Hiring on the Coffs Coast is one challenge. Paying more for people without seeing the corresponding improvement in performance is another.
For plenty of business owners, that can create an uncomfortable thought: “I made more money when it was just me.”
But more people don’t have to mean more problems.
The bigger question is whether you’ve built a business where people understand where you’re going, how you expect the team to operate and what good performance actually looks like.
Build a Team Good People Want to Join is a practical, hands-on workshop for business owners and managers who employ people, manage a team or are getting ready to make their next hire.
What we’ll cover
During the workshop, you’ll work on your own business, including:
- Defining the kind of business and team you’re actually trying to build
- Turning company values into behaviours people can understand and follow
- Assessing team members across both engagement and performance using the 4 Cultures Matrix
- Building culture deliberately through regular team conversations, check-ins and activities
- Identifying meaningful measures of performance rather than simply assuming everyone is busy
- Attracting and selecting people who are a better fit for the business you’re building
You’ll look at the relationship between engagement and performance and what that means for the way you lead different people in your team.
A highly engaged person who isn’t producing the required results presents a very different leadership challenge from a strong performer who’s disengaged from the team. We’ll map what those differences mean and the conversations or actions that may need to happen next.
After this workshop you’ll leave with:
- A clearer picture of the team and culture you want to build
- A practical way to assess engagement and performance across your existing team
- Ideas for building culture more deliberately
- Practical actions you can start implementing with your team
You won’t cover every recruitment tool or build every people system in 90 minutes. The aim is to help you make some important decisions about how you lead your existing team, how you measure contribution and what may need to change before you add the next person.
Bring something to write with and come ready to work on your own business.
Workshop Details
Wednesday 23 September 2026
5:15pm to 6:45pm
Location:
Business @ Yarrila, Level 1
Yarrila Place
27 Gordon Street, Coffs Harbour
Cost: Free
About Phil Dawson
Phil Dawson is a local business advisor who works with small business owners feeling stretched, overwhelmed or stuck at a ceiling.
After more than 15 years building, running and selling his own businesses, Phil brings real, lived experience to everything from cash flow and systems to leadership and culture, including building teams from the ground up and personally hiring more than 500 staff.
He now helps business owners create clarity, install simple systems and lead with more confidence, so their business supports their life rather than consumes it.
His approach is practical, honest and grounded in real experience.
Coffs Ahead:
Coffs Ahead is a City of Coffs Harbour initiative providing free, practical support to help local businesses prepare for what’s ahead.