Episode Details

In this episode of the UpScale Business Podcast, Mitch (@mitchvan_) and Erina (@erinaroxx) sit down to unpack one of the biggest challenges trade business owners face: how to reward your team for going above and beyond, without paying extra for things that should already be part of the job.

The conversation kicks off with a huge win from one of UpScale's own coaches, a client who joined UpScale three years ago doing $50K months with his wife as his apprentice, and has now cracked a $450K month running a successful business in a competitive Perth market.

Mitch and Erina break down exactly what this business owner is doing differently, including how he uses small incentives (like paying team members for Google reviews with their name mentioned) alongside bigger team based rewards, like a shared "Bali fund" that the whole crew contributes to when they hit their KPIs together.

You'll also hear the pair get into some bigger picture ideas around:

• The real difference between your baseline job requirements and what deserves an extra incentive
• Why so many Australian business owners struggle to have hard conversations about performance
• What happens when a team doesn't hit their incentive target, and how to handle that as a leader
• Why clear expectations and structure actually make your team perform better, not worse
• Cultural differences in work ethic and what trade business owners can learn from them

Whether you're running a small crew or a growing trade business, this episode will help you think differently about incentives, accountability, and building a team that's genuinely invested in your success.

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