers are the unsung heroes of energy savings
• How to optimize your home’s energy use with everyday habits
• Surprising stories of households saving hundreds yearly
• Tips that work without major upfront costs or hassle

Ready to take control of your energy use?Visit www.mjjs.com.au for exclusive resources,personalized advice, and smart energy solutions tailor-made for your needs

Unlock the hidden drain on your business profits with EnergyLeaks The Silent Business Killer You’re Ignoring. Hosted by Matthew Jones, founder of MJJS Solar & Electrics, this podcast cuts through the noise to reveal how everyday inefficiencies in your energy use—like leaky fridge doorsor poorly managed air conditioners—are quietly bleeding thousands of dollars from your bottom line.

This is not your typical solar or tech talk. It’s a high-energy, no-nonsense look at how top entrepreneurs and operators manage their energy — personal and commercial — to sharpen their competitive edge, boost productivity, and grow profits faster.

Filled with practical insights, real-world examples, and eye-opening revelations, each episode delivers the innovative guidance business owners need to transform their operations and owntheir energy conversation.

Whether you’re running a $5M operation or scaling a startup, Energy Leaks gives you the keys to stop wastingpower—and start powering growth. Tune in, get energized, and learn how to convert smart energy management into your ultimate business advantage.

For more information or to work with my team head to www.mjjs.com.au.

Grant Tanks is the driving force behind Entire Concrete, a multi-million-dollar business that stands as a testament to resilience and leadership. Growing up on a farm near Singleton, Grant’s early life was rooted in hard work and rural values, shaped by a family committed to excellence. Originally a Rugby League player on track for a promising sports career, an accident forced him to pivot dramatically.

From recovery and heavy machinery operation to stepping into his father’s mine services business, Grant learned the value of grit, adaptability, and community spirit. Eventually, he founded Entire Concrete, growing it into a thriving enterprise known across the construction industry. His story is one of overcoming setbacks, doubling down on strengths, and leading with clarity and calm under pressure.

Beyond business success—estimated to place his net worth in nine figures—Grant is deeply committed to giving back by supporting local sports and charities. This episode offers candid insights into tough decision-making, building strong teams, and what it really takes to grow a sustainable business.

Tune in to hear Grant’s remarkable journey and discover lessons on resilience, leadership, and purpose that every entrepreneur needs to hear