Make It Count Project

It is the season to be Jolly!  Scratch that, it is the season to start planing, tax planning!   Listen in to hear the reasons by tax planning and the top 8 tips to reducing your tax bill.

The Budget has come in as expected with a focus on jobs, costs of living, home ownership and health! Today Nick dives into key updates that will affect individuals and small businesses!  If you have under 20 minutes to spare, listen in!

Sometimes you just cannot win.  And when that happens, when you are facing defeat, remember that mindset matters.  In this episode we go personal and talk about some big events in Nick's life which highlights the power of mindset.  

Finding and keeping staff has always been a challenge in the small business space.  In this episode of the project we talk staff shortages, the great resignation and going back to basics to help retain staff.

Welcome to 2022.  It is a new year and a new year.  Join Nick Hill as he discusses his 5 quick tips to help you with your goal setting and achieving for the 2022 year.  Now is the time to Make it Count!

Nick Hill invites Chris Lowe, creator and director of BPW (Business Plan Writers) to discuss boxing, alcoholic ginger beer and the one thing that all businesses should have and the one thing many don't know where to start with - business plans. What you need to know (without the jargon) 

"Downtime" means different things to different people. You might not even be aware that you are surrounded by surfers, single parents, creatives and even mature uni students, but a lot of us are surrounded by people who look entirely different to us outside of work. (I'm not including F45'ers in this because F45'ers always let you know they go to F45).  What does it mean to truly rest and recuperate following a period of increased actvity, heightened stress or just a really, really busy period at work? What does it mean to work hard and play hard to you? And can one size fit all? Business owner and entrepreneur Nick Hill dives further in this week's Make It Count Project episode. 

Nick Hill takes the boring out of accounting with the basics, no-bull truth about FBT- and why you need to be aware of it. 

He may not be a financial advisor, but Nick Hill knows a thing or two about what to invest in. And it features an even more important commodity than money: time. Listen to how you can Make It Count whether or not you’re choosing to invest in Gamestop, property, Bitcoin (just remember your password!)… or yourself.  

With February upon us, Nick Hill encourages his listeners to harness the power of goal-setting and the reticular activating system, as he discusses his own goals coming true in light of a positive attitude and daily steps in the right direction. It’s a strange time for sure, but always a time to Make it Count.

Nick reflects on what this year has brought- bad, yes but also good; work ethic in a time of Corona and beyond, and his final thoughts as we leave behind us a year like never before.

Yep, there's further updates. And yep, Nick Hill is here to guide you through the jungles of the new JobKeeper updates, testing criteria and key dates. 

Making a decision can be the hardest part of any new process. But it's the consequences of that decision- and our perception of them- that really count. Join Nick Hill as he explores the dynamics of decision- making, choice and mindset as a business-owner and individual.

Fresh off reading a fascinating new book, Nick explores the theme of the Corporate Athlete even further, and delves into what he has recongnises to be the power of engagement in his own life and business. 

Compartmentalising is strategy used by professionals worldwide to ensure we evenly spread our energies across our various commitments. Hear how Nick Hill manages to compartmentalise as an accontant, father, husband, director and small business owner- and how you can, too. 

Nick Hill discusses how balance can contribute to success, and how viewing yourself and your staff as athletes (yes, really) can bring out a renewed kind of success. 

If you have questions about whether you should be buying that car (and how much your deduction could be), whether you should inject money into superannuation to access a tax deduction. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Alex Bain for post-production.  

Have you heard the Cherokee story about the two wolves? Find out how deciding which wolf to feed can be the difference between a happy and content life or one of regret, jealousy and revenge. Your choices dictate which wolf will win in the end… in both personal and business. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

There are two certainties in life – death and taxes. This week’s Talking Tax Planning Mini-Series episode focuses on the key strategies that you can use in your small business to get the most out of tax time. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Spending money to save money on your tax – it sounds like a good way to get deductions, but is this something that you should be doing as part of your tax planning? In this week’s mini-series episode of “Talking Tax Planning”, find out why spending money to save money on your tax return would constantly pop up in Nick’s first year as an accountant and if spending money to get a deduction pays off at the end of a financial year. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Are you tired of spending the time in your business completing tasks that you take far too long or that you have no interest in? Are you thinking about outsourcing these but not sure if now is the right time? If you answered YES to either of the above, then this week’s episode of the Make It Count Project Podcast is for you. Join us as Nick talks through the three main areas to consider when looking at outsourcing those painfully time-consuming tasks or key areas that you lack experience in. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Tax Planning… it might seem like a boring topic, but if you are in small business then this is a must do each year with your accountant. In this week’s bonus episode of the Make It Count Project’s “Talking Tax Planning” find out exactly what tax planning is and the two main reasons why you want to book in now for your tax planning meeting with your accountant. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Have you found that some of those good habits in your business and personal life have slipped over the last few months? If so, you are not alone!   Now is the time to get your habits back on track starting with listening to this podcast. Find out Nick’s top five tips for creating and sticking to good habits in this episode of the Make It Count Project.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Coronavirus has been in Australia since January and, since its arrival, has proven to be a real upset for all businesses. However, with cases at an all-time low, we now have a three-step process to take us back to a social and thriving country – with the first step already being rolled out.   What will this mean for businesses though, and what have we really learned from COVID-19?   This week’s final bonus episode of the Make It Count Project’s COVID-19 Collection is all about the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel and what this new normal could be.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

It is time to put your science specs on for this week’s episode of the Make It Count Project where we shift gears and focus on a more scientific topic called The Reticular Activating System or RAS. Find out how you use your RAS in your business to get results, think of ideas and, overall, come up with solutions that your conscious mind just cannot think of. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

The JobKeeper Payment Scheme can be a confusing for many business owners as new information and understanding around how to apply this scheme comes to light.   As accountants, we have helped many businesses get this scheme right… and have experienced many areas where things can go wrong.   This week’s bonus episode of the Make It Count Project’s COVID-19 Collection is for anyone who has applied or is planning to apply for the JobKeeper Payment Scheme and wants to get it right (to avoid needing to pay back the funding and possible ATO penalities).   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Whether you are working from home or avoiding some tasks that you know you should be completing, procrastination is a challenge which many people in business face.   This week’s episode of the Make It Count Project focuses on procrastination and what you can do today to beat it, now and for the long term.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Many people are working from home for the first time, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from a potential increase in procrastination (find out more in our MICP episode being released this Friday), the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) are making it easier to claim your working from home expenses for during this pandemic period.   This week’s bonus episode of the Make It Count Project’s COVID-19 Collection is for anyone currently working from home and who wants to know about how you make the most of your at home expenses on your next tax return.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

  There are four key concepts which will make a huge difference to not only your leadership but also many other aspects your business.   Especially when it comes to the people components that make up your business (such as staff and clients), find out these concepts are and how Nick and the Walker Hill team embrace them each day to make it count.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

It is finally here! The information you need about the Alternative Test method for the JobKeeper Payment scheme was released late last week and we’ve created an episode on it.   This week’s bonus episode of the Make It Count Project’s COVID-19 Collection is for those business owners who believe they will be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment scheme but who don’t fit into the Basic test criteria.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Mindset can be a bit of a buzz word in business, but for good reason. Mindset matters!   In this episode of the Make It Count Project, Nick shares a personal story from early in his career and provides insight into five tips to creating a powerful mindset.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

The JobKeeper Payment Scheme applications opened on Monday, with many Australian Businesses working to get their applications in by Sunday 26th April 2020 to receive the first round of payments.   With this scheme, and many others, there has been an entourage of information on the support available for small businesses. To help cut through the crud, this episode of the COVID-19 Collection looks into JobKeeper Payment Scheme, how to determine your eligibility and what to do to apply.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

  Coronavirus has created a lot of change in your business. You might be working from home, have a different service offering or have had to temporarily close your doors. With all these changes in such an uncertain period, how can you ensure that your team remains motivated? This episode of the Make It Count Project is here to help with 7 tips to motivate your team both during this COVID-19 period and beyond.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

The small business landscape can be tough to navigate, let alone when we are experiencing a pandemic.   With the constant disruptions that COVID-19 has created in our lives and a large economic downturn our first COVID-19 Collection episode is all about recalibrating, rejuvenating and reevaluating.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

It is the final mistake of this mini-series and one that can derail your business fast. This is a mistake that, if combatted, will help you live and breathe success. Welcome to part eight of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on how to Make It Count. This week find out about Nick’s four steps to making it count in your business, including your why and your how plus why documenting these are so important. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

As your business and the market changes and evolves you will need to re-evaluate this week’s common mistake. It is part of your sales model and something that is critical to get right – your pricing model. Welcome to part seven of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on the mistake of poor pricing. This week find out about Nick’s seven steps to pricing right and pricing strategically and how so many businesses end up going backwards when they get their pricing wrong. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Knowing your numbers is a fundamental must for business success, yet good data management is something that so many business owners do not do. Welcome to part six of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on the mistake of not knowing your numbers. This week find out about what a nasty punch-in-the-guts surprises of not knowing your numbers can look like and learn Nick’s four tips to getting clarity around those all-important figures. Plus, this week get five bonus tips on what to look for in an accounting software. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

It is no surprise that in small business Cash is King. However, it is easy to get caught up with spending and the more we have, the more we want to spend. This can result in you falling into the most common mistake. So, do you really need that fancy new car or to go for a boozy lunch with a client?   Welcome to part five of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on the fifth mistake – spending the bank.   This week learn about a time when Walker Hill was just three months away from not having any cash in the bank. Find out what a 12-month forecast could mean for your business, what bank accounts you should have set up and why a 30 day cash flow forecast review might help you to stop making those bad spending decisions.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Business can be full of distractions and, when coupled with tough times, quick fixes and easy ways out can seem tempting. Getting distracted by these butterfly fixes can result in forgetting to focus on making your business count. Welcome to part four of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on the fourth mistake – chasing butterflies. Find out Nick’s four strategies to stay focused on your business. This week, the One Page Plan makes a comeback, and we take a look into how your daily habits and the benefits of an accountability officer (and not a buddy system) can all stop you from chasing those butterflies. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Are you missing a sounding board in your small business? Do you feel like you’re lacking support on big decisions?   Welcome to part three of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on the third mistake – going it alone.   Find out how why if you’re going it alone, you just aren’t thinking big enough and Nick’s four strategies to build or find your team, community and support networks today.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Do you feel like you’re on the small business hamster wheel repeating the same motions day in and day out? It sounds like you might be getting stuck. Welcome to part two of our mini-series on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make, this week focusing on the first mistake – getting stuck. Find out how having a plan for your business can increase your chances of success, when a good stage to re-evaluate is and what you can do today if you’re currently getting stuck. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

So, you’re in small business and as you already know, there are a lot of things that can go wrong in this landscape. This mini-series of the MICP Podcast focuses on the Seven Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make and takes an in dept look into how you can prevent and fix each one. This week find out exactly what the Seven Mistakes are and what they could look like in your business. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Whether it’s running a marathon or running your business, it’s time to be motivated with the Three P’s of Pain, Pain and Payoff to jump out of the pot and begin making some changes. Find out about why you need to know your Two Pains and your Payoff to truly be motivated and another Nick Hill original quote. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Whether it’s a personal or business goal, having motivation is one of the best ways to get you over the line of success. In this episode, find out how musical jams, being a creature of habit and the people closest to you can all help to get and keep you motivated. Also, learn more about about Nick’s running motivation, Peter Lin from the Walker Hill team and hear an original Nick Hill quote that is sure to get your motivation pumping. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Our next listener question is all about Franchise vs Small Business. This is a loaded episode which will hit on the pros and cons of each, some hard definitions and stats, if you should (or shouldn’t) franchise your small business, some of the main reason for failure and, finally, finding out what Nick would do. So, if you’re deciding on becoming a franchisee, franchisor or small business owner, this is the MICP episode for you.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Are you looking for a way to stand out from the crowd, get leads, increase your personal and brand exposure and even give back to your community? Events could be your answer! Join Nick this week as he runs through Five Trips to Pulling Off a Successful Event. Whether this is your first or fiftieth event, these tips are sure to help you make your next event count.   Have a question or comment about this week’s content or after an invite to the next Walker Hill event? Contact Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Have you made a resolution for the New Year that you’re looking for tips on sticking to? This week find out Nick’s Six Ways to Avoid Falling Short on your Resolutions for 2020. Whether it’s knowing your why or having an end date learn Nick’s resolution story, what he does each year to ensure his resolutions are met and about his pet peeve for resolution-haters who are a few beers short of a six pack.   Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au   Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

This week, Nick is back from a holiday to Texas. Find out what he learned about the trip and what a cactus has in common with one of the easiest traps in Small Business to fall into – making excuses. Ask a question or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Whether it’s being prepared, knowing your content or having the right people in the room, delivering a killer client meeting is a must for anyone in Small Business. This week find out what On Point Communication means for Nick and the Walker Hill team as he shares his Ten Steps to Delivering a Killer Client Meeting. Ask a question, share a meeting delivery success story or give us an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

The crucial first hire can create a domino effect for your business growth… if you get it right. This week take some of the fear out of making that first hire by considering Nick’s five tips to think about before pulling the employment pin and find out what Walker Hill’s first hire was like. After some more information on online management system, Sweet Process? www.sweetprocess.com Share your first hire story, ask a question or share an idea for our next podcast by contacting Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.

Nick encounters his first Q&A from the listeners and answers the question “do young business owners struggle to be taken seriously by older generations.” This week find out a little about the Walker Hill origin story, old-man Andrew, Nick’s experience as an 18 year old personal trainer and how these all work together to answer our listener’s question. Find out more about Nick and the team at Walker Hill at www.walkerhill.com.au Have a question or an idea for our next podcast? Contact Nick at nick@walkerhill.com.au Shout out to the people who have helped make this podcast happen. Fearless Motion for music, Dan Sugars Audio for podcast training and Hannah Clare for post-production.