Stefan Kazakis on 12 March 2020
75 - Coronavirus: Fear of the unknown and what you can control
With all the media attention and fear circulating the Coronavirus, small businesses are feeling the effects of the virus in a non-health related way! Small business owners need to be aware of what t ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 15 February 2020
74: How To Create A Killer Elevator Pitch
Having an elevator pitch prepared and ready to go can be one of your biggest weapons in Business! This week, Stefan speaks about developing an elevator pitch and the number one thing that must be in ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 1 February 2020
73: How To Get More Referrals
Getting referrals is the best marketing strategy you can have. So to kick start referral month, Stefan runs through the benefits of referral marketing, how to get them, who to get them from and ensur ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 28 December 2019
71: Exceeding Customer Expectations Can MAKE or BREAK Your Business
There’s no point exceeding your customer’s expectations if it’s sending you broke. Before you think about more things you can do for your customer, first and foremost, you should focus on deliv ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 28 December 2019
72: Managing Rapid Growth - Lessons From Laurie Reeves, Managing Director at ControlWorks
There’s no point exceeding your customer’s expectations if it’s sending you broke. Before you think about more things you can do for your customer, first and foremost, you should focus on deliv ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 13 December 2019
70: Interview With Marcus Theodor of C2Films
Marcus Theodor is the owner of C2Films (c2films.com.au) - Australia’s highest rated, most reviewed wedding event videographer. C2Films has built their reputation by focusing delivering the highest ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 23 November 2019
69: Interview With Jacqui Harvey from Yarra Valley Gourmet Foods
In 2009, Jacqui Harvey made the courageous decision to leave her corporate career to become the owner of a business she was passionate about -Yarra Valley Gourmet Foods. Jacqui was determined to succe ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 2 November 2019
#68: Improving Your Conversion Rate
Improved conversion rates are the key goal for any business owner or marketer. Marketing costs money, so the higher your conversion rate, the more bang you get for your buck. In this short podcast, S ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 5 October 2019
#67: Developing Customer Loyalty
Stefan continues to explore the distinct difference between loyalty and repeat business. Developing customer loyalty relies on you consistently exceeding your clients expectations. If you only meet t ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 14 September 2019
#66: 6 Keys To A Winning Team
No matter what business you are in: you will never build a great business all on your own. The bigger and better the business you want to build, the bigger and better the team you will need around yo ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 24 August 2019
#65 - Interview with Chris Sacco, Director of KLC Recruitment
Stefan chats with Chris Sacco, Director at KLC Recruitment (https://www.klcrecruitment.com.au) Chris shares the story of launching KLC Recruitment in 2009, and how she has managed overcoming the chal ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 10 August 2019
#64 - Patrick La Manna - CEO of LaManna Supermarket
LaManna Supermarket is an independent grocer that is taking on the supermarket big boys. Hear how their passion for quality food, quality ingredients and outstanding customer service has allowed LaM ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 16 July 2019
#63: Chris West - Fleet Plant Hire
We chat with Chris West, the Managing Director of Fleet Plant Hire in Melbourne. Fleet Plant Hire is an industry leader in Melbourne, providing earth moving equipment and operators for any project, i ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 6 July 2019
#62: Building Resilience with David Buttifant
David Buttifant is a world leader in sports science. In roles such as High Performance Manager at Carlton Football Club, and Sports Science Director at Collingwood Football Club, David has made his ca ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 9 April 2019
Business Health Checks - Stefan Kazakis chats with Tony Delroy on ABC Radio
Stefan Kazakis joins ABC Nightlife's Tony Delroy to discuss why it's important for business owners to periodically take a good, hard look at the health of your business, and where you're heading. Tak ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 18 June 2019
#61: Matt Spiteri - Owner of ESC Electrical
Our interview with Matt Spiteri, the owner of ESC Electrical. Matt shares his story of incredible growth of his business, particularly in the past 18 months. ESC Electrical (escelectrical.com.au) off ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 11 June 2019
#60: Your Hourly Rate Identity
As a business owner, you need to understand the difference between horizontal and vertical time, and ensure that the work you do is for a high hourly rate. If you want to build a progressive and grow ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 4 June 2019
#59: How To Build A Referral Strategy
Many business owners say they win a lot of their clients through word-of-mouth or referrals. However, we find that many of these same business owners who claim this actually have no structured process ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 28 May 2019
#58: Small Businesses Are The Backbone Of The Economy
The backbone of the economy is small business - but their contribution is anything but small! There are an estimated two million businesses across Australia, providing nearly half of all employment. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 21 May 2019
#57: Keeping An Eye on Employees
How do you keep an eye on your employees? What's an acceptable level of surveillance? In this episode, recorded from Stefan's appearance on ABC Radio's Nightlife with Tony Delroy, they dive into the ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 14 May 2019
#56: The Enemy of Thinking Big is You
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right.” - Henry Ford In this short episode, Stefan explores the theory behind this famous quote, and how you can cultivate the mindset ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 7 May 2019
#55: How To Set Your Prices - Advice for Business Owners
Many business owners to know what to charge for their products and services? When we first start out in business, it can be tempting to have low, or even discounted, prices as we often are desperate ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 30 April 2019
#54: How to lead your business through uncertainty
The current economic environment is causing some business owners to become concerned and unsure about what the future will bring and how their business will fare. But the fact of the matter is that t ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 23 April 2019
#53: Interview with Robert Krastich, owner of Sharper Facility Services
We interview Robert Krastich, owner of Sharper Facility Services (sharper.com.au) which offers high-end commercial cleaning in Melbourne. The business was established in 2004 and Robert had done a fa ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 16 April 2019
#52: The Triple A Approach To Growing Your Business
The uncertain economic environment we're in can be a source of concern for business owners. However - it doesn't need to be that way if you use the Triple A approach to growing your business - Anticip ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 2 April 2019
#50: Building a Referral-Based Business (on ABC Radio's Nightlife with Tony Delroy)
Stefan Kazakis, CEO of the Business Benchmark Group, joins Tony Delroy on ABC Radio's Nightlife to explains how important it is to build a referral-based business. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 26 March 2019
#49: Leadership, Crisis Management and Having A Growth Mindset
We often think about crisis as a negative – but it can also often be considered a positive. In this brain stretch episode, Stefan explores how business owners need to recognise the difference betwee ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 19 March 2019
#48: High Performance Teams: How To Hire The Right People
You spend 50% of your life at work, so as business owners we have the responsibility to surround ourselves with the right people. Stefan discusses how to ensure you're hiring A-Graders to join your t ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 12 March 2019
#47: Building A Competitive Advantage Through Innovation
When it comes to building your competitive advantage, it all comes back to the concept of "Hero or Guide". This means that when you make the customers the hero of the story - by understanding their w ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 5 March 2019
#46: The 6 Pillars To Going Global
In this episode, Stefan examines the 6 Pillars of Business that you need to focus on if you want to take your business global. As Stefan often says - "Business is not easy, but it doesn't need to be ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 19 February 2019
#44: Now Is The Time To Think Global
In this brain stretch episode, Stefan asks you to think global and think about how your business can serve more customers and take advantage of more opportunities beyond our borders. What does your b ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 19 February 2019
#45: Chris Galea, CEO of Polyshine
In this brain stretch episode, Stefan asks you to think global and think about how your business can serve more customers and take advantage of more opportunities beyond our borders. What does your b ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 7 February 2019
#43: Planning For Growth - Recorded at Your Profit Blueprint (Feb 2019)
This episode of our podcast was recorded at our Your Profit Blueprint event in February 2019. Stefan explores the market conditions we're likely to face in 2019 and discusses how imperative it is fo ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 29 January 2019
#42: Stamina - The Hidden Ingredient of Success
How do you outplay and outlast in the game of business? How do you outlast your head trash - your mental fatigue that says that you can't do something? Stefan explores how to create stamina in today ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 22 January 2019
#41: Interview with Rob and Rose Seymour - Owners of Pure Protect
Rob and Rose Seymour are the owners of a unique business - PureProtect. They are specialists in Mould, Damp, Water Damage and Indoor Air Quality and deliver hygiene and infection control solutions to ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 15 January 2019
#40: How To Build A High Performance Team - Marc Montagner
Marc Montager is the Sales Manager at Alloys - "The Non-Traditional Distributor". With almost 30 years experience in the industry and with hard-earned experience in managing and growing high-performan ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 8 January 2019
#39: How to Position Your Business
This is a "brain stretch" episode in order to get you thinking about how your business is positioned, and how you plan to be innovative. As we enter a new year, this is an important time to reflect ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 1 January 2019
#38: Stefan's Speech To Graduating High School Students
A recording of Stefan's speech to the graduating class at East Doncaster Secondary College. As an alumni of that same high school years ago and ongoing involvement in the school community, Stefan was ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 26 December 2018
#37: The Importance Of Identifying Your Ideal Customer
Identifying and serving your ideal target market is vital to the long term success of your business. You need to shape your business from the foundations up, and focus on how you can best serve your i ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 18 December 2018
#36: How To Build An A Grade Team
What does it take to build an A-Grade team? Stefan explores what leaders need to do to grow high performance teams and what employers need to look for when hiring new members for your team. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 11 December 2018
#35: Interview with Damien De Vincentis - owner of beOnd Plumbing
Our interview with Damian De Vincentis, owner of be0nd plumbing. be0nd plumbing (www.beondplumbing.com.au) is one of Victoria’s leading emergency response and maintenance plumbing companies who off ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 4 December 2018
#34: Are you a Dream Maker Or Dream Taker?
In business, and in your personal life, you make a choice: Are you a dream maker, or a dream taker? In this brain stretch episode, Stefan explores the concepts of “Mindset, Belief, Identity and Acc ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 27 November 2018
#33: Matthew Adams, owner of Motosign
Matthew Adams founded Motosign in 2004 and has grown a business that is passionate about everything to do with signage. Matt is open and honest about as he talks about about his journey in business a ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 20 November 2018
#32: Hairhouse Warehouse Co-Founder Joseph Lattouf
Joseph Lattouf, Co-Founder of Hairhouse Warehouse with his brother Tony, shares the incredible story of his life in business. From humble beginnings of buying a single “run-down” hair salon in D ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 14 November 2018
#31: Story Telling And Bridge Building - Think Tank
A "Think Tank" session by Stefan in which he explores how important it is to be able to tell the story of your business, and how your identity must shift as your business grows. As your business evo ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 7 November 2018
#30: Stefan's Discussion with Young Achievers
Stefan was fortunate to impart some wisdom to the nominees for the 2018 Manningham Business Excellence Awards Young Achiever. As we head into a new year, this is a great opportunity to reflect on whe ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 30 October 2018
#29: Interview with Craig and Jessica Abbott (Heavy Haulers / PHIIT Studio)
Our interview with Craig and Jessica Abbott - founders and owners of Heavy Haulers / PHIIT Studio (recorded in August 2015). Craig and Jess offer fantastic insight into what it takes to recognize an ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 23 October 2018
#28: Gavin Sloan - Founder of Live Chat Monitoring
Our interview with Gavin Sloan, the founder of LiveChatMonitoring.com. An incredible story of turning around a business on the brink of folding, to becoming a global leader in it's industry. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 16 October 2018
#27: Martin Cooperwaite, founder of Kiandra IT
Martin Cooperwaite, founder of award-winning IT company Kiandra IT, discusses all things digital, and his story from founding the business to becoming one of Australia's top custom software developmen ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 9 October 2018
#26: Interview with Traffic Diversions Group
Stefan interviews the owners of Traffic Diversions Group – Paul McRedmond, Stefan Shulz and Ross McDonald. They purchased the business in 2012 with the vision to be the “best traffic control comp ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 2 October 2018
#25: How To Build An A-Grade Business
Stefan explains what it takes to build an A-Grade business and the 4 key aspects needed to create a successful business: Be an A-Grade Business Owner Have an A-Grade Team Having A-Grade Suppliers Hav ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 25 September 2018
#24:Interview with Simon and Kylie Frank, owners of PowerCom Electrical
Simon and Kylie share their story in business – from humble and challenging beginnings, to experiencing enormous growth and success over the past 2 years. Since becoming clients of Business Benchma ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 18 September 2018
#23: Building High Performance Teams
Julie Quinton shares her truly touching, yet inspiring personal story of her life in business. Her husband Brian purchased the independent supermarket in 2000. In 2007, in devastating circumstances a ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 4 September 2018
#21: Exit Strategies & Succession Planning
As a business owner, when you’re building a business you need to have a clear idea about where you’re headed and put a structure in place so that when you reach the point of an exit, you’re prep ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 4 September 2018
#22: Interview with Julie Quinton from Quinton's SUPA IGA
Julie Quinton shares her truly touching, yet inspiring personal story of her life in business. Her husband Brian purchased the independent supermarket in 2000. In 2007, in devastating circumstances a ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 21 August 2018
#19: Partnerships vs Alternatives
Stefan explores business partnerships, and how to make them successful in comparison to other alternatives. There are many good reasons for getting into business partnerships, but in order for a succ ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 21 August 2018
#20: Interview with Tom Harley, CEO of Harley & Sons Roofing (Aussie Plumbing and Gutters)
Stefan explores business partnerships, and how to make them successful in comparison to other alternatives. There are many good reasons for getting into business partnerships, but in order for a succ ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 14 August 2018
#18: Interview with Bek McMillan - Owner of Gourmet Living
Bek McMillan, owner of Gourmet Living, shares her really incredible business journey, which started with just an idea, and led to her being named as a Finalist in Telstra’s Young Business Woman of t ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 7 August 2018
#17: The Most Successful Business Model In The World
How do you build the most successful business model in the world? Generating repeat customers and getting referrals is the most effective and affordable way to build your business. It costs far less ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 31 July 2018
#16: Interview with H2-Pro owners Tristan Wise and Tony Welsh
Interview with Tony Welsh and Tristan Wise, owners of family-run plumbing business H2Pro. Tony and Tristan discuss their business journey, some of the hurdles they've had to overcome, and more importa ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 24 July 2018
#15: Diversification – Depth, Not Breadth
Stefan explores the topic of business diversification. Many business owners look to diversify their business far too early, putting more and more balls in the air before really mastering one yet. In ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 17 July 2018
#14: Interview with Ben & Emma Stallworthy, owners of Pinnacle Health Clubs
Interview with Ben & Emma Stallworthy, owners of Pinnacle Health Clubs. In this fantastic interview, Ben and Emma share the story of their business journey, the challenges they've faced and the s ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 10 July 2018
#13: Partnerships: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Stefan delves into the list of questions you must ask before starting a business partnership, and discusses the strategies you must employ to make sure the partnership works for all stakeholders in th ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 3 July 2018
#12: Being Brilliant At The Basics
In this episode, Stefan strips it all back to discuss the basics of building and running a successful business. Stefan's golden advice includes the need for business owners to continuously focus on ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 26 June 2018
#11: Frank Ponissi - Melbourne Storm Football Director - on "Leadership Vs Crisis Management"
In this special episode, Melbourne Storm's Football Director, Frank Ponissi, shares his views on leadership and crisis management. Ponissi is certainly no stranger to crisis management. In 2010, Melb ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 12 June 2018
#9: Passengers Don't Get To Dictate What Happens In Their Life
If you aren't leading, nobody's following. In this shorter episode, Stefan explores the need for business owners to schedule time every week, dedicated to thinking strategically about their business. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 12 June 2018
#10: Vision VS Execution
If you aren't leading, nobody's following. In this shorter episode, Stefan explores the need for business owners to schedule time every week, dedicated to thinking strategically about their business. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 5 June 2018
#8: Being 'Personal Best' - 1% improvements every day
If you don't have something driving you to be your Personal Best, then chances are each day, each week and each month you are going to be spending more time in mediocrity. Make 1% improvements each d ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 29 May 2018
#7: Lessons in Business From The Drain Man (Brendan Dover)
Brendan Dover from The Drain Man shares the story of his business, its enormous growth since 2007, and gives us tremendous insight in the decisions he's made on his business journey. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 22 May 2018
#6: Leadership vs Crisis Management
What's the difference between leading and managing? A leader provides direction, encouragement and inspiration to motivate a team to achieve business success. A manager coordinates the efforts of th ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 15 May 2018
#5: Getting Back to the Basics
Why do we hear the term 'back to basics' so frequently? Because it works! Regardless of what you are doing, going 'back to basics' is something everyone understands. Being "brilliant at the basics" is ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 8 May 2018
#4: High Tech - High Touch
It’s obvious that people will do business with people they like, and most importantly, trust. So it’s integral that the fusion of traditional and digital is all about having the ability to build ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 1 May 2018
#3: Celebrate your success! Turn success into sales opportunities!
Marketing is something that happens every day, so it’s vital that you get better at telling your story. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 24 April 2018
#2: Building for success
This podcast is about the fundamentals of business, it's about being brilliant at the basics. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 17 April 2018
#1: Small steps to great improvements
Can you improve by 220% in one year? If you did improve by 220% in one year, what would that mean for you and your business? 220% may sound a lot but how about if you only had to improve 1% every day ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 23 August 2017
Trench Talk Interview Stefan Kazakis
Stefan Kazakis is the founding Principal of Business Benchmark Group and has spent more than two decades at the forefront of business including 25 years as an owner across multiple industries. He has ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 7 November 2016
ABC Interview - Keeping an Eye on Employees
Listen to a business coach interview with Stefan Kazakis share some excellent business insights on ABC radio with Philip Clark. ...
Read moreStefan Kazakis on 16 August 2016
ABC Interview - Building a Referral Based Business
Listen to a business coach interview with Stefan Kazakis share some excellent business insights on ABC radio with Tony Delroy. ...
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