Engineering Success

Greg Thomas: Creating a sustainable business by focusing on the right people

Looking for genuine, straightforward advice from a leader who's managed a hundred-year-old company for 20 years? Then you'll enjoy my chat with Greg Thomas from Sterland Computing.  
Here’s a sneak peek of the key takeaways: 
People Matter: Business is all about people, keeping customers and employees happy is crucial. By focusing on these relationships Greg and the team has turned relationships into profits.  
Long-Term Thinking: Greg shares how switching from a short-term to a long-term mindset can be a game-changer. He talks about setting big goals and breaking them down into smaller, achievable steps
Learning from Failure: Greg gets real about the tough times, especially when the business didn’t sell in 2008. He shares how he turned disappointment into a learning experience that shaped the company’s future.  
Metrics that Matter: It’s not just about the dollars. Greg talks about focusing on the right metrics, like customer churn and the number of licenses, to really understand how the business is doing. 
Adapting to Change: Greg’s story is a testament to the power of adaptability. He shares how being open to change and willing to try new approaches helped the company evolve and thrive. 
 So, for anyone running an SME business or thinking about starting one, my conversation with Greg is a treasure chest of practical, been-there-done-that advice.
It’s real talk from a real guy who’s navigated the choppy waters of running a business. 

Colin Fisher: A Thriving Business built on the Power of Customer Experience and Adaptability

Aquacell's founder and CEO, Colin Fisher, shares the key strategies behind the company's sustained success.
In this episode, Colin highlights the importance of customer-centricity, strategic expansion into new markets, and adapting to a changing market landscape.
Rick and Colin also discusses the value of implementing effective systems and processes, as well as future initiatives aimed at driving Aquacell's growth and maintaining their competitive edge. 

Julie McIntosh: Overcoming challenges through resilience and determination

Rick Merten talks to Julie McIntosh from The Classic Safari Company, a bespoke travel agency.
They discuss
How the business has adapted to the changing landscape of the travel industry
Why Julie focuses on personal connections and understanding clients' needs and preferences,
How her role has evolved over time and finding the balance between working on and in the business

Julie Peksis: Leading a multi-generational family business

In this episode I talk to Julie Peksis from Jeal, a multi-generational family business started almost 40 years ago by her father. 
Julie's unwavering commitment to understanding her customers' needs and facilitating their business management, alongside her relentless efforts to foster a culture of appreciation and inclusivity among team members, has been instrumental in propelling Jeal to long-term success.

Trailer: Longterm Thinking for Business Success with Rick Merten

Long-term Thinking for Business Success is a podcast for and by business owners just like you and me.  
I will chat with successful SME business owners and entrepreneurs to discuss their journey to creating long-term success. We will explore how to create a sustainable business that provides a life with more freedom to choose how you spend your time.

Noel Scully: On Referrals and Relationships as Key to Business Resilience.

Noel Scully has more than two decades of experience helping business achieve their objectives faster than with their existing resources. In fact, the work that nem Australasia does has been so good that they have helped businesses be prepared for a sale. Building strong relationships with his partners and clients and leveraging on referrals is a proven approach to a businesses' resiliency and sustainable success. Seeing his clients achieve their goals is a privilege for Noel.

Damian Scodella: Winning the Numbers Game for Businesses

In this episode, Damian Scodella shares how he built his financial management and bookkeeping business, Square Penny. How he started from a one-man data cleansing project, to adding more staff, to recognizing how he could help businesses 'clean up' their accounting and numbers game. His story is one of growth and evolution. Believing in processes and consistency, continually learning, not just himself, but the business and his people as well. Allowing people to make decisions to grow and evolve.

Neville Samuels: On Finding Business Success from Failure

Neville Samuels describes his journey that led to developing a successful business based on a vision to connect people - connecting businesses with the right skills and talent. From working as an accountant to starting a business that failed, but then having the tenacity to build a new one despite the odds. He discusses the difficulties, the lessons learned, and how he ‘lucked out’ by seizing opportunities he saw at the right time, with the right conditions.