Today’s guest is not a bot… he’s a real person with a lot of knowledge of bots. And Artificial Intelligence. And Automation. And so much more.

Matt explains how he discovered AI and went on to make it, and automation, his chosen career path. He says Artificial Intelligence and its huge potential for improved efficiency is his favourite topic and this is evident in this conversation with show host James Scotland.

In a wide ranging and fascinating conversation, James and Matt discuss how business managers should approach A.I., automation and much more.

• What is A.I. and what is generative Artificial Intelligence?

• Why is there an inherent bias in AI and Chat GPT and how do businesses overcome it?

• How does AI and Blockchain work together?

• How employees and A.I. will work together, to create improved efficiency.

• What is the future of work when we factor in generative AI, automation and blockchain?

• What business operators should do today to start implementing A.I expertise.

• Why A.I. will provide incredible productivity gains for businesses IF it is mastered by the operators.

Matt says, “AI will not replace humans, but it might replace humans who cannot operate AI”.

Matt also introduces us to a new Microsoft product being released on the 1st of November called Microsoft 365 Copilot. He says it’s a gamechanger for business and will be the business buzz for 2024.

This is a topic requested by listeners and is timely and important. Well worth a listen.

To find out more about Matt and The Missing Link, head over to: https://www.themissinglink.com.au/, or connect with Matt via LinkedIn.

Host James Scotland ask John Grimes for the keys to creating sustainable businesses in todays economy. John mounts a strong argument for moving your business to electric power via solar and batteries. He explains the numbers and the opportunities for business owners – this is an episode full of exciting insights and business ‘nuggets’

James and John discuss electrification of business, of vehicles and of society, and they have a look at business opportunities in the infrastructure build of the transition.

John also explains his view of the new economics of renewables, of power storage and of government support: It adds up to a great opportunity for business improvement.

Other issues discussed in this wide ranging discussion include

• The electrification of China

• Opportunities from the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act

• What is Smart Energy

• Is nuclear an option?

• Australia’s unique role and opportunity in renewable energy systems

• And much more.

Find out more about John and the Smart Energy Council at www.smartenergy.org.au

About John Grimes:

John Grimes was appointed Chief Executive in 2008. He started his career as an officer in the Air Force and went on to found and grow a number of companies, including a startup company he took to a successful listing on the ASX with a market capitalisation in excess of $30m. His most recent company was in the environmental sector with operations in Australia, the US and the Middle East.

In this month’s ‘What on Earth...’ James, Tennant and Paul again examine the ‘issues of the day for the last month’ as we in Australia and globally transition to the post-carbon emissions business environment.

The podcast asks ‘What on Earth’…. is going at a policy, economy, global and at the enterprise level as we race to Net Zero carbon requirements for our businesses and for the economy.

Topics covered this month include:

• China’s apparent new and emerging economic growth strategy, and what it might mean for Australia and for the transition,

• The need to diversify our economy, especially as we and the world transition away from carbon-based fuel and export products,

• Why business is pushing back in the U.K. and elsewhere as politicians get skittish about carbon targets and/or are faced with changes brought about by political concerns and geo-politics (delaying just add cost and politician pain down the line)

• What’s happening with Australian energy, petrol and electricity prices and possible cost trends for business (Spoiler Alert: According to Tennant, prices are likely to ‘drop to still-historic highs-quite a trick!)

• The now-rapid arrival of EVs in Australia and what is means for existing and planned infrastructure: and what this means for critical minerals, vehicle charging times and locations and other issues,

• Victoria government’s announcements regarding gas connections to new homes, and what it means for individuals and business,

• Why there is a need for policy discipline in electricity prices going forward,

• And the need to see the emerging hydrogen industry as a total value chain, and how it compares to existing fuel and energy value chains.

Another jam packed episode of crunchy transition and business issues- the three amigos never fail to deliver non-stop thought-provoking observations and insights.

Well worth a listen!

In this episode we address the important emerging supply chain and business sustainability issue: The management concept of Product Stewardship…..

The centrepiece of all supply chains is a good product but what actually is a ‘good’ product in the modern world. It’s a complex question with many of aspects to it, including ESG requirements, maximum value, minimal waste, through life support and end-of -life waste management

In this episode James speak with John Gertsakis of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence to learn about Product Stewardship and how it helps businesses to build sustainable and resilient supply chains.

Many issues are covered including:

• The role of research in product design,

• System wide thinking in product management,

• The potency of good product and system design,

• What good looks like,

• The Waste Hierarchy and why its important,

• The role of the balance sheet in whole of life design,

• The keys to preventative solutions,

• The bottom life improvements in good product design and so much more.

I Chose to look the other way - by Don Merrell by Australian Industry Group

This is the story of the mouse that roared. Of the small manufacturing business in a suburb in Adelaide that went from one product, one major customer to a well-respected, innovative, complex supply chain with a global brand in just 25 years. Still headquartered at the same location in South Australian the business now has operations, sales people and distribution channels throughout the world.

Anthony Kittel has been at the helm for the whole time, and in this podcast he shares his story and REDARC’s amazing journey, its commitment to research and operational excellence, and his plans for the future.

In a wide-ranging and insightful interview, James and Anthony discuss, among many other things

• the role of R&D in rapid growth

• the structure of effective strategic plans

• the connection between new product development and existing manufacturing capacity

• innovative approaches to selecting the ‘right’ staff

• insights into being a successful supplier as well as being a successful buyer, and

• Anthony insights into what keeps him up at night and what gets him out of bed in the morning.

James explains to Anthony the connection between Julia Roberts and ‘Pretty Woman’ and ‘Back to the Future’.

It a conversation that is well worth a listen: a rare chance to hear firsthand from a world class business builder and supply chain operator.

With Tennant in China for High Level Dialogue meetings, Paul and James address a range of current issues. As James says; “it’s the podcast that discusses the transitioning economy issues of the day, each month. “

This episodes contains interesting and insightful analysis and comment on a number of issues including:

• The challenges and opportunities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia, an area often called ‘ The global mining industry’s version of Silicon Valley’

• Why the Pilbara can be the global model for decarbonisation

• Why clusters are a useful structure for the transition, and how it works.

• The opportunities for manufacturing in the sustainment of the Hydrogen Industry in the decades ahead.

• The cost of the transition and the role of global government subsidy and funding support in presenting challenges

• The release of Australia’s first national Electric Vehicle strategy and what it means for business.

A jam packed episode of insights and opinions. Worth a listen.

Innes Willox On ABC NewsRadio 733am 4.9.23 by Australian Industry Group

Louise McGrath has been working in international trade for decades and now represents Ai Group and Australian industry at global industry meetings around the world.

In this engaging conversation James and Louise share humorous stories and insights into the keys to effective cross-cultural communication in business, supply chains and international meetings.

Louise also share her thoughts on the current state of international trade and what it means for Australian business.

Industry topics discussed include:

• The current effectiveness of Free Trade Agreement’s

• The implications for Australian business with the USA Inflation Reduction Act

• Insights into international trade meetings

• The future of digital trade documents.

The two have a lively discussion on international communication including

• The impact of the power differential

• The importance of words vs intent in communications

• An understanding of socials norms and being positive

• And much more.

James and Louise are clearly good at communicating with each other and with the world at large, and this is a fun conversation of serious topics.

Worth a listen.

In this 2nd episode focusing on the SME section of supply chains, James chats with Mal Hiley, the Managing Director of Baker & Provan, a successful Western Sydney engineering and services company with an international supply line.

Baker & Provan, a family owned business have specialised in the manufacture and supply of quality engineering products for over 75 years. It is now a significant and long-term supplier to the Defence Industry. Still based in St Marys in a 6,500sq metre workshop and employing over 80 fulltime staff, the company is a well-respected, successful modern engineering company suppling large buyers across the nation.

James and Mal discuss the challenges of managing SMEs and the keys to managing demanding buyers, and in sustaining international suppliers. Mal opens up on the difficulties and the processes needed to sustain success in demanding industries, including:

• The structure and history of the business.

• The challenges of sovereign capability and the role Bake & Provan is playing in increasing onshore capability.

• The difference between manufacturing and sustainment as a Defence supplier.

• Managing long term contracts with Defence and the Defence Industry.

• Developing relationships with international OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers), to provide local sustainment support.

• Importance of face-to-face relationships with suppliers, buyers and staff.

• And much more.

Mal is in the unique position of managing a multi-pronged, long supply line, fine tolerance engineering business that has been successful for generations before him. His insights and experiences are well worth hearing.