The Accountant That Builds

In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit sits down with Olympic championturned business leader Grant Hackett to explore what it takes to perform at the highest level andsustain it over time. From breaking world records in the pool to leading an ASX-listed financialservices company, Grant shares the mindset, discipline and leadership lessons that have shapedhis journey from elite athlete to CEO.Grant reflects on his transition from sport to business, why he now finds greater fulfilment inleadership, and how the habits built through elite training became the foundation for his approachin the corporate world. He also shares a defining career moment where he was given the chanceto prove himself, delivering strong results and setting the foundation for long-term businessgrowth.The conversation dives into what separates high performers from the rest, highlighting theimportance of consistency, clear goals, and disciplined routines. Grant also shares a powerfullesson from the Olympic stage about blind spots and awareness, and how that experiencecontinues to shape his decision-making in business today.Grant Hackett will be speaking live at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference at MorningtonRacecourse on 5 August, where he’ll expand on these insights and share practical leadershipstrategies for business owners and leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For many small business owners, “doing it all” has become the norm - but it’s also the very thinglimiting growth. In this episode of The Accountant That Builds, Shannon Smit reframes AI not asa complex, technical trend, but as a practical opportunity to take pressure off and reclaim time.Rather than seeing AI as a content-writing tool, Shannon encourages business owners to think ofit as their first digital team member - one that can handle repetitive tasks, streamline decision-making, and support day-to-day operations in a meaningful way.A key shift explored in the conversation is the move from basic AI tools to AI agents. While manyare familiar with asking platforms like ChatGPT to rewrite content, Shannon explains that the realopportunity lies in systems that can take action - drafting emails, pulling data, triggeringworkflows, and supporting processes across marketing, customer service, admin, and sales. Thisevolution allows business owners to move beyond small efficiency gains and start removingentire layers of low-value work, freeing them up to focus on higher-impact activities that actuallydrive the business forward. .What makes this especially powerful is the advantage small businesses have right now. Withoutthe layers, restrictions, and slower adoption cycles of larger organisations, small businesses areuniquely positioned to experiment, adapt, and embed AI quickly. Shannon makes it clear that thismoment isn’t about becoming more technical - it’s about becoming more effective. Thebusinesses that lean in, test, and iterate will be the ones that gain a competitive edge, simply bymoving faster and smarter than the rest.Importantly, getting started doesn’t require a complete overhaul. The most effective approach isto start small and stay practical: pick one repetitive task, trial one tool, and build from there. Thegoal isn’t automation for the sake of it - it’s about creating real time savings unique to yourbusiness. Ultimately, the biggest transformation comes from a mindset shift: moving away from “Ihave to do everything” and towards asking, “What should I stop doing?” Once that shift happens,AI becomes less about technology and more about creating space to focus on the work that trulymatters.Shannon will be diving deeper into these ideas in her upcoming keynote at the B.I.T.E BusinessConference on 5 August, 2026 at Mornington Racecourse, where she’ll share practical, step-by-step ways to integrate AI into everyday business operations. Designed specifically for non-technical business owners, her session focuses on real-world application—helping attendeeswalk away with clear actions they can implement immediately to reduce workload, improveefficiency, and start wearing fewer hats in their business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to stop discounting yourself and start charging what you’re truly worth? In this episode of the The Accountant That Builds Podcast, host Shannon Smit sits down with Andrew Griffiths, Australia’s #1 small business author and one of the most respected voices in business and personal growth. With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience and fourteen bestselling books sold in more than sixty‑five countries, Andrew brings a rare mix of street‑smart insight, lived experience and powerful storytelling. From his early journey as an orphan navigating survival, to becoming a global authority on future‑proofing businesses, Andrew shares the lessons that have shaped his work, his writing, and his belief that business is always personal. Andrew is also a keynote speaker at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026, where he will take the stage with his powerful message:“Someone has to be the most expensive – why not make it you?”  In this conversation, Andrew and Shannon explore why so many small businesses undervalue themselves, how pricing is deeply connected to confidence and identity, and why being the cheapest option is one of the biggest risks in today’s business environment. This episode is essential listening for business owners who want to rethink their value, reinvent how they position themselves, and reignite sustainable growth. Want to watch on YouTube? Click here: https://youtu.be/FYmVoG0GxM0See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if time wasn’t your biggest constraint – but your biggest opportunity? In this episode of The Accountant That Builds Podcast, we are joined by Kate Christie, internationally recognised time management expert, keynote speaker, and bestselling author. Kate has spent more than two decades helping business owners, leaders and teams take control of their time, energy and priorities. As the founder of Time Stylers, Kate works with organisations across Australia and internationally to improve productivity, performance and decision‑making in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments. Kate is also a keynote speaker at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026, where she’ll be presenting on how to find, protect and invest time to create your greatest life – both professionally and personally. In this conversation, Kate and Sophie Jackson unpack why so many business owners feel time‑poor, how productivity myths are holding leaders back, and what it really takes to design a workday that supports focus, impact and sustainable growth. This episode is essential listening for business owners who want to rethink how they use time, reinvent their approach to productivity, and reignite control over their work and life.Want to watch on YouTube? Click here: https://youtu.be/aAsoiFK9fucSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.