The Business Octopus
By Relevate
The Business OctopusMar 09, 2021
Success is showing up
In my weekly livestream, I spoke about how success is showing up. Hear about my experiences and how showing up has helped me to become successful.
Join the Relevate Community: https://join.relevate.com.au
EP 45 - How founders can get unstuck from daily operations.
If you are stuck on the tools and can’t get your head above the every day tasks to actually steer your business then this podcast is for you. Today I am joined today by Lloyd Thompson from Virtual Doo, Lloyd is a director of operations as a service that helps entrepreneurs and business leaders to be more efficient with their operations and make the space to be strategic. Check out virtualdoo.com
Join the Relevate Community: https://join.relevate.com.au
EP 44 - Sales is not a numbers game
In this podcast / livestream, I speak with Ross Keating on the importance of keeping sales human. Ross is a CRM specialist who has helped companies 2X or 3X their sales by using the right strategies, processes and systems. The Business Octopus is a podcast that talks about sales, marketing and technology. We interview industry professionals to help educate you on how to grow and scale your business. You can also join the Relevate Community which is our Digital Business Accelerator. Join the Digital Business Accelerator: https://join.relevate.com.au
EP 42 - How companies can run their operations better and be more attractive to investors.
Listen to an interview with LaSean Smith from CAGR.com
A US Navy Veteran, Entrepreneur and Investor from Seattle, LeSean talks about:
- How to truly identify your ideal target market
- How much can you automate or streamline your processes
- What processes make you more deal ready when you are looking for investment
- Go out and assess your current customer development process - NOW
Join us for an in depth discussion about automation and sales in business. You can find out more about LaSean from the links below:
https://cagr.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laseansmith/
Thanks for listening!
You can get more great content, tips and tricks in the Relevate Community: https://community.relevate.com.au
Join Free today,
EP 45 - Mistakes and wins in starting a fire safety business.
Hayden Heath is a an Australian Army Veteran who started a business when he left the Army. Listed to his story around getting started, his mistakes and the things that worked for him as he navigated the new and exciting world of entrepreneurship.
Join the Relevate Community: https://join.relevate.com.au
#veteraninbusiness #vetrean #avoncollis #relevateconsulting
EP 41 - Cybersecurity – the cost of getting it wrong and how to get it right.
In this episode I speak with Mark Nicholls about Cyber security from a high level management and strategy perspective. Cybersecurity can be seen as a pure cost but if looked at effectively it can be much more valuable to a business.
For more great content join the Relevate Community: https://community.relevate.com.au
You can also see the video version on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/nSJ7CbrC9Fc
EP - 40 What a process is and why do you need one - Interview with Michael Fox
Hello and welcome to The Business Octopus where we talk about all things sales, marketing and technology.
I am Avon Collis, CRM and Marketing Automation Specialist at Relevate and all-around good guy.
Today I am joined with Michael Fox from Action Advisory here to talk about what a process is and why do you need one.
In todays episode we talk about:
- Why do small business suck at processes?
- What is the benefits of having a process?
- What if I have systems and they are not working?
- What can we do to improve?
- Continuous improvement
You can find out more info about the improving your processes on the website actionadvisory.com.au and you can get a free process audit it will be Linked In the episode comments.
Thank you for listening to the podcast, if you have any questions or would like to be on the show you can check out relevate.com.au.
EP - 37 Steve Baxter Interview - Navigating Business Success
Avon Collis sits down with Steve Baxter from Shark Tank to discuss business success and digital transformation. Join them as they explore scalability, investability, common reasons for business failures, and more. Gain valuable insights from a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist.
Subscribe to our channel and grow your self and your business with Relevate! The Relevate Group is a Global Digital Transformation Services Group with offices all around the world and a number of sub brands and subsidiaries.
Watch the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uL-Mf0yTI9E
EP 35 - How organisations can protect themselves against insider threat
This is a video about Podcast with Secmon1 - How organisations can protect themselves against insider threat. 00:00 Podcast with Secmon1 - How organisations can protect themselves against insider threat. 00:00 Introductions 00:35 The state of Security 03:06 Why do we need to keep data safe? 05:51 How can companies make sure they're secure? 15:14 Summary
EP 34 - How expert service providers can charge their worth
Today I am joined with Filip Fucic From Lift-Off who is a pricing mentor and helps people get more money for the value they already provide.
Here to talk about how expert service providers can charge their worth.
Welcome,
Discussion points:
· Why don’t people get what they are worth
· How do you compete with a higher price
· What if I know what they need but they don’t?
· What do people usually do wrong when it comes to pricing
o Strategy and tactics
Relevate is a Digital Transformation Consultancy specialising in CRM and Marketing Automation, Marketing Strategy and Managed IT services. We help business owners find software tools, tips and tricks to help them get their life back. Not just your usual productivity hack, We delve into the deeper concepts of gaining a strategic advantage. For example using knowledge management to empower your staff and free up more high level headspace rather than constantly chasing your tail. Subscribe to our channel and grow your self and your business with Relevate! https://relevate.com.au You can also find answers in our helpdesk and ask questions in our online community at https://support.relevate.com.au
EP 33 - Getting the most out of your hybrid workers in the age of the great resignation
Relevate is a Digital Transformation Consultancy specialising in CRM and Marketing Automation, Marketing Strategy and Managed IT services. We help business owners find software tools, tips and tricks to help them get their life back. Not just your usual productivity hack, We delve into the deeper concepts of gaining a strategic advantage. For example using knowledge management to empower your staff and free up more high level headspace rather than constantly chasing your tail.
Michele Scherr from Michele Scherr Consulting here to talk about How to get the most out of your hybrid workers in the age of the great resignation.
Discussion points: • Military background • Change management • Job satisfaction issues • Hybrid work • How leadership fix the problem
Subscribe to our channel and grow your self and your business with Relevate! https://relevate.com.au You can also find answers in our helpdesk and ask questions in our online community at https://support.relevate.com.au
EP 32 - The Phases of Law Firm Growth
Ben Deverson is a professional basketball player. The operational guru for law firms, Lawganised, will discuss the stages of law firm growth at the conference. Small law firms face numerous obstacles. Here is how to overcome these obstacles: What to do after achieving success? Do not alter what is effective. Thank you for your time A link to the website Lawganised.com.au containing additional information about the Lawganised will be provided in the comments section. If your business has come to a complete halt and you wish to restore it to its former glory, please contact us. We will assist you.
If you have any questions or would like to be a guest on the show, please visit relevate.com.au and fill out the contact form there.
Relevateconsulting.com.au is a CRM and Marketing Automation consultancy that helps people create amazing customer experiences. Rippahosting.com.au is our web hosting business.
EP 31 - Where SMEs are struggling to scale their Marketing Strategy
Today, Teale Dallas of Teale Dallas Consulting joined us to discuss how SMEs can scale their marketing strategies. Welcom, debatable points: Is scaling a marketing strategy the most challenging part? Pay attention to the here and now. Everything is predicated on selling a particular product. In marketing, there are two types of strategies: product and brand marketing. Find the ideal blend of ingredients. What is the significance of brand marketing? Costs have risen Reduced turnover, etc. Choosing a spending limit can be a difficult task. What's the next step for a company to take?? Elevator pitches should be updated Ensure that you have all the necessary documentation to support your brand positioning statement. An instruction manual for stylistics The comms instruction manual. You can learn more about developing your strategy by visiting the website tealedallas.com. It will be au Linked the episode's comments on social media.
EP 30 - How To Uncover the Hidden Stories In Your Business?
We're thrilled to have Kim Willis of Persuasion Pursuit on the show to discuss how to use Amazing Case Studies and Testimonials to uncover the hidden stories in your business.
Salutations and discussion topics: How many different kinds of business narratives are there?
- Confronting the intangible nature of services and a distrustful public
- Why are narratives so effective at capturing the attention of their listeners?
- How can business owners maximise their profits by leveraging customer stories?
-It's preferable to have a third party. Copywriting is superb. Visuals
Relevateconsulting.com.au is a CRM and Marketing Automation consultancy that helps people create amazing customer experiences. Rippahosting.com.au is our web hosting business.
EP 29 - Lowering Your Chances of Being Sued
We joined today by Jeremy Streten, CEO of Business Legal Lifecycle. I'm here to talk about lowering your legal risks.
Topics for discussion:
• How does a company know if it is at risk?
• With so many emails circulating, what should people know about privacy?
• What are the most common mistakes people make when hiring new employees?
• Is it necessary to have contracts or can a handshake suffice?
Thank you for taking the time to read this: More information about the legal lifecycle can be found at businesslegallifecycle.com/thebusinessoctopus. A legal risk assessment can be discounted by 50%. It will be linked in the comments section of the episode. Thank you for listening to the podcast; if you have any questions or want to be on the show, please visit relevate.com.au and fill out the contact form. Relevateconsulting.com.au is a CRM and Marketing Automation consultancy that helps people create amazing customer experiences. Rippahosting.com.au is our web hosting business.
EP 28 - What It's Like To Work On Software Development Projects
In this episode we talk about how business owners can get the most out of their software development journey, whether they are building custom or implementing an existing platform. We talk about what you can do to make sure you equip your implementation partner with the right information in the right way to get the results out of your project. Discussion points: o Thinking the partner will do it all o Not sharing info in a timely manner o Undercooking the product - (not giving it the time it needs) o Tech has enabled rapid change in all businesses, need to stay relevant. o Need to have development plan
EP 27 - The Powerhouse Collective
Find out what it's like to interact with consumers throughout the whole customer experience, from gaining interest to sealing the purchase. Pay attention to advice from sales and marketing professionals on how to keep your pipeline full.
- Understand the mechanisms that are used to capture, manage, nurture, and close as well as the operational delivery of these processes.
- Learn how to overcome the obstacles that individuals face while adopting new technologies.
- Small to medium-sized enterprises who are looking for a better approach to grow and sell but don't know where to begin are encouraged to participate in this event.
All of the pieces that go into building a successful sales team will be present at this conference. Whether you're looking to expand your client base, improve your sales skills, or if your staff isn't utilising a system you have in place, this conference is for you! Relevateconsulting.com.au is a CRM and Marketing Automation consultancy that helps people create amazing customer experiences. Rippahosting.com.au is our web hosting business.
EP 26 - What can be done about professional service businesses that aren't able to scale?
Firms providing professional services are unable to grow; why is this?
Professionals' bottlenecks, and people's difficulties What are the hurdles of digitising a business? Humans vs. technology Having a digitally equipped firm has several advantages.
Relevateconsulting.com.au is a CRM and Marketing Automation consultancy that helps people create amazing customer experiences. Rippahosting.com.au is our web hosting business.
EP 25 - Sales, Enablement, Effectiveness, and Sales Process
While we do everything, I'm assuming we have the decision maker involved in the process. One of the difficulties I've discovered is that you sit and think sales process, and I think I'm on a phone call. When it comes to technology, I would estimate that 85, if not 90 percent, of technology companies begin their sales process with a demo. Determine whether I need to identify the decision maker when iterating on a process. I remember being brought up after spending three or four hours rotting and being told, "Damn, I hope this closes." We're writing better proposals right now, so you get this compound effect.
See the most recent episode of our series by clicking here: https://youtu.be/rqvuGczROdk
EP 24 - The Effective Organisation
The Business Octopus is your one-stop shop for sales, marketing and technology news. Here to discuss effective organisation is Alex Franklin from First Principles Consulting, with whom I am speaking today.
Welcome, Ideas for conversation:
• Why are some organisations not effective
• What are some of the ways to become more effective
• What is the benefit of becoming an effective organisation?
You can find out more info about making your organisation with Alex Franklin on the website firstprincipleconsulting.com.au Thank you for your time!
EP 23 - Sorting New Business Wheat From Chaff
The topic of today's show is Sorting the Wheat from the Chaff while Trying To Generate New Business With Ryan Caswell From B2BLeads I hope you'll join the discussion on the following topics: Why is Lead Generation broken? Too many spammers. Social platforms are attempting to hold on to power. How should we handle the spam culture.
Thank you for your time:
You can find out more info about starting a business with Ryan and learn about driving more profit into the business Ryan on the website b2bleads.com it will be Linked In the episode comments. Thank you for listening to the podcast, if you have any questions or would like to be on the show you can check out relevate.com.au and fill out the contact form. Take care.
Visit Our Website at Relevate.com.au
Ep 22 - Change in The Digital Business Environment
Today, we spoke with Peta Marshall, a digital transformation consultant, to discuss the ways in which business is changing due to digital innovation.
Discussion points:
• What is happening in the business environment o Current changes
o New technologies
o Move to ecommerce
• What is the impact on employees and business owners
o Jobs
o Volume of data
o Data is your asset
• What does it mean for the future
o What’s next?
Thank you for listening to the podcast, if you have any questions or would like to be on the show you can check out relevate.com.au and fill out the contact form.
EP 21 - How Does Digital Infrastructure Impact Your Organisation?
We've invited Chandan Rana, the Infrastructure and Digital Solutions Specialist at Relevate, to join me today for an interview where we will discuss a few important topics.
Which small company IT issues arise most frequently?
Web site hosting - SSL - Hardware and software that have been cobbled together - Cyber defence
What influence will small businesses have if they do not figure it out?
- Business failures - Inability to produce - Be rendered irrelevant.
What will happen next?
The ability to access a cloud desktop from any device.
Cyber security issues aren't going to be resolved anytime soon.The prem is vanishing.
Find out more about Rana's business by going to https://rippahosting.com/
EP 20 - Strategy for Financial Advisers and Lawyers
Why is being Strategic important for Accountants and Lawyers?
We have confidence in people like doctors, lawyers, and accountants. When a company does not take responsibility and acts in the interests of the future, they are stripped of their positions. A strategy is about figuring out which of the best options is out there and then making the right choice. We are confident that these professionals will look after our financial and emotional well-being in the future. An effective way to illustrate a caring concern for the future is by referencing an anecdote I shared at the CA ANZ Accounting Conference in April of this year. You can find out more info about strategic leadership and digital strategy at John’s website Thestrategyguy.com.au it will be Linked In the episode comments.
EP 19 - Growing Digital Wings
The Strategy Guy here to talk about Growing Digital Wings
Welcome back, Last time we spoke about creating a Leading Strategy
Welcome,
Discussion points:
· What are digital wings?
· Why is growing digital wings important?
· How do we grow them?
· Which digital technologies are most important for a business?
· How can business get their digital investment mix right?
Thank you for your time:
You can find out more info about strategic leadership and digital strategy at John’s website Thestrategyguy.com.au it will be Linked In the episode comments.
EP 18 - Leading Strategy with John Hale
Today we welcome back John Hale – The Strategy Guy here to talk about Leading Strategy
Welcome back, Last time we spoke about creating a Stategic mindset
Welcome,
Discussion points:
· When it comes to leading strategy, the future is really important, right?
o How to think about strategy
o Profitability and leadership
· Who in a business needs to be responsible for thinking about the future?
· What is the best way for a leader to lead strategy?
· How does the strategy note work?
EP 17 - Creating a Strategic Mindset
The future is critical to strategy.
An interview with entrepreneur John Hale
Here to provide some thought-provoking strategy advice:
- How to design and implement a strategy leadership and profitability?
- Managers have to consider the future, so who in a business needs to do that?
- How does a leader direct strategy?
Visit Thestrategyguy.com.au for more information
EP 16 - How businesses can maximise their impact using LinkedIn
Kylie Chown, an expert on LinkedIn as well as an expert on utilising LinkedIn, offers LinkedIn training sessions for businesses in order to generate a greater return on their investment in LinkedIn.
Kylie discussed the importance of making a good first impression and how to do it quickly and simply.
Today's episode is packed with expert advice for making your LinkedIn profile better.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylie-chown-training-brisbane/
for more information, visit the site:
https://www.kyliechown.com.au/5-day-linkedin-challenge-2/
EP 15 - Cyber Security Admist A Pandemic
Cyber Security comes up when Avon speaks with Dejan on this episode, during a global epidemic. When you work from home, you must maintain your data privacy while also guarding yourself from phishing attempts and frauds.
Dejan works in IT and keeps data secure for a business in Brisbane.
https://avantit.com.au
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dejan-tunjic-6b267b70/
Watch Now: https://youtu.be/QT_eP2FCA5Y
EP 14 - How To Use The Linkedin Strategy With One Line of Awesome Text
Here to speak about your linkedin approach and a catchy one-liner
Follow-up ideas for discussion:
-What are LinkedIn users doing incorrectly?
-How do you rise above others?
-How do you turn linked in visitors into customers in your CRM?
We help business owners find software tools, tips and tricks to help them get their life back. Not just your usual productivity hack, we delve into the deeper concepts of gaining a strategic advantage. For example using knowledge management to empower your staff and free up more high level headspace rather than constantly chasing your tail. Subscribe to our channel and grow yourself and your business with us!
Check out more at: hppts://relevate.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/Relevateconsulting
https://www.linkedin.com/company/relevateconsulting
We use and recommend webhosting and reseller hosting on fast Australian servers at https://rippahosting.com.au
EP 13 - How to Use Video To Promote Your Business
In this episode, I speak with Orson Lord from Mediable on using video in your business to evoke emotion. We talk about the importance of conveying emotions in video and how it can drive your viewer toward taking action.
You can find out more about Orson at his LinkedIn link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orson-lord/
Here is a link to the emotive video we mention in the episode: https://youtu.be/h-8PBx7isoM
EP 12 - How to drive more profit in your business
Rhonwyn Learner of Business In Training is a Government sponsored consultant who provides training to small business and start-ups. In this episode Rhonwyn talks about the small things that most businesses miss when trying to grow. While everyone is saying that you need to get more leads but what happens next? What are the other things that drive business profitability.
EP 11 - Corporate Innervation
In this episode I speak with Ally Muller from GOYA consulting about her experiences on corporate innervation. What makes for an innovative company and how to avoid the innovation graveyard where projects and ideas go to die. Ally is an experienced consultant and has worked with many large multinational firms. You can find out more about Ally Muller and her book, Corporate Innervation, on her website and LinkedIn profiles below: https://www.goyaconsulting.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonrmuller/
EP 10 - Professional and personal development for the marketing community
Chris Bantock is the founder of Agency Local. He has 20+ years in business and running agencies. Chris talks about the value of having a community of people around you and how marketing agencies can grow. You can get in touch with Chris at https://agencylocal.co.uk
EP - 9 How to deal with difficult people
David is a hostage negotiator for business. He helps businesses that are having toxic people problems to turn it around in 90 days. David explains some of the issues that plague businesses and how to identify them. David's consulting firm Metattude has help a wide range of businesses. Get in touch with David at https://www.metattude.com/ or https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddeanespread/
EP 8 - The top course design mistakes and how to avoid them.
Kat specialises in course design and coaching people on how to make their courses a roaring success. Kat outlines the biggest traps that course designers fall into that prevent them from creating a course that hits the mark or gets finished at all. You can find out more about Kat at thestellaway.com and on her LinkedIn profile at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katsorbello-elearningspecialist/
You can also get her ebook with the full list of course mistakes at:
https://coursecreator.thestellaway.com/online-course-mistakes
EP 7 - Change Flexibility
Organisations that can't change are at significant risk of disruption. How ready is your team and your culture to change, how change fit or change flexible are they. One off change is not good enough, in this episode I speak with Dr Steve Barlow on how organisations can harness change and make their teams energised and ready for change.
https://www.thechangegym.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachtrainer/
EP 6 - How to get in front of your ideal client
In this podcast I talk to Paul Kennedy from PGV Consulting about how to get in front of your ideal client. Now unlike most podcasts about sales and marketing, Paul is not a marketer but a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Practicing Accountant who has generated a lot of of business for a lot of people by creating great relationships. Hear what Paul has to say.
http://pgvconsulting.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kennedy-5a103511/
EP 5 - Why Most Marketing Is Broken
In this episode I speak with Aveline Clark from Journey Point. Aveline is an experienced digital marketer that helps businesses to get away from some fundamental marketing mistakes and explains why most marketing is broken. Get in touch with Aveline via her website or LinkedIn below:
https://www.journeypoint.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/avelineclarke/
https://youtu.be/tDLVPVhkKnM
EP 4 - How to Strategically Scale
In this episode I speak to Dennis Hall from Direct Dialogue about the importance of building relationships in business, how to unify your resources and use technology to scale. Find out more about Dennis at directdialogue.com.au and check out his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/communicationcommando/
EP 3 - Marketing Automation
Michael reverse interviews me and we discuss Marketing Automation, what it is, what it isn't and how small business can start taking advantage of these digital technologies.
Michael Alexi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-alexi/
CeboFX.com
EP 2 - How to scale a business
In this episode we speak with Steve Sandor on how to scale a business effectively. In part 1 we spoke about the concepts and in part 2 we discuss the application of the theory and what it means for business.
You can find out more about Steve Sandor at Inspiring business at https://inspiringbusiness.net/ or check out Steve's LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-sandor/
EP 1 - How to scale your business the right way
Steve is a consultant that has worked for large and small companies including consulting to firms internationally such as PNG. He helps business to create the framework around how to scale a business effectively. Steve has many years experience and shared his tips with us in this episode.
In part 1 we spoke about the concepts and in part 2 we discuss the application of the theory and what it means for business.
You can find out more about Steve Sandor at Inspiring Business at https://inspiringbusiness.net/ or check out Steve's LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-sandor/