In this high-energy episode Nicky's welcomes productivity powerhouse and best-selling author Donna McGeorge. Get ready to shift how you think about work, life, and results as they unpack the game-changing concept behind Donna's latest book, Red Brick Thinking™.

Donna shows us how removing, rather than adding, can unlock productivity, peace, and progress. From tackling meetings and admin overload to decluttering mindsets and business processes, she brings practical strategies that you can implement immediately. No fluff. Just sharp insights and simple shifts with a big impact.

🔥 Topics covered:

• The Red Brick Thinking™ framework: what it is and why it matters now more than ever
• The hidden cost of "more" in business and life
• How subtraction leads to smart growth
• Spotting the signs of burnout, urgency, and unnecessary noise
• Real-life ways to “red brick” your calendar, meetings, habits, and systems

Whether you're a business owner, leader, or high performer, this episode will have you asking: What can I red brick today?

📕 Grab your copy of Red Brick Thinking here!

Connect with Donna at www.donnamcgeorge.com

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

If you've ever found yourself skipping lunch breaks, working late into the night, or saying "I'll rest when this project is done" ... this episode is for you.

In this thought-provoking episode, Nicky unpacks how our subconscious beliefs silently shape our behaviour, especially when it comes to how we hustle. She takes a deep dive into the difference between healthy hustle and unhealthy hustle and why understanding the spectrum between the two could change everything.

You'll learn:

• The six signs you're operating in the red zone of hustle culture
• The six traits of healthy hustle that fuel sustainable success
• Why "I'll just do it myself" is more dangerous than you think
• How your beliefs might be driving burnout without you even realising it
• Practical shifts to reclaim joy, presence and performance in your work

Whether you're thriving right now or feeling stretched too thin, this episode offers a timely mirror and a roadmap back to what really matters.

Because busy isn’t a badge of honour ... and burnout isn’t a strategy.

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

Referrals – they’re often seen as the gold standard for growth, but are you treating them like a real sales strategy… or just leaving it to chance?

In this episode, Nicky breaks down exactly why referrals are one of the most under-utilised growth levers in business – not because they don’t work, but because most leaders and sales teams aren’t being intentional. We dive into the three-part formula that turns casual word-of-mouth into a powerful, proactive pipeline: ask, make it easy, and follow up.

You’ll also hear how to segment your network into A-players and B-players, why even prospects who said “no” might still be valuable, and how to embed referrals into your overall nurture strategy for consistent, scalable growth.

If your team’s relying on referrals but there’s no real process behind it, this one’s a must-listen.

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

The AI Tipping Point – How to Use AI in Sales Without Losing the Human Touch

In this thought-provoking episode of Smart Business Growth, Nicky dives deep into one of the most critical conversations leaders and sales professionals need to have right now — the role of AI in modern sales.

After an unexpectedly delightful interaction with an AI receptionist named Sadie, Nicky explores what that experience reveals about how AI is being used — and misused — in the sales process.

This episode tackles:

• The two dangerous camps businesses fall into: avoidance or overuse
• What HubSpot’s latest data reveals about how sales teams are using AI (and where they’re falling short)
• Why trust is the true currency in sales — and how over-automating could be costing you more than time
• Practical ways to integrate AI tools like ChatGPT, Gong, and HubSpot without losing your voice or connection
• The critical difference between AI as a tool vs AI as a crutch

Nicky shares a grounded, leadership-first perspective on how to find the middle ground — where speed meets strategy, and where human judgement turns AI into an asset.

A must-listen for any business owner, sales leader or team navigating this fast-evolving space.

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

Still waiting to hear back from that prospect? Don’t go quiet.

In this week’s Smart Business Growth episode, Nicky's calling out the silent killer of sales success: giving up too soon.

HubSpot research shows it takes five follow-ups to close most deals. Yet nearly half of people give up after just one. No wonder sales feel stuck.

In this episode, Nicky shares:

• Why your follow-up feels awkward (and how to shift that)
• How to stay top of mind without being annoying
• The “friendly stalker” moment that changed everything for me
• Creative ways to make following up less awkward and more effective

This is your nudge to keep going. Not just once. Not twice. But at least five intentional, strategic follow-ups. Because becoming invisible helps no one.

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

EPISODE 1: What Smart Growth Really Means (and Why Now Is the Time to Course Correct)

Welcome back to Season 4 of Smart Business Growth – and this time, Nicky's flying solo. In this personal and powerful episode, Nicky peels back the curtain on what it really means to grow smart – in business, in leadership, and in life.

As we approach the end of the year (and if we face the fact that 2030 is closer than we think), it’s time to pause and ask: Where am I heading? And is it where I want to go?

This episode dives into:

• The five truths of smart growth that every business leader must embrace
• Why listening to your intuition isn't fluff – it's a strategy
• How discomfort is your signpost for momentum
• The power of having good people around you (and honest feedback)
• And why your personal growth is always tethered to your business success

Whether you're a founder, a senior leader, or someone who's questioning the pace you're moving at – this is your invitation to reflect, recalibrate and choose growth on your terms.

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

Season 4 of the Smart Business Growth Podcast is here.

I’m Nicky Miklós, and this season, we’re tackling the real roadblocks to business growth - inconsistent sales, reactive teams, clunky or non-existent sales systems, and leadership stretched way too thin.

If it feels like you're building the plane while flying it, you're not alone. This season is about shifting from chaos to clarity, from reactive to proactive.

Expect real talk, expert insights, and practical frameworks to help you scale sales, build capability across your team, and lead without burning out.

Because smart growth isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what works.

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley

Nicky and Ness dive deep into the world of AI with Leanne Shelton, exploring how businesses can integrate AI without losing the human touch. We kick off the discussion by addressing the overwhelming pressure many feel in experimenting with AI tools and Leanne’s advice to start small. From simple tasks like email editing to gradually incorporating tools like Microsoft Copilot or OpenAI, she emphasizes the importance of easing into AI usage.

We then delve into the core principle of using AI to enhance, not replace human efforts. Leanne passionately discusses how relying entirely on AI can lead to generic, lifeless outputs and highlights the importance of training AI tools to reflect your brand’s distinct voice, style, and audience. This approach ensures that your unique expertise and experience shine through, maintaining the authenticity of your content.

Our conversation also touches on the irreplaceable value of human connection, especially in an era of advanced AI technologies like deep fakes. Leanne predicts a resurgence of traditional face-to-face interactions to build trust, which is becoming increasingly vital. She shares her insights on potential future trends, such as agentic AI, which aims to automate backend processes but still requires substantial human oversight to ensure quality and ethical standards.

The episode addresses the cautious approach of Australian and New Zealand businesses towards AI adoption, suggesting a slow yet inevitable shift as security concerns are resolved. Leanne offers practical advice for business leaders hesitant about AI, stressing that while tools may evolve, the fundamental concepts of responsible and effective AI usage will remain relevant.

Leanne wraps up with actionable steps listeners can take within 24 hours to become more comfortable with AI, such as experimenting with different tones and styles to see how AI adjusts its outputs. This hands-on exercise helps users understand the importance of precise input to achieve desired results.

Tune in for a rich discussion filled with expert tips, ethical considerations, and strategic insights to help you navigate the evolving AI landscape without losing your brand's human essence.

Leanne's website - https://humanedgeai.com/

Learn more about Nicky at nickymiklos.com

Grab The Growth Code™ here!

Get your a copy of Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business & Life at www.healthyhustle.com.au

Connect: LinkedIn | Instagram

Contact: 0403 191 404 | hello@nickymiklos.com

Music by Jules Miklos-Woodley