Business Habitat with Sam Dean

In Episode 124 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by Angela Tsai, Chief Marketing Office and CEO, and Cristina Castro, Chief Commercial Advisor of GYBWI – Grow Your Brand with Impact (GYBWI). Together Sam, Angela and Cristina have a fascinating conversation about entrepreneurship, doing work that you love, and finding your identity outside the corporate framework.

With a long career in management consulting and on the fast track for the C-suite, Angela came to realise she’d lost her passion. Through a series of fortuitous events, Angela found herself working in her own business, but with the same time constraints and pressures that she’d aspired to escape. That’s where GYBWI came in.

Angela was joined by long-time friend Cristina, whose own background in big brands and professional services equipped her to work with the team and understand the challenges of shedding the ostensible security provided by big corporate.

Together they are passionate about helping clients find their purpose in a way that aligns with an enterprise that can also make money. In this conversation they discuss with Sam the statistics around business success and failure, and the practical reality of needing to create a business around products and services that are truly in demand.

Sam, Angela and Cristina consider the vulnerability required to understand and develop purpose and identity, and why it’s so important to align with your business model. Working with professionals and experts in their field, Angela and Cristina challenge the mindset of trading time for money, and seek to help their clients create better business models that are both self-sustaining and thriving.

This compelling episode is sure to resonate, as it explores the need for accountability and consistency in approaching any worthy goal. Angela and Cristina share their learnings and the evolution of their business, and provide tangible evidence of the importance of alignment and authenticity in creating an impactful brand.

In Episode 123 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by James Rose, Co-Founder of Content Snare, a company designed to help businesses overcome the endless back and forth emails with their clients, both when onboarding and throughout the relationship, and the inevitable data loss that ensues when inadequate processes are in place.

More than just another automation system, Content Snare was initially intended to work with web design clients but then found a high demand for their offering in the professional services, most notably accounting firms. There was wide recognition that accountants were spending far too much time tracking down client information, when their skills could be put to much better use.

In this conversation, James and Sam talk through the early start up days of the business, covering off topics such as funding, and the need for agility to meet client requirements and demand. James explains how Content Snare is designed to provide a single source of the truth, improving efficiency for his clients and improving the reliability of data.

James also explains why he’s not a fan of all-in-one software solutions and gives examples of how systems and processes that have a narrower focus tend to be more effective, particularly when working in with purpose built integration tools.

With practical examples and surprising statistics around how much efficiency is gained with the right programmes, James and Sam deliver a compelling conversation that will have you re-evaluating where you’re spending your time, and how much more effective your team might be with the right systems in place.

In Episode 122 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined once again by Filip Fucic, Founder of Lift-off, a business designed to work with professionals such as accountants, lawyers and expert freelancers to help them rise their prices closer to the value they provide to the client.

In this conversation, Sam and Filip explore the dollars for hours mindset and discuss whether there has been a shift in thinking in light of evolving work practices in the last few years. They delve into the conundrum presented as experts become more efficient and produce better work in fewer hours, resulting in lower revenue as billable hours decline, and consider the benefits of pricing based on value as opposed to input.

Filip provides great perspective by explaining the origins of dollar for hour pricing, and highlights why experts need to be factoring in their knowledge and experience, and the value they are delivering to their clients, when they determine their charge out rates.

Using his own experience of outsourcing his accounting, Filip talk to how we often underestimate what people are willing to pay, especially when it’s something they don’t want to, or don’t have the skills to do themselves. By using the analogy of a pirate captain searching for treasure, Filip emphasises the difference in being paid for your work, versus being paid for the risk that you take on.

This is a highly practical episode, filled with compelling examples set to challenge your thinking around your pricing model and the value that you are delivering in the work that you do. It’s an episode you won’t want to miss.

In Episode 121 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by Founder of Life-Changing Accountants and The Greater Good Publishing Company, Harvee Pene, to talk about purpose-driven businesses, and leveraging your time and experience to generate recurring revenue, so your work can continue to do the work, for you.

Harvee Pene had bought an accounting firm, had just met his wife-to-be, and was halfway through writing his first book, when he was struck down by testicular cancer at the age of 30. Blindsided, and feeling like his world was crashing down, Harvee was faced with the real possibility that his life might end and he was confronted with the question of how happy he was with the legacy he might leave behind.

Harvee not only survived the operation and treatment, he went on to honour his epiphany, building a business designed to inspire and help other businesses stand out from the pack. Today he is a 15 times bestselling author, has spoken at Ted X twice, and encourages business professionals to create ongoing revenue by leveraging their knowledge into a book.

In this inspiring conversation, Sam and Harvee share their life-changing experiences and discuss the importance of creating purpose-driven businesses that attract like-minded and like-hearted people. Harvee describes real life examples of how his team has measured the impact they have on their clients, and how that recognition has motivated them to deliver even greater results.

Drawing on their own experience, Sam and Harvee delve into the many ways in which experts can leverage their own knowledge and intellectual property, whether it be by writing a book or creating a podcast, and how putting in the work upfront can pay huge dividends down the track.

If you think being an author is for other people, or don’t think you have enough to share to get in front of a microphone, (or even if you do), this podcast is for you. Jam-packed with heartening stories and valuable advice, you’re sure to gain inspiration by tuning in to this episode.

In Episode 120 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by Maite Grisard, Founder of Marketrotters, a field consulting company that “goes in, shakes thing up, gives perspective, and gets out”.

Today Sam and Maite are talking about data, and how it can help you and your team steer your company in the right direction. More than just a conversation about numbers, this compelling discussion covers the disconnect between business leaders, teams, and the knowledge and information that are inherent in a company.

Sam and Maite delve into how this valuable property can be captured, and the importance of documenting and challenging process in a way that drives the business forward. Maite draws on her experience of consulting with a myriad of companies, and explains how a second and even third set of eyes can give a new perspective on a business, an objective or a new way of doing things.

Maite addresses the value she finds in collaborative tools, and how beginning with the simplest systems is often the most effective way to bring people together and build towards more complicated processes. Together Maite and Sam challenge the listener to be vulnerable and acknowledge the learning opportunity that comes from making mistakes, and understand that doing something is always better than doing nothing, even if it leads to a course correction.

This in-depth conversation is filled with practical insights and commentary on how to best use data and workplace tools in an effective and meaningful way. Challenging traditional metrics such as KPIs, this episode will have you seeking fresh perspective and collaborative input, no matter where you sit in the company structure.

In Episode 119 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by Executive General Manager of Ab2 Institute of Accounting, Sarah Stone, to talk about the impact of education in the workplace and how the right training framework can boost business performance and attract the best talent to your organisation.

With close to twenty years’ experience in the education industry, Sarah draws on her background in the tourism and media sectors, where she worked for the likes of Foxtel and Austar in the learning and development space. This involvement stirred Sarah’s interest in understanding the role of education in setting employees apart from the rest. In this podcast she shares her fascination with producing and delivering superior business outcomes through people performance.

Sarah and Sam delve into the difference between education in the corporate sector compared to the professional services environment and why the necessity for CPD hours creates a focus on technical skills at the expense of broader business knowledge. Sarah explains the importance of a company’s learning and development culture in attracting and retaining great talent, and how that perspective is driven from the top.

Often referred to as “soft skills’, Sarah talks to the need for training in the right “success skills” and why organisations are increasingly driven to seek out leaders with demonstrated ability to bring people along for the journey and inspire and motivate them.  Sam reminds us that as we move towards heart-centred businesses with an emphasis on aligned goals and values, the importance of people focused skills becomes even more important, whether it’s dealing with staff, colleagues or clients.

By drawing on their own real life experiences and sharing their perspectives on ongoing learning and personal and professional development, Sam and Sarah deliver a compelling episode filled with practical examples and even some book references to further the conversation. As a critical component of continual improvement, the role of education and learning in business success cannot be denied. This conversation will help you reflect on where that focus is best placed.

In Episode 118 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by time management researcher and expert on time, Brad Aeon, to delve into the philosophy of time and how it can be better managed by aligning to your personal goals.

In his 2017 TEDx Talk, “The Philosophy of Time Management”, Brad urges the audience to reflect on their relationship with time and live more mindfully by focusing on what’s really important to them as individuals. In this conversation, Sam and Brad explore this concept further by considering what time management really means, and Brad explains that how we use our time is a reflection of our values, beliefs and philosophies.

Exploring beyond the impact on productivity, task management, and the need to “get things done”, Brad looks at time from the perspective of mental and physical well-being, and how poor time management leads to stress and ‘very clear markers of time pressure’.

In order to better understand the reasoning behind this, Sam and Brad discuss the evolution of time as a social construct, and the sense of structure that measuring and recording time lends into.  Brad explains the three major pillars of a meaningful life, and how effective time management plays a critical role in our ultimate well-being.

Recognising that time is a non-renewable resource and therefore one of the most precious gifts you can give somebody, we are grateful for the gift that Brad gives us in this episode and the practical advice he provides in how to better manage our time. We invite you to invest your own precious time in listening to Brad’s words of wisdom, and possibly gaining a new perspective on time.

In Episode 117 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by award-winning international business expert and executive coach, Hilary DeCesare to talk about the importance of treating yourself as one of the greatest assets in your business, and what that looks like in terms of managing your energy and getting out of your own way.

With reference to Hilary’s latest #1 International Best Seller & #1 New Release “Relaunch! Spark your Heart to Ignite your life”, Hilary and Sam talk about the prevalence of burnout in the corporate and professional spheres, and why the traditional business model isn’t working. With a stellar background in Silicon Valley, working for tech giants such as Oracle, and having raised millions in venture capital for successful start-ups, Hilary is an inspirational speaker well equipped to share her experience and thoughts on how we need to adapt our approach to business in order to flourish.

Hilary provides real life examples of how she has continuously adapted and ‘relaunched’ her life, including the lessons of tenacity and determination she learned early on from her Mum. Sam and Hilary talk to the reasons behind the Great Resignation, which Hilary reframes as the Great Realisation, and Hilary shares her perspective on pushing past the comfort zone and into what she terms the “G Zone”.

Hilary and Sam delve into how we give away our personal power and energy by worrying about what other people might be thinking, and how we can move past these forms of self-sabotage by focusing on consistency over intensity.

Hilary shares her model of the ‘Three HQ’ – the head, the heart and the higher self – and how this is the next evolution of IQ and EQ, which she explains in further detail in her book.

Finally Hilary and Sam touch on one of Sam’s favourite topics, the importance of loving your numbers, and Hilary’s version of ‘sexy spreadsheets’.

Whilst Hilary’s target audience is women in mid-life (defined as over 35) looking to unlock the potential of where they are going, there is so much content in this podcast that will be relevant to anyone looking to find more energy and spark in their work and in their life. This extraordinarily compelling podcast is one you won’t want to miss.

In Episode 116 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam takes a closer look at the topic of the expert paradox and the disparity between the knowledge and expertise needed to become a leader in a chosen field, and the specific set of management skills required to successfully run a thriving business. Sam is joined by Chris Turner, founder of Vet Services Australia, to discuss how his company is addressing this problem by providing much needed administration and management support to time poor professionals in the animal services space.

Chris took a non-linear path to the company he now runs, and it’s his diversity of experience and training which he attributes to his current success. While not for everyone, Chris adapted well to the demanding world of sales and cold calling, before progressing into the financial services industry. It was in these roles that Chris came to understand the importance of listening to people and genuinely aiming to understand his client’s primary needs.

Fortuitous circumstances led to Chris unwittingly adopting a dog from a relative, and slowly growing to embrace “Dudley” as an important member of the family. Through this experience, Chris began to recognise the overwhelming need for support for vets and veterinary services, and utilising his background and skills, the idea behind Vet Services Australia was born.

In this conversation, Sam and Chris explore the concept of the expert paradox, and the need for business support for many professionals, regardless of their field. Sam emphasises the consistency that Chris has applied to building his business and the value that is derived by freeing up a vet’s time to focus on their clients (both animals and people).

Sam and Chris discuss the emergence of heartfelt and community based businesses, whilst also recognising that wealth creation strategies play an important role in allowing business owners and professionals to build a valuable asset that can set them up for retirement.

Chris’s Vet Services Australia is a fantastic example of a business that’s arisen to solve an existing problem, and this discussion brings clarity to how we can better address the ongoing issue of overwhelm and burnout.

In Episode 115 of The Business Habitat podcast, Alan Stevens returns to the show once again, this time to talk with Sam on the topic of facial profiling and how learning to read a person’s face can give you an instant insight into their personality.

Following on from episode 109 where Alan and Sam discussed The Campfire Project and how first understanding the self is the fundamental foundation for leadership training, today’s conversation focuses in on Alan’s skill as an International Profiling and Communications Specialist.

Described as the Mentalist meets Dr Phil, Alan explains how he first became interested in profiling as a result of wanting to improve his relationships. With a couple of divorces behind him as well as business partnerships that went sour, Alan became determined to learn more about people by being able to recognize what their facial traits were giving away.

After working for a while with Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and body language, Alan recognized the significance of micro-expressions and went on to study facial profiles as a way of recognizing someone’s personality with just a glance. In this conversation Alan explains that this skill enables him to understand how people prefer to be spoken to and thereby build rapport and strong relationships quickly.

In a work scenario, Sam and Alan discuss how being able to recognise a person’s traits from their presentation alone, negates the need for long questionnaires and becomes particularly important in this age of Zoom calls and digital communication.

Tune in to explore this fascinating topic, as Alan and Sam dive into the old adage that “opposites attract” and consider how once again, the clearest path to understanding another person’s traits is in first understanding our own.

In Episode 114 of The Business Habitat podcast, Sam is joined by Steve Sandor, Business Performance Strategist and CEO of Inspiring Business, to talk about the importance of intentionality when it comes to creating the type of businesses that help us grow, both in wealth and in ourselves.

With a background in the financial services industry, Steve shares his early career experiences and displaying real vulnerability, explains how making mistakes in his professional life ultimately led to his understanding of his strengths. With time spent in PNG and working with Australian businesses, Steve developed his passion for helping business leaders recognise their own strengths and create environments that are both empowering and safe for all involved.

Throughout this conversation Sam and Steve explore the power of mentoring and developing training methods within organisations that optimise individual learning needs. Steve explains why business leaders need to be in control, but not controlling, and the difference between the two. He also identifies that as employers, we are central to the business and it’s our knowledge of ourselves, our communication styles and finding our niche in our organisations that it is crucial to our success.

By sharing his own lived experience, Steve demonstrates that the key to developing within our businesses is in putting aside our own egos and recognising that we don’t know what we don’t know. It is only then that we can ask the right questions and find the right teacher, regardless of where we sit in the organisation.

This conversation goes to the core of developing robust, thriving enterprises. Sam and Steve bring candour and vulnerability to this compelling topic and provide practical advice that every business person can take on board.

Episode 113 of The Business Habitat podcast takes a bit of a different slant this week, as Sam is joined by Co-Founder and CEO of FreeFuse, Mike Liu. Headquartered in Los Angeles, FreeFuse is an interactive video platform which allows the user to build personalised digital communication, for a multitude of purposes such as corporate training and education, digital content and videography or sales and marketing activities and product demonstrations. In this conversation, Sam and Mike discuss the origins and inspiration behind FreeFuse, as well as the benefits of this type of technology in promoting both client and employee engagement.

With a background in Engineering, Mike explains how both his education and the inspiration for FreeFuse were founded in his early experience of Lego building blocks and “choose your own adventure” books. He pursued Engineering whilst always having an eye on entrepreneurial platforms such as the early days of Facebook.

Keen to make a direct impact on people’s lives, Mike explored a couple of business options before landing on the concept of FreeFuse and the idea of adaptive learning and education tools. Despite strong positive feedback from students, Mike and his partners struggled to gain a foothold in the education system and targeted their marketing towards business instead, recognising the need for ongoing learning in the corporate sector.

Mike explains his desire to create technology that people love and that solves a problem, and how FreeFuse enables businesses to develop immersive experiences for both internal and external stakeholders. Sam and Mike discuss the training opportunities brought about by allowing people to experience decision making in real time, as well as the potential for illustrating the complexities of professional services to clients.

You’re invited to “choose your own adventure” as you tune in to this podcast and gain a better understanding of how technology can help you in your business, and the myriad of possibilities that await.