

The Bottom Line
Alexander Spencer
The Bottom Line is a show designed to help Australian businesses succeed. On the show, you'll hear from leading Aussie business owners as they share the lessons they've learned building their companies. You'll learn from their successes, as well as some of the challenges they've faced along the way. We also talk to experts from a range of fields who share specialised techniques you can use to improve your business. Produced by accounting and business advisory firm Alexander Spencer.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 31, 2025 • 42min
What you need to know before managing your own super with Rony John
Rony John is an SMSF Manager at Alexander Spencer as part of AS Wealth Advisors. AS Wealth Advisors provides personalised strategic financial guidance and wealth management advice. In this episode, Rony explains what a self-managed super fund (SMSF) is and how he helps his clients understand their options. He shares real client stories of how they’ve used super to build wealth and what to consider before setting up an SMSF. Resources and links: AS Wealth Advisors website Rony John on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Mar 17, 2025 • 53min
Becoming a better speaker with Trang Nova
Trang Nova is a Business and Speaking Coach. Trang works with entrepreneurs and aspiring speakers to teach them how to speak with confident authority and be recognised as leaders both on stage and off. In this episode, Trang shares how a snail altered the course of her career and took her from being a physiotherapist to being a speaking coach. She emphasises the value of preparation and authenticity for a good speech and shares advice for working on the foundations of great speakers including articulation, pacing, and vocal melody. Resources and links: Trang Nova’s website Trang Nova on LinkedIn Trang Nova on Instagram Trang Nova on YouTube Voice for Impact Podcast The Trang Nova Podcast Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Mar 3, 2025 • 39min
Why small actions are more powerful than big ideas with Zaffar Khan
Zaffar Khan is the Corporate Strategist for Cocoon SDA Care. Cocoon SDA Care delivers personalised care to help people with disabilities live with greater independence, safety, and an improved quality of life. In this episode, Zaffar lays bare his entire career journey from driving taxis and how that led to his neighbours calling the police to his first business, to bankruptcy, before rebuilding and branching into other businesses. He discusses how those experiences influenced his business philosophy, how he empowers his staff while maintaining accountability, and why vague goals like "becoming a millionaire" are wrong for budding entrepreneurs. Resources and links: Cocoon SDA Care website Download “8 Pillars of Business Success” here Zaffar Khan on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Feb 17, 2025 • 47min
How policing teaches teamwork, resilience, and leadership
Aret Muradyan is a Lawyer and retired Sergeant with the Victoria Police. Aret retired from Victoria Police after thirty years of service, and his approach to management today is influenced by the lessons he learnt on the force. In this episode, Aret shares his journey with policing and its impact on his management style. He opens up about how police use “work mode” to manage high-stress situations, the importance of mental health support and peer-to-peer aid in addition to professional help, and emphasises that the best way to build strong teams and create the next generation of leaders is to start training them now. Please note: This episode contains descriptions of violence. Resources and links: Aret Muradyan on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Feb 3, 2025 • 36min
Aggressive or defensive: Choosing an investment strategy
So you have savings, but they aren’t growing as fast as you’d like. That’s where investing comes in. In this episode, David and Sevan discuss different investment methods and the key differences between defensive and aggressive investment strategies. David also shares the “Rule of 72” with Sevan, explaining how to calculate how long it will take to double your investment through compound interest. Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Jan 20, 2025 • 36min
A guide to selling your business
In today's episode of The Bottom Line, Sevan is joined by Craig Sanford from Sierra Legal. After spending 19 years at a major law firm, Craig made the bold move to establish his own boutique legal practice with a unique remote-first model long before COVID-19 made it commonplace. In this episode, you'll hear Craig's insights into preparing a business for sale from a legal perspective, how Sierra Legal operates differently from traditional law firms by avoiding personal budgets for lawyers, and fascinating stories from Craig's extensive M&A experience - including how his team completed a $100 million transaction in just one week. Resources and links: Sierra Legal website Craig Sanford on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Jan 6, 2025 • 25min
Why do businesses fail?
You’ll find a lot of newly minted millionaires on social media bragging about their new Lamborghinis and how business success is as easy as wanting it badly enough. By contrast, it feels like every other week we’re seeing news stories about major Australian businesses entering administration, liquidation, or otherwise struggling in the current economic climate. So what’s the difference between a business that succeeds and one that fails? In this episode, Sevan and David discuss the biggest reasons businesses fail. They debunk the unrealistic perceptions of business success perpetuated by social media algorithms and explain why a solid business plan, proper financial knowledge, and strategic partnerships are essential. Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Dec 23, 2024 • 33min
Work hard, play hard: The strategic power of a corporate event
Eyob Yesus is the Chief Events Officer at Icon Corporate Events. Icon Corporate Events is a corporate event management firm with many years of experience planning and executing everything from conferences and exhibitions to galas and Christmas functions. In this episode, Eyob digs into different kinds of corporate events, their benefits, and how they tie into a larger marketing or branding strategy. He highlights the importance of running events with purpose and post-event activities before emphasising the need for face-to-face interactions in building communities and brand engagement in an increasingly online world. Resources and links: Icon Corporate Events website Eyob Yesus on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Dec 9, 2024 • 39min
Happy staff are the key to a happy business
David Campbell is a Partner at Brand Rebellion. Brand Rebellion is a brand and workforce consultancy firm dedicated to helping organisations empower their workforce and enhance their brand. In this episode, David discusses why he and his wife founded Brand Rebellion and the lessons they’ve learnt along the way. He expands on the importance of employee engagement, continuous learning, and tailing business strategies for the individual. He also shares practical tips for fostering a positive workplace culture and enhancing productivity. Resources and links: Brand Rebellion website David Campbell on LinkedIn Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Nov 25, 2024 • 34min
How Alexander Spencer became a top 100 accounting firm
In today’s episode, Sevan takes a seat in the guest chair as he is interviewed by David Posterino, co-host of The Bottom Line and director of AS Wealth Advisors. Sevan Tuna is the Managing Director at Alexander Spencer and host of The Bottom Line. Sevan shares his journey. He highlights the importance of mentorship and growth opportunities for all team members and how his strategic initiatives led to Alexander Spencer joining the ranks of Australia's top 100 accounting firms. Resources and links: Sevan Tuna on LinkedIn Sevan Tuna on X Connect: Alexander Spencer website Alexander Spencer on Twitter Alexander Spencer on Facebook Alexander Spencer on LinkedIn This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.