The SME Advantage

Alena Bennett shares insights on leadership, the importance of role clarity, and how business is fundamentally about math.

She discusses how leaders can better understand and leverage their financial and operational roles to drive success.

key topics

• The importance of role clarity in leadership
• The six types of business math and their influence
• How to leverage CFOs as strategic partners
• The impact of organisational culture on performance
• Balancing systems and people in business growth

Connect with Alena

https://www.alenabennett.com.au/

Real Math of Business Podcast

Join Kane and Gabe as they explore the journey of leadership succession from the perspective of the incoming owner-leader.

The conversation is rich with insights, personal experiences, and the realities of taking on such a significant responsibility.

The key to a thriving long term business is not just in the daily grind. It’s about cultivating a team of leaders who can carry the vision forward.

The catch is it doesn’t happen overnight. It requires commitment, time, and a willingness to let go. When you invest in developing your team, you're building independence and a legacy.

Kane and Gabe talks through some of the traps and opportunities around leadership development, the GM challenge and advisory boards.

Remember, it’s like a relay race. You need to pass the baton smoothly, ensuring the new leader has the tools and confidence to take charge.

See this article for more on Role Clarity - https://theadaptway.com/blog/role-clarity/

This is the visual resource Gabe mentioned in the episode - https://canva.link/raaufm8flzjrbrm

If you've been following the Anthropic Mythos Fable 5 saga and wondering what it actually means for your business, this episode is worth your time.

Pete and Andy, co-founders of Other Stuff Studio, joined Gabe and Kane to talk about something most AI conversations skip: who actually owns the intelligence inside your business?

Because if the answer is "a subscription to a US tech company," that's could be a problem.

The conversation covers cognitive stack ownership, AI resilience for SMEs, their open-source Wingman platform, and why the agility of a small founder-led team is a genuine competitive advantage in this wave.

Practical, honest, and a little refreshing for anyone tired of AI hype.

https://otherstuff.ai/
https://otherstuff.ai/the-good-stuff/

Are you facing redundancy decisions in your SME?

We talk to HR expert, business owner and veteran coach Brendan Forwood from People Squared on how to navigate these tricky waters.

In today’s climate, many business owners are grappling with the reality of workforce adjustments. It’s a tough conversation, but with the right approach, you can manage it with integrity.

The key? Understanding your critical numbers and planning ahead. Too often, businesses react to financial pressures without a clear strategy. By regularly assessing your wages, leave liabilities, and overall financial health, you can make informed decisions that prioritise both your business and your team.

Connect with Brendan:

https://www.peoplesquared.com.au/

Thanks to https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ for hosting us.

Most small businesses get 80% of revenue from their existing base without lifting a finger — until a downturn quietly shrinks it. James Smith (Smith Brothers Media) joins Gabe and Kane on why owning your data, leading with value, and being willing to sell — not chasing AI hype — is what keeps an SME alive.

Subscribe:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-sme-advantage/id1738995409

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6uxaYAlciu70Dl07WTayvU

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnT8h-EugmKyOeW3M_lIre9KLqc3T4wkG

Other Links:

https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/books

https://www.sigparser.com/

The adapt podcast is evolving into 'The SME Advantage' with my co-host Kane Leersen joining in.

Kane is the founder of Regional Prosperity - a financial advice firm in regional Victoria - and a passionate Succession Thinker.

Kane and I became tired of the doom and gloom that's out there. SMEs are the back bone of this country and it's time the amazing people who own and operate them get some cheers and support.

Owning your own business is bloody hard work. But it's also an incredible opportunity and we will drive the conversation around how to take advantage of that.

We are looking for any owners or any SME advisers who gives a sh!t about the work they do and want to cheer other owners on.

Reach out to myself (Gabe) at [email protected] or Kane at [email protected].

In this episode, we chat with Josh Pullman, founder of The Conditioning Co. Josh shares his journey from semi-professional footballer, to personal trainer, then business owner and how his experience with sport shapes his approach to business, and life in general.

We cover: 

🔗 https://www.theconditioningco.com.au/

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-pullman-69929839/

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-enslin/

In this episode, Sophie Stott shares her journey of taking over her family business, Quickmail. She shared how she navigated the rapidly changing technological landscape, shifting her business from traditional mailing services successfully into e-commerce fulfilment. 

We cover: 

Tune in to hear Sophie's valuable insights on leadership and driving business growth through resilience, innovation and empathy. 

Today we chat with Mo Daya from SQ Squared about the power that exists in leading with empathy.

From immigrating on his own and seeking a safe and secure journey, to taking big risks in service of a vision, Mo shares his fascinating story that led to the founding of SQ Squared.

We talk about:

1️⃣ Cognitive bias and how it presents in the entrepreneurial journey.

2️⃣ Transferrable skills from policing and counter terrorism work into leadership coaching and development.

3️⃣ The difficulty of leading with genuine empathy.

4️⃣ The power that exists when you get this right.

5️⃣ How family factors into big decision making.