Heart And Hustle: How To Thrive In A Crisis

When everyone’s working from home, who needs clothes for events and work?   Australian fashion royalty GINGER & SMART faced a crisis this year as it’s reason for existence, well, ceased to exist!  So what did owner Alexandra Smart do?  What all great business owners know is necessary: she let go of the past and adapted accordingly, creating a new offering for working from home, doubling-down on digital and noticing that her long-running sustainability work was now being valued by customers.  She says terror of those early days was quickly replaced with opportunity and she took the lessons learned by bringing in an equity partner to transform the business.  To find out more, and to hear why we shouldn’t drop our dress standards when on Zoom, listen to this next episode of Heart & Hustle.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author, journalist, speaker and all-round media personality Felicity Harley barely knew how prescient she was with the release of her book, Balance Is BS.  It was released in April, just as its theme of overwhelm was playing out right across the globe. For many, she says, lockdown brought a sense of release from the rush of life, but for others it created more worry and work.   For Felicity, this year has been a time of wrestling with her own ambition and family commitments, with husband and Sydney Swans CEO Tom Harley completely consumed by the challenges in his work. She says “it’s hard to take on more at home when you’re ambitious in your career” and she speaks frankly about what that has meant to her, in this latest episode of Heart & Hustle.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He’s calling the death of organisational hierarchy and he says that being innovative has nothing to do with having innovative ideas.  Paul Scott, transformation expert and author, has advised governments and corporates all around the world and has been frustrated by the lack of understanding of what true innovation is.  Happily, he believes that a crisis drives innovation and he brings a lifetime of experience as his evidence base.  He says “we resist change on a fundamental level because many of us have a low tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.”  So in a crisis can our attitude to change, well change?   To find out, listen to this next episode of Heart & Hustle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Self-disruption might be the mother of business success in times of crisis. CEO of professional women’s network, Future Women, Helen McCabe is an expert in self-disruption.  And thank goodness: when it turned out this year that networking was no longer a thing, she knew it could be her ruin.   But her leadership muscle memory stepped in, and once again she prevailed.  The key, she says – and we can’t hear this enough – is listening to clients and never thinking you know better than them.  She learned that as Editor-In-Chief of Australian Women’s Weekly where she undertook a profitable overhaul and created controversy with Prime Ministers, brought Oprah and Prince Charles to the interview table and trusted herself to deliver an important product to 2.5 million Australians every month.  To learn more about Helen’s advice on leading through crisis, listen to this episode of Heart & Hustle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Passionate hospitality duo Hamish Watts and Ben Carroll from Applejack have always thrived on challenging the status quo. But what happens when a pandemic turns the status quo on its head? These two leaders thrived by making some tough calls including rejecting the trend towards take-away meals from their venues, getting creative about staff engagement and motivation (including introducing a new staff benefits package) and a decision for complete transparency with the team about the real state of business finances.  The result? Renewed purpose, gratitude and even business growth - acquiring one of Sydney's most renowned pubs in the middle of an industry lock-down.  To find out more, listen in to this episode of Heart and Hustle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pandemic is the least of the crises Dave Berkelouw’s business has seen throughout the years.  The Australian version of Berkelouw Books was born in a crisis, post War World II and with Dave’s European family seeking refuge in Australia.  They turned to what they knew: they sold books. Since then,  Berkelouw Books has faced continuous crises – the rise of eBooks, Amazon and the famous government proclamation that “in five years time, most bookstores will be shut.”  By the time the pandemic came along, thriving in a crisis was in Dave’s blood. They stayed open, unprofitably and almost laughably.  Ultimately, that paid off as books emerged in 2020 as a predominant force in our need for escapism.  So what’s the secret to the continual rise of Australia’s largest independent bookseller, against all odds?  Listen to find out in this episode of Heart & Hustle. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a risk to take: after a distinguished 25-year career in finance, Irene Deutsch completely reinvented herself as Managing Director of premium jeweller Fairfax & Roberts.  Risky enough, yes, but right at the same time, Covid-19 hit, the economy collapsed and she shut the shops of this 160-year old business.  She’s used to having data, teams and experts around her to help her make decisions, but this time she was on her own.  So what did she do?  Well, she launched a new business of course!  She says “I’m good in a crisis…in times of difficulty, I believe that’s when humans really shine”.  For more, listen to what happened next in this episode of Heart & Hustle. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Irene Deutsch See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you sell when you’ve got no product?  CEO of GWS Giants Dave Matthews faced that question in 2020, as the whole AFL competition stopped.  He stuck to his mainstay values of empathy and resilience and when games re-started, it was in strange circumstances: players and officials spent nearly two months isolated in the AFL hub, and in the midst of restructuring.  Dave says “in between training and playing we were having discussions with staff about finishing up”, while effectively living together.  The juggernaut young club recorded impressive membership and despite the revenue difficulties, have maintained their unique no-pokies position.  Additionally, the Giant’s pioneering commitment to investment in AFLW and netball has continued.  To find out how this longstanding AFL leader is finding a way to thrive in the crisis of 2020 , listen in to this episode of Heart and Hustle. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Dave Matthews  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many times have we said at work “we’re not saving lives”?  It’s a valid way to relieve tension and pressure.  But if you were, actually, saving lives, would your leadership be different?   Global human rights advocate Liz Broderick has a background as a successful businesswoman, and her leadership then is the same as it is now: a blend of courage, kindness and a singular ability to listen to the other side in order to drive transformation.    Within a day she’ll work between women in refugee camps, global leaders, the UN and her own 270-strong CEO group Male Champions of Change.   She’s been the creator of a highly-profitable major law firm practice, Australia’s longest-serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner and is now Chair-Rapporteur on women’s rights for the UN.   She says: “when I get up to advocate for change, it’s not just me, it’s me fuelled by thousands of instances of inequality I’ve witnessed.”    She’ll change the way you think about leadership, and her approach is available to all of us: while we may not be saving lives, how we lead matters.   To find out more, listen in to this episode of Heart and Hustle. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Elizabeth Broderick AO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I’m talking with Soren Trampedach – Founder and Chairman of Work Club Global. With a background in Danish furniture design and craftsmanship, Soren helped orchestrate the workplace culture of organisations such as Google, Facebook, Deloitte and Microsoft. Witnessing the successes arising out of these environments, he was inspired to create Work Club – a shared office and members club.  Work Club has gone from strength to strength, by building spaces where different thinking comes together to not just to work, but to share and solve the problems of tomorrow. He says disruption in the last decade has been via technology,  in one industry at a time, but disruption now will be using technology across multiple industries.  So, there will be no choice but to step outside your own discipline and learn from others.  He’s convinced cities globally are on the cusp of wholesale transformation: while work habits have changed forever, humanity will always seek connection, and multi-disciplinary work hubs will be the answer.  To find out more, listen in to this episode of Heart and Hustle. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Soren Trampedach See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I’m talking with Jacqueline Mooney – journalist and well-known media identity. In her early career, she moved through the ranks at DOLLY and CLEO before going on to lead Bride to Be, Weight Watchers and Prevention magazines. The last ten years however have been based firmly within the health and wellness space. As Editor of Women’s Health she has shone a spotlight on sport, nutrition and fitness. She has pioneered the growth of the brand’s annual Women in Sport Awards, which champion Australia’s female athletes at all levels – from grassroots to Olympic – and made history in 2018 when the awards were broadcast on Channel 7, as the first time a female sporting awards night aired on free-to-air television in Australia. Jacqui speaks regularly on health, wellness, women in sport and challenging the status quo and was finalist for the Social Change Maker in the 2018 Women in Media Awards. To find out more, listen in to this episode of Heart and Hustle. CREDITS Host: Margot Faraci Guest: Jacqueline Mooney See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you “use a crisis well”?   Is it now easier than ever –  via Zoom, not in person – to build intimate relationships with your clients, with your team and be a better leader? Dr Lloyd Vogelman thinks so.  He coaches CEOs globally, has a doctorate from the University of London and has been both a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, and a Visiting Professor at De Paul University.  And he’s a sales and marketing genius, a trait he puts to work with his own business Corteks, helping his ASX Top 50 clients to success, now in a time like no other.  He says this is a time when leaders can achieve greatness by empowering their teams, and he’s so committed to that in his own team that he’s banned them from taking his calls!  To find out more, listen in to this episode of Heart and Hustle. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Dr Lloyd Vogelman  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one of Australia’s greatest symbols of hope in 2020, Jane Fernandez and team have won the bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.   They did it by joining with a competitor and winning votes with delegates on the other side of the world, in the middle of the night, on Zoom.  To celebrate, Sam Kerr’s backflip was splashed across the sails of the Sydney Opera House.    Like Sydney 2000, this event will change us forever. In business, we distance ourselves from competitors.  And in a crisis, we retract, rather than expand.  In the hardest ask of her already-formidable career, Jane did the opposite. And won.   Find out how, in this episode of Heart & Hustle.  CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Jane Fernandez See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Values.  Everyone’s talking about them in business. When disaster strikes, is it time to forget the values –the slogans and the luxury of contemplating them -  and focus on survival?  Or could it be that your way out will be found by reinforcing those values, lifting your leadership and your business higher? In this interview with Ben Lucas, Owner and Director of Flow Athletic, Ben describes the disaster of owning a gym during lockdown and the bright, shining opportunity for an online business – just launched - that came next.   After a career in professional football, Ben and business partner Kate Kendall opened Flow Athletic in 2013 mixing strength, fitness and yoga and attracting high profile devotees including Kate Waterhouse and Sunrise’s Edwina Bartholomew, and winning Telstra Start-up of the Year.  Ben and Kate have always shared the dual intentions of creating a community where staff are supported to grow and members feel safe and cared for.  And they knew that during a crisis, their staff and members needed them more than ever.  Perhaps thriving in a crisis is just about sticking to your values. I hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation with Ben.  CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Ben Lucas CONTACT US If you'd like to get in touch with Margot, head to her LinkedIn profile here; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-faraci/ Find out how NAB can help you today by visiting https://www.nab.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Must our response to crisis be all about panic and negativity?  Or can a crisis be an opportunity to transform, take risks and liberate ourselves from fear of failure?   Super star radio boss Gemma Fordham thinks so.   This trailblazer has shaped some impressive careers in her time: she was executive assistant to Nicole Kidman and counts Wendy Harmer, Jackie O and Carrie Bickmore as close confidants.   She now has one of the most high profile roles in radio as Head of the Hit Network, which is home to over 50 stations, including 2Day FM, Fox at Southern Cross Austereo.    The way she adapted her business quickly to lockdown is impressive, but typical:  this mother of two and Telstra Businesswoman of the Year turned it around within days so that 67 people were broadcasting from home.  What she didn’t anticipate though, was the transformation this crisis would create within her, releasing her from traditional constraints, taking unprecedented risks on live radio and leading to even more creative success.   What a way to thrive in a crisis!    CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest: Gemma Fordham  CONTACT US If you'd like to get in touch with Margot, head to her LinkedIn profile here; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-faraci/ Find out how NAB can help you today by visiting https://www.nab.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of 'How To Thrive In A Crisis' Margot sits down with Richard Facioni. Richard is a well-known investor and retail identity operating a diverse group of business including LEGO Certified Stores, e-tailer SurfStitch, high-end fashion label Ginger & Smart and a portfolio of more than 40 discount variety stores with Cheap as Chips. He’s also Executive Chairman of the country’s largest apparel group -  ASX listed MOSAIC Brands - which represents a substantial part of Australia’s mass fashion landscape with more than 1200 stores and a portfolio of brands including Noni B, Rockmans, W Lane, Katies and Millers.  The interview with Margot draws upon Richard's truly inspirational work ethic which is perfectly summed up in his mantra, 'what we're doing is never enough'.  To consistently operate like this - even in a crisis - is truly encouraging. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest:Richard Facioni  CONTACT US If you'd like to get in touch with Margot, head to her LinkedIn profile here; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-faraci/ Find out how NAB can help you today by visiting https://www.nab.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of 'How To Thrive In A Crisis' Margot sits down with Sarah Wilson. Many of you will be familiar with Sarah and her work. Sarah is a former journalist, TV presenter, author and activist. She wrote the New York Times bestsellers I Quit Sugar and First, We Make the Beast Beautiful and is author of another 11 cookbooks that sell in 52 countries. Previously she was editor of Cosmopolitan Australia, host of Masterchef Australia and founder of the largest wellness website in Australia, IQuitSugar.com. She now builds and enables charity projects and campaigns on mental health and climate issues. She lives minimally, rides a hand-built bike and is known for travelling the world for eight years with one bag. The interview with Margot draws upon Sarah's latest book This One Wild and Precious Life - a journey through the complexities of climate change, coronavirus, racial inequality and our disconnection from what matters… back to life. CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest:Sarah Wilson Producer:Rachael Hart CONTACT US If you'd like to get in touch with Margot, head to her LinkedIn profile here; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-faraci/ Find out how NAB can help you today by visiting https://www.nab.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode Margot sits down with the CEO of Growth Mantra, Simon Corah.  Simon's firm is renowned for its ability to develop practical, commercial strategy with unique insight.  Simon has been called upon frequently recently to help his clients stay profitable. But how? The secret, he says, is in finding the new opportunity: a crisis creates challenges, but it also brings unprecedented innovation.   Simon also shares with Margot his predictions for what a post COVID-19 workplace may look like and how our work/life balance may shift.  CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest:Simon Corah Producer:Rachael Hart Public Relations:Rochelle Griggs and Hannah Devereux CONTACT US If you'd like to get in touch with Margot, head to her LinkedIn profile here; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-faraci/ Find out how NAB can help you today by visiting https://www.nab.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Heart and Hustle: How To Thrive In A Crisis. In this episode Margot speaks with Rob Caslick a social engineer and founder of Two Good Co. Rob's business, without doubt, changes lives by donating a meal to women’s safe houses with each meal sold and they employ women from safe houses as a pathway out of homelessness. During coronavirus, Two Good Co's revenue tragically dropped to zero - almost overnight.  Rob sits dow with Margot to discuss how the business adapted and pivoted, remarkably to not only increase revenue but also increase the number of meals delivered to local shelters. Whilst also adding a new outreach service to support those affected by bushfires in Southern Sydney.  CREDITS Host:Margot Faraci Guest:Rob Caslick Producer:Rachael Hart Publice Relations:Rochelle Griggs and Hannah Devereux CONTACT US If you'd like to get in touch with Margot, head to her LinkedIn profile here; https://www.linkedin.com/in/margot-faraci/ Find out how NAB can help you today by visiting https://www.nab.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.