Shows
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 Many business owners struggle with negotiations, relying on outdated strategies that often lead to conflict or lost opportunities.Whether you're dealing with vendors, partners, or internal stakeholders, your ability to negotiate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 Mental Health Podcast#mhTV episode 139 - An evening with Paul Sweeney MSPWelcome to episode 139 [originally broadcast on Wednesday 19 October 2023] of #mhTV. This week Nicky Lambert and Vanessa Gilmartin spoke with guest Paul Sweeney MSP, the spokesperson for mental health for Scottish Labour. Dr Mike Ramsay also joined the episode as a guest presenter.
PS: Paul Sweeney is an MSP for the Glasgow region and is the spokesperson for mental health for Scottish Labour. Formerly the MP for Glasgow North East, he served as Shadow Minister for Scotland from 2017-2019. Paul is a proud trade unionist and a member of both Unite and GMB trade unions, and worked closely with Unite to try and save 200...2023-10-1947 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 BusinessBruce Billson: How ASBFEO helps small businessesWe are joined by our special guest, The Honourable Bruce Billson, the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO).Bruce explains the role of ASBFEO and the different programs and services available to assist small businesses.Helping small businesses with dispute resolutionA policy and advocacy space to help small businesses deal with governments and regulatorsSharing the stories of small businesses and highlighting their importance to the wider communityBruce and Paul discuss World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day (MSME Day) and why it is an important opportunity to thank our small and family...2023-06-2628 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 Get bonus content on Patreon 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