In this ongoing weekly podcast series, Sam will discuss all things about small business in Australia.
It could be topics related to business development, marketing, photography, or even a combination of all three.
Also, community development and volunteering... possibly some small business advocacy and information for the NFP sector as well.
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If you’ve ever been told to “write a business case” or “you should have a business plan”—but weren’t exactly sure which one you needed or why—this episode is for you. In today’s episode, Sam is breaking down the difference between a business case and a business plan, and how small business owners like you can use both to make smarter decisions and grow with confidence. Grab a free business plan ( and a one-page action plan ) from Business Victoria Reach out directly to me at sam@samhicks.com.au, and I can assist with a one-page business plan - takes about an hour and yes, there is a cost. Direct link here If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic. Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter. Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals, whether via mentoring, attending a workshop, or a one-hour course. Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.
In today's episode, Sam is speaking about how you are more than just a logo Branding is often reduced to a logo, a colour scheme, or a well-designed website. But real branding goes deeper—it’s how you conduct yourself, how people experience you, and how they feel after an interaction with you. As a small business owner, you are your brand. Whether you’re at work, attending an event, engaging online, or simply out in the community, your actions shape how people perceive you and your business. If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic. Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter. Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course. Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.
In this episode Sam is discussing "What happens to your social media and devices when you die?" We rarely think about it, but our social media accounts and devices often outlive us. If you run a business, your online presence—whether on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or other platforms—can become a question mark when you’re no longer here to manage it. The same applies to smartphones, tablets, and computers, many of which hold important business and personal data. An early disclaimer, this episode Sam talks about death based on personal experiences both with loved ones, clients and friends. So if this is not for you at this time, you may find another episode that will work for you this week. If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic. Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter. Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course. Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.
Taking good notes can make all the difference when running a business or an organisation. Whether you need to capture key points from meetings, create action items, or record discussions, note-taking apps can save time and improve efficiency. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? Sam chats about investing in one and the options, both free and paid. Lets get cracking... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode notes - links Built-in Meeting Tools Microsoft Teams: https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/automate-notetaking-in-microsoft-teams-meetings-37657f91-39b5-40eb-9421-45141e3ce9f6 Zoom AI Companion: https://zoom.us Google Meet Transcription: https://workspace.google.com Paid Apps with Advanced Features Otter.ai: https://otter.ai Fireflies.ai: https://fireflies.ai Fathom: https://fathom.video MeetGeek: https://meetgeek.ai tl;dv: https://tldv.io ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic. Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter. Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course. Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.
In this episode, Sam discusses Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) for small businesses in Victoria. Highlighting how they protect confidentiality, intellectual property, and sensitive client information. Drawing on over 25 years as a small business advisor, Sam explains why confidentiality is crucial and shares practical tips on effectively using NDAs to safeguard your business. Disclaimer: seek legal advice, as I am discussing agreements in this podcast as a starting point and inspiration to consider if you need one for your application or situation. Yours needs to be tailored and of course, it needs to be reviewed by an independent legal advisor. --- Links: IP Australia https://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/tools-and-research/business-resources/non-disclosure-agreements/Non-disclosure-contract-generator Lawpath https://lawpath.com.au/legal-documents/ppc-non-disclosure-agreement-one-way Legal Vision https://legalvision.com.au/documents/confidentiality-agreement/?form=true&form_dl=true Business Victoria works with INNOVIC https://www.innovic.com.au/resources/ ----------------------------------- If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic. Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter. Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals; whether via mentoring, attending a workshop or a small 1-hour course. Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.