Toolbox Talk

Jon Dale

This podcast is for tradies and builders who want to put structure and systems into your business so you can grow it properly. Watch more videos at smallfish.com.au and check out the Big Numbers Workbook to learn about the important numbers in your business.

  1. 3D AGO

    287 - The Problem with Bookkeepers & Accountants

    Bookkeepers and Accountants. I don't hate them, they are important & necessary.However, there's a problem with them.For most tradies and builders, they are the people you go to for advice, particularly advice about your money.But the truth is, they are not very good at that.Both bookkeepers and accountants have a focus on compliance & saving - saving money, saving cost or saving tax.Bookkeepers tend to be mostly concerned with making sure your accounts are compliant with the law so you don't get in trouble. They want you to lodge your BAS or GST correctly, pay people correctly, and don't overpay your GST.Accountants care about tax; making sure you don't pay too much, don't do something that's not allowed and then get in trouble, and they care about your business structure & protecting your assets.Those are good things.The problems come when they are your main/only source of advice and guidance in the area of money and the finances of your business.Because there's more to it than that.--------------------------------------Get the Bookkeeping Guide for Trades and Builders here: https://www.smallfish.com.au/tradies/bookkeeping-guide-for-trades-and-builders-2/If you want more money (profit), more time (off work), and more freedom (from work, stress, responsibility) book a Money Call: smallfish.com.au/tradies/money-call/FOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    7 min
  2. 09/25/2025

    285 - [BACK OFFICE] Problems with Bookkeepers and Accountants

    Bookkeepers and Accountants. I don't hate them, they are important & necessary. However, there's a problem with them. For most tradies and builders, they are the people you go to for advice, particularly advice about your money. But the truth is, they are not very good at that . Both bookkeepers and accountants have a focus on compliance & saving - saving money, saving cost or saving tax. Bookkeepers tend to be mostly concerned with making sure your accounts are compliant with the law so you don't get in trouble. They want you to lodge your BAS or GST correctly, pay people correctly, and don't overpay your GST. Accountants care about tax; making sure you don't pay too much, don't do something that's not allowed and then get in trouble, and they care about your business structure & protecting your assets. Those are good things . The problems come when they are your main/only source of advice and guidance in the area of money and the finances of your business. Because there's more to it than that. -------------------------------------- Get the Bookkeeping Guide for Trades and Builders here: https://www.smallfish.com.au/tradies/bookkeeping-guide-for-trades-and-builders-2/If you want more money (profit), more time (off work), and more freedom (from work, stress, responsibility) book a Money Call: smallfish.com.au/tradies/money-call/FOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    7 min
  3. 02/22/2025

    284 - [MARKETING] Marketing Is A Numbers Game - Are You Playing It Properly, Tradie?

    Trades business owners find themselves without work in the pipeline all too often. Choosing to focus on other, seemingly more important parts of their businesses because at that moment they had work. But when the work suddenly dries up it's a lack of consistent marketing activity that we have to focus on as the culprit here. This is a common mistake though and maybe more so for tradies than other business owners because their focus is on the work and the outcome (which is important). As a business coach for tradies and builders, part of my job is to help my clients guard against this. To build a Marketing Machine that keeps working all the time so you don’t end up in this sh*ty position.This video is about the fact that marketing is a numbers game and how to play it. When you go quiet, two numbers are important - your marketing activity that finds opportunities and your sales funnel as your forecast - all the opportunities you could win (right now if you don’t find any more).You need to be measuring these numbers so you’re not at risk of work drying up… I’ve made a chart to help you. Comment ‘CHART’ and I’ll send it and comment ‘CALL’ and I’ll talk to you about whether my coaching can help you.--------------------------------------If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chatFOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    9 min
  4. 02/15/2025

    283 - [MARKETING] Business To Business Marketing For Tradies & Builder

    If you run a trade business and get your work from other businesses, not individual people, then you need to be doing business-to-business marketing. Before you dismiss marketing and say you don't do it, consider this: you're doing some form of marketing, or you wouldn't get any business.And for most businesses, business to business marketing is required. Say:- If you're a builder specialising in architectural work, architects and designers can refer work to you.- If you do front-end work, you might call designers, state managers, and even target customers directly. - If you do work with government agencies, subcontract to builders, or work controlled by property managers.All these people (employees or owners of businesses) are either in control of awarding work or have influence. So if you're someone who works with those types of companies you need to be engaging in business to business marketing. You need to be calling these people, and forming relationships with them. Not just once but repeatedly - nurturing these relationships so you can get repeat work. Want help? Check out this week’s video then get the guide. --------------------------------------If you’re interested in growing your trade business, head over to our website and you can read some more of these Tradies Toolbox Tips: https://www.smallfish.com.au/trades-business-coaching/Book a money-maker call: https://www.smallfish.com.au/chatFOLLOW US AT:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallfishcoach/Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallfishcoachInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/smallfishbusinesscoach/YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/smallfishau

    8 min

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This podcast is for tradies and builders who want to put structure and systems into your business so you can grow it properly. Watch more videos at smallfish.com.au and check out the Big Numbers Workbook to learn about the important numbers in your business.