Tradies In Business

Do you wish someone could tell you if your bank was really looking after you? How do you know if they're giving you the best deal? Should you finance your next vehicle through the dealer? In this episode, we answer these and many more questions about finance, borrowing to grow your business, vehicle and equipment purchases and more! Join Jon and Tammy from Loanwize as they uncover some of these tips to help give you the upper hand when it comes to finance and lending: Why not all banks are the sameHow to solve the problem of your vehicle being worth less than the payout on your loanWhat is a balloon payment and how big should it be?Why use a broker and how to play the banks off against each other to get you a better deal! The post TBS033 Secret Tips To Beat The Banks with Jon and Tammy from Loanwize appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staff. They're your ticket to freedom as a trade business owner and unfortunately, seem to be a source of many headaches as well. Once the fear of actually hiring someone new is overcome, one of the biggest headaches tradies in business suffer is finding, recruiting and retaining the right staff. While it may seem like an exercise in pot luck, there is in fact a process to follow that will increase the likelihood of you finding someone who is a great fit for you, your business and your customers. And no, it doesn't start by placing an ad in your local newspaper. The first step is to actually write (yes, on paper) the job description for the role you're filling. Then you need to carefully craft the ad, work out the best place to run it and screen the applicants to get your final candidates for a group interview. Yes, we said group interview! Listen in as Warrick and Michaela go through the critical steps to getting the hiring process right. Oh, and keep an ear out for another of Warrick's (terrible) 'dad jokes

Have you ever had one of 'those' jobs where you knew it was going to go pear shaped from the start? Where you wished you'd listened to your gut instinct and told the customer you were booked out, or too dear or something?! They can be a real nightmare when it comes to your customer service standards and making sure your name isn't tarnished as a result. Well, in our first installment of 'What Would Wazza Do?' we take a look at a situation just like this where a tradie took on a job that was doomed from the start. We also discuss some ideas for how to deal with this and how to avoid a similar customer service disaster next time...and an argument with your spouse! The post TBS031: What Would Wazza Do Vol1 - How To Avoid Customer Service Disasters appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tired of working your butt off and getting paid the least in your business? Maybe you feel like you're working for free on some jobs?! Well, the simplest way to improve this equation and put a little more profit into your account each month is to raise your rates. Aaaaaarrrggh! We hear you scream. You'll stop winning work and there'll be nothing for you to do! That's certainly the fear held by many tradies in business (not you of course, right?). Well, the reality is somewhat different (the fear part anyway) and often raising rates can help take a tradie from barely making wage to actually making a decent living... without working any harder and often, without having to deal with the 'D' class customers! Listen in as Warrick and Michaela talk about how to raise your rates AND do it in a way that means you won't lose all your customers. The post TBS030: How To Put Up Your Prices Without Losing Your Customers appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we're joined by Julie Cross - mother, entertainer and most of all an amazing storyteller. Julie is one of Australia's most sought after presenters and caused something of a social media stir recently with her 'bikini post' on Facebook that scored 143,000 likes in just 24 hours and a reach of over 3.5 million! More than anything, Julie will share with you why a positive mindset and strong self belief are some of the key ingredients to not only a successful business, but a successful and fulfilling life as well. Julie shares her own personal story of nursing her husband for 4 years after he had a stroke, losing him just 6 years ago and how her son's diagnosis with autism around the same time shook her resilience. Grab a notepad and pen (and maybe a box of tissues) as Julie entertains us, moves us and above all inspires us to take responsibility for the way we all think and feel. The post TBS029: Julie Cross on Why What Other People Think Of You Is None Of Your Business appeared first on Tradies

Today we talk to Timbo Reid, host of Australia's number 1 marketing podcast, Small Business Big Marketing. We're both fans of Tim's podcast and actually credit Timbo as being one of the catalysts for us starting our show. Tim is a guru when it comes to marketing a small business and a tradie business is no exception! In fact, Timbo reckons that Tradies have a great opportunity to improve their business through smart marketing that doesn't cost a cent. With over 200 interviews with successful small businesses under his belt, Timbo shares his tips on marketing a tradie business like: paying attention to the little thingscreating 'wow' moments with customerstaking action on customer feedbackshowing people you carefreely sharing your expert knowledge as a way to show your expertise and much, much more. There really was marketing gold dripping from the Tradies Business Show ceiling in this episode so jump in and take a listen! The post TBS028: Tim Reid Talks Marketing Your Tradie Business For Free appeared fi

Free quotes. It's what you have to do if you want to get more customers, right? Problem is you spend half your time quoting instead of doing chargeable work, only to be told by the prospect that "we're still deciding" or "we didn't realise it'd be that much" or perhaps the worst "we've decided to go with someone cheaper"! Well...it doesn't have to be this way. In today's episode we take a closer look at the practice of offering free quotes to prospective customers and how it could be affecting your trade business. We also share the story of a tradie who moved to charging for quotes and the results might surprise you! The post TBS027: Should You Charge For Your Quotes? appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're a licenced contractor you've no doubt questioned the worth of paying that fee every year. What do you even get in return for your money, apart from increasing levels of scrutiny and regulation? Well, in Queensland it seems times are changing. The 'old BSA' (Building Services Authority) has been replaced by the QBCC (Queensland Building and Construction Commission). It's now run like a business with a board and it's own decision making powers and stand alone funding model. Heading up the QBCC is Commissioner Steve Griffin, who is passionate about ensuring licensees get more than just a piece of paper and a set of rules to adhere to. Listen to our interview with Commissioner Griffin and you'll find out his thoughts on handling disputes with customers; getting more from your marketing; simple business systems to help you leverage your time and more. We literally came away feeling inspired about the future of tradies in Queensland and you don't get that from a regulator every day of the week! The post

Nobody likes spending money on insurance. What's worse is that insurance for tradies can be quite expensive compared to a lot of other industries. In this episode we talk with Ross Forbes from Tradesure about how insurance for tradies doesn't need to be expensive and also how to get it right so that in the unfortunate event you need to make a claim, you're actually protected the way you need. Ross has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to insurance and has been in the insurance industry for 30 years. Tradesure only provides insurance for tradies and specifically, can help to cover: toolsvehiclescontractspublic liabilityand even travel insurance for the next trip to Bali! Why risk losing your tools through theft or damage and the potential to not be able to work, when for as little as a cup of coffee a day you could have them replaced in days? Listen in as Ross also shares a secret to getting cheaper car rental premiums using their travel insurance. You've got to love that! The post TBS025: How To Make Su

How do you set prices in your business? Is it scientific, intuitive or something else? In today's episode Warrick and Michaela look at: why you shouldn't be basing your prices on your competitorshow to make sure you make a profit on your workrelate your pricing to your personal goalswhether you should mark up materials used or not, and more. The post TBS024: How To Set Your Prices appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Still using a paper diary in your business? Well, today might just be the day to throw it away! In this episode, we talk to Clinton Cowin from TradiePad about: his transition from Tradie to Tech-adviserhow cloud technology allowed him to step away from his plumbing business but keep it runningwhether you should be using iOS, Android or Windows Mobile devices in your tradie businessthe top things you should be doing with technology, andsome simple apps and tools you can start using in your business today! The post TBS023: How To Get 10 Hours A Week Back Using Cloud Technology with Tradiepad appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we interview Michelle House - The Money Maven, about how to improve the relationship you have with money AND how that can help you with more than just your business... if you get our drift. No? Still not clear? Well, when it comes to husbands and wives, getting better with your money talk can definitely improve the bedroom conversation. Clearer now? Michelle also shares her tips for budgeting better, saving more and just generally how to be more comfortable with the folding stuff (and how to be smarter with the fantastic plastic) The post TBS022: How To Improve Your Relationship With Money With Michelle House appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warrick and Michaela chat with Nick May from Walls By Design in another of their 'real tradie stories'. Nick is a painter, podcaster and lover-of-canned-soup, based in Denver, Colorado. Nick shares many stories and some great tips on: How to differentiate yourself from the competitionHow to attract the right staff for your businessjoint ventures and referral partnershipscreating customers for life, and more! Warrick also attempts to intro this episode in an American accent...have a listen and let us know how well he went (or didn't!) The post TBS021: Real Tradie Stories with Nick May from Walls By Design appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

n Episode 20 of The Tradies Business Show Warrick and Michaela dive deeper into what it takes to stick out from the crowd. How do you get the attention of your potential customers and get them to choose you over your competition? Find out how to: use guarantees to increase conversionstake what you're already doing and turn it into a marketing opportunityget away from discounting as a means to attract customerssave time and money by not working with the wrong customers The post TBS020: How To Stick Out Like Prawn's Eyes appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We chat with Paul Bidwell (no relation to Warrick) from Master Builders Queensland about the building and construction industry and the trends and opportunities one of Queenslands largest industry associations sees for 2015. Paul also shares: tips for how to be an industry leadersome of the benefits of Master Builders membershipwhat sectors are likely to do well andhow to tap into the opportunities for tradies in the coming year The post TBS019: How To Lead Your Industry with Master Builders Queensland appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we take a look at how to smash 2015 and make it a great year for your business but more importantly, for you and your family. Warrick and Michaela put goal setting under the spotlight and talk about: How to give yourself a fighting chance to achieve your goalsMaking sure your goals relate to your personal lifestyle and aren't just about business (and money)What to do if you don't reach your goals and targets andWho you should include when picking a point to aim at Warrick also shares some information about his upcoming free webinar - How To Smash 2015, where he'll take you through a simple, 5 step process to make sure your business supports your quality of life. The post TBS018: How To Smash It In 2015 appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They say you're only as good as your last performance, so it makes sense to review each year in your tradie business when the full time siren sounds on December 31st! In this episode of the show we discuss: The importance of locking in our key lessons from the past yearOur own learnings and what we plan to do differently next yearHow to improve your quality of life and results using a simple score card (click her to download it)Some of the small things that can generate great results in your businessHow to increase prices AND get more customers! The post TBS017: Was It Good For You? 2014 In Review appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's your biggest asset? Your house? Your car? Your tools? Perhaps you said your health and you'd be pretty close. The reality is, your biggest asset as a trade business owner is your ability to generate cashflow or earn an income. Without your income, how would you: Pay your mortgage if you have one?Put food on the table?Pay for kids' schooling?Buy clothes, take holidays or just generally enjoy life? Worse still, even if you can't work due to illness or injury, your employees still need to be paid, your registration, licenses, creditors and the list goes on. We talk about one of the driest topics on the planet in today's episode - life insurance. The post TBS016: How To Protect Your Biggest Asset appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk to Tony from H2Pro Plumbing - an award winning plumbing business that literally 'gives a crap'! Tony and his wife Tristan have found some unique ways to not only market their business but to contribute to the local community by 'giving a crap'. They're supporters of a charity that uses toilet rolls for their fund raising... We also talk with Tony about: the power of entering business awards and not just if you winhow social media can transform your marketingwhy having a business mentor is a no-brainer for tradies, andthe secret to planning for your success The post TBS015: Real Tradie Stories - H2Pro Plumbing appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zig Ziglar said, "The only thing worse than training employees and losing them is to not train them and keep them" We talk to Wade Grundon from Face To Face training about some of the benefits of providing training like: winning more tenders or contracts by having qualified staffimproving productivityreducing staff turnover by providing a work/career pathusing training to incentivise employees PLUS, there are some extremely generous government subsidies and cash bonuses available to Australian employers (subject to eligibility criteria) who train existing or recruit new staff. The post TBS014: How To Get The Government To Train Your Staff For Free appeared first on Tradies Business Show.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.