Business Benchmark Group Podcast

Our interview with Kylie and Simon Frank, owners of Powercom Electrical (powercomelectrical.com.au) Simon and Kylie share their story in business – from humble and challenging beginnings, to experiencing enormous growth and success over the past 2 years. Since becoming clients of Business Benchmark Group just over 2 years ago, their monthly revenue has increased threefold, taking the business from the kitchen table to a factory with a team of 11 people in that short time. Simon, Kylie and...

In this “brain stretch” episode, Stefan explores what it takes to build a high performance team. There are nuggets of gold right throughout this episode to pay attention to, including: • The 16 cylinders of high performance • The distinct difference between growing a team versus building a high performance team • The mental toughness required to continue to raise the bar • The two types of pressure – negative and positive – and how • The 4 things required to have a breakthrough • The...

Julie Quinton shares her truly touching and inspiring personal story of her life in business. Her husband Brian purchased the independent supermarket in January 2000. Sadly, just seven years later in August 2007 at the age of just 49, Brian died from Pancreatic Cancer. In devastating circumstances and with no prior experience in the business, Julie took on the challenge of taking over the family business to ensure Brian’s legacy continued for the next generation of family members. The...

As a business owner, when you’re building a business you need to have a clear idea about where you’re headed and put a structure in place so that when you reach the point of an exit, you’re prepared. Business owners need to create a strategy for success and build a business that is not just dependent on them – that it is something far bigger than them – they need to create something that builds a legacy. Business owners need to move beyond being an employee and manager in the business, to...

We interview Tom Harley, CEO of Harley & Sons Roofing (formerly Aussie Plumbers & Gutters) in a fantastic, candid interview discussing the challenges and successes in running and growing his business. Harley & Sons Roofing (harleyroofing.com.au) is a second generation family business in Melbourne who has undergone huge growth over the past few years. Prior to working with us at Business Benchmark Group, Tom was regularly working 14 hour days, encountered problems with lead-flow,...

In this Think Tank, Stefan explores business partnerships, and how to make them successful in comparison to other alternatives. There are many good reasons for getting into business partnerships, but in order for a successful outcome – for all parties - there are many issues you must first consider and traps you must avoid. Partnerships are all about negotiations, so you must take your time to understand each party’s position (which is shown in their behaviour) and their interests (the...

In this special episode, Melbourne Storm's Football Manager, Frank Ponissi, shares his views on leadership and crisis management. Ponissi is certainly no stranger to crisis management. In 2010, Melbourne Storm was found to have breached the NRL's salary cap over a period of 5 years, resulting in punishments including the stripping of Melbourne's 2007 and 2009 premierships, fines of almost $1.7 million and the team being stripped of all premiership points in 2010. Ponissi shares how this...

In this episode, Stefan shares more of his famous "Stefanisms" - key advice on how to constantly improve, and ultimately succeed, in achieving and executing your vision for your business. Key to this is a need to develop outcome-based thinking. Always ask 3 key questions: 1. What's working? 2. What's not working? 3. What will we do about it? Stefan also discusses the need to always see things from an optimistic perspective, how to prioritize work so that you always get your most valuable...

If you aren't leading, nobody's following. This short episode explores the need for business owners to schedule time every week, dedicated to thinking strategically about their business. Stefan delivers key advice about taking advantage of every opportunity in your business and in life. Be deliberate with your strategy. Leverage your team, your peers, relationships, technology and systems and use them all to your advantage. But it's utterly important to keep your focus local, on your core,...

If you don't have something driving you to be your Personal Best, then chances are each day, each week and each month you are going to be spending more time in mediocrity. But if you are clear about your opportunties, your strategic planning, and your use of time and money, you can make the decision that you can be your Personal Best. You will be able to make 1% improvements each day. You can revolutionise and transform your business and yourself if you have the attitude of doing whatever it...

In this special episode of our podcast, Brendan Dover from The Drain Man shares the story of his business, it's enormous growth since becoming a client with Business Benchmark Group in 2007, and offers tremendous insight into the decisions he's made on his business journey. Brendan gives his unique perspective on a number of key topics: - The difference between running and growing a business - Business structure - The importance of developing the right people - Marketing - and the importance...

Do you lead or manage for success? The leader provides direction, encouragement and inspiration to motivate a team to achieve business success. A manager coordinates the efforts of the team and the allocation of resources to maximise efficiency in achieving individual goals. Both these roles operate hand in hand and both are especially so during times of crisis or a choke point. As a leader and manager, it is most important that you “walk your talk”. Stay focused on the issues that are...

Why do we hear the term 'back to basics' so frequently? Because it works! Regardless of what you are doing, going 'back to basics' is something everyone understands. Being "brilliant at the basics" is where diamonds are found! In this week’s episode, Stefan Kazakis delivers a key lesson in how to develop a competitive advantage in your business. First and foremost, it is about attitude. To be able to create a competitive advantage is not about having the cheapest price, or working harder....

As business owners, we are bridge builders, taking target clients from a point of a problem, frustration and challenge to a place of solutions, problems being solved and freedom. The bricks with which you build your bridge are all inspired by “re” words: Relationships, results, reputation, reengagement, reactivation, reliability, retention, referrals. It’s obvious that people will do business with people they like, and most importantly, trust. So it’s integral that the fusion of traditional...

As you market your product or service, be sure to share your success stories. Marketing is something that happens every day, so it’s vital that you get better at telling your story. Genuinely believe in who you are and what you stand for – your core values – and demonstrate trust and genuine authenticity. Learn how to deliver your “elevator pitch”. The “rule of threes” gives you just 3 seconds to buy the right for 30 seconds. 3 minutes to get 30 minutes. 30 minutes to get 3 hours. How do you...

Welcome to the Business Benchmark Group podcast, where you will learn how to think strategically about your business and discover that whilst business ownership is not always easy, it doesn't need to be hard. With over 20 years' experience in turning stalling businesses into thriving enterprises, here is your host, Stefan Kazakis. In our second episode, Stefan discusses why choosing how you structure your business is very important. Tune in today to hear: - How to build structures for growth...

Welcome to the Business Benchmark Group podcast, where you will learn how to think strategically about your business and discover that whilst business ownership is not always easy, it doesn't need to be hard. With over 20 years' experience in turning stalling businesses into thriving enterprises, here is your host, Stefan Kazakis. In our first episode we ask can you improve by 220% in one year? If you did improve by 220% in one year, what would that mean for you and your business? 220% may...