About the Author: Ashley Thomson
Professional Journey
Ashley started in business improvement in 1998, working for an Australian consulting company. He honed his skills by optimising corporate giants like Coles Group, Myer, ANZ Bank, Telstra, and Zurich Insurance. This hands-on experience gave him practical insights into the workings of great businesses and the pitfalls of poor performers.
Accolades and Awards
Ashley’s exceptional coaching prowess has earned him a place in the prestigious Coaching Hall of Fame (2019). Additionally, his achievements have been acknowledged through multiple awards, solidifying his reputation as a world-class business coach. He leads a team of award-winning business coaches at Tenfold, setting the gold standard in the industry.
Expertise Across Industries
With diverse experience spanning FMCG, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution, construction, trades, retail, and professional services, Ashley has successfully coached businesses across various sectors. His expertise lies in coaching mature businesses with revenues ranging from $5M to $50M, guiding them through complex financial structures, marketing strategies, operational improvements, and leadership development.
Innovative Problem Solver
Ashley’s background as a convergence task force manager and project manager at leading organisations like Show Ads and NewsCorp – PMP Print equipped him with the skills to streamline complex business functions. His ability to sift through data, identify key business drivers, and provide agile financial models enables businesses to thrive in competitive markets.
Published Author and Global Authority
Ashley’s influence extends far beyond his coaching practice. He co-authored “The Quiet Sales Genius,” a definitive guide to effective sales strategies. He has been featured in prominent publications, podcasts, and conferences, cementing his status as a thought leader in the coaching community.
Ashley’s influence reaches across the globe, with features and accolades from esteemed platforms such as:
Tradie Business 101: A Guide to Marketing
Remember when you enrolled at trade school because you knew you wanted to be a... marketer? Wait, what? Nah. You signed up to be an electrician or a plumber or a landscaper or a chippy or to learn HVAC or roofing. So it wasn't a surprise to you that marketing wasn't in the TAFE curriculum. Yet now that you've got your own tradie business — whether plumbing, electrical contracting, HVAC installation, landscape construction, carpentry, or residential building - you realise that maybe they should've taught you something about marketing. Trade schools give you the knowledge and skills to do ...
Small Business, Big Impact: Tactics to Stand Out and Compete with Larger Businesses
"They're so much bigger than my business, how can I possibly compete?" If you've ever thought that about your small business before, you're not alone. It can seem daunting to submit a tender bid knowing you're up against a multi-million dollar (and multi-generational) business. But size isn't all it's cracked up to be. As a seasoned business coach based in Australia, I've witnessed firsthand the challenges and triumphs of small B2B businesses navigating the competitive landscape dominated by larger corporations. The journey of guiding these businesses towards growth and success has been incredibly rewarding, and it's clear that with ...
Creating a Brand on a Budget: Essential Guide for Small Business Success
When it comes to branding, the common misconception among small business owners is that impactful branding requires a $$$$$ budget—think big bucks for flashy logos, high-end marketing materials, and expensive advertising campaigns. However, in my 20+ years of coaching small business owners across Australia, I've witnessed firsthand that branding excellence doesn't have to cost a bucket. In fact, with a strategic approach and savvy investment, small businesses can achieve remarkable brand recognition and loyalty within a budget of $5,000 to $10,000. This free guide, "Brand Building Basics: Essential Strategies for Small Business Success", has been designed to help you, ...
Understanding Profit Margins: A Guide For Small Business Owners
As business coach, I’ll often find myself at a barbecue or a school sports day with people asking me about profit margins; how do you calculate them?, what’s a reasonable profit margin for a small business?, and what can I do to improve my profit margins? Ah, profit margins. The bread and butter of any small business conversation, right up there with "How's the cash flow?" and "Any tips for dodging those tax headaches?" If you've landed here, chances are you're hunting for the lowdown on what a decent profit margin looks like, how to crunch those numbers, and ...
Economic conditions you need to prepare for in 2024
Welcome to the first briefing of 2024, I hope you had relaxing break and are re-energised for the year ahead. I thought I’d start the briefings this year by giving you my insights on what economic conditions are likely to influence our businesses in 2024. To do so, we need to look at the two big factors that are driving the economy: interest rates and immigration.Two big factors driving Australia's economy The increase in spending from the record level of immigrants is balancing out by the reduction in spending by the rest of the population, who in general have cut ...
Tradie Business 101: A guide to finance
Remember the days of trade school? Still half asleep as you shuffled in to 7-Eleven to grab a coffee and a sausage roll for brekky before knuckling down to learn. When it comes to the world of tradies — whether plumbing, electrical contracting, HVAC installation, landscape construction, carpentry, or residential building — trade schools are the entry to technical education. TAFEs and vocational schools equip tradies with the practical skills and technical know-how required to excel in their chosen field. However, as tradie business coaches one of the most common things we hear is, “I didn’t learn how to run ...
LeavePlus (CoINVEST) & Incolink: What Trades Businesses Need to Know
Please note: This information article is written by a business coach exclusively for business owners to understand their obligations. If you are a worker/tradie, please contact LeavePlus (formerly CoINVEST) or IncoLink directly: Click for here for LeavePlus (CoINVEST) or call them on 1300 264 683 Click here for IncoLink or call them on (03) 9639 3000 What owners of trades businesses need to know about IncoLink and LeavePlus (formerly CoINVEST) Staying on top of employee obligations is a major concern for many of the business owners I mentor in my role as a business coach. There are, of ...
How to Grow a Plumbing Business: Do This, Not That
Running a plumbing business in Australia is a challenging feat. With over 30,000 registered plumbers in the country, competition is fierce. However, you can grow a thriving plumbing operation with these six strategic do’s and don’ts. As business coaches with over 20 years of business coaching experience helping plumbers and various trades, we've seen what works and what doesn't when scaling a plumbing business. DODON'TDO: Find a profitable niche and build your business around itDON'T: Be a One-Size-Fits-AllDO: Work with the right clientsDON'T: Get stuck with bad clientsDO: Get recruitment rightDON'T: Hire fast, fire slowDO: Prioritise your websiteDON'T: ...
Software for Electrical Contractors
Job Management Software for Electrical Contractor: A business coach’s guide I’m often asked which software systems I recommend for an electrical contracting business. It might seem like a strange question to be asked, so let me explain; My role as a business coach for electrical contractors is to help business owners understand their options and make informed decisions that align with their business goals and needs. Over the years, I've worked closely with numerous electrical contracting business owners, guiding them through the maze of software options. Choosing the right software for your electrical contracting business can significantly enhance efficiency and ...
Economic Insights for Australian Small Business Owners: 2 Indicators to Watch in the Next 3-5 years
Not everyone loves reading about geopolitical pressures or government spending. As business coaches, we take on the responsibility for monitoring economic trends and reading widely so we can bring you the highlights and the points you need to know. In this briefing: Economic update: what we're seeing ahead Getting ahead of the pack Two indicators to watch in the next 3-5 years: Australian government spending China outlook Many business commentators only look ahead 1 to 3 months out to advise you on how to position your business. As you know, we think this is pointless because most of your ...
