ActionCOACH Geelong

Your Business May Be More Valuable Than You Realise

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I often hear business owners say, “When I retire, I’ll just shut the doors. No one would buy my business.”

But is that actually true?

When we start looking at the assets, the profit the business generates and the years it has taken to build its customer base, reputation and operation, the conversation often changes very quickly.

The issue isn’t always that the business has no value. It’s that the owner hasn’t built the systems or documentation needed to demonstrate that value to someone else.

In this short video, I walk through a simple example I regularly use with business owners to get them thinking differently about what their business could actually be worth.

If you’re planning to retire or step away from your business one day, don’t wait until then to find out what you’ve actually built.

Hugh Bowman
ActionCOACH Geelong

From Ideas in Your Head to a Business That Can Run Without You

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One of the biggest parts of succession planning is turning what you know as the business owner into something the business itself can use.

For many established business owners, there are years of knowledge, ideas and experience sitting in their head. But if the business is going to grow, operate with less reliance on its owner and eventually be passed on or sold, that knowledge needs to become plans, processes and systems.

That’s something I’ve worked on with Chris Beretta from D.A. Beretta, a long standing Geelong plumbing and civil works business.

When Chris first came to me, he already had plenty of ideas. What he needed was help getting those ideas down on paper, building plans around them and, importantly, actually implementing them.

Since then, we’ve worked on future growth, goal setting and streamlining systems within the business. Chris has also successfully developed a new traffic control arm within D.A. Beretta, turning what had previously been a cost to the business into another source of profit.

As Chris explains in the video, one of the biggest benefits of coaching has been having someone there to help move those ideas from his head into action.

That’s also an important part of building a business for the future.

Succession planning isn’t simply deciding who will take over one day. It’s about creating a stronger, more organised business with the systems, plans and people in place so everything doesn’t continue to depend on you.

Watch Chris’s story below to hear about his experience working with me and the changes they’ve implemented at D.A. Beretta.

Thanks
Hugh

Succession Planning Starts Earlier Than You Think

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When most business owners hear the words succession planning, they think it’s something to worry about when retirement is just around the corner.

In reality, that’s one of the biggest mistakes I see.

The businesses that achieve the best outcomes don’t suddenly become valuable in their final year. They become valuable because of the decisions their owners make over many years.

In this short video, I explain why succession planning is really about creating options. Whether your goal is to eventually sell your business, pass it on to family, install a management team or simply step back from the day to day running, it all starts with building a business that isn’t completely dependent on you.

I also share some of the key areas I work on with business owners, including developing leaders, documenting systems and increasing the overall value of the business.

If you’ve never really thought about succession planning, or you’d simply like to understand what makes a business more valuable, I encourage you to watch the video below.

Because succession planning isn’t just about leaving your business one day.

It’s about building a business that’s stronger, more profitable and gives you more freedom long before that day arrives.

Reach out if you’d like to start your succession planning.

Thanks
Hugh

Back From Goa With New Ideas for Local Business Owners

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Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to step away from the day to day and spend some time overseas.

Before heading to the annual ActionCOACH Global Conference in Goa, I spent a week exploring Sri Lanka. From the stunning views at Lipton’s Seat to seeing wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park, it was an incredible experience and a great chance to recharge.

Then it was on to Goa for one of the biggest events on the ActionCOACH calendar.

Each year, coaches from around the world come together to learn, share ideas and collaborate on what’s working in business today. It’s an opportunity to see how businesses are overcoming challenges, improving performance and helping owners create businesses that are more profitable, more enjoyable and less dependent on them.

One of the proudest moments of the week was being recognised as the Global GrowthCLUB Coach of the Year. Receiving this award was a real honour. GrowthCLUB has always been one of my favourite programs because it gives business owners the time and structure to step away from the daily chaos and focus on planning their next 90 days. To have that recognised on a global stage was incredibly rewarding.

One of the biggest focuses at this year’s conference was the continued rollout of ABOS (ActionCOACH Business Operating System).

Every successful business relies on systems. The businesses that continue to grow aren’t relying on memory or hoping everyone knows what to do. They have documented processes, clear accountability and systems that allow the business to perform consistently, regardless of who’s on the tools or in the office.

ABOS brings those proven frameworks together into one practical operating system that helps businesses improve communication, leadership, management and operational efficiency. It’s exciting to see how successfully it’s already being used by businesses around the world, and I’m looking forward to introducing more of these concepts to the businesses I work with here in Geelong.

Another highlight was seeing the success of ActionCOACH’s management development programs being delivered internationally. It’s a proven ActionCOACH training program that’s used internationally to help business owners, supervisors and managers develop the leadership and management skills needed to build stronger teams. Seeing the consistency of the results across so many different countries gave me even greater confidence in the value it can deliver.

That’s why I’m excited to be facilitating the 12 Week Management MasterCLASS here in Geelong, starting on Tuesday 11 August. Over 12 weeks, I’ll guide participants through the program, sharing practical tools and strategies that can be implemented immediately. If you’re looking to strengthen your own leadership skills or invest in the development of someone in your business, it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn from a system that’s already helping businesses around the world.

Please reach out if you’d like some more information on anything mentioned.

Thanks
Hugh

June GrowthCLUB: A Day of Planning, Sales and Business Growth

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Yesterday I had the pleasure of hosting our June GrowthCLUB workshop, and once again I was reminded how valuable it is when business owners take the time to step away from the day to day and work on their business rather than just in it.

The focus for this quarter’s workshop was Sales and Planning, two areas that have an enormous impact on business performance. Throughout the day we explored sales processes, objection handling, goal setting and strategic planning for the months ahead.

One of the highlights for me is always the discussion that happens around the room. Business owners from different industries sharing ideas, challenges and solutions. Often the best breakthroughs come from hearing a different perspective or learning how someone else has tackled a similar challenge.

The Hot Seat sessions were particularly valuable, with participants openly discussing their biggest business challenges and receiving feedback and ideas from other business owners. It’s amazing how much knowledge exists within a room full of people who are all committed to growing and improving their businesses.

We also spent time reviewing goals, measuring progress and creating practical action plans for the next quarter. Having a plan is one thing. Having clear actions and accountability is what turns plans into results.

Of course, no GrowthCLUB would be complete without great conversations over lunch and the opportunity to connect with other like minded business owners who understand the challenges and opportunities that come with running a business.

If you’ve never attended a GrowthCLUB workshop before, I’d encourage you to consider joining us at one of our upcoming events. These workshops are designed to help you gain clarity, build a practical plan and leave with actions you can implement immediately in your business.

The next workshops are already scheduled and I’d love to see you there. Sometimes taking just one day out of your business can create results that impact the next three months. Yesterday we saw the majority of goals set by participants at the previous GrowthCLUB had already been achieved!

Please reach out if you have any questions about my future GrowthCLUB workshops.

Thanks
Hugh Bowman

The Process of Quarterly Planning for Small Business

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One of the most valuable exercises I encourage business owners to do is quarterly planning. Over the years, I’ve seen a clear pattern: the businesses that stop, review, and plan every 90 days consistently achieve more than those that simply keep pushing forward without a clear direction.

 

In this video, I walk through the quarterly planning process I use with my clients. It starts by reviewing the previous quarter, looking at both the wins and the challenges. Understanding what has worked well, and what hasn’t, gives you the clarity needed to make better decisions moving forward. From there, we look at the numbers because your results will always tell a story about where your business is heading.

Once you’ve reviewed the past, it’s time to reconnect with your longer-term goals and decide what needs to happen over the next quarter to move closer to them. One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make is trying to achieve too much at once. Instead, I recommend focusing on a small number of meaningful goals and identifying the key actions required to make them happen.

Quarterly planning creates accountability, direction, and momentum. It helps you stop reacting to whatever comes your way and start proactively building the business you want. If you’re not currently planning every quarter, I’d encourage you to start. The clarity and focus it creates can have a significant impact on your results.

If you’d like help implementing a quarterly planning process in your business, feel free to get in touch. I’d be happy to have a chat.

Hugh Bowman
ActionCOACH Geelong

Why Brand Consistency Matters More Than Most Tradies Realise

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You may have noticed we’ve recently started rebranding ActionCOACH Geelong. We’ve moved away from the old blue and grey colours into a cleaner yellow and black look. 

As we’ve been updating the website, logos, graphics, social media, presentations and marketing material, it got me thinking about something I see often in trade businesses. Many tradies underestimate just how important a consistent brand footprint really is. 

Your brand is not just your logo. It is how your business is perceived every single time someone comes across it. 

For many customers, the first interaction with your business is not a phone call anymore. It might be your ute driving down the road. Your website. Your email address. Your social media page. Your uniforms. Your quote template. Your capability statement. Your Google reviews. Your business card. 

When all of these things feel disconnected, inconsistent or outdated, customers notice. Even if they cannot explain why, it affects how professional and trustworthy your business feels. 

I often see trade businesses with one logo on the ute, another version on Facebook, a Gmail address instead of a business email, outdated business cards and a website that looks completely different again. It creates confusion and weakens confidence in the business. 

Strong brands feel organised and intentional. Everything matches. The colours are consistent. The logo is consistent. The tone of communication is consistent. The messaging is clear. The customer instantly understands who the business is and who it is for. 

Your branding should also reflect the type of clients you want to attract. 

If you are targeting higher end residential work, your branding should feel polished and professional. If you are targeting commercial builders, your capability statements, website and systems should reflect that market. The businesses winning larger and more profitable jobs are usually presenting themselves at a higher level. 

This is not about trying to look flashy. It is about creating trust and confidence before you even arrive onsite. 

The same principle applies internally too. Businesses that look organised externally often become more organised internally. Clear systems, clear processes and clear branding tend to flow together. 

At ActionCOACH Geelong, we work with tradies not just on profitability and systems, but also on how their business is positioned in the market. Because often the difference between winning average jobs and winning better quality clients comes down to how your business is perceived. 

A good exercise is to ask a few people outside your business how they genuinely perceive your brand. Does your business look professional? Organised? Premium? Trustworthy? Consistent? Or does it feel a bit all over the place? 

Sometimes the feedback is eye opening. 

Because in a competitive market, customers are constantly making decisions based on perception before they ever compare price. 

Because in a competitive market, customers are constantly making decisions based on perception before they ever compare price. 

So here’s the question: Want to know what step to take to improve your brand?

Thanks
Hugh

Why the Tradies With Better Systems Will Win in 2026

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As the federal budget once again focuses on boosting housing supply, one critical issue keeps resurfacing. Australia does not have enough skilled tradespeople to fix and renovate existing homes, let alone build the new homes being promised.

This year’s budget included measures aimed at addressing the shortage, including funding for a new trade skills assessment system and programs designed to help overseas trained tradies become licensed and working in Australia faster. While these initiatives may help over time, the reality for many trade businesses right now is that skilled staff remain difficult to find.

This is exactly why I believe the trade businesses with better systems, stronger leadership and organised processes are going to be the ones that perform best through 2026 and beyond.

When labour is tight, every team member matters more. Good systems around communication, quoting, scheduling, follow up and accountability become critical. I see too many trade businesses lose work simply because quotes are not followed up properly, admin becomes overwhelmed or the owner is trying to manage everything manually.

The best trade businesses attract the best staff. People want to work in businesses that are organised, professional, well led and structured properly. Businesses with strong systems and clear expectations tend to retain good people longer and create better team culture.

The businesses that continue to grow are usually not the ones working the hardest. They are the ones operating the smartest. They have systems in place that help their teams perform consistently, improve customer communication and create a better experience from enquiry through to completed job.

At ActionCOACH Geelong, I work with tradie business owners to improve systems, leadership, sales processes and profitability. Because in a market where skilled staff are harder to find, the businesses that are organised and structured properly are often the ones that pull ahead.

The Federal Budget Won’t Save Your Trade Business, But This Will

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Every year when the Australian Federal Budget is released, business owners wait to hear whether there will be some major announcement that changes everything. Tax concessions, incentives, rebates, grants, write offs. While some of these can certainly help around the edges, the reality is this: no government budget is going to suddenly transform your trade business overnight. 

The businesses that perform well over the long term are usually not the ones waiting for handouts. They are the ones focused on what they can actually control every single day. How well is your team performing? How good is your customer experience? Are you following up quotes properly? Is your marketing consistent? Are you charging correctly? Are your systems strong enough to handle growth? These are the things that genuinely determine whether a trade business grows or struggles, regardless of what is announced in Canberra. 

Markets go through cycles. Costs rise. Interest rates change. Budgets come and go. Every business in Australia is facing the same environment at the same time. The businesses that stand out are the ones that position themselves better during uncertain periods, not the ones that retreat and wait. In tougher conditions, good operators often gain market share because weaker competitors pull back on marketing, stop following up leads properly, or lose focus internally. That creates opportunity for businesses that stay proactive and disciplined, and willing to change.. 

So instead of asking “What did the budget do for me?”, a better question might be “How can I position my business to benefit from all the uncertainty while others are indecisive or slow to act?” This is where strong leadership, better systems, better sales processes and clearer financial control matter most. There will always be opportunity for trade businesses that are organised, responsive, profitable and well marketed. 

The market is not about to crash and burn. But it will reward businesses that adapt, stay visible, lead their teams well and continue improving while others slow down. That is where the real opportunity sits. 

Happy to chat more about this if you wish.

Thanks
Hugh

Why Smart Tradies Are Recruiting on Facebook Instead of SEEK

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Finding good staff is one of the biggest challenges facing trade business owners right now. The problem with relying only on platforms like SEEK is that they have become crowded, expensive, and highly competitive. Every plumbing, electrical, building, and landscaping company is advertising in the same place, often fighting over the exact same people. The reality is that many great tradespeople are not actively scrolling job websites every day. They are already working, using social media, and paying attention to opportunities that feel more personal and local. 

Facebook has become an underrated recruitment tool for trade businesses, particularly in regional areas like Geelong. While Australia no longer has the old Facebook Marketplace jobs tab, there are still powerful ways to recruit through the platform. Business owners can post positions directly to their business page, share jobs into local trade and community groups such as ‘Geelong Tradies’ and ‘Geelong Trades & Services’, and most importantly, boost those posts to a highly targeted audience for a relatively small cost. Instead of advertising to everyone, you can target specific age groups, locations, industries, and interests that closely match the type of employee you want to attract. 

Another major advantage of Facebook recruitment is that it allows potential employees to see your culture before they even apply. Tradespeople want to know what kind of team they would be joining. If your page shows quality work, good systems, team activities, apprentices learning, modern vehicles, and positive customer feedback, you instantly become more attractive than a plain text job ad on a recruitment platform. Social media gives candidates a feel for your business personality, leadership, and professionalism before the first phone call even happens. 

The best recruitment strategies today are proactive, not reactive. Instead of waiting until you desperately need staff and rushing to pay large amounts on recruitment websites, trade business owners should consistently build visibility online and create a workplace people want to be part of. Facebook gives tradies a low cost, highly targeted way to stay visible in the market, connect with local workers, and recruit smarter. When used properly, it can become one of the most effective hiring tools in your business. 

If you need a hand setting up a Facebook recruitment ad – please reach out.

Thanks
Hugh
0409 402 474