Toolbox Talk

Toolbox Talk

By Jon DaleBusiness
Download on the App Store

Toolbox Talk episodes

  • 286 - Business For Tradies: Proper Business Plan

    More money (profit), more time (off work), and more freedom (from work, stress, responsibility) are what you want.

    And they are possible.

    You need to get good at business, not just your trade.

    You need to make time for working ON your business (not just IN it).

    You need to build the systems and structure that will give you a business that's profitable and enjoyable.

    A net profit of 10% (on top of your wage) of revenue and a 40-hour week and holidays, and a decent crew is entirely do-able.

    Here's how.

    Book a Money Call if you're ready to make that changes here.

    26 min
  • 285 - [BACK OFFICE] Problems with Bookkeepers and Accountants

    Bookkeepers and Accountants.

    I don't hate them, they are important & necessary. However, there's a problem with them.

    For most tradies and builders, they are the people you go to for advice, particularly advice about your money.

    But the truth is, they are not very good at that .

    Both bookkeepers and accountants have a focus on compliance & saving - saving money, saving cost or saving tax.

    Bookkeepers tend to be mostly concerned with making sure your accounts are compliant with the law so you don't get in trouble.

    They want you to lodge your BAS or GST correctly, pay people correctly, and don't overpay your GST.

    Accountants care about tax; making sure you don't pay too much, don't do something that's not allowed and then get in trouble, and they care about your business structure & protecting your assets.

    Those are good things .


    The problems come when they are your main/only source of advice and guidance in the area of money and the finances of your business. Because there's more to it than that.

    --------------------------------------

    Get the Bookkeeping Guide for Trades and Builders here: https://www.smallfish.com.au/tradies/bookkeeping-guide-for-trades-and-builders-2/If you want more money (profit), more time (off work), and more freedom (from work, stress, responsibility) book a Money Call: smallfish.com.au/tradies/money-call/FOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    7 min
  • 284 - [MARKETING] Marketing Is A Numbers Game - Are You Playing It Properly, Tradie?

    Trades business owners find themselves without work in the pipeline all too often. Choosing to focus on other, seemingly more important parts of their businesses because at that moment they had work. But when the work suddenly dries up it's a lack of consistent marketing activity that we have to focus on as the culprit here. This is a common mistake though and maybe more so for tradies than other business owners because their focus is on the work and the outcome (which is important). As a business coach for tradies and builders, part of my job is to help my clients guard against this. To build a Marketing Machine that keeps working all the time so you don’t end up in this sh*ty position.This video is about the fact that marketing is a numbers game and how to play it. When you go quiet, two numbers are important - your marketing activity that finds opportunities and your sales funnel as your forecast - all the opportunities you could win (right now if you don’t find any more).You need to be measuring these numbers so you’re not at risk of work drying up… I’ve made a chart to help you. Comment ‘CHART’ and I’ll send it and comment ‘CALL’ and I’ll talk to you about whether my coaching can help you.--------------------------------------If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chatFOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    10 min
  • 283 - [MARKETING] Business To Business Marketing For Tradies & Builder

    If you run a trade business and get your work from other businesses, not individual people, then you need to be doing business-to-business marketing. Before you dismiss marketing and say you don't do it, consider this: you're doing some form of marketing, or you wouldn't get any business.And for most businesses, business to business marketing is required. Say:- If you're a builder specialising in architectural work, architects and designers can refer work to you.- If you do front-end work, you might call designers, state managers, and even target customers directly. - If you do work with government agencies, subcontract to builders, or work controlled by property managers.All these people (employees or owners of businesses) are either in control of awarding work or have influence. So if you're someone who works with those types of companies you need to be engaging in business to business marketing. You need to be calling these people, and forming relationships with them. Not just once but repeatedly - nurturing these relationships so you can get repeat work. Want help? Check out this week’s video then get the guide. --------------------------------------If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chatFOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    8 min
  • 282 - [MARKETING] What Marketing Should You Do, Tradie?

    Marketing is a big topic, isn't it? And there are so many elements, so many potential areas of focus. So it's super easy to get overwhelmed about what marketing is right for your business. And that's the question this week - what marketing should you be doing? The answer is - it depends... a vague answer I know. Basically, the marketing you do is based on the type of trades business you run and the customers you are trying to attract. Check out this week's video to understand what I mean here and to find out which marketing you should be doing. Oh and raise your hand for the guide. It'll help as well. --------------------------------------If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chatFOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    12 min
  • 281 - [OPERATIONS] Why Would You Get a Business Coach?

    Why would you?

    It’s a good question. Something's going on for you that makes you click.
    We all have our one-sentence/pitch.
    This is mine:
    You want to improve your business, grow it (a bit, at least) but grow it properly – which means profitably, without loads of stress and with a normal week and holidays for you. I’ll help you put systems and structures in place so you can do that.
    Net profit margin of 10% of total revenue:
    A decent wage for you
    A 4 Hour week for you
    Holidays
    A business not completely dependent on you
    People in their jobs doing a good job and happy there too.
    How does that sound? Like a brochure? Thought so.
    --------------------------------------
    If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/
    Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat
    FOLLOW US AT:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/
    YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    5 min
  • 280 - [MANAGE YOU] My interview with Your Small Business

    I interviewed myself for my friends at Your Small Business Coach late last year about what I do and how I help tradies and builders. Want to watch or listen to the interview?

    --------------------------------------

    If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chatFOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    21 min
  • 279 - [MANAGE YOU] How To Work Less

    How do you work less?

    Get more effective so you get through more work – sure(!) but that’s like a temporary fix, isn’t it?
    You’ll be out of capacity again in no time and there’s a limit to how efficient and effective you can be.
    This really only leaves hiring people or working less and letting bad things happen (whatever they are).
    So, if you want to work less, you’re probably talking about growing your team.
    You can hire tradies, trades assistants, labourers, site managers, admin people, receptionists, and bookkeepers.
    You can hire virtual assistants (I’m a fan, as you may know).
    You can work with agencies for VAs, bookkeeping, marketing, almost anything.
    Whoever you ‘hire’ you can’t just hire them and tell them what to do and leave them to it. Remember what I said a minute ago about that and poor performance?
    You need to ‘hire’ whoever it is and then delegate a responsibility PROPERLY.
    You need to write the system, teach the system, give them a checklist and hold them accountable (for following the system) until they’re doing it right, consistently.
    Only then, can you back away and free up your time to do less work.
    Delegate properly and things go much better.
    I’ve written the 4 steps into a guide to Successful Delegating so grab that
    (Comment and we'll get it to you)
    And, in my program, there’s a full training on the delegation process and on how to write a system so if you want that – buy my thing.
    Book a call and we’ll talk about it.
    --------------------------------------
    If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/
    Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat
    FOLLOW US AT:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/
    YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    9 min
  • 278 - [MANAGE YOU] Reflect, Refresh, Refocus & Recommit - Holiday Homework Part 2

    Reflect and Reload

    Being the final week of 2024 I felt it apt to release videos on reflecting on the year coming to a close and another on thinking of what you want for yourself in the year to come.
    I wrote these videos as Holiday Homework for my clients but I am putting them out there for everyone else to use as well. There's also a worksheet.
    Last week we were reflecting and this week we are preloading for 2025.
    So get ready and preload 2025.
    --------------------------------------
    If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/
    Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat
    FOLLOW US AT:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/
    YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    13 min
  • 277 - [MANAGE YOU] Reflect, Refresh, Refocus & Recommit - Holiday Homework Part 1

    Time to reflect and refresh over the break

    I hope you’re taking a break, even if it’s just a short one. I am, I’m staying at home and I’m not doing much at all except eat and drink.
    One thing I will do is think about how 2024 went for me and how I want 2025 to go. I’ve made my client a holiday homework to do exactly this because it’s Christmas (ahem, not really), and I’m making it available to you too.
    Ok, that’s not strictly true, I think it’s good, so I’m sending it out into the world so you can do it and maybe you’ll think;
    “Time to get some coaching”
    There are two short videos and a ‘funsheet’ to write things on.
    Here's this week's podcast :
    You’re going to be thinking about this stuff anyway - might as well do a guided reflection - sort of like a guided meditation.
    Anyway, Merry Christmas.
    Jon
    --------------------------------------
    If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/
    Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chat
    FOLLOW US AT:
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoach
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/
    YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    9 min

About Toolbox Talk

From the publisher's feed

This podcast is for tradies and builders who want to put structure and systems into your business so you can grow it properly.