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Customer acquisition is getting harder.E-commerce growth has slowed, consumer confidence remains under pressure and businesses are having to work much harder to justify where every pound of marketing budget goes.So what does profitable growth look like when acquiring the next customer is becoming increasingly expensive?In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper is joined by Daniel Dunn, CEO and Co-Founder of Paper Planes, a growth agency and technology platform helping D2C and e-commerce brands use data-driven postal marketing to acquire, retain and reactivate customers.Dan's background spans Disney, data and insights consultancy dunnhumby, Tesco Clubcard strategy and managing major brand marketing investment before co-founding Paper Planes.That experience gives him an interesting perspective on one of the biggest challenges facing founders today: balancing customer acquisition and business growth with profitability and return on investment.The changing economics of customer acquisitionDan explains why the environment for e-commerce and D2C brands has changed significantly since the growth experienced during the pandemic.For years, businesses could increase marketing spend across channels such as Meta, Google and paid social and see relatively predictable growth.Today, that equation is becoming more difficult.Customer acquisition costs are under pressure, consumers have more choice and founders need a much clearer understanding of which marketing activity is genuinely creating incremental growth.That means moving beyond top-line revenue and asking better questions about marketing ROI, profitability and where the next pound of investment should go.Marketing needs both creativity and dataOne of the central themes of the conversation is Dan's view that marketing is both an art and a science.Great creative still matters. Brands need campaigns that attract attention, communicate effectively and stand out in crowded markets.But creativity needs to sit alongside data-driven decision-making.For founders working with more limited budgets, understanding the return generated by different marketing channels becomes particularly important. The objective isn't simply to spend more. It's to understand what works, remove ineffective spend and continually improve how capital is allocated.Acquisition versus customer retentionWe also explore the increasing focus on customer retention and reactivation.Businesses naturally spend a lot of time thinking about how to acquire new customers, but Dan argues that many overlook the value sitting within their existing first-party customer data.Once a business has paid to acquire a customer, there is an opportunity to build that relationship, increase customer lifetime value and encourage repeat purchases rather than continually paying to replace them with someone new.For founders focused on sustainable and profitable growth, the balance between acquisition and retention is becoming increasingly important.Why diversification mattersAnother major theme is marketing diversification.Many growing businesses become heavily dependent on a relatively small number of channels, particularly Meta, Google, email and paid social.That can work extremely well, until performance changes.Dan's advice isn't to abandon successful channels. Instead, businesses should understand which parts of their existing marketing spend are generating the strongest returns and continually allocate a small proportion of budget towards testing something new.His recommendation to founders is simple: every quarter, try a new channel.Testing doesn't necessarily require a larger overall marketing budget. It can mean identifying ineffective expenditure, reallocating it and using controlled tests to understand whether another channel can deliver incremental returns.Over time, that creates a more diversified and resilient customer acquisition strategy.First-party data and direct mailThe conversation also challenges some assumptions around direct mail.With hundreds of billions of emails being sent globally every day, getting attention through an inbox is increasingly difficult.Dan explains how modern postal marketing has moved well beyond traditional batch-and-blast direct mail.By combining first-party data, customer segmentation, marketing automation and personalised campaigns, physical mail can become another measurable channel within a wider customer acquisition and retention strategy.The principle is broader than direct mail itself: founders should be prepared to test different routes to market rather than automatically allocating budget to the channels everyone else uses.Growth, profitability and financial decision-makingFrom a financial perspective, this creates an important question.When does marketing spend represent genuine investment in growth, and when are businesses simply buying increasingly expensive revenue?For founders, CEOs and finance leaders, good marketing decision-making requires visibility beyond revenue alone.Understanding customer acquisition costs, marketing ROI, retention, customer lifetime value and incremental returns can help businesses decide where growth investment makes commercial sense and where capital could be deployed more effectively elsewhere.That becomes particularly important when economic conditions are difficult and cash, margins and profitability are under pressure.Running an agency when clients expect moreDan also shares his experience of building Paper Planes and how agency-client relationships are changing.As technology makes it easier to start businesses and competition increases, clients have more alternatives and increasingly high expectations.For agencies and other service-based businesses, delivering expertise alone may not be enough.Dan talks about the importance of customer service, maintaining close relationships, understanding what clients actually need and creating a genuinely human experience, while still balancing the time and resources required to deliver that service profitably.It's a challenge many agency founders will recognise: providing exceptional client service without allowing over-servicing to undermine client profitability.Where AI genuinely changes the equationWe also discuss AI and where Dan believes it is creating genuine value rather than simply adding more hype.For Dan, one of AI's biggest impacts is making information and data more accessible, much faster.But access to information isn't the same as good judgement.AI still needs quality data, experienced interpretation and human scrutiny if businesses are going to make good decisions from its outputs.Dan also considers how differently he would build Paper Planes if he were starting again today.His approach would be to stress-test what AI can achieve first, before deciding where additional people, technology, marketing investment or external support are genuinely required.It's an interesting lens for any founder thinking about operational efficiency, resource planning and how to scale a business in an AI-enabled world.In this episode, we discuss:• The rising cost of customer acquisition• Business growth versus profitability• Marketing ROI and better investment decisions• Data-driven marketing and measurement• Customer retention and reactivation• Customer lifetime value and first-party data• Diversifying marketing channels• Testing and learning with limited budgets• Direct mail alongside digital marketing• Agency profitability and client experience• AI, automation and operational efficiency• Building a more resilient growth strategyIf you're a founder, CEO, agency owner, e-commerce operator or finance leader trying to understand how to grow without simply throwing more money at customer acquisition, this episode offers a practical perspective on making marketing investment work harder.Business Book BonusDan recommends How to Make a Billion by Richard Harpin, drawing on Harpin's experience building businesses including HomeServe.For something completely different, he also recommends The Rest Is History podcast as a way to switch off from business and maintain some balance.About The Fractional CFO ShowThe Fractional CFO Show, hosted by Adam Cooper of ACC Finance Solutions, features practical conversations with founders, CEOs and senior operators about the financial and commercial decisions behind building better businesses.We explore business growth, profitability, cash flow, financial strategy, leadership, operational performance and the decisions founders face as their businesses scale.Subscribe to The Fractional CFO Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform for future episodes.
Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine and Adam Cooper join Nick Mills in the studio for Friday Sports Kick-off. Join the crew and reminisce on the broadcasters of the past as ZB hits it's one-hundred year anniversary. Then take a look into the start of the All Blacks vs South Africa: Rugby's Greatest Rivalry. And Wellington's Saints head to Southland for the NBL grand final. Could we tackle home the title for the 14th time? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To wrap the week in sport, Nick Mills is joined by Jason Pine and Adam Cooper for Friday Sports Kick-off. Starting with Zoe Hobbs and her history making gold medal finish in the 100m sprinting at the Commonwealth Games. And then, Lewis Clareburt doubles his Commonwealth medal tally in the last seven days. A look into the growth and sacrifices of our top athletes. Plus, the Saints make it to the semifinals and play Auckland's Tuatara tomorrow. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What separates highly profitable agencies from those that constantly feel stretched?For many agency founders, the answer isn't simply winning more clients or asking people to work harder. It's building better operational systems, improving resource planning, understanding the numbers behind the business and making more informed commercial decisions.In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper sits down with Ryan McNamara, Global Operations Director at Rise at Seven, to explore how the agency transformed its utilisation from around 50% to 80% over a two-year period—and, more importantly, what other agencies can learn from that journey.Ryan has spent his career building and improving operational systems across creative and digital agencies. Having founded his own business before moving into senior operations leadership, he understands both the entrepreneurial and operational challenges that agencies face as they grow.Rather than discussing theory, Ryan shares the practical lessons learned from implementing operational change inside one of the UK's best-known agencies.Together, Adam and Ryan explore why agency profitability is often driven by operational excellence rather than cost-cutting, why better resource planning creates better client outcomes, and why finance, operations and client services need to work together if agencies are to scale successfully.One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation is changing how agencies think about utilisation.Too often, utilisation is viewed purely as a finance metric or something used to monitor employee performance.Ryan explains why that's the wrong approach.Instead, utilisation should be viewed as an operational planning tool that helps agencies: Deliver better work for clients Improve project profitability Make more informed hiring decisions Build stronger commercial awareness Increase operational efficiency Support sustainable agency growth Rather than creating pressure, accurate operational data should help leaders make better decisions and give teams the support they need to succeed.In this episode we discuss: How Rise at Seven increased agency utilisation from approximately 50% to 80% Why improving utilisation takes time, consistency and leadership rather than quick fixes Why so many agencies struggle with utilisation, timesheets and operational discipline Why scheduling matters more than timesheets The difference between measuring historical performance and planning future capacity How resource planning improves both agency profitability and client experience Using utilisation data to support pricing decisions and improve project profitability Understanding when work is under-scoped and when projects need to be repriced Why timesheets should never be used to "police" employees Creating a culture where operational information helps people rather than punishes them How accurate data improves training, coaching and professional development Using operational data to support recruitment and hiring decisions Why utilisation acts as an early warning system for future capacity challenges The relationship between capacity planning, resource allocation and commercial performance Bringing together finance, client services and operations to improve decision-making Why operational leadership is ultimately about people, not process How agency founders can introduce better planning without creating unnecessary bureaucracy Why processes should support outcomes rather than dictate behaviour The importance of understanding your financial numbers before adding operational complexity Ryan's recommended business books on operations, leadership and continuous improvement One insight that particularly stood out was Ryan's observation that:"Timesheets tell you what has happened. Scheduling tells you what happens next."It's a deceptively simple idea, but one that completely changes how agencies should think about planning.Timesheets provide valuable historical data, but scheduling allows agencies to proactively manage future workload, resource allocation, project delivery and profitability.Throughout the conversation, Ryan explains how better scheduling allows agencies to identify future bottlenecks, improve client delivery, make smarter hiring decisions and ultimately build a healthier business.The discussion also explores how operational data supports commercial conversations.Instead of relying on gut feel, agencies can use accurate information to understand: Whether projects are profitable Where teams need additional support Which departments require investment When additional hiring is justified Where clients may need to be re-scoped or repriced How to balance client delivery with long-term sustainable growth These are exactly the kinds of conversations that founders, operations leaders and finance professionals need to be having if they want to build resilient businesses.Whether you're running a creative agency, digital agency, marketing agency or another professional services business, the principles Ryan shares are highly transferable.If you're responsible for agency operations, resource planning, financial management, commercial performance, project profitability, capacity planning or business growth, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately.About The Fractional CFO ShowThe Fractional CFO Show is hosted by Adam Cooper, Founder of ACC Finance Solutions, where each episode explores the financial, operational and leadership challenges facing founders, CEOs and senior operators.Rather than focusing purely on finance, the show looks at the commercial decisions that help businesses become more profitable, scalable and resilient.Guests share practical experiences, honest lessons and actionable advice for business owners looking to improve performance and build stronger organisations.If you enjoy this episode, please consider following the show on your favourite podcast platform and leaving a rating or review—it really helps more founders discover the podcast.Connect with Ryan McNamara on LinkedIn to follow his insights on agency operations, leadership and operational excellence.For more episodes and resources, visit ACC Finance Solutions.
Can a charity teach business leaders about financial management?Most people assume charities and commercial businesses operate in completely different worlds.In reality, the financial challenges are remarkably similar.Whether you're leading a global conservation charity or a growing SME, you're still responsible for generating sustainable income, managing cash flow, allocating limited resources, investing in people and technology, planning for the future and making difficult strategic decisions.In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper sits down with Paul Cox, CEO of Shark Trust, to explore what it really takes to lead a purpose-driven organisation in an increasingly competitive funding environment.Although Shark Trust exists to protect sharks and rays around the world, this conversation is about far more than conservation.It's about financial leadership, strategic planning, resource allocation, operational efficiency and making better decisions under pressure.Paul shares his fascinating journey from investment banking to marine biology before ultimately becoming CEO of one of the world's leading shark conservation charities. Along the way, he explains why running a charity demands the same commercial discipline as running any successful organisation.One of the biggest misconceptions Paul challenges is the belief that charities somehow operate outside the normal realities of business.As he explains during the episode:"We still have bills to pay. We still have people to pay. We still have offices, technology and operating costs. The difference is that when we generate a surplus, we invest it back into creating more impact."That single insight forms the foundation for a fascinating discussion covering everything from fundraising strategy and financial planning through to artificial intelligence and measuring return on investment.What you'll learn in this episodeDuring the conversation we discuss: Why charities require exactly the same financial discipline as commercial organisations. The financial realities of leading a purpose-driven organisation. Cash flow management and maintaining financial resilience during uncertain economic conditions. Why unrestricted funding is often significantly more valuable than restricted grant funding. Long-term financial planning when projects and funding commitments span several years. Building diversified income streams to improve organisational resilience. Making strategic investment decisions when resources are limited. Balancing investment in people, technology and projects. Creating operational efficiency without compromising organisational purpose. Improving productivity through smarter systems and processes. The growing impact of Artificial Intelligence on fundraising, grant applications and organisational effectiveness. Responsible AI adoption and balancing technological innovation with environmental responsibility. Measuring return on investment when success isn't measured through profit. Leadership lessons from running an international conservation organisation. Why collaboration often creates greater long-term impact than competition. Running a charity still requires great financial leadershipOne of the strongest themes throughout the conversation is that good financial management isn't about maximising profit.It's about maximising impact.Whether you're a founder, CEO, finance director or charity leader, the same questions continually arise: How do you make the best use of finite resources? How do you prioritise investment opportunities? How do you forecast in uncertain markets? How do you improve productivity without continually increasing costs? How do you balance today's pressures with tomorrow's ambitions? Paul explains how Shark Trust approaches these challenges through careful strategic planning, disciplined financial management and a clear focus on long-term outcomes.For anyone involved in business growth, financial planning, strategic finance or organisational leadership, there are valuable lessons throughout this discussion.AI, productivity and doing more with lessArtificial Intelligence has become one of the biggest talking points for organisations of every size.Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, Paul explains how Shark Trust is exploring ways to use it responsibly to increase productivity and free up time for higher-value work.The conversation explores: Using AI to improve operational efficiency. Supporting research and knowledge gathering. Improving communication and content creation. Enhancing fundraising processes. Managing AI responsibly within a mission-led organisation. Balancing innovation with environmental responsibility. It's a thoughtful discussion that moves beyond the headlines to consider how leaders can embrace technology while remaining focused on people and purpose.Measuring success beyond profitFor most businesses, success is relatively easy to measure.Revenue.Profit.Cash generation.Return on investment.For a conservation charity, success can take decades to become visible.Paul discusses how Shark Trust thinks about measuring impact, demonstrating value to funders and making investment decisions where the return may not become visible for many years.It's a fascinating perspective that challenges traditional thinking around KPIs and performance measurement.About Paul CoxPaul Cox has led Shark Trust since 2015.His career has taken him from investment banking through to marine biology before ultimately becoming CEO of one of the world's leading shark conservation charities.Today, he leads an organisation focused on protecting sharks and rays through science, conservation, education, policy and international collaboration.Alongside his passion for marine conservation, Paul has developed extensive experience in organisational leadership, fundraising strategy, financial management and building sustainable organisations capable of creating lasting impact.About The Fractional CFO ShowThe Fractional CFO Show explores the financial decisions behind successful organisations.Hosted by Adam Cooper, Founder of ACC Finance Solutions, each episode features honest conversations with founders, CEOs and business leaders about financial leadership, business growth, strategic planning, operational challenges and the lessons they've learned along the way.Whether you're scaling a founder-led business, building a leadership team or simply looking to make better financial decisions, each episode is designed to provide practical insights that can be applied immediately.Listen nowIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to The Fractional CFO Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.If you'd like to support the show, leaving a rating or review really helps more founders, CEOs, finance leaders and business owners discover these conversations.To learn more about ACC Finance Solutions and how a Fractional CFO can help improve your financial visibility, strategic decision-making and business growth, visit:https://accfinancesolutions.com
On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast, Monday, 6 July 2026, National outlines the trade deals it wants to strike in its second term. Meat Industry Association Chair Nathan Guy tells Ryan which country is at the top of his list. Business correspondent Vicky Pryce, out of the UK, fills us in on the latest with Andy Burnham as his policy platform begins to take shape. The All Blacks gave us a nail-biter on Saturday. Newstalk ZB sports reader Adam Cooper gives a post-match autopsy. Plus, UK correspondent Gavin Grey explains why Prince Harry didn't invite his wife and kids on his UK visit. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A new-look All Blacks side is taking to the field today for the first time in 2026 – coach Dave Rennie's first match at the helm. They're taking on France in the opening match of the Nations Championship, and all eyes will be on One NZ Stadium as the game kicks off just after 7. Peter Lakai is playing blindside flanker tonight, and joined Adam Cooper to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
ZB Sports experts Adam Cooper and Jason Pine join Nick Mills for an All-Blacks special edition of Friday Sport Kick-off. This is the first test of Dave Rennie's new All Blacks, and our first chance to see how this side will work under his reign. The team make their debut at Christchurch's new Te Kaha stadium against France on Saturday. The crew take a look at the Dave Rennie's first positioning of the squad and his statement with moves like shifting around flankers, Beauden Barret at 23 and Ruben Love starting at 10. And Piney squashes the rumours this will be an easy game playing France. With comments swirling it is a B team, how does this team really stack up against our All Blacks? And will the Hurricanes bomb squad be the thing France need to fear the most? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Hurricanes Poua finally broke the duck last weekend – winning their first Super Rugby Aupiki match since 2024. This weekend they're set to take on the Blues, and are eager to keep the momentum rolling and pick up another win. Iritana Hohaia, halfback for the side, joined Adam Cooper to discuss their win and preview the upcoming clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Auckland Tuatara are flying high – currently sitting atop the NZNBL table with two games in hand over the second-placed Southland Sharks. Tonight they're back in action, facing the Tauranga Whai in another big match. Josh Leger will be playing tonight, and is also marking his 50th appearance in the Rapid League, and so he joined Adam Cooper for a chat. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The NRLW Warriors are kicking off their season this weekend, hosting the Bulldogs at Waikato's FMG Stadium. Harata Butler is a prop for the side, and joined Adam Cooper to preview the weekend's match. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it really take to build a successful business without external investment?Many founders are told that the route to growth is to raise funding, specialise in a niche, standardise everything and scale as quickly as possible. But what if there was another way?In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper is joined by Gulliver Moore, Founder and CEO of Sunday Treat, a creative content agency that has grown organically into a multi-million-pound business working with some of the world's best-known brands, including Google, Disney, Canon, Revolut and Candy Crush.Over the last five years, Sunday Treat has expanded from a one-person operation into a team of fourteen, all without taking external investment and while deliberately ignoring much of the conventional advice given to agency founders.Instead of focusing on aggressive scaling, Gulliver explains why they've prioritised building a financially sustainable business, maintaining a strong company culture, protecting creativity and making commercial decisions that support long-term growth.This is an honest conversation about what building a modern agency really looks like behind the scenes.Rather than talking about overnight success, we explore the realities of growing a business, managing uncertainty, improving leadership, forecasting revenue, maintaining healthy cash flow and building a company that founders genuinely enjoy running.In this episode we discuss: Growing a creative agency without raising external funding Why cash flow is often more important than revenue growth Building a profitable business while staying true to your values The financial realities of running a project-based agency Managing working capital and large client payment terms Financial forecasting when future revenue is uncertain Scaling from founder to CEO Developing management and leadership skills Creating a culture that attracts and retains talented people Why Sunday Treat deliberately chose not to niche down How variety can become a competitive advantage Winning larger clients without following the traditional agency playbook Expanding into the United States and establishing a presence in New York Balancing creativity with commercial discipline Managing risk while continuing to grow Why sustainable growth often beats rapid growth One of the themes that runs throughout the conversation is the relationship between creative ambition and commercial discipline.Gulliver openly discusses how becoming responsible for employees completely changed the way he viewed leadership and business.Like many founders, he discovered that being technically brilliant at your craft doesn't automatically prepare you for managing people, having difficult conversations or building an organisation.He talks honestly about the mistakes he made early on, the management books that transformed his approach and why learning to become a better leader has arguably been just as important as winning new clients.For listeners interested in financial leadership, there are some particularly valuable insights into managing a business where revenue is inherently unpredictable.Unlike subscription businesses or companies operating on recurring revenue, Sunday Treat works largely on individual projects.That means forecasting income, managing utilisation, planning recruitment and protecting cash flow requires a very different approach.Gulliver explains how they think about financial planning, why maintaining a healthy cash buffer has been critical to their growth and how they approach larger client projects where payment terms can stretch well beyond the point at which suppliers and employees need paying.For founders, CEOs and business owners, it's a practical reminder that profitability and cash flow are not always the same thing—and that sustainable businesses are built through careful financial management as much as strong sales.The episode also explores one of the biggest debates in the agency world—whether businesses should niche down.Conventional wisdom suggests agencies should specialise in one industry or one type of customer.Sunday Treat deliberately chose not to.Instead, they work across multiple sectors and platforms, helping brands create content for everything from LinkedIn and TikTok through to television advertising and global campaigns.Gulliver explains why this approach has helped keep the team engaged, protected the business from changes within individual industries and ultimately created more opportunities for growth.Another fascinating part of the discussion focuses on international expansion.After seeing a significant proportion of revenue already coming from US clients, Sunday Treat recently established a formal presence in New York.Rather than treating expansion as simply opening another office, Gulliver shares the commercial realities behind entering a new market, including client acquisition, pricing, building relationships overseas and balancing growth with operational simplicity.Throughout the conversation, Gulliver offers a refreshingly honest perspective on what success looks like.Rather than chasing vanity metrics or headline growth numbers, he talks about building a business that is enjoyable to run, financially resilient and capable of creating exceptional work for clients while providing meaningful careers for the team.For anyone running a service business, creative agency, consultancy or founder-led company, there are practical lessons throughout this conversation around: Business growth Financial management Cash flow forecasting Profitability Leadership Founder mindset Scaling operations Agency growth Strategic decision making Commercial finance Business strategy Team development Company culture International expansion As always, we finish with our Business Book Bonus, where Gulliver shares the books that have most influenced his leadership style, management approach and personal productivity—including Radical Candor, The Making of a Manager and Uptime.Whether you're a founder, CEO, agency owner, finance leader or someone interested in building a business for the long term, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest reflections from someone who's grown a successful business by doing things differently.About the GuestGulliver Moore is the Founder & CEO of Sunday Treat, an award-winning creative content agency helping global brands create engaging content across digital, social and broadcast channels.Since launching the business, Gulliver has grown Sunday Treat organically into a multi-million-pound agency working with brands including Google, Disney, Canon, Revolut and Candy Crush, while maintaining a strong focus on creativity, culture and sustainable business growth.The Fractional CFO Show is hosted by Adam Cooper, Founder of ACC Finance Solutions, and explores the commercial, financial and leadership decisions behind successful businesses.Each episode features conversations with founders, CEOs and senior operators, covering topics including business growth, financial strategy, cash flow, forecasting, profitability, leadership and scaling founder-led businesses.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you follow The Fractional CFO Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform so you never miss a future conversation.
It's coming down to the wire in the ANZ Premiership. The Southern Steel are taking on the Mainland Tactix in tomorrow's elimination final, both teams vying for the spot in the Grand Final against the Mystics. Steel Head Coach Wendy Frew joined Adam Cooper to discuss the tournament. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Black Caps have a whopping lead over England at stumps on Day three of the second cricket test at The Oval. Henry Nicholls is unbeaten on 119, helping New Zealand to 252 for three – a lead of 352 runs with seven second innings wickets in hand. Jon Norman, commentator for talkSPORT in England, joined Adam Cooper to recap the day. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Black Sticks have made it to the semifinals of the FIH Nations Cup – remaining unbeaten throughout the pools. They're set to take on the United States tonight, clashing at North Harbour Hockey Centre for a spot in the final. Captain Olivia Shannon joined Adam Cooper to preview the game. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final has arrived – the champion set to be crowned tonight. The Hurricanes are hosting the Chiefs at Wellington's Hnry Stadium – aiming to put an end to their title drought stretching back to 2016. Hurricanes Centre Billy Proctor joined Adam Cooper to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Warriors stumbled into a second consecutive loss last week, falling 10-8 to the Sharks. This weekend will see them travelling down the Christchurch for their first match in the city's new stadium – clashing against the Cowboys tomorrow afternoon. Fullback for the Warriors, Taine Tuaupiki joined Adam Cooper to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Tonight will see Super Rugby Pacific crown a new champion. The Hurricanes and Chiefs are battling it out for the title at a sold-out Hnry Stadium in Wellington. The Chiefs are heading south, with hopes of defeating the ‘Canes and claiming their first title since 2013 – the team falling short in their last three finals. Chiefs lock Josh Lord joined Adam Cooper to preview the clash. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does good financial leadership actually look like inside a growing business?Many founders reach a point where bookkeeping is under control, management accounts are being produced, and year-end compliance is taken care of, yet they still feel uncertain when making important business decisions.They know the numbers exist.They receive reports.They have visibility of revenue.But they still don't feel fully in control of profitability, cash flow, hiring decisions, pricing, or growth plans.In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper is joined by Heidi Armstrong, Fractional CFO at ACC Finance Solutions, for a practical discussion about the role financial leadership plays in helping founder-led businesses improve profitability, strengthen cash flow, and make better decisions.This is a particularly special episode as it marks the first time a member of the ACC Finance Solutions team has joined the show.Drawing on her experience working with businesses across recruitment, beauty, media, professional services and other founder-led organisations, Heidi shares what she sees when businesses begin to outgrow basic finance support and require more strategic financial guidance.The conversation explores a common challenge faced by many SMEs.Business owners often know they need "better finance", but they're not always sure what that means in practice.Is it better reporting?More detailed management accounts?A bigger finance team?More software?Or is it something else entirely?Throughout the discussion, Heidi explains why good financial leadership is often less about producing more reports and more about helping business owners understand what their numbers are telling them and how those insights should influence future decisions.Topics covered include:• What a Fractional CFO actually does within a growing business• Why many founders feel disconnected from their numbers despite receiving regular financial reports• The difference between financial reporting and financial leadership• How financial forecasting helps business owners make decisions with greater confidence• The role of cash flow forecasting in supporting sustainable growth• Why revenue growth does not always lead to improved profitability• How management information can become a genuine decision-making tool• The importance of monitoring financial KPIs that actually matter• Common reasons margins deteriorate without founders noticing• Why pricing reviews should be a regular business discipline• The impact of inflation, supplier costs and overhead increases on profitability• How hiring decisions affect cash flow, capacity and future growth• The financial implications of expanding too quickly• Why business owners should place a value on their own time• How scenario planning supports better strategic decisions• The hidden cost of difficult clients• Why client profitability is about more than revenue alone• Lessons learned from working across multiple industries and business modelsOne of the most interesting parts of the conversation centres on client profitability.Many business owners evaluate clients purely based on the revenue they generate.However, Heidi discusses why some clients can consume disproportionate amounts of management time, operational resources and emotional energy.A client may appear profitable on paper but become significantly less attractive once the true cost of servicing them is taken into account.The discussion highlights why founders should regularly assess not only what clients pay but also the time, complexity, interruptions and stress associated with managing those relationships.The episode also explores the connection between financial visibility and confidence.When founders lack clarity around cash flow, profitability or future financial performance, decision-making often becomes reactive.Businesses delay investments.Hiring decisions become difficult.Growth opportunities are missed.Cash flow concerns create unnecessary stress.By contrast, businesses that embrace financial forecasting, scenario planning and regular performance reviews are often able to make decisions earlier, with greater certainty and lower risk.Heidi shares practical examples of how she helps business owners understand the numbers behind their businesses, identify potential issues before they become serious problems, and create financial plans that support both growth and profitability.The conversation also touches on a challenge many founders face but rarely discuss openly: the value of their own time.Business owners frequently make decisions without fully considering the opportunity cost of their involvement.Tasks that appear profitable on paper can become far less attractive when the founder's time is properly valued.Understanding this often changes how businesses think about delegation, recruitment, pricing and operational structure.Whether you're running a recruitment business, professional services firm, agency, consultancy, creative business or another founder-led organisation, the principles discussed throughout this episode are widely applicable.If you've ever wondered:• What does a Fractional CFO actually do?• When should I hire a Fractional CFO?• How can financial forecasting improve decision-making?• What financial KPIs should I be tracking?• How can I improve cash flow visibility?• How do I increase profitability without simply increasing sales?• How should I assess client profitability?• What does good financial leadership look like in practice?This episode provides practical, experience-led answers.The Fractional CFO Show is hosted by Adam Cooper, Founder of ACC Finance Solutions, where each week he speaks with founders, operators and business leaders about the financial, operational and strategic decisions that shape successful businesses.Subscribe for more conversations covering financial leadership, business growth, cash flow management, profitability improvement, financial forecasting, strategic finance, management reporting, founder decision-making and the realities of growing a business.
What a weekend for the Hurricanes. Newstalk ZBs sports experts Jason Pine and Adam Cooper join Nick Mills in the studio to talk the sports weekend ahead. Fill the tin! Over 20,000 are expected to be at Hnry Stadium backing the boys in yellow. Will the Hurricanes beat the Blues and get that home final? The crew chat the season so far, the success that has got them to this point and what to expect from Saturday nights game. They look into the coaching team, and acknowledge the incredible work of Clarke Laidlaw. Can the canes lock in these big coaching names? Plus, the Pulse play their last game this weekend, the crew talk the season and what could happen next with broadcasting rights and should the team be worried? And the Saints have what Nick is calling the "season defining game" - will they beat the Tuatara? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Its Friday Sports Kick-off and it's a Hurricanes special as Brad Shields joins the show today! Tonight is the quarter final at Hnry Stadium for Hurricanes and Brumbies, and the fight for the home semifinal. Shields shares an inside look coming up to the challenge of finals. Shields compares the current line up to the 2016 team, and says the boys are excited and working hard to win tonight. Then back with ZBs sports gurus Jason Pine and Adam Cooper. They talk our chances, analysing our last game against the Australian team where we won 45-12. And what lies ahead for the Canes - if they win or lose tonight. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Building Without Funding: Control, Trade-offs, and Capital DisciplineWhat if the best source of funding for your business isn't an investor?What if it's your customers?In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper sits down with Tayfun Bilsel, founder and CEO of Clinked, to explore the realities of building and scaling a technology business without relying on external investment.Over the last two decades, the startup world has become heavily associated with fundraising, venture capital, angel investors and rapid growth. Raising capital is often presented as the natural next step for ambitious founders.Tayfun's journey offers a different perspective.Since launching Clinked in 2008, Tayfun has grown the business into a leading client portal and business collaboration platform serving thousands of customers across more than 40 countries worldwide. Yet much of that growth has been achieved without the traditional venture-backed route.Instead, Clinked was built through customer revenue, careful resource allocation, financial discipline and a relentless focus on solving real customer problems.In this conversation, Adam and Tayfun discuss how operating without external funding changes the way founders think about growth, risk, profitability, customer acquisition and long-term decision making.One of the most interesting parts of the discussion centres around the concept of customer-funded growth.Rather than building products in isolation and hoping the market would eventually respond, Clinked's early development was heavily influenced by real customer feedback. In some cases, customers even helped fund specific product features, creating an additional layer of market validation before development resources were committed.The result was a business built around genuine customer demand rather than assumptions.The conversation explores how this approach helped create focus, prioritisation and commercial discipline during the early stages of growth.Topics covered include:• Why Tayfun initially chose not to pursue external investment• The realities of building a SaaS business during the 2008 financial crisis• Customer-funded growth and product validation• How early customers shaped Clinked's development• The importance of product-market fit• Financial discipline and capital efficiency• Managing cash flow without a financial safety net• Resource allocation when every investment decision matters• Customer acquisition versus customer retention• Why recurring revenue became a strategic advantage• Growth under constraint and the benefits of limited resources• Long-term thinking versus short-term investor expectations• Building sustainable growth models• The relationship between profitability and growth• Risk management for founder-led businesses• Scaling internationally without venture capital• Customer success as a growth strategy• Decision-making under uncertainty• The trade-offs between speed, ownership and control• When founders should consider raising investment• Common fundraising mistakes made by growing businessesThroughout the discussion, Tayfun shares practical lessons from nearly 18 years of building and growing Clinked through multiple economic cycles, changing technology trends and shifting market conditions.One recurring theme is the value of staying close to customers.As Clinked grew, the business continued to prioritise customer feedback, customer success and customer relationships. Tayfun explains how maintaining direct contact with customers helped the company make better decisions, identify opportunities faster and avoid many of the distractions that can come from chasing vanity metrics or short-term growth targets.The episode also explores the financial realities of building a company without access to large amounts of external capital.Without investor money acting as a buffer, cash flow management becomes critical. Every hiring decision, product investment, marketing initiative and growth opportunity must be assessed through the lens of sustainability and long-term value creation.For finance leaders, CFOs and operators, the discussion offers valuable insight into capital allocation, customer economics, resource prioritisation and strategic planning.For founders and entrepreneurs, it provides a candid look at the challenges and rewards of building a business where customer value, profitability and sustainable growth take priority over fundraising headlines.One particularly valuable section of the episode focuses on the question many founders face:"When should you actually raise capital?"Tayfun shares his view that investment should generally follow validation rather than precede it. Before raising money, founders should understand their market, prove customer demand, establish repeatable growth mechanisms and gain confidence that additional capital can generate a meaningful return.Rather than raising money simply because funding is available, he argues founders should have a clear understanding of how additional capital will accelerate an already functioning growth model.The conversation challenges many common assumptions around startup success and offers an alternative framework for thinking about growth, profitability and long-term business value.Whether you're building a SaaS company, professional services firm, consultancy, agency or founder-led business, there are practical lessons throughout this discussion that can be applied immediately.If you're interested in:• Bootstrapping• SaaS growth• Business strategy• Customer acquisition• Customer retention• Cash flow management• Financial planning• Capital efficiency• Business profitability• Scaling a business• Product-market fit• Founder-led growth• Customer success• Recurring revenue• Sustainable growth• Entrepreneurship• Strategic decision makingthen this episode is for you.Business Book BonusTayfun's recommendations:• The Lean Startup – Eric Ries• Predictable Revenue – Aaron RossAbout Tayfun BilselTayfun Bilsel is the Founder and CEO of Clinked, a leading client portal and collaboration platform used by organisations around the world to improve communication, project management, document sharing and client engagement.Since launching the business in 2008, he has successfully scaled Clinked internationally while remaining focused on customer-driven growth, financial discipline and long-term value creation.Connect with Tayfun:LinkedIn: Tayfun BilselWebsite: www.clinked.comAbout The Fractional CFO ShowHosted by Adam Cooper, Founder of ACC Finance Solutions, The Fractional CFO Show explores the commercial, financial and strategic decisions that drive business growth.Each episode features conversations with founders, CEOs and senior operators who share the lessons, challenges and decision-making frameworks that have shaped their businesses.The focus is on practical insight, real-world experience and the stories behind sustainable business success.
It's time for Friday Sports Kick-off with Jason Pine and Adam Cooper joining Nick on the show. Starting with The Hurricanes game tonight against the Crusaders in Christchurch. With many injuries in the team, are the panel concerned about a loss of the game and momentum towards the final? And the incredible story of Tim Payne who yesterday had under 5,000 followers, has gone viral and just cracked 1 million. The power of social media hit Payne when an Argentinean influencer called him the least known player at the upcoming FIFA world cup - a statement certainly not true today. And what is happening with the Pulse? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's time for Friday Sport's Kick-off, Nick is joined in the studio by our resident ZB sports gurus Jason Pine and Adam Cooper. Starting with the Hurricanes, who play the Highlanders this Saturday - kick-off is 7.05pm. The crew talk our (high) chances of a win. And the success of Hurricanes assistant coach Jamie Mackintosh - can they keep him? Plus, the Wellington Saint's loss against the Southland Sharks last night. They also rate the performance from the Phoenix Women's season, after losing the grand final last weekend. Will next year be our year? And Auckland FC Grand Final at home in Auckland tomorrow against Sydney FC. Piney will be there on gameday - what are the crew's score predictions? And who are us Phoenix fans rooting for? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Friday Sports Kick-off Nick is joined in the studio by Adam Cooper and Jason Pine, who is in Brisbane for the Magic Round. Wellington Phoenix play their grand final tomorrow night in Melbourne. They look back on the success at the semifinal in Porirua Park last weekend. And the impact of coach Bev Priestman - who has taken this team to the first A-League final in the clubs history. Hurricanes vs Blues - tomorrow night at Eden Park, competing for The canes have not won in Eden Park since 2019. Will this be the season? And Luke Metcalf leaving the Warriors and joining the Dragons during his contract. And will the Warriors win against the Broncos? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why is revenue forecasting so difficult in agencies and project-based businesses?In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper speaks with Julia Longo, Group Finance Director at SAENTYS, about the operational and financial realities of forecasting revenue in a fast-moving creative consultancy environment.SAENTYS operates across the UK, France and Switzerland, supporting clients in the real estate, hospitality and destination sectors. Julia oversees finance across multiple entities and shares a practical, experience-led view of how forecasting, reporting and operational planning work inside an international agency business.The discussion explores the difference between billing forecasting and revenue forecasting, and why many businesses have strong visibility over invoicing and pipeline activity but still struggle to understand future profitability and utilisation properly.Adam and Julia discuss the challenges of managing constantly shifting project scopes, changing client deadlines, freelancer requirements and resource allocation, all while trying to maintain accurate financial reporting and forward-looking visibility.The episode also covers the importance of management accounts, KPI reporting, operational finance processes and cross-functional collaboration between finance, client services, operations and creative teams.Other topics covered include:Revenue forecasting vs billing forecastingFinancial planning in project-based businessesProfitability management for agenciesCash flow forecasting and pipeline visibilityResource planning and utilisation managementPSA systems and operational reportingFinance leadership in creative businessesInternational reporting and multi-entity finance operationsForecasting challenges in professional services firmsImproving financial visibility through better systems and processesTime tracking, project profitability and operational accountabilityManagement reporting for growing agenciesFinance transformation and process improvementForecasting uncertainty and decision-making with incomplete dataThe role of finance in supporting operational performanceJulia also shares insights from her non-traditional route into finance leadership, moving from a background in chemistry and operations into senior finance roles within the agency world. The conversation highlights why strong finance leaders in creative and professional services businesses need commercial awareness, operational understanding and the ability to work closely with non-finance teams.This is a practical conversation for agency founders, finance directors, COOs, management accountants, project-based businesses and professional services firms looking to improve forecasting accuracy, profitability, financial visibility and operational decision-making.Guest:Julia Longo - Group Finance Director at SAENTYSHosted by:Adam Cooper - ACC Finance SolutionsListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.#FinancialForecasting #RevenueForecasting #ManagementAccounts #CashFlowForecasting #Profitability #AgencyFinance #FinanceLeadership #OperationalFinance #ProfessionalServices #BusinessGrowth
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 8 May, 2026, Winston Peters insists he won't support efforts by the National Party to raise the retirement age. We talk to one of the women who's accused Sir Rod Drury of inappropriate conduct about him handing back his New Zealander of the Year award. The New Zealand Herald's media insider Shayne Currie on who should succeed Maiki Sherman as TVNZ's political editor. And on the Sports Huddle, Adam Cooper and Paul Allison discuss Luke Metcalf's future with the Warriors. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For Friday Sports Kick-off Nick is joined by sports gurus and ZB Sports hosts Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. This week they chat about the New NZ Rugby CEO - Steve Lancaster. The crew look into growing Super Rugby and the struggles of bringing it up to levels on par with sports of the time like F1 or league. Does super rugby stand a chance? Can the Phoenix Women make it to the grand final? First time we have the chance, but we are currently trailing 2-1 against Brisbane Roar. The team play Sunday 10th May at 2.30pm Porirua Park - get out and support them in their semi-final! And how will the Hurricanes fare without Roigard and Love this weekend? The team play Moana Pasifika tomorrow night 7.05pm. And what a weekend for Porirua! Phoenix, Pulse and Saints all playing there over the weekend. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
To kick off the sports weekend Nick is joined by Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Starting with the Hurricanes. Ruben Love celebrates his 50th game. Jason says this is the best Hurricanes team since 2015, do our panel agree? Do we expect them to do well now instead of hope? We will see, when they play the Crusaders tonight at Hnry Stadium. The first leg of the semis for the Phoenix Women is on tomorrow, it is the furthest they have ever gone - could they do what no other Phoenix men OR women's team have done and take out the competition? Plus, the crew chat the two wins for the Wellington Saints and the progress the Pulse are making this season. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Warriors have sold out Hnry Stadium! They play the Dolphins tomorrow for their ANZAC day game. To celebrate, the sports crew of Nick, Adam Cooper and Jason Pine are joined by former Kiwis player and local league legend Mike Kuiti. They discuss what we can expect from this game, then the history of league in this country and the height it's reached now. Also, Hurricanes play the Brumbies tomorrow - Piney and Coops take a look at the team and the stats. Piney is down in Christchurch for the opening of Te Kaha One NZ Stadium, the crew talk what this means for Christchurch and the Crusaders. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper is joined by Callum Lockwood (Re:signal) to explore how SEO and marketing decisions translate into real commercial outcomes.Too many businesses still measure success through traffic, rankings, and vanity metrics. But as Callum explains, those numbers don't always lead to what actually matters, revenue growth, profitability, and cash flow.This conversation takes a more commercial and CFO-led view of SEO, reframing it as a long-term growth investment rather than a standalone marketing channel.Together, Adam and Callum break down how founders and operators should think about return on investment (ROI), payback periods, and contribution margin when evaluating SEO and digital marketing spend.They also explore how AI is changing the economics of marketing in 2026, from reducing the cost of content production to increasing competition and shifting where real value is created.Key themes from the episode include: Why traffic alone is a poor indicator of business performance How to connect SEO activity to revenue, margin, and commercial outcomes The role of SEO within a broader growth strategy and marketing mix Common areas where businesses misallocate marketing budget and resources Why many “SEO problems” are actually issues with pricing, positioning, or conversion How to think about SEO in terms of customer acquisition cost (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV) The impact of AI on search, content, and digital competition What CFOs and founders should be asking before investing further in marketing This is a practical, experience-led discussion designed to help founders, CEOs, and operators make better decisions about where to invest for sustainable growth.If you're spending on marketing, or questioning whether your current strategy is really delivering a return, this episode will help you rethink how SEO fits into your wider commercial model.
Welcome back to the Crushing It In Construction Podcast!Today I'm joined by Adam Cooper, the President of Ascent Consulting. Adam started out in the industry as an electrician. He then worked his way up through project management and eventually stepped away from the job site to help contractors run better businesses behind the scenes.Over the past decade, he's worked with hundreds of construction companies across the US, helping them put structure around things most businesses just “figure out as they go.”We got into private equity rolling into construction, why it works in some parts of the industry and completely falls apart in others, and what actually makes a construction business valuable enough to sell in the first place.We spoke about systems, why most businesses are far more owner-dependent than they think, and what needs to be in place if you ever want to step away without everything slowing down.Adam also shared how he nearly became a chemical engineer… which probably would've led a very different life.Connect with Adam Cooper:Website: https://ascentconsults.com/Podcast: https://ascentconsults.com/construction-hot-takes-podcast/Connect with Jordan Skinner:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanaskinner/Website: https://moonshotmedia.com.au/Do you have an influential personal brand?Take the quiz to find out:http://www.constructingaleader.com/quiz
For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB's sports hosts Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Starting with the Hurricanes game against the Reds tomorrow. After just coming back from Hnry stadium, Adam gives his updates on how the team is looking, and shares CEO Malcolm Gillies call for support. The game kicks off at 4.35pm tomorrow – tickets are available here. Brad Shields resigns with the Hurricanes for another season – this crew talk about this great news, and how it impacts the team on and off the field All Whites play in Auckland tonight – what would it mean if they win tonight? And how likely are they to win against Finland? They take a look at the line up for our team, and the world cup campaign. Then the team play Chile on Monday – also at Eden Park. And at Porirua Park on Sunday is the last of regular season game for the Phoenix Women, against the Western Sydney Wanderers. Then they talk T20 – will they bring in an import player strategy? Where will it be held? Nick wants a local t20 and team in the big bash, what do Jason and Adam think of it? Find out on Friday Sport kick-off. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB's sports gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. How are the Hurricanes looking for the season? Cooper thinks tonight's game against the Highlanders is the true test. The crew look at the games ahead for the Hurricanes and the starting players – including Ruben Love. Phoenix Women are the centre of attention and with a big week ahead this might be the Phoenix club's chance at silverware. They play Sydney FC tonight. To the men's team– the foundations are there, but how will they keep the shoots growing against Brisbane tomorrow? And both White Ferns and Black Caps in T20 double headers - Eden Park tonight, Hnry Stadium on Sunday. What are the chances of keeping our key players? Plus who stole Nick's highlighter? Find out on Friday Sport kickoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper is joined by Elliott King, agency founder, digital marketing expert, and Managing Partner at FINN Partners, to explore the real journey from startup to exit.Elliott shares honest insights on managing cash flow through growth, the shift from project to retainer revenue, and the financial discipline required to build a sellable agency.They also dive into the realities of M&A, including due diligence, valuation drivers, and what actually changes after a sale.Plus, a look at how AI, SEO, and owned media are reshaping digital marketing, and what agency founders should be doing now to stay competitive.A must-listen for agency owners focused on growth, profitability, and long-term exit strategy.
For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB's sports gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Dave Rennie has been appointed as the new All Blacks head coach. The crew talk through the selection process, and his top competitor Jamie Joseph. Is this the right choice? Last weekend the Hurricanes lost 35-30 to Fijian Drua – what went wrong and how do the team need to prepare for the game today against the Waratahs? And it is a busy night for the sports world tonight - as playing at the same time as the Hurricanes are the Phoenix. How will they cope against Adelaide. And the Warriors start tonight at 8pm. Plus is India unstoppable at the T20 world cup? The Black caps prep to face them on Monday morning. Find out on Friday Sport kick-off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nick is joined in the studio by All Sports Breakfast host Adam Cooper and Weekend Sport host Jason Pine to talk all things sport to end the week. Chris Greenacre has been appointed interim manager of the Phoenix after Giancarlo Italiano called it quits after the 5-0 loss last week to Auckland FC. Can he save the day? We get the lowdown from our sports gurus, they give their analysis of the manager change and how the players have reacted since. Plus the Hurricanes win over the weekend. Was this luck or are we real contenders for the championship? Find out on Friday sports kick-off. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Thinking about raising debt finance for growth, refinancing, acquisitions or working capital?In this episode of The Fractional CFO Show, Adam Cooper speaks with Steve Cockell, Founder of Obica Business Funding and experienced commercial debt advisor, about how the SME funding landscape has changed, and what founders must do before approaching lenders.They discuss:The decline of traditional relationship bankingThe SME funding gap between £500k - £2mInvoice finance vs unsecured cash flow lending vs asset-backed facilitiesHow to craft a compelling funding narrativeWhen to use a debt advisorWhat lenders really look for in today's credit environmentIf you're planning business growth and want to use debt finance strategically, this episode will help you approach funding with clarity and confidence.
On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 20 February, 2026, a royal expert tells us why Andrew's arrest is the biggest scandal in the history of the British monarchy. Why more than half of our police officers are thinking of quitting the job. We hear from a linguistics expert on why English doesn't need to be an official language. And on the sports huddle, Nathan Limm and Adam Cooper debate if it's ok to ask an Olympic athlete if snaring a silver medal is a disappointment. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB's sports gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. It's a big weekend for sport in the capital this weekend. The Hurricanes have their first game tonight at Sky Stadium against Moana Pasifika and then the Saturday night the Phoenix are playing Auckland FC at Sky Stadium. The crew discuss how our teams are looking, their predictions and is this a chance for both teams to make a mark? Plus the Firebirds are playing tonight, how's it looking? Find out on Friday Sport kickoff. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ian McMillan's guests this week are the singer and songwriter Richard Dawson, T.S. Eliot prize winning poets Jacob Polley and Sarah Howe and Children's Laureate Frank Cottrell Boyce - who celebrates Professor John Carey and the art of poetry criticism.Richard Dawson and Jacob Polley light up the past and make the future of energy and community life seem more real - by bringing their different sensibilities to 'Ancestral Reverb' - an album created by north east organisation 'Threads in the Ground' (directed by Adam Cooper). 'Ancestral Reverb' contains music spanning over 100 years, and the words of those connected to coal. DJ and producer Bert Verso sampled historic music for this album, and wove it through with his own new compositions. The records are embedded with fragments of coal. Richard Dawson's latest album is 'End of the Middle' and Jacob Polley's 'Hymn to Water' can be heard on BBC Sounds (www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002mw7t)Sarah Howe's new book is 'Loop of Jade' which beautifully takes on threads from her T.S. Eliot prize winning collection 'Loop of Jade'. Sarah explores a 'Neon Line' for us from the work of the American 20th century poet Elizabeth Bishop - a stand-out line that lets us into a poem. Sarah tells us about the power of the messy first draft, and where it can lead a poet.Children's Laureate, novelist and writer of the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony - Frank Cottrell Boyce celebrates the wit, generosity, and pithy opening sentences of Professor John Carey, whose distinctive voice as teacher, critic and broadcaster led so many into a deep engagement with poetry.Presented by Ian McMillan Produced by Faith Lawrence
For this week's Friday Sport Kick-off, Nick is joined by Newstalk ZB's sports gurus Adam Cooper and Jason Pine. Starting with the Wellington Blaze, our women's cricket team has a 50% win rate of winning the championship, so will they have a threepeat on their hands this weekend? The Phoenix have their 500th game this weekend. Pine reminisces on their legacy and thinks back to their first game back in 2007. They discuss their memories, highlights and some lowlights of the Wellington Phoenix. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Interview Date: October 26th, 2025Episode Summary:In this uplifting episode, UK-based choreographer, educator, and West End performer Ryan Jenkins shares his extraordinary journey from a late-starting dancer at 14 to performing in some of London's most iconic productions. Known for his work on Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, Wicked, Cabaret, Kismet, Phantom of the Opera, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dance Moms UK, Ryan reflects on how perseverance, professionalism, and positivity turned early setbacks into defining milestones.Ryan opens up about the rollercoaster moments that shaped his career—from working retail in London to suddenly joining the original West End cast of Wicked within days, learning the entire show in three days flat. He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the ballet world, musical theatre, and TV, offering practical insights into casting, mindset, and time management. As a teacher and mentor, Ryan now directs the Elite Associates Program with the Acosta Dance Foundation, founded by ballet star Carlos Acosta, where he helps the next generation of artists reach their full potential.Whether you're a dancer chasing your first contract or a professional redefining your career path, this conversation is packed with motivation, humor, and heart. Ryan's message is clear: stay kind, stay ready, and never stop believing in your own timing—because the job meant for you won't pass you by.Shownotes:(0:00) – Welcome & introduction to Ryan Jenkins and his West End legacy(7:34) – Joining the original Wicked cast with Idina Menzel(14:37) – Late start in dance at 14 and training at Bird College(16:56) – Making West End debut in Swan Lake with Matthew Bourne(19:22) – From “spritzing perfume” to Wicked in one week(20:30) – Balancing Cabaret, Kismet & Wicked simultaneously(22:21) – Competing on So You Think You Can Dance & Got to Dance(25:17) – Transitioning to choreography and Dance Moms UK(26:19) – Launching Acosta Dance Foundation's Elite Associate Program(28:44) – Biggest lessons: likability, professionalism, and mindsetBiography:Ryan has worked with the biggest creatives in the world including; Matthew Bourne, Arlene Philips, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Joel Schumacher, Peter Darling and Ashley Wallen. He has also shared the stage with stars such as; Kerry Ellis, Idina Menzal, Adam Cooper, Miriam Margolyes, and Adam Garcia. 2025 Ryan worked for Simon Cowell as casting specialist for Britain' s got talent. The only teacher in the world to have taught the dancers from the hit US T.V show Dance Moms for Abby Lee Miller and as choreographer for UK TV version Dance Mums with Jennifer Ellison. Most notably known for appearing as a finalist in the top 20 in series 2, So You Think You Can Dance and Got to Dance, before this he had a flourishing career in London's West End but not before gaining his first job at 19 in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Ryan was appointed as Dance Captain for Grease The Musical UK and European Tour, choreographed by Arlene Philips. Original London cast of Wicked, ENO (English National Opera)- Kismet , London Coliseum. Cabaret' musical Lyric theatre, by Javier de Fructos. Featured dancer - Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera the movie, directed by Joel Schumacher and choreographed by Peter Darling.Most recently started a new dance programme with Acosta dance foundation founded by Ballet star Carlos Acosta called Elite Associates. In 2025 he choreographed the music video 'The blossom and the mountain' which has been nominated all over the world in film festivals and won awards.Connect on Social Media:Website: https://www.ryanjenkins.co.ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/realryanjenkins/
Most teams treat annual planning like a spreadsheet exercise.Finance builds the numbers. Everyone else nods along. Then the plan gets filed away until next year.But real planning isn't about producing a static budget – it's about creating a rhythm that connects finance, operations, and delivery all year round.In this episode of The Handbook: The Ops Podcast, Harv sits down with Adam Cooper, founder of ACC Finance Solutions and host of The Fractional CFO Show, to unpack how finance can become your business's operating rhythm – one that brings clarity, accountability, and foresight to every decision.Here's what we cover:How to use finance as your sat nav, not your rear-view mirrorBuilding a monthly rhythm that links financials, KPIs, and team accountabilityCreating a planning cycle that goes beyond budgets – with scenarios, reforecasts, and 3 - 5 year goalsManaging cash flow and runway with discipline (and less stress)Why financial storytelling matters – and how it helps the whole business make smarter choicesIf your annual planning still feels like a finance ritual, this episode will help you reframe it as an operating plan for the year ahead – one that helps your team navigate, adapt, and grow with confidence.Additional Resources:
Liam Lawson looks set to assist Max Verstappen's Formula 1 championship bid, before learning of his 2026 fate. Keen to focus on the defending champion's campaign - Red Bull have reportedly pushed their driver selection timeline until after the Qatar Grand Prix on December 1. Sportstalk host Adam Cooper explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alex Edelman plays Adam Cooper on The Paper, the new show from NBC set in the universe of The Office. Edelman is also an award winning standup and writer. His solo show, Just For Us, offers a very funny, very personal examination of white supremacy and Jewish identity. He talks to Bullseye about his unlikely position as the least impressive member of his family, the difference in audience reactions to his standup in the US and the UK, and how he hopes The Paper will make audiences feel good.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
On this Thursday bonus episode we are going to play the interview from episode 468 from March 2024 featuring writer and director Adam Cooper who talks about making his first feature starring Russell Crowe after a career writing studio features. I thought it would be fun to pair it with James and Sebastian from Monday because James also started his career writing studio features before becoming a director. After that we play another round of You're the expert, enjoy! Don't forget to support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/mmihpodcast Leave us a Review on Apple Podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-movies-is-hard-the-struggles-of-indie-filmmaking/id1006416952
Sports Journalist Lavina Good and Newstalk ZB's Adam Cooper join the Huddle. The Huddle discusses Netball New Zealand's current rules stating players must play in the ANZ Premiership to be available for the national team. Nine Kiwi crickets have left Pakistan as the Super League transfers to the UAE amid ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India. Where does this leave the players? New Zealand Rugby has posted huge losses despite a record income last year. Could we expect job losses? The Huddle discuss all this and more. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Slaughter in the hall! This week Dcn. Harrison Garlick is joined by Dr. Adam Cooper of Wyoming Catholic College to discuss Odysseus' revenge upon the suitors in Book 24. Check out thegreatbookspodcast.com for more information!103. What happens in book twenty-two?The time has come. Odysseus stands at the threshold of his home, cries out to Apollo, and lets loose an arrow straight through the neck of Antinous (22.15). It is chaos in the hall, as the “bread and meats [were] soaked in a swirl of bloody filth” (22.21). Eurymachus attempts to broker a true between Odysseus and the suitors—but it is rejected (22.57). Eurymachus then calls the suitors to arms and is subsequently slaughtered by Odysseus (22.73). Telemachus brings armor and weapons to his father, the swineherd, and the cowherd (22.121), but the goatherd, however, is able to sneak weapons and armor to the suitors as well (22.151). On his second run for weapons, the cowherd and swineherd intercept the goatherd and tie him up and hang him from the rafters (22.196).Athena first arrives in the guise of Mentor (22.217) and then becomes like a sparrow perched on the rafters assisting Odysseus in his slaughter (22.250). She reveals her “man-destroying shield of thunder” and the suitors fall into a panicked madness; as Odysseus and his men went “wheeling into the slaughter, slashing left and right, and grisly screams broke from skulls cracked open—the whole floor awash with blood” (22.311). With only a few suitors left in the hall, Odysseus has no mercy on their prophet but spares the bard and the herald (22.327).The slaughter of the suitors is complete. Odysseus has the old maid, Eurycleia, send in the female servants who were disloyal (22.458), and these women help to carry out the corpses and clean the home of gore (22.471). Telemachus then oversees the disloyal women being slowly hanged in the courtyard—a “pitiful, ghastly death” (22.487). The goatherd is retrieved and mutilated to death by the swineherd and cowherd (22.500). Odysseus purifies his home with fire and brimstone (22.518). The book ends with the loyal maid servants of the house surrounding Odysseus, and the king breaks down and weeps (22.528). 104. What should be noted in how the suitors are slaughteredOdysseus invokes Apollo, the god of archery, on his feast day to help him with his slaughter (22.07). Notice that Homer makes it explicit that the suitors are killed while feasting (22.09). Homer writes, “food showered across the hall, the bread and meats soaked in a swirl of bloody filth” (22.21). It recalls Odysseus' statement that he is going to give them the feast they deserve (21.477). The mixed imagery of food and slaughter gives credence to seeing Odysseus as the cyclops consuming his guests. One wonders whether Antinous being shot in the throat is symbolic of his constant vile rhetoric throughout the narrative (22.15).Consistent with what we have previously observed, Eurymachus attempts to talk his way out of the situation, which includes an appeal for the king to spare his own people (22.57). Notice Odysseus says they can fight or flee, but it is not apparent that they can actually flee the situation nor that Athena would permit it (22.69).Arguably, Odysseus kills Antinous and Eurymachus first to deprive the suitors of their leadership—a fact he would have observed as the beggar. The suitors, which greatly outnumber Odysseus and his men, could overwhelm Odysseus, but instead their cowardice allows them to be picked off individually.
Today I'm joined by Benjamin China and Paul China to discuss their film NIGHT SHIFT. While working her first night shift at a remote motel, a woman begins to suspect that the property is haunted. NIGHT SHIFT is currently available on VOD. Then after the break, I chat with Adam Cooper about the Russell Crowe thriller SLEEPING DOGS. An ex-homicide detective (Russell Crowe) with memory loss is forced to solve a brutal murder, only to uncover chilling secrets from his forgotten past. SLEEPING DOGS will be in theatres this Friday, March 22nd. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/followingfilms/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/followingfilms/support
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