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In this episode, Stuart and Mena discuss the importance of fanatic discipline in achieving long-term business success. Drawing a parallel with health and fitness, Stuart explains that, just like staying in shape requires consistent effort over time, business success is driven by small, simple tasks executed with unwavering discipline over months and years.

They explore the concept of "fanatical discipline," a term coined by Jim Collins, which refers to a business’s commitment to following specific practices and maintaining focus on long-term goals despite any external challenges. Mena highlights key characteristics of discipline, such as consistency, accountability, and long-term focus, which are essential for maintaining high performance.

The episode also outlines practical ways small businesses can apply this discipline, including defining core values, creating simple processes, encouraging accountability, and fostering consistent leadership. Stuart shares insights on how a disciplined culture can lead to sustained performance, resilience, and team cohesion, while Mena discusses actionable steps for implementing these practices.

Listeners will leave with a clear understanding of how fanatic discipline when embraced at every level of an organisation, can lead to sustainable growth and success.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

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SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore the powerful Flywheel concept, originally developed by Jim Collins, and how it can drive sustainable growth in business. They explain that great companies don’t rely on one key strategy but instead build momentum through a series of interconnected, reinforcing activities that create a cycle of success. The episode delves into the components of the Flywheel, using real-world examples to demonstrate how it works in practice.

Stuart highlights the importance of continuous improvement and iteration, showing how companies can refine their processes and grow over time. Mena walks listeners through the steps a company can take to discover its own Flywheel, from identifying core values and customer insights to mapping key activities that drive growth.

This episode is perfect for business owners and entrepreneurs looking to unlock scalable, resilient growth. Stuart and Mena show how understanding the Flywheel can offer a more sustainable and effective approach than traditional strategies. Whether you’re familiar with the concept or learning about it for the first time, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable steps to help your business build lasting momentum.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart Wemyss and Mena explore strategies to enhance business productivity amidst Australia’s declining productivity rates. They begin by discussing the factors contributing to this decline, including a lack of competition, excessive bureaucracy, and a tight labour market. Both Stuart and Mena emphasise that businesses shouldn't wait for market forces to push them towards productivity but should actively seek improvements.

They share actionable tips across five key areas:

1. Employee Productivity: Assess skills, set clear performance metrics, and foster open communication for feedback.
2. Process Optimisation: Analyse workflows, automate tasks, and leverage technology to streamline operations.
3. Resource Management: Optimise inventory and upgrade equipment to eliminate bottlenecks.
4. Customer Relationship Management: Gather customer feedback, improve communication systems, and focus on the right customer selection to reduce inefficiencies.
5. Financial Management: Regularly review expenses and ensure effective budgeting and forecasting.

Stuart and Mena conclude by highlighting that focusing on just one or two of these areas could lead to significant results, urging listeners to take proactive steps in driving productivity.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart and Mena introduce Jim Collins' book 'Great by Choice', focusing on how companies thrive in uncertain and chaotic environments. They explore the concept of "firing bullets, then cannonballs," where businesses test ideas with small, low-risk experiments before scaling successful ones. Using Apple as an example, they discuss how the iPod started as a small project but led to the launch of iTunes, which eventually became a multi-billion-dollar revenue stream.

The episode highlights the disciplined strategies of 10X companies like Microsoft and Intel, which outperformed their industries by consistently hitting performance benchmarks (the "20 Mile March") and developing Specific, Methodical, and Consistent (SMaC) practices. Stuart and Mena also delve into the concept of "productive paranoia," urging leaders to stay vigilant and prepare for potential risks, even in good times. They close the episode by encouraging businesses to test new ideas cautiously, validate them, and then invest in scaling them, reducing the risk of failure while fostering innovation.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Mena and Stuart dive into the various ways rising interest rates can impact businesses. They explain how higher interest rates directly affect business valuation by reducing multiples, as higher required returns lower company values. The discussion also covers the increasing costs of holding inventory and tighter payment terms from creditors due to higher interest rates.

They address the rising cost of capital for businesses seeking funding through credit cards, overdrafts, and bank bills, noting borrowing costs can now reach 7.5% to 8.5% per annum. Additionally, both consumer and business demand take a hit, with less discretionary spending available, which can slow business growth and alter purchasing behaviours.

Mena and Stuart highlight the challenges higher interest rates pose to personal cash flow needs from business, and they offer insights on navigating these conditions by focusing on sectors less sensitive to rate changes, securing contract revenue, and continuously adding value to customers regardless of the economic environment.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this podcast, Mena and Stuart emphasise the importance of staying focused on your own business strategy and pace. They caution against common mistakes like investing in unsuitable assets, withdrawing funds without considering tax implications, and being lured by quick-fix strategies due to FOMO.

They stress the need to define personal success without comparing oneself to others, advocating for steady progress over time. Managing cash flow, prioritising investments, and diversifying beyond business interests are key strategies they highlight.

Ultimately, they encourage listeners to trust their own path, resist distractions, and prioritise sustainable growth aligned with their own goals and values.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

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In this episode, Stuart and Mena explore why self-employed individuals often gravitate toward property investment and the key considerations they should keep in mind. They discuss the appeal of property as an easily understood and tangible asset, particularly for those with strong incomes but limited cash reserves. Property investment can offer control, tax advantages through gearing, and the potential for self-employed individuals to purchase their business premises, further integrating their business and personal wealth strategies.

However, they also highlight the common mistakes self-employed investors make, such as focusing on quantity over quality, delaying the maximisation of borrowing capacity due to accounting structures, and choosing the wrong ownership structure without considering all tax implications. Stuart and Mena emphasise the importance of understanding these pitfalls and maintaining adequate cash flow buffers to manage volatility.

The episode concludes with a discussion on why self-employed people shouldn't overlook shares as part of their investment strategy, noting the benefits of income, liquidity, and the ease of investing in diversified ETFs. If you're self-employed and considering property investment, this episode provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

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9/11/22 - How do I maximise negative gearing tax benefits from investing in property?

10/5/23 - Should you own your business premises?

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.

Send us a text

In this episode, Mena and Stuart discuss practical strategies for businesses to navigate an economic slowdown or recession in Australia, reflecting on the lessons learned from the 1990-1992 recession, where unemployment soared to 10.8% and interest rates approached 20%.

Key points include:

1. Assessing Business Sensitivity.
2. Scenario Planning.
3. Strengthening Financial Resilience.
4. Cost Management.
5. Strategic Divestment.
6. Personal Financial Impact.
7. Developing a Contingency Plan.

This episode offers valuable insights for business owners looking to safeguard their operations and personal finances against the challenges of an economic downturn.

If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating on your favourite podcast platform. It helps us reach more incredible listeners like you. Thank you for being a part of the journey!

Click here to subscribe to our weekly email.

SPECIAL OFFER: Buy a one of Stuart's books for ONLY $20 including delivery. Use the discount code blog here.

Work with Mena & Stuart's team: At ProSolution Private Clients we encourage clients to adopt a holistic and evidence-based approach when making financial decisions. Visit our website.

Follow us: Stuart: Twitter/X and LinkedIn. Mena: LinkedIn

IMPORTANT: This podcast provides general information about finance, taxes, and credit. This means that the content does not consider your specific objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is crucial for you to assess whether the information is suitable for your circumstances before taking any actions based on it. If you find yourself uncertain about the relevance or your specific needs, it is advisable to seek advice from a licensed and trustworthy professional.