In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way business owners work, plan, and grow. If you’re picturing robots or complex coding, think again. This is about simple, practical uses that save time, reduce admin, and help you make better decisions.
From writing emails and analysing financials, to handling job applications and quoting systems, AI is now a real, affordable tool for small businesses. Ben and David break down the possibilities and share examples from their own clients (and lives) to show how AI can act as a smart assistant in your business without needing a tech background to get started.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast
03:13 – Why AI is part of this year’s business planning discussions
07:34 – What AI can already do in retail and service industries
10:56 – Ben’s AI-driven recruitment process and assistant-built interview questions
13:15 – Writing songs, creating recipes, and having fun with AI
17:03 – AI-powered chatbots that qualify and forward leads in real time
19:26 – Using AI in admin: Trello, emails, quoting, and follow-ups
23:26 – Voice commands, Aussie accents, and how to “chat” with your AI
25:41 – Getting started: use the pro version and build a daily habit
31:33 – Real examples of saving time and improving systems with AI
34:03 – Looking ahead: AI assistants, automation tools, and upcoming workshops
Key Takeaways:
Start small - You don’t need to overhaul your business. Just start using AI for one task today like summarising an email or writing a caption.
Think of it as your assistant - AI isn’t just a tool, it’s a digital team member. Give it clear instructions, and it’ll return better, faster results than you’d expect.
It’s already here This isn’t future tech. Businesses around you are already using it to save time, respond faster, and grow smarter.
Knowledge is power The better you understand what AI can do, the more you’ll find ways to use it. There’s a huge opportunity here especially if you get in early.
Want help getting started?
Ben is hosting AI workshops to help business owners learn how to build and use AI assistants in their day-to-day operations.
👉 Visit www.maxmyprofit.com.au to register for the next free online workshop and access more tools to help you scale with less stress.
Tune in for the full chat and start imagining what’s possible for your business.

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin break down one of the easiest, most overlooked ways to grow your revenue—getting your customers to spend more, without resorting to hard-selling or gimmicks.
From supermarkets to service-based businesses, the strategies shared in this episode apply to any industry. Whether it’s bundling products, using checklists, or simply asking the right questions at the right time, Ben and David unpack real-world tactics you can implement straight away.
If you’ve been focused on getting more customers, this episode will show you the power of doing more with the customers you already have.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast
2:12 - The McDonald’s upsell example and why most businesses miss this opportunity
5:17 - Supermarket strategies: loss leaders, store layouts, and impulse buys
10:48 - How to adapt upsell tactics for service-based businesses
13:20 - Using checklists and quoting techniques to uncover upsell opportunities
15:21 - Mindset shifts around upselling and handling customer rejection
18:02 - Building a 90-day plan to increase average spend with simple strategies
21:43 - Why upsells drive pure profit and how to make them part of your system
24:47 - Raising prices strategically to improve margins and average spend
26:27 - Case study: a restaurant adapts its pricing model for profitability
29:31 - Final thoughts and next steps, plus where to get the free workbook

Key Takeaways:
It’s Easier Than You Think: Getting existing customers to spend more is one of the simplest ways to boost your bottom line.
Track Your Average Spend: What gets measured gets improved—so start by knowing your numbers.
Borrow Retail Strategies: Think like a supermarket—loss leaders, impulse buys, and bundling still work.
Don’t Fear the ‘No’: Around 70% of people might say no to an upsell—but 30% will say yes. Focus on them.
Raise Your Prices (Smartly): Price increases don’t have to scare people off—if you’re adding value, they’ll understand.
Plan to Succeed: Map out three strategies over 90 days—track your results, tweak where needed, and watch your profits grow.
🚀 Ready to turn small tweaks into serious profit? Download your free Average Spend Workbook: maxmyprofit.com.au/spend
Tune in to discover simple yet powerful ways to increase your customer spend—strategies that Ben and David have refined through years of hands-on business coaching. Don’t forget to subscribe for more valuable episodes packed with practical insights!

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle one of the biggest transitions a business owner can face—handing over the reins to a General Manager.
Most business owners are already acting as the GM without even realising it. But if you want to scale, take a step back, or simply stop being the bottleneck in your business, at some point you’ll need to redefine your role.
Ben and David unpack what a true General Manager actually does (hint: it's not just being a glorified operations manager), the mindset shifts required to step away from the day-to-day, and why delegation is very different to abdication.
Whether you're already considering bringing someone in, or you're still clinging to your baby. This episode will help you prepare your business, your team, and yourself for the change.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
04:23 – What is a General Manager really, and do you already have one?
09:51 – You can’t just “hand it over”, you need to define the role first
12:45 – Generalist vs specialist: what to look for in your future GM
14:41 – Why most employees won’t think like an owner—and that’s okay
16:33 – How to structure your business so a GM can actually succeed
23:05 – Start with your structure, not the hire
27:24 – Is promoting from within the best move? Pros and cons
30:31 – Are you really ready to stop being the GM?

Key Takeaways:
Structure First, Hire Later: Don’t jump the gun. You need a clear business structure and defined roles before you bring in a GM.
Clarity is Everything: If you can’t explain what your GM should do on a Monday morning, you’re not ready to hire one.
Mind the Mindset Gap: Your GM won’t think like an owner and that’s okay. Focus on outcomes, not control.
Promote or Hire? It Depends: Promoting from within brings loyalty; hiring externally brings fresh eyes. Know what your business needs.
Make it a Strategic Role: The GM isn’t there to be the best worker, they’re there to manage people, assets, and growth.
Delegation ≠ Abdication: Give them the tools, the structure, and the trust to lead—don’t just toss them the keys and hope.
🚀 Ready to get serious about stepping out of the day-to-day? Download the free Role Clarity Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/clarity and start mapping out your path to a business that runs without you.
Tune in as Ben and David share practical insights and strategies drawn from years of real-world business coaching. Subscribe now to make sure you never miss an episode packed with value for your business journey.