In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin get real about one of the most common business complaints: “It’s hard to find good people.” But is it really a people problem or a leadership one?
If you’ve ever hired someone who didn’t work out, struggled to keep staff accountable, or found yourself doing everything because “it’s easier that way,” this episode is a must-listen. Ben and David unpack why most small businesses don’t have teams—they have groups of people—and how to fix that.
From sports analogies to real hiring mistakes, they reveal how to rethink your structure, define roles clearly, and become the kind of business great people want to join. It all starts with you.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast
03:39 - Why most small businesses don’t have real teams, just people working together
06:36 - Sports team analogy: the importance of defined roles and responsibilities
09:48 - Why you shouldn’t just replace a person, redefine the role first
11:33 - The dangers of hiring without proper systems or onboarding
13:46 - Training vs micromanaging: how to set up new hires for success
16:06 - Hiring sales and marketing staff: why experience alone isn’t enough
19:47 - What to look for when reviewing job applicants and resumes
22:20 - Accountability check: what your turnover says about your business
25:52 - The mindset shift: working on the business vs in the business

Key Takeaways:
Your Team Starts With You – If you don’t have the right people, look at your systems, clarity, and mindset.
Structure First, People Second – Build roles, not just fill gaps. Define what success looks like before hiring.
Hiring Is Marketing – Want top talent? Your job ad needs to speak to the right person, not just list duties.
Train Like You Mean It – The first few weeks matter. Show new hires how to succeed your way.
Think Like a Coach – In great teams, everyone knows their role and trusts each other to perform it.
📥 Download the free ‘6 Keys to a Winning Team’ workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/team
Get clear on the kind of team you really want to build and how to lead it well.
Ready to stop saying “It’s hard to find good people”? Start building the kind of business they’re excited to join. Hit play and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly strategies that help you Max Your Business.

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.

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack a topic that too many business owners avoid – budgeting.
If you’re making sales but still struggling to pay the bills, this one’s a must-listen. Ben and David dive into why most small businesses react to their finances instead of planning for them, and how flipping that approach can help you build a business that actually works for you.
Ben and David share simple strategies, personal lessons, and practical tools that show you budgeting isn’t about cutting back – it’s about making confident, well-informed decisions to grow your business and stay in control.
Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
2:00 - The common belief that budgeting is only for large businesses
5:14 - Planning for profit, not just tracking spending
7:15 - Why now is the perfect time to start budgeting
12:35 - How poor P&L setup hides insights and impacts decision-making
17:03 - Why most accounting software isn’t enough on its own
22:39 - Profit First, the concept of underdrafts, and the stress of reactive cash flow
26:03 - Three scenarios when budgeting becomes mission-critical
32:16 - The confidence, control, and clarity that a budget provides

Key Takeaways:
Start with profit, not expenses: A good budget begins with your income goals, not what you want to spend.

Fix your P&L layout: If you can’t read it easily, it’s not helping you run your business.

Talk to your accountant early: Especially before the end of the financial year—don’t wait until it’s too late to optimise.

Don’t rely on software alone: Most accounting platforms don’t give you the clarity you need to make good decisions.

Budget for growth, not just survival: Whether you’re scaling or stabilising, budgeting puts you in the driver’s seat.

Forecasting brings peace of mind: When you can see your money, you can sleep better at night.

“Miscellaneous” isn’t a category

📘 Download your free Cash Flow Workbook here: maxmyprofit.com.au/cash
If you want to stop flying blind and start building a more profitable, stress-free business, this episode is a great place to start. Subscribe for more straight-talking advice from Ben and David to help you max your business potential.

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, join hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin as they dive into why tracking KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) is absolutely critical if you want to grow and future-proof your business.
With their usual practical, no-nonsense advice, Ben and David unpack how KPIs serve as the "dashboard" for your business, helping you stay on course, measure progress, and make better decisions rather than relying on gut feel alone. They also share real-world strategies for setting up simple, effective KPIs that keep you and your team focused without overwhelming anyone.
Listeners will walk away with a clear understanding of what KPIs to track, how to introduce them into your business, and why they are the secret weapon for building a more profitable, stress-free business.

Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
02:44 – What a KPI actually is and why it is critical for business success
06:13 – The dangers of relying purely on gut feel
08:34 – How to set KPIs properly (keep them simple and measurable)
11:16 – Understanding leading versus lagging KPIs
13:00 – Real-world example: using a 100-point KPI system to drive sales
19:46 – Common mistakes to avoid when setting KPIs
21:07 – How cash flow forecasting gives business owners peace of mind
24:06 – The power of visual dashboards and simple KPI tracking
31:40 – The five essential KPIs every business should measure
33:44 – Best practice: setting 3 to 5 KPIs per role for clarity and performance

Key Takeaways:
KPIs are indicators, not just numbers: They show whether you are on track to achieve your goals.
Start small and simple: One good KPI is better than 20 confusing ones.
Focus on both activity and outcomes: It is not just about being busy, it is about getting results.
Leading KPIs predict the future: Track actions that drive the results you want.
Make KPIs visible: Visual dashboards and graphs make it easier for your team to stay on course.
Review KPIs regularly: KPIs only work if you check them often and act when needed.
KPIs help you build a business that can run without you: They are essential if you want to step back and still see your business grow.
🚀 Download your free copy of 63 KPI Examples to kickstart your business dashboard. Head to maxmyprofit.com.au/KPI to grab it now.
Tune in to this episode to learn how KPIs can become the silent engine behind a thriving, scalable business. Subscribe for more practical insights to help you Max Your Business!

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, join hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin as they explore what truly drives the value of a business beyond just profits and sales. Packed with actionable insights and real-life examples, this episode reveals the strategies to maximise the worth of your business through systemisation, customer retention, marketing effectiveness, owner independence, and a strong team culture.
Listeners will gain practical strategies on leveraging technology like AI, automating routine tasks, creating consistent revenue streams, and fostering an environment where the business thrives without the owner's constant involvement.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
04:08 – Exploring AI’s power in automation and daily business tasks
06:41 – Common misconceptions around business valuation and profit
12:56 – How to identify and systemise repetitive tasks
17:08 – "Systemise the routine, humanise the exception" – what this means in action
21:07 – Real examples of saving time through automation and tools
24:59 – Why repeat customers add more value than one-off buyers
30:02 – Subscription services and what we can learn from major brands
32:35 – Building reputation and marketing systems that scale
35:09 – Reducing owner dependency to boost overall business value
37:41 – A strong team culture as a key driver of long-term success
Key Takeaways:
Systemise for Success: Automating routine tasks significantly enhances efficiency and business value.
Customer Loyalty Pays: Repeat customers and robust loyalty programs directly impact business valuation.
Strategic Marketing: Effective, predictable marketing systems are vital for sustained growth.
Owner Independence: Businesses are more valuable when they can operate effectively without constant owner involvement.
Team Strength: Cultivating a strong team culture and clear organisational roles increases the attractiveness and longevity of your business.
🚀 Get your free Business Value Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/value and start maximising the true value of your business today!
Tune in for invaluable insights and expert advice from Ben and David, designed to help you elevate your business to new levels of profitability and sustainability. Subscribe now to stay updated with more essential business strategies!

In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, join hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin as they unpack the proven power of SMART goals. Discover how clearly defined goals can significantly accelerate your business success and turn your ideas into reality.
Ben and David provide straightforward, practical advice on setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound—and they also introduce two bonus elements to create SMARTER goals, designed to ramp up your motivation and success.
Filled with relatable stories, practical examples, and expert insights drawn from their extensive experience as business coaches, this episode will help you confidently set achievable goals, maintain momentum, and consistently track your progress.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast
06:30 – What are SMART Goals? Breaking down the acronym clearly
10:38 – SMART in action: Practical examples of effective goal-setting
11:00 – Bonus Insight: Visualising success and why it matters
13:10 – The GPS analogy: Starting from the outcome to map your path
17:24 – Common mistakes people make with goal-setting and how to avoid them
28:28 – SMARTER Goals: Evaluating and reviewing your goals regularly
29:30 – SMARTER Goals: Rewarding yourself to boost motivation
31:30 – Why writing goals down significantly increases success rates
37:00 – Creating your step-by-step action plan
40:02 – The power of accountability in achieving your goals
41:30 – How to get started today

Key Takeaways:
Be Clear and Specific: Clearly defined goals dramatically boost your chances of success.
Measure Progress: Regular measurement keeps you focused and informed.
Keep it Achievable and Realistic: Set ambitious yet attainable goals.
Set Deadlines: Timelines and checkpoints make goals actionable and urgent.
Regular Check-ins: Regularly evaluate your progress and adjust as needed.
Celebrate Wins: Rewarding yourself boosts motivation and encourages continued success.
🚀 Grab your SMART Goals Workbook at: maxmyprofit.com.au/smart
Tune in for actionable insights and proven strategies from Ben and David’s years of coaching experience. Don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes designed to help you max your business potential!