In this episode of the Upscale Business Podcast, Kirk Neal and Mitch Van discuss the critical aspects of hiring for business owners, particularly those in the trades.

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They explore the challenges faced when hiring, the importance of having a structured plan for onboarding and training new employees, and the necessity of lead generation to support increased capacity.

The conversation emphasises the need for clear communication of expectations, personal responsibility in leadership, and the significance of nurturing both clients and team members to foster a successful business environment.

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Takeaways

1. Hiring can be daunting for new business owners.

2. Having a deliberate action plan is crucial after hiring.

3. Lead generation must increase to support new hires.

4. Time management changes significantly with new team members.

5. Onboarding processes are often poorly executed.

6. Clear communication of expectations is vital for success.

7. Business owners must take personal responsibility for their team's performance.

8. Training and development can transform average employees into great ones.

9. Nurturing clients and employees is essential for retention.

10. Scaling a business requires understanding your capacity and workflow.

Sound Bites

1. "What do I do now?"

2. "You have to have a plan."

3. "Most people fumble the onboarding."

Chapters

00:00Introduction to Upscale Business Podcast

01:10The Importance of Hiring in Business Growth

04:58Common Frustrations in Hiring

10:07Time Management and Scaling Your Business

15:33Effective Onboarding and Training Strategies

25:20The Role of Leadership in Employee Development

34:14Parting Thoughts on Hiring and Business Strategy

The load on small business owners is heavy—and everyone carries it differently.

August is Tradie National Health Month, so we’re resharing this powerful episode with Coach Em and Joel Anderson from Foremind—a platform dedicated to supporting mental health in the construction industry.

Joel shares his journey from being a tradie, the bad habits he picked up on the tools, and how it all led him to create Foremind—a service helping other business owners manage their mental load before it all becomes too much.

If you’re juggling jobs, managing people, and carrying the weight of it all on your own—you’ll want to tune in to this one.

We’ve got the tools to help you scale, hire, automate, and finally step back from the chaos.
⁠⁠Book a call⁠⁠⁠ with our team to talk strategy and see how our program can support your growth.

About Foremind:
Foremind is a monthly mental health support platform with flexible booking times, 15 experienced counsellors, loads of helpful resources, and pricing that scales with your business.

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In this episode of the Upscale podcast, Brandon Lewis and Kirk Neal discuss the critical aspects of hiring, focusing on identifying green and red flags in candidates.

And hey, Gold Coast – we’re coming your way! ☀️
If you're in SE QLD and want to connect with other growth-focused tradie business owners, grab your seat at our next Live Event in Gold Coast, QLD.

📍 Thursday, 2nd of October at 6:00 PM
🎟️ Book your spot now

👉 Ready to scale? Book your Free Consultation with one of our Growth Specialists — it’s part of our Million Dollar Promise.

They share personal experiences and insights on how to effectively evaluate potential hires, emphasising the importance of aligning candidates with company values and team dynamics.

The conversation covers practical interview techniques, the significance of first impressions, and the necessity of thorough reference checks. The hosts also highlight the need for intentionality in recognizing both positive and negative traits in candidates to build a successful team.

Takeaways

• Getting the right people into the team is crucial for business success.
• Hiring fast, trusting fast, and firing faster is a key strategy.
• First impressions matter; they reflect how candidates value the opportunity.
• Asking unique questions can reveal a candidate's true character.
• It's important to align candidates with company values and team dynamics.
• Reference checks are essential to validate a candidate's claims.
• Identifying red flags early can save time and resources in hiring.
• Green flags indicate a candidate's potential and growth mindset.
• Intentionality in recognising traits can lead to better hiring decisions.
• Creating a structured interview process helps in comparing candidates effectively.

• Mastering the Art of Hiring: Green and Red Flags
• Hiring Strategies: Identifying the Right Fit

• "Hire fast, trust fast, fire faster."
• "You can’t stick a team full of jets."
• "You want to know about them and be looking for them."

In this episode, Luke & Dave dive into a hot topic from our coaching sessions — the fears around hiring or bringing on a subcontractor. They break down the pros and cons, and share real-world insights to help you make confident decisions as you grow your business.

👉 Ready to scale? Book your FREE consultation with one of our Growth Specialists — it’s part of our Million Dollar Promise.

Calendar: here

Our Head Coach Kirk sits down with Russell Green, founder of OTG Hydraulic Design , to chat all things business and his journey from the ground up.

Sick of watching other business owners succeed while you’re stuck dreaming about it?

You can do it too — believe us. We see it happen every day.

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Mitch & Erina are back on the tools — the coaching tools, that is. In this episode, they chat about:
- Why Erina ended up on a boat with full-blown FOMO
- What went down at our live event in Melbourne
- And why now’s a bloody good time to check in on yourself

They’ll also cover why it might be time for a business & life health check — and how a quick recalibration can set you up strong for the rest of the year.

Ready to grow? Let’s scale, automate, hire & delegate — book your call now: ⁠Get started now⁠⁠⁠

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Not sure where your money’s going in your business? You’ll want to tune into this episode: “3 Tech Efficiencies for Your Tradie Business.”

Book a free strategy call with our team to learn how we can help you grow without the guesswork.⁠ ⁠Book your call⁠⁠

Our coaches and founders, Erina and Mitch, finally sit down again to chat about one of the biggest money-wasters in trade businesses — tech subscriptions! Learn how to clean it up, cut the fat, and keep things lean and efficient.

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How to Take Time Off Without Your Business Falling Apart

In this episode, Accounting Coach Lucy and Head Coach Dave break down the real MVP of stress-free business ownership: SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

Do you want to know more about our Million Dollar Promise? DM us on Instagram or Book your Free Call: ⁠⁠Click here

Yep — it might sound boring, but SOPs are the secret to actually stepping away from your business without everything going to sh*t.

Learn how to delegate tasks properly, build repeatable systems, and finally take that well-earned holiday (without 10 phone calls a day).

If your business can’t run without you, you don’t own a business — you’ve got a job. Let’s fix that.

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In this episode, we're kicking off Part 1 of our Business Health Check — designed to help you find the cracks in your business before they cause real damage.

We’ve got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate.⁠ ⁠Book your call⁠⁠ with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.

Join Head Coach & Co-Founder Mitch Van and special guest Brandon Lewis, owner of Genesis Electrical— once a flat-out tradie not knowing where the next job was coming from… now a successful business owner and UpScale coach helping others do the same.

Together, they break down exactly what to look for under the hood of your business — and give you practical tools to make sure it stays stable, profitable, and built to grow.

Whether you're drowning in work or chasing your next lead, this episode is a must-listen for any tradie who wants to take control.

Let’s patch those gaps before the whole thing crumbles.

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Sick of the slow seasons? In this episode, we’re diving into the 5 P’s every tradie needs to keep the work rolling in — rain, hail, or holidays.

We’ve got the tools you need to scale your business, automate, hire, and delegate.⁠ ⁠Book your call⁠⁠ with our team to talk strategy and learn more about our program.

From getting your pipeline pumping to building a team that actually delivers — we’re talking real, boots-on-the-ground strategies that work for Aussie trade and construction businesses.

Whether you're flat-out or facing crickets, this episode will show you how to stay booked, profitable, and in control — all year round.

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