Business Essentials

It's hard to know all the rules around employing casuals, but to protect you from the courts it's important that you do. Cheryl Disher says it’s easy to mistake a casual with a part-timer or a permanent employee, because the rules are complicated and confusing. But, if a casual worker suddenly decides to report you to the Fair Work Commission, don’t expect much forgiveness from the courts. It happens, she says. And you could be severely penalised. http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Squire bought herself a business – and quickly discovered that running one is a much different beast to managing a team in a company she didn’t own. The day-to-day stresses, including the constant worry about pay role, all played their part in her increasing reliance on alcohol. She was sinking fast. But she pulled herself up, quit drinking, and today is a much-admired business woman, with a cabinet full of business awards. She shares her ideas and experience on running a successful business. More essentials business information at: http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The millennial generation today makes up a large share of the Australian workforce and it's important to understand how to attract them for future business success. Luke Faccini says they're more likely to put emphasis on social and environmental issues when choosing a place to work. To win the hearts and minds of the millennial generation, it's worth evaluating how your business is run and whether your brand reflects the values millennials hold dear. For more business insights from Business Essentials:  http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business names can sometimes have a use-by date. If you’re thinking about a name change, there are important things to consider. Brand strategist Luke Faccini says sometimes a name change is unavoidable, when you move into new markets, for example, and your current name won’t work. Luke takes us through some of the biggest mistakes businesses make when changing their names. If you’re going to embark on the process, he says, it’s a big step and you may as well get it right. http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The frontline of business is customer service. That's where we engage and – hopefully – persuade people to buy. But, why do some do some frontline staff fail? It comes down to a lack of empowerment, according to customer service expert, Michael Carrick. When people are empowered, they're much better at helping others. When we take care of our own people, Michael insists, our people will take care of business. businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the summer holidays well and truly behind us, it's often now that key staff leave for another company. That's according to recruitment specialist Geoff Balmer of Richard Lloyd Recruitment, who explains why they might head out the door and what you can do to prevent that from happening. richardlloyd.com.au businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Fiona Whatley and her husband James took over her parents' business, they hadn't fully planned for 10-fold growth in less than a decade. Springhill Farm makes and sells delicious bite-size treats under its own brand as well as manufacturing food – especially health food – for other brands. Its reputation has grown from lucrative partnerships with well-known companies, including Virgin, Officeworks, Qantas, AccorHotels and Hudsons Coffee. Fiona shares the lessons and challenges of a family business handling fast growth. springhillfarm.com.au businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's likely to drive customers away from your door, never to return? Research shows some underlying factors which will eventually mean survival or not for your business. Neville Christie uncovers the reasons why customers become cynical about who they buy from, and he suggests ways to make sure that cynicism doesn’t apply to you. It's all about innovating and ensuring you're implementing ethical business practices that reflect the behaviour people expect from the businesses they deal with. ceomentorroundtable.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may not wish to taint a blossoming relationship by introducing lawyers at the courting stage, but a co-ownership agreement is worth its weight in gold. Andrew Henshaw and Scott McKenzie of Velocity Legal explain what a business "pre-nup" looks like and why you should organise one. And if it’s too late for a pre-nup, it's still a good idea to get an agreement in place in case things go pear-shape. Business Essentials See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want your team to be fully committed to your idea, first it's worth spending time with them to connect and develop a level of trust. That's according to Simon Dowling, business coach and author of a new book, Work With Me: How to get people to buy into your ideas. You’ll achieve the best results, he insists, if you have a team who’s as enthusiastic and willing as you are about your idea. businessessentials.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you thought about your voice and how others might perceive you based on the way you talk? Like most business people, probably not. According to voice coach Anouska Taylor, we're so concerned with what we say, that we ignore the power of how we speak, which can influence the perceptions others have of us. Anouska provides examples and techniques for getting the most out of your voice for a business meeting or a presentation. businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Property's a complicated beast at the best of times, but political upheaval certainly doesn't help. What is the current state of property as an investment option and how should you respond in a market under stress? To help answer those questions and more is property expert Andrew Fawell, who says a big challenge these days for investors is a tightening up from lenders. Borrowers need to jump through a lot more hoops. And for sellers, he warns, you need to be realistic about what you can expect to get for your property. http://www.businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Entrepreneurship is in Liam Ganley's DNA – he brought it with him to Melbourne from his home in Ireland. Liam now runs three successful pubs and restaurants in one of the world's most competitive and renowned foodie capitals. A city with shortages in hospitality staff – especially chefs – hasn’t stopped Liam expand his range of venues with a focus on craft beer matched with good food. businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you and everyone in your industry is slowly sinking to the bottom, how do you get back on top? By taking a radical shift in the way you do business. That's what Steve Layton, CEO of the Layton Group, has done as other furniture companies across the country discount their way to oblivion. Steve's new Sofa Brands company offers affordable luxury furniture to Australian and Chinese markets. Steve's aim? To break the discounting cycle in Australia and create a sustainable future for his business. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Save and her business partner were struggling to grow innovative food business, Be Fit Food, until Kate fronted the sharks on TV's Shark Tank. She faced a grilling, but armed with the right answers Kate encouraged one of the sharks, Janine Allis, to invest a substantial amount of money. The TV exposure helped propel the business to greater heights, but the sudden growth invited a new set of challenges. https://www.befitfood.com.au/   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rapid advances in technology have delivered us much better access to ideas and human capital than ever before to help grow our businesses. Futurist Steve Sammartino encourages businesses to embrace a collaborative approach to business growth. You don't have to invent new stuff – instead, some of the fastest growing companies are combining existing tools and technology to be "architects of the future". http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shopping centres and suburban shopping strips are separate beasts when it comes to retail, each with their own challenges for landlords and tenants. And changes are underway. Site selection expert Peter Buckingham has studied the retail sector for decades and he discusses the big changes confronting Australia’s fashion industry as local businesses succumb to cheaper imports, online sales and the invasion of big fashion houses from overseas. As a result our local shopping strips are undergoing big changes, and our shopping centres too are responding to changing market conditions. http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before you do anything, before you take out an ad or write a blog post, understand what your target market wants and needs. That advice is from marketing consultant Hunter Leonard, who has surveyed thousands of business owners and who shares more than 30 years of marketing experience by listing his seven key principles for marketing success. http://businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of business owners find it uncomfortable to provide constructive feedback to staff, and when they do it's often ineffective. Business and leadership coach, Mandy Holloway - who has examined numerous businesses across Australia - says feedback should not be about fixing someone. Instead, she says, it's about holding a mirror up to staff to make them aware of their behaviour. http://www.businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Millennials contribute significantly to the Australian workplace, and it behoves your practice to find and keep the key performers. That's according to Simon Dennis, Head of Partnerships at MYOB, who examines the advantages Millennials have by bringing crucial skillsets that you would otherwise have to train. The competition to attract these employees is getting fierce, and Simon outlines what you need to do to attract the better ones and ensure they stay. businessessentials.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.