Max Your Business

Hosted by Ben Fewtrell

Business Education

Website RSS feed

Episodes

159

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to growing your business. You're not alone. Most entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed and don't even know where to start when it comes to growing their business.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 202637 min

MYB156: How to Use AI in Your Business: Automate Your Admin, Capture Leads & Build an AI Employee

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin cut straight through the noise to look at what's actually shifted in AI over the last six months, and why sticking your head in the sand is no longer an option. Despite the angry keyboard warriors on social media, using AI in your business isn't about replacing good people or turning your company into a cold corporate robot. It's about leverage . From speech-to-speech voice tech that sounds remarkably human to 24/7 website chatbots that stop leads slipping through the cracks, Ben and David share how switched-on operators are using "managed agents" to take care of admin, CRM updates, and reporting. If you've tossed AI into the "too-hard basket" or worried about how customers might react, this chat will flip your perspective. Six months ago, using AI was a clever competitive advantage. Today? Ignoring it is quickly becoming your biggest commercial handicap. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 02:53 – Moving at breakneck speed: why a six-month-old AI course is already obsolete 04:16 – Calling out the critics: why AI is about business leverage, not sacking staff 07:15 – The ATM reality check: why customer convenience always wins in the end 09:09 – Are you AI-ready? Breaking down the 15-question business score 13:00 – Plugging the lead leak: why 24/7 website chatbots beat static contact forms 14:46 – Mindset shift: stop looking for an AI receptionist and hire an AI employee 19:43 – Managed agents in action: automating CRM updates, customer follow-ups, and reporting 36:38 – The bottom line: why ignoring AI has officially become a disadvantage Key Takeaways: Build Leverage, Don't Cut Staff : The smartest businesses use AI to increase their capacity and win more work, not to trim headcount. Stop Letting Leads Go Begging : Modern customers want answers right away; an intelligent chatbot grabs enquiries around the clock while your competitors send callers to voicemail. Hire Digital Employees, Not Just Bots : Setting up managed agents lets you hand off repetitive tasks like database reactivation, CRM tagging, and monthly reporting so your team can focus on higher-value work. Get On the Front Foot : Customer expectations and search habits are shifting fast. What gave you an edge six months ago is rapidly becoming the baseline just to stay competitive. 🚀 Find out how AI-ready your business really is with the free 15-question assessment at assessment.digisyncro.com . Tune in to discover how to put AI to work in your business without the tech headaches. Don't miss this episode, and don't forget to hit subscribe for more practical insights every week.

October 15, 202624 min

MYB155: How Business Owners Can Beat Isolation and Grow Faster

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into one of the most common but rarely discussed challenges of running a business: the sheer loneliness of it all. Being in business for yourself absolutely does not mean you have to be in business by yourself. Ben and David unpack exactly why business owners end up feeling so isolated, how the daily grind creates a whirlpool of endless tasks, and why relying solely on your team or your spouse for support often falls short. They share personal stories, including David's recent motorbike mishap and Ben's fishing revelations, to highlight how the right community can shortcut your learning curve and keep you accountable. If you are tired of carrying the weight of all the decisions and problems on your own shoulders, this episode will show you how stepping into the right room with the right people can completely transform your business journey. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 03:08 Why being a business owner is often an incredibly lonely experience 03:47 Inside the Max Tribe: how bringing clients together solves common problems 07:07 The whirlpool effect and why owners unintentionally isolate themselves 08:21 The importance of surrounding yourself with people who encourage your growth 10:50 Why your partner at home might struggle to relate to your daily business stress 13:10 Accelerating your success by learning from the real-world experiences of others 14:40 The hidden reward of realising how much you know when you help your peers 16:20 Using a community for natural accountability and breaking bad routines 20:56 The critical difference between referral networking events and genuine masterminds Key Takeaways: Break the Isolation: The daily demands of business can easily trap you in a lonely routine. You have to make a conscious choice to step out of your own space and connect with others. Audit Your Circle: You become like the people you surround yourself with. Ensure your circle actually wants to see you succeed and encourages your growth. Find the Right Tribe: Look for like-minded business owners focused on genuine support and accountability, rather than standard networking groups where everyone is just waiting for their turn to sell. Learn Faster: The most expensive way to learn a lesson is on your own . Tapping into the shared knowledge of a group saves you time, money, and frustration. Value and Be Valued: Business owners rarely get thanked. A solid community gives you a rare space to feel genuinely appreciated for the expertise you bring to the table. 🚀 Ready to stop going it alone? Find out more about joining our Max Tribes and the Max Business Academy by reaching out for a chat with the team. Tune in to discover how to find your tribe and propel your business forward. Don't miss this episode, and be sure to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

October 8, 202640 min

MYB154: The MOREtiplier Model: How to Fix the Gaps in Your Sales Process

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explain why effective digital marketing requires a complete system, not just a few online ads. Customer acquisition relies on a seamless journey from search to sale. Ben and David introduce "The MOREtiplier " framework to help identify missing links in your strategy. They cover three core stages: getting found, generating leads, and converting customers. They also discuss how AI is changing online search for businesses. If your website is outdated or your sales process is leaking leads, this episode provides a practical look at fixing your customer journey. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 03:12 - The canyon metaphor and fixing a broken marketing bridge 06:47 - Introducing The MOREtiplier model and assessment tool 11:43 - Step one is Getting Found (SEO, AI search, and brand awareness) 18:50 - The seven-hour content rule for building consumer trust 23:46 - Step two is Getting Leads ( optimising your lead capture plan) 28:33 - Using marketing automation for instant lead follow up 30:57 - Step three is Getting Customers (documenting your sales process) 35:15 - Regenerating repeat business from past customers Key Takeaways: Build the Bridge: A single ad campaign is not enough. You need a complete marketing system. Get Found First: Keep your digital storefront updated, mobile responsive, and ready for AI search engines. Capture the Lead: Make it effortless for prospects to contact you using chatbots or direct downloads. Automate the Follow Up: Use software to respond instantly and nurture prospects in the research phase. Document Your Sales Process: Guide leads with clear, structured steps to help them make a purchase. Nurture Existing Clients: Bring past customers back into your ecosystem to generate repeat business. 🚀 Find out your MOREtiplier score by taking the free assessment at more.digitlc.com.au . Give it a read to see exactly which planks are missing from your bridge. Tune in to discover how to plug the gaps in your marketing, and subscribe for weekly business insights.

October 1, 202633 min

MYB153: The 90-Day Business Plan: How to Hit Your Targets Every Quarter

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into why having clear, actionable SMART goals is the real secret to driving growth in your business. Effective goal setting requires far more than jotting down a wish list on New Year's Eve. To see real progress, you need a structured, measurable plan that aligns with your ultimate vision and actively holds you to account. Ben and David share practical tips, mindset shifts and exactly why starting with the end in mind changes everything. They also tackle the reality of 90-day planning, unpacking why so many business owners reach the end of a quarter only to realise they have missed their targets. If you are tired of carrying the same unachieved goals over month after month, this episode will challenge how you plan and help you finally hit those milestones. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 02:03 - The reality of 90-day planning (and why tasks get left behind) 04:57 - Mindset shift: moving from setting 'goals' to defining 'outcomes' 05:39 - Why most of our goals are actually just good intentions 09:07 - Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) and testing what is realistic 13:31 - The reverse engineering process: beginning with the end in mind 17:01 - Breaking down the SMART acronym step by step 19:16 - What to do when you realise you are going to miss your deadline 24:48 - Why business owners need to spend 20% of their time planning 26:43 - The power of accountability (and why you need a "date with a dude") Key Takeaways: Ditch the Intentions for Outcomes: An idea or a wish is not a goal. To turn a good intention into a reality, frame it as an outcome you have already achieved and reverse engineer the steps to get there. Run the SMART Test: Ensure every goal you set is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. If it does not pass the test, it needs refining. Be Prepared to Pivot: If you are going to miss a deadline, do not chuck the whole plan out the window. Change the timeframe or adjust the target to keep your momentum moving forward. Lock in Accountability: A plan means nothing if you do not stick to it. Dedicate 20% of your week to planning and find a coach to hold your feet to the fire. 🚀 Get your free SMART Goals Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/smart and start building a business plan that actually gets results. Tune in to discover how to bring your goals to life. Don't miss this episode, and don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

September 24, 202627 min

MYB152: How to Define Your Business Values Without the Corporate Jargon

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive deep into the nuts and bolts of core values. What exactly are they, where do they come from, and how do you actually work out what is genuinely important to you and your business? Hiring the right fit goes well beyond looking at a CV. Ben and David share some hard truths about why people behave the way they do, using everyday examples to highlight why you cannot easily change a team member's deeply held beliefs. They unpack why establishing clear, non-negotiable values is the real secret to building a high-performing and unified team. If you have ever had to let someone go because of poor behaviour , this episode will show you how to define your standards and protect your workplace culture moving forward. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 00:46 Why every business owner needs a coach and the real value of accountability 05:18 What a core value actually is and where it comes from 08:48 How to ensure new recruits genuinely align with your business 11:41 The Coles supermarket analogy and hiring for true integrity 14:28 What off-duty behaviour reveals about a person's core values 18:54 The vital difference between the rules of the game and your core values 20:17 Why building a strong culture is a massive positive for your business 21:54 Why you cannot just change someone's beliefs 25:17 How to get the most out of the free Core Values Workbook Key Takeaways: Values Drive Behaviour : It is your team's core values that dictate how they act, both on the job and when nobody is watching. Beliefs Are Personal: You cannot easily change a person's deep beliefs. That is why hiring people who naturally align with your culture from day one is so crucial. Rules vs. Values: Rules tell your team how to do a task, but values are the glue that builds trust and keeps everyone working together. Make It Public: Core values do no good sitting in a drawer. They need to be front and centre in your hiring process, employment agreements, and daily standards. Culture is Your Advantage: Having a highly aligned team heading in the exact same direction is the ultimate competitive advantage for any business. 🚀 Get your free Core Values Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/core and start building a business people love to work for. Tune in to discover how to bring yours to life. Don't miss this episode, and remember to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

September 17, 202634 min

MYB151: Struggling to Find Good Staff? Try This 5 Stage Recruitment Process

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carli n unpack why recruiting is one of the biggest headaches for business owners and why the traditional way of hiring just leaves you with the best of a bad bunch. Hiring is not just about throwing an ad up on Seek and hoping for the best. It is about treating your job ad like a marketing campaign, weeding out the time-wasters before you even look at a resume, and building a business that people genuinely want to work for. Ben and David share practical tips, mindset shifts, and the "bookends" of recruiting that ensure you set your new team members up for absolute success. If you are tired of saying "I cannot find good people" or "No one wants to work anymore," this episode will challenge you to view your recruitment process through a completely different lens. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 07:23 - Why recruiting is one of the most common challenges for business owners today 08:28 - The "bookends" of recruiting: role clarity before you hire and induction training after 10:43 - The biggest mistake you can make: recruiting to replace a person instead of recruiting for a role 12:21 - Why your job ad is actually a marketing tool (and how to write one that works) 14:10 - Thinking outside the job boards: using Facebook ads and customer databases to find hidden talent 18:36 - The "Funky Wombat" trick: how a simple code word saves you hours of reading useless applications 21:51 - Why successful recruiting is actually a strict deselection process 25:00 - Busting the "skills shortage" myth with a real-world panel beater example 30:54 - The power of group interviews to find confident, customer-facing superstars Key Takeaways: Recruit for the Role, Not the Person: Do not just look for a carbon copy of whoever left. Start fresh with a clear role description and fit it into your organisational structure. Treat Job Ads Like Marketing: Use the AIDA principle (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) and always answer "What's in it for me?" for the candidate. Your ad should sell the benefits of working with you. Deselection is Your Best Friend: Put simple hurdles in your process, like a funny code word in the ad or a video questionnaire, to weed out the lazy applicants before you even look at a resume. Nail the Bookends: Your recruitment process will fail if you do not have clear KPIs set up beforehand and a solid induction training programme waiting for them on day one. 🚀 Get your free 5-Stage Approach to Recruiting guide at maxmyprofit.com.au/recruit and make your next hire a successful one. Tune in to discover how to attract and retain the best talent. Do not miss this episode, and do not forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

September 10, 202627 min

MYB150: The 5 Key Business KPIs You Need to Maximise Profit and Scale

In this milestone 150th episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack the real mechanics of your business machine. While most business owners focus heavily on sales and profit, Ben and David explain why these are actually outcome numbers and how you need to pull the very specific levers that influence them. Growing a business is not just about spending more money on marketing. It is about understanding the five crucial KPIs every owner needs to measure. From finding out your true conversion rate to boosting the average customer spend, they share practical advice on how small tweaks across these five areas create a massive compounding effect on your bottom line. If you are tired of working hard without seeing the financial reward, or if you want to know exactly what to measure before delegating tasks to your team, this episode is an absolute must listen. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 01:55 - Why sales and profit are outcome numbers, not direct levers 02:40 - The business machine view: why your business needs to produce a clear output 05:19 - Celebrating episode 150 and why revisiting the basics is so powerful 07:51 - KPI 1 and 2: Generating leads and why your actual conversion rate might shock you 12:18 - Why counting every single lead is essential for understanding your marketing costs 14:47 - KPI 3 and 4: Maximising spending frequency and average customer spend to boost revenue 18:40 - KPI 5: Understanding your profit margins to ensure you actually keep what you make 20:46 - How mastering these five numbers allows you to effectively delegate and set team targets 23:37 - Your Next Steps Key Takeaways: Focus on the Inputs: Sales and profit are just outcomes. To grow your business, you need to focus on the five actionable levers that actually create them. Measure Every Lead: Do not just count the qualified leads. Measuring every single enquiry gives you a true picture of your conversion rate and marketing costs. Small Tweaks, Massive Results: You do not need to double your leads to double your profit. Small percentage increases across all five KPIs create a huge compounding effect. Delegate with Data: You cannot effectively hand over the reins if you do not know the mechanics of your business. These numbers give your team clear, measurable targets. 🚀 Get your free Leverage Workbook featuring 50 practical strategies at maxmyprofit.com.au/leverage and start pulling the right levers in your business today. Tune in to discover how to bring these numbers to life. Do not miss this milestone episode, and do not forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

September 3, 202633 min

MYB149: Why Knowing Your Business Numbers is Key to Profitability

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack the core fundamentals every small business owner needs to master. They dive into why looking backwards is often the best way to plan forward and why knowing your numbers is absolutely critical before you try to delegate to a manager. Running a business is completely different from just operating one. Ben and David share exactly how to build a business dashboard, what Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) you need to track, and why relying on hard work alone will not automatically create long term success. They also explore the practical steps required to systemise your operations so your business can eventually run without you. If you are tired of guessing and want to start pulling the right levers to grow your bottom line, this episode will challenge you to look at your business through a completely new lens. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 00:27 Why looking backward helps you accurately plan forward for business growth 03:50 The roadblock of delegating when you do not know your own numbers 04:34 The car dashboard analogy and tracking your vital KPIs 08:02 Why you must understand the difference between gross profit and net profit 12:51 Operating a business versus actually running a profitable business 15:52 How to figure out what to delegate and what to keep as the owner 16:49 The McDonald's model and what true business systemisation looks like 30:19 Your Next Steps Key Takeaways: Build Your Business Dashboard: Just like driving a car, you need the essential numbers right at your fingertips to track your progress and spot warning signs early. Operate vs. Run: Knowing the technical aspects of your trade is great, but understanding the mechanics of running a business is what will actually keep you growing. Prepare to Delegate: You cannot effectively hand over the reins to a general manager if you do not have clear numbers and targets to hold them accountable. Invest in Learning: Before spending big on equipment or commercial fit outs, invest time and resources in understanding how your business actually makes a profit. Systemise for Freedom: Setting up solid structures and processes is the only true way to build a scalable asset that generates income without you needing to be on the tools. 🚀 Get your free workbook and learn how to build your own KPI dashboard at maxmyprofit.com.au/business Curious about the gaps in your strategy? Head to maxmyprofit.com.au and scroll to the footer to take the Business Acceleration Blueprint quiz. Tune in to discover how to take control of your numbers. Do not miss this episode, and make sure to subscribe for more practical small business insights every week.

August 27, 202628 min

MYB148: Stop Being the Bottleneck: The Secret to Delegating Effectively

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into one of the trickiest transitions for any growing business: effective delegation. It is not just about handing over tasks; it is about stepping out of the way so your new managers can actually lead . If your team is constantly bypassing your managers to get answers straight from you, you might be unintentionally undermining your own leadership structure. Ben and David unpack why this happens, how to handle the dreaded "leapfrogging," and the exact conversations you need to have to set your new leaders up for success. If you are tired of being the bottleneck in your own company, this episode will challenge you to look at your own habits, protect your managers, and finally step out of the day-to-day operations. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 01:52 - The critical mistake most owners make after handing over a role 03:37 - Why employees leapfrog managers to get straight to the business owner 07:31 - How to gracefully push back and support your new general manager 09:40 - The harsh truth that you cannot run a growing business like a small one 13:23 - The "FIFO" rule for team members who refuse to adapt to new leadership 17:34 - Understanding the pressure of being a manager without "owner authority" 21:09 - Upward delegation and why your employees are handing decisions back to you 24:08 - Introducing the free delegation workbook to help you step back 26:15 - Why systemising processes is the ultimate key to removing yourself as the bottleneck Key Takeaways: Delegate, Do Not Abdicate: Handing over a role requires clear boundaries and ongoing support. Watch out for "upward delegation" where your team hands decisions back to you out of habit or convenience. Stop the Leapfrogging: When team members bypass a manager to come straight to you, redirect them immediately . You must actively protect your new manager's authority to establish their respect among the team. Acknowledge the Shift: You cannot run a growing, medium-sized operation with the same casual habits of a small business. Scaling up means you have to stop meddling and step out of the way. Systems Trump Everything: Document your procedures so your business relies on solid systems and frameworks, rather than the knowledge stored inside an individual's head. 🚀 Get your free Delegation Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/delegate and master the six key priorities for setting up effective delegation in your business. Tune in to discover how to empower your team and stop being the bottleneck. Don't miss this episode, and don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

August 20, 202629 min

MYB147: How Small Businesses Can Stop Bad Debts and Protect Cash Flow

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast , hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle one of the most frustrating challenges small business owners face : unpaid invoices and bad debts. Responding to a listener question from Drew, Ben and David break down how overdue debts silently drain your cash flow and what you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place. Carrying bad debt isn't just about missing cash, it carries an opportunity cost that holds your business back from growing. Ben and David share practical strategies for chasing overdue accounts, setting clear terms upfront, and establishing a rock-solid collection system so you're not left playing banker for your clients. If you're sick of chasing unpaid bills or worried about how a dodgy client might impact your cash flow, this episode will give you the practical steps and mindset shifts needed to get paid on time, every time. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast 01:16 Listener question from Drew: Bad debts, insurance, and cash flow recovery 02:01 Prevention vs cure: Why fixing collection systems stops debts from turning bad 04:09 When does an overdue invoice actually become a bad debt? 05:48 Taking a stand: Halting work and enforcing your payment terms 07:01 Spotting the warning signs early and grading your customers (A through D) 08:52 Practical debt collection: Why calling beats emailing and how rapport gets results 11:17 Setting up for success: Signed agreements, upfront deposits, and credit checks 16:12 Is trade credit insurance worth it, or should you just avoid high-risk clients? 18:52 Rebuilding your cash flow: Introducing the free Cash Flow Workbook 22:10 How cash flow forecasting gives you certainty (and saved one manager $11,000) 25:53 The reality of court judgments and why legal action is rarely a quick fix 28:06 Key KPIs to track and how to submit your questions Key Takeaways: Prevention Beats Cure: The most effective way to handle bad debts is to stop them before they start by setting strict payment terms, taking upfront deposits, and putting solid collection systems in place. Grade Your Clients: Focus your energy on 'A' and 'B' grade customers who respect your terms, and don't hesitate to halt work or part ways with chronic late-payers . Pick Up the Phone: Automated email reminders only go so far. A friendly, direct phone call builds rapport, uncovers cash flow issues early, and moves your invoice to the top of their payment pile. Forecast, Don't Guess: Your current bank balance doesn't tell the full story. A rolling 90-day cash flow forecast gives you true visibility, control, and peace of mind. 🚀 Get your free Cash Flow Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/cash and start taking complete control of your business cash flow today. Tune in to discover how to protect your business from unpaid bills and build a reliable cash flow system. Don't miss this episode, and don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week!

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing

More Business podcasts

The Bottom Line

Alexander Spencer

BusinessInterviews guests