Bean There, Done That!

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Jul 2026

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Welcome to ”Bean There, Done That!” your essential podcast for mastering the world of hospitality. Hosted by industry expert, Phillip Di Bella, we cut through the noise to deliver straightforward, actionable insights and strategies. Each episode explores the powerful interplay of knowledge and connections, presenting real-life case studies from Australia’s thriving hospitality scene. We feature thought leaders who share their experiences, ensuring you have the answers you need when facing a business challenge. Whether you’re a budding cafe owner or a seasoned hospitality professional, ”Bean There, Done That!” is your hub for insights, inspiration, and industry connections. We’re here to help you turn hurdles into opportunities for growth and success. Join our growing community with the hashtags #BeanThereDoneThat, #HospitalityHub, #CafeInsights, and #CoffeeCommune. With ”Bean There and Done That,” your roadmap to hospitality success is just a listen away.

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July 28, 2026Episode 4733 min

How to Proactively Manage Cashflow and Fund Business Growth in a Two-Speed Economy

Many small businesses are struggling with cash flow delays and mounting ATO debt due to reactive financial planning. In this episode of Bean There Done That, managing director and senior finance specialist Barry Wilkinson shares how to proactively leverage alternative lending to consolidate debt and fund rapid expansion. Tune in to discover why traditional banks aren't your only option and how independent brokers can restructure your finances for long-term survival. WHY LISTEN Learn how to shift from reactive scrambling to proactive financial forecasting to avoid crippling ATO debt. Discover alternatives to traditional top-four banks that analyse real-time bank statements instead of demanding extensive accountant paperwork. Understand how invoice and debtor financing can release trapped capital when clients stretch payment terms to 45 days. Uncover the massive advantages of using a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) to buy your own commercial premises. Hear why integrating technology and AI into your financial reviews is crucial to surviving the modern two-speed economy. KEY TAKEAWAYS Consolidate ATO Debt Early: Rather than entering restrictive ATO payment plans that repel traditional banks, use available property equity to roll the debt into your home loan. Adopt Debtor Finance for Rapid Growth: If your business is growing rapidly but cash is trapped in 45-day payment cycles, use invoice financing to access your money sooner without taking on traditional bank debt. Leverage AI for Financial Health Checks: Use AI-driven accounting tools to analyse Xero files, spot inefficiencies, and forecast tax issues before they cripple cashflow. Explore Non-Bank Lenders for Equipment: Second and third-tier lenders often provide faster equipment finance by analysing real-time banking links rather than requiring comprehensive P&L statements. Use SMSF for Commercial Property: If your business is well-established, use a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) to buy commercial property and rent it back to your business, avoiding capital gains tax upon retirement. Keep Your House as Cash: Lenders want to give you money; rather than aggressively paying down debt, strategically utilise available capital to fund revenue-generating business assets. Look Beyond the Interest Rate: Paying a slightly higher interest rate with an alternative lender is often worth it to secure immediate growth funding, provided you have a clear exit strategy to refinance later. ABOUT THE GUEST(S) Barry Wilkinson is the Managing Director and Senior Finance Specialist at SW Brokerage, possessing over 20 years of experience in the finance and mortgage sector. He specialises in helping small business owners navigate complex commercial lending, SMSF structuring, and debt consolidation. What you’ll learn from him today is how to shift from reactive scrambling to proactive wealth building using strategic financial tools. Barry Wilkinson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrywilkinson.broker/ Barry Wilkinson on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/barry-wilkinson-81507a28 SW Brokerage Meet the Team: https://swbrokerage.com.au/meet-the-team SW Brokerage YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@swbrokerage652 SW Brokerage Website: https://swbrokerage.com.au/ The Coffee Commune – A network supporting cafe owners and business operators – https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ Phill Di Bella on LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/phillip-di-bella-1556936b If you are a small business owner tired of feeling squeezed by cashflow delays or intimidated by top-tier banks, it is time to take control of your financial future. Stop being reactive and start planning for long-term growth by tuning into this new episode of Bean There Done That with Phill Di Bella. Listen wherever you get your podcasts and take the first step towards building a resilient, scalable business today. Recorded and Produced at our The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane: thepodcastboss.com #BeanThereDoneThat #SmallBusinessFinance #BusinessGrowth #CommercialLending #ATODebt #InvoiceFinance #SMSF #CashFlowManagement #Entrepreneurship #FinancialLiteracy #BusinessStrategy #BrisbaneBusiness #SWBrokerage

June 28, 2026Episode 4647 min

Why True AI Implementation Doesn't Replace Humans: The Poetry and the Plumbing. With Ed Dale

Many business owners struggle with manual data entry and operational inefficiencies, wasting valuable hours on routine "plumbing" tasks instead of focusing on strategic growth. In this episode, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Ed Dale, founder of AI Powerhouse, to demystify artificial intelligence and showcase how to build customised AI agents that run quietly in the background. Discover how to supercharge your team's productivity, drop operational costs, and capture your organisation's collective wisdom without losing the essential human connection. WHY LISTEN Eliminate Spreadsheet Drudgery: Transform multi-hour data collation tasks into five-minute automated processes to give your team time back for high-value thinking. Understand Digital Roles: Learn the operational distinction between automated background workflows and dedicated AI agents mapped onto your organisational chart. Preserve Institutional Knowledge: Discover how to capture a founder or key executive's lifetime of wisdom into a permanent, searchable digital asset for your team. Master Elite Prompting: See the exact prompting framework required to extract highly targeted, expert business strategies rather than generic, average outputs. Reduce Real-World Overheads: Gain actionable insights on how a real commercial cafe used automated daily reporting to reduce its labour costs from 38% down to 32%. KEY TAKEAWAYS Separate Poetry from Plumbing: Audit your business to see where skilled experts are trapped copying and pasting data instead of focusing on their primary craft and customer engagement. Keep the Human in the Loop: Use artificial intelligence to handle the heavy lifting of data collection and analysis, allowing human leaders to focus purely on rapid strategy and execution. Map Digital Assistants Directly Onto Your Org Chart: Shift your team's mindset from using static IT software tools to collaborating with virtual assistants by giving AI explicit roles on your company structure. Implement Team and Knowledge Scaling (TOKS): Record operational meetings and digitise internal workflows so your company's intellectual property isn't lost permanently when staff exit. Avoid Generic AI Outputs: Feed deep contextual data—such as specific geographic locations, staff skillsets, and consumer price sensitivity—into your platforms to secure exponentially better results. Layer External Variables into Analysis: Supercharge your retail data by blending internal sales metrics with external factors, like local weather data, to accurately predict consumer demand. Start with Your Biggest Frustration: Avoid chasing every trendy new software release. Begin your AI journey by writing down your single most time-consuming, manual weekly task and designing a targeted solution for it. ABOUT THE GUEST Ed Dale is the founder of AI Powerhouse and a veteran digital architect with over 35 years of experience across marketing, technology, and copywriting. Mentored by the legendary direct-response copywriter Gary Halbert, Ed has founded and successfully exited three multimillion-dollar enterprises, created the internet's first 30-day online challenge, and authored the foundational business book Your First Dollar. He now acts as a senior coach for Taki Moore's Million Dollar Coach Black Belt programme and helps businesses implement custom prompt engineering frameworks. What you’ll learn from them today: How to systematically identify operational inefficiencies and build bespoke background AI agents that free your team to focus on high-value human connection. AI Powerhouse Official Website: https://substack.com/@eddale BRANDS, TOOLS & RESOURCES AI Powerhouse – Bespoke AI consultancy for business owners and entrepreneurs helping them implement background AI infrastructure – https://substack.com/@eddale The Coffee Commune – A Brisbane-based collaborative hub and facility dedicated to helping hospitality businesses accelerate their potential – https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ Been There Done That – The essential hospitality masterclass podcast hosted by industry pioneer Phil Di Bella – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bean-there-done-that/id1696429137 Xero – Cloud-based accounting software integrated into automated backend financial workflows – https://www.xero.com/ Katana – Cloud manufacturing ERP and inventory management software used to streamline production data – https://katanamrp.com/ ChatGPT – OpenAI's conversational large language model application used for contextual business prompting – https://chatgpt.com Claude – Anthropic's advanced language model platform designed for safe, contextual data processing – https://claude.ai Your First Dollar – The foundational business execution book authored by Ed Dale – https://books.google.com/books/about/Your_First_Dollar.html?id=22WoAQAACAAJ Million Dollar Coach – Taki Moore’s elite business coaching programme where Ed Dale serves as a senior coach – https://milliondollarcoach.com/programs/ If you are a business owner, leader, or hospitality professional feeling completely swamped by manual data entry, administrative clutter, and delayed reporting, this episode serves as your step-by-step blueprint for automation. Tune in to the full conversation from BTDT Ep46 Ed AI.txt on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, or your preferred podcast platform today to learn how to deploy quiet background digital assistants, protect your hard-earned corporate wisdom, and free up your human team to focus on strategic growth and genuine customer relationships. Recorded and Produced at our The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane: thepodcastboss.com

April 19, 202632 min

The $37,500 Fine You Didn't See Coming: Hospitality Compliance and Staff Training for Cafes and Restaurants, with Brendan Power

Hospitality veteran Brendan Power joins Phil Di Bella to demystify the complex world of industry compliance. From food safety to the latest seafood labelling laws, they explore how training isn't just a regulatory box-ticking exercise, but a vital tool for staff retention and brand authority. In this episode you will Understand the essential food and liquor licences required before opening a hospitality venue. Discover the difference between accredited courses and micro-credentials to better skill your team. Learn about the upcoming July 2026 seafood labelling standards and how they affect your menu. Identify the common compliance traps that lead to heavy fines for both owners and staff. KEY TAKEAWAYS Secure a Food Licence First: Never attempt to open without a valid food licence; local councils can issue immediate fines or shut down operations. Automate Monitoring: Use digital temperature probes that link to mobile devices to provide instant, auditable proof of food safety compliance to inspectors. Mandatory Supervision: Ensure at least one certified Food Safety Supervisor (Level 2) is on duty at all times to meet regulatory requirements. Universal RSA Requirements: Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training is mandatory for anyone serving alcohol, including staff in non-licensed venues handling BYO. The RMLV Requirement: If the owner or licensee is not present on-site for the majority of the time, a Responsible Manager of a Licensed Venue (RMLV) must be appointed. Seafood Transparency: Prepare for new country-of-origin labelling rules for seafood effective 1st July 2026 to ensure customer transparency. Recruitment Strategy: Use accredited training as a "resume builder" to attract and retain high-quality talent in the competitive 18–24-year-old market. Brand Authority: Displaying compliance certificates prominently helps build customer trust and signals that you take service standards seriously. BEST QUOTES (05:28) "There's no excuse from a compliance [standpoint]... ignorance is not an excuse." (08:14) "Every time you add a level of complexity, you add a level of cost." (13:17) "[Outcomes] give them confidence. And there's nothing better than having someone behind a counter [where] you can sense their confidence." (18:11) "You're messing with people's lives. It's not as though you're going to get a negative tick on Google." (25:36) "The forward-facing stuff is still humans. Especially in hospitality." (27:35) "Where your awareness goes, your energy flows." (29:17) "Training is a retention and attraction strategy." ABOUT THE GUEST Brendan Power is a third-generation publican and seasoned hospitality entrepreneur with over 50 years of industry experience. He is the founder of Clear to Work, a specialised training provider focusing on regulatory compliance, food safety, and vocational skills. What you’ll learn from them today: How to navigate the ever-changing landscape of hospitality compliance to protect your business, avoid heavy fines, and empower your team through accessible online training. Guest Links Clear to Work: www.clear2work.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendan-power-mba-gaicd-a2816431/ BRANDS, TOOLS & RESOURCES Clear to Work – Compliance and micro-credential training platform – www.clear2work.com.au The Coffee Commune – Industry body and support network for hospitality professionals – www.coffeecommune.com.au ASQA – Australian Skills Quality Authority (The national regulator for VET) – www.asqa.gov.au Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) – Statutory authority for food standards – www.foodstandards.gov.au This episode is essential listening for cafe owners, restaurant managers, and hospitality investors who want to protect their business from regulatory risk while building a more professional, loyal team. Whether you are a seasoned operator or a newcomer to the industry, Brendan Power provides a clear roadmap for navigating the complexities of modern hospitality compliance. Stream the full episode now on your favourite podcast platform. Recorded and Produced at our The Podcast Boss podcast studio in Brisbane

March 22, 2026Episode 4417 min

Pay Day Superannuation: What You Need to Know Now

The Australian Taxation Office is introducing the biggest shift to superannuation in years, moving from quarterly payments to a "Payday Super" model. Linda Dang, CEO of e.Advisory, joins Phil Di Bella to explain how hospitality businesses must adapt their cash flow and payroll systems before 1 July to avoid daily compounding penalties. WHY LISTEN Understand the Mandate: Learn exactly what Payday Super means for your weekly or fortnightly pay cycles. Avoid Penalties: Discover how the ATO's new penalty regime compounds interest on a daily basis for late payments. System Upgrade: Identify which payroll softwares automate award compliance and super distribution. Cash Flow Strategy: Get practical advice on transitioning your bank balance to handle more frequent outflows. Data Integrity: Understand why the 28-day "buffer" for fixing errors is disappearing. KEY TAKEAWAYS Start Early: Do not wait until 1 July; implement payday super payments now to identify system errors and adjust cash flow expectations. Audit Your Data: Ensure all employee TFNs and super fund details are 100% accurate, as "bad data" is the primary cause of payment failure. Use Modern Payroll: Transition away from manual tracking to software like FoundU, Tanda, or Deputy to manage complex hospitality awards and automated super calculations. Prepare for the Double-Hit: In July, businesses must pay both the final June quarter super and the new payday super simultaneously. Manage the "Stapling" Rule: Employers are responsible for checking the ATO portal to find an employee's "stapled" fund if they don't provide details. Beyond Super: Track every tax invoice and expense daily rather than monthly to maintain a true picture of "liquid cash". Expert Integration: Treat bookkeeping and accounting as an investment that removes the "admin burden," allowing owners to focus on front-of-house growth. BEST QUOTES [00:02:22] "Payday super, essentially paying super as you pay wages." [00:03:33] "ATO's number one focus has always been on workers' superannuation. It is their number one red flag." [00:03:45] "They're happy for you to owe them money. But certainly not happy for you to owe your workers money." [00:07:21] "We just have to assume it's going to be tough. Okay. Yeah. So it's expect the worst, right?" [00:09:18] "It gets compounded every single day... 0.03% every single day if you don't pay super in time." [00:12:13] "Accounting and bookkeeping is always an investment. It takes the admin burden off a business owner." [00:14:01] "The money coming into your cash register... is not yours until you've paid all your expenses." ABOUT THE GUEST Linda Dang Linda is the CEO and Founder of e.Advisory and a hospitality accountant turned business growth consultant. With over a decade of experience, she combines a background in hospitality management with financial expertise to help SMEs navigate complex compliance and growth hurdles. What you’ll learn from them today: How to transition your business to the Payday Super model and use payroll technology to automate compliance. Links: Website: advisory.com.au Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/management-advisors-pty-ltd/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/managementadvisors/ BRANDS, TOOLS & RESOURCES e.Advisory – Linda Dang’s accounting and business growth firm – advisory.com.au The Coffee Commune – A collaborative hub for the coffee and hospitality community – coffeecommune.com.au Xero / MYOB – Accounting software with integrated payroll features. FoundU / Tanda / Deputy – Specialist payroll and workforce management software for hospitality. HostPlus / Australian Super – Superannuation funds offering free employer portals for small teams. QuickSuper – A free clearinghouse alternative for teams of five or fewer. SHARE-WORTHY MOMENTS [00:02:44] The "Insolvency" Safeguard: Why the government is mandating weekly payments to protect employee retirement funds. [00:03:53] The Death of the Free Clearinghouse: Why the ATO is retiring its Small Business Superannuation Clearinghouse. [00:04:52] Software vs. Spreadsheets: Why hospitality owners cannot afford to manually calculate 7 AM vs. 7 PM award rates anymore. [00:07:02] The 20-Day Grace Period: The one-time "leeway" for new employees before penalties kick in. [00:08:18] What is "Stapling"? How to find an employee's super fund when they don't know it themselves. [00:09:57] The Queensland Outlook: Why 500,000 businesses are currently underprepared for 1 July. [00:13:37] The BAS Myth: Why you can't actually "reduce" your BAS and what you should focus on instead. TIME-STAMPED RUN-DOWN [00:00:43] – Introduction to Linda Dang and e.Advisory. [00:02:03] – The 1 July Deadline: Defining the Payday Super mandate. [00:02:56] – The Cash Flow Impact: Why businesses must start the transition now. [00:03:33] – ATO Red Flags: Why super is the most "dangerous" debt to hold. [00:03:56] – Clearinghouse Shutdown: Why the old free system is being retired. [00:04:46] – Payroll Tech Stack: Comparing FoundU, Tanda, and Deputy. [00:05:25] – Award Complexity: Automating 7 AM vs. 7 PM hospitality rates. [00:06:43] – Errors & Penalties: The 20-day rule for new employee data. [00:08:18] – Stapled Super: How to find lost accounts via the ATO portal. [00:09:12] – Daily Interest: Understanding the 0.03% compounding penalty. [00:12:09] – Investment vs. Cost: The real value of outsourced bookkeeping. [00:13:50] – Know Your Numbers: Why liquid cash isn't profit. [00:15:04] – Where to find Linda Dang and e.Advisory. If you are a cafe owner, hotelier, or small business operator, this episode is your essential survival guide for the upcoming ATO changes. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or via the Coffee Commune to ensure your business remains compliant and your cash flow stays healthy. Produced by The Podcast Boss: thepodcastboss.com

February 22, 2026Episode 4333 min

Turn Payments Data into Profit. Margins Don’t Lie, with Aaron Prosser

In this episode of Bean There Done That, Phil Di Bella sits down with Aaron Prosser (Beyond Payments) to unpack why “gut feel” isn’t enough anymore — especially with café margins hovering around the 3–4% mark. They explore how linking payments + POS data can sharpen staffing, improve cash flow, optimise menus, and build loyalty that actually sticks. “Complacency is not a strategy. Complacency is your strategy for death.” — Phil Di Bella “Increasing your margin by one to two per cent… that’s huge. It’s like an owner’s salary.” — Aaron Prosser “If you don’t take action, nothing happens. If you don’t change, nothing changes.” — Phil Di Bella Key topics & themes Data → analysis → strategy → execution as the survival loop for modern hospitality Why linking payments data with item-level POS data is where the “magic” happens Customer profiles and tokenisation: knowing repeat visits and spend without re-asking every time Menu engineering + inventory insights to protect margin and reduce waste Labour as the biggest lever: rostering against real-time sales (and avoiding compliance traps) Cash flow pressures (including Payday Super from 1 July 2026) and why settlement speed matters The future: face + palm payments entering the Clover ecosystem via Wink Practical takeaways (you can apply this week) Link payments + POS so you can see repeat visits, average spend, and what actually sells (not what you think sells). Watch labour in real time: sales vs wages is the lever with the most movement — and it’s measurable. (Droppah integrates with Clover and is free up to 10 employees.) Engineer the menu with margin + velocity: keep high-margin items visible, scrap low-margin/low-sales time-wasters, and build smart bundles. (Inventory tools like Restoke focus on live costing + integrations.) Protect cash flow: faster settlement and offline payments reduce the “one outage = one bad day” risk. Prepare for Payday Super (if you’re not already paying super more frequently): it’s scheduled to start 1 July 2026. Links & resources mentioned Beyond Payments: https://beyondpayments.com.au/ Aaron Prosser (LinkedIn): https://au.linkedin.com/in/aaron-prosser-873b32209 Clover POS (Australia): https://www.clover.com/au/ Fiserv (Clover parent company info): https://www.fiserv.com/en-nl/who-we-serve/clover.html Wink × Clover biometric payments (press release): https://investors.fiserv.com/news-releases/news-release-details/clover-introduces-identity-based-payments-transform-everyday Droppah × Clover integration (free up to 10 employees): https://www.droppah.com/au/integrations/clover Loyalzoo: https://loyalzoo.com/ Restoke: https://www.restoke.ai/ ATO Payday Super: https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/new-legislation/in-detail/superannuation/payday-superannuation Fair Work Payday Super update: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/news/payday-super-new-rules-starting-1-july-2026 Fair Work Ombudsman (MADE Establishment case): https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2019-media-releases/july-2019/20190718-made-establishment-eu-media-release The Coffee Commune: https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/about-us/ If you’re running a café (or any transaction-based business), this episode is a blueprint for getting back control: know your numbers, fix the leaks, and buy yourself time back on the floor. Listen to Bean There Done That on your favourite podcast app Produced by The Podcast Boss https://thepodcastboss.com/

January 18, 2026Episode 4227 min

Looking Ahead: What’s Brewing in 2026: AI, Coffee, and the Power of Community

In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella and Rai Esat, General Manager of International Coffee Traders, look ahead to 2026 and unpack what café and hospitality owners can expect – and how to not just survive, but thrive. They explore the growing role of AI as a productivity tool, the ongoing challenges of retention, attraction and productivity of staff, and why community, emotional connection and a strong “why” will separate the winners from the strugglers. Phil and Rai discuss shifts in customer behaviour, shrinking disposable income, the real cost of sustainability, and the dangers of poorly executed government regulation. They also share practical ideas like smaller-format cafés, building-centric kiosks, memberships, and pantry items as new revenue models. The episode closes with two powerful themes for 2026: perseverance and recomposition – doing the mental work, applying the lessons of 2025, and recomposing your business around what actually works. Key Topics & Themes AI’s role in reducing workload and boosting productivity Retention, attraction and productivity as the defining staffing challenges Why emotional connection and community will be the ultimate differentiators The rise of coffee raves and non-alcohol social gatherings Hiring for attitude rather than skill The upcoming customer segmentation tool for hospitality The real economic weight of sustainability Government regulation causing unintended industry ripple effects Smaller cafés, kiosks, memberships and new emerging models The “three flawless visits” rule for customer loyalty About Our Guest Rai Esat is the General Manager of International Coffee Traders and a key leader within The Coffee Commune. With extensive experience across coffee, operations and hospitality, Rai offers a practical, data-driven view on building smarter café models, improving customer experience and growing sustainably in challenging economic conditions. Key Takeaways AI helps reduce mental load and streamline workflows Staffing challenges persist, but hiring for attitude reduces long-term pressure Emotional engagement outperforms discounting in a tight economy Understanding customer segments prevents misaligned café concepts Sustainability is valuable but costly – and must work for all parties Government decisions can disrupt supply chains and pricing Smaller footprints and kiosks will dominate new openings After three flawless visits, a customer becomes a loyal regular Mindset work underpins perseverance and success in 2026 Links & Resources Mentioned The Coffee Commune International Coffee Traders My Mate’s Place (Coffs Harbour) Books referenced: Psycho-Cybernetics The Go-Giver Dr Joe Dispenza’s mindset concepts Growth mindset principles Time-Stamped Key Points 00:35 – Welcome to 2026 & setting your outcomes 01:57 – Introducing Rai Esat & the theme: What’s brewing next? 02:13 – AI as a game-changer in hospitality 02:42 – Retention, attraction & productivity: the big three for 2026 04:04 – The power of a strong “why”: My Mate’s Place story 04:50 – Value, connection & emotional engagement in a tough economy 06:09 – Staff engagement & hiring for attitude 07:30 – Craving connection: events and networking 08:11 – 7am coffee raves & the health-focused generation 08:53 – Serving unmet needs & solving problems 09:35 – Emotional connection & fighting for the dollar 09:46 – Customer segmentation tool: a hospitality game-changer 11:04 – Building from the outside in 12:33 – Keywords for 2026: perseverance & recomposition 14:27 – Trends: smaller cafés, shorter leases & lower staffing 15:20 – Prices, tax and disposable income 16:19 – Sustainability: ideals vs economic reality 18:34 – Government mandates & unintended consequences 22:13 – Focus back on opportunity & growth 22:25 – Loyalty, micro-interactions & the 3-visit rule 23:20 – Apartment boom & the return of the kiosk 24:44 – Membership models for cafés 25:13 – Community & the human element 26:17 – Final thoughts: experimentation, sustainability & new models Press play on your favourite podcast platform and get ready for a practical, insightful look at the year ahead. Produced by The Podcast Boss

December 21, 2025Episode 4129 min

2025 Wrap Up. Café Reality Check: Adjustment, Relentless Costs & What Comes Next, With Raihaan Esat

2025 was not a “business as usual” year for cafés. It was a year of adjustment. In this final episode of Bean There, Done That for 2025, Phil Di Bella is joined by long-time collaborator and one of Australia’s top coffee minds, Raihaan Esat, General Manager of International Coffee Traders. Together, they unpack a relentless year for café owners: rising costs across the board, shifting consumer psychology, the comeback of instant coffee, and why knowing your numbers and your customers is now non-negotiable. They dig into: Why 40–50% of a menu price is wages How automation helps (and where it ruins the café experience) The move from “customers” to “guests” Menu simplification, disposable income and ham & cheese croissants Government and council support that actually moved the needle Innovation from farm to cup and sustainable pricing for coffee farmers Phil closes with a challenge: grab a pen and map out what December 2026 looks like for you, your café, your family and your community. In this episode: 2025 in one word: “Adjustment” Psychological load on café owners Moving from “the game has changed” to “this IS the game now” Looking ahead to 2026 as a year of recomposition Relentless costs & a new normal Every major cost going up at once for the first time in decades Wages at 40–50% of the menu price 75% growth at Coffee Commune with flat profit: a real-world example Why many product-based businesses have had to accept margin cuts Automation vs humans behind the bar Super-automatic machines, milk systems and “out-automating” each other The shift to using tech in the background to guarantee consistency Why trying to remove the barista turns coffee into a commodity “We don’t need to out-automate each other, we need to out-human each other.” Emotional engagement & the ‘guest’ mindset Moving from “customers” to “guests” in language and behaviour Red Bull, luxury brands and the power of emotional connection First Name Fridays and Tasman’s guest experience in the café Knowing your numbers & your audience P&L, cash flow and understanding demographic + geographic reality Disposable income at record lows and what that means for menus Back to basics: bacon & egg rolls, ham & cheese croissants, muffins Upcoming market segmentation project from Coffee Commune Where people are actually drinking coffee now Total coffee consumption up, in-café consumption per person down At-home and office drinking on the rise The quality and value of modern instant coffee Government, councils & collaboration that actually helps New state government focus on small and medium business in Queensland Moreton Bay and Gold Coast councils funding training for café owners 18% uplift from council-backed Coffee Commune training programs Collaboration between independent cafés to pool purchasing and cut costs From farm to cup: sustainability & paying farmers properly Farmers returning to coffee as prices become sustainable again Direct relationships and paying equitably at origin Why prices needed to rise gradually, and what happened when they didn’t Community, awards & impact Coffee Commune as a place of collaboration, not “another coffee brand” 1,700+ members, 1,200 cafés and 75% growth across the community ICT coffees and roasters winning national and global awards Phil representing hospitality around the 2032 Brisbane Games table Final challenge for listeners “Life is measured in moments – go and create some amazing ones.” Sometimes you’re the pigeon, sometimes you’re the statue Grab pen and paper and write down what December 2026 looks like: Professionally For your family For your circle of friends Links mentioned: Connect with Raihaan Esat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raihaan-esat-081147a9/ Learn more about International Coffee Traders: https://ict.coffee/ Coffee Commune: https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ Produced by The Podcast Boss

November 9, 2025Episode 4040 min

Using Holidays to Drive Sales with Emotion. With Natalie Shaw

In this episode of Bean There, Done That!, host Phil Di Bella is joined by marketing expert Natalie Shaw, co-founder of Yom Connect, to explore how hospitality businesses can use seasonal moments like Christmas to build emotional connections and drive real results. With over 25 years of marketing experience across Australia, New Zealand, and the US, Natalie shares how strategy, storytelling, and smart activations make all the difference in a crowded market. They cover the rise of voice-based AI in hospitality, why consistency matters more than follower counts, and how perception and people are the secret sauce in modern marketing. Whether you're running a café or scaling a brand, this episode will inspire you to stop ticking boxes and start telling better stories. Key Topics & Themes The 6 Ps of Marketing: People, Product, Price, Place, Promotion, Perception How emotional connection builds brand loyalty Why café owners should prepare early for Christmas The role of activations, consistency, and customer experience What social media platforms actually want from your content Using AI for productivity without losing the human touch The danger of cutting marketing during tough times Key Takeaways Start your marketing with the outcome in mind Your staff are part of your marketing—train them to connect Emotional engagement drives loyalty and revenue Use activations to stand out in noisy seasonal periods Don’t post and pray—put small spend behind your best social content AI should boost creativity, not replace it Perception, quality, and consistency are your brand’s flywheel If you’re not telling your story, someone else is Time-Stamped Key Points 00:35 – Meet Natalie Shaw from Yom Connect 02:00 – What performance media really means 04:30 – What’s working right now: brand activations 06:00 – Why marketing must align with customer experience 09:30 – The 6 Ps of Marketing and why “Perception” is everything 13:00 – Marketing starts at the front door: train your people 15:00 – How to use AI tools without losing creativity 20:00 – Voice AI for hospitality: saving time, keeping connection 23:00 – Low-budget, high-impact Christmas marketing ideas 26:00 – Social media: consistency over perfection 30:00 – Influencer marketing myths and mistakes 33:00 – Cutting marketing costs? Think again. 35:30 – Yom Connect’s “Under the Hood” audit explained 36:45 – Favourite branding stories and lessons About Our Guest Natalie Shaw is the co-founder of Yom Connect, a boutique performance marketing agency delivering big-agency expertise with personal service. Her past work spans iconic brands like Mazda, Harvey Norman, IPA, and the North Queensland Cowboys. Natalie specialises in strategy-led campaigns that connect emotionally, convert commercially, and build brands people believe in. Links & Resources Mentioned Yom Connect: yomconnect.com The Coffee Commune: thecoffeecommune.com.au Voice-based AI services: enquire via Yom Connect Produced by The Podcast Boss #BeanThereDoneThat #HospitalityMarketing #ChristmasCampaigns #CoffeeBusiness #MarketingTips #TheCoffeeCommune

October 12, 2025Episode 3957 min

Delivering Service Excellence And How To Exceed Your Customers' Expectations. With Mark Shaw

In this high-energy and insight-packed episode of Bean There, Done That, Phil Di Bella is joined by renowned guest experience expert Mark Shaw. With decades of leadership in Australia’s top theme parks, Mark unpacks what makes a truly unforgettable guest experience and how emotional engagement is the secret sauce to sustainable business growth. From building five-star teams to redefining recognition and reward systems, Mark shares practical frameworks, powerful stories, and a clear message: great culture is built by conscious choices, not corporate posters. Key Topics and Themes: Why guest experience trumps customer service The business value of emotional engagement How to recruit for attitude, not just skill Recognition that actually motivates staff Phones on shift? Handling distractions with clarity The ACE model for building standout teams Language, culture, and the power of calling them “guests” not “customers” About Our Guest: Mark Shaw is one of Australia’s leading experts in customer and guest experience, having led major brands like Westfield, Merlin Entertainments, Bounce Inc., and Adventure World. Under his leadership, Adventure World achieved the highest-rated theme park experience in Australia and doubled both its revenue and attendance. Mark is the creator of the ACE Framework (Amazing Customer Experiences) – a people-first approach to building world-class service cultures. Today, he consults across industries to help businesses grow through emotional engagement and guest-centric thinking. Takeaways: Guest vs. Customer: Calling them “guests” changes your team’s mindset from transaction to hospitality Emotional engagement is measurable – It drives repeat business, loyalty, and referrals. Hire for attitude – Skills can be taught; intrinsic motivation can’t. Recognition matters more than reward – A simple “thank you” or peer-driven praise is often more effective than cash bonuses. Phone policy? Be clear, consistent, and empathetic—include it in contracts and inductions. Culture isn’t on the wall; it’s in the language, leadership, and everyday actions. Links and Resources: The Coffee Commune – The home of the Bean There, Done That podcast Mark Shaw – Guest Experience Specialist LinkedIn Profile Shaw Thing CX – Mark’s consultancy specialising in customer experience strategy Time-Stamped Key Points: 00:55 – Why guest experience matters more than ever 02:00 – Mark’s success at Adventure World: Doubling revenue and attendance 03:05 – The difference between 4-star and 5-star customer ratings 05:30 – Bruce Springsteen’s pep talk and emotional connections 07:00 – How guest expectations have evolved in the last 15 years 10:00 – Recruitment insights: The power of hiring one in seven 13:00 – Recognition over reward: The real impact 16:00 – How great team culture leads to higher reviews and loyalty 18:25 – “Love My Cafe” Awards and the community over coffee 20:30 – The simple power of eye contact and a smile 24:00 – Should staff have phones on shift? The balanced view 29:30 – Culture is a byproduct, not a slogan on the wall 32:45 – The six-pillar ACE framework for guest experience 36:00 – Recognition systems that scale from theme parks to cafes 39:00 – Leadership lessons: Why team language matters 42:00 – Guest vs. customer: Changing how we think changes how we serve This episode is a masterclass in modern guest experience and team culture. Whether you’re running a café, retail business, or global brand, these lessons will change how you think about service. Tune in now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform. ✅ Produced by The Podcast Boss

September 29, 2025Episode 3840 min

Surcharges, Swipe Fees & Strategy: Preparing for the RBA Ban, with Larry Prosser

In this episode of Bean There Done That, host Phil Di Bella sits down with Larry Prosser, Executive Director of Beyond Payments, to unpack the Reserve Bank of Australia’s proposed ban on card surcharges. They break down what this policy really means for consumers, merchants, and banks—and why the supposed “savings” for customers might actually backfire. Larry explains how surcharges evolved, why compliance matters, and the hidden costs bundled into merchant fees. Phil pushes the conversation into real-world territory: shrinking café margins, the politics behind RBA decisions, and the practical steps small businesses must take now. It’s an eye-opening look into the payments industry, packed with insights every business owner and everyday consumer needs to hear. Key Topics and Themes The history of surcharging and RBA policy shifts Why banning surcharges may increase prices instead of lowering them The impact of shrinking café and hospitality profit margins How banks and POS providers bundle hidden fees into merchant services The ethical approach Beyond Payments takes with transparency and compliance The bigger picture: industry bodies, political motives, and small business survival About Our Guest Larry Prosser is the Executive Director of Beyond Payments, Australia’s first fully compliant “fee-less” EFTPOS provider. Since 2013, Beyond Payments has helped thousands of merchants recover 100% of their merchant service fees through transparent and compliant surcharge mechanisms. Larry is a passionate advocate for small business, pushing for fairness, compliance, and practical solutions in the payments space. More at: beyondpayments.com.au Key Takeaways The RBA’s proposed ban on surcharges may sound good for consumers but will likely push prices up across cafés and restaurants. Merchant fees are not “free”—bundled POS solutions often hide costs in other ways. Debit card fees remain one of the most unfair charges facing consumers today. Transparency, compliance, and constant vigilance are essential for small businesses when choosing merchant service providers. Small business survival depends on understanding merchant fees and demanding fairness from banks and fintechs. Links and Resources Beyond Payments – beyondpayments.com.au The Coffee Commune – coffeecommune.com.au Time-Stamped Highlights: 00:31 – Introduction to guest Larry Prosser and Beyond Payments 02:19 – The rise of surcharges since 2013 and consumer adoption 06:15 – How shrinking profit margins make merchant fees critical 09:20 – The RBA’s proposed surcharge ban explained in plain terms 12:10 – Why the ban will likely push prices higher, not lower 14:28 – Interchange fees, card schemes, and hidden costs 20:05 – The double-dipping problem with debit card fees 26:00 – What business owners should do right now to protect themselves 31:00 – Horror stories: POS providers forcing payment gateways 33:45 – What the ideal system for merchants, banks, and consumers should look like 36:40 – The risk of more café closures and the pressure on small business Tune in now to understand the truth behind card surcharges, the RBA’s proposed changes, and what it all means for your local café or business. Bean There Done That is available on all major podcast platforms. Produced by The Podcast Boss #Coffee #Hospitality #SmallBusiness #Payments #Australia #Fintech #Podcast