MYB093: Planning the Year Ahead? Don’t Miss These 5 Key Steps
Release Date: 06/26/2025
MYB094: How to Tell If Your Business Is Actually Making Progress (Not Just Keeping Busy)
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore one of the biggest challenges for business owners: how to measure real progress, not just busyness. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but are you truly building a business that gives you more money and more time, or have things ended up a bit different than you’d hoped? Ben and David break down the blind spots that keep business owners from moving forward, share stories from clients who’ve turned things around, and offer practical tools for getting clarity on where you’re at and...
info_outline
MYB093: Planning the Year Ahead? Don’t Miss These 5 Key Steps
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into a timely topic: getting your plan together for the new financial year. Whether you’re scrambling to close out June or already looking ahead, this episode gives you a practical framework to reset, refocus, and get results. If you’ve ever found yourself saying “Where did the year go?” or if your business plan is still sitting in your head instead of on paper, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down why planning doesn’t need to be complicated—and how keeping it simple is the key to...
info_outline
MYB092: How to Stop Discounting and Start Making Real Profit
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle a challenge that hits home for so many business owners: You’re making sales… but where’s the profit? If you’ve ever looked at your revenue and wondered why there’s nothing left over at the end of the month, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down the real reasons why businesses stay busy but broke and what to do about it. From silent cost creep to outdated pricing and the dangerous mindset of discounting, Ben and David will help you uncover the financial leaks and get back on track to...
info_outline
MYB091: The Mindset Formula Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into the real game-changer in business—what’s happening between your ears. They’re talking mindset, beliefs, and how your internal dialogue directly shapes your outcomes. Whether you’re stressed out, stuck in scarcity thinking, or just feel like your business is plateauing, this episode cuts through the fluff and shows you how to shift your thinking to unlock better results. Ben and David unpack the powerful formula E + R = O (Events + Response = Outcome), how stress is self-created, and why...
info_outline
MYB090: Building a Real Team vs. Just Hiring People
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin get real about one of the most common business complaints: “It’s hard to find good people.” But is it really a people problem or a leadership one? If you’ve ever hired someone who didn’t work out, struggled to keep staff accountable, or found yourself doing everything because “it’s easier that way,” this episode is a must-listen. Ben and David unpack why most small businesses don’t have teams—they have groups of people—and how to fix that. From sports analogies to real hiring mistakes, they...
info_outline
MYB089: Should You Be Using AI in Your Business?
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way business owners work, plan, and grow. If you’re picturing robots or complex coding, think again. This is about simple, practical uses that save time, reduce admin, and help you make better decisions. From writing emails and analysing financials, to handling job applications and quoting systems, AI is now a real, affordable tool for small businesses. Ben and David break down the possibilities and share examples from their own clients (and lives) to show...
info_outline
MYB088: How to Get Your Customers Spending More (Without Being Salesy)
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin break down one of the easiest, most overlooked ways to grow your revenue—getting your customers to spend more, without resorting to hard-selling or gimmicks. From supermarkets to service-based businesses, the strategies shared in this episode apply to any industry. Whether it’s bundling products, using checklists, or simply asking the right questions at the right time, Ben and David unpack real-world tactics you can implement straight away. If you’ve been focused on getting more customers, this episode will...
info_outline
MYB087: When Should You Hire a General Manager? A Guide for Growing Businesses
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle one of the biggest transitions a business owner can face—handing over the reins to a General Manager. Most business owners are already acting as the GM without even realising it. But if you want to scale, take a step back, or simply stop being the bottleneck in your business, at some point you’ll need to redefine your role. Ben and David unpack what a true General Manager actually does (hint: it's not just being a glorified operations manager), the mindset shifts required to step away from the...
info_outline
MYB086: Small Business Budgeting Made Easy - Stop Guessing and Start Growing
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack a topic that too many business owners avoid – budgeting. If you’re making sales but still struggling to pay the bills, this one’s a must-listen. Ben and David dive into why most small businesses react to their finances instead of planning for them, and how flipping that approach can help you build a business that actually works for you. Ben and David share simple strategies, personal lessons, and practical tools that show you budgeting isn’t about cutting back – it’s about making confident,...
info_outline
MYB085: Why KPIs Matter and How to Set the Right Ones for Your Team
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, join hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin as they dive into why tracking KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) is absolutely critical if you want to grow and future-proof your business. With their usual practical, no-nonsense advice, Ben and David unpack how KPIs serve as the "dashboard" for your business, helping you stay on course, measure progress, and make better decisions rather than relying on gut feel alone. They also share real-world strategies for setting up simple, effective KPIs that keep you and your team focused without overwhelming...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into a timely topic: getting your plan together for the new financial year. Whether you’re scrambling to close out June or already looking ahead, this episode gives you a practical framework to reset, refocus, and get results.
If you’ve ever found yourself saying “Where did the year go?” or if your business plan is still sitting in your head instead of on paper, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down why planning doesn’t need to be complicated—and how keeping it simple is the key to actually following through.
From cash flow forecasts to visual tracking tools and default diaries, Ben and David will walk you through their proven approach to 90-day planning that’s helped hundreds of business owners stay focused and profitable.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 – Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
04:08 – The power of planning early and why it doesn’t need to be fancy
06:41 – How a 90-day cashflow forecast leads to less stress and more clarity
08:30 – Why most plans fail (hint: it’s not lack of goals, it’s lack of follow-through)
10:05 – Set realistic goals: the less-is-more method
11:16 – Making your plan visual, simple, and actionable
14:30 – The secret to sticking to your plan? Time blocking and accountability
17:00 – It’s not just your plan—your team needs one too
21:00 – The real value of coaching: shifting your mindset, not just giving you tools
23:28 – 5 action steps to start the new financial year strong
31:11 – Your next steps: free resources and simple action items
Key Takeaways:
Plan to Plan: Block out time in your calendar—every single week—to work on the business, not just in it.
Start with Cash Flow: A 90-day forecast is your baseline. You can’t grow what you don’t track.
Less is More: Focus on fewer, high-impact actions each quarter rather than overloading your plan.
Make It Visual: Put your targets somewhere you’ll see them daily—whiteboards, dashboards, even thermometers.
Get Accountable: Whether it’s a coach, your team, or your kids (yep, really), make someone part of the process.
🎯 Download the free Simple Planning Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/simple to get started right now.
This is your sign to stop flying by the seat of your pants and start building a business that runs with intention. Grab the workbook, set your 90-day goals, and let this be the year you actually stick to your plan.
Subscribe for more real-world strategies and no-fluff advice every week on Max Your Business.