Biz Bytes

Tell us what you thought about this episodeHave you ever wondered why some businesses thrive while others with similar products merely survive? The secret often lies not in what they do, but how they think about what they do.Dom Bish joins me for a fascinating deep dive into the critical difference between strategy and planning—a distinction that could transform your business approach. With five years at the helm of Bolster Risk Management and over a decade in financial services, Dom brings practical wisdom about creating genuine business value.We unpack the concept of finding your unique "business sandpit" where you can outperform competitors. As Dom explains, "The blue ocean is where you want to be. Where's that sweet spot?" With approximately 590,000 small businesses in New Zealand competing across limited industries, carving out your distinctive space is more crucial than ever.The conversation takes surprising turns, revealing how businesses often misunderstand what industry they're actually in. McDonald's isn't just in fast food—at the corporate level, they're fundamentally in real estate. This kind of strategic clarity changes everything about how you position and grow your business.Perhaps most valuable is Dom's framework for thinking about your business as an investment asset. Just as property investors buy, add value, protect their asset, extract income, and eventually exit—business owners should apply this same strategic thinking to their most valuable asset. Yet many fail to plan their exit strategy until it's too late to maximize value.Whether you're a solopreneur or leading a growing company, this episode will challenge you to elevate your thinking from day-to-day planning to genuine strategic analysis. As Dom powerfully states, "Strategy is not a plan. A plan is not a strategy." Understanding this difference could be your competitive edge.Ready to transform how you think about your business? Listen now, and discover why the best time to start thinking strategically is today.

Tell us what you thought about this episodeDiscover the future of HR through the lens of AI innovation with Annie Johnson, co-founder and chief product officer of Humaneer. Annie takes us on her incredible journey from a traditional HR role to spearheading AI-driven solutions that are reshaping how organizations operate. She uncovers the concept of purpose-led design, aligning technology with company values to create ethical and effective AI systems. Annie doesn't shy away from the tough topics either—addressing fears around AI, job displacement, and transparency, while offering practical strategies to mitigate these concerns.As we continue, the conversation highlights the complexity of media's role in shaping public perception, particularly through fear-based narratives and information overload. By comparing industry-specific insights to mainstream media's sensationalism, we explore the balance needed to stay informed. With a keen eye on governmental and regulatory challenges, we delve into the importance of clear guidelines for privacy and security in this digital era. Annie shares how startups like Humaneer make strides in fostering an AI ecosystem that prioritizes safety and productivity.Our discussion also reflects on the broader implications of technological advancements on job evolution, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful integration of AI that augments rather than replaces human roles. By examining historical shifts in job markets, we advocate for a strategic approach that aligns with organizational goals and enhances the human element in work. Join us as we celebrate the innovative spirit of New Zealand, where Annie and her team are making remarkable progress in crafting AI solutions for the HR industry. This episode is packed with insights, strategies, and a hopeful outlook on the collaborative future of AI in the workplace.

Tell us what you thought about this episodeIn this episode, I'm joined by Melissa Crawford, a visionary leader who bridges the gap between technology and human psychology. Melissa shares her insights on the future of work, the power of strategic foresight, and the importance of human-centered technology.We'll explore topics like:The impact of AI on the workplaceThe future of remote work and hybrid modelsThe importance of human-centered design in technologySo, tune in to hear how we can harness the power of technology while keeping our humanity intact.

Tell us what you thought about this episodeIn this episode, we're joined by Tim Warren, an expert in luxury, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Tim takes us on a journey through the world of high-end cars, particularly the Rolls-Royce Spectre, and reveals how the lessons from this luxury brand can be applied to businesses of all sizes.We'll explore topics like:The importance of customer experienceThe power of specializationThe role of technology in businessThe value of simplicity in design and processesSo, buckle up and join us as we unpack these insights and more.

Tell us what you thought about this episodeIn this engaging episode, Ant McMahon is joined by Asa Cox where they explore the critical transition from AI experimentation to full-scale production. They explore the hurdles businesses face, such as privacy, security, and governance issues, and the necessity of integrating AI into existing data systems. As AI reshapes organizational structures, the conversation touches on the evolving roles and responsibilities within AI-driven organizations, including the potential emergence of new roles like Chief AI Officer. Transition from AI Experimentation to Production:Moving beyond standalone AI tools to integrating them into business processes.Overcoming challenges like privacy, security, and governance issues.Challenges in AI Adoption:Addressing privacy and security concerns.Ensuring data quality and integration with existing systems.Shifting focus from proving AI's functionality to demonstrating its business value.Customer Experience and AI Implementation:Enhancing customer communication and service through AI.Balancing automation with maintaining customer trust.Change Management and Communication:Effective strategies for managing change and addressing employee concerns.Communicating the benefits and impacts of AI adoption clearly.Evolving Roles and Responsibilities:Reshaping organizational structures and job roles.Potential emergence of new roles like Chief AI Officer.Practical Advice for Businesses:Finding the right partners and experts.Pushing for concrete commitments from tech vendors.Leveraging collective expertise through collaborative efforts, especially for New Zealand businesses.This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of AI adoption and drive meaningful change within their organization.

In this episode, I'm joined by Ben Reid, author of “Fast Forward Aotearoa", his latest book which explores How Exponential Technology is Defining the Future of New Zealand… and What We Can Do About It.” During our discussion we delve into the rapid pace of technological acceleration and its profound impact on New Zealand. Ben shares the motivation behind his book, highlighting the growing gap between global tech centers and New Zealand, and the urgent need for the country to catch up. We explore the concept of techno-optimism and its implications for New Zealand's future, balancing this optimism against the realities of climate change and geopolitical instability.Our conversation covers a range of critical topics, including the potential societal impact of AI, the future of work, and the importance of skills development and education in the AI era. Ben discusses the challenges of increasing energy consumption due to AI and computing demands, and the need for sustainable energy solutions.We also examine New Zealand's technological strategy and sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of developing a broader objective function beyond GDP and considering environmental and social externalities in business and national strategies. Ben provides insights into the potential for decentralised and open-source technologies to rebuild capability and maintain technological sovereignty.Additionally, we discuss the role of data centres and infrastructure in New Zealand, the balance between relying on hyperscalers and maintaining local control, and the government's role in building its own data centre for sovereignty.Join us as we unpack these critical topics and consider the future of New Zealand in the age of AI. Lets get on with the episode!

As outlined in our previous episode, productivity is one of three key levers in generating business success so it's vital we take it seriously.One of the driving factors of sub-par productivity is waste. Waste can be found in both doing or spending too much – inefficiencies and duplication; or not doing enough – untapped or underutilised potential.TIMWOOD Model: A productivity model identifying waste in organizations, crucial for business success.Five Key Areas: Combines TIMWOOD and DOWNTIME into five areas to evaluate performance and identify improvements.High-Level Questions: Provides questions to assess transport, inventory, defects, skills, and overprocessing in your organization.Unique Solutions: Emphasizes that solutions are specific to each organization, with future blogs to discuss examples.

Optimise Costs, Revenue, and Efficiency to drive positive change that sticks.In today's episode we  focusing on three key areas. First, the core business levers: managing costs, growing revenue, and improving efficiency. Second, digital transformation: it's not just about new tech, but how it can reduce costs, increase revenue, and boost efficiency. Lastly, strategic considerations for tech projects: we'll look at metrics, motives, and mindset. Let's get started!

Digital transformation can open many doors – giving you an exciting pathway towards innovation, growth, customer and staff fulfilment, and that sought-after competitive edge. But like most things in business and life, risks lurk in the background.Don't let this put you off continuing to develop and adapt though – when you have a robust digital roadmap in place you mitigate the potential risks before jumping in.

Do you find yourself in a state of decision paralysis because you feel you don't have all the data you need?Did you consider that by the time you have all the data, it might be too late?Especially if the data is coming from the wrong sources. Consider this: have you got enough data to make a decision you can live with.In this episode, I speak with Bruno Pešec about why speed of decision making is often more important than quality and why indecision is still a decision.About the guestBruno Pešec helps business leaders innovate profitably. He is the rare innovator who can claim that he's worked on a regulation-defying freight train and an award-winning board game. In addition to his corporate experience with brands like DNV, DNB, and Kongsberg Group, Bruno runs a community of entrepreneurs of several thousand members. He is currently undertaking a doctorate in organisational change, with a specific focus on the issues with innovation in large enterprises.

The last 18 months have been notable for their volatility.Opinions have become currency, not always based on fact. We've seen that we're not that great at predicting the future and, as a result, are never fully prepared - that just makes things more uncertain and leads to more opinions.How can you separate fact from opinion?First, remember that you control your perceptions and the energy that you bring to a situation.Then,  remember that everyone sees things differently.Finally, ask yourself this: What are you prepared to do to prove that your opinion is wrong?In today's episode, I chat with Marcel Daane about how to stay sane in a volatile worldAbout my guestMarcel Daane is an award-winning executive coach and author of two book who operates out of Singapore. He specializes in helping professionals maximize their way of being in how they connect with themselves and others for more effective leadership and performance using a combination of Neuroscience, Mindfulness, and Somatic Awareness.Marcel's books include HeadStrong Performance - coverhing how to improve mental performance under pressure - and Five Energies of Horrible Bosses, which is a book about how to use Energy Projection to improve connectedness with others

When Joe Santana ran a recent survey on AI tools, 63% of HR professionals who responded thought that introduction of AI would make the organisation more balanced.But will it?Or could AI make a company less diverse if it's not delivered correctly?In this episode, I talk with Joe about the potential impact of AI on diversity, equity, and inclusion. We discuss how it could affect an organisation's ability to secure and retain the best talent in the world and consider how it could create a system that is infinitely a gamble. About the guestJoe Santana is Chairman of the CDO PowerCircle, an association of diversity, equity, and inclusion leaders serving well-known companies that collectively generate close to three-quarters of a trillion dollars and employ close to a million people around the globe.Joe is also the host of the ERG PowerTalk podcast, which you'll find at https://linktr.ee/Joesan58

As an entrepreneur, you know what it takes to get things done: finding a need and filling it, building a business from the ground up to do so. Unfortunately, for many entrepreneurs, their work becomes their life. When people talk about work-life balance you nod along and agree that it's important, but then turn around and throw yourself back in. You might dream of a 3-month walk-about, or of climbing that mountain, but how on earth are you going to fit that in when there's always another fire to put out, another emergency that needs to be resolved.In this episode I talk with Michael Nelson, Author of Goals That Matter – The Deceptively Simple System to Achieve Every Dream, about how to avoid looking back on your life thinking “I wish I had spent more time doing…"Michael is an entrepreneur, author, ultra-marathoner, and real estate investor. Having created a system to achieve his goals, Michael started sharing it with clients and friends who found a great deal of success with their goals. Having led hundreds of people through his goal-setting system, he decided to write a book to share it even further. Michael's book is a must-read for every person who desires to take their life to the next level.

Despite what we'll tell you, technology isn't the fastest-changing industry.That honour goes to Cyber Security.As we see new advances in technology we also need to keep up with protecting and securing the devices and systems we use. While the cyber security industry has been able to adapt as they go, the universities have also joined the fight and are now training the next wave of cyber security specialists.Through this course, students learn how to put themselves in the shoes of the attacker, and the customer. Because you can't guarantee an attack will never happen, you just need to make it as difficult as possible to be successful.In today's episode, I catch up with Sam Glanfield to find out why she chose a major in Cyber Security, what the course covers, and what the future might hold.About the GuestSam is a 3rd-year university student studying towards a Bachelor of Engineering with a major in Cyber Security. When she's not learning how to identify and manage cyber threats, Sam is putting everything into practice as part of Kiwirail's cyber security team.

Heard of Low Code or No Code?A No-Code development platform provides the ability to create application software through a graphical user interface instead of traditional hand-coded computer programming.Used properly, it gives companies the freedom to try things out without the cost.Even though it is perfect for prototyping, No-Code still carries some risks.In this episode, I head back to Denmark to talk with Kasper Pederson and find out more.About the guest:Kasper, Founder of Tempus Serva, manages and implements custom-tailored systems for external customers. With a vision to Democratise Digitalisation, Kasper has the view that no climb is too steep as he takes No-Code to new heights.

What do the All Blacks, prenuptials and onboarding new clients all have in common?Culture.Businesses that want to start a successful relationship with a new client need to set expectations at the start.It doesn't hurt to approach it like a prenuptial agreement.And that's where the All Blacks bring inspiration. While they have a strong strategy. They also have a values-based culture that dictates no one is bigger than the team.In today's episode, I talk with Scott Anderson, possibly Omaha's biggest rugby fan about the value of onboarding, how to avoid making mistakes, and why you need to be prepared to walk away. We do talk a bit of rugby too.About the guest:Scott Anderson is the founder and CEO of Double Dare, an executive coaching and consulting practice that dares entrepreneurs and executives to fully live their unique talent, passion and purpose. In his spare time, he's also a big rugby fan.

How are you going to manage it if the relationship breaks down? It's not necessarily something you consider when entering into a new business arrangement. Definitely something you need to think about if you want to avoid a lengthy and costly process when things don't go right.In today's episode, I talked with Gerard Doolin, Managing Director of Be Amorgos, about contract management, dispute resolution, and what to consider when it all goes wrong.About the GuestWith over three decades of experience in the legal and IT sector, Gerard is an accredited mediator, an expert in dispute resolution. From 2019 he has led a software industry initiative to design and promote early-stage preventative dispute resolution processes for conflict id Software and Services projects to unlock, resolve and reset them and ensure outcomes are successful.

Digital has opened up a whole new world of possibilities.When new projects are being explored, who represents the needs of your culture?You... or is it a token effort?Regardless of what benefits technology brings, each culture needs to be responsible for their own journey through the digital age and to beyond to ensure they get all the benefits.In this episode I catch up with John Shortland, of Nga Puhi and Tainui descent,  to discuss what happens when culture collides with technology.About the guestBased in Tolaga Bay on New Zealand's East Coast, John is a Full-stack .NET Developer with diverse knowledge and skills across various vertical markets. He specialises in developing robust, scalable, and most importantly – reliable solutions using the latest strategies, methodologies, and technologies.And, more importantly, John is a strong believer that Maori must be responsible for guiding their own journey in technology.

Your business is taking off, you're hiring more people to meet the growing demand. The decisions you make now could have long consequences if you get them wrong.Hiring is costly, but attrition is expensive.If you get the hiring right from the start, the better it is for your business.So how do you ensure that you hire the right people?You hire people who match your values of course. In today's episode, I talk with Vic Jack about the power of values-based recruitment.About my guest:Vic is the Principle Consultant at Maslow Limited, a People and Culture Agency that supports creative and tech industries with a value based recruitment model. Vic's aim is to assist her clients and help them to provide flexible work opportunities for talented individuals.  

Over the last few years, companies have focussed on the concept of wholeness at the office, where we bring all the elements of who we are to work — our passions and strengths, our side projects and relationships, our partners and kids.Let's say we're ready to bring our whole selves to work; the next step is making sure our workplace supports this mindset. It's the proverbial “which comes first” dilemma - a supportive workplace or our own desire to be ourselves wherever we are.In this episode, I talk with Te Omeka Morehu about how he balances Culture in the office with Office culture.About the guest:By day he dabbles in cloud and infrastructure solutions, he laughs, he listens and plays the guitar in the office. By night he is a Husband, Father of 4 and doer of things around the house. He enjoys challenging himself physically in multiple disciplines, connecting with whanau at his marae and consistent learning. His big hairy audacious goal... is to enjoy life whilst living it.From guitars to cultural awareness, Te Omeka shares his views in an open and honest discussion.

Did you hear the one about the company that launched a product, went global, and sold for millions of dollars? Yes, everyone has heard that story.They make it all sound so easy, but the truth is they will have had some solid advice throughout the journey.People to help them get their house in order at every stage of the business lifecycle. Stage like:Getting the business started and ensuring you have good agreements in place to protect your cofoundersMaking sure the right IP structures are in place.Commercialising your productAnd, most importantly, scaling and funding.Because you never know when capital may come knocking - and you don't want anything to get in the way of getting the best valuation possible.From tech to tax, loyalty to Legal, good advisors help you do everything at the right time.In the latest episode of Biz Bytes, I talk with Edwin Lim and Sarah-Jane Lawson from Legal Firm Hudson Gavin Martin that specialises in tech, media and IP law about the commercial realities of tech.Ed, a partner at HGM, lives and breathes tech. From an early age he's been pulling apart and putting together computers and gadgets. He is in a unique position where he can leverage his qualifications and experience to provide technical, commercial and legal advice to clients on tech and other matters. Ed has the coveted CTO role at HGM where he continues to pull apart and put together all things tech.Sarah-Jane, Special Counsel for HGM, has extensive experience in corporate and commercial law, including business sales and purchases, restructuring, joint ventures, capital raising, shareholder agreements and a range of commercial agreements. Prior to joining HGM in 2013, she has in-house experience acting as legal counsel for Coca-Cola Amatil.

Is it possible that blockchain solutions are starting to reach what gartner refers to as the slope of enlightenment?Their practical uses in supply chain management are becoming more evident.And then there's smart contracts, which give the ability to track ownership of an asset and create generational wealth.The changes we're starting to see are what's being referred to as Web 3.0, and today I talk with Dr Justin Goldston to find out more. Dr. Justin Goldston is a Professor of Project and Supply Chain Management at Penn State University where his research is focused on blending the practices of supply chain management, emerging technologies, and sustainability to create positive global change. A research facility affiliate at the Center for the Business of Sustainability at the Smeal College of Business at Penn State, D. Goldston is also as an active contributing faculty member to The Sustainability Institute at Penn State. Outside of the institution, Goldston is an Executive on the International Supply Chain Education Alliance's (ISCEA's) International Standards Board (IISB) and is the author of the forthcoming book AI for Good: Achieving Sustainability Through Citizen Science and Organizational Citizenship.

2020 was a good year to be a technology support partner.Not from a profit perspective (ok, it didn't hurt that)The events of 2020 raised the value of a good support partner and what they bring to an organisation.Like the ability to get your business running in a remote model, and keeping you thereOr the reduction of risk by getting you on to more modern platforms It all takes skills, tools, and the right level of understanding of your business.In this episode I talk with Michael Nelson, President of Sacramento-based Managed Service Provider TLC Tech about his experiences through Covid 19.As the President and Founder of a Managed Service Provider, Michael discusses how his company was able to help companies transform into a remote workforce as businesses rushed to adjust to lockdowns across the country, and how this affected his own company as well as the IT/MSP industry.

So you're thinking of selling your products offshore.You've set up local distribution channels, got the manufacturing sorted, and your website is ready to go.What about tax? The indirect tax, like GST and VAT.Or the more complex, like the split between a state and a federal tax system.As your business changes and grows, Tax can become more complicated.So which is why it's important to get good tax advice, early.In this episode I catch up with international tax expert Morgan Hardy from i-Tax solutions to find out moreMorgan Hardy established ITS to help New Zealand exporters sell NZ goods and services to the world. Morgan has been working in the tax field for over 20 years with experience from both practice and commercial roles with multinational consultancies and companies.  Combining a strong commercial focus with solid global tax understanding his experience includes:International tax including transfer pricing and cross border transactionsM&AResolving audits and tax disputes across Europe, Asia and the US (state and federal)Tax planningTax compliance management

"There's an app for that"so goes the joke when any manual task comes up.And you've heard the one about how Automation and Robots will take our jobs.Or Chatbots are more efficient than people.And how to replace your accountant with booking keeping software.Yeah, right. Technology is a great enabler, but it's not a true replacement for people. Especially when it comes to high-value activities that involve complex decisions. Because Automation isn't the same as ExpertiseThere are some things technology can't do. For everything else, there's People.In this episode, I talk with Irene Bennetts about how people are still an important part of your businessIrene Bennetts is an award-winning bookkeeping and virtual assistance expert who has successfully developed solutions across key areas for growth-driven entrepreneurs and businesses to focus on their goals, rather than their financial administration.Founder of Admin Army, which offers progressive services in bookkeeping, accounting, business administration and virtual assistance, Irene has led her team to employ the most effective combination of personal connection and modern technological automation. Her clients have access to the most agile, proactive business services.Irene was named as one of the Practice Ignition Top 50 Women in Accounting 2019 and was the only New Zealander to be recognised with this prestigious accolade. Admin Army was also the 2019 Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers Bookkeeping Business of the Year.

Put your phone down for a minute...Now how long could you leave it?A few minutes?A few hours?A few days...Or are you already getting FOMO?Putting your phone down is the challenge that Phone Free day (March 19) puts to us as part of the growing movement for empowering people to use technology in a smarter and more purposeful way.All in an effort to reduce technostress and improve digital wellbeing.In today's episode, I talk with Taino Bendz, the driving force behind NZ's phone-free day to find out more.Taino has spent 10 years working in the corporate technology sector and is passionate about using innovations to support people and enable us to live happier and healthier lives. For many of us, however, digital technology such as smartphones are a source of stress, disturbed sleep, distraction, and can even come between relationships (have you heard the term ´phubbing´?). To empower people and promote balanced device usage, Taino founded the non-profit Phone Free Day as a challenge and catalyst for change, as well as the business PhoneSmart where he runs workshops and presentations. He had a Phone Free wedding ceremony back in 2014 and the guests loved it (yes there was a photographer!).To find out more about phone-free day, visit www.phonefreeday.org

What do the TV series Band of Brothers and the movie Saving Private Ryan have in common with decision making in business?They both highlight the value of communication, training and teamwork to achieve an outcome.And they show it in the most VUCA of situationsThat's volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous.In today's episode I catch up with Military Buff and Engineer Travis "Grizzly" Jacobs about why rigidly following the process can lead to big mistakes.Travis Grizzly is a Colorado-based product engineer. In 16 years of product development, he's come to realise there are 3 things that make a successful product"Desirability: Does The Customer want it?Feasibility: Can we build it?Viability: Can we sustain it & make money?The strategy he focuses on is to fail fast, fail cheap, fail small. By using small, cheap & fast experiments we can determine if this product is something the customer wants.In other words, first fire bullets, then cannonballs.

We're all familiar with the saying "when you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail".But what about this one:Every hammer needs a human.In hands, it's a tool. Without hands, it's a lump of metal.And it's true, tools add a lot of value, but people are at the heart of everything we do.In this episode of Biz Bytes, I talk with Bruno Cignacco about why a business should be customer-oriented, emotional based, and put expectations at the forefront of everythingDr Bruno Roque Cignacco (PhD) is an international business consultant, international speaker and business coach. For over 20 years, he has advised and trained hundreds of companies on international trade activities and international marketing. He is a university lecturer. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA - UK). He is also the author of business and personal development books published in different languages. His new book is titled THE ART OF COMPASSIONATE BUSINESS. MAIN PRINCIPLES TO THE HUMAN-ORIENTED ENTERPRISE (2019, Routledge) His websites are www.humanorientedenterprise.com and www.brunocignacco.com

Automation through virtual assistants allows for better Customer Service, Enhanced experience, and customer communications at scale. Sounds good for business, but where do you start?A good place is always to define the problem you have and then work your way back from there. Deploy it in the real world and make changes as you go.And above all meet your customer expectationsIn this episode, I link up with Estonia to talk bots with Indrek VainuIndrek runs AlphaBlues, an AI company automating customer experience through chat. He is an experienced entrepreneur having previously managed a 70-person machine learning company. Indrek holds a degree from Harvard University and is a frequent speaker at technology events.

SaaS.You've no doubt seen it around.Software as a Service You probably use it in your business.But have you heard of Deep Tech?That's something new, isn't it...In this episode, I talk with Simon Small about the difference between SaaS and Deeptech, and What makes a SaaS Business stand out.Simon Small who you probably have never heard of, he told me to say that, has been very quiet in New Zealand since about 1999. He went on a 15 year OE.He returned and lay very low in Queenstown but now he is back and making noise again. His past spans many careers; from theatre (writing, producing) to TV (directing, producing) to Property Development, to Corporate Governance (Software-as-a-Service with Diligent) to AI (Natural Language Generation with Arria NLG). Recently, he's found a new passion in helping Founder/CEOs of Deep Tech and SaaS Businesses go big. He wants all of New Zealand's SaaS & Deep Tech companies to be performing in the top 1% of companies worldwide.

Thanks for being part of the conversation through 2020. Season 2 will go live on Feb 2, 2021.

Bing!You've got mail!Bing!Text message from your friendBing!Cat Picture on FacebookBing!LinkedIn connection request.All distractions, that have all increased with the introduction of multiple forms of technology. And with each distraction comes another hit to productivity, more time you won't get back, another backflip missed on the trampoline.The more we digitise our lives, the more important it is that we start to unplug.So why don't we?Is it fear of missing out. Fear of not being reachable. Or something else?When was the last time you sat down to consciously think about how you wanted to interact with technologyIn this episode I talk with Tracey Hancock about the importance of unplugging,  the drivers behind why we don't, why we can't reflect our patterns on others and how going cold turkey is not the answer.About Tracey Combining over 20 years of experience in planning, leadership roles at all levels, mindset coaching and her own personal journey, Tracey helps her clients to design the life then want to live. Helping gain greater clarity about what they really want, and feel confident to make decisions and take action that's right for them, Tracey's mission is to help people stop feeling caught up in busyness, or lost and unsure. Because it's your life, and Tracey thinks it's time to do something about it.

From B-school through the big leagues, the business world often places value on logic and analysis. But on creativity? Not so much. And this is a recipe for disaster. What gets the ball rolling when we're feeling stuck in our careers? Why is my company not growing or reaching higher levels of profitability? What's the difference between a workable plan and a stroke of genius?The answer is creativity—and it's the missing ingredient for far too many of us who feel we're not reaching our creative potential (or doubt we have it in the first place)Creativity isn't a “nice to have” leadership trait. It's the key to success in every workplace and all industries. Anyone can be creative —even if you don't think you're a “creative” personIn this episode I talk with Nir Bashan, author of The Creator Mindset, about how creativity benefits business and what leaders can do to foster it.From working with Hollywood and music stars like Woody Harrelson and Rod Stewart, Nir discovered something that may shock you: These creative superstars aren't all that different from you or I! It's just that they have mastered a method of repeatable and predictable creativity -- a type of creativity that anyone can learn. And it turns out that's the same type of creativity can be used in businesses and careers everywhere!Nir has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, boost customer service and ultimately create more meaning in their work. Working with clients such as AT&T, Microsoft, Ace Hardware, NFL Network and EA Sports, Nir has spent the last two decades working on a formula to codify creativity for business. That formula is found in 'The Creator Mindset', a book which has been translated into two languages and released worldwide by McGraw/Hill business in August of 2020.The Creator Mindset Book — NIR BASHAN Managing Director, Public Speaker and Author. Creativity can be learned by anyone. Come in and find out how.

Take people with a need.  Find people with an ability. Put them together. Solve a problemThat's how Pera Barrett describes the function of Shoebox Christmas. A cause for good that he is responsible for in New Zealand to ensure that all children have a little something under the Christmas Tree.On reflection, we also realise that it describes the role of a Digital Product Owner. That's Pera's day job.But it's not where he started out. When he left school, Pera was off to be a marine biologist. And then he found his passion - making things better for people. In today's episode, Pera shares the journey that took him from counting barnacles on beaches to digital leadership and why it's important to show people what you can do.In a very personal conversation, Pera reinforces what Norie Ape and Hylton Stunnenberg-Southon covered off in earlier episodes - any one can learn to code, but some skills are linked to your attitude.Father, Rapper, Wrapper, Podcast Host, Digital Leader, Pera Barrett has a long list of accomplishments that all have one thing in common: making things better for people!When he's not working 9-5 as a Digital Product Owner at BNZ Digital and busy with family, Pera coordinates the Shoebox Christmas Project and Stationary Starter pack - two causes for good that Pera is passionate about.If that's not enough to keep him busy, he also raps under the stage name Percieve (spelt incorrectly intentionally). Then there's his podcast - Paperback Guerrillas for mana enhancing kōrero.All things which led to Pera be named New Zealand Local Hero of The Year for 2019It's just some of the many things that make Pera such an awesome guest with an amazing story to tell

In 1969 The Dedikation, a 4 piece band from Upper Hutt, reached number 2 on the New Zealand charts with a cover of the song "Wait for me Mary-Anne". The band later released a self titled album before splitting in 1970.Like so many other songs, Wait for me Mary-Anne could have disappeared over time - remembered only by band members and their family, and friendsAnd then Spotify came alongThe song was loaded into the subscription based music player and is now available to listen anywhere, any time, by anyone.Spotify is just one example of the "as a Service" (aaS) model that is prevalent.Software aaS (SaaS) is a model many businesses use where software is licensed on a subscription basis and is centrally hosted. It is sometimes referred to as "on-demand software" and is usually what people refer to when they say "the Cloud"Highly configurable, SaaS solutions allow customers to subscribe to the services they need, when then need them.The also allow providers to innovate faster, push features out as soon as they are ready, and keep the software at the leading edge.This evergreen approach is a big change from the way software used to role out - who remembers the 13 discs required to install Windows 95!SaaS is just one of many consumption models that have been disrupted over time as new technology is introduced and evolves.In this episode, I talk with Tom Lucker about how to provide better customer experience in the age of SaaSAbout TomTom moved to New Zealand from the UK seven years ago and started working in the tech industry is 2015.He has worked with a number of notable Kiwi businesses across a number of industries who have invested in SaaS Technology and are always seeking to provide improved levels of services for their customers, partners and employees.The insights from these engagements with these businesses has been and is a constant evolution that has only been accelerated by world events like the COVID-19 pandemic.Tom strives to ensure that he is adding value at every step of the way in his relationships with his customersInterested in listening to the song?If you want to check out the full version of Wait for Me Mary-Anne you can find it on Youtube or Spotify

How do you raise no hassle venture capital?SimpleProvide a customer experience that delights your customer, encourages them to come back and spend more. And tell their friends about it. To do that you need to have build your platform on good Customer Experience.The dice are stacked against you though.Everyone wants to delight their customer. You're not just attracting, you're competing.  No-one is doing a transaction for the sake of it so target your customer at the point that is valuable to them. Not to you.Make offers that show you know the customer needs.And most importantly, ensure your technology is not disjointed by linking your CX strategy into your technology one.It's the only way you'll ensure good return on investment.And grow your venture capital.In this episode, I talk with Brenton Webber about how to drive customer experienceAbout BrentonThe founder of CX agency Half Time Orange, Brenton aims to improve the lives of people inside and outside organisations by designing and implementing practical CX strategies and systems that work.He uses insights to provide bespoke solutions for companies to transform their culture, engage with customers, and grow their business.Brenton is also the host of the Half Time Orange podcast.

In the last decade New Zealand experienced almost every event that could have negative impacts on business.Natural DisastersPandemicsDamage to Core InfrastructureAnd the story is not done yetIt will be an ongoing series of disruptionsBut our customers are adapting. CoVid-19 saw a rapid increase in online transactions, a trend we will see continue.The result of this is that everyone needs to have an online presence, even if it's just click and collectAs companies shift more and more towards a digital and online world, the need to have plenty of tools to protect them has never been greater.One of those tools is Cyber Insurance. Traditionally it's been seen as something for tech businesses only. But stats show that in the modern age, businesses are more likely to have a cyber event than a business liability event. Because anyone can be a target.As business continue to adopt more reliance on IT systems, cyber insurance is now something that is necessary for anyone who uses the internet to deal with customersIn this episode I talk with Brian Kragner about what cyber insurance is and why it's important to any business.About BrianBrian is a commercial insurance broker with over 15 years of experience. Working with clients from a wide range of businesses, Brian focusses on working closely with owners who are still actively involved in the operation of the business because they're personally invested in it.He works closely with them to get the best out of their cover.Brian's passionate about helping people understand insurance better, so they get what they need and have confidence that they all they need to do is worry about running their business well, because someone has their back!

In a modern cloud world, is there value in having a Managed Service Partner to support your IT environment?You can buy licences on a credit cardSetup accounts at the click of a buttonPut all your data in a safe location.Yeah... But...Have you configured it correctly? Is it as secure as it could be? And who do you call when it goes wrong? As businesses shift more services to the cloud the need to work with a trusted partner has never been stronger.Someone who can get it working the way it needs to be, secure your digital borders, keep your lights on and support your staff.All in a cost effective wayToday I talk with Richie Jenkins about the value of an MSP in a cloud worldRichie is the Waikato General Manager for New Zealand MSP The Instillery. A Business leader with a passion for digital enablement, Richie is driven to ensure that his customers get the best capability and service and are powered up for today, and the future.

The increasing automation and technical capability of the finance industry has not only provided efficiencies in enabling a multibillion dollar economy to grow, it has also evolved unintended consequences resulting in opportunities for misjudgement, misconduct and misuse. Government regulatory oversight is designed to contain and manage this through reducing the risk of company failure and potential failures of the global monetary system, as well as to protect customers and their money from fraud or unethical conduct.Having regulation to protect everyone from ‘bad' or unconsciously unethical behaviour has to be a good thing, however the realities of implementing regulation is complex, expensive to retrofit, and rarely done ‘by design' in New Zealand.  It's rapidly changing and difficult to get right in evolving business environments, and when it goes wrong it is very, very expensive. With the pace of change Technology has to be the answer for this to be more effective in order that companies of all sizes and budgets can meet the rapid increase in regulation with efficient automated solutions that enable us to ethically protect the industry, ourselves, staff and customers.About Janet Janet has over 20 years of experience managing diverse technology teams and delivering change in the Financial sector, Technology and Regulatory. Originally from the UK, Janet moved to Singapore with  Barclays Capital in 2006 managing teams and expanding the Global Software Development Centre to then 5 years later, evolve and transition it further to lower cost global locations.   Since moving to New Zealand in 2013 Janet has been focussed on Regulatory change projects and becoming passionate about compliance by design, working on some of the key legislative changes for New Zealand,  FMCA, CLR, CCCFA, AML, GDPR and Conduct, and is increasingly frustrated with the acceptance of largely manual approaches and the lack of opportunity to digitize compliance and keep up with Financial technology advances.To address her frustration Janet has engaged with the Tech Futures Lab here in Auckland, juggling work by embarking on a  part-time Master of Technological Futures  journey to  see what a different form of Regulatory Change might look like for the future, be that near or distant.Janet is involved in (and managed) Women in IT, Diversity groups, Graduate programmes including Shadowtech, as well as being a mentor and forming communities of practice for project management and Agile ways of working.

We're communicating more than we ever have. The world is getting smaller by the day.All because of Technology.Technology is changing the way we think, lead, and make decisions.And it's no longer for techy people. Anyone with the right skills can take part.So the mindset and culture we foster have around technology needs to change.We need to increase our adaptability quotient (AQ) so we can adapt, grow, learn, and get better. Accepting that most of the decisions we make are reversible. If it doesn't work, then stop and try something different. And we especially need to rethink security - just because we haven't had a breach, doesn't mean we won't.Because our strongest asset, and weakest link are the same thing:PeopleIn this episode I talk with Hilary Walton about organisational culture in a digital age and why it's important that we change the way we talk about tech. About the Guest Hilary Walton is the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of the Kordia Group, responsible for the overall security position of Kordia in both Australia and New Zealand.  She is an Information and Technology and digital business transformation leader, and has a diverse background in organisational psychology and risk management.  She also has significant experience from offshore roles, having worked for Mi5 in London, and the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Games leading the Information Security programme.Outside of work, Hilary is a ‘YouTuber' and podcast producer. She is a passionate sharer of ‘Digital Culture ideas' on social media, because she believes that being ‘digital' requires a new set of behaviours and ways of working for people to learn and adopt.

Technology challenges are not isolated to one business (or country), they are global. Everyone is facing the same challenges in their own way.And there are so many solutions, practices, and frameworks available that it can be hard to know what to adopt.While the problems facing businesses aren't unique, there is a golden rule to consider - If you adopt everyone else's best practices, you will be an average business. The way Spotify solve their problems is not always going to work for a bank, so you should find what works for youTo successfully change you need to start testing different models, which is where prototyping is valuable.And rapid prototyping is even better But most important is to ensure you give you customers the tools they need.In this episode I talk to Justin Gregory about the challenges of digital transformation in an international context.About JustinJustin has over a decade in leadership positions with one of the foremost banks in South Africa. Having led teams for the bank's award-winning digital business through to their industry-leading commercial division. He has a keen eye on how technology and digital solutions can overhaul and supplement behaviours while driving business needs and simplifying experiences for customers. Justin has a deep interest in disruptive and innovative tech, aligned with a pragmatic approach to technology reinvention and integration. This has allowed Justin to partner with and deploy these technologies within the bank. Understanding how digital and cultural change has enabled the business to grow and adapt to shifting markets and possible threats have been key pillars of Justin's career history.

Technology is one of the fastest changing industries in history. In the last decade we've seen new language, new standards, and new ways of working. For those who work in the industry the result is that we can't just sit on the skills we've learned and expect to stay at the top of our game.If you step out of the industry it won't take long before you're rusty. Employers and recruiters are very aware of this and are always looking for people who are developing themselves. To avoid the rust you must keep the machine oiled. That career gap on your CV isn't harmful, but it will help if you spent some time upskilling yourself. And if you're still in a job, seek out what skills you will need to solve tomorrows problems today. So take charge of your own destiny! Make yourself more valuable to the market by adding necessary skills. In this episode I talk to Chloe Piper about why Pivoting is not just for business, and the value a good recruiter brings to the table.About ChloeWhat do fitness and recruitment have in common? Helping people to become the best version of themselves. Having the right job is as important as having a healthy body and mind. That's the philosophy that Chloe has used over her 10 years recruitment experience, both internally and externally, and both overseas and locally. Established in Christchurch for the past 9 years, Chloe is now an adopted kiwi and combines her passion for technology and recruitment through her own business, XO recruitment

Start with the Heart.Friedmanism is dead. The idea that companies need to value profit above all else is giving way to the concept of values based organisation.Ensuring the values of your business are aligned to those of the people you've hired.The thing with values is that they aren't just about what's said, they are about action.If they aren't lived then they are just a statement.This is even more important in a VUCA worldVolatile, Uncertain, Complex, AmbiguousTo survive you need to be agile and resilient (but you don't need to pivot). And the only way to do that successfully is to have the right people.In this episode I talk with Dr Cherry Vu and Rob England about value driven organisations and why you should put staff first.About Cherry and RobDr Cherry Vu and Rob England are Teal Unicorn, partners in work and life, dedicated to Make Work Better: better results, better lives, better society.Their focus is management, and how the new ways of working and managing can unlock advancement to better work.They work mostly in NZ and Vietnam - consulting, coaching, and training. In Vietnam they focus at the executive level, and in New Zealand they work mainly within IT, always improving organisational performance and life.Together they wrote the book "The agile Manager (small a)". They offer online and onsite learning in new ways of thinking, working, managing, org change, IT, consulting, and selling.

Are we in the age of the startup?Driven by a desire to be more independent and make our own choices, people are starting to take control and we are seeing new businesses emerge every day.While 20 years ago it was individuals wanting to start a business, we now have teams who understand the ideas behind an MVP, how to do a side hustle.Success stories are everywhere.From Mark Zuckerberg to Uber, Elon Musk to Air BNBAnd more locallyXeroRocket labsBut for every success story, there are plenty that don't make it.New Zealand has a product market fit of one quarter of one percent.Or the equivalent of about 15 start-ups a year actually nailing it in to their market.  The risks are still the same and yet businesses are emerging every day, what's changed?How much of a role does Luck have to play in itAnd how to make sure you get the market fit?In this episode I talk with Andy Hamilton about what it takes to be a successful business.Andy is a Director of Ahi Innovation a consulting and investment company. About Andy:He's got plenty of experience investing in companies  – Icehouse Ventures, Blue Frog Breakfast, digital human company UneeQ, solar company Lightforce Solar, innovation agency Indigo, and Manaaki, an SME business support forum.  Andy has also advised plenty of companies, United Machinists, Tatou (agricultural worker career platform), Auxilio Pharmaceuticals and a Small Business Advisor to the Minister for Small Business, Stuart NashHis specialities include pattern matching, navigating the path forward for business owners and founders, networks, connections, governance & securing investment. 

When is a good time to look at the services and products you offer?Right now.Now is a the best time to look back and see what worked for you and figure out how to leverage thatOr what didn't go so well, so you can stop it.Remember that some of our best known brands originated in a crisis. But where do you start?What problems have you identified in your business? Look for the daily chaos - the things that are constantly resulting in you fighting fires.What do you want your target state to look like? And how far ahead can you see?Have you taken the time to map out what's working well? Unless you've done these 3 things you may find it challenging to move forward.In this episode I catch up with Rob Bull from the Brick by Brick podcast to talk about business improvement, and business survivabilityAbout RobYou have built a good business, some would even describe it as great. Because of this you have got big plans. There is just one problem - how to move towards this vision, and bring the team along while they are keeping the ‘business as usual' jobs under control.Rob can help with that.Rob's focus is enabling your people, taking your teams from average to awesome and watching teams achieve things that they never thought was possible. And he loves to play with LEGO!Rob helps with Lean Implementation Programmes, Lego Serious Play Sessions, Workshops and Operational Excellence Reviews 

Imagine a world where complex problems can be solved in minutes instead of years.The good it would do - forecasting how to respond to extreme events, and preparing the legislation to deal with it.The bad it would do - uncrackable encryption cyphers become vulnerable, causing issues for securityThanks to Quantum computing, it's not something we need to imagine! Quantum computing ushers in a whole new world of possibilities.A world where computational equations are no longer +1, they are to the power of!The problems they can solve are endless, and it's with in reach of even the smallest companiesAnd then there's the possibility of irrefutable evidence, supported by distributed ledger, and the changes that can enable in society. Can the two emerging technologies work together to transform the way we think, plan, and do?In this episode I talk with Sean Muller about the opportunities behind Quantum Computing and Distributed Ledger.About Sean Sean has 26 Years of experience in helping companies use technology to achieve outcomes.For the last 6 years he has been helping companies disrupt internally using innovative technologies implemented within existing enterprises to help drive digital transformations.

The modern workplace has evolved over the last few decades. Supported by technology we have seen the decline of fixed office space, the rise of flexi-desking, and then the rush towards remote working. Those that are successful at this have learned that:Every business is unique, you can't emulate your way to successTechnology plays a part, but it is not the be all and end allManagers must balance visibility with flexibility - presenteeism isn't productivityWe need to create the right space for people, and then enable them to use itIf you aren't sure what's going to work, pilot it.Because the way we work is a combination of Workplace, Technology, and People.Success comes when we combine that with Trust, Accountability and Choice,Which is why in todays climate companies need to build an everyplace working strategy, not just a workplace strategy. Today I talk with Jo Monaghan about workplace strategy.About Jo: Jo Monaghan, workplace strategist and designer, is the founder of ‘The Flow Company' whose mission is to ”build wellbeing into workplace strategy and design”.Committed to creating sustainable workplace environments that connect and inspire, The Flow Company puts people at the heart of everything they do.  Their purpose is to create environments that elevate people's wellbeing by focusing on People first, then Place.  She is currently working with a number of clients on their everyplace working strategies, as our recent experiences show it's not all about the office anymore but more about Choice, Flexibility and Trust.These are exciting times as Jo explore's new models for how and where people work that align with  business strategies and goals she is excited to be leading that exploration.

In the last episode I sat down with Norie Ape to discuss ideas on how to increase diversity in the technology industry. In this episode I catch-up with Hylton Stunnenberg-Southon to continue the conversation.An experienced digital leader Hylton takes the view that anyone can code, as long as we ensure they have the opportunity to do it.She challenges society to level the playing fields, especially at school and asks the question "Do we need have specific teachers for technology, or do we need to better equip the ones we have?Because different cultures place value on different things, we discuss:The need to get more mentors around the industry.How to make sure we take into account cultural commitments and values such as Faith and Family.Why we should be hiring for soft skills, not just academic skillsWe also raise the challenge to be talking about the different jobs available in the tech space, not just development opportunities. About HyltonBorn in the USA to a Samoan mother and Dutch father, Hylton has lived in Samoa, Fiji, Australia, NZ and spent her summers in The Netherlands in the first 9 years of her life, you could say that travel is normal to her! It is no surprise therefore that with Hylton's diverse background she would be passionate about issues such as gaps that exist in the technology industry now; especially culturally. Hylton has played the role of a mentor both within her workplace and over the years through groups focusing on mentoring school kids of Maori or Pacific decent who are interested in exploring careers within the Technology/Digital industry.  

An abstract dream engineer passionate about increasing the number of Pasifika Women in TechThat's the LinkedIn tagline of today's guest, Norie Ape. Together we discuss some of the reasons behind why only 2% of New Zealand's technology industry is classed as Pasifika or Maori - despite those cultures making up 25% of the population.And the numbers get smaller when you add other diversity layers.So how do we solve this?Norie provides a simple view:Provide people with a pathway, and connect them with the opportunities. And remove the perception that you need to be a certain person with a certain skillIn a wide ranging conversation, we cover:The value of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in your organisationWhy having the same crew solving problems will always result in the same outcomes.How, by virtue of having different thought processes, the conversation goes in a different pathWe also look at some big ideas:What role models do we have?Why does the industry prescribe a particular degree?How do we change the perception of tech to be more than just development?Because if we want the products and services across the country to be reflective of society, then we need better representationAbout Norie: Norie, a Samoan digital product owner from the Mighty Auckland, is a passionate Blues supporter with experience within the government and private sector. What she loves about her role is the continuous engagement between tech teams & business teams to iteratively design, test, develop, implement and measure the success of customer centered products and services. When she's not refining her list of places to brunch in Wellington City or trying to promote and increase the number of Pasifika People and Pasifika Women in the technology sector, you can usually find her testing out in workshops or office corners ways to open up technical and process designs to be more innovative by encouraging diverse thought patterns and processes OR sharing stories of how she went from Case Manager @ Work & Income with an Honors Degree in Foreign Policy to a Digital Product Owner. In short she likes hearing, sharing and experiencing awesome stories and life experiences to help unravel narly problems.

The last few decades have seen the emergence of the social enterprise. Businesses that create profit to deliver on pupose and leave a sustained impactFor New Zealand this means companies like Eat My Lunch, Kilmarnock, and Ecostore. These are companies who don't see profit as a dirty word, but as a way to do good thingsConstantly looking for tools to help them out but, unlike charities, these companies are not as constrained by budgets.And that's where technology companies need to show how to connect what they offer with impact and purpose. They need to provide solutions that are scalable and grow with the business.Showing how they can solve problems And above all, answer "what's in it for me"It's as much about values as it is value.Because people are motivated when it's clear that you are driven by more than just profitIn this episode I talk with Sheridan Jamieson about Social Enterprise and how technology firms could look to support them.About my guest:Sheridan lives a dual life as an independent consultant for his company, Seedling Consulting, and as Head of Operations at One Percent Collective. This experience combined with his time spent in the financial services sector mean he's got a wide-ranging view of what ‘being in business' means. Sheridan is passionate about social enterprise and grass-roots charity and wants to help purposeful and impact-led businesses to thrive.

DevOps.Its more than just the sum of it's parts - Development and OperationsIt's a software development approach that ensures that the people writing code are now responsible for the outcome of the design, not just throwing it over the fence to be someone else's problem.In a world where IT and the business they serve are increasingly aligned in their strategic goals, DevOps is becoming a way to ensure that software development is now a product and not just an activity.It's removes bottle necks from your delivery cycle in order to deliver faster outcomes for your customer, better. But where do traditional technology roles and practices fit? What do you do with the technology you already have? And how to you combine activities which are fluid with practices that are seen as bureaucratic?In this episode I talk with Jakob Diness, my first international guest, about DevOps and why you should treat technology like cattle, not a pet. About JakobBased in Denmark, Jakob is a Digital Business Consultant. He is an IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Expert certified trainer having been teaching ITIL courses for several years.As a consultant with BusinessNow his focus is advising large and medium-sized companies on their digital journey and transformation with ServiceNow as the central platform. Linkages to previous episodes:Ep 14. If you can't give certainty through change, give clarity - Christy LawBooks we reference: The Agile Manager: Dr Cherry Vu and Robert EnglandA Seat at The Table: Mark SchwartzFrom Project to Product: Mik KerstenThe DevOps Handbook: Gene Kim, John Willis, Patrick Debois, Jez HumbleAnd if you want to know more about the Phoenix Project, talk with Jacob Diness or James Gander at https://www.gander.co.nz/