Business Essentials

Building eco-friendly brands and tackling the downsides of AI are timely issues in the business world – and we’ve got both covered in this week’s episode.

First, we dive in with Olympian-turned-founder Bronte Campbell, who shares how frustration with traditional activewear led her to co-found sustainable activewear brand Earthletica. She also explains why consistency, discipline and feedback – essential skil...

Mindset, manifestation, and building a strong advisory board: they’re three very different approaches that can all play a role in success, as our guests this week explain.

To kick this episode off, serial entrepreneur Hilton Misso shares his remarkable career journey: from suburban law firm to major wins across law, real estate, and childcare. Drawing on insights from his new book How to Manifest Success, Hilton discusse...

Just how important is networking in the age of AI - and what's the business case for environmental investing? Two business thinkers weigh in on these timely themes in this week’s episode.

First, Roxanne Calder of EST10 Recruitment explains why genuine human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven hiring landscape. She shares practical tips for building authentic relationships through curiosity, generosity and &ldquo...

Are your people excited about AI, or quietly anxious about what it means for their jobs? And how psychologically safe is your workplace culture when it comes to dealing with this uncertainty? 

On this week’s episode, we explore how leaders can help teams navigate rapid change without losing trust or momentum. Suhini Wijayasinghe, Head of HR Solutions at people2people Recruitment, shares new research on why many workers f...

What is “greenwashing” - and how can businesses avoid it? And what does it take to build a future-ready, people-first workplace culture? In this episode, Elio D’Amato, founder of EnviroInvest, explains what greenwashing is, why it matters, and why regulators are cracking down. He outlines the risks for business leaders and shares practical guidance on communicating environmental claims clearly, credibly and legall...

Entrepreneurship today demands more than hustle; it requires humanity, clarity and better support. In this week’s episode, entrepreneurial futurist Andrew Griffiths shares the qualities that underpin long-term success - from resilience and curiosity to embracing what makes you uniquely human in an AI-driven world. Andrew also offers sharp insights on modern marketing, brand differentiation and future-ready skills.

Then, CEO a...

Bigger and louder doesn’t always mean better - in business or on LinkedIn. In this week’s episode, two experts share their insights around focusing on quality over noise. First up, LinkedIn trainer Karen Tisdell explains how business leaders can build credibility and real relationships with a strong profile - without feeling pressured to constantly post content. She shares practical tips for creating a profile that insp...

Burnout isn’t a badge of honour - and empathy isn’t a “soft” skill. In this week’s episode, two innovative business thinkers explore strategies for avoiding exhaustion while cultivating meaningful connections that elevate both personal and professional performance.

First, Tim Jack Adams, founder of greenx7, introduces Energised, his practical guide to restoring sustainable energy through slee...

Is your workplace culture empowering people or quietly silencing them - and could poor experiences be driving customers away faster than you realise? In this week’s episode, leadership expert Marnie Brokenshire, cofounder of Uncapped Potential, unpacks the growing risk of culture slipping into “cult-like” control and why psychological safety matters. Then Greg Nicolle, Group Manager of Client Success at Thryv Aust...

What really drives success in today’s workplace - and are we focusing on the wrong things? In this episode, Professor Darius Pfitzner, Academic Dean at the Australian Institute of Business, shares lessons from his extraordinary career journey, from Navy aircraft engineer to leading business academic, highlighting the value of failure, humility, and customer focus.

We then turn to Emotional Intelligence Specialist Amy Jacobson...

Australia’s small business landscape is being reshaped by some major forces right now – including the need for AI training, and a proposed new Small Business Charter. We explore both in this week’s episode. First up, Freshworks Australia’s Vice President, Andrew Phillips, talks us through the widening gap between businesses adopting AI and those holding back. Andrew warns business leaders about the risks tha...

There are two major forces shaping how businesses operate right now: intergenerational pressures, and hefty tax debts. In this week’s episode, leadership expert Marnie Brokenshire explains why managing five generations in one workplace is pushing managers to their limits - and why employees in their 50s may be the most underutilised asset in your organisation. Marnie also outlines the emotional-intelligence skills needed to t...

Strong partnerships and loyal customers are both essential to business success – and this week’s episode explores how to bolster both. Greg Nicolle, Group Manager of Client Success at Thryv Australia, explains why retention often outperforms acquisition – and he shares six clever, underused follow-up tactics that turn one-time buyers into long-term loyalists. Then psychotherapist Tom Skotidas, founder of Everpath,...

In this episode, we dive into two pressing challenges facing today’s leaders and businesses. Gus Gilkeson, CEO of Grow Capital, discusses how Donald Trump's sweeping US tariffs are shaking up global trade, with real impacts on Australian SMEs. He offers strategic advice to help businesses stay resilient, plan long-term, and adapt to increasing uncertainty. Then leadership expert Michelle Gibbings unpacks the real meaning behi...

Are you the type of person who clings to stability while the world around you changes? Then you might be taking a huge risk for your business. Workplace expert Michelle Gibbings argues that calculated, strategic risk-taking is now essential for organisational resilience. Michelle explains why doing nothing can be the riskiest move of all and offers practical advice for business owners on building a culture that supports wise, delib...

A generation vital to the workplace, Millennials, or Gen Y’s, are now approaching their mid-40’s. As lovers of technology, they’re not fearful of AI, but rather engage with it to seek workplace improvement and explore how it can improve the world around us. Leadership expert, Dr Paige Williams, explains how to nurture and value this vital, next generation of leaders.

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How emotionally intelligent are you and your workplace? Are you being held back by toxic or unproductive relationships? Emotional Intelligence Specialist Amy Jacobson says hers is a skill anyone can learn, and that it can transform businesses. Amy outlines five practical steps to build an emotionally intelligent workplace, from self-awareness and emotional accountability to empathy, communication and decisive action.

Busine...

If you’re wondering how other businesses are handling their teams working-from-home, you might be surprised that most people are coming back to the office. But not everyone – a significant percentage are working a hybrid arrangement. Roxanne Calder, Managing Director of boutique recruiting firm, EST-10, says implementing a successful hybrid model requires understanding individual needs and aligning them with the busines...

As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates, a new divide is emerging between owners and employees embracing the technology, and those being left behind. Andrew Phillips, Vice President of Freshworks Australia, a company delivering AI software for customer and IT services, explains why it’s now time for small and medium business leaders to become AI-literate. He explains how some simple, accessible tools can improve produ...