Shows
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy Emotional Engagement is Your Business’s Hidden SuperpowerIn today’s crowded digital landscape, where businesses fight for attention and AI-generated content floods every channel, one element consistently cuts through the noise: genuine emotional connection. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Geoffrey Stern, founder and CEO of Voice Express and the consumer brand VoiceGift, to explore how emotional engagement can transform even the most ordinary product into something deeply memorable.What you’ll learn: Geoffrey shares how a voice-recording device used in the Build-A-Bear Workshop evolved into a powerful tool for emotional storytelling and...2025-08-0527 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessUnlocking Human Behaviour: The Business Case for NLPIf you’ve ever been frustrated by a team member, confused by a client’s behaviour, or struggled to influence outcomes in your business—this episode is for you. Host Paul Sweeney welcomes experts Josh Davis and Greg Prosmushkin to explore the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how small and medium-sized business owners can use it to become more effective communicators, leaders, and decision-makers.In this engaging and practical conversation, Josh and Greg demystify NLP—explaining it not as a manipulation tool, but as a science-backed, real-world framework for better understanding yourself and others. You’ll l...2025-07-1532 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessDigital Asset Disaster: How to Protect Your Brand Before It’s Too LateImagine waking up to find your website gone, your email list inaccessible, or your brand’s identity being misused online—and you have no idea how to take it back. That’s the nightmare too many business owners face because they’ve unknowingly handed over control of their digital assets. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Paige Wiese, founder and CEO of Tree Ring Digital, to help you make sure that never happens to you.Paige draws on over 15 years of experience helping business owners protect their online presence...2025-07-0126 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessFrom Profit to Purpose: Attracting Gen Z and Building a Mission-Driven BusinessWork That’s Worth It: How Purpose Transforms Performance with Georgi EnthovenIn a time when attracting and retaining great talent is tougher than ever, especially among Gen Z workers, are you approaching employee engagement the right way? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Georgi Enthoven—entrepreneur, Harvard Business School alumna, and author of Work That’s Worth It—to challenge the traditional mindset around work and purpose.You’ll discover why building a purpose-driven business isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. Georgi...2025-06-1730 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessInside the Minds of Your Customers: Using Values to Drive Business GrowthWhy understanding your customer’s values can unlock serious business growthAre you missing the mark with your customers—and don’t even know it? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with marketing strategist and author Chris Peterson to explore a transformative idea: your customers’ personal values—specifically whether they lean conservative or liberal—can dramatically shape how they engage with your brand, products, and messaging.Drawing from decades of global marketing experience and his book Red and Blue Customers: How to Drive Growth and Manage Risk in Today’s C...2025-06-1033 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessFrom Survival to Strategy: Michelle Campbell on Taking Control of Your Business FinancesFinancial literacy isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a survival skill for business owners. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with tax expert and financial educator Michelle Campbell about the hidden financial pitfalls entrepreneurs often face, and how a lack of financial understanding can quietly sabotage your business. Whether you’re avoiding tax obligations out of fear, struggling to understand cash flow, or unsure how to invest while in debt, this conversation is your wake-up call.Michelle shares not just her professional insights but her personal story of financial recovery...2025-06-0331 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow to Negotiate Like a Pro – Lessons from Wendy MinneNegotiation is more than winning—it’s about creating value for both sides. Many business owners struggle with negotiations, relying on outdated strategies that often lead to conflict or lost opportunities.Whether you're dealing with vendors, partners, or internal stakeholders, your ability to negotiate directly affects your bottom line and professional confidence. In this episode, you’ll learn how to negotiate with clarity, calm, and confidence — even if you don’t consider yourself a “natural” negotiator.Host Paul Sweeney shares a powerful and practical conversation with Wendy Minne, an experienced corporate manager turned business coach. Wendy unpacks...2025-05-1325 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessTrapped in Your Business? How to Escape the Hub-and-Spoke ModelIf you're a business owner who feels overwhelmed, overworked, and constantly in the thick of everything, this episode is a must-listen. Host Paul Sweeney takes a deep dive into the "hub and spoke" model—a common but problematic setup where every decision, task, and communication flows through you, the owner. While this might seem manageable in the early stages, it quickly becomes a bottleneck to growth, profitability, and your personal freedom.In this insightful solo episode, Paul outlines how to recognize the warning signs that your business is overly dependent on you. He walks you th...2025-04-1512 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessSurviving and Thriving in a Crisis: Lessons from a Crisis Management ExpertAre you prepared for the unexpected? Every business will face a crisis at some point—whether it’s a PR disaster, a supply chain breakdown, or a financial emergency. But the difference between businesses that survive and those that struggle often comes down to preparation. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with crisis management expert Stephanie Craig from Kith Consulting to discuss how businesses can build resilience and respond effectively when things go wrong.Stephanie shares her deep expertise in crisis management, explaining what defines a crisis, why preparation is k...2025-04-0834 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessFixing Your “Frankenstein Business” – How to Attract the Right ClientsAre you attracting the right customers for your business, or are you stuck in a cycle of working long hours for clients who aren’t the right fit? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Marama Carmichael, CEO of Oracle Tree, to uncover why so many business owners struggle to find their ideal customers—and how to fix it. If you’re tired of feeling like your marketing efforts aren’t working or that your business has drifted away from your original vision, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you...2025-03-3128 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessRevolutionizing Board Meetings: How Zeck is Changing the GameOne of the most time-consuming and frustrating challenges faced by businesses are meetings, and especially board meetings. From chasing down reports to dealing with last-minute changes and version control issues, the process can quickly become a logistical nightmare. And what a headache (and waste of time) it is reading a slide show on your phone and then seeing the same presentation in the meeting! But what if there was a way to streamline this process, eliminate chaos, and save hours of valuable time?In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with...2025-03-2428 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessMastering Supply Chain Management: Insights from Kerim KfuriStruggling with supply chain issues? Wondering how disruptions could impact your business—or how to prevent them? You’re not alone! Supply chains became a hot topic during COVID-19, but they remain a critical factor in business success today. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or industry leader, understanding how supply chains work (and how to manage them) can save you time, money, and major headaches.In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Kerim Kfuri, a seasoned supply...2025-03-1027 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHiring Smarter: The Power of Virtual Assistants in Business SuccessFeeling overwhelmed with endless tasks in your business? You don’t have to do it all alone! In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, we uncover how virtual assistants (VAs) can help you regain your time, reduce stress, and grow your business more efficiently. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or unsure about outsourcing, this conversation will help you understand the benefits of working with a VA and how to delegate effectively.Host Paul Sweeney sits down with Mia Juan, founder of Next Level Assist, to discuss how virtual assistants can tran...2025-03-0330 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessThe Essential Start-Up Toolkit: Insights from Peter DeansStarting a business is easier than ever, but building a successful one? That’s the real challenge. 🚀 Many entrepreneurs dive into start-ups without fully understanding the risks, market demands, or financial pitfalls—leading to failure before they even get off the ground.In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Peter Deans, business advisor and author of The Start-Up Toolkit: A Step-By-Step Guide for Founders. Peter shares the biggest mistakes start-ups make, the essential steps every entrepreneur should take before launching, and how to navigat...2025-02-1729 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessCut Costs, Not Quality: The Future of AI-Powered Video ProductionWant to create high-quality videos for your business but don’t have the budget or expertise? Video marketing is one of the most powerful tools for engagement, but traditional production can be expensive, time-consuming, and complex. In this episode, we uncover how AI-powered tools can help businesses create professional videos at scale—without breaking the bank.Join host Paul Sweeney as he chats with Amer Tadayon, founder and CEO of LuciHub, about the future of video production and how AI is making high-quality video creation more accessible than ever. Amer shares how LuciHub’s AI-powered platfo...2025-02-0328 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessQuiet Quitting Uncovered: Leadership Strategies with Dr Aaron BazinAre you struggling with disengaged employees, declining productivity, or a team that seems to have mentally checked out? You’re not alone. The rise of quiet quitting—where employees do the bare minimum instead of actively contributing—has become a major challenge for businesses. But what if quiet quitting isn’t the real problem? What if it’s just a symptom of something deeper?In this episode, Paul Sweeney sits down with Dr Aaron Bazin, author of The Vision Advantage: How to Curb Quiet Quitting, Build Resilience, and Create Growth, to unpack the real causes of quiet quitting a...2025-01-2728 min
The Business Behind Your Business2024 - A Year in ReviewIn this reflective episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney recaps key insights from 2024 and provides actionable advice for setting your business up for success in 2025. Paul emphasizes the importance of revisiting your business's purpose and strategy, systemizing operations, leveraging technology like AI, and empowering your team to achieve their best. With highlights from discussions on avoiding burnout, improving team accountability, and aligning efforts with a crystal-clear strategy, this episode is packed with practical tips to make the new year your best one yet.Check out some of the 2024 episodes here:153 - From...2024-12-3015 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessFrom Strategy to Sales: Weekly Sprints for Business GrowthStruggling to grow your business and boost sales? Many business owners get stuck in inefficient sales processes, chasing the wrong clients, or failing to execute a clear strategy. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, we uncover a proven framework to help you increase sales, optimize your strategy, and achieve sustainable growth—without the overwhelm.Host Paul Sweeney is joined by Simon Severino, founder of Strategy Sprints and a sales expert who has helped businesses generate over $2 billion in additional revenue. Simon shares powerful insights on how to build a repeatable sales process, av...2024-12-1634 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessBreaking Free from Day-to-Day Operations: Systemize Your BusinessAre you constantly caught up in the day-to-day operations of your business, leaving little time to focus on growth? Do you find it difficult to delegate tasks effectively, leading to burnout and inefficiency? If so, this episode is for you. Learn how systemology can help you break free from the daily grind, streamline your operations, and create a business that thrives—without relying on you for every decision.In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with James Brown, a certified systemologist and business operations expert, about how systemology can transform small an...2024-11-1831 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy 80% of Marketing Fails: The Strategic Missteps Businesses MakeIf you’ve ever felt like your marketing efforts aren’t delivering the results you expected—or worse, feel like you're just wasting money—this episode is a must-listen. Marketing expert Karim El Gabaili joins host Paul Sweeney to break down why so many marketing strategies fail and what businesses can do to build a marketing engine that actually works. Whether you're frustrated by low ROI, unclear direction, or just overwhelmed by all the digital tools out there, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what really matters.Karim shares hard-ear...2024-10-0730 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessFrom Overworked to Architect: Bradley Hamner's Blueprint for Business FreedomAre you feeling overwhelmed in your business—wearing all the hats, constantly putting out fires, and wondering if you’ll ever get the freedom you set out to create when you first started? Well this episode is for you. Whether you're early in your entrepreneurial journey or running a growing business that’s starting to outgrow you, this conversation will help you break free from the daily grind and start thinking like the architect of your business. You'll walk away with clear, practical steps to help you reclaim your time, build better systems, and cr...2024-09-1037 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessUsing AI for Business SuccessFeeling overwhelmed by all the hype around artificial intelligence? Not sure how it fits into your small business—or if it even should? This episode is your starting point. Join us for a practical and myth-busting conversation with AI entrepreneur and Anabots AI co-founder Josh Thomas, who breaks down how small and medium-sized business owners can start using AI today to improve efficiency, make better decisions, and grow their businesses—without needing a tech degree.In this episode, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Josh to explore the real-world impact of AI on business operations. They cut thro...2024-08-2742 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessSmart Cost-Cutting Strategies to Boost Your Business ProfitsDiscover proven cost-cutting strategies that can significantly increase your business profits without sacrificing quality. In this episode of 'The Business Behind Your Business,' we dive deep into practical tips and techniques to streamline your operations, reduce overheads, and drive sustainable growth.Some of the strategies include:Assess Current ExpensesNegotiate with SuppliersOptimize Operational EfficiencyReduce Fixed CostsOutsource Non-Core FunctionsImplement Energy-Saving MeasuresReview and Adjust Pricing StrategyImprove Inventory ManagementLeverage TechnologyMonitor and Adjust RegularlyPaul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor, launched Pretium Solutions after a long and successful career in accounting and business advisory. Paul credits...2024-08-1523 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessBreaking Barriers: Overcoming Common Business Growth ExcusesIn this episode of "The Business Behind Your Business," host Paul Sweeney dives into the common excuses that hold business owners back from achieving profitable growth. What is stopping your business from achieving "Better Business Profits than 70% of Your Competition"?Paul explores actionable strategies to overcome these barriers. Discover how to move beyond the typical reasons for stagnation and implement practical steps to ensure your business thrives. Join us as we provide insights and solutions to help you unlock your business's full potential and achieve greater profitability.Paul discusses key excuses such as:2024-07-1623 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessThe Great Wealth TransferAre you a small business owner over 50 wondering how to exit your business or pass it on to the next generation? Or maybe you're part of the younger workforce looking to understand how you can step into ownership without massive upfront costs? In this episode, we dive into one of the most critical challenges facing small and medium business owners today: how to successfully plan for succession and transfer wealth. You'll learn practical strategies for grooming future leaders, creating a business that thrives beyond its founder, and navigating the financial and emotional complexities of exiting a business...2024-07-0234 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessStay on Top of Your Numbers: Expert Tips for Small Business OwnersIn this episode of "The Business Behind Your Business," we discuss the critical importance of understanding your financial figures as the year comes to a close. With tax season approaching, maximising your returns and profits is crucial, but many business owners often overlook the need to stay on top of their financial data. We highlight the necessity of maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records to make informed decisions and improve your business's performance.Our host, Paul Sweeney, a seasoned chartered accountant and business advisor, outlines five key financial metrics every business owner should focus on: profit, revenue...2024-06-1924 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessMastering Business Storytelling with Video MarketingAre you struggling to make your business stand out online? Not sure how to connect with your audience in a way that builds trust and drives results? In this episode, we dive into a powerful marketing tool that’s often underutilized—storytelling through video. Whether you're camera-shy or already dabbling in content creation, this conversation will help you better understand how to use video to authentically communicate your value, attract the right clients, and build long-term credibility.Host Paul Sweeney is joined by Dave Power, founder of Power Creative, who brings over 25 years of experience help...2024-06-0330 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessAre You Paying Too Much Tax? Unlock The Power of End-of-Year Tax PlanningDo you feel confused about what you should be doing for your business at the end of the financial year? Do you feel pressure to buy, buy, buy with the EOFY sales?Or do any of these concerns around business taxes sound familiar?Scrambling to find the cash to make your tax paymentsWithholding spending on your business to free up money to pay your taxesConfusion and worry over taxesYou aren't alone! These are common feelings of many business owners. As we head to the end of the financial year in Australia, there is a c...2024-05-2422 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessSave Your Business Money by Improving Employee Engagement and RetentionDoes your business struggle with a constant turnover in employees? This is an issue for many businesses and the cost of hiring and onboarding new employees is high.Or perhaps you have some amazing employees and you want to learn more about how to retain them? We are joined by Paul Cripps from PK People Solutions to look at these issues and more.Paul highlights some of the Key Takeaways from the 2024 HR Industry Benchmark Report. This latest report published by ELMO highlights the emerging and alarming trends, challenges, and opportunities in the r...2024-03-2828 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessStrategic Insights: Unveiling the Power of Three-Way ForecastingIn this episode we'll be exploring the transformative power of Three-Way Forecasting and how it can revolutionize your approach to financial planning and decision-making.Understanding Three-Way Forecasting:What exactly is Three-Way Forecasting? We break down this concept into digestible pieces, explaining how it integrates income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.Learn why this holistic approach to financial forecasting is crucial for small business owners to gain a comprehensive view of their financial health.Advantages for Small Businesses:Discover the numerous benefits that Three-Way Forecasting...2024-03-1519 min
The Business Behind Your Business5 Reasons Why Your Business Plan Can FailIf you watched our last episode, you will have learned that it is never too late to make a business plan. In this episode, we look at some of the common mistakes business owners make when creating and using business plans.So look out for these 5 common business plan fails:Not actually making a planLack specific goalsPlan isn't implementedNo accountabilityNothing is measuredLearn more about business plans in this blog, Get Real: Business Planning Reality for Small BusinessesPaul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor, launched Pretium Solutions after a...2024-03-0122 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessIt's Not Too Late to Make a Business PlanWhat are your business and personal goals for the year? What plans have you made? How will you implement these plans? How will you assess if your goals are being met? If these questions leave you feeling overwhelmed, never fear!It's NEVER too late to make a business plan.Find out the benefits of making a business plan, plus some simple tips to get you started.Learn about the simple framework for assessing your starting point - where you are now so you know the base for where your plan startsHelp you pinpoint where...2024-02-1525 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessThe Year in ReviewThe 2023 calendar year has drawn to a close. For many, it was still a year of hangover effects from covid and poorer economic conditions. For many others, it was a year of substantial growth and increased profits. So what set those businesses apart?In this episode, our host Paul Sweeney reflects on some of the key takeaways from conversations with our guests and business owners.From all of the team at The Business Behind Your Business, wishing you a safe holiday season and a prosperous 2024.Paul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & B...2023-12-2812 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessChoosing an Accountant for Your BusinessWhat do you need to consider when choosing an accountant for your business? It's an important decision - getting the right accountant for your needs can help you build a profitable and healthy business. Here are some key factors to consider:What services does your business need? What are your values?What are the qualifications and experience of the accountant?Benefits of using an accountant:Improved systems and processesStay up-to-date with your compliance obligationsTake advantage of business opportunitiesSave time and moneyUseful links for when you are choosing an accountant for your business:2023-11-3030 min
The Business Behind Your Business7 Steps to Business SuccessWhat can you do to give yourself the best chance of success in your business? Following on from our last episode on business health checks, Paul Sweeney shares the 7 steps you need to take to create some positive changes in your business. What kinds of outcomes can you expect? Your business will be more profitable, you'll be less stressed, and you'll feel more in control.It's very normal for small business owners to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and to lose sight of the bigger picture. But take a moment and think about...2023-11-0220 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessRevitalise Your Business with a Health CheckIn general, small businesses are not healthy. Here are some alarming statistics - Australian Small Business and Family Enterprises Ombudsman (ASBFEO) has found that 49% of small business owners make less than average wages, and two out of 5 micro and small businesses are not profitable.Interestingly, there are also businesses who are thriving in the current conditions, at the same time these other businesses are failing. And these differences can be seen within the same industries. So what can be done to make more businesses into profitable, successful ventures? If you are concerned about the health of your...2023-10-1923 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessPodcast Meet Up: Tips on Revitalising Your BusinessWe hosted The Business Behind Your Business Meet Up – a fun celebration for our podcast community. All of our podcast guests and listeners have been a special part of our podcast and we wanted to say thank you, plus hear from everyone about their business journeys. It was a great opportunity to network and build our small business community. We also enjoyed morning tea and gave away some podcast merch! (Bonus – you can get your very own podcast tshirts and mugs right here.)The highlight of the day was our special panel discussion, where we heard some grea...2023-08-2243 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessPreparing for a New Business YearThe end of the financial year is swiftly approaching - so what does that mean for you as a business owner? What activities do you need to do to set your business up for the best start in the new financial year?There are two types of essential business planning that you should be doing at this time of year. First of all, there is tax planning and secondly, there is strategic planning.Tax planning helps you identify and implement strategies that can minimise your tax liability. This includes taking advantage of tax deductions, credits, a...2023-06-0923 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessChanges to Industrial Relations LawsDid you know that a series of changes to industrial relations laws have been happening in Australia? Some have come into effect in Dec 2022 and others are happening throughout 2023. Many business owners are not aware of these changes.It is necessary for business owners to keep on top of this information - ignorance is no excuse. Penalties will apply to businesses not following the new rules, once a law comes into effect.Here's a brief summary of the changes most likely to affect small and medium businesses:Introduction of paid domestic violence leaveChanges to...2023-03-0737 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy Your Goal Setting is FailingDo you feel like you are stuck in a rut making the same goals for your business every year because these goals are never achieved?Maybe it's time to take a closer look at how you are setting your goals.Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) explores how goals are developed - and asks the all-important question of what lies underneath your goals, the why.Find out how you can create a plan for your business that will actually work, with goals that are achievable.Paul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor...2023-03-0312 min
The Business Behind Your Business5 Things to Stop Doing in Your BusinessBusiness owners spend a lot of time thinking about the things they should be doing. What are the latest trends to get on top of? What are the newest tools you need to be using? What are your goals and targets for the year ahead?But few business owners take the time to think about what they need to stop doing. We all pick up habits, some good, some not so productive. And sometimes it's useful to take a moment and evaluate what you are doing that could be making your work harder and less efficient.2023-02-2117 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessStarting a New YearPaul Sweeney, the host of The Business Behind Your Business, is back and ready for another exciting year of delving into the world of small business. We are settling into 2023 now with the Australian summer holidays fading into memory and busy routines returning. We are also seeing a push from many businesses to have staff back in the office after the last few years with many of us working from home. It's a period of adjustment and assessment, both personally and for our businesses.At this time of year, there is often a rush to s...2023-02-0914 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy Do We Make a Podcast for Small Business?Maybe you've been wondering how this podcast came about?A bunch of factors coming together resulted in Paul Sweeney wanting to create a podcast focused on content to help small business owners.First of all, Paul comes from a small town where he saw first hand the implications of local businesses succeeding or failing and how this affected the whole community. This background inspired Paul to want to help businesses and communities professionally and led to Paul becoming a chartered accountant and certified business advisor.Throughout Paul's career, he has built on this...2022-12-1911 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessStopping Zombie SpendingAre you guilty of mindless spending at work? Maybe you have cash leaking from your business and you don't even realise it!Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) explores some of the most common areas where money is wasted:Unused or under-used subscriptionsUnnecessary licencesOld subscriptions from past employeesAutomatic renewalsThese areas are often overlooked by business owners.Take control of your 'zombie spending' and and improve your cash flow today.Paul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor, launched Pretium Solutions after a long and successful career in accounting and business advisory. Paul...2022-12-1212 min
Insane In The Men BrainPaul SweeneyRich Wilson talks to comedian Paul SweeneyGet Patreon exclusives, YouTube videos, live dates, socials, contact Producer Paul and everything else at https://linktr.ee/MenBrain Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-12-081h 20
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhen Accuracy is RequiredWe assume accuracy is beneficial all of the time, but perhaps not always necessary. You can think of situations where accuracy might be sacrificed for speed perhaps, creativity, or just to get the ball moving on a project. Remember the saying by Catherine Carrigan, 'Perfect is the enemy of done.'But when is accuracy essential in business?Accuracy is required in your business' financial reports. This kind of information is used to make decisions for the future, to steer your business in new directions, to assess outcomes and determine fresh solutions.That is why i...2022-11-3021 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy Cash Flow is KingRunning a successful business is all about the profit, right?While being profitable is the ultimate goal of a business, one of the most important factors (and one of the biggest pain points) is management of cash flow.So what can you do to improve your cash flow?Paul Sweeney from Pretium Solutions explores some crucial aspects of cash flow:Understand what cash flow is - and how it is different to profitIdentify problems with cash flow - what is the cause?How does good cash flow help make a healthy business?2022-11-2415 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessBest Business Advice for Our 100th Episode!As part of our celebration of our 100th episode, we asked our listeners what topic they would like covered. The consensus was to do a compilation of the best business advice from listeners.So that is what you will find in this jam-packed episode!We heard from business owners and professionals about the strategies that have made a positive difference in their businesses. From human resources tips, to the best mindset for business and cybersecurity must-dos, plus everything in between, we're sure you'll find some inspiration and support for your business.Thanks again...2022-10-2430 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessStanding Tall Through Labour ShortagesDoes your business rely on labour?An aging population and falling immigration rates already reduced our labour market and then COVID-19 made staffing challenges that much harder. So how can your business grow and prosper during these challenging times?Paul Cripps from PK People Solutions explores the issues around labour shortages and provides some ideas for how businesses can successfully navigate these problems.Key insights include the importance of the following:Better planning and problem solving in businesses to deal with labour shortages, supply chain issues and customer needsGetting employees a...2022-09-0834 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy Tax Refunds are Bad for BusinessGetting a tax refund is good, right? Everyone loves a tax refund!But, if this tax refund is for your business, then it may be a sign of trouble! It's time for a closer look at what is happening in your business.Find out why tax refunds are bad for business in this episode with Paul Sweeney, from Pretium Solutions.Hint: it's all about the cash flow!Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your business and avoid any future anxiety at tax time. It's important to find out...2022-09-0214 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessKeeping Business SimpleThe premise of 'keep it simple' has been widely used and helpful for many people in many scenarios. It's about not overcomplicating things which can leave room for problems to develop.'Keeping it simple' also applies to business. As a business owner, the more complicated you make things, the more steps that you add in a process, the more errors you may be introducing into your business.Just like the children's game of 'telephone' where a secret message is whispered from one child to the next until the end result is nothing like the original...2022-08-2619 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessGetting Started with AutomationFollowing on from our episode on the benefits of automation, Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) takes a closer look at how you can get started using automations.First of all, it's important to decide what would benefit from automation. Some of the key things to look for in tasks are as follows:Is it a repetitive task? (Those boring tasks like data entry)Is it a fragile tasks? (Easily affected by human error like missed steps and typos)Is it a recurring task? (Things like reminders)Your time is precious and as a business...2022-08-1017 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy You Should Automate Your Business ProcessesAre you feeling time-poor in your business?Maybe you're looking for ways to free up time in your busy days?Automation is the key! Learn how some simple strategies and tools can help you make better use of your time. Your business will be more productive and efficient.Some of these time-saving strategies include:Develop business systems - plus document, review and update them regularlyAutomate processes where possibleSimplify processes - remove unnecessary stepsLearn to delegate where appropriateJoin Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) for this detailed look at how you can use automation a...2022-08-0327 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessTraps to Avoid this End of Financial YearWhat traps do you need to avoid this end of financial year?What is the simple strategy behind tax planning?End of Financial Year (EOFY) activities should include, but not be limited to taxation planning. There are some traps that every business owner should avoid at this time of year. So what do you need to look out for this EOFY?What tips and tricks will make the next year better?Join Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) for this detailed look at what you can do to make the end of financial...2022-06-2121 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessNational Employment StandardsDo you understand your employer obligations under the National Employment Standards? Whether you have one employee (even if it's just you, the business owner) or many, these are rules you must follow, including understanding changes in the past couple of years.Paul Cripps (PK People Solutions) gives an overview of the eleven points of the National Employment Standards, including the newest changes around casual employment. Paul also highlights some of the areas of greatest confusion for business owners, as well as where to find more detail on the policy.You can access the resources mentioned...2022-05-2429 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessBefore You Start Your BusinessIs being passionate about your product or service enough to warrant starting a business? What about skill or quality - if your product or service is 'the best', does that mean you should start a business selling it?A successful business requires more than just passion, skill and an amazing product or service.Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) looks at what you need to do before you start a business. How can you make sure you will have customers who will buy your product or service? Who will your customers be? How will you reach them? 2022-05-1113 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessShould I Start a Business?Do you have a great business idea, but not sure where to start? Are you confused about what you need to do first? If this is you (too many questions and not enough answers) then you are in the right place! Paul Sweeney, chartered accountant and business advisor, explores what you need to know before you launch your new business. This episode is the first in a series focusing on starting a business. And don't worry - for those listeners who already have a business - this is a gre...2022-04-2708 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessPractical Ways Employers Can Look After Their Employees' WellbeingAs an employer, what are you doing to look after your employees? These days, employers are investing more into employee wellbeing than ever before.Employee relations and getting the most out of your employees is one of the most critical things for any business, but it's particularly important for small businesses.Paul Cripps from PK People Solutions has some practical tips to improve the wellbeing of your employees, including their physical and mental health. Taking care of your people helps your whole business prosper. By taking some extra time to support employees, as w...2022-04-1229 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessYou Really Do Have Time to Work on Your BusinessDo you feel like your days are spent running from one thing to another and never getting anything done? Do you look at those 5 and 10 minute gaps between speaking to this client and invoicing that client and picking the kids up from school and think, "That's not enough time to do anything, why bother?"Is your business suffering from not enough of your attention because there just isn't time?The disruptions of modern life are many and the quiet moments too few. If this all feels very familiar to you, don't worry, you...2022-03-3012 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy You Need to Know How to Increase Revenue to Be More ProfitableWhat is revenue and why is it so important? Let's start with looking at profit. Profit is the outcome; the end result. It’s quite simply what’s left over from your revenue when you deduct your expenses.Profit is the final score. Just looking at the final result and saying how much you want it to increase won’t make any difference.By focusing on the four factors that will create more profit, the end result improves naturally.So, with profit being what’s left after deducting expenses from revenue, it shoul...2022-03-0920 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow Do You Determine Your Business Strategy?How do you determine what your business strategy and plan should be?How do you identify what your successful business should look like? What goals and targets should you set for your business this year?The first question you should be asking is 'why?' Asking 'Why'? Has become a key process for business owners, made popular by Simon Sinek’s book “Start with Why”. With a strong WHY you will be able to decide whether the next big idea will move your business in the right direction and fit with its ov...2022-02-2213 min
The Business Behind Your Business10 More Ideas to Kick-Start Your Business in 2022We hope you got some inspiration from last week's 'kick-start your business' podcast. We have another dose ready for you this week on The Business Behind Your Business.While we have all been experiencing many challenges over the past couple of years, we want to see businesses flourishing, despite the bumpy road. That is why we are working hard to get resources and support out to businesses.Paul Sweeney shares 10 more of his favourite tips to help make 2022 a great year for your business.Sign-up for our monthly newsletter so you don't miss...2022-01-2548 min
The Business Behind Your Business10 Actions to Kick-Start Your Business in 2022Have you been reflecting on your business over the holidays? Maybe you have found some things that aren't working well, things that you want to do differently. Or perhaps you aren't even sure where to start. Don't worry, we have some inspiration to help you kick-start your business this year. Paul Sweeney shares some of his favourite tips to help make 2022 a great year for your business.Sign-up for our monthly newsletter so you don't miss an episode (plus get access to extra resources).Support the show...2022-01-1839 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessDirector Identification NumbersThe introduction of director ID will create a fairer business environment by helping prevent the use of false and fraudulent director identities. This will go a long way to better identifying and eliminating director involvement in unlawful activity. Shareholders, employees, creditors, consumers, external administrators and regulators are entitled to know the names and certain details of the directors of a company. All directors are required by law to verify their identity with us before receiving a director ID. This is important because it will help to:Prevent the use of false or fraudulent director identitiesMake it e...2021-11-1017 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessThe Great Resignation RaceThis week, we're excited to have Paul Cripps (PK People Solutions) back to shed some light on The Great Resignation Race that we've been hearing about in the media - and how it will impact Australia. Some reports indicate that between 25% and 40% of people are considering moving on in their jobs. Find out what it all means and what you can do to prepare your business. The key will be to act now. You can start by thinking about what motivated your employees to join your business and what motivates them to stay?Paul Cripps, founder of...2021-10-2631 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessBack to Business - Avoiding Deja VuThe challenges facing businesses just keep piling up. But by being adaptable in your thinking, you can create a better path forward for you and your business. Avoid that sense of deja vu with some solid business planning (and implementation!)Paul Sweeney explores how you can keep your business moving forward once lockdowns end and businesses start opening up. We'll all be dealing with a changed environment - and business owners can't afford to keep doing things the way they did before and expect to get the same or improved results. We need to adapt our thinking...2021-10-0517 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessSmall Business Dads - Daniel MundayWe are joined by Daniel Munday, the host of Small Business Dads podcast and the owner and manager of DPM Performance, who specialise in supporting the fitness needs of people who are 40+ years old.We talk about some of the tools and strategies we use in creating a podcast, plus we discuss the challenges and triumphs of running a business and balancing that with family life.Check out our Behind the Scenes blog for more information on the podcasting tools we love to use.Other resources mentioned in the podcast:R U...2021-09-2830 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow Much Cash Does Your Business Need?This week we're looking at a topic that is very relevant in today's business climate. Paul Sweeney explores the question: If you are going to survive in small business, it will be necessary to know what your cash needs are going to be, both cash in and cash out.What do you need to consider when working out how much cash to keep on hand?Cash flow is the life of any business and its management is one of the most important factors in any business. The ability to collect funds from Debtors, deal with...2021-09-2120 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow Do You Succeed in Small Business?How do you succeed in small business? Paul Sweeney shares some of the key steps and tools all business owners should have in place to help them succeed in business. In this episode, we explore how using each of these contributes to running a successful business.Get advice before starting:Business PlanBudget and Cashflow ForecastAccounting recordsRegular financial reportsReview Budgets and Cashflow ForecastsConduct market surveysHire and keep good staffUse financial data for managing the businessKnow your customerPaul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor, launched Pretium Solutions after a long and successful career...2021-09-0721 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow Do You Manage Talent When Everyone is Working Remotely?How do you manage talent when everyone is working remotely?It's a question being asked by many business owners and managers during these current periods of uncertainty and continued COVID lockdowns.So how do we manage our employees who are working virtually?Harry Nathoo and Paul Cripps discuss how we can achieve this. They suggest that we need to move beyond traditional viewpoints on managing employees. Traditionally input based and time based management are not effective.COVID has provided a requirement for business to change the way they do work, and...2021-09-0140 min
The Business Behind Your Business3 Essential Tools Every Business NeedsPaul Sweeney and Paul Cripps discuss three essential tools that every business needs.Accounting software – accounting (including payroll), bookkeeping, taxationCRM Software - Customer Relationship Management SoftwareSales Tools - the process where a prospect commits to buying from youAccounting SoftwareAccounting is, as everyone knows, an integral part of operating any business. Accounting software helps you to make more efficient use of your time and facilitates the monitoring of cash flow, expenditure, tax filing and other essential business data. Keeping your books accurate and up-to-date is integral to smooth business operation. ...2021-08-2529 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessPaul Murray - Account Kit: From Minimum Viable Product to an Established BusinessPaul Murray, founder of AccountKit, shares his experience of the start-up process from an idea, to a minimum viable product, to now having an established business that recently celebrated it's 5th Anniversary. Paul Murray shares some key lessons for anyone contemplating starting a business or for anyone who has already launched their business. Key points raised by Paul include:•Importance of identifying a product where there is an existing need and customer base•Starting with a minimum viable product•Listening to your customers before adding new features•Realistic time frames for break-even - how long...2021-08-1730 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow Do I Manage Employee Annual Leave During Lockdown?How do you manage employee leave during a COVID lockdown? If your employees are unable to take leave, how do you as an employer manage the increasing liability for annual leave accruals? Can you force an employee to use their annual leave while your business is in lockdown? Can an employee cash out some of their annual leave? Paul Cripps and Ben Baumgarten take a deep dive into these questions.Ben Baumgarten is a Senior Associate Lawyer and has practised exclusively in the area of workplace relations. Ben has experience advising and representing cl...2021-08-0427 min
The Business Behind Your Business5 Ways to Increase Your ProfitDeclining or flat-lining profits (or even profits that aren’t increasing as quickly as you’d like) could be a major red flag for a small business. However, many business owners fall into the trap of doing the same things that worked in the past and hoping to achieve the same or better results – despite the evidence from what the numbers say. It’s important to work out how to increase profits for a small business so that the numbers come back a little kinder next time.Join Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions – Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers) and Paul Cripp...2021-07-1526 min
The Business Behind Your Business7 Steps to Take Now to Make Your Next Financial Year BetterThe 2021 Financial Year has just finished. For many the results will not be great. We all want it to have a better year coming forward. So, what do we need to do now?In this episode, Paul Sweeney outlines 7 steps to take now to make your next financial year better.Paul Sweeney Chartered Accountant & Business Advisor, launched Pretium Solutions after a long and successful career in accounting and business advisory. Paul credits his passion for small business with growing up in country NSW, where family-run businesses were the cornerstone of everyday life.2021-07-0813 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessCasual Employment Changes - A Good News Story for EmployersCasual Employment Changes - A Good News Story for EmployersRecent amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (FW Act) change the workplace entitlements and obligations for casual employees.These changes came into effect on 27 March 2021.In February 2021 (episode 24) Paul Cripps and Philip van den Heever discussed the changes that were in the pipeline for casual employment.Paul Cripps from PK People Solutions and Ben Baumgarten from Frank Law unpack what the changes are and how they affect your business.https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/website-news/reforms#casual-employment-information-statement2021-06-2931 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessCan Government Grants Really Help Your Business?You might be surprised to find out just how many different government grants and assistance programs are on offer. Depending on your specific business and the markets you supply to, different grants might be applicable.Is your business leaving cash on the table? By not taking advantage of government grants and incentives which may be available to your business, are you turning your back on financial assistance that Federal and State governments are offering? However, many people would argue that the availability of and access to these grants are a well-kept secret.2021-06-2228 min
The Business Behind Your Business12 Things That Can Go Wrong When Selecting a Business StructureWhen selecting a business structure for a small business, there is a cheap way and an expensive way.The cheap way is to do it right first time – by getting advice from an experienced professional. But the expensive way is commonly disguised as the ‘low-cost’ method.Make sure you consider the real costs of setting a business up – selecting the wrong structure through poor advice can become a costly mistake.When you try to cut corners with your business structure by choosing the ’low-cost’ method, it can actually get very expensive.Subscribe to...2021-06-1524 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessTax Planning - How Your Business Can BenefitTax planning is a legitimate strategy all business owners can take advantage of to minimise tax.Tax planning is not just for big business. Every business can take advantage of some simple strategies to reduce tax this financial year.Paul Sweeney, Chartered Accountant and Registered Tax Agent, explains some simple strategies to reduce tax this financial year for your business.Connect with Paul Sweeny on Linkedinhttps://pretiumsolutions.com.au/Sign-up for our monthly newsletter so you don't miss an episode (plus get access to extra resources).D...2021-05-2517 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessDoes the 2021 Federal Budget Help Your Business?The Australian economy's recovery from COVID-19 is well underway. The Federal Budget is focused on securing Australia's recovery and rebuilding. It is a plan to invest rather than reform.Many have argued that it is a bland budget, missing the opportunity to deliver more tax cuts to help business owners.So how do the measures announced in the budget help your business? Where are the opportunities for growth and how can you take advantage of these?Paul Sweeney from Pretium Solutions Chartered Accountants discusses how the incentives can benefit your business and what t...2021-05-1823 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessHow We Do It Here! Why having systems is essential for every businessWhen processes and procedures aren’t documented…A customer’s issue may be handled incorrectlyCustomer service won’t meet customer expectationsErrors will be madeHow much time is wasted by other employees learning how to do someone else's job (badly) on the fly?How much of their own work do they not get done while they are covering for someone else? Paul Sweeney from Pretium Solutions Chartered Accountants and Certified Business Advisors explores the reasons why all businesses, no matter how small or big, need to have systems and strategies in place for all employees.Typically, most Smal...2021-03-0216 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessCasual Employment Creating Great UncertaintyEmployers now have a new issue that has come to the forefront that's to do with a case concerning casual employment, and it has the potential to significantly change the way that employers look at casual employment. Before we actually look at this issue, it's important to understand what is meant by casual employment and the reasons why we have casual employment. Casual employment is there to help businesses employ people on an ad hoc basis. So it shouldn't be regular hours or regular days. The idea is that there is no commitment to ongoing...2021-02-0930 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWill 2021 be the Year of Opportunity?We are hearing from business owners about opportunities that now exist. Many are planning on how they will capitalise on these opportunities.“Creating opportunity is about more than just thriving in an unstable, sometimes scary world. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself, and creating the life where you have all the opportunities you need to reach your full potential. To increase the quality and quantity of opportunity available, it’s important to take on a series of mindsets that will positively change how you see yourself, how others see you, and how you see opport...2021-01-1922 min
Grow Your BusinessA Successful Approach to Business PlansHow do we make it easier to create, implement and manage the actions for your business plan?We have developed a solid process that is easy to follow AND becomes a useful tool. We want you to create an effective business plan to help your business grow. We want you to identify the strategy, the key outcomes and the key results for your business. This clear process makes sure your business plan creation is efficient and effective. In this series, we have been looking at this idea of why just having a business plan is no...2021-01-0708 min
Grow Your BusinessWhat Should be in a Business Plan?At the end of the day, our business plan, once we finished it, is the operating tool for growing our business. It helps us manage what we do in our business. It helps us manage how we achieve success. The business plan identifies what we need to be doing. It identifies when we need to do it by, what resources we need, plus gives us tools and a framework for measuring the effectiveness of the results.By developing and using a business plan, we move ever closer to achieving our ultimate goals for running a...2021-01-0712 min
Grow Your BusinessBusiness Plan Failure #5 Nothing is MeasuredWhy do so many businesses fail? Our fifth reason for business plan failure is that Nothing Gets Measured.We've discovered that what you measure gets done. If you're measuring things, people do them. What you measure gets done. We want to get the results we need and make sure that our actions are getting the results that we desire. We need to measure the results of our actions so that we can determine if our business plan has been effective in growing our business profitably. It is common knowledge that many businesses don't sur...2021-01-0711 min
Grow Your BusinessBusiness Plan Failure #4 No AccountabilityWhy do so many businesses fail? Our fourth reason for why business plans fail is No Accountability. You need to have an external party that you're accountable to. Somebody that is going to call you on the excuses that you might come up with for not doing things. Someone who is going to ask you to explain why you haven't done the actions you have committed to. In this series, we will be looking at this idea of why just having a business plan is not enough. We'll look at five reasons why your business pl...2021-01-0709 min
Grow Your BusinessBusiness Plan Failure #3 Failure To ImplementWhy do so many businesses fail? Our third reason for business plan failures is a Failure to Implement. There have been many great business plans created over time. Many of these were never acted upon. In this series, we will be looking at this idea of why just having a business plan is not enough. We'll look at five reasons why your business plan will fail. We will identify and closely examine these reasons that business plans fail. And we're going to look at what you can do to overcome these reasons for failure. Once we hav...2021-01-0710 min
Grow Your BusinessBusiness Plan Failure #2 No Specific GoalsWhy do so many businesses fail? Our second reason for business plan failures is a lack of specific goals. We discuss why having specific goals is an important part of creating your business plan. In this series, we will be looking at this idea of why just having a business plan is not enough. We'll look at five reasons why your business plan will fail. We will identify and closely examine these reasons that business plans fail. And we're going to look at what you can do to overcome these reasons for failure. Onc...2021-01-0706 min
Grow Your BusinessBusiness Plan Failures #1 Failing to PlanWhy do so many businesses fail? Our #1 Reason for Business Plan Failures is quite simply Failing to Plan.In this series, we will be looking at this idea of why just having a business plan is not enough. We'll look at five reasons why your business plan will fail.We will identify and closely examine these reasons that business plans fail. And we're going to look at what you can do to overcome these reasons for failure. Once we have identified the reasons, we'll explore the steps you need to take to achieve your goals by...2021-01-0703 min
Grow Your BusinessWhy Your Business Needs a Plan to Be SuccessfulWhy do so many businesses fail? It is common knowledge that many businesses don't survive past their first three years. For many, a lack of planning is the key reason leading to their business failure. Fail to plan equals plan to fail. In this series, we will look at this idea of why just having a business plan is not enough. We'll look at five reasons why your business plan will fail.We will identify and closely examine these reasons that business plans fail. And we're going to look at what you can d...2021-01-0711 min
The Business Behind Your BusinessWhy Your Personal Goals are Important for Your BusinessPersonal Goals play a valuable part in defining your business goals and the specific actions you need to take.A major cause of stress and anxiety for business owners is the failure of their business to enable their personal goals to be met.In this episode we explore why personal goals are very important in defining your business goals. How do your personal goals shape the goals and targets for your business?By setting SMART goals, we can create a manageable business plan, with clearly defined actions for how we are going to...2021-01-0521 min