Advertise on podcast: Business Unlocked with Marcus Kroek

Most business owners set their prices by looking around and copying what everyone else is doing. Then they wonder why they're busy but broke. In this episode, Marcus dives into the fastest lever in your business: getting your prices right. Marcus explores why undercharging is so common, from the psychology and beliefs we inherit about money to the fear of losing clients or being judged. He reveals how competitor matching can actually destroy your profitability, and why your price signals value in the marketplace. Most importantly, he shows how fixing your pricing (combined with solid business fundamentals and cash management) can transform your business faster than you'd think. Whether you're a tradie, service provider, or small business owner, this episode tackles the real reasons you're not making enough money and what to do about it. Connect & book a session: Visit businessunlocked.com.au to book a free Profit, Clarity & Planning Session with the team. Or, you can shoot me an email via [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

AI isn't something you need to master - it's something you're already using, and there's a lot more of it available to you right now inside the tools you're already paying for. In this episode, I walk through the practical ways I use AI every day in my business coaching practice - from searching emails and transcribing client meetings to analysing financials and researching competitors. The point isn't to become an AI expert. It's to ask one simple question before any task: how could AI help me with this? That question alone changes how much you get done. I also cover the 80/20 rule for AI - why it's a starting point and a thinking partner, not a final answer - and why the people who get the most out of it are the ones who stay in the loop rather than handing everything over. If your team is stretched, your to-do list is long, and you're not yet using AI as a daily tool, this episode will change that. Connect & book a session: Visit businessunlocked.com.au to book a free Profit, Clarity & Planning Session with the team. Or, you can shoot me an email via [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

It's Episode 50 — and we're marking the milestone with a full year-in-review using the Business Unlocked Wheel of Success. In this episode, we cut through the noise and ask one powerful question across every area of your business: what's the 20% that gives you 80% of your results? We also kick things off with a practical, no-hype breakdown of AI tools you can start using in your business today — no expertise required. In this episode you'll learn: Simple AI tools (Gemini, Copilot, Fathom) that are already saving hours every weekThe risks of AI agents — and a cautionary tale involving £106 worth of paperclipsWhy vision, mission and culture don't have to be complicated — and what most businesses get wrongHow to calculate your breakeven and price for profitThe one question that transforms your conversion rateWhy your subscription stack might be quietly bleeding your marginHow to reconnect with clients in a way that beats any email newsletterThe real meaning of team engagement — and why it starts with you, not them Connect & book a session: Visit businessunlocked.com.au to book a free Profit, Clarity & Planning Session with the team. 📧 Share your 20% wins: [email protected] (subject line: 20%) 👍 If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a business owner who needs it.

Your business often grows to the level of who you decide to become, not just what you decide to do. In this episode, Marcus shares three real client stories: Steve, who went from late nights to regular holidays, Adele, who stepped from CFO to CEO as the business grew from $7.5M to $46M, and Tony, who moved from $600K on the tools to running an $8M business from an office. Three different people. Three different businesses. One catalyst in common. Marcus walks through the practical exercise he uses with clients to activate that shift, including a simple morning routine that takes just minutes and can change the way you lead, make decisions and influence the team around you. If you've ever felt like your business can't run without you, this episode will give you a different way to think about growth, leadership and the role you're really playing in your business. If you'd like to get in touch, Marcus would love to hear from you! You can visit businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

Working harder is not always the answer. For many business owners, the real problem is not effort. It's structure. In this episode, Marcus breaks down the Business Unlocked Wheel of Success and explains how foundations, growth and scale need to work together if you want a business that delivers real profit, more time, and less chaos. You'll hear the three common traps that keep owners stuck: the expensive hobby, the bottleneck, and the house of cards. Marcus also shares how better financial control, stronger marketing and sales, and the right team structure can shift a business from constant firefighting to calm, sustainable performance. If you have been feeling stretched, frustrated, or unsure what the next level looks like, this episode will help you see where the gap is and what needs to change. If you'd like to get in touch, Marcus would love to hear from you! You can visit businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

Growth gets the attention, but operations and leadership are what hold a business together. In this episode, Marcus Kroek unpacks two of the most overlooked parts of building a business that actually works: how you consistently deliver on what you sell, and how you create a team culture that supports the way your business needs to run. Marcus breaks down why simple systems matter, how consistency shapes the customer experience, and what leaders need to do to set standards, build alignment and get the right people moving in the same direction. He also introduces a more practical way to think about your business structure, using a circular model that helps you plan, diagnose problems and grow with greater clarity. If your business feels messy, inconsistent or too dependent on you, this episode will help you see where stronger foundations need to be built first. If you'd like to get in touch, he'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

To build a business that'll stand the test of time, you've gotta have a solid model. I'm likening it to building a house, and today we're laying down some crucial foundations. In Ep45, I talked about getting your financial model right. Now, we're moving to the other end of the organisational chart: marketing and sales. They're often spoken about as one, but they're actually two distinct ideas. I'm sharing my definition of marketing and then I'm giving you five fundamental elements that absolutely have to be in place for your marketing and sales efforts to truly work. We'll cover understanding your customer (your target market), crafting a compelling message that solves their problems (both logical and emotional), and why consistency and persistence are non-negotiable. These fundamentals aren't just for start-ups; I've seen seven-figure businesses operate without them. Getting these basics right can make a massive difference to your conversions and profitability. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

Building a house is one of the most exciting things you can do, but most people spend all their time picking out kitchen benches while ignoring the slab. I've noticed business owners do the exact same thing. We fall in love with the "sexy" parts (like marketing and branding) but we don't spend enough time on the foundations that actually keep the building standing. In this episode, I'm breaking down the essential elements of a business model using the house analogy. I'll explain why your organisational chart matters even if you're a solopreneur and why you can't rely on your accountant to tell you if you're actually making money. I also talk about the "time department" we all wish we had and how to align your team's beliefs with your business culture. Whether you're a startup or you've been around for twenty years, it's worth checking if your foundations are starting to crack. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

As your business grows, so do the meetings. More people. More discussion. More time. And often… less productivity. In this episode, Marcus shares seven practical lessons from over 20 years of coaching and leadership that will immediately improve your meetings. Whether you’re running a management meeting, financial review, marketing session or one-to-one, these principles ensure everyone leaves clear, committed, and accountable. You’ll learn how to structure meetings properly, get real ownership from your team, avoid wasted time, and create a culture where actions actually get completed. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au  or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

I've been in the coaching world since 2005 (back when I had to explain to people what a business coach even was) and I've seen the industry change a lot. Nowadays, everyone calls themselves a coach, but most of them are actually doing something else entirely. If you're looking for an outcome in your business, you've got to know exactly what kind of help you're paying for. In this episode, I'm breaking down the four distinct areas of professional support: consulting, training, mentoring, and what I call "pure coaching." I use a triangular pyramid model to show how these roles differ and where they overlap. It's not just about getting from point A to point B (it's about who you become during the journey). I also share some of my own history (from importing sunglasses with old telegraph machines to realising I probably fit every ADHD checkbox in the book). Most importantly, I explain why "pure coaching" is the only method that addresses your internal beliefs and identity. If you don't fix the internal stuff, you'll just end up like a person on a yo-yo diet (losing the weight only to put it right back on because you didn't change who you are). If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

Running a seven-figure business? Thinking a bookkeeper is enough might be holding you back. In this episode, Marcus Kroek is joined by Nadia Vendetti to explore the hidden gaps in bookkeeping that can quietly limit growth. From payroll and BAS to reconciliations and accounts management, we dive into what full-service bookkeeping really looks like — and why it matters. Are your numbers giving you clarity or just more questions? What responsibilities should your bookkeeping handle without you lifting a finger? How can understanding your financials, not just receiving reports, change the way you make decisions? If you want to gain control, make informed choices, and discover the simple bookkeeping changes that can save you time, money, and stress, this episode is a must-listen. Unlock the insights your business needs to grow confidently — and find out why “just a bookkeeper” might be costing you more than you think. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

I've noticed a recurring problem for seven and eight figure business owners. They have a bookkeeper, but they don't have clarity. Most people think bookkeeping is just about data entry and staying compliant with the government, but that's only the tip of the iceberg. If you're only getting reports at the end of the month, you're looking at history instead of shaping your future. In this episode, I break down the four levels of bookkeeping capability. We move from the traditional "office junior" style of entry all the way up to the financial analyst level. I explain why a BAS agent is a legal necessity for your GST, how software integration experts can fix your messy workflows, and why a true financial analyst is the real CFO of your business. I also share some hard truths about why paying $40 an hour for an external bookkeeper is a massive red flag. If you don't understand your margins, your true break-even point (beyond just the profit and loss statement), or the impact of your next hire, you're flying blind. It's time to stop treating your numbers as an expense and start seeing them as a return on investment. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

Sales often feels “fine” in growing businesses — but fine isn’t scalable. In this episode, Marcus Kroek breaks down a seven-step sales meeting system designed to help business owners inspect, train, and scale sales without relying on instinct or individual talent. Learn where sales conversations quietly leak opportunity, why most teams miss a critical step, and how structure in sales creates leverage, clarity, and freedom. If you’d like to get in touch, I’d love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

In today's episode, I sit down with Nathan Rigney (Principal of NGR Accounting) to discuss a question that every business owner needs to ask: Does your accountant actually care about you? Nathan's built his entire practice on the idea that they should. He's even got a banner that asks (pretty bluntly) if your accountant gives a s#!t about your success. (I have to censor that so the algorithm will keep showing the episode!) We talk about Nathan's journey from being an employee to starting what he calls an "accidental business." He shares how he used his frustration with the industry to write down exactly what he didn't want his practice to be. We also talk about why tax compliance is just the baseline and how a real advisor acts as a sounding board for your biggest decisions (like whether you should really be leasing that new car). Nathan also explains why pattern recognition is a shortcut to growth and why it's okay to copy the methods of people who've already won. If you've ever felt like talking to your accountant is like being sent to the school principal's office, you're going to want to hear Nathan's perspective on authenticity and emotional intelligence in business. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.

If you've ever felt like your business is stuck despite all your hard work, it's likely because you're focusing on the wrong part of the equation. In this episode, I'm breaking down two fundamental frameworks that determine whether you'll actually hit your goals this year (the Be-Do-Have formula and the Formula for Change). I cover why most business owners start with what they want to "have" but fail because they don't address who they need to "be." We explore the difference between a reactive manager and a strategic CEO, and why your identity is often the biggest bottleneck in your company's growth. I also share the original version of the Formula for Change, which includes a critical element many modern versions leave out (believability). If you don't truly believe the plan will work, you'll never overcome the natural resistance to change that exists in every business. Whether you're looking to reduce weight or triple your profits, these principles are the keys to creating lasting transformation. If you'd like to get in touch, I'd love to hear from you! You can visit http://businessunlocked.com.au or shoot an email to [email protected] This is a Podvan Media production.