Podcast · Business

The Critical Few Actions

Overwhelmed by trying to do it all? Focus on the criticalfewactions™ that will have the biggest impact on your business's success. In this podcast, host John Downes, a seasoned business advisor with extensive experience in Big Consulting, successful entrepreneurship, and mentoring, helps you defe

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 42 min
Latest: 22 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

22 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

Leadership Capicity Under Prolonged Uncertantity

Ready to build a stronger business? If this episode has you thinking differently about leadership, growth, and building a business beyond a great product, we’d love to help. Join one of our FREE Strategic Planning Webinars and discover the practical strategies that help founders and CEOs build stronger, more resilient businesses. https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/K-PetaSigley1 Who This Episode Is For Are you leading your business through prolonged uncertainty and struggling to maintain steady decision-making while protecting your team and sustaining performance? Do you find it…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E71 · 25 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Can Your Business Grow Without You?
If you’d like to discover the few actions that could make the biggest difference in your business, join me for one of my free webinars. https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/WebinarEnquiryCaptivate-00-JaiVilla1 Visit the Episode Podcast Page for more info about this episode, including the 4 minute insights video. https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/00-JaiVilla1EpisodePage Jai transformed a casual dance hobby into a structured business focused on confidence and community, not just technique, and created one of Australia's largest dance schools with 40,000+ students. Jai’s system uses…
E70 · 20 Jul 2026 · 55 min
A Good Product Is Not The Same As A Strong Business
Ready to build a stronger business? If this episode has you thinking differently about leadership, growth, and building a business beyond a great product, we'd love to help. Join one of our free Strategic Planning Webinars and discover the practical strategies that help founders and CEOs build stronger, more resilient businesses . John Downes works live with participants to explore real business challenges and practical ways to address them. Places are limited to just 15 participants to keep every session interactive and valuable. Click below to register your interest. A member of our team…
E69 · 2 Jun 2026 · 34 min
Not All Revenue Is Good Revenue: Strategic Lessons for Founders with Paris Singer
WANT Paris’ checklist and Business Ready Checklist? https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Paris-Singer-Fluid-Branding Please Subscribe/Follow here https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Subscribe-Me Not All Revenue Is Good Revenue: Strategic Lessons for Founders with Paris Singer What separates a busy founder from a strategic one? In this conversation, Paris Singer shares lessons on startups, growth, brand, and leadership, while John Downes highlights the strategic shifts that help founders build better businesses. Summary In this Meet the Founder episode, John Downes speaks…
E67 · 15 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Fiona Holland: How to transition from Founder to CEO and Chair and Avoid ‘Tissue Rejection’
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Are you stepping back from your business but still find everyone waiting for you to make the final call? Has your organisation outgrown instinctive, founder-led decision-making? Are you trying to empower a CEO but feel the pull of old habits and legacy systems? If you are trying to transition from founder-led operations to a CEO–Chair model without…
E68 · 1 Mar 2026 · 54 min
John Downes: You’ve Got the Strategy. Now What? Turning Plans Into Action
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Have you ever completed a strategy offsite and wondered why nothing changed afterwards? Does your leadership team stay busy, but not truly aligned? Are you carrying the strategy in your head, hoping others will catch up? If you’ve written a strategy but it hasn’t delivered meaningful results, this episode is for you. In this episode, John Downes shares a candid conversation originally recorded with Elise Margow on her Confidentially Speaking webinar to explore…
E66 · 15 Feb 2026 · 41 min
Carmen McKinney: How to beat AI Slop With Numbers You Can Trust
Carmen McKinney: How to Beat AI Slop With Numbers You Can Trust Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Are you making strategic decisions based on data you assume is accurate? Are you leading growth plans without checking if your assumptions stand up? Are you unsure whether AI is helping or quietly increasing your risk? If you rely on information that may no longer be trustworthy, this…
E65 · 1 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Grant Lingwood-Smith on the Four Habits of High-Performing CFOs
Please Subscribe/Follow so I know I’m adding value and to give you more like this. Find further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Are you getting the insights you need from your finance team? Do your budgets and KPIs actually drive performance? Is your CFO helping your business learn, or only reporting numbers? If you struggle to get meaningful insight from your finance function, this episode is for you. A great CFO helps your organisation plan well, measure what matters, and learn from results. In this conversation, Grant Lingwood-Smith…
E64 · 25 Jan 2026 · 40 min
David Sanders: Why Getting Product/Service Costing Right Is the Key to Growing Performance and Value
Have you Subscribed/Followed yet? Please do so I know I’m on the right track and adding value. Click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Do you really know what your products cost? Or, just what your system says they do? When your data tells you one thing, but your invoices say another, who do you trust? And what if the purpose behind your costing model is the reason you can’t see what’s really happening? If you’ve ever wondered why your numbers don’t match your experience, this episode is for you. In this conversation, John…
E63 · 18 Jan 2026 · 49 min
Ben Verney: How to Restructure a Business in Distress, Before It’s Too Late
Please help me by hitting the Subscribe/Follow button. Click here for information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/Ben1Verney1EpisodePage How close is your organisation to a financial tipping point you haven’t yet recognised? What would you do if your creditors or the tax office called tomorrow demanding payment? Could your business survive a cash flow crisis next quarter? If you’re worried about your business cash flow or growing debt, this episode is for you. In this episode, John Downes speaks with restructuring expert Ben Verney, who helps…
E62 · 14 Dec 2025 · 34 min
Fiona Hansen: How to Put a Price on Your Brand Before Someone Else Does
Please please click Subscribe/Follow so I can keep giving you valuable insights. Click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Do you know what your business is really worth, beyond what’s on paper? Are your brand, customers, and systems working as valuable assets? Or are they being overlooked? When it comes time to sell, will you be negotiating from strength or surprise? If you’re thinking of an exit and you’ve…
E61 · 7 Dec 2025 · 41 min
Rachel Delaney: From Startup to Sale-The Hidden Legal Traps That Can Derail A Business Exit
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/RachelDelaneyPodcastUpdate1 Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Are you protecting your business, or leaving value exposed every day? Could a single contract clause undo years of hard work? Would investors discover something you never knew you didn’t own? If you want to protect value and avoid costly legal surprises, this episode is for you. John Downes speaks with Rachel Delaney, Founder and…
E60 · 30 Nov 2025 · 56 min
Marie Felsbourg: From Trauma to Triumph. How Marie Felsbourg built Astral Consulting in Information Management
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. => Can you really separate your life from your business? => What if your hardest experiences became the foundation for your greatest success? => Are the patterns in your organisation helping it grow? Or, are they holding it back? If you’ve ever faced setbacks that shaped how you lead today, this episode is for you. In this episode, John Downes speaks…
E59 · 23 Nov 2025 · 22 min
Dianne Semmens: Are You Only Using 20% of the ERP You’ve Paid For? How to Level Up
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/DianneSemmens4EpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Are you only using 20% of the ERP you’ve paid for? Could Phase 2 of ERP adoption be where the real value lies? What if the tools you already own could save time and margin? If you’ve implemented ERP but stopped after the basics, this episode is for you. Many mid-sized businesses install ERP systems, survive go-live, then hit pause.…
E58 · 16 Nov 2025 · 49 min
Leanne Simpson: Crisis Leadership. How CEOs Can Lead When Everything Goes Wrong
Could I ask you a favour? Please let me know you are getting value by clicking Subscribe/Follow here, and I’ll continue to work my butt off to produce the best content I can for you. It means the world to me. What would you do if your board said: fix it or shut it down? How do you lead when floods, fires, and storms hit all at once? Can you act decisively when you don’t have the data, time, or resources? If you’ve ever wondered how to lead when survival is at stake, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Leanne Simpson shares lessons from turning around the Royal Flying Doctor…
E57 · 2 Nov 2025 · 48 min
Kate Goss: Turning Research into Revenue. The Innovator’s Roadmap From Idea to Market in 12 Months
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Have you ever had a brilliant idea that never made it past the whiteboard? Are you struggling to get from prototype to your first paying customer? Or wondering how to fund innovation without losing control of your business? If you have an idea on paper but no paying customer yet, this episode is for you. In this episode, John Downes talks with serial…
E56 · 26 Oct 2025 · 34 min
Will Hamilton: From Founder to Steward - What Smart Leaders Get Right About Wealth
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. What happens when your business is sold and you suddenly have $10 million or more to manage? Are you building a legacy? Or just a portfolio? Will your wealth bring your family together? Or tear it apart? If you’ve just exited your business or are planning to sell, this episode is for you. In this conversation with Will Hamilton, one of Australia’s…
E55 · 20 Oct 2025 · 41 min
Kate Whitehead: How to Win Government Grants Without Losing Your Mind. What Works & Doesn’t?
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/KateWhiteheadEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. → Are you wasting time on grant applications that never succeed? → What if your business could access funding, without giving up control? → Why are some companies consistently securing six-figure grants while others miss out? If you’re frustrated with the grant process or unsure what your business qualifies for, this episode is…
E54 · 13 Oct 2025 · 40 min
Damien Lacey: Why Your Organisation Can Do More Without Working Harder
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/DamienLacey1EpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Are your people working hard but results still fall short? Do frustrations in daily work stop your business moving faster? What if your team could do more — without working harder? If you want your organisation to achieve more without burning out your people, this episode is for you. In this episode, I speak with Damien Lacey, a…
E53 · 6 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Peter Buckingham: How to Pick Winning Locations Using Strategy and Data, Not Gut Feel
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/PeterBuckinghamEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. What’s the cost of opening the wrong site? How do you know if your next location will succeed? Are you planning growth, or guessing your way into risk? If you’re expanding your business by opening new sites, this episode is for you. Peter Buckingham has helped major retailers and franchisors across Australia grow with…
E52 · 30 Sep 2025 · 41 min
Brian Goldberg: From Startup to Sale: How Trademarks Are Now Business Essentials, Not Legal Extras
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Brian-Goldberg-Trademarking-Brands/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. == Are you investing in your brand but ignoring its legal foundations? == Have you assumed your domain name means you own the brand? == Would losing your business name tomorrow kill your strategy? If you’re building a brand you care about, this episode is for you. In this episode, John Downes speaks with Brian…
E51 · 20 Sep 2025 · 59 min
Elise Margow: The Hidden Cost of Poor Negotiation and How To Avoid Them
**Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources:** https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. I’m driven by adding value. **Are your team members giving away value because they want to be liked?** **Do technical experts in your business struggle to hold their ground?** **Could poor negotiation habits be quietly eroding your margins?** You’re already negotiating, whether you realise it or not. If every negotiation leaks value, how much are you losing? In this conversation, Elise Margow, an…
E50 · 13 Sep 2025 · 42 min
Diem Huynh: How to Win Government Tenders Without Wasting Time or Money
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/ Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. = Are your team wasting hours writing government tenders that never get shortlisted? = Have you ever wondered why competitors always seem to win tenders you never saw? = Are you missing 80% of the opportunities that never get advertised? If you think success in public sector work comes from finding tenders online and submitting quotes, this episode is…
E49 · 6 Sep 2025 · 30 min
Dianne Semmens: 4 Essentials for ERP Success – and How to Avoid the Trough of Disillusionment
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/Dianne-SemmensEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Food For Thought: Have you underestimated the disruption an ERP system can cause your team? Are you setting your business up for ERP success, or walking into a trap? What’s the real cost of dirty data and unclear processes? If you’re about to implement an ERP system in your business, this episode is for you. In this episode, John…
E48 · 31 Aug 2025 · 22 min
Steve Wood: The Four Aces Every Business Must Play
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/SteveWoodEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. ??Are you working hard but not getting ahead? ??Do your people know exactly what to prioritise each day? ??Could your business be busy without actually moving forward? If you want your organisation to focus only on the activities that truly drive results, this episode is for you. In this conversation, John Downes speaks with Steve Wood…
E47 · 26 Aug 2025 · 40 min
Jennifer Ford: From Local ROV Service to Global Net Repair Innovator
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/JenniferFordEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. ?? Do you know what it really takes to export your product beyond Australia? ?? Are your business partnerships helping or hindering your growth? ?? Are your innovations solving client problems or just adding complexity? If you’re scaling a tech innovation beyond Australia, this episode is for you. In this episode, I sit down with…
E46 · 19 Aug 2025 · 39 min
Craig Peacock: 5 Steps to Build a Business Case Boards Can Say ‘Yes’ To
🔗 Subscribe/Follow and download episode resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/CraigPeacockEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to know I’m adding value. ❓ Do you know how your next investment decision will be judged by your board? ❓ Have you considered all your strategic options, or just the one you favour? ❓ Can AI really build your business case, or is there something more critical you're missing? If you’re raising funds or expanding operations, make sure your case stacks up. And if you think AI can build your next…
E45 · 12 Aug 2025 · 46 min
Herman Mott: The Simple Metric That Transformed a $13M organisation into $230M in 10 years. Yes 25%CAGR
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/HermanMottEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Do your customers trust you to deliver? Are late or incomplete deliveries costing you repeat business? Is “on time” performance just a dashboard metric; or does it reflect your real customer experience? Could one overlooked KPI be hiding millions in lost growth? If you want to scale profitably by delivering your promise every day, this…
E44 · 5 Aug 2025 · 40 min
Tom Stray: How a Small Aussie Manufacturer Survived and Exploded Through COVID
Subscribe/Follow and click here for further information and the eBook of resources: https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/TomStrayEpisodePage Please let me know if I’m on the right track with the podcast. It means the world to me to know I’m adding value. Could your business survive if 98% of revenue disappeared overnight? Who in your team would step up if you couldn’t lead tomorrow? Is your supply chain genuinely resilient, or just fine until the next crisis? If you’ve ever wondered whether your business could not only survive but grow through a global disruption, this episode is for…
E43 · 29 Jul 2025 · 1 hr
Jackson Yin-From a Garage to Global Kit Home Lead in 10 Yrs-driven by OPV, AI, Interns
In just 10 years, Jackson has grown iBuild from a garage start-up into one of Australia’s fastest-growing kit home and modular housing manufacturers, selling from local suburbs to royal families abroad. We unpack how Jackson: ✅ Turned his strategic plan into a weekly rhythm that his whole team lives by ✅ Systemised his business with the OPV framework to boost performance ✅ Built a university internship programme that feeds his talent pipeline year-round ✅ Embedded AI tools into daily processes to amplify-not replace-his people What You’ll Learn: =$= How to make your strategic plan part of…

About The Critical Few Actions

The Critical Few Actions is a English business podcast from John Downes. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: John Downes
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 42 min
Latest episode: 22 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1766424272

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