In episode 21 of the Business Exit Secret Formula podcast, David G. Fisher chats with tech innovator Kelvin Holiday about his journey from carpenter to tech innovator, an inspiring example for entrepreneurs everywhere. By embracing technology and developing solutions to real-world challenges, business owners can break free from constraints that limit their growth. Key takeaways from this episode include the importance of adaptability, the value of integrated technology solutions, and the potential for productivity tools to transform business operations.

Today, Kelvin is excited to offer you a special opportunity to seamlessly bring technology into your business. We're here to support you every step of the way!

https://productivityhub.tech/speaker-coach?fbclid=IwY2xjawOpsdtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjanJNVDY2eDZiTzhCV2dNc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqocmfCS1bHbuRZ-UVCnOf-rGQNkv2j2X14aTMvVpXbvYiNkuLWjnAJZBDOH_aem_IYciVzXGSpX-hmCtlOPxUw

Business Success, Productivity Tools, Entrepreneurial Journey, Technology Solutions, Virtual Assistants, Payment Processing, Business Innovation, Freedom in Business, Business Growth Strategies.

A big thank you to Business Exit & Beyond, our sponsors.

https://businessexitbeyond.com/

In episode 20 of the Business Exit Secret Formula podcast, David G Fisher chats with business coach James Short about how emotional intelligence, mindset and leadership directly impact the value and exit-readiness of your business. They unpack practical ways to review your 2026 goals, reverse-engineer milestones, align your team and blend AI with human connection so your business can grow – and eventually be sold – without relying on you.

A big thank you to our sponsors, Business Exit & Beyond https://businessexitbeyond.com/

James shares lessons from his journey through the fitness and real estate industries and how those experiences shaped his approach to strategic planning, communication and team alignment. You’ll learn why reviewing your 2026 goals, reverse-engineering your milestones, and using clear feedback loops are essential if you want a business that can grow – and eventually be sold – without depending on you.

If you would like to connect with James Short

linkedin.com/in/james-short-real-estate-coach

If you are in real estate

James Short has been assisting Raine & Horne Randwick | Coogee | Clovelly with their Vision, Strategy and Team since 2008

https://rhrcc.com.au/team/james-short

The Real Estate Voice

https://www.therealestatevoice.com.au/category/motivation_and_support/jamesshort/

In this episode of Business Exit Secret Formula,

Russell Cummings shares his extensive journey from farm management consulting to becoming a business coach and author. He discusses the importance of planning for business growth, particularly for private and family-owned businesses, and emphasises the need for exit strategies. Russell also addresses the impact of AI on the workforce, the rising issue of burnout among business owners, and shares effective time management techniques to enhance productivity. He concludes with actionable insights on implementing a 90-day productivity plan to achieve business goals.

https://www.shifft.com.au/ with Russell Cummings

Russell's Business Books & Journals

https://www.shifft.com.au/business-books-and-journals/

Chapters

00:00 Russell Cummings: A Journey Through Business Consulting

04:36 The Importance of Planning for Family-Owned Businesses

07:28 Understanding Exit Strategies Early

10:18 Navigating the Impact of AI on Business

13:52 Opportunities in Business Growth and Valuation

19:04 Managing Burnout and Work-Life Balance

20:56 Time Management: The Eisenhower Matrix

25:23 Reactive vs. Proactive Time Management

29:43 The Importance of Deep Thinking

33:31 Time Audits and Productivity Strategies

39:21 Time Blocking and Focus Techniques

44:36 The Pomodoro Technique and Managing Distractions

49:37 Key Takeaways for Effective Time Management

Big thanks to sponsors, Business Exit & Beyond

https://businessexitbeyond.com/

Would you like to share your business journey with our audience?

Join us as a guest

https://hub.businessexitbeyond.com/podcast

In this heartfelt conversation, Josie and David Fisher share their insights on discovering purpose amidst life's transitions, especially in the realm of business ownership. They talk about the hurdles business owners encounter when thinking about selling their businesses and emphasise how vital it is to identify one's purpose before making big life decisions. The discussion highlights the value of support and guidance during these important changes, reminding us all that we're not alone on these journeys.

A big thank you to our sponsors, Business Exit & Beyond

https://businessexitbeyond.com/

Would you be interested in joining us as a guest on our podcast? We’d love to have you share your insights and stories!

https://hub.businessexitbeyond.com/podcast

Takeaways

I'm 63 today, but when I was around 60, I couldn't help but wonder, what’s next for me?

It felt like two years filled with discovering new things, really beginning to find my purpose for the next exciting chapter.

Many people in business today find it hard to let go because they feel like they have nowhere to go.

Offering reassurance can often help lighten that worry and inspire new possibilities.

Only 14% of businesses that went on the market actually sold.

Only 10% of businesses are currently ready to sell.

What about the other 90%?

How can we help business owners?

Discover their purpose before they actually leave their business.

I couldn't find anyone who was encouraging people to explore and discover their journey.

That's why we started Business Exit & Beyond

https://businessexitbeyond.com/

A big thank you to our wonderful sponsors of the Business Exit Secret Formula Podcast! Your support means so much to us. Business Exit & Beyond

In this episode, Josie and David Fisher discuss the Business Acquisition Blueprint, emphasising its importance for sellers in preparing their businesses for sale. They explore the challenges sellers face, the concept of the informed acquirer, and how to safeguard a seller's legacy. The conversation also covers the significance of thorough financial analysis and creating a secure acquisition strategy to ensure a smooth transition and fair valuation.

Takeaways

The Buyer Ready Program is a game-changer for sellers.

Sellers often face challenges with unprepared buyers.

Understanding the actual value of a business is crucial.

The informed acquirer sees beyond the price tag.

Negotiations can become partnerships with informed buyers.

Safeguarding a seller's legacy is essential during transitions.

Financial analysis is key to understanding business value.

A secure acquisition strategy protects investments.

The program helps buyers recognise actual value.

Successful transitions ensure businesses continue to thrive.

"It's the key to unlocking new opportunities."

The buyer needs a clearer perspective."

"We're going to dig deeper into the financial concrete."

A big thank you to our wonderful sponsors of the Business Exit Secret Formula Podcast! Your support means so much to us. Business Exit & Beyond

Join us on the Business Exit Secret Formula Podcast as we dive into the world of mergers and acquisitions with expert Dan Blair.

Discover the secrets to successful business exits, learn how to balance risk and reward, and explore strategies to maximise your company's value. Whether you're preparing to sell or looking to buy, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the complex landscape of business transitions. Don't miss out on the nuggets of wisdom that could transform your business journey!

Chapters

1. Introduction to Dan Blair and His Journey(0:00)
2. Understanding Mergers and Acquisitions(3:00)
3. Balancing Risk and Reward in Business(6:00)
4. Strategies for Successful Business Exits(9:00)
5. The Importance of Long-Term Planning(12:00)
6. Navigating the First 100 Days Post-Acquisition(15:00)
7. Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways(18:00)

As we wrap up this insightful episode, let's take a moment to appreciate the expertise of our guest, Dan Blair. With a wealth of experience in corporate finance and strategy, Dan has been instrumental in guiding businesses through successful exits and strategic growth. His firm, LTV Partners, is dedicated to creating long-term value for clients by offering tailored solutions that bridge the gap between corporate strategy and finance. To learn more about how Dan and his team can help your business thrive, visit LTV Partners. Thank you for joining us on the Business Exit Secret Formula Podcast!

LTV Partners will provide a complimentary Invest (exit) Ready diagnostic audit to all listeners of the Business Exit & Beyond podcast. Furthermore, if any organisations then engage LTV Partners, we will offer a referral fee (equivalent to 25% of a month's retainer) as a cash bonus (or if you prefer, you can donate this / pay it forward to any organisation of your choosing, including charities and NFP). Click here to book a follow-up chat. At LTV Partners, we help founders and management teams turn strategy into outcomes. In short: we build growth plans, get businesses investor ready, and execute capital events through to the end goal. Here’s what that looks like: Growth Strategy

• Define the Future State or End Goal (eg scale or exit) and reverse-engineer the pathway.
• Build an actionable strategic growth plan with execution milestones.
• Cloud-based dashboard for governance, tracking and accountability.

• Build a clear investment case with robust forecasts and financial modelling.
• Benchmark valuation drivers and optimise the business for investors.
• Ensure governance, structure, and story are aligned to attract capital.

• Execute on business sales, acquisitions and divestments.
• Raise debt, equity and grants through our funding partnerships.
• Negotiate, structure, and close transactions that deliver outcomes.

• Drive profit improvement and operational efficiency via our Profit Improvement framework.
• Build operating models that scale.
• Bring commercial optimisation through pricing strategies and unit economics improvements.

Investment Strategy & Investor Ready Capital Events – M&A & Growth Capital Performance Acceleration.

The result? A flywheel of increased earnings, stronger multiples typically resulting in a 3–5x improvement, and the ROI on the LTV investment typically exceeds 30x. And through our LTVlab, we can also commercialise new ideas or spin out orphaned products into standalone ventures.

Big thank you to Business Exit & Beyond for sponsoring this podcast.

What really determines success or regret after a business sale?

In this episode, Josie and David G Fisher unpack the “First 100 Days” that make or break the business buyers and sellers.

From transition planning to cash flow protection, leadership under pressure, and retaining the relationships that matter, you’ll get a practical blueprint for navigating the handover without chaos.

Drawing on decades of experience, David explains why sellers must prepare well before going to market, how to design a business that can operate without the owner, and what new buyers should focus on from day one.

You’ll also hear how the Buyer Ready Mastermind supports buyers through the human and operational challenges after closing.

You’ll learn:

• Why the first 100 days define long-term outcomes
• How to build a robust transition plan (and avoid common mistakes)
• The fastest ways to protect cash flow during handover
• What to communicate to customers (and when) to build trust
• How to keep key staff engaged and stable
• Why sellers should make their business owner-independent before listing
• How to plan for life beyond business with clarity and confidence

• “You need a transition plan.”
• “You’re not going to do it alone.”
• “Preparation is key for sellers.”

Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Business Exit Strategies06:09 Real-Life Implications for Buyers11:27 One-on-One Guidance for Buyers16:13 The Exit Ready Playbook21:24 Personal Journey and Inspiration27:35 Key Takeaways for Business Owners29:55 Closing

Keywords:Business exit, first 100 days, transition planning, business buyers, business sellers, cash flow, leadership, customer retention, exit strategy, business value

CTAFor owners preparing to sell or buyers navigating a recent acquisition, explore the Business Exit & Beyond™ Operating System and resources at https://businessexitbeyond.com/

Join us in person, Brisbane, Australia.

https://events.humanitix.com/business-exit-networking-mixer-with-jd

Summary

In this conversation, Russell Pearson shares his incredible journey through a variety of industries, highlighting how niche marketing and specialisation can really make a difference in consulting. He discusses the identity shifts that occur after selling a business and the exciting opportunities that are emerging in consulting. Russell offers valuable insights into understanding what clients need, the diagnostic process, and the role of mentorship. He finishes with some practical advice for aspiring consultants, emphasising the importance of finding purpose and a supportive community after selling a business.

Takeaways

Russell Pearson has gained experience across 276 diverse industries, showing remarkable versatility and curiosity. Niche marketing can really boost your business growth and effectiveness, making your efforts more targeted and successful. It's essential for consultants to truly understand their clients' needs, beyond just the surface symptoms, so that they can provide meaningful solutions. The diagnostic process is a vital step in effective consulting—it's like getting to the heart of the matter. When someone sells their business, identity shifts can happen, and having support through that change is so important. Consulting opens up a world of opportunities for new ventures and exciting paths. Mentorship plays a key role in guiding clients as they navigate their journeys, helping them reach their goals. Finding a new purpose after exiting a business is crucial for feeling fulfilled and inspired. Remember, experience and character often matter more than just appearance, and building genuine connections. Ultimately, learning to disconnect from work is crucial for your personal well-being, enabling you to recharge and maintain balance.

Chapters

00:00

The Journey of Russell Pearson

05:32

The Importance of Niching Down

11:30

The Role of Consultants in Business

17:14

Building a Consulting Business

23:41

Understanding Consulting and Mentoring

29:24

The Importance of Identity and Purpose

34:35

Starting a Consulting Business

41:20

Key Takeaways for Business Owners

44:45

http://russellpearsonprograms.com

https://theconsultingguild.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@RussellPearson

He's popularly known as "The Business Blacksmith. "

Russell is a talented Strategist and Artist with over 30 years of top-tier advice in Business, Marketing, and Sales. Recently, he was honoured to be inducted into the Australian Speaker Hall of Fame.

Russell Pearson is at the helm of the award-winning Crimson Fox Creative Studios, hosts the Consulting Business Podcast, and is the founder of the FORGE Business Program.

Beyond his professional life, Russell is passionate about his hobbies- he's an active member of the Australian Blacksmiths Association, has had the pleasure of performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and is a proud father to three lively children.

https://businessexitbeyond.com/