The Latest from Kristy-Lee

Hello and welcome to Episode 297 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In this episode, we explore a significant new ruling from the Fair Work Commission that could impact every Australian employer managing flexible work arrangements. The case involves a long-term Westpac employee and her right to continue working from home, and the decision has sent ripples through workplaces of all sizes.

We unpack what happened, what the Fair Work Commission decided, and what the case means for business owners navigating the tricky terrain of hybrid and remote work. You’ll also hear about other developments you should have on your radar.

What You’ll Learn

• The details of the Westpac flexible work case and why it matters
• What “reasonable business grounds” actually means under the Fair Work Act
• Why following process is just as important as your policy
• The risks of rejecting flexible work requests without proper documentation
• Upcoming changes and trends in remote work regulation

Key Ta...

DIY is a bit of a badge of honour for small business owners.

We patch up websites, design our own marketing, handle bookkeeping, and tackle team management with the same can-do spirit. There’s a certain satisfaction in figuring it out ourselves - until that approach quietly starts to backfire.

When it comes to HR, doing it yourself feels resourceful. Responsible. Even empowering. But what if DIY HR is actually keeping you stuck? What if, despite your best intentions, it’s holding back your team, stalling your business growth, and draining your energy?

Here’s a fresh take on why managing HR yourself might not be the best strategy anymore—and what to do instead.

DIY Isn’t Winging It

Let’s be clear: DIY HR isn’t the same as winging it. When you’re DIYing something, you’re usually making a genuine effort. You’re reading Fair Work articles, researching awards, downloading templates, and doing your best to get it right. And you’re likely doing it because:

• You want control
...

Hello and welcome to Episode 296 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

As the year winds down, things often ramp up for business owners, and it’s no wonder Q4 burnout is real.

In this episode, we’re talking about that end-of-year exhaustion, what causes it, how it shows up in you and your team, and what you can do to avoid limping toward the Christmas shutdown. Whether you're feeling flat yourself or seeing signs your team is running on fumes, this episode will help you reset and finish the year strong, without burning out.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why Q4 burnout happens, and why it’s so common in small businesses
• The subtle signs that you or your team might be close to burnout
• Simple, practical ways to re-energise your team and yourself
• Why now is the time to reduce pressure, not pile more on
• How to end the year on a high note (without needing to sprint)

Links & Resources:

💬 DM Kristy-Lee on Instagram @kristy.lee.billett and share how you’re managing Q4 fatigue

AI has well and truly made its way into our lives - at home, in business, in school (according to my teens….) and everything in between.

Whether you're using it to brainstorm ideas, shortcut admin tasks, or (let’s be honest) figure out what to cook for dinner, artificial intelligence is changing the way we work.

But here’s the thing: while AI tools like ChatGPT can be powerful and downright fabulous, they also bring a new set of challenges for business owners.

From privacy concerns to reluctant team members and questionable content quality, the use of AI in the workplace is something that needs real thought.

So, how do you actually manage AI use across your team, keep things ethical and efficient, and avoid heading into the wild west of automation chaos? Let’s unpack it.

AI Is Everywhere (Whether You Like It or Not)

If you’re not using AI in your business yet, chances are your team is, or your competitors definitely are.

From writing job ads and internal comms ...

Hello and welcome to Episode 295 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In this weeks episode we’re talking about ‘resignation season’ which is of course January every year. 31st January is in fact the most popular day for resignations, but the resignations start flowing the very first day back from the Christmas break.

Resignations are rarely spontaneous, and the January resignations most businesses deal with are thought about months before. So right now is the time people are starting to consider a new year resignation.

In this episode we talk about why this happens, what to look for in your people to see if they are starting to check out, and I share some practical strategies for you to implement right now to avoid the January resignation rush.

An Invitation: If you’d like to connect with other businesses who are also juggling the challenges of teams, I’d love you to join us inside our free Facebook Group, The People Powered Community, so I can learn more about what’s working f...

Let’s face it, HR in small business can feel like an absolute mess.

One day, you’re celebrating a win with your team, the next, you’re buried under questions, conflicts, or compliance confusion. If it feels like you’re micromanaging, juggling too much, or constantly putting out fires, you’re not alone.

The chaos often leaves small business owners wondering what they are doing wrong, and in that moment of overwhelm, the shiny promise of HR software feels like a lifeline.

But here’s the truth: software is not the solution. It’s a distraction.

What small business really needs isn’t another subscription - it’s structure. And building that structure is a whole lot easier than you might think.

Why HR Feels So Hard

If you feel like your HR is messy, you're not imagining things. It often is messy in small business, especially in those growth phases where you're adding team members but haven't put formal systems in place.

There’s a good chance you’ve tried to do the rig...

Hello and welcome to Episode 294 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In today’s episode, we’re exploring why good people leave organisations, and what it really costs you when you lose someone from your business.

Most business owners assume staff leave for better pay or new opportunities, but more often it comes down to three things: lack of clarity, lack of direction, and inconsistent leadership. When your team isn’t clear on what’s expected of them, can’t see where they’re heading, or don’t feel supported by steady, consistent leadership, even the best employees start to disengage.

We’ll also unpack the hidden costs of turnover that most business owners underestimate. It’s not just the cost of recruitment or training. It’s the time you lose filling gaps, the emotional energy it takes to start over, the trust that’s eroded, and the morale that dips each time someone walks out the door. The ripple effect of turnover can quietly damage your business far more than you realise.

Yo...

Every business owner has been there.

Juggling a hundred things at once, making Canva graphics at midnight, manually reconciling accounts, and frantically Googling how to deal with a tricky staff situation. Winging it is a survival skill that comes with the territory of being a business owner.

When it comes to HR, “figuring it out as you go” feels easy and cost-effective in the short term. But the longer you fly by the seat of your pants, the more expensive the fallout becomes.

Not just financially, but mentally, emotionally, and in lost opportunities for business growth.

Let’s unpack why “winging it” with your HR will always cost you more, and what you can do instead.

Why Winging It Feels Right (At First)

There’s something oddly empowering about being a business owner who wears all the hats. In the early stages, you’ve got a tiny team, maybe even just one or two people, and everything feels manageable. Writing policies? Meh. Performance management? Not needed. Hiring? Easy eno...

Hello and welcome to Episode 293 of the People Powered Business Podcast!

In today’s episode, we’re diving into a challenge that so many business owners face (even if they don’t talk about it): what happens when your team starts calling the shots… and you’re no longer in control of your business?

It happens more often than you’d think.

You start out delegating a few tasks to make life easier… then one day you realise you're asking your team for permission to make decisions. You're walking on eggshells. You’re avoiding the hard conversations. And your business? It no longer feels like yours.

If any of that sounds familiar — this episode is for you.

Here’s what we cover:

✅ How it happens – The subtle shift from leading to reacting

✅ Why it happens – The mindset traps and leadership habits that leave us overrun

✅ Red flags to watch for – Signs your team might be running the show

✅ How to take back control – Practical, non-confrontational ways to reset and reclaim your role as the ...

When it comes to running a business, especially one that’s growing, there’s always a temptation to solve problems with shiny new software.

HR is no exception.

If you’ve ever Googled “how to manage HR better,” you’ve likely been flooded with ads for platforms promising to automate your HR, solve compliance, and organise your team all in one neat dashboard.

Sounds perfect, right? Well, not so fast.

Before you sign up for that new subscription or sit through another slick demo, it’s worth asking: Do you really need another HR system? Or are you just not using what you already have?

Let’s take a step back and explore how to get more out of your existing tools before you commit to adding yet another system to your tech stack.

The Real Problem Isn’t Always the System

Most small to medium businesses don’t need a complicated HR platform. What they do need is a better understanding of how to use their current systems more effectively.

The mistake many business owner...