Max Your Business

Ben Fewtrell

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to growing your business. You're not alone. Most entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed and don't even know where to start when it comes to growing their business.

  1. 4d ago

    MYB139: Time Saving Strategies to Reclaim Your Week as a Business Owner

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle the biggest lie business owners tell themselves: "I don't have enough time."  Time management is a bit of a myth. Everyone from you to Elon Musk gets the exact same 24 hours. Ben and David unpack why some business owners seem to create time out of thin air while others are constantly chasing their tails. They dive into the crucial difference between being a business manager and a business owner, and how stepping out of the day-to-day operations can drastically change your trajectory.  If you are tired of being the superhero bottleneck in your own business, this episode will challenge you to start asking "who can do this" instead of "when will I do this."    Episode Highlights:   00:00 Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast   01:03 The chaos of end of financial year and why stocktakes need an AI upgrade   04:36 The biggest lie business owners tell themselves about time   06:50 Why role clarity is not just for your team   08:21 The vital difference between a business manager and a business owner   10:46 Case study: How one entrepreneur runs 27 businesses by working one day a week   16:31 The technician versus the entrepreneur mindset   17:42 Why you need to stop playing the superhero and remove the bottleneck   19:00 Where to find 10 extra hours a week and a breakdown of the free workbook   21:18 Calculating your time value: How a client saved 5 hours and generated an extra $250k   28:22 The 10-hour a week challenge and your next steps    Key Takeaways:  Owner vs. Manager: Realise the fundamental difference between running the day-to-day operations and actually owning the business.  Stop Being the Hero: If every decision goes through you, your business cannot grow. Step out of the bottleneck and learn to delegate.  Change Your Questions: Stop asking "What am I going to do today?" and start asking "Who am I going to get to do it?"  The 10-Hour Challenge: Finding just 10 hours a week to work strictly on your business equates to three full months a year dedicated to growth.    🚀 Get your free Time Management Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/time  and start taking back control of your week.  Tune in to discover how to shift your mindset and build a business that works without you. Don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    32 min

  2. Jun 18

    MYB138: How to Stand Out from Competitors (Without Competing on Price)

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack why simply having great service or quality products is no longer enough to help your business stand out from the crowd.  Every business owner claims to have the best people and top tier quality. The problem? So does the competition. Ben and David dive into what makes a true Unique Selling Proposition (USP), sharing real-world examples of guarantees that reverse risk and make it impossible for prospects to choose anyone else. They also explore how your USP needs to dictate how you operate your business, not just act as a clever marketing slogan on a brochure.  If you are tired of competing on price and blending in with your competitors, this episode will challenge you to find your true point of difference and build a business that demands attention.    Episode Highlights:   00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast   04:38 - Why "good service" and "great quality" are not actual selling points   05:07 - Applying the "So What" test to your current marketing messages   08:50 - Wild guarantee examples that win customers and completely reverse risk   10:35 - Unpacking the famous Domino's Pizza USP and why it was so effective   16:58 - How to identify common customer frustrations to start building your USP   20:30 - A live test using ChatGPT to brainstorm unique guarantees for a jeweller   24:22 - A step by step walkthrough of the free USP workbook   25:55 - Why a strong USP will ultimately change your entire business model    Key Takeaways:  Pass the "So What" Test: If your point of difference does not compel a prospect to instantly choose you over a competitor, it is just a basic requirement of being in business, not a true USP.  Solve the Frustration: The most powerful USPs are born from identifying and solving the most common frustrations your potential customers have with your specific industry.  Reverse the Risk: Strong guarantees remove the fear of purchasing and prove to the market that you are absolutely confident in your ability to deliver.  It Defines Your Operations: A true USP is not just a catchy tagline. It actually dictates the systems, processes, and culture of how you run your operations day to day.  🚀 Get your free USP Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/usp and start defining what makes your business truly unique.  Tune in to discover how to bring yours to life. Don't miss this episode, and don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    30 min

  3. Jun 11

    MYB137: Build a Winning Team with the 5% Rule

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle one of the biggest frustrations for business owners: finding and keeping a great team.  Often, we are quick to blame the talent pool when things go wrong, but Ben and David reveal why the real issue usually starts at the top. Transitioning from a tactician who manages tasks to a true leader who guides and empowers people is the secret sauce to long-term team retention.  Ben and David share practical advice, common pitfalls, and real-world examples that highlight why team members thrive under leadership rather than micromanagement. If you find yourself constantly frustrated that your team just does not get it, this episode will help you look in the mirror and provide the exact framework you need to build a high-performing culture.    Episode Highlights:  00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast  02:35 - A quick shoutout to Bernadette Schwerdt's new book on online entrepreneurs  04:13 - Why having a good team is the ultimate prerequisite for keeping good staff  05:04 - The hard truth: why business owners are often the root of team problems  05:27 - The 5 percent rule for spending dedicated time with your direct reports  07:16 - The critical difference between managing tasks and leading people  11:31 - How to assess your own split between management and leadership skills  14:43 - A real-world example of promoting a loyal team member without asking them first  20:47 - The six keys to creating a winning team from the ground up  27:42 - How to use the ABCD method to fairly evaluate your current roster    Key Takeaways:  Leadership is a Learned Behaviour: No one is born a natural leader. It is a distinct skill set built over time through education, patience, and practice.  Implement the 5 Percent Rule: You should be spending 5 percent of your total working time specifically coaching and sitting with each of your direct reports.  Ask, Do Not Tell: A manager tells people what to do. A leader asks them what needs to be done, helping them learn and take genuine ownership of the outcome.  Rank Your Team: Use the ABCD method (Awesome, Basic, Can't deal with, Dead) to identify who fits your culture, who needs support, and who needs to be moved on.  Build the Six Foundations: A winning team requires strong leadership, a common goal, clear rules of the game, actionable plans, 100 percent inclusion, and a culture that supports risk taking.  🚀 Get your free Creating a Winning Team Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/team and start putting these leadership principles into practice today.  Tune in to discover how to transform your management style and build a business that people love to work for. Do not miss this episode, and remember to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    35 min

  4. Jun 4

    MYB136: How to Use AI in Your Small Business (Plus a Simple Planning Strategy That Works)

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into a topic that sounds boring but can completely change your business: planning. But not just any planning. They discuss keeping it incredibly simple while leveraging the latest AI tools to skyrocket your efficiency.  It is easy to get caught up in the busyness of your day-to-day operations, but Ben and David share how integrating tech like ChatGPT and voice AI can handle the heavy lifting. They also unpack the formula for change and share personal stories on why having a massive 10-year vision makes the daily hurdles look tiny.  If you are feeling overwhelmed or think you do not have the time to plan, this episode will challenge you to get your ideas out of your head, onto paper, and into action.  Episode Highlights:  00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast  00:48 - A business milestone: scoring a direct website sale without lifting a finger  01:34 - Outbound voice AI agents and why the future is already here  03:47 - Using ChatGPT to crunch numbers, build spreadsheets, and control margins in seconds  07:00 - How Ben built a custom lead-gen calculator app in under four minutes  11:09 - The "I don't have time to plan" myth busted  14:15 - The CHA Formula for Change: D x V + F > R  19:18 - Lessons from Tony Robbins and Alex Hormozi: why you need a bigger vision  24:22 - Ben's massive 420-square-metre office leap of faith  29:21 - Your Next Steps    Key Takeaways:  Leverage AI for Efficiency: Stop reinventing the wheel. Tools like ChatGPT and voice AI are here right now to handle the tasks you do not have time for.  Get It Out of Your Head: The biggest barrier to planning is keeping it all in your mind. Write it down to externalise and act on your ideas.  Start with the Nagging Issues: Do not get overwhelmed by massive business plans. Fix the most pressing problems first to clear your mind and build momentum.  Bigger Goals Make Smaller Obstacles: When setting long-term goals, dream without limitations. A massive vision makes day-to-day challenges seem far less significant and easier to overcome.    🚀 Get your free Simple Planning Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/simple and start taking real, actionable steps in your business today.  Tune in to discover how to bring your plans to life. Don't miss this episode, and don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    31 min

  5. May 28

    MYB135: Position Descriptions vs Role Clarity - Setting KPIs for Small Business

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack a common issue that quietly causes a massive amount of frustration in businesses today. When staff drop the ball or need constant reminders, owners often feel like they have a people problem. But as Ben and David explain, it is almost always a clarity problem.  Hiring someone and assuming they just know what to do is a recipe for chaos. Ben and David share practical tips on the crucial differences between standard position descriptions and true role clarities. They discuss how to define expectations, set the right KPIs, and ensure your team knows exactly what winning looks like.  If you are tired of saying your team lacks ownership, this episode will challenge you to look at your own systems and start building a well-oiled machine.  Episode Highlights:   00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast   01:34 - Why stepping out of your daily busyness to network is a game changer   04:08 - The real reason staff drop the ball (hint: it is a clarity problem)   05:51 - The major difference between a position description and a role clarity   10:14 - Why you need to manage outcomes instead of just assigning tasks   13:08 - A real-world case study on putting the right people in the right roles using DISC profiles   18:43 - Why your KPIs must include both quantitative numbers and qualitative attitude checks   23:51 - How to collaborate with your team to co-create their role clarity documents   25:04 - The golden rule: systemise the routine and humanise the exception   Key Takeaways:  Go Beyond the Standard PD: A position description gives a basic overview, but a true role clarity document defines the exact outcomes, KPIs, and core competencies required.  Focus on Outcomes: Great leadership is about setting clear expectations for the final result rather than micromanaging the daily tasks.  Balance Your KPIs: Make sure you measure both the hard numbers and the cultural behaviours you expect from your staff.  Systemise to Scale: Build solid processes for the routine tasks so your team can spend their energy managing the exceptions.  🚀 Get your free Role Clarity Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/clarity and start setting your team up for true success.  Tune in to discover how to bring yours to life. Do not miss this episode, and do not forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    30 min

  6. May 21

    MYB134: How To Build Solid Business Foundations That Actually Scale

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack the ultimate difference between owning a business and just creating a stressful job for yourself. It all comes down to one crucial, often overlooked element: your foundations.  Ben and David explore why so many business owners skip this vital step and find themselves running around trying to hold the walls of their business up on their own. They share the five key areas of business foundations, how to regain control of your time and financials, and how leveraging AI tools can make the process easier than ever.  If you are feeling trapped in the daily grind of your operations, this episode is exactly what you need to hear to shift your mindset and start building a business that can eventually run without you.  Episode Highlights:  00:00 Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast  04:24 Are you building a business or just working a job?  08:23 Gaining control: how foundations turn your business from reactive to predictable  11:48 The "holding up the walls" analogy and why systems matter  12:15 How to access the free 75-point Foundations Workbook  13:08 The five key areas of business foundations you must master  15:07 Using AI tools to map out valuable tasks and build KPI dashboards  17:23 The mindset shift required to build a business that works across multiple locations  21:13 The 80/20 rule: why 80 percent of coaching focuses on foundations  23:07 The boiling frog: recognising when your business is taking over your life  24:06 Your Next Steps    Key Takeaways:  Build a Business, Not a Job: A true business is a commercial, profitable enterprise that operates without you having to be there. Being self employed is fine, but it requires a completely different mindset to owning a scalable business.  Stop Holding Up the Walls: Without solid systems and foundations in place, you are forced to hold your business together through sheer willpower. This ultimately caps your growth and drains your time.  The Five Pillars of Foundations: To step back from the daily grind, you must master having a written plan, understanding your financials, managing your time, tracking reporting KPIs, and implementing a structure built for growth.  Do Not Be the Boiling Frog: Pay attention to the warning signs of burnout. If you are constantly working 12 hour days and cannot step away from the business for a month, it is time to change your approach and build better foundations.  🚀 Get your free Foundations Workbook featuring a 75-point checklist at maxmyprofit.com.au/foundations and start building a business you love to run.  Tune in to discover how to set yourself up for scalable growth. Do not miss this episode and do not forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    28 min

  7. May 14

    MYB133: Leading Under Pressure: Fighter Pilot Secrets to Building a Bulletproof Team Culture

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, host Ben Fewtrell sits down with a very special guest, Mike Mason. After spending 20 years in the Royal Air Force flying frontline fighter jets, Mike knows a thing or two about performing under pressure. Now, through his company On Target, he brings those high-stakes military lessons into the corporate world.  Hiring for technical skill is standard, but keeping a team running smoothly comes down to behaviour and communication. Ben and Mike unpack the critical importance of "human factors" and why the humans operating the machines matter more than the machines themselves. They share practical tips on mastering the art of the debrief, making subtle shifts in how you speak to your team, and using immersive training to build non-technical skills.  If you are tired of repeating the same mistakes or struggling to get your team communicating effectively, this episode will challenge you to rethink your approach and start leading like a pro.  Episode Highlights:   00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast   02:24 - Mike's journey from flying fighter jets to the corporate sector   03:00 - Why human factors are the real key to operational success   09:30 - The massive missed opportunity of effective debriefing in business   12:30 - Subtle communication tweaks to stop defensive reactions instantly   15:40 - A real-world example of how not to communicate as a leader   19:15 - Using immersive spaceship simulations to train non-technical skills   26:00 - The life-saving and money-saving impact of human factors training   29:20 - Your Next Steps    Key Takeaways:  The Power of the Debrief: Whether a project is a massive win or a complete flop, taking the time to reflect and adjust is where the real growth happens.  Reframing Your Questions: Swap out "why did you do that?" for "what led to that happening?" to keep your team open and out of defensive mode.  Hire for Skill, Fire for Behaviour: Technical skills get people in the door, but non-technical skills like teamwork and communication are what keep your business thriving.  Learn to Communicate Under Pressure: How you speak to your team when things go wrong dictates your culture. Create a safe space for open, honest feedback.  🚀 Grab your free debriefing guide and find out more about Mike's workshops at ontargetteaming.com to start building a high-performing team today.  Tune in to discover how to bring these strategies to life. Do not miss this episode, and make sure you subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    31 min

  8. May 7

    MYB132: The 7-11-4 Rule Explained - How Modern Buyers Make Decisions

    In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack why the old ways of generating leads are dead and how you need to adapt to modern buying behaviours to keep your sales pipeline full.  Generating leads isn't about slapping an ad in the Yellow Pages anymore. Today's buyers are doing their research, reading reviews, and watching videos long before they ever speak to you. Ben and David share how buying systems have evolved, why building "know, like, and trust" looks completely different now, and how to use Google's 7-11-4 rule to your advantage.  Whether you are comfortable on camera or prefer to hide behind the scenes, this episode is packed with practical tips to build effective lead magnets and leverage new tech to attract your ideal customers. If you are tired of watching leads dry up, this episode will challenge you to revamp your marketing engine.    Episode Highlights:  00:00 - Welcome to the Max Your Business Podcast   03:21 - Why lead generation is the vital first machine of your business conveyor belt  04:45 - How human buying behaviour has drastically changed over the last 20 years  09:27 - The one thing that hasn't changed: people still buy from people they know, like, and trust  13:42 - Breaking down Google's 7-11-4 research and what it means for your marketing  15:50 - What actually makes a good lead magnet and how to use it right  18:11 - Where to get the free Lead Magnet Workbook  21:31 - How to use video for marketing even if you hate being on camera  26:05 - Leveraging AI tools to make content creation dead simple  30:40 - Why you must demonstrate the "transformation" your customer will experience    Key Takeaways:  The 7-11-4 Rule: On average, a buyer needs 7 hours of engagement, 11 touchpoints, across 4 different locations before making a decision. Plan your content accordingly.  Trust is Still King: The medium has changed, but the fundamental need for buyers to know, like, and trust you hasn't. Your online presence needs to build that rapport.  Value-Driven Lead Magnets: A lead magnet must offer genuine value in exchange for contact details. Don't trick people with rubbish if you want to keep their trust.  Video is Non-Negotiable: You don't have to be the face of the video, but you need video content to build relationships and demonstrate value to your target market.    🚀 Get your free Lead Magnet Workbook at maxmyprofit.com.au/magnet and start building an automated machine to attract your ideal clients.  Tune in to discover how to bring your lead generation into the modern era. Don't miss this episode and don't forget to subscribe for more practical insights every week.

    35 min
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About

It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to growing your business. You're not alone. Most entrepreneurs feel overwhelmed and don't even know where to start when it comes to growing their business.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Fewtrell
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    141
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Max Your Business