Frankly Speaking

Our blog provides insights, strategies and guidance for SME owners looking to scale, grow, and successfully exit their businesses.

Hey Buyers! Here are 5 ways to piss off a seller

6 minutes read

One of the perks of my job is witnessing the full spectrum of deal-making, from the good and bad, to the downright ugly. When you overlay this with the SME landscape, you get to observe and experience some truly remarkable things.

In The Press - Terminal Velocity: The Case for a Tyro Takeover

0 minute read

In this SmartCompany opinion piece, Managing Director James Frank provides strategic M&A commentary on the future of ASX-listed payments company Tyro, arguing that the business may have reached its limits as a standalone public entity. To read the full article, click here.

HoldCo vs Family Office: Which Structure Is Right for You?

5 minutes read

For many successful Australian business owners, personal wealth begins within the business itself. Over time, as that business matures and the owner starts thinking about life beyond operations, priorities shift. The focus moves from creating wealth to protecting and managing it for the long term.

Navigating Australia's Freight Market: Current Pressures & Future Trends

10 minutes read

Australia's freight and logistics industry is in one of its toughest periods in years, a downturn that began back in 2022 and shows no signs of letting up. Freight volumes are low, costs continue to rise, and despite early hopes of a rebound, the next 12 to 24 months are expected to remain challenging. But with the right strategy, strong visibility over the numbers and the right support around them, businesses can stay steady through the turbulence and even come out stronger when the market...

How To Avoid Costly Mistakes On Your First Acquisition

10 minutes read

Buying your first business is exciting. It promises faster growth, new capabilities, and a pathway to scaling your enterprise.

5 Risks Business Owners Face When All Wealth Is Tied Up in Their Business

4 minutes read

For many Australian entrepreneurs, their business is not just a source of income. It represents decades of effort, success, and identity.

Beyond Offshoring: The Future of Growth for Australian SMEs

21 minutes read

For the last decade, Australian business owners found their answer to rising costs and talent shortages: go offshore. Philippines, India, Vietnam. Pick your destination, set up your team, and watch your admin costs fall by 60 to 70 per cent. It worked. Currently, 48 per cent of Australian SMEs are either outsourcing work offshore or actively considering it, with more than 300 Australian organisations employing approximately 44,000 Filipino offshore workers.[1][2][3][4][5] However, something is...

3 Ways To Grow Your SME Without Reinventing the Wheel

9 minutes read

And it’s a fair question because in today’s market, standing still isn’t really an option. If you’re not growing, you’re falling behind. The challenge is that growth often feels overwhelming. Where do you even start? Do you double down on sales? Do you look for investors? Do you buy another business?

Hey Sellers! Here are 5 ways to p*ss off a buyer.

10 minutes read

Following on from my article titled “Hey Buyers! Here Are 5 Ways to P*ss of’f a Seller!” I decided to write this article because I have seen way too many sellers do small but significant things that piss off buyers and kill deals.

Roll-up! Roll-Up! Why more business owners should consider a roll-up.

9 minutes read

When I mention “roll-up” to a client, there is often a pause. This pause signifies a deep level of nostalgia, remembering a time when the lunchbox would open at school and reveal an Uncle Toby’s Roll-Up. This edible roll-up shares some similarities to a business roll-up, including: