Episode Title: The Right Experts at the Right Time: Why Directors and Debtors Need Both Legal and Accounting Advice Before Crisis Hits
Guest: Ann O’Connell, Special Counsel – Hall & Wilcox
Host: Alice Ruhe, Partner – SMB Advisory

Episode Overview:

In this episode of SMB Wisdom, host Alice Ruhe is joined by Ann O’Connell from Hall & Wilcox to unpack the essential role that both legal and accounting advisors play in helping directors and debtors navigate financial distress—before a crisis unfolds.

Ann is a Special Counsel in dispute resolution with a strong focus on restructuring, insolvency, corporate workouts, and debt recovery. With extensive experience advising both private and public clients—ranging from SMEs to top-tier banks—Ann brings deep insight into the intersection of legal risk and commercial reality.

What We Cover:

✅ Legal vs. Accounting Advice
— When should directors engage a lawyer versus their accountant?
— How can both advisors collaborate to guide decision-making?

✅ Legal Professional Privilege
— What is it, and why is it crucial during times of financial pressure?
— How can it shape strategy before formal appointments?

✅ Beyond the Balance Sheet
— Financial health is just one part of the picture.
— What other legal risks should directors be thinking about early?

✅ Legal Risks in Employment and Leasing
— Why these areas often trip up directors during restructures.
— Common pitfalls when legal advice is overlooked.

✅ The Cost of Delay
— Why early engagement with professionals makes all the difference.
— How timely advice can help prevent escalation.

Key Takeaways:

• Early advice is good business—especially when facing financial headwinds.

• Legal professional privilege is a strategic tool, not just a protection.

• Directors need to think holistically—legal, financial, and operational risks all matter.

Connect with Ann O’Connell:
You can find Ann’s full bio and contact details in the episode notes and on our website:

Ann (Watson) O’Connell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-oconnell1/

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Until next time—be Wise in Business.

• #SMBWisdom #BusinessAdvice #LegalAndAccounting #FinancialRestructuring #InsolvencyInsights #DirectorDuties #EarlyIntervention #LegalPrivilege

• #RiskManagement

🎙️ SMB Wisdom Podcast — Episode: Building a Resilient Team with Donna Marcus

Host: Alice Ruhe, Managing Principal - QLD at SMB Advisory
Guest: Donna Marcus, Business Services Accountant & Tax Adviser, Strategem

Topic: How to Build a Resilient Team

🔍 About the Episode

In this insightful episode of SMB Wisdom, Alice Ruhe sits down with Donna Marcus, an experienced Business Services Accountant and General Manager from Strategem. to discuss practical advice and leadership insights into building resilient teams — a topic that resonates with business leaders across industries.

🧠 What You’ll Learn

• What team resilience really means in a business context

• The key traits of resilient teams and why they matter

• How leadership can cultivate resilience, particularly through periods of change

• The impact of remote and hybrid work on team dynamics and adaptability

• Common mistakes leaders make that undermine resilience—and how to avoid them

📇 Connect with Donna Marcus

You can reach Donna Marcus via:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-m-38624837/

• Strategem Website: www.strategem.com.au

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Subscribe to SMB Wisdom so you never miss a valuable tip from our network of expert guests. If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please rate and review the podcast — it helps others discover our show!

Join us next time, and until then — be Wise in Business.

🎙️ SMB Wisdom Podcast — Episode: Making Offers & Documenting Agreements

Guest: Allan Kawalsky, Partner at Turks Legal
Host: Alice Ruhe, Principal at SMB Advisory

#Insolvency #Contracts #BusinessLaw #LegalTips #SMBAdvisory #TurksLegal #SMBWisdom

📌 Episode Overview

In this insightful episode of the SMB Wisdom Podcast, host Alice Ruhe sits down with Allan Kawalsky, a partner at Turks Legal and an expert in insolvency and banking law.

Allan brings deep practical knowledge of how businesses can protect themselves through clear, enforceable contracts.

From horror stories that could have been prevented to expert advice on navigating high-stakes negotiations, this episode is a must-listen for any business owner aiming to reduce risk and boost legal literacy.

💡 Key Topics Covered

• Legal Requirements for Binding Offers
  What must an agreement contain to be legally enforceable under Australian law?

• Verbal vs Written Agreements
  Are handshake deals valid? When is writing a must?

• Common Drafting Mistakes
  Learn from others’ missteps and get tips to draft agreements that stick.

• Protecting Yourself in Negotiations
  How to stay safe and savvy in high-stakes contractual situations.

• Digital Contracts and e-Signatures
  Are they as reliable as pen-and-paper? Allan explains what holds up in court.

• Real-Life Legal Cautionary Tales
  Allan shares compelling (and cautionary) examples from his legal practice.

🔗 Connect with Allan Kawalsky

🌐 Allan Kawalsky | Turks

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

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Until next time — Be Wise in Business.