Business Essentials

Hosted by SoundCartel

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Episodes

1351

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Business Essentials features interviews with business experts and industry leaders, providing up-to-date, insightful advice on wide-ranging topics, including winning sales strategies, HR issues, mental health and leadership. Hosted by Grace Jennings-Edquist, the goal is to encourage and inspire a new generation of Australian business owners and entrepreneurs to grow healthier, happier and more profitable businesses. Business Essentials is a podcast four decades in the making, from SoundCartel, the producers of the world's longest-running business audio magazine by the same name. Business Essentials is produced by the team at SoundCartel - Nick Schildberger, Grace Jennings-Edquist, Nicole Goodman and Mariah Stonehewer. Technical production by Pete Letts. Listen and follow in your favourite podcast app and make Business Essentials part of your routine for business success. Business Essentials www.bedaily.com.au Business Essentials is produced by SoundCartel www.soundcartel.com.au +61 3 9882 8333

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 25, 202620 min

Are warehouses the next property boom? Plus: rethinking Gen Z loyalty

Property investors are reconsidering familiar strategies, while employers are being challenged to rethink what commitment looks like among younger workers. Financial strategist Wayne Bemet, Founder of National Service Financial, explores whether changes to residential property taxation could push more investors towards commercial premises. He discusses the appeal of smaller industrial properties and the role self-managed super funds can play, while explaining why a tenant’s financial strength and the ability to withstand vacancies matter as much as the purchase price. Wayne also considers how long it could take to know whether increased interest becomes a lasting shift. Then career strategist Roxanne Calder, founder and Managing Director of EST10, challenges the idea that Gen Z lacks loyalty or ambition. She explores how the environment younger employees grew up in has shaped their approach to work, and why some are reconsidering job hopping as they seek deeper expertise and career progression. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 18, 202618 min

Keeping contracts current and preparing people for a crisis

Keeping your contracts up to date can protect your business, while building trust with your team can make all the difference when a crisis hits. As a business grows, its contracts don’t always keep up. Business Lawyer Tracey Mylecharane, Founder of TM Legal Atelier, explains how outdated client agreements can affect payment, expectations and scope creep. She also identifies the documents business owners should review as their services and teams change. Then Paul McFarlane, Managing Director of Responder Care, explains why an emergency plan alone cannot carry a team through a crisis. He shares how leaders can build the trust that helps people speak up and support one another when it matters most. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 11, 202623 min

A destination dairy farm and knowing when to let go

A dairy farmer turns drought into a tourism opportunity, while a business leader discovers why being the key decision maker can hold a business back. A drought prompted dairy farmers Julian and Dianne Benson to look again at the visitors passing their property in Cooriemungle, on the way to the Twelve Apostles. That decision led to Apostle Whey Cheese. Julian shares how the business has changed over two decades, why its location mattered, and what helped him keep going when tourism and sales fell during COVID. Then Simone Milasas, founder of Joy of Business and author of the book of the same name, explores a challenge familiar to many owners: becoming the person every decision runs through. She explains how her approach to hiring changed when she began looking for people who could do parts of the business better than she could. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October 4, 202624 min

Rising rates, mounting costs and the conversations you can’t avoid

September’s interest rate rise puts more pressure on struggling business owners, while avoiding difficult conversations can create problems of its own. Following the RBA’s September rate rise to 4.6 per cent, CreditorWatch Chief Economist Ivan Colhoun explains why the economic outlook is more complicated than a straightforward slowdown. He explores how the AI investment boom could keep inflation elevated while creating opportunities for some businesses, and what small businesses can do to prepare for tougher conditions. Then author and Junkee co-founder Tim Duggan explains how to approach workplace conflict without letting it damage relationships. Drawing on his new book, Clear in Tension , he shares a practical framework for difficult conversations and asks owners to consider the cost of leaving important things unsaid. Resources: Order a copy of Tim Duggan’s new book Clear in Tension: How to Get Better at Conflict If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 27, 202621 min

Building a business that runs without you - and a team that adapts

What if the key to a stronger business – and a stronger team – is actually making them less dependent on you? In this week’s episode, we explore what happens when business owners and leaders step back, creating organisations that can thrive without relying on one person to drive them forward. First up, Simon Bedard – Managing Director of Exit Advisory Group and author of Exit Like an Expert – explains why reducing owner dependence can create a more valuable, enjoyable business and give owners greater freedom, whether they sell soon or not. Then, leadership specialist and Director of Bluestone Edge, Errol Amerasekera, explores why leaders don’t need all the answers. Drawing on his book From Fear to Flow: The Adaptive Safety Revolution , Errol shares practical ways to build adaptive teams by encouraging curiosity, vulnerability and diverse ideas – helping teams develop the confidence and capability to navigate rapid change. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 20, 202620 min

Networking for introverts, and how to become more visible

Think great networkers are naturally confident? Think again. Lifelong introvert Nick Bendel challenged himself to have lunch with 500 complete strangers – and discovered that confidence doesn’t come before taking action, it comes from taking action. In this week's episode, drawing from his new book The 500 Lunches Effect , the corporate trainer and keynote speaker shares practical ways to make networking less awkward, build genuine connections and develop your “social courage”. Then, PR consultant, visibility mentor and author of What You Came Here to Create Bec Sands explains how to get your business noticed without chasing a huge audience or becoming a self-promotion machine. From focusing on your ideal clients to choosing one channel and showing up consistently, she offers a simple approach to building visibility and credibility – even when putting yourself out there feels uncomfortable. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 13, 202623 min

Why business owners leave exit planning too late. Plus: helping teams perform under pressure

Is your business valuable without you – and can your team still perform when the pressure rises? In this week’s episode Simon Bedard, Managing Director of Exit Advisory Group, explains why owners should start preparing for an eventual exit long before they’re ready to sell. Then, leadership specialist and Director of Bluestone Edge, Errol Amerasekera, reveals why high-performing teams can unravel under stress – and how building psychological safety helps people stay composed, connected and effective when it matters most. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

September 6, 202617 min

Practical AI for SMEs, and the financial mistakes that cost business owners

Is your business embracing AI wisely - and are your financial habits building wealth or holding you back? This episode explores two practical areas every leader of a small or medium-sized business should master. First, Vice President and General Manager of Oracle NetSuite ANZ, Scott Wiltshire, explains how small businesses can safely adopt artificial intelligence to improve productivity without creating unnecessary risk. Then, Australia's finance guru Noel Whittaker shares the most common financial mistakes business owners make - from neglecting investing and super to confusing good debt with bad - and the simple habits that can build lasting wealth. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 30, 202618 min

How leaders respond in a crisis. Plus: one remarkable CEO journey

How would you respond if a workplace crisis struck today, and what does it really take to build a career from the ground up? In this week's episode, crisis expert Paul McFarlane – who has been on the ground during traumatic events like the Lindt Café siege and Black Summer bushfires – explains how leaders can navigate the critical first 60 minutes after a workplace emergency with calm, honesty and empathy. Then, CEO of SKG Services Group, Prabin Shrestha, shares his remarkable career journey from part-time cleaner to CEO, revealing how consistently demonstrating three core values – being reliable, respectful and helpful – helped shape a thriving career and business. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 23, 202628 min

Why career growth is driving staff turnover, and what really drives exceptional performance

What's really driving your best employees to leave – and what does it take to achieve exceptional performance? In this episode, Head of HR Solutions at people2people Suhini Wijayasinghe explains why career growth has overtaken salary as the biggest driver of staff turnover. Suhini also shares practical ways businesses can improve retention through better development, clearer expectations and meaningful career conversations. Then ultra-endurance athlete, entrepreneur and high-performance coach Jason Dunn argues that talent isn't what separates high performers. He explains why discipline, purpose and consistently doing the hard things matter far more. If you’re considering launching a podcast to grow your authority and client base, reach out to our team to learn how we can support you. Business Essentials is produced by soundcartel.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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