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An empty diary doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no work out there. It may mean your marketing pipeline isn’t working.

In this episode, Mai Harris and Lee Woodward explore why many businesses don’t have a work problem, they have a marketing problem. They break down how a strong marketing pipeline can help businesses stay visible, generate consistent leads, and avoid relying on last-minute enquiries or unpredictable referrals.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why an empty diary can point to a marketing problem
• The Attract, Engage, Commit marketing framework
• Creating a marketing “sticky” that helps people remember your business
• Why nurturing prospects matters when they’re not ready to buy today
• Measuring marketing success through paid invoices and clear conversion paths
• Why marketing shouldn’t be left solely to the marketing department
• Building a communications plan that keeps your business on a prospect’s shopping list
• Why referrals should be a bonus rather than your entire growth strategy
• Building multiple lead sources for more consistent opportunities
• Using social media to inform and educate rather than simply promote
• Turning your website into a “web business” that helps generate revenue
• Using video explainers, self-service booking, and invoicing to support the customer journey
• Asking “How did you hear about us?” to identify which marketing channels are actually generating leads

Whether your diary is looking quieter than usual or you want to build a more predictable flow of opportunities, this episode provides practical ideas for creating a smarter marketing approach that keeps your business visible and gives potential customers a reason to choose you.

If you’d like support in building a stronger, more sustainable business, our team at My Accounting Advantage is here to help.

Visit www.myaccountingadvantage.com.au to learn more.

Have a question you’d like Mai to answer on a future episode? Submit it through the Ask Mai link at the top of the show notes.

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Disclaimer

The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice.

Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.

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A company car might seem like a straightforward business perk, but it could come with an unexpected tax cost. In this episode, Mai and Lee unpack Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) and explain why businesses need to understand the tax implications of providing employees with benefits outside their regular wages.

They break down what counts as a fringe benefit, why FBT exists, and how benefits such as company vehicles, fuel cards, private health insurance, entertainment, and personal expenses can create an FBT liability. They also explore salary packaging, gross-up rules, the 47% FBT rate, and the practical considerations businesses need to keep in mind when offering employee benefits.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The basics of Fringe Benefits Tax and why it exists
• What can be considered a fringe benefit
• How salary packaging and gross-up rules can affect your FBT liability
• Entertainment expenses and the $300 minor and infrequent benefits threshold
• How benefits provided to spouses, children, and other associates can create FBT obligations
• FBT considerations when providing company vehicles to employees
• Vehicle exemptions, including eligible 100% electric vehicles and certain commercial vehicles
• The potential FBT implications of dual-cab vehicles and private use
• Why logbooks, vehicle policies, and employee declarations are important
• How private-use percentages can affect your overall FBT exposure
• ATO data matching, compliance activity, and the importance of getting your FBT position right
• Why lodging a nil FBT return may help limit the review window

Whether you provide company vehicles, staff entertainment, or other employee benefits, this episode offers practical insights to help you better understand your FBT obligations and identify potential tax risks before they become costly surprises.

If you have a vehicle registered in your business name or provide benefits to your employees, now is a good time to review your FBT position. If you'd like help understanding your obligations, our team at My Accounting Advantage is here to help.

Learn more about My Accounting Advantage

Disclaimer

The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice.

Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.

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This episode explores one of the biggest frustrations for business owners: Why does my financial report show a profit, but there's no cash in the bank?

Mai and Lee unpack the critical difference between profit and cash flow, explaining how accrual accounting can create a gap between what your reports show and the cash you actually have available. They share a practical framework for managing cash flow, building reserves, and making informed growth decisions without putting unnecessary pressure on your business.

In this episode, they discuss:

1. Why profit and cash are not the same thing
2. How accrual accounting in Xero can create timing gaps in your cash flow
3. The difference between working capital and cash reserves
4. Understanding the hidden cash costs of business growth
5. Why hiring and expansion can reduce cash before increasing profits
6. A real-world real estate agency example of cash flow timing challenges
7. How to allocate cash for GST, PAYG, income tax, payroll tax, and superannuation
8. Creating operating, growth, and emergency reserves for greater financial stability
9. The importance of giving every dollar a purpose
10. Shifting your mindset from "How much cash do I have?" to "How much cash is already allocated?"

Whether you're experiencing cash flow pressure, planning for growth, or simply looking to gain better control of your business finances, this episode provides practical strategies to help you build confidence, reduce stress, and make smarter financial decisions.

If you'd like support with cash flow management, business planning, budgeting, forecasting, or building a stronger financial foundation for your business, our team at My Accounting Advantage is here to help.

Learn more about My Accounting Advantage

Disclaimer

The advice contained in this presentation is general in nature only and should not be acted on without first seeking professional advice.

Your personal circumstances have not been taken into account, and you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your individual needs.