Have you ever asked yourself if your business could survive without you? Often, especially with small businesses, there is a major risk if anything ever happens to the owner, as they usually are the ones who wield the greatest influence, do more work than anyone else, drive the direction and generate the most revenue. To mitigate risk you should therefore seek to make yourself redundant so your business isn’t solely relying on your presence day in and day out. In this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths will tell you how you can properly safeguard your business and team. By taking the steps to remove dependence on you as the business owner, you will end up building a stronger business with greater chance for increased revenue and success.
Bree also chats with financial advisor, author of Finance Action Hero and speaker Peita Diamantidis. She talks about the impact of unexpected exits from a business, whether that be the owner or key team members, and what you should do to prepare for those situations. Additionally, Peita introduces the value of key man insurance and how that can support businesses cope with a loss of major players. If you want to know what steps can make the difference between your business surviving a disaster to it being sold for almost nothing, then this episode is for you!
We also discuss things like:
Links
With each passing day, customers are expecting more and more from the companies that they do businesses with, so it’s time that business owners move from a purely transactional relationship with clients towards delivering an excellent customer experience. With your product or service, when your interaction with your customer is only focused on the transaction, there’s a lack of a real emotional connection. In this modern age, that’s simply not enough anymore and your business will be in trouble if there’s no experience for your customer. In this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths will give you top tips on how to stand out amongst competitors so your business can show how innovative it is and how to deliver fantastic service to your clients.
Additionally, Bree chats with Zing founder and business coach Lisa Conway who has over 30 years experience shaking up the hair and beauty industry. A hairdresser by trade, Lisa now helps salon owners transform their businesses all around the globe and is an expert in customer experiences. If you want to learn how to gain loyalty from clients and grow your business, then this episode is for you!
We also discuss things like:
Links
You began your business because you were (and are!) passionate about your industry. Because your company stemmed from your vision for a better future, your business ultimately is a reflection of who you are. In today’s world, most business owners’ personal happiness is locked into your business success. It doesn’t make sense anymore to pretend your business doesn’t affect your overall well being significantly. You are the business barometer and the company will have the same energy as you. If you are distracted, the business will reflect that scattered attention. Likewise though, if you are clear and focused, your business will reflect that dedication as well. In this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths give practical tips and techniques for how to take care of yourself to take care of your business!
Additionally, Bree chats with clinical psychologist and fellow of the Australian Psychological Society Chris Mackey. With over 35 years of experience in psychotherapy, his own private practice, and as the resident psychologist on the television show Destination Happiness, Chris shares his advice on how to better your wellbeing. Specifically, in the business world, he talks about how business owners can control the mission, culture, and everyday climate of their company. If you want to learn practical strategies on how to be an effective team leader, this is the episode for you!
We also discuss things like:
Links
Chris Mackey Website
Chris Mackey’s Book Synchronicity
Business over Breakfast Book
Smallville
CCIQ
Bree James LinkedIn
Andrew Griffiths Website
Amplify Website
Getting focused and staying focused are two battles that business owners face every day. There are so many distractions these days that getting focused has become problematic in how much of a challenge it is. However, once you are able to concentrate on a task, we all know that incredible sense of accomplishment that results in increasing focus. In this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths give practical tips and techniques for how to stay focused throughout the day. Concentration breeds progress which will breed achievement for your business!
Additionally, Bree chats with guest Cameron Aggs, a clinical psychologist who is an expert on mindfulness training in Australia. Cameron shares how business owners can use mindfulness to focus more effectively on things that are important to them, rather than being overwhelmed by a seemingly insurmountable workload. He has delivered over 250 mindfulness training programs and his 8-week program has shown to improve concentration by 16% in its participants. If you’d like to hear what Cameron recommends to be less self critical and how to refresh your attention, this episode is for you!
We also discuss things like:
Links
There are some business owners who do a ton of business travel and then there are some who do not care to travel. No matter where you land on that spectrum, it’s best to be prepared in case an opportunity does pop up. In this episode of the Business over Breakfast show, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths give you top strategies on how to make that business trip a breeze. Both Bree and Andrew are big advocates of travelling to meet clients or partners, as that face time is so worthwhile in the long run. Proximity is power, and taking the time to travel to see someone in person often makes a great impact.
As someone who has been on the road for decades, Andrew Griffiths himself shares how he remains stress-free on business trips and what he does to feel energized emotionally and physically. Conditioning yourself as a business owner to be at peak performance away from the office is crucial. If you want to learn how to position yourself to maximise business travel opportunities, this is the episode for you!
We also discuss things like:
Links
In this economy, everything is moving so fast with new products, services and businesses around every corner. It’s astounding how quickly customers have adapted to craving new things all the time. As a business owner, this means you are faced with the constant challenge of staying relevant to your customers. You never want your business to fade by the sidelines, and in this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths will tell you why being top of mind for your customers is vital and how your business can do it. No matter what your business is, Bree and Andrew will help you keep on target and on trend with your audience!
The show also welcomes Cian McLoughlin to talk about why business owners need to stay relevant to customers. He is founder and CEO of Trinity Perspectives, a sales training and consulting company, and author of two Amazon bestsellers. Additionally, Cian’s blog was voted one of the Top 50 sales blogs in the world for the past three years. Cian provides us with his tips on how to stay relevant to drive customer loyalty and business.
We also discuss things like:
Links
Have you experienced tough financial times in your business? Let’s face it… you either have faced challenging periods or you will, and that is simply an inevitable chapter that every will be in every business owner’s career. In today’s episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths will teach you how to survive when your finances are lean. By telling you how to identify what mistakes lead to rough waters managing your money and sharing how you can overcome these problems, Bree and Andrew will help make sure your business navigates the hurdles so it can thrive in the long run!
In this episode, the show welcomes Bronwyn Reid to share her wisdom about tackling the enormous stress of leading your business through serious financial downturns. She is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, newly found author, small business mentor, and particularly known for her strong business and community engagement roles in regional Queensland, yet she, like all others, has faced drastic financial drops in her career of over 20 years. Bronwyn provides us with helpful coping mechanisms for business owners to get through any period of battle, with a few scars, but stronger.
We also discuss things like:
Links
Have you experienced business owner burnout -- blemishes, headaches, sleeplessness, panic attacks, or heart palpitations? In today’s episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths talk about the struggles of business owner burnout, relating some of their personal experiences. Burnout is such a universal problem for all business owners but Bree and Andrew tell you how to identify the early signs of a larger problem and how to manage your life so you can banish burnout altogether.
Business over Breakfast welcomes Sarah McCrum in this episode to share her professional expertise on how to master your personal energy and never burnout. She has trained for 22 years with Chinese energy masters and has worked with entrepreneurs for over 20 years. As the author of Energy on Demand, Sarah shared how business owners can come to have an imbalance in their energy systems and advice to those burning out.
We also discuss things like:
Links
For many of us, our entire business and marketing strategy revolves around being the cheapest option out there for customers but why is that business model fundamentally flawed? In today’s episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree James and Andrew Griffiths tell you about the advantages of being the most expensively priced choice for your audience. As a business owner, there are serious benefits to selling a high-end product of service and Bree and Andrew tell you how you can shift your positioning in your industry. Because Andrew is Australia’s number one small business author and is in the process of writing a book about this very topic, he is serving as the interview guest as well for this episode. Andrew shares his wisdom in how he was successful in increasing his rates for his companies multiple times throughout the years and why he thinks pricing to be the cheapest is the worst business mistake you can make.
We also discuss things like:
Links
Marketing your business these days can be intimidating, with so many social media channels and jaded consumers, but it doesn’t have to be for you! No matter what industry you’re in, you must market your business. Many businesses are struggling with keeping up with consumer trends and constantly changing platforms, but Bree James and Andrew Griffiths have strategies to help you navigate the marketing world. In today’s episode of Business over Breakfast, they will tell you how to be innovative in your branding and messaging for your customers.
Today’s guest, marketing consultant Roxanne Grey, adds her insight and further tips to help you market effectively as well. She shared why having a big marketing budget is less important to her small business owner clients these days and how the playing field has leveled for small and large companies. In fact, she answered what advantages that small businesses have over big corporations.
We also discuss things like:
Links
“All publicity is good publicity”? Not anymore. Publicity is important for businesses both big and small, but it has to be good to be effective, and while it’s easy to become intimidated by the idea of media coverage, it’s an essential part of any business model. In today’s episode of Business Over Breakfast, we talk about the advantages PR can bring to your company, as well as all the different media options available to you, and how to go about leveraging that media coverage once you get it.
Our guest this week is Trena-Louise Lyons, owner of boutique public relations company Newsroom PR, and she provides some hugely valuable top tips on conducting your own media and PR, the benefits of a great communications plan and how it can boost your business, and the advantages of media exposure. If you’ve been wondering how to formulate your PR plan, Trena answers all the important questions.
We also discuss things like:
Links
We all know the familiar anxiety and awkwardness of attending networking events, but in this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree and Andrew give you 20 top tips on how to get you best prepared to be a networking pro. Networking can be vital in building a successful business, so by following these strategies, you can be sure to always get something out of attending networking events. From deciding if you should even go to a networking event to conversation starters to what to do afterwards, Bree and Andrew cover everything to help you feel confident as a networking business professional.
Additionally, we have Bob Greenup as our guest this episode. He is the franchise owner of BNI Sydney Central & South Regions, which is part of the largest referral organisation in the world. As someone who focuses with his franchise on developing, educating and supporting committed, passionate and referable business communities to build strong business relationships, he was the perfect person to discuss how to become a professional networker.
Plus, Bree and Andrew also get into today...
Links
CCIQ, the show’s sponsors
We all have limiting beliefs that may be holding us back in our business, but in this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree and Andrew will give you a few ideas on how to deal with them. Some typical limiting beliefs we hear all the time are “my customers can only afford to pay so much,” “I can’t raise my prices” or “I’m a small business and I can’t do this.” No matter what beliefs are holding you back, if you can overcome then, that is when your business will really succeed. Learn some strategies to address these limitations to move you and your business forward.
Plus, our guest this episode, Shelley Evans-Wild, one of the most extraordinary neuroscientists in the country, will bring some brain science to the behaviours behind our limiting beliefs. She is the founder and CEO of People HQ and has been dedicated to helping others in unleashing their potential to stretch their mindsets and shape a better world. Her specialisation in how and why people behave the way they do in groups helps us shed some light on how to break through our limiting beliefs.
Plus, Bree and Andrew also get into today...
Links
CCIQ, the show’s sponsors
Business is generally about solving problems. When you run a business, you seek to make things better for yourself and for others. But the reality is you need to get better at solving problems and the trick to that is asking better questions of yourself.
In this episode of Business over Breakfast, Bree and Andrew talk about the value of asking proactive and empowering questions. Learn how to get out of that endless loop of unproductivity and figure out how to empower yourself with better questions to get better answers.
Plus, our guest this episode, Howard Tinker, discusses the specific questions he asks to make restaurants more profitable. Howard, the CEO of Restaurant Profits, specializes in helping his restaurant owner clients grow their business and increase repeat visitors. He has also published two books filled with tips and insights called More Bums On Seats and Selling at the Table. Although he is a marketer by trade, Howard emphasizes in this conversation the vital importance of asking the simple questions about finances first.
Plus, Bree and Andrew also get into today...
Links
CCIQ, the show’s sponsors
Some days it may feel like your business is running you. You’re reacting and you’re responding, but you’re not in control of the business’s destiny or future. We all lose control of our business at some stage, that’s usually the result of bad habits or bad rituals building up over time.
In this episode, Bree and Andrew discuss a great deal of strategies in how you can take back control of your business. And once you do, you’ll not only fall in love with your business again, but you’ll be making more money and arrive in better shape.
Additionally, Kate Christie, our guest this episode, a time management specialist and founder of Time Stylers, shares wonderful insight into this topic. She is an international speaker, regular on TV and is the author of the book Me Time. Kate developed her business after discovering how many thousands of people across the country were struggling to manage their time. Today she shared the most common mistakes that she found that people make with organizing their time as business owners.
Plus, Bree and Andrew also get into today...
Links
CCIQ, the show’s sponsors
It’s easy to underestimate and not think too much of it, but creating a happy workplace can benefit your business greatly on so many different levels. There’s a huge amount of research to prove that a happy workplace is a productive, healthy and profitable workplace. Who doesn’t want a financially successful business where you, your staff and your customers are all thriving? In this episode, Bree and Andrew discuss the many advantages you can reap from a happier business environment, and it starts with you, the leader. Have a listen to learn tips on what you can do to cultivate a culture of positivity and success in your business.
The featured guest this episode, Andrea Tunjic, the founder of People Strong & the Work Happy Movement, shares her insight from her 20+ year career on why some people are more fulfilled at work while others feel the best part of the job is taking a sickie. She discusses how to influence people to change how they feel about work for the better.
Plus, Bree and Andrew also get into today...
Links
Office of Industrial Relations
CCIQ, the show’s sponsors
In this episode, Bree and Andrew explore the concept of ‘newism’, which is the idea that consumers are constantly craving new technology, new trends to follow, new foods to eat. So what does that mean in business? This means that business owners need to be renewing their products and services all the time because everyone is addicted to new.
The launch of new products and services is often the most important process of creating something new, so Bree and Andrew share their top tips on how to make sure your next big idea is a success.
Lastly, Bree chats with Mark Coburn, a serial entrepreneur, who over 25 years has built over a dozen businesses. His latest venture is a single malt whisky distillery where Bree finds out how he raised $1.2 million dollars with Facebook Live in ten minutes.
On top of all that, Bree and Andrew also go into...
Links
CCIQ, the show’s sponsors
Mark Coburn’s Coburns Distillery Website
What is a business advisor, how do you go about getting one and what are the common pitfalls that business owners fall into when looking for them? These are some of the common questions that small business owners come up against when going through the hiring-process for an advisor. Fortunately, Bree and Andrew are addressing all of those issues and demystifying some of the biggests concerns that people face when looking for the perfect advice.
On top of that, Bree is grilling Sam Harrop in Toaster Time. Sam is one of the best business advisors in the country and is offering his advice on the steps that you need to go through when seeking out sound business advice.
And if that weren’t enough, the guys also get into all of this too...
Links
BDO, the show’s sponsors
Sam Harrop’s Website
Sam Harrop’s books, Getting Stuff Done and Small Business Big Exit
There are two types of businesses: those that have had tough financial times already, and those that have those tough times coming. In this episode of the Business over Breakfast show, Andrew and Bree are talking about what a financial pothole is, how they occur and, most importantly, how you should handle them.
In Toaster Time, it’s Amanda Fisher who’s feeling the heat this week. Amanda is a technologist who fuses accounting know-how with technology to improve and grow businesses. She’s a thought-leader in her space and the author of three great books, and here she’s sharing her thoughts on navigating your way through financial potholes.
In this episode, the guys get into all of that, plus loads more, including...
Links
Sturt Business Centre, the Show’s Sponsors
For business owners looking to grow and learn new skills, developing partnerships is a great way to expand in a way that’s beneficial for everyone. However, for many people in business, entering into a partnership is a murky and sometimes even anxiety-provoking prospect. Luckily, in this episode of the Business over Breakfast show, Bree and Andrew are talking you through partnerships from A to Z.
Bree James is being joined in the Toaster Time section by a very special guest, Mike Reid of Key Persons of Influence. Mike is talking about his own experiences around partnerships and how they’ve played a pivotal role in the rapid growth of Dent Global.
And if that weren’t enough, the guys are also getting into all of this too...
Links
If you’re in the majority of small business owners who struggle with making technology work for you and your company, then you’re definitely going to get a lot out of this episode. Andrew and Bree and talking all things tech, and how you can use it to help with your productivity, efficiency, and saving time and money.
Bree’s back with Toaster Time, and this time round she’s joined by the director of Mahi Web and Bright IT, Ben Versang. Ben’s using his tech wizardry to help the guys tackle some of the biggest problems small business owners face when it comes to technology.
And if that weren’t enough, the guys get into all of this too...
Links
Like every single entrepreneur on the planet, you probably struggle with problems and self-doubt from time to time. Well, in this episode of the Business over Breakfast podcast, Andrew and Bree are talking about how you can use resilience to overcome these issues and move forward in business.
Andrew and Bree discuss what resilience is, why you need it and how you can develop it to survive in business for a long time.
In this week’s Toaster Time, Bree’s grilling entrepreneurial legend, Darren Finkelstein, aka ‘The Boat Guy’. Darren shares his journey of how he became an industry expert on powerboats, developed a huge media presence and authored three bestselling, award-winning books.
The guys get into all of that, plus loads more including...
Links
In this very special episode of the Business over Breakfast podcast, Andrew’s flying solo and being joined by the legendary Michael Gerber. As one of the most influential names in the world of small business, Michael is a man who needs little introduction. His first book, The E-Myth, has been acknowledged as the #1 small business and entrepreneurial book of all time by The Wall Street Journal, and its concepts have been applied in 145 countries, 29 languages and taught in 118 universities.
Michael’s also a huge idol of Andrew and Bree, and has influenced and inspired them for years. In this conversation with Andrew, Michael talks about the release of his new book, Beyond the E-Myth: The Evolution of an Enterprise: From a Company of One to a Company of 1,000. Be sure to get your pen and paper out for this one, because it’s packed with gems.
In this episode, Andrew and Michael are talking about:
Links
If you’ve reached a point with your business where you think it might be time to diversify and move into new markets, then you’re definitely going to get a lot out of this episode. Andrew and Bree are talking all things diversification, including new industries, products and services, and how all of this relates to the all-important customer engagement.
Bree’s back with Toaster Time, and it’s Geoff Hetherington who’s feeling the heat in this episode. Geoff is the founder of The Clarity CEO and Dancing Blind Man Business Advisors. He’s also a top strategy and business coach, and keynote speaker. Bree’s grilling him about his story and top tips on diversifying business.
The guys are also talking wacky, smart business ideas from around the globe, plus loads more.
In this episode, Andrew and Bree get into...
Links
If you’re struggling with how to boost your online presence and generate more leads and income through the web then you’ll definitely want to check out this episode of The Business over Breakfast Show. Andrew Griffiths and Bree James are getting into the details of an area that many small business owners struggle with but one that is absolutely vital if your business is going to realise its potential.
Toaster Time is back and in this episode Bree James is interviewing Lucas Meadowcroft, the Director of CROFTi - a business that specialises in delivering innovation and technology consulting. Lucas is at hand to offer some top tech tips as well as share his company’s journey.
The guys are also back again with the Food for Thought section, looking at weird and wonderful businesses from all four corners of the globe.
In this episode, Andrew and Bree are getting really into…
Links