Australian Business Podcast

In this episode of The Australian Business Podcast Summer Series, Owen Rask tackles the engine room of every growing company: operations — the systems that turn sales into outcomes, chaos into clarity, and effort into scale.

Strong business operations aren’t about bureaucracy. They’re about leverage. Owen explains the principle of slower today, faster forever, showing why investing time in systems, automation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) is the fastest way to reduce stress and unlock growth. When work is repeatable, it should be documented. When it’s predictable, it should be automated.

You’ll learn how to think about operational design as a simple division of responsibility — sales and marketing, operations, and finance/admin — and why most founders stall because they refuse to let go of work they shouldn’t be doing anymore. Owen explains when a business needs a strong general manager, how to replace yourself progressively, and why great process beats great people when you want consistency at scale.

This episode also covers the practical tools that make operations work in the real world, including lightweight CRMs, data capture, and using AI to accelerate documentation and decision-making. You don’t need enterprise software or complexity — you need just enough structure to stop doing the same work twice.

If your business has traction but feels fragile, founder-dependent or exhausting, this episode shows how to build operational leverage that compounds and creates true escape velocity.

Topics covered– What operations actually mean in a growing business

– Slower today, faster forever

– Systems, automation and SOPs

– Using AI to accelerate operations

– Designing simple team structures

– When to hire a general manager

– CRMs, data and better decisions

Episode resources

Join Rask’s business community

Rask’s Australian Business Podcast

Rask Business 101 (free course)

Ask a question (select the Business podcast)

Rask Resources

Inflection community

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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In this episode of The Australian Business Podcast Summer Series, Owen Rask demystifies the numbers that matter most in every business — and explains why ignoring your financials is one of the fastest ways to fail.

You don’t need to be an accountant to run a profitable business, but you do need to understand how money actually moves through your company. Owen breaks down the core financial concepts every founder must know, including turnover, revenue, cost of goods sold, gross profit, expenses, profit margin and net profit — without jargon or fluff.

This episode also introduces a simple, repeatable cash flow system designed for Australian business owners. Owen explains how a two- or three-account banking structure can remove stress, prevent nasty tax surprises and help you make better decisions month to month. You’ll learn why putting money aside early — even when it hurts — is the difference between confidence and chaos.

Owen also walks through the key tax obligations that catch founders off guard, including GST, PAYG, superannuation, payroll tax and income tax, and why working closely with a proactive accountant is a competitive advantage, not a cost.

If you want your business to feel predictable, sustainable and calm instead of reactive and stressful, this episode gives you the financial foundations to make your numbers truly humm.

Topics covered

• Understanding core business financial terms

• Revenue vs profit (and why it matters)

• Gross margin and net profit explained

• Simple cash flow systems that work

• How to structure business bank accounts

• Australian tax obligations for business owners

• Working with your accountant strategically

Episode Resources

• Join Rask’s business community

• Rask’s Australian Business Podcast

• Rask Business 101 (free course)

Rask Resources

Inflection community

All services

Financial Planning

Invest with us

Access Show Notes

Ask a question

We love feedback!

Follow us on social media:

Instagram: @rask.invest

TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg
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The Rask 2026 stock market game is live - it's called Stock Genius. Available at stockgenius.com.au, in collaboration with Navexa, the Rask Stock Market is open for you to compete and enjoy with over 1,000 fellow investors.

In this episode, we cover:

- Is AI killing app investing in 2026?

- Are you a stock market genius? Play our game to find out

- How the game works

- Smart tracking for portfolios

- Owen and Navarre’s top picks

Resources for this episode
Join the game: https://www.stockgenius.com.au/
Buy Gemma’s book “The Money Reset”- https://amzn.to/42Uz0aK
Ask a question (select the Finance podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest

Show partner resources
Join Pearler using code “RASK” for $15 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler
Get 50% off your first two months using PocketSmith: https://bit.ly/R-PocketSmith
View Betashares range of funds:  https://bit.ly/beta-25

Rask resources
All services: https://bit.ly/R-services
Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan
Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest
Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes
Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest
We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP

Follow us on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest
Disclaimer: The information contained in this podcast episode is strictly general in nature. It does not take into account your needs, goals or objectives. So do not act on the information until you have spoken to your financial adviser.

The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a corporate authorised representative (No. 1313447) of Rask Licensing Pty Ltd (AFSL: 563 907). The information in our shows is general financial advice only. That means, the advice does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the advice is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on the information. In addition, you should obtain and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a decision to acquire any financial product. If you don’t know what your needs are, you should consult a trusted and licensed financial adviser who can provide you with personal financial product advice. Please read our Terms & Conditions and Financial Services Guide on rask.com.au/legal.

The Stock Genius website is built and maintained by Navexa. It does not provide financial, legal or tax advice of any kind. The Rask Stock Market Game has been created purely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not real money and should never be considered as a recommendation, "stock picking", or investment service. The purpose of the game is community, not recommendations for, or against, investments. Investing is risky and can result in permanent capital loss. The Rask Group Pty Ltd and Navexa do not endorse or recommend investments as part of the Stock Genius website, and make no warranty for the performance of portfolios.
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In this episode of The Australian Business Podcast Summer Series, Owen Rask breaks down what business strategy really is — and why most founders overcomplicate it or ignore it altogether.

Strategy isn’t a document you write once and forget. It’s an ongoing decision-making process that evolves as your industry, customers and resources change. Owen explains why early-stage businesses have plenty of time but very little capital, and how that equation flips as you grow — forcing founders to think differently about risk, research and execution.

You’ll learn how to research your industry properly using practical tools like SWOT analysis, competitive mapping and cheap experiments that de-risk big decisions before you commit serious time or money. Owen also shares how to identify your biggest existential risks, invert problems using Charlie Munger-style thinking, and focus on what could kill the business before chasing what could grow it.

This episode also introduces key strategic frameworks including the 80/20 principle, the now–where–how model, and the difference between a wartime CEO and a peacetime CEO, drawing on lessons from Ben Horowitz. You’ll discover when to double down, when to cut, and how to build feedback loops that tell you — early — whether your strategy is working or broken.

If you want clarity instead of chaos, and execution instead of endless planning, this episode gives you the tools to master business strategy.

Topics covered in this Australian Business Podcast episode

• What business strategy actually means in practice

• Using data instead of guesswork

• Industry research and SWOT analysis

• Identifying and managing existential risks

• The 80/20 principle for focus and growth

• Wartime CEO vs peacetime CEO

• Knowing when to change strategy

Episode Resources

• Join Rask’s business community

• Rask’s Australian Business Podcast

• Rask Business 101 (free course)

DISCLAIMER

🔗 Explore all Rask services

📋 Get Financial Planning

📈 Start investing with Rask

📜 Access Show Notes

❓ Ask a question – just select the Investors Podcast

📲 Follow us on social media:

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for your situation before acting on it.If you’re unsure, consult a licensed financial planner. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial adviser, or tax professional. You can access The Rask Group’s Financial Services Guide (FSG) here: https://www.rask.com.au/fsg.

#AustralianBusinessPodcast #BusinessStrategy #Scaling

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In this episode of The Australian Business Podcast Summer Series, Owen Rask tackles one of the most overlooked foundations of business success: knowing why you’re doing it in the first place.

Most people start businesses chasing money, flexibility or independence — but without a clear personal purpose, those goals often turn into stress, burnout and resentment. Owen breaks down why your why must come before strategy, systems or scaling, and how failing to define it early can lock you into a business you eventually want to escape.

This episode introduces the BusLife Scorecard, a practical self-assessment framework designed to help business owners step outside the noise and honestly evaluate where their business — and life — are thriving or breaking down. You’ll also hear about the concept of your FU number: the price at which you’d happily walk away from your business, and why reverse-engineering that number creates sharper decision-making and better boundaries.

Drawing lessons from The E-Myth Revisited, Traction and No Rules Rules, Owen explains the three competing personalities inside every founder — the technician, the manager and the entrepreneur — and why staying stuck in the wrong role keeps businesses small, fragile and stressful.

If you want a business that supports your life design instead of consuming it, this episode sets the direction.

Topics covered in this Australian Business Podcast episode

- Defining your personal why before scaling

- The BizLife Scorecard framework

- Your FU number and reverse planning

- Technician vs manager vs entrepreneur

- Using data instead of ego to make decisions

- Right people, right seats

Episode Resources

- Join Rask’s business community

- Rask’s Australian Business Podcast

- Rask Business 101 (free course)
- Buslife scorecard

3 Books
- The E-Myth Revisited
- No Rules Rules
- Traction



Rask Resources

🔗 Explore all Rask services

📋 Get Financial Planning

📈 Start investing with Rask

📜 Access Show Notes

❓ Ask a question – just select the Investors Podcast

📲 Follow us on social media:

– Instagram: @rask.invest

– TikTok: @rask.invest

DISCLAIMER

This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. You should consider if the information is appropriate for your situation before acting on it.If you’re unsure, consult a licensed financial planner. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial adviser, or tax professional. You can access The Rask Group’s Financial Services Guide (FSG) here: https://www.rask.com.au/fsg.

#AustralianBusinessPodcast #BusinessMindset #FounderLife
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