Tradies Success Podcast | Business Growth for Electricians, Plumbers, Builders & All Tradies

By Greg Allan: Business Podcast For Construction and Trade EntrepreneursBusiness Entrepreneurship

Tradies Success Podcast | Business Growth for Electricians, Plumbers, Builders & All Tradies episodes

September 05, 2023Cashflow 💵🙄 How do I create Consistent Cashflow?
Understanding Cash Flow: The Lifeblood of Your Business
Cash flow isn't just numbers on a spreadsheet; it's the pulse of your enterprise. Knowing how money moves in and out empowers you to make better decisions and ensures your business thrives, even in rocky economic conditions.

Invoicing Consistency: How Regular Invoicing Can Stop Your Business from Leaking Money
Inconsistent invoicing isn't just an inconvenience; it's a threat to your business's sustainability. Regularize your invoicing practices to stabilize your cash flow and keep your business on a firm footing.

The Hidden Liabilities: What You Don't See Can Hurt Your Business
Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to taxes, withholding, and superannuation. These hidden liabilities can slowly erode your financial stability. Keep an eye on them to avoid unexpected financial shocks.

Cash Flow Forecasting: Your Business’s Crystal Ball
Being reactive isn’t enough. Proactively forecasting your cash flow provides you with the insights to avoid financial pitfalls and to understand how different elements of your operations impact your bottom line.

Collecting Payments: The Balancing Act Between Solvency and Bankruptcy
Collection isn’t just a box to check; it's a strategic action that directly impacts your solvency. Implementing a consistent collection strategy ensures a steady revenue stream, safeguarding your financial health.

Project Work and Payment Terms: Your Negotiation Skills Can Make or Break Your Stability
Long-term projects need not lead to inconsistent cash flow. By negotiating favorable payment terms and progress claims, you pave the way for financial stability and continuous business growth.

Smart Financial Management: How to Enjoy Your Earnings Without Jeopardizing Your Business
Tempted to draw more money out of a successful project? Learn the art of financial management that allows you to reward yourself without compromising your business's financial future.

The Freedom Fighters Program: Your Fast-Track Ticket to Business Transformation
If you're committed to exponential growth and operational freedom, programs like the Freedom Fighters provide you with the toolkit, mentorship, and community to catapult your business to the next level.
Stop merely surviving and start thriving. With actionable insights from this podcast, your trade business can flourish beyond your wildest dreams.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A CALL WITH AN ACADEMY COACH
8 min
September 03, 2023Hiring Quality Staff 👷‍♂️ I can't get a good tradesperson hire! What should I do?
This podcast is jam-packed with actionable insights that can change the trajectory of your trade business. Take note; this is more than just a chat—it's a lifeline for your business.
The Challenge of Hiring Quality Tradespeople: Let's face it, finding top-tier talent is tough. Kirk and Greg address this obstacle head-on, acknowledging the challenge but also shedding light on the approaches that can make this arduous task achievable.

Strategic Work Specialisation: They dive into the McDonald’s model for business: Simplify and systematize. By focusing on aspects of your trade that are easier to train for, you can get new hires up to speed quicker. This increases your profitability in the short term while also serving as a training ground for more complex tasks.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Talent Pool: Greg and Kirk discuss how the pandemic has led to a surge in new businesses, thinning the available talent pool. It's an added hurdle, but one that can be overcome with strategic planning and strong business processes.

The Importance of Onboarding: Let’s talk about your first impressions. The initial onboarding and training experience is crucial. Kirk and Greg emphasize that looking at the first month as an investment period can yield significant long-term gains.

Employee Malleability: Your hires come with their habits and attitudes. The first six months are your golden opportunity to shape these behaviors to align with your business values and operational requirements.

Proactive vs. Reactive Hiring: One of the most important takeaways is the concept of proactive hiring. Don't wait until you're drowning in work to look for new talent. Plan ahead to have the luxury of time for effective onboarding and training.

The Probation Period: This is where you figure out if your new hires are a good fit. The conversation dives into how a well-structured probation period can act as a safety net, helping you make informed decisions about long-term employment.

Specialisation vs. Generalisation: They close by discussing the balance between offering specialized services and more general offerings. Sometimes it's more beneficial to focus on simpler tasks that can be easily taught, thus enabling faster training and onboarding for new hires.
Every point here is a lesson learned, a mistake avoided, or an opportunity to scale and grow. These are the building blocks of operational freedom in your trade business. This podcast isn't just for listening; it's for implementing. So, what are you waiting for? Your blueprint for success is right here. Grab it!

👉 BOOK A CALL WITH AN ACADEMY COACH HERE
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8 min
September 02, 2023Managing Overwhelm 😩 What have you leant about managing overwhelm and stress from your trade business?
So what's the game plan when you're swamped? Here's what helped me:
Learn to Say 'No': Sounds simple, but it's tough, right? Especially when business is good. But listen, when you're too busy, your service suffers, and stress levels spike across the board—your team, your admin, and even you. Get clear on what your company does and stick to it.

Automate Where You Can: Tech's a lifesaver. If you can get a system to do it, why not? We guide our Academy members on how to automate tasks all the time. It's not about robots taking jobs; it's about freeing your team for tasks that really matter.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate: Letting go of some responsibilities was hard for me, but essential. Without it, I was pulled away from what truly mattered—my family, and my well-being. When you delegate, your team feels empowered and your business grows.

Increase Prices: Last resort, but if you're swamped and can't delegate or automate more, it might be time to bump up your rates. Trust me, your time is valuable, and you shouldn't sell yourself short.
And hey, we're all about personal growth here. When work starts cutting into essential aspects of your life, like sleep, nutrition, or relationships, it’s a ripple effect on everyone around you. Remember, you're not just a tradesperson; you're a leader and a human being. You've got to protect what matters.
If any of this is hitting close to home, don’t keep it to yourself. Reach out to a coach; we’re here to help you navigate this chaos. In fact, there’s a link right here to talk to one of us. We’d love to help you create the operational freedom you need to live your best life.
So what do you say? Ready for the next step? Click that link, and let's make life better, one task at a time. See you soon!

Speak to an Academy coach today: http://tradies.cc/book-a-call
8 min
September 01, 2023Tradie Family Time ❤️ Why weren't you able to switch off and what did you do about it?
The Struggle to Switch Off: You finally clock out, but your mind's still at the job site or in the office. Your family notices. Wouldn't it be nice to actually 'be there' when you're home? Greg's been through that too; he even talked openly about how it affected his family. It's eye-opening stuff.

Wearing Multiple Hats: Ever feel like you're doing the job of ten people? One minute you're the technician, the next you're the marketer, and oh, HR needs attention too. In this episode, Greg lays it out—the reality is, you can't (and shouldn't) do it all.

The Importance of Delegation: Scary as it might seem, handing off tasks can be freeing. Greg got past the fear and so can you. Start small if you must, but start. That's your first step to operational freedom.

The Catalyst: The 4 PM Deadline: What if you set a firm boundary, like being home by 4 PM every day? External pressures sometimes become the triggers for change. Could this be yours?

The Domino Effect of Hiring: Imagine what could happen if you delegated just one of your many roles. Your business could skyrocket, sure. But more than that, you get to be fully present for your family's big and little moments. Worth it, wouldn't you say?

Future vs Present: We get it, you're building a legacy. But what's the point if you're not there to enjoy the present with your loved ones? Greg opens up about this struggle and how he balanced it. You can too.

Practical Tips for Switching Off: And to top it off, we wrap up with tips that can help you truly leave work at work. We're talking real, practical stuff you can start using today.

Freedom Fighters Program: Think of this as your fast-track to less stress, more freedom, and a business that doesn't run you—you run it. It's more than possible; it's doable. With the right guidance, in just a year, you'll be amazed at how far you've come.
Here's the deal: If you're tired of the grind, the constant stress, and missing out on quality time with your family, then something's got to change. You owe it to yourself, your business, and your family to take that first step. And hey, we're here to walk that journey with you, every step of the way. So, are you in?
10 min
August 31, 2023 Business Profit 💸 How do I Become More Profitable From My Trade Business?
𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀:The first step towards becoming more profitable is understanding what profit actually is. It's not just what's in your bank account; it's the money left over after covering all your operational expenses, cost of goods, and more. Knowing the difference can be game-changing for your business.
𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵: Most trade business owners, maybe like you, don't properly close off their financial month. This leads to a skewed view of profitability and hinders the capacity for strategic decision-making. Taking time to 'close the books' each month allows for a true representation of your business performance.
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: One simple but critical change you can make right now is to invoice more regularly. Instead of letting costs accumulate while awaiting payments, invoicing within the same month aligns your cash inflow with your outflows. It provides a clearer picture of your month's profitability and gives you the data you need to make informed decisions.
𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽: It's easy to feel like you're profitable during busy periods but remember, business isn't always booming. It's the slow periods that often eat into your profits. Creating systems for consistent workflow prevents these fluctuating cycles and leads to sustained profitability.
𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁: Your bank balance can be deceiving. To get a true sense of your financial health, you need to delve deeper into your Profit and Loss statement and balance sheet. Understanding these documents helps you to be proactive rather than reactive in your business decisions.
𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: With consistent invoicing and work schedules, you're not just stabilising your profit but creating a more manageable and less stressful business environment. Systematic operations let you focus on growth and innovation, rather than getting bogged down in day-to-day.
𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: One person can't do it all. Learning to delegate responsibilities allows you to focus on high-value tasks that can significantly impact your business positively. It also frees up personal time that can be devoted to self-improvement or family, leading to a more balanced life.
𝗬𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲: Feeling overwhelmed? Remember, you don't have to navigate the tricky waters of trade business ownership alone. Reach out to coaches and mentors who can guide you in implementing these fundamental systems, helping you to achieve operational time freedom in the shortest amount of time possible.
If you're hungry for change and keen to break free from the grind, then the Freedom Fighters Program is tailor-made for you. We offer a systematic approach and a community of like-minded business owners all aimed at the same objective: operational time freedom. Take control of your trade business and transform it into the profitable, well-oiled machine it deserves to be.
Speak to a coach: https://tradies.cc/book-a-call
6 min
August 30, 2023 New Clients Outreach 🤝 What's the best way to reach out to potential clients?
You know, as someone who's killer at their trade, you've got the skills, the grit, and the passion. But let's get real—being a top-notch tradesperson doesn't always translate to being a business whiz. That's exactly where we come in to guide you on this thrilling journey toward operational freedom!
In today's episode, we dive deep into the art of effective communication. We all know generating work is the lifeblood of any trade business, but how do you actually connect with those high-value clients? Should you be firing off emails, buzzing phones, or perhaps slide into those DMs on social media? Trust us, it's not one-size-fits-all. We discuss everything from the urgency of phone calls, the immediacy of text messages, to the neglected power of emails.
For instance, we delve into real-life scenarios like the Thai Cave rescue operation as an analogy for understanding how to adapt and use different communication tools in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. Because let's be honest, growing your trade business can sometimes feel like you're navigating through a dark cave with unexpected turns!
The episode also uncovers the value of understanding your client's preferences, and we shed light on some innovative approaches that have worked for us. Because believe it or not, there's a method to the madness!
So, buckle up and tune in. Let's go beyond just being awesome at our trades and aim for operational freedom in business. Reduce overwhelm, grow faster than ever, and most importantly, take charge of your life!
Ready to level up? Click that play button, and let's get this show on the road! 🚀
Come for the insights, stay for the journey. And remember, you're not alone— we're all in this together, learning, growing, and fighting for that sweet, sweet operational freedom. 🎉

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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tradies-academy-business/message
11 min
August 29, 2023 Work/Life Balance 👷‍♂️/👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 How do you achieve work-life balance?
The nitty-gritty of work-life balance, family dynamics, and running a trade business without running yourself into the ground.
In our latest episode, my wife Francis and I get real about the balancing act that is life and business. Imagine your business as a construction site; there's a lot of moving parts and you need to manage your load carefully. If you're carrying too many bricks on one shoulder, you're bound to tip over, mate.
We share our own hiccups and hurdles, from early days when work stress felt like an unmanageable renovation project to finally learning the power of clear communication and systems, both in business and at home. Just like you wouldn't build a house without a blueprint, you can't build a balanced life without laying down some ground rules. We tackle what it's like to be both business partners and life partners, and how to keep the scaffolding from collapsing when you're both climbing to the top.
So if you've ever struggled with maintaining the equilibrium between the grindstone and the home front, or even just between different roles within your trade business, this one's a must-listen. You'll come away with a better sense of how to keep your life and your business levelled.
Cheers, cobbers!
11 min
August 28, 2023 Late Payments 🫣 How do you guys manage late payments from clients?
Today, we're diving into a topic as prickly as a porcupine in your toolbox—how to manage client's late payments.
I used to be knee-deep in invoices and quotes, often pushing the late payments issue to the backburner. Bad move, right? Well, we've cracked the code on this one! We're talking strategies for managing those ageing receivables. Imagine them as rusty nails—you don't want 'em lying around.
Kirk and I share how to approach late payments without feeling like you've been hit by a cement mixer, from flipping the conversation to a positive tone to using top-notch automation.
But we're not just stopping at reminders and phone calls. We're also exploring how to make payments as easy as sliding on a new pair of work boots for your clients. Whether it's the timely art of invoicing or making sure your clients know the score before you even set foot on the job site, we've got the insights you need. So tune in, get your hard hat on, and let's get those accounts sorted, shall we? Cheers!
8 min
August 24, 2023 Staff Problems 😵‍💫 How do you deal with load of staff personal problems?
It's a given – you're awesome at what you do on the job site, but sometimes the business side can be a bit overwhelming, right? Managing personal issues within your team can be a delicate and challenging task.
Join us as we explore the intricate art of hiring the right people who fit into your culture, the ones who support you as much as you support them. But what if things don't go according to plan? What if personal problems begin to affect your business? How do you draw the line between empathy and responsibility?
In this episode, we reveal secrets to create a thriving team culture, the importance of mutual respect and trust, and how to support your team members through thick and thin. But we don't stop there – we also tackle when and how to make tough decisions if things aren't working out.
Learn from mistakes, make confident choices, and grow faster than you ever have before with the insights and experiences shared in this episode. If the thought of dealing with staff's personal issues has ever caused you stress, this episode is the lifeline you've been looking for. 🚀
You've proven your skills in the trade, now let us help you hone your mastery as a business owner. Tune in, and let's take this journey together. Whether you're on Spotify for the video podcast or prefer audio, we're here for you.
Because we believe in you, and we know you have what it takes to elevate not just your business, but the whole perception of tradespeople. Leave us a review if you enjoy the episode, and remember – your growth, both in life and business, starts with awareness. Catch you soon! 🌟
I hope this description resonates with your audience and motivates them to invest in their learning, growth, and awareness. You're doing incredible work, and this episode sounds like a must-listen for anyone in the trade business. Keep empowering those amazing tradespeople!
10 min
August 24, 2023 Alcohol 🍺🥴 How did you stop drinking and find other ways to deal with the bad day?
Are you feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and constantly in the grind, losing sight of what truly matters? Do you find yourself leaning on temporary fixes like alcohol to disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle?
In this compelling episode, we're addressing a question that's close to our hearts: "How did you stop drinking and take your mind away from the bad days?" This is more than just a story about quitting alcohol; it's about understanding oneself, developing self-awareness, and finding true balance in life.
Greg Allan reveals his personal struggles with alcohol, big tax bills, the fear of not meeting financial obligations, and the impact it had on his relationships and overall well-being. But the real magic happens when he made the courageous decision to quit drinking at 27 and reevaluate what truly mattered.
Through a powerful three-year journey, he discovered new ways to deal with stress, including seeking professional help, journaling, and focusing on five pillars of personal performance: sleep, nutrition, exercise, mindset, and relationships. He even offers an invaluable gift to academy members, illustrating the power of investing in your mind.
Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting, this episode will inspire you to reevaluate your habits, understand the true cost of temporary escapes, and invest in personal growth that will lead to lifelong improvement.
You're an awesome tradesperson, and with the insights from this episode, you can also become an extraordinary business person. Surround yourself with those on the same journey, reduce the overwhelm, and grow faster than you ever have before in both life and business.
Don't miss out on this enlightening episode. Listen in and start building the personal and professional life you deserve today. 🚀
P.S. Remember, if you're a member of our academy, you get three free psychologist sessions. Reach out and experience the true power of investing in your mind! You're not alone on this journey; we're here to elevate the perception of tradespeople and celebrate your victories. 🎉
13 min