Tradie Business School Podcast

Clients are essential to every business. But there are times when they can be an obstacle to your growth. Their demands can get heavy and troublesome, which may not only affect your team’s performance, but also disturb their psychological well-being and social values. As business owners, it is crucial to set boundaries and know when and how to let go of these clients.  In today’s podcast episode, Michael and Miranda share tips on how to fire a client and their experiences in dealing with these types of people in the field. They also discuss how following a systemic process and initiating proper conversations help business owners understand their goals.If you’re thinking of weeding out some clients in your roster, then this is the perfect time to tune in to this episode!    Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  1:36 Why do you fire a client?  4:03 Facing the costs of holding on to bad clients  6:19 Identify your business goals and values  7:09 Taking authority and leadership  10:59 Ways to avoid firing a client  14:19 Create a system you want to follow 16:40 Separating emotions from your reason   Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, visit our website at https://tradiebusinessschool.com/ or subscribe to The Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you considered yourself very busy? People, in general, often say this when there’s too much on their plate or when they don’t have time to do a particular task. Busyness varies for everyone, yet it could also mean a sign of unproductivity, an underlying problem, or faulty thinking that you’re making more money. For a tradie or business owner who wants to get significant results, how can you be efficient?  In today’s podcast episode, Michael and Miranda offer practical tips on managing busy work schedules. They explain that being effective and intentional about time is key to being productive. Miranda also shares how citing an everyday mantra helps keep you relaxed and focused.  Ready to tick a bunch of tasks off your list today? Then listen to this episode!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  2:59 When and how does busyness occur? 7:22 Making a task order  9:14 Eliminate distractions by time blocking  12:46 Batching workload with similar nature 15:10 You get what you focus on 17:12 Setting targets for every task 19:36 Busyness doesn’t exist until you label it as such Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  The Time-Block Planner: A Daily Method of Deep Work in a Distracted World by Cal Newport (https://www.timeblockplanner.com/#timeplanner)  The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies by Chet Holmes (https://chetholmes.com/ch4/)   You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, visit our website at https://tradiebusinessschool.com/ or subscribe to The Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nowadays, there are more job ads than there are applicants. People today are valuing their worth and being more critical in the jobs they apply to. As a business owner, how can you catch their attention and make your ads more attractive to talented workers? In today’s episode, Miranda talks about the three most common ad mistakes that tradies make. She highlights the importance of a good headline and makes suggestions on how to improve your job ads. She also offers a few strategies on how to write your ads. If you’re having trouble getting calls for your job ads, then tune in to this to see if you’re making these fatal mistakes! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  0:39 How labor shortage affects businesses 3:49 Other platforms for ads 6:11 First mistake: the ad is all about ‘we’ 7:58 Second mistake: not talking to the applicant 10:18 Third mistake: having a vanilla headline 13:28 Recommendations on writing ads 15:14 Be really clear on how to apply Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.   Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your employees are a representation of your business’ core values. When the business and its staff are not aligned with their goals, then it’s a problem for everyone. At some point, you have to realise when it’s time to move them, but how can you know exactly when is the right time? For this podcast episode, Barry, Michael, and Miranda talk about evaluating your staff and deciding when to let them go. They also talk about best practices when hiring new staff. Barry also highlights the importance of having a process when hiring and onboarding new employees. Make sure that you don’t make the same mistakes as other businesses do by listening to this podcast! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  0:36 Key signs that it’s time to move a staff on 2:53 Fire fast and hire slow 4:09 The problem is people are conditioned to immediate gratification 8:29 Importance of values in hiring 11:48 How to know if someone fits your values 13:24 Have an objective criteria 15:51 Identifying when it’s time for someone to move on 17:41 Moving on is different from firing 19:05 Adding an element of compassion Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.   Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No matter how many projects you have now, if your business is not making profit, then there's a problem. A lot of business owners make the mistake of thinking that they're making money, but forget to take into account the expenses. Are you earning enough every month to actually keep your business alive? Or are you using future jobs to pay for past expenses? In this week’s podcast episode, Barry and Michael dive into the common reasons why tradies get cash flow issues. They offer tips on what strategies businesses can use to ensure that they are earning money. Barry also discusses the importance of managing the amount of jobs you take in. If you are someone who is tight on cash and needs help improving their business’ financial situation, then this episode is for you! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  2:11 Businesses should be making profit 4:37 Have a form of basic measurement 7:49 It’s possible that your business can grow too fast 9:40 Two common causes of cash issues 12:20 What can you do about it? 16:53 Managing your payment terms Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global (https://www.facebook.com/groups/gamechangingtradies) Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.   Thank you for tuning in!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best way to know how well your business is performing is through measurements. It’s important to have key performance indicators to check whether you are meeting your goals and quotas. For a business owner who has never done KPIs before, where do you start? In today's podcast episode, Michael and Miranda talk about the importance of KPIs and how it affects businesses. They also discuss what are things that tradies can measure based on the kind of outcome they are trying to evaluate. Miranda also explains how KPIs can measure the effectiveness of job roles. Want to start tracking your business’ performance today? Then tune in to this episode! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 1:14 What are KPIs? 4:00 Measurement is important 5:52 Choosing what you should measure 10:42 Where to start looking for the numbers 13:02 Measuring job positions 15:25 Building and measuring morale 16:05 How to measure marketing and leads 19:42 Start with the basics first before going granular 21:00 Make measuring as important as other tasks Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Negative reviews are a natural part of business. There will always be somebody who isn’t satisfied with your service but instead of beating yourself up about it, you can use this to your advantage. What should businesses do in order to turn a negative review into a positive one? For this week’s podcast episode, Michael gives advice on what to do when you receive negative feedback. He highlights two simple steps to handling a bad review and the best way to respond to them. Find out what you can do when getting a bad review by watching this episode! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  1:18 First, respond professionally 3:22 Don’t focus on the negativity 3:58 Focus on getting more positive reviews 5:07 Ask for testimonials as often as possible 6:48 Word of caution when gathering large number of referrals Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hiring unfit employees is costly. Nobody wants an employee that they’ve spent weeks interviewing, only to end up leaving with a few months. If you keep attracting these kinds of prospects, then there may be a problem with how you’re advertising your job positions. What can you do in order to attract the right people?   For this week’s podcast episode, Barry and Miranda discuss how trades businesses can find great hires. They talk about how business values and visions will translate in your marketing and how to tailor your job posts to the kind of person you are looking for. Barry also emphasised the importance of having an active process in place for both the vetting and onboarding stage. Watch this episode to learn more about finding exceptional employees! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  1:00 The current hiring environment 3:40 Rushed ads attract poor prospects 5:21 A poor hire can cost you 7:28 Money is not the reason why employees leave 9:20 Two key components to finding people who want to work for you 11:29 How to weave values into marketing a role 14:12 Tips to writing to the person you want to attract 15:48 System done is better than a system perfect Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If nothing changes, then nothing changes. Entrepreneurs are always looking to improve their business, but many of them aren’t taking actionable steps to actually create change. If you are just doing the same thing as you did last year, then the results will continue to be the same. Ask yourself, what did you do differently in these past few months that has helped you achieve your goals?  In this podcast episode, Barry, Miranda, and Michael engage in a conversation about The Path to Freedom book. Barry shares his past experiences and how it has led to the creation of the book. He also offers advice on when to invest time in your business. They discuss the hindrances that are keeping business owners from taking action.  With these insights, you can discover new ways to grow your business and how this book will help you along the way. Stay tuned for today’s episode! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  1:29 Background to the creation of the book 5:40 The power within the pages 6:47 Tips for busy tradies on going about the book 9:29 The best time to invest in your business is when you’re busy 10:41 Excuses that entrepreneurs say 12:26 Are you happy with what you’ve achieved in the past four months? 13:42 People don’t believe that change is that simple 15:37 How did he know the sequence of the steps? 19:26 Biggest mistakes people are making with the book 23:58 Success leaves clues 24:34 Who is this book for? Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Systemising is something every business owner wants but very few are able to actually do it. What some people don’t realise is that systems already exist when you do step-by-step tasks. It’s just a matter of documenting them. In this podcast episode, Miranda and Michael discuss how trades businesses can get starting on creating a system. Miranda discusses the benefits of systemising and how it can be seen in your everyday processes. She also talks about how systems can give you more freedom in your business. Know how you can make your business run more smoothly with this episode! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction  1:33 What is systemising your business? 3:30 Every business wants to systemise but don’t follow through 4:43 Systemising as a trades business  5:26 Start with a checklist 6:40 Applying systemising to a customised job 8:19 Deciding to be a system-driven business 10:46 You don’t have to write it yourself Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies & General Contractors Global Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A vision is like your North Star. It defines the identity of your business and where it is headed. However, many have pushed it aside, thinking that there is no immediate benefit or there’s just not enough time to make one. Having a vision is more than just getting more money; but it will be the key to growing your business. So, how do you get started in creating one? For this week’s podcast episode, Barry and Miranda discuss why vision is the first chapter in the book The Path to Freedom. They discuss the importance of a vision in business and how it can help you achieve growth. Barry explains how a vision can motivate your staff and attract both the right people and the right hires.  If you’ve struggled with creating a vision for your company, we highly recommend that you tune in to this podcast! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 1:10 Background story 3:27 What a vision means in business5:52 What stops people from creating a vision?7:53 Three reasons to create a vision8:29 Vision motivates your staff11:29 A vision is constantly evolving14:05 How you can start creating your vision today16:50 The vision is like the DNA of your business18:12 This is where your money is19:14 Key questions to ask when creating your vision Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Tradies and General Contractors Global  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.  Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big problem of entrepreneurs is that they want to be the ones to do everything. While the pursuit of perfection is good, wanting to perfect projects to the point that you have a hard time assigning them to others will most likely do more harm than good. At some point, you must consider loosening the reins and allowing your staff to do the work so you can focus on other areas of your business.  In this week’s podcast episode, Michael and Barry talk about business owners who can’t stop doing all the work themselves. They discuss the downfalls of having a business that is too reliant on you. Barry also explains how your subconscious mind influences your decisions and how mistakes can benefit your growth. Learn more about yourself as an entrepreneur in this episode today! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:58 Being a control freak is preventing your growth3:32 How to learn to let go5:20 Barry shares his mistakes when he first started his business8:18 Don’t take mistakes personally9:39 Are you conscious of the decisions you make?12:17 Our unconscious identities can drive our decisions13:33 Mistakes build resilience15:40 Network and get help to develop your skills18:57 Questions to ask yourself as an entrepreneur Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1) You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you’re a successful entrepreneur, it’s easy to get stuck in what you know. Your business problems are often a reflection of your beliefs and values. What a lot of tradies do is develop their own identities that tell them what is and is not possible for their business. One day, you will encounter problems that will challenge your beliefs, but what can you do to move forward? This week’s podcast episode has Barry and Miranda talk about how your personal mindset can be a hindrance to your success. They talk about how personal identities shape your decisions on businesses and how awareness can be a catalyst for growth. Barry also shares his experiences of being stuck in a certain mindset and how a new perspective was able to help his business. Are you sure your beliefs are preventing you from going to the next level in your business? Watch this episode to find out! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:33 A great business is boring2:28 Internal conflict preventing success3:42 Problems in your business are a reflection of you4:43 Going through the boring bits to transition to what’s next5:36 Entrepreneurs create unconscious identities9:11 Awareness is the first step10:29 The psychology of success in business11:30 Developing a new believe to what is possible14:07 Process of reforming your identity 17:19 Recognize evidences of growth Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom: The 9 Steps to Create a Highly Profitable Business That Runs Without You (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/freebook) You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Systemisation is key to freedom. It allows your business to run and operate without relying on you. For business owners who feel intimidated by systemising their businesses, you don’t have to; you just need to start with one and, from there, create more. Systems also don’t have to be perfect; you can revise and refine them as you see fit.  In this podcast episode, Barry, Miranda, and Michael discuss how you can create systems for your business. They lay down detailed steps to make systems easier to understand for any person. Michael also highlighted the benefits of using templates to make systemisation simpler and encourage new hires to create their systems. If you want more strategies that will help your business run more smoothly, then check out this episode! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:27 How Barry learned about systems 1:43 Systems don’t have to be ready before you can start 3:01 The time thing is the problem 4:20 The business owner is the worst person to write systems 5:02 Everyone wants systems but don’t want to write them 6:13 Templates gives a framework to write systems 7:06 Challenge the people you hire to systemise their roles8:27 Define systems 13:46 Steps of systemisation 21:06 Final takeaways  Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  Download this free resource: The Process for Implementing a System (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/free-resources/) Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When was the last time you checked your business plan? Most business owners have a plan but are not actively using it. With a business plan, it’s easy to see where your business is heading and how your day-to-day operations should look like. When you utilise your business plan, you don’t have to struggle with setting goals and achieving them.  For this week’s podcast episode, Barry and Miranda discuss the definition and importance of a business plan. They also explained the three main components that will help you create your plan. They talked about establishing key performance indicators and having a 12-month goal to determine your success for the end of each year. With this information, you can grow your business and get ahead of your competitors. Stay tuned for today’s episode! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:26 Initial experience making a business plan2:13 Importance of a business plan2:46 What is a business plan5:19 Create your mission, vision, and values7:20 How your vision influences the way you run your business8:04 What is the target of your business11:22 How to implement the ‘why’ and ‘what’ of your business plan12:04 Make a 90-day plan15:09 Accountability15:51 Simple steps to making a plan Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  Books mentioned in the episode:  The Path to Freedom: The 9 Steps to Create a Highly Profitable Business That Runs Without You (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone desires to get to a place where they have the time and money for the lifestyle that they want, and setting business goals is a crucial part of getting there. However, many find it challenging to achieve them. This difficulty around attaining the business goals you set makes you wonder if you’re doing something wrong or if the problem is the goal itself.  In this week’s podcast episode, Miranda identifies the three reasons we do not achieve our business goals. She talks about how your fears cause you to avoid tasks that will lead you to success. She also explains why it’s important to set long enough timelines without losing the urgency needed to motivate you. Miranda also identifies the importance of aligning your goals to your values. Start achieving your goals and set yourself up for success by tuning in to this episode today! Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:46 What is a business goal1:23 Reasons why people set business goals3:02 Fear of success disguised as fear of failure4:08 Examples of fear hindering success7:21 Setting a goal that is too big8:06 Cognitive dissonance9:43 Having enough stretch in your goal10:29 Setting the suitable timeframe for you11:41 How values shape your actions12:56 Values mismatch15:09 Lack of motivation as a result16:11 The difference between misaligned values and disliking tasks17:25 Recap of three reasons Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  Download the free book THE PATH TO FREEDOM by BARRY WILLIAME MAGLIARDITI (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/freebook)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More jobs mean more profits! As dreamy as that sounds, winning those jobs is a tedious task for most tradie business owners. What most business owners do is that drop their pants in order to win jobs that do not give them any profits which is not the point of why you’re in business anyway. So how do you go about winning jobs without dropping your pants? In this podcast episode, Barry and Michael engage in a conversation around the topic of winning jobs. Barry shares what his experience was like when he was in the Kitchen manufacturing business and how he was able to grow it into one of the most expensive businesses in Tasmania. Michael talks about gaining the skill of handling objections around your pricing and they both address tried and true ways to make sure the jobs you win are profitable.  Grow your business in a way that gives you the life you want. Check out this episode today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 1:01 Quoting work 2:31 Value yourself to attract high-paying clients 3:21 A line you tell potential clients that will get you the job  5:25 The proper way of giving discounts 7:31 Differentiation makes you stand out 7:42 Build the skill of handling objections 8:21 Giving discounts and standing for your price11:36 ‘Yes, you’re right... BECAUSE’ 14:03 Unique differentiator 17:55 Being profitable is the point of business  Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  Podcast episodes mentioned:  6 P’s to Planning that Guarantees Success and Fulfilment (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/6-ps-to-planning-that-guarantees-success-and-fulfilment/)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The demand for acquiring SEO services is higher, especially since thriving nowadays means having an online presence. Many business owners are acquiring SEO companies’ services but are unsure of what SEO is and what it does for the company. Hence, it begs the question, should SEO be the first course of action to take to improve your business’s online presence?  In this week’s podcast episode, Michael and Miranda discuss the biggest mistake that trades business owners make when hiring an SEO company. They talk about Google Ads and what traffic and conversion mean. They also tackle the importance of having a converting offer before diving into SEO and the difference between a website and a landing page.  This information is something that tradespeople can arm themselves with to grow their business effectively. Tune in to this episode today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 1:14 What is the biggest mistake? 3:01 The biggest opportunity 4:39 Google Ads5:38 Start with Google Ads, not SEO 6:38 Other pitfalls in SEO7:31 Traffic and conversion 8:44 Where a click goes is very important 10:05 Create a converting offer first 10:48 Website vs. landing page   Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors (formerly Off the Tools)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Leads are like the lifeblood of a business. It is what gives you the power to scale and grow your business quickly. For those new in business, generating leads can seem like an intimidating task, but it isn’t. It’s actually really simple that you can start generating it for your business today.  In this podcast episode, Michael shares three easy ways to generate leads for your business. He also talks about how a great offer is important to drive more leads, and how you can start creating an offer that potential customers will find enticing.  If you are interested about learning more about lead-generation, this episode is a good starting point. Check it out today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:27 Leads give you leverage to scale and grow your business rapidly 1:37 Referrals 1:51 Google 2:43 Local community 3:53 A great offer!5:30 Recommendations for creating a great offer  Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you have your hands full with things to do, it’s so easy to kick planning to the side. But in doing so, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Devoting time to plan for your business and life is crucial to your success. You should never underestimate its power, as it can do wonders for you and your business.  In this podcast episode, your hosts, Barry and Michael, share the 6 P’s to planning. They discuss the importance of allocating time to plan and what proper planning looks like. They also discuss why you should outline the things you don’t want so you can plan properly and evaluate whether you are where you’re supposed to be.  You’ll love how informative this episode is so you can jumpstart your planning today.  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:49 The 6 P’s 1:21 Allocating time to plan is crucial 3:27 What is proper planning? 5:10 Plans should be outcome-focused 6:06 Plans should be consistent 8:29 A plan is a map from A to B - What do I want, and how do I get there? 9:43 What DON’T you want? 10:09 Recommended tips for evaluating where you want to be 13:12 Progress, not perfection  Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game-Changing Tradies and Contractors  Books mentioned in this episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Busy is not the gauge of productivity. There are so many tradies and contractors who think that if they are doing more, it means that they are producing more. And while they have tons of to-do’s on their calendars, it still seems like nothing got accomplished at the end of the week, which then translates to time wasted. Achieving more with less is possible if we learn how to work smarter.  In this podcast episode, your hosts, Barry, Miranda, and Michael, discuss this interesting topic on productivity. They explain the importance of time and how it is the scarcest resource on this planet. They also share a tool that has transformed how they do work and how it helps you manage your time and activities to make you more productive without being busy.  Check out this informative episode!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:31 The tool that transforms the way you do business 1:51 Time is always an issue among trades business owners 2:50 Time is the scarcest resource (not money) 3:50 The Task Audit Process4:46 The problem of not recording what you do 5:18 Important advise to heed 7:23 Don’t disregard the simplicity of this process 8:19 DOCS (Delegate, Outsource, Continue, Stop) 10:33 Evaluating the things you ‘should’ do 11:31 Actively listing your tasks is transformative 12:45 Distinguish between tasks that are high-value or low-value14:06 Is a system ready for you?  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join us on our Facebook Group -  Off the Tools community.  A free tool that will transform your business - The Task Audit Process (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/free-resources/) Books mentioned in this episode The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1)    You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can also listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let’s all admit that it is downright frustrating when we ask someone to do something but do not get the results we want. But before we think that someone is a hopeless case, it’s best to evaluate what is causing the problem and how business owners, whether you are in the trades or another industry, can address the issues and provide the necessary solutions.  In this podcast episode, your host, Miranda Hill, discusses the three reasons why people don’t do what you want them to do. She also shares practical advise on addressing those problems, therefore avoiding the frustration altogether.  This bite-sized episode is something you need to hear today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 1:01 Frustrations arise when we don’t get the results we want 2:00 People don’t understand why something you want them to do matters 4:13 Communicate why it matters 4:47 People don’t know what you want them to do 5:33 Take a look at your processes 6:25 People don’t know how to do something 7:18 Think through the lens of the three reasons elaborated in this episode  Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winning more jobs is what business owners - tradies and contractors alike, want. But it is a tedious task and downright frustrating, especially if you keep on chasing potential clients, putting in the effort required, and yet, in the end, be rejected. But there’s a better and smarter way to do this, and all it needs is one small tweak that results in an abundance of work.  In this podcast episode, your hosts, Barry and Michael, share the secret sauce to winning more jobs for your business. It is so simple that anyone can do it. This method is not known to most of your competitors but is a surefire way to increase your conversion rates.  Tune in to this episode today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 1:01 A common frustration that trades business owners face 1:44 Addressing your skepticisms regarding this method 2:36 The psychological shift that happens in the customer’s mind3:03 A change in your language increases the value of what you present 3:27 Increase your conversion rate by getting paid to do a ‘plan’6:01 Sell the value of what you do 7:18 Incorporating creativity into the ‘plan’ 8:33 Never email your plan; present it! 10:19 Michael challenges trades business owners  Resources: Visit the Tradie Business School website (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/)  Join us on our Facebook Group -  Game Changing Tradies and Contractors  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do we measure growth? When exactly can you say that your business is growing and thriving? Many tradies and general contractors are baffled when it comes to this topic. There is the common misconception that more jobs mean more profits or that being busy is tantamount to success and business growth. Sadly, this is not the truth.  In this podcast episode, Miranda and Michael shed light on this dilemma. They share the most important thing a business owner should look at to gauge profitability. Miranda and Michael also debunk common misconceptions regarding business growth. It is a discussion that allows you to really start focusing on what matters.  Listen to this episode today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:34 Episode overview 1:19 Busy doesn’t mean profitable 1:49 It’s all about numbers 2:32 Busy and time are not in your P&L 0:00 Key numbers to look at0:00 Profitability vs. revenue-ability0:00 Job management software 0:00 Knowing your numbers gives you control  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join us on our Facebook Group - Game Changing Tradies & Contractors You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. You can also listen to the Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the current business landscape, we need to have an online presence to tell the world about our services or products. One of the best ways to do that is through a website. But if you have a website that is not serving you right, then it’s most likely because you have focused too much on the design that you forgot about what really matters.  In this week’s podcast episode, Michael McNish, our chief marketing officer, discusses important points to consider if you want to get the most out of your website. He shares what the critical element is to make your website work and serve you right. He also gives tips and websites that you can make to reach your audience and meet your business goals.  Check out this episode today!  Discussion Points:  0:00 Introduction  1:00 A good website vs. a bad one  2:14 What is your goal for your website? 4:33 Design is the least important part of a website  5:10 Your content is key  5:55 Find a copywriter  7:56 Website mobile responsiveness 9:22 Check out your competitors and what they offer  10:00 Be different and add more value 11:24 Design elements tips  13:04 Congruence is important  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join us on our Facebook Group -  Off the Tools community.  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can listen to the Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are good people tough to find? This obstacle is something that trades business owners encounter all of the time. But finding good people is more than just putting up a for-hire sign out there. If you want to attract the right people to your team, there is work involved, and this work starts with you and the beliefs you have. In today’s podcast episode, Barry and Miranda address the problem of finding good people to join your team. They share what it means when you’re not finding them or attracting them and essential steps you can take to change that. They also talk about how beliefs play a role in this area.  Tune in to this episode today!  Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:34 Barry’s personal story of how he couldn’t find good people for his team 0:56 What it means when you’re not getting good people on your team 1:46 Limiting beliefs limit you 2:45 Your vibe attracts your tribe 6:03 Remove the limiting beliefs you have 7:45 Your skills were developed over time10:11 Evaluate if you have limiting beliefs10:35 Good people that fit your team are out there  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join us on our Facebook Group -  Off the Tools community.  Listen to episode 005: Why Doing the Work Yourself Is Costing You Thousands (https://tradiebusinessschool.com/why-doing-the-work-yourself-is-costing-you-thousands/)  Books mentioned in this episode:  The Path to Freedom by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.pathtofreedom.com.au/free-book-1) You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A mistake that most trades business owners make that they are not usually aware of is doing all the work themselves. This mistake is because of their understanding that it will save them money and time. While this is true to some point, they don’t know that they are limiting themselves to more opportunities to expand their businesses, therefore costing them thousands of dollars.  In today’s podcast episode, all three of your hosts, Barry, Miranda, and Michael, talk about the costs of doing all the work in your business. They also discuss why most business owners give in to the voice in their head that limits them. Furthermore, they tackle why a trades business owner needs to position their business to scale.  Relieve yourself of the burden of doing it all. Tune in to this episode today. ‘ Discussion Points: 0:00 Introduction 0:57 The myth that doing everything yourself will save you money 2:49 The problem of not charging enough money 3:43 The cost of time when you’re doing things yourself 4:36 What do you want to be as a business owner? 6:09  The business owner should be the strategic thinker 6:24 Setup the business to scale 7:48 The voice that limits you 8:34 Myth: Input equals output9:43 Leverage assets to increase your value 10:35 Debug the myth that you need to do everything 11:12 Transition is costly but worth it 11:34 Your capacity has a limit 13:04 There’s someone out there who’s better than you13:56 What things cost you when you’re doing all the work 14:46 What are the beliefs that you have  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join us on our Facebook Group -  Off the Tools community.  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The people you have in your team reflect you and your business. Sadly, many business owners are struggling with team mates who just can’t get things right. But before you put the entire blame on them and hire a new set of people to replace your team that sucks, it would be fair to consider a few things first within your organisation.  In today’s podcast, Miranda and Michael discuss important things to consider especially when faced with the dilemma of having a team of people that sucks. They explain why hiring a new set of people is not always the solution. They also talk about the difference between a brilliant team and a team that sucks and give helpful recommendations that any organisation can start doing to get your people to do what you expect them to.  Check out this episode today!  What’s Discussed in This Episode: 0:00 Introduction 0:54 People are the biggest problem that we have2:22 Undesirable behaviors in the team are costly 3:23 Recruiting is not always the solution 4:35 False: Finding good people is impossible! 5:05 A brilliant team vs. a team that sucks 5:51 Values and behavior 6:36 Values match 7:37 Hire for values not just skill 9:00 Communicate the values you want to see in your team  11:56 Values and behavior matter 12:46 Systems and processes 13:43 Document everything you do 14:01 Success is built on systems 14:29 Systems and processes empower teams  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join us on our Facebook Group -  Off the Tools community.  You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can also listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all want to scale our businesses and in order to do that we need people. But the hiring process is not easy, most trades businessmen make the mistake of hiring cheap only to end up in frustration and disappointment. Knowing who to hire is crucial for growing your business, and in order to make the best hiring decisions, processes and systems should be in place.  In this week’s podcast episode, all three of your hosts, Barry, Miranda, Michael, address the question of who to hire. They delve deep into the dilemma of hiring the wrong person. They also share their process on hiring better and discuss when to hire and not to hire an apprentice. Furthermore, they discuss why you shouldn’t do everything as a business owner and the reason doing it all isn’t the way forward and why you should allow yourself to step back from your business.  Gain amazing insights about hiring for your business today. Tune in now!  What’s Discussed in This Episode: 0:00 Introduction 0:47 Barry’s personal experience with hiring an apprentice 1:08 Why hiring the cheaper option is not ideal 3:06 Task audit 4:04 The DOCS acronym 5:24 Make better hiring decisions with a process 7:44 The reason why many don’t survive business 8:45 When to hire and not hire an apprentice11:41 Advantage of hiring contractors 13:16 The problem of doing everything yourself 14:06 Taking a step back to make better decisions and control 16:51 Apprenticeship is a way to pay it forward 17:23 Final takeaways  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join Off the Tools community. You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can also listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You have a business, you know that you are doing well, but you don’t know where all the money goes. This is a struggle that most business owners can relate to. Firstly because of a lack of financial education in schools, and secondly being a lack of systems to manage money better. However, if you’re intentional about growing and reaping the rewards of a successful business, it’s important to get a hold of your finances.  In today’s Tradie Business School podcast episode, Barry and Michael will address the dilemma most business owners face. They discuss why earning more isn’t always the means to having more. They also share a practical and simple system to manage your business’s finances. Moreover, they also share their personal experiences with regards to handling their finances and what they learned from it.  If you’re adamant about managing your finances better, this episode is for you. What’s Discussed in This Episode: 0:00 Introduction 1:09 Managing money is a struggle for many business owners 2:33 Debunk the myth ‘to have more, ‘earn more’ 4:53 Creating a system to manage money 7:50 Step-by-step process to follow to manage your money  20:05 Final takeaways  Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Books mentioned in this episode:  The Barefoot Investor (https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-Investor-Money-Guide-Youll/dp/0730324214)  Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Michael Michalowicz (https://www.amazon.com/Profit-First-Transform-Cash-Eating-Money-Making-ebook/dp/B01HCGYTH4)  Profit First Allocations by Michael Michalowicz (https://s3.amazonaws.com/ProfitFirst/Graphics+%26+Charts+From+Profit+First.pdf)  Join Off the Tools community. You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can also listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your business may be bringing in profit from various projects and deals, but are you getting enough from the investments you’ve made on them? Does the profit and loss margins match the growth of your business? If it’s a little rough around the edges, it’s high time to rethink the financial strategies related to your business processes. In today’s first episode, Miranda and Barry talk about knowing your worth as a trades businessman and why having an effective profit plan creates wonders for your business. We also talk about the different expenses incurred in your business and how you can clearly identify them. And stay to the end to know why price reviews have an impact on your company. This episode is full of exciting information for all business owners and trades, so tune in now! What’s Discussed in This Episode: 0:00 Introduction0:37Barry’s trades background2:17 The existence of internal resistance3:46 This podcast is helpful to anyone in the trades business4:35 Working on your fixed expenses first5:31 Above the line vs. below the line costs6:48 Consistently looking at the numbers and making smart choices7:31 The Profit Plan8:56 Mindset around charging more for your worth10:35 Steps to knowing how to charge for what you’re worth12:56 Allocating things properly13:06 Importance of auditing at least one job every month14:30 The data you gather is invaluable15:22 Anchoring on your capabilities and creating a sustainable business16:00 When to start increasing your prices19:40 Why price reviews matters Resources: The Game Changers (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)    Join Off the Tools community. You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can also listen to The Site Shed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The current demands of the industry rings an opportunity for many tradies or general contractors to take the leap and push their companies forward. But, what should they know first before investing their time, resources, and effort on changing the course of their business? In this very first episode of the Tradie Business School, Michael, Miranda, and I talk about why we created this podcast. We share our mission, and how we can help many contractors effectively maneuver their businesses towards success. It’s only the beginning of a wonderful and informative journey, so stay with us! Join us in the first episode and discover why listening to this podcast—even while riding your car or truck to work—will help you grow your company. What’s Discussed in This Episode: 01:00 Increase in the pressure and demands in the industry 02:42 Opportunities for tradies and contractors listening to this podcast03:10 Needed education on how to run a business in the right way 05:05 Help implement simple strategies and systems to grow businesses 06:17 Assist owners in managing different aspects of their business 07:55 This podcast’s mission 10:29 Basis for starting a business 14:11 Coaching program for tradies and general contractors  About the Hosts: Barry Magliarditi has been in the industry for more than 2 decades and he has been recognized not only as a leader, but also as an entrepreneur in the field. He is the founder and director of The Game Changers, an enterprise solely focused on assisting business owners develop different strategies to see tangible results in their businesses. As a business coach and trainer, he aims to help business owners build a profitable and sustainable business that can work without them.  Michael McNish is the marketing specialist in the team. He has a charismatic and charming personality, making him an approachable coach for different people. He loves to be the guide for individuals eager to make a big difference in the community and in the world.  Miranda Hill is an accredited behavioural profiler and performance coach. With years of experience in the field, she has helped many businesses find the perfect strategies fit for their company model. She wants to assist business owners accomplish long-term success in different aspects of their lives. Resources: The Game Changers Website (https://www.thegamechangers.com.au/)  Books mentioned in this episode: The Path To Freedom: The 9 Steps To Create A Highly Profitable Business That Runs Without You by Barry Williame Magliarditi (https://www.amazon.com/Path-Freedom-Profitable-Business-Without/dp/B08DC1G918)  Join Off the Tools community. You can also connect with us on Linkedin. For more podcast episodes, you may also visit our website. Tune in and subscribe to The Tradie Business School: You can also listen to the Tradie Business School on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Thank you for tuning in! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.