Flying Solo

Work futurist Cherie Mylordis explores the powerful role purpose plays in helping soloists and small business owners thrive—especially when times get tough. Drawing on her transformative experience as part of the founding team for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Cherie Mylordes shares insights into how a shared sense of purpose can energize teams, guide decision-making, and act as an antidote to burnout and uncertainty. Cherie unpacks the practical ways any business—no matter the size—can define and activate its purpose to engage people, attract the right customers, and build a motivated, resilient culture. If you’ve ever wondered how to reconnect with what drives you or how to stand out in challenging times, this conversation has you sorted. Key topics 1. The Power of Purpose in Business Purpose unites people and drives engagement, as seen in the Sydney Olympics experience. Organizations grounded in purpose respond better during crises and uncertainty. Aligning personal and business purpose enhances motivation and combats burnout. 2. Making Purpose Practical for Small Businesses Purpose shapes customer experience, branding, and business ethos (e.g., nursery and mechanic examples). It serves as a filter for decision-making and prioritization, especially amid overwhelm. A clear purpose can attract ideal customers and staff while repelling mismatches. 3. Defining and Embedding Purpose Purpose is broader and more enduring than a vision or mission statement. Use thought-provoking questions (“Why do I exist? What if I couldn’t fail?”) to articulate purpose. Purpose must be seen, felt, and lived—visible in branding and present in daily actions. 4. Purpose as a Driver of Culture and Adaptability Purpose-driven organizations foster meaningful work and strong workplace cultures. Giving employees autonomy and permission to act on purpose ignites innovation and engagement. Revisiting and evolving purpose periodically ensures continued relevance as the business changes. 5. Future Trends and Takeaways Rising generations demand meaningful, purpose-driven work and flexibility. Technology should streamline tasks, freeing people for purposeful, human-centered work. Reflecting on purpose regularly guides businesses through uncertainty and opportunity. Time stamped overview 03:49 Preparing for the international Games 07:48 Eden Gardens business philosophy 10:36 Evaluating priorities through purpose 15:07 Exploring deeper business motivations 18:07 Recognizing team strengths and roles 20:17 Empowering Elderly to Thrive 24:15 Building a Purpose-Driven Team 29:53 Reevaluating business purpose 31:08 Rethinking business impact and growth 34:37 Finding clarity through purpose Host; Cec Busby Sound: Abu Baker Guest Cherie Mylordis Find out more abut Cherie and Nextgenify https://nextgenify.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we dive into the perils of hustle culture and ask: what happens when your drive for success starts to derail your health, energy, and happiness? Our guest is Andrew Horsfield—author of Better: Escape Average, Beat Burnout, and Own Your Life. Once a high-flying corporate achiever himself, Andrew hit burnout hard and was forced to radically rethink how we define success and pace ourselves in business. Today, Andrew helps professionals and business owners tackle the everyday stress, uncertainty, and self-doubt that can come with running your own operation—without sacrificing wellbeing along the way. In this episode, we get real about burnout, decision fatigue, and why we chase "finish lines" that always seem to move. We'll explore practical strategies to protect your energy, set boundaries, and rediscover a sense of freedom in your work. If you're grinding non-stop or feeling stuck despite looking successful on the outside, this conversation is for you. Key topics Burnout signs and when to change Normalising overwork culture Metaphorical finish lines and happiness metrics Optimising daily routines and travel prep Role transitions and mental boundaries Handling failure and self-awareness Separating identity from business success The importance of rest and recovery Managing inner critics and self-doubt Progress tracking and celebrating small wins Time-stamped overview 00:00 Introduction to Burnout and Success 01:16 Understanding Burnout: Personal Experiences 04:45 The Finish Line Mentality in Business 08:39 Optimising Work and Daily Routines 10:23 Transitioning Between Roles 12:46 Managing the Inner Critic 15:44 Dealing with Failure and Setbacks 20:21 Separating Identity from Business 23:41 The Importance of Rest 27:58 Embracing Boredom for Creativity 30:55 The Power of Saying No 34:00 High Performance and Pressure 37:05 Tracking Progress and Rewarding Yourself 40:20 Redefining Success Host: Cec Busby Sound: Abu Baker Guest: Andrew Horsfield. Find out more about Andrew /https://www.andrewhorsfield.com/ Buy his book https://www.andrewhorsfield.com/book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bernadette Schwerdt is a copywriter, ghostwriter, business book coach, and founder of one of Australia’s leading copywriting schools. She’s spent years uncovering what makes entrepreneurs turn million-dollar ideas into thriving businesses … insights she’s compiled in her book, Secrets of the New Online Entrepreneurs. In this episode, Bernadette takes us through her unconventional career journey from acting to advertising to building a successful online business. We’ll dive deep into how she’s worked with top founders from brands like Airtasker, Bondi Sands, and Luxury Escapes, discovering what really sets successful businesses apart. We’ll unpack how to spot real opportunities (and avoid those that are doomed), the pivotal role of storytelling in building your brand, and how AI is reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your business, you’ll come away with practical tips on research, risk-taking, and building your personal brand, all straight from the frontline of Australia’s entrepreneurial scene. Key topics 1. Turning Ideas Into Businesses Bernadette explores why few people turn great ideas into million dollar businesses, emphasizing the differences between dreamers and doers. Bernadette shares real-world examples from entrepreneurs she’s interviewed, highlighting how successful founders have built global brands from scratch. Core lessons include spotting real opportunities, understanding what builds a thriving business, and leveraging both passion and pragmatism. 2. Research, Validation, and Risk-Taking Bernadette stresses the importance of deep research, using competitor and adjacent market analysis before launching a business. The balance between pragmatic realism (e.g., Google searchest o invalidate ideas quickly) and taking calculated risks is highlighted with stories such as the coffee shop/barber example and her nephew’s Pokémon card arbitrage. Effective founders conduct pre-mortems and scenario planning—preparing for the worst and having contingency plans, as illustrated by experiences from companies like Swiss and Seek.com. 3. The Role of AI in Business and Content Creation AI is recognised as a powerful research and productivity tool, but Bernadette urges not to rely solely on it—human judgment, passion, and external conversations are still essential. In the copywriting world, AI is considered an “intern” or co-writer, and the value of trained writers is heightened due to their ability to brief AI effectively and filter quality from generic output . For small businesses, AI’s key benefit is productivity—handling repetitive or time-consuming tasks and assisting with research, hiring, and summarizing content . 4. Storytelling and Personal Branding Bernadette breaks down the structure of business storytelling: context, challenge, action, result, and learnings, emphasising its power in connecting with audiences and communicating core beliefs. Preparation and authenticity are crucial for public speaking; Bernadette shares that effortless speeches require significant rehearsal and a clear focus on audience takeaways. Building a strong personal brand, both online and in-person, is increasingly critical in a world where AI screens applicants and consumers buy from people, not just businesses. Timestamped overview 00:00 Beginning the ghostwriting journey 03:17 Pursuing passion in creative careers 07:22 Remote work versus office culture 10:01 Radek Sali's risk-taking decision 16:11 Discovering the card arbitrage opportunity 18:54 Finding a unique product niche 20:51 Pursuing passions carefully 26:03 Importance of clear storytelling structure 26:59 Advice for success stories 31:36 Overcoming growth challenges on a budget 35:58 Using AI for transcriptions 38:45 Importance of personal branding online 41:01 Building a Personal Brand 43:55 Becoming comfortable with social media Host: Cec Busby Guest: Bernadette Schwerdt. Find out more about Bernadette Sound: Abu Baker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Flying Solo, Jeff Purser, communication strategist and author of Yes Yes Yes, shares insights on modern persuasion techniques. He emphasises the importance of timing, empathy, storytelling, and listening skills for soloists and small business owners to influence effectively without manipulation. Key topics The shift from hard sell to empathetic influence The importance of timing in persuasion Storytelling as a persuasion tool Masks of persuasion and emotional sequencing Listening skills as a key to influence Timestamped overview 00:00 Introduction to Persuasion for Soloists and Small Business Owners 01:12 Jeff Persa's Career Journey and Inspiration for the Book 03:08 Why Old School Sales Tactics No Longer Work 04:19 What Healthy Persuasion Looks Like Today 05:21 The Critical Role of Timing in Influence 07:07 Preparing Your Approach Before Engaging a Client 09:43 The Three Act Structure of Persuasion and Influence 11:21 The Power of Timing in Idea Landing and Authority 14:00 Lessons from Steve Jobs and Bill Gates on Persuasion 16:31 The Customer as the Hero in Business Storytelling 18:41 The Five Heartbeats Framework for Emotional Sequencing 21:03 The Masks of Persuasion and When to Use Them 23:29 Listening Skills as a Foundation for Influence 25:26 Effective Questioning to Understand Customer Needs 27:02 Persuasion in Internal Business Relationships 28:31 Overcoming Introversion and Presentation Anxiety 35:58 Key Takeaway: Persuasion is a Learnable Skill Host: Cec Busby Sound: Abu Baker Guest Jeff Purser Find out more about Jeff: https://jeffpurserproductions.com/ Buy a copy of Yes! Yes! Yes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't know your IQ from your EQ? Never fear, kick back, and check out our summer season highlight as we dive into a conversation with Amy Jacobson on emotional intelligence and why it's so crucial for business success. Amy Jacobson is a human behaviour and emotional intelligence specialist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. She has made it her mission to help leaders and organisations embed emotional intelligence into their workplace culture—something she believes is often overlooked, yet crucial for business success. In this conversation, Cec and Amy explore what emotional intelligence really is, why it’s a gamechanger for business owners, and practical ways to develop these skills—whether you’re managing a team, navigating tricky conversations, or fostering a positive workplace culture, even in remote settings. Drawing on years of hands-on corporate experience and her new book, "The Emotional Intelligence Advantage," Amy shares actionable advice for building empathy, self-awareness, and resilience in both personal and professional life. 1. Emotional Intelligence as a Learnable Skill It’s not an innate trait, but a set of skills that can be developed and improved throughout life. Practice, repetition, and self-awareness are essential to growing emotional intelligence. Ownership and responsibility for one’s actions and emotions is central to EQ. 2. The Crucial Role of Empathy Empathy is different from sympathy: it requires understanding another’s emotions without judgment. Empathy can be taught and is essential for healthy workplace culture and leadership. Practicing empathy helps navigate difficult conversations and build trust. 3. Navigating Difficult Conversations Address tough issues promptly—don’t avoid or delay. Focus on emotions rather than just facts or situations. Use techniques like the “Ask-Ask-Tell” method to encourage self-ownership while maintaining boundaries. Emotional regulation (such as staying calm and listening) is key during heated discussions. 4. Building a Positive Team and Workplace Culture Emotional intelligence underpins workplace culture, especially with remote and flexible teams. Relationships and understanding what makes people “tick” drive effective collaboration. Lack of emotional intelligence can breed toxicity, poor performance, and disengagement. Timestamped overview 00:00 Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace 04:46 Emotional Intelligence: Ownership & Impact 09:23 Teaching Empathy in Toxic Workplaces 12:28 Overcoming Fear in Tough Talks 16:34 "Handling Anger with Empathy" 18:45 "Empathetic Communication Technique" 21:42 Building Emotional Connections 26:17 Perspective on Leadership Differences 29:12 "Breathe: Cultivating Emotional Intelligence" 32:16 Celebrate the Book's Impact Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we are joined by Simi Rayat, a global productivity expert, business psychologist and founder of Wellbeing Face. In our conversation, we delve into productivity and emotional wellbeing. Simi shares her journey from a budding interest in psychology to becoming an advocate for enhancing productivity through a scientifically backed approach. Together, we explore key concepts from her latest book, "Productivity Joy," which offers strategies for boosting productivity and energy in just five minutes a day using the innovative 5Q formula. We also touch on the importance of gratitude, emotional awareness, and self-compassion in maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life. Join us as we uncover practical tips and mindset shifts that can transform your daily routines and enhance your personal and professional growth. Time-stamped overview 00:00 5-minute system boosts mood and productivity. 04:27 Science-backed process for enhancing mindset with questions. 07:38 Emotions dictate behavior; acknowledging them is crucial. 11:30 Focus on 3 high-impact tasks daily. 15:44 Mindset impacts productivity and collaboration significantly. 20:08 Revisit priorities midday; reflect briefly daily. 23:33 Take 5 minutes daily for mindset clarity. 26:10 Annual family goal-setting retreat with collaborative planning. 28:48 Identify inspiring qualities and boost self-worth and gratitude. Key Topics Recognising Qualities and Self-Reflection Admired Traits: Simi Raya emphasises that the qualities we admire in others often mirror traits that exist within us, enhancing our own self-awareness and identity. Self-Worth Connection: By recognising these qualities in ourselves, we can improve our self-worth and confidence. Identifying Influential People: Part of effective self-reflection is identifying and surrounding ourselves with individuals who inspire us to become better versions of ourselves, fostering personal growth. Value and Practice of Gratitude Human Need for Recognition: Gratitude satisfies a fundamental human desire to feel valued and impactful, fulfilling an essential emotional requirement for acknowledgment. Concerns About Gratitude: Raya expresses concern that some individuals struggle to recall the last time they received gratitude, highlighting a need for improved gratitude practices. Encouraging Expression: She advocates for a more frequent and conscious expression of gratitude to enhance overall well-being and fulfillment in our interactions. Distinction Between Busyness and Productivity Common Reflexive Responses: Many people default to saying they're "fine" or "busy" without truly assessing their emotional state or productivity level. Impact over Quantity: Simi Raya explains that being busy is often mistaken for being productive or important, yet it doesn't necessarily equate to impactful work. Focus on Meaningful Work: She suggests prioritizing high-impact and meaningful tasks over compiling lengthy to-do lists, which can lead to more significant outcomes and satisfaction. Simi Raya’s 5 Q's Formula Framework Introduction: Raya introduces a productivity framework adapted from Eisenhower’s matrix, designed to focus on prioritizing tasks by their urgency and importance. Three High-Impact Tasks: The approach emphasizes completing three high-impact tasks each day to maintain alignment with broader personal and professional goals. Brain's Preference for Threes: This method leverages the brain’s natural efficiency in processing information in sets of three, making it easier to manage and execute tasks. Daily Routine Integration: Simi suggests integrating the 5Q’s formula into existing morning routines, helping to enhance productivity and focus right from the start of the day.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer's here, and we're taking a break, so we've put together a season of summer highlights for your listening pleasure. Kick back and enjoy! Money! How to manage it, how to make the most of it, and how to attract more of it, are questions we’d all like answered and this week’s guest, Clare Wood, has some practical solutions. Clare is a sought-after money mentor, author, speaker and CPA-qualified accountant who helps service-based businesses to scale. She also runs The Profit Academy, an online school created to help business owners increase their profits exponentially. When it comes to money management, Clare knows just what it takes to help business owners make more money and create a life of financial freedom and fun. Episode notes In this episode, Clare unpacks: 1:00 - From 2nd-gen numbers nerd to corporate finance 4:03 – Why helping small businesses make more money is her passion 8:44 – The basics of small business finance + key metrics to know 11:50 – The difference between profit and loss, cash flow + budget 13:55 – Cash flow tracking: Excel vs accounting software 17:40 – How to keep reaching your profit goals 19:10 – Why you DON’T have to tell your customers why you’re raising prices 22:20 – Understanding your money mindset – and how to change it 28:05 – The power of a growth mindset for entrepreneurs 29:05 – Sales strategies – growing your existing clients/customers 31:40 – Unlocking your money dreams and desires Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People and culture specialist Claire Gray, author of the new book Thriving Teams: When Teams Unite, Align and Achieve, dives into what truly makes a business excel—whether you’re leading a handful of people, working with an evolving group of freelancers, or just starting to build your own crew. Claire shares insights from her extensive experience in leadership development, team dynamics, and her own entrepreneurial journey. We cover the essentials of building strong teams, the difference between simply performing and genuinely thriving, and why understanding your purpose and practicing quality conversations can make all the difference. You’ll also learn practical strategies for fostering psychological safety, empathy, and accountability, even when your team is made up of remote workers or freelancers. Key topics 1. The Essentials of Thriving Teams Key differences between dysfunctional, complacent, performing, and thriving teams Importance of purpose, meaningful work, and strong relationships Psychological safety as a foundation for honest conversations and innovation 2. Leadership Skills and Development Common leadership gaps, especially in small businesses and among new leaders The growing value of “soft” (human) skills like empathy and feedback The three facets of authentic leadership: empathy, assertiveness, adaptiveness 3. Creating Alignment and Accountability Defining clear roles, goals, and behavioral expectations as teams grow Importance of regular, quality conversations to build alignment Shared accountability and giving/receiving feedback within the team 4. Fostering Healthy Team Culture Encouraging healthy debate and curiosity for growth and innovation Building human connection and togetherness, even with remote or freelance teams Incorporating rituals and intentionality in meetings for engagement 5. Practical Steps and Resources Tips for discovering purpose and leveraging team strengths Addressing misalignment or tension through open communication and curiosity Resources like Claire Gray ’s book and practical tools for team development Time-stamped overview 00:00 From Psychology to HR Journey 03:06 Leadership Skills Gap Insights 06:45 "Defining Purpose at Four Levels" 13:07 "Psychological Safety and Team Alignment" 14:08 Fostering Open, Respectful Conversations 17:20 "Psychological Safety and Accountability" 20:46 Empathy, Authenticity, Adaptive Leadership 24:09 "Effective and Intentional Meetings" 30:08 "Fostering Quality Conversations" 31:19 "Thriving Team Insights with Claire" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices