Episodes
19
Latest episode
Jun 2026
Language
EN
This podcast is for the owners who actually carry this country — the SMEs driving innovation, employment and GDP. The SME Advantage is here to spread a bit of optimism, a bit of gratitude, and a lot of momentum. We hear from people across the country helping owners harness what makes them powerful. You've got the advantage. Time to use it.
Join Kane and Gabe as they explore the journey of leadership succession from the perspective of the incoming owner-leader. The conversation is rich with insights, personal experiences, and the realities of taking on such a significant responsibility.
The key to a thriving long term business is not just in the daily grind. It’s about cultivating a team of leaders who can carry the vision forward. The catch is it doesn’t happen overnight. It requires commitment, time, and a willingness to let go. When you invest in developing your team, you're building independence and a legacy. Kane and Gabe talks through some of the traps and opportunities around leadership development, the GM challenge and advisory boards. Remember, it’s like a relay race. You need to pass the baton smoothly, ensuring the new leader has the tools and confidence to take charge. See this article for more on Role Clarity - https://theadaptway.com/blog/role-clarity/ This is the visual resource Gabe mentioned in the episode - https://canva.link/raaufm8flzjrbrm
If you've been following the Anthropic Mythos Fable 5 saga and wondering what it actually means for your business, this episode is worth your time. Pete and Andy, co-founders of Other Stuff Studio, joined Gabe and Kane to talk about something most AI conversations skip: who actually owns the intelligence inside your business? Because if the answer is "a subscription to a US tech company," that's could be a problem. The conversation covers cognitive stack ownership, AI resilience for SMEs, their open-source Wingman platform, and why the agility of a small founder-led team is a genuine competitive advantage in this wave. Practical, honest, and a little refreshing for anyone tired of AI hype. https://otherstuff.ai/ https://otherstuff.ai/the-good-stuff/
Are you facing redundancy decisions in your SME? We talk to HR expert, business owner and veteran coach Brendan Forwood from People Squared on how to navigate these tricky waters. In today’s climate, many business owners are grappling with the reality of workforce adjustments. It’s a tough conversation, but with the right approach, you can manage it with integrity. The key? Understanding your critical numbers and planning ahead. Too often, businesses react to financial pressures without a clear strategy. By regularly assessing your wages, leave liabilities, and overall financial health, you can make informed decisions that prioritise both your business and your team. Connect with Brendan: https://www.peoplesquared.com.au/ Thanks to https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/ for hosting us.
Most small businesses get 80% of revenue from their existing base without lifting a finger — until a downturn quietly shrinks it. James Smith ( Smith Brothers Media ) joins Gabe and Kane on why owning your data, leading with value, and being willing to sell — not chasing AI hype — is what keeps an SME alive. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-sme-advantage/id1738995409 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6uxaYAlciu70Dl07WTayvU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnT8h-EugmKyOeW3M_lIre9KLqc3T4wkG Other Links: https://www.unreasonablehospitality.com/books https://www.sigparser.com/
The adapt podcast is evolving into 'The SME Advantage' with my co-host Kane Leersen joining in. Kane is the founder of Regional Prosperity - a financial advice firm in regional Victoria - and a passionate Succession Thinker. Kane and I became tired of the doom and gloom that's out there. SMEs are the back bone of this country and it's time the amazing people who own and operate them get some cheers and support. Owning your own business is bloody hard work. But it's also an incredible opportunity and we will drive the conversation around how to take advantage of that. We are looking for any owners or any SME advisers who gives a sh!t about the work they do and want to cheer other owners on. Reach out to myself (Gabe) at connect@theadaptway.com or Kane at kane@regionalprosperity.au .
There's complexity in the nuance of doing Ownership work vs. Organisational Leadership work. Hamish (Founder) and Tania (Organisational Leader) generously let us in on their perspectives when it comes to the dance of doing ownership and leadership and having empathy for the other role.. We spend time unpacking: The benefits of nicking off for a surf, mid work day. Doing the hard yards to deliver on your vision. Building a tech driven economy by uplifting the community. Excellence in software development. What is DonkOps. Learning to let go when you're the owner but you're fixing the wi-fi. Learning to have empathy for the owner when you're leading. Tania and Hamish takes a fun and lighthearted approach to many big topics that effect the owners and leaders of small and medium businesses. Bill talking about 'stepping out' vs 'handing over'
When others think you're taking on 'Nuclear Warfare' in a crowded market but you see clearly the road to a far better experience for the customer. This conversation is an exercise in invigoration. Listening to the mindset and drive Mikaela, along with her with her co-founder and sister Eliza, bring to the table of innovating in the hospitality space will put a fire in your belly. We spend time unpacking: The mindset to innovate when you can see a better way. The discipline and work ethic it takes and how that was modelled by their mother. Working well with family. Staying super close to the product / customer interface to ensure the best outcome. Picking the right team to build your technology. Getting a handle on IP if you plan to scale. So much more. Mikaela demonstrates a wisdom and an entrepreneurial knack far beyond her years and has tons of valuable lessons to pass on to other founders.
Today we chat with Mo Daya from SQ Squared about the power that exists in leading with empathy. From immigrating on his own and seeking a safe and secure journey, to taking big risks in service of a vision, Mo shares his fascinating story that led to the founding of SQ Squared. We talk about: 1️⃣ Cognitive bias and how it presents in the entrepreneurial journey. 2️⃣ Transferrable skills from policing and counter terrorism work into leadership coaching and development. 3️⃣ The difficulty of leading with genuine empathy. 4️⃣ The power that exists when you get this right. 5️⃣ How family factors into big decision making.
Today we chat with Shane Addis , the entrepreneurial leader behind the impressive team building Australia's largest safety and emergency training organisation for hight risk industries. ERGT Australia is a 200+ person organisation which doubled in size in the last 5 or so years. Shane generously share with us the journey from inception through incredible growth, and what it means to have built a business that celebrated 30 years this year. We cover: 1️⃣ The importance of creating a sustainable organization that can thrive beyond its founders 2️⃣ The crucial role of hiring the right people and cultivating a positive culture 3️⃣ The importance of a clear, simple business strategy 4️⃣ The need to develop strategic thinking capabilities within your team 5️⃣ The importance of facing reality, and being resilient in the face of challenges
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